Cats, Movies, Winter

A Hazy Shade of Winter

60 Comments

On Friday, the sky—to borrow from Simon and Garfunkel—was a hazy shade of winter.

In February in Maine, that can mean only one thing—snow—and snow it did, about five or six inches, which for northern New England is a nice little storm. The snow was not too heavy, and our trusty electric snow-thrower, Snow Joe, easily took care of it.

On Saturday, the skies cleared, and we had one of those beautiful winter days that Maine is known for.

Here is the view of our front yard from our living room window.

A side view from the window in my bedroom.

Kai decided he needed to look out the window, too. Perhaps he needs his own little camera?

Today—Monday, February 23—the sky is again a hazy shade of winter. A nor’easter is blowing up the coast, and this morning my daughter, who lives in Boston, wrote to tell me it is snowing so hard she can’t see the bridge from her window, a bridge that is usually visible.

South of us, in Portland, the nor’easter has hit with blowing snow and low visibility, but in central Maine, it has just begun to snow. The forecast is between four and eight inches. Again, no big deal for us.

For years, I wished we lived closer to the coast. I love the ocean and the sound of waves hitting the shore. The salt air and the cry of gulls. But now that the climate crisis is upon us, I am glad we live inland, where, as a rule, the storms aren’t as bad.

And although we live in a lakes region, not far from the Kennebec River, we live on a hill that keeps us high and dry when we do get storms. No flooding at our home at the edge of the woods. I wish I could write that this was our plan when we bought the house forty-two years ago, but it wasn’t. Instead, it was pure dumb luck. Always grateful when Chance is on our side.

Note: Long-time readers have been asking about Snow-Gauge Clif and when he will be featured on the blog. Well, I have some good news. Snow-Gauge Clif always makes his appearance on the first Monday in March and then on every Monday, usually into April, measuring the snow until it is gone. Next Monday is the first Monday in March. Stay tuned.

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Watching

How to Make a Killing

One of my blogging friends, Derrick Knight, mentioned in a comment that he can’t go to the movies anymore because he has to sit with his knees bent. I replied that in today’s post, I would show him why, with my creaky knees, I can go to the cinema and sit in comfort.

Here is the reason:

Our cinema has recliners, which I fondly refer to as Baracloungers, and they are oh-so-comfortable, especially for folks like me with creaky knees.

Our cinema, Regal, also offers a pass for $24 a month that lets us see one movie a day. Naturally, we don’t go to that many. We might be true-blue ciniphiles, but we have our limits. Usually, we see one movie a week, maybe two, depending on what’s showing. But even if we only see one, the cost is about $5 a movie, which is a wicked good deal.

Last weekend, we saw the crime thriller How to Make a Killing, a dark comedy about Becket, a young man from a rich family. Although his mother was banished, Becket is in line for a substantial inheritance, but other family members are ahead of him. What to do? Why kill them, of course. And that’s exactly what Beckett, played by the ever-charming Glenn Powell, sets out to do. Naturally, complications ensue along with a nifty plot twist at the end.

I’m only a little ashamed to admit that I enjoyed every minute of this movie, no doubt largely because of Powell’s charm. If you like dark comedy crime movies and shows, such as Burn Before Reading or Ripley, then you will probably like How to Make a Killing.

 

 

 

 

 

60 thoughts on “A Hazy Shade of Winter”

  2. From here, where we seldom have snow, it looks glorious but I can imagine its charm could fade. I like the idea of a mini cat cam and look forward to the reappearance of Snow Gauge Clif

      2. As I mentioned in my post, we do go every week, and even at the cineplex, we find something worth watching. The low price allows us to take a chance on a movie we might not be sure of, and nine times out of time, we like it. I would put How to Make a Killing in this category.

  4. Sunshine on snow; gorgeous! I like your dumb luck about your choice of location. It’s definitely something to appreciate now.

    1. Snow-Gauge Clif is coming soon! Great that the cinema you like has plenty of room for your tall husband. No fun sitting with scrunched legs even if you don’t have creaky knees.

  8. I read that along the coast this storm is rivaling the blizzard of ’78. Now that was a doozy! Complicated by gridlock traffic. Fortunately, the governors called a travel ban, so clean up will be a breeze this time. I think we ended with about 6″ though hard to tell with the drifting. How about you?

    1. Yesterday’s storm was indeed a doozy. Just not for central Maine, where we got about two inches. Yes, a travel ban is an excellent idea, and most folks seem to be taking all that snow in stride.

  11. Beautiful snow images Laurie and how wonderful to have recliners in the cinema! 💛 xxx

  14. Those loungers look wonderful. I am rather with Derrick, although you do get a bit more legroom in cinemas now because fewer people go. Your prices are very attractive.

  16. That Simon and Garfunkle song has been a favorite since it came out; it was on the first of their albums that I bought.

    I hope you escaped the worst of the snow. An acquaintance in Providence, RI reported this afternoon that at that point they already were more than four inches above the total of the ’78 blizzard. That’s impressive! It will be fun to follow Clif again. Even though we’re moving into spring, I always enjoy following his measurements!

    1. It is a good song! One of my favorites.

      As it turned it, we did escape the worst of the snow. Only two inches fell in Maine, as opposed to thirty inches in Rhode Island. Yikes!

  18. I read your synopsis of How to Make a Killing and thought Kind Hearts and Coronets. On checking, I find this correct. I will look out for it to compare the two.

    I would probably like going to the cinemas with seats like that, and with prices like that. 🙂

    1. Yes, I How to Make a Killing is a remake of Kind Hearts and Coronets. I would like to see the original and will put it on my TBW list.

      The Bacaloungers and the price certainly make going to the movies enjoyable.

  21. Snow looks so magical but that said, I would not like to drive in it. What a great idea to have recliners in cinemas, I don’t know if they have that option here in Portugal. Sadly, I’ve not been to the cinema for years.

  22. It’s lovely reading your posts again, Laurie. Gleen Powell is charming, and from what he’s said, his three sisters kept in line and so he’s not so full of himself. That’s always nice to hear. We’ve become couch potatoes of late, watching All Creatures Great and Small which sadly ended it’s sixth season, leaving us wanting more.

    See you soon, Snow-Gauge Clif.

    1. Ah, thanks! Just couldn’t stay away. Glenn Powell certainly hit pay dirt when it comes to charm. Holy cats! Good for those three sisters for keeping him grounded. Always sad when a show we love ends for the season.

      Snow-Gauge Clif is getting ready.

  27. I love the look of your garden with the snow but am glad you have it not me. We are not geared up for it here!

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