QUANTUM OF SOLACE

i



Well here it is folks, the review you all have been waiting for. I would have to say this rates as a very good Bond flick, but not the best. Why is it not the best? Any great Bond movie would have to include Q, who is absent in this one. Where are all those gadgets we love to see Bond using without ever having proper training, much less reading the manuals. Of course, there is the matter of the action scenes. They look like they were shot with hand-held cameras, and it makes it hard to follow. On top of that, the chase scenes make it hard to tell where one is in relation to the other. That aside, I did like the way Bond handles these heated life-threatening situations with the kind of cool you that would make Frosty the Snowman look like a hot tamale. I have heard some say they don't like the fact that he doesn't smile very much. I think he smiles when it is called for, but I like the serious demeanor he maintains as he goes about his daily tasks. Again, this is a very good Bond movie, and I highly recommend it.

An Artsy Hot Dog

I just had to post this pic of a couple of dogs that Ben created for himself. After seeing these, and after my sandwich, I had to make one for me.

Early Thanksgiving

We went to Louisville to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with Ben, Sarah and Eli. Everyone is doing well, and as you can see from some of these pics, Eli is gaining strength and is raising his head nicely when we do "tummy time." I didn't post all the pics, but I can put up a few more if anyone is really, really interested. I have posted a link on the right for "More Eli Pics."

Georgia and Dwight are Expecting!!

Yes, its true. My niece, Georgia and her husband Dwight are expecting their first child in June! What an exciting time! Pat and I were privileged to speak with her on the phone last night although she is very very busy finishing up her doctoral work at the University of Florida.

007

"Walk softly and carry a big gun." That's what I always say. It seems to be pretty good advise for 007 here, and he seems to have an adequate weapon for the occasion. Yes, the new 007 movie opens in most theaters today. (I suppose I should spell it theatres since Bond is British.) I had always said that "There's no bond like Sean (Connery.") I think that is true--up until now. After warming up to him in Casino Royale, I think Danny boy just may give Sean a run for the money. Let me know what you think. Check out Quantum of Solace this weekend.

Autumn

Here I have pictured one tree, but each shot was taken at a different time of day. Which one do you prefer? (There are no incorrect answers here.) I think that the one taken in the AM (bottom pic) shows the green colors (down low) better, possibly because it is shaded, and the one taken in the PM (top pic) shows a brighter color overall. I am really impressed how some trees are holding onto their leaves this late in the season.

More Andy

1. So who is the man pictured here?
2. What is the rumor about what he did with his hired hand?
3. What is going on with the axe?

I thought I would take it easy and just give three questions this time. Of course, anyone who would like to expound on this episode may do so in the comment section.

The MacLeans Head back to Mali

The MacLeans will be heading back to Mali Thursday. Its really hard to believe since they have been in the states all summer. We are thankful for the time we were able to spend with them, and we will miss them very much. We are thankful for Skype.