Australia Report

I am returned from hearing Australia sing - and I loved it.

I took naps, saw beautiful Australian landscapes and sunrises, read a book, shopped a lot (Chadstone and Queen Victoria Markets and some great little shops in Bendigo), spent time with my dear friends (including a visit to the hospital one night with Kelsey who had a bad allergic reaction to prawns, and a fun birthday celebration for Terri at the Indian restaurant), saw kangaroos and some favorite sites in the city, ate almost all of my favorite Aussie foods (including chips every day and an amazing Pavlova Rhiannon made me) and the highlight: I saw the Melbourne Temple for the first time and attended the wedding of Stevie and Bec on a perfect sunny day.

It was a wonderful trip and I can't wait to go back - except I don't think I'll fly for a while - that 15 hour plane ride cooped up in Ecconomy Class with 300 other people is a shocker!

Thanks to the Rechters for their hospitality and kindness (and for taking photos since I didn't take any).

I Can Hear Australia Sing

(BTW - Its a line from a John Denver song.)

The Duke

I have a confession to make. I love John Wayne movies. It’s true. I know – to some, this may be a real shock.

To tell the truth, though, this love has been coming on for some time. It all began a few years ago when I was going on some tirade or other about what a terrible actor he was and how stupid nearly all of his movies were and how they all basically have the same plot; when my Dad responded, “Did you know John Wayne was a Republican?”

It may sound silly, but I softened my stance a bit – amazed that someone in Hollywood would think conservatively about anything (my Grandpa would be so proud!).

I softened even more when I learned that John Wayne holds the record for making the most movies in a leading role – pretty impressive career.

I must say, though, the real change has come during the last 46 days as I’ve been watching a bunch of old movies with my Dad while my Mom has been up helping at the ranch. There are MANY winners amongst the hundreds of movies he made.

Here are five of my favorites (but there are TONS more that I really like):

1. In Harms Way
2. The Shootist
3. The Sons of Katie Elder
4. McClintock
5. The Cowboys
Oh – and the bonus: On Wings of Eagles

Don’t get me wrong – I still don’t think he was the most brilliant actor ever to act, and he definitely starred opposite some real duds sometimes, but in most of his movies there are handfuls of brilliant actors.

This guy played strong and courageous characters and told a ton of really great stories about doing the right thing and being American and overcoming trials. He was the iconic hero.

Sometimes, you have to change your perspective and dig deep to see the good in people and the things they do – I had to do that with John Wayne, but wow: there was a whole treasure chest underneath the surface (as there is with almost everyone).