It's national kitten day, which got me thinking about how just last year my cat, Pebbles, was still just a little kitten! It's crazy to imagine how a little over a year ago I barely knew her, and now I can't imagine my life without her!

I think it's fitting that we had a bit of an adventure today, I was training her and Siffy how to use our new pet steps! The bed is  t a l l, so it's a welcome addition, with lots of treats in the training process.

My cat is different than most, she really enjoys company, and I love that she always wants to be near me, even if I'm just laying down. She's wonderful as a kitten and fully grown!

Sunday night I was at home and looking for something to watch. I have been seeing a few shorts on my YouTube feed about the movie Deep Impact, so I decided to rent it. I never saw it when it was out in theaters - we went to see Armageddon instead. 

My thoughts on Deep Impact: It wasn't terrible, but I didn't think it was great either. It seemed to me the story could've been developed a little more, the characters could've had more to them, etc. The only character I really felt any real kind of connection to was the President played by Morgan Freeman. I felt I was left looking for a reason to be invested in the outcome for the characters and the world as a whole.

Now to make it fair, I haven't seen Armageddon in about 25 years. Although I do remember being invested in the characters and story a little more. If I had a choice, I would probably choose to watch Armageddon again, but if someone wanted Deep Impact, I wouldn't totally object.

I did not get to see The Super Mario Bros. Movie when it was first released to theaters. My family did, it was spring break and I was under the weather, but of course I wasn't going to make anyone wait to see it. What I did make them wait on was any spoilers!

I grew up with The Super Mario Bros. video games, so I was so excited to see the movie. We are the proud owners of a Blu-Ray copy and yes, I will be watching it again. This is really hard for me to write this without giving away any spoilers, but lets just say I absolutely loved this movie, I thought it was really cute, kept my interest the whole time and the soundtrack was top notch. I also finally get the "Peaches" song that I have been seeing parodies of all over social media!

This was a great choice for family movie night! 

She Couldn't Change Me - Montgomery Gentry - 2001  (Album - Carryin' On)

This was by no means their first single, it was their 6th.  But this was the one that changed a lot of things for Montgomery Gentry in 2001. Their debut single in 1999, Hillbilly Shoes was a great song, but it may have been a bit too much for some. There were a few more with moderate success, then there was this.  An absolutely fantastic country song, in the absolute right hands. They had a lot of hits over the years and there are those you always seem to hear, Hell Yeah, My Town, and others.  But to me this is the song that just sums them up to perfection.  I interviewed them once and they told me -  what they had said to others before -  that they don't really record "love songs,"  but this, and She Don't Tell Me To are the closest they would probably get.  It made me laugh, them too.  I always liked MG, because they knew who they were, and they never tried to be something they weren't.  Fans loved their authenticity and helped keep country's big boom going well beyond the 90's.  I loved this song the first time I heard it and knew it was a hit.  #2 on the charts, and just a real good old country song.

A few months ago I wrote an article about some of the "edgier" women of Country over the last few decades and a lot of people liked it. The good response tells me to share it again, and with me being on vacation this week, seemed like a good time to do so.

Enjoy this - I loved writing it, brought back some great memories for me and hopefully for you too  - Country women -  Cut From A Different Cloth!

 Revisiting  -  A Different Cloth Article

Earl Thomas Conley - Fire And Smoke - 1981

He may be the quietest superstar we ever had.  ETC spent the entire 1980's and early 90's on top of the country charts setting records, and recording incredible music while scoring 20 #1 songs, most of anyone in the 80's.  And this was the start.  You can ask a whole lot of 90's stars and of today who one of their major influences was and ETC always comes up.  This song was the #1 song of 1981, the most played song that year, and is one of the most respected songs of the 1980's.  It "younged" up country as did he -  along with a few others.  It was a different kind of sound and voice.  It wasn't Urban Cowboy, or pop country, and it certainly wasn't Conway, Tammy Wynette or George Jones.  It was new and fresh and Nashville took notice.  ETC became one of the early artists to heavily influence country to go in a newer direction that would continue in 1986, and culminate in 1989 when it really took off to new heights.  It was said Conley's music would sound great in a pickup truck or Mercedes and that's accurate.  This album under the same name on RCA, is also one of the best pure country albums of the 80's. And even though his own sound musically evolved through the decade, this song was his root.  It was not his first single, (Silent Treatment) was, (another great song) but once this hit, ETC never looked back.  It is also well known he had some deep issues with Nashville at the end of his career, but he really should be in the Hall Of Fame.  A very important song and artist of the 1980's.  ETC passed away in 2019.

Last Week #24

My Full Profile On Earl Thomas Conley

Something Real  - Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley always seems to give his fans what they want. And this is his latest single.  It's been 20 years since, What Was I Thinkin'  and the music continues to be good.  One thing I really like about this song is I can't imagine anyone else singing it besides him.

He just keeps getting better, year after year. Grab your earbuds and coffee and check this out!

In case you missed my articles from WQMX.com this week, let's get caught up!

My Sunday Morning Song

Eat Of The Week

50 Favorites From 40+ Years - #24

Forgotten Jukebox - K-16

Country Music Memory Lane - Mega Star Series - Toby Keith

Wynn At The Movies And More

OK, how great does this look?  I know, pasta is a big time winter thing for many, but this looks refreshing and I'm eating it. Join me!

Delish!

I'm Eating This!

Box Office Results -  Insidious:The Red Door  (Final Chapter)  (32 Million)

#2-  Indiana  Jones   (26 Million) -   #3   The Sound Of Freedom 

New This Week - Theater Camp 

Jennifer Garner - Will reprise her role as superhero Elektra in Deadpool 3, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman   (Story)

Jamie Fox – Made his first public appearance in 90 days after his “undisclosed medical condition”  (Story)

Indiana Jones - Has a budget of 295 million - deep finacial issues after ony about 89 Million in two weeks out  (Story)

Disney – Has experienced about 900 million in box office losses over the past year or so.  (Story)

This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)

Also - My 50 Favorites Over 40+ Years This Week #24  (Link)