#NowPlaying: ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’ (1963) ‘A group of strangers comes across a dying man who tells them of a buried fortune. The strangers turn on each other in a madcap chase to find it.’ Definition of ‘they don’t make ‘em like this anymore.’ 2.5 hour all-star slapstick comedy epic.

#NowPlaying: ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ (2025) ‘After a tycoon survives a 6th assassination attempt, he appoints his estranged daughter, a nun, as his heir & goes on an adventure to secure his legacy.’ Wes Anderson’s latest. Has a bit more edge than his norm & refines his visual ‘collage’ style.

#NowPlaying: ‘Black Bag’ (2025) ‘When a legendary intelligence agent (Cate Blanchett) is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband (Michael Fassbender), also an agent, finds his loyalties put to the ultimate test.’ A spry, stylish little spy drama from jack-of-all-trades Steven Soderbergh.

Like… you all just watched something historic. Just wild. It’s Indiana. Most losses in FBS history. And they just won the B1G. This is already the best season in Indiana history.

BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ‼️ No. 2 Indiana defeats No. 1 Ohio State 13-10 to claim the conference title.

Indiana Football just won the Big Ten Championship, will be the #1 seed in the playoffs & its QB will win the Heisman. What a dream! Truly unprecedented! They entered this season as the losingest program in the history of the sport! Can't think of a comparison in American sports. #GoHoosiers

Surprised at how quickly the penny has disappeared from circulation! Everyone is already out. It’s a bit sad, cause I collect wheat pennies from the till. Have found over 600 the last 15 years! Only got 2 this year & found my last ever today. From 1919! 106 years old. A great one to go out on:

This year everyone is getting a tail sock!

Been watching through ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ for the first time. It’s quite fun! I think it’s better than ‘Gilligan’s Island’ and ‘Bewitched’ as far as silly, high concept 60’s sitcoms go.

15 years ago today (when I was still in my Roaring 20's & it was just as cold). #ThrowbackThursday.

At a morning matinee to see Zootopia 2 again. The only one here! #PrivateShowing

You’ve heard of Elf on a Shelf. Get ready for Cat on a Calf:

It’s #TailsockWeather for us mouses.

#NowPlaying: ‘Gabriel Over the White House’ (1933) ‘A hack US president sees the angel Gabriel after a near-fatality & believes his calling is to be a populist dictator but faces violent pushback.’ Both prescient & bizarre, this pre-Code was a big hit at the time but has faded into obscurity.

Manning (or mousing?) the register for a long 8 AM to 9 PM haul of Christmas events at the orchard.

#NowPlaying: ‘The Crime of the Century’ (1933) ‘At odds with his wife, a doctor arranges for the perfect crime. The twist? He confesses to the police before it can be carried out … and dares them to stop it.’ A hyperbolic pre-Code whodunnit with an intermission for the audience to figure it out.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your roast walnut!

At the cinema to see Zootopia 2!

At the rodentist to get my buckteeth cleaned! Hopefully, no cavities!

MPA Rates ‘Zootopia 2’ PG-13 For Sexually Awakening Content https://theonion.com/mpa-rates-zootopia-2-pg-13-for-sexually-awakening-content/

#NowPlaying: ‘Zootopia’ (2016) Doing a rewatch before seeing the sequel tomorrow!

#Huevember Portrait for @fieldtmouse.bsky.social of their Seldovia! #digitalart #art #furryart

#NowPlaying: ‘Son of Paleface’ (1952) ‘Bob Hope goes West to claim his father’s fortune only to have a bounty put on him.’ A superior sequel to 1948’s ‘The Paleface.’ Basically a live-action cartoon (the director worked on Loony Tunes)! Full of innuendo & how’d they do that sight gags. Fun!

#NowPlaying: ‘One Touch of Venus’ (1948) ‘A store clerk kisses a statue of Venus in his store, bringing it to life (turns out it was the real, trapped Venus!). She wants to show her ‘gratitude,’ but the man’s jealous fiancé & furious employer aren’t having it.’ Cute musical comedy!

#RodentRepresentation I'm excited for this one! Feels different from the usual Pixar. Maybe more chaotic/surreal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PypD...

#NowPlaying: ‘Wicked’ (2024) ‘The ‘real’ story behind The Wizard of Oz, following the origins of the Wicked Witch and The Good Witch on their fated (or not?) paths.’ I’m a sucker for old school, ostentatious musicals, and this fits the bill. Fun time & leads (Erivo & Grande) are terrific.

#JustBaked: Yes, a second batch of turnovers, this one black raspberry (from my very own canes)! I think they are better than the apple ones? Hard to decide!

#JustBaked: Apple turnovers, Take 2! They turned out much better this time! In shape, texture, and taste. Flakey and the perfect amount of sweet. Will probably freeze these for the family for Thanksgiving breakfast.

#NowPlaying: ‘For Love or Money’ (1963) ‘Thelma Ritter, an eccentric widow, pays attorney Kirk Douglas 100 grand to find perfect mates for her 3 perpetually single daughters. He accepts, not expecting them to take a liking to him.’ Frothy Technicolor comedy (maybe the only kind in the 60’s!).

#NowPlaying: ‘Bedtime Story’ (1964) ‘Marlon Brando & David Niven make a living swindling the wealthy. When an attractive heiress enters the picture, they turn on each other to see who can get her money (and other ‘things’) first.’ Very cheeky/saucy. Was remade as ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.’

What will they think of next?

Just baked: Apple Turnovers. They are very tasty but I wasn’t super efficient with the recipe since it was my first time making any thing like this. Didn’t make enough filling, etc. I will try again!

#NowPlaying: ‘Two Way Stretch’ (1960) ‘Peter Sellers’ is about to be released from jail & plots a ‘perfect crime.’ He’s going to break out, steal diamonds, and then break back in as if he never left. What could go wrong?’ One of those old school capers you could only do before modern technology.

Now watching: ‘The Bliss of Miss Blossom’ (1968) ‘Shirley MacLaine, unhappy with her British husband, takes on a lover and lets him live in their attic. She juggles the two men until the husband finds out and things take some unexpected hijinks-y turns.’ A very 60’s comedy, colorful and kooky.

Look what just arrived! Won’t open it until I see the movie next week, though!

certainly happened more than once or twice me and hubby 😘

Pumpkin house (it was eaten within 30 minutes)

Surprise late night Midwestern aurora! I was out there for an hour watching it. So cold, still shivering! But it was worth it.

Winter cookies for a wintry day. Hot chocolate crinkle with candy cane morsels.

Winter begins early at the mouse house:

Indiana remains undefeated! 10-0. That was either too close for comfort or all-time clutch. Catch of the season. Had to follow on my phone from the orchard, so my celebration was muted.

Starting a rewatch of ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ (1961-1966). The comedy holds up & the HD transfer is immaculate. While not the first influential sitcom, Van Dyke created the template for the ‘workplace’ comedy that became favored. Mary Tyler Moore anchors the ‘home’ scenes with charming energy.

Caught up on Season 5 of CBS’ ‘Ghosts’ (just three episodes so far, but still). Just as good as ever! It’s such a warm, funny sitcom (in spite of the macabre premise) with really creative world building.

Now watching: ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ (1944) ‘Cary Grant brings his new bride to visit his aunts only to discover they have a new hobby: killing men & burying them in the cellar.’ Frank Capra made this after ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.’ What a wild tonal swing! Cary’s face acting is all time.

My Zootopia 2 poster has arrived!

Now watching: ‘Lake Michigan Monster’ (2018) ‘An eccentric sea captain conscripts his friends to obsessively hunt down an alleged monster lurking in Lake Michigan.’ A very silly time from the ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ guys. So, the wackiness is similar (though not quite as cartoony).

Now watching: ‘Rebecca’ (1940) ‘A young woman impulsively marries a rich, dashing widower only to discover his estate and life are deeply haunted by the specter of her deceased predecessor.’ Alfred Hitchcock’s sterling Best Picture winner is a psychological spook. Dream-like with many twists.

Now watching: ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2014) ‘Age-old vampire housemates, being filmed by a New Zealand documentary team, deal with the foibles of modern life, as well as rival werewolves.’ I saw this one in the theater back when. This one is very funny & spawned a successful TV show.