for unto you a child is born...

I had thought I'd attend the live version of this play at Savannah Children's Theatre this afternoon, but, after watching Saturday Night Live last night - which consisted only of prerecorded holiday skits from the past and was populated by a skeleton camera crew, Keenan Michaels as the sole regular, and Tina Fey with Tom Hanks to commemorate Paul Rudd's induction into the 5-Timers Club - I chickened out.

If New Yorkers had pulled the plug on that show, then why risk being around a bunch of strangers who might not even be vaccinated or mask-wearing?

Surprisingly, I was awake today in plenty of time to catch all of "CBS Sunday Morning".

It's been a while since I could say that.

(smile)

The pandemic was front and center, of course.

The USA alone has now had more than eight hundred thousand deaths, with those infected by the improved coronavirus now dying at the rate of 1300 per day.

Damn.

Even with that dour news, there was a major highlight for me in one of the stories.

The interviewer was speaking with three men who, as boys back in 1965, were part of the choir singing in the brand-new tv special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas".

Wow!

They had been paid the princely sum of five dollars per day... and there were three days of recording their singing!

Believe me, back in that time, a kid would feel pretty rich with a fiver in their pocket, much less three of those bills!

For today's show, they sang "Christmas time is here", the sweet song heard while the cartoon characters are skating at the start of the Peanuts special.

That almost convinced me to go to the live matinee... almost.

Instead, I busied myself with cleaning magnets off the refrigerator, then using a Lysol sheet to sanitize the fridge surface before replacing the magnets.

Seriously, that's quite an undertaking.

Yesterday, I'd tackled the magnets and other things on the stove side of my fridge.

Some I ended up tossing during the three hours of the task; they were too stained or discolored to salvage.

When I had completed that task, I'd decided to only place magnets acquired during my travels, to try to encourage me to get out more.

What a lot of souvenirs I have!!!

Maybe I'll hit somewhere new to me on my trip to Daytona Beach in the next few weeks and collect one more magnet to mark the occasion!

(smile!)

Encouraged to continue cleaning, today I have spent at least two hours on the magnets, and the doors, from the front of the fridge and freezer.

That side has now been designated for magnets I've made over the years, as well as photos and other printed stuff.

Amazing how much cleaner and brighter it all looks!

(smile!)

By the time I was done, it was too late for the SavChTh show.

I was hungry anyway, choosing to watch a Christmas movie, one of many I've enjoyed during this merry month of December.

Then, I took a break from tv for a while.

When I turned it back on thirty minutes ago, Georgia Public Broadcasting had a gift for me: "A Charlie Brown Christmas".

What a blessing!

Right place, right time.

i thank You, God.

I just may have to rethink my stance on their request for money...

but, not right now.

"Monk" is on, and he's part of my Sunday groove this year.

What a relief, though, to have been given that bit of normalcy with Linus.

What a blessing!

i thank You, God.

yes, on a sunday!

As Jack Skellington would say, "What's this? What's this!"

Yes, that is "The Moscow Ballet's Nutcracker" mug with today's brunch!

Yes, that is one of those tasty sandwiches from Chick-Fil-A on the plate from Okinawa!

Yes, that is "Bernie Mac" on the tv!

Yes, this is Sunday, on the first day of August!

I know it shouldn't seem like those items would all be present today, but they are.

That saucer is in use because I need to wash dishes.

The mug leapt into my hand to brighten my day and remind me of days when the high temperature is not above 99 F.

Bounce has changed its schedule, so I get "Everybody Hates Chris" on my Saturdays and this show has moved to this part of the weekend, as I have just found out.

Then, what was the other thing that warranted some 'splainin', as Desi would have requested from Lucy?

The actual food item!

Well, that was obtained last night, with a thought ahead toward future meals.

Knowing Chick-Fil-A would be closed today (as it always is), and knowing how long the drive-through lines are (with no dine-in allowed again), and having already told myself that I was going to be successful on this venture (as opposed to a failed trip on Tuesday), I went ahead and got loaded for bear.

I was actually surprised at how quick the trip there was.

Within twenty minutes of my car hitting the lines, I was back at home, with two of the special chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, an 8-pack of grilled nuggets, and four Kale Crunch side salads with little packs of almonds, all for just $23.01.

Last night I indulged my craving, savoring that pickle-brined meat on the soft bun, the mass of fries, and two of the salads - so very tasty!

The second meal was the second sandwich this morning, a rare treat that I have not had in at least two years.

The nuggets and the two small salads will most likely be a pasta dish for tomorrow evening's meal, or may be brunch one day - who knows?

Certainly not I.

I'm just glad to be somewhat free of my groove right now.

I've placed it rather solidly into my back yard.

This makes my third foray into the back yard over the past week.

Last Sunday evening, I had the blade at the penultimate highest setting and managed to cut about half the yard.

Thursday, I lowered the blade to almost the lowest setting and went over those same areas, with the bag attached instead of the mulch tool.

I had to stop and empty the bag three times, but the result was a better-looking grass level.

Yesterday, after realizing Carolyn was not going to make it to a movie with me, I ventured back into the yard to knock out the remaining unmowed areas.

Even with the blade again at the penultimate highest setting, I had barely done a five-foot square area before the bag was full.

The tall Y-grass was dry as it could be, but the undergrowth was soggy and glistening.

Clearly, a different approach was needed.

So, I've mowed in diagonal rows, in the hope that the pattern will allow the overload of moisture to escape before my next attempt to tame those areas.

In total, it took me an hour and I had to empty the bag four times of lawn cuttings.

Rain is due again in a day or two, so I'll need to face off against the yard before that; no sense in letting the grass get watered again while it's still tall.

Here's hoping this logic worked!

no kilts for mister willie!

No, no, my dear, those were absolutely a special surprise for me!

No, today was most definitely the fourteenth, not the seventeenth, but St. Patrick's Day in July had to come three days early at  Grayson Stadium.

The Savannah Bananas didn't have a home game on the 17th... plus, they know I love kilts!

And what a treat it was, too, from the very start, with Coach Gillum on horseback, leading the men in their charge onto the diamond from the center field gate!

That's him in that last photo, too, spurring the boys on, in his lovely boots!

The center left is our first man up for the game against the Blowfish, taken from our cherry seats behind home plate.

The center right is my man, catcher Bill Leroy, taken from our new vantage point in the picnic area, after a bathroom break in the seventh inning.

What's up with the "we" and "our"?

Well, I already told you that Mister Willie was with me!

It's right there in the title of this post, silly rabbit!

The Man in the Yellow Tuxedo made extra sure the 4000+ fans in the house knew that this was a special occasion and who the honoree was.

In the first frame, he introduced Willie Smith, Jr., to the crowd...

in the next, Mister Willie is cheering him and his words, in humble gratitude...

with a culmination of Willie saying "Play ball!!!" as the crowd cheers him on!

i thank You, God!

This was Willie's first game in two years and it was better than any medicine anywhere.

As I told my first niece, I witnessed his love of baseball, and his love of being in this ballpark, dropping ten years from his face!

These folks are all Banana staff who wanted their photo taken with him.

That's Mark "the Shark" Ediss in the first one, greeting the man before going into his Pit.

The other folks are all new to me, but the young woman on the right, Dakota, is one who calls and talks to Mister Willie often.

As for Devon Ashton, the one who assisted us with setting up this game and our special early entry and the choice seats, I don't have a shot with her.

I'll have to see about rectifying that situation when we return for the July 28th game.

As for that leprechaun... I would swear he winked at me!

How magically delicious!

 

And here we have Bruce Revis, joyously reunited with Mister Willie!

I had just said his name three times to Willie, wondering where this Man-Nana might be, when suddenly, like Beetlejuice, he was RIGHT THERE!

These two have spent games together since before I knew Bruce's name.

I think that may have come about during the summer of 2009, when I was attending solo.

That was also during the MLB Single-A Sand Gnats' reign.

When the Bananas came to town, the two were still up there at Mister Willie's seat, cheering and talking baseball.

How wonderful that they still can do so after a year of pandemic!

And how truly blessed am I to have been here for this moment in time!

Mister Willie had spoken to photographer Nick, not long after we got set up in the picnic area, and asked for a baseball.

The next thing we knew, Coach Tyler Gillum came striding up with a special gift: not just a baseball, but one autographed by the team!

Wow... that brought a tear to the old man's eye, not for the first time tonight.

For many of these years that I've been at games in his company, whether we're sitting together or apart, Mister Willie has known my camera would be out and snapping pictures.

He has asked me why I did that, and I've always responded that I take the photos for my enjoyment, as a keepsake of the game.

Of course, the true reason is to capture moments like this, with his hearty voice telling the batter to "Put the wood on it" or "Give me the long ball", to make those real and not illusion.

Documenting what has happened allows me to better relieve it again, as I have done here.

Thank you, Sam Johnson and Thomas Houston, for your encouragement of my entry into the blogosphere.

And, i thank You, God, for such a wonderful night, sharing the breath of baseball, one more time, with this man.

comic book and game show kevin!

Mr. Awesome, indeed!

Drawn by an 11-year-old boy (as the story told), the hero of his comic book had the ability to zap bad guys with his finger.

No, not with that finger!

With his index finger!

Hahahaha!

When I read that the plot involved comic books, I stayed to watch, even though it wasn't part of my groove.

What really kept me going to my camera, though, was trying to catch this pre-'mercial break send-up, with Matlock done up as a cartoon hero.

By the end of the show, the boy drew him in a cape, a red one, because the lawyer wanted to fly like Superman!

Very nice!

That's the second time this week that I've watched something that wasn't part of my usual breakfast line-up.

On Sunday, the ex had texted that he was watching "my friend Diana Scarwid" in a "Law & Order" episode, one he tuned in to because the title was also that of a Paul Simon song.

On Wednesday morning, Bounce tv had the same episode in their list - so I got to see it, too!

I'm glad I did. It had been a favorite for me, all about scientific integrity.

I wouldn't even have been looking for it if Jeff had not spoken of it.

Right place, right time!

Anywho, after the "Matlock" I went right back into my groove today, getting a bit of Drew Carey and "The Price Is Right".

And who should be the first contestant?

This guy, this bespectacled bundle of energy!

And what might his name be?

Kevin.

He even went on to be one of the two contestants vying for the grand prize.

I cheered for him, of course, even though I'm not his honorary Auntie.

Right place, right time!

i thank You, God!

a priest, a rabbi, a minister and a preacher log into a zoom room...

"What are you going on about this time?"

It's a Zoom series I've enrolled in called Clergy Talks that meets on Wednesday afternoons. I had thought about going to them last year, but I don't know that I did more than once.

"So, they get together and discuss the similarities and differences between their religions?"

Not hardly, dear! Let me introduce the players. Going counterclockwise from bottom right, that's Michael Chaney, Robert Haas, Dave Messner, and Billy Hester. That's in order of their clerical titles, by the way.

"Okay, I can understand why you went to at least the first 'episode' of this series. I know Reverend Billy from your church and I know Rabbi Haas from a few comedy shows and those tri-faith services."

That's correct. So, knowing two of the four, I signed up for the 13-week series. I very nearly didn't go to the first one, but I'm glad I did. It was a safe haven to discuss the day's events that I had just fled from. They had not been aware of the riot at the Capitol until I 'spoke' of it. The conversation then dealt with answering my question to them.

"Which was?"

What are y'all's perceptions of being able to have these discussions and their worth to you? There ensued a discussion about 'hot' media versus 'cool' media, with one requiring interaction and the other not so. However, there was an answer that evolved, too.

"And that would be...?"

The beauty of learning through dialogue back and forth, either between the four of them or with 'viewers' like myself. The downside of using technology is the loss of being topical in their sermons, which are all recorded several days prior to release to their congregations. For example, Billy's 'Sunday' service is actually finalized on Friday and then waits to 'premiere' at the usual time that Asbury Memorial holds church.

"I see. And just what is it that you get out of these Zoom sessions?"

Quite frankly, it's the live interaction with them. Well, that's mostly with Rabbi Haas in the 'chat', but frequently he will bring up my topics to the others to involve them, too.

"It looks like y'all are just talking about cartoons right here, and rather old ones at that."

Well, that's what was being discussed by them at the time, so I was just trying to be topical! LOL! This photo, by the way, was from the session on January 13. That's when I started loosening up around them; they were already pretty casual with each other.

"Very nice for you! As the only daughter of four kids, I know you have hung out with guys your entire life. I'm glad this quartet has welcomed you into their midst."

I think they welcome my female perspective. The third session followed the Inauguration and I brought up some points they had missed - like the color of the tie and the coat of the newly-sworn in President and Vice President. Plus, I gave my perspective on the meaning of a woman in power at the White House. I'm so glad the Haas man 'talked' to me about that! He liked my choice of words, too, about earlier events, regarding the need for "debate, not debacle." I must say, I do enjoy trotting out my vocabulary for this Zoom!

"Well, you can thank your Grandpa for that. Such wordplay you and he once shared!"

So true, so true. I am sure that repartee here is part of the attraction I have for Clergy Talks. For instance, on 27 January, the topic was 'ambition', but it quickly became a lesson in semantics, with 'altruism', 'goal', and 'aspiration' all having a turn in the discussion. Pretty meaty for a talk that strayed initially onto horseshoe crabs, platypus, and possums! As I told them, "Y'all are a hoot! Proof positive that clergy are 'just folks', too!" Rabbi Haas really liked that observation!

"I'm sure he did, and the others as well. That's akin to your gratitude when a student acknowledged you as a person with a life, not just as a teacher."

Hey, nice segue! The next week's session on 3 February was focused on higher education! David had just helped his kid apply for college and was having 'launch anxiety' about the situation. So, the foursome of aging white males were discussing such things, including the anxiety not only of kids leaving the nest, but also, during this year of pandemic and lost jobs, of kids having to return to their parents' homes to leave. Of course, I weighed in with my tale of living briefly with Mama after I PCS'ed from the Navy, where I had most def lived as a liberated woman. So David Messner read that and the topic opened up to include life changes for military folks!

"Well, it probably was not a topic that touched home for them. I doubt any of those men served in the military. Only Billy and Michael are of an age that they could have grown kids that went that route, but neither said aught of that."

No, they didn't, but they did get onto "Planet of the Apes" and possibly re-enacting that for the next week's session! So, I had tuned in on February 10, eager to see costumes... but Billy - no surprise! - was the only one to do so, donning a wig as "Nova" near the session's end. Perhaps the others don't have easy access to a theatrical closet full of props and clothing? Probably not!

"Don't forget! Chaney was barefoot! And David kidded about them being 'the monkeys you got!' at the top of the show."

True, all true, but I had hoped for a bit more fun. After all, this quickly turned into a talk about Valentine's Day, so I nearly tuned out. But then I'd posed a question, then rephrased it when it was misunderstood, to ask if they felt, as married men, that their wives would expect them to talk on that topic and would be disappointed if they did not. Billy was the only one who said he'd be afraid to find out! The other three kind of hemmed and hawed, and the topic was changed to memories of that 'holiday' as a child and the paper valentines at school.

"That sounds like it might have been rather fun! You know, reminiscing about the old days of childhood, before you had to be coupled up to get a valentine's day card or memento. Not that the day was ever a big deal to you. As you used to tell folks, only half-jokingly, you expect your husband to treat you like every day is special, not just on the commercially promoted ones!"

Yeah. I must admit, I get that from Mama, who got it from Grandma. Unlike them, I never had a passion for roses. Give me daisies or pansies any day!

"Yes, dear. Are you about done here?"

Yep, I just want to say a couple of things about the session this week! They had another Unitarian - which is what Dave is - as a guest. Kate Landis has a new book out, so they were helping her promote it. It was Ash Wednesday, so Father Chaney was marked up, but the others were not.

"Well, of course the rabbi wouldn't be. I don't know if Unitarians do so... but Billy was waiting for the service that night." 

No bout a doubt it, as my Daddy would say. LOL! Let's see, where was I? Hmmm... so, the topic was mental health, with each person weighing in with their life. I talked of making sure I vary my meals, to stay out of a rut, and incorporating different video events into my days. I even brought up the SBHF and the upcoming film festival!

"Good for you! That showed you were trying to stay in your groove thing, the schedule of culture that you've been enjoying for years now!"

Hey, I'm trying. Like the four clergy, I'm not yet eligible for the vaccine, so indulging virtually is in my best interest. One thing for sure: I am so blessed to be retired from teaching. These guys have to keep the congregation alert and engaged, just as I did in the classroom, but they have to do it through the one-way lens of the virtual world. That means more work on their part and less reward. At least they don't have to grade lab papers!

"Indeed! That was truly the worst part about teaching! Well, most of the time, though it could be pretty hilarious from time to time!"

Yes, indeed! As for these clergy talks, I do plan to finish out the series. I truly enjoy interjecting my two cents' worth into the discussions and actually having them take notice and respond. I especially appreciate Robert Haas carrying on a side-bar conversation with me as he does. I look forward to the next five or six sessions to come!

dancing to a new groove thang

This is where all meals at home have been eaten this year.

What a concept: using the dining room table for dining!

Not the coffee table, not my lap while sitting on the couch - no.

I have the company of Elvis, which is always a bonus.

I have that lovely painting I bought for just a few euros while waiting in line to see The David in 2012.

When the day is sunny, I open the drapes and look out the window at the azalea bush trimmed as if it were a bonsai tree - I'm looking forward to its blooms in another month.

As for the Element tv, it may be on or it may be off.

For breakfast, I like to watch "The Great British Baking Show" reruns on GPB.

Today, it featured soda bread for the signature bakes.

That prompted me to cut two slices of the soda bread I baked last Thursday, then to top it with slices of the Gouda from the Hillshire Farms package.

Utterly delectable and such a grand coincidence!

That show airs at noon, by the way.

That means lunch is around 4 PM, allowing me to indulge in the antics of the folks on the "Family Feud" reruns around then.

That's usually good for some laughs!

Dinner is served at the oh-so-continental time of 8 PM, at the earliest.

That allows me to continue enjoying time with Sam Beckett, as his "Quantum Leap" adventures still bring me great pleasure.

Those are usually on at 7, 8, and 9 PM most week nights, with some leap-a-thons on a weekend.

Now that I've seen most multiple times, I concentrate on my favorite episodes and feel free to skip others.

Sometimes, though, the tv is off and I read.

The material may be a book, it may be a magazine.

It may even be the incoming mail, from time to time.

It's good to have choices and not a rut.

It's even better to have healthy choices and plenty of variety.

That's not only true for my meals, but also for my activities.

My goal last month was to eat every meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - in the dining room.

Mission accomplished!

My goal this month is to get up and dance to at least two songs each day, not just set Rudolph in motion and move around with him... not that I don't love doing the "little kid shuffle" with this gift from Smitty, because I do.

It's a great way to warm up the feet and lower legs!

However, the little reindeer just knows the one tune.

For variety, I turn to "The 80's" on the Music Channel.

I can always hear a few tunes guaranteed to get me on my feet!

On Monday, it gave me "Billie Jean" and "Bad Boy" - those paired up nicely!

(Get the joke? Listen to the lyrics, you will!)

Yesterday, I was "Addicted To Love", truly "Heart And Soul"!

(Hahahaha! Another inside joke from the universe to me!)

And today?

It was all about action!

"Pour Some Sugar On Me"!

"Jump"!

"She Drives Me Crazy"!

I look forward to continuing with this new habit...

and seeing what song couplings await my dancing feet!

One day at a time, one step at a time...

that's the way we do it on this blue-green planet!

(smile!)

duty toward others

When I took this photograph this afternoon, I did not realize how well it would capture the spirit of my activities today.

I had parked at Carrabbas, knowing I wanted to treat myself to slunch there after my pint of life had been drawn.

I had been walking back toward that restaurant when my eyes had been drawn upward - by a gust of wind? by the sound of the cloth waving? - and that's when I had paused and snapped the shot.

 

I had continued on my way, intent upon my mission: obtaining a big bowl of Mama Mandela's Sicilian Chicken Soup.

Ah, bliss, on this cold day!

As I told the waiter, Jacob, I had been dreaming of that spicy soup for several days!

And the shrimp scampi with its lemony butter sauce and crisp toast?

Magnificent - and I have some of that for another day!

Full of warm food, I carried on to my next destination: the Official Absentee Ballot receptacle at the voting center.

I took a picture, as I always do.

Usually, it's after dark by the time I arrive, but this time I carried out my civic duty in the daylight.

There were a few people waiting to vote in person, but not many.

There were actually as many dropping off their completed ballot, as I was doing, into the metal box.

That was reassuring, to see so many taking care of their responsibility as a citizen.

I wish as many had been at the American Red Cross with me.

I am part of the three percent of United States citizens who donate blood.

Today's was the fifth pint drawn this year.

Usually I try for four times, but I do well at making it to the Tibet Street address at least three times annually.

Sure, there's a reason I'm so conscientious about that responsibility: my blood can be given to babies in need.

However, I certainly don't object to the red blood cells and plasma being used to save the life of someone's mom and somebody's brother.

All lives matter.

One pint of blood can save three lives.

During this Christmas holiday season, the most Christ-like gift I can provide is a pint of life-giving fluid to three strangers.

That's definitely paying it forward.

I think I'll post this on fb.

Something positive is always needed there.

(smile)

the show must go on, says drew

Apparently, the powers that be at the television station told him to go for it.

Drew Carey said he'd be back live "when there's a vaccine" when he'd done the night version, with "The Neighborhood" stars, a few weeks ago.

I knew it wasn't a repeat the moment I saw Drew's gray-flecked beard.

I noticed that facial hair at the special "The Price Is Right At Night" show.

My guess is that it's been more than two weeks and he was COVID-free, so he agreed to continue shooting episodes.

The wheel is sanitized between spinners.

Only one person comes out at a time and no one is allowed to be any closer to Drew than twelve feet.

Good for him for insisting on that!

I'm sure his congregation of alligators have their jaws snApPiNg to keep those young contestants at bay.

After all, the people in the United States of America with the most outrageous number of cases of infection from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are those between the ages of 18 and 40.

That has been the case since June, the time of clothes being shed and group outings to the bars and beaches.

But I already talked of that, didn't I?

And I did so in June.

One note before I prepare for lunch with my first niece: this is not my graph.

I thank the state of Louisiana for preparing this colorful picture of their data.

I want to note that Michigan, Alabama, and Oklahoma have data that confirms my theory and the data trend shown by Louisiana.

I really take no joy in being right about this.

Y'all, please mask up.

Please wash your hands.

Please travel with alligators.

Please.

leap to a midway marsh

"Oh, cool, are you talking about that episode when he's the deputy sheriff during Hurricane Camille?"

Nope, not talking about little fictional characters at all!
Interestingly, that is the "Quantum Leap" that I missed at 6 PM this evening.
I missed the 7 PM one, too, when he became a Klansman, like his father-in-law.
But that was okay, as I had seen them on May 15 and May 16, respectively.
I had looked it up, so I wouldn't miss any I'd already seen.
Just like when I went to that Bananas game on Monday, I didn't miss anything of note.
Nope, when I arranged the make-up game for that earlier baseball rain-out, I deliberately chose that Monday date.
The episodes I missed that night, about the nuclear bomb shelter and the electroshock therapy, were ones I'd seen.
However, one of those scheduled last Thursday, as the make-up game date, was one I'd missed back in May, for the trip to the bookmine.
I'm glad I was able to catch it this time around, even though the topic - death in the electric chair for killing a priest - was very tense.
The other one that I'd missed on May 12th, about the bounty hunter and the problematic dame, I was able to see last Wednesday.
Creative planning!
As for the the two I'd missed on May 5th, another Tina Tuesday, I'd caught them during the "Quantum Leap"-a-Thon a week or so ago.
Those two, about a night club magician and a nerd in a motorcycle club, were quite excellent, so I'm glad I had the chance to see them!

"Most excellent, I know how much you adore Scott Bakula!
What about the two episodes you'd missed because you didn't have your alarm set?"

The one about the Native American and his granddad, plus the episode about the dead German girl?
Yes, I've managed to see at least part of both of those twice now.
Hooray!

"Hooray!"

Now, then, what were you asking earlier?

"Well, the post title has 'leap' and 'marsh' in it, so I was wondering..."

Oh, right!
Nope, noting to do with the television at all.
I had been summoned to Midway, so I went.

"Summoned by whom?"

My friend, Josie.
She had caught me on fb a few days back and told me she needed some "Tina time", so I set up a date justthatfast - and it worked out for her!
Wednesday, about 3 PM, me at her house, for time on the back deck, overlooking the saltwater marsh.
She even had fresh boiled peanuts for us to munch!

"Oh, that is so cool!
But wait a minute...
you went to the Bananas game on Monday, with people being foolish.
Aren't you concerned that you might have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2?"

Of course I am.
However, I know I took precautions when I was at the stadium.
Still, just in case, I met her at the door with my face covering on, prepared to wear it the entire visit if she deemed it necessary.
That's what I did yesterday when I met Smitty to do the quarterly payroll and catch up the last three months of sales tax reports.
I wore my face covering the entire 2 1/2 hours that I was in that office.
Better to keep him safe than risk him getting COVID-19.

"Amen to that!
That's being a responsible older sister!"

That's being a responsible adult, that's what it is.
I don't want anyone i know to be coughing up bloodied bits of lung tissue.
That's how people end up dead.
The morgues in Texas and Arizona are so overrun that they are using refrigerated trucks to temporarily store the dead.

"That's horrifying!"

Yes, it is.
Anyway, as I said, I had been summoned to Midway, so I went.
She met me at the door, both of us with face coverings, led me through the house to the back deck, opening doors so I didn't have to touch anything, then we settled down into the chairs to chat and visit.
The two tiny puppies, Frankie and Lucy, were such sweet little girls!
They went down for a nap in their playpen - lol - so we had the time all to ourselves, eating the peanuts, drinking water, and talking about life and family and all that stuff.
(smile!)

"How very nice for both of you!
I'm sure it was a welcome break for her, too, from all her counseling work."

Funny you should say that.
She had listed me in her log "from 3 PM onward" to fill up that time slot!

"HAHAHA!
I'm sure it meant a great deal to her for you to drive out there."

Actually, it isn't even that far, less than forty miles.
Yet, even as I say that, I have to add that I haven't been there in 12 years.
That's how long it's been since her 50th birthday.
I'm really glad she invited me!

"What about the rest of her family?
Were they working at home or off somewhere?"

They were both working at their usual jobs.
They both got back to the house about 6 PM, I guess, so I had a chance to talk with them, too.
So, there's Jo, lounging back, and Kenny took the seat she'd had as we talked.
He was bragging on me to Shannon, telling her what a good dancer I was - lol!
We really had such a good time together at the Jenkins 40th Reunion!
Shannon is only 24, so I'm sure she just thought we were a bunch of old fogies.
LOL!

"Yeah, I'm sure she did."

But we're not old...

"That's right, just old-ER! Hahaha!"

That's absolutely correct!
Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to have some dinner and watch a bit of tv.
Maybe I can find a nice game show?

"Maybe you should bop over to fb and grab the movie link, eh?
After all, it IS Wednesday and that's PFS night!
Do your groove thing, do your groove thing, yeah yeah!"

What a marvelous suggestion!
I think Jim has called it an "ultra-obscure, gritty neo-noir action thriller".
It's really funny how many categories he lumps together for these viewing parties!

"He's just putting out the bait, seeing who takes a nibble!"

I will!
Though I probably won't watch it tonight.
I'm in the mood for something on Element.
(smile!)

"Go on with yer bad self! :-)
Have fun!"

Hey, that's what I've done all day...
i thank You, God.

what do you do with your days?

I seem to run into that question quite a bit these days.
Sure, people are curious, as they know I am a social butterfly -
a retired social butterfly, at that.
That means my time for attending events is not limited to evenings or weekends.
So, with all of these daylight hours available, how do I pass the time?
Well, for starters, I have my groove thing going on, as I've mentioned before.
Those are the routine elements that mark a day's passage, now as it was pre-pandemic.
My leisurely brunch, now as then, is served with coffee and sometimes dessert.
Now as it was then, I dine while reading or I watch a game show.
Now, I am usually reading the Smithsonian or a book; then, I would have read one of Savannah's two entertainment weeklies.
After breakfast, now as then my groove is flexible.
Sometimes I watch a movie or do puzzles or blog; other times I run errands or check email; plus there are times I write cards or notes or ready birthday gifts for mailing; and occasionally I have luncheons or special meals out.
Trust me, the time passes rather quickly during the day, now as it did then.
What types of errands do I accomplish during daytime hours?
The same ones are done now as were done then, meaning weekly trips for the grocery shopping, picking up oddities at the drugstore, miscellaneous doctor visits, mowing the yards, and doing the laundry.
True, that last one isn't weekly, nor is the penultimate item, though it's every other week and may be more often if the rainy evenings persist.
And, of course, the doctor visits aren't weekly or even monthly, though the timing meant I had my regular check-up, the optometrist appointment, and my first visit to the new dermatologist all within the last two months. All were with the local VA center, too, and only the visit to my primary care physician was virtual.
As for the trips out to stores, I make those into mini-adventures!
First I like to have a long drive, to feel the breeze on my arm and in my hair as I ride with the car window wide open!
Then, I do my shopping guerilla-style, getting in, getting what I need, and getting out!
The long drive is usually enough to cause me to feel the need to pee, so that helps move me along in the store, as strange bathrooms are danger zones for contagion to occur.
That time in the car is precious to me, as I continue to - mostly - shelter at home.
Honestly, the time I most feel the strain is in the evening.
Then, in the idyllic pre-COVID world, I was out most of those.
Movies and dinners with friends (including Tina Tuesdays), volunteer work at the Lucas, artist talks and receptions at the Jepson, improv shows with Odd Lot, the latest artistic endeavors from the theatre troupes and painters and musicians -
honestly, the nights were as full as I could pack them!
And how has all of that changed?
Now, I still have movies with friends, although we are at our homes.
Now, I still have improv shows with Odd Lot (virtually, through fb)...
and those are 'with' my first niece, making them actually an improved situation, as I have weekly - or more - time with her!
Now, I still have access to artist talks at the Jepson, via their website...
not that I've been to any.
That's just "more tv time" in my mind and I already have plenty of that, right?
Between time spent blogging, time spent on social media, time spent "Quantum Leap"-ing with Sam and Al on weekday evenings, and time spent watching movies with PFS or those On Demand on regular channels or via premium networks... well, it gets to be a bit much, especially on the computer.
Ever since I discovered loss adjustment living, I prefer doing all of my voyeuristic activities Element-style, not via Lenovo.
(smile!)

So, just what had started me on this tear about 'what I do'?
Well, remember the MENSA group that I sometimes had dinner with or Christmas parties?
I had contacted mi amiga Barbara, who still declines to be on fb, with news of a mutual friend, Ron, of MENSA.
He has been in the hospital recently and was very ill, with not even Susan allowed in.
When his wife posted that he was out, I let Boo know.
I even passed on that Susan had him snapping beans, as he insisted on being 'useful'.

her: "Ron has always been active, building furniture, growing vegetables, etc. As he becomes more infirm it's going to be tough on him. I spend way too much time playing games on my phone and watching tv as I've already experienced periods where I could spend little time on my feet. Getting old is inevitable but so restrictive and Covid has certainly made it worse. My only outings are grocery, doctor, yoga and walking my neighborhood after dark. Not very exciting. What have you found to do?"

me: "I take long drives, at least once every week, as part of my shopping excursion. Wednesday, I drove to Tybee, hitting the CVS on 80 on my way back to home. :-)"

her: "Sounds nice :-)"

me: "It was wonderful! I really look forward to these drives. :-) Other than those, I blog, watch game shows and Big Bang Theory, movies, and cooking shows."
"I make sure to do something different every couple of days, to break the routine, but also some regular things, like Quantum Leap every weekday evening."

her: "Yeah Quantum Leap is an excellent way to pass the time. My hair stylist sent me a photo from the Bananas' game. Social distancing but not a lot of masks. I have a hard time just wearing one indoors. He claimed of course to be wearing his but he wasn't in the photo. I looked for Lynn and Lauri but didn't see them. Feeling a nap coming on. I'm gathering data this summer to prove to my doctor I'm on the correct dose of benzos. Halving one and never getting more than four to six hours sleep since school let out. I need a minimum of 7.5 hours to function, 8+ to function well. But I'm playing the game and will have the proof. I'll go back on my previously successful full dose as school nears. Really not sure how I feel about school. Kinda hoping we go back to virtual although I despise spending hours sitting in front of a computer."

me: "I have my first - and maybe last - Bananas game on Monday. Lynn and Lauri have not gone to a Bananas game for three years. They didn't like the circus there."

So, now she knows what I do.
(smile!)

in search of that groove thang

Today is Sunday.
That should mean watch "CBS Sunday Morning", then go to church.
No, and no.
The local CBS channel had no audio, so I jumped online to watch the show.
No, and no.
That website insisted on shoving their cookie into my jar if I wanted to watch.
(Yeah, that sounds a little dirty, but it just came out that way.
Hey, I gotta get my kicks where I can, one pun at a time.)
Since they were being rude, I bounced to youTube.
All I wanted was a bit of Jim Gaffigan, to see how his clan was weathering their enforced stay-cation in Manhattan.
His channel freely gifted six of his segments, including the one that made me cry.
I very much enjoyed the episode in which he likened his family to the cast of "Alice", a show I grew up watching.
That segment was pretty funny!
I hung around in his space for a while, enjoying the candor-flavored humor.
Then, I discovered this segment: "Kids ask about COVID-19".
Wow.
He had arranged for his five children to field questions to an actual guru, who had answered honestly and in words appropriate to their ages.
Wow.
What a good dad!
I'm posting that to fb when I go to Jim's movie tonight.
Well, if he has a movie tonight.
CBS didn't have an accessible show this morning, nor did my church.
I don't know if the issue was with Asbury Memorial or their youTube site.
Whichever is of no matter: going to church was a moot point.

So, I took a shower and affixed a fresh bandage to the spot vacated by the mole.
See the new little crater in the upper center?
Doc Brown, the new dermatologist at the Savannah VA center, described the mole as having irregular coloring and irregular edges.
Yep, it had to go to the lab with its bad self!
Plus, he froze the spot where the tick had been, on my back, below my left ribs.
What a relief!
Another sense of relief came soon after, when I did as Elisa did.
(smile!)
I make sure to shower every other day, mostly for that perk.
(smile!)

What next to do as I once would do on a Sunday?
Well, as good fortune would have it, I'd snagged issues of "Connect Savannah" and "DO!" on my River Street walk back to car.
That meant I had "News of the Weird" to read for the first time in three months!
I'll be sharing those with others, too.
(smile!)

Well, that was a lovely bit of normalcy!
How about a nice hit of Jonesin' Crossword to get me over the line again?
Especially as it's been almost a year since I had a memorable fix of that drug...
but it turned out to be just a tease, looking like a charmer, but the carpet didn't match the rug, if you catch my drift.

What was on top of the head didn't correspond to what was going on down in the pants.
No sirreebob, the clues below were not for the numbers in that grid above, which was actually for a much older puzzle back in January.
I guess Jim Morekis slipped again in that issue.
Drats and double drats, and phooey, too.

Fortunately, the competing entertainment newspaper brought it, full on, with humor to boot.
Good job, Zach Dennis of the Savannah Morning News!
Good work on writing the crossword puzzle, Kevin Christian and Michael Lopez!
I enjoyed going fencing with the pirate's irate rat and learning about that salient alien lie while quaffing the stalest tale's ale!
Now, to go buy milk... maybe.
After all, Sunday is a day of rest.
(smile!)

ha ha! made me laugh!

For the past couple of weeks, I've been working on a new groove:
trawling on fb until I happen upon a high note on which to exit.
I make sure that whoever was responsible for that post knows it, too!
I typically write something along these lines:
"Congratulations, you made me laugh out loud!
That means it's time to exit fb for the evening!
Many thanks!"
So, forthwith, the ones I've collected thus far.

This was the first one I saved, from 8 June,
posted by Eric Mitchell.
(I was there to grab the PFS Sunday movie link for
"This Island Earth", as I had been elsewhere.)
"F.Y.I. You pee on a jellyfish sting
not a jelly stain.
Again my apologies
to the lady at the Waffle House
this morning."

This lovely little pun is courtesy of Marguerite from one of her posts on 9 June.
(I was on fb after posting my Rolling Stones enhanced graphing exercise.)
"What kind of shoes do frogs wear in the summer?"
"Open toad sandals."
Bring on the corny jokes - I eat them up!
(Get it? Hahahaha!)

Danny Beam was the 'winner' on June 12th with this one.
(I had gone to fb for Odd Lot's Friday Funnies 'with' my first niece, but they had taken the night off.)
I'm so glad I'm not one of these fashion-conscious women,
but I know plenty (yes, Christina!) who are!
So the wife says to her husband,
"You're not wearing a polka-dot face mask with a plaid shirt."
I think that chick needs more moonbeams in her life!
I know I sure do!
(smile!)

The latest one was garnered just last night, courtesy of former deejay Jay Sinclair.
(I'd gone to join Jim's Sunday group, but it was an Andy Griffith movie I saw last year with PFS.)
The scene is a 'one-stop shopping for a heartache' strip mall, with a divorce lawyer squat in the middle between a liquor store and a bankruptcy attorney.
Those could be visited in any order for the same results!
Question: who drove those two cars...
and were they buying?
Hahahaha! Hahaha!

Well, this has been a fun interlude!
Perhaps I'll share more of these again sometime.
(smile)

shake yer groove thing, shake yer groove thing, yeah yeah!

Show me how you do it, now!
Nothing like a dance tune with a killer beat to really make me move my feet!
Hahahaha! Hahaha!
So far, so good on this birthday62 eve!
My blood donation went without a hitch, natch, and I even finished up before a young man across the room - wow!
Maybe his blood was reluctant to leave, but mine likes helping others!
(smile!)
While I was waiting my turn, I was talking with Debra and mentioned that I was so glad I was called to "come on in!", rather than wait for the 7:15 PM appointment.
By being there earlier, I was able to keep my "date" with those two "Quantum Leap" men, at 6 PM and 7 PM, jetting out on a Commet (TV) to link up!
She got a kick out of that!
Plus, she is a big fan of science fiction and likes the show, too!
Then, it turns out that Dina - the one who had called to urge me in - is a big sci-fi nerd, too!
How very nice to know they'll be watching 'with' me from now on!

Knowing my tank was finally around empty, I stopped at my favorite pump with the bargain basement prices, the tiny Walmart on Abercorn, near Tibet.
Would you look at that price?!
It was only $1.65 per gallon!!!
I realize the price is low because no one is going anywhere they don't have to go...
but what great timing for my birthday present!
Thanks!

Now, I'm home again and pumping iron...
pumping it back into my arteries!
Actually, this meal wouldn't do it, as there's only about 5% of the RDA in it.
However, those Quaker Oatmeal Squares I'll be snacking on for the 7 PM show have a whopping 90% RDA per serving!
That is most likely why my iron count today was 15.2, the highest ever for me.
Guess I'll be remembering that snack!

Guess I'll be signing off right now, too...
my alarm for my "date" with Sam and Al just sounded!
Woohoo!!!
Plus, guess what I found out?
Comet will be gracing me with a Quantum Leap-a-thon on Sunday!!!
Hooray and hallelujah!!!
What a perfect gift to end my birthday weekend!
(smile!)