Deep winter around here usually lasts 3-4 weeks, and it often doesn't all come at the same time. Usually Jan. 10th-30th is our coldest time, and this year is no exception. The "deep" often refers to both temperatures and snow amounts. This year we continue to dodge the major snowfalls here in Essex County. We currently have less than an inch on the ground, which a single warm day would erase. However, there are no warm days. Only really really cold ones. Since Saturday we have not gone above +11 F. Less here, since we are not anywhere near a warmer city centre. We have been colder than Sudbury for the past two days, which is really saying something. Next Monday we are scheduled to go above freezing. We are looking forward to it! We went out last Thursday to run some errands, including stocking up on birdseed. We haven't been out since, except to feed the birds 2x daily. We are not even certain that the car will start tomorrow when we venture out for some fresh groceries.
In Sudbury news, my Dad was taken to hospital Sunday evening by ambulance, after collapsing at home. He apparently had no blood pressure, due to recently discovered internal bleeding. He is in an ICU while they try to determine where and why he is bleeding. They have pumped enough blood units into him to virtually replace his entire system. More updates when I know them. Dad is 92 and Mom is 94. Mom is still quite healthy, but she said that Dad has been not doing well lately. No wonder! Hopefully it is a problem that can be dealt with at his age.
We have watched two more Dr. Who episodes and two films since last posting. I have also resumed posting on my astronomy blog, which is fun but very time consuming. We have had a few clear nights lately, but of course it is much too cold to even consider standing outside looking through a telescope eyepiece. The episodes we watched were "Fires of Pompeii" and "Planet of the Ood." The first one is unique because it stars two actors that were later to become the Doctor and a companion. Peter Capaldi has a major role as the father of a household that is about to die in the Vesuvius catastrophe. It turns out that the Doctor is the real cause of the explosion that kills 20,000 people. Some nice writing there. And Karen Gillan has a small role as a priestess. The episode was filmed in a studio in Rome. The Ood episode is also quite good, and seems to prove that Donna Noble is one of the best companions to ever assist the Doctor. That fake snow, though, is all a bit much.
The Cheat is a 1931 pre-code film starring Tallulah Bankhead. She gets in over her head with gambling debts, followed by a disastrous crash of stock that she was told couldn't lose. Well, it did, and now she owes double the amount. Her husband won't be impressed. Enter one of the most creepy villains in movie history, who offers her the money if she will spend frequent nights with him at his house. Why won't women ever learn--never trust a creepy villain!
Deb's regular pic was Mr. Holmes, a film starring Ian McKellen as a 92 year old Homes, looking after his bees and trying hard to remember his last case. This case was the reason he retired, and he cannot remember why. The film, a BBC production from 2015, cleverly advances the plot little by little as he remembers what happens. Definitely worth catching for Holmes fans! This film was first brought to our attention by my mother, who really liked it.
Mapman Mike
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