Mom & I at the Midnight Premiere of
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1


Today's Joy: Embracing the Nut Within.
All right, Reader. I try very hard in my lovely little blog not to overwhelm you with in-depth ramblings on my specific hobbies, else my posts begin to bore those of you who don't love orchids, cooking and holiday decorating quite as obsessively as I do. Still, you know the desire to ramble on is there, just as I know you long to acquaint me with the minute particulars of the things you love best. We can't help being passionate about our passions, after all. Don't you find, sometimes, when you meet someone new that it takes all your self-control not to wax poetic for 20 minutes about the activities you love? If not, I salute you.

Still, our pet projects are so much a part of who we are and what brings us joy that they can't be over-looked in a balanced life. So, consider this fair warning. I'm about to talk some Harry Potter.

My mother is about as big a Harry Potter fan as you will find outside the Rowling family. We have both enjoyed the books immensely and always go to the theatre to see the latest film versions when they come out--usually attending the midnight premiere. Last night was no exception.

Brother, Mom & I all attended the premiere of Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1. The movie was extremely well done and far exceeded our expectations. By splitting it into 2 parts, the film makers were finally able to truly delve into the nuances of the book's storyline. Thus, all of the things that made it such a great book were well-showcased in the movie. This was definitely a book lover's film.

This was also the first premiere that Mom & I dressed up for. (Yes, I am that geeky about this.)Thanks to Aunt Chef's fabulous, costume-quality, handmade hats, we drew stares from the moment we entered the building and received many compliments. Mom was all aglow with excitement. From the moment we took our seats up in the highest row (didn't want anyone to have to sit behind our hats--they were both over 1 ft tall), we became part of this mass of die hard fans. It was like the whole theatre turned into one great, big Harry Potter single celled organism. We all laughed and cried and cheered as one. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. And we left doubly excited for the last Harry Potter premiere.

So, my suggestion for you today, Reader, is embrace whatever gets your inner geek in a tizzy. Life goes by so fast and that nutty thing you put off doing or don't allow yourself to enjoy now, may soon become out of reach or out of vogue or forgotten when life suddenly puts a curve in your path. When I am ready to move on from this existence, I won't remember the exact date of each movie premiere or the theatre we were at. But I will remember how much joy it brought to share them with my mother and how fabulous we looked in our hats.

Today's Joy: Stuff You Can't Get Enough Of.
All right, Reader. Perhaps you're getting a bit bored with all my passion flower photos. If so, I do apologize and promise that I will move on to something else shortly. I'm just so darn pleased with them and lately, they've been appearing at the rate of one new flower each day. As there are only two left to open and a blossom lasts just 24 hours, I've been relishing each new debut. I think I find passion flowers fascinating in part because of their brief lifespan. All that creativity and drama and glamour goes into something so fleeting. Certainly keeps me mindful of the beauty in the moment.

Besides, I'm sure there's something in your life, Reader, that fascinates you no end while simultaneously boring the crud out of everyone who loves you. I think that's one of the bedrock principles of any good relationship: I'll put up with your weird obsession if you put up with mine... (within reason, of course.)



It's also important at times to indulge our innate curiosity impulse. Helps us understand the world around us, and perhaps even ourselves, a little better. Have you noticed, Reader, how much better it feels to focus on the healthy things in your life that you can't get enough of, rather than on all the things that bother you? You might say that a little healthy fascination makes us happier. I'm all for that. And if you somehow haven't had your fill of passion flowers yet, here's a link to my flickr set. Okay, I promise I'm moving on now.......