Late today because of the time change.
The puzzle I’ve been working on is one I took at stab at about 3 years ago. Back then, I started with the borders, as I usually do, and I just couldn’t get them to work. There were a few missing pieces and a couple that didn’t fit anywhere. So I gave up and put it in the closet.
This time, I started from the middle of the puzzle and did the two side borders last.
Same problem.
I’m glad I started with the flowers this time because, at the very least, I was able to see the finished piece. It really is lovely. But I can’t donate this one because it doesn’t have all the pieces.
On to the Renoir puzzle, which is in the ‘find the outside edge pieces’ stage.
Well, my friends, we are going to get walloped by a nor’easter tomorrow and Tuesday. The forecast has fluctuated over the past 36 hours, but it’s starting to look like we’ll get at least 8 -12 inches of heavy, wet snow. There will be high winds. It will be quite dangerous out there.
I pray for the safety of everyone in the path of this storm, for the safety of trees and animals, and I hope we don’t lose power. In the meantime, Don is out right now buying bottled water in case we do. I can hear birds singing right now and it’s beautifully sunny. You would have no idea what’s on the way.
Crap. It’s very worrisome. Don thinks I worry too much, and he’s right.
It starts tomorrow morning, but I should be able to get a post up. Then, we’ll take it day by day.
We watched Everything, Everywhere, All at Once last night, which is nominated for lots of Oscars.
I hated it. In fact, we didn’t finish it. It was like being assaulted with a strobe light for over 2 hours. I get the message of the movie, but it was all special effects. I’m not even sure why the performances were nominated – how could you chart any through line and character growth with all that going on? Lots of people disagree with me on this one, but both Don and I disliked it. It’s the kind of movie that is so different and edgy that all the critics hop on board and praise it. Bravo to the critics that called it out for what it is – and isn’t.
Wings of Desire said it so much better. Stranger Things also has lots of time/place/different world special effects, but the story is enhanced by it, not lost.
Okay. Today is the calm before the storm. Literally.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
Totally agree about “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.” I, too, didn’t like it and found it hard to sit through. I kept watching hoping it would all make sense in the end. Nope. Looked at the reviews to try to figure out what I was missing. Still don’t get it.
I know. Same feeling here.
Stay safe, Terri.
Wow, we’re having quite a calm, too…lately it’s been in the low to mid 40s in the morning….it’s 58 ° right now! Hope your Nor’easter passes you by! Interesting about that movie. I’ve heard nothing but glowing comments, but when I saw a clip on tv I had the same reaction as you! Looks a bit distracting. Your puzzle, however, is not! It really is beautiful! Wishing you luck with the weather…and hoping you won’t lose power. Take care.
The nor’easter is not going to pass us by, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Claudia….please….if you do get the snow….you and Don….stay safe. Do not go out to shovel….the combination of cold and the weight of the snow are deadly. Cardiologist who saved my husbands life….over 20 days ago stressed. It is a strain on the heart. My husband…who played raquetball three times a week and is physically strong…..will never risk it. Just a caution to all …..I will wait till the thaw. It is coming in a few more days. We are going out later today and stock up. Go get a cup of coffee and take a SLOW walk around the pond in a little park nearby to see the Swans that are protecting the eggs. Poor things…..Lets hope the forecasters are wrong. Stay warm, safe and snug in your charming home.
Maria
We will be very careful, Maria. I have already told Don that he is not to snow blow or shovel. We’ll wait it out.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Beautiful puzzle. I’m sure you wil find the missmatches. Happy Sunday!
No, I won’t find them. Some pieces are missing and they were never part of the pieces that were included with the puzzle. I’ve done the border twice and the same thing happened.
Stay safe, Regula.
prayers for everyone and everything in the path of that winter storm … for safety, peace of mind, no loss of power, no damage …
glad you have shows, books, another puzzle and apple pie to enjoy. also bottled water, just in case. may those things alleviate worries for you (i am a worrier, too … planning and stocking up and especially prayer help me).
we received about seven inches of snow yesterday, with huge flakes falling at times over one inch an hour. absolutely beautiful, but also very heavy and wet. pushed snow off my parents’ deck this morning and it felt so good being out in crisp 30 degree weather! good enough that i stayed out there a while to soak it in … i function and feel much, much better in cool weather rather than higher temperatures/humidity so am okay with the possibility of getting more snow next week. :)
for having been awake since 4:30 this morning, i’m now ready for a nap. want to avoid naps so best i get something done before (online) church.
happy, safe sunday to everyone!
kathy
Thanks so much, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Fred and I hated it, too. Wanted to like it. Love Jamie Lee Curtis, but couldn’t even get through it. Quit trying.
Same. It was an enormous achievement technically, but the rest? Meh.
Stay safe, Shanna.
We have just finished watching a movie this weekend. The movie was nice and sweet. Even my husband liked it. I would recommend it if you haven’t seen it. Mrs. ‘arris goes to Paris. Stay warm. I hope you won’t get hit hard with the Nor’ester. We are grey and gloomy down here.
Thanks so much, Trina.
Stay safe.
My friend in Iowa got a snow storm…I am so over it…love the puzzle…beautiful…good luck…
Thanks, Brenda.
Stay safe.
So glad to find others who could not sit through Everything Everywhere etc. It was a totally confusing and unpleasant assault on the senses as you said Claudia. I tried to watch it because of the amazing reviews blah! and now it is up for all sorts of awards. Each to their own I suppose.
About the puzzle you just completed, I still think it is worth donating Claudia, You could place your picture of your finished puzzle (as in this post) on the box. I am sure someone like you who enjoys very challenging jigsaw puzzles would still relish this as its almost fully intact.
Thank you so much for your thoughts on both the movie and the puzzle, Mumsy.
Stay safe.
I haven’t talked to one friend who has seen “Everything…” that has liked it. And the emotions aren’t meh. They’re passionate.
I would donate the puzzle. Ilike the idea above about a finished picture but I also think you could circle on the picture of the box the place where the pieces are missing and write “missing” — then the buyer can make their choice. It’s a lovely puzzle and darned close.
Good luck with the storm. Be careful with shoveling if need be. It will probably warm up quickly and melt soon if you get what is come from us in the midwest. Hunker down with Don and the girls and stay safe.
We’re not going to even try to shovel or snow blow – 16 inches of heavy, wet snow is too dangerous.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I can’t do movies like that at all. Good luck with the storm. it’s a rainy day here. My Grands got their first dog yesterday. He is a coonhound and soooo sweet. 17 months old and his name is Earl! I can’t wait to meet him.
I know they’ll love having a dog, Linda.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, try not to worry about something you have no control over, like a winter storm. You’ve made “provision” and you can take comfort in knowing how many storms your home has withstood over the years. Hope it is not as bad as predicted. Wildlife seems to know where to take shelter in a storm. Just be careful if you or Don are out there shovelling. Stay safe. Hugs, Elaine
We won’t even try to shovel, Elaine. Too dangerous.
Stay safe.
It was sunny here this morning, but it’s mostly cloudy this afternoon with just a hint of sun. We’re supposed to get rain from the Nor’easter and high wind gusts Monday and Tuesday. Praying it doesn’t blow off any of the shingles. It has happened a couple times in the past 2 1/2 years since I moved here. According to a couple contractors the roof shingles weren’t installed properly. I can’t afford a new roof so for now it is what it is.
Prayers that you and Don and everyone in the path of the storm stay safe, including the wildlife and pets that are stuck outside. I always worry about the poor dogs and cats that don’t have responsible owners.
Stay safe!
Thank you, Denise.
Stay safe.
So ready for this winter to be done. We had about 6 inches on Friday. It is melting quickly. As you said, you have pie to last til Tuesday, so as long as the power stays on, you should be good! Seriously, I do hope everyone in the path of the storm stays safe, and it can run its course out to sea. Hoping you can post tomorrow so you can let us know how it is going at MHC!!
I’m especially worried about the power, Chris. This is a mammoth storm.
Stay safe.
Did you see the film that’s up for awards with Colin Farrell? The Banshees of Inisherin. It looks like, if anything, it would be interesting to view because of those Irish landscapes alone; the cinematography I’d guess you’d call it. I’d be interested in your take on it, Claudia.
I otherwise don’t know much of anything going on at the Oscars tonight whereas, in my younger years, I’d clear the decks to make sure nothing got in my way of watching the ceremony on TV. Remember the days when we couldn’t record anything; it would be shown once; if you missed the Academy Awards show the one-and-only time it was on, you were just out of luck. I’d scramble to get home from work on time so that I didn’t miss anything. It was sacred in my house growing up, too. My mom grew up in the shadow of Hollywood; she was a movie fan all her life from the time of childhood when her auntie took her to see silent films in the 1920s of Los Angeles.
I don’t know why I keep thinking about awards shows and the Oscars so much yesterday and today, before the ceremony is even televised. It’s not usually on my radar as much these days. I think it’s because there’s so much extra television coverage about it, like pre-awards interviews and commentary; whatever; it’s overkill.
Younger actors, more my age of those years in my own youth; our sort-of contemporary icons and idols; I went to the movies/movie-house more often then to see them onscreen; maybe I could better ‘relate’ once the awards shows came on and I could make my own picks. I have no idea. Of course we DID go to the movie theater more than we might now (especially since Covid and, sadly, mass shootings in a variety of public places) because there was no such thing as streaming, pay-per-view, internet in those earlier times; again, you couldn’t record anything at home, like on VHS or DVD. You had TV, radio, the movie house; lucky if you had community theater for plays, musicals, opera, ballet; but that was it. Date nights; a nice dinner out and a good movie; sometimes even dressing up a little for it; those were the days! But I definitely knew, back then, since I did see a lot of films, more of what was in the offering when it came to the awards shows, so I guess that’s why the Oscars of Emmys were more of a draw since I had the familiarity, whereas now I’m quite out of touch.
I also enjoyed the red-carpet fashion of awards shows, up until as recently as maybe four years ago; I loved the couture/runway fashion. But I’m not so much into it anymore either. Maybe it’s ME who has become boring!!! (Yep.)
I do get a bit weary with all the self-congratulation and fawning/adulation of awards shows now, although certain films or plays and TV series’ and even musical performances throughout the years are a huge fabric of my life and have moved me beyond words, just like books; so, yes, for movies … the stories, the performances; so much skill and talent; of course it’s all unique and strike the viewer/audience-goer with awe and admiration. What would we do without the arts, especially movies? Particularly for us baby boomers, movies and TV were always a part of our development for the whole of our lives. It’s more than just enjoyment or amusement. It can be what speaks to our heart and soul; what educates us; makes us think.
We’re touched forever by a favorite film or performance. What an achievement for a screenwriter; or the person in charge of music who sets the right tone/mood with the perfect soundtrack/score; the director who makes the story come to life; the actors becoming the characters in totality; to know you had that one-of-a-kind, positive/dramatic effect on another human being. Is really quite stunning.
I’d have to think on it, like why do we like someone to tell us a story or play us a song? It’s no diff if we’re a child or a senior-aged adult and any age in between! We seem to crave the pleasure of it. Something to which we can fasten our mind; get taken away to fantasyland; get us out of our own head for a little while. Expand what we know; explore something different. We’ve always had troubadours, minstrels, poets, thespians; jesters; circus performers; dancers. Fascinating. We like to be entertained, and entertainers like to entertain us.
It’s just that (considering the what-sometimes-seems-endless accolades during ‘awards’ season) there are so many other workplaces and jobs, with employees doing amazing things, that never get the recognition of, say, people in the entertainment industry and sports. It’s just our (pop) culture, though; it often seems too that’s it’s where the big money is; like, wow, to think of some billion-dollar figure I just heard of (is it $2.2 billion), which I think are the box-office earnings so far for the Avatar film of this past year (half a billion-dollar budget, but it rakes in THAT many MORE billions[??]; somebody is getting very wealthy and I think his name is James Cameron). Big-big money gets big attention/press in the world.
Well, enough with random thoughts aloud! I can’t seem to write well today in how I’m feeling about a subject! I’m posting a comment to a long-timer in the entertainment industry, you (and Don) who know and could explain it the best; you’re both of the arts from the beginning. You know what you do; how satisfying it is for work and how necessary it is to your very being. And how what you do significantly affects another person in all the best ways. You picked a gratifying occupation for your life’s ambition/career.
I’ve got big rain coming in on Tuesday but it still doesn’t sound nearly as forbidding as what you’re facing with all that wet snow in the Northeast. I’m so glad you and Don can both be home and safe in the cottage. Just hoping for you (and for us on the opposite coast) that more trees aren’t lost (yours from the weight of that heavy snow; ours from the saturated ground from what now is almost too much rain). If it just wasn’t for the wind with the storms. Sigh. Will be thinking of you guys in the Hudson Valley in these next few days.
The puzzle looks like a beautiful wall panel from the Old World Orient of another century.
xo
xoxo
Yes, we saw it. I had some problems with it, but it’s beautifully filmed and the actors are wonderful. Barry Keoghan, who was nominated for best supporting actor, should have won. He was absolutely heartbreakingly brilliant.
Stay safe, Vicki.