George McGovern

Saturday morning at the Greenmarket we witnessed the dog costume contest and that night we went to Moonfest to see the human spooks. Sunday there was another organ recital at Bethesda with three performers plus a boy, age thirteen, playing the violin. On Monday at the Kravis the Palm Beach Democratic Club, at its monthly meeting hosted one of my heroes -- George McGovern, former senator. He is still smart and articulate and was received with great enthusiasm.

"Our Town"

Grovers Corners, New Hampshire, in the uncomplicated times of 1905 seemed mighty appealing to me last night as we became involved with the families and towns folk in Thornton Wilder's "Our Town". I doubted that today's high school students could move me the way they did. I should have known better. The Dreyfoos School of the Arts cast had me in tears with their outstanding performance. The entire cast was superb. Watch for performances of anything at this school. You will be gratified and they deserve our support.

"Dan in Real Life"

Six of us last night enjoyed dinnner at Paul in Downtown in the Gardens and then saw the movie Dan in Real Life. We all enjoyed it -- some a lot. It was refreshing for me to see an uncomplicated plot without violence and ugly language. It was light and I doubt it will receive great reviews but I recommend it.

Frugal Dining Out

Jane, Tom, Murray, Freda, Billie, Jerry, and Phoebe at Sweet Tomatoes.

Click to enlarge.

Movies and More Movies

If three movies in three days is profligacy, we're guilty, but at least it isn't every week. It isn't a great or important film but I enjoyed The Darjeeling Limited a lot. To me it was very funny. A comedy adventure filmed in India, its tongue in cheek wackiness suited me just fine and appealed to others in my group as well. That was Tuesday. Wednesday night we were dragged through the sewer of social perversity in Gone Baby Gone. It had an excessively complicated plot with characters dredged up from the dregs. The acting will likely be praised but I was glad when it was over. Thursday we saw the an ambitious period film, Elizabeth: The Golden Age. And, as usual, I didn't always know what was going on. I guess you know I'm no renaissance man. But , nevertheless, I found it engaging. There was something for everyone in this film and especially if you enjoy extravagant costumes and sets, this film's for you. Did they have sparklers in the 16th century? In this film they did.

And the World Goes 'Round

Lake Worth Playhouse consistently rivals the best shows around. We've come to count on this community theater delighting us as much as the costliest professional theater. Again last night we were delighted by their surprising depth of talent in the production of the musical revue "And the World Goes 'Round." We'd commend it to anyone.

Jane is continuing a slow recovery from her eye infection.

Dining Out and Movie

Tonight we went to our Dining Out group meeting at Cardello's Italian restaurant in Lake Park. There were eleven of us and a good time was had by all.
Last night we went to a prescreening of the movie, Michael Clayton, staring George Clooney. This well-made, suspenseful and complicated corporate law thriller is engrossing whether or not you know what's going on. Jane understood the story well but I didn't pay close enough attention and lost my way in the plot.
Jane has been suffering from an eye injury for six days. Thank goodness, she is improving but it has been a great concern to us both. Her treatment and many doctor appointments have taken priority over all our other activities.

Organ Recital

Sunday afternoon we attended a fine organ recital at Bethesda-by-the-Sea church. There were two organists and a very interesting close up demonstration of what the organ can do and how it works. "The War" is on again tonight. Are you watching?

Ten Canoes

Saturday I spent the day in a class to learn to teach reading. I ought to use it but I've become awfully selfish with my time, so we'll see. In the evening, since "The War" wasn't on, we watched Winged Migration again.
Friday we went to check out the replacement for "The Carefree Theater." It is called "The Theater" and is located on Conniston Road in a nicely converted church. We saw "Ten Canoes." It almost seemed like a National Geographic documentary. I guarantee you've never seen actors like these in the Aboriginal culture. It is shot entirely in an Australian Indigenous language. It was most unusual and interesting but isn't for everyone.

Thursday and Friday

Today we took Tri-Rail to Ft. Lauderdale and went to the science museum. Yesterday we went to the county commission meeting on the budget but left in time to get to the prescreening of In the Valley of Elah with Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon about a father trying to find the killer of his soldier-son just returned from Iraq. I felt it had an antiwar message. It had several strengths but I called it depraved, not to my taste and somewhat unrealistic. Others praised it.

Maps

Columbia Restaurant

Six of us had our fill of fine Spanish food yesterday when we enjoyed a 1905 priced lunch on the 102nd anniversary of Columbia Restaurant in CityPlace. It became crowded but we were seated immediately.

Movie: "The Brave One"

Last night we went out to a prescreening of Jodie Foster's new movie "The Brave One." It surely did keep ones attention. The acting was very good as expected and will likely get a lot of notice. It was violent but "justified" we thought. We would recommend it if you want a thriller and can tolerate violence and coarse language and can take the emotional drain.
This morning we did our daily three miles in air conditioning. The heat is just too much.

Give Impeachment a Chance

Yesterday we participated in a surprisingly large anti-war rally at the Kravis Center. I thought there would be 30 or 40 protesters but it looked like several hundred. The big one, of course, is next Saturday in Washington. After the rally we went to lunch with friends at The Cheesecake Factory. rally video

International Literacy Day

Today we attended the Literacy Expo at The Airport Hilton. Yesterday at the Lake Worth Playhouse we attended a screening event on The War, previewing the Ken Burns series premiering September 23 on PBS.

The Little Sparrow Sings Again

We recommend the movie "La Vie en Rose" which we saw today about the life of Edith Piaf. Marion Cotillard was amazing in the role of the French singer. We found the flashbacks very confusing. And I always have trouble with subtitles.

Reentering The Social Scene

Today eight of us in our dining out group had lunch at the Indian restaurant, Saffron. It was a pleasant place and we enjoyed the company. Although food was good, it wasn't the kind I enjoy. We still haven't received notice of our window installation date. That's why we came home early to this heat. Click on picture.

We're Back Home

We returned home Sunday evening and still Tuesday night we remain pretty much in disarray. The heat is really getting to us. Tonight we took a pizza to the ocean and watched the full moon rise.

Ann & Dan in a Secret Place

On the snowbird's eastern flyway is a precious stopover I vowed to keep secret so it wouldn't be be ruined. Ann and Dan have the best bed we ever enjoyed. It is a Sleep Number bed by Select Comfort. They took us to a Japanese restaurant and we talked about Garrison Keillor and Ann's hometown of Duluth. Lucky us. Sorry about the bad picture.