August Happiness Challenge -- Day 17

Today's happiness -- Bloggy support. Yesterday I wrote an overlong post about my oldest friend. I poured it all out because I was hurting, and words are how I process pain.

Instead of going all TLDR -- which would have been very understandable -- some women read it. And then made sensitive comments. It meant a lot to me.

So thank you, ladies. Having your "cyber ears" helped and I appreciate each one of you.

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

Look what Bud did!

Click here and tell Bud you love it

Bud dug up a golden goodie blast from his blogging past. I hope we can convince him to do it every week. Bud's got a unique voice and we could use him.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? Why are my eyes so puffy?

2. What shirt are you wearing? 

3. Do you label yourself? I'm a Boomer and an aunt and a niece and friend and a Liberal and a Christian and a loyal American and a Cub fan and a Paul girl ...

4. What does your watch look like? I have many watches. I don't wear them anymore because I don't want to ick them up with hand sanitizer. Besides, I don't really have to be anywhere by a specific time these days.


5. What were you doing at midnight last night? Snoring.

6. Last furry thing you touched? My cat Connie.

7. Favorite age you have been so far? 35. I felt womanly and sexy.

8. What is your current desktop picture? The cats.

9. If you had to choose between $1,000,000 or to be able to fly what would it be? The money. And now I've got the song going through my head. "If I had a million dollars (If I had a million dollars); I'd buy you a house (I would buy you a house) ..."


10. The last song you listened to? "Love Takes Time" by Orleans

11. What time of day were you born? On the stroke of midnight. Which doesn't legally exist because it's neither day. My mom was asked to choose between 11:59 PM on Thursday or 12:01 AM on Friday. She chose Friday.

12. Where did you live in 1987? In a teeny tiny studio apartment. Fourth floor walk up. Tub with no shower. It goes for $900/month now! (I wouldn't pay that.)

 13. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Feel frustrated because there really isn't anything you can do.

 
14. Would you move for the person you loved? Yes. I almost did twice. First to Fremont, California. Then to Philadelphia. The relationships fell apart before the altar. Had nothing to do with Fremont or Philly. (Though Fremont did strike me as a pit.)

15. Name three things that you have on you at all times? Keys, mask and ... hell, I'll just grab my purse and then I'll have everything I will ever need.

16. What’s your favorite town/city? This one. Chicago. Home of the first place Chicago Cubs (though they are struggling just now).

17. What was the last thing you paid for with cash? Yesterday I had a turkey sandwich at Potbelly's and paid cash.

18. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it? Friday I mailed a handwritten note to my Cousin Rose. We're Facebook Friends, but still exchange letters.


19. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear? I don't remember. I just bought a garnet red duster for my niece's wedding. I'm wearing it over a matching cami and black leggings I have to shorten the sleeves, but other than that, I'm happy with it.
 
20. Does anything hurt on your body right now? My skin is dry. Where's my Nivea?

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 16

Today's happiness -- My girlcat. On Day 4, I wrote a valentine to  Reynaldo. Today it's Connie's turn.

She is sweet. This afternoon, I took a nap, and when I woke up, there she was, at my feet. It was like she sensed I had the blues and needed a little support.

She doesn't beg like Rey does. She just looks at me soulfully and hopes I will do the right thing.

She's our first line of defense against flying insects, the mesh laundry bag I use to wash my linens, and any other threat she can spy.

And she chats and likes to give kisses.

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

Of course I'll forgive her

I'm in a mood. Maybe it's because my Cubs just lost their consecutive third one-run game. Or perhaps it's because I don't approve of the movies TCM scheduled for Cary Grant day on Summer Under the Stars. (What? No Penny Serenade?)

Or maybe it's because I'm still pissed at my oldest friend, and I don't know what to do about it. I love her so much and don't know where to put all these feelings.

Over 4th of July weekend, she and I had a great conversation. It was lively and funny. I felt so grounded in the world because I was so connected to her. She's been my friend since Kindergarten, and our relationship is important to me.

During that call I confessed how scared I was about the lump in my breast. At that point I had 2 1/2 weeks to go until the mammogram and was terrified. She was comforting and loving.

Then I heard nothing from her. For weeks and weeks and weeks. I called and left messages. She never picked up.

I wanted us to discuss whether I should go to my niece's bridal shower. My oldest friend knows my niece and my sister, and how complicated my relationship is with the latter. And the mammogram and lump! She knows how, after going with breast cancer with my friends Kathleen and Barb, for me it's not a question of "why me?" it's "why not me?"

Nothing.

She's unemployed. It's not like I'm keeping her from anything. I'm just not important. This hurts.

Finally, on July 28, she wrote me a chatty email about how excited she is about her new phone. Now she'll be able to tell who's been calling her!* She detailed her ongoing medical issues, filled me in about her writing, and explained that she's had problems with depression because her doctor switched her meds.

I get depression. I know it's real, I know it can be debilitating. If that had been the end of her correspondence, I wouldn't be upset.

But no, she wrote absolutely stupid shit about me. How did I feel about the Cubs season being cancelled? REALLY? The Cubs season is in full swing! She asked whether I'm worried about going back to the office. Nothing about my niece's shower, nothing about my breast. Nothing relevant or personal about me. She doesn't care.

Then she goes on Facebook and posts something chirpy to a former coworker about how delightful her life is, now that she's "retired." Really? With me, she's filled with self loathing because she was let go, can't find another job, and is unable to pay rent or make car payments. With me, she's crippled by depression and barely able to function. On Facebook she's happier than she's ever been in her life! (And too busy and popular to look at the six -- count 'em, six! -- photos of my niece's bridal shower.)

Last week, her aunt died out there in So Cal. She texted me today that auntie's ashes will be buried in here in Chicagoland when "it's safer to fly." Oh, goodie! She's going to expect to stay with me, isn't she? Maybe I don't want houseguests from a corona virus hotspot, during Covid19. Maybe I don't want houseguests at all, since my den is such a mess.

Maybe I want to feel like a part of this relationship, and not just a sweater she only reaches for when she feels chilly.

I'm so angry. I'm so hurt. I miss her so much.

She's my funny friend. My touchstone. The one I went sledding with when that teeny-tiny slope still looked like a big hill.

Of course I'll forgive her. But first I have to forgive myself for being sooooooooo fucking angry and hurt.

And, really, TCM. You couldn't give me Father Goose on Cary Grant day? Cary himself said it was his favorite performance!

*This smacks of plausible deniability. She wants me to excuse her not picking up.

Sunday Stealing

15 from Friday 5

1. What makes it easy to talk to someone? It helps if the person is open and engaged. My coworker Kara always says, "I hear 'ya!" That makes her my favorite.

 2. Have you ever had a great conversation with a complete stranger? More than a decade ago, I had the best seatmate on a flight to (I think) Atlanta. She worked for Cook County, specializing in elder abuse and was often appointed by the court to represent those who cannot handle their own affairs. At the time, my favorite uncle was deteriorating rapidly and, I was sure, being fleeced by his caregivers. There was little I could do about it, since both my uncle and my mother were convinced the caregivers were kind and wonderful. I unburdened myself about the situation and she listened patiently. She told me that what my family was going through was sadly common, that judges know it when they see it, and once a guardian/administrator is appointed, things would get better. I took comfort in that, and it turns out she was right. The following winter, a guardian was indeed appointed and, it turned out, told the court my uncle was being "exploited" and that his caregivers had helped themselves to his checking and savings accounts. If it hadn't been for that guardian, my uncle would likely have lost his house, too.

 3. Do you like to argue? No. I like it when everyone agrees with me.

  4. Some people like to talk about things, and some people like to do things. Which are you? And some people like to fart around on the internet while watching movies. I'm one of those people.

  5. Who is easier to talk to – men or women? Friends: women. Strangers: men. In striking up small talk, I find it easy to talk sports.

  6. What is your favorite place? 

  7. What is your favorite place in your home? I really do enjoy my morning shower, singing with the shower radio.

  8. Would you most want to live in a city, a suburb or the country? I want to live as close to the city as possible.

  9. What is special about the town you live in? This sign is on lawns all over town, and it sums it up.

10. How much time do you spend in nature? I'm no nature girl. However, I live with cats and with their independent feline spirits, they bring nature indoors.

  11. Do you make up a dinner plan for the coming week? Kinda. In as much as frozen meats have to be defrosted in advance. This week, I'm having beef.

  12. Do you make up a grocery shopping list and stick to it when shopping? I make a list. I don't always refer to it in the store, but I find the act of writing it down helps me remember.

  13. What is one thing that you always buy, but never write down on a list? Gerber baby food. My cat Connie's meds melt so well into the turkey.

  14. Is there anything that you always think you are out of and come home with it to discover you already have a year’s supply on hand? For a while, I was buying barbecue sauce all the time. I've stopped. Now I will run out.

  15. Do you get your groceries delivered? I did. I don't anymore, because stores are so often out of what I'm looking for and I have to punt. My nephew has been working for Instacart this summer, and he reports that people who have their groceries delivered are good tippers.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 15

Today's happiness -- Getting my geek on. I found a PBS documentary about JFK that somehow escaped me. Produced in 2017 for the President's centennial. It began with footage and a story I'd never heard before: when he was 19, he and brother Joe spent the spring on a ranch in Arizona. Here's young Jack mending fences and herding cattle and, literally, building a small, one-room office building. He jokingly called the structure, The House that Jack Built, and from there the special took its name.

The documentary spent more time than I would have liked on the assassination, but on the other hand it included more visuals I'd never seen before. I love new-to-me photos. I love having alone time to indulge my geeky side.

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

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Who Are You? (1977)

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

1) This song, originally recorded by The Who, was the theme of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which ran from 2000 to 2015. Did you watch it? Were you a fan? Never saw it.

2) When the show premiered, Gil Grissom (William Petersen) was the CSI team's supervisor. Gil's mother was deaf, and so he was fluent in American Sign Language. Can you communicate using ASL?  Back in grammar school, I learned the ASL alphabet to earn a badge for Girl Scouts. I can still do it. Now that I'm an old broad, it amazes me how memory works. I mean, I can spell out the word "jump" in ASL after all these years, but I have to check and re-check what time today's Cub game comes on.

3) His assistant is blood-splatter analyst Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger). Catherine's family moved often, which made it hard for her to get traction in her studies. She finally just dropped out of high school. She later got her GED, and even graduated from college. Have you ever considered going back to school? Yes and no. As a member of both the Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy Presidential Libraries, I've discovered a ton of digital learning events. (There are blessings to be found during these strange days if you'll just look for them.) The Presidential libraries have introduced me to Road Scholars, an educational travel group designed for older adults. So after I retire, I'd like to physically revisit my favorite Presidential libraries and travel as a Road Scholar. It would be a commitment to learning, but not in a university setting.

 
4) Though set in Las Vegas, most of CSI was filmed in Santa Clarita, CA. Santa Clarita is also home to Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park. Do you enjoy roller coasters? Love them!

5) The vocalist on the CSI theme, Roger Daltry of the Who, made a cameo appearance on the show during season 7. Do you have a favorite Who song? It's a tie between "Pinball Wizard" and their cover of "Summertime Blues."

6) CSI became a franchise, followed by CSI: Miami and CSI: New York. If we could organize a Saturday 9 field trip, which of these CSI cities would you prefer we visit: Las Vegas, Miami or New York? Right now, I don't want to go anywhere! But when I'm convinced it's safe, I'd like to return to New York. Gov. Cuomo is doing such a great job. Let's reward him and throw a few travel dollars his way.

7) In 2000, the last original Peanuts comic strip was published. How many Peanuts characters can you name? Linus, Lucy, Charlies Brown, Snoopy, Woodstock, Peppermint Patty, Pigpen. That's 8.

8) Also in 2000, media giant Time Warner merged with America Online, the email provider. It's estimated that 74% of us check our email at least once/day. Are you one of the 74%? Oh yes! I'm working from home, so I check it constantly.

9) Random question -- Did you more recently cut and paste, or delete? Delete.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 14

Today's happiness -- Cousin Rose.  The Cubs were on Fox Thursday night and my cousin watched. For me. This morning she posted on Facebook that, "Your Rizzo is one adorable kid."

Rose exasperates me beyond measure sometimes. But she loves me. Has loved me since the moment I was born. As time goes on, relationships fade/change and people die,  I cherish this more. 

I handwrote her a letter today because she likes getting mail in my hand. It's my way of showing her I love her, too.

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

Isn't she lovely?

Today the Cubs won. Again. That's 9 win in the last 10 games. Even better, my guys are all still safe from the corona virus.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 13

Today's happiness -- Putting the wheels in motion. I made a list, took photos, and sent them off to Cute Handyman. We're going to agree on a day, before the end of September, for him to come over and replace two ceiling fans, rewire an outlet and install my new smoke detector. Estimated time: four hours.

No, the work hasn't been completed yet. But I identified the projects and hired the contractor. I'm moving in the right direction.

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.

Not with my lambikins, you don't!

My oldest friend has always wanted to be a writer. Ever since we were little, we wrote stories and made little books. I made words my career, she kept it as a hobby. Now that she's no longer working, she's dived into Wattpad, a social media site for free fiction.*

I found one of her stories and realized I couldn't read it objectively. I know her too well. To me, it was just a series of Rorschach ink blots. Why, if my real-life friend believed she had to move to Southern California to be happy, does she plop her fictional alter ego in Chicago? Why, with her heart problems, does she glamorize smoking, for fuck's sake? Why did she change the name of one of her kids but not the other? And do I really say "fuck" that often? (Oh wait. Yes, I do.)

Anyway, I don't think I'll confess to her that I read it. I'll continue to ask her about her writing and encourage her, but until she puts a manuscript in my inbox, I'm exercising plausible deniabilty.

None of which is the point of this rambling post. I did read someone else's story. Start to (more or less) finish. It was fan fiction about my favorite Cub, Anthony Rizzo.

At first, I enjoyed it. The girl who wrote it clearly has a crush on him, which amused me. My feelings for Rizz are strictly of the maternal he's-such-a-nice-boy variety, but I remember being more than a little in love with several Cubs (from Joe Pepitone in the 70s to Mark Grace in the 90s).

Her romance story began when an as-yet unmarried Rizz famously climbed into the stands to catch the ball. In her story, he landed on her and gave her a concussion. He checks on her. They exchange phone numbers and begin a texting friendship that blossoms into love. She writes about his boyishness and has him playing a lot of video games (he's told us he can't get enough Call of Duty) and sharing lasagna and ice cream. My favorite part was when her fictional Anthony asks his dad for dating advice.


It was sweet. Unrealistic, of course. During the summer, when the Cubs are in town, he can't just go out for ice cream without fans approaching him for his autograph. There was nothing about his cancer battle -- which he admits has defined him as much as baseball -- nor his charity work. But OK. It's fan fiction and it was charming.

Then they have sex. Of course they do. It's her fantasy and besides, sex is what healthy, happy, normal young people have. But I wasn't prepared for my reaction to what she wrote. I DO NOT want to think about the size of Anthony Rizzo's erection! I don't want anyone else thinking about it either. And I want her to stop detailing where he places his "calloused fingers" and how it felt. No, no, no!

Stop it! No dirty thoughts allowed!

The game happened to be on while I was reading her story. I felt so embarrassed for real-life Rizz. There are literally 10,000+ of Anthony Rizzo romance stories on Wattpad. Has he seen them? Have his teammates seen them? Is it mortifying or flattering? Has his bride Emily seen this stuff? Are there more sites that publish erotic romance stories about my darling Rizzo?

There are six times as many Kris Bryant love stories on Wattpad. I can't stand it.

Who knew I was such a prude?

*I'd prefer her to take classes and treat writing like a craft, but what the hell. She's happy and she's gotten encouragement from an online community and maybe I shouldn't be so bossy.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 12

Today's happiness -- The good mac and cheese. I like to donate macaroni and cheese to the local food pantry. So many of the neighbors that depend on the pantry have kids, and kids like mac and cheese. Busy parents can whip up mac and cheese in no time.
 

Sometimes, though, I feel bad because while Kraft comes in a colorful box (and sometimes features characters like Minions or the Paw Patrol), it really isn't the best meal choice for the wee ones.
 

So today I was totally tickled to find Annie's Macaroni & Cheese -- organic pasta with no artificial colors/flavors -- was on sale at CVS. Between the price reduction and my coupon, I only paid (wait for it!) 57¢!

I love it when doing good feels better.

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.

Then there's this

You've heard the joke that a woman voting for Trump is like a chicken voting for Col. Sanders. It's not only funny, it's true. You just need to look at the way he's spoken of women so far this month for verification.


Yesterday he described Sen. Kamala Harris as "nasty" and "horrible" because she had the temerity to do her job and question Brett Kavanaugh. I suppose Kavanaugh should just be handed a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land without having to answer questions from a United States Senator. Because, you know, he's a Trump appointee and she's a woman.

He also recently called Dr. Deborah Birx "pathetic."

Our President does, however, wish Ghislane Maxwell "well."


 
And he has nothing but praise for Marjorie Taylor Greene, the radical right winger who won the Republican nomination for a House seat in Georgia. Ms. Greene has made twisted, baseless and bizarre accusations, including:
•  Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) represent an "Islamic invasion of the U.S. government"
•  George Soros turned Jews over to the Nazis (never mind that Soros was 14 when Hitler died; she follows Q-Anon so facts are meaningless to her)

So an accused pedophile and a self-proclaimed religious bigot are "good" women, and a United States Senator and a member of his own White House Coronavirus Task Force are "bad" women.

TRUMP/PENCE 2020!

WWW.WEDNESDAY

WWW. WEDNESDAY asks three questions to prompt you to speak bookishly. To participate, and to see how other book lovers responded, click here. 
 

1. What are you currently reading? The Road to Jonestown by Jeff Guinn. A friend recently used the phrase, "I drank the Kool-Aid" on her Facebook page and I wanted to scream. She's old enough to remember the origin of the phrase, and really, it's not funny. More than 900 people died at Jonestown in Guyana. Painfully, and for nothing. For me, 40+ years is still "too soon."

With that as my mindset, this is a good book for me to read on this topic. Guinn is both a researcher and a storyteller. He keeps to to the facts and resists sensationalizing, yet he holds my interest.

I'm learning a great deal about a story I thought I knew. Early on, he did a great deal of good, particularly during his days in Indianapolis. Once he became powerful within Peoples Temple, Jones was never held accountable and refused to answer criticism. It's chilling and especially relevant today, when the cult of personality has led 40% of the country to say they actually approve of the way a reality TV star has run our nation into a ditch. 

2. What did you recently finish reading? Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I could not have loved this book more. I grew up (and remain) a Cub fan, bonded to my father over old-school score keeping, so Doris had me hooked when she shared how she and her father discussed the Brooklyn Dodgers game each evening while going over her scorecard. She grew up on Jackie Robinson, in awe of his skill and unaware of the burden he carried as the MLB's first player of color. I grew up on Ernie Banks, delighted by Mr. Cub's natural gifts and unaware of how difficult it was for him to maintain his sunny disposition while carrying the weight of being the Cubs' first black player. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you. Let's just say that after a lifetime of saying "Wait Till Next Year" myself, in 2016 I finally got to the Cubs win the World Series. At that moment, I felt at one with my dad, my uncle and grandparents: the Cub fans who came before me and never saw such glory. You may not understand, but Doris Kearns Goodwin would.

This book is about family, tradition, victory and loss (in its many forms), and going from girlhood to womanhood. If you've ever listened to a game on the radio, gone to the park and enjoyed a cool one on a hot day, or thrilled to the crack of the bat, this book is for you.

3.  What will you read next?  Something a little lighter. While Road to Jonestown is engrossing, it's a difficult read.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 11

Today's happiness -- Women supporting women.  Yesterday we had a rather important Zoom meeting. Two of the more powerful men on our account enthusiastically tossed out some very bad ideas. I was in the call, but they treated me like I was invisible and I was too intimidated by their bravado to say anything. 

After the Zoom meeting, I called my art director and said, "Can you believe those bastards? They're so arrogant and uninformed. They're going to lose us this account."

"Why don't you call Jill and tell her what you think?" Jill is a Vice President. She's not as elevated as the men, but she's pretty high up.

"She doesn't want to hear from me," I said. My art director assured me that she did, and that what I had to say was important.

Here's the thing: my clients like me and talk to me, perhaps more frankly and certainly more often, than they do those two powerful men. I know in my bone marrow that if those two start talking to our clients the way they said they intended to, they were going to come off as offensive and dumb.

I also assume that my two powerful male coworkers view me as an old Boomer woman who should just die already.

Still, I swallowed my lack of confidence and reached out to Jill. She answered me immediately and set up a private Zoom for just the two of us. It went so well.  She took everything in the spirit in which it was meant, taking notes and thanking me more than once for reaching out.

"You helped us avoid a landmine, Gal," she said.

I was walking on air.
 

So let's see: my art director (a woman) told me I was "brilliant" and that I need to speak up more. An account VP (a woman) thanked me for stepping up. With their support, I did the right thing. Sisterhood is powerful.

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.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 10

Today's happiness -- Playing catch up.  Today was a very weird day. I woke up to hear that the city had been rocked by organized looting after midnight on Sunday. Then we had wicked storms and a tornado warning. And, of course, the ongoing threat of the virus. What a day!

So I'm very glad Joanna invited me to a little Zoom call. She's so happy these days. Tomorrow she's taking a little birthday cruise up the Chicago River with the family of her fella, Sid. He's turning 69 and has suffered two strokes, so everyone is being careful about how they celebrate in these days of the corona virus.

Joanna is twice divorced and has had many complicated relationships. I'm glad that she's settling into a time of domestic tranquility. It was also good to get good news on a day when the world around me felt downright Biblical.

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.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 9

Today's happiness -- I finally did it.  I've been meaning to clean my bathroom from top to bottom. To wash the floors and scrub the tub and sink and soap-and-water the walls and even the radiator and Windex the mirror and shelves.* I imagine myself doing it so many times that I sometimes I truly kid myself into thinking it's done.

Well, today, it's done!

It feels good, but I do wonder why I'm not bald. Judging by the hair in my bathroom, I shed like a St. Bernard.

*I didn't mention Comet-ing the bowl because I always do that. As for the rest of it, I can be quite a slob.

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.

Sunday Stealing

EXTRAORDINARY PENPALS

1. What are your plans for August? To develop a plan. There are two big projects I really should attend to, sooner rather than later. A) I need a new TV (mine is 20 years old) that will accommodate today’s technology. My friends at Xfinity warn that they won’t be able to support that old-school cable box forever. B) A new frame for the living room windows, and that requires getting bids and hiring a contractor. Both projects seem like a hassle so I keep procrastinating.

2. Review the first half of 2020. Well, January/February and early March seemed devoted to worries about my friend Henry’s condition and my own work situation. Blissfully, both of those situations seem to have resolved themselves.

Next up: the corona virus. Of course! It’s been a scary time and I’ve felt it in every aspect of my life, from my inability to get my mammogram as quickly as I (desperately) wanted because of a breast lump, to watching two friends unable to mourn/bury loved ones as they would have wished.

But I’m trying to look at 2020 as a learning experience. We’re living through historic times. Personally, I’ve learned that I worry about too many things I can’t control. And I find I’m both heartened by and disillusioned with my fellow Americans … Some everyday heroism is so beautiful and unselfish, it makes me well up a bit with emotion at the very thought. But there's also a most unattractive whiny streak. Our neighbors are dealing with job loss, homelessness, inequality in the healthcare/justice systems and some of luckiest among us are obsessed with their own “oppression” because they have to wear masks or postpone their hair appointments. You can’t smoke in public places, you have to wear a seatbelt in your car, now put on the damn mask. Get over yourself and try opening your heart to the pain around you for just one moment.

3. A place you’d go if money were no object. Nowhere right now. But when the corona virus is a memory (and I truly believe that if we behave like adults, it will go the way of polio and TB), I’d like to revisit either New York or Las Vegas and do all the things I haven’t done on previous trips because, well, money is an object. I’d stay in the best hotels, dine at the best restaurants, get the best seats for the shows, visit all the museums and exhibits (yes, even in Vegas), enjoy the spas. Since money is no object, I can stay as long as it takes to take it all in. Oh, I’ve enjoyed this fantasy!

4. Who was your childhood best friend. I’ve known my oldest friend since Kindergarten. We grew up across the alley from one another. It occurred to me the other day that she’s known me longer and better than just about anyone else left on earth, except my Cousin Rose. I’m lucky to have her (and Rose, too; I owe her a letter).

5. The city or town you love most. My kind of town, Chicago is. Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin’ town. Sinatra only sang one song about New York, you know, because Francis understood we deserve the extra attention. Home of the Chicago Cubs and the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field. The Art Institute and The Museum of Science and Industry. Beautiful Lake Michigan and Lollapalooza. And me.

Isn't this a pretty sight?

6. How do you spend hot days? Avoiding the heat! Hot weather makes me grumpy.

7. Are you a skilled cook or baker? Nope.

8. One thing you wish you could currently do. Organize my personal life as deftly as I have my professional one. (See Question #1.)

9. A time when you learned your lesson. Oh, good goobies! Even at this late stage in my life, I’m forever learning my lesson! And that is to “let go and let God.” I waste my worry and dread over things I cannot possibly control.

10, What consistently makes you laugh. So many things. I’m lucky that way.

11. Routines that bring you calm and peace. In the morning and evening, when I feed the cats. I find it heartening that they know they can trust me for the kibble and fresh water (and the meds they don’t suspect they’re getting).

12. Who annoys you the most? WWG1WGA. I mean, really! These conspiracy theorists are just so fucking self-obsessed! Instead of merely proclaiming your faith, live it: help an animal or a child in need (after all, they aren’t yet godless socialist liberals). Do something constructive and quit spinning/spreading paranoid yarns.

13. Describe some of your favorite household items. My George Foreman grill and my Kohl’s microwave. What terrific little workhorses they are!

14. What have you gotten better at? Working from home. I struggled at first, but it's become comfortable. Of course, Monday we start talking about a BIG project that may present wfh challenges. (Here I am with the worrying again.)

15. Share a random memory. When my cat, Reynaldo, was still a kitten and a resident of the animal shelter, he was known as Houdini because he could open his own cage and escape. Sixteen years later, he’s still like that. It’s not that he’s smarter, per se, than other cats. He just has a longer attention span and can be quite dedicated to getting what he wants.

16. How many pairs of shoes do you have? Too many. If I were more organized, I’d dispose of many of them that don’t fit or are too banged up.

17. Who do you go to for encouragement? My faith and my friends. I’m very lucky that way, too.

18. References you make that others don’t get. My friend Tony and I were laughing about this very thing! Discussing people who refuse to wear masks, I said Barney Fife would lock ‘em up, and he said, “Yeah, in the cell next to Otis.” His 20-something son looked at us as if we were speaking in tongues.

19. What are 10 things you consider essential for you? In no particular order: cable, cats, books, the internet, the phone, air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, running water, my blow dryer. (A good hair day can really improve my mood.)

20. Is there any accent you wish you had? Lady Mary’s.

I admit it isn't only her accent I envy.

No baseball this weekend

Nine Cardinal players and seven of their staff have tested positive for the corona virus. While I'm sorry to miss baseball's greatest rivalry,* I am grateful that my guys are still safe.

At least Anthony Rizzo gets to spend his 31st birthday at home with his wife and dog, Kevin. Being Rizz, he's celebrating his birthday with a raffle to help the families of kids with cancer. Some lucky winner (hopefully ME) will receive a signed bat, ball or photo.

*Oh, shut up about the Red Sox and Yankees already!