perfect days and historical romance
What a freakin' awesome day:D!! The weather was amazing! Right in the mid 50's all day..I woke up this morning in a great mood and it just stayed with me all day. Nothing really special happened-it's just one of those days where everything goes right:).. When I came home, my legs were feeling so much better that I decided to try my old 5 mile circut run..So I changed clothes, grabbed my ipod and out the door I went..In shorts, the cool weather was brisk-almost chilly which woke me up and gave me that extra bit of energy.. My leg was a bit sore right at the start, but pretty soon it felt fine..and I managed to run the entire circut just fine-in less time than my previous run had taken.. I just felt so alive today..running past those beautiful farm fields all ready for harvesting..the sky was beautiful..people in the cars that drove by waved back.. just a good day:)
This evening I was flipping through the channels and something caught my eye on a channel I never, ever watch. The Home Shopping Network channel was doing Halloween stuff*grin*-but relax..I didn't spend a dime there.. Most of what they had was complete junk, but it made me smile just knowing that the world is getting ready for Halloween!
This evening was so cool too that I pulled some logs out and lit a nice cozy fire in my fireplace-the first one of the season. I had pizza for dinner..I am telling ya! Today was a good day-no-just darn perfect!! The only thing that hasn't happened yet is a visit from the Swedish Bikini Team and the way things are going-I am expecting them any minute now..
I am rediscovering my basement again. Down there I have a work desk, gaming tables and the normal basement stuff-washers/dryers etc. When Angel, Chris, Brent, Curtis and Heather came over weekly we always headed down there to relax and goof off around the table..but since all of our schedules stopped those weekly get-togethers, I pretty much stopped going down there.
It isn’t finished yet-that’s something I really would love to do soon-maybe this winter.. I used to spend a lot of time down there, working on models, doing home repairs-that kind of stuff.. It’s a pretty big space..when I built this house, I opted for the full basement option-and I am glad I did.. It can be a bit dreary since it isn’t a finished basement-but the walls are painted, there is plenty of light and it doesn’t get cold or damp-in fact, I don’t notice any temperature or “feel” difference at all now that I installed a dehumidifier down there. I have often wondered exactly what I want that area to be-game room? Library?..TV room? I think I would prefer to keep all of my books and such in the current room..so maybe that area will be a tv/ sports/game area..yeah.:)
I have just about finished re-reading the autobiography of Henry VIII. I kind of dawdled my way through it because as I read it-I was cross-researching various aspects of the events covered. For instance, when he invaded France in 1513-I wanted to know more about that-so I paused and researched it. I do that with just about every book I read..I really enjoy devouring every aspect of every part..Thus-just about every room in my house has books lying half opened or bookmarked to various sections.
Anyway, Henry VIII absolutely fascinates me-as does his daughters-especially Elizabeth. How I wish I could have been alive then-if not for all time-for an instance at least!… I am not lost in some starry-eyed romantic vision of the era-but it’s just that the personalities were so forceful-so intense..of course-those were intense times..people then probably prayed that they would just survive them! But to witness his coronation..or Anne Boleyns' execution..or to see Henry VIII in person just to hear what his voice sounded like..or to see Catherine Howard’s arrest and see the panic on her face..to meet and have the chance to bow before Catherine Parr..to see and speak with the future Queen Elizabeth when she was but a teenager-young, pretty with her whole life ahead of her….-yes, one of my greatest dreams would be to have a time machine….this is why I passionately love history so much-to me-it’s alive!
I have decided to work on a video project of Tudor England-the history of Henry VIII-Elizabeth..all of that. I will narrate a part, and the rest I will put to music. I have been gathering the source material for about a week now-and I should be ready to start the project here soon. So this way-everyone will get a little peek at what my classroom’s must be like..When I get it completed I will post it here. I am actually really excited about it.
I absolutely love teaching. A few years ago, when I was teaching World History we covered medieval England and so I spent a few days talking about Henry and his heirs. I still remember putting up the image of Queen Elizabeth when she was the same age as my students at the time. We always look at historical figures as the books doggedly refer them-when they are at the height of their power and fame-but I always look at them before-because that’s when you see the real and honest glimpses of their personalities, hopes and dreams. I hope I can convey to my students at least a portion of the excitement I have about history..about the people who lived before our time. It’s just utterly fascinating to me! I am like a school boy everytime I read a book..everything is new, exciting, adventurous..even if I have read the book a thousand times. I am glad that I have never lost that zeal for history..I can’t imagine doing something everyday that I didn’t passionately look forward to doing. I am very, very fortunate to be doing something I love so much.
I am even sitting here listening to the music of Blackmore’s Night-a new-age renaissance band. I am such a dork..I love it:) -where are all the other dorks? I need to organize a dork gathering:)…dorks are sexy..
I thought I would end this post in a rather different way-with a love letter. Below is just such a letter-written hundreds of years ago by King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn. Most people probably didn't even know that these letters existed, but they do and they are utterly fascinating to me. Reading these words meant from him to her were never meant to be read by any other, thus they are windows into the past. As I read them, I am swept off hundreds of years into the past, back to an age that once was-but is no more..
My Mistress and Friend,
I and my heart put ourselves in your hands, begging you to have them suitors for your good favour, and that your affection for them should not grow less through absence. For it would be a great pity to increase their sorrow since absence does its sufficiently, and more than ever I could have thought possible reminding us of a pint in astronomy, which is, that the longer the days are the farther off the sun is, and yet the more fierce.
So it is with our love, for by absence we are parted, yet nevertheless it keeps its fervour, at least on my side, and I hope on yours also: assuring you that on my side the ennui of absence is already to much for me: and when I think of the increase of what I must needs suffer it would be well nigh unbearable for me were it not for the firm hope I have and as I cannot be with you in person, I am sending you the nearest possible thing to that, namely, my picture set in a bracelet, with the whole device which you already know.
Wishing myself in their place when it shall please you.
This by the hand of your loyal servant and friend,
H. rex
Above: Henry and Anne
My modern day translation
My love and friend,
My heart and I put ourselves into your arms, begging you to accept our love for you, and I pray that your affection for me has not dwindled with my absence from you. It would be tragic for me if it has, for the pain of separation from you is more than I ever dreamed possible.
They say that when the sun is farthest from us-the longer the days are and yet the hottest it burns. Thus is my love for you. For although distance keeps us apart, my love for you burns all the brighter and all the stronger. The anquish I feel at this separation from you is so intense, that were it not for the promise that we shall soon be together again-I would not be able to endure it.
Since I cannot be with you in person, I am sending you the nearest possible thing-my picture set in a bracelet. Please think of me and know that I am wishing myself in it’s place-with you.
Your love and friend,
Henry
Man..., what a romantic letter.. nicely said Hal. I wish people wrote like that today......