We spent yesterday by the fire cracking pecans from the back tree and watching movies. What we really did was worry about something we had little control over, Wilson traveling back north to school in Oregon. Yesterday's rain here is snow in Mt. Shasta, and more importantly on Siskiyou and Ashland Passes where the boys will be traveling today. All the parental worries for naught, or for good, as we just received a text that they were home in Eugene safely.
The pecan cracking involves using a framing hammer and a section (6") of railroad track. A deft whack with the hammer to the upright end of the pecan sitting on the railroad track splits the shell in two or three. Then you dig the meat out of the shell. Maureen has been doing it by herself, but I got off my caboose and helped with the hammer work. Nice mindless work while watching a movie.
The first film Must Love Dogs was a story of two recently divorced people that eventually after many starts, stops, and miscues fall in love. Internet dating, siblings, friends, a parent and dogs are involved in the escapade. Some were stereotypical and some were insightful in their own way. It was a fun movie to watch on a rainy day.
The young man, played by John Cuzak, builds wooden rowing boats for a living, or at least tries for a living. His only near-sale is to a man that wants him to cut the boat in half to mount on the wall. Beautiful woods varnished to a luster and a delight for the eye. At least for this wannabe, part-time boat builder. The wood boat lust makes me want to build one for myself, but the reality is it would be another partially finished project. Or as my father's sailboat that ended up in the sandbox of a Kindergarten playground.
The next film was really was a documentary for American Masters on Jeff Bridges. What a span of roles he has played. Some of the films I have seen, some not, and some I want to see now. Having recently seen True Grit I was reminded of his acting skills and this documentary showed the breath of these abilities.
The last film was Lawrence of Arabia. I remember hearing that this was a must see movie in a film class, but didn't see it for the first time until my honeymoon. I like historical movies and this one still delights, though like Reds it is looooong. The drama of WWI, the British stiff upper lip, the beginnings of a nation and sand everywhere, literally. I felt I had to check my ears a few times to make sure no sand got in there.
In the end I was struck by the way the British stepped aside and let the Arab tribes try to start their country, smugly knowing they would come calling for help eventually. Reminded me of my students, though I don't sit smugly waiting for them to come for help. They don't come looking very often anymore.
Both groups, the Arabians and students, have for so long wallowed through their lives using what they were given. What happens when what they are given runs out? Students, young people, grow up and rely on what they've been open enough to learn or discern. They make mistakes like we all do and learn to do it differently the next time, or make the same mistake again and again and live with the consequences.
Have those in the Middle East learned in these years since Lawrence? What will they do when the oil runs out? Like it is now.
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