Monday, October 12, 2009

The Light Fantastic



I rolled into Maycomb this evening just in time to catch the spirit of Gregory Peck hovering around the old Monroe County Court House. The American Film Institute has recently voted his portrayal of Atticus Finch as the number one hero of 20th century films.
No wonder he is so fond of this guy!

Not surprisingly, he was reading over To Kill a Mockingbird and remembering his dear friend. He had been expecting me he said. He pointed me down the street just a few blocks from the court house to the front porch where I would find Atticus in his rocking chair. As I walked away, I heard him say softly, "Make sure he has a wonderful time, and give your hostess my best regards!"


The court house is actually a museum...a perfect haunt for the ghostly likes of Mr. Peck.

"Good evening m'am. May I help you find someone?"

"A ball....at Willow Manor? I had a strange dream about that....Gregory Peck said I should get out of Maycomb for just once......branch out......live a little.......have a ball. Hmmm?
Well, let me see if my tux still fits."

I showed him my dress...just to prove I was not too over the top...just a little understated elegance....a little jewelry, my favorite garnet with gold earrings and and matching delicate bangle!
Suede dancing slippers. Hair pulled back in a French braid. Just the faintest hint of Shalimar...

I do love my slippers!

" A little Peck on the cheek for taking me to the ball, and then I'll change"


"Will this do? Not bad for a little ol' lawyer from Alabama?"
"Perfect, just perfect, Atticus!"
And we are off, tripping the light fantastic on the road to Willow's!
We'll be arriving any moment!

22 comments:

PhilipH said...

A suave and attractive couple you make too!

Are Marilyn and Jane M still putting their war paint on? I do wish they wouldn't keep me waiting so long...

alaine@éclectique said...

Well, the adorable Gregory, a lovely, lovely man. What a wonderful partner. I love your dress, superb with your colouring and your slippers, perfect.

Unknown said...

Well, FireLight, if you can tear yourself away from Atticus for just a moment perhaps we could have that dance? Miss Piggy is busy signing autographs. Quickly now! And, did I say how perfectly charming you look?

Anonymous said...

You two looked divine together. Charming in fact!...and yes, I did catch just the faintest hint of Shalimar as you drifted past to the strains of Strauss as the orchestra played on.

FireLight said...

Well the sun is nearly coming up, Derrick darling....but let's have that dance...Miss Piggy is soooo popular....I think we are safe....Oh how I do adore a man in a bowtie!

FireLight said...

PhillipH.....I am headed for the powder room...I will look for your ladies! Being glamorous is a big responsibility, you know!

FireLight said...

Pam....the magic of the moment...don't I look almost like a movie star? He just has that special effect! {deep sigh)

Unknown said...

Ohhhhh, my favorite actor of all time. So suave, so debonair, so gorgeous! I totally envy you!

Yoli said...

He is the sexiest actor that ever graced the screen. Great choice!

Betsy Brock said...

Well, I must say that I think several ladies were a tad jealous when you pulled up the The Manor in that Rolls with Mr. Peck! What a perfect date....he was really looking into your eyes as you danced, too! I think he was quite smitten with you ....especially in that gorgeous gown!

Unknown said...

I am very jealous! Do come by Linda#53 for a martini with the dear Mr. Peck and perhaps we could interest the two of you in a dance or two. You look so handsome together! =D

Barry said...

Ah, so that was you with Gregory Peck? Darn, and I was going to ask for a spot on your dance card too!

FireLight said...

Gaston, is such a gentleman...and he made Harper Lee's character immortal on screen!
If she has her way, no one else will ever play that part in a film.

FireLight said...

<----fanning her face ....
Yoli, I nearly melted when he looked up from reading that book...you are so right!

FireLight said...

Betsy...it was really Atticus Finch ....he just looked like Mr. Peck {wink}. We did have a wonderful time....even talked about the children.
(Note: The two actors who played Jem & Scout were from my hometown & close to my age...I actually met them a few times.)

FireLight said...

Linda, my dear, so glad you came by...I wasn't able to entertain much here as I am grading mid-terms....but I need a break & and I plan to get in a few more dances this evening......I have to wrench Atticus away from Yoli & Betsy, and we will be right over!

FireLight said...

Barry, I guess I am really the shy one...I only had a few dear fellows signed up....I still have blank spaces on my card....shall we?

Tess Kincaid said...

I have always had the hugest crush on Atticus. I could sit and listen to his dreamy voice for hours. He's so intelligent, so gentle, so wise. ((sigh))

Love your elegant choice of velvet, and your dancing slippers are simply devine! What a handsome couple you make.

Anonymous said...

Wow he is quite a man. Would you have a drink with me. I am so young and naive I am not used to big shindigs like this. I see you know Barry and Linda too. Everyone knows them. They are so sweet and loving. Well see you. I'll be waiting for you to introduce yourself to us.
QMM

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Goodness, we any of us ever that young?!
Fine post, enjoyed greatly.

sarahthefantastic said...

It's a good thing you came with Atticus as Mr. Peck is escorting ME to the ball. I would not have liked to create a scene at such an important event, though perhaps our dear hostess would relish a little catfight behind the scenes.

Country Girl said...

This is great! Hope you had a fantastic time.

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Recreational scholar, former high school and junior college English teacher. Animal lover (especially horses, dogs, and people), lives in the South, sometimes poet and essayist... "Ireland, Scotland, Britain, and Wales...I can hear those ancient voices calling..." Van Morrison from Celtic Heartbeat