Sizzling Summer

Began a sizzling hot day with a faintly patriotic episode of Wonder Woman from the World War II-themed first season. Diana goes undercover as a contestant in a beauty pageant making the rounds at various bases in "Beauty on Parade." Not only is the competition cutthroat, but the US government is convinced that someone in the show is intent on sabotaging a high-stakes project. Diana has to find out which member of the crew is actually a Nazi, without getting torn apart by the real contestants who are determined to win at any cost.

Headed out to work shortly after the episode ended. I spent most of a 100-degree day outside doing carts. I'd go inside and get a drink every once in a while, but it takes a lot longer than the 10 minutes one of the managers said I should be out there to get things done. Thankfully, we were steady, but not busy to the degree that we were yesterday. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people fled to the Poconos or the Shore for the 4th of July holiday in search of cooler breezes. After I finished, I switched out my C batteries for a D pack (turns out my flashlight takes D batteries), then headed home as quickly as I could on a dry, hazy day.

Read The Gates of Sleep for a while, then worked on writing. When Vader threatens her brother, Leia is the one who shoots him down. They flee for the exit, only to be cut off by Vader and his men before Benton Kenobi shows up at the entrance. Ben confronts Vader, distracting him long enough for the others to escape. But Luke's afraid that Ben won't make it out alive...

Broke around 6 to try something different for dinner. I was going to make burgers, but I forgot the buns. Turned my burgers into Burger Stove Top Casserole. Sauteed mushrooms, onions, red and orange peppers, a yellow squash, and tomatoes with ground turkey and sweet relish. Topped it with Monterrey Jack cheese. Oh yum. It came out pretty well, a nice melding of flavors. I might try it again later in the summer when green peppers are in season. Threw in the second ear of corn that Jodie gave me on Sunday.

Played some Lego Clone Wars again after dinner and chocolate pudding for dessert. I did manage to get one more piece each on "Defenders of Peace" and "Weapons Factory." Otherwise, had no luck. I only have three more red bricks left to get, but the one in the holding cells for the villains is really complicated and requires lot of characters to get. Finally gave up and went back to the Separatist ship. I bought a few more characters there and am hoping to get to the second bonus round tomorrow.

Finished the night with The Music Man. Professor Harold Hill (Robert Preston) breezes into River City, Iowa in the early 1910's, hoping to sell the stubborn locals on a fake boy's band. He has it all planned, including how he'll deal with Marion (Shirley Jones), the smart local librarian, and her mother (Pert Kelton). As the children of the town become more and more involved in the band, including Marion's mentally troubled younger brother Winthrop (Ron Howard), she begins to soften to the professor...and he realizes how much Marion and the townspeople have come to mean to him.

This long-time favorite of mine remains a delight, with Preston repeating his Tony-award-winning role as Hill and Jones matching him perfectly. Great cast too, including Hermione Gingold as the mayor's snobbish wife and Buddy Hackett as Hill's best friend. Main problem is that, like many of the huge Broadway adaptations of the 1960's and early 70's, this is way too long and too slow in parts. Still, if you're a fan of the cast or the musicals of this era and have time on your hands, it's worth checking out.