While Napa burns, the wind is whipping things up here in the valley, too. It's been blowing for a couple of days, and while we've missed the close peril of fire, it has made a mess of everything else. Our pool resembles one seen in Gothic horror movies; dark and covered in rotting leaves and twigs. Not only is our own birch tree dumping its trash, but our neighbor's huge crepe myrtles are, too. "Fall" is named that for a good reason.
I finally got around to watched "Fences" a couple of days ago. I couldn't watch it all in one sitting; a whole lot of anger flying off the screen. I don't know how a cast could summon so much energy night after night for the stage play. Viola Davis was superb as Rose and her Academy Award was well earned. The contrast between Troy and his friend Bono was beautifully portrayed. I guess I liked it, but not to the point of raving.
Today I will wrap up reading James Gould Cozzen's "By Love Possessed." I read it probably 40 years ago and, after revisiting it now, realize I had no idea what it was about. Either that or I've just forgotten most everything. Here's one thing about Cozzens; he knows and uses (correctly) more obscure words than any novelist I've ever read. This novel is a (long) discourse on love; between families, friends, siblings, colleagues, married couples, youth and age. He has a lot to say; it's dense and meticulous and I have enjoyed it immensely. But to read it you have to commit to the long haul (it's 600 pages) and a good dictionary.
