Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Kind of a different story . . .
I've been feeling pretty stressed and kind of sad lately. I woke up today with this feeling of "why am I living in this strange city all by myself?" So I decided to do the one thing guaranteed to cheer me up: go to the library (you had to see that coming if you've been reading this blog for any length of time!). Feeling that drastic measures were called for I figured I'd better go all out and head over to the Central branch. As usual, it worked and by the time I left I was feeling much better.
On my way home I drove past the State Capital Park and noticed all the roses blooming in the garden. On an impulse I stopped and spent about an hour walking around the park and admiring the roses. Yellow roses always make me think of my Mom because yellow was her favorite color and she liked yellow roses. While I was looking at the one in the picture, I happened to glance down and see the sign. This rose is called Gift of Life and was introduced in 1999. My Mom died in 1999 and, silly as it may sound, this just felt like some kind of sign to me. I sat down on the bench next to the rosebush and cried. My mother was not a demonstrative person but when I'd get upset sometimes she'd hold my hand. While I was sitting there crying I felt like she was with me holding my hand. And I felt like everything was really going to be ok and that she was telling me I hadn't made bad choices. (Shoot I'm crying again now!)
So I don't know . . . going to the library was pretty much an impulse. Driving home past the park was because the light changed so I turned onto that street. Stopping was an impulse and this rose was the first one whose sign I noticed. I guess they were all random chances but they combined to make me feel a lot better today!
On my way home I drove past the State Capital Park and noticed all the roses blooming in the garden. On an impulse I stopped and spent about an hour walking around the park and admiring the roses. Yellow roses always make me think of my Mom because yellow was her favorite color and she liked yellow roses. While I was looking at the one in the picture, I happened to glance down and see the sign. This rose is called Gift of Life and was introduced in 1999. My Mom died in 1999 and, silly as it may sound, this just felt like some kind of sign to me. I sat down on the bench next to the rosebush and cried. My mother was not a demonstrative person but when I'd get upset sometimes she'd hold my hand. While I was sitting there crying I felt like she was with me holding my hand. And I felt like everything was really going to be ok and that she was telling me I hadn't made bad choices. (Shoot I'm crying again now!)
So I don't know . . . going to the library was pretty much an impulse. Driving home past the park was because the light changed so I turned onto that street. Stopping was an impulse and this rose was the first one whose sign I noticed. I guess they were all random chances but they combined to make me feel a lot better today!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Pictures (again!)
These are just a few pictures from my walk today. I don't know what the pink flowers in the top picture are. I was driving home yesterday and saw them so I walked down there today so I could get a picture. I think they're really pretty. I worry sometimes because I walk around and take pictures and some of them (obviously) are of other people's yards. I don't want them to think I'm being nosy or intrusive. I only focus on the flowers so I guess it's ok. If it were me I wouldn't care if someone was taking pictures of my flowers so I hope other people don't.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Poetry Day
We Have Come to be Danced
by Jewel Mathieson
We have come to be danced
Not the pretty dance
Not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance
But the claw our way back into the belly
Of the sacred, sensual animal dance
The unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance
The holding the precious moment in the palms
Of our hands and feet dance.
We have come to be danced
Not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance
But the wring the sadness from our skin dance
The blow the chip off our shoulder dance.
The slap the apology from our posture dance.
We have come to be danced
Not the monkey see, monkey do dance
One two dance like you
One two three, dance like me dance
but the grave robber, tomb stalker
Tearing scabs and scars open dance
The rub the rhythm raw against our soul dance.
We have come to be danced
Not the nice, invisible, self-conscious shuffle
But the matted hair flying, voodoo mama
Shaman shakin’ ancient bones dance
The strip us from our casings, return our wings
Sharpen our claws and tongues dance
The shed dead cells and slip into
The luminous skin of love dance.
We have come to be danced
Not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dance
But the meeting of the trinity, the body breath and beat dance
The shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance
The mother may I?
Yes you may take 10 giant leaps dance
The olly olly oxen free free free dance
The everyone can come to our heaven dance.
We have come to be danced
Where the kingdom’s collide
In the cathedral of flesh
To burn back into the light
To unravel, to play, to fly, to pray
To root in skin sanctuary
We have come to be danced
We Have Come.
by Jewel Mathieson
We have come to be danced
Not the pretty dance
Not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance
But the claw our way back into the belly
Of the sacred, sensual animal dance
The unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance
The holding the precious moment in the palms
Of our hands and feet dance.
We have come to be danced
Not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance
But the wring the sadness from our skin dance
The blow the chip off our shoulder dance.
The slap the apology from our posture dance.
We have come to be danced
Not the monkey see, monkey do dance
One two dance like you
One two three, dance like me dance
but the grave robber, tomb stalker
Tearing scabs and scars open dance
The rub the rhythm raw against our soul dance.
We have come to be danced
Not the nice, invisible, self-conscious shuffle
But the matted hair flying, voodoo mama
Shaman shakin’ ancient bones dance
The strip us from our casings, return our wings
Sharpen our claws and tongues dance
The shed dead cells and slip into
The luminous skin of love dance.
We have come to be danced
Not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dance
But the meeting of the trinity, the body breath and beat dance
The shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance
The mother may I?
Yes you may take 10 giant leaps dance
The olly olly oxen free free free dance
The everyone can come to our heaven dance.
We have come to be danced
Where the kingdom’s collide
In the cathedral of flesh
To burn back into the light
To unravel, to play, to fly, to pray
To root in skin sanctuary
We have come to be danced
We Have Come.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pictures
Mostly pictures today. I went to a couple of new libraries over the weekend. I'm making great progress on the list - I'm halfway through now. 14 down and 14 to go! The other pictures are from my walk yesterday at Land Park.
Elk Grove Library. It's a small library but in a nice 2-story building which I liked.
This is the stained glass window at Elk Grove. I thought it was very cool. I'd love a house with a window like this!
Franklin Library. This one is located on the grounds of a high school and I nearly got lost trying to find it. I finally had to ask a student in the parking lot where it was. . .
There were 4 of these ducks swimming in a nice row but the one at the end was getting distracted.
The others just kept on going without their friend.
He finally decided to join them but had to move kind of fast to catch up!
There are a couple of small lakes in the park and they have these geysers in the middle. I like sitting and watching them. They make neat patterns in the water.
I thought these two looked quite content. They didn't appreciate having their picture taken though. They looked at me in disgust (kind of the way my cats do when I take their picture) and walked away as soon as I took the picture.
Elk Grove Library. It's a small library but in a nice 2-story building which I liked.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Insults & Put-Downs
I'm sure we've all wanted to insult someone in a memorable manner but it can be difficult to come up with something on the spot. Just to make your life a little easier, here are a few classic insults and put-downs that you can memorize and use as you deem appropriate.
He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know. ~Abraham Lincoln
He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. ~Winston Churchill
A senescent bimbo with a lust for home furnishings. ~Barbara Ehrenreich about Nancy Reagan
Faulkner: "[Hemingway] has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."
Hemingway: "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it. ~Mark Twain
Lady Astor: If you were my husband, I’d give you poison.
Winston Churchill.: If you were my wife, I’d drink it.
Member of Parliament: Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.
Benjamin Disraeli.: That depends, Sir, on whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.
Women want mediocre men, and men are working hard to become as mediocre as possible. ~Margaret Mead
Fine words! I wonder where you stole them. ~Jonathan Swift
He never chooses an opinion; he just wears whatever happens to be in style. ~Leo Tolstoy
If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to. ~Dorothy Parker
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. ~Oscar Wilde
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. ~Macbeth
He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know. ~Abraham Lincoln
He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. ~Winston Churchill
A senescent bimbo with a lust for home furnishings. ~Barbara Ehrenreich about Nancy Reagan
Faulkner: "[Hemingway] has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."
Hemingway: "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it. ~Mark Twain
Lady Astor: If you were my husband, I’d give you poison.
Winston Churchill.: If you were my wife, I’d drink it.
Member of Parliament: Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.
Benjamin Disraeli.: That depends, Sir, on whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.
Women want mediocre men, and men are working hard to become as mediocre as possible. ~Margaret Mead
Fine words! I wonder where you stole them. ~Jonathan Swift
He never chooses an opinion; he just wears whatever happens to be in style. ~Leo Tolstoy
If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to. ~Dorothy Parker
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. ~Oscar Wilde
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. ~Macbeth
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tuxedo Cats
You may not realize it but I have a Tuxedo Cat named Pippin. It's something I rarely talk about because I'm so modest but occasionally I just have to brag a little. I found these facts about Tuxedo Cats on a website and thought I'd share them. I know that number one is true. I think Pippin believes number two is or else he just says it to ensure I'll feed him in a timely manner. Hopefully we won't have to test number three. As for the rest, you can believe or not but I'm not taking any chances on the last one. I'm buying a lottery ticket!
- Tuxedo cats (or TCs) are significantly more intelligent than regular cats (including all other breeds and varieties). Research indicates that this difference may be as great as 200%. (I’m pretty sure the humans they live with are smarter also.)
- People who have agreed to serve TCs as food providers and toy throwers are more attractive than the average humans.
- Tuxedo cats can, in an emergency, drive a car.
- When a full moon occurs on the vernal or diurnal equinox, TCs can become invisible.
- As kittens, tuxies will open their eyes 24 hours before regular cats.
- Tuxedos are the best swimmers in the feline family, but they will shun forever any who human who puts them in the water.
- Tuxedo cats can add single digit numbers and perform simple integrations.
- TCs can see infrared light.
- The largest inheritance ever left to a cat (over $6.3 million) was left to a tuxedo cat named Sparky in 1998.
- In recognition of their formal attire, tuxedo cats are the only felines admitted to performances of the metropolitan opera.
- In the original "Lassie" stories, Lassie was a tuxedo cat. The role was re-cast as a Collie after no TC willing to accept the role could be found. They all refused the role as 'undignified' and 'demeaning.'
- People who win lotteries are statistically more likely to live with TCs.
Isn't he adorable!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Back again . . .
Well I was going to post everyday but ended up missing a couple of days. I haven't been feeling very well for the past few days and didn't get much done. I've decided I had a malaise: a vague sense of mental ill-being. Yeah that sounds good. Much better than saying I was indulging in bouts of self-pity. . . . Anyway, I'm feeling better and will post excessively to make up for my missed days!
I went to Fremont today and visited my Dad and went to a quilt show in Niles Canyon with my daughter & her boyfriend. It was a great show and it was nice to get out and walk around and do something. They even bought me lunch! Here's a few pictures from the show. I loved the sewing hat in the 4th picture! My favorite quilt was the Sunbonnet Sue in the 3rd picture.
I went to Fremont today and visited my Dad and went to a quilt show in Niles Canyon with my daughter & her boyfriend. It was a great show and it was nice to get out and walk around and do something. They even bought me lunch! Here's a few pictures from the show. I loved the sewing hat in the 4th picture! My favorite quilt was the Sunbonnet Sue in the 3rd picture.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Poetry Day
It's May 13th and I haven't posted a poem all month so I thought I'd take the easy way out today and post one! I say easy but it really isn't. I have to search for a poem I like and then decide if it's postable. Poetry affects me and some poems feel so personal to me that I can't post them. That actually makes sense in a strange way! Anyway here is the one I decided on for today. I like this line - words that pulled you from the depths of unknowing. Writing does that for me. It's a way to figure out what I mean and where I'm going. I especially like the last two lines of this. I'm trying to make the sun rise again and it isn't easy but this afternoon I'm feeling a little closer than I did this morning. . . .
Writing in the Dark
by Denise Levertov
It's not difficult
Anyway, it's necessary.
Wait till morning, and you'll forget.
And who knows if morning will come.
Fumble for the light,
and you'll be
stark awake, but the vision
will be fading, slipping
out of reach.
You must have paper at hand,
a felt-tip pen, ballpoints don't always flow,
pencil points tend to break. There's nothing
shameful in that much prudence those are our tools.
Never mind about crossing your t's, dotting your i's---
but take care not to cover
one word with the next. Practice will reveal
how one hand instinctively comes to the aid of the other
to keep each line
clear of the next.
Keep writing in the dark:
a record of the night, or
words that pulled you from the depths of unknowing,
words that flew through your mind, strange birds
crying their urgency with human voices,
or opened
as flowers of a tree that blooms
only once in a lifetime:
words that may have the power
to make the sun rise again.
Writing in the Dark
by Denise Levertov
It's not difficult
Anyway, it's necessary.
Wait till morning, and you'll forget.
And who knows if morning will come.
Fumble for the light,
and you'll be
stark awake, but the vision
will be fading, slipping
out of reach.
You must have paper at hand,
a felt-tip pen, ballpoints don't always flow,
pencil points tend to break. There's nothing
shameful in that much prudence those are our tools.
Never mind about crossing your t's, dotting your i's---
but take care not to cover
one word with the next. Practice will reveal
how one hand instinctively comes to the aid of the other
to keep each line
clear of the next.
Keep writing in the dark:
a record of the night, or
words that pulled you from the depths of unknowing,
words that flew through your mind, strange birds
crying their urgency with human voices,
or opened
as flowers of a tree that blooms
only once in a lifetime:
words that may have the power
to make the sun rise again.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
May 12
In keeping with the Look Up theme for blogging month I thought I'd share information that I looked up today! Since it's May 12 how about looking at 12 interesting (or not) events for May 12th!
- May 12 is the 132nd day of the year. There are 233 days remaining until the end of the year.
- Florence Nightingale was born on this day in 1820.
- Katharine Hepburn was born on this day in 1907.
- In 1874 American inventor Elijah J. McCoy patented an ironing table.
- In 1930, Chicago's Adler Planetarium first opened to the public.
- In 1958, the United States and Canada signed an agreement to create the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).
- National Nurses Week is May 6-12 and May 12 is Nurses Day.
- The 63rd Cannes Film Festival opens today in the south of France.
- It's International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases.
- If you were born today your zodiac sign is Taurus.
- In 1969 the number one song was Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In by Fifth Dimension.
- It's National Limerick Day. In honor of which here is a limerick for you:
A bather whose clothing was strewed,
By winds that left her quite nude,
Saw a man come along,
And unless we are wrong,
You expected this line to be lewd.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Slow day
I've been trying to think of something to post today but it's kind of a slow, boring day. I finally got my hair cut this morning which feels nice! I've been putting it off for the last three months. Also went to a new library near the beauty college where I got my haircut. This was the Valley-Hi North Laguna branch. It's nice inside and I found a great book, The Library An Illustrated History.The last picture is of flowers in someone's front yard. I saw them when I was driving to the library and they looked so pretty I went back and took a picture.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Universe
This is what the Universe told me today. I don't know - I'm really starting to believe it's just messing with my mind. . . It doesn't seem like the Universe would be that mean but I guess you never know. . .
Hey, Robin... It's OK. Everything is fine. You've always been guided. Even now you are watched, and held, and adored. You've made great stuff happen, and you will make more great stuff happen. You've changed lives. You've changed your own. You've moved mountains and done the impossible. You've been scared and you overcame. You've been knocked down and you rose. And you've been lost, or so you thought, only to discover it was just the calm before another storm of creativity, love, and fun. Humbled like the rest of 'em, The Universe
Hey, Robin... It's OK. Everything is fine. You've always been guided. Even now you are watched, and held, and adored. You've made great stuff happen, and you will make more great stuff happen. You've changed lives. You've changed your own. You've moved mountains and done the impossible. You've been scared and you overcame. You've been knocked down and you rose. And you've been lost, or so you thought, only to discover it was just the calm before another storm of creativity, love, and fun. Humbled like the rest of 'em, The Universe
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Not so Silent Sunday
Today is Mother's Day and I'm feeling kind of sad. My Mom died in 1999 and the first few years after that Mother's Day was really hard for me. It got easier though and until this year I've done pretty good. This year just feels difficult, partly I think because my daughter is in the Bay Area and I won't see her today. In the past she usually worked on Sunday's so it isn't like we spent the entire day together but I would have seen her for part of the day. Anyway that's my feeling sorry for myself paragraph!
This first picture is my daughter when she was seven. She's 33 now but pretty much looks the same. A little bit taller but not much! I was 17 days short of being 19 years old when she was born and had absolutely no idea what I was getting into. After 46 hours of labor (ok, not really but I'm hoping to convince someone of that someday), the doctor held up a baby for me to look at and I said, she's beautiful because I had no idea what else to say and the situation seemed to call for something. I was probably thinking Thank God it's over. The punch line of course being it had just begun.
My daughter is a remarkable human being. She's creative, pretty, sometimes sweet, occasionally thoughtful and far smarter than probably 95% of the rest of us. If there's a fact that Jill learned and has forgotten I'd be surprised. She's a walking encyclopedia of everything she's ever read. She (don't tell her this) can actually outread me and certainly outremember me. Not an easy feat I guarantee you. Jill was an easy child, she never went through those terrible teenage years. When parents would complain about their teenage daughters I always felt a little left out. When I was a teenager my mother used to say she hoped I'd have a daughter just like me. By which you can rightly assume that I was an absolutely horrid teenager. Fortunately for me, I didn't have a daughter like me in that respect! There are many things in my life I wouldn't do again. I don't regret them, I just wouldn't repeat them. Being Jill's mother is not one of those things. I would, with full awareness of what it means, do it again without hesitation. She is the best thing that ever happened to me.
The second picture is my Mom with me. I think I was only a month or so old at the most. She was 20 when I was born and from the expression on her face I think she probably felt the way I did when I first looked at Jill! If she were still alive she'd kill me for posting a picture of her but I figure since she's dead there's nothing she can do about it and I like the picture!
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
This first picture is my daughter when she was seven. She's 33 now but pretty much looks the same. A little bit taller but not much! I was 17 days short of being 19 years old when she was born and had absolutely no idea what I was getting into. After 46 hours of labor (ok, not really but I'm hoping to convince someone of that someday), the doctor held up a baby for me to look at and I said, she's beautiful because I had no idea what else to say and the situation seemed to call for something. I was probably thinking Thank God it's over. The punch line of course being it had just begun.
My daughter is a remarkable human being. She's creative, pretty, sometimes sweet, occasionally thoughtful and far smarter than probably 95% of the rest of us. If there's a fact that Jill learned and has forgotten I'd be surprised. She's a walking encyclopedia of everything she's ever read. She (don't tell her this) can actually outread me and certainly outremember me. Not an easy feat I guarantee you. Jill was an easy child, she never went through those terrible teenage years. When parents would complain about their teenage daughters I always felt a little left out. When I was a teenager my mother used to say she hoped I'd have a daughter just like me. By which you can rightly assume that I was an absolutely horrid teenager. Fortunately for me, I didn't have a daughter like me in that respect! There are many things in my life I wouldn't do again. I don't regret them, I just wouldn't repeat them. Being Jill's mother is not one of those things. I would, with full awareness of what it means, do it again without hesitation. She is the best thing that ever happened to me.
The second picture is my Mom with me. I think I was only a month or so old at the most. She was 20 when I was born and from the expression on her face I think she probably felt the way I did when I first looked at Jill! If she were still alive she'd kill me for posting a picture of her but I figure since she's dead there's nothing she can do about it and I like the picture!
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Well it's a post
I took this picture the other day when I walked. I'm not sure why it's marked as a rough trail. The part I walked on seemed fine (except for the mountain lions). Anyway it seemed an appropriate picture for how I'm feeling right now. Definitely on a rough, icy trail and feeling like there is no end in sight. I'm pretty sure this sign wasn't out when I started on the journey. . .
Friday, May 7, 2010
Girls Night Out
I don't remember where I found this but I thought it was funny!
Some 40-year-old girlfriends discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because the waiters are cute and buff.
At 50, the women once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because the food is very good and the wine selection is excellent.
At 60, the girls once again discuss where they should meet for dinner, Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because they can eat there in peace and quiet, and the restaurant has a beautiful view of the ocean.
At 70, the women once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because the restaurant is wheelchair accessible, and it even has an elevator.
At 80, the girls once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because they have never been there before.
Girls Night Out
At 50, the women once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because the food is very good and the wine selection is excellent.
At 60, the girls once again discuss where they should meet for dinner, Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because they can eat there in peace and quiet, and the restaurant has a beautiful view of the ocean.
At 70, the women once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because the restaurant is wheelchair accessible, and it even has an elevator.
At 80, the girls once again discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally, they agree to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant, because they have never been there before.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Venturing into the Wilderness
It's a beautiful day here, although a little windy, so I thought I'd go out this morning and walk someplace different. Little did I know that I was risking life and limb. I decided to go to the American River trail near the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. I felt I was quite prepared - I had my bottle of water and my trusty iPhone. A short distance into my stroll along the path what should I see but a sign about mountain lions. Unfortunately the sign was pretty worn, I assume from people clutching it to escape the mountain lions, so it wasn't clear whether it was meant to be educational or serve as a warning.
However, being a dauntless, brave explorer I continued along the trail. It's a lovely path and it was calm and quiet for a short ways. Then I heard some odd noises and, of course, fearing it was a mountain lion, quickly moved off the pathway. Worse than a pack of mountain lions, it turned out to be a pack of bicyclists I had narrowly avoided.
Never let it be said that threat of being run down by crazed bicyclists stopped me though. Seeing a path in the wilderness I decided to take it in hopes of finding the river (which had been one of my goals in walking). Pushing through brush and treading dangerous narrow pathways I came to the edge of a cliff. Fortunately my usual rapid walking pace was slowed due to the heavy brush I had to wend my way through, otherwise I might have tumbled off said cliff. Looking down, at least a 10-mile drop, I spied the river in the distance. By this point my spirit was low due to the many hazards I'd encountered so I elected not to venture down the cliff.
Wending my way back to civilization I decided what I really needed was another book to read (yeah like I need to meet a mountain lion), so I sought out a new library (Orangevale branch) and ended my adventure safe in its small, but welcoming embrace.
However, being a dauntless, brave explorer I continued along the trail. It's a lovely path and it was calm and quiet for a short ways. Then I heard some odd noises and, of course, fearing it was a mountain lion, quickly moved off the pathway. Worse than a pack of mountain lions, it turned out to be a pack of bicyclists I had narrowly avoided.
Never let it be said that threat of being run down by crazed bicyclists stopped me though. Seeing a path in the wilderness I decided to take it in hopes of finding the river (which had been one of my goals in walking). Pushing through brush and treading dangerous narrow pathways I came to the edge of a cliff. Fortunately my usual rapid walking pace was slowed due to the heavy brush I had to wend my way through, otherwise I might have tumbled off said cliff. Looking down, at least a 10-mile drop, I spied the river in the distance. By this point my spirit was low due to the many hazards I'd encountered so I elected not to venture down the cliff.
Wending my way back to civilization I decided what I really needed was another book to read (yeah like I need to meet a mountain lion), so I sought out a new library (Orangevale branch) and ended my adventure safe in its small, but welcoming embrace.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Movie Project
I watched A Man For All Seasons the other night and it reminded me of an idea I had a long time ago.
I want to figure out who to cast in the perfect Tudor movie. The best Henry, Anne, Elizabeth etc. I really like Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the younger Henry VIII (or maybe I just like him w/no clothes?). But Richard Burton is pretty good also. And what about Elizabeth - who would be the perfect Elizabeth? Cate Blanchett (although I hated Joseph Fiennes as Robert Dudley) was great but so was Glenda Jackson. My plan was to re-watch every Tudor movie/series made and come up with my perfect cast list.
I'm going resurrect this project. If anyone has ideas, I'd love to hear them. The actress/actor doesn't have to have played that character in the past although it is preferable because then you have a better idea of how they would portray them. It is ok if the nominated actor/actress is dead since I'm pretty sure "my" movie will never be made! Here is the list of movies. Hopefully I'll be able to find all of these, some are pretty old. If you know of any movies I've missed, please let me know.
As I think about it, maybe I could direct this movie once I've chosen the cast. I made some pretty cool movies for my YouTube channel. They mostly starred my cats and if I can direct cats I should be able to handle humans. Actually humans would be far easier!
I want to figure out who to cast in the perfect Tudor movie. The best Henry, Anne, Elizabeth etc. I really like Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the younger Henry VIII (or maybe I just like him w/no clothes?). But Richard Burton is pretty good also. And what about Elizabeth - who would be the perfect Elizabeth? Cate Blanchett (although I hated Joseph Fiennes as Robert Dudley) was great but so was Glenda Jackson. My plan was to re-watch every Tudor movie/series made and come up with my perfect cast list.
I'm going resurrect this project. If anyone has ideas, I'd love to hear them. The actress/actor doesn't have to have played that character in the past although it is preferable because then you have a better idea of how they would portray them. It is ok if the nominated actor/actress is dead since I'm pretty sure "my" movie will never be made! Here is the list of movies. Hopefully I'll be able to find all of these, some are pretty old. If you know of any movies I've missed, please let me know.
As I think about it, maybe I could direct this movie once I've chosen the cast. I made some pretty cool movies for my YouTube channel. They mostly starred my cats and if I can direct cats I should be able to handle humans. Actually humans would be far easier!
- When Knighthood Was in Flower (1908)
- Henry VIII (1911)
- Queen Elizabeth (1912)
- Anna Boleyn (1920)
- When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922)
- The Virgin Queen (1923)
- The Loves of Mary Queen of Scots (1923)
- The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933)
- Drake of England (1935)
- Mary of Scotland (1936)
- Fire Over England (1937)
- The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)
- The Sea Hawk (1940)
- The Heart of a Queen (1940)
- Young Bess (1953)
- The Sword and the Rose (1953)
- The Virgin Queen (1955)
- Seven Seas to Calais (1962)
- A Man for All Seasons (1966)
- Elizabeth the Queen (1968)
- Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)
- Elizabeth R (1971)
- Carry On Henry (1971)
- The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1971)
- Mary Queen of Scots (1971)
- Elizabeth R (1971)
- Shadow of the Tower (1972)
- Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1973)
- Henry VIII (1979)
- A Man for All Seasons (1988)
- Shakespeare in Love (1998)
- Elizabeth (1998)
- Biography: Elizabeth I (1999)
- Elizabeth (2002)
- Henry VIII (2003)
- The Other Boleyn Girl (2003)
- Elizabeth I (2005)
- The Virgin Queen (2005)
- Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
- The Other Boleyn Girl (2007)
- The Tudors (2007)
- Mary, Queen of Scots (I'm not sure if this movie was made yet)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
More to Love
I'm not built like Barbie or Twiggy or even close. (Does that Twiggy reference date me?) I've been overweight most of my adult life and while I've tried to blame it on having a baby it's become a little difficult since the "baby" is 33. Oh well. I've lost weight over the last couple of years and I'm working to lose more but I'm never going to look like Barbie (which is probably just as well). I don't think that means I should feel bad about myself or let other people make me feel bad. That can be awfully difficult though. Sometimes in my journeying around the web I find sites that really make me feel good and I'd like to share one of those.
Elizabeth Patch's More to Love is a terrific site. Elizabeth Patch does drawings of women who are large and voluptuous. She depicts women doing all kinds of activities, looking happy and sexy. They are bright, positive images and her blog posts are full of good advice on having a positive attitude and accepting yourself no matter what size you are.
In her about me section she says this: I believe in health and happiness at all sizes. I believe that we should love, respect and admire all the amazing sizes, shapes, colors and ages that women come in. And I believe that women should be measured by the lives we lead, not by the size we wear!
I agree. Check out the site, it's interesting and a lot of fun to look at!
Elizabeth Patch's More to Love is a terrific site. Elizabeth Patch does drawings of women who are large and voluptuous. She depicts women doing all kinds of activities, looking happy and sexy. They are bright, positive images and her blog posts are full of good advice on having a positive attitude and accepting yourself no matter what size you are.
In her about me section she says this: I believe in health and happiness at all sizes. I believe that we should love, respect and admire all the amazing sizes, shapes, colors and ages that women come in. And I believe that women should be measured by the lives we lead, not by the size we wear!
I agree. Check out the site, it's interesting and a lot of fun to look at!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Silent Sunday
The Wizard Nebula: This image of the open star cluster NGC 7380, also known as the Wizard Nebula, is a mosaic of images from the WISE mission spanning an area on the sky of about 5 times the size of the full moon. NGC 7380 is located in the constellation Cepheus about 7,000 light-years from Earth within the Milky Way Galaxy. Photo from NASA Image of the Day Gallery.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Too much temptation
It was too big a temptation for me. The NaBloPoMo theme for May is Look Up. You can take this a lot of ways but the one they suggested that caught me was finding things online. So I decided I'd commit to posting everyday in May and in keeping with the theme I'll share some of the fascinating things I find in my online searching!
I have a habit when searching of ending up places I never intended. Sometimes I'll retrace my steps so I can figure out how I ended up there, generally I just chalk it up to serendipity and gleefully add to my bookmark collection. While searching for something, I have no idea what, I somehow ended up looking at epitaphs of famous people. Some of these are pretty interesting so I thought I'd share a few. (Fitzgerald's is my favorite.)
VOCATUS ATQUE
NON VOCATUS
DEUS ADERIT
Carl Jung
{Invoked or not invoked, the god is present.}
So we beat on, boats against the current,
borne back ceaselessly
into the past
- - - Great Gatsby
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald
Workers of all lands unite.
The philosophers have only
interpreted the world in various ways;
the point is to change it.
Karl Marx
Against you I will fling myself,
unvanquished and unyielding, O Death!
Virginia Woolf
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death
Horseman, pass by!
William Butler Yeats
Called back.
Emily Dickinson
Steel True, Blade Straight
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Body of
B. Franklin, Printer
Like the Cover of an old Book
Its Contents turn out
And Stript of its Lettering & Guilding
Lies here. Food for Worms
For, it will as he believed
appear once more
In a new and more elegant Edition
corrected and improved
By the Author
Benjamin Franklin
Man must endure his going hence.
C. S. Lewis
The Stone the Builders Rejected
Jack London
I have a habit when searching of ending up places I never intended. Sometimes I'll retrace my steps so I can figure out how I ended up there, generally I just chalk it up to serendipity and gleefully add to my bookmark collection. While searching for something, I have no idea what, I somehow ended up looking at epitaphs of famous people. Some of these are pretty interesting so I thought I'd share a few. (Fitzgerald's is my favorite.)
VOCATUS ATQUE
NON VOCATUS
DEUS ADERIT
Carl Jung
{Invoked or not invoked, the god is present.}
So we beat on, boats against the current,
borne back ceaselessly
into the past
- - - Great Gatsby
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald
Workers of all lands unite.
The philosophers have only
interpreted the world in various ways;
the point is to change it.
Karl Marx
Against you I will fling myself,
unvanquished and unyielding, O Death!
Virginia Woolf
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death
Horseman, pass by!
William Butler Yeats
Called back.
Emily Dickinson
Steel True, Blade Straight
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Body of
B. Franklin, Printer
Like the Cover of an old Book
Its Contents turn out
And Stript of its Lettering & Guilding
Lies here. Food for Worms
For, it will as he believed
appear once more
In a new and more elegant Edition
corrected and improved
By the Author
Benjamin Franklin
Man must endure his going hence.
C. S. Lewis
The Stone the Builders Rejected
Jack London
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