Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween wraps fear in innocence,

As though it were a slightly sour sweet.

Let terror, then, be turned into a treat…

~Nicholas Gordon

Flashback Friday Post

In which I randomly select a year, a month and a post 

to look back upon

April 5, 2013

Narnia Fun

Goodreads Reviews: Caddie Woodlawn

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of my all time favorite childhood books growing up. Inspired by the life of Carol Ryrie Brink's grandmother, Caddie Woodlawn is a simple story about an all American girl with a patriotic spirit that stretches far beyond her rural Wisconsin home.

In 1864, Carolina Augusta Woodlawn or just Caddie, was not your ordinary conventional girl. While her sisters spend their time sewing and baking, Caddie would rather hunt, swim, socialize with Indians and anything that doesn't require her to be a lady. Caddie's mother wrings her hands in despair, but her father encourages his once sickly daughter to run wild with her brothers, believing she will one day come into her own.

Caddie's many adventures include hunting with her uncle, almost drowning, getting into fights in school, falling into the ice and catching a cold, learning to mend clocks, helping three motherless boys, an Indian massacre (scare), saving her community and...her cousin from Boston. Along the way, Caddie begins to uncover secrets of her father's past and soon his former life will change the Woodlawn family forever.

I have no idea how many times I've read this book! I've loved this story for years and it's absolutely timeless. Caddie is a sweet and endearing heroine. Certainly not without her flaws, but she has a heart that gives entirely to those who truly need it. While at times she lacks common sense, she is clever and inventive and always willing to take a risk.

The Woodlawn family add a great deal to the story as well. Caddie's relationship with her two brothers is paramount to her growing up and differs very much from her relationship with her sisters. Her mother, while strict and every inch a lady, knows of her daughter's potential not as a lady maybe, but as an influential young woman. And finally Caddie's father who supports his daughter in her life choices and future decisions.

I think every young girl should read this book at some point in their life. Like Little House on The Prairie and Anne of Green Gables, Caddie Woodlawn is a simple, but comical and lively portrait of a young girl, the family she loved, and her journey from girlhood into womanhood.

Congratulation Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie!

Congratulations to Jack Brookbanks and Princess Eugenie on their wedding! 

Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson.

Jack Brooksbank & Princess Eugenie 

October 12, 2018

St. George's Chapel

Flashback Friday Post

In which I randomly select a year, a month and a post 

to look back upon

April 17, 2013

Pass The Parcel Blog Party

1. Name your top 5 favourite YA authors: 

 J.K Rowling, Ann Rinaldi, Lemony Snicket, J.R.R Tolkien and Suzanne Collins

2. What's the last YA book you read and what did you think of it?

"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins. It was very dark and I wouldn't say that it had a happy ending, but more along the lines of a hopeful ending.

3. What's your favourite YA genre? (Dystopian, romance, sci-fi, contemporary, etc.)

Fantasy and history

4. Let's talk characters! Pick a character you love and tell us why?

Hermione Granger from "Harry Potter." She really is the greatest female literary character of my generation. Hermione is the perfect balance of intelligence, loyalty and courage that coincides with beauty, generosity and kindness. Because of Hermione Granger, girls weren't afraid to be smart, they learned that true leadership comes from being a loyal follower and that love and romance are two very separate ideals. 

5. Top YA villain?

 That's hard...probably Voldemort or President Snow.

6. Top YA couple?

 James and Lily Potter

7. With dystopian on the decline, what do you think will be the next hot-trend in YA?

 History

8. What's the next YA book on your to-be-read pile?

 "The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare

9. What's the fastest time you've ever finished reading a book in? (And what was the book?!)

 2dys. "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban."

10. (And now for the burning question) Do you think books should be sorted according to colour or title? (This matters.) 

By title. Because by title there is a general order, but by color it's a personal order. So, by title is easier.

Leverage Revisited - Season 1

I'm re-watching Leverage and it's been awesome going through the whole show again. So I thought it would be fun to post some of my favorite episodes. And if you haven't seen Leverage....then you need to! It's one of the most feel good television shows out there!

~ ~ ~

1x2 - "The Two Horse Job"

Sophie plays a wealthy southern Belle and Eliot is trying to make up for being a jerk boyfriend 

     While I didn't particularly care for the storyline of this episode (way too complex with the horsebreeding!), having Eliot in a rather awkward ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend situation was great. I loved seeing the warm, romantic side to him as well! Seriously, Eliot Spencer is the most romantic player out there.

I mean AGGHHH!!! I think I'm in love!

~ ~ ~

1x3 - "The Miracle Job"

Parker 'steals' Saint Nicholas to perform a miracle

     The first Christmas special episode was both heartbreaking and hopeful. Nate returns to his roots and reveals some surprising information of his past life prior to going into insurance. There was also a deep respect for Christianity (even though they're dealing with Catholics) in this episode which I also appreciated too. All around, a great episode!

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1x6 - "The Stork Job"

Parker goes off the grid and steals some orphans

     In this episode we get to explore Parker's rather painful childhood and manage to get some answers as to why she is the way that she is. "The Stork Job" dealt with the rather controversial issue of illegal adoption companies and the utilization of children for profit and gain. As well as the damaging effects of foster care run facilities. However, Parker really came into her in in this episode!

~ ~ ~

1x10 "The 12 Step Job

Nate and rehab aren't exactly agreeing with one another.

     Nate and Parker go to rehab, Sophie is a counselor and Hardison and Eliot have their first (of many) bromance adventure. Lets just say that this video just sums up the whole awesomeness of their relationship!

 

~ ~ ~

1x11 "The Juror No. 6 Job"

Parker...or Alice?

     After she endangers the team's mission with her daredevil antics, Parker is 'punished' when one of her alias' Alice White is called for jury duty. However, life inside the courtroom proves to be just as devious and Parker must hone whatever people skills she has learned to help a young widow get justice for her husband's death. Great and fun episode! Parker was spot on in this one!

~ ~ ~

     I'm watching season 2 right now and I'm keeping a watch out for favorites, but with Leverage it's hard to narrow down a favorite anything!

The Crown - Seasons 1 & 2

     Beauty and pageantry, history and duty, and no small amount of scandal and scorn creates the extraordinary true life account of  England's longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Crown is a remarkable series that  brings to light of one young woman's service to her country, to her family and even at times, herself. While numerous biographies have been written about Queen Elizabeth as well as movie and documentaries been made, The Crown really searches and tells not just Elizabeth's stories, but also the stories of those closest and dearest to her. 

     If The Crown makes anything clear, it is that Elizabeth was never born to be queen nor did she ever want to be queen, but royal families rarely, if ever, get their way. 

~ ~ ~

Princess/Queen Elizabeth II

     Growing up as the older daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, Princess Elizabeth Windsor had a happy (if not sheltered) life. However, all that changes when her uncle and the new king of England abdicates to marry a woman not suited for the royal family. Now, Elizabeth's father, King George VI, must carry the heavy burden as a symbol of pride for his people and must raise his young daughter to understand that burden and to carry it and wear it honorably and with sacrificial duty. That duty simply known as the Crown. 

     As Elizabeth grows into a young woman, she marries the man she loves, becomes a mother and for a time is able to live a life without the regulations and restrictions of the Crown. However, the sudden death of her father plunges Elizabeth into a torrent of of unexpected, but certainly not unprepared, life in sole devotion to crown and country. Yet, it does not come without heavy costs. 

     Duty to the Crown puts immense strain on Elizabeth's marriage and creates long absences from her children. Her own sister's happiness goes from a family dispute to national news. She must deal with the changing attitudes of her subjects as the Royal Family face ridicule for their archaic ways as well as their lives becoming news for tabloids. The young Queen is torn in every single direction and must rely on solid advice from selected advisers (such as Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the formidable Queen Mary) and her own quiet faith that has sustained her throughout life. 

     Elizabeth is by no means a perfect person, wife, mother, sister, daughter or friend. However she is probably as close to a perfect monarch as anyone could possibly get. And while she may have her imperfections, she is resolute and faithful in her duty. She loves deeply and passionately and only ever wants to make a happy life for her family. And yet, the Crown weighs heavily on her young shoulders and Elizabeth must do everything in her willpower to keep it from crashing down on her. 

~ ~ ~

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 

     Handsome and daring Prince Philip of Greece caught the eye of young Princess Elizabeth and from that moment on, destiny was set between these two royals. Yet, Philip's life from a lonely prince growing up in Nazi occupied Germany, to a fun loving naval officer and then husband to the queen of England as well as a not always competent father, has hardly been boring or for that matter traditional. 

     Philip has grown up never really wanted by anyone. He was rescued from his own dysfunctional family by his uncle Louis (Dickie) Mountbatten who helped the young prince grow into a reasonably respectable man and naval officer, but was never really a father figure. Even in marriage to England's most eligible young woman, Philip is still not wanted. Seen as too rash and hotheaded, Elizabeth's parents and most everyone else in their circle were opposed to Philip, but Elizabeth, in a rare form of confrontation, refused to swayed and demanded that she be allow to marry Philip. 

     After a few short years of family life with their two children on the island of Malta, the young royal couple are a picture of domestic happiness and for Philip that is all he has ever wanted. Their lives are literally changed overnight when Elizabeth becomes Queen and once again Philip is lost with no role, no purpose and increasingly no hope of a normal family life. 

     The stress of marriage to the Queen of England causes Philip to make decisions that have painful consequences for his family and his people. Over ten years of marriage and most of them spent on the throne, Elizabeth and Philip must reach an ultimatum in their life together. Divorce is out of the question, but for the sake of their children and for the Crown, Elizabeth must decide where her husband stands in her life. Either walking behind her or standing by her side.

~ ~ ~

Princess Margaret Rose

     The beautiful and talented younger sister to the Queen who is also spoiled, petulant and willful. Margaret has always been use to getting her own way, so when she is denied what she wants, she makes sure everyone suffers for it. Not to be too harsh on Margaret, she did for a while follow the rules when it came to wanting to marry the man she loved, Captain Peter Towsend; yet as a divorced man, he can simply not be accepted by the Church of England. For years, Margaret waited patiently, but finally the Crown and its demands became too much and her dreams of love and happiness ended. 

     And so began Margaret's war against her family, her sister and the wretched Crown. After the loss of Peter, Margaret flounders in and out of sordid relationships causing her to sink into heavy drinking and depressions. Then she meets a Anthony Armstrong-Jones, a photographer with a shady life and who is everything that Margaret wants in order to spite her family.

     While Margaret gets her way, she never really gets what she wants. Desperate for attention and recognition, forever spouting out that she was "Daddy's favorite," and always at war with Elizabeth whenever it comes to the rules of crown and country. If she could not have the man she loved, then she'll make damn well sure that Elizabeth does not get the loyal sister and friend that she needs. 

   

~ ~ ~

King George VI

     Elizabeth's beloved father who has weathered honorably through the second World War and hopes to live out the rest of his time on the throne in peace and rest. A gracious king, devoted husband and loving father, King George has only ever wanted the best happiness for his daughters and hopes that Elizabeth and her new life will have that. However, their is deep guilt at the fact that his brother's abdication from the throne has caused him to see his oldest daughter as first the heir to the throne and then second as his child. 

Queen Elizabeth/The Queen Mother

     The strong willed queen who has never left her husband's side and will never allow her own daughter to suffer from the same fate that killed her husband. Although at times she can conform to snobbery and just plain ignorance concerning the real world, Queen Elizabeth is a pillar of strength for her daughter who relies heavily on her mother's advice.

Winston Churchill

     The great man who led the charge against Hitler and refused to surrender during times of war, is still refusing to surrender during times of peace. Desperate to relive his glory days, Winston once again takes on the role of prime minster of England, but he is challenged constantly. Whether it's Prince Philip and his inability to conform to proper English precedence, the changing political climate (or the climate itself), deep family grief or just old age, Winston becomes an incredible asset to the young queen and guides her safely through the obstacles of her early reign. 

Captain Peter Townsend

     A war hero, turned valet to the king, eventually turns the head of lovely and innocent Princess Margaret. Although a married man, that doesn't deter Peter with dalliances with the young princess. When his wife leaves him, Peter and Margaret have an opportunity for marriage, but his divorce causes insurmountable issues with the Church of England. 

Anthony Armstrong-Jones

     Unashamedly wild, modern thinking and provocative, artist and photographer, Anthony Armstrong-Jones becomes an unlikely candidate for marriage to Princess Margaret. Certainly not royal material by any means, Anthony comes to the family in a time of changing social attitudes and the family had better catch up if they want the people's love and loyalty.

~ ~ ~ 

     Exquisite in every sense of the word! I had my doubts at first, but every episode was just done to perfection. The performances from Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth (my last last casting choice), Matt Smith as Prince Philip, Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret and American actor John Lithgow as Winston Churchill were all wonderfully portrayed to perfection! Claire Foy as the Queen especially amazed me to absolute no end! While she bears no resemblance to Queen Elizabeth at all, her voice and small mannerisms were spot on. Extremely well done performance!

     Any royal lover would enjoy this series. The Crown doesn't just tell the story of the Windsors, but rather just a family that had to deal with being royal; as well as other families (such as the Churchill's) that were always in close proximity with them. Which is probably why it's called The Crown and not just the Windsors. The Crown of England extends far beyond Buckingham palace and its great weight can be felt by many, but carried well by very few. 

Flashback Friday Post

In which I randomly select a year, a month and a post 

to look back upon

August 25, 2016

Writer's Camp: Day Six - Break Out of The Mold

      This is going to be a fun one! There are a lot of genres and character types that are definitely overused in today's writing. While ever several years there seem to be certain genres that are popular (magic, vampires/supernatural, dystopia), sometimes it seems like they are all telling the same story over and over again. However, my greatest aggravation is toward stereotype characters and how they seem to produce unrealistic expectations for society.

     Need I say anymore on the subject?? Love triangles are fine to a certain point, but when they start to deter the audience from the real story than it's a problem. Now, some love triangles are important to stories, such as Authrian legends with King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Lancelot, because in most legends, Lance and Gwen's affair is what brought down the fall of Camelot or "The Vampire Diaries" where it really is a struggle between love and lust. Some love triangles can add much needed humor to the story. "Harry Potter" is a brilliant example of the stupidity of young love and the mistakes people make when they can't tell someone they love them. 

     However, love triangles such as "Twilight," "The Phantom of the Opera" and even "The Hunger Games," really had no bearing in the story, because quite frankly none of these guys had the girl's best interest in mind. The girl is usually a pawn in their testosterone wars. Also, there is a terrible double standard in love triangles. If it's girl between two guys than it's fair game for everyone. Yet, if it's a guybetween two girls than it's the preferred girl (that the guy wants) who normally gets all the hate and the second girl (that the guy ignores) who gets all the sympathy. Stories that deal with these type of love triangles would be "Les Miserables" (Cosette-Marius-Eponine) and "The Lord of The Rings" (Arwen-Aragorn-Eowyn). 

     Love triangles are overused, boring and unrealistic. You can write about loving just one person or even better, struggling to love a person. There's beauty in that, because it's painful, but real. 

      There's Arya Stark with her sword, Hermione Granger with her wand, Katniss Everdeen with her bow and arrows, Natasha Romonoff with her spy skills...the list goes on and on. While all of these women mentioned above are great examples of strong heroines, the 'fighting woman character' is getting stale. Women can no longer just read, write, take care of people, be loving, tender, generous, wise and soft-spoken. Characters like that are seen as weak, shallow and boring. So, women can no longer be just women. The only way a female character can be popular and loved is if she is better than a man. Also, the super brainy, computer hacker character is getting really old too. While I believe that women can be (and should be) portrayed as smart and intelligent, not every girl can fix a computer or hack into a top secret facility. 

     Not sorry to say, but women need to be seen and written as women. Sure it's alright for women to fight, but don't cut them off from feeling and emotion. All the characters that I listed above (with the exception of Arya) in the beginning are incapable of loving deeply and letting other people know that they love them. However...as all of their stories continue, we're finally able to see that they are capable of loving, being generous and kind and even wanting a family and children (Natasha Romanoff!!!), but what happens? They are crucified by femi-nazis and seen as pathetic and anti-feminist. That is wrong on every single level! They are women and are written to be women, as emotional, sympathetic, frightened, compassionate

      Go ahead and create a strong female character, but she doesn't have to shoot a gun or break into Fort Knox to be seen as a heroine. Good heroines, like Skeeter Phelan from "The Help," or Marty Davies from "The Love Comes Softly" series are fantastic examples of women who could change the people and the situations around them by simply caring and allowing their feminine natures to guide them.

      Now, this is a mold that most definitely needs to be broken! The poor, mistreated, misunderstood villain who has the idea the ends justifies the means...and everyone else just rolls with it. No, just no. I do not care how terrible someones backstory is; a villain is a villain and anyone who kills for his or her own selfish gain should be hated, not praised. Characters such as Loki, Morgana, Magneto are all considerably praised for their villainous actions, because of their traumatic, abused and ignored childhoods. Alright, I'll give some leeway to Magneto because he is more of an anti-hero than just a villain.

     The tragic villain is an interesting character, but in the last several years, it has been overused probably thanks to Tom Hiddleston's performance as Loki. While he was great in the role, the character of Loki is the paragon of selfishness, arrogance, injustice and inhumanity (I really just don't like him), but people are so focused on the fact that Odin was such a terrible father (which he wasn't!!) they use that as justification for Loki's actions. No. That is not the way the villain should be treated.

The villain is what you should be afraid of becoming. 

     Case in point: Say Suzanne Collins, the writer of "The Hunger Games," wrote a prequel story concerning the life of President Snow. She wrote that Snow was abused and lonely or suffered from very dominant parents who ignored him. Then she goes and writes that Snow's father kills one of his [Snow's] siblings in an effort to gain control of his family and it works. That causes Snow himself to be afraid of his father who was suppose to protect him, but he also realizes that fear is a powerful tool. Overtime Snow turns into a psychopathic leader who uses murder and fear to control Panem.

     Now, that may change one's perception of Snow, however, it does not negate the fact that Snow is an evil man who had to be destroyed. No one wakes up one morning as a child and says, "I want to be a murderer when I grow up." It's usually a long and painful process, but two wrongs don't make a right. You may not have been able to control your past, but you can take hold of your future. The tragic villain may add layers to the character, but it is not a character to be patterned after. Use character perception instead; you may think he or she is a villain, but instead there is more than one way of seeing them. Character perception is a great way to write both a hero and a villain in the same person. 

~ ~ ~

     That was really fun! I didn't realize there was so much I wanted to say! There are a lot of story molds that need to be broken or just redone in a certain way. A girl can be in love with two guys and vice versa, but don't make it a fight. Introduce a new character that comes in and stirs up the triangle. Female characters are difficult to write, but keep in mind that women don't have to be men to get through in the world. And the tragic villain should be a life lesson that no matter how bad one may have had it, evil done in return can and never will be validated. 

      Other posts I've done on topics similar to these:

     Second Girl Syndrome

     Femine Feminists

    One Man's Villain, Another Man's Victim

    Love Changes Everything