2018: The Good

This has been a rough year. I failed at all of my goals except one.

Let's not write about the bad. Here's a post with the good of 2018.

Jeff and I paid off our mortgage--a benefit of staying put, I guess.

Jeff and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. 

I got three raises in my tutoring, teaching, and proctoring rates.

I took a free writing class. It helped me write (deadlines!) and I enjoyed being with and listening to other writers. 

I guess that's it. Pretty pitiful.

1-3-19 Edited to add: I brought a newish car. That's another positive for the year. 

This is Why I Watch...

...Vanderpump Rules.

I spent most of Sunday wrapping presents and packing things up for our visit to relatives. After eating dinner and washing the dishes, Jeff and I watched Outlander.

The latest episode wasn't light or sentimental Christmas fare. It was a relief to turn to a special Sunday night Vanderpump Rules afterward.

After we learn that Jax and his fiancee Brittany want to start a beer cheese company, we were treated to this talking head/interview with Jax Taylor:

Jax: "I know what it takes to run a business."

Interviewer: "So what does it take to runs a business?"

Jax: "I mean, after saying that, I really don't know."

Next scene Jax googles "how to sell food."

I laughed out loud: needed that bit of humor.

Christmas Visits and Home Again

Yesterday I took Lola for a walk from Mathews to Oyster Shell Parks to get in her exercise as Jeff packed up the car. We stopped at my mother's for a brief visit before we went to see Jeff's mother for a Christmas Eve lunch.

Next we went to Jeff's sister's for a Christmas Eve dinner. We've been going there for several years, except this time it was a new location. Melissa and Karl had sold their Ridgefield house earlier this month, and we celebrated Christmas in their short term rental in Waccabuc, New York. We stayed overnight and opened gifts in the morning. Around noon we headed to meet my mother, brother, and sister-in-law for lunch.

We got home around 4 this afternoon. We were only gone a day, but I was happy to get home again. Jeff thought Lola seemed more comfortable too. We settled down to watch Christmas in Connecticut and The Man Who Came to Dinner

I wrote earlier about being a Scrooge and/or Grinch. I scrolled through some earlier Christmas posts, and well, they're not exactly full of Christmas cheer. I seem to let stress overshadow celebration.

Christmases will be changing. Melissa and Karl will be moving probably to North Carolina. Our niece is engaged. No one is sure who will be where. Jeff and I will have to make new traditions.

Happy Festivus

From Frank Costanza:

"As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way...But out of that, a new holiday was born: a Festivus for the rest of us."

Frank finds tinsel distracting. Hence the pole.

Last year I bought two Festivus kits: one for Jeff and one for my brother.

"The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people. And now you're going to hear about it."

Let's hope for the Festivus miracles!

Remembering Spike

He's been on my mind a lot lately. Probably because this day was approaching. Spike died three years ago today.

This will be my 167th post featuring Spike.

He was a huge part of our lives for 13 years.

We still miss him.

Spike was fun, social, loving. He was a great traveler: Spike visited Plymouth, Charleston, New York City, St. Simon, Hilton Head, Stuart, Florida, Sea Isle City, New Jersey, Woodstock, Vermont. and more.

He's been to a museum, art galleries, wineries, restaurants as well as parks.

We miss you. We love you Spike.

Darkest Day of the Year

Today is the Winter Solstice. I always thought of it as the shortest day of the year. That's not accurate: the darkest day is more precise. After all, the number of hours in the day don't change; the hours of daylight change.

It was a dark, dreary, rainy day. When I first took Lola out this morning, the ground was already saturated. Puddles were everywhere. Around noon I noticed that the rain had ebbed. I took Lola for a neighborhood walk.

CNN broadcasters alluded to the darkest day of the Trump administration. I'd say every day is a dark day in Trumpland.

One Week to Christmas

I'm not ready.

I have no Christmas spirit.

I'm tired.

I'm a Scrooge, Grinch, etc. (My friend Elaine said that the Grinch ended up having a pretty good Christmas. Will I? I did last year.)

Finalizing our Christmas Eve plans. Figuring what dessert we'll make.

I'm waiting for some online purchases to be delivered. Finalizing a shopping list based on finalizing our dessert choices.

I can do this.

What I'm Watching

New Seasons:

Outlander: I liked the first two episodes, but the next two were lackluster. I want to know more about the skull with silver filings (when will that be explained) but I don't particularly care about Jamie's son. Now I'm afraid Brianna will end up on the ship with the pirate that abused and robbed her parents.

Vanderpump Rules: This is my guilty pleasure but they didn't bring it in the first two episodes: Jax and Brittany got engaged; James is an asshole. Whatever.

Top Chef: enjoying the first two episodes though it's too early to know the individual chefs.

On Netflix: we liked the second season of Jessica Jones, and got through about half of The Last Kingdom's second season. We now have Hulu and watched a few episodes of The Handmaid's Tale. Chilling.

A new limited series we're watching is Escape from Dannemora. I had read about it beforehand and wanted to watch it particularly for Patricia Arquette. Saturday I watched a two-hour documentary on the escape--interesting to compare the two.

Saturday night we caught the film, The Death of Stalin, although we'd never heard of it before. Once I got over the idea of Steve Buscemi as Khrushchev, I enjoyed it. Simon Russell Beale, who played Lavrenti Beria, looked more like Khrushchev. It reminded me of the casting of Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII. Buscemi is more believable as Khrushchev than Rhys Meyers is as Henry. I couldn't accept Rhys Meyers' Henry.

Yesterday I half-watched The Best Years of Our Lives and It Happened One Night as I cleaned. Best Years is a classic that I never get tired of. It Happened One Night is a fun screwball comedy. Let's just forget the line, "What she needs is a guy that'd take a sock her once a day, whether it's coming to her or not," per IMDB. I like Colbert, but wonder what Bette Davis would have done with the part.

Walking with Lola

Several years ago I wrote an essay, "Walking the Dog" about walking with Spike. I included it in this book my memoir workshop produced. (That's Jeff's and my wedding picture in the middle of the cover; I also included my piece "The Limo from Hell" in the collection.)

Until six months ago, walking with Lola had been much different. From the beginning, we saw that Lola was more comfortable outside than inside. Unfortunately, we didn't realize that Lola was afraid to walk on the streets.

She was so scared that at first we had to carry her outside just to pee. After about two weeks, we started to take her to parks to get her some exercise.

I felt bad for Lola. Spike usually had three, sometimes four walks a day, including some dog park visits. Lola usually got one park visit (if she were lucky--two.) Otherwise, she didn't walk, except to the back lawn.

There were a few times when Lola walked about a block's length along the sidewalk. But these were isolated incidents, and she didn't seem to progress.

Suddenly there was a breakthrough. It may sound like melodramatic hyperbole to say this changed my life, but it did...in a way.

For one thing, Lola can get a good walk without going to a park (though we usually do take Lola to a park or trail.) I enjoy walking around the neighborhood, checking out the changes, but mostly meeting the other dogs such as Dylan and Bishop. I'm especially fond of a beagle mix named Ruby. Ruby loves Lola and pulls on her leash when she sees Lola. They look adorable as they walk down the street together.

Lola still gets spooked by loud noises: unfortunately she tries to run into the street--not a good response. Lola doesn't like to walk in the dark. But overall, I'm happy with her progress and love our neighborhood walks.

A Rewatch: Salt of the Earth

I once tried to explain to one of my nephews how different it was to watch old movies when I was young: no cable, no DVD's. As someone who loves old movies, I was frustrated that I could usually only catch them late at night. Then there was the time my mother let me stay home from school to watch The Letter, a Bette Davis movie I was dying to see. Only a good student could get away with that.

I was happy to find that my college screened several old movies. I remember a poster for a Marx Brothers movie listing Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, Karl.

I think I saw The Salt of the Earth as part of my American Studies film course. We watched films from the 30's, 40's, and 50's, including A Night at the Opera, Citizen Kane, The Best Years of Our Lives, Pillow Talk. For the record, I loved all but the last.

Tonight Jeff and I re-watched The Salt of the Earth. I loved it. The men were so reluctant to trust their strike to the women, even when it was the only way to succeed.

Maybe it wasn't realistic to think that bosses wouldn't plow through women strikers in their cars. Maybe it wasn't realistic that police officers would be cowed by women screaming for the formula.

I still loved it.

Book Eighteen: The Book of the Dead

The finale of the Diogenes trilogy is a doozy.

Plots within plots within plots (a la Dune) describe this book.

There's a plot within the FBI/prison authorities to break Aloysius Pendergast in his high security prison.

There's a plot to break Aloysius out of that prison.

There's Diogenes' revenge plot that is intricate, long term, and ultimately lethal. Of course, Diogenes also has subplots and back-up plans.

The gala opening of a new exhibit at the museum mirrors a similar plot line of Relic. As you're reading, you know it will be a disaster, even worse than the Relic disaster, because Diogenes is behind it. You also know that Aloysius will somehow come through again with the help of Vincent D'Agosta, Laura Hayward, and Bill Smithback.

More on Dance of Death

Can't believe I forgot to mention the return of  Eli Glinn from The Ice Limit in my post about Dance of Death the other night.

Pendergast hires Eli and Effective Engineering Solutions to find his brother. Glinn's office is somber and impersonal, except for a photograph of a woman who has to be Sally Britton (also from The Ice Limit.) Oh, what could have been. Glinn also appears in the epilogue to Dance of Death with a plan to break Pendergast out of prison.

I was intrigued by a brief mention of Corrie Swanson from Still Life with Crows. I hope she's safe.

Book 17: Dance of Death

My brother lent me three more Preston and Child books: Brimstone, Dance of Death, and Book of the Dead. I didn't realize it, but these books make up the Diogenes Trilogy. FYI, eleven of the books I read this year are by Preston and Child.

Last night around eight, I realized that I had about 120 pages left in Dance of Death. I wanted to finish the book and settled down with a cup of tea on the couch. When I got into bed later, I still had about 40 pages left.I tried to keep reading, but kept dozing off. I decided to finish the chapter, but couldn't even finish the page and gave up. I finished the book this morning. Almost immediately, I was compelled to start the last in the trilogy--The Book of the Dead .

Brimstone had ended with most of its characters believing that FBI Agent Aloysius Pendergast was dead. But who was the mysterious man with two different colored eyes who took a brick from the wall that imprisoned Pendergast in an Italian castle?

Spoiler alert: it was Pendergast's brother Diogenes, as revealed in Dance of Death. Diogenes is driven by intense hatred of his brother. Diogenes saved Aloysius only to crush him later. He didn't fully succeed in killing all of those close to Aloysius, but it's Aloysius who ends up in FBI custody for a murder that Diogenes committed at the end of Dance of Death. 

Second spoiler alert: I was bummed about the supposed death of Margo Green from Relic and Reliquary. Luckily Margo survived; Aloysius got her to a private clinic to recover: a fake-out reminiscent of George RR Martin.

November Review

November was a rough month for me.

It started well; I joked that I started the month one-for-one with gym visits. Actually I made it two-for-two. And then I made one more visit the next week. That was it for working out. I actually thought I was getting back on track.

Trying to recreate the month by this blog, my appointment book, and my journal. I had a few tutoring appointments, work getting my mother's apartment in order. My cousins visited.

On the 12th, I started to get sick.That lasted for two weeks. After the first week, I found out I had bronchitis. I stayed in for almost a week. Bronchitis overshadowed the whole month.

When I finally went out, I found that it was exhausting. I remember my first walk with Jeff and Lola. It was on the Norwalk River Valley Trail: an easy walk. I was tired after 20 minutes. On the full hour walk I sat on benches along the trail several times. I took a 15-minute nap when I got home. This taught me that I had to take it easy. And I still am.

November wasn't a complete loss. We released my mother's apartment back to the company (even if I wasn't present at the official surrender.) I also managed to post here every day in November. I ended the month on a good note. I got a referral for a tutorial with six hours this week and another 12 in the next eight weeks. Otherwise, it would have been a bad cash-flow month.

Nice to have something unexpected turn out to be good,

Book 16: Brimstone

Back to Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child books: Brimstone.

 Brimstone starts with a mysterious death on a Long Island estate: a scorched body, the smell of sulfur, a hoof print singed into the floor. More deaths follow. Can it be true that men made a pact with the devil and he's come to extract his payment?

Luckily FBI Agent Aloysius Pendergast is on the case with an assist from Vincent D'Agosta and Laura Hayward.

Another page-turner. Preston and Child books normally have short chapters--that makes it easy to keep reading. Chapters alternate between several points-of-view. I enjoy the different perspectives, but damn, there are times I want to get back to someone in danger. Suspense!

Spirits Class: Single Malts

Jeff and I have been to Beer School, but this is the first time we went to Spirits Class.

About a month ago, I visited Total Wine and saw signs for a class on Single Malt Scotches that we missed. Jeff went online and found another was scheduled tonight.

As usual, I'm gung-ho when I sign up for something; when the date comes up I'm sometimes not so excited. But I was glad to go tonight.

Singular Sensations: Getting to Know Single Malt Scotch was a two-hour session: part tasting and part education. We learned the definition of scotch and how scotches vary by different regions. We tasted nine whiskies: including single malts from Texas and France (can't call them scotches by definition.)

Afterwards we picked up chicken pad thai to go and made it a night.

Turkey Soup

Jeff bought a turkey breast for Thanksgiving since I couldn't go out for dinner. The smallest he could get was three pounds. We ate turkey for Thanksgiving of course, had several turkey sandwiches, and I made turkey risotto on Monday. Lola has also enjoyed several turkey meals.

I've wanted to make some kind of turkey soup all week. But I've been too tired; bronchitis took more out of me than I realized.

Finally I made it this afternoon. I used the last of the vegetable broth I had used for the risotto and a box of chicken broth. I sliced garlic, onion, shallot, jalapeno, red pepper and carrot. I added spices, farro, and golden lentils.

I didn't have enough time to slow cook it. I put the crock pot on high for about two hours, before I lowered the heat and added the lentils. It still came out good. I have about two servings in the frig and another three or four in the freezer for future meals.

Next up either pumpkin soup or marinara sauce.

TCM, Bette and Glenda

I try to check out the TCM line-up every day or two, so I don't miss any of my favorite movies or miss the chance to discover some that I've never seen. When I get busy I often forget. Apparently that's what I did because I got to this week before I realized that Glenda Farrell was TCM's Star of the Month.

I missed the first Monday night movies including classics Little Caesar and I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang and an early Bette Davis film The Big Shakedown. The next Monday night brought Glenda's seven Torchy Blaine movies. I made sure to record Smart Blonde, Torchy's introduction, to save on my DVR.

Later weeks brought Three on a Match and Bureau of Missing Persons.

The three in the pre-Code Three on a Match (1932) are Ann Dvorak, Joan Blondell and Bette Davis. Ann has the juicy role of the bored socialite wife who descends into a life of debauchery after being seduced by Lyle Talbot. Bette has a small, essentially meaningless role because the film needed a "three" on the match. Glenda's role is minuscule. She's credited as Vivian's friend although I thought I saw her as Mary's friend in reform school. I didn't save the recording, so I'll have to look for her the next time around. Other cast members are Warren William--check him out in suit and tie at the beach--Humphrey Bogart and Allen Jenkins as henchmen of Ace, chillingly played by Edward Arnold. In his first scene, he's plucking out his nose hairs in a mirror.

Bureau of Missing Persons (1934) gives both Bette and Glenda larger roles. Bette is the female lead: pretending to find a missing husband, while searching for a murderer. Pat O'Brien is newly assigned to the Bureau. He falls hard for Bette even though she lies to him constantly. Glenda is his ex-wife looking for alimony. When a new client arrives, Pat learns Glenda has remarried. The "comedic" ending of the film has him beating her off screen before he and Bette stroll off together. What fun.

One more Glenda film to watch with Barbara Stanwyck: Breakfast for Two. 

Afternoon at Taylor Park

It's been about a month since I last visited Taylor Farm; I decided to take Lola there today.

It was a cold, windy afternoon--didn't fell like fall at all. This morning I wrote in my journal, "Autumn is just a memory." It seems as if we went directly from summer to winter. I feel cheated out of autumn.

I walked around the back field and looked at the area where Lola was lost for an hour this summer: tangled, thorny-looking bush. Without its summer greenery, it looked small. If Lola had gotten in there this time of year, I would have been able to see her and wouldn't have been so worried. But of course, that's not what happened.

Today at least the sky was pretty. Bonus in the first pic: Lola butt.

Monday Musings and Priorities

Today is my stepfather's birthday; he would have been 92. I wonder how my mother's life would be different if he had lived longer, if he hadn't smoked. His doctor told him all of his chronic health problems stemmed from smoking.

Jeff started a new work project today, so I'm on Lola duty during the week. I had three priorities for today. Get Lola out for a long walk before it started raining, go grocery shopping, do laundry.

I took Lola to Mathews Park and walked the Norwalk River Valley Trail to Oyster Shell Park. This was our usual hot summer day routine.

One of the first thing I noticed was a number of seagulls on the field at Oyster Shell. I guess they knew rain was coming.

We walked for an hour. Luckily I wasn't tired afterward. Yesterday Jeff and I walked the NRVT in Wilton. I started getting tired after 20 minutes. But the time we walked an hour, I was exhausted. I took a nap when we got home. Bonus at Oyster Shell: we also saw Ruby, a black and white Lab? mix who loves Lola.

I'm glad to report that I completed my three priorities for the day. I also took Halloween stuff back to our storage bin. That might have been too much, I was really tired after that. So an easy dinner for us.

Maybe more tomorrow.

TCM Movie Afternoon: 20,000 Years in Sing Sing

Today I watched this movie I recorded last week. 20,000 Years in Sing Sing (I mistyped 20,000 Tears in Sing Sing which would be a good title.)

20,000 Years is memorable for being the only film pairing of Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis. James Cagney was originally set to star, but he was fighting with the studio and replaced by Tracy. (Cagney, Davis and Olivia deHavilland fought Warners for better parts throughout their contracts.)

Davis doesn't appear until 20 minutes into the film. She has only four scenes as Tracy's girlfriend--three are prison visits. The other scene is key--Bette shoots Louis Calhern to save Tracy, but it ends up sending him to the electric chair.

20,000 Years is one of the first Warner Brothers prison social drama pictures. (I think 1932's I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang was the first.) It's not a great film; but it has a good story. As much as I love the short running times of old films, this film could have benefited from additional time to develop the story.

The performances were great: Tracy and Davis, of course, also Arthur Byron as the warden, Warren Hymer as a man who plays harmonica on his way to the electric chair, and the criminally underrated Lyle Talbot.

All-in-all, a nice pre-Code treat for a Sunday afternoon.

My Day Out

I don't think I've been outside since Monday when I discovered I had bronchitis. I've been resting and keeping quiet. With each day, I've felt a little better.

Today I had a SAT tutoring appointment. I felt well enough to make it work. Afterward I returned The Romanov Sisters to the library, then came right back home. I told myself that I shouldn't try to do too much just because I was feeling better. Well doing too much wasn't a problem--I could barely keep my eyes open this afternoon.

***

On my way home, I drove through Ridgefield; the downtown is decked out in Christmas decorations. I saw three or four cars pass by with Christmas trees roped to their roofs. As I traveled down Route 123, I saw Santa Claus overlooking the road from a balcony. Other homes still had Thanksgiving arrays of pumpkins.

31 days to Christmas. I wish I could approach it joyously, but that's not happening. I don't feel like decorating. Just need to get through the holidays.

Book 15: The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport

I think I first learned of this book from Modern Mrs. Darcy and I heard about MMD from Laura Vanderkam.

After I re-read Nicholas and Alexandra, I looked for a sequel or update at Norwalk Library. I had vaguely heard about one by Massie. The library didn't have it, but the reference librarian suggested The Romanov Sisters.

In the main Romanov history narrative, the sisters are basically footnotes with the action centered on Nicholas--followed by Alexis and Alexandra--with the focus on the former's hemophilia and the latter's dependence on Rasputin.

Rappaport uses excerpts from the girls' diaries to bring them to life. In some ways they were normal teenage girls. But it wasn't only their royal blood that made them different--it was also their sheltered, even claustrophobic upbringing--and then their tragic deaths.

Thanks to Helen Rappaport for giving them voices.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

This is a quiet Thanksgiving for me. I have bronchitis and decided it would be a bad idea to to spend time with people with compromised immune systems. I stayed home. The fact that this was the coldest Thanksgiving in one hundred years made it even easier to stay in.

This afternoon I watched Season One Game of Thrones, did some SAT geometry work and rested.

Jeff visited his mother for a Thanksgiving lunch. He returned home to cook a Thanksgiving dinner for us. We missed out on a few things such as cranberries and pumpkin pie, but it's more important to be together.

That's the main thing I'm thankful for.

The Shape of Water

This is one of the films that I wanted to see, but it seemed that it wasn't the right time.

Tonight was the right time; we finally watched The Shape of Water.

I loved it. From the first few minutes I was enchanted by Sally Hawkins' Elisa. The love story is magical. The escape scenes were suspenseful.

The acting is incredible. I loved some characters and hated Michael Shannon's.

This is a film I want to see again.

A Milestone

Today we officially released my mother's apartment back to her retirement community. I thought once we accomplished this, I could take a breath and relax.

I was so naive.

But at least we can cross off another item on the list.

Our original apartment release date was supposed to be last Tuesday. The Move-Out Coordinator couldn't make it then, so we rescheduled. Then I didn't make it today. My sickness became bronchitis. I was game to go, but Jeff went instead. He and my brother Jim took care of the final walk-through.

I felt guilty for not being there, but it was better for me to stay home and take care of myself. I'm glad I vacuumed her place last week and didn't leave the mess for today.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm going to list some of the things we have accomplished for my mother, instead of worrying about all the things left to do.

We turned in my mother's driver's license, converted it to an identification card, sold her car and most of the contents of her apartment. We got mom into a private room and moved down some furniture and many photos and paintings to make it more homey. We submitted and got her long term care insurance approved.

Damn, that doesn't make me feel as thankful as I thought it would. Keep going.

Goodbye Ben

This s our friends' dog Ben, who died today. 

It was Ben along with his humans Jenn and John who started Dog Park Friday. As Jeff said, Ben was the last of his generation. Before him went Spike, Ozzie, Yogi.

We'll miss you Ben and remember you always. 

Fall Photos

Over the past four months I've made several visits to my mother in Redding driving through Wilton. I've loved the rose tint of leaves I've seen along the way.

I pulled off on a side road to take these pictures a few weeks ago. Good thing I finally snapped the photos when I did. The next day or so, the colors faded.

We're still a month away from winter, but it's been cold. I feel we've been cheated out of fall. At least I can look at these pictures.  

Movie Afternoon/Evening

Earlier today I recorded a 1932 film 20,000 Years in Sing Sing. It was the only pairing of Bette Davis and Spencer Tracy.

After a tutoring appointment, errands and lunch, I thought I'd rewatch the film. Instead I surfed through channels and caught the end of Burlesque. We originally watched it to see Kristen Bell, who isn't in it much at the end. I actually forgot the happy ending.

Next up was Passengers. I heard that it sucked, but decided to check it out. It didn't suck, but I wouldn't exactly recommend it either. It was an interesting idea, anyway.

Then I watched The Post. I really enjoyed this. It managed to be suspenseful even though I knew the end result. In that way it was similar to All the President's Men. I loved the focus on Kay Graham: it was her decision but how new it was to her, how much she had to lose. Kay isn't even a credited character in All the President's Men.

Hope to see more films from a woman's perspective.

Forensic Clean Up

That's a first for this blog. Actually I'm talking about a fake forensic clean up.

About a month ago, I dressed as an ax murderer for a House of Horror themed Halloween party. I wore a jumpsuit, wig, blue tinted make-up and fake blood.

This was my first time using fake blood: I got both a spray and a thicker, congealed liquid. I used more of the spray and just dabbed some of the congealed gel on my face. The congealed blood worked best on Jeff's zombie scar. I enjoyed using the spray; some friends thought maybe I enjoyed it to much.

I wasn't sure if I were going to wear the costume again on Halloween, so I held on my "bloody" jumpsuit for a while. I finally cleaned it today. I sprayed it with some multi-use cleaner but don't think I even needed it. I turned the shower nozzle to a concentrated pulse and that seemed to do the trick.

Somehow I don't think real blood is that easy to clean.

Snow (Frozen Rain, Rain) Day

I'm not happy with any snow in November, but original forecasts predicted only one to two inches for our area. Jeff reported a few more inches than that with larger snowdrifts. Unfortunately our local weather channel doesn't see fit to give snowfall totals.

Parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York are in trouble.

Meanwhile my vague sickness has morphed into a bad cold. I'm thankful I could stay inside all day with hot and sour soup and Gypsy Cold Care tea. Several more hours of rain and snow to go.

Congratulations Jacob deGrom

Jacob deGrom won the 2018 NL Cy Young Award with a 1.70 ERA, the sixth lowest in baseball by .19 and the best in the National League by .67.

He de-grominated (sorry) winning 29 of 30 first place votes. Jake was also the seventh pitcher in ML history to win both Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards.

The announcement of his win included the line that he had more support from the voters than he had from his teammates.

Congratulations Jake.

Sick

I'm lucky that I don't get sick often, and I can usually get back to normal in a day with lots of rest.

This bout started yesterday with a dry, scratchy throat that led to coughing, chills, and head and body aches. I spent most of the day in  bed. I feel better but still lousy. It was nice to stay home and for Jeff to get me Chinese food.  Won ton soup is one of my go-to's when I don't feel well. Hot and sour soup when I have a cold, along with Gypsy Cold Care Tea and Cold Care PM.

Hopefully I'll be back to normal tomorrow.

Where Did the Weekend Go?

For the last three weekends I had grandiose ideas about all the work I was going to accomplish. You'd think I would know by now. I always underestimate how long it will take me to do things. I allow myself to get distracted too easily. I oversleep. Outside things come up that I suddenly have to handle.

It's silly for me to focus on the weekends because I don't work traditional work hours. So I can use other days to accomplish work (or most likely don't accomplish work.)

For the past four months, I've been spending much of my time with my mother and dealing with all her paperwork (bill-paying, income taxes, insurance, canceling phone service, etc.) Every time I think I've made progress, something new pops up or something old returns.

All I know is that I have to keep plugging away.

Turn Down the Noise in My Mind

I woke up sometime this morning--4:30--5, I don't know--it was early. When I tried to go back to sleep, I couldn't. I just started worrying. Mostly it was about all the things that I needed to do. Why didn't I make a list? At least then I would have had some record. Maybe I could have relaxed enough to sleep.

The title of this post is from a line in a Carly Simon song,  I Haven't Got Time for the Pain: it's my aspiration.

This Day

It's a cold, windy day. I even saw a few snow flurries around 1 PM. Too much, too soon.

I'm reminded that we had our Interlaken getaway over Veterans Day weekend last year; a weekend of record cold.

At least it's a little warmer than this Veterans Day weekend. But winter seems to be on a hurry to get here.

Friday Fail

I had several things I planned to accomplish today: take Lola to a park in the morning, go to the gym, wash my hair, put rest of laundry away, pay my mother's bills, buy her a bedspread, visit her, have dinner with my visiting cousins, prep for a tutoring session tomorrow, and blog.

I was up too late last night (after midnight), got up late this morning.

I took Lola for a 50-minute walk at Mathews and Oyster Shell Parks. I washed my hair, I did two pieces out of a pile of my mother's paperwork, I tried to get a bedspread--no luck, visited my mother, had dinner, prepped for tutoring.

Although I like the alliteration of today's post title, the truth is my fail is much longer than today. I'm frustrated by my lack of progress, how easily I'm distracted, and my inability to get anything done.

I've got to do better.

Book 14: Y is for Yesterday

This is the last Kinsey Millhone mystery--and that saddens me for what Sue Grafton will miss and what her readers will miss.

The main story involves blackmail about a ten year old video tape. Then there's the return of a serial killer...

There's so much more. Grafton's characters from Kinsey to Ed the cat are memorable. But I do wish Killer the mastiff-Rottweiler-retriever mix and Ed could have done more in the final battle with the serial killer. But the serial killer took care of Killer by drugging him. I would have loved for Ed to assist Kinsey and Pearl. After all, it was personal for Ed.

Happy Birthday Joni Mitchell

I was driving home from the gym today and heard four Joni Mitchell songs (at least parts of four) on the radio: Carey, The Jungle Line, Ladies of the Canyon, and one of my favorites to sing The Dry Cleaner of Des Moines. As I arrived home, the announcer mentioned it was Joni's 75th birthday, then played Prince's cover of A Case of You. 

I don't remember when I first discovered Joni; I know the first album of hers that I bought was Court and Spark. Just Like This Train remains a favorite of mine. I later bought several more albums. I saw her in concert once during the Both Sides Now tour on my birthday.

Here's to a wonderful day for Joni.

Mid-Terms

No matter what happens tonight (and tomorrow) at least the mid-terms will be over. These mid-terms were the most expensive in history--imagine if the money could have gone to some non-partisan project such as infrastructure.

Sigh.

This is the most interesting mid-term election. Or is it just the most hyped? Last year I was glued to reports of Roy Moore's defeat in a special election, but this election is much bigger and more important.

I always vote--oh maybe I missed a local election or two. I feel obligated to Alice and Lucy, Elizabeth and Susan, and others. Voting is a right and a duty.

I fear the political climate in this country. I feel the atmosphere of violence.

I hope voting is enough.

Last Class

Today was the last class of my art inspired writing course. Our assignment was to write a story inspired by Two Women by Lois Jones. This was the first painting that I wasn't familiar with beforehand.

As usual I had an initial idea but didn't really know where it would lead me. I wrote the bulk of my story while I was proctoring on Saturday. I typed most of it last night and finished it this morning.

I've enjoyed the class. It's nice to interact with other writers, hear how differently people interpret/are inspired by the paintings, and hear their stories.

Our instructor will propose two or three other options for a spring class at Norwalk Public Library. I hope it works out for another class.

Another Day

This week started with my mother in the hospital because of a fall.

Bonus: she had pneumonia. She was back in Meadow Ridge Wednesday afternoon.

Someone said early release was good because hospitals have too many germs.

Not a pleasant thought.

Where  do we go from here?

Road Trip

Today I proctored an ACT practice test in Guilford. I usually don't go that far to proctor (around 50 miles) but I haven't been working many hours, I was free, and I was hoping for a nice autumn afternoon. I thought of going to the beach or walking the labyrinth at Mercy Center.

Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. Rain had stopped by late morning, but winds picked up. I had to consciously grip the steering wheel on the drive home.

The 50ish miles to Guilford is the farthest I've driven the car in the 22 days I 've owned it. That could be the farthest anyone drove it. This 2010 Jetta had only 12,150 miles in eight years.

I am loving the car, though still learning about it. On Thursday, when temperatures were in the 70's, I accidentally turned on the seat warmer I didn't know I had. Just haven't gotten around to reading the owner's manual.

***

Jeff and I saw our super this afternoon. He is driving a 2002 car that a former tenant owned. When he got the car, it had only about 20,000 miles.

Thanks to all the little old ladies who don't drive much.

Recent Re-read: Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie

As I wrote before, I rewatched the film of the same name back in February. I didn't mention that I rewatched it about 10 times. I didn't watch the full three-plus hour film each time; I'd put the film on in the background as I did chores.

I originally saw the film when it first came out in the 70's. I liked it enough to read the book. When I saw this book again this September at a Kent library sale, I had to get it.

Massie's son had hemophilia; that led him to research the story of Tsarevich Alexis. My father had a version of hemophilia; perhaps that adds to the interest of the fall of Tsar Nicholas II.

Nicholas seemed born out of time and place. That's it: he was an anachronism. More over his head, than evil or cruel.

I'd like to learn more.

November Miscellany

I went to the gym today, which makes me one for one for November, yay me. My goal was 150 visits for the year--the same goal I didn't meet for 2017. At least I beat several previous years' totals.

Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and National Blog Posting  Month (NaBloPoMo.) In the former participants write a 50,000 word novel in November. In the latter, participants write a blog post every day in November. I've enjoyed writing for my art inspired writing course, but it's unrealistic for me do Nano this year. I wonder if I'm just making excuses, but I have to be realistic. I'll commit to NaBloPoMo.

Last week I finished a minor kitchen project. "Lola" gave us four beagle wine glasses and two beagle themed mugs for our 30th anniversary. Jeff gave me another mug. Jeff wants to keep everything, but we just don't have room. Maybe I'm in the de-cluttering mode because I've doing so much work at my mother's place.

My mother spent a few days in Norwalk Hospital this week. She fell and had hip pain so was sent to the ER. She developed pneumonia, but is back home now.

I recently had another frustration dream. I couldn't get my phone to work again. Funny how I had the dream after a relatively good day. But there's always something.

Happy Halloween

We saw this Halloween decoration of a dog stealing a skull on a neighborhood walk. I love it.

Four years ago my mother was in the hospital on Halloween; I visited her dressed as Carmen Miranda. She was in the hospital again today (released this afternoon,) I didn't think my criminally insane ax murderer costume was a good choice for visiting. I just visited as myself.

***

Jeff and I celebrated a double-header Halloween celebration a week-and-a-half ago.

First up: A Haunting at Mill Hill. This is our third haunting. We heard six tales of deaths of Norwalkers' deaths including deaths by explosions, a flu pandemic, and World War I. We wore our costumes to the Haunting because we were headed to a party directly afterward. We were the only costumed guests. One of the dead even complimented me on my outfit. After apple cider and snacks, we entered the haunted maze--not as scary as last year's but fun.

Next: our friends' party--this year's theme was House of Horror. My first idea was to carry a bloody ax. When I got the ax, an illustration showed a wide-eyed, wild-haired man in a prison jump suit. I had a yellow jump suit that I'd previously used as an UFO Inspector costume and a red and black "seductive temptress" wig that was more scary than tempting: some fake blood and I was done. Jeff wore grey makeup and a zombie scar with a hoodie: he looked scary.

As usual, a good party.

What I Did on my Summer Vacation

I didn't post much this summer; I was overwhelmed dealing with the aftermath of my mother's broken hip  Actually I still am overwhelmed. The focus now is cleaning/clearing out her apartment now that's she's permanently in the health center.

This summer is another that got away.

I didn't make a a summer fun list, and I missed out on several art shows and a few dog park Fridays due to fear of the dog flu. I still managed some fun things.

• Saw Joe Jackson at an outdoor concert in Stamford
• Enjoyed several dog park Fridays
• Went to a craft beer festival
• Went to a wine tasting 
• Went to the Norwalk Art Show
• Went to two book sales
• Celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary
• Had several nice morning walks with Lola around the neighborhood and Oyster Shell Park. 

It's important to remember the fun things and happy times.

Art Inspired Writing Course

Not the greatest title; I doubt the instructor wrote it. But who cares, it's been fun.

I found out about the class the day before it started and quickly signed up. It's free, held at a convenient time and place, and isn't a huge time commitment (six 1.5 hour classes.)

In our first class, after introductions, we got a copy of American Gothic, wrote stories based on the characters, and shared them. Our homework was to write a story based on Christina's World. In the second class, we shared them.

Next it was Whistler's Mother. I struggled with this one. I had an idea almost immediately. The next day I hand wrote the opening scene. But I didn't know where to go from there. I rejected my first idea of an ending and kept writing.

On to Nighthawks. I love this painting and was excited to write about it. Somehow I ended up with a vampire story.

Current assignment is to write about Madame X. I've got an idea--just need to see where it goes.

At this point, we only have two more classes left. I'm happy to be writing again. Having assignments with deadlines has helped.

How do I keep it up?

I Bought a Car

Almost. I signed a document, gave a down payment. But I'll get the bank check and pick up the car in a day or two.

Wow!

It was a quick decision, and that scares me.

Jeff says it was meant to be.

He got a check-engine light in his Tiguan today returning from the dentist's. He went to a VW dealership in Stamford.

When I went to pick him up, he said he wanted to show me something: a 2010 VW Jetta with only 12,000 miles. Jeff sat in it and said this is the car for Lynne.

I agreed. We could never find another deal like this again.

Saturday at Lake Mohegan

Last Saturday was perfect for a hike; we headed to Lake Mohegan. We took our usual route around the lake. Things were different: felled trees and a steep drop-off at dog beach. Closed trails had been reopened.

I said it may have been our first visit this year. Jeff didn't think so.

I checked this blog.

I didn't post about it.

I don't remember for sure.

That doesn't mean it didn't happen.

The Captain Returns

After two-and-a-half years, David Wright returned to Citi Field to play (part of) a game with the Mets.

I got chills after he was announced; later I cried--several times.

David didn't have a cinema-type of send-off: no home-run, no winning RBI. But he went out as a winner.

We've missed the Captain. Hope to see him again soon.

Happy Birthday Jeff!

We didn't go out on Jeff's birthday. Saw images and read stories about flash floods and traffic trouble. I made a salad and we got sandwiches and fries delivered from Blue Cactus, comforted that we're close to the highest point in town.

So we headed to Sono on Wednesday night. First stop: Iron Brewery for a beer sampler and nachos. We liked the beer, the nachos were just okay. For dinner, we went to Mecha Noodle Bar. I wasn't so sure about the selection. But it was Jeff's birthday; it's only fair that we go to his choice.

I was pleasantly surprised. We shared a pork belly appetizer and both ordered phos. The broth was delicious. I'll happily return.

30: Anniversary Getaway

Monday the 17th was our 30th wedding anniversary. Jeff and I didn't have a lot of time or money for an elaborate or exotic trip. We could return to Interlaken Inn. We've spent more getaway anniversaries at Interlaken than any other spot.This was our second visit with Lola; she loves it. 

We hit a few snags on Sunday and arrived much later than planned. We hit several rainstorms on our way home. We didn't get to hike. Our anniversary day itself was great. We started with a breakfast with made-to-order omelettes. In Millerton, NY, we took a long walk on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, then tasted tea at Harney's, and checked out the Antique Center.

We had lunch al fresco at Picante's South West Mexican Drill in Lakeville, then headed north on Route 7 for tastings at the Berkshire Mountain Distillers and then Berkshire Brewing Company. Back at Interlaken, we walked down to the lakeshore and around Sunnyside, before heading to dinner at Morgan's. 

A wonderful day.

Books 10.5 through 13

10.5 King Arthur The Man and the Legend Revealed by Mike Ashley

11.  The Cabinet of the Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

12. Still Life with Crows by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

13. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

I didn't really read King Arthur (hence the .5.) My mother-in-law offered this to me from her retirement community's library; she hadn't read it. It was a very dry historic text, starting with Roman rule. I thought it would get more interesting. It didn't. I mention it because I did spend some time on it. The author concludes two historical figures primarily contribute to the mythic Arthur. I don't even remember their names.

Onto to the Preston and Child books.

Archaeologist Nora Kelly returns in  The Cabinet of the Curiosities along with Bill Smithback. Nora first appeared in Thunderhead, which had been my favorite of the Preston and Child books. I thought the title was just a play on words, but it's a real term of art.

FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast (Relic and Reliquary) also returns to solve a series of crimes that have spanned a century. I was intrigued by glimpses into Pendergast's family.

Still Life with Crows is another gem. Here Pendergast travels to Medicine Bend, Kansas, to investigate a brutal murder in a dying town. Crows impaled on authentic 19th century Cherokee arrows surround the body. Pendergast hires a local teenager Corrie Swanson, first as a driver, later as an assistant. I really liked Corrie and was glad to hear that she returns in later novels.

Bonus for me: I figured out who the killer was. It was late in the book, but before the ending.Yay me.

Living Dead in Dallas is the second Sookie Stackhouse vampire series. I liked the True Blood  TV series with Anna Paquin as Sookie. Several tears ago, I read the first of the series Dead Until Dawn.

Living Dead in Dallas is the basis of Season Two of the series. The series elaborated on many of the subplots: Jason, Tara, Sam, Mary Ann, even Eggs had much more to do on the show than in the book.

What to read next? I still have magazines piled up. I went to two book sales recently. The most productive was at the Mark Twain Library in Redding. I picked up Living Dead in Dallas there as well as The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, Daphne by Justine Picardie, and The Nine Days Queen by Mary Luke. Sunday I picked up Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie at the Kent Library book sale. I read the book years ago, but have renewed interest after re-watching the film several times.

Six Weeks

This is my third attempt to write a post. When I started, I hadn't blogged in four weeks. Then it was five. Six weeks yesterday. I've barely journaled either.

That's bad for me. I need to write--it helps me deal with the day-to-day and sometimes bigger issues. I feel better when I write.

The past six weeks have been challenging. Sometimes I feel I'm juggling, sometimes I feel I'm treading water. I'm trying to just do something each day. Most often it's something to do with my mother. But I also need to make some time for me.Two weeks ago I got back to the gym twice. This week I haven't gone at all.

My exercise routine consists of my walks with Lola. We've had a few heatwaves and we were concerned about the dog flu. We avoided Taylor Farm for six weeks. Usually, I drove to the Norwalk River Valley Trail point in Mathews Park and we'd walk to Oyster Shell Park. It was nice to return to DPF last weekend.

There's a lot I haven't blogged about. Maybe next time.

Black Cloud

Three years ago, I wrote about a black cloud. I felt that not only was it hovering over me, but it was also stalking me. It was a dark time. Nine days later, we put Spike to sleep. Unfortunately, I feel that black cloud is hovering again.

Here's a list of what I'm dealing with: my mother's broken hip and subsequent care, power of attorney for my mother, my car or lack thereof (I sold it and cancelled registration--now I need a replacement) aftermath of Lola being lost for an hour at Taylor Farm--she's grounded--tethered--for life.

What else? Well, I've certainly let the condo go: papers and books piled everywhere and dust. I've got both a major and a minor work project. The information I need to complete the small project isn't available yet. I can't even get control over one little thing.

As I sit here writing, I'm thinking about all the things I should be doing instead. I was up early to take Jeff to the railroad station. Then Lola and I spent an hour at Taylor Farm. She didn't seem to mind being on the leash. There were some good scents apparently. I wasn't as happy since I was a mosquito buffet.

Now I've got to get some work done.

The Majestic Lola

Here's my girl at Taylor Farm, overlooking our picnic table setting for DPF.

Another Saturday Night...

doing the laundry. Two weeks in a row. Is this what my life has become?

Two-and-a-half weeks since my last post. A tough two-and-a-half weeks for me.

My car died. OK, that's not technically true. A malfunction light came on. I drove the car like that for a week. Then I found out it was a sensor light that I couldn't ignore. Eventually, the car would just die and I could be stranded somewhere. It would cost me $550 to fix. I just couldn't justify putting more money into the car. What would/could happen next? I ended up selling the car for $200. For the first time in at least 21 years, I am carless.

There was a lot of scrambling. Since Jeff works in NYC, I drove him to and from the railroad station and used his car. We test drove a car that we plan to purchase, but will borrow for a few weeks until Jeff's project ends on August 3rd.

This week brought new troubles. My mother fell on Sunday night, was sent to the hospital but released after a few hours. I spent Monday afternoon with her, then returned the next day to take her to the doctor's and the accountant's to finally get her taxes done.

Tuesday evening I got a call that she had fallen again. This time, she broke her hip. I've been spending much time this week at Norwalk Hospital. My mother was discharged yesterday to the health center at Meadow Ridge.

Saturday night ended up being the best time to do laundry. At least one thing is done.

I wonder what can happen next?.

A Quiet Independence Day

That's what I wanted for this holiday. I got what I wanted, but not the way I wanted it.

I've halfway through an ACT class--we meet Monday through Friday mornings. It's been more administrative work than I expected. The course lasts three weeks, with today as a holiday break. I'll probably just get used to the schedule by the time it ends. At least that happened last year.

Tuesday afternoon I got back from class, unpacked a box from homechef.com (our first order), had lunch, and then worked on an ACT test. I had misplaced my test, so decided that I should retake it. We were in the midst of a heat wave; working on the test would be a cool and productive way to spend my afternoon.

Unfortunately, Jeff had emergency dentist visits--first to his regular dentist, then a specialist. He'll need a root canal. I left home around 3:50, got caught in traffic and a downpour when I went to pick him up. Then I had to get his prescription, Tylenol and Advil. About four hours later, I got back home.

Luckily Jeff hasn't been in pain. Still we decided to keep things low-key.

Here's a picture from Independence Day 2016.

Incommunicato 2

What kind of idiot would make a sequel? Once again I didn't plan to take a hiatus.(At least I would have alerted my two readers.) If I post now, I can keep the time-off to 2.5 weeks. During the hiatus, I started two posts--not sure what happened. I guess I got distracted or fell asleep.

This won't be a long post--I don't want to catch up 2.5 weeks all at once. I'll drop in things as I write about them. Full disclosure: I don't have many interesting things to drop in,

Anatomy of a Good Day

The first thing I noticed when I woke up yesterday was that my hair smelled good. That reminded me that it was cut, colored and washed the night before. So I knew I'd look better than I had the day before. I let myself have a slow morning--writing in my journal, catching up on Jeopardy, working on a blog post (still unfinished)--without feeling guilty.

I took Lola for a neighborhood walk, had a good workout at the gym, and got all my errands done except for getting the car washed. Back home for lunch (leftover Indian from Thursday night.) I took Lola for a second walk, and got Jeff's father's day gifts together (buying a few gifts was part of my errands.)

We got to the dogpark around 5:45: a nice night with wine and snacks with friends. Lola is relishing her time off-leash, but ends up spending most of her time with us at the picnic table.

For dinner I made salad and Jeff cooked scallops.That was a relief--Jeff cooks scallops much better than I do.

A good day.

High Activity Days

Jeff bought a Link GPS smart collar system for Lola last week. It's become my new obsession. Jeff entered Lola's age and weight, and the system recommended 48 minutes of daily activity. Lola has exceeded that for all six days that she wore the collar. Thursday was our lowest activity day with 94 minutes (just two minutes short of double our goal.)

We had a active weekend: 201 minutes on Saturday and 199 on Sunday. On Saturday we walked over to Blue Cactus to pick up lunch, and later we hiked Cranbury Park for an hour-and-a-half. On Sunday we visited Southbury Dog Park and later the Norwalk River Valley Trail. (Just a shout-out to myself--I also went to the gym for 45 minutes on Saturday.)

We've been blessed with a string of very nice days that make it easy to be active outdoors. Tomorrow will be our first challenge. Rain is predicted for much of the afternoon. Lola and I will have to get out early.

Book 10: The Ice Limit

I finished this book last Monday, but I didn't finish this post because I wanted to check a few details, e.g. Captain Britton's first name. I had misplaced my book and finally found it Saturday.

This was another selection by Preston and Child, chronologically the sixth of 27, The Ice Limit was a good read, but I was a little disappointed. My expectations were too high, I guess.

I never got into these characters as much as I did other characters in Preston and Child books. The main character Sam McFarlane remained vague to me. He didn't exactly intrigue me and draw me into the story.

Then there's Eli Glinn; I wanted more of him. Apparently the authors agreed: he appears in future books.

Moving on to the women characters. Sigh. At least there were no exotic, voluptuous women this time around. I guess it was too cold for them to expose "dangerous" amounts of breast and/or leg. The brilliant mathematician Dr. Rachel Amira is described as "not exactly pretty" and sardonic. Her only other piece of characterization is eating peanuts and leaving piles of shells in her wake.

Captain Sally Britton commands the tanker that will transport the mysterious meteorite that has become the obsession of a billionaire. She is strong, confident, seemingly perfect but for one transgression. I wanted to know more about Sally, as I did Eli. I was intrigued by the bond that the two felt and wondered what could come of it.

Bottom line: good but disappointing book with women characters that were more than sexy caricatures, but not as well-rounded as I would like.

50 Years

Robert F. Kennedy died 50 years ago today. He had just won the Democratic California Presidential Primary before being shot three times on June 5.

I heard the news of his shooting that morning. I was getting ready to go to school when my sister came down from her attic bedroom. Joanna was a huge Bobby Kennedy fan and was in shock.

I was just old enough to remember his brother's assassination. (In fact, I believe I saw Jack Ruby kill Lee Harvey Oswald on live TV.) Two months before Bobby's death, Martin Luther King had been assassinated. It was hard to process; the only other assassination I had heard about was Lincoln's. A century is ancient history when you're young.

No one can know what would have happened if RFK had avoided the assassin that night. Maybe the Democratic convention in Chicago wouldn't have been so violent. Maybe RFK could have won the  nomination and beat Nixon. Maybe RFK would have ended the Viet Nam War quickly as he had promised.

Maybe people wouldn't have lost hope.

Craft Beer Fest

Saturday Jeff and I went to the Craft Beer Festival at Oyster Shell Park. A benefit of the location: we could walk there and back. 

It was a shaky weather day. We missed a rainstorm, and it was hot and sunny when we arrived. We could have used a breeze off the water.

About 50 vendors offered samples of beer; a few had cider, spiked drinks and spirits. I thought we should have a plan as we did for a a wine tasting--in this case tasting lighter before the darker beers. That didn't work because there was very few dark beers. We went to most stations, bypassing some whose beers we had tried before, leaving ciders, etc. for a second loop. Food trucks including lobster, grilled cheese and tacos were there as well as live music.

It was a nice way to spend a summer Saturday.

Royal Anniversary

484 years ago today Anne Boleyn was crowned Queen of England. I noticed that there was no mention of Anne's unpopularity in the first linked article.

There are other discrepancies between the two articles: how pregnant was Anne--two months or heavily?  What was the actual coronation date?

I don't have the time nor inclination to do research now, but the second article has an incorrect execution date, so I'm not comfortable with its coronation date. On the other hand, I have read about the public unhappiness at the coronation before.

Anne remains polarizing. As a member of the cult, however, I love her.

PS Six years ago today Johan Santana pitched the first no-hitter for the New York Mets.

1939 Movie Miscellany

1939 is generally considered to be one of, if not the best, year for films including Gone with the Wind, Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz, Destry Rides Again, Ninotchka, The Rules of the Game, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Here are some of my favorites: They Made Me a Criminal, The Roaring Twenties, The Rains Came, In Name Only, The Hound of the Baskervilles (first of the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes series) Dodge City (mostly for the dueling anthem preview to Casablanca.)

Bette Davis Films: Dark Victory, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, The Old Maid, Juarez.

I learned today that 1939 also marked the end of two of my favorite movie series: Nancy Drew and Torchy Blaine.

TCM had a series theme starting last Tuesday. I caught the end of my second favorite in the Nancy Drew series, Nancy Drew, Reporter. I actually said out loud--that Sergeant Entwhistle wasn't committed to drag like Tom Sandoval (exposing my Vanderpump Rules fandom here.) I recorded Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase--the last entry and my personal favorite. The TCM announcer said this was the best reviewed of the series. It should have been the first of a longer series, but Bonita Granville left Warner Brothers and that ended the films.

The Torchy Blane series ended the same year. According to the article linked above, Torchy and Nancy movies were shown together, had a similar structure and shared some of their writers. As part of TCM's series theme, the Torchy movies also ran this week. I recorded all of those. I love Torchy's introduction in Smart Blonde. Steve McBride is more of an ass in the first entry than others and can barely drive. At least the film ends with Steve taking Torchy out for steak.

Here's more on Torchy.

Book 9: Thunderhead

This is the fifth book in the Preston and Child series and the third of four standalones. I enjoyed it. The main character Nora Kelly marks the return of a strong female protagonist in the mold of Margo Green, unlike the other standalones so far. I was also glad to see Bill Smithback again (from Relic and Relicuary.) I liked the mix of human and supernatural villains. The beginning of the relationship between Nora and Bill was a bit stereotypical, but I still rooted for them.

This book makes me want to learn more about the  Anasazi and the lost city of Quivira. Not enough to go on an expedition. Well, at least I saw Montezuma Castle.

Weekly Miscellany

How did it get to be 11 days since my last post?

What have I been doing? Seems like it's mostly been walking Lola. We walked Oyster Shell, Taylor Farm, NRVT, Bradley as well as a few neighborhood routes.

Yesterday Jeff, Lola and I walked over to Blue Cactus on Stevens Street. We'd just returned from a NRVT walk, and Lola balked at another, but it was worth it. We had time to share a cheesesteak and fries al fresco and walk home--just as it started raining.

I'm loving the neighborhood walks.

In a short series, the Mets found their bats against the Blue Jays, then immediately lost them the next game. Then the Mets swept the Diamondbacks.There's still some hope.

I finished another book--Thunderhead by Preston and Child. I liked it, will post more later. I've already started their next book chronologically--The Ice Limit.

Book Eight: The Blind Contessa's New Machine

I don't know what to think of this book.

It was fanciful but kind of tragic.The ending made me feel as if everything else in the story was pointless.

I don't like feeling that way.

Monday Musings

I find it hard to get going on Mondays. I would understand it if I have a normal Monday through Friday work schedule, but I don't. I got off to another slow start today. I had intended to hit the gym, but blew it off around 9:30. Not good. I need to schedule Mondays more aggressively, rather than just see how it goes.

Lola walked around the block for the third consecutive day. She was happiest on Saturday's walk. It was colder and windy yesterday; we speculated that she might not have enjoyed herself as much because of that. Today she started smiling about halfway around the block.

I spent a good chunk of the day finishing a SAT test and checking my answers. It seemed easier than other tests I've taken. Or I could be getting better.

The Mets have morphed from marvelous to miserable over the last three weeks. They lost six in a row and lost first place. Tonight they won for the first time in eight days--barely. I'll take any win I can right now.

Tonight is the second anniversary of Bartolo Colon's first career home run. The Mets hit four home runs tonight. Coincidence?

I've been trying to take more photos of Lola. She's not cooperating.

These are the best; I'll keep trying.

Red Letter Day

Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo.

Kentucky Derby day.

The Norwalk River Valley Trail Mutt Strut day.

Lola's designated birthday.

Spike's half-way day.

and.............

drum roll.......

Lola walked around the block with us for the first time.

Let's build up to that.

We met other dogs and people at the Route 7 commuter parking lot at 10 for the Mutt Strut. A police officer stopped traffic for us so we could cross busy Route 7. Lola seemed comfortable--a vast improvement over last week's crossing. Maybe we just need a police escort for her at all times. It was cooler and less humid than the previous few days--perfect for a long walk. We walked over an hour--Lola set a slow pace with lots of sniffing stops.

We picked up a goodie bag after we finished and headed to Mathews Park for the Norwalk portion of the Mutt Strut. After another 45 minutes--walking to Oyster Shell Park and back--we went to lunch at Burger Bar, where dogs are welcome and people tolerated.

All three of us dozed off after we returned home. I felt like another walk, but didn't want to drive somewhere. At first Lola was afraid to leave the parking lot. I took her out front, and we sat on the steps for a few minutes. Then we started our walk, turning onto Maple. Our previous best had been a walk up Maple, turning onto Fairview where Lola balked.

Yesterday we made it completely around the block (technically six block lengths.) Lola didn't seem to mind when a few cars passed us. She enjoyed herself. We saw her happy face the whole time.

We're so proud of her; it was a special birthday.

First Friday of May

April was a cold month with a few exceptions; it ended on a cold note. On May 1st temperatures jumped 30 degrees. This meant several nice walks with Lola during the week. We visited three different parts of the Wilton branch of the Norwalk River Valley Trail, Taylor Farm and Oyster Shell Parks.

Last night was the return of DPF (Dog Park Friday.) I put Lola's short leash on her and let her run semi-free. We've been doing this at DPF with her long leash for about a year. Unfortunately, the long leash gets caught under the picnic table, and we have to release her.

After we got home and gave Lola her dinner, Jeff and I headed out to First Friday Wall Street Lantern Parade. Some people carried handmade lanterns--probably made in the Norwalk Public Library's lantern assembly party that afternoon. It was fun; as we passed Banc House, people applauded us. We had a beer at Fat Cat  and got take-out pizza and kale salad.

First Friday was a beautiful spring night.

Some Good Things

I went to the gym four times last week--the first time of the year. I felt strong and good. I exercised for an hour home on Wednesday, and a half hour Saturday. I also walked with Lola--from 30 to 75 minutes each day.

I've been writing more blogposts recently: this will be the 21st in April. That's the best monthly count since last November. I wasn't actively trying to blog more, but it's nice to see. Maybe I can get around to other writing.

As we move into May, it finally feels like spring. Yes, we're still seeing chilly days--today it struggled to get in the 50's--but we'll bounce back faster to some warmth.

Lola's been getting better and better with other people, other dogs and the vacuum cleaner (still a work in progress.) She was very good at Taylor Farm today. I had her on the long leash. I didn't hold it, but could grab it if she ran anywhere I didn't like. I didn't have to. Twice she turned one way, but I wanted to go another. When I called her, she came to me. Yay Lola.

Nothing life-changing, but for now it's enough.

Box Seven: Riptide

Since I liked the first three books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child so much, my brother lent me a bagful more. Riptide was the fourth chronologically.

Here's a brief summary: a high tech team assembles to dig up buried pirate treasure on a mysterious island off the Maine coast.

I started thinking about the women in the Preston/Child books. All of the books I've read so far have multiple points-of-view. When I read Relic, I didn't realize that Relic was listed as part of the Pendergast series. I saw Margo Green as the main character in both Relic and its sequel Reliquary. Margo is a complex, fully-drawn character. So are the other major point-of-view characters: Aloysius Pendergast, Vincent D'Agosta and William Smithback.

The two stand-alone Preston/Child books I've read are Mount Dragon and Riptide. Although these also have multiple points-of-view, one narrator is prominent: Guy Carson  in the former and Malin Hatch in the latter. Each book has a professional woman as a key part of the narrator's team who is exotic, voluptuous and gorgeous. That's it: they are barely more than caricatures whose bodies distract and entice the narrators. I can't even remember their names. In Riptide, the woman exposes "dangerous" amounts of leg and breast.

It's silly and bad writing. How can the team that created Margo in their first joint work fail so badly in Mount Dragon and Riptide? 

That's a mystery I'd like to solve.

Artist Receptions

I want to do more art-related activities. When I was actively taking myself on Artist Dates, I found many fun things to do. Highlights were going into NYC to see Edward Hopper and Jackson Pollack exhibits. I didn't have to go into the city. I also went to a Haitian art gallery in New Canaan and saw a play reading at Norwalk Community College. Sometimes I just went to a fun store.

On Saturday, two art shows opened in Norwalk, and Jeff and I went to the opening receptions. The first was Sea Views by Brec Morgan. I knew him as a sign painter and muralist. It was nice to see his paintings. Unfortunately, the venue was in an interior design store. It was crowded and hard to move around; I got claustrophobic.

The second reception was for a show called Transformations held at Oakhill Mansion on the grounds of St. Philip's Church in Norwalk. The mansion is beautiful with a majestic staircase, many fireplaces, large rooms, and Corinthian columns on the patio.

The artists had hung paintings along the first floor, up the staircase to the second. Several artists studios were open. Back on the first floor, there a pianist performing, a bar and several tables of food. Norwalk poet laureate, Laurel Peterson and others read poems, but Jeff I didn't stay for that.

Thanks FCBuzz.org for the event email.