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!)

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!) 

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!)

friday fiesta, sans two brothers

That's right.

At this session of the S&K Friday Fiesta at Jalapenos, two brothers were not present, as one was in Orlando and the other was sick.

The photo has Smitty and Mark on the left, with the women - Robin, Mary, Betsy, and Becca - all on the right.

Well, except for one woman.

That would be me, as I stood next to Smitty.

(Remember, standing keeps me from having sciatica on Saturdays from those high chairs.)

Seven of nine, y'all.

(Inside joke for me, of the "Star Trek" flavor!) 

 

That meant one Smith brother was absent and one Kameron brother was absent.

Even so, the one traveling still checked in with a photo to each of us of him and Laura having a good time in Ybor City! 

That's where her oldest son, Josh, works at a very fancy restaurant.

I'm so glad she and Tony were having such a great time!

 

We had a great time, too!

Betsy had tale after tale of her hilarious run-ins with the parking police on St. Patrick's Day!

Well, they were hilarious to me, but not so much to her.

Add on that it was crazy cold downtown and she was worn out before the parade ended at 2 PM.

Honestly, being down there in the cold for four hours is probably why Jimmy was out sick tonight.

I'm glad I chose to stay home and watch!

He'll be getting chicken soup from Jalapenos.

I got my three crunchy beef tacos!

(smile!)

And Mark was thrilled to get his Gringa.

He says it's the best meal he eats all week!

He also felt like it had been two weeks since he last had it, but I reminded him that he'd only missed out last week.

On that Friday, he was the only absent one, as he was working overtime in Bluffton with his boss.

The local football team needed their stadium lights repaired.

Addison was still in town on spring break on that Friday the 13th.

I dined on something totally different!

Well, it was different for me... but the same thing that Mary and Robin chose!

Yes, we all had the cheese quesadilla, with rice and beans, that night!

Very funny!!!

Okay, let me wrap this up and get back to the Dane!

This will be our last night together, as Dood returns home tomorrow.

I'm so looking forward to being back in my own bed!

I did take my pillow over with me, but their guest bed is about two inches higher than I would like, so I have to crawl up into it.

Ah, there's no place like home!

Oh, what a lead in!

Comcast's reward to me yesterday was ....

drum roll, please!...

"The Wizard of Oz"!!!

Last Thursday, the reward was "Space Jam"!!!

Nice to have them both waiting for me at home this weekend!

I'm off to see the Dane now!

when irish eyes are smiling, danny boy!

Those were the first two songs at our Sisters In Faith luncheon!

Kristen Kelso was there with her guitar to regale us with song in Holliday Hall, and I just know that Miss Virginia was with us!!

Kristen followed those two with "Hallelujah". 

Hoping to lighten the theme, I requested "The Unicorn Song", and even sang a few lines - "There's cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born, you're never gonna see no unicorn" - but she'd never played it before.

Instead, she sang "The Sound Of Music", no doubt to honor Michelle Meece who'd just finished a three-week run starring in that musical.

That's Michelle, dressed as a leprechaun in suspenders and a tam!

Then Kristen did an oldie from 1952: "It's Saint Patrick's Day In Savannah".

That definitely put a spring back into the room!

(smile!) 

And what was on the menu for this luncheon?

Breakfast!!!

Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, blueberry pancakes!

Banana nut muffins, breakfast casseroles, fruit salads!

But no grits, no biscuits, not from these Northern transplants!

So glad I was joined by Kathy Hodges, Barbara Gooby, Rhonda Reed, and Robin Eifler at my table!

Plus, fellow Sister-in-Faith Cece was there, sitting by Kathy.

Another Kathy - Mayin - was to come, but didn't make it.

I saved her a seat by me, just the same!

Perhaps the weather was not quite as nice as she'd hoped.

It was supposed to be well into the 70's today, but that's not until tomorrow it seems.

That's okay, the weather song shows a true lilt for the weekend!

Hallelujah!!!

(smile!) 

coffee on the porch time

"I didn't think you drank coffee anymore."

That's true. I haven't had coffee for maybe a year.

"I'm talking about even the decaf."

I know. Me, too.

"Then what's up with this post?"

That's the phrase that the dog knows. "Coffee on the porch" means time to go out on the front porch and bark at folks walking or running or biking.

"Oh, cool! You're puppysitting, just like Finch was!"

LOL! Not that Dane could be called a puppy anymore. He's more than a decade old, which makes him a septuagenarian in dog years.

"I thought Tony and Laura took him along on trips. Not this time?"

She's going to be at a conference, so the rate to have him stay at the Rosen Centre was preposterous. Plus, he doesn't really travel well.

"Well, I'm glad they gave you the chance to spend time with the old dog."

Yes, me, too! Now, to see if I can figure out their new TV set-up... wish me luck, won't you?

"You got it. Good luck with the remote!"

special delivery from my first niece!

The green envelope had a pot of gold drawn on it, as well as a multicolored rainbow to the right of the address and a shamrock - that looked suspiciously akin to my scribble flower! - taking up the left edge.

Very nice art work!

The card inside boasted a pot bursting with flowers and shamrocks, as well as wording that proclaimed it to be "A wee little wish for St. Patrick's Day".

What was inside that card was the true treasure!

Here's wishing you a day (with her green shooting star!)

that's budding with promise (here, she drew a rainbow!)

bright with celebration (from her shiny, happy sun!)

and blossoming with joy. (and a perky pink flower for me!)

Then, she wrote in six different colors to form another rainbow, with her daughters' names, too!

This will be going on the entertainment center to cheer me for the parade later this morning.

Of course, I read it all aloud when I received it!

After all, I'd just had lunch with Christina and Miyah and we were waiting for a chilly rain shower to pass on by.

We were at Cancun, one of our longtime favorites, and it was even her treat!

And just look at what Miyah has for her luncheon: three crispy beef tacos!!!

Hahahahaha!

That's one of my favorites for Friday Fiestas, but today I had flautas.

One was chicken, the other beef, and both were excellent, as well as pretty, topped with salad!

Christina had one of the combos, plus my bday43 cards for her!

One contained this 'wish puff tree of love', the other $25 to Texas Roadhouse.

That's come in handy for Friday when she and Anthony come to town for a concert that Michael gave her for her birthday yesterday!

Most excellent!!!

Thank you, my dearest Christina, for this time with you...

... and this card with your special touches!

(smile!)

 

counting flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all

Not when I have "The Finch Who Stole Christmas" to make me merry!

Yes, boys and girls, "News Radio" was on with this episode very early today, narrated by Kelsey Grammar.

And why ever would the Finch be so upset?

The whole office chipped in for it!

But it's a turtle calendar... from that year... so it wasn't even new!

What the fresh hell?!?!

So, in the company of the little dog he had to puppysit for the boss, he set about wreaking havoc on the gifts for the others.

"Bah!!! Humbug!!!", he cried with glee!!!

Meanwhile, Nina had gone was a drink to raise her spirits.

She'd watched "Titanic" and felt forlorn about all those fashions that went down with the ship!

And who should appear but a friendly 'lumberjack' named Jay Crew?

After some afternoon delight, she saw the error of her ways and embraced casual wear!!!

That was just in time for a forlorn Elliot to bring in a tree to decorate the office.

Goodness gracious - shades of Charlie Brown!!!

It looked pretty sad, but seemed to bring him great cheer, so that was good.

Then a wondrous thing happened: the Finch discovered that the turtle calendar had a special gift written in for Christmas Day!

It was a cruise, just for him, with lots of perks in every port!

They did like him, they really, really did!

(smile!)

Now, right on cue, it's time for me to go out to lunch with my Hinesville peeps!

Oh, what's up with the Statler Brothers song in the title?

Ivan of the League of Savannah Bloggers was grousing on fb about a botched delivery by the Instacart folks.

He wrote "smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo" ... and, justthatfast, my mental jukebox kicked in with a response!

"Playing solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of fifty-one!"

Hahahaha! Good times, good times! 

rhapsody in blue is one hundred and two

 

Hint: I meant the title to be read as if it were a poem. 

That 26-minute composition by George Gershwin was the highlight for me!!!

I'm fairly certain I've not heard it before in its entirety, and I know very well that I've never heard it from just a piano and a clarinet.

This was not just any ordinary clarinet, either.

Seth Kibel bought the silver-bedecked instrument from a man in Pennsylvania that custom made it.

Isn't it absolutely gorgeous?!!

Here's Seth playing that opening glissando, while Daniel Weiser's hands waited, poised to strike the piano keys at the precise moment that the clarinet ceased its wail - so awesome!!!

I'm glad this was the finale at today's concert!

I cannot imagine anything trying to follow that piece!

When it first premiered in 1924, on what would have been Abraham Lincoln's 115th birthday, it had been the penultimate of 26 musical pieces.

What a long concert that had to have been!

How did I know all that?

Daniel Weiser was absolutely full of such tales and regaled us with them several times during this matinee concert at the Savannah JEA.

The two men together are AmiciMusic, who came here last year, too, with their musical history lesson.

Today's was titled, "Jewish Jazz, The Sequel: Return of the 'Jew'di" - gotta love that "Star Wars" pun!!!

I'm sure that's what had drawn Rabbi Haas and his family there, though his little girl was quite disappointed to not see Princess Leia or Luke Skywalker there, so they left fairly early.

Not I!

I was there from Scott Joplin's ragtime ("The Favorite") through all three Hassidic Tunes collected by Lev Kogan.

I stayed for two that built the house of Sammy Cahn (the Anglicized Yiddish tunes, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schein" and "Yosl, Yosl"), the man known for "Three Coins In The Fountain".

There were also two pieces from famous clarinetists Ziggy Elman and Bela Kovacs before a little dessert reception.

Very sweet!

Then we had "Viktor's Tale", by John Williams, as well as a funny anecdote.

Apparently, when he was approached to do music for "Schindler's List", Williams told Steven Spielberg that he didn't think he was good enough.

Spielberg apparently replied, "I know, but all the good ones are dead."

Hahahaha!!!

Williams won the Oscar for Best Original Score for that movie!

What else today?

Oh, yes, three pieces from the prolific Harold Arlen: "Stormy Weather", "It's Only A Paper Moon", and "Come Rain Or Come Shine" - all magnificent!!!

Ella Fitzgerald once described him as "the Negro-ist white man she'd ever known."

High praise indeed!!! 

Then the concert ended on that fabulous "Rhapsody In Blue", with its mimicry of a train clack-clack-clacking along at one point.

Of course I thought of Sheldon Cooper!

You don't spend twelve years with a man in your house and not think of him when his favorite topic comes up!

(smile!)

Now, I'm going to catch the 5 PM screening of "Sinners"!

That should set me up right nicely to cheer it on at the Oscars tonight!

thank you, thomas, for the help

"I don't recall anyone named Thomas. Who is he?"

He's the young man who saw me struggling to mow my front yard who came to see if he could help me. I'd managed to get about half of the right side of the front yard done at that point. I admit, with this inguinal hernia, cutting the grass was wearing me out. He was outside doing yard work, too, three houses from mine, and walked over to ask if I would like his help.

"Wow. He sounds like a very well-mannered fellow."

Yes, he is. He wasn't trying to imply that I needed help; he simply asked if I would like some help. Very nice. What I gathered from our conversation is that he is the son of two teachers. Thomas and his wife, Hannah, moved in here by the park during the fall.

"Why did they move to Savannah?"

Actually, his folks are from here. His dad graduated from Groves in 1980, so he's about my age. Thomas said he and his wife had been living in Ardsley Park, but wanted to live over in this area. Perhaps they are looking to have children, and this area is near schools from elementary to high school, so that's good.

"Good for them for planning ahead, if that's the case. Did you ask him to mow the spiral pattern under your Japanese magnolia tree?"

Honestly, I was so relieved to have him doing the work that I didn't say anything about that. There will be plenty of time in the future for me to mow that back in place.

"I see that he's using your Ryobi. How did he like it?"

I think it's convinced him that battery-operated is the way to go. It's certainly a lot quieter! After the battery died, he just had a little bit left to mow, so he went home and brought his mower over here. I couldn't believe he did that for me! But it gets better. After he finished the front yard, he asked if I minded if he did the back yard, too.

"What??? That's incredible!"

He works as a personal trainer, he told me, and rarely gets outside. He likes working in the yard and he likes mowing grass. I'll say this: I don't think he even broke a sweat. He also seemed very laid back and calm. I tried to give him a bottle of water, but he said he has that at home. He was done with my entire yard within 90 minutes. He took his time, making sure it was cut well, and seemed quite content to be doing that. I am so grateful!

"I am happy for you, dear, that someone stepped up to help."

Thank you. I did make sure he had the address for the neighborhood's fb page, as well as my name. He said he doesn't do fb, but his wife does. I'll have to look out for her so I can say hi. He said she'll be "the red head walking the black puppy". (smile!)

surprise! chili cookoff!!!

There I was at the Savannah VA Center for my first meeting with my new PCP, LPN Tiffiny Duchene.

All went well, too, and she was thrilled with my lab results!

Total cholesterol was just 153, my TSH was right where it should be, and even my Vitamin D level was good.

Plus, my blood pressure was 124/82, so that was good, too.

I told her about the increased tremor in my left hand and asked her about changing my blood pressure med from Ramipril to Lisinipril - done!

I told her about some of my moles being crusty and dark and asked if I could get a dermatology consult - yes, she would do that!

I told her about the upcoming hernia repair and those appointments and she made sure those were reflected on my chart.

I even asked her about getting a temporary handicapped parking permit because of that inguinal hernia... and she'll have it for me next week!

Wow!

I felt like I'd just visited my fairy godmother!

Then I went to the desk to make my appointment to see her again in the fall and wound up invited to the chili cookoff that was going on.

How about that!

As shown above, there were four contenders, so I used different little cups and spoons for each to keep from affecting the tastes. 

The first was a bit bland, but had beans and some beef.

The second had a good mix of beef and beans, as well as cumin and cocoa!

The third was a traditional chili, with plenty of heat as well as corn.

The fourth had a lot of beef in a thinner broth; as I told the other two people, it would be very good on garlic toast!

After I voted for my three favorites, I was invited to stay and have lunch.

My bowl had mostly #2, but with a dollop of #3 to spice it up.

Very nice!

And the nurse who made #4 gave me a cup of it for home so I could try it out on toast!

How very kind of her!

Now, I'm off to see the latest McKenna Grace movie, "Slanted", which looks to be science fiction with teens.

Hope it's a good one!

14 dances!!!

That's right!!!

14 dances, performed by 9 dancers, and choreographed by 7 seniors.

Best of all, it was completely free!!! 

That's what was on the docket at Savannah Arts Academy tonight.

I've had news of it on my fb page all week!

This was the "2026 Emerging Choreographers Showcase" and all seven young women each designed two dances.

Of the two dances each choreographer had, one would have multiple dancers on the stage, one would be a solo.

Except one instance, I enjoyed the multi-dancer selections much more so than those with a single dancer.

Here are my favorites, in the order in which they occurred.

"Xscape", designed by Mariah Cade. 

This featured three female juniors and one male junior.

 

"California Dreamin' ", with the song by The Mamas & The Papas!

Miley Nguyen's design had three female juniors, in hippie garb, and it was delightful!

"Turning Page", choreographed by Vanessa Johnson.

I was enchanted not only by the lavender tap shoes, but by the ever-present smile of the dancing junior!

That was fabulous!!!

"Living Legend", designed by Miriam Safer. 

These four dancing juniors were all clad in golden dresses with lots of fringe that swayed and swung with their dancing!

I do so love fringe!

"The Little Mess You Made", designed by Mary Adcock, was my favorite.

The talented couple enacted a romance that goes wrong, sharing what felt more like a short film more than only a dance.

How expressive!!!

"The Dreams We Danced", designed by Mia Garcia.

I admit it: this one reminded me of "The Dance Of The Sugarplum Fairies", so of course I liked it!

The four female juniors were perfect for this ballet!

 

"Cell Block Tango", choreographed by Juliet Manica, was the very last. 

I have to think this was an inside joke, from her to the audience!

The last dance of the showcase...

the last dance of the sole "not guilty' person in 6-dancer death row tango from the musical "Chicago"...

surely this was deliberate!

In any case, it assured me I was where I needed to be.

Right place, right time!

Now, it's almost time for Steve Buscemi to be featured on "Elsbeth", along with the art of crossword puzzles.

Life is good!

(smile!)