New Friends and Old Friends

Make new friends, but keep the old;

Those are silver, these are gold.

New-made friendships, like new wine

Age will mellow and refine.

Friendships that have stood the test--

Time and change -- are surely best;

Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,

Friendship never knows decay.

For 'mid old friends tried and true,

Once more we our youth renew.

But old friends, alas may die,

New friends must their place supply.

Cherish friendship in your breast--

New is good, but old is best;

Make new friends, but keep the old;

Those are silver, these are gold.

Joseph Parry

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I WISH EVERYONE A GREAT TURKEY DAY AND TO REFLECT OF ALL THE THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR. MINE ARE FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY AND MY LITTLE ANIMAL FRIENDS IN OUR BEAUTIFUL NATURE OF IDAHO.

LAUREN BACALL - APPLAUSE PLEASE!

On Saturday, November 14th Hollywood veterans turned out in force to see Lauren Bacall grand dame of film noir, receive an honorary Oscar at the motion picture academy's Governors Awards ceremony. Bacall, who was born on September 16, 1924 (85) as Betty Joan Perske, starred in more than 60 films but never won an Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, coming closest with a nomination for "The Mirror Has Two Faces".
The screen siren earned movie immortality with her husky voice, sultry gaze and curt retorts in films like "Dark Passage," and her 1944 debut opposite Humphrey Bogart in "To Have and Have Not" launched one of the most electric on- and off-screen pairings in cinema history.
Other films that she had acted in that are some of my favorite include:
Key Largo - as Nora Temple with Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor.
Bright Leaf - as Sonia Kovac wtih Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal
Dark Passage - as Irene Jansen with Humphrey Bogart
How to Marry a Millionaire - as Schatze Page with Marilyn Monroe, and Betty Grable
Written on the Wind - as Lucy Moore Hadley with Rock Hudson, Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone.
Sex and the Single Girl - as Sylvia Broderick with Natalie Wood
The Shootist - as Bond Rogers with John Wayne
Murder on the Orient Express - as Mrs. Hubbard

With 69 films to her credit and not to forget her wonderful performances on Broadway in "Applause" and "Woman of the Year" which garnered her Tony Awards.
I would recommend you take a look at her very interesting and talented film career as well as picking up a copy of her autobiography "By Myself".

I have thoroughly enjoyed her performances and believe she has led a true fascinating Hollywood career and to date a very good life.

And most of all she was the voice over for Fancy Feast commercials.

TURN OFF MY PLAYLIST TO HEAR

LOVE THAT 'DONUT" - Remembering A First Love

I can't recall the first moment when I experienced a delicious doughnut but I am certain that when I did my attraction or should I say addiction to them never stopped. To this day, I continue to seek out the perfect donut like a person seeks out a soul mate. Every town and city that I have traveled over the years I have sought out a donut shop and more likely it has led to disappointment. I'm lucky that I found my favorite soul mate that shares my passion but I don't believe we could ever be a reality.

I have simple taste and it appears that my 1st choice is sugar raised, 2nd choice chocolate covered and lastly 3rd choice powdered. I have sampled all donuts throughout the years but my choices give me the most satisfaction. Believe me when you find personal eating satisfaction you can easily get very addicted. I'm unfortunate though that where I'm living I don't have many donut shop choices. Most donuts are found in supermarket bakeries and I miss having a Dunkin Donut's in my neighborhood but when I travel you can be assured that I seek a donut establishment out and hopefully I will be able to satisfy my donut desire.

I must also confess that sometimes I cheat on my donut desire and go for a really good Blueberry Muffin or Scone. But, if given first choice I'm a donut man. So, next time you spot a donut perhaps you will think of me.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY - A HOPEFUL WISH FOR OUR VETERANS

To all our veterans past and present who have defended our country I thank you. It's nice to know that we live well protected and honor all those who serve.
To a very special veteran William Keegan.

VIEW BUGS IN THE MILITARY DEFENDING US FROM GREMLINS.

TURN OFF PLAYLIST BELOW TO HEAR.

LIFE IN A SMALL TOWN - A Hometown Tribute

I grew up in a small town like many people and it seemed that when you do all you want to do when  growing up is find an escape route to the "Big City".  In my childhood and teen years I was lucky to grow up in Westchester, New York within the towns of Mount Kisco, Chappaqua, Bedford, Bedford Hills, Katonah, and Armonk. These towns were basically the same and described by outsiders as little affluent communities with most of the residents commuting into Manhattan each day and who enjoyed the so called living "Country Life". I have fond memories of town stores and places such as Fox & Sutherland (a great stationary and book store - old Mr. Fox was a gem who really liked my Grandmother), Lad & Dad (clothing), White Horse Restaurant (a great burger), 5 & Dime (candy galore), Mt. Kisco Bakery (cookies made with German hands and a 7 layer cake that my Mom adored) and the Edelweiss Bakery (good cookies) in Bedford, Caldor (a department store probably like an early Wal-Mart where I purchased all my 45's, books and posters), The Bedford Barn (a novel family store with great gifts and Lindt Chocolate bars), Carvel (loved those cones and brown bonnet that my Grandmother adored), Friendly's Restaurant (milkshakes) , and most of all Bueti's Deli (a real Italian deli and a nice Mike Bueti) where I'm sure I had more meatball heroes than any other kid around.

As I get older I reminesce about how we spend most of our time trying to escape the "Big City" for a simple country life (like spending time at Leonard Park Pagoda in Mt. Kisco and seeing the haunted house on Captain Merritt's Hill where the movie Ragtime with James Cagney was filmed) existence and to have that connection with what we had growing up. I often reflect of how good things were and that kids today don't appreciate their hometown beginnings. I would like pay tribute to the small towns that I had had the pleasure of experiencing and being exposed to the gentle people that lived in them. There is a favorite song of mine called "Life in a Northern Town" (Dream Academy Original and Sugarland remake) and every time I hear that song I'm brought back to fond memories of those towns. So, as I reflect with my little story maybe you will remember a small town that you grew up in or visited where you felt a sense of peace, security and people who really had an interest in what you had to say. TURN OFF MY PLAYLIST BELOW TO HEAR "LIFE IN A NORTHERN TOWN" VERSION BY "SUGARLAND"

W. Somerset Maugham - Up At The Villa - A Gem

I love sharing very good authors and W. Somerset Maugham is one. He wrote a little gem called Up At The Villa which over a handful of days in 1938, a penniless English widow, on vacation near Florence, considers the marriage proposal of an aging British aristocrat who is the newly-appointed governor of Bengal, accepts a pistol that he presses on her for safety, takes pity on an Austrian refugee, stands up to a Fascist police chief, and gets in harm's way with an American playboy. After a good deed results in tragedy, she must choose between dependability and love, between her reputation and her feelings. Even that choice doesn't work out as she imagined. It was very good but much like his many other works. Many of his works were made into film adaptations as listed below. I have highlighted some good ones to really watch. Up At The Villa was made into a film in 2000 but not on DVD. I would love to see it.

Film adaptations

The Circle (1925) Directed by Frank Borzage, based on the 1921 play of the same name.
The Magician (1926) Based on the 1908 novel of the same name.
Sadie Thompson (1928), a silent movie starring Gloria Swanson and Lionel Barrymore. Based on the short story "Miss Thompson", which was later retitled "Rain".
The Letter (1929) featuring Jeanne Eagels, O. P. Heggie, Reginald Owen and Herbert Marshall. Based on the play of the same name.
Rain (1932), the first sound version of the story, with Joan Crawford and Walter Huston.
Of Human Bondage (1934) starring Leslie Howard and Bette Davis. Based on the book of the same name.
The Painted Veil (1934) featuring Greta Garbo and Herbert Marshall. Based on the novel of the same name.
Secret Agent (1936) with John Gielgud, Peter Lorre, Madeleine Carroll, and Robert Young, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Based on Ashenden.
The Vessel of Wrath (1938) starring Charles Laughton; released in the USA as The Beachcomber. Based on the novella of the same name.
The Letter (1940) featuring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson, Frieda Inescort and Gale Sondergaard. Based on the play of the same name.
Too Many Husbands (1940) featuring Jean Arthur, Fred MacMurray, and Melvyn Douglas. Based on the play "Home and Beauty".
The Moon and Sixpence (1942) with George Sanders. Based on the novella of the same name.
Christmas Holiday (1944) starring Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly, based on the novel of the same name.
The Hour Before The Dawn (1944) starring Veronica Lake, based on the novel of the same name.
Dirty Gertie from Harlem U.S.A.(1946). Unauthorized film version of "Miss Thompson" with an all-black cast, directed by Spencer Williams.
The Razor's Edge (1946) featuring Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney. Based on the book of the same name.
Of Human Bondage (1946) version starring Eleanor Parker.
Quartet (1948) Maugham appears as himself in introductions. Based on four of his short stories.
Trio (1950) Maugham appears as himself in introductions. Another collection based on short stories.
Encore (1951) Maugham appears as himself in introductions. A third collection of Maugham short stories.
Miss Sadie Thompson (1953), a semi-musical version, featuring Rita Hayworth and José Ferrer.
The Seventh Sin (1957) with Eleanor Parker. Based on the novel The Painted Veil.
The Beachcomber (1958). Based on the novella The Vessel of Wrath; not to be confused with the 1938 film.
Julia, Du bist zauberhaft (1962) starring Lilli Palmer and Charles Boyer. Based on the novel Theatre.
Of Human Bondage (1964) with Laurence Harvey and Kim Novak.
The Letter (1969) starring Eileen Atkins. Based on play of the same name. (made for television)
The Theatre (1978) starring Vija Artmane. Based on play of the same name.
The Letter (1982) featuring Lee Remick, Jack Thompson and Ronald Pickup. Based on play of the same name. (Made for Television)
The Razor's Edge (1984) with Bill Murray. Based on the novel by the same name.
Up at the Villa (2000) starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Sean Penn, directed by Philip Haas. Based on the novella of the same name.
Being Julia (2004) featuring Annette Bening. Based on the novel Theatre.
The Painted Veil (2006) with Naomi Watts and Edward Norton. Based on the novel of the same name.
My next venture I'm reading is: "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer