We enjoyed a pleasant evening on the avenue.

 

Entertainment Aplenty

The movie, INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, is consistent with the Coen brothers excellent film-making reputation. I liked the movie but heard many negative comments. That's understandable because it wasn't "enjoyable" but rather an interesting study of one pathetic character. I found it engaging and was impressed with the acting, directing and cinematography. I recommend it as an almost "must-see" but with the caution of what has become too common for my taste -- ungenteel language.

Tuesday at the Kravis we ushered for our favorite show of the year. Holiday Prism Concert, presented by the music department of Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, is thrilling beyond words. It is really amazing and restores hope for the future. This was the second year for this concert.

Wednesday we attended an advance screening of American Hustle. This film is highly rated and pretty nearly universally praised. It is a complicated drama about con schemes. The cast and acting is good but It isn't my kind of film. It was just too unbelievable and the language spoiled my enjoyment.

December City Walk

  Monthly City Walk was a perfect Sunday morning.

                     Annual Dining Out holiday party

Two Movies

"Saving Mr. Banks" with Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson is a film about the difficulty Walt Disney had in acquiring the film rights to "Mary Poppins" from its author. I recommend it. 
"Philomena" with Judi Dench is about a woman's search for her son who was taken away at birth fifty years earlier.  It is a compelling drama with strong characters and great acting. I highly recommend this wonderful movie.

This Week

Saturday we went on a historical tour of Jupiter lighthouse park which focused primarily upon its role in submarine warfare in world war II. Then we went to see the holiday parade in Hobe Sound.
Yesterday at Dramaworks we attended Lee Wolf's interview of Sally Ann Howes.

Two Terrific Stage Shows

Last night we previewed the latest production of Palm Beach Dramaworks, The Lion in Winter, which runs thru January 5, is a wonderful production and I highly recommend it.
The night before last (Tuesday) at the Kravis we were dazzled by the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes. It's a super show running through December 8. I can't oversell this fabulous show. Even though we had to work two consecutive shows, we didn't mind a bit.

Two Movies

Last Vegas is one of  the worst movies I've seen in my life. Intended as a comedy, it is unfunny, tasteless, disgusting, stupid, and totally without a single redeeming feature. 
Gravity has breathtaking cinematography and brilliant visual effects that transport you into space which is the reason I'm recommend this film. Be sure and see it in 3D. If you can overlook the totally implausible, contrived story, bad dialog, and so-so acting you'll enjoy it.

Sunday Morning

It was such a beautiful morning for walking that even the logistical challenges of extensive construction failed to spoil our enjoyment.

Political Polar Opposites

Many sincere, well-meaning conservatives & liberals who have the best interest of our country's future are political polar opposites. I'm discouraged about our future. How will we ever overcome this challenge to governance?

Dallas Buyers Club

Last night at Muvico we viewed an advanced screening of Dallas Buyers Club. I wouldn't be surprised to see Matthew McConaughey receive an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Ron Woodroof. I recommend this film for the acting and depiction of the sad, gritty, depraved culture so unlike ours. If you're squeamish about being immersed in this culture with its shocking behavior and language, you won't enjoy it. It was stressful and left me pretty well wrung out. See it but don't expect it to be fun.

Back Again

We've just returned from our autumn driving vacation, having traveled 3,774 miles over 12 states in 3 weeks. I'm pleased to report that our good luck is still holding out and we had very good experiences. We spent 13 nights with 11 Evergreeners, 6 with friends, 2 at International Hostel in NYC, and 1 with Jane's son. Our primary intention, to enjoy the autumn colors, was fully realized. High points included walking in NYC and two days in Disney World when we were royally hosted by our good friends, Leslie and Larry Chlebeck.

Lucky Us

                     In Georgia, gracious host, Betty,
                     has always been there for us.

                        Benefactors, Les and Larry 
                        exceed expectations.

More Evergreen Hosts

Here are Evergreeners who hosted us in New Jersey, Virginia, and South Carolina. I was a little surprised and quite delighted to find their political persuasions matched mine.

Heading Home

We're in Cape May, NJ for two nights. We had three good days in New York City (two nights in the International Hostel). I think we walked 25 miles when I became temporarily lame -- could barely walk but I seem to have recovered a little.

We've met the nicest new friends along the way on this autumn vacation. Haven't encountered a stranger yet. Isn't Evergreen great?

We had a nice drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway today and found the fall colors at their peak at the higher elevations. We've met the nicest new friends among the Evergreeners who hosted us.

On The Road Again

After only a month and a half back home, Jane and I are taking off again on another road trip. This time we hope to spend a few days in the Smoky Mountains before visiting friends in Connecticut. We hope to have two or three days in in NYC. We're looking forward to an overdue visit with our friends, Les & Larry, near Orlando. We expect to be home the first week of November.

Sunday

Yesterday, Liz Smith hosted Dining Out at Nick's Diner. Following that, Jane and I went to National Plug In Day at Centennial Park to see several dozen electric cars on display. I think we saw the future.     
                     

Summer Doldrums

We've pretty well settled in now from our summer adventures. I'm feeling lazy and I'm looking forward to cooler weather (so far, no evidence). Last night we went out to dinner at Chedders and a movie at Regal and saw Instructions Not Included. This movie was Mexican made with English subtitles. It seems to be well reviewed. It is cute and kept me awake but I wouldn't call it a "must see." The performances were unrealistic and the story unbelievable. My biggest complaint is the painfully loud music. The overall sound was okay but in spots I would have to hold my ears.

And 5,878 Miles Later...

...after 10 weeks at "summer camp for seniors," 16 nights with wonderful Evergreeners, 5 with friends, 2 with relatives, and thankfully no nights in the hospital, motel, tenting, car, jail, or under bridges, we're home. We had lots of good times, enjoyed renewing friendships and meeting some new people we liked a lot. As always, we're grateful to have survived all those potentially disastrous 5,878 miles.

We took the ferry to Mackinac Island yesterday and rode bikes 8 miles around the Island. Pictured below are our Evergreen hosts, Al and Kathy.

Begining Our Meander Home

We left Duluth about noon Wednesday and stayed with Evergreener, Carol, pictured below. The accommodations were a motel on the river -- very nice. The next 2 nights we stayed with Sarah and Jeff in Republic, MI. They took us sightseeing several places, among them was Presque Isle. (the two lower pics) The 2 other pics are from their deck.

Movie Comment

We saw Unfinished Song yesterday at a theater in Duluth. Jane and I both liked it but I had more reservations. The acting was good but several situations were contrived and unrealistic. I didn't care for the music and the choir director, Elizabeth, was cute but miscast. I recommend the movie but would not consider it a "must see."

Final Week of Summer Camp

It has been a very good summer and we're feeling so fortunate to have enjoyed it. It's always a bit sad to leave at the end of our ten weeks vacation, especially when our return is uncertain. We always say we're keeping our options open on returning but we know there will be a last time. On the final weeks we were selected for the trip to Ely. Other pictures are of  the All State Band concert (I've heard none better), the annual Fish Boil -- always fun, and the final hike.