Music Monday - "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra (1977)

Because it's a drizzly January day, "Mr. Blue Sky" seems like a perfect Music Monday song.  "Mr. Blue Sky" was a 1977 rock song by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO).  It was written by ELO and has an almost orchestral feel.  It has always reminded me of the Beatles, especially their bigger songs like "A Day in the Life."  I have loved this song since first listen.  The 2012 animated music video is fun too;  look for the singing chorus of flowers near the end of the song.

Downton Abbey - Season 5, Episode 2

What Happened (A Very Short Summary)

Mary, assisted by Anna, plans an assignation with Tony Gillingham.  Charles Blake realizes Mary has chosen Gillingham and comes to Downton so they can talk.  (Picture of Mary and Charles, above.)   Edith steps in as a sort of godmother to Baby Marigold, so she can stay in her life.  Isobel and the Dowager Countess visit with Lord Merton.  A policeman comes to the Abbey with news that there was a witness in Mr. Green's mysterious death. 

Character Of the Week

Lady Mary boldly moves forward in her plans to have a tryst with Lord Gillingham, checking into a Liverpool hotel on her own and meeting him in an adjoining room.  She plans birth control (with Anna's help) and moves forward in secret, trying to plan her own future and happiness.  This is the most determined we have seen her to move forward since Matthew's death. 

Most Striking Visual

The wireless comes to Downton Abbey.  Not surprisingly, Rose advocates the wireless radio, while Robert and Carson oppose the idea.  The family and staff are amazed by the wireless - progress before their eyes.  Daisy comments:  "Why is it called a wireless when there are so many wires?"

"Oh My" Moment

It was truly surprising to hear that there was a witness in Mr. Green's murder.  Mrs. Hughes looks shocked - and troubled - by the news, since she suspects that Mr. Bates had something to do with the murder.

3 Day After Downton Thoughts

1. Maybe if Thomas found love, he would be a nicer person.  I actually felt for him in this episode, as he seemed very lonely.

2. I do not think Mary should have asked Anna to pick up the birth control, when Anna was clearly uncomfortable doing so.

3. Although I have liked Tony so far, I did not like his thoughts to Mary on how to lie successfully.   Now I am wondering if he should be trusted.

What I Hope Will Happen Next (All Speculation - No Spoilers!)

The trailer for next week's show teases the appearance of a man from the Dowager Countess's past (!!).  Mary is moving forward - hopefully toward happiness.  I hope that things move smoothly for Edith with baby Marigold, but Drew's wife does not seem as amenable to the plans as her husband.   And what of the new arrival, Simon Bricker?  He seems interested in flirting with Cora.

What did you think of tonight's episode?  What did you consider the "oh my" moment?  And what would you like to see happen next?

10 Memorable Books

Every month or so on Facebook there is a thread that goes around about 10 memorable books.  You are to post your books and share the thread with your friends.  As a lifelong book lover, I participate every single time, and always find my book choices change a bit.  I thought it would be fun to share my list with you and ask for your 10 memorable books as well.   I may have to revisit this list again later with a new one.  Reading is like that!

1 The Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace - These are my desert island books! This series tells the story of 3 girls from age 5 through their 20's, in turn of the century Minnesota. 

2 The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Childhood favorites. I love everything about these books.

 

3 The Keeping Days series by Norma Johnston - Another series with a turn of the century setting. This series tells the story of a family, a young girl who wants to be a writer, and her friends.

 

4 Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - Two sisters, one practical and one romantic, seek love.

 

5 The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - I love the way this series has given a love of reading and imagination to a new generation.

 

6 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Perhaps the Great American Novel.

 

7 The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler - A noir detective story set in Los Angeles. For years I reread this book every summer. 

 

8 Time and Again by Jack Finney - Time travel, love, history, old New York. 

 

9 Possession by A.S. Byatt - Poetry and poets, romantic passion and a passion for words. A beautiful book.

 

10 Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire - A twist on The Wizard of Oz, and a wonderful fantasy world on its own.

 

I would love to read your 10 memorable books in the comment section, below. 

Friday Faves: All About Movies

Happy Friday!   This Friday Faves edition is all about movies.  It's funny;  I love movies but will go for some time without seeing any (schedule!) and then I end up seeing several in a short time.  This past week has been like that.

Fiddler on the Roof
I saw this movie first as a child with my family.  I was young and mostly remembered the daughters' love stories and all the music.  After reading the play for a book review last month (link here), I really wanted to see the movie again.  I'm so glad I rented it!  Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye, who drives a milk truck in Russia in the early 1900's, his wife Golde, and their 5 daughters.  The 3 oldest girls are interested in love and marriage, and the story is about their lives, but also about the changes in tradition within the family.  This 1971 movie was directed by Norman Jewison and stars Topol as Tevye.  It is a beautiful, sprawling musical epic.  I found the gravity of the story moving as an adult, although I still loved the light moments, and of course, the music.  It is 3 hours long - a time commitment, but well worth it.

Into the Woods
I've wanted to see Into the Woods since I first heard it was being filmed.  I saw, and loved, the play a few years ago and only imagined how it would translate to the big screen.  The movie adaptation far exceeded my expectations.  Into the Woods is an imaginative retelling of several fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, interweaving plots:  Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel.   It is beautiful, with fanciful set design and costumes.  The Stephen Sondheim music was amazing.  Standout performances included Meryl Streep (the Witch), Emily Blunt (the Baker's Wife), and Lilla Crawford (Little Red Riding Hood).  It is a family friendly movie, produced by Disney, and I recommend it very highly.

Big Eyes
I love Tim Burton's movies, and am fascinated by Mid-Century pop culture, so this movie intrigued me.  Big Eyes tells the story of Margaret Keane (Amy Adams).  She was a single mother in 1956 California, working as a struggling artist, when she met Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz).  Walter Keane was all bluster and schmooze, and he claimed to also be an artist.  Walter ended up taking credit for Margaret's work, and marketing her iconic "big eye" paintings of children and animals as his own.  The film has a spectacular 1950's setting, including a glimpse of the jazz club where Cal Tjader played, galleries, the New York World's Fair, and the breathtaking Mid-Century home where the Keanes lived.  Tim Burton had a less stylized look than usual for this film, letting the MCM design and setting stand on its own.  I think this was a good choice.  I found Margaret a compelling and ultimately inspiring character and have enthusiastically recommended this film to friends.

Netflix
I won a year's subscription to Netflix.  Hooray!  I've wanted to try their streaming service for a while now, and am so excited to finally check it out.  Although I may end up watching more classic tv shows than movies via Netflix, I had to add it to my Friday Faves list this week as well.  (I'm sure some movies will sneak into my play list there!)

Have you seen any of these movies?  I would love to read your thoughts in the comments section?  Are you a Netflix fan?  Any recommendations there?

Throwback Thursday: Fizzies

This is my first Throwback Thursday post here.  I love retro nostalgia, especially 1960's - 1970's, and am excited about adding a blogging day dedicated to memories from the 1960's, 1970's, and probably 1980's, too.

Do you remember Fizzies?   This was a candy tablet that you dropped into a glazz of water.  It fizzed and made a carbonated drink.  I never was a huge fan of soda, but for some reason I loved Fizzies as a kid.

Fizzies were first created in 1956 by the Emerson Drug Company, the inventors of Bromo-Seltzer.  In the 1960's, they were sweetened with Cyclamates.  Cyclamates were banned by the FDA in 1968 and they were no longer produced, although they were still on store shelves until the 1970's.  I remember Fizzies as a little girl in the late 1960's.  I recall liking orange and grape.

I had no idea that Fizzies were still around, but they are still made:  Fizzies site.  Who knew?!   I enjoyed visiting the site and remembering this childhood treat.