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 […]
Anthony Kalberg
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)
This and That – Who’s the Sunshine of your Life?
Greetings! At this time of year, I love how the afternoon sunlight shines through my living room’s stained glass windows. A thought: Who’s the sunshine of your life? Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted March 19, 2024)
Dispatches from Home – Be Thankful.
Greetings! This snap brought tears to my old eyes. The caption read: “An evicted mother, a matchbox maker, with her two children. Bethnal Green. East London. 1890.” I title it: “One chair. One bundle. One lamp. One table. Two children. One mother. And no place to go.” Did she find somewhere to live? Did her […]
This and That – Be Resourceful.
Meanwhile, in other news, there’s this: I was going to sell my vintage Sears And Roebuck catalogues on eBay. I have about twenty. But, times being what they are, I think I could make more money selling them as toilet tissue. 😂 NO reasonable offer will be refused. 😂 Later Resourceful Gaters! (Originally posted March […]
The Friday Funnies! Brush your Teeth.
In this crazy world, always remember to brush your teeth at night to keep them. However, you brush them in the morning to keep your friends! Have you brushed yours lately? Later, Brushing Gaters! (Originally posted March 18, 2022)
Dispatches from Home – Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Og.
Greetings! Og, the leprechaun, and I wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. It’s hard to believe he and I met in 1984, during the Mississippi Gulf Coast Opera’s production of “Finian’s Rainbow” at the Saenger Theater. Haven’t seen him since. I miss the old boy! But I don’t miss all that green makeup. Big […]
This and That – The Streetcar Has Passed.
WONDERFUL STREETCAR WEDNESDAYS! This will be my last post in this series. WATP’s production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE winds down on March 20th, 2022, at the Mary C Cultural Center in Ocean Springs. It’s been almost three years since I first agreed to direct this show back in 2019. Holding it together has been […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Beautiful Wickedness?
In my seventh year, Dad said, “Come on, son. We’re gonna watch a movie…” Sitting on the floor in front of his Zenith TV, I watched the movie, which began with a flourish of sentimental music. I was quickly whisked away to a land filled with quirky characters, a vicious tornado, happy Munchkins, and a […]
The Friday Funnies – The Ides of March.
On this very special Idus Martiae, here’s a gift suggestion for those friends who like to say, “We’ve got your back!” What are friends for…right? () While strolling through the park today or in the Theatre of Pompey with Senators, please keep a sharp lookout for flying objects. Don’t forget: A good chuckle is good […]
This and That – An Easter Tree and a Dear Friend.
Greetings on this rainy, foggy morning! What a delightful time I had yesterday at the Fine Arts Club meeting at the Bayou Bluff Tennis Club. Janie Bertucci was kind enough to ask me to speak about my 49-year involvement with Coastal Theater and a few words about my book – A Chasing of the Wind […]
This and That – What’s He Thinking Now?
Mr. Hawking is quoted as saying: “I believe the simplest explanation is, there is no God. No one created the universe and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realization that there probably is no heaven and no afterlife either. We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of […]
This and That – A Glass of Bubbly and Old Friends.
Greetings! Here’s to you, my dear friends. I raise a glass to old times, old memories, and old days. May Father God bless you today and in the future. Big hug! (Originally posted March 14, 2024)
The Friday Funnies – A Victorian Mullet.
Meanwhile, in other theatrical news, let me vent. Oh! These rank, amateurish productions of classics like “A Christmas Carol” are so exasperating. Does anyone check to see what period hairstyles looked like? But hey, at least they give us a good laugh, right? () Always remember, everything is better with laughter, even a Victorian mullet. […]
This and That – Panic in the Streets.
With the world in freefall over the coronavirus, let me say that I’m being proactive, washing hands, etc. I don’t ever remember the world in such a panic. I’ll not be a part of it. However, if I contract the virus–I am old–and keel over from it, you have my permission to inscribe this on […]
The Friday Funnies! Bellbottoms and The Music Man.
Today’s snap takes us back to Gulfport Little Theater’s 1976 production of “The Music Man.” Little moi was chorus member number 64. Because it was our country’s Bicentennial, many costumes were red, white, and blue. No problem for moi. I rushed to my closet and assembled this stunning little ensemble, compliments of Mississippi Britches on […]
The Sunday Sermonette – A Hard Lesson Learned.
My sweet Granny from D’Lo once told me, “Andy, you’ll never miss the water until your well runs dry.” Hard, true words indeed. Another of life’s hard-learned lessons is this—you’ll never understand what you’ve lost because you never understood what you had. Ponder this and go forth. (Originally posted March 12, 2023)
This and That – Sunset Boulevard, the Movie!
SUNSET BOULEVARD!! I’ve just returned from watching this great movie on the big screen. This was probably my 15th time seeing it ( I can almost quote the dialogue.), but it was my first time seeing the picture show on the big screen, as it was meant to be seen. I could only imagine what […]
This and That – Streetcar Rolls into the Mary C. Cultural Center.
After two years of waiting, at long last, I’m proud to say A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is opening tonight at the Mary C. Cultural Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi! Through shutdowns due to the pox, major cast changes at the last minute, and myriad other problems, I’m happy to report that the show, the cast […]
The Sunday Sermonette: Miserable Comforters.
You remember poor, old Job, don’t you? There, he was in the lap of luxury. Rich. Comfortable. His family large and successful. He was healthy, and life was good. He was righteous and faithful to God, too. He was truly blessed! Then, suddenly, his life took a turn, and Job lost it all. When all […]
The Sunday Sermonette – The “Kidney Stones” of Life.
On my way to work that morning, Spring 1993 announced its arrival with a wash of magenta azaleas, the spring green of new leaves, and the noisy chatter of blue jays. As I sat at my desk, the sweet morning air from my supervisor’s window across the hall drifted into my office. The strains of […]
Dispatches from Home – Rusty Grandeur. Bittersweet Memories.
As many of you know, my fascination with ocean liners began in the early 1960s when I was introduced to the R.M.S. Titanic via a book and a movie. This fascination was further fueled when I watched “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” on the TV late show in the mid-70s. Released in 1955, the movie starred Jane […]
The Friday Funnies – A Good Laugh is Good to Repeat!
I originally posted this little funny six years ago. It appeared on my Facebook Memories. I re-read it and, once again, laughed out loud. Enjoy! “For those of you who know my dear mother’s situation, you know that I’m never sure what she does or doesn’t understand. The conversation between us is limited to repeatedly […]
This and That – The Foreigner is Set.
This is an old post from Jay Lynn, the director of The Foreigner. “I love seeing ideas come to life. The top picture is my original concept design for the stage for The Foreigner at Gulfport Little Theatre. The bottom picture is the finished set. A huge THANK YOU to Anthony W. Kalberg and Cal […]
The Friday Funnies! The S.S. United States and New Tom’s.
Note to self: Remember to wear appropriate shoes when dressing to see a famous ship like the S.S. United States. The devilish rocks under my new red Tom’s slip-ons are killing me. More snaps later. Big hug, y’all!
This and That – Earth-Shattering Culinary News!
While divesting individual cucumber slices of their thick, deep-green skin – which was laborious and time-consuming at best – I thought to myself, “Self, there’s gotta be a better way!” Suddenly, up pops the Food Fairy (The Tooth Fairy’s fat sister) and sprinkles me with her magic dust. ( Sorry to my Evangelical friends for […]
This and That – Stellaaaaaaaaaa!
She may be Stanley’s wife for the run of the play, but she’s my dear friend for the rest of my life. Come see Stellaaaaaaaaaa! A Streetcar Named Desire opens on March 10, 2022, at the Mary C. Cultural Center in Ocean Springs. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted March 6, 2022.)
This and That – A Streetcar Named Desire Rolls into Town.
Lovely Miss Blanche, who depends on the kindness of strangers, states that deliberate cruelty is unforgivable. Don’t miss Juliana in a role that she’s waited two years to portray. Later, Streetcar-loving Gaters! David Slatten is at The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center. Folks, meet Julianna Lewis, who plays the iconic role of Blanche Dubois in Streetcar […]
The Sunday Sermonette: Oh! Watchman! What of the Night?
In the Old Testament, watchmen stood on Jerusalem’s ancient walls, searching the horizon for those who might attack the city. Because of their crucial tasks, these men had to be reliable, honest, and trustworthy. They had to be reliable and honest about what they saw and what they reported to their commanders. And they had […]
The Friday Funnies – Dance in the Rain.
A ventilated straw hat, aviator glasses, a trendy shirt, a 27-inch waistline, and a posh umbrella to keep the hot sunlight at bay. Life was good in 1975. Life is good today! Life! It’s a choice! Choose to make it as positive as you can! Today, as you walk life’s pathway, please remember that it […]
This and That – A Streetcar Named Desire.
Mean, old Stanley. So tough, so manly, so good in this role! Come see the show! (Originally published March 4, 2022)
This and That – Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
Happy Mardi Gras 2025, y’all! Be safe. Have fun. Big hug!
Dispatches from Home – Thank You for Attending.
Good evening. I want to thank everyone who attended Mom’s funeral! I know she would have been humbled by the outpouring of your love and words of encouragement, as was I. A special word of thanks goes out to my dear friend, Janie Still Walters, for the humor and joy she brought to a bittersweet […]
The Friday Funnies! Had a Bad Night Lately?
Ever have one of those mornings? Apparently, this poor fellow had a bad night and should have stayed in bed. Here’s wishing y’all a Happy Friday. Don’t forget to laugh. Turn that frown upside down and make it a smile. Big hug. (Originally posted March 3, 2023)
The Sunday Sermonette. Just Thoughts.
In the chaotic months following Japan’s unconditional surrender on September 2nd, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri, there were thousands of people from all walks of life still living in horrific conditions in Japanese concentration camps in China. In an effort to return imprisoned American citizens to the United States as soon as possible, The U.S. […]
This and That – Mom and Beer-n-Cheese.
For those of you who know my dear mother’s situation, you know that I’m never sure what she does or doesn’t understand. And conversation between the two of us is limited to answering the same question over and over, usually revolving around this: “Did it rain last night…” But at tonight’s supper, things were different. […]
The Friday Funnies – Grand Opera in D’Lo.
Meanwhile, in other opera news, the D’Lo Opera Society will present its reworking of Wagner’s famed Der Ring des Nibelungen. The Society’s new title is Der Ring des Bubba. Bubba will be played by Lockwood Peckenpaugh III, who thrilled local opera lovers with his rendition of “There are Fairies in My Garden” at the Fall […]
The Friday Funnies! Tales from FBC’s Kitchen – Disaster!
Note to self: When you’re told to turn the oven off so the roux flour can cool down, make sure the oven fan is off as well. If not, a face full of flour and a messy, detailed clean-up follows. Lest we forget: It’s good to chuckle at yourself and life’s problems. A good sense […]
Dispatches from Home – Wisdom or Silver or Gold?
“Many live their lives in order to gain riches, which will not last. Some seek beauty, fame, and popularity, which will soon fade away. The world will tell us that we need many things in order to make our lives complete. But a person who receives wisdom gains the insight to prioritize his life according […]
This and That – What’s Your Favorite Book?
Greetings! Mr. L’Amour’s words are so true. Four books have stayed with me since the first time I read them: The Judeo-Christian Bible, The Great Gatsby, Anna Karenina, and To Kill a Mockingbird. What books have influenced your life? Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted February 28, 2024)
Dispatches from Home – I Am Mississippi!
I Am Mississippi I’m the land of the Choctaw The hills of Vicksburg, and a crosscut saw Dinner on the ground and a muscadine vine I’m a longleaf pine, and Mississippi’s on my mind I’m a banjo pickin’ and all night sings Azaleas a ‘bloomin’ in Ocean Springs I’m a Gospel Singer and the old […]
The Friday Funnies! Margie, the Snake, and Me.
On this foggy day in old Gulfport town, please take time to peruse the accompanying snap. You know it’s going to be one of those days at work–in this case, ye ole DHS office circa 2014–when someone screams, “There’s a big snake in the hallway!!!” Snakes on a plane are one thing; outside your supervisor’s […]
The Friday Funnies – Pontchartrain Beach.
“Andy, we’ve had a great day at Pontchartrain Beach, but now it’s time to go home, so get in the car,” said Mom. “I don’t want to go,” said I and threw a fit. The ensuing slap on my derriere told me who was in charge. Dad helped by taking a snap for posterity. Thought […]
This and That – Icy Magnolias.
For all you Mississippi boys and girls in the far-flung corners of the earth, here’s something you don’t see every day in our dear old state – icy magnolias. I’m sure they rank right up there with those of steel. Later ‘Gaters! (Originally published February 24, 2015)
The Sunday Sermonette – Granny, Goebbels, and The Truth.
The misty, musty halls of history are filled with lies and liars. One of the most adroit liars of the 20th Century was Joseph Goebbels, who was the Reich Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. His title allowed Goebbels to control the arts, radio broadcasts, and newspapers. Through them, he inundated […]
The Friday Funnies! Drag on Sister.
As we say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I can hear these ladies now. “Mable, that’s one ugly-lookin’ broad!” “Lucille, Honey, I’ll bet you next week’s rent, she ain’t no better lookin’ when she’s a he.” But as we say down South, “Bless his/her/whatever heart.” Have a great weekend, y’all. Big hug. (P.S. […]
Dispatches from Home: Musty Letters. Dusty Memories.
I don’t remember much about that night, the night of the accident. I was only four-and-a-half years old. My father was working the night shift, and my mother and I were on our way to pick him up. As mother always did on those nights, she laid a snuggly-warm, patchwork quilt on the back floorboard […]
Dispatches from Home – Bittersweet Joy.
It is with bittersweet joy that I must inform you that God called my dear mother Home about an hour ago. I’ll post the funeral arrangements later. Thank everyone again for your prayers and kind words of encouragement! Big hug to you all! (Originally posted February 22, 2019)
Dispatches from Home: One Year Ago, Mom Was Called Home.
One year ago today, God called my dear mother Home. The morning was foggy with rain. A dull silence filled the house. I’d slept a somewhat sleepless night, pondering what the future held for Mom and me since she was practically bedridden. When I checked on her in the wee hours of the morning, she […]
Dispatches from Home – Three years ago.
Mama’s been in Heaven for three years today. While sitting on the seawall this morning, looking out across the tawny-brown waters of the Gulf, the morning mist against my face, I thought of that rainy morning God called her Home. I remembered Mama’s low, raspy breathing, how quiet and still she was, and how warm […]
Dispatches from Home – Camellias and an Old Rocker.
Mom, five years ago today, as I held your warm, frail hand, you slipped from this life into eternity. Each time I see the old camelia bush in the backyard awash with pink blossoms, I think of you. Whenever I sit in your old rocker by the window, I think of you. When I see […]
The Friday Funnies! Friends Who Make You Laugh.
“Do you really expect us to believe that you…” Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. () What would life be without friends who make you laugh? Big hug, y’all!
This and That – Light from Within.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: People are like stained-glass windows. They glow and sparkle when the sun is shining on them. But, if the sun goes down, their true beauty is revealed only if they have a light from within. Big hug, y’all! (Originally posted February 20, 2021)
This and That – Update on Mom.
She’s coming home tomorrow! After careful consideration and a long talk with Kare In Home and her GP, I’ve decided to bring Mom home. If and when she gets better physically–big IF–Kare In Home told me they can send out a physical therapist to help her. I’ve always lived by the mantra: Let peace be […]
The Friday Funnies – What Was I Thinking!
Today’s snap is filed in a folder labeled WHAT WAS I THINKING! It was taken at a late-1990s SNACS performance. Remember those? Saturday Night at Center Stage? I was channeling Tom Cruise from “Risky Business” while singing a rousing rendition of “Oh! You Beautiful Doll.” A Dixieland Jazz recording of the song drowned out my […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Are You Different?
When I was a child in the late 50s, I often spent languid summers with my sweet Granny from D’Lo, who, at that time, lived in Jackson, Mississippi. Early mornings crackled with the smell of frying eggs and bacon, but the afternoons were awash in the sickly sweet smell of pink cotton candy and hot […]
This and That – Update on Mom.
Unless things change tomorrow, Mom’s being transferred to Lake View Rehab Center. Her Memorial doctor said Mom was a pretty good candidate for some not-to-difficult rehab. Mom’s still very weak and still has a bad cough that is not viral, so it can’t be treated with drugs. It’s just gotta run its course, so say […]
The Friday Funnies – The Duke and Zsa Zsa.
John Dahling, I discovered years ago that Dom Perignon is the best way to forget until you find something to remember. Today, try to forget, find something precious to remember, and above all, drink a glass of the bubbly to add a dash of happiness to your day. Be happy for this moment. This moment […]
The Friday Funnies – Not so funny for Louie, though!
Ah! Mercy me! Disaster before Mardi Gras. Bad Boy Louie, nose in the air and head hard as two bricks, insisted on wearing that ginormous headpiece as he scampered toward our awaiting Isotta Fraschini, ready to motor us to His Majesty’s Coronation Ball. I warned the boy about that quivering headpiece and his imperial-red Louis […]
This and That – Update on Mom.
Mom was very anxious yesterday…again. The doctor finally ordered a sleeping aid, which calmed her. She slept all night and is still resting peacefully. After almost 48 hours of fitful sleep, I was thankful the Ambien took effect. I’m afraid her status is changing, though. I’ve been talking with the hospice nurse, a suggestion suggested […]
The Friday Funnies! Bon Voyage!
I’m so excited about our upcoming cruise. I’m already thinking about what I’ll find to wear on board to the traditional homemade costume ball. () These dear folk’s creativity is certainly captivating. What say ye? In the costume ball of life, don’t forget to laugh and be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. Big hug, […]
Dispatches from Home – “They Shall Never Grow Old.”
Evenin’ Gaters! Last week, I was off to see the Wizard. This week I was at the battles of Verdun, the Somme, and the Marne, along with countless nameless soldiers. I saw “They Shall Never Grow Old,” this afternoon at the picture show. Amazing piece of celluloid it is indeed! The movie’s first ten or […]
The Friday Funnies – Hot Date With An Octopus.
Meanwhile in other news: Here’s a mugshot of a young thug who was easily identified and arrested via the hickeys on his neck. As an eyewitness told police: “Ths punk looks like he had a hot date with an octopus!” I’m sure he’ll be well received in Central Lockup. And that, my friends, is your […]
This and That – Happy Birthday Socks!
Look what my dear DHS friend, Denise Holly, gave me for my 62nd birthday!! Cool socks!! For those who know me, you know my “fetish” for cool socks!! Big hug to you, my friend. (Originally posted February 4, 2014)
Dispatches from Home – Life Magazine 1965 and A Being.
Greetings! In today’s local fish wrapper, there’s an article about Lennart Nilsson, a famed photographer. He most famously documented in photos life from conception to birth. His 1965 Life magazine story, “Drama of Life Before Birth,” sold eight million copies. The pictures revealed a 61/2-week-old embryo with “clearly visible hands.” “At 18 weeks, he captured […]
This and That – Les Misérables!
Greetings! Les Misérables! The title itself ignites the mind with anticipation. I was privileged to watch this funny, heartbreaking, touching, and absolutely breathtaking musical with some fantastic friends this afternoon. At intermission, dear Juliana giggled and said, “You sniffled and cried through the entire 1st Act!” I was quick to retort, “Not true, young lady! […]
The Friday Funnies! Bush Beans and the Explosion.
Meanwhile, in other news, a local mall had to quickly replace a steel bathroom door after a customer had a severe gastric disturbance due to an overindulgent partaking of Bush Beans. The maintenance man repairing the door was overheard saying, “In unpredictable situations like this, we must take what we’ve got and make what we […]
The Sunday Sermonette —Mistakes.
Have you ever heard of Middleton, Mississippi? If you have, you’ve dug deep into the state’s history. In 1938, the Works Progress Administration stated that the only evidence of Middleton’s existence was a weed-and-vine-encrusted graveyard deep in the woods of Montgomery County. But once, it was a bustling town that gained a reputation as […]
This and That – Benjamin Button and Me.
Greetings! Just finished watching “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” which is poignant on this, the eve of my 58th birthday. As the credits rolled and the background music played, I looked upward and said, “Thank you, Lord, for the years behind me and the years in front of me. I’m happy being the age […]
This and That – The Windsor’s Tragic Secret.
Greetings! I watched the documentary “Prince John – The Windsor’s Tragic Secret.” If you’ve seen the bittersweet movie “The Lost Prince,” this documentary by the director of that movie tells the rest of the story. While watching the show, I realized I’d seen the royal carriages and the royal coach shown in the opening minutes […]
This and That – Maison de Waffle.
Greetings! Empty plates. A full tummy. And the OLIVER script blocked for tonight’s rehearsal. Life is good. (Alas, no mimosa cocktail though. Maison de Waffle needs to step up to the plate. ) Big hug, y’all! (Originally published January 31, 2023)
The Friday Funnies! I Blew my Resolution!
On New Year’s Day, I said, “Self! Stop stirring pots!” Well, that didn’t last long. Here, on the last day of January, I hope your New Year will be filled with laughter. As I’ve said before, it’s cheap medicine for the soul. Big hug.
Dispatches from Home – One Day You’ll be a Memory.
Thought for Today, Tomorrow, and the Rest of Your Life: One day, you will be a memory to someone who loved you, admired you, or looked up to you. Start now to make sure that your memory is a good one worth remembering–one that someone might write down in their book of sweet memories. Big […]
This and That – A Question About Evolution.
Greetings! Birds are some of my favorite creatures from the creative mind of God! When I see their magnificent plumage, I can only say, “Jog my memory again about that evolution theory…” Just sayin’. Later Beauty-Loving-Gaters! (AMGB) (Originally posted January 30, 2017)
Dispatches from Home – Seven Days Apart.
Greetings! Same bridge. Same Me. One week apart. Gotta love our winters. Big hug, y’all!
This and That – Friends.
Greetings! These are true, sweet words, my friends. Take them to heart. Big hug. (Originally posted June 24, 2022)
Dispatches from Home – Hurting Good-Hearted People.
These are true words, my friends, these are true words. Big hug.
This and That – Flashback Friday.
Today’s snap of Janie Still Walters was taken in Dec. 1990. She was the Ghost of Christmas Past in Center Stages production of The Christmas Carol. It was a fantastic production due to the fantastic talent on stage. But why is Janie the Friday Funny? Have you ever heard her speak? She can make you […]
The Friday Funnies – Peter Pan and the Swamp.
When you are up to your a-double in alligators, it’s difficult to remember that your initial objective was to drain the swamp. However, if you must drain a swamp today, take time to dance around, do the watusi, and don’t forget to laugh. It will help make the draining less onerous. Later Laughing Gaters! (Originally […]
Dispatches from Home – 80 Years Ago Today.
Lest we Forget! On this day, 80 years ago, the Red Army advanced toward rows of buildings looming in the shadowy distance. They didn’t know what the buildings were or their purpose, but the smell of rotting flesh told them whatever it was would be bad. IT…was the Auschwitz concentration camp. They discovered over 7,000 […]
Dispatches from Home – Never Let The Horror March Forth Again.
Holocaust Remembrance Day…lest we forget. Murdered children’s bronzed shoes are a poignant reminder that we humans, as a race, can inflict untold death and misery on our fellow humans. Jesus’ words are a reminder to love as we have been loved. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I […]
The Friday Funnies – The London Witchdoctor.
The London tube whisks many notable passengers through its dark tunnels on their way to a myriad of occupations. I wasn’t sure if this gentleman was a Zulu Witch Doctor or a walking ad for a new, industrial-strength, Roto-Rooter drain cleaner. Have a great Friday y’all. And don’t forget, we’re all God’s creatures…just some of […]
The Sunday Sermonette – Footsteps in the Snow.
We may have longed for it in December but got our wish in January. Last week, we were reintroduced to snow, the rarest of Gulf Coast weather occurrences. The fluffy, crystallized wonder lacquered everything it touched with its shimmering whiteness. While sipping a cup of cocoa and sitting by the living room window […]
This and That – JoJo Rabbit.
Greetings! I’ve just returned from a delightful afternoon at the pictures. “JoJo Rabbit” is an unusual WWII story about a ten-year-old German boy whose imaginary friend is–of all people–Hitler. I found myself feeling somewhat icky, laughing at Hitler’s antics. However, I guess any picture that makes fun of the ol’ boy is a good one! […]
The Friday Funnies – The Completed Paperwork.
As you trudge through this dreary rainy day, just remember — even if the job’s difficult, it’s worth doing well. And it ain’t finished until the paperwork’s done! Put LAUGH on your work list today! Later Laughing Gaters! (Originally posted January 22, 2025 )
This and That – Amazing Actors and a Dear Friend.
Two amazing actors at my side. Anthony W. Kalberg ( set designer for Twain) and Wayne D Stephens These two men have created so many memorable roles on stage. It always warms my heart to see them shine on stage. I’m so proud to call them my friends. (Originally posted January 22, 2024, by Rhonda […]
This and That – A Snowy Day In Gulfport!
Greetings! It’s a blustery, snowy day, Christopher Robin! I thought I’d take a walk in the snow, but common sense prevailed. Don’t need a broke hip at my age. Stay warm and safe, y’all!
Dispatches from Home – Downton Abbey Revisited.
DOWNTON ABBEY – After all the hoopla, I’m finally getting around to watching this series from the beginning via Netflix. How I missed it from Jump Street is a mystery to me. The time period is one of my favorites if not my favorite! I’m liking it . . . but . . . I’m […]
The Friday Funnies! Real PETA Men Don’t Wear Fur.
Real PETA men don’t wear fur, and that’s a fact! However, this man’s sung and warm, while the real PETA men are trying to locate specific parts of their anatomies that have shrunk up to the size of an unpopped popcorn kernel due to their freezing body temperatures. I’m gonna leave it right there! Stay […]
This and That – A Streetcar Named Desire.
HEY! STEL-LAHHHH! The Walter Anderson Theater Project is proud to announce its production of Tennessee Williams’ classic play, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, which opens in March. This production, directed by Anthony Wayne Kalberg, promises to return the magic of theater to the Mary C. Cultural Center in Ocean Springs. Tickets will be available soon. WATP […]