... and out the door i went!

Today promised a high in the mid-60's by 2 PM, and I took it at its word!

 

I started off with inside work, dismantling the Island of Misfit Toys under the Element.

Back into the plastic storage bin with all of them!

The other decorations in the living room joined them, there to await December again.

 

Did I take down the Christmas tree, too?

That 12th Day of Christmas was yesterday, and the Epiphany does mark the end of the Christmastide time.

But, just look at it... isn't it gorgeous?

Even with the lights off, it's just so pretty and makes a cheery focal point in the room.

So, it stays for now.

Maybe I'll take it down when the Tulip Tree lets me know spring is soon coming!

 

What else did I do while waiting for the day to come up to temperature?

I set up my new calendar from AARP with the special dates of my loved ones, that's what!

Some of the little Post-It slips were transferred, some were replaced from the package I still have from my days at Armstrong.

I finished off all of those, but still have yet another package from back then.

Pretty amazing, as I'll finish my seventh year of retirement this May!

By the time I'd completed this task, it was time to go to my first A*List movie of 2025.

I'd chosen "A Complete Unknown", at 1:15 PM.

By the time it was done, I was ready to be gone from it.

It wasn't that the film was bad, per se, it's just I've never been a Bob Dylan fan.

The best parts for me were the scenes with Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.

The years covered were 1961, when Dylan was just 20 years old, up to the 1964 Newport Folk Festival, when he showed all what an ass he could be.

Nice to know he's been consistent with that ever since.

At least I've crossed that off my list!

And what was on my list?

Feeding my car with gasoline, then shopping for groceries!!!

Cheeses and apples and cinnamon and squash and other stuff at Aldi's!

Then, back toward home and Food Lion for soups on sale!

 

Not only did I find plenty of heartwarming soups at BOGO prices, but also Cinnamon Cheerios, beans of all kinds, ziti and rotini and corkscrew pastas, even ham slices!

I spent $60.95 and saved $34.98 - wow!!!

Right place, right time!

But I already knew that.

As I'd walked into Food Lion, I spotted a coppery gleam in the parking lot -

a 2021 penny for me!

I was even home before sundown, before the warmth was gone from the day.

i thank You, God.

getting ready for the new year!

First order of business: preparing "Dance At Bougival" for its new home in Hinesville.

That meant taking it off the wall, dusting it off all around the frame, across the back, down the front.

I am so glad to be passing this along at last, with no death involved.

Next order of business: washing clothes.

My winter wrap had developed a smell and that needed to be removed before the colder weather comes tonight.

I haven't yet put the clothes away, but it's comforting to know that I'll be starting the new year with clean attire.

Third order of business: my last A*list dance card, completed on this final Tina Tuesday of the year.

I'm glad the last two films, both new ones, were seen with loved ones!

Fourth order of business: prepping a new batch of jumpsuit-clad men with marching orders.

Now tattered and torn, these seven have been taking care of business all year long for me.

Another squad of dancing Elvis secretaries are now standing by, awaiting their turn on the kitchen cabinets. 

Fifth order of business: washing dishes.

Counting coffee cups, there are six, though it's only been five days since I last cleaned off the counter.

That's because I have a new one - Yoda! - from Tony and Laura and I'm using it tomorrow.

(They actually gave me two, but I shared with Michael.)

Now, I have another Christmas movie lined up and ready to go.

"A Holiday Spectacular" is set in 1958 and is about a young woman's quest to dance as one of the Rockettes!

Right time, right place for this girl!

First, though, time for a shower so I start the new year clean, too.

I'm ready for 2025 to begin!

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!)

Christmas when my parents were children...

That's the primary reason I wanted to attend "The 1940's Holiday Radio Show".

Mama and Daddy were born in the mid-1930's, when radio was king, before television was even a dream for working people.

By the time they were school-aged, they had much familiarity with war rationing of foods like sugar and butter and cheese.

They had a different brand of patriotism than we have now.

Conchetta Phillips would have been a young woman in 1944, when this show was set.

She's 101 now and was there in the audience at this matinee performance.

Sebastian Verdis, the leader of the Verdis Variety Cavalcade, dedicated the show to her.

I'd had the good fortune of being in line behind her and her granddaughter when they came, so I knew Conchetta had served in the USO during WWII.

What a treat to have met her!

Right place, right time!

 

Because this was a 'radio show', they did something special...

they paused for "Station ID" breaks, as required by the FCC!!!

There were four total, two before intermission, and two after.

Each time, the Victory Sisters of WTPT would come out and sing an intro, followed by the station manager announcing the call letters and the time.

Very cool!!!

Another special thing they did was to honor every branch of the US military.

The trumpet man, Zeb Treece, would lead on the representative song, accompanied by the pianist and drummer (Jared Wilson and Andrew Parnell), while those veterans of that branch would rise for their song.

Air Force was first, with three men in attendance.

Then the anthem for the Coast Guard was played... and two men stood up!

Wow!

The Army was recognized next and had the largest contingent: at least fifteen.

The Navy and the Marines were post-intermission, with 4 (including me, the only woman veteran there) and 3, respectively.

The photo was for the performance of "Anchors Aweigh", of course.

 

The show alternated concert portions with comedy skits.

This was one of my favorite bits ever!

Luis Omar Torres and Matthew Dixon donned baseball caps for their totally awesome rendition of Abbott and Costello's "Who's On First".

Totally awesome!!!

Several other routines from that old-time comedian team were performed, as well as a few from George Burns and Gracie Allen...

but the baseball bit had my heart plum tickled!!!

 

Even the 'mercials were funny!

The above was an ad for Phillips Milk of Magnesia, for calming upset tummies.

I thought it was extra funny since the show was dedicated to Conchetta Phillips!

Other commercials were for Lux (hair product), Parkay (margarine), and Patsit (a cheese substitute, which I may have spelled wrong), as well as other goods.

 

The grand finale had us all singing "She's A Grand Old Flag"!

I don't think that was the intention, but a few veterans stood and started accompanying the cast members, so everyone there stood and chimed in.

We continued to stand and clap as the cast went through their final roll call, then we all sang "We Wish You A Merry Christmas", too!

What a fabulous show at Tybee Post Theater!

Now, on the Christmas party at my church!

must be wednesday, right?

In fact, I know darn well it's Wednesday!

That's $5 sushi from Publix for supper tonight, picked up on my way home from downtown.

 

Plus, I washed clothes late this morning at Suds, so I know it's Wednesday.

It only costs me $6.50 to wash and dry my laundry, as the washers are 25% off then.

 

So what was causing the confusion in the time between those two events?

I saw two plays today!!!

I happened to spot this flyer on fb yesterday and was elated: hump day fun!

Better yet, it was free!!!

It was also early enough for me to find parking before dark.

I wanted to be close to Yamacraw Center For Performing Arts, as the weather song has been hitting some very low notes of late, and I prefer to be snug at home when it does.

Still, the opportunity to support younger performers isn't often, so I went.

I'm so glad I did!

So many positive vibes in the air tonight, from the performers and parents!

First up was "The Adventures of Captain Potato", featuring a superhero who was "round and brown" - in actuality, a kid wearing glasses - with a sidekick named Spud.

His mission: to thwart the plans of Big Mouth and his feeder minions!

Very funny stuff from these third and fourth grade students!

 

Then came the other tale, "Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!" with another group of students.

The farmers had tasked two boys to look out for a wolf, even drawing them a picture - to the left - so they would be able to recognize the creature.

Very nice re-imagining of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", with the sheep being quite helpful at tricking the wolf when the boys botch their job.

All in all, there were at least thirty students who did the two plays.

Bravo, and brava, I say!

How very nice to see something from the students of Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts.

I'll have to keep an eye out for more from them!

What a nice coincidence that I happened to be on fb when that flyer popped up!

Right place, right time!

thanksgiving 2024!

First, I'm thankful for all the wishes of the day sent to me!

This was received from my first niece, just moments after the Peanuts gang went by in the Macy's 98th Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Plus, I'd watched "A Boy Named Charlie Brown" last night, so those characters were fresh in my mind as well as my heart.

Right place, right time!!!

Second, I'm thankful for all the wishes of the day that I shared with others!

Sherry Moore was the first to send me this, and I promptly moved it along to others that I know and love.

So very festive, isn't it?

Third, I'm thankful for the food Smitty brought over yesterday for this day.

He and Mary were to be at Tyler and Hannah's in Rincon; Tony and Laura, as well as Dane the dog, went down to Tampa to be with her two middle sons, Cole and Alek.

With the food given to me, I had ham and pasta soup to start my day.

Fourth, I'm glad to be such a regular face at AMC that I get treated like royalty.

I went to the cinema for the 1000 bonus points for getting a ticket to "Wicked, Part 1".

That wasn't what I wanted to see, though.

Santa and his brother Krampus were on my list!

So, they told me which screening room held "Red One" and there I went!

How lovely that the two movies had the same starting time!

Fifth, I'm thankful to have continued the tradition of watching the Detroit Lions play.

Most years, that game is a loss for them, but not this year!

Sure, as Jeff the ex said, it was a real nail-biter during those last two minutes of play, but the Lions managed to keep their edge over the Chicago Bears.

Whew!!!

Sixth, I've been blessed to have gorgeous weather.

Rain is forecast in a day or so, and the yards both needed a trim.

The front yard won out and I mowed at least two-thirds of it before the Ryobi stopped.

Perhaps I will finish it tomorrow, perhaps not.

Seventh, after all was done, I feasted upon smoked turkey breast, baked sweet potato, and deviled eggs. 

That was a meal I didn't have to cook or prep, thanks to my brothers.

Eighth, I'm now being treated to "Mary Poppins" - the 1964 musical with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke - on the telly.

i thank You, God, for this day of gratitude.

forever young

"That's not quite right, you know." 

What's that you say?

"In the play tonight. Drinking the spring water didn't make them forever young. It made them forever the age they were when they first drank it. That's why when 'Jessie' saw that 'Winnie' was about to drink from it, he stopped her."

Oh, you're talking about "Tuck Everlasting", the play at Savannah Children's Theatre.

"Correct. Is that not what your post title referred to?"

Kinda sorta. I actually took that phrase verbatim from retired police officer 'Arthur Dales'. When speaking to 'Mulder', he said, "Baseball keeps you forever young." I took that as a fitting reason to have watched "The Unnatural" when I got home last night from the play. That made it not a coincidence that I chose to finally watch that episode I'd recorded a couple of months ago.

"Right place, right time. Yes, I see the correlation, but the play posed a deep question. That's why you decided to see it after all, as you've had some serious health issues with your heart since you last saw it in October of 2018."

That's right. That was 6 years ago and all was well and I was recently retired. Savannah Stage Company performed it then, with Taylor Rigsbee as the 10-year-old 'Winnie' and Carson Schem as 'Jessie'. I remember it well, even though I never wrote about it.

"How odd. You seem to write about everything now!"

I know it must seem that way. It wasn't until fb reminded me of a post I left there about it that I realized I had no written record here of having gone. That's not to say I don't recall the play, though. I have definite memories of that story and the questions it raised. Would I choose immortality, knowing it meant I would see all who I loved age and die? My answer back then had been a resounding "No". If I were to become immortal, it would be because immortality was thrust upon me, as it was for the Tucks, as it had been for the title character in "The Age Of Adaline". None of them had the option to choose that path in life. None of them even knew they were immortal until they realized that years had passed and they were not aging.

"Yes, the townspeople actually brought it to the Tucks' attention, accusing them of sorcery. Sure, they were up in the home of Adirondack bluegrass, and the year was 1793 when they drank the spring's water. That meant it was early 1800's when folks around there noticed none of them changed. 'Miles' was a 22-year-old husband of two small children; they changed and grew, but he remained the same. His oldest was only 7 when his parents moved away from that town, taking their sons, 'Miles' and 'Jessie' with them."

That's exactly what I was saying. The immortal ones had to leave ones they loved who had remained mortal.

"Well, they could have taken others to the spring, let them drink, too."

Why would 'Miles' want his children to remain their ages forever? Because that's the way it would work. Their minds would grow and change with their new experiences, but their bodies and appearance would be forever that of little children. That's like that movie last month with the little girl who was turned into a vampire. Not being able to grow into a woman made her become bitter and even turned her against her Sire.

"Oh, that's right! And she had been about the same age as 'Winnie'. Come to think of it, 'Winnie Foster' was the same age as your twin great-nieces."

Correct. So, even forever-17 'Jessie' knew that it would be wrong to just let her drink from the spring without first letting her know what that would mean for her life. That's why he took her to his mom. 'Winnie' had not believed him when he said he was 104, because he still looked 17. She would not accept that 87 years had passed with him not aging.

"In her defense, it was 1880 when they met. She lived in a small mountain town where life moved slowly. She met 'Jessie' when she ran away to the nearby copse of woods near her Granny's home. She thought he was just a teenage boy until he started throwing all that math at her. She didn't know he was being honest with her. Then she met his parents and brother and realized they were telling the truth. The Tucks knew that she was too young to drink that special water, as she would be trapped forever in the 10-year-old body she currently had."

Yes. But, before the Tucks left town this time, 'Jessie' gave the girl a vial of the water. He wanted her to drink it when she turned 17 so the two of them could live out eternity forever young. At the time, she promised him she would.

"Yes, but did she keep that promise?"

Again, in her defense, she was a 10-year-old girl in 1880. Her best friend was a toad that lived in the garden. She used the vial of water to save its life when it was attacked by a neighbor's dog. I can certainly see Leila or Alyssa doing the same thing to save the life of a pet or another animal.

"Point made. But why didn't she refill the bottle from the spring?"

Who knows? Perhaps she couldn't find the spring again. Perhaps she simply forgot about it. Perhaps she had intended to refill the bottle when she got older, but was unable to do so. Perhaps she fell in love and forgot about 'Jessie'. We don't know. And the Tucks did not return to that little town for 70 years. They missed seeing her again by two years. They would not have known what happened in her life had it not been for the tombstone, which proclaimed her as a beloved "wife, mother, and grandmother".

"Oh, poor 'Jessie'!"

I'm sure he was fine. I know the actor, Trey Wilner, gave me a big hug after the show.

"Is that him in the two photographs? Wearing the overalls and hat?"

Yes, it is, and that's 'Winnie', played by Isabel Hollingsworth, there with him. I told him I was very impressed with how well they captured the joy of life, as well as the responsibility of knowing they had to protect others from their immortality. I should have asked if he was already 17 or not.

"That would have been interesting. I'm sure none of the others would have had the chance to play their age in this piece."

That's true. This was done with no adults, just students. Lila Allen and Eli Chapman did beautifully well as the parents, who would have been forever in their late 30's or early 40's, well aware of the immensity of being suddenly immortal. Hailey Morris played the other brother, having once known the responsibility and joy of being a parent. I thought Hailey did well at incorporating that loss into 'Miles'.

"Indeed he did. They all had that extra depth that you wouldn't expect from teens."

Not true. I know that well, as I see it with every performance there at the SavChTh, as well as at the other schools where I go for theatrical entertainment. I've posted this show, as well as the one from SavArtsAcad, on my fb page, to encourage others. I've even recommended the musical from SavStageCo in that post! I do hope folks will see all three, as I have. Nothing like hearing others' stories to bring understanding to your own.

to the moon, Alice!

Oh, my, how I laughed and laughed at that line!!!

It was nearly the end of the play, and Uncle Fester has a rocket strapped to his back.

When the mother of Wednesday's boyfriend asks him where he's going, that line was his reply.

Honestly, I just busted out laughing and had to make myself stop!

After all, I doubt if any of the parents would have recognized Ralph's oft-repeated line from "The Honeymooners", but I grew up with Jackie Gleason on the TV.

Plus, that late-night show is often my nightcap before bed on Sundays.

Yes, I was definitely right place, right time, with this musical!

I'm so glad I threw myself out of the house to go see it.

 

"The Addams Family" was at Savannah Country Day, a place I associate with Barbara.

I'd even invited Sandy to come see the middle school musical with me, but she declined.

So, I'd taken myself to it...

and found a familiar name on the program.

Henry Dickerson was there, too, running the soundboard this time instead of lights.

Nice.

I hadn't realized I would also know someone on the stage, but I did!

See the boy in the black suit?

That's Emmett Witchel, as Gomez Addams, holding hands with Morticia Addams.

As soon as I saw him, I flashed back to this summer!

He had worn that same suit in "Bravo, Broadway!", when I'd first noticed him.

That SavChTh summer camp really paid off!

He was definitely one of the most confident and most natural actors this time around!

Yes, I'll be keeping on eye on him as he progresses in his acting roles.

I am so very glad I left home on this drizzly night!

This 75-minute bit of fun was exactly what I needed to bring out the sun!

 

Then I came home to Sam of "Ghosts", wanting to be in a musical.

And which one was it?

No, not "The Addams Family", silly.

It was "Anything Goes"!

I saw that one six years ago, having found out in Jinhi's fb post that it was playing and that her niece, Lillian "Sushi" Soucy, was in it.

So, back to the TV show: Did the innkeeper get the part"

Yes, with Alberta's coaching, she got the role she'd wanted to play in high school!

How very cool that I was home in time for this musical, too.

i thank You, God!

two holiday dances in my trio!

Just one word of warning before I reveal my dance card: the order is wrong.

Yes, again.

I honestly do not know why AMC has listed them this way, but, there it is.

 

The one at the end was the first one viewed, not the third.

You'll notice that it's listed as if it were part of a double header today, too.

That's also wrong.

I watched "Weekend In Taipei" on Tuesday at 2:05 PM, before seeing "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at 5:15 PM that same day.

So, I did have a double header... just not the one AMC says.

Both had a lot of action, though that was all they had in common.

I enjoyed "Weekend In Taipei", but I had hoped to maybe see something that I might remember from my USO tour there in 1981.

Besides the colorful restaurant and store signs that spoke of that Asian environment, one sight was instantly recognized: a shrine.

 

I had a souvenir photo of me, taken in front of that very place, enclosed in a thin encircling frame of etched black marble.

Wow.

That denim skirt had been one of my favorite items of clothing.

The photo has yellowed in the forty-plus years since it was taken, and I don't recall the name of the shrine, but this image is crystal-clear in my mind.

The movie itself, about an American narc and a Taiwanese driver of drug cars, was pretty engaging, even if it did err on whether it had been 13 years or 15 years since they were once lovers and he was once living there undercover.

Oh, well!

I wouldn't have noticed but they kept bringing the time line up in dialogue.

As for the holiday movie, I watched it with another couple in the screening room.

They were from Missouri - same as my sis-in-law Laura! - and their daughter had seen the play in Rincon the same year I had!!!

How about that!

Right place, right time.

Very nice!

I had company at the movie today, too.

That would be the movie in the middle of my A*List, "Red One".

 

I specifically chose this date so I'd be in the running for that trip to Aruba!

Sandy watched the Big-D screening with me, which was a nice change of pace.

The movie, with J.K. Simmons as a possibly-extraterrestrial entity known as Santa Claus, was absolutely fabulous and had a story with all kinds of twists!!!

If not for other movies next week that I really want to see - including a Screen Unseen on Monday!!! - I'd be using all three dances for this one!

Perhaps I'll do this one as a trio the following week... we'll see!

message from Mama, i know

"This plaque was in my room. 

I'm sure it was in every room, but i still felt it was meant for me. 

:-) "

That's what I texted to my first niece last night.

The message to her was accompanied by this photo of the one wall adornment in Room 334 at St. Joseph's Hospital.

I hadn't noticed it on Thursday, as I was still very much in a post-surgery fog.

Friday morning, with the sunlight coming in the window, brought my awareness of the words posted on the wall.

"There's no place like home... Help us get you there."

It was as if Mama was right there, reassuring me.

Home is where I would be going, and soon.

i thank You, God.

right - right - bloody well right

"You got Supertramp on your mind?"

I do, and that tune in particular. I don't know why, but that song seems to be the one my mental jukebox cues up whenever my heart doctor gives me bad news. 

"It's time for another surgery, isn't it?"

It is. He wanted to do it this coming Friday! Another cardiac ablation, which means intense and utter pain during recovery, nightmares about falling asleep, as well as stupid decisions for a week or more as I recover from the anesthesia.  Honestly, I walked from his office straight into the bathroom and sobbed! I was so distraught!!

"Settle down, you've been through this before, you'll get through it again. Just when is this one scheduled?"

Next week, on Thursday, 7 November, early in the afternoon.

"Too bad it isn't at 7 PM on the 7th! LOL!"

I know you're trying to cheer me up, but that isn't helping. If the surgery was that late, I'd definitely be in for an overnight stay. I certainly do not want that.

"Listen, you need to keep your sense of humor intact, okay? It isn't like you have any control over this situation, right?"

Right. Bloody well right.

"Indeed I am. So, as Dr. Cobb has granted you a reprieve this week, you have time to set things in motion for the next few weeks. You know, so you don't make any post-anesthesia decisions that will screw up your finances. Get your bills set for payment. Get some kind of film festival lined up on Peacock. Make sure you have food you enjoy. Just get ready, as that's the part you can control. Okay?"

Right. Bloody well right. Control the things I can control.

"Correct."

Okay. 

"And did the good doctor proffer any reasons for the need for a new cardiac ablation?"

Yes. There's a flutter in the right side of my heart. That's why my heart rate has been hovering around 107 for the past couple of months.

"I see. The right side. That seems to have brought the Supertramp to mind. So, really, truly, this is no surprise that he wants surgery."

Right. Bloody well right. He even gave me an option of a DCC or the ablation. As I told him, I don't recall the DCC being good for more than a week or two, then I was right back in the hospital. So I chose the cardiac ablation, with mapping of my nerves to make sure they zap the right place in my heart. He even said this might offset the need for Sotalol in the future. I just wish I didn't have to be put under for all that.

"Plus, there's that whole thing about going up the veins in your groin to get those little electrodes in place in the torso."

Yeah, I seem to recall an issue with sitting after that.

"Well, let Ms. Barker know, so she can make sure the VA Community Care is all in place for this operation. You don't need any new financial bills coming in."

Already have that in motion. I went to the Savannah VA Center as soon as I left Dr. Cobb's office so I could let my PCP know. I now have a phone appointment with her for Friday morning. I've also called the VA National Community Care Network to start the process of getting an extension on the Community Care Authorization for the visit to the cardiologist today, as the last one expired two weeks ago. I do so hate jumping through these hoops, but it's all part of the process.

"It is. Just be calm and get it done."

I'm trying, I really am. I'm trying. Now, I'm going to watch "Autumn In Apple Hill" on Peacock. It's not a Christmas movie, but it should be calming for me.

is neverland the same as heaven?

As per J.M. Barrie in his 1904 play and 1911 book about Peter and Wendy, Neverland is a place of no pain and no heartache, where there is no need to grow up, where pirates can be battled as if it were all a game.

In other words, Neverland was the ideal dream for boys.

Today, for our fourth and final installment of the GOB sermon series at Asbury Memorial Church, "Finding Neverland", a modern musical, was chosen.

 

It's authors have imagined how J.M. Barrie came to write his play, and Ryan McCurdy - perfect as both 'Peter Pan' or the playwright - flew in from New York City for the role.

I know, I know... that sounds like the setup for an inside joke, doesn't it?

Perhaps it was.

Coincidence that our airport has direct flights to that town?

Coincidence that I arrived late and had to sit in the narthex?

Coincidence that I not only had a clear view of the stage, but that the actors had a clear view of me and my reactions?

Coincidence that 'Peter' was modeled after the Barrie brother who had died?

Hmm... 

perhaps it was an inside joke meant from Ronnie to me.

All I know for sure is that I cried at the end.

Most definitely right place, right time.

i thank You, God.

answering a masquer's call

The Armstrong Masquers may not exist on paper any more, but their spirit lives on in all who once trod the stage in Jenkins Hall.

I had many roles there in my undergraduate years, but the vast majority - stage manager, prop mistress, wardrobe helper, lights and sound controller, set painter - were out of the limelight, except once when Dr. John "Sooch" Suchower put me on at the last minute when an actress couldn't make it.

Ah, such golden days at Armstrong State College!

Travis Spangenburg is also forever an Armstrong Masquer, as well as the man who wore yellow stockings - to my great delight! - in a Shakespeare play.

 

When he sent out his appeal on fb about his latest role, I knew I had to see the play, even if it meant I would miss something else.

"I’m very excited to announce, later than I should have, what I’ve been working on for the last two months or so.
Rabbit Hole has been one of my favorite plays for 14 years now. It’s a beautifully crafted and complex examination of one of the most imaginable losses a family can withstand. Playing the role of Howie, a grieving father, has been one of the more rewarding experiences I’ve had in theatre and I think me and my fellow cast of student actors have created something really special together. Something with pain, heart, and a sliver of hope.
Moreover, this is all happening at Armstrong where I was first assigned this play and where I eventually got my degree. Not only does this material mean a lot to me, but so does the venue and its theatre program, one that needs as much support as this community can give.
We’re doing three shows, October 24 - 26, and it would mean a lot to me to see a good Savannah crowd at my first time onstage in a full length play in five years. I know we all have a lot going on as Halloween approaches, but I hope everyone in town will consider coming to a show."

And so, amidst all the other goings on of this weekend, I made time to see "Rabbit Hole" at its final show this afternoon.

Right place, right time, right in my seat beside Mama's.

I wonder if he heard my laughter during the comedic moments and recognized me?

Because, yes, there were humorous parts to this drama about a family struggling to stay together after their 4-year-old child was struck by a car and killed.

The teen driver had seen the dog run into the street, but did not see the boy in time.

The stay-at-home mother has busied herself with eradicating signs of the child, in hopes it will salve her grief.

The working father objects to the lack of the boy's things in the family room, the absence of his drawings on the fridge, the dog now transplanted to the maternal grandmother's house.

To me, their actions were a variation on the dilemma in "The War Of The Roses": how to make someone leave when all they want to do is stay, versus how to keep someone when all they want to do is leave.

In this instance, the dilemma is whether to keep the memory of someone who has died versus to clear out all traces of a dead one's life.

Then there's the issue of guilt in the game of "what if".

What if the mother had been outside when the child was in the yard?

What if the father had been home that day?

What if the teen had not "been going 31 or 32 instead of 30"?

What if the grandmother had not phoned the mother while the child was outside?

What if the mother's sister had not necessitated that phone call?

What if...

Yes, the game no one can win.

Truly well done.

Travis was perfect as the father.

Plus, I recognized Morrow Smith - who played the grandmother - as the crime solver in "Lethal Lecture" last fall, and made sure to tell her so.

Then, guess what?

She recognized me right back!

"You're the one who came up on stage with us!"

 Very cool!

Now, to get ready to party with ghouls!

(smile!)

cockspur concert!

For the second time this week, I was at the Tybee Post Theatre!

For the second time this week, the event featured the word "cockspur". 

Neither of the events had anything to do with that type of wild grass, to my knowledge.

The Tuesday event concerned the military fort on Cockspur Island.

The one tonight was hosted by Cockspur Productions and was a concert!

 

They titled it "Rock & Soul", and that's what drew my attention.

Definitely my kind of music! 

Plus, I really like the use of an ampersand.

(smile!)

Amazingly, I won two $30 tickets - for seats G2 and G4 - from WRHQ!!!

My friend Kristin Stout wins tickets to concerts all the time, and has for as long as I've known her, and she isn't the only one who does so...

but I'm not one of those folks who do.

Maybe my luck is changing?

(smile!)

There were supposed to be two bands, but there were three, kinda sorta.

I'll explain in a minute.

First, though, I want to talk about the opening act, the Justin Vreeland Band.

He really hit the ground running, with Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild"!!!

That was the first of about three covers.

The rest of his set featured his own songs, including "Watch Yourself", "She's My Baby",  "Talkin' Bout Love", "Invisible", and "King Of A Ghost Town".

My favorite, though, of his originals was "Modern Vampire", written when in his teens.

The above photo was taken when he was performing that one, with its tie to the movie seen just two days ago.

Right place, right time.

By the way, he'll be 22 on November 2, when his new single, "Rose-Tinted Glasses", is released, so I'll look forward to hearing it again on the radio.

(smile!)

Okay, so this is when a third group was sandwiched in between the rock and the soul!

It's a blues trio, the Ben Keiser Band, featuring the man who has ousted Eric Culberson as the 2024 Best Blues Guitarist in Savannah.

Wow!

In the photo, that's him on the left, with his drummer and bass man.

They played only a song, maybe two, then performed as part of the headliner's group.

 

This is the "Soul" part of the concert, with Stan Ray's Soul Satisfaction.

This included a pianist on the far right, a two-man brass contingent on the left, and the one-time wine bar owner at center stage.

Later, Stan Ray had two women join him for back up, then let them sing a duet.

I really enjoyed his own tunes, like "Prisoner Of Pity", but their covers, especially of "Fooled Around And Fell In Love" and "I Love The Nightlife", were definitely my jam!

I think his music was more "blues" than "soul", but the "rock" part of the concert was best!

Thanks, WRHQ, for the tickets, and thanks to Tybee Post Theater for a lovely evening!

(smile!)

butterflies, tacos, and a flashback

I took out some trash and recycling and caught movement out of the corner of my eye!

The butterflies and moths were supping on lantana nectar!

My bushes aren't nearly as lush as they have been in the past, but plenty of  insects thought they were still lovely!

My heart was filled with gratitude to be able to provide this oasis to the wandering travelers!

Soon enough, it was time to go see family at Jalapenos of Sandfly!

The Smiths & Kamerons Friday Fiesta had arrived, and all the usual suspects were there!

I ordered three crunchy beef tacos again, and I'm glad I did.

Not for my, but for brother Tony!

He was glad to have one, with its flashback to dinners of our youth!

But be not confused - that's not the flashback referred to in the post title.

I'm getting to that, truly I am.

After dinner, I'd taken my busy, vibrant woman self over to Jenkins Hall on Armstrong, looking forward to a night of free improv with "The Last laugh".

Sadly, that must have been cancelled.

So I bopped over to AMC with my A*List in hand, hoping to get lucky.

Fortunately, the new movie, "Saturday Night", was in previews - 

right place, right time!

That movie was absolutely perfect for me tonight!

I was only 15 years old on October 11, 1973, when the show first aired.

What a flashback to that very night, tonight, exactly 51 years later.

Right place, right time, for a movie I'd not been that excited about... and that just may net me a trip to New York City!

The movie, almost a documentary, absolutely nailed the frenetic pacing of everyone involved behind the scenes of any show - whether a musical, a play, or a TV broadcast - in the last hour or so before the show goes live.

The casting director is to be commended, too, for perfectly assigning roles to actors that captured the look, sound, and mannerisms of the actual people in that first episode of the "Saturday Night" show.

How wonderful to see again faces long gone: Gilda Radnor, John Belushi, George Carlin, Jim Henson, Andy Kaufman, Michael O'Donoghue, and Billy Preston.

Bravo!

I was in search of laughs... and this movie certainly delivered!

Maybe I'll even give the television show, "SNL", another shot tomorrow night.

I've been out of the habit of watching it for years.

(smile!)