So we celebrated Father's Day in fine fashion up in the Blue Hizzleydoo. The table was set under the hundred year old mulberry tree with fuchsias floating in a crystal bowl. Our children's last living Godfather surprised us with a much belated visit. We laid a wood fire on the barbie and made smoky pork chops and grilled chicken, with homemade sweet potato fries and corn on the cob. And there was celebratory sparkling grape juice in the real wine glasses. But of course. How else?
The day was glorious and bright with those big puffelly clouds that make all kinds of great shapes when you gaze up at them, especially on your back in the pool. (great song about cloud watching by Native American artist, Thomas Walker HERE ) But, little Young Lovers can only take so much sun and fun.
We finished the day by retiring to the air conditioned bedroom with the good T.V. and chips and salsa to watch a movie together. Sonny immediately voted for the Official Blue Standards, Top Gun and Armageddon. I, of course, had to second those. The traditional votes for The Princess Bride and Legend came from Peng and Kat, chanting, "I will marry, whomever finds this ring," and "As you wiiiiiiiiiiiish!" There were three votes for Elmo. All of them came from B3. But it was Daddy's day and Axl voted the only movie he ever votes for. Indeed, since it was his day, he, at last, was not denied and his children finally entered the world of Lonesome Dove. (listen to the theme as you read? )
You really do marry your parental figures no matter how hard you may try not to, Young Lovers. Years ago, my dad, knowing my hunger for good long books, handed me the novel by Larry McMurtry, and I've been hooked ever since. So, yeah, when Axl Blue happened along with his VHS of the mini series, it didn't hurt his chances. In fact, we used to watch it so much, it was the last movie we watched before Sonny was born. It was also the novel packed in my hospital go-bag to be read during labor. I picked it because it felt like an old friend. (And, I figured I already knew the plot, so if labor got too distracting, I wouldn't miss anything. HA! First time mom-to-be...) Is it any wonder we named Sonny after one of the characters in the story?
Some books just resonate with us. For Axl, it was Lonesome Dove. A strong, hard working blue collar Midwestern man, through and through, he loves sweeping epics about how America was made and tamed. (Although, thankfully, he's not thrilled by the whole idea of genocide to achieve it.)
For me it was The Thorn Birds. I love long sweeping epics about lurve. (And, btw, how can you not adore Georgia Nicholson, and her confessions? Thank you, Louise Rennison!) Especially forbidden love (yummy yummy delicious beach scene ). No, we don't have a little Meggie or Ralph, but my own mom wanted to name me Meghan because she loved this book and read it while preggers with me. Funny, I know. ;) (I heart cowinkiedinks <3)
As readers, writers and artists, our soul's are often laid bare in written words. And we delight in finding them there. So, I'm curious, do you have a favorite book, or saga, that represents your essence?
Yeah, it's kinda like asking, "What's your sign?" LOL. The first time I met children's Godfathers, they asked me what my sign was. For real. That's how I knew they were keepers. ;) They also liked Lonesome Dove and the Thorn Birds. And B3's middle name is a combination of theirs. But I (say it with me,) digress. So tell me, what's your sign, ahem, I mean book?
Okay I got nothing. There isn't a single book or series of books that is 'it' for me. I don't even think there's a single book that I've read more than once. The closest I could come to having a 'sign' would be books that have made an impression on me that I *might* someday go back and read again.
ReplyDeleteSo, at the very least, your blog had me thinking of my reading preferences and influences - and explains why I usually enjoy writing particular genres.
When I was a teen, all my mom had in the house was horror - Stephen King, Peter Saul, Dean Koontz - and I read a lot of that in the 80's.
In the 90's, I was all about fantasy.The Dragonlance series is a standout, and Khyren - an '88 fantasy book that I read years ago. I liked the surprises in the book and the way she tied her story elements together, and years later, I still sometimes think about it. I also still have that book - 20 years later!
Another fantasy standout would be the Landover series by Terry Brooks. They're making the first book, Magic Kingdom for Sale - Sold! into a movie - I hope they don't ruin it.
In the early 2000's, I was going through a Stephen King phase, catching up on all of this stuff that I had missed while in my fantasy mode. Although he tends to be wordy at times, he tells a hell of a story. I think what it is, is that he makes very detailed descriptions of all his characters and he's so proud of them that he has to share. I totally get that - it's hard not to do - and you could get away with it then - but now it just drags a book down. I think my favorites from him are Needful Things and Insomnia.
I loved Jurassic Park! Both the book and the movie.
The Hunger Games - probably among my favorites of all time.
Yes, and who rec'd The Hunger Games to you? ;)
ReplyDeleteI spent many nights with my sister reading aloud to me out of Dean Koontz and Stephen King as I drifted off to sleep, lol.