toast to the year's end

As 2016
ticks ever closer
to an end,
I will gladly
lift my glass
and pray
for a
better 2017,
with bright lights,
with warm nights,
and with greener days.

(Thanks, Marjorie, for the superb photograph.)

two and two and two and...

Sounds like dance steps, doesn't it?
Not this time!
When I checked in to my meeting this morning, I was down by 0.2 pounds.
That was rather amazing, truly.
If you could see my tracking journal, you'd laugh out loud!
To my credit, though... at least I kept at it, even when I knew I was doing wrong. Several of the pages, especially for this past month, have run out of lines before I ran out of entries.
But I continued to hold myself accountable for every bite...
and now my poundage is all in two's!
(You can figure it out, I'm sure.)
(smile)
I've been part of the "Beyond The Scale" program since early September. My logic was this: if there were less of me to finagle, that would make for an easier recovery.
I had initially joined because I wanted to lose a bit of my mass prior to my hand surgery.
I'm now more than 13.62 kilograms lighter and still faithfully attending weekly meetings...
that start at 9:00 AM...
on Saturday mornings.
It is all about incorporating new habits.
That was the focus of this morning's session.
New habits to replace old ones.
The new habit I have chosen is more mindful portion control.
Toward the achievement of that goal, I purchased measuring bowls and measuring cups.
Very colorful, of course!
And guess what?
On this last day of the last month of this year, I received a twenty-dollar bonus with my purchase!

Now I'll have a sturdy lunchbox for this upcoming school session!
Also, a mini-whiteboard with marker, some cool Post-Its, a bright cloth to clean my glasses, a glittery headband, perfect pink for my lips, and a few other cool gifts.
Sweet!
And I was going to buy those measuring tools anyway...
definite bonus!

poly-fishy-puns!

As I tell my students, "poly-" is given to us by the Greeks and refers to "many", which, in some cases, simply means "more than one".
So, here are "more than one" fish-related puns, in honor of my mahi mahi dinner with the peace Guy!
These were gleaned from yesterday's newspaper's crossword puzzle.

A fishy shout from a frustrated couple?
We've haddock!

A fishy plea for mercy?
Spare the cod!

A fishy shout to a wallflower?
Don't be so koi!

What the fishy cryptologist enjoys doing?
Kraken codes!

{LOL! I especially liked that last one!
Remember: I was a spook in the Navy.}
(smile)

Now, I know you're wondering about the Jumble.
Right?
Sure you are!
And so here it is.

The cartoon drawing has two cyclists riding along a path by the beach.
One says, "I don't see any joggers. Let's take it easy."
The other replies, "I'm not pedaling."
The Jumble to solve says:
"They were headed downhill and decided to stop pedaling now that the coast was clear.

Nice - but no fish.
(smile)

bonefishing with the rogue!

He had called me yesterday to say he was coming to town. Did I have any plans for NYE?
I did not, I told him.
I was trying to limit my driving, as I have been doing far too much of it... especially as I was to not do any for at least for weeks.
I didn't tell him, but I went to Bluffton on Wednesday and I've been downtown for three of the past four days.
That's entirely too much driving.
Tonight, he called to touch base, after a miserable day holed up indoors.
We both needed something more... so he rode to my rescue, scooping me up and escorting me out to dinner.
Yes, indeed! We both needed something special and at Bonefish, Kasey gave it to us!
I had a giftcard, so we decided to splurge and have a cocktail while we waited to be seated. Crazy, right?
I saw on the menu a drink I hadn't sipped for quite a while: Moscow Mule. Joe decided to have the same! Trust me, that beverage was quite appropriate to ride on this blustery chill evening.
Most definitely!
Then we dined most lavishly!
Yes, we did!
And we stepped into the easy relationship of old friends, allowing time to flow around us as we dined and talked and sipped our Russian treats.
By the time we were done with our last bites, we had both relaxed into our cheery selves again...
i thank You, God.

I do so miss having him around more often.

singing in the rain, to the stars and beyond

Daughter...
Mother...
together still.

The cartoon, drawn by Ricky Lachance (image cpopyright) was posted by Todd Fisher, who wrote that it was a depiction of his mother and sister together, reprising their most famous roles, alongside the caption: "This is a beautiful love story to witness in my 58 years. I miss them both so much. Love is everlasting."

a tale of two nutcrackers

The Lucas Theatre has graced me with usher duty for both of "The Nutcracker" performances this month!
Both were matinees, so there were lots of children!
Very nice!

The first, on December 3rd, was the local production from the Savannah Dance Theatre. As you may recall, their "The Nutcracker in Savannah" creation has several nods to local businesses and people.

The above was my favorite shot, as the curtain was closing, allowing the focus to totally be on young Clara and her nutcracker made real. How romantic, не так ли?

The one today featured the Moscow Ballet! Yes, that renowned Russian dance troupe! Their performance is titled the "Great Russian Nutcracker" and it most certainly was!

Such a plethora (that word's for you, Christina Ann!) of elaborate scrims! Such a wealth of rich fabrics in the costumes! Wow!
I must say, though, that I liked having the children as part of the dance.
That doesn't mean I won't turn down the chance to see this fancier production again. I will gladly see it! But it's been very nice to see the Savannah touches in the one performed by Savannah's families.
(smile)

jim, these are not robot questions

So, why were the above words uttered?
Was Doctor McCoy speaking with Captain James T. Kirk about glitches in the computer's diagnostic array?
After all, this year marked the fiftieth anniversary of "Star Trek" boldly going into this universe.
It's possible that Bones might have spoken the words during an episode of the television show, or in one of the subsequent movies... possible, but not very probable.
So, no, that's not what I'm quoting, though science fiction is the genre.

Well, maybe it was a discussion between the writers of a newer fan favorite, "Guardians of the Galaxy"?
Perhaps, right?
Well, that's a real reach, but... surprisingly... much warmer.
Chris Pratt is involved.

In fact, he's the "Jim" being addressed.
He had just posed some questions concerning the concepts of guilt and conscience to the bartender, Arthur, hoping for the answers that would rationalize his choice.
However, his queries had been quashed by the android's quick response.
That's pure logic meeting the gray matter of humanity.
It's also one of the many reasons I so enjoy "Passengers".
There are some tough questions posed in this futuristic romance, questions which should be explored by more people. My stepmom and I had a very good discussion in the cinema, during the closing credits, and then outside by the water fountain, while munching the popcorn purchased post-movie this time.
Quite enjoyable for both of us!

This was my second viewing, having first seen it on Saturday afternoon.
And you know what?
I was at least as involved as I had been the first time.
I even cried in the same places.
I hope I will get to see it with JavaFlix in the near future.
That would be awesome, almost as much as today's luncheon and movie in Bluffton was!
(smile)

and the hits keep comin'

When the ex texted to me that George Michael had died on Christmas Day, I was in shock.
The man was only a year older than Jeff.
I had immediately flashed back in my mind to February, when I had seen "Deadpool", in which the music of WHAM! had been featured. In particular, the song "Careless Whisper", written by George Michael (and released when he was still part of the English duo), recurs as a theme. No doubt that was also the inspiration behind the film's working title, which was the same as that of the Michael-Ridgeley group.
How could it be that this talented 53-year-old Brit be dead?
It seriously boggled my mind.
Then, this afternoon, las tres amigas, plus one, went to the new musical, "La La Land". We were all quite excited to see this period piece, with its promise of singing and dancing and romance! Perfect for the holidays, right?
Then came the scene where the girl is trying to escape the advances of a blowhard at a party her friends dragged her to. Seeing the keyboardist, who has just retrieved his car keys from the valet box, she yells, "Hey, George Michael! Would you get my keys too?"
I could swear a hush fell over the packed cinema room.
"Too soon", I thought but did not say.
I doubt I was the only one who did.
Then I recalled that this movie was part of the Savannah Film Festival this year.
It was screened at the Trustees on October 23rd.
So, I looked up when the filming was done - summer of 2015.
No one wold have had a clue that George Michael would have died by the time it opened nationwide.
I do have to wonder, now, if it might be edited in the near future, to delete his name and the awkwardness of the scene.

Afterward, I begged off from the group.
"Gotta go buy groceries."
That was certainly the truth, but ... well, here's the thing: this is Tuesday.
Tuesday.
I'm supposed to have plans on Tuesdays...
though I suspect last week marked the end of that run.
Sigh.
So, when I left the trio, I was a little bummed out about that.
And I was a little more bummed out from that casual reference in the movie to the dead singer-songwriter.
I had not yet truly processed his death and the glib line felt raw.
Better that I should simply go home and settle in, maybe check out chemistry.com some more, see if I could scare up a date or two for Meatloafgrrrl...
and as I'm logging into comcast to my email account, the headline snags my attention...
Star Wars' Carrie Fisher Dead At 60
I felt numb.
I dashed over to the only news source I trust: the BBC.
They confirmed the news.
Carrie Fisher, the woman I had met in 1977 as Princess Leia, head of the rebel alliance to defeat Darth Vader, had died of complications from a heart attack.
She was only two years older than me.
I sat right here and sobbed like a child.
Tuna chowder for dinner has helped salve my soul, but I feel as though I have lost a member of my family...
especially as I had just seen her looking daisy-fresh on the silver screen last Tuesday...

(w)rap session!

It's totally his fault that I'm wrapping presents this late at night.
Totally.
(smile)
Actually, I'm glad of his intervention, random though it may have been.
Or perhaps Mother Pat and Mama had a hand in this?
There are no coincidences, after all, and timing truly is everything!

"Whatever are you nattering about?"

The fact that my living room and dining room are strewn with giftwrap bought years ago and bags dragged from the "gift closet" full of items meant for birthday presents earlier this year...

"What did the ex want with any of that???"

Oh, not a thing.
Truly.
When he had come by this morning from the toy store, he brought a three-pack of wrapping paper as well as the toys for his grandson. We were to meet for lunch and he had texted that he was shopping. I replied that I was "hanging at home, willing to wrap presents."
He took me up on the offer, too!
LOL!

"My goodness! How much time did that take up?"

Hey, it was time very nicely spent!
We were able to chat and catch up on family doings and I was able to let out some creativity that I have been missing out on this season.
Do you know that I have not sent out the first Christmas card this year?
Not a single one!
Nor did I have the family gathering, as I the hand surgery has made such an activity a bit beyond my grasp at this time. (Get it? LOL!)
My first niece had said that she would have the gathering at her house, but she has been far too occupied with canoodling in Carolina to do any such thing.

"Funny word - canoodling - hahaha!"

Yes, it is. It figures that German is listed as part of its origin, as the man she has been canoodling (in the Swedish sense) for most of this year is also German.

"O-kay. Back to happy thoughts...?"

Most def!
You know, I haven't been wrapping gifts this year. I've been using gift bags and tissue paper instead. Handling paper was just too painful for my fingertips.
And you know what?
My fingers - on both hands! - were just fine today! Not once did they pain me or hamper my creativity with the wraps or the curling ribbon or the tape!
In fact, I had been so rapt with our rapping whilst wrapping that I didn't even notice the lack of pain!

"Punny. Very punny..."

Thanks!
I know I was reaching there, but I just HAD to!
(smile)
We tried to dine at Sweet Potatoes, but they were closed, so we went to Carey Hilliard's instead. I even came away with shrimp salad and fries for later!
Then he was off to see his daughter and I was off to catch "The Edge of Seventeen" before it left town. (i thank God i never had to raise teenagers.)
As I was rushing to the special screening of "It's A Wonderful Life" at the Regal, that's when I realized the thing about my hands.

"The thing about your hands?"

You know: that they hadn't hurt while I was wrapping those gifts and handling that paper and tape and ribbon.
What joy!
And now, here I am, madly wrapping presents for several of my great-nieces and great-nephews, hoping I will be able to personally deliver the gifts tomorrow.
Merry Christmas Eve!

carolin' oddly!

i thank You, God!
I most certainly needed this bit of merriment this evening!
I also thank Danielle for providing these photos, as I deliberately came sans phone.

The holiday special featured a comfy living room set, with the furniture moved in from the waiting room at the Muse Arts Warehouse.

First up was Lynita Spivey, accompanied by visiting Ryan Curdy on piano.
The song was a favorite, "Christmas Time is Here", done beautifully.

What would a Christmas special be
without Elvis in the house?
Not that special!
(smile)
Here, he was accompanied by
volunteer backup singers for a festive
"Blue Christmas"!

In between the skits, a trio of roving carolers
(Chris, Darren, and Marshall)
would traverse the stage...
sometimes "skating",
mostly walking,
always funny!

Jax sang an original song, especially composed for this show!
It was all about a beleaguered mom,
up all night readying the house
for Christmas morning,
who just wanted everyone to
"Let Me Sleep"!
Hahahaha haha!

this is the four-headed Oracle, or "Fouracle"
(as I called them and emcee Jason liked!),
aka Zack, Marshall, Darren, and Chris,
answering questions from the audience about Christmas.

Superheroes!
Captain Mistletoe Hands (Thomas) had enlisted the aid of TurtleGirl (Lynita), Cottonball Man (Trick), and Ugly Sweater Guy (Justin).
For what purpose?
Hilarity, of course!

So, we have the question-answering Fouracle, the problem-solving Superheroes... and also Sooth Santa!
He was in charge of explaining the meaning of odd (get it?) gifts!
I especially liked the hand-arm-shoulder puns Trick supplied along with the mannequin arm prop from the audience!

The most
amazing part
of the first act -
and I do mean
a-m-a-z-i-n-g-! -
was Trick Kelly's
juggling act -
on a high-rise
unicycle!!!
Wow, wow,
WOW!
(See the black
arm support
in the lower right
of the photo, past
the blue-jeaned legs?
That's my left arm
and me,
on the front row,
holding my breath!)

The second act was the OddLot's fractured version of "A Christmas Carol".
It ended with Tiny Tim (Jason Arons) uttering the line I had penned:
"Hello Clarice. Dinner tonight?"
Hahaha haha!
(Think Rudolph, folks,
not Lechter!)
Then, all gathered onstage for OddLot's Christmas song...
what a perfect ending!

Off go las tres amigas to watch "SING"!!!

more than just an ag-gra-VA-tion

Ronnie has been such an aggravation to me today.
Here's what I'm talking about.
I was trying to get my financial papers in order and had been steadily working on it all this morning. By early afternoon, I was beginning to see the light to the end of the tunnel...and I got a phone call. It was Randy, on Ronnie's phone, calling to tell me Ronnie was in the hospital, "throwing up blood and with blood in his stool and his pee" and Randy thought this was the end, that Ronnie was dying. Ronnie was "in the ER at Memorial" and they wouldn't let Randy there because he wasn't family and I needed to get there fast.
So I dropped everything and went there, with Randy calling me twice more along the way and even meeting me in the parking lot, each time rattling off the same spiel and looking like he was about to cry.
They let me into the ER holding area and directed me to the gurney pulled up against the wall.

There he was,
white blanket pulled up
past his head,
curled up on his side...
sleeping?
No blood anywhere.
At all.
Dirt, yes, but no blood.
I gently placed my hand
on his shoulder,
and told him I was there...
and he starts nattering away, like he was just fine, nattering away about being hungry and wanting a cigarette and being ready to leave.
He was drunk, of course.
I felt like I had been tricked.
I waited for a nurse to finally come by.
What was Ronnie's problem?
He had fallen, while drunk, and banged up his right ribcage, but the X-rays showed he had not broken anything, just bruised the area.
But I knew that was the SECOND time he had done that. The first time had been just a few days after my hand surgery. He had been complaining about the fall when his daughter (my first niece) had taken me and him to dinner that Monday, four days after my return from Charleston. (I had ended up paying for all three of us.)
I got so angry. So angry that Randy had lied to me, so angry that Ronnie was drunk again, so angry at feeling used and stuck.
We were able to leave by 4 PM.
Then we went to IHOP for a late lunch.
Usually, Ronnie picks at his food and talks about how much his stomach has shrunk, so he can't eat much.
Not this time.
He ate every last bite of a big bowl of grits, two pieces of French toast, two huge strips of bacon, two sausage links, two eggs, and two pancakes.
Every last bite.
I had texted Smitty, to get him to join us.
No response.
My anger continued to build, and Ronnie constantly nattered on.
We left for CVS so I could get his pain medication.
I tried Smitty's cell phone.
After ringing and ringing, the call was disconnected.
Did he hang up on me???
Truly ticked, I called his house.
Mary answered and I told her all about how awful an afternoon I was having and Ronnie's stuff and nonsense and Randy lying to me and Smitty blowing me off...
And she calmed me down. Smitty was home sick, on the couch. He had tried to get to his phone, but didn't reach it in time and he hasn't set up the voice mail. Everything would be okay. What could she do for me?
Just hen, a young man leaving the drugstore, seeing Ronnie, shook his hand, slipping him a folded five-dollar bill and wishing him a "Merry Christmas"... and then he did the same with me.
With ME.
I was so embarrassed.
I just broke down and cried.
Did I look as bad as Ronnie did? Did I look homeless and dirty?
Ronnie totally did not understand.
I paid for his prescription and then took him to Target to get a new phone card, since he still had his phone and it was about to run out of minutes. Thank God For the manager (Allan) of the electronics department at Target. He could see how distraught I was and he took charge and took care of us. He even loaded the minutes onto Ronnie's phone, so that is set for the next two months.
All the way out through the store, Ronnie kept saying, "I sure could use one of those" and "I sure would like to have that" and "Santa should bring me one of those".
I finally snapped out, "Well you better ask Santa Smitty for that because I am tapped out."

Ronnie then wanted me to
buy him some beer.
Seriously.
I had just dropped
close to
seventy dollars
on his behalf
and he wanted me
to buy him
two bottles of beer
at the Chevron,
since he has been banned from its premises.
Banned, from a gas station...
I told him I could not, in good conscience, buy him any alcohol.
I then dropped Ronnie off at his neck of the woods, literally.

And I went home
and sat on my bed
in my darkening
bedroom, under the
soft glow of
my special lamp,
hugging myself
and rocking
as I cried for the
next thirty minutes.

i thank You, God, for that helpful young man at Target (Allan) and that well-meaning young man outside the CVS and that sweet waitress (Cheena) at IHOP...
and i ask for you to be especially kind to them...

Now, I am joining Barbara and Sandy for our previously-scheduled outing tonight, with those improv folks.
I certainly need a good laugh...

christmas peacocks in the house!

Andrew and Shavon were here!!!
Andrew had phoned a few weeks ago. They would be passing through on the 20th and 21st, he said in his fine British voice, on the way to have Christmas with her parents in Florida. Would either of those dates work for me to share dinner with them?
YES!!! My enthusiastic response surely rattled the ether that morning!
And now, today was the day!
It had been five years since I last saw them.
That means it had also been five years since I've been to Virginia.
Oh, wait... I take that back... I had been through Virginia in 2013, using the Historic Powhatan as a hotel to break up my trip to, and from, Mel's in Pennsylvania. I had even stopped for a brief visit with the Davidsons on that trip.
Back to those lovely Peacocks!
This was their first trip to Savannah.
Their first one ever!
And they were in town primarily to see me!!!
How very nice!
We visited for about an hour, with me granting them the full nickel tour.
The full nickel tour, mind you!
That includes names of paint colors, you know.
(smile)
The jasmine time in the kitchen...
lifevest orange accent wall in the maize gold living room, with its surfboard yellow windows, doors, and baseboards...
guest bedroom in Valencia violet...
my haven of aged mint with gleaming white trim and crown moulding...
the sunwashed blue for the Ocean Room, with its kickstarter wall...
Ah...
Oh, yes! The Peacocks were here!!!
(Did you notice the "u" in "moulding"? That's a nod to Andrew being British! Oh, yes!)
I showed them my invention, too, and we had a quite nice discussion about it.
Remember, Andrew is the post-doc I had worked with in Mandelkern's lab, and his lovely wife of all these years is in education, so they totally "got it" with my project. I even found out that Andrew has several inventions of his own that he has had patented! Not that he is making any money on those; the polymer companies he worked for actually own those rights. That won't be the case for me. I didn't even get reimbursed for the money (or hours of time) I spent in the development of my invention. Hooray for being an adjunct professor!
(smile)
Then it was time for dinner!
We went to Sweet Potatoes, of course.

Every time I have folks visiting, that is my "go to" place.
Just ask Cathy and Paul!
I ordered the veggie plate, with four sides. They both had the catfish! I took most of mine home, to savor tomorrow (as today I've been ill from bad food in my fridge).
Then, back to my house to chat for a while longer.
Wonderful!
Such a marvelous holiday visit!
I do hope their trip to her folks in Florida will be full of happy times!

i thank You, God, for this blessed day!

'twas the tuesday before christmas...

...and all through the cinema
you could hear us laughing
and carrying on,
sharing good times once more
with Kevin and his gal,
and three dames galore!

Weak, yes, I know!
But perhaps it bespeaks
the enjoyment we all
had tonight,
as we prepare
for the weekend in store.

(smile!)

The occasion?
Tuesday with Kevin, of course!
As with last week, he had Silvia with him.
She's a very sweet young woman and he has quite taken to her, as has she to him.
He is even learning Spanish so they can carry on in private when in public.
Here they are!

Yes, it's a bit blurry, and his eyes are closed, but I still think it a fabulously fun photo of that pair of sweeties.
So, there.

Turn about is fair play, as you know.
He took a photo of las tres amigas, plus two lunch ladies.

Wait a minute!
There's only four dames in this photo!
(smile)
Well, I am a Lunch Lady and so is Jackie, on my right.
So, that's two Lunch Ladies.
Last Friday, the Lunch Lady Christmas Gathering was held. This time we met at Cuoco Pacco, a new Italian eatery where the original 606 East once existed. She and I were joined there by two newcomers, Kathy and Laura, and dined with mirth on pasta in the cold. No worries! We, and the restaurant, were all quite warm by the time we had wished our last holiday greetings to each other!
As we were taking our leave, Jackie mentioned the new Star Wars movie and I invited her to join me later that day for the Star Wars Christmas tale in Rincon - but she could not - and to join us on Tuesday for "Rogue One" - and she did!
She was at dinner with us at Buffalo Wild Wings, too!
So, that takes care of the two Lunch Ladies in the photo.
Then, we have Sandy and Barbara to my left, with Sandy mimicking my Muppetish left hand.
Las tres amigas!
Hey, just pass it off as new math, okay, and you'll be fine.
(smile)

What a wonderful night!
The movie was pretty good, too!
(smile)

you make me feel like dancing!

Honestly, that 1976 Leo Sayer song was the first thing that popped into my head after speaking with the doc today!
So cheerful! So perky!
So, why that song?
Because I was so happy!

After removing the gauze, Dr. Brian Hill commended me on doing such a fine job at protecting my hand. The wound looked just like it should, as any self-respecting wound that is healing would!
Hooray!
He told me that I would be able to get it wet, too.
Hooray!
I am taking a shower tonight!!! (I have not had one of those since Wednesday, December 7th, at the hotel, the eve before the surgery. Aaaaccckkkk!)
He told me I should be able to go back to my regularly scheduled life.
Hooray!
My bra will be coming OFF tonight!!! (I have been trapped into wearing it continuously since Thursday, December 8th, when the nurse fastened it for me, post-surgery. Aaaaccckkkk!)
Merry Christmas to me!!!

I am now safely home, after riding the VA shuttle all day.
i thank You, God, for the good care I have received.

PFS mystery Christmas at the 'Bean

Thank you, Jim Reed and the Psychotronic Film Society of Savannah!
I'm so glad Jim had sent me a text message invite to this special "holiday mystery" gathering!
What a fabulous Christmas gift to all of the Wednesday night regulars - and to the irregulars, too!
I count myself in that latter category, of course.
(smile)
This screening was a bit irregular, too - it was on a Sunday!
I so enjoyed "Fitzwilly" tonight at the Sentient Bean! With a marvelous scene at Christmastime at Gimbel's, the huge department store, this delightful caper was just what I needed! Sitting beside Ken and his calming presence, and surrounded by folks I knew, like Joe and Lois of New Jersey, newlyweds Bonnie Blue and Don, the vivacious Carolyn and once-huggable Hai and newly-Jewish Teri, and, yes, even in the company of ex-Pepper Jack...LOL!
I'm glad I'll see most of them again on Wednesday.
Hooray for winter break!

The Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Feldon romantic comedy from 1967 was just what I needed, too.
It had the right ending.
Not that its happy ending is something I require of a movie.
I saw "Allied" a few days ago with Barbara Boo. That beautiful romantic film, set during WWII, certainly did not have a happy ending. However, what it did have was an appropriate, though unexpected, conclusion. The bfe would have greatly enjoyed it; my first niece would not have.
I found the ending very satisfactory. Yes, even though I had to sit and cry for a few minutes afterward.
Since then, endings have not been as they should.
On Saturday evening, I attended a play at Muse Arts. It was a rather bittersweet event, as I had expected. This was the last time Collective Face would be performing in the space which they have called home since their first performances in 2010. The building has been bought and is destined to be razed, with housing to consume this area.
At the end of February, Muse Arts Warehouse will become a thing of the past, sadly.
So, where was I?
Oh, yes, attending the penultimate performance of the last play by Collective Face in this space I have so enjoyed for so many years.
The play was "Pygmalion", the century-old script by George Bernard Shaw. I knew it was the basis for the musical I so loved, "My Fair Lady", but was prepared for this production to not have any music. In fact, I rather enjoyed spotting the dialogue which would later be the themes f several of the songs. That was very nice and even felt like a bit of an inside joke for me and the actors here.
(smile)
But I did not like the ending.
Unlike the protagonist in the Greek myth, Shaw's cantankerous man of transformation did not win the hand of fair maiden.
Say what?
That truly took me by surprise.
It was not what I had expected at all.
That ending was not satisfactory for a deeper reason than I could have voiced at the time.
You see, Mark played Professor Higgins.
He should have "got the girl" in the play, as real life has dealt him quite a different hand.
I did not even hang around after to speak with the cast.
Instead, I went straight home.
Fortunately, the cable was offering "The Nightmare Before Christmas" for free viewing... that soon had me right as rain.

This afternoon, I went to "Collateral Beauty" with Boo. I had known it was about dealing with grief and expected it to be excellent. After all, Will Smith is in it and I have found him to have an incredible knack at selecting his roles.
I may have to re-think that blind devotion.
It isn't that the movie was bad. Au contraire!
The movie was excellent... until the last three minutes. Then, it totally jumped the rails and tacked on some utterly unnecessary - and fake-feeling - scenes. It had the perfect ending right at hand... then went on to ruin it.
It's as if they had no understanding of angels after all.

i thank You, God, for the antics of an old-fashioned romantic comedy, and the company of good friends, to wash those two bad tastes our of my system.
Timing, my dears, timing to the rescue of my psyche...
plus, a cheerful holiday gathering!
And tomorrow, I see the docs in Charleston for my post-op visit...

christmas brunch with the bfe!

I wish I had thought to take a photo of the three of us. I'm sure the waitress at The Original Pancake House would have gladly obliged!
Perhaps it's just as well.
I had worn my "medieval roses" dress, but the physicist and his lady love were clad only in sweats.
They had already been busy this morning moving boxes of his stuff to the storage center.
The brunch was a welcome break for both of them and a last time for their ritual on this weekend, his final one in Savannah until the summer.
We postponed the giving of gifts until after they had dropped me back off at my house.

I gave him the slate blue long-sleeved shirt, as well as a collection of teas.
"To keep him warm with loving thoughts", I had written in the Christmas card.
I truly hope so!

And just look at all I received!
Tissues for my nose!
Tissues for my derriere!
Tissues for my kitchen!
And all very nice ones, too, not just the store brand!
Puffs and Kleenex!

But best of all...
and the one he led with...
is that glorious calendar with 16-months of Elvis to entertain me!
I may have actually squealed like a schoolgirl!
Glorious!
Absolutely glorious!!!

I am so going to miss that physicist...
I'll be sure to think of my bfe every time I wipe my nose...
or anything else...
and when I wear my turquoise shirt that matches his slate one.
(smile)

star wars christmas!

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far away...
just kidding!
It was in this galaxy, but long ago...

Mary Skywalker receives a message from God, via C3PO and r2d2, concerning her upcoming pregnancy with a baby boy who would...
Say what?
She wasn't even married yet!

Joseph HanSolo consults his best friend, Chewbacca, as to whether he should still marry that pregnant girl...

Then the two robots come with another message from God, accompanied by the angel Gabriel...
consider yourselves man and wife, they were told.

Darth Herod has felt the disturbance in the force and knows something is afoot...

Mary and Joseph walk to Bethlehem, where he knows an innkeeper, and they secure lodging in the stable, just in time for her to give birth...

Darth Herod totally loses his cool, commanding his Roman troopers to go out and kill all the babies...

When Yoda arrives with the three magi, Darth Herod asks that they please return to inform him of the baby's location...

The magi arrive at the stable, pay their respects, and then allow Yoda to find them a different way out of the city...

And now you know the rest of the story!
The end!

Time for Santa Claus to make his appearance and reward all with treats for a superb performance!

Where on Earth was I???
Out in Rincon, at the Faith Presbyterian Church. Pastor Mary even delayed the start of the production so I could make a pit stop first. I told her I had passed it six or seven times, out there in the dark, even with my handy GPS. Thank goodness the folks at the family reunion up the street mentioned that the church was "just before you get to the railroad tracks".
Found it right away then!

Why was I there?
I never go to Rincon. I don't know anyone out there.
However, someone I know had tagged the event on facebook, and I had seen it when I went looking for something to do.
"May The REAL Force Be With You", it was titled.
How could I possibly say "no"?
Seriously?

I am so glad I was there!
Definitely the right place, at the right time.
There are no coincidences, you know.
I was meant to be there.
(smile)

i thank You, God.

crabs and roller skates!

Today, I needed something to perk myself up.
I've been a bit blue these past few weeks, and not just because my left hand is fairly useless, I've been trapped in this same bra ever since last Thursday, and I haven't had a shower since last Wednesday before the surgery (but after the colonoscopy).
No, it goes deeper than that.
I've gotten tired of being the odd girl out.
Mmmphff.
So, I treated myself to a double-featured, animated, film festival!
Believe it or not, I had not yet seen "Trolls" - seriously!
That was first on my list.

Loved its message of happiness being something inside,
not
something
you own or
something
you eat or
something
you get from
anyone else.
Timely words for me.
But my favorite part of the entire movie was the roller skate full of fluffy-haired trolls trying to evade the chef!
Hilarious!!!

"Moana" was next for my film fest!
Such beautiful water and lush scenery to accompany this strong girl on her quest
to save her
island home!
"Take care of Mother Earth" was the message in this one!
My favorite scene was when the crab, Tamatoa, was bragging about his bejeweled "Shiny" body!
Such a glorious hoot!

i thank You, God, for the film fest!

sweater decorating with sketti

Maybe I should have added a strategic comma, n'est-ce pas?
After all, it sounds like this rainy evening may have been spent placing spaghetti pasta on garments.
That would be pretty funny!
Messy, too.
But that was not what was going on at all.
My first niece had picked me up on her way home and taken me to retrieve my car.
Hooray!
I had not fully appreciated how tricky driving would be with only one good hand and partial use of the left. Amazing how much work the wrist has to do when driving!
Aack!
I followed her to her house for dinner.
We had sketti with meat sauce made using real hamburger meat. (I usually use canned chicken.) Very good!
We would have had garlic toast but we burnt it slap up and filled the house with smoke.
Aack!
But the bread pudding that had distracted us came out okay... especially with ice cream on it!
Then she set about working on an outfit for the office Christmas party.

First, she carefully took apart the first-place winner she had created for last year's party.

Then, she laid out the tree design and sewed it in place.
I'm glad she used my zigzag design instead of a simple triangle!

Next, she added the finishing touches, re-using some of the old decor (like that fine red mesh) as well as lovely new red flowers.

And then it was done!
The whole process took about two hours,
which allowed us to "watch" two shows ("Empire" and "Star") that we knew
nothing about.
Honestly, we kept them on for the
musical numbers...
And here she is, modeling the sweater!
Tres bien, mon cheri!
That should win first place again!

'tis the season of parties!

Woohoo!
The first party was an "Ugly Sweater Housewarming" hosted by Christa the squirrel mistress! That was a couple of weeks ago, on December 3rd. We tres amigas had ventured forth together to her new house in Pooler (where "it's cooler")! As a joke, I brought her a collection of clothes hangers of various colors, as a reminder of her "closing house" party a few months ago. Hahaha!

The next holiday gathering was last Sunday, the "Christmas Party" at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church! My first niece accompanied me, with both of us getting dolled up - hooray! We sat with the delightful Barbara Beam and her husband (who would later become Santa!) and their grandchildren. So much scrumptious food!!! And the ham... oh, my, the ham was so very tasty!
Thanks, Christina, for going with me!
Thank you for the ride, too, and for helping fasten my seatbelt... and for responding to my plea of "please release me, let me go.."
(smile)

Yesterday was the third party of the season for me. The end of the fall semester signaled the arrival of the annual "Ugly Sweater Holiday Party and Pirate Gift Swap" for the CST group. Hey, that's me! Hooray! I do so enjoy that gift swap! I sat with a young biologist, Brigitte, who ended up "stealing" the dragon egg toothbrush holder and coffee mug that I had "stolen" from Delana - ohwhatfun! I ended up doing quite well at the party, walking away with an "Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit"...

... and the Wonder Woman mug I had so wanted, too!

Thanks, Brigitte!

Thanks to the physicist, too!
Because of my hand surgery, I was not yet allowed to drive. I had wanted to attend the school Christmas party, so the bfe had graciously responded to my "J-Dawgg" signal of distress. Hooray! Then, he had patiently waited for me in my office... what a welcome sight!
I am truly going to miss his smiling face when he goes off to New York for sabbatical next semester.

Meanwhile, I have more parties later this week to an-ti-ci----pate!
Hahahaha!

i thank You, God!