Enjoyed an afternoon at the lake with the darling little boys. Earlier, I ran a whole bunch of errands in Manahawkin; bought a drink container with a spigot and filled it with lemonade. By the time I got to the lake, it had spilled and the whole bottom of the container was wet. I'll take it back and demand my money back. Also bought a big, but light, shovel for the kiddies and a ball that skips on water. J. got a kick out of that.
Got back about 5:30 and took a dip in the pool before I went home. There was nobody there, and you're not supposed to swim alone, but I did. Showered, ate, and relaxed for the night.
The rest of the day went downhill from then. I got a call from Ellen V., who's directing Blithe Spirit and she told me I wasn't cast. That's a big disappointment, but I'm going to be philosophical about it. There'll be other plays and I'll look forward to seeing if there are parts for me in them. Also, I'll can now turn to Plan B--travel.
Got an e-mail from Mike with a link to the camp Vivian attends. There's a wonderful picture of her on stilts, with her Daddy helping. I set it as background on this computer.

Said goodbye to Larry and Helen after a scrumptious breakfast at ScoJo's. We were determined to find the elusive scrapple*, so I actually went in and asked if they had it before we parked. They did! And not only Larry, but Helen and I all had the stuff. Loaded with fat and on an unhealthy scale from 1 to 10, probably about a 25, it was oh, so delicious. We again sat outside and that was great.
They left shortly thereafter, and after putting a load of wash in, I hightailed it down to Ventnor and spent most of the afternoon there. Got a chance to see Steve, Robyn, and Dexter before they left for her mother's in Connecticut, had lunch, then joined Wes, Carolyn, and their families on the beach.
I've never seen it so crowded and it was very hot, but we had an umbrella and it was heavenly. Water was cold, so I just put my feet in. We went back to the house about 4:00, when I left for home. I'll go back on Friday, if not earlier, to celebrate Steve and Robyn's fifth anniversary.
Before even going home, I stopped at the pool and had a lovely swim. After showering, I had a bite to eat, then promptly lay down on the couch and fell asleep until almost 9:00. Staggered in to bed and was out like a light until my usual time of 5:30.
Today, I'm meeting the little guys at the lake and am so looking forward to it.
* Huh! Spellcheck doesn't recognize "scrapple"! What are they, illiterates?

Another great day with Larry and Helen. Walked with Susan at 7:00, then L., H., and I went to Dockside for breakfast. We sat outside, right next to the waterway on a beautiful, sunny but breezy morning. After that, we drove the twenty miles to Emery's and picked blueberries under a broiling sun. The berries are not as big as they were a few weeks ago, but they were adequate and we got plenty. Got home to pick them over (I froze mine), then jumped in the shower and dressed to go to the H.'s 3:00 party.
L. and H. made a hit with my friends, and they enjoyed themselves immensely. I brought my marinated olives and Helen had bought a "Trifecta"--blueberry, peach, and cherry--pie she got at Emery's. We all had a wonderful time, talking, laughing, and eating. I had plenty of delicious Sangria, made by Bill V., plus a beer or two and lots of luscious food. The menu included a large array of appetizers, plus barbecued ribs and chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, and all kinds of sides.
We stayed about five hours, then walked home, three-doors-down. Stayed up talking until about 10:00, then turned in.
L. and H. are leaving this morning (sob!), but not before we go out to breakfast again. What a fun few days this has been and how sorry I am that it's ending. Hope to duplicate it another time and/or drive down to their place in Miami before too long.

Just having a ball with Larry and Helen. We went down early to Betty's to greet with pleasure her, niece Carolyn and her family, and nephew Wes and his older girl, Miranda. With the exception of Carolyn's husband, Dana, who went running, we all repaired to Hannah's luncheonette on Ventnor Avenue, for breakfast. Our party of nine enjoyed the luscious morning meal that's better to avoid most of the time: scrambled eggs, omelets, bacon, sausage, pancakes, buttered toast and lots of strong coffee. We then went back to the house, talked and talked and laughed, before setting off to walk to old homestead on Rosborough Avenue. There were people on the porch--renters?--who told us Dee was in Pennsy, so we just looked at the outside, then walked to the boardwalk. By this time, the others had turned back, but Carolyn and I took a long stroll to the end, catching up on each other's lives. Larry and Helen walked behind, but later we all met up.
Got back and continued our gab fest, along with Moochie,who had arrived to join the party. George W. also stopped to chat; after another hour or so, Larry, Helen, and I left. We might go back on Monday, as Steve, Robyn, and Dexter were coming in later yesterday.
Larry drove us up to the Inlet--which we would never have recognized--then home. Had a little lunch of the chicken salad and rolls I had made earlier, then hung out until dinnertime. Ate at the Dynasty Diner in Tuckerton, which was hopping with people gathering for the fireworks. That didn't interest any of us, so we left to go home, then stayed up over ice cream until after 10:00 when H. and I turned in and L. watched T.V. for a bit.
Today, we have the Haggerstone's party at 3:00, and will suggest another excursion before. Good times, good events, and great people!

Bro and Sis-In-Law Larry and his Helen arrived about 2:30 and we've been having a great time. Sat and talked a blue streak (where did that expression ever come from--I mean, from whence did that expression...?) for a good two hours, then heard from long-time friend Jack B. He and his son, Joe, came over and after a bit of chat, we all repaired to Calloway's for dinner--Larry's treat.
Had a good time--me with linguine and shrimp and a cold one on draft--with good company. Home by a bit after 8:00; Helen went to bed an hour or so later, but Larry and I stayed up to talk until about 10:00 when I turned in after my good ol' semi-sweet Taylor Country Red.
We're going down to Ventnor this morning for breakfast with Betty and her family, who have flown in from the left coast and Chicago.
How I love summer.

Delightful afternoon at Georgian Count in Lakewood, where we enjoyed high tea and three actors impersonating Judy Garland, Mrs. Edith Gould, and a butler. The setting was the magnificent mansion built by the Goulds in 1902 and purchased by the Sisters of Mercy and the Catholic Church in 1924. I've been at one of their presentations before on Cole Porter, but this surpassed that one, in my estimation.
The girl playing Judy was just superb, with an incredible singing voice, and a perfect "Judy Garland" speaking voice, too. "Mrs. Gould" and the butler were also great. All three actors sang a lot of standards, including several songs identified with Judy and several from The Wizard of Oz. After, while we had tea, finger sandwiches, and pastries, the actors went from table to table, still in character, to chat with "guests." This event is so well done and so enjoyable, it's a pleasure to be there.
Barbara H. drove and two others went in the car with us. This was a Red Hats event, but they had extra places to fill, so non-members were invited. I've been asked to join several different "chapters" of Red Hats in my community, and so has Barbara, but I find the whole idea repugnant--and idiotic--in the extreme, and I was smugly pleased to hear that Barbara does, too. Setting yourself apart because you're a woman of a certain age (as the old novelists used to write) and dressing up in commercially-inspired costumes (the idea is to wear purple and red) seems to me to legitimize the belief that older women are "cute" and never to be taken seriously. It's a bore and I don't want to be part of it.
I had planned to go to auditions again, but called director Ellen V. and she assured me being there twice wouldn't influence her decision. I hope that's the case; now am a little sorry I didn't go and ask to read again.
Oh, well. I was told recently that I don't handle disappointment well, so maybe if I don't get a part, I can regard it as a test and learn from it...
Ha! I don't believe that for a minute!

Lunched with Sue from Holy Spirit and had an terrific time. She's a warm and dynamic person, and we had plenty to talk about--which we did enthusiastically for more than two hours. I intended to pay, but she insisted and when I found out she was charging it to good ol' HSHS, I was fine with that. Toyed with the idea of going to the cemetery after, but didn't.
Auditioned last night. I'm pretty sure I didn't get the part of Madame Arcati--there was a lot of competition--and I'm not so sure of the Mrs. Bradman role, either. Decided to attend tonight, too, partly to see who else is trying for what role. Well, I'll try to be philosophical if I don't get either. After all, it would cut into my travel plans; if I had to concentrate on rehearsals, I would have to work around that. So maybe it would be for the best if I don't get in the play. It means a lot of time and effort and putting other things on hold and after all, I have a fair amount of stuff to do for The Breeze--
But dammit, I want to be in it!