Recently Read Books

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  • Perfect - Rachel Joyce (Fiction)
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  • An Event in Autumn - Henning Mankel (Fiction)
  • Winter in Madrid - C.J.Sansom (Fiction)
  • The Brothers - John Foster Dulles and Allen Dulles - non-fiction
  • LIfe Among Giants - Bill Roorbach (Novel)
  • Empty Mansions - Bill Dedman (non-fiction)
  • Woodrow Wilson (non fiction)
  • Lawrence in Arabia (Non-Fiction)
  • In Sunlight and In Shadow by Mark Helpren (Fiction)
  • Lesson in French - Hilary Reyl (fiction)
  • Unbroken- Laura Hillenbrand (Non-Fiction)
  • Venice, A New History- Thomas Madden - (Non- Fiction)
  • Life is a Gift - Tony Bennett Autobiography
  • The First Counsell - Brad Meltzer (Fiction)
  • Destiny of the Republic - President James Garfield non-fiction by Candice Millard
  • The Last Lion (volume III)- William Manchester and Paul Reid (non-fiction, Winston Churchill)
  • Yellowstone Autumn -W.D. Wetherell (non-fiction about turning 55 and fishing in Yellowstone)
  • Everybody was Young- (non-fiction Paris in the 1920's)
  • Scorpion - (non fiction US Supreme Court)
  • Supreme Power - Jeff Shesol (non-fiction)
  • Zero day by David Baldacci ( I read all of Baldacci's Books)
  • Northwest Angle - William Kent Krueger (fiction - I have read 5 or 6 books by this author)
  • Camelot's Court-Insider the Kennedy Whitehouse- Robert Dallek
  • Childe Hassam -Impressionist (a beautiful book of his paintings)

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Weekend

Yesterday was a pretty good day. I ran errands, vacuumed the kitchen and went to the library. I washed the towels and found one of the missing black socks and one of the missing white socks I wrote about on Friday. They probably showed up after I threatened to throw all my socks away.

I had a nice visit with my parents and I had a nice visit with my stepson and his wife. Baby Kendall Marie was asleep so unfortunately I did not get to see her. Last night I met Son Alex for dinner. I had not seen him for awhile so it was nice to catch up with him. It is always interesting talking with Alex. He is a smart guy with a kind heart. He was a little adrift after high school but in the last couple of years he has become focused and will graduate from the University of Utah this spring. I am proud of him. It was snowing lightly as I drove home after dinner. I called the Lovely Sharon on my way home. She sounded sleepy but it was nice to talk to her before bedtime, 660 miles apart.

Today was a “take it easy” Sunday. It is 40 degrees, the sun is out. It feels pretty nice for a January (almost February) day in Salt Lake. I went to the grocery store, made breakfast, played the guitar and read the Sunday New York Times. I walked down into our back yard. The snow has melted and the last leaves to fall in November lay on the ground. After they fell from the trees it snowed and so they have been buried for a couple of months. The leaves and the grass are almost the same color. The small creek in the back yard had a little water in it. It was quiet and it looked quiet. I fed treats to Neighbor’s Dog. I had not fed him treats since early December. He saw me walk into the back yard and he waited patiently at our dividing fence. I was prepared for him and had a couple of treats in my pocket. He told me hello and asked about my winter. I petted his head. It was nice to see him.

I just finished watching Woody Allen’s 1979 film classic “Manhattan”. I have probably watched this movie more than 10 times in the last 31 years. I never tire of it. I love the feel of this movie. It is not a big movie. It is a small flowing movie if you know what I mean. Filmed in black and white, the movie would not be the same if it were filmed in color. Musical tones from Its Gershwin score float throughout the movie providing a romantic backdrop to visuals of New York City. The skyline shots, street scenes, and cafĂ© scenes, this movie just feels like New York. It makes you want to walk down Madison Avenue on an autumn day, holding hands, looking in shop windows and laughing with your loved one. It makes you want to have a late afternoon cocktail at the Oak Bar in the Plaza Hotel. The movie’s treatment of woman-man relationships is funny and poignant at the same time. I think the dialogue is some of Woody Allen’s best. It is hard to believe that I first watched this movie more than 31 years ago, Two years after I finished law school. I have watched it during two marriages. I have watched it alone and I have watched it with others. I will watch it again next time it is on TV. If you get a chance watch it, for the first time or for the second or third time, you will be glad you did.

1 comment:

  1. Bud, I have so enjoyed reading your blog. I have many happy memories of our times growing up at Pineview on the "She-Ta-Bu". Anyway just wanted to say hello. love ya, Chandra (your favorite cousin) :D

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