1977
Watching “Pride and Prejudice” on TV - - a really fine movie, with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier (my first crush, after I saw him in Becket). It really is impossible to do homework under these circumstances.
Comment 2023
I still have a soft spot in my heart for this version, despite Greer Garson (and the rest of the Bennet sisters) being far too old for their roles, and the costumes being several decades off. Yeah, yeah, I know. Colin Firth, wet shirt, etc. That’s good, too.
My “perfect” version would have Colin Firth as Darcy, the Lydia from the Keira Knightley version, Donald Sutherland’s Mr. Bennet, and Matt Smith as Mr. Collins (from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!!!!). For Lady Catherine, it’s a tough call between Edna May Oliver and Judi Dench. But I’ll bet Dame Judi could have been a wonderful Mrs. Bennet. As for Elizabeth, I am torn. There are three very strong contenders: Knightley, Jennifer Ehle, and Elizabeth Garvie. Today I would say Garvie, but ask me tomorrow and I may waver.
If you have not seen Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, you should.
1987
Just home from a two-day visit to Wildwood to see Dad. It was very short… we had only a little time to talk privately. Both nights we went off to the Boardwalk with Kiddo 1 and stayed up late. I guess Dad and I are destined to correspond, not talk. Now that Kiddo is bigger, it’s hard to talk about Mom in front of her. Dad’s fingers are definitely clubbed - - more noticeably than a year ago. That’s a symptom of his lung disease. After all those years of smoking, and working with hot lead in the print shop, I guess it was inevitable., but it still shook me. Let’s hope he has another 20 years, and defies the odds. And let’s hope (heaven help me) he outlives Mom and can enjoy at least some of his retirement. I hate admitting to this thought, but its been on my mind the last two days. Dad is happy, he’s enjoying life; Mom complains a lot and finds life a burden. If Dad dies first, Mom is left with virtually no income. If Mom dies first, Dad gets his pension back, They both deserve happiness, but Mom never seems to be able to be happy. What a shame. She is intelligent and talented, but has so much trouble forging undemanding relationships with anyone (including her grandchildren). Enough, Jo.
Comment 2023
Didn’t happen. Mom outlived Dad, and learned to be happier.
1990
Well, the kids are back at home, I’m at work. Mary B. Is looking after the kids, since the nursery school is closed and public schools haven’t started yet. Sandy and I went away for the weekend - - a moms’ vacation. It was excellent; I only wish the place we stayed had been 2 hours closer.
I arrived home to find that Kiddo 2 can now say “something” instead of “gunking”. That and “ov-ov” instead of “over” were his last vestiges of baby talk. Hmmmm. My little boy’s going up. (Now if he would only stop having temper tantrums. )
Comment 2023
The temper tantrums stopped not long after his speech became clearer. Maybe the problem was frustration at not being understood. (Even worse, laughing because he was so cutely incomprehensible.)
My most vivid memory of the trip with Sandy, all these years later, is that we watched “The Lost Boys” at the B&B. She loved it; I had nightmares.
1997
I find my concentration absolutely vanishes in the presence of others, even when I am alone in my office at work, with the possibility of interruption. This is a weakness for someone in my line of work. There is no hope of daily solitude, and going into the office really doesn’t seem to result in high productivity.
The summer is coming to an end. What a wonderful summer in so many strange ways.
Comment 2023
Proof that I was way ahead of my time. Didn’t need no stinking pandemic to realize that “going into the office really doesn’t seem to result in high productivity”
Also: yesterday’s to-do list
Today’s to-do list:
(It’s ok if you don’t get it; I do.)
Matt Smith would make the best Mr. Collins! That's inspired casting. And Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was one of the best "adaptations" (have to use quotation marks here) I've seen. I didn't think I would enjoy it and then I did. Immensely. I was also struck at how your analysis of your parents and who might go first is so similar to my thoughts as my parents reach their 80s. And making art out of to do lists makes them so much more interesting.
I appreciate your P&P casting choices, except I must disagree with Donald Sutherland. He comes across as a slightly drunk, sentimental goofball in that movie. Mr. Bennet should have a biting wit and should not much like anyone’s company except Elizabeth’s (sometimes, when he’s not reading).