epix thrills and chills film festival - bwah ha ha!

First, my thanks to Jim Reed for graciously sharing odd and rare movies on Wednesday evenings through his Psychotronic Film Society of Savannah.

Second, my thanks to EPIX for supplying me with copious amounts of free movies ON DEMAND, in their "scifi/horror" category, to inspire my curation of this list.

Third, my thanks to AMC for stirring me up to watch these movies with their special $5 series on Wednesday and Friday nights.

Fourth, my thanks to "Addams Family 2" for providing the perfect image: Wednesday Addams performing science to determine her genetic background.

Now, with no further ado, I present: the EC&TFF!

EPIX Thrills & Chills Film Festival
Sidebar: Sometime Around Midnight (Airborne Toxic Event)

 1. Fearless Frank (1967)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061654/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/20/21
Hey, I thought 29 yo Jon Voight in 3 roles (bumpkin; suave city dude; android) was a hoot!

 2. Graveyard Tramps (1973)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070222/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/20/21
William Smith delightful detective! Lots of puns, too. Lots of nekkid flesh, too!

- After talking with Carolyn 10/20/21, at AMC11 on our failed plan to see the Tom Petty biopic at 6 pm -
but they did not yet have it -
I told her the reason I was watching the AMC Thrills & Chills movies was this:
I missed PFS.
Even though I didn't usually attend many, if any, of the October offerings,
I still missed it.
Going to the Wednesday and Friday $5 film series at AMC added a bit of normalcy for me.
That's why I decided to go back and include the scifi/horror movies I'd already seen into this film festival.
So, there ya go.
My goal remains to see 31 free movies on epix from their scifi/horror listings,
with occasional inclusions from other sources.
 
-1. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)  
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4633694/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_9
where: Syfy channel in Hilton Head, scifi
when: 10/01/21
My last movie on my holiday there - very appropriate during this continuing pandemic!
Remember, I'd seen this one at the Jesup Drive-In!

-2. *batteries not included (1987)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092494/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: hbo - scifi
when: 10/01/21
Such a sweet movie of the friendship between frisbee-like aliens and misfit apartment dwellers!

-3. The Age Of Adaline (2015)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655441/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/03/21
One of my favorites, a romance for the ages with Blake Lively and Harrison Ford,
of a woman whose telemeres have made her forever young.

-4. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7097896/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: AMC11 Big D - scifi
when: 10/04/21
Company for this one: Carolyn!
Looking forward to seeing this again on the silver screen!

-5. The Wizard Of Speed And Time (1988)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081766/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: PFS youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5a_00YVVkQ , scifi
when: 10/08/21
Jim had given us this one in June; glad I waited to see it when I had an external speaker.
hilarious film about film making! set in 1977, so a trip back in time -
really cool to see those fashions and hairdos - nice, clean fun, with silly jokes, too

-6. Halloween (2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1502407/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_7
where: AMC11 - $5 Thrills & Chills Surprise, horror
when: 10/08/21
Had already seen this 3 years ago, but stayed for -old- Jamie Lee Curtis and Will Patton.

-7. Leprechaun 4: In Space (1996)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116861/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5
where: Christa's party for Lauri & Lynn, in Pooler, horror
when: 10/09/21
So hilariously bad - but so good to have the NK! group (inc. Barbara and Sandy) together again for the first time in several years!

-8. My Country, My Parents (2021)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15465312/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1
where: AMC11, scifi
when: 10/10/21
Only the fourth tale pertains, but it was definitely science fiction, dealing with
androids and time travel, with final setting in 2050.
Saw it with Barbara, too!

-9. Deadtime Stories (1986)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092850/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: Comet tv, horror
when: 10/13/21
Reminded me so much of "Fractured Fairytales", the old tv series...
but with an extra side of nudity and innuendo for us older 'kids'!

-10. Get Out (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052448/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: AMC11 - $5 Thrills & Chills Surprise, scifi
when: 10/13/21
Had never seen this, so good to see why it won the Oscar.
One thing: this is straight up science fiction, not horror.

-11. No Time To Die (2021)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2382320/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: AMC 11, scifi
when: 10/14/21
James Bond films have ALWAYS been science fiction - just dayin'!
Good to have Carolyn for company in this overly-long film.

-12. Us (2019)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6857112/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_7
where: AMC11 - $5 Thrills & Chills Surprise, scifi
when: 10/15/21
As I had guessed, another Jordan Peele script, again mistaken for horror when it's clearly science fiction.
I mean, shadow people, right?

-13. From Hollywood To Deadwood (1988)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099616/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - mystery
when: 10/15/21
Yeah, not technically science fiction or horror...
but I needed a palate cleanser after the AMC selection.

-14. Saturn 3 (1980)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079285/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: Comet tv, scifi
when: 10/16/21
How could I resist this outer space flick with Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett, and Harvey Keitel?
And with only 3 actors for most of it, it could have been made during this pandemic.
Seriously.

-15. Free Guy (2020)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6264654/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: AMC11 - for 8th time, scifi
when: 10/18/21
This is science fiction at its most fun!
Glad Carolyn shared it with me again!
Note: The cameo with Alex Trebek was filmed in 2019.

-16. The Addams Family 2 (2021)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11125620/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: AMC10, scifi
when: 10/19/21
Animated continuation of the animated horror, with a side of genetic science!

-17. The Nun (2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5814060/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: AMC11 - $5 Thrills & Chills Surprise, horror
when: 10/20/21
This was so far off my radar, due to its poor rating, but at least it was true horror.
Also, I got to see Vera Farmiga's little sister in her acting debut.

 3. Last Woman On Earth (1960)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054017/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/20/21
two men, 1 woman, all others dead: this could have been filmed during a pandemic!
gorgeous island setting

 4. Corbin Nash (2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2948160/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/20/21
Rutger Hauer! Malcolm McDowell! cameo roles, but nice!
Corey Feldman as ugliest drag queen vampire EVER!
And the lead? Dean Jagger... in an entertaining script he and his brother wrote.

 5. After Darkness (2019)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2728784/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/21/21
I tuned in to this post-apocalypse flick for Kyra Sedgwick; what a tacked-on ending.
More family drama than science fiction.

 6. The Ape Man (1943)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035640/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
where: epix - horror
when: 10/21/21
Just a little Bela Lugosi to wash the taste of that other one off my palate - perfect!
Too bad the copy on EPIX had such a scratchy audio track.

 7. Two Pigeons (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5532370/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/22/21
When real estate transactions go wrong!
Definitely a boy sense of humor, though pretty grody at times.
Question: how much weight did Javier Botet lose for this role?

 8. Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7504818/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: AMC10, scifi
when: 10/22/21
Definitely science fiction, but not by much.
Animated cautionary tale to parents about their kids' technology-driven toys.

 9. Beyond The Time Barrier (1960)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053651/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/22/21
Delightful glimpse of how 2024 was to look!
Plus, there had been a plague in 1971 that made people sterile or mutants.
Sidebar: COVID-19 tends to make men sterile.

10. Ghost Of Dragstrip Hollow (1959)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052844/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/22/21
Groovy to the max and totally rad! So much jive jazz talk made this a delight!
And get this: it was GIRLS drag racing!
In a movie just a year younger than me!

11. Night Of The Living Dead (1968)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063350/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: Comet tv - 4-star rating, horror
when: 10/23/21
Ben (31-yo Duane Jones) was the only one with any know-how... 

and the only black in the movie.

12. Invasion Of The Bee Girls (1973)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070222/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/23/21
Say what??? Exact same as "Graveyard Tramps"!
NEXT!
(That means I only watched about fifteen minutes of it, once I heard the same dialogue and jokes were spoken.)

13. Dead Of Winter (1987)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092842/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/23/21
Mary Steenburgen showing off her chops as 3 people: Julie Rose; Kate; and Evelyn.
Very nice!
Recommended that one to Boo.

14. 7 Splinters In Time (2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1884378/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/23/21
Fabulous look at repercussions of time travel with a schizophrenic as the traveler.
Edoardo Ballerini fabulous as the detective who is trying to put his pieces back together...
before they all get killed and while he still has chlorpromazine at hand...
especially as his name is Darius and everyone keeps calling him Daniel.

15. Thunderbird 6 (1968)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063694/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_4
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/24/21
Science fiction goes full-tilt puppet action!
Great explosions in this aerial treat!

16. The Way You Look Tonight (2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7866988/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/24/21
Exactly what I needed after "The X-Files" s5e5 "The Post-Modern Prometheus" -
a tale of romance in which love sees beyond appearance, gender, age -
even when those are all in flux.
excellent science fiction

17. The Heavenly Kid (1985)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089265/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/25/21
Perfect with brunch!
Consider if The Fonz had to see to it that Marty McFly won the day...
plus, add a red and white Bel Air convertible -
and Richard Mulligan in a voluminous dark green poncho as heaven's go-between.
Delightful!

18. The Night Watchmen (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4102722/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/25/21
A Baltimore clown troupe gets killed in Romania and shipped back home for autopsy,
with one going to a warehouse instead of the med lab.
LOL! Yeah, Chris Soucy would have nightmares from this one!

19. Deep Murder (2019)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6975598/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/25/21
Like a soft porn, tongue-in-cheek, version of "Clue" - pretty funny!

20. Elfie Hopkins: Cannibal Hunter (2012)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1470022/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/25/21
Odd, that they changed the title to add "cannibal hunter" - but that's what the teen was,
figuring out the new neighbors' game before anyone else did.
Definitely entertaining, and cool accents.

21. Black Road (2016)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3829874/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/26/21
Five days in the life of an ex-military cyborg, unemployed with a degree from Yale and an
AI implant named Clyde trying to get him to make better choices.
Apparently inspired by Jeff Lynne's song, "Long Black Road".
Very lame ending.

22. Dune (2021)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1160419/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: AMC11 BigD, with Boo and Sandy, scifi
when: 10/26/21
Much better than the 1984 version, easier to follow characters and plot.
Best for me was the casting call to have Chalamet as the son of Oscar Isaac -
that deserves an Oscar nomination!

23. Attack Of The Southern Fried Zombies (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5594444/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi/horror
when: 10/26/21
Set in Charleston, Mississippi, mostly at the Mose Allison Music Festival, get lots of zombie action from kudzu that's been sprayed with a new poison.
Video game action scenes have to be the inspiration! LOL!
Funniest part: none of the zombies were attacking the mayor! Hahaha!

24. The Comedy Of Terrors (1963)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056943/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/27/21
52-yo Vincent Price is hilarious in this, as is 59-yo Peter Lorre and
76-yo Boris Karloff, at a funeral parlor gone wrong!
And don't leave out MacBeth-quoting Basil Rathbone at 72 yo!

25. Mercy Christmas (2016)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4906164/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/27/21
A bit grisly at times, but definite macabre humor, like in "Ready Or Not".
Good ending, too!

26. The Lost Jungle (1934)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025420/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - misfiled as scifi/horror
when: 10/28/21
Lots of old-time circus with 31-yo REAL lion tamer Clyde Beatty as the star - wow!
Perhaps the lions and tigers and bears were too fanciful to be viewed as real!

27. The Patchwork Girl Of Oz (1914)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0004457/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - misfiled as scifi/horror
when: 10/28/21
No, not Dorothy, but a pieced-together being brought to life by a magician and his wife.
The Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion are part of the Royal Jury.
OH... one more thing: this is a SILENT movie!!!

28. Vicious Lips (1986)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163375/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/28/21
Punk rock glam girls band meets killer on their wrecked space ship -
how will they get to their big-break gig!!!
Super cool music and pretty fun!

29. One Under The Sun (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5110386/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/28/21
Anti-science groups are against the Mars mission, so the ship is shot down upon its return.
Guess they didn't know the power of a mother's promise to her dying child.

30. Before Someone Gets Hurt (2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3444206/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - horror
when: 10/29/21
Are the Ghost Investigators for real, or pranking for youtube audience?
Hard to say, but it never felt on the level.

31. Mars Needs Women (1968)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060672/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/29/21
Such a nice movie about men on an overly-Y planet needing to find willing, single, women
to keep their population from dying out.
Such a nice assortment they gathered, too, and what a sweet love story!

32.After We Leave (2019)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3891834/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/29/21
Jack really did his wife wrong when he left her - and a few others - stranded when he went to the Yukon.
But now he has a chance to make things right, with the visa to go off-Earth.
One thing: he has no idea where she is and no one is willing to make that easy for him.
Fabulous ending, just fabulous.

33. Temple (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4898730/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
where: epix - horror
when: 10/29/21
I was attracted to it by the setting in Japan.
Sure, some subtitles popped up, but it was about 3 Americans, so it was just a few.
Worst part: it just STOPPED, no ending, just STOPPED.

34. Nathan's Kingdom (2020)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3274690/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - misfiled as scifi/horror
when: 10/29/21
This was definitely fantasy, and a rather good movie about a younger sister and her autistic brother.
Yep, that's all I'm saying; watch it for yourself.

33. Love And Monsters (2020)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2222042/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/30/21
Finally able to have this - and Michael Rooker - with my brunch!
Every time I see it, I love it more... srsly.
Good story of the dream not holding up to the real... which is better.

34. Timeline (2003)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0300556/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/30/21
14th century France is the principal setting for much of this time travel movie, stocked well with stars - and not just the flaming arrows flying through the night!
Gerard Butler, Paul Walker, Ethan Embry (who could be Luke Perry's twin), blue-eyed Neal McDonough, and Michael Sheen, my all-time favorite robot butler (but English Lord here).

35. Terror At London Bridge (1985)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088852/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/30/21
33-yo David Hasselhoff in prime shape, during his "Baywatch" years, but no shirtlessness here, sadly.
Pretty tame tv movie, trying to tackle PTSD in police and perhaps drum up Lake Havasu.
As always, good to see the ageless Clu Galager (57 yo here)!

36. Altered Hours (2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5069086/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/30/21
Drug addict Willie uses a sleep narcotic called Z to help him sleep; instead, he ends up with a
timeline out of whack with reality - and a movie that tries to echo that.
Turns out he's one of the rare ones who can see the future, but only by one day.
Reminds me of "Strange Luck" and "Early Edition" - both of which I love.

37. 2036 Origin Unknown (2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4575328/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
where: epix - scifi
when: 10/31/21
This one could have been made during the pandemic, given its paucity of personnel.
Mom-and-pop space shops are a thing of the future, with everyone sending vessels outward.
The problem is this: is the AI being used artificial or alien?
And is the alien technology from Mars or elsewhere?

38. The Wolf Of Snow Hollow (2020)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11140488/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3
where: epix - horror
when: 10/31/21
Lots of wry humor from Jim Cummings, the writer, director, and star of this modern take of
Wolfman in the days of a 39-yo alcoholic, divorced, cop with an aging dad.
Speaking of such, this was the last movie I saw with Kevin.
(Hey, it's an inside joke, right?)
I had thought to have it be the last movie of this film fest... but, no!
What's a scifi-horror film festival without Frankenstein?

39. Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell (1974)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071519/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
where: epix - scifi/horror
when: 10/31/21
This one truly warrants the double category.
Added bonus: as a Hammer Production, I'd be willing to bet PFS showed it at some time -
Jim Reed loves their films!
Hey, even I recommend it!

I do hope y'all will taste-test some of these for yourselves -

you just may find some new favorites!

Now, I have Game 5 of the World Series to finish watching, so...

Go, Braves!!!

48 hours on self-imposed quarantine

Just why would I do such a thing?

Well, on Thursday, while at my 6-months check-up with my PCP, I asked for, and received, two things I've been wanting.

First, I had this year's flu shot, given by Raquelle, Ms. Barker's assistant.

That went into the left bicep.

After my check-up, I was fortunate enough to find the Savannah VA Center had a five extra doses of the Pfizer booster; one of those went into my right bicep.

Between the two newly administered medicines, the first with actual virus and the second with the m-RNA, I knew my immune system would be working double-time.

That's why I stopped at the Food Lion on the way home and bought a rotisserie chicken.

Extra protein was what my body would need to build more antibodies!

Extra protein is what I've been giving it to, making sure to have at least the 90-grams my body weight usually required.

I've also kept my silly self at home and indoors.

The current weather has made that much easier.

Gone, for now, are the high's in the 80's.

Now, we're lucky if the thermometer crawls up to 70, and the night-time is bottoming out near 50.

That's why I put the heated mattress pad - and the flannel sheets - onto the bed.

I had tried to resist until November came, but...

the heat is much kinder to my arms, even with me rubbing them several times a day.

I woke up this morning feeling like a new woman!

Now, I've had ham-noodle soup and a healthy dose of Michael Rooker, in the form of "Love And Monsters", graciously provided by epix...

i thank You, God.

This is my third time seeing the movie and I find more reasons to like it every time I see it.

I definitely need to share it with Bonnie and my Beaufort boys.

Now, to take out the trash and recyclables and find another film to keep me inside -

I mean, to keep me occupied.

Hmmm.... maybe it's time to cook that butternut squash, too!

(smile!)

all done, with a day left over

I even managed to see two brand-new movies this time around with my A*List, so, hooray!

"Ron's Gone Wrong" was my Faustina Friday flick and was actually the opposite of the message I had expected. Namely, it did not preach that parents should buy the latest electronic gadgets for their kids. Refreshing, right?

Plus, it was all about the point of being a kid: to have fun, to try new things, to meet new people and learn about others.

Come to think of it, that's the point of being an adult, too.

However, none of that can happen if the curtain of ether is always acting as a wall.

Hey, take it from a chemist: air has mass, too, just as do bricks or stones or wood.

'Nuff said 'bout that.

(smile!)

No movies over the weekend, but that's nothing new for me during the pandemic.

I've found it best to let the non-regulars, i.e., teens, have the run of the joint, especially at the AMC 11, to keep from having them "just drop by" into the screening room I might be in and disrupt my movie.

Yeah, 'nuff said 'bout that, too.

Plus, I had the pumpkin party in the countryside!

(smile!)

Tina Tuesday found me and dos de mis tres amigas in the BigD for the "Dune" movie!

Neither of them had read the Frank Herbert novel, much less the series.

Neither had seen the movie version from 1984, either, but I had... and it was bad: choppy, bad sequencing, missing plot points.

When I'd seen that earlier one, I was very current with the novels; that's been almost four decades ago now, so I was curious how much would come back to me.

Well, let me say this: the 2021 remake is fabulous.

They let you know at the start that this is only part of the story - good move.

They made sure to have all of the key scenes spoken for and a believable sequence - good.

(That was confirmed by Paul, in California, who is much more current on the story.)

The highlight, for me, concerns the casting of the two lead male roles in House Atreides.

Oscar Isaac and Timothée Chalamet were absolutely believable as the father-son pair!

They are both excellent actors, but, even more so, they bear a striking resemblance in their faces, most especially in their eyes.

Perfect!

I'll look forward to seeing it again, even though it is more than two hours long.

(smile!)

Today, after a second two-hour visit with Mister Willie, I took myself to "Free Guy" for the ninth time... just in case it's gone next week.

With my arrival to the cinema mileage at 220 220, I knew I was exactly where I should be!

Thanks, odometer, for the confirmation!

I know I'm going to have serious withdrawals when "Free Guy" isn't an option anymore.

Remember: I used all three of my A*List options on it for its first week.

Totally worth it.

Totally.

I just wish I'd seen it a few more times in the ten weeks that it's been playing...

but maybe it'll stay for a while longer!

(smile!)

Mister Willie, on the other hand, is leaving tomorrow, for sure.

He and Gloria are moving to Westerville, Ohio.

That's where her son, Kevin, lives, and he's been here for much of the month helping them go through the house, deciding what to keep, what to give away, what to lose.

I have the address and Kevin's phone number, so me and Willie will stay in touch.

The good news is the town is a suburb of Columbus... which has professional baseball!

The Columbus Clippers are a Triple-A team, so I that's a couple of steps above what the Savannah Sand Gnats were - he's going to love it!

I took him the three pages of birthday wishes from the Savannah Bananas fans, some of whom have been going to Grayson Stadium for more than two decades.

Those remembrances from the fans really meant a lot to him, especially as we took the time to try to figure out just who those folks were.

He's good with faces, not so much with names.... and he's 81 now, as of Tuesday.

Guess you have to give him that memory slippage!

Okay, time for dinner!

I had stopped for groceries after the movie.

Now that I have milk again - 

as well as tuna and oyster crackers -

you know what that means, right?

Mama's Tuna Chowder!

It's hot and fresh, so... 

gotta go!

(smile!)

ellabell calling for pumpkins!

"Is that person, or a place. of which you speak?"

It's a place, silly rabbit! Remember going out there for Noah's birthday a few years ago? Well, Robin and Harry have moved out there permanently!

"Of course I remember! Hard to believe that was almost three years ago, back in early 2019. Just the shed and the lake were out there in the country."

Well, the shed is still party central, with a grand parking lot set up for party goers' cars and tables loaded with food!

"Is that Harry at the grill, there on the end? I'm sure he'll have his tasty chili in that big pot!"

You know it! And there's our hostess in the orange shirt, talking with my sister-in-law Mary, while Robin's daughter, Brandi, is over at the next table, in the yellow shirt.

"She's the mom of Asher, right? The little boy who was so sweet about doing chemistry with you at the last BYOP?"

That's right! I said hello to him this time, but I don't know that he really knew who I was, even though I'd made sure to wear my uv-detecting arm band. That's him, working on a pumpkin, while I talk to Mark Kameron, as well as Smitty and Mary.

"And who is Mark?"

He's the brother of Jimmy, of course! Hahahaha! They're two of the Kameron boys that grew up down the street from us. There may have been six of them.

"Okay, more than I needed to know. I see Mary and Smitty again, too. And who's the woman in the Cheshire Cat shirt?"

That would be Betsy, wife of Jimmy. She's from our 'hood, too. I actually spent a lot of time talking to these five this time, lot of fun!

"Oh, good to see Tony and Laura there, too!"

You betcha! Tony had called this morning to invite me to ride with them - really surprised me! I brought along the directions I'd written out and those came in handy. I think he liked that they were on paper, not via internet. Me, too!

"Sounds like a good time, for sure! But what's with the face?"

Well, I was trying to send some photos to my email, as I do, and T-Mobile was taking its sweet bippy time about that task for me.

"So much for them having the best coverage! LOL!"

Seriously. One more thing about this photo: that shirt was selected because it was orange, but it sure fit me funny. It's from the 2017 Rock'n'Roll Marathon. Remember?

"Oh, yeah, I remember. Getting up early on a cold day to go stand outside... with Miss Virginia, who is always upbeat, so that was good. Plus, I got to see two of Sue's kids, who were there with a group from their school. That part was awesome! It's almost time for that race again. Have you volunteered for it?"

Nope, and I don't plan to, either. No alarm clocks in my life!

"Amen to that, g'friend! So what's next for tonight?"

"Monk"! Two episodes! So... bye! Such a wonderful Sunday it's been!

i thank You, God, for the cheer of family and friends!

filling in the gaps for weeks 59 and 60

I'm speaking of the A*List gaps, of course.

For these past two weeks, the movies that show up on my AMC dashboard are not all that I saw for the week.

Consider the ones for Week 59.

The picture doesn't tell the whole story.

Sure, "Dear Evan Hansen" was the first, seen on a Friday afternoon at The 11 - and what a delightful musical it turned out to be!

I certainly would have seen it sooner had I known.

But, it served as the first of a double header instead, followed up with my first partaking of the AMC $5 Thrills & Chills Surprise series.

Hey, for just $5, I figured I would just leave if it was one I didn't want, right?

I stayed, though, to watch 'old' Jamie Lee Curtis kick butt again in the 2018 "Halloween".

You notice that one was not reflected in my trio, though.

That's because I went ahead and reserved tickets for the other two movies, so their prices would be absorbed by my A*List membership.

Carolyn thought that terribly clever of me!

(smile!)

So, the second on my A*List was my third AMC movie - and I'm surprised, and grateful, that it wasn't a special screening price film!

"My Country, My Parents", watched with Barbara, was the final installment of a trilogy commissioned in 2019 to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the People's Republic Of China; the first two of the trilogy, to my knowledge, were not screened here.

This one, like the other two, consisted of several short movies - four, to be exact - combined in a theme. Celebrating the country's successful battle for freedom from the Japanese was the first; the second made personal their advancements in rocket science; the third was certainly the most humorous to me, as it celebrated - no, seriously! - the first product advertising on television in the 1960's; and the fourth was a sweet tale with a time-traveling android, set partly in the present and partly in the future (2050).

So, let's take a gander again at the photograph, shall we?

That has "No Time To Die" as the last film, seen on Thursday, October 14.

So it was, too, and seen with Carolyn, who had already watched it but likes to accompany me on movie excursions... and I like that, too.

(smile!)

However, there is a missing movie, one viewed on Wednesday, the 13th: that was another of the AMC $5 T&C Surprises and turned out to be an Oscar winner!

Yes, it was "Get Out" and I stayed, partly because I'd never seen it, partly to see how a movie in the "Horror" category had won that prestigious Academy Award.

Well, for one thing, whoever classified it missed the boat completely - the movie is pure "Science Fiction", and very good scifi, too.

I'm sure hoping Jordan Peele knows the difference.

Anyway, that makes five movies viewed, with only three on my dance card.

Yep, there were definitely two gaps on that one!

The following week had even more gaps, believe it or not, but starts off well.

On the Friday, for the $5 T&C Surprise, I had hoped for "Sweeney Todd"... but had the other Jordan Peele "horror" as an alternate.

And "Us" is what it was, too.

I had thought if I used up an A*List slot for it that the poster for the actual screening would be reflected - but, no.

Ah, ya live and ya learn!

(smile!)

Sunday, I did indeed view "The Last Duel", and with Carolyn, but we had very different takeaways from the movie. The stellar cast (Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and Jodie Comer [whose MolotovGirl Millie was the irresistible love interest of my man, Guy]) was not to blame, but, to my mind, the sloppy film-making, using the same footage - seriously, the same exact fifteen-minute segments of footage - in the guise of presenting the points of view of the three main characters.

Wot the sweet hell,y'all???

Trying to keep up with the other overly long films this year?

STOP MAKING THOSE STUPIDLY LONG MOVIES.

Please - those of us watching in the REAL cinema cannot hit pause for a pee break.

Sheesh.

Okay, rant over, nothing to see here... move along, move along.

(Big breath in... slow breath out.)

So, the next day - that would be Monday - I took myself to a before-5 PM screening of "Free Guy" and Carolyn went for that one, too.

Why the early bird movie?

That was less than $6 out of  my pocket, and I had made my reservation for the other A*List movie before I went, to make sure.

Gotta maximize those savings!

That was my 8th time seeing Blue Shirt Guy in action, and her 5th, and you know what?

We both still get sappy when Guy finds out he isn't real.

I'll say it again: I love this movie.

I especially love that the good guy saves the world and does not get the girl.

That, for me, makes that dream world more real.

Okay, Tuesday found me solo for an evening screening of "Addams Family 2", which was pretty enjoyable (although I admit that Wednesday creeps me out).

Speaking of Wednesday, that was another $5 T&C Surprise, which turned out to be "The Nun", yet another I'd never seen, and a true "horror" film. It did have a bit of levity provided by a self-professed French Canadian, and it also let me see Vera Farmiga's younger sister in her first acting role, so, at least it had that for me and the lone guy also there for it.

Now, that bad movie was not the one I'd originally gone to see that night.

No, I'd shown up to catch the 6 PM special screening of "Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free" with Carolyn, which was not an A*List offering.

No worries to me, as I had $10 in Bonus Rewards to offset the $15 price.

She was there, and I was there, but the movie was lost in transit, but would arrive in time for the scheduled 7:30 viewing.

She went off for dinner (I'd had a late lunch) to await the later movie; I opted to see the cheapie chiller flick.

That meant I was back at the cinema on Thursday for the music biopic (she was there, as well, for the day-early viewing of "Dune").

What a wonderful piecing together of home movies shot almost three decades ago!

I've already written about that, though.

For now, let me summarize what I've done at AMC these past two weeks: I've watched a whopping ELEVEN movies, with six of them for free with my A*List membership.

Pretty neat trick, right?

But now I need to fly!

The mailman is coming and I have ten Halloween cards to send off!

Bwah ha ha!!!

(smile!)

heartbreaker's wildflowers

I was supposed to see the movie on Wednesday, with Carolyn.

The film did not arrive in time, so we had 90 minutes to wait.

What to do now?

She opted for dinner and, hopefully, the 7:30 pm show. 

I stayed for the sun's dramatic exit from the skies - absolutely gorgeous  - then caught the scheduled Thrills & Chills Surprise.

 

I was back the next evening, though, to catch the missed film, "Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free".

The biopic had been pieced together from video footage from 1993 to 1995, during the creation of his 1994 album, "Wildflowers".

It was released in early November of that year, after his 44th birthday.

This biopic was released on what would have been his 71st birthday, had not a mixture of incompatible medicines cut short his life.

I have a cousin, Valerie, who died of that very thing almost a decade ago.

The documentary had obviously been lovingly put together from all the bits and pieces of home video, as well as a few new bits of commemtary from former band members and family and colleagues.

What it showed was a man going through a period of great change.

He had been making music with the same people for more than two decades and one of the relationships had become fractious.

He had been married to Jane for more than two decades, the children were nearly grown, and that relationship had shifted, more for the worse than the better.

This solo album served as the sounding board for him to wrap his head around the break-up of the band and the break-up of his marriage.

Therapy through music: that's a loss adjustment concept I know well.

He worked with a different producer than the one used on the albums with the band... and that was good.

He worked with different musicians than the ones he'd toured with for so many years... and that was good.

He wrote songs that were different in sound and tone than those he'd written for the band... and that was good.

He embraced the process of change through writing... as I have done for more than a decade now... and that allowed him to heal and to determine a new path.

 

I was surprised how many songs I knew from "Wildflowers".

I found myself singing along, sans voice, over and over again.

Still, that was not an album I'd ever owned.

I don't know, maybe it was because his music was all over the airwaves so I never felt the need to actually purchase any.

I saw him once in concert, at the 91X Fest in San Diego in 1983.

It was an all-day event, featuring six bands with him as the highlighter.

Even The Stray Cats took second billing to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers!

What a magnificent show, with all types of folks coming out for the music and the sun and the joy of being young!

I was a month away from being a quarter of a century and out there with friends.

Were they stationed at NSGA, Imperial Beach, like I was?

Most likely, right?

Even the guy's mustache was regulation trim!

And that short girl, with the huge earrings, the lopsided smile, and those curved eyebrows?

That's me, captured by a news reporter on the site, looking for sound bites and commentary.

So, when he'd asked if the new wave look was a requirement to be a 91X fan, I'd spoken up, as I always did.

"You can be part of the new music scene without shaving your head."

Check out the clip and let me know if I'm wrong, ok?

After all, the young woman sure does look like I did, and she sure did say something I would have said, but that's been more than half my life ago.

What's that saying about waterfowl?

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

yeah, that's all I'm saying.

(smile!)

thrill just to be nominated!

Cue the music!

It's time for the 23rd Annual Chemluminary Awards from the American Chemical Society!

(No, I had not ever heard of these, either.)

(Honestly, had Will Lynch not sent me the email about them a few days ago, so I could register for the ZOOM link, then I still would not know about they existed.)

(Actually, what he had sent was the invitation to attend, which is why I had never heard of them. Like that American Red Cross awards event, you only get invited if you are one of those nominated for an award.)

Forty-five minutes after the start, I found out why we had been nominated.

This group of awards, most of which had been for 2020, also included this category: 2019 Outstanding Regional Meeting.

Our local ACS section had received kudos for hosting SERMACS two years ago!

Woot woot!

Four other sections had apparently hosted well in other areas of the USA, and one of them won...

but, what an honor to be up for this award!

Thanks, Will, for letting me know so I could "be" there for the ceremony!

Now, I'm off to catch Tom Petty at the cinema!

(smile!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oh, THAT is who she is

If not for this episode on tonight's "Quantum Leap", I might never have put the name and face together.

The character being comforted is Abagail, accused of murder for the third time in her life.

The first time had been as a child, accused of killing another girl over a locket.

The second time was as a 21-year-old bride to be, accused of killing a boy she babysat.

This third time was as a 33-year-old mother, accused of killing the woman who'd accused her of the two earlier murders.

Not quite thirty minutes later, I'm watching "Dancing With The Stars" and I recognized the name of this actress, but couldn't quite place her at first.

Then, I realized with a flash who she was: the same actress I'd just seen with Scott Bakula.

Say what???

But it was true: Melora Hardin, now 54 years old and a contestant on this season's dance sompetition, had played Abagail on two of the three episodes of "Trilogy" in Season 5 of "Quantum Leap".

Here she was in the second episode, when we first meet the adult Abagail, now 21.

That aired in 1992, so Melora was 25 years old at the time.

The episode in the first photo aired the following week in 1992, so she was still 25, but playing a 33-year-old.

Pretty cool, right?

But wait, it gets better!

She's a prominent figure in another show I love: "Monk".

This is her in 2004, in one of the earliest episodes, when the actress was 37 years old.

And just who is the character she's playing?

Trudy, Monk's beloved, dead, wife.

For real.

By the time the tenth episode with her aired in 2009, she was 42 years old.

Doesn't look like she's changed much in the twelve years since then, does it?

Ah, the magic of Lady Clairol and professional make-up!

(smile!)

hooray for snl for calling him out

Right place, right time.

I truly love how things line up together, with no help from me.

Here's how it all played out.

AMC has been hosting Thrills & Chills $5 movies at 7 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays.

In past years, I have foregone such things, as horror is not really my genre of choice.

However, this time around, I thought I'd give it a whirl.

I already knew that "Carrie" and "Train To Busan" had played, and I was familiar with both, having seen them years ago.

So, I took a chance and paid my money for the one a week ago Friday.

2018's "Halloween" was my reward, and, as it had Jamie Lee Curtis and Will Patton, I stayed and watched, as did about twenty others.

Bolstered, I decided to take a chance on the series of AMC specials.

First, though, I did a bit of research to try to figure out which movies might fit the posted run times for the subsequent movies.

Armed with my list of those that had 104 minutes of "thrills & chills", I bought my ticket, hoping the first on the list would be the "surprise" feature... and it was!

As I had missed the Oscar-winning "Get Out" when it premiered, I settled in to watch, with only about ten others in the screening room.

By the end, I was in agreement with its award level, but not its genre.

That was pure science fiction, y'all, not horror.

I don't understand why skin color was made into an issue, but I figured the script writer and director, Jordan Peele, had added that to cause controversy and to take advantage of the Black Lives Matter movement.

I definitely enjoyed the movie, and the questions it raised, as science fiction is "my jam", as they would say on "Beat Shazam".

Friday night, I was at the cinema at 7 again.

I was hoping for "Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street", as it, like "Get Out", was the top-rated 'horror' movie.

However, I did have "Us" in my list of possibilities, as it also had the quoted run time of 116 minutes, as did "Let Me In", "V/H/S", and "Thelma".

As I said, I was hoping for the grisly musical, but I had a strong suspicion that the more weakly rated Jordan Peele would be shown... and it was.

As before, I stayed for it, as I had not seen it before.

Perhaps I should have taken a hint from the very small audience size: just four this time.

On a Friday night, to boot.

As with the other film by this writer, the genre had been misrepresented, as it was clearly science fiction.

This one did not have a smidgen of racism, though, so that was good, even though it was touted as a callback on slavery. 

My guess is whoever said that was trying to get some extra press by piggybacking on the BLM movement - shame on them, right?

So, I put the matter aside... until last night.

For the first time in quite a while, I tuned in to "Saturday Night Live".

Rami Malek was the host, so I thought it might be interesting.

Boy was it!

He was fabulous!

Daniel Craig even guested in a couple of skits!

And one of those skits that included both actors was a spoof of a casting call for a new Prince biopic by Jordan Peele.

"So that means it's horror with a side of racism" is what the actors were told when they asked what the film was to be about.

Yes, I think it's time for Peele to hearken back to his comedy roots.

Or, perhaps he might want to populate his next movie with an all-black cast so no one can point that misinterpret and think racism is involved.

Honestly, he tried to do so in "Us", but some still wanted to look for the racism card and apply it to the shadow people.

Ack.

"Keanu" was actually quite enjoyable.

That 2016 comedy was written by Peele, and starred him as well.

Hard to believe he followed that up with "Get Out" the next year.

Hmmm, I wonder if the fun buddy film is still on Crackle for viewing?

Pardon me, gotta go check!

wedding gown practice!

The gown of soft, fluffy, white was fashioned with much love, by many hands, from the latest pristine packages of... toilet paper!

That's right, folks!

There were three ladies serving as mannequins for the making of wedding gowns in less than fifteen minutes - whew!

What a rush job!

Chelsea had her mom on her team, so, quite naturally she won - her 'dress' even had 'lace' sleeves!

I was part of the team putting together the fashion-express dress on Melinda's mom, one of three hostesses for the event.

That big green thing in the first photo?

That would be my butt!

Thanks, Christina, for taking some photos of all of us working frantically!

Too bad Nana's 'gown' was coming apart at judgement time - lol!

Thanks, Tammy and Lori for being on Team Nana with me!

That wasn't the only game, of course.

Christina had several in line for us: looking at photos of Chelsea and Dillon and trying to guess where they were; guessing how many questions Chelsea would answer correctly as her man did; smart phone scavenger hunt.

I lost that last one, as I was the only one there without one of those flat, featureless, phones, but that's okay.

We all had fun and that was the point!

So, we'd eaten chicken-grape salad on croissants and we'd played games... time to open presents, with the little girls bringing them in to Chelsea!

Here she is, opening the heart of flowers tote, taking time to read the card (I loved that!), and bringing out my gift: two 14" aqua-tone fish platters from Jekyll Island.

Her favorite color! (I had chosen them to coordinate with the Rachel Ray cookware on her list.)

She and Dillon love seafood! (In particular crab legs, but I already knew that.)

I am so happy to have given her something she really likes!

Now to await the big day!

By this date next month, she'll be a married woman.

I'm looking forward to seeing her real dress!

(smile!)

heaven must be missing an angel

I do not know from whence this purple dragonfly has come, I know only that it has taken up residence by my front porch and shows no sign of departing.

At first, I was sure my first niece had set it there... however, Christina was mystified at its sudden appearance in my yard.

Well, then, it must be her brother who placed it... however, Michael was just as mystified as she had been and suggested I might want to keep my eyes open for more to come visiting.

What a puzzle!

My thanks to whoever saw it and thought of me!

I shall enjoy its company however long it lingers!

(smile!)

alter egos and a cat in a tulip tree

While checking the weather outside, I espied a kitteh coming up the sidewalk.

Would it come up to the porch to sun itself?

No, it was distracted by a tasty-looking bug in the grass - got it, too!

Once it had confirmed that no more munchies were to be had, it ambled over to the Japanese magnolia...

and up the kitty leapt, into the crook of it.

There, it took a leisurely survey of the park.

After, it leapt back down and was gone from sight.

I think the bfe would have liked its coloration!

By that time, the coffee had percolated and I was lured by its aroma.

Time to make some breakfast!

And what might I have as entertainment this time around?

What! A funny scary movie rushing past on Comet's tail?

Indeed, 'twas a beleaguered Uncle Mike trying to have a bit of televised fun of his own, but the pesky nephew he was babysitting kept feigning fear.

"Deadtime Stories" was what he created for the boy, sex-driven versions of Goldilocks and Red Riding Hood and Peter and the Wolf... bwah ha ha!

Three tales was it, in the one movie?

Well, thrice he was interrupted from his own pleasures by the boy's cries for "another story, Uncle Mike!"

The fourth time, he ignored the pleas... guess the boy won't be crying wolf in the future!

Later in the afternoon, I checked my email, as I tend to do.

Surprisingly, I had one from Will Lynch!!!

Our 2019 SERMACS conference had been nominated for an award!

Well, tickle me pink!

I registered for it, of course.

It isn't ZOOM, but some other platform, but it still makes use of similar technology.

I had never even heard of these awards before, so I look forward to the proceedings!

Today, I also called Bonnie, my dear stepmom, for her 73rd birthday. That event was two weeks ago, but she didn't mind - it's always been just another date to her. The important thing was us getting to talk for awhile! It was just us, too, as I know to call while the boys are at school, so we can have an undistracted talk fest... and so we did, for an hour and a half!!!

That was amazing! Neither of us are known for long phone conversations, but since we cannot have our lunch-and-a-movie meetups anymore, the phone is the only way to hear each other's voices.

I sure do miss her hugs, though.

Hey, AT&T, how 'bout workin' on that? So I really can reach out and touch somebody?

What a dream, right, 'cause it certainly isn't the reality.

Speaking of such things, I've found a new show I like, "Alter Ego".

Voice-driven, the contestants are represented by colorful avatars which they fancifully name, then the judges listen and watch the animated creatures perform.

Five contestants take their turns, then, at the end, one is voted away.

That one is allowed a final performance, sharing the stage for a brief time with their altered sense of self, then finishing the song solo.

Best of all, though, has been the response from the studio audience.

Like me, they applaud the singer for daring to take a chance...

and they seem to confirm that image is not important.

There's hope for the world, and for humanity, in that.

i thank You, God!

the bfe and special mileage for me!

"Well, it's about time you mentioned the physicist!" 

 

Oh, didn't I say anything about our slunch last month?

"Nope, you did not. The last time you two got together was back in August."

 

No, that's incorrect. We dined at Bonefish Grille in September.

"Pray, do tell... cause you haven't yet."

 

Sorry, doll face! 

I hadn't meant to leave you out of the loop.

Yes, mid-month on a Monday, we dined on seafood and spoke about cars.

 

"That's rather an odd topic for y'all."

 

Well, I've been toying with the idea of updating my travel mode for a few months. Last month, Chris - or was it Megan? - posted on fb of their 4th buy from Carmax and how happy they were with that sales place. Next thing I knew, I was talking with Dandy Barrett, who apparently worked their for some few years.

 

"I thought she moved back up north somewhere?"

 

Oh, she did.

The marvel of telephones, right?

(smile!) 

"Haha. And so what did you glean from that talk?"

 

Well, here's the gist of it: their mode of operation sounds very much like that of Saturn, at least as it was back in 2001 when I bought my one-and-only brand-new car.

No fiddling with prices; what is posted is what it is.

No attempts to sell extra bits; what you see is what you get.

No sales geeks looking for commissions; their purpose is to help you, period.

I like the idea of that.

 

"Yeah, I can see how that fresh take is appealing.

Have you bought a new set of wheels yet from them? "

 

No, nor have I bought a whole car there yet.

Bah dumf dumf!

Just a little joke!

I've looked several times, but it's one of those things where if you're not quick on the uptake, someone else snatches the deal.

That part has been a bit frustrating.

 

"I understand. Car payments are a bit daunting.

So...what's with the food photo? "

 

That's the Bonefish House Salad, silly!

Don't you recognize it?

 

"I do, but I thought the topic was cars."

 

Oh, please, you know me better than that.

No, I've posted this because he had not ever had their salad.

I doubt he'll have it again, as he doesn't like olives.

 

Still, I very much enjoy their ratio of olives to grape tomatoes: 1 to 1!

Perfect for combining in the mouth for a taste treat!

 

"Yes, yes, I've even heard that you've enjoyed it as a dessert alternative on late night outings with your amigas, pre-pandemic."

 

So I have, and hope to one day do again.

"You and the bfe talk of aught else but cars?"

 

Of hampster dances, of all things! I'm not sure how that came up, but I know it segued from "love to eat them mousies, mousies what I love to eat, bite they little heads off, nibble on they tiny feet"! Can you believe he had never heard of either of those???

 

"Chances are he was neck-deep in physics schooling at the time."

 

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

Well, I still need to send him links for the dancing rodents and the Kilban cat song.

Maybe I'll remember to do so next time we meet.

"Sure, that might happen... if you write down the links to give to him!"

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, that sounds like a Beatles song...

 

"It's part of the outro to one. 

Let's get back on track, shall we? 

what say we get to today??" 

 

I can do that!

How about we start with this odometer reading?

I had been on the lookout for it for a few days.

Somehow, when I got in the car this time, I didn't even heed it.

Well, not until I had parked, that is.

And there it was:  220000 -

and there it was.

It came when I absolutely wasn't looking.

What a wonderful surprise!

Right place, right time!

"And just where were you this time?"

 

At Forsyth Park!

He had changed up the date to a Tuesday, so I had suggested Betty Bombers and he had gladly gone for it!

Not a Monday, so they were open!

"Magnificent! 

And 5:30 PM is early enough to beat the dinner diners, too."

 

You got it.

We had the joint nearly to ourselves, so that was excellent.

And I talked of my trip to Hilton Head and my niece Chelsea's upcoming wedding and my talk with the caseworker about the adoption of Miyah and Chloe...

and when I paused, I still had two veggie tacos left and his plate was clean.

"Damn, girl. You're always the slowest eater, but not usually by that much!"

 

I know, right?

I was pretty shocked that he had finished every bit of his.

I guess I should have offered him one of my tacos, but I just didn't think about it.

I concentrated on eating up after that, to give him a chance to talk.

And he did, of an upcoming trip to Atlanta for their symphony, as well as the big trip next September to the Poison and others concert.

"Yeah, that'll be two years he and The 'Cole have waited on that one."

 

For real.

Now, let me put away these groceries and settle in for "Dancing With The Stars".

Tonight, it's all about Disney Villains and I'm looking forward to it!

So, later, chica!