All Hail Old Winter’s Blast!

I jest. Truly, I jest. Who is honestly going to praise that hoary old man when he comes far earlier than expected, and does not bear gifts.  Okay, maybe we could extend a little magnanimousness (a little what? How pretentious! Guilty...but I said it first!), towards a couple of points: the enhancing beauty created by pristine snow decorating trees and shrubs; the undoubted charm of  rich red and orange hues on lush, swollen, rose hips; or holly bows, laden with Christmas ready blood red berries, made bolder still by their white framing. Yes, yes . . . but his arrival on the scene so very early was totally unnecessary! Anyway. . . not to cry over fallen snow, and - to show that I can be generous - I did get out to take advantage of the early covering. With tripod and camera in hand, myself well bundled up, I managed a few photos displaying the old man’s white cape, so expertly cast about the land, and which, I must confess, does show a certain "je ne sais quois."

This little chap was so busy scratching through the snow - searching  for seeds fallen from a feeder above it’s head - that it totally ignored me standing near. Others soon arrived but were equally occupied, running thither and yon in their own searches. I could only manage to capture one of them at a time. Still it was fun trying, trusting they would hold still long enough for a portrait. Fortunately my camera, a Fuji S1600, has a speedy capture rate. 
Snow flakes falling by the woodshed, white topped logs on the seashore, and tinseled firs in the neighbors yard, all lend a view to winter’s one grace. Of course, if you’re a cross country or downhill skier or a snowboarder, it must be great that the white stuff has piled up so high so soon. And if, by any chance, you're  planning to partake  in a 1000 Mile Sled Dog Race in the Yukon - complete with huskies - then you’re away ahead of me in the undoubted pleasures that can be found in our Wonder of Wonderlands - this beautiful province, and the Territories above.

 

Winter Is No Wonderland When You’re Chopping Wood!

ever mind that bitter winds have begun to blow and puff their frosty breaths down one's neck, or the realization that most of the birds, who’ve spent the last three seasons gorging themselves at the feeder, have left their nests and flown off to warmer climes. Or, to continue, that the once gentle rain has a definite feel of ice in its now heavy drops. No, never you mind about any of that, what you’ve got to mind is the pleading look in your better half’s eyes, reminding you that the time has come to search out the ancient, rusty axe, and start chopping.
ead hung low, gait sluggish, I head out the door and into the woodshed. Cedar, sweet scented cedar, makes for great kindling ‘tis true, and I do like the softer heat of a real fire, but at this moment a thermostat joined to a baseboard heater has a definite edge in the battle of said heat. But, I must cast aside that luring thought, for the moment, and face the stacks of wood which surround me, groan in self-pity, and begin piling finely chopped kindling, and heavy fireplace sized logs, into my aging arms.
  deep, resigned sigh escapes me as I picture the long months of wood shed trips ahead. Contemplating the hours of slogging still to come, I shudder. I see myself plowing through thick layers of mounded snow, storm weighted icy rain pummeling down, all to keep alive a warm and inviting fire. Worth it? Oh, yes! Inviting? Oh, yes! But that invitation, allowing one to enjoy the warmth and comfort of a cozy fire, comes into play only after braving winters elements to make it happen. Only after the match has been struck, the flames kindled to life and nursed to full maturity, can the invitee sit back and bask in the comforting reward of his labors.
ey! Even a grouch is allowed to rant on about the discomfort of winter wood gathering and then give in to contented sighs in the enjoyment of its warm rewards. "Look! There, and there! The shadows spinning around the room, reflecting the dancing flames! Aren't they something!"

                                                                 

Rule of Four

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I recently finished reading The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, and was impressed by the tension and readability maintained by the authors in an otherwise erudite story. The book revolves around an ancient Renaissance manuscript (real), with the tongue twisting title  Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, which translated means Polipholos Strife of Love in a Dream. It’s text has baffled and divided scholars for the last five centuries.

The story involves four Princeton scholars, one, Paul Harris, is obsessed by a consuming  need to translate its polyglot text and riddles, having based his final thesis at college on doing so. Paul has persuaded Tom Sullivan to help him because of Tom’s familial involvement with the ancient text. Tom’s father spent his life trying to unravel the mysteries of the text, and though having failed in his quest uncovered a clue before his death which opened the way for the final key to be found. The other two, Charles and Gil, are less involved with the actual breaking of the final code, but are major players in the drama surrounding the work.The monumental task taken on by Paul and Tom makes for a compelling read of murder, obsession, greed and revenge  - it kept me glued .                                                                       

There is a great deal of information on the Internet about the novel and about the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, which has influenced scholar, poets and artists through the centuries. In 1999 the complete ancient manuscript was finally translated into English, by Joscelyn Godwin, composer, musicologist and translator.

The Rule of Four, was published in 2004 and was on the New York Time’s Top 10 list for months. It became a national and international best seller and has sold well over a million copies. It is also being turned into a movie, (as of 2007). 

Praised as being a better read than the Da Vinci Code, and condemned as a mediocre copy of Dan Brown’s novel, it is in fact a totally different story. Though they are both involved with hidden mysteries and riddles they cannot be compared – apples to oranges. Also, Dan Brown wrote his book years after The Rule of Four came out, so who is the follower? I must recommend a great blog where the pros and cons for and against the book can be found. The reviews supplied by various readers of the novel give a good idea of the controversy it engendered.  http://www.goodreads.com/

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I must also add, that I believe that many of the adverse reviews seem to reflect a lack of intellect. Of course I’m biased, but this book is not a trite treatise, it is the outcome of a great deal of study and intellectual acumen by the two authors.

Mao’s Last Dancer – Li Cunxin

My Constant Reader, Anita, suggested - strongly - that I do myself a favor and get hold of a copy of the book Mao's Last Dancer as quickly as possible. The story, she said, was about a young boy  who, at the age of nine, had been randomly chosen by Madame Mao to be trained as a ballet dancer. A peasant boy from a small impoverished village, a thousand miles from Beijing, who was completely ignorant of what ballet was, yet grew to became one of the world’s most famous ballet stars.
His name is Li Cunxin, and Mao’s Last Dancer is his story, told by himself, and in his own words. A simply told tale of hardship, cruelty, passion and pain. The story of a child, thrust into a world of which he knew nothing, and of his decision to be the best in what he was forced to do so that he would not shame his peasant family by failure. His inspiring story, of singular determination, and inner strength, which against all odds led him to another land, and another life, is recounted in this narrative. His journey from poverty to self-realization, and fame, became this book. Impossible to put down, impossible to forget. 
I went to the library, requested a copy and was told that I would have to wait, that though they had 15 copies available there were 256 people ahead of me. With that endorsement I was left with no alternative, I had to get my hands on it, so I waited. Thanks Constant Reader! The book is now a film, and though it is playing back East in Canada it is yet to arrive on the West Coast. 

A surprising twist: Li was chosen Father of the Year for 2009 in Australia!