thursday that felt like a sunday

So, yesterday had jumped two days ahead, somehow.

Today was even more out of sequence.

No mail, so that meant it must be Sunday... right?

But what happened to my Bugs Bunny on Saturday?

Was I supposed to be at church this morning?

What is going on???

I understand that I'm retired and that "every day is Saturday", as my stepdad said, but I still usually do very well at keeping up with the seven days of the week.

Nope, not this week!

Somehow, celebrating Independence Day on a Thursday just wasn't natural.

 

What to do to take advantage of this extra "weekend" day?

How about contact friends and family and let them know they're on my mind?

Yes, by cricket, that's a fine idea!

So I texted greetings out into the world of ether... and received greetings back for me!

My brother Smitty called me back to say he was cooking ribs and would bring me some!

My brother Tony texted to say they were at the pool and invited me along!

Cathy Mac texted back to invite me to her "farewell, for real" luncheon next week!

Jeff texted with news that they'd been sailing with a friend this morning!

Bonnie, my "stepmom", and I had a lovely textversation about the ribs in her crock pot and my Florida plans!

Cousin Penny sent more photos of her brand-new granddaughter - her first! - as well as one of her and Aunt Linda at a gathering later!

My favorite Rogue, Joe Guy, had a lovely chat via text that let me know that although he had to work today, he had fireworks plans for later!

Stepsister Jean inquired about my health and advised me to be sure to stay hydrated, as that can set off an A-fib attack - good to know!

Cathy in Cali called and we talked for over an hour, just me and her! She had missed out on my chat with Paul and wanted to have her turn with me!!!

Plus, I heard back from all mi amigas, not just the tres: Yvonne, Dawn, Sherry, Robin, Josie, Melaness, Lynn, Barbara, Sandy, and Carolyn!

I also had replies from nieces and nephews: Christina, Christy, Michael, Zach, and Hope!

The bfe even responded, as did stepsister Susan!

What a lovely way to spend the hottest part of the day!

(smile!)

Plus, I watched "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax", from 2012, when Taylor Swift was just 21.

What does her age have to do with that animated, ecology-minded, film?

 

She gave voice to the teen-girl love interest of 'Ted", who was so enamored of her that when she told him she would "marry the man who brought her a real tree", he set out on his bicycle to do that very thing!

I can certainly understand her stance.

If I was surrounded by plastic trees that had balloons instead of leaves, I would yearn for the sweet beauty of a real tree, for sure.

 

Thanks, Peacock, for giving me that AMC Summer Camp film for free!

And thank You, God, for friends and family that love me!

northern lights at 32 N latitude???

The ex texted me: "Did you see the Northern Lights last night?"

"Down here??"

He said: "All the way to GA! How far south, I'm not sure. It's happening again tonight if you have clear skies."

Then he sent a photo taken at West Branch, Michigan, a few miles from him. "The camera picks it up better than the naked eye does, for some reason."

And then he sent a photo of the news about the Northern Lights on the WSAV website!

I promptly forwarded that to those near and dear to me!!!

And just why are we able to see these?

They say it's due to a "rare and unusually strong solar storm" and should last through the weekend and possibly early next week.

WJCL did them one better, saying the storms were geomagnetic.

That station also said "Find a spot away from city lights and look north about an hour after sunset. I recommend trying around 9:30-11pm. You can keep checking throughout the night."

They also included this image from NOAA, which has much more information.

NOAA also describes the solar storms as "unusual and potentially historic."

That certainly got my attention!!!

(smile!)

So, what if you don't know which direction is north at your house?

Well, here's my advice, as I told my nephew, Michael: "If you have your right arm aligned with where the sun is in the morning, and your left arm for where the sun sets, you will be facing north."

That's why I went outside and stood in my back yard, facing the house where the West family once lived, and looked up to the sky.

Because of the scattered trees in others' yards, my back yard is sheltered from city lights.

So many stars I saw, with the Big Dipper almost directly above my head!!!

As I looked at it, I couldn't help but think of what I had learned from the Joseph Conyers' concert, about the star Dubhe in that constellation.

Sure enough, that star, and its companion, confirmed that I was looking due north.

(smile!)

And so I stood and watched the night sky, with more stars appearing as I adjusted to the darkness all around me.

I even saw a shooting star around 11 PM!!!

I also saw vertical lines of shifting light up in that sky, though not with any color to them.

I stayed out there until just a few minutes ago.

I'll try again tomorrow evening.

(smile!)

how i spent my 64th birthday, by faustina

First, I listened to The Beatles' "When I'm 64", as I started the coffee brewing.

I could have popped in the cd that Michael and his girls gave me for Christmas, but that would have taken too long to cue up.

Far easier to turn on the computer and pop out for a beachwalk!

Hey, remember, I hadn't yet had coffee!

(smile!)

I even had a second listen to the tune with my first sip of that aromatic decaf... aaaahhh!

There's magic in that!

Next, I set about freeing up some ice cream.

One thing about ice cream made with coconut milk: it's very, very hard.

I had to stop for another swig of coffee, reveling in the "you were born to dance" message - blessed to have had that marking my way on so many travels up and down I-95!

Eventually I had 1 1/2 cups of Peanut Buttery Cocoa Chip in the bowl - hooray!

Added to that was two slices of lemon cake!

Cake and ice cream for breakfast!!!

Plus, two slices of Canadian bacon to amp up the protein count from 14 grams to 21 grams.

The fiber was already to the good: 12 grams from the ice cream!!!

Oh, yeah, that works with my new meal plan!

(smile!)

Smitty and Mary called to wish me "Happy birthday!" while "CBS Sunday Morning" was on and we had a good chat!

Then they rang off, but not before I told them about "Teen Kids News", the only other news program I watch.

They'll be sharing that, and its driving tips, with their grandkids!

 

Then it was off to Asbury Memorial Church!

I hadn't planned to go, but Rev. Billy - you know, my stepsister's husband's cousin! - had written that it was to be free of gun talk today... and it was!

It was about singing praises, even in times of hardship!

He and the choir leader had reworked the lyrics of "Hallelujah" to tell the story of Paul and Silas in prison.

That song always brings to mind Jeff Buckley's version - nice!

And we all sang one of my favorites: "Trees Of The Field"!

So many people there gave me bday64 greetings!

(smile!)

 

Paul and Cathy had texted while I was there, but before I could call them back, someone else called, no doubt conjured by that thought of one of his favorite singers.

I speak of Jeff, of course!

He and Amy were about to go out for a boat ride with friends, but bday64 came first!

 

That call ended just as Savannah VOICE's "Opera Idol" was beginning!

I whipped up a BIG tuna salad, with garlic-basil vinaigrette - Elaine would have loved it! - and settled in for this free treat.

I had thought it was just to be performances by the four scholarship contestants... but, delightfully, I was wrong!

It was actually a special Master Class with Sherrill Milnes, the purpose of which was to see which potential student was best at utilizing his tips.

What a smart approach!

Each had a vocal piece that they presented, but then the opera professional gave them pointers (for the next fifteen minutes or so) to make it truly the polished work they already thought they had, with them incorporating the changes along the lesson and, at the end, performing the piece in its entirety again.

Congratulations to Sydney Fabregas for her win!

Thanks, too, for singing tips I can use!

(smile!)

During the show, youngest brother Tony came by with Laura to sing to me!

"Star Wars" trivets in tow, as well as a very funny card (about using candle wax for my "mustache and legs" - lol! I have chin whiskers, not lip fuzz!), plus a gift card for groceries - what a fabulous treat!

And I'll be treated to their company again at the cookout at their house!

(smile!)

Then the bf texted with birthday greetings! I'll see him on Tuesday for a movie!

And Christina texted with greetings! I'll see my first niece on Wednesday in Hinesville... and it will be for a very rare, just-her, visit!

And Barbara texted! And Sandy texted! And Carolyn texted! Todos de mi tres amigas!

Then Chuck Eyler called! Remember, he was the one I'd so enjoyed talking to during the ZOOM coffee hours that AMC held. What a pleasant surprise!

Finally, Paul and Cathy of California called! As a rare treat, they each talked to me for over thirty minutes each! He regaled me with the tale of his Death Valley camping trip in April and she extolled the travails of travel in New Jersey in early May. What a special treat!

(smile!)

Then, time to wind down with a movie!

Nothing like a Christmas-themed flick to brighten the heart for me!

Even better, Michael Gross was in this one, too.

He'd played a cantankerous old landlord in 2012's "12 Wishes Of Christmas", viewed for breakfast yesterday.

In the 2018 "Christmas At Rosemont", he was a mild-mannered country doctor.

Both movies were delights that I will gladly watch again!

And afterward, Jeff's cousin Michelle texted with birthday greetings! Like everyone else, she was elated that I'd had my cake and ice cream for breakfast!

(smile!)

What a thoroughly wonderful day this has been!

Leisurely and filled with love and laughter!

Now, I'm in fb to respond to greetings left there, and I hope I'll finish in time to end my day with the usual two episodes of "The Big Bang Theory".

Again, what a thoroughly wonderful day this has been!

i thank You, God, that I am 64!!!

(smile!)

doin' the phil

"You're feeling what?"

What?

"You said you're 'doing the feel'. So there is a new exhibit in town?"

No, no, not that at all. I'm doing the phil, p-h-i-l.

"Oh, that comedian in town that you went to years ago?"

Wow. I had completely forgotten about that. I can visualize the place, with its fairly rustic interior. I can even see him up there, flipping through his loose-leaf notebook of jokes, looking for each as he went along. I wonder where that was? Savannah? Tybee? Rincon or Pooler? All I know for sure is Jeff and I were still married.

"That guy's name was Phil, alright, Phil Keeling. I think it may have been in Pooler, but, yeah, that's been a minute, as the kids would say."

Honestly, I don't think the kids are saying that anymore. That slang has been around since 2008, at least.

"Oops, my bad. Hahahaha! That's even older!"

Yes, it certainly is. And now I've lost track of what you wanted to know.

"I want to know who this guy Phil is and what's going on with y'all!"

There is no guy "Phil". At least, there certainly isn't one in my life and it certainly wouldn't be that comedian, as I had not liked his idea of humor.

"Then why did you say that you're 'doing' the 'Phil'?"

Oh, I see the problem. You don't know that was texting shorthand in my 'conversation' with Carolyn about this weekend.

"No, I didn't get that at all. Is she seeing that guy?"

No! Forget about that jokester, would ya? She and I were trying to figure out when our paths would cross again. I'm working the David Sedaris show at the Lucas tonight, she isn't. She's working the Banff Film Festival there tomorrow, I will be with Scott at "The Legend of Georgia McBride". She's working the Savannah Philharmonic on Saturday...

"And you're working it, too! Okay, got it!"

That's right. And when I texted her back, I shortened it to "doing the Phil".

"I bet she liked that! LOL!"

Oh, you know it! She responded that we should use that as the title of our next album.

"You and she have made an album???"

No, silly rabbit, that's just her, off and running on a tangent.

"Good to know others do that, too, not just you and the physicist. Y'all have done that for years!"

Yeah, the way our tangents coincide is one of the things I love about the bfe!

"That I know! Y'all certainly don't see each other like you did when you were having your adventure in north Georgia at the lake or on that Midwest-Canada adventure."

Oh, and don't forget his birthday trip to watch the Derby Devils in Jacksonville!

"What a hoot that was!"

It really was. I wish we could still have those kinds of adventures, but he's been involved with girlfriends for the past few years. And now, now that he's getting married in the fall...

"He's doing what?!? The bfe is getting married?!? You've said nothing about that!!! That's huge news!!! Is he getting wed to chemistry Nicole?"

Why, yes, he is. They're getting married sometime between the end of the SERMACS and his birthday. So, that would be here in Savannah, sometime between mid-October and his birthday.

"Oh, my God. How could you have not said anything to me about this???"

I don't know, I guess I needed time to process it myself.

"You 'needed time to process it'? What does that mean? How long have you known?"

Well, it's been about a month, I think.

"A month?!? A MONTH?!? What???"

Yes, that's probably the reaction he was afraid I'd have to the news. That's why he'd put off telling me bout it for months, he hadn't wanted to distress me when he thought I was already distressed about stuff. Those were his words to me.

"Whoa. You have to let me catch up a little here. He'd put off telling you for MONTHS??? What does that mean???"

Here's what I know. He proposed and she accepted at some point last November. I didn't even have an inkling that they were that serious. After all, when he left Erica's house, he got his own apartment, right? I had wondered why he and Nicole had not moved in together, but I figured maybe they weren't that serious, right?

"Yeah, that would follow. He would want his own space if he wasn't going to stay with her. That makes sense."

So you would think. But when I went to his place for dinner in December, they were already engaged and he said nothing to me about her. Now, I didn't ask about her, either, so that's on me. I bet if I had asked him what was up with them, he might have said something back then. As it was, I didn't get the news from him, anyway.

"WHAT?!? Are you kidding me???"

Well, I did find out in his presence. I have to wonder if that was a set-up, like with Harry's first kiss, but it doesn't matter if it was or not, not really.

"So... just how did you find out?"

We'd dined at Hitch, the first time there for both of us. He had jokingly texted something about me "liking to get hitched", but I had passed it off. Maybe he had been hinting at his news? Pure conjecture on my part. Anyway, we'd walked over to Beach Institute for the movie. No sooner did we arrive than he ran into this woman, Jenny, that he knows... and she congratulated him on his engagement.

"Wow. I mean... wow."

Yeah. I had looked at him and looked at her and said something, then I'd left them to their conversation. When he came into the screening room, that's when he told me the details and that he'd wanted to tell me for months, but the time just never seemed right. He hadn't wanted to share his happy news with me when I was having bad times.

"He had been concerned about you not being happy for him?"

Well... I don't know that it was quite that. Who knows, right? The important thing is this: I know now. I'm really looking forward to it, too! I wonder who will be officiating for them?

"Oh, no doubt he knows others who are ordained like he is for such things."

Sure, but I wonder if maybe Cliff will be doing it? That could be quite cool.

"Well, I think you need to ask him about it! Show that you care, that you're interested, maybe even that you're willing to help him and Nicole plan the wedding..."

Um, I haven't been asked to do that last part, okay? I mean, it's not like Nicole and I have ever sat down and talked to each other. I get it, I do. I'm his friend, not hers. But you are right that I need to actively talk to him about this, because this is a major event in his life and I want him to know I'm there for him.

"Exactly."

Egg salad, did you say?

"Funny. Ha ha ha. You're hilarious."

I'm a hoot and a half, baby!
And now I need to find some papers before my 2 PM meeting with Ricky Pavelock.

"That TIAA rep?"

The one and only! He's a really straight shooter and I need to know just what is about to happen now to my retirement accounts with them. It's bad enough that my account numbers were changed with no notification to me. Now, on April 30th, some other change is going on that's threatening my retirement checks. I thank God that Ricky was going to be in town this week for me to get that hashed out!

"Wow! What excellent timing!"

Truly.
Now I must be done with sitting here, so...
later, chick!

"Later! Hope all goes well with your financial appointment!"