Sunday Stroll: Snow Shapes

Over the course of a frigid, sub-freezing, occasionally windy week, the snow of last Sunday froze hard, forming interesting sculptures.

The pointy curvy one. Like an elf shoe. Could there be one lying on its back, buried beneath that white blanket?



A snow buffalo.



Actual snow cone.



With light shining behind it, this snow wall is translucent. And there's a little tiny passageway at the bottom.



Snow hugs a door sill.



Sharp peaks formed on the back staircase.



Admission: the above photos were taken on Saturday. I knew the shapes would disappear today because...



...we're getting...



...a lot more snow!



Much to our poor displaced robin's chagrin. It sits in the winterberry tree almost all the time, which offers the best--perhaps the only--source of sustenance.

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep strolling over here!

Mostly Good Stuff

I'm not going to start out by moaning. Good news first!

It is a beautiful, bright day. Just like yesterday. I'm comfortably settled on the sofa in the downstairs sitting room. Jewel is curled up beside me (encroaching slightly) and sleeping, and she's a living, breathing heating pad. Ruth is curled on her cushion, gazing back with half-open eyes. (I think she knows I'm writing about her!) My mandolin practice session this morning was good, I'm finally winning the battle against a complicated piece of music. The weekend schedule is clear, enabling me to continue the progress made on my manuscript this week. On Tuesday I attended my first Chairs & Vice Chairs meeting, followed by the Fish & Game & Marine Resources Committee's organisation meeting, followed by a presentation from the F&G Department, followed by a diocesan Mission Resources (not to be confused with Marine Resources!) meeting. All good.

I refuse to let what I saw this morning burst my bubble of contentment.



That's right. Minus 9 degrees. I'm sure it looked worse overnight.

I've heard this is the coldest day for 4 years. Somebody's keeping track.

The temperature has now zoomed up to plus 9 degrees, and I think that's where it will hold. Sure, it's a single digit...but there are worse single digits. And it isn't windy.

Yesterday, when it was nearly as cold as now, I spotted a robin. A miserable robin. She was perched in a sunny spot in one of our big hemlocks, feathers fluffed out as much as possible against the cold. Considering the date, she's no harbinger of spring, or the "January thaw." (We should be so lucky.)



Poor thing, she's lost. Or crazy. I hope she's already flown south to warmer climes...like, oh, Nashua.

Lucky I could hibernate during the extreme cold spell these past 2 days. Today, however, I've got a music lesson, so I'll be out in it. But not for long!

Invitation

It's my invitation. To attend and participate. In the Inaugural activities.



No, I'm not going. Never intended to go. Yes, I could go. Many people I know are going, and not all of them are legislators. This invitation isn't a ticket. You must have a ticket--to the inauguration itself, to the balls. Yes, I could've had them for the asking. I didn't ask.

In recent days, hearing my friends' and colleagues' hectic planning, their logistical gyrations, the weather forecasts, etc. all make me very glad to be staying home. One attendee told me that the Million on the Mall (or however many they will be) will actually have a better view of proceedings, via the jumbotrons, than the 125,000 (or however many they will be) who are official ticketed guests.

I confess, I expected to feel more conflicted about staying home than I do. After all, this is an event of historic proportions--on so many levels--for which I've longed since August, 2004 (the night of the Democratic Convention in Boston and then-Senator Obama's speech). Joyous as the occasion will be, dearly as I love Washington (my mother's home town), these are incontrovertible facts:

--I've been travelling a lot since I was in DC in Sept. and have a resulting sense of inertia

--My joy would be greatly impaired by having to stand in cold and windchill for 4 hours (or more) without water, food, toilet access, etc.

--I would miss all the informative commentary and the superiour access and panoramic vistas provided by the television cameras

--I've already attended a Washington ball, not that long ago. That said, "our" inaugural ball, the New Hampshire one, has the best title of all: The Grits & Granite Ball. It's a joint celebration with South Carolina, the 2nd Presidential primary state, and ours, the First-in-the-Nation Primary State. Almost everyone I know will be there. The First Couple is expected to pop in.

--The elegant, comfortable, and conveniently situated house where I normally stay in Washington can't accommodate me

--Transportation gridlock would make me insane

--Did I mention it's going to be really cold? And that attendees will have to stand outside? And walk everywhere?

In honour of the occasion (and because leadership and a large chunk of the majority party are headed to the Capitol) there are no NH legislative activities scheduled on Tuesday. I intend to spend the day it in front of my television. I can cuddle on the sofa with warm dogs. Build a fire. Imbibe hot tea at will. And let emotion overwhelm me in the comfort and privacy of my own home, sweet home.

Thanks for the Invitation, Inaugural Committee. Another cherished keepsake of an incredible and intense election cycle. I'll be celebrating, for sure--but wouldn't want to do it anywhere else but here at the Lodge.

However...I have expressed to the Chap that I'm tempted to stake our claim on our rooms in that wonderful Washington house for the next Inauguration...in 2012!

Pride of the Winslet(t)s

So exciting for us of Winslet(t) stock. "Cousin Kate," as we refer to her round here, was awarded two Golden Globes last evening, as Best Supporting Actress in The Reader and as Best Actress in Revolutionary Road.

We were riveted to the season premiere of 24, so missed the first 2 hours of the awards show, and were unaware of Kate's first win of the night. By the time we tuned in, the major awards were being handed out...and they pleased us immensely (30 Rock and Mad Men are must-see-tv in this household!).

I was somewhat startled to find Kate almost entirely incoherent at the start of her acceptance speech for Best Actress...now that I know it was her second time at the podium, I can almost understand why she might've felt so overwhelmed. I love her for remembering to thank so many of the crew and behind-the-scenes folks, who usually go unrecognised. Too bad that the 2 films in which her performances are lauded (for which she will surely receive matching Academy Award nominations) are so dark and heavy. I don't think I'll be rushing to the cinema, but they'll go onto the Netflix queue.

Laura Dern won for her portrayal of Flordia's Secretary of State, Katherine Harris in Recount (which I recommend most strongly!) I was, many years ago, ever so slightly acquainted with the real-life Harris. I prefer not to be more specific. I still haven't fully recovered from the 2000 electoral debacle in FL.

Kate of the one-t Winslets grew up in Reading, England, where her family still live. My crop of two-t Winsletts hail from the same general area, in Surrey. You can clearly see that it's the heart of Winslett country on this map. Nobody's quite certain whether our lot added a t, or the other lot dropped it, but spelling in olden times was far from codified. The history of the Winsletts after their arrival in America (under extremely dubious circumstances!) is fascinating.

My first (and only female) cousin's middle name is Winslett. I'm often tempted to adopt it as a pen name.



*** I'm envious of Kate's new weightlifting accessories! A little while ago I was copying her moves with my free weights. Yes, as of today, I'm feeling well--or bored--enough to resume my exercise regimen!

Sunday Stroll: The Whiteness

Not a lot of outdoor strolling...mostly I was strolling from window to window, although I did step outside onto the big deck and the back deck.



Fans of snow.



In front of the house, a mysterious trail begins near my mermaid birdbath...



continues...



and comes to an abrupt conclusion in the middle of my rose bed.



Rugosa canes.



In this weather, the birds are never far from the feeders.





While I was birdwatching, the first of our two driveways was plowed.



The Chap went to church this morning, out of duty as much as devotion: there was a Vestry meeting to work on the budget. After our late night, and the lingering Bug, and the snowy weather, I felt it prudent to stay home.

The pre-show reception was well-attended and the bidding at the fundraising auction was amazing. I bid on a couple of items myself, and was the high bidder for one of them! Saw several fellow state representatives, and at least one state senator.

The Capitol Steps were fantastic, nearly all the material and songs were new and quite current--as current as the recent election and the travails of the Illinois governor and the Big Three auto manufacturers bailout. Afterwards I was exhausted and aching for near-constant laughter. But it is the best medicine, they say!

Last night's Full Wolf Moon was beautiful. We saw it while driving to town, behind a hazy veil of light cloud. Magic!

PS To keep strolling, go here. It's worth the click just to see Aisling's banner/blog title photo!

Relapse

Although my health seemed much improved during the week, my rigourous schedule of activities proved detrimental. I'm better than I was a week ago, but clearly a relapse has occurred. Yesterday after a legislative breakfast at the regional community college, I took to my sofa. I'm having as quiet a Saturday as possible, but the Chap and I have an event this evening, downtown...a private reception and performance of the Capitol Steps. I'm hoping it won't be too taxing, unless I exhaust myself laughing.

We've been back from the UK for only a month, plus a few days, but are already planning the next trip...for later in the year.

On our return, we both installed one particular photo as wallpaper on our computers, my laptop and his desktop at the office. I took it during our visit to the Tower of London...by the Chap's special request.

As we stood on Tower Green, looking northward, he noticed the array of architectural eras and styles--the bell tower of St. Peter ad Vincula, a Tower battlement poking up behind, the dark brick of an official's lodging, the white magnificence of the former Port of London Authority headquarters, and the most recent addition, the highly modernistic Swiss Ré tower, aka "the Gherkin". All visible within a fairly compact space.

He strongly suggested that I document it, with the following result:



It's one of our favourite images from the trip. It's a bit deceiving, from that angle you really can't see how very tall the Gherkin is.

So here's one showing how it dominates the skyline:

Inauguration Day

Yesterday was our Convening Day in the Legislature. It was also the day of a severe winter storm, bringing inches of snow, sleet, and ice. Nice! Because we're mandated by our State Constitution to convene the Legislative session on the first Wednesday of the year, we didn't get a snow day. (Not that we ever do, actually. But this time it wasn't even an option.) We voted some Rules changes and set our deadlines for the session and that was all. One of our votes slightly altered the name of my committee (now Fish, Game & Marine Resources) and another one. Until this became official the special licence plates for the Chair & Vice Chair couldn't be made, so I don't have my new one yet.

We took our oaths of office back in December, on Organization Day. Today was Inauguration Day, when just the Governor and Executive Councilors take their oaths.

Today I personally inaugurated my new parking space. Not only do I apparently occupy the best seat in Reps Hall, I did pretty well in the assigned parking space sweepstakes as well. I'm not in the highly coveted covered garage, I was given an on-street parking space (meaning I'll need my snow brush handy in the winter months). But I really made out in the location, location, location sense.

As for the Inauguration, it's a highly ceremonial occasion with lots of pomp and circumstance and dignitaries, most of whom are escorted in and formally announced by our Sergeant-at-Arms. Just getting everyone into the chamber and in their seats takes the better part of an hour!

Oh, and the media show up, too.



On to the ceremonies of the day....

The colour guard entering Representatives Hall. In my previous post, I mention my view from my new seat--this is what I see when I look to the right--the 3 tall windows, Main Street, and a tree. (Not visible in the picture due to the glare.)



After an invocation and National Anthem, the Chief Justice administers the oath to the Governor.



Duly sworn in, the Governor then administered the oath to the 5 Executive Councilors.

We had a spine-tingling rendition of "God Bless America" from a firefighter, followed by a performance from the Makem and Spain Brothers.

I was jazzed when not one, but two mandolins were played in Reps Hall! The big one (far left) is an octave mandolin, and the regular one (singer in white shirt) is an A-style, f-hole mandolin. (I also play an A-style but mine's an oval hole.)



In his Inaugural Address the Governor was very positive about our achievements and attributes as a state, and our collective response (survival) during the Ice Storm. Mostly he focussed on the impact of the economy and our need to whack $150 million or so from the budget before July 1st. By law we must have a balanced budget. Simultaneously we must build a biennial budget that, due to revenue losses, looks to be underfunded by hundreds of millions. And we run a very lean and thrifty operation...so we have the comfort, slight though it might be, of knowing we're in much better shape fiscally than states facing deficits far bigger than ours.

After adjournment there was a reception for legislators and the citizens of the state in the Executive Council chamber. By the time I arrived there was no line in the receiving line, and nobody behind me. So I had a little face time with the Governor and First Lady and the Speaker and the Chief Justice and the Senate President and 3 of the 5 Executive Councilors.

An a capella group from Dartmouth provided musical entertainment.



Then came the 2nd part of my day, a meeting of Diocesan Council. Our agenda was taken up with anticipated budget shortfall and necessary budget cuts...the Bishop's remarks sounded a lot like a replay of the Governor's remarks. The Diocese finds itself in the same situation as the State, only the budget (and the deficit) has fewer zeros. And we're just as committed to a balanced budget for '09.

I've spent the past five years of my life on re-imagining, visioning, planning, implementing, building up, and overseeing the very diocesan programs that we are now in the process of whittling away. Hard choices--heartbreaking ones. We console ourselves that good discernment and discussion will emerge from all this, but we certainly don't deny the pain of it.

After the repetitively dismal financial forecasts all day long from various sources, I was feeling rather gloomy during my homeward drive. Partly I think it was exhaustion--lingering effects of The Bug and the fact that until last night I hadn't been sleeping very well.

It also helped that the Chap had brought home a fresh pizza, which we loaded with all our favourite fresh ingredients. A couple of slices and a bottle of Hornsby's hard cider cheered me up no end.

The Challenges of Leadership

The primary challenge of legislative leadership turned out to be showing up.

Early this morning I rose from my not-so-sick-anymore-sickbed, doped myself to the max, showered, dressed and climbed into my car exactly on time for my drive to the Legislative Office Building. Today House Majority appointees--committee chairs, vice chairs, majority leaders--were having an all-day leadership training/seminar.

My car wouldn't start. Dead battery.

The Chap had already left for work.

There's not enough Rescue Remedy in the world to handle my panic. But I took some anyway. Then I remembered there's a taxi company in the next town. So I rang them up and told them I had to be at the Capitol asap. Turns out, even if you live in the forest, you can get a taxi to town--for a price.

The driver successfully located the Lodge (that was his challenge!) I had a very pleasant ride with a constituent of mine who is very attentive to state and local issues, so it was a productive trip. Our first stop was the bank ATM so I could withdraw the extra money I needed to pay his fare and tip!

I was only half an hour late, and the introductory part of the session was still underway.

The rest of my day passed without incident, and was extremely interesting and, I suspect, will prove useful.

While in the State House, dropping off paperwork at the Sec. of State's office and elsewhere, I popped into Representatives Hall to photograph my new assigned seat. It was my first choice. I'm reliably informed it was a lot of other people's first choice, so I feel quite lucky and privileged!





Yes, I know, it looks perfectly ordinary, not much different than any other chair. But as with all real estate, it's a case of location, location, location!

As indicated below, it's located near a light source and near a window. It has a view (which I didn't think to photograph for you) not only of the rooftops on Main Street, but also a portion of a tree on the front lawn of the State House. It's not technically an aisle seat, but there a little gap between the chair and the pillar that enables a slender person to slip through, and avoid having to climb over people. Or being climbed over. The picture angle makes the gap look larger than it really is, it's only a few inches. But it'll do.



Oh, another point in its favour: Wi-fi is available in the back rows of the chamber (and in the anteroom). Naturally, given the importance of our business, we aren't permitted to use laptops while the House is actually in session. But before session, and during lunch break, it's quite convenient to be able to fire up the computer. I discovered that when occupying my former seat.

By week's end, this new Vice Chair will have had ample opportunity to try out her new small-c chair!

Sunday Stroll: Indoors

The weather has warmed up from the single and low-double digits of last week, and the violent winds that kept us awake most of last night are gone. But The Bug is still wreaking havoc with our constitutions here at the Lodge, and I hadn't the energy to go tramping through the snow. Hence, this indoor stroll.

From my window I captured this pair of mourning doves, sunning themselves atop the old lobster trap.



A garden statue, overwintering inside the Lodge.



And another.



My indoor garden of houseplants has been featured many times. Today I'm revealing some of the flora that adorn the house.

Much of the artwork here at the Lodge has a rosy or flowery theme. This is a detail from a cover illustration for one of my novels...the artist used photos of my real roses when painting it, including Rosamundi, my striped gallica.



Rosamundi again, by Redoute, on a storage box.



I think the rose in this picture must be a centifolia.



A Victorian-era painting on glass, a mixed bouquet.



Other decorative roses...

This little china vase contained a florist's arrangement, delivered to my mother's hospital room the day after I was born. She thought I should have it.



A border on a bathroom hand towel.



In the non-rose category...

A pillow decorated with camellias.



This orginial print of a pear was given to the Chap by a Dublin client, one of several treasured pictures received from the same source.



Enough of flora--here's some fauna! The girls want to show off today's attire.

Ruth is wearing her $1000 Canadian banknote kerchief. She thought it would be appropriate for our Sunday matinee viewing of the film The Queen.



Jewel prefers the more traditional motif.



Thanks for stopping by on this first Sunday of 2009. For links to other strolls, please stop by A Quiet Country House.

Brit Flick Review: Mrs Henderson Presents

I've known of this film for some time but somehow forgot I meant to see it. If you like fine acting, comedy, poignancy, music, dance, artistic nudity, and wartime London and haven't seen this one--do!

Dame Judi Dench portrays the real-life socialite Mrs Laura Henderson, wealthy and newly widowed, seeking a rewarding "hobby". So she purchases a derelict theatre, the Windmill, and hires Mr. Vivian Van Damm, played by Bob Hoskins, to operate it.

They begin with music hall fare, running continuously, but this innovation is copied by the competition.


Mrs H has a brainwave and decides to feature tableaux of nude girls, along with the song and dance typical of the 1930's.

Dench and Hoskins play off one another brilliantly--no surprise. She is feisty and flighty in the best sense, funny and naughty. He's the ideal foil. And they both harbour secrets.

Will Young, a Pop Idol with no prior film experience, is astonishingly good as a fey male "soubrette," and with uncanny skill nails the vocal and physical performances of the era.

The movie even features a real-life toff: Christopher Guest, who bears the inherited title Lord Haden-Guest, plays Lord Cromer, the Lord Chamberlain, responsible for theatrical censorship and upholding morals. I hadn't remembered that the Licencing Act--which has featured in my 18th-19th century novels--was still in force through the 20th century. Getting round its prohibitions is key to the Windmill's success, as was its continuously running performances, and lastly, keeping the doors open during the Blitz. This allowed management and performers to boast "We Never Closed." (Which resulted in an equally accurate slogan: "We Never Clothed"!)

The girls are all lovely yet, according to the "Making Of" feature, were also cast to replicate the facial and body types of the day. The songs and costumes (on stage and off) and choreography are extremely well done. Mrs Henderson was a treat for the eyes--oh, her furs, her hats, her velvets! And when one views photographs from of the real Windmill productions, it's clear a great deal of care was taken to get the look just right.

As for the scene design, we adored the re-creation of the theatre. London of the 30's and during the Blitz was faithfully depicted with CGI and sound stage artistry. There's a terrific location scene shot in St. James's Park with Buckingham Palace looming in the background.

It was interesting--and charming--that a film laden with nudity and sexual themes had absolutely no on-screen sex. The girls are seen in all their glory, which of course the Chap enjoyed. There's also a scene in which some of the men reveal their willies. But it's over in a flash (pun intended) and used to comic effect, as is all too frequent with FFMN.

Having recently enjoyed one of my re-reads of The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate, I was struck by how very Mitford-ian this film was in look and spirit, language and attitude and style.

Ruth & Jewel were pleased by the inclusion of Mrs Henderson's little dog, who accompanies her in nearly every scene. They were a bit peeved that the pooch was omitted from Dame Judi's Big Important Speech (brilliantly delivered) but I tried to persaude him that the doggie might've been a distraction at that particularly high-drama moment. Not sure I convinced them.

The Chap and I have a particular affinity for Dench (this is the 2nd of her films we've watched this week, the other was Mrs Brown in which she plays Queen Victoria.) Not only because of her excellent acting. Some years ago we sat near her at the theatre in London. She was there as a proud and probably nervous mother, watching her actress daughter Finty Williams make her debut on the London stage in an 18th century play.

In sum, we all recommend this movie most highly. The girls each give it "4 Paws Up," possibly because most of the time they were stretched out on their backs on the sofa, feet in the air.

Some of the original Windmill girls make an appearance in the "Making Of" feature, at a reunion party, and are interviewed about their reminscences. If you care to know the story behind the story, here are some links:

The film and its background

Windmill Theatre Online Archive

Welcome, 2009!

The New Year is here!

We celebrated in the traditional fashion. Uncorking champagne makes the girls a bit nervous!




Pouring the bubbly--



For me, the First Day of the Year is one of proscriptions and prohibitions. All my life I've been ruled by an assortment of behavioural rules of various origins--Anglo/Celtic, Afro/Southern. At New Year's, eat this for luck. Don't do that, it's bad luck.

The basic philosophy and reasoning behind it all: as one begins the year, so it continues. Make sure to do the things you really want to be doing throughout 2009. Or don't mind doing.

Despite growing up in a highly superstitious culture, and spending years working closely with extremely superstitious people (actors, dancers), I don't think of myself as superstitious. I do what I do--and don't do--out of ingrained habit. I'm not sure I attach much real significance to my actions. Or inaction! But just in case it has an effect--I'm covered!

So far, I've chatted with my mother on the phone, cuddled my dogs, fed the wild birds and watched their activity at the feeders, done some indoor gardening (re-potting my new cyclamen.) Now I'm blogging.

I've been listening to music. In the cd player, Cyndi Lauper's awesome album At Last, standard love songs, swing and jazzy songs, calypso beats.



You can see the video of the title track here. (No embed allowed.)

I'll read a book, or part of one.

I'll be writing my own book.

Later we'll watch a movie. (Last night's DVD was Love, Actually, a seasonal favourite with loads of London scenery and atmosphere. Typical Richard Curtis fare.)

Something I'm avoiding: housework. Not that I have any hope of being free of it rest of this year. I only know that to do it today of all days is very, very bad luck. And I'm perfectly happy to have an excuse for such indulgent laziness!

As usual after a snowy day, it's beautifully sunny. The temperature rose (!) to 9 degrees F today, and it's violently windy. According to the radio the windchill is something like -10. No walking the dogs, so I'll be tossing balls for them indoors...should they suddenly wake from their napping!

No resolutions for me, but today I've set a couple of simple goals. Delving deep into our insanely large cd collection on a more regular basis. Remembering that the girls have a huge array of kerchiefs and love wearing them--not just at holiday time!

However you choose to spend this day, I hope it brings you joy and fun.