Friday, April 24, 2015

Only no one told me about it...

"They're selling Cecil's house."

This was texted to me by my daughter last night.  The only Cecil I knew was a great-uncle on my mother's side who passed away many years ago, so she surely wasn't talking about him.

I texted her back.  "Cecil who?"

"Your uncle."

I kinda sat there not moving because the first thing that I thought of was that Emma, his wife, had passed away only I never heard anything about it.

I immediately put her name in Google and sure enough she passed away two years ago.

Only no one told me about it. 

My world kinda fell apart at that point as I read her online obituary:

Emma Marion Tilghman, 87, wife of the late Cecil Francis Tilghman, Sr. and a resident of Exmore, VA passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at her residence. A native of Exmore, she was the daughter of the late James Rosser Marion and the late Gladys Bell Marion Richardson. Mrs. Tilghman was a retired teacher’s assistant for Northampton County Public Schools and a member of the Exmore Baptist Church.

Survivors include four children; Margaret Smith and her husband, Jim, of Craddockville, VA, Cecil F. Tilghman, Jr. and his wife, Darlene, of Painter, VA,
Julie Ann Tilghman Culbertson and her husband, Jerry, of Crisfield, MD, and Tracy T. Dunn of Onley, VA; a sister, Jean M. Parker and her husband, Kendall, of Hampton, VA; five grandchildren and eleven great- grandchildren. She was predeceased by a grandson, Harry Tilghman.


And no one told me about it.

I didn't know who to blame - my family for not letting me know or myself for not keeping in touch with them.  Emma played a major role in my life and I never got the chance (or took the chance) to go see her in her final days and tell her.  I always wanted to but somehow there was never a convenient time.

It all started back in the early sixties when my sister and I were sent to live with my grandmother.  Uncle Cecil, Emma, and their kids, Julie and Tracee, lived next door.  We had family on that whole block - kinda weird when you think about it but I loved it.  All my cousins lived a short walk away and plenty of kids to play with. It was a small town and coming from California was culture shock even though I was only ten years old.

My grandmother didn't have a whole lot to give except love, and Emma being right next door was right there with anything my sister and I needed.  I remember her tomato sandwiches more than anything - they were the yummiest.  My sister and I were always invited for lunch whenever we were hanging around and there were always these tomato sandwiches and sweet tea to quench our thirst. We would giggle and Uncle Cecil would have to yell, "Hear hear!"  And that made us giggle even more. I remember having to go to the bathroom to settle down because Uncle Cecil could get pretty darn mad if provoked enough.

It was a wonderful summer catching lightning bugs in mason jars, setting up skits and charging the adults 5 cents a head and riding bikes until the sun went down.

School started, new friendships were born but along with that came hardships as my grandmother struggled to feed us and keep us warm.  I remember our old gas stove started spitting out black soot all over the place and Emma opened up her house to us.  I loved taking showers - something I didn't have at my grandmother's.  I also remember not having lunch to take to school and I had to go next door to ask Emma if she minded loaning me four pieces of bread.  She never ever made me feel like a beggar as she handed me the bread with a smile on her face.  I also remember when we started playing softball at school and we were all required to have softball gloves.  Only I didn't own one and I knew getting the money for one was out of the question.  Emma loaned me Julie's.  And I also remember snow on the ground and not having any boots.  Emma loaned me Uncle Cecil's so I could play in the snow.

These are only a few things I remember about this gracious woman.  It would fill a book. And I find out she has died.  And no one bothered to tell me about it.  God rest Emma Frances Marion Tilghman. I only hope you know how much you meant to me.


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The Last Man on Earth: Is it a Keeper?

If I were to invite Will Forte and Kristen Schaal to dinner, Will would be trying to get into my bloomers and Kristen would be knitting a blanket with the word SKUNK written all over it (because Will was thinking naughty thoughts).  Will and Kristen are the main stars of a wonderfully funny comedy series on FOX called The Last Man on Earth.  Will plays the part of Phil Miller (the last man on earth after a virus wiped out the rest of mankind) and Kristen plays the part of Carol Pilbasian (the last woman on earth who appears around episode 2 or 3.  Other cast members have been included since Carol including Melissa (who Phil can't stop going gaga over but has to refrain himself because he and Carol ended up getting married for population purposes.  According to Carol she didn't want any bastard babies and Phil was cornered into it. My guess is that by that point Phil had completely lost it.  Doesn't take too long before being the last
man on earth takes its toll in the weener department).  Melissa doesn't fall for Phil's lying ways and sides up with Carol throughout the episodes which leaves Phil doing everything possible to convince Melissa that he's not committed to Carol like Carol is leading her to believe) but nothing works.  You actually feel bad for him because he ends up between a rock and a hard place.

Along comes someone else - Todd.  Todd is overweight but has a heart of gold and Melissa warms up to him.  She's been treated badly in her past an Todd is like a breath of fresh air and between the only two men on earth and comparing him to Phil, Todd is prime bait for Melissa.  They hit it off much to Phil's disgust and he still keeps trying to prove to everyone that he's not a bad person.  He's going to have to do a lot more than finding a cow to do that.

Along comes two more females - Gail and Erica - and it's like Phil's dream come true.  They are fun-loving ladies who want to go skinny dipping with Phil only en route they are approached by a car with Carol, Melissa and Todd inside.  All hell breaks loose then and never will Phil convince them he was pranking them like he was trying to get them to believe.

Poor Phil.

I am loving this show, simply loving it.  Will Forte created the series and has appeared on Saturday Night Live in the past - no wonder I fell in love with him.  Make me laugh and I'll follow you everywhere.  Carol has the same impression on me.  Just love her (and her outfits).

Here's where Phil meets Carol (hilarious stuff):



So last Sunday night, they announce three more episodes and I go DO WHAT?  Noooo.  It's my Sunday night relaxation kick back with doggies and faux fur blanket show!  I hate what's on TV now and I have finally found something I look forward to every Sunday night????  WTF????

And I go searching for answers.  According to Bubble Watch:  Last Man on Earth started off well (especially given the downright ugly low 1s Fox’s block has seen since NFL games ended). The question remains, how will the show – and the ratings – hold up over time.

Fox says it will likely be renewed but that was dated March 3.  If it was likely to be renewed, why did they say three more episodes????  Maybe this is a trial run?

And then....I found this:

The ratings have down quite a bit but FOX wants more of The Last Man on Earth. The network has renewed their new Sunday night sitcom for a second season.

And here's the press release!!!!

FOX RENEWS “THE LAST MAN ON EARTH” FOR A SECOND SEASON
All-New Episode Airs This Sunday, April 12, on FOX
FOX has picked up comedy series THE LAST MAN ON EARTH for a second season, it was announced today by David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.
“We knew we had something special with THE LAST MAN ON EARTH. It’s one of those rare shows that continues to add depth and dimension to its unique premise, week after week,” said Madden. “We are so thrilled that this incredibly bold, original and inventive series has been embraced by both fans and critics, and we cannot wait to see where the creative genius and inspired vision of Will, Phil and Chris take us in Season Two.”
In the next all-new, special one-hour episode of THE LAST MAN ON EARTH, “The Do-Over/Pranks for Nothin’,” airing Sunday, April 12 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, Phil Miller (Will Forte) finally has some good fortune headed his way.
THE LAST MAN ON EARTH is this season’s No. 1 new comedy among Adults 18-34 and Men 18-49. It also ranks No. 1 in its Sunday (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) time period among Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34 and Teens.
From writer/producer Will Forte (“Nebraska,” “Saturday Night Live”) and directors/producers Chris Miller and Phil Lord (“The Lego Movie,” “21 Jump Street”), THE LAST MAN ON EARTH chronicles the life and adventures of Phil Miller (Forte), an average guy – and humanity’s last hope – who discovers what life is like when no one is telling you what you can and cannot do. The series also stars Kristen Schaal, January Jones and Mel Rodriguez.
THE LAST MAN ON EARTH is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. The series is created and written by Will Forte. The pilot is directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The series is executive-produced by Forte, Lord, Miller and Seth Cohen. “Like” THE LAST MAN ON EARTH on Facebook at facebook.com/TheLastManOnEarthFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @LastManFOX and join the discussion using #LastManOnEarth. See photos and videos on Instagram @lastmanfox.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!