Gloomy Morning

It's a gloomy morning and my mood, for once, matches the weather outside.
Rain pitters and pats on the A/C. And the leaves for the most part are gone from the trees overhead. The sky a dull dirty white burgeoning on washed out gray.
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Feeling a little less gloomy...

Cheered myself up by putting up my snowflake fairy lights in the window. Then made almond flour pancakes with eggnog/brandy in them, and bacon on the side.

Books

Listened to a bit more of the Streisand Memoir - so far listened to "When It's a Clear Day, You Can See Forever" (with Yves Montand - who she admits that she had zero chemistry with and they were not physically attracted to each other - so it didn't really work. Also apparently, Jack Nicholson was in it - but you wouldn't know it. She loved the director though, Vincent Minelli - who was a nice change from Gene Kelly and actually listened to her. (He didn't listen to anyone else). ) - and am now on "What's New, Pussycat?" (The romantic comedy that she did with George Seagal.) Dear Ghod, is she really going to go through every performance, film, television show, etc that she's ever done? No wonder this is forty-six hours long.

The only takeaway I had from A Clear Day - was sympathy for Yves Montand and Jack Nicholson. They apparently both preferred to be photographed from their left side. Montand was more comfortable singing in French (it's in English) and was horribly miscast. Nicholson was uncomfortable in his part and given the wrong direction. Only Streisand got what she needed.

I'm trying to remember what my friend said about her. One of my casual friends was an extra and had a walk-on role in Streisand's The Mirror Has Two Faces. And I don't think she liked Streisand? But I can't remember.
Streisand is in the 1% of the actors who reach the pinnacle of success. 99% never get that far. And it's not about talent, it's luck. Life is luck.

Then read some of Haunting of the House on the Hill - Hand's homage to Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, which was released this year. It's better than the last book I read (the dark fantasy novel), more gripping, and the language seems to flow better. Also creepier. But the characters in the prior two books in some respects are more likable, and down to earth? Hand's characters are a little too entitled and what's the word? Starving artist - basically people who whine about being poor, but get lots of expensive grants.

So...I jumped over to the television set. I needed cheery, mindless fare.

* Great British Bake Off - S2 Episode 2 - this was comforting. I learned how flour being a carbohydrate is combustible and if you aren't careful can blow things up and make a mess. Also, learned more about baking - in that it matters how much flour you use, baking time, proofing times, etc. (If you want baking tips? Or how to tips? Watch the first four-five seasons, after that point, it kind of melts away and becomes more by the numbers reality baking competition.)

I'm thinking we may be on the final seasons, though. The last episode of S11 was kind of depressing. The bakers were awful. Paul looked bored. As did Noel. And when Allison asked whether she could announce the winner - it's all she wanted, Noel quipped "go for it, probably be your last chance anyhow, considering it's unlikely you'll make it to another season."

The show may have lived past its expiration date? Or Noel has.

* Fargo - Episode 2 wasn't bad, but previous seasons were better written. There's some cliche dialogue in there. However the performances are spot on. And Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jon Hamm are making me feel old.
I remember when they were young and hot. (It's streaming on Hulu).

* Leo - this surprised me. It's cheerful. And kind of funny in places - I did laugh during it. Heartwarming and funny kid's story by Adam Sandler, based on the children's book of the same name. Has some cute little songs - the best one by far is "When I was ten". It's about a school pet Lizard, and a Turtle. Leo the Lizard is turning 75, and thinks he has one year left to live - so he wants to escape to the Everglades and do things he's never done. The new substitute starts ordering the kids to take one of the pets home with them each Friday - to feed and take care of.
And in his attempt to escape, Leo accidentally says something aloud and the little girl realizes he can talk. The story shoots off from there.
It cheered me up. I also got tearful during it.