Review: Tag on Prime Video

I haven't watched a movie as fun and zany as Tag in a very long time.

From the first few minutes, it was a reminder of how wonderful it was to be a child and play tag.

BACKSTORY

Believe it or not, this movie is based on the true story of a group of 10 friends who have played tag every February for more than 20 years.

The movie is based on a Wall Street Journal article, It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It by Russell Adams. The rules are simple.

Whoever gets tagged last on the last day of the month is IT for the rest of the year until February comes around again.

In the movie, the month is May rather than February, and the friend group is cut down to 5, but the movie is fun and funny with some poignant moments too.

PREMISE

In the movie, one of the group is getting married on the last day of May so nothing is too risky, too bad, or too funny to undertake to tag the one guy that has never been tagged before—the bridegroom. What follows is epic.

The cast was awesome. They make you want to jump in and play Tag too. Released in 2018, the movie stars Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Isla Fisher, Annabelle Wallis, Leslie Bibb, Rashida Jones, and Hannibal Buress.

It's currently streaming on Prime Video.

Directed by Jeff Tomsic from a screenplay by Rob McKittrick and Mark Steilen, it was filmed in Atlanta.

Darling Hubby and I loved it! Go watch it. If you don't subscribe to Prime Video, I think you can probably purchase or buy on Amazon. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

With the exception of drug use and some F-bombs, this would have been a great family movie. As it is, don't let the kids watch which is a shame because it's the kind of story that young and old can identify with.

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Joys of Beach Romance

Ah, the beach. Sun on your pale winter skin, sand between your toes, surf rolling in foamy waves, and sky so blue it almost hurts your eyes! What's not to love?

Get into the beach mood with romance novels that touch your heart, make you believe in happily ever after, and leave you with a smile.

LAST CHANCE BEACH

This beach romance series kicks off with LEGEND OF LAST CHANCE BEACH, a free story of how the island got its name. This should be free, but some retailers do charge 99¢ for it. Unfortunately, I can't make them honor the "free" price. 

After the Legend comes 14 novels, all set in the same island paradise. Many of the island's residents pop  up in the several of 14 novels.

The great thing about this series is that there are varying heat levels. Some are sweet, some are sizzling hot! The other great thing about this series is that the books don't have to be read in order. You can jump around or read only those that are sweet or the steamy ones. All of the books are captivating. I should know because I've read all of them.

Since I created the concept, I had the privilege of writing the first book in the series, DECEPTIVELY YOURS. 

I loved that book! Loved the characters—they seem like real people to me. In that book I also had the chance to use some of the art history research I'd done.

In that first book, I introduced the woman who would be the heroine in  the second book which is FOOLISHLY YOURS. That book was inspired by my dear friends, Pat and Charles, so I gave their names to the heroine's grandparents—one was white and one was African American.

In this second book, Samantha is quad-racial and proud of the heritage she has from her grandparents—especially her grandmother who also has Cherokee heritage—and her Hispanic dad. Like the heroine, I had a Cherokee ancestor on my dad's side. The Hispanic heritage the heroine has represents my much-loved daughter-in-law and our grandchildren.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If you're looking for a heartwarming, heart throbbing reading experience, try any of the LAST CHANCE BEACH Romance Novels.

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May 8 Is V-E Day

On this day, 78 years ago, Europe celebrated the end of World War II in Europe.

On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide during the Battle for Berlin, and Karl Dönitz, his replacement as President of Germany, authorized the surrender of Germany.

The act of military surrender was signed on May 7, 1945 in Reims, France, and on May 8, 1945 in Berlin, Germany.

Thus May 8 is commemorated as V-E Day—Victory in Europe, the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's unconditional surrender, ending Hitler's Third Reich, an era responsible for years of the bloodiest conflict in human history, and the death of millions of innocent people.

This day is still a national holiday in France known as Victoire 1945 or La fête de la victoire. May 8 is also celebrated as a holiday in several other European countries.

Reflection

When I was a child, V-E Day was a day commemorated in the United States in most homes.

My dad was a soldier who landed at Normandy on D-Day. My mom worked in a factory that made cannon shells for tanks. We were a very patriotic family.

When I was growing up, we had neighbors, an elderly couple who were the only surviving members of their families. They lost everyone in the camps.

Another neighbor, Jeanne, was a child during World War II. Originally from Belgium, she had vivid memories of the war.

Several years ago, I was in Paris. It was a hot August afternoon, but that didn't stop elderly men and women who had been in the French Resistance from marching in a parade honoring those who fought in the war.

Takeaway Truth

So, for Jeanne, Mr. and Mrs. Heller, those French Resistance fighters, my Dad, and all the other soldiers who fought in Europe (and in other parts of the world) to save the world, I honor V-E Day.

Photo "Arc de Triomphe Paris" by Wiki Images from Pixabay 

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Sunday Thoughts About Niceness

Yes, today's post is about niceness—the quality of being nice or pleasant.

Nice has become a word that's not quite an insult but a word that isn't much of a compliment either.

Nice means pleasant, agreeable, or satisfactory. What's wrong with being considered one or all of those 3 adjectives?

In today's world, it seems as if being disagreeable and rude is the order of the day. Why is that? Didn't parents teach manners to the people who inhabit the world now young teens and/or adults?

Treat Others As You Wish To Be Treated

The Golden Rule was taught to one and all. The Golden Rule when I was growing up did not mean those who have the gold make the rules. It meant, treat others as you want to be treated. 

That truth was taught to me and all the other kids by our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, and ministers, etc. Kids' books in school and public libraries were based on principles like that.

Embrace Niceness

Sales employees, delivery people, trash collectors, airline employees, customer service reps, teachers—everyone you can think of who deals with the public—probably wish there was a revolution of niceness in the world. 

These hard-working people are confronted daily by rude, offensive behavior in the young and old. Why? It's as if everyone has a short fuse in today's world, and they take out their anger, impatience, and bitterness on whoever crosses their path.

Think about your interaction with people. Are you nasty or nice? If nasty, why? Did someone deserve it? Even if they did, you don't have to respond in the same manner. Fighting rudeness with rudeness only increases anger, resentment, and stress—in you and the other person.

Want to be treated to a smile and kindness? Give a smile and be kind. It works miracles, and it will make you feel good.

Takeaway Truth

Take to heart what Maya Angelou said: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

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Saturday Share Recipe: Tex-Mex Chili Gravy

In March, I shared the recipe for Mi Casa Rice, a Tex-Mex recipe for what many call Spanish Rice. It has my own adaptation which is why I call it "my house rice."

 I live in Texas so I cook a lot of Tex-Mex food which many call Mexican food. There's a  difference in tacos, enchicadas, etc. as made in Mexico and in Texas. 

Our Tex-Mex food in Texas is a delightful blend of both cultures.

Today I'm sharing another Tex-Mex recipe which I make in bulk and freeze the leftovers for other meals.

In case you can't find Mexican Oregano in your local market, I've included a link to Amazon where you can find several different brands.

Tex-Mex Chili Gravy

Ingredients

1 large diced onion (about 1 1/2 cups)

2 smashed and diced garlic cloves or equivalent amount of garlic powder

3 tablespoons rendered bacon fat or vegetable oil

3/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil of your choice

3/4 cup AP flour

3 cups beef broth

3 tablespoons chili powder

3 tablespoons cumin

2-3 teaspoons salt, to taste

2 teaspoons Mexican oregano

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Instructions

There are a few steps, but this recipe is worth it.

1. Saute the onion in the rendered bacon fat or oil. (The bacon fat adds a fabulous smoky taste and depth of flavor.) Cook until very soft and translucent, but not brown. When onion turns brown, it gets bitter.

2. Add the garlic to the onion and saute another minute, making sure not to burn the mixture.

3. Remove the onion and garlic to a bowl. If you don't want the trace of bacon fat left in the pan, you can wipe it out with a paper towel, but you will be adding the 3/4 cup of oil to this pan so it's okay to leave the fat that remained from cooking the onion and garlic.

4. Whisk the flour into the vegetable oil. You'll stir and cook this until the roux is dark brown color. This will take many minutes depending on how high your heat is. Be careful not to burn the roux.

5. When the roux is a deep brown color, reduce the heat, turn on your vent fan if it's not already on, and begin pouring the beef broth into the roux. Pour slowly, stir or whisk rapidly. When all of the broth has been added, stir and cook until the sizzling steam has subsided.

6. Increase the heat to medium and add the cooked onion and garlice. Stir well to mix.

7. Now stir in the rest of the ingredients—the salt and spices. Stir after adding each spice.

8. Cook until the mixture is smooth and thickened.

Serve hot with enchiladas, tamale, rice, tacos, charro beans, chalupas, etc. 

Refrigerate leftovers. If you don't plan to use this within a few days, freeze in a proper container for future use.

Takeaway Truth

This isn't difficult to make, but it takes time so be patient. The taste is better the second day because the flavors meld so  beautifully. 

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Joan participates in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to products on Amazon.

99¢ Sale for May: Scents and Sensuality

My sale book this month is a very sexy romantic comedy, Scents and Sensuality.

Note: Explicit sex. Please don't take this free book if you don't like this kind of book. 

I've realized readers who don't like sexy romance tend to leave bad reviews which affects the overall rating of a book.

ABOUT SCENTS AND SENSUALITY

A science nerd desperate for a date to her snooty cousin's wedding. A man desperate to put an end to his matchmaking mom's schemes. Let the games begin!

"Loved the book! Two Geeks who had multiple ups and downs before they truly found each other. Lots of action and humor. I highly recommend this book to anyone who reads for pure pleasure!" —Karren Lucas Review

Perfumer Amanda Whitfield no longer sees the science geek when she looks in her mirror—thanks to the makeover her best friend gave her—but inside she still feels like that geeky awkward girl. 

She knows all about the Science of Sex Appeal, in a purely intellectual way, but when it comes to a practical application of the knowledge, as in Romance and Sex, Amanda draws a blank.

Desperate for a date to her cousin's wedding, Amanda, follows her best friend's advice to portray an empty-headed hottie whose bra size is a bigger number than her IQ. She'll do whatever it takes to get a date for her cousin's wedding because there's no way she'll go without a man on her arm.

Enter a matchmaking mom with a son to marry off. Computer genius Harrison Kincaid is fed up with his mother's crazy schemes. He's determined to teach her a lesson, but, first, he must deal with her latest prospect, Amanda Whitfield. He hatches a plan to ensure that Amanda will kick him to the curb.

Surprise! When Amanda and Harrison meet, desire crackles like electricity between them. They each have an agenda. They both lie. What will happen when the masquerade is revealed? Will the truth set them free to love or rip them apart?

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

The regular price of $3.99 is reduced to only 99¢. Grab this book before the sale goes away.

Joan participates in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to products on Amazon.

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9 Ways to Master Your Time

MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN MONDAY

I'm always out of time. That seems to have become a constant for the last year.

I decided to do something about it since this is Make Something Happen Monday.

9 WAYS TO MASTER YOUR TIME

1. Needed: paper and pen. The first thing you must do is figure out where your time goes. To do that, for a few days to a week, timestamp everything you do. 

Write it all down from when you get out of bed in the morning. How long to get dressed, hair done, makeup, cook breakfast, eat breakfast, clean up the kitchen, work out, yak on the phone, do social media, etc. Every action should be timestamped.

2. Once you have your data, analyze it. You'll probably see immediately what's taking way too much time.

3. Set up an actual schedule—a kind of time budget with blocks of time devoted to what must be done. Plan it, print it, and try it for a couple of days. Make notes if you find cleaning the kitchen takes more time than you thought and working out takes less time. 

4. On your time budget, be sure and make the biggest blocks of time for the most important projects. Prioritize so you devote more time to important tasks and less to things that really aren't that important at all.

5. Start your schedule the first thing in the morning by doing the most difficult task. It's like Brian Tracy says in Eat That Frog. Eat the biggest, ugliest frog first. That's the task you know needs to be done, but you procrastinate on it every single day.

By the way, I highly recommend Eat That Frog. I bought the audio book several years ago. I downloaded it onto my phone so I could listen to it again as a refresher.

6. Learn to recognize trivial tasks. A trivial task done exceptionally well will never give you the results of completling a priority task.

7. Stop multi-tasking. In case you haven't heard, studies have shown multi-tasking doesn't work. Focus on what's important.

8. Keep your workspace organized so you don't waste time trying to find your notes or items needed to work and/or complete a project.

9. Always analyze your time budget to make sure it's working for you. If it needs adjusting, do that going forward.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, but not everyone uses that allotment effectively. Become a finisher by mastering your time.

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