Dolly Parton's Stampede

 This wasn't as good as I thought it'd be especially the very meh metal. But I loved the horses! The nativity was better than I thought it'd be and the production values are great except for costumes.

Vacation!

We're headed for the Smokey mountains! It's a trip with a lot of firsts: first trip to there, first trip with mojo, and our first trip without Elphie. My sweet Elphie. I miss you so much.

It's also the first trip in this car: John's Toyota Rav 4. Someone did a hit and run on John last night. Thankfully, John's fine and the car has cosmetic damage, same kind as mine

So here's hoping for a wonderful trip!

Look how dark the sky is in Philadelphia!

Daytona is sitting up front, just the guys being guys:

I need to get to the shore

I need to recharge there, get out, see the important three: ocean, seagulls, and boardwalk.

But I have too much to do at home. The endless balance of life and in a ways work.

Writing anniversary

 I just discovered I hit a milestone with my writing. In July 19 mumble mumble, my first story was printed in an amateur publication. I wrote it earlier that year; I wish I could remember when. The story was silly, goofy, mediocre writing at best; I think it had the word women 5 times in the first paragraph. But Roberta Rogow saw something in it or me, I guess, and as for me, I fell in love with writing. I wrote stories in school -- assignments -- and liked it, did this and that in high school, but this was serious love. Sometimes love/hate.... but I was lucky for Roberta Rogow and so many other supportive people, including readers and people in the theater. I can't believe it's been mumble mumble years. All amateur, but you never know.

My Sliding Doors Moment

 

Just remembered something: I had a brush with Disney fame back in the 2000s when my friend David Anderson contacted me about a project. If you met Dave, you know he was a former Imagineer and film maker. Marty Sklar asked him to be part of a team Diane Disney Miller was forming to make the definitive documentary series on her dad, Walt Disney. She was afraid people only saw her father as the corporate symbol, not the man, and Disney had a special DVD series released in tin boxes; one of those about Walt would fit perfectly. 

 

Dave told me that he picked me because I had what Diane and Marty wanted: project skills, a love of Walt, a love for Disney but not a yes man, enthusiasm for the project. With their ok, he asked me. I spoke with John (I wouldv've quit my job, rent a place to live or move) and then said yes.

 

Somebody probably remember this because I told everybody!

 

Unfortunately, Disney didn't want to do the "full look at Walt" and it fell through. It happens. Diane Disney Miller and her son turned that passion into the Walt Disney Family Museum. I guess in a parallel universe, that Erin did do the project. But I'm still honored Dave thought of me & for a moment, Diane Disney and Marty Sklar talked about me. Pretty cool.

 

 

Taking a moment

there's a line at the supermarket of course so I went and got a iced coffee and I'm going to relax in my car and drink it while watching r/ made me smile. It's the little things. It's so true sometimes.

Old Soldier Meets Young Soldier | The Gap

This is so powerful: John Dennett, 95, a World War Two veteran, sits down with Ste Nicholls, 34, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.