and the walls came tumbling, tumbling, d o w n

If you had the misfortune of living on the East side of this wall, this is the view you had. Numbered blocks of reinforced concrete, each one 4 feet wide and 12 feet high and weighing a ton. Numbered gray rectangles, keeping you away from family, friends, freedom.
But on the side facing those in West Berlin?
Colorful graffiti, painted quickly during the night, graced the wall, enlivening the view.
On these four panels, two kings ruled on the four tons of concrete.

On the left, a bright, colorful, smiling king promised freedom for all.

The pale, blind king on the right shared only sadness, neglect, and enslavement with his subjects.






Thanks to Robert Hefner, collector of historical monuments, this portion of the Berlin Wall was salvaged. He bought it as a reminder of "the power of personal freedom". After twenty-eight years of separation, the structure was dismantled on November 9, 1989, by the very people it had once imprisoned. Personal freedom, in action!
The graffiti artist credited with daring to paint the panels, Dennis Kaun, certainly exercised his personal freedom, too.
Now, the panels reside, for the next year or so, at the University of Virginia, an institution founded by the father of the American concept of personal freedom, Thomas Jefferson.
How very befitting.
I found out yesterday about its presence on the grounds. I resolved to take a breather from my chemistry fraternity conclave to seek it out. I had already seen the Rotunda, the brains/library of the original campus designed by Mr. Jefferson. I had also viewed the Chapel, once not realizing what it was, as I walked the grounds to meet others for libations after the meetings.
Today, sore feet and all, I was determined to get as close as I could to this piece of history, this symbol of man's struggle against those who would subjugate others.
And so I did.
How very glad I am that I came to Virginia.

how to apply lipstick video

This marks four years since the first niece and I took a trip to Columbia, South Carolina.
It was a simple overnight trip.
She had "won", on the radio, a guaranteed audition slot for the television show, "The Biggest Loser". I really didin't think she would make it, as she is not nearly heavy enough for that show. But she was really looking forward to the chance to win $250,000 if she were to be the winner. Oh, yeah!
I had traveled up with her, partly to spend time with her, partly for moral support, partly because her mom couldn't go.
This morning, we woke and had breakfast. Then, what a treat!!! A real Hindu wedding procession right outside, on the street!! With horses and fancy garb and cool music!!!
Yeah, seems that might have been a good omen, right?
Nope.
Turns out the interviewers thought she wasn't heavy enough, either.
Ah, well... we still had a nice trip together!
.
.
.
What's that?
I had said there would be a video?
Well, it isn't really a video, just a series of three pictures. I've had them on my phone ever since then. As I proceed from one to the other, quickly clicking back and forth, it's just like having a mini-film of her applying lipstick!
It is!
Yes, I am easily entertained.
With my 7-year-old, flip-style, cell phone.
(smile!)
Here is the "video"!

make my, make my, make my day

OH superhero Fliss, if you could see just how quickly reading your blog post turned me from practical getting ready to go run errands Rachel to a squishy happy sniffling smiling Rachel!
I am so happy to hear from you and I can't wait to read the rest of your blog when I get home tonight!
Thank you so much for your energy, your continued support, your belief in the wonderful.
That is the impression I get from you; that you are willing against the odds to live on the belief that something wonderful is about to happen.
It's a quality I rarely see and it always leaves a trail of, well, stardust.
So I suppose, thanks for being what you are.
See I got all sappy...hahaha I needed that!
talk soon, Sun, rain, oceans....Rachel Strickland 4:22pm Jul 30 2014

Wow... I think she gets me.
Anticipating delight.
Now I'm all sappy...
Thank you, Rachel.

the light at the end of the tunnel

No, it's not an oncoming train!
Nuvi has taken me on the scenic route to cousin Michelle's, this time sending me onto a long bridge and into a convex tunnel. I'm so glad it was during the day!

well, i can't chain him, can i

"I brought you into this world and I can take you out."
Uttered by Bill Cosby, the line is hilarious! After all, he's recounting a conversation with his son, probably teen-aged, during a moment of extreme boorishness on the son's part. However, we all know it would be a cold day in July before he would ever ACT on that threat. That means, of course, that the boy's life is safe in his father's hands. Right? As long as he's in the Northern hemisphere, that is.
Now, consider a case of a parolee, just released from prison. In the movie, we're not told why he was incarcerated; that's not the point. Suffice it to say that's he's been gone at least two decades and the small boy he left on the other side of the bars is now a grown man.
But... in the father's mind, the mental image of his son is frozen at that young age, that preschool innocence shining from his face. The picture of the boy is front and center in the dad's memories. Time stood still for that aspect of the man's life.
Now, consider that the very day the father is released on parole, he is informed that his son is dead, killed while burgling an occupied home. Moreover, on the day of his release, the son is being buried. The father never actually sees the son's body, so the mental image he carries is preserved, carrying over into a need for vengeance against the homeowner who killed the son.
Things get complicated, though. The father becomes aware that the man buried was not his little boy, but some random guy. His son, his all grown up son, has mob affiliations and has been whisked into witness protection until his testimony against the mobsters.
The father wants to see his son, wants to have a new image of the boy who grew up without him. Only this image is nightmare fuel. The man he sees is a serial killer of young girls, a brutal animal who is the star of many snuff films.
And the father makes a hard decision, but the right one. The son must be put down, as he cannot be chained.
Great story.
If you get a chance, see "Cold In July". The ending is exactly right.

hate, anger, regret, they're not just members of a girl group I once signed

Let's play a game!
Match the quote to the correct movie!
These are all movies that are part of my Summer Kid Film Festival a n d they were all NEW TO ME!!!
Trust me, that's quite a feat. I see a LOT of movies.
And I see almost all of the films aimed at the under-10 crowd.
So, are you ready?
.
.
.
Here are the three contenders!

1) On Tuesday, at the Regal, it was "Walking With Dinosaurs".
2) On Wednesday, at the Regal again, I saw "Turbo".
3) Today, at the Carmike, I had "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked".
.
.
.
Here are the quotes I pulled from the movies.

A) "Hate, anger, regret, they're not just members of a girl group I once signed."

B) "Look at his little baby hands! He's so cute!"

C) "It isn't the size of the dreamer, it's the size of the dream!"

.
.
.
Time's up!
The correct answers are: 1) B, 2) C, 3) A.
That first quote was when Ian (the former record agent, clad in a pelican suit) is talking to Dave (manager of the chipmunks), near the end of the film.
The second was uttered by Alex, the alexornis, pointing out a feature of the gorgosaurus to Ricky, the recalcitrant teenager.
That last quote? Spoken by the racer, Guy Gagne, to Turbo the garden snail and Guy's numero uno fan, at a press conference prior to the Indy 500 - just before the idol dashes Theo's hopes at a private chat.
.
.
.
My favorite aspects of these features of the Summer Kid Film Festival?
In "Walking With Dinosaurs", the realistic feel of the movie was a definite draw! I didn't feel like I was watching an animated film, but more of a special on an educational channel on tv. Every time a new dinosaur appeared onscreen, we were given their scientific name, the common name, and the food preferences (omnivore, for example). Nice! I liked that and so did the many kids with me!
"Turbo" had a lot of fun moments, but several serious ones, too. After all, this is a story that deals with two pairs of brothers: Theo/Turbo and his more grounded brother Chet as well as the creative Tito and his talented taco chef brother, Angelo. The moment that most resonated for me was between the two snails, though. The day before the big race, Chet asks "What will you do if you wake up tomorrow and your powers are gone?"
Turbo's reply was priceless.
"Then I will have to make the most of today."
Right?
You know that snail was speaking my language!
As for the Chipmunks, their squeaky voices can be a bit irritating, which is most assuredly why I had not yet seen this one. But the allure was too great to complete a trio of unknowns this week!!!
So, I went. And you know what? I had fun! I liked that the shipwrecked Zoe not only had her own Wilson, but also Spalding, Callaway, and Dunlop! I like that Simon learned to let his freak flag fly! And, hearing "Born This Way" sung by animals - hahaha!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lawn to mow and clothes to wash and a myriad of other grown-up chores...
Later!!!

strong enough to be used by a man, but gentle enough for a woman

An attractive young woman on a flight from Ireland asked the Priest beside her, 'Father, may I ask a favor?'

'Of course child. What may I do for you?'

'Well, I bought my mother an expensive hair dryer for her birthday. It is unopened but well over the Customs limits and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through customs for me? Hide it under your Robes perhaps?'

'I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you, I will not lie.'

'With your honest face, Father, no one will question you.'

When they got to Customs, she let the priest go first. The official asked, 'Father, do you have anything to declare?'

'From the top of my head down to my waist I have nothing to declare.'

The official thought this answer strange, so asked, ' And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?'

'I have a marvelous instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused.'

Roaring with laughter, the official said, 'Go ahead, Father. Next please!'

the other "A" month

That's what I said last night.
He had asked when school was to resume and I had said "April 18."
"Oh? Are you not teaching until the spring?"
"No, I meant August. The other 'A' month."

Yeah, that was a conversation stopper.
But he did offer me a Mentos.
It was like being in a "boy meets girl" commercial.
(smile.)
'Cept we were at "Odd Lot: The Musical" at Muse Arts.
I had thought he had gone last night, so I was pleasantly surprised to find him there.
Waving at me from the top row.
That was definitely a very pleasant surprise!
And I went straight up and received a hug - very nice!
Then I sat down beside him, there on the top row.

You never sit on the top row.

True 'dat. But I did last night!

Please tell me you aren't fixing to be crazy again...

Well, I can't promise that. I've been attracted to him ever since I first saw him. He has very caring eyes. And a gorgeous silver streak near his temple. I really wish I could convince my hair to do that...

You need to calm down, g'friend. Don't be putting moves out there and scaring folks.

Again, I can't promise that. You know how I am - full-TILT boogie or not at all! Rather, those are the two paces I most favor, though I did try to travel at a more reasonable speed two years ago.

Please to be careful, okay? What was that quote that you were taken with in "Belle"? Didn't you type it into your phone for later viewing?

"The world is a devastating place. You must learn to protect your emotions if you are to keep matters of law and love from devastating you." Lord Mansfield was talking to John Davinier, would-be suitor of Belle.
I still think that is a remarkable piece of advice.
However, it is a bit isolationist, isn't it? And the young suitor declined to take that advice and did end up victorious, winning the heart of said fair lady.
Of course, he didn't so so alone. She was pretty well set on winning his heart, too.
I think the man with the caring eyes has a fondness for me.
This isn't the first time he has made sure to attract my attention and given me a hug.
This is the first time we have sat together, though. We kept glancing at each other during the show, as we both vocally - and frequently - responded to the frivolity onstage, even when others were not dpoing so.
At one point during the second act, my right foot touched his left foot... and we both left them like that for several minutes, even moving the touch up to our calves.
I know, I sound like a school-girl, right?
I'm a school teacher, and I am a girl-type of person.
Yeah, time for me to go and give this a rest.

Later, dear. Do be careful. That way be dragons, you know.

Well, if those dragons are Night Furys, than count me in...
He likes dragons, too.

the t-shirt with me on it

At today's doubleheader, I wore my hair in a single ponytail.
And I wore the Savannah Sand Gnats' T-shirt that features me.
That's right - me.
Perhaps a close-up will help.

Can you see me now?
Let me help. First, look just above the "19" in the "Est. 1903" line below the picture. See the little boy standing in the aisle? Okay, look directly to his left. See the woman in the purple top, the one who looks like she is sitting right behind the pole?
That's me.
I wish I could tell you when that photograph on the T-shirt was taken. I recall the guy setting up the camera to take shots of the field. I recall that little boy coming down the aisle and standing by me. Then, the next thing I know, this T-shirt appears as a giveaway one night, to the first thousand fans, and I got one. As I looked at it, I realized I was looking at myself.
Just so you know, that is pretty awesome, to realize that someone captured you in a moment in time when you were relaxed and enjoying yourself. Truly, it is such an awesome gift for an anonymous stranger to have given to me.
Now, I document it here.
The shirt is at least ten years old. Actually, I'm fairly certain it was part of the "100 Years of Savannah Baseball at Grayson Stadium" celebration in 2003. So, it's eleven years old and fading with each wash and dry cycle.
I've tried to wear it sparingly in the past, to extend the life of the artwork. How silly, to deprive myself of wearing an article of clothing that brings me joy and good memories!
I intend to wear. it. out.
Just like Mister Willie does.

are you ready for some baseball???

I was!
I had my hair up in double ponytails, to offset the summer heat!
I had my favorite summer top on!
Chicken Tender Platter, topped with dill pickle chips?
Check!
$1 soda in my Season Ticket Holder cup?
Check!
Woohoo!!!
Go Gnats!!!

So, up into the General Admission wooden bleachers I went, to sit and cheer with Mister Willie.
Woohoo!!!
Sadly, the game never even got started tonight.
I should have realized something was amiss when I saw that none of the players, ours or Lexington's, were warming up on the field.
About fifteen minutes before start time, this was the sight.

Not a good sign.
They were already pulling the tarp over the infield and the game had not even begun.
The announcer said a lightning storm was coming, so the game would be delayed until it passed.
Okay! Fireworks by Mother Nature, as a preview to the post-game, Saturday night, fiReWOrKs! That would be cool!

Yeah.
That didn't happen.
When the rain finally did begin, almost an hour past start time, no lightning accompanied it.
Just rain, lots and lots and LOTS of rain.
The tarp gleamed and light reflected off the puddles to the right, to the left, in the outfield - everywhere.
Yes, I'm sure the ducks of Daffin Park were elated at the new little lakes in Grayson Stadium.
The Sand Gnats' fans? Were they elated?
No, not so much.
We had been looking forward to a summer evening outdoors, watching talented young men playing America's pastime, with fireworks to delight us at the end of our adventure in baseball.

That worked out okay, though.
They finally called the game just before 8 pm, after two hours of fans just hanging out together.
I took Mister Willie home, then headed off for my $5, 5-topping pizza.
This time, my cheeseless, thin crust, pie had chicken breast, spinach, diced Roma tomatoes, pineapple, and chopped artichoke hearts. Sooo very tasty!!! And he rain had cooled the house off enough that I could even turn on the oven and bake it! Woohoo!
How did I get a $13 pizza for only $5? The boys had scored the requisite five runs last night for the deal at Papa Murphy's. Actually, the boys won with a score of exactly five runs, allowing the Legends to only make one run.
We'll see how the teams do for tomorrow's doubleheader.
Maybe more pizza is in my future!

toys in the attic (and elsewhere)

This morning, I started my day with this movie about toys.
I was given free popcorn.
(Free drink, too!)
"The Lego Movie" was part of the Carmike Cinema's Summer Kid series of films.
Tonight, I will end my day with a movie about toys.
I will also receive free popcorn.
"Transformers: Age of Extinction" begins in about thirty minutes, making it a night flick, but thanks to Dealflicks and Spotlight Eisenhower Square, it won't cost me but a few bucks more than I paid this morning.
(The drink will be extra, if I choose to buy one.)
What a wonderful life!

I had seen "The Lego Movie" earlier this year, on February 18. Then, on March 16, while marking time waiting for the bfe's flight back from Canada, I arranged the pieces of the display and snapped the above photo. (That movie had some staying power, for its marketing materials to still be out in the cinema lobby!)
At the time, I thought it was a post-apocalyptic bit of fantasy and very much enjoyed it. So, I'd been looking forward to seeing it again, when I saw it was on the summer schedule.
Today, I realized something else: this film bears a striking resemblance to "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who"!!!
What a revelation!
Seriously, just hear me out.
(All subreferences intended!)
The correlation between the two does exist.
Both movies are about imaginary, small, worlds populated by inhabitants who are mostly unaware of their presence in a much larger world.
Both movies feature main characters in the larger world who are trying to convince others in their world of the presence of life in the small world.
For the most part, the inhabitants of the small world are oblivious to the fact that outside forces are at work, either for or against them.
Sure, the details differ.
One movie is completely animated and both worlds are imaginary, whereas the one I watched today had both animated fiction and live action reality.
In one movie, one of the inhabitants of the small world must convince the others of the presence of the large world in order to save their wish-puff from being scattered into the four winds. In this morning's movie, the inhabitants of the small world are never aware of the outside world. Not once.
So, off I go to see Optimus Prime! Will he save Earth?
I sure hope so!!!
(smile!)

summer kid, that's me!

That is one giant bumblebee!
Though, in truth,
it probably isn't any larger than this one.
But perspective is the key.
When you've been shrunk to the size of the Leafmen, size definitely matters!

I've really been enjoying my animation film festival!
While it's true that not all of the movies in the cinemas' series of summer-morning films are animated, a good many are.
That's fine with me!
Especially when they include race scenes or swordfights or pirates!
Not that pirates are in "Epic". Because they are most certainly not.
But I would not have minded if they were.
(smile!)
I was a little late joining the summer-morning films this year.
I did not see my first one until Tuesday, June 10th. But what an awesome first film for my personal Summer Kid Film Festival - "How To Train Your Dragon"!!! Toothless, my lovely Night Fury dragon!!! Woohoo!!!
To get to see the original days before the sequel came out was... aWeSOmE!!!
(Yes, I know I already said it, but it bore repeating.)
That first film of my SKFF was at the Royal Cinema in Pooler. They were the only ones that offered that favorite movie for me. Their summer films had started the week before. The movies screen on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM and cost one dollar. Popcorn and a drink can be had for only $4.
Two weeks would pass before I was able to continue with my Summer Kid Film Festival. (Hey, I'm pretty busy in the summer, with travels and such. You, too, right?)
That second film, on June 25th, was "The Croods", at the Spotlight Cinema. Great movie about family, adventure, and daughter-father relationships. The Spotlight group screens their summer-morning films on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, at 10 AM. They are the only cinema that offers three days of these kid movies - and they are also the only ones at which the movies are free. To encourage them to continue, I usually buy the kid-sized tray of popcorn, soda, and candy. (It's only about $5.)
The very next day, I went to my third film as a Summer Kid: "Despicable Me"!!! That was at the Carmike Cinema. A mere $4 gets you the movie, popcorn, and a drink. Their Summer Kid Series is held only on Thursdays, so keep that in mind.
Up to this point, I had previously seen the movies. None were new to me.
Not so for the fourth film! "The Adventures of Tintin", about an investigative boy reporter and his dog, had somehow escaped me when it came out three years ago. I'm so glad the Summer Movie Express at the Regal Cinema brought it for me on this first day of July!
By the way, their summer films are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and cost just one dollar. Popcorn can be had for just a few dollars more. Two of them, in fact. Dollars, not popcorns.
On July 3rd, I was back at the Carmike for "Despicable Me 2", for more fun with Minions and the three once-orphaned girls Gru had adopted - adorable! What great timing! Just one week after the cinema had screened the original! I bet they did that on purpose!
(smile!)
And that brings us to this week and today.
My Summer Kid Film Festival has had five movies so far, all animated.
I wonder what the rest of the festival will bring?
I'll be sure to let you know...

sunsets and baseball, oh my!

One of the reasons I so enjoy the Sand Gnats' games is this: I have a front row view to the sunset on every night game.
I don't mean that literally. My actual seat is back on the green-painted wooden bleachers, behind home plate, under the roof and protected by the safety netting.
That gives me an unobstructed view of the sunset, out beyond center field.
Some sunsets are definitely more notable than others.
Last night's, for instance.
We had been beset by summer storms the past few days, with Friday's game rained out and Thursday's called on acount of rain (after three innings of continuous drenching).
The moisture level was still high in the air and clouds were plentiful.
That set up last night for a levely light show, courtesy of Mother Nature.
So... Here we go!
These photographs were taken about four minutes apart, using only the camera of my 7-year-old Samsung, flip-style, cell phone.

i got a ping pong ball!

Honestly, that's what I texted to my friend Bill, along with the above picture.
That was the start of this fabulously fun evening at the ballpark!
You see, it was Forrest Gump Night with the Sand Gnats, in honor of the movie's 20th anniversary. I had been sure to arrive super-early so I would be one of the lucky 500 in the "Life is Like a Box of Chocolates" Giveaway. Success!
And when I opened my little 'gift', did I find chocolate? A free game ticket? A magical feather to grant access to the rest of the games this season?
Others did.
I got a ping pong ball.
Reminds me of poor Charlie Brown getting rocks in his trick-or-treat bag!
Hahaha haha!
Truly, I was delighted!

Here's Gnate T. Gnat,
taking a moment
to sit with Forrest Gump.
Notice that
SAL Championship ring
our beloved mascot is wearing!

Here's Mister
Willie Smith, Jr.,
taking a load off his frame
to greet Forrest Gump.
He's flashing his
SAL Championship ring
that the Sand Gnats gave him!

And of course yours truly
took advantage
of the situation
to sit with Forrest Gump!
See him pointing at my
as-yet unopened
'box of chocolate'?

Forrest Gump
gets ready
to throw that
first pitch...

... and he goes into the wind-up...

Success!
The pitch made
perfect contact
with the catcher's mitt!
Play ball!!!

Here he is,
in the dugout,
awaiting his turn at bat.
(Sadly, he did not
get called up.)
LOL!

Here's Forrest Gump
racing Gnate
around the bases!
Run, Forrest, run!

Come back, Forrest,
come back!
You're going
the wrong way!

He fared very well
at Gump Trivia, though!
(I did pretty well
at that, too,
down in Daytona Beach!)

Forrest and Gnate
had fun together
at the third-base gate,
greeting kids!

Forrest even
autographed some baseballs
for the kids...
and maybe for a few adults, too!

And here we have
Gnate chatting up
Forrest and Lt. Dan!
Just so you know,
that isn't really Lt. Dan,
but our very own Catfish,
Lifetime Season Ticket Holder
for the Sand Gnats!

The sky was gorgeous, too!
I decided
to do a time-lapse
of the sunset,
starting now...

Baseball at night - such a delight!