San Saba Texas - Wine and Cows

 Spent Easter Weekend in San Saba, TX at Aunt Pat's ranch. Typical of small towns, the courthouse is in the center. I contribute movie reviews to her Little Paper of San Saba

 Trying to unload our stuff. The cows freaked me out as they edged closer and closer to the truck. I know they were hoping for food, but I'm just not keen on up close and personal greetings. There is a whole San Saba chapter in my humorous memoir - My Zoo World.

 It's not Napa Valley yet, but the Texas Hill Country is sprouting wineries almost as fast as cactus. We visited the Wedding Oak winery. The gate wasn't closed so I only got a photo of the "Ing" side. Pretty gate background, I'm sure, for weddings. We sat in the courtyard and enjoyed the blush wine.

Inside - casks of wine. On the wall was a plaque for the 300 member club. No names yet. If Ray does get on Pat's deer lease, maybe he'll join as the first member. But somehow wine and deer hunt sounds like an odd combo.

It was a fun Easter weekend and then as an added bonus, we had rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trust me, that is blessed news.   Now onward to April.

Q: Queue and Quaaludes

Q: Queue. In England, you'd join a queue to buy a ticket, get a table, or perhaps to see the Queen. I use the term queue for my Netflix recommendations and reviews for The Little Paper of San Saba. I am the critic for a town without a cinema. Here's the latest column:

Like Crazy - American Jacob (Anton Yelchin) and Brit Anna (Felicity Jones) meet and fall madly in love in Los Angeles. She's on a student visa. However, when she goes back to work in London, the strain of a long distance relationship proves daunting. Trust issues abound, and finally she works to make the move to the States. However, he's trying to grow his furniture making business. Life as students was much more fun and carefree than trying to be grownups and finding their way. Likeable characters in real life situations. Like and love is crazy.

Anonymous - This period costume movie is rather boring. Who really wrote Shakespeare's plays? After watching this mess you won't care. I just couldn't get into the alleged intrigues of the court. I normally like Vanessa Redgrave, but even she didn't keep me captivated as the queen. Better to go read a Shakespeare play than watch this snoozefest.

Rango - rather weird animated movie. Funny, clever, but above the heads of kids. Johnny Depp voices the bizarre lizard who's finding himself on an existential journey. He travels to the Old West and is annointed sheriff. It's all zany and wild and there are a lot of good lines, as like Shane - there's a battle between good and evil. Plenty of pop culture references abound and kept me amused. Kids probably like the colors and action, but I question whether they really follow the story. Whatever - it's fun.

Being Elmo - Kevin Clash grew up in Baltimore, fell in love with puppeteering and achieved his highest dream - working with Jim Henson and the Muppets on Sesame Street. Even more amazing, he developed one of the most beloved characters ever - Elmo, and decided Elmo would stand for love. This documentary is endearing and a true feel good story. Kevin, now in his 50s, seems like a really nice man who's creative, hardworking, and still can't believe it all himself. His parents were supportive all the way through, and watching kids' faces when Elmo appears is worth the show. Excellent flick.

Portlandia - just started watching this series and it's hysterical. Fred Armissen and others from SNL fame all send up the hippy dippy vibe of Portland (not Seattle). Whether it's questioning a waitress on the origins of the farm raised chicken, or working at a store but not wanting to sell product, there are a ton of laughs in the 20 minute episodes. Truly on the mark snarky and trendy. Love it.

Queue up the poison of the day - not quinine -Quaaludes - No longer available in the American market, quaaludes (generally pill form) were taken to relieve anxiety and induce sleep. However, overdosing is easy and reaction time is quick.

King's Speech Kick-off for 2011

I have joined a gym, where I have lifted as much as 6.5 pounds. Let's see what happens next. Author Gary Shteyngart

To improve my painting, a recent hobby for which I have no natural aptitude whatsoever. Author Tom Rachman

Go to the movies and create reviews. Writer, Joanne Faries

Resolutions and goals for 2011 - nah! I've decided this year to just roll with it. Write, edit, write more, send it out, accept, reject, edit, send it out again. Poetry, flash fiction, short stories, work on my (I think) crappy novel (obviously there is a goal to improve the garbage). Enjoy the process, and the happy brain dance when some words flow and you do think, "Hmm, that ain't bad."

Plus, attend movies and write reviews for The Little Paper of San Saba. I'm not paid. I'm barely edited. I only see what I want to see. Thus generally the reviews are positive because I've proven myself correct in choosing something decent for my two hours and four dollars. Let's kick off 2011 with a winner:

No, you don't have to adjust your ears. Your first encounter with actor Colin Firth, as the Duke of York, is painfully awkward. He's assigned a speech to a huge audience and his horrible stammer is excruciating. You wince, you cringe, and you wonder how the duke could ultimately become King George VI, the man who carried England through WWII and inspired his people with ...yes, speeches.

Well, go see The King's Speech, and witness what I consider an Oscar worthy performance. Firth plays Prince Albert who's happily married and father to Princess Elizabeth (now the current reigning monarch) and Princess Margaret. But his stammer keeps him in the background of royal life. The movie presents various doctors' suggestions for a cure. All to no avail. Finally his wife (Helena Bonham Carter) finds a peculiar Australian, Mr.Logue, who seems to have a knack for speech therapy. Played by Geoffrey Rush, the odd man offers a fitting contrast to the pompousity of royalty. His methods work and a friendship grows.

The movie slowly taps into the childhood struggles, the overbearing father - King George V, and the shining star of a brother who renounces the throne to marry Wallis Simpson (twice divorced American - shocking). No wonder poor Bertie stammered. Amidst the backdrop of history, we share Albert's torture and pray for him to succeed. We see how much he cares for England and its peoples, and how fate got it right. Albert becoming George VI was absolutely perfect for the times. His stammer actually kept him a bit humble, and he grew into his leadership.

The King's Speech is not action packed adventure. It's character driven, well written, and superbly acted by every well known English actor on the planet. Each performance is a gem. This is why I go to the movies.

And now I roll up my sleeves, open a fresh page in Word, and blast any roadblocks hindering my progress toward my lack of goals/resolutions. Happy 2011!