Miscellany

Turner Classic Movies has been good to me lately. A few days ago they ran a Harold Lloyd marathon, and I recorded The Freshman, which I've wanted since forever. Alas, I didn't act quickly enough to get Safety Last. (That's the one with the famous clock scene.) Today they're featuring the Marx Brothers, and I'll be adding Duck Soup and Horse Feathers to my collection.

The last month or so has been really bad for us hayfever sufferers. Under normal circumstances, I take a couple of Benadryl before going to bed, and occasionally one during the day; lately I've been taking between one and three during the day, every day. Everyone I know with allergies reports the same problem, so it's not just me.

I have to remember to send O. my Christmas wish-list today. I'll probably go with DVDs again this year. Maybe some Lubitsch...

In a little while I'll be going out to pick up the fixings for paella. I don't have a paella pan; I'm going to cut the recipe in half (to four servings) and hope my wok will serve the purpose.

A Scene

I've said that I intend to give a full review of Trollope's The Last Chronicle of Barset after I finish it, and I will, but I have to comment on the scene that I just read. I think it's one of the most moving things I've read in the whole series.

( Mr. Proudie )