Pig movies, farmer's wives, and empowerment

Babe the pig, Farmer Hoggett, and his wife, Mrs. Hoggett

Growing up, one of my absolute favorite films was the pig movie called "Babe." Actually, I'd say it's still one of my favorite movies, though I haven't had the opportunity to watch it for a while. I mean, whose heart wasn't warmed by that tale of the little pig who could?

Anyway, I'm nearly certain that this movie inspired one of my earliest career aspirations: to be a "farmer's wife."

Not "a farmer," but "a farmer's wife." I'll repeat myself: "a farmer's wife."

Of crested grebes and misplaced badgers

A month or so ago I bought a worn copy of "Scoop" by Evelyn Waugh from Half Price Books.

Its subhead was "A Novel About Journalists," but apart from knowing of Waugh's satirical tendencies, I didn't know what the book was about. I figured it would involve poking fun at newspapers and newspaper people.

It did, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Summary: a mellow-mannered Englishman by the name of Boot (writer of the inconsequentially rustic "Lush Places" column) is suddenly pulled from his family's crumbling but comfortable countryside manor to meet with his employers in London.

Looking up

Today was slightly less cold than usual. Or rather, the sky was so sunshiny blue that I couldn't help but feel a bit warmer inside.

When I left the office this afternoon I buttoned my coat up to my neck and got ready to put my hat on when stepping out the door. But, I didn't end up putting my hat on.

Walking along the sidewalk, with its still-frozen chunks of slush-snow, I looked up. I saw that the world was not only still lit with a lot of sunlight, (time change is a-coming), but the sky was still blue. Not blueish with a bunch of dark clouds; just sharp, clear, pure blue.

I held my hat in my hand as I walked along. And because I wasn't wearing my hat nor had my shoulders slumped due to icy negative-degree winds, I was able to look up and around me.

Ash crumbs and other Lenten adventures

Today is Ash Wednesday 2014, the beginning of Lent for Western Christians. 

I have already learned a few things this Lenten season, and the first day's not even over. They're not particularly insightful or theological, just... things.

 

• Don't be afraid to be "that one person," because chances are that even if you're not joined by a fellow "that person," you've probably given someone else out there inspiration or food for thought.