Taken yesterday morning when I woke up a wee bit too early, but it was worth it to get this shot.
Welcome, March!
Today is sunny, but cold. We had relentless winds on Wednesday and Thursday. Even Don – who usually doesn’t mind them – was saying “Enough, already!” As happened to some of you a day or two earlier, the temperatures plummeted. It’s still cold out there, but the we should be getting back to the low fifties soon.
Last night when I was headed to bed, I took one look at the Olga Tokarczuk book (which is at least 800 pages long) and decided to go with the newish mystery instead. I need a ‘very long book’ palate cleanser. But I’ll take a peek at the opening pages later today.
We watched The Holdovers last night. Have you seen it yet? We are big fans of Paul Giamatti and Alexander Payne, the movie’s director. It’s simply wonderful. Giamatti gives an amazing, nuanced, and profound performance. Payne tells the story beautifully. It’s not rushed, there’s no high-tech action assaulting the viewer. Just a story that takes place in the 70s. Character development is everything here and boy, do I recommend it. I’m still thinking about it this morning. Giamatti is nominated for an Oscar, as is Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who is also quite wonderful. And newcome Dominic Sessa is wonderful as one of the students.
Don has a gig tonight and one tomorrow night as well. Good for him, of course, but I’ll miss him.
I’m in the middle of a Stella deep cleaning. Because we use propane gas, she gets greasy, and, although I clean the surface every night, it’s time to get into every nook and cranny. It’s yucky but it must be done.
Exciting times, right?
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Oh yes, The Holdovers has been on my radar for a long time and I am waiting to watch it; LOVE Giamatti ever since Sideways; Alexander Payne, to me, is a genius; so glad to have something new from these two. I’m about to watch a film I recorded (on a premium weekend with the freebies!) called The Last Shift and I purposely had it earmarked precisely because of all the positive stuff I’d heard about Ms. Randolph and she’s in this earlier movie. Stay tuned!
It’s 6:45am PST in SoCalif and we’re about to get slammed with rain again … and for the next three days. It’s so forbiddingly-dreary, grim, gray, cold outside; a cloud swath. I’m so glad I kept my fake tree up from Xmas, no ornaments but with the teeny lights, much like we left around the frame of the house door on the front porch; is cheery. I do SO need light-bright!
We had rain all day yesterday and we’ll have it throughout the week. Sigh!
Stay safe, Vicki.
Happy March and Happy Friday to you too, Claudia! Stay safe.
You, too, Ellen!
Stay safe.
Oh, I love those misty moon nights—beautiful!
I’ll be interested to know how you feel about Everyone On This Train is a Suspect. I started it a few days ago when there didn’t seem to be much else to borrow. But then I put it to the side because my hold on Stephen Kings, Holly, came up. (Feast or famine on those library holds.)
I just started it, so I’ll share more later.
Stay safe, Shanna.
I missed the Holdovers in theatres and don’t have that streaming service but I know it will appear eventually, maybe even before the Oscars at the movies. I’ve heard nothing but good from it. I love seeing a moon through branches!
I do, too.
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I love your moon shot through the trees…just eerie enough. I was able to see The Holdovers and thoroughly enjoyed the entire movie and cast. Since I rarely am able to see movies, I was glad that movie was so appealing and also has received so many accolades. Rainy, gray day, and weekend expected… perfect for reading! Wow, March already!
Yay, March!
Thanks, Barrie.
Stay safe.
lovely photo, lovely moon. sometimes late at night, when there’s a full moon and i am staying over with family, i can see the moon through the skylights and watch the shadows move along the deck. it is almost jarringly-beautiful to see. what a world we live in!
though you probably already have it done by now (about 11:00 am your time), best wishes on the clean-up. i dislike cleaning appliances and the bathroom, but there is satisfaction when things are done.
best wishes to don for his gigs tonight and tomorrow. that’s great to hear. am sure it feels even better. may they lead to more and more good things.
i am relieved to have an appointment (two weeks from today) to get my taxes done, by the same guy who did them last year. most of the time i’ve had a bit extra withheld and not worried about having to come up with a big payment, but in 2021 i made a $138. mistake, got the “explain yourself” letter from the irs and then didn’t get my refund until february of last year (meaning it worked out okay, just took a long long time and may make 2023 taxes a bit more complicated), but still i’ve been anxious about them so for the second time ever i am going to have them professionally done. costs a bit, but will be worth it to me.
also, a random thought to everyone, to hopefully prevent a hassle … please check your driver’s licenses to make sure they don’t expire this year!
happy, safe friday to you, don and everyone else.
kathy
We have to have our taxes done professionally. They’re just too complicated for us to do ourselves.
Stay safe, Kathy.
dear Claudia/Don — funny you mention “Stella cleaning” b/c just this morning as I was broiling a piece of cheese toast, I REALLY looked at the floor of the oven — huge mess — how/what caused such a mess?? Must be dealt with b/f catches on fire — Uck — this means work which I am allergic to haha!! hope your wknd is a good one. stay safe/healthy
I’m so allergic to it, that I avoided all work on Stella yesterday!
Stay safe, Linda.
I listened to an interview with Giamatti on NPR this morning. I didn’t see The Holdover but am now interested.
How often do you clean Stella, Claudia? I have to clean my stove too.
With Method cleaner and with baking soda for the white enamel.
Stay safe, Wendy.
Beautiful photo!
Thank you, Betsy!
Stay safe.
I loved The Holdovers! AndDa’Vine Joy Randolph has won both a SAG Award and Golden Globe and both times she gave two of the best and classiest speeches I have ever seen, bar none. I hope we see a lot more of her. She’s wonderful.
I heard at least one of those speeches – she made Giamatti tear up!
Stay safe, Terri.
Gorgeous moon shot, very atmospheric. Enjoy your weekend. Read a lot. Go for walks. Play dolls. Hugs, Elaine
Will do!
Stay safe, Elaine.
I’m a fan of Paul Giamatti, too. First took note of him in Sideways (although I’m sure he acted in many movies before that). In Sideways, the scene where he’s in the upstairs bedroom at his mother’s home looking at the wedding picture of him and his ex-wife, always grabs my heart and I get all choked up. The look on his face projects the emotions you would feel. Anyway, I’ll be sure to watch The Holdovers. Thanks for the recommendation.
I remember that scene. He is such a good actor.
Stay safe, Carrie.
Beautiful picture – keep them coming. I so enjoy reading about your life! I will look forward to your comments on your new book. Also more pictures of the girls as we move into warmer weather. They are so well dressed.
Best, Leora
Far better dressed than me, Leora!
Stay safe.