I do not want to blog today.

I am too sad.

No. It's nothing serious. Nothing really serious.

But here are the facts.

Fat Flush Chart

Week 2 -14
Week 5 -20
Week 8 -25
Week 11 -25


I am trying too hard not to be losing weight.
And well...since Monday is weigh in day...and I continue not to lose...I am totally frustrated.

So I can't write anything else. I can't think of anything else.
I can't put this in a spiritual perspective.

I will, however, keep trying.


Please don't tell me to exercise more.
Or eat more.
Or eat less.
And don't tell me that five pounds is a good weight to lose in six weeks. Cause it's just not good enough to me.


So how's that for a Fat Flush Update.

Big ole pity party.

Sorry.


I'll cheer up by tomorrow.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Time to drink my cranwater.

Big doings at our place today.

The twenty year old, hail damaged roof is coming off! I hear the scrapping as I type.

This is a very good thing.

We needed a roof.
The hail came.
The insurance company paid off.


Perfect timing :o)



************

The play went off so much better last night. Most of the forgotten lines were remembered. Really, everything was better.

Well...except for Katie pushing the girl in front of her during the dance :o(

So embarrassing.

We had a little talk about this...Katie cried...hopefully she learned a better way to handle herself.

Butterflies don't boss.

Leading gently is better than bossing.

(A little granny behind me said, "That one's bossy")

Yep. That's my girl.

*hanging head*


********


Emma and Matthew headed up north AGAIN last night. (Matthew is going to a camp with his friends, and he dropped Emma off along the way to visit with her girlfriends.)

Then Emma goes to summer camp from there.

Matthew will come home Sunday, but we will have another week without Emma.

I really miss the kids when they are gone.

Call me Mr. Blue.



I think God knew what he was doing when he gave us our little firecracker, ten years after Emma.

I'm so thankful for our little caboose.

Even if she is bossy.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Fine little butterfly




"The play was an adventure", said the director when it was over.

So many things can go wrong during a play with 67 children.
And they did.

Katie had a blast and sprang out of bed this morning in anticipation of performing the play again tonight!

So much fun for her.

(And I forgot to mention in the comments, I haven't been in a play since I was a bunny in 2nd grade. I am terrible at memorizing lines, just terrible. If I were in shape...I could dance or sing in the chorus. I'm really much more comfortable with a lot of support :o)

Fine Art Friday


Emma loves....



Picasso, Untitled 1915

The Art Institute of Chicago


More my style :o)



Picasso
Paulo on a Donkey
Picasso's son.

I find it amazing that my daughter fancies the abstract.

It's good. I like it.

Don't understand it.
But, I will keep looking.



Friday Feast


Appetizer
What's the funniest dream you can remember having?

Soup
If you were a dog, what breed would you be, and why?

Salad
Continue this sentence: "I get confused when..."

Main Course
Name two things that need to be done, but you are procrastinating in completing.

Dessert
When was the last time you tried something new, and what was it?


*******


A few months ago, Lynn shared her recipe for peanut butter balls. Since then I have been making them and I love them!

There is no flour or sugar in this recipe so I find it an acceptable treat while continuing with the Fat Flush. I count the calories and only have one or two a day.

The basic recipe


1 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup honey

Then I add these optional ingredients

2 heaping Tbs. flax meal
4 heaping Tbs. oatmeal
3 heaping Tbs. Organic coconut
1 big handful of chocolate chips

Roll into a golf ball sized ball and chill in the fridge.
When they are cool and firm put them in a zip lock bag and store in the fridge.

(By the way, you can add whatever you would like to add to the basic mixture.)

I really like these!


Okay...that's it for today. Sigh.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Nobody's home


So, I read this...





Sewed this....





Bought this....





Watched this...





Project Runway

And yes, I cooked and did the dishes and drove Katie to First Act Academy and grocery shopped and watered the wee garden...but no pictures of those activities exist....so they don't make the blog :o)

But we know they happened, don't we.

And let me tell you....
ya know how people always say to you when they find out you homeschool...

"I could never do that!"

Well. After watching the First Act Academy director, Susan, manage and direct 67 children yesterday morning....I knew without a doubt...

"I could never do that!"


The play is tonight. We can't wait to see how it all comes together.


Photos tomorrow :o)


Have you or your children been in a play?


Encourage one another,
Donna

After Fe left such an informative comment about pruning, I went an paid her blog a visit.
While there, I spotted this link.

Shape of a Mother

I am sending you to the "Who I am" page so you can get an idea what the site is about. (Click on the heading, to continue with the page)
If you are very modest, this might not be the website for you.

I liked the tone of the site.

It is a gentle reminder that 'your body has done an amazing thing in growing babies'
'Most of us don't look like the movie stars when we are twelve weeks postpartum', or
'you are not alone with your flab.'

At least that's what I came away with.

The body never lies. ~Martha Graham

Good for the body is the work of the body, good for the soul the work of the soul, and good for either the work of the other. ~Henry David Thoreau

With what price we pay for the glory of motherhood. ~Isadora Duncan

If we could only see ourselves with the eyes of our young children.

Do you remember how much those sweet babies loved nursing?

How comfortable they were nestled atop our squishy tummies or soft shoulders?




Built for life and comfort, our womanly bodies.


Encourage one another,
Donna

What's growing in your backyard?





We love this tiny nest.
It is made from pine needles. How very Wisconsin. I think this is the first nest I have seen that is made with mostly pine needles and downy feathers.
It was found on the grass in our front yard.
No eggs.
It looks too big to be a hummingbird nest.
But it is still so small.
Can you imagine a bird that would fit in this wee nest?






I really have been trying to prune these tomatoes.
But I neglected to use a cages or stake.
Yes.
I neglected to Tomato Stake my tomatoes.

I think I have read more about 'tomato staking' children than tomato staking...tomaotes.

So I stuck a hoe and a stick next to them...to hold em back. I was afraid to drive a stake in the ground and sever a root.

I wait with hope and big dreams for the small tomatoes to plump up and ripen.


She lives.




This lovely pink blossom (along with five other buds) is proof that pruning is a necessary thing.

Not that I knew to do this.

Some critter came by about one month ago and devoured 1/2 of this rose plant.
The entire left side was chewed away.
Big bites.
I knew it wasn't a bug. There were whole branches missing.

"Katie did you cut this plant?"

No, she said.

So could it really have been a deer?
A porcupine?

I did not have the fine fencing up yet. (Which I have learned is also necessary)

But, boy o boy, would I have been surprised to see a deer in our backyard.

I mean, I saw a coyote about one mile from here...but I have never seen a deer in our neighborhood.
Or a porcupine....

A big fat raccoon, once.

But no matter what critter pruned my rosebush.

I'm thankful for the gardening help :o)


Any adventures, natural or otherwise, in your yard this summer?


Encourage one another,
Donna

Now that I have my camera back, I can share with you some of my knitting.



Here are the Earthday socks.
My friend, Lynn, read (I think in one of Yarn Harlot's books) that sock cuffs let you know how long they should be. I knit these cuffs until they felt right. See how long they are....I like them just so.

Interesting theory.




When I finished the Earthday socks....I couldn't wait to cast on this yummy Zen Garden yarn. It is called Avocado Spring. I'm not sure why, but the colors interest me while I knit.



When I finish with these I am going to try to knit a lacy pair of socks. Lynn and I bought the same lace pattern and she has already knit one. I'm glad she went first, now she can help me if I run into trouble :o)




I would like to knit these in a green yarn...just like the picture, cause I am a copy cat.

What color would you knit them in?


Well, that's the knitting news.

Tomorrow, an update on the tomato plants and the rose bush.

How's that for a Quiet Life?


Encourage one another,
Donna

(Actually, Katie starts her "drama camp" First Act Academy today.
She is very excited. This year they will perform The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.)

A sweet child's prayer


Jesus tender
Shepherd hear me
Bless your little lamb tonight
Through the darkness
Be thou near me
Keep me safe till morning's light.



And an Evening Prayer


Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded to us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies
that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen.


Robert Louis Stevenson


Prayer Requests

Josh and his family and friends--healing and comfort
Matthew--guidance and encouragement
Aunt Yoko--healing and faith
The Middle East--Peace


We are looking forward to another fun t-ball game today :o)

Other than that...wherever the summer wind blows us....

that's where we'll be.

Like painted kites, those days and nights
They went flying by
The world was new beneath the blue
Umbrella sky
~Frank, of course

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday Five



1. Would you be willing to commit perjury in court for a close friend? What if your lie would save his life?


2. Would you be willing to eat a bowl of live crickets for $40,000?


3. Would you have one of your fingers surgically removed if it guaranteed immunity from all major diseases?


4. Would you be willing to give up all television for 5 years if it would induce someone to provide for 1,000 starving children?


5. Would you accept $1 million to leave the country and never set foot in it again?

~I can't remember where I found these.


Fine Art Friday




London in Summer by Emma


Where's (Waldo) Emma?





Lyme Park



Roof repair at Pemberley.


While the giant tarp was a slight disappointment...the rest of the grounds were beautiful and memorable and exciting.

Surprisingly, it was only 17 miles from the Waldeckers home!

We watched the Pemberley scenes from Pride and Prejudice last night.

"I was just there, yesterday!" Emma marveled.


So, our girl is home.
She had a fantastic time.

I am extremely grateful to Lynn and the Waldeckers...

and to God.

I see His fingerprints all over this adventure.

And I am awed by all of it.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Emma and Lissa's Excellent Adventure



The girls rode the double decker and enjoyed the tour guides interesting jabber.
Emma said that they did not get lost once in London.
But the transportation (trains and trams and tube) was fickle.





Inside the Tower of London.
Yes, the girls saw the big ravens on the lawn.





Pretty view of Parliment.




Little American girl at Piccadilly Circus.





Lissa, you did a great job taking photos! Thank you!!!
Just what I wanted to see ;o)




What a beautiful building. Westminster Abbey.
Sight of many events, including the funeral of our dear Princess Diana.


Janie and Lissa and Emma are trying to squeeze in one more side trip....I'm not sure yet if it will happen...but, it is a visit to Pemberley.

I don't think I've ever seen a place so happily situated.
~Lizzie

sigh.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Tomorrow....tomorrow...I love ya....tomorrow.....

My tummy is a twitter.
In an hour, Emma and I will be talking.
Can't wait.

I will post pictures as soon as she sends them.

Did you know, Emma comes home on Thursday?

Oh, I can't wait to give my little red-haired girl a hug and a kiss!



**********


I had my hair highlighted again last night.

Ooooo weeeee....

I'm looking blonde!

Honestly, the lighter hair looks very nice with my Danish complexion.

I always felt my skin didn't go well with my hair color.

I may be on to something :o)



***********


Two little tomatoes, the size of marbles, have made their appearance on my tomato plant!

Happy day!



************

Question of the Day

Who is the most famous person to graduate from your high school?

John Belushi.

Famous and infamous!


Can't wait to see your answers!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Meme of 4's


4 jobs I’ve had:

Storeclerk-Debyles- Minocqua, Wisconsin
Storeclerk-Pranges- Wausau, Wisconsin
Teacher's Aide, Deaf Education- Hawthorne Hills, Illinois
Aerobics Instructor- Marinette, Wisconsin


4 movies I could watch over and over:

You've Got Mail
The Women
Parenthood
On Golden Pond


4 Places I’ve lived:

Elmhurst, Illinois
Wheaton Illinois
Minocqua, Wisconsin
Verona, Wisconsin

4 TV shows I love to watch:

Regis and Kelly
All My Children (sorry)
Grey's Anatomy
Survivor


4 Places I’ve been on holiday:

Hayward, Wisconsin
San Diego, California
Switzerland
Maui, Hawaii

4 Websites I visit every day:

(I go to all of the sites on my sidebar plus many more in my favorites list. I will tell you who I visit first....cause they post early or after I have gone to bed.)

Knit and Tonic
Buried Treasure
Wendy Knits
Janet (cause she's my little sis :o)



4 of my favorite foods:

Filet Mignon with bearnaise sauce
Cake
Popcorn with lots of butter and salt
Homegrown Tomatoes

4 places you'd rather be:

London with Emma. Right now.

Other than that...Wisconsin is an awfully nice place to be in the summer :o)

Katie: I get to go swimming three days in a row!!!'
Mom: That's what summer's all about.
Katie: Sweeeeeet!



~our local pool


And looking at that list....my life has been rather sweeeeet.

I am thankful for so many blessing.

And let me tell you, my tomato plants are robust and covered with little yellow flowers...and you know what that means....

Homegrown tomatoes in my future.

And no one else in this house will eat them. Isn't that too bad for them...
As my mother use to say with glee,

"More for me!"



Feel free to borrow any or all of this meme...or answer some of the questions in the comments section. You know, I love hearing all of your stories.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Look what came in the mail this morning.




Photos from abroad.

Such a nice way to start the day :o)






Funny sites-

Cats that look like Hitler

Men who look like Kenny Rogers



Seriously

After watching the news last night...

I will be adding World Peace to my prayer list.

An impending Middle East War is frightening and serious.

O Almighty God,
the Father of all humanity,
turn, we pray, the hearts of all peoples and their rulers,
that by the power of your Holy Spirit
peace may be established among the nations
on the foundation of justice, righteousness and truth;
through him who was lifted up on the cross
to draw all people to himself,
your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


William Temple (1881-1944)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Fine Art Friday





Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by George Seurat

Seurat's style (pointillism) made a big impression on my when I young. I have always found it interesting...and then Sondheim came along and gave this huge painting a story and a tune.



Friday Feast


Feast One Hundred & Two
Appetizer
Name one thing nice that you could do for someone else today.

Soup
When was the last time you were frightened by the weather?

Salad
What would you say is the most useful website or blog that you visit?

Main Course
Who was your favorite singer/group when you were a child?

Dessert
Did you miss me? I missed you :o)


Friday Facts


Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions for Emma and Lissa! I knew you would all come through, and it's great to see that Emma and Lissa spotted the conversation and took notes :o)


Katie and I had a great time up north.

I was able to see all three of Nancy's girls! Ashley was just on her way out of town but I am so happy I had a chance to see her. It's been years!

Lindsay and Carrie were friendly and sweet to Katie. Katie went in a convertible with Lindsay to the ski show and Carrie took Katie to a toy store and bought her some goodies :o)

Nancy and I talked and talked and talked. We ate at the Island Cafe and Minocqua Country Club.

We took a pontoon ride around Lake Minocqua and saw a loon.

When I was lowering Katie into the lake an eagle flew right over my back!

A little later I saw the same eagle with a fish in it's beak.

Katie and I fished with salami.
I caught a blue gill on my fist cast.
Buddy ate the rest of the salami when I wasn't looking.


Really...a perfectly lovely visit.



Patrick and Katie and I look forward to another quiet weekend as Matthew is in Omaha for a wedding. Our weather is sultry so I'm sure we will head to the pool...

Other than that, I will water my plants and tend to the house....and entertain Katie!


One more thing....I started drinking the cranwater again and I have lost three more pounds, so my total is -25.
That stuff is magic!


Thanks again for the comments!

Encourage one another...you're so good at it!

Donna

How would you like to help Emma and Melissa plan their trip to London?

(Not that she asked...he he)

But, for those of you who have been to London or always dreamed of going there;

If you were only to spend two days in London....

What would be the top places you would visit?

If you were to visit one gallery, which one would it be?

Is there a pub so famous for it's literary past (You know, Dickens or Holmes ate there) that it is THE Pub to go to for lunch?


I challenge Emma and Melissa to take a photo with a guard at the Palace!



You know they are not allowed to smile!!!

And remember my photo rules,

1. Hold the camera still.
2. Get yourself in the pictures!

It's much more fun to see 'you' at the Tower of London than just The Tower of London!

Right-o!

********

Katie and I will be going to Minocqua for a few days...

Fill the comments with good stuff while I'm gone!

Be excellent to one another....


Encourage one another too :o)

Donna

Check out the interesting place Emma and the Waldeckers hiked to last weekend.
(Click on the picture to make it larger)



  

The adventure begins with the tides.

The Islands are cut off from the mainland by the tide for up to four hours out of every twelve. If you are planning a visit to the Islands you must allow yourself enough time so that you can leave Hilbre at least three hours before high water, or longer if you have small children or walk slowly. It takes about 1 hour to cross the 2 miles to Hilbre. Alternatively, you must set out from West Kirby at least three hours before high Water and allow for a stay of five hours or more on Hilbre. Strong winds may bring the tide in early or suddenly.

Yikes!

Sounds exciting, doesn't it!?

Manchester Town Hall...once a glorious church!




Look at those windows...and all of those arches!

Wow!

It brings to mind Ken Follet's book, Pillars of the Earth.
The whole village is involved in building of a great cathedral, which takes one hundred years to build. (If I remember correctly) It was grueling work.

Just imagine something taking one hundred years to build.

Inconceivable! :o)


What is the oldest building in your town?

The oldest building in our little town is probably a barn or house.
Brick or stick...perhaps 100 years old.


Encourage one another,
Donna

In times of Affliction

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble of hardship
or persecution or famine
or nakedness or danger or the sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angles nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers,
neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
That is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35, 37-39

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;

he will never leave you
nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged.

Deut. 31:8

Encourage one another,
Donna

Opps. Sorry.

I slept too late to blog.

Katie has her first t-ball game this morning at 9:00.

Go Little Blue!


She did say the sweetest thing to me yesterday while I was watching her play outside;

"The important thing about moms

is that they love."



A little literary love note from my baby.


My heart is full.


Count your blessings :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna

See The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
Katie created her own sentence based on the rhyme from this darling book.

Friday Five- Questions of the Day


1. If you could live anyone else's life for one day, fully experiencing their daily joys, sorrows, successes, and failures, whose life would you choose?

2. If the opportunity came to you, would you fly into outer space?

3. If you were a pirate, what would your name be?

4. Is there a summer movie you can't wait to see?

5. Can you believe bottled water is all the rage? Which brand do you prefer?


~3 of 5 questions borrowed from
Question of the Day


Fine Art Friday









The Peita by Michelangelo

Stunning.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Home Again


Today's theme for the Thursday Challenge is Outdoors. Since Emma has my camera here is a picture, previously snapped.






Thursday Photography Challenge

~spotted at Hiraeth


*************


Okay...this is really old news... but it was new to me.
(April 2003)

And it really choked me up.

Star Spangled Hero

Now that is one sweet coach.

Maurice(Mo) Cheeks you are a real gentleman and a true coach.


*******

Katie and I had a wonderful visit with Karen and her family yesterday!

We heard from Emma, she is having a fabulous time in England and is currently planning a quick visit with Lissa (one of the Waldecker children) to London.
She comes home in two weeks!

Little sis Janet is on my heart this morning. Her dear friend's little boy is sick. This is hitting Janet very hard. As can be expected, Janet is not going to be blogging for a while...but perhaps you might go by her blog and let her know you have thought of her today....and say a prayer of healing for Josh.

Thank you.


Love one another,
and encourage them too :o)

Donna

Takin' a trip


Katie and I are going on a little trip today. We are going to visit a long time friend, Karen, who I haven't seen since I was expecting Katie, I think.

We were young mommies together.
Her Ryan is the same age as Patrick, Michael is the same age as Matthew and Jessica is weeks apart from Emma.
The children played and Karen and I chatted.
We worked on church projects and went to aerobics together.

They moved to Washington not long after the girls were born.

Seems so many friends moved away back then.

Emma and I flew out for a visit once or twice and Karen and her family come back to Wisconsin to visit their relatives, so we have had to chance to keep up...a little.

But with some friends, there is this bond.

I think it comes from many hours of quiet chats.
A comfortable-ness.
A sharing of self, that can't be erased.

It's etched in the emotional memory bank.

She is a lovely person.

And I'm so thankful that friendship is important to her.
Cause it is to me...
And sometimes it takes some effort, when time and distance are in the way...

But the effort is always very worth it in the end.

My heart will be filled with friendship today.

A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably. ~William Penn

Encourage one another,
Donna

Happy 4th of July!!!





We love the new fireworks that make shapes!!!

Here's a big heart for America:
O land beyond compare,
Thee I love best!

And for Emma.

Look at the moon, sweetie.
We will gaze at that same moon.
And we'll be thinking of you!





AMERICA
Henry van Dyke

I love thine inland seas,
Thy groves of giant trees,
Thy rolling plains;
Thy rivers' mighty sweep,
Thy mystic canyons deep,
Thy mountains wild and steep,
All thy domains;

Thy silver Eastern strands,
Thy Golden Gate that stands
Wide to the West;
Thy flowery Southland fair,
Thy sweet and crystal air,
O land beyond compare,
Thee I love best!



How fortunate we are to be born in a free land.
It is a glorious thing.

As Francis Schaeffer says;


How should we then live?


Freedom without some sort of anchor goes awry. Like a kite that has been let go of. Who or what is holding your string?

and after thinking of that....

enjoy those fireworks and have fun at your picnic :o)



Encourage one another,
Donna

Dana's Gerund Meme


Awaking..........6:58
Missing..........Emma
Drinking.........Water
Reading..........The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Writing..........the blog, emails to Emma
Sending..........Email to Emma
Hearing..........Chipmunks chipping, Katie hacking.
Weathering.......Katie's fever.
Bouncing..........on a mimi tramp
Breakfasting.....Whole Wheat toast with butter
Dressing.........same ole', same ole'...
Praying.......... for Mary Lee, Linda's Aunt, and Francis, who lives far far away.
Ironing..........ha. This is a joke, right?
Flushing......... -22
Measuring........Katie's temperature.
Cleaning.........the kitchen
Wondering........if Katie is finally well enough to play with a friend.
Reunioning.......dear friend Karen, on Wednesday. It's been six years.
Telephoning......England with Skype
Eating...........in a way I didn't think I could.
Watching.........Treasure Hunt
Sleeping.........with many interruptions





Random House Group Study Questions

Along with liking lists. I like to find questions about the books I am reading.
I'd like even better discussing them with other readers. I'm really a English student at heart. I love to learn and think about things.


I seem to be immersed in African culture lately. The No 1 Ladies Detective is set in Africa, The Constant Gardener is set in Africa, and yesterday afternoon I watched Out of Africa.

Out of Africa is so beautiful at times, I cry.
Then I cry because it is so sad.

But the flying scenes, and the music, so beautiful.

And then Karen reaches back and Denys holds her hand.

I had a farm in Africa.

Perhaps he knew, as I did not, that the Earth was made round so that we would not see too far down the road.

If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back, of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers, does Africa know a song of me? Will the air over the plain quiver with a color that I have had on, or the children invent a game in which my name is, or the full moon throw a shadow over the gravel of the drive that was like me, or will the eagles of the Ngong Hills look out for me?

(read those with your best Danish accent ;o)

********

Now, I need to know if I should take Katie to the Doctor.

Her fever is 101.6 this morning. She feels warm but is not acting sick. She has a rough sounding cough. But is not coughing very often. And she says nothing hurts. This fever business started on Thursday when she had a fever of 102.8. We let her swim on Saturday as her fever was down to 99.9.

Part of me thinks this is just a virus that the Dr. can't do anything about anyway...
but we are going on day five with a fever.

What would you do?

Thanks.

Encourage one another,
Donna

The Constant Gardener.

Watching The Constant Gardener was challenging on many levels.
It is shot in a choppy, slanted, oddly edited way. (I suppose there are proper cinematic terms for this type of filming, but I don't know what they are; Avant-Guard, perhaps)
The storyline is not chronological. The characters reveal themselves in subtle ways.
(similar to The English Patient, which also stars Ralph Fiennes)

The plot is emotionally tough too.

Betrayals galore.
Very little hope.
A mad world, really.

I failed her, Ham.

I lost my faith in her.

No, she forgives you.

She loved you rotten too, you know.

Not at all a movie of hope.

A love story-spy-thriller.

A most disturbing love story-spy-thriller.


But, my, it's a mad world.



And if that's your cup of tea...this one's for you.


Have you seen The Constant Gardener?
What did you think of the film?


Encourage one another,
Donna