The Cold Snap

We just got back from Nashville to visit my in-laws, and it was cold, cold, cold. Our favorite time of year in Tennessee is early spring when it's still mud season up here. I love to wander through the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and have lunch at their restaurant overlooking a green slope. This trip, the temperatures dropped to as low as 12 degrees, and there was snow--a dusting by Vermont standards, but Tennessee doesn't have the equipment or resources (sand!) to deal with it. The black ice was something! Schools closed for the two weekdays we were there.

Fun, huh? We didn't ask ourselves why we didn't go to Florida: it was cold there, too. It was cold everywhere. At home, we dipped to below zero.

What did we do? We watched movies and read books! My in-laws had Elvis movies on, which were showing in honor of his birthday. I have to admit I've never watched an Elvis movie from start to finish. I'm not sure why. My husband, son and I headed to the IMAX theater at Opry Mills to watch "Avatar" in 3-D. It was packed with over 200 people. What an experience! I was completely absorbed.

Back home, it's still cold. With snow on the ground, we can get out snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and walking (carefully), but we're still in movie mode. I treated myself to DVDs of the new BBC editions of "Persuasion" and "Sense and Sensibility." Ahhh. I've also watched the new "Star Trek" several times -- I love it. The actors, the score, the action. The crew of the Enterprise is back!

I've also been buying books and making my way through my TBR stack and, of course, writing. It was fun to see COLD RIVER still on store shelves, as well as to see new books by friends.

What movies have you gone to see or watched at home this holiday season? Do you have any favorites you watch only this time of year? Or don't you watch movies?

Whatever the case, stay warm, and happy reading!

Carla