Thoughts From Anne (with an E) Shirley

Look at that sea, girls--all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.

Pride and Prejudice, Again.

Yesterday I finished one of my commute books, and in trying to decide what to listen to on my way to work, I landed upon Pride and Prejudice. I never tire of it, and re-read it at least once a year, and watch the BBC video every couple years. To get my Elizabeth and Darcy fix. It has everything nothing to do with Colin Firth. And I lie like a rug.

But listening to it may be even better than reading! Especially since the version I am listening to is complete with British accent, much more authentic than the one in my head.

I was pondering last night why this is a book for me, and many others, of which I never tire. Probably because the verbal sparring is still so funny, and male/female communication, while it is much different in style, really doesn't vary in substance. Let's face it...miscommunication between the genders is neverending. Its one of the biggest things that I try to focus on in my relationship. Don't make Joe guess what I am thinking/feeling/asking him to do. Why do we expect our partners to mindread? Perhaps it's because as women especially, we assume we already know what our men our thinking? Ouch.

So P and P is my standby. And I look forward to my morning commutes for the next month or so. Mostly.

Montana

Just south of Red Lodge, MT.

Looking southwest at my parents' now-sold little house.




Because I like old barren farm architecture.

 

From the deck of the Hotel Lorentzen.

Enter Here

Since I moved in a year ago, I have been slowly tweaking a few of the details in my little apartment. It's an interesting dilemma to try to balance putting my own stamp on my place, while also keeping in mind that in the next couple of years I will most likely be sharing that space with someone else. (And no, that's not an announcement...and I don't think anyone will be surprised when it happens.)  Thank goodness Joe loves color. Because I am on a color kick.

So here is the view at my front door: a mix of brightness with my white ironstone as the appropriate offset. The wall was already my favorite shade of green. The first time I saw the place, the landlord offered to paint it another color. I think I told him he might lose a hand if he touched it. It's perfect.

The turquoise shelf was found at a local shop, Poppyseeds, which has the most wonderful variety of painted furniture.  My mom and I discovered it in a corner, grabbed a fabric swatch from my throw pillows, and when I found that it was the exact color...well, what else could I do?  Right after a move is a terrible time (budget-wise) to buy an additional piece of furniture...but it was worth it!

The b/w photos are mine...local shots and scenes taken over the last couple of years. And the lettering on the walls? Those were fun. I thought, when I bought them, that they peeled off in three separate pieces. Nope. Individual letters. It took about an hour to get them just right, but they are a great finishing touch.

Rhubarb~Apple Crisp

In my never ending quest to try to eliminate sugar in my diet, I modified the recipe a bit. It's delicious!!

Mix in a large bowl:

3 cups chopped rhubarb
2 medium Granny Smith (or other tart) apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 egg
3/4 cup Splenda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup sugar~free real maple syrup

Pour into a greased 2-quart casserole.

In a medium bowl, cut together:

1 cup flour (I used about 1/2 cup wheat, 1/2 cup white)
1/2 cup Splenda brown sugar
1/2 cup cold butter

Pour dry mixture over rhubarb mix and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Quote of the Day: Voltaire

Appreciation is a wonderful thing, it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

Your Poor Son Must Really Have Issues

A federal judge has ruled that a Texas high school must not only cancel any prayers at graduation, but that they must also not use words like: prayer, amen, bow their heads, join in prayer, benediction and invocation.

The lawsuit was filed by a couple on behalf of their son, who they said would "suffer irreparable harm" if anyone prayed (or apparently even said the word?) at the graduation ceremony.

Really? Is your son that much of a weak-minded 18-year-old that he cannot choose to ignore the prayer if he doesn't like it? Will hearing the word "benediction" send him over the edge to insanity? I shudder to think of the other words that he won't like hearing over the course of his life. Maybe he can get the ACLU to hold his hand throughout adulthood. His parents obviously think he needs it.

Read here: One of the Most Asinine Rulings by a Federal Judge

Kitchen Projects...part 2

I love the way these cabinets look all painted. I might just go crazy and do the interiors of the upper cabinets.

Kitchen Projects...

...not involving food.

Finally, after a year, got around to painting the interiors of the open cabinets in my kitchen. They match the wall (visible in the background) and I love the way they look. Tonight I am going to work on the ones on the opposite side, where I store my cookbooks. They will be red. I still need a little bit of touch up on the white paint, but I'll do that last, all at once. When the cats are locked in the bedroom.  My little helpers are really a pain when the project is on their level!

Gettysburg: The History Channel

In the beginning of July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg was fought in Pennsylvania. The History Channel recently had a 2-hour documentary on the subject.  Regardless with which side your sympathies lie, some of the statistics are staggering.

In this 3-day battle, almost 50,000 men were killed or wounded. If this were to compare in today's population, that would be the equivalent of 6 million men. And these were all American men.

Nearly 25% of the men who came to the battle were killed or wounded.

While watching the reenactments and listening to the words of the soldiers that were memorialized and sent home to their families, I wondered at the motivation of the men. Battle conditions were incredibly fierce. Soldiers trudged across open fields into artillary fire, knowing that if they were hit by the cannon shot, it would mean almost certain death or dismemberment. Was is dedication to the cause? Was it bravery? Was it that in the heat of battle, there was no other choice but to move forward?

As General William Tecumsah Sherman famously said, "War is hell." I am sure it is necessary at times, but hell nonetheless.