Amelia, Aunt Charlotte and Aunt Caroline
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Pat Conroy Tribute
Pat Conroy has written the most lyrical and disturbing of books on many levels. I have read and reread each and every one several times (South of Broad was, imo, the exception.)
Great movies have also been made. We have watched The Great Santini so many times over the years. I was disappointed in the Streisanderization of the Prince of Tides, but the scenery is incredible.
My favorite Pat Conroy novel: Beach Music.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Wow, LBT and Martina!
I had the privilege of first seeing LBT in a concert w/ Martina McBride a few years ago. I didn't see this TV program last night, but courtesy of You Tube ...
Monday, April 18, 2011
ECPB and Maddie
So, I am down in the dumps after working until after 8 pm without time for lunch, efiling state taxes and dropping the paper federal taxes at the post office (mailing a portion of the "amount you owe" so the entire amount is not drafted out of our account with efile), then paying $40.00 for just enough gas to drive to Columbia and back tomorrow. We did enjoy the East Coast Party Band at the Blessing of the Fleet yesterday. Maddie and Jack tried to entertain us at the end of the day, but too much goofing off and only one small song sample. Well, it lifted my spirits just a bit.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Palm Sunday
It seemed a little odd to only have Jack and Maddie at mass on Palm Sunday (Carrie had to work and getting out of bed on the weekend seems to be more than Charlotte can manage). All did well for the first portion on the lawn then it was off to Miss Maricela with Maddie. Jack does fairly well in mass although he was restless enough after this long mass for me to take outside after the Eucharist.
We spent the afternoon @ the Blessing of the Fleet in Mt. Pleasant. The children expended an incredible amount of energy, suffered skint knees, and still felt like arguing with each other all the way home (I hope their mom comes to get them soon).
We spent the afternoon @ the Blessing of the Fleet in Mt. Pleasant. The children expended an incredible amount of energy, suffered skint knees, and still felt like arguing with each other all the way home (I hope their mom comes to get them soon).
Saturday Easter Egg Hunt @ the Museum, etc.
Carrie and I had an early am shopping trip @ Belks Charity Day Sale - great deals and for a cause, but best to be there between 6 and 7 am.
We took Jack and Maddie to the Charleston Museum for an early Easter event: crafts and an egg hunt. Jack found the golden egg (with a little help from a volunteer).
We had lunch @ Juanita Greenburg's as they seem to tolerate rude behavior and only a block away from the Children's Museum where we spent the afternoon. Jack and Maddie were very excited to see Cinderella's Carriage pass by as we headed to the parking garage.
The kids spent the early evening stalking the nursing home cat as we visited Grandma Nancy.
We had lunch @ Juanita Greenburg's as they seem to tolerate rude behavior and only a block away from the Children's Museum where we spent the afternoon. Jack and Maddie were very excited to see Cinderella's Carriage pass by as we headed to the parking garage.
The kids spent the early evening stalking the nursing home cat as we visited Grandma Nancy.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Happy 5th Birthday Maddie!
We began the afternoon by picking up Jack and Maddie from their latest daycare then going to get Maddie's bangs trimmed. We then met the rest of the crew for Maddie to open her presents and take the princess scooter out for a test run.
Later ... $55 for two pizzas, 5 drinks and a few tokens at Chuck E. Cheese hell.I have avoided that place for years and the reasons why came roaring back as soon as we stepped through the doors. Oh well it must be love although even Maddie knew to ask me if I was sick when I told her that her birthday surprise would be a trip to Chuck E. Cheese!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Movie Reviews
We still love going to the movies and have been able to work in a movie each of the past two weekends.Gene chose both movies so my expectation of "action flicks" was fulfilled.
The first was Source Code with Jake Gyllenhaal.I found the constant return to the scene of the train crash unbearable at times, but noted that the terror of the crash diminished with each return to the scene. I will give this movie a thumbs up as it does work on several levels. It is an interesting concept and it took me a little while to figure out the main character's state of being.The ending? I was not a science major and do not like having to think in terms of quantum physics to determine plot twists. So, while thought provoking, the conclusion did not have me talking about the ending more than the ride home. Gene loved Source Code.
This past weekend we used a free movie ticket, courtesy of the Regal Crown Card, and only had to purchase a second ticket to spend a comfortable Sunday evening with The Adjustment Bureau. I enjoy Matt Damon more than Jake Gyllenhaal so this was my favorite of the two movies. This movie also layers messages, but I figured out the references 10 minutes into the movie. The next 30 minutes were spent trying to stay awake despite mainlining 20 ounces of Diet Dr. Pepper. Finally the caffiene began coursing through my blood stream and I was able to engage in the "will they or won't they be allowed free will and spend their lives together" plot with eyes wide open.
Please, my free will would have been difficult to rein in and I would have told Matt Damon to get lost after all the times he left me hanging over the years. And was that not Will Smith's cousin or some close relation? I give this movie a thumbs up compared to the rest of the current crop of movies. Gene liked this one as well.
I say I have done my duty and it is my turn to select the next movie. I choose Water for Elephants. I hope the producers do not mess up this one. At least, I really liked the book. Sarah Gruen is a decent writer and produces enough material to keep me satisfied. Not every book can be the "Great American Novel." In fact, the "Great American Novel" was a movie (in the opinion of my 12th grade English teacher, Mr. Frank Austell).
Yes, my AP English teacher, sat on the front of his desk one Monday morning and said "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have seen the Great American Novel" as he launched into a description of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky. So, we went on a field trip the next afternoon to see Rocky then wrote essay after essay that week comparing the story line to various works of literature. I discovered Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night in the 9th grade and have yet to be persuaded it is not the Great American Novel. Yet, Mr. Austell's description of Rocky remains with me to this day.
I know, but you have to place yourself in that time. It was the winter of 1977 and the only decent sequel, Rocky 2, was more than a year away. The horror of Rocky 3, 4, and 5 had not yet been devised ( I think Adrienne only had one line in each of those sequels: Rocky, you can't win!). The Rambo movies were still a gleam in Stallone's brain. Watch Rocky again some time, it is a really good movie and stands alone.
The first was Source Code with Jake Gyllenhaal.I found the constant return to the scene of the train crash unbearable at times, but noted that the terror of the crash diminished with each return to the scene. I will give this movie a thumbs up as it does work on several levels. It is an interesting concept and it took me a little while to figure out the main character's state of being.The ending? I was not a science major and do not like having to think in terms of quantum physics to determine plot twists. So, while thought provoking, the conclusion did not have me talking about the ending more than the ride home. Gene loved Source Code.
This past weekend we used a free movie ticket, courtesy of the Regal Crown Card, and only had to purchase a second ticket to spend a comfortable Sunday evening with The Adjustment Bureau. I enjoy Matt Damon more than Jake Gyllenhaal so this was my favorite of the two movies. This movie also layers messages, but I figured out the references 10 minutes into the movie. The next 30 minutes were spent trying to stay awake despite mainlining 20 ounces of Diet Dr. Pepper. Finally the caffiene began coursing through my blood stream and I was able to engage in the "will they or won't they be allowed free will and spend their lives together" plot with eyes wide open.
Please, my free will would have been difficult to rein in and I would have told Matt Damon to get lost after all the times he left me hanging over the years. And was that not Will Smith's cousin or some close relation? I give this movie a thumbs up compared to the rest of the current crop of movies. Gene liked this one as well.
I say I have done my duty and it is my turn to select the next movie. I choose Water for Elephants. I hope the producers do not mess up this one. At least, I really liked the book. Sarah Gruen is a decent writer and produces enough material to keep me satisfied. Not every book can be the "Great American Novel." In fact, the "Great American Novel" was a movie (in the opinion of my 12th grade English teacher, Mr. Frank Austell).
Yes, my AP English teacher, sat on the front of his desk one Monday morning and said "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have seen the Great American Novel" as he launched into a description of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky. So, we went on a field trip the next afternoon to see Rocky then wrote essay after essay that week comparing the story line to various works of literature. I discovered Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night in the 9th grade and have yet to be persuaded it is not the Great American Novel. Yet, Mr. Austell's description of Rocky remains with me to this day.
I know, but you have to place yourself in that time. It was the winter of 1977 and the only decent sequel, Rocky 2, was more than a year away. The horror of Rocky 3, 4, and 5 had not yet been devised ( I think Adrienne only had one line in each of those sequels: Rocky, you can't win!). The Rambo movies were still a gleam in Stallone's brain. Watch Rocky again some time, it is a really good movie and stands alone.
Josie: a dog with a job!
Don't let this sweet face fool you. Josie isn't always resting. Josie's main job, established during her first few months of life, appears to be the irrigation (trenches) and aeration (holes) of the backyard.
Josie took on the job of keeping the backyard clear of vermin during her first year with us. Josie does allow certain cat buddies in the backyard, but they have to have already established a relationship of mutual respect before entrance is granted.
Josie has killed three possums over the years (decapitating two of them before Gene could get them away from her), several frogs, and many bugs and bees over the years. Squirrels are more of a game than quarry. Josie loves to chase squirrels, but they make it up the trees quickly. Now these creatures aren't so lucky:
This was Josie's second snake in two nights. Sunday night's snake was a garden variety, but this fatboy had the triangular head. We think it was a copperhead. Gene usually tries to relocate snakes, but Josie has other ideas (shaking them to death, gutting them, etc.)
It is that time of the year and this fatboy was in the monkey grass lining the shale walkways in our backyard.
Be careful where you step! And, good job Josie!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe and Todd Martin @ the Family Circle Cup 2011: Game, Set, Rock !
A fun night of tennis at the Family Circle Cup on Daniel Island. John McEnroe and Todd Martin were up first in a 2 set match. John took the match handily.
My favorites, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, then joined the guys for an amplified doubles match. Chris and John were paired against Martina and Todd. The best part of this exhibition is that all the players have a microphone so most of their comments are for the entertainment of the crowds.
I hope to be able to take a week of leave and volunteer next year so I can enjoy the games and activities every day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)