Monday, April 10, 2017

Things That Make Me Happy


Another hard week here. Phil's nausea, fatigue and a cough have not abated. Still his last treatment (for now at least) is on Tuesday-Thursday.

Loved the finale of BIG LITTLE LIES. If I were Liane Moriarity I would be awfully proud of this miniseries.

Saw a terrific film, LAND OF MINE, which concerned the German POWs who were made to remove the land mines in Denmark.Most of the soldiers were perhaps 15 years old. If it comes your way, see it. Just so well done.

Really enjoying S-Town, an NPR podcast about a murder in a horrible little town in Alabama. It is all downloadable now. It is better than Serial of two years ago.

After a week of rain, everything is very green and the bulbs are getting ready to bloom.

Like our new car, a Subaru Impreza. I managed to drive it around the block. For those who don't know this, I haven't driven in 30 years. Today I drove it around two blocks. Little steps.

I got to attend the book launch of my friend Dennis James (SONGS OF THE BAKA), the stories of their travels to exotic and remote places. Dennis and I took writing classes together starting in the late nineties. How wonderful to see he and his wife, Barbara (and photographer) have success.

Saw a wonderful movie by Jim Jarmusch (PATERSON). The rare movie where nothing bad happens and everyone treats each other well. Highly recommend it.

How about you? 

11 comments:

Jeff Meyerson said...

Congratulations on the new car. And you drove it! You'll find that Subarus are great to drive. We're on our third (second Forester) and I'd never buy anything else.

Sorry to hear that Phil is still having such a tough time, but good news that this is the last week of treatment. Fingers are crossed here that he won't need more.

And the Edgars are getting close.

Here? After a couple of awful days of cold and heavy rains, we finally seem to have a real Spring. It's the first time we didn't wish we were still in Florida. (Speaking of that, this is the first time Jackie is seriously talking about a permanent move there, as the good/bad scale is tilting away from New York for her.)

Finally had a good reading week too, with the favorites being Adrian McKinty and Joe Lansdale.

We're catching up on the series we missed in Florida, and this year's HOMELAND seems a lot better than last year's fiasco in Berlin, and not just because it's set in New York. But man, Dar Adal gets worse and worse, doesn't he?

Anonymous said...

Oh, I do like that car, Patti! And glad to hear Phil's last treatment is coming up soon. Thinking of you both as you get through this.

George said...

Congratulations on the new car and your developing driving skills. Hope Phil feels better soon.

We were hit with a few inches of snow on Friday. But today, our temps will be in the 70s. Wacky weather!

Katie saw HAMILTON in NYC this weekend. Loved it!

Steve Oerkfitz said...

Love this Michigan weather. In the 70's. I liked Little Big Lies but didn't love it. Found too many of the main characters unlikeable, like Kidman and Witherspoons. Rich women with nothing much to do. And how did the single mother afford a house in that area? Even a dump would cost a fortune.
Better Call Saul comes back tonight. Yay.
Hope Phil will feel better soon.

Unknown said...

Soon you'll be looking at driving in a NASCAR race.

Here's hoping Phil bounces back quickly after the chemo ends and that this nightmare will be over for good.

Jerry House said...

Jessie and her girls came over last night and cooked stuffed shells. Yum.

It's great to watch the Kangaroo whenever we take him anywhere. He always makes friends. Store clerks don't know us from Adam, but they know Jack by name.

Having a Netflix Hercule Poirot marathon and recognizing a number of the actors. That's the guy from RIPPER STREET, and he the one playing LUCIFER, she was killed of in an early MIDSUMMER MURDERS, that's Edward Fox -- he played a different character in the one we just watched, etc., etc.

Listening to CDs of World Folk Music concerts that we had attended. Chad Mitchell Trio, Tom Paxton, Side by Side, Tommy Makem. It's wonderful to relive those great memories with this music.

John Oliver, Samantha Bee, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert...breaths of fresh air and sanity.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Can't wait for BETTER CALL SAUL.
Thanks, Steve and Bill.
I love those shows, Jerry, but even when I agree with the POV, listening to them is painful. So small doses for me.

Gerard said...

I read a review of SONGS OF BAKA and put it on my order list at work.

Boy #2 started spring soccer last week. The team had a late start with just one practice before the game on Saturday. My wife and I have trouble getting the boy up and moving so I am glad he enjoys soccer.

My parents are giving up their local apartment and moving things back to Central IL. I'm glad they won't have to drive back and forth any more to visit. Staying down there is easiest for doctor appointments, living space, and other things.
I'm glad my children were helpful in moving furniture into my parent's van.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Kevin starts baseball this week. Hockey over for now.
Thanks for the order. It is a good book.

Jeff Meyerson said...

While I give your friend a lot of credit (and congratulate him on the book), as we get older we want more comfort and less risk in our travels, not more. No Papua New Guinea or other "exotic" places for us.

Al Tucher said...
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