The adorable James Norton, who plays Prince Andrey in the BBC’s “War and Peace,” is unfortunately not a close relative but I’d love to change that. It’s a beautiful series, though showing on AandE and so crammed with commercials as to be virtually unwatchable. But so well done, I’m sticking with it. That Tolstoy guy sure could write. Thrilling. They sing a lot in Russian, haunting minor-key melodies which make me shiver. I guess it’s my Russian blood. But not as much as Mr. Norton makes Natasha and me shiver. 

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Went with friend Gretchen to “Big Mouth” on Sunday at the Panasonic – what fascinating stuff Mr. Mirvish is bringing in for our delectation. This is a Belgian actor’s one man show, spouting speeches from Pericles to Ann Coulter to show how orators through the millennia have used words to move us. Flawed but always interesting.

And then Downton. Perfection! Wonderful to see my friend Dame Harriet Walter back on as Lady Shackleton, sparring with Dame Maggie. (I wonder if the actors who played Matthew and Sybil and who left this series have come to regret what seems a rash decision. Where are they now?)

Yesterday, Monday, a meeting with the brand new Ontario chapter of the Creative Non-fiction Collective, a small, select group. Much discussion of how little money there is in our profession, but also laughs and encouragement. Good to meet other crazy people.

Heard from a former student today, a beautiful note that meant a great deal.