What the Beck?: July 2016

Saturday, July 30, 2016

What the Beck???

This is my one and only tree, last winter.

It was so beautiful

But this winter it caught a blight

so it had to come down.
I asked them to cover the pond before they began.

I was shocked at how quickly it came down

I would have hated having their job,
as the temperature was in the 90's.

They were very nice, efficient men.

Suddenly it was down to one long pole,

and then it went crashing down.

Here comes the chipper

It has a wicked look to it

Yikes!

Getting into place

Look at that wheel spin

They sent me into the house as wood was a flyin'

I started planting as they pulled away

This will have to do until next year

Thursday, July 28, 2016

What the Beck???

I am currently volunteering at Field of Dreams Horse Rescue. I love everything about volunteering there. Today, I will introduce you to Spree, a gorgeous horse who needs to be adopted.

Horses that need a forever home!!!
Website: https://www.fodonline.org/

Field of Dreams: Spree

The Field of Dreams website stated: "Spree is an extremely handsome 13 yr. old black Trakehner gelding standing 16'1 hands high. He loves being groomed, is good for the vet and farrier, and gets along well with other horses. Spree is currently being worked at the walk, trot, and canter and is going over jumps. He is a flashy mover, and would make a great hunter."
***I did explain the terms Trakehner and farrier at the
bottom of this page!!!!

I love grooming Spree! He loves to be groomed,

and seems pretty comfortable with me.

He is one heck of a beautiful horse.

Every time I see this horse, he touches my heart.
He needs a fabulous home.
If you ever hear of anyone looking for a horse,
send them to Field of Dreams!!

You can also become a volunteer like I am.
The people who are leading the volunteers
are amazing and very patient. I haven't worked
with horses for a very long time, but I am now
confident in what I am doing for them.
It is also fun!!!

Vocabulary Information:

Trakehner

According to:

http://trakehners-international.com/history/index.html

“The Trakehner horse is the oldest warm-blood breed in the world, with a history spanning almost 300 years to the foundation of the main stud Trakehnen in 1732. The official name, "The East Prussian Warmblood Horse of Trakehner Origin" hints to the roots of this magnificent breed: the region of East Prussia once belonging to Germany, but lost during World War II to Russia. The origin of the breed is a small horse - bred locally in East Prussia - known as the "Schwaike". The Schwaike was known for its versatility and endurance. When this breed was crossed with imported English thoroughbred and Arabian stallions, the resulting horse was named after the main stud it came from: Trakehnen. The original purpose of the Trakehner was for use as calvary mount. In the early 18th century, King Friedrich Wilhelm I realized that a new type of cavalry mount was needed as war tactics had changed and demanded a faster, lighter horse that also posessed power and endurance. In 1732, he moved the best of his cavalry horses to the new royal stud farm Trakehnen and began to systematically breed a horse that would meet many criteria. The new cavalry mounts had to be attractive enough to be a representative horse for his officers, but additionally had to be tough enough to survive harsh situations and come out sound. Through his efforts, the Trakehner breed evolved.

At the same time, East Prussian farmers were breeding the same base of horses, but for the daily work in the fields. Soil in East Prussia was always heavy and deep, and from today's point of view it might seem strange that noble Trakehner horses were pulling ploughs through thick mud, but from the standpoint of breed selection, it is a major reason the Trakehner soon had the reputation of a hard-working animal with little need for maintenance.”

Vocabulary Information:

Farrier

According to: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/farrier

“Farrier is now usually applied specifically to a blacksmith who specializes in shoeing horses, a skill that requires not only the ability to shape and fit horseshoes, but also the ability to clean, trim, and shape a horse's hooves. When "farrier" first appeared in English (as "ferrour"), it referred to someone who not only shoed horses, but who provided general veterinary care for them as well. Middle English "ferrour" was borrowed from Anglo-French ferrour (a blacksmith who shoes horses), a noun derived from the verb "ferrer" ("to shoe horses"). These Anglo-French words can be traced back ultimately to Latin ferrum, meaning "iron."

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

What the Beck???

Bucket List Update

Academy Award Nominated Movies

1929 The Hollywood Revue of 1929

starring: Cliff Edwards, Jack Benny, Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, John Gilbert, Buster Keaton, Norma Shearer, Lauren and Hardy, and more.

plot – The TV Guide called it a “vaudeville extravaganza.”

I love seeing all of the different types of acts and performances.

1944 Since You Went Away

starring: Jennifer Jones, Claudette Colbert, Shirley Temple, Joseph Cotton, Robert Walker, Hattie McDaniel

plot – It’s WWII and a soldier goes off to war, and leaves behind a wife and two daughters. The family takes in borders to make ends meet. This picture shows the drive of women left behind to succeed for the family.

I love this movie. We often see the war movies, but rarely focus on those left behind. GRRRRRREAT!

1950 All About Eve

starring: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Gary Merrill, George Sanders, Celeste Holms, Thelma Ritter, Marilyn Monroe

plot – A young woman is mentored by a star. She studies everything the star says and does and eventually uses her newfound knowledge to become a star herself. She does lie and alienate all of those around her. She has a horrible drive to be the best and will walk on anyone, including her mentor, to get there.

Fabulous movie. Anne Baxter plays the young woman perfectly.

1965 A Thousand Clowns

starring: Martin Balsam, Jason Robards, Barbara Harris

plot – A colorful man is raising is 12 year old nephew. He is out of work and they have a crazy home life. Unfortunately the school calls in DCFS to find out about their home life. Eventually, Murray gets a job, but I was left wondering if he could maintain or ejoy a normal lifestyle.

I really liked this movie. Jason Robards plays the eccentric part so well. It was pretty fast paced and kept my interest throughout the entire movie.

1963 Cleopatra

starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Martin Landau, Hume Cronyn, Pamela Brown, George Cole, Roddy McDowall, Cesare Danova, Carroll O’Connor

plot – The epic four and a half hour movie of Cleopatra and her love for both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

I loved this movie at the beginning, but wanted it to be over after the first two hours. It was filled with action, but it was just too long. When I looked it up on line, I discovered that the original movie was over SIX hours. Thank God, they cut it to 4.5.

1966 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal, Sandy Dennis

plot – A married couple (he = college professor, she = the University President’s daughter). They are both drunk and entertain a young professor and his wife who are also drunk. They share the nasty side of their personalities.

This was a tedious movie for me. I hate to see drunk people in public as well as in the movies.

1971 The French Connection

starring: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony LoBianco, Marcel Bozzuffi

plot – An international heroin smuggler operation is being pursued by New York detectives.

I hated every minute of this movie. I was terribly bored. I'm really don't love a movie like this unless it is Law and Order.

1940

starring: Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Barbara O’Neil, Virginia Weidler

plot – A woman becomes a governess for the children of a Duke and Duchess. She loves all of the children, and they truly love her. The Duchess is extremely jealous of this relationship, which leads to a death, a suicide, and a major court case.

This was a good movie. It was hard to understand the feelings of the Duchess because she was also loved but never stood up for herself and her needs. Interesting!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

What the Beck???

Stopka Wedding

The Stopka family has played a huge part in my life. I love all of them, as if I were a part of their family. I always felt welcome in their homes, and I feel so blessed to know each and every one of them. Thanks to Mom, Nancy Stopka, I entered college in Florida. She also helped me find a job that I loved after I moved there. She has been a strong influence in my life, and I was thrilled to see her at this wedding.

Kathy, has been my best friend, since I was seven years old. I have always admired her and love her husband and kids, too.

This was a very special day for me. A big thank you to Christina, Shirley, and Tom for inviting me to this wedding.

Enjoy the photos of the day.