Movies, Snow-Gauge Clif

Zero, Zero, Farewell?

59 Comments

Even though it was spitting snow as I typed this post, I think the time has truly come to say farewell to Snow-Gauge Clif.

Snow depth in the front yard: Zero.

Snow depth in the backyard: Zero.

I know some of you might be wondering what Snow-Gauge Clif will do with no snow to measure. Worry not.

We have Hedge-Trimmer Clif.

There will also be Rake-the-Yard Clif and Paint-the-House Clif. And as the late, great Kurt Vonnegut might have said, so it goes.

While I love spring and the new growth it brings, I am always sorry to say farewell to winter. I am, after all, a northern woman. Born and raised in Maine, I have winter and short days in my blood.

But speaking of days…patio days are just around the corner, and that is indeed something to look forward to.

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Watching

Movie: Princess Mononoke
Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki

I am a huge fan of Hayao Miyazaki. His animated films are not only filled with magic but often feature strong, sensitive portrayals of girls and women. (Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle.)

My favorite Miyazaki  film is Princess Mononoke, and I think it’s fair to consider it his masterpiece. The hand-drawn animation—a Miyazaki trade mark—is achingly beautiful, and the movie’s environmental theme of human needs versus the destruction of the natural world is as relevant today as it was in 1997 when the film came out.

Last week, my daughter Dee discovered Princess Mononoke would be playing at Regal, our local cineplex, and on Sunday we went to see it on the big screen, which is how it should be watched. IMAX would be even better, but our Regal doesn’t offer IMAX. Never mind. It was a visual delight to see Princess Mononoke on the large screen at Regal.

Along with exquisite animation, Princess Mononoke also has complex characters, especially the inhabitants of Iron Town, who are more than one-dimensional villains intent on pillaging natural resources. But naturally my sympathies were with Prince Ashitaka and Princess Mononoke as they tried to save the Forest of the Gods from the encroachment of the humans of Iron Town. The ending of the movie is somewhat surprising and offers a note of hope that we in 2025 would do well to heed.

If Princess Mononoke comes to a theater near you, don’t hesitate to see it.

59 thoughts on “Zero, Zero, Farewell?”

  2. We had snow flakes today too. I’m looking forward to some sunshine, if there is such a thing. It’s too wet, cold, damp, dreary, and windy out there to do much. Yes, I need some sunshine for my body and my soul. 🙂

  5. Glad to hear Clif won’t be idle! Thanks for the movie tip. I too am a huge fan of Miyazaki’s work, so I’ll keep that one in mind. “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro” are two of my favorites. (The latter I didn’t like the first time I saw it, then watched it again and loved it.)

  6. Will Cliff also be measuring how fast that hedge grows before he as to cut it again? Coming out of your winter must be like the three bears coming out of hibernation. 🙂

  9. I am glad to see that your yard is snow-free and Clif can now hang up his gauge until next winter. Both my daughters, though especially Elinor the youngest, are avid Miyazaki fans. I remember having to record one of the films onto video tape(!) for Elinor because it was being shown on afternoon TV – Howl’s Moving Castle I think it was – while she was at school.

  10. Glad to see Clif has finished with the snow and am amazed he’s already moved on to the spring projects. It’s freezing here with a chance of snow this week. Thanks for sharing the movie and that’s wonderful you were able to see it on the big screen.🙂

  11. Y’all may be done with snow, as are we (I think), but from 9pm tonight until 9am tomorrow we have temps between 25°-29°. All my tulips are in full bloom and I have now picked 5-6 dozen and stored them in the spare fridge, hoping for bouquets over the next week. The ones in the garden will be mush. And, sigh, the wisteria on my pergola has hundreds and hundreds of buds soon to be frozen. The end! I’m not feeling up to contrary weather on top of all our political insanity! My garden is where my sanity resides.

    Hope Cliff is happy to be done measuring snow and to move on to spring projects. Glad you were able to see the movie on the big screen. I’m just not a movie buff at all.

    Thanks for letting me unload. Happy Spring, Laurie.

  15. Why do I think you just very much enjoy one topic, that is to say, one certain gentleman to photograph and there have to be reasons to do so, haven’t there 🙂 ?

  17. Laurie, I’m not surprised we both adore this movie. When Netflix gave up its mailed DVD service, we were allowed to keep one DVD. Guess which one I see right now at a cubby on my desk?

  19. Although I know your appreciation for winter, a move from snow gauging to hedge trimming would make me unreasonably happy. I love snowy days, but don’t have that deep love for an extended winter! The thought of being able to move out to the patio and plant a few pretties has to be pleasing!

  20. Strangely, I’m a bit hit-or-miss with Miyazaki, but I saw Flow at the cinema yesterday and absolutely loved it! I think you enjoyed it, too, IIRC?

  21. Laurie, you feel about winter the way I feel about spring, summer, and fall! Of course, I think the first snowfall is extra-special, but it’s warmer weather that really makes me smile. And having all those spring tasks to do — such as planting flowers and veggies … and watching the birds — is something to look forward to.

  22. Laurie, you feel about winter the way I feel about spring, summer, and fall! Of course, I think the first snowfall is extra-special, but it’s warmer weather that really makes me smile. And having all those spring tasks to do — such as planting flowers and veggies … and watching the birds — is something to look forward to.

  26. I too love winter. Alas our snow gauge isn’t gone yet as we still have drifts that are 2M tall but they are going fast. I pulled the winter jacket off the rack and put it in the laundry basket but I haven’t been brave enough to wash it as that for sure would make it snow again!

    1. Sounds as though your winter is even longer than ours. Good thing you love it. Yes, best to wash that that jacket when you are sure winter is over.

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  28. “Paint-the-House Clif”?. Really? Poor Clif! I officially retired from all painting duties last year. I’ve told Mrs P (and to be fair, she agrees with me) that in future we either pay someone else to do it, or it doesn’t get done. Phew, what a relief!

  29. Farewell SGClif! Welcome Spring & the chores she brings!

    Wow! Miyazaki on big screen! I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure. My own personal favourite is Howl’s followed by Totoro. Confession time: I find many of Miyazaki’s movies quite scary and difficult to watch to completion (like Spirited Away, Princess M)

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