Three disconnected topics

#1. Have you seen this? We received it in some financial magazine and it turns out that there are more extensive versions all over the internet. Perhaps it is true that each of us has a twin out there somewhere.

#2. With all the publicity it has received and my devotion to “The Colbert Report,” you may be wondering why I have not yet written about the newly launched “Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Because it is on well past our bedtime, I have only seen the first show. I enjoyed it but he seemed to be working a bit too hard and I don’t see how he could possibly keep up that intensity without driving himself and the rest of us completely nuts. So although it was heartwarming to welcome him back into my life, I will need to reserve the full assessment for a few days. Sorry, Stephen. It would be fair to say that I care too much!

#3. Barry and I did manage to squeeze in a movie this week, “Grandma,” in which Lily Tomlin plays Elle, who, to put it mildly, is a 70-something unconventional woman. She had been briefly married in her 20s and gave birth to a baby girl before realizing she was a lesbian. When the story begins, her long-time partner has recently died.

Although mostly estranged from her daughter, she continues to have a relationship with her college age granddaughter, Sage (played by Julia Garner). The young woman discovers an unintended pregnancy, and the young man who shared in this responsibility is not interested in helping her. So she goes to her grandmother to borrow money.

At this point the plot itself becomes a bit ridiculous, because it is hard to believe that no one can come up with the cash that Sage needs. Among the candidates are a fellow named Karl, played by Sam Elliott, who has a small role as the husband that Elle had abandoned many years before. Karl has had some financial success but remains angry at Elle and refuses to help her granddaughter. After going through everyone Elle knows who might have some financial resources, Sage and Elle are eventually forced to go to the woman who links them, Judy (played by Marcia Gay Harden), a successful businesswoman. In many ways the plot from this point is rather predictable: everyone grows up a bit and recognizes how much they care for and need each other.

Although the story was a bit weak, the actors, particularly Ms. Tomlin, were excellent. It did receive a high score (92%) on Rotten Tomatoes. We had heard and read quite a bit about it, and I am glad we got to see it. Especially since the next few weeks will be far too busy for movies!

So now that I think I am caught up, I just have to get back to all my cooking! I am already running short on freezer space.

Love,

Rebecca