Spring usually means outside work. This year, a lot of that was done for us by the town. We have a storm drain/creek/river that cuts our backyard in half. It can become a roaring torrent in heavy rain, or dry up completely in late August during a drought. But the banks had become seriously overgrown in recent years, with trees, reeds, shrubs, etc. Two workers hired by the town came through our yard a while back and cleared out much of the mess. We have already paid many thousands of dollars ourselves to clear out fallen and dead trees, but this cleanup seems to have been covered by our tax dollars. There is still one large tree, a poplar, on our property that needs to be taken down.
Closer to the house, we are getting new eaves troughs installed. During heavy rain our current system is worse than useless. We now have severely damaged front steps, and a sinkhole in the making in front of our garage. A concrete specialist came out to have a look, and he will soon begin work on removing the old concrete staircase and installing a new one, as well as repairing the driveway where it is sinking, as well as giving us a new coat of cement on our vast and private front veranda. We are excited to finally have this work done. We still need some new windows, and an inside floor to have tiled. But first the eaves and new cement. With no travel happening the past two years, we have saved enough money to get some serious issues fixed. Our two newest doors come in very handy during howling winter winds. We will have spent about $25,000 on home improvements during the pandemic.
Our Ontario mask restrictions have evaporated, even as other countries which have done the same are now experiencing high levels of Covid. As a local health employee said, Covid hasn't gone away, just our restrictions to help prevent it from spreading. Of course masks are still required in hospital and nursing home settings, as well as a very few other places. And as of April 1st, the border will be open to all vaccinated international travellers without having to provide a negative test.
With the family scanning project now mostly complete, I have turned my attention to our own travel slides. I am currently transferring our Spain slides to computer from 1982. We spent an entire summer in Madrid and Barcelona that year, and I shot mostly b & w film. Then I will do the Copenhagen slides (two weeks spent there one summer), and then on to our three trips to Mexico City and its valley of archeological wonders.
I had a minor medical procedure done yesterday in hospital. It was very quick, the entire process from parking lot back to the car taking exactly one hour, but once home I just chilled out all day. I managed to read an entire 280 page novel. Today everything is back to normal, with piano, exercise, map work, writing, and of course reading. It is now astronomy season, so I will be hoping for a clear night or three this week and next. Can't wait to get back into the deep, dark sky! In further medical news, I had a cortisone injection in my shoulder last Friday, and it is helping to alleviate pain caused by a tear in my right rotator cuff, as well as some bursitis. It was Deb's arthritis doctor I saw, by a weird coincidence. I am now awaiting a physio appointment.
In film watching news, I chose a Dutch film called Miss Minoes, about a cat who suddenly turns into a young woman. Despite its mostly Disney formula plot, the film has much humour and charm, as well as a host of cats that can act (Goddard would be happy about this). I've often wondered what a cat that turned human would look like, and how they would act. Now I know. Lots of fun.
The rooftop singing scene is very funny.
Deb's regular weekend choice was All About Eve, a very funny and highly cynical look at backstage theatrical actors, specifically Bette Davis playing the juicy role of one very famous Margo Channing. It is one of her best roles, and she plays it to the hilt. Anne Baxter plays the seemingly innocent young fan who adores her, and her breathy charm and delivery of lines is perfect in every way. With a great supporting cast and non stop witty dialogue, this is one of Hollywood's best productions about actors, writers, and directors. Recommended.
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One of the books I am currently reading is a catalogue of American paintings from the DIA. I usually study one painting each day. A few days ago I came across this image of a painting I have seen many times and loved, and am now anxious to see once again. Called Fifty Avenue At Twilight, it is an eye catching depiction of New York from 1910. The buildings are all identified, and yet the image goes so much beyond depicting an actual scene from a big city. It seems to capture a mood that we have experienced at twilight in several large cities, though my clearest memory of such would be from evening strolls in Mexico City many years ago. It's a perfectly lovely painting that seems to get inside a mood that I love encountering.
I will conclude with an image from Barcelona, showing Deb appearing on a balcony of La Sagrada Familia. Back in 1982 you were allowed backstage, so to speak, and Deb went exploring. She surprised us by appearing on the little balcony, calling down to us (my parents were with us at the time).
Until we meet again.
Mapman Mike
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