Welcome to Shattered Ankle Scenery!!!

So, I broke my ankle in a million places, so I thought I’d visit a million places–virtually. I’ll be here for quite awhile (in bed, that is–probably a month), and it seems like a good time to see the places I want to investigate and listen to things I want to listen to. Tune in every day as I “travel” somewhere or listen to something.

Yesterday, I watched a documentary on Bormarzo: The Sacred Alchemical Grove. Also known as the Garden of Monsters, it’s the kind of place I deeply regret not having visited while I lived in Rome; however, not having known of its existence, I exempt myself from said regret and will save it for later–the visiting and the regret. Having a working knowledge of Jungian psychology was helpful when watching this documentary, but for sure, being on a strong opioid made it more interesting. What must be it like to walk through this particular park every day?

Today, I “went” to the Isle of Wight, which I DID visit when I was on the SU study abroad trip, albeit an all too brief visit. I was sick as a dog and made the pilgrimage to Julia Margaret Cameron’s house, since I had a chapter on her in my dissertation. The museum director kindly took me next door and gave me tea in a house Darwin had once stayed in, then drove me back to the ferry in his convertible, all contributing to the feeling I was in a Victorian fever dream.

I watched an episode of Crown and Country, in which Prince Edward talks you though the Crown’s relationship to different areas of the country (hence the title–what thinkers); it focused mostly on Charles the First and Victoria, and there was a lot about wine smuggling.

Then I watched the following tour of Osborne House and loved. Did you know that Prince Albert built the Swiss Cottage so his children could–and I quote–“learn about being adults by playing”? They cooked, played, and gardened, each with their own little plots, and would sell their produce to Albert, in order to “learn about commerce.” I’ll bet he would have made them sell their own Girl Scout cookies. Mom, you will love all the fire places.