Happy Birthday, Gemini #astrology

According to traditional astrology, the sun entered the zodiacal sign of Gemini at 12:31PM Pacific Time today. Happy Birthday to everyone born under this interesting sign.

Gemini graphicGemini is symbolized by twins, and the dual nature of those born under the sign is legendary, though not always obvious. I did have a Gemini boss once, though, who exhibited this quality. Whenever one of the engineers needed to talk to him, he’d first approach the boss’s secretary to inquire: “Who’s in today, Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?”

Most Geminis aren’t that schizophrenic, though some are. Take Gemini Marilyn Monroe, for instance, a sex goddess with a vulnerable, “little girl lost” quality. Men wanted to make love to her; women wanted to take her home and mother her. Her death saddened all of us. Another example is Angelina Jolie, another sex goddess known for her humanitarian work.

Gemini is a mutable air sign ruled by the planet Mercury, and the word “mercurial” was invented for people born under this sign. They are clever, versatile, changeable, impatient and easily bored. Geminis tend to think and talk fast, and just try keeping up with them when the ideas get to flashing quick and fast. Theirs is often a restless nature, and perseverance may not be a strong suit. Mercury rules writing and communications, and there seem to be an unusual number of writers in this month’s list of famous personalities. Mercury’s birthstone is variously listed as the aquamarine or the agate, both of which reflect different colors, in keeping with Gemini’s changeability.

Gemini

Gemini © twentyfreee

Famous people born under the sign include Johnny Depp, mobster John Dillinger, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Bob Dylan, the Duke of Edinburgh, Senator John Edwards, Ian Fleming, Errol Flynn, Michael J. Fox, Morgan Freeman, Judy Garland, Paul Gauguin, Thomas Hardy, Bob Hope, Angelina Jolie, Al Jolson, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Paul McCartney, Marilyn Monroe, Cole Porter, Rosalind Russell, Brooke Shields, Wallis Simpson, director Michael Todd, Rudolph Valentino, Walt Whitman, Frank Lloyd Wright and Brigham Young.

Gemini is considered to be most compatible with the other air signs, Libra and Aquarius and with the fire signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. As always, much depends on the individual’s chart.

Do you have a Gemini in your life?

Linda

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Period Dramas and Romance Movies #MFRWAuthor #amblogging

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This week’s MFRW 52 Week Blog Challenge asks the question what are your favorite movies inspired by books.

Pride & Prejudice TV coverWell, of course, I have to start with my beloved Jane Austen books, movies and TV mini-series: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion and Emma. While I love the P&P movie, my favorite is the 5-hour BBC mini-series with Colin Firth as Darcy. In my mind, no one will ever surpass his performance. To me, he is the definitive Darcy.

I recently reviewed the book and movie of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In short, I thought this was the rare case of the movie being better than the book.

The movie version of Persuasion, with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds, is my favorite film version of that marvelous book. It was Austen’s last published book before she died and the most emotional. Root and Hinds conveyed so much with facial expressions that I was moved to tears. If you haven’t seen it, it’s just lovely.

I also enjoyed the film versions of Emma, with Gwyneth Paltrow in the title role, and Sense and Sensibility, starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslett as the Dashwood sisters. I liked the score of S&S so well, I listen to it while writing my Regency romances.

last of the mohicansAnother favorite is the movie of The Last of the Mohicans, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Though it deviated a bit from the book, which I also enjoyed, I loved the film version of the story. I listened to the score while writing my French & Indian War story, Rogue’s Hostage.

Lest you think I read and watch nothing but period dramas, I also enjoyed both book and movie of Me Before You. I found it a delightful, quirky story with an inevitable sad but hopeful ending.

Linda at HPWAnd I can’t forget the Harry Potter books and movies. I read all the books and watched all the movies except the very last one. I recently made a trip to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios, Hollywood, and loved it. I turned into a big kid, as you can see by the picture of me in my Ravenclaw robe, wand in hand. I’m ready for Halloween now.

There are lots more movies based on books that I enjoyed, from Gone With the Wind and The Killer Angels/Gettysburg to The Hunger Games, but I won’t natter on endlessly.

What are your favorite movies based on books?

Linda

Click below for more fun posts in the #MFRWAuthor 52 Week Blog Challenge.

Linda

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