and they danced!

I speak of Jim Reed and Lauren Byram!

Why did that make such an impression on me?

I've never, ever seen him dance.

Not ever.

And there the writer-musician was, stepping and twirling with his bride in her movie star dress!

His shimmering silver shoes and her glamorous silver dress truly lit up the ballroom at Post 135. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a lovely couple they are, dancing as though they've been together forever!

They were married earlier today, in one of the squares where she has ghost tours and he had his 'life as a SCAD student' tour.

Now, they were treating about eighty of their family and friends to a wedding reception that was more of a Christmas party, replete with marvelous food, a free-flowing bar, and plenty of country and rock dance music from the aptly named Damon & The Shitkickers.

How good to see so many I'd missed: Joe and Princeton, JinHi and Mark, Joe B and Lois, Jay Sinclair, Axelle and Jordan, Will of PFS, Bonnie and Don... even Hai!

I even got the attention of one of Jim's college buddies!

It was the mask with the curlicue mustache that attracted his attention, not my gorgeous sweater or my favorite blue top from Italy underneath.

Kirk even pulled up a photo on his phone of him, with the same mustache drawn on his face at a party!

Magnificent fun for both of us!

Thanks, Jim and Lauren, for inviting me and Carolyn!

Even though I wore my face covering for much of the evening, it was so wonderful to be around so many friends, live and in person.

I even surprised the bandleader by singing along with almost every song... and even breaking into dance, with Lois sometimes and solo others!

How did I know that surprised him?

He kept watching me as I mouthed the words along with him! 

(smile!)

I'm so glad I allowed myself to join the festivities and didn't let my pandemic panic attack yesterday dissuade me.

I certainly needed this bit of normalcy in my life.

i thank You, God!

epix thrills and chills film festival - bwah ha ha!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

and the only black in the movie.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

you just may find some new favorites!

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

Go, Braves!!!

just for expanding his horizons

I woke to an alarm today, as I have done on Tuesdays for almost a year now.

That's because this is the day that Mayor Van Johnson gives his televised update to we citizens of Savannah about our progress during this time of pandemic.

It's usually at least thirty minutes in length, with questions from the media after.

Today, he didn't do that.

Not any of it.

I have no idea why, but it didn't happen.

So, instead, I pulled up a tv show I haven't watched for a while: "Beat Shazam".

That provides me a bit of entertainment and music, a winning combination, right?

Absolutely!

And I got that in spades today!

(Give it a minute and you'll know why I  went and fetched that definition.

I don't want anyone thinking I''m being racist with my choice of words.

Go ahead, look up the phrase, I'll wait.

*

*

*

Just a reference to a centuries-old game of cards, naught else.

Okay, forward we go!)

So... where was I?

Oh, yes, watching Jamie Lee Fox and his daughter, Corinne, this morning.

Episode 1 of Season 3 featured three pairs of teachers vying for the money.

One of the pairs, two brothers, did poorly the first round, scoring no money.

Then, for the second round, in which they were able to choose the song categories (they opted for 80's rather than 2010's), they continued to fare poorly...

until the final two songs, which they answered correctly...

preventing them from being dismissed and allowing them to continue playing.

They had gone from zero dollars to $9,000, putting them in second place.

For the next round, which was Corinne's choice, the artist was Shania Twain.

Let me allow that to sink in a moment while you recognize who that is.

Got it?

White woman, Canadian, the Queen of Country Pop.

Honestly, I know, possibly four of her songs, primarily because my husband was working at "KIX 96 and a half" during our first few years of marriage in the 1990's.

Two of those tunes I knew showed up in the game; I didn't know the other three songs that showed up at all.

I mean, I'd never even heard them and they were supposed to have been some of her top hits, as only those are used for the game.

The contestants - the two brothers versus a pair of female friends - had to correctly guess the title of the six songs and score the most money in order to continue to play for the truly big bucks in the final round.

"That Don't Impress Me Much" was one of the two I knew and the fourth one in the set...

and the one that cinched their lead.

After the last one in this set, Aaron and Martin, two African-American men, had $64,000 and had won the chance to play, versus the machine, for a million dollars.

Wow, what a Cinderella story, right?

From absolutely zero in the first round to almost losing out on the second round and missing the Motown song, then knowing all that country music that few would regard as culturally relevant for them and going to the final round - wow!

But it wasn't the two of them that knew the songs...

oh, no, Aaron didn't have a clue and was openly surprised that his brother knew them.

Seriously.

He was in open-mouthed surprise by the third Shania song.

Even the two white women they were playing against were in awe.

But Martin had it down pat.

I was thrilled!

I always am when people venture outside their comfort zone and open their minds.

That's what I do, trying out new ideas and concepts from different cultures, embracing the activities in the Savannah Black Heritage Festival, in the Jewish Film Festival, in the Clergy Talks by Zoom on Wednesdays, in the Savannah Music Festival, in the Telluride MountainFilm on Tour, in the Savannah Jazz Festival, in the Savannah VOICE Festival - most of which is free, by the way, so there really is no good reason to not attend.

Seriously.

Some folks may think I'm "just going to a lot of movies", but that isn't how I regard it.

Movies are the fastest way to 'read' a story about another person, another country, another culture, another way of thinking.

I've been a bookworm since I was young, eagerly reading of other's adventures, and I credit books with opening the door to travel, with the military, and on my own afterward.

I know so many who do not venture outside their circles, staying around only those who look like them and think like them.

How wonderful to watch this show this morning and see another adventurer!

And what were Martin's plans with the money?

His daughter was going to college to become an immunologist and he wanted to be able to help her with that so she wouldn't have loans to repay.

Wow.

So, how did their story end?

The two brothers won the million dollars, that's how it ended...

with Martin answering all the questions, correctly naming all six songs before the computer could.

The first was Taylor Swift's "22", a song I have never heard.

The second was an oldies tune that I did know: "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys.

Third was a pop-rock hit, "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train, a song I love!

The category for the fourth song had him worried, but Martin recognized Harry Chapin's "Cat's In The Cradle" before I did, and, more importantly, before the machine did, too.

The penultimate song was rhythm & blues and one I didn't know: "Nobody Knows", from the Tony Rich Project in 1996.

I suppose I might have been too busy trying to finish my doctoral dissertation...

but Martin knew it.

He knew it justthatfast, too, as he had known all of these songs.

His knowledge had brought them $189,000 and to the point of no return -

hmm, I wonder if he might recognize the pun-titled song by Kansas? -

(I'm guessing he would) -

meaning, they would need to decide if they wanted to opt to leave the game and to keep the money amassed, or risk losing half of it if they continued to play.

That final song category was "90's".

After the commercial break, Aaron had convinced Martin they should continue.

Aaron's wife had been in a recent car wreck and had not worked for some time.

Aaron told the audience that their mother had always told them to never give up...

so they kept playing, gambling that the adventurous brother would know the song.

And he did!

So did I, incredibly.

The Gin Blossoms' "Found Out About You" was, literally, the million-dollar tune for these two Pennsylvania teachers.

Wow.

He had a moment of uncertainly after, wondering if it should be "I Found Out About You",

as he said in an aside to his brother, then he had shaken his head -

no, he'd said it right the first time.

And he had.

Wow.

Good for Martin!

Being adventurous truly paid off for him, literally and figuratively.

I hope his daughter is just like him...

and I hope his brother will try to follow his lead.

What a wonderful way to start my day!

i thank You, God!

cups, hurricanes, a hedgehog, and cauliflower

In case anyone wonders: yes, the strike is still ongoing.

Early this morning, before retiring to bed, I washed dishes.

How many coffee cups this time? 

Ten...with nary a glass in sight.

Ten knives, one bowl, three pots, one pan, and an assortment of cooking utensils.

No plates, no forks, no spoons.

I'm rather enjoying that!

I don't believe I'm going to enjoy this as much.

From the looks of this map, there are a series of hurricanes on their way to this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sally and Paulette are both twisting to the east; the former will provide us with rain later this week, the latter will stay mid-ocean.

As for the others, who knows?

I hope they'll prefer the deep blue to a sandy beach.

I don't much care for this, either.

I met with Smitty to catch up on his sales tax filing... and was dumbfounded by this sight.

The entire strip mall burned down last Tuesday morning.

Even the oak trees across the street were singed by the blaze.

It's thought to have started in the second-floor office of the gym.

I wonder if it was a coffee pot that was left on?

 

 

On to more delightful scenes, like this one at the cinema!

I was there for "Sonic The Hedgehog", to watch the interactions between 'Tom whose dentist calls him Tim' and 'the robot with a PhD' and the 'intergalactic blue rodent' - 

what sheer delight!

And I was not the only one - a woman had brought two children to enjoy the show!

Magnificent to laugh with others!

Now, I've had a bit of entertainment that was definitely more adult!

That's a 37-year-old Charles Grodin, feelin' frisky as he flirts with a 22-year-old Cybill Shepherd in "The Heartbreak Kid" of 1972.

He just had one little problem: 

he was in Miami on his honeymoon with a bride he'd gotten to know during their drive from New York.

Oy vey, catastrophe!

Then he met the shiksa goddess on the beach and naught would do but to woo her and wed her...
and then...?

Well, I'm sure her Daddy was going to make sure his daughter didn't meet the fate of wifey #1.

Funny, but a bit sad, too.

Thanks, PFS, for that blast from the past...

I've always liked Charles Grodin. 

He has such a nice ... voice.

(smile!)

catching up with the psychotronic

Sometimes I don't actually get around to watching the PFS offerings for a while.

Take "Bill And Coo", an adorable little film from 1948, starring a nice variety of birds.

That's Bill, on the left, separated by the minister marrying him to orange-breasted Coo.

It reminded me of the Popovich show in Las Vegas!

I saw it on August 1, though it was the movie-of-the-day for May 24.

Thanks, Jim!

The other PFS movie I watched on August 1 was "Mitchell", a 1975 flick starring Joe Don Baker as a fairly rough-and-tumble detective a la 'Dirty Harry', but less neat and tidy.

I found myself really enjoying it, surprised by how much the man resembled Elvis Presley.

Had he ever been an ETA?

After the movie, I looked it up.

Why, yes, yes he had, when he was in high school!

I was just a week late watching it - 

thanks, Jim!

Now, this one I actually watched on its appointed day!

I think that made my third time of ever seeing it, with the first during my college days at Armstrong, at a festival of 'bad' movies.

"The Terror Of Tiny Town", a 1938 western musical, was novel for featuring an all dwarf cast.

It actually is quite charming and was meant to be taken as a serious endeavor.

The second time I'd seen only part of it, starting with this scene.

 

I'd not realized the movie was a musical because I never got to see this part, with the hero and his lady love singing during their picnic.

And why had I missed that point?

Because the tv channel had been changed by the barkeep at the now-defunct restaurant.

Some switch in Hai had been changed, too, causing him to dismiss our eight years of friendship.

Odd the things that get jumbled together by the mind!

Still, I'm so glad I could watch this again and know it for the sweet movie it truly is!

Thanks, Jim!

 

Then, there's this.

Titled "The Chase", the 1946 film noir concerned a war veteran plagued by nightmare thoughts that he couldn't distinguish from reality.

This scene, though, really broke the tension for me!

On the door is a warning: "Quarantine: Virus", yet both the veteran and his pursuer have opened the door anyway and entered.
Seriously, they did!

I couldn't help laughing out loud!

Thanks, Jim!

jack

Last night, the Psychotronic Film Society of Savannah had a memorial tribute for one of our own.
The film chosen was "Kingdom Of The Spiders", starring William Shatner at a pretty low time in his career, just before his star again began to shine.
The science fiction piece was a warning of a future ecological disaster if DDT use was not stopped and also a nod to equal rights, with a woman as lead scientist.
In the world as it was in 1977, that was perfect fodder for drive-in movies.
I should know: I was 19 then and had been to plenty of those movies.
The guitarist had also been to plenty of those, as he grew up just two years ahead of me.
He had been a big fan of cheesy movies.
When PFS was barely more than a thought, he was right there to cheer it along.
And when Jim Reed had screened this film one night, the guitarist talked with him about how much he had liked the movie, not just that night, but when he'd seen it before.
He would have been just 21 years old that first time.

Carolyn called me, near midnight, in tears, with news of his death last Wednesday.
It must have been as the discussion of that night's PFS film was waning.
Jim had told her the news and she had reached out to me.
We talked for almost two hours.
It wasn't because we were both such good friends with him, but that he had been such a fixture on those Wednesday gatherings at the Sentient Bean.
He had a loveseat that he had claimed for his own, years ago, even going so far as to have a sign that marked it "Reserved", much as Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory" had a seat on the couch that no one but him could use.
That was the puzzle piece that marked him as like my middle brother, Ronnie.
That brother expects - no, demands - that other people obey the rules in his world, whether he has shared those rules with them or not, and is not shy about voicing his displeasure when one of his rules is broken.
Moreover, that brother believes the laws are meant for others, not for him.
See where I'm coming from?
I already have a person of that type in my family and in my life; I was good with keeping the guitarist as an acquaintance, nothing more.
That's what I told Willie yesterday.
I also told him of the hours I spent last night and today online, searching for videos of the guitarist in action during his fifteen minutes of fame.
That was during 1984, when Jack Sherman was a replacement guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as shown in this press clipping from February 1984.
The band had mistakenly opened for Oingo Boingo in Los Angeles and the crowd had actually booed them.
I might have done the same.
The drug-fueled antics of Anthony Kiedis and Michael 'Flea' Balzary on stage, in conjunction with that band's music at the time, were not my cup of tea.
I much preferred the indie flavor of the band with Danny Elfman (whose music I still love and who shares my birthday).
As it would turn out, the drug usage became a major point of contention between the guitarist and the lead singer, eventually leading to Jack's dismissal at the end of the 1984.
(Note: All told, RHCP has had an incredible seven changes to its guitarist position and almost that many in the drum department.)

That year of heavy touring to promote the fledgling band, which had not yet released an album, led to their appearance in the media, including television.
That man in the gray and black suit, to the left of the host on "Thicke of the Night"?
That's Jack, on March 16, 1984, almost two months past his 28th birthday and fourth month of touring with the band.

They played two songs on that episode, including "True Men Don't Kill Coyotes".
Jack must have been thrilled!
As a young man, he had to think he was truly living large!
There he was, on late-night tv, playing a song he had co-written with the other three guys!
(Later, it ended up as Track 1 on that first RHCP album.)

Then, more television appearances, this one from the August 1984 interview on MTV as part of "I.R.S. Records Presents The Cutting Edge".
Each member of RHCP was allowed to say a few words and Jack talked about playing funk music, a style he had introduced to the band.
(That elemental change he brought to the band's sound was acknowledged in a recent article celebrating the 36th anniversary of the first album's release.)

Chances are pretty good that I saw Jack in action on MTV.
I used to watch every music video the show had, much like I do with youTube now.
So, after the video for "RMDKC" was released August 10, 1984, I'm sure I watched it.
However, I did not rush out and buy RHCP's first, and newly-released, eponymous album.
Like I said, that flavor wasn't my kind of music.

And, yes, that's definitely Jack Sherman in that video, fingers flying and fringe swaying!
Had I not mentioned that the black on that gray suit was long fringe?
Yep, on the jacket and on the pants - I love fringe!
But why was he wearing that horrid curly-haired wig?
Because the writing was already on the wall of his departure.
The wig would allow a seamless transition of the video when the original guitarist returned a few months later.
That face, though, is 100% Jack.
He may not have been included as a member when the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2012, but his year with them led to his reputation as an excellent guitarist and many gigs with diverse other artists over the past 36 years, including Bob Dylan as well as George Clinton.
He absolutely loved playing, and did it well and with his whole heart.
In the end, it was his heart that finally gave out.
If there's a rock and roll heaven, I'm sure he's jamming right now.
That's a good thought.
Maybe he's even wearing that fringed suit that he liked.
(smile)

i tawt i taw a bear

"Geez, Louise, you thinking you're Tweety Bird now?"

Nah, just trying to keep a lighter perspective on things.

"Well, that's a good thing.
Let me guess: this has something to do with the bfrb."

Spot on, dearie.
Part of me wants to think it was him, there at the purple Planet last night.

"Oh, so you've resumed going there?"

Eh, to an extent.
Tuesday and Wednesday, I went in the early afternoon.
This last time, I ventured there after 8 PM.
You know, after my two hours "Quantum Leap"-ing.

"Nice!
I know you like PF better in the late evening.
Is it still less crowded then?"

Oh, fairly comparable to what I see in early afternoon.
I had hoped for a bit less.
At least there were no teens this time.
Wednesday, I switched up my program because four teen boys took over the treadmills.
Nary a one of them bothered to clean those machines, either.
They left as abruptly as they'd swept in.
Naked-mouth heavy breathers, each one, of course.

"Of course.
The demographics are going to have to show a much bigger impact of COVID-19 infection on the under-30 crowd if the danger is to make any impact on their self-centered brains."

Yes, of that I am painfully aware.
That's part of the reason that I'm abstaining from the gym until Monday.
Hopefully, those selfishly not wearing face coverings will be at work.

"No doubt they will be, now that businesses are all wide open again.
Even the restaurants that just closed because of infection are throwing wide the doors once more."

Those all have their bars right near their front doors, too.
I've deliberately stayed out of them.

"I know, dear, and I know how tempting it has been to get a Spanky's pizza."

Well, they're the only ones who really do make an excellent cheese-free pizza.
Plus, I love all that meat on them!
I wanted to get one on Tuesday, but the parking lot was full when I drove by.
Nope, not gonna chance it!
I know the heavy drinkers that go there and hang out.

"And talk loudy, with no face covering, spewing virus-laden spittle in all directions.
Yes, I know that crowd, too.
So, let's go back to that 'part of the reason' you're taking a program break."

Well, you know that the other night I got dressed up and went to the Chart House?

"Yeah, I think it's safe to say I know about that."

Well, I had completely zoned on it being a PFS night!
I mean, completely!
Which is pretty wild, since Jim had said it would be one I would like.
He's been feeding horror films to those fans of late, so I've gotten out of the habit of going to his online viewing parties, especially those on Sunday, which is still not a regular thought for me on that night.
But you would think I would know to associate Wednesday with the Psychotronic Film group, right?
Nope, it was not even on my radar until the next morning!
That's when I woke up and realized I'd missed it.

"So you went on fb to grab the link before it left?"

You got that right!
Turns out it's a 1940's British film called "The Red House".
I still may not watch it, but at least I have that option.

"Choices are good to have."

Most assuredly they are.
(smile)

"Yes... but you still haven't answered my query about returning to PF."

My return to Planet Fitness...?
Oh, yes, sorry, I must be trying to block it from my mind.
It has to do with a friend's post, from CNN, that I saw tonight.
I had thought, it being Friday, that I had Odd Lot to look forward to, with Christina.
But, no.
I had looked forward to it all day, but when I sent the "Odd Lot time" alarm to her, she had immediately responded with "are they on after all?"
Shiite and hell fire.
No, as it turned out, they were not.
They have opted to vacate the Loft on Liberty and had spent the day moving out.
Shiite.

"Oh, no!
First out of Muse and now out of the Loft!
That's terrible!"

Yes, it definitely is.
So, I had wandered around aimlessly on fb, then stumbled hard upon this.
Thank God other scientists are also graphing data.
However, I recognized at a glance the horror show depicted hereon by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
He has apples to apples here, so the word is clear.
The blue line is for all the countries which are part of the European Union; the red line is for all the states which are part of the USA.
Both groups have roughly the same population and are conducting about the same amount of testing.
Like I said, apples to apples.
The data tracked is the seven-day moving average, from February 29 through June 22.
It is clear that neither group has attained the desired-for status of 'no new cases'.
Both groups show similar initial curves, with a steep rise to about 30,000 new cases daily, but that high dropping after two months to about 20,000 new cases per day.
However, the data for the EU continued a steady decline for another month, eventually reaching a baseline of about 4000 new cases daily, a baseline which has held steady for the last thirty days.
The US had a short-lived decline to 20,000, and has steadily risen ever since.
Folks want to say we've entered a "second wave", but we would have had to have two weeks of baseline to be able to claim that.
No, we are still very much in the "first wave" of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 deaths and we are going to stay in that first wave probably through the rest of 2020.
Christina and I talked about this tonight, for about forty minutes.
Then Paul called and we talked about this mayhem for over an hour.
At least they are familiar with the graphs I've made to track the trends of several states.
They know my analytical skills and my care with the data.
They know to trust me when I say we are still in the 'first wave'.

"Damn."

Indeed.
And now it's sum-sum-summertime and many are going ahead with vacation plans and sporting events and big gatherings.
Coach's Corner, near me, has started having outdoor concerts!
Sure, they're a small place, but it's still not safe enough for that type of event.
And the Savannah Bananas start up on Wednesday, July 1st.
At Grayson Stadium, but "only with 2000 people in attendance".
Supposedly, they'll be checking the temperatures of all 2000 attendees, with an option of dismissing any fan with an unsatisfactory reading.
Scott has a ticket to that game.
I'll be curious to see what his take is going to be on their 'safety protocols'.
I do know that I will NOT be taking Mister Willie out there.
My first game ticket is for Tuesday, July 7th.
If I opt to go, my face covering goes with me, and on me.
And if things seem out of hand, I'm leaving.
That's if I even go.

"Damn."

I know.
I had so looked forward to so many things this year...
especially as spoiled rotten as I've been with so many theatre options...
in addition to the wealth of time with mi tres amigas, dining out and Bollywooding...
and let's not forget the Odd Lot, and the PFS at the 'Bean, and Tina Tuesdays, and whatever other shenanigans might arise.
Plus, there would surely be an occasion or two, at least, of 'waking up somewhere else", something I haven't had since last June.

"Damn."

You want to know just how little I've been driving?
This is the odometer reading from my trip to the VA center this morning: 213191.
That means I've driven a whopping 656 miles since Christina's birthday party at Olive Garden.
Only 656 miles.
For just over three months.
That's not quite 220 miles per month.

"Damn."

Exactly.

"So, maybe you can arrange a night away at some remote place?"

You mean, like Montana?

"Well, that's pretty far.
That'd require a lot of stops at strange bathrooms, so maybe somewhere closer."

Yeah, I don't see that happenin', Captain, as my first niece would say.
(smile)
I think I'll concentrate on having more meals from elsewhere.
I've cashed in a bunch of reward points for future dinners at three favorites: Olive Garden, Bonefish Grill, and Carrabbas.
I'll be hoping for a buy-one-take-one deal, too, to extend the dining experience.

"Good for you!
That's keeping a positive vibe going!"

Hey, I'm doing what I can.
You can't be a beacon if your light don't shine, you know.

"Yes, I do know.
Uncle Jimmy was always big on saying you had a light shining for others to see."

That's a light for me, too.
That optimistic girl keeps it lit pretty good, though she needs help finding a match from time to time.

"Yes, that Christina Ann sure raises your spirit, doesn't she?"

Say who?
(smile)
Yes, she does, yes, she does.
She's got mothering down pat after eight years as a foster parent.
I'm hoping the adoption of the littlest girl will finish up this year.

"Yes, let's hope so!
That would most certainly be a bright spot in this year!"

Indeed.
Okay, I'm going to watch some game show or other.
I've been test-driving "Match Game" and "To Tell The Truth" lately.
You know, nice and easy stuff, with a few laughs along the way.
I'm ready for a bit of that right now, so...
later.

"Later, dear.
Hope you'll have sweet dreams."

you had me at art deco

Jim had titled the night's surprise as "Bizarre Dark Cult Comedy / Horror Flick!".
He'd described it in the following way.

"The exact title of this and all future selections will remain a SECRET right up until showtime.

So, with that in mind, here is all I will tell you about our June 3rd selection:

1. This is one of the all-time classic cult films of the 1970s.

2. It stars two gifted and acclaimed American actors, one who was often confused by viewers for being British. Both of them are at times hamming it up unmercifully in this creepy yet somehow quite funny tale.

3. It's director WAS British, and he got his start as the Art Director for one of the most influential "mod" TV shows of the 1960s, and this film was shot in England, with most of its supporting cast being from the U.K. as well.

4. There are distinct echoes of the set and costume design of this film in the look and feel of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, which was made just a few years later.

5. This movie has been ripped off NUMEROUS times in the decades since it was made, but none have ever equaled the delightfully campy nature of this little gem of a movie which, much like ROCKY HORROR, is an homage of sorts to old-fashioned horror movies of the 1950s and 1960s.

6. I love this film so much that I actually dressed up once as the title character and appeared live onstage as him here in Savannah (and I really don't like dressing in costumes)."
------------------------------------ ---------------------------

I had my reservations about whether I would stay for it or go elsewhere.
The PFS Online Viewing Party had hosted a horror movie last Wednesday, too, one that I had deemed too much of the grotesque for me to partake.
Curtain time had been delayed thirty minutes, but I hung around on fb, waiting for the title to be released, waiting to make up my mind.
I'm so very glad I stayed!

It was a tale of romance gone wrong, much as "The Crow" was, and we all know how much I adore that movie!
In both films, the two lovers die tragically young, robbed of sharing an old age together.
In both films, the male finds a way to avenge the death of his beloved, taking care that only those who did wrong would be harmed.
Ah, perfect revenge!
And isn't it romantic, his shadow on the stairs, their images on the floor?

He had taken pains to recreate the scene as she would have known it, back in 1921.
he had even crafted a robotic band, Dr. Phibes' Clockwork Wizards,
so he and she could always have dance music to enjoy.
Of course that made me think of those romantic animatrons, Steam Powered Giraffe!
Maybe I need to spend more time with those guys to catch their art deco stylings?

Meanwhile, back at the (Phibes) ranch, what songs were activated when they press play?
"Dark Town Strutters Ball" was one I knew from the 2016 SMF!
And those songs about dreams, dreams of being kissed,
about dance and romance!
Then, over the credits, a song I've known almost my entire life:
"Over The Rainbow", a song for daydreamers like me.
What a beautiful movie, one I know that I will watch again.

Of course, I had to let Jim Reed know that he'd done good!

me:
"Oh, wow... you had me at "art deco"..."

Jim:
"Have you seen this film before?"

me:
"I had not.
I do believe I shall watch it again!
Totally enjoyable, artfully designed, and the music - oh, yes!
Thank you!"

Jim:
"Awesome!
I know you are not a fan of horror movies, so I delight in finding ones that you both try and enjoy."

me:
"I'm a big ol' Vincent Price groupie, so that helped. :)
Plus, like I said... that whole art deco thing... wow!
I once spent several days at South Beach, just to revel in that style of architecture.
Divine!"

Yes, I will definitely watch this one again.
What a wonderful, unintentional, unforeseen gift for birthday62!
i thank You, God!

thanks, chef jason

After making Paul laugh on Sunday, I finally decided
I'd had enough of being the chief cook and grocery shopper and bottle washer around here.
Time to let someone else make my meals!
Jason's Deli has been volunteering to do so for the past few weeks, and, since they had a pretty good range of foods for pick-up, I "hired" them.
That was on Tuesday, April 28th.

They prepared for me the Garden Family Feast, for
less than forty dollars.
That gave me one cup of Chicken Tortilla Soup and
two slices of a kid's pepperoni pizza for slunch
that afternoon, plus a huge side salad.
How magnificent it all was -
especially as it was food I had not prepared!!!

For dinner, I chose their Irish Potato Soup, although it cost me a Lactaid pill (as had the pizza).
This was the first bowl of two, as I had added milk when I reheated it.
It was so smoky-flavored that I kept expecting to find chunks of ham, but the soup was full of potatoes!
I really think my Irish stepdad would have approved.
(smile)

What to have for my Wednesday brunch???
The kid's meal Mac'n'cheese, plus another Lactaid pill!
Well worth it - that was so very rich!
I had cooked some extra pasta, as I could tell it was slap-dap full of cheese - and it was, too!
I was only able to eat half of this!
No worries, I had plans for it later...

...but not for slunch, no sirreebob.
The day was warm and I wanted one of my favorites:
a "big" salad, as Elaine Benice would say.
Tuna from the pantry, with the balsamic vinaigrette and croutons from the deli, turned it into a protein-rich feast for the taste buds and the eyes.
What a wonderful treat!
Good fuel for sawing off dead azalea branches!

After a couple of hours of yard work, it was time for "Quantum Leap", followed by a comedic spaghetti western from that zany PFS guy.
I made a little more pasta to go along with the brunch leftovers, sliced up some ham and an apple from last week's grocery trip, and I was good to go!
Who would have thought a kid's meal could go so far?

Speaking of kid's meals, I had the other two slices of the pizza for brunch on the 30th.
So good to have real pepperoni, and mozzarella, too!
Lunch was "on my own", so to speak, but Jason's Deli stepped in for dinner, with a very spicy Seafood Stew!
I served it over a wild rice medley from the pantry...
what a delectable flavor and magnificent aroma!

That brings me to today, the fourth day after buying the feast from the deli.
The pepperoni omelet pizza is my own brunch creation, but that glistening topping?
That was cheese, lovely full-fat cheddar, from the huge garden salad container.
Jeff and Amy approved, as they looked on from the coffee cup commemorating our February 2019 trip to Odd Lot. (smile)

Late lunch found me dining on another "big" salad, this one the third and final one from the huge container.
This time, I diced more of my ham steak, sliced the grape tomatoes, drizzled on balsamic vinaigrette, and added a sliced apple for color.
It almost looked too pretty to eat...
but I ate it, every last bite!
I had three hours of yard work ahead of me, y'all.

My dinner was the last item from the deli: the second cup of Chicken Tortilla Soup.
I chunked it up with a can of garbanzos from the pantry, then opened a bag of nacho-style chips from the bounty brought by Michael yesterday.
That wasn't quite Mexican, but it was close enough!
By my count, I had eleven meals, fully or partially contributed by Jason's Deli -
and all, as I'd said, for less than forty dollars.

Best of all, I'd had minimal preparation and cooking time involved.
Wow - what a deal!
I'll be doing this again, but maybe try one of the other family packs.
Now, however, it's time for "La La Land"...
so, la-la-later, dudes and dudettes!