Wonderful

December 2, 2014 Photo (336/365): "It's A Wonderful Life"

Zuzu Bailey: "Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings."

George Bailey: "That's right, that's right. [Looks heavenward] Attaboy, Clarence."

I love Frank Capra's 1946 holiday film, It's a Wonderful Life!  It's not only my favorite Christmas movie, it's my favorite movie of all. Jimmy Stewart is a quirky and charming, yet troubled and frustrated George Bailey, a selfless man who has spent his entire life thinking of others. George has given up his life dreams of travel, architecture, and financial security to help the people of Bedford Falls. Yet despite his good intentions, due to circumstances beyond his control, he finds himself disheartened. Thinking of his family and others he loves would be better off without him, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved become manifest in the apparition of Clarence Oddbody AS2 (Angel, 2nd Class). To earn his wings, Clarence must show George what life would have been like if he had never been born: Bedford Falls is transformed into Pottersville - a seedy bastion of haves (Mr. Potter himself) and have-nots. All those George whom loves are either dead, ruined, or miserable. Clarence succeeds in showing George that "each man's life touches so many other lives." Who among us hasn't felt that despite our best intentions, we haven't made a difference, yet each of us has the power to improve not only our own lives but those of so many others. Upon realizing that he really has had a wonderful life, George returns home to family and friends who have banded together to save him. I cry every time George's younger brother, Harry, a war hero, raises a glass to his "big brother George, the richest man in town!"

I haven't watched the film yet this Christmas season. I'm saving it, along with White Christmas and Love Actually for an afternoon of wrapping presents and writing Christmas cards.

(#decemberphotochallenge - Day 2: Your Favorite Holiday Movie)

Elements

December 1, 2014 Photo (335/365): "Fire & Ice" (le feu et la glace)

« Il n'y a pas d'éléments si divers qu'ils ne peuvent pas être rejoint dans le cœur de l'homme. » - Jean Giraudoux

"There are no elements so diverse that they can't be joined in the heart of man."

 (#decemberphotochallenge - Day 1: Your View Today)

November in Pictures

“November comes and November goes, with the last red berries and the first white snows. With night coming early, and dawn coming late, and ice in the bucket and frost by the gate. The fires burn and the kettles sing, and earth sinks to rest until next spring.” - Clyde Watson

Bloody

November 30, 2014 Photo (334/365): "Sunday Bloody Sunday"

Milwaukee is famous/notorious for it's over-the-top Bloody Marys (like this one at Sobelmans at Marquette): pickled veggies, shrimp, cheese, bacon, sliders -- you name it, you can find it in a cocktail somewhere -- and don't forget the beer chasers. Regular articles and blogs are devoted to the search for the perfect Bloody:

http://bloodymarysofmilwaukee.com/

Yet I really prefer just a couple of olives.

Ornaments

November 29, 2014 Photo (333/365): "Ornaments"

“True ornament is not a matter of prettifying externals. It is organic with the structure it adorns." - Frank Lloyd Wright

Mother Nature, the master stylist, has begun her holiday decorating.

French Friday: Trocadero

November 28, 2014 (332/365): Trocadero

Traditional French bistro fare (galettes, croque monsieur, soupe à l'oignon gratinée, assiettes de fromage, charcuterie, steak frites, moules frites), regional wines (Bordeaux, Languedoc-Roussilon, Beaujolais), 1664, an authentic Tabac sign... it's almost like being there -- perfect for date night!