End of the Spear

I'm awful at movie reviews. Really. It comes down to, I liked it, or I didn't. Most of the time, I want a backstory before I go in, or I won't like it. Before I tell you this one did it for me or not, lemme give you some backstory of my own.

Today was rainy and gray, and the ride over to the theatre was filled with conversation between Rhonda and I, with an occassional break for the opinions of the younguns in the van with us. A total of 7 us went into the Carmike, with only a few of us knowing about the missionaries that were slayed in the 50s. The teens weren't really interested, but they thought they'd tag along since there were others suffering through it, too. It's rated PG-13, and Plugged in Movie Review gave it a family-friendly rating of 4.5 out of 5, so we thought this age group would be impacted, without being scared. For specific reasons for the grade, just check out that link.


End of the Spear is a Every Tribe production, aka Independant Film. Without giving away any of the plot (as so many reviews do - and I hate that), I'll tell you this was a wonderful story of love, kindness, forgiveness, redemption, and cultures. This has been branded as a Christian's film, and it does have that theme, yet it should appeal to those who are not. Moral values, pacifism, and the purposes of life are featured, and a bridge is formed between two opposing cultures. God is spoken of in real life terms, in native tongues, so the message can be understood by anyone, not just church-goers. There is never any harping - just the true, honest, Christ-like activities of daily life, like tending to the sick, turning the other cheek, loving despite hurt, and loving your enemy.

As for my two cents, this movie was poignant and eye-opening. Sometimes, those of us who are 'churched' forget what a sacrifice is involved in moving to a different (and sometimes hostile) country, especially with a family. The laughs and the tears came readily for me, despite my attempt to withhold them. Take tissue. It is not pretty to wipe tears and snot off your face with your hands.

The teens were bored throughout the first of the movie, but as it progressed, became more and more interested in the progression of events. I think they liked it. Nekkid butts and all.

At the end, there is a bit about the real men involved, and what they bring back from the other's culture (funny bit, did I mention?). And the best part of the film: half of the proceeds will go to help reach other indigenous tribes with the message of Christ.

Silky Terrier

So you guys have met Ginger, right?

I've had Ginger for about a year, and all this time, I was under the impression that she was a Yorkie. She's about 4 years old, and about 13 pounds. Okay, so a really huge Yorkie - what? So, someone finally put the bug in my ear that she might not be a Yorkie after all, and I go searching for her true breed.

After much sweat, tears, and confusion, I figure out that Ginger is a Silky (Sidney) Terrier. And in case there are (m)any others out there that are confused, I thought I'd put together a fairly easy-to-read and interesting list of things that Silkys are, and Yorkies aren't. If you enjoy reading the standard from the AKC, by all means, knock yourselves out.

If there is anything you know that I don't yet, feel free to add it in!

On with the list:

• If you shine a light in the eyes of a Silky, they reflect green.
  
• If the dog weighs between 8-13 pounds, its a Silky. AKC Yorkies usually don't get over 7.
  
• Silkys are bred from short, wirey-haired Austrailian Terriers and long-haired Yorkies. The colors on both are almost identical. Put them together, and you get a shorter- and softer-haired dog that's the same color. Thus the name.
  
• Silkies are snake- and rodent-hunting dogs (thus the name Sidney Terriers - like, Australia - there are lots of snakes there, I hear). Yorkies are mousers (like Ireland - lots of mice there). Ginger has killed 7 opposums on her own, some over 20 pounds. (Yorkies don't -or can't- do that.)
  
• Silkies are great diggers. Just ask that old tree that Ginger dug a tunnel under. Get down real low when you ask - it's on the ground. Horizontally.
  
• Silkies are also fantastic escape artists (thanks, mdrummerp!) Fences, gates, walls, doors, you name it, they find a way out.
  
• As they get older, the blue hair is what turns white.
  
• Silkys that aren't socialized with cats or children at a young age tend to chase them and eat them as adults. Or bite them, as with the kids and all.
  
• Silkys are prone to diabetes and epilepsy. Daily seizures, if left untreated, may lead to stroke. Fewer than a few a week, according to my vet, are better left untreated. The side-effects of the medication can be more harmful than the seizures if they're occassional, like Ginger's.
  
• Silkys are great apartment dogs - they usually get enough excersize running around indoors - but they love walks like any other dog. My hero, Cesar Milan, would have me tell you that the stubborn streak could be worked out of them if you take them for a 30-minute brisk walk everyday.
  
• Teaching Silkys can be a simple process - bribe them, and they'll do whatever you ask. Especially if you start that early. Ginger, on the other hand, doesn't respond to any kind of treat, so we just repeat the exercise a few times until she gets it.
  
• Some Silkys have some trouble keeping their ears erect. This is referred to as ED - Ears Down. It's also called flop-eared.
  
• Ginger loves to go every.where. with us. She has trouble getting into a tall vehicle, but she will try until you lift her into it. She has finally learned (the hard way, sadly) that jumping out of a moving vehicle is NOT a good idea. Now she stays inside when I tell her to stay.
  
• Silky temper tantrums are frequent when left alone. Trash is usually the victim. A Silky will jump into the garbage, topple it, and pull out the garbage all over the floor. Repeat with all trash cans. And THAT'S for leaving her alone. So there! Okay, so maybe that's just Ginger. Good luck with that.
  

Up yours

Up yours
Originally uploaded by Mandie | CBM.

Hey guys! Just another week gone by, nothing really new to say. My abscessed tooth is here to stay. It has a gross white knot on my gum now. My brain is completely tired. This post went up for the Tarheel Tavern #48 at iddybud's this week. And the BIG LINK this week is http://spiritblog.org. Enjoy the cow.