"I love you, Gal"

I talk and write and post a lot. I can be very blabby. Sometimes I forget that people retain what I say. I've often discussed how Melanie Hamilton Wilkes is my role model. I want to be kind and selfless. I try to see the best in people. But then, sometimes at the worst possible times, my inner Scarlett bursts forth.

My former secretary, Amy, moved to Philly years ago. Early this morning, she IM'd me with a photo of Scarlett in the red dress. "This is how I feel today," she wrote. "I have to walk into a room where everyone hates me. Like you said, I want to be Melly but I end up like Scarlett." She wrote about how she had to address a community group that wasn't necessarily receptive to what she had to say. She'd made some tough choices on behalf of her synagogue that not everyone agreed with.

I reminded her that while it's easy to dismiss Scarlett as a heartless bitch, she did hold Tara together against all odds and keep her family warm, dry and fed. And Amy saved the building her religious community worships in.

"Thank you," she responded. "I love you, Gal."

This made me so happy. I effortlessly had a positive influence on someone else. How very Melly of me!

Sunday Stealing

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26.) Favorite kids name? Depends on the last name it's going with.


27.) Do you speak any other languages? No

28.) Do you use Twitter? Yes

29.) Do you go onto YouTube? Yes

30.) Do you play Angry Birds? I have


31.) Do you like Angry Birds? Sure

32.) Do you like Hello Kitty? Not especially


33.) Have you ever cried because you were so happy? Yes

34.) Who would you like to see in concert? I'm going to change the question a bit and answer that I wish I could see Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton. Here he was before the play was even staged. So imaginative and smart.



35.) Can you swim well? Well, it's the sport I'm best at.

36.) Ever won a contest? Yes.

37.) Ever won a giveaway? Yes.

38.) Do you get a full 8 hours of sleep every night? Not usually. This could be why I'm so often tired.

39.) What tea do you like? Hot. I don't like iced tea.

40.) What coffee do you like? Ew! Ick! I don't like coffee at all.

41.) Do you shop at Walmart? Seldom

42.) Do you shop at Target? More often than Walmart


43.) What do you order at Second Cup? Nothing because I've never heard of it

45.) Do you like homemade meals? No. I hate the idea of someone fussing over me like that. I'd rather we meet at a restaurant and split the bill.

46.) Do you like homemade baked goods? Yes

47.) Do you shop online? Doesn't everyone these days?

48.) Name 3 stores online stores you would like to shop at: Amazon, Overstock and Hanes

49.) What holiday don't you like? I don't like Mother's/Father's Day anymore, since all my parents and grandparents are gone.

50.) What do you eat more of when you're sick?  I suppose saltines are good for you no matter what ails you.

October Challenge -- Day 16

But it's hard when you're scared

Today's October Daily Prompt: Something Scary

Air travel freaking terrifies me. Who is this pilot man? Why am I trusting him with my life? I know, I know ... this being an October challenge I probably should answer "Dracula" or "goblins" or give some other Halloweeny reply. But flights are what really scares me.