I Finished Volume One, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                Girls, I told you I would reveal when I finished the first volume of Uwe Johnson's "Anniversaries."  And it was last night, around 8:30PM.  Let's see, I began on January 5, so that means it took me 13 days.  If I am fortunate enough to follow the same pace with Volume 2, it should take a total of 26 days for me to have read the entire work.

                                                  However, after taking in Volume One, I am taking a day off from reading today, because I need to process the enormity of the work.  And to take a breather before I tackle Volume 2, which is almost as long.  I am curious what more the author could have to say.  He certainly spilled plenty in the first book.

                                                   My only real criticism, thus far, is that the set should have been issued in four volumes, because the hardest thing for me, about reading Volume 1, was holding it.  And the same well applies to the second.  Maybe future editions will be offered in a four volume set.

                                                    For now, I am proud of my accomplishment, and look forward to sharing a full length review of the work, when done.  Whether in 13 days, or not.

                                                     Keep on pushing me to read, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You Wouldn't Believe The Fun That Was Had, Once We Got Back To Our Room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 The room was sumptuous, and spacious.  We had a huge bed, a chair, an ottoman, TV, a stunning view of the courtyard, and a bathroom of glamour, with all kinds of beauty products.  I used a conditioner cream rinse on my hair, that had me emerging from the shower, the next morning, feeling like Gene Tierney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   But that evening, David and I had such fun!  Now, I am not one to kiss and tell, girls, but you have GOT to hear this.

                                    We turned on the TV and when we reached the Lifetime Channel, discovered it was Psycho Movie Weekend.  So, I started out watching "Psycho Nurse," which was such fun, even if its template was "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle."

                                      Lyndon Smith, a Jennifer Connelly wannabe, plays Gwen an "Angel Of Death Nurse," who starts out by killing patients in a hospital.  Now, you have to remember, this is the Lifetime Channel, so there is no immorality or logic.  And certainly no--GASP!!!!!!!!--homosexuality, and lesbianism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Apparently, hospitals were getting wise to Gwen, so she hires out to a family needing a live in nurse, as they have a little boy with Muscular Dystrophy.  The kid and Gwen bond, but not before she gets the hots for Daddy, wants this family for herself, and goes about getting it.
She rigs--now this is low--the kid's crutch, so it breaks and he falls.  He is OK, but she manages to pin the blame on the mother.  The mother begins to look pale and ill, because Gwen is systematically drugging her to death.  Nice, huh?

                                           Of course, the mother catches on.  The nasty psycho nurse makes the mother think she is holding the boy in a house, which seems to be a piece of real estate property, that the mother looks after.  Admitting the boy is not there, but at his physical therapy session, where he should be, Gwen sets about killing the mother, but the tables are turned, and Gwen ends up being dead.  Goodbye, "Psycho Nurse."

                                             The mother is not charged, no one even knows if Gwen's body is found, because the film fades out on a happy family reunited.

                                                The film should have been more campy.  As Gwen, Lyndon Smith should have worn one of those white, clingy short skirt  nurses outfits, with matching cap, while wielding a hypodermic needle in one hand, and beaming a sadistic grin.  I would rather have seen her go through the hospital, rather than entrap a family, but, obviously she had issues--a distant cousin of Peyton Flanders.

                                                   After this, the only nurses I will trust are my mother, and now my sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   But what a Psycho Good Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Afterward, Where Else For Dinner But "Old Ebbitt Grill," Right Around The Corner From The Hotel???????????????

                              If there is a barre standard for steak houses, let me say that "Old Ebbitt Grill," in Washington, D.C., raises that barre higher.  This is not only high toned, but high end, a recreation of an historical period, to match the one outside, ripe with political historicity and scandal.

                              But I know what all you girls want to know--what was the food like?  Well, let me say this.  To quote my mantress, Scarlett O'Hara--"I've grown as big as Aunt Pitty!"

                               The menu was quite varied, and I needed to pull it up. to see what we all had that Saturday evening.

                                  David--Well, Appetizers were kind of shared by all.  David had some kind of Sally Bowles concoction drink, being a Bloody Mary, with an oyster in it.  How he drank it, and did not throw up, I will never know.  Jennifer ordered some rice balls, and we shared from that, and  all of us took some cheese from the cheese sampler we ordered.  As to the main course, David had the Bacon-Horseradish Glazed Meat Loaf, with whipped potatoes, Swiss chard, Cremini mushrooms, and a Bearnaise sauce.  As if this were not enough, he had, for dessert, a Butterscotch Blondie Sundae, which consisted of said Blondie, with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce.  I was tempted to order this, but, oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Jennifer--She opted for something sensible. Her main course was the Grilled Cauliflower, which consisted of that, fire-roasted tomato relish, olives, capers, pine nuts, goat cheese, arugula, and aged balsamic dressing.  It sounds tempting. She went simple on the dessert--Apple Crisp, with Vanilla Ice Cream.  It looked scrumptious.

                                  Dan--His main course was the Cedar Rivers Farm Filet Mignon, which I was tempted to get. It came with Potato Pave, sautéed Broccolini, and a Bordelaise Sauce.  These sauces are a Southern standard.  For dessert, he had a Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding, with Vanilla Ice Cream, and Chocolate Sauce, which he was unable to finish.

                                  And, Finally, Yours Truly--Well, I did not think I could handle the steaks, so I ordered the Duroc Pork Chop.  It was one chop, but so thick I could barely cut it.  The effort was worth it, though.  It came with Jasper Hill Farm Cheese Grits, which I was just wild about--I could have eaten just that, and been fine--Braised Collard Greens, Caramelized Apples, all in a an Apple Mustard Glaze.  Oh, honey, what a meal!  And I had the Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding for dessert, too, but, unlike Dan, I finished mine, which is why I am now as big as Aunt Pitty.

                                     As a Plantation Princess, I have to say the service was superb.  It always is in the South, where the servants know their place, and how to treat one, and understand the elegance of gracious living.  Whereas in New York, some smart talkin', chewing gum waitress, simply throws the plate down in front of you, leaving as quick as she came, saying, "Here ya go, hon!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                     Civility does have its rewards, you know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      We simply LOVED this restaurant, and would go back there again!

                                       Be sure to check it out if you are in D.C.

                               

Seeing "My Fair Lady" On The Road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  The evening after we saw the show in D.C., David asked me if I had ever seen a road company of a Broadway show.  I told him no, but I was wrong.  In 1986, I did see a touring production of "Dreamgirls," in Dallas, TX.  That alone is quite a story, for another time.

                                   Back in August of 2018, we saw the original production as done at the Vivian Beaumont in New York.  It was on a rounded, thrust, arena stage, and we were right up front.  The music was gorgeous, the company outstanding, especially Harry Hadden-Paton, as Higgins, who took me completely by surprise, because the Eliza of Lauren Ambrose was so memorably appalling.  And Diana Rigg sparkled as Mrs. Higgins.

                                      After almost two years, and seeing the production from the heights of the Kennedy Center, I can say what a fine staging it was. Here, a turntable, and breakaway scenery--the kind that cinematically seems to break and fall apart, while new parts fall into place--is used, and the production lacks a certain spaciousness, as it is played on a proscenium.

                                        For the most part, the production is still the same.  The company is not, and while they lack the vibrancy of the New York cast, they are all as engaging.  But, best of all, with that Ambrose thing thrown to the side of the road, like the piece of musical garbage she is, this "My Fair Lady" finally has an Eliza who can really sing.  Her name is Shereen Ahmed, and when she launched into "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," I knew we were in good hands.  And she holds that final note on "I Could Have Danced All Night" with such aplomb, it stops the show.  Lauren did not.

                                        The most exciting moment being in a theater, seeing a full orchestra production of "My Fair Lady," is when the conductor raises his baton, and the orchestra launches into the eight opening notes of the "Overture," which always cause me to jump up and down with excitement.  That moment happened here.

                                           The show is only playing two more days.  If you missed it in NYC, I would urge you to get down and buy a ticket.  The only thing regrettable is that the changed ending has been kept, and I do not agree with that at all.  Or there could have been a better way to stage it.

                                               But the score and the company almost make up for it.

                                                Even in D,C., the show took my breath away!

                                                 To hear what it was REALLY like, here is Julie performing "Wouldn't It Be Loverly."  How I wished I had been at opening night on March 15, 1956, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   But, then, I was only 16 months, old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Betty White!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     She really IS the oldest "Golden Girl," darlings!  She lived old enough to see me become a "Golden Girl!" And, boy, am I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       But, really, Betty White reaching 98 is quite a secret.  Her only costars still alive are Cloris Leachman, and Ed Asner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  What is Betty's secret???????????????

                                       If only Bea Arthur were alive to tell it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        But let us wish Betty White a Happy 98th birthday!  Keep going, Betty!

                                         I hope you make the century mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess What Opened Last Night, 56 Years Ago, On Broadway??????????????????

                              I have no idea what is playing at the St. James Theatre now, and if something is, then I don't care about it, as I do not know.  But, 56 years ago last night, Carol Channing took her first walk down the steps of Harmonia Gardens in "Hello, Dolly!"  With a company including David Burns, Eileen Brennan, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Alice Playten.  Find me a cast of that caliber today!

                               I was only 9 when it opened, and I recall it vividly.  It was the show of the day.  It made history when it surpassed the run of "My Fair Lady."  And Carol, forevermore, was Dolly.

                                I finally saw Channing do it at the Lunt-Fontanne, with Lee Roy Reams as Cornelius, back in 1978.  I count myself lucky to have seen her.

                                  I am certain many theater queens played their 'Dolly' cast albums last night. And why not?  It is a vintage musical from a vintage age, when shows were exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Not like today, dolls!

Girls, Every So Often, Treat Yourselves To A Weekend Of Being Like Jackie And Lee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Last Thursday began like any other.  I awoke, took my meds, made my coffee, and started writing.  Having completed all that, I rested for a bit, before continuing with Uwe Johnson's "Anniversaries."  Before I could do, that, however, David called me to inform me that our neighbor, Dan, had called him at work.  You see, his fiancé, Jennifer, also our neighbor, was turning 50 on Sunday, the twelfth, and he had come up with this fabulous idea--not to tell Jennifer, but planning out a weekend trip to D.C., staying in the Willard Hotel, and getting tickets to "My Fair Lady" at the Kennedy Center.

                                    And he wanted us to come along!  On the house!

                                    David was elated, but I was cautious!  You see, I am not big on spontaneity, when it comes to anything, especially travel.  Even a movie or theater viewing I spend more time planning.  So, I was a little reluctant about the whole thing.  And eight hours--coming and going--in the car, with neighbors we are very friendly with, but, which under such circumstances, such relationships can implode, had me bothered.

                                      Nevertheless, at 7AM, Saturday morning, I was tossed into a car, with Jennifer, who had no idea what was going on!  Were we being kidnapped?  Going on the lam?  It was anyone's guess.  My David sat up front with Dan, to keep the mystery going.  It vanished, when Jennifer saw signs indicating "Baltimore," and guessed we were going to D.C.  But she did not know yet what she was in for.

                                       Well, when we pulled up to the entrance of The Willard, Jennifer was plotzed!  As for me, I rose to the occasion, like Princess Lee Radziwill, darlings, thrilled to be in an environment, the manner to which I was born.  You can bet I channeled Lee, and she was with me every step of the weekend.

                                        Which included--to be continued in other posts--dinner at the Old Ebbitt Grill, an evening of psycho movies, showers with conditioner and cream rinse, a panda visit, and, of course, "My Fair Lady."

Here is Peacock Alley, where Afternoon Tea is served.  Though I walked through it, many times, I regret we did not have time for tea!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh, well, maybe next time!

I swear, Lee was walking beside me, the whole time!

Here she is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Gojira, who, like Ruth, always goes where we go, had a great time, too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!