Prepositions at the end of a sentence.

I came across this interesting post for us grammarians: http://weavingataleortwo.blogspot.com/
Thank you Donna K. Weaver.

Which is your favorite movie?

There have been many, many movies that I've enjoyed, and I enjoy all kinds.

I like movies that take me places I've never been. I hate to admit it, but I like movies that make me cry, but I don't like people seeing me cry, so I prefer to watch those alone. Which movies have made me cry? "Julie and Julia". (I think that's the way the title goes.) What made me cry? When Julia Childs receives the manuscript of her first book. I could feel the joy she felt. I loved it.  Another one: "Letters to Juliette". Yes, I'm a bit of a romantic. I love damsels who fall in love, think they've been jilted, then discover they haven't been (or something like that).

But I'm more serious than that at heart. My two favorite movies of all time are "Papillon" and the "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter". Choosing the absolute best one, I think I have to go with "Papillon" because of the locale. When he is put on Devil's Island, it was like a mystery, an oasis; he was like a monk on a Greek island. And the escape was brilliant.

So, which is your favorite movie, and why?

Which is your favorite city in the world?

Choosing between Boston and Paris is a struggle, but Paris wins out. Paris is a labyrinth of memories. Not only those of millions of people over a thousand or more years, but also my own. The streets of Paris are a labyrinth that I've walked through and memorized without realizing it. The memories pour out of the buildings, the statues, the monuments, and the imagination. I remember Paris for many reasons, but perhaps the best is that it touched my soul.

Which is your favorite city in the world? (140 words or less, or thereabouts is good enough.)

Which is your favorite...?

I've decided to start a series called "Which is your favorite...?" I will tell you which my favorite is, and hope you will tell me which your favorite is and why.  The "...and why" is important too. I want to know what you feel and think and admire about your favorite. It can be a tall order, but it has to be expressed in 140 words or less (I believe that's the limit of characters for Twitter).You can also include photos and illustrations. I hope you'll play along.

I came up with this idea from reading a post by Valentina Hepburn http://lettersfromvalentinahepburn.blogspot.com/ in which we discussed London. It made me think about which is my favorite city in the world.

Tanya, thank you

I've had the honor of receiving two awards from my blogging friend Tanya Reimer http://tanyareimer.blogspot.com/.  Tanya and I have followed each other almost from the beginning and I've learned a lot from her about how to work the blog (like add these pictures, and add links). So any versitility and sweetness comes from her.

One of the conditions of accepting this award is that I have to link back to her blog, which I've done. Another condition is that I reveal seven things about myself. So, here goes (I'll leave the good stuff for my memoirs):
1. I've been married thirty-seven years.
2. I'm a slow reader.
3. I love blogging.
4. I wonder if I'll ever get my writing published in the traditional way.
5. Less than a year ago, I didn't even know what a blog was.
6. I have a Kindle.
7. I have three wonderful daughters and three wonderful grandchildren.

The final condition is that I pass these awards along to five other bloggers:

 http://elizabethvaradansfourthwish.blogspot.com/ Elizabeth Varadan is an outstanding book reviewer and writer of her travels in Spain.
http://aspiretobejuliana.blogspot.com/ Juliana L. Brandt has an interesting take on life.
http://crossingthehelix.blogspot.com/ R. C. Lewis is a star in the universe.
http://jolenesbeenwriting.blogspot.com/ Jolene Perry is an up-and-coming YA writer.
http://annbest-jen.blogspot.com/ Ann Best is the best memoirest.

And there you have it--a list of sweet and versatile bloggers.

Scott Niven, author, TWILIGHT CANDLEFLIES

I just finished Scott Niven's collection of short stories TWILIGHT CANDLEFLIES. I was first drawn to the book by the beautiful cover. It reminds me of a German Expressionist painting. And the stories inside, being dystopian sci/fi, have that same expressionistic feel--that somewhat odd but engrossing aura.

All three stories end on a somewhat ironic note, which flows naturally from the stories' plots and themes. So, all three stories, while whole and complete in themselves, leave you wanting to know more, more about this dystopian world.

The story I'll discuss in more detail is a perfect example. The title itself, "This Is Not Your Mother's Earth," sets up the tone of irony. Is the title directed at the reader or at the story's subject matter? It works either way, but with totally different meanings.

And what about the main character? He's an eighteen-year-old man who's life is filled with irony. Has he been bred to be what he is? Is this the fate of all boys on this planet? And who's in control? Chaos is an intregal part of his theme. Is chaos in control? It's doubtful, but maybe.

This is clearly a world without love, yet love is at the center of this man's life. Unfortunately, he can't have what he loves. And his love is drowned out by the roar of falsity. And the notion of what's heroic is definitely a lie.

There is much that can be said about this story and the other two as well. The writing is excellent. Scott has taken great pains to master his craft. I don't read much sci/fi or dystopian literature, but I think the quality of his stories places them at a higher level of performance than the average literature in this genre. If you like this genre, you will be enthralled by Scott Niven's collection.

You can visit Scott Niven and learn more about him and his writings at http://www.scott-niven.com/.

Rebecca Kiel, blogging on the farm

Rebecca's is another blog on which I cannot leave comments.

I wanted to say:
A very interesting post. It's got to be hard but rewarding work--organic gardening. And you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.  But Blogger won't let me.

Again, as in the previous post, if she switches to pop-up window for comments, I and perhaps some others can leave comments.http://rebeccakielpages.blogspot.com/