These are the thoughts and observations of me — a woman of a certain age. (Oh, my, God, I'm 65!) I'm single. I'm successful enough (independent, self supporting). I live just outside Chicago, the best city in the world. I'm an aunt and a friend. I feel that voices like mine are rather underrepresented online or in print. So here I am. If my musings resonate with you, please visit my blog again sometime.
Do restaurants or grocery stores in your neighborhood participate in Too Good to Go? It's designed to reduce food waste. Early every morning, I check the app to see if any local businesses will be making food available that night at a reduced price. This is food that is still good today but that (likely because of expiration date) they won't be able to sell tomorrow.
Oh, what a haul I got from Whole Foods tonight! I carried home a big bag of bakery including blueberry bagels, chocolate croissants, cinnamon raisin bread (yay!), pitas and (OMG!) an entire angel food cake. If I'd purchased the same items this morning, they would have cost me $31.45. With the Too Good to Go app, the bill was $7.15.
Part of the fun of Too Good to Go is that you don't know what you're going to get. Finding that cinnamon raisin loaf made my little heart sing. And it helps reduce the amount of food in the neighborhood that goes to waste.
It's not all carbs. My friend Elaine turned me onto Too Good to Go. She lives near Wrigley Field and her freezer is full of soups and stews from her local market, just waiting for fall.
Happy August Happiness Challenge!
Each
day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy.
Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't
want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are
positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.
1. How would your pet describe you? "She is a furless bi-ped. She cannot run very fast and she never leaps, so she is no fun to play with. However she has thumbs and is the gateway to my food. She gives good headrubs and I like it when she talks to me. (She wisely asks my opinion on many topics.) She is very generous with cuddles when I sit with her. I just wish she wouldn't nudge me away from the other cat's food dish with her foot. With her foot! I am descended from Egyptian gods and deserve better."
2. Tell us a story... Once upon a time there was an engineer. Choo-choo Charlie was his name, we hear. He had an engine and he sure had fun. He used Good 'n Plenty candy to make his train run. Charlie says, "Love my Good 'n Plenty." Charlie says, "Really rings the bell." Charlie says, "Love my Good 'n Plenty. Don't know any other candy that I love so well." The end.
3. What do you pack in your beach / hiking bag. I don't go hiking or to the beach. Sorry.
4. How do you like to spend great weather weekends? I like to walk around my neighborhood. We have terrific tree-lined streets. I love to look up at the sky and see how the tree tops on the east side seem to be touching leafy fingers with the ones on the west side.
5. Describe a time when the circumstances fell in your favor. I've gotten very lucky with my medical team. Every one of my doctors/dentists is very good and attentive. I did minimal research on them, choosing them all based on walkability and whether or not they accept my insurance. It's almost been too easy!
6. Which summer sounds do you enjoy. I live next to a children's home. One of the best things about summer is hearing the kids enjoying their back yard.
7. It’s not really summer until ... We sing the song.
8. What music are you listening to these days? I recently rediscovered this CD. The album originally came out when I was in high school. It holds up rather well.
9. How much has changed since last summer? Not a ton. The biggest thing is I now have a part-time job at a card shop. I enjoy it. I am surprisingly comfortable helping customers and it's nice to have (a little) money coming in.
10. What are your favorite things to wear in summer? My jeans shorts
11. What do you miss about winter? My sweaters. I like my sweaters.
12. How would you spend summer vacation as an adult? I wouldn't. I prefer vacationing in March/April. It's a nice way to snap out of the winter doldrums.
13. Describe your ideal get together/party. Good food, good booze, good tunes, good company.
14. What makes you feel like part of your community. Every time I buy groceries for myself, I pick up something small for the local food pantry. When I'm able to fill a big bag of non-perishables and drop it off at the pantry, I feel like I'm helping neighbors in need.
15. How was your July 2024? Not great. The Cubs 13-12 and Anthony Rizzo was on the IL. As my guys go, so go I.
