My Bit of Earth

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter--Might They Be Making It All Too Real?

Just announced today, Universal is planning to make a Harry Potter theme park (follow the link for pictures and info), complete with Hogsmeade Village, Hogwarts castle, and the Forbidden Forest....I've spent all day trying to figure out what I think about it, and I think I've arrived at the word "lukewarm". 

Don't get me wrong, I think it's kind of exciting and I think I'll probably go.  It's just that--one of my favorite things about the books is that they provide so much "scope for the imagination"--I'm afraid that maybe an amusement park might be too real.

With few exceptions (ahem, Gambon) I've accepted the changes made in the movies without complaint, and even enjoyed them.  But, the thing about the movies is--due to the miracle of modern cinema and it's ability to suspend reality--they're still very much more like I see Hogwarts in my imagination.  For example, when Harry rides Buckbeak in Prisoner of Azkaban there are no strings; the Leaky Cauldron is dingy and dirty; Hogwarts castle looks as if it would be cold and damp.  Due to, among others, the miracles of modern safety and sanitation, those things just aren't going to be possible at an amusement park.

And the concept drawings have me nervous about even the stuff that can be done.  They have snow in Hogsmeade, which leads me to the question--will the snow be there year round?  Because I'm having trouble imagining myself feeling transported by fake snow in Florida in July, ya know?

And the other people....Like many a twelve-year-old, I've sometimes thought about how much fun it would be to quit my day job and fly off to Hogwarts.  But in my imagination, I'm the only one...there are no pushy people with fanny packs trying to get ahead of me in line.

And the characters themselves....how are they going to do that?  Somehow I don't think Daniel Radcliffe is going to give up his acting career to move to Florida and play Harry.  Even if he did, he's getting too old for the part by the day.  Are they going to have dozens of dressed up teenagers running around the park as "Harry" for little kids to swarm?

Sorry to be such a downer.  I really do think that, overall, it will be fun.  I just don't think the "real" Hogwarts can possibly live up to the fantasy.

My Dog Moe Sniffs Orange Flowers

Sunflower Saver

A tip for those with dogs and flowers: 

Last year the pups trampled my sunflower seedlings before they could get properly established.  So this year, I took this old broken part of a sundial that I bought at the "Junque" store--Who knew you could make junk cool just by changing the spelling?--and put it over the top of the seeds after planting.  Sunflowers can grow through it, dogs can't jump on top of them--genius!  In a few days I'm going to remove the sundial, and let the sunflowers continue on their merry way.

Blooming "Sunrise"

Thanks to the every-other-hour rain we've been getting, my little "Sunrise" rose is in full-on-flower-making mode.  It's not making whole bouquets of roses all at once the way the tea roses did, but there's always at least one on the bush.  And they smell incredible--perfectly sweet without being too much.

As a bonus, it's little sister (the one I thought was dead on arrival) recovered and has about 5 little buds forming. 

So far, so good on the "northern" roses--I'm curious to see how they do once it really gets hot.

Red-Winged Blackbird

Wednesday Poll: Dreaming the Impossible Plant

Last week, I planted some stuff that I've been wanting to try for a long time.  I'm not completely sure why I hadn't done it before.  I kept thinking there would be more time, or more space, or better conditions if I just put it off.  I had been going on that way for awhile when--not to rip off the movie title, but--one morning I just kind of woke up and thought, "Ya know, what if this is as good as it gets?"

Later that day, I ordered one Passiflora 'Incense' and two 'Sterling' hops rhizomes.

So, for this week's poll:

What's something you've wanted to plant and haven't?  Or, if you prefer, what's something you've always wanted to do and haven't?  For either question--what are you waiting for?

Comment and discuss.

Rocks

Penne with Beef and Arugula

Here's one for the "keepers" list:  Penne with Beef and Arugula.  It's super simple, tastes great, and I think it would even be good cold.  We left out the extra basil and parsley--just 'cause we didn't have any on hand--and it was just fine.  The steak--with the yummy herby-garlicy rub--would be great on its own too.

Bunnies In the Garden

It couldn't have been more perfect--I already had the camera out, the dogs were safely inside--when who should wander up to the yard but Peter Cottontail and a friend.  I stalked them with the camera for about ten minutes.  One was pretty skittish, but the other let me get within probably 5 feet.  It made me worry for him a little that he was so unafraid of humans, but at the same time I can't say I didn't enjoy the show.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

This morning we woke up and felt the need to wander a bit.  So, we got in the car and headed west for the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

The park is in the Flint Hills--call it central, slightly-eastern Kansas--and is still largely the way it is because the soil is too shallow to till and turn into farm land.  The grass was not as tall today as it apparently is in Autumn, but the green was lovely under the blue sky.  We also enjoyed the wildflowers. 

It's amazing how windy it gets out there...and just how kind of desolate it is...kind of like the ocean.  It makes me wonder how the first pioneers--out there all alone without another human for miles and miles--didn't go crazy from loneliness.

More pictures here.

Snapper

Aarrrgh!

Went to see Pirates III  today (I don't know if I'll ever remember the actual names of the second and third ones).  I knew I'd go see it regardless, but I was a little worried about being disappointed by it based on some of the reviews I'd read. 

The most important thing to remember?  If you go see the movie, be sure and STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS.  This is very important.

Next though....to be fair much of the factual descriptions I've read in reviews were true--there were a lot of special effects, it was a bit of a chase-about movie--but not in a bad way.  All in all I thought it was a great movie--certainly better than the second one, and at least as good as the first, although in a completely different way.  If you want to read more click the link, but be warned that there will be complete and utter spoilers....

In between rain showers....

....(which are making all my plants grow like mad, by the way) we took Port and Moe to the dog park yesterday.  I don't know what's sillier--the joy Moe gets from chasing a tennis ball, or the joy we get from watching him.

Beautiful Number Three

Sweet Husband and I celebrated our third anniversary last night by trying a lovely new sushi place called Cafe Beautiful. 

Even the build up was fun.  We made reservations a week ago, and every time I mentioned to someone where we were going they would kind of get this dreamy look on their face, smile, and say, "Yeeaahh, you guys are going to have a great time."

As one would expect from the name, the restaurant was indeed beautiful.  It's in a tiny little apartment above Mass Street, and with only 4 tables it felt like we were having dinner at a friend's. 

And the food was beautiful (and incredibly tasty) as well.  We started out with plum tea, and some sort of dry roasted peas.  Next came a soup with all sorts of sea critters in a clear broth; a shredded vegetable salad with wasabi vinaigrette; and an appetizer platter with melon and tomato in a ginger sauce and assorted tiny fish cakes.  For the main course we had sushimi including white tuna in a citrus soy sauce, red snapper and yellow tail tuna; and a sushi platter with a roll with tuna in a spicy sauce, a roll with unagi and fried shrimp, and a roll that seemed kind of like a California roll except with with roe and mango. Dessert was ginger ice cream. 

If you're ever in the area and you like sushi, I would highly, highly recommend it.  It was sooo good!  A few more pictures here.

Ball Shaggin'

Diminutive

Quick Quotes Quill Friday: The Best of Voldey, Part 4

"The thin man stepped out of the cauldron, staring at Harry . . . . Whiter than a skull, with wide, livid scarlet eyes and a nose that was flat as a snake's with slits for nostrils . . .

Lord Voldemort had risen again."

--Goblet of Fire

That Camera Lady

Because--between husbands and dogs and gardens--I don't already have enough to do; and because--after months and months of camera lust--I finally bought an SLR and really want to learn how to use all its gizmos and what-ya-ma-jigets, I've started yet another blog.  And after two nights of battling typepad tooth and nail designing and arranging, it's finally up and ready to go!

The plan is to make it entirely pictures, with absolutely as few words as I can manage.  I'm going to try very hard not to duplicate content between here and there, but I'm sure if you watch long enough it will happen eventually.

The link is in the left hand side bar, so go check it out....

Bell Choir

Baby Tomatoes!

I went to check on the garden tonight after dinner and noticed something new.  As expected as it is, I always kind of jump up and down with excitement when I see the first baby tomatoes all tucked in under their leaves and blossoms.