Tuesday, April 30th will be a red letter day for me...I'll be joining my first retired persons group.  (AARP doesn't count!)  Last Tuesday, I attended the Center for Creative Retirement's weekly program, as a guest.  Sponsored by the College of Charleston, the group meets at St. Joe's Catholic church in West Ashley, with two speakers scheduled each Tuesday.                                                                        I almost chickened out, when I drove up behind the nursing home minivan, but "no guts, no glory", as my former marine hubby says.  I forged ahead, and was so glad that I did.  The group members who greeted me were so nice that I was immediately put at ease.  Then, the first speaker began, and I was hooked.  The topic was The Internet and Your Privacy, presented by Allyson Stuart, Prof. Chas. School of Law.  She was bright, well informed and an engaging speaker.  The second excellent speaker was a political science prof. from C of C, whose name escapes me (due to my advanced age of 55, I would imagine....).  She spoke about Women in SC Politics.  Both speakers gave interesting talks, with many helpful bits of information, but really, my favorite part was the question and answer period that followed.  Here's the surprise...as brilliant as the speakers were, the audience members were even more so!  Their questions were incredibly insightful and intelligent- I felt like I was in a college level classroom.  Thank you  College of Charleston- I have found a place to BE!!  

Reflected Fairy Land, Magnolia Gardens

Boats travel through the marsh by the Ashley River.

Peaceful pictures from my weekly walk at Magnolia Gardens, taken in my daily search for beauty in this wonderful, God-given world.  Beauty is all around us.  We just need a few minutes to stop and take a look.  While I was stopping to look around me, I also saw a water snake and a "mystery snake", who was slow enough for me to snap a picture of.  I've sent it to my son the naturalist to identify.  The water snake looked just as afraid of me as I was of it.  I don't know which one of us took off faster, me or the snake!!  

I am a movie buff.  From the time I lived alone at age 18, and watched Rudolph Valentino and Lon Chaney movies into the wee hours to keep myself company, I've been hooked.  Movies transport, entertain, instruct and can grab your heart and tear it out.  That being said, the question is, HOW did I get to age 55 without watching The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, especially since I love, love, love Humphrey Bogart?
I finally saw it on TCM this week and I was mesmerized.
It's a story of good vs. evil, of good becoming evil, of expectations met and unmet, and the intermingling of greed and paranoia.
 Humphrey Bogart's character transforms from an average guy, down on his luck, to a man obsessed with gold (both getting it and keeping it).  This transformation is  riveting and horrifying to both the audience and the other characters who are in the Mexican wilderness with him.
I have to say, though, that Walter Huston steals some of Humphrey Bogart's thunder by portraying a character both honest and real.  Walter Huston usually played dapper and handsome characters but he played this role with beard stubble and minus his false teeth.  Directed by his son, John Huston, it won him an academy award for best supporting actor.  I'm still thinking about his and Humphrey's performances, especially their facial expressions - The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - a true film classic.

Just returned from a visit to Macon, Georgia where we were treated to a wonderful performance of

the classic American musical, The Music Man.

My lovely daughter-in-law, Rachel, excelled in the lead role of Marian Paroo. Her angelic, bell-toned vocals and graceful ease on stage held the audience spellbound.  My son, Jeffrey, was bold, energetic and appropriately nasty as "the spoiler", anvil salesman Charlie Cowell.  What a joy to see your children exhibit their many acting and singing skills, while watching the crowd around you clearly enjoy them, as well.  We especially enjoyed the creative train scene that opens the show, the talented members of the barbershop quartet and the perky, stage savvy children who acted the roles of Winthrop and Amaryllis.

Theater Macon really shines as a premier community theater venue, with creative staging, professional grade actors, singers and dancers, and top shelf costumes and sets.  From the detailed period sets of My Fair Lady and Titanic to the minimalist sets used in The Music Man, the quality of the visual experience is quite impressive.  Director Jim Crisp, Jr. showcases the abundant talent in Macon with skill, creativity and imagination.  Kudos to all involved, and be sure to see The Music Man, which runs through 

Saturday, April 20.

Another beautiful day for a walk at Magnolia Gardens.  I discovered this area, with a very still bamboo forest.  It felt like you were in another world.
"I am a traveler passing through the earth, as all my fathers were."
Psalm 39:12

How lucky are we to live in Charleston?  Beautiful scenery, great food, and....amazing an shopping and fashion scene.  My daughter, Hannah, was an intern at the recent Charleston Fashion Week, and loved every minute of it.  Where else can you meet fashion designers ranked nationally, coordinate models, AND wear a cute dress doing it??  Many hours, little sleep and clearly tired designers did not deter Hannah Fay from enjoying the entire experience.  Live life to the fullest and enjoy every opportunity afforded you, girl.