Happy Spring!

 

A Few Very Popular and Funny Spring Films

It Happens Every Spring (1949)

A Chemistry professor (Ray Milland) accidentally creates a liquid solution which repels contact with wood. Realizing baseballs dipped into the formula will never touch baseball bats, he's off to St. Louis to pitch in the major leagues. Jean Peters and Paul Douglas co-star in a script by Valentine Davies.



Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

"This Monty Python religious parable will probably offend every denomination equally, but it shouldn't," says film critic Leonard Maltin. "Story of a man whose life parallels Christ is the funniest and most sustained feature from Britain's bad boys." You might, however, want to avoid watching it on Easter, especially if there's lightning. The whole Monty Python gang of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Eric Idle bring Brian of Nazareth to life.



Easter Parade (1948)

A holiday movie for gentler sensibilities, although Fred Astaire's Easter bonnet festooned in the frilly pink ribbon is a horrifying spectacle and may require your consultation with clergy. This colorful MGM musical, full of easy comedy touches and Irving Berlin tunes, is bookended by Easter parades. In the interim, Judy Garland, Ann Miller, and Fred warble and dance through a 1911 romantic triangle. Humorous songs include "Snooky Ookums" and "A Couple of Swells" (with Fred and Judy as hoboes).


The Producers (1968)

Broadway con men scheme to mount the worst play ever doomed to failure, so they can pocket the unspent production funds. Great plan, but there's one small problem. The tasteless Nazi lovefest, "Springtime for Hitler," may be too good for its own bad. Mel Brooks' first feature film, an Oscar-winner for its original script, is a straight, but twisted, comedy of show business and shysters. Ironically, this movie became one of Broadway's biggest successes. Zero Mostel shines and Gene Wilder blooms.


Feeling Good, Nina Simone


The First Days of Spring, Noah and the Whale


Spring Rain, The Go-Betweens


Spring Affair, Donna Summer

The Solar Impulse 2, a solar powered plane, is set for an historic and epic Round-the-World Flight, today, March 9th

You can hear the Initiator, Chairman and Pilot, Bertrand Piccand's, interview with the BBC here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02lf3qj?ocid=socialflow_twitter





And visit:

http://www.solarimpulse.com

for a live play by play of this historic and epic solar flight around the world. And while you're there, please join the THE FUTURE IS CLEAN initiative at http://www.futureisclean.org/#. 

A prompt: "I want concrete actions for a clean future" will reveal a button below that.  Click on "I Agree." You'll be directed for your basic registration information.

What an exciting moment in history! I wish Solar Impulse 2's pilots and team God's speed.



Solar Impulse 1's Flight from San Francisco to New York


Fly Like An Eagle, Steve Miller Band

Madrid's Prado Museum Introduces Unique Art Exhibition for the Blind

 

For a birthday, or any day, consider the gift of a tree...Sunday is for Poetry: ETREENITY

It's my birthday, today. I thought long and hard as gift considerations surfaced, and concluded that a tree or tree seedling would be perfect.

http://www.givetreegifts.com/



Gift Boxed Giant Sequoia

Per Joanne M. Wotherspoon:



"Established under the business name Joanne M. Wotherspoon, GiveTreeGifts.com provides tree seeds and seedlings for earth friendly gifts.  These timeless treasures will bless you with long lasting memories.

 

I didn't have to dig very deep for the inspiration for this venture.  My father had a passion for planting trees.  The trees he planted represent an important part of his life and legacy.  They flourished under his care and they continue to nurture the earth and nurture the soul with their beauty.

When my father passed, we laid him to rest with a lovely arrangement of lilies, wheat stalks, and spruce boughs, carefully selected from my parent's land.  Naturally, a tree was planted to celebrate his life.  It was a fitting memorial and tribute to a man who placed such value on the land and the fruits it produced.

 

I share my father's love of trees and, whenever I plant a tree, I think of him.  For me, planting a tree is a heartfelt gift that keeps on giving."

 

"Trees are the best monuments that a man can erect to his own memory.
They speak his praises without flattery, and they are blessings to children yet unborn."
-   Lord Orrery, 1749

  

ETREENITY

Hello again, Your Majesty.

Hello, my dear.

 

Your rebirth is magnificent.

Lie down, She offered gently.

As I lay on the grass

beneath Her sprouting branches,

 

I felt the dampness,

Smelled the petrichor.

 

Ecstatic, I dug my fingers into Her soul,

Earth, supporting us.

It was cool.

A rush of excitement stirred me.

How old are you today? I asked.

The same since I last saw you, She replied.

Ageless, I commented.

Eternal, She declared.

 

**written by petra michelle March 2009** 

 

The Memory of Trees, Enya

Big Yellow Taxi, Joni Mitchell