Monday, July 27, 2009

O Captain! My Captain!

Promises, shmomises. I simply cannot keep them sometimes. And to celebrate that fact, I am posting yet again of my fabulous yet completely laid-back trip to Mathews, VA for Blog Fest last weekend.

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Meet Carlton, our Captain. It was his boat that took us on the Tour de Mathews from the water because, as we all know, things look different when viewed from the water.

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Is it just me or is our captain not a manly man with an impish grin? I was not afraid to be on this boat. Especially with him as Our Captain. I just needed to put that out there.

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This is his lovely wife, Ann Marie. And that’s their dog, whose name absolutely escapes me.

But this post is not all about Mathews. No.

Did you know that Walt Whitman wrote “O Captain! My Captain!” after the death of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865? The ship of which he spoke was a metaphor for the United States itself.

And the poem, and poetry itself, was immortalized in one of my favorite movies, which was filmed nearby my home, at St. Andrew’s Academy in Middletown DE. It is an absolutely beautiful campus. Here’s one of my favorite scenes:

If you haven’t yet seen this movie, you need to rent it. Here’s the original trailer from 1989. The Dead Poets Society starred Robin Williams at his best.

I work at a school and our boys wear uniforms very similar to this. Our teachers aren’t nearly this stuffy (thank God), but this movie is very dear to my heart.

Have a wonderful Monday, my friends. Until tomorrow, then . . .

29 comments:

Mary said...

That was one of my daughter's favorite movies when she first started watching non-animated flicks. :)

I'm so glad you had fun at Blog Fest. It's nice to hear you so light hearted. Not that you aren't usually happy. But you know what I mean... And now I should just shut up...

xoxo,
Mary

Michelle said...

Maybe this is one I'll have to break down and rent, even though as I've said we're not TV and movie watchers. Just to honor Honest Abe.... :-)

Unknown said...

I can never tire of seeing your photos or hearing your words in the memory of your voice...

I have this movie both on VHS and DVD...I have watched it a gazillion times and know every word, yet I STILL cry at the ending...ever dang time. Maybe I should drink wine when I watch it know with a renewed sense of what it means to belong.

Leenie said...

Aye, he is a bonny cap'n. Worth breaking a promise for. Loved the movie. Ethan Hawke has gone a long way since then. So has Robin Williams. Thanks for the memories.

Anonymous said...

That impish grin on your captain in Mathews, VA is totally cracking me up.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

When the movie of Blog FEst is made, CArlton and Ann Marie have to play themselves. Nobody could come close to portraying them.

Your pictures are so wonderful, I can't thank you enough for sharing them. This part of the weekend was simply incredible.

Carlton and Ann Marie were so generous sharing that experience with us. The best part was their trained porpoises which swam along side us. Carlton used his impish grin to send them signals, I"m sure of it.

Thank you - I absolutely love these pictures.

Tess Kincaid said...

Love, love the Whitman piece and Dead Poets Society, too!! Pretty cute captain, here, I'll have to say.

Char said...

:) cute captain for sure.

and yes, I love that movie too

Annie said...

one of my favorite movies Kate...

and the waterman is cute too!

Skogkjerring said...

O Captain! My Captain- had to read this one considering I am married to a sea captain- these words were dear to my heart...hahahaha...;-)) Uff, was I being naughty there?? Sorry...little sea humour there.
I'm probably the only one who has never seen this movie, but upon your reccomendation I shall rent it and watch it- someday...hahaha..no time at the present..but someday!!! Have a fabulous Monday!!

Ann Marie said...

Ok.... missy.. I REALLY need full blown size copies of those.. I think they are the best pics of us EVER.. and that grin.. i don't think I have ever been able to capture it like that...
.. hehehehehe

Mental P Mama said...

Binky. The dog was Binky;)
And those shots are as amazing as always. And that is one of my all-time favorite movies....

Anonymous said...

I love still seeing photos from your blogfest! I'm so jealous...

Ah, I haven't seen that movie in forever. I must look and get it on Netflix.

Pat - Arkansas said...

I really should not start off my day weeping, but it was a good weep. Thanks for sharing the clips.

I love the photos from your Blog Fest; the more, the merrier. You've brought me much vicarious happiness.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I LOVE that movie! And I am so bummed about missing all of you. *sniff*

Laura ~Peach~ said...

i see mischief all over that mans face... hes adorable as is his wife and pup... how totally coolto get the boat tour too! excellent movie! love robin williams

noble pig said...

So adorable...and I love that movie too!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

These are some incredible shots Kate!

Daryl said...

Binky is the name of the pup

Ahhhh .. such a lovely time on the Bay in that boat ...

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful couple! And the dog isn't bad either;)

BTW - I'm going to make pico de gallo tonight using your recipe. It's one of my favorite foods!

big hair envy said...

WHOOPS! It's ME, BHE, NOT Anonymous!

Anonymous said...

They are lovely photographs and he does a total gem.

Haven't seen the movie myself but have heard about it.

CJ xx

foolery said...

How cute were Carlton and Ann Marie? I thought so then, but after seeing you photos of them I think they need to get an agent. : )

Flea said...

I barely remember the movie, but now will have to rent and watch it with my teens .Thank you.

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

It takes a REALLY good movie to hold my interest. I've never seen this one, but after watching the trailer, I am definitely going to see it soon! Hope you'll check out "C"'s new post on our blog--it's a good one! V.

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

It takes a really good movie to hold my attention! After watching the trailer, I am sure going to watch this one --never saw it. One of my old favorites is Simon Birch--have you seen it? Hope you'll check out "C"'s new post on our blog--it's a really good one! V.

Audrey at Barking Mad said...

That photo of Anne Marie and Carlton is wonderful! Seriously Kate, it's just beautiful. You're timing captured something so beautiful...the glance, the look. Really lovely shot.

abb said...

Binky...that adorable dog's name is BINKY!

I watched Dead Poets Society knowing not a thing about it. I ONLY watch "and they lived happily ever after" movies. DPS was so not that. And it was one of the very best movies I've ever watched. So much for rules!

And that Carlton....your photos are just wonderful. Don't know which I like better. His impish grin one or the one with him and Ann Marie looking at each other. Both are simply wonderful.

I'll shut up now.

xoabb

Anonymous said...

Just FYI, and because I know I would want to know, my computer could not load the vidoes for some reason. Although it is probably because the WiFi is crap here. Anyway, I just thought you would want to know, for feedback purposes.