Grease

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Theatre by the Sea was on the agenda today to see Grease, and I was amazed to realize it's been 48 years since I first saw it in a movie theater. Somehow, it has never lost its magic. Every song still has me smiling, every scene feels familiar, and somehow each new generation discovers it and falls in love with it all over again. Some classics simply never go out of style.

It was also a special theater day with my mom, who's old too... but only according to the calendar. The older I get, the more I realize that age has very little to do with the number of candles on a birthday cake. I know people 30 years younger than my mom who seem much older in every way, while she still looks sharp, stays active, and is always ready for the next adventure. Fingers crossed I inherited those genes!

She'll tell you her secret is clean living, and I'm sure that has something to do with it. Personally, I think genetics deserve a good share of the credit. After all, she had just driven to New Hampshire this week to have lunch with her siblings at her older sister's house. That's not something everyone her age is eager /or able to do. I'd like to believe healthy choices make a difference, but sometimes I think aging is a bit of a lottery, and somehow she drew one of the winning tickets.

Theatre by the Sea is always such a treat. Before the curtain even rises, I love wandering through the spectacular gardens, taking in all the flowers and summer blooms. It's the perfect way to ease into the afternoon, and the performances never disappoint. It's one of those places that feels like summertime the moment you arrive.

Of course, taking the afternoon off didn't mean taking the whole day off. I spent the morning trimming hedges, pulling weeds, and trying to bring some order back to the yard before Mother Nature completely reclaimed it. I swear yard work multiplies overnight whenever I'm not paying attention.

A quick stop at the garden center for a few large, beautiful pots of flowers instantly made all that hard work feel worthwhile. Now I've begun pricing Pencil Holly Shrubs, which I think would look perfect framing the patio. I'll need several of them, so the bargain hunt has officially begun. The quest is on!

After a full day of chores, flowers, fun with my mom, and a wonderful performance, Tim and I ended the evening with dinner at our beach club. We settled onto stools at the tiki bar, watched the ferries glide across the water, and enjoyed another spectacular sunset over the ocean.

Some things never get old... Grease is one of them, my mom is living proof that age is just a number, and no matter how many birthdays I celebrate, I don't think I'll ever tire of that beautiful ocean sunset view.

"It is not how old you are, but how you are old." — Jules Renard