2025 faith & family film festival

My gratitude to Comcast for giving me access to a channel I usually cannot watch, but always enjoy!

I must add that Up Faith & Family definitely gave me some unexpected story lines, with a bit more realism and more edge than most holiday movies exhibit.

I like that!

With this dozen films, I had one with a Marine suffering from PTSD.

Another not only had foster children facing eviction at Christmas, but also the effects of a drunk driver on a family.

Then there's the talk show host that books freaks to belittle, just to bring in advertising dollars.

The autism spectrum pops up in the lead character of another film, as a woman who writes logic puzzles.

Plus, a saboteur threatens not just property, but people, in the first one I watched!

Still, I enjoyed every one of those.

Then there were all the Vivica A. Fox movies... a total of four!!! 

Those were made in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2025, with her sporting different styles in each.

Admittedly, two were choices made on purpose, as I sought them out simply because she was in them, and those earlier films were two of my favorites!

So, here are the ones for this year!

 

"North By North Pole: A Dial S Mystery" (2024)

Santa - Dax Belanger
festival planner Zoey - Abby Ross
her mom Avery - Andrea Reindl
co-planner of festival Dalton - Joe Scarpellino

007-clone Wilson - Aason Nadjiwon

 

All is not happy in Willow Creek when two planners clash.

All becomes worse when a saboteur starts wrecking those plans!

 

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"Dial S For Santa" (2023)

LOL!
Forgot I already saw this one last year!

insurance investigator Lana  - Sarah Dugdale
police detective Nick - Julian Haig
Santa - Dax Belanger
 

Note: It has the same Santa!

 

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"A Christmas Masquerade" (2022)

assistant Julieanne - Erin Agostino
public image boss Lara - Cory Lee
the client Michael - David Lafontaine

 

Starts of kinda sorta like "Working Girl", with the client mistaking the assistant for the boss at a party, then the assistant forced to follow through.

That means I liked it! 

 

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"A Carol Christmas" (2003)

TV show host Carol - Tori Spelling  ***
ghost of christmas past - Gary Coleman   ***
ghost of christmas present - William Shatner  ***
 

I had the suspicion that I might have seen this before, though I couldn't have siad for sure until nearly the end, when the three ghosts are looking in the window from outside.

Good fun!

 

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"Festival Of Trees" (2024)

small time designer Jacquie - Kate Miner (alos producer)
her smart-mouth asst Heather - Sara Hayter
treelot owner Brandon Holliday - Greg Perrow
his sick daughter Rachel - Jojo Regina

Actually filmed at the Georgia Festival Of Trees in Atlanta that year!

 

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"A Christmas Murder Mystery" (2025)

newspaper editor Charlotte - Vivica A. Fox  ***
autistic puzzle creator Vera - Morgan Bradley
real estate magnate Harold Sterling - Michael Paré  **
his college lit son Troy - Rob Mayes
 

The puzzle creator also works part-time as a consultant for the hometown police department.

Her catchphrase is, "Here's what we know..."

So nice to see Michael Paré again, though he doesn't have much to say or do after he's poisoned.

Trust me, I gave away nothing, as he dies at the very beginning.

 

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"Annie Claus Is Coming To Town"  (2011)

Santa's daushter Annie - Maria Thayer
Mrs Santa - Vicki Lawrence ***
Santa - Peter Jason
toy store owner Ted - Sam Page
motel owner Lucy - Vivica A. Fox ***
her daughter Mia - Nay Nay Kirby
Dean, actor hired to woo Annie - Ryan Bittle
 

This was so much fun, mostly due to the joyous enthusiasm of the lead, Maria Thayer.

Vivica A. Fox is quite spunky and has hair to match!

 

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"Christmas With A View" (2018)

asst restaurant mgr Clara - Kaitlyn Leeb
her celebrity chef mom Lydia - Vivica A. Fox  ***
celebrity chef hired for holidays Shane - Scott Anthony Cavalheiro
inn and diner owner Frank - Patrick Duffy  ***
co-inn and diner owner Jackie - Jess Walton
Clara's bff Bonnie - Kristen Kurnik
Bonnie's city planner bf Clive - Joseph Cannata

Love, love, love Bonnie and Clive! They're fabulous and quirky fun, constantly drawing parallels to the notorious Bonnie and Clyde!

 

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"Jingle Smells" (2023)

ex-Marine w PTSD Nick - Ben Davies
his police chief dad - John Schneider  ***
his 'Uncle Mike", the garbage man - Brad Stine
CEO of toy company Cashbro - Eric Roberts ***
action star Mason Stone - James Storm ** wrestler

Love that I had another one with John Schneider! 

NOTE: Even dedicated at the end to several military folks.
 

Two original songs in the soundtrack, too, both very funny and one with the Oak Ridge Boys!

"Jingle smells, jingle smells, stinking all the way.

He gives toys to girls and boys, a garbage truck's his sleigh."

 

Tell the truth... you just sang that, didn't you?

(smile!) 

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"Farewell Mr. Kringle" (2010)

magazine writer Anna - Christina Taylor  *** (Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!!!)
her boss and editor - Vivica A. Fox  ***
ex-lawyer, now inn owner Mark - Christopher Wiehl
formerly Mr. Wilson, now Kris Kringle - William Morgan Sheppard
 

Such a beautiful movie about finding Christmas spirit after loss.

 

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"Santa's Got Style"  (2022)

marketing designer Madison - Kathryn Davis
the fashion mogul Paul Grant - Scott Thompson
her best friend and former model Ethan - Franco Lo Presti
his assistant Matthew - Kato Alexander
 

A bit edgy, but I liked it!

 

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"A Christmas Letter"  (2021)

foster home mother Leslie - Glenda Braganza
one of the girls Sam - Ava Weiss
that girl's brother Wendell - Callum Shoniker
mailman who teaches them hockey David - David Lipper (also wrote script) 
his wheelchair-bound dad - Enrico Colantoni (*** 'Just Shoot Me!")
guy on N. Pole Rd, S. Clause - Colin Mochrie (*** "Whose Line Is It Anyway?")
 

Most def a bit edgy, with drunk driver, foster kids getting kicked out at the holidays, but very well done!
I liked that it was set in Detroit, Frankenmuth, and Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario. 

 

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I was quite happy with my choices!

I'd gladly watch any of these again!

Christmas luncheon with a chemist!

Of course I'm talkin' 'bout retiree Yvonne!

We were at Olive Garden, naturally, and her neighbor, Toni, was with us.

Such a lovely two-hour respite we had from the world as we dined on soups and salads!

They had tasks to run in town, or there's no telling how long we might have lingered!

The sun was shining and the day was warm enough to not have a jacket, which was nice.

It'll be horrid tomorrow morning and again on Sunday, but there's good news in that WSAV weather song.

Christmas and Christmas Eve will be in the 70's!!!

i thank You, God!!!

That will make the family gathering at Tony and Laura's better for all!!!

Speaking of making things better for all, remember those items I'd donated to my first niece for the School Store?

That was to allow the students of the elementary school the opportunity to 'buy' gifts for their family members and friends.

She sent me this photo of the leftover items, with the shelves nearly bare and only a few things on the tree and table.

Such a big success, she said!

I'm so blessed to have been able to help!

i thank You, God!

chicken parmigiana with beauty and the beast

"I thought the Savannah Children's Theatre were doing..."

 

This has naught to do with them. This pertains to the free show the Rambam Day School kids performed this evening. The musical selected was "Beauty And The Beast: A Chanukah Tale" and it was great fun!

 

"Oh, good, you did go to it after all! I know you had some concern yesterday, as the weather was so cold. Even though the day climbed up to the mid-50's, it was going to drop back toward the 40's with nightfall."

 

Very true. Fortunately, my warm heart seems to be working nicely, so Dr. Cobb may be right. The A-fib may be gone. That would be wonderful, though I'm still avoiding the colder temperatures because I don't like cold feet. As long I have this inguinal hernia, I cannot bend my right leg to put a sock on my right foot. Even so, I did bounce out for the show tonight and have done well! Hooray! Plus, I got to spend time with Marcia as she enjoyed her three grandkids in the play. Hooray! Plus, I had dessert in the form of donuts after the show! Hooray!

 

"I'm so glad you had such a good time there! But, wait... you called the donuts 'dessert'. Did you dine out?"

I did! Carolyn and I met up at the AMC to see "Ella McKay", which turned out to be a political fairy tale. The lead character manages to effectively revolutionize the world for pregnant women and small children, even though she's in office a scant three days. LOL! But at least we both got to cross that off our A*List!

 

"That makes just one that you've seen this week, right?"

 

Correct. That's okay. The point was, mi amiga and I were able to cross paths for the first time in a few weeks! That warranted us going out for slunch post-movie! Olive Garden was her choice and that was fine with me!

 

"She looks great in the photo! And is that one of the necklaces you bought on your trip to Italy with the nurses?"

 

Carolyn does look good, doesn't she? She's still on a string of antibiotics for her lungs, but she doesn't let it slow her down. And thanks for noticing the necklace! That's the one which looks like it has little gifts tied all over the string. I just know Mama and Grandma would have been enchanted with it!

 

"Hey, I recognize that food, too! That's your favorite soup, right?"

 

Yep, that's pasta e fagiole! This time around on Tina Tuesday, I had the chicken parmigiana. She had the eggplant version! And we talked and caught up and had a lovely time! Then she was back to AMC for a Tollywood film that I hope to catch tomorrow. It's only screening at 6 PM and won't get out until about 9:30. Wish me luck!

"Hey, it's gonna be in the 60's tomorrow. You got this!!!"

how to spend a day in hell

First, be prepared for a great big hygge all day!

That's pronounced like "hoog gah", which sounds close enough to "hug" to me.

I took it to mean I needed to have lots of comforting things around. 

First up was some laughter, of course, as I dined on soup for brunch!

"Happy Days" had Joni home from college for a Christmas without a real tree, as her dad had opted for the aluminum  version from his store.

Next thing ya know, the living room was full of real trees gifted to her!

Then I watched the latest episode of "The Simpsons" to see how Marge dealt with Bart and Lisa being hormonal teens - what a hoot!

And they weren't the only ones going through 'the change'.

Nope, she was in perimenopause and having hot flashes!!!

Poor Homer, of all people, was just trying to keep everyone from getting on each other's nerves.

Well, up until the point when he went through his change and couldn't get an erection... dire action was needed, and needed now!

Hahaha haha!!!

Hey, it's been almost 40 years that I've been watching this family.

About time they got a bit more real!

Okay, time for a movie, and what better than one from 1938?

I recorded it a few days ago when I saw a familiar name: Lena Horne.

I'd only ever known the singer as an old-er woman, someone close to the age I now am.

"The Duke Is Tops" was her film debut, at just 20 years old. 

She wasn't the only songbird, though, in this music and dance laden feast!

The Marie Bryant Swing Band supplied tunes, as did Cats And The Fiddle, as well as the Basin Street Boys - very cool!

And the tap dancing by Willie Covan was absolutely fabulous!!!

Why had I never heard of these people or this movie?

It wasn't marketed to white folks; it's purpose was to draw middle-class black audiences into the cinemas.

I'm so glad I stumbled upon it on GPB Knowledge! 

I'm also thrilled to have spotted a keeper on GRIT TV!

That would be the 1998 "Ebeneezer", a Canadian film featuring Jack Palance as 'Ebeneezer Scrooge' in the Old West. 

Having just seen "A Christmas Carol" live on Saturday, I was curious about the setting and what his character would be like in this modernized tale.

Well, let me say that he put his heart and soul into being the meanest, cheating-est, card shark in town, getting money and land by taking advantage of all who dared to play him.

It really was quite good and I plan to watch it again!

But not tonight, as it's time to warm the bed before I slumber.

Right now, just before midnight, Savannah is 28 F.

By 10 AM tomorrow, the seaport will be 27 F.

Hell, I tell you, sheer hell.

At least the high will be in the 50's... and I am retired and can stay in my warm bed until noon, if I want.

(smile!) 

 

2025 lifetime holiday workers film festival

This is a carefully curated collection of movies with a common theme: people who have to work during the holidays.

All total, there are fourteen.  

 

Two have singers performing at holiday fundraisers.

Two have interns working for free in family businesses. 

Two are about working in department stores during the holidays.

Two feature workers in specialty stores, such as a beauty salon and a toy store.

Two others are actually science fiction and have time travel!

Two have Vivica A. Fox as a big financial wiz versus smaller companies that are saved by an intern. 

Two feature businesses that promote Christmas all year long!

Two have specialty crafts, like house designer or chef, that have solo artists.

Two feature Tia Mowry in the lead roles.

Two have special annual events that are threatened by Winter Storm Megan.

Shall we take a look at the fourteen movies viewed between December 8 through today?

Yes, lets! 

 

"Christmas 9 To 5" (2019)

reporter Jennifer - Tiya Sircar
owner's son Jack - Joe Dinicol
store manager Rose - Sheila McCarthy
elevator man Manny - George Wendt (Norm! from "Cheers")

 

A reporter goes undercover at a family-owned department store.

Very charming tale!

 

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'The Holiday Junkie" (2024)

party planner Andie - Jennifer Leigh Hewitt
house manager Mason - Brian Hallisay
Mimi - Kristin Chenoweth
Mason's bff Darren - Greg Grunberg
Andie's bff Riley - Lynn Andrews 

 

A couple of name-brand actors lend their clout to this story of a woman hired to stage a house and activities for a wealthy family that get called away to a ski resort and then don't arrive home until Christmas Day.

Very interesting drinking game of "worst Christmas ever" showcased here.

 

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"A Very Merry Beauty Salon" (2024)

salon owner Sienna - Tia Mowry
wine store owner Lawrence - RonReaco Lee
Sienna's mom Georgia - Donna Biscoe
 

The first of two with Tia Mowry, this time as a young owner whose mom is in charge of the annual Tinsel Ball.

When a newcomer with money shows up with his own ideas about the event, that's when the fireworks start!

 

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"A Very Merry Toy Store" (2017)

Forrester toy store owner Connie - Melissa Joan Hart
DiNova toy store owner Will - Mario Lopez
Connie's mom Pam - Beth Broderick
big toy store owner Roy - Billy Gardell (of "Mike & Molly")
diner owner Joe - Brian Dennehy   ***
town mayor - Mario Cantone (of "Sex In The City")
 

Several name-brand actors sprinkled in the cast with small roles - nice!

Two family-owned toy stores are threatened when a big block store moves into the neighborhood.

Nice go-cart race and a street carnival with dancing make this fun!

 

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"Radio Christmas" (2019)

DJ Kara - Keshia Knight Pulliam
DJ Scott - Michael Xavier
his daughter Andie - Nakai Takawira

'Kara' has a year-round radio show that's all Christmas, all the time, but the station that airs it has power issues, so she's moved to Bethlehem, PA, for December.

That happens to be home to her biggest fan, 'Andie'.

'Scott' is the local DJ with a heart of gold, hosting the annual Christmas Eve party.

This is the first of two which specifically mention Winter Storm Megan.

 

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"Make Or Bake Christmas" (2024)

seasonal helper/spy Emma - Jasmine Aivaliotis
her real boss Leslie - Vivica A. Fox   ***
her seasonal boss and bakery owner Denise - Jackée Harry   ***
Denise's son Dave Sugarbaker - Landon Moss
 

This is the first of two with Vivica A. Fox, having her appear briefly at the start, at the end, and maybe twice during the story, mostly in solo shots.

'Leslie' sends her assistant 'Emma' to a family-owned bakery to gather information for a take-over.

'Denise' and 'Dave Sugarbaker' welcome her, but realize she has a lot of smarts for someone who is just supposed to be a floater.

Nice to see Jackée of "227" on screen again!

 

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"A Christmas Intern" (2023)

online store owner Alexis - Ciarra Carter
her mom Cecilia - Jackée Harry   ***
financial backer Charlotte - Vivica A. Fox  ***
Charlotte's scout Donte - Doug 
Alexis 'warehouse foreman William - Michael Paré
 

'Alexis' operates an online store that sells Christmas goods, from decor to gifts, all year, but her company is up for financial review for the next year's funding.

That's where Vivica A. Fox comes in again, doing the same as in the above movie (which was made in 2024).

That's also where Jackée comes in, who works as an intern in her daughter's store to help get them through the Christmas rush.

Great to see Michael Paré in action, as I once had a crush on him.

 

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"No Time Like Christmas" (2019)

ad exec Emma - Kyla Pratt
high school sweetie Fletcher - Edward Ruttle
his daughter Lola - Sophia Bachart
his mom Katherine - Marina Stephenson Kerr
watch shop owner, theatre owner Noel - Jim O'Heir

 

An advertising executive with a time crunch and a blank slate goes home for the holidays hoping for an idea.

Next thing you know, she's bumped into her high-school flame and the sparks try to reignite, fanned by his daughter.

Plus, there's a mysterious man that may be the one who 'sold' her the watch she had given to 'Fletcher' all those years ago...

and who now owns the theatre where the new play is to be held...

if Winter Storm Megan doesn't cause it to be canceled on Christmas Eve.

 

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"Christmas In The City" (2013)

intern Wendy - Ashley Williams
her 7yo daughter Grace - Kylie Noelle Price
friend and actress Angie - Shanola Hampton
dept store boss' son Tom - Jon Prescott
cost-cutter Teanna - Ashanti  ***
 

In a last-ditch effort to save the store left by her father, 'Wendy' goes to the big city to work in a major department store with her friend, 'Angie'.

Being a capable and cheerful sort, it isn't long before the owner's scion, 'Tom', takes a shine to her, especially as a cost-cutter is gutting the spirit of the store.

I have no idea why Ashanti is in this, but she makes a great Grinch!

 

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"Yes, Chef! Christmas" (2023)

former chef Alicia - Tia Mowry
her adoptive dad Ken - John Koensgen
her mentor from NJ, Bobby - Buddy Valastro (actual chef)
her mentor for contest Logan - Luke Humphrey
contest sponsors Viola and Rick - Raven Dauda and Scott Gibson
 

This is the second with Tia Mowry, this time as a chef that gets tagged to be one of four contestants in a holiday fundraiser.

Nice to have actual chef Buddy Valastro guesting here!

I also liked the touch about her being adopted and never having known her birth parents, though she's had a DNA test recently and found a family member.

 

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"Christmas In The Spotlight" (2024)

pop star Bowyn - Jessica Lord
her asst Mira - Jeannie Mai
football wide receiver Drew - Laith Wallschleger
his brother, football QB Rob - Dennis Andres

 

Can we say Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce? 

Yes, yes, we can, with the similarity only broken by the position played by the footballer, 'Drew', in this movie, which is wide receiver.

IRL, Kelce is a tight end, which actually sounds like a joke, but isn't.

Very fun look at effect of fame on dating.

 

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 "Christmas In Tune" (2021)

singer Georgia Winter - Reba McEntire
singer Joe Winter - John Schneider
their daughter Belle - Candice King

I very much enjoyed this, though I have a sneaking suspicion that I've seen it before.

Loved the music... 

loved all the costume changes that Reba is so famous for...

loved seeing John Schneider again!!!

 

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"Every Day Is Christmas" (2018)

Scrooge-like business owner Alexis - Toni Braxton
her dead mom Lydia - Gloria Reuben
her limo driver Justin - Michael Jai White
her ditched fiance Marc - Mike Dopud
 

Loved this re-telling of "A Christmas Carol", this time with the too-busy 'Alexis' being helped to appreciate life by the ghost of her mom.

At first, I thought the mom was Gladys Knight, but that guess was a generation off, as Gloria Reuben (of "ER" when it began) is 20 years younger.

Very nice, and, surprisingly, didn't make me cry.

(smile!)

 

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"Kristin's Christmas Past" (2013)

music producer Kristin -Shiri Appleby
her childhood bff Jamie - Will Kemp
K's 17yo self Krys - Hannah Marks
Jamie's 17yo self - Michael-James Olsen
K's young dad Glen - Judd Nelson  ***
K's young mom Barbara - Elizabeth Mitchell

 

At 34 years old, single and jaded 'Kristin' wakes up in bed with... her 17-year-old self, in her childhood home, trying to keep her younger self from making the same mistake she had of following a dirt-bag to New York and ditching her family.

Loved seeing Judd Nelson in action, though he had a very small role.

I also found it interesting that 'Kristin' would have been about the same age as her parents were during this trip back in time.

(smile!)

 

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All done!

This next week, Comcast is giving me Up Faith & Family for a week!

I am such a happy camper!!!

(smile!)

asbury christmas party for all!

Here we are, waiting our turn at Table 14, to be called to get in line for the annual Christmas feast!

I sat with Karen Townsend and her adopted son, B-man as he's called.

I also had Ruthie Deffley and Linda Socks, as well as a bunch of excited kids!

Ray Ellis is up there on stage with Rev. Billy, but he eventually sat with us, too.

Ray, that is, not Billy.

Billy led us in the blessing of the food, then Ray provided some comic relief in the form of jokes.

Yes, I said jokes!!!

"What does a Christmas tree do before it goes out?"

Spruce up!!!

"What did one Christmas tree say to the other?"

Lighten up!

"How do Christmas trees get their email?"

They log in!

"Where do elves go swimming?"

At the north pool!

Hahahaha! Hahaha!

We were the sixth table to have our number drawn - hooray!

I had no fewer than four types of meat!!!

There was fried chicken breast, marinated pork loin, baked ham, and smoked turkey.

The Grinch would certainly have been thrilled, I do believe!

I was also one of the few who made sure to grab a few desserts before returning to my seat there at the head of the table.

That Asbury cake, with the honey and pecans, was truly quite divine!

I made sure to take some of that home with me!!!

But the biggest treat for me wasn't the visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

No, the best part was the pineapple casserole that someone brought.

It had been surmised that it was squash, but it certainly was not.

I knew from the very first bite: that was a dish Mama used to make.

I've never known anyone but her to make it.

What a wonderful surprise!

Right place, right time.

Some of that went home with me, too.

i thank You, God.

perfect inauguration at the starcastle!

That's what I told Vivian Orrel-Ryals, the house manager, during intermission.

That's what I told Kelie Miley, the director, during intermission.

That's what I told Danielle Houston (who had a variety of roles that included Mrs. Mops) after the show.

I meant it, too, every time I said it.

"A Christmas Carol" was the perfect musical to showcase all the talent, regardless of age, of the folks at the Savannah Children's Theatre.

I can only name a few of the actors, as there was no program at the event.

That had to wait until I came home to the computer so I could access the link.

(I made sure to complain about the lack of a printed program. How am I to thank the sponsors if I don't even know who they are? How can I follow the actors in their career if I don't even have their names? Not to mention how wonderful it would have been to have a souvenir of this inaugural event at the new home of SavChTh?) 

That said, I want to applaud Joel Altherr for yet another stunningly well-done portrayal, this time as Ebeneezer Scrooge. 

That's him in the middle of a group of chain-rattling buddies of the ghost of Jacob Marley (also played well by Galen Schneider, as both the young man he had been and the miserable miser he became as a spectre).

Here he is in his top hat and coat, with the indomitable JinHi Soucy Rand and the almost-40 Danielle Houston to his left.

(Her birthday is next Saturday.)

I know the woman in white next to him is Jaden Hathaway, the Ghost of Christmas Future, as well as a blind beggar.

Then, near the end, when 'Scrooge' is dancing around gaily in his nightgown, having just awoken to it being Christmas Day, Joel is superb!

His joy was contagious, as is evident in the faces of the crowd around him!  

I'm so glad I went today.

I got to see Al Williams onstage again, enthusiastically portraying old Fezziwig!

I got to see Jack Webber again, this time as Bob Cratchit, a role much different from the Scarecrow I'd loved!

Kudos to young Braeden Wright who rose to the challenge of Tiny Tim!

(See what I did there? I made a pun from the photo!)

And the set... the set was beautiful.

It easily went from Scrooge's apartment to the cramped home of the Cratchits, from Scrooge's bedroom to the open plaza of town.

Such a versatile design!

And, at the end, there was Christmas Day snow falling on that stage.

What a wonder!

Children in the audience came by and touched it on the stage, perhaps expecting it to be cold.

I'm so glad it could simply be swept up and reused for the next show.

I've had enough of the real thing to last the rest of my life!

(smile!)

I do hope I get the opportunity to see "A Christmas Carol" again, here at the Starcastle - it truly was one of the best musicals I've ever experienced!

miyah was in a musical!!!

That's right!!!

Her 3rd grade class put on "Elflandia", a musical play, this morning!!!

Fortunately, my dearest first niece recorded the whole thing and then put it on fb.

Hooray, hooray, hooray!!!

I watched the entire 30-minute production, too!

That's the 'littlest girl' on the left, in the orange top and purple-and-white striped pants.

It really shows she isn't that little anymore, but she'll always be 'littlest girl' to me.

Anyway, I had remembered Miyah performing her special lines to me, tapping her left wrist while saying "it's time, time, time".

I tried to catch her doing that song, but no luck.

That's okay, I managed to get a couple of good shots of her from that video!

Thank you, Christina!!!

wmla!!!

... then I saw Santa Penn and elf Teller...

In spite of the inguinal hernia, I still went out tonight!

That's because I'm a busy, vibrant, woman, and that's what I do!

Plus, I wanted to get out and enjoy some social activity while it was reasonably warm.

See what I mean?

I had mid-60's today, with that or better all weekend.

The WSAV weather song doesn't show us going to hell until the early hours of Monday morning, remaining there until sometime Tuesday afternoon.

So, when Smitty texted that the S&K Friday Fiesta would have a new locale, I let him know I'd be there!

After all, I wanted to be sure to thank Mark for the fruitcake before I eat it all up.

(smile!) 

We met up at Tubby's Tankhouse, where even the fish mounted on the walls were dressed festively, sporting reindeer antlers or Santa hats on every single one of them!

I tried to get a candid of Tony and Smitty, but that didn't happen.

One would move out of the frame every time!

I finally had to settle for this one with Dood, as he knew what I was doing and was waiting for me to click the little button.

Click!

(smile!) 

That's Addison beside him, home from UGA for the winter break, and chatting nonstop with Becca.

Continuing clockwise around the three-table configuration was Becky, sis-in-law Mary (waving there on the end), Robin, and s-i-l Laura.

Addison and I were anchoring the middle.

The Kameron brothers were to my left, with Jimmy beside me and Mark on the end.

Get this: they knew I was coming, so this middle-section seat had been saved just for me!

Very nice!!!

(smile!) 

Don't think I forgot about snapping a pic of my biggest little brother!

Here he is, with Mary right by his side.

Together, they were figuring out how much to add on for the waiter, Freddie, who had been awesome.

A 20% gratuity had already been tacked to the bill, as we had such a large party.

However, they come here a right good bit and quite possibly had requested him.

They got it sussed though!

(smile!)

Then we all made out goodbyes, with me getting and giving hugs all around!

Yes, that's one of the best parts of these Fridays with family - the hugs!!!

And when I tuned in to "Penn & Teller's Fool Us", it was a very special holiday show featuring only vetted magicians!

Each of the entertainers got a special 'Fool Us' trophy - sweet!

The giant Penn was dressed as Santa and made quite a formidable-looking Claus, for sure.

But I loved Teller in his elf outfit, with those crazy shoes and leggings!

So much good magic, too, in the air, at the restaurant, and on TV!

Hooray!!!

wildlife refuges and misfit toys

"Those two things don't seem to go together."

 

Just hang on there! I've not even started talking and you're already making remarks. Can you just chill for a second?

 

"Can do! Carry on!"

 

Thank you.

Tonight, One Hundred Miles had its first event in Savannah since June. Wait, I take that back.

This was their first lecture here at this local office since April. There have been two early morning events - hikes - but I didn't make it to those, of course.

 

"Of course. being somewhere at 8 AM is not your jam."

 

Correct.

So, I'd been awaiting this Naturalist 101 lecture for months. 

Other options came up for my time tonight, like another meeting at Two Firsts and a choral concert at Savannah Country Day, but I stayed true to OHM. 

So many choices at this festive time of year!

 

"For sure! You had several choices for yesterday, too, but you opted for the family gathering for Annaleigh's birth instead. Very good decision!"

 

Thank you... I'm so glad I was there for that! 

If Christina had not called when she did, I would have been downtown for opera, as I have been in the past. Though that would have been nice, being at the hospital for a one-time event was most def the right choice. 

I still have no clone, you know. 

Perhaps I can get one from Santa!

 

"Hahahaha! Yes, dear. Your Polar Express seems to have jumped the track. Now, what was this lecture about?" 

Oh, yes, the science event!

Titled "Our Coastal Refuges", I was expecting Matthew Emmer to give an inspiring speech to encourage us to go out and enjoy the seven wildlife refuges we have at hand.

Well, maybe not right at hand, but all within a 100-mile radius.

See what I did there? Worked in a reference to OHM?

 

"Yes, my girl, I caught that."

 

Good!

He did talk of all the different refuges that are part of the Savannah Coastal Refuges umbrella. I had not realized that included the Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge, Blackbeard Island, an area of Tybee Island, or Wolf Island. I did already know of the Savannah Natural Wildlife Refuge, located in South Carolina, as I have been there. I also knew about Wassau Island, though that is only accessible by boat. Pinckney Island is another with limited access, and that's down to once a week. That may become even more limited, thanks to the current POTUS. The budget cuts imposed by the White House this year have left only 200 employees to manage 573 wildlife refuges throughout the United States.

 

"Oh, no. Well, that just means unmanned visitor centers, right?"

 

Not just that, my dear.

It also means a lack of protection for the flora and fauna of those many refuges. Without people there to monitor the lands, invasive species can move in and take over, eradicating the existence of the natural species. Think of kudzu and how prevalent it is. Now, imagine our marshlands overrun with Chinese species of grasses transported unwittingly on ship exteriors. That's the future if the situation doesn't improve.

 

'Yikes! I'm sure the POTUS doesn't have a clue, blind as he is about science. I doubt he cares, either, as he has a limited shelf-life remaining on this planet."

 

Sad, but true about the 79-year-old man.

 

"Well, I hope the whole lecture wasn't a downer."

 

No, it wasn't, but I was glad to have chosen to watch it on fb instead of IRL. That meant that afterwards I was free to watch "Georgie & Mandy" and "Ghosts", both of which were very good! Then I caught Jimmy Fallon's "Christmas Seasonings" special and enjoyed his brand of zaniness and all his musical guests, like the Jonas Brothers and the Rockettes. Very entertaining!

 

"Most excellent! Good to get your spirits back up!"

 

Then I chose to watch "Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune", mostly because it had Taye Diggs as a contestant. I've felt much closer to him ever since he was part of "The Real Full Monty", that TV special Anthony Anderson put together last year. Him and Ethan Hawke especially impressed me with that fundraiser for prostate cancer awareness.

I also recognized Sebastian Maniscalco. Did you know he and Ryan Seacrest are both 51 years old? That means they're within a year in age of the physicist!

 

"Yes, he was 52 last month."

 

Correct!

I don't usually tune in for "CWOF", but I'm glad I did this time.

As they were guessing the puzzles to determine who would go first for the last round, "On The Map" was the category.

Taye Diggs got every one of them, including the third, one that's close to my heart: The Island Of Misfit Toys.

Right place, right time.

(smile!) 

 

"Most definitely. (smile!)"

you are the sunshine of my life...

Dearest Mama,

Happy 88th birthday!!!

That Stevie Wonder song naturally sprang to mind, only partly because of the change in the weather.

Today has been the first with sunshine in five days!

I'm so glad the Universe brought this light for your special day!

I wore your Christmas tree pin today, too.

The occasion warranted me to dress a little nicer than I usually do, you know?

This shawl-necked sweater was certainly a step up from my older v-necks, but it needed something more.

This pin, which has been up by your photo in the living room since last Christmas, was perfect.

Glad it was close at hand!

(smile!) 

After all, I was off to meet the first niece when I left home.

She and her two girls had called to say they were coming to town: Chelsea was having her baby!!!

Annaleigh Pippin arrived just before 1:30 PM, weighing in at a whopping 9 pounds, 13 ounces!!!

She was also almost 21 inches long.

I took Miyah to meet her around 4 PM and I think the littlest girl was expecting her to be the size of a doll.

Nope, Annaleigh is about twice that size!

I'm so glad she'll be sharing your birth date.

This was also the birth date of Christina's maternal grandpa, David, who would have been 87 today.

She's fortunate to share her birth date with you and him!

I'm grateful to Christina for calling me to be there.

As I told her, Melinda and Matt, Venita, and Dillon's parents and grandma, we are blessed to have been reunited at Candler Hospital for this joyful occasion!

with much love always!