I don't much like Gary Cooper

On this rainy Sunday I discovered myself to be filled with dissatisfaction.

It's Gary Cooper Day on TCM Summer Under the Stars. Yes, I know ... I know ... "Coop" is an American icon. He's the sheriff in High Noon! He's Sgt. York himself! Capra loved working with him. Actress and party girl Lupe Velez said he was a fantastic lover. And yet, whenever I see him on screen, I just yawn. I tried watching him today in some of his best work and ... I'm sorry, whenever confronted with Gary Cooper, my mind just goes to the happy place. I ended up watching the original Airport -- with Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin and, most delightfully, Helen Hayes -- for the first time since I was a little girl and had a delightful time.

Similarly I have picked up -- and put down -- biographies of two very different people: Barack Obama's mother (A Singular Woman) and Beatles' manager Brian Epstein (In My Life). I expected to be riveted by their stories. Yet neither one hooked me. Instead I picked up a funny and fluffy mystery, The Curse of the Spellmans.* Now I'm happy.

I'll give those two biographies a try again at a later date. But really, I'm giving up on Gary Cooper for good.

*Thanks to Kwizgiver for turning me on to this series.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 26

Today's Happiness: Trader Joe's. I'm not a foodie, and I don't consider what I do in the kitchen cooking. Yet I always enjoy my time at this grocery store. It's not the biggest, and the selection isn't the greatest, but it's so colorful and the people who work there are so nice and everything looks healthy and it's more reasonable in price than Whole Foods.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The 88 Meme

  

1. 1. What type questions do you hate on a meme? Ones that make assumptions about me: “Like how did you meet your spouse” (assumes I have a spouse) or “Before your kids were born …” (assumes I have wee ones).

2. If you married the last person you texted, what would your last name be? Gall

3. Were you happy when you woke up today? No, exasperated. My cat, Reynaldo, believed he was in dire need of my attention and was tormenting me. Oh well, he’s been worse.

4. When were you on the phone last? And with who? Last night. My mom.

5. Who are you excited for? Me. I realized it’s less than two weeks till I get to see BROOOOOOCE! Live and in concert at Wrigley Field!

7. Honestly, who was the last person to tell you they love you? My oldest friend. She’s always very good about saying, “I love you, Dear.”

8. What's the last thing you put in your mouth? A slice of cheese. You have no idea how much I wish I had a sexier answer.

9. Have a best friend? Yes

10. Were you ever or are you scared to fall in love? Yes

11. Do you think teenagers can be in love? Yes

12. Last person you wanted to punch in the face? No one springs to mind, but it was probably someone who annoyed me during my commute to or from work.

13. What time is it right this second? 8:05 AM

14. What do you want right now? Lose 25 lbs.

15. Who was the last person you took a picture with? My oldest friend

16. Are you single/taken/heartbroken/or confused? Yes

17. When was the last time you cried?  I welled up a bit just now when watching the news. I saw Mayor Daley at the announcement of the new park to be named for his late wife, Maggie. They were quite a love story, and when I think of marriages like theirs, I ache for the one left behind.

18. Do you have a good relationship with your parents? My dad passed away in 1992. My mom and I are working on it.

19. Do you find it hard to trust others? Yes

20. How fast does your mind change? Sloooowly

21. I bet you miss somebody right now. Who is it? My best friend

22. Can you honestly say you're okay right now? Sure

 

I say a little prayer

My cousin Rose is in Tampa. I have friends in Key West. They are all about to get up close and personal with Isaac.

Say what you will about Chicago winters. When the snow melts, our homes are here.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 25

Yesterday's Happiness: eyes on the prize. I not only did a full hour of low-impact cardio, I skipped the popcorn and Coke at the movies. Happy to report I felt virtuous, not deprived.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net