at bananas but not in my seat

By the time I entered the stadium, the national
anthem was already in full voice.
That meant no sitting around Mister Willie.
That was okay, though; he wasn't there tonight.
As for me, I spent the evening trying to find a
place that felt right for me.
Over in the right corner of the stands for Gabe
Howell's run in the first inning wasn't it.

For the bottom of the second inning, I was standing behind the box seats, to the right side.
In other words, close to my seat from 2016.
That's Rafi Vazquez at bat and I was hoping to see him hit a home run.
The Redwolves had scored four runs against Austin Temple and the Bananas just had the one run.
Gabe Howell finally got Ethan Baucom across home plate for a second run.

That left the home team still trailing the visitors by
two runs.
That's where the score stayed, too, for the next four innings, with neither team seemingly able to budge it.
I was roaming around, settling down briefly at a picnic table past third base.
The perspective was too alien for me, so I went back into the stands.

The nightly "Salute to the Troops" found me in the stadium's left side, behind the visitor's dugout.
That's when I found out the young man to my left was
in the Marines!
We had a nice chat after, too.
I really enjoyed that his little boy was cheering every
bit as enthusiastically as I did.
Definitely the right seat for me!
(smile!)

Even with our cheering, it wasn't until the seventh inning that the tide began to turn for our team.
Here's Mike Williams at bat, with two Bananas walked onto bases.
Then, thanks to some mighty fast footwork, Justin McConnell was able to streak to home as Williams grounded out!
Well done, y'all!

No score changes for either team in the eighth inning.
It looked like the ninth inning was going to be the
"make or break" time!
A pinch runner, Kyler Marquis, was put into play...
and successfully, too!
When a thrown ball became a wild pitch, he crossed home to tie up the score!
Hooray!

That play called for a new set of fresh legs to pinch run, this time on Austin Thompson, from the vantage point
of third base.
Mere seconds later, he scored the walk-off run on McConnell's single!
How very sweet to have the win at last!
Woohoo!!!

And then we had fireworks!
I always so enjoy the displays of color and light ant sound over the baseball diamond...
but they're just that little bit more dazzling after a winning game!
Maybe Mister Willie will be cleared to come with me next Wednesday and we'll be at his seat.
I sure hope so.

comes in colors everywhere

Yes, the different spellings are on purpose!
That's because this time, it's American, not British!

This is only part of the feast prepared by Thrive - such a glorious rainbow!
Not only of color, but also of flavors and textures!
Watermelon radish, with its brilliant red marbling and mild taste and definite CRunCH!
Orange and red and yellow bell pepper slices, moist and crisp and sweet!
Creamy cauliflower clusters in purple and tangerine and spring green hues!
Juicy little tomatoes in jellybean tones of yellow and orange and red!
But that wasn't all!
The waitstaff circulated with delectable horseradish-enhanced shrimp cakes, tiny caramelized onion tarts in extra-flaky pastry, and coffee au lait popsicles!
Such a smorgasbord of delight for my dinner at the Jepson - fabulous!

The occasion?
A new exhibit, celebrating five decades of
a Californian artist, will open tomorrow.
Tonight, we were treated to a preview of the works.
I had expected a lecture from the artist,
but that was not what we received.

No, what we were given was so much more than a lecture!
Suzanne Jackson had wanted her dear semi-centennial friend to be present so his life's work could also be celebrated.
The lecture became "Suzanne Jackson in Conversation with Alonzo Davis".
The red chair was used by Rachel Reese, the curator of the unique Telfair exhibit, as she asked leading questions.


Of all the artist lectures I've attended in this setting, this one was the most relaxed.
The two old friends, her 75 and him 77 years old, talked of their meeting fifty years ago, when they founded their unique art spaces - Gallery 32 and Brockman Gallery, respectively - in Los Angeles in the late 1960's.
Both spaces were crucial for the Black Art Movement.
Amazingly, they each had the foresight to keep all documentation for all of the shows and works and daily ledgers for their spaces dedicated to black artists.
Everything for Brockman Gallery was archived several years ago and, as of March this year, is now available at the Los Angeles Public Library.
Suzanne's documentation and ephemera (photos, posters, et alia) for Gallery 32 has now been digitized and is archived here in Savannah.

I loved this closing slide, which contrasted the work spaces of the two artists.
Hers is bright and disheveled and shouts "Creativity happens here!"
His, although larger and containing more, is neat and clean, with all things having a place at day's end.
He had called me up on stage to talk - delightful! - and we spoke of everyone having their own needs for their work environment.
I totally agreed!
I look forward to examining the works in her exhibit soon.
For now, I'm between baseball games and who knows what else...
but I'll definitely explore her half-century of carefully selected pieces!

comes in colours ev'rywhere

Last night's baseball game was also a fundraiser for Savannah PRIDE.
The parade won't occur until October, but, because this is the second decade mark, an all-out (pun intended!) celebration is in store.
Accordingly, fundraisers began in May to make this year's the biggest yet to come.
(Yes, that little joke was intended, too. You're welcome! LOL!)
(smile)
Ordinarily, for a Bark In The Park night, the First Banana would be hoisted by someone associated with a local shelter.
However, this time, that honor was granted to a female veteran of the Navy.
She is lesbian and associated with Savannah PRIDE.

A little later, the Eagle Scout started a dialogue about that.
Specifically, he said he didn't have a problem with lesbians and gays, but he couldn't support "all those other types".
My reply had been, "Oh, so you don't like all the colors of the rainbow, you just like a couple of them."
He had brightened and said, "Exactly! That is exactly right! I want to get a rainbow flag that's missing some of the colors!"
I had tried to explain that it wouldn't be a "rainbow" flag then, but couldn't get any traction with that concept.

This morning, I was musing on the idea while the coffee was percolating.
That's when I realized that there had been a misconception, not just with him, but with the entire gender argument.
Most people, on both sides, regard the rainbow flag as only pertaining to those who are homosexual.
I argue that the rainbow does not exclude heterosexuals.
Let me explain what it does represent, shall I?
Every rainbow ever consists of seven colors, though the identity may vary.
A Newtonian might list them as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
However, one like Isaac Asimov would describe them as red, orange, yellow, green cyan, blue, violet.
I prefer to consider the seven as four unique shades and three blended ones.
That actually works rather well in describing the seven basic sexual types.
Let's start with the blended colors: green, orange, and purple.
Those correspond with three blended, or blurred, regions of the sexuality continuum.
"Questioning" are those who don't know what gender attracts them.
"Bisexual" are those who are attracted to both male and female genders.
"Transgender" describes those with gender conflicts between the sexual pieces of their physical body and their mental image of their identity.
That makes "Q", "B", and "T" applicable to either homosexual or heterosexual persons, even though they are regarded as part of LGBTQ culture.
That takes care of three of the seven colors in the rainbow.
"Lesbian" is limited to women who only want other women for sex, making it exclusively homosexual. That would be represented by a primary color, whether it be red, yellow, or blue.
"Gay" refers to men who only are sexually attracted to other men, at leat since the 1960's. That means this term is also exclusively referencing homosexuals and can be represented by a primary color.
"Heterosexual" is the term applied to males attracted exclusively to women or to women attracted exclusively to men. This category would also be represented in the rainbow by a primary color.
So, red, yellow, blue, orange, green, and violet are assigned to comparable sexual archetypes, whether discrete or blended.
That just leaves one color out of the mix: cyan/indigo.
Not a primary color.
Not a blend of two primary colors.
Something unique, not attributable to any classification already noted on the continuum.
I suggest that seventh color be applied to those who are "asexual", those finding no attraction to anyone else.

We are all part of the same rainbow, folks.
It doesn't matter what the label is, we are all on the same sexual continuum.
Heterosexual, homosexual, or asexual, what does it matter?
Seriously.
There is plenty of Earth for all of us.
I think the Rolling Stones would agree with me.
After all, their song is all about a woman having sex... but doesn't specify with whom.

great scott! redwolves trying to eat bananas!

Hey, that was the truth tonight at Grayson Stadium, as the Savannah Bananas hosted the Florence Redwolves.
There was even a banana-eating contest before the game - bananas covered in hot sauce - and the Redwolf gobbled up the most and won!
But that was not a harbinger of things to come.
Time after time, the bases were filled with Bananas who safely came home!

Scott was there, working his magic to insure a win.
Pistachio in the mouth for each man at bat? Check!
Finding a heads-up coin in the stadium?
Check... and it was a penny!
That led to an explanation of my copper theory, in that energy-composed beings, like angels and spirits, are able to move a penny into someone's path because copper is an excellent conductor of energy.
He really liked that! (smile)

So, two things to point out here.
Number one: Mister Willie was absent.
We were still sitting in his seat, plus one, but he was
not well enough to attend.
Hopefully he will be here next week.
Number two: I was kept pretty well occupied during
the game, as Scott keeps up a steady patter, but I did
manage to catch the runs on film.

For instance, in the above photo, that's Bill LeRoy,
catcher for the Savannah Bananas.
He was coming in for the first run for the home team
in the first inning.
(Rafi Vazquez scored the second run that inning.)
In this photo, that's Bill LeRoy coming home again,
this time in the third inning, for the third run.
Now, wouldn't it be cool if he scored in the fifth?

Well, hold on to your cherry ice cream!
That's exactly what happened!!!
This photo shows Mike Williams making the first RBI from Jake Sullivan's single, with Bill LeRoy hot on his heels for the second RBI.
That gave us runs four and five, respectively.
That means Bill LeRoy made all the odd-numbered runs in the odd-numbered innings.
What a coincidence!

But notice one more thing: the configuration of the lights in the outfield.
They are the same for each of these photos!
Plus, the trio of shots clearly depict the passage of time between the five innings.
I just love when I spot patterns like this!
It's so gratifying to the puzzle-solving analytical chemist in me!
(smile)

Here are two more pictures in that same vein.
This was the fifth inning, when the boys of summer
had the bases "filled with Bananas"!
That was before Mike and Bill - and Rafi Vazquez, too,
on a wild pitch - came in for their runs.
(That brought the score to 6-1, home team advantage.)

Three innings - roughly an hour - later, the bases are once again "filled...with...Bananas"!
As the crowd goes wild, Austin Thompson brings in
David Nanny and Ethan Baucom!
Thompson himself scored by inning's end, thanks to
Gabe Howell's double.
What a delicious romp over the Florence team!
And how very cool that these lights played along!
I know I could not have arranged such symmetry or such coincidences on my own and am delighted to have been gifted with these images.
i thank You, God!

hitting the 200th

Before you think this has anything to do with baseball, let me set you straight.
I'm talking about movies and AMC cinemas, as I did four months ago.
I had wondered if the "Visits: 150" referred to the number of movies attended.
The answer?
A resounding "No".
It says "visits" and that is exactly what it means.
How do I know?
I can do math.
That 150th visit was eighteen weeks ago.
Tonight's trip to see "Late Night" (*1) - with Scott, Barbara, and Carolyn - resulted in a new value on my ticket receipt: "Visits: 200".
That would be an increase of fifty in that time span.
When fifty visits is divided by eighteen weeks, that works out to 2.78 visits per week.
That sounds correct.
With my A*List program, I am allowed three free movies per week.
Knowing that I am guaranteed admittance for three movies, I try to spread out my viewing pleasure over the course of seven days, limiting myself to just one movie at a time.
Sure, sometimes I'll have a 'double-header' (*2) treat, but not that often.
Surprisingly, there are some weeks when I'll see four movies (*3) - but not often.
As for "Tina Tuesday", those are dates when I'm ordering tickets for the two of us, but it only counts as the single 'visit'.
So, as I said earlier, the visit count is strictly referring to number of trips to an AMC cinema to watch a movie, naught else.

(*1) I very much enjoyed this one. Written and directed by a woman, it rang true. Barbara and Carolyn agreed with me. As for Scott? Well, being a white male has been hard during the #metoo brouhaha. As this movie dealt with a workplace full of WASPs like him, it had to be a little uncomfortable at times.
That was unfortunate.
He is one of the most open-minded, considerate, feminists I know.

(*2) My last double-header was just before I went to Florida. On the 7th of this month, I went to "All Is True", a biopic about William Shakespeare's last days. Kenneth Branagh, similar in age to the Bard at that stage of life, was marvelous as a middle-aged man in a muddle.
After, I watched "Rocketman", billed as a "musical fantasy about [Sir] Elton John". What a delicious romp it was, with Taron Egerton singing and dancing like the man himself! What an amazing performance by this 30-year-old Englishman!
Wondering if anything tied the two films together?
Amazingly, there was something - the name "Elton"!
Ben Elton wrote the screenplay for the story about Shakespeare. If his name rings a bell, albeit faintly, it's because he played the dastardly Russian landlord, Baz, on "The Young Ones", back in the early 1980's.
He's a year younger than I am and a year older than Branagh, in case you wondered.
(smile)

(*3) As rare as these occasions are, I had a four-movie week for the first week this month. On the 1st, I had an unheard-of Super Saturday with Kevin. We saw "Godzilla: King of the Monsters", in BIG D, for some seriously good foot-stomping and screeching by the Giant Lizard from Outer Space!
(smile)
The following afternoon, I returned to the cinema for the one-screening time allowed for "The Hustle". It was hilarious! I had caught Rebel Wilson and Anne Hathaway on James Corden's late-late show and promised to treat myself to this one. I'm so glad I was still playing on the silver screen!
(It was so very good that it made me want to see "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" again. As good fortune would have it, ON DEMAND granted me that request just two days later!)
The next day - the third in a row - I was again at the Classic 11. This time, it was lunch and a movie with the physicist! We opted for "Booksmart", which may be a middle-aged man's wet dream, but it didn't appeal to either of us. Fortunately, the meal at Rachael's 1190 was a good follow-up! Happy birthday60+1 to me!
(I like that they have their address included in their name. Remember 606 East?)
No more trips to the cinema until Thursday, the last day of the A*List week. Barbara and Carolyn wanted to see "Dark Phoenix", in BIG D to boot, so I went with them. We all had to pay for it, too, as we had each used up our allotment of three free films. Good thing we're all seniors! Plus, it was a much better movie than I had expected - and gave me a chance to see Nicholas Hoult again, who'll be thirty this year. RAWR!
Or should I say "R"?
(smile)

I must say, this monthly gift of movies, in the form of 3-free-weekly, has been one of the most enjoyable - and on-going - birthday presents I've ever received. What a marvelous thing for a film lover in scenic Savannah!
(Hey, that's a little inside joke! Look at my profile to "get" it.)
I'm so glad mi tres amigas are enjoying A*List benefits, too!
(smile!)

beaufort in bluffton, with love in the air

This may well be one of the last times I'll have lunch and a movie in Bluffton with my Beaufort nephews.
They'll be moving to Alabama by summer's end.
I'm glad I had the "Captain Marvel" popcorn tin for Conner and the "Toy Story 4" popcorn tin for Merritt.
The boys both loved the shiny metal containers!
(Amazingly, the movie souvenirs are now selling on eBay for twenty bucks - wow, as Boss would say.)


Why the move from South Carolina?
Well, "Grandma" Bonnie - my beloved stepmom and their legal guardian - has decided to move closer to my half-brother Matthew and his family.
That would include my niece, Aubree, who shares my birthday.
Bonnie and the boys have been living with her aging mom for the past couple of years. Now, the dementia and old age have taken her mom, Rosa Fletcher Pitman, at age 92.
Free, and financed, for a change of scenery, they are jumping on that chance.
I sure am going to miss them.

Meanwhile, we had this time together today!
A leisurely lunch, topped off with churros ordered by Conner, was had at Cinco's.
I had two of those tasty treats!
Then we checked out movie times.
What great good fortune!
"The Secret Life of Pets 2" would start in less than twenty minutes!
And we were in the first row!
Wowie wow wow wow!
We all loved the movie, laughing
and laughing throughout it!

Then it was time for them to return to Beaufort and me to Savannah, until the next time...
which I hope will be soon.
What to do with my Saturday night?
Well, I certainly was not going to the baseball game. Mister Willie has been in the hospital off and on for the past two weeks. In fact, ever since the long-awaited interview was finally released by the Bananas, he has been ailing. At least his left side has stopped hurting now, but he still has abdominal distress. I had a very nice two-and-a-half hour visit with him yesterday after I gave blood.
I picked up a "Connect Savannah" for ideas.
Not much of interest there, nor in the "top five" of "DO Savannah"...
but wasn't there something at my church...
and then I found the half-page article!
Sure enough, "Love Is In The Air", a music revue and silent auction, was tonight!
So, that's where I went.
I contacted mi tres amigas, but none were available.
No worries, I had song and dance - mostly mine of that latter! - and comedy, too!

I sang along with every tune, of course, and thoroughly enjoyed "Whistling Away The Dark"!
I held off dancing until Gray, Nick, Drew, and Stephen sang "Can't Help Falling In Love" - I just had to dance with my Vegas memories for that!
Later, Gray Armstrong stepped out as an Elvis Tribute Artist, belting out "Viva, Las Vegas" - what a treat to hear that again!
What a treat to hang out with these folks, too.
(smile)

i got my baby back, baby back, baby back

All is right in my world... my car is back home again.

My long-time friend Sherry Moore, who I haven't seen much in quite a few years, responded to my plea on facebook for a ride to Florida.
She is on summer break from teaching and was looking for an excuse to escape her house.
(smile)
I certainly know how that goes!
Jason Arons had mentioned the Murray Bros. Caddy Shack, so she and I had a lengthy pit stop there. What a delightful place! Movie posters adorn the walls and the high ceiling gives the place an airy feel. And the food? Not only was it delicious, it was inexpensive, too! That was a very pleasant surprise, given its swanky location.
I just may have to stop here again some time.
(smile)

Our next stop was at Jack Wilson Buick GMC, where I met Linsey, the woman with the reassuring voice on the phone these past few days.
In a matter of mere minutes, I was back in my Saturn again and headed for home!

I was so relieved to see the Georgia Peach welcoming us back over the state line -
hallelujah!
The drive had been a bit stressful at that point.
I had decided to take the less-busy Florida Highway 1, but I had not realized how much shifting would be involved.
The new shift cable was quite tight, making third gear especially tricky to find.
By the time I reached the outskirts of Savannah, I needed a break from the road and the sun.
"Toy Story 4" was just starting on the Big D screen -
hallelujah!

And now I am home, and my car is home, and I'll have more driving practice tomorrow.
Good night, world.

i thank You, God.

no T here

Stranded at home can be a plus sometimes.
First, it makes you appreciate your friends even more.
Yesterday, Christina picked me up after she left work to take me to Savannah Mall.
Why?
So I could meet with Kevin for Marvelous Monday.
Thank you, my dearest first niece.
(smile)
He and I were joined at "Men In Black: International" by the core group of NK!ers: Lauri, Lynn, Christa, Barbara, and Sandy. What a delightful romp that was, especially with Chris Hemsworth back at his svelte self!
Afterward, Kevin drove me across town, back to my home.
Thank you, my dearest running bear.
(smile)
Today, Smitty fetched me southside so I could do his business' sales tax. Then, he waited at the grocery store as I bought much-needed food before returning me home.
Thank you, my dearest oldest brother.
(smile)
Later, Barbara will come from far southside to pick me up for "Shaft". It's the other movie I want to see in honor of SamJ's birthday last Friday. (The other - "MIB:I" - was seen on Monday, as noted above.) Carolyn will be there, too.
Thank you, dos de mi tres amigas.
(smile)
Tomorrow, my first niece will be loaning me her car, so I can still make my WW meeting.
Thank you, dearest Christina.
(smile)
Meanwhile, since I'm home, I've been kept entertained with puzzles and sudoku and jumbles, courtesy of discarded newspapers at my favorite laundrette, Wash Plus.
Thank you, Nami.
(smile)
i thank You, God, for so many who love me.
(smile)

One of the crossword puzzles had a hidden theme, but I figured it out.
Ya gotta have "Friends", as Bette Midler would sing!!!
Martin's "Laugh-In" partner"? Rowan, of course! I loved watching that show.
Big Bird's mammothlike pal? Mr. Snuffleupagus, which I only knew from watching with my nieces and nephews when they were young.
Calvin's tiger pal? I would never forget good ol' Hobbes!
Christopher Robin's bear pal? My favorite blustery day fellow, Winnie The Pooh.
Elwood P. Dowd's rabbit pal? The absolutely irresistible Harvey!
Garfield pooch? Well, I wouldn't call Odie the cat's friend, but certainly a companion.
Carol Brady, to the Bunch? Mom, of course!
Any of the above answers? Imaginary friends, straight from a writer's head!

How about those supporters who could be mistook for something else?
A nondisclosure enthusiast, for instance, is a "secret admirer".
An upper limit enthusiast, though, is a "ceiling fan".
The woodsy smell enthusiast would be a "pine nut".
One might call a party policy enthusiast a "line backer"...
but a Houston basketball player enthusiast is certainly a "Rocket booster".

Here's a few from Jumbles about friends!
While strolling with a friend, Robert Frost recited his new composition. It was "poetry in motion".
The rabbits had been married for years and were a "hoppy couple".
When "The Fantastic Four" debuted, readers bought the comic books to "Marvel at them".

Ready for a little something different?
How about a bit of rhyming, courtesy of a crossword puzzle from last month?
Be sure to read the answers aloud for most enjoyment!
What is a wine merchant based in a storage area?
- cellar seller
What is a TV drama about breakfast food?
- cereal serial
What is the name of an overhead crack cover?
- ceiling sealing
Who is the one detecting pleasant smells at church?
- censer sensor
Who is the romaine salad thief?
- Caesar seizer

By now, I'm sure you've been groaned into submission, right?
Then you're ready for the crossword answers, from May, that concerns this post's title!
All are common expressions, missing their final "t", but still forming viable words.
Here we go!
What is an animated image of Santa repeatedly going down a chimney?
- Christmas gif
What is fruit neckwear?
- Banana boa
What are the votes at a beer convention?
- brewers' yeas
"First catch the fly, then eat the fly" sounds like what?
- spider plan
Someone growing more impatient might give what indicator?
- second sigh
Who is a social newcomer who won't go away?
- long term deb
What basic banking rule is good advice for all?
- Don't forge.
What describes a basic haunting strategy?
- giving the boo

Okay, okay, you can go now, I'm done!
I sure hope you had as much fun as I did!
(smile!)

warm welcome with wee women

My dear first niece had indeed come to Saint Augustine to fetch me back to Georgia!
Before the trip, she told me "You better be careful. I expect to see you home in one piece."
Very sweet, right?
Then, when I had been panicked yesterday, she'd texted "Do I need to come rescue you?"
You truly is an angel here on Earth!

She had me out of Florida and back across the state line well before noon.
I don't know when I've been happier to see that sign!
Christy had texted me to see how things were going,
as she and her family were checking out a day early.
My great-niece was missing her dog, so home they were heading, too, and wanted to make sure I had a ride.
I love that she checked on me!

A little over an hour after entering Georgia, we were at Michael's house - hooray!
Look how happy little Miyah was to see us!
Well, mostly, I think she was delighted that her Mommy was home again.
Since Christina had left to get me, the littlest girl had gone to bed with no Mommy's kiss and had woken up this morning without her, too.

Michael was happy to see us, too, but he was a bit tired after having the three "wee women" under his care for most of two days.
As for Alyssa, she was glad to have the chance to play with her Great-Aunt Tina!
I was glad for that, too!
Now that I've been to their new house, I'll have to visit more often.

What about Leila, was she happy to see us?
Most definitely she was!
The trick was trying to catch her slowed down enough
for a photograph!
This shot, of her on the bouncy unicorn, was as close
as she got to a posed position!
So much energy these little ones have!
Two and a half hours with them and I was worn out!
(smile!)
Now, I am again at my home.
When Christina woke from her nap, she'd asked if I wanted to go out to her mom's place.
I had replied that, much as I would like to visit with them, I really, truly, wanted to go home.
She understood completely.
Thank you, my dearest, for taking such good care of me.
i thank You, God, for these blessings.

sidelined in saint augustine

Remember about seven years ago, when the bfe and I were returning from O-hi-O?

"Are you talking about your Field of Dreams trip? And y'all getting stranded in Macon that night and having to stay at your nephew Zach's house?"

Yes, that would be the time in August of 2012. Fortunately, Zach had been home and we were able to get a rental car the next day.
I was not as lucky this time around when the same problem arose.

"Are you saying the gear shift cable broke again???"

Sadly, yes. I was returning from Orlando and decided to pull over at the rest area before continuing toward Jacksonville. Big mistake. I have cried and cried about opting to stop instead of driving on.

"Oh, no! You don't play 'what if'! Why were you playing that useless game?"

Well, I was stranded for four hours before the tow truck came. The rest area had only bath rooms and vending machines, no air conditioned inner sanctum at all. It truly was bare bones. To top it off, I had almost no cell phone signal out there and had to keep moving around to locate signal that would stay for long enough to send a message or complete a call. I would lose signal just because the breeze shifted! It was so frustrating and scary!

"How stressful that must have been. I am so sorry to hear you had to go through that. I thought you had Road Assistance through GEICO."

I do and I had called them the moment that my gear shift knob had wobbled around, no longer transmitting orders to my clutch. I had been backing out of the parking space, ready to get back onto I-95, and suddenly the knob went slack. I was able to roll back into the space and out of the traffic, but I could not do anything else.

"So, you had called for road assistance..."

And I was told, at 1:07 PM, that it would be ninety minutes until the tow truck arrived. Ninety minutes. So, when Adkison Towing texted me, I advised them that I had very poor reception, but would be waiting.
And so I did, trying to make the best of the situation, watching for their arrival.

"And they stood you up?! Did you report them?"

Hang on, let me continue.
Two hours later, Taylor at GEICO called me to check on me. I had been in mid-stride, searching for signal when my phone miraculously rang! I stopped immediately, holding the awkward pose, hoping to maintain signal... and I did, long enough for him to get Adkison on the line, long enough to clarify where I was, long enough for them to send out a second truck operator.

"What's that about clarifying where you were? You had told them the Rest Area at Mile 304 on I-95 North, had you not?"

I had, but the first GEICO person, Tiesha, had entered an address of "I-95 N and State Road 206". The first driver had gone there and reported that I was not there. Of course I wasn't! That was a mile farther up the road! When I found that out, I started to lose it.

"Oh, I am so sorry!"

When the second tow driver had called, my phone had no signal, but he left a message. So I called him back and explained that there was no intersection, that the Rest Area was at Mile 304, directly off the interstate, and that I was alone and falling apart... and he assured me that he would find me and be there. I thanked him and told him I would be watching as he traveled from Mile 323 on I-95 South to where I was. Then my voice had broken and he again assured me that he would not leave me there.
I proceeded to cry, off and on, for the next two hours until he did, indeed, find me.
That was just before five PM.

"You were stranded for four hours??? That's horrible!"

It truly was.
You know, earlier in the day, as I was driving, I had been singing "Send Me An Angel". It was really in response to a conversation with Christina about getting married again. So, as I drove on Toll Road 417 away from Orlando, the song had popped into my head.
Rick was definitely the answer to that unknown prayer.

"Rick?"

The second driver from Adkison.
He put me into his truck, into the cool, while he loaded my dear car onto his truck.
When he went to report that he had me and the car, he found he had no signal, either.
As he could not have an address sent to him, he took me up to the next exit so I could contact GEICO and receive instructions.
He even bought me a soda at the truck stop.

"How very nice of him!"

It really was.
He had noticed my dogtag on my keyring and asked about my service. That's when I found out he'd been in the Marines for six years and stationed in Okinawa for five of them. He'd married an Okinawan and they had a daughter who now lived in Jacksonville.
Talking about our military past was very calming to me.

"Very good! And where did he take the car?"

GEICO had found the nearest dealership for my 2001 Saturn. That meant Jack Wilson Buick GMC, in Saint Augustine, was the place okayed for the tow. Fortunately, it was well within the free twenty mile tow zone covered by my Road Assistance.

"What a fortunate break for you!"

Yes, that was good.
The bad thing was the Service Department was closed already and wouldn't be open until Monday.
It was after six PM by this time.
I had to just leave her there with a request for them to diagnosis her problem and hopefully repair her.
That made me weepy again.
Plus, it turned out the car rental businesses were already closed for the day, too.
That meant I would be stuck in Saint Augustine overnight.

"Oh, no. Just because it had taken so long for you to get there?"

Just because I had not driven straight through.
Just because I had stopped to pee and get a soda.
It was all I could do to not just curl up and sob.
And Rick stayed right there that whole time.
It had already been a long day for him, but he persisted in staying with me.
Also, the receptionist at the dealership helped me, too, finding phone numbers for Budget, for Enterprise, for the Days Inn a bit farther up the road.

"How good of her to help. And how very kind of Rick to stay! Once a Marine, always a Marine... and a gentleman."

Most definitely.
After I had secured a reservation for the night in one of the twelve vacant rooms, Rick even took me there. Then he escorted me into the lobby and made sure that reservation was honored.
I gave him all the cash I had on me. It was only twenty-three dollars, but I had to do what I could to honor his kind treatment of me, going above and beyond what was required of him as a tow truck driver.

"Absolutely. I'm sure he appreciated the gesture."

Oh, he tried to get me to keep the money, but I convinced him that I wanted him to have that token of thanks.
He really had been very kind.
Plus, he seemed familiar to me, so that had helped to calm me down.

"You thought you might have known him in Okinawa?"

No, that wasn't it at all. He was about early to mid-forties, so he would have been a little kid when I was there.
What made him seem familiar was his appearance and his build.
I even asked him if he had a brother or a cousin named Neal that worked in Savannah.
He did not, but said that he had been told before that he seemed familiar to to folks.
I told him I got that a lot, too.

"And what have you been doing since he dropped you off?"

You mean besides sobbing repeatedly like a little child as soon as I reached the safe enclosure of my room?
I sent out word to my amigas and to my first niece and to the running bear and to the bfe.
I was in a two-bed room and would be grateful if someone could join me and return me home.
Barbara offered to do so, but really wasn't up to the drive in the dark.
It was already half-past seven and Savannah was three hours drive.

"So, what happened? You lined up a rental car?"

No.
My dearest Christina Ann has agreed to come to my rescue.
In fact, she had texted, "Do I need to come and get you?"
Then, she had left her daughter with Michael and his twins and is coming for me.

"Oh, that's wonderful!!!"

So, I have dined at the Denny's attached to this very expensive motel.
The food was amazingly good! The chicken breast was seasoned very nicely, the red potatoes were crispy in the right places and the chicken noodle soup I had first was rich and thick!
Then again, I'd had breakfast about nine AM and nothing except two boiled eggs since then.

"Well, I must say, it does look very appetizing there!"

It was, and the portion size was quite good.
I took a walk afterward, hoping to find a gas station with something for the morning.
No such luck... but I did find Village Inn.

"Okay, but I don't get the importance of that."

They have pies, multiple pies.
I had two slices.
"Keep calm and cherry on" and "When life gives you lemons,
make pie."
I had told Rick that I was trying to make lemonade out of my situation, that I was going to invite someone back home to come stay with me and visit this ancient city.
The lemon meringue and the cherry slices were exactly what I needed.
Actually, they were a bit more than I needed.

"They were expensive?"

Oh, not at all, less than four bucks each.
I meant they were too big for me.
I've eaten about half and will save the rest to share with Christina when she arrives.

"What time might that be?"

Her GPS says not quite eleven PM.
So, I'm going to get out of my sweaty clothes and take a relaxing shower.
I seem to be much calmer now, but I'm quite tired.
I think the shower may perk me up until she gets here and gives a long hug.
A very long hug.

"All of that sounds like a very good idea. We'll talk later."

Thanks.

"Okay, you take care. Every thing is going to be all right."

i thank You, God.

dream bigger, princess

My dearest Caitlyn,
The Disney franchise has a slogan that is meant to encourage girls to pursue goals which may seem difficult or impossible to attain.
That slogan has been applied to a series of their movies about girls, or young women, who achieve outstanding outcomes because they dare to imagine.
"Dream Big, Princess" is what they say.
To you, I say, dream bigger, princess.
I know this is your last year before you become a teenager.
I encourage you to take advantage of exploring the wonder of the world outside the confines of your cellphone, your social media, and your home.
I encourage you to take advantage of the vacation times with family by being fully present in the moment and conversing with relatives not seen often.
I encourage you to take advantage of these golden moments for memory-making.
Just what memories might there be of our day in the Magic Kingdom?

For starters, How about the view of the castle as we were entering Main Street?
Such a beautiful late-morning blue sky, with throngs of happy people cheerfully walking all about!
That would include me, your G'Aunt Tina, in my fuchsia hat,
in the lower left.
Why was I smiling and so glad to be there?
Because I was with you, my dearest first great-niece!
I have been looking forward to this day for a while!
(smile)

Remember our first ride?
Your mom had booked the maximum number of fast passes allowed - three - so we had quick access to the more popular rides.
"Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin" was our first.
Here you are, in the VIP line, with your family, before shooting at Zurg and his space robots.
Where am I? Taking the photograph, silly!
(smile)

Next stop for all of us was "Stitch's Great Escape!"
You had been so very concerned that it would be too scary for you - lol!
It turned out to just be a photo op with the Kweltikwan alien of that show.
Our going had so pleased your Grandma Shelby -
she's a big fan of Stitch, as you know.
No doubt it's because of his transformation, through love, from fierce destroyer to sweet champion.

A bit of hilarious comedy was next as we ventured into the "Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor"!
That was at my insistence, of course, as I dearly love Sully and Mike!
I submitted my Flatman and Ribbon joke for their use, but Wazowski decided to pick on your dad instead.
Mike aid that John would be buying tacos for everyone after the show - lol!

We left Tomorrowland just in time for a show on the steps of Cinderella Castle - what magnificent timing!
It was "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire", with characters from all over the theme park and even had fireworks -
in the daytime! - at the end!
Your mom very much liked seeing some princesses singing and dancing!
I liked that, myself!
(smile)

After doing so much in the summer sun, we needed to slow down in some shade.
"The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh: The Blustery Day" was perfect for both of those criteria.
Plus, during our 45-minute wait, we were able to paint with honey, have fun in Rabbit's garden, and explore Eeyore's house - and we did it all together.
That was the most magical part!

Fast pass ride time again!
Westward we went, to the "Haunted Mansion", for a ride on the Doom Buggy through this estate house!
But first, of course, an adventure through a black-light room for your transformation into a ghoul - bwah ha ha!
With mommy and daddy by your side, you were perfectly safe, and do you know why?
Because they ain't afraid of no ghosts! LOL!
My favorite part was watching the waltzing spirits!
Dancing is always a highlight for me.
(smile)

We were all ready for a late lunch by the time we left
the depths of the manse.
Fortunately, right across the street was the Columbia Harbour House with plenty of fried options for you
and a superb shrimp dish for me.
We even found a large table at a window to enjoy our repast and talk about the ghostly experience.
That was such an excellent way to relax!

Okay! Time for a stroll to explore Frontierland!
(See the little inside dad-joke? You're welcome!)
We thought about riding Splash Mountain, but the wait was almost two hours, as it was for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Then a thunderstorm loomed near, so both were closed.
Not wanting any of the inside attractions, we left the old-timey place for Fantasyland - yeah!

Y'all had followed my lead to "Peter Pan's Flight", which
I had so enjoyed eleven years ago.
Good call for all of us!
We were in the line and under shelter when the rain hit.
The line was slow, but that allowed us to fully delight in the darling marvels within the Darling house.
Did you know this ride is modeled after one in 1955?
Do you wonder, as I do, whether this Shadow Bells wall was in that earlier version?

Not that it would matter, as I still liked that part.
You really liked this part of the "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train", a ride you chose!
What long wait to get in, though!
Fortunately, we had interesting folks around us for those two hours, plus gems to sort along the way, barrels to spin, and tunes to whistle while we worked.
Always an adventure around...
and alliterations are amusing!
(smile)

One thing you did not find amusing was "Space Mountain".
A swooping, twirling, rollercoaster racing around in the dark?
That concept, combined with the warning signs along the wait-walk in, were a bit too daunting for you.
Your mom was very sweet to give up her final Fast Pass and stay off to the side with you.
Meanwhile, as you can see, Shelby, your dad, and I had a great time screaming in space!
Maybe you'll want to give this one a try in another year or two.
I first rode it when I was 18 years old, back in February 1977, when the ride had only been open for two years.

Anyhow, after that experience, you wanted some ice cream, which we found right there in Tomorrowland at Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies.
Those Goofy wafers were a crisp treat in lieu of lactose-free ice cream for me.
That perked you up a bit, as can be seen here, with you clowning with your folks in front of the castle.
A trip to the store for a souvenir finished it for you.

We exited the Magic Kingdom just before 7 PM.
The monorail or the ferry to take us back to Simba 126 parking lot?
Well, as we had taken the train in, the boat seemed to be in order, so that is the transport we took.
It may have been your first time on a ferry - was it?
I very much enjoyed it's leisurely pace across the smooth lake, floating past marshes and herons.

What a peaceful and serene ending to our adventure.
You had not been interested in staying for the night parade and fireworks over the castle, nor were you wanting to return later for the spectacular event.
Your feet were worn out from so much walking!
Plus, you kept getting photos of your dog and that just made you miss cuddling with him.
Precious girl, I am so glad I had this time with you and will always treasure it.
i thank You, God.