Thursday

With seven planned stops along the way, Tuesday, May 28 is the departure date for our 11th summer trip to what Jane sometimes refers to as "summer camp for seniors." We can hardly wait to go and join our friends in this annual escape from the heat.  I wish you could all join us.


Last night we ushered for the Palm Beach Dramaworks production of Dancing at Lughnasa. The Mundy sisters make the most of their simple existence in rural Ireland in this poignant, Tony Award-winning memory play, told from the perspective of the youngest daughter's son. We enjoyed and recommend this production which runs through June 16.

Sunday City Walk

We had a small but delightful group of walkers this morning for our final City Walk of the season. We missed many who have already taken flight to escape the looming summer doldrums. Jane and I will soon be following and returning for our eleventh summer to our "summer camp for seniors."

Our Dining Out group at Joy Noodles.

Remember James Sullivan?

Friday morning we went to an estate sale in Palm Beach at the mansion of James Sullivan, the former husband of Lita McClinton. Sullivan escaped arrest by fleeing abroad. On July 2, 2002, he was arrested in Thailand, and in 2004, he was extradited to Atlanta. In March 2006, Sullivan was convicted of capital murder for arranging the 1987 shooting of his wife and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

          Frugal Dining Out at Panama Hattie's

Monday night at Muvico we viewed the movie "42" the life story of Jackie Robinson and his history-making signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey. Jane and I both enjoyed it and recommend it.


Tuesday at the Kravis we ushered for Shen Yun, a Chinese classical dance company and orchestra. I hadn't seen anything like this unusual entertainment before. We enjoyed it and recommend it.

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.