Birds. One of my favorite aspects of living on Sarasota Bay in a nature preserve is all the different species of birds. We had one of those exceedingly low tides last week and with mud and sandbars exposed, birds spent the early morning hours feasting in the shallow water. There were the usual egrets (stately birds), the always travel-in-a-group ibises (with their long beaks to the ground), seagulls and terns, and one lone spoonbill. With bright pink plumage on its hind quarters, the roseate spoonbill is easy to spot and always seems to be by itself. I’ve also become aware of more songbirds in the trees along our boulevard. Perhaps they have migrated from the north; whether it’s just me or there are more of them, their presence and their songs are most welcome!
Films. As a break from holiday preparations, we manage to squeeze in two movies in the past week. One was good and the other excellent.
Allied. Set during WWII in Morocco and London, Allied stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotilliard as operatives on an intelligence mission. He is Brad Pitt, but she as Marianne Beausejour is amazing to watch. I didn’t see the trailer beforehand so I got caught up in puzzling when she was playing a role and when she was showing true emotion. She was alternately brittle and effusive. With echoes of Casablanca, the first third is somewhat slow to ignite. Good overall, not great.
Manchester by the Sea. I had read so many laudatory reviews that I was prepared to be disappointed in this film. Not. It’s simply superb. Casey Affleck deserves an Oscar for his portrayal of Lee, a socially challenged and emotionally numb loner who works as a janitor. When Lee’s brother Joe dies, Lee is named as guardian of Patrick, his 16-year old nephew. Leaving Boston, Lee returns to Manchester where he navigates a landmine of grief and troubling memories. What you get is a sensitive depiction of sorrow, tragedy and male bonding. Lucas Hedges as Patrick is both tough and vulnerable while Michelle Williams as Lee’s ex-wife Randi converses with Lee in one of the most moving scenes in the film.
Season’s Greetings
For me, this time of year is all about sharing time with those nearest and dearest to me. Whatever holiday you celebrate, be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or some other, I wish you a happy one. As we approach the winter solstice and sunset comes earlier and earlier (fortunately, in Florida that means around 5:30 pm, not 4:00 pm where I grew up) I take heart knowing that soon again we will be going in the direction of more light. So happy holidays and happy New Year. May you travel safely and have good times with family and friends!
Header photo: www.carolinabird.com
