Another Walking Day

 Two days before our 2nd snow event arrives (Monday will not be a nice day), I headed back out on the trail, this time hiking into McGregor from the other end.  Deb dropped me off again and met me not far from the town.  I still have one segment left to walk on the A/burg to Essex trail.  All I need is another nice day before winter really strikes a blow.  I ended up walking only 3.25 miles today, but it still felt good to get some fresh air and sunshine, though the sun is quite low, even at noon.

 

The road goes ever on, again.

 

Some of Detroit's skyscrapers can be seen in the far background of this telephoto shot.  It was a very clear day.

 

There are currently two trails in Essex County; this is where they intersect. I just came from the trail on the left side of photo, and I am heading in the opposite direction.  The cross trail is the longer one, being about 42 km.  My trail is about 22 km, and I hope to finish it in one more walk.

 

This is a free public bike repair shop, with a rack to sit the bike on, an air pump, and various wrenches and tools.  Pretty neat! 

 

In movie news, there are several to report.  This is Deb's film festival weekend, so even more reporting will come again soon.  And it's almost the end of the month, which means it's nearly time to review my books read in November.  But first on to films.

 

My choice was Big City Blues, a film from 1932 directed by Mervyn Leroy.  It's a hard hitting pre-code film about a young innocent man going to New York to seek his fortune, from his small town in Indiana.  We follow him from the train station, a mere whistle stop, until his return.  He leaves full of optimism and fantasies, and returns a bit less innocent and a lot wiser.  He has not given up, though, and hopes to save enough money to give it a second try.  Meanwhile in New York, he is accosted by a mooching uncle, led into a weekend booze fest in his hotel room, which leads to an accidental murder.  Quite a lot happens in just over 60 minutes; some of these old movies keep up the frantic momentum from start to finish.  Joan Blondell is the chorus girl who falls for the innocent guy from Indiana.  Rather strange film, but eminently worth watching.

 

 

Showing until Nov. 30th on Criterion.

 

A while back we watched an Iranian film called Where Is My Friend's House, a wonderful feature about a young boy trying to return a homework book he mistakenly picked up after school.  In this film, called And Life Goes On, using the 1990 Iran earthquake (one of the worst ones anywhere) as a background, the director goes in search of the boys, in hopes of finding them safe.  The movie blends fiction and fact, and becomes a meditative road movie as we venture into the earthquake zone, enduring traffic jams, blocked roads, and ruined towns and villages.  Getting to the village of Koker is nearly impossible, especially in the little car used by the director-actor.  Quite good, especially if you have seen the first film.

 

 

Now showing on Criterion.

 

Deb's next pick was a French animated film scripted by Jacques Prevert called The King and the Bird.  I mentioned awhile back how great it was to have a streaming channel that shows beautiful prints of classic films.  Well, that same channel has introduced us to the most wonderful animated features, too, this being the fourth or fifth absolutely incredibly imaginative one so far.  The story concerns a supremely narcissistic king trying to steal a lovely shepherdess away from the chimney sweep whom she loves.  They are aided by a talky bird, a pride of lions, a blind organ grinder, and a massive robot.  The animation is really good, though not the same style throughout, and the castle has Gormenghastian proportions.  The film took 30 years to complete, and Prevert died in 1977, just before completion.  It is loosely based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen.  Highly recommended.

 

 

Now showing on Criterion.

Mapman Mike
 

 

Sunday At The Homestead

Usually Sundays begin with either baked molasses French toast, courtesy of the master of the house, or whole grain nutty and fruity pancakes, courtesy of the mistress.  Three loads of laundry follow, and there is often some morning music (none today). It is too windy and bone-chillingly cold for a walk, so I went right to the piano after breakfast (pancakes), and Deb returned to her animation project.

Nearly every week, and sometimes twice, Deb wins a major animation award.  Her 2nd award of the week came in today, as her web series "22 Bones" won best web series at a major Australian festival.  My piano playing seldom wins awards, though it has happened in the past.  However, in order to win, one must enter competitions, and I haven't done that since my student days.  Anyway, my program is marching along.  I have increased my weekly practice time, and have begun narrowing my focus on the more difficult passages I need to master.  I am hoping for a January recital date, barring illness or injury.

I finished an excellent book by Hal Clement today (Still River), and we played a game of Middle Earth: The Wizards, which I lost by one point.  We also watched a movie.  Deb's film choice this weekend was called Gold Diggers of 1933, a Busby Berkley extravaganza starring Dick Powell, Joan Blondell (in one of her best roles), and gawky and awkward Ruby Keeler.  Comparable to 42nd Street, this one feels more like a play than that other great film, though many of the numbers are as spectacular.  The closing number is dedicated to the returning soldiers of WW1, who were scorned and forgotten by government, and often left on their own.  Definitely a film highlight, and worth watching.

Despite the cold weather coming in, and frequent minor snow squalls, it appears that we will have another white Solstice next weekend.  The longer that snow can be postponed, the better.  Our long delayed trip to Detroit is currently scheduled for Tuesday, after Deb's morning infusion.  A visit to two superb beer destinations is planned,and likely some other highlights as well.

The next painting to be featured from the DIA is, like the last one, by Oskar Kokoschka.  This one is an amazing masterpiece cityscape, and has long been a favourite of mine.  This is a large canvas, and very striking.  One is drawn directly to it when entering the gallery.  Last year we saw the magnificent painting of the same subject by Frederic Church, which normally resides in the art museum in Kansas City.  It would be amazing to see these paintings side by side.

 View of Jerusalem, Oskar Kokoschka, 1929-30.  Oil on Canvas.

31.5" x 50.5".  Detroit Institute of Arts.

 Detail of above.  The energy radiating from this painting is immense. 

Sunday evening, like all recent evenings, will conclude with some listening to recorded music.  Last night we heard the 2nd piano concerto of Brahms, a powerful work that grabs and holds the listener for a full 50 minutes.  Tonight we will be hearing Monteverdi's Magnificat For 6 Voices.  Can't wait!!

Hope your weekend was a great one, too!

Mapman Mike