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Finding Five Movies That Fill My Boots & Made My Bones
Shortlisting select movies that say something about who I am
When I read this article by Paul Combs that ended with his tagging me to face the same challenge, I thought, “well, this should be pretty easy.” It wasn’t.
I scribbled down the top three on my always handy notepad with barely any contemplation. The fourth of the required five titles came to mind a day later.
Then, I hit a brick wall.
For the following week, I remained busy with other writing topics to tackle and the regular duties of life, but the missing fifth movie was always on my mind. So then, I went out for a stroll one evening with my ancient dog, and I asked him.
“Jackboy,” I said, “what’s the fifth movie?”
Being the good boy he is, Jack responded with a side glance and good huff. We don’t go for long walks anymore, Jack and me. Both of us wobble now more than we stride, and with our stamina thinned out and bones sore, our pace is slow but sure.
Having stopped at the park bench for a rest, I looked down at this old dog of mine. If he makes it to Groundhog Day, he’ll be sixteen years old, that’s 112 in dog years. As I gave Jackboy a good scratch behind the ears, he looked at me with those…
