looks like Irwin was correct

Every time I went to the AMC cinema for the past four or five days, Irwin has talked to me about snow in Savannah.

Every time he did, I would protest that we would not be getting snow, not at 32 N latitude.

Nope, nope, nope.

Now, it turns out I was mistaken.

If Pat Prokop says snow will be falling, then snow will definitely fall.

 

The retired meteorologist isn't the only source for that news, of course.

Chatham Emergency Management Agency posted this on fb at 3 PM.

"CEMA Alert:
Winter Storm Warning
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM TUESDAY TO NOON EST WEDNESDAY
* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet
accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations up to one
quarter of an inch.
* WHERE...Coastal Bryan, Coastal Chatham, Coastal Liberty, Coastal
McIntosh, Inland Bryan, Inland Chatham, Inland Liberty, Inland
McIntosh, and Long Counties.
* WHEN...From 5 PM Tuesday to noon EST Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road
conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday
evening and Wednesday morning commutes."

 

Hallie of Louisiana - my sil's sil - tried to inject a note of humor, Cajun style.

Sneaux Bingeaux just may be a game I'd play, too, especially if Thibodeau and Boudreau were sitting in at the table.

I even already have several squares I could fill!

I have milk, I have bread, I'm dripping those faucets, my snacks are ready to be eaten up, and I have several cans of Progresso Chicken & Sausage Gumbo in the pantry.

Oh, yes, and the schools will be closed!

That gives me a lucky seven squares, including the free space.

Not a bingeaux yet, but getting there.

 

I plan to adopt Patrick Young's philosophy, too.

"If you choose

not to find joy

in the snow

You will have

less joy in your life

but still

the same amount of snow."

 

That sounds a lot like that Tibetan proverb I like about worry. 

"If the problem can't be solved, 

there's no use worrying about it.

If it can be solved,

worrying will do no good."

Last time I checked, I had no control over the weather.

I still do not have any control over the weather.

I only have control over my response to the weather.

That's why I watch the WSAV Weather Song, so I can stay in tune.

(smile!)

a day of transformations

I was ready for it, too, and had a game plan in place, but I had lovely surprises as well.

 

I checked the WSAV Weather Song for any changes, but found none.

 

Tonight, the weather goes straight to Hell and stays there all week.

That was right before 11 AM and solidified my goal this morning of making it to church for a live, in-person, sermon.

 

Because of low temperatures, this would be the first time this year for me to be there on a Sunday.

 

I told Rev. Billy when I saw him on Tuesday that I would see him "when the temperatures are at least 50 by 11 AM"... and today they were!

 

That meant I was there to experience the transformation of water into wine, done as only he could preach it.

 

I could practically taste the fruity beverage that the Son had made to please His Mother, Mary.

Afterward, off to the cinema I went!

 

Today is National Popcorn Day, and that's what I was having for lunch... plus, a free refill for this coming week.

 

That proved to be the perfect accompaniment for "Wolf Man", all about the transformation of a kind-hearted man (Christopher Abbott) into a savage creature, albeit one that still knew his wife and daughter.

 

Honestly, I had tears at the end!

That completed my A*List, too.

 

Knowing the days would be too cold this week for matinees, I went ahead and took care of two shows on Friday.

 

That's not to say I watched both of them, mind.

 

I caught the new one with Tilda Swinton - "The Room Next Door" - and found it to be more emotionally intense than I'd expected.

 

Afterward, I bought a ticket for "Sing Sing", as if I were doing a double header, then left.

 

It isn't that I wouldn't love to see it again, and probably will if it remains another week, but I didn't have time on Friday, as I had other plans and needed a hug.

 

So, back to the present, shall we, with making the plans to allow me to ride out the hell to begin on Monday?

 

That meant a trip to Jason's Deli for a Salad Bar To-Go!

 

Barbara is the one I credit with showing me how to appreciate the use of these ready-prepped vegetables and fixings to transform multiple meals into fresh experiences.  

But that's not what I ate first!

 

I've had an intense craving for pizza after being bombarded by Papa John's emails all week.

 

Two slices of this Kid's Meal Pepperoni Pizza from Jason's scratched that itch, with the rest for another time, for just $5.

 

Oh, yes, that worked out perfectly!

Dinner found the broccoli florets and crumbled bacon combined with Cilantro Lime rice for a taste that was fresh and even healthy.

 

Plus, it wasn't soup, as I am sure I'll have plenty of that in the near future.

 

Speaking of that food, that's what "Beauty And The Beast" had for dinner.

 

This is the 2017 version, with Dan Stevens in the transformation role.

 

First, he's a prince by name but not by deed, earning him a change into a creature when he ticks off a sorceress.

 

Then, near the time when he will have to stay a beast for the rest of his life, he finds love and kindness that transforms his character.

 

In turn, that change in his very nature eventually allows him to regain his form as a man.

 

Such kindness that shines from his eyes then... as it did from the Wolf Man's eyes.

 

I'm glad life offered him a second chance.

are you an artist?

That's the question that Cindy Liu - not to be confused with Cindy Lou Who! - asked me.

She's the leader of HA HA HA, a group that holds art workshops for seniors, and perhaps others, too.

One of her assistants took a photo of me, then printed it while I busied myself with a blank 5x7 card, coloring it in spontaneous fashion, as I do.

That means a Spirograph-type pattern emerged, right?

So, when the young woman brought me the sticker with me on it, she expected I would place it in the center of the paper, as most folks did.

Yeah, I'm not 'most folks', am I?

(smile!)

I folded back part of the sticker, then placed it in the lower right corner.

"Me and the Scribble Flower"

I really like it, and so did they, taking my photo with it to post on their Instagram page.

I'll have to look it up!

(smile!)

That wasn't the only 'masterpiece' I created today.

I also "Pansy Through A Rainy Window" in the 'flow' watercolors workshop.

That's one of the many workshop tables that were set up on the second and third floors of the Jepson for the museum's Free Family Fun Day for the PULSE18 exhibit.

I had hoped to be joined by some of my great-nieces and great-nephews, but their absence didn't stop me from participating in the creative bits!

(smile!)

Not that I was the only adult participating, nor the only older person having art there.

This moderated chevron design was crafted by ten senior veterans, using markers, cloth, batik, and paint at the Georgia Sheriff's Office.

What an appropriate image for former military!

 

That's just one of the pieces from this season's "Making Marks" exhibit.

All are fairly large-scale, with the smallest still using six squares of cloth knotted together to form an all-encompassing design.

I missed the opening night for this exhibit in December, due to the weather as I recall.

That's why I made sure to view it on Thursday when I came early for the PULSE opener.

 

The piece that had grabbed me then was this one.

I have to admit, the bright colors may have drawn me to it, but the title kept me there.

"Aphasia Tied Together With Hope And Love" -  remarkable!

How wonderful to be able to use imagery when vocal language skills are lost, n'est-ce pas?

"Making Marks" will be on display through April 5th, so I'll have to visit it again.

(smile!)

Meanwhile, it was 3 PM and time for the event I'd specifically come for today!

Tybee Ballet Theater had created dances to correlate to the works of two of the local artists who were part of the "Certified Humans" exhibit.

 

The first dance, "The Garden", had six dancers in black, descending singly down the stairs to each side within Neises Auditorium, to join together on the stage.

Throughout their descent and dance, Michael Betancourt's piece was projected on three sides of the auditorium.

Very cool!

The second dance also featured his work, but only projected on the front wall.

"La Fee Electricite" featured only a single dancer, clad in white, with enormous, flowing, sleeves that were swirled about in time with the music.

Such very graceful dancing that was, and exactly right for The Electricity Fairy!

That's her in the lower right, with her shadow reflected on the back wall... just follow the image on the floor between the two.

Very lovely dance... and I swayed in my seat the whole time!

(smile!)

Then there's the third dance, with James Gladman's "Cosmodities" projected on the three walls of the space.

That one didn't work for me.

The TEMU-derived imagery was so dominant that the three, black-clad, dancers were fairly well invisible.

Then again, maybe that was the point?

Perhaps.

It's all about perspective.

(smile!)

PULSE me, please!

I had not realized it, but this exhibit parallels my life AD.

 

"Are you meaning to say that PULSE began that first year after divorce?" 

Exactly so. The very first one was in January of 2008. This year's art and technology celebration is PULSE18.

"How very cool for the Universe to gift you this!"

I agree. Some years I've enjoyed more than others, finding sweet spots that I completely identified with. You know, like SWARM. I still find that to be my absolute favorite, though Jim Campbell has a work I very much like. The difference is that his piece is not interactive. In fact, none of his pieces are. When the engineer first started exploring his artistic nature, he did produce works designed for the viewer to actively participate with. The thing is, he didn't like the way people interacted! Funny, right? So, after a couple of years, he changed to a different style. That seems to correspond with his brother's death from cancer. I can understand how he needed a new perspective then.

"Most definitely. Death of someone close does seem to call for change. Back to the art, please. What was the Campbell piece you liked most?"

 

It's called "Eroding Wave". The piece physically consists of 3500 white balls suspended on wires to form a huge, three-dimensional, cresting wave of water. So, that's all static, meaning the balls do not move. Got that image of water that doesn't flow? Now, overlay that with dark images that swim through the light in all directions, sometimes singly, sometimes in pairs or trios. As a scientist, I really appreciated that wave-light particle duality of the piece!

"Very cool! Were the images projected onto the light balls, like onto a screen? Or did he use variation of light intensity in the balls as the image 'swam' over them? Do you know what method was used?"

Those are good questions that I cannot answer. I'd be very impressed if he used a variable current, which I'm sure, as an engineer, he would be able to accomplish. However, I think he had the film of the swimmers running on a screen. I do know that he obtained those images by filming a group of boys in a pool. He even had them clad in long dark suits, probably like the full-length bathing suit that Lauri wore. He spoke of that in his talk tonight after the opening reception.

 

"I take it that's him on the right in the above photo?  I recognize Harry Delorme there, talking with the students."

You're correct! The group of SCAD student council members was about to enter the exhibit devoted to Campbell's works. I was already within, having chosen to view "Thresholds Of Perception" before his talk. For the most part, his works are like watching a fish tank.

"Say what? That doesn't sound like much fun."

Having had fish tanks for a number of years in my 20's, I can tell you that watching the fish is actually quite relaxing. They're always in motion, but it varies. The swordtails are small flashes of color moving quickly at the top of the tank, while the pictus catfish are slow and sinewy as they graze the bottom. All the other fish traverse the whole tank as they swim in their continuous circuits. It's almost meditative!

 

"Hey, maybe you should suggest the bfe get a freshwater tank!"

 

Actually, he has a cat, remember? Odd that you brought him up, though. I think this is definitely an exhibit he would appreciate, as both a physicist and an art lover. I hadn't even thought of inviting him to this, but I don't know that it would have been worth $20 to him. The reception and lecture were free to me, of course, as I'm a member of Telfair Museums.

 

"Well, I think you should mention PULSE to him and invite him the next time."

 

I'll keep that in mind. Now, let me tell you about the food this evening. I made sure I was there at the stroke of 5:30, and such treats they had! That's a Thai Shrimp lettuce wrap on top, with little crunchy bits of peanut for texture - totally yummy and definitely my choice as the servers made subsequent laps in the Jepson lobby. The other is pretty delightful, too, as it's marinated mushrooms on toasted baguette. I had several of those, too!

"Those do sound very tasty!"

They were! Linda of the Lucas days came downtown from Georgetown and joined me, as did one of her former SCAD colleagues, Michael. I was able to cue them in to these delights, making sure the servers knew that our table was glad to help lighten their platters! Michael enjoyed the mini BLTs best. I liked them, especially those layered, buttery, biscuits used as the base, but they sure made a mess! Then again, maybe that's just me. (smile!)

"Well, it sounds like a lovely dinner and lecture for you. I'm so glad the weather held for you to go to this!"

Me, too!

i thank You, God.

another heaven-sent gift for me!

"Let me guess... another penny?"

How did you know that?? Yes, another little coppery message of love, this time dated 2013.

"That carpet looks familiar..."

As well it should, as many times as we've been to that AMC-cum-Wynnsong Cinema!

"For sure! So you caught another movie, did you?"

I did, even though the temperature didn't bother to crawl out of the mid-40's today. Ack. But the movie was my reward for going out of the house to pull the trash bin and the recycling bin back up to the house. I'd hauled them to the curb yesterday when i got home. Then, I heard this morning when they each got emptied, so I had no excuse for leaving them at the curb another day. I promised myself that if I hauled them back up, I could go to a movie, as I would already be outside. So, after donning two sweaters instead of one, that's what I did.

"Well, I'm proud of you for getting that done on such a blisteringly cold day! And just what movie was it this time?"

"Moana 2". I've only seen it the one time, which was well over a month ago. Good choice! I hadn't realized how much I'd missed when I took Chloe to the bathroom during it!

"Good for you! That's another one for your A*List this week, too."

Yes, and it will most likely be the last one, too. I don't know, maybe I'll see "Wicked" again tomorrow, but I've already seen it three times. I doubt I'll venture into the cold to see it for a fourth time, but who knows? Perhaps I will.

whatever the weather...

I still made it to the service at Asbury Memorial Church for this first Sunday of 2025.

"I'm here, I'm here!", I wrote in the chatbox. "I wanted to be there in person for this first Sunday, but the chill factor kept me home. I am certainly there in spirit with y'all!"

I am so glad that this online, live-streamed, service is still available for those who cannot be there in person.

It began with the pandemic, but has continued.

i thank You, God.

As I noted last week, the weather has been a bit harsh, having highs that are in the 50's, and nights too cold for me to go outside.

Bear in mind that most of those temperatures come with a -6 chill factor, or wind chill, so mid-50's is really upper-40's.

Today, I knew Reverend Billy would be preaching about the Twelfth Day of Christmas, i.e., the Epiphany.

This is one of his favorite days to sermonize, and today's was titled "Reappearing Stars", with him talking of the Wisemen having to ask around for the location of the baby, as the star was not visible.

That reminds me of what I told Sarah Povie when she was small.

"Friends are always in your heart, even when you don't see them, just like the stars are always in the sky, even during the day."

(smile!)

Very nice sermon, and very nice memory for me!

Then came the other reason for my wanting to attend church today: communion.

Fortunately, I had grabbed one of these portable kits at the first Sunday in December!

That really helped me feel like part of the congregation, in spirit and for real.

i thank You, God.

Pop me, please!

"You want me to do what?"

 

Silly! I'm just quoting Mr. Shark. He says that line three times to Mr. Snake, each time hoping the orange Push-Up frozen treat will be given to him. Poor, trusting, Mr. Shark. It's like Charlie Brown believing that Lucy will hold the football in place for him to kick it.

Anyway, as I was watching the movie, it occurred to me: I had an orange Outshine popsicle in the freezer! I made sure I had it for the third time he said the phrase.

"Whoa, who, whoa! What are you talking about??"

I found out this evening that Peacock has added "The Bad Guys" to their lineup, so I watched it tonight. I do so love that animated movie!

"Yes, I remember you waxing rhapsodic about it back in the summer of '22, then again that fall. It really is a good one about second chances and being wary of stereotyping people. Or stereotyping animals."

Right! I've placed the movie into the "My Stuff" folder on the TV app. That way I won't have to scroll through hordes of stuff I'm not interested in to find it again. I really like being able to do that, though there is one bad habit Peacock has.

"Peacock has a bad habit?"

Yes, it does. It tries to bully me into binge-watching. It's like I'm not supposed to be there for a single movie, or a single episode of a series, or a single anything.

"You're going to have to walk me through this one, g'friend."

Okay, okay, I can do that. Here's a prime example of what I'm talking about. I watched a Christmas movie the other day, as I did during the holidays. And, as I was enjoying the song as the credits began, I had to jump up and grab the TV remote! Otherwise, Peacock was going to cue up another movie for me, whether I wanted that particular movie or not. Really is quite a bullying tactic.

"Maybe it just likes your company and wants you to stick around..."

 

... maybe they want me to stick around so they can insure they have an audience to watch the 'mercials that go along with so many of their offered movies and programs.

 

"Hey, you aren't paying peanuts for Peacock, and you know display rights have to be paid for anything they're airing. You know how that works. Plus, they have so few 'mercials compared to the other channels, and none of those are for lawyers or politicians or health insurance. Count your blessings, dearie, count your blessings!"

 

You're absolutely right. First world woe, and all that nonsense. (smile!)

are we dancing yet?

You betcha! 

Elvis and his six brothers are ready to keep me on the beat, too!

 

There's Wednesday, ThuRsday, and Friday, too, right arm swingin' to catch my attention,

with SAturday, SUnday, Monday, and Tuesday in step right behind them!

 

They aren't quite where they should be, though, so let me take a moment to place them all in a row on that cabinet door.

 

 

So, what's the weather like on this first day of a brand new year?

 

Quite brisk in the daytime it is, and absolutely miserable at night, that's what the weather is.

 

I have groceries, though, so I'm set for staying indoors and keeping busy with activities here.

 

For example, consider this wall.

 

This is what I refer to as the second wall in the dining room, and, as can be seen, it's adorned with programs from cultural blessings yet again.

 

In fact, this is the third time it's held mementos of plays and concerts and musicals from 2024.

 

Busy, vibrant, woman, indeed!

Time to clear the walls of all of those and make way for the events in 2025!

 

First, however, the time had come to replace the Renoir with something else.

 

My choice was Mama's Dollhouse.

 

I had done all of this embroidery for her while I was stationed in Okinawa, and I'm certain I sent it to her for her 44th birthday in 1981.

 

I knew I would not be home for that, so I had spent many and hour making the myriad of stitches that were needed for this two-story house with attic.

 

So very much love is in this piece!

And so very much love was written in the two-page letter to my future self, too.

 

At 3 PM this afternoon, I attended the Anticipation and Bowl Burning Ceremony, as I did last year.

 

Being greeted by the Tulip stationery was delightful; being acknowledged by Cheri as the source of that paper made me feel cherished!

 

My letter held congratulatory words to my future self, about specific changes and specific actions.

 

At the end of this year, when that letter arrives and I next see those flowers, I look forward to realizing that those things foretold had occurred.

That's what I found to be true when I read last year's letter as my gift to open on Christmas Eve.

 

Now, I'm going to rent "Violent Night" for a dollar, since I've been rewarded from Comcast.

 

Time to get my David Harbour fix...

and get ready for sweet dreams!

ending the year on a high note!

Quite literally, as we all were at a musical matinee of "Mufasa"!

How better to see a movie about family than with family, n'est-ce pas?

Quite a good movie it was, too!

All four of my great-nieces of Hinesville stayed put for this one, so that means it definitely held their attention!

Here are Miyah and Chloe, both holding their baby dolls that Santa brought them.

Poor Chloe is still a little sick, but I hope her new meds will soon kick her headache to the curb.

Alyssa and Leila didn't have baby dolls with them.

Here they are, respectively, to either side of their Papa.

Alyssa did have a stuffed critter, though!

Leila brought a big blanket to keep the cinema chill off, as well as the hooded coat she wore.

I wonder if she might already have thyroid issues?

I'll have to remember to ask Michael about that.

I remembered to give Michael the three shot glasses I'd set aside for him in September, plus a new Star Wars coffee mug with Yoda on it.

I'd received two for Christmas, so he was the first person I thought of for sharing!

 

So where's that first niece of mine?

There she is, absolutely beaming!

She is finally the owner of that art print by Renoir that Mama had so enjoyed!

I approached her about taking it a few months ago, but she wanted to make sure I was ready to part with it.

I'd assured her that "Dance At Bougival" had been with me for plenty of time - 

I didn't want to wait until I died for her to have it.

This way, she has it death-free, a memory of her beloved Grammy, and the many good times they shared for the first eighteen years of Christina's life, to enjoy every day.

i thank You, God, that I could do this for her.

 

Now, off I go to Olive Garden for dinner with Christina and her girls!

Michael and the twins are off to Chelsea's for a year-end party, so I'll have to catch them another time.

What a wonderful Tina Tuesday this has been!

vampires and the physicist!

A movie and slunch with the physicist was had today!

Quite a treat to have his company again so soon!

We last met up just two weeks ago, and that was a movie and luncheon, too.

This time, the film was one that was on his wish list: "Nosferatu", the new version, with Willem Dafoe and Nicholas Hoult.

It wasn't anything I might have seen on my own, but it was quite well played and was very true to the feel and story of the 1922 vampire classic.

He very much liked it, which was good, since the last one he chose was so poorly done.

As we were watching the credits, he asked me who the guy was who played 'Thomas Hutton".

"That was Nicholas Hoult," I said.

Nope, that name rang no bells.

So I rattled off a list of movies: my absolute favorite of his, "Warm Bodies"; the fun live action fable of "Jack the Giant Killer" in 2013; him as one of my favorite authors of my youth in "Tolkien"; him as a balls to the wall War Boy for "Mad Max Thunder Road"; with my other Nicolas in "Renfield", ripping off a bad guy's arms to beat him with them.

Nope, none of those rang a bell for the J-Dawg.

So he looked him up, using his communication device, and realized how he knew Hoult's face: it was from "The Great", a TV series on Hulu.

This more serious role gave him a real appreciation for Hoult - good!

After, he wanted french fries and I had a gift card from Tony and Laura to Texas Roadhouse, so there we went!

And guess what?

We both ordered fish and chips!

Well, kinda sorta.

(smile!)

He had fried catfish and steak fries; I had grilled salmon with baked sweet potato.

Like I said, fish and chips!

Maybe that can be our little inside joke.

(smile!)

As we have done so many times, we sat and talked about a myriad of things for about two hours, with Maya checking on us every so often to see if we needed anything.

Nope, we were just fine!

Throughout our bread course, our salads, and our dinners, we talked and talked.

I have enjoyed that with him for so many years!

Looking forward to more of that next year!

(smile!)

thanks, schomburg!

"Schomburg? You mean John and Sherry were in town?"

 

Yes, they were!!! And they weren't the only Schomburgs at Jalapenos, either.

 

"Oh, sweet, they were there for the Smiths & Kamerons Friday Fiesta!"

Well, sure, kinda sorta. They were here to visit with the parents, but also to catch up face to face with friends.

"That's wonderful! So his brother was there, too?"

Yes, Brian was. That's him on the left, with older brother John. I didn't remember him from back in the day, but I don't recall much from my high school days, and even less from those at Myers Middle School. I mostly know John from my years of working with Smitty. Anyway... I was saying that both Schomburg brothers were there, as were their wives. I actually spent a lot of time chatting with Regina, Brian's wife, and their daughter Delaney. She goes to Savannah Arts Academy!!! She's in the choral program there, but is hoping to get into the Skylarks group next year, when she'll be a junior.

"I see. I'm so glad you were able to connect with them and help them feel like part of the group. They hadn't been there before, had they?"

I don't believe they had. They weren't familiar with the menu. It didn't matter to the girl, as she just got a cheese quesadilla. But the mom wanted something else, something different. I recommended the shrimp ceviche, as that's what I had promised myself, and Regina loved it! She ate every bit, just as I did.

"I am so glad you were able to steer her to that! Maybe she and Brian might come out again some time for y'all's Friday gatherings."

Maybe so! As it was, she and I were at the end of the fourth table, so we really didn't hear anything going on at the other three tables. Like, right here, where Smitty was regaling all with a story of stupid things in the past - we had no idea which story it was. LOL! Tony was missing, but all of the rest of our usual group were there, plus The Kameron girl was still home from UGA. All total, there were 13 of us. Claudia was kept quite busy!!!

"Oh, my!!! Quite a crowd!"

Yes, it was. I'm thankful that the guy at the bar saw me and helped move in that fourth table. You know the guy I mean? The one who always teases Smitty? The one I talked to about the tall chairs giving me sciatica and he mentioned his mom had that?

"Sure, I know who you mean! The one who comes up and kind of flirts with Smitty!"

Yeah, that's the guy. I don't know his name, but he is almost always there.

"Maybe you can find out next time. Anyway, you haven't said why you dedicated this post to Schomburg. I'm assuming you mean John, not his brother?"

That's right, John, not Brian. So there we all were and I'd been chatting with Regina, then she left and John moved over to me. And he proceeded to tell me a story about Mama, one I didn't know. You see, when he was younger, it was considered nice to give a token of appreciation to companies for their business. So, he took a turkey and a ham out to Union Camp for the mill manager... and Mama was the manager's secretary. Well, she invited John to the company dinner, so he went. And Mama called out to him and had him sit with her at the manager's table, introducing him to all the bigwigs there. Next thing you know, the folks at Union Camp have quadrupled their orders with John's company! John said his orders went from $20,000 to $30,000 per month to $100,000 per month!!! And everyone who placed an order asked him, "How do you know Sybil? How do you know Sybil?"

"What a wonderful story!"

Right? And he told it to me apropos of nothing. No segue in the conversation, just off the cuff. I regarded it as an unexpected gift, with due gratitude for the telling of it. It really made my night, it did. Like a Christmas present from the past.

i thank You, God.

rawr! mgm+ film fest!

This week has been a free sampling of MGM+, courtesy of Comcast.

You know what that means, right?

Movies, movies, movies!

My choice with this Film Festival was to take a representative film from each genre.

With no further ado, here we go!

holiday

"Scrooge" (1970)
This was a musical with Albert Finney! I remember seeing this many years ago. So nice to be reminded of Finney's fine performance!

sports

"Bull Durham" (1988)
I don't know that I'll ever get tired of this baseball film with Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon! Bonus: no snow in this movie! I don't know why it is, but seeing snow on the screen makes my body get chilled. True!

romance

"Still Today" (2020)
Jody Thompson (writer, star) as groom ditched on his wedding day. Teri Wyble is the "model" escort who challenges him to still make it "his happiest day ever". Rather an upbeat film, even though the man isn't even good-looking by any standard.

international comedy

"French Girl" (2024)
Zach Braff is a welcome familiar face in this Canadian farce. His live-in girlfriend gets a chance to audition for a chef position at a fancy restaurant in her hometown of Quebec City, so off they go! It's also the first time he's meeting her family - lol!

western comedy- soft porn

"Sixpack Annie" (1975)
Annie and her best friend go off in search of a 'sugar daddy' to get the $5000 needed to save her aunt's diner. Really was a cute film!

family musical

"The Frog Prince" (1986)
A delightful Globus-Golan production with a young Helen Hunt as the rude older sister who wants to be a princess, though she suspects her younger sis is.
Aileen Quinn is just-right adorable without being cloying.
John Paragon as hilarious as the dancing "too tall" frog (with someone named Nick Curtis doing all his singing)!

suspense

"Fargo" (1996)
Ah, back into snow country! This movie is so good that I couldn't pass up the chance to see it one more time! Love the accents, too!

a*list with tailz

Note: That is -not- at typographical error.

That's how the alien being spells its name.

For real!

All the other aficionados at the special screening would agree with me.

That's Tailz in my hand here.

Actually, it's just the critter's head, designed as a keychain reward for those who came to the "Sonic The Hedgehog 3: Fan Event" at the 3 PM showing in the Big-D room.

I was there early this time, having missed out on the Lego rewards at the Fan Event for "Wicked" a couple of weeks back. 

This time, AMC had plenty of the rewards, with four buckets of the character keychains, allowing patrons to choose which they wanted: Sonic, Tailz, Knuckles, or Shadow.

My first choice was Sonic, but Alicia let me swap him out for the foxy yellow guy with the ability to fly.

As it turns out, Tailz was a perfect fit for me!

He's the nerdy analytical member of the trio formed in the second movie, you see. 

I'm the nerdy analytical member of any trio I'm in, too!

Well, most of the time, but not always!

 

 

Speaking of trio, this upbeat movie, filled with puns and inside jokes, was the perfect one to complete my dance card this week.

"The Order" and "Homestead" were a bit scary, given today's political climate in the USA.

The first one was real and the other was not, but both dealt with homeland terrorists.

Neither are anything I would see again.

But this movie today?

That had everyone there cheering on the good guys?

With everyone laughing at all the silly parts with Dr. Robotnik?

Plus lots of applause as each character entered the story, especially for Stone?

And everyone staying in their seats until the very last credit had rolled so they could see what would be forthcoming in the next adventure?

This was absolutely delightful!

I just may see it again tomorrow!

Meanwhile, I have a new Christmas ornament gracing my tree, right next to Melanie's snowflake and Mama's gingerbread house.

Isn't that smiling yellow face so cheerful?

Right place, right time!

(smile!)

2024 Christmas Party!

What a lot of folks were there, too, for this Asbury Memorial Church event!

And, if you look very closely, you can even see me!

See the dark-haired boy in the blue-patterned shirt, standing to the left of the man in the dark shirt and the tan hat?

That's me sitting at the boy's right elbow, wearing my faded fuchsia sweater!

Hey, like I said, you have to look very closely!

(smile!)

There were two tables of food running the length of the choir practice room that had been loaded with food.

I started off with two plates.

That's because I wanted to eat dessert with my meal, of course!

That's a Grinch-green Rice Krispies treat, as well as pumpkin pie!

Those didn't make it home with me.

(smile!) 

In fact, I have quite a bit that will feed me tomorrow morning, so I didn't need to go for seconds when the kitchen crew asked folks to "take a plate to go"!

There's always so very much to share!

And what party would be complete without a visit from Saint Nick and his Missus, giving out candy canes and warm wishes to the children?

Nice to have Reverend Billy and his Cheri up there posing with the Clauses, as they always do!

Yes, such a lovely party this was this evening!

(smile!)