John Lithgow

I started watching “The Crown” on Netflix. I thought it might be another rehash of the Diana story. But no. It takes on the history of the British royal family in the 1930s and 40s, roughly. But what stood out was how John Lithgow has really cornered the Winston Churchill character.

Churchill has always stood out to me as a master negotiator when that skill was most needed. Essential on the world stage during WW11. Apart from that here’s an anecdote or one liner from Mel:

When I adopted my randy dog, I named him Winston, thinking I would give him some dignity (didn’t work). My neighbor got a fluffy dog around the same time she named Neville. When I mentioned that to Mel, he said they must not get along. I said, what do you mean, they’re friends. Not connecting Winston Churchill with his political foe, Neville Chamberlain. There’s always something more to learn.

I made a big batch of wild (five kinds) rice today. It was a change from the cooked fettuccini I usually precook to make the day to day food prep go faster. It turned out great and a welcome change.

Having figured out gifts for my sisters’ birthdays, I started thinking about what I would like for mine. It’s a significant one, if numbers matter. I tracked down a restaurant that has patio seating overlooking the bay and serves fresh oysters, which I haven’t had in a long time. Hog Island Oyster Co. Downside is that it’s in the Ferry Building, which means tourists. OK, late September, late afternoon shouldn’t be too bad. I was thinking of inviting James Konrad to join me. His birthday is the day before mine. He may not want to drive down from Napa, for which I don’t blame him. Plenty of time. Mai’s brother Jean-Marc might be visiting from the South of France. With the wildfires there, who knows how that would affect his travel plans.

Fall Open Studios is now in the planning stage. I have one Ten minute video I’ll try to transfer for the film night portion. It’s called “Restless – a Fairytale for the 21st Century”. To be continued….