TEA WITH THE DAMES is a must see movie and if you are in The Miami Valley, be sure to catch it at Neon Movies.
How can it get any better?
This 1-hour 24-minute movie of these four venerable ladies of stage and screen could have continued another two hours. And, more.
Age has not abated this quartet’s screen presence, humor, grit, and adorability. Their breezy conversations were laden with whimsical British vernacular and sometimes familiar big words that were just beautifully molded in their everyday dialogue. It was educational and entertaining.
Go see this movie! I hope to return, again. And, maybe again!
It was a good day and at 8:50 PM I am feeling the burn of tiredness.
The morning was a sluggish start
Noon – on the bus to downtown Dayton where I ate lunch at Taqueria on East 3rd Street
I moved on to Woodland Cemetery where I spent two hours hiking and photographing
Home by 3:45 PM – fed the pooches and made chicken vegetable and noodle soup from a starter container of my Chinese chicken noodle soup from Sunday night
Tidied up and joined my neighbor lady, Kay, for TEA WITH THE DAMES at Neon movies
It was a marvelous day of Mexican food, photography, hiking, and bringing the day to a close watching a delightful movie with a dear friend.
I had hoped to go to the Calvary Cemetery tour and hike in the morning and then the Centerville HS marching band contest in the evening. However, I cancelled early on for both as the weather grew increasingly wet, windy, and chilly.
I remained at my desk or the guest bedroom surrounded by The Quartet.
Little was accomplished and I’m fine with that.
At 6:15 PM I boarded the #17 bus for downtown where I hiked in a mist to a favorite Chinese eatery.
The Oregon District was entirely blocked off due to the Halloween festivities and I trekked through the neighborhood and allies to cross Wayne Avenue.
Now, I’m seated in the comfortable lobby of The Neon Movies to see Robert Redford in OLD MAN WITH A GUN which had some scenes filmed in Dayton. I’ve loved Robert Redford since first seeing him in ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN when I was a young boy.
Parades of costumed folks are passing by, heading across the street to the Historical Oregon District to enjoy their evening.
Mother was supposed to visit for the day but plans were changed, last minute.
Since October 9th I’d been telling The Quartet, “Grandma’s gonna come visit us.” Chief would get excited. The Sisters would get excited but I’m not sure they really remember Mother. Erma? Erma is just excited over anything I say.
Last evening (Thursday), I had dinner with friends, Jenny and Jim. Jim recently had knee surgery and was still dealing with a good deal of discomfort. It was a lot of fun!
I accomplished a few items around the house and then sat in my study chatting with my neighbor lady, Kay, before she headed to Noon Mass.
The afternoon was grey and raining. It was just the blah-est of days. I napped for an hour and returned to researching before it was time to feed The Quartet who’ve been snuggled close by in my study.
Tomorrow, I’d planned going on the Calvary Cemetery tour/hike and the Centerville HS marching band contest, but the temperature is not expected above 47-F. I love marching band but o don’t think I can commit to being in the cold that long. Once upon a time it was so easy to do. Now…
The Quartet was happy to oblige me a photo session!
I woke earlier than usual and actually feeling less sluggish than previous mornings and decided to take advantage of the moment with a trip to Woodland Cemetery.
I got to the downtown hub with ease and after completing business I had 13 minutes until #14 would arrive to wind through the University of Dayton campus and a stop at Woodland Avenue.
There were two 14s on the electronic schedule, the next bus, now at 9 minutes and another 14 with a wait of 35 minutes.
The next 14 bus suddenly disappeared from the list. Another one appeared with a 15 minute wait and t meh second now at 29 minutes.
The next immediate bus disappeared from the screen and the next was 25 minutes.
Damn!
I asked one of the attendants outside and was asked, “You’re not on anything are ya? Those things don’t happen.”
I really fought hard to stifle my own rebuttal as it would not have been pretty.
So, I’m now 30 minutes later I’m getting to Woodland and it will be nearly 10:45 AM when I intended to be there by 10:00 AM. I did take some photos around the area but am still miffed, not so much by the screwy screen of bus times but by the sophomoric, inappropriate treatment by the RTA employee.
In the mornings there dogs are to remain at the top of the stairs until I reach the bottom. It’s usually several reminders of, “get back” when an errant pup starts down the stairs or puts a paw on the next step down. Chief always remains back and away from the stampede.
I’m ready for my Thursday adventures since my Friday plans of visitors was upended.
I rose promptly at 8:00 PM, not without grumbles, and attended to The Haasienda’s Quartet, and found my way back to my bed after a good eight hours of sleep.
I finally roused myself and mowed the yard for the last time.
Now, I am eating lunch and half-watching a You Tube video of “An Evening with Barbara Bush and Laura Bush.” It’s fantastic.
I didn’t realize how much I missed Mrs. Barbara Bush until I heard her voice, this morning. I miss her candor and her tremendous humor.
My first impression of Barbara Bush was shortly after her husband’s 1988 election when she and the President-elect were interviewed by Barbara Walters. The esteemed interviewer echoed the concern that Mrs. Bush had not selected her inaugural gown with a little over a month to go before the event.
“I’m having difficulty finding inaugural gowns on the rack at Lane Bryant.”
It’s a chilly, sunny morning here in The Miami Valley and there’s a struggle of wanting to be out and about with my camera and returning to bed with the burning sensation in the lower back.
The past two days of teaching have been invigorating. Exciting things happening.
That’s all there is to report. Bailey is under the covers snuggled next to my back like a furry heating pad and Harrigan, also under the covers, is down next to my calves.
Make it a great day.
Monday evening
Tuesday morning – Harrigan is snuggled next to Chief, again
I learned Larry Boye, one of my directors for The Ball State University Singers, passed away.
Mr. Boye, or LB, as he was familiarly known, had a tremendous impact on my career with show choir arranging and show design/concept. I still rely on the foundations of programming and staging, today.
The end of my freshman year at BSU, May 1984, The Singers toured Greece, Cyprus, and Crete for two weeks. One morning as we were all planning our free day in Athens, Mr. Boye came up to the table at which I was sitting, tapped his fingers near my plate and motioned for me to follow him.
“Have you made your plans for the day?” I hadn’t. “Would you mind doing me a huge favor?” Certainly. “My son is graduating from Northside and due to the divorce, he is kind of sour on me, and rightfully so. I want to buy him a watch for graduation and I need your help finding one since you’re about his age.”
We spent the morning going to several shops, pausing for a late morning snack of ice cream – three softball size dips of strawberry, chocolate, and pistachio all for 30 drachmae (I handed the vendor 90 drachmae assuming it was 30 for each – heaven!).
Just before lunchtime, we stepped into a cinder block building that was a jewelry store. Mr. Boye had me look for a watch for his son. I spied one that I thought he might like and Mr. Boye approved. I found a hand-carved gold cross which I purchased for my self.
Mr. Boye treated me to lunch and we sat talking about a variety of things and he asked about my father. He’d met Mother and referred to her, several times, as “such a lovely woman…” and applauded her for raising her children on her own. I explained to Mr. Boye that my birth father, an abusive alcoholic, had left us when I was twelve and that I had no relationship with him. My biological father would die in a car wreck at the end of that year. Mr. Boye sat back in his chair, looked away, and said, “I’m sorry you went through what you did. Don’t live with it, ever. Move beyond it and create the life you want.” And, I did…
One evening, before heading off to a concert in a Grecian town square, we spent a lovely sunset dinner on a beach that was absolutely picturesque. Mr. Boye stopped me before we entered the seaside eaterie and said, “Here. It’s just a little something for assisting me with JD’s watch. I appreciate it.” I opened a velvet box to find a beautiful solid gold tie-tack.
Later that year, on Tuesday morning, December 18, I sat in the Coke Lobby of the BSU music building. My new step-father of only two days stopped by my dorm that morning to let me know my birth father had been killed in a car wreck the night before. I moved on with my morning, numb, somewhat uncertain how to react.
Mr. Boye came into the lobby, grabbed a cup of coffee from the vending machine and took a seat on the bench next to me and asked about my mother’s wedding the previous Saturday evening. The wedding’s orchestra and vocalists borrowed the powder blue tuxedos from The Singers.
“You’re not your self,” he interrupted after a few minutes of conversation. I explained what had happened. His reaction was the typical bold reaction I expected but then he sat back against the brick wall and looking ahead, said, “I remember our talk in Athens. Have you really lost anything with his death? Not really. Again, move on and create your own life.”
And, I did…
Several months later Mr. Boye would encourage me to hyphenate my last name as I prepared for my impending adoption by my step-father.
I relished Mr. Boye’s tremendous, often bawdy humor, admired his charm, appreciated his time to train me in the work I would later accomplish as an arranger, show designer, and director, and continue to cherish his paternal affection that so many of us received.
Rest in peace, Mr. Boye… thank you…
Larry Boye was the director for Disney’s “Kids Of The Kingdom” and The Ball State University Singers often performed portions of this medley.
Yesterday afternoon and evening, and long into the night, the strong winds pounded the Miami Valley taking down large branches, trees, fences, other structures, electric wires, etc.. There were moments, throughout the night, I worried something might come crashing through my bedroom windows.
Many are still without power at 1:00 PM this Sunday afternoon.
It’s a beautiful, sunny afternoon with a temperature of 48-F.
My first student will be arriving shortly and will begin a long succession of students until 10:30 PM.
The day was less productive than I would have liked, but I feel as though the rest, coupled with my buffet of treatments, I’ve succeeded in warding off this cold and sinus infection.
The day was sunny and bright with a strong breeze that developed into quite strong winds that brought down branches and power lines. Several reports of power outages throughout the area.
Nicole Melin picked me up as she was dropping off Ian at a birthday party and we moved on to Christopher’s Restaurant in Kettering for a delicious meal and a delightful discussion.
Our second destination was The Schuster Center where we took our place in the house right gallery practically breathing down the necks of the basses and cellos, below.
Tonight’s Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Super Pops offering was the music of Broadway and screen legends, Lerner and Lowe. We were entertained with selections from CAMELOT, PAINT YOUR WAGON, GIGI, BRIGADOON, and MY FAIR LADY.
Excellent!
Julie Andrews originated the roles of Eliza Doolittle and Guenevere in MY FAIR LADY and CAMELOT but lost out the movie casting to Audrey Hepburn and Vanessa Redgrave.
GIGI was originally a movie before it was adapted for the stage. Louis Jourdan starred in the movie as the young romantic lead and while a student at Ball State University I got to see Mr. Jourdan playing the older character’s role.
My mentor, Joshua Logan, directed the movies, PAINT YOUR WAGON and CAMELOT. I heard a number of interesting stories about the filming of these two movies.
The morning routine is complete and I’ve opted to work from bed using my hospital table I purchased back in the early 1990s.
The purchase has served me well over the years mostly as a wonderful shelf for my books next to my bed.
I am fighting off a sinus infection and chest cold and I’ve incorporated a traditional regimen of chicken soup, tons of water, lemon, teas, and guaifenesin, plus four devoted, loving pooches.
It’s 50-F and damp from last evening’s rain which last a number of hours. The sun is struggling to pour itself out from behind the clouds and may have won this battle.
There is a Dayton historical walk scheduled from 1:00-4:00 PM, this afternoon, but I am opting out. I also have tickets to the symphony. The walk would be healthy for me but I feel the need to rest and work from home.
Other than that, this is my day. Make it a great day.
I rose at 8:00 AM and completed the morning routine of feeding dogs, letting them out for their morning potty and backyard survey, my breakfast and meds.
I worked some at my desk while breakfasting and by 9:00 AM the slugs overtook me and I went to the guest bedroom next to my study to read while Bailey and Harrigan snuggles next to me.
Near 1:00 PM I grabbed the #17 bus for La Piñata in Centerville. I was to connect with #14 but it was ahead of my bus. I got near the south hub near the Dayton Mall and could not make a decision where to eat. While walking past Golden Corral I heard someone call my name. A former student and his fiancé were walking in and invited me to join them, which I did. It was a nice surprise.
I returned home at 4:00 PM with hopes of finishing the clearing of the deck and taking down the pergola. Well, I fed the dogs and returned to the guest bedroom for a two hour nap.
The weather was looking nasty and I figured I would hold off on heading over to the stadium for the game. Instead, I returned to my original plan of clearing the deck which was completed within 30 minutes.
I spent the rest of the evening researching as rain splashed against my study windows.
It’s now moving onto midnight and I’m in bed with Chief, Bailey, and Harrigan. Erma is in her usual place on the doggie bed.
The day began with overwhelming sluggishness and turned out to be a very productive day.
After feeding The Quartet I predicted an hour’s nap won’t suffice. It did not. Finally, at Noon I begrudgingly prodded my self into action.
I managed to:
Write four college reference letters
Prep some music for students for next week
Prepped some senior students’ college audition songs
Took a lot of deck furniture to the shed and basement
Cleared a good deal off the deck
Removed my theatre books off the white bookshelf in my study
Took the white bookshelf to the basement
Brought up a taller bookcase to put in place of the shorter bookcase
Reorganize all my theatre books on their new bookcase
Take out the window air conditioner from my study
Dust the study
Reorganize a few studio areas in my study
Set up all the four humidifiers throughout the house
Wash dishes
Feed dogs
4:00 PM teach a makeup lesson to a student who’d been sick for several weeks
Eat supper
Shower and dress for choral concert
Took Bus 17 to the south hub near the Dayton Mall
Bus 23 showed up earlier
Called at Uber and arrived at high school with 15 minutes to spare
Shot photos from balcony throughout the high school choir concert
I had five students on stage tonight, all in the top choirs and a cappella groups, with several featured soloists. I am so proud of the excellent work put forth and the confident performances from these five!
Bravo, Team!
Tomorrow, I am in hopes of completing the clearing of the deck and straightening the basement, some.
Then, it’s on to the Fairmont/Centerville game and the traditional Spirit Chain challenge. Last year, Fairmont raised $92,676.66and Centerville brought in $63,519.52. Each school determined a variety of different charities to which the monies would be distributed. Over the past 33 years, Centerville and Kettering Fairmont students have raised more than $2 million for charity during this friendly competition.
I’m on the bus heading for The Haasienda where I shall be greeted by an eager foursome ready to potty, receive a treat, and head upstairs to bed.
Once upon a time I could easily function at full speed on 4-5 hours; however, the past month or so my body is demanding 6-8 hours of sleep with additional rest. The challenges are slowly introducing themselves.
Two photos from tonight’s choral concert, Disney On Stage.
It’s a chilly Thursday morning and I’ve returned to my bed for an hour or so to hopefully regain some energy that’s escaped me.
There’s precious little to report.
Tonight I’ll attend a choral concert with several students performing.
Friday, it’s the Fairmont vs Centerville game which concludes The Spirit Chain, a fantastic competition between the two schools and communities that raise over $100,000 for local charities.
Saturday, I hope to attend a Dayton history walk downtown and later some time at Ghost Light Coffee Shop to see Mike Bisig’s band.
One goal is to clear the deck which will probably take me several days rather than several hours.
The dogs are gathered around me, at the moment, and my morning nap is set.
My system seems to be returning to normal after the marathon three days spent with my son who is now in England with his partner for the next two years.
The past two mornings have found me returned to my bed after feeding the dogs.
The students, Sunday through this evening, have been chewing up the carpets. Students are preparing for Muse Machine’s MAMA MIA, Centerville High School’s INTO THE WOODS, and Alter High School’s SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. Along with these musicals, twelve students are prepping for college musical theatre auditions as well as OMEA solo and ensemble contest. The piano and saxophone students are kicking some major notes off the music stand!
It’s busy.
It’s fun.
It’s productive.
It’s exciting.
It’s a joy (with much pride) to see all the students putting forth so much effort and growing.
Now, it’s down time with my four precious fur balls.
I am rested from the previous five days and energized from a fairly uninterrupted good night’s sleep that began at 10:15 PM (normally I’m at my desk until 12:00 AM and read in bed until 1:00 AM).
It’s a crisp, sunny, blue sky kind of fall day in The Miami Valley. I’ll take it.
I’m showered and ready to start a marathon two days.
Last night I discovered this family portrait of my Daugherty line, my great-great grandparents, Elroy and Mabel Barnett Daugherty, and their children.
Make it a great day!
The Daugherty Family
Front Row: Raymond, Elroy, Richard, Mabel, Glennard
Yesterday’s invigorating whirl of fun activities has me drained and I cannot seem to grab hold of momentum.
The devastation of Hurricane Michael is sad. Cities completely wiped down to the foundations.
I’ve researched a bit but discovered precious little.
The day is overcast and on the cool side. The sun is fighting to break through but with limited results.
I’m going to try to make it to the Hamburger Wagon in Miamisburg. They are delicious. And, I want to try to see the Gilda Radner documentary at The Neon.
Several years ago I purchased a nice size dog bed/pillow for Chief who occasionally battles arthritis.
Erma arrived and upon entering the bedroom for the very first time immediately took possession of the doggie bed. Chief, being the kind soul that he is, hopped up on my bed.
Every night, Miss Erma rushes up the stairs to make sure she gets the doggy bed.
The other day I bought Erma her own bed. Tonight, I pulled her off of the bed intended for Chief and showed her the new bed. She loved it!
However, she picked up her new bed and took it right over to Chief’s bed. Now, Miss Erma is even more content now that she has two doggie beds at night.
Wednesday was a pop fly right out of the ballpark and I loved swinging the bat.
Since the original time of the Gem City clock’s raising time was moved from past the noon hour to 11:00 AM, I figured I would miss it. However, a 10:00 AM text from Amy Kress alerted me to the 11:00 AM hoist time.
I hurried to Carillon Park, bypassing the main entrance and took advantage of the staff/construction parking. A crowd had already gathered to watch the clock take its new position. I moved to the far side on the side street where I had a much better view. Another lady and I took photos of one another as we leans against the clock as the two last folks to touch the clock before it was hoisted from the ground to its new tower over looking the Miami River and I-75.
Before leaving the park I got to see both eagles perched high above the ground and seeming to enjoy the attention they were receiving.
It was another super day with hardworking private students before scurrying off to Fairmont High School Symphony Orchestra’s concert featuring the magic guitar sounds of Jim McCutcheon who was the guest artist. Wonderful evening of music. The orchestra was outstanding and Jim was the consummate artist and educator, sharing his joyful passion of the guitar, background on his selections, and his voice in an original composition.
I returned home to research for several hours, eat dinner, and spend time with The Quartet.
I didn’t think I’d make it to see the clock raised to the tower and figured I’d not make it to the concert. Nice additions to my day.
Clocks. Towers. History. Eagles. Students. Music. Orchestra. Guitar. Research. Dogs.
Folks are always asking me why I don’t enjoy the early stages of autumn with all the sweaters, pumpkin spice, football, fire pits…
I don’t wear sweaters. I’m so-so with pumpkin spice. I don’t like seeing football being played on the marching band field. I don’t like smelling like smoke. AND, my sinuses go bonkers.
Last night I finished teaching by 11:15 PM. I started at 1:00 PM and had no breaks except the few pee breaks. I woke at 8:30 AM having missed my 7:15 AM alarm hoping to be up and going so I could be at my desk by 8:00 AM. It’s now 9:04 AM.
My head is swimming in Sinus-Land this morning with a headache, congestion, and my eyes are swimming in a thick mucus. It’s not pretty. I’ve completed my sinus flush and will steam in just a few minutes.
Give me Spring, Summer, even Winter, any day. Not Autumn.
Despite all this, I intend to make it a great day!
I borrowed the “My Day” title for my blog posts from Eleanor Roosevelt’s daily columns and Thursday, October 11th, will be Mrs. Roosevelt’s 134th birthday.
Eleanor Roosevelt is one of my heroes. What a remarkable, inspiring lady.
Today was a battle of sluggishness until time to teach. I am so grateful for such great students as their energy, preparedness, and hard work consistently fed me energy from 1:00 PM – 11:15 PM.
It’s now 11:42 PM and my body feels as though it’s been bulldozed. Off to bed with four pups who hold more energy than I.
Mr. Boye, or LB, as he was familiarly known, had a tremendous impact on my career with show choir arranging and show design/concept. I still rely on the foundations of programming and staging, today.
GIGI was originally a movie before it was adapted for the stage. Louis Jourdan starred in the movie as the young romantic lead and while a student at Ball State University I got to see Mr. Jourdan playing the older character’s role.
I don’t wear sweaters. I’m so-so with pumpkin spice. I don’t like seeing football being played on the marching band field. I don’t like smelling like smoke. AND, my sinuses go bonkers.
I borrowed the “My Day” title for my blog posts from Eleanor Roosevelt’s daily columns and Thursday, October 11th, will be Mrs. Roosevelt’s 134th birthday.
The Haasienda on Shroyer... 