Tuesday's Matter

 ..... Like 'Currently', only different!

Matter -- (noun)  An affair or situation under consideration; a topic.

   Good morning!

This was supposed to be 'Monday's Matter' but yesterday's best laid plans sort of imploded.  I've got lots to yak about, but let's start with the FUN stuff.

🎉🎉🎉

Those of you on Facebook already know what a Good Time I enjoyed Saturday morning.

Since moving here, sure.  I'd heard about Millbrook's infamous Mardi Gras celebrations -- purportedly the largest outside of the coast.   I dunno.  Call me a stick-in-the-mud, but Mardi Gras has never held much appeal for me.

That is, until I learned from church friends, Sean Dietrich (aka, Sean of the South) was the parade's Grand Marshal.   Hot doggedy!

I sure wasn't expecting Tom to wake up in such extreme pain that we thought I'd have to take him to the E.R.

Thankfully, about an hour later he rallied.  Big whew!

18-year veterans of the festival, Cindy and Frank had cautioned us to "arrive early", but neither of us was prepared to see what looked like double the population -- all looking for a place to park along the parade route.

Sometimes church music directors, sometimes Revelers

Almost 2 hours early, we ducked into the Smokehouse for one of the best breakfasts I've enjoyed in years.

Would you get a load of the size of Tom's pancakes?!   I had the breakfast bowl -- a goodly portion of grits, covered with over-easy eggs and topped with spicy sausage.

No-one claimed to know anything if Sean would be at the festival signing autographs or photo opps.  Thankfully, I'd reached out on his website to ask.   Jamie (his wife) replied, that while she'd be at the beach with childhood friends, Sean planned to be at the Rex -- an adjacent beer/wine joint -- at 1:15.

Lawdy, you'd have thought it was February 1964 -- not 2023, and I was hoping to catch sight of You Know Who.  (lol!)   Yes, I've had a bit of an adult crush on Sean for years.  Fan girl.

My 'loot'!

Random Reveler dog

Sweet baby girl.

When one of the Revelers tossed her this stuffed unicorn she was over the moon.

🎉

Even with Tom's rollator there was no way we'd attempt to navigate the festival itself, but Tom suggested, "Let's at least drive by the Rex."   Not only was there ample parking, but Sean stood just inside the door shaking hands and hugging necks.   My friend Brenda (who'd met him before) agrees:  He looks you in the eyes and listens like you're the only person in the room.
 

I didn't know what to say, except 'Thank You.'   Then, "I'd like you to know (that) in large part, YOU are responsible for me being here in Alabama."

I explained how, prior to moving I was in a high-stress, unhappy work situation.  Reading his stories of Real (good) People in Real Places ... well, at first, I thought this sounds like something out of a Hallmark made-for-TV movie.     Then, I found myself longing to experience it for myself.

He looked genuinely surprised.  With a big grin, "Wow, Thank you for telling me that! Please give me a hug!"   

Tom was more interested in meeting Marigold his blind rescue dog.

I strongly suspect Sean's friends kept her a little away from all the crazy people, but Tom walked over and petted her.  "So soft!  So sweet!"

If you don't know her back story, you can click here.

🎉

In other news ...

I had my annual eye exam yesterday, and loved the new-to-me technician.  She's been with Dr. I for 38 years!

I won't be needing new glasses, but I am excited to have cataract surgery next month.  From what I've heard, it's going to be a whole new world.

I knew of an estate sale taking place nearby in Old Cloverdale, so we detoured that way.  While the objects d'arte and jewelry held little appeal, I love touring these enormous old homes with their period architecture, the furniture.

I needed these glass appetizer plates like I needed another hole in my head, but they still came home with us.  They're surprisingly heavy; I need to be careful!

I'm trying to down-size my portions and I think these pretty plates beats the faux Tupperware container I've been tossing in the microwave.  

Looking forward to tomorrow night's Church meeting where (I hope) the congregation will vote to dis-affiliate from the United Methodist Church.  So weary of all the dissent!

Other than that, it's another Pleasant Valley Tuesday ... the sun's been shining for 4 days.  Woo-hoo!

Sorry for my exuberant ramblings on.

It's like I feel we're sitting across a table from one another and before you know it, they're flickering the lights.  Time to go!

xoxoxox

Myra