Trick or Treat!

.... What a holiday? When did it start? So to the research I go. The Huffington Post had a great article. The end of the Celtic year is where this 'harvest' festival seems to have come about. It was believed that at the end of this year, it was when the spirts came out to speak with the priests.

Check out "History of Halloween". It's discussion of when the first recorded history in this country was about 1915.

Of course the tricks and treats, the jack-o-lanterns, lots of costumes, and a great time to have a party! During my childhood, besides getting chocolates and apples and all sorts of goodies - we did Trick or Treat for UNICEF. I haven't seen a UNICEF box in I don't know how long? While the program exists, why are we not doing the program? Somehow it's probably a lame excuse!

This evening - I wish all those gobblins and goulish creatures - lots of treats and stay safe!

Anniversay Coming Up

A year ago I was awaiting the closing on my former home and finally being able to move my personal belongings to my new home. In the midst of it all, packing my office for a children sitting stay in St. Louis, an election, and assorted other items in my life.

So a year has passed, the St. Louis trip was great to stay with my nieces and nephew. The move meant I would have furniture in my home. The election - we all know what happened.

When I moved, I promised myself that within a year, I'd be unpacked and better functioning than at my former home. Now, with only a few days to the 1st, I'm a bit frantic with cleaning up the last of the bits and pieces I haven't done yet. A couple of weeks ago, I unpacked the last box when the sideboard arrived for the dining area. That was a great relief. There are now a few items in the garage that need to be cleaned up. Do garages ever stay clean? I hope so as I'd like to get my car back into it. The last couple of client files of older papers need to be scanned, some straightening out of a couple of closets, especially the basement storage. I need to get the studio in better order - it's been a work in progress between guest visits and lace demonstrating events and life in general. It doesn't look much different from a year ago.

Wish me luck - I know I'll make it by the 1st!

Women - all over the world

In my readings, sometimes I come across such moving information, advice and wisdom. Tonight was just one of those nights.

Thanks to a blog, Get Rich Slowly, JD highlights this very important museum exhibition - Econimica: Women and the Global Economy. It is being shown online at the International Museum of Women IMOW.

If you do anything in the next couple of days - please stop by and see this exhibition. IMOW mission is to value the lives of women around the world. The exhibition highlights what microlending has done to empower women and in turn how their individual communities have evolved. Though some slideshows, you can visit China, India, and Bolivia just to name a few. I have been so moved. While we have come 'along way baby', even in this country women still don't have the same opportunities. It is much better than those fights we had back in the sixties and seventies. Let alone the decades that women stood up and fought for their rights to give me opportunities. Think about it, it isn't over. Take a look, you may be surprised what women in other contries are still coping with. May these women be blessed with courage and strength as they continue to thrive and grow.

Trio of Movies

After a gueling time with work, I often like to take out a few movies from the library. It helps me relax, divert my attention away from those busy days.

I'm not a big buff of movies. Ocassionally you'll find me at the cine to see a newly released film as you need to be seen on the 'big screen'. This past summer with my nephew, Spencer, we saw the Dinosaurs - a 3-D film. That was fun as you could feel the animals almost drooling in your lap. He and I would jump every so often as they leap off the screen over our heads.

I don't head out to pick up specific movies - I go with the flow. It is interesting that on several ocassions at the library, I have brought back only foreign films. I'm not sure I know about that - maybe it was that the title was intriguing. One time it was four films that began with the letter M - what a surprise to me and I was thrilled with all of them.

This trip brought home Les Miserables, A Room with a View, and Pretty Woman. Similar story lines, on an interesting time line one from each of the last three centuries.
All three stories end with the riding off into the sunset type endings. There is the troubled young man, head strong woman, and plenty of sub plots to keep your interest.


Pretty Woman - great picture, especially with Julia and Richard. There's a couple
steaming parts, though most of the plot is his transition to realize what he wants. Besides that, great lines, great music.

Les Miserables - an amazing story - about a truthful man who struggles to make a better place in life after a
bishop gave his a chance after his release from prison. He yearns to live the honest way in life, keeping his word, and taking responsibility for his past actions that seem to thwart his life throughout the movie. It's great and I love the scenes from Paris.

A Room with a View - one of those with big scenes, back in the 'gentle' man and woman days. Set in England and bits in Italy. This young woman is traveling and growing. She's expected to marry well, though she learns about herself, her wants and what would make her happy. There is a bit of a fire in her that she struggles to keep under wraps. Costumes are amazing - lots of lace!


For you movie buffs out there, here's an interesting trio you may enjoy.