HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Random Sunday thoughts.
Cars. Have you SEEN the traffic? Around here, traffic is insane, I mean it, people have either forgotten how to drive, or figure that in the pandemic, the police won't stop speeders, so all the laws are forgotten. I already hate to drive, but this just makes it worse. It's as if 80 MPH is the norm, and you should go faster, much faster, if you can. People don't even stay in their lanes. It's terrifying.
Terrifying? We had a chipmunk in our house. I saw this THING streak by, out of the kitchen and down the hall, the fastest thing I have ever seen. It was too big for a mouse, and too small for a rat, and where did it go? Our house is big and full of things, and many rooms have no doors. So yikes, I thought this is bad. But--okay, trying to think like a chipmunk--I'm not going to veer off course and go into a room. It's running, so it's going to go straight. So I went where I would go if I was a chipmunk, and there it was. Perched on the back of the navy blue leather couch in the living room, as cute is it could be, wide-eyed and striped and just sitting there. We finally escorted it out the front door.
And if so, and you never know, you better get candy. Just in case. I am already planning Twizzlers and Mounds and Snickers, you know me.
Which means you know I love Sue Grafton. And I read on Facebook that her family has sold the rights to the Alphabet mysteries, and someone is going to play Kinsey Millhone in a TV series on A & E. Ah, Sue had always said that she did not want this to happen. What do we think about this?
And what do you think about going to the movies anyway? Have you been to an actual theater? Even to see Daniel Craig? We have decided to pass on this, and we even got popcorn to make at home. Because on a Sunday afternoon, it's fun to watch TV and eat popcorn. What's on? Football. What do we think about football?
What are your random thoughts for the day, Reds and readers?
Hhhmmm . . .
ReplyDeleteI’ll pass on the football, thank you . . . .
Apparently, the driving is just as horrible there as it is here . . . makes you want to stay home even if you think you'll go bonkers looking at the same four walls all the time [maybe that calls for a nice, quiet walk around the neighborhood] . . . .
The chipmunks here to hide under the herb garden . . . it’s the raccoons that are brazen; they just wander onto the porch and upset all the flower pots . . . .
We’re not expecting trick-or-treaters, but I’m buying chocolate, just in case . . . .
Sad news about Sue Grafton’s stories . . . such wonderful books, and they probably would make a great show if the folks involved do it right, but if everyone knew she didn’t want that to happen, it’s kind of sad that it is . . . .
Movies at home are good, as is curling up with a good book . . . .
You are so wise, dear Joan! Yes, buy chocolate. It cannot hurt. And the raccoons, yes, they are absolutely fearless. xxx
DeleteSue Grafton should have set up a literary trust which would have had control and decision power regarding any rights to the Alphabet books being sold to television, movies or any alternate media. She was such a lovely person and a talented writer. Obviously, we don’t know the family’s reasons for selling the book rights. Ms.Grafton was so adamant that her books never be sold to television or the movies, because of her experiences in Hollywood. I find the entire situation incredibly sad.
ReplyDeleteThe state of California in most places, vaccination rates are close to 85%. Most counties don’t have any Covid cases. We are living normally again, going to the movies and next week a Doobie Brothers concert.
A literary executor outside of the family contractually obligated to follow Ms. Grafton’s directives.
DeleteThe Doobie Brothers! Somehow that seems perfect …
DeleteThe outdoor concert venue requires complete vaccination or a negative covid PcR test.
DeleteI wish vaccination rates in California are as high as you say for total population as opposed to 65+
DeleteThey are in the Bay Area,
DeleteThis is total population not just 65-+. I’m not in that age group so I have no idea what those numbers are but in most counties statewide the vaccination rate is close to 75% total population.
DeleteI've gotten so I enjoy Football - as background noise or even with the sound muted so it doesn't distract me from reading or surfing the net.
ReplyDeleteTraffic doesn't seem that much worse here, but traffic was already bad.
Living in a condo complex, we don't get very many trick or treaters since there are all those steps to climb. And I seems I'm rarely home on Halloween night any more. Still, I'll probably buy a little candy just in case I'm home and someone comes to the door.
I was shocked by the announcement that Kinsey was going to come to the small screen. I'll probably watch, but I'll probably be disappointed. They never get a character I love right.
It amazes me that kids don't flock to condo complexes for trick or treating! When I was a kid, enclosed, populated, buildings were the motherlode. You could fill a few treat bags in one high-rise, you were out of the weather, and any responsible adults that might accompany you (few did in my day - times were different) were stationed at each end of the halls. Not so these days - why is that?
DeleteIt will be a very complicated casting choice, Mark, that’s for sure!
DeleteKait, in my complex, you have to climb a flight of stairs to reach two doors, then another flight of stairs to reach two more doors. Then you have to go down the stairs and climb more stairs to get more candy. For a complex with long hallways of units, I'd agree with you. But my complex isn't that way.
DeleteAh, that makes sense!
DeleteFootball was one of the first indications that my family and I had very different interests. I really dislike the game. True the athleticism of the players is remarkable. Like boxing, and other contact sports, I feel the cost in their future mental health is too great. Remove gambling from sports, I wonder how popular they would continue to be?
ReplyDeleteTraffic in Tampa will be picking up soon. We our current political scene, I expect many snow birds heading south. One can only hope most will be vaccinated. We search cars for citrus, why or why can't we do the same for vaxers? ahem sorry rant over.
I love Halloween and miss the little goblins. Maybe Dmitri, our new gorgeous all black cat will draw some in?
The above commenters have made good points re Sue Grafton's legacy. Something for all you talented people to be considering.
Happy rest of Sunday y'all. The books are calling me.
Congratulations on Dmitri! I hope he does conjure you some goblinettes!
DeleteCoralee, I hope you can keep Dimitri indoors around Halloween. Lots of weirdos around who look for black animals.
DeleteI have to agree about the dangers of football. We know so much more about the costs now...though I do love the Superbowl commercials!
DeleteWelcome Dmitri! Xxxxx lucky cat!
DeleteWe stopped watching football (not even Patriots, not even Super Bowl) when the stories about the brain damage starting coming out. Sanctioned concussions? No thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness I barely have to drive any more, and when I do, I can pick non-rush-hour times. But admit it, Hank. Bostonians NEVER knew how to drive! I was horrified when I moved to Medford 40 years ago. Wouldn't drive into town for a year...
Love Halloween and will put on my own mask and hand out Baby Ruths and peanut M&Ms and something for the no-nut kids.
I was completely shocked about the Grafton announcement and the husband trying to rationalize it. I heard her speak at more than one conf about why she would never allow it. So...who thought it was good idea now?
We went to our local Screening Room a couple of times during the summer, but we're back to movies at home. And I sometimes make popcorn!
Wild things in the house can be terrifying. I bet it was to the poor chipmunk, too.
Yes, I googled @chipmunk in the house,” and it said they were just as eager to get out as you were eager to get them out!
DeleteEdith, agree abt Boston drivers.I believe they get in their cars, start the engine, and close their eyes. When the car stops, eyes then open.
DeleteYES!
DeleteI watch football. So far this season I haven't had to get NFL Sunday Ticket to watch the games I want (Go Rams!) Our US affiliates are from Detroit so we get all the Lions games.
ReplyDeleteI think kids will be allowed to go out for Halloween this year. I may do what I did last year - buy one box of something I like so if nobody shows up (or I'm busy and can't answer the door) I'll have munchies I like.
Surprised about Grafton but I'll watch.
I've been to lots of movies. I usually go for the first show of the day and there aren't many people there. This afternoon I'm going to see No Time to Die (Bond must be seen in the theatre). As of last night only 25 seats were sold in a theatre that holds 200 at 50% capacity. Full capacity started in movie theatres and other venues yesterday but the seats around the sold seats are already blocked off so will probably stay blocked.
Let us know how it is! xxx
DeleteIt's so good!
DeleteOOH! YAY!
DeleteFootball. Irwin watches in snatches, changing channels constantly between movies and games. I think it's even worse now that I have really stopped watching TV and movies since last year. The remote control batteries wore out in 2 months and he thought it was the batteries' fault! (Snicker...)
ReplyDeleteDriving. The first time I drove to Boston myself was for a weekend date at Harvard in 1969. My new step-mother was a native and she cautioned me, "They (Boston drivers) will give your car a little bump if you aren't careful. And, they stop at green lights and go through red ones." It was all true;-)
During the pandemic we drove down to Delaware to see Rachel and family, making the normally 6 hour trip in 5 hours, NO TRAFFIC. The last time we drove down we were back at 6 hours and happy it was that quick. Our trip from Harford to Beverly, MA in the summer took 3-1/2 hours. During the early days of pandemic, it was a 2 hour drive.
Wild things in the house. Better a chipmunk than a bear. Just saying;-)
Here’s what I always heard were the rules in Boston:
DeleteA yellow light means go.
A red light means go faster.
A green light means stop, because the other guy is going through the red light.
Oh, Halloween, we go out for a special dinner these days so we hardly see any trick or treaters. I buy chocolate bars to hand out in case anyone shows up before we leave or after we come home. Sad truth: we still have a bag of chocolate bars from last year that we nibble occasionally if I have no baked goods to go with our evening coffee. I will buy new candy to hand out, but the left over stuff will join the bars from last year on November 1.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have wondered myself how long candy lasts. I bet I have some from last year too, and cannot bear to throw it out. ;-)
DeleteMovie theater. We saw In The Heights at the theater. Terrific. But it was during that hopeful lull in infection rates. I am going to Hartford Stage with my pal this coming Thursday. Yep. They require proof of vaccination and masks.
ReplyDeleteOh, so interesting! I am still so nervous about that… Let us know how you feel!
DeleteCan we talk about who should play Kinsey? Because I have to believe that Sue Grafton, being plenty rich and savvy and knew she was dying, would have set up a legal mechanism if she really truly sincerely definitely absolutely wanted to ensure that Kinsey was never made into a movie. So I do hope at least they do her justice. As for me, could we put Sandra Bullock into the way-back machine because she'd have been the perfect KM.
ReplyDeleteAgree about Sandra Bullock - she would have been perfect. After a lifetime spent in the probate arena drafting trusts and wills and working on the litigation end, I can tell you that often the person drawing up the will or trust has huge faith that the family knows their wishes and will adhere to them with minimal instructions in the documents. We always advised specificity, more often than not the testator or trustor responded that they didn't see the need and were concerned about giving offense.
DeleteSo interesting Kait! and I do like the idea of Sandra Bullock...
DeleteI can’t even imagine somebody being Kinsey. Will they put it in the 80s? How will they do that? No cell phones, no computers? Just… As it is in the original? Will that be charming or weird? And I think the books are often so internal, that I wonder how they’ll translate. As an all art, I am willing to see it. But I am sad, because I heard her say so many times she did not want this. But it is very complicated, because… For all the reasons we already know.
DeleteOne of the joys of no longer having regular TV was NO FOOTBALL. I have never enjoyed the game and then youngest nephew suffered two concussions playing high school football--those were his last two seasons. He has permanent visual damage even though his school followed all the state-sanctioned protocols.
ReplyDeleteTraffic here is relatively mild, just aggravated by the usual roadwork--so we see more than our share of traffic on the back roads from drivers trying to get around the mess.
A red squirrel got in a couple of years ago and stayed for a couple of days, hiding under the radiator. With four cats in the house, mind you. It finally made a break for freedom with Jimmy the ginger-wonder cat right on his tail. I was of no use because I was laughing so hard. The squirrel found its way out the same way it came in, apparently. And must have been traumatized and told everyone it knew to stay away, since we haven't been bothered since! Knock on wood, y'all.
Yes, we had a squirrel in our house once, too. I have to agree, it was pretty hilarious.
DeleteOh, and Sue Grafton--I agree that it's bewildering when her wishes were known to all the world. If she was that adamant, however, surely she would have taken legal steps to prevent it--she was one smart lady, after all. I can only hope that the industry does her legacy proud.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of movies--only at home--and even then rarely these days.
Flora!! You won Clea Simon’s book! Hooray! Email me your address!
DeleteHank, hooray indeed!! But I don't have your email address.
Deletehank@hankphillippiryan.com xoxo
DeleteNo to football. Yes, traffic is heavier these days on our streets, with drivers who seem worse than ever. The wildest animal I've had in the house was a mouse, brought into the cottage by a young and ever-so-proud cat who was not impressed at all with the speed with which we dispatched it (the mouse) back outside. I ignore Halloween and keep the house dark; call me the Scrooge of candy. And no to movie theatres; it's not time yet for me. But Kinsey Milhone on the screen? Yes to that, say I.
ReplyDeleteI know Sue Grafton only as an author; I didn't ever meet her or hear her present live at a launch or conference or hear her talk about why she didn't want a screen version of her alphabet series. To me, her husband's explanation on Facebook about why he's working with the particular studio (A and E, I think?) and why now seemed reasonable -- bring the beloved series to a new generation and a wider audience. I have less than no connection to anything film or Hollywood, but I do think the quality of what we're seeing on so many streaming services these days is vastly superior to days gone by. So, I am more than curious to see how Kinsey comes to life on the screen. Sandra Bullock, Hallie? Sure thing. She's a fine actor and I'd love to see her in that nifty little studio apartment on Henry's property, eating a PB and pickle sandwich!
We shall see, right?
DeleteFootball? Not so much in my house. We sometimes watch the Super Bowl, but even that is for the commercials not the plays!
ReplyDeleteWe moved to Maine in July of 2020 to escape high COVID numbers in our part of Florida. We rented an RV to do it - highly recommend that form of travel. My husband was amazed at the amount of traffic we encountered on the trip. It was much heavier than anticipated and we took care to avoid cities. At that time, much of the traffic consisted of truckers and other RV folks. Our part of Maine doesn't have much by way of traffic, but we do see seasonal increases. Right now, it's leaf peepers.
I was shocked and saddened by the Grafton announcement. She was clear throughout her life, but if she wasn't specific in her documents, the door was left open.
Are the leaves gorgeous this year? xx
DeleteNice, yes. We've had a lot of rain so the long view is gorgeous, the close up view looks a bit tired. There have been years where I had to pull over the view took my breath away. Last year was one. This year, not quite as spectacular.
DeleteI like football probably because my father played and coached at the high school level in Michigan. My family has strong ties to Penn State where my father was a research mathematician and many of us are graduates so we definitely follow Penn State football. Traffic in the Harrisburg PA area is crazy especially on our Capitol Beltway where 75 or 80 is the default speed for many; I just try to stay out of their way. And as to Halloween, one of the many reasons I like you, Hank, is you pass out Twizzlers and Snickers which are my top favorites although I must say there aren't many types of candy I don't like!
ReplyDeleteExactly! Just stay out of the way! It is terrifying.
DeleteHank, you should have called this blog, "Stream of Consciousness Sunday".
ReplyDeleteUnless I have--and I most assuredly have not--read the will, and understood every bit of it, I am withholding judgment. Because Sue Grafton could have changed her mind, too.
Since Sandra Bullock is getting a smidge old for the role of Kinsey, how about Jennifer Lawrence? Or even Jessica Chastain, although she seems too tall to be KM. Both are young enough that they could go on in a series, too.
I drove 1,000 miles last week, up to Traverse City and back to Cincinnati, and traffic was horrible. My biggest pet peeve is not signaling a lane change. That is just sheer laziness, and other drivers cannot read minds! Twice on my trip I saw two vehicles at the same time try to change into the center lane in front of me, at over 85 mph. Both times a crisis was averted at the last second, but all four drivers were just lucky. As was I.
My husband usually hardly ever watches football, but one game or another was on all day yesterday, since three college teams he follows were playing. Luckily, he keeps the sound very low.
So far, knock wood, the only uninvited occupants of this house have had six and eight legs.
We rarely went to movie theaters before COVID, maybe only once or twice a year. So we hardly miss it now.
Thanks for the Halloween reminder. I need to put all the Halloween-themed kids' books out in the Little Free Library! I'm been saving them for now, after all.
Two of my daughters are HUGE football fans, especially the Bengals, and go to the point of dressing up as their favorite team on Game Day. The tone of the week rises or falls depending on how the team did in the last game.
DeleteSo how old is Kinsey? I guess I always imagined her about 35?
DeleteSame here. Sandra Bullock, though, is 57!
DeleteWhatever, she's great. :-)
DeleteFootball: I usually watch BPL soccer at breakfast time on weekend mornings which leaves the rest of the day free. Ninety minute games plus halftime commentary.
ReplyDeleteTraffic: No sidewalks, lawn rigs parked on both sides, dog walkers in the middle of the street. A pickup truck blows through the stop sign and roars down the street, doing at least 50, headed straight for us. Choose your own adventure.
Terrifying: I routinely deal with mice. A local news outlet did a "how to and who to call" for snakes coming into a warm house. I'll run upstairs and call Animal Control.
Halloween: in unmasked and un-vaxed Ohio, I'm thinking about it. Maybe I'll stand in the doorway and hurl the candy bars into a large container for the kids to pick up. I used to hand out bagged Halloween pretzels but they're tough to throw.
Sue Grafton: I vote for Sandra Bullock, especially if she wears KM's only (or co-owned?) black dress. I can't believe Grafton didn't set up an air-tight literary trust.
James Bond: one of the best parts of Thanksgiving weekend is going to the movies, preferably a James Bond movie, with dinner afterwards when we recount the best parts of every single JB movie, starting with Dr. No. Alas, not this year, unless we sit outside to watch it.
That sounds like a wonderful tradition!
DeleteNo football these days here, except maybe the Super Bowl for the commercials. I can't remember the last time we were in a movie theater, and I can't see going back any time soon.
ReplyDeleteNo chipmunks, thank goodness (they're quick!), but we've discovered a neighbor's ferret under our son's dresser (snuck in an open door) and an opossum under the kitchen sink - NOT fun!
As for Sue and Kinsey, noooooo! I'm hoping that Karen is right and that Sue simply changed her mind (she's been SO adamant over the years), but I'm not optimistic because it seems the family would have shared that. And there's no way TV can do Kinsey justice for all her fans.
I just burst out laughing. You found a ferret under the sink? That sounds like a James Thurber short story!
DeleteI like watching football. A good game is rather like chess
ReplyDeleteDrivers are crazy. Since the pandemic they’ve become aggressive and entitled. We had two people drive out of a side street into our path yesterday. And they honk if you don’t go as fast as they want!
Sue Grafton. I’m upset. She made it clear.she didn’t want TV. Although what she said to her family in her dying weeks might be different. Happy Sunday!
Yes, I agree with all. We don’t know everything, that’s for sure…
DeleteIf you ask me about football, I would ask which football - the American version or the European version? LOL. I am not a fan of American football - I think it is too violent and American football players have very high medical costs and there is also the risk of concussion / brain damage.
ReplyDeleteEuropean football is what we call Soccer. I would prefer the European football (Soccer) to the American football.
Regarding cars and drivers, Actually I noticed that the drivers got worse after the 2016 election with more drivers flouting the rules of the road. More drivers driving through red lights. I remember the day after the 2016 election a little boy and his father were about to cross the street when a car almost hit them! They did not get hit.
When the pandemic started, because of the lockdown, there were fewer cars on the road. I have not tried driving on the freeway since the pandemic started. I remember a friend did get hit by a drunk driver in May.
With more people getting vaccinated, I noticed that fewer people are socially distancing. Yikes! I always social distance, though other people do not always do that. I find myself trying to go grocery shopping earlier in the day before there are too many people.
Your story about the chipmunks reminded me of Disney's Chip and Dale.
Sue Grafton's daughter Jamie wrote about the family's decision to adapt the books into a TV series. I was surprised because I remember that Sue Grafton never wanted that to happen. Someone wrote that they wish that Sue Grafton had a literary trust in place before she died.
Lots of random thoughts here. I am thinking about the coming shortage of paper and how we need to preorder books that we want so that the publishers know how many books to publish. Regarding Halloween, I am not going to give out Candy at the door. The children under age 12 have NOT been vaccinated Yet.
Happy Sunday!
Diana
Yes, we should talk about that for you ordering books thing! It seems like a very rickety time…
DeleteI guess I am in the minority, but I love football! Both Canadian and American (rules are different). This weekend is Thanksgiving here. I live in a very small town so not much traffic altho we are near water with lots of cottages so people do come to take their boats out of the water and close the cottage for the winter so it can get a bit hairy. Halloween? We live on a very dark street so not many kids.
ReplyDeleteCanadian football rules are different? Oh, that’s interesting!
DeleteFootball - I LOVE IT! But I will admit that it has been a rough go the last couple of years. Partly because the Patriots have been so bad (and I refuse to root for New England South aka the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) but also because I've got so much stuff to do that I don't follow the overall football world nearly as closely any more. These days, I keep track of college via Alabama and Boston College. I also keep track of some big game matchups. For the NFL, I pretty much just catch the Patriots games and follow the news about the rest of the league. And yes, it is probably too violent but everyone knows that going in these days so it can't be a surprise.
ReplyDeleteTraffic is always a problem but making matters worse is those who can't drive at all and here in Massachusetts there is the supply chain shortage of signal light fluid (HA) because most of the idiots don't use them to signal turns or lane changes. And forget it down on the Cape when it is summer time.
There are no chipmunks in my house unless my mother has Alvin, Simon and Theodore in her music collection.
There will be trick or treaters this year unless towns go around banning it because you know there's nothing towns like doing more than banning anything, whether it is for a good reason or not. However, like last year, I think it will be WAY down. I had 30 people at my door last year. I still have candy from last year! Also, a lot of organizations are now putting together "Trunk Or Treat" events where people park in a big parking lot and pass all the candy out of one area rather than walking around the various neighborhoods. Another reason there will still be candy seeking little kids (and their lying that it's for the baby that is still breastfeeding parents) is because it's FREE! Stick the word free in front of pretty much anything and there will be a feeding frenzy to rival a school of piranha vs. a leg of lamb. What I'll probably do is grab a box of sandwiches bags and bag up all the candy I have bought and then I can just drop the bag into the plastic pumpkins, bags and pillow cases of whomever comes to the door.
What do I think about Sue Grafton's work being sold to TV? Let me be clear because a lot of people are couching their words about this for fear of offending the family, but since I pretty much don't give a damn...THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE TRAVESTY! Sue Grafton had a decades-long very public stance that she NEVER wanted her work sold to Hollywood. EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS. And she made it clear that she told her kids and told them to tell her grandkids to not sell her out after she died. Apparently that literal or more likely figurative blood oath Grafton mentioned had a shelf life of less than four years. And then the family turned around and stabbed Grafton in the back in about the most heinous way they could have done. Now I know that people will say they are offended by what they did and how it flies in the faces of what Grafton wanted. But I also know the majority of the people will then turn around and watch the adaptations anyway figuring well, they are there so I might as well. Congratulations to the future hypocrites and accomplices to the family's literary crime. Let me state clearly here and now in a blog post response that no one will care about in the end, I WILL NOT WATCH THESE ADAPTATIONS...PERIOD.
I went two weeks ago to see Shang-Chi & The Legend of the Ten Rings. The movie was awesome and my friend Ann and I went to an early Sunday afternoon showing and there were only 8 people in theater. I wore my mask the whole time and when I got home everything went into the laundry and I took a steaming hot shower. Will I return again soon to the movies? I don't know. I've been watching most stuff at home and I'm fine with that. Plus, if I went to see the new Bond movie I'd have to contend with much larger audiences and I'm not into that at this point.
Jay, I went to the live streamcast of the Met Opera yesterday; the theatre wasn't full, but there were definitely tens of people there. Everyone in masks, and, because, you know, opera, I may have been the youngest one there, so I feel confident everyone was vaccinated.
DeleteI really really want to see the new Bond film. I may take your advice and go to an early matinee - or maybe a midweek matinee - where I can expect fewer people around.
Jay, you are the best!
DeleteThe supply line issue must be more dire than you thought, Jay, because so many people around here are out of signal light fluid, too. Me? Nah--I stocked up :-)
DeleteHank, I love your random thoughts! Agreed that football is ideal for also doing some sit-down chores - I used to polish the silver for the upcoming holidays while watching!
ReplyDeleteIf Massachusetts traffic is worse than it used to be, I'm going to have to figure out how to go from Maine to Virginia via eastern New York state. Or maybe by boat.
Chipmunks! You know what's worse than seeing one streaking through your house? NOT seeing one, and then finding it's stiffening body in the cat pan, where Neko likes to present her "gifts" to me.
Halloween? If little kids can sit in school for eight hours at a stretch wearing their masks, God bless them, the least they can do is have a blow out Halloween. You heard it here first, folks: buy the full sized chocolate bars!
Love that! Have it be a mask appreciation day.
DeleteOh, and about Kinsey: I read the family's statement. The son-in-law (who will be executive producer) says, "Television has greatly evolved since Sue was writing in Hollywood in the 1980s. From her experience then, she was concerned that her stories and characters would be diminished when they were adapted. But as the power of television has transformed over time, so too has the quality from writing and acting to the production values and viewing experience."
DeleteOkay, but Sue Grafton was alive and kicking in 2016, when shows like The Crown, Westworld, Berlin Station, and Fleabag premiered. She died at the end of 2017; she had a chance to see the amazing quality and story-telling potential of modern streaming TV. And she still didn't want her books on the small screen.
I suspect the family has seen dwindling book sales over the past four years, and could envision a future where the Kinsey Millhone books sell at a steady rate to libraries, earning a steady few thousands a year, OR, they turn the series into a TV show and make money off that and greatly increased book sales. Pretty sure talk about quality viewing is an acceptable gloss for "Show me the money!!!"
It’s difficult not to think that, I agree. But I guess… What do we know.
DeleteI believe the Executive Producer credit is going to Sue's husband, not a son-in-law.
DeleteI’ve never watched a football game. If I’m at someone else’s house (I have some football crazy relatives) when people are watching football, I find it to be extremely boring. I pick up a book or leave the room.
ReplyDeleteI live in one of the largest condo complexes in my city, but there have not been children coming to my door on Halloween for many years now. The kids who were here when I first moved in have grown up, gotten married, and had kids of their own. I really miss having little ones come to the door! I used to dress in costume to hand out the goodies to them. I grew up in a very large apartment complex in another city and we would have a minimum of 100 kids come to our door each Halloween!
Traffic! Oh my gosh! When I first moved to this large town/small city in the 1980s the traffic was very modest. Now, it looks like rush-hour on all the main roads at any hour of the day. It’s surprising how many people don’t know what a red light means. I’m assuming they’re the same people who don’t know what a stop sign is either. Not quite four years ago I was hit by a car when I was walking in a very clearly marked pedestrian crosswalk. The driver was apparently daydreaming and just kind of sailed through the stop sign. He was mortified when he realized what he had done.
I have not been to the movies since about two weeks before everything shut down for the pandemic in early 2020. Even though friends who have returned to the movies tell me that there’s hardly anybody in the theaters these days, I’m still hesitant to go out. One of my good friends is recovering from a breakthrough case of Covid right now, and she can’t figure out where she might’ve picked it up. But she goes to more places where people congregate than I do, and even though she wears a mask I don’t think it’s been enough to protect her.
DebRo
Yes, DebRo, I totally hear you. I am so nervous about going places, and then I see football stadiums filled with people! How do we balance this?
DeleteI watched a college football game and half of another one yesterday on TV. It has to be a team I root for or two teams I despise! As for the NFL, forget it. When we lived in Ohio I rooted for the Browns. That ended when they scarpered off to Baltimore. I pretty much ignore pro football these days.
ReplyDeleteTraffic. Bleah. Road rage has increased here. There are too many jackass drivers on the road. Little courtesy. I've pretty much quit going to museums, plays, etc. because the aggravation of getting there and finding parking isn't worth it anymore.
We didn't giv
e out treats last Halloween but unless something major happens I expect we will this year. Maybe.
As for critters in the house, not too much of that these days. In the past in other houses we've had snakes, and a bat once. Our current house is limiting uninvited guests to insects. In fact we just picked up our granddaughter at the airport last night. And lo and behold, a cockroach was waiting in the bathtub of her bathroom to say welcome back.
Nooooooooo
DeleteSadly, my Sunday is all taxes because I extended to Oct 15th because of course I did. So it's basically -- Can I write that off? How about that? Maybe this? Ugh. I hope Sue Grafton gave the fam the blessing to sell the rights, otherwise, it is disappointing that they'd go against her express wishes. Also, Twix and KitKats and keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteYOu'll be finished soon, and won't you be SO HAPPY???
DeleteHappy Sunday, Hank! The new book is terrific so far (page 91). Football: I enjoy watching a game now and then, but not as much as I did decades ago. We are Seahawks fans but don’t watch every game. Someone above said it is boring. Not as boring as soccer, hockey or tennis!
ReplyDeleteTraffic: it was so nice a year ago when more people were off the roads. We’re retired and don’t go many places other than the necessary shopping, pharmacy (got our booster shots!), and so forth. But traffic is worse now, and apparently speed limits are made to be broken. Sigh.
Halloween: About five years ago, Halloween traffic at our house dwindled to nothing. We’re on a shortish (14 houses) dead end street on a steep hill, and the neighbor kids are teens and older now, so we just leave the porch light off. I used to buy several bags of fun size Snickers and Butterfingers but then (oh, the horror!) was forced to eat them myself. So no Halloween here.
I am sorry to hear the Grafton rights were sold! She really, really didn’t want her books, her Kinsey, to be “movie-fied”. Though Craig Johnson was apparently okay with it, I feel the same about Longmire, have my own picture of him and the other characters, and won’t watch that production.
And finally, your call for favorite Fall hard drink? Cider? Hot buttered Rum? Hot chocolate w/Baileys? Else?
Oh, thank you! xxx ANd I will have to try all of those drinks, just to make sure....
DeleteHank, I love your random musings. Football, we don't watch at our house because hubs doesn't like it (although I insist we watch the Superbowl.) But I am actually a bit envious of the Sunday ritual, the feel of autumn, planning snacks and drinks, the sound of the game in the background. Not that I couldn't turn it on myself, but it's not the same. If I were going to trouble to watch a game of something, it would be soccer or baseball.
ReplyDeleteTraffic, argh. I drove part way into Dallas yesterday, and I swear every single driver in a pickup truck was trying to kill me. And there was a huge wreck that shut down the freeway. Just ugh.
Critters in the house! Here it would probably be a squirrel and the dogs would go bonkers! Or maybe they would herd it out.
Trick or treating. We don't get many. If it's nice, I may sit on the porch in my mask. It's an excuse to buy KitKats. But it means we have to shut the dogs up in another part of the house or they will bark like maniacs.
Bond, James Bond. I really want to see this in the the theater. Since I am now boosted and our numbers are down here, my daughter and I may do a girls' night out date at the theater with very limited capacity. And drink martinis, of course.
Kinsey. I think it's easy for people to judge the family from the outside. No one really knows what those conversations were. But if the books are adapted, I hope they do them well.
Yeah, I guess that's all we can think. Who knows. And yes,I'm sure they know the stakes.
DeleteI have no doubt whatsoever it’s about money. I’d bet the family thinks “get it now while the getting’s good. Bottom line: greed.
DeleteFirst, football. I'm a basketball fan for my alma mater The University of Kentucky, but it seems our football team is having an unusually stellar year this year, a 6-0 record thus far. So, husband and I watched Kentucky beat LSU last night. We actually watched a football game together. So, I guess I'm a fair weather fan for football. But, basketball is a passion, no matter what. Of course, I grew up in a basketball family, too, with my mother having played on a tournament winning team in the latter 1920s. I have a picture of the team.
ReplyDeleteHalloween. I am such a fan of Halloween. I decorate inside for it, delighting in the witches and ghosts and goblins. Alas, we haven't had trick-or-treaters for years. We leave on a road that's not conducive to walking on for that activity, and there are no longer any littles living around here.
Traffic. I can't say I'm eager to get back out driving a lot in the world, but I am usually the driver when my husband and I go somewhere. Well, we haven't been anywhere of much distance for a while, so we haven't had to think about sharing the driving. And, I must admit, Hank, that I do drive a bit fast, 80 or 85 is my preferred speed on the open road.
Sue Grafton and Kinsey on TV. Sue didn't want this, and that should have been the end of it. A good case can be made for bringing the books to life again and to even more people through a TV show, and her family all seems on board. But, I can't help but feel that they are dishonoring Sue by doing this.
Animals in the house. We once had an opossum in our house, and I didn't realize it. My son, who was a child then, told me he had seen a big rat in the family room, but I just dismissed it as a childhood fantasy. The next day I was in the kitchen and something big streaked into the dining room and under the china cabinet. Husband got right on it, and we discovered it was an opossum. Husband was able to use a broom and scoot it out the back porch, as it had gone into paralyzed zone. I never dismissed my son's observations again. Hahaha!
WOW< those are HUGE! And so funny about your son..how old was he? And you like to drive fast? Huh. A side of your personality I did not know! xoxo
DeleteI never liked football. Yes, traffic is worse. I haven't done anything for Halloween for years. I don't know the neighborhood kids anymore. Also don't feel safe opening my door to strangers.
ReplyDeleteHopefully no critters in the house, bad enough they're digging in the garden! I went to the movies with my brother, and it has been hard since he died. When my local theater closed, it just seemed like torture to go. I watched The Black Widow last night on Disney Plus and watched Downtown Abbey on a library DVD.
Wouldn't Sue Grafton's works eventually end up in the public domain where everyone and their grandmothers could use them? So maybe let the family profit and the current fans enjoy the show. I hope it is worth it. Stay safe and well.
Oh, in 75 years, right? At the earliest?
DeleteWith you 100%. Love to watch football, especially if I have an interest in the teams. Also enjoy college football. However, being a born-and-raised Hoosier, I can't wait for basketball season. Go IU!
ReplyDeleteAs for chipmunks...aren't they cute. Hard to believe they're in the rodent family. Much rather see a "chippie" than a mouse.
We haven't been to a movie theatre in years! Not planning to, either. When you have an electronics madman for a husband, you sit back and enjoy the TV picture and sound system in the comfort of your family room. Popcorn is a must!