A Different Perspective

I was having one of those "no energy, don't feel good" days last Friday,

so I  let the boys empty the entire toy box onto the living room floor, stayed in my pajamas and watched

North & South.  Normally, I don't have time to view the whole 4 hours and just watch my favorite scenes. 

That day, I viewed it in its entirety for the first time since I was hit by Thornton Syndrome last year.

It's okay Margaret... I don't think I could look directly
into such a gorgeous piercing stare either.

North & South is one of those movies that can be watched multiple times without getting old.

In fact, I think I appreciate it more each time I watch it since I notice little details I've missed before.

One character who has won my respect and affection after many views is Mrs. Thornton,

or "the old battle ax" as the workers of Marlborough Mills call her.

I couldn't stand Mrs. Thornton the first time I watched North & South.

She was just too snobby and protective for my liking.  The more I watch Mrs. T in action, however,
the more I can understand her thought process and even relate a bit.

Mrs. Thornton loves living in Milton and is very proud of her city, despite what others may think of it.

I also love my home town, even though others might consider it too small or boring if they were to visit.

Margaret taking her daily walk in Milton.

Mrs. T loves her children and is especially proud of John, of whom she's fiercely loyal and protective. 

I have two sons of my own.  Although they are small, it's hard to imagine feeling more love
and pride for them than I do now.  How would I react if someone broke their heart?

Here are two things Mrs. T said after hearing that Margaret had rejected her son:

"A mother's love holds fast and forever."

"Your sorrow is mine and if you won't hate her, than I must."

Although I like Margaret, I can see why Mrs. Thornton wouldn't, and I love those lines.

She's quite the fiesty one, isn't she?

Always after I've finished swooning over the famous train scene
(which I usually watch at least 3 times in a row while giggling and clapping like an idiot)...

...I am left wondering, "What happened next!?"

My blogging buddy Mulubinba also rewatched North & South last weekend and wrote about it HERE.

She asked herself similar questions after the movie ended, such as:

"What would've been Mrs Thornton's reaction to Margaret returning to Milton on John's arm?"

Assuming John and Margaret were married, I also wondered if Mrs. Thornton would live with them.

It would be very interesting to witness, indeed!

On the subject of motherhood, we just found out that I will be having a baby GIRL this time around!

Upon hearing the news, I immediately pictured what it would be like to have a daughter... someone

who wants to watch all of my girly period films with me while painting our toenails and eating ice cream.

But who am I kidding?  With two older brothers teaching her the ropes, she will probably be the
biggest tomboy ever.  I would gladly take that over a spoiled, silly Fanny, however! :)

By the way, Fanny cracks me up.  I especially love the scene when John comes back inside the
house after the mob has dispersed, expecting to find Margaret resting... but instead sees

Fanny  sprawled out on the sofa, being fanned by a servant girl and sputtering on about how

they all could have been killed while John and Mrs. T just roll their eyes.  So funny!