Christmas Week

 

It was a fairly quiet week with the exception of Christmas Night (1:30 AM) when I awoke with a kidney stone attack. Jane took me to the hospital emergency room, stayed awhile, then picked me up around  8:00 AM. I still wasn't feeling well Friday night when we led the Worth Avenue Stroll pictured above. There were 21 strollers and the weather was nice.

Three Movies This Week

Jane and I both loved Les Misérables and highly recommend it. Those who don't care for opera or musical films or adaptations of stage productions might not appreciate it. For those unfamiliar with the story, it could be challenging to follow. The whole production from the extreme close-ups and vocal styles to the pacing and the near absence to spoken dialog makes it unique in cinema. Knowing the story and having already experienced the thrill of previous stage productions, we were captivated again. Kudos to everyone involved!

Promised Land is a so-so message movie, regrettably rather weak on the environmental concerns. It's small-town locations are realistic but events are too contrived. I was glad we went but I was hoping for better.

Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy where every character is need of psychological therapy. It is funny, poignant, and a bit sad. It is very entertaining but not a "must see."

On this morning's walk, which included The Breakers Hotel and Bethesda-By-The-Sea church, we had twenty-two walkers.

Worried & Depressed

Our hearts are broken by the tragic school shooting yesterday in Connecticut. There seems to be little hope in preventing this increasing occurrence of senseless gun violence.

The problem of the looming "fiscal cliff" has me worried too. The political polarization and the disinclination to compromise seems to be an ongoing problem without solution. The next election is the main concern of our elected representatives. Where are the statesmen and those who are concerned about the long term welfare of all the people?

     Palm Beach County Democratic Party Holiday  Celebration at Airport Hilton

For twenty-one years Jane and I have ushered at The Kravis Center and have enjoyed memorable performing arts programs of all sorts. Last night, after we ushered there for Holiday Prism Concert presented by the music department of Dreyfoos School of the Arts, we both agreed that we never enjoyed a concert any more than that one.

Serena Rinker hosted yesterday's Dining Out holiday party attended by 19.

Tuesday, Jane and I attended a pre-release screening of Hitchcock. It was mainly about Alfred Hitchcock's life around the time he made Psycho. Mostly it depicted his marital relations and his problems with studio bosses. It held my interest but I wouldn't call it a "must see."

Wednesday evening we ushered for Palm Beach Dramaworks' production of Edward Allbee's play, A Delicate Balance. The play had less appeal to me than others I've seen there but the cast was excellent. It was quite long and fairly complicated and no doubt contained meanings too obscure for this simpleton.

Et Cetera

Catching up on previous weeks:

6th - Ushered at Kravis for Palm Beach Pops "Autumn in
         New York."
7th - Took guests, Shelly, Kratka, & Cirigliano to "Autumn in
         New York."
13th - Ushered at Kravis for Catch Me IF You Can.
16th - Attended an excellent lecture by Phil Leto on the recent election.
19th - Attended an excellent lecture by Dr. Robert Watson 
          of Lynn University on the recent election.     
20th - Had cataract surgery Bascom Palmer with Dr. David Goldman.
25th - Ushered for The 1940's Radio Hour at the Lake Worth Playhouse.

Sunday morning turned out extra nice for 22 walkers today. We missed many of the regulars but were delighted with so many new walkers.

Last week we attended a screening of Steven Spielberg's amazing docudrama, Lincoln. The story focuses on the last four months of President Lincoln's presidency and the fight over the 13th Amendment. Probably because I was so drowsey, I had a some trouble following the story but I feel it should be seen for many reasons. The wonderful cast brought those historical characters to life.

This past Monday we attended a screening of Life of Pi in 3D at the Regal Theater. What can I say? Here are the reviews of others. It is a very engaging fantasy with plenty of action. The 3D was good but not essential.  I wanted it to move faster. It probably will receive a lot of notice. I wouldn't call it a "must see" but I don't regret going. Most of all, I want to see how it was made.

Election

We're giddy with the election results and couldn't be more delighted. At the same time I'm feeling sorry for those who are crushed with disappointment. I've experienced their feeling. I know they are sincere in wanting good government and the best life for us all. Although the details of our aspirations may differ, let's try to get along and be forgiving.

This morning Jane and I went to Cars of Dreams, a huge collection of classic cars, which we had long wanted to see. They also had an elaborate model railroad and nearby is a collection of old Ford cars and trucks. Today, outside was an immense collection of antique and classic cars displayed by their owners. We had never seen so many in one place.

                          

The Days Dwindle Down To A Precious Few

Today is the final day of early voting. Don't be deterred from voting by the long queues. The presidential race is so close, your one vote might determine our future.

One is likely to have low expectations for a ukulele concert but last night at the Kravis Center we were delighted by Jake Shimabukuro. If you haven't heard him, you likely will.

Don't Be Fooled

The right-wing nuts may be restrained for now and Romney may be sounding benignly centered, but if elected, his obligation will be to implement  the extreme right-wing agenda of the Republican Party platform at the expense of the best and broader interests of the nation. Don't forget: A right-leaning Supreme Court will be with us for a generation.

After Alan's nice hike this morning our car broke down. This will cause a change in our plans for tomorrow.

Heavy Weather & Heavy Voting

Jane and I volunteered for the Obama campaign this morning at this early voting site, one of 14 in the county. We experienced some heavy weather from passing hurricane, Sandy.

Season Premier of CityWalk

For this morning's season premier of CityWalk, eighteen of us enjoyed a cooler turn of beautiful weather.

The King and I

We have always been pleased with the community theater productions at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Yesterday we were especially delighted with The King and I, their current show running through October 21. We recommend it. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

Two Movies and a Play

Jane and I both highly rate Argo which we viewed Tuesday night prior to it's release. This film is a long-secret, but true story relating to the Iranian hostage crisis we remember from the early 1980's. It relates with gripping and thrilling authenticity the escape and recovery of six Americans trapped in the home of the Canadian Ambassador. This masterfully crafted movie will keep you in suspense for 120 minutes. My only complaint (I'm a hopeless prude.) is the gritty un genteel language. I didn't grow up with it and don't have friends who use it. By all means see this movie. You will applaud at the end.

Wednesday night we ushered at the Brown Theater for a preview of Palm Beach Dramaworks production of Lanford Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Talley's Folly. It has an amazing cast of only two and who do a wonderful job. It runs through November 11. I recommend it.

Many will highly rate the clever concept of Seven Psychopaths but humorous violence just isn't my cup of tea. That and, as usual, the coarse language offends this prude. Jane and I viewed it last night at Regal Theater. We were so relieved when it finally ended. I was hoping for something more like the Martin McDonagh's  In Bruges.

Two Movies

Although never mentioned in the movie, The Master is widely thought to be about L. Ron Hubbard's Church of Scientology. The direction and acting are superb. The nudity and sexual scenes and references exceeded the boundaries of my comfort zone so be prepared for that. You probably wouldn't want to take your mother. It is long and a little slow but never boring. To me, it is a challenging psychological study without a message or purpose except as a vehicle for great performances and brilliant cinematography. Expect it to be a contender for several awards. Some will hate it and others will find it the best film of the year.

A couple of weeks ago we attended a free screening of Won't Back Down, a film about education bureaucracy. I found it somewhat engaging but flawed. The continuity was a bit jerky and the direction inconsistent ... good in spots and unrealistic in others. Some might see it as anti-union. I was reminded of the 2010 documentary, Waiting for Superman which I recommend.

36 Days Remain To Protect Our Future. Keep Up The Work.

Only 36 days remain to a critical point in our politics and even perhaps to a pivotal point in Western civilization. A little overdrawn you say? Romney's debt to the radical right is undeniable. What if a President Romney replaces Ruth Bader Ginsburg and maybe even another associate Supreme Court justice with right wing religious zealots? Heaven help us. We can expect the progressive movement to be thrown into reverse if the tea partiers and the radical right get their hands on those levers of power.

 P.S.

Can there be a more compelling reason to work for Obama's re-election than to have Paul Ryan a heartbeat away from the presidency?

Back to the Movies

Last night at Muvico we watched "Trouble with the Curve", the new baseball film staring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams, and others. It was well received by many and I enjoyed it but, to me, the story is flawed by too many contrived coincidences. Jane was reminded of the father - daughter relationship in "On Golden Pond". I recommend it but if you miss it, don't worry about it.

Last week at Regal Theater we watched an advanced screening of "The Words" with Jeremy Irons and Dennis Quaid. The great American novel is plagiarized with great acclaim and engaging mystery. I enjoyed this story and recommend it.

Tomorrow you can ask me about "Won't Back Down". We plan to see it at Cobb Theater tonight.

Dining Out

Dining Out for September was today at The Croquet Club after lessons.

Obama Was Here

After standing in the sun in a multi-block-long sweltering queue, then standing inside hour after hour, this fired-up group of supporters couldn't see but they were determined to snap a memory. The energy was palpable and contagious.

We're really getting excited and worried about the presidential election just two months away. Monday I will begin doing voter registration. We all need to do something. The pictures below are from a convention viewing party following Jane's waiting three hours in line.

Catching Up

Yesterday Jane and I saw a new documentary/history movie, Bill W., about the life of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is inspirational and informative and more interesting than I expected. We both liked it and recommend it. I loved the music.

I've been so busy that only now can I comment about the movie, Hope Springs, we saw a month ago. Excellent performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep centered around their sadly romance-less marriage. They had grown apart and in couples therapy he became aware of his wife's needs. It could be seen by some as comedy but I didn't even smile. I found it serious and discomforting. See it for the excellent performances and maybe enlightenment.

And 5,946 Miles Later ...

Yes!! We vagabonds arrived back home late on August 28 after 3 months away. (Anyone notice?) I wish we could have stayed longer but they kick us out of UMD in mid August. We had plenty of good adventures with no breakdowns, surprise hospital visits, or ugly clashes and only one memorable 100-year flood. It's good to be back. There's no place like home; We're lucky to have two of them.

We met the nicest people along the way in EvergreenClub.com. Here are some pictures. We took longer-than-usual routes going and especially returning (trying to stretch our time in cool places). Getting settled-in gets harder as our history gets longer.

The Long Trek Home

Reluctantly, we left Duluth Wednesday noon wishing we could stay another month. We're taking a slower and longer route and smelling the roses. We've made some new friends along the way in Wisconsin and Michigan. The Schlichtings and the Singels.

          Yesterday we had the final big event before our departure next week.
           And our weekly morning hike.

               Pam, our aerobics instructor

                             Mary and Evert House

Collage

Yesterday we went with a group of 54 to the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids.

                     Won't you join us?

Wednesday we viewed the full moon from the rose garden. Thursday we hiked in Hartley Park and toured a netmaking company. Friday we had breakfast at Swamp Sisters.

                        Today we had a tour of the UMD experimental farm.