Influences

One of the films that affected me deeply as a young woman, was the adaption of Ray Bradbury's FAHRENHEIT 451. I will never, ever forget how the society in the story tried to control every aspect of individuals' lives. Nor how a brave few fought against it, and resolved to choose free will and knowledge above conformity and ignorance. The final scene of the 'books' walking purposely through the woods of their sanctuary, reciting out loud their contents, has stayed with me to this day...

"I never left..."

"I didn't go away.  I never left my village."
From:  Alexei and the Spring

Tonight I saw a documentary about a tiny village in Russia. So very quiet and simple their life. Early mornings heavy with mist in the low areas, waking up with the dawn, taking care of the animals...

It took me back to my childhood in rural Minnesota and a small village I grew up in. I could feel the dew on my skin, smell the grass and manure, feel the soft velvet of my horse's muzzle nudging my hand as I poured the oats...running back in the cold to the house to grab my books and run to meet the bus way down the road...like it was just yesterday.