BACK<<<to the CLASSICS discussion

I think it's Blancmange!
In French, 'blanc' means white and 'manger' means to eat.

J wrote: "what was it?"

Sorry, I should have mentioned that it's blanc mange aka blancmange. It comes up in some classic books as well, but I can't remember for sure if Little Women is one of them.

Blancmange always makes me think of Monty Python!

Rosemarie wrote: "Blancmange always makes me think of Monty Python!"

Was it in a film, song or TV show?
I did find some images

It was in the tv show, Karin-the sketch where everyone was turned into Scotsmen!
And that's one of the images!

Rosemarie wrote: "It was in the tv show, Karin-the sketch where everyone was turned into Scotsmen!
And that's one of the images!"

Okay, I didn't really watch that show.

I am very hit and miss with Monty Python. To this day I have to cover my eyes in some of the scenes in Monty Python and the Holy Grail since I don't like violent humour, etc. That said, the last time I watched it I got more of the humour since I had my eldest do some Latin when she homeschooled, and a few other things. But the chopping off of limbs is not funny to me, nor is that bunny rabbit bit even though some of my kids loved those parts.

I loved the opening scene of The Meaning of Life and a few things in that one.

I don't care for Monty Python and the Holy Grail either; the series is a lot more entertaining and funny.

I love Monty Python - all of it!!

Jazzy wrote: "I love Monty Python - all of it!!"

I like some scenes, including the entire butterfly discussion, and the one I liked the second time that I didn't find funny the first time was what became a classic line in my house (well, primarily used by one member of my household) is "I fart in your general direction." We didn't watch it enough to remember the next line which is funnier, "your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries."

There are some others, but I really don't know the film well enough to recall them.

My favourite classic British comedy is Keeping Up Appearances. Hyacinth is an Aspie, IMO, but that's not why it's funny, it's just the casting, acting, writing, etc, etc.

?

Father Ted was one of my top faves have you seen it?

Jazzy wrote: "Father Ted was one of my top faves have you seen it?"

I am not really that big on British TV comedies, to be honest--my mother was the one who watched things like Are You Being Served, this one I liked and various other ones, but now she mostly watches musicals (she has advancing memory loss so this hales back to her younger years.)

I watched all the Blackadder series with Rowan Atkinson. The Elizabethan seriess cracks me up.
And love Keeping Up Appearances.

oh yes Blackadder is hilarious!

Oh my goodness I love Keeping Up Appearances! That is my favorite tv series ever. I've always enjoyed the British programs more than the American. Other ones I love - Are You Being Served and Grace and Favour. Never could get into Monty Python though.

I like the Father Ted episodes with Graham Norton - he cracks me up :D

Keeping up Appearances is excellent. For a darker theme, has anyone seen True Detective, especially season 1?

not on the subject of British comedies, just happened to be watching season 3 again

I don't think I've even heard of that one.

Since we don't have a place to put what we're reading outside of challenges, I wanted to say that I read an excellent Canadian classic--one of many that pre-date Margaret Atwood in the category of literary novels penned by women there. Swamp Angel by Ethel Wilson

Get a load of this Little Library! I spotted it walking down the street during my time helping my son move into his apartment so he can take his Master's degree. It's a glass mosaic that was made by the art works place you can see behind it.

Wow I love it! xx

Hope you're all enjoying the fun of the season!

Good tidings to you Jazzy and everyone

Thanks, Jazzy and Jacquie!

Holiday greetings to all!

Happy Holidays!

Yes Happy Holidays to everyone. We had a lovely Christmas with family here. I hope you all have a fun New Year Celebration.

Hi, I'm new here. Richard's the name, reading's the game. 42 y/o guy from Australia.

Hi Richard, really glad to have you on board! Help yourself to some hors d'oeuvres!


Can i get you a drink?

Welcome aboard, Richard! Cheers!

Hello Richard and welcome.

Hi guys and girls, I'm Luffy, I live in Mauritius and I am someone who is very funny and quite humble.

Welcome, Luffy! We like to have fun in our group and have interesting challenges. Feel free to join any of them!

Thanks Rosemarie! See you all :)

Hi Luffy so sorry for taking so long to get you a welcome drink!

xx

Luffy Sempai wrote: "Hi guys and girls, I'm Luffy, I live in Mauritius and I am someone who is very funny and quite humble."

Hi Luffy!

Hi, everyone - I want to tell you all how much I enjoy this group. I'm a member of approximately 25 groups and this is one of my two favourites, it feels genuine and warm, like you are real friends.

Nidhi and I have decided to read The Tale of Genji this year, 20 pages per week. I believe it's a year-long group read in Boxall's 1001 Books. I thought I'd mention it here if there's someone else who wants to tag along.

Nike wrote: "Hi, everyone - I want to tell you all how much I enjoy this group. I'm a member of approximately 20 groups and this is one of my two favourites, it feels genuine and warm, like you are real friends..."

Thank you for your lovely comments, Nike.

You & Nidhi have chosen a huge challenge! It’s generous of you to invite others to join in. I think I’d like to try.

Tr1sha wrote: "Nike wrote: "Hi, everyone - I want to tell you all how much I enjoy this group. I'm a member of approximately 20 groups and this is one of my two favourites, it feels genuine and warm, like you are..."

Please do! (⁠✷⁠‿⁠✷⁠)

Thank you, Nike. It’s your idea, so decide when you want to start & how you will organise reading. (If you want a thread on the group page for discussions or just to check when to read parts of the book, I can create it for you so just tell me if you need this.)

When we come home after a difficult day, we all like to kick our feet upon the coffee table, and enjoy some entertainment from the sofa. You know, a ball game, a silly movie, a television show. Yet, such is but a hot dog, filling to the appetite, but meant only to divert.

If only fast food is consumed, well, you know the insufficient nutritional deficiencies to our temples.

Yet, if we nourish that blubber between our temples... maybe, a filet of Aeschylus (fish, chicken, beef, whatever) - perhaps, some Confuciusian greenery - possibly, a little whole grain of Virginia Woolf... is this the stimulation necessary for that blubber to ponder into muscle?

My name is Michael Thomas, and yes, I'm a classicist... Hopefully, I've entered the right classroom, and haven't made a complete fool of myself?

Welcome, Michael!

Rosemarie wrote: "Welcome, Michael!"

Thank you, Rosemarie. I too am a retired teacher.

Great!

Welcome Michael. I retired this year from teaching Elementary School Reading. LOL not much Aeschylus for the ten year olds. But I do appreciate what you say. My reading is eclectic. I'm catching up on things I had no time for before.

Lynn wrote: "Welcome Michael. I retired this year from teaching Elementary School Reading. LOL not much Aeschylus for the ten year olds. But I do appreciate what you say. My reading is eclectic. I'm catching up..."

Thank you for that warm welcome, Lynn. And, congrats on your retirement. Miss the kids, as I did? But, naps are permitted each day (and have now become essential). Hey, maybe this is where retired educators congregate: BACK<<< TO THE CLASSICS group?

Welcome to the group, Michael. You will find our current challenges in the discussion thread “Game On challenges 2025)”.

Tr1sha wrote: "Welcome to the group, Michael. You will find our current challenges in the discussion thread “Game On challenges 2025)”."

Tr1sha, WOW, I'm overwhelmed with welcoming affection. Yes, I'll have to catch up on the discussion groups.

Welcome Michael! and if anyone hasn't read Genji yet, well now is a really great time to crack on with it! Great idea Nike & Nidhi! xx

Jazzy wrote: "Welcome Michael! and if anyone hasn't read Genji yet, well now is a really great time to crack on with it! Great idea Nike & Nidhi! xx"

Finally I answer. I'm sorry for not responding. I've got ME/CFS for twenty years and sometimes I'm just to exhausted during long periods of time. I quit reading Genji after 250 pages. I won't read the rest, it's just a long repetition of a very handsome, rich, intelligent, artistic and super perfect man's courting with the most beautiful, intelligent and cultivated women all of whom gets infatuated and bewitched by him. It gives a good insight in the life of the nobel in Japan 1000 years ago. But enough is enough.

Nidhi hasn't read it at all. I do believe they read it throughout the year in both Catching up on Classics and in Boxall 1001.

I apologise for not notifying you earlier but my brain fatigue messes with my mind and mental performance. I do hope that those of you who are reading it will find reading buddies.







.

Nike wrote: "Jazzy wrote: "Welcome Michael! and if anyone hasn't read Genji yet, well now is a really great time to crack on with it! Great idea Nike & Nidhi! xx"

Finally I answer. I'm sorry for not responding..."

Thank you Nike. I planned to read this but it obviously wasn’t happening as a buddy read so I never started it. Perhaps one day… !