I like this house in Marylebone with its stained-glass windows depicting peacocks. There are at least four of them -- I photographed another two more than 14 years ago (!) but it's even better to catch them at night.
Why was I in Marylebone last night, you may wonder? Well, remember the abandoned giraffe? I went back to see if it was still there. I know, I know -- I'm crazy. And it was already gone, which will no doubt make Dave very happy.
Instead, in its place, I found a sign for Harry's room or cabinet or something. I'm guessing that was also Harry's giraffe -- and possibly that's Harry's kitchen sink in the background.
Dave was busy last night with an audition for a part-time, evening conducting job with a local community band. He's one of four candidates. He's had fun with the interview process and I know he's enjoyed being able to perform more challenging musical feats with adult players. I'm not sure when he'll hear back about who got the job. It would mean working one night a week with the band, which he thinks he could manage. He's feeling a bit stale, artistically, only working with middle and high school students.
I was on my own for dinner so I made one of my famous clean-out-the-fridge omelettes and watched "Bernice Bobs Her Hair," a 1970s made-for-TV movie that I remember being shown in school several times. It's based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story and it's got a fantastic cast including Shelley Duvall, Veronica Cartwright and Bud Cort. It was a film that my high school English teachers often resorted to when we had a free day in class, between units or right before a break or whatever. I hadn't seen it in many years and, lo and behold, it was on Amazon Prime at no extra cost. I enjoyed watching it again.
Yesterday I added this book to our library collection, a new volume of "Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales," a history-based graphic novel series. This one is called "Bones and Berserkers: 13 True Tales of Terror." I got a kick out of the end papers. As I told my colleague, "This is the most accurate depiction I've seen of the current state of politics in the USA!"
Everything from Harry, including the kitchen sink.
ReplyDeleteSeems like the name would make it easier for local authorities to figure out who's dumping their trash! (If they actually care.)
DeleteHope Dave is successful. A fresh challenge should be good.
ReplyDeleteThat end paper...
Yeah, I think it will be great for him if he gets it.
DeleteBones and Berserkers sounds like a good read!!
ReplyDeleteIt does! It's already proving very popular!
DeleteI've always been somewhat of an optimist but it is getting harder and harder for me to feel that things will bounce back after this Current Occupant leaves office for good. The end times of our country may very well be at hand.
ReplyDeleteEd, I'm surprised to hear you say this. You're usually so painstakingly level-headed! But I do wonder where all this is going to lead. I share your concern!
DeleteMmmm..."clean-out-the-fridge omelette" - sounds delicious. Will you share the recipe?
ReplyDeleteFind things in the refrigerator. Put them in an omelette.
DeleteI have never seen Bernice Bobs Her Hair and now I need to. Those peacock windows are delightful. I hope Dave gets the conducting job to feed his creative soul. I thought that map was current events.
ReplyDelete"Bernice" is very watchable and not very long. It was made for a PBS series, I believe, called "The American Short Story."
DeleteI love the peacock window. A great swirl of colour to contemplate.
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful on a dark London night in winter!
DeleteThat end paper speaks volumes about the state of the USA at the moment.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it?! My first thought!
DeleteThose end papers are perfect. Yes, it is exactly like that.
ReplyDeleteSending all good wishes and vibes to Dave for the job. It would be so nice to add adults to his teaching repertoire -- certainly a break in the action from kids!
Yeah, I think that's exactly what he needs -- some fresh challenges in terms of ability and repertoire.
DeleteNC looks PARTICULARLY alarmed, as well it should be! I'll have to remember that book for when my great-nephew is older. Fun!
ReplyDeleteThey are VERY popular with the kids!
DeleteCodex: The windows are stunning. Like that they're not the same. Hope Dave gets the job. Sounds like he'll really enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm really enjoying your walkabout.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's nice that there's variety in the windows, and yet consistency in design.
DeleteGood luck to Dave. It's nice to be challenged artistically.
ReplyDeleteHow is it I have never heard about Bernice's bob???
I don't know! When I was in school it was only a few years old and we must have watched it four or five times.
DeleteI don't think the giraffe lasted long. Too funny that you just had to check!
ReplyDeleteI was pretty sure it would be gone, but I went just so I could tell myself I followed up! (I couldn't carry it with me the first day I saw it!)
DeleteYup! That U.S. map is a perfect description of life these days. It's just one stupid or scary thing after another. Those peacock windows are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt really is an astonishing time, and not in a good way.
DeleteI've never even heard of Bernice Bobs Her Hair. The peacock windows are nice. I did several peacock windows over the course of my career.
ReplyDeleteAs I told Mitchell above, I think it was produced for PBS television.
DeleteLook at those peacocks!
ReplyDeleteAlong with everyone else here, I hope Dave gets the job if for no other reason than to feed his soul and add enjoyment to his life.
I am wondering if August has read the Nathan Hale books. They look pretty cool.
I bet August knows about them -- maybe even Levon!
DeleteYes, I was surprised you didn't grab that giraffe when you first found it. Oh well, it wasn't meant to be.
ReplyDeleteIt was too big to carry while I was on my photo walk. I thought about going back on Sunday but kept telling myself I didn't need it -- which I didn't! But then, ultimately, I couldn't resist checking.
DeleteGoodness! That map is... horrible, and unfortunately, too close to relatity.
ReplyDeleteHarry, Harry, Harry... what else will his room, flat or house yield? You will have to go back at least once a week to check!
It sounds good to take on an artistic challenge when the current work feels stale. Hopefully, Dave will get the job.
The peacocks are beautiful!
relatity?! What were my fingers thinking when I was typing that non-word? Of course I meant reality.
Delete"Relatity" SHOULD be a word, I think!
DeleteIt would be good for Dave to have new co-workers. I've never worked with kids, it wouldn't be a good fit as the HR people say.
ReplyDeleteWell, he'll keep his old job too. This is just icing on the cake, so to speak.
DeleteWA would have a much more horrified face although there are still people (too many) here who support what's going on in the admin. Propaganda (lies) about the government, vaccines and everything else sane are sinking this country.
ReplyDeleteIt's astonishing how much disinformation there is and how effective it is. I still think Russia is behind all of this.
DeleteIn the US, we do not know what to expect next. Nothing is predictable. The map is reality today. People are aghast.
ReplyDeleteApproval ratings for this administration are sinking, which is a good thing.
Yes, thank goodness people are starting to open their eyes! (Hopefully!)
DeleteI might have to check out that book (series). Is it middle grade? I love the inside cover! Haha....definitely appropriate for the times.
ReplyDeleteI think we have them in our Lower School library, too. I'd say 4-5 grade, optimally.
DeleteI love clean out the fridge omelette - it used to be a bit of a motto when I was younger - just add 2 eggs! I heard about Harry (the no longer royal one) on the headlines last night and wondered what the word on the street is - and it appears he lost not only the giraffe but is on the streets here!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it WAS his giraffe?! LOL
DeleteYou can't beat a clean out the fridge omelette :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It solves so many problems -- my hunger, and what to do with the leftovers!
DeleteYou can find a mystery almost any place.
ReplyDeleteSo many mysteries!
DeleteThose end papers are fabulous! Are the history tales relevant to any particular country or could an Australian child read them?
ReplyDeleteI like stained glass windows but not with peacocks.
They're based on American history, covering events such as the Alamo or the Donner Party, but I'm sure Australians would find them entertaining.
DeleteHa, your last line echoes with uncomfortable truth! And I want to read that graphic series!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness Mark Carney is out there speaking some sense!
Delete