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Pillars of the Earth

Am I the last person on earth to have read Pillars of the Earth? I remember picking it up several years ago, but the first scene of someone being hanged to death turned me off. The Showtime series this past summer revived Pillars' popularity, so I gave it another whirl. This time, however, I could not put the book down.

The book revolves around the decades-long effort to build a cathedral in England in the 12th century. This was an unsettling time, as King Henry had died and there was not a cut-and-dry successor. Many lives were lost in the ensuing battles and civil war. Lawlessness ruled. Earls, and even bishops, would betray or kill for more power or land. In fact, even as far as half-way through the 900+ page book I began to wonder if that cathedral would ever get built. Fortunately, there are some truly good characters as well that you root for with all your might. It's definitely a page turner.

I really liked Pillars of the Earth and learned a lot about history, especially the kings (and queen) during that time: Henry I, Steven, Maud and Henry 2. I must admit, that the violent acts of Earl William "Evil" Hamleigh toward his people, especially the women, just about did me in.  Disgusting. If anyone thinks that terrorism is something that has cropped up in the last century, then think again.

One enduring lesson: God prevails! Although men are evil and sin abounds, God ultimately turns bad into good.

Tastes like grape juice

Cycles Gladiator Syrah is an absolutely delicious wine. So smooth, and it doesn't have that initial shock to your system that some stronger wines have when you take the first few sips. Cycles Gladiator is fairly cheap too, at about $7.00 a bottle. This wonderful discovery came to me thanks to Susan, the wine lady at Kroger, who recommended it when I asked her where the Shiraz was. She explained to me that the grape in Syrah is the same grape as in Shiraz (which is my favorite type of red wine). THe difference is that Shiraz denotes the grape is from Australia wherease Syrah means it's from any where else. In this case, California. So, basically if you like Shiraz, you'll also like Syrah. And, Cycles Gladiator is one Syrah that you need to try.

I can't explain the weird brand name of "Cycles Gladiator." What's up with that?

Well, anyway, Cycles Gladiator Syrah goes deliciously with a nice broth-based soup and a toasty roll. In fact, that's what we're having for supper tonight.

The Greatest Composers

The NY Times had an article last weekend about the Greatest Classical Composers:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/arts/music/09composers.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Classical%20music%20top%20ten&st=cse

The article didn’t really list the Greatest Composers as much as it encouraged you to create your own “top ten.” The writer realizes that there is not a definitive list, and everyone would have his own picks.

Huh? You mean Bach isn't everyone’s number one pick?

Well, anyway, here’s my list:

1)      Bach – There are too many of his compositions to name. The Brandenburg Concerti, “Sleepers Wake”, “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”, any of his Minuets, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”, any of his Fugues for Organ. I think my favorite work of Bach’s is his “Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major”. That will bring tears to your eyes, it’s so beautiful. Bach’s Toccatas are my least favorite of his works.

2)      Handel – The first cd I ever bought (back in the late 80’s) was Handel’s Water Music. That cd had his Fireworks Music too, which is just as good as the Water Music. I love his Concerti Grosso and you may have heard of his Suites for Keyboard which are lovely. When things get hectic at work, I pull out the Suites for Keyboard. Works every time.

3)      William Boyce – He’s English Baroque. Oh, my goodness: I love his Eight Symphonies. Get thee to iTunes and download thee “Trevor Pinnock’s 8 Symphonies – The English Concert.” It will soon become your favorite! Funny story: When I used to listen to cd's at work, my cd player "disappeared" twice... and both times the 8 Symphonies cd was in it. I've had to replace that cd not once, but twice!

4)      Mozart – Who doesn’t like Mozart? He’s so perky! His Prague Symphony and Jupiter Symphony are so upbeat. On the other hand, his Piano Concerto that most know as “Elvira Madigan” is so soothing. I like Mozart operas too. They are so light hearted! Finally, his Horn Concerti are good. (I love brass!)

5)      Albinoni – Once when I bought Vivaldi’s cd of the Four Seasons, it came with Albinoni’s “Adagio for Strings and Organ in G Minor” Oh my goodness. Literally, it is music to my ears.

6)      Corelli – It would not be Christmas without Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto.”

7) Strauss – I used to love playing Strauss Waltzes on the piano. “The Blue Danube”, “Roses from the South”, “Tales from the Vienna Woods!” I’m sure my family was thinking, “Enough is enough!” We saw Strauss' statue in Vienna. It was the only gold statue in the park, which is a sign of how revered Strauss is in Austria.

8)      Chopin – I love piano music.

Well, I can’t think of any more right now, but as the writer mentioned: the exercise is a good one and gets you thinking.

What happens along the way

I read a novel this weekend that has made me rethink the role of strangers in our lives. The name of the book is Flies on the Butter by Denise Hildreth. The theme of the book is how hard it is to go home after you’ve grown up and left it in the dust, as Rose, the main character has done. As a child in a small town in South Carolina, “Rosey” was raised by her mother and father and loved by her Mamaw and Grandaddy. She played day in and day out with her brother, cousins and best friend Jenny. There are probably people who would pay for a childhood as idyllic as Rosey’s. Contrast Rose’s life a generation later when she’s a high-powered stressed-out lobbyist in Washington, D.C. As you can imagine, she looks good on the surface but underneath is a mess. A family event calls her home. You can tell where the book is probably heading, can't you? And you're right.

Rose is dreading the event as it means she’ll have to interact with her mother. Something happened to estrange them later in Rose’s childhood. You don’t know what until the end. You do know that Rose is becoming more and more tense as she sets out toward home in her fancy car wearing her fancy clothes and clutching her overworked Blackberry. On the way she faces physical obstacles: rain and traffic and the quest for a “healthy” restaurant. And there's something about driving by herself back to her roots that dredge up the full laundry list of all her bad choices and the mess they've gotten her in.

What intrigued me about the story, as I alluded to earlier, is how the strangers that Rose encounters along the way sense that her life is a mess. In one case, Rose lends a hand to a lady named Lilly and her baby who are stranded along the side of the road. After Rose drops them safely home, Lilly kneels in prayer for both her own struggles as well as for Rose’s. In another case, a waitress serves Rose a good ol’ Southern lunch, much to her protest but ends up quite satiated. After Rose pays and leaves, the waitress and her co-worker slip to the back room and say a prayer for Rose.  There are numerous other occasions during the trip home, where strangers pray for Rose. The one involving Abigail is so powerful that it will reduce you to tears.

It’s making me more aware of strangers and how God places them in our lives. How many times have I missed the opportunity to pray for a stranger because I was too caught up in my own routine? Conversely, how many times has a stranger prayed for me when I was having a bad day? How many times did that prayer make a difference, and I wasn’t even aware? I vow to be more aware of strangers and pray for them, especially ones that are looking sad. I’m also going to ask God to show me and give me signs as to who to pray for.

Denise Hildreth, the author, has a clever writing style. Rose has alternating flashbacks during the drive home of happy childhood memories and unhappy adulthood events. You’re wondering what could possibly have happened to such a well-loved little girl. In that respect, the book is suspenseful. The author uses clever phrasing throughout. For example, during one flashback of 10-year old Rosey and her cousin smoking their first (and only) cigarette, the author describes the children’s hands “encrusted with dirt from their earlier project of mud pies.” I thought that was cute. Later in the book, the conversation that Mamaw and Grandaddy have that explains “flies on the butter” (the title of the book) is priceless. The love that these two old people have for each other is so apparent in their words to each other.

The ending is somewhat predictable but very satisfying.

I’m so glad my sister-in-law lent me this book! I’ll probably pick up more books by Denise.