A picture is worth a 1000 words, so the saying goes. But, sometimes a picture is worth fewer than a thousand words—only a few hundred. The photos below speak for themselves, but most need a little explanation, included with the vignettes below. All of them represent snapshots from the last few months.
1. Red-carpet event: The Honey Dripper Lady
Cliff and I were fortunate to be invited to the premiere of the mystery/thriller Honey Dripper Lady, a red carpet event at a local theatre. We boosted our cultural literacy and learned that a honey dripper is a homemade treat made from Kool-Aid, fruit punch or canned fruit frozen inside a Solo cup. This treat is sweeter and frostier than an Italian ice and not the same consistency as a Sno-Ball. According to an article in the Forida TImes-Union, a honey-dripper lady was usually a well-loved lady who served as a personal candy store, serving up sweet and cool treats in their neighborhood.
And, yes, we and other guests did enter on a red carpet! The red bag Cliff holds contains two black tee shirts, embossed with words in red, I saw the Premiere of Honey Dripper Lady.
2. Bertie Plays the Blues
When light reading is called for, I often turn to the Scottish attorney-turned-author, Alexander McCall Smith. I’ve featured him in previous blog posts: Here and Here!
You are invited to read my bite-sized review of Bertie Plays the Blues:
Alexander McCall Smith’s cast of characters continue to sing—whether they are the middle-aged Angus or 7-year-old Bertie [who] Plays the Blues, the eponymous title of book 7 of the 44 Scotland Street Series. This volume brings shifts in power and energy galore. Matthew and Elspeth must muddle through the daunting task of raising triplets. Angus and Domenica need to negotiate the merging of two households. Big Lou leaves her coffee bar temporarily to explore the new world of online dating and ends up with an Elvis impersonator on the first try. If you are familiar with author McCall Smith, you are in for another round of a comedy of manners à la Edinburgh.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6718070262
3. Epworth-by-the-Sea Retreat
During Labor Day weekend, nearly 200 members of our church in Jacksonville traveled to Epworth-by-the-Sea on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Epworth is nestled amid majestic live oaks along the Frederica River. We strolled around the grounds, enjoying the ripple of water each time we passed the fountain.
We gathered for meals and met new people at the retreat. Along with a study of John 15, the Vine and Branches chapter in the New Testament, we played quasi-Olympic games including keep-the-book-on-your-head.
4. Saga of the Sago Palm
Early fall each year, the sago palm bush on our patio has burst forth with fresh foliage. This year our sago palm developed scale on the bulb and fronds, requiring Neem spray treatments. The hose’s wide spray followed its jet-setting as shown here.
Time will tell whether new growth develops this year. Expect a follow-up post soon on our enigmatic sago palm.
5. My Sister’s Milestone Birthday Party in September
IT WAS A SURPRISE!
Relatives and friends gathered at the home of my nephew to celebrate my sister Jan’s milestone birthday. Main menu item? a shrimp broil with potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and of course jumbo shrimp. Jan is blessed with two great grand-daughters, one shown here.
6. Nail Wraps
For a woman who makes her living tapping on computer keys with the pads of her fingers, nails are very important. For a few months now, I have amused myself by using press-on nails from Lily & Fox costing a mite over $3.00 by mail. The nails wraps you see here, over a week old, have grown out a little and show a bit of wear.
7. Thanksgiving Table-scape 2024
In many ways, 2024 has been a challenging year, yet I have so much to be thankful for, including more family gatherings like today–celebrating two October birthdays.
Can you relate to any photos shown here?
Which of your photos would you choose to illustrate a blog post like this?
Good morning, Marian! You and Cliff do so many fun things! My daughter sometimes wears those press on nails. I’ve done it once or twice. The red-carpet event and the church outing look fun. Your Thanksgiving table is beautiful. Happy birthday to your the October birthday people!
Birthdays come in clumps in our family. Four birthdays in October: a brother-in-law, grandson, daughter- and sister-in-law. You covered all the bases, Merril. Thank you! 😀
You’re welcome, Marian! 😊
Wow! Lots going on. How wonderful that you attended a premiere, Marian! And you have T-shirts to prove it! 😊
I remember someone coming to my neighborhood who was like the lady in the truck in the photo.
Happy belated milestone birthday to your sister!
What a lovely Thanksgiving tablescape! Beautiful fall colors.
I remember getting press-on nails awhile back. I haven’t tried them since.
As for what photos I would use, maybe one in the theater where my family attended a play for my brother’s birthday.
Our invitation to the movie premiere was serendipitous. As Cliff explains below, he met one of the producers during a school performance, and so later we got to experience our first-ever red carpet event.
You are kind to enumerate many aspects of this post, including your family’s attending a play for your brother’s birthday. Thank you, L. Marie! 😀
You keep finding creative ways to tell stories, Marian! I noticed those oak leaves on the table. The real ones are starting to turn up here in the north country. We are thinking of the whole state of Florida on this day-before-Hurricane Milton. Sounds like you are not in the direct path, but surely the suffering extends far beyond the place of landfall. Prayers for you and for those still recovering in North Carolina.
With the second storm on its way in less than two weeks, Floridians have hurricane fatigue. And so I was happy to post photos on the lighter side today, especially Photo #1, which shows how our cultural literacy has expanded.
Thanks for your good wishes. We have “battened down the hatches” as much as we can. Now we wait for Friday to arrive and with it the promise of sun. 😀
I enjoyed your mini stories from your photos. It’s nice to see another Alexander McCall Smith book out. He is such a great writer. I’ve read most (but not all) of his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books. When I met him I told him he wrote faster than I could read. He said, “Should I be apologising for that?” with a twinkle in his eyes. Such a charming, talented man. You and Cliff have been busy. I hope you are not in the path of the hurricane. Stay safe!
Thanks for your quip from Alexander McCall Smith. Ha!
The storm is monstrous, so we will feel some effects, but not sure how much yet. The Florida peninsula is long and narrow and with the storm moving from west to east, we will feel some effects. Thanks for your good wishes, Darlene! 😀
This morning Marian and I brought in the outside plants and furniture since strong winds are predicted here in Jacksonville. It’s raining now and the winds will be increasing from now (9:44 AM, Wednesday) and through tomorrow. The center of Hurricane Milton is predicted to track farther south from Jacksonville, but the outer bands of wind and rain will still be strong.
Yes, our red carpet event of The Honey Dripper Lady was indeed very interesting. I found out about the event from one of the producers, “KK” Karen Cherney. On August 12, Jacksonville’s first day of school I presented three art and music programs for Chets Creek Elementary. It was an extremely busy day at the school kick-off day, and Karen (retired Media Specialist from the school–volunteering that day) was a God-send who helped me get through my performances. Besides talking with the students before the show it is more than just drawing a 4×7 foot mural in 35 minutes with music. There are two hours plus of set up and take down the easel, sound and lights, using a crew of students and adults.
It was only later in the day when I found out about the new movie and Karen’s involvement in it. She was kind to offer a red-carpet invitation to us–our first ever!
Thank you for the update on hurricane preparations at your place, Cliff. I hope you and Marian come through it unscathed.
Thanks for the enlightenment, Cliff. You’ve given more details to our storm preparations and the red-carpet event.
Yes, thank you, Cliff! Keep safe!
😀
My eye has been caught by Cliff’s suit in the first photo? Is it a Southern-gentleman seersucker suit?
The Southern gentleman’s seersucker suit emphasizes the “clown” aspect of Cliff’s personality, I think. There was lots of glitter with sequins and rhinestones on the night of the premiere, so I don’t think anyone thought Cliff looked outlandish–ha!
I was wondering about the oversized bow tie . . . 😉
A throwback to the 1970s!
I remember that fashion decade well! (Seemed like a good idea at the time. . . .)
Okay! :-/
Marian — This was a fun and tasty Smörgåsbord to read!
Thank you, Laurie. I enjoyed your reply, especially the diacritical marks. Ha! 😀
Thanks for all the lovely photos, Marian! My favorite was that one of the fountain. It just looks so refreshing!
The photo of the man carrying a book on his head reminds me of my Congolese friends who carried massive loads on their heads with a baby hanging from their back. Their hands remained free to tend to the baby or whatever else they needed to do with them!
It’s interesting how the selected photos appeal to readers for different reasons.
Thank you for mentioning the man balancing a book on his head. I have never visited the Congo, but I do recall being amazed at photos in the National Geographic with women carrying massive loads on their heads so very gracefully. Thank you, Elfrieda! 😀
Just wanted to add that when we returned from Congo our youngest daughter entered Kindergarten. At a carnival they had a contest to see who could walk the farthest carrying things on their heads. She won the contest!
Of course she did! 😀
Hi Marian, these are all fabulous pictures and little stories to go with them. Glade nails are very popular in my work place. I am just about the only person who has tatty nails. Washing paintbrushes and cake tins ruins your fingernails.
Robbie, at your stage of life nail wraps are probably not practical.
As you see, my press-on nails get snagged because I use my hands so much. The main benefit for me: my nails are strengthened, so less breakable. They look good for about a week. 😀
I love the picture of your sister with her grandchild, Marianne, and the fact that she was gifted something from L’Occitane, which I adore. I too received a birthday gift from that company in September. Did she get anything made with lavender?
Fatima, I know L’Occitane sells beauty products from the south of France, but I’m not sure how I acquired this gift bag containing my gift to my sister Janice. She did receive another gift scented with lavender from a different company, I believe. Thank you for noticing! 😀
How wonderful of you to share your life with us in photos – and events within and in some ways outside of your life but part of it. My mouth made a funny face while reading the ingredients of the honey dripper, which I have never heard of. SWEET! Oh my. And yet obviously loved by those who know the tradition. I give you and Cliff five claps for attending such a different venue. And many many claps to your sister and her milestone. Great grands already – oh my. The Sago Palm is beautiful and my only disappointment in this post is that you didn’t show a photo of YOU walking with a book on your head. I bet you can do it!! You’re so level-headed. <3
Honey drippers are concocted to be SWEET, with no consideration to calories or sugar content. No honey dripper treats were served at the premiere. Ha!
You mentioned my lacking a photo of me book walking. I was busy watching the antics of others, but when the contest was over, I did walk a straight line with a book on my head–no cameras to record the feat! Thanks for commenting–and for the compliment, Pam. 😀
Lovely snap shots Marian! Most importantly, I hope you and family and friends are keeping safe in yet another onslaught.
Thanks for your concern, Susan. Meteorologists are using the word subside to describe the storm now, which is fine with me. It is still dark at 6:25 this morning, but we have not lost power, something to be thankful for. 😀
A wonderful overview in photos, Marian. And what a beautifully decorated table. I remember that table and how you turned it into a feast for the eyes and the stomach when we visited. 🙂
In Mark and my family, October is the busiest birthday month as well – two aunts, my dad, and my parents’ wedding anniversary on my side, and nephews, nieces, and a sister-in-law (and his deceased father) on Mark’s side. A busy birthday wishing calendar!
As you know, life can be tedious, so I find ways (sometimes silly) to amuse myself. One is the nail wraps and the other is table-scapes which I change with the season. Thanksgiving is one of my favorites but soon Christmas will take over.
I’m wishing you well on the road with no van trouble and smooth sailing! 😀
I apologize for my tardiness here, but you’ve gone through the same thing this week. 🙂 Your Thanksgiving/fall table blew me away. Gosh, it’s beautiful, Marian. I may “borrow a couple of ideas for my festive table. And give me a fountain with softly running water ANY day. That sound is powerful and I love it. Happy Birthday to your sister!!
No one who has survived two hurricanes this past month should have to apologize for tardiness: I always leave the porch light on here anyway–ha!
Please do borrow any ideas you choose from my holiday table. I would be flattered.
Here’s to peaceful fountains and blue skies in your future. Thank you, Melanie! ;-D
Thank you, Marian and amen to that. 🙂
Loved your 7 stories Marian. Thanksgiving looks inviting, and it looks like you got your money’s worth with your nails. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving. <3
I freshened my nails again yesterday–and feel much better!
Thanks, Debby, who knows what I mean. Ha! 😀
Your Thanksgiving tablescape is beautiful. I rarely do anything that elaborate, maybe because I can’t do it as well as you!
Ah, Ally!
I remember my Aunt Ruthie decorating for the seasons. Maybe I caught the “bug” from her.
Do (or not) what makes you happy, I say. 😀
Hi Marian – great to see your updates on all the things you’ve been doing. I’ve never tried nail wraps but they look like a great way to jazz up your look!
Barbara, I’m not generally into jazzy nail wraps, but my daughter-in-law introduced me to them in April on our girls’ retreat, and I’ve been hooked. Thanks for noticing! 😀
Cliff always looks like he’s having a wonderful time and I’m so glad you have a life together with friends and family. I relate with a gentle longing for what might have been if Vic hadn’t gotten sick. The Honey Dripper experience is all new to me. My fingernails are often stained with garden soil so I think I’ll skip doing anything other than clipping them. Here’s to Neem Oil and low toxicity bug control. Sunlight is coming over the hills and turning the oaks red and orange. It’s time for me to go out and greet the day. Blessings to you.
I have more than a gentle longing for the scarlet and gold foliage of fall, something I took for granted in my youth. Thank you so much for the good wishes all around.
The Honey Dripper experience is totally new to me too; I think it’s more common in the Black community, and it’s high time I learned about it although I’m not crazy about all the sugar.
Thanks for tuning in, Elaine, my faithful reader. 😀