Over the weekend, I was talking with my teenage son and his girlfriend about what they’d like to study in college. Their college applications are out, so it’s all done but the waiting (which btw, is a form of parental torture like few others).
Son wants to study computer science and cyber security. Girlfriend wants to study math. Girlfriend is good at math. After blowing through all of the math classes offered at the high school, she’s taking something like Calculus 4/Black Magic at the community college right now. And good for her – the world needs more female mathmagicians. The conversation then shifted to least favorite classes. Son’s least favorite class? Chemistry. I totally get that. Girlfriend’s least favorite class? History. Wait. Whaaaat?
Part of me just died a little.
OK, how to turn this around? Girlfriend loves to read. How about historical fiction? Something like Gone with the Wind?? She’s read it (kind of a surprise for a high school student), but . . . she didn’t like it.
Another part of me just died a little.
Is it because Margaret Mitchell casts a sympathetic shadow on the plight of the South during the Civil War? “No, um, it was just long and kinda boring.” (At this point, Son chimes in to back-up Girlfriend with, “You mean that 7 hour movie about the Civil War, with NO battle scenes?!? Booor-ing!!) No, Son, we’re talking about the book. Gawd! How long was THAT?!? When I told him it’s just over 1,0000 pages, he was steadfast in his incredulity – “Right. Over 1,000 pages and NO battle scenes?!? Booor-ing!!”
I’m overcome by the vapors! I can’t think about that now. I’ll think about that tomorrow, when I can stand it.
In the meantime, I’m leaving you with a Wine, Words & Wednesday rerun of Rhett Butler on wine. Because contrary to the teenager set, Rhett Butler is not boring!
Salud!
These words come from another one of my all-time favorite books, Gone With the Wind. Sidebar: It’s almost impossible for my fingers to type Gone with the Wind. They want to type Gone with the Wine.
This is part of an exchange between Rhett Butler and his stepson, Wade Hampton Hamilton (son of Scarlett O’Hara and her first husband, the milquetoast Charles Hamilton). Scarlett and Rhett’s daughter has just been born. Rhett wants Wade to join him in a toast to his new daughter, but Wade declines, saying he’s promised his Aunt Melly he won’t drink until he’s graduated from college.
Rhett retorts with this . . .
Wade eventually relents (who doesn’t relent under the spell of Rhett Butler?) and awkwardly drinks a glass of Claret, making a toast “To Sissy”.
I don’t know about you, but I’d sign up for Rhett Butler’s wine drinking…
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I have a true but funny story about Gone with the Wind. My great Grandmother was a Native Virginian and grew up during the Civil War in Warrenton. She emigrated to Montana late in the century and when the moving came out she drove two hours with my mother and brother to see it. If you recall it was long and had an intermission. During the intermission the Confederate Battle Flag Furled on the Screen, No goodies during intermission for Mom or her brother. Granny made them both stand the whole time the flag was on the screen. She was not pro-slavery or in anyway prejudiced as her family didn’t keep slaves. To her death she just remained a proud Virginian and a daughter of the South
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What an interesting story, Robert! Thanks for sharing it. I’ve lived in Virginia almost my entire life, and we’re in Warrenton now. Do you know where your grandmother lived in Warrenton?? Cheers!
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I love Gone with the Wind! My husband does not – he has other qualities, so I married him anyway, but this is absolutely one of his flaws… 🙂
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I hear you . . . my husband doesn’t like GWTW, either. Again, not enough battle scenes for the men-folk! Cheers!!
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I think you should offer a class:
“Rhett Butler’s ‘Gone with the Wine’ Tasting”
Another great post, H! Cheers & Warmest wishes- JvB
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Thanks, Jim! Boy . . . wouldn’t THAT be a wine class! I often wonder what happened to Mr. Butler after the war . . . Cheers!
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Seems as though you have a thing for Rhett Butler (or perhaps Clark Gable) rather than the movie as a whole.
It is a great film, but would not be able to be made today, due to its content. That it too bad.
Waiter: more Moët Chandon Rose Imperial please,
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Who *doesn’t* have a thing for Rhett Butler? 😉 I actually like the book far more than the move. A rare glimpse of history (albeit historical fiction) written by the losers. Cheers!
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