leftovers, part 5

"Girlfriend, when are you going to stop having leftovers and actually cook?"

 

Actually, with my right leg slowing me down and requiring the use of a cane, cooking has become a bit of a chore. So, as long as I can keep having part of a previous meal to serve as the bulk of another, I'm doing that.

 

"Alright, alright, no need to get your feathers ruffled. Why don't you tell me about the birthday party yesterday?"

 

Oh, yes, that was good, though it was a bit smaller than I'd expected. This was the last one before Alyssa and Leila become teenagers and I thought some of their friends from school would be there. I was wrong.

 

"None of them showed up? Wasn't the party in Hinesville?

 

Yes, at the Irene B. Thomas Park, off Fort Screven Way.

 

"Hmm. And why does it look like Alyssa is sitting there with a black eye?"

 

It's just make-up, to make her resemble one of the anime characters. Apparently, the 'Hello Kitty' world has exploded in the 40+ years since I met it in Okinawa.

  

"Of course it has! Generations have been spawned from that first feline! LOL!"

 

Hahaha! That's an amusing mental image, given how quickly cats make more of themselves!

 

"You're welcome! Why didn't Leila follow suit and paint up her face?"

 

As I've mentioned before, she is seeking her own identity, and she is even teaching herself to play guitar! How about that!

 

"Very impressive! Maybe you can find something along those lines to include with her Christmas gift."

 

Perhaps so. I printed out gift cards for their magazine subscriptions and put those in the birthday cards. Alyssa's gift is "Girls Life", which will hopefully be a guiding light for her. As for Leila, she needs a challenge, so "Highlights brainPLAY" should certainly be stimulating... as well as very different from the gift for her sister. Leila even asked me if it was to be a puzzle! I explained that it was a book of puzzles and riddles and she was pleased about that. Good!

 

"Oh, that is good! I do hope that means you and she will become closer. I know it's hard, as you don't get to see them nearly as often as Christina's daughters, but keep making the effort."

 

I will, most definitely. I think Michael is finally in a better place, mentally, and that will help. His hair is growing out really nicely, too! And did you notice the shirt that Miyah is wearing? That was her race shirt, and she wore her medal the whole time! I'm very proud of her! She was the fifth runner to cross the finish line in the Girls On The Run 5K. I'm proud of Chloe, too, because she finished the race. They even gave her a medal for being there!

 

"And did you bring home a leftover from the party?"

 

I did! My outlaw Melinda had bought six pizzas, expecting a bunch of hungry 'tweens, and the eleven of us only emptied two of those boxes. She gave me two slices of the pepperoni and I'm having those for breakfast while I watch Asbury Memorial on fb. Yum, yum!

 

"Are y'all still doing GOB? Who is that singing?"

 

That's one of the SCAD Bee Sharps, don't ya know. I have no idea why they are part of the service, but I do love to listen, so I'm going to go now. This young man just did "Oh What A Beautiful Morning" and I don't want to miss any of the music! Later!

leftovers, part 4

Here's Chloe, smiling, but not smiling, as she puts it.

See, no teeth showing!

Hahahaha!

She was seated to my right at Olive Garden last night.

Her mouth has teeth that haven't quite come in, so she's a bit of a snaggle-toothed chica.

Here are the tic-tac-toe games she and I played after dinner.

Those were on the back of her kid's menu.

Four of the games were a draw, but I managed to win that last one!

I'd like to say it was due to my skill, but it was because her sister was distracting her.

Here are the tic-tac-toe games I played with her sister, by the way.

The first and third games were won by the 'cat', but I won the second and she won the fourth.

Why do we say the 'cat' won?

My first niece says because 'cat' is 'tac' backwards!

I don't know if she meant that as a joke or if she was using logic, but I like it!

And here's Miyah, sitting to my left, and, like her sister, she is giving me a smile that isn't a toothy grin!

Also like her sister, she has teeth that haven't finished finding their place.

I'm glad I don't have any memories of waiting for my mouth to set itself up!

I wonder if they will?

So, why were they in Savannah on a Friday night?

Miyah was racing this morning for the Girls On The Run 5K!

They even invited me to come watch, but I kindly declined.

For one thing, they had to be at the Armstrong campus of GaSoU at 7 AM!!!

On a Saturday!!!

That's why my first niece wisely decided to stay in town overnight, so she wouldn't have to get up stupid crazy early to get here.

But the other reason I decided to not attend was the temperature.

As I warned her yesterday afternoon when we were talking on the phone, the air would only be in the upper 50's at 7 AM.

She was glad to know to pack warmer clothes! 

So, I missed the race - which Chloe was allowed to run, too, even though she was a year too young - but I had the pleasure of their company for dinner!

We even had the same waiter (Cayden) that I had the last time at Olive Garden. 

The girls got a kick out me knowing his name!

I had the Chicken Margherita, to change things up, expecting the one with pasta, but I'm happy to have received the entree instead.

That gave me two chicken breasts, and lots of broccoli, too!

I'm about to dine on half of that for tonight's dinner while I enjoy an episode of "The Brokenwood Mysteries".

I would have eaten the leftovers for lunch, but I had a birthday party to attend!

More on that tomorrow!

leftovers, part 3

As I told the young folks working the counter yesterday at AMC, I like to hear Japanese spoken by Japanese people.

After all, I spent two years in Okinawa with the US Navy, and even picked up a bit of the language in those two years, thanks to Brad Nelson.

He was the CTI assigned to me, a CTM, to introduce me to the island and the bus system and the food - thanks, Brad!

As a member of the Interpretive branch of the Cryptologic Technicians at NSGA Hanza, the 6'4" fellow from Iowa was priceless those first two weeks.

Today, while watching this second film from Takashi Yamazaki, I felt right at home, immersed in the language while reading the subtitles.

"Godzilla Minus Zero" was totally magnificent!!!

And the story picked right up, three years later - which is the real time elapsed since the first movie - with the romantic tale of Koichi, Noriko, and Akiko, the little girl they were raising as if she were their own.

Remember, Koichi was the young pilot with PTSD, who found Noriko and the baby in his apartment, but allowed them to stay, with all coming to love each other in the intensely damaged city.

Japan has had three peaceful years since Koichi helped trap him in the ocean and blow him up... or so all thought, until sonar activity indicated the monster was alive.

But now there is a worse creature ravaging the country, a three-headed, winged, lightning-breathing alien that Japan's military cannot conquer.

So the bigwigs concoct a plan: lure Godzilla to the location of the alien and have them fight each other until the alien is dead, then kill off the giant lizard once and for all.

I will certainly see this one again!

Afterward, I popped over to Publix for milk and sushi.

Having had leftovers for several meals, I was ready for something different!

However, I admit to being a bit shocked by the price tag for the five bags of groceries I'd purchased: $110.19.

Could that be correct?

Sure, I'd bought three six-packs of the Ensure High Protein and a gallon of Lactaid milk, and those 4 items made up $43 of the bill.

I also bought a bag of 100 pieces of chocolate-containing Halloween candy that was on sale for $11.

Yikes.

But I'm okay with all that, as it was all on sale, except the milk.

Milk is never on sale.

Sushi is not usually on sale, either, though they do have smaller packs on special for $5 on Wednesdays... but this was a Thursday, and this pack was not one of those smaller ones.

Titled "Salmon Sampler", I felt it was right in keeping with my movie experience on the high seas, as I told Cathy when I spoke to her.

She had called because she heard that flooding was going on in Tennessee and Georgia, so she was concerned about me.

I assured her that damage was all in north Georgia; Savannah hasn't had rain for at least a week now.

I then polished off the three pieces of nigiri sushi, as well as half of the other two rolls, saving the rest for breakfast this morning.

Last night, I also polished off the last piece of WNS ham, the potato bits, the green beans, and the baked apples - thanks, Jason Z of Asbury!

 

Oh, by the way, that creature feature polished off my AMC A*List.

Remember, I'd started that dance card with Carolyn on Sunday, when we watched "Wildwood" and dined together.

She was familiar with some of the folks voicing the characters, but neither of us knew anything about the story behind the animated film.

What an enchanting tale it was, of a sister trying to rescue her baby brother!

So many battles between talking animals and other animals or humans!

I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing any of these again, including the two seen on Tina Tuesday, when my adventures in leftovers began.

Now, I'm soon off to meet my first niece for dinner!

Yes, this is another Friday, but not with my brothers.

Last Friday had been a 90-miute call with Cathy Weaver for her birthday!

The week before had been with Carolyn, and the one before that was over at Asbury making bracelets with my Sisters In Faith.

I just may need to see about meeting up with Smitty and Tony on some other night, as my Fridays in fall fill up quickly! 

What a lovely problem to have!

(smile!)

leftovers, part 2

Alrighty then!

This is how to work it in these days of increased food prices!

Last night was Wednesday Night Supper and it was one of my favorites!

Baked ham, baked apples, baked potato chunks - so good together!

For $8, I got all that is visible: the dinner, a side salad, dessert, and drink.

Oh, but that wasn't all!

I sat with Jason Zimmer, on his own tonight as August had school.

After hearing me wax rhapsodic about the meal, he asked if I wanted a to-go box, as we had a lot of leftovers tonight.

(We had a couple of empty tables, unless last week.)  

I gladly accepted and walked out of Holliday Hall with double portions of every part of the dinner itself!

That's why I had a ham and apple wrap for breakfast!

Remember, pork products practically beg for something sweet to accompany them in the meal or follow them as dessert.

Those baked apples, doused with cinnamon, were just the ticket to include in that high-fiber tortilla!

That gave me plenty of energy for the final AARP meeting by Zoom... the final one of this year! Hahahaha!

The majority of us were there: me, Herbert and Brenda Singleton, Wanda Lloyd, Carolyn Barnett, Felicia Shuman, Jeannette Bacon, Janet Cuttray, Connie Cooper, and Sheila Bell.

Gabrielle had Wanda and I recap the events we'd spearheaded, naturally, and when it came time to comment on those mentioned that I wished everyone in our small group had shown support for those three events - MFG 1, the Estates Planning, and MFG2 - by at least registering for them.

Gabrielle agreed that we should do so in the future, even if we can't attend.

Support is a much-needed thing, and our small group should at least be able to do that one thing for each other. 

Maybe that will happen as we have another opportunity to join all together next month at the Holiday Celebration!

No final word on where that will be, but the when is locked down: Dec. 10th.

That will be easy for me to remember, as Mama would have been 89 on that upcoming date.

It's hard for me to try to visualize her at that age.

I'm already five years older than she ever was.

 

And look at that... I've strayed off topic!

Here's where I meant to be: talking about the ZOOM for week four of MOVE!

We covered Modules 5 and 7 today, all about nutrition and such.

I made Fabiana Carvalho laugh twice!

She had asked what food triggers make us overeat.

"I love pizza. It's my favorite food. So trying to find an alternative is tough!"

She sure liked that answer! 

She always reads aloud the answers in the chat, and when she read that, she had laughed, saying "I like pizza, too!", and suggested having it with the cauliflower crust.

If only any of the local pizzarias served such a thing!

I'll miss seeing her next week, as she has a conference, so we won't meet again for this Savannah VA-sponsored event for two weeks.

I guess I'll have to plan something special for the 12th to occupy that time slot!

 

Now, I'm going to have a wrap with those Steak Bites and some Gouda cheese to carry me over until dinner time.

Then, I'm off to visit Godzilla in his latest movie!

I had not realized he's just four years older than me.

Happy 72nd birthday, you big galoot!!! 

leftovers, part 1

Why have I said "part 1" on this post?

Because I have a meal out with others scheduled for tonight and I hope to bring home leftovers from it!

Yesterday was the last day to use a coupon from Texas Roadhouse, so I took full advantage of the situation.

I knew I was going to see "The Mosquito Bowl" and the new 3-D version of "Nightmare Before Christmas" at the AMC, so why not arrange to have dinner prepared by the steakhouse, ready and waiting for me when I was done?

That turned out to be a great idea, as did the order of the two movies.

I saw "The Mosquito Bowl" first, not realizing it was going to touch on a battle during World War II on Okinawa.

I was left in tears, as I was well acquainted with the massive death toll at those cliffs: 150,000 Okinawan civilians, including children and their teachers, who had been in the caves that riddled those cliffs.

There were also 100,000 Okinawan military personnel also killed when the flamethrowers were used to eradicate people hidden in those ocean-facing caves.

I've been to the memorials there for the children and it's heartbreaking.

My tears were also for the 12 Marines who had played football at that Christmas Eve, 1944, morale-boosting event called the Mosquito Bowl.

i thank You, God, that I followed all that sadness of the world with the love story of Jack Skellington and my favorite Sally.

I definitely needed to get back to me again, and that did it. 

On my way home from the doubleheader, I stopped by to pick up my order: the Country Vegetable Plate, plus the Lil' Dillo Steak Bites.

My total cost was only $3.36 - and that was including tax!

The coupon took off $7.99, then I had two $5 egift cards 'purchased' with AARP Reward Points.

My dinner had been the baked potato, split open and cut apart, draped with the meaty Chili and its shredded cheddar - fabulous!

I always enjoy that combination, and this carryout container let me spread it out for easy dining.

This morning, I ate the House Salad for breakfast.

I had enhanced it with some of the broccoli and carrots from my Fresh Veggies side, so that was extra good!

I even added some of the Steak Bites from the Lil' Dillo meal - gotta get that protein!

I'm still trying to keep up the muscles in my right leg and protein is vital for that.

That's why I had a protein snack a couple of hours later.

That Texas Roadhouse dinner roll has a whopping 10 grams of protein, so that was a good start.

A slice of Muenster added another 5 grams, plus some dairy.

And why the orange juice?

That's obviously the drink that was included in the kids' meal - and it was so good!

It's been a few years since I had OJ.

(smile!) 

 

monday night supper club!!!

I came up with that moniker tonight, and all there really liked it, especially Elissa, so I think it'll stick!

We were at The 5 Spot in Sandfly, which was Sandy's choice.

Silly me, I had gone to The 5 Spot on Habersham, absolutely sure that's where we would meet.

I'd even garnered a table in the back corner, right beside a window!

That would make sure we could all talk and also have a view!

It wasn't until I texted Marcia and Elissa that I realized I was at the wrong location of that local chain.

Drats.

By that time, they were all at the correct locale.

Drats.

But get this: they said they'd gladly wait for me to join them.

Yes, even though that meant we'd not be eating until at least 7, when we should have all been there at 6.

I am so blessed to be part of this group of friends!

Joel was even there tonight, which was nice.

He was last with us for Marcia's choice, at Cava on Mall Boulevard.

 

We all dined on something different!

They had just ordered when I arrived, so I opted for two appetizers.

The Brussels Sprouts gave me my veggies, and the b. Matthew's Black-Eyed Peas Patties provided the protein.

That was just perfect, and my order came out right when theirs did!

Hooray!

I also ended up with Joel's coleslaw; it came with his Fish & Chips, but he doesn't care for cabbage.

Marcia had a salad and the Black-Eyed Peas Patties, sans parmesan.

Elissa had a salmon salad, of course, and Sandy had what she had been missing from the other restaurants: a double Smash Burger!

I have no doubt that was the reason for her choice of this place!

We were at the table in the front window, so we got to wave bye to all the other diners as they finished up and left.

In other words: we closed the place down!

Hahahaha!

It's been a long time since I've been part of something like that.

I loved it!

I made sure to thank all of them at least twice for waiting for me.

We all had hugs goodbye, too.

I'm so looking forward to Elissa's choice next week for our MNSC...

and this time, I'll be sure to read all of the message for the location!

(smile!)

hello darkness...

I was caught completely unaware that Halloween would be my last evening with more light.

Completely.

I had thought the "fall back" to standard time was next weekend.

I didn't realize that shift came so early this year.

It wasn't until I was setting my alarm that I noticed the time on my phone was not the same as the time on my stove.

Drats.

Perhaps I would have gone out and done something had I known.

Now, it's too late, and the onset of dusk will coincide with the 5 PM increase in traffic as folks travel home from work.

The sunlight wakened me earlier than usual, as the sun does not adhere to the restrictions imposed by humans in the USA.

My body roused, thinking it must be time to waken, but it was wrong.

It was still early enough that I watched a bit of "Toon In With Me", catching the last two cartoons before the show ended at 8 AM.

Then I watched the last half of "The Long Kiss Goodnight", recorded yesterday to avoid the obnoxious political 'mercials.

By its end, I was sleepy enough to return to bed.

Now, I'm revived and ready to go watch "Wildwood" with Carolyn at 2:15.

Neither of us have seen it, but we've both wanted to see this animated tale of magic and family and curses, making it kinda sorta like that first MFG movie.

At least the time is early enough that neither of us will be driving home in the dark after it's over.

halloween treats, via ether

This has been a very busy week, and the physical therapy session I had on Monday was not conducive to making me more mobile.

Still, I didn't let the pain and discomfort stop me!

Now, though, I have a lull in the action, a time to recharge.

 

That reminds me of a meme that Mary Prokop posted a while ago. 

One says to the other, "Holy crap! You're an INTROVERT?? But you're always so friendly and talkative and nice to everyone!"

The other says, "Despite popular belief, a lot of introverts can be pretty social. The big difference is that it drains our 'social battery' and we have o recharge after a while."

The one says, "Cool I get it! So what happens when your social battery runs out of..." - then, as the other goes POOF, adds "Oh."

As a sociable unsociable, I totally understand...

but that's because I know I am not alone...

and I know where to go to find people I know who know me...

and I also know when I need to stay home, to recharge, as I've done since coming home from the party yesterday.

Here's a meme posted by Bob Bueller, one of my Navy buddies. 

"A belly button is basically a scar from when you got into a knife fight with a guy in a mask after being evicted from your first place." 

Hahahaha - it's all about perspective!!!

 

Then there's the "Star Trek" meme from Sherry Giddens, now in Tampa.

Picard is telling Ryker, "As you know, Gandhi walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath."

After a pause, Picard continued, "This made him a super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis."

Hahahaha! Thank you, Mary Poppins!

 

Then there's this one, posted by Jay Sinclair, that is so funny!

A guy says, "So, I got invited to my first gender reveal party. Totally misunderstood the concept. My bad."

Such a deliciously raunchy nod to flasher humor!

 

This meme posted by my brother Ronnie's friend, Donna Faye Johnson, is a good one on aging. 

As a woman is looking through a photo album, she says, "Honestly, I don't care how I look in photos anymore... As long as I look good on ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs."

You and me both!

That brings me to one I like from Andy Pena in Pooler.

A Japanese monk once said: 

"If you miss the bus, maybe you avoided the accident. 

If you got rejected, maybe you were saved from the wrong place. 

If they left, maybe they made room for who is coming. 

The universe protects you in ways that look like bad luck at first.

Trust the detour."

Amen to that!

I do admit, though, that part of the reason I like that goes back to an Indian movie I saw years ago.

I just love how rabbit holes lead to memories!

Those are definitely treats!

marsh monster mash!

Today was the day of the Candler Senior Center's Halloween party!

I made sure to sign up for it last month, because the Marsh Auditorium seats 80 and those events fill up super fast! 

 

What greeted me as I arrived into the room?

A jack o'lantern made from a disco ball pumpkin!!!

See that pale green running along its lower jaw, as well as to the left above its upper lip?

That's my sweater!

Nice for it to make an appearance again!

There was also a disco ball ghost, but it wasn't nearly as alluring as this guy!

 

Elizabeth, the woman who runs the Senior Center, also greeted me, of course.

That's her in the red dress, ready to give out a free lunch for the best guess on number of candy corns in a jar.

I'd guessed 432...

but the correct number was 478 and someone else had the closer value. 

No problem, as I'd just finished my luncheon that came with my party ticket!

The lunch ladies were clad in Halloween attire as they served up a Chinese feast: sesame green beans, stir-fy rice, and orange chicken - yum!!!

 

After everyone had a chance to enjoy the meal, the fun started!

Count Dracula and a Ghostbuster read trivia questions relating to Halloween tales and myths.

I won the goodie bag for one of the questions in that first round!

The Ghostbuster had barely started, with "What strong-smelling vegetable used as a spice..." when I shot my hand into the air!!!

She finished with "...used to ward off vampires?", then Count Dracula called on me, as my hand was up long before anyone else's.

"Garlic!", I triumphantly said!!!

My prize bag was brought directly to me by Little Red Riding Fox!

And what had I won?

A haint-blue koozie, a popcorn ball, a bag of pretzels shaped like bats and jack o'lanterns, some peppermints, and a telescoping back scratcher.

I know I'll make good use of that last item!

There were more trivia contests, but I abstained from participating with any more answers.

I'd already won, right?

And I was 1 of 79 others at the party.

My table mates thought it grand that I gave others a chance!

We had two rounds of "Name That Halloween Tune", then a round of "Name That Movie Villain", and two rounds of "Name That Scary Movie".

That made for a nice bunch of prizes for attendees at the 8 tables!

Then it was time for dancing!!!

Three guesses what the first song was... "Thriller"!!!

"Monster Mash" was actually second, even though the party had been named in honor of that tune.

Go figure!

"One-Eyed One-Horned Flying Purple People Eater" and "Spooky" came next, but the one that drew the most attention at my table was Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious". One of the younger women - she's 55 - even got up and danced.

That Corpse Bride did some very nice dancing, too, throwing in some writhing and squirming - bwah haha!

This was my first time coming to one of the Senior Center's parties, but I'll most def try for more!

(smile!)

round 2 of mfg!

What a wonderful evening tonight at AMC Classic Savannah 11 for the second Movies For Grownups of AARP-GA!
Managers Chris and Tom were there when I arrived and got us setup with the table and chair in the lobby, as well as a chair by Screening Room 1, for any late check-ins that might come along.

We also used the small table and two chairs near our table for writing Cheer Crew cards while we waited for our audience to arrive.

We even had one or two of them to participate with that!
Lillian Sykes was the only other volunteer from AARP-GA for this event, but she was fabulous, so we two got the job done, and done with smiles!
Managers Chris and Trey were there during the MSG event, which began promptly without a hitch at 7 PM - bravo!
We had one registrant who needed special accommodations, and she was given the hearing-assist headphones by AMC and she and her party sat in the handicapped-accessible row, all together.
After the movie, I made sure to thank all who came out for the MFG event and they thanked us for bringing such a good movie.
There was even some laughter during the movie - yeah!
The registrant with the hearing-assist headphones asked Lillian and I to return them for her, so we did...
and the young woman at the counter found the registrant's eyeglasses tangled up in the cords!
Lillian was able to rush out and find that the party had not yet driven off, so Anita H. was given her eyeglasses.
Most excellent!

That finished up my AMC A*List, too, with three movies I'd seen earlier.

Well, kinda sorta.

My dance card shows that I watched "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother" twice, but I only saw it the one time.

I threw on that second 'reservation' for it yesterday as a way of voting for AMC to bring more like that one. (smile!)

And I really did see this new version of "Sense And Sensibility" on Tuesday, so I would be able to let the other volunteers at tonight's event go in to see it at 7 PM, so they wouldn't miss any of it.

Here's the odd part about that movie: I felt like I was watching the physicist up there on the screen!

Same facial structure, same hair type, same body build... spooky!

Every time the 'Colonel' was on screen, I found myself poring over his face, trying to make sense of the resemblance.

The actor, Herbert Nordrum, is not one I've noticed before.

And, looking at his bio photo on IMDB, sans facial hair, the similarity to my bfe fades into the background.

However, with the mustache and beard, he could be the brother of the man I spent time with yesterday.

Watching the movie again with the MFG audience, I again had the sensation that I was seeing the bfe every time the 'Colonel' appeared.

It was kinda sorta like I saw the bfe three days in a row!

I'll have to keep a watch on that actor and see if that holds next time.

Meanwhile, I'm thrilled at how well tonight's AARP-GA event went!

Looking forward to the one in December!!!

dinner and a movie with the bfe!

"Wait a minute! This is Wednesday Night Supper time! Right?"

 

Yes, it is, and he was only too glad to pick me up and take me to Asbury Memorial for that meal! That's because it was to be pot roast, and he doesn't have beef very often, but he loves it.  

 

"Oh, that looks delicious!"

 

It was! I'm glad I was able to buy his dinner for a change. I'd already paid for mine two weeks ago, so the $8 was easy. He ate every bit of his meal, too! I mean, I ate all of mine, too, but for him that's a sure sign he enjoyed it. He liked being in Holliday Hall, too, even asking about the painting of Miss Virginia. I told him about her not liking how old she was in it, so he told me about one of the women in his Sunday group not liking her current-age photos, either. We sat with Pam and Walt, so that was nice!

 

"What's with the Dias De Los Muertos meme?"

 

Perry Foster had posted that, so I was discussing that with the physicist. Neither of us had been familiar that there were so many days associated with that event.

 

"So, you showed him the meme on your phone?"

 

Oh, no! The place mats tonight were printed for Dia De Los Muertos, which we tend to observe for Ruthie Deffley. So, I brought up that the Mexican holiday actually is for more than one day. Pretty interesting!

 

"Good to learn something new, and to share it with others, isn't it? And what was the movie that Jeff Secrest had agreed to see?"

 

Hey, it was his idea! It's the new one with Olivia Colman, a bit of funny, raunchy, comedy which she does so well! I was interested, too, in "Wicker", which promised a different kind of robot for amorous action. Alexander Skarsgard was fabulous as the man with a heart and mind inside all that basketware!

 

"Oh, I remember that he's quite fond of that actress!"

 

Yes, she's just a year younger than he is. Alexander is another two years younger, having been born in 1976. And Peter Dinklage, now 57 years old, was just fabulous as the master weaver trying to give the people what they want, only to find that the people didn't really know what they were asking for. I mean, really, who would want a perpetual baby that would never grow beyond infancy? Seriously?!

 

"What a terrible choice! Who made that?"

 

One of the women who'd been widowed when her husband fell through a hole in the roof and died. He was trying to do like the Wicker man and be handy, but he was a klutz. So the woman had requested that the weaver make her a wicker baby. She really didn't think that through. The other townspeople figured she'd had sex with the Wicker man! Did they truly not understand how preposterous that was? He had no internal organs, so sperm was out of the question. Such dolts!

 

"Not quite science literate, were they? Wow."

 

Well, the fairy tale ended on a note that the Brothers Grimm would have approved. I certainly did, and so did the bfe! Nice that Comcast helped me treat him to that movie! They gave me a $10 reward toward the ticket, so I bought his on fandango with that perk. I bought mine at NCG tonight. With luck, I'll win two free tickets to a future show there!

 

"Oh, that would be nice! They tend to have some unusual films that AMC would never show."

 

Very true. And guess what? The two of us will have another movie outing next week! An Indian film will be at the Royal Cinema for only two days, Wednesday and Thursday, so he'll have to let me know which day. He told me his afternoons are fairly free this semester, as he's just teaching two classes. Maybe we'll be able to hit one of the earlier showings. That would be good, as it's more than three hours long.

 

"Hope that works out! I know he wants to see it. Maybe y'all could meet for a late lunch and early movie one of those days."

 

We'll see. (smile!) 

wtf has a new door at last!!!

Isn't it beautiful?

I would have been happy with any design, as long as it locked securely.

This is much nicer, and will allow customers inside Whiskey Tango Foxtrot to see into the corridor of 5511.

And why should that even matter?

That's because Two First Posts now has the seals of the five branches of the US military mounted there, to welcome all who come.

Those were purchased by the American Legion Post 36 - the one I belong to - years ago and they've been in storage since we left Thunderbolt.

How very nice to have them finally displayed!

They're on the wall between the two entry doors of the event ballroom.

Truly, we're starting to look quite official!

For tonight's meeting, we had me, Doug, Michael T., Joe Cetti, Brenda, Sabrina, Eric, John, and Eddie.

We had snacks, too, as well as a bunch of goodies to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has been all of October.

I guess my mammogram was right on time!

(By the way, the results came back 'normal', so that was good!)

At Eddie's request, Brenda read the minutes from the last meeting here.

Then we got to new business!

Kat and Mike have their licenses and are opening on Thursday!!!

Yes, as in October 29!

I don't know their hours, or which days they will be open, but I'm excited!

Eddie suggested we mount the TFP electronic calendar in the window of the Game Room in 5509, facing the street, so folks will know what is scheduled.

That will be most helpful when TFP starts scheduling the Queen Of Hearts game play to start some money coming in.

It will also be helpful for letting the members of Post 500 know that many other events go on here, hence the importance of them contacting TFP when they want to have something other than the five monthly meetings they already have.

Yes, that's right, the bulk of the meeting was all about the shenanigans of their new Post Commander, Trey Singleton.

Sigh. 

He is actually calling for Brenda, Sabrina, and Eric to be dismissed from their positions in Post 500 (as Adjutant, Financial Officer, and Master At Arms, respectively).

Why did he ask for that at Post 500's general meeting last night?

Because he claims they are having a conflict of interest with their positions on the Board of Two First Posts (Secretary, Treasurer, and Building Maintenance Man, respectively) and are not looking out for the best interests of Post 500.

Seriously.

He was throwing all kinds of slander out there!

Eddie and John said Trey should be dismissed from his newly elected position due to "lack of confidence in Post Commander" and steps are being taken.

Here's the thing, though: Brenda is part of the Masonic Lodge and she told us that Trey is pulling the same power plays over there.

I raised the question of whether he had an Honorable Discharge, as it sounds like he has been a problem in every group he is part of.

That certainly got the group's attention.

As a man with lots of legal experience, Doug provided his advice on how to get the troublemaker demoted.

What a dark blotch he has been for the past few months.

Here's hoping November will see something positive concerning him.

whole latta nothing going on

The crew had been readying the property for the past few days.

The city had already come and made the marks for the water, sewer, and gas lines running to the house.

Then, this morning, the demolition began.

It actually wasn't nearly as loud as I had expected.

It also didn't take as long as I'd thought such a thing would.

It wasn't like the demolition on Las Vegas Boulevard when they took down the Stardust casino one year when I was there.

That was done with the strategic placement of dynamite and was over in less than the blink of an eye.

No, this was a steady, methodical, dismantling of the building that once was a home to a family with one son and three daughters.

The son has the property now, with his wife, and they decided over a year ago that the house was to be demolished down to the ground.

I'll be interested to see what new structure is built there.

 

Now, though, there's nothing of note but that lovely oak tree.

Matthew had spoken of having it cut down, but I pleaded for it to stay.

I'm glad they decided to leave it be.

my turn to choose the dinner locale!

Heretofore, I've simply gone along with whatever restaurant the others in my Monday night group select.

So, it took me by surprise when Marcia said it was my turn to pick.

Really?

That must mean I'm a bona fide member of their group now!

Very cool!!!

I thought about it, then chose a place I've gone to since I was a child.

Carey Hilliard's on Skidaway Road.

It first opened in 1960, when I was 2 years old.

Serving hearty barbeque and fried local seafood at low prices made it a favorite with my parents, and its midtown location made it prefect for meals any time.

Marcia loved the choice, as it's just down the road from her.

Elissa didn't know where it was, but Sandy did, as she's a local like me!

Kelly was even able to join us, as she was off from work today.

She voiced her approval in the group chat, adding that it was the best of the three Carey Hilliard locations in Savannah!

And Kathy ended up loving it because we were placed at a large table in the front room, where we were the only diners.

That allowed us to talk and allowed her to be able to hear what we said!

Our waitress, Leigh, made sure we had all we needed, then let us be, coming around to check on us, but not rushing us.

That was perfect!

Elissa had her salmon that she loves, I had Carey's Choice - a new item on the menu!!! - and the rest had the single-side options with either shrimp or flounder. 

That meant I was the only one mixing fried chicken tenders in with my shrimp.

(smile!)

Such a lovely time we all had together!

Sandy will have her turn next Monday, as Marcia had chosen Cava and Kathy was the one who wanted Wang's II last week.

I look forward to seeing where we'll go.

I know she favors burgers, so I'm expecting somewhere with beef...

but who knows?

(smile!)

byop39 for jenkins family!

How much longer will Robin be hosting these get-togethers that she and Harry started when Brandi was just a toddler?

Brandi is 43 now and she took this great photo with her mom, Mary, and Laura.

Yes, that's my two sister-in-laws  in one picture! 

And what do I have here?

Betsy and Becca!

Becca was the only one of our group to carve a pumpkin this year.

And here's one of my brothers and both of those Kameron brothers!

Mark was standing this time, while Jimmy and Smitty sat with me while I ate chili dogs and coleslaw and other party fare!

It was just as I had hoped... 

...and was almost like being at the Smiths & Kamerons Friday Fiesta!

And where was my youngest brother?

There he was, showing off his new carpentry skills to Betsy and Mary!

He's put a diagonal insert into his back fence and it's quite pretty!

Today was his 59th birthday, so I made sure to call him this morning and sing to him!

What a lovely party for him... and neither he nor Laura had to put it together!

So nice to all be together to help him celebrate!

We're all off-center, to the rear left in this shot, almost like the eye of the hurricane of pumpkins all around.

I just love this shot!

Thanks, Robin, for continuing to bring together family and friends, out there in Ellabelle!

(smile!)