August Happiness Challenge -- Day 21

Today's happiness -- "2 Double Beds Private Balcony." My oldest friend is so excited about our get together next August that she's already made the reservation and sent it along! OK, so the balcony will look out onto either the highway or a massive parking lot because the hotel is smack dab between O'Hare Airport and convention center, but it will be private. 

We'll be attending the Beatle fan convention, an event we've shared and she (especially) has loved for more than a decade. She is very broke and began saving for the 2022 convention ever since the 2021 event was cancelled last spring. Airfare and hotel will cost her about $900, but she's very confident and enthusiastic. She struggles so with depression that I'm delighted to see her so upbeat and optimistic.

I also miss her sooooo much. Plus, the 2022 fest will be celebrating Sir Paul's 80th birthday. If that doesn't deserve a Happy Beatle Button, nothing does.

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.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Woman in Love (1980)

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

1) In this song, Barbra dreams of love. What's something you've been dreaming of, or wishing for, lately? (It doesn't have to be romantic.) Pizza. Lou Malnati's has the best thin crust cheese pizza, and since I've been a good girl, I think I deserve one.

2) She sings that she and her lover are oceans apart. Tell us about someone who is far away, and that you wish was nearer this Saturday morning. My oldest friend. I don't laugh with anyone like I laugh with her.
 
3) This was a #1 hit for Streisand, so popular it knocked Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" out of the top spot on the charts. Are you a Freddie Mercury/Queen fan? I like individual songs but I wouldn't say I'm a fan.

4) This song was written specifically for Barbra by Barry and Robin Gibb of the BeeGees. During the late 1970s, when the BeeGees were riding high on the success of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, she let them know she was a fan and would love to record one of their songs. The collaboration went so well that they ended up writing not one but nearly a dozen songs for her. Tell us about something that went way better for you than you predicted it would. My relationship with my new boss (though he's been my boss nearly a year I don't know if I can still call him "new"). He was hired without my knowledge or input, which annoyed me. But he's very collaborative, very much about teamwork. Right now, I am happier with my job than I've been in years, and it's largely because of him.

5) Barbra traveled to Miami Beach to record this song in Barry's favorite studio. Have you ever been to Miami Beach? Until this week's Saturday 9, I didn't know there was a difference between Miami and Miami Beach. Now I know, and no I haven't.

 
6) Barbra went to Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. She had a mad crush on one of her classmates. That boy was Bobby Fischer, who grew up to be an international chess champion. Do you remember one of your big high school crushes? Do you know whatever became of him or her? I just googled him. He married a woman named Maureen and they have two daughters, Kaylie and Rachel. Kayle is in human resources and Rachel is finishing college in Dayton. I can find nothing about him, though. Still, it appears he's happy and so I'm happy for him.

7) Barbra is responsible for the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai. It's dedicated to the study of heart disease, its impact on women, and the search for more effective treatment. If you could fund a not-for-profit, as Barbra has done, what cause would you champion? I would care for unadoptable dogs and cats, like Grandpa Mason. As the woman says in this video, "Even an old, battle-scarred, terminally ill cat has value" and deserves to "live his sunset months in comfort." 

 

 

 

8) In 1980, when "Woman in Love" was popular, Macaulay Culkin was born. He's best known for the Home Alone movies. Have you seen them? If yes, did you enjoy them? I've never seen a Home Alone movie. They just don't look funny to me.

9) Random question: On social media, people keystroke LOL all the time. When is the last time you literally laughed out loud? Friday, a coworker and I were discussing an article I have to write about high beam headlights. We invoked with some bra-and-t-shirt references that I will spare you.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 20

Today's happiness -- Ronald Reagan. Before today, I don't think I've ever seen our 40th President exercise his previous profession. I just always assumed he was a lousy actor because, well, for the most part I never got his appeal as President.*

 

But I just watched Nine Lives Are Not Enough and it was a revelation. The future POTUS was lithe and adept at physical comedy, jaunty and charming with his fedora and pipe, roguish and not entirely ethical as a newspaper reporter (which especially amused me when I thought of how First Lady Nancy Reagan used to complain about the press).

This 1941 movie isn't great. It's short (just a whisper over an hour) and superficial and silly. But really, Reagan was good. I smiled a lot as I watched it.

*His speech after The Challenger tragedy is a notable exception. He was wonderful that night. I will always be grateful for the way he soothed us.

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 19

Today's happiness -- A blast from the past. Back in 2014, they began knocking down walls at work. When they first took our offices away, they put us in low-walled pods of four. Now we're in a complete open seating plan, which has us at what reminds me of long picnic tables. A bad move during a pandemic because social distancing is impossible and we're all still working from home ... but that's a rant for another time.

ANYWAY I've often forgotten how exposed I am at the office. People can always observe me, even when I'm not thinking about it, even people I don't work with directly. One of those casual acquaintances was Diya. We seldom worked together, but she sat across from our pod and found me rather entertaining and likeable. In fact, in 2014, she unexpectedly gave me a Christmas present: a Kate Spade knock off because she often heard me bag obsessing. She included a note: "To the most thoughtful person I've ever had the good fortune of knowing. You spread the holiday cheer year round." 

I carry that note with me to this day. It meant a great deal to me. 

ANYWAY over the years Diya's career and life have really taken off. Since that long ago Christmas she's had two babies and been promoted to director on another account. Between her different career path and work-from-home, I literally have not set eyes on her in almost two years.

Today she reached out to me, out of blue. While I was writing about motor oil (riveting, I know!) my messaging app pinged and it was Diya! "I miss you. How's the kitty?" That's the thing about Reynaldo, that skinny beige tomcat brings people together!

Diya went on to say that she was thinking of me today, missed running into me at the office, and hopes I'm OK. How sweet is that? Busy as she is -- and a director working from home with two preschool kids has to be busy! -- she thought of me and reached out.

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.

Meanwhile, on ESPN ...

Shortly after Robert Redford/Roy Hobbs led the fictional New York Knights to a championship on TCM, Anthony Rizzo was on ESPN, leading the real New York Yankees over the Red Sox. 

Don't you love it when life imitates art?

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 18

Today's happiness -- My DVR. Today is Robert Redford's 85th birthday, and TCM marked the occasion with 24 hours of his movies. Unfortunately, I have a pesky old job and can't just sit and spend my Wednesday watching movies. So I loaded up my DVR with ...

•  War Hunt (1962) Redford's first major film role. I saw it once, in the middle of the night, before we had VCRs or DVRs, back when I was living with my parents. He plays a soldier during the Korean war. He and another soldier, played by John Saxon, befriend an orphaned Korean boy. Only John Saxon is a psycho and not healthy for the boy to be around. That's all I remember about it. Oscar-winning director and frequent Redford collaborator Sydney Pollack was an actor back then. That's how they met. That alone makes it an important film.

•   The Candidate (1972). As smart and ambitious a film about American politics as I've ever seen.

•  The Way Were (1973) The ill-fated romance of Katie and Hubbell. One of my favorite movies, but likely the first to go for space. I forgot it's available OnDemand, and I do have the DVD somewhere.

•  The Natural (1984) Baseball is a metaphor for life.

•  Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) I know it's not a perfect movie, but it's possibly a perfect piece of entertainment.

Happy birthday, Bob. Thank you, TCM. Thank you, Anthony Wood (he invented the DVR).

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 17

Today's happiness -- He's back! Anthony Rizzo was back at bat for the first time in ten days. He didn't actually play and I don't believe he's on the Yankees' active roster, but he's feeling well enough to send a ball sailing into the stands during batting practice between games of a double header. 

He also told reporters he was "knocked out" by covid for seven days. He knew on Saturday, August 7, that he was sick because he was tired, had no appetite and couldn't smell or taste his food. After he was diagnosed, he got progressively sicker and was only able to start walking and stretching again on Sunday.

 

I've been so worried about my favorite-most ballplayer! And I'm so happy that he's going to be OK.

 

PS: This photo was snapped by a Yankee fan between games of today's double header. That's former Cub/now Red Sox Kyle Schwarber, in the truly hideous shorts, catching up with Rizz in black, not Cubby blue. Seeing these heroes of the magic championship season like this does not make me happy, but it does help me accept reality. The glory days are over. They'll each go on, and I suppose I will, too, but it will never be the same.

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 16

Today's happiness -- Agreeing to disagree. I shan't bother you with the details, but here's the gist: my boss and I don't agree about a sentence. It's the first sentence of an email blast, so it's kind of important. But it's still only one sentence.

He closed his input with, "Let me know if this makes sense or if you disagree."

OK, Bossman, I disagree. I explained why. His response was thoughtful and thorough (which amused me, since we're talking about a single sentence). Again, closing made me happy: "But I'll defer to you on the way forward. I may be overthinking it and I am wrong a lot."

I'm taking him up on that. I still think that his choice is wrong. But even as I dug in my heels, I promised him that if we did make the change, "I will present it to the client with conviction."

First of all, I loooove talking about marketing. At my current job, we don't do it often enough. We sometimes find ourselves more focused on deadlines and staffing than on the work. So this delights me.

Second, my boss knows how to give input. He is specific, he is detailed. I just personally think he's wrong, but that's not the point. I've had creative directors ask me to "give me more," without explaining what's wrong with I've already done. So this is helpful.

Last, he treats me as an equal. We're not equals, and if he wants to win this one, he will. But I appreciate his sensitivity and diplomacy. So I am happy.

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.

I can't believe I'm watching this

I stumbled onto a Saved by the Bell marathon on cable and, God help me, I'm watching it. I have no idea why I'm transfixed. Maybe it's the bright 80s clothes and colors. Maybe I need mindless background noise. Maybe it's the sound of the jangling alarm clock in the opening credits. 

I love cable. I know everyone else is cutting the cord and streaming, but I'll hang on as long as I can. There's something just so deliciously random about flipping through thousands of channels and landing on a Saved by the Bell marathon.

I'm such a simple Gal.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 15

Today's happiness -- Reconciliation. On balance, today wasn't a good day. Computer trouble all around (I can't successfully download virus protection on my Mac, my bank's website is all hinky and my credit card was rejected). I didn't accomplish anywhere near what I'd planned. And yet, right now, I'm happy.

 

Mindy and I made up! I don't want to reiterate what went down to bring us to this place because I'm trying to be positive. And the important thing is that we reconnected. Also, I made myself vulnerable, and my candor paid off. (<<<Life lesson.)

We've been friends for more than 40 years. I honor our history. I am happy we're right again.

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

Summer

1. What subjects lead you down a Wikipedia rabbit hole? Have you been watching me? I often click on a link in an article that takes me somewhere that takes me somewhere else. I'd tell you about the Wikipedia rabbit hole I crawled down this morning, but then you'd know what Sam has in store for you for Saturday 9.

2. How do you like to spend your birthdays? Being fussed over. I don't have anything particular that I like, I just enjoy being remembered.

3. Something you might take a little too seriously? I feel like I take everything too seriously. A gentleman once told me I have no gift for "small talk." I guess it's no coincidence that Katie from The Way We Were is one of my all-time favorite movie heroines.

 

4. Describe a time you made a good decision for yourself. When I chose to move down the corporate ladder. I do not like being a boss. I think it's because I don't like authority, and I was becoming what I don't like. Anyway, I've been happier making less money as a writer than I was as a creative director. (Though I admit I wish I could have a boss' salary without a boss' responsibility. I'd also like to be 5'10 and wraith thin. Neither is going to happen.)
 
5. Something you’ve improved/gotten better at. Letting myself cry. Does that sound stupid? One of my lifelong battles is accepting that it's OK to not be OK.

 

 6. What dish would you bring to a summer potluck? Berries and sliced bananas. Everyone likes fruit.

7. What do you miss about Winter? The lack of humidity. It's been freaking oppressive here lately.

8. Share a summer memory. At least once every summer, my dad took us to the miniature golf course not far from my grandparents' home. It was just 9 holes and pretty rudimentary -- no clown's mouth or windmill, just a water hazard. Anyway, my dad was endlessly patient with me when we were golfing. He'd even frame the hole, making a V with his shoes, so I could aim my putt. "Take you time, Tiger," he'd advise me. This stands out because my father was always in a hurry, and for him to tell me to take my time was something special. For once he wasn't complaining or angry or anxious. I also remember him running his fingers through my hair as we returned our clubs, balls and little pencils to the little whitewashed shack. At least once a summer, it felt like my dad enjoyed spending time with me.

9. Words you misspell or misuse the most. I can never remember how to spell "diarrhea" or "occurrence."
 
10. Things you love to do, that can only happen in summer. Having a rootbeer float at the little ice cream shop that's only open from Memorial Day to (maybe) Halloween.
 
11. How would you describe your sense of humor? Irreverent
 
12. Have you ever quit a job or career? Yes. See #4.

13. What are your favorite features of your cell phone? The camera.

14. What scents always make you hungry? I get hungry when I can smell my neighbors grilling hamburgers.

15. What are you working on right now? When I'm done with this, I'm going to put my laundry away.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 14

Today's happiness -- Loving baseball. Or, to be more precise, having people in my life who get how much I love baseball.

This "happy" actually began Thursday night. I was really blue about the rather dismissive treatment I'd received from my friends Mindy and John, so I reached out to my friend Henry. He recommended I turn on "The Field of Dreams Game." I resisted. My favorite-most player Anthony Rizzo should have been playing that night, but he was out with covid, so I was afraid the game would just depress me. Henry insisted. "Turn on your TV," he commanded. "It is on Fox. We will watch it together." Damn if he wasn't right! It was very emotional for me. Especially seeing Rizzo's jersey draped over the railing, representing him. And it must be said Henry really doesn't care about sports at all. But, as he likes to say, "I know my sister."

Now for today: I just heard that Rizz is feeling well enough to begin official workouts on Monday. The moment I heard, I texted my nephew. He answered immediately, as though he was holding his phone and waiting for me. We went back and forth about the impact this will have on the Yankees' Luke Voigt, and what an asshole Jake Arrieta was in his last Cubs press conference. 

Talking baseball makes me happy. Even when I'm unhappy. I must remember this. And I'm so grateful that I have something in my life that lifts my heart like this.

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.

 

Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: Smelly Cat (1995)

Unfamiliar with this song? Hear it here.

 

1) Poor Smelly Cat lives with negligent humans who refuse to take it to the vet. Who is the last doctor you spoke to (vet, MD, dentist, PhD ...)? Probably the dentist. Lately it feels like I'm always at the dentist.

 

2) This song was introduced during the second season of Friends. Were you a fan of the show? Very much. When I battling covid, drifting in and out of sleep all afternoon, it was such a comfort to look at the TV and see the gang from Central Perk there to keep me company.

via GIPHY

BTW, anyone who acts like Covid is not a big deal is an insulting, ignorant ass. I base this on six (count 'em, 6!) weeks of fever, rash, diarrhea and fatigue. Does that sound like "just the flu" to you? Oh well, what do I know? I just battled the virus. I don't have the benefit of baseless conspiracy theories.
 

3) On the show, the song was performed by Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), an amateur folk singer and a professional masseuse. There  was a debate on Reddit about massages -- some loved them because they are relaxing and therapeutic, others think it's "creepy to be undressed and handled by a stranger." How about you? Do you enjoy massages? I enjoy them very much, and could really use one right now.

 

4) During the run of Friends, Phoebe was roommates first with Monica and then with Rachel and finally with her true love, Mike. Tell us about one of your roommates. I've never had a roommate. Never went away to college. Never been married. Never even shared a bedroom with my sister as a girl. I've found as an adult that my oldest friend is the easiest one for me to travel and share a hotel room with. I think it's because we both snore.

 

5) Phoebe often performed for tips on street corners or at her favorite coffee shop, Central Perk. Where is your favorite place to go for a cup of joe? I don't drink coffee.

6) This song was originally called "Smelly Dog," inspired by a pooch named Gouda. The childhood pet of Friends writer Betsy Borns, poor Gouda could have smelled better. Is there an odor you'd prefer to never smell again? Vomit. Though I suspect I shall smell it again. Life is filled with such icky smells.

 

7) 35% of American households include a cat. Are there any pets at your house? These two -- Connie and Reynaldo. So I guess I do have roommates!

8) In 1995, the year Phoebe first performed "Smelly Cat," Steve Fossett became the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific in a hot air balloon. Have you ever ridden in a balloon? No, but I'd like to try it. It looks so pretty, doesn't it? I've just never had the opportunity.

 

 9) Random question: Looking over your romantic history, have you broken more hearts, or had your heart broken more often? I think it's probably about 50/50. For me and for most of us. As the Beatles sang, "And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."

 

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 13

Today's happiness -- Aretha's green checked jacket. Aretha Now was my first Aretha Franklin album. I had it on vinyl. "Think" and "You Send Me" were my two favorite cuts. I spent a great deal of time in my girlhood bedroom, laying on my tummy, listening to the LP and looking at the album cover.

Anyway, today I went to see Respect, the Aretha biopic starring Jennifer Hudson. In a scene in a recording studio, Aretha/Jennifer wore the green checked jacket! I felt a jolt of recognition and happiness. It was like seeing an old friend.

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 12

Today's happiness -- Reinforcement. I had a bad day today. Personally. Two of my oldest friends, John and Mindy, disappointed me. I was hurt and sad. I couldn't concentrate. I couldn't work. 

So I called Henry. He wasn't picking up. Then I called my oldest friend. She didn't pick up either.

I started to watch a movie. I wasn't paying attention to it.

Then my best friend called me back. She listened to me, advised me, distracted me and then she made me laugh and laugh. 

A few hours later Henry called. Concerned about me. With all of his problems, he's worried about me.

I felt terrible, and then I felt validated as a person and as a friend.

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 11

 Today's happiness -- Connie.

Reynaldo's poor health has cast such a shadow over my days that I often forget to appreciate my girlcat, Connie. She has always been just the sweetest cat. No diva to her whatsoever. Just love.

She had a rough start to her life. She was one of (at least) 11 cats kept by a well-meaning but clearly dotty cat hoarder in Indiana. When that shelter couldn't take them all, she was shipped over to a shelter here. She was in terrible shape from the abysmal care she'd received: pregnant with a litter of dead kittens, eyes cloudy and runny and light sensitive, gums bloody. 

It took some work but now she's a bright-eyed sun worshipper, happy to sit on the window sill and mew at the leaves and birds that go by. And ceaselessly affectionate, both with Reynaldo and me. This evening, I woke up from a nap to see Connie curled up on the pillow beside me. When she saw I'd awakened, she began purring very loud. 

Her soul is so simple and loving, it brings me great happiness to provide her with a comfortable, safe life.

My Cubs throw is a favorite of Connie's

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.

 

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? Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. I've seen the movie about a gazillion times (the best bad movie ever made) and, decades upon decades ago, read and made fun of but never finished my mother's hardcover copy. Now, as a reasonable facsimile of an adult woman, I'm giving this 1966 book a serious shot. After all, I read Peyton Place this past spring and enjoyed it immensely, as both a story and a cultural artifact. Maybe it's time to give Jackie Susann and Dolls their due.

Oh. My. God. This book is ridiculous. Seriously dopey. And yet it's compulsively readable. The dialog is stupid. ("I want to meet a decent guy and get married. Then I'd be somebody. I'd be Mrs. Somebody.") The plot is implausible. (Anne got every job she interviewed for, even though she had no training or experience. Oh well, it's not like New York is competitive or anything.)

And yet I can't wait to get back to it. It's like Jackie Susann eavesdropped on every scenario pre-adolescent me acted out with my Barbies. It's sheer fantasy. Silly, a little dirty, and loads of fun.

BTW, compared to Dolls, Peyton Place is Jane Austen.

2. What did you recently finish reading?  Paul Newman: A Life by Shawn Levy. I like Paul Newman's movies. He always seemed to be striving for quality, even if sometimes he missed the mark. And he was charismatic. After he does some genuinely awful, truly despicable things, Hud explains himself by saying, "My mama loved me, but she died." And from the audience, I'm all, "OK! You're forgiven!"

This book leads me to believe I'd like Newman the man as well. He was a hard-worker, always self-deprecating and humble (even when he was box office champ and the screen's reigning male sex symbol). He took nothing for granted. Considering himself lucky, he gave back to his community and the world in spades. In comparison to his wealth, he was one of America's premier philanthropists. 

He had an enduring fondness for popcorn, practical jokes and silly hats. He took his politics and the world around him seriously. As he was dying, his last words to his daughters were, "It's been a privilege to be here." 

 

So while he was very good company for 500 pages, he wasn't perfect. Clearly he was a functioning alcoholic for decades. He cheated on his first wife with Joanne Woodward, and then cheated on Joanne with a publicist he met while on location making Butch Cassidy. He had six children but no real gift for parenting, alternating between benign neglect when he was working and intense involvement with them between films. But as with Hud Bannon, Joanne, the girls and we readers forgive him.

The problem I have with this biography, though, is two-fold. It's repetitious at times. (For example, the story of how Newman's Own Organics came to be is told twice, and to be honest, it's not that interesting. Also, either Newman was one of the crankiest celebrities, or Levy liked reiterating how intolerant he was of the price of fame.) And then there's Joanne Woodward. Clearly Newman loved her very much and regarded her as his life partner. But hell if I know why. She comes off as a bit of cypher. I wish I knew more about the woman who wooed him from his first wife and three children, and then married him herself, gave him three more kids and sustained him emotionally for 50 years.

 

3. What will read next? I don't know.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 10

Today's happiness -- Miracle Whip. My niece is a foodie, and this would appall her, but I like Miracle Whip. I recently got a jar at Dollar Tree and today I cracked it open. It's a crazy hot, humid day and I couldn't bear to go outside under any circumstances, not even to go to the store, and so I dug around in my pantry and made tuna salad for dinner. It was yummy, cheap and comparatively nutritious.

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 -- Small business service. My cat Reynaldo requires prescription thyroid medicine twice/day. This cream comes in pre-measured doses in a syringe. My nearby pharmacies -- Target, CVS and Walgreens -- don't handle it, so I have to get it from the little mom'n'pop way on the other side of town.

I used to spend $35-$40/month on Ubers to get there. I wasn't happy about this, but it's Reynaldo. Plus, the staff is so charming, thorough and kind that I was happy to give them my business.

Well, when I went to leave them a glowing YELP review, I learned they offer free delivery. Yes, in addition to being charming, thorough and kind, they are super accommodating! Even on a rainy Monday afternoon, they brought me Rey's meds, free of charge.

THIS JUST IN! Going through the bag, I found that the pharmacist included a little gray toy mouse for Rey. How sweet is that!

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 8

Today's happiness -- I Love Lucy. I'm feeling weird today. It's hot and sticky outside, I have work to do this weekend that I haven't yet touched (and it's 5:00 PM). I can't bring myself to watch baseball (see post below). If it wasn't for taking out the garbage, I wouldn't have gotten dressed at all. It's Esther Williams Day on TCM, and really, her movies just bore me to tears.

Thank goodness for The Decades Channel. In honor of Lucille Ball's 110th birthday, this weekend they're showing nothing but Lucy. The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show ... yeah, whatever. Might as well watch Esther Williams. But I love I Love Lucy. It makes me feel good about holing up in my bedroom under the air conditioner.

Happy heavenly birthday, Lucille Ball. And kudos to Desi, 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 are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

Sick with worry

 Today is Anthony Rizzo's 32nd birthday, but that's not why he's in the news. 

Here's a link to the USA Today article

Rizz declined the vaccine in June. I have been worried about this since June. His new manager, Aaron Boone, said he's "achy and has mild symptoms."

I was vaccinated the moment I was able. Back in April. So clearly I don't agree with his decision.

Even if he recovers quickly and completely, he will miss 10 games. Including those against division rivals Boston Red Sox. 10 games of the remaining 50, when his team is battling for a playoff spot.

So in addition to putting his health in jeopardy -- he's a cancer survivor! -- he's putting his career in jeopardy. When this season ends, his contract is up. He's made public comments that he'd like to stay in New York. How likely are they to sign him if he crippled their playoff hopes?

And that's if he's OK ... I had covid. I was sick for six weeks. Of course, I'm a fat, out-of-shape old lady and he's an athlete in peak condition.

But he hasn't been vaccinated. If I wasn't so worried about him, I'd want to wring his stubborn, uninformed neck.

He matters to me!