Review - Better Off Dead - YouTube

If you're looking for a quirky, absurd, hilarious movie kind of like Airplace, then you'd probably enjoy the John Cusack film BETTER OFF DEAD.

This eighties film full of teen angst and suburbia cliches is ridiculous and laugh out loud funny in so many places you'll want to jump back and see the scenes again.

Written and directed by Savage Steve Holland, this 1985 American film was billed as a teen black comedy. 

When it was first released, I don't think anyone knew what to think about it because the reviews were mixed, but it's become a cult film since then for the very things critics didn't get back in 1985.

Joining Cusack are David Ogden Stiers as his dad, Kim Darby as his weird mom, Diane Franklin as the French exchange student, and Curtis Armstrong as the wacko Charles de Mar.

What's the film about? Let's just talk tropes: high school misfits,  popular girl heartbreaker, bullies, French exchange student, weird parents, 80's music, genius psycho little brother, awesome muscle car, sports competition, and complete absurdity.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

When you need a good laugh and don't want to over-analyze something, watch Better Off Dead free on Netflix.

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Monday Magic - Character Count Tool

In creating my latest Facebook ad, to make sure I had no more than the specified characters allowed, I plugged my proposed Headline into an app I've used for years.

In fact, every time I must fill out an online form that limits the number of characters, I use this app. 

I can't remember if I ever shared it with you so I'm doing that today.

Online Character Count Tool is free and it's priceless!

You can use it to count actual characters or characters and spaces. It's invaluable for anyone who has to restrict the size of text to a certain number of: Characters, Words, Sentences, Paragraphs, or Spaces.

In fact, I plug in what I want to say and then edit in the app until I hit the magic number allowed. You can use it on the website, no registering or download required.

Yes, it's ad supported, but the ads aren't popping up all over the place. They're not that intrusive.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

I think you'll find this is one of the most useful website apps ever.

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Sunday Thoughts - 15 More Things Money Can't Buy

A while back I wrote a post, Top 15 Things Money Can’t Buy based on a quotation by Roy T. Bennett.

That post was full of wisdom. Nothing on the list above can be purchased, but anyone can possess each item shown.

Today, I thought I'd add to the list if I could.

This is today's list of things you cannot buy, but you can possess.

Knowledge. Resilience. Wisdom. Friends. Self-Confidence. Sense of Humor. Good Judgment. Generosity. Creativity. True Success. Compassion. Empathy. Innate Talent. Optimism. Gratitude.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

That's my list. Do you have some qualities to add to my list or Mr. Bennett's list in my original post? If so, leave them in comments.

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Saturday Share - Baked Potato Casserole

Does this describe your daily routine? You work all day then it gets late, and you realize you need to cook dinner.

That's when you get that sinking feeling of "I'm too tired to cook" and all you want is an easy way out.

What can you cook?

If you have potatoes ad cheese, then there's an easy casserole you can cook that will get rave reviews.

In fact, if your family loves mashed potatoes, this will become a family favorite casserole. Even better, if you have leftover ham or roast beef, you can dice that and add it to the casserole.

Today's recipe makes 6-8 generous servings.

BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE

Ingredients

• 8 medium size potatoes (about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds if you want to weigh them)
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded chedddar cheese + 1/2 cup shreded cheddar, separately
• 6 slices bacon, fried, drained, and crumbled
• Chives for garnish

Directions

1. Peel the potatoes. Place in a laarge saucepan and cover with water. Sprinkled in a couple of teaspoons of salt. Cook over medium-high heat about 15-20 minutes until fork tender. Drain and set aside.

2. While potatoes are cooking, preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Prepare a 3 quart casserole dish with baking spray, butter, or neutral oil

3.  Return the potatoes to the saucepan, add the milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Beat with a hand-held mixer until smooth.

4. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of cheese and half of the bacon. Then spread the mixture into the casserole dish.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of cheese and the rest of the bacon. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Let me know if you love this recipe!

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The Faster I Go, The Behinder I Get

Like Dr. Seus once said,  "How did it get so late so soon?"

I can't believe my blogging fell off a cliff.

I've been so busy with an authors' group I'm in plus writing my current book and trying to figure out the best cover for that new book, that I've ignored you beautiful SlingWords Readers.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

I promise not to ignore you again. (I sincerely hope that's a promise I can keep.)

APRIL FOOL BRIDE, a Modern Marriage of Convenience Romance

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Severe Case of Spring Fever

Yes, I guess I've diagnosed myself with spring fever. It's been a week since I've blogged because I've been overcome with all things spring.

My purple iris are blooming and so are my knockout roses—so many roses covering the bushes that it's breathtaking.

The vitex trees in our patio pots have grown a foot and have leafed out. They're so green and pretty. The plumes of purple won't be far behind.

Yes, the world is alive with fresh green leaves and blooming flowers. It's SO difficult to stay inside in the office when I want to be outside installing a new flower bed on the west side of the back yard.

So pardon me for not "chatting" with you since last week. Today I forced myself back inside and to the computer. After all, I'm supposed to be a writer, not a gardener.

Ah, Spring Fever has me in its grip. Torn between two loves. But, I've plugged away and pulled 700 words out of my brain this afternoon. Alas, I won't have this book finished by the end of March. Now I'm aiming at the end of April. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Sometimes being your own boss is a problem—especially if the boss (me) is easy-going. This first week of Spring? That's me. Easy-going and refusing to put my nose to the grindstone.

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Review - War Machine - Netflix

War Machine starring Alan Ritchson aka Jack Reacher in the popular Prime series, Reacher, premiered March 6 on Netflix.

The film is a 2026 Australian-American science fiction action film directed, co-produced, and co-written by Patrick Hughes. In addition to Ritchson, Dennis Quaid pops in and out with co-stars, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Daniel Webber.

War Machine was released to theaters in Australia on February 12, 2026 and received generally positive reviews from critics, praising it as "a fun, old-school, throwback action movie despite its familiar, formulaic storyline." 

What the critics said pretty much sums up what Darling Hubby and I thought about the film. 

Regrettably, much of the dialogue seems aimed at an aaudience that might not know much about the military, military vehicles, or tactical actions. 

The characters are basically stereotypes you've seen in many films, and the plot mines the usual cliches. It's just good escapism that doesn't require you to tax your brain.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

So toss a bag of popcorn into the microwave, turn on the movie, and enjoy the flick.

April Fool Bride, now on SALE.

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