Happy Memorial Day everyone!

When I select this font-style, Georgia, I always think of Linda's sister....and when I think of Linda's sister, I think of Linda...and when I think of Linda.....I think about how much I miss her! Especially since having dinner with Rosses' the other night at Koko's; they invited me to join them in Savannah in June. It just seems so wrong to go to Savannah without Linda! I can never look at the tram again without roaring my head off, remembering the time when I told the nice tram operator that we needed six seats for the three of us--Linda, Georgia, and me!!! We had that whole tram rolling with laughter!!!!! In more ways than one!
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The river is alive with activity and wildlife today. Justin and I rotated my desk a quarter turn so now I face directly toward Mandarin and the river. Right off the bat I spotted a couple of manatees dancing in the basin. At this moment I don't see any which is not to say they aren't out there, but the sun went behind a cloud which prevents me from seeing the shiny backs and fins of the frolickers. (Is that a word???) Besides these odd creatures of the river, I see many water fowl and even a crow which stands in the palm tree outside my window, staring at me. Maybe I should go get dressed or something. Crows have purple eyes, probably from eating the berries which are growing in the palms. Since my windows have been washed, no more birds have crashed against them, at least not when I am sitting here. The nice fireman who washed them used my vacuum cleaner to remove all the stuff accumulated in the tracks of the windows.

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As I write this a.m. I am also gettin' down here with a video I ordered from Amazon, a two-movie set, about Lynard Skynard. It's sort of fun to play catch up, as I am doing with my Frasier and Seinfeld videos (excuse me--my son would correct me--DVD's). Unfortunately, it's not really my type of music, which is probably why it didn't appeal to me back in the day. My neighbor told me once that it was refreshing to find someone who wasn't a fan! Some of the tunes are familiar after being used in movies and advertisements, but what's fun is seeing what my neighbor used to look like! Unfortunately the video doesn't show a whole lot of his performing. Some of the video footage shown, the interviews, are taped on Doctors Lake and Middleburg of olde, so that's cool, too!

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Last night when Justin and I got back here from Dave & Busters, a huge party was going on at The Club, to celebrate Memorial Day, and the music was blaring across the parking lot. We opened our car doors to the strains of a fairly good version of "Me and Bobby McGee". Justin thought at first they were singing karaoke but then realized it was a live band. As we walked past the pool, he said it seemed like more than a wedding, and then I told him it was just a big party. One of my neighbors, Nancy, also a writer, was sad that this event was taking place at the same time as the Concert on the Green, as she'd already signed up for the Club party. I knew about the D & B thing so didn't plan on the other Concert. Last year Sarah stole the show at the C.O.G., dancing in perfect rhythm to the orchestra. People even came up to us and complimented her on the natural style she has! She wasn't even 3 yet! Paul has video of her performance which I've yet to see, maybe I'll ask him about it today at the family picnic....boy, it doesn't seem like an entire year has gone by already!

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Aside from the live action outside and the "live" recording on my computer screen (Justin showed me how to play a DVD while using my computer, a picture-in-a-picture thing). This will allow me to "watch" a postage stamp-sized image as I work here at the machine, and perhaps still catch the nuances of peoples' facial expressions (i.e. Seinfeld, Frasier) and not be held up. ....the ultimate in multi-tasking! So, where was I? Oh, yes, the activities outside with a heartbeat and some with gas-powered engines or no engines at all---boats! Sailboats up and down the river, speeding jet skis flying by, fishing boats anchored, waiting for a bite---seems like every one is ready for the day except me!

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The rest of the world seems quiet this morning, no pounding from the roof or the unit above mine. It may be more silent since my patio doors are shut yet. I didn't know if it would rain overnight or not, and haven't pulled them open this a.m. Often I hear my downstairs neighbors outside on their patio having coffee but I'll bet Tommy has his boat out on the water on such a lovely day.

There, now, the doors are opened and the breeze is fine. As soon as I pulled open the sliding doors my kitchen door slammed shut, as usual, which means I will be treated to a symphony from my wind chimes. If I open the foyer door, the breeze through the house is so delightful and fresh (to me it is!!) and allows for movement in the river room, stirring the chimes and suncatchers into action. Love it!

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Another thing which spurred my interest in listening to this music is several months ago Justin sent me a link to a group who recorded (in music lingo, this other band "covered" the original song) "Simple Man", and he also sent me the lyrics. Justin said I'd like this song because of its message--not to climb over people to get to the top, to be satisfied with what we have and remember where it came from, references to heaven and remembering what's in your soul....Yeah, he knows me pretty well, which buttons to push on his mama's heart!

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Oh, of course, most of those band members went to Robert E. Lee High School. Go figure! I always remember how my friend/former co-worker/former church member, Rebecca, insisted her son was NOT going to attend a high school by THAT name! They were in that school district and she wasn't about to have her son go to such a "rebel" school. Now, this same son is graduating from high school in Onalaska, WI, the same area where Rebecca grew up.

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It's a bird! It's a plane! No, Lois, it's a cigarette boat cruising down the river, sounding more like a semi-truck than a water craft. It's stirring up quite a spray behind it, which might disturb the poor guys trying to fish. Fortunately it seems he's going all the way down so they can start again with their fishing attempts.

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I was thinking about Mark, another of Justin's friends from school, who is a muscian and student. He absolutely LOVES the music of The Band, and one of his favorite movies/CDs is "The Last Waltz", the final tour of The Band. When I was in WI, David reminded me of the time before we moved to Florida, Lori, David, me and my former spouse went to the movies to see "The Last Waltz" when it came out, and only the three of us stayed awake for it! (An aside: Wow, part of the movie playing on my computer shows my neighbor leading Skynyrd in prayer before the set!!). Mark really plays accustic and electric guitar well, but don't know if he has time now between college, working at UPS, and such to play anymore. Last 4th of July he entertained me at Twila's with his "Band" renditions and of course, gave me a little taste of my former favorite "Paranoid"!

Taken at Justin's graduation party--Justin watching David and Mark as they played geetars on the porch

My, how I've rambled today! That's what happens when there's no Bible study on Monday mornings! No sense of urgency. Guess I'll get my swim suit on and go visit with my neighbors and maybe my new friends I met the other day at the pool....Just a reminder to everyone that is Memorial Day, when we set aside time to remember our fallen soldiers and thank those who serve today!