Star Wars: The Last Jedi

I loved it.  Everyone in our group did.  From the opening text scroll to the end credits, the movie continued the Star Wars tradition admirably. 

I'd love to discuss this one further, but I believe you should avoid all data about it and just go see it.  In a few weeks, I'll come back to it. 

In the meantime, find the biggest screen you can, go to that theater, and enjoy this movie. 

Tonight's festive holiday trio at our house

1. Bad Santa, in our annual viewing

2. Spiral cut ham, because nothing says holidays like ham

3. Sandwiches, just the way granny would make them--or even better

The Christmas tree turns festive

The tree held the room for a few days, but obviously it needed to dress up for the holidays.  Our mission was clear:  lights and ornaments!

Voila!

Click the image to see a larger version.

Now, that is a tree that's ready for a party!

A new accusation

Over at Goodreads, a comment on my blog from yesterday surprised me with a new accusation:

Why are all authors communist? 

As I said in response there, "I'm not. I'm a Democrat. Not at all the same thing."

I know quite a few writers, and very few identify as communist, so I find the question as a whole baffling.

In today's highly polarized America, though, I probably should not be at all surprised.  We seem ever more intolerant of those who disagree with us.

Such a shame.

Way to go, Alabama!

I spent my first year of college in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama.  Though I didn't fall in love with the state, I came to see a lot of good in it, and parts were downright beautiful.  I think often of my time there. 

Tonight, the citizens of Alabama rejected Roy Moore and instead elected Doug Jones to a seat in the United State Senate.

Well done, Alabama!

It's getting all Christmas-y around here

As well it should, given the date. 

Click the image to see a larger version.

This year's tree, while not the biggest we've ever had, is definitely on the large side and sits nicely in this very tall space. 

In a few days, we will adorn it, and then the sparkling and the twinkling will commence.

My sinuses are miracle workers

They violate the laws of physics every time I catch a cold. 

They can create enough snot to soak towel after towel after towel, so much that I am completely confident that I could fill a fish tank with their production (you're welcome for that image), and yet I lose not an ounce of weight. 

They can run all day and all night without consuming energy. 

They can produce things that H.R. Giger and Ridley Scott would reject as being too scary to appear in any Alien film. 

They can in seconds turn my face a satanic red--and with no warning.

I do not heart my sinuses or the cold I am slowly beating.