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!)

thrice to hades... and i don't mean the summer heat

I speak of the romantic Greek tragedy, the musical I so loved last year when the good folks at Savannah Children's Theatre brought it for me, courtesy of the JEA providing a space after the debacle of the snow-laden roof trashing their previous location.

This time, it was courtesy of my A*List and AMC 11, bringing it to me at no extra charge, to welcome me home again from vacation.

Hallelujah!!!

This performance was recorded last year at the Lyric Theatre in London's West End theater district.

Amazingly, its five leads are the ones who originated the roles back in 2019 when the play first opened on Broadway!!!

"Hadestown" was nominated for 14 awards that year and won the Tony in eight of those fields - wow! 

'Hermes', the conductor of the train and the man in the spiffy gray suit at the bottom of the photo, was performed by Andre De Shields, now 80 years old.

He won the Tony for Best Performance By An Actor In A Featured Role In A Musical in 2019. 

The god to his left, 'Hades', was performed by Patrick Page, who was also nominated for that category, but lost out to his stage-mate. 

What an amazing low bass voice he has... especially considering that he's now 64 years old, the age my brother Ronnie would be.

The woman across from him in the photo, in the green dress, is Amber Gray, reprising her Tony-nominated role as 'Persephone' in this production at the Lyric.

(My guess is she's in her mid-to-late 40's, though her bio doesn't say.)

The couple at the top of the poster are 'Orpheus' and 'Eurydice', of course, the other love story in this epic musical.

They're played by Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada, respectively, who are now 43 years old and 30 years old, respectively.

Although they didn't get nominated for any Tonys back in 2019, they are just perfect as the lovers who miss out on their happy ending.

I have cried every time I've seen "Hadestown: The Musical" this week.

 

That's really saying something about its impact, right?

I've seen it three times so far, and cried at the ending each time.

Actually, I've cried three times during the musical, with all three near the end.

The first time is when 'Orpheus' reminds 'Hades' and 'Persephone' of how their love story had begun and lets them know they are still very much in love.

The second time I cry is when 'Orpheus' returns topside but 'Eurydice' is not yet there, so he turns around to look for her...

and there she is...

but she is banished back to Hell because he doubted and turned.

Just heartbreaking!

The third time is at the very end, when 'Persephone' is making a toast to all the 'flowers that bloom in snow'...

and I even raised my cup tonight and drank.

Will I see it again on Thursday?

Tomorrow, my first niece will be here during the early afternoon, then I have a Two First Posts meeting that evening.

Thursday, at 4 PM, will be the last screening.

Maybe I can be there.

I'm so glad to have had this treat in town for my return from vacation.

i thank You, God. 

what a reunion at the patio!!!

Stella and I had arrived first.

I wasn't even sure if the party on the patio would come to pass, but I had made the choice that morning that we would be at the patio at 5 PM on this first sunny afternoon in days!

We were there about ten minutes early, just hanging out and hoping.

Then we heard it: Terry had turned on the speakers!

Rock music stirred the air!

Then Susan opened the back door and stepped out... 

with Coco close behind, but moving slowly...

until she saw Stella coming across the patio...

and justthatfast, the two dogs made a beeline for each other like friends who'd been apart too long!!!

What a glorious display of love and friendship!!!

They played and played!!!

That was well worth getting carried away by sand gnats for thirty minutes...

I'm so glad we finally had this party on the patio!

special delivery from my first niece!

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

Very nice art work!

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

What was inside that card was the true treasure!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hahahahaha!

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

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

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

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

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

Most excellent!!!

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

... and this card with your special touches!

(smile!)

 

where you go, i'll follow close behind

Monday, 29 September, 11 AM 

Across nearly 800 miles of the open Atlantic Ocean, between latitudes 25N and 30N and longitudes 80W and 65W, Imelda spotted Humberto with the rising sun and was immediately enamored of him.

My, what a fine specimen of a Mega-Hurricane he was!

Yes, he was a fully-formed Category 4, with winds of 145 mph, running north at 13 mph.

She was a newly-named Tropical Storm, and her winds were just 60mph, but she knew he was the one for her.

She needed to speed up from her pokey 9 mph rate of travel if she were to catch him!

Monday, 29 September, 11 PM 

For twelve hours that day Imelda pushed herself.

Her rate of travel had actually slowed to 8 mph as she slogged through a cluster of islands, trying to reach open water.

She was still just a Tropical Storm, but perhaps that would be okay with him.

Humberto's was down to Category 3 status.

She still liked his 115mph winds, though.

But at 14mph, he was moving more out of her reach -she simply must get faster! 

Tuesday, September 30, 11 AM 

All through the night Imelda chased Humberto north, but she found a way to decrease the distance between them.

As a Category 1 Hurricane, she would cut across Bermuda with her 85mph winds, blasting northeast at 12mph!

She was now on a par with her love, as he had dropped to Category 1, with winds just barely faster than hers.

The problem was this: as his power decreased, his rate of travel increased, so he was now heading north at 18 mph.

Would her shortcut be enough to unite them?

Tuesday, September 30, 11 PM 

Sadly, it would not.

Another day of running northeast just as fast as she could, upping her speed to 15mph, was simply not going to overtake him, even though his speed was down to 10mph.

Oh, but what a lovely dance they shared that night over that 300-mile expanse of the Atlantic Ocean!

Both twirling along in the wee hours as Category 1 Hurricanes, nearly matching their winds together at 80-85mph - such a time they had!

 

Wednesday, 1 October, 11 AM 

In the morning, Humberto was nearly wasted away back to Tropical Storm status, moving at 24mph into a cooler weather system between latitudes 35N and 40N.

After their night of dancing, he left Imelda to thrash about in mourning there in the Sargasso Sea region.

She powered up to Category 2 with 100 mph winds as she ran straight over Bermuda at 20mph, still tracking northeasterly toward her lover's remnants.

 

Such memories though...

 

As for me, I think I shall see if the Mozart music is still available from 2020.

As I watched that hurricane love story play out, I couldn't help but have the Royal Court Of China's song playing on my jukebox.

"So Yer Love Is True"... yes, I think I'll have a listen for real, instead of just between my ears!

love outgoing, via usps

I have to give credit to Patrick Young for spurring me to action.

He had a heart attack that resulted in a triple bypass for him.

My heart went out to his wife, Sara.

I remember so well going through that type of thing twice with my ex, living with the fear of him dying.

Fortunately, the ex was made well with two cardiac stents each time.

Fortunately.

So, when I noticed that Bonnie Blue had asked for their Jacksonville address, I asked, too.

Then I made sure to write the former sailor, using a card I've had for two decades.

"srsly" on the front...

"wtf" right inside!

I'm sure that got both of them to smile!

Then I included a long message to them about my experience with Jeff, and the importance of keeping conversation open and following doctor's orders.

Pretty serious it was.

After that, I needed something lighter, something much lighter.

More love in the mail was the answer!!!

I have lots of cards and lots of stamps, so I made full use of both.

"Happy healing!" with a hummingbird card to Cathy in California!

"Happy retirement anniversary!" to cuz'n Jeff in Missouri!

"Happy start of school!" to C-A-L-M in Hinesville!!!

That last would be Chloe, Alyssa, Leila, and Miyah, of course.

I also sent them word of the upcoming Fall Family Film Fest at NCG Cinema, in the hopes that they will come see one of the movies with their G'Aunt T.

(smile!)

I also sent those four little girls SASP - that's self-addressed stamped postcards - with a request that they respond to my cards to them.

The postcards were all from a trip to Detroit, though I'm not sure of the year.

(I think they may have been from 1991, but who knows?)

Here's hoping some of that love in the mail will gladden someone's heart...

and that some my find its way back to me! 

(smile!)

love for earth day ... headed 2 4 lil blondes

 

Three weeks ago, I sent love in the mail going south.

Each of my four great-nieces received two sheets from the 2025 Earth Day celebration, picked up for them in April but never delivered.

One was a coloring sheet, the other had dried water paint squares for them to wet and apply to the picture about recycling.

I forgot to take photos of those, but I remembered for this second set.

 

Both are sheets to color in with the plethora of crayons they own.

The upper one is a general scene of wetlands, featuring several types of birds, and reminds me of the Jepson's missing katniss.

The second photo is of a gopher tortoise, the same creature that stars in this year's outdoor exhibit of local art in the windows on Barnard Street. 

That exhibit had not yet been revealed when I attended Earth Day at Daffin Park in April.

Right place, right time, that had been! 

These two coloring pages have lots of information for the girls to read.

For the younger C-A-L-M girls, they will need a little help with the words, but the twins, being older and headed to fifth grade, can assist their cousins.

That's what family does!

(smile!)

to be a last love

On this Valentine's Day, this is my wish.

On this, and every, Valentine's Day, this is my man.
Yes, indeed, I am a MeatLoaf girl, through and through,
doing my best to live life LARGE and LOUD.

<3

thanks for a lovely day!

The funny thing, Faustina, is that
in spite of the euphoria one feels upon entering paradise, cloaked in miracles, surrounded by angels, love, and unimaginable beauty, it gradually becomes all they know, commonplace, ordinary, and then, shockingly... invisible.
Yep, I'm talking about life on earth. Right?

Yippee-kai-yay,
The Universe

Today, that was the message I received.
Sometimes, they are more spot-on than others, especially in retrospect. You know, with hindsight being 20-20 and all that.
But today, I heard the messages in between the lines.
"Enjoy the here and now."
"Appreciate the life you have."
"See the beauty all around you."

Mama must have been instrumental in the timing of that one.
My outlaw Bunny started my day with the simple text: "Love you, Tina."
How wonderful to know someone else was remembering that it was my mother's birthday!
I posted the significance of the day, and Mama's Christmas photo that Frank had given to us the Christmas after her death, on facebook, then signed off.
I had a luncheon to attend.
That was a most excellent decision on my part. I had set it up quite a while ago, knowing December 10th was not just some ordinary day for me.
No.
So, steps had to be taken to distract me, albeit gently.
In other words, the company of strangers was needed.
Who better than the Lunch Ladies? The meetup was scheduled for a venue close to hand, not downtown. That was a plus! I didn't know how many to expect, but I knew there would be at least a few familiar faces of women of various ages. That was another plus!
I like having a range of ages around me - I find it reassuring. Megan, Debbie, and Jackie have been at several of the lunches I have attended and I truly like them. I wouldn't go so far as to call them "friends" yet, but they are certainly more than "acquaintances". As good fortune would have it, all three were at the table when I arrived slightly late and a little teary-eyed. There were others there, like Agnes and Betsy, that I knew more glancingly, as well as two newcomers.
None pried. All allowed me time and space to regain my tether.
At some point in the conversation, about books and movies and televised shows, I mentioned Mama, just to let them all know. I also shared how thankful I was to Megan and Debbie for our conversation about the Junior League Thrift Sale at an earlier luncheon. Thanks to them, when my first niece invited me a few days later to go to the sale with her, I complied. Moreover, I snagged lots of baby items and two Graco high chairs for my nephew Michael's upcoming twin girls. What a coup! And for less than twenty bucks, total!
I was feeling pretty good by the time lunch was done. And, look! Plenty of time until I was due at the school to give a make-up Final Exam to two students! (Yes, another activity deliberately scheduled as a distraction on this special day.)
The grocery store, a new one I had only been in once, was right there. (That's an inside joke with the bfe. Remind me to tell you about it sometime, if I haven't already.)
While there, I grabbed a few things for my upcoming soiree - sodas, clementines, cubed cheese - all on sale. Yeah! And while I was there, a special promotion allowed me to buy $145 worth of kitchen goods for only $39. Wow! I have two weddings coming up next year, so these will be fabulous gifts for the new couples!
Timing. That was such excellent timing!
I returned home in plenty of time to put away the three half-gallons of lactose-free milk and other refrigerator-stored items. In fact, I had time to set up the radio on the new station I so enjoy, SC 103. Its music selection is so diverse!!! They play a lot of old tunes, mixed in with new songs, and have an occasional holiday favorite thrown in for good measure.
Then I had to race out to the college, as I had lost track of time. Oops! That's okay, I made it there only five minutes late. The students were just glad I showed up! I read the student newspaper, marking errors in it along the way. When they finished their exams, I considered going to a movie, but finally decided against it. Why not check on the physicist, see if he was still in the house?
Turns out he was! I delivered the magazine that had the article about the movie we had seen last week (about another physicist, Stephen Hawking), then offered him a ride downtown (no, not like the cops on "Law & Order" do), as he was leaving, too. He accepted and we had one of our "random trains of thought crashing about" conversations along the way and, then, for another half-hour in front of his apartment. Very nice!
I then headed toward dinner, most likely at Sisters of the New South. (I have an incredible deal that nets me four free meals per month there and they have the absofrickinlutely best fried chicken on this planet.) As I pulled in, at o'dark thirty, I wondered: should I invite my brother Ronnie?
So, I called him, to let him know I was thinking about him on this day of our late mother's birth. He was obviously drunk and completely unaware of the significance of the date. After talking with him for about fifteen minutes, I signed off, not mentioning where I was or extending an invite.
No. I was not dealing with him, in that state, on this day.
So, I called my brother Smitty, to share that I was thinking of him on this day of our late mother's birth. I got his voicemail. Recalling that the day was the one on which he met with a group for Mexican fare, I headed toward the restaurant I thought most likely.
No. He was not there, nor did he ever call me back.
Strike two, as it were, for dinner plans.
Back to home, to cook and dine "with" four of my favorite nerds. You know, Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj. Very nice!
Then, I ventured out of the house once more. That Psychotronic Film fellow was screening another item gleaned from television of the 1970's. Good move on my part! Jack Klugman was the main draw for me in "Poor Devil", but Sammy Davis, Jr. was a treat to watch, too! I was in good company at the film, with the owner of the "Singin' In The Rain" poster there to share a chocolate cookie, and laughs, with me. Amanda was there, too, and gave me an enthusiastic greeting and personal invite to the librarian's baby shower. Super nice!
And now, I am home again, after enjoying this day of cheer and friendship and surprises.
Thanks, Mama!

January 26, 1973

That was the date he traveled back to in order to save the world.
Not him, physically, but his consciousness.
Fifty years into his past.
Then, he had to relive all of those years for his body to catch back up to his mind.
How did that finally happen?
The power of music.
One song.

This afternoon, to escape the heat, I went to see Wolverine again.
Yeah, yeah, and the other X-men, too.
(But mostly him. He can put his boots under my bed any time!)
I first saw it while in Daytona Beach for my birthday.
I had sandwiched in a seafood lunch between this Marvel flick and the baseball movie.
Good call on both occasions!

This second viewing allowed me to really look at the action and listen to the dialogue.
And to the soundtrack.
That last part is important.
The music is the key to his finding his way home.

When his consciousness is flashed forward fifty years into his younger body - not that he isn't just as hot in his 2023 form! - he awakens in bed, next to a nubile nymph. Roberta Flack is crooning a 1972 hit on the clock radio by the waterbed.
"The first time
ever I saw your face
I thought the sun
rose in your eyes"

Go ahead, click the link and watch the video, then come back.
I'll wait.

Great song, right?
But not one that gets much airplay these days.
Probably not ten years from now, either.
Which is when we zip to after the world has been saved.
Again, Wolverine is waking up in bed...
alone this time...
but to that same song...
on his modern clock radio...
and SUDDENLY his consciousness leaps back into his body!!!
What's going on???
Where is he???
Why, he's at the school and all is well and he is supposed to be teaching a history class - but just what history he has no idea.
That's okay. The Professor will catch him up, now that he's "back".

And maybe later we'll find out what happened to Magneto and Mystique.

dusting off the golden rule

The following were from my fsilm, via email, naturally.

Real-life stories

1. Today, when I slipped on the wet tile floor, a boy in a wheelchair caught me before I slammed my head on the ground. He said, 'Believe it or not, that's almost exactly how I injured my back 3 years ago.'

2. Today, my father told me, 'Just go for it and give it a try! You don't have to be a professional to build a successful product. Amateurs started Google and Apple. Professionals built the Titanic.'

3. Today, I asked my mentor, a very successful business man in his 70's, what his top tips are for success. He smiled and said, 'Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing.'

4. Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I'm working on for my Psychology class. When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, 'Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.'

5. I am blind by birth. When I was 8 years old, I wanted to play baseball. I asked my father, 'Dad, can I play baseball?' He said, 'You'll never know until you try.' When I was a teenager, I asked him, 'Dad can I become a surgeon?' He replied, 'Son, you'll never know until you try.' Today, after my own successful sight restoration surgery, I am a surgeon, just because I tried!

6. Today, after a 72-hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug. When I tensed up, she realized I didn't recognize her. She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most sincere smile and said, 'On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.'

7. Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road holding him and crying. And just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.

8. Today at 7 AM, I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went into work. At 3 PM I got laid off. On my drive home I got a flat tire. When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat, too. A man in a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job. I start tomorrow.

9. Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother's hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died. She simply said, 'I feel so loved right now.'
We should have gotten together like this more often.

10. Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed. About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.

11. Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start recycling. I chuckled and asked, 'Why?' She replied, 'So you can help me save the planet.' I chuckled again and asked, 'And why do you want to save the planet?' 'Because that's where I keep all my stuff,' she said.

12. Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter's antics, I suddenly realized that I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.

12. Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me. He helped me all the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said, 'I hope you feel better soon.'

13. Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe. He said he hadn't eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy. Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating. The first thing the man said was, 'We can share it.'


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I don't know if any of the above are true or even what sources were used for the quotes.
I do know that I like the messages about loss adjustment.

all you need is love - bwahbwahbwah bwah bwah

A smiley-face heart!
When I emerged yesterday afternoon from a French film about a teen-aged prostitute, this was awaiting me. Right in the midst of a blue sky, the message wanted to be sure it was seen.
"Love, love, love!" it proclaimed!
I think it no coincidence.
Yesterday was certainly blessed with love for me!

As I said, the film, "Jeune & jolie", was a blatant sexploitation piece and featured a 17-year-old's body. But, I had the good fortune to sit with my friend Sara G and Ken, a new guy from Boston. So, hugs for all!
Then, after the film had finally ended, the bfe and his ladyfriend bounded over to greet me. Yeah! More hugs! He and I really need to catch up sometime soon, but this would not be the day. They had dinner plans and I was going to the Lucas in search of a concert ticket.
And up in the sky, above my car, what did I see?
The smiley-face heart, beaming out of the blue!
Love, love, love!

So, off I went to hopefully see 1964 - The Tribute concert. They were in town as part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration tour and were playing in my favorite venue, the beautiful Lucas Theatre. Sah-weet! Maybe there would still be seats available... maybe there would still be inexpensive seats available?
Wonder of wonders, there were!!!
I snatched one up and walked in to a nearly packed house, all a-buzz and a-titter!
What an incredible show these guys gave!!! From the first chords of "I Saw Her Standing There", I knew I was meant to be there!
Come on, you know the song - "Oh, she was just seventeen, you know what I mean" - how perfect a segue could one ever hope to get for diverse, unrelated events?
(smile!)
The musicians really knew what they were doing and were doing what they loved - and it showed. Great energy, zapping us back in time to what would have been a standard Beatles concert, if a bit longish. And that was just the first set.
After 45 minutes, the boys in the band took a well-deserved break, then came back with an even more energized second set of the same length!
Whew! What a set! "Twist and Shout", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Yellow Submarine"! "Michelle", "Yesterday", "She Loves You"!
And interspersed with the music were quips and digs and all the stuff the British blokes were known for in their concerts, back in the day.
But, these guys were doing it, live and in person, for three times longer than the original guys did.
And these guys have been doing so for the last thirty years.
Wow! I cannot believe my good fortune!
I've wanted to hear the Beatles' music in concert ever since the peace Guy saw Sir Paul last year. What great timing! What an amazing coincidence that I was able to get a last-minute ticket!!!

But my evening was not quite done. Nosirreebob!
My first niece had texted me during the intermission.
Would I please join her to see the new movie about Sleeping Beauty?
Yes, yes, I would!
Yes, yes, I could, too!
My journey to 1964 would have me returned to the present in just enough time to pop onto the parkway and over to the cinema!
Woohoo!!!
Love, love, love, y'all!

And now, time for sweet dreams...

lookin' after two old ladies

I snapped these two photos early on in my kitteh-sitting, back on May 27th, after my return from Daytona Beach.
They are still on my phone and serve as a little mini-movie for me.
I can flip from one to the other and back, animating Chloe as she looks back at Contessa, and then both as they look up at me.
Sheer serendipity that the photos turned out like that!

Tomorrow, the bfe will clamber out of the SNO+ and return to his girls.
I will be so relieved that they have all made it safely back to each other!
This has been such a big responsibility!


But it has also been a great joy for me to spend so much time with these old lady cats.
So much touch therapy I have received from them - and they from me.
Y'all know how I am about touch.
Tomorrow, I depart to join my outlaws at a family reunion in Orlando. I'll be getting lots of touch therapy there, too, as I visit with the first and second cousins of the ex. It will be so wonderful to see them again!
Sure, I get to see the Davidsons and Kopeks in Virginia ever couple of years, as I did last year after visiting Melaness in Pennsylvania, and in 2011 when I had traveled up with my bird to visit them and some other friends. It's been very nice seeing so much of them!
However, it's been almost five years since I've the Kopeks living up in Minnesota and Tennessee - not since the beach house at Nags Head, in July of 2009.
Sure, I was able to see the cheerful Stephanie just a few months ago, and she and I had a lovely time together! But I missed her brother, Chris, as he was in Georgia when I was in Tennessee.
And we will all miss their dad's laughter and jokes at this family reunion. I will miss David's bear hugs, too.
But this week in Orlando will be the first we've all been together and not at a funeral.
That will be very good.
That will be healing.
That will be a good transition from catsitter to on my own again.

These two photographs? I'll keep them on my phone for awhile, my own kittehs short film - super, super short! - to make me smile.
Who knows? I just may watch that movie for a few years.
I just might.

cards with a comfy way about them

This is from my first niece, received at yesterday's aurprise! party.
Inside, she had again composed a poem for me, this one free-form.
Aunts are special people.
Tina, you have a comfy way about you.

You love to chat with me.
You make me feel important.

You advise a little and listen alot.
You are kind of like a friend and a second mom all in one.

You splurge for little extra.
You tell the most interesting stories.

You are part of my fondest memories of growing up and good times.

You are such an important part of my life.

I love you so much!

This cheery card is from her mom
-
aka my outlaw Melinda!
-
and little sister Chelsea and stepdad Matt.

This cutie is from my nephew,
Mike,
her one-and-only brother.
He had written 'with much love to my favorite Aunt!'
LOL!
I need to get him out for karaoke again!

My "biggest little brother",
the one who had almost spoiled the surprise yesterday, gave me this one.
My inlaw Mary,
I am sure,
is the one who picked this out for them and the new graduate to give.
Oh, with two movie passes tucked inside!

This pair is from my youngest brother, the one in north Georgia.
In another two years, maybe he'll be able to join us!

My stepmom wasn't actually at the party, but I wanted to make sure I included her card.

Inside read '... enjoy the Ride.'

She added, "I know you will 'enjoy the ride'. You are a fun, caring person. Love!"

Yep, she knows me pretty well!
And now, it's time for me to go!

Later!

(more than) 56 birthday wishes!!

Did you know that google will create a special, personalized, birthday doodle just for you? That's right! I found out about it in April, when I just happened to be with Hai on his birthday. We were at the Learning Commons at the school, me for my "Office Hours", him for no particular reason. He had logged in to his gmail account, then went to google - and there it was! A google doodle wishing him happy birthday!
How cool is that?
Google does not care which account you log in with, whether it be blogspot, youtube, gmail, whichever others in which they are integrated. You log in, then go to google.com, and there it will be: birthday-cakes and a birthday greeting with your name.
Sah-weet!!!
That website, of course, was not the only wisher of happiness to me.
Thanks to the use by my family and friends of facebook, I received more than fifty-six birthday wishes!!!
Isn't that incredible?
More than fifty-six people who know me took the time to leave a birthday greeting for me on my "wall" on that website.
I am well and truly blessed.
I am!
That's not the only source of birthday greetings to me, though. They came by email, by phone, through the United State Post Office, and in person.
Jeff, aka "the ex", was the first this year. With him, I had not one, but two early birthday meals. Sah-weet!
.
.
.

Then, my outlaw Bunny was next!
------------------------------
Wed, May 28, 2014 05:39 PM
facebook
Bunny J R posted on your timeline
"Wishing you a Very Happy Birthday My Outlaw Tina!!!!"
.
.
.

After that, the wishes flew quickly through the airwaves!
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Thu, May 29, 2014 12:05 AM
facebook
Shawn L posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 12:46 AM
facebook
Sue K posted on your timeline
"Wishing you a wonderful B Day ♥"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 01:06 AM
facebook
Lynn L posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday!!! Love ya!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 02:20 AM
facebook
Katie S posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday Aunt Tina.
Miss you xoxoxo"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 03:30 AM
facebook
Lisa W-S posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 03:45 AM
facebook
Brant D posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday, Tina!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 04:43 AM
facebook
Don H posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!"
.
.
.

Then the night-owls and west-coasters gave way to the early-risers.
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 06:22 AM
email from stepmom Bonnie S.

Subject : the great day of May 29th
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Bonnie
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Thu, May 29, 2014 06:49 AM
facebook
Lee M posted on your timeline
"Tina hope you have a great B.D. !"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 06:52 AM
facebook
Sharon F N posted on your timeline
"Have a wonderful birthday, Tina!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 07:13 AM
facebook
Donna M posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Hope you have a great day"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 07:40 AM
facebook
Lisa L posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Tina"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 07:47 AM
facebook
Patrick Y posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 07:48 AM
facebook
Robbie P R posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday cousin! I hope
You have a Wonderful Day :-)"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 07:48 AM
facebook
Penny W B posted on your timeline
"¸.•*.•.ღ•* *•♪ღ♪*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•
♪ღ♪ ░H░A░P░P░Y░♪░B░I░R░T░H░D░A░Y░!░ ♪ღ♪
*•♪ღ♪*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•¸.•*.•.ღ•*•*

The older you are, the more like yourself you become!

I love you with all of my heart! I hope that today -- and this year -- is filled with more laughter and love than ever before.

Cheers to you!"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 07:52 AM
facebook
Deborah R posted on your timeline
"Have a Happy"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 07:56 AM
text message from Mary S

Happy Birthday!
I hope you have a great day!
.
.
.

And so it went, throughout the morning...
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Thu, May 29, 2014 08:18 AM
facebook
Rhonda S. C posted on your timeline
"Sorry I'm late. Happy Birthday. Hope you had a great day."
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 08:19 AM
facebook
Lee H posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Tina! :) Hope you have a wonderful day!"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 08:25 AM
facebook
Joe N posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday Tina!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 08:27 AM
facebook
Mark R posted on your timeline
"Happy, happy, happy birthday, Tina!"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 08:32 AM
text message from Christy P

Happy Birthday ... we love you
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 08:47 AM
facebook
JinHi S R posted on your timeline
"You! So much love and light and gratitude to have you in my life! Happiest of New Years to one of the most fully and actively alive people I know! ♥"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 08:47 AM
facebook
Kristin S posted on your timeline
"Happy happy b-day, Tina! When are we gonna celebrate? :)"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 08:55 AM
facebook
Sherry M posted on your timeline
"Happy, Happy Birthday! Wishing you a day filled with laughter, love, and light!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 08:59 AM
facebook
Mary J M posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Faustina hope you have a wonderful day!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 09:07 AM
facebook
Lorretta R posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday! We Gemini rule!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 09:29 AM
facebook
Deatre N B D posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 09:46 AM
facebook
Tyler S posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday aunt Tina!! And thanks again for the grad present. Have a great day! !!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 09:56 AM
facebook
Robin R J posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday, Tina!!!!! I Hope you have a fantastic birthday!!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:03 AM
text message from Melanie W

Happy B-Day Tina!!! I'm still working on ur present. I'm a noobie at it and I keep tweaking it. I think I'll finish it today. I'll let u know when we mail it! love you!!!
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:10 AM
facebook
Megan J posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:21 AM
facebook
Gary A posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:13 AM
Balinda M-D
facebook inbox message

(cartoon image of a dog holding a birthday cake)
Have a great day!!!!
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:23 AM
facebook
Angela J posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Tina!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:31 AM
facebook
Sabitra B posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Tina!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:48 AM
facebook
Adriana N posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:57 AM
facebook
William P posted on your timeline
"Hope your Birthday
is a HIT, HIT, HIT!!!!"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 11:09 AM
Christine S A
facebook inbox message

Happy Birthday, may all your wishes come true. Have a great day
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Thu, May 29, 2014 11:51 AM
facebook
Donna S T posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 11:53 AM
facebook
Blair W posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 11:57 AM
facebook
Dan J posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!"
.
.
.

... messages during lunch and slunch...
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Thu, May 29, 2014 12:02 PM
facebook
Michelle M posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday, Tina!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 12:08 PM
Jeff Powless
facebook inbox message

Happy Birthday Tina! Hope you have a great day Dear! You are always in my thoughts and prayers Tina.
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Thu, May 29, 2014 12:14 PM
facebook
Daniel W T posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 12:16 PM
facebook
Cheryl T posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 12:42 PM
facebook
Bryan P posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Faustina!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 12:45 PM
Christa A
facebook inbox message

Happy birthday, lady! Hope you are having a great day! I would love to get to hang out with you before I head back to the 'frigid north' on June 7 if you're free at all next week. Let me know.
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Thu, May 29, 2014 01:06 PM
facebook
Nancy O posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday, gorgeous! ♥ hope it rocks :)"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 1:16 PM
text message from Cheryl M

:) Happy Birthday
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Thu, May 29, 2014 01:27 PM
facebook
Emily B B posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday! !!!!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 01:45 PM
facebook
Pat A posted on your timeline
"You are stunning at any age."
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Thu, May 29, 2014 2:59 PM
phone message from Christina W

sang happy birthday to me!
.
.
.

... into the afternoon and beyond...
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Thu, May 29, 2014 03:20 PM
facebook
Toby M posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday :)"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 03:27 PM
facebook
Sammy B. W IV posted on your timeline
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 03:52 PM
facebook
Lizz S posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday boy it sucks getting old! Have a wonderful day"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 3:53 PM
phone call from Bev L

wished me happy birthday and talked!
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Thu, May 29, 2014 03:56 PM
facebook
Melissa C posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 04:01 PM
facebook
Roy W posted on your timeline
"X"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 04:16 PM
facebook
Susan C posted on your timeline
"Otanjyobi omedeto gozaimasu,dear friend!!!! ♥"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 04:26 PM
Steve R
facebook inbox message

Happy Birthday to you!!! Believe me you don't want me to sing it.
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Thu, May 29, 2014 04:32 PM
facebook
John M posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday, Tina! And many, many more happy ones!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 04:49 PM
facebook
Jim C posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Tina. I have a feeling you're already having a great time."
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Thu, May 29, 2014 05:38 PM
facebook
Christy W-P posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Aunt Tina...we love you"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 05:46 PM
facebook
Jeff S posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Faustina!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 06:03 PM
facebook
Bob W posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Kiddo!!!"
.
.
.

... into the dinner hours of most folks...
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Thu, May 29, 2014 06:51 PM
facebook
Rebecca F posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 06:53 PM
facebook
Danielle L posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Tina!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 06:59 PM
facebook
Joe D posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 07:05 PM
facebook
Heather H posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Tina!!!!!;)"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 07:48 PM
facebook
Tracy W posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday, Tina! Hope it has been great!"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 08:10 PM
facebook
Sue B posted on your timeline
"Happy happy birthday!! I hope it's a great day for you!"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 08:15 PM
facebook
Scott W posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday !!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 08:20 PM
facebook
Fae H K posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday, Tina! May your day be filled with joy and your year with blessings."
.
.
.

... and the late evening of others...
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 08:52 PM
facebook
Joe G posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday, Tina. Wish I was there to help you celebrate!"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 09:20 PM
text message from Stephanie K

Happy Happy Birthday!!! :)
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 09:29 PM
facebook
Kathy L S posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Aunt Tina!! Hope you are having a great day!! Keep in touch:)"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 09:39 PM
facebook
Jeanine B posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!! :)"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 09:46 PM
facebook
Shirley S posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday - celebrate you!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:00 PM
facebook
Perry F posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday Faustina!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:00 PM
facebook
Jason A posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:22 PM
facebook
Jason A. W posted on your timeline
"Happy Birthday!!!!"
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Thu, May 29, 2014 10:30 PM
facebook
Penny H S posted on your timeline
"Lovely wishes to you, lovely lady!"
.
.
.

... and back around to the night-owls again!
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 11:08 PM
facebook
Patrick O'C posted on your timeline
"Happy Happy Birthday!!!!!"
------------------------------
Thu, May 29, 2014 11:25 PM
facebook
Kimmi S posted on your timeline
"Have a very happy birthday! Missed you st the game today. You should come to karaoke friday at the VFW on 17."
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Thu, May 29, 2014 11:35 PM
facebook
Margaret C posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday, Tina!"
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Fri, May 30, 2014 02:50 AM
facebook
Valerie M B posted on your timeline
"You could run circles around most people half your age, but you’re way too nice to show them up like that. Or at least sarcastic enough to give me a head start. :P
Happy Birthday, and I hope you had a fantastic day! Hugs!"
.
.
.
There were even a few wishes that straggled in this morning!
------------------------------
Fri, May 30, 2014 08:25 AM
facebook
Lecy C posted on your timeline
"Happy Belated Birthday We love you"
------------------------------
Fri, May 30, 2014 09:31 AM
facebook
Sam D posted on your timeline
"Happy birthday Tina!!! Hugs and kisses from Atlanta!!!"
.
.
.

All are precious to me, as all indicate that I was on someone else's mind. Not only was I on someone else's mind, but that someone took a few moments to let me know I was in the thoughts of another.
That's love, right?
It is.
It definitely is.
I hope I will remember that the next time I'm feeling blue.
All i have to do is let Someone know.

I made sure to reply to each sender of birthday love.
I'm talking about personal responses to each one.
Each and every one of the more than 56 senders.
They each took the time for me, so I took the time for them.
Gratitude is very important for love.

poetry 2 me

This is for my favorite aunt, T,

I wanted you to know what you mean to me!

I love you so very much

That I am writing in rhyme and such.

When it comes to aunts, there is no contest!

You, Tina, are the best!

Now that you know that you are # one,

all my silly rhyming is done!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Wow.
My first niece, Christina Ann, wrote that for me and had inserted it into the Valentine's Day card she gave me today.
I haven't had anyone write a poem to me or for me since my Uncle Jimmy did when I was eighteen years old. My family was down in Waycross, visiting my maternal grandparents, and we were all out in the yard, enjoying a summer evening. The moon was full and the sky was clear, much as it will be tonight.
As I said, we were all outside, and my Uncle had asked me what I thought the moon looked like, in that dark and starry sky. I replied that it looked like a bright, shiny nickel, on a black velvet background. We went on talking about a variety of things, but my description and teenaged enthusiasm lit a fire in his mind and he wrote the poem that evening in the inside cover of one of his literature books from college. I know this, because he gave me the book the next day.
Sadly, I no longer have the book. In a fit of pique about twenty years ago, believing myself to be showing solidarity with my mother and her anger at her brother's actions, I destroyed the book. I tore it up and burned it.
I wish I still had the poem, destroyed so long ago.
I wish I still had my Uncle Jimmy, dead for the past five years.
I wish I still had Mama, gone from my life for thirteen years.
Sigh.
But I do still have my beautiful first niece! And we are here together in one of our favorite places in the world!
Smile!!!
She will soon be out of the shower and we will go to the Valentine's Day party thrown by Barbara and Andrew at the Daytona Beach Regency. Then we'll be off to MOAS for the intaglio and Napoleon exhibits before they vacate the spaces there. And we'll finish the evening at Cinematique, watching "Girl on A Bicycle" and the new Broadway rendition of "Romeo and Juliet", starring Orlando Bloom! Ooh la la!
Later, y'all!

yes, Santa Claus, there IS a Virginia

And her last name is Holliday.
How about that?
Tomorrow will be her 90th birthday.
Today, the church honored Miss Virginia with a surprise birthday party. She was unaware that the "Big" Coffee Hour, usually held at on the first Sunday of the month, had been changed on purpose to this date, the day before her birthday. She had even made her specialty - deviled eggs - for the BCH and had poured the drinks for all there, as usual.
She is an amazing woman.
How did the church manage to sneak this over on her? Well, in the monthly newsletter, it was written that "We will not have our “Big” Coffee Hour after the worship service on December 1st, but we will have it two weeks later on December 15th. This will help feed those who will go caroling to our homebound members that day."
Clever, right?
But then how to let the rest of us in on the surpise for Miss Virginia?
Email. She doesn't do computer stuff and nonsense. So the church's head honchos sent an email to those of us who DO play with computers, advising us of the real reason for the change of date. Here's the message: "Okay, everyone...here's the scoop! Sunday's "Big" Coffee Hour isn't just a Big Coffee Hour. Virginia Holiday will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Monday...so the Big Coffee Hour is actually a surprise birthday party for her. Virginia doesn't get email so she will not be getting this church email...so she will not know. So let's keep it a secret - bring your vittles to share with others, and let's celebrate the life of this one who has given so much to Asbury Memorial. We will still go caroling to our homebound members after the party, but we will getting a later start than usual. Hope you can go to the party and caroling!" Very nice!
The church even arranged for her brother (who she had not seen for a couple of years) and his family to join us for this special occasion. How cool is that! She was unaware they were coming until they entered the church for the singing of "Happy Birthday" to her. What a grand surpirse!
Especially for this woman full of love.
Last February marked the 20th year that she has participated in the Love Walk, in support of the projects and works of the Wesley Community Centers of Savannah. Two years ago, she raised $3300 for the mission. I can only imagine the funds she has raised for them during her twenty years of being in the walk.
So, in case you missed it: this is her 20th year of walking for the fundraiser. That means she started doing this when she was 69 years old, in 1993. Amazing. Want to see more? Go here. She's the child-sized smiler in the orange jacket.
Amazing.
She is known as an ElderBury. She has been a member of the church for almost fifty years. (I expect that milestone will be marked sometime in the new year.) She was one of the 25 church members still present when Reverend Billy Hester took the helm in 1993 and steered the church away from the rocky shore of destruction. How did he do it? Well, he built a place where "the Joy of God is expressed creatively". Miss Virginia has been a part of those theatrical productions, adding her voice to both the commercial works ("The Pirates of Penzance", among others) and the "God on Broadway" series each October.
In November, she was part of the Asbury CHEER Team, during the Rock'n'Roll Marathon here. The team members wore costumes from the theatre closet; Virginia chose the traditional clown, the face of Asbury Memorial UMC. Clad in the huge white garment and topped by a purple wig, waving colorful pompons, she was credited with helping the church's team garner $750 for their efforts.
Amazing.
So, Santa, whatever she wants for Christmas, please do give it to her. If anyone is deserving of presents, she is.
Merry Christmas!