down and down i go, round and round i go

You might expect a lovely Sunday afternoon game to be fairly leisurely.
You might, but you would have been soooo wrong today!
If ever a baseball game was a rollercoaster, this one was it! A theme park could have sold tickets for it as a new ride!
Well... maybe not quite... but you know what I mean, right?
No, of course you don't.
This Sand Gnats' game was one for the history books!
Right from the very start, we all knew something was up.
Our pitcher was loading the bases with Rome Braves.
I kid you not.
Ricky Knapp must have missed the memo about this being a game, not a practice session. He hit the first and third men up, walked the one in-between, and then walked the fourth man, to give the Braves their first run of the day. They ended up with a score of five runs and a single hit.
That bears repeating: five runs and a single hit.
Incredible.
The Sand Gnats played great offensively. Of the 8 innings they batted, they scored runs in all but two.
They also played great defense.
But it's hard to mount any defense against runs that are walked in.
As they were in the first and ninth innings. Yep, Paul Paez was walking runs in, too.
Very sad.
I guess the good news is that the Braves' pitching crew had a bonehead, too. In the bottom of the fifth, one of the Gnats was hit and three were walked, with a few hits sprinkled around.

Then, with Patrick Biondi and Champ Stuart put on base by the pitcher,
and Dominic Smith on first on his single,
Matt Oberste sailed one over the left field wall for a Grand Slam!!!
How about that!?!?!

The Gnats finished the inning with a total of eight runs. That brought their score to an unheard-of 14 runs.
Wow!
And they kept the Braves from garnering more than their six runs until the top of the ninth, when Paez was given a turn at the pitcher's mound. He gave them another six runs, doubling their score.
Thank God the pitching coach finally pulled him before he had a chance to pitch for the 8th Brave that inning.
Yeah, that's what I said: the eighth Brave. With zero outs.
What a rollercoaster!!!
Down, down down, in the top of the first, then bottoming out, followed by rounding curves and straightaways. Then, up, up, up!!! Whee!!! Rounding a curve at the peak, catching a short straight stretch of track, then down, down, down again!!!
Whew!
Nice to ride once, but let's not do that again, okay?

strike him out, pop him out, throw him OUT!

That's my standard cheer when the game is getting tight and the Gnats need to rally.
You know my predisposition toward triplets, right?
They do keep popping up here and there. I'm sure psychologists have a name for that, but they are welcome to keep it.
(smile)
For the past two days, I have been treated to baseball games with my lovely boys of summer - and friends. Well, "treated" may be the incorrect word choice, as I am a Season Ticket Holder, so my attendance is already paid for every home game. But you know what I mean - I had the time in my social schedule to actually be there. The boys are in town through Thursday, so I hope to hit some more games betwixt now and then.
Anywho...
Let's start with Saturday night's game. Fairly standard game it seemed to be, when I arrived at the top of the 4th.
What?
I was late, you see. I had forgotten that start time was 6:05 PM for the fiReWOrKs Saturday games. So, when I arrived at 6:45, I found no parking in the STH lot and had to park in the boondocks.
Ah, well, I needed the exercise - especially as I had already decided to have the Chicken Tenders Basket for dinner. The best deal out there, I tell you! You get at least three crispy fried chicken tenderloins atop a bed of fries. I load up the chicken with dill pickle chips - scrumptious!
Ahem - as I was sayin'.
I arrived late and the score was 2-0, visitors' favor.
Willie was there, as were Bruce and Jack, and I settled in between them.
Just a regular game, as I said.
The "Sweet Caroline" back-up girls were late, too - traffic jam from the beach. But they were in plenty of time for their 8th inning antics.
So, regular game, on-going.
Then, in the 5th inning, the Gnats scored three runs!!! Woohoo!!!
But the Rome Braves, after three scoreless innings in a row, managed to score a run at the top of the 9th. Oh, no!!! A tied game!!! In spite of my chanting!!!
No worries! My boys came to PLAY and that's what they did!
First at bat was centerfielder Champ Stuart. He was walked.
Dominic Smith, our first baseman, bunted. Say what??? That threw the Braves' infield for a loop! Not only did Champ advance to second, but Dominic made it to first!!!
You have to understand. Dominic is a big guy and not the fastest man on the team. For him to bunt, and actually get on base, is quite wondrous!
Willie had called the bunt, and he said the next man should bunt, too, to advance our runner to third.
He must have telepathed that play to Matt Oberste, because that is exactly what happened. Our designated hitter laid out a pretty little sacrifice bunt! So he didn't make it to base, but both of the men on bags advanced. Woohoo!!! A man in scoring position and only one out!!!
Very exciting!

Cole Frenzel,
our third baseman,
was deliberately walked to first.








You know that term?
"Deliberately walked"?
It means the pitcher threw balls far outside of the batting box, to where the waiting catcher was standing. The play is generally employed to get a potentially strong batter out of the way so a potentially weak batter can be struck out. It's also to better enable the team afield to make a double-play and garner two outs simultaneously.
Their mistake.
Understandable, if they are only looking at the stats. After all, Cole has a .333 RBI, compared to the .196 RBI of the next at-bat. Cole gets a hit and bats someone in every third time he is at-bat, essentially.
Like I said, their mistake. Numbers don't lie, but they can mislead.

Our second baseman, Jorge Rivero, stepped up to the plate.

The first pitch was a ball.

Rivero met the second pitch with a swing, for a line drive into left field!

Champ sails on in and the Gnats win!
The Gnats win!!!

I tell you, the fireworks are that much brighter when the boys win!!!
What an exciting finish!!!

But doesn't this display look like a face sticking its tongue out and saying 'got you!'?
Sure, serendipity at work here,
just a coincidence... right?
(smile!)

how much is that doggie in the ballpark? arf! arf!

THIS is "living large", for sure!
A sunny summer Sunday afternoon, spent at the ballpark, enjoying a Sand Gnats' game with friends, both two-legged AND four-legged varieties, thanks!
Yep, it's another Bark In The Park Sunday!
Here is my dear friend Bill, baseball fan extraordinaire, with his sweet companion.
You may not be able to tell, but they each have two friends sitting there with them.

I simply cannot describe how much joy that sight brings me.

getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you

But not of me!
Even though the high temperatures have been up in the 90's (Fahrenheit, y'all) on numerous occasions in the past two months, my electric bills have been less than fifty dollars.
I know, sounds hard to believe, right?

Do I have solar panels on my roof, generating my own power?
I wish.
In fact, when I win the lottery, that is one of the FIRST modifications I'm having done to the house.
But, presently, I do not have such.

Do I have some magical roof that reflects the heat up, up, and away?
Well, that would be pretty neat-o, too.
But, no.

Do I have some proof of my claim???
Yes. Yes, I do!

Email dated 06/19/14 2:34 PM.
You have a new bill from Georgia Power.

Biller Account Number: ******
Due Date: 07/02/2014
Amount Due: $ 41.67

Pretty impressive, right?

Whatever is my secret???
My AC is busted and I don't have the funds to fix it.
It's been nonfunctionable since - September? October? - of last year.
I didn't have the funds to fix it then, either.
Part-time pay as a professor at Armstrong State University nets me $245.00 per week, for teaching one lecture (150 minutes per week) and two labs (three-hours each, per week). That means I get a whopping 49 dollars per day. I don't even want to discuss the hourly rate; it's rather pitiful, considering that I spend more than twice my in-class time preparing lectures and exams, then grading exams and lab materials (three assignments per student per lab).
So, yeah, not enough for another new condenser.
Cerainly not enough for some guy to come by for twenty minutes and confirm that it's broken.
I already know the condenser has failed, yet again.
I don't need to throw $100 cash money into the air, or someone's pocket, to find that out.

I'm the only one here since the peace Guy jetted off to ATL.
I grew up without air conditioning in the house.
Heck, we didn't even have AC in the schools!
So, forty years later, I'm just making do.
At night, when the air is cooler, I turn on the attic fan and open the windows to invite that coolness into the house.
During the day, I try to keep the cooler air trapped as long as possible.
I also go off to places that do have AC, like the museums (I have membership, so that's essentially free), the grocery stores (gotta eat!), and movies (like I'm going to give THAT up!).

Well, why don't you give up all of that entertainment? That would give you more money.
I tell you what: you spend your money on whatever brings you pleasure and I will spend my money on what brings me happiness.

For the most part, I'm fine with the heat.
For the most part.

Of course, I can't invite anyone over to my hot little house.
Well, not without informing them of it being a hot little house, right?

Still, I think I will buy a room fan today.
My ocean room is a bit steamy.
Esepcially with my hot body generating so much energy in such a small space.
BIG smile!!!

day 33

It's 100 Days of Summer, y'all!
That's what the American Red Cross is calling this blood drive.
100 Days of Summer.
100 Days of Hope.
I encourage you to click here and find a time that works for you. You will then be a hero to three people.
1 hour of time + 1 pint of blood donated = 3 lives saved
Today was the 33rd day of the campaign.
I sandwiched my donation between errands at the school, lunch (fried chicken!) and dinner (pot roast!!) at The Galley, and an evening topped off with an old-fashioned murder mystery.
Very nice!!!
I do hope you have as wonderful a day as I have had today!

dusting off the golden rule

The following were from my fsilm, via email, naturally.

Real-life stories

1. Today, when I slipped on the wet tile floor, a boy in a wheelchair caught me before I slammed my head on the ground. He said, 'Believe it or not, that's almost exactly how I injured my back 3 years ago.'

2. Today, my father told me, 'Just go for it and give it a try! You don't have to be a professional to build a successful product. Amateurs started Google and Apple. Professionals built the Titanic.'

3. Today, I asked my mentor, a very successful business man in his 70's, what his top tips are for success. He smiled and said, 'Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing.'

4. Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I'm working on for my Psychology class. When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, 'Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.'

5. I am blind by birth. When I was 8 years old, I wanted to play baseball. I asked my father, 'Dad, can I play baseball?' He said, 'You'll never know until you try.' When I was a teenager, I asked him, 'Dad can I become a surgeon?' He replied, 'Son, you'll never know until you try.' Today, after my own successful sight restoration surgery, I am a surgeon, just because I tried!

6. Today, after a 72-hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug. When I tensed up, she realized I didn't recognize her. She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most sincere smile and said, 'On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.'

7. Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road holding him and crying. And just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.

8. Today at 7 AM, I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went into work. At 3 PM I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat tire. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat, too. A man in a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job. I start tomorrow.

9. Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother's hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, 'I feel so loved right now.'
We should have gotten together like this more often.

10. Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed. About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.

11. Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start recycling. I chuckled and asked, 'Why?' She replied, 'So you can help me save the planet.' I chuckled again and asked, 'And why do you want to save the planet?' 'Because that's where I keep all my stuff,' she said.

12. Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter's antics, I suddenly realized that I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

12. Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me. He helped me all the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said, 'I hope you feel better soon.'

13. Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe. He said he hadn't eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy. Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating. The first thing the man said was, 'We can share it.'


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I don't know if any of the above are true or even what sources were used for the quotes.
I do know that I like the messages about loss adjustment.

there will come a day, youth will pass away, what'll they say about me?

Last Cab Ride

I arrived at the address and honked the horn.
After waiting a few minutes I honked again.
Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.

'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice.

I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase.

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she asked softly.

I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness.

'It's nothing,' I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy,' she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.'

I looked in the rear-view mirror.
Her eyes were glistening.

'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice.'The doctor says I don't have very long.'

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city.
She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.
She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now.'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.
The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.
She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.
'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.

Behind me, a door shut.
It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift.
I drove aimlessly, lost in thought.
For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.
What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Coincidence that this cab driver was the one who came for the old lady?
I'd like to think not.
This was a small miracle, adding a touch of grace to both lives.
Last night, for the first time in months, I went to a Philo Cafe meeting.
[Sidebar: I had attempted to go, on a rainy night, back in February. As I had told Hai, "Drats. I cannot find The Foundery. There is def a joke that could be made, but it's true. Drats."]
The topic, posed by a new entrant to the group, a new entrant who also happened to be in training for Episcopalian priesthood, was "A Post-Christian Society". This week's meeting, on a rainy night as luck would have it, was also at The Foundery, a place I now well-knew how to find (thanks, bfe!). The Foundery happens to be a coffee shop opened by someone at my church.
Coincidences abound!
Or, does it just seem that they do because I am attuned to look for them?
Perhaps.
The conversation took various turns. Comparisons of populations of people in Walmart and in churches on a Sunday morning led to similarity of beliefs and features of those at a particular church (which brought to my mind the rule about solubility: "like dissolves like"). That line of reasoning led to demographics and marketing studies, as conducted for national churches, as well as the growth of splinter churches to serve specific niche populations.
Finally, we philosophers turned to the teachings of Christ for guidance. Were we, as a society at large, trying to treat each other kinder, to minister to each other's needs, to do what we could where we could? Was the world a better place because of the example set by Christ and taught by his disciples?
I hope so.
I believe it is.
I try.

The cab driver certainly followed that path.
He had a choice in the matter and he chose the decision which benefitted a total stranger.
In the end, his choice also benefitted him.

I do hope that when I am an old lady, I will find someone like that.
Meanwhile, I try to step out of my head and into other's shoes.

just for the tip, thanks

The photo above, of an oakleaf hydrangea, has nothing to do with the following. it's simply very pretty and I took the shot in a fellow church member's garden at a recent open house gathering, while in attendance with my first niece.
Now, what does this post concern?
This joke with two old ladies, sent by my friend Boo recently, via email.
I was sure I had posted it here, for future viewings.
But, no.
Remedied, as of now!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Two little old ladies are outside their retirement home having a drink and a smoke when it starts to rain.

One of the old ladies pulls out a condom, cuts off the end and puts it over her cigarette and continues
smoking.

Maude: What in hell is that!

Mabel: A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet.

Maude: Where did you get it?

Mabel: You can get them at any drugstore.

The next day, Maude hobbles herself into the local drugstore and announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of
condoms.

The pharmacist, embarrassed, looks at her kind of strangely (after all - she's 80 years old) and asks her what brand of condoms she prefers, to which Maude replies, "Doesn't matter, sonny, as long as it fits on a Camel."

The pharmacist fainted.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HAhaHA!!!
That could've been me, if I still smoked!
Camel cigarettes were my poison of choice, once upon a time.
Every once in a while, I still think about walking a mile for a Camel.
Then again, maybe not.
I see that the blend of tobaccos was altered in 2008.
That's another good reason to stay quit of them.

all you need is love - bwahbwahbwah bwah bwah

A smiley-face heart!
When I emerged yesterday afternoon from a French film about a teen-aged prostitute, this was awaiting me. Right in the midst of a blue sky, the message wanted to be sure it was seen.
"Love, love, love!" it proclaimed!
I think it no coincidence.
Yesterday was certainly blessed with love for me!

As I said, the film, "Jeune & jolie", was a blatant sexploitation piece and featured a 17-year-old's body. But, I had the good fortune to sit with my friend Sara G and Ken, a new guy from Boston. So, hugs for all!
Then, after the film had finally ended, the bfe and his ladyfriend bounded over to greet me. Yeah! More hugs! He and I really need to catch up sometime soon, but this would not be the day. They had dinner plans and I was going to the Lucas in search of a concert ticket.
And up in the sky, above my car, what did I see?
The smiley-face heart, beaming out of the blue!
Love, love, love!

So, off I went to hopefully see 1964 - The Tribute concert. They were in town as part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration tour and were playing in my favorite venue, the beautiful Lucas Theatre. Sah-weet! Maybe there would still be seats available... maybe there would still be inexpensive seats available?
Wonder of wonders, there were!!!
I snatched one up and walked in to a nearly packed house, all a-buzz and a-titter!
What an incredible show these guys gave!!! From the first chords of "I Saw Her Standing There", I knew I was meant to be there!
Come on, you know the song - "Oh, she was just seventeen, you know what I mean" - how perfect a segue could one ever hope to get for diverse, unrelated events?
(smile!)
The musicians really knew what they were doing and were doing what they loved - and it showed. Great energy, zapping us back in time to what would have been a standard Beatles concert, if a bit longish. And that was just the first set.
After 45 minutes, the boys in the band took a well-deserved break, then came back with an even more energized second set of the same length!
Whew! What a set! "Twist and Shout", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Yellow Submarine"! "Michelle", "Yesterday", "She Loves You"!
And interspersed with the music were quips and digs and all the stuff the British blokes were known for in their concerts, back in the day.
But, these guys were doing it, live and in person, for three times longer than the original guys did.
And these guys have been doing so for the last thirty years.
Wow! I cannot believe my good fortune!
I've wanted to hear the Beatles' music in concert ever since the peace Guy saw Sir Paul last year. What great timing! What an amazing coincidence that I was able to get a last-minute ticket!!!

But my evening was not quite done. Nosirreebob!
My first niece had texted me during the intermission.
Would I please join her to see the new movie about Sleeping Beauty?
Yes, yes, I would!
Yes, yes, I could, too!
My journey to 1964 would have me returned to the present in just enough time to pop onto the parkway and over to the cinema!
Woohoo!!!
Love, love, love, y'all!

And now, time for sweet dreams...

catching up the lil bro et alia

sentiment inside this card:
Hoping you will find
renewed joy in
old-fashioned pleasures
and simple treasures.

I wrote underneath it:
(This is an odd sentiment for a Thank You card, isn't it??)
But my youngest brother doesn't care what I use as stationery, as long as I write to him. I really appreciate that and try to keep throwing some fun things into the mix, keeping it fresh for both of us.
I've already shared some of that here and here.
(smile!)
Shall we?

Hey, Dood!
I'm home! Didja miss me???
Then again... did I tell you I was going to Orlando for the Kopek-Davidson family reunion? I did, right??
Perhaps not.
Those are the folks in Jeff's family. Since I was married to him for 15 years, I still mos def regard myself as part of that family! When I went to TN after seeing - and dancing with! - Kevin Costner, Stephanie told me the reunion was to be in Orlando this year, rather than VA, and that she would be there. I checked with Jeff's cousin Michelle, got the dates, and managed to book myself a place for most of that time. As a bonus, Orbit One Vacation Villas (where I stayed) was less than 3 miles from Orange Lake Resort (where they were). How cool is that?
Coincidences are funny things. At the time I booked my place, I had no idea where they staying. It was simply a place I had never stayed before (I wanted change) and the dates - and cost {in my vacation points} - were excellent. They were to be there from 15 to 21 June, I was there 15 to 20 June. God is truly wonderful and I am so very blessed!
The first evening, we celebrated Nikolas' 10th birthday, Father's Day for Uncle Larry and Brian and John, and Stephanie's engagement to Daniel! Very nice!
On Tuesday, we spent a lot of time at the pool, just hanging out and enjoying each other's company. Very nice! Steph and Daniel even took me to lunch at Shula Burger - mine had bbq and an onion ring on top of the burger. It was huge. I had to take off the onion ring just to be able to eat it!
Monday and Wednesday, most of them were out at the theme parks, which now cost $94 per day. Ouch!!! So I did not do that. But on Thursday, it was another lounging by the pool day! And I went out to Joe's Crab Shack with Steph and Daniel, than had a nice long talk with Chris (her brother) when I got back to their condo.
Maybe I should whip up a family tree for you to know these folks, by name at least...

with much love!

* * * * *
In case you're wondering, I did draw a family tree for him. I even added ages for folks!

warning! images may be closer than they appear!

* * * Uncle Larry!

* * * Auntie Arlene
(already in the car!)

* * * Michelle and John!

* * * Jenna!

* * * * * * * Madelyn!

* * * Brian and Hollie!

* * * Niko!

* * * * * * * Lilly!

* * * * * Chris!









Davidsons and Kopeks, oh my!!!
On their way to Chef Mickey's, to dine with Disney glitterati and maybe -
just maybe!
- catch the evening's fireworks show!

thursday, thursday, thursday in the afternoon

What a grand time I've had today!
I knew the families were just hanging at the Orange Lake pools today, no theme-parking. However, I also knew that my skin needed a break from the sun-drubbing it had taken on Tuesday. Today, I would finally go to Downtown Disney and ride the balloon!!!
Nope.
Didn't happen.

I had looked at a map
- uh oh -
and decided I knew
where I was going
more than Nuvi did.

Well, as it turns out,
I had an adventure instead!

No, I was not lost.

I was on 27-North and 50-East.

Orange groves, lakes, greenery!
Hardly any signs of buildings,
very little traffic.

Quite lovely and relaxing!
I ended up in Winter Garden.
As I was driving along, thinking about food, I saw a lovely area called "The Grove", which looked like the downtown part of the city. Perhaps? If nothing else, it was certainly time to get out and stretch my legs.
So I circled back and parked.
Lo! There's a directory on that corner! Okay, let's see what is available in the category of "food."
Hmmm. Chain seafood restaurant, chain yogurt shop, chain burger joint... Hey! That sound like a local joint!
The ex would be so pleased.
So, why not do as we would have done while married? After all, this family reunion is on his side.
As it turned out, Mimi's Cafe actually is part of a national chain. That's okay - it was new to me!

A 1994 penny caught my eye, shimmering right below my table. That cinched my choice - I was meant to be here.
I selected from the French side of the menu.

Roasted Chicken Crêpes
House-made crêpes with slow-roasted chicken, sautéed spinach & mushrooms, and sliced cherry tomatoes, topped with Dijon Chardonnay sauce. With a Mimi’s House Salad tossed in red wine shallot vinaigrette.

Oh, my -

is that my favorite dessert?!?!

So that was added to the order.

Brioche Bread Pudding
with Bourbon-butter sauce.


Very nice! I had them both together, of course!
As well as five glasses of unsweetened iced tea - refreshing!
I ate every last bite, too. Scrumptious, delicate crepes, perfect mustard counterpoint in the sauce, beautiful textures to all!
Yum!!!
Then I had a little stroll in the area and headed back toward Kissimmee.

2003 thanks, hai dang

First, let me say Thank You to the Universe for providing the play card which allowed me to obtain birthday gifts from Dave & Buster's. I was in Orlando for the Kopek-Davidson family reunion and had taken today to revel in half-priced games. Woohoo! now to amass enough points to get that trivia game of "The Big Bang Theory"!!!
Alas. I had brought a coupon for recharging my play card, but the coupon was not valid for half-price Wednesday. Drats. I would simply have to give it my best shot with the points still available on the card, I thought. I only needed another 1000 tickets to get the game...
So, there I was, playing new games, including this giant spinning wheel, trying to win those tickets. And there it was, camoflauged against the backdrop of the game: a play card.
What a coincidence! I quite probably would need more points to play and here was a play card, out on its own!
Of course, I waited for a few more plays of the wheel, using the card I have owned for years. I waited to see if the mystery card would be reclaimed by the kids playing in the area.
Nope.
Then it was mine?
I cautiously played a few rounds with it. It had more than 100 points on it! That would be enough for sure to help me get that game!
I moved on to another game, taking the card with me.
And found a beat up penny directly in my path.
Coincidence?
Secondly, I say Thank You to TI, the one who donated the play card for me. My Uncle Jimmy, Daddy, and my brother Ronnie always used that nickname for me. Perhaps Daddy is the one who left that 2003 penny in my path to reassure me that the play card was meant for me to "gamble" with, in his memory. Happy birthday to me!
I used those winnings for the trademark beach towel, the almost-the-right-color-orange frisbee, and the ZombiKeys, all shown above. Major kewlniss!!! The ZombiKeys are actually six "zombie head" key identifiers, in bright colors and with brains and blood - aarrggghhhhh!
(smile!)
Here's the amusing patter on the back of the package!
Don't be left for dead, use a zombie head!
You're being chased down by the undead horde and you've finally made it to the safety of your impenetrable, triple-locked fortress - but in the midst of the horror you can't figure out which key opens which lock!
The brain-starved living dead mob presses closer and you prepare for your last stand - why hadn't you scooped up a set of zombie keytoppers?
(smile!)
Thirdly, I again say "Thank You" to the Universe. I actually did have sufficient points on my play card to garner the needed tickets for the trivia game, as well as a card of Minion magnets. Woohoo!! Especially as I won a whopping 1000 tickets on a classic-style game, one in which a soft mallet was used to drive the lights up to a target. I know that was not my hand guiding the hammer! Thanks also my guiding my eyes to the young woman gathering an armload of tickets from the game, making me think maybe I could do the same - and then for making it so!
lastly, I say "Thank You" to my huggable friend, Hai Dang. If he had not gone with me on a zombie-killing expedition in January, I might still be avoiding the ticket-dispensing games and the Winners Circle at Dave & Buster's. He was in pursuit of a giant gorilla and enlisted my aid. I played the pirate tresure wheel game and won 1000 tickets in my second spin!!!! I gave the winnings to him, as well as the next 1000 tickets the same machine granted me in February, when I again passed that way, with my dear first niece. So my thanks for the ticket fever!
But I think I am done now.
Maybe.
(smile!)

got a point?

This is from my old Navy buddy, Lizz, up in Virginia.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The value of a Catholic education and a pencil.


Little Susie was not the best student in Catholic School.

Usually she slept through the class.

One day her teacher, a Nun, called on her while she was sleeping.

'Tell me Susie, who created the universe?'

When Susie didn't stir, little Johnny took his pencil and jabbed her in the rear.

'God Almighty!' shouted Susie.

The Nun said, 'Very good' and continued teaching her class.

A little later the Nun asked Susie, 'Who is our Lord and Savior?'

But Susie didn't stir from her slumber.

Once again, Johnny came to her rescue and stuck her in the butt.

'Jesus Christ!!!' shouted Susie.

And the Nun once again said, 'Very good,' and Susie fell back asleep.

The Nun asked her a third question.'What did Eve say to Adam after she had her twenty-third child?'

Again, Johnny came to the rescue. This time Susie jumped up and shouted,

'If you stick that thing in me one more time, I'll break it in half!'

The nun fainted!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This so reminds me of the tribulations of poor Susie with Calvin, but with one notable difference: Susie was the good, smart student.

lookin' after two old ladies

I snapped these two photos early on in my kitteh-sitting, back on May 27th, after my return from Daytona Beach.
They are still on my phone and serve as a little mini-movie for me.
I can flip from one to the other and back, animating Chloe as she looks back at Contessa, and then both as they look up at me.
Sheer serendipity that the photos turned out like that!

Tomorrow, the bfe will clamber out of the SNO+ and return to his girls.
I will be so relieved that they have all made it safely back to each other!
This has been such a big responsibility!


But it has also been a great joy for me to spend so much time with these old lady cats.
So much touch therapy I have received from them - and they from me.
Y'all know how I am about touch.
Tomorrow, I depart to join my outlaws at a family reunion in Orlando. I'll be getting lots of touch therapy there, too, as I visit with the first and second cousins of the ex. It will be so wonderful to see them again!
Sure, I get to see the Davidsons and Kopeks in Virginia ever couple of years, as I did last year after visiting Melaness in Pennsylvania, and in 2011 when I had traveled up with my bird to visit them and some other friends. It's been very nice seeing so much of them!
However, it's been almost five years since I've the Kopeks living up in Minnesota and Tennessee - not since the beach house at Nags Head, in July of 2009.
Sure, I was able to see the cheerful Stephanie just a few months ago, and she and I had a lovely time together! But I missed her brother, Chris, as he was in Georgia when I was in Tennessee.
And we will all miss their dad's laughter and jokes at this family reunion. I will miss David's bear hugs, too.
But this week in Orlando will be the first we've all been together and not at a funeral.
That will be very good.
That will be healing.
That will be a good transition from catsitter to on my own again.

These two photographs? I'll keep them on my phone for awhile, my own kittehs short film - super, super short! - to make me smile.
Who knows? I just may watch that movie for a few years.
I just might.

birthday rainbow in the morning

But wait! Wasn't this photograph shown yesterday???
Yes, it was, but it's pertinent once more. You see, this was breakfast today! I heated that lovely rainbow in the frying pac, then placed it on a bed of fresh spinach, and put all of that between two slices of lightly toasted bread. While I waited for it to heat, I nibbled the rest of the corn.
What an awesome way to start the day!
After consuming the rainbow, I decided to mow the front yards.
Yes, that plural was deliberate and not some odd slip on the keyboard.
Front yards.
Mine and my next-door neighbor's.
By coincidence, he and I have the same birthday, but in different years, with him being just a few years older.
It's been my habit of the past few years to mow his grass for his birthday.
Well, let me amend that.
Around the time of our shared birthday, whenever I cut my front yard's grass, I also cut his.
His work schedule is quite erratic, allowing little time for such inane chores as mowing the green carpet provided by Mother Nature. My schedule is all over the map, too, but I'm in the neighborhood more often than he is. So, one year a couple of years ago, when I was out in the sun making my yard presentable again to the world at large, I chose to surprise him with conquered weeds.
And so I did.
Then I went off and did whatever was on my summer schedule for the day.
The next day, he made a point of coming over when he saw I was home. "Did you mow my yard?" He had asked his yard guy and he had spoken to the neighbors, trying to assess how he had been graced with a lovely yard after a hard day at work.
I admitted I did so, as his yard was so small and my mower had plenty of charge and I had been caught up with the opportunity to do him a favor.
He was quite touched.
That weekend, while I was gone, he edged my front yard when he did his.
And so it has been ever since. I mow his grass, he edges my yard.
Just the front yards, please. Who cares how the back yards look? Right?
So, today, almost two weeks after our birthday, I finally had the opportunity to keep up my end of our gift exchange.
Between my schedule and that of the rain, I simply have not had the combination of time and dry grass needed. Today, the forecast called for rain in the afternoon, but there had been no rain yesterday. That meant the morning grass was dry.
So now the deed is done!
We both have manicured lawns fronting our houses!
I am clean and heading to Bluffton for the day, so... later!!!

Bonefish for my birthday, daddy-o

She's a beauty, ain't she?
That grilled Rainbow Trout took up better than half of the plate, topped with lime tomato garlic sauce - scrump-diddly-itious, as Ned Flanders might say!
The grilled Corn on the Cob is a brand-new item at Bonefish Grill, just added this week. It has an essence of mint to its inhaled fragrance - very nice change of pace and completely surprising!
The mixed veggies added a nice splash of color to the presentation, as well as a mild taste to accompany the fish. Well done, y'all!

I partook pretty well of the bread and olive oil, so I wasn't able to eat all of my dinner.

Nor was I able to feast on the free Bang Bang Shrimp, given to me for my birthday by the good folk at Bonefish. That's okay -
I ordered it "to go" and will enjoy it another day!

I didn't have any room for dessert, either. The PBJ Bread Pudding was a thing of the past, alas.
But they did surprise me with a gift box of two artisan chocolates, one milk and one dark. That was new!!!
Many thanks!
And I think I'll have that piece of fish for breakfast tomorrow...

more birthday lunch from Carrabbas

Okay, I admit it: I made the mustard greens and the pasta.
But the iced tea? That was from my earlier birthday lunch at Carrabbas.
The same is true of those two lovely centerpieces on the plate, the two pieces of prosciutto-wrapped pork tenderloin. Delicious!

I think I just may go to Bonefish Grill tonight to collect my birthday reward... and check on PBJ bread pudding for dessert!

birthday chicken for breakfast!

Yes, indeed! That leftover chicken breast, topped with the superbly garlicky spinach from Carrabbas, reheated very well! I added some mini rotini - and coffee, of course! - to complete the meal.

Now, I'm off to Bluffton for dinner and a movie with my stepmom!
Finally!!!
She had sent me an email on Friday. She would be kid-free all of this week; would I like to meet up with her for our much-missed outings?
Hell to the Y E A H!!!
Today, we shall see "Million Dollar Arm" and then have slunch... somewhere!
On Wednesday, we shall meet again, this time lunching before the movie and at our beloved Cheeburger Cheeburger. That's right! It has reopened - or will officially tomorrow - and we are both so excited we can hardly stand it!!!
Oh, which movie are we slated to view that day?
"Belle", you nosy thing!
(smile!)
She picked that one, as she likes films from the American Civil War era.
Hey, I'm just glad we're able to get together and catch up!

happy birthday from Carrabbas

Woohoo! More free lunches for me!
Yes, I meant for that plural to be there.
You see, the birthday coupon from Carrabbas' Amici Club allowed me to deduct $10 from an entree...

... with the purchase of a second entree, of course.
Perhaps that addendum is to encourage someone else to come and share the meal.
That is not how I worked it.

Remember? I like to celebrate my special day over and over...
I did at least try two dishes I had never had before.
"New to me", don't ya know!
This is the Wood-grilled Chicken, accompanied by the superbly garlicky spinach and the Mama Mandola's Sicilian Chicken Soup.

Also, I tried a dish that was new to them, too!
Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, in a port fig sauce -
oh, my!!! Totally delectable!
I paired it with the House Salad and Vegetable of the Day, aka broccoli with red pepper and garlic.
Perfect!!!

The soup and salad came out together, as I had requested. Lovely! I ate every last bit of both of them, as well as some of the fresh bread with the olive oil.
You bet! I love that stuff!!!
Then my two entrees arrived, with perfect timing.
Yes, I did order it that way and Dalton made sure I got it my way! I wanted to try the food fresh from the chef, not after it had spent time in my refrigerator. Fresh, that was the key!
Fresh it was, too! And oh so tasty!!!
I ate only one of the three pieces of pork tenderloin, but I ate all of the veggies on that plate. Yum! The pork will be delightful for another meal!
Then I ate a couple of bites of the chicken breast, as well as some of the spinach. I knew the spinach would reheat as good as new, especially piled on top of the chicken. More yummy leftovers!
Dalton boxed it all up for me.
Would there be anything more?

Well...
now that you mention it...
This is a birthday dinner...
And I did eat all of my veggies...
So I ordered the Tiramisu...
Oh, so very rich!




But maybe not as good as that I had in Italy two years ago with the future nurses and health professionals...
(smile)
... which we made ourselves at the cooking school in Siena.
(smile)
Everybody's Mama makes it differently, don't they?

i'm lookin' at the (wo)man in the mirror

Wow.
You know it's going to be
a different kind of day when you look
in the bathroom mirror
and your mother
is looking back
at you.
The odd thing is this:
I always wanted to look like Mama.
I always thought she was the prettiest woman I knew.
I still think she is.
And there she was in the mirror this morning.

Perhaps she was wishing me "happy birthday"...
Perhaps she was reminding me that I am still her girl...
Perhaps she was letting me know she is always there for me.

I choose to believe all three.

them ribs! them ribs! love them ribs!

This is my free birthday gift from
Texas Roadhouse:
a Sidekick (Half Order) of
Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs,
brushed with their very own barbeque sauce.

This is those same ribs,
after a light stroke across the top with a knife to break them up.
Seriously, the meat
fell off the bones.
Just like they said it would.

And this is all that was left of those tasty ribs.
Bones, bones, bones!
I even nibbled the marrow at the end of each one!
You see, I am a flat-out fool for good ribs.
And these were superb!

I'm glad I selected the Country Veg Plate as my entree.
I got a bowl which was slap full of steamed carrots and broccoli,
another bowl with Southern-style green beans,
and a baked sweet potato sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon.
I regarded that as dessert!

Oh, and let's not forget about the House Salad!
Nice hearts of romaine, fresh greens, chopped egg - heck, it could stand in as a lunch on a summer day!
And that was even with me omitting the cheese and croutons, y'all.


Was it enough food?
Oh, yes. I even brought half of the sweet potato home with me.
How about the atmosphere?
Definitely a party, but family style fun. There were a few songs that a group of the waitresses would two-steo to and my waitress, Samantha, was friendly and chatty as I neared the end of the meal.
She knew to leave me be while I was attacking the ribs!!!
(smile!)

Before the meal, I went to "The Other Woman", the latest Cameron Diaz movie, with Don Johnson as her dad. What a hoot! I had put off going, concerned that it might be more ridiculous than fun.
That was definitely a mistake on my part. I was in such a good mood after so much laughter!
It was the perfect prelude to my meal, after a nice walk around the mall.

After the meal, gorged on rib meat and veggies, I partook of "The Railway Man", the post-World War II film with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman.
Excellent.
Truly it was.
Even though it made me cry.
I think I cried mostly because it was a true story of two men and forgiveness.

And it occured to me that I had actually seen the movies in the right order.
Not the order in which I wanted to see them, mind.
I had thought seeing the war film first and the funny movie second would be the way to go.
No.
If the showtimes had allowed me to do that, I would not have been in the elated mood I was for my dinner.
I would have been sad and maybe even a little weepy.
That would have made for a totaly different dining experience for my birthday meal.

I am thankful for the coincidences which came into play for my benefit.
I am truly blessed!!!
i thank You, God.

who you gonna call - ghostbusters!

Run for your lives!!!
The bfe's kittehs have taken over the radio airwaves!!!
Actually, I don't think Chloe is quite smart enough for that.
The calico is clever, sure, but not a deep thinker.
No, for true smarts, look to the blue tortoise of Contessa.

Just look at that face!
See? Where Harry Potter has a lightning bolt, she has a peach blur.
I tell you, she can work mAgiC!
How do I know for sure?
How do you know that I'm not just making this up?
I'll tell you and you can judge for yourself.


First, let me start with the television set. When the bfe left for the Great White North and SNO+, he left the tv on the channel for AMC. After all, that may be the only channel he ever watches.
I can't figure out how to tune in any other channel. So, it's AMC or nothing.
For the first two weeks, it was nothing. Then I wised up and have been trying to schedule my visits with the "girls" for those times when a movie I like is on.
I'm fairly certain 'Tess has taken note of that.

Second, I try to visit the girls every other day since my return from Daytona.
I know Contessa keeps track of that. However, I juggle the time around so they can be surprised when they see me.
Chloe hardly takes notice, as long as she gets treats at once.
Contessa, however, does not care for my random arrivals at all.
She has become much more possessive of me and my lap and my hands, not wanting to share me with the other kitteh. Still, when I carefully explain that the other one needs petting, too, and I have made sure that 'Tess gets my love first, she does vacate the lap, at least for a little while, so Chloe can get some hand time.
Smart, right?

Third, I believe she is also telepathic, at least with me.
You know how dragons and people imprint on each other when they stare into each other's eyes and find a kindred spirit?
Well, Contessa knows I "belong" to her and I know I "belong" to her.
Right? Not that she "belongs" to me, right?
She is the bfe's cat and has been for better than thirteen years. (Which means all of his life, if you recall that he is a thriteen-year-old boy...)
Heretofore, I have just gotten to visit her on an irregular basis, usually for our Tuesday "dinner & a movie" gatherings.
Not that I'm complaining, just explaining.
On those previous visits, Contessa has had my lap, and my hands, to herself, and to herself only.
You see, the bfe's favorite is Chloe.
He definitely "belongs" to her.

But I have digressed... I was talking of 'Tess's ability to telepath.
She really can.
You see, I had gone to the movie listings and written down the times for the ones I wanted.
I did that here, at my house. But when I visited them - which I have done daily for the past three days - I might have let it slip that I would be coming to watch "Ghostbusters" at 3 PM on Friday for an extended stay. I might even have "mentioned" that I might stay for the sequel, too.
So, today, the Friday, had been slipping by. I had decided that I needed to write thank-you notes for the surprise! birthday party and for my stepmom's generosity, I needed to write to my youngest brother, I needed to send a get-well card to Mister Willie for his shoulder surgery yesterday, and I needed to mail to Califor-ni-a the birthday gift for Riley. I had accomplished all of that and it was suddenly after 2 PM.
Say what? I still needed to take a shower and eat lunch and go to the post office!
Maybe I wouldn't be going to visit the kittehs after all.
Time was flashing past - what a quandary!
So I took my shower and got dressed and got all things ready to be mailed.
And I no sooner turned on the car radio than the song started.

"If there's somethin' strange in your neighborhood,
who you gonna call?
-ghostbusters-"

You're kidding me, right? Hahaha! Well, maybe I am supposed to go over and watch that movie. But I need to get this stuff mailed today, so let's see how long this takes. I could maybe pick up some lunch at the Kroger downtown...

The line for postal services was all the way to the outer door, but no one was using the self-service center. Cool!
I got my package stamped and sent out a certified letter and I was done!
Back to the car I went, to be greeted by this tune.

"We are spirits in the material world,
are spirits in the material wor-r-r-rld."

Hahaha! Very funny! Okay, okay, I'll come watch the movie with the kittehs!
Just hold on!

And then the next song came on, as I turned off the parkway near their place.

"Hey soul sister
I don't want to miss a
single thing you do-o-o
Tonight."

How very, very sweet of the Contessa!!!
And at the Kroger what did I find?

A heart full of sushi!
Very nice touch!
So, I watched the movie with the kittehs and ate sushi from a heart.
What a good day!

cards with a comfy way about them

This is from my first niece, received at yesterday's aurprise! party.
Inside, she had again composed a poem for me, this one free-form.
Aunts are special people.
Tina, you have a comfy way about you.

You love to chat with me.
You make me feel important.

You advise a little and listen alot.
You are kind of like a friend and a second mom all in one.

You splurge for little extra.
You tell the most interesting stories.

You are part of my fondest memories of growing up and good times.

You are such an important part of my life.

I love you so much!

This cheery card is from her mom
-
aka my outlaw Melinda!
-
and little sister Chelsea and stepdad Matt.

This cutie is from my nephew,
Mike,
her one-and-only brother.
He had written 'with much love to my favorite Aunt!'
LOL!
I need to get him out for karaoke again!

My "biggest little brother",
the one who had almost spoiled the surprise yesterday, gave me this one.
My inlaw Mary,
I am sure,
is the one who picked this out for them and the new graduate to give.
Oh, with two movie passes tucked inside!

This pair is from my youngest brother, the one in north Georgia.
In another two years, maybe he'll be able to join us!

My stepmom wasn't actually at the party, but I wanted to make sure I included her card.

Inside read '... enjoy the Ride.'

She added, "I know you will 'enjoy the ride'. You are a fun, caring person. Love!"

Yep, she knows me pretty well!
And now, it's time for me to go!

Later!