in case you're wondering

Yes, I still have the three cats.
Yes, they are still alive, at least as of this morning.
I admit, I opened the door with some trepidation today.
I have not been in there since... I think it was Saturday afternoon.
Maybe it was Sunday afternoon...
no, it was on Saturday.
I'd been at Armstrong that morning to read for the GA Regional High School Science Bowl.
When I was done there, I'd brought my reward -
three slices of Domino's pepperoni pizza -
home with me, to consume with Lactaid milk (to offset the ill effects of mozzarella).
After I dined, I had entered my Ocean Room,
currently known as Cat Haven,
scooping the litter box, giving them more water, and refreshing the food.
Then I had let them alone - no petting - and they had been fine with that.
I went off to wash clothes, then to dine at Bonefish with Barbara and Sandy -
you know, my regular life, B.C.

Notice the black plastic dish on the white paper, upper left?
That was the third water container I had tried for them.
The large, shiny metal bowl that matched their food bowls?
No, that absolutely did not work and they did not use it.
My square, glass casserole dish?
Nope, they did not like that, either, going so far as to put dirty feet in it and to splash out the water onto the carpet.
No, that did not work for them or for me.
The winner was the three-compartment take-home dish from Cracker Barrel.
They can hardly wait for me to pour the water in before they start lapping it up.

Champ, in particular, really likes water.
That's him, in the back, still lapping it up.
Elton, on the other hand, was ready for some food.
He was at the bowl while I was pouring in the 9-Lives.
That was the bowl closest to the filing cabinet.
He had moved on to sample the middle bowl by the time Annie came over.

That's the photo I sent to Ed. He has been noticeably absent since last Wednesday.
He has only come by three times in the two weeks they have been here.
Three times - and that was all during the first week.
I am so disappointed with him.
Sure, he had called on Friday to say he was sick...
but he hasn't even called to check on the cats since then.
If not for my sending the photo to him today to elicit a call, I doubt I would have heard anything at all from him.
Sigh.

The cats are doing much better at staying away from the door.
I didn't even have to squirt any of them today.
That's good.
Hopefully, we can continue like this for another week.
That first week, I had been going in there twice a day. In the afternoon, I would turn on the overhead light. Before I went to bed, I would turn off the light. Each time, I would pet them and take care of their needs.
However, every time I came in, it was a battle to keep them in when I entered and another battle to keep them in when I exited.
That was far too stressful for me.
I'm sure it was stressful for them, too.
I leave the overhead light on all the time now and never go in to pet them.

I leave them alone...
and they leave me alone...
and we are all much more relaxed.

Hopefully, they will soon be going home in a couple of weeks.
If not, they'll be going to the animal shelter.
As I've told everyone, these are not my cats -
and they will not become mine, either.
When I do decide to get an animal companion, I will choose a dog.
I will not choose a cat... unless I can find one like the 'Tess.
I think she was one of a kind, though.
I miss that girl.

super blue moon

I was struck by the sight of the huge sphere as I was leaving the campus, so I snapped this shot.
The time was 7:30 PM.
I had known that the moon would be of the super variety, as it was very close to Earth in its orbit.
I had also known it would be a blue moon, as it was the second full moon this month.
Clouds had been rolling in, so I was pleased to have seen it at all.

Fifteen minutes later, I was
standing in my front yard,
waiting for this shot.
I had noticed the bright blur
behind the cloudbank and,
seeing that they were racing along,
decided to stay in place
for the view to come.
And boy, did it!
This was certainly worth
a bit of patience!
Right place, right time -
i thank You, God!

of zebras and hawks and bubbles

The guy emceeing the event said, "If you understand the zebra on the floating mountain, would you please explain it to me?"
Intriguing question, wasn't it?
Did I understand how a zebra, of all things, came to be under a blue sky, near a tree, beside a lake, which was all atop a craggy formation floating in space?
Of course I didn't.
Did I understand how Okinawa could be the ocean-jutting surface of one portion of a coral reef?
Of course I could not fathom that.
(Get it? That'll be our inside joke!)
However, just because I cannot "see" it, doesn't mean I can't believe it, as my good buddy - and fellow scientist - Jack Skellington would say.
(smile)
Here's what I do see:
German band + Alan Parsons / Chiliean observatory 2011 ---> fulldome experience 2012
Six years later, "Lichtmond: Universe Of Light" arrived at the Planetarium at Georgia Southern University for six showings. The showings were free and open to all, but required a reservation, as the space only has 56 seats.

I snagged a seat for the 6:00 PM show,
wanting to be sure to arrive during daylight.
I had not visited the campus in probably twenty years and wanted to have a chance to explore the university that now includes Armstrong as one of its branches.
For such an adventurous outing,
an auspicious odometer reading was a plus: 193391
- obtained near Grove Hill as I headed out.
i thank You, God!

The Planetarium was on some very pretty grounds!
My first passage on the walkway, I made sure I knew where I was going.
After I explored other campus buildings,
I noticed this sweet array of swirling-galaxy markers, with Mars near the road (upper left), Earth appearing around the right hand bend, then Venus near the sidewalk and lower left.
Where was Mercury?
Right outside the Planetarium, the center of this 'galaxy', of course!
(smile)

Just inside the front door, this is the first image.
Did you recognize it as the Eagle Nebula?
Specifically, as the Fairy of Eagle nebula,
headlined in the photo taken by the Hubble
and released on April 25 of 2005?
I did not.
When I saw this beautiful scene,
I immediately thought of an angel,
dark head and dancer's body
turned toward the viewer,
wisp of white wing peeking
-and peaking -
from its right shoulder,
long legs curving to the left,
as if the angel was leaning in
to tell a secret or bestow a kiss.
"Right time, right place"
was the message I heard.
i thank You, God.

Perhaps you wonder why the Eagle Nebula
should receive such attention there?
Let me ask you this in way of reply:
Don't you recall the scrimmage in the fall?
Of course you do - it was full of firm buns!
(wink wink, nudge nudge)
And what was the name of that team?
The Georgia Southern Eagles!
Of course they adore the Eagle Nebula!

I like it, too, but I may like Monoceros better.
This star cluster just may be the first tattoo
after my 60th birthday this year.
I've been saying for many years that when I turn 60,
I'm going to get every tat I've ever wanted -
the colors will stay bright for the rest of my life
and my wrinkles will be part of the images!
Quite a novel idea, that!
Quite fitting, too, that this magical unicorn, with its meteor showers and 16 planets, will adorn my skin.

You may notice that I have two tickets in this photo.
That's because I enjoyed the film so much that I saw it twice!
I'm so glad I was able to do that.
The music was enchanting, especially "Precious Life" with Alan Parson singing - even though I didn't know it was him!
I've long enjoyed his music and had two of his albums.
And the colorful imagery used throughout - wow!
Dancers formed from ribbons, from bubbles,
from cherry blossoms, from autumn leaves!
No matter that GSU printed the film's name incorrectly -
it was a world of light nonetheless!

Now, if you'll pardon me, "Bubba Ho-Tep" is back from commercial. I need to see whether an elderly Elvis Presley and an even-older - and black - President Jack Kennedy can save the nursing home residents from an evil mummy.
Seriously!
Heck, you know I'm mostly watching because of The King...
but I've grown to have a fondness for Bruce Campbell...
and I have Jim Reed to thank for that.
Thanks, Jim!
(smile)

(it)'s B.I.G. again

Savannah Stage Company's (it) is b-a-a-a-a-ck!
Just a little change from last year, though -
only girls are allowed to play!
That doesn't mean only girl roles -
oh, no, no, no! We're talking big stuff -
Bravery! Imagination! Growth!
For this incarnation of their Improv Musical,
the women brought out their inner men,
and with great gusto!

I contributed the lead character's name.
What was it this time?
Seriously, do you really have to ask?
You know what it is: Sally!
(smile)
This time, her dream is to become a cheese-maker!

Of course, being a teenager, she didn't know that.
For now, she was a girl, with binoculars,
in the company of a boy, with binoculars,
both on the same hill with their journals,
peeking in on "nesting nettles"
and in search of the ever-elusive larks.
Cue 'Disney musical' soundtrack!
Cue background dancer!

Sally then goes to her godmother
for some advice on boys.
Maggie shares words of wisdom -
with a reggae beat! -
while teaching Sally to milk.
"One day, this farm will be yours",
she tells the teen girl.

Meanwhile, Jay seeks out his parents
for advice on girls.
Oops! Big mistake!
His mom, alarmed that her baby boy is growing up, enlists dad's help with the sex talk.
Basically, "take care of her pleasure" and
"always use a condom".

From teens in turmoil we then tuned in
on the lesbian couple running Twist 'n' Bake.
They were making biscuits for a dinner party
and arguing over the netflix account.
How about a bit of bluegrass to soothe
and to make sure no biscuits get burnt?
Sure thing, babe, you know I love that!

Back we flip to Jay's house!
He wants to go to a dance with Sally,
but his folks insist that he be home
for their dinner party.
Spoken word imploring from his mom:
"Jim's Your Uncle" so be nice to him
at the dinner party, even though "he has
a thick neck and he smells like cheese".

Jay bops over to the hill anyway,
cheese in one pocket, condom in the other.
Sally is captivated by the taste of the cheese!
She insists on meeting Uncle Jim,
who turns out to be the brother of her god-mom.
Sally wants to make cheese and
to be Jay's girlfriend, even with her bad grades,
so she stands up to Jay's mom.

Then, what do ya know!
(it)'s a hip-hop finale, y'all!
With all the players onstage
and getting a turn at
(w)rapping up the story!
(smile)
And that's the way it was at the
Second Annual Savannah Comedy Fest!

Cast:
Maria Isabelle Cain - Sally, a teen girl
Cydnei Prather - Jay, a teen boy
McKenna Lyons - Maggie the milker (Sally's god-mom) and Jay's Uncle Jim
Melanie Goldey - baker 'lipstick wife' and Jay's laid-back dad
Johanna Walchuk Aprea - baker 'butch wife' and Jay's neurotic mom

ice cream! half-naked men! tacos!

All that, and warmth, too!
i thank You, God!
This afternoon, I had the heat off and the fan on, windows open, inviting all the glorious, naturally warm air into my house - aaaahhh!
I even sat on the front steps for more close to an hour, soaking up sun, feeling the cholesterol converting into Vitamin D all over my exposed skin on my face, my arms, my lower legs - aaaahhh!
Seriously, it felt like forever since I've been this warm.
i thank You, God.
Then I had trapped the heat in the house and run off to see the movie about the little bear. The Galileo thermometer in my hall was registering 72 for the first time in well over a month, perhaps over two months.
i thank You, God!

This evening, I gave one of my two free tickets to the "Lip Sync Battle" for LLS to Carolyn. I was granted the tickets to the second annual event at the Lucas courtesy of my having walked the walk.
I have been looking forward to this so much! Last year, at its inaugural event, I was an usher so I had to comport myself accordingly. No screaming in joy, no carried-slap-away clapping and hooting, no drooling over the sexy guys. No such qualms this time, my dears!

Whatever do I mean?
Well, here's the video of the winning team,
Marcia Danes of Old Town Trolley Tours.
Such "Sweet Dreams" I had afterward!

Then there was Vinnie King of Huc-A-Poo's on Tybee.
No need for that tall drink of water to "Beat It",
especially when he can unite kids from
Savannah Arts Academy into a unite front!
Can you say "dance-off time"?

There was even a great hilarious bit
from Elyse last year!
I had such a "Girl Crush" after her number!
Woot woot! You go, girl!

And did I mention that the Savannah Bananas
performed last year, too?
I just loved the "air band"
in their first number,
but having the Banana Boys
dropping that bootie
for "Hollaback Girl" was superb!

David James and the Outback Crew were the only ones from last year that didn't compete this time. Perhaps they didn't want to upstage their Bon Jovi bit and give love a bad name? LOL! Seriously, they were a "Brick House", I kid you not!
David was one of the judges this year, so perhaps he had to remain unbiased.
In any case, the other four contestants were very much in evidence, as well as three new contenders: the Bar-Food Boys, Dwayne Allen, and The ImPrincenator. However, the start time was posted as an hour earlier than in reality.
What's a girl to do?
Well, the weather was cooling, but still balmy enough for ice cream! Off to Ben & Jerry's for the Caramel Almond Brittle! Yum!
i thank You, God!

After every delicious drop
had been devoured,
on my way back into the Lucas,
I paused by the G100.1 table.
Wow!
They had the dvd of the
third season of "iZOMBiE"!
The young woman told me,
"You can have it if you'll
pose for a picture for me."
Yes, I did, too!
I love that show!
Definitely right place, right time...
i thank You, God!

Carolyn had snagged us aisle seats just eight rows from the stage - sah-weet!
We were also blessed to sit behind two people who stayed seated most of the time, so our short selves could better enjoy the show. What a boon! The Lucas was pretty crowded, especially with all the supporters for the three favorites of the beer-drinkig crowd. We were so fortunate with our seats!
i thank You, God!
And the show?
Spectacular! I do hope they will post the videos on youTube soon!
Meanwhile, here are a few shots - non-alcoholic - to whet your whistle.
(smile)

The ImPrincenator, center stage,
flanked by Jamie dancing
and another woman air-guitaring.
The song?
One of my all-time favorites:
"Kiss"!
If only I could!
(smile)

This number by them was such fun!
Want to take a guess what it was?
Hint: notice the bike's color...
ding! Ding! Ding!
"Little Red Corvette"!
That girl can really dance, too!

The Savannah Bananas were there in force tonight,
as they were last time.
They had, by far, the largest group up on stage.
Entertaining?
You bet they were, especially with Split
sporting the new underwear!
Gives a whole new meaning to "banana hammock"!
(smile)

And Elyse brought the comedy again!
For her first skit, she took us
from single life with Beyonce
to wedded bliss with the Dixie Cups.
She evidently used this old adage as her script -
"First comes love, then comes marriage,
then comes mama with a baby carriage."
Girl, "Push It", as Salt-n-Pepa say,
push it real good! LOL!

This offering from Vinnie King
was definitely one of my favorites!
He and the woman are recreating
the dance contest held at
Jack Rabbit Slim's in "Pulp Fiction" -
simply fabulous!
They even included the announcer!

Vinnie brought in a little sugar for his spice
in the longer set!
He was solo at first, "Singin' In The Rain",
then the Downtown Delilahs joined him with
a little "Umbrella" bump and grind... ooh la la!

Dwayne Allen brought home the reason
for this entertainment event
with his heartfelt performance of "See You Again".
The song may have been created for "Furious 7",
but everyone in the room was touched by it...
and touched by memories of loved friends and
family lost to cancer.
Dwayne may not have won tonight,
but he made an impact.

The big winners of this lip sync contest
were the five guys of the Bar Food Boys,
both for their NSYNC boy-dacious dance moves
as well as their fundraising,
bringing in more than $7000!
"Bye Bye Bye", y'all -
and thanks for sweet dreams tonight!

What about the tacos?
Those were had at Betty Bombers afterward while Carolyn and I tried to settle down our still-excited selves after the show!
Good food, good company...
good night!
(smile)

sally saves the day... again

I do, of course, realize that it wasn't Sally Hawkins herself who saved the day.
She did so as the character, Mary Brown, mom of the household where Paddington resides.
This time, she was no mute... but still a swimmer.
When the little brown bear becomes trapped in a submerged train car, she doesn't even hesitate to leap into the water to save him.
Sure, she needs an assist from a few strong men to break the chain that binds...
but she was there quite a bit before they were.

As you know, I have a longstanding affinity for the name "Sally".
I now have a growing affinity for this actress.
Vocal or mute, she weaves a heroic thread into the tapestry of her characters.
I'll be watching for her in the future.

My thanks to Carolyn for bringing "Paddington 2" to my attention.
Full of good, clean fun, and Hugh Grant as an absolutely joyful-to-watch villain, I found the presence of Sally Hawkins to be an unexpected bonus.
Yes, she was in the first movie, too...
but she was not yet a blip on my radar.
i thank You, God, for the new glow on my screen.

better afternoon, with pizza, too

Barbara joined me for this matinee of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".
Don't be lulled into thinking this was not a stellar production, just because it was performed by the Savannah Children's Theatre.
You would be quite wrong.
It was positively stellar, from the twinkling lights of Paris in the backdrop to the final ringing in the belltower while Paris burned below.
I don't recall ever being so moved before by this love story.
Perhaps my having viewed "The Shape Of Water" so recently caused this tale to resonate so deeply within me...
but Barbara, like me, was in tears at the end and she had not yet seen that movie.
I firmly believe that this telling of the love that the deformed, sequestered Quasimodo had for the kind, free-spirited, gypsy dancer, Esmeralda, was able to spring to life on that small stage, still vibrant and shining after more than five hundred years.
I want that.
(Sigh.)
Their tale of star-crossed lovers reminded me of a movie I dearly love, "Ladyhawke". It's been more than three decades since that story captivated my heart.
Kudos to Brandon Kaufman and Kendra Norwood for their inspired performances today.
I will certainly try to see the show again in the next two weeks of its run.

Afterward, I had given Barbara the ocean-themed calendar I had saved for her, then gone home.
Time to check on the cats, as I had not yet done so today.

Here are the three of them.
At the bottom is Annie,
the Princess, the one most
starved for love and attention.
The one at the top is Champ,
the only one with tabby stripes
and certainly the shyest -
and best behaved -
of this trio.
In the middle is Elton,
the ringleader and
chief troublemaker.
He's the reason they will be
staying in this room
while here on my turf.
I can't trust him to not
make a break for the door.

Here he is, by himself,
acting like he has no cares.
Mind you, I've had to
spritz him three times
since I entered the room
to back him off and keep him
away from the door.
He just may have to leave.
He is seriously working on my nerves.

Champ is no problem at all.
Ever since Elton and Annie made their
failed attempt to gain control of
my house on Friday afternoon,
he has made damn sure to stay
well away from the door.
As long as he has food, he is quite content
with the living arrangements,
thank you very much.

As for Miss Annie,
she would be happier with much more attention.
At least she is trying to get along with me.
Yesterday afternoon, when I finally went in there,
she made sure to let me know that she was sorry
for her part in the escape on Friday.
Clearly, her brother was at fault...
she would never have done such a thing on her own...
or would she?
I honestly don't know.

But they've been fed, they have fresh water, and the litter boxes have been scooped.
I've been fed, too, with a veggie pizza that had no cheese. I topped it with some shredded cheddar and it was pretty good. I saved a little for breakfast tomorrow.
Now, I await my boys of physics...

rough start, post soup party

I awoke two hours ago in tears.
I was so distraught that I have been sipping a shot of tequila to try to regain control.
Last night's Soup Party at Dawn's had not gone all that well.
I had been looking forward to it for three months, at least, and was even one of the chef-testants again as I had been at my first of these events at her house. For the January gatherings in 2016 and last year, I was simply a taster-judge, so no pressure, you know? Just fun and lots of it.
This year, I had agreed to be one of the four chef-testants when she had asked at the BYOP Party. Did I have a recipe in mind at that time? Well, I thought about making Mama's Salmon Stew... but nothing definite.
In December, I created a flavorful and aromatic soup one morning for breakfast. "Eureka!", I had thought to myself. That would be my offering to the group, as it was unique and new.
Repeated preparations of the soup clinched the deal. These chicks all like new combinations of spices, so this would surely get me out of 4th place this time.
I was so very wrong.
My soup was a complete disaster.
I had added the pasta there at her house, cooking it until al dente, as usual.
So far, so good. And everyone had loved the smells arising from the soup as it cooked...
but the dining did not commence for well over an hour.
By that time, the pasta had become soggy and had absorbed all of the liquid.
It was no longer a soup, but overcooked pasta and spinach.
Sprinkling on the Parmesan cheese had not saved the bland mess.
I was heartbroken, but gamely carried on, apologizing for the lack of taste, stricken by the lack of sound from the other diners.
Of course it came in 4th place.
If there had been a 'worst soup ever' award, it would have taken it.
Add in that I took almost all of the potful home again. No one asked for a container of it. (Well, Chris did, but I doubt Cara had put any aside for him. I think I would have been embarrassed if she had.)
Add in that Elaine called me a liar, three times. I had regaled the group with my tale of my time in Great Lakes, Illinois, and having to wear my Navy greatcoat in mid-April (upon my arrival there) as well as in the first week of August (just before my departure). She hails from Chicago and is one of Dawn's best friends, so I didn't want to alienate her, but she had no qualms about verbally bashing me.
(All of that was even more surreal as she had greeted me with a hug when I arrived to the party and made sure to send me off with another warm hug.)
Add in that I was once again questioned about being there without the outlaw Bunny in tow. I've been coming to Dawn's events for ten years now, with the last four of those years by personal invite from the hostess. Yet, I am still treated as an interloper by several of Dawn's friends. I don't get it.
Add in that I broke Dawn's wine glass, there in her driveway. She had accompanied me to my car, trying to make sure I'd had a good time. I was talking and waving my hands, of course, and knocked her nearly full glass right out of her hand.
So, there you have it.

Here is my prize for being a chef-testant.
Dawn had made sure the four of us received
the same pair of goody bags,
one with the new soup mug, can of soup,
and a 500-recipe soup cookbook.
The other bag for the chef-testants
contained a pretty soup ladle and
a bottle of Tito's Handcrafted Vodka.


I guess I could have cracked that bottle open this morning. Honestly, I did not think of it until just now. The sipping tequila I knew would do the trick.
I only had a few sips, so the shot glass still has tequila in it.
I've cried myself out and my eyes are almost swollen shut.
But I've been to the Soup Party invite page and left an apology, as well as a request that folks make my soup and try it as it should have been.
I hope they will.
I'm going back to bed now.

But first, here's the recipe.

P.S. Soup

For each serving:
1.5 c water
0.75 c frozen spinach leaves
0.5 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried marjoram
1 tsp dried savory

Heat all to a boil, simmer for at least 5 minutes. Enjoy the aroma of the steam!

0.75 c pasta (I like to use elbows for this)

Add pasta, return to a boil. Cook until pasta is to your liking.
Pour in your favorite bowl, then top with parmesan cheese.

(I enjoy this for breakfast on cold mornings... yum!)

exquisite

Just that one word encapsulates the essence of "The Shape Of Water".
Guillermo del Toro has crafted an exquisite love story in the same vein as "La belle et la bête" in its 1946 French version.
And his leading lady?
Not your ordinary lass, for sure.
Elisa leads a complacent life, beginning each day masturbating in a tub of warm water while the eggs are boiling on the stove for her workday lunch. She is blessed with two good friends. Giles is an aging gay painter, her neighbor. Zelda is a cleaning woman, like herself but black, wed for many years to a man who no longer converses with her.
Both of these people speak sign language, which is necessary to communicate with Elisa. Her vocal cords were sliced when she was an infant, rendering her forever voiceless.
No fairy-tale princess was she.
However, her life is good, as she sees it. She has her two friends who love her, she has a steady job, and she has music - oh, yes!
I totally understand.
Then, one day all of that changes with the entry of two new people at work.
A cruel, hate-filled man has captured an anthropomorphic creature from the Amazon and brought it to the facility for study. The creature had been regarded "as a god" - and no wonder why. It was a magical-looking alien being, with blue and green sparkling lights coursing along its body and fins gracing its outline and back.
Most of the people at the research center are xenophobic, but not Elisa. She has been different all lifelong. "Different" is normal to her. She sees the creature as in need of a friend and she sets about teaching it to communicate, via sign language, of course.
Her actions don't go unnoticed by Dr. Robert Hoffstetler, aka Dmitri, a Russian scientist and spy at the facility. He is intrigued by her ability to communicate with the Amazonian beast. When plans are later made by the sadist to vivisect the creature, Dmitri helps Eliza rescue the beast.
As I said, this is an exquisite love story.
I like that Doug Jones was the man inside the creature suit. I'm familiar with his artistry from a kickstarter project, as well as in the "Hellboy" films - another G. Del Toro offering to the world.
Kudos to him, to Sally Hawkins for portraying an extraordinary heroine, to Octavia Spencer and Richard Jenkins as Elisa's 'family'.
Also kudos to Michael Stuhlbarg for his conscientious scientist and secret agent in this film... and as the sympathetic and loving dad in "Call Me By Your Name". Carolyn and I saw that film as the second of our love-themed doubleheader today.
What beautiful and lush cinematography of northern Italy! What a sweetly innocent time-capsule of 1983 in the years before AIDS became a concern! What a kind and loving portrayal of a bisexual teen male discovering his gay side! And, last but certainly not least, what a stellar image of Armie Hammer as a blond and tanned hunk, resplendent in his loose shirts and white shorts.
Definitely the stuff of which sweet dreams are made...
Now, she and I are at Applebees to decelerate and to dine. Our food is here, so I am gone...
i thank You, God, for this night of love and dreams of what may be...

the south rises again!

(The following all came from facebook posts.)

An accumulation of white precipitation will shoot across the lower southern portion of the United States. Expect for long periods of lasting hard cold temperatures to rocket into the week. Tennessee will get to see the smear of this white substance into the week as it penetrates further northeast.

A woman can't even check the weather without getting an unsolicited dick pic...

Storm expected to schwing in overnight...

I’m sick and tired of being promised 6-7 inches and only getting 4!!!

I guess you could say Mother Nature really has a hard on for the gulf coast lately.

I figured there would be more than 4 inches. Well this is Almost as disappointing as my ex-husband was.

I wish I could add to the puns but cumming up with boner jokes is so HARD.

Mississippi is like a highschool girl. She is being promised just the tip as well

Storms definitely going to penetrate deep down south

There should always be a warning when it's more than 6 inches.

I'm sorry but I'm gonna need a warning when it's less than 6 inches cuz that's just a surprise no one wants ....

Hopefully since it's the first time in a while the storm will prematurely finish, and start to rest a little early leaving us very unimpressed with the overall experience.

I thought it was supposed to shrink when it was cold

Mississippi needs to play the “headache” card...

This storm isnt dicking around.....

As you look at the map, it appears that Central to East Texas, South Arkansas, and Northern parts of Louisiana will get shafted. While Mississippi will get the tip of the storm.

Hey, Texas, is that a snow storm in your pocket, or are you just happy to see us?!

Just the tip will get you in alot of trouble.
That's what she said

And Tennessee will get the white stuff that blows in from Arkansas!

Actually looks like East Texas got sacked.

Just the tip, at first to see how it feels, then “ouch, ouch you’re on my hair”

Everything really is bigger in Texas...

Mississippi and Alabama better look out, it's cumming their way..

Just look at the size of that...
Johnson, you gotta see this thing floating over Texas. It's the shape of a...
Richard, come check this out. It's like a huge...
Peter, I don't know you, but have you seen this enormous...

That storm is gonna cold cock Texas.

That's a big beautiful pink meat cannon, sure to leave alotta white stuff on the ground in its wake.

I feel like Texas always gets the shittier end of the deal, and gets stuck dealing with the hairier part of the situation. Some will say Arkansas is taking a good pounding, but I think Louisiana got the shaft in this deal too. Be safe folks, stay covered.

I wonder if it's going into the mouth of the Mississippi

Does anyone have a Plan B for when this is over?

When it finally comes does Louisiana have to pretend they enjoyed it as well?

I'm just hoping mother nature shoots blanks... No snow!!

We are going to feel the affects of this storm for the next 9 months.

Just read through many many amazingly humorous comments, without the context of why, then revisited the map. LOL soooo much richer now, all I needed to get the jizt of it!!

Bring on the October babies

apparently the forecast is calling for extra protection

Tennessee is about to learn about the "just the tip" game

*** Don’t let this distract you from knowing you can’t spell advertisements without semen between the tits

Looks like a bone chilling cold front

This cold weather is re-dickulous!!

So, old man winter is just gonna whip his dick out on us like that. Not even taking us out any more. Smh. Probably won't call or text afterwards either. Typical.

This is too big to swallow!

There's a spot in Galveston that rarely ever gets snow. If this storm hits the G-Spot, you'll know it's a serious storm.

Most likely won't perform as promised. Keep expectations low...

always thought texans were dicks. i was wrong, mostly just nuts.

Tennessee.. the tip of this thing is knocking on your back door.

Hey Rocketman, our missile is bigger, longer, thicker and uncut and headed straight for your sh!thole!!

It looks as though Tennessee and the Carolinas are going to get covered when this storm releases its fury

I can just picture all of the girls outside with their mouths open trying to catch sprinkles on their tongues!

This thing is GINORMOUS.. So much for shrinkage.

Southern Louisiana can expect to get pounded with 6+ inches, leaving white film all over the place.

Looks like we are all getting shafted today. Mother Nature has strapped one on and she is about it unleash it on us all.

Afterwards we will all be sleeping in a giant wet spot

I'm assuming the wind advisory in New Mexico is the tail end of this storm... obviously not as serious, but could still cause some brown outs.

This goes to show you, you could lay dick from Texas to Mississippi and someone's still going to be left unsatisfied.

Maybe it's time that Texas rethinks that "abstinence only" education. Are they even prepared for this?

My, that’s huge! Just remember, It’s really not that bad once you take a deep breath and relax. Panicking just makes it worse.

After talking up a big game, the storm didn't last very long. He claims it has never happened to him before. It's just because Texas is so hot, he couldn't last.

I guess one good thing is going to come out of this storm... No one is going to be cock blocked. It's like a Christmas episode of Oprah. You get a winter cock, you get a winter cock, everybody gets a winter cock

Can’t wait to see that thing go off!!! Never seen one that size ever produce anything good!!! It’s usually disappointing!!

It’s expected to be a long, hard few days but if we all work together, I think we can come out on top bigger and stronger than before.

Like all storms, it will Peter out..

While Texas rams its way through the other states New Mexico is just sitting there like a cuckhold holding the camera saying this is not what I expected from "let's try new things, SUSAN"". lol

Mississippi knows it's never 'just the tip' they're not falling for that line again.

As you can see Tom, the base of this storm is really planted in central Texas, but it really stiffens up as it penetrates deep into the guts of Arkansas and Mississippi, while Louisiana is just wondering why it even got invited over.

Father natures clearly out here screwing around and y'all are still trying to say mother natures just being crazy....typical

See what happens when you keep calling people snowflakes? You get a blizzard. Still think snowflakes are weak? Welcome to the deep freeze.

Boy this storm might blow it's load.. Be careful out there. Bound to be slippery out there. Sure hope the school closure wasn't done prematurely. Everyone hates that

Well, the big front has caused some cold blowing making it pretty hard down down there but as long as you wrap up before it hits, you can save yourself a lot of extra wetness from this tight pressure system working it's way down and trying to really stick it to us in the end. It shouldn't last very long considering it's size however looks can be deceiving as some of the smaller ones have been known to really pack a lot of power although by most accounts they normally are just filled with a lot of hot air. The bigger ones often show stamina and consistency butt - in other news... In Chinese astrology, I'm the Cock.

Oh my! I believe in humanity again thanks to these comments! I love being from the south where this is normal conversation!!! We are the best part of the country.

So this is why they call it the dirty south.

Now now, everyone let's get serious for a second. Be safe & don't try diving in dangerous conditions such as these. It's the worst idea since going to a party with a boner in sweatpants

I’m just here to tell y’all women about black pipe...I mean black ice

In a few thousand years, some alien historian is going to stumble across this post and read the comments and finally understand, after years of study, exactly how we humans, a clever and able species, managed to let ourselves get caught in another ice age, for we were too busy making dick jokes to flee, and I'm ok with that.

cat trio in the ocean

My Ocean Room has cats a-plenty.
That's Annie, there in the corner,
with the striped Champ
standing guard and purring.
Elton is lolling atop the table.
They're all siblings,
as I've said,
and are seven-year-old
mature beasts,
but are certainly not elderly like
the other cats I have tended.
You can't tell it from this photo,
but this trio is a posse,
and a mighty tight-knit clan.

For the last three days, I have been readying
the Ocean Room for their arrival.
The mounds of unsorted papers on every available
surface have either been properly stored or
tossed into the recycling bin.
The side window is now devoid of curtain.
That will allow a daylight view for the cats
as well as a night light from the street.
Why that particular space in my house?

Well, I hardly go in that room right now.
In fact, I had considered closing it off,
to save on my heating bill during winter.
That means it was available for other use -
like the boarding of cats.
The room also has a huge variety of surfaces
of diverse texture for the trio to laze upon,
with differences in heights, too.


Ed definitely approves.
he was practically skipping when he left an hour ago...
did my heart good to see it.
The cats have been quiet and settling in.
I don't think I'll intrude tonight.
They have food and water and litter, all fresh -
and a new space of their own for the first time in a month.
It's the first time in that long that have spent time with their 'dad', too.
Ed has said to let them stay in there for about a week.
Then, I can allow them to explore more of the house when I am around.
No need to overwhelm them with too much "newness" just yet.
Much better to allow them time to claim the space as "safe".
That sounds like a good plan.
(smile)

Christina had bopped over just before the cats arrived.
She had asked - via text - if I wanted to go to lunch.
I had responded that "three cats will arrive within the hour".
She simply had to come and check that out in person!
Good thing, too.
She was able to grab one of the carriers, so all three came in together.
She was able to keep me distracted so Ed could spend alone time with his kittehs.
She was able to keep me grounded and not freaking out about the situation...
because I have been doing so, even getting my lower-back pain that only visits when I am super-streessed.

How am I feeling now?
Purr-fect.

i thank You, God.

cheers in the new year!

Yep, that's the ex, raising a glass to me!
He was at his favorite place in Rome,
checking out the new local brews when
one caught his attention:
Downtown Brown Ale.
Knowing my fondness for the browns,
he ordered it with thoughts of me.
Rather sweet of him, wouldn't you say?
(smile)

The occasion brought to mind several recent events shared with friends.
For instance, this one with Joe of the ATL.
We were at The Original Pancake House,
a favorite haunt of ours last Sunday,
following a night he'd spent on my couch.
So the brunch was his treat - hooray!
Behind him are Brantley and Luis, too!

Why was my dear Rogue in town?
Well, Jim Reed and other musicians were
paying tribute to the music of Tom Petty,
so Joe had driven in on Saturday night.
I was to have joined him at the venue -
but that didn't happen - too cold to
walk off in search of a strange bar.
But I did join him at The Diner afterward!

Carolyn joined us there, too,
as did Will of the Bean's Wednesday film buffs.
Such a good time we had!
I wish I could have talked myself into the concert,
but I had been to JavaFlix Savannah earlier
and was just ready to be warm, you know?
That's why sharing grits and pancakes and bacon
at this Abercorn joint had worked for me!

Speaking of Abercorn joints,
this was taken at the Longhorn
on the eleventh with the physicist
doing his best funny face!
The reason for the dinner?
Just because, that's why!
Now that he's living out in Berwick,
we don't see each other much.
Plus, he has no evening classes this term.
It was just time for us to be together!
(smile)

As for the luncheon earlier that same day
at the Olive Garden,
that was a celebration of birthdays!
Chelsea was turning 19 and Melinda
would be 56 in another week or so,
so best to fete both at once!
Don't mother and daughter look radiant?
How good of Christina to treat them that day!

How very good of her to include me, too!
Here she is, post-lunch, showing off
her new shirt from the musical she attended
as a gift from her favorite German!
He even went with her and enjoyed the show!
Maybe I need to start ushering at the
Civic Center, broaden my entertainment
opportunities and cultural palette...
perhaps I will!

Now, though, I'm going to relax. There's a double-header of Whoopi Goldberg movies that - unbelievably - I've never seen. First is a Christmas-themed treat, "Call Me Claus", which sounds pretty good! Then will be a basketball-centered flick called "Eddie", so that will certainly be different for me.
Hey, they're both free and on tv, so that works for me!
Later!

not soup!

After five meals in a row of soup,
I took great joy in having solid food tonight.
Where was I?
At the Galley at Armstrong, of course.
Was Kevin with me on this Tuesday?
Nope, he stayed home with a cold.
Not me! I treated myself to finally
seeing "Jumanji" at Spotlight.
What great fun! I want to see it again!

It was as if "The Breakfast Club" had been updated to include role-playing video games for today's young folks. Seriously, it was great fun... and felt "true", you know?
I had been invited to join Barbara and others at the Regal afterward. I had even been on my way to that cinema when I realized that I was really hungry. Popcorn simply was not going to do. Not when I knew the Galley had pork schnitzel and braised cabbage... no, food took precedence over a second movie.
After all, I had been working up an appetite all day.
Doing what, you ask?
Making up packages to surprise some of the children in my life.

I had purchased these six 3-D wooden puzzles at Ripley's Aquarium on the 4th.
Now was the time to mail them.
I'll have cats here on Thursday and I don't know how full that day - and the days to follow - may be for me.
Great-niece Ally and niece Aubree will each receive a sea turtle.
Great-nephew Kobe and nephew Conner are getting the fierce
sharks to construct.
Great-niece Caitlyn and nephew Merritt shall have the graceful dolphins.
I know all will be quite happy with these "thinking of you" gifts. I do hope they will do as I've requested and send me a photo of them with their completed projects.
I will be thrilled with that!

I also found the old photograph of my step-dad, Frank, as a little boy with curly hair. Molly, my niece from stepsister Jean, had spoken to me at church a few weeks ago, wondering from whence came her curly locks. I told her she got those from Pop and that I had a photo to prove it. I'm so glad I found it earlier today!
Bonnie, my stepmom, will be receiving an issue of "Reminisce" that features Elvis on the cover. Several stories are in it of folks' recollections of going to his concerts or watching his movies. I've had the magazine for quite a while, in a "safe place", so it's a wonder I found it a day or so ago.
My ex will be getting a surprise package, too. It will contain the manufacturer sticker from his first new car, the 2001 blue Saturn SC1 that was totaled less than ten hours after driving it off the lot. I also found the paperwork for his Church Street Inn property - no need for me to have that still!
Let's see, what else did I do?
Oh, yes... I finally mailed those 'Thank you' notes I wrote yesterday!
Good to have all of that done.
What a satisfying day t has been!
I even went to the grocery store after my dinner at the Galley and picked up the things I've been missing the past few days. Little things, you know, like tortilla chips and sliced cheese and cereal.
Speaking of which, some cereal would be right tasty right now.
Catch you on the flip side!
(smile)