"Take me out to the ballgame . . ."

So Dad and I watched this Saturday night. I think Dad dozed through the first 15 minutes or so. But then he got "engaged" in the story.

It's a compelling film in some respects - sports films that hinge on scoring and results usually are - but it was deficient in ways that are difficult to elucidate.

For starters, I thought some of the acting was sub-par and almost wooden. Maybe "behind the scenes baseball guys" are really like that?

Also, the ending was kind of a downer. And the story of his failed marriage and his personal life was a bit sparse - leaving the viewer to fill in the blanks with possibly wrong answers.

It did have some exciting moments - but I'm glad we watched it at home and didn't pay the big bucks to "go to the show!!"

Now I know why I don't watch TV!

Harry and I are pretty famous for not watching much television. We have in years past - way past in fact since they were the years in Centerville! But nothing has really piqued our interest I guess. We try random shows now and then when they come highly recommended. And we did love the Hornblower series.

But then the iPad came into our lives - and Hulu streaming!! Now we climb in bed and catch the latest of our current faves. Since Doc Martin ended - and the new series won't be available until April, we decided to investigate Downton Abbey - I know, we come to popular culture late in the game.

And it smacks a lot of Upstairs, Downstairs. But hey, for old-timers like us it doesn't really matter. We can't even keep track of the characters we are watching, let alone remember episodes from 30 years ago!!

I think TV watching per se was too hard to schedule in. When you can see it when you want to, it seems to work better. We did start watching William and Mary, another BBC series, and we do watch it - when we remember - on Thursday nights - but we aren't sure yet whether we really like it.

Such decisions!!

Thoughts about baby Jonah

Four months ago today, our sweet baby Jonah returned home to his Father in Heaven. I was asked to give a talk in the Mountain View Ward on seeking guidance from the Lord. So I talked about our family's experience with Jonah, and how we had all needed continual guidance as we navigated the days we had here with him.

The days after have required navigating also. I came across this poem a few weeks ago - I had thought about it but couldn't recall enough details to locate it. I found it somewhat serendipitously - and thought I would share it. It is by Carol Lynn Pearson.

To A Child Gone

I thought I was ahead of you in line.
You would take your turn
After I took mine,
Like we did before.

I guess you don't need new shoes
For starting heaven
Or a light left on against the dark
The way I always did.
But I'm so used to parenting
I wanted just to be there -
To do whatever needed to be done.

But you went first.
And now, my little one,
Suddenly you are my senior.
Morning, I know, will come.
But bring close your light -
This time it is I who fear the night.

Another good read from the "Booklettes" reading group!

My book group chose this - after I called Phoebe during our last get-together to get another title from her - one she'd mentioned that I couldn't quite remember. And she said, "Well, why don't you read A Town Like Alice?"

So we all said, "Why not?"

It starts a bit slowly, but gathers steam and is a good read. Apparently it's been made into a film more than once. Maybe I will give that a look-see too.

It's based on a true incident from World War II about some Dutch women who were marched around Malaysia by the Japanese. In the book they are English women who are living and working there when the war breaks out. Also involves a "cowboy" from the Australian outback - who appears to have given his life to save our heroine - but it turns out he's still alive.

I'll let you start there!!

Okay, Harry, we just need to jet off to the U.K. then so we can see Series 5!!

We have been watching Series 1 - 4 of the Doc Martin BBC T.V. show. We are pretty much addicted to it in fact. And it just ended - at least for us. Series 5 is only available in the U.K. How's that for patently not fair??

(We have been watching it on Hulu, rather than just watching it once a week on KCET.)

Series 5 can be purchased - but no availability date is listed.

Maybe this is why I usually don't watch TV - the frustration level is too high.

But it is a really funny, poignant, entertaining program - in case you are interested!!