I haven't seen the British Arrows in years. They are the UK commercials voted best in many categories but I remember them as mostly funny. Few of this year's batch were funny. They were clever, fast-moving and mostly about political issues. Kind of depressing although certainly with a message. Any of you see them in the past?
Reading Keigo Higashina's SALVATION OF A SAINT, which is fun. Haven't read a novel like this in a long time. Never has how a poison got into coffee been given so much thought.
Watching the regular shows. Wrapping Christmas presents. Listening to the year end podcasts appraisals of books, movies, TV. And as little news as possible.
Megan arrives tonight.
What about you?
20 comments:
Christina made it to Albuquerque and back with just enough time to get the new car (a Jetta she and Walt had been planning to sell after Walt got his new truck) to Mark and to have dinner with him. The drive out was long and the flight back had some delays /they had to stop to get additional fuel because it turned out they did not have enough to reach Florida),
Animal news this week is about cats. Amy and Jessie were preparing for the worse when they took Wonky Cat (who had suddenly turned blind) into the vet on Monday.; he was not doing well -- lethargic, quiet, not eating. It turns out he is just a jerk; most of the symptoms were due to constipation. After some medicine he was back home, honking and sqonking and wonking like normal. He is still blind, and has cognitive decline and an increase in ataxia and intention tremors, but he is eating and acting like normal. He;s not out of the woods yet, but the prognosis is much better. Meanwhile Wacky Cat (a.k.a. Bushwacker the kitten that Amy raised since he was two days old) is without fear and has learned to dumpster dive with a full body immersion into the kitchen trash can and needing to be rescued. On our side of the bridge, Newcat (who still likes me, BTW) has decided he should be the most dominant animal in the house and has been trying to assert himself with the dogs and the other cat. We fear this new-found bullying will result in our picking up various Newcat limbs from different areas of the living room.
Jessie has given up drinking. Not a problem because she only drank moderately and occasionally. she has discovered that she is apparently allergic to alcohol. She thought that everyone felt like their teeth were loose in their mouth after the first dip.
A lot of shopping this week. for the first time in years, I had no idea what get anyone, so I relied on the old fallback -- books, lots and lots of books. (Please don't tell anyone until after Christmas!) More present wrapping this afternoon and tomorrow, although i wrap presents as well as I sing or dance.
It's been a Britbox week: the last two seasons of MACDONALD AND DOBBS, the first season DAZIEL AND PASCOE, the three-part MID-SUMMER OF THE SPIRIT (based on a Merrily Watkins novel by Phil Rickman), the current season thus far of SHETLAND. the SISTER BONIFACE Christmas special, and "The Mezzotint" and "Count Magus" (episodes from the BBC's A GHOST STORY FOR CHRISTMAS, with one adaptation a year, 1971-1978, revived 2005-2006 and 2010-present; 12 of the 18 episodes were based on stories by M. R. James -- I'll be watching more over the next two days). Also in the viewing queue for Christmas Eve is Max Allan Collins' BLUE CHRISTMAS (a mash-up of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and THE MALTESE FALCON); I hope to make this a Christmas Eve tradition.
Just a small addenda:
Yesterday was Crafts and Activity Day. We helped Christina set up her (slightly delayed) Christmas Village. It now takes up four long tables and looks amazing. Jessie came to my technologically inept rescue and fixed four problems with my computer (I now have my Kindle account back!) and managed to get DISNEY+ back for me. The craft was to be something called mug rug, which involves stabbing things with a punch needle (?), but have put this off until Christmas Eve when Kaylee and Ivory (who both had to work yesterday) could join us. Instead, we did some coloring. And there was pizza -- pepperoni, double cheese, and single cheese (for Trey). Good times were had with much laughter and much praising of each other's various skills.
Books read -- not so much. I read Christopher Golden's HELLBOY: THE LOAST ARMY (my FFB) and Alan Bradley's latest Flavia de Luce, WHAT TIME THE SEXTON'S SPADE DOTH RUST, which brings a startling change to Flavia's life. (I am looking forward to the forthcoming Flavia movie.) currently reading the new Dean Koontz, THE FOREST OF LOST SOULS and John Connolly's PARKER: A MISCELLANY. I the queue are the latest Longmire from Craig Johnson, four Hard Case Crime novels, and a Trash 'n' Treasure novel from "Barbara Allan" (Max Allan Collins & Barbara Collins). (I'm also looking forward to the forthcoming Trash 'n' Treasure film, DEATH BY FRUITCAKE.)
May you have a joyous Christmas, Patti, and may you not bother to put on gloves and enter the ring on Boxing Day because it means something completely different. Stay safe,
I'm very glad you're enjoying Salvation of a Saint. I liked that one very much.
Enjoy your visit with Megan.
Quiet here. Too cold, so we haven't left the house since Friday (and will stay home today). Just a respite before we leave for Florida after New Year's. Books, television, games online, food. Jackie watched CARRY-ON on Netflix, the kind of plot heavy action movie I dislike (Taron Egerton - sp?, who I don't care for much, and Jason Bateman starred). We watched the first half of the Kennedy Center Honors (which I guess we won't be seeing the next 4 years) last night - Bonnie Raitt (who we've seen in concert 9 times since 1992), the Apollo, etc. Will watch the Francis Ford Coppola and Grateful Dead segments tonight. New CALL THE MIDWIFE on Christmas Day, also BEYOND PARADISE, plus DEATH IN PARADISE New Year's Eve (both Britbox). We watched the first of our Christmas specials Saturday - the Jonathan Creek "Black Canary" episode, which was wonderfully clever, if not at all believable. Hannah Gordon & Rik Mayall guest starred. Still have GAVIN & STACEY, THE GOOD LIFE, THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY, others, plus MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS and LOVE ACTUALLY to watch by Wednesday.
Also started the new SHETLAND series, which starts immediately after the last one ended. SILENT WITNESS has grown on us (without Amanda Burton). It's a different two-part show each week, with the forensic pathologists helping different cops solve various murders (or other deaths). We started watching because Jackie liked Emilia Fox in the new SIGNORA VOLPE. We finished - and very much enjoyed - MAN ON THE INSIDE on Netflix. Also watching BLACK DOVES (Netflix) and THE AGENCY (HBO) more or less back to back. We finished TOTAL CONTROL (series two), the Aussie political series, with one to go, and a final fourth series in the works. We will probably watch the last two episodes of the Belgian PANDORA tonight or tomorrow.
Reading plenty of short stories, plus Kristin Hannah's THE WOMEN. It is definitely my era of interest - Vietnam nurses, 1967 - and I'm pretty much enjoying it, though I wouldn't rave about it being fabulous. I'm not totally sure how I feel about it, to be honest.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it. We'll be having our traditional Jewish meal - Chinese takeout. "Deck the halls with boughs of hor-ry, fa ra ra ra ra...".
Jerry, according to to Wikipedia, it was MIDWINTER OF THE SPIRIT, but you knew that. Will check it out on Britbox.
Patrick arrived home by train and I picked up Katie at the Buffalo Airport. They're busy baking for our Christmas dinner: cakes, pies, and cookies! Tomorrow I pick up the fresh Plainville turkey we'll be serving on Christmas. Diane will be preparing her legendary Cranberry Jello salad tomorrow. We'll have plenty of yummy desserts!
Have fun with Megan! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
How wonderful to have kids that like to bake. Have a great holiday.
There is some very odd debate going on about the merits of the Hannah book. I have caught it here and there. I haven't read it yet but like THE NIGHTINGALE. I watched many seasons of SILENT WITNESS and thought it was a pretty good show with either pathologist. Yes, very cold indeed. Warming up in a few days for a few days but snow is expected in a small amount today.
I have learned so much about cats especially from Jerry. I am able to hold up my end of the conversation now with my two cat-loving friends.
I am going to read another one, which is so unusual for me.
Finished A.P. BIO on Netflix. A solid ending to the series. The finale did not try to wrap everything up and it fit the show's style and character progress over 4 seasons.
Both children are home and my mother arrives later today. I finished Colin Meloy's WILDWOOD and started BOOTH by Karen Joy Fowler. BOOTH is about the family of John Wilkes Booth. I don't recall why I put BOOTH on order but it has been quite interesting. Told from the perspective of some of Booth's siblings and starts in the 1830s before the assassin's birth. Each time Booth appears I often guess on if his actions and opinions in the story are signs his character and beliefs that drove to assassination. Many members of his family left behind family history and memoir and I presume Fowler built the story on those documents.
Meanwhile, at work, I need to get new computers set-up and work on the library capital campaign.
Forgot about BOOTH, which got good reviews. Thanks
Yeah. Jackie was reading me a really snarky review/commentary about the Hannah, comparing it to Colleen Hoover, and not in a good way. I prefer to make up my own mind.
I remember years ago, we were at my in-laws for dinner and I was sitting there with nothing to do, so I looked through their books. (My mother in law still read in those days.) I picked up THE DRIFTERS by James Michener and started reading the first chapter and found it interested me, so I took it home and read the rest, which I enjoyed. I know reviewers often turned their noses up at Michener, but I had enjoyed HAWAII and THE SOURCE, and even if some critics found the novel superficial (I don't disagree, entirely), I found it engrossing enough to keep reading. Granted, it was no HAWAII or THE SOURCE, but it wasn't supposed to be.
Have a great time while Megan is visiting, Patti. I had not heard of the British Arrows awards. I have read several books by Keigo Higashino, including SALVATION OF A SAINT, and liked them all. Glen got me started on those. I plan to do a Japanese Literary Challenge in January and February and will probably read two more of his books then.
Watched this week: THE BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES, an episode in the next to the last season (so far). Getting really close to the end of NORTHERN EXPOSURE. Also watched THE MENTALIST and THE ORVILLE. And some CBS shows. Watched the first episode of ELSBETH, Season 2.
I read A BIRD IN THE HAND by Ann Cleeves. As far as I can tell, it was her first novel and the first book in the George and Molly Palmer-Jones series. I have been wanting to read that series for years and finally got a copy of the first book. All I knew about it was that it was focused on birdwatching and birders. George is the "investigator" and has retired from the Home Office, which gives him some credibility and access to some records when he needs them. He is a "twitcher," a birder who travels various parts of the English country, following reports of rare birds as they show up. His wife Molly is not that interested in birds but she enjoys the chase. Before retiring she worked as a social worker. The book is not as good as Cleeves' later books, but satisfied me in every way. I liked the characters, the setting, and the birdwatching.
Glen is now reading THE EARLY TUDORS AT HOME, 1485-1558 by Elizabeth Burton. The book was published in 1976 and tells about the social life and customs in England during that period. The author wrote a series of books on various periods in England, and Glen has three more of them. He is enjoying the book; lots of good details about that time. The books all have lovely illustrations by the same artist.
He finished reading HAUNTERS AT THE HEARTH, a Christmas ghost story book. He liked about half of the stories, and the rest were pretty good, just not exceptional. So overall, a good book.
well I think I have BRITBOX again. First I tried to get it from them. My Roku did not like that. So I "chatted" and they (Britbox online) really were not much help. So I cancelled that one and got it through Roku but I am paying more and it does not show up on my screen. So I have to go into Roku channel every time and find it I guess. This streaming stuff is way too hard.
As a rule of thumb, streaming services are akin to the drive-thru in the LETHAL WEAPON movies.
Have never seen LETHAL WEAPON but I get the idea.
One of the LETHAL film's has an extended rant by Joe Pesci's character about how "they f*ck you at the drive-thru".
https://youtu.be/V66XdulPrBM?si=PEvUyK9drVkQhghD
Gerard, LETHAL WEAPON 2. My sister has been quoting that scene for years, and did it again when we were in Scottsdale a couple of weeks ago.
A classic.
Good times, folks! May they continue...I don't recommend bashing one's toe, but younger cat is enjoying my company on the couch in the tv room, which still awaits my hooking up the new Verizon replacement for the old DVR/cable box. (Film/tv fans in various social media moan about how many recordings they lost when Verizon decided to not support their DVRs any longer. Me, too, if only once or twice, an unusual amount of restraint for me. I doubt TCM will be rerunning TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN too often, for example, and the Joan Armatrading piece from France 24 would be nice to still have, but perhaps I can find it online.
Post a Comment