I enjoyed watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy last week. It had been a few years since I watched it. It is a fantastic film trilogy. The cast is first class with many of my favorites. The story is a rich, epic story of the struggle of good against evil.

I have two favorite parts, the cinematography of the horse scene where Liv Tyler outruns the dark lords on black horses. That camera man and editor were genius! All horse lovers would treasure that scene. It is true art, celebrating the beauty and dignity of horses. 

My other favorite were the scenes with the ents, Shepherds of the Forest. Those spoke to me deeply about the trees I have known and loved for many years. I know several ents at Fair Oaks Farm, and in my own woods. There is a large magnolia tree in the woods that was a child in front of our barn when I was a horse rider in my teens and early 20’s. I used to tie my horse’s reins to its spindly trunk. The proud giant is now an ent in my woods. I love that so much.  Anyone who loves trees will form true relationships with them. 

As I age, I am more attuned to what the arts bring to me in my thoughts.

Country painters are lucky……