Musings – Page 10 – Book Barmy

Agatha Raisin

Well it’s here. Agatha Raisin has come to American PBS (check your local listings). The other evening, nursing a hurt back, and with a mild pain reliever, I tuned into the first two in this series.

As always, when transferring my brain from book to the screen — there are adjustments to be made. The story lines have been condensed to fit into 60 minute segments, so you can’t be too tied to the books. But, I’m happy to report that, all in all, this is a very good adaptation.

Just like Jessica Fletcher in the Murder, She Wrote series, death and disaster follow Agatha into the small Cotswold village where she has chosen to retire from her public relations business. And, what a village — the cottages are postcard pretty and while Agatha has moved into the perfect cottage she’s decorated it with ultra modern London furnishings.

Agatha doesn’t fare well in her new fictional village of Carsley. She wears heels and tight skirts around the village, she steals her neighbor’s cleaning woman, tries to wheedle tips on the perfect quiche from the baking competition judge, who then propositions her when his wife steps away. Agatha’s perfect cottage is robbed, she enters a quiche purchased in London for the village baking competition, and while her quiche doesn’t win — it does kill someone…(no spoilers here).

As her friend and former employee Roy sums it up for her, “Look at it positively, Aggie, you’ve already cheated, been burgled, killed someone, and you’ve been wanted by the police. It’s plain sailing from here.”

The casting of the series is excellent, especially Agatha and DC Bill Wong. The village residents are, as in the books, completely taken aback by Agatha and her bumbling attempts to fit into village life. “You could give me a few hints on how to do the things that people do when they do things around here,” she pleads with a fellow village resident.

Just as the written series, the TV adaption is light, funny, and serious mental powers are not required — in fact it actually helps to be in a silly mood (or, as in my case, on pain meds).

So pop some popcorn and take a lovely break from day-to-day reality — go visit the Cotswolds with the delightful Agatha Raisin.

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A special day

Among those whom I like or admire,

I can find no common denominator,

but among those whom I love, I can:

all of them make me laugh.

W.H. Auden

Celebrating thirty-eight years of love, friendship, and especially ~~~ laughter.

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The Longest Night

It’s the solstice – so here’s a poem. Light a candle, bring your loved ones close, and hold fast against the longest night.

Peace & love, Book Barmy
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And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us – listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.

Susan Cooper

Courtesy of Stephanie HERE

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and then there’s this…

Another favorite is THIS Christmas Ad from 2013.

Happy jingle bells — indeed.

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Christmas Ads

Years ago, back when the dinosaurs still roamed the earth, I was fortunate to work in advertising. I still hold a special fondness for any really good advertising – but especially Christmas ads. It’s when advertisers and their agencies pull out all the stops to either make us laugh or tug at our heartstrings.

Here’s a few of my favorites for 2016 …

So take a break from your Christmas shopping, get yourself a warm drink, perhaps a cookie (or as in the British ads below – a nice mince pie) — and be sure to have the tissues handy…

Several of these are British ads and if you find the accents difficult to understand, click on the CC (in lower right of video) to get subtitles…

Temptations Cat Treats

and of course, Apple

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Knitting, not reading.

I know you’ve been asking yourselves, what’s going on, where are the book reviews? Isn’t this crazy little blog called Book Barmy? Emphasis on book, if you please. What the heck is going on?

Well my friends, I am deeply into my Christmas knitting projects. Within my circle of dear friends there are three little ones on my knitting list (ages two, one, and not quite born yet). I also have family in the frigid northeast who need, appreciate and wear out woolen hand knits.

And so, I am happily knitting away…

And while audio books are an option, I prefer to take advantage of my knitting obligations to persuade my husband to relinquish our television (and his Walking Dead shows ~~ shudder) to me and my knitting evenings — after all, dearest, Christmas is coming and I have to finish these knitted presents…Okay? Nighty night…

Thought I’d pass on a few of my screen time favorites.

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First, to tag on to my most recent POST – a very decent (s0 far) time travel show on a major network.

Timeless on NBC

A scientist, a soldier and a history professor travel back in time to critical historical events. They’ve go back through a rickety time machine, (okay I know, just go with it) to various key points in history, such as the Hindenburg and Lincoln’s assignation. And while they must not change the events of the past themselves, their mission is to find a rouge time machine traveler, who stole the more modern version of the time machine and is intent on dastardly time crimes. (I just love writing that phrase — “dastardly time crimes”).

It’s pure fun–the costumes and historical references are great…and while it’s not Masterpiece Theater, Timeless is very well scripted — and worthy escape television.

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The Crown on Netflix

This is a lavish, Netflix-original drama which chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. I’m only a few episodes into the series which begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen. It portrays, with great empathy, what this remarkable young woman had to take on when she ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. The costumes and scenery are jaw-dropping, and as an added bonus, John Lithgow plays Churchill. Mesmerizing TV for any Anglophile.

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Vera on PBS

Based on the novels by crime writer Ann Cleeves, these are a distinctly different sort of crime series.

Based in Yorkshire, DCI Vera Stanhope is obsessive about her work and driven by her own demons. She plods along in a constantly disheveled state, but has a calculating mind, and despite her prickly personality, she cares deeply about her work and comrades (she calls everyone “pet”).

Best to find Vera on-demand, so you can rewind to catch the accents -but after awhile you’ll get the hang of that unique Yorkshire accent, and well worth the effort.

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Graham Norton on BBC America

A British “chat” show hosted by the affable Graham Norton.

Mr. Norton, an Irish comedian, cultivates a relaxed atmosphere on his show, not just because guests are allowed to have a drink, but also because he interviews the guests all at once, on a couch. This creates a warm repartee that often is uncontrolled and extremely funny. Mr. Norton is attentive, witty, flattering without being insincere, and is genuinely interested in his guests. He also knows when to keep quiet and stays out of the way of some fascinating and hysterical dialogue. Even though sometimes the inside British references are lost on me, I find this the funniest talk show on television. Look for the clip with Bill Murry, Matt Damon and Hugh Bonneville on YouTube. (I can’t seem to link it here.)

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Anne of Green Gables on PBS

I haven’t watched this brand-new adaption, which just aired on Thanksgiving night.

The production is gorgeously filmed in Canada and features Martin Sheen as Matthew Cuthbert. I have it recorded and am looking forward to seeing it with a cup of tea and, yes my knitting.

If you missed it, do not despair, it is supposed to air again during the Christmas holidays.

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In the meantime, fear not, I’m still here and will do some sparse reading when I’m able. I know you’ll understand

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Normal service will resume shortly

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Shameless Plug – The Big Book Sale

On a more cheery note today…

It’s that time of year again. The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library Big Book Sale. It began several days ago with unloading books and filling a large pier down at Fort Mason with over a half a million books & media.

Here’s a time lapse video of a previous sale’s set up. Watch with your sound turned on. That’s a lot of books.

VIDEO HERE

If you live in the Bay Area, tonight is our Member Preview Sale & Reception – we open the doors to members for a sneak peek — complete with wine & food!

The sale opens to the public tomorrow and goes until Sunday, 10 AM – 6 PM each day. All items are only $3 and under.

It’s not too late to attend tonight’s preview – you can become a member of The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library at our Will Call table beginning at 2 PM.

More information HERE

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My sort of Olympics

After the rest of you have retired to bed having enjoyed the 4×100 men’s relay or -Husband’s favorite- women’s beach volleyball, I have been staying up late and watching The Great British Baking Show. You may remember my first foray into this British baking competition HERE. My opinion hasn’t changed. It is still pure delight for me.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, the show highlights passionate amateur bakers whose goal is to be named the U.K.’s best. Each week, the bakers tackle a different skill, the difficulty of which increases as the competition unfolds. Unlike our U.S. cooking competitions, these bakers are never called contestants, but always “bakers” ~ given the respect they deserve. And, the show is just that — respectful, with everyone getting along, admiring each others creations, and receiving handshakes and hugs when they succeed. I dislike the U.S. cooking competition shows, filled with dirty tricks and looks that could kill among the contestants.

Like the fan girl I am, I have done some homework and discovered that the judges have the most improbable names, you can’t make this stuff up…

Mary Berry Paul Hollywood

This third season (the U.S. is one year behind the U.K.) is on many PBS stations and also can be seen on-line HERE. I record it, so as not to miss an episode. If you’re a baker you can get all the recipes there as well.

Once again the bakers span all ages, races and backgrounds — but all are interesting and talented.

It was great fun, for example, to watch Nadiya throughout the episodes as her hijab would get smeared with flour and hand swipes of frosting.

The creativity of these bakers is the most amazing. Each episode they are given three challenges, such as a 3-D bread sculpture, made of three types of dough, and one of them filled – all to be accomplished in 5 hours from scratch with proofing involved. Now, I am, at best, a reluctant baker, but the very few times I have made a bread, it was harrowing – would it rise? has it risen enough?

I never came close to tackling something like this

There was also a Chocolate Souffle challenge and to make sure each baker has a chance, the timing is staggered so the souffles come straight out of the oven to the judges table. In another contest they must construct nun towers that have to stand for 2 hours, and if you’re like me you’ll groan as some topple with only minutes to go.

Mary and Paul visit each baker as they are preparing their offerings and they take great interest in their creations — sometimes with caution “bubblegum and peppermint flavorings, really quite interesting, not sure about that…” (imagine the British accent here).

I watched the final episode last night, and I won’t spoil the outcome, but I will tell you how each season does end. No disgruntled losers stalking off , no tears or temper tantrums — with this show there’s always a finale picnic on the Highclere grounds (Downton Abbey location) with all the contestants, judges, hosts and their families having a great time, getting along, and sharing hugs.

Now that’s a classy way to end a competition, don’t you agree?

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Passport Photo

It was time to renew my passport. Husband and I travel a great deal, so I always keep my passport up to date, but also because I have a secret fantasy

I had a wonderful university professor who taught International Politics & Relations — an elegant older English woman who spoke six languages, had degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge (thank you very much), and dressed like Diana Vreeland. We met for a conference one morning and over a cup of tea, she told the story of falling hard for a Frenchman visiting London. He wanted to take her to his chateau on the Cote d’Azure, but because her passport was expired and it would take 3-4 weeks to renew it, he had to leave and she never heard from him again.

Now this was probably a good thing, she reminisced, because he was a cad not to keep in touch and extend the invitation again once she did have a valid passport…but it taught her a valuable lesson about never letting your passport expire. And her words still echo in my mind — keep your passport up-to-date at all times, you never know when a fabulous Frenchman will want to wisk you off to his castle on the Riviera.

But I digress ~~ sigh…

It was time to renew my passport and I’ve always – always hated my previous passport photos taken by some gum-chewing drugstore employee under harsh florescent lights. Erma Bombeck said “When you look like your passport photo, it’s time to go home.” Given my past photos, I never should have been let outside of my own country. I always feared I looked like a escaped convict on an international no-fly list.

Luckily, I discovered that the passport website has instructions for taking your own passport photo, and a tool to load your image to check that it will meet the sizing requirements – check it out HERE.

Donning a black turtle neck, I spent an inordinate amount of time on my unruly hair, put on some makeup, and found a blank wall for the background. Husband then valiantly suffered through the taking of dozens of photos; “no try again, my hair looks funny”, “yuck look at my double chin”, “too close — my head is huge!”, “err, nice, but let’s try another”…until we had a winner.

My passport arrived in the mail the other day and I opened it warily preparing for the worst — but I actually don’t hate it.

Now, just waiting for that Frenchman…

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