glad tidings for chemistry students!

Hallelujah!
It's been a long road, but the destination is nearing as I write.
The journey began in the summer of 2016. I had agreed to teach chemistry during a shortened summer semester, a rare acquiescence on my part. The deciding factor had been the length of the term - eight weeks rather than four or five. That would still be doable, though we would be covering all of the material twice as quickly as in a normal fifteen-week term.
The very first day, I knew I was in for a challenge.
I had never had a blind student before.
However, I knew the Americans With Disabilities Act had been established almost thirty years ago. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 had been instrumental in bringing that forth. That meant public institutions had been working on bringing accessibility to all for more than three decades.
In addition, I had wanted to better my knowledge in the area. I had taken a day-long workshop in April, 2012, on website and course materials accommodations, for compliance with the Section 508 Amendment of the 1973 law. As Section 508 will soon be twenty years old, everyone should have matters well in hand, right? Especially in educational institutions?
Apparently I was mistaken.
In particular, I was mistaken in my belief that educational materials for chemistry were easily and readily available. The student had to wait for almost two weeks - in an eight-week term - to receive the textbook. When it finally did arrive, it was a slow process for the student to 'read' the book using the JAWS software.
As for any tools outside of that expensive textbook? Days of searching online found very little of aid. The student would have been forced to spend almost four hundred dollars on a Braille Periodic Table. That would not have been of much use, as the student did not use Braille except for finding addresses.
How frustrating for both of us!
Then, inspiration struck! On our fifth class day, I brought in the Periodic Table I had scrapped together - literally - and enhanced with puffy paint and scrapbooking letters. I showed the student how to make sure it was correctly oriented and how to use it to find periods and groups.
By the date of the second test on the sixth class day, I had created my Periodic Table for the Visually Impaired. Starting with a clean folder, I had only included the elements in the first eight groups. After all, those are the ones we most study for molecule formation by covalent and ionic bonding.
The student was allowed to keep the modified Periodic Tables for study at home. I wanted to make sure that if the student wanted to learn chemistry, then every opportunity should be afforded for that to occur.
Was the student successful in passing the class?
Well, by the student's own admission, the Periodic Tables only were pulled from the bookbag when at school. Then, they were quite useful on test days!
During that summer, I was encouraged to patent my invention. By the third time that I was told to do so, I actually went to the US Patent and Trademark Office website to find out if that was a viable option. I enlisted the aid of Montgomery Patent and Design to perform a patent search to see if I truly had something worthwhile.
And I did!!!
As of August 24, 2017 - almost a year after beginning this process - my invention is now patent pending!
Even better, the website for introducing my invention to the world is now up and accessible to all. I have called the site "Elements of Touch Periodic Table" and hope to market my invention by that literal descriptor.
I count that as definite progress toward helping all students.

bobby bumps gets a dog!

Here's the latest word from Tommy Jose Stathes, the man with the plan:

December 2017 Update
Time for our monthly check-in! There is a variety of progress and lagging to report on.
First, I'm happy to note that although it took far longer than expected, the newly-discovered footage I reported on earlier finally made its way to my team in digital scan form and the necessary cleaning/steadying/compositing of that footage is currently being wrapped.
Second, artist friend Josh Latta has finished his new artwork for the packaging. I think it's absolutely charming. What do you think? Here's a preview of Bobby and Fido, and there's also art completed for mother and father Bumps, as well as the family's unnamed black cat.
As far as the new music scores go, I'm still waiting to receive every last one from collaborator Charlie Judkins. An urgent animation gig of his that recently popped up had to be bumped up to the front of his work load, but thankfully he's back at the Bumps scores now.
In short, this is the infamous time of the year where the holidays effectively slow projects like this to a grinding halt. A little of that has been going on lately among most of the collaborators, though thankfully some of the outstanding tasks are still *slowly* being completed. On my end, my usual care-taking responsibilities with my mother and grandmother have been especially augmented for the past month and taxing on me and my work schedule as a result.
From the way this project's status looks right now, I'm very confident that we will be able to turn the materials over to Steve Stanchfield of Thunderbean Animation right after the new year begins, so he can finally start the mastering and authoring process. I look forward to updating everyone further in early January.
In the meantime, here's another exclusive peek at an unrestored version of another cartoon that will be in this collection. This is the first Bobby Bumps film released by Bray Studios, and the third one Earl Hurd had shot. This beautiful element is a 1920s 16mm Kodascope Libraries rental print, and I'm so thrilled that it's in fantastic condition and can be spotlighted in this release. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/eNeX-mPajgQ
Happy Holidays,
Tommy Stathes



Hahahaha hahaha! I laughed out loud at the antics of this young boy and his dog!
Thanks, Tommy, for brightening my day!
I so look forward to more treats with this mischievous lad!
I know my friend Sam Johnson would have enjoyed these cartoons, too.

jacob is an eagle!

Here he is, Jacob the Eagle Scout, standing proudly beside his completed project!
He looks like he's grown, doesn't he?
(smile)
He actually completed the work, as well as earning all other badges required for the honorific title, several months ago. That was during the school year, though, so he opted to await the ceremony until all his supporters - including me (smile) could travel to Tallahassee for the ceremony.
He thinks like he's grown, too, doesn't he?
(smile)

Here, he stands
with his dad and mom -
my blue-sky Penny -
prior to pinning them
with their awards
for their help and support
during his many years
as a Boy Scout.
After all, only
four per cent
of all Boy Scouts
ever earn the title of Eagle.

Then time came
for Jacob to award a pin
to someone who was
especially inspirational
for his hard work to become an Eagle.
He announced that he had two pins to award.
The first went to his Grandma Linda -
my Mama's one-and-only sister -
as an eagle swooped and soared over
the nearby pines.

(I'm sure that was Grandpa Bob,
himself an Eagle Scout,
the first one I ever knew.)
The second pin was awarded
to his dad, a lifelong Scout,
but never an Eagle.
You see, the status as Eagle
must be achieved by the 18th birthday...
or not at all.

You could actually see the transition from teenager to young man.
By the time he received the Eagle Charge, he was every bit as solemn as the occasion warranted, showing by his stance and his face that he fully accepted those responsibilities.
He is most assuredly grown now.
I am so very proud of him and his dedication.
I know my Uncle Bob would agree.

glowing pink for the second year!

That's me, having crossed the finish line at 12:58 AM on Saturday night.
Or should I have said Sunday morning?
(smile)
Well, I had not yet been a-bed, so it was still 'night' for me.
That photo was gleaned from the video of the race finishers.
I can be seen starting at marker 39:55 and beyond.
Of 123 participants, only 96 completed the race.
That made me 88th of the 96 finishers.

What race was this?
It was the "Glow The Mall Pink Midnight Madness 5K at Oglethorpe Mall.
This is my second year of participating in this event that benefits breast cancer charities in the Coastal Empire.
Last year was my first time - and its first time here, too.
Then, I had waited until race day to register.
This year, I was officially to be a runner by the end of July.

I admit - last year, I had thought I had completed the race.
When I had circumnavigated the course, the folks at the finishing line had waved me in, so I went.
I had been so very proud of my finisher medal!
Then, with my time of 33:32, I had won third place for my age group - woohoo!
Silly me.
I realized later that I had only completed half of the course. They had waved me in so as to not delay the start of the awards presentation.
So, this year, I was determined to finish... and I did.
(smile)

I wore the wrong pants (too knobby)
and wrong shoes (too loose) -
but I did the whole walk!
As I said, there's a video of the finishers.
Look for me at 39:55 and beyond!
I think this just may become a regular event for me.
(smile)

long live ad-free knowledge!

A few days ago, I received an email that inquired about my willingness to donate again.
The sender did not try to guilt me into doing so, but simply was asking if I might want to.
And so I did, just a few moments ago.
Justthatfast, my gift was acknowledged.
Why not check out the speed of repply for yourself?

****----****----****----****

Dear Faustina,

Thank you for your support of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation. Your contribution of $ 20.00 supports Wikipedia and helps secure the future of free knowledge for everyone.

Wikipedia is possible because of a powerful idea: that people, like you and me, can participate in building the world’s knowledge and making it freely available to everyone, everywhere.

Today, thanks to the support of millions of volunteer contributors and supporters, you can wander Wikipedia for hours. With more than 40 million Wikipedia articles and 35 million freely licensed images, Wikipedia can answer almost any question, and take you places you’ve never been.

Your donation supports the creation and sharing of free knowledge in real, practical ways. It helps us make Wikipedia fast, secure, and accessible to everyone in the world. It helps us bring free access to Wikipedia in places where high mobile data costs prevent people from going online. It helps us support people who are digitizing knowledge currently locked away in analog archives. It protects Wikipedia from threats to free knowledge and the open internet.

Your support means that you can find the information you need now, wherever you may be—to settle a bet with a friend at a dinner party, or to understand the world around us.

Donating to Wikipedia makes you the champion of a powerful idea.

Wikipedia will continue to evolve, grow, and meet new challenges. We’re excited and eager to meet these and more. Your donation will help us get there. We can’t thank you enough for your support. On behalf of the Wikimedia Foundation, thank you for investing in our future and taking this journey with us.

Katherine Maher
Executive Director, Wikimedia Foundation

provisional patent for my invention: done!

My invention is officially protected by the USPTO!
Their Filing Receipt has assigned my application the number 62/547,390.
The "62" denotes that it is a Provisional Patent, which means that they are awaiting the Utility Patent to be filed by August 18, 2018, i.e., within a year of this filing date.
I had truly hoped to have the Provisional Patent application filed by my birthday, which was May 29.
That did not occur.
However, because of one delay or another, I did have time to make an addendum to my Periodic Table for the Visually Impaired.
The original invention did not include the Transitional Elements, nor the Lanthanides and Actinides.
As of a few months ago, the Transitional Elements are reunited with the Representative Elements!
I am so happy for them... and for the future students, both blind and sighted, who will be using this educational tool.
Of course, I can include another addendum for those f-block elements, usually shown in two rows below all of the others.
Those will be useful for studying radioactive elements, for those chemistry courses which include that topic.
However, they are not even necessary then, as there are plenty of Representative Elements, including Carbon-13 and Iodine-131, for the discussion of different types of nuclear emissions.
I am so excited for future students - and the teachers, too!

faustina of tripadvisor

According to tripadvisor.com, I'm in the upper 4% of their contributors and have more than 20,000 travelers who have read my reviews.
That's amazing to me.
I've only been contributing since 2013.
So why am I writing all of that in this blog space?
This site documents the use of my time and resources to help others...
whether on the road or elsewhere.
So, just what do these badges tell you about me?
The Passport is a mark that I have been to at least twenty-five different cities. In truth, I am listed as having been to fifty-eight, but the total is actually much larger, thanks to eight years in the US Navy.
The Expert Photographer was awarded to me for having contributed fifty pictures to accompany my reviews. Honestly, the total is seventy-five at this time.
The Top Contributor was awarded upon my fiftieth review. I currently have fifty-two available on the site.
As pleased as I am to have been named a Top Contributor, I am most proud of the Helpful Reviewer Badge.
Why?
That award comes from the readers of my entries, not from the website.
Those fellow travelers who deemed my words worthy of a "thumbs up" are the ones who granted that one to me.
To this date, I have received thirty "thumbs up" notices.
Those really brighten my day!
Receiving an incredible five helpful votes was my review of The Great Magic Hall. I'll be in Kissimmee next week and look forward to going there again.
The review of my trip to the Dry Falls in NC two years ago has received four helpful votes - nice!
Another review written from that trip, of the Highland Biological Station, Nature Center, and Botanical Gardens received a "thumbs up", too!
That accounts for a whopping third of my "deemed helpful" reviews!
The trip to Las Vegas in 2013 garnered another eight for helpfulness. I have three for Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater; two each for Sin City Comedy and for "Evil Dead: The Musical"; and one for "MJ Live".
The Field of Dreams Movie Site review took home another three from travelers to the baseball diamond in the cornfield. That was one of my first reviews for tripadvisor. I do hope those folks walked the bases and stood in the corn - just like I did.
(smile)

arts at the beach

I am officially a member of the Tybee Post Theater...
again.
I had first joined them last year.
Mostly that action was predicated by two upcoming events at that venue: the Elvis tribute concert and the silent film escapade.
Membership would grant me a discount, you see.
After attending those two events, plus several this year, I recognize the value of the venue to the beach community.
We forget sometimes that tourist draws have residents year-round.
We forget sometimes that tourists bring children who need access to age-appropriate entertainment.
We forget sometimes that local artists and musicians need a place to share their craft.
We forget.
In honor of the Family Friendly Movies...
as well as the many Summer Kid Film Festival screenings...
and the participation in the 2017 Gray's Reef Film Festival...
plus the Tybee Family Feyoud...
and so many diverse musical events...
I have renewed my membership.

Want to know more?
Just click here.
Thanks!

planetariums and more!

Yesterday, I again joined the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach.
That's my my home away from home, you know.

The photo above is of the Great Blue Heron sculpture in the Sensory Garden, part of the Tuscawilla Preserve. Fashioned of driftwood, the sculpture's lovely angles allow quiet contemplation as I sit on one of the wooden benches near it.
The Planetarium is one of my favorite places. So many shows offered during the day! And guess what? They're all free with membership, so they can be enjoyed over and over, from "The Sky Tonight" to the many laser-light music shows.
I also enjoy going to the Children's Museum, with all of its hands-on science activities! That reminds me of the Savannah Science Museum, now long-gone, at which I volunteered during my senior year of high school. Such fond memories! MOAS offers special weekly programs so local and visiting youth will have plenty of fond memories of their own.
This latest visit was my first to the Root Family Museum. Why has it taken me so long to explore that part? Well, I generally try to go to the traveling exhibits, to be sure I don't miss those. The RFM is static, so... I could visit it any time... which, of course, meant I could put it off... which I did. Trust me, save a couple of hours to thoroughly enjoy the many different facets it contains, from racecars and trains to glass bottles and bears to soda fountains and quilts!

Sound like something you and your family would enjoy?
It can all be yours!
Just click here.
Your kids and parents will thank you!
(smile!)

one billion dollars around the world!

Faustina, you made #1BillionInChange!

Yesterday, Kiva crossed $1 billion in loans to students, farmers, women, refugees and so many more entrepreneurs around the world.

This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without our passionate community of lenders, volunteers, partners, staff and supporters like you. Your dedication to creating a better world and your willingness to share Kiva’s mission powered this movement from day 1 to make this moment a reality.

Here's how you helped make $1 billion in change!

9 : Loans supported

$225.00 : In impact

6 : Countries

We’re looking forward to the next billion in loans, and we’re so thankful to have you by our side on this journey.

Best wishes,
The Kiva team

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

What a fabulous email to start my day!
Woohoo!

i thank You, God, that i was able to be helpful to nine others with my small investments!

d subsection for my invention!

Late last night (or early this morning), I finally made an addendum for my invention, the Periodic Table for the Visually Impaired. Honestly, I had meant to do so weeks ago, but... well, let's just say I've been enjoying the time off since the spring semester ended.
(smile)
As timing seems to work for me, the readying of my invention for the Industrial Patent application fell just before I went on Barbara's mountain vacation. By the time the kinks were worked out a week ago Friday, Bob Montgomery of MIPA went on his vacation.
I hadn't known that part.
So, I returned last Tuesday thinking that things were rolling along.
But they were, instead, at a standstill.
That was really to my benefit.
Without those extra few days, I would not have had a more complete product to be patented.
i thank You, God.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****
So, here is what I emailed (at 1:18 AM today) to Stephanie, my caseworker at MIPA.

"Stephanie,

I am again bringing up what I had written before,

'On page 2, line 26, it is specified - correctly - that "The device 10 provides a type of periodic table of elements (minus the Transitional elements) having features particularly suited for a visually impaired user."
Perhaps a line could be added that "The Transitional Elements can be added to 10 in the future, as a temporary attachment at fold line 50b. The attachment would be composed of the same materials as on 10. The Lanthanides and Actinides can be added to 10 in the future, as well, as a temporary attachment under fold line 50c."
I think that would add further protection, as it would extend the Patent to include an entire representation of the known Periodic Table.
Thoughts on that?'

This week, I have created the addendum with the Transitional Elements, for the "d" energy sublevel. It consists of four rows and ten columns, as well as a deliberately blank space on the left. (Please refer to Figure1-TransE.)

I designed the addendum to be able to be folded for storage within the hanging folder embodiment, as shown in Figure2-TransE and Figure3-TransE.

The fold line is located between the fourth and fifth column of the addendum. (The blank space on the left is not counted as a column.)

Rather than have it attach to the Periodic Table, the addendum can be simply inserted. The addendum has a deliberately blank space which is four inches in width along its left side. When the left edge of the addendum is against fold line 50a (of the Figure MIPA already created), and the lower edge of the addendum is aligned with the bottom of the Periodic Table, then the addendum is in perfect position and will extend over the right side of the Periodic Table. (See Figure4-TransE.)

The Periodic Table can then be folded along fold line 50b (of the Figure MIPA already created), such that the atomic numbers then run in the proper sequence. (See Figure5-TransE.)

Figure6-TransE shows the entire combination of the Periodic Table, with fold lines 50b and 50a in folded positions, and the ten columns of the addendum. Please note that the atomic numbers in place are all correct . (I have not included the Lanthanides and Actinides, which account for the jump in numbers seen in the lower two rows of the addendum. Again, the numbers I have in place are all correct.)

So... I am hoping this can be included in the Patent Application.
Please do call if there are any questions."

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Mr. Montgomery will return to the office tomorrow.
I'll be hoping he likes my idea and can quickly draw it up for inclusion with the Patent application.
I'll be hoping...

nerdfighter of kiva, for education!

Education truly is the key to ending poverty.
A degree in higher education leads to making better choices, which is always beneficial.
Kiva is having a push toward a goal of one billion dollars loaned since its inception in 2005.
I became a Nerdfighter for Kiva in July of 2012 and have now made nine loans, including the two today.
One was made to Yaleska, a young woman in Nicaragua, striving to complete her degree in accounting and finance.
The other was to Maycol, a young man in Nicarauga, who will become an anesthesia technologist.
I suggest you check out their causes, or perhaps find others close to your heart, and give a mere $25.
I assure you: every dollar helps.
(smile)

let me be brave in the attempt

The full quote is:

Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

That is the Special Olympics Athlete Oath.
That is a worthy quest for all of us, isn't it?
That is why I am a Special Olympics Partner, having renewed my membership for yet another year.
I honestly do not recall how long I have been a Partner...
but I became one sometime after Mama's death in January of 2001.
Quite likely, I have been a member for those seventeen years betwixt then and now.
The cause was special to her, as she had been blessed with thirteen grandchildren who were free of mental and physical disabilities (except for ADHD).
She gave to a local group here in Savannah, for the sake of the grandchildren.

Special Olympics was the path I chose, for her sake.
The organization has been helping the world since 1968, serving athletes in 177 countries with major events held in several countries.
Amazing!
The athletes compete in 32 Olympic-style sports, including alpine skiing, gymnastics, swimming, snowboarding, and power lifting.
Amazing!
Perhaps, one day, I will attend the games for the Georgia Special Olympics in Atlanta.
That would be very nice!
Meanwhile, I will cheer from these pages until I can cheer from the stands:
Go, be brave!
(smile)

ten years with sea turtles!

"10th Birthday Celebration

Saturday, June 10: 2-5 p.m.
This event is free & open to the public.
Center admission will be waived from 2-5 p.m.

Happy 10th Birthday, Georgia Sea Turtle Center!

June 2017 commemorates the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s 10th year in operation. To mark this momentous occasion, we’re hosting a birthday celebration, and you’re invited! The Center will be “decorated,” showcasing ways you can reduce plastics, we’ll have a birthday card for you to sign, and there will even be cupcakes! The afternoon will include creature features, live music, and a special “Dunk the Doc” fundraiser.

We’ll have additional birthday festivities throughout the month of June, so check back soon for the full schedule of events."

In June of 2007, at the same time my marriage was falling apart,
the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
was starting life.
I had found it as I stumbled about
on Jekyll Island
on a much-needed trip
to restore my soul.
And there it was,
shining like a beacon.
That has made it special to me.

As well as providing a refuge for injured loggerhead, green, and
Kemp's Riddley sea turtles,
and even terrapins,
it has provided a
safe haven for me,
restoring my faith
that life endures.

I know this green sea turtle will recover from her GI impaction, caused by ingesting plastic and fishing lines.
She will then be released
back to the ocean, to continue
her cycle of life.
Nice thought, isn't it?
(smile)
I hope I can be there for her homecoming!


Today, as part of my upcoming birthday celebration, I renewed my commitment to the continuation of this life-saving place and the work they do.
I hope you will have an opportunity to experience its wonders!

94 pints of life from the arteries!

I must admit, I was thinking of that song about bottles of beer on a wall when I wrote the title.
(smile)
Today, I made my usual pre-birthday blood donation at the American Red Cross.
I like to think of it as my Mothers Day gift to others.
(smile)
That makes a total of ninety-four pints donated to help three strangers...
making a grand sum of two hundred eighty-two people who have received my plasma, red blood cells, and platelets.
Of course, that doesn't include donations I've made to other organizations, such as LifeSouth.

I have donated at their blood drives at least three times.
The above T-shirt was granted to me for my blood gift at the 2009 Dragon*Con.
See the pint of blood in the wizard's left hand?
Pretty cool, isn't it?
My BFF and her husband also donated at that drive.
That was definitely cool!

What's my point?
Give blood.
You never know whose life you may save.

my invention proceeds forward, with a little help from my friends

Last month, I signed a contract with Montgomery IP Associates.
The total sum I had needed for them to represent me during the patent application process had been daunting:
sixteen thousand, fifteen dollars.
For those who prefer it in numbers, that's $16,015.00, or more than I've made in a year since 2013.
I had not known how to proceed with my invention since November of last year.
That's when that price-tag had been told to me.
True, it would include their handling all of the legal documents needed for both the provisional patent and the industrial patent applications to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It would also include their handling of the legal paperwork for the copyright for my invention, as well as the search required prior to a trademark application. Their firm would create brochures and marketing materials to bring my invention to the attention of a multitude of businesses, to help find manufacturers and distributors on my behalf. Plus, they would create a website to bring more attention to my invention.
Even so, as elated as I had been back in October, I was quite downcast by the money that would be needed to make my invention public and protected.
The representative I had been talking to, Jim Jackson, suggested I offer shares in my invention, as a fundraising tool.
He told me the standard investment was $500 per share.
I was free to sell however many shares I wanted, he said, but remember that the total available was 100.
In other words, I'd be offering folks one percent of any future monies I might receive for marketing my invention.
I certainly had no problems with doing that... but who would take me up on the offer?
Almost everyone I know works for a living and certainly have other uses for that kind of money.
How could I even ask them to help fund my dream?
My unending gratitude to my dear friend, Cathy Weaver, in California. When I was talking to her during our holiday call in December, I spoke about my dilemma. Justthatfast, she offered to purchase five shares from me! She had just received the windfall as an unexpected bonus and had not earmarked the funds for anything she and Paul needed. She would prefer to know she had helped me in my quest to help students to further their knowledge of chemistry.
She is amazing!
Her belief in me encouraged me to believe, too.
In February, I had four more investors who believed in my invention. My brother, Harvey Smith, and his son, my nephew Zachary Smith, each purchased one share. Later in the month, my Aunt, Linda Walker, and her daughter, my cousin Penny Bos, also each purchased one share.
I gained self-confidence in telling others about my invention and asking them to invest.
Last month, Jeffery Secrest, my physicist bfe, purchased two shares.
Then, my ex-husband, Jeff McDermott, not only purchased two shares, but convinced his girlfriend, Amy Schmitt, to do the same! Then she convinced her roommate, Radonna Winters, to purchase two shares. Then, the roommate's brother, Craig Davis, purchased five shares!!! All because of the good word from my ex-husband.
I am truly touched.
Twenty-two shares had been sold, to ten investors, with three of those being people who had never even met me or spoken to me.
I am truly blessed.
I promise to continue to give this project my heart and my time to make good on your incredible faith in me.
Now, to get started on the copyright and the provisional patent!

capturing friends in new art

This is part of an on-going art project by Axelle Kieffer.
Thanks to my dear Peace Rogue, Joe Guy, I had found out about the work in January. I then examined my closets and dresser for garments which were monochromatic; specifically, they had to be totally black or totally white.
I selected six pieces, most with special significance to me and gave them to her, explaining their importance.
That was only two months ago and she has already incorporated them into her work!

The knobby white sweater,
here serving as a
foot-like structure,
was one I'd had
for so many years
that I don't even recall
how it came into my life.
It was one of my favorites
during cold days,
even though
it had stretched
and was
far too large for me.

The ruffle-bottomed,
drawstring-waisted,
pleated white cotton skirt,
to the left in this shot,
was mine, too.
I had purchased it
for the 2002 Mediterranean cruise
which was the tenth anniversary trip
for my husband and I.
Good memories!

The foot of the first leg
may well be the twin
of that white skirt,
also bought for that
cruise to Italy
and France and Malta.
Such good memories!
The "knee" appears to be
the lacy black bra
that I wore for the
2007 New Year's Eve gala,
after our divorce.
Good, but different,
memories for that one.



As for the white trouser socks and the black stockings I donated, I'll have to ask her for their locations.
Are you perhaps thinking it's too late to help her?
Just so you know, she told me "I hope local people will participate and give used clothes so the installation can grow."
Well, you heard her!
You, too, can be part of the local art scene!
All you have to do is contact her.

joining forces with the mighty 8th

I've recently joined a new meetup group, this one consisting of folks near my own age.
Born in the 50's and 60's is its name and diversity of events is its game!
(smile)
Today, we explored the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler.
If you want to go, that's the only location in the United States.
There are others around the world, but little ol' Pooler (where it's cooler!) has the only one on this soil.
Well worth the trip, I assure you!

Here I am in the Memorial Garden, pointing to my stepdad's brick.
(My friend Jackie is to the side of the wall; I'm in the blue shirt.)
In his honor, and in celebration of my upcoming 59-for-the-first-time birthday, I joined the museum today.
Long may it continue!
See you again soon, Frank!
(smile)

supporting the arts!

I am, again, renewing my membership for the Telfair Museum family.
Really and truly, I'm doing so because I so love the Jepson Center - so light and airy!
And those marvelous, wide, marble steps to the upper floors - grandiose!
Plus, I do so enjoy hanging out with The Bird Girl!
That's not to say I don't also enjoy the Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences, of course.
I've been visiting it since I was a girl!
I especially am fond of the statuary out front.
As for the Owens-Thomas House, I don't go there often, mostly because the exhibits there are fairly static.
But when company comes to town, that classic place is definitely on the list!
The best part of all?
My membership gets me admitted to all three!
Plus, I receive several passes for friends, so they can enjoy all of it, too.
Not that one would necessarily require a pass to gain free entry to all available inside those doors.
Au contraire, mon frere!
Once a month, for the Free Family Days, the doors are opened for all comers to enjoy the new exhibits and old favorites, learn new crafts and hear new tunes, play high-tech games or low-tech style.
What a boon to the Hostess City of the South...
and my little membership helps make that happen.
(smile)

super awesome PFS

In honor of Valentine's Day, I gave myself a gift tonight!

"You're a day late, you know."

It's never too late to show love, to yourself or someone else. That is not restricted to commercially-dictated days of the year. You know that's what I believe.

"Yes, dear, I do know. I was just being funny, you see."

Well, watch yerself, g'friend...
(smile)
By the way, aren't you curious about what my gift was?

"Oh, you bet I am. But I thought if I was patient, you'd probably tell me."

Oh, still joking around? That's okay, I'll still let you in on it: discounted movie passes.

"Seriously? That's your 'big gift' this year?"

Well, after yesterday's movie about dogs, I wanted to continue the love celebration.
Tonight was perfect, especially since Jim Reed had told me "when I first heard of this movie, I thought it would be something you would really like."

"He's the guy with the Wednesday night movies at Sentient Bean?"

Yes, he's the guy. But his films aren't limited to the 'Bean, nor have they been these past fourteen years. Since 2003, The Psychotronic Film Society of Savannah, known as a "Pop-Up Arthouse" these days, has been sharing film culture with this seaport.

"Major coolness! Any specific type of films?"

They're quite diverse in range, actually. As he says, they're 'odd cult gems, infamous flops, influential classics, and buzzworthy new titles on the international festival circuit.' By the way, those words are printed on the back of my gift to myself... which doubles as a gift to Jim and to Savannah.

"That sounds very generous - and expensive, too."

Fortunately, it's true for the former, but not the latter. The "Super Awesome Discount Pass", a punch card, only cost $25 and allows me to see five screenings for only $5 each. That saves me a few dollars each time - for maybe a coffeehouse treat - and provides Jim with upfront capital to contain running 'the Coastal Empire's longest-running and most award-winning independent cinema organization.' Again, those words are right on the back of the card, not mine, but I wish I had crafted them.

"I know you do! :-) Thanks for sharing!"

You betcha! Every chance I get...
(smile)

hopebuilder

About ten years ago, I became a HopeBuilder for Habitat for Humanity.
I pledged to give a set amount of money monthly for the purpose of homes for everyone.
Homes for children, homes for families, homes for elderly...
homes for everyone who needs one.
I know the value of having a roof to cover my head,
four walls to protect from the elements,
a door to welcome friends into my life.

True, my finances are not what they once were, but I make sure that monthly payment is gets into the Global Impact Fund.
Every month.
Every dollar counts.
By the year's end I will have given three hundred dollars, twenty-five dollars at a time.
You can be a HopeBuilder, too, with this link.
Together, we can make the world better.
(smile)