Everything sounds better in French, doesn’t it? Basically, I’m goofing off from eternal editing, holding on to the hope of better days ahead and trying not to go stir-crazy indoors. While I know technically it is next week, a Maine spring really doesn’t arrive until May. Maybe even June, LOL. Here are a few things I’ve read, watched, and done to divert myself from wintry woes and work.
Book: Death at the Dolphin, by Gretta Mulrooney (not to be confused with the same title written by Ngaio Marsh, which I read it ages ago and cannot remember a thing about), the first Daisy Moore mystery. Immediately post World War II, our Cockney codebreaker heroine has burned down her house, and inadvertently killed her mother and cat. To tell you the truth, she’s more upset about the cat. If that sounds a bit harsh, just keep reading for a refreshing change of pace and well-drawn, quirky characters. I’ve just finished the second in the series, Death at Larch Bridge, and hoping for more. Daisy is delightful and a natural detective.
TV: Monsieur Spade, on Acorn. A thousand years ago, I watched The Maltese Falcon but can’t remember anything about that either. The six-part series imagines Sam Spade 20 years later, a widower retired in France and up to his eyeballs in international danger even as he swims nude at his vineyard pool. Clive Owen takes over for Humphrey Bogart in a restrained, ironic performance. The scenery (including his bum) is lovely. Lots of the dialog is in French but don’t worry, there are subtitles. It is a very stylish recreation of the early 60s and almost as good as a drive through the French countryside, although I confess to being a little confused by the plethora of bad guys and gals at the end. A second viewing may be in order.
Film: American Fiction. Where to start? This movie kind of defies description and was deservedly nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. The fabulous Jeffrey Wright portrays a “serious” writer with a complicated family life, a teaching job he doesn’t really like, and a fierce frustration with the vagaries of race and publishing and race in publishing. The movie is hilarious and sad and surprising, and the nuanced performances are stellar. I now want to read Erasure by Percival Everett, the book on which the movie is based.
Book: Unruly by David Mitchell. Mitchell is a British actor/writer/comedian and treasure. He is entirely snarky and erudite and so quick on his feet your head will spin. (I occasionally watch Would I Lie to You? on which he appears, an improv game show unlike anything you can see on US television. I can also recommend an older 3-episode mini-series called Ambassadors on BritBox, which is blackly funny and co-stars his frequent collaborator, Robert Webb.) Unruly is a history of some of the kings and queens of England which is not at all boring or date-driven. Even if you are not a monarchist (and I am definitely not; the whole concept is ludicrous to me though I do like strong tea and garden parties and the occasional hat), you will be entertained royally.
Spring Cleaning. Yes, it has begun early. I am here to remind you your dishwasher is full of evil slime and mysterious chunks. Perhaps you will recall where all the parts are supposed to go after you’ve removed them for a thorough scrubbing. Closets are being organized, too. Can my desk be far behind?
Do you have any diversions for me? When do you know spring has sprung in your neck of the woods?
This is the perfect time of the year to explore the coast of Maine. The snow is gone and the away people have not yet arrived. My wife and I have been picking a day of the week to walk, lunch, and discover many of the hidden treasures along the rocky and sandy coast of Maine.
What a good idea!
One of my favorite diversions as seasons change is reading cookbooks. What to cook to mark the switch from heavy winter food to the fresh greens of spring. And soon I will follow you into drawers and closets where a grand divestment will take place.
Kate
I keep collecting recipes on Pinterest but then never make them!
Wonderful suggestions. What an eclectic selection. Thankfully, my spring cleaning is done – the grand ménage complete. My office was the worst of it. All those books!
Done? Done!! Please come down south and help me.
FYI The author of Maltese Falcon, Dashiell Hammett, is my husband’s ancestor.
So cool!
I’m contemplating ditch mining(picking up discarded returnables). Also keeping count of how many woodchucks I see that are wearing bikinis.
Good luck with that, John. LOL
Other movies (Oscar contenders this year) that are very diverting: ZONE OF INTEREST – a real “horror” movie – PAST LIVES – just super well done. and ANATOMY OF A FALL (mystery). I have watched Oppenheimer now 4 times – each time I get something new. POOR THINGS is a fascinating, funny, wild thing but I don’t know what streamer it might make its way to – it’s definitely heavy R – but one of my favs this year – a great pix that speaks to women. (a bit of Frankenstein feel in here that is sooooo fun). But then you could stick with your everything better in French: some French Classics again – some good oldies: the French (not American) UNTOUCHABLE, AMELIE (2001), LES ENFANTS du PARADIS (1943) considered France’s GONE WITH THE WIND, CACHE (2005) a fine thriller – or just eat a lot of croissants and stare into your closet – which is always good for at least an hour?
I have croissants in my freezer. Probably a sacrilege lol. That sounds like a plan! I confess I only saw two of the best pic nominees. The other was Barbie which I loved since it gave me something to talk to my two granddaughters about. And Ryan Gosling! Such a sport. Thanks so much for the recs!
Oh…this ALL was fabulous. Have written down suggestions! (Still trying to avoid dishwasher.) And the comment suggestions as well. Am adding in the recent film “Nyad.” I was hesitant to watch it, thinking …swimming? But Jodie Foster and Annette Bening are simply amazing.