#beloved husband / best friend. [richard.]

[thetisming]

zombie saga opposite deaths tumblr simulator!

🌹 beautiful-rose Follow

i want my boyfriend. i miss him so much that i feel like i'm going to die. and my brother died too and i have my best friend but i literally just can't talk to anyone right now i need Francois or Romeo i cant... i need my boyfriend.

🇫🇷 frenchbastard Follow

Aw, it is truly sweet how you're blogging about me. Because surely you could never mean any other Francois, correct? And I do not like the fact that you miss your brother, or that you have a best friend. I am right here. I am all you need.

🌹 beautiful-rose

right! um, yeah, sorry, i'll just- of course you're all i need. yeah

2 notes

🎨 depressed-artist Follow

I can't do this. I can't fall in love, I can't, that's not fair to Caroline. I could never fall in love so soon after losing her. I can't. I can't date him.

🟦 croptopman Follow

you're so correct you cant do that in fact i think you should never even consider dating anyone

1 note

🎶 yesimautisticstopaskingme Follow

FUCK FUCK FUCK WHY DID I DO THAT OH MY GOD THAT WAS SO STUPID HOLY SHIT I'M AN IDIOT

0 notes

🐯 hearmeroar Follow

why won't they talk to me? why are they leaving me? they only talk to that horrible fucking man, and i miss them and my fucking boyfriend just died and he was their brother, you'd think they would care!

0 notes

💙 francois-dubois Follow

Gosh I just love them so much, they're so perfect and beautiful and I don't think I could even live without them <33 I want to marry them one day

🌹 beautiful-rose Follow

aww, Francois! i love you too, I'm never leaving you my darling! and for future reference, if you proposed, i would say yes 💖

💙 francois-dubois

Asdfghjkl May!! I love you, I really do you're so amazing and magical and I can't imagine living without you. I'm never leaving you and I'm never letting anyone hurt you, my beloved 💙

🌹 beautiful-rose

you're so sweet, where are you so i can kiss you??

💙 francois-dubois

I'm just out the back! See you soon, amore 😘

🌹 beautiful-rose

fuck i just found this while scrolling his blog there were so many posts ljke this i miss him so fuckjng mych og mg god i need him back or i think i'll die her was the best boyfriend ecer i need him plwase just kjll me so i can be with him fuck

#he was so perfect #i cant even believe hes gone #he was my everything i mjzz him so much i cant do this anymore #i wish i had just killed myself that day #i cant go on like this i havent been talking to juliet because of my new boufriend #and romek is gone #and i havebt besn talking to anne either #i need him so bad holy shit i cant #i didnt even gst to marry him #at the very least couldn't i have done that #i miss gim so much i need him i need to hold him i can't. i nedd hiim #i love you my darling frankie

12 notes

🟦 croptopman Follow

I NEED TO STOP BEING IN LOVE WITH PEOPLE I CANT HAVE. first i stayed in love with Gregory after we broke up and now i love Charley and he's in love with some OTHER GUY NAMED RICHARD!

#gay #mlm #queer #vincian #unrequited love

1 note

🇫🇷 frenchbastard Follow

There is a truly beautiful woman at this camp. She is friends with my boyfriend. I must persue her, she is so gorgeous and her husband recently died.

💚 notthatone Follow

May is non binary stop calling them your boyfriend and STOP TRYING TO CHEAT ON THEM! They've been through so much, how fucking dare you try to hurt them?

🇫🇷 frenchbastard

You are so beautiful, sweet Anne.

🐯 hearmeroar Follow

you're a terrible fucking person and i hope May kills you because if they don't i fucking will.

🇫🇷 frenchbastard

So many marriagable women at this camp... You are simply gorgeous

🐯 hearmeroar

KILL YOURSELF

💚 notthatone

KILL YOURSELF

🎶 yesimautisticstopaskingme Follow

KILL YOURSELF

🦅 eaglegreetings Follow

KILL YOURSELF

🎨 depressed-artist Follow

KILL YOURSELF

🇮🇹 aromantic-annie Follow

KILL YOURSELF

🟦 croptopman Follow

KILL YOURSELF

🛸 inspector-abed Follow

kill yourself.

🇫🇷 frenchbastard

@.beautiful-rose, May, my darling, please tell these people to stop.

🌹 beautiful-rose Follow

please be nicer to him, he's been through a lot...

🇫🇷 frenchbastard

Good boy.

🐯 hearmeroar

you are the fucking worst and i genuinely hope you die.

22 notes

🛸 inspector-abed Follow

Troy, i know you can't see this, but i have a boyfriend now. his name is Del. i think you would have liked him. i miss you a lot. it's been a while since you died. i havent been happy at all since. Del makes me happy. i love you.

0 notes

[astral-express-family]

Ramblings about my Detective Family because I love them sm and today is family day

They're my family in the way they are because i got into the series when i was around... 15-ish? i think? and i was at a bit of a low point then so i latched onto them as a family. I played the game Haunted Hotel: Death Sentence and then it spiraled from there. As a result my Detective Uncle James still has a special place in my heart <3

(under the cut 'cause this is a big family so it's gonna get Long)

Dorian Brown - My dad fr fr. He's invisible. When i first got into the game, i honestly wasn't super fond of him. I grew fond of him after a little while, watching thru YT playthroughs of the game and just seeing him more.

Mortimer Brown - Best uncle. Dorian's twin and a former criminal who went through a redemption arc, but still supports my chaotic antics. When i say that i don't have a favorite family member, i'm lying. It's him.

(Honorary Mention, Arabella Brown - My aunt, elder sister to the twins. Dotes on me fr fr. Has a husband and son, they're family but i don't have the mental energy to elaborate on the two of them.)

James Blackthorne - Listen i just think they're found family sibling energy. As a result, he's my uncle. He's probably my favorite of the trio, and he spoils me with affection. He has no inherent magic, and he's surprisingly fierce if you don't know him.

(Honorary Mention, Jessica Blackthorne - The wife of Uncle James. She doesn't get a lot of characterization in the game itself, but i love her she's my aunt.)

Anna Gray - Found family sibling energy. She's just my aunt it is what it is. She can time travel, and i love to hear her stories about her time traveling exploits. She's also immortal but we don't need to talk about that ;P

Dorian Gray - Anna's husband and my beloved uncle. He does painting as a hobby, and i do it with him! Also immortal, thoroughly a reference to the story The Painting of Dorian Gray, if that wasn't obvious.

Richard Gray - GRANDPA-CORE I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!!! He's Aunt Anna's dad, and he's an asshole (affectionate). He's a ghost, bound to his own skull which Aunt Anna carries around. He's prickly and kind of rude, but he has a soft spot for his granddaughter and grandniece (me). They wrote him out of canon and i will forever be sad about it.

Alice Gray - My cousin we're best friends forever. Anna and Dorian's daughter, we love to hang out all the time. Inherited a different version of her mom's time powers. I cherish her and she cherishes me we love each other with our whole hearts.

Amber Edevane - My aunt, in a convoluted sort of way. Not too much older than i am now (like six or seven years-ish i think), but i latched onto the series when i was like fifteen so it is what it is. No-nonsense and protective, but loves her family.

Shade - MY AUNT FOREVER AND EVER!!! For the sake of my selfships, Amber's my aunt through her. She's my aunt through sibling energy with Dorian. Sorely underutilized in the games themselves, i will miss her forever. Same age as Amber but i latched onto her for the same reason as i did Amber. I adore her and i'm super clingy to her.

[kevinpshanblog]

RIP Trixie Norton

Joyce Randolph, the last surviving cast member of "The Honeymooners", died on Saturday at the age of 99. She passed away of natural causes at her home in New York City, according to her son.

Randolph was best known for her role as Trixie Norton, the witty and loyal wife of Ed Norton (Art Carney), the sewer worker and best friend of Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason). Trixie often teamed up with Alice Kramden (Audrey Meadows) to deal with their husbands' antics and schemes.

"The Honeymooners" was one of the most influential sitcoms of all time, depicting the struggles and joys of working-class families in the 1950s. The show first aired as a sketch on "Cavalcade of Stars" and "The Jackie Gleason Show", before becoming a standalone series on CBS in 1955 and 1956. Although it only produced 39 episodes, the show has been rerun and syndicated for decades, and inspired countless other comedies.

Randolph was born in Detroit to a Finnish American family. She started her career in theater and television, appearing in shows such as "Buck Rogers". Gleason spotted her in a commercial and cast her as Trixie in 1951. She became so identified with the role that she had difficulty finding other parts after the show ended. She later appeared in some TV shows and commercials, and remained active in charity and fan events.

Randolph was married to Richard Lincoln Charles, a film editor, from 1955 until his death in 1997. She is survived by their son, Randolph Richard Charles.

Joyce Randolph will be remembered as a talented and beloved actress, who brought laughter and warmth to millions of viewers. She was a true icon of television history, and a part of the "Honeymooners" family that will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Trixie.

[hank-strange]

😢🙏🏽Rest In Peace to our good friend and long time collaborator Richard Hoffman, sadly Rich lost his wife last year and has been fighting cancer for some time now…He was a loving husband and father and a passionate supporter of the Second Amendment, our world is a darker sadder place without his light and levity and our hearts are broken for his children…our beloved sub gun competitor and gunsmith was truly among the best and the last of his kind here on earth. May almighty God hold him and his wife closely in Heaven and bless his family as they and us grieve deeply for his loss…

[silverhallow]

Regency Benophie The word is Diamonds

This broke the 300… and is a bit of a flavour of the next Regency Era Story im planning for the New Year!

How… how was she the Diamond??

Benedict knew just how beautiful Sophie was, she was his best friend after all, Lady Sophia Gunningworth had been his best friend since she had come into his life when he was 5 years of age and she was 3.

Their fathers had been friends and it had taken Richard Gunningworth, Earl of Penwood three years to come out of mourning after the death of his beloved wife and Sophie’s mother.

Sophie was his best friend, she made him smile, she encouraged him in everything and she’d written to him when he was Eton. She encouraged him to be his own man and go to Cambridge instead of Oxford like his brother.

Most girls debuted at 18, Daphne had the year before but Sophie hadn’t… she hadn’t at 19 or 20, it was like she was waiting for something, but then out of the blue Sophie and agreed she’d debut this year, at one and twenty she had decided it was time to settle down.

Unable to wait anymore, she figured she would not get the love match she wanted but she would find a good husband, she was an earl’s daughter, she had a very good dowry and her father had agreed and Violet had agreed it was time.

Violet and her Aunt Emma were her sponsors… she had a whole new wardrobe and she was ready.

Emma had presented her to the Queen, and in a moment that Sophie was sure was suspended in time, the Queen had proclaimed Sophie to be her Diamond…

And Benedict had never felt jealousy like it as it coursed through him as he heard every single man turn their attention to the brightest jewel, the biggest prize… the earl's daughter, the queen's diamond… and HIS best friend… this was unacceptable.

[hbhughes]

Ann Marie M. (Novak) Livingstone

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ann Marie M. (Novak) Livingstone, 63, of Shavertown, PA, passed away on August 9, 2023 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Edwardsville, she was the daughter of the late John and Margaret Novak. Ann Marie, a graduate of Bishop O’Reilly High School in 1977, was employed by The Social Security Administration and Jerome J. Novak, CPA for many years.

Ann Marie’s greatest joy was spending time with family, friends and helping others. Getting people together for special occasions (or no occasion at all) was something she often did. Whether planning or attending an event, her contributions of food, fun and gifts were epic! From Strawberry-themed summer parties to the best traditional Slovak Christmas Eve dinners, Ann Marie did everything with love. She welcomed everyone to her home with her beautiful smile and a warm hug!

She can now rest in heaven. We will miss her but now she will be watching over her family and friends. Surviving is her loving husband, C. Ross Livingstone; daughter, Lynn Marie Przywara and fiancé, Anthony Morales. Also left to cherish her memory are her brothers: Richard Novak and wife, Adele; Stephen Novak and wife, Marilyn; beloved sister Mary Beth Hanadel and husband, Carl. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Andrew, Seth, Justin, Natalie, Eric, Valerie, and great nieces, who she adored! Ann Marie is survived by many, many treasured friends, as well as by her loving cats Furby, Baby and Mr. Gray.

Friends and family are welcome to share their stories and remembrances from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Hugh B. Hughes & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave, Forty Fort.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes St, Swoyersville, PA. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either the Pennsylvania SPCA or to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to carry on Ann Marie’s legacy as the kindest and most giving person imaginable. “For it is in giving that we receive.”

[yhwhrulz]

Today's Daily EncounterFriday, February 24, 2023

Mother Knows Best

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.1

When you are young and in love, no one knows more about relationships than you. The world spins on a rose-colored axis and the last person you want giving you advice is a parent, because they obviously don't know how you feel! Later, when that fluffy cloud fails to hold you up, you still can't listen to the 'voice of experience' because you'd hate to hear the dreaded words, "I told you so".

Proverbs 12:15 and the story of Ruth and Boaz teach us that listening to the advice of our elders is a wise thing to do. Ruth was a young widow from Moab who chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, after the death of her husband. Both ladies traveled to Naomi's homeland of Bethlehem, where Ruth was a foreigner. Ruth loved her mother-in-law and the respect she had for her allowed her to follow Naomi's advice to find a new husband. Because of Ruth's background, it was not likely that she would catch the eye of a new suitor; but God had a plan for Ruth's life that required her to listen to advice from her elders. God cared about Ruth's heart and regardless of where she was from or what filled her past, God wanted to use her. Ruth chose to believe in her mother-in-law's God, the true God, and her obedience to this beloved elder blessed her beyond anything Ruth could have imagined. Ruth met Boaz, a man of stature and Naomi's wealthy cousin. Boaz was willing to look beyond Ruth's past as he showed her a compassion and gentleness that could only come from the Lord. God blessed Ruth and Boaz's relationship, even though it was not Ruth's first marriage, and from this lineage came our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Life takes its turns and, sometimes, a new start seems unlikely for us. But God just might have a new plan in store. We are wise to seek the advice of our elders when searching for direction in our lives, including a new life partner. Allow God to bless you; seek out wisdom from someone who's "been there". Maybe 'Mother' does know best!

Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, life is uncertain, but you are faithful. There are times when I can't see where you are leading me, but it is comforting to know you have a plan. Lead me to those elders that will have words of wisdom for me and help me to follow their Godly advice. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Proverbs 12:15 (ESV).

Today's Encounter was written by: Veronica B.

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by ACTS International, a non-profit organization, and made possible through the donations of interested friends. Donations can be sent at: http://www.actscom.com

ACTS International P.O. Box 73545 San Clemente, California 92673-0119 U.S.A.

Phone: 949-940-9050 http://www.actsweb.org

Copyright (c) 2016 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2005-2023 ACTS International.

[rockislandadultreads]

Book Recommendations: Ability Diverse and Leisurely Paced  

The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin

Forty-four-year-old Alice Holtzman is stuck in a dead-end job, bereft of family, and now reeling from the unexpected death of her husband. Alice has begun having panic attacks whenever she thinks about how her life hasn't turned out the way she dreamed. Even the beloved honeybees she raises in her spare time aren't helping her feel better these days.

In the grip of a panic attack, she nearly collides with Jake - a troubled, paraplegic teenager with the tallest mohawk in Hood River County - while carrying 120,000 honeybees in the back of her pickup truck. Charmed by Jake's sincere interest in her bees and seeking to rescue him from his toxic home life, Alice surprises herself by inviting Jake to her farm.

And then there's Harry, a twenty-four-year-old with debilitating social anxiety who is desperate for work. When he applies to Alice's ad for part-time farm help, he's shocked to find himself hired. As an unexpected friendship blossoms among Alice, Jake, and Harry, a nefarious pesticide company moves to town, threatening the local honeybee population and illuminating deep-seated corruption in the community. The unlikely trio must unite for the sake of the bees - and in the process, they just might forge a new future for themselves.

Bewilderment by Richard Powers

The astrobiologist Theo Byrne searches for life throughout the cosmos while single-handedly raising his unusual nine-year-old, Robin, following the death of his wife. Robin is a warm, kind boy who spends hours painting elaborate pictures of endangered animals. He’s also about to be expelled from third grade for smashing his friend in the face. As his son grows more troubled, Theo hopes to keep him off psychoactive drugs. He learns of an experimental neurofeedback treatment to bolster Robin’s emotional control, one that involves training the boy on the recorded patterns of his mother’s brain.

With its soaring descriptions of the natural world, its tantalizing vision of life beyond, and its account of a father and son’s ferocious love, Bewilderment marks Richard Powers’s most intimate and moving novel. At its heart lies the question: How can we tell our children the truth about this beautiful, imperiled planet?

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

When four classmates from a small Massachusetts college move to New York to make their way, they're broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel Brooklyn-born painter seeking entry to the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their center of gravity.

Over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success, and pride. Yet their greatest challenge, each comes to realize, is Jude himself, by midlife a terrifyingly talented litigator yet an increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by what he fears is a degree of trauma that he’ll not only be unable to overcome - but that will define his life forever.

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

To Christina Olson, the entire world was her family’s remote farm in the small coastal town of Cushing, Maine. Born in the home her family had lived in for generations, and increasingly incapacitated by illness, Christina seemed destined for a small life. Instead, for more than twenty years, she was host and inspiration for the artist Andrew Wyeth, and became the subject of one of the best known American paintings of the twentieth century.

As she did in her beloved smash bestseller Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline interweaves fact and fiction in a powerful novel that illuminates a little-known part of America’s history. Bringing into focus the flesh-and-blood woman behind the portrait, she vividly imagines the life of a woman with a complicated relationship to her family and her past, and a special bond with one of our greatest modern artists.

[bazzybelle]

Magical Equality Within The World of Mages

I’ve been thinking a lot since I finished reading Any Way The Wind Blows, and there are SO many things that I still need to process. I took my time with reading it, I’ve listened to the audiobook and I plan on re-reading it several times, once I move into my new house and have THAT stress done and over with. I cannot wait to re-read it on my back porch with some iced tea and a notebook to annotate and comment on pretty much everything that gave me feelings.

But for now, there is one massive issue that I want to address, and it plays into the plot for all three books.

Warning for those who have not read Any Way The Wind Blows, this post contains spoilers, so proceed with caution. I am tagging this appropriately, but adding an extra warning just in case.

Huge thanks to @carryonsimoncarryonbaz for reading this over and making sure I didn't sound like a rambling mess.

The World of Mages is an incredibly toxic place! This is especially true for anyone who isn’t a magical powerhouse, or stupid rich.

I’m going to not focus on the obvious socio-economic bullshit, because I’m not familiar enough with the British class system to properly comment on it. But if anyone wants to add onto this with a whole meta like that, please do so!

Instead, I’m going to focus on magic use and how detrimental it can be to grow up in this world if you aren’t one of the few who are blessed with the RIGHT kind of magic (I say right kind of magic for a reason, and I’m going to come back to that). I want to focus my attention on three characters (two of whom were drawn into Smith-Richard’s fake promises, and one who was just fed up with it all): Martin Bunce, Daphne Grimm, and Agatha Wellbelove.

1) Martin Bunce: We first hear about Martin Bunce in Carry On. He’s Penny’s dad, a renowned scholar and is leading a team researching the effects of the Insidious Humdrum. He’s a highly respected individual, in his own right. Penny adores him, she only speaks his praises, and I get the feeling she gets along better with Martin, then she does with Mitali. When Penny needs help with Shep’s curse, she trusts her dad to help her after her mother flat out refuses.

While Martin is respected in the community, he isn’t a magical powerhouse. In fact, he isn’t very powerful at all. Baz makes a cheeky little comment about how he must have come from mundanity with a name like “Bunce”, and he doesn’t teach any magical classes at Watford, he focuses mainly on Linguistics.

Professor Bunce is one of the people taken in by Smith-Richard’s message, and I’m kind of glad he is. It shows that Smith-Richard’s message can reach anyone, even someone as scholarly and learned as Martin. Martin Bunce is intelligent, loving, devoted, and the apple of his family’s eye. But, when push comes to shove, all that does not matter because in the end, he isn’t as magically powerful as his wife and kids. How many times has Martin been compared to his wife? How many times has he been compared to his kids? What was it like going to Watford and having to hear about how you barely scraped by in the magical classes? His whole family is obsessed with magic, his daughter's best friend is the Most Powerful Mage. Martin is constantly surrounded by people making comments about power and magic and being strong enough as a magician.

That stuff stays with you... So when you see someone performing magic that can pull you to your full potential, of COURSE you grab onto it and hope that it’s a real thing.

Something interesting to note here; Towards the end of AWTWB, Martin casts a drinking spell, and Baz makes a comment about anyone who could cast that spell in quick succession doesn’t need a power-up. Now, was Martin truly not powerful, or did he just not have the right type of magic? Could he have been a better magician if he was able to find the right situations where his magic responded better? If he was allowed to learn in a way where his magic could have reached its full potential, without the use of a horrible curse?

I have a teaching background, and I’ve worked with a lot of kids in Inclusive Education. I’ve had to differentiate practically all of my lesson plans so that all the kids in my classroom would understand the lesson and be able to reach the goals outlined for them. Admittedly, it’s been a while since I’ve taught, but I look at stuff like this in the World of Mages and my teaching ear perks up.

2) Agatha Wellbelove: Another person who comes to mind, especially with not having the right kind of magic is Agatha Wellbelove. Agatha does not see herself as a very strong magician. She tells Simon that magic for her is like holding a muscle. Pair that up with a mother who is OBSESSED with magic and power and who’s got the most power, and which magical matches will bring about powerful children, and you get someone who becomes resentful of the whole effing thing! I’m not even going to touch the whole “dating the Chosen One” thing because that’s a whole other can of worms.

When we first meet Agatha, she’s already fed up with magic, and wants nothing to do with it, and I can’t say I blame her. She spends all of Wayward Son running away from magic, and meandering through life, being still so unsure of herself and of her place in the world. She calls herself a poor excuse for a magician, yet she manages to save both herself and Penny from the NowNext by summoning fire! That’s a huge flipping deal! Not everyone can do that, yet Agatha is able to summon the power inside herself to do so! Imagine the wonderful magic she could have done if she was taught in a way that spoke to her.

In AWTWB, she is the ONLY person who is able to get through to the Goats. Her magic seems to be connected to nature (if I had to guess). The Dryad, all the way back in Carry On, tells Simon that she and the others find Agatha “peaceful”. That’s her magic. Agatha was able to come full circle by finding peace with the magic she has. She was able to find a place for it. What’s sad is that she felt the need to run away and not want to have it in her life anymore. Her magic is beautiful, yet not enough.

3) Daphne Grimm: So, this is the character that stood out to me the most. Daphne is the reason I even wanted to write this commentary. Those of you who know me, know that I adore this character. Partly because, I’m obsessed with the idea that Baz has people looking out for him and who care about him.

Anyway, Ms. Daphne Grimm is the apple of my eye essentially. I love her, I adore her, and she is treated SO UNFAIRLY by the World of Mages.

What do we know about Daphne? She is Baz’s stepmum, and has four kids with Malcolm. From the first book, there are snarky little comments about Daphne’s lack or power and magic. Baz himself makes a shitty comment about how Daphne’s “blood is as thin as gruel”, even though Daphne goes out of her way to make sure he’s got food sent to his room. She’s extra careful in making sure Baz feels safe in his own home. She suggests to Malcolm that Baz should see a therapist for everything he’s been through, making her the ONLY parent who not only acknowledges her child’s trauma, but tries to do something about it!

She is a GOOD mom!

Ok, we know that Baz wears a ton of masks of indifference in Carry On, and he softens up tremendously in Wayward Son, calling her lovely while teaching him to drive a car.

We learn a lot about Daphne in Any Way The Wind Blows. Namely that Fiona has some pretty nasty opinions about her. (That comment about her kids not being legitimate, and that she’s as “thick headed as she is thin blooded”. Now, imagine you’re Daphne, and the widower of the Great Natasha Pitch asks to marry you. That’s already some MASSIVE shoes to fill. You accept, and you do the best you can, taking care of his son and being a positive presence in his life, meanwhile going to all these posh functions where EVERYONE talks about power and magic. Then to have the sister of your husband’s first wife make snarky comments about your level of power and magic.

That stuff sticks with you.

Daphne doesn’t want her kids going to Watford, the ONLY magical school in the UK (as far as we know). She wants her children to succeed and be known for everything they are capable of doing, instead of being ridiculed for all the ways they’ll come up short. According to Baz, the only reason Daphne graduated from Watford was because she was smart enough to pass every exam (yet, Fiona still makes snarky comments about her intelligence).

Daphne is well aware of how painful it can be to live in the World of Mages and not be a powerhouse magician. Like Martin, she takes matters into her own hands and seeks out a way to make herself more powerful.

It is heartbreaking to look at these three amazing, beloved characters, and think about the suffering they have had to endure by their peers. Both Daphne and Martin get frustrated when those around them question their choice to follow Smith-Richards, stating “you don’t know what it’s like”. Luckily for Daphne, Baz makes an effort to actually understand her, and doesn’t judge her. Even when Fiona mocks her, Baz defends his stepmum. When Daphne berates herself and compares herself to Natasha, Baz reflects on how Natasha would have killed him (something Daphne would NEVER do to any of her children).

We know that Watford did not allow magical creatures, or differently-abled magicians (I use this term for a reason) to study there until the Mage came around and allowed everyone into Watford. This was a great thing, because now, every magical child was given the opportunity to learn how to speak with magic.

However, it should not have stopped there. I spoke earlier on differentiation and on finding the right place for everyone’s magic. What if magicians like Martin, and Daphne, and Agatha are all powerful in their own right, and they just haven’t found their place where their magic fits? Instead of finding the right way to teach these magicians, they are left to struggle and ultimately resent their magic and the magic of the world around them.

Do I hear a social commentary on the state of standardized education? I can’t really comment on the British Educational System, nor the American one, as I am Canadian. What I can say, from my own experience in Canadian classrooms, is that for all the talk we do on making education inclusive, there is still a big push from higher ups for high grades and standardized testing. If any of my followers are British or American and care to share your two cents, feel free to do so. Let’s keep the conversation going!

I think this post might have gotten away from me. I think my point was to act as a defense for people like Daphne and Martin who found themselves fished into a scam all for the promise of feeling like they are enough in their world. I also wanted to defend people like Agatha, who did all she could to run away from all of it, only to find the place where she (and her magic) belonged.

I remember having this discussion on Discord, and one of the points that came up was that maybe The Greatest Threat to the World of Mages was this deeply ingrained prejudice over magicians with different sorts of magic. Magicians who need that extra bit of help to find their way.

We’ve seen in this series how these prejudices can threaten to split the World of Mages apart, and it looks like magicians like Penny, Baz, and Agatha are learning from these mistakes. Only time (and us fanfiction writers) will tell how they end up shaping their world for the future generations.

[the-lancasters]

INN News Reporting Live from Windenburg Abbey

Royal Wedding Part 4

Read from the beginning of the Royal Wedding here

Previous | Beginning | Next

Transcript under the cut

Now we are beginning to see some Royal guests arrive at the Abbey, first up is the Dowager Duchess of Kent, Princess Amelia who is being escorted by her son and daughter in law, Prince Arthur and Lady Margaret, the current Duke and Duchess of Kent. Princess Amelia is the only daughter of King Edward I and Queen Alice, the current King’s grandparents.

Our first Foreign Royalty has arrived in the form of the King Wilhelm and Queen Annelies of the Netherlands, looking regal in blue. Both have visited Illyria many times, as the countries have close trade bonds.

Our next guest is King Louis XII of France and his wife Illyrias own favourite daughter Queen Mary. Queen Mary is King Georges’ beloved older sister. She frequently visits Illyria and her mother Queen Charlotte visits France just as frequently since her husband King Edward II died. The King and Queen have brought their eldest child and heir Prince Louis with them along with his wife Princess Alexandrine. Interesting fact, Prince Louis is the eldest of five siblings

The first of the bride’s family has just arrived in the form of Lord Richard Crawley looking smart in white tie as he walk up the steps. Lord Richard is the brother of Lady Victoria and is making his way into the abbey alone as his wife and two children, Robert and Adeline are all in Lady Victoria’s bridal party.

And last but certainly not least, is the King and Queen, accompanied by Queen Charlotte, the Queen Mother. It is certainly a proud day for the King as his eldest son and heir marries and continues the Lancaster Dynasty. I’m sure the King knows a little of what Crown Prince Charles must be feeling today as he arrived at this very Abbey 31 years ago to marry Lady Elizabeth Lyons. Queen Elizabeth is look resplendent today, in a deep purple gown that sets off the Magnificent Lancaster Emerald Parure. The Lancaster’s are known for their excellent collection of emerald jewellery pieces. Queen Charlotte, the Queen Mother is wearing a lovely blue gown with a honeycomb tiara and the large pearl Richmond earrings.

This now completes the guest arrival, and now we wait on the Groom and Bride to arrive to get this show on the road.

Large cheers from the crowd with the arrival of Crown Prince Charles's motorcade to Windenburg Abbey

The Crown Prince is wearing the uniform of the Illryian Guards, a unit of the Army of which he is an Honorary Colonel. He was granted this post by the King last year, as part of him ramping up his role in the Royal Family. Following him is his brother Prince Robert and good friend, Lord Arthur Harrington, Duke of Sutherland. They are both wear the uniform of a Commander in the Navy. Prince Robert has been actively serving in the Navy since he completed his studies at Rutherford Academy. It is understood from royal sources that the Prince and Lord Arthur, while holding the same rank, don’t serve on the same ship.  

Anticipation is reaching fever pitch as the bride and bridal party are the only ones left to arrive. Lady Victoria spent her last night as a single woman at Norrington Palace in Windenburg, alongside her bridal party. For those living under a rock, her bridal party today consists of her soon-to be sister-in-law, Princess Margaret, current sister-in-law, Lady Eloise Crawley, and best friend from school, Miss Alexandra Sinclair.

Cars have started lining up at the exit to Norrington Palace, seemingly waiting for the bridal party to depart.There! We see a flash of white and people moving around!Cars are starting and here we go! Our first glimpse of Lady Victoria. From what we can see she has a large veil on and an off-the shoulder lace gown. We see the bridesmaids are also in white......

[lick-me-lennon22]

George caring for a sick Dhani 💜

(thank you to @pmak2002 for this request!! it was supposed to be just a blurb but I did a little research beforehand and it ended up pretty much becoming a whole fic 😅 oops... either way, I hope you enjoy this one! 💕)

When Dhani wakes up for school on Monday morning, he immediately knows something his wrong. His throat is sore, his nose is runny, and his muscles ache like nothing he's felt before. He painstakingly drags himself out of bed, clutching the sheet around him, and heads straight to his parents' bedroom where he finds his mum Olivia still in bed. Dhani notices that the bathroom door is cracked open and cautiously steps inside to find his father, George, brushing his teeth. "Dad..?" he says quietly, voice hoarse. George startles, turning around to see Dhani in his unfortunate state and spits his mouthful of toothpaste into the sink, letting the water wash it down the drain before turning the tap off. "What is it, my boy? You sound bloody awful..," he gently presses the back of his hand to Dhani's forehead to assess his temperature. "You seem to be running quite the fever, son- let's get you to the doctor, all right? Just let me finish up in here and I'll be right out to take ye" George says. Dhani nods weakly, coughing into his elbow, and shuffles out of the room. George jumps into action- he swishes and spits some mouthwash, changes out of his sleepwear into a button-up and jeans, and sprints to the car, his son following close behind him and hopping into the passenger's seat.

 

"This is ridiculous.." George mutters under his breath as he walks his son out of the clinic and gets into the driver's seat of his car. They had been able to see the doctor almost instantly upon arriving; he had taken some swabs, run a few tests, and determined that Dhani had contracted the flu: "He probably picked it up from school," the doc had said. When George had requested a prescription of some kind to alleviate his son's symptoms, the doctor simply shook his head: "I'm afraid there isn't much we can do for him. The flu's been going around at many schools, I've seen a lot of children this past week with the same complaints. As it stands, all I can tell you is to give him some over-the-counter medicine, bring him some saltwater to gargle for that sore throat, and be sure he gets plenty of fluids and bedrest." George tried to argue, stating that there must be something he can do to cure Dhani of his illness sooner- but as the doc's hands were tied and George didn't want to subject his son to more stress, he took Dhani by the hand and led him out of the office, through the lobby, and back to the car. "Alright, my boy," George sighs- "seeing that the doctor was no help whatsoever, we're headed straight to the drugstore for anything that'll help you feel better. Sound good?"

"Yeah Dad, sounds good" Dhani croaks out and smiles weakly, glad just to spend some time with his father. Being a famous musician and all, George isnt able to spend as much time with his son as he'd like to, a lot of it consumed by work and media-related endeavors. Dhani admired his Dad more than anyone else in his life and though they rarely got the chance to hang out nowadays, they were practically best friends and had formed a close bond throughout his childhood. George was always a fun parent, bringing his son along to festivals and such ("Don't tell yer mum," he'd say with a grin), and sticking up for Dhani to authority figures and even other kids at his school- he was fiercely protective of his boy. However, he was also a gentle parent who allowed Dhani the chance to explore and express himself, and had fostered a mutual respect between the two of them since his son was but a toddler.

"I'm pulling you from school for the whole week" "But what if I'm- *cough*- all better before then?" "Just in case, Dhani- it's not like you really need them and their indoctrination, anyway.." George grumbles, never having been a fan of traditional schools or their teachings. Dhani however has always cared about his grades and paid close attention to the lessons he's been taught, in spite of what his father thinks. "...Okay, Dad" he says meekly, wanting to protest but unwilling to sacrifice more quality time with his famous father. George pulls into the parking lot of the nearest drugstore and marches in, intent on gathering all the supplies his sick boy could need: tissues, lozenges, cough syrup, pain medication, ice packs, and even more tissues- 'just in case.' He makes his way to the checkout, queuing up, paying for the items and hauling his bags back to the car. He drives Dhani home as quickly as possible, carrying him to bed and tucking him in before calling and cancelling any studio time, interviews, or collaborations he'd previously planned. There's only one committment he can't cancel- dinner with Paul tonight for the first time in ages. George sets his son up with all of the remedies he'd bought and tells his wife Olivia everything about the situation, including the "unhelpful and useless" doctor they had gone to see. She of course agrees to care for Dhani, sending her husband on his way to dinner with one of his long-time best friends.

 

The following day George rises just before noon, having stayed up late to pal around with Macca. He runs the few errands on his agenda, including grabbing his family some lunch, and pulls into his driveway back home where he spots the vehicle of none other than Richard Starkey parked outside. He makes his way to his son's room to discover that Uncle Ringo had come to visit the sick young lad (having found out from Paul that Dhani had come down with a bad case of the flu), joking and cheering him up to distract him from his poor state. The two close friends chat for some time in the living room before Ritchie departs, Olivia checking up on Dhani in the meantime. George thanks his wife and dismisses her from her nurse duties, taking on the responsibility himself. He tiptoes to his son's bedroom cautiously and enterd to see that he's been tucked in, the ice pack George had picked up from the store the previous day resting on his forehead, half-lidded eyes trained onto the telly. "Dhani..?" "Oh- *cough*- hey, Dad"

George approaches the bed and sits down carefully, holding a paper bag out to Dhani. "I brought you a burrito- your favorite," he grins down at his son, who takes the bag: "Really? *cough*- Thanks Dad, you're the best!" he says, hands emerging from the blankets to tear into the treat. George stays sat on the bed, determined to spend time with his sick boy and make sure he knows how loved he is. Glancing around the room at the piano and guitars he's bought and played with Dhani, then back to the young man, Ringo's words from earlier echo in his mind: "He's growing up into such a wonderful lad. He's just like you, ye know- good looks and all."

Olivia had always said they were very alike, but he'd usually dismissed the observation... until now. George couldn't help but realize that they were right- though he was but eleven years old Dhani was already becoming a very talented and creative musician, having learned much about music from his dad. He'd certainly taken after his Beatle father in that regard, and they were in fact very similar- not to mention their near identical looks. Sharing his Dad with the world had been difficult and a bit isolating for Dhani despite his many school mates. He admired and looked up to George from a very young age, always striving to be just like him. As Dhani grew up before George's eyes, he became more and more like his father by the day and George was immensely proud.

His train of thought was broken suddenly when Dhani finished the burrito, crumpling the paper bag and tossing it into the bin. He landed the throw, earning a hearty laugh and a high five from his father. He closed his eyes and laid back, George stroking his hair gently, the two of them cherishing this moment of father-son love. "Are you gettin' sleepy, Dhani?" he asked tenderly- his son nodded in response, already drowsy despite the brightness of the late afternoon sun. "Tell you what- I'll play you a lullaby, that way you can rest easier and know that I'm here beside you." "Dad," Dhani chuckled, "aren't I a little too old for that?" he lied, secretly longing for the affectionate gesture. George grabbed his son's acoustic guitar from its stand and begin to tune it: "You're never too old for yer old man's love and attention, eh? Now you just relax, close your eyes, and rest." Dhani didn't protest any further, heeding his father's instructions with a soft smile on his face. With that, George began to play- he chose "Here Comes The Sun," fingers strumming the strings gently and with care, dedicating the sweet words to his beloved son. By the time he was finished Dhani was fast asleep- grin faltering as he drifted off, but still visible on his lips. George placed the guitar back on the stand gently, taking care not to wake the sleeping lad. He smiled to himself, tears welling in his eyes as he turned to admire his son's peaceful face. "I love you, my boy," he whispered, placing a gentle kiss on Dhani's forehead before tip-toeing out of the room and shutting the door cautiously. Back pressed against the wooden door, George let his eyelids fall shut and sighed: "Sweet dreams, Dhani." ♡

[optinavi]

This was my Great Grandfather Richard who was married to the happiest woman I ever met: my Great Grandmother Mildred "Mickey" Carr.

I've heard many sweet memories about these Great Grandparents of mine.

They were truely the happiest couple.

I've been thinking about them a lot, ever since Mickey joined Richard in the sky.

Also, I've been thinking about them a lot, ever since I created: Madera Hudson (@mrs1951hudcom).

Ever since I saw the movie, Cars, on April 17th, 2021, I have fallen in love with Hudson vehicles.

I created Madera Hudson, so Doc Hudson (from the movie) could be happily married to her.

I chose Madera and Doc to experience adventurous moments together: road trips with their VW Bus friend, cruising on beaches at sunset, catering food and gas at drive-ins, and collecting antiques at flea markets...just like Mickey and Richard.

I chose Madera and Doc to live every moment of their lives together: to act young, no matter how old they are, to still prepare food and fuel for their full-grown children, and to bill and coo with each other...just like Mickey and Richard.

I chose Madera and Doc to be the sweetest and happiest married couple who never broke away from each other...just like Mickey and Richard.

My Great Grandparents have inspired me so much.

What's tough is learning from them the hard way...when they're watching us from above.

They were with me to tell tales at my very young age, but I was too young to listen, to understand, and to remember their speeches...and I had very little to no interest of asking about their past before, whereas, my mind is full of curiosity today.

I see now...the older I become, the quicker everything happens.

A few years ago, I thought it would take a lifetime for the world to be modernized and advanced.

No.

Today, the world has upgraded dramatically with technology.

Soon enough, the lower class will afford quantum travel, so we could revisit our past lives and see our new past before our birthdays.

With this time travel to the past, and eventually the future, we will have a more accurate understanding of how, what, when, where, who, and why our lives were like with our ascendants and descendants.

Living right now is all we live for.

We have what's limited to us.

We don't need to be spoiled with every answer.

What matters most are the little things in life.

We admire the past more than now, for what we have now is too much than the past.

We definitely won't admire the future, for there will be too much to handle.

They say, living simple is the best way.

It's hard to let go of the old things when new things are introduced.

Just like people, pets, homes, vehicles...cars.

We may keep a few things that we've been used to for so long, but when the time comes...we have to let go.

Living simple is hard too.

Everything is bittersweet.

Everything is different.

That's what makes our lives eventful.

Good moments done and remembered.

Bad moments done and remembered.

We just have to accept every moment...no matter what.

Keeping the goodness keeps us happy.

Let's take today and any day of our lives to fulfill happiness.

My family and I will also take this month to honor my Great Grandparents: Mick and Dick...just like how I will honor my beloved character and her husband: Mud and Hud.

❤️💞💙

[thehammondlegacy]

King Henry’s Funeral: Foreign Monarchs and Royals Arrive at the Abbey

It’s time to say goodbye to our beloved King in Willow Creek, and the foreign guests from around the simworld have arrived at the abbey. The first ones to arrive were TM King Maxwell and Queen Morgan of the Winden Territories followed by TM King Richard and Queen Elissa of Carrington. This is the first time both monarchs visit Willow Creek, although Queen Elissa attended the Queen Annual’s Tea Party a few years ago. 

Next up were HM Queen Helena of Monaca and her son and heir HRH Crown Prince Maximilian, Duke of Rosemont followed by HM Queen Sofia of Windasia and her husband HRH Prince Consort Darien. Both the Queen Helena and Queen Sofia have been in Willow Creek before. 

Arriving next were TM King David and Queen Blair De Villiers followed by HM King Arthur of Albion. Both King David and King Arthur have never visited Willow Creek before, and we are glad to have them here on this special occasion.

Next up were two of the late King’s closest friends HM Queen Alexandra of Farrington next to her husband HRH Prince Christopher and her sister and best friend to our new Queen, HRH Princess Alice, the Princess Royal.

Following the Queen of Farrington were HM Queen Alma of Simovia next to HM Queen Aisling of Culloden and her son and heir HRH Crown Prince Michael, Duke of Glencoe. Queen Alma and Queen Aislaing have already been to Willow Creek for the Queen’s Annual Tea Party as well a few years ago, and we are very pleased to have them back again to say farewell to the King.

@carmichealroyals @royalhouseofcarrington @royalfamilyofgrimalldi @wa-royal-tea @royaldevilliers @thealbionroyals @thesimmonarchy @simoviacourt @royalsims-of-culloden

[introvertguide]

The Sound of Music (1965); AFI #40

The next film that we reviewed from the AFI Top 100 was the most successful movie adaptation of a Hollywood play of all time, The Sound of Music (1965). The story was based on the 1949 memoir of Maria Von Trapp, who became a nanny for a retired naval officer and his children. They lived together in Austria and had to escape from the invading Nazi party right before the start of WW2. That story was turned into a musical by the dynamic duo of Rogers and Hammerstein and eventually translated to a Best Picture Oscar winner directed by the great Robert Wise. The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won 5 of them. This truly is a phenomenal story with great music and I can't wait to get into the breakdown. Of course, I do need to mention...

SPOILER ALERT!!! IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE AT LEAST AN IDEA OF THE PLOT OF THIS FILM, BUT I REALLY GO OVER THE DETAILS!!! MAKE SURE THAT YOU REALLY KNOW THE STORY AND HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER!!!

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The film opens on that iconic spinning shot of Maria (Julie Andrews) from a helicopter and establishes the beautiful hills of Austria. The whole movie is set on and around the city and hills of Salzburg, Austria. It is 1938, dangerously close to the rise of the the Third Reich and Nazi occupation, but Maria is not involved in such things at the time. She is young, enthusiastic, and completely lacking discipline. Turns out she is training to be a nun at the millennia-old Nonnberg Abbey and the Mother Abbess (Peggy Wood) is considering what to do with her. It is decided that Maria will leave the abbey for a time and work as a governess for one Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) and his seven children.

On the day she arrives, Maria learns that the Captain cares for his children with strict military discipline and also that the kids have caused a lot of trouble for their previous governesses. It seems that their mother has died and their father is distant, so they act out to try and get attention. The kids put a frog in Maria's pocket and place a pine cone in her chair at dinner, but she instead thanks them for their warm welcome and they all cry out of guilt. That night, the eldest daughter Liesl (Charmian Carr) goes out and meets with a young suitor named Rolfe (Daniel Truhitte). They sing together in the rain and then she returns to the house via Maria's room. While there, a thunder storm begins and all the other children join out of fear. Maria sings with them about getting over their fears by imagining good things and the children begin to trust her. The next morning, the Captain leaves to go to Vienna giving Maria a chance to bond with the children even more.

While the Captain is away in Vienna, Maria decides she will teach the children to have fun and allow them to play. She tears down drapes and makes play clothes for the children, then takes them around Salzburg and the surrounding mountains. She teaches them how to sing, allows them to climb in trees, and piles them in a boat to go rowing. The Captain unexpectedly returns to the villa with rival love interest Baroness Elsa Schraeder (Eleanor Parker), a rich Viennese socialite and widow looking for a new husband, and mutual friend "Uncle" Max Detweiler (Richard Haydn). The Captain and his guests are greeted by Maria and the children returning from a boat ride on the lake that concludes when the boat overturns. Displeased by his children's clothes and Maria's impassioned appeal that he get closer to his children, the Captain orders Maria to return to the abbey. Just then, he hears singing coming from inside the house and is astonished to see his children singing for the Baroness. Filled with emotion, the Captain joins his children, singing for the first time in years. Afterwards, he apologizes to Maria and asks her to stay.

Impressed by the children's singing, Max proposes he enter them in the upcoming Salzburg Festival but the suggestion is immediately rejected by the Captain as he does not allow his children to sing in public. He does agree, however, to organize a grand party at the villa. The night of the party, while guests in formal attire waltz in the ballroom, Maria and the children look on from the garden terrace. When the Captain notices Maria teaching Kurt the traditional Ländler folk dance, he cuts in and partners Maria in a graceful performance, culminating in a close embrace. The children get together and sing a goodnight song to the party crowd and the impressed Max insists that Maria join the group for dinner. Confused about her feelings, Maria blushes and breaks away to change clothes. The Baroness, who noticed the Captain's attraction to Maria, hides her jealousy while convincing Maria that she must return to the abbey. Instead of joining the party, Maria leaves a note and runs back to the abbey.

Intermission

Back at the abbey, when Mother Abbess learns that Maria has stayed in seclusion to avoid her feelings for the Captain, she encourages Maria to return to the villa to look for her life. We get the very appropriate, but perhaps the most out-of-nowhere and cringy performance in the film, "Climb Every Mountain" sung by the Mother Abbess. It is convincing and Maria returns to the villa, only to learn about the Captain's engagement to the Baroness and agrees to stay until they find a replacement governess. The Captain's feelings for Maria, however, have not changed and he breaks off his engagement with the Baroness and proposes to Maria. The announcement of the first engagement, the return of Maria, the break-up, and the second engagement all happen in a single day in film and about 20 minutes of run time, so make sure to pay attention.

While they are on their honeymoon, Max enters the children in the Salzburg Festival against their father's wishes. When they learn that Austria has been annexed by the Third Reich in the Anschluss, the couple return to their home, where a telegram awaits informing the Captain that he must report to the German Naval base at Bremerhaven to accept a commission in the German Navy. Strongly opposed to the Nazis and the Anschluss, the Captain tells his family they must leave Austria immediately. That night, as the von Trapp family attempt to leave, they are stopped by a group of brown shirts waiting outside the villa. When questioned by Gauleiter Hans Zeller, the Captain maintains they are headed to the Salzburg Festival to perform. Zeller insists on escorting them to the festival, after which his men will accompany the Captain to Bremerhaven.

Later that night at the festival, during their final number, the von Trapp family slip away and seek shelter at the nearby abbey, where Mother Abbess hides them in the cemetery crypt. They are about to get cleanly away when the are discovered by the boy who was courting Liesl. Rolfe is sill a boy but is shouldering the responsibilities of a man. He lets the family get by because he can't bring himself to harm them, but he does call for backup. More brown shirts soon arrive and attempt to pursue, but they discover their cars will not start as two nuns have removed parts of the engines. The next morning, after driving to the Swiss border, the von Trapp family make their way on foot across the frontier into Switzerland to safety.

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I think the first thing to mention is the undeniably beautiful music. I absolutely love the music of this film and how each song starts off simple and just builds in complexity. The best songs either set the scene or progress the plot and are magnificently placed. From the opening song that sets the scene, to the discussion of how to deal with a woman that doesn't fit in, to the discussion of what to do when you are afraid, to putting your love and affection towards somebody who can't love you. The themes are incredibly deep when you consider the lyrics of the songs as foreshadowing the rest of the movie. The von Trapp family has to escape into the hills and they do it using their musical skills. When the family is trapped and has to keep quiet despite extreme fear for their lives, they are able to make it through because they have been taught to suppress their fear thinking of their favorite things. "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" has the young German boy talking about being a man because he is slightly older then the eldest von Trapp daughter, yet he is charged with finding the family and turning them over to the German military and he can't do it. The music serves a purpose and the movie would be far less palatable for it, despite the story being a truly fascinating real life drama.

The great actress Julie Andrews does such a good job as Maria. This was most definitely a perfect role for her and might be her greatest performance. It is between this role and the part she played in Mary Poppins the year earlier. In fact, Julie Andrews was much better known for her Broadway performances at the time of this film. Mary Poppins was the first feature film role for Julie Andrews and The Sound of Music was technically her third. She jumped on the Hollywood scene and was exceptionally lucky that musicals were popular and she was a beautiful young triple threat (acting, singing, and dancing). She is the perfect example of success being a mixture of preparation, luck, and opportunity.

One thing I forget about musicals from this time period is how quickly plot points (like falling in love and building relationships) happen. I don't mean in terms of run time, I mean in terms of time passing by in the story. Maria is sent to be with the von Trapp family and the children go from hating her to needing and trusting her in a single day. She goes from being a beloved nanny to running away to rejoin the nunnery in one evening. The captain goes from proposing to the Baroness to Maria returning to breaking off his engagement to asking Maria to marry him in a 48 hour period. The Captain and Maria return to Austria after their honeymoon and enter a singing competition to escape to Switzerland all on the same day. In terms of run time, that first day actually takes up the first hour of the film. That last night takes up the last half an hour. I doubled checked this just to make sure, but it is true: only 4 critical days are shown in the film. Maria leaves the convent and arrives at the von Trapp house. Time passes, The Captain returns to fire Maria but changes his mind and instead throws a party where Maria runs away. Time passes. Maria is convinced to return and arrives to find the Captain is engaged before he changes his mind to leave the Baroness and immediately proposes to Maria. We see them on their wedding day. Time passes. The Captain and Maria return and he is ordered to join the Navy, but he instead using the children's performance that night as cover to escape with his family. End of movie.

Despite the story being about a young family escaping the Nazis, this film has the lightest rating (G) of any best picture winner. Some films were not rated at the time that would now be considered a G rating and Oliver! in 1968 had a rating of GP (general public) that no longer exists. It seems like a movie that doesn't have at least a bit of a serious tone can't win a Best Picture and that comes with a heavier rating. It was funny that the Amazon Prime virtual copy that I saw most recently starts out with a screen that says rated G for violence, language, and adult situations.

There are some funny behind the scenes stories since there were many young children in the film. This means that many of them are still alive and can relive their memories with young fans. We are also lucky enough to have Dame Julie Andrews still working and sharing her experiences like a champ. She really is a treasure. The young girl who played the adorable Gretl von Trapp (Kym Karath) is only in her early 60s since she was only six in the film. it was actually her 4th picture, giving her more experience in film than Julie Andrews at the time. There were plenty of specials commemorating the 50th anniversary of the film back in 2015, so there are actually some really good interviews with the surviving cast that are relatively recent. I would highly suggest the 20/20 review of the film that can be found on YouTube:

NBC|ABC|20/20: The Untold Story of 'The Sound of Music - YouTube

There was some concern from the cast and the producers that a film version of a musical would not be financially viable. Other Rogers and Hammerstein musicals had been adapted to film and had not lived up to the success that was found on Broadway. Luckily, director Robert Wise used the natural lighting and countryside of Austria and Germany to slightly excuse the sudden singing of a musical that seems out of place in film. Also, he had recently directed West Side Story and knew how to best accomplish this. Then again, who wouldn't want to dance around and sing in those mountains? Wise did some things like lowering the tone of the song "Climb Every Mountain" and moving Maria through the countryside while she was singing "Confidence in Me." This helped reduce the cringe factor.

So does this film belong on the AFI top 100? Oh God yes. It is a great story adapted by the greatest American songwriting duo and directed by one of the great American directors who specialized in musicals. The list would be lacking if this film was not on it. Would I recommend it? Oh man, yes. Go watch it right now. Oh, you just saw it? Watch it again. It's that good.

[tabloidtoc]

People, May 10

Cover: Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

Page 3: Chatter -- Mindy Kaling on technology woes, Amy Adams on wanting to go into acting because of Grease, Gal Gadot on telling her daughters Maya and Alma about her pregnancy, DJ Khaled on using Rihanna's skin-care line, Christie Brinkley on showing off her body on Instagram at age 67, Whoopi Goldberg on writing a superhero movie about an older Black lady

Page 4: 5 Things We're Talking About -- Michael Keaton returns as Batman, Jane Fonda recalls her first and best kiss, Maya Rudolph would give Bridesmaids another go, the stars of ER scrub in one more time, popcorn and donuts team up

Page 7: Contents

Page 8: StarTracks -- one day before Prince William and Princess Kate's youngest child Prince Louis turned 3, Kensington Palace released a new portrait of the little royal to mark the occasion; Kate snapped the photo of Louis, who wore a school uniform and backpack as he rode his bike outside their home in London ahead of his first day of preschool

Page 9: JoJo Siwa and mom Jessalynn went for a roller-coaster ride at Disney's Hollywood studios in Florida, Madonna in a three-piece Gucci suit for dinner at West Hollywood staple Craig's

Page 10: Stars on Set -- Rachel Brosnahan was pretty in pink while filming season 4 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel with costar Alex Borstein in NYC, John Cena flashed a peace sign when he took a coffee break while filming The Suicide Squad spinoff series Peacemaker in Vancouver, Tika Sumpter and James Marsden shot an action-packed scene for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in Vancouver

Page 11: Katie Holmes was spotted on a Connecticut set preparing to film the drama The Watergate Girl in which she'll play Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, Awkwafina and Bowen Yang filmed the upcoming season of Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens in NYC, Melissa Benoist suited up for Supergirl in Vancouver

Page 12: Brooke Shields who is recovering after breaking her femur in a gym accident walked arm in arm after a lunch with husband Chris Henchy, Britney Spears and boyfriend Sam Asghari posed for a photo before attending a friend's wedding

Page 15: Stars in the Sun -- Maren Morris flaunted her new tan while enjoying a tropical getaway, Simone Biles and boyfriend Jonathan Owens cuddled up during a trip to Florida, Lindsey Vonn caught some waves and some rays while paddleboarding in Tulum, Derek Hough cooled off in the ocean during a beach day in L.A., Brie Larson enjoyed a dip while on vacation in Hawaii

Page 17: Scoop -- Life After Their Split -- how Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are moving on

Page 18: Inside Caitlyn Jenner's run for governor

Page 20: Heart Monitor -- Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae Young ready to wed, Pete Davidson and Phoebe Dynevor going public, Zac Efron and Vanessa Valladares split, Billie Eilish and Matthew Tyler Vorce new couple?

Page 23: Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin's messy divorce

* Susannah Constantine -- my royal friendship with Princess Margaret

Page 24: Open House -- French Montana

* Baby Boom -- the latest on Hollywood's growing families -- Marie Kondo and Takumi Kawahara welcomed a son, Nick and Lauren Carter welcomed their third child

Page 27: Ed Helms talks life after The Office

Page 29: Passages, Why I Care -- Lisa Kudrow is working with doctors at UCLA to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues

Page 31: Stories to Make You Smile -- most cats can't stand the water but 8-month-old Marlin can't get enough and his Instagram is @carolinejarvis, a first grader's airplane kits give wings to kids' travel dreams

Page 35: People Picks -- Tom Clancy's Without Remorse

Page 36: Limbo, One to Watch -- Shadow and Bone's Jessie Mei Li

Page 37: Pose, Pet Stars

Page 38: The Handmaid's Tale, Thomas Rhett -- Country Again: Side A, Q&A with Olivia Holt

Page 39: The Mosquito Coast, Inspiring America: The 2021 Inspiration List

Page 41: Books

Page 42: Oscars 2021 -- The Return of Glamour -- the show was unconventional, just 170 guests were allowed in L.A.'s Union Station, and COVID restrictions were strictly enforced, but stars did their part to bring back some movie magic

Page 43: Andra Day

Page 44: Fabulous Fashion -- crop tops, ball gowns and bows ruled the red carpet -- Angela Bassett, Zendaya, Carey Mulligan, Maria Bakalova

Page 45: Margot Robbie, Reese Witherspoon, Viola Davis, Amanda Seyfried

Page 46: Behind the Scenes -- Regina King -- the actress closed out awards season in a custom Louis Vuitton creation

Page 48: Shine Bright -- there's no such thing as too much bling -- Laura Pausini, Vanessa Kirby, Zendaya

Page 49: Maria Bakalova, Daniel Kaluuya, Glenn Close, Tiara Thomas

Page 50: Very Well Suited -- these sharp dressers put their own twists on the tuxedo -- Lakeith Stanfield, Colman Domingo, Paul Raci, Tyler Perry, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Kim

Page 53: Getting Ready with Andra Day

Page 55: Getting Ready with Angela Bassett

Page 56: Romance on the Red Carpet -- these couples only had eyes for each other -- Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, Halle Berry and Van Hunt, Chloe Zhao and Joshua James Richards, Riz Ahmed and Fatima Farheen Mirza

Page 57: Steven Yeun and Joana Pak, Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson, Paul Raci and Liz Hanley Raci, Aaron Sorkin and Paulina Porizkova

Page 58: Best in Show -- there were A-list stars, groundbreaking moments and social distancing as Hollywood gathered safely to honor the best movies of the year -- Reese Witherspoon

Page 61: Alan Kim, Angela Bassett, Rita Moreno

Page 62: Major Moments -- these artists broke barriers during the most historic ceremony ever -- Emerald Fennell, Chloe Zhao, Daniel Kaluuya

Page 63: H.E.R., Anthony Hopkins, Yuh-Jung Youn with Brad Pitt, Mia Neal

Page 65: Yuh-Jung Youn and Daniel Kaluuya and Frances McDormand, Elton John and Dua Lipa, Andra Day and Winnie Harlow

Page 66: Cover Story -- Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union -- Dream Team -- the actress and NBA champ open up about protecting their family, fighting for what's right and why they're stronger than ever

Page 72: George Floyd's Killer Found Guilty -- We Can Breathe Again -- friends and family of the Minneapolis man killed by police rejoice after a jury's verdict and vow with supporters to keep fighting systemic racism

Page 76: Bethenny Frankel -- what I know now -- the irrepressible former Real Housewives star and businesswoman is newly engaged and back as a boss with a new show

Page 80: A Son Lost to Suicide, A Father's Mission -- we loved him every day, but it wasn't enough -- after the shocking death of his 12-year-old son, Brad Hunstable has a message for parents: talk to your kids about suicide

Page 84: Andrew McCarthy -- I was never suited for fame -- the beloved actor, and author of a new memoir, looks back on his enduring films, surviving his '80s stardom and how his affiliation with the so-called Brat Pack was a mixed blessing

Page 88: Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton's 10-year anniversary -- remembering the big day -- those who made the wedding a fairy tale share their memories

Page 92: Country Singer Thomas Rhett -- fame, family and finding my way -- the star opens up about overcoming struggled with his wife Lauren in their 8-year-marriage and learning to put their family first

Page 98: Murdered Soldier Vanessa Guillen's Fiance -- every day I pray for justice -- a year after losing the love of his life, Juan Cruz is determined to make sure the Army specialist's legacy is never forgotten and that her tragic death inspires lasting change

Page 102: George W. Bush -- painting with a purpose -- the former president avoided making waves, until his party's nativist prompted him to use his art to celebrate immigrants

Page 106: Pop Star Julia Michaels -- how I learned to love myself -- the singer talks falling in love, managing anxiety and writing hits for Britney Spears and Selena Gomez

Page 116: One Last Thing -- Josh Duhamel

[taylorkellyreporting]

my best friend convinced me to catch up on grey’s. i’m most likely going to regret doing this lmao.

“too bad there’s no sappy love songs about the part where your husband leaves you, you cry every time you see his toothbrush so you’re living on your best friends couch.” oh my baby jo i just wanna hug her damn you alex karev!!

“you’re probably not one to judge someone for leaving town with no goodbye or return date” 😭😭

completely forgot about deluca

skipping towen scenes is self care 😌

woahhh forgot that vic and jackson were dating…tf was that all about?

why is he so weirded out by her rooming with dean?

they handled this deluca storyline so badly omg

teddy will always be inferior to amelia that’s just facts

i know meredith is not ellen but hearing her complain ab billionaires when she makes shit tons an episode is really funny to me i’m sorry

another thing i forgot is how much of an asshole richard is

he’s bribing tom and i’m supposed to believe he’s different?

wow she doesn’t love him that much

🗣I’LL DO IT BECAUSE OF HOW WELL HE LOVED ME

feel like pure shit just want jolex back

“we’ve both seen people cling to their scalpels longer than they should have.” i wonder if he’s thinking about burk and the whole situation after he was shot

wow he’s going to take the money

i would’ve thrown my drink in deluca’s face, too

i love amelink so much why’d they break them up 😩

“it’s not karev anymore” FUCK

GODDDD SHE’S STILL WEARING HER RINGS

she just took them off right after i got done typing but STILL

mmm i don’t really like helm if i’m honest

“hunt and ka…jo” why does this hurt so bad

i just don’t understand why they couldn’t believe deluca

why do i feel like this rushing thing is going to bite meredith in the ass…

cannot imagine giving up my entire life for owen of all men

fuck everyone for not believing deluca and fuck the grey’s writers for portraying mental illness in the way that they have

meredith is way too old (and ugly)for deluca how did the writers ever think that they made an appealing couple

aww jackson’s bonding with his dad 🥺

“jo, that time in my mom’s basement was a one time thing, i’m a gay man.” PLEASE 😭😭

feels so good to see jo laughing again 🥺

jo calling alex her ex husband is causing me physical pain like yes i know that’s what he is but ouch

despite the deluca storyline, this ep was really good.

gonna try to watch this next ep but ngl i might skip it cause i just don’t care about teddy and her past

hayes looks damn good in a suit

“i hope i wasn’t supposed to bring my kids” kid. one kid. leo is amelia’s and always will be. sorry 🤷🏼‍♀️

now what does catherine want?

catherine moaning wasn’t something i ever wanted to hear…i am traumatized

love seeing maggie kiss someone who isn’t her brother get some queen!!!

wait did they hook up or was that imaginary?

let me guess, maggie and richard have the uncertain futures while hayes and teddy have to confront hard memories?

hayes looks a lot better without hair

“it’s okay to fall in love again, you have my permission.” she’s a better woman than me bc i would’ve been like “fall in love again and i’ll haunt your ass.”

oh wow her girlfriend knew the whole entire time

teddy really named her daughter after the woman she was having an affair with sjdjfjfjdjs

HE’S BEEN A HALLUCINATION THIS WHOLE TIME?????? OH MY GOD???

damn that was a really really good episode

there’s meme of him? 😭😭

i find it so funny how unfunny that meme was. they could have done so much better pls

lmfaooo “you had a good run!”

damn. poor tom.

that meme format is so outdated 😭

fjgjfjdjs not her breaking into song 😭😭

“how do you fix it?” “singing lessons” lmfaooo

that scene with richard was so intense

lmao all that drama for braxton hicks 

whew that episode was great

i really like daya, i hope nothing happens to her

carina deluca my beloved<3

woah did not think it had to do with the replacement

did the writers really think having bailey with amelia while she’s giving birth was a good idea? the woman just had a miscarriage my gosh. will never forgive the writers for the storyline btw

“i’m okay, i just need a second” you’re standing over an open body???

lmaooo he’s dating her teacher

bailey is doing for amelia what george did for her when she was giving birth to ben i’m going to cry

as much as i love this moment between them, i really wish it was link and meredith with her instead

ON SPEAKER????

he knows damn well that was not a wedding gift 😭

that must’ve been so bittersweet for bailey

now owen knows how it feels

PLEASE jackson’s face when richard yanked his hand away from catherine’s 😭😭😭😭

she really thought he’d welcome her back to him with open arms even after everything she did i-

this bitch is evil she really had sex with tom and then immediately put on her wedding dress and had her engagement ring on her opposite hand like????