Six months and two weeks into my New Orleans life, I couldn't be more content. I would like to thank everyone I have met along the way. I am a granite-hearted New Englander used to both giving and receiving a frosty reception. New Orleans isn't like that. I am fitting in quite nicely and everyone, everyone has been kind and helpful, from new friends to complete strangers who are really friends yet-to-be. In New Orleans, no person is an island. Each is a part of the community adding to the color and flavor of each ephemeral and effervescent moment. You can only be bored in New Orleans if you're dead and I'm not even sure about that, having never experienced first hand (yet).
I'll be watching the Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye classic "White Christmas" at the Prytania Theater on Christmas Day. If you see me, say hello. I'll be the chap in the wide brimmed fedora, usually the only one in the crowd.
I'm thinking about seeing two movies on Christmas Day. With no family we don't have any plans aside from eating leftover goose. It's a toss up between "The King's Speech" also at the Prytania or "True Grit" which I assume is playing on Canal Street.
I'm of mixed minds about True Grit. As I've gotten older I've become a fan of a good western (I'm reading "Riders of the Purple Sage" as we speak) and I understand this version doesn't feature a lot of coarse talk and CGI. On the other hand, as I've gotten older I have become a big fan of John Wayne. Why mess with a classic? I've only seen the original version one and a half times (fell asleep during the Netflix rental) but it's John Wayne being John Wayne, which is really what he settled on being no matter what role he was cast in. We'll see. I expect to be disappointed by the new True Grit which usually means I'll enjoy a film. If I think it's going to be great, that's when I leave halfway through.
I'll let you know on Sunday after I dither about it and then decide to do something else. It's a good thing the lady of the house has the patience of a saint.
The illustration above is by Stan Ekman courtesy of Today's Inspriation, a blog about mid-century illustrators where I fritter away a lot of time and learn a few things.
Happy holidays to all, peace on earth, goodwill, etc... From the heart.
Best wishes,
WK
2 comments:
Two things struck a chord with me in your post. First, we also have goose for Christmas and love it. Your old German recipe is intriguing. Any chance you'd share that?
Second, my immediate reaction to the news of the Coen Brothers' True Grit was to scoff: that's already been done and how can you remake a John Wayne movie, anyway! But I had the good fortune yesterday to have a nice long visit with young friends who are great film buffs and (without ever mentioning remakes) we talked about good films and great directors and the amazing Coen Brothers and they left me energized and with far less of an old fogey, bah humbug, attitude about films being made today. Personally, I'm going to give it a try the first chance I get. Besides, I can always decide which is better or even find myself loving two Rooster Cogburns.
Are you going to watch the bonfires? I hope you'll at least get a chance to watch the news reports of them. They are truly local and unique.
I wish you all the joy of the season.
Best wishes to you, Anita!
I don't plan on making the bonfires this year. Papa Noel will have to find his way without me as a witness. I'm not sure exactly how to get there. Everything outside city limits is a mystery, as are so many things inside city limits. I'd rather learn as much as I can about what is close at hand before I expand.
Let me know what you think of the new True Grit when you see it. I will. I'm not scoffing and I do see the point of trying again.
Thanks and Merry Christmas. Thanks for reading!
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