Duck, Duck, GOOSE!

I went on a nature walk the other day and saw lots of ducks and geese. Here are some pictures.





I thought these two were beautiful. The picture doesn't really show it, but the male's colors are so vibrant.



This one was hanging out all by herself. I'm not really sure what is going on with the feathers on her head, but I think she's cute.



Even though they are noisy and messy, I love the Canada Geese.



I love mallards, too.





These two got a little too close for my comfort.



Notice the crumbs on their mouths. I was feeding them some bread and they really gobbled it up.



This duck has escaped from somewhere. He doesn't seem to notice or care that he looks nothing like the others.

Silas Marner. Read it.

I finished reading George Eliot's Silas Marner a few days ago and have nothing but good things to say about it. It is the story of a miserly, hermit of a man who has his fortune stolen, only to be replaced by an orphaned little girl.

I have always put off reading Silas Marner because my only other experience with George Eliot's writing is Middlemarch, a super-long, and at times super-boring novel. I am happy to report that Silas Marner is not boring or long, and has a very happy ending, which was a nice change from the two downers I read the past two months.

Pick it up and read it sometime when you looking for a short little gem of 19th century literature. You won't be disappointed.

Welcome, Spring!

Autumn arrives in early morning, but spring at the close of a winter day.
~Elizabeth Bowen

I don't know who Elizabeth Bowen is or was, but she certainly has the right perspective on spring. This was the view from my windows yesterday, the day before the official arrival of spring.





Luckily, I was able to stay in out of that snowy mess. Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed that that was the last snow of the season. Today the sun is shining and everything is melting. Spring is making her presence known!

Erin Go Braugh!

Up until a few years ago, I believed I had Irish ancestors. Believing so always gave me a feeling of superiority on St. Patrick's Day because I was more authentic than everyone else pretending to be. I could say, "Kiss me, I'm Irish" and it was the truth. Then my aunt told me that we are actually Scottish and that was the end of that. Anyway, I still like St. Patrick's Day and in honor of the holiday, I thought I would make a list of some of my favorite Ireland inspired things.

1. Celtic Music - For the record, I was into this long before everyone else was. Plus, I really like the phrase Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral.

2. Irish Tipsy Cake - Chocolate cake soaked in a mixture of butter and Irish Whiskey.

3. Lucky Charms - They're magically delicious.

4. Pierce Brosnan - I think this one is self explanatory.

5. Irish Brogues - Very pleasant to listen to.

6. Guinness - Another self explanatory one.

7. Leprechauns - I know they don't really exist, but it's fun to imagine.

8. Stepdancing - Love the costumes, love the wigs.

9. Four-leaf clovers - I found one once. I think it brought me luck.

10. Chasing rainbows - You never know when you'll find the pot of gold at the end.

Sanctuary! Sanctuary!

My classic reading for February was Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I only finished reading it today, not because it was long and tedious, but because the story was so sad. I had about a fourth of the book left to read, and knew what was coming, so I set it aside and read some happier things.

My only other encounter with the story and characters has been Disney's animated version. I'm not exactly sure where Disney came up with the story, but the novel and movie version are nothing alike. Unfortunately, there are no heroes or happy endings in Hugo's original version. The gargoyles don't sing and dance either.

Most of the characters are unlikeable. The title character of Quasimodo, has a surprisingly small role. He pops up here and there in the first half of the story but doesn't really become a pivotal character until the end when he unknowingly sets in motion the demise of the rest of the main characters. (Interestingly, the version of the book I read was only titled Notre-Dame of Paris). Esmerelda is likable enough at the beginning with the tricks she does with her goat and the kindness she shows to Quasimodo, but as the story progresses, she becomes so enamored with Phoebus that she is not capable of rational thought I thought that was annoying. Phoebus has the ability to save Esmerelda from her terrible fate, but chooses not to, because he really doesn't care about her. Frollo is so consumed with desire for Esmerelda that is it just creepy. Gringiore, Esmerelda's gypsy "husband" only cares about saving his own neck and Esmerelda's goat Djali...it goes on and on.

Outside of a few long passages describing things like the city of Paris and the Notre-Dame cathedral and how much the King of France pays for everything, the novel moves very quickly. The dialogue is sharp and often witty. Along with the plot, Hugo weaves in the theme of free will and also makes the book into social commentary about class structure.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but worth the time to read. Now I have to get busy with my March selection. I've got a short one for this month: Silas Marner by George Eliot.

I'm Ready For Spring!

All signs point to Spring's imminent arrival: the days are getting longer, robins are hopping about, tulips are coming up, jelly beans are in abundance at the grocery store, and things are starting to get green. But most of all, I'm getting really impatient.

Over the past few years, I have developed an extreme dislike for Winter. I get tired of always being cold, scraping ice off my windshield, driving in snow...you know, all those non-fun wintry things.

Last week the weather was beautiful. I spent lots of time outside taking long walks and soaking up the sunshine. It was glorious. Today it is bleak. The sky is grey, there is a cold breeze, and I would like nothing more than to snuggle up under a blanket and take a nap.

So Spring, I know you're lurking about on the fringes and even though the calendar says your arrival is still a couple of weeks away, no one will care if you come and stay a little early. I will embrace you with open arms, and everyone knows I'm stingy with my hugs, so it's a really big deal. Come quickly!

Happy Birthday, Vivaldi!

Yesterday was Vivaldi's birthday. His most recognized works are for violin and include The Four Seasons. I came across this video on youtube and thought I would share. It's the third movement from Winter performed on electric guitar. I really like it.



And this is my favorite Vivaldi piece. The first movement from Winter performed by Gil Shaham.