Put a little love in your heart.....please!

The Golden Rule - most of us have heard of it, some of us practice it, even people without religion in their lives have to admit it's a simple blueprint for getting along in this world.  So what has happened to it?  Where has the concept of live and let live gone?

I've been thinking about this lately as I see things on the internet, largely on Facebook.  Social media and the anonymity of the virtual world has given the world a platform for expressing the most heartless, sometimes shocking, often cruel thoughts that enter their collective heads.  Proudly proclaiming their disdain for what they call 'political correctness', they spew their dark side without a care for what they are saying or who they may be hurting.

"The term political correctness (adjectivally: politically correct; commonly abbreviated to PC,^... P.C., or p.c.) in modern usage, is used to describe language, policies, or measures that are intended to avoid offense or disadvantage to particular groups in society."  ~Wikipedia    

The idea of being politically correct has become a negative thing - perhaps due to some people taking it to a ridiculous extreme.  In my mind, however, being p.c. is just an extension of the Golden Rule.  Do Unto Others...  It's not that hard and if anyone took a moment to apply it to their lives, this world would be a happier, kinder place.   Plain old-fashioned courtesy, respect - things you learned in Kindergarten!  Just because you think it, doesn't mean you should say it. 

I've seen a lot of posts on Facebook about what a crappy year 2016 was and how they are glad to see it go.  I can't say it was great for me personally, but I don't have much hope for 2017 to be better.  With the election of an mentally unstable person to our highest office and his choice of cabinet members, I am very concerned about my future, as well as the whole nations.  What concerns me most are the probable loss of affordable health care for thousands of my fellow Americans, cuts to social security - without it, I'll be homeless, the Twitter-in-chief getting us into a world war, and the most pervasive side effect I've ever seen, that being the demise of the Golden Rule particularly at a time when the world needs it most.

 Let There be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin With Me

 

Poldark - season 2 finale

The weeks just went to fast for season 2 of Poldark!  I'm looking for ward to getting a copy of the DVD with the uncut version.

Overall, I was pleased with the progress of the story and how it stayed close to the books in most areas.  I did feel there was something missing though, which was inevitable due to the story line.  That being affection between Ross and Demelza - you know the hand-holding, hugs, easy banter, etc.  Even before the extreme lapse of marriage vows,  there was a lot of angst what with the trial, the death of Francis, the troubles at the mine.  Now I'm not forgetting the lovely, sexy stocking scene or the bath, (was wishing I was Demelza for those! lol)  It's just the little everyday signs that say 'I love you, value you, want to be with you'.   I missed seeing that.

I had a lot of anxiety watching this last episode, especially when Ross dons his uniform - I know from the books he does not go off to war, but wasn't sure if the script would reflect that.  Happily it did and even more happily we got to see Ross in his army duds and luckily I didn't keel over from that vision.

Also I was wanting, as I'm sure most viewers were, to see some sort of reconciliation between Ross and Demelza and was forced to wait until the final five minutes!  That should not surprise me, but I was worried it might not happen and I'd have to wait until next season.

Really, Ross can be such a dumbbell.  There were a number of times when he and D verbally sparred over his affair, where she expressed her feelings of inadequacy, that Elizabeth was his ideal, that she could never be as good as her and he never once gave argument or denied that was not true. It wasn't until she was packing her bags that he FINALLY tells her that his true; real; abiding love is for her and her alone.   That simple statement went a long way towards healing their breach.  What took him so long??  Oh yeah, the writer.... had to keep us on the edge of our seats.

I was happy to see Dr. Enys and Caroline get back together.  George was his usual weaselly self and Aunt Agatha drops a bomb on Elizabeth when she suggests the baby might come sooner than March.  Oh-Oh!  We vets of the soap opera world know that any time there is illicit sex, a baby comes along, so no surprise there.  What will George do when his son arrives looking a lot like Ross?  Ha!  I hope we'll find out before the series ends.

Sigh.... a long wait for season three.............

  

Just shoot the bastard...... please !

(all pictures are screen prints from episode 9)

Poldark episode 7, PBS Detoit

I held off commenting on last Sunday's airing of episode 7 of the Poldark series here on PBS.  I wanted to think about it for a bit and I wanted to find out what was cut from the final scenes first.

 

Having read the books, I knew that at some point, Elizabeth would agree to marry the upstart George Warleggan and that Ross would have a melt down and take his anger out in a most unbecoming way. 

In an earlier post about the book, I was really hoping Debbie Horsfield would not make Ross look like a rapist and yet, after the show was over, I was thinking that was too much the other way.  The look of desire on Elizabeth's face practically challenged Ross to take her. She didn't seem to fight him off all that much while in the book she clearly says No and even slaps him before he carries off to bed.  That had me wondering what was cut.  

I posted on facebook about it and one of my fellow fans posted a link to You Tube showing the scene and I have to say, it was much more forceful, more in line with the book.  I have to wonder why our area PBS felt it they had to show the watered down version (with a viewer discretion warning at the beginning)  Maybe because of the time slot at 9 p.m.?  Over here, racier things are usually shown at 10 p.m.  - I'm talking about network TV not cable, where anything goes.  At any rate, I can remember seeing more shocking things on I, Claudius years ago than what was in this episode!  Go figure.

Was it rape or not?  This has been heavily debated all over the net and basically, it's up to the reader/viewer to decide if it is or not.  For a lot of us, No means No, however Elizabeth's protests, which at first seemed sincere, died quickly and she was clearly wanting him as much as he wants her. 

Does that make it OK? Of course not as we see when Demelza knocks him on his butt when he comes home the next morning.  

So Ross has fallen from grace.  Can he get back his self-respect and his true love?  Well, I know since I have read all the books, but for those who haven't - my mips are smealed.  LOL

Here is a link to the uncut scene for those who want to watch it.:

Can You Offer Me Anything Else?

 

One last thought, even if Ross would leave Demelza for Elizabeth, would she have been happy being penniless?  I don't think so.  Demelza came from nothing and knows how to survive hard times.  Elizabeth is used to a certain standard of living.  Ross could not give this to her - George could, and even more.  So even though she denies it, George's money has to be a large part of her decision to marry him.  I don't really fault her for this, but I do for keeping Ross dangling on the edge of her feelings instead of cutting him loose completely.  If she can't have him, then nobody else should.  I hate that.

Looking for Kindness in a Nation gone wild...

It's been a rough week for many us and a joyous one for others.  The results of the election are horrifying to me, but I'm hoping my fears will be wrong.  I will happily eat humble pie if they are.  My biggest problem right now is the backlash on social media, Facebook being the one I use daily.

I had hoped once the circus was over, it would get back to a place I liked to be.  Don't get me wrong, I've found myself hitting the reply button and sharing certain things that speak to the way I think.  I have decided that I need to stop doing this.  I need to remember the words that I can so clearly hear my mother saying  - "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything".  Trust me, this will be a challenge for me and one I will hope to fulfill.

Currently the hateful memes and comments just keep coming from both sides.  I feel the people who create these memes have hate in their hearts and everyone who shares them becomes complicit in that hate. I'm asking, begging actually, that my family and friends stopped sharing them.  Just. Stop.  It hurts my heart to see you being used as an instrument in hate-mongering.

I want to know how you are doing. I want to see your photos from that event you attended or those adorable shots of the kids, grand-kids, pets.  I want to share, virtually, in your joys and your sorrows. I want to congratulate your accomplishments.  It's up to each of us to bring back the sense of community in this little space on the web and I'm hoping we can all find peace in our hearts and get back to kindness

"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me"  listen to this beautiful and meaningful song here:  Let There Be Peace on Earth

As always, you are free to agree or disagree and your comments on the topic are welcome.  Any political comments will be deleted. 

Poldark, Season 2, Episode 4

Poldark on PBS

Good show last night!

Having read the books, I knew Francis was going to get in deep trouble at some point this season and last night's episode was it.   It was especially heartbreaking because he had finally come to realize how manipulative and horrible George really is and had forged a new bond with Ross.  I really liked the opening scenes with Francis and Ross running along the beach.  I had a hard time watching as he froze and drowned in the dark waters of the mine.

Earlier in the episode we see Elizabeth telling Ross she may have made a mistake in marrying Francis and that she will always have a little of Ross in her heart.  I have some sympathy for the two of them and what happened, but what good is it to bring it up?  Elizabeth was finally seeing her husband as he should have been all along and she is not content with that?  I understood her frustration when Francis was whoring and gambling away all their money, but things are looking up for them at this point.  Anyway, Demelza was giving both a look that said 'what's going on with y'all?' even while she was conversing with Captain McNeil and it's good she didn't know.

Also, we see an even darker side of George when he calls Aunt Agatha an old crone and hopes the next time he sees her, she's six feet under.  lol  Mind you, Aggie isn't know for being a sweet old lady, but neither Francis or Ross would like hearing that.  As for me, I'm thinking the upstart will regret antagonizing her!

Back to Francis, overall my favorite scene of the episode was his heartfelt conversation with Demelza, made shortly before his tragic fall in the mine.  "You must do away with the notion that
someone has done you a favor by letting you into this family" - that was so sweet as well as good advice for poor Demelza.

Kyle Soller as Francis

One last thought.... does anyone else wish the bath tub scene was a tad longer??

Ooh-la-la !

Poldark - PBS season 2, here at last!

photo credit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/poldark-s2/

Like an astronomical number of ladies (and gents too) here in America, I have been anxiously waiting for season 2 of Poldark to premiere and this past Sunday, Sept. 25th was the big day.   I had my PBS station on all day just to make sure I didn't forget to put it on.  I turned my phone off, after warning family and friends I was going to do that. 

I got a little thrill hearing that opening bar of beautiful music and the breath-taking view of Cornwall as the show began.   As expected, it opened with Ross being hauled off by the law, then launched right into the days before the trial and the trial itself.  This was a 2 hour episode, so it covered a lot of the story featured in the book Jeremy Poldark.

Now, I read the book way back in December of last year and as many of you know, I'm often memory challenged by what I read, especially when I read too fast!  However, I'm pretty sure it followed the story very well.  One thing I don't remember is Elizabeth being at the trial, so those of you who are experts on the story can remind me by commenting below!  Also, I'm quite certain Ross did not hire Jud and Prudy back, but I won't swear on the Bible about that. lol  One other thing was the appearance of Demelza's father showing up in court - I don't remember that in the book either.  Feel free to set me straight! 

I found myself really feeling for Francis in this episode.  He has come to realize what a big mistake he made in trusting George and I got the impression he really wants to turn his life around.  I felt bad for him when he came to Elizabeth with a desire to be with her as husband and wife would be and she turned him down flat.  I know he made his bed with all his gambling and whoring, but I still felt sorry for him.  I also was wondering if he had come right out and said 'I'm sorry' when he had the opportunity to in a couple scenes, would Ross have relented a little in his feelings towards his cousin?   The good thing is, he finally stands up to George and tells him what a weasel he is.

It was heartbreaking to watch Demelza putting roses and petals on Julia's bed, but I was very happy Debbie acknowledged that sense of loss that never really goes away.  The scene with Ross and Demelza where they are talking about their grief was very touching.  It's always satisfying to see the two of them together, especially with love in their eyes.  Aidan and Eleanor bring these characters to life so well, it's no wonder so many of us have become addicts of this show!

I think the casting department did very well (as usual) with Caroline Penvenon.  Ms Wilde plays well with Luke Norris and I'm looking forward to their scenes together. Her costumes are so lovely, I think to myself  I wish I designed and made them!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/poldark-s2/

The trial scenes were tense, as they should be, and I cheered a little when Ross crumpled up the speech he was supposed to say and spoke from his heart.  I mean, we all knew he wasn't going to hang, right?  It was fun to see George practically spitting nails at the verdict.  That evil Upstart!! Overall I know it's going to be a great season.  I don't know if I will blog after every episode (there's 9 of 'em) but I'm sure at the conclusion, I'll have something to say.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/programs/series/poldark-s2/

Pringles are my Krptonite

I say that because, once I succumb to buying them and then opening them, I'm POWERLESS to stop eating them !!  Seriously - it doesn't matter if they are loaded with salt and fat and assorted chemicals.  I always take a small stack and think, this will do - and it does for about half an hour or so and then I find myself wandering towards the kitchen again, looking for those restructured taters that taste like they've already been chewed.  I fight the good fight by NOT buying them very often, but I always linger over the display at the store, imaging that salty crunch in my mouth.  I have a small list of foods I find hard to resist and Pringles are right up at the top.

Another one is the crack cocaine of cookies - Snicker-doodles !  I love them more than any other cookie, even the perennial favorite, Chocolate Chips.  If you've never had one, you can find them at Walmart or bake some yourself.   Once the package is open, I'm a goner.

Enough about food.  It's making me hungry and I've really been trying to lose weight, as hard as that is to believe. lol

I was thinking about feeling powerless the other day and what an uncomfortable sensation that is.  It's not often that I feel that way.  Usually there is something one can do to make a situation better.  Take the upcoming election.  I am truly terrified that the reality show/business mogul will actually win.  I see him as a neo-Hitler; a dangerous man (sub-human actually)! Even more terrifying is the number of people who think he is the answer to our country's problems.  I truly believe if he wins, he will lead us into a world war.  I just don't understand why my fellow Americans see him as a good choice to lead our country.

One common thing I've heard on the TV and the net is "He speaks his mind".   So does Kanye West and Rosie O'Donnell - would you vote for them?  "He will make American great again"  Just how will he do that?  He has yet to tell us his plan.  I would seriously like to know what it is.  I'm not an expert in politics, but it's clear to me this person is not qualified for the most important position in our government.  Yet, thousands of  people don't seem to think that matters.

Some people are thinking about voting for him because they hate the opponent, the democrats, the bleeding-heart liberals, etc.  I get that.  I'm usually on the fence about most issues, though I tend to lean to the left a bit more than the right.  I have voted Republican at times, Democrat at other times.  I have even voted for the what I believed was the lesser of two evils.

This election, the Republican party is supporting a person of questionable sanity to represent their party.  A person who thinks Putin is a good 'ole boy.  A person who doesn't know the meaning of the word sacrifice.  A person who wants to know why we don't use our nukes.  I have to wonder.... why? 

Do I think Hillary will make a good president?  I'm not sure, but I feel certain she will be 1000 times better than the other guy.  I have also not ruled out a third party candidate.  I have some time to make up my mind, but I would write in Donald Duck before I'd vote for that hate-filled sorry excuse for a human being. 

Interesting segue from junk food to junk candidate, eh?  I only hope and pray that everyone who sees the danger in this man will vote appropriately to prevent him from taking office, even if it means voting for what they see as the lesser of two evils.  I may not have the power to make this happen, but I do have the power to vote in a way that will allow me to sleep at night.

At Long Last..the end! Book 12, Poldark Saga

It took me awhile to get it from the library, but finally, last week I got the notice it was waiting for me to pick up.   I'm going to say right out that I was pleasantly surprised by this story and feel it is one of my favorites of the series.   I think because there is not so much history in it.   Don't get me wrong, I like the historical aspect of all the stories, but I have on occasion, rushed through passages of it in my haste to move the story along. lol  So less is more in this case and I like that.

 
Things are still going well for Ross in terms of the mines and having money to keep his family and lands very well.  He and Demelza are still in love, though there are moments when their easy camaraderie goes awry - especially when it comes to his relationship with Valentine.  Add to that an attraction to Harriet Warleggan! I was actually irritated with Ross when he started coming on to her (much like Demelza was).  I'm talking to the book.... 'don't do that Ross !!  Just don't!"  Thankfully it did not move beyond overt flirting.  

Clowance is still trying to learn to live with the loss of Stephan.  It is hard for her because she loved him so much, but she also was so angry that he married her knowing very well he was already married to another women.  He was such an ass-hat!  I was glad when he ended up in the bone yard.  Now, she finds herself being courted by a handsome officer name Phillip Prideaux, who is suffering from what we would call PTSD today.  At the same time, a former suitor, Lord Edward has come back into her life asking her to marry him.  She cares for both of them and gives careful thought to who she says 'yes' to.

Little Bella is now a young woman and is still in love with Christopher.  He asks her parents for permission to marry her, but they are reluctant because she is still quite young.  Bella's singing voice is exceptional and after some fast-talking from her love, Christopher, Ross and Demelza agree to let her go to London for voice lessons.  Her dream is to be on the stage!  She is well-received by more than one vocal teacher.  While in London, she meets Maurice, a Frenchman who is enthralled with her beauty and her vocal ability.  He tries to horn in on Christopher's territory and is successful in getting her to run away with him to France to star in an opera he is producing called The Barber of Seville.   He then seduces her.  What a cad!  However, she is a willing partner.  She is a huge success in the Opera.  Ross, shows up unexpectedly and is amazed at her performance and proud too.  He is not too happy about her involvement with Maurice.  

Meanwhile, back in Cornwall there is a serial killer roaming the dark pathways!!  Demelza finds herself out one evening heading home when she is attacked - she narrowly escapes.  She does not tell Ross about what happened.  Early on, it's easy to think Phillip is the killer as he has 'episodes' of anger.  But as the story progresses another suspect comes forward and you have to wonder is it him or Phillip or someone else??  

 Bella comes back from France. Her relationship with Christopher is shaky but not over.  She is not feeling well and soon it is apparent she is seriously ill with the Morbid Throat!!  Her sister, Julia, died from this very disease and Demelza and Ross are out of the minds with worry over her.  Clowance comes to stay with them to help nurse her back to health.  She survives, but her ability to sing is diminished.  She is heartbroken over this.  

Back to the killer - we find out who is the culprit when he corners Demelza in her home one night when she is there alone.  He calmly tells her his feelings about women and how he is going to kill her just as he killed the others!  Demelza is terrified and Ross is nowhere nearby to stop this from happening when suddenly Phillip saves the day and puts him out of commission with a blow to the head. 

By far the most interesting part of this story to me is a fleshing out of the character Valentine Warleggan, in particular his relationship with Ross.  He truly hates George and Ross steps in to be the father he needed and still needs.  George, though still a nasty little dick at heart, has actually mellowed a little.  However, his feelings towards Valentine have not changed.  He is not even that moved at the birth of his grandson, George, at least at first.  He still harbors that fear that Valentine is not his son, therefore, George is not his grandson.  Things change though when Val's wife leaves him for schtupping a mentally disabled young women, Agneta Treneglos, daughter of Ruth and John.  Though he has dallied many times before, this time, the poor girl ended up dead at the hands of the mysterious killer stalking the area.  It was the last straw for Selina and she packs up little Georgie and leaves him.  She eventually turns to big George for financial help and he helps her on the condition that he will take on little George's upbringing. 

Valentine is still a libertine and a rake by any standards, however we get to see another side to him.  He is often describe as 'just like Ross' father' - getting himself into hot water with his antics.  Ross tries to give him guidance and you can see that in his heart, he believes Valentine is his son.  After his heartbreaking loss of Jeremy, this wild child of Elizabeth's strikes a cord in him.  He has to do what he can to help him, yet still keep enough distance to keep both Demelza and George from fretting about it.

The oddest aspect of the story is the introduction of a great ape, Butto.  Yes, I said great ape, a baboon I think given the size, but maybe it's a chimp.  Anyway, here is where we see a side of Valentine that warms the cockles of our collective hearts when he rescues the ape from a cruel owner and a life of misery; tenderly caring for him and giving him a good home.  I found Butto to be a weird addition to the story, however he has his role to play.  He starts a fire at Valentine's home and inadvertently causes the death of not only himself, but his master too.  The fire nearly kills Ross as he tries in vain to save his son.  He is devastated by this loss and withdraws from everyone, including Demelza, who takes it quite hard, though she tries to be understanding about it.  I think it is Bella's superb performance in Romeo and Juliet, playing Romeo, that helps Ross out of his depression.  It certainly helps her feel better about her future in theater!

In the end, things are wrapped up quite nicely with Clowance married to Edward, Bella on her way to stardom and back completely with Christopher.  Ross is coming back to his normal self.  Demelza happily making wedding plans for her daughter.

All in all, I found this to be a very good read and had a hard time putting it down.  I really wanted to find out who the killer was!  I would say to those who think this book is about Bella, it is not really.  Her story didn't really get going until almost half way through the book.  I think maybe Winston Graham did not like leaving Valentine as a kind of side note in the other books and graced us with this wonderful glimpse into his relationship with his real Dad, Ross Poldark.  It's a little sad to think this is the last book.  I wonder if the series will get this far?