What I've been reading: Midnight Fugue, by Reginald Hill
A nice, tight novel-- I grow more and more fond of Dalziel over the years. Pascoe needs to lighten up, though and could be much more than just a foil to the big guy.

Crime Machine by Giles Blunt: The novel was very twisted tale set in Northern Ontario in winter with an exploration of the fur industry. Blunt and Louise Penny are two of my favorite Canadian mystery writers. No surprise there.

What I've been watching: The 39 Steps, by Alfred Hitchcock. This spy movie is one of his earlier films, with an interesting documentary on the disc about how Hitchcock was influenced by German cinema and his Jesuit upbringing. I love the physical comedy he throws in to chase scenes, for instance when the two fugitives are locked together with handcuffs and they get tangled in a fence.

What's in the dye pot: Cotton and linen wrapped around rose leaves, lupin leaves, and black tea leaves in a tannin mordant. (Boiled today.)

What's curing: Eucalyptus leaves, false indigo leaves and pods, rusty nails, copper wire, wrapped in cotton and cotton blend with an alum mordant. (Steamed two days ago.)