I bought the new movie, Cranford. It arrived on Monday, a day before its release date! (Thank you, Amazon.) It is just sitting here. I haven’t watched a bit of it. It will mean much to both Jeff and I and the family for us all to watch it together for the first time. On the other hand, I am itching to watch it myself. I hope at least by this weekend, we’ll have time to watch it all — I do not want to start it if we can’t finish it in a few days. It will kill me to start it and have to wait a week to watch more. 
This BBC/Masterpiece movie is based on a book by Elizabeth Gaskell. Two of her other books — Wives & Daughters and North & South — were made into wonderful movies also. I read Cranford several years ago. After I saw Wives & Daughters, I checked out all her books from the library. Cranford has been airing on PBS for the last few weeks. I am not sure it if is still going or not. I resisted watching it on TV because we have poor reception and it on too late.
That reminds me of a question I haven’t settled. Should we get the digital converter box for TV or not — enabling us to still have TV when all signals go digital next February? I have 2 government coupons for $40 off a converter box. Jeff prefers not to get one; he wants to phase out of TV completely. I am okay with that because we watch so little of it. We’ll still have DVDs and our TV for viewing those, but the question is whether to get that converter box (no matter how little it costs) just to have it so when some program comes on PBS or another station, we have the option of watching. This is a question Jeff has left for me to decide. He doesn’t care either way. Well, I kind of figure that since the converter box will be practically free, we should get it. But then, I am asking myself, do we really need it? Maybe life would be more simple without it. On the other hand, we rely so little on the TV, that our situation is already pretty simple, regardless of whether we have that box or not. Quandry! Time is running out on using the coupon. I think I only have until the end of May. Which means I have to get it this week if I get it at all. Please help me decide!
What have you and your families decided about the digital converter box?
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My advice is to get it. Who knows what you might want to watch. I hardly ever turn the TV on but there are a few events, such as the Olympics, that are fun to follow and it would be nice to have the option if you so choose. Since it is practically free you might as well. You can always sell it or give it away if you change your mind!
I say get it! For the extremely rare occasion that something comes up that you want to watch. Just helps you be more connected.
Hi Sweet Wardeh.
I have been catching up on your
*awesome* blog today. You are truly an inspiration
to me to live more naturally & healthfully.
I will have to check out that movie! I’d like to
E. Gaskell
hear how you like it first, though.
is an excellent author. We have watched Wives &
Daughters more times than I can count.
I hope you have a most excellent rest of your day!
Hugs & love, Robin
Hiya, Robin! I enjoyed seeing the pictures of your garden and your dedication was very sweet.
We enjoyed Cranford very much. The first episode was quite silly and in fact, had us all doubting whether it was going to get any better. By the end, though, I really liked it and will watch it again. It was very sweet toward the end and Dami Judi Dench really was a marvelous Miss Matty!
By the way, although I read Cranford, I remember very little of it, and this movie didn’t remind me of anything I read. The movie is actually based on “Cranford” and 2 other books she wrote.
Love, Wardeh
Wardeh, I don’t know if you know (I didn’t) but you will probably get more channels once you have the converter box. We got our converter box about 2 months ago and I now get 3 PBS channels instead of just one. One of them runs documentaries most of the time, it seems. It may have some benefit for you as far as homeschooling goes, so that is something to think about.
I “phased out” on TV 11 years ago, I moved, thought cable at the new
There is
house seemed expensive, so just never ordered it. And ya know?
I don’t miss it a bit! It was a good move for me, my life is
simpler because of it, I recommend taking the leap.
always Netflix for the occasional movie night, and lots of
educational series are available there anyway.