pass the popcorn, summer kids!

Before you get the wrong impression, this post isn't specifically aimed at children of a particular age.
After all, I am a Summer Kid, you know.
This morning, I watched the last movie I'll see this year as a Summer Kid. "Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory" was the feature, the 1971 version with Gene Wilder - the version I, myself, first saw as a child. What an amazing coincidence!
What a perfect choice to complete my slate of summer films!
All in all, I was treated to twelve films to start my weekday mornings, each one for less than $5.
Twelve!
Of those, almost half were movies I had not yet seen. How I missed them, I don't know. I've denoted those in bold below.
My thanks and appreciation to Spotlight Cinema for their free screenings, Carmike Cinema on Stephenson Avenue for the $4 movie + popcorn + soda combo, and Regal Cinema for the $1 movie (or choice of just $3 for movie + popcorn combo). Thanks, y'all, for making my summer cheerier while not breaking the bank!
Now, on with the game!
Here, I am presenting the quotes garnered only from the 10 AM, midweek, films I've had the pleasure of viewing this summer. You no doubt recognize it as the game I presented you last year.
One change to note: some movies are attributable to more than one quote, so keep that in mind.
Oh, one more thing: these quotes tend to be garnered from minor characters in the cast.
(All puns intended!)
(smile!)

***** ***** *****
Here are the quotes, in no particular order at all.


1) "Ah, the gift of laughter! Thank you, dangly bells!"

2) "Citizens, stay tuned for a message from your tyrannical dictator."

3) "I'm her mom, I get to say when our child's fantasy ends."

4) "I'm not allowed to insult guests directly."

5) "You have to shake it up now and then."

6) "So shines a good deed in a weary world."

7) "I was a beast in the arena. A beast!"

8) "Smile, my boy - it's sunrise."

9) "I know it sounds like a cat poster, but it's true."

10) "Fommie landed an interview!"

11) "You can't score if you don't take the shot."

12) "Looks like we're having curly-toed weirdo for breakfast."

13) "You mean, on your birth certificate, it says Wyldstyle?"

14) "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."

15) "I'm the flaming pirate of Nagamaki!"

16) "He says it looks like a golden poo sitting on my shoulder."

17) "See you later, alligator."

18) "So, Dorothy, why have I called you all the way from Kansas?"

19) "She's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead."

20) "Your mind is already so prodigiously empty there is nothing to clear away."

21) "Proper girls should not be obsessing over grotesque monsters."

***** ***** *****
Here are the movie choices, in the order in which I saw them.


A) "The Book of Life", 2014

B) "The Wizard of Oz", 1939

C) "Megamind", 2010

D) "Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb", 2014

E) "The Boxtrolls", 2014

F) "Shrek Forever After", 2010

G) "Dolphin Tale 2", 2014

H) "Marmaduke", 2010

I) "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day", 2014

JJ) "The Lego Movie", 2014

K) "Tooth Fairy", 2010

L) "Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory", 1971

***** ***** *****

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1) is D), jovially voiced by Sir Lancelot to Larry, in London, after noting his resemblance to the king's court jester, in "Night At the Museum: Secret of the Tomb"

2) is F), issued by the Magic Mirror before Rumpelstiltskin addresses the kingdom, in "Shrek Forever After"

3) is K), spoken by Carly, the mom, to her hockey player boyfriend, Derek, in "Tooth Fairy" - he has just told the little girl, who lost her first tooth, that there is no tooth fairy - which is ironic, as he is known as the Tooth Fairy in the hockey world

4) is C), uttered by Bernard, the museum clerk, to Roxanne Ritchie, the girl news reporter, in "Megamind"

5) is G), spoken by Dr. McCarthy to Sawyer, after giving him an old pocketwatch as a going-away gift, in "Dolphin Tale 2"

6) is L), softly voiced by Willy Wonka, aging confectioner, to Charlie the kid, when the boy returns the Everlasting Gobstopper, in "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory"

7) is A), enthusiastically delivered by the guitar player's abuela to her grandson, Manolo, in "The Book of Life"

8) is also D), bravely said by Teddy Roosevelt, one last time, to Larry, back in the US, in "A Night At the Museum: The Secret of the Tomb"
(Incredible how much that line made me cry. I still miss Robin Williams.)

9) is JJ), calmly spoken by the ghost of the wizard, Vitruvius, to Emmet Brickowoski, the builder, to make him BELIEVE he is 'the special' in "The Lego Movie"

10) is I), spoken by Ben, the 'fommie' dad, to baby Trevor at the mommy-baby yoga class, in "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"

11) is also K), this time from Derek, the mom's boyfriend, to her son, Randy, about trying out in the school talent show, to BELIEVE in himself, in "Tooth Fairy"

12) is also F), as the big troll talks to his mates while carrying the deposed tyrant, in "Shrek Forever After"

13) is also JJ), uttered by an incredulous Emmet Brickowoski, the builder, to his rescuer, née Lucy, in "The Lego Movie"

14) is also L), in an aside between Willy Wonka, tour guide, and Veruca Salt's beleaguered dad, in "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory"

15) is also I), as Ben, the former rocket scientist, rants in frustration to garbage cans after restaurant interview, in "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"

16) is also D), told by bored British guard, Tillie, to American nightwatchman, Larry, in "Night At the Museum: Secret of the Tomb"

17) is also JJ), shouted by Wyldstyle, née Lucy, to Emmet Brickowoski, the builder, in "The Lego Movie"
(Later, he echoes the words back to her as he escapes President Business.)

18) is H), asked by Don Twombley, the new boss in California, to Phil Winslow, his new hire and the owner of the Great Dane "Marmaduke"

19) is B), sung by the Coroner munchkin to the others, and Glenda the Good Witch, in "The Wizard of Oz"

20) is also J), as the wizard, Vitruvius, explains to Emmet Brickowoski, the builder, why he has no need to meditate to have visions, in "The Lego Movie"

21) is E), with Lord Portley-Rind admonishing his daughter, Winnie, for disturbing his meeting, in "The Boxtrolls"

***** ***** *****

Thanks for playing, y'all!
Hope you had fun - I sure did!
(SMILE!!!)

double helping of lunch ladies and movies!

Today has been pretty full!
The Lunch Ladies have been especially active of late, scheduling more than one weekly meetup. There have even been meetups on the weekend! Today, there was one in the morning as well as one in the evening, both in Pooler.
Say what?
I know!!!
The group has had a change in management, shifting from a young working woman with a family to an older, retired, single woman. Sure, officially Jackie shares that responsibility with Marjorie, another working woman (but with grown children). However, mostly it's Jackie.
Fine by me! More offerings mean more choices!
Back to today, shall we?
(smile)
The lunch at Tijuana Flats had been first to be scheduled. I had rsvp'ed, planning to go ahead and see a movie while I was over in Pooler.
Then, a few days ago, the dinner at Phillips Seafood, at the airport, showed up in the Lunch Ladies list. The reason? Our member, Betsy, was returning to town from the funeral of her husband in Indiana. A welcome party was wanted to greet her on the concourse.
Hey, I was up for that! After all, I feel a kinship with her. Her husband had died of alcoholic cirrhosis and I have a brother who is fast approaching that same fate.
How to pass the six hours between the two meals?
What a silly question. There are two cinemas in the town, you know! Surely I could find a movie or two for my viewing pleasure?
You bet I could - and did!
Tijuana Flats had great service and very good food, but the real drawing card is their selection of sauces. I tried two, the Ocean Rasta one and the chili curry one. Both were quite good and accompanied the Salsa Verde quite nicely on my two Carnitas Tacos and chips. Bravo! Jackie, Marcia, April, and newcomer Terri were already there and eating when I arrived. Thank goodness Juliette was late like me! Thank goodness, too, that the restaurant gives a 10% discount to veterans (like me!), military, firefighters, police, teachers...what a list!
As Jackie had decided on a nap instead of a movie, that opened up my choice of films and times. Off to the Royal Cinema, home of the Senior Discount for those 55+ - oh, yeah! Scanning the schedule, I devised the order and members of my doubleheader. First up would be "Pixels", brand-new and starting at 1:15. Perfect! That strong lead would be followed by "Trainwreck", fairly low on my wish list, but, with a start of 3:50, it would be better than the other choices to get me to my dinner on time.
What a great line-up that turned out to be! Both hit the ball over the wall for home runs! Woohoo!
I loved that the actual creator of Pac-Man, Toru Iwatani, was given a role in "Pixels"! WOW!!!
I loved that one of my favorite songs to perform at karaoke, "Surrender" by Cheap Trick, was the featured song at the beginning and the end of that movie! The entire song!!! Wow!!!
Yes, indeed, 1982 was a good year for music!
And that second movie... what a nice surprise! Boo and Sandy had both raved about it when I texted that I was seeing it. (Boo: "Sandy and I died laughing in Trainwreck. This is my ghost texting!") That was reassuring and a very good sign.
But what I liked best about the movie was the relationship between Amy Schumer and her dad. That brought to mind "Titus", the television show featuring the relationship between Christopher Titus and his father. I wonder if she is familiar with his work?
I made it to the airport, and dinner, just a little late. Jackie, Marcia, and Mindy were just finishing a shared appetizer platter. Perfect! Service was a little slow, but all worked out well as Betsy was able to join us for a while after her plane arrived a little early. Hugs all around, to greet her and in farewell after the meal.
Such a nice Tuesday!

four nights in daytona beach!

I'm back! Didja miss me?
(smile!)
I've just returned from an impromptu long weekend in one of my favorite places, at one of my favorite resorts. I even made a cool Benjamin just for donating an hour - or so - of my time on Sunday morning. Woohoo! That'll come in handy on my upcoming trip to another wedding this Saturday.
I know - busy, busy! My summer is flying by!
Oh, what about that "impromptu"?
Well, I debated even using that word. But, truly, it was an unplanned trip for me. I booked it last month, while I was at Polynesian Isles, after my eldest niece, Christy, asked what I might be able to get for her family in July. I did so with the knowledge that she would eventually, most likely, back out. I had explained to her how rare a summer opening is at the DBR, but I don't know that she grasped the situation. When the one-bedroom efficiency had popped up on my screen, I snagged it immediately!
She had said that day that she would call me back after talking with her husband.
I never heard back.
Three weeks ago, while I was working with Smitty, her stepdad, on his business taxes, I asked him if she had mentioned it to him.
She had not.
I texted her to see if they had made a decision.
She replied that John's family was coming for a visit, so they would not be able to go after all.
Well, alrighty then! The condo was mine, all mine!!!
Then again, you already know that part of the story.
So, what's new, pussycat?
Well, I killed some zombies and got a fridge rover of my own on Thursday, on my way down, while taking a break from the heat. (Note: I had given my first fridge rover to my first niece's foster son, who gained great joy from the science toy!)
I arrived and headed straight to the pool after dumping my stuff in the room and sending celebratory photos of the view (shown above) to my first niece and my eldest niece.
Then, over to Cinematique for a fun French film!
I even managed to find an open Winn Dixie afterward to buy milk and fruit. Hooray!
I was in 507A. The folks in 507 had a girl named Aliyah who wouldn't 'sit down and eat her Froot Loops' and a son who had to have 'Ashton time all the time'.
(smile)
My biggest complaint at DBR are the paper-thin doors. Noisy neightbors, though, can be drowned out fairly successfully, though, with the television and the fan. (I made sure Mike Grass knew that when I spoke with him on Sunday morning.)
Saturday morning, I slept in. Very nice! Then I caught the 1:30 PM Cinematique film with Juliette Binoche. Tre bien, mon frere!
Then I did something I had not on previous travels. I ate lunch at the pizzeria on the corner. YUM!!! The Original Stavro's Pizza House had smelled so good... I just couldn't resist!

The stromboli, sans cheese, was stuffed full of ham, pepperoni, salami, peppers, and onions - oh, my! And that crust - oh, my!!! And there was a side of meat sauce to drizzle or dip - I did both!
I indulged in a glass of the house Chianti - cheers to you, Mama! - and baklava, for a little sweetening. What a grand way to pass the time before the next film!
Good thing I took that time for pleasure. The film that pitted a blackfella versus the whitefellas reminded me far too much of my stubborn middle brother and his insistence that society conform to his lifestyle. I was actually relieved when the fake documentary was over.
Back to the pool! Back to the air-conditioned condo!
Saturday morning dawned.
Time for something new! A search for movies that used Daytona Beach locations revealed that I had missed a site in all my holidays spent here. I had never, ever, visited the Daytona International Speedway.
I know... hard to believe, isn't it?
Having driven past it every time I came into town and almost every time I left Daytona, I had yet to actually go there. Time to rectify that at once!
I selected the 90-minute All Access Tour. Here's the description. Everything in bold are my notes about the experience. The photos are all mine, too.

Take a privately guided tour by open-air tram, with Steve around the track, along the infield and down pit road.

Get an up-close look at Daytona International Speedway’s historic Daytona Rising project, a $400-million renovation project that will see every seat in the frontstretch replaced with wider and more comfortable seats with more restrooms and concession stands, five expanded and redesigned entrances (“injectors”) and escalators and elevators providing transport to any of the three different concourse levels that that will feature spacious and strategically-placed social neighborhoods, along the nearly mile-long frontstretch.

Explore the NASCAR Sprint Cup garages and Tech Inspection, including the Rolex car.

Check out the Drivers Meeting room and listen to the same safety video the drivers see and Gatorade Victory Lane.

Access the Coca-Cola Theatre for a close-up look at the Daytona 500 Champion Car driven by Joey Logano and the video as he crosses the finish line.

For a limited time only the All-Access tours will include a stop at the Florida Hospital Injector on the west end of the stadium. Guests will get an up-close look at the new amenities including vertical transportation and the wider, more comfortable seats.

Very enjoyable! I'll have to remember to go to tripadvisor and recommend it to other non-race fans!
Then, time for supper! I had been dreaming about the hotdog at the Starlite Diner! I ordered the same thing I did the last time I was there: the footlong hotdog, with mustard and ketchup, lots of french fries, a tall glass of unsweetened iced tea and... a slice of warm cherry pie. So very good! I took half of it back to the condo, but I ate all of the pie.
Oh, yes I did!
(smile)
Then, it was time for the concert at the Daytona Bandshell! On this summer Saturday night, the music of Journey would be featured for three hours. Woohoo! The tribute band Never Stop Believin' took the stage with "One Love" showing their expertise with the tunes. Very nice!
I danced for almost every song for those first two hours, too! Hear for yourself how good they are. Too bad more folks chose to sit instead of dance to the live music!
Why did I only stay for two hours?
Well, I had a 1981 'Cult Classic' to catch at Cinematique.
Why?
Because a 23-year-old Melanie Griffith was in it! I love her movies and this one, with her stepdad, certainly explains the rift between them.
Sunday morning, I was up and at 'em. Breakfast was the half-hotdog from the dine. Yum!
Got that $100 VISA for my early rising, and owner update, too.
Then I returned to my little efficiency. What a treat! The screaming parents next door had checked out! Hooray!!!
Lunch was asparagus, served alongside a healthy portion of my chicken and pasta that I whipped up in the tiny kitchen. (I would even have some for dinner later that evening, still in peace and quiet, as no one else had yet checked in to 507. Yeah!)
When 2 PM rolled around, I was in my seat and ready for take-off on my Stay-cation to the Ukraine, my passport stamped and everything!
Stephanie, the owner of Cinematique, served as our air hostess, directing our attention to the location of the lavatories and the two exits. (smile)
Debra, from the library, prepared deruny for us to munch on. (She used a packaged latka mix for the demonstration, but had true homemade deruny for us to sample.) Two assistant hostesses passed out the flavored vodka (mine was tomato! Quite tasty!) and the tonic water (very popular in areas with nonpotable water).
Then we all settled in for our inflight movie, featuring Elijah Wood as a young man in search of his grandfather's past.
At the end of our three-hour adventure, our hostess thanked us for flying with Cinematique and invited us on upcoming visits to Australia, Iceland, and beyond. I do so hope I will be able to ride along!

This morning, I checked out and hit the road.
The less traveled road.
The road along the A1A, on this beautiful day. Storm clouds were off to the west, but the east beamed over a rolling sea.
I did eventually rejoin the masses flowing northward on I-95, but this respite was a good beginning for my journey home.
The free fried shrimp dinners at SONS were a good lunch to welcome me home and an excellent meal for tonight.
Now, the laundry beckons and I must tend to it.
Через мої друзі!
(Later, my friends!)

pass the popcorn out of town!

Incredible!
I realized that I have become a "quote" junkie. I just can't seem to turn off my search for memorable mentions when I'm watching a movie, even those on television, even those at Cinematique... everywhere I go.
I love it!
Even more so, I love how the quotes actually turn out to be quite pertinent to the plot of the films, even when the quotes come from the minor characters.
LOL! Perhaps that last is more true for me than for you, but you be the judge.
I've also hidden a little inside joke in this game.
(smile)
Oh, one more thing. Just like my matching questions that I give my students, some movie choices are answers to more than one quote.
You know, to keep it interesting.
(smile)

***** ***** *****

1) "What is this, some kind of staring contest between two kids in the neighborhood?"

2) "I see you still have your sense of humour, eh?"

3) "Now, what was to be a celebration will be a posthumous homage."

4) "They're not trained cats, they're just friends."

5) "Don't ever call me 'doll'."

6) "I'd rather you be on drugs than talk crap."

7) "That is Sammy Davis Jr. Jr. She is Grandfather's seeing-eye bitch."

8) "Okay, come on, lets' play chase."

9) "Lots of rubbish in your head."

10) "Grandfather says that is not possible."

11) "Did you know that bees and dogs can smell fear?"

12) "So, I am allowed to be old as long as I don't want to be young?"

13) "Mom, if they wanted to get us, they would have done it while we were asleep."

***** ***** *****

A) Roar
B) Space Jam
C) Charlie's Country
D) Clouds Of Sils Maria
E) Everything Is Illuminated
F) Jerry Maguire
G) Gemma Bovery
H) Good Will Hunting

***** ***** *****

Ready, set, GO!

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1) is H), spoken by Professor Gerry Lambeau to the shrink, Sean Maguire, about the physics genius in "Good Will Hunting"

2) is C), spoken by Darwin hospital doctor to good-time Charlie, who was rescued when he was dying in the bush, in "Charlie's Country"

3) is D), the conversation between the Waldhaus Hotel concierge, on the drive from train depot to the hotel, and stage and film star, Maria Enders, there to accept an award for a suddenly-deceased playwright and friend, in "Clouds of Sils Maria"

4) is A), the words of non-assurance from wild animal collector Noel Marshall to his aide, Kyalo Mativo, when questioned about the tigers' lack of response to his commands, in "Roar"

5) is B) one the basketball court, as Lola Bunny cuts down to size one of the MonStars in "Space Jam"

6) is G), as the fiction junkie, Martin Joubert the baker, tells his son, Julien, in "Gemma Bovery"

7) is E), given from Alex to the audience, by means of introduction, in "Everything Is Illuminated"

8) is also A), spoken by Noel Marshall, on his motorcycle, to several of the wild lions in his collection, in "Roar"

9) is also C), the truest words in the entire film, uttered by the town trashman to would-be bushman Charlie, after the latter's disparaging remark about the waste truck, in "Charlie's Country"

10) is also E), from the translating lips of Alex to Jonathan, the American, translating his grandfather's "tell him that is bull*&*&" about the traveler's comment that Sammy Davis, Jr. was a Jew, in "Everything Is Illuminated"

11) is F), in the game of questions between Ray, Lauren's young son, to the agent, Jerry Maguire, in "Jerry Maguire"

12) is also D), in the conversation of middle-aged actress Maria with her young assistant, Valentine, in "Clouds of Sils Maria"

13) is also A), spoken by real-life Melanie Griffith to her real-life mom, Tippi Hedren, after waking surrounded by sleeping lions at her stepfather's place, in "Roar", a 1981 purported animal rights film using wild lions, tigers, panthers, and elephants.

***** ***** *****
Hope you had a s much fun as I did!

nice hat!

That's what my friend Don B said.
I had sent him a photo of me wearing the new ballcap given to me by the American Red Cross for giving blood here at the stadium earlier today.
It really IS a nice hat!
I also received two free tickets for Saturday's game.
Sah-weet!

I tried to get some other folks to partake of this deal.
Do something to benefit others and get two free tickets for a Saturday fiReWOrKs game($16 value), plus a really nice ballcap (at least another $25 value), for no more than thirty minutes of time.
Instead of the Saturday tickets, you could even opt for four free tickets for tonight's game, in addition to the free hat. That would have upped the value to $32 for the tickets.
No takers.
Incredible!

The conversation with Christa El Dorado went like this.

her: It's still my blood and they can't have it...plus, there are evil, evil needles involved.
me: You know it dies every few days, right? Your body just makes more. :)
her: Two words: collapsible veins.


The conversation with artist Bill was even better.

him: Going to watch the All Star Game with Tucker. Can't stand the sight of blood.
me: There is no blood at the stadium! Such silliness! :) Have fun with Tucker.
him: I can see the syringes!
me: Actually, there IS blood on the field. The Gnats are getting slaughtered by the Tourists. 4 to zip in the 2nd.
him: All that bloodletting has its price.

Ah, well! That means they missed a really good battle of air guitars!

They also missed out on sitting with Mister Willie in the stands, helping him cheer on the Sand Gnats!

That's him in the upper left, on the green wooden benches, wearing the white shirt and colorful hat.
Want a closer look at him?
You got it!

Let's hope the Saturday game has a better outcome for my boys of summer!

brotherly love across the miles

Why did I post this?

Because it isn't every day that I receive
a card of love.

Because the message was important
enough that precious funds were spent
on this card instead of on food.

Because I want to remember that
I am always loved.

My gratitude to my youngest brother
for the reminder.

Thank you, Tony.

shall i compare for thee two shakespeares? i shall!

Such a weekend I have had!
For three days running, Barbara and Sandy and I have immersed ourselves in Savannah's cultural offerings! Usually, the first weekend of the month is overloaded with events, but the 4th of July holiday spurred everyone to move their start dates to this second weekend.
Hooray for us!
And Hooray for Barbara, too! That made her Saturday birthday extra festive, as it was bookended by two Shakespeare openings.
Not that Saturday was devoid of fun activities for this trio of gals - oh, no! We had our JAVAFLIX Savannah monthly screening that day! The film du mois was "Hector and the Search for Happiness" and the thirty or so attendees all agreed that this one definitely was a winner. Simon Pegg is always entertaining, but never more so than as this middle-aged psychiatrist who undergoes his own version of an "Eat Pray Love" trek into his own psyche.
But I digress.
I'm here to talk about the Bard's works!

I was the one who suggested the Friday evening viewing of
"A Midsummer Night's Dream",
atop the third floor at Ampersand.
My friends had missed this blip on the local theatre radar,
but my familiarity with the Savannah Stage Company
had me eagerly anticipating this interpretation
of the oft-told tale of romance and comedy.

Ah! My anticipation was well rewarded!
Their stripped-down version,
offered up as theatre-in-the-round,
placed the emphasis firmly on the beauty of the words.
A skeleton crew of only six players
utilized simple wardrobe enhancements
(such as the brambles and rope, in the upper photo,
to transform man into donkey)
and changes in demeanor
to portray almost twenty characters.
The action never lagged, nor could it have done so.
The energy flowing through the players and into the audience was always on, literally and figuratively.
What an experience!
Also, as it was the opening night of the three-weekend run,
we three were invited to the party on the first floor!
Very nice!
What a fine finish to a Friday and a fabulous start of our weekend!

This afternoon, we attended the matinee of "The Taming of the Shrew",
at our beloved Muse Arts Warehouse.
Today's show was the third performance of this inaugural offering from Savannah Shakes, a new theatre troupe.
The group was formed solely to perform works by William Shakespeare.
They have a full slate of treats for us, with the game plan to serve up two plays every year for the next three years.
Their stronghold? Their angle?
Bringing the works out of the middle ages and into a more modern world, one decade per play.
Pretty ambitious!
Based on this performance, not only ambitious,
but possibly expensive.
This version of the romantic comedy is set post-WWII,
in the mid-1940's America,
when roles were changing for women and
war veterans were definitely society's heroes.
With a full cast of characters,
clad in garments befitting the decade,
the set was furnished minimally.
That was very good!
Such a large number of performers,
as well as a lavish set,
could well have been a distraction from the words,
the words which are the star of the show.
We three enjoyed the almost three-hour long rendition,
so color it a successful outing!

Now, we are off to see "Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy
Working With Time" at Sulfur Studios.
How could we resist? The place has 16 artists calling it home.
(Hint: You have to think like a chemist for this inside joke.)
Ciao, y'all!

happy 53rd, ronnie!

Here we are, at the Golden Corral again!
I had signed him up for their "Good As Gold" club and they had awarded him a free lunch for his birthday.
For the past few years, I have taken him out for a meal and a movie for his birthday. Last year, we dined at Carey Hilliard's and saw "Tammy". (Hey, he's the one who picked it! I guess he hadn't expected the "go to rehab" message in it. I found it to be priceless!)

I had printed out the certificate a couple of weeks ago.
You see, his birthday was actually on Monday, but I had not been able to take him then.
That's because I had no way of contacting him except to ride up and down Skidaway Road in hopes of espying him.
Yesterday, I finally saw him, sitting on the side of the Chevron, with several of his buddies.
I made a "date" with him for our birthday lunch at 11:30 AM today. I even enlisted the aid of his amigos to make sure he would remember.
They were also to make sure he brought his two phones up to the site and charged them, so I could get his phone service reinstated.

I arrived early and he was there with two of the same buddies from last evening, plus one more.
He even appeared to be neat and clean!
He was also a little tipsy.
Already.
But did he have the phones with him?
Hahaha! Ha haha!!!
What a silly question! Of course he did not, not either of them, whether charged or dead.
He, nor the three with him, could recall where I was taking him, just that "sister T" was taking him out for his birthday lunch.
I guess it's good they remembered that much.

We had a really good lunch visit! As his was free, I had only to pay for mine.
(Did I get the senior discount? Not even close. LOL!)
Throughout the ninety minutes we were there, we talked of tents and phones and tents and rehab and tents and his kids and grandkids and tents and his three-day return to the hospital in mid-June for chest pain and... tents.
Have you spotted the recurring theme?
Even with the medical scare, in which he had staggered to the Chevron and had them call an ambulance, his main function today was to get me to buy him a tent.
Wouldn't he rather have a working phone so he could call for help?
Nope, he'd prefer the tent. The one he had was ripped by a tree limb during a storm, as well as having a busted zipper on the door. The mosquitoes ate him up every night.
His son, when told of his papa's preference for the tent responded, "Phone can't keep the bugs off."
That echoed Ronnie's sentiments exactly.

So, off we went to Walmart, in search of a tent.
We settled on a Coleman 4-man tent, with WeatherTec features.
We got a can of bug repellant, too.
That's not to say I don't hold him having a phone to be of high importance. However, he's had three phones in the last six months. If he doesn't find it to be of value, he'll just lose it again.

I treated him to a movie, too. This year, he chose "Terminator Genisys".
He liked it very much... and so did I.
I hope we will be able to do this again next year.

wedding in north augusta!

Thirty years ago today, my cousin married the love of her life.
They have been together, in God's eyes, as a couple ever since.
Now, in the eyes of the federal law, throughout these United States, they are officially wed, with all the privileges and rights of married heterosexual couples.
At last.
Not that they were waiting for the Supreme Court's decision on the matter. South Carolina had legitimized the right of all people to marry more than six months earlier. They had sent the wedding invitations at least two months before the nation saw the light of a new day.
I was blessed to be one of those invited to bask in their love today.
I had not realized how careful they had been with that list. They had not wanted to have anyone who might have had a disparaging word or a pointing finger.
I was blessed to be one they trusted to be truly happy for them.
I am blessed that Sharon and Susan have both lived to enjoy this day.

I wish Mama and Grandmama could have been there, too.
One of the nicest parts of the ceremony, all of which was choreographed by Sharon, was the remembrance of those who had died. Sharon's mom and her enate grandmother. Sharon's sister, Valerie. Susan's father.
Their photographs, with lit candles, were given a table of honor near the wedding party.


I'm glad I took this photo of folks singing the song from "Frozen"!
I was able to 'freeze' this moment in time, for the one karaoke song performed.
Nice!

I said that I wish Mama
had been alive to be there,
but I believe she was present.
I said I wish my Grandmama
had been alive to be there, too,
but, again, I believe she was there
to bear witness.

No, not just because
of the odometer clicking into 167000
as I drove toward Augusta.
No, not just because there was
an amazing sky above
as that mileage was attained.

No, not because a penny
found its way into my hand...
because one did not.

I felt their spiritual presence
surrounding me as I listened
to the music Sharon had chosen
as the background before the ceremony.
Such old-fashioned love songs!

Coupled with the beauty of the day,
with the sun streaming in through the windows above the wedding party,
I was overwhelmed by the souls there to share the occasion with me,
with them.
Grandpa and Grandmama, Uncle Jimmy, Mama, Valerie...
all there with love and joy in their hearts.
What a blessed day for us all!
Here's hoping the years ahead are even better
than those already shared together!

double doubleheaders!

Wow!
For two days running, I've been to doubleheaders!
Each evening, I also had fireworks!
And I got it all for twenty bucks or less.
What a deal!

Last night, the doubleheader was with baseball games. The Sand Gnats were playing the Augusta Greenjackets, twice, to make up for the Thirsty Thursday game that was rained out.
For entrance to the festivities, I parlayed my Thursday night rained-out ticket for a fresh new one.
(It should be noted that my entry to the Thursday game was by swapping out the rained-out ticket from last Sunday. That Sunday ticket had been part of my Silver Sluggers package, so it was essentially free. Nice series of swaps, right?)
So, I had two baseball games for the cost on one ticket, with that one ticket costing... nothing.
(smile)
I sat with Willie for the first game, helping him holler, but to no avail. The Gnats lost that one.
My early dinner was the $8 Chicken Tender Platter (four fried pieces of white-meat chicken atop a mound of crispy fries) and the $1 soda in my Season Ticket Holder cup.
For the second game, Bruce was there to entertain Willie and the Bradleys were there to cheer along with me. That was great fun! But more was definitely in store. Three times, the Augusta coach came onto the field to argue with the umpire. One argument lasted almost ten minutes! That really brightened Willie's night!
During the game, I got another $1 refill of soda, plus a $3 bag of Cracker Jacks. Dessert, with a prize!
The Gnats won that game!
Then we were all treated to a fabulous fiReWOrKs display! I bet it lasted for almost twenty minutes!
All in all, I had about six hours of entertainment, plus dinner, for only $13.
I guarantee that was the best deal in town.

This afternoon, I escaped my hot little house for the cheapie ($5.75) matinee at the Wynnsong Cinema. I had selected the 4:10 screening of "Entourage" for my viewing pleasure, having recently reassessed my regard for the movie.
For only $4 I refilled my 2015 bucket with fresh popcorn. Another $6 got me the large Coca-Cola ICEE (to be refilled for free after the movie). I then settled in to one of the seats with the bars in front, so I could prop up my heat-swollen feet.
Sadly, I had to go to the manager three times before the film's completion, due to the cinema's technical/scheduling difficulties.
Happily, I was given a free pass to any other movie I would like.
Well, alrighty then!
I decided to make the day a movie doubleheader, something I once did often, but not so much of late.
The weather was working in my favor: pouring rain! No need to walk out into that when other movies begged to be watched for free!
(smile)
I tried to drum up some company, but nothin' doin'.
No problem!
I settled on a reviewing of "Mad Max: Fury Road" with my free ticket. The time was right and I knew I had missed the first part of it when Sandy and I saw it a while back.
A $4 refill of popcorn and a free refill of my drink and I was all set!
Woohoo!!! What a ride, filled with chills and spills and explosions!!! What a change of pace from the star-studded buddy film in the first part of my doubleheader!!!
By this time, it was after ten PM.
I'd had six hours of entertainment, and noshes, for $19.75.
Again I say: that was the best deal in town.

Did the cinema put on fireworks for the Fourth of July?
No need, my dears.
With the change in Georgia law, folks all along my route home regaled me with their light and sound displays.
Woohoo!!!