July 2016 – JULIA MCDERMOTT

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Ham
Jalapeños
Spinach *

(I had a wedge salad with chicken.)

We my husband chose jalapeños since I’m not eating pizza right now (and for a while), and I don’t like them.

Movie:

Love and Friendship

All in all, I liked this film, but lots of characters are introduced early in the opening credits, and it was hard for me to keep track of them – almost overwhelming. It was distracting as I tried to follow the plot. However, I love Jane Austen, and if you do, too, I think you will like this movie.

One reason we chose to see it was that it was playing at the right time (7:15). Other films we want to see were playing either too early or too late at our theater of choice: Ghostbusters, The Secret Life of Pets [me], and Star Trek Beyond [him – I just don’t like Star Trek.] Pets was playing at 7:00 so that was doable, but after Finding Dory last time, he requested we not watch an animated movie, and I agreed. Maybe next time, though. Or maybe Ghostbusters at a different cinema.

I ain’t afraid of no ghost.

*He asked for Sliced Tomatoes, but he got Spinach instead, and said it was tasty.

I’ve been overwhelmed with all the support and kind wishes that Jack and I and our family have received since the publication of my “Personal Journey” article titled Fear and Gratitude in the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) Sunday edition of July 10, 2016.

Here are some quotes from the messages, letters, and comments:

“Thank you for sharing your story. My son is your son’s age and was a Terry student at UGA. I can’t imagine how hard this was but so glad things worked out well for him and your family.”

“…Had me in tears…Congrats…Awesome…Very cool…”

“…so proud of your good writing as I sorrowed along with you, Jack, and the whole family.”

“Your story touched my heart…Kudos…Fabulous article…This is beautiful.”

“…your strength and talent go beyond the pages you write.”

“Excellent article…Amazing journey…Well done! Very moving! Thanks for sharing your experience.””

“…brought tears to my eyes and reassurance that goods thing can happen in this world…Inspiring! That’s the one word that would describe Julia McDermott’s Personal Journeys’ story of her son, Jack’s, battle and victory over brain cancer. We’re reminded that our lives can change in a moment and the only way to meet fear and tragedy is through positive action, courage, and faith.”

“…unbelievable…I marvel at your family’s courage and faith through it all!…Don’t we learn in the most unimaginable situations?”

From a friend in my French conversation class: “Quel article dans le journal ce dimanche passé! Cette histoire est incroyable, une source d’inspiration! Tu es vraiment douée comme écrivaine et comme mère extraordinaire!
Et ton fils est un modèle de courage et de ténacité pour tout le monde.”

And:

From Dr. Allan Friedman of Duke, in an email to me: “You are a gifted writer. This is a very nice article….Give him my best.”

From UGA President Jere W. Morehead, in a letter to Jack: “I read about your battle with cancer in…the AJC. I was deeply moved by your experience. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to confront such dire circumstances as a student. The strength that you demonstrated to overcome the illness and complete your education is truly inspirational. Your story sends a powerful message of hope and courage to so many, and the University of Georgia is proud to call you an alumnus.”

IF I’ve forgotten to include your message, or if you would like to send one, please post it in the Comments below!

This (last) weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Bacon
Extra Cheese
Green Olives

Movie:

Finding Dory

I had a spinach salad and two slices of pizza (although I’d planned not to have any pizza). He chose all the toppings, and since I’m trying to eat less (or no) pizza now, I suggested he choose jalapeños next time. (That’ll ensure I stick to a salad alone.)

I loved Finding Nemo, and this film was quite good too: entertaining, visually dazzling, funny, sweet, and everything good that is Pixar. The only thing I didn’t absolutely love is that Dory kept saying that she suffers from short-term memory loss (which we knew from the first movie, but that came out a long time ago, so there you are). She’s adorable, though, and I loved the story.

When my husband was a little boy, the story goes, one evening, after playing outside, he kept asking his parents the same questions, and couldn’t remember their answers. They realized he was “suffering from short-term memory loss” and took him to a doctor, who said he had had a concussion. He recovered, started remembering things again, and never had another concussion, thank goodness. I never had an experience like that, so I don’t know what it’s like.

But he never forgot.

Read the “Personal Journey” article I wrote in the AJC – Atlanta Journal Constitution – titled Fear and Gratitude, here (and in the Sunday July 10, 2016 print edition)
Check out my Events tab for my upcoming appearances, including the one on Thursday July 14 at 6:30 pm at the Book Exchange Marietta
I’m hard at work on my next novel, and hope to have half of the story written by the time I appear at this year’s AJC Decatur Book Festival on the Thriller panel!

Month: July 2016

Pizza, Salad, and a Movie: Love and Friendship

Sharing support: reaction to my article in the AJC

Pizza and a Movie: Finding Dory

List Post, juillet 2016 (July)