Began a hazy, hot morning with a few short stories and poems from the Colliers Harvest of Holidays anthology. The first piece, about a little girl whose father takes her outside to enjoy the summer evening to tire her out, was really lovely. "Mr. Chairman," a chapter from Cheaper By the Dozen, depicts how Mr. Gilbreath tries to enforce his methods of efficiency at the factory at home with his children, with often humorous results.
Put on the soundtrack from Popeye while having blueberry pancakes for breakfast. The 1981 musical adaptation features a perfectly-cast Robin Williams as Popeye looking for his dad again, with Shelly Duvall as his Olive Oyl. Harry Nillson's score is actually quite good. I like Popeye's opening "I Yam What I Yam," Olive's "He Needed Me" on her feelings for Popeye, and the touching "Din' We" (the last of which was unfortunately cut from the film).
Did some quick writing after breakfast. They arrive at a seemingly abandoned hangar, only to discover that it's really teaming with life. Brit Jeanne Erson's father was forced to work for the Coruscant Empire. He built their Armory with a few little quirks and tunnels that would make it easier to invade. She introduces them to her darkly handsome Spanish partner Cassian Andorez.
Had a quick lunch, then got ready for work while listening to the soundtrack from Pennies From Heaven. I haven't seen this depressing musical since I was a kid. A sheet music salesman in the Great Depression imagines his life as cheery musical interludes, based after the optimistic songs he pushes. It's is really anything but as his wife and business fails and his affair with a schoolteacher (Bernadette Peters) makes both their lives miserable. Thankfully, the music reflects none of this. It actually features a lot of songs from this era that have since been forgotten, like "Love Is Good for Anything That Ails Ya" and "The Clouds Will Soon Roll By."
Work was steady, a bit surprising for a holiday Sunday. I figured we'd be packed. People must still be at the Shore. It was busy enough to have a hard time keeping up with the carts. Good thing we had plenty of new help, both inside and out. While it was in the lower 90's today and the breeze had turned warm, it at least remained dry. I gathered baskets and did returns when the sun got to be too much.
I ran into Dana just as I arrived at work. I'd been wondering if Dad and Jodie had anything planned for Father's Day. Turned out Jodie was just tossing hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. As soon as I got home, I changed and went right back out again. This wasn't one of their huge blow-outs. It was just Rose and her kids (Craig had to work), a couple of neighborhood kids, Dana, Jesse, Dad, and Jodie. I had two hot dogs, a burger, garlic asparagus, and roasted potatoes while chatting with everyone and watching the wide-eyed Finley enjoy her hot dog. Later, I went outside to the pool to watch the kids play and chat with Dad.
As soon as I got in, I talked to Dad-Bill. He didn't sound so good, and he did say he wasn't feeling well. He was spending his Father's Day resting at home. We didn't do much talking, just long enough for me to wish him the best of the day and hope that he feels better soon.
Spent the rest of the night on the computer. Lauren was online early to watch wrestling with her folks. I settled for another Mystery Science Theater 3000 movie, The Lost Continent. Caesar Romero headlines this 1951 fantasy adventure as the head of a group of military men who are downed on a remote island and spend the majority of the movie climbing up...and up...and up a mountain before finally bagging a few dinosaurs. Joel and the robots' commentary was most welcome here. This pedestrian tale lacked even the creepiness of The Mad Monster or the goofy excitement of Radar Men From the Moon and needed all the pop culture jokes it could get.
The Lost Continent
And I salute all dads (including ones whose children are four-legged or feathered) on this Father's Day!
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