Love Actually : Best Christmas Movie Ever

If you haven't seen "Love Actually" before, get thee to Netflix or the nearest library (next to Netflix the most popular place to get movies) and then wrap yourself in a comfy blankie with some hot chocolate and bask in the hilarity and poignancy of this multi-faceted, perfectly cast film. Nico and I watch this every year and we also saw it several times in the movies when it came out. Trust us. You will love this movie!

The story of an inter-connected group of people during the week or so leading up to Christmas. Some are family. Some friends. Some co-workers. Some are Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson and Thomas Sangster as Liam's heartbreaking little step-son, Colin Firth, Andrew Lincoln, Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy, so funny, as a few of the guys and Kiera Knightley, Emma Thompson, Laura Linney (BAD decision making Ms. Laura!), adorable Martine McCutcheon (as Natalie), as some of the girls.

There are several boo-hoo moments. Be prepared. There is also the beautiful city of London decked out for the holidays. What could be more Christmas-y?

Here, though the miracle of embedding, is Bill Nighy as a former pop star making a comeback with a holiday take on a classic rock song. It's the only version I could find, but enjoyable none the less.

So, have a very Merry Christmas! I will try and post some holiday cartoons tomorrow or the next day. Until then, here is another photo and the official trailer!

Catnip and Crunchies

Finally finished my new cat calendar for 2011! What a LOT of work. I send them to friends and family, but if you are looking for a last minute fun gift, here's a link and a couple of selections!
Catnip and Crunchies Calendar

Happy Non-Specific Generic

Years ago, in the 80's, I did a comic strip called the "Terrible Tea Time". I wanted to create the type of strip I wanted to read. I have written about this strip before. It starred 2 nameless women who were friends / room mates and who complained a lot. They had a cat. Various boyfriends. And a maid who was in control of everything. Including them.  It's very rough looking and minimalist looked at today, but I still like it. I resurrected them for a Christmas card at the height of political correctness. Here is the card laid out in strip form. I hope it's legible. My handwriting has realllly improved, believe it or not!

                                                          

Holidays, Holidays

Working at the library is rewarding and fun. And nothing is as rewarding and fun as combining cartooning with library work! I've been running the cartoon club going on 8 years and I've had some terrific kids as members and this group is especially good and enthusiastic. We met this past Monday and for this meeting I had them draw cartoon holiday cards. Once they had drawn them up I made them each a few copies so they could send them out to family and friends. I wish I'd snagged a couple of the copies, but the class went by so fast they all took them home. For every meeting I draw up samples of what we'll be doing for that class. I drew up a sample holiday card and ended up really liking it, so,here it is. First the original which is on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that gets folded up.
                               

             Now, colored and as a story:

                       
                        
Another group I started and have been running for almost 8 years is the Adult Writers' Group. They are a varied and multi-talented bunch which includes a singer/songwriter, memoirists and poets. I really enjoy them and wanted to do something special so I came up with the idea of asking them to e-mail me holiday and winter poems and stories and collecting them into a little book. Our Director liked the idea and had the covers copied at Staples so they would be in color. The group meets Monday and everyone will get a copy. Here's the cover. I wanted it to look handmade and with a sort of 50's vibe.

                                            front

   

                                            back
I'll be looking forward to Monday when everyone gets a copy. Maybe I'll bake some cookies to take in. After all...nothing says holiday more than some great writing and a plate of home baked cookies!

Squirrel Pin: An Object of Desire Love Story

Happy Thanksgiving with Pie(s)

Thanksgiving is our favorite holiday around here. Nico's home. There's food. And pies. Waaay too many pies.

            (Nico: have mixer/will travel)
You could put just about anything in a crust and it is sure to taste better.

In the spirit of giving and sharing I am happy to share some of my favorite Thanksgiving cartoons from the past and a recent one, too. So, have a fabulous day with family, friends and pussycats.

And don't forget, after the parade (we love balloons and Broadway!) and before the meal to engage in the annual traditional viewing of the classic "Muppet Family Christmas"...

Then get lots of rest ... for part II of the great American Thanksgiving weekend: 

 

Live and Let Live Horse Farm

Besides being a full time cartoonist I'm also the Adult Program Coordinator at the Goodwin Library which is really fun and allows me to bring interesting speakers and programs to the library. And nothing is better than when I can run a program and also help an animal rescue organization, like when we helped the Loki Wolf Refuge by putting on Night of the Wolves.
So, on Wednesday, Nov. 10th, Live and Let Live Farm Horse Shelter Executive Director Teresa Paradis will come to the Goodwin Library to give a presentation. I came across their site while doing program research online and since I LOVE horses I called them up and they agreed to come.
Last Sunday, my friend (and the library's Assistant Director) Tami LaRock and I took a trip out to the shelter so I could see what it was like and be able to do a better job of presenting them. We were really impressed by how beautiful and well cared for all the horses were. Many horses come from homes where the owner may be out of work and can't afford to keep them. This seems to be a problem all over the country. They also took in Premarin horses and their foals. Talk about a horror story! One beautiful paint horse we met, Vanessa, was a former Premarin mare. She is now blind. It may not have anything to do with her previous sad life, but it does make you wonder. She shares a corral with a sighted companion.
 If you live in New Hampshire, and are a horse person, be sure to check out Live and Let Live Farm's website. Visit when you have a chance. There is a great tour of the whole place every Sunday at 2:30. And they are always looking for volunteers. And don't forget,  if you can, please make a donation. They are doing wonderful work. Now, here are some more photos from the trip:

                        Me and Deputy

        Tami and a couple of very nice horses

 
                               A view of the farm
                   

 You can sponsor a horse and many people do. You can pick out a particular horse and then work with it so either that person or someone else will adopt it.
                      
This is Vanessa the former Premarin mare.

                                 Coconut

This is Jack the Beanstalk, a very beautiful and big former race horse. If you click on his name you'll see a full image of him.

So, that was a short photo tour of Live and Let Live Farm. Hope you enjoyed it! When you go to their website be sure to go to the page of all the horses for adoption and there will be descriptions of the horses in these photos.