High Hopes

Started off the morning with breakfast and Sheriff Callie's Wild West. Peck's excited about Governor Groundhog's visit. He's hoping he'll be impressed and award him a big, shiny deputy badge. "Priscilla's Lost Love Bird," however, has the lady skunk very upset. Callie convinces Peck to join her and help catch the missing critter. Peck despairs of ever doing anything to get that badge, until it turns out he's the only one who can bring the bird home. Callie gets her foot stuck in a can right before the big town square dance. She's about ready to give up, but thanks to Toby and Peck's encouragement, ends up inventing "Callie's Cowgirl Twirl" instead and becomes a big hit.

Did some research after that. Yes, Rutgers and Rowan do have online library science courses. Thing is, I wonder if I could find a job while I do those courses, or how long they would take and how much they would cost. I'm not spending tons of money and time on courses I can't use. I want something I'll be hired for. I need to make money and get a place of my own, and it doesn't have to be in South Jersey, either. I do want to stay in the Northeast and I'll look around South and Central Jersey first, but I'm also considering the Philadelphia suburbs, upstate New York, and even up into New England.

Broke for lunch at noon. Watched a What's My Line from 1971 as I ate leftovers and a PB & J on cinnamon raisin bread. I came in just as the panel tried to guess why a woman was submerged into water. Turns out she wore a new flotation device that could pass as a life preserver or as a kind of raft. Burgess Meredith, who would be twice nominated for an Oscar later in the 70's, was the Mystery Guest. 

No trouble with Uber today. The one picking me up from home got here in less than five minutes; the one going home arrived in 8 minutes. No traffic anywhere on either Pike, arrived in five minutes both ways, and that was despite the one going to work opting to cut through Oaklyn instead of going down Nicholson.

Work started busy and ended busy, but it was quiet in between...and a pain all day long. If I wasn't nervous and causing trouble, people were complaining about this sale or that not coming up the way they wanted it to or about the prices. I'm sorry folks, I can't help inflation. I was lucky they sent the head bagger in for me because my relief was late.

Soon as I got home, I went straight into A Cinderella Story: Starstruck. I go into more detail on the most recent installment in this franchise at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Family Fun Saturday - A Cinderella Story: Starstruck

Worked on some writing while the movie ran. Gene tells Richard in frustration that they have a big job for the next day. They have to guard the money from the bank that's being temporarily kept in the saloon while the bank is being repaired. Richard seems more interested in asking where his suit can be fixed, but he actually has a plan...

Tonight's Match Game Classics marathon started at 8 PM. Tonight, we honored "Leading Ladies of Hollywood," along with an episode where Gary Burgoff mentioned oversleeping and missing a taping due to Daylight Savings. Among those leading ladies were Broadway legend Ethel Merman in 1975 and 1978, Arlene Francis in 1974 and 1978, Suzanne Sommers and Minnie Pearl in 1977, Lynda Day George in 1975, and Connie Francis in one of her earlier appearances on a 1979 PM episode that also featured Betty White. Let's celebrate screen queens and Women's History Month with these sterling performances from movie, TV, and stage favorites!

Celebrating Leading Ladies of Hollywood

Finished off the night with Lawrence Welk. His musical family did their own salutes to Hollywood, with Oscar-winning songs like "It Goes Like It Goes" from Norma Rae, "Born Free" from the 1966 film of that title, "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" from Here Comes the Groom, "High Hopes" from A Hole In the Head, "Do Not Forsake Me" from High Noon, "Buttons and Bows" from The Paleface, and the gorgeous score from Love Story. They did surprisingly well by "Last Dance" from Thank God It's Friday in 1981, with Bobby Burgess and Elaine Niverson really getting into their disco routine. Jack Benny even turned up to do jokes and attempt to play the violin in the 1971 episode. 

Of course, the other major event this coming week is St. Patrick's Day. They did their big Irish-themed show in 1979. Jack Imel and Mary Ann Metzger had a lot of fun with "If You're Irish, Come Into the Parlor," and Arthur Duncan did a tap routine to "Little Annie Rooney Waltz." "Hi Lili, Hi Lili" is more French than Irish, but it still sounded lovely on Norma Zimmer. Even Mexican beauty Anacani contributed "Shamrocks, Shillelaghs, and Shenanigans." The Hotsy Totsy Boys finished things off as leprechauns singing about how "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover."

If you're Irish - or an Oscar winner - come into the parlor and enjoy these delightful tunes with Lawrence Welk and his musical family!

Academy Awards - 1971

Irish Show - 1979

Academy Awards - 1981

Oh, and don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight for Daylight Savings!

Saturday at the Hundred Acre Woods

I was supposed to wake up at 8 AM. I opened my eyes at 9:15. Yikes! I had work at 10. Barely had time to write in my journal, change, eat, and dash off. 

Work was a pain in the rear, and way too long. We were busy almost the entire day, with long lines often across the store and not enough help to deal with them. The Phillies played tonight, it's still the beginning of the month, and we have two major holidays coming up this week and Thanksgiving in three weeks. I often panicked and just couldn't keep up with the orders. At least they were able to send a teen girl in for me so I could get out on time. 

Went straight home and into dinner and Match Game PM after I changed. The first episode is rather appropriate for the upcoming Veteran's Day holiday, as one of the contestants was a Scottish soldier with a charming accent and a truly nifty uniform. The top row even stands to salute him in the opening. (Brett thought he was an usher at the long-gone Roxy movie theater in New York!) Mary Ann Mobley rambled on so much giving one of her answers in the second episode, Gene ended up sitting on the floor waiting for her to finish.

Moved to Disney Plus for Pooh's Heffalump Movie after dinner. I go further into the first movie to feature Roo's Heffalump pal Lumpy at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Animation Celebration Saturday - Pooh's Heffalump Movie

Finished the night at YouTube celebrating the upcoming holidays with Lawrence Welk. Even as the controversial Vietnam War raged, Welk and his musical family did two episodes saluting the Armed Services for Veteran's Day in 1968 and '69. The 1968 episode features a charming rendition of "How About You?" from Naval officers Dick Dale and Natalie Nivens, while the others tease Jack Imel about being "The Sailor Who Loved the Sea." For some reason, we also get a random Beverly Hillbillies spoof, with them getting an award for having "the most cards and letters" sent to them. Myron Floren and a group of hobos perform "Alley Cats," and Jo Anne Castle enjoys being the only lady hobo playing ragtime piano. 

The show from 1969 gets more into the holiday, thanks to it also being a tribute to Irving Berlin. The orchestra gives us some "Soft Lights and Sweet Music." Larry Hooper admits "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up In the Morning." He also tells his Navy troops that "This is the Army, Mr. Jones," but they don't take direction very well. Arthur Duncan explains how "A Shine On Your Shoes" can improve the morale of any cadet. The episode ends with the singers in uniform, performing the theme songs of the various branches of the Armed Services. 

The other major holiday next week is Election Day, and I did find an episode from 1980 that revolves around elections and politicians. The band tries to play to both sides with "Baby Elephant Walk" and "The Donkey Serenade." Dick Dale runs for office as he encourages the singers to "Hey, Look Me Over." Bobby Burgess and Elaine Niverson drum up the crowd with "Happy Days are Here Again." Jack Imel and Mary Lou Metzger sing about their spurs that "Jingle Jangle Jingle," while Guy Hovis recites a tribute to "The Ragged Flag." Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer ends the episode with a stirring "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean." 

Celebrate two all-American holidays with these rousing episodes! (Warning that the 1968 and '69 episodes are not in the best of shape, and all are missing the opening and closing numbers.)

Salute to the Armed Services - 1968

Veteran's Day/Irving Berlin Tribute - 1969

Election Time - 1980

(Oh, and I'm afraid the Phillies lost their last game and the World Series to the Houston Astros 4-1. And don't forget to set your clock back tonight for Daylight Savings!)

Taco Saturday Night

Got a quick start this morning with muffins and grapes. It was once again raining cats, dogs, and chickens when I came downstairs. I ended up calling Uber. Despite getting soaked waiting for it, it actually didn't take long or cost a lot for such a bad weather day. I got to work with just enough time to put my jacket and lunch bag in my locker.

Work was insanely busy through about 2 PM, after which it died down to on-and-off steady. The weather did its part. We did get heavy snow...for all of 20 minutes. The real trouble were frigid gale-force winds that blew everyone around all day long. Good thing I was cashiering today; they have plenty of bagging help on weekends. 

Had a harder time finding an Uber to take me home. By this point, any precipitation had long since vanished and the sun had emerged, but the chilly and nasty winds persisted. Not to mention, I was off during the height of rush hour. I was lucky it only took me 10 minutes to find a driver and another 13 for them to arrive. 

Went straight upstairs when I got home for a snack and to watch a couple of shows on streaming. Since this is Women's History Month, I did an episode of You Can't Do That On Television on Paramount Plus revolving around "Sexual Equality." The boys on the show demand equality and tell Christine she should give them a chance to host. Great, says Christine, but that means they also get the pies, slime, and (whispers) water intended for her, too. Meanwhile, we get a round of girls vs boys jokes, with Lisa wondering why more girls aren't executed in front of the firing squad and the boys asking the Senator why Christine gets to drive the car and they don't. 

Webby's equally happy to join in to "Escape To/From Atlantis!" on the 2017 Ducktails...if she can ever figure out how to explain to her grandmother she's along for the ride. Scrooge takes the kids and Launchpad to find the legendary lost city. Donald, however, is working for Flintheart Glomgold, the second-richest duck in the world, who will stop at nothing to make sure Scrooge never finds that treasure!

Finished the night online after tacos for dinner and a shower with the 1997 animated Pippi Longstocking at Pluto TV. I go further into this version of the beloved children's books from Sweden at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Animation Celebration Saturday - Pippi Longstocking (1997)

Lawrence Welk and his crew did their charming "Irish Show" in 1979. There were lots of Irish reels from Bobby Burgess and his partner Elaine Niverson, and Jack Imel and Mary Lou Metzger contributed an adorable tap routine to "If You're Irish, Come Into the Parlor." Arthur Duncan did a waltz clog to "Little Annie Rooney Waltz," and even Mexican beauty Anacani contributed "Shamrocks, Shillelaghs, and Shenanigans." 

Lawrence Welk - Irish Show (1979)

And don't forget to set your clocks ahead for Daylight Savings tonight!

Winds of March

Kicked off the morning with breakfast and Garfield's Feline Fantasies. Garfield and Odie spend their morning daydreaming themselves into everything from Airport to a western and a magician's act. Jon's always there to rescue them when things get hairy, leading Garfield to believe they're invincible. To test his theory, he concocts their wildest adventure yet, a James Bond spoof with Garfield as a suave spy and Odie as his sidekick outrunning a woman agent and two grotesque bad guys out to find the original banana used in the slip on the banana peel gag.

Rushed off to the laundromat as soon as I finished breakfast. Had a huge load, including towels, and I desperately needed clean work clothes. Though they were busy when I arrived, I was able to grab one of the front-loading washers. They're only slightly more expensive than the top-loaders, and it's fun to watch everything go around. Half-listened to Good Morning America and kids' nature shows while working on story notes. It started to empty out just as I dashed out the door. I raced home, put everything away, changed as quickly as possible, and raced back out.

Work was a bit of a pain. We were off-and-on busy, and we still don't have enough help. I kept getting tossed into the register, including for most of the second half of my day. At least everyone seemed to be understanding about my frustration. One of the moms with two sweet teenagers was especially helpful, telling me I did well and that I shouldn't worry so much. I wish I could have spent more time outside with the carts. Though it continues to be windy, it was also gloriously sunny, with a warm sun that held more than a hint of spring.

Needless to say, I went straight home after all that. Tried to work on writing, but I was too tired to really concentrate. Charles awakens to see Arlene Francis bandaging his burned hand while Gene and Orson (the latter still in troll form) look on in concern. Gene took them to Arlene's shop in Holly Woods to make use of her many potions. She's a friendly witch who specializes in healing and medicines, but she's not sure what she can do for Richard...

Broke for dinner at 6:30. Watched The Pebble and the Penguin while enjoying the last of the black bean dip and tortilla chips for dinner. I go more into this Don Blue Antarctic romance at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Animation Celebration Saturday - The Pebble and the Penguin

Oh, and don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour tonight for Daylight Savings!

Musical Memories

I was up late with Lauren last night...and it was even later when I awoke, thanks to Daylight Savings. It was so late, after wrestling with changing the time on my watch, I wrote in my journal, then went right into making Chocolate Chip Pancakes for what was now brunch.

Listened to the Donna Summer greatest hits collection On the Radio while I ate. Donna Summer's music holds a lot of precious memories for me. Some of my earliest memories are of Rose and me dancing around the house to Dad-Bill's old record copy of Bad Girls, belting the title song at the top of our lungs. I bought him On the Radio on CD as a Christmas present around 1999-2000. I kind of did it as a joke. He'd always been a fan of disco...and Mom was not a fan of disco. To my surprise, it was a hit when Dad played it for my sisters and their friends on Christmas night and became much-requested in my family during the early 2000's, even from Mom.

Ran out to get the laundry done as soon as I finished breakfast. While it was fairly busy, there were plenty of washers and dryers open. Good thing, too. I had a really big load, including towels. I read The Introvert Entrepreneur while ignoring soccer on TV and two Hispanic college kids running loud Spanish music on their smartphones.

Put everything away when I got home, then did some writing. Re-wrote the opening paragraphs. Leia Ortega is still flying over Coruscant City, but she now gets a call from the mysterious White Queen, her Charlie-like boss. She tells her that there's a fire at the Erso Scrapyards in the Scarif District that seems to have been started by the evil Darth Vader, fire-powered Father of Death, and his minions the Shadow Soldiers. The White Queen wants Leia to pick up a package that includes some very important tapes and blueprints, describing Vader's newest secret weapon...

Lauren came on early (she was watching wrestling). I took a shower first, then had a quick leftovers dinner while listening to a few more 70's items and chatting with her. I've been a huge fan of Billy Joel literally for as long as I can remember. Like him, Dad-Bill was from Long Island; Mom often spoke of seeing him play in clubs and bars in the early-mid 70's. His 52nd Street was one of the first records I remember listening to constantly; favorites from this album include "Honesty," "My Life," "Zanzibar," "Rosalinda's Eyes," and "Until the Night."

Finished the night with the soundtrack from Superman: The Movie. Superman has been one of my favorite superheroes since early childhood, likely due to Super Friends and the first three movies. John Williams' score for the first movie has become iconic in its own right, especially the opening credits Title March.

Dolls on a Busy Day

Began this morning with She-Ra during breakfast. Probably my favorite episode on the DVD set I have is "Enchanted Castle." Adora and Bow help an old woman on their way to a mysterious castle. When they're captured by the castle's owner, an evil sorceress, they have to find a way to escape. The duo is surprised when the old woman comes to their aid, but she's more than she seems...

First on the agenda was finally getting the laundry done. I put it off for way too long. My clothes pile was huge. I got there just in time. Only half the washers were available, and the rest were taken less than twenty minutes after I arrived. Spent the whole time working on story notes and vaguely listening to other people chatter around me.

Went straight home and put everything away. Dad called shortly after I finished. I called him earlier to ask if he wanted to go to the bike store today. Not today; Jodie had just bought a new car, and they were going to head to a winery they like. We'll go Thursday morning.

then went right back out. I had to run a few errands, starting with this week's volunteering at the Oaklyn Library. Everyone must have been out enjoying the day. I only saw one other older man reading at a table and the librarian. I organized DVD, peeked at magazines, and went on my way.

Backtracked to West Clinton Avenue for lunch. Phillies Phatties is probably the cheapest place to eat in the entire area. Two slices and a can of soda are only $3.50. I enjoyed my lunch while watching March Madness college basketball. (Memphis was playing Cincinatti; apparently, Cincinatti won, 70-60.)

Strolled down West Clinton and up to the White Horse Pike to pick up a few things at Dollar General. Looked at laundry detergent (I used up the last of mine on that big load), but their prices weren't even as good as the Acme's sales. Did get cake mix and cough drops. Also tried a pecan roll that was so soft and chewy and good! It was the best nut roll I've ever tasted.

I'm glad I went for a walk instead of on my bike. This was a day to be savored. While it's still chilly for this time of year and a bit windy, the sun was warm on my back. The snow is melting fast, revealing tufts of emerald grass and the first crocus and daffodils of the season. There's buds on the trees and sprouts in people's gardens.

Vacuumed as soon as I got in and put everything away. It had to be done. This is something else I shouldn't have put off. The kitchen in particular was really bad, thanks to a flour spill when I was putting away the new white flower yesterday.

Next on the to-do list was dressing the dolls for St. Patrick's Day and early spring. Jessa wears a bright green wrap blouse I picked up from a doll clothes booth with drawstring cargo pants and penny loafers. Whitney's also in bits and pieces - paired the green-sprigged turtleneck from the 90's modern Girl Scout uniform with Molly's original navy "meet" skirt, tights, and the flats from the Coconut Fun Outfit. Put Samantha into her only green outfit, her just-retired Special Day Dress. Felicity's in Elizabeth's Summer Gown...which, with it's quilted petticoat and pale celery green color, is really more appropriate for spring. Found Molly's hand-made shamrock print dress with the rickrack trim at a yard sale; she wears it with white tights and Sam's black Mary-Janes. Josefina sports her Harvest Outfit with the sage-green print skirt and beautiful embroidered flowers on the long-sleeved camisa.

Worked on writing after I finished with the dolls. Obi-Wan, Leia, and the wolf manage to pass themselves off as servants and a guard dog. They find their way to an office, where Obi-Wan learns that a high-profile prisoner is being kept in the top of the tower. The wolf sniffs a familiar scent on a finely carved bow and scabbard. Leia uses these to get him to lead them to his master. Obi-Wan tricks one of the guards and knocks them downstairs, while Leia stabs the other two.

The dirty, foul-smelling tower cell holds only a chair, a straw pallet, and a battered man bound in chains. He's dirty, his long brown hair hangs lankly to his shoulders, and his once-fine clothes are in rags. The wolf runs to him immediately, recognizing his smell. He calls the wolf Chewie, but doesn't seem to recognize much else.

I got so into writing and doing research, it was past 7 before I broke for dinner. Had leftovers while playing more Lego Star Wars. Completed "The Great Pit of Carkoon" and "Cloud City Trap," getting all the pieces in both and True Jedi on the former.

Finished the night online with YouTube. When I wrote the Remember WENN fanfiction The Adventures of the Crimson Blade back in 2015, a lot of my research involved watching old silent and public-domain swashbucklers on YouTube and taking notes on interesting ideas. I decided to try that again, this time with medieval romances and sword-and-sorcery tales. Began with the 1922 silent tale When Knighthood Was In Flower. Marian Davies plays the sister of Henry the VII, who is being forced to marry King Louis of France. She's really in love with her brother's Captain of the Guard. They try to flee, but are captured after a melee at a wayside inn. She's locked in, and he's about to be sent to the gallows. Will these lovers ever be united?

I don't know. The copy currently on YouTube is missing the last 20 minutes. What's left is worth checking out if you're a fan of historical romances, including some sumptuous sets and costumes. My favorite part by far was Davies trying to pose as a boy, including her demand for a gigantic meal and subsequent duel.

If you're interested, here's the YouTube link:

When Knighthood was In Flower

Oh, and don't forget to switch your clocks ahead an hour for Daylight Savings Time!

Rainy Daze

I thought my clock said "9:00" when I got up this morning. Then I saw my watch, and remembered we just switched to Daylight Savings. That just left me enough time to read, write in my journal, and try something different for breakfast. I like the Feather Nutmeg Muffins so much, I thought I'd try Feather Nutmeg Pancakes - pancakes made with butter, with lots of nutmeg in the batter. Not too bad. I did burn the first one a little.

Ran The Music of Spring while I ate and got ready for work. This is a springtime version of the Columbia holiday collections that turn up so often at Christmas. While I enjoy it, I will admit a lot of the songs don't have that much to do with spring. I can understand "April In Paris" or "Younger Than Springtime," but the title songs from Camelot and Never On a Sunday and two numbers from My Fair Lady make less sense.

Work was steady all afternoon. I was in the register the whole time today. Not surprising, given the crowds. The weather must have scared a lot of people indoors. It's showered off and on all day, including when I was going to and coming home from work. Annoyingly, there was a problem when I was going home. They said I had a relief, but the kid ended up going in for the other guy who was leaving instead. Not only was I almost late signing out, but I had to deal with at least three obnoxious old men in a row. I wish they'd figure out that it's not 1965, and the time for their dumb jokes was roughly around when the Mad Men were in the boardroom.

I went straight home to cool off. I listened to Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis while adding Monterrey Jack cheese, mushrooms, and spinach to the tomato pie I bought yesterday. I didn't add enough cheese, but otherwise, it was pretty good. The flaky crust definitely said more "square pie" than "regular pizza."

Spent the rest of the evening writing. While the guys are fleeing the remains of Aldran, Leia watches the destruction of her kingdom from the Death Tower, the tallest and most isolated tower in Bast Castle. The only way in is through a window at the very top, and the only way up is to climb Leia's very long, dark hair. Vader is the first one to do so. He questions his feisty daughter about the two young men she met at the ball. He wants to know about the one with the Force magic...and for her to forget any ideas she had of falling in love with someone besides his master. He cajoles her, uses his choking magic, but she really doesn't know much about them other than the little knight has magic and the supposed "prince" was a jerk...and she has no intention of falling for anyone, including Palapatine.

Little Girl Blue

The day wasn't very exciting in general. I did forget to set the clocks back this morning. I got up around what I thought was 10:30. I switched on the radio, expecting to hear Brunch With the Beatles...but the Elvis show was still on! I did fix the clocks, then wrote in my journal until the Beatles came on.

Listened to the Beatles as I made Banana Pancakes for breakfast. The Beatles' movie career was in the spotlight today. They played songs from all five Beatles movies - A Hard Day's Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, and the documentary Let It Be. I tried to call Mom, but didn't get her. I figured she was out with my dad.

I spent the next few hours reading and a little bored. I finally took Molly and Felicity downstairs to get photos of them "helping" me clean up the yard, but the batteries in my camera went out. I picked them up and went for a quick walk in the park instead. While the trees around my apartment are turning amazing shades of yellow and gold, for some reasons, a lot of the ones in the park haven't turned yet. Thankfully, the park seems to have been spared the worst of the storm damage. I saw one spindly tree down and lots of leaves and branches, but otherwise no real mess.

After I got home, I decided it was time to change the sheets on my bed. I made the bed, then set up the dolls and pillows. I'd just gone online to post my pictures when Rose called. She was worried about me. My financial problems had gotten around. Why hadn't I told anyone? They said they would have helped. And did I still have a job at the Acme? Of course I do! She still insisted I call them tomorrow. I also called Andrew, my landlord, and told him about my lack of cash. He said to pay when I could.

Mom said pretty much the same thing when she called a while later. She wasn't happy to begin with. She'd had to deal with my stepfather for a lot of the afternoon. I didn't mean to yell at her, but I wish I could explain things better. I appreciate all the money they're giving me, but it's making me feel horribly guilty. I don't want people to throw money at me. I just want to be a normal, independent adult who doesn't have to run to Mommy and Daddy every time there's trouble. I want to be able to use my real talents to do a real job.

I wanted so badly to prove to everyone that I could find writing jobs, and I blew it. I haven't done a single useful thing in the past month. I feel so, so bad.

Daylight Savings and Other Fall Stories

I was more than a little disoriented when I got up this morning, thanks to this morning's Daylight Savings. Did I go to bed at 1...or 2? Was I up at 8AM or 9AM? No matter. When I finished with my journal, I put on Brunch With the Beatles and had a smashing fall breakfast of Squash Cornmeal Cakes (made with the leftover acorn squash from last night), a dressed egg, and applesauce.

Ran Brunch With the Beatles while I ate. "Songs From 1966" was the theme today. This was the year the Beatles really kicked into high gear and started doing more elaborate productions in the studios. Among the hits and high notes from that year were "Yellow Submarine," "Michelle," "Paperback Writer," "Tomorrow Never Knows," "Nowhere Man," "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)," "Act Naturally," and "We Can Work It Out." I tried calling Mom about mid-way through the show, but I got the answering machine.

The rest of the day wasn't terribly exciting. I worked on editing Bowery Boys fanfiction, then had a very quick lunch, put together a Crock-Pot beef stew for dinner, and went to work. The Acme actually called me in an hour early. This wasn't a big deal. I had no major plans for today, and while my hours are generally earlier this week, they're also fewer. It was busy all night, right up until I was ready to leave. There were no major problems, and I was in and out after picking up a can of low fat and sodium beef broth to replace what I used on the stew.

When I got home, I had my stew and talked to Mom. She was happy to hear I'd finally gotten some things done. I do feel much better now that I'm back to a more regular schedule and have a few plans. I need to call the Foot and Ankle Center about my orthopedics and actually hang up those flyers this week.

Love On the the Wrong Tracks

Thanks to Daylight Savings, I didn't go to bed until past 3:30 last night. Needless to say, I really slept in this morning. I finally put on Brunch With the Beatles around quarter after 10. "Songs Recorded Or Released In the Spring" was the theme today. We heard "All My Lovin'," "A Hard Day's Night," "Help!," "Ticket To Ride," "Eight Days A Week," "Penny Lane," and "The Ballad of John and Yoko," among others.

I made Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes for breakfast, then called Mom. Mom was getting ready to go into Cape May as I called. We discussed changes in Cape May, the horrifying tsunami in Japan a few days ago and what it means for the US, local teacher troubles, and my brother's impending graduation and joining the Navy.

I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon crocheting and watching Brief Encounter. I'm not normally into romance tales, but I did rather like this quiet British movie about a gentle affair between a housewife and a doctor. It's all very simple and subtle. The two don't really do anything that indiscreet, but it drives both crazy anyway, especially her.

It's hard to believe that David Lean is the director of this quiet, charming movie, especially if you know his bombastic Hollywood epics well. There are many unassuming touches here and there, and some wonderful shots of the two at the train station, the movies, and chatting on a bridge in the country.

Also, I like how adult everything is. The two are, despite their affair, happily married, and their spouses and families are good people. It makes their ultimate choice all the more tragic.

I had a quick lunch of tuna salad and an orange after the movie ended, then headed for work. It was on-and-off cloudy and still very windy, making for a blustery, chilly ride.

Work was less of a problem. We were busy all day, and except for a smattering of annoying older women, everyone was in a good mood. It slowed down enough for me to head home after work without a relief.

When I got home, I set up a Lemon Coconut Mousse Pie made with skim milk for dessert. It's not finished yet - I'll check again in a hour.

Three More Bowery Boys Stories at the Riverside Rest

Just posted three more Bowery Boys stories at our site and moved our short Bowery Boys role play stories to their own page. Enjoy!

The Bowery Boys' Basement Clubhouse

And don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour tonight!

Daylight Savings

And don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour tonight! :)

And Don't Forget...

...To turn your clocks back for Daylight Savings, folks!

Late Riser

Between Daylight Savings and staying up late last night, I wasn't up this morning until well after 10. I made apple-chocolate-chip pancakes and listened to the WOGL Brunch With the Beatles show. ("Songs released in the spring" was the theme today.) I called the family in Cape May County after I finished brunch. I got my brother Keefe. He was fine, other than a runny nose. He and Mom were about to go out and buy chocolate cookies for him. Apparently, my stepfather ate most of the two pounds of chocolate-covered cookies Keefe's girlfriend gave him for Valentine's Day.

I spent the rest of the afternoon after the Beatles ended working on editing this month's Monkees story, which we finished last night. Look for it tonight or early this week!

It was still warm this afternoon when I went to work, well over 70s degrees, cloudy, and humid. It was still warm, humid, and cloudy when I got out. Work was busy, but nothing unusual for a Sunday afternoon. Everyone was on time and I had no trouble getting in or out.

Fall Back

And don't forget to set your clock back an hour tonight, folks!

Daylight Savings?

I don't know why it's early this year, but...don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour tonight, folks!