About 4 inches of wet snow fell over night and Don was outside shoveling his car out at 6:30. He has two auditions in the city this morning and he had to catch the bus. There’s still quite a bit to be shoveled, so I’m going to go out there after I have some oatmeal and finish this post.
Or maybe I’ll wait. It’s raining and will be off and on today. It’s also going to hit 42 degrees. I’ll see how much snow disappears with the help of the rain and then tackle it in the early afternoon.
Anyway, it was a topsy-turvy morning with our little routine thrown for a loop.
Loved the Oscars last night. It was one of the better Oscar nights I have seen, and by that, I mean the flow of the evening, the presenters, the opening number with Janelle Monae (fabulous!). I think it functions better without a host. We were happy to see Brad and Renée win. I haven’t seen The Joker so I can’t speak to Joaquin Phoenix, but I sure loved his speech. My only disappointment was Laura Dern’s win. I have nothing against her, she’s a good actress, but that role was not Oscar-worthy. It was written as over-the-top stuff that was better suited to a soap opera. I’m sure she was directed that way, but nonetheless, I was shocked when she won. So was Don. It seems that we are the exceptions in our feelings about A Marriage Story – we weren’t crazy about it. I love Adam Driver in just about anything and he was solid, as usual. Scarlett Johansson? I think she was miscast – I never quite believed her. And Laura Dern seemed to be in a different movie. All of this may have been due to the director. I have no idea. Anyway, as always, just my opinion.
Okay. Enough about that.
We drove into our neighboring town yesterday after stopping by Rick’s to water his plants. There is a chocolate shop there that has the best sugar-free chocolate and those chocolates are my only sweet indulgences since I stopped eating sugar. I have one or two in the evening. We got some regular chocolates for Don, as well, and then visited the two bookstores that are on the same street. One is entirely used books, the other is a mix of new and used. I didn’t find anything in the used bookshop, but I did find some books in the other shop. One was used, two were new.
I love Charlie Lovett and I haven’t read this book. He writes books – mysteries – involving books and booksellers. This one focuses on Jane Austen and a mystery involving the “true authorship of Pride and Prejudice.” It sounds like fun.
I follow Patti Smith on Instagram. She is such a fascinating person. She writes beautifully and she is an avid reader. Every time I visit Oblong Books, I think of buying one of her books and I never do. It’s as if I’m getting messages to read them. Just yesterday, I was reading a weekly email – Brain Pickings – that I subscribe to and Smith was quoted about her love for libraries when she was a kid. I find references to her everywhere. I’m not at all drawn to her music, but I definitely feel that the Universe has been nudging me to read her, so I bit the bullet and got these two books.
My abstinence as to book buying? I fell off the wagon.
So that’s the latest. Shoveling is on the docket for today.
Happy Monday.
Enjoyed the Oscars. What are your thoughts on Parasite winning? I never heard of the film before the Oscars. Hoping you could tell me something.
I’ve heard it’s excellent. There’s been a lot of buzz about it. I haven’t seen it yet, but can’t wait. I loved that it won Best Picture – first to do so!
i hope the sun and temperature will melt that snow for you!
best wishes to don on the auditions and travels to and from nyc.
i watched a bit of the academy awards last night. didn’t watch the clock, but seems like they waited close to an hour to get to the “best supporting actress” award (instead of announcing it along with the “best supporting actor” award very early in the show) and i didn’t care for that … wanted to do a couple things before the biggest three awards were announced. liked brad pitt’s speech and his point about the senate and john bolton. got joaquin phoenix’s and renee zellweger’s speeches as well. missed all but the last few seconds of the opening number, but saw enough to know that janelle monae can sure sing!
two bookstores on one street?! that would be nice!
hope you have a great day.
kathy in iowa
They’ve been doing that for a few years now. I’m sure it’s a way to hold viewers.
It’s raining right now. I’d like to go outside – and I may – and shovel so I can get out of here to mail some bills! Thanks, Kathy.
I enjoyed the Oscars as well; I agree the show doesn’t need a host.
How do you keep track of what books you want to read? Once I enter any book store I’m overwhelmed with the selection and become the “browser”.
I keep notes in my iphone notes app. I just type them in. Or I take a screen shot of a book I’m interested in that gets mentioned on IG. Then I pull them up when I’m in the bookstore.
Hello from a very, very wet NSW. Welcome rain. But lots of it.
Delighted that Joaquin won – I thought he was spell binding in Joker- but did not see this as a picture of mental illness, but what happens to a person who is rejected, neglected – emotional abuse portrayed in all its ugliness.
Delighted that Taika won- and sad that Scarlett didn’t for JoJo. She was mesmerising in that film.
I hope Don really enjoys his auditions today ( and books them) and you enjoy your literary feast
Siobhan
I thought Scarlett would win, too. She should have! Thanks, Siobhan!
I agree — better with no host but it was still too long and the scripted intros often seemed just stupid. (Maya and Kristin? I don’t think so.) I would have dumped Eminem’s number — not that it was bad but why? Just because it won a few years ago? With five musical numbers and the opening, well — it would have cut some time. I wanted Florence Pugh to win Sup. Actress — it’s hard to make Amy March likeable and she did it (thanks to Greta’s words, to be sure.) I wasn’t thrilled w/ Marriage Story, either. To me it was Kramer vs. Kramer with lawyers in California, not terribly original and too over the top. It was interesting watching with Rick whose divorce had been contentious, though they’re friend(ly) now. But it didn’t belong up there. I would have been thrilled if Jonathan Pryce had won. But knew it wouldn’t happen.
But I digress. Glad you got a book buy in. “Just Kids” — I read that during a period that artist son was (and still is, I guess) in poverty and that book scared the heck out of me. I got rid of it before anyone in the family could read it and freak out. But Patty is pretty thoughtful, though I agree about her music. I saw that in Brain Pickings too.
Hope the rain melts most of your snow but doesn’t freeze so fast it makes it too dangerous!
Oh, the Oscars should be long! They always have been – it’s expected! Part of the fun.
And I respectfully disagree with you on Kristin and Maya. They’re brilliantly funny and I strongly believe that awards shows need irreverance scattered in the midst of all the announcements and speeches. They were pitch perfect.
I’ve been a poor artist. So has Don. We’ve had tough times, individually and together, so I should be fine with that book.
Thanks so much, Jeanie!
I watched last night as well (I usually don’t). I felt a little more ‘invested’ since my husband and I saw Jojo Rabbit on Saturday, loved it, and became intrigued with Taika Waititi. I also saw ‘Little Women’ (loved) and ‘A Marriage Story’ (liked, but was expecting more since there was so much acclaim). I, too, was disappointed that Laura Dern won and was rooting for Scarlett Johansson.
I bought an issue of Country Living – British edition, so I am going to treat myself with that and a cup of tea on this dreary afternoon.
My brother is a friendly acquaintance of Patti Smith, so I have met her on multiple occasions; she has even been to my parents’ house. She is such a kind and gentle soul.
Good to know that my impression of Patti Smith is accurate. How lovely that you know her! Thanks, T!
There are worse wagons to fall off of than the NotBuying Books Wagon! LOL. Enjoy your books.
Indeed! Thank you, Tana.
Loved the Oscars as well – Kristin & Maya, among the favorites of the evening (sorry, Jeanie). I meant to follow friends’ comments on FB, but too busy doing other things while watching. So nice on the West Coast to have it all repeated right after the original showing.
Patti Smith – adore her! After her interview on Fresh Air, I had to read Just Kids. I admire her boldness. Never really listened to her music, but now, when I do, it’s the poetry that I listen to and not the music of the pieces.
Re: Parasite – it was on Netflix when it first came out for a week or two and I missed it. My daughter caught it and liked it.
They were great – so well done, so well timed, it was a beautiful performance art piece and Don and I laughed out loud.
We missed Parasite too and now I really want to see it! Thanks, Martha.
Did not see Oscars or even knew they were last night.
About Patti Smith:
I always have liked her, and definitely respect her for her support of non-corporate candidate Ralph Nader.
When I saw her in Miami w/ Tom Petty as the first act, many years ago, I witnessed an unpleasant incident. Fans were trying to approach the stage while she was performing, and one of the security guards, a black guy, was being a bit overzealous and she shouted at him “Hey n_______, hey n_______! and then admonished him. I will never forget that because it so seriously shocked me. I imagine she regrets it, if she even remembers it.
I can’t speak to that. She exudes acceptance and tolerance and I wasn’t there, so I’ll go with what she writes and the loving energy she sends out.
I was there, stone-cold sober, and it still seems unreal for the reasons you mention. Still, one doesn’t forget such a jaw-dropping moment.
Hope Don’s auditions are successful. We have a lot of rain,but no snow. The temperatures are above freezing. A chocolate shop and two bookstores. What a treat to be able to shop int that area. Enjoy your books.
Marilyn
We’ve had rain for most of the day, Marilyn. And maybe more snow coming on Wednesday? I hope that prediction is wrong! Thank you.