More pictures around Tintagel—-at least the ones that aren’t about today’s topic which is part II of THE REALLY BAD MOVIES OF ALL TIMES.

And then stay tune with our effort to help you and ME get through DROUGHTLANDER

“I took the film because I have grandchildren now, and I get to ride around on a giant bumblebee.” Michael Caine (Journey 2:  The Mysterious Island)

GUNS AND HOSES FIREFIGHTERS ORLANDO FL. BLOOD DRIVE TEE S… (262789980175)   $9.86

Our first movie has nothing to write home about

THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS

is screen fiction at its worse—maybe surly fiction instead of science…what ever.  Our star….who probably looks better with the monster make up….is a Russian Scientist who after he defects somehow ends us, while fleeing the KGB, setting off an atomic bomb which he just happens to also be in the bomb’s area which results into turning him into a beast (bombs do that, yeah they do).  Critic have described the rest of the movie as random scenes some entirely unrelated to the plot in general or the movie in particular.

“It’s the worst film I have ever made. Now, when my kids get out of line, they’re sent to their room and forced to watch Red Sonja ten times.’”  Arnold Schwarzenegger

This movie made 1980’s audience stay away in Large numbers

HEAVEN’S GATE

(Not to be confused with the cult)

Described as Robert Ebert as painful and unpleasant.  This flawed movie cost 36 million dollars to make and that included the photography described as Poor and was pulled early from it’s debut run and pared from 240 min to 140, which did change the reviews from HORRIBLE to insipid.  While I don’t think that’s what they had in mind it might have been a bit of an improvement in that the audience was abused for that 100 extra minutes.   Stars included Christopher Walken, John Hurt and the main man Kris Kristofferson.  The story was about a young man (men?) from Harvard who went to Civilize the western part of America.  He might have been better off if he’d stayed in England (where the Harvard scenes were filmed—did I miss something there as I thought it was Oxford in England…hum) or as Ebert also said:  “It is the most scandalous cinematic waste I have ever seen.”

But there was one other movie that for many was the peace de resistance that year

MOMMY DEAREST

This movie who starred  Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, who made Cinderella’s Step mom seem compared to our movie star with a thing about metal hangers and had a cleanliness thing that would have driven many of my head nurses mad.

“I made a picture called Super Mario Bros., and my six-year-old son at the time — he’s now 18 — he said, ‘Dad I think you’re probably a pretty good actor, but why did you play that terrible guy King Koopa in Super Mario Bros.?’ And I said, ‘Well Henry, I did that so you could have shoes,’ and he said, ‘Dad, I don’t need shoes that badly.’” Dennis Hopper

A movie made from a TV show on Nickelodeon  never a good sign

THE LAST AIRBENDERS

This movie by M. Night Shyamalan

has a lot of complaints about it including the change to Caucasian actors from the original production where they were Occidental.  Described by the critics as “without joy, wonder or even humor.”  which definitely want to go out and pick it up to show to all the kids I know.  In fact the best reviews I found were from Europe where they found it not to be “as catastrophic” as the US critics said it was but they went on to call it “disappointing” and “chunky”

“People ask me why I’m playing in this picture. The answer is simple: Money, dear boy. I’m like a vintage wine. You have to drink me quickly before I turn sour. I’m almost used up now and I can feel the end coming. That’s why I’m taking money now. I’ve got nothing to leave my family but the money I can make from films. Nothing is beneath me if it pays well. I’ve earned the right to damn well grab whatever I can in the time I’ve got left.”  Lawrence Olivia  (Inchon)

Now before I get to the worst movie of all time I thought I’d give you 3 other 1990’s movies that are considered to be really (if not the worst)

Troll 2

The plot concerns a family pursued by vegetarian goblins who seek to transform them into plants so that they can eat them.  REALLY!!!

Wikipedia says:  “considered to be of exceptionally poor quality, and has come to be regarded by the public as one of the worst films ever made. The film has a 6% on Rotten Tomatoes.”

Enough said.

WELL MAYBE NOT:

They even made a movie about the movie and the people who made it–a group of unknown Utah actors who are celebrated for their ineptitude in his production which is done by Michael Paul Stephens, who was a child star in the movie.

Another is

Highlander 2

While the first was a classic, the 2nd is a worst …..

the review says it all:

Finally another of those movies I like that was really horrible—even the main man—ah bat??? makes jokes about how bad it was.

BATMAN & ROBIN

George Clooney Apologizes (Again) for ‘Batman & Robin’

“Every bad decision I’ve made has been based on money. I grew up in the projects and you don’t turn down money there. You take it, because you never know when it’s all going to end. I made Cop III because they offered me $15 million. That $15 million was worth having Roger Ebert’s thumb up my ass.”  Eddie Murphy

And my choice (Wikipedia named Troll 2) for WORST MOVIE EVER

Where a devotee to a —sect—is Scientology a religion or what…

Got it:  a religious system (???) based on the seeking of self-knowledge and spiritual fulfillment through graded courses of study and training. It was founded by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard (1911–86) in 1955.

BATTLEFIELD EARTH

based on a novel by L. Ron Howard and starring at least one of his devotees John Travolta I don’t know where to start….the make up is ugh….not that it isn’t done well, it’s just well ugh….Rotten Tomato called it “ugly, campy and poorly acted” as well as “stunningly misguided and aggressively bad. “

If you can pick a better word than UGH  go ahead…and those COD pieces…..gag…ok that’s better than UGH.  Even the hands are ugh/gag.

and here’s what the screen writer has to say:  “Shapiro says he’s only seen the end result once, at the premiere, and only left his name on the project because of the fat check he received. “I can’t help but be strangely proud of it,” he writes. “Out of all the sucky movies, mine is the suckiest.”  http://gawker.com/5503834/battlefield-earth-screenwriter-apologizes-for-suckiest-movie-ever

No more —not even Cat Woman..

“I made some truly awful movies. Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot was the worst. If you ever want someone to confess to murder just make him or her sit through that film. They will confess to anything after 15 minutes.” Sylvester Stallone

11″ Round Etched Glass Platter Hellerware on a 12″ Wooden… $20.75

I KNOW I’ve used the scene before but I love a nicely done water scene—YES if you look closely there is water in the picture

A bit on the filming:  http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/television-smash-hit-outlander-set-9614373

if you haven’t  tried it here are some reason why you should:  http://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2016/10/18/time-travel-passion-and-kilts-why-you-absolutely-must-watch-outlander

10 more cool things about Outlander:  http://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2016/10/18/time-travel-passion-and-kilts-why-you-absolutely-must-watch-outlander

“I have never seen the film (Jaws 2:  The Revenge), but by all accounts it was terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.”  Michael Caine

12″ 4 STRAND PURPLE BEADED VINTAGE NECKLACE AND MATCHING … (262808888693)  $17.78

OK I give up I gotta include it:

here is

Halle Berry’s acceptance speech for her Worst Actress Razzie Award for CAT GIRL

AND THAT MY DEARS IS A SMALL PORTION OF A HORDE OF BAD THINGS WE CALL MOVIES.

Pictures today continue to be details and places in my wanderings in Tintagel, —-I stayed a month there (in case you’re new to the blog—check out my June posts for my almost daily description of my doings and more pictures.

We will as ALWAYS feature some Outlander at the end…my idea of a happy one…..

And we will continue on today with my weird view of the movies…..Guess which kind today?????

“It’s better to be dead & cool, than alive & uncool.” -Harley Davidson & The Marlboro Man

Silver Spoons (6) Silver Plate Teaspoons $15.80

https://www.etsy.com/listing/476079451/silver-spoons-6-silver-plate-teaspoons?ref=shop_home_active_5

AND now for something really bad

When I think of movies I really looked forward to and then decided I’d wasted my time

The Wicker Man

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+wicker+man+youtube&view=detail&mid=D4171B0EA120E0FF6FE0D4171B0EA120E0FF6FE0&FORM=VIRE

comes to mind…a silly rendition of long held Celtic traditions, legions and things that go bump in the night, I hoped to be a bit scared at the least, impressed at the best….the best thing this movie did for me was disappoint…so I thought we could wander about and take a peek at some of the worst movies….

And then there’s “The Legend of the Lone Ranger,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjFsNSoDZK8

 which like so many Depp movies treats everyone badly except Depp—Depp seems to do best with really bad dialog…anyway another disappointment.

“I’m not afraid of the man who wants ten nuclear weapons, Colonel. I’m terrified of the man who only wants one.” — The Peacemaker

I must confess that I liked George and Nicole in this action adventure (The Peacemaker) about a missing bomb and the disillusioned man who lost all and plans to make the world pay–sorry never said I was a great movie critic.

te that the following list of bad movies is from Wikipedia ….other places have other ideas, there are so many bad ones out there and so many people with opinions on them:

First there’s REEFER MAGIC

Made in 1936 this was a warning on the dangers of the weed—something that is being completely reversed in todays climate–I was surprised by this movie’s time frame as I didn’t realize it was thought of a problem in 1936—1963 yes, the 30 who knew.  I was vaguely aware of this movie but never have seen or do I plan to see it…but as in all propaganda flicks (as in preaching on a subject, any subject) they tend to turn off all the non-believers (and while I personally never had any love for weed for myself I neither saw it as a great evil nor the cure-all that many of its current proponents preach it is) and in this case apparently with more preaching than writing and acting skills if what I read about it is true…and the adults only restriction obviously aims it at the adults so as not to temp the teens with “Drug Crazed Abandoned”….I’ve included the trailer but if you Google it you can watch the whole thing free on line.

Is this some kind of joke? I’ve been trick-or-treated to death tonight.  Halloween 2

The next one is a British production

NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH (1948)

British all the way:  This was originally was a book by James Harley Chase (sorta a Brit Chandler) it is the story of a young socialite who sees her boyfriend murdered and is kidnaped for ransom, where the brutal monster of a gangster drugs, imprisons, brutalized and rapes her until she looses her mind.  First it was a play which stuck very close to the original book plot with the girl becoming zombie like (enter the modern movie genre) at the end.   Enter the movie and in an effort to get it by censors (that’s what history say as it makes no sense to me)where the monster Slim becomes a bit of a anti-hero and the girl’s fate change and while she goes through all those bad things she ends up not mad and mindless but in love with her captor—as if that’s not insane (wait a minute—sorta, kinda Fifty Shade material.).  As is often the case in this kind of thing type of “evil” subject that is widely present: the book, play and movie became hits.

Whatever–it was decried for it’s brutality and even George Orwell of 1984 fame branded it sordid and brutal.  One reviewer called it “the most sickening exhibition of brutality, perversion, sex, and  sadism ever shown on a cinema screen.” Of course everyone had to see it.  When the US pledged to keep it out, the movie was sent by slow boat to New Orleans—The Big Easy–where it got through customs but was heavily censored before it was shown to the huge audience that had to see the evil material.

Detective Cameron: I got good news and bad news girls. The good news is your dates are here.

Sorority Sister: What’s the bad news?

Detective Cameron: They’re dead.

Night of the Creeps

The next two movies come under Gender Bender or Even Gender Ender:

GLEN OR GLENDA (1953) (or “I Changed My Sex)

This movie by Ed Wood (Another character that Depp played—he’s excellent at the bizarre in life) is about a man who cross dresses—in fact the sweater in the movie looks familiarly like one Depp wore as Wood.  While the movie was as most (all) of Wood’s endeavors, badly made and badly played it is seen by some as an early comment and presentation of the cross dresser and transsexual who hid in the 50’s shadows not ready to necessarily come out.

By the 70s we were more open about such things

and we dealt with Sexual changes in more physical terms in

MYRA BRECKINRIDGE

The main character starts out as Rex Reed who goes to Europe for a sex change procedure—preformed by a drunken John Caradine.  He/she (as Raquel Welsh who’s boobs always out shined her acting talents) goes on back to America and tries to claim an inheritance as the wife of the man she once was.  This was one of those campy movies that were more hype (and boobs) than substance (and talent) but it did feature the new gender issues openly if not honestly, that has been come famous (on in–) in the legends of entertainment.

Check my next blog out for more really bad movies.

All I know about are tits, ass, and the truth. Nobody writes books about that. 

Isn’t She Great

THE BEATLES! 1964 Magazine

$14.81

https://www.etsy.com/listing/236863870/the-beatles-1964-magazine?ref=shop_home_active_28

Knight Chess Piece CIGARETTE LIGHTER VINTAGE Brown

$20.75

https://www.etsy.com/listing/258924369/vintage-cast-iron-dog-with-rat-figurines?ref=listing-shop-header-0

Knowles 1988 Little Red Robins #4132 A Plate

$20.00

PRECIOUS MOMENTS “This is Your Day to Shine” FIgurine

$9.76

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082525/quotes

OK today we’re (when we’re looking at my pictures) at the Tintagel Methodist Church on Fore St.      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintagel

Of course we’ll have a happy OUTLANDER ENDING

As I set here watching Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade–AGAIN I got to thinking about movies.  I mean most of us watch them…whether it’s new at the movies–or same day release on Pay for View…or reruns on the various TV, and Movie channels or on Net Flix and other internet sites…and there’s that rapidly outdating (like so much of our lives) DVD and watching your own personal collection.  It’s unbelievable the options–so I decided this week I’d wander thru the land of movies…probably into next week too.

You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.

ON THE WATERFRONT    1954

MONKEES VARIOUS VINTAGE SMALL ITEMS   $30. 65 http://www.ebay.com/itm/262820413781?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2648

Between 1890 – 1927 was the era of the silent movie.

According to Wikipedia the first multi-reel feature film in the world was a 1906 Australian number:

THE STORY OF THE KELLY GANG which gave us the story of Ned Kelly (think down under’s Jessie James), an infamous character in the down under land, a part that was later played (1970); in the 17th movie about that same outlaw; by Mick Jagger, I don’t know how well the first 16 did but Jagger’s performance was a great reinforcement that Mick should stay on stage and avoid the screen—and the movie which is suppose to have great photography was otherwise a total flop.

A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS  1991

The first big American movie production was

Birth of a nation which was produced by D.W. Griffith but unfortunately this major American effort has more recently been condemned for it’s views on the Klan, and the institution of slavery.  I have never seen it, I totally do not like silent movies and given this one’s themes I think I can live without it.

Before 1905—when the first commercial movie theater opened in Pittsburgh, I guess they watched movies in non-movie theaters and town halls and like that?  But obviously movies were here to stay given the fact that they got permanent viewing space.

You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?

DIRTY HARRY   1971

A major name in silent movies was Charlie Chaplin, who while being in mostly American movies was actually English—(in fact there’s a statue of him in his tramp alter ego in London in Leister Square).  His movies ranged from the 1921 “The Kid” to a 1967 “A Countess in Hong Kong”  which was a British production which Chaplin both wrote and directed and which stared Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Tippi Hendren and Chaplin’s 3rd son Sydney Earle Chaplin.

  While the Little Tramp is his most remembered role  I think the 1940 production “The Great Dictator” ; in which he does a bit that is more Hitler than the horrible man himself; was totally amazing.

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.

CASABLANCA   1942

Brand and Angelina were not the first power couple.  In March of 1920 Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Mary Pickford were married–after divorcing their respective spouses of course.  They went on to buy a lodge which they named Pickford which became the center of the Roaring 20’s Hollywood social scene.

Fairbanks was your classic action star and played in the original Zorro production (Which was played best—in my opinion by Tyrone Powers in “Mark of Zorro”—grief it was even made into a TV show with Guy Williams—not nearly as good as Tyrone).

His United Artist (formed by Fairbanks, Chaplin, DW Griffith and Pickford of course) would produce many more of his swashbuckling adventures from the “3 Musketeers” (1921), “Robin Hood” (1922), “The Thief of Bagdad” and  “The Black Pirate” both in 1926.

Pickford on the other hand was “America’s Sweetheart” and played in a softer but no less of  fantasies production films like in 1917 alone: “The Poor Little Rich Girl”, Rebecca of Sunny Brooke Farm” and Romance of the Redwoods.”

Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make.

DRACULA  1931

1923 brought us Warner Brothers and by 1925 their first picture–a Rin Tin Tin epic–another character (kinda) that went on to spawn many more movies as well a another of those pesky TV shows.

But it was in 1927 that Warners brought us something really memorial.  “The Jazz Singer” which in case you hadn’t heard—was the first movie with sound.

Warners would go on to give us gangster films in the 30’s, and from Bugs Malone to Bugs Bunny in the 1940s along with other cartoons of note.

Listen to me, mister. You’re my knight in shining armor. Don’t you forget it. You’re going to get back on that horse, and I’m going to be right behind you, holding on tight, and away we’re gonna go, go, go!

ON GOLDEN POND   1981

RKO also developed in the 20’s (1928) and though small and once owned by Howard Hughes (later played by  Leonardo Dicaprio(2004) among many others actors some times as actually named Huges to thinly veiled characters in other productions) it make a mark with Fred Astaire (one of the most amazing dancers of all time) and Ginger Roger’s (who did everything that Astaire did only backwards and in heels) movies in the 30’s along with non-musical but equally famous (and still appearing on the small screen near you) “King Kong” (1933) as well as another famous man–Orson Wells playing an equally quirky “Citizen Kane” (1941)—it is said that this thinly veiled character didn’t appreciate the “Rosebud” version of his life and make Welles life and ambitions go along a tortured path–or maybe Orson just peeked early and the rest was written in the stars.

I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!

The Wizard of Oz   1939

In the 1920’s MGM was also formed with the combination of some earlier studios.  Oh and that roaring lion was first recorded and put on their film opening in 1928.  Their movies of note included “Grand Hotel” (1932), “Mutiny on the Bounty (1936 this one had Clark Gable who I still adore rather than Marlon Brando–in a later version– who irritates me),  Night at the Opera (1935 w/Marx Brother) and my sister’s favorite and still a major seller of memorabilia and continual showings–“The Wizard of Oz” and one of my all time favorites “Gone With The Wind”  (1939)–the epic love story of all time..Frankly my dear we all did give a dam!!!

A martini. Shaken, not stirred.

Goldfinger  1964

and as for the smaller studios:

20th Century fox (1935) was famous for Shirley Temple (mid 30’s) and Betty Grable (1930’s and 40s).

Oh by the way Universal was founded in 1912 and became famous thru W.C. Fields & Abbot  & Costello, not to mention Woody Woodpecker.

and finally Columbia (1924) which scored a big hit with “It Happened One Night” (again with Gable) and the walls came tumblin’ down scene.(1937) and continued on with not as talented but more modern Batman.

So that’s a quick review and kinda background for my views on the movies that will continue on next time I make it get back to the ole blog.

Say “hello” to my little friend!

Scarface 1983

ROVER Pottery Barn Dog Collectible Plate (262808862511)  $5.99

CHECK out the real lovers and love story behind Outlander and it’s not Cait and Sam:  http://www.scpr.org/programs/the-frame/2016/05/18/48967/outlander-starz-ronald-d-moore-terry-dresbach/

check this on out…it has a different version of the wedding night—pre-sex sorry—but  it’s contains some scenes you haven’t seen before and Jamie telling stories you only got bits of before:  Be sure to scroll down it’s about mid way thru article and begins with Ron’s explination:  http://people.com/tv/outlander-sam-heughan-is-lucky-to-have-caitriona-balfe-in-his-life/

Plan your vacation to Scotland on this site:  https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/attractions/tv-film/outlander/

Elementary, my dear Watson.

THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES    1939

Weight Watchers Cooking: Simply the Best : 250 Prize-Winn… (262805688084) $4.50

A boy’s best friend is his mother.

PSYCHO 1960

LOVELY FLORAL VASE 12″ TALL (262785233490)

$7.99

All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.

SUNSET BLVD. 1950

LARGE SHALLOW ETCHED HEART DISH (262820360528)   $5.99

SO I’M BACK and today you get a bit of a walk about Tintagel……https://www.visitcornwall.com/places/tintagel

We’re finishing up my London for those who have SEEN IT ALL.

And of course we can come up with some items and maybe even a picture or two from the long awaiting show that has been gone far too long.

1801 Census:  “The most populous district was still the city itself, closely followed by fashionable Marylebone and then by Whitechapel, which absorbed the City’s overflow of poor.”

Quotes today are from A TRAVELLER’S HISTORY OF LONDON,  by Richard Tames.

Still at the Cornishman http://www.cornishmaninn.com/ for my personal (and the main picture) these are the view from the INN

Doing Part II of reason you might want to give London another look items….dedicated to the lovely lady I met by the fuzzy coos.

Of course we’ll have JAMIE and probably Claire…..I love her but I lust after him….sorry Sam.

Oh and quotes are from DK’s Eyewitness:  London–one of my favorite guides as it is well organized and has maps of all the areas it does—easy ones with pictures of each building….http://www.traveldk.com/destinations/europe/england/london/#!

Buckingham Palace “is the London residence of the Queen and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh.  Prince Edward also has an apartment here, as do Princess Anne and the Duke of York.  About 50 domestic staff have rooms in the palace.  There are more staff homes situated in the Royal Mews.”

INDIA Wooden Hand Made Flute (262808916526)

$7.88

Westminster doesn’t have just an abbey, it also has a Cathedral

Westminster Cathedral

http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/westminstercathedral.htm

This beautifully different (for London) cathedral is England’s premiere church.  While most of London’s older churches (like the Abbey) started out as Catholic and after the reformation were changed to the Church of England.  Some have returned but most of the major ones have remained Church of England.  This cathedral on the other hand was built more recently and has always been Catholic.

Points of interest in the church include a chapel set aside as a shrine to English Catholic martyrs and includes several that fell as a result of Henry VIII”s decision to get a new wife—and included Sir Thomas More (who they made the movie A Man for All Seasons about), there is also the body (covered in ceremonial garb and including a face mask, of the last priest who died for his faith in England.  The body is in a glass coffin and is in full view, a reminder of a time when many churches had their deceased saints in view of the congregation.  Upstairs is a museum containing the church’s treasures and for a few dollars more you can take the elevator up to the spire for a great view of the city.

The Cathedral is in Westminster of course

Where you can also find

The Banqueting House

This elegant building is all that is left of Whitehall Palace–once owned by Cardinal Wolsey, who died on his way to trial imposed by yep that same 8th Henry.  This is where they set up the gallows for James I (he went thru one of the windows and up the gallows where he was executed.  The hall is lovely but the big draw here is the ceilings by Ruben 1622.

Westminster Pier

Starting point for excursions on the Thames.

Boadicea Statue

Here is the memorial to a Celtic Chieftain’s wife who after she was beaten and her daughters raped led her tribe against the Romans actually defeating a legion and burning London (they have found the charred remains in archeological digs under the city) before she was finally defeated.

House of Parliament

and Big Ben

This huge building is where the British government meets and there are tours available.  While a fire took down Westminster Palace here in the 1800’s there are still surviving portions that exist in the new palace which people insist on calling Parliament instead of its real name.

St. Margaret’s Church

Right next door to the much more famous Abbey, but you can visit here—and it’s not exactly new–there are pictures of Henry (yeah him again) VIII’s first wife Katherine of Argon and her first husband–Henry’s older brother Arthur who died before he could become king.

Westminster Abbey

If you haven’t see the abbey you have not seen London

Cabinet War Rooms

Now open to the public–this was Winston Churchhill’s WWII headquarters.

Horse Guards

Visit here to watch the guard change twice daily

Jewel Tower

One of the few remains of the Westminster Palace that burned in 1834.  It’s now a small museum in a building that once housed the Royal’s most treasured possessions.

“Half of this spacious palace  (Kensington) is used as lavish royal apartments, the other half, which includes the 18th century state rooms is open to the public.”

“Half of this spacious palace (Kensington Palace) is used as lavish royal apartments, the other half which includes the 18th-century state rooms is open to the public.”

One of my favorite Churches is this one

St. Bride (another name for St. Bridgit)

http://www.stbrides.com/

this is a very appropriate name as the church is credited for inspiring the current shape of our present wedding cakes (that’s Bride in the picture.  The church is elevate from the surrounding area an you have to climb some stairs to get up to it.  The church is lovely, but the big pay off here is the crypt which contains original Roman pavement, the ruins of 12th c dwellings that once set here and a row of grave stones which probably date back to the time when due to over crowding (burying bodies 3 deep, cutting bodies in part to fit them into space available and so on) resulted in the church yards being outlawed in favor of commercial sites for the burials like Highgate.  This crypt area was also the site of a holy well (long gone dry) whose water was use to bless newly crowned monarch.

Check out yesterday’s account of other things to see at Holborn as St. Brides is in the same district as The Temple Church

“In the southeast corner of Kensington Gardens of the Serpentine Gardens is the Serpentine Gallery, which house temporary exhibitions of contemporary paintings and sculpture.  The building is a former tea garden built in 1912, exhibits often spill out into the surround park.  Its tiny book shop has a remarkable of art books.”

South of the Thames is the huge Taft Modern

Situated in what was once the source of Electric for most of the city it is one of, if not the, largest art galleries in the world and has all manner of exhibits, pick your favorites, you’ll only ever see a small portion in one day.

South of the Thames is
Southwark

which has been a suburb since Roman times and includes such interesting places as:

The George Inn

London’s only surviving traditional galleried inn.

This is were plays were held before the theatres were built.

The inn still thrives and it’s a great place to go for a drink or a meal.

Borrough Market

There has been a market here since 1276.  It currently sells fresh fruits and veggies

London Bridge

Southwark Cathedral

Still contains some medieval elements

Clink Prison Museum

On site of the notorious prison

The Anchor

Century old and still a great riverside pub with great views and good food.

The Rose Window

The remains of this medieval  home of the Bishop of Winchester was found during clean up after bombings during WWII.  The window and a few sections of the wall remain along one of the regular through ways and was once a rich palace that hosted many of the rich and famous including our favorite Henry’s

“The Old Dairy at 36 Old Church St. (Chelsea) was built in 1796 when cows still grazed in the surrounding fields.  The tiling is original.”‘

7″ TALL DISH STAND OF WOOD (262754348939)

$4.99

What Diana thinks about Sam and Cait:  http://ew.com/article/2016/03/01/outlander-diana-gabaldon-sam-heughan-caitriona-balfe/

You already know this but:  http://www.vox.com/2014/8/7/5980011/outlander-review-starz-diana-gabaldon-ron-moore

An Outlander Garden?  http://www.seasonsgardendesign.com/OutlanderGarden.html

			“
			12″ 4 STRAND PURPLE BEADED VINTAGE NECKLACE AND MATCHING …    $17.78

THIS is THISTLE, he’s a beautiful Scottie Dog known to Scottish events all over Michigan and here in Florida.  I so love this little dog and thanks’ to his bestie friend George,  (I managed to remember my camera but forgot to take a memory card so no pictures of the Scottish Festival I attended in Winter Springs this weekend) who sent me a picture of Thistle all decked out in his Tartan and looking very SCOTTIE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My pictures today are from the Cornishman in Tintagel where I stayed for all of May and have mentioned many times before.  http://www.cornishmaninn.com/

All quotes are from Fodor’s London Companion.   http://www.fodors.com/

This episode is dedicate to the lady I meet at the Scottish event (and fellow Outlander fan and yes we pay homage to that show at the end of this crazy blog) who discussed

 That she’d already seen London…..I am going to try to dissuade her on that subject today.

“Down Middle Temple Lane, passing on the right, Plowden Building (1831) and the Inn’s Treasury and Library (1956-8), EM Barry’s Temple Gardens (1878-9), spans the lane and is the river gate of the Temple, beyond which there are nice views back up both Inns’ gardens from the Embankment….”

)

“Monuments to the fish trade, vital to London’s diet, are on the left, the Fishmonger’s Hall, church and market, with the gilt-topped Monument to the Great Fire of 1660 behind.”

Except for the main picture—somewhere in Cornwall—the rest of the pictures are from the Cornishmen Inn in Tintagel.  http://cornishmaninn.com/

All quotes are from The Enchanted World:  The Book of Beginnings

Today we are looking at the creation stories of various peoples–we all know the Christian beliefs which is essentially the Jewish– believers in the one God–one

and of course we’ll do a little getting us thru Droughtlander ideas before I leave you again…sorry it’s been so long…..I have a job now an that keeps me tied up a bit.

“Waiting to bear the child begotten upon her by the wind and the waves together, the Water-Mother floated in a shoreless sea.  For centuries she drifted alone until a teal from a place unknown flew out of the sky looking for a nesting place.”

Cobalt Blue Small Vase with Metal Decorations (262803212593) $4.99

In China it all started with a male giant who dwelled and moved thru swirling clouds of chaos.  His name was Pan Ku and he appeared fully formed with no father or mother unless you count the whirlpool of dirt and mindlessness in which he was originally incased.  Originally a sleeping form he grew with a huge globe of a head, and huge thick limbs.  Eventually he awoke from his sleep and in confusion, anger or whatever he smashed at the murk with his giant fist breaking them into fragments that floated about and eventually those that were yang–light, bright and hot, floated upward to form the sky, while those that were yin, hard, dark, cold and heavy dropped an formed the earth.  And Pan Ku stood with his feet on earth and his head in the sky for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years as the sky rose higher and the earth became thicker and heavier.  And he continue to grow and eventually became a living column, thousands of feet tall that kept the roof of the world from collapsing.

The story goes on to tell how he chiseled carving a neat universe while being kept company by magical beasts (perhaps 3): a dragon, a phoenix and a tortoise.

Eventually he was satisfied and setting 4 enormous mountains to support the sky at each corner of the world  he lay down and returned to sleep this time forever.  But to this day you still can witness him:  His breath became the clouds and the winds that swept the earth.  His voice became the thunder, his eyes the sun and moon and his blood the water that flowed in the worlds oceans, rivers and smaller waterways, finally his teeth became precious stones, gold, jade and pearls as well as iron and salt.

“The Dragon-tailed goddess, Nu Kua gave earth it’s first human inhabitants.  She sculpted their bodies from clay, infused them with life and taught them how to love.”

To the Iroquois the tell the story of Ataentsic, daughter of the Sky Chief who lived somewhere far about what was to become earth where they hunted animals and relied on chiefs and medicine men for guidance.  Then one day Atentsic was stricken by a strange aliment which left her unable to move or speak, not even able to blink her eyes and because they feared the spirt that she had might have offended and others fear a contagion, she was left to languish alone.  Eventually it was decided that though she lived she was in reality dead and she was planted/buried at the based of the sacred tree where a (there is a debate over whose hand ranging from an old lover to an angry spirit guardian) hand reached into the grace and pushed her to earth.

She and the tree fell to earth and as she did her illness fled and she was awake and aware again which of course resulted in a great fright at the uncheckable fall which finally ended in a vast sea.  Then the wind torn the tree from her grasp and she fell even further until a flock of birds began to circle about stopping her fall and then an island size turtle appeared and she was deposited on it’s back in safety.  Soon animals joined her and as it became crowed creatures attempted to dive down and brought up the tree and the earth that clinged to it from the oceans depths.  Many tried but all failed, until a frog, which managed to bring a small amount of dirt from the depths before it died.  Ataentsic using other world magic increased it’s size and expanded the dirt until the earth was formed and the turtle at is heart drifted off to eternal hibernation.

The completion of the story of course was the addition of the human who were born of Ataentsic, though the stories vary as to how the pregnancy come about, but she gave to twins who were from their time in the womb on locked in eternal conflict and they were born with the gifts of sense and speech from the moment of conceptionand their conception was a bit bizarre–one under his mother’s arm which killed the mother, while the other twin came into the world in the more conventional pathway.  And thus the brothers became forever enemies.

And the worlds were not the only thing created by the gods.  According to the Estonians a goddess named Lindo, daughter of Uko, King of heaven,  rejected the Moon and the Sun as suitors only to become helplessly in love to the Northern Lights, whose beauty enthralled her.  Because the lights of her land were too strong for him he returned to his own lands promising that he would return for their wedding.

Lindu prepared but of course he like so many useless suitors, the Northern Lights did not return and each day her sorrow grew and the wedding dress she continued to wear was soaked through with tears.

Her father, saw her from his palace in the heave and took pity.  He commanded the winds to away from earth and place her near to the heaves where she stayed with her wedding veil spread out behind her and it became a million stars and thus the Milky Way was created and she remained in the sky watching over migrating birds and story tellers and as for the Northern Lights,  she got so over him like any smart girl, I mean goddess, would.

“The god Fu Hu imparted skills to the new worldlings that would enable them to survive and prosper.  He taught them how to make nets for fishing, invented an alphabet for their use and instructed them in the art of writing.”

Boyds Bear Zoe the Angel of Life 1997 (262766948111) $4.79

Getting thru the Drought is helped with contemplating the reunion:  http://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/news/a41920/caitriona-balfe-bafta-tea-interview/

REVIEWING production activities:  http://www.ibtimes.com.au/outlander-season-3-christmas-jumper-day-set-week-1537306

Learn about Ian (warning spoilers):  http://outlander.wikia.com/wiki/Ian_Fraser_Murray

CALFSKIN PETERBOROUGH ROW COWHIDE LINED 36 NARROW BELT   $34.60

“Defeated in a osmic battle, the monster Typhon was imprisoned in Sicily’s Mount Etna.  Whenever he grew restless, the mountain rumbled and sent out streams of molten lava.”

Weight Watchers Cooking: Simply the Best : 250 Prize-Winn…  $4.50

“Seeking to quench her thirst in a pond, the goddess Leto was abused by hostile peasants who muddied the water before she could drink.  In her wrath she punished them for their cruel inhospitality by turning them into frogs.”

Miss Piggy 11″ Doll Plush Body, Plastic Head

$7.88

Picture today are from the train from London to Bodmin Pkwy Station UK

We’ll look at more weird New Years stuff since that seems to be entertaining me this week and of course we’ll have Jamie to finish with.

 

 

REJOICING With You Precious Moments 7 1/4 inch Plate 1981

$15.50

I was suppose to be back on 12/28—sorry it’s just been an unusually busy holiday season…but hopefully things will settle down a bit now and I can get my blog on regularly.   Today I’m gonna look at New Years traditions.

Of course I’ll end with the best Scot ever and then I’ll drop in a tired stupor.

Oh the pictures are from assorted sources….just photogenic rambling.

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. Ralph Waldo Emerson

        ROOSTER COOKIE JAR    $6.99

Did you ever wonder how things got started–especially New Years thing…..I think one of the first things I think about with New Years is the resolution that so many people make and so few keep.   Well if you made some you stand in the footsteps of thousands, probably many more as the speculations go that it all started in Ancient Babylon where it was done to gain the favor of one or more of their gods….

Did you make one this year and what was your motivation…..we still are a nation that prays and attends church so mayhaps you made the promise in regard to sins…or was it your efforts to meet some goals….either business or personal that it is important to you and possibly others in the year?  There are just about as many possibilities as there are people out there—we all move to a different drum and with different motivations.

Oh and according to Forbes only 8% of the people who make those resolutions keep them.  So do you make and do you keep….I’m a non-maker….I think I tried it once or twice back when I thought I had some control over my life but when I finally gave up on that it just didn’t seem something that would work considering so…..

Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier.’

Alfred Lord Tennyson

In some countries (Sweden & Norway) eating rice pudding at New Years has become a tradition….though I can’t believe it can be too old as rice was not  a native food of that northern clime,

Of course January is named after Janus–the Roman god and the naming of the first month of the new year after that god is attributed to Julius Cesar in around 46 BC.  It is amazing that the name has stuck for about 2,000 years when we are so forgetful of so many other details of history and tradition.

According to the Huffington Post certain Latin Countries like Spain, Mexico, Argentina and Peru get new underwear to wear to celebrate the beginning of the new years…and they even have color codes for it for example if you’re looking for love you wear red and if it’s money you’d prefer then you get green.

Each age has deemed the new-born year the fittest time for festal cheer.

Walter Scott

In India and I’m sure everywhere traditional Indian Culture still lives on– the Hindu festival of lights:  Diwali marks the new years with lanterns and fireworks….a triumph of good over evil—light over darkness.  Kinda makes all our fireworks much more positive thinking of them that way.

According to MSN modern Greeks hang onions about their doors for prosperity and good luck and often break up a pomegranate outside the door before entering their house before they enter on New Years Day–I can just hear the lady of the house shouting “σκουπίστε το ρόδι από τα πόδια σας, πριν να έρθει στο σπίτι”  That’s “wipe the pomegranate off your feet before you come in the house” to the none Greek speakers out there.

According to CBS this year  two people died and 12 more were hospitalized from eating Mochi cakes (a gliutinous speciality made from pounded steamed rice that’s only eaten at New Years).  Seems that the cake is very dense and sticky and poses problems especially for the elderly.  There have actually been campaigns to get people to eat smaller pieces so as making it easier to swallow.   In 2015,  9 people were found to have died from direct cause of eating these.

Even Snopes has gotten in on the New Years tradition info with a note that we kiss our significant others at midnight on New Years Even to ensure our love continues thru the new year and that the tradition is that failing to do so will result in coldness (perhaps loss of affection–my interpretation not theirs and break up?) into the new year.  Ouch who knew a little kiss could mean so much.

According to Wikipedia in Mexico it has been traditional to eat a grape at each chime of the 12 required to reach the new year…and with each grape eaten you make a wish….they didn’t say if there are any other requirements like you have to swallow or spit out the seeds or if it’s a different result if you use seedless vs seedy ones…

Oh and that Auld Lang Syne that is sang by many at the crucial hour–well it’s Scottish as you all know and it’s a folk song that according to USA today is credited to Burns in the 18th century, but probably only because he wrote down the existing words and not because he actually wrote them (something he continued to do with other ancient verse his whole life).   It’s meaning is translated most often as “old long since” but  “old time sake” is probably the most close to its actual meaning.   It came to the US by way of Guy Lombardo, a band leader in the long ago days before the internet—hey not even those old tube type TV’s…in the late 1920’s and he played it every New Years on his Radio show and later TV from 1929 – 1977.  after close to 50 years I guess we were pretty hooked on the thing.

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.

Neil Gaiman

LOVELY FLORAL VASE 12″ TALL (262785233490) $7.99

Check out New Year Wishes from Sam:  http://www.ibtimes.com/outlander-star-sam-heughan-wishes-fans-happy-new-year-season-3-set-2468143

A look at everything (almost) we know so far about season 3 http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/outlander/255879/outlander-season-3-release-date-cast-and-latest-news

and finally another win for Outlander:  http://cartermatt.com/237299/cartermatt-awards-2016-results-outlander-takes-home-show-year/

Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long after the excitement of the moment has passed.

Cavett Robert

MONKEES HERE WE COME WORLD TOUR T-SHIRT NEW XL (262785229900) $9.86

I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the years’.

Henry Moore

    $10.00

BOYD BEARS HUMBOLT THE SIMPLE BEAR (262752894919)

All of us every single year, we’re a different person. I don’t think we’re the same person all our lives.

Steven Sp        ielberg

$4.99

PLATE HOLDERS 2–ONE PLASTIC ONE WOOD (262749782155)