But it didn't happen

Not Henry's house, but identical in layout

Henry called me Wednesday afternoon. He sounded strong but wanted to talk about his Tuesday night trip to the Emergency Room.

EMERGENCY ROOM?! Henry has had myriad medical problems -- serious ones -- since his accident in October 2018. Complicating matters, he no longer has insurance coverage. (This latter situation is unwise and was completely avoidable; don't get me started.)

Anyway, Henry told me that as he walked down the stairs he was attacked by "an orange and black striped" possum or raccoon. He "kicked the shit out of it" and it ran away, but he and Reg went to the Emergency Room.

He complained that they had to wait 2 and 1/2 hours and all the ER staff did was give him a tetanus shot and an aspirin. They had to pay $250 for this! Animal Control was notified and will check the neighborhood looking for possum or racoon. Henry reassured me he will be looking for it, too, and will "kick the shit out of it again."

"Stop right there," I said. "Do not tell me you are going to harm an animal ever again. Just consider yourself lucky you didn't need rabies shots. Tell me about your bandages."

He has no bandages. The skin was not broken. 

I asked if he needs to apply cream to the scratches. There are no scratches. 

I asked if his shoes are ruined from the attack, or if he can still wear them. His shoes are unmarked.

He complained about the "swelling." I told him he probably twisted his ankle as he fought off the possum or raccoon and he should just take an Advil. After all, if the skin isn't broken he can't have an infection.

I told him how much I love him and I'm glad it wasn't a snake or something poisonous he stepped on. I reminded him of the time we were walking the beach and I saw a jellyfish in the sand. I instinctively moved to pick it up and throw it back into the sea. Henry grabbed me by a fistful of bra and t-shirt and stopped me because jellyfish can be poisonous. "You saved my life that day!" I enthused. Then I asked if I could talk to his husband, Reg.

"Can he hear us?" I asked.

"Yes." Reg said.

"Did this attack thing really happen?"

"I don't see how," Reg said wearily.

Is Henry lying? I don't know. He's adrift now that he's unemployed. He's jealous of the time Reg spends at work (and Reg is working two jobs these days). Maybe he made this up to get attention. 

Or worse, maybe he believes it happened. Henry has not had a neurological workup in two years. First it was because of covid. Now it's because of (don't get me started) insurance.

I've made my peace with the reality that Henry will never again be who he was before the accident. I wasn't prepared for him getting worse. It scares me.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 26

 Today's happiness -- Done! I finally got my nesbit -- aka "flipper tooth." It looks good and I can eat with it. I struggle taking it in and out, but it hasn't even been a day yet. Hopefully, this will put an end to my dental nightmare, at least until 2022 when I have the option of getting an implant (with the help of insurance). You know, I still can't believe this happened to me.

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.

Worried, worried, worried

My nephew is back on campus and everyone who steps foot on campus has to self-check for covid. I'm sorry, but this online questionnaire is simply not good enough. 

People who are so blinded by anger or brainwashed by misinformation will simply lie. They may feel that by lying they are striking a blow and "owning the libs."

No, these dumbshits will simply be putting my much-loved nephew at risk. 

Plus he loves school, loves being back on campus. Fortunately, masks are required indoors in all public spaces and he reports students are willingly complying. I hope he gets through his senior year, healthy and without interruption. This is so important to him, and he is so important to me,

They never have been "moral"

... and thank goodness they aren't the majority! 

I've said it before and I'll say it again right here: I want my Christian faith back. If you demonize others by calling it "The China Virus," you're intentionally hurting people, which is not Christian behavior. If you compare being mandated to merely wear a mask to submitting to Nazis, you are diminishing the real-life suffering of those who were hunted, round up, murdered and left in mass graves. That is not Christian behavior either. If you think demonizing and diminishing is Christian behavior, you need to talk to your minister. Seriously.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 24

Today's happiness -- Social Security. Received my Social Security Benefits Statement today. It made me happy to see how much I'll get every month. When I've run the numbers, anticipating retirement, I've never included Social Security in my calculations because the rules keep changing about when/how much I could collect. 

Soc is not enough to live on but it's not insignificant, either. I feel better about my post-working future, which comes closer every day!

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.

Odds are good I don't like you right now

I am unsettled. I feel icky and disappointed. I'm going to write about it in an effort to get over myself.

1) My art director is not pulling her weight. OK, she never has. She's always been very good tactically -- she's mastered Powerpoint, InDesign, Photoshop, and Quark -- but I don't think she's ever come up with an idea. She executes. Late last year she convinced our new boss to give her parity with me in terms of title. It isn't fair and it isn't reflective. It also shouldn't matter. This is my last job. It's not like this is going to have an impact on my "career." And she's battled breast cancer for the last year! So what kind of monstrous person am I that I am upset with her today? Well, I'm tired. 

Yesterday we got a high-profile assignment from our boss. I couldn't start on it until today because I had to finish my five (count 'em, 5!) blog posts for my automotive client. This morning I asked her what she'd done while waiting for me and the answer was ... well ... nothing substantive. She set up a template to flow my ideas into. Looked for some stock photos. "This project will be fun," she said. Maybe for her.

We will give our boss eight concepts. All eight were my ideas. I don't know how good these concepts are. When I'm tired I don't have much objectivity. It would be nice if I had a partner with business acumen who could -- if not contribute ideas of her own -- at least make my concepts sharper and better.

I will also do all the talking when we present these because she has no idea how the concepts tie back to the strategy brief.

We now have the same job title. It's not fair. It also doesn't matter. Get over yourself, Gal.

2) I no longer enjoy movie group. Joanna doesn't attend anymore. Neither does Stefanie. Or Elaine. Or Al. It's mostly new people. We don't discuss anymore. People just want to talk. Example: While discussing the movie Man Hunt, Janice complained that the actor who played Hitler didn't look very much like Hitler and she didn't know why the producers were so lazy and cheap. It was pointed out that it wasn't an actor, it was actual news footage of Hitler. "Oh," she said, not missing a beat, and continued with her list of complaints about the film. I'm not sure she even heard she was wrong.

I used to look forward to movie group. Now I get why Joanna, Stefanie and Elaine dropped away. (Al has schedule conflicts.)  

I resent the noisy new people who have come in and lecture me about films I love. But is it worth being this annoyed? Not really. Get over yourself, Gal.

Photo by karlyukav - www.freepik.com

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? Someone We Know by Shari Lapena. 16-year-old Raleigh is an average suburban high schooler with a penchant for computers and a bad habit: he breaks into neighbor's homes, and their laptops. Not to steal! Just for kicks and to make a little mischief. When one of the neighbors goes missing, the fun goes out of Raleigh's "game."

When I was a kid, there was a horror movie called, I Saw What You Did. It was about teen girls who amuse themselves by making prank calls to random strangers, saying, "I know who you are and I saw what you did." It stops being fun when they call a psycho who happened to have murdered his wife.

This seems like a new millennium update of that old story. Which is fine. It scared me then, and it's scaring me now.

2. What did you recently finish reading?  Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. You should know, if you're considering picking up this book, that it's stupid. I think I may have lost brain cells by reading it.

 

Which is not to say that I didn't find it compulsively readable. 

I can't tell you why. Neely is a monster. Anne is dull. Jennifer is a transactional slut. The writing is sophomoric. And yet I was into it. 

Oh well, as Ms. Susann herself might say, reading it was like having hot sex with a man you don't really like. I'm not sorry I did it but I'm not sorry it's over and I won't do it again.

BTW, I couldn't help envisioning the movie's actresses as I read and came away with a new appreciation for Sharon Tate. It's not like the screenplay's Jennifer was exponentially more likeable, and yet on film she seems sympathetic. I think it's because Sharon Tate imbued her with humanity. It makes me wonder what Ms. Tate could have done with an actual, well-written character.

 

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

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 23

Today's happiness -- Playing with a shoelace. I knew back in June, when Reynaldo and I entered the last chapter in his life, that we would have good days and bad days. Today was a good day. He came into the bedroom to make sure I was awake and then stood on the headboard to let the fan blow into his face. He crashed a Zoom meeting for the first time in weeks. He followed me from room to room, just to be near me. Best of all, he played. He was unable to capture and vanquish the shoelace, but he tried.

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 22

 Today's happiness -- 2:30, still not dressed. I love days like this. Except for laundry, I don't really have anything I MUST do. I have a busy week coming up. I think I'll face it relaxed.

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

SAD AND SLEEPY

1. Has anyone ever made fun of your taste in music? Yes. I worked with a pair of art directors (it's always art directors) who appeared shocked by what they heard when they walked into my office. I like Elvis. I guess I'm not supposed to. Sir Paul is my favorite Beatle. I love divas -- from Babs to Miss Diana Ross. Get over it. I owe no one an apology for my taste.

2. Do you have pop-tarts in your house right now? No. I do not think I have ever purchased a pop-tart.

3. Does someone owe you over twenty dollars? No.

4. When was the last time you burned any part of your body? Weeks. I don't even recall it, but I'm sure it happened because I'm a klutz.

5. What kind of booze did you last take shots of? I don't do shots. In cold weather I sip brandy from a shot glass. Does that count?

6. If you could see any musician live, front row, who would you choose? Sir Paul. I also wouldn't mind making like Bud and going to see Buffett. (Any art directors out there, start your judging.)

7. If I gave you ten dollars, what would you spend it on? Food. I will be picking up carry out today.

8. Does / did either of your parents serve in the military? My dad enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War. He always told me he was a Marine and made it sound like he was John-fucking-Wayne. My aunt (his baby sister) told me the true story. A Marine platoon "borrowed" him from his ship when they needed a corpsman. He was injured by shrapnel while on land, tending to injured Marines. He recuperated stateside (my aunt remembers it well because she and my grandparents visited him in San Francisco and it was her first flight) and then was returned to his ship. He was never a Marine and, as a corpsman, he didn't have a gun. My aunt speaks of this with such pride. I wonder why my dad so embroidered an already compelling true story.

9. Do you like sour candy? Not really.

10. What do you do to stay awake when you’re tired? I don't. I take a cat nap. I won't be able to do that when we go back to the office, will I?

11.Do you wear your shoes around the house? Nope.

12. Is there ever a time that you enjoy cold showers? Nope.

13. Are you good at filling silence in awkward situations? Yes. I babble nervously.

14. Any TV shows you sit down weekly to watch? No. During work-from-home I've been watching reruns of old shows every day. First it was That Girl, then it was Magnum PI and now it's The Dick van Dyke Show.

 
15. Are you one to sneak food into movie theaters? Nope. I believe in supporting movie theaters, especially after they struggled during the pandemic. Paying for overpriced candy helps their bottom line and keeps those kids behind the counter in jobs. I do it happily.

 

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.