such a relief!

See that container on the ground?
That has been in my hall closet for a decade or more.
In it reposed items which belonged to my youngest brother, items he did not have the room to keep while he was in north Georgia.
Sometimes he would send the papers or books to me via mail; at other times, I would gather the things at the end of a visit with him.
These were all deemed important by him, so safeguarded them.
Today, he and I and Laura had a rare lunch together, at the Carey Hilliard's he and I had frequented when we were growing up.
During our conversation, I mentioned that I still had the container and asked if he was ready to take it all back into his possession.
Surprised, he told me that he thought I'd told him the books and papers had been in the shed and had been ruined by water damage.
No, I assured him, it has all been stored safely in my house all this time.
When he'd retrieved the nearly full container from the closet, he'd taken it to the yard and immediately opened it.
He couldn't even wait to take it home to reassure himself that it was all intact.
(smile)
I do believe it was like a Christmas gift for him, to see these items again that he'd thought were lost and gone.
I am so glad he finally has the Bibles and study guides and journals back in his possession!
What a relief to have that weighty responsibility off my shoulders.
i thank You, God.

on - testing, testing - i mean off

I woke earlier than usual, wide awake and ready to answer a knock on my front door.
This is the day for me to win five thousand dollars a week, for life!
That's right, boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen...
Publishers Clearing House should be at my door any minute!
I've had coffee and breakfast and am all out of paczki since yesterday...
so, maybe a dark chocolate will soon cross my palate.
Maybe.
In the meantime, I've been entertaining myself with the crossword puzzle.
I do so enjoy a good one, and that's what Enrique Henestroza Anguiano has provided!
Moreover, he began and ended it quite cleverly, with the first DOWN and final DOWN both having three letters and beginning with "f-l".
Those would be "F-l-o" and "f-l-y", respectively.
Such a nice bit of symmetry!
Mama always appreciated symmetry.
(smile)
So, back to the crossword puzzle and its clever clues!
I don't know that I've ever seen such as those before.
Five times the clues gave two hints, one for a maxim featuring the word "on", then a second for that apothegm obtained by substituting the word "off".
The first of his mind-teasers was this one for 17-ACROSS.
"All things considered -
testing, testing -
never mind, try this clue:
Unstable".
Well, that had me stumped, but I persevered.
The second time occurred for 26-ACROSS.
"Assume responsibility for -
testing, testing -
forget it, try this clue:
Become very popular".
Interesting, but I didn't have enough other clues worked out just yet to get it.
The third from him, at 39-ACROSS, was for a grid-wide response.
"SWAT team command -
testing, testing -
aargh, try this clue:
Begin successfully".
I think that may be the clue that kicked things off for me -
or should I have said, kicked things on?
It was the "testing, testing" that did it for me.
Hey, is this thing on???
Hahahaha hahaha!
So, 17-ACROSS worked out to be "off balance", rather than "on balance", 26-ACROSS brought me to "take off" instead of "take on", and 39-ACROSS's long answer was "get off the ground", not "get on the ground".
Pretty cool switcheroos, aren't they?
(Get my little joke, there? Switcheroo? LOL!)
So, as curiosity killed the cat and I don't want that responsibility, here are the last two.
For 48-ACROSS, "Readily available - testing, testing - rats, try this clue: Casual, as a remark" led quite naturally to "offhand" rather than "on hand".
Then, "Challenge accepted - testing, testing - gah, try this clue: Carry out a plan", at 60-ACROSS, caused me to "bring it off", not "bring it on".
What fun for a Friday!
Now, it's time for me to get on the ball and get off my bottom!
(smile!)

pink martini on ash wednesday!

This morning, my email was tugging for my attention right after breakfast.
So glad I checked in for the good news!

"11:01 AM
Hi Faustina!
Can you help us with Pink Martini this evening?
We’ve had a few last minute volunteer cancellations and I see your name on the wait list — are you by any chance available? 6:15 Lucas Theatre, wear red volunteer shirt (or I can bring one for you if you don’t have handy).
Would love to have you, can certainly use your help - it’s a sold out show, so no room for mistakes and I need our best volunteers (yourself included).
Let me know as soon as you can and thank you in advance.
Keeping my fingers crossed,
Daniela"

The time was then 11:48 AM - hallelujah!
I replied enthusiastically in the affirmative and I was in!
This pre-31SMF-season show has been sold out for months.
I had hoped to be one of the volunteers, but I'd responded days late to the email.
i thank You, God, that I had called and been waitlisted for it!
Here, with my photo from the second half of the concert, is the press information.

"Pink Martini’s “little orchestra” draws inspiration from the romantic Hollywood musicals of the ‘40s and ‘50s and crosses genres to make an eclectic, modern sound.
Their arrangements of Latin music, jazz, cabaret, and cinema scores come together in a sound that defies categorization.
The 12-piece band from Portland, Oregon ...has played sold-out concerts at the Savannah Music Festival in both 2012 and 2016."


I had completely missed their previous engagements, but heard great things about them.
Now, I completely understand the hype!
Pink Martini's musicians included a pianist, violinist, bassist, guitarist, trombone man, trumpeter, two drummers, and a congo player.
In addition, there was a rotating cast of four - yes, four - singers, presenting tunes in German, Japanese, Romanian, and Spanish, as well as English.
Absolutely amazing!

See Edna Vazquez, the songstress over to the right of the stage?
The one with the shorn head and flashy guitar?
Her voice was incredible and I very much loved her arrangement of "Bésame Mucho"!
So much emotion poured into an 80-year-old song written by a virgin!

And that lone singer on the right had such a pure falsetto that the crowd would listen in hushed awe when he sang - and gave him standing ovations!
Here, Jimmie Herrod was singing "Tomorrow", from the musical "Annie".
Honestly, I almost cried, it was so beautiful!

The primary singer was Storm Large - no, seriously, that's her name.
One of her first songs was "Pâna când nu te iubeam", which means "Until I loved you".
Even though the words were Romanian, the love and longing were evident.
That's the beauty of having a soulful singer on the stage!

And then there's the energetic singer in the sharkskin suit - oh, yeah!
Timothy Nishimoto sang a tune, in Japanese, about a young soldier having to leave his lover to go to war... and "Zundoko-bushi" was much more energetic and fast-paced than songs of that ilk usually have!

In the first half, the tribute to Helen Reddy and her 1971 "I Am Woman" anthem was my favorite, with me singing along to every word!
Joe Buttner and Alan had the steps at stage left and I was on the stage right steps with David (newly retired, newly volunteering).
We were in charge of letting thirty females audience members up on stage to dance for it!
Daniela had told me I could go up there, but I couldn't take that from a paying member -
but I sure wanted to be on that stage with Storm Large!
Then came the second half's grand finale - a gigantic conga line that extended throughout both floors of the Lucas!
Now, that is how you clear a theatre, and send everyone home dancing, too!
Well done, y'all, well done!

Now, I can hardly wait until Lake Street Dive returns to Savannah in late April!
As I told Yvonne and Louis, they certainly won't want to miss that show!
And I'll look forward to seeing David at the Stringband Spectacular, if not before.
Hopefully, before.
He seems to be a very nice fellow...
and when I'd given Daniela a reciprocated hug, he asked her if he could "get in on that"...
so, he seems to be rather friendly.
Please wish me luck!
(smile)

made the fireman smile!

There I was, diddybopping through the scattered raindrops and puddles back to my car in the South 40, post-PF, clad in my WW-meeting -weigh-in spring dress.
I also was wearing Halloween-themed socks and black shoes, with my hair loose and my face relaxed.
As I neared my car, I saw him.
The smiling fireman, stopped in his tracks by my happy vibe.
He even spoke to me!
Very nice!!!
(smile!)

trip thirty-three around the purple planet

Many thanks to the Publix at Twelve Oaks for the delicious paczki!
Happy Mardi Gras to them and to me and to everyone!
This year, I bought a box of apple pastries for me, plus another of those,
and one of custard-filled, for Mister Willie.
Hopefully, I'll get those to him tomorrow... so I won't eat them all!
(smile!)

Part of my reason for leaving my house today was to get the doughnuts.
Specifically, I knew I had a palindromic odometer reading nigh and wanted it
to coincide with a meaningful location.
After all, I'd found a penny after completing my routine at PF last night.
So, the penny had caught my attention with its right place, right time vibe.
Then, as I pulled into my driveway, I noticed the odometer: 212208.
Just another four miles to the palindrome, I'd thought.
Now, where did I want to be for that magic click over?

I had thought it would occur at the grocery store, but no.
That reading was only 212210.
Decidedly not enchanting.
Back to home would be too far and I'd miss the magic moment.
Mister Willie's house, like mine, was too far and not the place to go.
Well, I thought, the penny had been at Planet Fitness...
and I had my change of clothes and my shoes in the car...
and the time of day was near my usual afternoon outing there...
so, that's where I headed!
I think I may have made it fair and square, too, but I was too busy driving to check.
The photograph of 212212 was snapped at the red light at Waters and Stephenson.
I think if I had gone up Abercorn to Stephenson, I might have saved a tenth or two
and made it a legit arrival at the purple planet's parking lot.
Close enough for me!
(smile!)

Plus, this was my thirty-third trip to that site!
That's a palindromic number, too!
I'm not saying this is my 33rd time of working my program there - not at all.
This is only the 32nd time I've done any sweating on those premises.
(smile)
Today was different, though.
Today, I actually talked to the personnel there about the machines.
Good thing that I did!
My program has been making some progress, but I was wanting to streamline it.
After all, did I need to use both the Hammer Strength MTS Iso-lateral Row as well as
the regular Row?
Just what was the difference, if the same muscle groups were working in both?
And why was it that with the former machine I had it set to 20 pounds, but the latter
could be worked at ten pounds more and was easier to use?
Well, there was a reason for that difference.
Unbeknownst to me, the weights on the MTS machines, set for each side (i.e., lateral),
are to be combined if working both arms (or legs) together instead of singly.
In other words, for the Hammer Strength MTS Row, set at 20 pounds per arm, I have
actually been lifting 40 pounds, as I was working both arms simultaneously.
No wonder that machine took more effort than the 30 pounds on the Row machine!
So, basically, I have to keep in mind that if the machine requires me to adjust two sets of weights, but I am using both arms together, than I must add those two weights to get the
true total mass.
Knowledge is power to cause change for the better.
Sounds like I need to reassess my program and determine which machines to keep using.
That's a good project for this rainy, chilly week!
(smile)

better off than schofield

I have been a bit twitchy ever since Michael's impromptu visit last Wednesday.
I like that word: twitchy.
It's one that the bfrb uses when he is feeling at odds and ends.
I should have thought to say it earlier when I was with him.
Proof positive that I "attend class and pay attention" to him.
(smile)
After our extra-long buffet dinner, at which he thankfully let me do most of the talking, we didn't have many choices at the cinema.
He opted for a second viewing of the WWI film, "1917".
We were the only ones in the screening room on this manic Monday night.
That was fine with me.
It was fine with him, too, as he babbled like a brook during much of it.
(smile)
That movie turned out to be the perfect choice.
Not only did it allow me to cry twice, but it also had a lovely symmetry unnoticed before.
It began with young Schofield sitting on the ground, his back against a tree.
By the film's end, he is again sitting on the ground, his back pressed onto a tree's trunk.
Less than twenty-four hours had elapsed for him between the two communions with nature.
But what horror-wracked, painful hours those had been!
First, his friend had volunteered him for a special mission that turned out very deadly.
He had torn his left hand on barbed wire when they'd scarcely started.
Then, his startled buddy had caused him to firmly set down the damaged hand directly inside a rotting corpse.
Together, they'd safely traversed the land between their bunker and the German bunker, beseiged by the sight of mutilated men and horses, assailed by the smell of rot.
While in the deserted barracks room there, a rat tripped a wire and caused an explosion!
Schofield was buried beneath concrete and roof timbers, his mouth filled and eyes caked with the dust.
Blind, he had to jump over a mine shaft, dependent upon the sound of his buddy's voice.
Water from their canteens soon had him sighted again, and on they traveled.
The abandoned farm proved to be a death trap.
A German pilot, forced to crash land, took the opportunity to stab Schofield's buddy.
Schofield held the younger man as he bled out.
Too late a cavalcade arrived, but it promised travel by truck... but it was too slow.
Schofield was again on foot, crossing a broken bridge, dodging fire from a sniper.
He managed to find and kill the sniper, but not before being catapulted backwards down a set of stairs.
He awoke some hours later, his head bleeding, with a stopped watch and night fallen.
How much time had been wasted in that spot?
He didn't know, so he ran, in and out of flare-lit brightness and pitch black, gunfire dogging his every step.
At one point, he had to strangle a German soldier to make his way to the river.
Then, night giving way to dawn, he'd jumped into the cold, rushing water, being swept around and into large boulders as he fought for air!
At last, he reached the water's edge, then had the absolute horror of ploughing his way through the bloated corpses huddled at the shore.
But dawn had broken.
He felt the dread fear of being too late to thwart the ill-destined attack against the Germans...
but he persevered, determined to follow through on the General's mission.
At one point, he had to run onto the battlefield, perpendicularly to the outgoing wave of men, in order to reach the commander and relay his message.
But, success was his!
But maybe not completely.
Two waves of men had already run out to fling their bodies against entrenched enemy.
He still had his buddy's jewelry and tag to give to the man's older brother... who was in the first wave of doomed attackers.
Had he survived?
Had the mission to save the older brother been too late?
After wandering through the medic tents, with its wounded and dying, he heard a voice...
one with the timbre of his buddy's...
and found he had succeeded in his task, after all.
Mission fulfilled, he'd sought solace from the lone tree near the camp...
taking the moment to look at the photo of his two daughters...
and the one of his wife, who'd written a message on the back:
Come back home to us.

That's when I realized how fortunate I truly was to not have been that young man.

i thank You, God.

up pops the rogue!

Well, how about that for coincidence!
The Peace Guy's name had arisen during dinner conversation with the bfe on Thursday night, and I had a text from my favorite Rogue on Friday night!
He was coming in from jet city and was hoping to catch a meal with me -
and so he did, with a slunch at Kayak Kafe yesterday.
(smile!)

Why was he in the seaport?
He has a buyer for the Maupas property and needs to empty it.
When I met him there, he'd hit a wall, emotionally, and was overwhelmed by the task.
When I took the microwave and the hedge trimmer, he was relieved.
Two fewer items in the house!
In an hour, I'd returned, five shopping totes in hand, to load up with books to sell at E. Shaver!
Over the next two hours, I helped him kick all of this stuff, plus a bicycle in three parts and two pieces of furniture, out of the downstairs and onto the sidewalk.
Now, that was real progress and gave him a boost to work on his own.
(smile)

This afternoon, I was back again.
This time, I had plastic bags a-plenty and a goal of loading up all these unmoved books from outside.
Seven bags it took to do so.
Those books will be relocated into several of the Little Free Libraries scattered around town.
Now to decide which of the twenty-four sites will be in receipt!
Thanks, Joe, for helping to brighten the world at large -
and my world, too.
(smile!)

your story, my story, our stories

I have managed to catch more of the Savannah Black Heritage Festival in this past month than I have in perhaps the last five years.
I really think so!
I would have to go back through my journals and blog posts to be sure...
but the one performance I recall most vividly from years past was that of Savion Glover -
and that was back in 2009!
However, for this year, when it would be celebrating its 31st year -much like the Savannah Music Festival is doing! - I needed to be present for more, I resolved.
After all, this is my 62nd year, which is simply 31 + 31, right?
(smile!)

I've already written about Althea Sumpter and her lecture at the Jepson about the importance of genealogy for knowing one's genetic history.
After all, I once thought I was I-C-E, and delighted in telling folks that.
Then, last year, I sent a sample for tesing and discovered that I have been wrong about that for most of my life.
Still, it's better to know the truth!
I like her message here:
"We owe it to the future

to make sure we tell the stories of the past."
I'll second that motion!
I Have learned that listening to stories from the past helps to illuminate the present and guide actions for the future.
The #art912 painter, William Kwamena-Poh, certainly knows how to get that message across, too.
"FEED YOUR SELF" is such a multi-level lesson on a fishing boat!
(smile)

On Valentine's Day, if not for ushering duties at the Lucas, I would have been at the Fine Arts Auditorium to hear these two brothers again!
Sons Of Mystro (get the joke?)
are violin masters Umoja (on the right) and Malcolm McNeish.
These twenty-somethings are an absolute delight to hear and to watch as they cover everything from classical to reggae to pop...
and more!

I did make it to that venue at GaSoU on the 16th, which turned out to be a day full of 31SBHF events, both official and unofficial!
This set was for a brand-new show, "Henry Box Brown: A Musical Journey" - and it was about a young man who literally had himself shipped to freedom!
Nationwide, only six performances were granted - and my little town was one of those six.
I am blessed to have been there,
and to have been on time after

the choral concert at AMUMC
(with 31SBHF-inspired finale)!
Not only was this musical very well done, but it told a true piece of history I had never heard.
I'm sure few had, so I'm very glad there was a question-and-answer session afterward with the cast and crew, including the writer.
I like that they had some local talent mixed in for this show - I know that opportunity was appreciated!
But was this day of 31SBHF events yet done?

No, it was not!
PFS was showing a special Sunday screening at the 'Bean, and, as it turned out, the documentary was right at home as a "mystery" entrant of the February festival.
"Recorder: The Marion Stokes Story" told of the woman who had captured thirty-five years, day in and day out, of network television on videotape.

On the previous day, I was at a new venue for me: the Crusader Center, in Coffee Bluff.
There, two members of the Bright Star Children's Touring Theatre held sway for two hours with "North By Night: More Heroes Of The Underground Railroad".
What fascinating stories of many, including Robert Small, Sojourner Truth, Louis Napoleon, John Fairfield, and Frederick Douglass.
I am so very glad I was there before my second shift with "Seussical" at the Lucas!

After all of that, I took Monday off.
Then, I was up and running again, with 'Tina Tuesday', special dancing edition, with the bfrb, an impromptu visit and dinner with my nephew and the twins, then a special steak and the Masquers with the bfe.
Good thing I'd taken Monday night off!

Last night, for my final event of this festival, I was treated to a dance 'concert' at the Kennedy Building on the SavStU campus.
"The Year Of Return", with the students in the Obsidian Dance Repertory, wordlessly told the story of the first black slaves brought to the United States from Africa.
What an excellent way to come full circle back to concepts in Althea Sumpter's talk and photography!
Now, I'm off to a rare lunch with the Peace Guy!
i thank You, God!

americana fifties, quaker sidebar

As soon as I saw the event's poster, I thought of my bfe.
If ever a man was born out of his time, he was.
He is such a fan of television from the 50's, shows like "The George Burns And Gracie Allen Show" and films with the Marx Brothers.
I could tell this was going to be his cuppa for sure!
I knew that its film noir essence was certainly mine.
(smile!)

So, tonight was the night!
We began our evening at The Outback, a place I hardly ever frequent... but a place I had requested.
I have been craving beef, having even gone to Arby's for a giant "roast beast" sandwich on Sunday.
I meant to take a photo of the 6-ounce, perfectly medium, Victoria's Filet... but I was too eager to tear into it ti think of my camera.
Oh well! It sure was good!
(smile!)

The Masquers' "Red Herring" - in Jenkins' Black Box - began with this red blanket on a rickety bed.
Nice joke for the Communist-heavy triple love affairs!
There were so many mid-50's references, too, like Nixon's Checkers Speech in 1952, the McCarthy hearings of 1954, A-bomb tests on Bikini Atoll - fabulous!
Coupled with the fashions and the way that they spoke, it was definitely a trip back in time, worthy of a late night for the physicist!
(smile!)

Here's the Secrest, by the way, looking quite professorial in this snazzy sweater jacket from The 'Cole.
He gave me a truly wonderful idea during our talks.
I'm going to turn the guest room into my dance area, but I'm going to name it in honor of him and the Peace Guy, my two longest tenants of that space.
Plus, I'll be hanging photos of them, for all to admire!
(smile!)

Now to figure out how to incorporate these into that room's new look.
After all, he gave me crabs, not once but thrice, so I should certainly let everyone know!
Plus, Joe had balled me, Coach-style, so that needs to be displayed, too!
Yes, I think I'm going to have some fun with this bit of inspiration... yes, I will!
(smile!)

some measure of closure?

Michael had contacted me while i was washing clothes.
Was it possible for him to come by and talk with me this evening?
I assured him that would be fine, but it would be at least 6 PM before I would be home.
That would be fine, he told me.

So, while the laundry whirled and twirled, I puzzled over what might be up.
Was he interested in moving back in with me?
Was he trying to see about his girlfriend moving in with me?
Just what was he wanting to see me about?

I had no idea it would be about her.
The last I had known was she had pleaded guilty to the federal charge and was to be sentenced last week.
I had not known the sentencing had been postponed until yesterday.
I had not known how fraught with concern Michael had been over the delay.
He needed this chapter of his life to be closed, to have an official stamp of "done" on it.
I could understand completely.
When I was getting divorced, I had been told it would be finalized on 14 December 2007.
Instead, my lawyer told me it was being postponed and might not be completed that year.
I had nearly lost my mind.
I had needed it to be "d-o-n-e", to no longer be part of a broken couple.
Then, the new date had been set: 21 December 2007.
I lost my mind again, as I had not wanted it so close to his birthday.
He had not minded that at all, not even coming to the court proceedings.
I remain ever grateful to my fsilm, Beverly, for being there with me.
I shared all of that with Michael.

At least I had not had to deal with my news splashed all over the television news.
When Michael had picked up the girls this afternoon, the sitter had greeted him with that.
Melanie's sentencing was on the afternoon news, which meant it would be on the evening and late-night editions as well.
Damn.
His biggest concern was about his daughters not hearing about all of that.
His biggest concern has always been about the care of his children.
I tried to explain to him that the repercussions of the wife's actions are not ended.
She still faces multiple counts in state court and that will likely drag on for years.

There was some good news for him, though.
Now that she is a convicted felon, he can get divorced with no red tape.
She will be in federal prison, with no parole ever, for thirty years.
That means there will never be a possibility of her having custody of their two daughters.
With that possibility being null and void, he can eliminate her as his wife, no contest.
i thank You, God.

I pray that the girls are young enough to make a recovery from her actions.
I pray that they will have guidance and good counsel as they grow older and mature.
I am grateful that they will be in their mid-thirties by the time she is released on probation.

i thank You, God, for my time with the twins.

assessing the change from ww

Today marked two years since I began this latest Weight Watchers journey.
Two years - hard to believe, isn't it?
How about some documentation to mark my efforts?
Well, consider the above photo of my weigh-in history.
A picture is worth a thousand words, that is true...
but I prefer the value of graphs when numbers are involved.
This photo combines both nicely.
Clearly, I have had a downward, though not linear, trend in my personal mass.
The leftmost data point, obtained on February 21, 2018, is clearly the maximum.
A year later, the data point of February 20, 2019, is 21.8 pounds less.
Scientifically, that represents 9.90 kilograms of mass.
The rightmost date point, determined by the scale today, is clearly the minimum.
It represents a value which is 38.2 pounds less than the original.
That means I am 16.4 pounds less than at this time last year.
Those values, for scientists, are 17.34 kg and 7.45 kg, respectively.
The loss can also be represented as six 5-lb sacks of sugar and one 3-lb sack.
Such a sweet way to think of it!
(Hey, I had to throw a pun in there to lighten the tone!)
(smile)
So, the good news is: I am continuing to lose weight.
The even better news is: I've done so with very little physical effort on my part.
The best news is: I've been able to continue eating the foods I love.
That all sounds like plus, plus, and plus, right?
It's been an average loss of almost 0.4 pounds per week, which is a healthy rate...
though it seems amazingly slow...
and has cost me close to $1000 for those two years' membership.
Now, I've joined Planet Fitness.
The locker room has a scale, so I could monitor my own weight progress...
but, do I want to do that?
My first niece has started at WW now, so I have her to talk to about the program.
I can even exchange my Wellness Wins using her app!
That will be good for my satisfaction with the program.
So, do I need to stay?
No, I really don't.
But do I want to?
I think so, as long as she is going to be in Weight Watchers.
She has always been so close to me and looked to me for guidance.
I've allowed my weight to reach ludicrous masses... and so has she.
The least I can do is show her that loss is possible for me...
and for her, too.

how i know the red panda loves me

Two weeks ago, he brought ribs for me.
We had met on our usual day and were dining at
"his place", which is fairly usual of late.
When I came from the buffet to the table, he was patiently waiting for me before he ate.
Plus, he was waiting for my reaction to the two
pieces of delightful food in a cup -
separate from his plate -
intended especially for me.
Little things mean a lot.

Twice, he has placed this cap upon my head in a darkened cinema.
The first time was when we saw "Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker", in the Big D, "just like I like it!"
He had noticed I seemed a bit down during the ride to the southside, so, trying to liven the mood during the previews, he'd plopped the hat on me, as a shenanigan, no doubt expecting me to do the same to him.
But I had not.
I was in need of "mothering" and the ballcap from AutoZone, a memento of a time when I had rescued him, did the trick.
The second time that he gifted me with the wearing of the cap was about three weeks ago.
That had been the first time he'd gone to a subtitled movie with me.
It was also only a few days after Michael and the girls had left and I was rather blue.
My favorite panda - that would be him - placed the cap on my head as we sat in the cinema.
So, not only had he agreed to my last-minute movie change to "Parasite", but also he'd done the next best thing to holding my hand throughout it.
Little things mean a lot.

Tonight, he again took me to Barrelhouse South for dancing!
Not for him to dance, oh, no.
Just for me to do what I so enjoy,
but on a Tina Tuesday with him.
Emerald Empire, courtesy of Marlow and others, laid down the marvelous music for an hour!
"Tell Me Something Good", "My Girl", "Don't Stop The Music"!
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)"! "Kiss"! "Shout"!
Little things mean a lot.


We had even dined at Rancho Alegre, as we had on that December night.
Plus, as he had then, he picked me up at my house, to travel together downtown.
That's a real rarity, making this the third time he's been to my house.
Like, ever.
And the first time he came here was years ago.
Here's the big difference between this time and those others.
This time, as we left the restaurant, he tried to give me the keys to Opal.
He had mentioned that he never gets to be a passenger, as he always drives.
I piped up and said I'd like to drive his little Prius...
and he trusted me to do that.
I already know I am the only one who has ever ridden with him in this car.
He made sure I understood that meant I was special to him.
That's pretty special for me.
Little things mean a lot.

Now, I'm going to listen to my Christmas present from him, "Elvis: The Platinum Collection".
Not only did the import travel across the ocean, like a pilgrim -
his words - but it was also brand-new, in its own packaging.
Those two factors are in direct opposition to his being a self-proclaimed cheapskate extraordinaire.
Yes, he most definitely loves me.
Little things mean a lot.

egbdf

That acronym was a clue in my post-brunch crossword puzzle.
Immediately, my mind recognized it as a mnemonic learned at Myers Middle School.
As a girl who'd been growing up singing along to the radio with Mama, I had naturally gravitated toward the Glee club on that campus.
So, I knew that "Every Good Boy Does Fine".
(smile)

Since that was the second time in as many days that I'd been reminded of that period of my youth, I thought I should write of the first time.
That was on Sunday.
I'd missed the service, but I was sure to be there - yes, even though the weather had shifted to rainy and cold - for the free concert afterward.
Deland High Chorus was in town to partake of Savannah's 31SBHF activities, ending their visit here at Asbury Memorial UMC.

The link above is for "Bonse Aba",
a song performed during the service earlier and then again as the first tune in this concert.
The 30-member contingent of the 180-strong chorus included components of its different groups.
Here, the all-female Dolce Vita performed a very lively number that I loved: "Viva La Musica".
How magnificent!
Definitely a toe-tapper and shoulder-wagger for me!

"Hallelujah For The Day" was another new favorite for me!
But it was the all-male rendition of "Shenandoah" that transported back in time - I remembered that folk song from my days in the Glee club!
The closing song, performed by all, with the "Man of La Mancha" set as backdrop, was also one I recalled from that time.
"Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing" -
hallelujah and amen!
How appropriate for this month!
i thank You, God.

hooray for history - purple, black, and blue!

After recording yester events into
my Star Trek journal earlier today,
I had unwittingly matched ink colors to their nature.
How serendipitous, n'est-ce pas?
Purple denoted my history with Planet Fitness and their decor;
Black highlighted the history lesson at the Jepson; and
Blue was most certainly for the seven-year history I've had with the Mint Jyleps - I mean, Savannah Sweet Tease!
If I write here on blogspot, why use a paper diary as well?
Well, that's partly out of habit, but also for ease of reference.
Those stars let me know at a glance how often I'm doing my PF program.
I know, it's a little nose-on to use stars in a Star Trek journal, eh?
But I'd received it as a PFS raffle prize years ago - not from the Shatnerfest, nor at a later Shatner film, though possibly at the 2015 tribute to Leonard Nimoy - and recently unearthed it from a drawer while making room for the twins.
I'd also relocated my Eberhard Faber set of a dozen artist pencils.
Mama had given that case to me, as well as a mythological creatures coloring book, for my 23rd birthday, back in 1981.
How wonderful to be reminded of her every time I color in my 2020 journal!
i thank You, God!

Now, on to "My Story, Your Story, Our Story", as told by Althea Sumpter at the Jepson!
Here, she is the one in the middle, receiving the award for giving the W.W. Law Lecture as part of the 31st Black Heritage Festival.
She gave an enthusiastic recap of the work she has done to chronicle stories from the Gullah elders, ending with encouraging all to seek out their own roots.
Not all blacks in the States, even the Southern ones, were slaves.

That lecture was longer than anticipated, but I was still in time for this longed-for event!
Yes, ever since I saw the show last month, I've had my attendance planned to come again!
(Get it? Seriously, got the joke, right?)
Being a Georgia peach myself, Sweet Tease's "Peaches and Cream" love letter was exactly what I wanted to make my Valentine's Day sparkle!
Most especially since Jack N. ThaCox was in this show - ooh la la!
That's him in the blue cape, vamping it up as General Sherman - swirl that cape, my dear,
and shine the light on that fine sabre!
I had not known he would be there, but, I swear, he really made my night!
Even during the first act, when he was a non-disrobing waiter at Alligator Soul...
he just moves so well to the rhythm of the music...
and that very much matters to me.
I'm so glad they had postcards to commemorate their "love letter" to Savannah -
I bought the whole set, naturally!
(smile!)
He was not the only fellow up there, either.
See the guy working the long, fringed, white gloves?
He's Corbin Monoxide - hahaha haha! - and he performed his first dance tonight! He must be taking lessons from Jack, because he had moves in all the right places as a pizza guy at Vinnie Van GoGo's - oh, yeah!
Let's continue counterclockwise, shall we, because that feels appropriate for burlesque, yes?
The lady against the iron railing is none other than Rita D'LaVane, one of the five founding members of Sweet Tease.
In the first act, she represented a "tumbleweed", a stray long hair left behind in a car - funny!
But even funnier was her Nathaniel Greene number, replete with Googly eyes just everywhere! Hahaha haha!
The next postcard features Savannah's own native son, Johnny Mercer (whose "Jeepers Creepers" was the backdrop to the Greene act).
The portrayer is Jane Holiday, aka Justin's Valerie, who'd taken a turn as Spanish moss earlier. (Not actually Spanish, nor moss, just a fun tale for tourists.)
The blue polka-dot dress is worn by Lady Von Luft, another original Sweet Tease, like Rita.
Her first act was the first in the show, with her as a pedicab cyclist, just like in the photo!
Another original Sweet Tease, Sadie DeSade, is in the middle, as The Waving Girl, trusty dog by her side.
The dog wasn't there tonight, but she carried on just fine, thanks!
The woman by the Forsyth Fountain?
Her name escapes me, but I can say she did a fine "Dance of the Seven Scarves" dance!
That leaves the woman in the eighth photo, dressed as a sweet-smelling flower and reminding me of Josephine Baker in her banana dress.
This woman is Magnolia Minx, aka Midnight Minx in January's show, and the fourth original Sweet Tease in tonight's line-up.
The final skit, highlighting Savannah's spot as a bachelorette party town, featured three Sweet Tease veterans - Rita, Minx, and Lady - as well as newcomer Jane.
What a hilarious show ender!
Thank you, thank you, my dears, for concluding my history lesson with such glee...
and beginning my love holiday with such mirth and good memories!
(smile!)

i want THAT, please

I had very much looked forward to the 1990 romance "White Palace", I really had.
Susan Sarandon, James Spader, crystallized (at 46 and 30, respectively)?
What was not to love about it?
So, off to join the Psychotronic Film Society at the Sentient Bean I went!
And, as I watched this steamy December-May romance between the pair, I found myself making comparisons between them and the relationships I seem to have miscued these past few years.
I actually found myself feeling justified about using the age differences between myself and possible lovers to nip those might-have-beens in the early stages.
After all, I'm not a cougar, as I haven't enough money for that.
I'm also a bit leery of getting hurt.
But, mostly, especially since I turned 60, I don't want to start something that's going to leave someone behind after I turn 63.
However, I realized something earlier.
The bfrb has been at his job here for seven years.
So, he has been in Savannah for seven years.
Then, I met him through Cedric - and the MENSA folk - probably a year later.
Plus, we had Philo Cafe together, and those late-night noshes after at Chili's.
Yes, those many nights there, week in and week out, flirting and teasing and having double entendres flying back and forth with the laughter...
I missed a chance, I think.
Mostly, I chickened out on the possible romance.
Once I had found out how much younger he was...
that he was just a year older than my first niece...
I just couldn't.
And now it's seven years later and he and I are still together, so to speak...
but, not really together, not in that way...
though, when I'm at my most sane, I realize that would complicate both of our lives...
and yet, at times like this, I'd still like to give romance a try.
However, at times like this...
after seeing a man in love grab the woman he loves, who loves him too...
and who proceeds to kiss her deeply and madly in front of all...
I'd definitely like to give romance a try.
I want that.
Sigh.
Impossible things.
Maybe I should sleep late tomorrow...
allow myself to dream sweet dreams...
rather than want impossible things.
Maybe.

john, vladimir, and bedsheets

"Well, that's a lovely bunch of coconuts, isn't it?"

Quite right, my dearie. But they all have something in common, they do!

"If you do be saying so, then it must be so, eh?"

For sure! And to think it was centered on a brief chat with the Xióngmāo as I was on my way to Planet Fitness today. I happened to spot Opal as I was getting ready to park. He was just about to leave, as he'd already been to the gym and maxed out a couple more machines there...

"Hold up there, girlie! You were talking to who? The Chong man?"

Hahaha! No, I said "Xióngmāo", not "Chong man". Phonetically, think "show moww-ah", with the accent on that second syllable. I guess in Okinawa, Brad Nelson would have taught it to me as "show me out". That's how I learned to remember Dōitashimashite. That's Japanese for "You're welcome", but it sounds like "don't touch the moustache".

"Yeah, it seems that you've wandered off topic. I still don't know who you're referencing."

Well, I bet this will help! Xióngmāo means panda in Chinese and this person taught himself Mandarin. Also, I call him my bfrb, though that may need to be altered, as he isn't running much these days. Plus, I already mentioned I was at the gym...

"Oh! You mean Kevin??? He's a panda?"

Well, I had told him how much fun it would be if people were multicolored and had stripes or spots, though I supposed that moles and freckles counted as spots. Then he told me he'd taught the precious snowflakes that a zebra says "moo", as it has four legs and eats grass like a cow does.

"Wow. I mean, wow. Are you on too much caffeine right now?"

No, I promise I'm not. I am still just so delighted with our little chance encounter today.
(beaming smile!)

"Yes, dear, I know how you do love his company."

I do, I really do!
(another beaming smile!)

"Okay, let's see if we can cross back over out of La-La Land, shall we? I'll start. What's with the random things in the post title? "

Umm, let me see... oh, yes! They're the reason I'm here right now!

"And... they are conjoined how...?"

Nice word, "conjoined". You could have said "combined" or "united" or "linked"...

"Maybe I should go take a walk... "

No, stay, please! Okay, I'll spill the beans! But, first, let me just say that Kevin reads a lot of biographies, and I mean a lot! And the two fellows, John and Vladimir, have very similar-sounding last names. Hence, hilarity ensued.
(smiled)

"Oh! I bet I can guess who they are. After all, there may be a world full of Johns, but I'd warrant Vlads are not so common. So, since the Russian is most likely Lenin, then the John has to be Lennon. Am I right?"

You most certainly are! Were you peeking when I set up those links earlier?

"Sure, let's say I was."

Ah, HA! Caught you red-handed!

"No, seriously, I'm leaving now... "

Hahaha! He sometimes uses that same line on me. Trying to get me back on track, usually. Oh, like you're attempting to do.
Okay, okay, don't tap that foot at me!

"Well, really, you can wander so far... "

So, here's what happened. After I parked next to his car, he got out and we started chatting, after a hug, of course.

"Of course. "

Of course. And I seem to not recall why, but he said the book about "lin on" was actually funny. And, in my mind, I said "But of course, since John Lennon was known to have a sense of humor!", but aloud I said naught, as he was continuing his tale. Then he segued into talk about Karl Marx and a revolution and that Marx thought the revolution would be in England and not in Russia because of industrial versus agricultural and that he'd had to go to Russia to not miss it.

"What??? How did Marx enter into the mix? "

Oh, something about him not liking Russians. That had thrown me, because I thought he was Russian, but apparently he was German and studying in England...

"And that was in the book he was talking about?"

Hey, good question! Perhaps it was. At any rate, right about then I said to him, "What does that have to do with John Lennon?"

"And he said..."

After looking at me like I'd grown a second head, he told me he wasn't talking about Lennon, he was speaking of Lenin. Hahaha!

"Surely he understood how you could have thought that, right?"

Well, I'm sure he did not, at least not at first. He knows that I know that he's been on a months-long involvement with books about the Holocaust, WW I, WW II, Vietnam - you know, books about people doing ugly things to other people. I guess I though he'd taken my advice to go toward the light. A bio of a Beatle would have tied in nicely with our conversation from last night.

"Y'all were talking about The Beatles??? "

Well, let me finish my story, okay? I'm almost done.

"Oh, I thought it was told. Lenin, not Lennon, right? "

True, but then I tossed in another homophone, "linen", and gave examples of bedsheets and tablecloths. He didn't know what to say about that, just looked at me quizzically, as he sometimes does.
I must say, it's quite interesting having a shrink as a best friend!
What conversations we have!

"Yes, I know. You've spoken of that a time or two. But you do realize your misuse of the word "linen", don't you? "

Oh, you mean the general usage of the word as a plural when referencing covers for tables and laps and other flat surfaces in a house?

"Darn tootin'. The singular, "linen", is meant for the fabric made from woven flax. "

Yeah, well, I doubt the subject will arise again with him. So, let's just keep that little slip of the tongue right here, shall we?

"No skin off my teeth, dearie. Also, we seem to have drifted into the darknet since you began this new blog, so it's hardly a question of him - or anyone - stumbling upon your lapse. "

Well, good! That works just fine for me!

"I figured it would. I noticed you haven't called attention to it. "

Hey, it's listed in the "about me" section on the blogspot site. It just seems that no one has come looking to find out why I haven't written aught else over at beachwalks.

"yeah, I've noticed. That's okay, though. These writings were mostly for your own eyes anyway, weren't they? Sure, it's been good to share a few with others, but you write because that's just part of who you are. "

Certainly. Though it would have been nice to think someone cared to follow me down this new path...

"No one can read anyone else's mind."

Yeah, I seem to have heard that somewhere...

"If you want folks to know of this new sanctuary, you'll have to share. Perhaps the reason you've quiet about it is that you've had too much havoc already wreaked on your physical haven. I'm betting that once that gets all straightened out, you'll open up about your hindsights."

Yeah, we'll see about that. It's rather liberating to feel that I can write about anything and not have to be concerned about how someone will interpret my words.

"As you wish. "

So now I get "The Princess Bride" quote? Hahaha hahaha!

"It seemed like a nice change of pace. Like you and he going to The King & I for dinner last night."

That was a nice change! How very kind of him to have offered to forego the buffet, right? I took advantage of the shift to Thai by regarding it as my Valentine's Day dinner. After all, the grilled salmon with the chili garlic sauce was certainly an upgrade from our regular Tuesday fare. Plus, I had the company of a gentleman I love, so that made it extra special. On the 14th, I'll be ushering "Seussical" at the Lucas, so who knows if I'll dine anywhere?
And, no, I didn't tell him I was regarding our dinner in that regard.
And, no, don't raise that eyebrow at me.

"O-kay. Just saying... "

I'm fine. Well, relatively. My house isn't right yet, so that's working on my head.

"Got it. Backing off, but not too far. "

Thanks. Speaking of such, we finally saw "The Gentlemen" last night. I guess the fourth time was the charm for that one!

"Y'all had something interfere on the other three Tina Tuesdays?"

Yeah, can you believe it? The first time, he had asked if we could see "1917" instead, as it was at the same time. So, we'd done so, concerned that the war movie might soon be gone. No worries, as it turned out. That film is still on the silver screen.

"What about the second time your movie choice was altered?"

Well, that was actually on me. I had decided I wanted to see "Parasite" while it was still in the cinema, and, as it was at the same screening time, he agreed to see the Korean film. Good call! We both really liked the class-struggle movie, just as we had both found the war film to be extremely well done.

"Well, alrighty then! You each called for change and the other acquiesced, and it turned out well both times! That's a definite win, dear. And last week?"

Well, that was a different kettle of fish entirely. He had contacted me that morning. Would I mind rescheduling our evening? The Peacock Guild was meeting for the first time in months.

"The Peacock Guild? From that Flannery O'Connor event?"

Well, yes. And since I had encouraged him to join the group, to give him an unbiased ear as an outlet for help with the progress of his graphic novel, I encouraged him to go to that meeting. That was important for him, so it was important to me. And we hit upon my strangely open Saturday for our irregular get together.

"I know you would have preferred his company, but you still had him on Saturday. And then again last night! Oh, and then this afternoon! That's a whole lot of huggin' goin' on! "

i thank You, God!
(smile!)

"I do, too. You still seem to need some mothering, don't you, girl?"

Yeah. The hugs help. Hugs from him, hugs from the Odd Lot folks, hugs from mi tres amigas, hugs from people at church, hugs from the PFS crew.
Yeah.

"I'm sorry, dear. Things will get better, they will. Remember what Christina Ann wrote to you? She said, "I guess there's always a silver lining if you look for it." That was her take on something similar you told her."

She's a real bright light in my world. Truly she is.

"Truly, she is. So is Kevin, you know."

Yes, he is. He's also rather old-fashioned when it comes to dating. He insists on paying his date's way, regardless of cost. I've been trying to convince him that he should allow them to pay, but I don't believe he's buying it. Get it? Buying it?

"Got it, silly one kenobi. Is that why The Beatles came up last night?"

Yes, actually. He was going on about having spent fifty bucks a pop to take a date to a show by a Beatles tribute band. I was absolutely aghast! After all, I know he prides himself on being a cheapskate, but when it comes to dating, no amount of money is too much for him to spend. Just craziness! I made the remark that such a move would be expected to result in sex, and he seemed shocked that I would say that. I told him that anyone who was so wild about that music that they would plop down that sum of money would be amped up enough after the concert to carry on with the party, so to speak. Sometimes, I don't think he's as clued in as he should be. Then again, I know that by the time I was his age, I'd had much more experience with men than he has had with women. Just sayin'.

"Well, you were in the Navy, and that makes a big difference."

Yeah, partly, but that doesn't account for all of it. I think I was just more adventurous or amorous or active or ... some other "a" words.

"Being around theatre folk probably added to the frivolity."

No doubt! So much of the simulated sex on the stage spilled over into the backseats of cars. Get that little inside joke?

"Got it. You crack me up, girl!"

Hey, I crack myself up sometimes, too!
Right now, though, I need to do some adulting and pay some bills before the mail comes.
So, later, tater!

"After a while, crocodile!"

(smile!)

36 square centimeters at a time

That's the amount of carpet that this floor tool can accommodate.
Only thirty-six square centimeters.
I had tried tackling the carpet in the girl vacated by the twins with the vacuum cleaner in usual mode, but that didn't make a dent.
Not that the carpet's condition is entirely their doing.
That "apple blossom" berber has eighteen years of use on it.
Plus, carpet is supposed to be vacuumed once a week per person living on it, as per the manufacturer's warranty.
(Go ahead, look it up.)
I have never even cleaned the three carpeted rooms once a month, much less once a week, but that's been my choice.
In my defense, it never looked dirty, as I take my shoes off at my front door.
Anyway, that's water under the bridge.
I'll try to become more conscientious about that task.
Right now, though, I'm trying to reclaim these two vacated rooms and my first step is cleaning them... as I had before Michael and the girls took up residence here.
The difference is, five-year-olds track in a lot of dirt, as they didn't seem to comprehend that running around in socks outside just led to said footwear becoming wet and muddy and grass-stained and who knows what else.
So, all of the floors, from the front door - or back door - to their room have suffered from accumulated filth and require cleansing.
Ack.
I've been working on them for days, leaving the carpeted rooms for last.
And I've been cleaning the carpet in their big room since Friday.
Spray on a stain remover, scrub it in, vacuum, repeat.
Ack.
It's looking better, but it's slow slogging.
The carpet in the above photo has not yet been touched by the vacuum cleaner or its tools.
That will probably wait until week's end, as I don't have furniture to put in there.
As for my new sleeping quarters, my dear Ocean Room, I have successfully cleaned that carpet and rug, so at least I have a sense of accomplishment to keep me going.

I also have this.
When I look down the hallway,
what do I see?
My beautiful rocking chair
looking back at me.
Hallelujah!
That's came home from Panama with me forty years ago.
It's been so reassuring to have it back where it belongs!
I'd moved it to the living room to protect it from misuse by the rambunctious children.


What other history is in this photo?
Well, the fuchsia afghan was crocheted - knitted? - by Mama, so it's at least twenty years old, probably even a bit older than that.
That pillow is one I quilted for my one-and-only Grandmama, using fabric scraps from clothes I'd made on my sewing machine. The pillow had been returned to me after her death in April of 1997.
The "teal" curtains were bought at the IKEA store in Atlanta, on a shopping trip with my BFF, back in 2008.
That's about when the room was painted Ralph Lauren's "Aged Mint", too.
And the flamingo hanging on the door of the hall closet?
That sweet little bird was bought in Okinawa... so he's soon to be forty years old.
Seeing these mementos of loved ones and good times from my past is reassuring for me.
Definitely.
i thank You, God, for such memories to warm my heart and soul
and to remind me of how much I have been loved, now that I am growing old.