Sunday, February 17, 2013

But I want it!


Here's an invitation to the wedding of Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. It was addressed to one of the groomsmen, Dave Powers, JFK's close friend for 15 years -- beginning with Kennedy's first foray into politics until his murder in 1963. Powers was the first curator of The Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. And many of Powers' personal items are available today through John McInnis Auctioneers. As I understand it, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Library.

Fortunately the McInnis website is pretty difficult to navigate. Otherwise I'd be tempted to bid. And I really can't afford these things, much as I might want them.

I find the things that humanize Presidents the most touching. I have been honored to run my hand along the original banister in Abraham Lincoln's Springfield home, and as I did I wondered about the life he led there in the only home he shared with his four sons, how it helped shaped him.

Likewise, it would be a privilege to touch this birthday card, the last one John Kennedy, Jr., would give his daddy and the only one he was able to sign himself. With this card, I'd be holding history in my hands.


But it's not going to happen. And I suppose it shouldn't. There are so many more useful, earthbound things I should be doing with my money. But ... but ... but ...




Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Basically Obscure Meme-Part 2


38: How did you spend Valentines day? Eating Girl Scout cookies. I feel bad about it. I bought a box from a coworker's niece and then just kept devouring them until they were gone. I have no self control!

39: Do you eat enough vegetables? No. I try to eat two servings/day, but I mix it up between fruit and vegetables.

40: Do you like horror movies? How about thrillers? I like thrillers more than horror. For example, Side Effects with really good, and it was all about the suspense. (And Jude Law looks and talks soooo cute.)




41: Do you like scotch? No.

42: Who is someone you would never swear in front of? Members of the clergy.

43: Coolest thing you've ever seen on Halloween? Nothing comes to mind. I'm sorry.


44: If you could change your natural hair color, would you? To what? I'm done with that. But for decades, I was a redhead, courtesy of Nice 'n Easy.

45: What subject would you take if you were forced to take a free class? Spanish. And you wouldn't even have to force me.

46: Do you use a reusable grocery bags? Yes.

47: City or nature person? City.

48: Have you ever used something other than "makeup" as makeup? (Like paint? Markers?) No.

49: Do heights bother you? Can look look out the window on the top floor of a skyscraper? Not really. I've worked in tall office buildings since I was teenager.

50: Post 5 awesome things about your blog. BRAG AWAY!

• I post often. Come back here every day or two and you'll have something new to read. I'm very blabby.

• I'm frank. I don't pull any punches here.

I try never to leave you hanging. Since I blog mostly for myself, to create a digital diary of my life I can look back on, I sometimes have to remind myself that I have readers and they deserve to know how incidents turned out. That's also why I try to include links.

• My new layout is easy to read.

• My content is pretty eclectic. This is important to me as I grow older. Yesterday, as part of Saturday 9, I used the phrase "hair metal band." One of the responders -- a Baby Boomer like me -- kept complaining that he didn't know what it meant. I'm not kidding. He said it on his own blog and then again and again while commenting on other responders. Did it not occur to him to Google it? That would have taken less time. Was he that incurious? Or did he just enjoy sitting back and complaining like the old Muppets in the balcony? This gentleman didn't mean to, but he gave me a great example of how not to be, and I'm taking it to heart.