A Place Like This......

Weekend Musings

Maybe I should call this post Reading & Movie Watching but that's what I did this weekend. Believe me when I tell you I have a myriad of deadlines looming, one of which is a book deadline and my little artistic attention went to one of the best books I've read in a long time and a great Woody Allen movie.

There's one thing you must know about me and that would be that I LOVE WOODY ALLEN MOVIES. Sorry, I'll stop shouting from the top of my lungs. His latest movie, "Midnight in Paris" is now my new favorite woodman movie. Not only do I love this movie, I wanted to live inside this movie.

Owen Wilson stars as the Allen-esque lead as a successful Hollywood screenwriter and struggling novelist vacationing in Paris with his fiance played by Rachel McAdams.  But she doesn't get him.  She doesn't understand why he wants to move to Paris (preferably in the 1920's while it's raining).  She doesn't understand why he wants to write books that mean something to him rather than bad screenplays that pay ridiculously well.  In short, she doesn't get that he's a romantic.

Paris played the part of the  beautiful muse for Woodman and the city of lights plays a major lead role in this movie. 

I love this film.  I love the setting.  I love Owen Wilson's character and performance, and really the entire cast including McAdams, Michael Sheen, Marion Cotillard, and Adrien Brody. There were parts of this movie where I was literally belly laughing and of course embarassing my daughter but hey, it's a Woody Allen movie.  And, of course, I love the music (as I do in all of Allen's films) and wish Woody Allen would put together a soundtrack for me that follows me everywhere I go.  I do realize that I'm a francophile ( someone who loves France) or should I say extreme lover of Paris and perhaps I'm extremely biased. All I can do is hope you'll forgive me and have a look at a great film for yourself.

Next on the weekend list is the book The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I've never read any of her work but this one just grabbed me and I spent many late nights reading through this 600 page beauty of a book.

A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book—a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-fi rst birthday, they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and very little to go on, "Nell" sets out to trace her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell’s death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. A spellbinding tale of mystery and self-discovery, The Forgotten Garden will take hold of your imagination and never let go.

Here's the lovely book trailer

and if just must know more here's an interview  with the lovely Kate Morton as well as the first chapter of the book.

Queen of the Sun

 

 (Today's photos are from the press kit of Queen of the Sun.)

Recently I had the great occasion to see the most inspiring of movies, Queen of the Sun. We so often hear how our world is in peril and well just plain doomed. The solution is always the same, that we must change the way we are doing things.

Last year, while I was in Sweden, I got to observe first hand the life of a beekeeper. It absolutely fascinated me. I had been afraid of bees all of my life because of that whole stinging thing. Being a gardener, I know how important the bee is but I just acknowledged them and kept my distance. 

Donning a bee-suit and going in to a hive of drones, I lost my fear and was introduced into the most spectacular world of bees.

During the movie, one of the featured beekeepers was saying that the bees choose the beekeeper. By the end of this movie, I was hoping that the bees would one day choose me.

It was also so heartwarming to see an "old-friend" so to speak. Rudolf Steiner has been a force in my life as of late and once again not only does he deal with the whole person through their seasons of living but the whole earth as well.

(From  Queen of the Sun)

In 1923, Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian scientist, philosopher & social innovator, predicted that in 80 to 100 years honeybees would collapse. Now, beekeepers around the United States and around the world are reporting an incredible loss of honeybees, a phenomenon deemed “Colony Collapse Disorder.” This “pandemic” is indicated by bees disappearing in mass numbers from their hives with no clear single explanation. The queen is there, honey is there, but the bees are gone.

 

For the first time, in an alarming inquiry into the insights behind Steiner’s prediction QUEEN OF THE SUN: What Are the Bees Telling Us? investigates the long-term causes behind the dire global bee crisis through the eyes of biodynamic beekeepers, commercial beekeepers, scientists and philosophers. QUEEN OF THE SUN features world renowned biodynamic beekeeper Gunther Hauk, New York Times bestselling-author Michael Pollan, Indian Activist Vandana Shiva, and a compelling cast of characters from around the world. Together they take us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and into the mysterious world of the beehive. The film unveils 10,000 years of beekeeping, illuminating the deep link between humans and bees and how that historic and sacred relationship has been lost due to highly mechanized industrial practices. Beekeeper Gunther Hauk calls the crisis, “More important even than predictor of gloom. The film weaves the ‘beauty with the beast’: landscapes and beescapes contrast chillingly with the harshness of the Monsanto-dominated global agriculture. The expertise of the scientists and philosophers is clear as they present their cases in an easy-to-digest, unfolding manner, complemented by artful animation and clear compelling imagery. 

                      

 
The characters in Queen of The Sun share a common belief that solutions to the bee crisis lie in a renewal of agriculture and beekeeping that supports the needs of the bee and therefore supports the planet. While their solutions are simple and practical, they are not easy. Queen of The Sun demonstrates their immense efforts to rebuild a community in balance with nature.

                     


Queen of The Sun presents a compassionate inquiry into the struggle of commercial beekeepers who, when faced with skyrocketing demand and staggering losses, do their best with the methods they were taught, often unaware that their standard practices are seriously flawed.  For example, artificially bred bees are malnourished on a diet of high-fructose corn-syrup, are confined in plastic hives and are transported thousands of miles, bombarded by exhaust fumes, only to be over-worked in crops soaked in pesticides.  A stunning revelation- that to manufacture a single non-organic cotton tee shirt, one third of a pound of pesticide is used- underscores the sheer volume of toxic chemicals commonly being applied to crops.  Because of these conditions, the exhausted and weakened pollinators become easy prey for mites, climate change, environmental radiation, viruses, air and water pollution, and the challenging effects of genetically modified crops.

 

Media amplifies alarm about the worldwide collapse of bee colonies and scientists hunt for a silver bullet cure.  In the meantime, bee advocates strive to renew a culture that takes its cues from the hive. They have wisely recognized that the bees, themselves, are our guides and they have looked to the bees’ example of collaboration and community as the model for their own actions.  Einstein was right: it is impossible to change any problem by using the same tools that created it.  With that in mind, Queen of The Sun highlights non-traditional approaches that do much to create positive global change.

 

The world is at an opportune moment to see the film.  The current possibility for positive change and the universal commitment to saving our planet’s future are linked.  Queen of The Sun mirrors the hopefulness of this time of volatile transformation and reassessment.  The optimistic response of those who saw The Real Dirt on Farmer John leads us to believe that people are ready to confront the decline of the honeybee population and its dire consequences and to embrace the changes illuminated in the film.  It is the positive and hope-laden message of Queen of The Sun that opens its viewers’ minds to the real possibility of a sustainable, healthy and verdant future.

 

 This movie isn't to be missed. I was mesmerized throughout the entire film. Here's a short inspiring clip.

Enchanted Visions

  I wish I could report that all is well here but the truth is that little "o" and I have been very sick with the flu over the weekend. We've been lying flat on our backs feeling miserable. Today I can tell you that we seem to be moving a little better and still hoping that the lilt in our step comes back soon.  This evening I plan on getting all caught up with my blog visting. Know that I've been missing all of you very much and look forward to reconnecting.

Last year I saw this Finnish movie about the "true" story of Santa. It is such a heart warming, wholesome story. Absent is all of the commercialism that really plagues this time of year. Instead, is a story steeped in folkloric roots. This weekend the mailman brought me the english dubbed version. It is really well done.  

          

           

  There is something distinctly magical about this time of year. Candles and fires are lit, strings of lites are strung on trees and houses, but most of all it is a time to celebrate with family and friends. Something not to be missed is Juha Wuolijoki's Joulutarina/Christmas story. It is a touching story of how Santa Claus came to be Santa.

   

    Hundreds of years ago the world's greatest story was born.......

In a remote village in Lapland, young Nikolas loses his family in an accident. The villagers decide to look after the orphaned boy together.  Each family will take care of Nikolas for one year. At the end of each year, on christmas day, Nikolas has to move to a new home. To show his gratitude to the villagers, Nikolas decides to make toys for the children of the families as goodbye presents.  Over the years, Nikolas's former adoptive families become many, and soon almost every house has presents on its doorstep on Christmas morning.

When the village suffers a food shortage, the villagers have to send Nikolas to work as an apprentice for the hermit carpenter, Iisakki.  Under the cruel tutelage of Iisakki Nikolas develops skills that enable him to create even better presents, and to work even faster. The child-hating Iisakki, however, forbids Nikolas from making presents. The Christmas present tradition is in danger of coming to an end.

  

       

       

       

      

This movie was a sensation in Finland in 2007. Now it is being released internationally. It is a fantastic movie to share with the family. With stunning photography, music, and enchantment. I feel like making every gift I'm giving this year.Oh...I am making every gift I'm giving this year. ;) Have a look at the movie clip and enjoy.

Bright Starred Away........

The light is subdued and golden. The air has a chill but warmth at the same time. I was ready to be taken back into a time. To live as another did for just a little while. Not knowing that such a film was playing, I stumpled upon Jane Campion's new movie Bright Star.

 

It unfolded like a poem. Not surprising since it's topic had to do with that of John Keat's and his tender amour Fanny Brawne. I related to Fanny very well. She was a queen of the domestic arts. She constantly sewed and embroidered, her sweaters were incredible, and she knew her heart and persuded it, those feelings for John.

I had studied Keats in school and he left me cold. I couldn't relate to his poetry. I thought it was rather fluffy. Is what was lacking was Fanny Brawne. Campion brilliantly intertwines their love into his poetry and then it becomes clear that his poems are the mirror of his heart. In fact, some of Keat's most beautiful poems were inspired by his love for Fanny. Sadly, he died at the age of 25 and Fanny for the remainder of her life walked the heath reciting his poems.

The movie is a complete package with stunning photography,beautifully hallow music, and costuming to warm the heart. Not to mention they have a cat in the film constantly which resembles my katten.

Jane also shared her process with us. When this movie comes out on DVD, it will sit right next to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. This is not to be missed if you love period pieces.

(This poem takes on a whole new light after seeing the film. It is his last sonnet.)

His Last Sonnet

By John Keats

Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art! -
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night,
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like Nature's patient sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors -
No -yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillowed upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever -or else swoon to death.

 

Mamma Mia

Mamma Mia here I go again........How could I forget ya........

So Susie, my best friend, and I decided to escape the hot summer day to watch the movie Mamma Mia. It was truly a moment of self discovery. I didn't know that I knew so many ABBA songs word for word. It seems most of our little hamlet of Maryville did too. It was impossible not to sing. The storyline was great. The songs fit in perfectly and after it was all done I had this great need to go to greece and sing ABBA songs. But alas all I did was come home,singing ABBA tunes of course. Swam in my pool why my sweet husband and son played survivorman on an open fire cooking me salmon. So I added a "greek" salad and some "greek" potatoes....singing ABBA songs of course.

                                                            

This morning I woke up with ABBA songs in my head and so I did the sane thing and downloaded the soundtrack from itunes. Resistence is futile. Just go see the movie and buy the soundtrack. I have to go sing now.......Mamma Mia...........