A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

So how do you bring a new generation up to speed on a movie series they didn't grow up watching? In discussing the new Star Wars movie that's due out next month at our son's soccer games this fall, we realized that several of his teammates hadn't seen the original three or later three movies. The solution, a Star Wars movie marathon sleepover, developed from there.

Last Saturday, we hosted six boys for a viewing of the six movies on the big screen at our synagogue. They spread out camping mattresses and sleeping bags on the floor and settled in for the shows. In between they played Paintball together on networked computers, enjoyed pizza, snacks and breakfast, and got about three hours of sleep.

Good thing we decided to start with the original three movies, which lead into the new one. We ran out of time midway through the second of the later movies. The boys have a solution to that: have another Star Wars movie marathon sleepover. However, it might be a while before my husband and I fully recover.

November raspberries

We're into November here in the Northland, and yesterday I picked more fresh raspberries. I'm pretty certain this may be my last harvest of the season.

Dr. Who Conundrum

When my 10-year-old son decided to be Dr. Who this Halloween, my initial reactions:

• Way cool!
• Which doctor, and if it's the 10th will he fit into my old Converse high tops?
• Hope he isn't disappointed when people can't figure out who he is.

We headed out trick-or-treating last night. Imagine our surprise when, after knocking on the doors of just two immediate neighbors, we ran into two more versions of the 11th Doctor. The three "Doctors" lined up for the photo at right, their sonic screwdrivers engaged.

In case you're wondering what's on my son's head: To quote the Doctor, "It's a fez. I wear a fez now. Fezes are cool." (Bow ties are too.)

I only wished I had bought that fleece jumpsuit made to look like the TARDIS. I could have stood on a strategic street corner instead of traipsing about the neighborhood as J.K. Rowling's sorting hat.