Become the Real Monarch of the Glen

Have you seen the BBC TV series Monarch of the Glen? For American viewers, five of the seasons are available in their entirety on Netflix.

The Monarch of the Glen series is loosely based on Sir Compton Mackenzie's Highland Novels. The main storyline is of an urban restaurateur and scion of the laird returning to the estate of Glenbogle in the Scottish Highlands to attempt to restore the estate to its former glory. He struggles against seemingly insurmountable odds, many of which have to do with the eccentrics living there.

The people of this series are what makes it memorable—they are all unforgettably batty in their own unique way. Makes for many hilarious moments, some completely unintentional. Superb acting all around though. Downton Abbey's director Julian Fellowes is one of the secondary characters.

While you may not be barmy, you could still be a modern-day Monarch of the Glen by putting down a spare seven million pounds to buy Balavil House. The house is known in the series as Kilwillie Castle and the 7500-acre lands are part of Glenbogle.

Now, for the first time in 200 years, this estate near Kinguissie in Inverness is up for sale. It has been owned by Allan Macpherson-Fletcher's family since 1790. The estate allows visitors to stalk red deer, shoot grouse and pheasant, and fish for salmon along the acres running from the River Spey up into the mountains of the Monadhliaths.

Some of the amenities of this lovely manor house include ten bedrooms with private bathrooms, central eating, a fully equipped gun room (see above), a 36-foot dining room, and a huge Victorian style kitchen. For detailed pictures, go HERE.

Restored Edition of P&P

A & E has digitally remastered the pinnacle of perfection, for some, in Jane Austen adaptations, the 1995 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice.

"Now you can really see the drops of water run down Darcy's chest after he takes his plunge into the Pemberley pond," says AustenProse.

It's available on Amazon for only $18.99 for two DVDs, and it ships to you on April 27 at the earliest.

Was MIA, Back Now

Nope, I didn't levitate off the face of the earth (no matter what those ancient wise yogis thought). Hiding under a rock also isn't the explanation for my absence from this blog.

My first week off, I was in Milwaukee for a wedding. It was an emotional experience. Life was at its hardest and at its best when I was living there all those years ago. I was creative; I matured; I did many new, fun, and some scary things. Meeting up with the people who'd watched me grow up, and attending the wedding of a dear, dear cousin and one of the people I admire the most, was empowering and touching all rolled together.

The second week, I was off to San Diego to an ayurvedic retreat. That was an out-of-body experience: some good things, some puzzling, some definitely woo-woo. My takeaways were: twice daily meditation, yoga stretches, and eating a bigger, heavier lunch than dinner. The best part of the experience was the wonderful group of people I met. I laughed, definitely cried, and came away immensely comforted.

Every conference/event I attend, it's never the talks, perks, deals, etc. that make a difference to how much I value the experience. At the end of it, what I remember are the people. I go for the people, even some of whom I haven't met face-to-face yet and some whom I know only as names on a list. And I come away taking them with me in my heart.

The third week off was due to a bunch of "then life happens" stuff: school, activities, bills, chores (read: a Mt. Everest of laundry), food, etc. etc. etc. The weekend was devoted to Le Migraine.

Early this evening, I typed up this blog and then typed up one on Eric Maisel for tomorrow and was about to post them, but I got sidetracked and sorely tempted into watching part one (for the 1000th time) of North & South. (Longtime friends know how this story is going to end.) At the end of the first episode, I said only ten minutes of the 2nd episode. Before I knew it, I was hitting next for the third episode with a mere twinge or two of the conscience. At the end of the third one, I had had to watch the last episode. I mean, you wouldn't want me to toss and turn and not know if Richard Armitage ends up with the girl or not? I mean, you never know. At the 1000th viewing, I could get lucky. Well, never fear for my husband, my friends. RA got his girl, and I got to re-live one of the best love stories on film (a wet Darcy rising from the lake, notwithstanding.)

Project Runway Finale: My Take on Tim Gunn's Take

Top o' the Monday Morning to you, Genteel Readers. This is the first of my regular Monday Blogs, and how better to start those off than by gossiping about the finale of Bravo TV's reality fashion show called Project Runway and its host Tim Gunn.

Christian looks rather fierce here. Reminds me on his playacting with Posh Spice during the show. I fell in love with Christian's selection from the first outfit to walk out, because I noticed the hats. I loved that about Princess Diana. And by the gods, I hate that full fringe that's all the rage. It suits very very few faces and with very very few hair styles. Heidi Klum is not one of them.

Hey, Tim talked to Marion Cotillard on the red carpet. That's cool. I didn't see him, but I saw Heidi arrive with her husband. She has three children, and yet she's a supermodel-thin and travels the world for various events.

I'm glad they brought highly talented people with experience to the show, as opposed to mediocre ones with hobbies. This is why I like Dancing with the Stars as opposed to American Idol. I want to see talented people do things that awe me. I'm not so much into what the ordinary citizens do. Snob Alert!

I was glad to see the back-stabbing drop away as the show wore on. All that high drama can be tiresome to watch. One of the chief complaints I have against DWTS is that America's Ballroom Dancing on PBS doesn't have people talking and talking about how they feel, how their brother feels, and their opinions on everything. ABD was about dancing. So the contestants danced. Now I know some of you will say that showing some personality is good, but Samantha Harris (beautiful and beautifully gowned) always gets on my nerves. Bias Alert!

I had a great big chuckle over Tim's comment on New York City apartments. In my voluminous correspondence with authors Amanda McCabe and Diane Gaston, I had commented that apartments in NYC like apartments in Paris are handkerchief-sized--you enter in sideways and exit similarly--unless you're nouveau riche or connected to old money and connections. Bourgeoise Alert!

I'm so glad Tim brought up Laura and talked about her business savvy. Now those are clothes I'd love to wear. Most of all, I appreciate how Tim has stayed in touch with former participants and continues to guide them. Too bad about Uli from last season. She seems to be as flowy as her work, however, I thought she had more business savvy than say Carmen (spit-mark). There was no mention of Jeffrey Sibelius and what happened to him.

The Bryant Park pre-contest between Chris and Rami was such a high-stakes contest that was wholly unnecessary in my view. They could simply have had four finalists and have them compete against each other. However, I liked how Tim differentiated between Rami and Chris in that final elimination by who is customer-focused and who doesn't care who his client is. Now that makes the choice so much clearer. This is couture after all, not a carnival.

So, Genteel Readers, do you guys know why Posh was chosen as the finale guest judge? Granted she's a couture fashionista, but since when has Victoria become an arbiter of fashion? Why not John Galliano, for instance? Posh tipped the scale towards Christian automatically with her love of McQueen and European designers.

I think Tim's spot on worrying about Christian's narrowing his focus too early and putting blinders on his talent. I think for that reason, he shouldn't set up his own shop right away. He's too young and immature; and he needs to somehow be with other designers, directed and challenged, just not too much under anyone's wing.

And regarding courtesy, I think that is one of the main reasons why I liked Rami so much. Other than that brief period in the middle where he was insufferable, he's been balanced, polite, and with nerves of steel. Jillian's flapping around at the last minute is one reason I can't take her career too seriously. She does her talent injustice by pulling everything through by the skin of its teeth.

I like Tim so much more this season. He's hilarious when he has his diva moments. And I had no idea before that he was seminal to the show, as opposed to a c'mon-buck-up fellow. He's involved in the auditions, too. And he really knows the industry and the business. I don't know how PR would survive if he chooses to leave after season five. He should let go of his own Guide to Style show though.

Thank goodness Michael Kors perked up as the season wore on. Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia, editor of Elle magazine, have always been steady and attentive from the begining to the end of the season. Oh, and there was a telling typo in the article a Project Rungay instead of Runway.

So Genteel Readers, what is your take on Tim Gunn and Project Runway and season four versus the other seasons? Do you have Tim's book Tim Gunn's Guide to Style?

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[Edit 3/10 6:51pm PT -- I was completely mistaken about the typo. I've since found out that Project Rungay is a very active blog about Project Runway from a gay perspective.]