Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Harry (Not The Royal One)


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!"

18 comments:

  1. Everything from Harry, including the kitchen sink.

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  2. Hope Dave is successful. A fresh challenge should be good.

    That end paper...

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  3. Bones and Berserkers sounds like a good read!!

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  4. I'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.

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  5. Mmmm..."clean-out-the-fridge omelette" - sounds delicious. Will you share the recipe?

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    1. Find things in the refrigerator. Put them in an omelette.

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  6. I 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.

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  7. I love the peacock window. A great swirl of colour to contemplate.

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  8. That end paper speaks volumes about the state of the USA at the moment.

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  9. Those end papers are perfect. Yes, it is exactly like that.

    Sending 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!

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  10. NC looks PARTICULARLY alarmed, as well it should be! I'll have to remember that book for when my great-nephew is older. Fun!

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  11. Codex: The windows are stunning. Like that they're not the same. Hope Dave gets the job. Sounds like he'll really enjoy it.

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  12. P.S. I'm really enjoying your walkabout.

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  13. Good luck to Dave. It's nice to be challenged artistically.
    How is it I have never heard about Bernice's bob???

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  14. I don't think the giraffe lasted long. Too funny that you just had to check!

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  15. Yup! 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.

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  16. I'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.

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  17. Look at those peacocks!
    Along 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.

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