#thecurvedleaf

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Love this scene because it beautifully captures the essence of both characters and encapsulates their entire relationship.

Jamie: Compassionate, wise, funny, protective warrior and family man.

Claire: Courageous, intelligent, impulsive, passionate healer and survivor.

Food4Thought: Claire ended up “by the stream” with both men in this episode. What was the other scene?

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Terry’s blog gives rich insights into the costuming side of Outlander. The costumes are truly an extraordinary part of the story.

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For when you need a fix and can afford to have “that song in your head” experience.

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We all have our favorite Outlander lines, and it's nice to have this great listing of what fans have in common.

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The Ring

I loved the ring Diana wrote into existence in Outlander…the use of Black Brian’s ruby ring at the ceremony and then the crafting of a ring upon the return to Castle Leoch. The ring Diana gave Claire thru Jamie was a perfect blending of their essences, with the botanical elements that represent Claire so well and the utilitarian yet polished metal and beautiful poetry that is Jamie.

I looked for my vision of The Ring for years. I have a perfectly lovely wedding band, mind you…two, in fact. Yet like so many of us, I wanted that connection with Claire and Jamie. I wanted a piece of them with me always. I never found my vision of that ring, though. And then came Ronald D. Moore and the turning of The Ring into something else.

Ron’s key ring is elemental. It is forged from something altogether different. It is fitting that Ron gave screen Claire and Jamie a totally different ring than book Claire and Jamie. It was brilliant, actually. There are places where the screen and book versions of our beloved characters should not…must not…meet. I’m glad Ron knew The Ring was one of those places.

Image Credits: Starz AND http://www.hamiltonandyoung.co.uk/outlander-inspired-silver-ring-9642-1313-p.asp AND https://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/TwilightEyesStudio/11903506

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Everywoman

Claire became my fiction friend when I was thirty and had just moved to Maui, Hawaii from the East Coast. Our similar ages were the first of many parallels I discovered over the years. (I will share others in later posts.) I am not alone in feeling this connection with Claire. It is Diana’s gift to us. In Claire, Diana created a female character who is everywoman.

Strong…Vulnerable Educated…Ignorant Wife…Professional Infertile…Mother Acquiescent…Leader Inexperienced…Expert Pragmatic…Faithful Fragile…Resilient Passionate…Lethargic Wanderer…Homesteader Harmer….Healer

…and the list goes on…

What are the dichotomies and parallels you see?

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I 💚 this version of the opening credits.

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The Blue Vase

Sometimes we just need that thing. You know, the thing. The object, trinket, treasure that represents a missing piece. Or is it peace?

I love the symbolism of The Blue Vase. It’s a vessel. An oasis. A tomb. It’s temporary (flowers cannot live in it forever, you can change them out if you hate them or if they start to get faded and stinky…kinda like Frank). It’s permanent (unless you drop it and break it like I did with my Mom’s bright orange, somewhat phallic ceramic pepper shaker when I was like five).

The Blue Vase is THE metaphor for Claire’s journey in so many ways. There she stands, not even realizing how hollow her life is, in all of her empty glory, wearing her lovely blue coat…longingly yearning for that little porcelain dream…sweetly, sadly reflecting an empty she knows not how to fill. Yet.

Damn I love that little blue vase.