Lori Sanders Foley: 2011-12-18

Monday, December 19, 2011

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Traffic jams, crowded malls, stress, deadlines, pressure to get the right gift, pressure to not max out the credit cards...see where I'm going with this???

And in the middle of all this joy, we contend with the ever popular self-righteous proclamation that we MUST not say Happy Holidays because it is Christmas.

Bah Humbug.

Hold on to your hymnals~This is as politically incorrect as I can be in 2011. The fact is that "holidays" is derived from the phrase Holy Days, and refers to feast days and prayer days as they were observed in the early Church. Period.

Now, as to the whole Christmas versus other religious holidays. Besides Kwansaa, Christmas (orginally Christ's Mass) is one of the youngest holidays. Hanukkah is much older that Christmas. Yule much older than Christmas. And don't get me started on the rituals that Christians adopted from poly-theistic civilizations to facilitate the infiltration of Christianity into the cultures.

The fact is that this season is filled with traditions that are holy to all. I don't care who says Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah, or Season's Greetings. ALL ARE GOOD. The nay-sayers to insist that this YULE must be addressed with Merry Christmas are being rather exclusive...sort of like the Sneeches who had "stars upon thars" (read Dr. Seuss); they are not playing nicely. Feel free to take your Christmas balls and go home.

So, to all, I say~ May your holidays be bright, cheerful, reflective, warm, and filled with laughter and love, and fond memories as you look to a new year. May this season bring a smile to your face and a song to your heart.

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Lingering in the lair

There are times when I miss cable television.

I am one of those rare humans who exists, for the most part, without cable. I don't have the time or the money to dedicate to that marvelous luxury. If I did, I probably would seldom leave the comfort of my cave~I mean den. The images I capture with my old fashioned rabbit ear antennae attached to the converter box which sits on my very old television set are usually just fine. It's a reality check. Usually there is something far more important that needs my attention...or someone who does.

Having made such a confession, I must also admit that two items this week make me squirm with envy for those who have magical satellites and little black boxes, and complex remote control devices that transcend time and space.

Dr Who on BBC...and the Lost Treasure special on National Geographic Channel.

Whether it is traveling back and forth through the sci-fi world of a time lord whose show has been running on BBC for forty years, or surfing through the scientific phenomena of archaeologists, paleontologists, anthropologists, historians, photographers, zoologists on the channel that is dedicated to all things National Geographic, I am smitten with the idea of leaping off the sofa (metaphorically), and into the wonders and mysteries of the imagination.

See, it's not just the magic that happens between the pages of a book that captures my attention. Dear friends, I charge you with the responsibility of inspiring today's youth with that same curiosity of what was and what could be.

I spent my formative years watching Masterpiece Theatre, Shakespeare's Plays, Once Upon a Classic, while reading Time Life books, National Geographic, OMNI magazine, and listening to old recordings of radio shows and NPR (NPR is still my first station in my car).

Be a NERD for a week. Dr. Seuss coined the word. Someone once wrote that it stood for Not Even Remotely Dorky. Of course, I live by this motto. Brains, beauty, and a penchant for all things intellectual.

If they do ever develop a Dr.Who/Shakespeare channel, I may have to upgrade my den.

Welcome to the Lair

Father’s Day was marked by Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, with the most hours of daylight. It also marks the beginning of Summer, a season of bounty for crops, and for some, a season of energetic accomplishment. For children, it is the the end of the school year, the beginning of several weeks of sleeping in, staying up, playing until the sun goes down, and of feeling free from schedules. For teachers, it’s sort of the same, except, the weeks are spent cleaning, organizing, getting ready for the next class to come. For parents, it marks the promise of weekend barbecues, of picnics in the park, and road trip vacations.

On Father’s Day, my husband found himself at an amusement park. As he stepped from the car, a baby dragonfly landed on his hand, as if to greet him. The small fluttering insect sat proudly on his hand, flexing its wings, waiting for...something. Acknowledgement? Fireworks? An atta-boy? A cue to take off on an adventure?...We admired his beauty, and his insistence as he stayed firmly rooted onto fingers. My husband and I took it as an invitation to meet the season with wonder and awe, and to enjoy whatever adventures the next few warm-weather weeks bring our way.

Dragonflies are, after all, supposed to be a portent of good fortune and new beginnings.

Happy Summer to all!

Lang Syne in the Lair

This holiday, I asked my daughter for a letter. She laughed and said, "Not gonna happen."

Then, on Christmas morning when I opened her gift, I was overwhelmed with something surprising. The box did not contain a letter crafted in her own hand, but did contain two binders filled with essays, letters, and memoirs that my father had written during the years following his retirement. Suddenly, I had at my fingertips, a voice from the past. He wrote, as he spoke, and so to read his words, was to hear the meter of his speech, and the humor within.

My daughter had slipped each page into a clear protector sheet to save it from spills, cats, and from tear-stained smudges.

When I did tear up, she laughed gleefully...a gift from his hand, and from her heart.

Welcome to the Lair

There comes a time each year when we are forced to consider what has been and to take stock of our lives. Before spring cleaning is a thought, we say goodbye to the current year and watch the world fall into slumber with the winter solstice. Thus, I offer this Winter Solstice and Yule wish...

Holly and Ivy

One year comes to an end, a call to sleep and rest,

So that a new year might begin with enthusiasm and hope.

Celebrate the Yule season with fondness for what has passed...

And a new hope for what may come.

Sound a sigh of fond farewell, and a deep new breathe

of what lies ahead.

lsf, 2014

Welcome to the Lair

November is when everyone starts thinking about holidays and family gatherings and presents, etc. Keep in mind, this two month season is an opportunity to pay it forward as well. Plenty of groups depend on the kindness of strangers. Consider donating time, money, or gifts to community services. Here are a few in my area. Check your area for similar organizations.

Humane Society

ASPCA

Elves for Elders

Children’s Home

Metropolitan Ministries

Salvation Army

Churches

Giving Trees (helping those in need celebrate Christmas)

Women’s shelters

Animal rescue

Senior Centers

Hospice

Children’s Hospital

Sometimes, it’s about more than ourselves.

Welcome to the Lair

It's Halloween! Time for scary movies...I don't mean slasher films. Those are not the old fashion "Dark and stormy night" tales that keep us wondering about the tale long after the credits have rolled. Here are a few of my favorites. What are some of yours?

Dracula

Sixth Sense

Gaslight

Forgotten

The Woman in Black

The Sentinel

The Shining

All Alfred Hitchcock films

Dragonwyck (Vincent Price!)

Dead Ringers

Hound of the Baskervilles

The Haunting of Hillhouse

Trilogy of Terror

...Happy Halloween; may your celebration be spooky and fright~fully fun!

Welcome to the Lair

I just watched Dr. Horrible~again~ and must admit that I am constantly amazed at the talents of Joss, Jed, and Zack Whedan, and by everyone associated with the undertaking. The orchestrations are complex (much like Gershwin), and the lyrics are reminiscent of Sondheim’s works. The script transforms this three act super-villain musical (edited to less than an hour), into a Shakespearean tragedy which tugs at viewers’ heart strings until we find ourselves rooting for Neil Patrick Harris, a.k.a. Dr. Horrible.

Consider the anomaly that is Dr. Horrible: the concept was born during a writer’s strike; the idea brought together the talents of writers,composers, actors, technicians, and crew during an economic low point in Hollywood; the show was released for free on the internet; and it nearly crashed a website when it was released in 2008.

Free, people. When it was released, oh so many years ago, it was free. Quality prevails. The Whedon’s do not do anything half-way, which is evidenced by this example.

Humor, music, a love story, an every-man tale (well, sort of), and lyrics that are tongue-twistingly tempting make this a true treat for those surfing the net. Look it up, sit back, and enjoy...

Welcome to the Lair

This week, the world watches the United Kingdom as they make history. While in Scotland this summer, I heard a wonderful debate about the proposed secession from Britain. The debate was an intricate discussion of the pros and cons of a separation after 300 years of English rule of the lands north of Hadrian’s wall. While I would not dream of proffering an opinion on a yes or no vote, I do agree with the comments of the two orators who debated the issue. They both agreed that regardless of the vote, the

fact is, on the morning of September 18th, people on both sides of the argument will get up, and face the world. The vote will be over, and life will go on. People must greet one another with the civility that our world deserves.

Everyone will remain calm, and carry on...

Welcome to the Lair

Not Even Remotely Dorky

Thank you Dr. Seuss!...Thank you for inspiring in me a love of rhyme, of reason, and of imagination.

Thank you to my parents for introducing me to Dr. Seuss, who invented the word “nerd”, and for helping make me appreciate the word’s true meaning.

My parents always had Time Magazine, National Geographic, Life Magazine, Science Digest, and Look lying around the house. As soon as western Kentucky had a public broadcasting station, they started tuning into see Masterpiece Theatre, Electric Company, Great Performances, etc.

Even though we lived in a very conservative, small town, I was encouraged to think outside the box. I was a girl doing physics science projects. I was writing dark, gothic Halloween tales that Poe would have appreciated. I was contemplating the master artists’ works while still in grade school.

Face it, the world was a big place, and whether my house was small or big, my parents wanted me to be aware of the world as a whole. Did that make me a nerd? YES! A resounding yes. And now, as an adult, I can say that I am Not Even Remotely Dorky. I tell my students, I am the coolest nerd they will ever meet. Embrace the world and all it has to offer, and you might just become a nerd, too.

Welcome to the Lair

Books. Tangible. Hard Cover. Soft Cover. Paper. Books.

Add them to the endangered species list.

I love the new opportunities that digital books are providing for authors and for readers. And anyone who has ever tried to lift a teenager's book bag understands the advantage of an e-reader.

Having acknowledge this, I am a proponent of the printed book. There is something positively mystical in the tactile lure of a paper book. From the weight of it in one's hand, to that indescribable scent of the paper, to the sound of pages turning, to the feel of its spine against the fingers--the individual elements of a good, old-fashioned printed book create a magic that envelopes the reader in a way that the illuminated screen cannot.

I still love the story on my e-reader. However, that sense of being drawn into the pages of the story, intertwined with the ink and the wood pulp, of being privy to some secret club by holding onto a tome just doesn't exist. Someone recently noted that with a book in hand, we found common ground, socially, asking, "Is that a good book?", or commenting, "Oh, I read that one; it's great!"

Face it, a book in the hand is worth a good conversation. An electronic device in the hand is worth a few hours of undisturbed reading. While invaluable at the time, it sacrifices that fraternal sense of the bibliophilia.

I keep thinking of The Time Machine by H.G.Wells. When the protagonist discovers the abandoned library, no one in the futuristic society can even comprehend what it is.

And that would be a tragic future, indeed.

welcome to the lair

Before this year ends...consider a visit to the cinema. Here are some of my favorites this season:

Hugo. Filmed in 3-D, this is a stellar tale of imagination lost and regained that only Martin Scorcese could bring to us with such elegance. Brilliant, beautiful, and entertaining for all ages.

Arthur Christmas. From Aardman Studios, we have a frolicking good time discovering just how Santa makes it everyone's house. Of course, when one gift gets left behind, it's up to Arthur (Santa's younger, more awkward son), to save the day. Truth be told, the trailer for this one did not begin to convey what a joy the movie turned out to be. We laughed ourselves silly. AND, we found a poignant moment or two that made us glad we grabbed extra napkins with our popcorn. (Sniffle)

I have proclaimed it my favorite Holiday movie of 2011.

Sherlock Holmes, A Game of Shadows. What more needs to be said. Guy Ritchie is on his game with this bounding, hard-hitting, amusing puzzle of a chase between Shelock and his nemesis, Professor Moriarty. I adore Sherlock Holmes (always have), and I think that Robert Downey Jr.'s take on the character is refreshing. The cinematography is stellar. If film could have texture, then this would be a fine example. Step back in time, and enjoy the ride.

So, this season...escape with a FUN trip to the cinema. The offerings are plentiful!

2012 promises to be a stellar year.

As such, I promise to make New Year's Resolutions that I might be able to keep:

I promise to write more.

I promise to keep up with my blog.

I promise to clean my house...someday.

I promise to try to read more, to watch TV less, and to at least post more personal e-mail messages to friends and family.

There.0

Welcome to the Lair

It's movie time!...

We love movies at my house, and this week has been busy with two for me to review.

Let me begin with a completely under valued film~ Rango! THIS IS A WINNER! Amazingly, the trailer was the least entertaining part of this film. And the trailer is what gets people into the theatre.

The real magic happens once the film begins. There is a depth to Depp's character that made the drama queen in me chortle all the way through the movie. The character development is rich, as is the hero's quest. This movie is an homage to the great western films of the fifties and sixties, as well as a nod to the television phenomenon, Kung Fu. All along the way, there were jokes for all ages...I would encourage my students to go out and see it just for the plot progression and storytelling elements.

As much as I adored Rango, I have to admit that I wasn't as keen on SuckerPunch.

I know there are many people out there who are major fans of Manga, of graphic novel genre, and of the Kill Bill concept of narrative. I admire and respect all three. Sucker Punch offers something of each to those who might be interested. My husband asked me my opinion of the film, and I had to be honest. I was not overly impressed. I had a lot of issues with the plot. However, I did think that the cinematographer did a great job; I give kudos to the set and costume designers; and the music was good. The influences seem evident~Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Blue Velvet, and Sailor Moon. For guys, it's a "dream" on screen...In truth, I wasn't so kind when I answered dear hubby. I did, however, enjoy the popcorn.

Welcome to the Lair

It's been more than a month since I've blogged (bad girl), and while I apologize for the absence, I have to admit, I've had the best time catching up on some good reads.

I'm always amazed whenever I come across someone who only reads one style of writing. Some people only read self-help books ; others read only science fiction. While there is no shortage of writers in any given genre to appeal to readers, a diet of one kind of book would be like a diet of only one kind of cracker, with nothing else.

It would be easier for me to list what I don't read (and I'm not about to do that and invite anyone's wrath). Let it suffice to say, I've been enjoying a cornucopia of writers this season. From medieval fools to small-town vampires to an exploration of the origins of Druidry, I've plowed through a stack of books that has left me thoroughly sated, yet anxious for another feast of words, plots, and settings.

My father used to read no fewer than three books at a time. Our household has books in absolutely every room, just in case we end up stuck without a current read in hand. I think somehow Steve Allen's Meeting of the Minds show rubbed off on me and I feel compelled to have the authors or characters from different tales comparing notes, and arguing while I sleep.

Life one book at a time is like pasta with no sauce. It's okay, but there's always room for something else on the side.

Welcome to the Lair

July means parades, picnics, and pool parties.

Summer officially started on June 21, but for most Americans, the solstice is little more than a date on the calendar marking the two weeks we must endure while waiting for that special weekend, the start of vacation, or the reason to pull out that stars-n-stripes shirt that gets worn only once a year.

Years ago, July meant pulling on a wool band uniform and boots, and marching in 90 degree heat along a parade route, hoping for a breeze. It meant Stars and Stripes forever, and fireworks after the sun went down as the townspeople gathered around the pond in my hometown park.

When I was in college, July was the best excuse for a picnic. Summertime along Lake Michigan; later summer sunshine along the Jersey shore, or in Central Park~we had to enjoy every drop of sunshine and heat. Winter would come too early and last too long, and we had to store up picnic memories to see us through.

For anyone not living in Phoenix, Florida, or on the Equator, July is the best month for pool parties. The water is warm, the air is rife with the scent of suntan oil, and lightning bugs abound at sunset...

So, it's finally here. What are you waiting for? Celebrate. Wave a flag. Grab a hotdog or burger, or shortcake. Kick back or rev up, and relax. You've got 25 more days before the haunting whispers of back-to-school, fall preview, or "only 146 shopping days left!"

brrr, I think I just got a chill. Luckily, it was just the air conditioner...

Welcome to the Lair

Find your moment of Zen each day for the next ninety. Whether it is sipping a cup of tea, cuddling with a pet (or spouse), or sinking your hands into the dirt to do some gardening, find that present moment thing that envelopes you wholly and nourishes your mind and soul.

In a couple of weeks, we will experience the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year incites backyard barbecues, chasing fireflies, long walks, or bike rides, and staring up at the stars once the sun does reluctantly set.

As corny as it sounds, these basic wonders help keep us grounded; they give us a connection with the world~the universe~ around us, and they help us see ourselves in a healthier way.

Oh, and don't forget to smile, once you've found your Zen. It makes people wonder what you've been up to...

Welcome to the Lair

I am feeling wonderfully adventurous this week. Following months of a pollen-poluted stupor, I can finally breathe, the yellow dust has blown far into a cornfield somewhere, and the fog is lifting.

This week marks a full moon, a seasonal change, and the promise of a new phase for me. As one season of work ends, another will soon begin.

Just as the plants are blooming, and I am coming out of my allergy-induced hibernation, I have discovered that Spring has sprung~ we have a nest of ten duckling eggs safely tucked in the palm bramble next to the pond. Momma duck is vigilant as she preens the down-filled nest. We take her a hearty meal of bread and grains daily to make sure she stays healthy.

And the frogs are adamant about change forthcoming. This morning they were so loud, we could hear their "Frank... frank...frank" chant through closed windows. I trust that is a portent of good things to come.

With all my shows done, now I can look to spring cleaning, writing, and the adventures of vacation time~a bit of travel, a lot of reading, and the comfort of tennis shoes. Why I might even venture into the woods and hug a tree (no pollen-filled oaks need apply).

Jumping back in.

Monday, December 19, 2011