Thursday, March 31, 2005

Calendar Girls, Part Deux

Sarah and I were apparently a big hit with our Behind-the-Scenes at the Oscars presentation; we had a very attentive audience of about sixty ladies.

Lots of ooohs and ahhhs were heard as images of Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Temple, and Douglas Fairbanks were projected on the screen. I had also included many of the photo images that I had personally taken, as well. The attendees seem to really enjoy hearing the many personal anecdotes from the twelve Academy Award show productions that I had worked on, and were asking plenty of great questions. One of the women in the audience came up to us afterwards and inquired if we might be interested in doing it again for another group in the autumn. Looks like I might have to get myself an agent and take this show on the road.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

I Might Have To Give Up Eating Lamb

Lambing Season is well underway, here in the Ribble Valley. When traveling along the many country lanes that crisscross this little corner of the world, the sight of newborn baby lambs prancing and grazing upon our lush green meadows is very much in evidence and quite hard to miss. I have spent the past two days attempting to capture on film this very glorious sight. We will see if I have been successful when the fruits of my labor return from the processing lab. During this past holy week of Easter, it was difficult not to be reminded of the symbolism of the Lamb of God while gazing out across the neighboring pastures.

While returning from an errand in Warrington this afternoon, Sarah and I spied a sign outside a small roadside store, which read, “Come And See Our Newborn Lambs.” How could we refuse such an invitation? The store was closed, but the owners were home in their farmhouse next door. Before you could finish humming the notes to Mary Had A Little Lamb, my better half was stroking the soft curly fur of one three-day old lamb, and I was feeding another one milk from a bottle. It gets even better. Both of these little critters were each wearing wool sweaters, fashioned out of the sleeves of an old human-sized sweater. All the while, a month-old lamb (sans sweater) was lying nearby chewing on some blades of grass and patiently waiting for us to turn our attention towards her. Where in Beautiful Downtown Burbank could someone have this kind of experience? Someone please let me know.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Calendar Girls

Remember that wonderful movie Calendar Girls, which told the story about members from the Women’s Institute who posed “almost nude” for a charitable fund-raising calendar? Well, the story was a true one, and there really are WI chapters throughout Great Britain. And just like in the movie, I am told, they commence each meeting by singing the Anglican hymn, Jerusalem.

I am to be the guest speaker, next week, at a meeting of the local WI chapter. Somehow, through no intention or fault of my own, news of my existence on these British shores has managed to leak out among the populace. I have been asked to give a presentation chronicling my behind-the-scenes experiences working on the Academy Awards. In an act of charitable mercy, so that they won’t be subjected to a talk on the nocturnal mating habits of the ring-tailed marmoset, I have accepted their invitation. I’ll report back on how it went.

Sunday, March 13, 2005

Houseguest

We have a houseguest staying with us for the next two weeks. Prior to his arrival, Sarah and I gave our home a top to bottom sprucing up, right down to fluffing up the throw pillows that permanently live on the sofa and love seat. Even though he hasn’t traveled very far, as with any guest who pays us a visit, we want our good friend to feel comfortable and right at home.

Jasper is the nine-year-old black Cocker Spaniel who lives next door to us. The human members of his family departed yesterday for a much-needed holiday in the British resort town of Orlando, Florida. Next to Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, plus Malaga, Spain, holidaying snowbirds fleeing the seasonal cold of Britain tend to flock in the warm environs of Florida. I’ll have to elaborate further on my observations of the migratory habits of the Britons in another journal entry.

Unable to bear the thought of 'Good Neighbor Jasper' being confined to solitary confinement at some impersonal kennel, Sarah and I insisted that he stay with us instead. During the past twenty-four hours, he has more than expressed his gratitude for our hospitality and has been the ideal houseguest. If he could have reached the kitchen countertops, I am sure that Jasper would have donned his chef’s hat and prepared us a gourmet dinner last night. This highly intelligent canine has a lot of Snoopy within his inner being. Instead, he ensured that Sarah and I had a safe and comfortable slumber by standing sentry in our bedroom; curled up and snoring at our feet.

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Hi Ho, A Strolling We Shall Go

Sunshine decided to pay a visit upon the Ribble Valley today, so Sarah and I laced up our hiking boots and took full advantage of this break from the winter rain and snow by taking a brief walking tour of the territory that immediately surrounds the housing estate where we live.

Much of the Ribble Valley consists of sheep meadows and pockets of woodland, both of which are in full abundance in our very own backyard. Coming upon one of the many public footpaths that crisscross the local countryside, we decided to see where it would lead us. Trekking past the grounds of the nearby Edwardian-era psychiatric asylum, I couldn’t help but notice the buildings of Stonyhurst College off in the distance; the Jesuit-run boarding school where JRR Tolkien had once been a teacher. The lush green pastureland that we were strolling through was his inspiration for Middle Earth, in the Lord of the Rings stories that he had famously written.

As I have previously written, dogs make up a considerable percentage of the local population, and we were soon joined by a very handsome, though somewhat muddy Springer Spaniel and his human companion. Our very knowledgeable fellow trekker quickly brought Sarah and me up to speed as to what meadow belonged to which farmer, before he and his canine friend detoured toward a new direction. Approaching the winding banks of the River Calder, we were not to be alone very long. Taking a brief break from their daylong chore of grazing, a trio of sheep greeted us with very inquisitive eyes and welcoming bleats, thrown in for good measure. Looking down at our mud-caked boots and up again at the fluffy-white balls of wool before us, I was tempted to ask them what their secret was, but quickly thought better of it. Bidding them adieu, our four-legged Q-Tips returned to their dining and Sarah and I continued on a journey that would soon bring us full-circle back to our front doorstep. We’ll have to definitely repeat today’s walk, but next time we’ll bring Mr. Nikon along for company.