thirteen times

Today was pretty special.
This was the thirteenth time this month that I've gone to the gym.
Yes...
me...
at a gym...
repeatedly...
on purpose...
making the change in my life.
I'd like to say I'm already seeing a difference.
Others won't see that slight increase in tone of my upper arms...
but I do.
Others might not notice an increased firmness of my thighs...
but I do.
Slow and steady, that's what is making the difference.
All of this flab and loose musculature didn't happen overnight.
I realize, as I told the trainer, Elton, that I must have patience.
Small steps toward a healthier, firmer, me.
Today, I even carried a small journal around with me.
I logged in the names of the machines I utilized -
machines that I have already attended class on at least once:
hip adduction, seated leg curl, hammer strength MTS shoulder press,
hammer strength MTS row, leg extension, hip abduction, hand weights -
as well as the number of repetitions for the specific counterweight.
For the treadmill, I noted the amount of time and the highest walking
speed used during my session. Primarily, I use it to begin my course,
to loosen and warm up my body, then again, at the end, to have one last
dancing-while-I-walk-fast bout.
I've made good progress on the treadmill.
When I first started, I had to use a speed of 0.5 miles per hour, then
gradually increase up to 1.2 mph.
Now, I start our walking at 2.0 mph!
I'm quite pleased about that.
So far, my outings at Planet Fitness have lasted about 90 minutes, total.
Sometimes I'm there a little longer, sometimes a little less.
Sometimes I'm there in early afternoon, sometimes at late night hours.
For the most part, I'm actually enjoying myself.
Who would have thought that?
(smile)

a royal day trip!

I have been in dire need of "waking up somewhere different" for months.
Today, I only traveled as far as Pooler, but I feel as refreshed as if it had been an overnight trip!
And, while dining on shrimp ceviche, I was even making connections to my outings of the past week!
So, there I was at Jalapenos, dining on my favorite comfort foods while listening to Mexican music,
idly watching snow skiing on a nearby tv -
which brought to mind the Mountainfilm festival last week -
and noticing the cadence in the songs -
like that heard in the Jewish film festival, also last week -
and realizing that I would soon be at an Indian film.
Talk about worlds colliding!
Then, I found an overlap of the storylines in the Indian film and the finale of the SJFF, with the conflict between Indian and Pakistani youth, with a bit of anti-British thrown in.
Right place, right time?
Absolutely!

In fact, after seeing "Street Dancer 3" at the matinee, I felt the need to see it again.
Again, I say!
Like, immediately!
So, I walked around the block, in the cold, trying to decide if I should stay or I should return to Savannah.
And when I was back inside, buying my ticket for the evening show, what did I find?
Yep, that's right, a shiny penny in front of the register!
Right place, right time?
Definitely!

The second time, I concentrated on the dance moves, rather than the translations of the song lyrics.
That was so very enjoyable!
There was even quite a bit of magic in one number!
Prabhu Deva is such an incredible dancer and choreographer...
even more so for being 46 years old, like my bfe!!!
Yes, so very enjoyable!
Sweet dreams for sure tonight!
(smile!)


Plus, as a definite bonus, there were messages for me in the film.
Yes, specifically for me!
Here's one of them.
The grandmother said, "There is no need to chant the name of God. The moment when you help someone else is also as good as showing devotion."
That echoed Brad Pitt's words in an earlier post here.
Later, there is the message from Inayat, echoed by Sahej.
"Dance for others, not for yourself. Dance to express, not to impress."
I do try to do that very thing and I hope I am succeeding. The many kind comments I have received about my dancing indicate that my movements are pleasing to others, and that is a double-sided blessing.
Then, during one of the competition songs, I heard this.
"I surrender myself to You when i dance."
Amen to that sentiment, as noted at a recent movie with the bfe.
Amen.

Off to sweet dreams...
and hope you, also, have a peaceful night.
i thank You, God, for this day!

not with a bang, but a crescendo

So ends the 17th year of the Savannah Jewish Film Festival, literally and figuratively.
Last year, it had been spread out over two weeks.
For its junior year, the fourteen screenings over the course of four evenings and two afternoons -
in only five days -
kept the celebration of the Jewish culture and history moving briskly.
Busy and fast and interesting -
yep, that's a teenager!

The SJFF began on Thursday for me, with an "Italian Feast" luncheon of chicken ziti, garlic toast, chocolate mousse... and an egg cream, a drink composed of neither eggs nor cream - discuss (like Mike Myers' "Coffee Talk" skits on SNL)! And we did, too!
The slightly chilled drink reminded me of an Italian soda, mildly chocolate-flavored and fizzy.
The first film that day was "Egg Cream", a short, nostalgic piece on the drink's origin.

The second film, "The Last Resort", was also nostalgic,
looking back at Miami's South Beach during the 1960's,
when it became a vacation idyll for elderly Jews.
(The Art Deco area was a luxurious holiday spot for me
as well, back in 2015.)
The film was a showcase of the vibrant, lively hues of the photography of Andy Sweet, with his story told
from the memory of his best friend, fellow cameraman
Gary Monroe.
The photos had been lost after Sweet's death, but were finally found and were restored by his sister's husband.
Beautiful work!

The next day, I was back for the luncheon - chicken schnitzel! - and four short films united by "tradition".
"Wendy's Shabbat" Was about an elderly community keeping rites intact while bonding over fast food.
"Gefilte" was all about the fish dish.
"L'Dor, V'Dor" featured an old father and modern son having a "to bris or not to bris" conversation.
"Absolutely No Spitting" was an insight to the lives of a 50+-year-old and the 4-year-old she'd adopted.

Last night, I was back again, this time for the free dessert reception - ah, sweets for the sweet!
Actually, I was there for the two films related to a favorite musical, "The Fiddler On The Roof".
The animated short, "Der Fidl", set the pace at "lively"!
But it was the feature film, "Fiddler: A Miracle Of Miracles", that kept it there and brought joy to my heart!
There is even a Japanese version of this musical!!!

Tonight, it all ended with a resounding "Crescendo".
The Italian-origin word is defined as "an instruction to play gradually more loudly".
Most of the film is set in Italy, regarded as a neutral area, as a renowned German conductor (son of a Nazi) tries to meld Palestinian and Israeli youths into a harmonious
(get it?) unit.
After one young man is slain by a villager, the experiment in peace is abandoned by the powers that be... but not by the other students.
In the airport, the two disparate groups sit, separated physically by a glass partition, separated emotionally by seventy years of the acrimony and bias of their grandparents drilled into their minds and bones.
While they wait, the television holds on the image of their dead fellow student.
One youth takes up his violin and begins a song. Another accompanies him with a beat. Then, they are all playing, in remembrance of the kind one, in remembrance of the time they all spent together, in remembrance of the goal not yet won.
Onward, onward, ever onward!
And the song?
It was perfect for the occasion.
Starting off slowly but firmly, building power and volume as it proceeded, ultimately marking its presence as a force of strength and promise...
Ravel's "Boléro".
Now, that is a crescendo.
i thank You, God.

there's moving, and then there's moving

Well, it's official.
Alyssa, Leila, and Michael are gone...
for the most part.
A nonworking car full of stuff is still in my driveway, and the trampoline is still residing over the back yard (after only being used, for brief play, three times).
Their two rooms were cleared out - completely - in just about two hours around lunch time.

They're going to live with his mom, Melinda, starting today, which is her 58th birthday.
That's her on the left, next to her mom, Venita.
Poppop Matt is holding Alyssa, while Leila stands next to her dad.
I'm glad we had such a glorious day of blue sky and mild temperature for yet another change in their lives...
and in my life, too.
The quiet will be strange for me.

Michael offered to vacuum the two rooms, for me, but I told him I needed to do that.
The task will wait.
For now, it is important for me to rehang all of my "displaced" art.
When I had the movie and dinner outing with the bfe and the 'Cole on New Year's Day, that had been the most irksome problem for me: all of my artwork that had been moved from the walls to the floor.
Yeah, definitely a first world issue.

I had thought I might have to forego this 12th year of the Telluride Mountainfilm On Tour Savannah, because of the move-out, but I was able to catch my favorite part:
the Family Matinee!
All the films about skiing and biking and nature are so inspiring and fun!
Of the nine films, my favorites were "Undiscovered", of a yeti looking for the perfect photo; "Think Like A Scientist", with the return of salmon to a river; "One Small Step", about pursuing a dream; and "Danny Daycare", especially the spoofs.
I am so blessed to have been able to have that bit of normalcy in my day!
Now to return some more pieces to their places on the walls.
I have just a bit of time before the desserts and films at the JEA tonight.
More normalcy for this time of year!
i thank You, God.

little red riding hood, twice!

Coincidences are marvelous little miracles, aren't they?
After all, there are no coincidences, right?
Just related instances in time that confirm right place, right time.
i thank You, God!

The first instance was at a burlesque show at Club One.
The universe working through that medium, at that venue?
All places are part of this world, are they not?
They most certainly are.
Plus, "Risque Renegades Revue" was a fundraiser for rescued animals.
Also, it was just a block or so from the Jepson, where I already was.
And... I adore burlesque!

So, there I was, enjoying the entertainment from the Sweet Tease troupe, cheering on those on stage, dancing in my seat, and mouthing along with the music -
i.e., I was having a good time!
Then a familiar song began...
one that always brings happy thoughts of Daddy...
and Bo Blush was rocking a picnic basket as Little Red Riding Hood!
I had wondered earlier if I even wanted to stay, but I was clearly right place, right time.
(smile!)

Tonight, I was at Savannah Stage Company's 2020 Season Announcement Party, as I have been for the past five years.
This time around, the theme is "Imagination", building on stories from our youth that still resonate in our brains.
Ghost Coast Distillery was the venue, so I sampled the orange rum - tart and tasty! - and noshed on Boar's Head meats while Jaymi gave out the Golden Lightbulb Awards.

Then came little previews of the three shows to tease us.
(Hey, that's an inside joke here!)
The third show, a musical, featured...
Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf (!!!) in a scene from "Into The Woods"!!!
I almost fell off my stool, bouncing around and lip-syncing the lyrics!!!
Sure, "Charlotte's Web" will catch me, and "A Streetcar Named Desire" will roll into my heart...
but, I know very well that the musical will brighten my spirit!

And what confirmed that I was where I should be?
Well, there's an orb hovering over the table, on the right of the shot.
Yes, I was most def right place, right time.

Now, the party's over and I'm at Planet Fitness to burn off some energy, dancing on the treadmill.
Later, y'all!
Oh...
one more thing!
Let me share the lyrics of the song my Daddy so enjoyed singing!
Enjoy!

***** ***** *****
Lil' Red Ridin' Hood
(as sung by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs)

Owoooooooo!
Who's that I see walkin' in these woods?
Why, it's Little Red Riding Hood.
Hey there Little Red Riding Hood,
You sure are looking good
You're everything a big bad wolf could want.
Listen to me.
Little Red Riding Hood,
I don't think little big girls should
Go walking in these spooky old woods alone.
Owoooooooo!
What big eyes you have
The kind of eyes that drive wolves mad.
So just to see that you don't get chased
I think I ought to walk with you for a ways.
What full lips you have
They're sure to lure someone bad.
So until you get to grandma's place
I think you ought to walk with me and be safe.
I'm gonna keep my sheep suit on
Until I'm sure that you've been shown
That I can be trusted walking with you alone.
Owoooooooo!
Little Red Riding Hood
I'd like to hold you if I could,
But you might think I'm a big bad wolf so I won't.
Owoooooooo!
What a big heart I have,
The better to love you with.
Little Red Riding Hood
Even bad wolves can be good.
I'll try to be satisfied, just to walk close by your side,
Maybe you'll see things my way before we get to grandma's place.
Little Red Riding Hood
You sure are looking good,
You're everything that a big bad wolf could want.
Owooooooo I mean baaaaaa!
Baaa?
Baa

Songwriter: Ronald Blackwell
Lil' Red Ridin' Hood lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave

checking my PULSE since 2008

Tonight clearly demonstrated that the science program at the Jepson, now in its thirteenth year, has hit puberty and is growing up.

"Designing The Future: A Climate For Change" was a showcase of technology to better the community and the world, rather than meant for primarily entertainment value.

Not that there's anything wrong with using technology to enhance the world of computer science and grab the attention of youth and adults alike - no, not at all.

However, it was refreshing to be introduced to these advancements that have been made to improve life on this blue-green planet, and to learn of more such projects which are both underway and planned.

With the subtitle of this lecture being "the future of sustainable design, carbon neutral aviation, and sea level sensors", I had high hopes of good news. It delivered on all three points, with an emphasis on both local and world benefits.

Paula McEvoy was up first. She's with Perkins & Will, the firm tasked with designing the new arena in Savannah. She presented the shining example of their work, the green Interface property in Atlanta. Very reassuring to look forward to that type of structure here!

Charles Etter of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. had the second slot on the podium. He had an update on the use of SAF, aka sustainable aviation fuel, a blend which is 30% ethanol. That's three times more than used in automobile fuels! Very impressive!

Russell Clark was the final speaker of the night. He's with Georgia Institute of Technology, my stepdad's alma mater. This man spoke at length on a topic dear to my heart: the ocean. In particular, the Smart Sea Level Sensors project is a joint venture of Georgia Tech with CEMA and the City of Savannah, meant to engage the seaport's citizens in helping to monitor the waterways that sustain our livelihood. From public officials to teachers, from property owners to developers, all can participate! Very uplifting!

Last night had also offered up a trio of presenters, though all dealt more with the art side of technology-enhanced creations.

What does that mean?

Well, primarily, these were the ones who provided the new exhibits for this year's PULSE festival.

That meant more stuff, like my dear SWARM, for me to play with on my visits to the museum!

Alicia Eggert was the first up and clearly was a fun-loving artist!

I do believe this piece, "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" was my favorite, not just because of the Hollywood-inspired pun but also for the Barbra Streisand-voiced lyrics that instantly were cued up by the jukebox in my brain.

It's actually a time-lapsed piece of art, so be sure to view it here.

This interactive piece, titled "Anti-Vanity Mirror", is the work of Neil Mendoza.

It would surely have driven mad Snow White's evil stepmother!

Anyone standing in front of it will not see their image, as the mirror would have shifted away.

So, how did I get this photo?

I stood before the device, but held my camera out to the side, to capture my shifted image.

Pretty clever, n'est-ce pas?

 

But as for my favorite this year, it would have to be the works by R. Luke Dubois that make up "Hindsight Is Always 20/20" - and not just because its name reflects that of my blog for this year.

(smile!)

For each President (up to 2008), he has taken the top 66 words in their State of the Union address and used them, in order of repetition, to compose eye charts.

This one is for the speech given by Lyndon B. Johnson  and is rather telling, isn't it?

I'll have to remember to send the link to the psychologist.

Given the brfb's love of politics, he'll most def enjoy it!

Now, I would talk about the receptions I attended last night and tonight...

but I'm in danger of being late to a burlesque show!

I will say that the one tonight was up to the usual high standards again.

Hallelujah for that!

Okay, gotta jet over to Club One!

Later!

online gaming addiction

Well, it's official.
I am, well and truly, addicted to online computer games.
Last year, as one of my resolutions, I gave up websudoku.
I was quite proud of myself, too, for keeping that particular promise to myself.
So, now I have a new year.
New year, new resolutions, n'est-ce pas?
I decided to allow myself to begin frequenting the website again.
Just a couple of games won't hurt anything... right?
The only thing is, with an addiction, "just a little" is a lie.
In no time at all, I was right back to killing a couple of hours a day, sometimes twice
in the same day, playing one game after another.
In fact, for the past two nights, I've been up until almost 4 AM, playing the game
for up to three hours in one sitting.
Seriously.
I know for a fact that sitting that still for that long is not healthy...
but I can't seem to get up and walk away.
Seriously.
I only stopped playing because I had sat so long that my hands were cold.
Seriously.
So, I'm removing the link from my bookmarks, again.
This time, it stays gone.
Life is too short.

the man at The Moon

My house was empty when I returned home tonight, after a topsy-turvy outing.
Sigh.
The girls and their dad were out in Guyton for the night.
But, wait!
Maybe that could be a good thing for my mental health, right?
I could watch a favorite movie on the twins' tv, using the twins' dvd player...
couldn't I?

And that's exactly what I did.
I treated myself to "Into The Night",
the action-packed, dramatic, comedic,
romance from 1985, with the incredible
blues of B.B. King as the soundtrack!
Plus, it had the ever-delightful Michelle Pfeiffer and the ever-zany Jeff Goldblum, with a smidge of David Bowie, and Dan Aykroyd, and even Clu Gulager with his "or what category"!
Oh, there was even an Elvis Tribute Artist, played believably by Bruce McGill!
No singing or dancing by him, but at least he had a beautiful car!
Yes, that movie always lightens my mood and makes me smile!
(smile!)

But, what did I have here???
It was "Bonus Material", with a mini-documentary of John Landis talking to B.B. King!
Plus, the blues legend was playing with Dan, Michelle, and Steve Martin all blowing brass, while Eddie Murphy beat drums and Goldblum played piano!
All footage I had not ever seen!!!
What a magical treat for both me and my two feet!!!
(smile!)

What fond memories I have of seeing B.B. King live in concert a few years after this movie was filmed!
I was in graduate school in Tallahassee and the man came to play at a fairly small club, The Moon, near campus.
I must have been no more than thirty feet from him!
What an incredible experience that had been!
And now, feeling right as rain, I'm off to bed.
Sweet dreams are awaiting...
(smile!)

are you okay?

I've seen one too many movies of late with children in distress...
with children in harm's way...
with children used as pawns by adults.
I guess that's all a little too close to home for me right now.
Three strikes, I'm out.
Surprisingly, I'd seen two of the three movies before.
One was even a musical that had been a favorite of Mama's.
That one was "Annie", the 1982 version with Carol Burnett and Tim Curry and
Bernadette Peters. The little title character became the prey of two posing as
her parents, for the sake of money.
Usually, I would have been all over it, but not so much on Sunday, when I was
ushering for it at the Lucas. I know I had expected my first niece to be there,
but she was not. Hinesville is a bit far for her to drive these days.
I think her absence definitely detracted from my movie experience.
So, that was the first of the three movies that have been working on my mental
health this week.
The second was "Jojo Rabbit", the one seen Tuesday with the physicist. I've already
gone on about it, so more is not needed as evidence of its effect on me.
Then, the third was this afternoon, over at Generation One. I had thought Joe
and Lois would be joining me, but not so. Still, there was a very good crowd
there for "Best of Enemies", so that was good. What was not good was my crying
several times during the movie. Memories of my middle-school experience during
the early 1970's, when the schools here were rezoned to enhance classroom diversity, suddenly surfaced as the two factions of adults bickered over their children's
education options. Still the part that hit me hardest was the slogan on the
Klansman's card: "Non Silba, Sed Anthar".
Not for one's self, but for others.
How much more selfish could a group of people be???
C.P. Ellis' realization of the lie between what the creed expressed and the actions
of the party of which he was Grand Cyclops was a pivotal moment.
That moment resonated deeply with my altruistic core.
Here was yet another movie in which adults were professing to know what was best for
children when, in truth, the adults were doing what was best for their own goals.
Adults were selfishly making the decisions on whether it was best for a child to stay in
an orphanage or be part of a publicity stunt for a week in the lap of luxury...
for a child to be taught to worship a twisted tyrant or to know the truth about the man's
hate-filled nature and its effect on his country...
for a child that differed in appearance to be granted an education at an up-to-date school
or to be forced to strive to learn in a damaged, smoky environment.
Seen separately, at some distance in time from each other, these three movies would have,
and have been, less harsh to my psyche.
However, seen only days apart, collectively they have certainly made an impact.
That has been too much experience this week in the deep, dark, sadness of the world.

I had noticed a energy drain on my mental state, but had not divined the reason.
Tonight, I had joined the running bear for a movie and dinner - yes, in that order -
to celebrate his successful refinancing of his townhouse.
Yes, on a Friday, not a Tuesday.
Yes, the movie first and then dinner.
So, we were meeting on an off-day and doing things in off-order.
That must have flipped some switch in my brain.
I had been fine while we watched "Bad Boys Forever" in BigD - I really had been.
But, at some point during our dinner at El Potro, during his conversations about his
weight training, his reading about Vietnam, his dating of Kaye, I went quiet.
I actually didn't notice that I had thrown my concentration into my meal...
but he noticed, of course.
"Are you okay?"
When he asked, it took a moment to register that he was addressing me.
It had seemed to be such an abrupt change of topic that it threw me.
"Are you okay?"
And so, as he is my bfrb, I told him about the movies and how the mistreatment of
the children had affected me and how sad it all was.
And, knowing me and my need for some routine in my life, and knowing that routine
had been altered this week (even though it had been at my own request), he made
sure to note that we would be back to our usual Tuesday next week.
That was very much reassuring to me.
Then, he allowed me to have four - four! - count-of-ten-seconds hugs, with
him joking around and restarting the count on two of those.
(smile)
i thank You, God, for such a dear friend...
and for Tina Tuesdays with him.

lessons i taught the twins

That photograph of Leila and Alyssa, being slime monsterz, is from almost a week ago.
It's hard for me to believe they will be gone in another week, but Michael said they were leaving to move in with his mom.
Tonight has been so very pleasant, though, maybe he will change his mind.
I came home from a One Hundred Miles event in time to help with the bedtime routine.
I even got to select the book for him to read to the girls!
(smile)

I though it might be good to make a list of the helpful life advice I've shared with these five-year-old twins.
That will at least make me feel that I've made a difference for them.
So, here goes, in no particular order.

Brush your hair starting at the bottom of the strands.
-- For bad tangles, that will keep hair loss - and scalp pain - to a minimum.

Only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush.
-- No need to slather it on all the bristles!

Wash your hands after using the bathroom.
-- Honestly, I was shocked they weren't doing that already.

Chew with your mouth closed.
-- Again, I would have thought they'd know better by now.

Take your shoes off at the front door.
-- Yeah, I admit this is one of mine from my time in Okinawa. Keeps the house cleaner.

Wash your hands before you eat.
-- No wonder they get sick so easily, right?

Wash your hands after playing with slime.
-- That stuff was soooo very nasty to touch!

No food in the bedroom.
-- That keeps bugs from crawling on you at night.

No more fake crying.
-- As I told them, I'm a girl and I know when the tears are real.

No television at bedtime.
-- Going to bed with a loud movie on? No wonder they can't sleep.

Quiet time is the hour before bedtime.
-- Yeah, that's a work in progress. Hence, the reading of a book with their Dad.

9:00 PM is time for sleep.
-- That's definitely a work in progress, but they should not be up at 11 PM. Period.

Do what your Daddy says.
-- He's their boss and what he tells them is the truth.

Here's hoping some of those lessons stay with Leila and Alyssa.
I'm so grateful to have had some time with them.
And to think it all began with a trip to Lake Mayer that unearthed two pennies.
i thank You, God.

maybe no groundhog needed

My Japanese magnolia - or, tulip tree, as some say - is already burst forth with blooms.
It's only the middle of January.
Apparently, she doesn't allow herself to be concerned with calendars.
Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned there.
(smile)

In years past, she has generally bloomed closer to February.
However, Savannah has been blessed with Fahrenheit temperatures solidly in the
70's the past several days - hallelujah!
i thank You, God!
Those warm days have allowed me to wear my preferred clothing of shorts and sandals,
sans jacket and scarf and socks.
What a blessing!
Is it any wonder that the tree with the beautiful pink blossoms is also joyfully
celebrating the welcomed warmth?
Surely spring is near at hand?
Fingers crossed!

I'll be sure to notify the Peace Guy about the change in weather forecasting from the use of groundhogs and their shadows.
(smile)

we could be heroes

... if just for one day.

That anthem by David Bowie always vibrates my heartstrings.
Tonight, it was very difficult to not sob while listening to its words and watching
two children silently dancing.
Heart-breaking.
I held back my tears, not wanting to overly alarm the physicist.
The bfe and I were at the Lucas, finally having a second chance at a missed film.
The place was packed.
Apparently, film professors at SCAD had encouraged their students to attend.
Too bad the young people had not boned up on history beforehand.
They didn't understand that the ten-year-old boy had been getting lessons on
Hitler-worship since his kindergarten days.
They didn't understand that the boy's imaginary "best friend" represented the
image of the Fuhrer that the boy was able to compile, given his young age and
limited experiences with the world.
The students in the audience tonight didn't understand.
The members of their family who might have been part of World War II - their
great-grandparents, if any - have most likely died, taking their stories of The
Great War to the great beyond with them.
Hopefully, class discussions will include history lessons.

Two scenes in "Jojo Rabbit" had a tremendous impact on me.
The first scene that caught my heart was more than halfway through the story.
The title character is finally having an opportunity to simply behave as a boy
his age should - by following a blue butterfly flitting along the paving stones
toward a plaza in town.
When the child pauses, he looks up... to see his mother's shoes dangling, at
eye level, on her lifeless legs.
She has been hung for daring to hope for a Germany freed of its dictator.
Heart-breaking.

The second scene that tore at my heart is the one described in the beginning of
this post, of the children dancing.
That was actually the last scene in the film.
The boy was Jojo; the girl was a Jewish friend of his deceased teen sister.
The boy's mom had been hiding the girl in their attic.
As the children swayed to music in their heads, all I could think of was the
mother's words of advice to her son:
"We have to dance to let God know we are grateful to be alive."

Wow.
Thank you, Taika Waititi, for this amazing and poignant film.
Thank you for making the little boy true to his time.
Thank you for the reminder that merely existing is not enough.

We have to dance
to let God know
we are grateful to be alive.

i thank You, God.

light and shadow and photography magic

My first niece had made a video of her man and his son playing with the Christmas gift I'd given.

Very nice!

Score one for me for choosing wisely!

I'd taken a couple of quick photos of them having fun, just to document the ping pong table being put to good use, right?

But this shot seemed to be playing tricks on my mind.

Was it that the light from the foreground was shining under Chris' arm and onto his t-shirt...

or was the light from the background illuminating the slim version of himself that he once was?

I'll be sending the photo to Christina tomorrow.

I think she will be very interested, as she has become quite a camera nerd like me.

Well, I take that back.

She is much more serious about photography than I ever was, to the point that she has investigated the fine details of different camera brands and found her dream camera - which she received for Christmas, by the way.

(smile!)

I don't think she understands the importance of point-and-click, though, or the serendipity involved for angle and timing.

I know I certainly don't get how that works, I'm just in awe when the universe grants me an especially fine photo.

This one reminds me of a shot from several years ago.

I'd been at Butterducks Winery and caught my reflection in a mirror-surface vat.

That had reminded me of my slimmer self and sent me back to Weight Watchers in search of that body.

Funny, isn't it, what the camera reveals?

elvis and generosity reminder

Today's little extra note from the Universe:

"Abundance rocks, Faustina, but it's relative.
Moreover, today you have as many opportunities to be happy as you ever will -
100 pink Cadillacs or not.
That was you, right??"

Honestly, when I saw it, I thought IMMEDIATELY of Elvis' generosity toward others,
as I'd seen demonstrated in the movie in Las Vegas.
Of course, it probably helped that I'd caught the last twenty minutes or so of a special celebrating Opryland, twenty minutes that featured Elvis in concert.
Wow.
Talk about great timing!
The first part of that show had been country music, naturally.
What a true delight to have four songs by the King of Rock-n-Roll in his silver-studded
blue jumpsuit when I tuned in again!

But what about that message from the Universe?
Why else than to remind me of the moral of the movie earlier last eve.
As naught of interest was on regular tv, I searched for a free movie on BET.
Wonder of wonders, they had a list of Christmas-themed films!
"Holly Day" was a take-off on "A Christmas Carol" - hooray!
The central character was a Christmas baby - how cute is that?
However, she'd developed into a self-centered crab who treated everyone badly.
Ack, right?
However, by the time she'd had the three ghosts come to call, she was a changed woman.
They had each reminded her that the true purpose of life was not to amass money and things.
No, not at all.
The true purpose of life was three-pronged.
Do good deeds...
be kind to others...
and have good times with family and friends.

(smile!)
Have I not been in the right place, right time lately?
i thank You, God.

three little birds after soup at dawn

Here it is, the morning after Dawn's annual Soup Party.
And what am I doing?
I'm showing Leila and Alyssa the gifts I received, just for going to the party!
I wasn't even one of the chef-testants and I got swag!
Dawn is most def the hostess with the mostest!
(smile!)

I think this was my favorite of the evening!
Susan made this Black Bean Soup and it was excellent, plus prettier than it had to be, with that dollop of sour cream and wedge of avocado.
The cornbread that Dawn supplied was certainly the right choice to accompany it!

Susan is the white-haired chica in the middle.
Cara, Dawn's niece, is the young one on the left of the shot, with red-haired Margaret rounding out the trio.
Clad in bulky oven mitts, Margaret is trying to unroll the Saran-wrapped prizes in the giant ball.
That game was a first for this party (but I know Kevin played it at his folks' house at Christmas).

Sue had rolled up her sleeves to tackle the Saran goodie ball, but neither she nor Lauren got very far with it.
Manna almost finished it out, but it was her daughter, Sasha, visiting from school in Colorado, who really took home the lion's share of the prizes.
Sasha had double hits, being the first at it and the last!

I liked this soup, too, as it reminded me of the Progresso version that I eat often.
Not quite Greek, the Chicken With Orzo that Elaine made was missing lemon, but was quite decorative with the puff pastry croutons she made - very nice!
Kudos to Dawn's Chris for making the cookie cutters that Elaine needed!

Elaine is the blonde at the far right.
She comes from Chicago for this party!
Dawn, her best friend, has the pumped-up white hair, at the head of the table.
Lindy and Brandee were to either side of Elaine.
FYI, Elaine's soup took top honors!
The wine, breads, and salad were from our hostess.

So, there was the food, there was the raffle, there was the Saran ball...
and there was Shut The Box!
It was a dice game, rather like Uno, but involved moving wooden beads that represented the values 1 to 10.
The object was to roll the die and strategically move the beads up until all ten were out of play or until no moves were possible.

Incredibly, I managed to win the first game!
I told everyone it was just beginner's luck...
then I won the second game, too, again, managing to choose wisely and move all the beads up.
It really was a lot of fun...
especially with Dawn's competitive nature!

Not that the others weren't actively engaged in trying to best the game, but Dawn has a lot of experience with this particular one...
and she plays to win!
Good-naturedly and good-heartedly, of course, as that is who she is, and how I certainly try to be,
I think that's why we get along so well!
(smile!)

fashion show at my house!

Tony had called me yesterday.
No, strike that.
Tony had called to talk to Michael,
but didn't have his number.
What was up?
Well, Dood is now 52 years old.

What he needed was some young muscles
to help move the shingles to the roof.
LOL!
When I found out what was up, I knew
it wouldn't be able to happen if the
girls didn't have a sitter...
and I had nowhere to be this morning...
so I volunteered!

I'm so glad I did!
Leila and Alyssa decided to regale me
with a steady parade of their costume
dresses and accessories!
What a grand time!
I made sure they twirled, too, so I
could see the backs of the outfits!

I know they had a lot of fun doing that!
Then I washed dishes while they changed
into regular clothes...
and then we three went to the park!
They rode their scooters and loved it!
We were probably there an hour or so
before they were ready to get some
water and see their dad.

So, that's what we did, walking down to Tony and Laura's so they could meet the twins and vice versa.
The girls had fun with the cat and the dog, but they really loved it when their dad gave them his phone.
Now, they are off to their Aunt Chelsea's birthday party and I will soon be off myself... but to Dawn's long-awaited Soup Party!
Hooray for all of us!

flat tire story

I've been home for not quite ten minutes.
After towing my car to the Firestone on Skidaway, the driver for Hook Towing & Recovery drove off and left me there.
The time was 11:45 PM, a quarter 'til midnight, on a cold January night.
Rather than drive me down Skidaway to DeRenne, the driver left me to walk home...
along a street with no sidewalk...
in the cold...
in the dark...
alone.
Me, a 61 year old woman, overweight and definitely not athletic.
I was stunned when Alan drove off.
I had asked if he would take me to the entrance of my subdivision, that's all.
No, Alan had said, he wasn't going in that direction.
No, Alan had said, he didn't have five minutes to take me there.
No, Alan had said, he couldn't wait for me while I tried to find a ride.
After leaving my car at the front door, literally, of the auto shop, he drove away.
Didn't I have someone I could call?
Well, I could have called one of my friends that I'd been with earlier...
but two hours had passed and they would all have been home.
What about my nephew living with me?
Well, he would have had to waken his five-year-old daughters to come get me.
What about one of my brothers?
Again, if not for it being so late, I could have, but they go to bed around 10 PM.
How about one of my tres amigas?
Well, one has a bum car, one has narcolepsy, and the other lives so far away that I would have been waiting at least forty minutes.
How about Uber or Lyft or a taxi?
I have no smart phone, as Alan knew, so he would have had to look up numbers for me.
Alan would not have done even that tiny favor for me.
When GEICO had called for the tow, he had phoned me to find out where I was.
Upon hearing I was at the corner of Waters and Victory, at the gas station there, Alan informed me that he was southside and would need to get dressed so it would be about an hour for him to reach me.
I replied that I would be there and thanked him for responding.
Then, I settled in to wait.
The time was almost 11 PM.
Upon hearing that I had to wait, Tony of Pop-A-Lock stayed with me.
Tony was there because he had responded to my first call to GEICO for assistance.
My driver's side front tire had gone flat shortly after I left PFS at Sentient Bean.
By the time I had driven down Anderson to Waters, my car felt like it was shaking apart.
I knew the gas station would be open and well-lit, so I had pulled in there.
By that time, it was almost 10:30 PM.
Tony was there in good time to change out the bad tire for my spare...
but the spare, after years of being idle, had rotted.
Hence the need for a tow truck.
I had been pleased when GEICO had told me it would be Hook Towing, as I'd had such a good experience with them back in August.
However, as much of the hero as Steven had been, Alan was definitely the villain tonight.
Seriously, who leaves an older woman to WALK HOME, IN THE DARK, ON A COLD NIGHT???
Apparently, Alan does.
I sure hope no one ever treats his mother the way he treated me.
I sure hope not.
Now, I'm going to have some hot tea and try to calm down.
Later I'll decide what to do about this horrible treatment from a "rescuer".
Alan should see about getting into another line of work.
Alan hasn't a clue how to treat people in distress.
Hook Towing will hear about this.

well, i did it

But I haven't told Kevin yet.
I hadn't even intimated to him that
I was considering it, even though we had our Tina Tuesday this evening.
I drove directly to Planet Fitness afterward, instead of to home.
Then, after becoming a member,
I signed up for orientation and two classes for tomorrow.
I want to make sure I learn how to use this gym equipment safely.
Smart thinking, right?



I know if I get hurt I won't be back and I would prefer to get toned up, especially those muscles in the upper part of my legs.
That's why the first class is for lower body workouts.
The second class is for proper stretching, as I feel I'll need that, too, once my muscles
get called into play.
Baby steps, baby.
Maybe I'll tell the running bear by the end of this month.
Maybe.
He's been strength training for long enough that he's had to buy new clothes...
clothes that are in a larger size...
to accommodate those newly acquired biceps and pectorals and triceps.
Oh, yeah!
But I'm just beginning this journey and I know he will be supportive, but...
I am just not ready to tell him.
Belonging to a gym is very new for me and I need to make sure of my commitment to it
and to the process of change that it represents.
Off to bed I go...
I have classes at the gym in the afternoon!
(Yes, it sounds odd to me, too, but everyone starts at the beginning.
Hence the name.)
I would say "wish me luck"...
but how about "one step at a time" instead?
That's certainly more apt!
(Get the joke? One step at a time at a gym?)
(smile)

worthy resolution from an addendum

"Work on keeping a journal with Betty White" -
hahahaha hahaha!
When it comes to resolutions for a new year, the chart above seems to be as good a tool to use as any.
I blog anyway, so why not do so while keeping in mind my favorite of the "Designing Women"?
Absolutely!
Nonetheless, I have kept my eyes and ears open for other words of wisdom from the universe,
as I strive to do.
Last night, at Barbara's house with Carolyn and Sandy, I was rewarded with a pearl of truth during an acceptance speech.
And who spoke that truth?
Brad Pitt, newly turned 56 years old, as of December 18th.
He won the "Best Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy" category of the Golden Globes for his work in "Once Upon A Time In ... Hollywood".
It wasn't his acceptance speech that inspired me, but the little extra he threw in, almost as an afterthought, before relinquishing the microphone.
He'd thanked his folks, and joked about why he hadn't brought his mom to the awards...
then, he threw in one last thing.
"Hey! If you see a chance to be kind to someone tomorrow, take it.
I think we need it."

That was the highlight of the show for me.
What a magnificent way to end a speech.
I am so glad I was able to witness it with my tres amigas.
i thank You, God.

busy vibrant woman - that's me!

I thought I better catch up on a few highlights that are already in the rear view mirror!

New Year's Day found me dining on fresh cornbread, hoppin' john, collard greens, and ham, with a glass of bubbly!

Sadly, the wine was no good, but all else was quite yummy!

I met up with J-Dawg and The 'Cole for "Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker" with post-film chatting at The Diner after - magnificent!

That certainly started off this new year in the right direction!

The very next day I had a double date at the Royal of Pooler!

The first was with my first niece to see the musical "Cats" - I had insisted she see it with me after my first viewing!

Christina loved it, too!

The second was with Cooter and Boo - er, Carolyn and Barbara - for some "Good Newwz", Bollywood-style, followed by Samosa Chat.

Regular chatting, too!

Hahahaha! Hahaha!

The third day of this brand-new year was bustling!

I had a post-holiday luncheon at Carey Hilliard's with Christina and Chris, my outlaw Melinda and her mom Venita, and Christina's little sister Chelsea - almost a girls-only fete!

Why weren't Michael and the twins there?

Well, they were still out in Guyton and had been since Christmas Day.

Too much fun to sit inside for Leila and Alyssa!

(smile!)

For me, too!

I'd found out that "Kinky Boots" was being screened at Asbury Memorial, so that's where I went, not even bothering to sit down - no need since I danced to every song!

After, the night was young, so I sneaked into Eric's 'ghost tour' and caught it as it began - so glad I took him up on that offer!

So glad Ben & Jerry's was open for dessert, too, so I could have my favorite flavor!

 

Michael and the girls were home again and I tried to entice them out to the Phoenix Festival, but not even the promise of a bouncy castle could budge them.

That means they also missed Matt Toole's demonstration of creating aluminum ingots from empty cans - that was pretty nifty to a pyromaniac like me!

The girls could have had a shiny souvenir from him!

They could have had another souvenir from this display.

These machines grind up polyethylene (also known as recyclable plastics  1 and 2) into fine particles.

They are then mixed together and fed into an extruder that transforms them into a spooled product that can be used as fodder for 3-D printers.

How cool is that?

Recycling plastics into 'ink' to make new products!

The RCEC had plenty of live entertainment, and a rather nice variety, too, with a folksy duo playing familiar songs, a guitarist a bit later, and even a couple of the crew from Odd Lot to bring a bit of humor to the mix!

And just held the attention of Eliot and Hannah?

A guy who had a rather lovely cornsnake wrapped around his shoulder and arm, doing its best to hold his body heat on this chilly afternoon!

Ah, good memories of my snake-handling days!

Now, time to get ready to join mi tres amigas to watch the awards!

Later!