Movie review...

I grew up in the suburbs of Toronto and although it was a middle class

townhouse development, our neighbours had a maid from Jamaica.

Our area was about as white as they come and I found 'Edna' the most interesting person.

She would tell these amazing stories about her life back home.

She had a big scar on her hand from where her donkey had bit her

and she swam in the ocean everyday as a child.

I suppose because our neighbours both worked and had 4 girls they needed the extra help.

From what I remember she was treated kindly and we all loved her.

I never experienced racism of the type in this movie I watched last night.

Maybe I was too young and naive to recognize it but I don't think it was

like it was in the deep south in the '50s and '60s

"The Help"

Really worth a view for the subject matter, the costumes, the music

and superb acting.

Song for Friday...far away

Do you dream?

I remember my dreams most every night.

Some I wish not to but there are those that I wish would never end.

When I lost my sister, I dreamt of her every night for about 2 months.

In my dreams she was gone, but I could still speak with her and see her.

Some dreams were comical like the first night of the day she died.

I dreamed that I couldn't find anything to wear to her funeral and she was there 

offering to help me, going through her closet with me.

The funny thing was that none of her clothes fit because she 

had lost weight and for once in our lives I weighed more than her.

She would have loved that dream because she struggled with weight issues

and always thought I was 'too skinny'.

Dreams of her still come to me, though not as often,

but I feel her visits in my half awakeness in the early hours.
Last night I dreamed of her and this song played in my mind all day.

It was one that I put on a collection for her celebration of life

and was one of her favorites.

I particularly like this version.

have a great weekend all...give your siblings a call or a hug.

Big plans...

Anybody else out there dreaming through seed catalogs?

A bear can dream can't he??

 (sold)

Snow light....

The snow has gone and the skies are pewter grey again....rain and warmer temps have returned,

but I'm remembering the light inside when the world outside was a hush of deep white.

There's something quiet about the reflection of snow...

Ruben has picked the best spot in the house and sleeps here on the bed all day...

Outside the bathroom window a veil of ice grows by the melting during the day and the 

freezing cold at night...

From one day to the next the swords of ice grew at least a foot...

It's times like these I am ever grateful of my warm house and wood stove...

Some of my lovely birthday gifts take on the softness of snow light...

 ...this year I was lucky to get not one, but two bird paper weights!

Out in the barn, the old window catches the luminous glint of snow through its warbled glass...

 ...evidence of little visitors on the porch...

Time for a few more photos and then back inside for a big cup of tea...

The original diva...

Sadly, on Friday, we lost another incredible voice in the music world.

Etta James was one of the original diva's of women singer songwriters.

She had much struggle and strife in her life and

overcame many obsticles of race and gender.

Her song 'At Last' is special to many people including myself.

It was one of those songs that reminds me 

of the beginning of my relationship with Tom.

Of early days of dating and dancing and quiet romantic getaways.

So cheers to you Etta for keeping the romance alive.