Greetings! Hats off to Center Stage’s reopening and the show “Fully Committed.” David Slatten is an amazingly talented actor, and that talent is in full force in this show. He portrays forty different characters! I’m happy to see our Coastal theaters reopening. It appears that “Intermission” is over. due to the “Pox.” Thornton Wilder stated […]
Anthony Kalberg
Dispatches from Home. The Royal Family Set.
The play, Kaufman and Feber’s bittersweet soufflé of the glory of The Great White Way, closed today at Center Stage, Biloxi. And by Tuesday of this week, all this theatrical elegance will be nothing more than sawdust and memories. The set design was by Chuck White, the theater’s resident director. Bruce Berry was in charge […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Honesty and Dishonesty.
Have you ever looked back on your life and seen where dishonesty worked against you, causing you great mental anguish and others to distrust you? The Good Book reminds us that honesty is wiser because “the wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.” Honesty is so important in life. […]
This and That – The Lusitania. What Lies Beyond?
“Big Lucy” was her nickname, known all the world around. She was the fabled jewel in Cunard’s glittering shipping crown. But off old Ireland on a sunny May day, Dear Lucy’s death could not be kept at bay. Because a U-boat lurked and sealed her fate, When the Captain yelled, Fire! For the Lucy, it […]
This and That – Stephen Colbert.
Friends in the know—we are truly living in the Last Day, as spoken of in the Book of Revelation. What’s listed below is a prime example of a complete breakdown in mortality, civility, and just plain good, old-fashioned manners. And to my Liberal friends who will deluge my post with a myriad of “Well…the Conservatives […]
Dispatches from Home – Something to be Thankful For!
Thought for the day: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (Originally posted May 6, 2018)
This and That – The Royal Coronation.
Greetings! The Royal Coronation of King Charles III. What regal pageantry! It was thrilling watching the Royal Coach rolling regally up the Royal Mall, knowing Sam and I stood so close to it when we were in London. Big hug. (Originally posted May 6, 2023)
The Friday Funnies – What Was I Thinking!
I saw this snap of these fashionable ladies and thought, “Holy Moley! What were they thinking!!” But then I saw this snap of me and thought, “What was I thinking!!!!” (LOL!!) Remember, it’s the heart that we should look at, not the face. Have a good laugh today. It just makes you feel better. L […]
Dispatches from Home – Newsies!
Greetings! As a lover of musicals, I’m sure you’ll agree that they are a unique and powerful art form. They don’t just entertain us with their stirring music, breathtaking choreography, and attention-grabbing plots. They also educate us about historical events and help us understand our differences. Over the past hundred years, they have played a […]
This and That – The Great Gatsby!
Greetings! 1974’s The Great Gatsby is my favorite movie version of Fitzgerald’s iconic novel. It paints a lush backdrop for the key themes of greed, cynicism, and the mindless pursuit of pleasure. Robert Redford, as Gatsby, is shown here in his pink suit. I wonder if men really wore pink suits in the 1920s? Sam […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Makeup and Whitewash.
It has been said that “Necessity is the Mother of Invention.” The spread of smallpox in 18th-century Europe necessitated an invention to cover up the disease’s horrid, pockmarked scars that riddled the faces of those who survived it. The invention was a new type of makeup, and it became a fashion statement that everyone wore, […]
Dispatches from Home – Acts of Kindness.
Greetings! We live in a ME ME ME society, where selfishness and doing things my way are the rules of the day. But there are times when a random act of kindness reminds us of what humans are capable of. Though kindness may not be often demonstrated in our ME ME ME society, it should […]
This and That – Steel Magnolias!
Greetings! A consortium of compadres out for a fun night at the theater. Great show…great fun!! Thank you, David Delk, for picking me up and taking me to the theater. Later Fun-Loving Gaters. (Originally posted May 3, 2019)
This and That – A Delightful Afternoon.
Greetings! What a delightful afternoon spent drinking Bloody Marys at The Lady May, eating delicious food, and catching up on life with a dear friend, Sarah Qarqish. Then, a lovely ride to the beach, the sunset, and the happy laughter of two old chums. Thank you, my dear! Big hug. (Originally posted May 3, 2023)
The Friday Funnies – A Martini Disaster.
Mr. Kalberg, as you reached for the salt, you were warned about the danger of those four brass buttons on your Polo blazer. As is your custom, though, you failed to listen and ended up with the sugary residue of a full lemon-drop martini in your lap and one large lemon slice. Oy vey! Such […]
The Friday Funnies – The Customer is Always Right!
Greetings! Love me some Chuck Kelly Salon! The customer is always right, and Chuck always aims to please. I ask him to give me a new do that would make it appear that I had more hair than I do. I think he succeeded. What say ye? As you go through your day, remember what […]
Dispatches from Home – A Summer Long Ago.
It’s the early 1980s, a billowy summer’s day as we steamed out of Gulfport’s harbor aboard the elegant, old yacht, the Francis Fayard. It’s been so long ago, I don’t remember the young lady’s name. Watch that hand, Mister! (LOL!) However, it appears we’re having a good time, as evidenced by our smiling faces and […]
This and That – Sheer Elegance!
One for the ladies! Is this not a magnificent creation? So lady-like and dripping with elegance and class! Alas! Gone are the days. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted April 29, 2013)
Dispatches from Home – The Way We Were. Port Gibson.
The Way We Were, many moons ago. I wonder how many dreams were shattered at the Dreamboat Inn located in Port Gibson, Mississippi, circa 1940? LOL. Later History Gaters! (Originally posted April 28, 2016)
This and That – Umbrella Lane at the Gulfport Premium Outlets Mall.
Good afternoon on this rainy day! Have you taken your selfie in Umbrella Lane at Gulfport’s Premium Outlets Mall? What a fun time we had setting it up. Thank you, Pam, for asking us to do it. And thank you, Morgan, for making it happen. The ultimate compliment came from a lady who took our […]
The Sunday Sermonette – God Deactivated?
A weekend in the country is always a delightful experience, especially if it’s spent with dear friends. Many years ago, I spent a weekend like that, and the food, the banter, and the remembrances of days long gone were truly refreshing. Over the weekend, we went exploring, traveling the backroads, marveling at grand mansions, abandoned […]
Dispatches from Home – I’m Miserable due to Misery.
Greetings! I am miserable today after seeing Center Stage’s production of “Misery” last night. However, I’m now the production’s “number one fan.” I am miserable because of David Slatten‘s gritty, nerve-wracking portrayal of Paul Sheldon and his “pain” as he struggles to survive the “love” shown to him by Annie Wilkes, masterfully portrayed by Daisha […]
The Friday Funnies! Such a Lesson!
“I told you not to wear shorts to dinner tonight,” said she. “Oy vey! Such a slap and a lesson learned,” said me. Don’t forget to have a good laugh today! Big hug.
This and That – Too Much Hell in your Hello?
Greetings! “No good in your good morning? Too much hell in your hello? Thinkin’ more about the thorns than you are the rose?” Call Heaven’s switchboard and ask to speak to Jesus. He can help. Just sayin’. Big hug.
This and That – Old Friends. New Memories.
What a fun time, dear Judy Barnes Madden and I had at lunch today! Just two Senior thespians solving the theatrical problems of the world. Well…sorta. (LOL!) Later Problem-Solving Gaters! (Originally posted April 25, 2022)
This and That – Renfield Old and New.
Good evening! Dracula, Renfield, a little popcorn, a Coke, and dear friend, Rhonda! Who could ask for anything more? The actor who portrayed Renfield in the movie may have been younger and better looking, but the old geezer who portrayed him at Center Stage could have matched his movie moves to a tee. Youth wasted […]
The Sunday Sermonette – What Church Should Be.
Church should be a hospital for hurting people seeking peace and answers, not a museum for saints. Go forth in love. (Originally posted April 24, 2022)
The Friday Funnies – Good news. Bad news.
I spoke with my plastic surgeon, asking him if he could perhaps help me look 65 again. He flashed an intense light on my sagging face, poked around my puffy eyelids, pinched my neck wrinkles, and then, with a sadistic smile, said, “I don’t think I’ve got that much Bondo and epoxy glue.” I was […]
Dispatches from Home – A 70th Birthday.
Greetings! Today would have been dear Susan’s 70th birthday. Happy Heavenly Birthday to you, old friend. Wow! What a fun New Year’s Eve this was! It’s the late 1970s, and we are dancing it in at Biloxi’s old Sheraton Hotel to the strains of Art Sissle and his talented little team of horn and trombone […]
The Sunday Sermonette – He is Risen!
“Jesus died the death we deserve, so we might experience the forgiveness we don’t deserve.” I’m thankful that He did. Thank you, Precious Lamb of God, dearest Savior. Here’s wishing my FB family and friends a joyous Easter! Big hug.
Dispatches from Home – Jayne Mansfield 90 Years Old.
Greetings! It’s hard to believe that dear Jayne would have been 90 today. For those who don’t know, she has a strong connection to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, specifically Gus Steven’s Night Club. Not long ago, I visited the site of her death in that horrific auto accident, all those foggy nights ago. Sad that […]
This and That – Back to Work!
Attention! It’s official! I’m going back to work at the Department of Human Services. After ten years of retirement, I’ve been so busy that returning to work will be like a vacation. (Just kidding! I’m loving retirement too much. Go back to work at DHS? I’d jump off Hancock Bank first. ) April 18, 2014—retirement! […]
Dispatches from Home – The Sealed Tomb.
Greetings! The scriptures remind us that we have been bought at an extraordinary price. As the songwriter beautifully expresses, “Jesus paid it all.” This truth reveals just how deeply valued we are by Father God. The Apostle John reminds us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, […]
This and That – Biloxi’s Saenger Theater Rising Like a Phoenix?
Greetings! I’ve been receiving FB messages about being on the telly. I finally found the WXXV interview and thought it went well. However, I’m not sure I was ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille, nor why they included snaps of my library and not vintage snaps of the Saenger. Like so many others, I’m ready […]
Dispatches from Home – The Royal Yacht, Britannia.
Good afternoon, on this gorgeous spring day! A few snaps from our tour of the Royal Yacht, Britannia. The ship was one of the highlights of our September 2022 trip. She looked as if she could set sail right then and there; she was so well-maintained. What a wonderful time, Samuel Geoffrey Polk and I […]
Dispatches from Home – Titanic Epilogue.
In 1865, the Sultana, a Mississippi riverboat loaded with Civil War wounded, exploded and burned; over 1,500 died. In 1914, the Empress of Ireland collided with another ship; 1,012 died. In 1915, the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine; 1,200 died. In 1940, the Lancastria, part of the Dunkirk evacuation, was hit by the […]
DISPATCHES FROM HOME – 131+43+4+1=179 Titanic Memories.
While recently waiting in line for some eye meds at the local apothecary shop, I spotted what I thought was an old friend of mine, who seemed to whisper, “Please don’t leave me here. It’s been so long since last we met.” I didn’t, and quickly picked up the reissued National Geographic magazine that initially […]
The Friday Funnies – A Rotten Easter Egg!
Note to self: Next Easter, please remember that just because it looks like a chocolate-covered Easter Egg on a stick tied with a pretty ribbon and covered in a candied-yellow shell, it might not be all it seems! However, you’ll be happy to know, dear friends and family, that one bite and the taste of […]
This and That – Wagging Tongues and Spinning Tales.
Greetings, my dears – My, my, my, how tongues wag and tales get spun. A disclaimer: I’m not in a relationship, I’m not dating anyone, and I’m not getting married. However, a glass of wine, a moonlit night, and violin music might help me change my mind. Happy Saturday, y’all! Life’s too short not to […]
This and that – The Titanic 113 Years Later.
Greetings! One hundred and thirteen years have passed since the unsinkable Titanic sank, taking 1,496 souls with her to a frigid, watery grave. The Titanic continues to serve as a powerful symbol of human pride and arrogance. However, just as in those days, Death remains the great equalizer, affecting everyone—young and old, famous and not-so-famous, […]
This and That – Biloxi’s Saenger Theatre Prepares for an Encore.
DISPATCHES FROM HOME: Titanic Strikes Iceberg April 14, 1912. Fast forward to the 16th.
When we read about the Titanic, its first-class passengers, with their gilded wealth and posh lifestyles, are always front and center. Second-class passengers are mentioned, too, a myriad of preachers, missionaries, businessmen, teachers, and middle-class families. When third-class passengers are mentioned, most have one thing in common—the better life awaiting them in the Land of […]
This and That – Hearts and Tombstones.
Greetings! A thought for you today: “Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” As you plunge through life, please remember that tomorrow is promised to no one. Live each day as if it were your last. Spread love. Spread […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Passover. One Meal. Two Meanings.
On the night Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Pharisees, He and his Disciples celebrated Passover, one of the Jewish religion’s most sacred and widely observed traditions. It began with a Seder meal. The word Seder, in Hebrew, means order. During the Sader meal, there is a specified order in which the […]
This and That – OLIVER the Musical. A Fond Memory.
Greetings! As with any production, there can be long days and sleepless nights. But the show does finally close, the curtain does come down, and you are left on a quiet stage with only whispers of that which was and will never be again. When melancholia sweeps over me, it’s then I remember what I […]
Dispatches from Home – The New Orleans Titanic Immersive Experience.
Greetings! Spring is my favorite time of the year to visit New Orleans. The city’s massive oaks are crowned with spring-green leaves as magenta azaleas gather at their feet. The cacophony of city sounds, bustling people, and the delicious aroma of equally delicious food wafting through the air are a visitor’s dream. But today, there […]
Dispatches from Home – The Lost Art of Being a Gentleman.
Gentlemen today are as scarce as true ladies in this crass, unmannered society in which we find ourselves. Over 30 years ago, I read an article on good manners in GQ magazine. A quote from it went something like this: “In today’s society, the person who possesses good manners possesses a dazzling social asset.” Hummmm. […]
This and That – What Were Mom and Dad Thinking?
Greetings1 Easter Sunday, 1956, at Biloxi’s Trinity Baptist Church. I’m the little “angel” on the first row, left end. Those bloomers…what were Mom and Dad thinking? Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted April 11, 2020)
Dispatches from Home – Jack the Ripper and Me!
Good afternoon! I was 16 when I checked out a book from the Harrison County Library on Hwy 90 – “When London Walked in Terror.” This book is still considered one of the best books about Jack the Ripper. Imagine my thrill fifty-five years later when, on a dark, cloudy night, I actually walked the […]
This and That – The Great Gatsby and Titanic The Musical.
Greetings! David, thank you for my happies all the way from Broadway! And thank you for your invitation to see THE GREAT GATSBY musical when it has its grand Broadway Opening. I’m thankful you saw it in previews, liked it, and told me it was nothing like the travesty Sam and I saw in London […]
The Friday Funnies – Who’s the Fairest?
Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who’s the fairest of them all? “Say who?” says me. “It’s you!” says thee. So, it’s not Snow White? “She ditched her Knight?” Now, there’s a flash, A box office crash? Thank you, Mirror, for your kind vote, It causes my old spirits upward to float. And when next I […]
Dispatches from Home – Women at the Tomb of Jesus.
Greetings! While reading the story of Christ’s birth, as recorded by St. Luke, I found it interesting that two women–Mary and Elizabeth, humble housewives–were the first to hear of the coming Savior, not men. On that first Resurrection Morning, women also discovered that Christ did exactly as He said He would–rise from the grave in […]
This and That – The Wintery Days of Grief.
Greetings! Like many of you, dear family and friends, I know the pain of grief. While stumbling through it, I often think of the oyster, the Good Book, and an invincible summer. We all have our favorite little quips and witticisms—here’s mine. The lowly oyster covers an irritant grain of sand with priceless pearl. The […]
The Friday Funnies – Thou Shalt Not Imbibe.
Note to self…this is why some folks should not drink! On this rainy morning, don’t forget to laugh. It will help take away some of the gloom. Later Non-Gloomy Gaters! (Originally posted April 9, 2021)
The Sunday Sermonette – The Greatest Man In History.
“He had no servants, yet they called him Master. He had no university degree, yet they called him Teacher. He had no medical degree, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He never fought any military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified […]
Dispatches from Home – The Old Curiosity Shop.
Like Dickens’ old curiosity shop, my little house is a repository of battered antiques, ruined finery, and dusty memories. Because less-is-best in interior design these days, when I shuffle off this mortal coil, my treasures may bring a buck-fifty at a garage sale. (Big Smile) However, my collection of Titanic memorabilia might bring a wee […]
The Friday Funnies – Miss Gertie Goat.
Mercy me! Miss Gertie Goat and her boyfriend, Bubba, are in a bit of a muddle. Ever been there? Sometimes in life, you ask yourself how you got where you are. Then, you look around a corner and wonder how you’re gonna get out of it. Life’s a muddle at times. Don’t forget to smile. […]
This and That – Total Eclipse of the Sun.
Greetings! Well, the only eclipse we experienced today was the total eclipse of our hearts because the sun decided to hide behind ominous, undulating clouds. However, the eclipse was a partial success. A chilled bottle of sweet wine, a delicious Subway sandwich, and delightful conversation between old friends was “sunshine” enough. Thank you, dear Rhonda! […]
This and That – Agony Begets Eternity.
His agony is part of the ecstasy of eternity, which our salvation assures us. However, that salvation comes only through Him. May this day bring you closer to the One who saves. Big hug. (Originally posted April 7, 2023)
That and That – Broadway Musicals in The Year of The Pox.
Theater friends, here’s today’s chuckle, compliments of my dear friend Carlton Perrett in Paris, France. Gotta love creative people. Enjoy! Later -Gareful-Gaters! (Originally posted April 6, 2021) P.S. Here are a few more: Hopeboat, Laberet, West Side Clinic, Into The Wards, Phantom of the Operation Room (with the Masked Ball), Les Misérables (no translation needed!); […]
This and That – Prophecies, Bad Omens, and a Lucky Pig.
“I don’t believe in fortune-tellers!” Edith said, sitting in the gilded splendor of Madame de Thebes’ Parisian salon, the most famous fortune-teller of the late 19th Century. “I shall predict your fortune anyway,” the lady said in the flickering candlelight, her voice low, her stare intense. “You are about to go through a dreadful experience. […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A New Beginning!
Spring! The cold, dark days of winter wither away as the warm days of Spring burst forth in a spectacular display of color and sweet smells. Spring, a season of unparalleled beauty, when all nature seemingly comes back to life. Flowers greet us with bouquets of lovely blossoms. Trees sport new, crisp, yellow-green leaves. And […]
This and That – Dear Wanda’s Gone Home.
Greetings! I start the day with sad news. A dear old friend, Wanda Brown Kahler, has been called Home. She fought the good fight with many health problems for a long, long time. She is now Home, free of this world with its misery and decay, resting peacefully in the loving arms of Jesus. One […]
This and That – A Bejeweled Book, a Naked Lady, and a Mummy’s Curse.
Deep within the submerged, rusting hulk of the Titanic rests one of the world’s rarest books, a monumental painting of a naked lady and a mysterious mummy’s curse. Because the Titanic was practically unsinkable, so said the White Star Line, she was considered a safe haven for everything from objets d’art to expensive touring cars. […]
Dispatches from Home – A Gaggle of Thespians!
Greetings! Goodness grashus! What a raucous, fun time was had last night at the Kalbergs’ palatial estate in the Hood. I think it is safe to say that our sides are still sore from laughing so much! Gather a gaggle of thespians together, and their stories—some true, some embellished, and some suspicious—are sure to entertain. […]
The Friday Funnies – Baptists and the Corona Beer Franchise.
Tonight, for one night only, at the D’Lo Hog and Tractor Expo, the famous musical duo Banda de Hombres Atractivos will entertain with their unique blend of rock, big band, and country gospel music. Let the record show, however, that, being Baptists, they are not promoting the Corona Beer Franchise. They are, however, thankful for […]
This and That – A New Book?
The Prologue for another book I’m thinking of writing: Looking at the bloody knife, the gypsy’s haunting prophecy oozed down the back alleys of Jamison’s mind, reminding him that all she had predicted had come true with a vengeance. She had warned him. Warned him that he would take a life in the heat of […]
This and That – Something Beautiful Remains.
A thought on this lovely, sunshiny morning: “The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down, but the gentle warmth still lingers on the land. The music stops, and yet it echoes in a sweet refrain. For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.” Author unknown. Big hug, y’all.
This and That – Silly Me on a Ladder!
Moi painting on the Mamma Mia! set. A little kick and jazz hands help the hours go by!!— at The Friends of Mary C. (Originally posted April 2, 2019)
This and That – What Can Happen In Ten Seconds?
What can happen in ten seconds? You could try to kiss your date in a bar and get a drink thrown in your face. () Perhaps you could score a winning goal? Every ten seconds, 104,500 Coca-Colas are consumed worldwide. Every ten seconds, a honeybee beats its wings 2700 times. And in just ten quick […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Tentacles.
In today’s world, trouble wraps itself around us with vicious tentacles. Earthquakes. Horrific tornadoes. Wars. Fatal illnesses. Personal trials and tribulations. The senseless murder of children and adults. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were also hounded by trouble. They often turned to God to help solve their problems, but it was too late. They […]
This and That – Satan Shoes.
I usually refrain from slogging into the minefield of societal issues, but today I do. Let’s see. Pepe’ La Pew is a rapist. Mr. Potato Head is non-gender-neutral friendly. And Dr. Seuss, Elmer Fudd, Aunt Jemima, and Uncle Ben are racist. Yet “Wet Ass Pu..sy” wins Best Song of 2020. Really? And now Satan has […]
The Friday Funnies – Rejected Virgins.
Meanwhile on Old Compton Street in merry ol’ London there’s this sign at the local tobacconist shop. I wonder how much non-rejected Virgins would cost? (Don’t go there. Big smile.) Laugh, giggle, and guffaw today. It’s good for the heart and soul. Big hug. (Origianlly posted March 31, 2023)
The Sunday Sermonette – A Project of Titanic Proportions.
In the late 1960s, there were only three television stations along the Mississippi Coast—from New Orleans and the Coast’s WLOX. Now, from my easy chair, I have a myriad of stations from which to choose a night’s entertainment. YouTube is one, and Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration is one of its delights. Last week, […]
Dispatches from Home – Family Reunion.
Greetings! What a fun three days it’s been! I’ve not seen Cousin Alex Baridon in over 40 years. What a grand reunion it was! To add icing to the cake and some sweet sugar, too, were my other cousins: Peggy Gunter Stone, Billy Thornton, and his beautiful wife, Sylvia. We’re incredibly proud of Billy, and […]
This and That – Francis the Talking Mule and the Old Testament.
Greetings! In my quiet time, I’ve been reading the Old Testament, a strange and thought-provoking set of inspired writings with a timely message, even if one is delivered by a talking mule. (LOL.) Over and over in the Books of the Old Testament, we are warned about what happens when we reject God. Please take […]
Dispatches from Home – What Are You Reading?
Greetings! In the past year, I’ve read the following books—or tried to. I’m a slow reader and don’t always retain much of what I read. I wish my tiny brain was bigger and smarter. Have you read any of these books? Marcel Proust’s “Remembrance of Things Past” – Yikes! Tried wading through this tome, but […]
This and That – Battles Within.
When the word, battle, is spoken, what comes to mind? Perhaps famous conflicts like the Battles of Yorktown and Gettysburg, the Battle of Verdun, or the Normandy Invasion of WWII. But other battles are often fought alone, these are battles of the mind: depression, fear, panic, loneliness, and anger. However, the famous battles listed above […]
The Friday Funnies – Who’s the Fairest?
Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who’s the fairest of them all? “Say who?” says me. “It’s you!” says thee. So, it’s not Snow White? “She ditched her Knight?” Now, there’s a flash, A box office crash? Thank you, Mirror, for your kind vote, It causes my old spirits upward to float. And when next I […]
This and That – The D’Lo Haute Couture Spring Fashion Show.
Greetings Ladies! “In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it. You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade!” I saw this creative chapeau last week at the D’Lo Haute Couture Spring Fashion Show and thought of y’all. The title of the show was “Takin’ what you got…Makin’ what you can!” And if […]
This and That – Hazmat Suit.
Good afternoon – I’m so excited! My Parisian, haute couture hazmat suit has arrived! I’m off to Rouses. Later Proactive Gaters! (Originally posted March 26, 2020, at the height of the “pox” pandemic.)
The Friday Funnies – Crazy Uncle Cuthbert.
Do you have a crazy uncle? I do, and his name is Cuthbert Alowishus Kalberg. When I visited him during Christmas as a child, I remember thinking how strange he looked—fez for a hat, velvet dressing gown with a fox-fur collar, pallid face, wrinkles galore, and matted beard! Yikes! When I hugged him, I was […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Maturity.
Do we ever stop maturing? Maturity is a delicate dance between what you know and what you still need to learn. It is not measured by age but by experience. One of maturity’s milestones is when you stop complaining, stop making excuses, and start making changes. Change is not easy. Ask God to help you […]
This and That – The Morning Chuckle.
Snap one indicates what my hair color looks like after a visit to the village wig winder—waitress black. Snap two indicates what I’ll look like in a month, with no haircut or hair color, and a beard due to a shortage of razor blades. So, with all due respect, which do you prefer? Later Friendly […]
This and That – One Heart. One Kiss.
Good morning! Spring has sprung, and the sap has riz. To all my young friends, and perhaps some old ones too, as you look for love, please remember: You can’t judge the heart by just one kiss. Later Loving Gaters and Swans too! (Originally posted March 24, 2021)
Friday Funnies! Fagin and his Gang!
Note to Self: When giving stage notes to Fagin and his gang of pickpockets, villains, and thieves, don’t anger them! They know where you live! All jokes aside, someone with a better grasp of English than I should invent another word for Thank you! But THANK YOU is all I can say to the fantastic […]
Dispatches from Home – The Titanic and the Goodwin Family.
Greetings! Of all the many, poignant Titanic stories, to me, this is one of the saddest, the Goodwind Family. They were an entire family looking forward to a new life in the promised land, only to die screaming in the icy-cold waters of the North Atlantic. I can’t help but think of their final moments: […]
This and That – Weep and You Weep Alone.
Evening Gaters! This poem, “Solitude” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, is one of my favorites. Do you have a favorite? Later Poetry-Loving Gaters! “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own. Sing, and the hills will […]
Dispatches from Home – My First Hymn.
Greetings family and friends! Question? What is the very first song–Hymn, Big Band, Opera or Operetta, Rock-In-Roll, Symphony, Musical, etc.–that you remember hearing. Me? It was the old hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” When I was a child, Dad, Mom, and I attended Biloxi’s Trinity Baptist Church. I couldn’t have been more than four or five […]
This and That – A Sweet Friend.
Greetings! Saturday night with dear friends! Lots of laughs and delicious food! Most of all, precious memories in the making! Thank you to our hostesses, Jannie and Joyce, for their delightful repast. As the Book of Proverbs says: A sweet friend refreshes the soul. Big hug! (Originally posted March 23, 2024)
This and That – Reflections On Turning Sixty-Five!
When I was a child in the late 50s, I often spent summers with my sweet Granny from D’Lo. Many a morning I’d hear moans and groans as she got out of bed. To my young mind, something was wrong. “Granny, are you okay?” To this good day, I still remember her answer: “Honey, when […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Endurance? Your Choice.
Endurance is as scarce as hen’s teeth these days. Most people lack the long-term commitment needed to stick with a challenging task. Learning to endure, to see the task come to fruition, is difficult, but once mastered, it is one of life’s greatest lessons. How well I know. Many years ago, I agreed to direct […]
This and That – A Few Thoughts on Prayer.
Greetings! This morning’s Open Windows devotional passage was about Jonah. Remember poor ol’ Jonah? He monkeyed around with God’s commands, and BAM! He got ate-up by a big fish. While in the fish’s stomach, he had a little time to think about what he’d done. And he began to pray. (So would I if I […]
This and That – Saying Goodbye to Blanche Dubois.
God, with His all-knowing wisdom, brings special people into your life. Juliana Nasekos Lewis is one of those special people. Loving. Kind. Talented. And most of all, my dear, dear friend. Love you! Big hug. Juliana Nasekos Lewis is with Anthony W. Kalberg. I said goodbye to Blanche last night. It was an honor to play the […]
This and That – Saying Goodbye.
TO MY DEAR CAST AND CREW -THANK YOU! Without your commitment, tenacity, professionalism, and love, our production of Streetcar would have never made its way out of the streetcar shed. As you well know, nightly, you brought tears of joy to these old eyes. () And a huge thank you for helping take down the […]
The Friday Funnies! Hugh Hefner and the S.S. United States.
In other news, there’s this. A Hugh Hefner look-a-like was spotted on the deck of a tourist boat in Mobile harbor while viewing the S.S. United States. Alas, things hurriedly spiraled out of control when the look-al-like, channeling Hefner began handing out Bunny applications for the online magazine. Husbands took offense and threw the Hefner […]
This and That – The S.S. United States and the Fab Four.
Greetings! What a spectacular day to revisit the S.S. United States for the last time. The Fab Four toured her via a river cruise in Mobile Harbor. The sunshine, the comradery, our lunch, and the ship itself were beyond fantastic. Thank you all for another fun day! Big hug.
Dispatches from Home – Dearest Molly. Gone but not Forgotten.
This fabulous snap of Molly Cox–portraying Cora Enochs White at the 2015 Old Biloxi Cemetery Holloween tour–reminds me of my favorite memory concerning this lovely, talented lady. It was winter, an unusually fridged winter long ago in the mid-1990s. I saw Molly enter the gilded lobby of Biloxi’s Saenger Theater. Her eyes sparkled; her radiant smile […]
The Friday Funnies! Applause! Applause! Applause!
For your consideration today, I present Duane, in all his flaming glory, seen here in Gulfport Little Theater’s 1980 summer musical, “Applause!” The musical is based on the 1950 film “All About Eve.” Duane is dancing atop a wooden spool while being wheeled around the stage, belting out a song. Channeling both Nijinsky and Baryshnikov […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Life’s Road Signs.
In life, it is not enough to avoid what is wrong—we must actively pursue what is right. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted March 19, 2023)