Sunday, February 24, 2013
 
WHAT IT TOOK TO WARM ME UP
For many winters I've been taking off for Florida, escaping all that "cold stuff" that happens up in New England.  Well I am now living the life of a Northerner, no longer a "snowbird."

For months now, I have had the same question asked of me, "do you miss Florida?"

My answer, up until very recently was, "no, not at all."

Well let me tell you after all the snow, cold and wind we've had I can't help but think of the sunny days at the pool, just taking a walk at the beach, and enjoying  those beautiful cool evenings  in Florida.

If someone asked me that question today I'd say, Yes, I do miss all that!

It's the middle of February, Winter is almost over, but there is still March, and even April, to get through.

Before I go out to do an errand, I make sure it's not freezing, windy or slippery out there.  Whatever I have to do can wait until the "sun shines Nellie."

It's snowing right now - I'm home, I have the heat on and it's working just fine.



I'm wearing a sweat shirt, long sleeve shirt and sweat pants but still feel chilly.

Maybe it's mind over matter or maybe it's a cold coming on.

RELIEF IS ON THE WAY

This morning when I read the Boston Globe there was a very interesting article about one of my very favorite actors, the 90 year old Carl Reiner, who has written a new memoir "I Remember Me."

What I found especially interesting was what George Shapiro, Carl's manager, tells the readers in this piece.

"Carl recently acquired an iPad, which he is learning to use. It's great because if he wakes up at 3 in the morning and has a tweet, he can just get it right out. I think he's the oldest living tweeter."

Aha, Carl's 90 - I'm a close 87! I tweet too!

When I see something like that in the paper  I share it with my son Steve.  I sent it off to him and "what do you know" no sooner could you say, "in the blink of an eye," I received an e-mail from Steve telling me that he's sending me a copy of Carl Reiner's book, "I Remember Me."

He also shared his purchase on twitter.



Now that's something that warms my heart!

posted by millie garfield @ 5:47 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 5 comments
Sunday, February 17, 2013
 
MILLIE GOES TO THE OPERA
I did something very exciting and special yesterday!  I attended  a matinee of Verdi's Rigoletto that was telecast to theaters around the world.  It was broadcast live to 1,900 movie theaters and I was present to share in that experience!

Our group arrived an hour before showtime, no sooner did we get settled when the screen took us to the opera where we saw the workers preparing the set.

We also saw the people arriving, getting settled in their seats as we had done.


Renee Fleming To Host Metropolitan Opera's Live In HD Broadcast Of Verdi's Rigoletto Featuring Piotr Beczala, Željko Lucic, Diana Damrau.

Before the opera started the HD host Renne Fleming interviewed the producer Michael Meyer who spoke about how he felt Rigoletto could be transformed from the 16th century Mantua to a 1960 hotel and casino on The Strip in Las Vegas.  Both had plenty of shady characters, drinkers, gamblers and womanizers in their towns.

When it came to casting "The Rat Pack" was a natural - The Duke of Mantua was the 60's "Old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra (wearing a tuxedo most of the time).


I've never been to the opera or had much exposure to the music so seeing it in a modern setting was an ideal way to get familiar with it.  I wonder how the died in the wool opera goer feels about that.

I read the story of Rigoletto beforehand, but you know how that goes.  It's like a twisted soap opera.

What helped a lot was that there were subtitles throughout the entire performance so I was able to put two and two together.

Between the three acts there were 15 minute intermissions where Renee Fleming interviewed various cast members.   To see them as individuals and hear  them speak after having seen them perform was a treat.  And Renee herself is no slouch.  What a charmer she is!

The high drama takes place in the last act.

I don't have to say that the following is a spoiler because if you are familiar with the story line you know that Gilda, Rigoletto's daughter, dies at the end but it's the way she dies!  She's stabbed to death and is placed in the trunk of a car.

Dad finds her in the trunk and is devastated, sings to her, she's dead but she responds - Then she dies!!!

Ha!

Now that I've seen Rigoletto I'd like to see and hear more of the music that I just experienced!

I'd love to hear from fellow bloggers who are opera goers or have been to an HD presentation.

posted by millie garfield @ 8:18 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 5 comments
Monday, February 11, 2013
 
DOWNTON ABBEY STUFF
Time did not fly in the two hour presentation of Downton Abby, which I watched last night. The goal of the show was to tie up all the loose ends of the many characters who's lives had to be tied up!

Glory be, as the season progressed, I began to know the names and status of many of the residents of Downton Abby. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy, and I'm still not sure who's who.

ROSE


Last night they introduced a young lady who had a zest for life. Who needed her? If they had left her out that would have shortened the show by at least ten minutes, and we'll probably never see her again!

EDITH


For those of you who haven't watched this program, I'll tell you a little about the older single daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham. She was left standing at the alter by her noble groom, who felt is was not fair to marry her because of his age and health.

Why did he wait until he was at the alter to walk out on her?

I'll tell you why, because it made a good dramatic scene and now it ties in to what is happening in her life!

Edith applied for a newspaper writing position, was hired by Gregson the editor. He recognized her ability and found her attractive. Before she took the job, she made a phone call and found out that he was A MARRIED MAN.

Today when we want to find out about someone we check with Google.

In the early 20th century who would you call? I was surprised she was given Gregson's personal information.

I'll tell you why, because it made a good dramatic scene, and it will open the door to a romantic situation!

The time they spent telling Edith's story was worthwhile.

Voting is still open in the SeniorHomes.com Best Senior Living Awards 2013.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE: VOTE for My Mom's Blog HERE by Facebook LIKE or Google +1.
STUFF
If I had been watching last night's show with a friend, I would have called out, "what was that?!!!"



Lady Grantham, the charming and refined lady of the house used the word "stuff"?!!!

Next thing I know they will have Maggie Smith, who plays the part of a Dowager Countess, saying "stuff."

Ben Schmidt also noticed the anachronisms.

Update: Ben Schmidt looks into, What sort of "stuff" would the Crawleys use?

I discussed this with Steve this morning and he reminded me about the times that his father would correct his English especially when he used the word "stuff."

Aaron, your efforts paid off, you would be very proud to hear how well spoken our son is.

BONUS: DOWNTON SIXBY
A while ago I saw Jimmy Fallon and company do a take-off on Downton Abbey. It was very funny and the characters were very well done.



posted by millie garfield @ 5:51 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 6 comments
Saturday, February 09, 2013
 
Vote for my mom! Best Blogger Best Senior Living Awards 2013
Hi! Steve here.

My Mom's Blog has made it to the finals in the SeniorHomes.com Best Senior Living Awards 2013 in the Best Senior Living Blogs by Individuals 2013 category.

Voting is still open for PEOPLE'S CHOICE: VOTE HERE by Facebook LIKE or Google +1.

Happy the Mac is back
Image: My Mom, 87 year old blogger!

As a finalist, she's entitled to post the official finalist badge on her website.



Yay!

Her website will be evaluated against other finalists in her category by their panel of expert judges.

They’ll be selecting two winners per category:

One People’s Choice Winner (based on popular vote, so keep voting!)

My Mom's Blog is a finalist in the SeniorHomes.com Best Senior Living Awards 2013

Click through to the Best Senior Living Blogs by Individuals 2013 site, and her page, FINALIST: My Mom's Blog, and vote for my mom by clicking Facebook LIKE or Google +1.

One Overall Winner as determined by average judges’ ratings.

Vote Mom!

posted by Steve Garfield @ 8:46 AM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 0 comments
Sunday, February 03, 2013
 
MEET "SLEEPY TIME GAL"
This morning I had a telephone conversation with a friend that moved into Brooksby one week after I did.

We see each other periodically, check up on what we have been up to, help each other with what we find interesting, and pass the word along.

There is a monthly calendar of in-house activities, there is a trip flyer that comes out once a month, and Brooksby has it's own TV program that runs daily with loads of information.


Image: TV


Image: Trips

And if that's not enough, we also have what we call "the cubby."

When there is something new happening, a change, or anything of importance to communicate, we'll find it there.

There's more, but you get the idea.

I try to keep up with what's going on here, but having a friend to compare notes with helps a lot.

Now, here's where "Sleepy Time Gal" comes in.

While we were talking, I brought up something that has been on my mind for a while.  I've been going to bed very early.  Comes 9 o'clock,  I can't keep my eyes open, and off to bed I go.

Her response  to me was, "everyone goes to bed early here, it's not unusual, that's the way it is."

That made me feel so much better!

With all the activities, and the WALKING that we do, it's no wonder that we are ready for bed so early.

ONE MORE OBSERVATION


Cookies and Ice Cream!
Image: Cookies

Before I lived here I visited a number of times and was impressed with the smiling staff and happy residents.

I thought, "they must put something in the cookies!"

Now that I live here, and am sleeping so well at night, I know they do!


Ha ha ha. Only kidding! ;-)

As you've gotten older, has your sleeping routine changed?


posted by millie garfield @ 9:05 AM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 6 comments

HOME
Powered by Blogger