Tuesday Trivia
February 19, 2013 | My Jottings
A few nights ago Michael and I watched a movie I really enjoyed, Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, 
which my friend Kay recommended to us. In the film, the main character mentions her favorite movie as Brief Encounter, so I also put that in our Netflix queue and we watched it last night. The latter movie was made in 1945 and was the story of two married people who happen to meet in a train station, strike up a friendship, and then begin to meet every Thursday thereafter, and “fall in love.” Michael is very sensitive to movies like this, and has a hard time restraining himself from bursting out in intermittent snide comments directed right at the people in the film. “Yeah, you’re not in love, you’re in lust.” “This won’t last.” “The trap is being set.” “What about your wife and kids, buddy?” “Look, they’re walking straight into the snare” and so on. Since the film is almost 70 years old, it’s discreet compared to what is offered today, but I always get a silent kick out of Michael’s reactions to things like this. Because if he were dealing with the actual people instead of the ones portrayed on the screen, he would be merciful, gentle, and patient. He would speak the truth and say very direct things like, “You need to cut this off and return to your wife today,” but he would do so in humility that would make the truth easier to bear.
The wind howled all night and when I got up this morning at 5:30 the outside thermometer read seven below zero. Even when we turn our thermostat down at night and the house cools down, we stay warm because we have two little stove-pipe-shaped dogs who dive under the covers, then come out an hour later panting, all night long. Under the covers and out, under the covers and out. I feel like I’m Edith and Millie’s personal valet during the dark hours. “Oh I’m so sorry, am I not giving you enough room dear? Here, let me move over to the side where I’m almost falling off the bed so you can have more space to stretch out! Oh pardon! I’m sorry I didn’t notice you staring at me in the dark! Let me turn over and lift the covers up so you can tunnel down by our feet to keep yourself warm! I’ll get back to sleep, no worries!” It’s called Indentured Schnauzitude.
I have been craving my mother’s beef and cheese enchiladas lately, so that is what I’m making for dinner tonight. Many of the recipes online call for flour tortillas, but a true enchilada is made from corn tortillas and that’s what I’ll be using. Chopped green chiles, finely diced purple onion, ground cumin, two kinds of grated cheese, enchilada sauce…all baked until the cheese bubbles and served with a generous sprinkling of chopped, fresh cilantro. Yum. What are you having for dinner tonight?
Sunday was my granddaughter Clara’s birthday and as I’ve been doing with my grandbabies these past couple of years, I gave her a list of things to choose from for her gift. She could choose three, and she called to tell me that she wants to 1. spend the night at Grandpa and Grandma’s house, 2. go out to dinner at Old Country Buffet, and 3. pick out a gift at Barnes and Noble. I look forward to her coming over this afternoon because we always have such a nice time together.
I have a book I’d like to give away this week. It’s called The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey, and you can read a little about it here. It’s a beautifully written book I can’t compare to anything else I’ve ever read, but it would not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you’re squeamish about things like animal trapping. You can win this book if you have never left a comment on my blog before, and you leave one today. 🙂 Your email and personal information is never published and you don’t even have to share your name. A random drawing from those who are leaving a comment for the first time will be held on Thursday and the winner announced then.
I hope you’re staying warm if you live where it’s cold, I hope you’re staying cool if you live where it’s hot, and I hope no matter what’s going on in your life these days, you can find many things to thank God for.
He is with us, and that is His promise.
Indentured Schnauzitude are in your bed while a “prideful Poky is on mine and he too wants his own way, as he will very quietly growl in a low almost not hearable tone to let me know I am pushing him a way when he does not want to be pushed away. The difference here is that he sleeps on top of the bed and under the Bed spread, but not under the covers, yet he still thinks he is boss. Like Micahel I too make some comments when I watch some movies, not bad remarks just the same my wife is not always happy that I even talk as she does not enjoy any conversation at all even in a loving manner if she is enjoying the movie, 🙁
I can just picture the Noble Pokey doing what you’ve written here, Lar. I prefer that people not talk while I watch TV too. But I break my own rules and speak up myself! 🙂
Julie this blog post made me smile out loud so I just had to leave a comment. Thanks for the reminder of what it’s like sleeping with a dog! Indentured Maltitude I’d have to call my experience 😉 Too bad you couldn’t “install” some sort of a dog door/flap in the linens, in an area of the gargantuan bed where you and Michael are not located…
We had enchiladas for dinner last night! Chicken with green chile/roasted tomatillo sauce. I went “healthy” and used whole wheat flour tortillas. So regrettable! Some compromises are not worth it! Never again. ‘Twill be corn from here on out. My favorite enchiladas are the Chicken with Mole (read CHOCOLATE) at Maya Mexican in Hermantown. Have you tried them?? Do you use shredded or ground beef in your mom’s recipe?
Miss seeing you lately!
Hi Jodi! A dog door in the bed – I like the sound of that. 🙂 Your chicken/tomatillo enchiladas sound good to me. We do like Maya but I’ve never tried the Chicken with Mole. I use ground beef in my mom’s recipe, but I have a recipe for shredded beef tacos that is so delicious I never fail to give out the recipe… 🙂 xxoo
Hi Julie, I’ m Connie, Christy’s sister. I feel like I know you from all the wonderful things Christy tells me about you and all the delightful things you share in your posts. I have been reading your blog for quite a few months and enjoying it so much. I have started to keep a thankfulness journal, and I now have “lumpy, gray” swiss musli in my fridge at all times. Ha! I just realized I should write swiss musli in my thankfulness journal! : ) I downloaded the Snow Child onto my little nook when you mentioned it before in a previous blog, but I havent started reading it yet. So it’s nice to finally “meet” you!
Connie! It’s so nice to meet you – I feel like I know you too – I’ve often been envious of the kind of sister relationship you and Christy have, since I don’t have any sisters. 🙂 I’m humbled and delighted that you’re reading – yay! Twelve readers! Hahaha. And the Swiss Muesli – isn’t it a treat? I have a new name to add to my gratitude journal today – Connie. And I love your sister a lot — you probably know that. God bless you Connie…. xxoo
Brief Encounter is one of my favourite films. I love the upper-class, clipped accents – so reassuringly old-fashioned. I also like Mrs. Miniver and This Happy Breed, both are black and white films showing a long lost way of life. Alan doesn’t comment much on films, however, he is a soppy old thing when watching tear-jerkers. We were both in quite a state at the end of Marley and Me!
I’m glad to see that Millie and Edith are in charge in your house. As a dogless, doglover, I am laughing with a hint of smirk! 🙂
As to what we’re having for dinner tonight, I’m not sure yet. We might even be spending a good part of the day at the Haematology Clinic for Alan, so it’ll probably be something quick and easy when we get home. Last time (in January) we were at the hospital for five hours waiting for a five minute treatment – oh, our NHS is really creaking at the seams! (Though we are grateful, with Alan’s treatment costing £600 plus per injection!)
I’m sure you had a wonderful time with Clara – I’m quite green with envy. I’m so looking forward to when our Louisa & David have children – we shall be up and down to Wales all the time!
The Snow Child is a lovely book. I’ve read it and found it unique. Whoever gets to win your copy will be in for a treat.
Lastly, the weather. Spring has sprung in Cornwall. On the local T.V. station last night we were told that a gardener in one of our large, English Heritage gardens said that when three of their magnnolia trees have fifty blooms each, well that is when Spring has arrived. And the tally topped the required amount yesterday. To be fair, we only have to look out of our window this morning to see blue sky and sunshine to appreciate the change of season. Spring starts in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and then travels up the UK. Our daffodils are always the first to be picked and sent up to Covent Garden. Primroses are usually one of the first heralds of Spring, but ours have bloomed non-stop since last September!
Must leave you now. The migraine I had nearly all day yesterday has gone completely and I have a lot of catching-up to do.
xxoo
It’s always so nice to read your newsy comments, Kay. I’m glad spring has sprung there (seven below zero again this morning here!) and that Alan is not in pain. And that your headache is gone. I haven’t watched The Happy Breed so will have to look that one up! xxoo
Did you like Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont?….It is still one of my favorites…
I try to stay away from movies concerning illicit affairs…much like Michael I can’t keep my mouth shut & find myself scolding the characters involved. I too have an animal that prowls around my bed covers during the night. My cat, Snickers. He likes to lay above my head on my pillow like a hat or on my feet at the bottom of the bed …..I find it extremely annoying but don’t have the heart to move him as he is so content & often starts purring as he settles in…which I find comforting! My youngest granddaughter turns 7 yrs next week. I too like to take my grands one-on-one for a “special day with grandmom” on or around their birthdays. I love enchiladas! Am finally able to eat again and looking forward to some Mexican food soon. Made a big pot of Minestrone last night ….homemade soup is still my favorite comfort food…especially when it’s cold. We’ve had temps in the low 20’s…& I don’t like it much….can’t even imagine below zero! Brrrrrr Stay warm Julie! Hugs! Linda
I enjoyed the movie very much Linda! And homemade soup sounds so good just now. I’m glad you’re recovering and that Snickers is such good company…what we do without our pets? Thank you for such a nice newsy update…hugs and prayers to you my friend. Xxoo
I had to comment as a cat lover. Having lived in snowy climes with 2 cats I can assure you the dogs are nothing on the cat wrapped round your toes who bites said toes & digs in all the claws if you dare wiggle even a little bit!
Enjoy your time with Clara!
Now that is a devoted cat mama — one who gets toe bites and claw digs and is still crazy about her little beasts. LOL. xxoo
We do not have any indoor animals right now. We gave our 9 year-old black lab to a friend who lost her husband last March. She needed a companion so we offered our dog. We do get to dog sit when she is gone for an extended time. Amazingly our dog has adapted well going back and forth. Our farm cats keep warm in the shop when the weather turns bitterly cold. I made a pot of minestrone yesterday to warm our insides when the wind was bone-chilling.
I would love to see pictures of you and your farm someday, Carrie! What a generous heart gift to give your beloved lab to a friend. God bless you for that. And soup? Perfect storm food. xxoo