It’s windy and colder today. A front is moving through, bringing with it temps in the 40s. It’s all relative, of course. The 40s are perfectly fine for this time of year, and to be truthful, the 60s, though nice, seemed a bit too warm for March.
I am definitely eyeing my porch. The path to the glider is blocked by chairs from the Funky Patio and the Secret Garden. The snowblower is out there, covered by a tarp. Also covered with a tarp, the former kitchen island. It’s not habitable at the moment, but I’m counting the days until I can do some cleanup out there.
I got waylaid a bit in the midst of reading Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk – stopping for some magazines, a book I am to review, a gorgeous book about Paris interiors – but I read a big chunk of it this morning and hope to finish later today. It’s a lovely story.
On one of the pages, there is a quote which captured what I often say about life with my husband: “I relaxed better beside him than I ever did alone.”
Amen. I often say – yesterday was one such occasion – that I can’t wait to sit next to him on the sofa when the evening comes and we’re settling in for the evening. Or that I feel better after we’ve exchanged a big hug. I feel my shoulders drop. But mostly, it’s just being here with him, something I don’t take for granted.
I read it out loud to Don and he smiled.
We watched a wonderful movie the other evening: Quartet. Don had seen it before but I hadn’t. Have you seen it? It stars Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins, and Billy Connelly and centers on a home for aging musicians. It’s utterly charming and moving and funny. It’s directed by Dustin Hoffman. Lovely performances by all, including the supporting cast, many of who are retired performers, musicians and actors. It’s on Netflix.
I am especially fond of Tom Courtenay, who never gives anything but an honest, real, and moving performance, and Maggie Smith. I saw her years ago at the Stratford Festival in Canada – I must have been in my late teens or early twenties. Stratford was about four hours away from my home in Michigan. She was part of the company that season and watching her work onstage was so powerful that I remember it vividly all these years later. She has the most graceful and elegant hands! She often played opposite the late, great Brian Bedford and watching the two of them together was the equivalent of watching a virtuoso musical performance.
I’m not sure what I’m going to do today. Read, of course, and the usual vacuuming and laundry. Maybe a trip to the bookstore for some magazines? I need some craft paint from Michael’s, as well, but Michael’s on a Saturday tries my patience. My particular Michael’s never has enough people working at the registers, so the wait is endless.
We’re in that middle time, the straddling of the seasons. Way too soon to do any work outside, but it’s warmer and the sun is shining so one could almost be tricked into doing something…anything.
Ah, well.
Happy Saturday.
It’s another paperwork and chores day for me. With one daughter at work and the other doing homework, I’ll be grocery shopping and finishing taxes. At least it’s a beautiful day…oh, water potted plants in yard too. You have a great day, Claudia, with plenty of hugs from Don. I miss hugs from my husband….
I know you do, Wendy. xo
I’m so glad you are enjoying Lillian Boxfish. It was such a nice read.
Oh, how I know what you mean about places like Michael’s on the weekends. I try to do the majority of that shopping during the week (also avoiding lunch hour prime time) so the lines aren’t so long and there aren’t quite as many crying children. I’m sure most of them would rather be home playing with their toys than being dragged to stores, so I do understand their displeasure for sure!!
We have a pretty sunny day here today, but only a high of 38*. Kind of deceiving when we look out the window compared to when we open the door!! Have a good Saturday!
I shop during the week, too. I ended up staying home. The thought of navigating Michael’s was too much!
I am forever grateful that I got to see Maggie Smith on Broadway, in Lettice & Lovage. Not the best play, but seeing her was a dream come true.
She is amazing, whether on film or in person. So talented.
Your Michaels comment made me laugh. When my hubby retired…we made a pact. No weekend shopping, unless absolutely necessary. We didn’t want to be out there when everyone else was. Because, with a little planning…we really didn’t have to there. Truth be told, we don’t always plan well…and we silently curse our way through the stores, vowing not to ever do this again….lol!
Your front porch sounds like our deck at the moment. Snow shovels…covered furniture…and water soaked pots waiting for their moment in the sun. Cannot wait. Enjoy your day! ;)
Sometimes I go on the weekend, but I ended up staying home!
Yes, we have shovels and ice breakers on the porch, too!
I loved Lillian Boxfish and also amassed a little cache of quotes I found perfect in it. I think I’ll see what else K. Rooney has written. I’ve been reading stuff on my phone, since checking out Kindle. I don’t think that the screen is much different in size. And, for now, the phone is working just fine. Happy Saturday!
My phone screen is a lot smaller than the one on my Kindle. I admire you for reading them on your phone, but I just can’t do it!
Thanks for the heads up about Quartet. I hadn’t thought to look for it on Netflix. We saw it when new and I’ve often thought I’d like to see it again.
It’s there now, Margaret. I don’t know how long it will be there, so enjoy it while you can!
We did. Watched it tonight thanks to you. It wears well.
xo
I smiled at the quote — “I relaxed better beside him than I ever did alone.” That’s exactly how I feel about my husband.
I often jot down your movie recommendations. Quartet sounds like a good one. It’s fun hearing the little snippets of information that you know about the actors.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Claudia.
I
Isn’t it nice to feel that way about our husbands? We’re very fortunate.
Have a lovely weekend, Karen.
Tom Courtenay is such a versatile actor and one of my favourites. If you like gripping crime dramas, check out ‘Unforgotten’ also on Netflix. There’s three series and Tom is in Series One, he won a Bafta for his role. It’s probably listed under British or Foreign drama on Netflix.
Enjoy the rest of weekend!
Dee Dee
We’ve seen Unforgotten. It ran on public television here. He is chilling and powerful in that role. I’m also a big fan of Nicola Walker.
Reading English history myself. I don’t do Netflix but will look up that movie at the library. I saw it before and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the idea. We had a rotten winter and it hasn’t improved.
I hope it improves soon, Jan.
I thought Quartet was a lovely film. We saw it not too long ago.
Your reminisces of Stratford brought those back to me, too — first the high school bus trips, then later on my own. I go almost every year, though I missed last year. The quality is still quite wonderful. You may also have seen a very young Christopher Walken in Romeo and Juliet and a young Len Cariou in Taming of the Shrew, as I did. Fun to see their lives later. Last night we watched the movie “The Image” with Albert Finney and John Mahoney. How sad to think those two will no longer shine their light on the stage or screen.
Enjoy a lovely weekend. I’m tending to the hobbling Rick on his crutches. Friends are bringing take out Thai tonight — that’ll be good. Much as we are good together, I’m the only person he’s seen in four days and I think it’s getting to him!
I saw Christopher Walken there, but I think it was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Same season. He was one of the lovers. I also saw Len Cariou in Taming of the Shrew and then found myself seated right behind him when watching another play that season. Christopher Walken was so young! I also saw the great William Hutt many times, as well as Martha Henry and a host of other wonderful Canadian actors.
Enjoy your Thai food!
Your heartfelt comments about relaxing with your husband brought tears to my eyes. Yesterday it was 75 in my part of PA and it felt way to warm doing yard work. Today we too are back in the 40’s. I so understand your comments re Michael’s. Ours is usually understaffed every day. I thought of you this week as we took a little trip to a nearby small town. They have a small independent book store. I wasn’t really in the market for anything, but I purchased two books to support them.
Maybe all Michael’s are understaffed?
Good for you for supporting the independent book store!
Enjoy the weekend and relaxing with Don.
Marilyn
I will. Thank you, Marilyn.
sounds like a lovely day. am sure you’ve been enjoying it and know you don’t take it for granted. :)
will add “quartet” to my list of movies to watch. thank you!
kathy in iowa
You’re welcome!
I did a bit of clean up yesterday as it was in the 70’s here and the sun was shining…now I can’t wait to get out and do more!
I haven’t started cleaning up. It’s a bit too cold and windy here right now.
Thank you for another book selection. I collect and donate books for our local library’s book sales. Some of the best books that I have found are on BrainPickings. My daughter is a teacher and I buy new books to go into her collection. My friends help also so every child has a book to go home each month or so.
The stove reminds me of the one I once owned. A family was remodeling and putting it out in the trash. I did not have a truck but they wanted someone to use it and I certainly wanted it. It reminded me of my grandmother’s stove and we used it for many years.
It is cold here also. But, all too soon the heat and humidity will force us indoors. Then the storms will come and we pray they will not get into the Gulf of Mexico. It sounds as if you have had a lovely day.
Both Don and I subscribe to Brain Pickings. Love it. So good of you to contribute to your daughter’s library – those children benefit! I donate bags and bags of books to my local library. They have books sales and some of the books I donate end up on their circulation shelves.