tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31007803470727402372024-03-13T12:58:13.606-07:00THE WRITER'S HOMEAnne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-41940921876989876132014-10-01T16:01:00.001-07:002014-10-29T23:16:57.885-07:00PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFSohDXjWRE/VCyGtglpQoI/AAAAAAAAKFs/9Rf0hQfoZ5E/s1600/F036-006_blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFSohDXjWRE/VCyGtglpQoI/AAAAAAAAKFs/9Rf0hQfoZ5E/s1600/F036-006_blog.png" height="190" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Tomorrow
I am getting a mammogram and it always makes me feel vulnerable and a
little bit scared because of my immediate family's history with
having breast cancer. I never knew my maternal grandmother because
she died when my mother was very young. It's a dark shadow that hangs
over women in our family when we have mammograms or when we
find a lump like the doctor once did many years ago. This
happened while I was trying to wean my eldest daughter. I couldn't
explain to her because she was a young child and it was confusing for
mommy to go to the hospital and not be able to nurse. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Fortunately,
the lump was benign. Fear, and I was afraid as well as guilty about
weaning my daughter with these circumstances, can be a paralyzing
emotion that prevents us from knowing even if the knowledge is
painful. It is, however, better to know a painf</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">ul truth and be able
to act on the hard knowing than to be ignorant and at the whim of an
indecisive fate. So, in the words of the late </span><a href="http://www.creators.com/opinion/molly-ivins/molly-ivins-december-14-1999-12-14.html" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;" target="_blank">Molly
Ivins</a><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;"> "</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Go.
Get. The. Damn. Mammogram. Done." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">UPDATE/ October 29, 2014 </b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 100%;">After two rounds of mammograms and an ultrasound, I had a <a href="http://www.breastdiseasesatoz.org/diagnosis-of-breast-cancer/biopsy/fine-needle-aspiration-biopsy-(fnab).aspx" target="_blank">Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB)</a>. Essentially, with the FNAB, the doctor first looks on the ultrasound to see where the cyst is situated, then marks that area of the breast with a pen that will not fade when she washes the area with an antiseptic. She puts draping around the breast to keep it sterile after the antiseptic, numbs the breast with a local </span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;">anesthesia, and gels again so she can use the ultrasound wand that is in a sterile plastic bag. The nurse maneuvers the ultrasound wand and the doctor uses a hollow needle connected to a syringe hooked up to tubing and sticks the needle into the breast near the mark. The doctor guides the needle with the ultrasound and withdraws fluid from the cyst, collecting it through the syringe's suction. The cyst usually collapses because it is basically a fluid-filled membrane. Then the cyst fluid is sent off to a pathologist to see if the cyst was benign or cancerous.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;">My FNAB was this simple process, it did not hurt, and I was able to resume my normal activities immediately. It was fascinating to watch the needle inside of me, to see the cyst as it collapsed, and to feel a pop inside my breast as the needle poked the cyst. However, the most important thing was getting the call from the breast care center. The cells came back normal. I don't have cancer. I have, instead, an appointment to follow up on my treatment in six months. Don't be afraid of the procedures you may have to save your life. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;">"</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;">Go. Get. The. Damn. Mammogram. Done." </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;">Picture Credit: T.W. Rolleston. The Tale of Lohengrin. New York : T. Y. Crowell, 1910</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;">Cornell University Library, <i><a href="http://fantastic.library.cornell.edu/index.php" target="_blank">The Fantastic in Art and Fiction</a></i>. </span><br />
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Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-56503481485735712882014-05-12T00:47:00.000-07:002014-05-17T01:22:40.600-07:00WICKED FINALE: LET IT GO! LET IT GO! </br><a href="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/46E5EE47F4D44B379BF7A7F16E1C3503/001-frozen-x-once-upon-a-time-screencap-from-official-ouat-facebook-page.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://assets.rappler.com/612F469A6EA84F6BAE882D2B94A4B421/img/46E5EE47F4D44B379BF7A7F16E1C3503/001-frozen-x-once-upon-a-time-screencap-from-official-ouat-facebook-page.jpg" height="216" width="420" /></a></br></br>Feels Scorecard....Okay, RumpBelle is official and Belle's daddy approves! They're happy, at least for the moment. Next on the romantic leader board: Emma and Hook, after going on a journey, a journey back in time, are finely a pair...of idiots! It seems that Emma has her mother's curse of meaning well, but not doing well by being kind-hearted and rescuing a prisoner slated for execution. What did you say your name was? Maid What? From Sherwood where? Oh... No more canoodling for the Evil Queen because things got sort of complicated on the relationship front. Almost would make anyone wish for winged monkeys. Meanwhile, Emma brought something or someone else back from the Enchanted Forest and it's going to get very cold in Storybrooke and not just for the Evil Queen's Regina.</br></br>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-74124373525551192422014-05-10T19:24:00.001-07:002014-05-10T19:30:54.991-07:00WICKED: DING, DONG<div>
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The Wicked Witch is dead...or is she? What was that green haze emitting from the jail cell after Rumple smashed the big Z to bits? Nothing seems to stop the Green Meanie, not even a bucket of water from Miss Gale of Kansas. Only one episode of Dorothy? Baum would have been disappointed at his character being just a plot twist. <div>
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Another big question for OUAT, on the eve of the season finale, is the off-again romance between Emma and Hook due to the savior's loss of magic powers through a kiss of life to save the drowning pirate. David is going to be soooo angry that Emma saved Killian, especially when her loss of the magic powers endangered his newborn son by damaging the magic force field. Emma's got some 'splaining to do to Henry's uncle when the baby grows up. OUAT relationships are becoming more convoluted with new family members of all types, because it's officially RumpBelle. The characters are getting married! Las Vegas? What are the odds that Regina will be an officiant to the Dark Lord and his sweetie? Yes, we know that we're being set up for Belle's disappointment and ongoing line in the series, "I trusted you!" that she drags out after Mr. Gold has pulled out a heart, turned a threat to glass, or otherwise slaughtered someone. Watch the Lady, Belle or you might miss something in Season 4!<br /><br />Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-20722255967392864792014-04-27T22:00:00.000-07:002014-05-03T02:26:58.804-07:00WICKED: PAGING DR.HOPPER...</br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XIPj4gnVki8/U2SyEOsNV7I/AAAAAAAAHLc/nnm5Au7zhF0/s1600/135022_3727_pre-660x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XIPj4gnVki8/U2SyEOsNV7I/AAAAAAAAHLc/nnm5Au7zhF0/s1600/135022_3727_pre-660x330.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">What can we say? Any episode with Henry in peril falls flat on its scripted face. The only bright moments were Regina glowing after a snuggle with her Sherwood stud and her wickedness looking perturbed when she couldn't get through the magic door in the forest to see Ga...whoops, Glinda, the good witch. Yes, we were rooting for the winged monkeys (the ex-Sleeping Beauty and her Prince) when they wanted to capture Henry but <span style="line-height: 1.3;">hélas, he is still with us. Not so Bae, who managed to pull himself out of his father's mind long enough to send a message to Hook with the remembering potion for Emma. We wonder what Freud would do with </span></span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3;"><a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-father-complex.htm" target="_blank">that</a> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.3;">interesting scenario! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.3;"><br /></span></span>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-36888782097915075822014-04-20T10:30:00.000-07:002014-04-29T01:36:33.621-07:00WICKED: NOT TONIGHT DEARIE<a href="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130901214702/onceuponatime8042/images/f/f8/209Cora3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130901214702/onceuponatime8042/images/f/f8/209Cora3.PNG" height="222" width="417" /></a><br />
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The B*tch was Back! Oh Cora, even as a ghost, you're just a nasty gal. Yes, Z's baby daddy was a chance tavern encounter with faux prince and low-life gardener who didn't put his spade in the right place. Meanwhile, in Storybrooke, Zelena <b><i>still</i></b> isn't getting lucky. Rumple tried to get his dagger but she didn't get his, alas. Another lonely night for Greenie picking lice off winged monkeys and moping about younger sis who's off the charts with her stud from Sherwood. Trope true that nice bad girls finish first and bad sad girls finish last.<br />
<br />Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-57810811606279316672014-04-16T02:02:00.000-07:002014-04-16T21:33:36.309-07:00WICKED:HUZZAH FOR THE QUEEN OF HEARTS!</br><a href="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130901214702/onceuponatime8042/images/f/f8/209Cora3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130901214702/onceuponatime8042/images/f/f8/209Cora3.PNG" height="222" width="417" /></a><br />
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The B*tch is Back! Disney is giving its viewers, in next week's episode, a resurrection to remember and we're not talking about the sadsack spiritual flick <a href="http://headlineplanet.com/home/2014/04/14/abcs-resurrection-ratings-slide-overnights/" target="_blank">floundering</a> worse than Ariel without her magic bracelet. It's also not about some obscure guy dangling on a tree. No, we're talking about Bada** and Busty Bedazzler,Queen Cora in Storybrooke's last hope to tame First Spawn and Green Meanie, Zelena. Maybe there will finally be answers about Z's baby daddy. Hook? I'm setting my DVR and can't wait to see the fundies have a, uh, talk with a man about a horse over the timing of her evil Maj's return.<br />
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<b><u>UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!</u> </b>We'll find out why Cora abandoned Zelena in the next episode. However, it's already pretty obvious Cora was digging for gold, but not Rumple. And who's Z's baby daddy? Hook? The late and lamented Bae? A random encounter into the woods? Careful the wish you make, wishes are children...<br />
<br />Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-17536253059035231522014-04-13T22:56:00.000-07:002014-04-13T22:56:37.870-07:00WICKED UPDATE---POOR HANDSOME HOOK<div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">David/Charming is not adapting to modern life well.Baby
furniture, alas, is not within his swashbuckling skills. He also needs
to brush up on the grand-parenting lessons.Joy-riding with a grandson who
still can't remember him, and taking out mailboxes with the sheriff's truck
while his preggers wife looks on,says <b>mid-life crisis</b></span> <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">in
bold letters. Just don't tell mayor <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Regina</st1:city></st1:place>
about the damage. She's busy being big sister in the dark arts to her sometime rival Emma.
And, yes, we're so amazed she hasn't called Ms. Goldilocks "Dorothy",
with how modest her Majesty thinks of the trainee's self-magical-confidence.
Emma has had the power in her all along, much like the little girl from Kansas. If only her Charming father had a brain...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.5pt;">Meanwhile, Hook has troubles of his own; namely taking a lot of
cold showers to bury his feelings for Emma Swan so it doesn't ruin the magic.
He has it bad, but not as bad as Zelena, with half her problem being, well, she
doesn't have another half except for winged monkeys and what do you have except litter boxes, hair in the food, body odor, and lice? She should talk to
Granny, the resident matchmaker, who knows (courtesy of Ruby) all the eligible
men in Storybrooke. Gran-Gran could find someone to cool the big Z's fire, and not
just with a bucket of water.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-79646524554746556982014-04-08T02:02:00.001-07:002014-04-08T02:13:22.355-07:00WICKED UPDATE--SPOILER ALERT<br />
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<a href="http://tvline.com/2014/03/31/once-upon-a-time-neal-dies-michael-raymond-james-burning-questions/" target="_blank">Bae is not coming back.</a> The funeral scene was heart-rending, and leaves the field open for Hook/Emma...or does it? Meanwhile, Robin Hood literally has Regina's heart, when she left it to his care before her fight with the green meanie.<br />
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It's hard to like Zelena, even though she has the most tragic back-story ever with a mother who abandoned her and a souse foster father. The big question is who's her baby-daddy? She has a bitch, Cora, but who is the sire? It can't be Rumple because he would have remembered anything with Cora. Hook? That would make him Regina's step-dad. Night root... Our brains hurt.Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-87056340098114169692014-04-06T17:37:00.001-07:002014-04-06T17:37:26.109-07:00WICKED UPDATE--SPOILER ALERT<br />
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Poor Bae, and poor Regina. Poor Emma and Henry. Poor Robin Hood. Bartender, a little bit of the night root please. This was a depressing episode.<br />
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The question is who really <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time/episode-guide/season-03/315-quiet-minds" target="_blank">did in Baelfire</a>? Was it sacrificing himself? Did Hook get his you-know-what into Bae when he gave his rival for Emma's affections a "brotherly" hug in the hospital? Did our favorite pirate backstab him with the hand cleaver? Or did he slip Neal a mickey (not mouse), to sedate him before he did a strange transformation in the forest? Is Bae really dead?</div>
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And now for Regina. Girl, you have got to get over yourself. He's hot, you're hot. Light a fire. It might be an excuse for Emma to throw water in your direction and take out Zelena. The next episode should answer some burning questions in the Wicked west showdown of the season.</div>
Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-61436599341194658802014-03-23T22:00:00.000-07:002014-04-06T17:38:00.291-07:00WICKED UPDATE--SPOILER ALERT<a href="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/ETav9oRNF1w/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/ETav9oRNF1w/0.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
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Prince Charming is having new daddy anxieties in both the Enchanted Forest and Storybrooke, a problem <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time/episode-guide/season-03/314-the-tower" target="_blank">that manifests in nightmares</a>. He starts to hit the booze but is interrupted by an encounter in the stables with Robin Hood. And why is <i>he</i> there? To assess the Charmings' horse flesh for re-sale purposes? After a buddy 'thanks man' moment over brew, the Prince decides to go after another picker-upper in the form of a "night root". In the haunted forest, next to the magic mushrooms. <br />
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Meanwhile, in Storybrooke, Emma and the others are searching for the Wicked Witch. Zelena has her own plans, such as stealing the night root from Rumple's shop to make a magic potion to take David's courage. Hmm, it's becoming less OUAT and more AA, with the plethora of souse and substances to occupy Storybrooke's characters.Yes, we are talking about you, Regina and Robin Hood. Whiskey is not the magic potion as it is advertised, notwithstanding you were so close. It's not the tattoo that's off-putting, it's the venison scent from raiding your forests without results for either one of you. All the lush, however, doesn't stop Charming from rescuing faint-hearted maiden from yon, muscaria amanita -shaped, tower. Perhaps being a hero again will clear David's head and make him think twice about tipping a bottle.Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-5379024133120181172014-03-16T22:00:00.000-07:002014-04-06T17:38:15.254-07:00WICKED UPDATE--SPOILER ALERT<div 0px="" 16px="" 24px="" arial="" font-size:="" helvetica="" line-height:="" museo-sans="" padding:="" sans-serif="">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, dearies, there were a lot of surprises in <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time/episode-guide/season-03/313-witch-hunt" target="_blank">this episode</a>. The green-skinned witch, Zelena, had a big reveal for Regina when they met. Hey, we're related! Regina was not so impressed with the news and her response was, yeah, bring it if you're going to war with me. My bet is on the Evil Queen because she grew up with her doggess mother <i>and </i>had Rumple for a tutor in the Dark Arts. Sissy dearest had just Rumple. Plus, Regina has hunk and handsome in Robin Hood and Zelena only has flying monkeys. Try to keep your witch's unmentionables warm at night with those things!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, in Storybrooke, no one remembers how they got there or how Snow White got knocked up. Poor David will have to take it on faith that it was good. And his memory is one of the things missing in Storybrooke. People are disappearing and with</span> the rash of people turning into flying monkeys, Dr. Whale needs to go to vet school. <span style="font-family: inherit;"> Regina and Emma play Nancy Drew to flush out the wrongdoer and, in the meantime, start a tentative friendship. But how long will this last with the return of a key character?</span>
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Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-86541549230096611662014-03-09T18:18:00.001-07:002014-03-09T18:23:14.104-07:00WICKED IS COMING! TO ONCE UPON A TIME!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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THW is excited about the newest season of OUAT. When we last left Storybrooke, there were some tragic and amazing, mostly tragic, turn of events for our cast. Rumpbelle fans were heartbroken to see how the Dark One's lady love is now suddenly and horribly single after patching up her relationship with Mr. Gold. Poor Neal, on the other hand, is not only fatherless, he is also Henry-less and Emma-less. The latter is not Hook's fault,and not by the yard he would have liked to hang his rival on to twist in the wind. Regina is Henry-less, but she,to her dismay,is also Emma-less with her rival taking Henry to New York.<br />
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Emma during all this is memory-less, as is Henry, and even a surprise buss on the lips from Hook returning to our world has failed to jog her amnesia. What they say about pirates and women must not be true. The new season promises new alliances, breakups, hopes, and heartaches and THW will be reporting on each twist and turn in plot.</div>
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Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-15350840002418104212014-02-27T01:28:00.000-08:002014-02-27T01:42:24.625-08:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALAN RICKMAN!</br><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4AWQTiascc8/S2qimZxRxrI/AAAAAAAAA94/ZbDnwg9OkLk/s1600-h/snape.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img 0="" alt=""; border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4AWQTiascc8/S2qimZxRxrI/AAAAAAAAA94/ZbDnwg9OkLk/s320/snape.jpg" height="297" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434334681012225714" style="float: left; height: 179px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 242px;" width="400" /></a>Where has the time gone? It's been a few years since we have posted happy birthdays on this blog. We are that much, and six days late for wishing actor Alan Rickman happy birthday! We have been too busy with moving, going through changes in the family (some sad), plowing through novels (editing chapters) and dealing with the dreaded flu.<br />
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However, in the 'tween time, we would like to pause, as we do every year, to wish Alan Rickman a Happy Birthday.<br />
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Technorati Tags:<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/alan%20rickman" rel="tag"> alan rickman </a>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-36453252440328871712014-02-24T00:47:00.000-08:002014-02-24T01:33:12.397-08:00DOWNTON UPDATES<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>UPDATE: 2/23/14</i></b></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>SEASON FINALE</i></b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1.</b>Mary hooking up with Branson.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Golly, Charles Blake is a toff! With a</i> <i>baronetcy and one of the largest estates in Ulster! And a home invader for Prince and Country! He should have fun conversations with Branson. We're beginning to like this guy because he has criminal tendencies for the right, although short-lived, reasons for saving Prince Eddie's bacon. Meanwhile, is Branson getting cozy with Edith after being caught in a dubious castle tour with what's-her-name-schoolteacher from the village? Michael, come home. Edith may not know it, but she's on the market!</i></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">2.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anna and Bates. </span><br />
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<i>Bates, what else did they teach you while you were in the pen? Is fancy handwriting and pilfering the extent of your criminal talents? Yes, you saved the royal bacon by forging the note as well as doing a little five-finger discount in Sampson's coat pocket, but will His Lordship allow you near the silverware again? </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3.</b>Edith finding someone who is not old, married or gay.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poor Edith. The baby girl is with another family but that's not going to stop our regal <a href="http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/12/09/brenda-starr-comic-strip-ending/" target="_blank">Brenda Starr</a><u>,</u>from being with the child, and her mystery man. World War II is on the horizon, in 1923, with mention of Michael being beat up by a group of Brown Shirts. However, nothing can </span>thwart<span style="font-family: inherit;"> someone who has already survived Switzerland with Rosamund. Grab your black orchid, ace reporter, and go find your Basil!</span></i></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">4.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baxter</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baxter and Mosley?! Who would have thought? It's sweet. </span></i><i>They are as warm together as Mrs. Hughes and Carson holding hands and walking into the waves at the beach.</i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Fight for her, Mosley! Give Thomas hell because he deserves it!</span></i><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">6.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose?</span></div>
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<b></b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose has somewhat redeemed herself for Prince and Country with her failed attempt at retrieving the scandalous letter, but we're still glad <a href="http://thewritershome.blogspot.com/2014/02/downton-abbey-update.html" target="_blank">she got hers</a>.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>8.</b>Violet outliving everyone in the Abbey. It would be great
to see Maggie Smith having the last word because she does that so very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>The Dowager may not have the last word over Mrs. Levinson. After all, being an American is only <a href="http://shirleymaclaine.com/" target="_blank">one of Mrs. Levinson's lives</a>.</i></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">10.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thomas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><i>Barrow really needs a boyfriend to occupy him. Does he have a thing for Branson or is it just jealousy of his moving up in the world? Seriously, Thomas needs "<a href="http://history-is-made-at-night.blogspot.com/2009/01/queer-albert-hall.html" target="_blank">it</a>" more than Lady Mary.</i><br />
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<b>DEPARTURES:</b> <i>Goodbye Alfred, now a chef at the Ritz. We wish you luck! Goodbye Ivy, going to America as an English cook. Have fun, although Daisy is better! And still single, Alfred! Good riddance, Mr. Green and bon voyage to incriminating tickets in Bates' overcoat. Lord Grantham does not need to know about this, thanks to Mary and a convenient fireplace!</i><br />
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Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/downton_abbey" rel="tag">downton_abbey</a>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-12632797621934882132014-02-22T01:08:00.002-08:002014-02-23T16:49:44.250-08:00DOWNTON UPDATES<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><i>Season Finale This Sunday!</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa9nGaWOKlc/USSbNWRvY1I/AAAAAAAAC3g/81TgOMQSb7I/s1600/110569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa9nGaWOKlc/USSbNWRvY1I/AAAAAAAAC3g/81TgOMQSb7I/s320/110569.JPG" height="320" width="273" /></span></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>UPDATE: 2/13/14</i></b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><b>Note:Post Delayed Due to Flu</b></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1.</b>Mary hooking up with Branson.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The fellow radical met cute with Branson is still no great looker or dresser. In the meantime, we are tortured with a slow pissing match between Charles and Lord Gillingham who look too alike to be serious contenders. It's the Bobbsey Twins at Downton Abbey!</i></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">2.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anna and Bates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span><i><a href="http://thewritershome.blogspot.com/2014/01/comment-on-downton-abbey.html" style="font-family: inherit;">Poor Anna</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Yay! Mr. Green is dead. Serve the Rocky Mountain oysters, Mrs. Patmore! There is, however, some mystery about his un</span>lamented<span style="font-family: inherit;"> demise. Run over by a lorry, the culprit probably the ghosts of Downton actors past. But wait, what has Bates been up to in the meantime? Was he seeing a man about a horse in Yorkshire or is he a vengeful killer? How can we be sure this guy lives in a cottage and not a motel? It's </span>mash-up<span style="font-family: inherit;"> time, but not just for the late and now decaying Green, with the Abbey looking more like Midsommer Murders or an episode of Sherlock. Where, oh, where is Benedict Cumberbatch when you need him?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3.</b>Edith finding someone who is not old, married or gay.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poor Edith. She is taking a sojourn with Rosamund to the Swiss Alps to, um, improve her French. No one should go through hell like that for a </span>fictional unplanned pregnancy. My dear, if you waited around long enough, there's always the </i><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/review/806" target="_blank">Adoption of Children Act</a><u> </u>in 1926 that will allow you to adopt your own child and legitimize him or her.</i></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">4.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baxter</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baxter and Mosley?! Who would have thought? It's sweet.</span></i><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">6.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose?</span></div>
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<b></b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose, you bitch. Jack Ross deserves someone better than a racist who used a black to get back at Mummsie Dearest. We were glad to see your face crumble when you got the "Dear Joan" letter from a decent man.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>8.</b>Violet outliving everyone in the Abbey. It would be great
to see Maggie Smith having the last word because she does that so very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>The Dowager would make a great prosecuting attorney with the way she cross-examined Edith and Rosamund about their Swiss self-improvement course. Her next vict...project should be Bates. Oh, and isn't she giving the knowing look to Isobel when the man-friend sent the Mrs. Crawley flowers? Dr. Clarkson should contemplate doing unnecessary surgery to take out the new rival. Where is John Nettles or </i><i style="line-height: 1.2em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Neil Dudgeon when you need them?</span></i></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">10.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The last and most important wish for the series is that
Thomas Barrow has a holiday in </span><st1:place style="font-family: inherit;" w:st="on">London</st1:place><span style="font-family: inherit;">
so he can spec out some of the "pansy clubs" and meet the man/tran of
his dreams. Putting an advert in </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/jul/03/gayrights.world" style="font-family: inherit;">the Link magazine</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for him is the kindest thing Mrs. Hughes could do for this under butler of unusual temperament.
Wouldn't he enjoy a place where he could listen to </span><a href="http://youtu.be/D8O3Smsmwj0" style="font-family: inherit;">Sam Lanin's Famous Players,'"The Man I Love"</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> while dancing with a lithe someone of his own
persuasion? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><i>Well, it seems</i><i> that our favorite gay under-butler had a modern time in America. <b>Very</b> <b>modern time</b>.</i><br />
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Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/downton_abbey" rel="tag">downton_abbey</a>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-23671999979240987222014-02-10T00:52:00.005-08:002014-02-16T20:03:41.023-08:00DOWNTON UPDATES<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa9nGaWOKlc/USSbNWRvY1I/AAAAAAAAC3g/81TgOMQSb7I/s1600/110569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa9nGaWOKlc/USSbNWRvY1I/AAAAAAAAC3g/81TgOMQSb7I/s320/110569.JPG" height="320" width="273" /></span></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>UPDATE: 2/10/14</i></b></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1.</b>Mary hooking up with Branson.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Pigs. Tom has met someone. A fellow radical but no great looker or dresser. And Mary has fallen for the new land agent, </i></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Charles</span></i><i style="font-family: inherit;">...but wait, Lord Gillingham has returned! </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2.</b>A baby for Anna and Bates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><a href="http://thewritershome.blogspot.com/2014/01/comment-on-downton-abbey.html">Poor Anna</a>. Mr. Green is back again. And Bates knows her secret. Advice: Mr. Green better hide his gonads or Mrs. Hughes is going for the carving knife. Rocky Mountain oysters are on the dinner menu tonight, Mrs. Patmore!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3.</b>Edith finding someone who is not old, married or gay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Poor Edith. Having the baby is the best way when your fiance has flown the coop and it will be your one shot at happiness. At least, there's someone in the nursery at the end of the day.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. </b>O'Brian and Braithwaite are gone.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baxter (can the writer use anything but "B" names or is he trying to to tell us something about lady's maids and female dogs?) needs to understand that she is skirting the edge of Mrs. Hughes' patient and could be on the same platter as Mr. Green.</span></i></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">6.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose?</span></div>
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<b></b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose is needs to be a little less bubble and more earth. Her relationship with Jack Ross is lovely but on perilous ground for that era. Let's hope it won't end tragically.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>8.</b>Violet outliving everyone in the Abbey. It would be great
to see Maggie Smith having the last word because she does that so very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></b><i>Oh goody! She did not die, yet.</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> Her Ladyship couldn't be deathly ill, because neither heaven nor hell would take the Duchess. And she's bonding with Mrs. Crawley. Awww, it's like looking at sleeping kittens.</i></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">10.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The last and most important wish for the series is that
Thomas Barrow has a holiday in </span><st1:place style="font-family: inherit;" w:st="on">London</st1:place><span style="font-family: inherit;">
so he can spec out some of the "pansy clubs" and meet the man/tran of
his dreams. Putting an advert in </span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/jul/03/gayrights.world" style="font-family: inherit;">the Link magazine</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for him is the kindest thing Mrs. Hughes could do for this under butler of unusual temperament.
Wouldn't he enjoy a place where he could listen to </span><a href="http://youtu.be/D8O3Smsmwj0" style="font-family: inherit;">Sam Lanin's Famous Players,'"The Man I Love"</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> while dancing with a lithe someone of his own
persuasion? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><b></b><i>America. </i><i>Handsome stewards on the ship. <a href="http://www.outtraveler.com/features/2008/01/14/spring-2008-manhattans-roaring-gay-days?page=full" target="_blank">Gay clubs in New York</a>. Yum.</i><br />
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Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/downton_abbey" rel="tag">downton_abbey</a>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-88621872170550752162014-02-08T00:14:00.001-08:002014-02-16T20:04:41.835-08:00DOWNTON UPDATES<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa9nGaWOKlc/USSbNWRvY1I/AAAAAAAAC3g/81TgOMQSb7I/s1600/110569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa9nGaWOKlc/USSbNWRvY1I/AAAAAAAAC3g/81TgOMQSb7I/s320/110569.JPG" height="320" width="273" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>UPDATE: 2/10/14</i></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1.</b>Mary hooking up with Branson.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Fellowes has added yet another red-in-the-face herring for Mary to be miserable over while Tom has said something to the effect that it is unlikely that another earl's daughter could love him. PLEASE don't tease us with heavy foreshadowing! We all know where this is going...hopefully!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2.</b>A baby for Anna and Bates. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b><i><a href="http://thewritershome.blogspot.com/2014/01/comment-on-downton-abbey.html">Poor Anna</a>. It looks like she can't be a mum, but thank goodness it wasn't a Mr.Green baby.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3.</b>Edith finding someone who is not old, married or gay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b><i>Poor Edith. Any man that she falls in love with won't stick around or there is some other disaster to alter her path to the altar.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. </b>O'Brian and Braithwaite are gone.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><i>The current lady's maid situation is just as bad as with Braithwaite and O'Brien. Cora should learn to dress herself for dinner.</i></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">6.</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose and Jimmy?</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose is going for the jazz brother. I hope Rosamund learns to take that medicine. Meanwhile, Jimmy is learning the meaning of "No!" from Ivy. I can't see that relationship going anywhere. Teach him to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97JIFQzw8NM" target="_blank">S.I.N.G</a>, Ivy!</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>7.</b>Sybil Jr. and George.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Don't they look cute with their perfectly matched step-parents? And aren't they the lucky ones?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>8.</b>Violet outliving everyone in the Abbey. It would be great
to see Maggie Smith having the last word because she does that so very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i> </i></b><i>I do so love her spatting with Mrs. Crawley. They could go on the stage together. 'What is a stage? Is it like a weekend?' The preview for this weekend makes me nervous. No, she can't be deathly ill, because neither heaven nor hell will take the Duchess.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>9</b>.Mosley.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Timing (and devious head housekeepers), it's what gets you the job. I still think the term hapless describes him.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>10.</b>The last and most important wish for the series is that
Thomas Barrow has a holiday in <st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place>
so he can spec out some of the "pansy clubs" and meet the man/tran of
his dreams. Putting an advert in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/jul/03/gayrights.world">the Link magazine</a> for him is the kindest thing Mrs. Hughes could do for this under butler of unusual temperament.
Wouldn't he enjoy a place where he could listen to <a href="http://youtu.be/D8O3Smsmwj0">Sam Lanin's Famous Players,'"The Man I Love"</a> while dancing with a lithe someone of his own
persuasion? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b>No person of Barrow's inclination on the horizon but lots of male eye-candy hanging around Mary. The job still does have perks. However, it's time to write in a man-hunk for our fave under butler.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/downton_abbey" rel="tag">downton_abbey</a>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-52827335879289402462014-01-14T20:43:00.000-08:002014-02-10T00:57:08.350-08:00COMMENT ON DOWNTON ABBEY<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6I6g_vUZuco/UtYM19Jj0iI/AAAAAAAAFuM/0-zFoOaTOr4/s1600/clipar240.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6I6g_vUZuco/UtYM19Jj0iI/AAAAAAAAFuM/0-zFoOaTOr4/s1600/clipar240.png" height="320" width="274" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">This article is for
those who found the </span><a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/12/watching-downton-abbey-a-shocking-crime/?_r=0" style="line-height: 200%;" target="_blank">recent episode of Downton Abbey about sexual assault</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> to be offensive to their sensibilities.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Grow up, and then
talk to your daughters and other important female people in
your life about rape.<br />
<br />
Let them know you will be there for them
if someone sexually assaults them.<br />
<br />
Don't hide in your self-centered
pity-pot of armchair viewership and bemoan that your feelings are
hurt from Julian Fellowes' fictional depiction.<br />
<br />
This type of assault happens to real women, irregardless of age or class, <i><b>every day of the year</b></i>.<br />
<br />
Let the female people in your life know they can be brave and tell a
caring person in their lives.<br />
<br />
Be a caring person in a victim's
life. Help her go through the often intimidating medical and legal process of reporting a rape.<br />
<br />
More importantly,
let those you love know that they should not be ashamed of themselves
when they are victims of this type of assault.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Please remember: Rape isn't about sex,
it's a crime.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>RESOURCES:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a href="http://www.feminist.org/911/resources.html" target="_blank">Feminist Majority Foundation: Sexual Assault</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a href="http://www.nsvrc.org/" target="_blank">National Sexual Violence Resource Center</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><a href="http://www.rainn.org/" target="_blank">Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/sexassault.htm" target="_blank">The US Department of Justice:Sexual Assault</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/downton_abbey" rel="tag">downton_abbey</a>
</div>
</div>
Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-18463896909394204392013-07-31T02:27:00.001-07:002013-07-31T02:43:43.441-07:00A Tribute to a Wonderful Person<br> </br><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UNMohio8CQ/UfjbNKicM7I/AAAAAAAADF8/zh6QpiHA2nQ/s1600/2Folks68.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UNMohio8CQ/UfjbNKicM7I/AAAAAAAADF8/zh6QpiHA2nQ/s320/2Folks68.gif" width="306" /></a>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div><br> </br>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-16857261328362395522013-03-20T02:32:00.001-07:002013-03-20T02:32:33.335-07:00It's Only Obvious...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxkGAvT7TLk/UUmBbNUuOnI/AAAAAAAAC34/7IErv7aUJOs/s1600/Fantas498.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxkGAvT7TLk/UUmBbNUuOnI/AAAAAAAAC34/7IErv7aUJOs/s400/Fantas498.png" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Could someone please, in the next season of <a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time">Once Upon A Time</a>, give Regina a t-shirt that states "FYI: Magic comes at a price, dearie." with "RIP Cora Mills" on the back? Her Majesty seems more and more out of touch with what is in front of her face. She should take a break from going after the Charmings and share war stories with Azula in <a href="http://vimeo.com/14411160">The Beach episode</a> of Avatar the Last Airbender because both of these girlfriends do not have what it takes to keep men without ripping out their hearts and controlling them.<br />
<br />
<br />Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-616973513769319812013-02-20T01:48:00.000-08:002014-02-16T19:58:52.253-08:00TEN GOOD THINGS WE WANT TO HAPPEN ON THE NEXT SEASON OF DOWNTON ABBEY<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa9nGaWOKlc/USSbNWRvY1I/AAAAAAAAC3g/81TgOMQSb7I/s1600/110569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa9nGaWOKlc/USSbNWRvY1I/AAAAAAAAC3g/81TgOMQSb7I/s320/110569.JPG" height="320" width="273" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>UPDATE: 2/2/14</i></b></span></h3></br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1.</b>Mary hooking up with Branson. Please. The <a href="http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/19/downton-abbey-season-four-scoop/">Matthew replacement</a> that Fellowes is considering is not as much of a hunk as Branson
and I doubt Tom Ellis has the pecs to out flex Allen Leech. The newbie would
not even interest Barrow if served up on a silver platter buck naked except for
a strategically placed fig leaf.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Oh, please, don't tease us anymore. Mary and Tom make the perfect couple with their cute kids and tragic back stories of actors who took a bunk faster than Edith's German-loving suitor.</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2.</b>A baby for Anna and Bates. Get cracking because it's
about time after the long imprisonment story. They're happy but a baby would
complete the picture. By the way, tough, Robert and Mary can dress themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b><i><a href="http://thewritershome.blogspot.com/2014/01/comment-on-downton-abbey.html">Poor Anna</a>. We hope that Bates has the sense not to pursue her attacker so he doesn't end up on a date with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Pierrepoint">Pierrepoint</a>.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3.</b>Edith finding someone who is not old, married or gay.
Maybe Jimmy falls into her lap unless he, in Thomas' fantasies, is a closeted
pillow-biter. Or, perhaps, Edith needs to find the woman of her dreams because
she is not having any luck with the opposite sex.<b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b><i>It looks like Edith</i>'s<i> latest dance tune is going to be "Papa, Don't Preach". Somehow, it was always hard for us to imagine <b>her </b>getting preggers the old-fashioned way and being a married mum.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4.</b>O'Brien leaving for <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> to be part of Shrimpy's
entourage and encountering an unfortunate end. Can we please get rid of her in
a very nasty way? How hard would it be to film an elephant stampede on a
backlot?</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Yay, she's gone! Where's the elephant?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>5.</b>The return of Ethel Parks, maybe with a client list just
to spice things up a bit around the Abbey.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>We, instead, got Braithwaite who left Downton in quite a hurry. Good riddance,"manipulative little witch".</i><i> You were more of a whore than Ethel.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>6.</b>Rose and Jimmy? That would knock the socks off her
uptight mother. Shagging the second footman and eloping...Won't Violet have
something to say about this!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rose, go for the jazz brother. Don't listen to your aunt Rosamund. She's just sour grapes over being jilted for her lady's maid.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>7.</b>Sybil Jr. and Charlie growing up together and getting
married. Watch your blood pressure, Robert!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Sorry, my lord has already carked it over Edith's delicate condition</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>8.</b>Violet outliving everyone in the Abbey. It would be great
to see Maggie Smith having the last word because she does that so very well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i> </i></b><i>I do so love her spatting with Mrs. Crawley. They could go on the stage together. 'What is a stage? Is it like a weekend?'</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>9</b>.Mosley ending up in the <a href="http://www.shakespeare-online.com/faq/shakespearedrinking.html">Malmsey butt</a>. He's just not
funny, even drunk.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Timing, it's what gets you the job. I think the term hapless describes him.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>10.</b>The last and most important wish for the series is that
Thomas Barrow has a holiday in <st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place>
so he can spec out some of the "pansy clubs" and meet the man/tran of
his dreams. Putting an advert in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/jul/03/gayrights.world">the Link magazine</a> for him is the kindest thing Mrs. Hughes could do for this under butler of unusual temperament.
Wouldn't he enjoy a place where he could listen to <a href="http://youtu.be/D8O3Smsmwj0">Sam Lanin's Famous Players,'"The Man I Love"</a> while dancing with a lithe someone of his own
persuasion? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">No person of Barrow's inclination on the horizon but lots of male eye-candy hanging around Mary. The job does have perks.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/downton_abbey" rel="tag">downton_abbey</a>
Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-46075087043894769862012-12-19T22:56:00.000-08:002012-12-19T22:56:50.151-08:00<p align="center"><a href='http://www.causes.com/momentforsandyhook?utm_source=nmos_medium' target='_blank' style='border:10;margin:0;padding:0;'>
<img src='//causes-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/mf/RQ/Qa/iX/oh/Da/dZ/Yr/NMoS-button-white-300.png' alt='Moment of Silence for Sandy Hook Victims on Dec. 21' style='border:0;margin:0;padding:0;' />
</a></p>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-45827327522351039042011-12-04T11:42:00.001-08:002011-12-07T23:17:39.222-08:00A Call to Stand Down<br><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAb5pXxH3aE/TuADLQqwsCI/AAAAAAAABGw/ThfstEvud54/s1600/blog2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAb5pXxH3aE/TuADLQqwsCI/AAAAAAAABGw/ThfstEvud54/s200/blog2.png" width="177" /></a></div>
The Senate passed, according to the Christian Science Monitor, <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/1203/Guantanamo-for-US-citizens-Senate-bill-raises-questions">The National Defense Authorization Act</a> that covers $662 billion in defense spending. The bill includes a provision that will strip American citizens of right to trial, and subject them to indefinite detention if the government considers them terrorists. This detention applies also to United States citizens who the government arrests on American soil. Essentially, the bill makes America a part of the battlefield against terrorism and makes every United States citizen a terrorist suspect. This takes away the rights the Constitution guarantees such as the freedom of speech that every writer cherishes. The Senate passed Bill 1867 by a vote of 93 to 7. However, President Obama has said that he will veto the bill. <br />
<br />
Good. Let us as authors, citizens and voters keep the waffler to his word. Bill 1867 and the National Defense Authorization Act is an issue in the presidential campaign. President Obama should give the bill an ignominious death in veto, or face former allies who will not turn out to support him. The 99% should be screaming from the streets that they will stay away from the polls and leave President Obama hoisted on this nasty and volatile petard come Election Day unless he protects the civil liberties and rights of American citizens by vetoing Bill 1867.
<br><br/>Technorati Tags: <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/bill 1867"> bill 1867</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/obama">obama<br /></a>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-74411722695912709552011-06-28T23:23:00.000-07:002011-06-28T23:42:13.962-07:00The ERA Is Now<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PAwqZd6WSWg/TgrHliA9tmI/AAAAAAAABFI/LzritPt6zO8/s1600/blog_218.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PAwqZd6WSWg/TgrHliA9tmI/AAAAAAAABFI/LzritPt6zO8/s320/blog_218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623526532325422690" border="0" /></a>Phyllis Schlafly must have her corset bunched at Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Senator Robert Menendez’s (D-NJ) reintroduction of the Equal Rights Amendment in Congress. However there is not any valid protest that she can raise to the legislation in its current embodiment.<br /><br />Let’s go through the list of some objections to the ERA in 1975:<br /><br />●Then: There will be unisex bathrooms.<br /><br />Now: There are gender neutral baby diaper changing stations and accommodations for the handicapped. It is nice to know that men can change diapers too. It is more important that handicapped people can go places and have full lives like the non-handicapped.<br /><br />●Then: Women will have to serve in combat.<br /><br />Now: Woman serve in the military, even in combat zones.<br /><br />●Then: Women will have to work outside the home.<br /><br />Now: The unemployment rate for everyone is high because of hedge fund implosions and carpet bagging mortgage lenders.<br /><br />●Then: Women will lose their husband’s Social Security and pension benefits.<br /><br />Now: Husbands don’t have Social Security and pension benefits because of the shysters on Wall Street who cheated the middle class and poor out of their hard earned wages.<br /><br />●Then: Same-sex marriage.<br /><br />Now: This will happen in my lifetime. I just hope it happens in Schlafly’s<br /><br /><br />Technorati Tags: <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/%20equal%20rights%20amendment%20"> equal rights amendment</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/%20phyllis%20schlafly%20%20%20">phyllis schlafly<br /></a>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3100780347072740237.post-23931655630891738682011-06-27T08:07:00.000-07:002011-06-27T09:34:04.791-07:00A Little History For The Uninformed<br></br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSidigLItp4/TgiwSRuPWVI/AAAAAAAABFA/H97N9nBk7WQ/s1600/salute.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSidigLItp4/TgiwSRuPWVI/AAAAAAAABFA/H97N9nBk7WQ/s320/salute.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622937962813544786" border="0" /></a>The Family Research Council, a conservative Christian advocacy group, has its ideological knickers in a wad over the fact that <a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/23/nbc-apology-on-pledge-of-allegiance-doesnt-satisfy-family-research-council/comment-page-1/">NBC cut short the Pledge of Allegiance</a> during final round coverage of the U.S. Open Golf Championship. The television station inadvertently omitted the phrase, "One Nation Under God". NBC apologized for the unintentional cut. The Family Research Council, in huffy response, is demanding that NBC air the Pledge in its entirety every day as a public service announcement and that the station create a patriotic special about the Pledge.<br /><br />The Family Research Council, through its lack of historical perspective, may not want a special program about the Pledge aired. <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/nat_pled1.htm">The phrase, "One Nation Under God"</a> was not added until 1942 in response to the Cold War and to, naively, distinguish pious Americans from god-abandoning communists. However, the Pledge of Allegiance was written by, wait for it; <a href="http://oldtimeislands.org/pledge/pdgech3.htm">a liberal Christian Socialist named Francis Julius Bellamy</a>. This Baptist minister believed in the right of workers to unionize, the equal distribution of wealth, and a government that provided care for its citizens. He also believed in equality for women and African-Americans. This world view informed Bellamy's Pledge,<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />"I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Francis Bellamy wanted to add the word "equality" for his views on women and race but decided that would have been too controversial at the time.<br /><br />I would like to see a documentary on the Pledge of Allegiance. The program would put the Family Research Council and other conservatives into deep shame about their ignorance and hubris.<br /><br />Technorati Tags: <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/family%20research%20council%20">family research council</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/%20nbc%20%20">nbc,</a> <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/%20pledge%20of%20allegiance%20%20%20">pledge of allegiance<br /><br /><br /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Anne Caglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095719715115131036noreply@blogger.com0