Cowboy Up!

While the northeast is being hit with a blizzard, we're still comfortably holed up in (former) cowboy country. I couldn't resist including some classic American tunes, for which you'll have to double click on the photo to read.

(Johnny Cash for those unfamiliar with the tragic ballad about young Bill)

Christmas

Last night after a delay at our connecting airport, we arrived in warm Phoenix Arizona. In our quest for a steakhouse, Roo became car sick, vomiting without warning, and thus unpresentable for any restaurant. At our hotel, Ryan brought out to the car a white hotel robe for Roo to cover his dirtied clothes. We made fun out of it, commenting how much he looked like a Jedi in the robe. Needless we had Christmas dinner in our room and watched Tim Allen in Santa Claus 2, only to succumb to sleep before the end. Did he ever find a Mrs. Claus? We'll never know.

Well, here we are, at a lovely resort. It is bound to be a good holiday, as long as we keep the driving to a minimum!



May your day be merry and bright! Happy Christmas Day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Arizona

The Tudors

I’ve finished watching the fourth and final season of the television series “The Tudors”, the story of King Henry VIII and his six wives. Although a good lesson in European history, the show provides plenty of entertainment. Complete with romance, betrayal, and war, it offers much that is pleasing to the eye. Opulent dress, glittering jewels, rich textiles, succulent food and most of all, gorgeous people! (note of caution: there are also disturbing scenes in and around the Tower) However, the last point, gorgeous people, I found to be a frustrating disconnect when I researched further on the lives of these historic figures. Sure, no one would probably watch the show if Lady Mary looked liked the Lady Mary depicted in her portraits, and it’s doubtful the real Charles Brandon could hold a candle to the actor Henry Cavill. Certainly, “what is beauty” in Western civilizations continues to evolve and historians report that Henry was a hottie in his day. However, I’d argue the message of his tyranny is harder to extract when he and everyone around him is of excessive natural beauty. For example, it is easier to extract a future “Bloody Mary” from this:

than from this:

Unlike some faithful viewers, I’m glad Showtime ended the series of the Tudor family at this juncture. I’d likely not make it through depictions of the “Marian Terrors”. Regardless, I’m more equipped than before for a future visit to London and the historic sites occupied during the lives of Henry VIII, his friends, and enemies.

Gingerbread House

As an adult I'm somewhat bothered by the Grimm elements in the classic German fairy tale Hansel & Gretel such as famine, parental abandonment, and a cannibalistic woman, to name a few. As a child I remember enjoying the story. I contribute this to the one image that remains in my head, the fabulous gingerbread house the evil woman has constructed to lure the hungry Hansel and Gretel into her lair. My mind recalls images of abundant color, sensual sweetness, and sheltered warmth amongst the wet, damp cold of snow. I can't remember ever seeing an actual gingerbread house (graham cracker, yes, gingerbread, no), and I've never succumbed to the temptation of the DIY home kits available everywhere this time of year. Needless to say, when I saw the real deal at Cafe Beethoven last week I couldn't resist returning this week to add yet more confection to the collection to enjoy this holiday season.

Cookie Exchange

Today's cookie exchange will likely add a few pounds to my already burdened frame. Thank goodness for the "monthly unlimited" special at Powerflow yoga to carry me through half of December and into January!