My Cinema - The Butler

Lee Daniels' The Butler.

I had been hearing a lot about this movie. A lot of good things. And since I love historical films, especially ones based on a true story, I knew I had to see this one.

I'm not sure I can truthfully say this was a fantastic movie, or one of the best I've seen. But it was good. And very, very interesting.

The premise of the film is the telling of the story of Cecil Gaines (convincingly played by Forest Whitaker). From a young black boy born as a slave in the turn of the century South to a prestigious position as a butler in the White House where he worked for 8 administrations. We watch as Cecil grows from a young sharecropper slave's son through the 1960's civil rights movement and on into the Reagan era of the 1980's. All the while, Cecil is a passive witness to history in the making from his point of view in the nation's capitol.

My Backyard - Seeing the World Through Helen Keller's Eyes

Inspirational. Amazing. Extraordinary.

So many words to choose from to describe Helen Keller. A woman who changed the world, changed how the world looks at and treats the visually and hearing impaired. A woman who personified hope, strength and determination.

I've been a fan of Helen since I first heard her story when I was a young girl. I was mesmerized with her tale, her struggles, her triumphs.

Now as an adult I decided to re-visit her story. And come to understand her in a different light. From an adult perspective.

My Backyard - A Portrait of Gilbert Stuart

Growing up in Rhode Island, I never knew the local history included the great portraitist Gilbert Stuart. Who's that, you might ask? To me, his name is not well known. His work? That's another matter. Everyone has seen one of his portraits.

 

Look familiar?

I'm sure it does. How about this?

Yes, that's a Gilbert Stuart portrait on that piece of currency.

 

I'm not sure why I never knew the history of Mr. Stuart and his connection with my little state. But once I realized it, I had to rectify the situation and travel to Saunderstown to see his birthplace for myself.

 

My Backyard - Museum of Work & Culture - Woonsocket, RI

"Embracing the Past to Inspire the Future"

Nestled in the center of this once bustling industrial city is a cultural gem. Housed in a former dye mill is the Museum of Work and Culture. The focus of the Museum is to present the story of Woonsocket's history, specifically the sacrifices and struggles of the immigrants who flocked to the city by the river and enabled it to grow from rural farmland to a thriving industrial region at the turn of the 20th century. 

 

I began the tour on the first floor where I learned of the origins of the first Canadian settlers who emigrated from the Quebec area to Woonsocket in the late 1800's. Interactive displays illustrated the rural life that the immigrants left behind to journey to an unknown promise of a better life in the United States. As I moved further into the Museum I found replicas of the spinning machines found in the textile mills where the immigrants toiled for long hours for meager pay in harsh, dirty, loud working conditions. I learned that Woonsocket once had many such mills, some were dye houses and others manufactured cotton fabric and woolen goods. Most of the city's population, including children, were mill workers.

It's All About the Hair...and Music!

What does my hair and music have in common? Curious? Yes? No? Oh, c'mon. You KNOW you want to find out...so...read on, my friend!

There are so many volunteer opportunities out there but I think I definitely found the one that suits me. I'm working with the RI Music Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization whose aim is to recognize the state's musicians and industry professionals. I love that! And if you know me, you know how much music means to me. No, I'm not a musician. Can't play a note. Can't sing either. (Though I wasted many a wish hoping and praying that I would suddenly wake up one day and find that I had become Joan Jett!)

This past Sunday was the highlight of the year for the Hall when it inducted its second class of inductees:

On the Road Again - Exploring Florida

Can't help myself. Traveling is in my DNA.

Last week found me on the road again. This time Hubby and I made our way to Florida. Again. (I know. I know. I just went there a few months ago...but come on. This was for family - my boys - my grandkids. They need me!)

 

But the way we were looking at it, hopefully we'll both have jobs real soon. And with that comes the looong waiting period before we'll be able to vaca again. So we decided we better get some rambling done before we get tied back down. (Also didn't want to lose any points we've built up from previous trips.)

Our trip got off to a bizarre start...