pie fight!!!

Here's the loading of paper plates
with heaping mounds of shaving cream!
That's JinHi in the knight's helmet
with the red crest.
I'm at the top left, in my new blood donor shirt.
The host, (Pa)Trick Kelly, is the black-shirted,
bald man in the front.
Beside Sir JinHi in red is Molly of Odd Lot.
Casey of ABAC stands off to the upper left.

Here's the next phase: getting lined
up against the first 'opponent'!
I'm between Molly and Trick
as he explains the few rules.
Across from me is Casey, fated to
be the first to be pied by me...
and the first I am pied by!
JinHi Rand is to be Molly's first,
with husband Mark Rand to fall
under the pies of Trick.
(The pie Yeti approved!)

Here's an end view of the pie-ing
line, with the six of us...

and here is that line from its
other end,
with Skyler Kelly to the left,
opposite Lillian Soucy -
that's dad Soucyman filming -
hostess Tara Kelly all set to
pie her son's best pal, Cedric,
and Tucker of Odd Lot to pie his
gal, daughter Destiny Kelly.
It's a Kelly family thing!
(smile)

Then it's back to the table
to reload and grab some back up!
I must have refilled my plates
at least four times!
Hahahaha hahaha!
I tried to make sure my pies
found their way onto everyone...

but especially heavily on
Khalief, latecomer to the party!
Everybody loaded him up!
(smile)
In true Odd Lotter form,
he took it all in stride,
with a huge grin the
whole time!

Thirty minutes later, the melee had come to a halt,
the shaving cream cans had all been emptied, now there was naught.
The fun-loving participants of the 10th Annual Pie Fight
had each been thoroughly creamed
with the rich and long-lasting Barbasol lather, of color so light,
and all gladly agreed it was the best they had dreamed!

I loved every minute of it!
EVERY...
MINUTE...!!!
My thanks to Chris and Megan Soucy for the fabulous photos!
My thanks to the Kellys for opening this family fest to all!
My thanks to all who participated for this New Year's Eve event!
i thank You, God, for the the magnificent weather!
Right place, right time!

There were even marshmallows to roast -
great big lovely ones! -
and wonderful conversations
as we watched the ball drop in Times Square...
and then the Fleur-de-Lis in New Orleans...
(so the time stamp is not quite right
for this post...
I claim poetic license and invoke
the suspension of disbelief)
for a most wonderful night!

chemistry, y'all

"Your body is made of the same elements that lionesses are built from.
Three quarters of you is the same kind of water that beats rocks to rubble, wears stones away.
Your DNA translates into the same twenty amino acids that wolf genes code for.
When you look in the mirror and feel weak, remember, the air you breathe in fuels forest fires capable of destroying everything they touch.
On the days you feel ugly, remember: diamonds are only carbon.
You are so much more."
Curtis Ballard

I don't know who this man was, but JinHi had posted this quote on her fb page.
As a chemist, I was quite taken by it.
It is for the living what Aaron Freeman's treatise is for those left behind by death.

Thanks, my dear friend, for this reminder of my strength.

party at the post!

Tonight was the last chance to dance at American Legion Post 36 -
so thank God I was on fb and found out about the party!
Free food, no door charge, cheap drinks, and...
a table full of free raffle prizes!
Plus there was this awesome DJ, keeping the music going!
"Raspberry Beret", "Another One Bites The Dust", "Baby Got Back", "Mustang Sally", and so many others!
Of course this rock star was up on that sweet dance floor!

I didn't even care that I was rarely joined there.
Nope, not one whit!
I knew from experience that these folks only get up for line dances.
That's why I requested "Cupid Shuffle" for them!
Throughout the night, our leader raffled off the free prizes, including this whiz-bang bundle of Savannah Bananas goodies that I won!
Now, that was a major award, worth at least sixty bucks!
I was amazed that no one else chose it from the prize table before my number was selected.
Maybe they didn't realize it was the most expensive item on the table.
Hooray for me!
Hooray for me for sticking it out, too. Michelle and Doris were the only ones who even said hi to me, but the one was there with her visiting family and the other was working the bar. That meant I sat alone.
But I hung in there for that first hour, while the DJ was getting set up...
I stayed put, while we were waiting for the catered dinner from Olive Garden...
and I danced and danced while the others sat and drank at the bar and the tables.
Their loss!

Post 36 will soon be 100 years old, but it won't be in this building.
I'm glad about that.
Hopefully, its new location won't allow smoking inside.
I know I'll be there more often if it's smoke-free!
Here's hoping for more time with these folks in the new year, with all of us getting to know each other a bit better than we have.
If there's no transformation of me or them, then I'll have to take the advice of my other wolf and walk away.
(smile)
Meanwhile, thanks for the dance party, free dinner, and the Bananas gear, y'all!

arthur

Thank you, Carolyn, and Merry Christmas to me!
Carolyn had sallied forth to the Royal of Pooler with me, to see Arthur Curry.
This was her first time seeing "Aquaman" and when she'd heard that I was seeing it on the larger-than-life IMAX screen, she was definitely "in" for the ride!
She even sat apart from me, several rows up, so I could be even more fully immersed in the experience - what a wonderful friend!
And what a wonderful experience!
Being surrounded by ocean depths and sea creatures, hearing only the sounds from the screen, allowing myself to become enveloped in the story without distraction -
this was everything I had hoped for with this film!
My first viewing was a bust, but this second time had been absolutely superb!
(smile!!!)
Now, it's almost time for the Bollywood fix of "Zero", featuring a romance between a charming male dwarf and a female rocket scientist with cerebral palsy.
It's the latest adventurous outing by our other man, Shah Rukh Khan.
(smile)
Later!

the tree has left the building

i thank You, God.
Yes, I enjoyed the fresh, green scent of this pretty little tree.
However, I was ready for it to be gone, ready for Christmas to be done...
ready for a regular day.
Bless its soul, it was ready to be done, too.
As I was taking off the ornaments yesterday morning, it fell into my arms,
granting easier access to those placed near the window and on the opposite side.
(smile)

Today, all of the Christmas decorations - what little I had pulled from boxes -
was stowed away again, to await next year.
Today, the Christmas gifts which had not made it into the hands of the designated recipients were boxed up and sent away. Those are due to arrive at their new homes on Monday, before year's end.
Off to Aubree in Dora, AL!
Off to Ally in Louisville, GA!
Off to Zaida and Molly in Bluffton, SC!
Amen!

I also sent a late birthday gift to my ex. It's a randy cookbook I won for my ugly sweater at a dirty Santa party at Dawn's - I know he'll love it!
I had meant to mail it after my return from Ormond Beach, but time ran faster than I did and got away from me.
It's been doing that quite a bit of late.
I've oft heard retirees speak of being busier than they ever were when they were working...
I guess it truly is true!
(smile)

Speaking of things I won, remember that damaged prize package from Regal Cinemas?
Well, I mailed that today, too.
Perhaps they can find some other use for it.

How glad I am to have Christmas over and done!
This year, the holiday has just been... odd... for me.
I have found myself missing Mama more often than usual, leading to more bouts of crying while driving and tears with my coffee.
Today, it did me good to have the Christmas decor and leftovers put away and sent out.
I wish I had caught the name of the clerk at the Post Office.
As he handled the ultra-light box being sent to Alabama, I mentioned that it had a unicorn in it and that they had about the same mass as a 'wish-puff'. Next thing you know, he and I were talking about dandelions with their carrot roots and joking around!
That definitely made us both smile!
(smile)

Light in heart and step, off I went to donate blood!
Then, light a pint and with a spiffy new t-shirt, I treated myself to dinner out!
Thanks, Sean, for the wonderful service!
Thanks, Carrabba's, for the beautiful piece of salmon, perfectly cooked!
And, as always...
i thank You, God.
This slow-paced, successful day of solitude was exactly what I needed.

Yesterday was spent with Carolyn, watching a doubleheader of "Vice" (very hard to watch that scary man) and "Mary Poppins Returns" (a delightful musical I will certainly see again!), then dining at Applebee's.
Tomorrow, I will venture to the Royal of Pooler with her and Barbara, for a doubleheader of "Aquaman" (this time on IMAX and minus Kevin's chatter) and "Zero" (the latest Bollywood with our beloved Shah Ruhk Khan), dining... somewhere in between.
i thank You, God, again, for this day.

christmas eve luncheon!

We three - Smitty, Tony, and me -
had barely gotten our orders placed
at Firehouse Subs
My biggest little brother just couldn't
hold back any longer...
so he set about opening the gift
he had for me!

And what a wondrous sight inside!
A rock'n'roll Elvis penguin,
shakin' that pelvis
clad in his Thunderbird jumpsuit,
sporting sideburns and shades,
crooning "Jailhouse Rock"!
Woohoo!!!
I'm going to leave him out
all the time so I can daily
shake my pelvis with Elvis!
(smile!)

I don't think Tony had expected Elvis!
He got quite a kick out of my reaction!
As well as pushing that button over and over,
I whipped out my phone and showed them
all ten photos of me with Elvis in Vegas.
That was such fun!
I guess I'll need to make beets more often!
(smile!)

Before we left, I gave Smitty the bag of goodies for his grandkids, Caitlyn and Kobe.
After all, I would not be having Christmas dinner with them this year, as I would be journeying to Hinesville to share that meal - and a Christmas turkey - with Christina and her man.
He was horsin' 'round with the bag when I snapped this -
and caught him in a sunshower of love from above!
i thank You, God!

That completed my trio of photos
of my three brothers surrounded
by Mama's love!
I had taken this one of Tony
yesterday afternoon.
He had been test riding a bike
for Laura's son, Noah.
Seeing me in my yard, he stopped by
and I had loaded him up with
this afghan that Mama had made.
I had snapped this photo before he
rode off with his new treasure
carefully draped around him.
(smile)

The first sunshower photo had been
taken almost two months earlier.
Ronnie had surprised me with a
visit at my house!
That was on October 22nd and he'd been out for a walk in the area and took a chance that I'd be home.
Amazingly, I was!
I'd snapped the photo afterward -
that's him on Allegheny -
to document the visit.
I hadn't known about the sunshower
until I saw the photo later.
In fact, that's true for all three of these snapshots.
I had no idea I'd been blessed with capturing more than I had intended.
i thank You, God.

young sheldon, little women, and a cat

As if there might be any doubt, this confirmed that Christmas was around the corner.
As I have mentioned before, I miss Charles Osgood on Sundays and can relate to how his children felt for all these years.
But there he was today, twinkling the ivories and his eyes, singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"!
Thank you, dear sir, I will certainly try.

My good fortune next led me to church and an
uplifting sermon from Billy about "A Red Nose & an Unexpected Baby".
I had found a seat beside my friend Joe Driggers.
Right place, right time.
Without him, I would not have known that ten-year-old boy was Iain Armitage, the star of "Young Sheldon", in town visiting his grandparents for the holidays.

After a brief stay at home, I was off to The Playshop downtown for the second play of the Savannah Repertory Theatre's current season.
This time was a beloved story from my youth, told with song: "Little Women: The Musical"!
Fabulous! That's just what I told Jennifer Bishop, too.
As her brother said before the show, their grandparents would be so proud!

Southside was next destination, to answer the call
of a lonesome old-lady kitteh.
Cat-sitting was again in my realm, as Kevin was off
to see his three nieces and his folks.
Jinx and I had a long visit together, watching three episodes of "Psych" and sharing plenty of touch-time, before I bid her adieu and headed for home.

And then, it finally happened...
the palindromic odometer reading of 203302...
the cool numeric sequence I had been awaiting...
as I entered my neighborhood...
looking much like one of the suns featured earlier
on "CBS Sunday Morning".
Right place, right time...
all day long.
(smile)
i thank You, God.

two time winner, that's me!

Wow, I must have gotten some magical pixie dust onto me!
Twice today I've had a raffle ticket that was a winner - twice!!
On the same day!!!
Maybe I should have bought a lottery ticket, n'est-ce pas?
This prize was a package of bath bombs shaped like cupcakes - very cute!
I just may have to switch from showers to baths to try one out!
(smile)

And where was I this time,
be your query?
Oh, c'mon, I already told you
where I'd be!
I'm at the "Very Odd Lot Christmas
Eve Eve Eve Show",
at the Loft on Liberty,
with Sandy in tow
'cause of her narcolepsy!
Rhymin' 'cause I can, y'all!
(smile)

That's Tara in the above photo, in a rare sighting on stage, collecting slips from the audience.
Tonight, it was an overly full house!
Thanks, Tara, for saving our seats!
Thanks, too, to this Odd bunch, for wacky carols: Thomas, Lili, Darryl, Skyler, Trick, Khaliph, and Travis!
That's Justin serving as emcee for the first half.
(smile)

Thomas took over as emcee for the second half, mostly so he could sing his signature Christmas tune.
The next contingent of Odd folk carried the show for that second hour: Jason, Bill Cooper, Q, Lynita, Chad, Mike Moore, and Justin -
Thanks, y'all!
I loved that bit about 'biscuits',
"Objection"s and all!
(smile)

Truth to tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire show!
I'll be looking forward to next year's Christmas show... as I always do!
(smile!)

santa is ... my first niece!

What an absolutely adorable Santa Claus she was, too, from the top of her red-capped head down to the soot-black boots on her feet!
Of course, I may be a bit partial to seeing her that way, given that I love her and all.
(smile)
Still, I wager that all the children who came to have "Cookies With Santa" would heartily agree with me - you betcha!
Plus, I won a raffle prize!
I now have a new coffee mug - decorated with Reese's peanut butter cups - and it's even got a lid for travel and is sized for the cup holder in my car!
Hooray!
Now, I need to go check on Jinx and than I'm off to the Loft on Liberty for a "Very Odd Lot Christmas Eve Eve Eve Show"!
There's no tellin' what will be shakin' at that show, but you bet there will be funny hats!
(smile)

jingle bells, punk

Strange how punctuation can make such a difference!
The song title was actually "Jingle Bells Punk", but when I wrote the blog title, I added that comma for some Dirty Harry flavor... and suddenly I was transported back a few years, to Brunswick at my BFF's home. Jeff and I had gone to visit her and the family and the boy-child was playing a video game. His dad, describing it to us, said, "We shoot punks" - and that became a catch phrase for all of us for a time, a bit of an inside joke just for us.
(smile)
Ah, good times!
(smile)
But where was I going with this post?
Oh, yes, I recall now!
Thanks to On Demand, I have a new seasonal movie to put into rotation.
It's called "Christmas All Over Again" and it's set up similarly to "Groundhog Day" - so you know right away that it's my kind of movie, right?
Right!
So, there's this teenaged boy who has his panties in a twist because his older brother is getting married on Christmas Day to a Bridezilla who insists that Christmas itself be postponed until the 26th, so as to not interfere with her special day.
Ack!
Being a teenaged boy, that rubs him all kinds of wrong.
He's been looking forward to getting this expensive pair of pumped up kicks and now this witchy woman is going to delay his satisfaction?
Nope, not gonna have it!
But how to have his wish granted?
It's already Christmas morning...
and no gifts are under the tree...
and his stupid dog woke him up to a bodaciously bad fart in his face...
while the song "Jingle Bell Punk" wails away.
Ack!
Then he finds this magical store and gets the shoes of his dreams...
only to awaken the next morn to find it's still December 25th...
still starting the same as the day before...
and so it goes, to hilarious effects!
Just as with "Groundhog Day", the boy gets to try out multiple scenarios, fated to repeat that same day over and over and over until he finally gets it right.
(smile)
What a nice option to have.
Me?
I need to get my buttocks in gear and head over to the cinema!
The tres amigas plus one are seeing "The Favourite", a movie which promises to be a most enjoyable cat fight among hoity-toity folks.
(smile)
That should be a hoot and a half!

nothing, kevin

I am so aggravated with the psychologist right now.
Tonight was supposed to be extra special for me.
Tonight, he had bought us tickets to the early screening of "Aquaman".
Tonight's special movie was to be his Christmas gift to me.
Well, he certainly got that wrong.
Sure, he bought the ticket for the 5:25 pm 3D screening...
but then he proceeded to chatter during the movie...
during the movie...
as if he had forgotten how to act in a cinema.
During the movie, he got up at least three times -
at least three times -
to get more soda and go to the bathroom...
supposedly.
After the movie, he immediately whipped out his phone to text his latest catch, ignoring me and the conversation I thought I was having with him.
When he finally did rouse himself from his tiny screen, he had no idea what I had said.
"Nothing," I'd replied.
Then, I had tried again to converse with him.
Again, he had no idea what I had just said.
Again, "Nothing," had been my reply to him.
Then I had let the topic drop.
So aggravating.

I am going to have to see this movie again, with my full attention, without him.
And the next time he and I venture to the cinema, if we do, there needs to be some rules.
No chatter, no phones, period.
Period.
Honestly, he had such a problem with that nonsense when we saw the horror movie...
to the point of almost walking out on the movie...
and yet, he does that very thing ever since.

He still owes me a movie.
This one tonight did not count.
No, it most certainly did not.
This was nothing, Kevin.

have tutu, will dance

Carolyn told me that should be the title of my biography!
She isn't aware that my life story is already titled "Dancing A Propos Of Nothing".
My BFF's darling dancing daughter gave me that one years ago.
(smile!)
Her remark is based on my volunteering for all six ballets at the Lucas.
That officially made me a wrangler adept at cracking nuts!
(smile!)
That Sugar Plum Fairy tutu was from the very first one of the month.
The first day of December saw me downtown and in the balcony for the matinee and evening performances by The Savannah Dance Theatre, just as I had last year.
Theirs was "The Nutcracker in Savannah", with a meet-and-greet afterward.
That's when I captured my close-up photograph.
It remains to be seen whether her song will be an earworm this coming year, too.
(smile!)

The second pair of matinee and evening performances was just one week later, the following Saturday, December 8th.
"The Nutcracker: Sweet Dreams" was from the Madeleine Walker Coastal Ballet Theatre.
The stage was kept full of tiny dancers, twirling and swaying, just as it was last year!
(smile!)

Today saw me up in the balcony twice more, for the last time this month, for the most elaborate version of this seasonal favorite.
The Moscow Ballet was back in town and both shows were sold out, as usual.
Their "Great Russian Nutcracker" is the only professional troupe, but they also feature local talent for the younger roles. The tiny dancers from the Savannah Dance Theatre were able to don tutus once more!
(smile!)

Now, all of the nutcrackers have ceased their sword fights against mouse kings...
all of the international dancers have returned to inanimate doll status...
and the dreaming little girl is sleeping soundly in her bed...
as I, too, soon shall be.
In the morning, I'll have coffee in this new mug, purchased this very night.
(smile!)

not a major award, regal cinemas

I am so very disappointed.
Remember that sweepstakes I won from Regal Cinemas?
Well, I had expected to receive it in about four weeks.
Actually, I should have had it within two weeks, according to the Marketing Coordinator, Gina Van Dyke, the representative who had contacted me about my win.
Oops!
So, Monday, December 3rd, I contacted her, to let her know it had never reached me.
When she responded to my email, she informed me that it "was shipped to one of the vendors [we] use accidently [sic]", but it had been located and would be on its way to me forthwith.
Yesterday, I finally received what should have been my prize package.
As shown in the photo above, the package had obviously been opened and damaged.
Someone else had already handled and played with my new toys.
Oops!
I contacted the representative at once to let her know...
to offer to keep it if it's value was adjusted for it now being 'used' goods...
and her response was, "tough luck, kid."
Seriously.
She may not have used those words, but that was certainly her meaning.
Here's her response.

"We certainly understand your disappointment at receiving a sweepstakes prize award with packaging that has been damaged. Unfortunately, it is not Regal’s policy or practice to make the adjustment you requested in your December 17, 2018 email. Regal’s policies are reflected in the official rules for this promotion, which state (in part):
None of the Promotion Parties is responsible or liable for lost, late, damaged, destroyed, delayed, stolen, misdirected, incomplete, or illegible entries;…. Prizes are awarded “as is, where is,” without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation any warranty of merchantability or suitability for a particular purpose. (Section 7) "

Wow.
How very disappointing.
The above is the box for the Levitating Moon. Evidently, the person who had mistakenly received my prize package had opened the box without sliding down the decorative sleeve, thereby damaging the sleeve... and leaving irrefutable proof that the person had opened the box and handled its contents.
What a shame.
I have no doubt that the Levitating Moon would have been quite a remarkable night light for me, sure to induce sweet dreams.

The Bullet Space Pen, with the "First Man" inscription, would have been quite a nice conversation piece.
I also very much liked its heft and balance, as well as its sleek appearance.

The very interesting watch, with its many dials and leather strap, would have been quite a nice conversation piece, too.
I probably would have given it to my nephew, Michael,
as it would appeal to his steam-punk mode.





The Custom Iron-On Patch... well, who knows what it may have been like?
It had not been listed on the outer label, with the other three items, when the package was mistakenly mailed to the vendor site.
Perhaps the patch was still included when it was sent to that incorrect address, and someone there had opted to keep it as a memento, but my guess is no one there ever saw it.
I can say for sure that I never saw the patch, so I cannot say what it would have been.
How very disappointing this experience has been.
I will definitely be returning the items to Ms. Van Dyke and Regal Cinemas.
Major award?
Not hardly... and certainly not worth nine hundred dollars.

nice bookend i got there!

It occurred to me that I had the good fortune to spend time with two of my beloved male friends lately!
The first was the reason I had not left already for Florida.
This is Kevin, goofing around at the 'Wynnsong' last Tuesday.
Nice antlers, right?
We were there for a movie of my choice, "Once Upon A Deadpool" -
and thank God for that!
I believe in the heart of Wade Wilson again, and his never-ending love for Vanessa!

That outing was most definitely worth delaying the beach trip!
(smile!)

And this one tonight made me happy to have returned!
Where did I go and what did I do?
I had been invited to the physicist's new bachelor pad and he cooked dinner for me!
We dined on Moroccan kabobs, then watched a little "Laugh-In" with Liberace - how liberating!
It's been years since we shared a leisurely evening like this!
I'm truly so glad to be back home.
(smile!)

I'm glad to have had the chance to present to the bfe some items which have languished in the "gift closet" for far too long.
There was "The Best of Groucho" - boxed as "You Bet Your Life: The Lost Episodes" and "You Bet Your Life: The Best Episodes", purchased from Ivan. I forget how long those have been tucked away, but it's been a few years since Ivan's eBay sales.
I also gifted the Secrest with a volume of "Found Footage" that had been meant for him... for better than four years.
Good to have those items finally where they should be!
(smile!)

takin' the one!

"In the meadow,
we can build a snowman" -

(that meadow is in the
Princess Place Preserve!)

"And pretend that
he is Parson Brown" -

(with his church located
in Dogtown USA!)

"He'll say 'are you married',
we'll say 'No, man'," -

(Just hanging out on Ponce De Leon Bridge,
formerly known as the San Sebastian Bridge!)

"But you can do the job
when you're in town!"

(Just visit all these sites
by taking the 1
between Ormond Beach
and Jacksonville!)


Yes, I'm in a right fine frame of mind!
This has been a fabulous day for driving, with the sun in the sky and a song in my head!
I had the radio on briefly, but it wasn't playing my song, so off it went.
And what might that song have been?
Well, one verse is above, so that's the clue!
Still can't guess it?
It's "Winter Wonderland"!
Ever since I heard the complete song, it's been my holiday ear-worm.

This afternoon, I was treated
to hearing it once more,
live and in person -
and by the same quartet
who had graced me with it
at the church Christmas party!
The Driftaway quartet did
a fine job with it, too!

They weren't alone, either.
In fact, the entire 13th Colony Sound
(Savannah's Barbershop harmonizers) was there,
on the stage at Asbury Memorial,
with a free Barbershop Christmas concert!
In fact, they were the reason I had
departed The Cove a day early -
just for this show!

They had even brought a special guest!
No, I'm not talkin' 'bout Serendipity,
the female a capella singers.
No, no, no, my dears -
Elvis was up there with the Oldennaires!
And why wouldn't he be?
After all, he's almost 83!
Plus, they were singing his song,
"Blue Christmas", in his famous style!
Thanks, y'all, thankyouverymuch!

i thank You, God, for this day!

ten little surfers hoping for a wave

This morning was too chilly to allow breakfast on the balcony of Suite 605.
Instead, my entertainment was just outside the large master bedroom window.
i thank You, God...
for the sound of the ocean and the sight of the waves...
and the inspiration for this bit of poetic fluff!

Ten little surfers, wanting a fine time.
One wiped out under a wave, and then there were nine.

Nine little surfers, out before the morn grew late.
One got tangled with his board, and then there were eight.

Eight little surfers, aching for a ride to heaven.
One had her wish come true, and then there were seven.

Seven little surfers, with some pelicans looking for fish.
One surfer watched the birds too long, and then there were six.

Six little surfers, hoping for fun and all that jive.
One got tired of fighting the cold, and then there were five.

Five little surfers, each wanting that big score.
One decided to go to MOAS, and then there were four.

Four little surfers, on yellow boards atop the sea.
One heard the dinner bell ringing, and then there were three.

Three little surfers, wave-watching with naught else to do.
One paddled in to shore, and then there were two.

Two little surfers, looking across that foamy zone.
They opted for the hot tub instead, and then there were none.

excelsior, stan lee

The man has been dead for almost a month, but I've seen him - in various forms - three times in the past nine days.
The first time sighting was a week ago Wednesday. That's when I watched my favorite Disney princess for the third time, Stan Lee was on the silver screen as a familiarly bespectacled avatar walking along in the virtual area dominated by the pink castle.
Then, on Tuesday of this week, I saw him again. This time, he appeared as himself in an extended segment post-credits. The movie? "Once Upon A Deadpool", the reincarnation of "Deadpool 2" as a romantic superhero, minus the crass and coarse of the summer release. (Hallelujah! And my thanks to Kevin for seeing this PG-13 version with me!)
The third sighting of Stan Lee was tonight. I'd gone to the Regal here in Ormond Beach, to use my free Regal Crown ticket (it being rendered null and void in Savannah now). I'd used the free ticket to see the new Clint Eastwood film - marvelous, in the same vein as "Gran Torino", then stayed for a double-header. I chose the new animated film, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" - not Marvel, but not exactly un-Marvel, either. And who should appear in animated form as a a salesman in a comic bookstore but Stan Lee, spectacles, white hair, and an admonition that the spider-suit "always fits, eventually".
I expect to also see him this coming week in "Aquaman". Yes, that superhero is from the DC universe... but Stan Lee was always a fan of diversity and of embracing all who do battle to decrease suck in the world. (I'm sure he would have been a nerdfighter like me if he had known of this group at Kiva. Please feel free to join me there!)
I'll continue to look for him in the movies.
Even if he does not appear in person, his beliefs will be all over the screen.
i thank You, God, for that trailblazer.
As much as I will miss him here, I'm glad he's again with his beloved Joan.

ormond beach sunset

I'm down in Florida for one last 2018 vacation60, in one of my favorite locales.
Like Daytona Beach Regency, The Cove on Ormond truly is right there by the ocean.
Unlike that property, this one has friendlier parking.
Ormond Beach is also about thirty minutes closer to Savannah.
That means I was able to arrive in plenty of time for this sweet Atlantic sunset.
(smile)
i thank You, God.

a tree in greenwich

On November 29th, I as in Greenwich Cemetery, visiting family... with family.
My first niece, Christina, had been wrapped in thoughts of my Mama, her Grammy, all week.
When we'd met for lunch on that Thursday, this was our primary destination.
I'd left her to commune with Mama as I walked around, capturing three trees in fall color.
This was the third tree photographed, farthest from the Barry plot.

I posted this flaming dogwood as my background photo on fb, noting its location.
My nephew Stephen responded that he had passed that tree a few days earlier.
I asked if he was the one who'd placed stones in a ring on his sister's grave.
No, he had not, but he had placed a rock on top of one of those stones.
I reminded him that it was his Grammy who had started that tradition in our family, after she saw "Schindler's List".

Christina was Mama's first grandchild.
Stephen was Frank's first grandchild.
Both were born in March of 1983, within days of each other.
Both were not yet two years old when Mama and Frank wed in 1984.
Nice symmetry there, something my mother always appreciated.

Last Friday, I noticed something different in the cinema listings.
"Schindler's List" was back on the silver screen!
This year marks the 25th anniversary of its release...
which means Mama had been placing rocks for seven years before she died...
which means these two grandchildren had seven years of that tradition,
during their teen years, the years we all remember.
That also means they've had eighteen years of seeing rocks on her gravestone.

Today, in celebration of what would have been Mama's 81st birthday, I went to that movie.
Even though this was the coldest day Savannah has had in many months, I threw myself out of my house and went to see this film that had made such an impact on my mother.
Right place, right time.
Carolyn had joined me, so I would not be alone.
Right place, right time.
I had opted to go home after, rather than going to a restaurant with her.
That was the right decision, confirmed by my odometer as I pulled up in my drive.
Right place, right time.

Such a symmetrical reading could only be meant for reassurance, for comfort, as yet another of her birthdays passes by.
An even number that could also be interpreted in a mathematical form: 2 x 25 = 50.
202550
A bit of fun with numbers, from the universe, from her, to me, with love.
Right place, right time.

i thank You, God.