truffles and bananas

Granted, that doesn't sound like an epicurean delight... or does it?

Given the price of those mushrooms, it certainly doesn't seem a likely dish for such an experimental assay.

I'm not particularly a fan of either foodstuff, so I know I would not venture to concoct either a dessert or an appetizer from those two items.

Sure, with all the chefs of the world combining unlikely comestibles in search of new taste sensations, I would not doubt that someone, somewhere, would have tried this one.

All I'm saying is this: 'tweren't I.

So, what am I talking about?

Well, this is part of it: a luncheon with the ex and Amy today!

They're down from Michigan, as I may have mentioned yesterday, and I was invited to crash their lunch engagement with Scott.

Very nice!

I haven't seen him in months!

Even nicer was that the day was warm and we dined on the sunny patio at Truffles in Bluffton.

That place was new to me, so that was a bonus... and it gives me a new entry for my tripadvisor reviews.

Very nice!

Best of all, we flummoxed the new waiter from Chicago by ordering the same dishes.

Well, not all four of us getting one item, but two of us getting one thing (the Curry Chicken Salad for me and for Jeff) and two of us getting another thing (the Pimiento Cheese Sandwich with French Onion Soup for Amy and for Scott).

How do I know that the waiter was perplexed?

He happened to mention, sotto voce, as he brought the two sandwiches, "oh, yes, this is the table where they all ordered the same things".

Very funny!

What a treat to share a leisurely luncheon with these three favorite people!

Thanks, Jeff and Amy, for treating me to this outing!

I'll enjoy the rest of my salad another day, and think of y'all as I do.

(smile!)

So, that takes care of the mushroom reference... and maybe the other as well?

After all, Scott is a big-time baseball fan, and he and I have been to some Savannah Bananas games together, so perhaps I was obscurely tying that in?

Good try, but not quite!

The local team is involved much more directly than that.

Today, Grayson Stadium hosted a sunset "coach reveal" announcement party and all the fan members were invited.

I had rsvp'ed last week, so I was there!

After all, I had to report back to Mister Willie on their latest shenanigans, n'est-ce pas?

Most certainly.

As it turned out, I reported back to Scott, too, as he missed it.

So, pay attention and don't rely on the photos alone to tell how it went down!

First, that's Bill LeRoy, my favorite catcher of all time, in the middle, with him fortuitously looking to the left as a child points.

Now turn your attention in that direction: that fellow is Eric Byrnes, the new coach for the new World Tour of Banana Ball.

The MLB left fielder is going to be perfect as the spokesman and promoter of that wacky form of baseball!

(Hold on, proof is forthcoming.)

The rightmost photograph has Bill celebrating by dancing with the Banana Nanas to KC & The Sunshine Band, as well as some other top tunes for moving to the beat...

so I was dancing, too, just not part of the line!

Now then, what was it I said about not relying on the photos for the story?

That's because this was not the order of events!

That middle picture was taken as I arrived, around 5:40.

The one on the right occurred about fifteen minutes later, as the deejay started a five-song prelude to the "reveal".

The 'first' photograph, with Eric after busting through the entry banner, and with Jesse up in the cherry picker after his opening spiel, was not taken until about 6:06 PM.

Still, it sure makes for a nice sequence, right?

I totally agree!

Oh, and I have a funny story about that, too.

I had been so excited to get to talk to Bill about the smiling bunny on his back...

you know, that photo that I have as the cover on my phone...

and which I joyfully showed to him there in front of Grayson Stadium...

and, although he recognized at once - at once! - that the photo had been taken at the final Championship game...

he knew naught of the smiley face on his butt.

Seriously.

Now, he probably thinks I'm a stalker, especially as I have the photo on my phone.

I'm not, of course... I just like the smiling bunny face.

I'm going to continue to regard it as an inside joke with Bill, too, just because.

Maybe he'll choose to regard it that way as well.

(smile!)

Now, one last funny story.

Here's the setup: that's Eric Byrnes sitting atop the pit of water in the dunking booth.

Yes, that's for real: post-sundown, with the temperature already dropped at least ten degrees from the high at lunch, the man was sitting on a lever, in his brand-new Bananas uniform, waiting to be dropped into the chilly water below his feet.

That was the vantage point from which he answered fans' questions about his expectations and goals with his new job.

The fan would then toss a baseball at the sweet spot to try to dunk him.

Seriously.

Kyle Luigs, star pitcher for the last several years with the Bananas, now their pitching coach, was the first up.

What was the question?

I don't recall.

I was too excited in anticipation of what came next.

So, query asked and answered, then Kyle wound up for the pitch...

took a step as he would on the mound in a game...

and released the fast ball!

Nothing happened.

We all heard the smack of the leather on the designated pad, but no dunk occurred.

Seriously.

Three others followed him, each asking their question, getting the thoughtful reply, and taking their shot at the target...

each with no rewarding splash.

Eric must have thought he was getting off easy.

One of the Banana Nanas must have thought so, too, as she walked up to the sweet spot and gave it a push with her hand.

That did it!

Down he went into the water, spluttering as he rose from its chilly depths!

Hahahaha! Hahaha!

That was the end of the Q & A session!

I went on home afterward, not wanting to hang out in the chilly air for the photo and autograph session to follow his change of clothes.

The only food at this event had been popcorn and that had only whetted my appetite for something more substantial.

My lunch salad had not been the only leftover I'd brought from Truffles: I also had half of Scott's sandwich.

Now, what to have with it?

Tomato soup would fit the bill nicely, but I had none.

Well, I would make my own!

A can of diced NSA tomatoes, smashed by the potato masher...

a cup of Lactaid milk...

some Italian seasoning and a hit of olive oil...

with a pinch of saffron on top -

magnifico!

And absolutely perfect with that cheesy sandwich and Smitty's leftover ham!

Hopefully I'll remember this recipe for another time!

(smile!)

boo for two!

"What is it that's got you so upset???" 

Me?

I'm not upset about anything.

What a strange thing to say!

 

"Then why did you say 'boo' and make it seem like it was more than once?"

 

Oh, that... no worries!

Don't you remember mi amiga, Barbara?

Her childhood nickname is Boo and I tend to use it sometimes on this beach.

I don't think I've ever called her that, myself, but I know her hairdresser has.

 

"Yes, I remember that now.

It just is rather infrequent that you mention her these days of pandemic."

 

Well, that would be because I infrequently have her company.

But I saw her twice this weekend!

I just happened to pick movies she had not seen, so she joined me for them!

Both times were for films at the cinema closer to her.

The first, "For The Love Of Money", was on Saturday and featured Katt Williams - I really like him and his easy style.

I'm glad Barbara was there, as she keeps up with the news and knew about Black Wall Street, Oklahoma.

I'd never heard of it, nor of the events around it a hundred years ago.

 

"Let's face it, g'friend, everyone knows more about items in the news than you do."

 

Yeah, that's true.

I rarely even bother to catch headlines these days.

It's even rarer that I'm up in time for "CBS Sunday Morning", my one and only news program that I ever tune in for.

 

"You could always catch it online at any time..."

 

... and we both know that I'm not into watching little screens right now.

Well, a music video from time to time, but naught else.

(smile!)

 

"And scant few of those.

So, what was the second one with Boo? "

 

It was the Kenneth Branaugh film, "Belfast".

What a loving portrait of the life of a young boy during that school year between the summer of 1969 and Easter of 1970.

Plus, fabulous music!

Oh, and here's a really cool part: the movie was mostly black and white, but the family liked to go to the cinema and one of the movies was "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"... and it was in full-tilt boogie color!

And there's the audience, laughing and enjoying it, and they're all in black and white!

Very lovely, and loving, movie!

 

"Oh, that sounds positively delightful!"

 

It truly was.

I just may have to see it again on my own dime.

After such a long famine, now we have a feast of new films!

In fact, when I saw "King Richard" today, that was my first time with it, even though it's been out for at least two weeks.

I'm trying not to exceed the three allotted by my AMC A*List, you know?

 

"I do.

That's why you haven't been to Pooler for movies for a while.

Why pay when you have free ones? "

 

Exactly.

Though I did treat myself to "Dune" again last week.

And I just may treat myself to "Clifford" before Thursday... but my free trio is done.

That's just as well, as I have people to see and places to go, what with me being a busy, vibrant, woman, as you know!

In fact, tomorrow I'll be dining with Jeff and Amy in Bluffton!

They're over in Charleston for a holiday getaway.

Scott is to be at the luncheon tomorrow, too!

 

"Well, very good!

Almost makes this time of year seem fairly normal, doesn't it? "

 

Fairly so, fairly so.

(smile!)

almost like summer again!

No, dearie, I'm not referring to the weather, though it has been a bit warmer.

I speak, instead, of the frequency with which I have had the pleasure of the company of my first niece and her girls.

Four times we have met and dined together, in just barely more than two weeks.

Indeed, that may well be more often than during this past summer, her first summer off as a teacher for the state of Georgia.

Hard to believe we've been able to see so much of each other!

Plus, I've been able to travel a bit, which is very nice, too.

Let me count the ways and places, shall I?

For Veterans Day, we basked in the sun at Jalapenos in Richmond Hill.

Two days later, we were together again at Chelsea's wedding in the countryside, at Meldrim Woods Plantation on a spectacular day.

On the second Sunday after that, Olive Garden in Savannah gave us more than three hours of dining and visitation, again in sunshine.

And now, on this second day of Thanksgiving dining for me, I am in Hinesville for the feast she has prepared!

Not that I came empty-handed... oh, no!

Is this a rocket ship?

Is it a potbellied submarine?

Is it a wind-up bath toy?

Nope, not hardly, and not even close!

This is one of the smoked quail from Smitty's feast yesterday!

I had guessed that Chris had perhaps never had that type of bird... and I was correct!

What a nice surprise for him... and it's so pretty, too!

(smile!)

What a beautiful day!

How does that saying go?

Oh, yes...

Good company, good meat, good golly, let's eat!

21 1/2 pounds of turkey, Mama's squash casserole, macaroni 'n' cheese, green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, dressing with gravy, cranberry sauce... no need for the rolls or mashed 'taters, I had plenty! Plus dessert!

So glad I have seconds, and probably thirds, that came home with me!

Yes, I can most def get spoiled by this.

i thank You, God.

nothing like watching the lions lose!

Here we were, gathered in the living room, doing something that's been part of this holiday for all of us for almost three decades: watching the Detroit Lions lose.

That's Zach's denim-clad leg up front, then Hannah - she's new to the family - as well as Tony and Tyler, with Christy out of the frame.

I kept telling them that those day-glo blue socks on the Lions were new, so Zach and Tyler looked it up - yep, I caught that fashion change!

The Lions were up against opponents who were also from the animal kingdom: the Chicago Bears.

And guess what I had just been watching with Caitlyn and Mary?

The championship dog show!

As Zach said, "lions and dogs and bears, oh, my!"

Of course, all of that was after the Thanksgiving meal, when we were all so full of food that doing anything other than sit was out of the question.

What question?

I'm glad you asked!

There was smoked turkey breast and quail!

Roast turkey and roast ham and deviled eggs!

Sweet potato souflee, squash casserole, green beans, macaroni 'n' cheese!

Cornbread souflee and dressing with gravy!

Plus, we had desserts a-plenty: pecan pie, pumpkin pie, lemon bars, baked pecans, and banana pudding!

I feel like I just rattled off Grandpa's dinner list on "Heehaw", so let me add: "Yum, yum!!!"

And just where was brother Smitty during all this watching of tv?

I'm pretty sure he was tending to his big red smoker after all that cooking he'd done!

This was earlier, soon after Tony and I arrived, with Smitty and Zach out in the barbeque pit making merry with poultry, including that aforementioned quail.

What a treat - all of it!

Family, food, and fair weather! Amen!

on a sketti sauce kick

I blame that first niece of mine.

She and I and her two girls went to Olive Garden on Sunday and spent two hours inside the restaurant, getting good and steeped in the aromas and indulging in all that flavorful Italian food.

Then we spent another hour and more just outside it, watching the girls at play, continuing to smell all that garlic and tomato sauce wafting past in people's to-go orders or the boxes of leftovers.

Plus, we had the thawing odors of spaghetti with meat sauce and four-cheese ziti in the $5 add-ons we'd brought out with us.

Yes, it's all Christina Ann's fault...

so, thank you, dear!

I had that add-on for dinner on Monday - it certainly hit the spot and was so good!

Come Tuesday, though, I was still wanting something Italian.
Alrighty then!

I had bought several Mini Panettones last week - I'd just treat myself to one of those Italian fruit cakes.

So I did, and it was perfect with some hot tea!

Today, I woke up craving something tomatoey and noodleey and yes, those are words.

Well, fine.

I still had some Tomato And Basil Sauce in the fridge - and I had canned chicken breast - and I always have some kind of pasta in the pantry... so I created Sketti Sauce Soup.

I kid you not!

That's it in the photo!

And it was so good, that I made some more for dinner after my third movie!

I did, I really did, and I ate every bite!

(smile!)

So, what was that about a "third movie"?

Hey, it's for real!

I finished off my A*List trio today!

I started on Friday with "The Youngest Evangelist", getting odd looks and questions after from the movie crew.

How come?

I was the only person, in the two days it had been playing, to buy a ticket for it and they wondered what it was about and if I liked it.

Actually, I had very much enjoyed it!

I had even found myself laughing out loud several times, remembering things from ym childhood as the narrator told these little stories from his youth.

In many ways, it was just like "The Wonder Years" and "Everybody Hates Chris", following the adventures in the life of a 12- to 13-year-old boy.

Really fun!

Tuesday, I watched "Ghostbusters: Afterlife", another one that was kid-centric, but this time it was a middle-school girl at the heart of it - a girl who was a science nerd like Grandpa Egon.

Recognize that name?

Well, this entire movie was like an homage to the late Harold Ramis, as certainly demonstrated with much heart near the end of the film.

Yes, I wept, but it was a good cry, and I look forward to doing it again.

(smile!)

Kudos to the casting crew, by the way.

McKenna Grace was absolutely perfect as the child who never knew she wasn't the only science brain in the family; plus, Finn Wolfhard is perfectly believable as her brother.

And tonight?

Well, we all know how I love a good theme to my choices... so, "Encanto" it was!

More kid stuff, with an animated format, plus it was a musical!

So, there you have it!

Oh, one more thing about that second movie: it was loaded with cornball jokes and puns!

One of the jokes was even the one that Tom Hanks did about the fish with no eye!

Hahahaha! Hahaha!

(smile!)

hippo birdie 2 ewe, J-Dawg!

"There is always,

always something

to be thankful for."

I wholeheartedly agree.

On this day, I am thankful for my best friend extraordinaire, as the physicist celebrates the completion of his 48th year on Earth.

How especially wonderful for him, as it is nearly in the middle between his second anniversary to The 'Cole and one of his favorite holidays, Thanksgiving!

Knowing his love of that turkey feast in Jeffvember, I made sure to send him a card of remembrance and well wishes last week, when I was doing all of those.

(smile!)

Just a few days ago, I happened upon a text conversation we'd had on his birthday last year.

I'd made a record of it, as it's rather typical of our echats... plus, it's a hoot!

Here it is, for future enjoyment, for me and for you, gentle reader.

(smile!)

 

bfe: Thanks for the bday wishes! How are things with you?
me: I am good! Went to see The Santa Clause today, forgot how funny and sweet it is! Very nice. :-) How about you, kid?
bfe: We are on fall break and it's very welcomed. It has been very busy for no good reason. So I have been trying to catch up on my painting and working on my pythons (and jogging around).
bfe: Oh and I have been working on my bridge....gotta get this game down so I can play it with some skill in 20 years!
me: You have pet snakes? Lol!
bfe: Not snakes!!! My guns! The second amendment!
me: J-dawg! I just saw a movie that you will like! The Last Vermeer. I was one of three people in the BigD room at Classic 11. It seats about 500.
bfe: I think I'll pass at the moment. But thank you for thinking of me!
me: Hey, of course i think of you! You're my J-Dawg!
bfe: Ha ha! I try! But how can I try to be me? If I try am I being me? I think I may be in an existential loop!
me: Lol! Maybe you need to reboot?
bfe: If I do a reboot...do I have to get someone else to play me?
me: No, you just get a cup of tea and think about fairies until its done. :-)
bfe: I can do that. But I think I will think about squirrels instead.
me: Good choice. Maybe those white squirrels they have in Tennessee!
bfe: I saw an oddly colored really light colored squirrel just yesterday...the squirrels are decimating the garden these days but I still like them.
me: Though gray squirrels are nice too, with their little white chests.
me: Have you been to Squirrels Pizza? Its on Bull. They have framed pictures of squirrels - in fancy garb - in the foyer.
bfe: Ahhh I love squirrels pizza... J
me: Yeah, the pizza sauce is especially tasty. Crunchy crust, too!
bfe: And I love the wall of squirrel paintings too.
me: And i really like the fairytale eggplant.
bfe: I like their white pizza best. And their roasted vegetables.
me: Most def!

 

Oh! That gives me an idea for our next dinner destination! 

That will be delightful!

(smile!)

this message just in from toonland!

Seriously.

I was awakened at 6:56 AM with a message to GET UP, NOW.

So I did.

Too early for coffee, for sure.

What was I to do, then?

Watch "Toon In With ME" on ME tv, apparently.

Seriously.

Okay, that's what I would do.

Tom & Jerry were up first with "Snowbody Loves Me", trying to keep warm and being buddy-buddy for a change.

Next was Daffy, being mean to Pepe Gonzalez and his dos amigos in the desert, denying them any water and being a "Well-Worn Duck".

"Pinkcome Tax" had my dear Pink Panther acting as Robin Hood and trying to free someone from jail.

"Trick Or Tweet" found Sylvester first going after Tweety Bird, per usual, but then trying to protect him from a conniving alley cat.

Okay... what does all of that mean?

Well, apparently, it was all about trying to help others through difficult times.

Meanwhile, between cartoons from my distant past, folks were coming up to the show's host, Bill, seeking his advice on their problems.

Bill was pretty distracted, though, as he'd lost his cue cards for the scheduled cartoons, so he was having to come up with opening remarks on the fly... 

- how distracted was he? - 

distracted enough that he was completely unaware that the others were taking his comments about the upcoming cartoon as the answers to their requests.

Seriously.

Consequently, all these folks took his "advice" and all ended up with bigger problems than they'd started with... 

and all blamed him for ruining their lives...

and that's when I "got it".

I had woken with thoughts of littlest girl running off at Olive Garden yesterday and what bad consequences there could have been and the advice I'd given about leashing the two girls together to prevent such future occurrences.

I know that won't be done, though.

The belief is strong that littlest girl will behave and will listen and all will be fine...

but that belief only works as long as the meds are in charge.

Once the meds start wearing off, littlest girl no longer is capable of controlling her actions.

It isn't that she chooses to misbehave; she simply has no ability to do so.

I have no experience with children who have her chemical imbalance, nor have I had any education to give me a better understanding.

That means it's best if I listen and serve as a sounding board, but not speak, and certainly not give advice.

Okay, message heard.

Right place, right time.

Back to bed I go...

counting, committed, communing

This was the absolute high point of the service today: Reverend Hester breaking into a beloved song not scheduled for this morning, but entirely appropriate to his talk right before he sang.

Even better, he invited us to all sing along with him in the chorus, saying he hoped the church health committee would not take umbrage at his addition of this extra song.

As for me, I had begun singing with him as he first began the first verse, as it's a long-time favorite for me, too, even though it's no longer in the hymnal.

 

Here's the refrain:

"Count your blessings,

name them one by one,

count your blessings,

see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, 

name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, 

see what God hath done. "
 

He then sang the fourth (last) verse and had us all sing the refrain again.

I was so glad I was there!

Right place, right time, after all.

 

I'd had my doubts when I'd pulled into the full parking lot... but I stayed.

Candace and Claudette were in the courtyard and greeted me enthusiastically... so I stayed.

Then I'd walked into the narthex and been greeted with a program as I stood to survey the sanctuary, scanning for a safe seat for a solo attendee and finding none... yet I continued to stay, standing in the doorway.

Eventually, I took a seat there in the lobby, with the statue made by Colleen's daughter keeping me company... 

plus, the brilliance of the day and its beaming love.

I was late, but I'd arrived in time to hear the thanks from the youth group, Asbury Angells, and from the youth director, for the funds and resources they had received during this continuing pandemic, so they could continue to hold weekly support meetings.

Right place, right time.

I'd made myself a promise to attend on this particular Sunday.

First, it was the third, and final, Commitment Sunday, where we, as a congregation, pledged to continue "our vow to support Asbury Memorial with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service" so that "people will be renewed, fulfilled, and challenged".

That required a pledge of financial support (gifts) and I have renewed the pledge made last year to this church where I am a member.

Second, this was the final Sunday of the liturgical year in the liturgical calendar.

This day was the last Sunday of Ordinary Time; next Sunday, as the first Sunday of the church's New Year, will begin the four weeks of Advent. Christmastide (aka Twelvetide or The Twelve Days of Christmas) will follow for two weeks, then we're back to Ordinary Time until Easter approaches.

This marked the first time I've been here for a last Sunday.

Third, today was Communion Sunday. Usually that is the first Sunday of the month, but it was postponed to this one for reasons I forget. 

This was to be my first in-person Communion at AMC and I was curious about how it was to be done, what precautions would be taken to make it safe for those partaking of the elements.

With necessity being the mother of invention, I should have known that someone would have developed a solution... and here it is.

The hourglass-like container is sealed on both ends, with a tiny unleavened cracker in one half and a thimbleful of juice in the other half.

Sanitary, safe, and very easy to use, with no danger of a mess being made.

What I most enjoyed about it was how it made me feel: I was quite satisfied by the experience and truly felt I'd had a proper Communion, rather the makeshift ones I've done at home during Zoom church.

Right place, right time.

The only part of the service I did not feel satisfied with was the hymn selection for the congregation to sing between the Commitment and Communion portions.

It was "Spirit Song", one which creeps me out in much the same way as the Savannah Bananas' chant "We will, we will PEEL you!"

In this hymn, Jesus is repeatedly implored to "come and fill your lambs".

It just doesn't sound like a proper request to make.

The implication is that the person singing is not able to sustain their own belief and demand that God is responsible for their spirituality.

Like I said, it creeps me out, so I don't sing it.

I'm so glad Billy gave us "Count Your Blessings" post-sermon.

That was definitely the right note - pun intended! - to end on.

Now, off I go to Olive Garden...

I have a lunch date with my first niece and her darlin' daughters!

i thank You, God!

waking up warm!

Who would have guessed that such a tiny device would be capable of such delicious warmth?

Sure, I had hoped that would be the case...

and how wonderful to find it to be true!

I bought it at Lowe's, as a spur of the moment thing, as it was for a 200 square-foot space.

"That would be perfect for my bedroom", I thought.

As it turns out, it was!

The Utilitech Fan-Forced Heater, with adjustable thermostat, is able to heat that space to better than 70 F; actually, it will get it up to at least 74 F, as I have found, but the 70 F is fine for me!

I'm able to sleep without burying my nose under the covers - hooray!

Even though I do use my heated mattress pad, I can keep it on a midrange setting - hooray!

Even though I have my mink blanket on the bed, I don't have to use it - hooray!

Best of all, I wake up warm and toasty, with my sinuses not plugged from cold air - hooray!

Seriously, I'm thinking of getting a second one as a back-up.

This winter will definitely be warmer at the bookends of my day!

As for the in-between moments, those will be warmer, too, and already have been.

Kindly notice that the vents in the ceilings have all been covered over.

No, really, do notice those!

That required me to climb up and down a two-step ladder twenty-two times to get them all done.

Sure, some of those times were for measuring so I could make the cuts correctly, but there were thirteen vents, two of which were covered using leftover end-pieces from eight of the one-piece covers.

That leaves me one cover for some other purpose!

You see, Accord makes 3-Packs of their Magnetic Vent Cover and the pack is sold for less than the cost of a single Frost King version of the magnetic vent cover.

Lowe's was the only place with the Accord and I bought five packs, not realizing that I would be able to tape cut portions to make the smaller covers for the bathroom and utility room.

That means I'll be taking one package back and the entire home improvement project cost me less than thirty dollars!

What an excellent choice, and an excellent change for the better!

(smile!)

worth getting up at 0330

Please try to bear in mind that I was limited by the capability of my phone to capture images from such a great distance... but I am thrilled to have photos that actually show what was happening!

I had already gotten in bed and was just about to get into snooze position when I realized that I was missing it.

So, I jumped up, threw on pants and shoes, and grabbed my phone.

The time was 3:45 AM.

First, I had to locate the moon, in the sky full of stars.

Ah, there it was, shining down the street as I looked toward my youngest brother's home!

Then I stood, in the cool night air, clicking away as the bright sliver of moon was slowly covered by the reddish brown shadow of my home planet.

Then I stood a while longer, enjoying the view, before misty clouds rolled up and toward it.

I hadn't known anything about the upcoming lunar eclipse until Barbara had mentioned it as we were chatting in the parking lot after the movie.

Hey, I had known this was good timing for me, right?

My odometer had told me so: 220550!

Right place, right time!

But I mistook the mileage as marking a rare outing with mi amiga... and an even rarer, it would seem, filling of my A*List.

I had not hit a trio in weeks.

"Clifford The Big Red Dog" was one I actually watched twice (second time on Wednesday), partly because I missed the start of it that first time on Sunday.

Love all the familiar faces and the "Disney Sunday Movie" feel of it!

"Eternals" was another one I'd missed the start of when I saw it on the 10th. I had found it odd that no one mentioned Ego (from GOTG:V2) as having been a Celestial, but perhaps, as a Living Planet, he was in some different category? I don't see how that could be the case, as he still spilled his seed on the ground of other planets in order to propagate, just as Arishem did. The best part of the movie for me was the reminder of my love of Greek mythology in my youth, as six of the ten Eternals were directly derived from those characters. (Those would be Ajax, Circe, Icarus, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Athena, fyi.)

That third movie was special: a rare Indian film! Here in Savannah and not even screening, surprisingly, at the Royal in Pooler. Beautiful movie, "India Sweets And Spices" is about a mother who has a daughter "just like her" - who reminds her who she once was. And it was actually made in Atlanta!!! I thought that was a hoot!

So, what about past weeks? Why no trios of movies on my AMC dance card?

Well, that would be because of the dearth of new movies shown here.

I made sure to comment about that yesterday, on my latest survey from them.

"The staff always makes feel welcome! They also talked to me about the upcoming movies here in Savannah - hooray!
To me, it's so unfair that tiny Statesboro gets movies that NEITHER of the Savannah cinemas screen. Hope that changes soon! I do not have the time it takes for the 2 1/2-hour (minimum) round trip drive to Statesboro.
Please make sure we are not asked to watch previews for movies that are not destined for Savannah audiences. We have now missed "The French Dispatch", "The Card Counter", "Spencer", and "The Eyes Of Tammy Faye", just to name a few recent movies."

I plan to continue writing such comments on future surveys until change occurs.

We have a total of twenty-one screens here in town - twenty-one!!! - so there truly is no reason why a town with less than 35,000 people is showing popular movies that are not being screened, by the same cinema chain, in a city with nearly 150,000 people.

Come on, AMC, please give us what we want!

Thanks.

This week's roster is quite promising, with four new titles, including this Indian one.

 Looking forward to a full A*List for the second week in a row!

In fact, I'll be seeing "The Youngest Evangelist" in two hours, so I better get a wiggle on and have myself some slunch!

(smile!)

And i thank You, God, for this celestial show tonight, and the company of Boo.

a kevin by any other name...

About a month ago, Carolyn texted that she had seen him.

She had gone to see "Dune" in the BigD on the night of Chelsea's wedding, and he had apparently sat down right behind her.

She didn't mention speaking to him, or him talking with her, just that she'd already been seated and he came in and sat behind her.

I wonder if he recognized her and thought I might be joining her.

Perhaps he was hoping to speak to me?

Pure conjecture on my part.

Here's how the chat went.

her: "Did you enjoy the Tom Petty? I found it very interesting and enjoyable. Ran into your me friend (I forgot his name) that you used to go to movies with sometimes and out to eat. I beverages he teaches. He has really out a lot of weight. He was sitting behind me at Dune."

her: "I believe he is a teacher... not I beverage. This is NOT a smartphone. It's a smart sss phone."

me: Are you talking about Kevin? He is not a teacher, but a child psychologist at Hunter.

her: "Good looking, tall, blond hair."

me: That's okay, i speak wonky phone.

me: That's got to be him. I'm sorry to hear he's put on a lot of weight. He worked really hard to lose that.

her: "No, I meant he has lost a lot of weight. Stupid phone."

me: Oh, good to hear! I know he had lost a lot the last time I saw him.

me: I have not seen or spoken to him in almost a year. He got mad at me about the election and blocked me. Just craziness. Glad to know he is well.

And I meant that, too: I was glad to know he was well.

Then, last night, I dreamed I saw him.

I hope that means he's missed me.

I know I've missed the running bear.

I know that when I saw him on fb, it was a welcome surprise.

It wasn't that I had gone looking or him, mind.

I didn't have to do that; facebook launched his image as part of their "people you may know" feature.

Yes, just like in the movie from this summer.

I recognized him at once, of course.

After all, he may be using his middle name as a surname, but he's still using the photograph I took of him after his first full marathon.

Hard to believe that was five years ago this month.

I wonder if he raced this year?

I wonder if his mom's cancer was controlled in time?

I wonder if his sister's divorce went okay and what that means for his first niece?

I wonder if he still has the same girlfriend?

I wonder if he is aware that fb has put him in my feed?

I wonder if I should try to friend him on fb?

I wonder if we could be real friends again?

I wonder.

'Tis the season... maybe I will reach out first with a card.

You know, something to hold in his hands and know I care.

Maybe...

utterly overwhelmed

"Oh, no! Are you okay?"

 

Yes, dear, I'm fine! Why do you ask?

 

"Well, that's quite an alarming title you've affixed to this post. Just saying."

Oh, my bad!

I didn't mean to insinuate that my mental health has taken a nose dive.

It's just that I've deleted yet another source of unwanted emails and wanted to write about it.

"I see. Doing a bit of housecleaning on the ether side of  your life."

For real.

This time, it was the LLS.

"Is it time for the Light The Night Walk again?"

I don't think so.

They wanted me to take a survey "which should only take 15 minutes" concerning giving them money.

Well, that may not be specifically how it was worded, but that was the gist.

"Gotcha. There sure are a lot of hands out there wanting to help empty your pockets."

Right? 

I'm sure the charities have been hit hard by the pandemic, but they need to slow down their near-weekly requests, either by mail or email.

I've been letting them all know that my finances have been abused by that DEA scam artist and his cohorts, so no money will be forthcoming from me.

I guess the prevalence of money-stealing schemes has gotten to the point that even Matt Groening has gotten involved.

His show has been on my mind ever since my lunch with Dawn, so, for my pre-bed viewing, I pulled up an episode from this 33rd season.

In it, Grandpa was taken in by a phone scam creep who claimed that his grandson, Bart, was in jail and much money needed to be paid to get him out.

At least I now know there are support groups for folks like me and him.

 

"Yeah, that was a good episode. Apparently, almost two million people watched it, so at least there's more awareness of the issue."

Amen to that.

Thanks, Matt.

Meanwhile, I'll keep ignoring calls from those not in my phone book.

Best to be safe!

charlie brown, job, and parenting

My intention had been to attend church this morning.

I woke up when it was to start... so that didn't happen.

I decided to do the next best thing by tuning in for the live stream on youtube.

That did happen... but the message just wasn't meant for me.

I was still wanting church, though.

It's been a while... so I pulled up one I'd missed, from the first Sunday in October.

That was a good call... and that's a nice play on words in the world of baseball.

What does the one have to do with the other?

Well, as the pandemic has continued, Asbury Memorial Church had to shift its modus operandi; specifically, the usual God On Broadway series that had reigned there for well over a decade had to be postponed this year, in hopes of safer times ahead.

For the first time in many years, Reverend Billy was using the Methodist-suggested scripture as the crux of his sermon.

I had not yet viewed that episode, but I knew it to be the message for me immediately.

In the video, skip ahead, as I did, to time stamp 45:00 or so... that's the start of the sermon, with Charlie Brown on the mound, pondering the team's losses and how hard life is.

His teammates approach him there and they offer him various rationales, some based on scripture, some rather funny, of course.

Those from the Bible dealt with Job and his plight... but I heard it differently today.

Skip ahead, again, to time stamp 58:00 or thereabouts, where that story is told.

As well as reminding me of "Bruce Almighty" - specifically, when Bruce is given the task of tending to the many issues on Earth while God takes a holiday - that bit of verse spelled out the great divide between what parents have to do and how children see it.

Here it is, in black and white, courtesy of a post from cousin Lynn on fb.

"Who knew

that the hardest part

of being an adult

is figuring out 

what to cook for dinner

every single night

for the rest of your life. "

But here is the whole truth: before determining what to eat, that food must first be obtained from somewhere, then that food must be prepared - but to obtain that food, funds must be used, so there is the issue of how to obtain the funds - plus, that food must be stored or cooked, both of which require the use of utilities (gas, electricity, wood) and equipment (fridge, stove, oven, microwave), all of which must be obtained with funds - also, that food will require the use of cooking materials (pots, pans, knives, ladles, pot holders, mitts, etc.) as well as dining materials (plates, bowls, utensils, cups), all of which will be best if located in a specific place, such as living quarters (house, apartment, tent), things which also must be obtained with funds - and none of this has anything to do with clothing, furniture, or education.

Never mind about items for entertainment (toys, television, radio, computers, phones) - those are pure add-ons for luxury.

It all seems rather daunting when pulled out of the box, doesn't it?

Children have not the education or the experience to understand those nuts and bolts.

Children see only the differences between what they have and what others have.

That's why children continually seek to obtain from their parents what they WANT (i.e., dream of having) not mindful of the bounty of their NEEDS (real shelter, food, clothing) that are being met (and mostly surpassed).

It's up to the parents to keep the children grounded in the real world, not that false dream propagated by the 'mercials.

I'm not saying that dreams are not important.

Dreams add spice to life, just as salt adds flavor to meals.

I'm saying that children need parents that teach them the difference between needs and wants, and that requires a lot of responsibility on the part of the parents.

Being a parent, then, means taking on the responsibility of not only making sure your own needs are being met, but also that the needs of your child are being met.

I understood that at a young age, so I have no children; I had already helped raise my youngest brother and realized how much continual work was involved in that effort, and how much responsibility for his life and actions were on me.

So, why did this topic of parenting have such an impact today?

After the wedding yesterday, through a chance encounter (namely, I saw Michael and wanted to sit by him), I sat with my outlaw's sister, Brenda, up from Tampa with her man, Dana, on his first visit to Savannah. (We were eventually joined by her sister Robin as well as Robin's daughter Kayla and that girl's boyfriend, plus Christina.)

At one point, while the bride and her maid of honor (my first niece) were line dancing, Dana commented that he did not see a family resemblance between the two.

Knowing who I am, Brenda tried to be tactful in telling him that Christina and Michael were full siblings, but only shared a mother with Chelsea.

So, I spoke up, confirming that my middle brother, Ronnie, had been the father of Melinda's first two children, then she married Matt and they had Chelsea.

I was sure to mention that Matt had been a wonderful father to all three of them.

I was sure to mention that Ronnie had never wanted the responsibility of having children.

Brenda told me she was aware of that; she recalled him repeatedly asking Melinda to get an abortion with the first baby, and then again with the second baby, but Melinda would not.

(His previous girlfriend did get an abortion when they had found she was pregnant; perhaps he believed that absolved him from taking precautions against pregnancy, as abortion was always an option. I don't know why he didn't get a vasectomy.)

I confirmed what she was saying, then we changed the topic to the music on the dance floor and she tried to get Dana to dance with her.

I went up to dance with Christina Ann, as the song was an Elvis favorite of mine (especially as sung by Ryan Pelton, in Las Vegas, to me as I danced).

i thank You, God, for being able to share that time with her... for us having this season's  "Dancing With The Stars" girl-and-girl couple to serve as an inside reference and a light to shine for others... for a world that is brighter with this dearest niece.

Right place, right time.

chelsea, dillon and twins!

What did one little flower girl say to her dad as they passed by, strewing petals?

"She told me to shut up."

Seriously!

Those of us sitting right there nearly cracked up and disrupted the whole shebang!

Hey, at least they were still clean and the dresses pristine!

That's because all four of the maternal cousins had been told to stay on the porch until the wedding began.

Here they are, about ten minutes before game time: Chloe, Alyssa, Leila, and Miyah, doing as I'd asked.

Namely, I said to "huddle up like you love each other!"

See Chloe's little blonde head?

She was staying on the porch, even though her mom was coming up, trailing the bride after a photo shoot with her and the three bridesmaids.

Good for Miss Chlo!

I can testify about how hard it was for her to stay put, instead of rolling around in the yard.

As it was, she was rolling around on the two cushions they'd put on the porch floor for her - silly girl!

The twin boys from the groom's side weren't under any such restrictions, even though they were "the ring bears" - their dark pants wouldn't have shown dirt.

Speaking of Dillon - he's the groom, y'all, and the love of Chelsea's life - he and his contingent were already in place about the time I took the photo of the four little cousins.

He, and they, waited patiently there for probably close to thirty minutes.

That was just fine, though.

As well as presenting a lovely scene to enjoy as folks took their seats, the five men - and ring bearers - were no doubt taking that breather to enjoy the beautiful day we'd been graced with, there at Meldrim Woods Plantation.

i thank You, God!

After the bride's party of women had paraded into place, clad in their flowing sea-foam green gowns, and the twin flower children had strewn white petals from their baskets, the music shifted, as did all eyes to the end of the aisle.

And there she came, billowing white cascading to the ground and beyond, on her Daddy's arm as he escorted her toward the front of the congregation.

I'm sure she was giving her dear tuxedo-clad father at least as much emotional support as he was providing to her!

At the end of their journey, she and he stood together for a quiet moment.

See Matt's dark head to Chelsea's right, rising a foot above hers?

Then he said the words that allowed the wedding to proceed and took his place by my outlaw Melinda and the attendants, including the twin girls and twin boys, settled into silence.

The children even managed to stay in good behavior mode throughout the ceremony, right up to the point when the groom and bride were transformed into husband and wife - then we all stood and clapped and cheered for them!

Photo time again!

I tried to stay out of the way of the official photographer... but I certainly took advantage of her groupings!

For instance, here's my niece Chelsea with her parents and her husband - very nice!

And here we have the new husband and wife, as well as her sister Christina, her brother Michael, and the four nieces.

Very nice, especially with those trees, and that lovely sky, reflected in the little lake behind them... and that's when I noticed the dock and went there for a different perspective.

What a wonderful idea!

Not only could I enjoy the details of the backs of those beautiful gowns, but the images in the lake were just as crisp and crystalline!

Plus, as a bonus, I got a photo of the person shooting the official pictures!

This group was the husband's parents and sister, plus the wife's parents and siblings, all showing off - unbeknownst to them - the lovely backsides of their wedding attire.

I'd be willing to bet I was the only one who took photographs from this angle!

Eventually, it was time for fried chicken and mac'n'cheese to be eaten as the sun lowered and dusk became night.

The new couple had their official first dance, then other dances followed... then came the line dancing... and everyone had a piece when the cake was cut.

The throwing of the bouquet - the tossing of the garter - more dancing, with me and my first niece coupled up for one of my favorite Elvis tunes.

Then the husband returned and danced with his wife again... and it was suddenly after 7 pm.

Time for us older folks to take our leave.

What a blessed day with family!

best Veterans Day - and warm!

This photograph sums up the reason for it being such a success quite nicely, too!

Yes, that's my first niece, flanked on her right by Littlest Girl and on her left by Miss Chlo!

And just where might we be on this glorious day?

At a place which is rapidly becoming our 'usual': Jalapenos of Richmond Hill.

Oh, yes, we are making sure the girls know to love Mexican food as we do!

And, look!

We're outside on the patio!

And Christina is wearing a lightweight, sleeveless dress!

The girls are clad in lightweight clothing as well, with Chloe in shorts!

That's because, for the the first time in over a week, the day 'twas brillig to the max!

It actually almost reached 80 F - i thank You, God!

I so needed a break from the cold, as did they, and Christina had taken them over to the park to burn off some energy before I got there.

Not that it mattered!

They ate chips and queso and then ran and danced outside, leaving us to entertain ourselves with face-to-face conversation, as we are wont to do - i thank You, God!

On Saturday, we'll all be reunited again, for the wedding of their Aunt Chelsea to her Dillon, and that's going to be quite a busy day...

so, it was extra-special to have this lull in the action today, for just us.

Almost three hours, too.

And lots and lots of hugs.

i thank You, God.

hitting a triple without even trying

Just how did I do that, you ask, and what am I talkin' 'bout?

Well, let me say this about that: I had a double header today and it was done at two cinemas in two towns.

As a reminder, the GTC in Pooler has cheapie movies on Tuesdays, and today was Tuesday.

As I-16 is under construction still/yet again/as always, I am not driving it at night.

So, I began my movie-hopping in that locale, seeing "The French Dispatch", a movie AMC had promised us, but had reneged.

As a Wes Anderson film, it was chockablock full of name brand actors, per usual, and I had very much looked forward to it.

It didn't quite deliver, though.

About halfway through, I suddenly realized that it seemed very familiar... and then it hit me what the issue was.

He had used the same format as he had for "Isle Of Dogs".

Yes, I realize that was totally animated and this one was not, though this did have some animated portions.

I'm saying the pacing and the block storytelling was the exact same for both movies.

That means that although I enjoyed this latest effort, I didn't love it.

I had loved "Isle Of Dogs", from the first time I saw it to the last time.

I'd gladly pay money to see it in the cinema again!

Yes, that's how strongly I feel about it.

I even wrote a game using several scenes in the movie!

(smile!)

So, where was I before my train jumped the track?

Oh, yes, heading back to Savannah for my second movie, to which I knew I would be late, but that was just fine.

I had already seen it once and so I knew I could easily miss the first twenty minutes and not miss any of the actual movie.

No, I am not referring to the block of previews AMC runs before each and every movie.

I'm talking of the "007's in love" prologue tacked on to the start of "No Time To Die".

And guess what?

Even with me walking in and buying my ticket at 3:49 pm... 

for the 3:00 pm screening of the movie...

I was perfectly in time to see the movie title and hear the movie opening song as the opening credits rolled into view.

How about that for perfect timing!

(smile!)

And as I watched, and thoroughly enjoyed, the exploits of Bond, James Bond, I came to realize that this was the perfect movie to be paired with the first one!

How so, is that the query?

Well, the two share three actors!

Seriously, I'm not making this up.

I know, it seems preposterous on the face of it, but... there you have it.

Jeffrey Wright is a food critic in the first and Bond's favorite CIA field agent in the next.

Christoph Waltz is first an art collector and then the Spectre mastermind, Blofeld.

Léa Seydoux is a prison guard/nude model for the first movie and then the pouty daughter of a hitman/psychotherapist for the second.

Very nice range, y'all!

And a surprisingly nice, better than expected, afternoon at the movies for me!

(smile!)