If We Believe That Children Are Our Future, We Had Better Listen to Them About Climate Change

About thirty years ago, the late Whitney Houston released one of her many iconic songs. It was called the Greatest Love of All. The song opened with the following lyric:

“I believe the children are our future/Teach them well and let them lead the way”

Yesterday, hundreds of thousands of students marched out of school around the world to protest climate change and make the adults, especially those in the halls of power, pay attention. In New York City, sixteen year old climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed the crowd in Foley Square, many of whom are students from the New York City area.

We have to listen to these kids. One day, they will be the adults who will run this world. I firmly believe that if we do not change our ways, our children and grandchildren will inherit a planet that will one day be uninhabitable.

I understand that there are many who are worried that our economy will suffer under the weight of government regulations. However, if it gets to the point in which Earth cannot support life, then the conversation about jobs becomes unnecessary.

We need to consider the future. That consideration includes the future of our planet and the generations that will one day live on this planet when we are long gone. I fear that if we do not reverse climate change while we can, then we have doomed our future before we had to chance to experience it.

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Home Again Book Review

Teenage love is supposed to be romantic, sweet and all together wonderful. But what happens when the real world sets in?

In Kristin Hannah’s 1996 novel, Home Again, Angel DeMarco appears to be on top of the world. A Hollywood superstar, Angel lives what can only be described as a very Hollywood life. Then reality crashes in with a heart condition that could kill him.

Madelaine Hillyard is assigned to be his cardiologist. Madelaine is a superstar in her field, but find it’s difficult to balance a hectic work schedule with raising her rebellious teenage daughter, Lina, as a single parent. Lina is desperate to find out who her father is and makes no bones about it.

Once upon a time, Angel and Madelaine were inseparable. When they are brought together again, they face a tough choice. Can they heal the wounds of the past and their broken hearts (physically and metaphorically) to live as had wished at one time?

Though the book is a little slower narrative wise than the other novels of Ms. Hannah that I have read, I absolutely loved it. The conflict and the drama was just enough to hook me without being either too over the top or too predictable.

I recommend it.

Downton Abbey Movie Review

On the surface, transforming a popular television program into a film seems easy. The beloved characters and well known narrative are already in place, it is just a matter choosing how to expand the world beyond what already existed on the small screen.

But like many things, it is often easier said than done.

The Downton Abbey film premiered last night. Set a year and a half after the television show ended, everything is tranquil. But tranquility, as it always does on Downton Abbey, does not last.

King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) will be visiting the Crawleys while on a tour through Yorkshire. The news forces the Crawleys and their servants to be on their A-Game. But being on their A-Game is a challenge to say the least.

Upstairs, Robert (Hugh Bonneville), Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and the rest of the family are preparing to be the perfect hosts for their majesties. Downstairs is a flurry of activity, which requires the steady hand of Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) to keep everything running smooth. That steady hand is not helped by the royal servants, who take over the running of the ship while the King and Queen are in residence at Downton.

There are quite a few movies that have been made based on television programs. A good number try, but don’t live up to the reputation of it’s television predecessor. Downton Abbey not only lives up to that reputation, it builds the reputation of the series and the world within the series.

Though some reviewers have stated that this movie is strictly for the Downton Abbey fan base, I disagree. It helps to have at least some knowledge of the television series, but it does not hinder the overall enjoyment of the film if one goes in as Downton newbie.

I absolutely recommend it.

Downton Abbey is currently in theaters.