Dinner Party

Guests for dinner this evening were Michael Hanna, Judy Jaksch, Polly Crosby,and Bob Pearce.

The Italian & Dining Out

The Italian is another wonderful foreign film we saw at The Four Arts. I highly, highly recommend this movie which is set in a rundown orphanage in a remote Russian village.

Yesterday we also enjoyed the Dining Out which Sue Petty organized and was attended by eighteen diners.

New Movie - In Bruges

If you can overlook the violence and constant raunchy language, In Bruges, filmed in Belgium, is funny, entertaining, quirky, and emotional and offers a lot to discuss. We enjoyed it on several levels -- especially the fine acting and interesting location. We also saw Definitely, Maybe. It is cute and and entertaining but not a movie I would highly recommend.

Thieves of Bagdad

Last night we attended a teriffic lecture at the Merriott called Thieves of Bagdad.
Today we attended Frugal Dining Out hosted by Billie Henin.

City Walk

We had ten walkers today. Some highlights included viewing the Botero sculptures at The Four Arts and boarding the Grand Luxe (an art gallery ship). Click for video.

Evergreener's from Ottawa

Henry and Lenore Dick visited us for three nights.

Valentine's Day

Lunch and games were the order of the day.
Dick & Barb, Jim & Betty, Rich & Laura, Tom & Jane played Mexican Train,

Evergreen Guests

Evergreen guests Phyllis Wahl and John Blossom left this morning after staying three nights. Today is my birthday # 71. I'm gettin' up there. Still kickin' but slower.

Terrific Movie

At the Society of the Four Arts today we saw a terrific German film --The Lives of Others -- set in East Germany not long before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is about the spying of the secret police. I can't praise this film too highly.

The two movies I saw yesterday Untraceable and 27 Dresses neither appealed to me and I wouldn't recommend them. Jane did enjoy 27 Dresses. Yesterday Jane again read to the kindergarten class at South Olive School.

Two Excellent Movies

There Will Be Blood is a "must see" for the performance by Daniel Day-Lewis the terrific writing and directing. I highly recommend it.

No Country for Old Men has terriffic performances, great characters, and everything well done but we didn't like the story. It keeps you on edge with a lot of violence. It left me "wrung out" but I still recommend it.

My Haitian Student

A few weeks ago I began tutoring a student in English. Saint Hibbert Milfort is from Haiti, speaks French and is well educated. He very much wants to learn English.

Returned Today

We were away three nights -- first visiting Jane's son and daughter-in-law in Merritt Island and then on to Lake Wales for our UMD summer renters' reunion. We were hosted by our good friends Larry and Leslie Chlebeck in Nalcrest. It was good to see them all. Video

Three Highly Recommended Movies

Atonement: I highly recommend this epic film set in England in the 1940s. It centers around the consequences of a lie told by a little girl. It moves back and forth in time which I found confusing but well worth the effort to sort it out.

Juno is a quirky low-budget independent film about teen pregnancy. The star is a likable, wacky 16 year old girl, Juno, who can handle any problem. For me, the main weakness was Juno's overly hip and unrealistic dialog. I highly recommend it.

The Savages is about the depressing subject of a parent with dementia but you must see this for the brilliant performances of all the actors. I urge all to see this excellent movie.

Sunday

Considering the weather and so many things to do, we were surprised to have ten walkers today. All seemed to have a good time. View video.

Saturday

Judy Jaksch led a walk across the Lake Worth bridge and we were among the nine in that group. After that we went to the Poinciana Chapel for the memorial service for Herbert Swope. I have for many years admired him. View video.

Busy Day

Fourteen of us dined out last night at Dixie Bar & Grill with host, Gloria Weeks.

Jane and I went to the opening of the South Florida Fair. It was a very good day.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Lake Wourth Playhouse, with their production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, has once again reconfirmed their place among our most favorite entertainment venues. We attended the opening last night and were thrilled and delighted. The depth of talent and professionalism of this community theatre can't be over praised. I enjoyed it even more than last season's road show presented at the Kravis. See this production.

Art Fair

Yesterday we attended the contemporary art fair at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. It is a fantastic show of contemporary art, photography and design. Anyone would find this fastinating.

This is the only picture I took.

Kekexili: Mountain Patrol

One of the most powerful films I've ever seen, Kekexili, filmed in Tibet, is about a group of men searching for antelope poachers. It is excellent on many levels. I highly recommend it. We viewed it yesterday at The Society of the Four Arts.

Thursday with Friends

January's Frugal Dining Out was at The Carving Station. Robert and Phoebe hosted us at their home in the clouds and we had a marvelous time.