Innocence Lost

Last weekend I watched The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas for the first time. I was warned that it was an emotional movie. I know it's a few years old, but somehow I never make it to the movies. While the story is sad, the movie itself is so beautiful. I was struck immediately with the music, the lighting and cinematography.

And this little boy, Bruno played by Asa Butterfield. His eyes. His range of emotion. I found myself making the journey with him. I recalled my own childhood experiences when I first encountered evil and tried making sense of it. I remember when I took things at face value without looking for hidden meaning or underling causes.

I love the sweet assumptions made by Bruno about the "people living on the farm" who were "wearing their pajamas." What else would a child think? How could he imagine what cruelty was being inflicted upon fellow human beings? You can tangibly feel his confusion as he tries to reconcile his new-found wisdom about the camp and the role his father plays in running it. Bruno just wants to read adventure stories, and he believes in his own ability to do heroic things. He hatches a plan with Shmuel to sneak into the camp to help him find his missing father.

I don't write about every movie I see, but this had such a profound impact on me. It really is told through the eyes of a child and miraculously guides you through Bruno's path of discovery. And while the adult you is transported back to your childhood, you never truly forget what life and perspective have taught you. Bruno is still mostly innocent, taking things as they come, and your adult heart is breaking because you know the final outcome.

As the closing credits rolled, with tears streaming down my face, I said to myself, "I'm glad I've seen it, but I never have to watch it again." But the images and theme have stuck with me. So before I return the movie back to my brother I want to watch it again, to feel the innocence and simplicity I remember from childhood.

Crochet Therapy

My latest project: basket weave patterned baby afghan. I'm so happy with the way this pattern turned out!

I made it for an old friend of mine who just had her fourth baby. Well, not just. I got a little sidetracked with the holidays, but she's still an infant.

I was reminded how calming and relaxing crocheting is for me. It's been a while since I've had a crochet project. But I already have more afghans than any single girl really needs.

This was truly a pleasurable project to create. Every stitch was made with love.

Sisters

My sister was surprised to discover that the recently deceased Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland were sisters. I happened to know they were related, but I didn't realize how strained their relationship was from childhood. How sad! Apparently it was a rivalry that extended from their personal into their professional life.

I can't even imagine going through life with bitter, angry feelings towards someone so close to me. My sister is my best friend. No one understands me quite like she does. We communicate in many ways. Sometimes without speaking.

 

We are so much alike. And so different. Our love and dedication to each other and our family have pulled us through the roughest times. We laugh until we cry. More often than not. We almost always get along, and that says a lot since we live together. (Having our own bathrooms helps!) Everyone should have an amazing sister like mine. 

 

If you have a sister, let her know how much you love her. If your relationship is poor, repair the damage. Family is everything. I have the greatest sister in the world. (My brother isn't too shabby either!)

I love you D.D.!!!

Man of La Mancha

Have you ever watched, read or sang something you used to as a kid now that you're older and thought "What were my parents thinking? This is so inappropriate for children." I have just such a story.

At the bottom of the hill next to the supermarket was a little family owned video store. We were members and could rent not new releases for something like $2. Being small, there weren't many movies to choose from. When we couldn't find a cheap movie to borrow we inevitably would rent Man of La Mancha. It was cheap AND a musical. As children we loved musicals.

Set in the time of the Spanish Inquisition, Don Quixote believes he is a knight on a quest. He visits a tavern, which he believes is a castle, and falls in love with the scullery maid/lady of the night, who he believes is a fair maiden. Did I mention Sofia Loren is the questionable lady? (LOVE her.)

In honor of the passing of the great Peter O'Toole, I watched Man of La Mancha tonight. Not one of his better movies, but the only one I own. He is AMAZING, but it's a pretty low budget film. The cinematography isn't great. It's basically the reproduction of a stage production. But the story is a classic. (I wouldn't recommend reading Don Quixote. It's essentially a ridiculously long boring Canterbury Tales. Just watch the movie. You'll get the gist.) The story in the movie is told quite cleverly by Cervantes, the author, imprisoned by The Inquisition. He is on trial by his fellow prisoners and his defense is to act the play with the prisoners as the actors. Confused yet? The music is fantastic! I bet you would still recognize some of the songs even if you've never seen the movie.

I get chills the first time they sing "I, Don Quixote" every time I watch. And I cry at the end every single time. I forget how much I love this movie. It''s not in my top 10 (that's a post for another day), but it's a goody. 

My favorite quote is from right before he sings "To Dream The Impossible Dream."

Take a deep breath of life
and consider how it should be lived.
Call nothing thine except thy soul.
Love not what thou art, only what thou may become.
Do not pursue pleasure
or thou mayest have the misfortune to overtake it.
Look always forward.
In last year's nests
there are no birds this year.
Be just to all men, courteous to all women.
Live in the vision
of the one for whom great deeds are done.

Speaking of movies. This holiday season there are three I REALLY want to see---The Book Thief, Saving Mr. Banks, and The secret Life of Walter Mitty. I probably won't see any of them until they come out on dvd since I rarely go to the movies, but it's a great season for cinema! What are you looking forward to seeing?

Wildfire. No pun intended.

 

When this photo showed up in my Tumblr feed I was instantly taken back to my childhood. One of my favorite memories is sitting on the floor with my Mom singing while she played her guitar. My favorite song to sing was Wildfire. (No. Not because our last name is Wilde.) We would belt out the words while she strummed away. 

I haven't thought about this song in a REALLY long time. I decided to YouTube it. It's from the 70's, written by Michael Murphy. 

Personally I think my Mom and I had a better version. 

I should also add my second favorite song was a tragic tale called "Weep for Jaime." (Don't ask)

Not So Halloween

I've been feeling all nostalgic as I contemplated writing a post commemorating Wilde family Halloweens gone past. This holiday has become increasingly more important in my adult years than it ever was growing up. I blame it on the competitiveness of the entire Wilde clan who strive each year to come up with the greatest costume year after year to showcase at Grandma's annual Halloween party.

I came across this photo. I didn't remember it from last year. We were so devastated by Dad's recent health news a year ago, that we didn't even consider dressing up. Then good ol' Dad started getting into the Halloween spirit and latched onto the idea of being Cyclops. The rest of us cobbled together our costumes to round out the Greek Mythology theme.

I decided on just this one photo because even though Dad wasn't feeling well, here he is in all his Cyclops glory with a smile on his face. What makes this picture even better is Mom's smile in the background. (And the majesty of her Medusa hair!) I will be forever grateful to Dad for toughing it out and helping all of us have one last fun Halloween memory together and for teaching us that life still goes on.

I'll be saving my Halloween trip down memory lane for another time.

This is the first year in nearly 10 years that I haven't dressed up. Maybe I'll just paint my nails black and call it a day.

Bicycle Birthday

 

For Steele's birthday this year we decided to let his love of cycling inspire the theme of the party. Since we all love cycling too, it wasn't a bad choice!

 

All the major jersey colors represented---I cut out nearly 500!!! The rainbow ribbon isn't exactly accurate, but close enough.

 

The jerseys were strung together to make garlands. It's hard to tell by the photo how fantastic they turned out.

 

I made paper medallions.

 

And stuck them on the treat boxes containing dark chocolate peanut butter cups, black and white circus animal cookies, wafer cookies, and striped fudge cookies.

 

For my birthday Mom found some REALLY good cupcakes that even Steele ate. He usually isn't a sweet tooth. D.D. ordered these adorable cupcake toppers, but when Mom went to get the cupcakes they didn't have the same flavors. Don't worry, we had PLENTY of sugar!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUTTONS!

We love you!

And come next July we'll be all set to decorate for the Tour de France!