Flying Scotsman

Most children love trains-big, loud and fast trains. There’s something fascinating about seeing such huge machines racing down the railroad tracks

Young Iris's father is the engineer/driver of the Flying Scotsman-the powerful, green-engine, passenger train that transports the people of the British Isles.

She longs to be an engineer herself and for the day she and her dad can ride the rails together. 

When he leaves to challenge a land speed record she can’t help but to feel a little sad but also excited as he fires up the legendary steam-powered engine and begins his long journey.

Follow Iris as she decides on her birthday to sneak aboard the Flying Scotsman only to be discovered. 

Later to her surprise her parents treat her to a trip on the train making it her best birthday ever.

Her parents accompany her as she travels the rails seeing the sites around her from the countryside to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and even a musical parade!

What a glorious book filled with colorful illustrations and delightful heart-warming text.

Flying Scotsman And The Best Birthday Ever, by writer Michel Morpurgo and artist Michael Foreman, and published by Thames & Hudson, also tells how the Flying Scotsman visited the United States, Canada and Australia.

Kids of all ages are sure to enjoy the adventures of Iris aboard the classic, steam-engine Flying Scotsman.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

The Gilded Age: The Complete Second Season

The Gilded Age-prim, proper, organized, traditional and moral-yeah-right!

In Warner Bros./Discovery/HBO’s The Gilded Age: The Complete Second Season DVD the apple cart is upset. Heck, it’s toppled over and spilling its contents!

The old ways are challenged by the new age, societal challenges are met, unions are forming upsetting the establishment, women’s roles in society are changing, new love affairs begin and long-held traditions and family secrets are challenged and revealed.

1888 is the year when the established wealthy and social hierarchy receive a series of jolts as the world changes around them and the old ways start to crumble and disappear.

All eight episodes of the second season of the series are included on the DVD along with special features: featurettes and more.

Hold onto your hats and fancy cloths, it’s going to be a rough ride ahead.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Christmas At Designers' Homes Across America

Have you ever celebrated a Christmas that is so memorable you look back on it fondly and wish that every Christmas could have and will be as good?

I recall when I was a young lad of 10 years old in 1963 I enjoyed just such a stellar Christmas.

It was at my middle brother’s in-laws: the Pearson’s house overlooking Moore’s Lake in Milford, Michigan.

The Pearsons lived in a huge lake house that had a humongous living room looking over the lake. All sides of the room had windows and at night you cold see the lake and the stars from almost every angle.

Each Christmas the Pearsons would decorate a huge, blue spruce tree with hundreds of lights, decorations, silver icicles and angel hair,

The lights flickered and shown through the angel hair and the liquid filled lights bubbled and filled the room with their rainbow colors.

Next to the tree was a huge fireplace with an equally huge mantle with large Christmas stockings hanging from it.

The tree was surrounded by presents of all shapes and sizes. In the adjoining hallway a long dining table was set up with candles and table decorations.

The Christmas meal had so much food even my 10 year old tummy would get filled. All of it was beautiful.

After looking at Schiffer Books’ deluxe, hardbound book with its beautiful dust cover: Christmas At Designers' Homes Across America 2^nd Edition, by Patricia Hart McMillan and edited and foreword by Rose Bennett Gilbert, I immediately thought about the Pearson’s memorable Christmas.

Dozens of color photos of Christmas décor, furnishings and accents are provided taken from homes all across America.

Inside the gorgeous book sections are broken down by designers. Contemporary to classical Christmas decorations, furnishings, trees, dining areas, whole house interior and exterior décor photos fill the pages along with text pieces about each designer, their Christmas décor and history.

What a delight to look through. The photos bring back so many good memories of friends and family gathered around the Christmas tree soaking in the feel of the season accented by the holiday décor and ambiance.

Merry Christmas! It’s a wonderful time of the year as the book so eloquently demonstrates. Even more special the book is dedicated to Jesus Christ-the reason for the season.

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ice Cannon Mr. Freeze

Personally I think the Ice Cannon Mr. Freeze figure by Mattel produced in 2003 is the best toy version of the villain that the company produced.

This version of Mr. Freeze means business and he looks ‘super cool’ doing it.

The figure comes sealed in a clear plastic cocoon attached to a hanger card with an illustration of Mr. Freeze decorating the lower right hand corner.  The package can be hung or set on shelf.

Mr. Freeze comes dressed in a semi-translucent suit with a large chest piece with flared metal shoulders, a clear plastic helmet and reinforced chest assembly.

His dark blue body suit has a large metal belt with a single blue control button in the middle.

He wears large, heavy boots with metal rings secured to his body suit.

Included with the figure is an Ice Cannon that comes attached by hoses to two reservoirs that strap to the figure’s back.

Fill the reservoirs with water and with the push of a button on the backpack the Ice Cannon fires.

Details on the Ice Cannon and backpack are amazing with lots of knobs, color accents, hoses, grips, indentations, protrusions and triggers.

The Freeze figure also wears heavy metal gauntlets and its head swerves, as does its torso.  Dr. Freeze’s head is blue with no hair and he wears red lens glasses.

The attention to detail in the sculpt is impressive as is the color application and points of articulation.

Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Rage Of The Abyss

Dare you plunge into the darkness? Will you fall into the abyss? What awaits you? Is it good or is it evil? Have you the cunning and power to use it for your own means? 

Be brave, be cautious, but angry as you encounter the Rage Of The Abyss the new Konami Shonen Jump Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game release.

Here’s what you can expect:

• New Cards revitalizing classic themes.
• The introduction of new strategies. 
• Brand-new equipment for WATER enthusiasts.
• A new monster Level 4 Fish.
• A new Fish “Shark” Monster.
• A new Rank 3 WATER Xyz Monster.
• A brand-new disruptive Trap Card .
• Retrieve other monsters from the depths.
• An all-new Chaos XYZ Monster.
• Rage Of The Abyss has 100 new Cards (9 Cards per Pack, 24 Packs per Box) in total-including the second wave for the World Premiere theme that debuted in The Infinite Forbidden.
• It continues the 25^th Anniversary Celebration by including 25 Quarter Century Secret Rares, including 1 Special Card.
  

Rage of the Abyss Core Booster Set includes:

• 10 Secret Rares
• 14 Ultra Rares
• 26 Super Rares
• 50 Commons
• 24 of these Cards are also available as Quarter Century Secret Rare.

Proverbs 29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

VEEP The Complete Series

Join Emmy-Award winning actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus as she portrays United States Vice President Salina Meyer and navigates the political madness of the White House, Congress, diplomacy and the military, along with her quirky staff, in the hilarious Warner Bros./Discovery/HBO series VEEP now available on Blu-ray Disc.

The VEEP The Complete Series collection includes all 65 episodes spanning seven seasons.

Extras include commentaries and much more.

Hilarity and screwball antics of politics are spotlighted as Salina learns the ins and outs of Washington politics and society first as the Vice President and then as the President.

Sound familiar anyone?

Intentional or not VEEP pokes fun at the fist female Vice President in a hodgepodge of laugh out-loud episodes that take jabs at the decisions, blunders and the behind-the-scenes backstabbing of the insular world of politics.

Watch as Washington elite insiders try to find common ground with normal Americans and fail miserably. make horrendous decisions that ripple throughout American society and try to fast talk their way out of blunders, buffoonery and bad decisions.

It’s politics as usual--and that’s not a good thing!

Romans 12:12 - Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

 

 

 

Unveiling Budapest Hungary

Budapest, the land of legends. The pearl of the Danube. The ancient Hungary city reeks of mystery, history, intrigue, customs and hidden secrets.

So often when selecting a travel guide you wind up with a book so packed with photos, articles, tips and mountains of information that you come away more confused about a particular destination than when you started.

Not so with West Agora Int.’s Unveiling Budapest Hungary Your Travel Guide To The Pearl Of The Danube, part of Tailored Travel Guides Essentials Edition Hungary Unveiled Series.

It’s the perfect travel guide!

Plenty of color photographs, maps, notes and extra resources complemented by concise, very informative descriptive text blocks make it easy and quick to select locations to visit, give just enough information to entice you to explore and links to more detailed information make traveling fun, easy and best of all-relaxing.

I highly recommend this guide as well as other guides in the series for traveling convenience, quick reference material and easy of use.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Fantasy & Science Fiction #772, Summer 2024

 

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Beetlejuice

The poltergeist to beat all poltergeists. Director and writer Tim Burton, fresh off his success with Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, tackled the spirit world.

He contracted Michael Keaton to play the title character Beetlejuice (in the film by the same name) the maniacal, madman and manipulative poltergeist.

Alex Baldwin and Geena Davis starred as a young married couple who died and haunted their old home.

Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice was amazing.  His frenetic, frantic, feisty and fantastic take on the ghostly wise guy was spot on.

Things get out of hand when a new family moved in and tried to redecorate the deceased couple’s house.  The whacked out ‘artiste’ mom, the wimpy dad, the over the top decorator and the Goth daughter were all in for a surprise.

Amazingly the daughter could see the ghostly couple and was not afraid of them.  In fact, she was sympathetic to their plight and agreed to help them run out her family.

After all else failed the couple and the girl had no choice but to hire Beetlejuice to help them.  The only problem was, there was a catch-he wanted to run the show and marry the young Goth girl.

Then things got real interesting.

What a fun movie!  I love the wackiness of the premise, the bizarre sets, the characters, the ingenious creatures and especially Beetlejuice as portrayed by actor Michael Keaton.

Beetlejuice is available on DVD from Warner Bros./Discovery.  The 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition also has a lot of fun extras.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Folk Tales From Russia

Most Americans when they think or hear of Russia they immediately associate it and its people with the Kremlin, the KGB and Communism.

While Russia was part of the Soviet Union is was the people in charge and the military that presented the threat to Democracy and freedom during the Cold War era not the common folk.

Most of the populace of Russia only want to live their lives in peace and like all people provide for their families.

Russia has so much to offer with its heritage of folk tales of magic, heroes, lovers, conquests and perilous journeys and adventures.

So much of Russia’s culture centers around the mystical and magical with creatures of snow, long lost and almost forgotten mystical lands, proud and ferocious beasts and brave folk who faced danger, conquered adversaries and endured despite all obstacles.

Vol. 1 Folk Tale World Series Folk Tales From Russia by author E.T. Weaver and published by West Agora Int., presents timeless stories of magic, courage and love from Russian folklore.

Thrill to tales passed down through the generations and that dare you to dream, believe the impossible, seek wisdom, inspire and brighten your spirit.

They are more than tales, the stories present the heart and soul of the Russian people, their heritage, history and legends.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Captain Planet And The Planeteers

The environment, global climate change, depletion of natural resources, pollution and saving the planet are in the news almost everyday.

Separate camps of global climate change advocates and naysayers bump heads constantly.

Advocates of climate change want changes, big changes, on how we generate energy, renew natural resources and curtailing the effects mankind’s environment negligence has had on the environment.

But, did you know that none of this is new? Maybe not on the scale we see it nowadays, but-environmental concerns have dated back for decades.

Back in 1990 a new kids’ animated TV show emphasized responsible environmental practices and confronted what many believed were the main culprits of such pollution and wasters and spoilers of natural resources.

The show: Captain Planet And The Planeteers, was a huge hit with kids in the 1990s and is still fondly remembered by those same kids who are now adults.

Warner Bros./Discovery has compiled all 113 episodes aired of Captain Planet And The Planeteers and The New Adventures Of Captain Planet in a new DVD collection.

An impressive cast of actors provided their voice talents to each series. Martin Sheen, Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Levar Burton and many others contributed their distinctive voices to the series.

Five teenagers from all over the globe combine the powers of their individual rings of fire, earth, wind, water and heart to create the environmental

 hero Captain Planet-the green hair superhero who combats the forces of evil that threaten our very planet.

The Captain Planet And The Planeteers The Complete Franchise DVD Collection comes in snap-lid container inside a colorful slipcase.

Save the planet, purchase the Captain Planet DVD Collection today!

Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

25th Anniversary Tin: Dueling Mirrors

It’s time to reflect-literally.

It's time to look back at the legacy of YGO.

Join other Shonen Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game players to celebrate YGO’s 25^th Anniversary courtesy of Konami.

This special 25th Anniversary Tin: Dueling Mirrors contains lots of goodies that include special Cards from years gone past.

Just look at what you get:

• 3 Mega-Packs
• A Quarter Century Secret Rare in each of the three Packs
• Sought-after Cards from a dozen recent Booster Sets, including: 
• Power of the Elements
• Photon Hypernova
• Cyberstorm Access
• Duelist Nexus
• Age of Overlord
• Maze of Memories
• Amazing Defenders
• Wild Survivors
• And more!
• Brand-new art versions of some of Dueling’s most famous Cards
• 400 Cards in the Set
• 50 Quarter Century Secret Rare Cards
• 34 more Cards to the Quarter Century Secret Rare pool with three in every Tin.

Total per Tin:

• 3 Quarter Century Secret Rares
• 3 Prismatic Secret Rares
• 9 Ultra Rares
• 24 Commons

Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

 

The West Wing The Complete Series

In this time of Presidential election turmoil and nasty politics it seems only appropriate Warner Bros./Discovery has released the Blu-ray collection of The West Wing The Complete series.

All 156 episodes come on 28 discs along with a plethora of special features such as commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, unaired scenes, gag reels and much, much more.

Celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the 26 Emmy Award winning series that is considered one of the best dramatic TV series ever aired.

Intelligent writing, an incredible cast including Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Alan Alda and other stellar actors and actresses, the series delved into the politics, practices, intrigue, wheeling and dealing and corruption that permeate The White House and Presidency as well as politics in general.

The show covered two Presidential terms and highlighted the struggles of the President, his family, staff, political rivals and world events.

Noted for its realism, hard-hitting political drama and world-altering events The West Wing aired on NBC from 1999 to 2006.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Folk Tales From Ireland

Ahhh, Ireland. Birthplace of my ancestors! How I long to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to visit the green isle with its beautiful landscape, fascinating history and above all the Irish people.

Few lands are steeped in magic, myth and lore more than Ireland.

Lost kingdoms, heroics of royalty and common folks, witchcraft mystical beings and mysterious and haunted places permeate the legends of Ireland.

Author E.T. Weaver and West Agora Int. present Vol. 1 Folk Tale World Series Folk Tales From Ireland-a fascinating book all about the legends, the ancient people and the history of the lush green island of Ireland.

Explore the deep dark forests, traverse the highlands with their nooks and grannies that hide the little folk, magical beings and dangerous and foreboding creatures best left to their dark and dank dwellings an holes.

Come read of the timeless legends of myth, magic and heroic tales from Irish folklore and mythology.

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Avengers #27

It’s the 100 Page Monster Avengers #27 issue by writer Kurt Busiek and artist George Perez!

The Avengers series produced by the two men occurred when Marvel Comics was just starting to get its head above water after the comic book speculator fiasco.

Marvel Comics suffered a bankruptcy and for a while it looked as if the company would go out of business.  Fortunately it was able to keep its head just barely above water.

In Avengers #27 a number of stories are presented: two new, two reprints,

In the main story writer Kurt Busiek and artist George Perez present a very different type of Avengers tale.

In the story the government intervenes as to who should be an Avenger in the current team.  Equal opportunity, quotas, diversity and politics all play a part in what is mostly a non-action story. 

Still Busiek and Perez pull it off while still making it interesting and exciting.  It just shows what true professionals can do with any story when given an opportunity.

Another story centers on a small boy who idolizes The Avengers and must make the choice to turn his brother in for crimes committed.

Pencillers George Perez and Jack Kirbys hare the credits for a tale about the formation of The Avengers and in the final tale The Avengers face off against a near omnipotent glowing yellow man.  All of this for a mere $2.99!

Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Hook

Robin Williams as Peter Pan!? 

 

Back in the early 1990s producer and director Steven Spielberg decided to direct a new film about Peter Pan called Hook for Sony Pictures.  

Who better to play Peter Pan as a middle age man than Robin Williams?

Dustin Hoffman also stars as Captain Hook and Bob Hoskins as his head henchman Mr. Smee and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. 

The story follows Peter as he is grown up and has children of his own.

When he and his wife come home for a night out they discover ripped and torn walls and a message from Captain Hook for a final confrontation with Peter.  Confused Peter discovers that Grandma Wendy (who lives with them) was the original Wendy and that Peter married her granddaughter. 

She tries to get Peter to remember who he is. Desperate to find his kids Peter reluctantly follows Tinker Bell, who has come to take him back to Never, Never Land.

Once there he discover that his kids are held captive by Captain Hook.  Peter’s son takes a liking to Hook and almost forgets his father.  Pan’s daughter never loses her faith in her father.

When Peter arrives he does not recognize any of The Lost Boys .  Slowly as time passes and the danger to his kids intensifies Peter remembers and once more dons his characteristic Peter Pan outfit, rediscovers that he can fly, rallies The Lost Boys and confronts Hook.

Both Williams and Hoffman turn in fabulous performances with Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins and Julia Roberts not far behind.

The movie didn’t do too well at the box office and that’s a shame because it was good family entertainment.

The sets were incredible, as were the special effects.

At the end of the film with Hook defeated and Peter Pan back home with his family there is a wonderful touching scene of the one Lost Boy who came to with the real world with Peter the first time.  

Now an old man, the Lost Boy discovers something he had lost and found again and with a sprinkle of magic fairy dust off he goes to Never, Never Land.

As the old man leaves the old Wendy looks at Peter and says that his adventures are over.

Peter holds his family and says, “Oh, no. To live... to live would be an awfully big adventure.”

Hook is a feel good movie about family, friendship and love.

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Grandopolis The Eternal Golden City

Protect and Play!

Ask any Shonen Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game player and they are sure to tell you that protecting their Cards from damage and dirt is top priority.

That’s why Konami has created its Grandopolis The Eternal Golden City 2013 World Championship Commemorative Card Sleeves.

One hundred Sleeves come in a sealed plastic bag and are guaranteed to keep your YGO Cards safe, dirt-free and perfect!

Celebrate YGO’s 25^th Anniversary by also purchasing Konami’s Grandopolis The Eternal Golden City Commemorative Game Mat that measures 24 inches by 14 inches.

A beautiful Grandopolis The Eternal Golden City painting adorns its game playing surface and its soft, cushioned underneath makes game play easy on the hands and Cards.

Sleeves and a Game Mat-the perfect combination for making YGO Game play loads of fun.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 - Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.