Theater Date

Good Thursday morning!

We've got a lot of things to cover today and tomorrow. Along with our date and our astronaut story, I want to give the good people of Central Alabama 20 things they can do during Spring Break that are fun and inexpensive. Also, I want to share my Wednesday Moment with you before we get started.

Moments Matter

Wednesday's Moment was an ordinary moment (just as I predicted). Austin had to run to the UAB Library for some information for a research paper. He knew exactly where he had to go, and it was going to take only a few minutes. However, UAB Library is closing at 5:00 every day this week because of their Spring Break, and he had to be somewhere after school until 4:30. So, he decided to check out during one of his classes today and run downtown to get the information... and he invited me along. We had a nice drive, a nice talk and then a nice lunch at Chick-Fil-A before he dropped me off at the house and headed back to school. It's very odd to have your son driving you around when it's not a driving lesson. But it's also very sweet when he opens the door for you to get in and out and orders for you at the register. I'm not saying I'm so old the roles have reversed, but a nice young gentleman courted me around a little today... and it was indeed a very special moment.

I will list ten Spring Break activities today and ten tomorrow. (I know, I know. Friday is going to be the LONGEST POST IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD! Can you see where Roxie gets her drama queen antics from?) Some of the 20 things have been listed on previous posts. I'm just going to put them all in one place as a reminder for those of us not vacationing in exotic locales next week.

Also, here is a reminder of everything that will be in tomorrow's post... (1) The Bill Bolen story... and how I got into his house; (2) Book of the Week; (3) Ten things to do in Central Alabama during Spring Break; (4) TV review of the week; (5) next week's "mental" challenge... remember, you don't have to write anything down; and (6) Weekend Happenings. It's crazy I tell you!

In the Gallery today, I have added yet another two pictures for next week's challenge.. and another hint. The challenge has to do with what you really and truly hold close to your heart. That's a big hint, but I'm telling you everything tomorrow, so if you guess it will be okay. No harm done.

List

1. Argo Drive-In (Call 467-3434 for schedule.)

2. Dollar Movie in Hoover (Call 822-5187 for show times. All movies are $1 all the time.)

3. Picnic at Vulcan

4. Hiking or paddle boating at Oak Mountain

5. Froggy's or Pump-It-Up (Call Froggy's in Warrior at 590-4386 or Pump It Up in Trussville at 661-5557 for play times next week.)

6. Shopping at the Galleria (No rush and no agenda.)

7. The Birmingham Zoo (It's going to be crowded, but it's always fun. Call 879-0409 for prices.)

8. Picnic at Clarkson Covered Bridge in Cullman (Beautiful, simple and free.)

9. Picnic and picture taking at Birmingham Botanical Gardens (Take bubbles if you have toddlers. Total cost of this outing with bubbles is $.99.)

10. Fishing at Oak Mountain (You don't have to own a boat. There are places to fish off the bank and piers.)

John Glenn

When we first got married, Mike had an annual work meeting in Perdido Bay on the Florida State line. We went there for years and years and years. When the boys were little and we had a rainy day at the beach, we would go to the National Naval Aviation Museum about 20 or 25 minutes away in Pensacola. It is a free museum, and it is fantastic. There are Blue Angels jets hanging from the huge ceiling. There are simulators. They have old cockpits the kids can climb in and out of and push all the buttons. It is paradise for little boys on a rainy day at the beach... and did I mention it is FREE!

When we arrived on this particular day many years ago, you could tell something special was going on. People were setting up seats in the main room and banners along the way. When we asked someone, they told us it was the anniversary of the Blue Angels and John Glenn and another astronaut were going to be there to speak at the celebration. "Today?" I asked excitedly.

"Oh, no. It will be tomorrow at 2:00," I was told.

"But we're going home in the morning," I said and waited... as if that would change their minds.

"Sorry."

So was I, Buddy. So was I.

I love astronauts. I love astronaut movies... The Right Stuff, Apollo 13, Space Cowboys, Armageddon. They make me feel very patriotic.

Have you ever seen the newsreel from the time Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon? Walter Cronkite is doing the play-by-play, and he takes off his glasses and wipes his eyes. It is so emotional and the pride that wells up when you think about what these handful of men have accomplished is enormous. I cry every time I see that clip. I do.

I also love going to the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center. We even go when it's not a school field trip.

I mention all the above to say, I was REALLY disappointed I was missing John Glenn by one day. ONE DAY! And then, a small miracle happened...

I was standing watching the boys play on one of the old airplanes (which they allow you to play on) when I heard a man beside me talk into a walkie-talkie and say, "Col. Glenn just arrived." What? Could it be?

"Excuse me? Did you say Col. Glenn just arrived... HERE? NOW?" I could tell I had scared him a little because he started stammering and backtracking. Using my well-modulated "calm mother voice" I said, "I didn't think he was coming until tomorrow."

"Well, he came over for a couple of hours to sign some lithographs that are going to be for sale tomorrow after the anniversary celebration is finished."

"Oh, I see. Where are these lithographs? Are they where we could see them today since we won't be here tomorrow?" I asked. Again, I kept everything well-modulated and soft-spoken, and I even turned the attention off of Col. Glenn to the lithographs... which I cared NOTHING about.

"The lithographs are up front and Col. Glenn is signing them now." I had already spun on my heels and was dragging little boys out of a cockpit and running toward the front of the museum, my camera bouncing around my neck.

"Mommy, where are we going? We want to play in the airplane," the boys whined.

"We're going to see a real astronaut, and you're going to LOVE it," I told them.

Now keep in mind, Mike was somewhere else in the massive museum reading plaques (remember... I'm married to a plaque reader), and we didn't have cell phones. So I'm holding one little boy's hand, holding one little boy's body in my arms, my camera is bouncing up and down, and I'm yelling, "Mikie! Mikie! Where are you?" as I run through the museum. (I'm telling you... I was in good shape back then.)

Mike sees me from the second floor and starts to head down not knowing what the heck is going on. And then I turn the corner to the entrance of the museum and sitting at a table signing lithographs was... (catching my breath even now) Col. John Glenn. Oh, my goodness!

I put the boys down since Mike had now joined me, and I just pointed at Col. John Glenn (or as I like to call him, John). "Wow," Mike breathed. It was not wasted on him. He loves astronauts, too. Not as much as I love astronauts, but enough to leave his precious plaque reading behind to come stare at a real one.

"I want his autograph and his picture," I whispered, so as not to startle Col. John Glenn. I started to walk toward him, but a military person stepped between us and told me unless I was going to purchase a lithograph, I could not speak with Col. John Glenn or take his picture.

"Okay. Okay. How much are the lithographs?" I asked, pulling out my checkbook.

"Eight hundred dollars," he responded.

I was so close. And yet $800 away. I told Mikie and he said, "Well, at least we saw a real astronaut. That's something." And he would have just given up. He would have walked away, and been happy to say he had seen him. But not me. I wanted something tangible. If I couldn't have a piece of clothing or a watch or something... I was going to have a picture.

I know. I know. That was against the rules. That's why I knew I had a chance for one shot and it had to be good. I also had to be as close to the door as possible because I knew the military men would have to shoot me and wrestle my camera out of my cold, dead hands before I gave them my Col. John Glenn film.

"Mikie, take the boys and go outside. It's time to go," I said, in a low, cold voice.

"What are you going to do?"

"Just save yourself and the boys. I'll be out in a minute. Have the minivan running and turned toward our hotel. If you hear shots, go without me... but know I love you very much."

Rather than try to talk me out of whatever I was going to do, Mike gathered the boys and went to the van.

I then stood to the side, and when I had a clear shot, I put the camera up to my face and in my loudest voice I yelled, "HEY! HEY! HEY!" Everyone looked around, but I didn't care about them. Col. John Glenn looked directly at me, eyebrows raised and I got the shot. I ran out the front door where the minivan was waiting.

"Did you get it?" Mike asked, already driving.

"YES!" I squealed. And I did. I have a picture of Col. John Glenn looking right at me, vaguely surprised and greatly annoyed. It's a wonderful picture. I love it. Just like I love him.

And in my little collection of all of the famous people I've met in 47 years (and it is a little collection), he is by far my favorite. (Nothing against Bill Bolen, local newscaster; Rick and Bubba; Jon and Kate; or Roger from Survivor-Australia. Col. John Glenn is just my favorite.)

I would show you the picture, but I don't want them to trace me down. I've been on the run from the National Naval Aviation Museum security guards for over 12 years now, and I don't want to risk it!

NOTE: I've been to dozens of concerts in my lifetime, so I've "seen" famous people from afar. It doesn't count in my book unless I actually interact with them. I spoke with Roger from Survivor-Australia and he spoke back. I spoke to Jon and Kate and Jon spoke back. I spoke to Rick and Bubba and they even put their arms around me for pictures AND spoke back. I spoke to Bill Bolen (before I was asked to leave his house... just kidding). And I spoke to and was GLARED at by Col. John Glenn, the astronaut. I just wanted to make it clear why I have so few famous people on my list. I have very high standards!

Theater Dates

This date takes a little planning ahead of time. If you live near a fairly large city, chances are you have the Broadway Series plays and musicals available to you. (You can go on the Internet and Google Broadway Series Cities to see exactly which cities they visit every year.) This is one of those dates you know will be coming up, so you need to put $5 to $10 every paycheck in an envelope. When the list of plays and musicals comes out in January, pick the one that best fits your date and watch for ticket sales.

Mike has taken the kids individually to see Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and Bill Cosby through the years. He has taken me to see Cats (did NOT get that one) and Les Miserables (which he loved and I tried to make it through). I like musicals that have a lot of songs, but every now and then someone needs to just speak some dialogue. Those are my favorites. And we went on a Family Date to see The Lion King. We all still talk about that one!

If you are not close to a city that has the Broadway Series, I would suggest checking with your local Community Center (or one close by) that has summer theater. We are very fortunate to have two plays a year put on by our community theater, and I take Roxie and my niece, Katie, every year. (I think we've missed one year.) Those are a lot of fun, too... and not as expensive.

Going to live theater is different from a movie. Everything is brought to life, and it is so exciting and wonderful and memorable. Check around and plan a theater date at least once a year. It is truly a fun experience.

I hope your Thursday is everything you want it to be and much, much more. Have you kept up with your Moments this week? Have you found at least one moment each and every day that has made you pray, "Thank you, Lord, for another day of life." I know some days it is extremely difficult to find that moment. I also know there are days when all you can do is hold on and pray tomorrow will be a better day. I hope none of you are having those days this week. But more than that, I hope if you know someone who is having a difficult day, you will reach out to them and help them in some way. Remember, you may be the "moment" for someone else.

Take care and check in tomorrow for the LONGEST POST IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD! Don't check in with the blog unless you have an hour or two to commit!

Talk to you tomorrow.