The worst of our winter temps usually falls between about January 10th and very early February, even up to around the 13th of that month. Six weeks of winter isn't bad for somewhere in Canada. Sudbury is at least double that length. So far the winter hasn't been that bad in our area. It's been cold enough to be sure, with worse to come early next week. We've had about 3.5" of snow, but a lot of that has now melted. Temps have been pretty close to average, with cold spells mixing it up with brief thaws. We are currently thawing. So no complaining here, yet. I've been ice skating (indoor arena) twice now, and hope to go again next week. However, a major cold front is now arriving.
Deb had an unusually busy medical week, and we are both glad it has come to an end. We had an experience with how medical services should be. Deb was awaiting an MRI in Windsor. Current wait time is 6 to 7 months. So off we went to Detroit. Booked an appointment for Thursday evening. Back out the door of the private clinic 35 minutes later, photos in hand. The results were sent to her oral surgeon the next morning, when her appointment was. Instant service. Of course we had to pay for the scan, but it was actually quite a reasonable cost, considering how much the machines cost. The results confirm that she has some arthritis in her jaw. She will continue on her regime of soft foods for another two months, with physio here in A'burg.
A lung scan also uncovered the cause of Deb's breathing problem, and she is now being treated for that ailment with medication. So the battles go.
In film news, we recently completed watching a 4-part made-for-TV series called Christ Stopped In Eboli. From 1979 and directed by Francesco Rosi, it stars Gian Maria Volontè as the writer, artist, and sometimes doctor Carlo Levi, based on his memoirs. He was exiled in 1935 to an isolated village in the south of Italy in 1939. The film is a fascinating look at medieval times with electricity, as a city intellectual tries to reconcile himself to life in the slow lane. This sometimes reminded me of a Doctor Who series, with a man suddenly transported to another dimension and time. The photography is stunning, the use of hilltop towns superb, and the day to day life of the exiled man and the people of the village is brought to us in a way that a book or memoirs likely never could. Low key but highly recommended. Like many Criterion showings, the restored print is beautiful, and there are several extras to view afterwards.
Desert Fury from 1947 purports to be a film noir, but could just as easily be seen as a western. Lizabeth Scott plays a 19 year old woman who falls in love with a gangster. Despite her mother's interference (Mary Astor), and sheriff friend Burt Lancaster, she plunges headlong into an affair. It isn't until the last few moments of the film that she realizes her mistake. The photography and background scenery are a highlight of the film, and much has been made of the possible homosexual relationship between the gangster and his number one man. There is an overwrought score by Miklós Rózsa, and a really dumb three-car chase at the finale. Filmed in brilliant Technicolor, this is a unique film, crossing a gangster movie with a western.
And now it's time to prepare for the season's first true polar vortex. We are in for some really cold temperatures from Sunday through Thursday. Can't wait.
Mapman Mike
No comments:
Post a Comment