This is what I saw when I let Scout out this morning:
Five crows hanging out in our dead tree. At first, I thought they might be turkey vultures because I saw one up in the tree the other day. But their noisy calls soon told me they were crows.
We watched It Happened One Night yesterday. It has to be one of my favorite movies ever. It makes me happy. It’s funny and sad and wise and happy and it’s directed by the great Frank Capra, with a cast of wonderful character actors and, of course, Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable (in what I personally think is his best performance ever.) It was the perfect way to end a bit of a tough day. Thank goodness for TCM On Demand. We almost went with Roman Holiday, which was airing live on TCM, but I own that movie and we knew we could see it anytime.
Have you seen It Happened One Night? I have so many favorite scenes, but the scene on the bus with everyone singing “The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze” has to be one of them, along with every scene taking place in an ‘Auto Park,’ little groups of cottages where you could spend the night as you journeyed across America in your car. Don and I watch the scene inside the little cottage as the rain falls outside and wish we were back in that time, when traveling in a car was new and exciting and full of adventure.
(I just took a break from writing this because Don got up and we immediately started talking about how much we love that movie.)
In the past week or so, we’ve watched three of our favorite movies: Ball of Fire, His Girl Friday and It Happened One Night. I could watch them again and again.
I also just finished a beautifully written mystery by a new author – Invisible City by Julia Dahl. Brilliant! It centers on a reporter who investigates a murder in the enclave in Brooklyn that is home to the Orthodox community of Hasidic Jews. Absolutely riveting, fascinating and so well plotted. I can’t decide whether to officially review it on the book blog or just talk about it. But I will say that I recommend it highly. An absolutely stellar debut novel and the first in what will be a series about reporter Rebekah Roberts. (Yay!) I am not exaggerating one bit when I say I couldn’t put it down.
Now I’m starting The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen. I read four of his mysteries in succession earlier this year. He’s a wonderful writer. I’ll write about Adler-Olsen and his books in an upcoming post on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Saturday.
I know crows are loud and bossy, but I like them anyway. They’re so smart and the way they walk like people cracks me up.
Without dwelling on it, just wanted to say that I’m keeping you and Don and Scout in my special thoughts.
Also, don’t know how comfortable you’d be with this, but you mentioned you will be in Hartford again next month. I live about 30 minutes from there and altho I will be traveling from the 16-23, if you have a moment here or there during your time I’d love to meet you for coffee or at the carousel or drive you to some little place you’d like to see. Let me know if you feel like it. I know your days are busy so no worries.
I would love to meet you, Nora. I’ll be there for 5 weeks so I’m sure we can find some time to meet up!
Yay!! That would be great!
Claudia, I am with you….traveling by car 50 years ago , was save and fun. No one was on a cell or watching little tv screens. People were helpful and polite. I love those old black and white movies. I also loved all the movies with Rock Hudson and Jane Wyeth(SP). Blessings to you and Don for a fun weekend, xoxo,Susie
PS…sending extra wishes for you.
Thank you, Susie.
I love old black and white movies, too. They’re the best.
I hope that dead tree isn’t too close to the house,or anywhere it could damage if it falls. It is a pretty picture with the silhouette of the birds and the tree…kind of mystical. We have a few favorites that we like to watch– Honey Mainly, but sometimes I’ll watch with him. Our tastes are so different in movies– we hard watch together. :/
Now as to driving and staying at an auto park…that does sound fun! I hope we get to camp soon in our camper. Just traveling sounds exciting!
was going to say…did you forget to hyperlink to “Just Let Me Finish This Page”? Pat
Nah, I just didn’t link today. I don’t want to Over-link.
The tree has to come down. It’s close to the street. We need to save some money but we’ll have it taken down this fall.
Old movies are always so fun to watch. I have been binge watching a few good series on Netflix but I’m back to looking for movies again. I just finished The Blue Bistro by Elin Hildebrand and enjoyed it very much. Now I’m ready for a mystery, I like to alternate the types of books I read. Hope you, Don and Scout are having a good weekend.
hugs,
Linda
I like to alternate them, too, but when I look at my Kindle, the vast majority of books are mysteries. But I have some non-fiction on there, too.
I have a vague memory of having seen that movie…a long time ago. Sounds like it’s worth watching again. Cross country road trips are fantastic…I can remember traveling in the early 60’s…almost seems primitive compared to travel today. But, it was fantastic! I have a stack of books…9 to be exact…that I have to read…because of you and your recommendations! Not that I’m complaining. Just so much to read…not enough time! Enjoy your day! ;)
I am very happy to be contributing to your TBR stack, Donnamae!
Good gosh, one day I heard all this bird chatter and I looked outside and it was like a scene from The Birds … there were so many (gigantic) black birds together, I think they’re crows? HUGE and loud. Holy moly.
I haven’t seen It Happened One Night in years, love it. I can’t remember the singing on a bus scene so I better watch it again soon!
Isn’t it wonderful when you find a new author you love?!
I’m reading an old mystery from 1939 by Eric Ambler, A Coffin for Dimitrios. My mom loved him. I’d never read anything by him before, I’m enjoying it. Somehow I happened on an article about the ten best mysteries (don’t know you linked to it?) and it was on the list. I want to read “A Dark Adapted Eye” too – my mom adored Ruth Rendell. Fun to follow in her mystery footsteps.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/59582-the-10-best-mystery-books.html
Happy weekend to you three! xo
I’ll have to visit that link, Sally. Thank you. I’ve not read any Ruth Rendell either, I flirted with reading her books long ago, but for some reason I never got around to it. I’ll have to remedy that.
I hope Scout is having a good day today. We recently lost one of our goldens, and a friend, her 14-year-old golden. Watching that decline rends your heart, but they still, even in decline, teach us that a moment when they can stand or lie in a warm garden is a good moment, without any overlay of sadness, regret or apprehension.
Scout teaches me every day, Linda. She is wise and loving.
It’s great to have favorite old movies you can enjoy watching more than once, kind of like revisiting your favorite books. I’m always amazed to watch something I’ve seen before and recognize an actor I’d forgotten was in the movie or maybe a scene where I notice something new. When we were first married the “Billy Jack” movies were popular and we loved them. A couple of years ago I tried to watch the original movie and could not sit through it. Funny how our tastes in almost everything changes as we mature isn’t it? I grew up with five siblings and when our family drove to Michigan and back a few times in our old rusted out station wagon that seemed to use more oil than gas our parents always made it adventurous for us. We ran out of money one time and had to spend the night in the car parked at the beach until my uncle wired us money the next day. It was so much fun. We didn’t worry about being abducted or having anyone bother us because my step dad would have protected us with his life. Thank you Claudia for helping me remember that today. Hope you all have a great weekend.
We used to go camping every summer and often we were the only people in this particular campground. I don’t remember being nervous about anyone or anything. Those were the days!
I believe I might have seen that movie many moons ago also..I’m going to look for it so I can enjoy watching whether I have seen it or not..The picture of the crows in the dead tree..looks a bit spooky to me..lol..it would make a nice Halloween decoration..Take care Claudia..
You’ll love that movie, Nancy!
Two evenings ago we saw a flock of crows flying overhead…..heading north of us….we are in southern Ca.. I don’t really like crows but seeing them fly in a huge group is always exciting to me. Obviously it doesn’t take much to please me…….I get excited seeing an iron clad beetle, zipper spider, or praying mantis.
Really sorry your Scout isn’t doing too well. Our longest living dog was a black lab…she was 17 when we lost her. I’m saying a prayer for your fur baby.
Love all the old movies too. We are regular watchers of TCM. The 30s and 40s show are our favorites. My very favorite actors are William Powell and Myrna Loy. Love the simple mysteries and the comedy they provide. Thank you for providing such thought provoking topics……one about all that is happening in the world…….. I prefer discussing old movies, flowers, and critters. I’m the one with the British parents, and hubby and child that served in the U.S. military. Maybe that is sticking my head in the sand, but I read the newspaper and watch news so it is a relief for me to talk about the pleasantries of life. Blessings to your family. Patty Mc
I love “It Happened One Night,” too, and own my own copy. I try to watch it every couple of years. It’s so charming and fun! I love the scenes you mentioned and also the one where CG’s character shows CC’s character how to hitchhike…it’s so funny! They don’t make movies like that anymore . And BTW, crows are my all time favorite birds–so smart and sassy!
I LOVE that scene where Gable tries to teach her how to hitch hike, too. One of the all time great movies. I watched the story of Cole Porter 2 weeks ago. Then on Friday of that week we went to a concert and one section was all CP songs! Serendipity!! I had never seen that movie. Love TCM.
Hope you and Scout are both getting some rest. Take care!!
We watched Roman Holiday. It had been years since we saw it. Love that movie.
It Happened One Night is a favorite also.
We introduced our youngest granddaughter to the great old black and white movies a few years ago. She will be 10 next month and already owns several. She loves them as much as we do.
I love It Happened One Night, I watch every time it’s on. I just saw another movie I watch every time, Dinner at Eight. Another favorite, which they rarely ever have on is You Can’t Take It With You. I ended up buying it so I could watch it whenever I want. : ) I just love all those old comedies.
We watched ‘It Happened One Night’ last Wednesday, when it was on TCM. I’ve seen it before, but hubby hadn’t…I kind of forced him. He was surprised how much he enjoyed it, even saying it holds up well for as old as it is. I was thrilled! I’m gently coercing him into enjoying the wonders of old cinema. I can’t wait for him to see The Egg and I!
We have crows quite often, but what has had me captivated this summer is watching a pair of peregrine falcons that come to visit in our neighbor’s field. They are beautiful and it is so wonderful to see a bird of prey in flight. We have also caught sight of bald eagles flying high, so high we cannot identify them without binoculars or the zoom lens on the camera. God’s amazing creation!
Susan