save the pig - stop macon bacon!

Incredibly, this game began with echoes of the one played last Wednesday.
The two teams were the same: Savannah Bananas and Macon Bacon.
Just usual uniforms this time. No more kilts, alas.
(smile)
I sure had enjoyed all those muscular legs!

Another similarity: when Bill LeRoy came up to bat, the bases were loaded.
Sure, that had been the ninth inning of last week, but was only the first inning for tonight's "Bark In The Park" game.

Like with that earlier game, the home team had one run at the time.
Last Wednesday, it had been Alex Rodriguez who made that preliminary score.
Tonight, it was Clay Dungan of Indiana who had done so.

Now, allow me to set the stage for what happened in that first innning, scant hours ago.
The bases were full of Bananas, with Clay Duncan on third, Cade Marlowe on second, and Jake Sullivan on first.
And Hunter Wilson got a walk!
Thanks to the Bacon's pitcher, the Bananas had their first run when Clay Dungan trotted across home plate.
(Thank you, James Williams!)

That left the bases still full of Bananas, too.
Cade was now on third, Jake on second, and Hunter was holding on first base.
Alex came up to bat, but hit a high foul that found a glove - OUT TWO!
Then the catcher from Georgia strode up for his turn against the pitcher...
and smacked it down the left field line!
When the dust had cleared, Bill was safe on second and the other Bananas had skedaddled home for three runs, justthatfast...
just like at the game on Wednesday.
Wow.

I truly felt I was at the right place at the right time.
i thank You, God!

And just where was I?
Well, I was sitting on Willie's left, of course!
For this game, I had a bona fide season ticket for my seat in the orange section, but I preferred sitting by the old man.
(smile)
Plus, it was nice bantering back and forth with Steve, who claims to have graduated from high school on the day the Korean War began... in 1950! Perhaps he is 86 years old - then again, he told me not to believe anything he says, so... who knows?
(smile)
Jesse Cole came by and took a selfie with us tonight, so that was different!
I'll have to remember to look up that photo when it's posted on facebook.

Another thing that was different is that Bill LeRoy didn't end the inning on second.
Garret Delano, the right fielder, managed to get him home for run five before the third out was made.
Woohoo!
No more runs would be made by either team for four innings.
Then the Bananas brought their total to 6 when Cole Parks ran in...
the out-of-towners eked out a lone run in the sixth inning to offset a shut-out...
and the game was over in just over two hours.
Wow.
That may be the fastest game I've ever attended!
Thanks, y'all - I really enjoyed it, deja vu and all!
(smile)

fare thee well, connecticut yankee

I'm sure I must have at least one photo of the man.
After all, I attended his Sebastian Dangerfield Talk and Coffee Reception several times over the years. He instigated the event in 1987 and held it for almost three decades as an on-campus lead-in to the St. Patrick's Day festivities in Savannah. Usually held at Armstrong State University, the presentation would feature a famous Irish author and involve Irish coffee and a bit of Irish ribaldry. He retired in 2014, so that March saw the final of these Irish talks and shenanigans.
Frank Clancy was akin to the Mark Twain character in "A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court".
He was from the northern USA, but he found himself in this seaport town, teaching literature. Then, BOOM! Suddenly, he was inspired to give something of its heritage back to it: its Irish roots. He started the Institute of Irish Studies on campus and also began the annual talks about those who wrote of the Emerald Isle. In the beginning, he was mostly interested in sharing Irish lore with the diverse student population of Armstrong, but his knowledge - and sense of humor - were there for all.
I've notified the alumni association of his death.
Hopefully, his forty years of students will be able to attend the Celebration of his life, whenever that may be held.
Where will it be held?
Well, I suppose at the Savannah Civic Center - that should hold everyone!
Meanwhile, here is the obituary, copied from the Richmond Hill Funeral Home.

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

"Frank J. Clancy
February 28, 1944 to July 23, 2018

Over the weekend of July 21st, 2018, Frank Clancy Jr., long-time professor of English literature, frequent contributor to The Savannah Morning News and organizer of the annual Sebastian Dangerfield St. Patrick’s Week Irish Literature Celebration, died of natural causes at his home in Richmond Hills, Georgia. He was 74.

Affectionately known by generations of students as “The Professor”, Clancy joined the faculty at Armstrong State College in 1974. He specialized in Irish literature and taught passionately for forty years. He is remembered especially for his enthusiastic fostering of Irish Studies on campus and in Savannah. In 1987 he initiated his annual Sebastian Dangerfield Talk and Coffee Reception. Along with his “Bloomsday” lectures to celebrate the life of Irish writer James Joyce, these gatherings become some of Savannah’s most celebrated Irish-themed events for over 27 years.

After attending programs on Irish literature in Dublin, in 1987 Clancy thought Armstrong State should do something to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. “I had an idea for an event that would highlight an Irish writer around St. Patrick’s Day. Why not have St. Patrick’s Day with an academic twist?” Clancy explained. Combining “the academic, the secular and the profane,” the event was named after a character in J.P. Donleavy’s novel, “The Ginger Man,” about an American living in Dublin who is a charming rogue.

Each year, the Dangerfield Award was given to “the most outstanding Irish representative.” Invariably, it was given in raucous fun, and not always to someone who was Irish - or even human. One year Clancy presented the award to University of Georgia mascot Uga, an English bulldog. “We gave Uga a doctorate in Irish literature,” Clancy said. “The doctoral Diploma was awarded for scholarship on philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and his influence on the poetry of William Butler Yeats.” Clancy arranged for picketers to stand outside to “protest” the outrage of an Irish award going to an Englishman. When Uga was brought onstage sporting a little green sweater, a student dressed as a Bobby appeared to arrest him. Clancy maintained that the canine recipient was “probably the most famous Englishman in America.”

Another year, after Clancy spoke on James Joyce, he was challenged to recite the final pages of “Finnegan’s Wake” from memory. A legend spread that Clancy went on to recite the final fifty pages. “That was literally impossible,” Clancy admitted. “Five pages was about my limit.”

While Savannah was his adopted home, Clancy grew up in Hamden, CT., graduating from Notre Dame High School, West Haven, CT. where he developed a lifelong passion for long distance running. Over the course of his life he ran in over 20 marathons, including the Boston Marathon on multiple occasions. He held undergraduate and graduate degrees in English Literature from Villanova University and was an avid fan of Villanova basketball.

He is survived by his sister, Katherine C. Conte of Bluffton, S.C. and brother, Robert J. Clancy (Candy) of Tubac, AZ., numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces/nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Rosemary Edwards. A previous marriage ended in divorce.

A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.

“A way a line a last a loved a long the...riverrun...” (Finnegan’s Wake)"

farewell, sweet bag

I'm setting it free.
This delightful carry-all was a Christmas gift years ago from my outlaw Kathy -
that means it came all the way from Paris!
Inside joke, y'all.
Paris is in Tennessee, near Nashville.
Anywho, as I was saying, I've had it for quite a while.
I do believe she sent it to me in 2007... or at least some time since now and then.
It has been in heavy rotation ever since.
During the school year, the bag carried books, tests, lab papers, lecture notes, whiteboard markers, pens, paper clips, and at least one calculator - for those students who forgot theirs on exam days.
When I was on holiday, the tote became my computer bag, safely nestling my laptop for the many journeys to Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, Las Vegas, Monteagle, Augusta, Myrtle Beach, Williamsburg, Summerville, Charleston, and Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta.
If that bag had an odometer, I wonder what it would read?

The handle began shedding its protective vinyl in shreds a couple of years ago.
I kept using the bag anyway, reluctant to let it go...
but knowing the time was arriving.
I continued to enjoy its roominess and that lovely sea-blue "T" on its face...
but I left it home when I went to Nevada this time.
Now, as the first day of classes nears, I am releasing the bag.
I will not be needing it for this school year, as I will not be teaching.
Ready or not, I'm retired... and the trusty tote is, too.
Thank you for your many years of service.
Thank you for accompanying me on my adventures.
Thank you.

dogs, a princess, and a rock

"So, what's with the wacky title?"

Well, it refers to the three movies I saw today.

"Oh, you had a triple header at the cinema?"

Nope! Only one of the movies was at a movie house. The first one was at my house, courtesy of On Demand.
(smile)
It was also, by far, the worst of the trio. Good thing it was free!

"What was so bad about it?"

Well, based on the title, I had high hopes for this 2007 film. After all, it was called "The Year Of The Dog", right?

"Oh, yes, I get it, with 2018 being that in the Chinese calendar."

Exactly! I've been trying to work in more dog-centric movies this year. That's why I chose to watch "The Sandlot" and "Isle Of Dogs" on my flights to, and from, Vegas, respectively. I do so love both of them!

"Most excellent choices! I'm sure they helped the travel fly by!"

LOL! Yes, they did!
Thanks for the little joke!
(smile)

"You're quite welcome, dear. Now, tell me more about today's movie, please."

Okay, but know this: I'll never watch it again. It was that bad. There was a lot of film time spent with Molly Shannon mooning over dogs in kennels, over chickens and goats and horses and pigs on a farm, over animals in general. This was evidently her attempt to help out the ASPCA or some other animal rights group, but it was rather heavy-handed. At one point, she's "adopted" fifteen dogs that were to be euthanized and was living in a noisy, filthy house with all of them.

"Yikes. Well, at least you're done with it."

Amen to that, sister!

"Indeed. So, what was the movie with the princess in it? That sounds fun!"

It truly was, even though I ended up seeing it because I misunderstood what film was to be shown. I had been told it would be the Oscar-winning 2007 "La Vie En Rose", about Edith Piaf, and had been curious why the LGBT Center had chosen it for its "Look Back" screening for this evening.

"But that was not the case?"

It most assuredly was not. Instead, I was treated to a delightful 1997 Belgian film, "Ma Vie En Rose", and found it completely appropriate for this venue! The story revolved around a 7-year-old boy who believed his "other X" chromosome had fallen into the trash, but that God would make it right and turn him into a girl one day. Needless to say, his family - mom, dad, two brothers, sister, and granny - had thought his dressing up was a phase he would grow out of, but eventually accepted that Ludovic was their "child", regardless of gender. Very nice!

"Very different!"

Well, kindly remember that I was once a regular at the short-lived LGBT Film Festivals here. The first was in 2009 and was full of diversity - I loved it! Sadly, the woman in charge moved a few years later and the series ended.
I'm glad the new center is carrying on with this genre.

"I am, too. Hopefully more people will venture out - get it? - to partake of these gems."

That is the hope.
We had about twelve to fifteen viewers tonight, including Jim Reed in a tie!

"You're kidding! Why was he dressed up? Was he at church earlier?"

Well, you're close.
(smile)
Apparently, like the physicist, he is ordained. He had wed a couple before the film!

"Wow. I would never have guessed that."

Me, neither! But we would have both been wrong 'bout that.

"You silly thing. 'Both' of us? Really?"

Well, c'mon, you know what I mean.
I've been watching scattered episodes of the new John Larroquette series, "Me, Myself, and I". I started because it was free and had him, but I've stayed because I like the premise. It's one person, at three different ages, and he plays the oldest one. I really enjoy the interwoven story lines... but I've gotten off track, haven't I?
Why don't I move along to "Skyscraper"?

"You mean, "Die Hard" in a taller building? Lol! Oh! I get it! The Rock stars in it!"

Ding ding ding! You win the booby prize!

"Ha ha. Like I need any more in that area. Not only am I "All About That Bass", but I've got plenty of 'treble', too!"

(smile)
Yeah, but you know the boys "like a little more booty to hold at night" - lol!

"Yeah, you go on with your bad self now."

Yes, ma'am.
(smile)
So, do you know why I joined Carolyn to watch that burning building on screen?

"No. Why?"

Because it was the final screening at the Spotlight - I mean, Cinegrand Eisenhower. The cinema is closed now, its silver screen gone dark.

"Oh, no. How very sad. First, the Victory Cinema closed its doors and now this one. I know that Carolyn must be heartsick about this loss."

She really is. She practically lived there when her air conditioning was on the fritz. Heck, even before that! She loved all the young men, and Bernard, the one older fellow.
I really liked the place, too.
Ronnie and I had been there on Thursday to see "Hotel Transylvania 3".
That had been a busy day for me! Lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings with Christina and Chelsea, then a late - and free! - viewing of "Ant-Man and The Wasp" with Carolyn. The boys even gave us free food!

"Wow!"

I know, how very nice of them!
And now, they are gone.
Nike, one of my former Tech students, came by before she and I left the cinema for the last time. He told us he starts school in Statesboro in two weeks. He also said that he enjoyed chemistry with me so much that he may change his major to that instead of biology!
Woohoo! How wonderful to be thought of so well!

"I am so happy for you!
And sad that the Spotlight is now closed.
Maybe, Cinema Savannah or Savannah Shakes or Savannah Stage Company or Collective Face Ensemble or someone will buy it and turn it into a constructive place again."

I do hope so.
You know, between its time as the Regal Eisenhower and Spotlight and Cinegrand Eisenhower, I've been going there to see movies for more than three decades.
I'd sure like for those days to continue.

"Heard. I know Carolyn would like that, too."

You know, it's her birthday tomorrow. I'll have to see about sharing a meal with her or something. I've already feted her for her birthday, you know. I took her to see "Cabaret", a la the Savannah Stage Company - and she loved it!!! So did I, of course, so did I... but that's for another time.
(smile)

"Didn't you also give her one of those nice travel sets from Diamond Resorts?"

I did! I gave one to Barbara, too, as a late birthday gift to her. She was to have been going to Washington state at month's end, but that got put on hold by the family she was going to visit.

"There will be other trips, I'm sure, and that will be a good gift for both Barbara and Carolyn. Okay, it's late and you seem to still be on Vegas time. Maybe to bed soon?"

Perhaps...

"Sweet dreams, you!"

And to you, my dear girl, and to you.

truth or...

Dare
I must admit, I never saw any allure to this "game".
Watching Bernadette and Amy's interaction with Penny on "The Big Bang Theory" really brought that home for me.
That was nearly eight years ago.
Before that, every time I saw the game being "played" in movies and other television shows, it was an opportunity for those who were alike to traumatize the one player who was different, the one player who truly had been brave and dared to share their company.
I've never played that game and never want to do so.
Isn't a game something which should encourage discourse between all of the players and lead to enhanced bonds of friendship?
Truth or Dare? seems to be designed only to socially embarrass at best and emotionally - or even physically - harm at worst.
No, thank you, I'll find others to befriend.

Consequences
First, I must clarify: I speak not of the town once known as Hot Springs, New Mexico.
I'm focusing on the television show.
Begun as a radio show in 1940, it has a strong resemblance to a more recent show that I loved: "Cash Cab". "Truth or Consequences" featured good-hearted fun, coupled with corny jokes and teary-eyed family reunions, with maybe some professional stunts thrown in now and then.
It was on tv with Bob Barker as host from before I began grade school until I started high school and was a big favorite for my family.
Good times!
What did I learn from that humorous show?
Every action, every word, every deed is met with a resultant action, word, or deed.
Best to make them good ones!

Lies
This time, the reference is not to electronic games, nor to games or game shows, either on television or radio.
It's a bit more complicated - and widespread - than that.
Every time a headline appears in print or on television or on the internet, every time a sound bite introduces a story on the radio or tv or online, the question must be asked:
Is it truth or is it lies?
The onus is truly on us to determine the answer.
"If it bleeds, it leads" is more than just a slogan for so-called "news" agencies - it's the way they earn their money, catering to ad agencies that believe the public thrives on such fare.
For a movie which truly looks at the media, check out "Sanju".
That just bolstered my choice to not watch most "news" programs or listen to talking heads on radio ever since I was in college in the mid-1980's.
Remember the story about the explosion of the Challenger shuttle?
That was on January 28, 1986. I was in the school cafeteria when the news swept the room. Other students had been watching their favorite soap operas when images of the explosion interrupted their viewing.
And those images were repeated over and over and over...
and I said "oh!" mournfully and sobbed each time.
No more of that kind of news program for me... ever.

So, what sent me down this path today?
A crossword puzzle.
I like to work on Matt Jones' brain teasers after my Sunday breakfast.
Today, I was catching up on a puzzle from before my trip.
21-Across was "Classic Nickelodeon game show with a 2018 reboot".
26-Across, coupled with 44-Across, was "Getting punished for one's actions".
50-Across was "Fleetwood Mac's last Top 10 song".
Okay, that resulted in "double dare", "suffering the consequences", and "little lies".
Then game the unifying twist, in 65-Across: "Word that's considered an alternative to the last word of each theme phrase".
Truth.
Heard?

i made ron laugh!

That's him, Ron, sitting between me and Barbara.
Amber and Flo, both new to me, were beyond them,
on my right.
Zamian, our super-cool waiter, is shown taking
Flo's order on this meeting of the Bon Vivants.
It's been two months since I was last with this
MENSA offshoot, and quite a long time since I
dined at this particular restaurant -
and even longer since I ate out for Restaurant

Week, which is usually in a slow tourism month.
(Such as during winter, so that's why I miss them.)
Let's see... on my left is Sandy, even though she is invisible in this photo.
Past her is Lithuanian Dave (aka Buch Nekkid),
Kathy (the grand organizer of these events),
Edith (Flo's friend), and Susan (Ron's wife).
Usually, Susan and Ron sit side by side, but they
arrived quite late, so... lol!

I began my meal with a rare treat: a cocktail!
Called a Tropical Depression, this lovely liquid
was composed of mango tequila - my poison of choice -
with ginger beer and bitters.
I wish it had been as appealing as it looks, but
it was rather sweet for me.
Next time, I''ll have one of the Mules instead!
(smile!)

The beverage was not included in the three-course
prix fixe dinner, of course.
That thirty-dollar tab covered an appetizer,
an entree, and a dessert, only.
I had the Greek salad, sans feta, to start.
Then, the fresh peach cobbler, sans ice cream,
accompanied the tour de force: eggplant campeonato,
loaded with capers, onions, and olives - oh, my!
No seafood for me this time!

Such a good time I had tonight at this belated birthday treat!
I'm so glad I moved from the seat beside Barbara to the seat at the foot of the table!
Right place, right time!
That left an open chair for Ron to sit in - perfect for what followed!
We were chatting about various things, as folks do when sharing a meal with other folks they don't see often.
I had explained to Dave that my name wasn't "just Tina - it's Faustina, f-a-u-s-tina, like in Poland or Germany or Italy."
Ron had asked if that was my heritage and I'd told him I was none of those.
"I'm ICE!" I'd then gone on to explain that, as I did here.
Well, he got a big kick out of that and loosened on up!
His family hails from Georgia - "the one in Russia," he told me. They moved to Mexico first, but later settled in Texas in the early part of the 1900's.
That makes him Southern, through and through, like me and Barbara and Sandy.
Well, alrighty then!
I was on a roll after that, regaling him with my childhood of growing up being called "Tina" and "Linda" and "Sybil" and "Lorena" - the names of my aunt, my mother, and my grandmother - leading me to regard names as fluid things.
Even my three brothers, I told him, had fluid names, as Mama would call out "Smitty", "Ronnie", "Tony", until she ended with the one she wanted...
and that's when Ron Cole just lost it!!!
He joyfully laughed and laughed - and I was delighted to see him and hear him doing that!
That really made my night!
The others were just listening to us at that point, listening to Ron laugh so gaily.
No doubt they were all wondering what we were talking about to have gotten such a truly tickled response from this usually quiet man.
I'm still plumb tickled myself about his being so tickled!
(smile)
i thank You, God, for that blessed levity!

better get kraken on those gifts!

It's a pun, y'all!
You know how I love those!
Though I must admit to having krakens
on the brain of late.
I think the sidewalk art festival is to blame!
I don't think I'd ever seen them drawn there before.
The 3-D additions also made an impact on me -
even without my touching them!
(smile)

I think that's why I was drawn to this deodorant -
the kraken on my brain.
New underarm odor protectant was needed and I was
looking for something with Old Spice.
I've always liked the way it smells.
And what new scent was there?
Kräkengard! With the "unspeakable power
of the ancient ocean"!
True story! I took it to Vegas, too, baby!

Then, yesterday, I had even more Kracken going on!
I had taken my brother, Ronnie, to see "Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation", and there the beast was,
singing and dancing!
The good news is I now know how
to tame a Kraken.
First, use "Good Vibrations" to soothe its jangled nerves.

After all, that's a lot of pressure down in the ocean's depths!
(smile) Get the joke?
Next, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" will hit its sweet spot, man.
(Tune it in to the Rasta wavelength!)
Last, use "La Macarena" to work out the kinks in those tentacles - oh, yeah!
That will be one re-lax-ed Kraken!
(smile)

Now, let's get crackin' on those birthday gifts, shall we?
Not that they were for me...
I got them to share the love with others.

This lovely, reusable tote bag was given to the physicist at lunch today.
(By coincidence, we ate at Sushi Zen, but the order in the photo was from my Florida trip in May.)
The bfe loved the geometric kitteh - hooray!
After lunch, we took in a movie he chose, "Sorry To Bother You", which turned out to be more science fiction than expected, but really good.

On Sunday, Smitty and Tony had come by to install this -
a real live, honest-to-goodness air conditioner!
We have it set up to stream cool air into the dining and living rooms, with fans for the other rooms.
(I'll be curious how it will impact my electric bill.)
I gave Tony a smashed penny with a racecar on it,
obtained from M&Ms World - his favorite candy.
Smitty received two coasters from The Angry Butcher,
a swanky eaterie at Sam's Town.

This Gilchrist & Soames beauty and bath kit went to Carolyn last Friday, as an early 72nd birthday present.
Its duplicate will be given to Barbara tonight, as a belated 67th birthday gift.
Each of them contain a quartet of the company's BATHE liquids, as well as soap, a toothbrush, a pouch of cotton swabs and wipes, and a shower cap - all in a see-through travel bag for easy plane travel.

How true it is: 'tis better to give than to receive!
(smile!)

kilted off-kilter bananas!

What an incredible baseball fairy-tale finish tonight!
However, the ending was very nearly not so rosy for this much-ballyhooed ballgame.
Yes, I did say much ballyhooed, for it certainly 'twas.
Folks in Detroit knew about it.
Folks in Kansas City were hip to it.
Folks in Miami knew the news.
Folks in Cincinnati were all onto it.
Even the folks in Las Vegas knew about it!
This wasn't just a little local novelty for folks in Savannah.
Thanks to USA Today and Sports Illustrated, folks everywhere had heard the news.
The Savannah Bananas were wearing kilts to play baseball.
Wow!
No other MLB team had ever done such a thing!
Then the game against Macon Bacon got rained out midway through the first inning.

The continuation of that game was tonight...
and the boys were clad, once more, in the yellow and green plaid kilts...
after reading about and hearing about the stunt novelty for over a week...
and with many of these players being Southern-born, as I am...
so I'm sure they'd been kidded about the "skirts" at least since the original game.
That had to be a bit rough on the psyche of these young men.
I could see it in the way they played the first few innings.
They were definitely self-conscious out there, even the few who had chosen to wear pants or jeans under their breezy, swaying tartan plaids.
But there was a perceptible shift in the sixth inning.
It wasn't that the Bananas finally scored a run, after trailing the whole game...
because they did not get a man across home then.
No, the shift was in their attitudes.
When they came up to bat, they came to get a hit, rocking that kilt as they did so.
They were finally accepting the apparel and owning it fully.
Macon had gotten all the runs they would be allowed - time for Bananas to play!

In the 7th inning, Alex Rodriguez swatted a double down the middle -
Hunter Wilson was in!
Run one for the Bananas!
After that, it was a matter of loading up the bases with yellow kilts, trying for more runs, to tie up the game.
But the seventh and eighth innings failed to produce more feet across home plate.

Then the magic, the miracle, the magnificent happened!
Bottom of the ninth, the home team was behind, 3 to 1.
Jake Howard got on base, followed by Justin Dirden, and then Garret Delano -
the bases were once again full ... and of mostly Southern Bananas!
Time for Bill LeRoy, the catcher from Dublin, Georgia, to wield the bat.
The ball headed toward third base, but the pitcher fielded it and hurled it toward first -
and beyond!
The boys were all waved on to home! Go home!! Come on home!!!
And they did!!!
Then the triumphant trio joined the others racing out of the dugout to join Bill on second base and hoisting him up jubilantly!
Wow!!!
What an absolute thrill to have been there tonight with Willie!
Wow!!!

i thank You, God!

anything goes with ibrahim and abraham, especially cake!

No need to adjust your screens, folks.
Yes, this was taken at Asbury Memorial UMC.
No, he is not Billy Hester, away for the summer.
The man holding sway today is Imam Ibrahim Abdul-Malik, the one who took over after Maajid died.
He chose to give us a history lesson, to emphasize that Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are waters from the same fountain. That was the message in "Abraham: The Father Of Many, And A Model For All".
Well done!

I especially enjoyed David Kafer's solo rendition of "His Eye Is On The Sparrow".
That song truly is about God's love for all of us, no matter what our background or social status or skin color or gender or nationality may be.
Amen, y'all, amen.

Afterward, we had sweets galore!
This was the Womens' Dessert Contest and there
were four tables laden with the best efforts
of the contenders.
There were prizes for prettiest, tastiest,
and most original...
and perhaps a few more categories, too.

This was my hands-down favorite!
These were individual-sized,
ooey gooey chocolate in coconut,
on pretty doilies - so very delicious!
The judges liked it, too!
Then, it was time to take my sugar rush away...

And I knew just the place to take it!
Over to the Kennedy Center at SSU, for the SCT's teen theatre camp production of "Anything Goes", the sea-going 1934 Cole Porter musical!
Wonder of wonders, the Odd Lot crew was there, too!
I felt like I was having a bit of deja vu, as this was just like on July 1st when I had also gone to a musical theatre - at same place! - after church!


Now, a bit of quiet, if you please!
The show is about to start...
(smile)
i thank You, God for this wonderful welcome home to Savannah!

bananas, blowfish, bruce, ballcap!

First, I want to show off this snazzy new ballcap!
Steve gave it to me tonight!
(smile)
The Savannah Bananas had a military-themed
game that I missed.
As a veteran, he received a couple of these with the special silver Banana...
and saved one for me, a fellow veteran.
Woohoo!

That's him in the yellow-plaid shirt, directly under
the "MEDIA" sign.
In past years, he's sat in the row behind Willie's,
but this season, he has been close at hand.
That's been good, so the two guys he can talk
baseball, including national games.
Here they are right after Alex Rodriguez' triple!
And who is that other person between them?
That younger man on his cell phone?

That is the long-lost Bruce!
He once was a regular at the Sand Gnats' games,
even working with them for their last season here.
He came for a couple of Bananas' games during their first season, but then moved back to New York.
He heard that Willie hasn't been doing well -
and that's why he was there tonight!
(I have his phone number now so they can
stay in touch - good!)

Speaking of Alex Rodriguez, here he is at bat, under
red skies at night (a sailor's delight - lol!).
The Bananas' third-baseman was as on fire tonight as
were the bottoms of these western clouds!
The sixth inning, in particular, was all him.
Did he get a hit?
Nope, he didn't need one, apparently -
the Lexington County Blowfish walked him to first.
That was a mistake, as the pitcher soon learned!

After a throwing error by that same pitcher,
Alex managed to steal second base.
Then, a pop fly that ended in an out (oh, no, there was a glove under that ball!) and Alex standing on third.
But not for long!
Justthatfast, HE STOLE HOME!!!
That gave the Bananas their fifth run -
and the only action for that inning.
Amazing to have witnessed!!!

The man was certainly not done for the night, either.
Here he is, on third in the eighth inning, waiting patiently for a hit to bring him home.
(This was two minutes after the second photo -
in this post - was taken.)
It was beginning to look like he might have to
steal his way home again,.
The next two men, Garret Delano and Sam Claycamp, good batters as a rule, failed to get a hit and make it away from the batter's box ...

But then Hunter Wilson, the second-baseman, came to the rescue of the Banana stranded on third!
Hunter swatted a single to left centerfield -
and that allowed Alex to race across home plate and score the seventh - and last - run for the home team
in that game.
Sure, the Blowfish had tried for a comeback in the last three innings, but only scored three runs.
The Bananas won!!!

Ah, yes - fireworks are always better when the right team wins!
(smile!)
How lovely that the moon was there to participate in the man-made star systems!
How nice of Mister Willie to patiently wait through them, as he knows I enjoy them so much!
How incredible that we managed to get out to my car and make it away from the stadium before the traffic congested!
Right place, right time...
i thank You, God!

summer camp, theatre style!

Oh, how I wish I could say that I had seen all of these!
I wasn't paying attention, in truth, and missed half of the productions.
Believe me, I'll watch the Savannah Childrens' Theatre website more closely next year.

"Phantom Tollbooth, Jr." was the
first of the threesome I saw...
and it was a musical!!!
Words versus numbers, with both lost without rhyme and reason!
Brothers versus each other and against their sisters.
And it was a children's musical!
Wow.
Not only that, but it starred a dog!
That's important to me this year.
(smile!)
I loved Tock, the "watch" dog!
Such glorious puns throughout!

This morning, I saw my second one of these productions, and it, too, was a musical!
"Peter Pan, Jr." was filled with mostly little kids, unlike the above show.
(That show was actually seen on June 30th.)
I was one of two audience members, but that's okay - she and I cheered even louder for that!
My thanks to Georgette for the free pass for this special morning rehearsal!


I'll be looking forward to the season-ender I'll see on Sunday!
(That sure was a bunch of "s" words, wasn't it?)
(smile!)

well, that battery just couln't take the heat

So... I returned from Las Vegas last night.
The plane was a bit later than scheduled, due to a storm in Atlanta, but I was
on the ground here by 9 PM.
Barbara and Sandy met me at the airport and took me for a rare meal at Chedddars.
Then, they dropped me at home and I slept in my own bed, with my own pillow...
very good!
Thanks, mis amigas!

Today, I slept until after 1 PM.
Then, I did some unpacking and thought I'd like to go see "Ant-Man And The Wasp" -
get a bit of popcorn, right?
However, my car wouldn't start.
Surely that three-year-old battery hadn't died...?
My neighbor and his family were heading out, but he took a few moments
to use his handheld charger to get my car started.
Vroom! Vroom! Off I went to the cinema, taking the long way.
Thanks, Robert!

After the movie, the car refused to start.
Again.
No lights, no sound, nothing.
Apparently, that thirty minutes of driving had not done the trick.
My brother Smitty came to my rescue, using his handheld charger to get me on the road again.
He told me the heat had probably killed the battery and I needed to get it replaced.
Off I went to Firestone!
Thanks, Smitty!

And I get to the Firestone... and they had closed early for a meeting.
Oh, no! What to do???
Leaving my car running, I ran up to the door anyway...
Dave must have seen the stricken look of panic on my face.
He opened the door, listened to my tale of woe, and...
here's the amazing part...
he took charge and handled the situation for me, a valued customer.
As good fortune would have it, the battery I needed was in stock.
As more good fortune, Adam was there to remove the old battery and put in the new one.
Right place, right time... and right people.
Thanks, Dave and Adam!

Now, I'm off to join Barbara and Sandy and Carolyn for a trip that was planned before I even left for Nevada.
We're all going to "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again!", to dance in our seats!
i thank You, God, for these little miracles in my life!

dogs and dancers and dino

My last day in Vegas and I still had money to burn,
thanks to Diamond Resorts!
Off I headed to Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile
after polishing off the Hard Rock doggie bag!
I had two shows to attend before I left town,
and my first goal was to exchange my two groupons
for actual tickets - done!
I even had time for a beaver shot of the redhead -
the physicist greatly appreciated that!

I had a bit of time before the first show,
so I bopped around under the blue 'sky',
enjoying the memories of my 2013 trip.
Look, there's the Salsa Cantina, by the redhead -
good margaritas were had there one night!
A little farther down was Blondie's, where I had lunch before another show!
Good times for sure that October!

Then it was time to head back to the V Theatre
for the 4 PM Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater!
I had so enjoyed it five years ago -
all the talented dogs and cats, even a duck!
Would the Red Skelton-style skits still shine?
They did!
As did the juggling and all the animal antics!
Plus, they have added a silks aerialist - hooray!

Now what to do before the evening show?
Well, first, I located the Saxe Theatre.
Along the way, I had seen Lobster ME -
what was that all about?
Great eats on the cheap, that's what!
I had a lobster taco and a grilled shrimp taco -
and they even gave me free chips and cheese!
Plus, since it was Taco Tuesday,
I ate for less - perfect, with no leftovers!

I walked around a bit more, watching for the Rainstorm on the Miracle Mile, but my timing was off.
That's okay, I'd wait until after Vegas! The Show!
And look what I found inside the Saxe -
a replica of the famous Las Vegas sign!
Magnificent! Pretty nice photo of me, too!
(smile!)

As for the show, it was a superb variety act!
Feathered dancers! Glittery singers!
Dino and Frank and Sammy Davis, Jr.!
Tom Jones! Elvis! Gladys Knight with her Pips!
And songs turned into skits - "The Candy Man"
had girls throwing treats! "The Devil In Disguise"
had brides in fluffy white become red-clad sirens!
"What's New Pussycat" - pretty obvious,yes?
Then came the acrobats and the wry juggler!
What a magnificent show!

Now for a little dessert for my taste buds!
Over to the Ben & Jerry's I strolled, getting my
coconut almond fudge chip cone just in time
for the 9 PM Rainstorm - very nice!
Then outside, into the heat and the crowds
on the sidewalk, and what did I see?
The Fountains at the Bellagio were doing their
9:30 PM dance, moving to the music in my head!

Back into the cool of Planet Hollywood,
retracing my steps along the Miracle Mile,
heading south down The Strip.
Then, while I was traversing a side street
via the glass walkway, I saw shining brightly
the purple lights of my Las Vegas home in May of 2010, October of 2013, and on this 2018 summer trip:
Polo Towers.

Now to bed I go.
I'm checked in for my 11:30 AM flight tomorrow, my bags are packed, and I've placed my call to Bell Trans for the shuttle to pick me up around 8:30 AM.
Here's hoping for on-time flights and "Isle Of Dogs" still on the in-flight movie list!
(smile)
i thank You, God, for this blessed birthday trip!

between an m&m and a hard rock

Woohoo! Here I am, off to do battle!
The evil beasts of Diamond Resorts awaited me
in their lair at the top of the building.
The goons at Polo Towers had nagged me into an
"owner update" meeting - misnomer for a sales pitch
to get more of my money -
so I was there to get paid.
And I did - $150 of VISA cards -
and an iPad, too.
Thanks, Jeff Galloway.
Now, to have fun at their expense!

My first stop was M&Ms World!
Ms. Green was looking out from the top floor,
toward the mountains to the west,
but I chose the view to the north!
Ah, the sweet and dark smell of the chocolate
was so intoxicating!

Ms. Green even came out for a visit!
Right place, right time!
i thank You, God!
After hobnobbing with her by the race car,
I made sure to get some smashed pennies
to mark the occasion, with one for Tony -
these are his favorite candies!

Then I was off to experience the 4-D film,
"I Lost My M In Vegas!"
What's that fourth dimension?
The rushing air and other special effects
off the screen and around the viewers!
I enjoyed it so much that I saw it twice!

I had passed by the ID tag machine's
bright yellow bulk several times,
but something made me stop for a
closer look at its wares.
Then, I truly saw it - the Elvis M&M dogtag!!!
It even had purple highlights!!!

I had it engrave a special message -
FAUSTINA
60TH BDAY
- just for me!
Now, it's on my key ring that Mama gave me for
my 19th birthday, along with my real USN dogtag.
Those are both 41 years old, by the way.
(smile!)

Next stop?
Well, smelling all that chocolatey goodness
really worked up a powerful thirst.
Fortunately, the Coca-Cola Store was just
a few doors down!
Ahhhhhh!!! Nothing quite as thirst-slaking
as an ice-cold Coca-Cola ICEE -
the taste that refreshes!
(smile!)

***** H * E * L * L * O **** G * O * R * G * E * O * U * S *****
Thanks, T-Mobile! I appreciate that!
(smile!)

By the time I finished my exploration of the Showcase Mall, it was not only five o'clock somewhere,
it was five o'clock in Vegas, baby!
Time for a very late slunch and a libation!
Over to the Hard Rock Cafe with my bad self!
What a book to have been seated by The Killers
and the Panic! At The Disco -
they're both Las Vegas bands that made it big!

Eric was the best waiter on this trip!
He encouraged me to take in the sights while my food was being prepared and that's what I did, too.
The guitar had belonged to Paul Stanley of KISS -
so I had to send the photo to my ex!
"I've never seen that one. It's like half of a Flying V fused with half of a shrunken Explorer. Weird!"
Woohoo! That meant he loved it!

I loved all the memorabilia that had belonged
to Elvis Presley!
The turquoise and brown patterned shirt that
screamed 1970's style really made me smile,
reminding me of some of the shirts my brother
Smitty wore in high school.
These dragon-embroidered pants, though,
were what I most liked.
I sure would love to have a pair of these,
especially with Elvis in them!
(smile!)

Oh, and look at my gorgeous food!
The Southwest flatbread, sans cheese,
flanked on the left by the generous portion of
side salad and lemon vinaigrette,
with the Apple Cobbler - no ice cream, thanks! -
taking up the right side.
So good to have dessert along with the meal!
Thanks, Eric!

Nice entertainment accompanied my dining pleasure!
Here was Kool & The Gang, encouraging me to "Get Down On It", which I did, all while enjoying a pure smorgasbord of music videos!
There was Garbage with "Special", the Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla", some "Breathe Me" by Sia, Muddy Waters and his "Mannish Boy", Green Day going "Bang Bang", and the Cure telling me it was "Just Like Heaven".
My, oh, my, how had they known?

I even took a bit of that heaven - in the form of flatbread and cobbler - away with me for breakfast tomorrow.
Now, I'm settled in from the heat of the sidewalks, chilled Guinness Stout at my side, for a bit of "Sex In The City" - and sweet dreams of Mr. Big later.
(smile)
What a great day this has been, and all at no cost to me!
i thank You, God!