When someone sees the same people every day, as had happened with him at the seminary, they wind up becoming a part of that person’s life. And then they want the person to change. If someone isn’t what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.
From The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
Our friend from Strecno took us to the Martin Benka museum, where I discovered a new favorite artist. His paintings show such strength in the men, the women, and the land. I love his rich and distinctive palette.
Last winter I boarded a train to Bratislava and sat next to a woman who was writing music. When she finished her work, I introduced myself and asked her what she was doing. I rarely speak to strangers, but Kristian was with me and his interest in music was growing, so I opened my mouth. I’m glad I did, because it started what is developing into a lovely friendship.
In the spring our new friend, who lives about two hours from us, came to Trnava to sing in a concert of baroque music. Paula and I had lunch with her and we enjoyed her concert. This summer she invited our family to be the guests of her family for two days – and she planned for us a full schedule of Strecno castle, rafting on the river Vah, walking through her village and along the bank of the Vah for sunset, museums of art and ethnography, churches, villages, and incredible countryside. But what was best of all, was meeting her family: her mother (who is in perpetual motion, like Paula), her quiet but very funny husband, her two shy but lovely daughters (who cooked dinner for us the second day), and her twin sister, who played the accordion and sang folk songs as we rafted along the Vah. And, in good Slovak tradition, they treated us like kings – a spacious and comfortable place to sleep, and a feast at every meal. Above you get just a hint of our glorious dinner the first night: sausages, spekacka (which melted in my mouth), fresh-picked vegetables from their garden, cheeses, chardonnay, chicken – I could hardly stop eating.
Their hospitality overwhelmed us.
Happy birthday, Paula!
I wonder by my troth, what thou and I
Did, till we loved? were we not wean’d till then?
But suck’d on country pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?
‘Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be;
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.
From John Donne, “The Good-Morrow”
Once again this is a movie I have owned forever but just watched: Thirteen Conversations about One Thing. And I will watch it again – soon, if possible, and with some people who would like to discuss it, if possible. Strong, compelling, interesting, challenging. Lots of meaty themes (like happiness, guilt, chance) to get you thinking and talking. Alan Arkin is perfect as the manager of a happy man – and the man’s happiness irks him (because he can’t find happiness himself) so much that he tries to destroy it. There are several intertwined stories here, and many of the characters are challenged and grow. If you like thought-provoking films, give this one a chance.
Though I bought the DVD about a year ago, I just got around to watching Look at Me (Comme Une Image - yes, it’s French). To get straight to my recommendation I’d say I was glad I watched it, though it wasn’t particularly pleasant. It’s about a not-too-pretty and rather chubby girl whose father is a famous writer. The girl thinks that people don’t pay attention to her except to get to her father. The father has become quite full of himself and turned into a jerk – he certainly pays no real attention to his “big girl.” It’s interesting (though not fun, as I said) to observe how people are concerned with image, and what it does to them. And it asks you to think about your own relationships and how sincere they are (or aren’t). Definitely a movie that could stir some good discussion.