I haven't read any fairy tales lately, and I don't even think any of the novels I've read recently could be considered a fairy tale, though I have read and enjoyed quite a few retellings. I think my favorite would be Beauty and the Beast - I'm thinking of the Disney-fied versions of fairy tales, I admit! The Disney version of that one presents Belle as a young lady that is courageous and gracious, and sees good in people . . . and beasts! And it highlights that generosity and kindness are much more attractive qualities than self-importance and pride. I guess I do believe in "happily ever after" but I know that it doesn't come easily. "Happily ever after" is only possible with commitment and faithfulness and willingness to work through all the hard times. I suppose "happy" isn't the best word - "joyful" would be better.
- Once upon a time __________
- A long time ago __________
- In a place far far away __________
A long time ago we had the crazy idea that maybe we could get lucky in the green card lottery and move to the US - ideally to Florida - and we had some dreams for raising a family and so on, but I don't remember ever having a picture in my head about what retirement would be like.
Hubby and I actually had this conversation a few days ago. When you're a kid you have some ideas of what you want to do when you grow up, and when you're a teen or young adult, you have ideas of what it will be like when you get married, start a family, have your own house, or how your career may go. But we didn't think anyone really had an idea in mind for what life would be like at retirement or as a grandparent. It's like we don't have expectations about it until the first grandchild is on the way, or until retirement is imminent and we begin wondering if we've saved enough.
3. Which of the following 'fairy tale foods' is your favorite? which have you made/eaten most recently?
porridge/oatmeal (Goldilocks and The Three Bears), an apple (Snow White), a gingerbread cookie (The Gingerbread Man), pumpkin soup/pie/bread (Cinderella), peas (The Princess and the Pea), beans (Jack and The Beanstalk), or a cup of tea (Alice in Wonderland)
My favorite from the list is pumpkin pie, or maybe a gingerbread cookie. I most recently had oatmeal for breakfast on Saturday.
Fun is so broad and can be so many things! For me, music is always fun. I love attending concerts, singing, and playing music. I love singing along to the radio or my playlist. It's especially fun when I can enjoy music along with family, like when we were all in a worship band together or when my daughter and I attended concerts together. There are lots of other things I consider fun, but that was the first one that came to mind.
Noun: Indoors - except for a winter walk right at the beginning of the month, we opted for activities at home or indoors in order to stay warm!
Verb: Prepare - I feel like that's the bulk of what I've been busy with all month, preparing and planning for upcoming events.
Adjective: Hopeful
On Sunday we went to the Columbus Museum of Art to see the Lego exhibit. There was a lot! There was a Lego city in the center of the room, and many Columbus buildings and landmarks were represented - like Franklin Park Conservatory, Huntington Park, and Kemba Live. I'm not sure where the "tire fire" is in real life, but we got a kick out of that detail!
I wish I'd taken more time to examine this beautiful "crazy quilt". My family had many crazy quilts, and I didn't really care for them much when I was young because there was no real pattern and they were so random. Crazy, if you will. Of course, the ones my grandma made didn't have the details embroidered or appliqued like this one that is more of an art piece, but crazy quilts are far more artistic and beautiful than I was able to appreciate back in the day.
What's your idea of fun or of a fairy tale ending? Leave a comment and let me know!
It does feel a little bit like you're living life, working, raising a family and then suddenly it's retirement. We always wanted to live on a lake, to retire in the south, and we did plan for that, but there have been a lot of surprises too. And of course we mostly take our health for granted when we're young and managing your health is a huge part of the retirement years. The lego exhibit looks like fun! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteYes, retirement does sneak up on us in some ways! We're still hoping to head south when we do retire but who knows what will actually happen since much of my current life situation was not on my original bingo card! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteThe Lego exhibit looks cool!
ReplyDeleteIt was really interesting and we could have spent a lot longer noticing all the little details too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI really do love Beauty and the Beast, teh animated and live action movies.
ReplyDeleteAhh! Music is a lot of fun and in so many ways.
Indoors is a great word, I've spend most of February indoors but I am looking forward to getting outside when it warms up a bit.
Oh wow! That Lego exhibit looks amazing.
I remember being skeptical of the live action B+B - it was better than we expected but we still love the animated original best. I'm also looking forward to getting outside some more. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI'm with you on replacing Happy with Joyful. Joy is something a lot deeper. Getting old isn't easy but it does bring about a new set of joys. We spent most of February indoors, too. Hope the end of February goes well for you!
ReplyDeleteYes, deeper is a good way to describe how joy is different from happiness - and better! Just a couple more days of February, and I think they will be great days! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI am with you with Beauty and the Beast... I agree with your statement about Belle.
ReplyDeleteMy boys would LOVE going to that Lego exhibit!!!
Carla
I had to remind myself what I said about Belle - LOL! She's my favorite Disney princess, partly because she loves books. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteThat's a great analysis of Belle and Beauty and the Beast. I had a hard time coming up with my favorite and picked Cinderella mostly because it was one of my daughter's favorites when she was younger! That's cool that you got a green card via a lottery to come to the US. I knew you were from Canada originally but didn't know how you wound up in Ohio! (I know you also lived elsewhere before landing in the Buckeye state!) Enjoyed reading your answers!
ReplyDeleteI did write about the whole story of the green card lottery awhile ago - maybe I should have linked that in my random thought to explain. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI actually went in search of your about me info after reading about the green card lottery. I didn't find anything and then I read Maria's comment above! Did you ever make it to live in Florida? I really enjoyed your answers today!!
ReplyDeleteWe haven't made it to live in FL . . . yet! Maybe when we retire? I did write about how we won that lottery and now I wonder if I should put that in my About Me page. Hmm. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Delete