WWW.WEDNESDAY

To play along, just answer the following three questions ...

• What are you currently reading? Killing the Blues by Michael Brandman. I just tossed this book into my case this morning and have yet to crack it open, but I'm looking forward to it. Jesse Stone is one of the late Robert B. Parker's beloved protagonists, and I'm happy to see that his estate has found a way to continue the series. I hope that Mr. Brandman does a good a job with Jesse as Ace Adkins did, picking up the mantle for the Spenser novels.

• What did you recently finish reading? The Last Word by Lisa Lutz, rumored to be the final "document" in the Spellman mystery series. Maybe it's time. Because while most of the members of this eccentric family have really grown on me, especially sisters Rae and Izzy, the mystery itself was disappointing. I truly have enjoyed all these books, and if you're interested in a continuing series filled with original and amusing characters, I'd definitely steer you to these six books. I just hope you start at the beginning with the earlier efforts because they're more satisfying.

• What do you think you’ll read next? After Killing the Blues it will be time to take a break of mysteries. so I'll probably pick up Bruce, the Springsteen biography by Peter Ames Carlin.

To see how others responded, click here.

I enjoyed the gun show

No, not that kind of gun show. I haven't lost my mind and gone all RWNJ on you.

I'm talking about my trip to health club. I found myself gazing upon the most beautiful arms as a man gripped the handles while doing seated leg presses. I really wished I could reach over and touch them.

Sometimes I really miss sex.

Thank you. That is all.

Teaser Tuesday

Here's how to play this meme.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

From Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 1960s America, page 118:

Betts endured a nightmare at the hands of a Rachedesque obstetrics nurse while Don had his feet up in the cozy solarium. It wasn't until the late 1970s that men were regularly allowed in the delivery room. Until then, men's role in pregnancy ended with conception.

Sui generis

Tonight I watched First Ladies: Influence & Image on C-Span. I've been DVR-ing this series religiously*, have learned a lot and am enjoying it a great deal.

Tonight's subject was Nancy Reagan. When she was First Lady, she kinda gave me the willies. She seemed insensitive and irrelevant. HOWEVER, as one who admires a good love story, I am immensely moved by the tender, loyal care she gave her husband as he slipped further and further away during his post-Presidency. So to me, it's like the public Nancy Reagan is two different women.

Watching the show tonight, I was surprised yet again by how many callers referenced JBKO. It happens week after week in this series. Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and now Nancy Reagan† ... "Did she have a relationship with Jackie?" "Was she influenced by Jackie?" "Did the press treat her differently than they did Jackie?"

Finally panelist Carl Cannon, a writer and son of noted Reagan biographer Lou Cannon, stated the obvious: "Jackie was sui generis." Yes! That's perfect. My girl was indeed in a class by herself.

*Except Bess Truman; I keep missing Bess!
†I don't recall her being mentioned in the Betty Ford or Rosalyn Carter episodes.

Look at the belt

This is Greg Maddux, pitching for the Cubs at age 40. He was in good shape for a 40 year old man: able to strike out major league batters, hit the occasional homerun himself, and be paid millions of dollars a year. He was strong enough to be known for making every start, not for time on the DL.

But the belt is riding lower than it did when he was 20. It's an accommodation to the passage of time.

Alex Rodriguez is 38 and the league believes he's dealing with age with performance enhancing drugs. He will spending the 2014 baseball season in street clothes.

Greg Maddux was just inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with more than 97% of the votes.

I hope young people look at the belt and learn something.

P.S. I love Greg Maddux. I have enjoyed this week so. Can't wait for the ceremony this summer!

"I didn't beat her. I hit her."

So says Billy Bigelow to his Heavenly adviser, describing his fights with Julie, in Carousel. Audiences in the mid-1950s knew his explanation was bullshit, that it's wrong to raise one's hand in anger.

Yet it goes on all over today. Still.

"I don't beat my children. I spank them."

"I don't beat my dog. I discipline him."

All any living thing learns from being hit is to be afraid and angry. And to hit when they get big enough. That's why you hear so many people say, "I spank my children and my grandchildren. Just like I was spanked. And I turned out OK."

Except that you think it's OK to raise your hand -- to someone you love! -- in anger. Just like those audiences in the 1956, I ain't buying it.

Sunday Stealing

The Fast Dozen Meme


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1. What is the last book that you passed on to someone else to read? Then We Came to the End. It's a very good novel set in an agency where I once worked. I lent it to a friend/former coworker of mine, who also toiled in those saltmines.

2. The one song you secretly or not so secretly want to sing at karaoke? "New York, New York"

3. If you had to pick a new name for yourself, what would it be? Julie. I'm watching Carousel on TCM as I answer these and Shirley Jones' character was called "Julie."

4. What do you wish your administrator or boss would notice? How hard I work at making my art director/partner feel like a part of the process.

5. What is your biggest pet peeve? Space hogs. People who take up an extra seat on the train for their backpacks or totes, and space on the bench at the health club for their water bottles and mp3 players.

6.  What holds you back in pursuing your biggest dream? Self discipline.

7.  Why do you think you are a lovable person? Because I am imaginative and kind.

8.  If every day had an extra hour in it, what would you do with it? Probably waste it playing Farmville.

9. The last song you turned up in your car or house was? "You Wear It Well" by Rod Stewart.

10. What is a secret talent you may have? I can wiggle my ears.

11. Your favorite thing to do outside when it's not too cold out in the winter? Walk. The streets are emptier and I notice things about my neighborhood that I don't see when the streets are full of people.

12. How do you respond if someone asks you an inappropriate or nosy question? Depends on the question.

I'll just read the damn thing

My friend in the Keys is writing a book. Historic fiction based on many of the legends of Key West. Months ago I read his manuscript and corrected his grammar and some of the clumsier turns of phrase. It's to be expected, I suppose, since English is not his native tongue. Also, I pointed out that his character names are distracting. "Victor Borge" and "Keir Dullea" were real people, celebrities whose names would ring a bell with any Baby Boomer. In an infinite universe, there is no reason to take character names from the C-list.

When I was down there last Christmas -- just two weeks ago -- he told me that he ignored the changes he solicited from everyone, including me. Since he's having the manuscript self published, he doesn't have to listen to anyone. But I was annoyed. Why ask me … and his friend and his writers' group … for input if he was just going to ignore it?

It's really annoyed me. Like a pebble in my shoe.

Then it occurred to me: he doesn't want input, he wants praise. And isn't that just human nature?

And this book is never going to happen. It costs thousands of dollars to get a vanity project off the ground and he doesn't have it.

Plus, he loves me. I should be sweeter to him, and less judgmental.

So I'll just read the damn thing, shoot him some comments just detailed enough so that he'll know I'm familiar with the content, and let it go.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: That's My Kind of Night

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

1) In this song, our hero offers to take his girl down to the river to catch a catfish dinner. What is your favorite seafood? I prefer shellfish -- lobster, crab, shrimp.

2) Luke Bryan went to Georgia State University, home of the Panthers. What was

your school mascot? This reminds me that our grade school team was also the Panthers ... the mighty-mighty Panthers … everywhere we go … people wanna know … who we are … so we tell 'em …

3) Have you ever tried acupuncture? Nope

4) Just last night, Crazy Sam threw away a jar of Miracle Whip because it expired in September 2013. Is your refrigerator neat and organized? Or is it a disaster area, like Sam's? There's some salad dressing and booze way in the back that I have no recollection of purchasing. I suppose I should reach back and dispose of them one of these days.

5) Which is more important to you -- saving time or saving money? Money.

6) Sam's next door neighbor is named Jim. He's retired, smokes a pipe and drives a red Corolla. Tell us about one of your neighbors. Walt is my neighbor at the end of the hall. He must be in his 80s now. I suspect he's lonely and I'd reach out to him more if he wasn't so annoying. He derives great entertainment from keeping tabs on me. Also, he watches Fox News incessantly and handwrites letters to Sean Hannity. I know because for some reason he leaves his early drafts in the laundry room. I have no idea why he does this -- to find out would require a conversation and I promise you, no good would come of that. On the plus side (and it's an important plus), Walt often gives to charity and gets a lot of free calendars in return, which he leaves in the hall for anyone who wants them. For someone on a fixed income to support so many good causes ... well, I think that inspiring.
 
7) What's the most recent magazine you flipped through? The new PEOPLE. With Kate Gosselin and the twins on the cover. I wish it was something higher tone, but there you go.

8)  Could your vehicle use a trip to the car wash right now? No vehicle.

9) Did you hit the snooze button this morning? Yes.
 

 

The impact of life in Chi-beria

"Chi-beria" is what people are calling home during this past week's historic cold snap. I hear the technical term for the snow followed by the cold is "polar vortex." I continue to think of it as, "not so bad."

 The cold brought about two unexpected results ...

•  My Sporto boots -- which retailed for less than $50 more than five years ago -- have begun to crack over the toes. The fake leather just couldn't take the extreme cold. I'm looking for another pair. I think they were a terrific bargain.

•  My health club suffered a water main break yesterday. Day after day of running all that hot water through frozen pipes finally took its toll. I was halfway over there to workout when I got word. I compensated by having a salad for lunch and felt quite virtuous.

It'll be in the 30's today. Life is back to normal.

Here's what I learned this week

A Thali is a necklace, given from groom to bride in Indian marriage ceremonies, and worn like a wedding ring.

One of my coworkers, an amazingly adorable girl, got married last month in India and she showed me hers. She wears it on a cord with three knots -- one symbolizing her respect for the marriage, another for her parents, and one her allegiance to God. The Thali design is unique, like a coat of arms. If she has a son, my coworker and her husband will reproduce the pendant for her son to give his bride some day. (The pendant shown here is merely representative, not hers specifically.)

Because she and her husband live in Chicagoland, they both also wear rings. Hers is a tiny diamond chip, his is a simple band. At first he was resistant because he's not comfortable with jewelry, not even a watch. But she said she doesn't want other women looking at him like he's available. I think it's charming that she thinks he's so hot.

It's also important to note that of all of us, she complains the least of this week's record-setting cold. Growing up in a hot climate, she things -15º is exotic and exciting.

I have enjoyed talking wedding with her. This is one of things that makes us lucky to be Americans -- all different cultures in this together, and the opportunity to learn about the rest of the world, all at the same time!

Something to consider on these cold, cold days

Often when schools close, parents have to stay home, too, because they don't have a daycare alternative. Many of these parents don't have the option of working from home, and don't get paid for the time away. This can cause considerable hardship for their households.

That's why you should consider throwing an extra can or two into your grocery basket for your local food pantry. After the holidays, contributions tend to dry up because charitable giving just isn't top of mind anymore. But now is when the need may be greater. (If you don't know where the pantry is in your neighborhood, here's a food bank locator.)

I'm happy to report that, in my neighborhood, the local visitor's center is now accepting donations. It's open seven days a week, so it's easier than going directly to the food pantry. It's also more comfortable. The food pantry only has volunteers available to accept non-perishables during the same hours that it gives out the food, and it can feel a little awkward -- pushing past those waiting for their distribution to make a donation.

A Joyous Day in Wrigleyville

I love Greg Maddux. He is my all-time favorite Cub.Yes, even more than Ernie Banks or Ryne Sandberg. I was there that historic rainy night in Wrigley Field when he got his 3000th strikeout.

And today, he earned the right to write HOF after his autograph. I'm massively proud of him.

I am not unaware that The Professor enjoyed his greatest success with the Braves, and that in Atlanta this is viewed as a big day because both Maddux and Glavine were elected on the first ballot.

Whatever. He began his career in Cubbie blue.

My favorite Cub is going to Cooperstown.

Who's a good boy?

Reynaldo! He let me sleep through the night for first time in 2014. No eating my hair or digging at my face, buried in the pillow. No standing on the dresser, yowling and knocking everything over. He was just settled in at the foot of the bed until the alarm clock went off. And then he began eating my hair. But I figure he felt he was on a special mission on behalf of my boss.

WWW.WEDNESDAY

To play along, just answer the following three questions ...

• What are you currently reading? The Last Word, the latest document in the Spellman "case files" by Lisa Lutz. I'm enjoying it, because time spent with our funny and forever badly behaved protagonist/narrator Izzy is always well spent. But I feel like a little of the gas is running out of this series. Brother David, his wife Maggie and their daughter Sydney are not charming me the way the I suspect Ms. Lutz intends. If it wasn't for the fact that this is, nominally, a mystery and I'm afraid I'll miss a clue, I'd blow past those passages. And so far there's very little of kid sister Rae, and she's always been my favorite character. If you're looking for an engaging, amusing mystery series, by all means reach for the Spellmans. But start with one of the earlier books in the series.

• What did you recently finish reading? Nothing new. I have been flipping through and rereading sections of biographies and non-fiction I've read in the past. But, since I didn't settle in and really read any of these, start to finish, I don't think they count.

• What do you think you’ll read next? I don't know. Since today is Elvis' birthday, I'm thinking good ol' rock'n'roll and may reach for Bruce, a bio of the Boss by Peter Ames Carlin.

To see how others responded, click here.

Yum

Getty images, via USA Today

I just saw coverage of Jay Carney's first news briefing of 2014. I think he was talking about Hamid Karzai, but I'm not sure. I got distracted by his adorable new beard.

Thank you, USA Today, for being on top of this story.

Teaser Tuesday

Here's how to play this meme.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

From The Last Word by Lisa Lutz, page 104.

She looks as she always does, as if someone just murdered her cat and she was contemplating modes of revenge. Sure, she's my grandma, but I'll go to the mat against anyone who thought they had a worse grandmother. Unless your grandmother was a serial killer. Then you win. 

Hello, Gorgeous

Isn't this lovely? It's the view from the back windowpane, out onto the alley. Believe me, it's normally not a pretty view. But look how lovely it is when the windows are covered in ice. I want to remember this day when it's 90º and hot and humid and everything is scorched and brown.

I don't recall this ever happening before

Today was called because of cold. I phoned the main switchboard and heard that the office would be closed today because of the extreme weather. Because it snowed so much last night, the trains are all messed up. Very grateful I don't have to go out in this.

As I write this, I've got Rey on my lap (making keystrokes difficult) and Joey beside me and Charlotte behind me. My heart aches for the strays who aren't as warm, dry and uncomfortable as these three felines.

Sunday Stealing

The Generic Meme

1. What did you want to be when you were little? Either a wonderful singer or a teacher. (That's how I thought of it: "I want to be a wonderful singer.")

2. Would you prefer to have a large group of friends, or a small group of friends? Why? I like having a diverse group of friends. It's fun to mix up the age groups, ethnicities, etc.

3. What is your fashion “style”? Or what type of clothes do you wear on a daily basis? Jeans, sweater and loafers for work. Jeans, sweatshirts and tennies for weekends. So this makes my style casual, doesn't it?

4. If you could live anywhere where would you live? The Palmolive Building on Michigan Avenue.

I love this old lady. Not only are the apartments deluxe (Vince Vaughn has one), this art deco gem has an impressive history. That light on the top is The Lindbergh Beacon. It rotates 360º and, in the 1930s, it was vital to pilots flying into Chicago. Of course, now with aviation being so much more sophisticated, the beacon is not the essential it once was. But wouldn't it be cool to literally see your home from the sky as you were returning from a trip? Oh yeah, and there's a doorman at the front desk who can sign for my packages and make sure I always have a cab waiting for me. How I'd love that!

5. What is your biggest hope for the next year? To feel healthier and livelier.


6. When you pass by reflective surfaces do you check yourself out? Yes

7. Favorite genre of movie as well as TV show? On TV, I like "procedurals," like Law & Order and NCIS. I like movies that make me think, and that can be of any genre.

8. Top favorite books? (limit of 5) JFK: Reckless Youth by Nigel Hamilton, Saving Graces by Elizabeth Edwards, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Heartburn by Nora Ephron, Historic Conversations with Jacqueline Kennedy.


9. Have you ever taken a cooking class? No.

10. What three words would you use to describe yourself? Loyal. Smart. Funny.

11. Favorite animal? Cats

12. What is your dream job? I wish I could afford to be a catsitter or dogwalker. I have a way with critters.

13. If you could go back in history to any moment that you did not live, what would it be and why? The 1850s in Illinois. I have visited the Lincoln sites downstate so many times and I wonder what kind of life I'd have. Would I be a spinster schoolmarm? The second wife to a widower with many children? Would I handwrite long letters and read by gaslight? Would I love looking through my stereoscope (the precursor to my beloved Viewmaster)? I'd have to be a northern woman, though. NO fucking way would I live through southern heat and humidity in all those clothes! And then there's the scourge of slavery.

14. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why? I'd like to do housework the way Samantha did on Bewitched.

15. What is your favorite movie? The Way We Were


16. What is your best childhood memory? Well, because the holidays are so top of mind, I'll have to go with Blaze. The Christmas I was four years old, I asked Santa for only one thing -- a Mattel rocking horse named Blaze. I wished and hoped and was very good, and there he was, under the tree! Thanks, Santa!

17. What is your favorite part about blogging? Creating an accurate snapshot of my life at any given moment. Memories can be tricky. It's good to get it down as it happens.

18. What is your favorite quote? Edward Gorey: "Books. Cats. Life is good."

19. What song do you feel like describes your life the best? Why? "You Don't Know Me" by Jann Arden (among many, many others)


20. Would you describe yourself as shy or outgoing? Yes. In public, I can be very blabby. I can also very comfortably go days without speaking to a soul.

Trying not to worry too much

Yesterday was the last day of Buy a Friend a Book Week (thanks for reminding me, Kwizgiver) and I quickly sent off a book to my 13-year-old nephew. A young fan who takes his Beatles seriously, I thought he'd be fascinated by the Paul-Is-Dead conspiracy so I ordered him  The Walrus was Paul. Even with shipping, it came to $4, and I know it will make him happy. Easy! Inexpensive!

His sister, on the other hand, is another matter. Her boyfriend, with whom she's living, lost his job with the railroad last August. While he loves trains, he didn't really like the job very much. Since then he's been an unpaid apprentice in a bike shop, hoping it will turn into "something." He's receiving unemployment, but my niece is doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to supporting the household. With her parttime, minimum wage job at Culver's and some rebate from her grant.

My niece is 21. He's 31. It would be easy to assume he's taking advantage of her.

But she's happy. He is certain "something" will come up before February 28, when his unemployment benefits expire* and their financial situation becomes dire.

I would like to help them except ...

1) She hasn't asked me -and-
2) There is much about this situation that makes me uncomfortable -and-
3) I really can't afford it -and-
4) I'm still upset with my niece that she seems to hold me responsible for the ugliness with my older sister, who we all agree has behaved abominably regarding our mother's estate. Once again, within my family, anyone is allowed to treat me any way they wish and there is no downside. If I don't just go along to get along, if I don't simply accept abuse, somehow I'm the problem. This was a family tradition I had hoped would end when my mom died, but clearly it hasn't.

OK, I really don't want to help her.

But still, I worry. I wish the solution to this situation was easy as a $4 used book.

*Unless Congress extends benefits.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Believe

1) In 1998, Cher became the oldest woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with "Believe." She was 52 at the time. At what age do you think you did hit/will hit your prime? Looking back, I liked my mid-late 30s. I was still in very good shape, I was seeing some very nice men and my career was finally taking off.

2) Cher is as well known for her outrageous outfits as for her singing. What's the latest piece of clothing you added to your wardrobe? A wine-colored sweater with a deep v-neck from Kohl's. I was originally attracted by the price, which was $7.99. When I got home and peeled away one yellow sales sticker and after another, I saw that it had originally been $98. It wasn't worth $100, but it's a bargain at less than 10% of that.

3) Cher credits her unique looks to her diverse ethnicity. Her father was Armenian and her mom is English/German/Cherokee. From where did your ancestors come? I'm German and Irish, which accounts for both my pale skin and my stubborn streak.

4) When she was a little girl, Cher produced and starred in a schoolyard production of Oklahoma. Were you involved in drama or theater in school? Nope.

5) Cher is open about her plastic surgery, speaking freely about having had her breasts 'done', her nose bobbed and her teeth straightened. If you could change one physical feature about yourself, which would it be? And what would you never change, under any circumstances? I'm not crazy about all my chins, so if there was a safe and inexpensive way to fix those, I'd consider it. (Wait, is that Debby Boone I hear? What IS a "Lifestyle Lift" anyway? Is there a scalpel involved?) I have pretty green eyes and a nice nose.

6) There's a stubborn rumor, often denied, that Cher had a rib removed so that she could maintain her long and lean silhouette. What's the most outrageous thing anyone has said of you? Somehow by changing jobs I went from being a slut who slept with every male coworker to a lesbian. I wish I was having as much sex as Rumor Mill Gal gets.

7) When she was a kid, Cher practiced her autograph. Do you have a clear, legible signature? Or is it more of a scrawl? My handwriting is the prettiest thing about me.

8) Cher asks, "Do you believe in life after love?" Crazy Sam's question is easier and less profound: Do you believe in luck? Yes.

9) Did you make any resolutions for 2014? Eat less. Move more.

Is 2014 the Year of the Happy Friend?

My oldest friend moved to California three (or is it now four?) years ago and has had nothing but bad luck. Fired from three jobs. Her oldest son was robbed at gunpoint and then, in a completely unrelated incident, had to spend the night in jail. Her daughter has had emotional problems and quit going to school, which brought the law to her front door yet again. She broke her elbow and has required multiple surgeries and much physical therapy.


Oh yeah, and before leaving for Los Angeles, she abandoned her suburban Chicagoland home, resulting in a major blow to her credit rating.

The much-adored cousin she moved 2000 miles to be near has been no support whatsoever. This has left her feeling worse than vulnerable. She's disillusioned and abandoned, too.

Until Now! I hate to jinx it, but I think I feel comfortable saying her life is finally turning around.

•  A good job. Her fifth since she's been out there. (The Los Angeles economy has to be much, much better than Chicago's!) And so far, they seem very happy with her. Yea!

•  $14,000. The place where she was employed when she fell and broke her elbow finally ponied up with a settlement that will pay off her medical bills and maybe leave enough for a down payment on a much-needed new car.

•  A nice boyfriend. Regular readers will remember "Archie Bunker," the former sportscaster that my friend dated briefly and was so smitten with. He was angry and insensitive and an all-around ass. Through the website Christian Mingle she met a lovely man, not as "glamorous" as Archie, but very good to her.

•  Her kids. They're still all drama/all the time. But her son (now 23) may be finally be preparing to leave her nest. The first step is paying to get his car fixed and drivable. Then he hopes -- sometime in 2014 -- to move out and share an apartment with a friend. He has anger issues and the sooner he's out of there, the better.

She is a funny, warm person and deserves to be happy. I hope 2014 continues to bring her victories, large and small.

3 days

That's how long it's been snowing off and on. I don't know how much has fallen, but it's a lot. Yet it's not an epic storm, like 2011's SNOtoriousBIG. No schools have closed, no drivers have been stranded on Lake Shore Drive. Just lots and lots of the white stuff. Enough snow and cold to make me grateful for the city's network of pedways and my own stocked larder.*

In short, it's winter in Chicagoland.

At least it's gotten people off of Obamacare and that ignorant douchebag from Duck Dynasty. Sometimes I think Mother Nature just does stuff to make us recalibrate when we get too far away from what really matters.

*So I don't need to venture out into the elements for the essentials (Coke, cat litter and Bailey's Irish Cream).

Saving Mr. Banks

How I loved this movie! The story of how P. L. Travers' book made it to the screen was tailor-made for me.

I've mentioned several times that Mary Poppins is the first film I ever saw on the big screen and it ignited my lifelong love affair with going to the movies. I remember the big, heavy red curtains opening to reveal the rooftops of London. And that was when the magic started. Mary Poppins slid up banisters, went to tea parties on the ceiling, jumped into a chalk painting, and descended from the skies holding an umbrella with a talking parrot handle.

We saw it as a family downtown, which was a huge ass big deal at the time. The Loop was only a half hour away from our suburban home, but my father was allergic to making the drive. The city offered too much traffic, too much diversity. And yet I wanted so badly to see it. The commercials and promotions during Wonderful World of Disney had enchanted me. I was one obsessed little girl, and so my parents went out of their way to make the movie happen and give me such an important memory. (Of course, my dad -- being my dad -- had to make it toxic. It had started to rain and he was upset that there was no parking available in front of the theater. I had caught sight of the marquee and had begun bouncing around in excitement. For once my enthusiasm trumped his negativity.)

So the slow, inevitable reveal that P. L. Travers felt Mary Poppins, the magic nanny, arrived at the Banks home not to rescue the children but instead their father had real resonance with me. I wish my father had enjoyed his family more, had enjoyed his life more. I admit I cried more than once during the conversations about the "Let's Go Fly a Kite" number.

Then there's the character of Mrs. Travers herself. She reminds me so much of the cousin I visited last month in Tampa! So little interested her, so little made her happy."I couldn't care less" was the phrase she snapped out over and over and over again.

I don't want to end up like my dad or my cousin. I want to hang onto to my warmth and humor and humanity.

Maybe I need to fly a kite.

Starting anew by looking back

Let's look back on Christmas 2013.

The opening salvo was a celebration at Miller's Pub. Under the el tracks, this Chicago institution has been run by the same family since the 1930s. It's all dark wood and signed photos of celebrities. I don't remember what I ordered, but I had a side of mashed potatoes which was really good. Anyway, it was Mindy and her husband and me and John. I've known Mindy and John for (gulp!) 32 years, and they knew one another before I came on the scene. I see John often and talk to Mindy regularly, but John and Mindy are seldom in contact, so I was the hub. Mindy and Alan gave me this lovely "gratitude bracelet." It has four beads, and whenever I put the bracelet on I should assign something I'm grateful for to each of the beads. I think it was my favorite present this year. I felt bad that I got annoyed by what a snob Alan can be. I mean, here are people who are happy to see me, and brought me a really nice and thoughtful gift, and I'm biting my tongue. I must stop being so judgmental. I've really got to work on that in 2014.

Then on Monday, it was off to Key West. Flight down -- through Tampa -- was very uneventful, 

which left me grateful and relieved. The hotel was wonderful! In addition to a nice, clean little pool, I had my own patio with a view of the sweetest little coy pond. They also had a happy hour every night, with free hors d'oeuvres. The Swedish meatballs were a mistake. I spent the Christmas Eve service worried about ... intestinal distress. Still, it was a lovely Christmas Eve. I was worried that no hope for a White Christmas would make me sad. But no. I was good with starting the day with a dip in the pool and ending it dangling my sandals at the bar. As long as I can gaze upon a Nativity scene and sing carols, I've got my Christmas.

Christmas Day we went to the beach so my pedi could dip into the Atlantic Ocean. Then we exchanged gifts -- I got a trio of Key West t-shirts, one I'm wearing now as a nightie. Then we ate outdoors, which is certainly a Christmas Day first for me, and watched the boats at the marina. The dinner was so big I left with a doggie bag. Fortunately my hotel room had a microwave, so I finished my Christmas dinner for lunch the next day on my little patio table, looking at the coy pond.

I was on my own on the 26th, since both my friends had to work. I went to the Truman White House. It was only my second time there and my first this century. How I love my Presidential history! I loved being in the house where JFK met with Prime Minister MacMillan and seeing the desk where Truman signed the order to desegregate the military. The Carters and Clintons have also stayed here, post-Presidency. I also enjoyed wandering around the surrounding neighborhood, aka the Truman Annex. I must remember to return there next year. I really, really enjoyed it.

Then I came home. (This time through Ft. Myers, also a very easy trip.) I arrived Monday night and left Friday afternoon and that was just long enough. One of my friends was really getting on my nerves. Shame on me, I know, because he was so welcoming and loving. For more than a year he's been working on a novel. It's not to my taste,  but his heart is in it and so I've been reading it and helping him with the editing. As have two other women and his writer's workshop. It was monumentally annoying to me to hear how he ignored most of my suggestions. And not just mine -- he's blown off just about everyone he's asked for advice. First of all, why solicit advice if you're not going to listen? And secondly, he's never been published. What makes him so sure his work cannot be improved upon? But, it's like my reaction to Mindy's husband the previous Sunday. I let comparatively small things burrow too deep under my skin. It serves no good purpose except to make me unhappy. Stop judging, Gal! STOP! Give people a break!

Monday I celebrated Christmas with my niece and nephew. It was fine. They liked their gifts from me and their presents to me -- an umbrella from her and a pedicure set from him (his first-ever trip to the cosmetics aisle!) -- were appropriate and thoughtful. My niece's boyfriend was getting on my nerves. He kept whining about the time change (just an hour; I mean, really!) and referring to his iPad for local news from Michigan instead of participating in our conversation. I was very proud of my gift to him -- a framed antique postcard from the hometown he loves so -- but he rather blew it off. So in all, I was happy to get out of there. And again, shame on me! He's her boyfriend, after all. She loves and he's very good to my nephew. Why am I always such a bitch?

Well, that's most of my update. Gonna take a break now and work out my resistance cords. It's a new year, after all, and it's time to take my annual stab at being healthier!