blueberries to disperse fog...

That's what I've been told, so that's what I'm trying.

Yesterday, I ate some frozen blueberries while I was at home taking care of emails and computer stuff.

Then, when I picked up dinner from Panera - only cost me 30 cents, for a Grilled Mediterranean Veggie sandwich, thanks to AARP Reward Points - I also purchased a blueberry muffin.

That was breakfast, along with some yogurt.

Nice way to start the day on this third day of my post-surgery vacation!

After tending to my duties, off to home I went to tend to the mail, both actual and of the 'e' variety.

Then I attended my first play of spring!

Such great fun it was, too, and I laughed and laughed!

When I returned home, "Keeping Up Appearances" was recorded, so I went ahead and watched the episode, "Early Retirement".

Ah, poor Richard, pleading with his boss to stay on!

Hahahaha!

Then Rose has her new boyfriend come to fetch her from Hyacinth's house and all hell breaks out.

The man parks his big dog in the driveway and that just won't do...

and, while trying to move the dog, Hyacinth ends up being the one moved!

Hahahaha!

Thank goodness I don't have to walk Stella or she just might drag me along at this stage in my recovery.

Speaking of, I need to bounce back to Georgetown!

Later, y'all!!!

today, i went to a play!

"Good for you! That's the first one this month, isn't it?"

Of course it is. That hernia surgery really put a crimp in my style, or else I'd be going to several plays this weekend. The Savannah Stage Company has "Blackbird" at the Sentient Bean, but all performances are after 7 PM, so those are out. Savannah Arts Academy has "Six Degrees Of Separation" at the Tybee Post Theatre, but two of the three performances are at night. Not that it would matter, as it's still too far to drive for me at this time. However, there's this matinee today, by the Garrison Arts Academy, and it was at Yamacraw Performing Arts Center and that was just perfect!!! "Myth-Understood" was exactly the comedy needed to bring smiles to my face and laughter to my heart!

"Most excellent!!! Was it Roman or Greek mythology?"

It was Greek! I don't recall being into those works in the 5th and 6th grade, but these kids sure were. The two-act play was done completely by those students! I sat near a mom who had seen it last night and was back with her son's siblings so they could enjoy it, too. A family day with live theater!

"Good for her! So, tell me which stories were spoofed!"

That's just it, these were supposedly the real stories, from the very lips of the gods themselves to the two teens writing a report for their class. Hermes had fetched the girls to Mount Olympus so Zeus and Hera could bring forth the others to clarify the myths. For instance, Prometheus had been punished for stealing fire from Zeus, right? Well, what actually happened was this: Prometheus claimed to have invented fire. He was punished for lying about that.

"Oh, really?" (one eyebrow arched)

For sure, as the two girls found out. He took their phone, then claimed to have invented the phone! Later, he would claim to have invented the internet, youTube, and door-dash! Such a rampant liar! LOL! Then the girls heard the true story of how Persephones ended up with Hades in the underworld. Persephone wanted to go to hell so she could dress dark and be in a band, so she followed Hades. He didn't even know she was behind him! Then, when she got there, she found two others and they became rockers known as Queens of the Underworld! Her mom didn't like it, but Persephone did agree to come back above ground once a year to bring spring.

"Queens of the Underworld? Really?"

Yes, yes, and that's not all. When Eurydice died and went to the underworld, she became friends with them.

"Say what?"

Yeah, it turned out Orpheus was a bit of a stalker, so she deliberately stepped on a snake so she would die and get away from him. Then, you know what happened, right? He followed her down there, too! He even asked Hades to let him have her back. So Hades cut him the deal that they could be reunited if Orpheus didn't look back to make sure she was following. Ah, but Eurydice tricked him by saying, "Hey, there's Mick Jagger!" Hahahaha!

"Oh, that's funny!!! Such a nice coincidence! His name came up yesterday!"

I know! Right place, right time!

"Pretty amazing how often that bit of mythology gets plucked for retelling. I bet that tale has been told at least four times in the last decade."

Yep, that would be my count! Now, who else got to tell their side of things? Well, there was Pandora, cursed by Zeus to be overly curious, then given a jar - not a box - and told not to look inside. She got her husband to open it, so he's the one that should be blamed for all the ills of the world. LOL! Then there's the story of Medusa, who just wanted a hairdo that would stand out at school. Athena knew she was a herpetology fan, so that's why she gave Medusa a head full of snakes. Just helping a girl out, you know?

"Hahahaha! 'Be careful what you wish for!' LOL!"

The thing is, Medusa really liked the new 'do, just not all the teasing from the other kids. Then what was there? Oh, yes, a dating game spoof called "Apple of His Eye", in which Paris has to pick which goddess he favors. That's them in the seats out front: Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera. Of course, he chooses Aphrodite, who promises to make Helen of Troy fall in love with him. We all know how badly that went!

"Yep another case of someone getting what they wanted and having the world collapse all around them. So, how did the teacher like the girls' report?"

She gave them an "F"!!! She said they didn't even try to research, just "made it all up" instead. Everyone on Mount Olympus was shocked! They had listened in and thought the report was fabulous, as the girls told their truths, but I guess the world just wasn't prepared to hear that from two 11-year-olds. At least the teacher gave them a chance to make up the bad grade by trying again.

"LOL! Yes, who's gonna believe two 6th-graders? The gods must have been crazy to think that would work."

That's my guess. Now, I need to finish up here as I have places to be! Such a nice afternoon this has been!

today, i had a party on the patio

Oh, did you think the party was for me?

No, no, no! 

It was for Stella and Coco.

Every day, at 5 PM.

It's the only time either dog gets to socialize with other dogs, so it's important.

I'd gone home earlier to give Stella a break and to take care of the mail and such.

However, I forewent the Friday Fiesta to make sure I'd be in Georgetown on time.

Sure, I got to socialize with Susan and her husband, Terry, on the patio behind their house.

We listened to WRHQ as we chatted and swatted at sand gnats and discussed Mick Jagger's age.

I don't know how it started, but I did my spiel about him and Keith Richards, then said they would both be 74 this year.

Lol! Susan is 71 and she knew they had to be at least ten years older than her!

She was correct, of course.

Perhaps I would have done better using the information learned from "Sad Animal Facts".

Take this one: "An alligator's brain weighs less than an Oreo [cookie]."

As Brooke Barton cites in the prologue, a 400-pound alligator has a brain that weighs 8 grams.

Lets make the units of measure coincide, shall we?

Then, a 181,600 gram alligator has a brain that weighs 8 grams.

That's a much scarier fact, isn't it?

It certainly shivers my timbers.

(smile!)

The weather, however, isn't scary at all for the next seven days.

Warm, warm, warm, with blue skies all the way!

Yes, I do believe I will regard this as my post-surgery vacation.

It won't be a stay-cation because I'm not at my house.

And I will be waking up somewhere different, as I did this morning.

"Post-surgery vacation" - I do like the sound of that!

The fact that I'm dog-sitting is simply one of the activities for this trip.

Very nice perspective, right?

Now, I have movies to watch: "Indiana Jones And The Ark Of The Covenant", "Monsters, Inc.", and "Point Break".

Sweet dreams for me! 

today starts stella time!

Here's that beautiful Ridgeback girl!

I can't believe this picture has such good focus!!!

Seriously, she hardly ever stops moving.

Dawn and Chris are off to the great white north to officiate for a niece's wedding, so I get to spend time with Stella in Georgetown for a few days.

Yes, it's going to be a bit of a challenge this time, as I still have brain fog from the anesthesia.

I'll just be mindful that there will be zero driving allowed at night time.

I can do that!

To celebrate my vacation here in "north Jacksonville", I let AARP treat me to lunch.

Yes, indeed, that was all paid using AARP Reward Point money, so it cost me not a thing!

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich is what I had as an early dinner and it was good, though a bit small, as it was a half-sandwich.

The Fuji Apple Chicken Salad, with its toasted pecans added for crunch, was a positively delicious lunch, even though it was a half order, too.

I'll be dining on that again some time!

Okay, time to feed Stella!

(smile!)

today, i had a luncheon!

Nothing fancy, mind.

We went to Cici's Pizza, 'cause we all love it and they don't yet have one in Hinesville.

"We" means, me, the first niece, and her two darling daughters!

This was taken at the time that Chloe and Miyah came to ask for money for the game room.

That's a usual occurrence. 

Christina was prepared: a game card purchased before!

Each girl got $1 for whichever game or prize machine they wanted.

Chloe came back with three prizes from her machine!!!

Pretty cool.

Pretty cool that they were in town, too, on this blustery day.

I'd invited them to go see "The Croods" at NCG with me, as it was just $2.

Instead, they were already coming to visit Christina's Nana.

She's been in the hospital the last few days, with a worsening of the blood cancer she's had for the last two decades.

I do hope she is going to get better.

Meanwhile, I got to have lunch with my first niece.

i thank You, God.

today, i went for a drive

I'm not saying I drove down to Hinesville or anything.

It was after my brother, Smitty, had taken me to my post-op appointment with Dr. Whipple and we were back at my house.

 

He could see that my car was covered in oak tree fronds.

The three hours of steady rain on Sunday had knocked them loose from the tree and all over any surface. 

"You want me to stay while you see if your car will start?"

Good idea.

In fact, I told him I would take a little drive, let my Saturn cruise...

and that's what I did.

I went straight to Truman Parkway South and let her run.

It wasn't yet 11 AM and both sides of the parkway were almost deserted.

That was good for my first venture out.

When the exit for White Bluff Road came up, I took it, then circled back on the ramp to hit Truman Parkway North.

By 11:15 AM, I was back to my driveway.

Hallelujah!

I definitely felt a sense of accomplishment with that foray into the world!

I thought, very briefly, of going to a movie.

After all, I haven't been to a cinema since World Theatre Day.

However, I haven't felt deprived in the least.

Between the free movies on Up Faith & Family last week, interspersed with my own reward movies and those on Peacock, I've had plenty to watch.

"Romantic Friction" - a book cover artist gets to play author when the real writer of a fluff romance wants to hide from the limelight; lightweight and funny.

"Starstruck: Gene Kelly's Love Letter To Ballet": not a word is spoken or sung, but there is no doubt about the plot; beautiful and captivating!!!

"My Boss' Wedding" - over-organized assistant is pegged with the groom's loosey-goosey nephew to plan an over-the-top gala in a week... from gown to flowers to food to venue to rehearsal dinner; definitely fun, with a little twist.

"First Dog" - when the pet of the POTUS gets lost and turns up in California, it's up to a foster boy to "do the right thing" and return him; I really liked this one, with all the Dolly Parton music and Eric Roberts as the President with a heart.

"Forgiveness Girl" - follows the childhood of a girl with spina bifida as she seeks friendship with a new girl; gets a bit too intense when the girl tries to kill herself.

"This Little Love Of Mine" - woman returns to her childhood town to convince her childhood friend to take over his family's business; yes, definitely liked this one, with its setting in a tropical cove!

"We're The Millers" - the Thursday reward movie from Comcast had a ragtag instant 'family' on an RV trip to Mexico to smuggle drugs; had some moments of mirth, Jennifer Aniston as a stripper, but a decent ending.

"Five Date Rule" - a widower and a birthday spur two people to the same internet dating site by their family and friends; another good one I'd see again!

"The Other Woman" - an older Cameron Diaz finds the man she's been dating is married and drops him, but his wife insists on being her friend; a bit wacky, but that's to be expected with this cast!

"Airplane!" - I watched this oldie from 1980 just for laughs!

That last one was seen last night, ending my Post Hernia Repair Film Festival right before the post-op meeting with the doctor.

Now, I'm going to watch some TV as I enjoy my dinner.

This is courtesy of Smitty and Mary's Easter repast: brown-sugar ham, green beans, and sweet potato casserole.

I'm watching an episode of "Father Brown" in which he introduces Sister Boniface as "The Forensic Nun".

I enjoy both of those British murder-mystery shows, so it'll be nice to see how the one spun off from the other.

Then, it'll be watching a recorded episode of "Two And A Half Men".

I've discovered I need that show to signal my body that it's time for bed.

If that's what I need, that's what I'll have.

Loss adjustment takes many forms.

today, i got dressed

That most definitely counts as news.

For the last two days, I've been in my nightgown.

That would be all day, all afternoon, all evening, all night.

I wasn't going anywhere, so why get dressed and tempt myself to venture out?

Indeed. 

This morning, I was still in my nightgown as I watched the Easter service - well, the latter part of it - with the Asbury contingent viewing on fb.

I've been in bed every night by 11 PM, if not before. 

Last night, however, had brought a bout of insomnia that had me up every hour until I relented and stayed up.

I watched the Thursday reward movie from Comcast: "Meet The Millers".

I dimly recalled seeing it before, though I'd somehow forgotten about Jennifer Aniston's stripper routines.

By the time it was done, I was ready for sleep, as the time coincided with my regular bedtime, i.e., about 2:30 AM.

I woke up about 10:30 AM, but didn't leap out of bed.

After all, I'm not the Easter bunny.

Bah dumm dum.

Just a little - very little! - joke to show I'm still here. 

(smile!) 

I caught most of Rev. Billy's sermon, so that was good.

Then came the "Alleluia Chorus" at the end, with folks in the congregation being invited to come up on stage with the choir.

I really loved that!

I seemed to liven me up, too.

After putting away to breakfast remains (Chocolate Ensure and two fig cookies), and verifying that my bowels were working well, I got dressed.

I'm wearing my dark blue dress with daisies.

Technically, it's a nightgown with pockets, but it looks like a casual dress and I've worn it as such on several occasions.

I will say this: it feels good to be in clothes for a change.

That includes wearing a bra for the first time since Wednesday morning. 

(smile!) 

And now, I have a lovely bouquet of flowers from the Easter service!

Chuck Long came by to deliver them just a few minutes ago.

My thanks to Asbury Memorial Church for this gorgeous display!

Now, what shall I do with my day?

Do I dare to drive my car yet?

Hmm... no, I think not.

While it's true that this is the first day that my brain doesn't still reel from anesthesia, I prefer to wait until tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I have plenty of movies to watch on TV.

Let me go find which one is next...

right foot, left foot

It's 0555 in the morning and here I stand.

I'm in one of the pre-surgery prep rooms here at Memorial Hospital.

Allie left me here to put on the compression socks and slipper socks myself.

Of course, that means the left foot is clad and the right one... well, I've already let her know that I cannot contort to do that one, so she'll have to for me.

I don't think she really understands the ramifications of someone having an inguinal hernia.

At least I won't have it much longer.

bday9 party for miyah!!!

Here she is, the littlest girl no longer, being regaled with song by the wait staff at La Parrilla of Pooler!!!

Who are all those people around her at the table?

Those would all be members of Anthony's family: his mom, a sister, three brothers, and their spouses, fiancees, and children.

Seriously, there must have been at least 20 of them there!

The first niece and her family all had to sit at another table.

From the wall, that's Leila, Uncle Michael, the birthday girl, her Grammy, and her Mama, my dear Christina.

On the other side of this table was Miyah's Aunt Chelsea (holding AnnaLeigh), Uncle Dillon, her sister Chloe, and her other cousin, Alyssa.

Off to the right of Chelsea was Pop-pop (i.e., Matt).

There was just no way to get him into the frame - I tried!

I actually sat on Matt's right, at the end of this table, across from where Anthony would have sat (but he didn't make it in time).

Here's the nine-year-old birthday girl opening the gift bag from me!

Unicorn-emblazoned blank book for poems and songs and drawings!

Plastic ruler with Medieval artwork including a beautiful Unicorn!

Even a Unicorn change purse!!!

She loves Unicorns!!!

Ah, yes, a girl after my own heart!!!

I'm so glad I ventured out to Pooler for this party!

If not, I would not have known the seemingly-endless construction on I-16 had, at last, come to a close.

There's even a dedicated lane for entry from I-516, instead of that horrid left-hand merge that's been there for years.

Plus, there are new, sweeping, exit lanes for I-95 in both directions, making the transition easy and safe.

I just may make more trips to Pooler now... during the day, that is.

Thanks for having this 3-hour party at 1:30 PM!

Daylight all the way there and back!

Safe travel conditions for all party goers!

(smile!)

theatre: not just on the stage

Happy World Theatre Day!!!

Actually, that was yesterday, but I wasn't able to see a live performance until this evening, so I'm celebrating it over a 32-hour span.

(smile!)

I began at the cinema, of all places, with me unaware that I had done so until after the credits had rolled.

The movie was "Forbidden Fruits", seen at the AMC, with only one other person at that 1:35 PM matinee, but she seemed to be laughing in all the same places I did.

Very nice, as I know my sense of humor can be a bit different!

Anyway, after the movie, I spoke to the other viewer and found out why she was there at this "Valley Girls gone bad" horror-comedy.

She was best friends, since college days 16 years ago, with the playwright whose work was the basis of the movie... say what?!

Yep, that's right!

Lily Houghton's play, "Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die', was first performed in 2019.

Last year, the play was deemed worthy of life as a movie, with that script co-written by Lily Houghton and Meredith Alloway, following closely the narrative of the play, but with fruits, not flowers, and set in a mall, not a single store.  

How very cool that, at the end, one of the characters wore a cropped t-shirt with the play's name emblazoned upon it! 

Nice way to pay homage to the play!

(smile!)

That gave me the impetus to look at other movies for their theatre.

So, when I got home, I watched "Wonka" again!

Comcast gave me a $1 Movie Night reward on Thursday and that's the movie I chose!

So, when I say "again", I'm referring to that night, not to the time three years ago when I first saw it.

Heck, I've seen this musical so many times since then!!!

However, I was incorrect in thinking that it had ever been on the stage.

No, this was an original story, serving as the origin of the character portrayed by Gene Wilder in "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" in 1971.

That earlier movie was based on the book by Roald Dahl... but was never performed on stage, either. 

That's not to say that stage adaptations were never done... but that didn't transpire until this century. 

Now, there are children's musicals, an opera, and even a musical that's appeared on The Went End in London!

Maybe I'll get to see one of those someday - but certainly not within my stated 32-hour timeframe allocated for celebrating World Theatre Day.

Next!

(smile!)

Peacock to my rescue!

It offered "Les Miserables", the 2012 musical film with Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman in the lead roles!

And what should I determine as I watched?

It's an opera!!!

How to tell the difference?

In an opera, every line, by every character, is sung, with no spoken parts.

Ta dah!!!

It's based on the 1980 'sung-through' stage musical, "Les Miserables", which is based on the 1862 book written by Victor Hugo.

Although the movie is technically not a filmed version of a live play, it does use the same musical score as the stage musical did.

The difference is the dramatic license taken with the setting of those songs in elaborate constructions that would be impossible for a staged show.

However, as the film follows the stage production and utilizes the same lyrics in the same songs, I'm regarding it as a legitimate creation to include in my celebration!

Yes, yes, I am!!!

(smile!)

That brings me to the only live performance in this grouping.

I had hoped to see the Savannah Children's Theatre's production of "Evita" yesterday, but the Friday Fiesta ran too long... so I went tonight!

I even bought my ticket last night, to make sure to have a seat.

See, this was held in their brand-new Black Box space at the Starcastle.

Most such spaces hold 50 to 100 seats, so I didn't want to miss the show!

Fortunately, this Black Box can seat about 250.

Surprisingly, this is actually an opera, though it's called a 'sung-through musical', which is a bit off as Hanna Richmond, who plays 'Eva Peron', clearly has several arias during the show!!!

She is on-stage almost nonstop, along with the narrator, 'Che', performed absolutely perfectly by Desmond Chaney.

Austin Bradley was there as 'Peron', and Trey Wilner as 'Magaldi', but they truly don't have many lines as those characters.

Austin does have an incredible courting dance with Hanna, who also dances with 'Magaldi' and 'Che'... but that dance with Austin is beautifully done!

Honestly, I was so impressed with the stage story that I wanted to know more about that Argentinian woman, the real Eva Peron.

What did I learn?

She moved to Buenos Aires as a 15-year-old determined to be famous, hence her affair with the entertainer, followed by future affairs with men who could advance her to where she wanted to be, a position of prominence.

She attained that by the age of 26 with Juan Peron, just a Colonel at the time, but encouraged him to further his career to become President of Argentina.

Then she died of cervical cancer in 1952, at 33 years old.

Incredible! 

So, was this play based on a book of her life?

Actually, it originated first as a concept album, of all things!

That was in 1976, and Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice used that tactic, already proven successful for their show, "Jesus Christ Superstar", six years earlier.

How amazing!!!

I've truly enjoyed looking at the history of these works.

I'll have to do a bit more of that in the future!

(smile!)

final friday fiesta of march

I was the last one to arrive, and, somehow, that put me at the other end of the table... I wonder who might have orchestrated that?

My guess is it was my sister-in-law, Laura!

See, this time, I had to sit down by Mark.

Get the picture?

I wanted to make sure she knew I was onto her conniving!

That's why I ordered the Tacos Pancho, the dish she has ordered many times over the last two years.

Grilled shrimp, cabbage, and a great sauce - very delicious!

However, it was also $5 per taco, so the joke was on me!!!

That's okay, I needed to talk to Mark anyway.

See, two weeks ago, he'd been absent because he was helping his boss replace stadium lighting for a high school football field in Bluffton.

That's what he told me last week, right?

So, tonight, I made sure to get the business card for Kintz Electric.

I got the info for Jimmy's boss, too, at OECI. 

I'm passing that along to AMC in the survey that's waiting at home for me.

Hopefully, those dark parking lots at the cinema will become a thing of the past and I'll feel safer about going to night-time A*List movies.

I bet those lights have been out for as long as I've had this hernia!!!

Speaking of which, I checked the weather for next week.

The WSAV weather song shows a dip for tomorrow, but that's followed by steady increases in the temperature.

By the time the hernia repair surgery date arrives on Wednesday, I'll be blessed with blue skies and warm days!

i thank You, God!

Now, I'm going to watch a movie reward from Comcast.

Yes, it's time for me to have a $1 Movie Night again!!!

I wonder what I'll find to catch my fancy?

(smile!) 

gravy, y'all

"What's that? You had gravy with dinner?"

Why, yes, I did! Actually, for the last three weeks in a row! All of that brought to mind a "Star Trek: TNG" meme that Sherry Giddens posted. The Captain asks, "Gravity is powerful, do you know what you get if you remove it?" His First Officer replies, "Weightlessness, sir." In all seriousness, he hears the response, "Gravy. Number One, you get gravy."

"Hahahaha! Poor Riker! Having to put up with those puns from Picard!"

Well, that was a riddle, not a pun. But it sure was funny! And the last three Wednesday night suppers at Asbury have all had gravy!

"Oh, nice! I do enjoy that meat-derived sauce! We don't get that very often, since you don't know how to make it."

Truth. Tonight, it was turkey gravy, served on the mashed potatoes. Last week, it was gravy with mushrooms for the chicken Marsala. And the week before was beef gravy from the pot roast, also served on mashed potatoes. I prefer in on rice, but I'll take it however I can get it!

"That looks really good! Where are your veggies on that plate?"

I don't like peas and carrots, so I abstained. I do have a nice little salad, though! And I have two desserts!!! That's blackberry cobbler and a slice of something that tasted like bread pudding, but looked like cake. Quite tasty!

"Was Kathy Mayin there for these WNS meals? I recall she went to the first one with you and seemed to enjoy herself."

Sadly, she has not been back. We make plans, but then she backs out. I even tried to get her to come for the Sisters In Faith luncheon last week, but that didn't happen, either. I'm not going to push her. I know she'll be back when she's ready, right? She's grown, she gets to make her own decisions.

"I understand. I hope she will soon decide to make more ventures out of her apartment. It'll be good for her mental health and her spirits."

Agreed! I know I look forward to these social gatherings. Meals are nicer with others to share the food and conversation. Okay, time for "Scrubs"! I really am enjoying this continuation of the original series. 

"You mean the reboot of the old show?"

No, it isn't like that. It's more like a reunion. It's nice to see them rekindling their old friendships. That's a realistic approach for people who have lost touch while life interfered. You know: jobs, kids, moving to new locations. I can relate to it. So, later, chica!

"Hasta la bye-bye!"

one foot for the driving

"That's correct, if you have an automatic transmission. The right foot handles both the gas pedal and the brake, as only one of those is ever in action at a time. If you're using your left foot for the brake, you're driving wrong."

I'm so glad you're aware of that! It's startling to me how often someone will have a foot going on both the gas and the brake simultaneously. Don't they know they're burning up their brakes, wasting gas, and straining their engine??

"For sure. Is that why you put that title? And what's with the photo? Wait a minute... your room heater and the fan are both plugged in to the power strip! Now, that's wasting energy!!!"

Ah. It's only wasting energy if I have both engaged at the same time. However, I do not. Only the heater is on. See it's little light?

"Yes, now that you mention it."

Well, I turned it on earlier to take the chill off the bedroom.

Now, I've turned on my heated mattress pad to do the same for the bed itself. Here's the funny thing: last night I had to use the fan to cool off the room!

"Holy shiite! Look at that thirty-degree dip in the weather song!!!"

Exactly. Monday's high was almost 90F. That's right: 90!!! The heat in the attic came down into the house and made it nice and toasty, so much so that I needed a fan to cool my room down enough to sleep. Then the high today, barely hit 60F.  All that lovely heat I'd let inside yesterday has dissipated and the temperature inside is back to about 67F. Hence, I've turned on the heater to warm my room back up to 70F, thrown the extra blanket on the bed, and turned on the mattress pad.

"Wow. I guess that's why you told Yvonne that the weather is going through puberty. She had said menopause, with hot flashes, but those cold dips don't fit that theory."

Exactly. Plus, as I told her, the changes are much more in line with a boy going through puberty, complete with sperm sprayed all around! She and Cathy thought that was hilarious! and just look at this latest weather song, would ya? We'll have almost 90F again on Friday, then it'll drop back into the forties overnight!!! Crazy kid needs to get a handle on those raging hormones!

"Hahahaha! Yeah, I wish you luck with that, dear. At least these spring bouts of fluctuating hormones doesn't last but a month or so. Real puberty goes on for much longer. Your nephew Michael is getting a taste of that with his girls. Alyssa has already started menstruating, hasn't she? And Hope probably is having boy issues with Sebi."

Yep! If they didn't have gray hairs before, they will now. I'm so fortunate to have missed out on raising teenagers. Thanks, Dr. Pacifico in Okinawa, for granting me that tubal ligation when no one else would. It probably helped that we had a rash of unplanned pregnancies in the barracks at the time. That prompted all of us having to undergo education classes about sexual health and birth control methods. That's when I started asking for that procedure, and, after nearly a year, he agreed. Right place, right time for me.

"Indeed, it was. If you hadn't been in the Navy, I doubt that would have ever come to pass."

Oh, I know it wouldn't have. The rule was that a woman had to have already had two babies before she could be considered, and that's if she was single. If she were married, then her husband had to consent to the surgery before she could have it. How antiquated that all sounds! But we're only talking about the early 1980's. That's only two generations ago.

"Do you know if that rule has changed?"

I have no idea, but I hope so. A woman should always be able to control what is done with her own body, and that includes her reproductive body parts.

May 25th for eagle's landing

That will be just in time for my bday68 celebration!

We had real progress at the Two First Posts meeting tonight, and that was good, it was very good.

I felt vindicated in what I'd said at the last meeting.

We had all been asked why we wanted Mike and Kat here.

I'd been the only one to speak up.

"We're just glad that [Kozik and Hancock] want to take it on, because none of us want to do it and none of us have experience doing any of this."  

By the end of that meeting, it looked like we'd slid backwards toward an abyss of indecision.

Not so from the very start tonight!!!

I still feel that I've missed some talks somewhere along the way, but it was clear from the outset that the two Post Commanders - Doug Andrews and Eddie Patterson, Jr. - had been conversing and want Mike and Kat at the helm of the kitchen and bar operations.

Hallelujah!!!

They must have felt as frustrated as I had two weeks ago.

We've all been waiting so long for this place to open.

It's been more than a year ago that the remodeling began.

It's been right at a year ago that several of us came to check out the work and realized that an opening date was still months away.

Now, that date has been determined: May 25, 2026, just in time for the Memorial Day festivities.

Oh, and my birthday, too.

(smile!)

So, who all was in attendance at 1730 for this momentous progress?

For Post 36, there was Doug Andrews, Billy Cope, Michael T. Powers, and me.

For Post 500, there was Eddie Patterson, John Parker, and Brenda Pough.

Plus, we had Mike Kozik and Kat Hancock, ready to get this party started.

By the time those two departed at 1911, we had a rough draft of the contract, with them understanding and agreeing to paying a set monthly rental fee for the space and equipment in return for receiving 2/3 of the net profit for sales of food and beverages.

As Doug has said repeatedly, we are not in this to make money; we are here to provide a service to our military and veteran family.

Hooray for him!

Hooray, also, for Eddie and John spurring Post 500 members to supply circular tables ($173 each) and packs of chairs ($169/pack) for any functions to be held here.

Hooray, also, for Brenda for printing out sample lease agreements for any groups who are interested in renting our space for their functions. 

Hooray, also, for Mike fetching Post 36's stored items (six 6' tables, six bar stools, the Budweiser sign, and  'Iron Mike', and others) from Post 135 and bringing them here to Two First Posts at long last, with Michael T agreeing to be here for that long-awaited delivery.

Hooray for Doug for setting up a google group for Two First Posts.

Hooray for Eddie for making out the list of items to be accomplished to make this place ready (pouring the concrete pad outside the kitchen door; reversing the front doors and adding panic bars to comply with fire code; obtaining a lockable liquor storage cabinet).

Hooray for John and Doug for donating funds ($500 each) to be dedicated to stocking the bathrooms (wall mirrors at sinks, toilet paper holders, tissue holders, trash cans, hand soap, paper towel dispensers). 

And, last, but certainly not least, hooray for Billy for taking on the task of wiring the internet, security, and the entertainment systems, with him coordinating with Joe Cetti for the seven televisions to be purchased, the mounting hardware for six of those and A/V cart for the other (designated for training purposes).

Whew.

No one directly took on the elephant in the room, about the enormous debt (more than $800,000 already spent on the purchase and remodel of this building) taken on by one man: Doug Andrews.

We all need to work together to help this dream become reality for him.

He said we'll open on May 25 of this year - we can make that happen!

 

My odometer reading as I pulled into my driveway bodes well for that.

Such a nice, round, even number for the mileage: 245300.

Yes, I am glad to have been at that American Legion meeting tonight.

Most definitely right place, right time. 

(smile!) 

hinesville peeps here for sushi!

I know, I know. They all wanted sushi?

 

"Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. Kids don't eat that dish."

 

Maybe not most kids... but Miyah does! When her Mama asked what she wanted for dinner, "sushi" is what she said. For real! They were in town for Christina's doc appointment, having come straight there from school.

 

"What about Chloe? Didn't she get a vote on what to eat?"

 

Seriously, that girl will eat just about anything. Chloe is definitely not a problem when it comes to food, and she never has been. She's so easy-going - that's why she's so lovable!

 

"Yes, dear! Still, sushi is a bit of a stretch for most folks."

 

No worries! We went to Sakura Buffet, over on Eisenhower, so plenty of food choices to please any palate.  My first plate was sushi, chicken yakitori, and french fries!

 

"I see. My guess is Miyah wanted you to go with her to the sushi table?"

 

You got it. 

 

"But I see you did get plenty of veggies on the next go-round."

 

Most definitely!!! Those vegetables were loaded with garlic, too, so I was definitely fire-breathing by the time I was done! Broccoli, onions, cabbage, and zucchini - so very delicious!

 

"Plus a few smiley faces to finish it off..."

 

Plus a few more on my dessert plate! I had thought I could get Miyah and Chloe to at least try them, but not after they heard they had bean paste in them.

 

"Yeah, American kids aren't going to go for that. They want sweet desserts."

 

Yeah, that's why they didn't want the coconut macaroons, either, or even the orange Jello. Just not enough sugar for their taste.

 

"But there's always room for Jello!"

 

Hahahaha!

That's what Christina said, too!

(smile!) 

let them eat cake!

So spoke Danny Beam as he was leaving the stage!

He was talking about the enormous carrot cake waiting in Holliday Hall for all gathered to celebrate his 70th birthday.

That actually occurred on February 12, so I know what that means...

he has the same birth date as Abraham Lincoln!!!

Right place, right time for me!

I missed the first song at Asbury Memorial Church, but I was there for the other six that he'd chosen from his writings, as well as two penned by others. 

"I Wouldn't Know" was done solo, followed by the George Strait song that he sang for his wedding with Barbara, the one who set up this concert.

"God's Family Table" was the last solo from this once-Baptist minister, a song about communion open for all walks of life.

Doug Povie came up with his guitar after that, to join him for the next two.

"Go Forth And Set The World On Fire" was in memory of his dear friend, Dale Thornton, a fellow pastor who would end his sermons with that line.

My favorite song, "Forgiveness And Healing", came about after a request from Reverend Billy Hester, who needed something to go with his sermon some few years ago.

Here's the line that sparked my memory: "faith, hope, and love cut a hole in the ceiling, to make room for the man with forgiveness and healing". 

That actually made me tear up as I thought of the man's kin having enough trust in Jesus' ability to cure the man that they would deliberately damage their home for that chance.

Wow.

Bill Oakley was the next guest musician, on guitar, for two songs.

"In A Thin Place" was the result of a New Year's resolution that Danny made in response to one of Rev. Billy's sermons.

The last song, "Lord, Wake Me Up", was written in 2018 but based on something he heard at a 1988 Baptist convention.

The speaker was from China, if I have that right, and said we Americans tell our children the wrong prayer.

Instead of "if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take", we should teach them to say "Lord, wake me up before I die".

He said that one took its time coming to him!

Then we all went to eat cake!

Danny's older brother took the stage and said a few words, mostly hearkening back to their childhood, that reminded me of my brothers - nice!!!

Then, as I came over to wish Danny a happy birthday, he introduced me to his one-and-only sister, Mary, and her husband, Harvey, down from New York.

My guess is I'm the only other scientist Danny knows!

Why would that matter?

His brother-in-law is a marine scientist!!!

How very nice to be regarded so highly!

I had quite a nice chat with them, too.

(smile!)

Now, I'm going to watch "The Wizard Of Oz", mostly because I can.

Comcast gave the musical to me, as a reward, on Thursday.

Yes, being a Diamond member definitely has its perquisites!

(smile!)

netflix film fest with a dane

One of the perks of dogsitting is getting to watch movies I can't see elsewhere.

Fortunately, Laura has Netflix, which has come in handy before.

Mostly, I used it this time to catch up on the first three seasons of "Young Sheldon", which I didn't start watching until after I found out the little boy's grandma also attends Asbury Memorial.

That's been nice to have that link to Iain Armitage!

I've also used that streaming service to watch "The Closer", the crime-solving series with Kyra Sedgwick.  

I watch a few of each every evening, and a few with Sheldon in the morning.

I've also treated myself to a movie for the last three nights!

The first was "Rumor Has It", from 2005, on Wednesday.

Kevin Costner is 'Beau Burrows', who was her mom's high school crush, as well as the guy her grandma (Shirley MacLaine) seduced... all leading to a classmate's penning "The Graduate" about the tale... or so the story goes!

Now, the younger sister is getting married, 'Megan' (Jennifer Aniston) is engaged to a great guy (Mark Ruffalo), but things are not well.

'Megan' is sure her dad is not her biological father, so she goes in search of the crush that her mom ran off to Mexico with... and sleeps with him, too!

Hey, it's not as creepy as it sounds, and was actually quite fun.

 

Dane didn't care what I chose to watch.

I'd found a box of puppy ice cream in the freezer and he was happy!

He stretched out on his rug and slurped away for probably thirty minutes!

Oh, yes, the little things mean a lot!

Thursday, I had my luncheon, but returned to their house with laundry.

While the clothes and bed linens were washing, Dane and I had 'coffee on the porch' time, out back and up front.

He was sure happy about that!

 

Then, later, he was glad to be eating ice cream again!

I was happy to have found "The Thursday Murder Club" to watch... and on a Thursday, too!

This 2025 film must have been an inside joke for me from the Universe, as I didn't catch the significance of the day until later.

I was just thrilled to have something with such a stellar cast!

Dame Helen Mirren!

Sir Ben Kingsley!

Sir Jonathan Pryce (as the sundowning husband of Mirren)!

Plus Pierce Brosnan and Celia Imrie to round out the group of pensioners - i.e., retirees - who solve cold cases one day a week at the retirement home.

I just loved it!

What would I find for Friday's film?

That turned out to be "The Sting", starring America's version of royalty!

There's Robert Redford getting fancied up by Paul Newman, so they can con a cheating, gambling, mobster (Robert Shaw).

Eileen Brennan, Ray Walston, Charles Durning... what a cast!

That included Robert Earl Jones, the father of James Earl Jones.  

Very nice!

But one of the things that set it apart?

The use of artistic 'scene change' slides, with images reminiscent of those in "The Saturday Evening Post".

I just loved having a bit of art mixed in with the caper!

 

Dane liked that I was having a good time, especially as he was, too.

Yes, indeed!

Third movie for me, third ice cream treat for him!

I'm glad I had that to bribe him with, as he'd refused to eat his dinner this evening.

That was, until I told him no dessert until he did.. then he went to it.

Good boy!

I know he'll be very glad when Tony and Laura return tomorrow!

It's been a couple of years since he didn't travel with them.

Four days is about his limit for them to be gone.

(smile!)