Songs in My Head Saturday

My bloggy friend Michael sent me this song and I have listened to it
dozens of times, so needless to say, it's been in my head all week. It's
absolutely charming and a perfect theme song for Willow Manor.
This is so fun...turn your volume way up. Thanks, Michael!



All Around My Hat, Steeleye Span, 1975

Chorus:
All around my hat, I will wear the green willow
all around my hat, for a twelvemonth and a day
and if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it,
it's all for my true love, who is far, far away.

Fare thee well, cold winter and fare thee well, cold frost
nothing have I gained, but my own true love I've lost
I'll sing and I'll be merry when occasion I do see,
he's a false, deluding young man, let him go, farewell he, and ..

Chorus

The other night he brought me a fine diamond ring,
but he thought to have deprive me of a far better thing.
But I being careful, like lovers ought to be,
he's a false, deluding young man, let him go, farewell he, and ...

Chorus

With a quarter pound of reason, and a half a pound of sense,
a small sprig of time and as much of prudence,
you mix them all together and you will plainly see
he's a false, deluding young man, let him go, farewell he, and ...

Chorus

Blue

My friend Eleanor, over at Thatchwick, recently posted a review on
the film Blue, 1994. Being a huge fan of Juliette Binoche, I
immediately added it to my Netflix queue. I certainly wasn't
disappointed in this powerful, sensual, quiet and intelligent film. It
is the first in a trilogy of films created by Krzysztof Kieslowski and
his writing partner Krzysztof Piesiewicz for France's bicentennial,
yet stands very well on it's own merits. The titles and the themes
of the films come from the three colors of the French flag
representing liberty, equality, and fraternity. Blue examines
liberation through the eyes of a woman (Binoche) who loses her
famous composer husband and young daughter in an auto accident.
Overcome with mystery and tragedy, she struggles to come to
terms with the secrets of her dead husband's career and life.
Kieslowski masterfully weaves the haunting musical score with a
subdued color pallet of blues. I think this just might be Binoche's
best performance ever, in this story of loss, forgiveness and
liberation.

Kitchen

Brit Gal Sarah was kind enough to ask me to be a guest blogger

today, so hop on over to her place and check it out. She's a delightful

Brit bloggy newly transplanted into Tornado Alley, USA.

And a recent Blog of Note, Coffee Messiah, has designated today's

theme "kitchen". Well, the latest savory concoction in the Manor

Kitchen has been this wonderful recipe for minestrone. A nice

steaming bowl of soup is perfect for a cold snowy evening, don't you

think? The key is browning the tomato paste and slow cooking the

veggies. Patience pays off with this one. So put on your warm woolly

socks and simmer a pot of this yummy stuff on the stove. It's low cal,

tastes heavenly and best of all warm!

Winter Minestrone

1/3 lb sliced pancetta, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

4 celery ribs, chopped

3 medium red onions, chopped

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 bunch Swiss chard

6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 28 oz can whole tomatoes in juice

3 qt hot water

5 cups coarsely chopped cored Savoy cabbage

5 cups coarsely chopped escarole

1 piece Parmigiano-Reggiano rind

1 19 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

accompaniments:

extra virgin olive oil for drizzling, cooked ditalini pasta tossed

with oil, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Cook pancetta, onions, celery, and carrots in oils in a wide 7 to 9 qt

heavy pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Cut out stems from chard and chop stems, reserving leaves. Stir

chard stems into pancetta mixture with garlic, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp

pepper and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until veggies are

very tender and begin to stick to bottom of pot, about 30 minutes.

Push veggies to one side of pot. Add tomato paste to cleared area

and cook, stirring until it starts to caramelize, about 2 minutes.

Stir in tomatoes with their juice, add hot water. Bring to a simmer,

stir in cabbage, escarole and Parmesan. Simmer until greens are

tender, about 30 minutes.

Coarsely chop chard leaves and stir into soup along with beans.

Simmer for 10 minutes, discard rind, add salt and pepper to taste.

Add cooked pasta, just before serving. Soup without pasta, can be

made 2 days ahead and chilled.

photo from January issue of Gourmet--

I dropped my camera and broke it!! ((sob))

John Updike

March 18, 1932 – January 27, 2009

Rest in Peace

.
.

And another regrettable thing about death
is the ceasing of your own brand of magic,
which took a whole life to develop and market-
the quips, the witticisms, the slant
adjusted to a few, those loved ones nearest
the lip of the stage, their soft faces blanched
in the footlight glow, their laughter close to tears,
their warm pooled breath in and out with your heartbeat,
their response and your performance twinned.
The jokes over the phone. The memories packed
in the rapid-access file. The whole act.
Who will do it again? That's it: no one;
imitators and descendants aren't the same.


Perfection Wasted, John Updike, 1990
Collected Poems 1953-1993

What Does it Mean?

Poetikat referred me to a new blog recently, Robert Frost's Banjo.
He had an excellent post on the meaning of poetry. I've dabbled in
a bit of poetry myself and I've heard more than once, after reading
one of my pieces, "But what does it mean?" This always annoys me
a bit and I wonder why the reader can't just enjoy the grouping of
the words and the textures of the sounds. Don't you think the
reader should just relax in the poem's mystery without necessarily
completely understanding the poet's intent?

There is an ancient Chinese Proverb that says, "A bird sings not
because he has an answer, but because he has a song."


A poem should be palpable and mute
As a globed fruit,

Dumb
As old medallions to the thumb,

Silent as the sleeve-worn stone
Of casement ledges where the moss has grown--

A poem should be wordless
As the flight of birds.

*

A poem should be motionless in time
As the moon climbs,

Leaving, as the moon releases
Twig by twig the night-entangled trees,

Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves,
Memory by memory the mind--

A poem should be motionless in time
As the moon climbs.

*

A poem should be equal to:
Not true.

For all the history of grief
An empty doorway and a maple leaf.

For love
The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea--

A poem should not mean
But be.


Ars Poetica, Archibald Macleish, 1926

.

.

artwork: A Mere Excursion, Flickr

Willow's Weekly Word

Aquarius is the eleventh astrological sign in the Zodiac, 21 January
to 18 February, originating from the constellation Aquarius. The
corresponding month in the Babylonian calendar is Arax Šabaṭu,
the destroying month, also called arax arrat zunne, month of the
curse of rains, associated with the Great Flood and is dedicated to
Ramman, the storm god. The zodiacal sign of this month was called
GU or Assyrian qâ, the name of a dry-measure. This was associated
with Hebrew kad, pitcher jar, presumably in reference to the urn
of Aquarius. According to the Greek mythology, Aquarius was cup
bearer to the gods, Ganymede, son of Tros, king of Troy. While
tending his father's flocks on Mount Ida, Ganymede was spotted by
Zeus, who became so enamored of the boy, he disguised himself as
an eagle (represented by the constellation Aquila) and whisked
Ganymede off to Olympus, to be his personal cup-bearer to the
gods. So, this is why the sign is symbolized by the water carrier,
even though it is actually a fixed air sign.

People born under the sign Aquarius have a contradictory side to
their nature. They believe in the ideal of equality, but have a
strong will and an individualistic streak. They are driven to rebuild
and reform as well as disrupt, revolutionize and challenge. It is
sometimes considered an unpredictable sign. Aquarians are usually
friendly, though unemotional, independent and need to maintain
their own personal space. They like to keep in touch with current
thinking and the latest modern technology.

The gemstones associated with this sign are aquamarine and
turquoise. Their flower is the orchid. The body parts associated
with Aquarius are the ankles and shins. Countries associated with
this sign are Russia, Sweden, Poland, Israel and Iran.

So, there you have it. Happy Birthday, all you Aquarian bloggies
out there, wherever you are!

.
info from Wikipedia and Astrology by Darby Costello

photo: Aquarius statue, Val's restaurant, Alviso, CA by hayleybeee, Flickr

What's Hot

Most of you know how nutty I am about portraits. I love the human
face and for some reason, I am especially drawn to portraits of men
and boys. Browsing the Scott's Antique Show at the Franklin County
Fair Grounds, in Columbus, Ohio is one of my favorite things to do
on a grey and bleak winter Saturday. There are usually over 800
exhibitors in this show that is open once month, November through
March. I found this great painting when I went last month, just
before Christmas, and it is currently a hot item at the Manor. I'm
crazy about it! It's by a local artist, now deceased, Richard S. Wagner
(middle initial "S", not to be confused with the great composer) and
is dated 1979. The colors and big brush strokes are wonderful. The
charming exhibitor, who sold it to me, was kind enough to let me
chose two of Wagner's drawings to take along with me for free! One
of them, below, is titled, "Riding on the Grasping Arm, Looking Back
at an Angel".

Songs in My Head Saturday

.

This gorgeous arrangement of Air and Simple Gifts, written by John
Williams for the inauguration, has been in my head all week. Did you
know they actually prerecorded the music on Monday, because the

frigid temperatures would alter the instruments and cause them to

lose pitch? During the inaugural performance, the piano keys were

detached from the hammers and the stringed instruments were

soaped to prevent the sound. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak

Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill

did a fabulous job of making us believe they were truly in the moment!

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

~

One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.



The Snow Man, Wallace Stevens

photo by willow

Mad About Hats

This is my Great-Grandfather, Glenn, looking very dapper in his

wool hat. Don't people look fabulous in hats? I adore hats. There is

something very dashing and romantic about a person wearing a hat.

I like to wear one when I'm in a festive mood or when it's just plain

cold, like it's been this week. I saw a lot of hats on both men and

women at the inaugural because of the freezing temps. There was a

classy guy in a bright red fedora. And didn't you just love Aretha's

fabulous bow? There was a time, however, when you didn't dare

leave the house without your hat. It is quite sad that we have

become so casual in our attire that we feel perfectly comfortable out

and about in public without our hats.

The Death of the Hat, Billy Collins

Once every man wore a hat.
In the ashen newsreels,
the avenues of cities
are broad rivers flowing with hats.

The ballparks swelled
with thousands of strawhats.
Brims and bands,
rows of men smoking
and cheering in shirtsleeves.

Hats were the law.
They went without saying.
You noticed a man without a hat in a crowd.

You bought them from Adams or Dobbs
who branded your initials in gold
on the inside band.

Trolleys crisscrossed the city.
Steamships sailed in and out of the harbor.
Men with hats gathered on the docks.

There was a person to block your hat
and a hatcheck girl to mind it
while you had a drink
or ate a steak with peas and a baked potato.
In your office stood a hat rack.

The day war was declared
everyone in the street was wearing a hat.
And they were wearing hats
when a ship loaded with men sank in the icy sea.

My father wore one to work every day
and returned home
carrying the evening paper,
the winter chill radiating from his overcoat.

But today we go bareheaded
into the winter streets,
stand hatless on frozen platforms.

Today the mailboxes on the roadside
and the spruce trees behind the house
wear cold white hats of snow.

Mice scurry from the stone walls at night
In their thin fur hats
to eat the birdseed that has spilled.

And now my father, after a life of work,
wears a hat of earth,
and on top of that,
a lighter one of cloud and sky – a hat of wind.

President Head

With all things presidential this week, and the silly mood we've been
in at the Manor, I thought it would be apropos to talk about my
WT's hair. Like I've mentioned before, he has a great head of thick,

shiny, curly hair. I am very envious of this woolly mane. He just

doesn't know quite how to handle it and for some reason, it's never

of great importance to him. It's a good thing he has a sense of humor

about it, because it's a source of comedy around Willow Manor. I

have always fondly referred to this funny hair phenomenon as

"Dead President Head". Most mornings, he sports the James

Buchanan, especially in the winter months when the air is dry and

the top forms a little peak while the sides are flattened down.

And then there is the William Henry Harrison, which most often
occurs after wearing a hat all day; any kind of hat, which he looks
great in, by the way--wool cap, baseball hat, straw hat, beret, fedora.
This can happen year round. When this happens, it's best to leave
the hat firmly in place.

But the one that makes me laugh the most, would have to be the
Millard Fillmore. This look evolves when he has been traveling
extensively and hasn't had the chance to get his hair cut. The more
he tries to comb it into a style, the more it looks like a very bad
toupee. Well, at least there won't be any Barack Obama head at the
Manor. Fortunately Mr. Obama keeps his hair neatly cropped to
prevent such silly trends.

Here on the pulse of this new day

You may have the grace to look up and out

And into your sister's eyes, into

Your brother's face, your country

And say simply

Very simply

With hope

Good morning.

from Inaugural Poem by Maya Angelou

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though

passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."

Abraham Lincoln

Willow's Weekly Word

e·bul·lient / iˈboŏlyənt; iˈbəlyənt/ • adj. cheerful

and full of energy: she sounded ebullient and happy.

1599, "boiling," from L. ebullientem, prp. of ebullire "to spout out,

burst out," from ex- "out" + bullire "to bubble". Figurative sense of

"enthusiastic" is first recorded 1664.

Reya posted yesterday about the energy level in Washington being

absolutely ebullient. It's a wonderful bubbly word and perfectly

describes the feeling, not only in Washington, but around the world

with the anticipation of this week's inauguration ceremonies. She

described her household as being practically giggly with happiness.

I love that.

In your life expect some trouble

But when you worry

You make it double

Don't worry, be happy...

Don't worry, don't do it, be happy

Put a smile on your face

Don't bring everybody down like this

Don't worry, it will soon past

Whatever it is

Don't worry, be happy...

Bobby McFerrin

photo by willow, 2001

Daughter and Uncle Bachelor at Wellington striking an ebullient pose

.
Sometimes, when we're on a long drive,
and we've talked enough and listened
to enough music and stopped twice,
once to eat, once to see the view,
we fall into this rhythm of silence.
It swings back and forth between us
like a rope over a lake.
Maybe it's what we don't say
that saves us.



Enough Music, Dorianne Laux, What We Carry

photo from Flickr

Songs in My Head Saturday

This song has been in my head all week. I'm not sure why.

Andrew Newell Wyeth
(July 12, 1917 – January 16, 2009)
Rest in Peace

Judge a Book by Its Cover

.

Lori, over at her blog, Before the Stroke of Midnight, posted some

of her most lovely vintage books and I immediately knew she was

a kindred spirit. When I purchase a book, it's usually because of the

subject matter. I almost always check it out from the library and

read it first. Then, if I must have it near me, I go ahead and buy a

copy for myself. I think it's very comforting to be surrounded by the

books I love. But every once in a while, especially when I'm in that

delightful second hand bookshop with the creaky hardwood floors,

I simply buy a book for its nice color or unusual or beautiful cover.

And that is the case with this book, The Old Gentleman of the Black

Stock by Thomas Nelson Page, published in 1897. I will have to

admit, I have not read this book, and probably never will. It is a

sentimental old novel, not something I am terribly interested in.

However, I couldn't resist the wonderful cornflower blue cover and

the charming illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy.

An interesting note is that Thomas Nelson Page was the US

ambassador to Italy during WWI and wrote 21 novels, all set in the

deep south. My Uncle Steve who loves anything to do with the deep

south would probably love reading it.

Mr. Byrne and Snowflakes That Stay on My Nose and Eyelashes

.
It's supposed to dip down to seven degrees tonight and we have six
inches of snow on the ground! It's a perfect night to pull out one of
my favorite snowy films, Smilla's Sense of Snow (1997). (Doctor
Zhivago is my all time favorite snow movie, by the way.) Okay, I
admit, up front, this is a B movie; a schlocky thriller with an over
blown plot. But sometimes, I'm just in the mood for one of these
goodies. It does, however, have it's good moments and some very
intelligent lines. And besides, I have always had a bit of a crush on
the handsome and understated Gabriel Byrne. Based on a much
praised 1992 bestseller by Peter Hoeg, it's about a headstrong
woman (Julia Ormand) who uses her uncanny knowledge of ice and
snow to solve the mystery of her six year old neighbor's fall from a
snow covered roof in Copenhagen. The well rounded cast includes
Richard Harris, Jim Broadbent, Tom Wilkinson and Vanessa
Redgrave. This movie is very dark, atmospheric and most of all
cold! Make sure you have on your woolly socks and a blanket
nearby, because all the snow scenes are guaranteed to make you
shiver, if the plot doesn't.


Smilla: The number system is like human life. First you have the
natural numbers. The ones that are whole and positive. Like the
numbers of a small child. But human consciousness expands. The
child discovers longing. Do you know the mathematical expression
for longing? The negative numbers. The formalization of the feeling
that you're missing something.

The way you have a sense of God, I have a sense of snow.

The spirits of children are remote and wise,
They must go free
Like fishes in the sea
Or starlings in the skies,
Whilst you remain
The shore where casually they come again.
But when there falls the stalking shade of fear,
You must be suddenly near,
You, the unstable, must become a tree
In whose unending heights of flowering green
Hangs every fruit that grows, with silver bells;
Where heart-distracting magic birds are seen
And all the things a fairy-story tells;
Though still you should possess
Roots that go deep in ordinary earth,
And strong consoling bark
To love and to caress.

Ode on the Whole Duty Of Parents, Frances Cornford


.
A dear friend from college days phoned me and we chatted about
our children coming of age. It's a delicate balance to let them go,
yet be there for them, should the need arise. A bit like being "on
call", so to speak; shifting to an adult relationship, more casual,
easy and still be the strong supportive parent underneath.

Frances Cornford (1886-1960, Cambridge, England) was the
granddaughter of Charles Darwin. Her son John was a poet and
Communist who fought in the Spanish Civil War in the
International Brigade and was killed near Madrid in 1936.

(quote) "Magnificently unprepared for the long littleness of life."

*photo by willow

Willow's Weekly Word

With all the inaugural buzz, I wondered about the etymology of the
word. To inaugurate is to get something started. You might wonder
why I posted a picture of birds to go along with this word, but there
is an etymological reason. In ancient Roman times, before you
started something, it was a good idea to check in with the gods.
Rome had official state augurs or forecasters who would advise on
how things bode with the gods. That's where we get the phrase
that something doesn't augur well. Now, to the bird connection.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the source of augur
likely means “bird talk.” The au part is supposed to be related to
the Latin word for “bird” and the gur part a Latin word for
“chatter” that goes back also to Sanskrit. One of the signs these
Roman forecasters would look for, is the behavior of birds; if they
were chirping, how they were flying, what their insides looked like
if you cut them open. If things looked good, after the augur's
evaluation, you could go ahead with plans. So, inaugurate, back in
Latin inaugurare, meant both to look for these omens and then to
act upon them.

So, there you have it, my bloggy friends. Hope this explanation
augurs well with you and that good omens are in store for our

country with this particular inauguration!

.

*info from Wikipedia and Podictionary

*painting, Birds in Flight by Elizabeth Bunker

.

This morning there was a loud ruckus of chattering going on in the

trees outside my window. Can you see all these birds? It must be a

good omen.

.

Posted Willow Interviews, Updated

Here are a few of the bloggers who have already posted their
great interviews. These interviews are EXCELLENT! I am floored
by how much time was spent on them. You don't want to miss
these!! Go pay them a visit and don't just lurk, leave them a
comment!

Bill Stankus Just A Moment Of Miscellany
Eskimo Bob Eskimo Bob Lives
Mary Ann Blue Sky Dreaming
Lyn Two Ghosts
Beth Le Jarden Girl
Daryl Out & About in New York City
Melissa I Did It
Jan Stitching and Other Ramblings
Raph G. Neckmann Raph's Ramblings
Mary St. Mary
Elizabeth About New York
Liza Lizabee & Co.
Shaun Cory All of These Voices
Julochka Moments of Perfect Clarity
Steviewren A Little Birdie Told Me So
Kat Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes
Starlene Return to Myself
Sabrina The Poetic Frame
Adrianne The Bodhi Tree
Sarah Brit Gal in the USA
Hels Art and Architecture, mainly
The Painted Lady art-i-ture
Reya The Gold Puppy
Francie Francies Fancies
Kim Rescripted
Bee Bee Drunken
Leslie Avon Miller Textures Shapes and Color
Cait Cait O'Connor

A big thank you to all who have participated so far! This is a great
way to expand the bloggy neighborhood and get to know each other.
Those of you who have requested an interview will be contacted
in the next day or two.

Dame Maggie

Recycling is a good thing, don't you think? That's why I am going to

dust off some of my early posts and repost them once in a while. So,

I guess you could consider Willow Manor a "green blog" in the bloggy

neighborhood! Here's one of these environmentally friendly posts:

.

.

I've always thought Cezanne's Woman in Blue looks exactly like
Maggie Smith! It's as if she stepped out of the set of A Room With a
View and sat for Cezanne. I like the abstract lines in the dress, and of
course, the face is very typically Cezanne. The woman has that pitiful
expression that Maggie does so well. You already know how much I
admire Cezanne's work and Dame Maggie is one of my favorite actors.
I think one of her most powerful performances is her role of Judith
Hearne, in The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, 1987. This film is
based on the novel, by the same name, by Brian Moore. She plays a
desperate and lonely middle aged piano teacher in Ireland in the
1950's. And she is phenomenal! For some unknown reason, this
wonderful film is not available on DVD. This is totally ludicrous to me,
considering all the flimsy stuff available out there. Maggie also gets to
display her full acting prowess in My House in Umbria, 2003. I watch

this one when I want to escape to Italy for a few hours.

.

Here's a dynamic scene from The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne:

*Woman in Blue, 1900-1904, The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

He used to frighten me in the nights of childhood,
the wide adult face, enormous, stern aloft.
I could not imagine such loneliness, such coldness.

But tonight as I drive home over these hilly roads
I see him sinking behind stands of winter trees
and rising again to show his familiar face.

And when he comes into full view over open fields
he looks like a young man who has fallen in love
with the dark earth,

a pale bachelor, well-groomed and full of melancholy,
his round mouth open
as if he had just broken into song.


The Man in the Moon by Billy Collins
from Sailing Alone Around the Room

The full moon tonight is supposed to be the biggest and brightest
of the year! It will appear about 14 percent bigger in our sky
and 30 percent brighter than some other full moons during 2009,
according to NASA. This month's full moon is known as the Wolf
Moon from Native American folklore. January's moon is also
sometimes known as the Old Moon and the Snow Moon.

Alas, our skies are thick with impending snow, so we won't be
able to see the man in all his glory.

photo by willow, october 08

Song in My Head Saturday

I Won!

Rachel at Two Dog Pond makes wonderful unique handmade

jewelry. And today is my lucky day, because I just won this adorable

necklace! She has a fun weekly contest in which she posts the image

for her next creation and asks her bloggies to come up with a text to

accompany it on the reverse side. Go pay her a visit, take a look at

her neat jewelry and watch for the next contest!

Thai Chicken, Revisited

I posted this recipe from Blog Princess G back in April of last year.
It has become a regular Manor favorite and I made it again Sunday
afternoon. I'll have to confess, I did alter it just a tad. This is my
version of a wonderfully scrumptious dish. It's my kind of recipe,
simple, quick and delicious. Thanks, BPG!

Thai Chicken with Vegetables

1-2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut in chunks
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp turmeric
1 clove garlic, chopped finely or crushed
1 tbsp veg oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp fish sauce

Marinate the chicken in the mixture for for several hours or
overnight in the fridge. Saute chicken in oil in large skillet until
golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and pour
off all but 2 Tbsp of the oil. Add fresh chopped peppers, onions
and celery. Saute until tender crisp and add soy sauce to taste.
Serve with steamed rice.

This is exciting! My very first interview. I have been chosen to
be interviewed by Steph, The Incurable Insomniac. I will answer
Steph's questions and then I will invite you, my bloggies, to be
interviewed as well. The instructions are at the end of this post.

1. Besides the obvious increase in visitors to your

blog, how has being chosen as a Blog of Note changed

your experience as a blogger?

.

My posting style, the subject matter and length of my posts, haven't

changed a bit. I still blog on the subjects that interest me. The

"brown paper packages tied up with string" on my header refers to

my favorite things, which is exactly what I blog about. The one

experience that has changed is the challenge of attempting to visit

all the bloggers who stop in and leave a comment. I must adjust to

the fact that it is nearly impossible, that I still have a life apart from

my computer desk, and to just enjoy the blogging experience as

before. I think most bloggers will understand that.

.

2. How did you and your husband find your manor

house?

.

Like it says in my profile, "the Manor" as we fondly call it, is simply

an old limestone and cedar house, built in 1927, that was actually

named "Willow Manor" by the original owners. The property was

lined with huge willow trees, which are no longer here. We lived in

a perfect new house in a subdivision. Everything was in pristine

working order. But WT, the Kansas farm boy that he is, had a

hankering for land. Or maybe it was his Irish DNA speaking? We

often drove down this road, very rural 20 years ago, and happened

to see the house and property up for sale. It was a little too pricey

for our budget and passed on taking a tour of the house. Every

once in a while, WT, would leave to run a few errands and be gone

for hours. Upon his return, I would learn he had been at Willow

Manor walking the grounds. He was uniquely drawn to the place.

About six months later, the realtor called with the news that the

owners were ready to drop the price significantly. We toured the

house and immediately fell in love, but another party had already

put a contract on it. To make a long story short, we put a backup

bid on the house, the first contract fell through and we were the

proud owners of the charming Willow Manor. We love it dearly,

but as well as being haunted, it has been very much a "Money Pit"

(you know, the Tom Hanks movie) kind of experience. But that's a

post for another day.

3. On a fine weather day, where on your property is

your favorite spot to be alone?

.

I adore the patio on the back of of the house . It's between two

limestone walls of the house and enclosed with two stone ledges.

It's lush, peaceful, private and I fell like I'm somewhere exotic, like

the South of France.

.
4. Your family seems to be very close and supportive

of each other. If you could give one piece of advice to

a young family just starting out, what would that be?

.

I would have to say, when the kids are young, just let them be kids.

And always, even when they're grown, dole out massive amounts

of unconditional love. After all, if your own parents don't love you

unconditionally, who else is going to?

.

5. Before blogging, what, if any, was your main mode

of personal expression?

.

I studied fine art in college and am a very creative person. Most

things I do have an artistic side. I love decorating Willow Manor,

making it cozy and interesting. But I would have to say that I am

most known for my ability and love for entertaining. For several

years I operated a catering business, which was definitely a form

of personal expression, but very much a back breaking endeavor.

Now that the kids are grown, I need to buy some paint and canvas

and get back to some creativity in that department, as well.

If you would like to be interviewed by me, leave me a

note in the comment section. Give me a day or two to

send your five questions. Here's the scoop:

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the

questions).

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview

someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask
them five questions.

Willow's Weekly Word

I've noticed that quite a few in the bloggyhood have had birthdays
in the last week or so, making them all born under the symbol
Capricorn, (December 22-January 20) the tenth sign of the zodiac,
symbolized by a goat, sometimes depicted with the tail of a fish.
Capricorn is associated with the Greek myth of the goat Amalthea,
who provided the infant Zeus with milk and Zeus, in turn, placed
her in the sky to honor her. Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn.
The Babylonian god Ea wore a cloak designed as a fish's skin,
complete with head and tail. Among his names was "Antelope of
the Seas". What better description of a fishtailed goat?

Capricornians develop self discipline and become sure footed like a
mountain goat. Capricorn is a cardinal, therefore initiating, sign. It
is an Earth sign, and so is practical and structured. On the whole,
Capricorn is a serious sign. People with this sign like to be in control
and are accepting of responsibility. They are willing to make great
efforts to reach their goals through patience and persistence. Order
and structure are part of the Capricorn world. They generally
respect authority, are solid and reliable. Tending to be reserved,
they can be a little on the shy side.

The body part associated with the Capricorn is the knees. Dark
gray, black and dark brown are the colors usually associated with
Capricorn. Gemstones are onyx, quartz, beryl, obsidian, and
amethyst. The plants are ivy and pansies. Countries are India,
Mexico, Afghanistan, Macedonia, Lithuania and the region of Thrace.

Happy Birthday out there, all you trusty bloggy Capricornians!

info from Astrology by Darby Costello and Wikipedia

Someone spoke to me last night,
told me the truth. Just a few words,
but I recognized it.
I knew I should make myself get up,
write it down, but it was late,
and I was exhausted from working
all day in the garden, moving rocks.
Now, I remember only the flavor --
not like food, sweet or sharp.
More like a fine powder, like dust.
And I wasn't elated or frightened,
but simply rapt, aware.
That's how it is sometimes --
God comes to your window,
all bright light and black wings,
and you're just too tired to open it.


Dust, by Dorianne Laux, from What We Carry



Don't your best inspirations sometimes come in the middle of the
night, seemingly out of no where? I put a pencil and notebook on
my bedside table, but most times am too tired to sit up, turn on
the light and jot it down. And besides, if I'm in a deep sleep, there
is no way I am going to jeopardize my chances of falling back to
sleep, by waking up to scribble something! If it is a particularly
poignant thought, I usually remember it the next morning and am
amazed at the random stroke of genius.

My Current Stack

With the hubbub of the holidays behind me, I am ready to curl up
with a hot cup of tea and read some of the books that have been
waiting for me, stacked on my desk for the last month.

The Long Valley, John Steinbeck. A collection of his classic short
stories, first published in 1938. This one was a Christmas gift.

The Three Graces, Elizabeth Wix. Yes, the same lovely lady in
our own bloggyhood; a charming novel about three young English
women just out of boarding school and ready to embrace their adult
lives. I also just purchased a copy of her Jane in Winter, a story
for older children set in the 1950's. I haven't read this one yet, but
it looks absolutely magical!

American Bloomsbury, Susan Cheever. An intriguing book about
the genius authors of Concord, MA and how their lives connected.
Actually, I just finished this one. Excellent book.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,
Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. A novel written as a series
of letters in post war 1946. This one's overdue at the library and I
haven't started it yet. Oops. My fine is going to be outrageous.

Elizabeth Wix

I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps
there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books
that brings them to their perfect readers. How
delightful if that were true. Because there is nothing
I would rather do than rummage through bookshops...

from The Guernsey Lieterary and Potato Peel Pie Society

photo of Ms. Wix shamelessly lifted and cropped from Daryl

Word Verification

I'm sure this topic has been blogged on hundreds of times already,

but don't you think the Blogger word verifications are becoming

more and more intriguing? I am beginning to think they are

evolving into intelligent life forms. Not only are the "words" a

humorous take on real words, they are starting to be synchronized

with the bloggers for whom I leave comments. For example, the

other day after leaving a comment for one of my Japanese friends,

the word verification was honta, too close to Honda, don't you think?

Next, I left a comment for The Bach in Indiana, land of the Hoosiers,

and what is my word? Foozyer. A foosball playing Hoosier? Then on

to leave a comment for a handsome bloggy, who happens to sport a

goatee. Chingoat. I'm not kidding! On an artsy, museum visiting

New Yorker, I got tatemet. And last but not least, I actually had the

word pareezo, after leaving a comment on a dear Parisian's blog. Is

this purely my imagination or some kind of odd synchronicity? I

certainly hope it's not connected to 11:11 in any way, shape or form.

Maybe I'm just suffering from a simple case of blogger overload? My

last word verificiation was aergobra. I won't tell you where I saw

that one. Are they trying to send me some kind of message?

These gongian words are completely loodoreo with innitypoo.

I am, however, going to remain sainer with logicsi.

.

Talk about productivity! I just mentioned to a bloggy friend how I

wanted to learn a second language. Well, I am certainly becoming

fluent in WV (word verification).

That's all I have to say about that.

Songs in My Head Saturday

These two songs have been in my head all week, since I watched
Joyeux Noël, the story of the Christmas Eve of 1914, in the Western
Front in France in World War I, when the Scottish, German and
French troops have a time of truce and share moments of peace
and friendship.

This first one is Bist du bei mir sung by Natalie Dessay and
Rolando Villazón, whose voices were used in the film. The
words in English loosely translate:

If you are with me, I will go joyously to my dear and eternal rest.
Ah, how joyful would be my end if your loving hands closed my
faithful eyes.

I am only too thankful my sons were home with me this Christmas.
My heart goes out to all of those whose loved ones are in harm's way
in Iraq. Peace and safety to them.



Hymne des Fraternises, with a montage of the film.

What's Hot

The hot item at the Manor this week is this great little early pewter

cream and sugar set I found Tuesday at the Heart of Ohio Antique

Center, off I-70 near Springfield, one of my favorite haunts. With

nearly 700 dealers, it is packed with fabulous random vintage stuff.

It takes a whole afternoon to wander through the entire 116,000

square feet of goodies. The creamer and sugar are hallmarked

"P S Ct" and I am assuming the Ct stands for Connecticut. After

doing a few hours of research I came up empty handed. Any clues

out there? I think I'll leave the lovely patina untouched, what do you

think? These little beauties set me back $17. What a steal. And such

a lovely afternoon, too, visiting things from another day, thoughts

from another time.

..

I cannot bear it!" said the pewter soldier. "I have shed pewter

tears! It is too melancholy! Rather let me go to the wars and lose

arms and legs! It would at least be a change. I cannot bear it

longer! Now, I know what it is to have a visit from one's old

thoughts, with what they may bring with them! I have had a visit

from mine, and you may be sure it is no pleasant thing in the end;

I was at last about to jump down from the drawers.

Hans Christian Andersen

Thoughts on New Years Day

It's hardly possible to enter the new year without pondering life and

ambitions. I loved Reya's niece Tovah's idea of kind and gentle sort of

resolutions, like eat more cake and laugh more often. I can certainly

relate to Leslie's opinion of her new year beginning in the autumn.

After feeling sluggish in the heat and humidity of the summer months,

which I loathe, the crisp fresh fall air brings me back to life. I am

invigorated and ready to start my year. Maybe this is because I was

born in the fall and I am brought back to my new beginnings. So, my

new year actually started back in October, but on New Year's Day, I

give myself a little evaluation, of sorts. I'll have to admit, the world of

blogging, which for me started last February, has caused me to be

more productive than I've been in quite some time. It has resurrected

my artistic side, spurred me to research, to dust off some of my

beloved poetry and even document some of my favorite dishes and

films. I surprised myself by picking up my digital camera and actually

learned how to use it! But most of all, I have embraced with friendship

some of the most kind, creative, and inspiring people I have ever

known. Thank you, dear bloggy friends, for making my Life at Willow

Manor so very special.

.

Productivity is being able to do things

that you were never able to do before.

.

Franz Kafka

.

photo by willow, Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware, OH