Finished Reading Anna Karenina

I Just finished one of the best books I've ever read by Leo Tolstoy  Anna Karenina.

  Mr.Tolstoy (above) sums up our own thoughts, feelings, disparaging's, jealousy's, angers, through the many different personalities in this wonderful book, Anna Karenina!
  The book bounces all around with complex personalities,  bearing names that are truly unpronounceable, unless of course you can speak/read Russian, then the names
like Sviyazhsky or
 Agafya Mikhailovana would come naturally.

 "a story of a Russian aristocrat in love with a Cossack girl. Anna Karenina (1877) tells parallel stories of an adulterous woman trapped by the conventions and falsities of society and of a philosophical landowner (much like Tolstoy), who works alongside the peasants in the fields and seeks to reform their lives. Tolstoy not only drew from his own life experiences but also created characters in his own image, such as Pierre Bezukhov and Prince Andrei in War and Peace, Levin in Anna Karenina and to some extent, Prince Nekhlyudov in Resurrection."
   

The author often alluded to Anna,  before she even appeared on the pages. I eagerly awaited the arrival of this mysterious, Anna Karenina.  I envisioned in my minds eye what she would look like... someone looking like Angelina Jolie... you know,
 sultry, sexy ....

   ... When Anna finally did appear in this incredible work of words... I didn't like her at first, but as I read Leo's  description of Anna thoughts and feeling's, reading of Anna's pains, her jealously,and confusion.  I soon found myself crying along with her tears,  for her son and her loneliness. I started to slowly understand this heroin, and why she did the things that she did.
 Understanding the ugly thing that bugged me so much...  her adultery!

(Rummer has it, that Keria Knightly is to play Anna K.)

 In the up coming movie, as great as I think Knightly would do in acting the part of Anna... I think Jolie would make a more convincing Anna

 The author does a wondrous job also in describing things like a horse race, this surprised me a little because who would care about that, but I  found...did!
  I read in anticipation of who would win this competitive horse race! My mouth dropped open when I read what happened to this gorgeous strong horse!

 Leo Tolstoy too describes Levin and his love to pretty little Kitty. The description of Levin's love for not only his wife but his farming life, made me feel a sense of pride.
Leo Tolstoy wrote of women and their feelings kept me captivated to such a degree that I thought, surly he had inside knowledge as to how a women feel... maybe his wife Sofia (below) gave him some help with the writing of the complex female species.

 He wrote well on all situations with all his personalities through out all 817 pages!
  He would always faithfully come back, chapter after chapter to the intriguing Anna K. Then almost out of the blue..it all stopped, she was gone!
 ( book Spoiler) I even had to re-read the part where she *#@!...
I thought why the heck did he even bother naming the book after her.
 Anyway...the book ends with Levin's thoughts, I just love this part, for he sums up just how I have been feeling in the last year.
I believe that Leo also was tormented with this religious battlefield...
these kind of thoughts do not just come from nothing,usually many years of questioning God and religion leads to ....

PAGE 815-817

"Well what is it that disturbers me? Levin ( Grace) said to himself (herself) feeling before hand the resolution of his (her) doubts, though he (she) did not know it yet,
 was already prepared in his (her) soul.

"Yes, the one obvious, unquestnable manifestation of the Deity is the laws of the good disclosed to the world by revelation, which I feel in myself, and by acknowledging which I do not so unite myself as I am united, wheather I will or no with the community of the believers of the church. Well, but the Jews, Mohammedans, the Confucians, the Buddest-What are they? 


He/she asked the same question that seemed dangerious to him/her. 
'Can these hundreds of millions of peolpe be deprived of the hightest good, without which life has nomeaning?' He (Grace) ponderd, but at once corrected herself "What am I asking??? 'I'm asking about the relation to the Diety of All various faiths of mankind. I am asking about the Universal manifestation of God to the whole world with all these nebulae...to my heart, unquestanably knowldge is revealed...and I want to express this knowledge...which is reveilde to me by Christianty, and can always be varified in my soul....
...'no I wont tell her as she walked on ahead of him, its a secret thats necessary and important for me alone and inexpressible in words. This new feeling has not changed me, hasnt made me happy or suddenly enlighted as I did dream;) 
And Faith or not Faith...I dont know what it is- but this feeling has entered  into the me just as imperceptibly through suffering and has firmly lodged itself in my soul....the unquestionable meaning of the good which it is in my power to put into it!'

Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina

I have just started to read this most interesting and exciting book...Anna Karenina, a busy family/love story, based in Russia..Filled with almost unpronounceable names. I am on  Chapter 13 as of today and eagerly look forward to further reading .  I had better hurry up and finish this mammoth of a book of 864 pages, with all its intriguing plots and crazy difficult names, because its to be made a movie this fall....

Director Joe Wright's (Hanna) adaptation of the classic Leo Tolstoy novel
 Anna Karenina 
is gearing up for production.
The film is set to begin production later this month in the U.K.
 and Russia, with an eye towards a fall/winter 2012 release date. 
Keira in my opinion  will make a wonderful Anna...

Knightley To Star In 'Anna Karenina'?

Keira Knightley poses for a few photographs before she leaves London’s Comedy Theatre after performing in The Children’s Hour on Thursday (March 3).

The 25-year-old actress may be starring in the upcoming adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’sAnna Karenina, directed by Joe Wrightand written by Tom Stoppard

Asked in an interview (via CinemaBlend) who will start in the film, Wright responded, “Not sure yet. It’s fairly obvious, but I can’t quite say. She hasn’t signed on the line yet. I’m loyal to my actors.” Wright has already worked with Knightely for two films: Pride & Prejudice and Atonement.

Easy / Interesting...mmmm?

I don’t know if I should care for a man who made life easy; I should want someone who made it interesting.....................thanks Hun!

 

Edith Wharton

25

JUL

Reading...Mary Queen of Scots

Antonia Fraser is a wonderful historical writer, I've read many of her books and am now enjoying Mary Queen of Scots.

 Mary Stuart has lead a fascinating life.

She was born to Royal parent's of Scotland. Mary was only 6 month's old when she became Queen of Scotland, and only 5 years old she left home for France.

Young Mary was to

marry at the appointed time to a little French Prince,  Francis Dauphin of France. 

He was about 4 years younger than she.

It was custom in that day, for this young Princess to make the journey from Scotland to France, so she could live amongst the French Royals andbe reared as such, seeing as she was to be France's Queen one day.

She was handed over to Henri 11 of France

 Apr 1558 she married Francois, then dauphin, the son of the French King. In Jul 1559 Francois succeeded his father and Mary became Queen of France as well as of Scotland.

This marriage didn't last long for the young King died leaving Mary a child widow.

She stayed in France for a while after her husbands death, then Marys mother died and her brother James persuaded her to return to Scotland home of her birth.

She landed back in Scotland in Aug.19 1561. Mary was 18 years old. 

Back in that day, it was impertinent that a queen have a husband,  to pass on the royal name to an heir...preferably a male heir. Mary had many proposals of marriage but settled on her cousin the handsome Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley 

Who turned out to be a jerk! He only wanted the title of "King" with reining power, and neglected his wife. He died in the end, it seems to be sinister...murder, maybe???

Darnley and Mary had a son together, who became King of Scotland and England...

                                                                     James V1 and 1

James was born on 19 June 1566/March 1625

Shortly after the birth of Mary's son, There was a large explosion at Darnleys home. He had escaped the explosion that destroyed the house but, was found dead with his page a short distance from the house. It was rumored, (and it seems quite likely), that he was killed by James Hepburn, the Earl of Bothwell (Mary's future and third husband). For Darnley had died by strangulation, not the blast.

                                                   A drawing of the murder scene.

                                       Earl of Bothwell became Queen Mary's third husband...

No one knows for sure if Mary had any thing to do with the Darnley murder but,  Bothwell was fingered as the murderer and, Mary an accomplice. Too bad she didn't think for her self...I am sure she would have realized, to go ahead and marry Bothwell would not be favourable for her. Unfortunately the queen of Scots listened to her advisers and married the Earl Bothwell...Later, these same advisers turned on her saying they didn't want her to marry the Earl Bothwell...(ass-holes!)
The Famous Casket letters


Letters, that were said to be written by Mary found in the above silver case. Controversial letters...as to weather there authenticity points to Mary in a bad and murderous light...In any case these letters were used to some how incriminate her in the murder of Darnley her second husband. Poor Mary's end was very bad...she had to flee Scotland for she had now acquired so many enemies she saut refuge in England asking the queen of England Elizabeth 1 for help and protection, Elizabeth gave a promise of help and had poor Mary confined, at first it seemed it was for her well being and safety, but Mary's confinement turn into 18 years a prisoner in England and Mary never got the help nor asylum she was promised. The Scottish Queen was charged with treason against Queen Elizabeth1 and
she was beheaded.
...by the queen of England's order.

The axeman ask for her forgiveness befor he struck...

she gave it.

Sadly it took two blows of the axe to put Mary out of her misery,

 the first missed her neck and cut the back of her head. 

This book was full of interesting facts about this beauty of a Queen, and the time of this past era, the 1500's. It also leaves me angry, angry at our inhuman past..towards all man kind, not just queen Mary. She believed in her heart she was put asunder because she would not release her religious beliefs as a Catholic...she was right to believe this, as many were put to death for their faith.
Don't feel too bad for the Catholics though,....for they too have had their hand's bloody with innocent's of  the Protestant faith...Example:
Queen Mary of Tudor, Henry V111's sister...
When she was queen, she had many protestants murdered for their faith.
Thine Queen was called "Bloody Mary" because of all the people that were burned at the stake, or ripped apart, or disembowelled, or some other gruesome act.
 How self centred religions have played a part, and still do to this day, play a sickening role
 in the lives and death of people.
(ever hear of ex-communication? or Dis-fellowshipping? Cruel!)

Queen Mary of England
"Bloody Mary"

                                                                            any how....

**************************************************************************************

When Mary Queen of Scots was charged with treason... It reads, from Antonia's book, as though she was set up by the English governing body including Queen Elizabeth
(heartless woman, how could she not know,I shouldn't take so much to heart..."NOTE In defence of Elizabeth I because she really is portrayed in such bad light for signing Mary Queen of Scots death warrant, this was not a decision Elizabeth I comes to easily".  thank you Kimberly for the extra very professional information) and some of the Scots too should be held accountable for her wrong confinement and beheading.
A queen should not have been kept a prisoner when seeking help from another queen!!! She had been given a promise of refuge by her cousin and fellow queen Elizabeth, later Elizabeth denied that she ever gave this promise. Through out queen Mary's 18 years of confinement, she kept reminding Elizabeth of her promise in her letters to the English queen.
Mary did no wrong as to be held for 18 years a prisoner of England... she only wanted to show Elizabeth that she was not after her throne, that's why she remained a good prisoner and did not run, nor try to assassinate Elizabeth.
 

                                                   Queen Marys rosary and prayer book...
                                                         Mary remained true to her faith.

 After so so many years under lock and key and much of this time under very poor holdings approximately 9 buildings...Due to lack of exercise she became over weight and rheumatic. She caved conversation for she seldom had it, and being an intelligent woman, it must have been almost pain full not to communicate in a thought provoking manner...
(don't question this unless you your self have been through it!) Mary Stuart took conversation when and were she could, with whom ever she could.
She must have gone somewhat mad, or even confused... always thinking that her release
"was any day now"  and never came.
Poor Mary Stuart just wanting out of her confinement as promised, she never wanted any ones throne as she was so often accused of.
 Even her loyal assistance loved her one day and the next they are betraying her, she never knew who to trust, but Mary would forgive many of them, realizing that some were tortured into there betrayal, but others betrayed for self gain...
Mary in her emotional pain lacking freedom and her child, and her kingdom as a God ordained Queen, could have said anything that these English creeps (speaking of this era thank you) would have used against her in order to charge her with treason...

My personal reaction... As one can tell my heart goes out to poor Mary, I am proud she held to her beliefs,even though I think Catholicism is a crock of sh*!
 as I do with most religions.
( I am open to all but believe none dis-fellowshiped as I am.
 I actually envy folks that are like Mary and my parents)
Any way...I don't understand why France who loved Miss Mary Stuart did not come to her rescue? Frances heart broke upon hearing her death. Were they not strong enough to combat England? What of Spain, they wanted to make a Catholic connection with Mary, why didn't the King of Spain step in and rescue her and marry her like he wanted?
Not to mention her own people the Scots...were where you guys???

At any rate her son became King of both Scotland and England, unfortunately Mary saw her son for the last time when he was only 5 years old, as he was taken away from her and he was
kept away from his mother.

Poor, poor Queen Mary of Scotland....I cried for this woman when I read her story.... 

(see above photo of King James V1 and 1 for more info)

A Day with a Happy Gamma!!!

I am so grateful to my Lord.

I have a fantastic family, a loving husband, a good bible teaching church, a community that I adore.

When I am not at my full time job in the city at a major cardiac hospital...

you can find me at home, enjoying life's simple bounty.....

Fresh farm eggs and...

one little red tomato I found this morning in my wee garden.

It's the only red one of this green bunch...I'm grateful!!!

                                     Besides planting Roman,I also have Beefsteak, and Celebrity

Making Mr.B. a breakfast

with those eggs and one lonely tomato, and locale honey and my home made apple jelly...

Presented to my hubby on my new... London England plate...

I bought the whole set!!!

Another simple pleasure is my cloths line.

I have a beautiful energy efficient dryer, but I have always wanted an out door line....

and now I have one...

It brings a sense of calm to hang cloths.

Quite moments to think, learn, and teach...

I and Lu peek inside the jug that has a...

Wolf Spider and her web in it!

The web she weaved was so cool, can you see her tunnel?

I and my grandson looked and talked about it for quit a while...

I love that!!!

I love to watch my grandchildren playing in the water.They are happy, so I too am happy.

Eli learns to walk, and I am there!!!

A grandmother couldn't be more happy to experience this!!!

That's Bylla helping out.

Out side in Gammas back yard, Eli try's to walk...oops!

He trips over Vanilla Kisses...

She really didn't seem to mind too much...

Well, maybe she has had enough!!!

I have a small garden,

I've always wanted a vegetable garden and Bylla helps water it...

look at the little jug she's using....hee hee!

She waters the bird feeder too...oh, I love to watch my grand babies!!!

The last of the apple's comes down...

I ate this juicy one first thing this morning.mmmmm

I picked a bunch and made....

Some dough for....

"Mile High Apple Pie" for my dear hubby,he loves my pie!!!...

and I love my new pie cover!!!

http://www.inmyweekitchen.blogspot.com/

This link will take you to my food blog.

There you will find my "Mile High Apple Pie" recipe and much more!!!

The grandchildren gather around me to share my juicy apple,even though Lu already has two in his hands!!!

I see Mr.B through the sun room window.

What a sweet heart...he is watering my plants.

We found this out door set on sale and thought it would do good in the sun room...

My art table at the other, Mr.B. put my draft table together.

A nice view out my windows to inspire...

I see my fountain through the window,

the soothing sound of trickling water in spire's me to draw....

After all the years I had to do my drawings at the kitchen table .

I finally have a wee place to call my art space...thank you my dear husband.

A yellow flower for you my husband, my lover, my friend...

Mr B. too gave me a bouquet of yellow flowers yesterday

after a long 12 hour shift at the hospital...

At the end of this day, the children go home with there mom and dad.

I sit in my beautiful back yard and enjoy a glass of wine,

and a good book, Robertson Davies "Fifth Business"....

I stay outside till the sun goes down.....

Thank you Lord Jesus for all these gifts.

I am content and a happy lady.