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OLD AGE IS NOT FOR SISSIES

NOTHING IN LIFE IS TO BE FEARED

Why the Movie “Farmland” is Really Worth Seeing

by Filed Under: Movies

Every single day, every one of us consumes food.  It is an element of our survival.  We must eat, and we must eat continually.   “Farmland” is a documentary film about six young Millenial farmers–five young men and a young woman.  All six are in their 20s.  All six are part of the 2% of our population who feeds all the rest of us.


Years ago, I took my ten-year-old niece on a vacation to show her the Old Florida in which I was raised.  We visited an Alligator Farm, rode an airboat in the Everglades and swam in many of its cool, deep springs.  We also visited my cousin’s cattle ranch, because my niece told me earlier in the trip that she thought farmers were kind of boring and sad because they were stuck on the farm.  Of course, I begged to differ; and I took her to meet my good looking cousin who was passionate about what he did for a living.  He personally took her for a tour of his ranch.  It was a great lesson for her.

What the Critics Said

I heard about this movie called “Farmland” and decided to take the time to check it out, though the critics panned it.  I liked the movie and wondered why it got such poor ratings.  After reading the reviews, I wondered if it had more to do with their dislike of the message than the actual production of the movie itself.

Frankly, I couldn’t help feeling sad.  It seems that many in our artistic community are the first to yell “freedom of speech” until they don’t like the message.  Then they want to squash it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p3BZwJ4xt0&feature=youtu.be

I found the movie well done with really beautiful scenery.  It did a wonderful job of showing the lives of these young people, two of which grow organic crops.  “Farmland” demonstrated how much risk and responsibility goes into producing our food.  So what did I rate it?  On a five star scale, I gave it four stars.  I took off a star because it got a little slow in the middle.

“The movie helps the viewer understand a little something about what it feels like to be a farmer. Today we in America are far removed from the land which grows the food we eat.  Most of us have never even seen a farm or ranch up close, let alone had a meaningful conversation with a person who grows the food we eat.  This movie would be excellent for children to help them understand the importance of work and responsibility.


The only thing irregular about these six farmers is that they are all fairly young and there was only one woman. Farmers, in general, are disproportionately older. The average age of a farmer in America is 58. Also, about 30% of our farms are either owned or managed by a woman.   Other than that, one gets a good sense that farming is both a business and a passion. It is certainly not the romanticized view of farming practices of years gone by but then that romanticized view was not very accurate anyway.

These six young people explain how they must tend to the financial bottom line or go out of business.  They also demonstrate how farming is about hard work, long hours, and an enormous amount of uncertainty and risk.  It is also about family, community, and doing something that they love to do.

Most Farmers Are Passionate About What They Do

This seemed very real to me.  My cattleman cousin once told me that he couldn’t imagine doing anything else for a living.  I also come from an agricultural community.   Most farmers I know are passionate about what they do.
Most people think of farming as unsophisticated and behind the times, yet the statistics do not support this.  Only three percent of our population feeds all of us.  Agricultural production is becoming an exact science.  Successful farmers today must have a thorough grounding in some type of science.

To be successful, a farmer must know a great deal about his land and the products he plans to raise.

The difficulties associated with keeping a farm in the family are well illustrated as well as the hardships that come about when one generation passes away before the next generation is ready to step in. It deals with the misinformation supplied by groups such as PETA, though it doesn’t dwell on the subject.

Farmland may not be the best documentary ever made but it is far better than the 1/2 star given by one of its critics.

The Ultimate Memorial Day Movie to Watch

by Filed Under: Movies, Opinion

The Memorial Day movie “Lone Survivor” is about four American military men in Afghanistan who were given an order to capture and kill a Taliban leader. The movie is based on the book of the same name by Marcus Luttrell one of the four men. Their mission goes horribly wrong.

Chuck and I went to see the movie in 2013 when it was first in theaters. Ironically, I was the one that insisted we go.  This surprised Chuck because he knows that I don’t like extremely tense movies, and he knew that this one was exactly that.

But We Went Anyway

Of course, the movie was extremely intense.  Most of the people in the theatre were young men.  A row of them to my right were all with very short haircuts.  They all set like they were sitting at attention if that is possible.  They were stoic and very quiet.

The movie was excellent, as was the acting.

Well, why did I go?

I truly believe that freedom in America is not free.  We all owe a debt of gratitude to all the men and women who have fought or are fighting for our freedom.  These four young men did just that.

The War in Afghanistan was and still is a direct result of the attacks on the Trade Center buildings in New York, our Pentagon in DC, and the plane that went down in Pennsylvania.  This battle in Afghanistan took place within five years after those attacks.  At the time, there was no doubt in our collective minds that we needed to be over there.  To do nothing was not an option for our nation.

“Lone Survivor” is about Operation Red Wings.  The operation was one of the worst military disasters in US history.   Nineteen men lost their lives.  Four men were sent in for reconnaissance, and surveillance centered on a leader in the Taliban.

The operation failed because of several reasons, the biggest of which was their accidental discovery by some Afghan goatherders.  They captured the three goatherders but regretfully had to let them go even though they knew that there was a good chance that the Taliban army of men down in the village would be alerted.  Later, it was their virtues that led to the disaster, not their vices.  The Seal team of four followed the rules of engagement and did the honorable thing.

I heard enough of this story to feel the tug of my own calling.  If these men could put themselves into this situation for the people in this country, then the least I could do was to see their story.  I felt the ‘lone survivor’ wanted to make sure these men were not forgotten.

There is really so much more about this movie.  You’ll find yourself proud of these young men and their call to duty, and you’ll be amazed by some Afghan villagers in the story.  You’ll leave the movie as quietly as the young men I sat beside.  Much thought will crowd your mind.

Is War Senseless?

Some time ago I heard that a reporter called the deaths in this operation, senseless.  I just wonder if he felt the same in 2005 when this happened.  Time makes us forget, and it is easy to look back ten years and make generalizations.

Senseless?  I think not.  If anything, it was a very conscious decision that was valuable, smart and sensible at the time.  It was not perfect, but it had to be done.  Thank goodness, these professionals knew their purpose; and they did the best they could under the circumstances.   They understood that a dedicated life is a life worth living.  They gave with their whole heart.  Let’s not forget these young men on Memorial Day.

A Yellow Ribbon to Remember Those Still in Harm’s Way

Ever since the first men and women were sent overseas after 9-11, we tied a yellow ribbon around a tree near our street.  Several times over the past dozen or more years, we replaced it because it lost all its color and was almost unnoticeable.  This Memorial Day we will re-wrap the tree for the rest of the men and women who are still over there doing their best to keep America free.

We plan to read the book by the same title because there are still questions unanswered.  Most important of all?  Let the politicians, reporters, and pundits argue; but let us not forget our military.

And let’s not forget our children. I am not sure that our children are learning American history like we did. Our schools seem so intent on teaching them about the bad in our American history that I’m afraid they leave out the consequences and importance of what we did that was good. I believe it may be up to all of us outside of the schools to teach our children about this great nation and what it really stands for.

That is why Chuck and I have been taking the kids to battlefields, museums, and monuments. We cannot depend on our schools to teach our children and grandchildren what we feel is important. We need to pick up that job ourselves. This summer get to know your offspring better and learn about America’s history first hand.

Two of our grandsons on the Resaca Battlefield.

And don’t forget that all of us need to update our lessons. “Lone Survivor” whether you decide to see the movie or read the book is a good primer.

Frozen: A Classic Disney Movie for Christmas

by Filed Under: Movies

I believe the movie “Frozen” will become a traditional Christmas classic. Four years ago we took a chance to see it with 18-month-old Bryce. He did well, and the review I wrote about the movie follows.

But last year just before Christmas five-year-old Bryce watched it again with his grandfather Chuck, who never saw it before. They both loved it! Bryce, of course, didn’t remember the first time he saw it so I decided to share what happened.

Five-year-old Bryson loves Harry Potter, too.

December 2013

Last Saturday morning, my children asked me if I would help them with babysitting.  They wanted to take the two older grandchildren to a full-length movie–their first.

They asked if I would keep the younger, who is 18 months old.   I said yes, but I thought I had a better idea.  I suggested that the 18-month old and I would go, too, with the understanding that when he got fussy, he and I would leave.  We thought it was a good plan, so this is what we did.

Bryce as a toddler.

We went to see the new Disney movie called “Frozen”.  It was fun and wonderful.  At first, I was concerned that this was a little girl’s movie.  In the movie, the two sisters grow up, and one meets a wonderful prince.  However, the real fun begins when something goes wrong in their kingdom and a little feisty, funny-looking snowman named Olaf steals the show. Together with a klutzy reindeer named Sven, there is a lot for the little boys.

What a wonderful new Disney movie.  It was perfect for our little fellows, ages 18 months to 3 years, and it had grown up humor that went right over the little ones’ heads.  I believe this film is right up there with Snow White, Bambi, and other classics.  We all loved it.

So you’re probably wondering about what happened with the 18-month old?

I’ll tell you what happened.  We made it through the entire film.  Bryce was totally fascinated with the big screen.  He watched, sitting in an umbrella stroller until he fell asleep.  We tipped the stroller back to make him more comfortable.

Finally, he awoke and cried a little.  I walked him back into the foyer away from the audience but where I could still see the movie.  He started watching again, and then I went back and set down with him in my lap.  He watched the rest of the show.

It was a wonderful thing to do with the grandchildren during the holidays.  What a blessing!

So it occurred to me that the movie “Frozen” may become a classic Christmas movie, always airing during the holidays for each new generation of toddlers much like “Cinderella” was for us Baby Boomers.

How young do you take children to the movies? What other classics work well for this age group? Do you remember watching classic movies during the holidays? What movies do you remember?

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