Favorite Foreign Films

Here's your chance, Looney Talk readers. List in no particular order or number your top pick in foreign films. Don't be shy. Share your picks.
1. Johnny Stecchino
2. Bread n Tulips
3. Jules and Jim
4. The Pianist
5. Wild Strawberries
Now there are many more, however it will take me additional time to list. So this is it for RIGHT NOW. Come on, comment.

Road Creatures

This fall as you walk down an Iowa gravel road, maybe you'll notice those creatures in nature we call slimy, creepy, crawlers. As it turns out, this season there are so many caterpillars crossing the roads and the snakes as well. All summer I have been looking for the snakes. Not too often did I see them slithering in the grass and into the underbrush. I thought maybe the chickens killed them all. But alas, they are out in full sun on those dusty roads the dogs and I walk most every morning. Today was no different. About every 20 steps there is a caterpillar creeping across. The black and brown fuzzy ones. The same type I captured every fall and brought them into our house. I never knew my sister didn't like them. I would put grass in their home and sticks. Every morning they were gone. The vase I kept them in was short and shallow. I guess they escaped. The dogs love to check out each one as we walk the gravel. IT doesn't matter how many we look at, they all need to be investigated.
Speaking of wildlife, every time I drive past the hog confinement center about 3 miles from our home, I see the same coyote hanging out. He is reddish brown, kind of shaggy. I guess you would say he is living high off the hog. Loon wants him dead. I like to see him. As long as he is not killing chickens, he can stay over there.
And readers, we got our harnesses and ropes for the sled dog team. Loon and I took them out yesterday (Sunday) and walk the waterway to the neighbors road and back home. We were only out there for an hour, but we were beat after doing it. Biscuit is the leader. We tried Krunchy, he kept trying to go to the right. HE pulled pretty hard. Brownie is the best sled dog. She is so good. She just stays in line and follows Biscuit. His ropes are too long. They need to be shortened so he is not too far ahead of everyone.
We'll get some pictures and post sometime.
Keep on reading and write in your comments readers!
Angie

Vice Presidential Debate

Is it going to happen? Word on the street from a guy I know who we'll just call Josh, he says Palin is going to back out of the race. Yeah, she's gonna go home and play Mommy and drive around the hockey team. Or something along those lines.
I think it is great to have someone who is "real" and who is in way over her head. Because that is what life is about. Somebody throw her a life ring or something. Does anyone remember Dan Quayle? Or am I the only one that is drawing the comparison between Sarah and Dan. Remember the spelling of potatoes? Or was it potatoe? I'll have to look it up sometime when I'm not tossing and turning over losing sleep because Sarah Palin may be next in line to run our country. Has anyone seen the headlines recently? What have the fat cats on Wall Street, Congress and across the country in board rooms been doing lately? I'll tell you what they haven't been doing. They haven't been cutting coupons. Or cancelling their vacation to some remote paradise. Let Sarah have her day in debate. It makes great TV. McCain you can't win, no matter who or what you have as a running mate. You may as well have Osama Bin Laden as your vice president. At least we would finally catch him.
Just another of my rants.

Hook Up those Pups!

It's official. The Looney's are getting some harnesses and ropes and all that great stuff that Loon has been dreaming about ordering. Biscuit will get a custom harness, because as it turns out he is small for a sled dog. Go Biscuit. We always root for the underdogs. Did you know Biscuit is a wet nurse for kitties? Yes, it is true. We'll keep you updated, racing fans and dog lovers. Don't worry. No puppies will be hurt on our shift. In fact, I see one old lady getting thrown off the wagon somewhere in the middle of nowhere on occasions. And I see an old man getting left behind in the wilderness without his bottle. Life is gonna be good real soon.

CR Mayor: Sleeping on the Job

Rant if I must,
Hell, it's my blog.
Watching the videotape over and over again,
it's hard to believe the little white haired sleeping woman is the mayor of Cedar Rapids.
If you view multiple times like I have,
you will notice yourself getting sleepy.
I guess that is our way of following along,
isn't that what the city council is doing?
No one seems to be proclaiming, Mayor Wake Up!
We're talking about a flood recovery plan of 1.5 billion dollars.
Shouldn't that be incentive to wake her majesty?
If I were a Cedar Rapidian,
you would sure find me at every council meeting,
Probably yelling at the Mayor,
Wake up it is morning Madam Mayor,
Wake up Madam Mayor, it is afternoon,
Or Hey, you old bag, Wake up.
Seriously. I will gladly help support any Cedar Rapids resident
to the best of my ability to help take in your cause,
of finding some resolution from your council.
Angie

Brownie the Good Dog

Smoke the Cat
Looks like Brownie, the dog is the starting member of the dog team at the Loon farm. She has learned the art of staying at home. She seems to understand her mom and dad, finally. Biscuit and Krunchy remain in the dog house. And on the kitty report, MJ has returned no thanks to Mom. Poor tabby. He just wants to hang around with the family. However, he doesn't seem to get along with the other cats. Probably a bit on the snobby side I would side, Meow.

Walking the Dog

Yesterday was a great day to walk your dog. It should have been National Walk Your Dog day. Why humans, you may ask? Because yesterday was overcast, cool and a Monday. What better day than Monday to get off your bee-hind quarters and move those hams. SERIOUSLY. And can you imagine NOT exercising at least once a day. Imagine the shape dogs would be in if we didn't get out there and walk. Can you imagine that? Hey, Dad are you reading this? Sinking in? Time to get in shape for the great dog race.
Your loving Doggie Daughter,
Brownie

Royal Viewing

This weekend we watched two movies about royalty:
Marie Antoinette (2006) was a modern look at the queen and her struggles to fulfill her duties to her family and her country. Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it had a modern feel, used contemporary (primarily '80s) music, and modern English. Kirsten Dunst was an interesting choice as the star, who she played as rather clueless and manipulated. Harmless entertainment, but not exactly a historical, period piece.
Angie says this: The music at first look was so distracting, I could hardly contain myself. I thought I was sent back to the 1980's and was expecting Madonna dancing around with her off the shoulder shirt. But the movie developed somewhat. It was just a strange juxtaposition. If my last name was Coppola, do you think I would be able to getting funding for making a movie?

The great actress Dame Helen Mirren starred as The Queen (2006), an impressive look at Queen Elizabeth II, during the aftermath of the death of Diana. With the always enjoyable James Cromwell as Prince Phillip, and Michael Sheen as a convincing Tony Blair, this film portrayed the precarious position of the crown with regard to Diana's death. While it was an intriguing look at the inner workings, I have to wonder at the accuracy. It was billed, after all, as "Based on actual events." I would watch it again to enjoy the performances, as well as the scenery, presumably shot in Wales.
Angie says this: Loon, I thought we read credits that had listed shot on location in Scotland? Now I am confused. Great stag! Loon could barely sit there and watch without making all sorts of grunting noises. I was totally expecting some guy to start whispering, ...."oh, look at the size of that rack. We're about 100 yards away, the breeze is from the north, so the old stag can't smell us. Great time to get a shot off....BOOM!!!" This film showed a compassionate, human side of the royals. And it clearly defined the Queen's behavior to her bizarre reaction of NOT publicly reaction to Diana's death. Indeed, time for us to rid of the royal birthline and reward people who become servant's of the people by their "deeds." Long live volunteerism!

WANTED: CHICKEN KILLER!

DEAD OR ALIVE!
Predator... who killed our chickens.
Armed and Dangerous! Vicious Killer on the Loose!
Shoot on Site! Call Johnny Law NOW!
This message brought to you by the F.B.I. (Farm Buddy Impact)

On the Lamb

By Smoke
Finally I have escaped. Freedom! Oh, the sweet smell of independence. Of course, I don't know what the crap I will live. I can't catch anything, my food is put before me twice a day. And drinking? I drink from the cup of my paw. From a big bowl. Where will I find water? But I am free. Now I will have to fight those other dozen male cats I hear every night. The ladies! I'll finally get to chase them. Unless those darn Toms chase me off. Never thought about that. And Little Meredith my muse is indoors. Hanging out with old lady and Lil. Maybe I should try to figure out a way to break in?
CAPTURED!!!!
CRIMINAL FELINE CAPTURED AND PUT BEHIND BARS. WITH THE HELP OF THE LOONEY CANINE SQUAD OF CAP'N KRUNCHY AND DETECTIVE BROWNIE SMOKE THE CAT IS BACK HOME IN THE SAFETY OF HIS MOM AND DAD AND BROTHER AND SISTER AND FELINE FOLKS. THE ENDURING ONE HOUR MUGGY AFTERNOON HUNT TURNED UGLY AT ONE POINT. TEETH GNASHING AND GROWLING, BLOOD WAS SOON GOING TO GUSH. KUDOS ALSO GOES OUT TO MEREDITH THE ENTICER. THANKS TO HER HARD EFFORTS, SMOKE WAS FLUSHED OUT OF THE UNDER BRUSH THAT WE CALL A FLOWER BED.