whew!!!!

 Today was a pretty full day

    We had a small but very responsive audience for Tuna Does Vegas this afternoon.

    It was family day for me....Jackie, Julia, Emily, Jackie's brother Bob and his wife Anita and our friend Sheri came to watch and laugh.

    Afterwards, Bob and Anita came out and we enjoyed Portillo's beef sandwiches with lemon cake for dessert.  We sat and visited and talked for a long time.  They live in Florida, and come up once a year to visit family.  We do Facetime, but it is not the same as visiting in person.

    It was extra nice that they came on a weekend when I was performing.

    Speaking of extra nice, Terry and I were honored this week.  A patron of the arts commissioned some art work for the "Two Terrys."  

    We have been in over 20 shows together, going back to Harvey in the 90s....the first show we were in together.  I have always enjoyed performing with him and am always thankful that he pulls my butt back on track when I go off the rails!

    So...when you see a show, give a wave to us, even if we are not there.

Peace and Love

old age

 I sometimes forget words

    I blame it on old age.  

    Tonight I hit a spot where I have said the right thing (once I learned to pronounce it correctly) for days.  Not this time!  I hit the word and it was gone out of my head.  TC said something like "that musical instrument"  and I knew what I wanted to say, but I could not get it out! 

    Eventually I said it.

    But that was scary!  Am I losing my mind?  Having a stroke?  Something else?

    It happened a couple of times today when I feel like I am saying the right word and nothing is coming out of my mouth.

    Maybe it is the lack of wine.  I have not had any for a while.  

    We had a small crowd tonight.  Whenever we do shows, we always say the Friday night crowds are laughers, the Saturday night ones chuckle, and Sundays are full of both kinds.  The theory is Friday night is the last work night and people are ready to blow off steam.  Saturday folks have spent the day doing chores and are a little less likely to do belly laughs.  Well see how the Sunday crew shapes up.

    That is pretty much my day these days.

    Matinee tomorrow.  Jackie's brother Bob and wife Anita are coming out and we are having a special dinner after  the show.  I will be ready to relax by then.

    Hopefully I sleep soundly again tonight.

    Peace and Love

one down

 Opening night went pretty well

    The audience laughed, we did not have any wardrobe malfunctions, and we had a lot of good comments after the show.

    There are still plenty of seats left for upcoming shows.  You can order in advance or buy tickets at the door.  Be advised this is a BYOB show, while we do have snacks and pop on sale in the lobby, there is no bar so bring your own beverage of choice.

    It was  nice seeing old friends, neighbors, new friends and former co-workers in the audience.  I got to chat with some of them, which is a bonus for doing a show.

    I am amazed how physically tired I am though.  I realize we both do a lot of standing during this show, and my legs feel it tonight!

    And I am so glad TC is there to keep me on track.....us old folks sometimes get a little confused!

    

Peace and Love

ready

 We are ready to perform

    This will be a funny show to watch, because Tuna Does Vegas has been a funny show to rehearse.

    Tonight was one of those nights where we veered from the script several times to get a laugh.  This was a dialogue run through, and I think it is safe to say we proved we are very comfortable with our lines.

    I do have one character who gives me problem.....I can't get the voice for Maurice.  Sometimes I am southern, sometimes Italian, and I might have even been German at times.....can't seem to find a consistent voice.

    That is my goal for tomorrow....narrow down a voice!

    TC and I are just the actors on stage.  We have light and sound people, costume people, folks who dress us in our different outfits, a director, set builders, and a whole bunch of other people who are in charge of ticket sales, table decorating, clean up and whatever else comes along.  

    A lot of people have put a lot of work into this show.

    If you live in or near Rochelle, come see us perform.  If you have never been to our shows, give us a chance to impress you.

    And entertain you.

    And make you laugh.

    See you at the show.

Peace and Love

missing tastes

 My mouth is hungry for summer foods

    And I am disappointed.

    Many of you know I am like a prime number....a little odd.  

    I love locally grown produce.  Sweet corn, strawberries, peaches, cherries, and apples to be specific.

    Sweet corn and apples are no problem.  But the rest are.

    I love peaches from Southern Illinois, and Michigan and even Missouri.  They just taste better.  Every year I have friends who bring me some from the  Alto Pass area, and they are so yummy.  

    A DeKalb grocery store has Illinois peaches.  I bought 5.  The first one I bit into looked great on the outside, but the inside was brownish and the taste was not good.  I was very disappointed.  Peach  number 2 was better, but still not what I want.

    I didn't get strawberries because the place that had Michigan ones was 40 miles away, and gas was over $5 a gallon.  I could not find close strawberry sources.

    I was pleasantly surprised to see Michigan cherries in Aldi's, and I bought one pack but when I went back, the cherries were gone.  

    One of the things I loved about France and Switzerland were the markets.  You could buy local produce of all kinds.  It was fresh, tasty, and fun to buy.

    I think that is why I like growing my own beans, carrots, tomatoes.....they just taste better.  When they grow.

    So much for my summer tastes.

Peace and Love

    

    

road trip

 We went to the burbs today

    Jackie had doctors appointments in Rolling Meadows today.

    Usually we call her sister to meet for lunch, but today we just went to the appointments and came home because I had rehearsal tonight.

    As it was, we didn't get home until almost 4:30 and that was without lunch.  Granted, we did stop for coffee and made a second stop in Aurora for ice cream.

    I am eating supper now, at 11 p.m., because  after coffee and ice cream I was not hungry at 6. 

    Rehearsal went well tonight....but for the second night in a row I  skipped a line or two.  Same spot.  I have to pay more attention to that script.  Luckily TC always pulls me out of the mistake.

    Back to the doctors, she saw her MS guy and the Botox queen.  MS guy always just spends time talking with us, asking how we are doing, giving suggetions.  Botox queen does the same.  By the way, the Botox is to control spasms in Jackie's legs.  We are just happy to go to these specialists....never feel rushed, they always answer question and we talk about life.  It's a nice visit.

    I am always amazed at the traffic.  I could be cruising along at 80 on the tollway and people passed me like I was standing still!

    At one point in the burbs, these two cars were just weaving back and forth as they sped around us slower driver.  Slower?  I was doing 80 in a 60 zone!  I can understand how road rage can occur.

    We just all need to slow down.

    Peace and Love

August????

 Where did the summer go

    I keep asking myself that.  I still have not ridden my bike!  I can't believe that, I love riding.   School starts here i two weeks.....unbelievable.

    Today I planted a second crop of beans, carrots and cucumbers.

    I am not sure if they will make it before the first frost, but I figure I have the seeds, so I might as well plant them.

    I did pick 3 tomatoes and some cucumbers, but the cucumbers seem to yellow before I can get to them.  Go figure.

    Rehearsals went well tonight.  We have dressers to get us changed from one character to another.  That is not easy.

    Anyway, it's late.  I'm tired.

    Happy Switzerland Day!

Peace and Love

No bull...it's gonna be a good show!

This is how we keep track of my costume changes.......and there are a lot!