Farmgirl Follies

Bright Star in the storm

Posted by Farmgirl on February 8, 2010  |  3 Comments

We had a snowstorm Friday night.

And then the power went out.

Suddenly we’re rationing drinking water … and let’s be honest … flushes, too. The first night was spent cozied up to the wood stove. By day two, we were rewiring things to work off the generator.

The house was warm again. Candlelight created cozy ambiance.

Three kids fighting over two flashlights did not.

The generator kept the furnace running. Another extension cord made the refrigerator functional … until Sunday afternoon, when the dirt overwhelmed me and I had to unplug the fridge to do a little housecleaning.

In case you’ve ever wondered, you can run a vacuum cleaner off a generator.

And a television.

That’s the Bright Star in this situation.

I’ll admit it, without apology.
I unplugged my refrigerator from a generator so I could plug in the TV and DVD player. Priorities, you know. But only after the chores were done, animals fed and kids in bed. And I solemnly vowed to plug the fridge back in after the movie.

I must be honest …Farmguy would have absolutely detested this movie. But I loved it to the depths of my poetry-reading, word-smitten, literature-loving soul.

The setting … the costumes … the unspoken entendres. Exquisite.

London: 1818 — a secret love affair begins between 23-year-old English poet, John Keats, and the girl next door, Fannie Brawne, an outspoken student of fashion. This unlikely pair started at odds; he thinking her a stylish minx, she unimpressed by literature in general.

By the time Fannie’s alarmed mother and Keats’ best friend Brown realize the attachment, the relationship has an unstoppable momentum. The young lovers are intensely and helplessly absorbed in each other. Keats wrote, “I have the feeling as if I were dissolving.”

And here’s my favorite line in the description:

Together they rode a wave of romantic obsession that deepened as their troubles mounted.

It was a good movie. 

It kept me warm on a cold winter’s eve. (And no, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s rated PG)

You may want to watch it a second — or possibly third — time if say, your power is still out and not expected back on until Wednesday.

But only after chores are done, animals fed and kids in bed.

And remember: hook the refrigerator back up to the generator when you’re finished.

Howling at the new moon

Posted by Farmgirl on November 21, 2009  |  7 Comments

“Well-behaved women rarely make history.” ~ Mae West

One of my favorite things to do is spend time with like-minded women who enjoy basking in silliness even though some think them ridiculous. Are we old enough to know better? Sure. Do we run the risk of appearing off our rockers? Possibly. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

On Thursday I boarded the Chateau, above, dressed in a green Kiss Me, I’m Irish T-shirt and a fake alpaca-fur cape. My hair was in its natural state of reddish, curly disarray. My fingernails were painted black. No, it’s not my typical attire. I was in character, you see … Victoria the vampire.

An aunt, various cousins, friends and my sister headed to Tinseltown for the midnight showing of New Moon. We arrived about 7:30 p.m. Enjoyed red velvet cupcakes with frosted fangs. Enjoyed a few cocktails and dished about our favorite characters from the movie. Admired the movie posters taped inside the camper.

We laughed until we cried. We cried until we laughed. It was very emotional.

First, let me just say that the movie was awesome. Fabulous, actually. But that’s  not what this post is about. I want to point out how important it is to NOT take yourself too seriously. As it turned out, the others in my party did not wear their costumes. So what? I made a teenage girl in the long, long line shriek, “LOOK! She’s Victoria!” And really, that’s all I needed to confirm and justify my own stupidity. Everyone should be so lucky.

Women and girls stood outside the RV taking photos of our banners.  A local restaurant delivered pizza to our party in the parking lot. It was wonderful.

Hundreds, possibly thousands of women and girls, united by a zest for life. A willingness to be just a little addicted to romantic stories of fictional vampires and werewolves. Even a midnight movie and a 45-minute drive home in the dark at 3 a.m. could not quell my satisfaction and sense of joy. Every once in awhile it’s good to step outside your typical routine and do something that’s purely playful and ok, childlike.

Life is too short. You know the familiar phrase: Live well, laugh often, love much.

And to that I would add, wholeheartedly and with great fervor.