I saw musician, Dave Bennett at Meadowbrook Hall last Wednesday. Meadowbrook Hall was the palatial home and grounds of the Dodge/Wilson Family (110 rooms). Now its the site of the hall, concerts, a good theater, a golf course, and on the campus of Oakland University. Dave Bennett does rock, jazz, bluegrass, etc.
On Thursday, another group of friends and I went to Cranbrook Art Museum and saw an interesting exhibit on Cuban Art from the revolutionary period. We also walked their beautiful grounds. Cranbrook is an art school, a museum, a K-12 school, an expansive garden, a science museum, etc.
Watching DCI BANKS again on Kanopy. I like the two-45 minute episode format. And their crimes are not as grisley as other series. Peter Robinson was the perfect writer for my taste.
Watched the doc FAYE, about Faye Dunaway. Great actress but a difficult person as she admits herself. She did some amazing work in the sixties and seventies.
Very worried Trump is going to dump Vance in favor of Nikki Haley. What do you think? Vance seems to be the wrong choice by any standards. The cat lady remarks did not go over well.
Good weather.
Finished JAMES (Percival Everett) and about to begin ????
What's new in your neck of the woods?
24 comments:
Patti, you had a fun week. The Cranbrook Art Museum plus house and grounds, etc., looks very nice. I checked out the website.
I am going back to the ophthalmologist Monday morning, so I thought I would put up my comment early. Who knows when I will get back from the appointment plus lunch?
Watching... We are continuing watching TULSA KING and are enjoying it. I don't know why Dana Delany is in the cast list because she has shown up briefly in one episode (of the first four). That is my only complaint. We watched a movie on Criterion, POINT BLANK with Lee Marvin, Carroll O'Connor, John Vernon, Angie Dickinson. It was a rewatch and just as good this time. I have read the novel it was based on by Richard Stark. Still watching STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, LEVERAGE: REDEMPTION, and MURDER SHE WROTE. We only have two episodes left in RABBIT HOLE.
In the last week, I finished reading LOST LANDS FORGOTTEN STORIES: A WOMAN'S JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF LABRADOR. Labrador is very interesting place and I would like to read more about the area, fiction or nonfiction.
I am now reading DARK FIRE by C.J. Sansom, a historical mystery set in London in 1540. It is a very long book at 500 pages, but never boring.
Glen is reading THE CAT MEN OF GOTHAM: TALES OF FELINE FRIENDSHIPS IN OLD NEW YORK. It is a fairly short nonfiction book with a good premise but it is not as much about cats in New York as about the buildings they lived in. He says it is OK and it has some interesting tidbits.
Will Trump drop Vance, or will he double down? Dropping Vance now would be admitting mistake, which, as we all know, Trump never does; he'll have to work hard to frame a reason for dropping J. D. in a way that will not reflect badly on himself. We live in interesting times, dammit.
I'm batchng it for the week as Walt, Christina, and the kids are in Virginia visiting his folks. Walt's father, 80, had a recent heart attack. I'm house sitting and pet sitting for the three dogs, two cats, the tortoise, the South American tegu, the bearded dragon, and the three snakes; Erin's two hedgehogs are with her boyfriend for the week. I told Christina that I am going to install stripper poles in every room while she's gone; I don't know if she believed me.
The big news this week is that Mark got the job at the Albuquerque zoo! He starts in a month, giving us time to find a place to stay while he looks for a permanent apartment; we've been told to look north or the highway -- it's safer. Then we have to fond the time to drive all his stuff out there, including the snakes. We will miss him greatly; he's been just a pleasure to have around.
Jack is a smart kid, despite evidence to the contrary, but he is young for his age and is very trusting and naive. Last October, a pedophile got ahold of his phone number and started an online "friendship," without any of the adults being aware of it. This guy was trying to convince him to go to Pensacola where he lived. Luckily, we found out and put a kibosh on that and notified the police, who started an investigation and promised to keep us apprised. That was the last we heard of it until a couple of weeks ago, when a victim's advocate group called and assumed we knew what was going on. we didn't because we were not kept in the loop. Evidently the guy is now in jail on twelve charges, including "obscene material dist" and "family offense," as well as for four open cases; bail has been set for $15,00 on just three of the charges, with at least another $35,000 in bonds listed. A court date is set for August 16 -- no idea on whether Christina or Jack will have to testified. (The police have Jack's phone and have gone through it for evidence.) The perp had already had one hearing last week, and had others for august 9, October 22, and July 26 and July 30. This guy is a real piece of work. Kayley, who works at the jail, said that one of her co-workers got into several 'use of force" situation with him; he keeps getting into fights with other inmates because they really don't like the charges against him. Kayley said her co-worker read the guy's rap sheet and was "really creeped out" by it. We still have no idea what is going on although a detective just let us know that Jack's case will be heard in March. The wheels of justice grind slowly but let's hope this guy is locked up for a long, long time. We missed a bullet with Jack in this case. People, keep your loved ones close.
More to come...
{continuing on]
Amy's beloved dog, Chicken Nugget, is super sweet has severe anxiety problems. Medication seems to help. Sometimes. she had a panic attack this week while everyone was at work. Nugget went into Jessie's room nd broke through the window. Luckily, two of the neighbors found her and locked her in Jessie's back yard. A head count was taken and all cats were accounted, as well as the two dogs -- Chicken Nugget Bad Girl and Macaroni Good Girl. Amy wrote on Facebook, " 'Oh hey, I'm at a bad place in my life -- I should get a puppy! Hey, family, want to drive to Mississippi to get a puppy? It'll be a great idea!' I'm an idiot." They still love the dog.
Thunder storms of doom keep popping up here, negating out beaching chances last week. Instead, Saturday morning, we went brunching and I had Crabcakes Benedict. Yummy.
I've been on an OCD reading jag with books by F. Paul Wilson this week. I read the three volumes of THE COMPENDIUM OF F, (THE SEVENTIES AND EIGHTIES, THE NINETIES, and 2000 AND BEYOND), which collect most of his short stories over that time -- 58 stories, plus lengthy introductions. His OTHER SANDBOXES collects his stories set in fictional worlds of other writers, and includes his separately published WAYWARD PINES: THE WIDOW LINDLEY, based on Blake Crouch's trilogy. I also read his EPHEMERATA, V. 5.0, a collection of most of his nonfiction writing (introductions, review, appreciations, opinion pieces, journals, etc.), which he updates as more things get published. V. 5 takes us through 2021; V. 6 is out now and as soon as I figure out how to update the Kindle, I'll read the newer additional pieces. As it stands, V.5 contained almost 600 pages. I also read two Brian Aldiss SF anthologies of the good old stuff, GALACTIC EMPIRES, VOLUME ONE and SPACE OPERA. My Short Story Wednesday contribution was MacKinley Kantor's SEP story "The Romance at Rosy Ridge," which was also published as a (very short) book. Currently reading the latest novel by f. Paul Wilson (go figure), THE UPWELLING, and am continuing to read the Murray Leinster collection of adventure tales, THE DANGER TRAIL. Coming up, a collection of early stories by Rex Stout and an unusual nonfiction book by Lawrence Block.
I hope you have a fantastic week, Patti. Stay safe.
I'm glad you've had the chance to hear some good music, Patti. And I know what you mean about DCI Banks. I like the show's time format, too, and the characters are portrayed well, in my opinion.
Things are always going on at the House house. Keeping track of all those animals must not leave much time for reading. I don't think I have the channel with TULSA KING although other people have recommended it. POINT BLANK is a good one. Lee Marvin was such a great actor.
They are well-betrayed, Margot. And none of them are perfect human beings. I like that about it.
Patti, TULSA KING was produced for Paramount Network (sic), the cable station, and therefore was on Paramount + as well, and CBS has been running repeats/first broadcast runs in prime time.
Tracy--so That's why I never saw Dana Delany on the episodes I caught pretty randomly on Paramount cable!
My major rewatch of late is the crime drama LIFE, which remains very well-done and engrossing by me, though some of the direction changes make me wonder if it was a troubled set. Still also going through PERSON OF INTEREST as well. The short seasons of the UK series can throw me a bit as they replay on PBS, and essentially all my late-night series and JEOPARDY! are in repeats this week. The pain.
I note no one else has noted the new format for comments on Blogspot...I hope I'm not the only one whose been "blessed" with an "upgrade" which is a bit more "open"-looking but also dances annoyingly as I type for no obvious reason.
Drumpf's endless whining and Vance's smug misogyny might just lose this one big for them; I wouldn't be surprised if Drumpf attempts to jettison Vance, but DT did note the most important credential, that Vance kissed his fundament the most of all except Scott, who has the misfortune in DT's eyes of being black, so I bet he sticks with his junior model.
Jerry--good luck with all the caretaking! Never any lack of action in and around your house...
We may be in New York, but you are doing a lot more there! We did go to Long Island last Sunday to see Santana and stayed overnight at the Marriott. Nothing doing this week, but we do have a Doobie Brothers concert (with Michael McDonald) next week at Madison Square Garden, and will be taking another mini-vacation by staying at a hotel in the city. My sister is having a kidney removed next week, and we will be going to see her - or, if she is up to it, meet her elsewhere - at some point. It all depends on how she feels. She had breast cancer a dozen years ago.
Nothing exciting here this week. Low 80s early in the week, high 80s lately (normal for late July is 85). We've been trying to eat home more (though this week we ate out most days).
Doing a lot of reading, but mostly short stories. I discovered British mystery writer Cara Hunter after reading a couple of pieces about her, and really liked her first procedural, which was unusual in that it was mostly told int he first person by her lead cop. I have another coming from the library, but first I have to pick up the latest Michael Robotham book. Terrific writer. Still reading four different short story collections.
We finished THE LAZARUS PROJECT (TNT) last night, and the back & forth time travel stuff got confusing, but I think it is probably done. The second series of THE RESPONDER (Britbox) is even darker than the first, but Martin Freeman is keeping us watching so far. Jackie wanted to start the Aussie TROPPO (Amazon Prime & Freevee), but I can't say the first episode appealed much to me, though I will watch at least one more. It's set (but not filmed) in far north Queensland, with a tattooed PI joining with a disgraced (American?) ex-cop (Thomas Jane) to look for a missing Korean businessman. The lead woman is so off-putting to me, it is hard to watch.
We started the Belgian (though it is in Dutch) UNDER FIRE, set in Ostend (MHz Choice), and the action scenes are exciting and well done. Plenty of French shows, especially with the ninth series of CANDICE RENOIR now available (PBS Masterpiece). Also NINA. Finished PROFESSOR T (series 3) and D.I. RAY (series 2 - I really dislike her as a character), both on PBS.
Watching BREAKING BAD on Netflix. Man, Jesse is really a moron, isn't he? And Walter is incredibly self-destructive. How can he not tell his pregnant wife that he has terminal cancer?
We did record and fast forward through the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics - Paris looked fantastic - but have little interest in watching the coverage.
Oh, and my other (younger) sister fell down the stairs last week hit her head (two black eyes), and broke her shoulder, much as I did five and a half years ago. And my brother is leaving Thursday for Japan. He is taking his son and granddaughter (who he dotes on) for a two week trip, and that is where she wants to go.
We spent a week with my cousin in Connecticut a couple of weeks ago, as previously mentioned. Now her younger sister - exactly a year older than me - has been diagnosed with dementia. She sees men who are not there (one in a uniform) in her apartment. When we saw her for dinner she was OK, but this has been coming on for a while.
As Jerry said, Trump can never admit he was wrong, so there is no way in the world he would ever drop Vance... unless and until he thinks he is a liability to his election, in which case he'll find an excuse to push his out the door. Of course, then Mike Johnson will have all sorts of reasons why Vance dropping out is nothing like Biden dropping out and is perfectly OK.
Disney made $205 million on DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, a movie Diane and I considered mediocre. Shows you how desperate audiences are for any semblance of entertainment.
Western NY is cooking with 90 degree temperature days. More humidity tomorrow. I hate Summer!
Trump is suffering from Buyer's Remorse for his stupid pick of J.D. Vance. All the cat-loving single women in America will vote against him. Jeff is right about Trump never admitting to error. But the latest polls have to concern Trump that his "landslide" win in November might be at risk. Stay safe!
I don't know if any of you get Heather Cox- Richardson's daily letter (Letters from an American) but she is hopeful that something has changed in the last two weeks and Americans are feeling obliged to do what Biden did and save our democracy. HCR is an historian and always as optimistic as possible and I like her newsletter.
Hot here also. The coolest I could get it inside yesterday was 80 degrees. Love Michael Robotham.
Jerry, I remember you writing before about Jack getting conned online and everyone finding out before it got worse. Glad to hear the perpetrator found and arrested.
I really enjoyed the television version of WAYWARD PINES. Only two seasons but I should rewatch them. I'll have to look for F. Paul Wilson's take on things.
My wife, Boy #2, and I drove to KS for my mother-in-law Mary's funeral. 100°+ weather. Boy #1 was unable to drive over from MN.
The family has lived in Lindsborg, KS since 1970 and Mary taught first grade for most of that time. They were well known in town and the church was full. Relatives and friends drove and flew to attend and I think having them there was a balm for the family.
I finished reading Garry Disher's KITTYHAWK DOWN during the trip and went by the library sale there to get the second Margarat Frazer paperback I left behind a couple weeks ago.
We watched a fair part of the live broadcast of the opening ceremonies. I've been too busy to view any of the competitions. Earlier today I read that comedian John Mulaney said he already lost $175,000 on Olympics betting. Trading one addiction for another, I suppose.
I heard a podcast on sports betting and it was very upsetting. Far too easy for kids to get into it too. Glad there was a good turnout for your MIL. I have never bet on anything and have trouble understanding it although I have heard my grandparents had trouble with it.
Still would like to watch PERSON OF INTEREST at some point.
I am betting my son could tell me a lot of stories like the one Jerry's posted. And it is certainly a common plot on the detective shows I frequently watch. What kid would be smart enough to protect himself from this. How can people be so evil?
Gerard, Wilson's story takes place between the first and second books 0f Crouch's trilogy. As far as I can tell, the only place where the Wilson story is available is in his OTHER SANDBOXES collection.
Patti, 'How can people be so evil?" The thing to remember is never to overestimate the number of evil people in this world and never to underestimate the number of good people.
Jerry, how thrilling that Mark got that job at the Albuquerque Zoo. And how wonderful that he has family to help him get moved. You and your family have the most interesting pets.
Patti, I am going to look into DCI Banks. We already have so many shows going, it may be a while before we start another one, though.
I am watching it on KANOPY but I think it is playing on BRITBOX and APPLE TV
Some people continue to be even more evil than this on a regular basis, usually since they can't or choose (somehow) not to realize fully what they do and why they shouldn't. One of those is a "leading" contender, again, for the presidency here. One does "learn" to be suspicious after one's first exploitation thus, at least some of the time.
With some of the caretaking of the most serious sort (no intention of slighting that with my comment above).
I often see HCR's letter since Jackie Kashian often quotes from it/links to it and I might soon be subscribing myself. I've never believed Drumpf likely to actually win, since he hasn't yet, even given how many riots he might foment when he loses again.
As I'm watching LIFE on Roku (free with ads), the ad-blocker on this computer also foils whatever ads Roku puts up at this point (admittedly, there might not be any, but that seems unlikely). A bug, I suspect, that I will make no effort to remedy.
And, Tracy, as you probably know, "Richard Stark" was one of Donald Westlake's pseudonyms.
Been in and out of doctor's offices over an ear infection Been lots of meds, including steroids, which have just exploded my IBS and insomnia issues while also causing the BP to go all over the place, thus defeating the BP meds. Sigh. But, after nearly three months, the ear has opened the last couple of days. It was scoped last week to rule out a cyst or cancer so that was a massive relief. I finish the latest round of steroids tomorrow and the nation's toilet paper supply should return to normal levels.
Been reading some, been falling some too, and trying to stay inside out of the heat and away from the Saharan Dust. Wacthing and enjoying the Olympics.
Current read is BLIND TO MIDNIGHT by Reed Farrel Coleman. Second in the Nick Ryan series and comes out next month.
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