Alan's Hike and Elliot Museum

Yesterday morning, we joined Alan Collins' hike in Jupiter and then, after breakfast, we went with others to Elliot Museum in Stuart.

WPB History -- and Glitz

Tonight, along with about 50 others, we took the history tour of Woodlawn Cemetery. I recommended it.

Last night we worked at Kravis for Priscilla Queen of the Desert. It's a dazzling show with a lots of high tech stagecraft and fantastic consumes. It be seemed to be well received but, for me, too loud and too risque.

                                       

Fourteen of us walked Lake Trail to the docks south of Royal Palm Way on this perfect morning.
Yesterday we attended the current offering at Lake Worth Playhouse, "BARNUM - THE BIG TOP MUSICAL." Jane and I both enjoyed it a lot and highly recommend it.

Volunteer Salute 2013

Last night was our annual Volunteer Salute for the Kravis volunteers. This year's theme was "Emerald Isles" with entertainment by Irish dancers.

Lilly Pulitzer

Yesterday at Bethesda-by-the-Sea church we attended the memorial service for Lillian Lee McKim Pulitzer Rousseau. (November 10, 1931 -- April 7, 2013) The church was packed.  We got decent seats because Jane knew we needed to arrive at least an hour early. I don't think those arriving on time could get in. Arrivals and departures were something of a fashion parade.

MUSINGS ON LINE 7

From the age of 17 on, I've completed line 7 of the IRS form 1040 beginning at a tiny amount, increasing only modestly through the years, then declining to miniscule with my final line 7 entry in 1999. I hope it might be instructive, if not interesting, to others how I, in those 45 years and beyond, managed to avoid money worries and the stress associated with debt. I have chosen to live below my means and defer the gratification of acquiring things. My only two departures from this were in 1957 when I borrowed for my first new car and in 1967 borrowing again to build my home. I have never had any other debts, never budgeted, and always avoided any insurance I could. I've bought many new cars -- always for cash and I always fully paid credit card bills every month. I chose to retire at age 45 and never regretted it. I recommend this to anyone wishing to avoid money-worries.  To the many who suffer the anxiety of always being on the edge of insolvency, I say, buy only what you require and enjoy the peace and comfort that comes with surplus cash. Another tip: If possible, defer taking your social security pension as long as possible. It is the best saving plan available these days. And finally: With having developed frugality skills, the challenge at my age, is turning assets into income and getting over the aversion to spending.

The Music Never Stops

Last night we ushered for the Palm Beach Symphony's concert entitled Inspired By Spain. I was quite surprised to find this orchestra which we hadn't heard in years was so good. Last week we couldn't have been more delighted with the Palm Beach Pops' concert of show music. We're always suckers for musical theater. Jane's bad cold the previous week caused her to miss Jekyll & Hyde at The Kravis. I enjoyed it and it seemed to be well received.

Sunday Fun

We had a good hike this morning and then attended the Gay Pride parade in Lake Worth.

Historical Movie

Last night we viewed the doumentary movie, "Black Wall Street", about the terrible mob lynching and massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921 -- an event which seems to have been hidden. I want to know why this historical event is so little known. You can view the film here. To avoid being sickened, the first several minutes could be skipped.

The date was June 1, 1921, when "Black Wall Street," the name fittingly given to one of the most affluent all-Black communities in America, was bombed from the air and burned to the ground by mobs of envious whites. In a period spanning fewer than 12 hours, a once thriving 36-Black business district in northern Tulsa lay smoldering--a model community destroyed, and a major African -American economic movement resoundingly defused.

I was reminded of the Rosewood Massacre of 1923 which also is mostly lost history.

Saint Patrick's Day Walk

Better Week

I'm glad to say I'm feeling much better this week.

Sunday, a week ago, we ushered for the Boston Pops Orchestra at The Kravis Center. It was a delightful concert and we felt lucky to be there.
Tuesday we ushered for the sold out house for Billy Elliot at The Kravis Center. I enjoyed it but had too high expectations. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I could have been down front and not working. Saturday we attended the open house of The Four Arts’ new Dixon Education Building. (pics below) You should see the wonderful renovation. And right after that, we went to see a performance of The Foreigner at Lake Worth Playhouse. It's a comedy and as we've come to expect from LWPH, very well done. I recommend it.

                          

Lost Week

Last Sunday we went to the street painting in Lake Worth (pictures below), then, in the evening we enjoyed the "Oscars" on TV -- something we never miss. It was pretty much a lost week with my undiagnosed ailment and Jane's routine eye exam turning to disaster from a clinical error. She's about back to normal today. I spent the week agonizing over the labyrinthine and convoluted income tax return instructions.

This Week

Yesterday Jane and I drove out to Okeechobee to join her son, Steve and his wife, Carol for a picnic. Then last night, we went to a delightful outdoor performance of theatrical music by four singers. Last Tuesday at The Kravis, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra replaced the originally scheduled, Pittsburgh Symphony. It was excellent and well received. Wednesday we viewed all five of the Academy Award nominated documentary shorts. They are all worthy competitors and choosing a favorite is difficult.

Twelve of us braved the coldest morning of the year and enjoyed an exhilarating walk.

Last night at Muvico we viewed Quartet. The story takes place in a retirement home for musicians. I'm glad we saw it but, because of weaknesses and flaws, we don't recommend it.

Last week at the Kravis, we ushered for Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and Palm Beach Pops Orchestra. We liked the Pops so much, the next day we took our Evergreen guests. Saturday we went to Everglades Day Festival and then, Sunday, on my birthday, we had a fun bus trip to Miami Beach with the Art Deco Society.

Chadda and John Shelly invited us birding today and it turned out to be a perfect day.

Film & Stage Recommendations

The Impossible is an excellent film I have no hesitation in declaring a "must see movie."  It is a compelling, true story about one family caught in the horrible, devastating 2004 tsunami. The brilliant acting and directing make it shockingly realistic so be prepared to be emotionally engaged.
Also, Jane and I both highly recommend the Lake Worth Playhouse production of The Drowsy Chaperone, a very funny musical comedy playing through February 3. Don't miss it. Synopsis
Mary Poppins is running at Kravis Center through Feb. 3. We saw it on opening night, Tuesday and recommend it. I would call it a lavish "spare-no-expense" production. Everyone seemed pleased but had the same complaint of not understanding the speech especially of the women and children.
Last night -- Wednesday, we attended a pre-opening performance of A Raisin in the Sun by Dramaworks. The entire cast is excellent and received a standing ovation. It runs through March 3.

China National Symphony Orchestra

Last night we ushered at Kravis for China National Symphony Orchestra. It appeared to me to be the largest orchestra I had ever seen on the Kravis stage. The first half of the program consisted of works of Chinese composers and after intermission was Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben. All was delightful and well received. I found the Chinese music to be most beautiful.

Inauguration Day

I'm glad I watched the inaugural events today. I wonder if others found the president's speech as inspirational and moving as I did. We watched all day today and at times I found myself thrilled and teary.
Poem I liked: One Today