Saturday, August 30, 2025

Sunday Stealing

F.A.B.

F. Film: What movie or tv show are you watching? Mostly I've been watching Cubs baseball, but I took time out for A Farewell to Arms (1957). I know it's not very good – Hemingway himself panned it – but the war scenes are heart-wrenching and the romance? Rock Hudson is so dreamy it's ridiculous. Really, Brad Pitt looks like canned dog food compared to Rock in this movie.

A. Audio: What are you listening to? Alexa has been playing 1970s-era Sir Paul McCartney for me.

B. Book: What are you reading? Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam. This is the 10th book in the mystery series and I'm about halfway through. I'm happy to say I'm enjoying it. I wasn't crazy about #9 and it's a sad thing when a beloved cozy mystery series lets you down, so this turnaround is welcome.

  

August Happiness Challenge – Day 30

 

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: Leavin' on a jet plane. I just made my plane reservations for Grand Rapids. I'm going up to meet my great niece Violet in about a month. I am excited to see the little one in her own home, in her own room, and to see how my niece and her husband are navigating parenthood in everyday life – not during the hectic holidays. Also, when we finally meet she'll be about 4 months old and will have real personality by then. (True confession: I find newborns rather boring.)
 
It makes me happy to make a special fuss over my niece with this visit, instead of just piggybacking onto any upcoming trip she makes to her parents' home or including my first meeting with Violet with the Christmas holidays. I want her to know how important this milestone in her life is to me, and that I support her. 
 
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.

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

 

Saturday 9

Manic Monday (1985) 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Bangles lead singer Susannah Hoffs sings that "it's 6:00 already." What time did you wake up this morning? Too early! 5:30 AM. After I finish this meme and my cup of water, I'm going back to sleep.

2) She's running late for work and she wishes her bed was already made so she wouldn't have to spend time doing it. Do you ever leave the house without making your bed? I never make my bed.
 
3) She sings that it would take an airplane to get her to work on time. Are you usually early, on time, or late? Late. When I used to take the train every day, I was always on time because they stick to a schedule and would leave without me. But now that I'm left to my own devices, I've gotten sloppy. I'm never more than 5 or 10 mins. late. 

4) Since Monday is the start of her hectic workweek, she wishes it was Sunday because that's her "fun day." What's your favorite day of the week? Saturday. (When I was a little girl, it was a toss-up between Wednesday and Thursday because Batman was on.)

5) "Manic Monday" was written by Prince. What's your favorite Prince song? "Little Red Covette."

6) In 1985, when this song was a hit, Sears promoted sleepwear with characters on them in their children's department. GI Joe pajamas were popular. When you were a kid, did you have a favorite pair of pjs? Yes. They were pink, covered in little blue flowers, and had a little ruffle at the neck. My mom let me pick which pjs I wore, and if these weren't in the laundry basket they were my first choice. 





7) A fashion tradition dating back to the early 1900s states that you should put your white slacks, shoes, jackets and belts away after Labor Day. Do you follow that rule? Kinda sorta, in that I never wear white slacks, jackets or belts any time of year. My Nikes are white, but I don't think this "rule" applies to tennies.
 
8) Traditionally Labor Day marks the moment when fans turn their attention to the NFL and NCAA football. Will you be rooting for a particular football team this season? No. Baseball is getting too good. Are Detroit and Milwaukee for real? Will the Padres overtake the Dodgers? Right now it looks like my Cubs are a lock for a Wild Card slot, but as Joe Maddon used to say, "Sometimes the shit rains down sideways, just because we're the Cubs."

9) According to the auto insurance industry, the average American spends 52 minutes (26 each way) behind the wheel every day traveling to and from work. How do you while away the time when you're stuck in traffic? I sleep or read. Don't worry, I don't drive, so this puts no one's life is in danger.