Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story at Central Park Film Festival

Last night, I saw the National Geographic and Disney+ nature documentary Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story at the Central Park Film Festival. Directed by Charlie Hamilton Jones, it explores a love story between a lonely man and a lonely river otter—an unexpected duo that forms a bond.

As the man, Billy, and the otter, Molly’s bond develops, his wife, Susan, and their dog, Jade, are pushed to the side. Billy neglects his promises to Susan and ignores Jade. Susan narrates the film. Her narration details Billy’s mental state, which he might not have shared, and expresses how she feels like the ‘other woman’ in Billy’s life. The story is told with heart and humor and with a musical score by composer Erland Cooper.

 The story is filmed in the remote Shetland Islands, just above the mainland of Scotland. The scenery is breathtaking. Shetland Islands is known as the last barrier of the UK before the Arctic Circle. During a dramatic winter storm scene, with crashing waves and torrid winds, a large branch fell off a tree next to the outdoor screen. Everyone in the audience gasped.  The film leaves your heart feeling all warm and fuzzy.

After you see this film, you’ll have many questions about how they did it. I found this interview very insightful. 

The Annual Central Park Conservancy Film Festival, presented by National Geographic Documentary Films, in August is truly a treat! For five nights, award-winning films are shown for free in the middle of Central Park. 

The film revolves around the importance of family in our lives. In many ways, Billy serves as Molly, the otter’s surrogate mother/father figure. As strange and unusual as their relationship is, it brings Billy joy and fulfillment.  

Many people with type 2 diabetes admit their children, and their grandchildren motivate them to stay on top of their self-care. However, changing one’s lifestyle can be a constant, difficult struggle after diagnosis. Experts agree the keys to success include social support and relatedness, achievement of results, support from healthcare collaborators, and acceptance of your diagnosis. 

At Divabetic, we believe confidence in managing lifestyle adjustments and handling the challenges of living with diabetes is crucial. Our ongoing efforts in diabetes education and empowerment testify to our belief that if you believe it, you can achieve it. 

Please take a minute to support our efforts and purchase Divabetic’s new lip balm (watermelon flavor). For $10, you’ll receive three of our Divabetic branded lip balms. Shipping and handling fees are not included. For more information, contact: mrdivabetic@gmail.com

Divabetic Podcast: Mermaid Parade

Tune in to Divabetic’s podcast on the 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade with our guests, Coney Island USA’s Artistic Director Adam Rinn and Poet Lorraine Brooks.

The Mermaid Parade is the nation’s largest art parade. It brings together creative minds in art and fashion and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Brooklyn’s amusement district. The Parade originated to help preserve the tradition of Mardi Gras-type events popular in Coney Island between 1903 and 1954.

This year, painter, performer, and sideshow historian Joe Coleman will be King Neptune, and his wife, artist, and photographer Whitney Ward will be Queen Mermaid. The couple will officially open the beaches for the beginning of summer and celebrate the sun, sand, sea, and salt air.

Our first guest, Adam Rinn, Coney Island USA’s Artistic Director, is a Coney Island native who has worked as a sword swallower, strongman, and variety performer for the past 20 years, so you’re sure to enjoy this fun and colorful interview!

Frequent contributor Poet Lorraine Brooks revisits her groundbreaking poem “Beauty & The Beach,” which premiered over thirteen years ago on Divabetic’s Roundtable podcast. “Beauty & The Beach” resonates deeply with podcast listeners and Diabetic blog readers. Since then, we have reshared Lorraine’s poem on body love, swimwear, and beaches on subsequent podcasts and blog entries.

During our interview, Lorraine shares how her opinions about her body and wearing a swimsuit have changed over the past decade, but her feelings about her diabetes diagnosis have not. She emphasizes the time, effort, and care she has put into her diabetes management, which has helped her remain free of diabetes-related complications.

Our discussion also touches on how negative self-talk can hinder us from enjoying life. Lorraine has agreed to revisit the themes of body love, beaches, and swimwear in a new poem entitled “Summer Skin” for this podcast.

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes.

Was it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario, a gypsy fortune teller, and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand.

Can Mr. Divabetic overcome his green pea phobia in time to prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea? Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his nosey Italian mother and friends. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer, he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.

FEATURING Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, We Are Diabetes Founder Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams.

Enjoy Funky Music at our Luther Vandross Big 80’s Birthday Bash in New York City

Join us for my Luther Vandross: Never Too Much Birthday Party, celebrating his iconic Music and Style. This free program features a Music Panel, Fashion Show, Live Performances, Style and Tea Vendors, and Live DJ DANC.E. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 5:30 -8:30 PM at THREAD Lounge at the Renaissance Hotel.

MAKE ME A BELIEVER MUSIC PANEL: Luther’s Vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, and Luther’s Choreographer, James Ervin, discuss their experience working with Luther on his most iconic recordings and stage shows.

LITTLE MIRACLES MAKEOVER: Graffiti Glamour Makeup Artistry Founder Alicia Mitchell shares how small steps led her to big rewards in her healthy journey as she demonstrates how hair and makeup artistry can transform your attitude regarding your health.

 Alicia has also been the lead Makeup artist for various fashion shows, hair shows, and pageants. In June 2023, she decided to get serious about her healing and self-care journey. She has dropped over four dress sizes by making small changes to alter her lifestyle through this process.

She will share her powerful tips on Small Steps to Success that you can take during your health journey as she demonstrates a beauty transformation.

As a professional makeup artist & fashion stylist, Alicia will demonstrate how the self-care tools of makeup, wigs,& fashion can renew your attitude to take charge of your health.

FUNKY MUSIC FASHION SHOW: Harlem Heaven’s Hats, Kynetik Soundz, Baro Sanchez, Dig Ferreira, LPF Collection, Teresa Marie Collection, JM Designs, and Modafleur showcase the hottest trends in fashion.

Plus, S Designs spotlights Luther’s Wedding Song, “Here & Now,” with funky, flashy, and fabulous wedding gowns you don’t want to miss! Hosted by Catherine Schuller.

LIVE MUSIC: Keith Anthony Fluitt and Christopher Faison will perform Luther’s most beloved songs.

DJ DAN.C.E. spins Luther’s hits all night long.

VENDROSS: Harlem Heaven’s Hats, Power Pieces Heroic Adornment, and True Serenity Teas offer sensational goods and services to lift your spirit and delight your senses.

I’ll host the virtual FANDROSS Birthday Listening Party on Zoom on Saturday, April 20, at 3 PM. Join me, Luther Historian, and Special Guests as we spin the group Luther’s glorious first album, “Luther,” featuring the songs “It’s Good For The Soul (Part 1 & 2), “Emotion Eyes,” and “Funky Music during the program. Register for both programs on Eventbrite.

On the BEAUTY BEAT with Catherine Schuller, Image and Style Director

As Image and Style Advisor of Divabetic, discovering products and services that contribute to stoking our ‘Divatude’, allows me to curate, commune and search high and low for wonderful new items that I want to share with my fellow divas.  I attend a LOT of events and expos, sampling and testing out new products such as skin care, safe shapewear, cushioned socks, makeup/haircare and dietary and food innovations.  I am, by my own definition, the epitome of a ‘Diva on the Go’.  I also have pre-diabetes, and find that I must pay attention to ALL aspects of my regimen and discover new and different things that make me feel like dressing, dining, dancing, dreaming, do-ing it up like a diva.  So not only do my wardrobe items and OOTD (Outfit of the Day) reflect my mood to live my best life each day (or at least LOOK like I’m trying to!), but what I nourish myself with is something that I love to strategize so that I don’t just grab the first thing and dash out the door!! 

I’m constantly hitting the markets, streets, stores, expos, trade exhibits in search of new and innovative products to bring into Divabetic.  I attended the Makeup Show last weekend, which is produced by our very first makeup sponsor, The Powder Group and Michael DeVellis.  His show has grown since we first met, and it is truly an insider industry gem where all the newest and best products are revealed for those in the beauty business.

Last weekend, I was a guest of supermodel/influencer Khrystyana, from Season 23 of ANTM, and she introduced me to her client Pacifica Beauty.  I am in search of products not only for Divabetic, but for my Sustainable fashion event at National Graphic’s Encounter venue, happening during NYFW in the Fall of 2019.  I loved Pacifica’s 100% vegan approach and cruelty free ethos.  Their beauty products are pure and effective, with over thirty products that are as clever as they are useful and planet friendly!  The even feature a recycling program called Preserve for the customers to recycle empty packaging easily and efficiently.  Send your empty package back to them for recycling…do this ten times and you get a free product.  It’s that kind of conscious effort that is beginning to open everyone up to the need for eco friendly, sustainable, waste free living.  

Slay All Day

So, wouldn’t it make sense for them to launch a product that is a nutritional supplement, water enhancer, smoothie booster, good for you from the inside/out called ‘Slay All Day‘?  I love the title and even hear a little Cardi B. bird call on Okayyyy? when I looked at the ingredients, I realized it was totally in line with our “be a better eater” philosophy.  And a wonderful way to use the powder in water that you need to be drinking all day long to stay hydrated.  Drinkable beauty.  Says it right on the jar!

In a little plastic jar (but we are recycling those through Perserve) is contained amazing ingredients that out taste and out perform any water enhancer product we’ve promoted in the past.  It’s 100% vegan, gluten free, zero added sugar, ten calories per scoop, 2 grams of carbs.  With pineapple, green tea, ashwagandha, and hyaluronic acid, this makes for a delicious addition to water or even enhance a smoothie with a few scoops of this delightful blend.  It’s as delicious as it is good for you…no more harmful and toxic ingredients just to keep ourselves hydrated.  I am in love with all of the products, I may have another entry about the makeup and skin care.  They have such interesting natural ingredients that you can use knowing they are gentle for your face, and even gentler on the environment.    

Get a Free Mini Supply of Pacifica Beauty!

I didn’t get a discount code to have you order on line (they can’t undersell Target), but they gave me a fun mini supply, so the first five divas who respond to this blog through my email directly at catschuller11@gmail.com will get a large sample trial jar.  You will LOVE IT.  Leave me your address where to ship it with your request.  Type in the comments or email re line I LOVE DIVABETIC… I’ll want you to literally tell me how you use your water enhancer and how Pacifica Beauty will be your new go to beauty powder.   Being a diva is from the inside out!…You can Facebook me pm DM too on Divabetic page and simply say “I LOVE DIVABETIC….”  That’s it, first five… free Slay All Day ….This is our first phase and really want to talk new products!!  Once you get the product, just snap a photo of yourself with it and send it to me at catschuller11@gmail.com.