and as it does, February is coming to a close.
Sad news over the weekend that Don Knotts had passed away. Since my college friends freshman year dubbed my hometown "Mayberry" after visiting it, it seems appropriate that we'd honor one of Mayberry RFD's finest with a little tribute to Barney Fife.
You have to live a guy whose idea of proper weapons handling includes carrying one bullet in your pocket. It's sad to think that this little bit of my childhood has gone by the wayside with Mr. Knotts' passing.
If that loss weren't enough, I read this afternoon that an actor who appeared in my favorite movie of all time has passed away too. At first, it was hard for me to believe that Darren McGavin was over 80 years old. I suppose when you come to know an actor in a particular role, they remain frozen at that age for you...kind of like our children never quite outgrown their typecast "that's my baby" role we place them in when they are born.
Darren McGavin portrayed the gruff, but ultimately loving, father in A Christmas Story. He uttered one of the most poignant and memorable lines of any actor ever. "BUMPESS'S!!!!!!" And, who can forget his "grand prize" of an electric leg lamp (AKA electric sex gleaming in the window)? He struggled with furnaces, neighborhood hounds, blown tires and even the English language at times. His grand prize arrives in a box marked "FRAGILE" and he remarks to the Mrs., "Fra-gee-lay...must be Italian." I realize that playing Ralphie Parker's dad wasn't the only role Darren McGavin ever played and it certainly doesn't represent the totality of his career. But, having loved A Christmas Story for as long as I have, it makes me sad to think that the person who breathed life into such a fantastic character is no longer with us.
So, two Hollywood passings. If my elders are correct, a third may be in the offing.
I must have missed this announcement yesterday. Dennis Weaver of Gunsmoke & McCloud fame passed away as well.
I've enjoyed his work from those vintage shows as well as parts he's played in more recent years.
Three more faces to add to the Dearly Departed montage at the Academy Awards...or, as we call the montage at our house, "Hey...I didn't know he/she had died!"
I'm officially set to come to the Milblogging Conference in April. I booked my flight and hotel today through the AAA office. Apparently, my hotel will be providing me with "sleep amenities" including a mask and a lavendar spray. Little do they know that a dark room, a decent bed and a few hours is all I need to catch some really terrific, mind blowing sleep. Now, if they'd like to toss in a box of chocolates, well...that would be just this side of heaven!
M1 is doing Jump Rope for her Heart this week. She chose to remind me of that last night after we returned home from seeing nearly EVERY one of her relatives at the fish fry. Sigh. I signed her up for a website through the American Heart Association so I hope some of her digitally-inclined relatives will take pity on us and add to my donation to her cause. She's $15 away from a t-shirt at the moment. She was the big fund raiser in kindergarten so she feels she has a rep to protect, I'm sure. I told her perhaps she should learn to jump rope a little better and then we could really push this whole jumping for your heart angle.
Soldier Love is coming in from all angles. SW, whom I shopped for with funds directed to me as an official Soldiers' Angel shopper, wrote to let me know the boxes had been received, opened and completely emptied in a matter of minutes. He was quick to point out "that's a good thing" and I remember learning that lesson from my Hubs when he explained the faster the items go, the more they were needed and the more they were appreciated. Very true.
Then, this afternoon, I received word from AG, my newest soldier I adopted from Operation AC, that he knows he's officially adopted. He wrote to say he has been in the States, but will be back in country by Saturday. He came home to see his brand new baby boy who decided to arrive a bit ahead of schedule. Hoping we'll become trusted with each other enough for him to send me a photo...love those babies! He will be receiving a new pair of boots soon. They are being ordered Wednesday!
Can't believe another Monday is already nearly gone. Bring on Friday!!!!!