Going to bed with Redford

Oh! I love a man in uniform!

The cable channel Decades has been showing The Way We Were, off and on all day as a tribute to Redford on his (gulp!) 79th birthday. And so I will use my bedroom TV as a nightlight and watch TWWW yet again as I fall asleep.

This is the quintessential Redford/Sydney Pollack collaboration. He's the remote, WASP love object that he also played in his other films with Sydney -- This Property Is Condemned and Three Days of the Condor and Out of Africa -- and he's at his most gorgeous here. It's not my favorite Redford performance, but it is my favorite Redford movie.

And that's because, along with his yumminess, it's got Babs at her best. Noisy, dedicated, uncompromising, right (in her politics and commitment, if not her "style"). Streisand is a force of nature in The Way We Were.

But it's not her birthday, it's his. And so here's to ya, Redford. Happy birthday and thanks for all the dreams and fantasies.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 18

Today's Happy Cone goes to Leon. He's my new best friend. Actually, he's my new phone, my first smartphone.

I got this LG Leon because I had to. I switched from Sprint* to T-Mobile and needed a phone with a SIM card, so I couldn't use my erstwhile LG Rumor Reflex, which had a groovy slide QWERTY keyboard that I'll miss. But Leon gives me access to email, which I was paying for but not getting (long, techy and not interesting story), so it was time for Sprint and me to part company.

I had asked around to see which providers made switching easy, and discovered that no one changes providers because it's a bitch. I wish I had a happier story to share. The T-Mobile sales rep I dealt with at the store was very nice, but he made a one-letter error when keystroking my name into the computer so it took four phone calls and two store visits between Sunday afternoon to Tuesday evening to get my service successfully switched. (And maybe it's not ... haven't received the first bill, yet.)

But the phone is a fun toy and it made me happy to see how this blog looks on a little smartphone screen. Here's hoping I don't become one of those people who is always and forever looking down at her phone.

 *Credo, actually. They're a wonderful company that does a lot of good work, supporting progressive causes. They just didn't have an affordable plan that gave me the services I wanted.


What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 17

Today's Happy Cone goes to luck. Intellectually, I don't believe in luck. But sometimes shit happens that reinforces my less mature, more pagan instincts. Like Monday and Tuesday, when I happened to pass safely through my front door just as big summer storms hit. And the way the oppressive heat wave and storms are predicted to be out of town just in time for my trip to Wrigley Field tomorrow night. If it's not luck, if it's not a cosmic, karmic reward from Mother Nature, what else could it be?

(Don't tell me. I just want to enjoy the delight/relief that comes from feeling lucky.)

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

Sharp Dressed Men

So I saw the new Man from U.N.C.L.E. movie today. I enjoyed it when it was going on. After all, it stars two very handsome men engaging in derring-do while wearing beautifully tailored clothes (Napoleon/Henry's wardrobe is especially impressive).*

I also remember little or anything about it.

I grew up on the TV show and am watching a Me-TV rerun as I post this. It was better. It simply was. There was greater chemistry between the agents and it relied less on violence and more on cheeky charm.

The movie does have exceptional production values and a few plot twists I didn't see coming. But it doesn't have these two. The movie Illya is a damaged soul with a scary temper. David McCallum's Illya is a geek who, while capable of great athleticism, would rather use his head than his hands. While both the movie and TV Napoleons share their love of a good woman and a fine suit, Robert Vaughn's is more optimistic about his ability to get out of whatever dilemma he may be facing at the moment, and the fate of the world at large.

So save your money and watch the reruns.

*The women's wardrobe is distracting, though. The movie is unwisely set in mid-1963, as established by the speech JFK is shown delivering. The women are all shown wearing Carnaby Street/Twiggy style threads, which didn't come into vogue until 1967. (If there's an era I know cold it's the 60s.) Which isn't to say I didn't love seeing all those big beautiful sunglasses and swinging, dangling earrings. They just weren't appropriate.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 16

Today's Happy Cone goes to creamed spinach. Because I really like creamed spinach. Yes, I realize it's high in saturated fat. But it's also rich in calcium, fiber and Vitamin C. And it's yummy. I'm trying to eat better, and while salad often feels like punishment, creamed spinach is always a reward.

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

Now #1 in my heart

I want Joe Biden to run for President ... again.

In 1988, when he ran, he was my second choice. In 2008, he was my second choice. But today, he is my first choice. Wouldn't be ironic if now is when he didn't run?

When he talks, I hear him. When Hillary talks, I shut off. Where he sounds sincere, she sounds programmed.

He's proven himself, more than once during the Obama Administration, to be the compromiser who understands how things get done in Congress. And we need to see things done.

He understands the mess in the Middle East (he was so right about Iraq). He appreciates the need to improve our national infrastructure (in ways Obama hasn't demonstrated he does).

Obama himself has said that choosing Joe as his Veep was the smartest move he's ever made in public life. I take that as a tacit endorsement, one that any Dem not named Clinton will need to earn cred with voters of color. While I don't think African American and Hispanic voters will vote in large numbers for the Republican candidate, I also don't think they will ever come out for Bernie Sanders.

I can see Joe Biden saying he's running for a single term, and meaning it. I hope he will do it.

Run, Joe, run!

Sunday Stealing

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Sunday Stealing: I Want You to Be Free from Me
 

Are your nails painted a dark or light color? You be the judge.

Have you ever order pizza online?  Once. It's easier to just call.

What color was the last candle you lit? I don't recall.

 Is there something written on your shirt right now?  "Brookfield Zoo"

Is there a bookshelf in your room?  There are four bookshelves in the den, but none in this room.

Do you own a treadmill?  I own a stepper similar to this one. It's covered in dust. I'm such a lazy slug.

Have you ever signed up for a gym membership? Yes. I used it this week, too!

Is there a garbage can in your room? What color is it? I have a garbage can in the kitchen and wastebaskets in the bathroom and master bedroom. They're all white plastic.

Have you ever read in the bathtub?  No

Have you ever had to wear a hairnet?  Once, for a costume party. I wore a loudly printed housecoat, fuzzy slippers and a wig with curlers, topped by a hairnet.

Do you know how many pages the last book you read had?  296. (I just looked.)

What day of the week does the laundry usually get done?  Sunday

Do you use the Facebook chat often?  Never

Do you have any baby pictures of yourself on your computer?  I have photos where I was a toddler, but not a baby.

Do you eat onion rings?  Nope

What flavor of tea did you last have? Pomegranate. It was fragrant and yummy.

 Do you own a bathrobe?  A comfy but too-well-worn green terry affair.

Did you/will you have coffee or some other form of caffeine today?  Yes! Today and every day.

Do you have a mailbox or do you collect your mail from the post office?  I have a mailbox, which, come to think of it, I have not checked today.

What was the last animal you saw, and was it a pet?  I have a skinny beige cat named Reynaldo by my side as I answer these questions.

What was the last documentary you watched focusing on? I'm going to watch the new one on Chris Farley.

 Is there anything you need to remember to do before the day ends? Eat dinner. I think there's some chicken in the frig.

 Is your car messy, or do you like to keep it clean?  No car

Are you the type to wake up before the sun has even risen? Yes

 Do you get uncomfortable when people stare at you? Yes

 Have you ever been admitted to the hospital for a long period of time? Once I was hospitalized from Friday to Monday when I had surgery. Does that count as a long time?

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 15

Today there's a tie for the Happy Cone. In this corner, we have Mother Nature. Today was hot and sticky. Really ugh weather. Hate it. And as I lumbered through the humidity to Trader Joe's for paper towels, milk and other various and sundry, I recalled walking down this same sidewalk in December to buy the Christmas wreath for my front door. I had only a narrow path to walk then because of the snow. My hands were thrust into my coat pockets because despite the gloves, my fingers were still feeling frosty.

I thought of my friend in California, my family and friends in Florida, and I felt sorry for them. We get the bonus of four seasons, the opportunity to experience our lives in wind and rain and snow and cold and heat. It really is a gift, isn't it? Made me happy.

And in this corner, we have Groucho Marx. The man always cracks me up, and yesterday was his day on TCM's Summer Under the Stars. As they did with Hepburn, TCM ran an episode of the old Dick Cavett Show that was devoted to Mr. Marx. I DVRd it and watched it this morning and was delighted by this. Ole!

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

It wasn't ALL a waste

I had a wasted day. I took myself to brunch at my second-favorite coffee shop, picked up a few things at Trader Joe's, came home, closed my eyes for just a minute ... and woke up four hours later, in time to watch The Game.*

I think I needed the sleep because last week was stressful at work and I don't believe my slumber has been restful. Next week promises to be just as tense, though it will be a short week. I'm taking Thursday and Friday off for two reasons: 1) I'm fried and 2) I have soooo much vacation time stored up that if I don't begin taking it a little at a time now, I'll be out for much of November and December and my boss says he doesn't want that. So somehow the agency will have to survive without me for a day and a half. They can do it. I'm good, I admit it, but I'm not essential.

I'm pleased to report that my second-favorite coffee shop is making strides. Owned by the same family since forever, a new generation has taken over and given it a much-needed face lift. Pendant ceiling lights, new upholstery in the booths, a fresh coat of paint ... it really helps. Nan, the old-but-still-hustling waitress who has been waiting on me at least since 1997, tells me she's worried many of her regulars won't like newer, healthier menu that's being debuted soon. Fewer skillets at breakfast, fewer burgers at lunch and no more veal, ever. I only go there for breakfast, and never have the skillets (too many potatoes), so I don't care.

And I discovered something about myself. After I dropped off a bag at the local food pantry, I stopped at the bank to see how the school supply drive is doing. So far this month I've donated Crayolas -- both crayons and markers -- because I remember how declasse it was to bring off-brand supplies to school. I wanted to see what else was needed because I have a CVS coupon for "office supplies," which are often the same as school supplies. The box was gone, the drive was over, and I was surprisingly sad. I was actually disappointed because I don't get to spend money on folders and pens and pencils for children I've never met, who are no relation to me whatsoever. What's that about?

I realized I feel closer to God when I'm doing for strangers. Helping coworkers, friends and family is good, of course. We should all do what we can to bring others up. But there's something purer about helping a school drive or a food pantry. We don't get thanked. We don't get to see the happy face of the final recipient. We don't even get a receipt for the IRS. Our only reward is the satisfaction of having done it, of having helped. Of doing what Christ wants me to do.

*An important game: Cubs-Sox.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Stay with Me


1) Sam Smith explains that this song is about just not wanting to wake up alone. How about you? Are you comfortable being by yourself?  Very. I find alone time rejuvenating.

2) Last year a lawsuit filed by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, who maintained that "Stay with Me" was really just "I Won't Back Down." Petty and Lynne won. Have you ever served on a jury? Just last month. It was a civil case, with a woman suing the City of Chicago because she tripped in a pothole and messed up her leg. I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed the experience, but I feel strongly that if we're called, we should serve.

3) Smith performed this on The David Letterman Show. Did you watch Dave's final episode last May? Yes. I remember being happy to see Steve Martin and Bill Murray with Dave.

4) Smith says his style was influenced by ladies with "massive voices," including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Chaka Kahn, and Whitney Houston. Of those four, which do you listen to most often? Amy. Here she is singing one of my all-time favorite songs.


5) Speaking of style, Mr. Smith is a smart dressed man who looks comfortable and dapper as he walks the red carpet in a tux. Do you enjoy getting dressed up for special occasions? Ugh. No.

6) "Occasions" is a word that makes Crazy Sam stumble because she can never remember how to spell it correctly. Are you a good speller? Good, but not great.

7) Sam Smith was born on May 19, which makes him a Taurus. When did you last check your horoscope? It's been ages.

8) Tauruses are supposed to be reliable, organized and ambitious. Do any of those three adjectives describe you? I'm reliable and I have been ambitious. I don't think I've ever been organized.

9) Random question: Look at the floor. Do you see carpet, rug, hard wood or tile? Carpet.

 

Flying the W flag

That's W for win, which is what the Cubs did vs. the White Sox today. Caught the last 4 innings after treating myself to a ice cream shake. Victory made sweeter by mint chocolate chip.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 14

Friday's Happy Cone goes to teamwork. Life at the office has been tense, to say the least. The Big Project is sucking the life out of me. Long Tall Sally's brief but chaotic tenure took its toll. Some but not all of us are being moved to even worse offices as our agency management tries to bolster our bottom line via sublet. What to do?

I sent out an email asking my coworkers to help me put together a box of stuff and things to send the troops. I was impressed and pleased by how much we collected. I bought a couple paperbacks at last week's book fair and added a travel-size shampoo from a recent hotel stay. Christine the Mole -- a most unexpected contributor -- added candy and tampons and tissues. My boss brought a dozen packs of dental floss. One of our creatives brought heavy socks and travel toothbrushes. One art director brought Twizzlers and the other gave me $10 to defer the cost of postage. Alison from the research department brought Pop Tarts and individual cereal boxes. It was enough to fill a very large box (so glad I got the $10 to for postage!) and it brought us all together for a brief time this morning.

All these little things have been specifically requested by our soldiers and will be packed into shoeboxes and sent over to Afghanistan. It makes me happy to know I've helped make them happy, and that we were able to collect these day brighteners as a team.

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 13

Thursday's Happy Cone goes to free food. Decades ago, when I was just beginning my advertising career at Sears, Roebuck and Co., we writers had an in-joke. I don't recall much about how it got started, but when things got tough we'd say to one another, "There are no free lunches at Sears."

Well today, many years and 8 jobs later, I work at place that offers free lunch quite often. There's always bread, peanut butter and jelly in the refrigerator. There's always fruit in the wire basket. And once a month there's a 4:00 party with food and beer and wine (which counts as lunch if you can wait till 4:00).

Thursday's free lunch was provided by a local hero, Mike Ditka. "Da Coach." And it was fabulous. There was salad and steamed vegetables and rotini with tomato sauce and chicken and salmon and cookies and brownies and two kinds of beer. Ditka himself brought it over and very graciously posed for photos for about an hour.

His restaurant was doing a promotion with Chicago-based Groupon and they wanted to film Da Coach interacting with the fans. Our agency wanted to do something enhance morale and since this evening was the first Bears pre-season game, this free lunch seemed like a mutually beneficial situation.

I'm not really a Bear fan (and to be honest, I've always suspected Mike Ditka to be hygienically challenged), so I didn't want to take a true football fan's place in the photo line. But the the food was pretty good (except the chicken was a little veiny) and very free. And it was so nice to be surrounded by excited and happy coworkers wearing their Bears t-shirts and jerseys in anticipation of their audience with Da Coach.

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

It does a body good

My 11:00 meeting ran long, of course. (Meetings with Christine the Mole always do.) I didn't have time to do my full workout -- 10 minutes of floor exercise or machines and 20 minutes on the bike. Normally I would then blow off exercise and go to lunch.

For some reason, though, yesterday I went over to the health club anyway and just did the 20 minutes on the bike. Though I kept my heart rate over 100 the whole time, I didn't work up a major sweat and was able to just give myself a little sponge bath before getting dressed and returning to the office in time for my next meeting. Because I didn't exert myself, I wasn't sure the workout had been worth it.

It was! I felt so much better all afternoon. I've got to remember that doing something is better than doing nothing when it comes to exercise.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 12

Not even close. I worked a little late, stopped at CVS on the way home, and consequently missed the first few innings of the Cubs-Brewers game. But I managed to catch this.

And, oh, what a catch to catch!

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 11

Tuesday's Happy Cone goes to my movie group. Last night we saw To Catch a Thief, a Hitchcock movie starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. You'd think with that pedigree it would be one of my new favorites, but I really didn't care for it much. (Not that much suspense, not that much at stake for the main characters.)

So why the Happy Cone? Because of our Meetup group. It's so cool to get my geek on among other geeks. All the comments before and after the movie were smart and informed. Will, our moderator, goes out of his way to include everyone, which enhances the vibe. 

I discovered this group by accident (I was researching Meetups in the LA area for my oldest friend, who is having a hard time making friends in her adopted hometown). But I find myself looking forward to it every month. I'm happy it's a part of my life.

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 10

The entire day of Monday gets the Happy Cone, because chocolate custard is nice and smooth and so was August 10.

No drama at work, just productivity. I got in a decent workout, which felt good. (I believe physical activity is missing from day-to-day.) I brown bagged my lunch. I cooked myself an economical yet nutritious dinner. There was no Cub game, but I found a PBS American Experience documentary on JFK, which kept my brain occupied.

All good!

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 9

Sunday wasn't an especially good day.

I didn't get anything done that I planned to (because I am a lazy slug) and what I thought would be the highlight of my Sunday wasn't. I had my last pedi of the summer, and found myself taking shit from the nail tech! She couldn't believe I wore socks and tennies. IT WAS RAINING! I am not wearing flip-flops in the rain. She kept insisting that I couldn't wear my socks. We were alone in the nail area. It's not like she needed the drying station for someone else. Why was she being all bossy pants on me? Perhaps it was simply a communication problem because English isn't her first language, but I thought, "Not a way to get tips, Irena."

So to whom or what on such a day do I give my Happiness Cone? I could give it to the Cubs, who led by Jake Arrieta swept the Giants. But even that was tainted because there as a BOMB THREAT after the game! A bomb threat within the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. It was that kind of day.

Looking back on Sunday, the thing that made me smile was watching Strangers on a Train on TCM Summer Under the Stars while live tweeting at #TCMParty. The first time I've seen this Hitchcock classic start to finish, and I got to watch it with fellow film lovers who were witty, sharp, and easily dismissable. All I had to do was log off.

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

Sunday Stealing

Crazy Random 20

Have you ever demolished a wall or building? Nope

If you and a friend both wanted the same thing would you let the friend get it first? Depends on what the thing is.

Have you ever argued over who should pay for something? Yes. If it's under $5, I get annoyed by even having the conversation.

Do you have any family heirlooms? A ceramic cable car that belonged to my favorite grandfather. It was on his dresser and he used it to hold his cufflinks, tie clasps and licorice throat lozenges. Every time I look at it, I can almost smell the licorice.

Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous? No

What's your favorite ocean? The Atlantic

Do you correct peoples mistakes? You mean, "peoples' mistakes."

Have you ever helped out an injured animal? Not injured. But I have cared for sick animals.

Do you throw bread for the ducks? No, because there aren't any ducks around here.

Do you think babies are little bundles of joy or smelly noisy things? I believe they can be both.

Do you give money to buskers? I have

Do you ever forward or reply to chain mails? I can't recall the last time I received one.

Do you often have a tune in your head you can't name? No

Has anyone ever approached you thinking you were someone else? Yes. There's a man in town here who has twice insisted I'm Kelly, the school friend of his second daughter. If he does it a third time, I'll just tell him he's right, I'm Kelly.

Have you ever starred in an amateur or professional video? No

Have you ever been in a position of authority? Yes. Since I have trouble with authority, it was an awkward experience.

If you were ruler of your own country what would you call it? Galtopia

And what title would you give yourself? She Who Must Be Obeyed

If you invented a monster what would you call it? FrankenGal

And what features would it have? She would have superhuman strength and an inexhaustible ability to open jars, scrub tubs and sinks and repair things.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 8

Joey and I visited the vet this morning. Except for arthritis and mild hypertension, Joe is in "fine shape" for a cat of his advanced years. I'm so happy and relieved!

Last November he was so sick, I really thought I was going to lose the big guy. Cats of his age are susceptible to diabetes and cancer. But he came through that illness like a champ and has been lively (by 20 year old standards) and affectionate.

I am lucky to have Joe in my life. I'm grateful for him every day, but especially today.

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Rocky Mountain High

1) In this song, Denver sings that he was "born in the summer of his 27th year," because that's when he discovered the place where he felt most at home. What do you remember about your 27th year? (If it hasn't happened yet, what do you want to happen when you're 27?) I had just started my second advertising job, was living in a tiny apartment, volunteering at the local animal shelter and building a wonderful and enduring circle of friends. The only dark cloud on the horizon was the guy I was involved with. It was an unhealthy relationship. Looking back, I can't believe I wasted my 20s on him.

2) In 2007, the Colorado General Assembly named this one of the state's two official songs. (The other is "Where the Columbines Grow.") Do you know your state song? "By thine rivers gently flowing, Illinois! Illinois! By thine prairies verdant growing, Illinois! Illinois! Comes an echo on the breeze, rustling through the leafy trees, and its gentle tones are these: Illinois! Illinois!"

3) John Denver was a dedicated environmentalist who wrote an anthem about Earth Day. Are you careful about your energy consumption? Do you recycle? I'm a good little recycler. I could be better about the lights. According to the local energy company, I used 3% less power than I did last July.

4) 1975 is also the year that Denver released a collection of holiday songs called Rocky Mountain Christmas. On this August day, what's the first carol that comes to mind? "I'll have a Blue Christmas without you ..."

5) Denver dabbled in photography in his spare time and friends say he was quite good. Tell us about your hobbies. I read a lot, watch a lot of TV/movies and since it's summer, much of my attention is focused on this place:

6) In 1975, when this song was popular, mood rings were all the rage. It was said that the ring reflected the wearer's mood. Black = anxious/stressed, orange = worried, green = normal, blue = happy, pink = as good as it gets. As you respond to this week's Saturday 9, what color would your mood ring be? Green. I'm feeling very "normal."

7) Pet Rocks were 1975's other odd cultural phenomenon. Do you have any real-life, breathing pets? Three cats: Joey (who has a vet appointment this morning), Reynaldo, and Connie

8) 1975 saw the premiere of Wheel of Fortune. Are you good at word puzzles? Yes

9) Random question: Did you sleep well last night? It was OK.

Happy to see it again

I adore Katharine Hepburn: her look, her attitude, her talent, her life. And I discovered her back when I was in high school and saw her two-part interview with Dick Cavett (on whom I had a crush).

TCM is running the show as part of its Summer Under the Stars tribute to The Great Kate. I can't wait to see it again. I hope she'll mesmerize the middle-aged Gal the way she did my teenaged self.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 7

Today's happiness: The Village Book Fair. I live in a village of book lovers, where the library has three branches, and every year, the first night of this fundraiser has people lined up around the block. This year some enterprising little kids who live across the street set up a lemonade stand.

It always offers such great values, too. This year my find was a gift for my friend Kathleen: Turning Point, Jimmy Carter's memoir of his first 1962 campaign ... signed by the author! Yes, I got a Presidentially autographed book for $1. I asked the guy at the counter more than once if he was sure it was just a buck, and he assured me it was. Kathleen has told me more than once that she really admires Carter, so I think she'll be thrilled. I looked it up on eBay and the cheapest signed copy was $29.99.

I got goodies for myself, too:

Franklin & Lucy, about FDR and Mrs. Rutherford
American Rose, about Gypsy Rose Lee and the Roaring 20s
Kill and Tell, a mystery by Linda Howard
Breakdown, a Chicago-based Warshawski mystery
Cat Crimes, an anthology series featuring felines
The Chocolate Cat Caper, a cozy-looking culinary-inspired mystery

Then I got three lightweight paperbacks -- a couple Graftons and an Agatha Christie -- for the troops.

All this for $11! (And all that $11 goes to the library.)

Another thing I enjoy about the book fair is seeing which book is so over. There's one every year -- the book my neighbors bought in big numbers and then decided, seemingly at all once, to discard.

In 2006, it was The Corrections.
In 2007, The Nanny Diaries.
In 2008, The Da Vinci Code.
In 2009, My Life by Bill Clinton.
In 2010, Scarlett, the Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone with The Wind.
In 2011, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.
In 2012, Sixkill by Robert B. Parker (a Spenser mystery)
In 2013, The Da Vinci Code all over again.
In 2014, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
In 2015, it's "The Girl" again, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
 

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 6

When I didn't expect him, there he was: BROOOOOOCE! Jon Stewart's final "moment of Zen" on his wonderful Daily Show was provided by The Boss himself. The E Streeters played "The Land of Hope and Dreams" and, of course, "Born to Run." (OK, they didn't do all of "Born to Run," but still ...)

Sometimes Bruce Springsteen feels like the cavalry. He has been known to just show up when I'm feeling worn around the edges to rescue me and remind me that, somewhere deep in my heart, I'm still just one of those tramps. If that's not worth a Happy Cone, what is?

What's that you say? What's the 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.

If you want to play along, just come back here (meaning to this blog, not this individual post) each day in August, looking for the happy chocolate cone. Every day I will try to have a post with the headline: August Happiness Challenge: Day [X]. Leave a comment and then post your own daily happiness, with August Happiness Challenge in the title to make it easy to find.