Saturday 9

 

Saturday 9: That's So True (2024)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 
1) In this song, Gracie Abrams can't stop thinking about her ex. Who is on your mind this morning? The Chicago Cubs, who are moving on in the NLDS! I'm delighted and surprised by how good they have been this season, and October baseball is the best. Go, Cubs, Go!

 

2) She wonders if she should warn his new girl about him. Think of the last time someone offered you advice. Did you take it? No. It was from one of my new managers on duty at the card shop. She told me I should encourage people who are just buying a card to also buy something else. I'm not going to do it. Someone who is only buying a card only wants a card. They'll be annoyed with me if I get all pushy and salesgirly with them. 

3) She concludes her old boyfriend wasn't worthy of her love and attention, and now sees him as "just another dude." What is something you regret spending time on? (It doesn't have to be a romance.) I have a love-hate relationship with lazy days. First I look forward to an empty calendar as an opportunity to relax and recharge, then later I chastise myself for wasting time I could have spent on chores and bringing order to my life.

 

4) On July 31, Gracie Abrams performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago. More than 100,000 attended the first day of the outdoor festival. It was sunny and 79º. Describe your perfect day (weatherwise). Yeah, sunny and 79º sounds pretty perfect.

 

5) Gracie's father is J.J. Abrams, perhaps best known for directing the 2009 Star Trek movie and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Would you rather watch Star Trek or Star Wars? Star Trek. It tends to be quieter and easier to sleep through. I really don't like sci-fi.

6) She is very much a 21st century artist in that she doesn't rely on radio to introduce her music to her fans, often sharing demos on TikTok. Do you watch, or create content for, TikTok? Nope.

7) In 2024, when "That's So True" was released, Madonna set a record. Her free concert in Brazil drew the largest audience (1.6 million) ever. What's your favorite Madonna song? I really cannot stand Madonna, except for this song. This is lovely.

 

8) Also in 2024, former President Jimmy Carter died. In addition to his work in politics and philanthropy, Mr. Carter wrote more than 30 books. Who wrote the last book you finished? I finished a cozy mystery by MC Beaton around Labor Day. Since then I have been ploughing my way through John Farrell's 750 page biography of Richard Nixon. I'm glad this book and I found one another now. Right now it's early 1972. Nixon and Kissinger are each "secretly" worried the other is crazy. They were both under enormous pressure, with China and Russia and Pakistan and India and, of course, Vietnam. On top of all that, they were worried about re-election. Because of the stress and their own substantial personal flaws, they have been making bad decisions and soon will make historically worse ones. I keep telling myself that if this nation was strong enough to survive Nixon and Kissinger and Vietnam, we may just be strong enough to survive the current administration.

9) Random question: What sound stresses you out? I hate the sound of cardboard scraping against cardboard. We get many shipments at the card shop and opening and breaking down the boxes often makes my skin crawl.

 

 

Thursday Thirteen #432

Nepo Babies. Nepotism has always existed, but for some reason in the 2020s, the term "nepo baby" took off. It's been defined as a second generation star, and the implication is that they succeeded in large part because of their parents' connections. Well, duh. If your dad was a dry cleaner and shared his knowledge and business contacts as you went into dry cleaning, you'd have a leg up, too.

Anyway, since it's been a topic of conversation in the blogosphere, on TikTok and in the podcast world, I've decided to list out 13 nepo babies who did well.

1. Jane Fonda. Daughter of Henry Fonda. With 7 Oscar nominations and 2 wins, it's fair to say her career has surpassed her dad's.

2. Michael Douglas. Son of Kirk Douglas. With 2 Oscars and an Emmy, it's fair to say his career has surpassed his dad's.

3. Liza Minnelli. In 1973, when she appeared on the covers of both Time and Newsweek, she was called "Little Miss Show Biz" because she is the daughter of director Vincente Minnelli and legend Judy Garland.

4. Mariska Hargitay. Daughter of 50s bombshell Jayne Mansfield, she has played the iconic Olivia Benson on Law and Order: SVU for more than 25 seasons, so her work has been seen by more people than her mother's.

5. Jamie Lee Curtis. Like Liza, she has star power on both sides of the equation. Her mother was Janet Leigh and her father was Tony Curtis. Both of them were Oscar nominated, but Jamie Lee is the one who brought home the gold.

6. Kate Hudson. Daughter of actress-comedienne Goldie Hawn, Hudson is an actress and entrepreneur with her own line of activewear (Fabletics). 

7. Tracee Ellis Ross. Daughter of Diana Ross, Emmy-nominated star of TV's black-ish.

8. Billie Lourd. A nepo baby's nepo baby, she's an actress and the daughter of Carrie Fisher.

9. Carrie Fisher. Actress, author and daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher.

10. Kate Burton. Daughter of Richard Burton, she works constantly and has had recurring roles on TV's Scandal and Grey's Anatomy.

11. Angelina Jolie. Oscar winning daughter of Oscar winner Jon Voight.  

12. Ben Stiller. Actor and producer and son of TV staples Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller.

13. Bryce Dallas Howard. Jurrassic Park actress and daughter of Oscar winning director and former child star Ron Howard.

These are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are dozens more. Can you think of any that didn't crack my thirteen? 

Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.

 

Sunday Stealing

Memememe -- Part 2

11. You can build a dream house anywhere in the world. Where would it be located? I wouldn't need to build my dream home because it already exists. It's the condo on the top 3 floors of Chicago's Palmolive Building. It's the smallish building center-left, the one with the bright light. That rotating light dates back to 1930, when the Palmolive was one of the tallest buildings on the skyline and its beacon could help aviators flying over Lake Michigan. That condo offers spectacular views of the Lake and of Michigan Avenue. As a plus, the penthouse was once the home of Playboy Magazine. I think Hugh Hefner was a dangerous, terrible man, and I like the idea of this unreconstituted 70s-era feminist erasing all traces of him before resting my head there.

  

12. Have you ever taken a photo in a photo booth? Not since I was a little girl.

13. What's your favorite kind of mustard (dijon, spicy brown, bright yellow)? Not a big mustard fan, though sometimes I like a little bright yellow on a sandwich.

14. What did you do on New Year's Eve? Watched a movie with my online movie group. Was in bed before midnight because as a group we celebrated on EST.

15. Did your parents ever share memories of their high school days? My mom did all the time. She said those were the happiest days of her life. You know, she's the only person I've ever met who described herself as popular in high school.

16. What's the most famous thing to happen in your home town? I wish I could say something upbeat and positive, like Michael Jordan's unprecedented career as the best there was and the best there ever will be. But I suppose it's really the unique way Al Capone observed Valentine's Day. Both Mayors Daley strenuously objected to any glorification of those days, and so I thought it was funny that this lifelong resident of Chicagoland had to go to Vegas to see what's left of the famous garage wall.

 

The red dots are bullet holes.

 

17. Did you ever have a MySpace page? Nope.

18. Will you eat a cookie today? God willing.

19. Who is the last person you spoke to – not texted with – on the phone? I booked limo rides to/from the airport for my upcoming visit to Michigan. I never used this service before and I wanted to get a feel for the company.

20. Do you play poker? Not well at all.

 

 

Saturday 9

The Entertainer (The Theme from The Sting) 1973

Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

Chosen in memory of Robert Redford: Aug. 18, 1936 - Sept. 16, 2025

1) The Sting marked the second teaming of Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The two enjoyed almost 40 years of friendship. One passion they shared was sports cars. Newman raced Porsches professionally and Redford was deft behind the wheel of a classic Karmann Ghia convertible. Think about one of your longest friendships. What did you two first bond over? My oldest friend and I have been obsessed Beatlemaniacs together since we first saw The Lads on The Ed Sullivan Show. It was 1964, and we were in first grade.

2) During their first movie together – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Redford was late so often that Newman joked they should change the title to, "Waiting for Lefty." Do you have a friend who is perpetually tardy? Or are you that friend? I suppose I am that friend, although I'm never more than 5-10 minutes late. It feels later and more consequential to me because I took public transportation all the time before I retired, and trains will and do leave without you if you're late.

 

3) Back in 1936, when Redford was born, baseball's Hall of Fame opened in Cooperstown. Coincidentally, two members of his high school class of 1954 are represented in the Hall: Redford, with memorabilia from his baseball film, The Natural, and his teammate on the Van Nuys Wolves, Don Drysdale. "Big D" was inducted for his stellar Dodger pitching career. Have you recently spoken to, or corresponded with, one of your high school classmates? Earlier this summer I had dinner with Joan. We went to high school together (gulp!) 50 years ago.


4) Redford admitted he had a few run ins with law enforcement during his teen years. He specifically recalled being picked up for breaking into the neighbors' back yard and swimming in their pool. Were you a mischievous kid? Not much.

5) Redford went on to CU Boulder. He confessed to being a distracted student and only lasted a year and a half. While not good in class, he was popular with his coworkers at his after school job, mopping floors and cleaning bathrooms at a restaurant called The Sink. The restaurant is still thriving, and Redford returned whenever he was in Boulder. He wore a Sink t-shirt during a national press conference in 2018 and when asked what The Sink was, he was happy to plug his former employer. Do you often wear graphic tees, decorated with a favorite band, restaurant logo, team mascot, vacation destination, etc.? That's pretty much all I wear if I'm not working. Right now I'm wearing a Leathernecks shirt from WIU, purchased when my nephew was a student.

 

6) When he was a struggling New York actor, he and his wife lost their first child to crib death. Redford told AARP magazine that he blamed himself, and said it's a wound that never healed. Tell us about a time you felt guilty but shouldn't have. My oldest friend relocated to Los Angeles and it's been a disaster. I kinda foresaw this and tried to dissuade her, but at a certain point, I just put my concerns aside and helped her prepare her home for sale. After she got out there, as things began to slide downhill fast, I thought I should have been more forceful in stopping her from going. Or at least I shouldn't have facilitated her move. I know now that wasn't my place. She's an adult. It was her choice. I did what I could but now all I can do is love her.

7) Legendary costume designer Edith Head said she liked putting Redford in hats because they balanced his strong, square jaw. Do you take your figure flaws into consideration when you choose your clothes? I don't tuck blouses in because I am trying to camouflage my expansive behind.

8) Forever fit, Redford credited his physique on exercise and genes, not diet. He said, "Healthy food is good for the conscience, but Oreos taste a helluva lot better." What's the last cookie, candy or treat you indulged in? Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cheesecake cookies. They were delicious.

 
9) Random question: Do you prefer to bathe or shower first thing in the morning, after work, or before bed? In the morning. 

 

 

 

Thursday Thirteen #431

 

 

 

The "more than hot" edition. I was not surprised this past week when Robert Redford died. He pretty much abandoned public life after he lost his son a few years ago. I was not sad, either. To die at home, in your sleep, at age 89 seems like the best possible exit. 

But I felt it. He was a huge part of my growing up. I loved him so that, when I was in high school, my favorite grandma gave me a photo cube with pictures she'd clipped of Redford from the newspapers. He was so popular, so culturally pervasive, that in the 1970s you could pretty much count on seeing his face every day. He was a great idol for this young gal to have. He had integrity and kept trying to stretch as an artist. When we were talking about him after my yoga class, just about everyone – even the younguns! – mentioned a movie of his they loved. As one of the women said, "He was more than hot." I think that is a fitting epitaph. So I use that to introduce my 13 favorite Redford films. 

1. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). It's not only sea of blue eyes that I love. The Oscar winning screenplay was by my favorite writer, William (The Princess Bride) Goldman. He infused these two with cool.

2. The Way We Were (1973). This is my favorite movie, but it's really a Streisand movie. She would not have been as good if he weren't as substantial. Hubbell was talented, smart, patient and gorgeous. Alas, with all that, he still wasn't good enough for Katie, and in his bones, he knew it. I don't think she ever saw her value. That's what makes them so heartbreaking.

3. The Natural (1984). The best baseball movie ever. I named my cat Roy Hobbs, and I think we can all agree there is no greater tribute. PS Do not read the book! It is dark and I like my heroes more, well, heroic.

4. Ordinary People (1980). Redford's directorial debut and it's very important to me. I grew up a disaffected teenager in a Chicago suburb. While my hometown was nowhere near as affluent as (la de dah) Lake Forest, the mores were the same. Redford got it right. Achingly so.

5. All The President's Men (1976). This film wouldn't exist without Redford. In the mid-1970s, the studios said Americans were sick of Watergate and wouldn't pay to see a movie where they already knew the ending. He used his star power to will it into existence, and he was wise to hire William Goldman for the screenplay.

6. The Sting (1973). It's a better film than Butch Cassidy. In fact, in terms of plotting, cinematography, performances (Redford's only Oscar nom for acting) and score, it's the best movie on this list. Highly original and great fun. I just think Butch and the Kid had more heart.

7. The Great Gatsby (1974). You really can't get better source material than The Great American Novel, can you? I think it's not a great movie because it's too damn faithful to the book and some moments (Gatsby reaching for the light on Daisy's dock) are better on the page then on the stage. But as a movie romance, well, it's like the Bizarro World version of The Way We Were. Gatsby was always too good for Daisy, and he never saw it.

8. The Candidate (1972). "Bill McKay for a Better Way." Redford made the best baseball movie, the best newspaper movie, and the best political movie. Not a bad legacy. See? "More than hot."

9. This Property Is Condemned (1966). You've never heard of this one, have you? Imagine Pretty Woman written by Tennessee Williams. Redford is a railroad efficiency engineer who arrives to eliminate jobs in small southern town, thereby destroying it. Natalie Wood is the town slut most popular girl in town. They try to escape who they are by falling in love. It's not a great movie, but she's so pretty and he's so handsome and I love listening to them with this dialog. I wish everyone spoke like Tennessee Williams was writing for them.

 

10. The Electric Horseman (1979). Redford and Fonda did four movies together, and this is my favorite.It's so 70s! He's a rodeo champion who resents being merchandised to sell breakfast cereal. She's an ambitious journalist who senses a story here. There are evil corporate executives, a fabulous horse, beautiful scenery and some tacky wardrobe choices. It's romantic. I love it.

11. The Horse Whisperer (1998). Redford directs Redford. He's a cowboy who, with an assist from a noble horse named Pilgrim, helps a family heal. Look for a very young Scarlett Johanson in a sensitive performance. PS He's over 60 in this movie and still gorgeous. 

12. Three Days of the Condor (1975). I didn't like this one when I saw it the first time. I thought the plot was too convoluted. Now I really enjoy it. Redford is a very low level CIA researcher who somehow becomes embroiled in matters of life and death. He's no suave, accomplished Bond. He's just scared and fighting to stay alive. So I guess it's a spy movie for people like me who don't like spy movies.

13. Barefoot in the Park (1967). Redford's first hit is his least Redford performance. Paul Bratter is buttoned-down, unimaginative, conservative ... yet very funny. Mike Nichols directed him as Paul on Broadway and once said he pictured Redford making movies kinda like Hugh Grant's – lots of witty dialog and rom-com's. But he became The Sundance Kid instead and his career went another way.

Did your fave make my list? 

Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.

 

Sunday Stealing

Memememe -- Part 1

1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be? The doctor's office. I have a check up scheduled with my prospective new primary care physician and they said they'd call if something earlier opened up. 

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? I don't use a cart. I bring my own canvas bag, and when it's full I know I'm done shopping.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? Talker.

4. Do you take compliments well? I can be rather self deprecating.

5. Do you play Sudoku or Wordle? Yes. Wordle. My starting word is "PLATE."

6. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? I went to Girl Scout day camp every summer.

7. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? I have. It didn't really make much difference. My faith is very personal to me. As long as you respect that, we'll get along.

8. Would you rather pursue or be pursued? Pursue.  

9. Have you ever fired a gun? Once, when I was a very little girl. We were visiting my mother's great aunt and uncle on "The Farm." This was the one and only time I met them. Anyway, I got up really early and my dad took me along with him and Unc when they went to fire at cans on a fence. They had a special rifle for kids. When we got back, he told my mother how funny I looked holding the rifle and she went absolutely nuts. My parents were very careful about not disagreeing in front of us kids, but she emphatically disagreed that morning. That's a clearer memory than actually firing the rifle. I don't recall that at all. I do remember drinking unpasteurized milk that had come straight from the cow. I thought that was neat, even though I didn't finish it because it was warm. 

10. Would you rather dine at Olive Garden or Panera? Olive Garden 

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Come See About Me (1964)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Diana Ross sings that she's given up her friends for her boyfriend. Have you ever had a lover your friends disapproved of? Has a friend ever dated someone you didn't care for? Throughout my 20s I was involved with a man some of my friends adored, but my oldest friend couldn't stand him. Or more precisely, she saw through him. She was right. Spectacularly right. I'm very grateful she never did the "told you so" dance, though she deserved to.

 

 

 

 

2) Without her man at her side she feels uncertain. Let's be more positive: what's something you're sure of? "The sun'll come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun." Yeah, I know, it's corny. But I truly believe tomorrow can be better than today. There's always hope. Really.

3) When this song was popular, the Supremes were known for their elegant hair and wardrobe. When was the last time you got dressed up? A year ago. My friend's daughter's wedding. I wore a coral pantsuit. It was flattering, but I unexpectedly stood out in a sea of blacks and grays. I am still a little ambivalent about it when I see the photos. I look pretty enough but boy, I'm conspicuous!

 
4) The Supremes went on to have a dozen #1 hits. This must have been hard for Betty McGlown, the fourth Supreme, who left the group before they recorded their first song. Can you think of an opportunity you missed? A friend offered me a job about 20 years ago. I would have made more money, to be sure, but she would have been my boss. I was afraid that would be weird, so I passed on it. I'm pretty sure it was the right choice, but I think longingly about that salary sometimes.

5) After she left the Supremes, lead singer Diana Ross went on to have a successful solo career. But it hasn't always been easy. She stumbled in her high heels and broke her ankle as she left the stage after a November 2012 concert. Have you taken a tumble recently? Over the summer I took a tumble in front of the grocery store. Cars turn into that lot very fast so I had my eyes on the traffic ... and I missed the uneven pavement. Bloodied my leg and scraped my arm but I did not break the jar of tomato sauce I had just purchased to donate to the local food pantry.

6) Ever the trooper, she honored her commitment to perform at a White House-sponsored Christmas concert just weeks later, even though her leg was still in a cast. Tell us about a time when you "played hurt." There was the spring I had sporadic coughing fits and was tired all the time. I had to spend time with the guys in the lab and while they were explaining things to me, I couldn't stand anymore and was leaning on walls and file cabinets. This was weird because I was 29 and otherwise healthy. Finally, after about four weeks of this, I suddenly lost my voice. Since my job required a certain amount of speaking, I just couldn't do it anymore and finally went to the doctor. Walking pneumonia. I was off for a week (at 29 you bounce back pretty fast). But here's the thing: I was contagious. It was outrageous that I tried to work through it and even worse that my bosses were more upset about the week off than the viral droplets I'd been dispensing with each cough. That's one good thing that came out of the covid lockdown: no one thinks you're heroic anymore for coughing and sneezing at work.

7) In 1964, when this song was popular, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was born. What was in your most recent Amazon shipment? My OTC allergy meds will be delivered today.

8) Also in 1964, women still routinely wore white gloves to complete a outfit. Short gloves that ended at the wrist were popular for everyday wear. What fashion trend do you wish would come back? Shoulder pads! Every woman suddenly appears to have a waist again. 

 

9) Random question: If you were in the witness protection program, what new name and occupation would you choose for yourself? Lottie Zisk, dogwalker.

 

 

Thursday Thirteen #430

Looking back on summer. I didn't go anywhere this past summer. To be honest, I didn't really want to because it was too damn hot to be outside. But lots of Americans went lots of places. Spinning around the internet, here are some summertime travel facts. 

 

1. Domestic travel, as per usual, was more popular than international trips.

 

2. Concerts were vacation events this summer. Young women enjoyed traveling together to other cities to see their favorite artists. 

 

3. For example, Houston reported an increase in hotel bookings during Beyonce's Cowboy Carter concert dates in June.

 

4. Young men favor bro trips to other cities for sporting events.  

 

5. That explains why the best-attended regular season baseball game this season was at Bristol Motor Speedway. 91,000 fans flocked to Bristol, TN, to see the Atlanta Braves play the Cincinnati Reds in August.

 

6. Couples like traveling with other couples to foodie destination. In 2025, Oneonta, NY, in the Catskills saw a bump in tourism with the promotion of their breweries and food-to-table restaurants.

 

7. The #1 reason families gave for hitting the road this summer was family reunions, or visiting family members.

 

8. Americans are road warriors. Nearly half would prefer to drive to their vacation destination.

 

9. Smaller towns near big cities saw increased hotel bookings. For example, Long Beach is less than hour away from Los Angeles. Many vacationers chose to save money by staying in Long Beach hotels, taking advantage of the canals and beaches, and then driving to Los Angeles to take in LA's attractions.

 

10. Staycations were popular in summer 2025, too. Hotels enjoyed a summer bump from locals who wanted to take advantage of the restaurant, pool, and spa services.

 

11. All 50 states have amusement parks – from large theme parks to local fairs. That gave staycation families a destination not too far from home for a day of fun.

 

12. Local families also made museums the centerpiece of their staycation.

 

13. U-pick farms have seen an increase in popularity, too. It's fun and educational for kids to pick their own fruits and vegetables.

 

So what did you do this past summer? Was your summer more exciting than mine?

Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.

 

Sunday Stealing

A Wednesday meme on a Sunday 

1. Name five songs that you have completely memorized. I'm going to assume this refers to lyrics, since I play no instrument and have the music to no song memorized. "Pink Pajamas" (a Girl Scout song), "Go, Cubs, Go," "Hey, Jude," "Happy Birthday," "Jingle Bells."

2. What takes up too much of your time? This. (Farting around on the internet.)

3. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch? Game of Thrones or anything else with flying dragons. I also don't like epics like Dr. Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia.

4. What's worth spending more on to get the best? Steak

5. Share something you did last week. Spent some time with my old friends, The Crawleys.

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: A Little in Love (1980)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) Do you believe you can be a little in love? Or is romance an all-or-nothing proposition for you? I get crushes all the time. I think of that as being "a little in love."

 

2) Cliff Richard sings that he knows it's been a long time since you had fun. Is that true? When have you recently had a really good time? What were you doing? Last weekend my movie group got together for Noir City Chicago, a film noir festival at the Music Box Theater. Festival founder/TCM host Eddie Muller signed my copy of his book Dark City Dames. You could say I'm a little in love with Eddie.

 

3) Cliff was born in India when it was still part of the UK. When he was 8, his family relocated to Tilbury, an English port town. Have you ever lived near the sea? Nope. I don't think I want to, either. My friend Henry lived in Key West and while I enjoyed visiting him, I also heard many difficult stories about enduring the aftermath Hurricanes Irene and Irma and Wilma. I'll stay here in Chicagoland with our friendlier fresh water Lake Michigan.

 

4) In 1958, Cliff became a star in England. He was so influential that young John Lennon said he dreamed someday the Beatles would be as big as Cliff Richard. Yet for some reason, he was never as popular here in the US. Before today, had you ever heard of Cliff Richard? Yes. As a Beatlemaniac, I often read about his path crossing with that of The Fab Four. I don't recall all the details, but I think Cliff resented how unavailable Abbey Road studios were once the Beatles hit it big and their sessions were considered a priority over his. 

 

5) 1980 was Cliff's most successful year stateside. Both "A Little in Love" and his duet with Olivia Newton-John, "Suddenly," made the Top 10. Do you have a favorite Olivia Newton-John song? I have good memories attached to this song. "Spare me all your charms and take me in your arms ..."

 

   

 

6) Cliff was once "a little in love" himself. He had a high-profile romance with British pro tennis player Sue Barker. They contemplated marriage, but in his memoir Cliff admitted he wasn't ready to commit the rest of his life to her. Cliff never married but Sue went on to wed landscape gardener Lance Tankard. Have you ever employed a gardener? Or do you handle all the yard work yourself? I live in a multi-unit building with a tiny front yard. A landscaper comes every now and again, but one of the unitowners goes out and waters in between.

 

7) In 1980, when we were enjoying "A Little in Love" on the radio, Macaulay Culkin was born. He became famous for the Home Alone franchise. Have you seen any Home Alone movies? Nope.

 
8) 1980 also gave us the Post-It Note. Today they are available in a variety of sizes and colors, but the original 4"x4" canary yellow Post-Its are still the best seller. Would we find Post-Its in your home or office right now? Yes. I've got a pad of yellow ones in the kitchen.

 

9) Random question – You're having a crummy day. Nothing is going right. You run into a casual friend in the grocery store aisle. As you chat, do you think your mood would be obvious? Or could you successfully put on a happy face? My casual acquaintance would come away believing I was fine. People who read my blog often get a more realistic window into what's going on with me.

 

 

He's coming home!

 

My favorite-most ballplayer of all-time, Anthony Rizzo, is returning to Wrigley Field. He has signed a one-day contract with the Cubs so he can officially retire as a North Sider. He will remain with the team as "baseball ambassador," representing the Cubs at events. As he should. For with all due respect to Ryne Sandberg, no one but Ernie Banks personified the heart and soul of the Cubs more than Rizz.

To say I am verklempt would be an understatement. Yes, he made the final out of the historic 2016 World Series, ending the longest championship drought in American sports history. Yes, he was a three-time all-star with more than 300 home runs. Of course he provided elite defense at first base. And he did it all with such passion, such joy.

But more than that, Anthony Rizzo gave back. Continues to give back. Example: during the covid shut down, he catered hot meals for hospital workers. A wonderful gesture. To make it even better, the food came from struggling local restaurants that needed the business. He does stuff like this all the fucking time. They don't give out Roberto Clemente Awards and ESPN Sports Humanitarian nominations for nothing.

And there are the kids. He has spent endless hours with pediatric cancer patients and their families at New York's Montefiore Medical Center, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, and most of all, Lurie Children's Hospital here in Chicago. When he visited the hospitalized children, he not only gave them his autograph (and let them wear the World Series ring), he asked them to sign his jersey because each child was a hero and a warrior. 

This is what Anthony Rizzo will be wearing on Saturday when he steps onto Wrigley Field to officially end his career.

 

Anthony Rizzo makes me want to be a better person. I am so grateful for all he's meant to me on and off the field. 

I hope his next chapter includes health, happiness and lots of time with his wife, new baby and dog Kevin. 

 

 

Pinched nerve and brain fart

I woke up Tuesday morning unable to move my left arm without great difficulty. This happened once before, at the end of 2024, so while I hurt I wasn't frightened. I knew it was a pinched nerve in my neck. Painful but not dangerous. As luck would have it, I already had an chiropractor appointment scheduled for today – Friday, three days later. Since this wasn't an emergency, I could see no reason to move the appointment up. 

I am an idiot. 

For three days I was uncomfortable. If I was still, my arm was fine. But I couldn't raise it without pain. Everything – showering, grocery shopping, feeding the cats, laundry – was arduous. I had a hard time finding a position to sleep comfortably. The nerve was not responding to OTC pain killers. So I was sleep deprived and hurt.

And from Monday morning to Tuesday afternoon we were without hot water, so there's that. 

To say I was not at my best would be an understatement. 

Chronic pain and lack of sleep made me stupid. Yesterday, instead of taking money out of my high-yield savings account and depositing it into my checking account, I did it the other way around. I was not paying attention as I clicked. I fucked up.

This morning I got an alert from bank that my checking account was overdrawn. I was terrified, afraid I'd been hacked. No, I just made a stupid, stupid mistake. (AGAIN!) After spending time on the phone with both banks, I finally got it ironed out and hopefully, by end of business Monday, all my funds will be where I want them.

I realize that working decades for big companies, I've been infantilized. Funds just appeared in my checking account twice/month. Left to my own devices, I mess up.

Just as I thought my self loathing had reached a fever pitch, I dialed it up to 11. I went to my chiropractor and she felt where my neck meets my shoulder. 

"Of course you hurt!" she said. I got on the table and she twisted, pressed and popped and I was fine. No pain, full range of motion restored.

"You should have called me," she said. Duh, Gal. I went through 3 days of pain for no good reason. Really, she remedied the problem in minutes! 

I'm such an ass.

Here's to an uneventful, enjoyable weekend. I need it!

 

Photo by Klara Kulikova on Unsplash