EVOCATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Earlier this week, we drove down to Brunswick to Bowdoin College. This campus is one out of central casting with its expansive green and soaring church spires. On this day, the green was being readied for the return of students.
Our mission, however, was to visit the latest exhibit at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art. People Watching: Contemporary Photography since 1965 is a wonderful exhibit. Wide ranging in appeal with 120 works by a variety of photographers, most, but not all, Americans. The exhibit is divided into sections featuring photos on the street, at home, at work, and self portraits. Here are a few photos that I particularly liked.
SPICY LUNCH
While in Brunswick, we also met my Scarborough cousins for an Indian lunch at Shere Punjab. We four had enjoyed this restaurant last year so returned for a rematch. It’s a small place, welcoming, and looks to be family-run. We began with an order of samosas, and they were excellent, some of the best I’ve had recently.
Entrees range from chicken, shrimp or lamb curry to chicken tikka and chicken masala, along with several vegetarian dishes. You decide your level of spiciness from 1 to 10. Three of us increased our level from what we’d ordered before. I went from a 3 to 4 for my chicken curry (plenty spicy for me), while the Chief Penguin and my cousin had a level 6 on their chicken masala. Add in some papadums, chutney, wedges of garlic naan, and you have a filling, satisfying meal.
RECENT VIEWING
Murders in London
London Kills (Acorn)
The Chief Penguin and I were addicted to London Kills until we had watched it all. There are 4 seasons and 20 episodes total. Each episode is 45 minutes, and some nights we watched two of them back-to-back.
Every episode, detectives from the elite murder squad race out to the latest crime scene. They examine the body, arrive at their initial determination of cause of death and likely weapon, and then decide who will do the “death knock” visit. None of these cases is straightforward, even if they seem so. There are always individuals with connections that lead to other crimes and corruption or tangled motives and unlikely accomplices.
The detectives are Detective Inspector David Bradford (the boss), Detective Sergeant Vivienne Cole, Detective Constable Rob Brady, and trainee DC Billie Fitzgerald. When the series opens, DI Bradford has just returned from leave. His wife has been missing for months and the case is still open.
In a twist that is typical of this series, Amber, the woman who reports the first murder, appears in a later episode with a purse belonging to Bradford’s wife. Initially, David seems put off by Vivienne’s case comments, but she is sharp and insightful, often with the key observation. Rob is also a good detective and a decent guy who has a personal friendship with the boss. Trainee Billie is talented, but her soft approach to suspects occasionally leads her astray.
They are an appealing team who mostly work together well, and the series is an exciting one. It is fun to see Sharon Small as Vivienne Cole. She played the nondescript but smart Barbara Havers in the Inspector Lynley series. Highly recommended! I’m keen for a Series 5, yet to be announced.
Note: Most photos by JWFarrington. Header photo is Monday Morning, Mother of Two by Elinor Carucci, 2010.
You entice again! We will try Acorn options! We are still going through “Ted Lasso!”