It rained. Oh how it rained. All day. So our walk around downtown was postponed indefinitely. My 2nd visit to Detroit since the start of the pandemic was with Jenn G, who hadn't been over yet since it all began. She wanted to see the Artemisia exhibit at the DIA. She drove from Cambridge that morning, picked me up at the house at 11, and we were off. Deb is still unable to cross, or if she does she cannot enter her mom's LTC facility for 14 days afterwards. We hope this rule changes soon.
After easily getting over the border with no wait time, we drove to Eastern Market. I purchased coffee at Germack roasters, then we drove off to Hopcat, a craft ale hot spot in Midtown Detroit. We each had three 5 oz glasses of different craft ales, then ordered their vegan tacos. The beer and tacos were excellent. We sat at the bar. The place would usually have been very busy at lunchtime, but it was rather quiet today. Many people continue to work from home, and street life has yet to really recover.
Next stop was the DIA. Jenn went to see the main exhibit, whilst I wandered the quiet and darkened rooms of the Asian collection for an hour. I also spent some time at a car design show in the modern galleries, and took in a bit of early Flemish art. We were to meet afterwards in Rivera Court. I had time to sit and look at the wonderful murals once again, and took a few photos. The murals still appear as if they were just recently painted. It is a very popular place at the museum, and seldom empty of admirers.
We left the DIA hoping that the rain would stop and we could go downtown and walk...nope. So it was off to another pub. 8 Degrees Plato is the perfect combination of tap room and beer and wine shop. There are always about a dozen taps pouring strange and wonderful brews from around the world, and the shop can be browsed for an hour at least. Again we had three short samples before deciding to pack it in and head for home. Back in A'burg Jenn stayed for dinner before heading back towards home. We hope to visit the art museum in Toledo next time.
In haircut news, we both got haircuts on Friday. I am on FB with many former APS students. Several of them cut hair. But one of them now comes to your home to cut. So on Friday afternoon Garnette came over to undertake badly needed services. We haven't seen her since Gr. 8 graduation! She has two daughters, and many nephews and nieces. She did a fantastic job with both of us, and I suddenly feel civilized once again.
In garage door news, as we exited the house Tuesday evening for groceries, the large spring on the garage door broke. Upon our return the door would not open. Deb called Dorco (yup) Wednesday morning, and they came out Thursday morning. It was repaired with a brand new spring, and now works better than when it was new. The door will not open without that spring. Weirdness.
Turning finally to film news, we have now watched six b & w movies in a row. My niece, who turns 13 soon, will not watch anything in b & w. She hates it. Is that common today among youngsters? What a loss for them if this is so.
The Mill on the Po is an Italian melodrama from 1949, directed by Alberto Lattuada. It follows two families, one a farming one and the other one millers. Farm boy loves miller girl, and they get caught up in a political and social upheaval, as a general strike is called to protest working conditions. It is very well acted by the principals, including the belligerent, bellowing, bigger than life brother of the girl, who eventually causes the central tragedy of the film. Quite good, with some excellent river and rural photography.
Next came Fassbinder's 2nd last movie, Veronika Voss. From 1982 it deals with the drug addition of a fading former movie star, and the corrupt medical profession and police that surround her and take advantage of her. When she falls for a sports writer, he gets dragged into a very sordid environment, losing his girlfriend and his sense of who he is. Based loosely on a real German actress who died by suicide in the 1950s, it is a pretty good film, with some bizarre scenes and dialogue.
Our last b & w film (ending our streak) was International House, starring W C Fields and a host of other entertainers, including Baby Rose Marie and Cab Calloway, whose band perform "Reefer Man". The action takes place in Wu Hu, China. I probably needn't say too much more. Still, it is very funny and quite wild in places, and certainly worth watching. Some fun musical numbers, and lots of pre code underwear on display. Bela Lugosi has a fun role as a jealous Russian general.
Mapman Mike
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