Don, --- Are you a Rail Fan?
Check - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR9jbUvWYuLtPyoHboYuD0MHQLp0YzD2t

Lovely to see your post, Don. Hope you are doing well.

Good Morning Everyone
from the Cold, Windy and Clear Rocky
Coast of Maine.   

We  all have our own ways of
comfortably doing things and if making
chqnges  upsets you,  then don't bother,
unless you have no choice.     

I swithched to online paying of
my bills years ago because I hated
the job of check writing monthly. 

I don't even own a check book. 
But I do pay attention to what
my bank is doing on line.   

So far so good.   

Mom,  Keep on keeping on ... 
qnd never give in or give up doing
things your way. 

love Sandy Dapph

Good Morning everyone!  Nice to see a message from donklan, posted yesterday.  Don - welcome and please come back and join us on a regular basis.  Also hello to Jenny, Rick, Mary Page and MarsGal.

Mars - interesting about your comment that the Postal service is so erratic in your area of PA.  All of the Post Offices here have big signs in front, that they are hiring and need workers for all types of jobs - not just seasonal.  Same applies to department stores, all restaurants, grocery stores, Ace Hardware, etc.   Even though thousands of Tech workers here in Silicon have been laid off in recent months,  they would rather not work at all, than take a job for lesser pay.  Restaurants are in dire straits around here. Many have closed or shortened their hours of operation.

Sandy - Good to see your post this morning!  Please return soon, and join us in other S&F discussions as well.     

I went to bed cranky last night, and woke up cranky this morning. 🤔  Hmmmm . . . I think I'm going a bit stir crazy, cooped up here in the house?   There seems to be a break in the weather today, so I'll take the opportunity to drive to the largest Safeway in this area, and buy lots of much needed groceries.  I'm not complaining about the ongoing rain . . . we need every drop, and more!  Just needing to get out for a while.

Yesterday, I couldn't find any good Christmas movies that I wanted to watch, but today I think there are a few playing on TCM?    I have one waiting for me on the DVR, that's one of my favorite oldies.  Remember The Night, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, from 1940 or 41?    Old fashioned by today's standards, but it always makes me feel good. 

Time to get ready to go, so hoping to see some messages here when I return?  I wish that Mary Ann Tock, was still with us.     She kept this discussion going all day, every day!

I am feeling a bit chilly today. It is 39F, damp and cloudy here.
Last night my sister watched an old Fred Astair movie co-starring Jane Powell called Royal Wedding. She remembers the dancing on the ceiling routine, but not the movie itself.

I opted for watching, off and on because most of it was a bit boring, the splashdown and recovery of the Apollo One capsule. They took their good old time, but I understand that they were conducting experiments on new tracking software and equipment which will, if not already, help SAR efforts in the future. In this case, aside from the capsule itself, they are testing individual beacons which will be worn by the crew. The other thing that interested me was watching them actually hauling the capsule into the back end of the USS Portland. The Portland's home port is San Diego, so I see her now and again going in and out of port.

When I put together my order for groceries yesterday morning, I couldn't help but notice the many brands of bread that were out of stock. Since I like their bakery ciabatta bread, I ordered a loaf and a small loaf of garlic bread. Time to make spaghetti sometime this week.

I don't know about the rest of you, but here it is only a few days until Christmas and, with over a hundred to do, I have not begun Christmas card one!  But the dining room table now has the stamps, cards, stickers, address books, and so forth.  Still have to write the Christmas Letter and print it out.  With that, and a bazillion other chores, and me slowed down just one whole lot, I have not an iota time to spare.  We celebrate Becky's birthday as a family at Debi's tomorrow.  She is baking a cake as I write.  We will play Mexican Train, as we did for my birthday last Spring.  Becky will be 70, and after a month with me, she flies home to Missouri tomorrow night.   Chip takes me to the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. for a check up by the team who did my heart sugery, and that will take up most of Thursday.  I really doubt my cards will get off in time.  Oh well: one does what one can to keep on keeping on!  love to all

MaryPage - You are one of the busiest of all our members here in S&F!   Seems like you always have something interesting going on in your life, that keeps you involved with your adult children, grands and great-grands.   Becky's 70th birthday party today,  sounds like it will be lots of fun for you and your family.  Those Christmas cards and letters can wait for a few more days . . . still plenty of time before Christmas.

MarsGal - I vaguely remember the movie "Royal Wedding", with Astaire and Jane Powell.  Usually I love all the old musicals, but that one must have been forgettable?   The "dancing on the ceiling" segment is also all that I remember about it.   I don't recall Jane Powell at all, or what she sang?  My favorite of her musicals is "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".     Hope you got your Ciabatta bread okay?  Hard to find it here now that lots of the Italian bakeries have closed.  That's my favorite too.

Marilyne, any movie with Jane Powell in it was one of my favorites, back then. She sang so beautifully, and being a singer myself, I longed to be able to navigate those high notes just like her!  My voice went by the wayside a few years ago when I had a test for thyroid problems. A needle in my throat put an end to my listenable singing.  They must have gotten too close to the voice box.

Marilyne, regardless of what is listed, I don't think what I got was Ciabatta bread with olive oil. Either that or it is definitely different from the bread I bought last time. What I got was more like good old long Italian bread loaf, sliced, but maybe a little more moist. What I bought when I was in store last was a round loaf, not sliced. It tasted a bit different too. Oh well.

Last night I went out to dinner at a local fancy (aka: pricey) restaurant with my sister. It is a yearly Christmas thing with Sue and her friends. There were six of us altogether. I had anticipated ordering either a scrod dish, crab cakes or blackened prime rib but the menu was changed from what was online. I had to regroup. After I had decided on something our waiter came by, apologized and replaced our menus with another. So many of the dishes sounded scrumptious, it was hard to pick out what I wanted. I finally settled on a thin sliced veal dish with two cheeses melted over it and sitting in a sauce. Salad came with the meal and only one choice of vegetable. Delicious. For dessert I had a chocolate cake (what else?) and an Irish Coffee. The chocolate cake was surprisingly light and also delicious. I had hoped for a turkey dish on the menu, but that would have been too common for that place. Oh, well. The meal was great and the company was good, all-in-all a nice evening out.

Bummer, Morrocco lost to France in the semis. It will be Croatia and Morocco vying for third place on Saturday. World Cup first place is on Sunday with Argentina vs. France. I will be rooting for Argentina.

I loved Jane Powell, too.  And Deanna Durbin.  Does anyone remember Deanna Durbin?  She was around the time when the Dionne Quintuplets were all the rage.  I remember having five little dolls in a basket, as did all of my friends.  Five identical dresses, each in a different color.  I remember Annette and Marie.
I think maybe there was an Yvonne and an Emily.  Can't stretch my old memory any further.  But Deanna Durbin was the first great singer I recall.

Mary Page...
...Deanna Durbin was one of my late fathers favourite actresses - singers, she had a fantastic singing voice...I grew up watching her in films...she was stunning looking..had that look of innocence..

I remember them well . . .  both Deanna Durbin and Jane Powell, with their beautiful soprano voices!  They starred in lots of musical movies . . . Deanna mostly in the 1930's and Jane, in the 1940's.  I especially loved, A Date With Judy,  from 1948.  Jane took top billing over Elizabeth Taylor in that one.  For my birthday that year, my Aunt gave me the album of records from the movie.  "Love is Where You Find It",  was one of them, as well as,  "It's a Most Unusual Day".  Both very popular songs that year. 

The Dionne Quintuplets!  Born in 1934, just a few months before me. Two of the quints are still living, so they are now 88.  I plan to look them up later today, and see which two still survive?  Their miracle birth is an  amazing story, worth reading about again.

MarsGal, your annual early Christmas  dinner with your sister and friends, sounds delicious!  All menu items sound delicious, especially topped off with the chocolate cake and Irish coffee.

Joanne - I didn't know you were a singer . . . I'd like to know more!  Did you do local theater productions, or were you a vocalist with a band?  So sorry that your thyroid treatment ruined your voice.    I had a similar problem after thyroid surgery.  I'll tell you about it at another time.  Right now I have to remove myself  from the computer, and start on some house cleaning.  Tomorrow,  my older daughter and granddaughter will be here for the weekend - so have lots to do!

Jackie,  I just now saw your video of Deanna Durbin!   I'll listen to it before I start  my housecleaning.

I remember Deanna Durbin and the Quintuplets but never had dolls like them.  I did have a Shirley Temple doll and my parents took me to one of her movies when I was very very young. Apparently, I thought it was a "live" performance and couldn't understand why I couldn't go to the hotel and play with her.

Loved (and still do...) the MGM musicals.  I remember having a pair of red slippers with little heels and dancing around the house pretending I was Vera Ellen or Ann Miller or Cyd Charisse.

Project du Jour is baking cookies.    off to the kitchen.

Marilyne, just an amateur singer. Did A Capella Choir in High School, a couple of amateur radio contests for H.S.students. I had a couple of "amateur gigs", which I will tell you about in private message. The radio contest, I made the mistake of making my boyfriend, who was a pianist, enter with me. He won, I took second. Oh, well.  I might have gone on to better things, but for the most part, I'd get stage fright!It took all the courage I could muster to go on that program.
Wishing you and yours good health and a Happy Christmas.

I did look up the Dione Quintuplets, and of course there are many websites that give a good account of their lives.  Incredible to learn about how they were kept alive as newborn infants, and then exploited (put on display) when they were toddlers.   The two quints who are still living, are  Annette and Cécile.  They are now 88 years old.  The five girls were born on May 28, 1934.

Callie - I also had a Shirley Temple doll, and remember going to the "Picture Show" and watching all the dancing and singing!  Did you take tap-dancing classes back then?  All I can recall about my dancing career, is how much I loved the black patent leather tap shoes!   
As you know, I'm also a big fan of the movie musicals!  Hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to name one it would be,  O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A!

Joanne - I hope you broke up with that boyfriend who won the contest!         Just curious - do you remember what song you sang?  Whatever it was I admire you for getting up there and singing!  I would never have been able to get up in front of an audience, unless I was in a chorus of some kind.  The best I ever did was singing in the choir at the First Methodist Church.

Daughter and granddaughter arriving momentarily, so I'd better shower and get ready before they arrive.  Tomorrow night is a big Family Christmas Party at son and dil's house!

My sister watched the new Beauty and the Beast anniversary musical on TV last night. She was mighty disappointed in it. She said way too many commercials and way too many cartoons interjected in the thing. She did say that Josh Groban was really good.

My car went for its annual inspection this morning. It came back fine, but the inspection prices have gone up again. This year it cost me $74 even with the emission test price exemption. The really nice thing is that my garage is only five blocks up the street, so I walk back home until it is ready to walk back for it. That is probably the most exercise I had all week.

I will be glued to the TV tomorrow morning watching the FIFA match for third place in the World Cup.

Marilyne, in my part of that Old World, we used to call them: "Moving Picture Shows."

Marilyne, I have almost all of the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies on VHS.  My favorite movie musical might be "South Pacific", but there's another one that I love, too.  I am having a senior moment and cant even think of it.

I will be watching the FIFA 3rd Place Match too.  (something to keep me in out of the cold, LOL)

Enjoy, all you soccer seniors!  (Way past being a Soccer Mom, aren't we)?

Quote from: Tomereader1 on December 16, 2022, 09:18:23 PMbut there's another one that I love, too.  I am having a senior moment and cant even think of it.

Would that be "Annie Get your Gun"?

Good Morning evrryone. 

Today we have a ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT...

We had some snow fall last night but more is
on its way.  I can enjoy it from my
window to the World. 

This coming week should be
very interesting ...news wise.

Only one week from Christmas,
while continuing thru Hanukkah!

What ever special holiday is yours,  enjoy!

Have a good weekend,  EVERYONE!

Sandy 

Quote from: RAMMEL on December 16, 2022, 09:57:37 PM

Quote from: Tomereader1 on December 16, 2022, 09:18:23 PMbut there's another one that I love, too.  I am having a senior moment and cant even think of it.

Would that be "Annie Get your Gun"?

Nope Rammel, not that one. I am still trying to find my cache of VCR tapes, that contain all my favorite musicals.  Will let you know when I find them!

Okay, Rammel.  I think 2nd place goes to "the King and I".  But I have compiled a list, and all of these are right up there in a "tie" for whatever.

The Sound of Music; The Music Man; My Fair Lady; and more recent ones that I also love:

Chicago; A Chorus Line; and Cats

How 'bout dat?

Could be singing and dancin' for hours!

" I think 2nd place goes to "The King and I".    A good choice indeed.  My recall says I became familiar with some of these from 14" LPs that either my parents or brother bought. I do remember that they were well played.

Rammel, awhile back PBS (I think) ran a gorgeous King & I, Broadway version, not the Brynner movie.  It was fantastic!

Joanne -  Now I have to add my list of favorite musicals!     I like every one you mentioned, but these would be my top five choices if I could pick one to watch today.
1. Oklahoma
2. The Music Man
3. Les Miserables
4. The Sound of Music
5. Bye Bye Birdie
My younger daughter was active in Children's/Teen's Musical Theater, and she was in some shows that I had never heard of until then, that were very good and highly entertaining . . . especially,  "Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat".  It was a Broadway production, but was never a major hit.   

Big family Christmas party last night at son and dil's house! I'm in recovery mode this morning, and plan to take it easy all day today and do nothing except some last minute online shopping.   

I really loved The Sound of Music.

I am not fond of musicals, but there are a few I've seen. My favorite is South Pacific, I have seen that several times. I remember seeing Carousel years and years ago. Liked the music. Don't hear it mentioned anymore. And I saw Man from La Mancha when we were England and Richard Kiley played the lead. I was all of sixteen at the time.

I saw West side Story in Radio City N-Y: my discovery of  musicals!  And then Porgy and Bess.
Alas, never saw any other.