Medical Week

Deb had her third and final laser surgery today, and goes back in two months to follow up.  She reports being more comfortable after the first two events, and is hoping that the third one is the last.  Wednesday she had her blood work, and next Monday she goes for her biologic infusion.  This past Monday I had my 2nd and final Shingrix vaccination.  The arm is still red and swollen, but improving day by day.

February, at least the first half, is turning out to be more winter-like than January.  About 2" of fresh snow fell, with more falling in places near us, and even more coming to us on Sunday.  Nothing major, but enough to keep reflecting the sun's warmth back up into the sky, keeping us pretty cold.  We are still pretty much at winter average, which means it is a lot better than the past several years.  Last year especially, February was a living and ultra cold hell.  It could still turn downright nasty this year, but the closer we get to March the less chance of this occurring.  Usually by this time we are far behind on our monthly gas payments, meaning we have used more than we have paid.  This evens out during the warmer months.  Monthly payments are fixed this year at $97.  However, we are still ahead of the game, meaning that the payments will be cut way back at the next quarter.  It hasn't cost us much to heat the house this winter, so far.

Now that snow is back for a short time, thoughts may freely turn to---Brazil!  The Detroit Institute of Arts has a Dutch landscape collection worthy of an entire blog unto itself (they also have a wonderful collection of Dutch still lifes, genre, and portraits).  Frans Post (ca. 1612-1680) went to Brazil in 1637, where he remained for seven years.  Numerous paintings resulted from his experiences there, including this panoramic view done well after his return home.

 View of the Jesuit Church at Olinda, Brazil, 1665.  Oil on canvas, 22" x 32", unframed.

Collection Detroit Institute of Arts.

 Detail of the church.

 Detail of left side of church.  Love that arch shielding the large window.

 Detail of left foreground, including the artist's signature, and a well-
camouflaged iguana.

 Detail of central middle and background.

 Detail of right foreground.  Note the large snake eating a rabbit.

 Further detail of right foreground. 

There--I feel warmer already.  In movie news, I selected three short films this week, and one of medium length.  All were documentary types, though vastly different.  The longest one was called A Letter From Siberia, a French film from 1957.  Though extremely dated, it's fascinating to see material from the time that Siberia was just starting to be tamed.  A lot of angles are covered, and more than a touch of humour enlivens the proceedings, which are highlighted by some truly amazing photography.  I had heard of this amazing film, but had never seen it before.

 Now showing on Criterion.  

Next up was a ten minute short called The Beaning, from 2017.  Based on an actual incident in baseball history where a pitcher threw a beanball and killed the batter, the director turns the event into a horror movie, detailing the diabolical events that led up to the killing.  A totally weird movie, but pretty fascinating to watch.  It's hard to tell how one is supposed to react to the film, as the event itself is a real tragedy.  No doubt there would be viewers who totally believe this is what really happened.  Perhaps that is what inspired the film maker.  The film would make a good article and review for The Fortean Times magazine.

 Now showing on Criterion.  Also can be found on the internet.  

Lastly were two short films byMichelangelo Antonioni.  Gente de Po is from 1947, a lyrical look at industry and relaxation along the Po River in Italy.  N. U. is about the streetsweepers and garbage men of Italy's cities, and is from 1948.  This is quite a depressing film, no doubt showing how desperate people were to work after the war.  We are still watching films related to L'Atalante as well, including a documentary on Jean Vigo that is longer than the movie.  Criterion Channel is an amazing place in which to dwell!

Tomorrow is the monthly Full Moon celebration.  There will be the usual wood fire, music, some gaming, and a moon cake.  And Deb seems inspired to create a wonderful pasta dinner.  So drop by if you get a chance.

Mapman Mike