Monday Miscellany

There's a sense of a January thaw out there this morning.   

The snow load shown below in a photo taken yesterday has now slid and fallen to the ground. 

When the dogs and I walked through the fields, many of the hard ice slabs were softening. 

With temps in the mid-40s today, we could lose a substantial amount of the most recent snow dump. 

And, we'll probably enjoy staying outside longer thanks to pleasant conditions. 

 “I am a typical loner in my daily life... my awareness of belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for truth, beauty, and justice has prevented me from feelings of isolation.” 

                                           — Albert Einstein

For some reason Einstein's thought spoke rather clearly to me this morning. 

I taught George Orwell's novel 1984 at Sandpoint High School.

It provided a dramatic warning of what could happen to a nation and its people without vigilance and courage.   

We survived 1984.

But 2026?  

When 2 plus 2 suddenly equals 5, who knows???

Bill and I attended our annual movie at the local theater yesterday. 

We're not big movie goers, but over the last few years if a good title appears on the marquee at Bonner Cinemas---especially during January---we're all in for the previews, the popcorn and the main feature. 

Song Sung Blue and its association with Neil Diamond sounded like a runaway winner to me. 

During my formative years, Connie Francis led the early list of my favorite singers.  That's because, as a seventh grader, I usually kept track of "Where the Boys Are" and could identify with the lyrics. 

Where the boys are, my true love will be

He's walkin' down some street in town and I know he's lookin' there for me. 

It took a while cuz Bill was walking down those Louisiana streets "lookin'" when I was in Idaho trying to be found all that time!

💚💙💜

I also loved everything Andy Williams sang.  Bill and I were talking yesterday, comparing notes on whom we had followed in our teen years. 

I mentioned "Theme from a Summer Place," along with "Moon River," and Bill chimed right in, saying he remembered the former. So, we were both on the same page there.

In later teens and during my early 20s, it was a tossup between Joan Baez and Neil Diamond. 

I would never try to pit the two against each other in my rankings because in their individual ways, they were equally great. 

Over the years, I collected albums and CDs by both artists and, as time has gone by, love them even more, especially knowing that they are contemporaries---a little older than I but old.  

So, to be able to enjoy them and their classics in any way, even through the voice of a great actor like Hugh Jackman is a definite treat. 

And, that's exactly how I viewed the movie Song Sung Blue yesterday, especially after I saw some friends, both born in 1947 like I was, walk into the theater.

It was simply a "sit-back, enjoy the ride and smile" type of movie.  Without spoiling the narrative, it is important to know that there were some shocking moments too. 

Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Hudson and all the gang of tribute singers and promoters were perfect in their respective roles.  

And, the music---all fully ingrained over decades in my personal music mind--- it was just plain fun and upbeat.

I had no idea when I walked into the theater that the movie was about a Neil Diamond tribute singer rather than the man himself.  Upon learning early on, that just didn't matter.  

Hugh Jackman was that good. 

Kate Hudson, whom we first  observed in the story as a Patsy Kline tribute singer, provided the perfect partner in song and in love for Mike aka Neil. Her performance earned her a Golden Globes nomination. 

I also did not know that the movie is based on a true story which played out in Milwaukee. 

Learning this added an extra dimension to the plot because we all know the general story of Neil Diamond but nothing about the lives of the tribute couple. 

Having the element of surprise added an important dimension to the movie, again no hints coming from this post. 

I will enthusiastically divulge, though, that the movie fully worth a trip to the theater, especially if you want a "feel good" experience as January drags on.   

She's been serving dinners and lunches to us at Sweet Lou's off and on for ten years. 

The restaurant owner honored Shelli Smick recently with a nice new coat noting her ten years. 

Shelli can spot a table of regular diners and list one by one which beverage each person will order.  Plus, she's always been fun to visit with over the years. 

Probably the best part of having her as a server or even serving others at the restaurant is that continuous, beautiful smile. 

Congratulations, Shelli, on ten great years. 

My longtime friend Susie "Sky" Baldwin and her hubby Marv Schmid.

The couple spent her birthday on Saturday enjoying a skijoring competition in Colorado.

She and I spent part of yesterday catching up in a phone conversation. 

Fun day ahead today. Our Sandpoint High Class of 1965 friends are getting together for lunch. Should be some good gabbing. 

Happy Monday.