Harry Potter Is A Part of My Soul

I saw this recently online and it made me smile.  (If you don't read/watch/listen to the Harry Potter series...it might make NO sense to you.)

I know many people who absolutely ADORE the Lord of the Rings series.  It quietly runs in their heads, even when they aren't reading/watching the stories.  For others it is the Anne of Green Gables series.  Or the Little House on the Prairie set.  Or the Wizard of Oz.

Good books worm their way into the fiber of our being.  We got far beyond just identifying with the story, characters, or themes.  They become an explanation of life if you really come to FEEL a story.  They become part of you.

I have a couple of writer friends--one published, and one (I'm certain) soon will be--and they have connections with their stories in a completely different way.  But they write and give life and birth to a story they have grown in their minds and on their paper/laptops to release them into the world for others to discover and (hopefully) love.  I don't have a literary parenthood.  I've neverf had a story I just HAD to write or tell.  But I sure can enjoy them when others share theirs.

For whatever reasons, Harry Potter is the one that I came to love.  I feel like I grew into adult hood with these stories--though to be honest, I was an adult when they were first published.  I love the characters, the story, the themes of good vs evil, of love conquering all, and that ultimately, our choices really do show who we really are, far more than our abilities.

It is a work I constantly return to visit.  I love the films, but I adore the books...particularly the audio books.  Those characters live in me.  They may have been Jo Rowling's first, but they will also be mine forever.

HOW Was This NOT the Lead Story?

My Dear Friend Chris texted me while I was at work yesterday to get my take on a bold new announcement.  At first I didn't think she was serious.  Then I got online--the first time in three days at home-- and saw this:

'Harry Potter' spin-off movie series announced, written by J.K. Rowling

By Jacob Kastrenakes

The wizarding world of Harry Potter is coming back to the big screen through a new spin-off movie written by J.K. Rowling herself. The movie will be set 70 years before the events of Harry Potter, and will follow the adventures of Newt Scamander. For big fans, Scamander's name may be familiar — in the original series, he was the author of a textbook called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which Harry was required to buy. The textbook's title is serving as the name for the upcoming picture as well. Warner Bros. announced the new film this morning, saying that it would be the first in a whole new series, and that some familiar characters and creatures could turn up once again.

"I always said that I would only revisit the wizarding world if I had an idea that I was really excited about," Rowling says in a statement, "and this is it." Scamander's story will begin in New York, rather than London as in the original series, but Rowling says that all of the laws and customs that relate to hidden magical societies should remain familiar. The new film's events otherwise won't have a direct relationship to the events of Harry Potter, and should instead stand on their own. Though the original film series was adapted from Rowling's novels, this will be the first movie produced from a screenplay that she wrote herself.

 THIS little piece of news was such a good surprise!  I was so happy.  This "wizarding world" is very much alive in my imagination, so to add a little more to it makes me smile.   I feel like the characters--and there are so many!--are just on hold there until I join them again.  I wish her luck and I, like so many fans worldwide, say "Thanks!".

Day 2

Festival of Trees report, Day 2:

Knowing that we are going to get to visit Hogwarts and Hogsmeade--recently reconstructed at Orlando's
Universal Studios--this tree caught my eye.  Well, it would have caught MY eye even if we weren't anticipating a visit soon.

YES!  It is a Harry Potter themed tree!  There is the Nimbus 2000 right there in front!

And, of course, Hedwig is perched atop this gorgeous tree.  And the Golden Snitch is right in there too!

The Monster Book of Monsters was hiding beneath its limbs.  Don't let it chew up your trainers!!

An admissions letter, the Sorting Hat, some Potions ingredients and Harry's wand and glasses sit just waiting for classes to begin!

The Maurader's Map is ready for mischief!  Has anyone seen Fred and George?

A mini-Goblet of Fire--this one must be mantle sized--and a quill and Sirius' wanted poster adorn this tree.

And finally, the Sword of Griffindor, hides among the other momentos--just waiting to appear when a courageous Griffindor is in need.  If I saw it appear, that must mean I am a Griffindor!!

Can you see WHY I love this tree?!?  And YES, it was sold.  Dangit.

Saying Good Bye to Harry

Tonight the final Harry Potter film will be released at midnight.  My family will be going to the 12:30 AM show. I'll be in Logan canyon visiting another Girls' Camp.  When I first realized the scheduling conflict, I was really bummed, but now I am OK with it.  I plan to see the movie tomorrow afternoon with some friends.

But I didn't want to write about my dilemma with the timing of the screening of this movie.  I want to write about my attachment to Harry and the magical world he inhabits.

I came to know Harry in about 1999 or so.  The Sorcerer's Stone was published in the US the year before, but I was a little slow to catch the Hogwart's Express.  But once I read that first book, I was hooked.

It was a classic Hero's Tale.  The fact that Harry was an orphan, unwanted by his extended family, who discovered he had special powers and gifts only made it more heroically literary.  He leaves his dismal upbringing where he never felt accepted and was brought into a world he never knew existed; a world where he was an iconic figure, beloved by all who had heard his story of triumph against evil.

The following six novels only cemented my adoration of this world, this parallel universe filled with colorful and imperfect characters.  Harry's friendship with Ron and Hermione were honest and sincere, though flawed and human like my own real life.

For the next decade or so I lived vicariously at Hogwart's, experiencing the adventures with the trio and looking for the clues that would give Harry the ultimate edge over the evil Voldemort.  During this time, I was able to share this fantastical world with The Girl and The Boy--though The Boy accepted it grudgingly, as he had to read to know the story.

When the movies were released, The Boy and Genius Golfer caught up with The Girl and I in our magical world.  Even better, though, than the movies, were the audio books read by actor Jim Dale.  I fell in love with the story all over again as I heard him voice the characters so distinctly and enthusiastically.  My iPod is filled with all seven audio books--filling more memory space than the music files I have on it.

I thrilled at the final installment, where good finally overcame evil.  And though I was sad to know the original story was complete, I could imagine what the characters were doing, outside the books, as though they were actual people.  I loved the conclusion, and the hope it gave the characters to lead happy, love-filled lives together.

Now the final film is being released.  I feel like the conclusion bringing up all those sad completion feelings again.  I only hope my imagination will be fired up once again as I contemplate the joy these adolescent literary friends have brought me over the years.

Goodbye, Harry, Ron and Hermione.  Thank you for all the good time we have shared, and the escape you offered my mind and imagination.  I wish we lived closer.  I hope to see you again, in the not so distant future.  In the meantime, I'll reminisce with our mutual friend Jim Dale, who tells the absolutely best stories.

Dread and Anticipation in One

July 15th cannot come soon enough for me. But when it does, I am dreading the feeling of not having any more Harry films to look forward to. This magical world has been such a fun side track for me. I love the books and, while the movies don't exactly follow the books, the films give me another Harry Potter outlet. I do love them.

I was given a wonderful Harry Potter themed thank you gift basket from my Council PTA board...and on the July 15th opening I will be wearing my radish earrings. Mark my words, in the Daily Prophet.

Midnight Madness

Thanks to a minor, and totally understandable, oversight of a lovely friend who mistakenly bought out almost the entire theater of reserve seats--she was excited and anxious and the computer/Internet response wasn't as fast as she was, at first--we had tickets to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 last night along with 190 other Friends of Tammy.

Luckily for us, Tammy's friends are pretty dang cool.

I loved seeing the kids, most high school and college age, come in dressed as characters from a beloved book series they have undoubtedly grown up with and now get to see finished out on the big screen.  I especially loved to see the kids, dressed in costume or not, who were just as thrilled to be there as I was, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour.

That is what naps are for.

Throughout the movie, I was reimpressed with the theme of Good vs.Evil.  That is the basis for all truly good, lasting stories.  And Harry Potter puts a magic spin on it, just as Star Wars put an outer space spin on it when I was a girl.  You know Good must win in the end, but a lot has to happen for the end to finally come and justify the efforts of the Good to beat Evil.

I'd like to say that I see this paralleled in real life, but I am seeing only the waves of bad most days with only a hope that the Good will triumph in the end.  My heart tells me that is true, and I continue to work each day to do my part to bring Good out of the torment, in my own way.  But there are days, like Harry and the gang face in this movie, where I feel like Evil is getting the upper hand.

No wonder, then, I love this series. 

"Dark and difficult times lie ahead.  Soon we must all have to choose between what is right and what is easy."

A Whole Lot of Harry

Yesterday was full of Harry Potter for me. I love this series of books and the movies are pretty dang good too. I know they are not every one's cup of tea, but I love them.

Several weeks ago--probably about the first day the presale tickets were available--Dear Friend Amy called to see if I wanted to get midnight movie tickets with her and her family. Figuring Genius Golfer now had a job and had to be at work, and not taking a nap, during the day, I opted for three tickets--for me, The Boy, and The Girl. We have never done a midnight movie, but with no plans the following day a nap could make it work.

When I told GG about my plan, he was put out that I didn't include him in the fun. He pouted a bit and then just mocked me for the childish delight Harry brings me. He told us that he would go by himself the next day then. *pout*

Fast forward to about a week ago.

Dear Friend Wendy emailed me to ask if I wanted to get early bird tickets with her family to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with her family. Her lovely hubby, Jeff, was invited by their company to a private showing the afternoon BEFORE the movie was released. Making it a 2 PM showing on Tuesday afternoon.

This was just the answer. I asked Wendy to get me just one ticket. I would go with them to the early bird showing (!!!) and GG could take the kiddos to the midnight show and I would deal with the afternoon crankies in return. Perfect.

Then I called Dear Friend Amy to tell her the plans had changed slightly, and please don't be mad. Then she told me that one other friend who had planned on going with her may not make it. Would I like the leftover ticket if she doesn't make it and then I could go with my family and make it a midnight family movie event? I thought, "OK!"

Sure enough, the other friend couldn't go. So I picked up one more ticket via Amy and made napping planned for Wednesday afternoon.

Tuesday (finally) rolled around and I had a presidency meeting at 11. SO I left the kids with jobs to do while I was gone. Then I came home and checked their work and made sure they had lunch. Dear Friend Wendy was picking me up at 12:45 to ride to the movies with her. I told the kids Wendy was picking me up and they didn't bat an eye.

I loved the afternoon preview--especially once I was assured that we weren't in for Harry Potter and the Hacking Hairball. All the ticket said was "Harry Potter and the H". It was so much fun. No cranky people who had to have waited in line all day, and the babies int eh group even fell asleep. Wonder of wonders! I loved it.

Wendy dropped me at home and I made dinner and then laid down to rest until time for the later evening show with the family. We left here about 11:15 PM to head over to the theater.

The midnight movie crowd was dressed up, cheering, and full of energy. Knowing this movie was 2 1/2 hours long--sans previews--you needed the energy to stay awake throughout. But the added enthusiasm from the audience made the final dimming of house lights and opening Warner Brothers logo very exciting!

3 AM we got home and immediately crashed. I know I am headed to bed early tonight. But both chances to see this movie were great! Many thanks to the Dear Friends who hooked us up with reserved family seating at midnight and my surprise, run-away-from-my-children, afternoon cinema experience!

5th Day of Christmas...5 Surprising Tales

Last week I got my last Amazon order in the mail. And it wasn't a Christmas present. I had pre-ordered J.K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard months ago and had frankly forgotten I had it ordered.

For you who don't read and then reread and then relive the Harry Potter books, as I do, this little book may have passed under your radar. In the last book in the HP series, character Hermione Granger is bequeathed a book of magic fairy tales, or fables, by former Headmaster Dumbledore. She can't quite understand why until she and Harry head out to once and for all conquer evil Lord Voldemort. This little "Beedle the Bard" book is the collection for five stories Hermione has to figure out to help Harry and save the wizarding world.

Jo Rowling wrote and illustated by hand five of these books and auctioned them off (following the last full Harry Potter installment was published) to raise money for charity. Upon receiving (I would imagine many, many, many) ardent letters from fans, Ms. Rowling reportedly decided to recreate her little handmade book and have it published--also for charity.

I love it when uber-rich people realize they have more than enough and do their work for a better cause then to fill their own pockets.

This little collection of morality tales includes five stories: The Wizard and the Hopping Pot, The Fountain of Fair Fortune, The Warlock's Hairy Heart, Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump, and The Tale of the Three Brothers. To many muggles (that is, non-magical folk) like ourselves, these titles alone may sound too silly to spend your time with, but for those of us who like to imagine these fictional characters with on-going lives, it was like a little Christmas delight.

I haven't yet finished reading this little 100 page hardback booklet. I have been savoring each one, like a morsel of Christmas fudge at a party. To eat it all at once would be indulgent and tasty, but then your piece is gone, never to be tasted again.

So, here is my personal thank you to Jo Rowling. I feel like I know and love these characters she created and to offer one more piece of their world--at Christmas time, for charity--was a treat worth waiting for.