We’re enjoying (I think I mean that) a brief heatwave this week, one that is threatening thunder this afternoon (Thursday) and all through tomorrow. It’s been too hot – hot, like a furnace – to charge about doing anything interesting aside from walking with Scout and retreating from the woods due to the resurgent mosquitoes. I got multiple bites on my right shoulder after something got in under my long sleeved shirt. It chewed away for quite some time until I noticed. Itchy…
The furnace outside has meant mostly staying inside, time well spent with reading, writing and watching a few movies. The best of the movie bunch for me was The Furnace, (yup, you’ve seen what I’ve done here) an Australian outback western set in the late 1800s.
Spectacular locations, more bugs than even in our local woods, and a ripping yarn full of interesting characters doing bad and not so bad things due to greed over gold. An exciting and thought provoking piece, with lots to chew over regarding race, avarice, indigenous rights, immigrant experiences and camels. Yup, camels. If you don’t like camels, don’t watch the movie, you’ll only get the hump. (It’s warm, I’m tired, this is the best I’ve got…) If you’re interested, here’s a better review: The Furnace Guardian review – I think this review acknowledges the Treasure of the Sierra Madre vibe, and I’d agree. If it’s not up to that level, it’s still decent enough.
The book I enjoyed most this week was Snow Country by Sebastian Faulks. If you liked Human Traces (I did, even if it was long winded at times) or Birdsong or A Fool’s Alphabet then you’ll likely enjoy this one. What’s it about? Love, death, grief, recovery, political tension between the wars, identity and belonging, small kindnesses in the midst of tragedy, and, as I’ve found with most of his novels, it stays with you. Also, let’s be honest, snowy Austrian mountain scenes were just the thing to read in a heatwave and after watching the outback movie!
With the heat allegedly diminishing after the weekend, we’ll be back outside a bit more and looking to explore Quebec in early fall. It’s starting to get colourful out there.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
Phew! That sounds pretty hot for any extended time outdoors. Good idea to chill inside though I must admit I haven’t seen The Furnace. It sounds good! Have a great weekend PC and hopefully that heat subsides soon. 😊
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It’s been hot for here, maybe not north coast tropics hot or outback hot! It’s cooled off since, and feels more like fall now, and we’re ok with that. Thanks, Miriam, and I hope your week goes well (and is croc on the beach free!)
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Your book & movie choices are an excellent retreat from the buggy & overheated passing of the summer season. I should keep them in mind, even if the imminent cooling off & sudden coloration of the leaves are only a tease. As always, thanks for your help in keeping us “cool” & in perspective!
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Thanks, Walt! It was a stay inside week for sure. Fall appears to have arrived for this week.
Can’t go too far wrong with Sebastian Faulks I find, although maybe that’s the more English than I’d care to admit part of me saying that. Let me know if you read any. His multi-biography book The Fatal Englishman is also a great read.
I hope your week is off to a good start!
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Maybe watching a movie like “The Furnace” will help me appreciate what I got here earlier in the summer. Those “no-see-ums” are pesky, as are black flies. I see Scout has a new autumn collar on, she will be right in style with the colours to come, which I suspect will be splendid.
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I don’t know if you’d want to look back over those parts of a fiery and smoky summer, Jane! Hope it is clearer and cooler now?
Definitely more fall like for the coming week here, and we’re looking forward to it!
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Glad you will get a reprieve from the heat. It is getting colourful and cooler here, like a warm fall day-although it is still summer- with bright sunshine and fresh air. Glorious!
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I loved hearing the furnace and snow titles here, pc, gave me a big smile. Sounds like a good way to spend your time as you escape the extreme heat and ferocious mosquitos. I once road a camel for about an hour and it was my least favorite animal, spitting and tripping and it seemed to be soulless, so I think I’ll pass on that one. Impressive reading list, my friend, thanks for sharing it and thanks for the entertaining narrative.
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You’re adventurous, Jet – no way I’d ride a camel, not even for an hour. They have a wonderful appearance but yeah, you and others have shared their less attractive personalities…not for me!
I hope your week is off to a great start!
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Hope you have some wonderful weather this week to enjoy the fall colors!! Definitely looks like Scout should be well rested for your next adventure. I’ve enjoyed your music, movie and book recommendations over the years and have added these to my lists. I will probably have a chance to watch The Furnace this week before I have little time between football, baseball playoffs and my niece’s Halloween horror movie marathon (she’s created quite a list over the last year). Missed my morning football this weekend and hope you’re ready for the return of Everton. Enjoy the week!🍁😎
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It’s fall again today, and the rest of the week, thank goodness! Be interested to hear what you think of Faulks, and of The Furnace.
Have you heard the new Rolling Stones tune? Why not, I say, and as Keith Richards said, what else they gonna do?!
Can’t wait for your recommendations – or not – based on the Halloween horror marathon your niece comes up with!
No Everton but loads of World Cup rugby so all is well!
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Thank you for asking about The Rolling Stones song and getting me to finally listen to it, my music world has been in a funk since the loss of Jimmy Buffett. First listen I thought I really am in a music depression, but with my love of Mick and The Rolling Stones I played it again louder and then played the video even louder and loved the song. They are releasing Jimmy Buffett’s last album in November and if you have a chance check out the videos for Bubbles Up, My Gummie Just Kicked In (with Paul McCartney) and Like My Dog.🎸
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