It is not cool this morning like it was yesterday, which means it will be really warm later.

We had so much fun yesterday. I ran some errands while Ray worked at his office, and spent some time in the library, where it was too cold! Then we met Becky and Kent at Cine, where we watched Belle. Almost every time I see a movie there, I swear I'm going to only watch movies there from now on. They are excellent movies, of course, and the setting is so pleasant.

volunteer squash in a wheelbarrow full of compost

tomatoes

Belle is based on a true story. It is set in the mid-1700s and the costumes and settings are dazzling. Belle's mother was black and her father was an English gentleman. When her mother died, he brought her to his family estate, to be brought up by his uncle, the chief justice. She was raised as befitted her father's blood line, with servants and education and beautiful clothes, along with her cousin, who was white. As a young adult, she faced the complicated conflict of her race with her station and her intelligence. Meanwhile, her uncle must decide on an important case about a ship that drowned its cargo of slaves for the insurance money. An excellent historical film, with excitement and romance, as well as a lesson.

Six of us had a lovely dinner at the National after the movie: hummus, salad, amberjack and coconut tart. The conversation was great, too. Becky's church has a connection with the Czech Republic and a woman named Ivana, who has visited before, was with us, as well as Sue, a friend of theirs who is hosting her.

The only down side was the parking ticket, which we got at 9:30, when we were probably standing outside the theater saying goodbye (Ray was telling jokes). In Athens, a parking ticket is $10, so that's not too devastating.