Out of Africa

"You must not think that I feel in spite of it having ended in such defeat, that my 'life has been wasted' here or that I would exchange it with anyone I know"-Isak Dinesen- that quote came up this morning, it reminded me of my favorite movie. I wondered what your favorite movies are ? Take a second and tell me about them ! I'd love to hear from you on the Facebook Page or the Website. Meanwhile, here's mine.....

I Love the movie "OUT OF AFRICA". I have seen it a dozen times, have a good deal of the dialogue memorized, (the high points mostly) I own the soundtrack and if you are not careful you could get conned into watching it with me! It's the true story of a woman's quest to make it on her own in a foreign country, where the Good ole' boys club was the 'end all' word in everything. It was a time far away, but we ladies should never forget, it wasn't that long ago.

The author on her farm in Africa.

"I HAD A FARM IN AFRICA...." I love Karen Blixen's (aka; Isak Dinesen) spirit, coming out to Africa, sight unseen, attempting to grow a coffee crop, when they said it couldn't be done. In the end "There are things which cannot be carried through even with the good will of everybody concerned." She lost her farm, and packed it in, returning to Denmark. But not before she was invited to the boys "club" where women were not allowed, and given a farewell toast by all the old stinkers who had looked down their noses at her previously, as they lifted their glasses to show that she had gained their respect.

 I have always been in love with that period in history. So this movie is an indulgence in that era for me. Meryl Streep was so awesome in her portrayal of Blixen. I loved her clothes, her house, the way it was decorated and of course, I especially loved the way Robert Redford said her name "Kar-in" (no surprise there!) The movie is a period piece, filled with girl power, romance, heart break, beautiful music, breathtaking scenery and some pretty profound poetic moments. The dialogue at those moments in the movie resonates so deeply with me. I love the last lines of the movie.....

Karen Blixen aka;Isak Dinesen photo by Peter Beard 1962

....“If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back, of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers, does Africa know a song of me? Will the air over the plain quiver with a color that I have had on, or the children invent a game in which my name is, or the full moon throw a shadow over the gravel of the drive that was like me, or will the eagles of the Ngong Hills look out for me?” 
― Karen Blixen

Over the years, I have read about her life, and how after she went back to Denmark she became a published author, beloved by many. Because she wrote under the pen name (among many other names) Isak Dinesen, people often thought the author was a man. I have compiled a few of her most famous quotes for you to savor and when you get a chance, I hope that you will read about her, and call me so we can re watch "OUT OF AFRICA"  

“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.” 

― Karen Blixen

“We must leave our mark on life while we have it in our power.” 
― Karen Blixen

“It is more than their land that you take away from the people whose native land you take. It is their past as well, their roots and their identity. If you take away the things that they have been used to seeing, and will be expecting to see, you may, in a way, as well take out their eyes.” 
― Karen Blixen

“All sorrows can be borne if you can put them into a story, or tell a story about them” 
― Karen Blixen