love, Dove

Be the first to hit the dance floor.
Don't settle for a spark...light a fire instead.
Give a little love today.
You have a great laugh!
You should charge for your great advice.
Stir your sense of pleasure.
Someone is thinking of you right now.
Smiling is free.
Love every moment.
Love rules, without rules.
Happiness looks great on you.
You are exactly where you are supposed to be.
Daydreaming is free.
Take a deep breath and exhale.
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

this text's 4 u

24 May 7:23 PM

bff: We won't be able to come down this weekend for your birthday. Some kind of crud is going around here.
me: Actually, have decided i will let it run 55 days! started at your house!
me: Right now, am waiting for the play to begin. This is its premiere!
bff: Enjoy! I'm gonna lay on the couch and die. Will send funeral arrangements.
me: Hahaha. You are not allowed to die b4 me. jsyk.
bff: Fine, if you insist. I'll just slip into a coma for a while. Enjoy your play!
bff: was the tequila good?
me: I haven't opened it yet. I have the bottle decorating my bedroom!

25 May 9:45 Am

1st niece: Are you alive yet?
me: Yep. barely. :)
me: Have even had coffee and breakfast.
me: And chocolate bacon!
1st niece: I just left the gym. Want to do lunch later?
me: Yes!
1st niece: I am going to have a banana.
me: 4 lunch?
1st niece: I have to pick the kids up at 1:30. You want to go before that? Or after? No silly rabbit, bananas are for breakfast.
me: Can go earlier! Just about any time.
1st niece: Let me know when you want to go.
me: To that home out on the range.
me: z z top
1st niece: Oh I was thinking of the old home on the range where the deer and the antelope play where seldom is heard, a discouraging word, and the sky is not cloudy all day.
1st niece: That was done in my best and thickest country accent.
me: Mama would be so proud!

28 May 3:32 PM

me: Thank you so very much for the birthday gifts! Your thoughtfulness is quite evident and very touching. i had doubted if you still regarded me as a close friend, but i doubt no longer.
me: I do hope we will get to have some adventures this summer, in between my trips to PA and OR and TN. i don't want to deluge you with texts, as that is a sore spot, so i'll wait to hear from you, most times. Not always, but i have been abstaining a LOT. :) jsyk.
me: I'll close by saying THANK YOU once more for the many thoughtful gifts for my birthday, treating me to dinner and the show, and - most of all - your friendship.
bfe: Definitely we should have some sort of adventure! I was thinking Dolly Wood may be fun!?!?
bfe: And no problem at all about your gifts. It was fun to put it together.
bfe: Faustina, you are my friend. :)

9 June 10:22 AM
bfe: Yo, homegrrl, we still on for today?
me: You know it, homie!
bfe: See you then at 1:23 pm. You like my mash up between urban culture + post-feminist woman power?
me: hate to break it to ya, sunshine, but you did NOT originate homegrrl. but nice of you to use it!
bfe: Damn. Nothing's original.
me: Yeah, it's hard to be a pimp these days! :)
bfe: Remind me to tell you about that later on today.

dancing, dancing, DANCING, dancing machine

I'm thinking the sugar and caffeine combination here contributed to my energy level last night and this (very early!) morning. Maybe? Maybe not! But we'll begin our story with those all-natural drugs, shall we?
I had scheduled my evening to begin at Panera, as they had a free birthday treat waiting for me. Free, you say? Indeed! How can you get in on such largesse? Easy! All you have to do is to register on their website, with your loyalty swipe card, and then wait for your birthday to roll around. They even give you two months to claim your treat; believe me, that last part is quite generous, as most places will only grant you a few days to a couple of weeks to come claim your birthday swag.
So, as I was saying, I began with the celebration of my birthday at that restaurant, in particular, the location downtown. My rationale: park once, early on before the crowds arrive, then easily walk to my other destinations that evening. Done! I had already been told that they would let me choose one of the pastries for my birthday. Sweet! I headed straight to that section, perusing the treats behind the glass. Huge bearclaws, generously strewn with sliced almonds? Maybe... but what about the wild blueberry muffin, nearly bursting with blue? Oh, that cherry danish looks scrumptious!!! Oh, wait, that would have cheese in it, and I didn't bring any lactase. Well, that pumpkin muffin looks mighty rich! On my third passage in front of the display case, the item nearly dead center kept tugging at me.
"What's the cobblestone muffin?"
"That is our cinnamon roll dough, pinched into pieces and cooked as a muffin, then drizzled with glaze."
Whoa... sounds like bread pudding to me!
So, that's what I got. It also turned out to be the most expensive pastry they had. Moreover, that was the last cobblestone muffin they had.
And now it was mine!
I bought an iced coffee to go along with it. You know: breakfast at night, what a delight! I had a little more than thirty minutes before my next destination would require my presence, so I had a nice, leisurely little sit-down. How refreshing!
Then I took my brand-new Italian birthday top down to the Lucas for some more Marilyn Monroe. For this show, it would be the fabulous "Some Like It Hot", featuring Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Yeah!!! And the oh-so-huggable Hai would be there to share the film with me!!!!! Woohoo!!!
Wait a sec... Italian birthday top? That trip was a year ago.
Yeah... but I have not yet worn this particular top. As you may recall, I had taken some old clothes on the trip with me, purchasing new items along the way. Right? As it so happens, the tops I bought were all pretty fancy - for me - and so I haven't really had the opportunity to wear them. And so they have been trapped in the closet, waiting to come out. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist that reference! I really enjoyed that video soap opera!)

I do realize the clamdiggers aren't quite the right shade, but I don't care. I wanted to loose that splash of colors from the tangle of other clothes. So, I did! I even had my first niece take a picture to record the occasion. I felt like such a girl again! The top, and the remembrances it conjured up, definitely added to my energy level. it's a wonder I was able to sit through the film!
Next on the aganda was a trip to a new place to hear a new band. Why? The drummer had invited me, as he was also the drummer for Barefoot Booyah, which I know I've mentioned a time or two. This group is called Hellhounds and is all about blues! I came in about the time they launched into "Sweet Home Chicago", which was a nice segue from the film I had just seen. Cool! They did a very nice job with it, too!
I danced a bit, chatted with the drummer a bit, and, on their seccond break, said my adieus for another dance site. After all, there were (Magic) Rocks on The Roof, playing tunes I knew and loved! So, off I went, timing my entrance pretty well. I must have caught them shortly after a break, so the energy level was up and there were actually dancers on the floor! I mean, besides me! I danced to every song, until their next break, then I danced to every song until the end of the gig. Fab-u-LOUS!!! "Purple Rain" and "Last Dance with Mary Jane" and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"!!!
After the guys started putting their instruments to rest, a woman came up to me. I had seen her and her husband dancing to some of the tunes earlier. She comes right up to me and says, "We really enjoyed watching you dance tonight. You're so graceful!"
Wasn't that a lovely thing to say to someone? Wasn't that a lovely thing to say to me?
I tell you, I walked out of there floating.
What a nice way to end a birthday evening!

but they marry brunettes

The Lucas is celebrating a blonde's birthday this weekend! Not, not mine! Silly! The film for tonight was "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", released in the early 1950's. Although it was featuring Marilyn Monroe, her side-kick, Jane Russell, acted and sang circles around her. Understandable, I would guess, as it was made during the early years of Marilyn's career, where mostly all she had to do was model tight clothing and pout a bit.
Apparently, though, men don't mind, as long as the "dumb blonde" golddigger is on their arm and not someone else's. Really? Perhaps, especially if the odds are stacked in her favor.
Earlier today, I cleaned out my office. I had been asked to return the key, as I was no longer full-time, and had responded that I was on holiday and would not return until Monday. They said that would be fine, but they did have a new hire that needed that space.
Today, I took my time and packed out. I had the forethought to bring five of those large, cloth, grocery bags to hold all of my files of student papers and papers that had not yet been filed and desk contents.
That was not nearly enough.
Fortunately, I had a couple of boxes there for my books. I also had a few plastic bags and some smaller cloth bags from school events.
That just barely took care of all of it.
I spent almost four hours packing up all of my work materials. Emptying the filing cabinet, emptying the cupboards. Removing my pictures and periodic tables and photographs of lecture notes written on whiteboards. Taking down all of the wonderful, supportive messages from my students of these past three years.
Cleaning the disk drive of all the files I had created.
ALL of them.
My trunk was packed to the top. The back seat was full, on the seat itself as well as on the floorboard. The passenger seat had one of the boxes of books.
Amazing.
All of it is now on my living room floor, waiting to be sorted.
That I can do at my leisure.
On Monday, I'll make one last visit to my office, to throw out what couldn't be recycled, to take "Light The Night" fundraising materials to the dean's office. Then I'll turn in my keys to that door and the lockable cupboard and the filing cabinet.
This evening, though, was mine to enjoy. It had begun at a place that serves candied bacon to its drinking patrons. That's right, dearies, I said CANDIED BACON. Long, crispy, sugary, strips of pork yumminess. Yes, indeed, the NK! group convened at Andaz for "school's out!" social hour. Although we only had a small group on this outing, we were in high spirits and chatty! Such a lovely way to transition from my afternoon's activities to an evening with Marilyn!

fun 2 text!

As part of my birthday celebration, I was treated to three nights in Daytona Beach at one of my favorite places. Woohoo!!! I had invited the peace Guy and the bfe to join me, as it was a two-bedroom condo ON THE BEACH, but ended up going solo. Fine by me! That meant my schedule was my own!
Nice to know I was missed, though.

Tuesday, 4 June, about 10:30 PM:
peace Guy: U home yet? Or r u still having fun in daytona bch?
me: Still in FL!
peace Guy: Will u b back 2morrow b4 i go 2 work?
me: Magic 8 ball: Not likely.
peace Guy: Bummer. But u will b back 2morrow, won't u?
me: You betcha, sunshine! :)
peace Guy: No sunshine here, but looking 4ward 2 seeing u. Hope u r having fun. c u 2morrow when i get off work.
me: Indeed! Looking forward to it!

Wednesday, 5 June, noon:
me: Am on the road! will stop in JAX to kill zombies, then come home. Eat that chicken! :-)
peace Guy: Will bring sum chikin 2 work, thanks. Safe travels. Poor zombies.
me: Decided to spare the zombies, am visiting turtles @ Jekyll instead!
peace Guy: Neat!
me: More positive, too!

flan de cumpleanos!

Isn't it beautiful??? I do so enjoy food that's prettier than it needs to be!
And to think, I almost didn't order it because I didn't want to burn a lactaid! (Or, in this case, the CVS equivalent of that lactose-digesting enzyme.)
I was with my biggest little brother and his wife (my SIL) at their Wednesday night dinner out with friends at a Mexican restaurant. They had invited me several times before, but my work schedule had me otherwise engaged on Wednesday evenings. But I was available this week, so I called to confirm that I would be in attendance! Nice move! I had expected a larger gathering, but folks have summer vacations and only one other couple was there - and I knew them! I had known the blonde redbird for many years and her roofer husband has been an acquaintance for several years now, ever since the pumpkin-carving party.
The five of us met at La Parrilla for this week's dinner. Nice! The first time I came here was with my coppery friend shortly after my return from Italy last year. Good food, good memories! This time promised to be more of the same!
After we were all settled in with our drinks and munching on chips and salsa, I regaled them with a story. What story? A very good one, I assure you! Whilst in one of my favorite places in the world, I had the good fortune to see three award-winners from the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. The first, a slient film, was easily my favorite. A remastering of the classic tale of Snow White, "Blanca Nieves" featured a female matador at its heart. And such a love story! Little Carmencita, rendered motherless from birth by the connivings of an evil, greedy nurse. Little Carmencita, raised by her grandmother, far from her paralyzed matador father, but relocated to his house after her grandmother's death. Ah, reunited with her father! No - there's an evil, greedy nurse, remember? Only now she is also the evil, greedy stepmom.
But little Carmencita does eventually get to spend some quality time with her dad, learning how to swoosh a cape while fending off a stuffed bull. They even get to have a father-daughter dance before the evil nurse finds out they've been keeping company. So ticked off she becomes!!! Poor Pepe! Poor Papa! Poor Carmencita!
Then, after the matador succumbs to death, Carmencita is taken to the woods to be killed. To her rescue comes one of the six dwarf matadors! Olé!
The story goes on from there, with some very good twists (hey, she's a matador, not yet another princess, so of course the story is better!). I gave everyone the full tale, keeping us all entertained right up to the delivery of the food. In fact, I was not quite done when the food came, so the others waited until I had revealed the denouement before digging in. How cool was that?!
I had one of the house specialties, La Parrilla Tilapia and Shrimp. Scrumptious! And QUITE lovely! Broiled filet, broiled shrimp, draped over a mound of mildly spiced mashed potatoes, draped with fabulous green spears of asparagus! The accompanying coleslaw was creamy and spicy and a perfect addition to the mouthfuls of fish! I really should have taken a picture of that lovely plate of food, truly. I did not and I think it was because the telling of the tale of Blanca Nieves had worked up my appetite. Yeah, that sounds about right!
We enjoyed our meal and everyone else caught up with each other's lives and then came the final decision: dessert, anyone? Well, no, but the redbird wanted another margarita and my brother was still working on his cerveza... Oh, why not have a dessert? Why not??
So I did. And it was not only beautiful, but delicious, too. My SIL had a bite, but it wasn't chocolate, so that small taste was all she wanted. Me? I ate the carmelized decoration first, then the smooth, melting mouthfuls of custard, drizzled with caramel syrup.
Yeah, you can tell I really enjoyed it, right?
Totally!
Then came a surprise: my brother and SIL had treated me to that meal! Happy birthday!
Man, I am having a blast with these multiple days of birthday!

half-a-century ago

Earlier today, I attended the fifth birthday party for one of my great-nieces! It was a picnic held at the big park on Tybee. Lots of family, lots of friends, lots of food! And, of course, there was a birthday cake - and she had helped her mom make it. Sah-weet!
She has such blonde, curly, wispy hair, just as I did as a girl of that age! Mind, that's pretty amazing, as she is not genetically related to me. Her mom, my turtle-loving niece, is the daughter of my stepbrother. All of us kids (except my youngest brother) were already grown and in our twenties (at the very least) when Mama married Frank on September 28, 1984. At the time, Mama had one granddaughter (my first niece) and Frank had one grandson (who became my first nephew). All of the other eleven grandchildren came along during the marriage, making all of them my nieces and nephews, genetic link or not. Got that? 'Cause that's where I stand on the topic.
Okay, soapbox stowed safely under the seat again.
(smile!)
As I was sayin'... she reminded me of a five-year-old me and I am sure Mama would have agreed! So, after I posted my pictures on fb, I stated: "Once upon a time, I was a tiny blonde-haired lass - and today I realized that was half a century ago! Wow!"
Next thing I knew, the comments were flying fast and sweet!

Cuzn Jeff: And now you are an intelligent, caring and compassionate, friendly, engaging, and sophisticated blonde-haired lass. I tip my wine glass to you.

John M of DL: What Jeff said!

out-law Bunny: Me, too. Me too!

out-law Dee: You are and always have been since the first day I met you, such a breath of fresh air. You've always had such a 'gift of gab' about you. As far as changing through the years... the one thing that has never changed, of which I've witnessed, is the drive and motivation to 'live on your own terms' and not everyone else's. So, I'm with Jeff. Cheers!

cousin Penny: I ditto what Jeff and John and Bunny said, too. Plus, I want to add that you are a truly renaissance woman! I'm blessed to be related to you!

And I am truly blessed to have such loving people, both near and far, both vocal and silent, who love me so dearly.
Wow.