South (To A Warmer Place)

That's where I went two weeks ago, hence the lack of bloggage. Packed the family in a rented minivan and headed for Charleston SC, where Sister Sue (also known as Grandmere, which translates as "Big Momma") and Pap-Pap have a lovely home at Seabrook Island. The big activity this week was the Fourth of July Parade on Seabrook Island, which was the occasion for a fierce float-building and house-decorating competition. Our float was largely the handiwork of Little D'Arcy (niece to my ownest) and Uncle Mick, and had an Olympic theme, with Mick dressed as Pelops (the founder of the Olympics, who looked in this case like a character out of the movie Animal House) and the three grand-nieces and -nephews as young olympians with gold medals. The whole thing was elaborate enough to win the prize for Most Original Float.



Meanwhile, the troops also decorated the house with bunting and balloons. My modest contribution to the event was the concept for our mailbox decoration - a life-sized blow-up mannequin (named Mr Stud, if you're interested, and available at a Spencer Gifts shop near you) dressed as a pageant competitor with a sash reading "U. S. Male" who posed by the mailbox.


All day, cars stopped abruptly in front of the house to gape at this masculine bit of punnery, and the effect was sufficiently stunning for us to win a second award - the prize for Best Decorated House and Mailbox! Later that day, the local press showed up at the door to take photos of the prize-winning display, and you'll be able to see me, Mick and Mr Stud in the August edition of the Seabrooker. And who says fame is fleeting?

While we were down South, I had a chance to visit my mother at her new home in Palm Coast, and spent a lovely couple days swimming in her pool and touring the nearby sights.


Chief among them was the lovely town of St. Augustine, rich in history and Spanish charm. The pool was the site of some fierce one-on-one aquatic basketball between me and Son Number One (his long red hair slicked back with pool water); youth and speed were, in this case, too much for me, despite my valiant persistince and endless supply of dirty tricks, and the boy beat me!

Sad news greeted us on our return - the closing notice has been posted at Assassins, where, despite winning more Tony Awards than any other show this year, the business has been disappointing. I've heard from many friends who've had a chance to see this stunning production, and I hope that those who were contemplating a visit won't delay, since July 18 is the last day.

Much going on - Gemini casting, plans for the coming year, efforts to sell the house in Wilmington - but much of it is too inchoate to merit writing about yet. Stay tuned...