10 PM Update: We had a partially sunny day today, and it went to 35 F. And it appears to be clear this evening, though I wasn't prepared, so no observing. Drat.
We are to receive an arctic bomb cyclone this Christmas. I am hearing happy voices on Facebook today, exclaiming that we are going to have a white Christmas (why does Christmas have to be white? I much prefer green). If only they knew. It will begin as rain, then change to ice, then change to snow, and then to a blizzard. A blizzard is a combination of thickly falling snow combined with gale force winds. That should happen Friday night and Saturday, a time when many people will be (attempting) to travel. On top of this will be temperatures that are not amusing in the least. It hasn't gone above 0 C since Friday here, but that is nothing as to what is coming this weekend. And we haven't had a sunny day in the last 16 tries. How does a high of -8 C sound for Saturday, with strong winds? Don't ask about the lows. Welcome to the most southerly part of Canada in December. So I do hope everyone enjoys their white Christmas, whether stuck at an airport or stranded on a highway, or at home with power out. 'Cuz all that whiteness is going to come with a heavy price tag.
In happier news, all continues to be well at the Homestead. Medical appointments for Deb yesterday and on Thursday, and out tonight for the weekly grocery store run. Randy G. is stopping by for a visit on Winter Solstice tomorrow, and Amanda sometime later in the week (weather permitting). Piano practice is going well, with pieces about six weeks away from being presentable. Bach and Grieg, a most unusual combination. Deb continues to slog away at her latest film, a mini SF epic. Our music listening program continues to be fun, as we discover LP records we have never played before, and continue with our Beethoven odyssey of hearing everything he wrote (we are just about to enter his late phase). I haven't been writing much of late, but continue to read voraciously. And the indoor exercise program continues, awaiting the day when I might actually hike again in far off mountains. Sigh.
In viewing news, we have paused our viewing of English and Interview With a Vampire for a time, mostly to escape the extreme violence and blood. We have started to watch a very old British series called The Edwardians, from way back in the early 70s. Each full length episode tells the story of a famous person or persons from the early 1900s. So far we are halfway through the 2nd episode. No blood or extreme violence so far, but we did here one "damn," though the man uttering it was soundly scolded by his wife immediately afterwards.
In film news, there are two to report. The first is a real oddball film, fun to watch, but tiring at the same time. The Wizard of Speed And Time is from 1988, and is a frenzied attempt to show a young stop motion animator trying to sell a film project in Hollywood. It is very funny, very clever, and very fast paced. Though a bit too frantic for this well aged viewer, it scores a lot of points in its totally zany style. Recommended (it's on Youtube) for stop motion film and special effects fans.
My leaving Dec. 31st choice from the Criterion streaming channel was called Love Crazy, from 1941. It stars William Powell and Myrna Loy, and begins with them trying to celebrate their 4th anniversary ritual, backwards. An unwelcome visit from Loy's mother interrupts the festivities, and the marriage quickly unwinds from hereon in. A very funny picture, truly worthy of the term "screwball" comedy. The stuck elevator scene builds to a truly funny climax, among others.
Deb's leaving Dec. 31st choice was a bit grimmer, the Island of Lost Souls from 1932, starring Charles Laughton as Dr. Moreau. This is one of the best horror films to come out of a very productive decade. It's moody, creepy, intelligent, and degenerate, and came a full decade before the Nazis did their experiments on humans. Of course the story is far earlier, by H G Wells. Too much ahead of its time, I'm afraid. A masterpiece of atmospheric horror.
Happy Winter Solstice to all northern readers, and a very Happy Summer one to all southern ones!! Our chopped woodpile is high and dry, and ready for action.
M.
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