The Perfect Neighbor Review

If you’re looking for a documentary that grips you with raw, unfiltered reality while shining a light on urgent social issues, The Perfect Neighbor is a must-watch. Directed by Geeta Gandbhir, the film strips away dramatization and instead presents one of the most harrowing neighbor-conflict stories of recent years—with profound implications.

🎬 What it is

Released on Netflix on October 17, 2025, The Perfect Neighbor revisits the tragic June 2023 killing of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a mother of four from Ocala, Florida, who was fatally shot by her neighbor Susan Lorincz. 

What makes the doc so chilling is its method: nearly the entire film is drawn from police body-cam footage, 911 calls, and archival material. No heavy narration, no reenactments—just the escalations in real time. 

🔍 Why it stands out

• Form meets function: The choice to rely on body-cam and on-camera evidence puts you in the scene rather than watching a retelling. Critics note the result is “visceral” and “unflinching.”  
• Social stakes: At its heart are issues of race, power, neighborhood dynamics, and the consequences of “stand your ground” laws in Florida.  
• Critical acclaim: The documentary premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Directing Award for U.S. Documentary.  It also holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on its early reviews.  

📝 What you’ll see

• The gradual escalation of tensions: what begins as neighborhood complaints (children playing, property disputes) spirals into tragic violence.
• A close-look at how fear, prejudice, and systemic issues contribute to real-world outcomes.
• Difficult footage. The experience isn’t comfortable, but that’s part of its power.
• Aftermath: the family of AJ Owens left behind, the community impacted, and a nation questioning how we live next to one another.  

✅ Why you should watch

• For documentary fans who want something more than surface-level true-crime drama.
• For anyone interested in how policy (like stand your ground laws) plays out in everyday neighborhood interactions.
• For a story that forces reflection: what happens when the “perfect neighbor” is anything but.

⚠️ Trigger warning

This is intense. Viewers should be prepared for footage that may be harrowing, especially given the subject matter.

💬 Final thoughts

The Perfect Neighbor isn’t just about a murder—it’s about the threads that lead there: grievance, fear, unchecked power, systemic bias, and community collapse. It invites you to watch what happened, but also to ask why it happened. If you want a documentary that lingers long after the credits roll, this is one of the most affecting of the year. 

Tomorrow’s First Light Book Review

Title & Author

Tomorrow’s First Light by Naomi Rawling

Genre & Setting

This is a Christian historical romance—specifically set in Texas in 1885. 

The story takes place in the frontier/ranching world of the American West, giving a strong Western feel. 

Main Characters

• Ellie Spritzer: A young woman from Michigan who has been caring for her many siblings after the death of her mother. She enters into a mail‐order marriage to bring stability to her family.  
• Sam Owens: A Texas rancher, formerly an orphan, who has built a ranch and home and is ready for a wife and family—but not quite prepared for eight children.  

Plot Summary

Ellie, determined to keep her siblings together and provide them stability, corresponds with Sam for a year and agrees to marry him under the assumption she’ll be bringing three of her siblings with her. 

When she arrives in Texas, however, she brings eight siblings instead of three, catching Sam by surprise. 

Sam, despite the shock, chooses to honor his commitment, but immediately they face practical, emotional, and spiritual challenges: managing a large household with limited resources, Ellie’s self‐doubts and feeling unworthy, Sam’s orphan past and his willingness (and struggle) to open his home and heart, and external threats (like land issues and rustlers) that threaten their burgeoning family and ranch. 

As they work together they must learn to trust each other, rely on faith, and grow into a real family—not just by arrangement, but by love and shared struggle.

Themes

• Family & Belonging: Both characters come from fractured or hard pasts (Ellie has many siblings and the burden of caring for them; Sam was orphaned). The idea of creating a family together is central.
• Faith & Hope: The Christian dimension is woven throughout—Ellie’s belief that her life is cursed, Sam’s faith in finding a home and family—and they both learn about grace, trust, and relying on God’s provision.  
• New Beginnings & Sacrifice: The mail‐order marriage is a new beginning. Ellie sacrifices much to keep her family together; Sam sacrifices comfort and certainty to accept an unexpected family.
• Identity & Worth: Ellie struggles with feeling unworthy of love and believing that her past defines her; Sam must see beyond his orphan past and allow himself to trust and be loved.
• Courage in the Frontier: The setting reinforces the ruggedness of life, the risk, the solitude, the need for courage and teamwork.

Strengths

• The characters are well drawn, with realistic struggles and growth arcs. Reviewers highlight Ellie’s inner battle and Sam’s protective, good‐hearted nature.  
• The setting is vivid — you get the feel of Texas in the late 19th century, the dust, ranch life, the challenges of building a home in that environment.  
• The blending of romance, family drama, and faith works well. The faith elements are present without being overly preachy.  
• It’s the first book in a series (the Texas Promise series) so it sets up future stories while focusing on this one couple.  

Weaknesses / Things to Consider

• Some readers might find the pacing slower in places, particularly as the characters adjust and deal with many complications (large family, ranch troubles) rather than immediate high drama.
• Because of the faith dimension, there are spiritual reflections and Christian themes that may feel heavy if you prefer secular romance or lighter reads.
• The “mail‐order bride” trope is central, so if that is a cliché for you or something you dislike, this may not fully appeal.
• Some reviews mention that certain plot resolutions happen rather quickly or feel a bit convenient.  

My Impression

I found Tomorrow’s First Light to be a warm, heartfelt story of two people bringing their broken pasts into a hopeful future. Ellie’s sense of responsibility, guilt, and longing for belonging are very sympathetic, and Sam’s quiet strength and willingness to accept the unexpected (eight children!) makes him a solid hero. The setting adds grit and authenticity, and the faith‐based themes reinforce the idea of redemption and trust.

If I had a critique, it would be that at times the obstacles feel a bit numerous (so many siblings, so many problems on the ranch), which can slightly diminish focus on the romance itself—but that also adds to the sense of family and community building, which is a strength.

Overall, it’s a satisfying read for fans of Christian historical romance, western settings, and stories about building family and faith.

Recommendation

I would recommend this book to readers who:

• Enjoy historical or western romance with a Christian/inspirational dimension.
• Appreciate stories about family, second chances, and home‐making in rugged settings.
• Like romances with both internal emotional growth and external challenges.
  If you prefer a quick, purely romantic read without many subplots, you might find the many threads here (siblings, ranch troubles, faith journey) a bit much—but if you enjoy depth, this one is good. 

Lake Lawtonka Outing

Beautiful Day to be at the Lawtonka Lake

Today I felt the lure of the outdoors, so we accepted an invitation to spend lunch at Lake Lawtonka with our family Elizabeth and Charles. Also joining us was Alisha — the daughter of Luther and Elizabeth — making the afternoon feel like one big family gathering by the water.

Sitting outside near the shoreline, the setting was peaceful and quiet. The lake water glowed a beautiful blue, and the weather cooperated beautifully: a perfect ~70-degree day, gentle breeze, sunshine just about right. As we relaxed, we watched butterflies flit by — especially the magnificent orange and black of the Monarch butterfly. Their wings stood out boldly: bright orange with a black border and black veins, and the border rimmed with a double row of white spots. It felt a little magical to see them up close as they migrate through Oklahoma on their way to Mexico. (Nature doesn’t often pause for lunch, but today it did.)

Lunch was simple, comforting, and satisfying: cheeseburgers and hot dogs, paired with sides of macaroni & cheddar cheese, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans and grilled peppers and onions. For dessert we were offered lemon cake and no-bake cookies — both favorites of mine — and I ended up going with the lemon cake. A sweet finish under the wide open sky.

While we talked and enjoyed the view, Alisha and Elizabeth played a little cornhole. Elizabeth ended up winning the game, which added a fun little competitive spark to the afternoon. Meanwhile, we continued to soak in the scene: sailboats, pontoons and a few fishing boats out on the lake, all basking in the sunshine. Mr. C told Charles we should have been out on their pontoon too, since the day was “perfect for it” — and I almost hated to leave for that reason. But the workweek looms, and we finally headed home around 2:30 p.m.

Once home, we tackled a little chore: filling up the gas tank. One less item on today’s list. Later this evening I’ll prepare clothes for the next five days, then settle into my “everything shower” routine (which is always a little longer than my ordinary shower). And of course we’ll figure out what I’m taking for lunch tomorrow — keeping the momentum of this pleasant weekend into the week ahead.

A few fun facts about Lake Lawtonka

• The lake covers approximately 2,398 surface acres and has about 21 miles of shoreline.  
• It has a maximum depth of around 58 feet.  
• Lake Lawtonka was constructed as a reservoir on Medicine Creek and today serves both recreational needs and water supply for the local communities.  
• The surrounding landscape features the nearby Wichita Mountains — making the view from the lake particularly scenic.  

A few additional details about Monarch butterflies

• Monarchs on the east side of the Rockies make a migration of up to 3,000 miles from Canada and the northern U.S. down to central Mexico.  
• They may fly as far as 50-100 miles in a single day during migration, and the entire journey may take up to two months.  
• During the fall migration, many monarchs enter a state called diapause (a kind of suspended reproduction) and live much longer than summer generations — sometimes up to nine months as adults.  
• They rely on milkweed plants for their early caterpillar stage (the only plant monarchs will lay eggs on), and they cluster in special overwintering habitats (for example, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico) where millions huddle together on fir trees.  

In short: a beautiful afternoon by the water, good food, good friends, and even some unexpected wildlife magic thanks to those bold orange wings fluttering nearby. Sometimes the perfect day is one where nothing dramatic happens — just nature, good company and simple pleasures.

The water is beautiful with Mt Scott in the background is breathtaking.  

When I am near water I feel calmer and relaxed. Connecting with nature makes me feel at ease. While there I did walk the shoreline by myself and do some self reflection. Am so greatful to have this time to spend with family and nature. Just remember that family doesn’t always have to be blood. Although Elizabeth is Luther’s ex wife she treats me as a family member. It hasn’t always been this way but am happy were we are in this season of our life. 

 

Cozy Day at Home 🏡

                               Cozy Home Day in October

There’s nothing quite like a cozy day at home in October. The air outside has that cool, crisp feeling that makes you want to stay wrapped up in a blanket with something warm to drink. Today was one of those days — no rushing around, no errands, just a slow, peaceful day at home.

I started my morning with a hot cup of coffee and watched the sunrise peek through the trees. There’s something about the way the light filters through fall leaves that makes everything look golden. I took a few minutes to just sit quietly and enjoy it — no phone, no TV, just the sounds of the morning. Then of course I wanted to read a few chapters in my book after doing self reflection. I am currently reading Sugar,Spice, and Can’t Play Nice by Annika Sharma. 

                

After breakfast, I lit a pumpkin-scented candle and decided it was the perfect day to do a little “home fluffing.” I switched out my throw pillows for the cozy fall ones, added a fall blanket to the couch, and even put a small pumpkin on the kitchen counter. It’s the little things that make home feel warm and welcoming this time of year.

                                 

 

Lunch was simple — grilled cheese and tomato soup. It just felt right for the day. I spent the afternoon reading a book and catching up on a few small things around the house. Even folding laundry feels a little nicer when you’ve got a soft candle burning and a fall playlist in the background.

As evening came around, I fixed a cup of hot cocoa and sat out on the porch for a bit. The air was cool, the wind gentle, and the sky had that early sunset glow. It was one of those moments where you can just breathe and be thankful.

Days like this remind me that we don’t always have to be doing something big to feel happy. Sometimes the best kind of day is the quiet one spent right at home.

Late 50’s Finance Planning

Hitting your late 50s can feel like a pivotal moment. Retirement may be closer than it seems, and there’s less runway to correct mistakes or make huge leaps in savings. But the good news is: you still have time, strategy, and the power of compounding on your side. This post shares realistic, high-impact saving tips for folks in their late 50s, backed by expert insights and trusted resources.

1. Take Full Advantage of “Catch-Up” Contributions

Once you’re 50 or older, tax law generally allows you to contribute extra (“catch-up”) to retirement accounts, above the standard limits. 

• For example, you can add extra to a 401(k), IRA, or other workplace retirement plan.
• Don’t overlook your employer’s matching contribution — that’s essentially “free money.”
• If you have multiple retirement accounts, consolidating them can make managing catch-up contributions easier.  

2. Reassess and Rebalance Your Portfolio

Your investment goals and risk tolerance should evolve as you get closer to retirement.

• Many experts advise shifting gradually to more conservative allocations while still keeping a portion invested for growth.  
• Use a “100 minus age” (or a variant) rule as a rough guide: e.g. if you’re 58, you might aim for ~42% in equities, though your individual circumstances (other income sources, risk tolerance, etc.) might push you to tweak that.
• Review your fees. Even small differences in expense ratios can compound over time and eat into your returns.

3. Prioritize Debt Reduction & Smart Borrowing

Debt is a silent savings killer. In your late 50s, the burden of debt can restrict your flexibility.

• Attack high-interest debt first (credit cards, personal loans).  
• If you still carry a mortgage, evaluate whether paying it off earlier (or refinancing for better terms) makes sense in light of interest costs and your cash flow.  
• Avoid taking new debt if possible. If you must borrow, seek the lowest possible interest rates and shortest terms.

4. Build or Strengthen Your Safety Nets

Having a cushion reduces the need to tap into investments during emergencies.

• Ensure your emergency fund can cover 3–6 months (or more, given that medical bills or unforeseen events may become more frequent).  
• If eligible, maximize contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) — triple tax advantages: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.  
• Explore or review long-term care insurance or contingency plans: premiums rise with age, so acting sooner can save you money.  

5. Estimate & Plan for Healthcare & Longevity Costs

Healthcare — especially long-term care — is one of the biggest unknowns for retirees.

• Use retirement planning tools or calculators to estimate future medical and care costs.
• Consider Medicare, supplemental (Medigap) plans, or switching to more cost-effective health plans before retirement.
• Factor in longevity: many in their late 50s may live 25+ years in retirement. Make sure your saving and withdrawal plans reflect that timeframe.

                

6. Revisit Lifestyle & Expenses: Cut, Optimize, or Downsize

Sometimes the easiest way to save is simply to spend less.

• Review recurring subscriptions, memberships, and nonessential services.
• If your children are grown and your space needs have changed, downsizing your home or selling extra vehicles can free cash and reduce maintenance, taxes, and utility costs.  
• Resist “lifestyle creep” — as your income rises, avoid letting expenses rise in lockstep. Redirect extra cash toward savings instead.  

7. Create a Withdrawal/Income Strategy Before You Retire

You don’t want to make this up on the fly after retiring.

• Work out which accounts you’ll draw from first, in what order (taxable, tax-deferred, Roth, etc.)  
• Consider delaying Social Security benefits (if possible) to increase monthly benefits.
• Explore “bucket strategies” — keep short-term needs in safer assets, medium-term in moderate-risk assets, and long-term in growth investments.
• Monitor required minimum distributions (RMDs) rules once you hit certain ages.

8. Stay Educated & Reassess Periodically

What’s right today may not hold in 5 years.

• Revisit your plan annually (or on major life changes).
• Consider working with a financial advisor, especially one who’s familiar with late-stage retirement planning.
• Read trusted personal finance sources and tools (see references below).

Conclusion

Your late 50s aren’t a time for panic — they’re a time for purpose. The steps above won’t transform your finances overnight, but they will help tighten, clarify, and strengthen your plan. Even incremental improvements compound over time.

With focus, discipline, and the right strategies, your golden years can be years of security and freedom, not worry.

Suggested References & Tools

• AARP — Personal Finance section (practical up-to-date articles)  
• John Hancock — “Eight Financial Tips for Your 50s”  
• Investopedia — “How to Supercharge Your Savings in Your 40s and 50s”  
• Vision Retirement — “How to Better Prepare for Retirement in Your 50s”  
• Western & Southern — “How to Start Saving for Retirement at 50 & Beyond”  
• Savvy Ladies — Midlife finance resources and mentoring