3 wins out of 4 games!

"You won three games at Music Bingo tonight??? Wow!!!"

 

Not me, g'friend, but two of my friends there tonight. Marcia won the first game, "Summer Vibes #1", so her beer was gratis at Midtown Sports Grill. Pretty nice! Then Elissa won a free appetizer with the second game - that was "Girls Night Out #1" - so her giant pretzel was free! Some other table took the 3rd game, with its "Modern Country Mix #1", but that was just a free drink, as there weren't enough players to have a money pot.

 

"Wow. That's more winning than y'all's group has had for weeks. Usually it's just one of you that manages to get a win. Or, like last week, you have no winners."

As I said then, it's more about the music than the wins for me. Sandy is very competitive, so winning is very important to her. And she didn't have that tonight. Elissa was the big winner, taking the $50 gift card for the 4th game. We were all happy for her, but I think Sandy was a bit put out that she didn't get a prize.

 

"That's okay, there's always next week!"

 

Actually, there isn't. Yom Kippur is coming, so they won't be available for Music Bingo next Monday. I was a little bummed out, but Marcia said we can do dinner on Tuesday next week. That will work! I'm supposed to have a Two First Posts meeting that day, but it's been moved to Monday... so I would have missed Music Bingo, too!

 

"Hallelujah! That's going to work out great for all of y'all!"

 

Right? I just love when the Universe sets it up like that! Here's proof positive that I was in the right place, right time this evening, if I had any doubts. My odometer wanted to catch my eye before I turned off the lights in my driveway! The mileage read "247586" - that's a straight, and that's always a winning hand in poker! Plus, it's my second straight in less than a week - that's unheard of for me! So glad I was out with my friends on this Monday!

 

"I'm glad you were, too! And is that what you had for dinner? It looks like one of those sandwiches from Panera."

 

Good eye, g'friend! Yes, that's the Chicken Pesto Ciabatta Dipper, which is back for a while. I was there for a luncheon with Kathy Mayin last Friday. She and I are working on building a friendship, so when she suggested we get together sometime soon, I went right ahead and said, "Let's do it today!"

 

"Wow. And she went for that?"

 

Surprisingly, yes. She really does admire my getting out and about so often. As I told her, sometimes I have to "throw myself out of my house", and she may want to consider taking that action herself. I picked her up for this luncheon, as the restaurant is just around the corner from her. However, I told her that if she arranges for the CAT bus to get her to an event that I'm going to, I'll gladly take her home afterward. it's just that if I have to come and get her to go to an event, that's easily an hour that gets lost in driving. She understands, and tells me she wants to do that, but we'll see. I do hope it will! She definitely needs to make a commitment to herself to get out more.

 

"Yes, I know. She sold her car because the insurance had increased so much. She had looked into her options beforehand and was sure the CAT and Uber would be fine. The thing is, she just needs to plan better, as CAT requires several days' notice to come and pick her up. She insists that she doesn't want any of us to go out of our way to take her places, and I'm taking her at her word. I do hope she will join me for future events!  

 

"I hope so, too. Events are certainly more fun with friends!"

tik-toks and southern rock!

"That sure does sound like a mixed bag! Let me guess: Music Bingo?"

Bingo!!! I had been concerned that no one was going, but I told Marcia that I'd go if she did, so she did!!! She even brought along Amanda!!!

"Nice. It's been a hot minute since she came out to MSG."

That's very true. This was certainly a good night for that choice! The first game was "Tik-Tok Takeover #1 (Clean)" and, although I didn't know hardly any of the songs, my card managed to have 9 of them on it. Nine!!! In fact, I was 1-away from a bingo under the "I"! All I needed was "The Middle", by Maren Morris, Grey & Zedd, whoever they are.

"LOL! I have no idea! Most def new singers."

Game 2 was "Southern Rock Mix #3" and I knew most of those. Eddie Money, 35 Special, Styx, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Charlie Daniels Band, Little Feat, ZZ Top, The Gregg Allman Band, and, of course, Lynyrd Skynyrd. I had such fun singing along to those! My card only saw five hits on it, though. Pretty sad.

"Yeah, that's no way to win a game."

True, but you know what? I'd had such fun singing those songs that weren't on my card that I was all jazzed up! So, for Game 3, the one that costs $5 per card, I bought cards for all three of us! Yes, I did! I was glad, too, when I saw the description. "Bar Favorites Mix #18" - with John Fogerty, Aerosmith, The Cars, The Gap Band, Heart, The Rolling Stones - yes, please!!!

"Oh, I know you had whole lot of shakin' and singin' goin' on!!!"

"Emotional Rescue"!!! "Centerfield"!!! "Roll With It"!!! "Venus"!!! All told, I had 12 hits on my card, with six different lines that just needed two songs for a bingo! It was just wild!!! I felt absolutely high after that game ended. WOW!!!

"Wow!!! Did any of y'all win a game?"

Nope! But you know what? It really didn't matter! We three had such fun tonight, that the music was the star of the show! Marcia even sent out word to the others that "Tina was a lot of fun tonight. She really knows a lot of music!"

"But of course! part of the reason you don't know much of the new stuff is you don't go out dancing at the clubs anymore. If you did, you'd be up to date."

Quite probably true. Maybe part of the reason I really enjoyed tonight is that it may be the last one for a couple of weeks. The Jewish holidays are coming up and they'll keep my friends pretty busy. So glad we had tonight! So glad Russ let us know last week that he'd be here for Labor Day Monday! Now, time to feed Dane and watch the 100th episode of "Beat Shazam". More music sound bites for me! (smile!)

monday night bingo with my peeps!

I do so look forward to Monday!

It's never clear just how many of us friends will be at the table at the Midtown Sports Grill, or what we might eat that night, but it's for sure that we'll have fun!

This time, it was me, Sandy, Marcia, and Elissa.

We're definitely the core of our group!

And what would be more fun than movie soundtracks!!!

That was the second game, after a round with "Bar Favourites Mix #4", which Sandy won!!!

Marcia got to have that "free drink" to go with her "free appetizer" from two Mondays ago.

Lucky her!!!

I had thought I'd go for the potato skins until I saw they had this special for tonight: the chili cheeseburger!

I've been wanting a burger and that fit the bill nicely!

Maybe that craving got started on the Paradise!

Speaking of vacation, that's where Russ was last week, so we dined at Kayak Kafe Midtown, just two streets to the east of MSG.

Kathy Mayin was able to join us there, too!

I had my favorite: West Indian Trader Salad!

So fresh and crunchy with those walnuts and cucumbers - yum!!!

Nice as that outing was, though, we had all missed our Music Bingo and singing along to the songs.

So glad we had that tonight!

(smile!)

love in the mail, sweet hopes for school in the mail...

I just had to paraphrase the Cole Porter song!

"Love for sale

appetizing young love for sale

love that's fresh and still unspoiled

love that's only slightly soiled

love for sale."

Catchy little tune from the 1930's!

Of course my version would be just a bit different.

"Love in the mail,

sweet hopes for school in the mail,

mail that's fresh and still unspoiled,

mail that's only slightly soiled,

love in the mail."

It's been a while since I posted anything to my greats in Hinesville.

However, one of the nonprofits I support had sent me four postcards...

each with different images of nature and sayings...

and I have stamps...

so off they went this afternoon!

How surprised they will be!

I consciously chose to write a different message to C-A-L-M, too.

I know they'll be comparing notes, so each had a tailored letter.

 

Chloe received the Sea Turtle, with its advice to 'stay calm under pressure', 'swim with the current', 'think long term'.

I started her letter with "How is my favorite 2nd-grader doing?", then continued with talk about her reading "more about this wonderful world", finishing with a request that she "listen to your teachers, as that will be helpful, too".

I find it remarkable how well she reads!

I'm hoping that she might be able to help Miyah with that school subject.

For Alyssa, I chose the Polar Bear, whose advice was "learn some good icebreakers", "keep it cool", "be fearless", and "sniff out opportunities".

In her letter, I wondered what classes will be different from 5th grade.

Does she have "dancing? Playing an instrument?"

Then I told her, "whatever it is, I know you are up for the challenge!"

I know she will be, too!

Leila required a different tack, so my choice was the Penguin, who said she should "dive into life", "find warmth among friends", "keep your cool", and "go the extra mile."

She doesn't handle change well, so I wrote that I hope she is "enjoying her new teachers", and that it was wonderful to "see friends from last year" and to anticipate making "new friends" so they can "study together".

Here's hoping that will be the case.

Then there's Miyah, advanced to 4th grade but still challenged by reading.

The Glacier was perfect to advise her to "channel your strengths", "keep moving forward", "avoid meltdowns", and "be cool"! 

In my letter, I told her "the books will be more fun for readers like you" and "that means you will learn more about the world and that is very good!"

I finished with "Knowledge is power!"

Here's hoping all will have a successful year!

Now to catch the mailman and get ready for Music Bingo with my Monday night friends!

(smile!)

what's the perfect amount of ice, ice, baby?

What else would be on my mind on such scorcher summer days?

Remember, Savannah has lots of humidity, so add 10 degrees to those highs.

I run that dining room air conditioner at night, which manages to get the living areas of the house down to about 77 F, which is fine by me.

That means those areas get to the mid-80's in the afternoons.

Again, that's fine by me, and keeps my electric bill below $100 each month.

But part of the reason it's fine by me is I drink a lot of iced fluids.

Ivan Shreve, my fellow member of the League of Savannah Bloggers, posted the above meme on fb to take a poll about that.

"What's the perfect amount of ice?"

In true form as an analytical chemist, I didn't give him just one number. 

"2 usually, sometimes 3, unless it's cold outside. Then it's 1."

He liked that response.

Why not 4 as one of my preferences?

That's too much ice, making it difficult to drink without getting liquids running down my chin or onto my clothing.

Speaking of "perfect", tonight at Music Bingo, Andrew, the new bartender, took my drink order at the table.

Marcia was already in the booth, and the others had not yet arrived.

Andrew asked what I wanted and I said "water", as that's my usual.

He asked, "With or without lemon?"

"Surprise me," I responded... and he did!

I was the only one at our table of 4 that had both lime and lemon!

Sandy and Elissa ordered their drinks from our waiter, and just got lemon.

(smile!) 

None of us won any of the games tonight, but we sure had fun!

"House Party Mix" and "Modern Country Mix #2" were both good music, but it was that first game, with the "Covers Mix", that had us all pleasantly surprised.

Fergie sang Heart's "Barracuda"?

The White Stripes covered "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself"?

Diana Ross singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was a cover?

Like I said, it was a fun evening with my friends!

Now, it's time for "The Quiz With Balls" and guess who they have tonight?

Star Wars Nerds versus Models - that should be good for a few laughs!

meals and more with my girls!!!

Monday, it was time for Music Bingo again!

This was the first time any of us had been since the debacle a month ago.

"Us" would be me, Sandy, Marcia, and Elissa.

Hey, we've been busy, vibrant, women, a'ight, with family from out of town, cruises, and what-not going on!

I remembered to bring my free appetizer reward that I won about six weeks ago, too.

Fortunately, Midtown Sports Grill has changed their menu yet again.

Potato Skins is a new entry, loaded with bacon and cheddar, and that made for a mighty fine "welcome back" dinner with my friends!

And just look at that first bingo game of the evening!!!

That "Dance Party Mix" yielded me the first "Bingo!" of the bar!

Russ was even surprised that I'd won without using the 'Free Space' - I'd managed to do it with five actual songs that had been played, straight down the "I" column!!!

Andrew, the new bartender, was glad to bring me a free lemonade as my "free drink" reward for the game!

How wonderful to have shared that those three hours with friends!

(smile!)

Then, today, my first niece came to share a favorite movie with me!

This was the last week of the NCG Summer Camp Film Festival and they've been screening "The Wild Robot" since Sunday.

We love that movie about parenting and kindness!!!

Want to know how much?

She stayed awake through the entire movie!!!

That's saying a lot, as she has sleep apnea and tends to take a nap if she sits in one place too long.

That wasn't the case two weeks ago when she joined me for "Sing", but that was okay... it let me munch some of her popcorn!

That time, she was early and bought our tickets and kids' packs; this time, she was running on her standard time, so I bought the tickets and snacks.

(smile!)

After, we popped over to the Chick-Fil-A on Victory for our luncheon.

So glad the lunch crowd had mostly passed by then!

She grabbed the last table and we had a leisurely two hours together...

just us, no children, no boyfriend...

letting us truly talk about issues with that latter item.

Here's hoping for the best resolution for that problem.

Oh, plus a really bright spot!

We had been talking about friends from the past and she mentioned one of her middle-school buddies and spoke of them spending nights together.

"So, you're friends still, on fb?"

No, they weren't... but she quickly found her on that social media... and they are now reunited again!

Maybe I should do a few searches of lost friends, too.

(smile!)

christmas fun for my return from the cruise!

No less than four of the programs I watch all had Christmas themes!

The ones on PBS, the ones on AntennaTV, it just seemed they'd had a meeting and decided that was needed to welcome me home!

 

"My Life Is Murder", the one with Lucy Lawless as a police consultant in Australia, was the first I watched.

That episode was "Silent Lights" and concerned a death around Christmas time, with a man falling off his roof.

The neighbors insisted it was an accident, but his wife insisted that one of them had killed him somehow.

Get this: it was the 25th episode of the show!

Sounds like Christmas to me (even though it originally aired Oct. 2, 2022)!

Next up was "News Radio" with an episode from Season 2 that originally aired Dec. 19, 1995.

Clearly, "Xmas Story", meant for a US audience, aired at the right time for that annual festival of lights!

Everyone gets ball caps from the billionaire boss, causing quite a stir.

To complicate matters, 'Bill' is having a rough time with the lobby Santa, who keeps threatening to kill him.

Yes, hilarity ensued from the misunderstandings!

Then in the line-up was "Just Shoot Me!", this time from Season 6, and was the last episode before their Christmas break.

Airing Dec. 13, 2001, "Christmas? Christmas!" is one I actually watched twice!

That's because it had real-life Ray Liotta as himself, the 47-year-old movie-star cousin of the nerdy mailroom clerk (who is the actor who plays the geologist in "TBBT", Brian Posehn, whose last name on this show was 'Liotta').

Already I liked it!

Then Ray turned out to be a Christmas fanatic, with lots of traditions to share with 'Maya' as he whisks her into a holiday romance - most excellent!

Of course I watched it twice!!!

The last of the quartet came from "Midsomer Murders" (which, in the USA, always runs as pairs of 45-minute episodes to solve the case). 

Aired January 4, 2004, in merry old England, as a post-holiday treat I'm sure, "Bad Tidings" starts off with a college secretary getting killed, then a retired doctor.

What secrets had they been hiding all those decades?

Very much a good who-done-it to stir up the gray matter!

My thanks to the Universe for those...

I have really enjoyed them! 

Now, off I go to Music Bingo!!! 

new owner at msg, new rules

It had been such a scorcher today, with summer trying to come in hot.

After all, yesterday was the official first day of that season.

So, when Marcia sent around the text about meeting up for Music Bingo, I was all for it!

Gathering for fun and singing with friends, in air conditioning I didn't have to pay for?

Yes, please!

I was one of the first ones there, joined soon by Amanda and Merritt.

Marcia came in next, with her granddaughter, Batsheva, in tow.

The girl had a new short 'do for summer, though the reason for the cut had been too many snarls in her hair.

Her mom said cutting the hair was the only recourse.

The bob looked very cute though!

 

Sandy didn't arrive until my Nachos were already on the table.

Just look at that mass of chips and cheese and chili!!!

Russ came in just before 7, with his bag of Bingo paraphernalia in tow.

Hooray!!!

Then Chris, the manager, came over to break the news to us.

There weren't enough players there tonight.

The Music Bingo session was canceled.

Say what???

The new owner has some such nonsense about needing to have at least 8 players for the game to be held.

Ah, but there were  of us and two players at the bar... that's 8!

It didn't make a difference.

We even said we'd play for no prizes, just the joy of listening and singing along with the music being played!

Nope, that wasn't going to happen, captain. 

Well, drats.

I certainly wouldn't have ordered those $15 nachos if I'd known that.

They all felt the same way... but at least we had each other's company.

i was 1 of 5 again!

"Was there another special meeting at the Savannah VA Center?"

You do realize this is Monday, right? And that I was one of five last week for Music Bingo here at the Midtown Sports Grill?

"Pardon me if I don't count how many folks you list."

It's alright, dearie, I know you have other things on your mind than math. As for me, I like to have fun with numbers. You know this is the 250th anniversary of the United States of America being a country, right?

"Well, of course I know that. It's also the 50th anniversary of your graduation from Jenkins High School, though I haven't heard of a party for that yet."

Nope, neither have I. But I did hear that this was the 150th anniversary of Anheuser-Busch! They're touring the Clydesdale horses around the USA at various historic sites and they were here in Savannah last Saturday. They were at at Grayson Stadium for its 100th anniversary!!! Well, kinda sorta. They were adjacent to the baseball stadium, but the Bananas had a game there, so it would have been too crowded for security of the horses.

"I would think so! And you forgot a personal anniversary for you. This makes 30 years since you got your PhD at FSU!"

You're right! Nice that it falls where it does with these other numbers!

"Yes, indeed. Now, what's this about '1 of 5' for Music Bingo?"

Well, there was me. Elissa came with Sandy. Plus Amanda brought Merritt along. That made five of us, so we were at a table again, instead of a booth. I like that much better, as I can stretch my legs. It also helps for dancing in my seat, which I did a lot tonight! Such great music Russ was playing all night!

"Very good!!! It's always more fun with good tunes!"

This was my card for the first game. Just look at that diagonal!!! What a story that bingo would tell!!! "Call Me" to be "Flirtin' With Disaster" over a Free Space, then there'll be "Dancing In The Dark" while I "Kiss You All Over" - mercy me, I'd have had to go home for a cool shower if those had all come up as a winner for me!

"Hahahaha!!! Yes, I know you would have!!! You can be such a sailor!!!"

Hey, I just can't help it... or just won't... take your pick! (smile!)

"So, did Sandy win again tonight?"

No, she did not. I was the only winner at our table and that was for the second game. It was "New School Rock Mix #1" and had a lot of tunes I was singing at the table. That prompted Merritt to suggest we have a karaoke night some time!!! I know Sandy would be down for that, too.

"Hey, doesn't his band have a gig at Tybee Post Theater this month?"

Yep, but I can't go. It's on June 28th, and, as I told him tonight, I have colonoscopy prep that day and night, so I'll be at home. Certainly can't be spewing body fluids all over town! LOL!

"For sure. So, what did you win?"

The second game's prize is always a free appetizer, so that's mine now! I didn't have food tonight, just a lemonade, made fresh by Chris. Really good, too! Nice and tart, but not sweet, and ice cold.

"That does sound good!"

It was, as was the music. My bingo was on the opposite diagonal to that above, starting with "Glycerine" in the lower right and ending with "Kryptonite" in the upper left. BINGO!!!

"Good one! You've even heard Three Doors Down perform that in concert!"

Right?! It was just perfect! And the couple sitting near us clapped for me! The guy told me I 'deserved to win because I was singing along to all the songs"!!! That really made me feel special!!!

"Well, it sounds like you're doing well at carrying a tune these days. That's very good! I know you've always enjoyed singing. I hope you and your friends will do some karaoke in the near future. That will be great fun!"

Yes, it will, most definitely. Now, I'm going to enjoy my House Salad along with this new "Game With Balls". In honor of the FIFA tournaments, they're using giant soccer balls to bop folks into the water for wrong answers. Tonight, the USA is taking on England for fun and dips in the channel! Later!

birthday cake from the universe!!!

It's a real beauty, too, that's for sure.

As Marcia said, I've been dreaming of this dessert for quite some time.

It's called Milky Way Cake and it is some kind of scrumptious!

Far too rich to have on a regular basis, but it certainly was perfect tonight as I continued the celebration of bday68.

This outing for Music Bingo with Sandy and the J Crew was also a perfect ending to my birthday weekend!

Elissa was absent, but Marcia had two daughters (Amanda and Donna) and her 11-yo granddaughter (BatSheva), so that was perfect, too!

Russ was dropping music that I loved all evening, starting off with "Dad Rock Mix #1", like "Learn To Fly" by the Foo Fighters, which would have given me a bingo in that first game.

That was followed by "Bar Favourites Mix #7", which would have yielded me one of two bingos if "Heart Of Glass" by Blondie or "Like A Prayer" by Madonna had either one hit the air. 

He ended the night with "90's Party Anthems #1", giving us "Macarena" and "Ice Ice Baby" and "I Like To Move It" - lots to sing and move to!

Very nice!!!

What a wonderful way to start this month of my 68th year!

 

I had a wonderful ending to the month of May, too.

Last night, my youngest brother took me out for dinner!

Tony and Laura and I went out to Tubby's Tankhouse, as they know I love seafood - and they were right!

I ordered the Tuna Tacos and they were fabulous!

They should have called them "Ahi Tuna Tacos", as the sashimi-grade fish was perfectly prepared and beautiful.

Oh, yes! 

Even in the rain, dinner out with family is a good idea! 

 

Fortunately, the rain had held off for the S&K Friday Fiesta.

Smitty and Mary surprised me with dinner not at our usual haunt but at a seafood place: Driftaway Cafe in Sandfly.

Even with Tony and Laura absent for the Bloomingdale concert, we still had enough for the party table out back!

That's because Addison was there, with her new boyfriend, plus Becca, Robin, and all three of the regular Kamerons.

I changed up my menu, choosing the Jerk Salmon Spring Salad, as it's been a while since I went Caribbean... and I have a cruise coming up at the end of July with Christina and her family... so I had that taste in my mouth and on my mind!

Most excellent choice! 

What a fabulous way to spend the weekend!

Happy birthday to me!

(smile!) 

burger at bingo in a booth!

"Say what? You ate a hamburger tonight???"

 

I did!

It was the day's special, and it sounded so good that I took a chance.

And it was good, too!!!

Wagyu beef, topped with chili and pickled jalapenos - wow!!!

That was some kind of tasty, let me tell ya.

Sandy had one, too, but she usually gets burgers.

She opted to skip the jalapenos, but those served as a tasty counterpoint to the chili, so I'm glad I choose to the burger as listed.

 

"I really can't believe you ate a burger at a burger joint."

 

In truth, Midtown Sports Grill is more than that.

They have spaghetti specials and other stuff, too.

In fact, their pork chops are pretty good.

 

"I'll take your word for that, dearie. So, who all was there for Music Bingo?"

 

It was our usual trio, plus Elissa this time, and in our usual booth!

That's three booths away from the Bingo Jockey's table, just in case you're curious or plan to drop in some time.

That "90's Mix #3" was our first game and I was just one away from a win!

The second game was "60's & 70's Mix #1", and all I needed was Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" for a win there.

Then, for the 4th game, "Michael Jackson Mix', I was just one off from getting the $50 gift card!!!

All I needed was "Remember The Time".

Sounds appropriate, like it might be a joke, doesn't it?

 

"Yes, it does! A joke from the Universe for your birthday while you were out with friends, singing and dancing in your seats!"

 

Hahahaha!

Yes, that just may be right.

My blue-sky Penny texted me with a bunch of photos of flowers, so I got to share those with the others and tell them about her horticulturist husband.

This Gallardia Spintop, complete with bees, was our favorite!

Guess what the color is?

Mariachi Red!!!

That reminded me of one of my favorite "Will Trent" episodes.

Titled "Mariachi Shelly's Frankenstein", it was crammed full of puns inspired by two things: the Mariachi band trapped at the police station during a blackout and the book report that Ormwood had been helping his kid write about the 1818 book.

"We have to be strong and MARIACHI on."

"Jesus, MARIACHI, and Joseph!"

 

"Hahahaha!!! Oh, yes, I loved that one! Very serious moments, but interspersed with moments of puns as three of the guys struggled to get a generator up the stairs. I wish I could remember more of them, as they were delightful!"

 

That's for real!

And here's a bit of fun that was starting just as I got home.

"The Quiz With Balls" was having a swimsuit edition, with lifeguards taking on a bunch of beauty queens.

Those guys may be a bit young for a purple panther like me, but I can still enjoy the view!

 

"Incredible!!! What great fun! And how did the lifeguards fare?"

 

That guy in the middle, wearing the glasses?

That's Reigh, who had a delicious sense of humor and good smarts.

He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree!!!

He was the last man standing and he made it to the third question in his bid against the Golden Balls for the $100,000.

He chose "Famous Scientists", getting right the first two.

The third question was "Which one was an oarsman at Oxford?"

I give him credit for knowing it had to be an Englishman...

but he was too young to have ever thought of Stephen Hawking as being capable of such a thing.

Into the water he went!

 

"Ah, yes, the misconception that a disabled person was always so."

 

Indeed.

Still, it certainly was a nice dessert after my dinner with the girls!

(smile!)

musical monday!

Get this: it all started with the WSAV weather song.

I kid you not.

Just look at those notes trailing up and down the scale!

Taking a cue from the song in "The Sound Of Music", I figured it out.

Starting with today's high and following through the week, here goes!

LA -- DO -- MI  -- SO  -- MI -- SO -- LA

Very raggedy tune fragment, but there you have it.

I followed that with a music documentary on PBS, "Looking For Cole".

Wilfried Van den Brande was inspired to make this documentary about Cole Porter after singing "So In Love" with Kim Criswell.

That duet was in 2007.

Seven years later, the film was completed, full of the music of the man that Van den Brande regards as "the greatest American songwriter".

I loved that Porter's journals were included in this!

All those notations about "Love For Sale", "Anything Goes", "Night And Day"...

his life in Paris with his wife, Linda, the only woman he loved...

spending his inheritance from his grandpa on fun in the sun with men...

what a vibrant life he led until a horse-riding accident in 1937.

I'm so glad that PBS gave this slice of his life to me!

(smile!)

Then I was off for something different: a concert film at AMC!

"Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour" was even part of the A*List!

That meant it was free for me, perhaps as a bday68 gift from the Universe.

See, Barbara Nixon was a fan of the young American, perhaps because of her math students, so I went to the movie in memory of my friend.

The Universe was looking out for me.

I'd chosen the 2 PM, 3-D, movie time, but that had been a mistake in the schedule and wasn't actually a thing.

However, Brooke set me up with my very own private viewing...

and I could feel Boo's presence with me as I watched the 24-year-old singer/songwriter bounce all over the stage in Manchester, England.

I only knew four of her songs - "Bad Guy", "Ocean Eyes", "Birds Of A Feather", and "No Time To Die" - and that was rather glancingly.

Not so for her fans!

They knew every single word of every single song.

I should note that no one in that concert audience was my age.

The vast majority were females, in their teens and twenties, with a few male sprinkled in, as well as a few moms.

I came away knowing Billie to be a good role model for her peers, emphasizing knowledge and not sex appeal.

No wonder Barbara liked her music!

Then I finished up this day with Music Bingo in the company of our mutual friend, Sandy, as well as Marcia.

I opted for the Chef Salad at Midtown Sports Grill, topping it with the peanut vinaigrette usually reserved for their Thai Salad.

Wow, what a flavor sensation!!!

That used up the last of my winnings, too, from two months ago.

Sandy was the only one of to win this time, taking the free-appetizer prize for the second game, which was, appropriately for her, "80's Mix #2 - New"!

She does so love that era!

My card was pretty useless for that game, as well as for the first game, which was all about country music.

However, for the last game, that music was more the speed for me and Marcia, and I was only one song away from that 50-dollar prize card!

All I needed was "Feels So Good", by Chuck Mangione.

Better luck to all of us next time!

What a day full of music, and friends, for me!

i thank You, God!

a penny - thoughts of italy - and the odometer

"Ken, what are three things that said I was in the right place, right time, on this Monday evening?"

Ding, ding, ding!

Here's the penny, lying on Habersham Street, just to my left as I was used the crosswalk to get from the handicap parking spot to Midtown Sports Grill.

I actually had to look twice to make sure it was real.

Just look at how dinged up the poor cent is!

The only part of the date that's legible are the first two digits: 20.

Which year of this century is anyone's guess, but it was there to encourage me that I'd made the right choice to come out tonight.

Right place, right time!

And just why was I there?

Music Bingo with my friends, of course!

That's Marcia having a chat with Russ, the bingo emcee, checking to see if she did know him from the Habersham YMCA.

Yep, that's right!

She and I had a great talk, sharing memories of Livorno, Italy, as well as Florence and some of the Amalfi coast.

Her husband was stationed there three years while he was in the Navy.

 

Such a lucky break for them!

And what's this that I selected for dinner tonight?

Chicken wings with Hot Honey Garlic -so totally addictive!!!

Marcia had recommended them, so that's what I had.

It took me the entire time that we were there to make my way through the six wings and drumsticks...

but how delicious!

They were like candy... so sweet and sticky... RAWR!!!

I'm sure the reason I didn't win was because I was too distracted by the dessert-style meat on that plate!

I came closest on the last game, "Random Mix #2", needing only "You Oughta Know" for the win.

Guess I oughta know to keep the food simple for these games!

 

Then we gave our hugs of goodbye and were on our way!

But what else did the Universe have in store for me?

Nothing but a fancy mix of numbers on my odometer when I got home!

Yes, that's right.

The mileage read: 245757 - that's two pair, a winning hand!

That "57" corresponds to Sandy's age right now, too, but that's due to click over to "58" next month.

(smile!)

Right place, right time!

today, i had music bingo!

"Very good! Seems like forever since you had that!"

Right?! Between Jewish holidays and my inguinal hernia issues, I haven't been there since I won the big prize. Can you believe it? I've had that fifty-buck card for over a month and not spent a single penny of it!

"Well, you only go to the Midtown Sports Grill for 'Music Bingo with Russ'."

Correction: I only go there for 'Music Bingo with Russ' if Sandy and her bunch are going. Tonight, there were four of us: Sandy, Elissa, Marcia, and me. I bought an order of Pickle Fries to share with all and Marcia thanked me for that! She has several food allergies, and that dish is one of the few she can eat. I know all about that kind of thing! Just take a good look at what I had for dinner!

"Yo, g'friend! That's a whole lotta feta going on!"

Right?! That's my big, fat, Greek salad!!! I've really been wanting that, and I made sure to grab the Lactaid pills before I left home. It was soooo good!!!

"It looks good! I'm so glad you planned for it!"

Me, too. It really scratched that itch, you know? It was extra good because it was free. None of us usually get a full salad, just a side one. This was a super-nice splurge. There was just one problem. When the bill came, it didn't allow me to add the tip. Seems like that restaurant doesn't allow that with their gift cards. I had to borrow $5 from Elissa for the tip!

"Oh. Good to know for the next time."

Yeah, that's for sure. I still have over $25 on the card. Sandy still has money on her card, too, plus she won another tonight for a free appetizer. That was on Game 3, which was just a regular game instead of a cash pot. Not enough people there, Russ said.

"Hey! Looks like you almost won that one!"

Well, I was "one away", as they say. All I needed was "My Guy", by Mary Wells. I was just one away on the first game, too. See? All I needed was Alice In Chains' "Them Bones". Elissa won that one, getting her cocktail for free.

"What a hard bunch of music to start the night! "90's Grunge"? Is that right?"

Yep, that's what it was. We were all glad when "BINGO!" was called!!! LOL!

"Hahaha! I'm sure. That music isn't quite y'all's speed." 

That's for sure. Still, it's amazing how many of those songs we did know. Nice to sing along with my friends! I'm so glad I was there tonight! Now, let me get ready for "The Quiz With Balls"... it's new season starts tonight! Such a fun show! What a great night this has been!

disparate singers, but winners for me!

What do Barry Manilow, DMX, Cheap Trick, The Alan Parsons Project, and Phil Collins have in common?

No, seriously, I'd like to know how those five entities wound up on my "Bar Favourites Mix #12" card at Music Bingo tonight.

Perhaps this is some kind of British joke, right, as the only unifying factor is that they were all American artists.

Regardless of why they were on my card, let me just say this: THANK YOU!!!

This was the last game of the night, which is usually a "blackout" game that nets the winner a $50 gift card to Midway Sports Grill.

That's what I thought we were playing, too, until I pointed out "my first bingo" and Elissa said, "You've won! Get up and let him know!"

So I did and she was right!!!

Holy mixed bag of songs, Batman!!!

Wow... I have FIFTY DOLLARS for MSG... wow!!!

I almost didn't come because I thought they might already be leaving.

The meeting of Two First Posts had run until 7:30, so I didn't arrive until 8.

Monday had clocked in with a high in the low 80's, as forecast last Friday, so the weather was perfect for sandals and shorts.

This would be my first time at Music Bingo this year, due to issues with weather (me) or Jewish holidays (them) or American Legion meetings (me).

How wonderful to see Marcia and Sandy and Elissa again!!!

How wonderful to sing along with my friends to so many songs!!!

And how wonderful that the Bingo DJ had technical issues that delayed the games for almost 40 minutes, allowing me to arrive while the first one was still in progress... wow.

I'm taking this odometer reading as a right place, right time sign.

Is it a palindrome?

No, because 245146 is not what the reverse reads.

Is it a poker straight, perchance?

Nope, 'tis not, as those numbers only yield a pair of 4's.

Then what's my deal-i-o with this mileage???

I like the way it sounds when I say it: two four five, one four six.

It's a nice mixture, just like those five artists on my bingo card.

(smile!)

looking for my groundhog

Was it here, hidden in the WSAV weather song?

Kinda sorta!

This was a sunny day, so the rascal would certainly see its shadow.

I know Smitty has been missing out on golf with his buddies.

He mentioned that on Friday, too.

I sent him this bit of the weather song to lift his spirits for the upcoming Sunday outing.

Let's hope the weather stays at our normal, as shown there!

Then Elissa texted to call off Music Bingo tonight.

Just she and Sandy went last week and they didn't like being that cold.

To her, I sent the forecast for today through Wednesday, as per Pat Prokop.

One more brutal freeze tonight, then two days in a row of near 60!

That sure brings a smile to my face!!!

This lunch brought a smile to me, too.

How so?

It isn't soup!!!

It's ham steak alongside Cranberry Pomegranate Brioche Stuffing.

So nice to eat with a fork, on a plate... so I had the same for dinner!

i had not-soup for breakfast, too: a scrambled egg wrap with Swiss.

Three meals with no spoon required!

In between lunch and dinner, I moved my trash can and the recycling bin to the curb.

I meant to do that two weeks ago, but I held off because it was cold that night.

Today, I went ahead and did it!

That's when I took a good look at my Japanese magnolia tree.

It's always been my groundhog, bursting with pink blooms to let me know warmer days were just six weeks away!

Those blooms from mid-January are all frostbit now.

I know it will be okay, though.

It recovered beautifully from last year's snow and ice, which lasted much longer.

So I celebrated its soon-to-be bounce back with a reward movie from Comcast: "Rush Hour"!!!

This one with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker has so many laughable moments, and a very nice story, too.

Then, after dinner, CBS had something special for me: 'mercials I actually enjoy!!!

I even texted around to family and friends to let them know it was on!!!

This was the 25th "Super Bowl Greatest Commercials" show, so there were lots of old favorites from the years past that were eligible for their 'Hall of Fame" - LOL!

Clydesdales! Pepsi! Doritos! Sheep singing Queen's music! Even one about herding cats!!!   

Nice to have so many high notes today!

i thank You, God!

sisters of the new year!

Not even the cold temperatures outside could keep me in today!

This was the designated day for the Sisters In Faith luncheon and I had volunteered to bring two prizes for the bingo games.

I had to be there!!!

And so I went, bundling up in two sweaters and my Cracker Barrel poncho-coat for the drive to Asbury Memorial, bag in hand. 

Thankfully, I was met with a plethora of others who'd turned out and turned up for this friendship gathering - hooray!

We each had a tinfoil tiara awaiting us, as well as a gilded tooter to blow when we had a bingo - TOOT!!!

Charlene was the first at our table to get a bingo.

That was on the second game, too.

So she was the first of us to get to choose a prize from the gift table!

Soon enough, I had a bingo on one of my two game boards!

"TOOT!!!"

I was the first one to actually do that instead of saying 'Bingo!", of course!

Linda Combs was elated that I followed her directions!

I chose the wire basket of fancy soaps - I know four little blondes who will like those 'eggs'!

(smile!)

I was the third person at our table to win.

I resolved to not take any more prizes.

Then I noticed that Pam was only playing one of her cards, trying to keep up... and I had another b-i-n-g-o about to happen... and when it did, I pushed the card in front of her and said, "Pam, you have a bingo!"

She perked right up and was thrilled!!!

I thought only my tablemates caught what I did.

Nope!

Tim Steinhauser, our bingo caller, saw it, too.

He alluded to how nice it was to see us 'sharing the wealth' instead of being like August.

Apparently, August had won three games the last time bingo was played!

I guess that's why he left today before the games began - Tim and Linda were both teasing him!

I stayed until the ginger ale toast!

First, we all sang "Auld Lang Syne", led by Michelle Meece - I may have been the only one who knew the words.

Then I clinked glasses with my tablemates - Charlene Branan, Pam Kress, Robin Eifler, Shirley Horovitz, Kay, and another Kay - then took my leave before the last round of bingo.

I have a new event, starting at 2.

Better go while I'm out!

(smile!)