C is for James Cagney

Born: July 17, 1899

Died: March 30, 1986

Aged: 86 yrs-from a Heart Attack (had diabetes)

Married: Once-happily! over 64 years

Famous Sibling: Jeanne Cagney

Friends: Pat O'Brien, Frank McHugh

He was born in New York's "Hell's Kitchen"-not a nice place. He walked and talked in a rapid staccato style. Short fire cracker known to be a tough guy but was also a song and dance man. In fact, Mikhail Baryshnikov said that Cagney was his favourite dancer! Being mostly Irish (with a little bit of Norway in him too), he was often seen with his best friends(mentioned above) and they became known as "The Irish Mafia". Actually, James Cagney was trying to get rid of the real mafia out of Hollywood and it became so dangerous that there was a hit placed on him. George Raft(actor and in deep with the mafia) pleaded with the powers at be to stop their intent on killing this famed actor. In these good ole days of playing gangsters, they used real bullets! So when watching these old movies where Cagney is running and you see the bricks being damaged by the bullets, they really are being damaged by the bullets. There were times that the bullets just missed Cagney. He was under contract with Warners and often fought with the Brothers who then would place him under suspension and add the time (months) to his 7 year contract. Later in his career, he would often feign illness so it would extend the working days. He wanted to film crew to get paid extra since he felt they were horribly under paid. He retired in the early '60's  but he came back in 1981 on the advice of his doctor and created his final role in "Ragtime".

Oscar Nominations: "Angels With Dirty Faces", "Love Me or Leave Me" (his favourite film)

Oscar Win: " Yankee Doodle Dandy"

Films: "Public Enemy", "Footlight Parade", "The Strawberry Blonde", "City For Conquest", "White Heat", "Mister Roberts", "One, Two, Three"

Quote: "Learn your lines, find your mark, look'em in the eye and tell'em  the truth"

OK the 2 films in bold is what I would choose to see first but, again, all are great:)

B is for Humphrey Bogart

Born: December 25, 1899 (according to some, others state in January 1899)

Died: January 14, 1957

Aged: 57 yrs-died of throat cancer

Nickname: Bogie

Married: 4 times-all actresses-3rd one-Mayo Methot, last-Lauren Bacall

Famous Partners: Lauren Bacall, John Huston (Director and his best friend)

Hard-drinking, minimum 2 pack a day smoking Man's Man who became an unexpected sex symbol and major film icon. He got his big break when Leslie Howard fought for Humphrey Bogart to star in the film version of "The Petrified Forest". Because of this actor(Ashley Wilkes from "Gone With The Wind"), Bogart got his big break and, as a result, named his daughter Leslie in honour of his friend. This man could play gangsters and hard-boiled detectives equally well. His 3rd marriage to Mayo Methot was one long drunken brawl and they were known as the "Battling Bogarts". She was so jealous and, well, nuts, that she stabbed him once but he was not seriously wounded and he took it with a grain of salt. He met Lauren Bacall on set and, despite the age difference (25 years) they were a perfect match. She went with him to Africa when He and Katherine Hepburn filmed "The African Queen" and everyone became ill except for Bogart and John Huston. Reason? They only drank booze and never touched water.  When he became ill with cancer, a small group of friends formed over at Bogart and Bacall's place which included Judy Garland, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. After one drunken debauched night, Lauren Bacall looked at the bunch and called them a "Rat Pack". Yes this is where it all began. Bogart loved to play chess and was an expert and often won. He also loved the ocean and named his yacht "The Santana" and enjoyed every spare moment on his boat.

Oscar Nominations: "Casablanca", "The Caine Mutiny"

Oscar Wins: "The African Queen"

Films: ""Dark Victory", "High Sierra", "The Maltese Falcon", "To Have and Have Not", "The Big Sleep", "Key Largo", "Treasure of the Sierra Madre", "Beat The Devil", "The Harder They Fall".

Quote: "The trouble with the world is that it is always one drink behind"

The films I bold are the ones I would choose to see but all are great

The start of the A to Z and the IWSG day Combo!!

It is the first Wednesday of the month which means it is the Insecure Writers Support group headed by the great Alex J Cavanaugh. It is where one can release their insecurities, triumphs, fears regarding writing. I may not be a writer, per se, but I am starting the A to Z Challenge and, par for the course, I procrastinated thinking I could get it all done 2 weeks before the start. Of course I didn't count on getting sick-stupid germs. Anyhoo, my fear is that I won't get everything completed or that I bore the hell out of you and you would rather watch a you tube video on bowling or golf-make that lawn bowling and mini-putt.

The A to Z challenge was started by Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out and this challenge has grown by leaps and bounds. I hope everyone who visits will check it out since you can enter the  A to Z by creating cards, animals, books, well...anything (Next year perhaps?)! So here we go, my first entry and it is all about film stars!

JEAN ARTHUR

Born: October 17, 1900

Died: June 19, 1991

Aged: 90 yrs-Heart Failure (had a stroke a couple years earlier

Real Name: Gladys Georganna Greene

Married: twice-first marriage lasted one day and was annulled.

Famous Partner: James Stewart; Frank Capra (director who stated she was his favourite actress)

Very, Very reclusive actress who was so insecure she would often cry, whine and vomit before having to do a scene. Once the scene was done, she would run to her dressing room and hide. She had a cute, froggie, raspy little girl type voice that was quite endearing. She hated being under contract and when her contract was up with Columbia Pictures, she literally ran through the studio streets jumping for joy and yelling "I'm Free!" She was known to be difficult as well and temperamental.  Once she retired from films, she never looked back. She did try the theatre but her insecurities won out and was replaced (most famous was "Born Yesterday" which went to her understudy Judy Holiday who won fame and the film role). She tried TV in the mid 1960's playing a lawyer but it didn't last long. She taught drama at Vassar and Meryl Streep was one of her students whom she thought would go far (I guess she was right:)) Her favourite male star was Gary Cooper, not Jimmy Stewart. She was an ardent lover of animals and was once arrested for trespassing on a neighbours yard because she thought the dog was not being treated well-Good for her!

Oscar Nominations: "The More The Merrier"

Films: "The Plainsman", "Mr. Deeds Goes To Town", "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", "You Can't Take It With You", "Only Angels Have Wings", "A Foreign Affair", "Shane".

Quote: (When asked to grant an interview about Hollywood)-"I'd rather have my throat slit"

In bold-the film I would choose to watch

Gratitude for so much

It is the last Thursday of the month (smell ya later March) and this means to write about what you are grateful for.  One can join in on the blog hop fun over at the wonderful Vidya Sury's blog and read other people's posts about what they are grateful for or you can join in on the fun.

1. Health!! Now as most of you know I have been ill for over a week and, well, that sucks. You know the feeling-it starts off  with some coughing. We ignore it but as times passes the throat feels like you just swallowed a wet, moldy woollen mitten and your coughing turns to hacking. Your sweating and feeling really hot but then a wave of ice cubes  comes over you and you shiver like you just saw Justin Bieber naked.  We have all been there and, it passes and you start to feel better. Some people have chronic health issues and I do, but it isn't going to get me down! The most difficult health issues is finding the strength to continue on and be happy with the life that you are leading. I lost a dear person this past month...he was only 61 years old. He was my ex's brother and he was a good man even though he did not believe it. He did not commit suicide but he gave up on life. His marriage went over 20 years ago and he let her have his home and land- he never fought for it. From that moment, he started to slowly slide. He let the negative feelings and self-talk take hold. He began to drink more and he lived in an apartment that looked like he had just moved in but yet, he had been there for years. When his mom passed, he went further within but when his dad passed less than a year later, he was "destroyed" as he put it. He refused to look at the positive and one could see a decline that he was stubbornly and consciously aware of  maintaining...if that makes sense. His heart was not good and he had a blood clot in his leg. He told lies to people knowing they were concerned but refused to receive any help. He did not take his medicine but continued to drink and drink and smoke. He was found in bed....dead. A life he consciously made sure to destroy. It was a sad life that didn't need to be lived in this way and he didn't need to die this way. So why am I grateful? He has taught me how to be grateful for my life even when things don't work out the way I thought it should be. Crap happens...let's reflect, cry, be angry but rise above and move forward and be happy with all that life give to you.

2. My Hubby!  Now this man can infuriate me because...he can:) He will start talking before I finish my sentence. He will "zone out" while I am talking and then start on a completely different topic than what I was speaking about. He must have things all in their place because he is an OCD zombie. He has the patience of ....well he has no patience except in certain areas like his art or when he is fixing something around the house. He is my ADHD man and he deserves a cape and some nifty cute shorts to wear. He has the confidence to stand  with his hands on his hips singing the MEmemememeeee song:) I often tell him wear his throne is and that it needs a flush. This man has been here for me when I have been sick. He makes sure the house is cleaned, he has made all the dinners and has made sure I am resting. Earlier in the month, when my friend came over, he cleaned the whole house so I would not have to worry about that when I came home from work. He made sure I took my medicine and rubbed Vicks on me. When I looked like something from the Amnityville Horror, he still looked at me with love in his eyes...awwwwwwww(ok don't wretch). He is also a brilliant artist and I will showcase some of his works in May. He has made me some beautiful things that I adore.

3. My best friend! She and I are soul mates  and I love her to bits...besides she knows where the bodies are hidden:) We can finish each other's sentences and we will be thinking about the same thing almost at the same time. We have known each other since 1985 and have gone through ups and downs but always together. Her children are finally of age where she can escape, I mean, travel with me on little adventures. We just went, last year, to the Jimmy Stewart museum and the Lucille Ball museum and enjoyed every moment. This month, she came over and we had a sleep over because big kids can do this too! We watched "Harvey" (with Jimmy Stewart) and a couple of Carol Burnett shows (Went With The Wind) and laughed and laughed. Laughter with your best friend can't get any better.

So there ya go my top 3 things to be grateful about. I am looking forward to the A to Z challenge, warmer days (had snow today), creating cards, my animals, my OJ and soda water and movies:) What have you been grateful for?

The A to Z Challenge Reveal

Now, I wanted to make something fun for showcasing the A to Z Reveal using my creative, nutsy mind but my creative, nutsy mind is still battling the horrible flu and bronchitis and I am sweating and shaking like some lost little piggy ready to go to market. In fact, I have not even started writing my A to Z but I shall prevail! (I am soon off back to bed). Now I was thinking about doing something different from last year since I could talk about my mom's history or my dad's since both led quite extraordinary lives. I did think about my cards and I may even do that next year although that would be a challenge. I thought about my favourite holiday-Christmas but I kind of did that quickly at Christmas. I even thought of my travels but when all is said and done...I kept coming back to the same thing.......Film Stars!

Yup I know it was popular last year and I just love this theme so, that I had to do it again. In some cases I will have a tough time finding a name but in other places there is an abundance like the "G's"-Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Garbo, Greer Garson, John "Jack" Gilbert, Betty Grable etc.... well, we shall see who I pick. Can't wait to read everyone else's:)

I'm sick

I am usually able to rise from my cold and look at my blog and read everyone's posts as I so enjoy it but I got hit with bronchitis. Silly me thought I had allergies since I was coughing on Monday but that was not the case. I have been in bed, sweats, fever, pain, cough...you know the drill. Thankfully no pneumonia as I was worried about that but x-rays proved I just have that sill ole bronchitis thingy. I hope to be up and around a bit each day. I don't have an ipad or anything like that so I have to be physically up to read and write and since I am seeing spots in front of me I think it best to lie back down. I hope to read the posts soon as I miss it. Take care everyone and hope you do not get what I have...it seems 2 people at my work also are coming down with something.

Happy Birthday Daddy

My dad was born in Barry's Bay, Ontario Canada in 1913. Yup he would be 102 if he were alive today.

Some facts about my dad:

 He was born in a log cabin and was as poor as poor can be. He was given his dad's pants and they were just cut off at the bottom and he had a rope for a belt, no socks and rubber boots. He actually did walk 10 miles to school. Can you say "Little Rascal"?

 His mom, my Grandmom, died in 1919 after childbirth. There were 7 children in total (no idea if she had miscarriages in between but I am certain she did). My grandfather was blinded by the light....of dynamite that blew up too soon. So he could not work  as he did before. He did marry again, the old bugger, to a 16 yrs old and I think he was 44. Old bugger ...ooops I said that already. Well they had another 6 children.  He just couldn't keep it in his pants.....old bugger.

My dad was taken out of school, at grade 4, to help his dad sell Rolly's Good Health Products. I am certain it was 90 proof. I still have the case!

My dad's first job was on April 27, 1927 in a lumber camp. In the 30's he worked in Algonquin park as a logger and worked on the rivers(see above). This was during the great depression so he would often hop the rails and hide from the guards or jump off the train (when it was slow) if they got too close to him. He travelled all over the country.

He worked for years in the Atlas Steeles, off and on. This place no longer exists and he hated it.

He fought in  World War 2 and was wounded shortly before the war ended. He was part of the liberation of Holland. He was a scout with 2 other soldiers. He got hit in the chest and then hit again, but this time, the magazine he was wearing started "popping"-all the bullets were going off. He had to tear that off which he has no idea how he did that. It took his shirt with him. He then crawled backwards so his own men wouldn't shoot him. The other 2 didn't make it. He let others go before him thinking he was not too badly injured until the Doctor saw him. (That's my dad! I say this proudly).

He worked out west and met up with bears, wolves and moose. He said the worst were the moose as they were ornery, stupid and unpredictable.

He believed in ghosts and had ghosts stories to tell and was a great story teller. He loved movies and  this is where I got my love for it. He loved beauty pageants-he really did! He also loved awards shows, the news, documentaries and he loved to talk. He LOVED Christmas and was the first in line to buy the Bonanza Christmas Album which I still have.

He had a daughter, out of wedlock, the lady refused to marry him and  after 2 years of his daughter being raised by her maternal grandmother, her biological mom, adopted her out and never told my dad or her mom she was doing this. He was not reunited with his daughter until 1978.  She is a true beauty in every way:)

He met my mom in 1959 and within 2 months they started living together even though he was a strong Catholic. Her jerk of a first husband would not grant a divorce. My mom and my dad loved each other deeply and, even when his family were being total jerks (they had my mom investigated), he sided with my mom and told them to go to hell.

They opened up a sawmill business when he was 52 and I was only 1 yr old. They raised my brother and me (or is it I??) in the country and we had a great time growing up.

He was strong, he took no guff, he could swear and screwed up the language (Hycoprit-hypocrite or disingrate-disintegrate). He was loyal, loved to have a few drinks and enjoyed company. He was an avid reader and would talk to any kid and tell them to stay in school and get their education and read! He commanded respect. When he died on April 30, 1988 of brain cancer, people were lined up on the road as we travelled to the cemetery...I will never forget that. So Happy Birthday Daddy!