The Sound of Music

Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical masterpiece The Sound of Music has been a favorite in our family for years. I love the color, the music, the people and the patriotism they show for their homeland...It is a movie that fills one with mixed emotions. There are moments of laughter and tears. I always feel so sad at the end when they must leave their homeland, especially when I remember that it is a true story. The scene when the Von Trapp family sings "Edelweiss" together on stage is when the tears usually begin. If you have not yet seen this wonderful movie, please do so very soon. I am sure you will not regret it.

Capt. von Trapp: "It's the dress. You'll have to put on another one before you meet the children."
Maria: "But I don't have another one. When we entered the abbey our worldly clothes were given to the poor."
Capt. von Trapp: "What about this one?"
Maria: "The poor didn't want this one."

Sister Margaretta: "After all, the wool from the black sheep is just as warm."

Capt. von Trapp: "You've brought music back into the house. I had forgotten..."

Herr Zeller: "I've not asked you where you and your family are going. Nor have you asked me why I am here."
Capt. von Trapp: "Apparently, we're both suffering from a deplorable lack of curiosity."

Kurt: "Only grown-up men are scared of women."

Maria: "When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window."

Maria: "You know how Sister Berthe always makes me kiss the floor after we've had a disagreement? Well, lately I've taken to kissing the floor whenever I see her coming, just to save time."

Capt. von Trapp: "Now, Fraulein, I want a truthful answer from you."
Maria: "Yes, Captain?"
Capt. von Trapp: "Is it possible--or could I have just imagined it--have my children by any chance been climbing trees today?"
Maria: "Yes, Captain."
Capt. von Trapp: "I see. And where, may I ask, did they get these...ummm..."
Maria: "Play clothes."
Capt. von Trapp: "Oh, is that what you call them?"
Maria: "I made them. From the drapes that used to hang in my bedroom."
Capt. von Trapp: "Drapes?"
Maria: "They still have plenty of wear left. The children have been everywhere in them."
Capt. von Trapp: "Do you mean to tell me that my children have been roaming about Salzburg dressed in nothing but some old drapes?"
Maria: "Mmm-hmm. And having a marvelous time."

Nancy Drew

I have always loved Nancy Drew . . . books and movies. From the time I first read The Hidden Staircase, I was captivated. It was then I decided I wanted to be a detective when I grew up. When I was six or seven, my best friend and I had matching magnifying glasses. We wrote down "clues" in a special notebook and began our own detective club. My stuffed dog (named Clue, of course) accompanied us on our "secret missions." Back then, we imagined everything was a mystery...Books had secret notes tucked inside, plants contained hidden cameras, and every door handle must be dusted for fingerprints. I'll never forget the Christmas present I received one year--a toy spy kit, complete with battery-operated walkie-talkies (they only worked if the two using them were basically in the same room, but I thought it was the most exciting thing in the world).

My dreams for the future have changed considerably, but I will always love Nancy Drew, the famous girl detective who inspired me as a little girl.

Some of my favorite movies are the old black-and-white Nancy Drew episodes from the 1930s. There are four, one hour-long episodes; I wish there were more. I have always loved Nancy and Ted, not to mention Nancy's father Carson Drew, who provides a hilarious character. 

Episodes:

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939)

Nancy Drew, Troubleshooter (1939)

Nancy Drew, Detective (1938)

Nancy Drew, Reporter (1939)

Hidden Staircase
Nancy: "Dad! Ted's in jail again! Come on!"


Nancy (surprised): "Why...Dad!"
Dad: "Next time you want to get me out of town by sending me a fake telegram, be sure the heading doesn't read River Heights."

Reporter
Nancy: "Ted, why did you have to have a sister?"
Ted: "Ask Ma!"

Nancy: "A reporter has the right to do things an ordinary person shouldn't."

Detective
Nancy: "Ted, you stay here in case any one comes out of the house."
Ted: "And if they do come, what do you expect me to do about it?"
Nancy: "I don't know--stop them."
Ted (sarcastically): "Yeah, I'll surround them."

The newer Nancy Drew movie (2007),  starring Emma Roberts, is a very enjoyable one, as well. It is witty, suspenseful, and all the loose ends are tied up nicely at the conclusion (I can't stand abrupt endings that leave things unsolved). However, the old Nancy Drew episodes still remain my favorite:)

Nancy Drew (2007)

Nancy: "Dad, don't you think that people who talk on cell phones miss things?"
Mr. Drew: "Like what?"

Nancy: "That woman in the road!"

Nancy: "Ned, don't worry about that guy from Smallville. He's not my type."
Ned: "You have a type?"

Nancy: "The house has a haunted theme, like a theme park...That's so fun, right, Dad?"
Mr. Drew: "No."

Nancy: "I'm letting the professionals handle this one. I'm on the phone with the LAPD."
Mr. Drew: "Ah...calling the police to solve a crime! I like that!"

Nancy: "Do you believe in ghosts, Mr. Leshing?"
Mr. Leshing: "I am a ghost."

Cary Grant

When it comes to old movies, you just can't beat Cary Grant. He is one of my very favorite actors. If you're in the mood to laugh, just watch Bringing Up Baby or Arsenic and Old Lace or The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer or Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House or His Girl Friday or My Favorite Wife.

And if you feel like crying (and I mean really crying), watch An Affair to Remember or Penny Serenade.

Cary Grant films are classic movies that just never grow old.

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Susan: "Anyway, David, when they find out who we are, they'll let us out."
David: "When they find out who you are, they'll pad the cell."

David (on the phone with Miss Swallow): "Yes, I did see Mr. Peabody, but I didn't see him...Yes, I spoke to him twice, but I didn't talk to him."

Aunt Elisabeth: "Of course I have a niece, but she's not singing around under windows! She's decently in bed."

Major Applegate: "I wouldn't be too sure, Elisabeth."

David: "Susan, when a man is wrestling a leopard in the middle of a pond, he's in no position to run."

Susan: "Now David, why would I do that?"
David: "I wouldn't dare give a reason for anything you do!"

David: "There are only two things I have to do--finish my brontosaurus and get married at three o'clock!"

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

Mortimer: "Insanity runs in my family...It practically gallops."

Mortimer: "When I come back, I expect to find you gone. Wait for me!"

Mortimer: "No, I'm not drunk, Madam, but you've given me an idea."

Mortimer: "Certainly there are 13 bodies in the cellar, and there are hundreds more in the attic."

His Girl Friday (1940)

Walter: "I wish you hadn't done that, Hildy...Divorce me. Makes a fellow lose faith in himself...almost gives him a feeling he wasn't wanted."

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947)

Margaret (to her sister): "You know I'd die for you, only sometimes it's so hard living with you."

Susan: "You're going to make me an old maid!"
Margaret: "Only until you're 18."

Matt: "I'm the court psychiatrist."
Richard: "Come back in an hour. I'll be crazy by then."

Richard: "Jerry, what are you doing out here? Why don't you go inside?"
Jerry: "I'm not welcome. I'm a square in Susan's social circle."

Waiting for Prince Charming

People have been talking about him for generations. Fairytales have attempted to portray him for hundreds of years. Girls have assigned their own ideals to the name for as long as it has existed. So who is Prince Charming, anyway?

 
I'm sure we all have our own ideas concerning this matter. When I was little, I was convinced that Prince Charming could only be the dashing Prince Phillip from Disney's cartoon Sleeping Beauty. After all, I reasoned, anyone who rode a horse, wore a red cape and hat, and could sing "Once Upon a Dream" so enchantingly must be the real Prince Charming. Not to mention his courage in defeating the evil dragon to rescue his princess. 
Then, I fell in love with Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables movies and books. His kind heart, noble ambition to become a doctor, and dedication to hard work and study proclaimed him, in my eyes, to be the unmistakable true Prince Charming.

After reading the Emily of New Moon series, I was captivated by Teddy Kent. Handsome, an artist, a deep thinker, romantic, and faithful, Teddy was Prince Charming defined. Surely here, I had finally found him.
Then I was introduced to the romantic heroes of Jane Austen literature and movies. How could I help but believe Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice to be Prince Charming? He was intelligent, mysterious, mature, and never anything but the perfect gentleman. All characteristics in his favor. And there was, of course, Mr. Knightley of Emma, who was witty, caring, gallant, and optimistic (most of the time).

But one day, as I pondered the characteristics I believed necessary to deem a man "Prince Charming", I was struck with a thought that had never entered my mind before. Jesus Christ possessed all of the truly important characteristics, such as nobility, courage, honor, wisdom, a vision, a caring heart, a hard-working nature, faithfulness, and love for family as well as others--all others. Then I realized that not only did He possess all of these characteristics and more, but He also created them. Every day, when I dutifully read a chapter of the Bible and a paragraph-long inspirational thought and prayed a half-hearted prayer, I was in the presence of the true Prince Charming, and all I could do was think about other things--unimportant, trivial things. In treating my Savior in such a way, I was telling Him that I didn't care that He had conquered sin (slain the wicked dragon), redeemed me from my sins (rescued His princess from the evil that held her captive), or given His life for me (portrayed the most powerful proof of love). And I was telling Him that I didn't want to spend time with Him (live happily ever after).

Now, I am overwhelmingly grateful to my Heavenly Prince, for He has given me a second chance. He has filled me with joy, and I delight in spending time with Him. I am thankful for His unconditional love and undying faithfulness. Now, I love Him, truly love Him. Some days, I am faced with my selfish feelings, telling me that it doesn't matter if I skip spending time with Him just this once. Those are the times I remind myself of what my King has done for me, of what He longs to do in me,  and of how peaceful and fulfilling it is to be in His presence, and I am ashamed of my own selfish desires.
Have you discovered your Prince Charming yet? I admit, I still love all of the fictional characters that I once believed to be Prince Charming, and I probably always will. But now I know that the real Prince Charming has been by my side all along, even before I came into this world (Jer. 1:5).
Jesus Christ is not only my Prince Charming. He longs for everyone to experience His forgiveness and love. Yes, that's right--He longs to be your Prince Charming...
Someday, I hope to meet an earthly "prince", though he may not be titled as such. I long to meet the special man my Redeemer has chosen for me. But until He brings us together, I have determined to entrust my heart to no other man but my Heavenly Father. I have chosen to wait for that man and to pray for him every day, that our Savior would bless, protect, and guide him.
 "A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her." ~Maya Angelou
When we give away our hearts prematurely, we are telling our Heavenly Prince that we don't trust Him enough to allow Him to hold our hearts, and that our earthly prince is not worth the wait.
If you long to be protected, cherished, and completely content, place your heart in Jesus' hands. He will treasure it forever. May we treasure Him with all of our hearts!

Read What a Godly Man Should Look Like, an article concerning the characteristics of an earthly man of God.

Books!

Last school year, I kept a list of the books that I read. I am also keeping a list over the summer; we will see how I fare with that...
Anyway, here are the books I completed during my tenth grade year:
(* = the ones I especially enjoyed)

1. Even Now (Karen Kingsbury)*
2. Because of Stephen (Grace Livingston Hill)
3. Rainbow Cottage (Grace Livingston Hill)
4. The Phantom of the Opera (Gaston Leroux)*
5. How Do I Love Thee? (Nancy Moser)*
6. Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen)*
7. Silas Marner (George Eliot)*
8. Before You Meet Prince Charming (Sarah Malley)*
9. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)*
10. A Man Called Peter (Catherine Marshall)*
11. Wind Dancer (Jamie Carie)
12. For Young Women Only (Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice)*

13. The Redemption (M. L. Tyndall)*
14. The Reliance (M. L. Tyndall)
15. The Restitution (M. L. Tyndall)
16. The Falcon and the Sparrow (M. L. Tyndall)*
17. The Red Siren (M. L. Tyndall)
18. The Blue Enchantress (M. L. Tyndall)
19. The Raven Saint (M. L. Tyndall)*
20. When Dreams Come True (Eric and Leslie Ludy)*
21. Answering the Guy Questions (Leslie Ludy)*
22. The Bravehearted Gospel (Eric Ludy)*
23. The Lost Art of True Beauty (Leslie Ludy)*
24. The Last Sin Eater (Francine Rivers)*
25. Sarah, Plain and Tall (Patricia M.)
26. The Last Song (Nicholas Sparks)
27. Summerhill Secrets series (reread) (10 books) (Beverly Lewis)*
28. When God Pursues a Woman's Heart (Cindi McMenamin)*

29. Start Here (Alex and Brett Harris)*
30. The Spider Catcher (Gilbert Morris)*
31. God's Handmaiden (Gilbert Morris)*
32. Yesterday's Embers (Deborah Rainey)
33. Kilmeny of the Orchard (L. M. Montgomery)*
34. No Place for a Lady (Maggie Brendan)
35. Happily Ever After (Susan May Warren)*
36. Boy Meets Girl (Joshua Harris)*
37. Julius Caesar (William Shakespeare)
38. Spiderwick Chronicles series (5 books) (Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi)

...And so far, my list of books I've read this summer is:

1. The Prisoner of Zenda (Anthony Hope)
2. So Much More (Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin)*
3. The Falcon and the Sparrow (reread) (M. L. Tyndall)*
4. A Summer Secret (Kathleen Fuller)
5. Dug Down Deep (Joshua Harris)*
6. Surrender the Heart (M. L. Tyndall)*

...What's on your reading list?