fairy unicorn princess in midway!

Not even the nearly-constant rain could dampen spirits at Susie King Taylor Freedom Park in Midway, Georgia, this afternoon!

Just look at that smile on the face of the birthday girl!

Chloe and her friend, Leela, had taken a break from the playground to do a bit of coloring.

Both girls were rain-soaked, but neither cared!

This was a party!!!

I almost took crayons in hand to color, but I went to chat with others instead.

When I returned, Michael and Alyssa had taken my place!  

I know the saying: You move it, you lose it!

I still sat down and talked with them for a while, though I never got around to coloring.

In the background are Melinda and Christina, both wearing pink as though they had coordinated that.

I doubt it! 

And just what was my first niece fiddling with back there on the table?

That was no ordinary table, it was a nachos bar and I made sure to get a nice helping of most of it!!!

Underneath all that nacho cheese, ground beef, black beans, jalapenos, and salsa is actually a bed of tortilla discs.

It was totally fantabulous!!!

In fact, I was so into that Mexican treat that I almost missed the singing of "Happy Birthday"! 

I saw that Matt was lighting the candles and I tried to hurry and get my camera pulled up and ready...

but the snap just missed Chloe blowing out those eight little flames!

At least Aunt Chelsea was right there with cousin Annaleigh, and so was Grammy and Christina!

Anthony's mom, Tonia, was in her wheelchair and had a great view! 

Then it was time for cake and ice cream!

Silly me, I forgot my lactaid, but I still had a piece of that tall cake! 

I liked the puffy unicorn plate - isn't that cute?

And the cake was so very good that I even ate most of the icing - I did!

Then it was time to open presents, of course!

And was that a familiar face on the woman in the white T-shirt?

Sure enough, it was Kaleigh Cobb, down from Charleston with her fiance, Mac!

I'd spoken with them and Michael while I ate my nachos and it was very nice to get to know more about both of them.

They'll be going to the Savannah Bananas game tonight, if the rain lets up.

Back to the opening of the presents! 

Specifically, the opening of the Minions bag of goodies from me!!!

Here, Chloe paused to read the card.

Why?

Because her Grammy said so, that's why!

(smile!)

Next, she pulled out the book, which I had not even shrouded in tissue paper.

Nope! 

"Creature DIScomforts"!!!

What's this???

A book she'll never see anywhere else, full of beasts and words she's never seen before!

I just -LOVE- this expression on her face!!! 

(smile!!!)

Finally, she reached for the last item...

and it was in wrapping paper!

Oh, joy!

"I love to tear off the paper, " she said!

I'm so glad I remembered she liked that.

When she revealed the little fancy suitcase of art supplies, she held it up high - there were even unicorns on the outer design!!!

Grammy will let her open it later - no need to lose any of the pieces inside!

What a great party!

Later this month, it'll be their turn.

Leila and Alyssa will be 12.

Can that possibly be right???

Yes, yes, it can be and yes it is.

They are so different from each other!

Leila even commented that she wished she could have her own birthday party, but when you're a twin, that doesn't happen until you're grown and on your own. 

As for me, I have been wearing my yellow unicorn tiara ever since I first put it on at the party!

Isn't it gorgeous?!

And now I have two tiaras!!!

And see that little pink unicorn ponytail holder at the end of my braid?

That was in the 'treat bag' that all the kids - even me! - were given by my first niece!

She always spoils me by making sure I get one of those, too.

Muchas gracias, mi cara!

happy bday8 to miss chlo!

Her birthday party is to be held on Saturday, and I am all set!

Remember, I bought her this "Super-Cute Kawaii Fun Activity Case" before we even went on the cruise.

Just the case looks fun!

And it goes so well with the theme of unicorns in this poster that my first niece made two weeks ago, doesn't it?

I pointed out the typo in her daughter's name, but, as she said, it's already gone out to everyone that way.

I decided to capitalize on that by also giving Chloe this book from my kickstarter days.

See, it's full of zany monsters with crazy names and poetry full of made-up words to describe them!

Plus, it's autographed, so that may well be part of Chloe's retirement fund some day.

Who knows?

That could happen!!!

(smile!)

happy 30th to my goth girl

Thanks to fb's "Memories", I know exactly what we did for Morgan's 14th birthday, back on September 4, 2010.

The Delongs had come to Savannah, rather than me to Hiram.

We started out at Armstrong State College, now called Armstrong Atlantic State University, alma mater of me and both of her parents.

 

After posing outside, I used my keys to show off where I taught. 

I had started a three-year stint as a full-time professor in 2010.

Nice to be able to let Morgan and Zach pretend to be teachers!

Then we all traipsed around the campus so Sam and Ernie could see how it had changed since they finished in the mid-1980's.

Nice to know the cafeteria we hung out in between classes was still here!

Afterward, we popped downtown to one of my favorite places.

That's right: the Jepson Museum!

This is the approach from the Oglethorpe Street side, which I rarely photo.

 

 

Here are Morgan and Zach having fun with one of the exhibits that are kid-friendly.

That means touch them, play with them, create your own art!

I do so love that!

 

But one of the reasons we were at the Jepson was for an exhibit I thought they'd like.

It was called "Twilight Visions" and, though I can't say for sure, it may have had something to do with sparkly vampires.

Again, I don't know for sure... but it sounds right.

 

Here comes my favorite photo from this visit!

As they descended the marble stairs, I snapped a series of photos, but this is the one that really shines!

Morgan noticed I had my camera out and she came dancing toward me!!!

Oh, yes, my BFF's darling dancing daughter!!! 

As I told Sam, "she brightens my heart!"

She did then, and she still does.

I made this into a magnet, and it still graces my refrigerator. 

(smile!)

All that visiting of the educational center and the art worked up an appetite.

Over to the Crab Shack we went, ordering the biggest thing on the menu: the sampler with the crab legs, shrimp, fish, oysters... all of it!

Zach was too busy munching out to be impressed by those crab legs, but Morgan was glad to pose with a surprised look!

 

Then we were off to another of my favorite sites: Grayson Stadium! 

My boys of summer, the Savannah Sand Gnats, were in town, and I'd somehow managed to snag us these premium box seats.

That meant the hotdogs and sodas were brought to us, rather than we having to stand in line downstairs - sweet!

If you look closely, you might even be able to spot Mister Willie in his seat.

(smile!)

The next morning, we were off to Tybee for some beach time.

For whatever reason, I thought it was cool to take snaps of our feet - lol!

By the way, I still have that purple bag, off to her right.

Sam made that for me, telling me I needed a butterfly bag for my school stuff.

She was absolutely right, of course!

(smile!)

 

And now it's sixteen years later, and sweet Morgan is 30.

Happy birthday, dear, from your Aunt Tina! 

bday80 and bday68 dinners with friends!

Bet that's a bit confusing, isn't it?

Let me straighten it out, shall I?

My dear friend Carolyn turned 80 years old last Friday, but was quite busy being regaled by others - hooray!

Yesterday was finally my turn to fete her!

Her choice was Texas Roadhouse, so she could have that country fried chicken in white gravy again.

I'm so glad to have been able to bring a smile to her face with that birthday dinner!

I chose the grilled salmon - always so delicious!

Then off we went for an evening movie! 

Wonder of wonders, neither of us had yet seen "Spider-Man: Brand New Day", which has finished a very successful opening weekend.

The Big-D screening was at 5 PM, which was perfect after our 3 PM slunch.

What an exciting film!

Seeing it in Big-D for the first time was definitely the right decision, as the webslinger was back and forth across that great expanse of silver screen again and again!

We both loved it, especially that "Big" moment between 'Peter' and 'Ned' at the film's end.  

Very touching, literally and figuratively!!!

Still, as entertaining as the movie was, and as much of blockbuster as it is, we both agreed that we felt a bit lost watching it. 

After all, it's been five years since the last movie in this series with Tom Holland, and 'Peter' had been an aggravating teenager then.

That would mean the now 30-year-old actor is portraying a 23-year-old character, albeit a 'Peter' who appears older as he has been bereft of his two best friends for those five years. 

I can attest that loss will certainly age a person.

In his case, it had been his decision to ask Dr. Strange to wipe out memory of him from the minds of 'MJ' and "Ned', so there's that.

Bear in mind that he was a teenaged boy making bad decisions.

Now, he's been living with the repercussions of that decision and it's starting to work on his lust for life.

So far, I get all of that.

But how does that tie in with 'Black Widow' and 'The Hulk'?

I very much feel a need to rewatch some of the earlier movies!

 

So what about that "bday68 dinner" stuff?

That's all about me!

The physicist has returned from his summer vacation in oHIo and this is our first get-together since April.

Want to have three guesses where we were?

You got it: Texas Roadhouse!

The manager even said she recognized us, which threw him for a loop until I explained about being there yesterday with Carolyn - hahaha!

I again had the salmon, but with fries instead of the baked sweet potato.

There was one more difference - this time, I was the one treated to the free birthday dinner!

Many thanks, my bfe!!!

So wonderful to catch up with him after so long, too.

I had suggested several movies, but he wasn't interested in any of them, not even the two with Olivia Wilde.

That was a surprise, but I think he's just in such a more relaxed state after almost two months with Jeannette.

I am so glad that he's happy and in love again!

Now, how to wrangle an invite to his condo near Bell's Landing so I can check out his new digs in the 'Vannah?

I'll have to suggest a pizza and movie night in the next few weeks.

(smile!)

smitty wanted a party this bday!

He even gave everyone fair warning that an increased cost would be involved for dinner, as his choice was Miyabi's for his birthday.

Even so, we all still agreed to come, except the young ones... then they changed their minds and came anyway!

After all, Addison and Becca never pay for their meals!

 

So, off to the Japanese steakhouse we went, and there was even a nice cake for the birthday fellow!

Oh, my mistake... that was a RICE cake!

The chef even wrote "HBD 66" on it for Smitty!

All it lacked were candles.

(smile!)

Here's the chef making the shrimp appetizer for all of us.

I'm so glad I can eat shellfish!

My guess is we each got two shrimp, served as six pieces.

Meanwhile, the zucchini and onions were still cooking on the grill.

They smelled so good!!!

We had received our miso mushroom soup as the first course.

Then came the crisp salads, loaded with ginger dressing - yum!

I ate my salad, and my dinner, with chopsticks and was the only one who decided to dine in that fashion.

I swear it tastes better without metal utensils!

(smile!)

 

No one commented on my use 

of chopsticks for eating, either.

Then again, it could be that 

the girls on the side did, 

but I couldn't hear them.

Or, it could be they weren't even 

aware, as they were on the 

opposite end of the huge table. 

I'm not even sure that Robin and Laura saw that I used those wooden sticks.

Then again, they were raised as sisters and are usually rapt in conversation.

Tony was engrossed in having sake with his meal, and Jimmy likely didn't see.

 

I think Smitty noticed, but he knows 

I was in Okinawa for two years, 

so I think he expected it of me.

As for Mark, he really had a limited view.

I know he was more attuned to the 

difference in the size of his Michelob 

Ultra compared to Smitty's Asahi.

LOL!

Anyway, after the first, second, and third courses, we got a generous helping of vegetables... and an even more generous slab of that rice cake!

Then we watched as all the meats were cooked by our entertaining chef!

A steak for Laura and another for Jimmy...

a fish for me... 

scallops for Smitty and Mark and Tony...

chicken breast for Mary, with mixed chicken for the other women...

plus shrimp for me, Smitty, Mark, and Tony.

I had enough left over to use for two more meals!

I'm so glad Smitty chose this for our S&K Friday Fiesta!

Happy bday 66, dear brother!

(smile!)

bday68 trip to the jepson!

"Hooray! You've taken your sweet bippy time about that this year!"

 

I have, and it actually was a spur of the moment thing. I suggested it as a place to go and she said she hadn't been in over a decade. Off we went downtown! And when we got there, a parking spot magically emptied as we arrived!

 

"Fabulous! Right place, right time!"

 

I concur wholeheartedly! And we were able to cut through the shade of Telfair Square, avoiding the summer heat. I'm so glad I recently renewed my membership! That allowed me to treat her to admittance, just as she had treated me to our luncheon. I really loved that I was able to do that!

 

"Marvelous! And I could swear I've seen that painting before. Isn't it one of those from the Monet exhibit a few years back?"

 

Good memory, as that was back in 2015. And you are correct! That's "The Garden Umbrella", by Frederick Frieseke, an American who did most of his works in the first third of the 20th century. This time, the piece owned by the Telfair is part of the "Impressionism And Modernity: French And American Painting" exhibit. This one opened in May, for my birthday, but I've just not made it there until today.

 

"That means you missed the opening reception for it, didn't you?"

 

Sadly, yes. I'm just glad to have made it this afternoon! All total, we probably spent 40 minutes in this exhibit. And, of that time, we sat and talked about this one painting for at least fifteen minutes!!! I have to believe the bench in front of it was so placed to encourage discussion.

 

"This is definitely not an impressionism work. I take it that it was one of the 'modernity' pieces borrowed from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC? What a detailed look at life by a busy waterway! There's even the two ladies in the foreground, stopping while walking their dog so the little boy can play with it! Very nice!!!"

 

That's exactly why we sat and talked about it! Sadly, neither of us made note of the title or artist for the piece. I guess I'll have to make a follow-up trip for that information! 

 

"I guess you will. And what's this exhibit?"

 

It's the one that opened in March. "Off The Coast Of Paradise: Artists And Ossabaw Island, 1961-Now" has a wide variety of pieces. Some are metallic sculptures, many are photographs, and a few are paintings. I really liked this quartet of photographs by Ellen Lanyon.

 

"I bet I know why!!! Three of those photos taken at a beach bear a striking resemblance to the Raman spectroscopy images you obtained for linear polyethylenes during your doctoral studies at Florida State University."

You're absolutely right! I very much liked seeing these. We spent probably 25 minutes exploring the exhibit until we stumbled upon a film being shown in the last room. Guess what it was? "Venus of Ossabaw", that short movie that was part of the talk I went to back in January of 2025!

 

"How very cool! Wait, I thought this was being screened on the outside of the Jepson, in the evenings, so everyone could see it. Right? Wasn't the Jepson offering that as part of the Juneteenth celebration?"

 

That's right, but that stopped two weeks ago. I'm glad we happened to catch most of it. The short is a little over 18 minutes, and we saw 13 minutes of it. The historical fiction followed 'Venus' for over a month, as she travels from her home as a slave to the marshes of Florida, eventually being taken in by a group of Catholics. There was no sound, and no subtitles, either, other than those denoting the passage of time. Still, we both were captivated by the young woman's travels and struggles in the wilderness.

 

"You keep saying 'we'. You and the mouse in your pocket?"

 

Hahaha! I haven't used that phrase in so long! No, no mouse but Rhonda, an old friend that I've recently made new contact with. She and I had a luncheon today and then, as she had free time, we'd wandered to the museum. What a wonderful time!

 

"And I see you captured her in front of Joe Guy's "1000 Cranes"!"

 

Yes, it's one of my favorite places to photograph visitors to my house. It really came out very well, didn't it? We'd visited for a while, with me giving her the history of every piece on the walls. Then we went to Kayak Kafe Midtown, where she'd never been, and both greatly enjoyed our choices! She had the Cilantro Lime Fish Tacos, and I had the Tuna half-sandwich and the West Indies Trader half-salad. Good energy for our museum trip later as it turned out! (smile!)

 

"I'm so glad y'all had such a good time today!"

happy 250th birthday, U.S.A.!!!

"So, g'friend, what did you do to celebrate this mega-milestone marker in your country's history?"

Honestly, I don't understand what the big fuss is all about. It's like throwing a huge party for a child's 100th-day of life, like they do in Japan. That baby has so much farther to go! A feast at that point just seems so overblown!

"What?! You're kidding, right? You, the girl who loves pomp and circumstance, are pooh-poohing the use of traditions to celebrate anniversaries of birth?"

I'm just rattling my sabre a bit. England has been a country since the 10th century, so that makes them more than 1100 years old. France has been a country for about that long, too. Spain is a bit younger than them by about 500 years, but that's still more than twice the age of the United States of America.

"But there are countries that are younger, too. Take Mexico, for instance. It declared its independence from Spain in 1821 and had its first constitution in 1824. That means that two years ago was its 200th birthday, but I don't recall hearing anything about a big celebration for that."

I don't know why we would have. Our news reports local first, then state, then national. World events don't get much coverage unless they directly affect the USA.

"Sad, but true. Hence our need to get news from the BBC. They had fairly even reporting about our 250th birthday and the wedding of Taylor Swift to Travis Kelce."

That's what I mean. To an old country like England, those two celebrations would have an equivalent weight. I'm not saying that this 4th of July isn't a bit more special than usual, I'm just asking for it to be kept in perspective. Every 4th of July is special.

"Yes, dear. So, how did you celebrate this day?"

I sent messages for a "Happy 4th of July" to those dear to me during the morning, answering as they replied. One of my favorites came from Doug Andrews, the Commander of Post 36 of the American Legion. He wrote: "My heart is swelled with pride for what OUR country has done for itself, by itself, while also lifting up the rest OF the world, who couldn't have done it without us. All done by the sacrifice of many great American military Patriots, 'who loved their country more than Self'. Happy Fourth of July to you, being one of America's most devoted patriots."

"Wow. What a beautiful sentiment there!"

Right? I just may keep that message for a long time. I held it in my heart as I enjoyed much of the "Disney Celebrates 250th Anniversary of the USA" on ABC. Later, I watched interspersed that with NBC's "Great American Block Party", but focused in on CBS's "Macy's 4th of July Countdown". That was mostly because it had the fewest 'mercials.

"Hahahaha! I'm sure! And what fabulous shots you have there!"

Thanks. This, to me, was what it was all about: people with genuine love for our country watching the fireworks over head while they stood and waved the flag. Seeing all of that really made me feel proud to be an American, and proud to be a veteran. I've got that 27-minute, continual, fireworks display recorded, and I plan to watch it again in the morning. Some of the song choices were questionable, but that's okay; you can't please everyone. Most were excellent, including starting off with "The Star Spangled Banner" and ending with "Stars And Stripes Forever". Most excellent.

happy birthday from loyalty clubs!

Thank you, Bath & Body Works!

That Cherry Blossom body lotion is exactly what I recommended to my niece, Aubree, for her bday14!

With my AARP $5 gift card, all of this was mine for just $3.51 - woohoo!

Thank you, Texas Roadhouse!

The free Killer Ribs is what I eagerly await with an-ti-ci-p-p-pa-tion every year for my birthday, and this will be lunch tomorrow!

However, for today's lunch, I ate the Texas Chili poured over the baked potato, while it was all good and hot.

Oh, my, how absolutely delicious!!!

It's rather pretty, too, isn't it?

It's so good, too, while it's hot.

Sure, I've eaten it warmed up before, but nothing compares to it fresh!

Next time, I'll ask for sour cream for the baked potato - that will top it off very well!

Tonight, I'll dine on the House Salad for dinner.

That's the best part of that Country Dinner - I can get at least two meals off it!

And all of that lagniappe was $4.68 for me!

Thank you, Texas Roadhouse, for the free rib basket!

Thank you, AARP, for the $5 gift card!

Thank you, Tony and Laura, for that last little bit on the Christmas gift card!

 

bday68 dessert from papa john's!

I never order any desserts when I get a pizza, as I prefer the savory to the sweet.

However, I gave a glance to what the pizzeria had to offer, as it would be free, with no strings attached to place more on the order.

That's a rarity, as most "free birthday treat" do require some other purchase for it to be redeemed.

Not this time!

And the Cinnamon Pull-Aparts were definitely to my liking!

Then I noticed the personal pan pizzas, with flavors inspired by the new "Toy Story 5" movie soon to grace the silver screens.

This is the 'Sheriff's Round Up", with barbeque sauce, onions, and chicken.

It was on a thin crust, which I really liked!

Plus I ordered the Space Ranger Roni.

As well as the pepperoni and mozzarella, it had their regular crust.

That's always a winner for me!

I am confused about the box design, though.

That looks like something aimed at the "Minions & Monsters" movie, right?

However, that movie will be released to cinemas for the 4th of July holiday.

Perhaps some new pizza combos are in the works for that movie, too!

I'll keep my taste buds on alert!

(smile!)

I must say, this has been a much better Wednesday than the one from two weeks ago.

On each of the last few Wednesdays, I've watched "The Floor", keeping up with which contestants are still in the game.

Two weeks ago, I'd thought I might miss it, as I was in Emergency Room 28 at St. Joseph's Hospital... but they'd let me alone while they analyzed the various tests they'd run, so I took advantage of the lull.

I had been so sure they were going to release me, but they kept me overnight, in a shared room, "just in case".

Nice to be spending time 'with' Rob Lowe under better circumstances!

Nice to be eating pizza and cinnamon roll bits, too!

Thanks, Papa John's!