That's true, Andie. When you're a tourist, a few customs and behaviors of the culture you're traveling amongst can stick out at you, but they won't make sense until you get to know the context. I've spent two weeks in Germany, one month in Switzerland, and ten months in Scotland -- only in the last case did I get a sense I was just barely beginning to understand the culture. Last night when I came home I noticed a little red flash outside my window, and noticed a cardinal had landed on my air conditioner. Through the window we stared at eachother, and I felt so lucky to have this rare closeup observation of a bird that wasn't a pigeon. In the few seconds I had to notice the look in its dark little eye, the shape of its head and smoothness of its feathers which were actually many different shades of red and rust, and how it shuffled along the edge of the airconditioner, I felt as though I had not really understood everything about cardinals, but had gotten a hand-hold. And that was precious to me.

Sheila, reasons for not seeing the film included the bad reviews and word of mouth comments about how it was awful, but the kicker was the trailers' emphasis on the love story and how predictable it all looked. There are so many good films out there that one that gets roundly panned doesn't seem to deserve much attention, especially when the director places the love story before the "historical significance" of Pearl Harbor. Of the three people I know who saw this film, every one of them thought it was a dog. I am very skeptical of "war stories" that turn out not to be about war at all. Private Ryan again. I don't think I have to see the film to have a good idea of what happens in it and to know that it's not my cup of tea. I didn't expect PH to be a documentary and I agree, as I already said, that history comes alive when it is seen through individual eyes. I'm sure plenty of folks really liked the film despite the fact that it was a critical bust, and I have no quarrel with that. Also, if, as Tibs says, it provided an opportunity for a good conversation with a dd, then go for it. None of that alters my opinion that Bruckheimer put the cart before the horse. I have to say that I agree with Andie, at least in part, because Hollywood really is cynical and often ridiculous in too many cases.

Oh good, now I have a full summer reading list. Just read two books that are the best ones I've read in a year, the first got me so engrossed I completely neglected everything else until I finished it and the second, well, it's just the sweetest little story. Me before you by JoJo Mayes An unconventional love story The art of racing in the rain: my life as a dog by Garth Stein If you own a dog this is a "must read", if you enjoy family stories this is highly enjoyable..

I can't write a book. I can tell about something that happened but I am no good at fiction. I can't even read fiction or watch tv or movies usually. I have a very short attention span. The Bayou Tales I wrote on another forum. Y'all have probably already read about all the animals in Bayou Tales because I probably told about them when they were happening. I rehab a lot of animals but most don't have much of a story involved.