Mountain Retreat

Yes, Mohammed, the mountain is coming. Recognizing that not all viewers are able to simply trundle their buns up the nearest hillock and breathe in the wonderful scent of cow dung (or other natural smells), the Arizona Heart Institute (that's Dr. Weil Country) has produced this--sorry to say--fairly run of the mill stress relaxation tape. Viewers are asked to close their eyes and imagine the perfect summer day, but when they open them--even accounting for the difference in taste--they're likely to see pretty much what I did: hillsides, babbling brooks, and a fair amount of flora and fauna; all of it rendered in better than home video but not quite National Geo quality. In other words, the colors are a bit faded and the shot composition leans toward the perfectly pedestrian side. Overlaid narration doesn't really take you through a full-blown relaxation sequence, but suggests that people suspend disbelief and use smell and touch, as well as sight, while viewing the tape. Roughly 30 minutes long, the entire video is repeated with music substituted for the narration. Optional. A companion volume is also available entitled Secluded Shores. (R. Pitman)