Category: reviews

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advice from a mother

early review of The Crown with brief episode 4 spoiler

I enjoy movies and television, and never more than when the stories develop compelling characters. I’m usually carrying on about the superheroes, but like so many people, The Crown has captured my heart. I’m not binging season 3, but rather, watching an episode every couple of days in order to savor the subtle changes in the actors, and what has so far been a treatment of some serious themes. Episode 3: Aberfan crushed my heart — Episode 4: Bubbikins stomped on it.

Good storytelling not only entertains us, but can also provide excellent lessons. We live vicariously through adventures and imaginary scenarios, seeing first-hand the consequences for poor choices and the gains for taking risks. Sometimes, we can learn very touching lessons about living good and virtuous lives.

I’m always delighted when the topic of faith receives a beautiful treatment in film and television. Often, the portrayals of faithful people come across as unsympathetic characters, if not targets of scorn and mockery. Nevertheless, when the writers get it right, it is beautiful indeed.

In episode four of this popular series, there is a lovely exchange between Prince Philip and his mother, Princess Alice, that captures the essence of living a faith-filled life. Misunderstandings and revelations lead to a poignant moment between mother and son that provides a powerful lesson for anyone suffering or living with a “dormant faith.”

Prince Philip, contrite, asks his mother how she survived her cruel life, and she responds with a powerful statement of her faith, “I didn’t do it alone. I couldn’t have. I had help every step of the way.” A small crucifix sits on the table behind her, and we understand that she’s speaking about the strength of her faith. Where she might have wallowed in despair, she hoped in the Lord.

Princess Alice then offers her son this advice,”Let this be a mother’s gift to her child….Find yourself a faith. It helps. No, not just helps: it’s everything.”

It’s a truth I know well. Seek the Lord, and he will find you.

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Review: You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)

Read it!

I’ve been a fan of Felicia Day for many years. I’m a fan of sci-fi and quirky stories, and loved loved LOVED Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog which featured Day. I’m also a huge fan of Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, Simon Helberg, and of course, Joss Whedon. I remember how exciting it was to be waiting for the release of the next episodes when the musical debuted. It was geek heaven.

Let me stop for a second so I can have my fangirl moment.

Ok, well. Then life got a little complicated after that and I moved on to some writing projects that consumed me for a while and then a major move to another city, and I became a little disconnected from tv and streaming anything other than Stranger Things and The Crown.

I wasn’t reading my usual sci-fi and spy books, either. This past year has been an exercise in building up my reading again. I used to read a couple of books a week. I’ve gotten back to reading at least one a week now. I discovered You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by accident. I was scrolling through recommendations on a new Kindle, and got it immediately and then read it in a couple of days. I wanted to savor it, but no. I pretty much read through that first night, and knocked it out the next day. The book was published in 2015, and I regret not having seen it until now.

I don’t know what I was expecting…a funny recap of Day’s creative endeavors? Well yeah. There’s a lot of that, but there’s so much more about creativity, anxiety about creativity, work, and a host of inspiration and encouragement to create boldly and with confidence.

You don’t have to be internet savvy to appreciate this book. I can function online because I was around in those early days of Prodigy, and while I didn’t play World of Warcraft, I did play through the whole King’s Quest series and a couple of rounds of Diablo. The gaming was interesting. The internet series fun. But the real takeaway here is Felicia Day’s earnestness in telling her story, and how that informs her advice to be yourself, and embrace the things that make you special and valued. She celebrates everyone’s uniqueness and worth.

I feel ready to pursue new creative projects after reading this, and can’t wait for the release of her next book, Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity available next week!

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Review: Becoming Women of the Word

I attend a women’s bible study and prayer group called Daughters of Mary. I have no doubt the Blessed Mother led me to this group of diverse and interesting women. Prayerful women. Courageous women. Ordinary women who are each uniquely extraordinary. There couldn’t be a better name for this group; we are, after all, certainly daughters of Mary. My favorite part of these meetings is the commentary at the end, when we really get to know each other’s hearts as we share our thoughts with the group.

We delve deeply into the Gospels, but we also spend a great deal of time learning about the history and culture of the Jewish people in biblical times. Our weekly meetings have whet my appetite for learning more about the Old Testament. Enter Sarah Christmyer’s wonderful book, Becoming Women of the Word: How to Answer God’s Call with Purpose and Joy.

This is the perfect book to complement my studies. I’ve found encouragement and inspiration in these pages, not just through the history and scriptural references, but through Christmyer’s insight, and her personal touch that weaves her stories with the amazing women highlighted. It is truly a pilgrimage through the Old Testament.

What I like most about this book is that it is relatable. Although I’m separated from the women by thousands of years, they are approachable. While the culture and history are a far cry from what I experience in the 21st century, their fears, set-backs, failings, as well as strength, victories and faith are the same. I am encouraged to live my life as these women did: with purpose and joy!

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