Changing like the Seasons

The leaves are changing colors during this autumn season as we each change in some individual way. Their myriad array of hues easily matches the altering stages of our personal journeys.

Though we advance at different paces, we are still in motion and moving forward. At times, we may feel as if we are stuck while going about the same rituals and routines. But if we take a closer look, it simply is not true.

We may not see our own inner chameleons, but others do. The other day, a co-worker told me that I looked less stressed. I did not quite know how to take it but no matter how I weighed the statement, it was definitely a compliment.

I pondered it for a moment and thought about what I was doing this time last year. I silently agreed with her. I not only looked less stressed, I felt less stressed. I was not carrying the same loads and burdens and I was glad that it was visible to others.

We should take a private inventory and answer some honest questions. What was I doing this time last year? What type of work was I doing? How was I feeling emotionally? Are the same people or situations causing me distress or have I taken the time to clear the cache?  Am I aware of my own growth?

Nine times out of ten, there will be a few aha moments. We can inaudibly admit that we feel more energized by our growth. Our progression is apparent so we can draw our tick marks on the wall.  Or, we can simply compare ourselves to the grand, rich colors of the autumn foliage!

Lynn M.                                                                         October 26, 2019

 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow!

Renee Zellweger’s performance as Judy Garland in the new movie Judy is certainly Oscar buzzworthy. She captures the look, the mannerisms and the total aura of Judy Garland in this new biopic.

I was hesitant about seeing the movie because I knew that it focused on the latter days of her life.  She found herself basically broke and homeless. She was unable to provide shelter for her two younger children so she was forced to leave them with their father.

Most of this film takes place in London where she was doing a long-running show. It provided her with a place to live but it was a step down from what she had once been exposed to in earlier years. Some nights on the stage were successful and some were filled with her meltdowns and subsequent taunts from the audience.

Through flashbacks, we see some of the things that contributed to her downward spiral into the use of pills and alcohol. Her life as a child star started at the age of two and later, she was forced to take pills to control her weight.  She was constantly reminded that she was not beautiful and there were also subtle suggestions that she was being abused by the powerful men who ran the entertainment business.

When the viewers meet her, she was simply tired of it all and our hearts cried out for her. Her bravery, her tenacity and her constant resilience sustained her to the end for she died at the tender age of 47. Yet, she left so much material as she reached legendary status from The Wizard of Oz to one of her signature songs, Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

The last time I saw Renee Zellweger display this type of great artistry was in the movie Chicago as Roxie Hart.  After spending years in her private cocoon, she has once again emerged and just like Tinkerbell she has rewritten the name Judy on the theatre marquee!

Lynn M.                                                                            October 19, 2019

Downton Abbey Movie: An Overview

Seeing the cast of the movie Downton Abbey was like entering a room of old friends that I had not seen in a while.  It all came back as I recalled which roles the main characters played and remembered why they left such memorable impressions.

Of course, Maggie Smith, the Countess of Grantham, stole the show with her one-liners and sharp wit as she responded to those around her.  She had people in the audience  laughing out loud and it brought us together as though we were attending a private viewing party.

The movie opened with the staff in a frenzy because King George V and Queen Mary were coming to the area and would spend one night at Downton Abbey.  The staff cleaned, polished and aired out the rooms as they got things ready for their royal visitors.

Mr. Carson had retired but was rehired by Lady Mary because she did not think that the butler Thomas Barrow could pull it off. There were several subplots and too many to share but the mood remained light, festive and even humorous most of the time. 

The King and Queen brought their own butler, woman of the house, chef and footmen and the regular Downton staff was appalled by that move. They had nothing to do until they came up with a plan to get the visiting staff out of the way.  I will not do too many spoilers, but I left the theater feeling happy that I had made the choice to see this movie.

It was a great way to escape into another world for over two hours. New people met and fell in love; spouses considered breaking up and  men secretly met at a gay bar almost putting reputations on the line. The lovable Betsy finally decided to plan her wedding much to Mrs. Patmore’s delight.

 Outside of the swift-moving plot, I enjoyed looking at the high fashion statements.   The dresses, the gowns with the long attached scarves and the rich jewelry gave me  ideas and I will try to replicate certain looks in the future..  One woman asked me if I liked the movie and all I could say was, “Those hats!  Oh, the hats.  Even the wait staff wore fancy hats.” This was a great vicarious journey back to the 1920’s as I  spent time inside of Downton Abbey!

Lynn M.                                                                 October 12, 2019

October Colorfest: A Poem

 

Autumn leaves flutter to the ground,
Racked piles are gathered in the round.

Those yards are full of autumn flairs,
Rich colors soothing us in pairs.

Cooler temps slow our thinking,
Calm, buoyant ideas, not sinking.

Pumpkins cut in all types of shapes,
Remind us to put on warm capes!

Lynn M.                                                                  October 2, 2019