Our house seems cozier this year, no doubt due to our new front door. We are slowly getting all the worst spots of air leakage sealed. The door makes things quieter, too. Even on the windiest and coldest day of the year a few weeks back, only the upstairs bedroom above the garage was suffering. Our thermostat in winter is set at 68 F during the day, and 66 F at night. Our ancient gas boiler keeps cranking out the hot water on demand. We should really throw a party for it. We have a humidifier running in the living room, and another one inside the piano. Our wood pellet stove is still out of commission. A guy was supposed to come and look at it, but then he got Covid, and he hasn't called back. As long as the power stays on, we are good to go.
Last night was a full moon, so we baked a cake (apple, round), listened to an opera (Das Rheingold), and enjoyed a wood fire. While Deb was in Kingsville visiting her mother in the afternoon, I went across the road to the river to take a few photos. There was a bone gnawing wind blowing onshore, and I nearly froze to death in the fifteen minutes I was outside.
It was a raw day at the Detroit River.
Shipping season is nearly over, and most ships are heading to winter berths. Some of the final destinations listed on my shipping website include "The Batcave," "Somewhere Warm," and, still my favourite, "Hotel Toledofornia."
The A. M. Anderson heads south for the winter. She will dock east of Cleveland at a safe harbour along Lake Erie. Her bow sports giant icicles. Grosse Ile, MI lies across the river from us.
A view of Lone Mountain Homestead from the small cemetery across the road.
Deb's main movie choice last weekend was called Radio On, billed as a rare British road movie. produced by Wim Wenders and filmed in b & w, it is the antithesis of the 60s angry young man movie. It could be billed as the late 70s emotionless young man movie. It's frustrating at times because of its lack of anything or anyone to grab hold of, but it eventually works a kind of hapless charm on the viewer. Some of the photography is very good, both interiors and exteriors, and the unique combination of both that is used. There is very little plot, and no character development. The main character is as lifeless as his surroundings. While not quite a zombie, he does appear to sleepwalk through much of his life. A mostly quiet film, and certainly unique. There is a lovely scene featuring Sting at a gas station.
Now showing on Criterion.
Her going away choice was called Scandal Sheet, from 1952. Broderick Crawford is superb as the editor of a big New York newspaper. Since he took it over it has become a scandal sheet, but the circulation has improved wildly. His cub reporter keeps bringing him good stories, usually gained unscrupulously at crime scenes. He is looking for a big story, one that will make him famous. By the end of the movie he has found his story, though not one he was ever expecting. The supporting actors are top notch, including Donna Reed. Easily classified as a pulp noir film, it's pretty good. Definitely a sleeper.
Mapman Mike
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