snow — Page 11

Snow, Puzzle, and a Movie Recommendation

January 7, 2022 at 9:01 am by Claudia

First real snow of the year. I think we might have an inch and a half so far. It’s still snowing, but it will be tapering off soon. Don is out there shoveling as I write this. We have an oil delivery coming today and we want the drive to be clear for the truck. (There’s a story about this delivery and our soon-to-be-former oil company that I’ll share another time. Or not. Let’s just say it was a stressful afternoon yesterday.)

We did get out to the grocery store and then took a long walk, so I got some exercise in before the snow came.

And this morning, I put the last few pieces in place.

The World of Jane Austen. Very satisfying!

If you can, please watch Mass, a new movie that is streaming at the moment. It’s brilliant, unbelievably gut-wrenching, and superbly done. It stars Ann Dowd, Reed Birney, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton. It’s about a meeting between two sets of parents who have lost children to gun violence. I won’t say more because what I love about this movie is the slow, thoughtful pace. No rush to reveal plot points. All of that is rolled out slowly and realistically. (I want you to have that experience, too.) The performances are superb, the best I’ve seen in years. Don and I sat together on the sofa, neither of us moving an inch throughout the movie, completely riveted. It’s brave work on the part of every person involved. Bravo.

It’s the best thing I’ve seen in years.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Day Three Hundred Forty-Seven

February 23, 2021 at 10:09 am by Claudia

A different view. This was taken just inside the kitchen. The pantry is on my left and next to that, the kitchen door. As is, of course – Don’s laptop and headphones on the coffee table. I don’t usually highlight the clock that I bought 10 or 11 years ago, but I do love it. It’s mounted on the side of the pantry and the antique marionette plates that we bought in Paris are right below it.

Of course, I bought it because of the style and that Jadeite green color. It’s two-sided, so you can see the time from the living room and the kitchen.

Did some work on the puzzle yesterday but my lower back has been bothersome of late and leaning over the table aggravates it, so today I’m going to take it easy. I finished Mrs. Tim Carries On this morning. I’m definitely going to read more by D. E. Stevenson. For those of you who love British books and books in general, I thought I’d mention an account I follow on Instagram that I’m sure you’d like. Her name is Miranda Mills and she frequently writes about books and reading. She also records a lot of videos, which I love. Her mother joins in on some of them, talking about books and baking. Until last year they lived in London, but they moved to Yorkshire, so you get to see a lot of the Yorkshire countryside, as well. She has two accounts: Miranda’s Bookcase, and Miranda’s Notebook. I was just watching her most recent vlog this morning, this one centering on humorous books. She is the person who turned me on to the Mrs. Tim books and many others.

And we watched The Dig last night. We’re a little late coming to it. I have heard nothing but raves about this movie, as has Don, so we carved out some time to watch it. Simply stunning. Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan are superb, as is the rest of the cast. We’re going to watch it again in a few days. As far as I’m concerned Ralph Fiennes can do no wrong. He is a superb actor – one of my favorites. If you haven’t seen it, it’s on Netflix.

Don is out shoveling. We got about 2 inches of heavy, wet snow, so for now, it looks like a winter wonderland with snow on all the branches. That will change as the day goes on and the temps reach 39.

I can appreciate it, and I do, but I’m pretty much over winter. I have to force myself to acknowledge its charms.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Day Three Hundred Forty-Four

February 20, 2021 at 10:19 am by Claudia

I’ve named this “Sun on Endless Snow.”

We’re getting a bit more on Monday and then the warm-up should begin. I hear a bird singing right now. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but hearing a bird sing in the dead of winter is always a comfort to me – a sign of hope. I always stop and listen and thank Mother Nature.

Don has decided that we should frame the puzzle I finished yesterday – The Piano Lesson. I think he’s right. So I carefully moved it off the table and onto a piece of foam board. At some point in the future, we’ll use puzzle glue and frame it.

I started the new puzzle, but I sort of ran out of steam, so I didn’t do much. I’ve been working so intensely on them that I needed a break. This morning, I read a big chunk of Mrs. Tim Carries On, and it felt good. It’s such a lovely book and it describes wartime England beautifully. Anyway, more reading is on the docket for today, plus a little laundry and cleaning. It’s not supposed to stay sunny all day long, but the sun is shining brightly at the moment and that sure helps.

Don and Dan have released a new song, “Lust in the Dust.” It hearkens back to Marty Robbins and Old Westerns and I love it. (I contributed some background vocals.) Here’s the link.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Snow, Puzzle, and a Movie Recommendation

Day Three Hundred Forty-Seven

Day Three Hundred Forty-Four

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Archives