Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Dwight Twilley Meme

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry? Sex and the City. The montage about New Year's Eve. The older I get, the more I treasure my friends, old and true. And I appreciate how hard it would be to navigate across town on a snowy holiday.

2. The fictional character most like you? Katie Morosky from The Way We Were

3. The greatest album, ever? The Beatles, aka The White Album. There may be albums with greater musical credibility, but I can't think of another one that's more fun and more listenable.

4. Star Trek or Star Wars? Why? Neither one. Sorry. I don't like sci-fi.

5. Your ideal brain food? Pizza

6. Everyone is proud of a certain accomplishment, which one for you? I have become an adept public speaker.

7. You want to be remembered for ...? Being a true friend and a good writer. (Which is how Wilbur eulogized Charlotte.)

8. Let's talk about recording artists. Who do you find the most inspirational? Bruce Springsteen. The Boss puts words to my feelings.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? Little Women. Girls not yet born will see themselves as Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. (OK, maybe not Amy.)

10. Your hidden talents . . .? I can wiggle my right ear.

11. The best piece of advice you actually followed? "Don't listen to what they say. Watch what they do."

12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed? My cats. While technically I "bought" them, I like to think of them as "adoptions."

13. What is the most comfortable clothes that you wear? Jeans and a t-shirt.

14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? Doris Kearns Goodwin. Author, historian and passionate Red Sox fan.

15. Time travel: where, when and why? Springfield, IL in the mid-1860s. So I could meet the Lincolns, Abe and Mary.

16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac? Spa. Aaaah ....

17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or . . .? Coke Classic.

18. Environment of choice: city or country, and where on the map? City. US of A (Chicago or Boston)

19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country? Inspire us. Lead us. Watch a tape of JFK or a kinescope of FDR. This country responds when we're asked to.

20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now? Feeling Christmas-y.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Hard Habit to Break

1. Do you have any habits or rituals at this time of year? My Christmas cards benefit The American Humane Society (this year's has the kitten with a gift on the front). I try to get them in the mail over the Thanksgiving weekend. This year I was more or less successful.

2. Polar bears seem to do well in the snow... How about you? Is snow just another thing you deal with when it shows up, or is it shutdown time? ...and if you're posting from a non-snowy locale, do you make trips to actually see snow? It's okay to admit it... I like snow. One of the joys of living here is that we get four distinct seasons, and there's something neat about each one. We're supposed to get 6" over the next 24 hours. Better find my boots.

3. Tell about a toy you remember from your childhood. Behold Blaze. I was 4 years old the Christmas Santa left him under the tree for me. I knew Blaze and I were destined to be together. Familiar with him from the TV commercials, I would visit him whenever we went to Sears and tell him that soon he would be at my house. Naturally I made sure Santa knew he was available at Sears, too, in case the elves needed help. Of course Santa came through. (Thanks, Mom and Dad.)

4. If you could make one thing in the world absolutely free for everyone, what would it be? Toilet paper, as I suspect everyone resents purchasing it as much as I do.

5. Do you live close to your immediate family members? If not, how far away are they? My mom, kid sister and bil, and niece and nephew are about 15 minutes away.

6. My mom ordered a turkey dinner from a local market. it was o.k., but not very good. how was your turkey (or last holiday meal) this year? I didn't have turkey. We were at a buffet of my nephew's choosing and I chose fried chicken instead.

7. In a one horse open sleigh: Have you ever been on a sleigh ride or a carriage ride? Do you even like horses? Or would you just rather travel by your own two feet? I've never been on a sleigh ride, but I'm very receptive to the idea.

8. What is your favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to listen for on the radio or hit 'repeat' on the player... "River" by James Taylor




9. What is your least favorite Christmas song? ...and sung or played by whom? You know, the one you tend to skip on the player... "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby. The arrangement is schmaltzy and his voice annoys me. I know, I know ... that's practically Un-American, but there you go.

This story makes me happy

From Chicago's local ABC news:

The Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw sailed in to Chicago Friday morning with Christmas trees for 1,200 needy families.

Also known as the Christmas Tree Ship, the vessel brought 1,200 Christmas trees into town.

The annual voyage honors the memory of August Schuenemann who delivered trees to Chicago by boat in the early 1900s. On Saturday, there will be a formal presentation of the trees.

All 1,200 trees will be given to needy families.