ice burns, too

I've been getting ready for Winter Storm Fern today.

What a silly name for hell.

However, hell it surely will be if it ventures down to Latitude 32 North.

I've been looking for a decent forecast of it, like NOAA has for hurricanes.

None were to found, at least not with the details I wanted.

At least I have the WSAV weather song to hum a few bars for me.

That's changed from just Monday, when today was to be 65/44.

That most positive change was welcomed with shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals.

However, the new forecast for Saturday is to be TEN DEGREES COLDER than was the case on Monday. 

That's all being attributed to Fern, a plant associated with tropical temperatures, not wintry blasts of hell. 

In any case, the timing is horrid: Dawn's annual soup party has been scheduled for January 24th for well over a month.

Me and my warm heart are still hopeful for a change in the weather.

That's why I started my day with $5 sushi, bought yesterday at Publix.

That's also to celebrate the forecast of a high of 71, which allowed me to open the windows and let all that heat in!

That's the warmest the house has been for days.

Then I got dressed in springtime attire and went to the laundry. 

I wanted to take full advantage of this warm day to wash all my long pants, as well as my Cracker Barrel poncho-jacket and my bathrobe.

It was really strange to not have any socks in the wash.

After all, it has certainly been sock-wearing weather... but I've abstained, as I can only wear the left sock right now.

I sure will be glad when this inguinal hernia gets repaired.

Oh, and I found out from a qi-yong show that "inguinal" simply refers to the "crease between the leg and the groin".

What an odd way to learn a physiology term!

Now, I think I'll settle in to watch a reward from Comcast.

I had other options for entertainment tonight, but I simply chose to stay in.

It would have meant changing clothes, and I just didn't want to.

Mel Gibson and Danny Glover won't mind that at all...

and it's been a while since I saw "Lethal Weapon"...

so their company is just perfect.

We can all pretend we're still in our thirties.

(smile!) 

Thanks, Comcast.

ISO the thyroid pill

I've been on medication for hypothyroidism since I was almost 40 years old. 

Never have I ever had that pill act the way the new refill does.

It literally begins dissolving as soon as I place it on my tongue.

At first, I though maybe the pill formulation was too loosely packed.

Then I began wondering if maybe the dosage was off.

So, I've been concentrating on using the remainder of my old prescription, just to be on the safe side.

That's the semi-gloss, oval, lavender pill on the right.

This morning, I realized I only had three of those in the bottle.

Time to find out what was up with that violin-like, pale pink, pill on the left.

So, I called the pharmacy at the Charleston VA Hospital, as they supply all the by-mail refills for the Savannah VA Center.

The pharmacist was shocked when I described the dissolving of the pill.

She had me read the fine print on both sides of the pill, then referenced her files to make sure the dosage and medication was correct.

Sure enough, those were as they should be: 125 mcg of the needed drug.

Here's the difference.

The pill on the right - that lavender one - is levothyroxine HCl, the one I've taken for more than three decades.

The one on the left - the pale pink weirdo - is levoxyl, the actual trademark branded drug for hypothyroidism.

In other words, the refill was the genuine article, not the generic form.

How about that?

She and I both learned something new!

Here's something else we both learned today.

Most pills that dissolve on the tongue are actually meant for sublingual ingestion.

That means they're to be placed under the tongue until completely dissolved.

However, the levoxyl is meant to be swallowed with water.

Really seems like they'd pack that tablet a bit tighter, right?

At least I know they're okay.

Plus, I feel a little special: the VA couldn't find any generic to fill the refill, so they sprung for the name brand...

just for me.

(smile!) 

2 more movies, 1 more carolyn!

Here she is, smiling from dinner last night!

I'd suggested OD Crab House after our movie and, as neither of us had been there in about three years, that's where we went!

We could have walked from NCG Cinema, but it truly was too cold for that...

truly!

The temp had already dipped to the 40's.

She loved the prices, by the way, and said she'll be back!

Her shrimp and flounder plate was about $7 less than over at Carey the H.

I was thrilled with my 15-piece fried shrimp basket - such delicately floured seafood, not caked on batter!

I ate every bit of it, too!

Yes, even though I'd gotten the free popcorn for National Popcorn Day!

Carolyn was not yet a member, so she missed out on that.

We have that situation rectified now.

See, she could have had reward points for her ticket and drink purchase.

She'll make sure she does next time!

Like me, she plans to hit all seven in the Rom-Com Film Festival.

Last Monday, we watched a young and tanned Elvis Presley crooning all over Hawaii - very nice!

This time, we had a rambunctious "Girls Trip" to NOLA!

Funny, not one single person talked about beignets during the entire movie - LOL!

Honestly, the two times I went to New Orleans, no one talked about them, either.

True, that was more than 40 years ago... but, still, weren't they a 'thing' back then?

Nope, they were not.

Emeril had not yet made the scene. 

Timing, timing!

Timing - that's important with the weather, too.

A few days ago, yesterday and today were both to start in the mid-to-upper 20's, making for a slow crawl to the upper 40's before a fast drop after sunset.

That's not to say it wasn't still miserably cold in the wee hours both days, because it most def was.

But the sun was able to warm us into the 50's range, so I escaped the house again today, as this is Tina Tuesday.

(smile!)

As I've seen everything new at AMC that I care to see, I widened my scope to this little cinema in my 'hood.

Wonder of wonders, NCG had a movie that AMC did not!

Moreover, it was an animated film with Owen Wilson lending his voice!

Let me say, "Charlie The Wonderdog" may have started as a sketch on an Australian TV show, but the movie has a lot of heart.

It's about a human boy and his beloved Golden Labrador retriever...

but also about an alien queen and her beloved space-exploring pet.

By the end, I was wrapped up in thoughts of my Toffee, my dear, sweet, Heinz 57 dog that I'd first fallen in love with in Panama.

Nothing quite compares to the love for, and of, a pet...

and that was the message in this little movie.

Good music from Bryan Adams, too! 

(smile!)

getting my marvel fix at asbury

As I told Kimmi and Deborah, down in Costa Rica, as well as Ryan and Katie, up in New York City, "Where else can I get Marvel at church?"

We were all gathered together on fb for Reverend Billy Hester's sermon, "On The Left", gleaned from his watching of "Avengers: Endgame".

He had advised the congregation to see the superhero movie during the week, just to be familiar with the story.

I had no need to do that.

The movie is crystallized in my mind.

Yes, even six years after seeing it, I remember all the grief undergone by superheroes, mortals, and even gods.

I'd like to say that I paid attention to the sermon, but I had the sound off most of the time.

I would turn it on for the songs: "Cuando El Pobre", "You've Got A Friend", "We Shall Overcome", all favorites of mine. 

I had the video on the entire time, watching out of the corner of my eye as I took care of business on that social media site, cleaning out 'memories', as I have done every day this past year.

Then, a familiar image popped up! 

Even masked in the Captain America suit, I knew that was Rabbi Haas!!!

Sure enough, it was him, and he gave the closing prayer!

Then, when it was time for the final number, suddenly the stage was full of costumed superheroes, both Marvel and DC!!!

All were singing, and pantomiming, along with Cheri for "Here I Am, Lord".

What a fabulous closing number!

I just may have to actually listen to the sermon.... but not right now.

I have "Father Brown" and "Sister Boniface" awaiting me.

Then there's "10 Streets That Changed America", including Woodward Avenue in Detroit, so that should be nice to hear about.

Plus, they need to be viewed so I can clean them out of my "recorder" to make room for more shows.

Comcast only allows me to "tape" so many, and I have "Will Trent" coming back on Monday and Tuesday.

(smile!) 

threesome

I'll wait while you dig your mind out of the gutter.

Hahahaha!!!

I'm talking about A*List movies, over at the AMC, taking advantage of this last warm day out of the next three or four.

Yesterday at that time was only 38 F, making me cancel my lab appointment at the Savannah VA.

Now, I have to wait almost two months for that.

Boo hiss.

I never left the house.

Not so today!

Time to get 'er done!

(smile!) 

By noon30, I was in the screening room for the first of three: "Dead Man's Wire".

A true story about a man driven to distraction by a mortgage company, I could relate.

I'd never heard of Tony Kiritsis, but that was in February 1977, when I was 18 years old and still in boot camp for the Navy.

Nor did I hear of the court case in October 1977, when I was going through "C" School in Pensacola for the Bullseye Computer Maintenance program.

It didn't help that the tale was local to Indianapolis.

I will say that Bill Skarsgard was excellent, as always.

I didn't even recognize Cary Elwes as his buddy, the undercover cop!

In my defense, I'd just seen him last Sunday in "The Princess Bride", where he was 38 years younger (than his current 63 years old). 

Great music in this film, and everything - even the film method - felt just like it had stepped out of the late 70's.

Kudos to Gus Van Sant and company!

 

After a walk, I had lunch at the cinema.

The manager, Trey, told me he "made them with love', and I truly believe he did!

Those pretzel bites were absolutely perfect - crispy on the outside, but not hard.

I saved a few to munch for my second movie, "Greenland 2: Migration".

That was at 3:30, which fit exactly with the time for Carolyn's first movie... the one I'd just seen.

I knew she'd seen the Gerard Butler post-apocalypse movie already, so I'd switched up on her.

See, I'd asked her to meet me for the 1977-era movie, but when I saw I could have a threesome today instead of a duo, I just had to do it, especially as I knew the foul cold weather on its way tomorrow.

"Chance of snow" - no, thanks!!!

Definite chance of black ice, with three mornings below freezing.

That, to me, is apocalyptic!

 

Anyway, when each of our movies were done, off to dinner she and I went to El Potro! 

I'd missed the Friday Fiesta with my brothers and she wanted flan - the choice was perfect!

We discussed our movies as we dined, then, back to AMC we went for the 7 PM show!

Yes, that would complete my trio and give her a double header! 

"Night Patrol" was very well attended, too!

I guess everyone likes a good vampire movie!

This was very good, too, with a group of racist cops cum vampires, who insert metal fangs when they're making a bust.

They're led by Dermot Mulroney, a police captain whose son has just been accepted to the 'elite' squad. 

Mind blown!!!

I last saw him in "My Best Friend's Wedding", which is almost thirty years old.

What a trip!

But here's a bigger one: the guy who his son is Justin Long, who I knew I recognized but I couldn't place him.

That's because I remember him as the nerdy kid that saved the spaceship in "Galaxy Quest" - which was in 1999, when he was only 21 years old.

Mind blown!!!

Carolyn and I both really liked the movie and will likely see it again.

It ain''t "Sinners", but it has some of that flavor, and that was mighty satisfying for both of us.

I'll have to mention it to the bfe, as he likes vampires.

(smile!) 

letters homeward bound

Many years ago, when I subscribed for delivery of the Savannah Morning News, there were certain sections I particularly enjoyed.

Those were the ones with the Jumble, the crossword puzzle, the comics, and that with the two sisters, Dear Abby and Dear Ann Landers.

So, when Andrew Carroll mentioned today that he'd written to them and had them post his letter, I remembered reading that.

The year was 1998.

He had started the Legacy Project, looking to collect and preserve correspondence written by American military during years of battle.

The bulk of those thousands of pieces of mail are now safely stored at Chapman University, in the Leatherby Libraries.

I say "the bulk" because he had a few letters with him for his talk at The Learning Center of the Senior Citizens, Inc., building.

This was my first time attending anything there.

I've had several people talk enthusiastically about their lectures, but the cost ($20 to $30 per hour of the talk) was a bit too much for me.

I could become a member and have those lectures for half the cost, but membership was $75 annually, which meant I'd have to commit to at least five to offset that investment.

My entertainment budget is devoted to musicals, plays, and movies.

And, yet, I found myself attending "War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence From American Wars", even cutting short my luncheon.

That's because the fee was being waived for veterans!!!

I saw that notation posted on fb yesterday, so I'd tried to register online, calling the center when that proved futile.

The director of the center, Roger Smith, called me back to assure me that I would be on the list - hooray!

And how did I like the lecture about letters?

As a letter-writer for most of my life, even now, I absolutely loved it!

He had letters from the American Revolutionary War, from the American Civil War, from Korea and Vietnam.

My favorite of all was this one, written by Bill Kaiser.

I know there doesn't seem to be anything but mostly empty space between his hands, but look closely.

Those are the edges of a piece of paper that he's holding.

That's because the soldier had redacted the letter himself rather than let the censors have all the fun!

Isn't that just the neatest thing??? 

This one is he called "history in his hands", a big hit with high school students.

They always want to get a selfie with that one!

What's the big deal?

It's from Adolph Hitler's private stationery, taken from his desk by American troops when they raided his bunker.

Wow.

Those two items alone made the whole lecture worthwhile to me.

I had looked forward to sharing my tale with my American Legion mates, too.

Post 36 was meeting at Two Firsts tonight and I was looking forward to this first regular meeting in almost a year.

However, that didn't happen.

I stayed there, in my car, for almost 15 minutes, but no one else came.

I was so aggravated, I even texted our Commander to find out where they were.

As it turned out, I had the time wrong.

They - meaning Doug and Billy - met at the correct time - meaning 1800 - and stayed, by themselves, for 44 minutes before they left.

I arrived at what I thought was the designated time: 1845.

I'd missed them by one minute, because I read the email incorrectly.

I'll just have to remember to mention this talk of war letters when we next meet, hopefully next month. 

That's when I'll be going to another lecture at The Learning Center, too.

Titled "Who's Reading Banned Books... And Why?", it's free.

I'm guessing I'll see Teresa Winterhaven there again.

She was at this lecture and seems to be a regular.

She also hasn't changed a bit from when I knew her at Armstrong in 2012, when both of us were on the same committee.

She was in the same department as Richard Nordquist, though I don't recall seeing her at that ceremony.

I wonder if she has retired yet? 

sisters of the new year!

Not even the cold temperatures outside could keep me in today!

This was the designated day for the Sisters In Faith luncheon and I had volunteered to bring two prizes for the bingo games.

I had to be there!!!

And so I went, bundling up in two sweaters and my Cracker Barrel poncho-coat for the drive to Asbury Memorial, bag in hand. 

Thankfully, I was met with a plethora of others who'd turned out and turned up for this friendship gathering - hooray!

We each had a tinfoil tiara awaiting us, as well as a gilded tooter to blow when we had a bingo - TOOT!!!

Charlene was the first at our table to get a bingo.

That was on the second game, too.

So she was the first of us to get to choose a prize from the gift table!

Soon enough, I had a bingo on one of my two game boards!

"TOOT!!!"

I was the first one to actually do that instead of saying 'Bingo!", of course!

Linda Combs was elated that I followed her directions!

I chose the wire basket of fancy soaps - I know four little blondes who will like those 'eggs'!

(smile!)

I was the third person at our table to win.

I resolved to not take any more prizes.

Then I noticed that Pam was only playing one of her cards, trying to keep up... and I had another b-i-n-g-o about to happen... and when it did, I pushed the card in front of her and said, "Pam, you have a bingo!"

She perked right up and was thrilled!!!

I thought only my tablemates caught what I did.

Nope!

Tim Steinhauser, our bingo caller, saw it, too.

He alluded to how nice it was to see us 'sharing the wealth' instead of being like August.

Apparently, August had won three games the last time bingo was played!

I guess that's why he left today before the games began - Tim and Linda were both teasing him!

I stayed until the ginger ale toast!

First, we all sang "Auld Lang Syne", led by Michelle Meece - I may have been the only one who knew the words.

Then I clinked glasses with my tablemates - Charlene Branan, Pam Kress, Robin Eifler, Shirley Horovitz, Kay, and another Kay - then took my leave before the last round of bingo.

I have a new event, starting at 2.

Better go while I'm out!

(smile!)