i think i'll keep it

Back in July, Smitty had given me this air conditioner.
He had someone who was moving out of a rental and no longer needed it.
"Was I interested? Would I use it if he installed it?"
I had answered "yes" to both questions.
So, I have had the GE Energy Star 115-volt window air conditioner ever since.
I have kept it on the "ECO" setting, which allows the fan and compressor to shut off periodically for a respite.
I'd hoped that setting, as well as having the thermostat at 78 °F (at night) to 81 °F (during the day), would keep my electric bill from getting jacked up.
After all, I'm 'retired' now and on a fixed income.
(smile)
It seems that I've been on a fixed - and very low - income ever since the central air conditioning failed on me.
That was about this time of year, back in the fall semester of 2013.
My third year as a temporary full-time instructor had ended in May of 2013, after the spring semester had done the same.
I had hoped for a fourth year extension, as Will Lynch had granted such to Jon Sanborn... however, none was forthcoming in my direction.
Anywho, that's all old news now, isn't it?
Yes, indeed it is.
So, as I was saying, I've not had central AC for some few years now.
The Peace Guy had gifted me with a portable unit when he left. It was an LG 7000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, good for cooling small rooms of 200 square feet or less.
I had used it in my bedroom at night, but I had a problem with water leaking under the box I had it on. In fact, it ruined one portion of my carpet and probably the wood floor beneath. So, after 2014, I let it be.
The physicist made use of it last summer when he stayed with me. I know his girlfriend didn't care for the heat, but she was here almost every weekend. They only had the AC when they were in the guest room.

I truly have to thank the bfe for those four months of his company and his financial input to my income. Oh, and thanks, too, for the modifications to the off-the-floor setup for that portable unit. Placed atop a sturdy wooden crate, with a large plastic container under the water drain, I've enjoyed its power in my dining room. True, it didn't keep the room quite comfortable during the day, but it certainly took the edge off the summer's heat.
I still use it to dehumidify at night.
So, here's the big question: how much is this window unit costing me?
The answer: not as much as I had feared!
I've received the new bill from Georgia Power for keeping my house at a comfortable temperature. It's only about twenty-two dollars more than I had been paying!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
I'll see how the bill is next month, just to be sure...
but, hallelujah!
Thank you, Smitty, for thinking of me with this gift of cool.
Thank you, Smitty and Tony, for installing it for me.
Thank You, God, for this blessing.

Elvis at 33

I had such a wonderful time watching "Elvis" at the Regal Cinema tonight with Carolyn!
I had expected more of a concert, but the special reminded me of those fun variety shows back in the late 60's and early 70's that I had so enjoyed when I was growing up.
"Hee Haw", "Carol Burnett", "The Muppet Show", "Mac Davis", "Sonny & Cher" - all were formatted in this same manner, with comedic skits interspersed with musical numbers.
Those were all fabulous fun - and so was this!
The skits also reminded me of the delicious sense of humor Elvis had - very nice!
Plus, as a bonus for this 50th anniversary of the television event, an exclusive look at the making of the special was included, featuring insights from producer Steve Binder and from Priscilla Presley. For instance, I had not realized that the show was not filmed in live time, but other the course of four days. That's a long time in black leather!
I had also not realized that "If I Can Dream" was written for Elvis after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. The use of the song as the finale for the television special was to emphasize the importance of its lyrics.
That's how much the song meant to Elvis.
Fifty years ago, this Southern man was preaching about harmony between the races.
Fifty years ago.
Wow.

After the movie, Carolyn kept saying she had forgotten how handsome Elvis Presley had been.
I told her I always thought he reminded me of my Daddy.
Both men were close in age, with Daddy just a year younger.
Both had been Southern-born, to poor church-going families.
Both had similar genetic backgrounds, with dark, wavy hair and blue eyes and good cheekbones and chins.
But I was Daddy's girl and Daddy was the one I knew first, Daddy was the one I heard sing first, Daddy was the one.
Elvis reminds me of my Daddy...
and I only realized that today.
i thank You, God.

pancake, pancake...waffle!

Odd Lot, thanks for the breakfast idea!
After hearing the debate about "waffles or pancakes" on Thursday, then the bedtime story with pancakes last night, my mind was made up!
On my way home, I picked up blueberry ...
Well, look and see for yourself!

Think along the lines of "duck, duck, goose".
Yes, I realize it's a children's game, but stay with me here.
On Thursday evening, after the talk at the Telfair, I bopped over to Odd Lot.
After all, I had parked south of Liberty Street, where the parking is free and the skies are not cloudy all day.
(C'mon, ya gotta sing it!)
The wild Odd Lot crew roam freely there, you know.
(smile)

That bunch had switched up their schedule on me.
That day of the week was now "Thunderdome Thursday" and was a no-holds-barred slew of skits.
"Switch Change" was one of those,
with Bill Cooper (channeling John Wayne!) and Sam debating "pancakes versus waffles" while Soucyman and Chad waited to switch in (or was that change?) - and take their turn to don that blue hat!
Hilarious!

Of course I also loved "The Dating Game",
played a little earlier that night.
Meet Cyntheeya, the bachelorette,
who billed herself as a 'hedge fund manager'.
True occupation of the bracelet-wearing chick?
Lawn care specialist!
Hahahaha hahaha!
(Thanks for that paronomasia, Chad!)
And I can hear you now: who were the bachelors for
this coquettish babe?
Well, there was Bill as a country-hick taxidermist
that specialized in squirrels.

The Soucy had to portray a fearful creature, my clown, chosen especially for him!
(Hey, that's an inside joke, y'all!)
But that middle guy, Sam, was my favorite.
Yes, Bachelor #2 was an android who most desired to be a real boy, much like "K" had in "Blade Runner 2049".
Thanks for the reminder of that fabulous movie...
and of Ryan Goesling's touching performance in it.

And what of pancakes and waffles?
Just that one reference to them by the Odd bunch?
Patience, patience, I'm almost there...

But first, an interlude with the sold-out Saturday Shenanigans of last night!
Travis-of-the-yellow-stockings was throwing a disco party - that's my jam, y'all! -
and had some of the zaniest guests!
Elvis was in the house, rocking out in the shades and the "Blue Hawaii" shorts!
(The King approves of your good moves, Zach!)
Lynita was doing The Zombie, literally, and eating up the stage while dancing with Dom,
who had bared his beloved bellybutton for all to admire!
I only wish I could have been dancing with them!
(smile!)

No pancakes in that scene, but here they were!
This three-headed storyteller (with Lynita, Zach, and Skyler) told the bedtime tale:
"In The Morning, We Will Have Pancakes".
Say what?
Not only had the title echoed a favorite PFS movie that hailed from Czechoslovakia, but it also gave a 'call back' about the morning food featured on Thursday.
That's enough coincidence for me to know I was in the right place, right time!
i thank You, God!

i feel... pretty good!

I was almost ready to slip over the cliff into slumberland...
when I was jostled awake by the two songs that had kept me company earlier,
now vying for my attention and insisting on pen and paper.
So, I reached over to my bedstand...
and none was awaiting my hand.
Ack!
(By the way, thank you, Sheldon Cooper, for interjecting that nonsensical word into my lexicon, along with a visual image of the "Cathy" comic strip that had originally introduced the word to me.)
Consequently, I had to get out of bed, seek paper and writing implement, and record what my nearly-asleep self insisted to be important.
Here it is.
Try to sing along, please.
Thanks.

***** ***** *****
I feel good, I knew that I would

I feel pretty, oh so pretty

Yeah, I feel good, I knew that I would

I feel pretty and witty and gay!

So good, so good

And I pity any girl who isn't me today!

I got you!
***** ***** *****

Pardon me, now, it's been quite the busy day and I'm off to the land of sweet dreams...
(smile)

half past four and i'm shifting gears

A little "Radar Love" would feel pretty righteous right now, it would, to re-energize my body.
Instead, I'm having a quick bit of scone and iced coffee, as I've had naught for nourishment since breakfast.
That was at 9:30 this morning.
Ninety minutes later, I was at the MLK, Jr. Arena, along with a few hundred other hopefuls, for Central Casting's second date in Savannah.
I've been there ever since.

The first three hours were spent sitting in the stands,
just waiting for the section I was in to have our turn.
Sections 25, 27, 29, and 31 already had people.
I was told to sit in Section 26, which was about
half-full when I arrived.
Most of the people there were children, and most of those
were younger than ten years old, with their moms if not
their entire families.
Let's just say the scene was loud and very busy.
The parents had simply not prepared to entertain the kids
for such a long wait.
The snack bar in 7X kept quite busy!

Then, progress!
We were given a sheaf of papers on a clipboard:
paperwork to complete our registration for, and potential hiring with, Central Casting.
Then, to stand, in area 3124, rather than sit.
This upside-down alien smiley face cheered me on!
Then came the worst part - standing and waiting in a very slow-moving line for more than two hours to submit the paperwork, have identity verified for employment,

and have a trio of official photos taken.
The first smiley face had greeted me so humorously at a quarter past 2 PM.
By the time the doubled-up line had moved and uncoiled and shifted around to allow me to face it again, I'd been standing for seventy-five minutes.
I managed to keep myself entertained, and those around me, for the most part.
Mostly, I hummed "I Feel Good" or "I Feel Pretty" and

danced in place to those happy songs.
(smile)
I also made friends with Maggie's mom.
They were transplanted Michiganders and we took turns holding places in the line for each other, for bathroom breaks and their snack breaks.
Maggie is going to be a chemist on Mars!
(smile)

Then, suddenly, a dog was there with us!
How auspicious for this year, n'est-ce pas?
Finally, we could see the end of the registration table - our ordeal was almost over...
and Maggie and her mom were going to make their
5 PM birthday swim-party after all!
The time was then 4:21 PM.
We were done and out the door in less than another
ten minutes.
Now, we had to await the call to be an extra in...
the Disney movie which would be filming here!
(Rumor has it that the film will be a live-action update of "The Lady and The Tramp"!!!)
Woohoo!!!
Sadly, though, I had missed my call time at the Lucas.
I had contacted Joe of NY to let him know what was going on, so the good folks there wouldn't think I was standing them up.
That was about an hour ago... the second time I was facing the alien smiley.
For me to make it to the Lucas before the 5 PM start time of the dance recital, something special would be needed.
One of the girls ahead of us wore a shirt with some good advice.
"Paris is just a unicorn ride away!"
Sadly, no unicorns were standing by to whisk me to my destination.
I guess the caffeine in my drink will have to do the trick.
Away I go!
Wish me luck!
(smile)

captured coasts

This was a definitely different thing to do on a Friday night.
An unfamiliar place had popped up on my radar and, as they had a free event, with reception, I'd opted to check them out.
I'm so glad I did!
Mary Edna Fraser is about my age, perhaps a few years older.
Like me, she grew up loving the beach and the salt marshes of the lowcountry.
Tonight, she was at One Hundred Miles as part of their "Nature And The Arts" series.
Her "Climate Change and Georgia's Coast: How Art Can Inspire Change" was based on aerial photographs (snapped from her family's 1940's-era aircraft) she'd taken over the past few decades. The 'art' was expressed in the form of batik paintings she made, based on those coastal views.
By the way, creating those art pieces is quite a physical act, as shown here, and takes sometimes months to complete. Good for her!
Such a beautiful way to capture those changing coastlines and marshes!
I wouldn't mind having a series of her works for my Ocean Room.
(smile)
i thank You, God, for my presence here tonight.

Now, on to a more-usual Friday night activity: hanging out with las tres amigas! I'm off to see the 9:05 screening of "Crazy Rich Asians" with Barbara and Sandy, plus Carolyn!
What a magnificent way to close out this day!

a belle and a glimpse of heaven

She is nameless, but that does not detract from her beauty.
No, I speak not of the nineteenth century woman, but of her dress.
The peach satin draws me close every time I visit the Telfair Academy, no matter the reason for my presence there.
Walter MacEwen gave the gown so much texture that my fingers long to make contact with the lustrous fabric, to catch its weight along my arm, to feel it on my cheek!
(smile)
But something was different about the dress this time.
A subtle change in lighting had me investigating "A Belle of 1810" from different angles, trying to discern what had caught my eye..
and then I knew what it was!
The skirt and bodice of the gown is lined, allowing no passage of light...
but the sleeves...
the sleeves only had a lining at the shoulder, for support...
that luminescence within the sleeves were her milky arms.
The sleeves were lace, not satin!
Amazing!
I could not believe I had not noticed that detail before!
Of course I immediately shared the news with Calli Laundre.
The young manager knows me by name and had greeted me as I walked in.
(smile)
We had spoken briefly about the painting, so I knew she liked it, too.
(smile)
She had never noticed the lacy sleeves, either...
how wonderful to have shared that knowledge with her!
Very nice!

I was there for the lecture and reception for a new exhibit, Savannah Families Abroad.
Subtitled "The Consumption of Culture in The Nineteenth Century", the talk introduced us to the late-in-life travels in Europe of the three Telfair sisters... and the curios they collected during their journeys.
Mary, Sarah, and Margaret had wonderful taste and returned to Georgia with fine dishes and lovely glassware and exquisite paintings and sculptures...
filling this building which was their home at the time...
then giving the home and its contents to the city to share with all.
Very nice!

Perhaps I should make sure the bits of art I've accumulated will also be shared.
I have a painting and vase and rocking chair from my two years in Panama.
Oh, and a marble-topped coffee table, too!
From Okinawa, I have my "Geisha" pattern china. I also still have a few odd pieces of my stoneware, not given away like the rest.
Then, from the USO tours to Taiwan and Hong Kong, back in 1981, I have heavy brass mementos: unicorns and dragons, oh my!
And, of course, there are the three coffee mugs I use, too.
I think I have the jade jewelry I had given to Mama in the safe deposit box...
Yes, I'm sure that's where those pieces are.
Plus, my mink blanket and pink satin blanket... more of Okinawa in my closets.
Maybe another talk with Calli is in order to discuss donating the items.

For now, I'm going to take in Odd Lot's show.
It's been a long time since I've made their Thursday Old Time Radio Hour!
That will be a definite treat to finish this evening spent in old times.
(smile)
So long, my dears!

still on summer kid time!

"People say nothing is impossible... but I do nothing all day."
Those words were uttered by Winnie the Pooh in "Christopher Robin".
I must say, I concur.
School may have started for the Fall semester and for dinosaurs, but not for me.
I am doing nothing all day, just like Pooh, and find it remarkably easy to accomplish over the course of the day.
Nothing is not impossible - nothing is absolutely possible!
(smile)

Yes, I've let my anything-is-possible 18-year-old come out to play!
After all, no school for me translates as no school for her, either.
Time for a bit of a Summer Kid Film Festival!

"The Darkest Minds" was the first viewed.
I don't know why Carolyn refused to come see it.
I found it to remind me of "Saban's Power Rangers", which I had enjoyed, but without costumes.
I very much liked the references to "Watership Down", a book I had read so many, many years ago, but which still leaves a good "taste" in my mind.
(smile)

Carolyn did agree to come out for "Christopher Robin"!
Even though she had already seen it, she joined me gladly.
I can certainly understand why!
What a delightfully funny movie!
It reminded me of "Paddington 2", another old-timey movie she and I had seen together.
This time, though, it was not the mother that rediscovers that "family comes first".
Nope, it was the father.
Nice!

i thank You, God, for these golden days with plenty of nothing to do!

birthday party at chuck e cheese!

Not my birthday, silly!
This was the celebration of Junior's 9th!
His actual birthday was last month,
when he was with his mom and stepfather.
This party was with his dad's folks -
more presents, more cake, more fun!
I know he really liked that!
(smile)

The party at Chuck E. Cheese's began promptly at 1:30 PM, not one minute earlier.
(smile)
Leila and Alyssa tried to help their mom keep tabs on baby Miyah...
but they all needed to run a bit faster!
That littlest girl is surprisingly quick on her feet!

So they had a thought -
rather than chase her, put her in the teacup
and set it to spinning!
Oh, yes, she is in there with them!
See that little hand near the middle,
reaching toward Alyssa on the left?
That's the littlest girl!

Here are Leila and Alyssa on their own.
I mean, without the tiny girl.
(smile)
Why was the photo so blurry?
Well, I'd gotten my own personal pizza,
and eaten most of it, too...
but had pepperoni grease on my fingers.
Oops!

Then there's this photo!
Fingers cleaned, lens cleared, too,
I captured Michael's bevy of blondes
bundled and bountiful!
(smile)

As for Christian, Junior, he was,
literally, flying high!
Honestly, if I had thought the machine
would have allowed me to do so,
I would have been flying, too!

Still, he did manage to come back down
to Earth for cake time, with family
and friends gathered near...
like Chuck E. Cheese, himself,
and a few musical aliens, too,
like Munch, the purple guy!

In fact, Munch even led the band
in the singing of "Happy Birthday"!
All the adults were sure to whip out
their phones to record that for later!
We all sang along, too!
(smile)

Then it was time for opening gifts!
Here the birthday boy is, with the
present his almost-aunt Tina -
that would be me, folks -
had special ordered three months ago.
He really liked it, too!

Here's what it looked like when it
wasn't being waved around by 9 year old!
It's BB8, that new little
robot that rolls right into your heart.
(smile)
What I really liked was that the flannel
wrap fits right into the bookbag
so he can carry it anywhere!

Then, off all the players scattered,
trading tokens with the machines for
lots and lots of tickets!
Then to trade those tickets for
candy! prizes! superlarge pirate hats!
(smile)
Seriously!

Dad even wore the goofy pirate hat,
grinning like the good sport he is!
What a wonderful second 9th birthday!
Thanks, Christina, for planning so'
much fun for four hours for all!
(smile)




i thank You, God, for family fun!