Persuasion again

 I seem to be on a Persuasion compare and contrast kick. Currently it's the 1995 version with lovely Ciaran Hinds and oh well, Amanda Root..

It's a wonderful narrative, with plenty of comic relief as well as anguish. The always-ailing sister who never misses a meal or a party, the great Musgrove scene where everyone in turn confides privately in Anne their complaints about each other, the overheard and misunderstood comments driving the plot.

This morning I get an email reminder about the mammo callback, asked to pre register. First the site lets me in and hangs up on the last question, so I don't know if it registered. Two more attempts and it rejected my  password, so I may end up doing it on paper when I get there. They want nonexistent rx uploaded, among other requirements. 

I'm not sure I need any of this for a callback, but the computer system probably treats all appointments alike. I don't need more stress about this, I do know that.

After seeing yesterday's weaver, I wonder if some of my pinloom squares need to be animals. Thinking. I have a stack of them. I also wonder if I can use them combined with fabric squares, crocheted all together in a fusion throw. I already have a big piece of fabric for a backing, big enough for a quilt, if I get carried away that far.

Speaking of threads, I've winnowed a pair of very nice black pants onto Freecycle. I love them but this Incredible Shrinking Woman is now not a match for them.  

This morning the chicken is simmering making broth, ready to pick the chicken, then use for soup.  Lunch is veg croquettes, mashed cannellini beans with egg, celery dice, capers, scallions and red onion dice, Thai red curry sauce.  Dessert, need you ask, FD snacking cake.

And here's a getting to the end of the season bouquet 

When I was younger I couldn't bear the scent of marigolds or privet. Now, though, either they or I changed, because they're delicious.  Have you experienced changes in perception like this?

Happy day everyone, wear all the clothes that fit. 

L

Persuasion, knitting, Textiles and Tea

 Last night's movie was a 2007 BBC production of Persuasion, very well done though some iconic dialog didn't make it. 

Nobody rivals Ciaran Hinds as the earlier hero, but Anne Elliot was great.

There seems to be an endless supply of Austen movies around.

Today's the launching of the new and improved hearing in a group, first time since I got them. We'll see. 

So here I'm reporting later that I had a very good time at the Tuesday Knitting Group, hearing ALL the group chat yay, which ranged from temari balls to soft sculpture to dance improv to hearing, to spindle and spurtzleur spinning, the spiral of the universe, lip-reading, Portugal, freeform embroidery, and a lot more.

This young artist is riffing off Temari balls, very freeform, she's a dancer and teacher and fiber artist 

while socks are happening, also playing with spindles 

Lovely afternoon, then there was Textiles and Tea with Deb Essen, who weaves with everything from pinlooms to large floor looms, dyeing her threads and making kits from her own threads and patterns.

As you see, she's versatile! 

Then Handsome Son arrived, enjoyed several Figgy Demerara pieces, and a pot of tea, and convo ranged over current politics,  the state of the washing machine valve shutoffs, health, Uber, meat, food safety, personal transportation and ants.

He obligingly took my worn out lounge chair from the deck to the dumpster, and took his leave.

Another great Tuesday for the books.

Happy day, everyone, Weave On! More computer assisted, art

,

Persuasion and the unpersuaded

Also Happy 89th Birthday to Handsome Partner. Still in mind, ten years after you peacefully left us.

Last night was Persuasion time. I had planned on watching one of the library DVDs, but on the way got sidetracked.

Watched part of a 70s BBC miniseries 

As you see, sets full of more or less accurate furniture, very well organized and nice to see. Costumes lovingly made to fit by someone who knew how and had the fabrics and budget for the job. 

A far cry from the low budget costumes of the more recent productions such as the Romola Garai Emma, poorly made, ill fitting, just a sad show, pulling down great acting.

Moving along, the hairstyles here were created by someone who seems to think Austen was writing about the later 19th  century rather than the early 1800s of the Regency period. I guess they had a good time getting carried away, so there's that. The simpler Regency styles wouldn't have been as much fun. 

Alas, the production itself was pretty much local repertory theatre, sloooow,  inexpert, actors suddenly starting to act on command at each scene change, not being already in persona. Actors clearly feeling they were in costume rather than the good actor who's just wearing clothes. It was worth checking out, though, just to see what Austen inspired in different producers and actors. 

And I did love the settings. And the horses. Wonderful carriages. I wouldn't discourage anyone from trying it.

Then I stumbled onto a truly inspired production, a Saturday night theatre BBC radio version, just cracking along, very intelligently acted, just as full of life as I think it oughta be. 

Saturday Night theatre was a regular BBC offering before TV was really a thing, and some great actors and playwrights can be spotted there, some before they got famous.

When I started this summer Austenfest, I though there might be enough productions for a few nights' viewing fun. Now I realize that it was a bit naive, like going to the library and thinking maybe there will be a couple of books in here.  Spoiled for choice, moi.

Summer got here. Woke at 2.30 am, to switch on a fan. Checked the weather. 90% humidity, temp high 70s. That's as cool as it got, after daytime heat index in the 90s f.. No wonder I get tired in this weather. Just breathing takes work. But all's well. I have air conditioning. 

What's more lovely than a day in June

Today was triple A. Weather sunny, low humidity, in the 70s.  Neighbor ran over early, toast in hand, to tell me he was in heaven with the plum jam. "I'm LOADING  it on the muffin, look!" Evidently he liked it. 

Then I listed on Freecycle an HP inkjet printer in its original box, my unused backup, worked last time I tried it. Complete with cables, installation instructions etc. 

Picked up by afternoon by a lady for her special needs students to use. Everybody happy. I fervently hope it works for them. 

Then off for  ice cream at the local hand dipped place, first in two years. Butter pecan. Single scoop. Sugar cone.

Served at the window, benches outside to sit and enjoy.

Off to the park

And a stroll by the lake, hundreds of darners ( brilliant blue slender dragonflies), mating joyfully in flight, attending to what I think is a nursery, clear jellylike material floating at the surface, they're prodding at it, l have to learn about this. Also beautiful ginger colored tiny dragonflies. We are blessed with many species.

Here's how it was today. The bench is where Handsome Partner and I used to come and sit while he could still manage a few steps, and where much later I came after making arrangements for his cremation, at the funeral home a short distance from here. 

I've also come here to draw and paint with an artist friend now gone. But it's not a sad place, just a quiet one, with good memories. I also did a couple of hilarious photo shoots with the Dollivers here modeling little black dresses while hugging trees. Speaking of trees

 if you love woodland fairy tales and fantasy, this might be a habitat for gnomes.

Home to chat with neighbors and read Persuasion. Waiting on a couple of library DVD productions of it. Yes, of course the Ciaran Hinds version is one of them. Obligatory.

In the middle of the reading and chatting, a hefty man with a ladder showed up asking if I would let him clear the gutters. Another big guy doing good work around here.

Evidently they're clear, good. I wasn't aware of a problem anyway. He put back my furniture and departed with the ladder, and I continued with the history of the Elliots and their impending move to Bath. 

Captain Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds in my mind, hush up) hasn't made an appearance yet but Anne's all of a doodah already about the prospect.

She might not be the only one..