Sunday on the Trail

We enjoyed Alan Collins' hike this morning on the SWA Greenway Trail.

Click on photo.

Worth Avenue Stroll

Last night after our supper at Sweet Tomatoes, sixteen of us enjoyed a stroll on the avenue.

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Click on picture.

Boxing Day

We always enjoy our times with Betty and Jim Hulbert. Richard and Laura and we were hosted with potato soup and snacks. The Mexican train game is always fun.

Christmas Day

We were thrilled to be among other friends of Robert and Phoebe Dowdy invited to Christmas breakfast in their beautiful home in the sky. We couldn't have been more delighted.

In the afternoon we felt blessed by our inclusion in the family dinner hosted by Ron and Trish Bull in their beautiful home in Jupiter Farms. The upper right picture by Pete Holmes shows this extended family. It was a day to be remembered. The upper left photo is also by Pete.

City Walk

Our City Walk this morning, with 15 participating, was in the El Cid neighborhood this month. VIDEO
In the afternoon we attended the play, Leading Ladies, at the Lake Worth Playhouse.

Dining Out Christmas Party

Saturday there were 14 present when our Dining Out group enjoyed a pot luck dinner Christmas party at our Whitehall clubhouse. Richard Slocum brought a turkey with dressing. A fun time was had by all.
VIDEO

Two Movies - VALKYRIE and SEVEN POUNDS

This week we attended the pre-screening of two movies. The first one, Valkyrie, is based on the true story about an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler. I felt it was quite engaging with plenty of suspense. Anyone who didn't know the attempt failed would probably find it more gripping. Tom Cruise did a good job and the supporting actors were even better. I recommend this film to anyone but I doubt it will be in contention for the best of the year.
The next night we went to Seven Pounds staring Will Smith. I enjoyed this movie and recommend it even though the plot is implausible and many of the situations were unrealistic. I was quite confused as the story went along but still found it interesting. It seemed to get favorable reaction from many other moviegoers. I can't imagine this film receiving many favorable reviews.

Biggest Full Moon of the Year

Last night, as we enjoyed our pepperoni pizza over on Ocean Boulevard, we watched the rising of the largest full moon of the year. We didn't really see it come out of the ocean since there was the usual low cloud bank. Later, we had a delightful walk with window shopping on Worth Avenue.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamine Button is a movie I highly recommend. It's based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story about Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) who ages in reverse. It documents his life from his birth as an 80+ year old. Daisy (Cate Blanchett) passes through his life going the normal way. The age progression of the actors is done incredibly well. It's a long movie and just a bit slow in places. We attended the prescreening Wednesday evening at Muvico. At the end, the audience applauded and I wept. Expect Oscar nominations on this one.
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To see my comments on other movies, type movie in the search box at the top of this page.

Sunday

Last night we had our Palm Beach Pack and Paddle Club holiday party. (photo above)

And this morning we volunteered for the Marathon of the Palm Beaches at the water station sponsored by Obama for President volunteers. (photos on left) - - - - See Video

Thursday

Yesterday evening we attended the dress rehearsal of Leading Ladies at the Lake Worth Playhouse. It is a farce -- not my favorite type of play but well done, as always, by the L. W. players and our friend, Freda Kratka. Earlier in the evening we were hosted by Al Barash for supper and then attended a historical lecture.

ELf Dances

Check out this Dance and This One,

Thanksgiving

What a spread we had today. Sandra and Pete Holmes hosted us among the twenty or so for Thanksgiving dinner today. "The Vittles we et were good. You bet! The company was the same. And we both had a real good time."

Australia

Australia is an epic film -- the biggest of the year. We viewed a prescreening last night at Muvico. I recommend it but there were others this year I liked better. I thought they tried to do too much. The tribal magic man, King George, was a bit too hokey and the frequent coincidences bothered me. I felt the situations and performances were often unrealistic. I tend to be too critical. Jane, on the other hand, allowing for greater cinematic license than I, loved it. See it and be entertained. To view my comments on other films, type in "movie" in the search box above.

Dining Out

Twelve of us dined out last night at Havana.

Election Delight

In case anyone has a doubt, the Holdens couldn't be more delighted with the election results. This goes a long way toward redressing those woes and disappointments of the eight long years just passed.

Beautful Day for a Walk

We had 15 walkers this morning on a beautiful, cool and breezy day. We walked over the middle bridge and returned on the north bridge after breakfast at TooJays.
VIDEO

Space Shuttle Launch

Yesterday we drove up to Merritt Island and stayed overnight with Steve & Carol and watched the night launch of space shuttle Endeavor.
This evening our Frugal Dining Out Group went to an over-crowded CityPlace with many thousands of other people. We had no idea there would be such a crowd.
Liftoff - CityPalace Crowd (Falling snow visable)

Obama Campaign Closure Party

A party for Josh Phillips (pictured here), the local organizer for the Obama campaign, was tonight.

497 images from Obama campaign

Obama Headlines & Buttons

Bak Middle School of the Arts

The Bak Middle School of the Arts music department tonight presented their jazz band, chorale, string orchestra, and concert band. They thrilled us and restored our optimism for our cultural future. We've never been disappointed with a performance there.

There's Always Something Going On.

Last night we attended a fascinating lecture at the P.B. County Historical Society about the construction of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Sunday we attended the Veterans Day parade on Clematis Street. It was a disappointment -- very noisy and sloppily put together.
Saturday we enjoyed tours of The Dreyfoos School of the Arts as part of the "School on the hill" 100th anniversary.

George Hamilton / Madagascar

Yesterday Jane attended a talk by George Hamilton at The Society of the Four Arts. She said she greatly enjoyed it. Here's a picture she took:

Last night we attended a special screening of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa at Muvico. It isn't an important film but we enjoyed it.

Yes, We Did!

From "Yes, We Can!" to "Yes, We Did!" We're ecstatic and couldn't be happier. It's been an eight-year wait. Here's a video a I made at the post election party. Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

114th Birthday of West Palm Beach

This afternoon at the library we attended the 114th birthday party of the City of West Palm Beach.

There was this barbershop quartet.

Halloween

Marty and Emily Minor hosted a Halloween party last night. The hockey mama is Margie Yansura.

Fingers Crossed for Election

We attended a rally this afternoon where Caroline Kennedy spoke in support of Barack Obama. We voted early but we're eager for election day to come so we can direct our thoughts elsewhwere. It looks close so we're holding our breath. My laptop computer broke a week or so ago. I bought a new one which arrived Wednesday. Our website is no longer hosted by AOL. It may be gone forever or until I get inspired to create a new one.

Great Movie - Changeling

We can highly recommend Changeling which we saw last night at a prescreening. It is a compelling serious suspenseful drama starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Clint Eastwood. It is based on a true story which took place in the 1920s about corruption within the LAPD. The film is outstanding in its period look. See it for the great story but don't expect to have fun.

The Secret Life of Bees

At Muvico last night we saw The Secret Life of Bees. It's about troubled relationships and racial prejudice in South Carolina in the 1960s. I won't call it a "must see" but it's definitely worth seeing in spite of its flaws.

Is Summer Over?

This morning with a breezy, fresh, and welcome coolness, five of us enjoyed a delightful walk across both bridges with a breakfast stop at TooJays.
Yesterday we went downtown to the first-of-the-season greenmarket.
Friday morning we again held Obama signs. Anyone wishing to help with the Obama campaign, I urge to be in touch with me. The volunteering can be personally rewarding as well as potentially world-changing.

Theater and Politics

Yesterday morning we held signs again but this time at the corner of Congress and Palm Beach Lakes. In the evening at Muvico we took in a good movie -- Appaloosa. It is a very entertaining western with plenty of big stars. Today we went to a musical stageshow at the Cuillo Theater entitled Makeover. The cast was very good but we've seen better shows there.

Dining and Politics

Monday morning we again held Obama signs and later attended an Obama rally where Senator Barbara Boxer spoke.
This evening we went with the Dining Out group to Pei Wei in Boynton.

Music & Politics

We've been participating in the Barack Obama visibility efforts by doing a little sign-holding. It isn't much but we feel we should do something. Thursday evening we enjoyed the German band at CityPlace. Friday night we attended a most delightful concert at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall. Missy McArdle and William Stafford sang the music of Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin.

Movie Recommendation

We saw Religulous at movico last night. I recommend it for all who are willing to see the humor in religion.

The Dutchess

Thursday evening we went with 5 others and saw The Dutchess at Muvico in Boynton. It is an eighteenth century English drama with wonderful costumes and filming locations. We all enjoyed it and I can recommend it.
Saturday morning we went for the first Saturday aerobic walk at John Prince Park. Because of conflicts there were only five walkers but we had a good time (surprisingly) walking in the rain.
We saw a coral snake on the nature trail.

Frugal Dining Out

Billie and Jerry hosted Frugal Dining Out this afternoon when we picked up our dinners at China King.

Three Movies

We're back in movie mode again. This week we viewed three -- "The Women," " The Family That Preys," and "Smother." None was a "must see." All were mildly entertaining but flawed. The dialog in The Women was unrealistically clever. The family That Preys was unrealistic, predictable, and clumsily edited. Smother was funny but forgettable. I liked Diane Keaton but hated her character. I've discovered a new place to store pictures.

Luck Still Holding Out Through 6,110 Miles

With our luck still holding out after 6,110 miles and 115 days away, we returned home the night of September 18. On our return we stayed an extra day in Springfield, Illinois to see the Abraham Lincoln Museum. It was definitely a high point of our travels. We recommend it for everyone. Plan to spend the day. - The Varsity

News from the Northwoods

Here in northern Michigan we're now enjoying the change of season. It has been a good month for us -- quite different from the busy schedule we enjoyed in Duluth the previous ten weeks.
We'll leave this Saturday for Madison, Wisconsin, Springfield, Illinois and points south bringing us home on the evening of September 18. Thank you to those of you who participated in my quadrennial presidential preference poll. The final results are: Obama - 24, McCain - 13.

Photo Storage

New Photos

Waterfalls and Copper Peak

Yesterday at Copper Peak, it was a little scary going to the top of this ski slide. Also, we went to several waterfalls on the Black River. -- Click on the pictures. also: VIDEO

The Paulding Light

We took a ride Saturday and visited a waterfall and The Paulding Light. MY VIDEO VIDEOS of OTHERS

Blackjack Lodging Report

This is written for the many UMD senior renters who wanted us to be the guinea pigs for this housing alternative.

Lodging at Blackjack Ski Resort:

We are located in Bessemer, Michigan about 115 miles east of Duluth. After 5 days at Blackjack Ski Resort, here are my early findings:Our one-bedroom apartment is fairly spacious and fully furnished with comfortable chairs, TV, towels, linens, all kitchen utensils, including tableware, microwave, toaster, corn popper, etc. The kitchen area is less convenient than ours at UMD. The range is the small apartment-sized and likewise the refrigerator, unlike the full-sized appliances we enjoy at UMD. I miss the double sink the UMD kitchens have. An important note: There is no telephone and our cell phone has no service here. Cell phone service will likely be okay for most others. The bed is queen-sized. The bedroom has an additional lavatory - a nice convince for two people. The sofa is convertible to a single bed. Storage is a problem for those like us with too much stuff. We miss that extra bedroom we enjoy at UMD. The temperature has been pleasantly cool but so far we haven't required heat. The result from turning it on was nothing. In our building there are six apartments. I assume they are all essentially the same. There are a few other buildings scattered around. I think they have apartments with more bedrooms.It is very quiet here - no traffic or airplanes. At night it is completely dark the way we like it. So far, insects haven't been a problem. We can walk anywhere we like on the ski slopes with expansive views or on the gravel roads through the deep hardwood forests where we see many deer. We haven't explored beyond our immediate area but we have been told of many regional attractions. The Post Office and library are 5.5 miles away and a Super Walmart is 8.5 miles. The rental price was quoted at $400 monthly with maybe a senior discount of 10%. So far, we've paid nothing and signed nothing. They gave us the keys without even knowing our names. I'll report later about the price and other happenings. Picture One and Picture Two.

Fewer Blogs for Awhile

Expecting my blogs to be infrequent, I'm offering some archived favorite comments and pictures:
My Father
Our River Cruise
Two Harbors Walk
Tettegouche Photo
I gotta tell ya
June 23rd hike
All 89 of my videos
About Me
Our Home Page

The Big Move

We're almost back to normal after a hectic week. It was just one week ago that Jane was admitted to the hospital with atrial fibrillation. She is pretty well recovered after 5 days in the hospital and then our big move from Duluth, MN to Bessemer, MI. We're still getting settled in.

We moved into our new digs yesterday at Blackjack Ski Resort. So far, it is very much to our liking. The main problem is we don't have a telephone and our cell phone doesn't work here. We must drive 5.5 miles to a library for Internet access. This picture is of the building where we are staying, There are six units inside. The other picture is Bakers Falls, just a 10 minute walk from our apartment.