Hope Is Where The Heart Is

It's that time again.  We leave tomorrow for another trip to Boston.  It's funny the mixed feelings I have towards that city!  On the one hand, every time I have headed that direction, there has been a sense of anxiety and dread.  On the other hand, they saved my husband's life there, so the city of Boston will forever have a special place in my heart.

It was one year ago that they removed the tumor and Scott became "cancer free."  Aren't those beautiful words?  Six months ago, we heard those same words, and we'll hear them again on Monday. 

Being sure we'll hear good news doesn't lessen the anxiety...or scanxiety.  It's a strange mixture of feelings itself.  On the one hand, I have absolutely no doubt that the results of the scans will be good, Cancer Free!  But, on the other hand, I am still terrified.  Scanxiety, indeed.

But, we have Love!  

Love makes us strong, love is strength.  

We have Faith!  

Faith and belief that the best is yet to come

And we have Hope!  

Hope is Strong!  

Hope Is Where The Heart Is!

Hope, Love and Faith all together are unstoppable! 

READ MORE FROM "HOPE IS WHERE THE HEART IS" at Suzi's Scribbles.

Get Yourself In A Good Mood

Studies show that people with a positive outlook tend to be healthier and live longer, while negative emotions are proven to harm the body.  Serious, sustained stress or fear can alter biological systems in a way that, over time, adds up to “wear and tear” and, eventually, illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Chronic anger and anxiety can disrupt cardiac function by changing the heart’s electrical stability, hastening atherosclerosis, and increasing systemic inflammation.

Choose to be happy, make a decision to have a positive attitude and be in a good mood.  

CONTINUE READING

TURN OFF ANGER, TURN ON LOVE

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We Scattered the Ashes Down the Mountainside

We scattered the ashes down the mountainside

Watched as they spread over the wildflowers

And thought about all the love that had died

Watched as the ashes turned into powder

And thought about all the love there was still to come

We scattered the ashes down the mountainside

Watched as they blew away with the wind

And thought about things best left in the past

Watched as ash and mountain began to blend

And thought about how earth, not ash, is meant to last

We scattered the ashes down the mountainside

Watched them catch the sunlight beams

And thought about the shadows that they cast

Watched them like they were fragments of our dreams

And thought about how life, not dreams, is meant to last

We scattered the ashes down the mountainside

Watched as they spread over the wildflowers

And thought about all the love that had died

Watched as the ashes turned into powder

And thought about all the love there was still to come

Featured TV Series: Wet Hot American Summer:First Day Of Camp

Yes, Campers, they are back!

Fans of the 2001 movie, "Wet Hot American Summer," will be sure to enjoy this newest Netflix series.

The movie was a bit of a box office disappointment, but has since gained a cult following.  The popularity of the movie has prompted Netflix to produce this prequel.

Where the movie takes place on the last day of summer camp at Camp Firewood, the first season of the series all happens during the course of the first day of camp, summer 1981.

Nearly every one of the adult cast of the movie have returned to reprise their roles in the series, along with some new faces.  Remember, these were adult actors portraying teenagers 15 years ago, and now they are playing those same teen characters again.  Some pull it off better than others!

Starring (just to name a few):
Paul Rudd
Bradley Cooper
Elizabeth Banks
Amy Poehler
Molly Shannon
Janeane Garofalo
David Hyde Pierce
Christopher Meloni
Marguerite Moreau
H. Jon Benjamin
Kristen Wiig
Jason Schwartzman
Jon Hamm
Chris Pine

If you read the Featured Movie: Wet Hot Summer review, you know that I called the movie a hoot.
Well, the show is all that and more!  While fans of the original movie are sure to enjoy it, it might not have the same appeal for those not in the know.  There is something of the ridiculous about it, and yet I couldn't seem to stop watching.

Being a prequel, you get answers to questions like: Why does the can of vegetables talk?
(Once again, voiced by the hilarious H. Jon Benjamin, the can of veggies may be my favorite character!)

The big adventure in the movie was a piece of Skylab falling to earth, on a beeline for the camp rec center.  In the new series, the counselors find that the government has been dumping toxic waste in the woods just outside of camp.  When the "powers that be" realize they have been found out, the white house orders an assassin, The Falcon, to destroy the camp and kill the counselors.  All the while, rehearsals for the big talent show continue...

We binged watched the entire series in one evening.
The episodes are short and the whole thing takes place in one day, so it flows well for binge watching.
A fun and entertaining ride!

What did you think of "First Day Of Camp?"

Featured Movie: Wet Hot American Summer

The Featured Movie today is a bit of an oldie...let's go retro this time.
Released in 2001, but set in 1981, it's a throwback, throwback kind of day.

This movie is a hoot!  It's so silly and campy, if you'll excuse the pun, but it's an all-star cast of some really funny folks.  Starring (just to name a few):

Paul Rudd (I seem to be on a Paul Rudd kick!)
Bradley Cooper
Elizabeth Banks
Amy Poehler
Molly Shannon
Janeane Garofalo
David Hyde Pierce
Marguerite Moreau
H. Jon Benjamin

It's the last day of summer camp at Camp Firewood, and the counselors have one final day to leave their mark, and make the romantic connections they have failed to make all summer.

The movie is primarily a spoof of teen romantic comedies of that time.  But, it's quirky and silly, and endearing all at the same time.  In addition to ridiculous teenage romantic and sexual antics, there is also a piece of NASA's Skylab falling straight toward Camp Firewood.

As the camp director and a scientist, along with a group of nerdy kids, try to save the camp from the falling piece of Skylab; the camp cook, a disturbed Vietnam Vet, with the help of a talking can of vegetables (voiced by the hilarious H. Jon Benjamin,) are playing matchmaker with the teen counselors; and Susie and Ben (Amy Poehler & Bradley Cooper) attempt to produce the biggest choreographed talent show the camp has ever seen.  It's funny to watch the adult actors portraying teenagers.  Once again, Paul Rudd stole my heart... as the "bad boy" teen, he has mastered the art of rolling his eyes with his whole body!

I would definitely recommend this movie for a chuckle.

What did you think of "Wet Hot Summer?"

Decadent Drinks: Decadence Is What You Make It

Decadent drinks start with premium booze.  That's pretty simple.  But, that isn't the extent of it.  The art of decadent mixology is about creating decadence, or better yet, not even considering anything less than decadence in every drink.  Decadence is what you make it.

Scott and I recently returned from a vacation to Fraser, Colorado.  It was a three week trip all told, but ten glorious days in the Rocky Mountains.  While we did enjoy drinks and meals at a few local establishments, and we did  avail ourselves of the local cuisine (yes, much to my surprise, Rocky Mountains Oysters are real...I always thought it was a joke,) most nights we cooked in and made drinks from our own mobile bar.

CONTINUE READING

Rocky Mountain Martini 
(Blueberry Martini)

GET RECIPE HERE

Music Calendar for August

Well, better late than never!  My apologies for being so tardy updating the live music calendar for August. It's finally done, but there seem to be a lot of blanks.  

(Click here or on the image above to view.)

This year has been a strange year for the upper Keys music scene.  We've lost several of our regular local great singers and players to tragedy, a few have relocated, and some of our "kids" are on their way back to school.  But, while folks like Debbie Hawkins and Jimmy McGuirl (may they both rest in peace) have joined the all-star band of Keys players who were waiting for them on the other side... I'm betting that some of the others like Micah and Jess will be back because nobody can stay away from the fabulous Florida Keys for very long if they can help it... and while we wish the best for our wonderfully talented young'uns like Leah, Jackie, Nyan and more, we all know they will be back because this is home and we know their parents!

But, I know there are still plenty of entertainers playing and singing every night in the Keys.  

Who's playing on Wednesday nights?  I got nothin'!

So, please do me a favor.  Take a look at the calendar and help me fill in the holes.  

• If you are a musician and want to be added, please send me your schedule.
• If you are a bar or music venue owner/manager and want to add your line-up, please send me your schedule.
• If you are a music lover and want to see an act or venue added, please let me know... and help me get their schedules, if possible.

This is a working project, and I appreciate all the help I can get to keep it current and accurate.

Thanks in advance for your help!

What's Playin'?

      

Check out Suzi's Music to find out what's playing each day on the ipod.  With almost 7,000 songs to shuffle, you never know what you might hear...sometimes it's random, sometimes a theme, but always good tunes.

What's playing on Suzi's ipod today?

Monday, August 17, 2015

1. "The Last Time" - Cary Ann Hearst

2. "Til Then" - Elizabeth Cook

3. "Pony" - Kasey Chambers

4. "Blow At High Dough" - The Tragically Hip

5. "My Favorite Picture Of You" - Guy Clark

6. "Southern Greek Tragedy" - Sam Lewis  

7. "A Life I Never Had" - Alastair Moock

8. "This Old Heartache" - Lucinda Williams

9. "Tell Mama" - The Civil Wars

10. "Heart On A String" - Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

What are you listening to today?

Rocky Mountain High

Suzi's World is in Colorado!

Celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary, Scott and I are spending some time in Fraser CO.

This morning I fulfilled a life long dream... crossed one off my bucket list, I guess you could say.
Up, up and away...

Grand Adventure Hot Air Balloon Rides in Fraser do a wonderful job.  Jack and Sue are great hosts and make the whole experience unforgettable.

http://grandadventureballoon.com/

Have you ever been up in a hot air balloon?