I Am Thankful For My Laboratory

Greetings!

Don’t worry pals I did not catch fire in my laboratory while conducting one of my many experiments. Instead, I have been drowning under the amount of projects that I presently have on my plate. With the various tasks I have been working on, I had to set priorities and unfortunately Sundae Matinee had to be set on the sidelines momentarily. I don’t want to bore you with all the details… here’s what’s important:

1. I am back

2. I have so many delights in store for you in the upcoming months, my pretties

This latest installment of Sundae Matinee will serve as a bit of a catch-all and is filled with a menagerie of bits and bobs that I have been working on since we last spoke.

In October, Benjamin and I saw completion of our three bathroom renovations that had been taking place since the start of May! During this (hellacious) experience the plumbers had invaded my laboratory. Much like the renderings of the turkey and pumpkin shown in the image above, they were dancing and prancing in my laboratory for several months and well… I suffered a full blown panic attack.

A couple weekends ago, I spent time reopening the laboratory. What an absolute joy it is to be back in my space. I feel alive once again. It is an absolute thrill to be in a place that not only makes me happy, but inspires much of what I create. Until I started working in this space again last week, I did not realize how important my laboratory is to my well being. I will never take it for granted and can’t wait to share with you the things I am working on. Next week I hope to post some photos of the laboratory and give you a behind the scenes look at where I conduct my brainstorms and experiments.

This week I am proud of… a lot. Here’s a run down.

• I have been writing up a storm

• Completed another episode of my podcast, Cinematic Crypt

• The art of creating boundaries

• Taking steps to build a community

• Learning it is OK to nap

Here’s a quartet of articles that I am pleased as punch to share with you.

• My interview with Turner Classic Movie Host Eddie Muller, here 

• My review of the tense psychological thriller, Heretic here - it is now in theaters

• My interview with the writers of Apartment 7A, here - now streaming on Paramount+

• My write-up of four must watch 2024 documentaries, here 

Have you listened to latest episode of Cinematic Crypt? Each episode I, Batzina Belfry, travel six feet under to pry open a coffin of one of my favorite Hollywood corpses and perform a post-watch examination of one their forgotten films. This marks the second episode in the series, PREACHER CREATURES. I invite you into the crypt, a cinematic place of worship, to dissect preachers that may appear to follow the good book but O-M-G they will not be going to a good place.

In episode 040, I uncover the corpse of Barbara Stanwyck to examine the 1931 film, The Miracle Woman directed by Frank Capra. I also drop in on everyone’s favorite village doctor, Ashley Jane Carruthers, with a visit to the Morgue to dig up character corpse David Manners. Tune in here or wherever you catch fine movie podcasts.

This week I recommend checking out… fragrance inks. I recently became aware that one is able to procure ink that smells like bananas and, well my friends, I am delirious over this new discovery. For the past forty some odd years, my handwriting could have smelled like strawberries and learning something like this exists is another reason for me to get out bed in the morning. Take a look at the offerings here and listen… I would not be upset if someone sent me that ink advent calendar (P.O. Box 20172 Philadelphia, PA 19145, Attn: Rosalie Kicks)

Got mail? Speaking of mail… I am getting ready to send out my holiday greeting cards. If you would like to receive handwritten mail from me in December, shoot me your mailing address here.

Happy you are here. xx. goodbye.

Tell a friend.