vanity...

About this time on Wednesday, I was putting on a brave attitude.

One of the two facial moles which I've had all my life had been determined by my new dermatologist to be a possible hazard to my health.

All I could think of was the loss of self.

It was not the only one taken, but it was the one most important to me.

During the night I was awakened by wetness of blood on my pillow.

That lone mole was seeping, necessitating a second trip to Georgia Skin & Cancer Clinic.

This time, electric cauterization was used to close off its blood vessels.

That was a very different smell from the chemical staunching agent.

I was a bit sadder about the potential loss of that mole.

Today, about another 24 hours later, I am even sadder.

That red triangle around my poor burnt mole speaks volumes about its unhappiness, and my own.

I've spoken with Andew, my British friend in Virginia, about it.

His wife had one taken off, in about the same place on her face, three months ago. 

His brother died of skin cancer three years ago, from a mole gone bad that went internal and poisoned his liver and other organs.

I understand about that, having had a scare with a mole on my chest forty years ago, when I was in grad school at FSU.

None of that logic and science can help me right now.

I need to know how I will find me in the mirror, when my face becomes asymmetrical from the loss of one of the moles that mark me as myself.

I'm tired of marking my birthdays with medical procedures.

How will I adapt to a new face?

Can I?

musical monday!

Get this: it all started with the WSAV weather song.

I kid you not.

Just look at those notes trailing up and down the scale!

Taking a cue from the song in "The Sound Of Music", I figured it out.

Starting with today's high and following through the week, here goes!

LA -- DO -- MI  -- SO  -- MI -- SO -- LA

Very raggedy tune fragment, but there you have it.

I followed that with a music documentary on PBS, "Looking For Cole".

Wilfried Van den Brande was inspired to make this documentary about Cole Porter after singing "So In Love" with Kim Criswell.

That duet was in 2007.

Seven years later, the film was completed, full of the music of the man that Van den Brande regards as "the greatest American songwriter".

I loved that Porter's journals were included in this!

All those notations about "Love For Sale", "Anything Goes", "Night And Day"...

his life in Paris with his wife, Linda, the only woman he loved...

spending his inheritance from his grandpa on fun in the sun with men...

what a vibrant life he led until a horse-riding accident in 1937.

I'm so glad that PBS gave this slice of his life to me!

(smile!)

Then I was off for something different: a concert film at AMC!

"Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour" was even part of the A*List!

That meant it was free for me, perhaps as a bday68 gift from the Universe.

See, Barbara Nixon was a fan of the young American, perhaps because of her math students, so I went to the movie in memory of my friend.

The Universe was looking out for me.

I'd chosen the 2 PM, 3-D, movie time, but that had been a mistake in the schedule and wasn't actually a thing.

However, Brooke set me up with my very own private viewing...

and I could feel Boo's presence with me as I watched the 24-year-old singer/songwriter bounce all over the stage in Manchester, England.

I only knew four of her songs - "Bad Guy", "Ocean Eyes", "Birds Of A Feather", and "No Time To Die" - and that was rather glancingly.

Not so for her fans!

They knew every single word of every single song.

I should note that no one in that concert audience was my age.

The vast majority were females, in their teens and twenties, with a few male sprinkled in, as well as a few moms.

I came away knowing Billie to be a good role model for her peers, emphasizing knowledge and not sex appeal.

No wonder Barbara liked her music!

Then I finished up this day with Music Bingo in the company of our mutual friend, Sandy, as well as Marcia.

I opted for the Chef Salad at Midtown Sports Grill, topping it with the peanut vinaigrette usually reserved for their Thai Salad.

Wow, what a flavor sensation!!!

That used up the last of my winnings, too, from two months ago.

Sandy was the only one of to win this time, taking the free-appetizer prize for the second game, which was, appropriately for her, "80's Mix #2 - New"!

She does so love that era!

My card was pretty useless for that game, as well as for the first game, which was all about country music.

However, for the last game, that music was more the speed for me and Marcia, and I was only one song away from that 50-dollar prize card!

All I needed was "Feels So Good", by Chuck Mangione.

Better luck to all of us next time!

What a day full of music, and friends, for me!

i thank You, God!

vacay in georgetown: last day with ryan reynolds and stella

Here's 'Guy' (Ryan Reynolds), confronted by the 'cop with the porn mustache' [aka 'Keys' (Joe Keery)] and 'the apex predator pink rabbit' (aka 'Mouser' (Utkarsh Ambudkar). They both think he is a player of the game "Free City" and are there to boot him out. Why? Because he looks like an NPC (non-player character) and that isn't allowed.

 

Here's the sign that 'Blue Shirt Guy' has made an indelible mark on the world outside the gaming community. Alex Trebek (a fellow Canadian, by the way) has just read the clue and had it answered correctly, "Who is Blue Shirt Guy". Looking directly into the camera, Trebek then adds, "Yes, who is he, or she." What a nice nod to the anonymity that game players have!

Here's 'Guy' sharing one of his favorite places, and favorite treats, with 'Molotov Girl' (Jodie Comer), who has deigned to hang out with him now that he's racked up over 100 points. And just where are they? In a part of the game that has no missions in it, an oceanside park. And what are they doing? Eating bubblegum ice cream... which turns out to be her favorite flavor, too!!! Then they go to the swing set and eat ice cream and act like a normal couple on a first date. I just love that!

I'm so glad I go to see this multiple times again!

I did laundry while I watched, too. I didn't want Dawn and Chris to have to wash the bed linens and towels I used, so I took care of that. I also washed my clothes from the last few days.

(smile) 

I made sure Stella had some time outside, too. Just what was she looking at so intently? The geese with the seven goslings were up the bank, in Ken's yard, and he was feeding them. She realized that running up on them would be rude, so she stayed on our side of the water. Good girl!

Then, after the movie and laundry were done, and my car was packed, I took her out to the front porch. It was already 2 PM and I knew they would be home between 2:30 and 3. Sure enough, they were! She was so very happy to have them home again!!!

And me?

I'm very happy to be home again myself!

Being on vacation is nice... but coming home is, too!

Hallelujah!!!

vacay in georgetown, with 8th graders and mileage change

"Did you say "8th graders"?"

 

I did indeed! Today was the final play by those students at Savannah Country Day School. The next time I see them, they'll be in the Upper School plays! This matinee was also the final performance of "Bright. Young. Things.", which is about a reality TV show which has students competing for the top prize. It was pretty funny, but also serious.

 

"That sounds like an ambitious piece for middle school kids."

 

Oh, I'm sure it was a challenge, but they all rose to the occasion! 'Rochelle' (Julia Drake) was supposed to be having a day with her dad (Knox Dew), a janitor, but the TV station called him in to clean up a mess someone made. Next thing she knows, she's put on the show in the place of a competitor that bailed. She'll be showing off her knowledge against a set of twins, 'Jasmine' (Isabella Badea) and 'Sheara' (Arabella Hassan), who are both hoping to win this year. There's also 'Hester' (Sophie Arvizu), who has brought along the foot of her pet rabbit (who is deceased, not hopping along on three feet). 'Amber' (Katie Rodman) is just 10 years old, but she managed to get selected, though she is quite nervous about it. Then there's the lone male, 'Bernie' (Emmett Winchel), who plans to be an actor and is only there because his parents insisted. Quite a nice assortment! However, as they discover, they weren't chosen for their skills so much as for the tension that would be on stage between 'the underdog', 'the villains', 'the brain', 'the cutie', and 'the hero', to draw the audience in.

 

"Oh, how dastardly! Picked for their personalities, not their intelligence! I hope the kids didn't find out."

 

Oh, of course they did! One of the four 'producers' let it slip. Then one of the twins got mad at the other for saying she was going to "let" her sister win! It truly was fun! And afterward, the 8th graders gave flowers to the teachers and stage crew. Very sweet! I liked that the play was done 'in the round' on stage. That definitely gave a more intimate performance. And I managed to snag a front-row seat! Right place, right time!

 

"Very good! I know how much you prefer those."

 

That wasn't the only coincidence that happened. My odometer clicked over into another thousand position as I was leaving the show. How about that! The mileage was 245999 as I had pulled in, and became 246000 as I was leaving. Woohoo!!!

 

"That's a pretty wobbly photo you have there. Was that from your left hand shaking, or was that jitter from the car?"

 

A bit of a combination of both, I'm sure. By the time I noticed the important odometer reading, I had someone behind me, so I rushed the shot. I'm actually surprised it came out as well as it did!

 

"Well, I kinda sorta like it, too."

 

Thanks! It's been raining much of the day, too, so Stella hasn't had much outside time. Susan canceled the party on the patio because of the light rain, but I just grabbed my umbrella and took Stella out anyway. At least it was true this time when I blamed the neighbors for not coming out. (smile!) The ridgeback was just happy to be outside with me. We stayed out there for about thirty minutes, then I took her in and dried her off. Can't have her catching a cold!

 

"That's for sure! What's next on your vacation agenda?"

 

Tonight, I get a scifi double header of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones! "Men In Black" starts momentarily, then "Men In Black II" follows right behind it. What nice additions to my vacation film festival! Plus, I've recorded "Free Guy", which I watched again this morning. Yep! Life is good!

vacay in georgetown with a footlong...

... chili cheese Coney! Hahahaha!

Just a little sexual innuendo to brighten the day!

I had not had one of these Sonic creations for years, so after the S&K Friday Fiesta at Texas Roadhouse was canceled due to crowds, I stopped in.

I didn't want to eat it with Stella around, so I sat in my car in Dawn's driveway.

Stella has a habit of lying on my foot, or touching it, to make sure I don't get away.

In my car, I could drink my Cherry Lime-ade in peace - aahhh!

As for the hotdog and the tater tots, they were okay, but I'm just not into fast food.

Then again, I had my first meeting with my new nutritionist this morning.

Alyn Rosales is down in Hinesville, so we had a Video meeting, with her spending an hour with me.

She wants me to eat three snacks a day, as well as three meals, being mindful of having more fruits and vegetables.

Cherries and limes are fruit... though I doubt either are truly in that Sonic drink!

Anyway, after I had dined, I went inside, knowing full well that "party on the patio" time had passed us by.

Still, I took Stella onto the back porch, to "wait for the party" to start.

We were out there thirty minutes!

No Coco ever came out, and I convinced the ridgeback that we hadn't missed it and they had decided not to do it.

Then I took her in and fed her and she was okay with the little lie I'd told.

That's no doubt due to me letting her chase the geese this morning.

We'd both noticed the adult geese up on the bank.

Of course, it had been impossible to ignore them, as they were all five honking up a storm right there!

So, while we were on the back porch, I encouraged her to go after them.

Hey, why not?

I knew they would be well out of her reach, and they were well away from the water, so there was no fear of Stella getting scum all over her.

Plus, she had been so patient during my video appointment - she deserved to have a bit of fun!

That was fun for both of us!

(smile!)

vacay in georgetown, with rain and no birds

Into each life some rain must fall...

but yesterday the weather song said that would be over the weekend.

At some point overnight, that all changed.

Well, let me amend that: the weekend will be wet, but also today.

Fortunately, it was only the morning that was soggy. 

 

That was good, as I was a bit tired after playing Goldilocks with beds.

That's usually my one peeve on vacations: the bed.

I am so spoiled by my latex mattress!

So, the first thing I did was changed the orientation of the bedding, so I could enter from the right and sleep on my right side. 

That was on Monday and seemed to work well...

but Tuesday night found me tossing and turning so much...

that I even tried their bed to finish the night.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, no.

So, last night, I flipped the mattress over, so the bottom was now on top.

That worked much better!

I'll have to remember to do that when I come in June for more Stella time.

 

I next caught a 2 PM matinee movie over at the AMC.

For whatever reason, they had "Normal" back on the silver screen, and I made sure to see that new Bob Odenkirk film!

He doesn't look like a bad-ass, but he sure does well with those roles!

This time, he's a substitute sheriff for a small town with a big secret.

Think western with a healthy shot of Asian martial arts, set in winter.

Really entertaining, and a great ending for my A*List!

I'd started it off with the one on Tuesday, remember?

"But what about that one in the middle," as Otto would say.  

I didn't actually go to that, but I did want to acknowledge it, as I'd seen it on April 30th with Sherry Giddens.

It was her treat, as she is a member of Angel Studios and they gave her two tickets to do with as she wanted.

I was glad to see it with her... but this "Animal Farm" was definitely a Seth Rogen vehicle, as I suspected it would be.

Still, as he did with "The Muppet Show" recently, he kept it true to the original (which is why I'm glad I recorded it to enjoy over and over!).

Good for him!

As for the party on the patio, we were the early birds this time! 

No other birds of any kind joined us, but we did have Susan and Terry come, bringing Coco for the play date with Stella.

Ken even wandered over from next door and hung out with us!

And there was not a drop of rain since the early morning, so the patio furniture was nice and dry.

What nice weather, so comfortable, with no mosquitoes or gnats around!

Perhaps the geese had eaten them all?

One can only hope!

As for TV tonight, I have my usual shows: "George & Mandy's First Marriage", "Ghosts", and that dingbat "Elsbeth".

That will keep me busy after I wash dishes!

(smile!) 

vacay in georgetown: shopping and goslings

Believe it or not, I did go shopping...

at Wal-Mart, of all places...

because I had Stella-cash in my pocket!

Plus, I have been in desperate need of shorts for some time.

What better reason to do so than for my upcoming bday68?

After almost two hours - and a nice visit with Alexa while there - I returned with five pairs of shorts in a variety of colors, plus a new star-strewn nightgown, with all for less than $45!

Then, FX was playing one of my favorite movies: "Free Guy"!!!

That was one that I burned all of my A*List dances for, back in 2020.

I've already found it in the listings again, so I'm recording it to see again!

Here he is, taking a swat at DUDE, with a unicorn-topped bat - hahahaha!

 

Watching it made me about ten minutes late for the party on the patio.

Susan and Terry had been sitting out there for about 15 minutes!

Stella forgave the delay, just as long as she could play with Coco!

And we were not alone: two families of geese were on the canal, with one pair having four little goslings, and the other having a brood of seven.

 

Imagine that: eleven little goslings swimming on the water!

The smaller family had one of their little ones snatched up by Coco a week ago, but the dog had been gentle as she carried the bird in her mouth.

Even so, that had to have been a terrifying experience!

Susan and Terry said that wasn't the first time that the dogs had gone after the geese, even going into the water after them.

Holy leaping lizards!!!

I'm glad Stella stayed on dry land.

I have no intention of giving her a bath while I'm on vacation!

Now, I have "Jungle Cruise" on the TV, with lots of "How I Met Your Mother" to follow on the  E! channel.

That's two more for my vacation film festival!

Hooray!

(smile!)