NEWSLETTERS

December 2005

    This marks my first year anniversary of The Spiritual Times. I love writing and am so grateful for the many encouraging comments I received. Last year was the Year of the Knee (Mike had two total knee replacements- he's so happy he did- and I had a knee scope.) The Year 2006 I declare to be, for me, the Year of the Book. Getting 7 Rules & How My Magic Refrigerator Sent Me to Paris Free published is on my refrigerator-front and center. You'll all be invited to my book signing at the Paris Ritz!

   Because of this busy holiday time which is almost over, I am going straight to:

Movies, books, ad trivia~
   "Rent" -movie made from the Broadway play about New York City artists, writers, and performers-some with drug issues and some with alternative life styles. Provocative, good music, intelligent handling of sensitive issues. PYE
   "Pride & Prejudice"- Tom Jones meets PBS' adaptation of Jane Austen's P & P, gives a more realistic view of life in the 19th century. I liked both the PBS and the current adaptation. PYE
   "Dreamer"-a feel good movie about a young girl who brings her estranged family together through an injured horse they groom into a winning racehorse starring Kris Kristofferson, Kurt Russell, and a charming new actress, 10-year old Dakota Fanning, who has natural star quality. Mike thinks the horse was the best actor. YMH
   Movies we want to see, all of which have received positive ratings:
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" based on C.S. Lewis' children's books about good and evil. YBD for the whole family.
"Walk the Line"- Reese Witherspoon plays June Carter, Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny Cash in this story of his life.
"The Producers"- movie made from Mel Brooks' successful Broadway musical also starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.
   "King Kong"- Peter Jackson, director of "Lord of the Rings" remakes this 1933 classic. Sounds a bit over the top for me, but I'd like to see why so many movies critics say it's worth seeing. (Hope they are not the same ones who liked "Sideways" which Mike and I found distasteful and boring.)
"Memoirs of a Geisha"-from the director of "Chicago"- about a young Japanese girl who becomes the most famous geisha. I'll have to ask my long-time friend Fumiko Hattori in Tokyo how realistic it is.

Wishing you, my dear friends, a wonderful 2006!

The Spiritual Times