My Current Interest

             Astrology is something I have been interested in for a very long time.   It’s not something I take overly seriously, but I do like to read my horoscope and see if who I am matches the characteristics of my sign.   The answer to that is yes and no, which I suspect would be most people’s answer.   So many things help determine who a person is, not just their astrological sign, but it is fun to read about.   I know I’m not alone in this feeling because there are so many daily horoscopes in the world and if they weren’t popular the newspapers wouldn’t publish them every day.   Even if someone isn’t interested in reading their horoscope, most people probably at least know what their sign is.   Hopefully they do for more than just the opportunity to use a cheesy pick-up line, but the point is, Western astrology is pretty universally known in the United States.   The Chinese Zodiac, I’m not so sure.                 Most have probably heard of the Chinese Zodiac, but I don’t

                All I have really wanted to watch lately is British television and movies.   I’m not sure why, but that is what has been interesting me.   There have been a lot of British TV shows and films I have watched, but one that keeps sticking in my mind is Gosford Park .   I saw the film years ago when it was released in theatres, but with so much time in between, there were a lot of details I did not remember.   One of the things I had forgotten was how many well-known actors are in the film, although many of them may not have been well-known at the time.   It was fun to think about where all those actors are now and how far they have come.                            Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) has invited his family to his large British estate for the weekend.   As the family members arrive, they reunite with the other guests while their servants are sent downstairs to receive their accommodations.   The influx of visiting servants is a trial on the servants

                I mentioned with my post about The Amber Room that I have an interest in Russian history.   While some like to read about the entire history, I tend to concentrate more on the time of Tsar Nicholas II.   It has always interested me more than any other time in Russian history and I have a tendency to perk up when I hear that time mentioned.   This is why when I saw that Steve Berry had a novel titled The Romanov Prophecy , and it involved Tsar Nicholas II and his family, I knew I had to pick it up.   It would have been hard for me not to.                      After years of struggle, the Russian citizens have decided it is best to go back to tsarist rule.   The problem is, with the 1918 assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, there is not a direct descendent to claim the throne.   To solve this problem, a commission has been created to determine who else in the bloodline should become the next tsar.   Even though there are many candidates, there is a cl

              In many ways I have a love/hate relationship with home remodeling shows.   I love to see what people do to their homes, but what people do to their homes drives me absolutely crazy.   Constantly, houses with old character are being taken apart to make them open concept with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.   Beautiful wood trim gets painted and bricks are also either painted or completely destroyed.   More often than not these shows make me want to scream, which is why my viewing of them is very limited.                             Finally I have found a show that I am perfectly happy to watch often and all the way through.   It is Rehab Addict and the host, Nicole Curtis, does not have any interest in turning her houses modern.   Instead she works to turn the house she is working on back to what it was when it was first built.   This is not always easy, but Nicole understands the beauty of the original home and will do whatever she can to make

                “Fashionista” is not a word that would be used to describe me.   I never feel I have to own the next trend, nor do I pay much attention to what is on the runway.   That does not mean I am completely oblivious to fashion.   There are items that catch my eye and I am always at least curious to see what designers are creating.   Usually I find out because of an ad or an awards show, but often I do because of movies too.   Old movies, that is.   I have found that I am most fascinated by clothes of the past.   They have clean lines and great craftsmanship.   That is not something that can always be said of today.   All the time I see fabric patterns that don’t line up and clothes that are not sewn together properly.   Also there are garments that make me wonder how anyone can wear them.   Some I’m not even sure how they are put on.   When I see these, I often wonder about the clothes I see in old movies and hope that one day they will come back into style.