Hi all! I'm taking a summer blogging break, and will return after Labor Day! I'm looking forward to chatting with you more then. Abby is also looking forward to more Dear Abby posts in autumn. In the meantime, you can keep in touch online at:
Dear Friends, I hope you are having a great week! It has been a busy one here. Momma and I are taking a big blogging break for the next six weeks (!!) so we have been busy catching up here. I did take a little time off to see The Secret Life of Pets this week. This is an animated movie about what pets do when their people are out for the day. First, let's discuss the irony: this movie about what pets do when they are left alone will entice more people to leave their pets alone ... in order to see the movie! The star of the show is Max, a sweet and brave Jack Russell Terrier. (A reminder that I am a Doxie/Jack mix, so I was very thrilled to see a JRT in this movie.) Max has everything down pat, like making little happy circles and snuggling with his Momma. He has a very good life ... until his mother rescues a great big dog named Duke from the pound. Max isn't sure at all about Duke, and Duke wants to stake his claim in his new home. Max has many wonderful friends, like Chloe the cat, Gigi the fluffy dog, and Buddy THE DACHSHUND. Yes, you read that correctly. There is also a dachshund in this movie, and he steals the show a bit, if you ask me.
Max and Duke end up on an unexpected adventure outside of their apartment building. It leads them to danger and excitement all over New York City. There is a good pet rescue message in Duke's story, and the ending of the movie made Momma shed a happy tear. Here is a movie trailer for The Secret Life of Pets. I give this movie a very enthusiastic four paws up! I will be taking a blog break for a bit but will be back after Labor Day! In the meantime, I would love to hear from YOU in the comments below. Have you seen The Secret Life of Pets? Or do you just want to say hi? I would love to hear from you. Love, Abby xoxoxo
Overview Hear the Bible Come Alive in Dramatic Audio Theater™! This multi-voiced, scripted dramatization of the New King James
Version (NKJV) features a star-studded cast of actors, an original music
score, and incredible feature film quality sound effects. This
world-class production creates a dramatic audio theater experience that
makes you feel like you’re really there with Jesus and His disciples.
Listen in your car, on your MP3 player, or with your family or small
group to gain a new perspective of the Bible. The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible is a 20-CD set and includes a bonus “Behind-the-Scenes” DVD. Cast Includes:
Jim Caviezel (The Passion of The Christ, Déjà vu) - Jesus
Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland's Opus, The Goodbye Girl) - Quotes from Moses
Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, What Women Want) - Mary Magdalene
Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach (Prison Break, Hemingway) - Paul
Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman, Roots) - John
Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim, Father of the Bride) - Mary, Mother of Jesus
And many others
My Review This is my first experience listening to a Bible audiobook. I am so impressed with the quality and production values of the Word of Promise New Testament! The voice actors include well known names like Jim Caviezel, Michael York, Richard Dreyfuss, Marissa Tomei, Stacy Keach, Louis Gossett Jr., John Heard, and more. Their readings are beautifully done, with much emotion. The production also features sound effects (i.e. the sounds of a marketplace, a storm, a door closing) and music. The music by Stefano Mainetti is a subtle and powerful addition to the audiobook. The varied voices, sound effects, and music give this production a more theatrical feel than a standard audiobook. I found myself absorbed in listening as I worked, and often realized that many chapters had gone by. The Bible translation is NKJV (New King James Version). I grew up with the KJV translation. I am not familiar with all the nuances of difference between the NKJV and the KJV, but this Bible translation really read beautifully, with familiar language. I enjoy reading the Bible, but there is something really unique about experiencing the Bible in audio format. I have already recommended this audiobook highly to my mother. I intend to keep this Word of Promise New Testament by my bedside to listen to when I need comfort or encouragement. I truly cannot recommend it highly enough. I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.
Do you remember playing with Slip 'n Slide in the backyard during your childhood? I loved all water toys (Slip 'n' Slide, Water Wiggle, water pistols, and of course little swimming pools!), so of course I loved this. (Plus we had a little hill in the backyard!)
The Slip 'n' Slide is a long sheet of plastic, with a tubular fold on one side. A garden hose is connected to the fold, so water sprays onto the plastic. Outside on a hot summer day (especially on a sloping surface), this provided lots of childhood fun in retro days.
The Slip 'n Slide was invented in 1961 by Robert Carrier, and marketed by Wham-O toys. Robert Carrier was an upholsterer for a boat company, and was inspired to make the toy after seeing his son sliding in a stream of water outside. 300,000 Slip 'n Slides sold in the first six months of sales.
Here is a 1972 commercial by Wham-O for Water Wiggle and Slip 'N Slide. (I loved both these summer toys!) Do you remember Slip 'n' Slide? What other summer water toys did you enjoy? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
If I ever get around to making my summer favorites playlist, "Summer in the City" will be in the mix.
"Summer in the City" is a 1960's oldies pop song by the Lovin' Spoonful. It was written by John Sebastian, Steve Boone, and Mark Sebastian. It really captures summer in the city -- starting with a VW Bug horn and ending with a jackhammer! The lyrics include: "Hot town, summer in the city Back of my neck getting dirt and gritty Been down, isn't it a pity Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city All around, people looking half dead Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head But at night it's a different world Go out and find a girl Come-on come-on and dance all night Despite the heat it'll be alright And babe, don't you know it's a pity the days can't be like the nights In the summer, in the city In the summer, in the city." I found a fun video of the song that sets the music to an old Harold Lloyd silent movie called Speedy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. What is your favorite summer song? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
