TV, Books and Rosie

I finished watching another episode of Gotham...  the latest episodes are much better than the first two of this season, but I still don't like the reporter, Valerie Vale.  Benedict Samuel was perfectly cast as Jervis Tetch, the Mad Hatter; and I am truly enjoying his performances.  Poor Penguin!  Finally deciding that he loves Ed Nygma, and then Ed meets a doppelganger of Kris Kringle - Penguin will be crushed, I'm sure...
   Also enjoying The Blacklist this season.  I want to know what happens to Mr Kaplan, since she is chained to the foot of her iron bedframe...  And I just wish they'd find Agnes and get her back to Elizabeth, so other stories will continue...  I have to admit that I don't care who Elizabeth's father really is - Red or Kirk.  I absolutely love James Spader, but the rest of the characters, other than Dembe, are becoming a real drag.
   Just finished reading Boar Island, Winter's Child, and The Obsidian Chamber.  Have started on The Legacy of Gird, then have three more Eight Kingdoms novels ready.  After that, I'll need to visit the library again.  -  I've lived at this address for over a year now, and have received books from every club that I'm a member of.  I was, therefore, quite surprised that my last order was, somehow, sent to my previous address.  I received confirmation that it was delivered, and declared it missing; then actually looked and saw that it had been dropped off at my old address.  Of course the new tenant and the management claim to have never seen the package of books.  I'll have to order them again, and pay for them again, since they were to be Christmas presents...   I can't believe that I was so stupid as to not be certain that my shipping address was correct.  Now I double-check it each time I order anything.
   And I move in with Rosie on Wednesday...  We'll have a blast together, and I'll make certain she's comfortable and happy...   She's such a wonderful girl.

Poldark (Old & New) and Penny Dreadful

It didn't come as a big surprise that the BBC is remaking the series Poldark, based on the books by Winston Graham.   I began watching Masterpiece Theater on PBS so that I could have my weekly dose of Robin Ellis and Cornwall when I was in high school.  My English Springer Spaniel was named Zachy Martin, after a favorite character...   And the transformation of Demelza from a nasty, dirty street urchin to the wife of a landed gentleman was amazing.  In the original filming, Robin Ellis portrayed Ross Poldark - a soldier for King George, who went missing and was declared dead during the American Revolution.  He returns home to find his father dead and the family estate in ruins.  His pledged lady has married his ne'er-do-well cousin, Francis.  Ross works hard, borrows money, and makes the estate pay as a farm and tin-mining operation.  It was a fantastic series with multiple major characters.   In the new version, Aidan Turner will play Ross Poldark.
     Photos from the original, 1970s version:

Ross Poldark returns with a scar

Ross takes a street urchin (Demelza) home

                          

Ross and Demelza Poldark after their marriage

 In the new Poldark, Aidan Turner plays Ross...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last night the first episode of Penny Dreadful was shown.  The ads for the show call it a " frightening psychological thriller that weaves together ... classic horror origin stories into a new adult drama."  The characters include Dr. Victor Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, Vanessa Ives, Brona Croft, Frankenstein's creation, American adventurer Ethan Chandler, and Sir Malcolm Murray, who is seeking is missing daughter Mina.  They venture into the depths of Victorian London and have encounters with vampires and monsters of all sorts.  It is a little bit bloody for my taste, but I've seen worse on DaVinci's Demons.  Not recommended for small children, but if you like scary things with really odd twists, you'll like Penny Dreadful on Showtime.

It's Now the Year of the Horse

I was born in the year of the Fire Monkey, but with the new moon last night, we began the Chinese Year of the Wooden Horse.  In China, each year is named after one of twelve animals, which repeat.  My American birth date is 9 June, but in the lunar calendar it's 30 April - makes things very intriguing when trying to figure out your horoscope - especially when you only have an approximate time of birth.  Since Dad delivered me in the back seat of the Old Grey Ghost, he and Mom could only "guess-timate" that I was born about 3 a.m.
But that really doesn't matter.  Broncos are a type of horse; this is the year of the horse; therefore the Broncos should win the Super Bowl.  What?  You find find fault with my logical steps?  So do I.  However, I would love to see the orange and blue Broncos from Denver defeat the Seattle Seahawks in New Jersey on Sunday.
  We had about 3 inches of snow fall overnight and into this morning.  The weather folks say we'll get another 2 to 3 inches this afternoon and evening. It's 21 degrees out at 11:15; the ski resorts on the western slopes have gotten 2 to 3 feet of snow in the last 48 hours....  And the seven day forecast says snow here in Boulder every day except Sunday and Wednesday; we'll see if they are correct.  Just got back from a late breakfast with Nancy, and now her cat, Bob, is over here, eating  at my place.  She just came looking for him, and we had to chase him out from under my bed, as she is leaving again, and wants him home.  I'm home for the day, period.  Nancy's tried to talk me into going out shopping with her, but I've had enough people for the day, and would rather stay at home with only my kitties for company.
  I plan on watching Blue Blood tonight, and seeing Tom Selleck.  Almost two weeks ago, Sleepy Hollow had it's season finale - and there were some twists to the story that I had not expected.  Now I'm definitely waiting to see the next spate of episodes.  The Black List is back on NBC on Monday nights, and I watched Red kill a Washington big-wig without blinking an eye in the last episode.  And - next month, on February 27, Vikings returns to the History Channel...  The "sneak peek" for this bunch of episodes ,akes it seem that Floki is killed in battle by Rollo.... I certainly hope not!  I like Floki, and even though I'm supposedly descended from Rollo, I won't be able to like him if he does kill or incapacitate my darling boat-builder!
  In the meantime, after the Super Bowl on Sunday, we have the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on television on Thursday.  That will be quite a spectacle, and I'm sincerely hoping for no violence.  So it will be sports, sports and more sports for me.  (I suppose going a-Viking can be considered "sporting," can't it?)
 

Crisp Wednesday and NCIS

It's all of 32 degrees this morning, but the weather folks say we'll get up to 57.  It's partly cloudy and gorgeous outside - Lovey is out (I think she's taunting the cream colored cat in building B), while Nedi is sitting on the top of the cat tree, watching the ravens and crows in the back yard.  I'll be leaving in a bit to go walk Rosie, and to sort through some of my belongings at the Snow house.  I have several bags  there, mostly full of items that I will be donating to ARC and a large amount of books for either donation to the library, to ARC, or to return home and be replaced on my book shelves (currently being constructed).
  I thoroughly enjoyed last night's episode of NCIS - between Mark Harmon, Ralph Waite, David McCallum, and Tom Fitzpatrick, I became teary-eyed at least four times.  Having cared for my Mother, who had Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and a stroke, this story really hit home.  I highly recommend it to every one who can see it - and the NCIS case that Tony, McGee, and Abbie work on is also a nice little surprise. It was good.   -  I have to admit I faded away watching Person of Interest, and will need to re-watch the entire episode.

Vegas Disappointment; Upcoming Racing

I watch little television - mostly news, the game show Jeopardy!, four shows on CBS and one on the History Channel.  I detest all of the "reality" TV shows, and have limited myself to less than three minutes of viewing such "shows."  The CBS shows I usually watch are: NCIS, Vegas, Person of Interest and Blue Bloods; along with Vikings on the History Channel.  The news was released this past Friday that Vegas has been cancelled.  That is a terrible shame.  Vegas is an interesting show, set in the early 1960s, and using vintage sets,clothes, cars, and music.  It's the story of Sheriff Ralph Lamb (played by Dennis Quaid) and a mobster, previously from Chicago, Vincent "Vinnie" Savino (played by Michael Chiklis).  The episodes are based on what actually happened in Las Vegas while Sheriff Lamb, who has been on set as a technical consultant, was in office.  These are stories of love and money, in-fighting, scams, murder and  the conflict between two men who both believe that their own way is the best.  Michael Chiklis and Dennis Quaid were the co-producers of this show, and wanted authenticity.  It showed.  It was a fantastic television series - with music, action, and a lot of unforeseen twists.  Too bad  that CBS was stupid enough to kill this show and keep several of those faked "reality" shows on.  At least four of the five shows I like were renewed....
  We're coming up on a great weekend of horse racing here in the US.  Friday at Old Hilltop (Pimlico Racetrack, outside of Baltimore, Maryland), the second part of the Triple Tiara and Triple Crown series will begin.  Friday's racing includes the Jim McKay Turf Sprint, covering 5 furlongs; the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, second part of the fillies' Triple Tiara; and the Pimlico Special, which is run at the same distance as the Preakness Stakes - 1 and 3/16 mile.  The Pimlico Special began as a match race with Seabiscuit facing his uncle, War Admiral, the Triple Crown Champion.  Saturday, colts will be competing in the second leg of the Triple Crown, and most eyes will be locked on that race.  I will also be interested in the outcomes of  two jumping races  - the Radnor National Hunt Cup Hurdle Stakes and the Radnor Hunt Cup over Timber.  The Hurdle covers 2 and 3/8 miles, while the Timber race is run over 3 and 1/4 miles.
  Oh, and the young man who is charged with the theater shootings in Aurora, which killed 12 people and wounded 58 others, is getting ready to plead "Not Guilty by reason of Insanity."  Insanity in the state of Colorado is defined as being unable to know right from wrong.  From what the media has released about this man's plans, he clearly knew that what he planned to do was wrong.

Hungry Squirrels and Lottery Dreams

Yesterday was grey with occasional showers; today is the same.  The squirrels have eaten over a pound of walnuts this morning and keep asking for more.  I had fed the kits, opened the patio doors, and started to feed myself this morning, when a quick movement caught my eye.  It caught my eye, because it was about 5 feet away from my face, on top of my TV console...  I looked up to find I was being ogled by a squirrel, who was sitting on the top corner, looking at me - he apparently had enough ESP strength to attract my attention and to convey the thought that I hadn't yet put out any nuts or goodies for my furry friends.  I fed them, then I finished eating, and I then called to re-new my prescriptions.  As I was ending the automated call, Cashew was back on top of the console, just looking.  That's when I found that over a pound of nuts had disappeared in less than 30 minutes....  My "kids" do have good appetites.  Since it is raining hard at my apartment, I cancelled my walk with Rosie today, but we should have a good stretch tomorrow, as it is supposed to clear and get a little warmer.
  The next lottery drawing, on Saturday, is for approximately $270 million.  I have to admit I've been dreaming about what I'd do with that money.  My best friends and relatives would get cash, with taxes already paid; I'd set up trust funds for several no kill animal shelters across the country and for Catch-Neuter-Release programs;  I'd buy a house on Chincoteague Island, and find a place nearby where I could keep a couple of riding horses.  I'd make several short trips - mainly because I dislike being away from my kits for any length of time - and see all the places I've dreamed of visiting, and all the places made familiar by books.  I 'd love to be able to spend some time in Denmark and Sweden, doing more investigating on the family tree; and there are many places in states that I would like to explore - but I'd have to find a pet-friendly place to stay, because my kits would go with me, here in the US.  Big time day dreams, I know...  But we all have to have at least one single dream to keep us going!
  Tonight is the season finale for Person of Interest; tomorrow night we get to see the season finales for Vegas and Blue Bloods.   (And, being a dufus, I had no idea that CBS has it's own on-line store, selling T-shirts, mugs, and all sorts of other things, for their shows - you can check it out at http://bit.ly/ZPQ3Gs )

A Murder of Crows

I was awakened by a murder of crows this morning - there were more than 28 of them, sitting in the trees and along the top of the fence, asking me to deliver breakfast. So I got dressed, then fed them and the squirrels, and, secondly, fed the cats. That was OK with Nedi, but Lovey was a little perturbed at her lower order of precedence today. She is sitting with her back to me, watching the squirrels perform acrobatics. I must say that the Azithromycin and Tessalon Perles seem to be doing a good job - I feel better already, and am coughing much less; which meant I had a great sleep last night, the first in 3 weeks. My only problem today is that the crown of my head hurts, which is kinda weird...
  I had a blast playing Jeopardy last night - of course, I didn't have to ring in before anyone, but I had $40,700 before Final Jeopardy, and I bet half of it,so I ended up with an imaginary $61,050 at the end of the game... Then I watched NCIS and Vegas - and got a full dose of all my favorite actors on Tuesday. I love David McCallum and Mark Harmon, and then an hour later I get to drool over Michael Chiklis and Dennis Quaid. Thursday night I get to watch the men on Person of Interest, and then Friday night I salivate over Gary Sinise, Robert Joy, and Tom Selleck (on CSI: NY and Blue Bloods). I am currently floating along, listening to the '60s Revolution music channel - "Wild Thing" just played, and now "Your Mother Should Know" is on... I'm certainly enjoying all the pre-teen (for me) songs that are playing.
  The Denver National Stock Show has been having tremendous attendance so far - they had almost 45,000 visitors on Sunday, one of the days during which they had a rodeo of Coloradoans versus the World... The photos from the NWSS are delightful - a two-year-old boy sitting on the back of a huge Brahma bull; the kids riding pedal-powered tractors in a race around a track stacked with straw bales; the kids in the stick horse rodeo; the rodeo clown demonstrations; the herding dog demonstrations; and all the other activities - wood carving demos, training and riding demos, grooming demos - it's just too much to take in in one day. (I still hope to get there this year, but it will depend on how this illness goes.) This weekend, the Native American Exposition also takes place in Denver, Friday through Sunday - with artists, dancing, singing, and a huge vendor area. I'd love to be there, too. So much going on, so little time and so little money to go and have a good time with.... sigh...

Native American Blood?

I spent yesterday evening cuddling with Nedi and Lovey, looking at a wide variety of catalogs that had arrived in the mail, and finishing the tenth book in the Foreigner series by C J Cherryh. After Jeopardy! ended, I just turned the TV off and curled up with the kits. It was a nice, relaxed evening. Tonight I'll watch NCIS and Vegas. I'm pretty sure that I identified Randy Quaid as one of the stars of Vegas in a previous blog. Wrong. I was dead wrong. It's Dennis Quaid, not Randy. My apologies if I offended or confused anyone. In any event , I watch these shows because I like to look at David McCallum, Mark Harmon and Brian Dietzen, who plays Jimmy Palmer. (Brian is a little young for me, but his family is local - in Niwot - and he's a very nice young man.) And for some unknown reason, I also like to watch Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis. I think it's Dennis Quaid's voice that I like the most. Of course, I could listen to Sam Elliott 24/7 and never hear enough of his voice...

  In regards to yesterday's blog and the possibility of having Native Americans on Dad's paternal side of the family - well, that just might be true... but it's something that cannot be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. First, in 1676, my 13th-great grandfather was hung by the neck until dead at the order of Governor Berkeley in Jamestown, Virginia. Captain James Crewes (aka Crews) had helped incite what is now known as Bacon's Rebellion. Crews left his property and monies to his son-in-law, but did not mention his daughter Hannah directly in his will. That has been the cause of a lot of speculation. Crews married twice to English women, but he also had a female Native American, whom he was licensed by the government "to keep." There is no real documentation on who was Hannah's mother - either Crews' Indian squaw , reputed to be related to King Powhatan and Pocahontas, or his white wives. Crews could have designated his daughter Hannah as his heir, but he chose to name his son-in-law. This has made some people think that Hannah was half Native American, which would have made unable to legally inherit anything; as there was a law on the books that Englishmen could not consort with, or marry, Natives. As I said, there is a lot of debate as to whether this is true or not... There is no hard proof.

  Second, my great grandmother might have been half Cherokee. James Loren Nocks, my great grandfather, married Nancy Elizabeth Busey, the daughter of Singleton Wilson Busey. Singleton led quite a life, and during the Civil War, was a bigamist. He lived in three places in two adjoining states, had three wives (and children with each wife), and served in the Civil War under three names, with each term of service going for a pension for each of his wives. One of his wives was a woman on the Cherokee reservation, and Singleton served in the Kansas Indian Home Guard. We have the story that Nancy was the daughter of Singleton and Nancy Goodwin. But we have no proof which of the wives was actually Nancy's mother - she is not mentioned in any Census until she pops up at the age of 16 in her father's household. So... who was her mother? 'Tis a mystery.