Finally Friday - Five Generations

Friday filler - Family pics from  Thanksgiving.  Here's five generations:

LD and Joyce (front), begat Ray (right), who begat Chris (left), who begat Abby with Levi (age 2)

Whew!

Here's all the girls - Kevin's  crew with Abby

and Here's everyone.  We gathered at the party room at the senior living  center. Had  Tex-Mex - easier to keep warm in crock pots.  Plenty of food and laughter.

Now we're planning for Christmas. 
 

Whatever Wednesday - The Outsiders

Treated myself to a Sunday matinee at the Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas.  Nosebleed seat  - could see and hear great.  S.E. Hinton wrote The Outsiders in 1967.  This was a teenager (age 18) writing about teens in Tulsa, OK.   It struck a nerve.  

  It did become a movie in 1983 with a cast of young up and comers - C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, and Diane Lane.  Wow - quite the lineup of future success stories. 

 Now The Outsiders - a musical won the 2024 Tony Award and is touring the country. It is a stunning production and I highly recommend it.  Basically it is a bit of a West Side story tale - only in Oklahoma. The Greasers vs. The Socs.  Nolan White as Ponyboy Curtis had a gorgeous plaintive voice. He's a kid who likes to read, enjoys a sunset, and feels sad for his brothers, his friends - all poor, all struggling. It's a tough world, especially being bullied by the rich kids.  This is a musical about justice, understanding, communication, hope, and respect - all from a teen perspective. 

Great songs, voices, and the choreography was innovative and fabulous. Quite the production. 

Support the Arts!

Monday Moments - Defy Gravity Again

Opening Friday, Julie and I followed the yellow brick road to the movie theater and enjoyed Wicked: For Good.   This is the Part 2 after original Wizard of Oz, Wicked on Broadway, Wicked (Part 1).  Very fun, very magical, and perfect on the big screen.  We both rewatched the first Wicked movie on Amazon. I was glad because I had forgotten some bits that proved useful to know.  I'm not going to give plots or give away twists. I've read some reviews that were very so-so.  Oh well, I disagree.  

I do think the first Wicked was a tad better - it just had that truly original feel to it and better songs.

But this sequel got darker and I liked how it tied up loose ends on many issues.  There weren't  as many characters to track

I absolutely love Cynthia Erivo.  She can act with her eyes.  And when she sings, my heart soars. As far as I'm concerned, she is tremendous as Elphaba.  Wicked good acting. 

 Ariana Grande is such a little wisp of thing, but she can belt out the high notes. As Glinda the "good witch", she does conflicted well. She and Cynthia have excellent screen chemistry. 

I like musicals.  I like big productions.  I like fun cinematography.  This was glorious on  the big screen and I give Wicked: For Good a thumbs up.  Enjoy it with a friend and then go to lunch afterwards to discuss. 

Finally Friday - Some Gratitude and Joy

 As we contemplate the Thanksgiving season and the rush into Christmas, take a moment. Care!

I helped at the November Birthday Party Project at a local women's shelter. The month's theme was Care Bears and yes, there was a mascot.  (see me above).   When the Care Bear arrived, one of the birthday kids screamed and would have no part of this scary creature. The other two birthday kids were excited, and all of the other children ran up for hugs, pictures, and a magical moment. 

We had Care Bear themed stuff to hand out, games and crafts to play and do, plus singing "Happy Birthday" for November.  Then cupcakes.  It was a noisy messy party - we always call it "controlled chaos".  Kids left happy - a goodie bag in hand and hopefully a happy memory during their lives in transition. 

Take a moment.  CARE

Whatever Wednesday - Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.  As I write this post, there is so much uncertainty for folks - food, benefits, jobs, flights, weather.   The list is  huge.  Life seems exceptionally wonky this year. We're dealing with our super seniors - Ray's folks - and health issues.  87 and 89 are tough! 

So, I'm not sure where we are  celebrating and when. (could be at the senior center)

  We are fortunate and filled with gratitude for what we do have.  

 I hope  this post finds you healthy, surrounded by family and/or friends.  Or at peace with a book and streaming a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.  If you are volunteering or running a Turkey Trot - I hope it's a lovely day and that smiles abound. 

I am grateful for blog world.  Take  care all.  Blessings.  

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Happy Birthday Eve for My Sister

Happy Birthday Lori!  I post this on Monday and she can celebrate the week.  This picture is from  the University of Delaware. We roamed around it this summer and she's  happy  to  be a Blue Hen alumnus. 
 

My  baby  sister (ten years younger) is still a kid  at heart.  She (right) enjoyed seeing her old  pal Pluto this summer at Disney  World along with her friend, Jenn (left).

Summer concert fun with friends.   Lori is retired, stays fit with her YMCA classes, and volunteers at a local library.  She's  the best. 

Happy Birthday, young'un.   Enjoy a super  week and a healthy year.   Cake!!!

Finally Friday - Rebel Rising by Rebel Wilson

 cover blurb - From the scene stealing star of Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids comes a refreshingly candid, hilarious, and inspiring book about her unconventional journey to Hollywood success and loving herself. 

Rebel Rising by Rebel Wilson is an excellent memoir. I felt, as I read it, that she  was just hanging out on the  patio and talking to me. Quite a life. From Australia, a shy girl who just knows she's different and blossoms when acting. Incredibly poor, she becomes single mindedly focused on whatever task is at hand. She's enterprising. She plays tennis. She gets a law school degree. She has a gap year  time in  South Africa, and a bout of malaria.

She is candid about  her weight, the journey in regards to her health. 

She is candid about her late blooming love life. 

She is  really, really funny and I read this book with her Aussie accent in my  head. Plus she's far from done - she's  producing, directing, and acting. She's a rebel with  plenty to say.