Today's October Daily Prompt: Outdoors
This is my neighborhood. The part of town where the rich folk live. But still, I can see it and it can be quite lovely in autumn.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Friday, October 21, 2016
Because Heaven is filled with Cub fans
I saw this video this morning and started to cry. And I'm not a crier.
But here's the thing. My dad was an unhappy man. Nothing brought him joy. But he did, in his way, love the Cubs. He was a passionate fan and often tried to get me to keep score old school (Pitcher 1, Catcher 2, First base 3 ...). He took me to my first Cub game. My introduction to the bricks and ivy of The Friendly Confines happened with him.
Both my paternal grandparents were massive Cub fans. Grandpa taught me to appreciate the moments -- a good catch in the outfield, an impressive duel between pitcher and batter -- more than the final score. Grandma looooooved Ryne Sandberg. To her 88th year, she wore Sandberg's jersey every summer. I have that jersey now, and intend to wear it myself if there's a Cub victory parade.
My mom's baby brother, my Uncle Ted, was a Cub fan, too. At the end of his life, when all his energy went to battling the Parkinson's that ravaged his body, he let all his magazine subscriptions lapse except two -- Mad and Vine Line, the official publication of the Cubs. (That really tells you what you need to know about Ted.)
When I was a little girl, I learned to love my heroes in Cubbie blue from these people. I wish there were here to see this team, this manager, this playoff run.
But here's the thing. My dad was an unhappy man. Nothing brought him joy. But he did, in his way, love the Cubs. He was a passionate fan and often tried to get me to keep score old school (Pitcher 1, Catcher 2, First base 3 ...). He took me to my first Cub game. My introduction to the bricks and ivy of The Friendly Confines happened with him.
Both my paternal grandparents were massive Cub fans. Grandpa taught me to appreciate the moments -- a good catch in the outfield, an impressive duel between pitcher and batter -- more than the final score. Grandma looooooved Ryne Sandberg. To her 88th year, she wore Sandberg's jersey every summer. I have that jersey now, and intend to wear it myself if there's a Cub victory parade.
My mom's baby brother, my Uncle Ted, was a Cub fan, too. At the end of his life, when all his energy went to battling the Parkinson's that ravaged his body, he let all his magazine subscriptions lapse except two -- Mad and Vine Line, the official publication of the Cubs. (That really tells you what you need to know about Ted.)
When I was a little girl, I learned to love my heroes in Cubbie blue from these people. I wish there were here to see this team, this manager, this playoff run.
Cubs 8, Dodgers 4
We now lead the series 3-2. We're coming home to The Friendly Confines just one win away from the World Series.
I'm not sure I believe this is really happening. But, oh! How I love it!
I'm not sure I believe this is really happening. But, oh! How I love it!
Thursday, October 20, 2016
October Challenge -- Day 20
Today's October Daily Prompt: Getting Crafty
OK, I hate doing crafty shit. But I signed up for this Challenge and dammit, I'm going to be a good sport. So here's a craft even I can do:
I won't do it, of course. But I could.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
The word for today is ...
BLEPHARITIS.
Last night, I could have sworn I had a zit between my nose and my left eye. It's a weird place to get a pimple, yes. But when I winced -- and I winced a lot during Tuesday night's game -- that's what it felt like. I ran to the mirror and saw nothing.
This morning when I woke up, I could actually see a lump when I looked out onto the world. EW! ICK! I looked in the mirror and saw a puffy mass beside my left eye.
This has never happened to me before. My doctor doesn't have office hours on Wednesday, so I went to the walk-in clinic at Walgreens. The nurse practitioner introduced me to the word "blepharitis." In my specific case, it's a lump caused by inflammation of an oil gland in my eye lid. Not that serious, not contagious. Easily treated by drops. The NP is confident that by Thursday night, I'll look better.
I tried not to let this get me down. I mean, yes it's true that 2016 has been a horrible year for me. My health has been problematic. My bathroom is half done and will continue to be so because of more pressing financial concerns. I feel like I'm holding on to my career by my fingernails. And my friends! They have faced everything from car accidents to cancer to death this year! The consistent bright spot in my life these days -- my Cubs -- suddenly aren't shining so bright.
BUT today was unseasonably warm and I enjoyed the walk to and from Walgreens. It was sunny and the leaves are starting to turn and everything was pretty.
I live in a neighborhood where quality healthcare options are within walking distance. I have good insurance so my OOP today -- for an office visit, a flu shot and the prescription eye drops -- was less than $30. Not everyone has it so good.
It's true my home isn't how I'd like it to be -- it's fall so the drain flies have returned to my kitchen like the swallows return to Capistrano -- but my home is where my cats and my books are. And so my home makes me happy.
And Nancy was so sweet. She's definitely pulled ahead in the competition to be my new best friend. I checked in on Facebook from the clinic. Not in a "woe is me" way. In a "can you believe this shit" way. Her first response was, "Oh, no! Do you need anything?" How thoughtful is that!
Last night, I could have sworn I had a zit between my nose and my left eye. It's a weird place to get a pimple, yes. But when I winced -- and I winced a lot during Tuesday night's game -- that's what it felt like. I ran to the mirror and saw nothing.
This morning when I woke up, I could actually see a lump when I looked out onto the world. EW! ICK! I looked in the mirror and saw a puffy mass beside my left eye.
I tried not to let this get me down. I mean, yes it's true that 2016 has been a horrible year for me. My health has been problematic. My bathroom is half done and will continue to be so because of more pressing financial concerns. I feel like I'm holding on to my career by my fingernails. And my friends! They have faced everything from car accidents to cancer to death this year! The consistent bright spot in my life these days -- my Cubs -- suddenly aren't shining so bright.
BUT today was unseasonably warm and I enjoyed the walk to and from Walgreens. It was sunny and the leaves are starting to turn and everything was pretty.
I live in a neighborhood where quality healthcare options are within walking distance. I have good insurance so my OOP today -- for an office visit, a flu shot and the prescription eye drops -- was less than $30. Not everyone has it so good.
It's true my home isn't how I'd like it to be -- it's fall so the drain flies have returned to my kitchen like the swallows return to Capistrano -- but my home is where my cats and my books are. And so my home makes me happy.
And Nancy was so sweet. She's definitely pulled ahead in the competition to be my new best friend. I checked in on Facebook from the clinic. Not in a "woe is me" way. In a "can you believe this shit" way. Her first response was, "Oh, no! Do you need anything?" How thoughtful is that!
I want this
I don't know why this means so much to me, exactly. I mean, I love my guys, win or lose. But I've been rather scared and sad all day. Some of it is health related, some is worry about work, but most of it is this.
I want this year to be the year. I really do. Will I be a Cub fan in 2017, one way or the other? Of course! You might as well ask me if I'll still walk upright and continue to use my thumbs.
But I want this.
That hurt
I won't lie: I couldn't stand watching last night's game. Six-to-fucking-nothing. Against Jake! The once indomitable Jake Arrieta got hammered. And Big Rizz! His slump causes me almost physical pain because he's such a great kid: a cancer survivor who gives back to the community and plays with such joie de vivre.
As the game started to get away, I moved to the den, began organizing the mess and listened on the radio. I thought being productive and hearing Pat Hughes call the game would life my mood.
It didn't.
This did, though. I love Joe Maddon. He's right, you know. It's a best-of-seven series. We're down 2-1, but we can even it up tonight. Go, Cubs, go!
As the game started to get away, I moved to the den, began organizing the mess and listened on the radio. I thought being productive and hearing Pat Hughes call the game would life my mood.
It didn't.
This did, though. I love Joe Maddon. He's right, you know. It's a best-of-seven series. We're down 2-1, but we can even it up tonight. Go, Cubs, go!
October Challenge -- Day 19
Today's October Daily Prompt: Happy Mail
I still like writing and receiving postcards from the road. I just recently received one like this from Pelplin. My cousin Rose beat it back from Poland, but no matter. I was happy to see it in my mailbox.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
October Challenge -- Day 18
Today's October Daily Prompt: Current Favorite
My current favorite Cub is our manager, Joe Maddon. I wish I could take him with me everywhere I go.
Monday, October 17, 2016
October Challenge -- Day 17
Today's October Daily Prompt: Fall outfit of the day
Not very autumnal today: Jeans, t-shirts and sandals. We're gonna be unseasonably warm.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
"I love you, Gal"
My former secretary, Amy, moved to Philly years ago. Early this morning, she IM'd me with a photo of Scarlett in the red dress. "This is how I feel today," she wrote. "I have to walk into a room where everyone hates me. Like you said, I want to be Melly but I end up like Scarlett." She wrote about how she had to address a community group that wasn't necessarily receptive to what she had to say. She'd made some tough choices on behalf of her synagogue that not everyone agreed with.
I reminded her that while it's easy to dismiss Scarlett as a heartless bitch, she did hold Tara together against all odds and keep her family warm, dry and fed. And Amy saved the building her religious community worships in.
"Thank you," she responded. "I love you, Gal."
This made me so happy. I effortlessly had a positive influence on someone else. How very Melly of me!
Sunday Stealing
To play along, click here
26.) Favorite kids name? Depends on the last name it's going with.
27.) Do you speak any other languages? No
28.) Do you use Twitter? Yes
29.) Do you go onto YouTube? Yes
30.) Do you play Angry Birds? I have
31.) Do you like Angry Birds? Sure
32.) Do you like Hello Kitty? Not especially
33.) Have you ever cried because you were so happy? Yes
34.) Who would you like to see in concert? I'm going to change the question a bit and answer that I wish I could see Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton. Here he was before the play was even staged. So imaginative and smart.
35.) Can you swim well? Well, it's the sport I'm best at.
36.) Ever won a contest? Yes.
37.) Ever won a giveaway? Yes.
38.) Do you get a full 8 hours of sleep every night? Not usually. This could be why I'm so often tired.
39.) What tea do you like? Hot. I don't like iced tea.
40.) What coffee do you like? Ew! Ick! I don't like coffee at all.
41.) Do you shop at Walmart? Seldom
42.) Do you shop at Target? More often than Walmart
43.) What do you order at Second Cup? Nothing because I've never heard of it
45.) Do you like homemade meals? No. I hate the idea of someone fussing over me like that. I'd rather we meet at a restaurant and split the bill.
46.) Do you like homemade baked goods? Yes
47.) Do you shop online? Doesn't everyone these days?
48.) Name 3 stores online stores you would like to shop at: Amazon, Overstock and Hanes
49.) What holiday don't you like? I don't like Mother's/Father's Day anymore, since all my parents and grandparents are gone.
50.) What do you eat more of when you're sick? I suppose saltines are good for you no matter what ails you.
26.) Favorite kids name? Depends on the last name it's going with.
27.) Do you speak any other languages? No
28.) Do you use Twitter? Yes
29.) Do you go onto YouTube? Yes
30.) Do you play Angry Birds? I have
31.) Do you like Angry Birds? Sure
32.) Do you like Hello Kitty? Not especially
33.) Have you ever cried because you were so happy? Yes
34.) Who would you like to see in concert? I'm going to change the question a bit and answer that I wish I could see Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton. Here he was before the play was even staged. So imaginative and smart.
35.) Can you swim well? Well, it's the sport I'm best at.
36.) Ever won a contest? Yes.
37.) Ever won a giveaway? Yes.
38.) Do you get a full 8 hours of sleep every night? Not usually. This could be why I'm so often tired.
39.) What tea do you like? Hot. I don't like iced tea.
40.) What coffee do you like? Ew! Ick! I don't like coffee at all.
41.) Do you shop at Walmart? Seldom
42.) Do you shop at Target? More often than Walmart
43.) What do you order at Second Cup? Nothing because I've never heard of it
45.) Do you like homemade meals? No. I hate the idea of someone fussing over me like that. I'd rather we meet at a restaurant and split the bill.
46.) Do you like homemade baked goods? Yes
47.) Do you shop online? Doesn't everyone these days?
48.) Name 3 stores online stores you would like to shop at: Amazon, Overstock and Hanes
49.) What holiday don't you like? I don't like Mother's/Father's Day anymore, since all my parents and grandparents are gone.
50.) What do you eat more of when you're sick? I suppose saltines are good for you no matter what ails you.
October Challenge -- Day 16
Air travel freaking terrifies me. Who is this pilot man? Why am I trusting him with my life? I know, I know ... this being an October challenge I probably should answer "Dracula" or "goblins" or give some other Halloweeny reply. But flights are what really scares me.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
This is really happening!
So it's 3-3 going into the bottom of the 8th. My heroes in Cubbie blue haven't scored since the second. Momentum is with the Dodgers, who have been pretty hard on our bullpen.
Being a lifelong Cub fan, I start the positive self talk about tomorrow's game. What an idiot I am! I've forgotten that these kids are proud of their "We don't quit!" creed.
Bottom of the 8th: PINCH HIT GRAND SLAM!
Saturday 9
1) This song is performed by a woman who is positively tickled to have unexpected company. How do you feel when people drop by unannounced? First, I think the woman who sings this song is frighteningly happy to see her guest. Second, when someone raps at my door, my feelings run the gamut from annoyed to mad. Please don't do it.
2) She is clearly proud of her skills in the kitchen. Do you enjoy baking? Cooking? Nope. I used to enjoy making apple-banana cupcakes, but now I think it's too much work.
3) Reference is made to hiring a band. Tell us the last time you were at an event with live music. My community had an outdoor fest last month and one of the bands was just too cute: High schoolers obviously inspired by School of Rock. There they were, performing classic rockers like Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll." They were pretty good, too.
4) After making recordings in the early 1950s, Eileen Barton appeared on daytime TV in the early 1960s -- including a game show called Video Village. Let's say we're all headed to a TV game show taping this morning. Would you volunteer to appear as a contestant? Or would you rather just stay in the audience? I do not want to be on TV, so I'll just sit in the audience.
2) She is clearly proud of her skills in the kitchen. Do you enjoy baking? Cooking? Nope. I used to enjoy making apple-banana cupcakes, but now I think it's too much work.
3) Reference is made to hiring a band. Tell us the last time you were at an event with live music. My community had an outdoor fest last month and one of the bands was just too cute: High schoolers obviously inspired by School of Rock. There they were, performing classic rockers like Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll." They were pretty good, too.
4) After making recordings in the early 1950s, Eileen Barton appeared on daytime TV in the early 1960s -- including a game show called Video Village. Let's say we're all headed to a TV game show taping this morning. Would you volunteer to appear as a contestant? Or would you rather just stay in the audience? I do not want to be on TV, so I'll just sit in the audience.
5) In 1961, Ms. Barton got married in Juarez, Mexico. What's the longest distance you've ever traveled to attend a wedding? I went to my cousin's wedding in New Mexico. That was about 1350 miles away.
6) In 1950, when this song was popular, the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. Are you looking forward to the upcoming NHL season? Nope. The Cubs are still doing absolutely beautifully in the playoffs, and so I'm all baseball/all the time.
7) 1950 also marks the first time anyone in the United States paid by credit card. Do you pay with a credit card to get rewards? If yes, what rewards are you accumulating (points, cash back, airline miles)? Miles. Cashback would be the wiser choice, but miles inspire better daydreams.
8) In 1950, an athlete named Florence Chadwick swam the English Channel. Are you a good swimmer? Yes. I'm no Katie Ledecky, but I have endurance and enjoy it.
9) Random question: Think about the last "white lie" you told. Was it to spare someone's feelings, or to make your day go more smoothly? Nothing springs to my mind, but I'm sure it was to make my own life easier.
October Challenge -- Day 15
I love this "warm and cozy" photo of little Connie. It was shortly after she moved in -- you can tell because she's still squinting, as we had yet to get her conjunctivitis under control. But it did my heart good to see her so happy and relaxed.
This little girl had a tough time before she joined this household. She'd been kept by a well meaning but completely inept hoarder. When turned in to the shelter, she was emaciated, yet carrying a litter of stillborn kittens. Her breath was terrible because of the bad diet she'd been subsisting on. And bright lights (like a camera flash) caused her discomfort.
But in no time she was one of the clan. She was affectionate with dear old Joe and is an energetic playmate for Reynaldo. And just look how she made herself at home!
This little girl had a tough time before she joined this household. She'd been kept by a well meaning but completely inept hoarder. When turned in to the shelter, she was emaciated, yet carrying a litter of stillborn kittens. Her breath was terrible because of the bad diet she'd been subsisting on. And bright lights (like a camera flash) caused her discomfort.
But in no time she was one of the clan. She was affectionate with dear old Joe and is an energetic playmate for Reynaldo. And just look how she made herself at home!
Friday, October 14, 2016
When there's no Cub game ...
.... I'm forced to pay attention to the election. And I'm beyond ready for it to be over.
The big news since I last posted about the Presidential campaign is that Donald Trump has imploded. A "hot mic" tape of him talking about in vulgar terms about trying to seduce the married Nancy O'Dell (then of Access Hollywood) and then bragging about being able to grab women by their genitals and just start kissing them. It was appalling. The language he used was genuinely disgusting (even by my lights and, as this blog has often demonstrated, I have a salty tongue).
So much of what Donald Trump has said this past year has creeped me out that at first, I erroneously thought this was just another thing. (The communion wafer is "a little cracker," John McCain isn't really a war hero because he was captured, Megyn Kelly had "blood coming out of her wherever," mocking Serge Kovaleski for his neurological disease ...) All Trump really had to do was apologize, sound sincerely chastened, and move on. After all, Secretary Clinton is a very, very flawed candidate and there's a lot there for opposing side to seize on.
This was beyond Trump. He couldn't even fake contrition. Instead he apologized not for what he said but if we were offended, and dismissed his bad behavior as "locker room talk," and mere words. To emphasize that actions are worse than words, he had Juanita Broddrick, Paula Jones and Kathleen Willey as his guests at that evening's debate.
Yes, he forced Hillary to stand onstage in front of the women at the center of Bill's scandals.
It was a disgusting bully move by Trump, even worse than what he said. I'm no fan of Secretary Clinton, but I'm a woman who has been humiliated and has had my heart broken. It made me sympathize with her and hate him. He didn't have to do it.
And it was nah-nah-nah display. "Yeah, I'm bad but he's worse!" Our mothers wouldn't accept that kind of tattling and deflection if we broke a plate while doing the dinner dishes, yet we're supposed to embrace it when choosing a leader of the free world.
Then Anderson Cooper asked Trump if his predatory creepiness was limited to words. He defiantly insisted it was. So then the predictable happened. Women began coming out of the woodwork, telling tales of how Trump groped them.
He says this is proof of a conspiracy. "Crooked Hillary" and the "dishonest mainstream media" and international banking concerns. Yeah, right.
I believe it's obvious what happened: Women who Trump abused saw him on TV, giving credibility to the Clinton accusers and then diminishing what he did to them by dismissing it as "just words."
Meanwhile, Wikileaks dumped a ton of Hillary Clinton emails. No one is talking about them because Trump can't stop talking about himself. He keeps making news. Today I heard him tell a rally that one of the women accusing him had to be lying because "she wouldn't be my first choice." So she's not attractive enough for you to abuse, Mr. Trump?
What a pig.
What an idiot.
None of this had to happen. Donald Trump made it happen.
I can't wait for this to be over.
The big news since I last posted about the Presidential campaign is that Donald Trump has imploded. A "hot mic" tape of him talking about in vulgar terms about trying to seduce the married Nancy O'Dell (then of Access Hollywood) and then bragging about being able to grab women by their genitals and just start kissing them. It was appalling. The language he used was genuinely disgusting (even by my lights and, as this blog has often demonstrated, I have a salty tongue).
So much of what Donald Trump has said this past year has creeped me out that at first, I erroneously thought this was just another thing. (The communion wafer is "a little cracker," John McCain isn't really a war hero because he was captured, Megyn Kelly had "blood coming out of her wherever," mocking Serge Kovaleski for his neurological disease ...) All Trump really had to do was apologize, sound sincerely chastened, and move on. After all, Secretary Clinton is a very, very flawed candidate and there's a lot there for opposing side to seize on.
This was beyond Trump. He couldn't even fake contrition. Instead he apologized not for what he said but if we were offended, and dismissed his bad behavior as "locker room talk," and mere words. To emphasize that actions are worse than words, he had Juanita Broddrick, Paula Jones and Kathleen Willey as his guests at that evening's debate.
Yes, he forced Hillary to stand onstage in front of the women at the center of Bill's scandals.
It was a disgusting bully move by Trump, even worse than what he said. I'm no fan of Secretary Clinton, but I'm a woman who has been humiliated and has had my heart broken. It made me sympathize with her and hate him. He didn't have to do it.
And it was nah-nah-nah display. "Yeah, I'm bad but he's worse!" Our mothers wouldn't accept that kind of tattling and deflection if we broke a plate while doing the dinner dishes, yet we're supposed to embrace it when choosing a leader of the free world.
Then Anderson Cooper asked Trump if his predatory creepiness was limited to words. He defiantly insisted it was. So then the predictable happened. Women began coming out of the woodwork, telling tales of how Trump groped them.
He says this is proof of a conspiracy. "Crooked Hillary" and the "dishonest mainstream media" and international banking concerns. Yeah, right.
I believe it's obvious what happened: Women who Trump abused saw him on TV, giving credibility to the Clinton accusers and then diminishing what he did to them by dismissing it as "just words."
Meanwhile, Wikileaks dumped a ton of Hillary Clinton emails. No one is talking about them because Trump can't stop talking about himself. He keeps making news. Today I heard him tell a rally that one of the women accusing him had to be lying because "she wouldn't be my first choice." So she's not attractive enough for you to abuse, Mr. Trump?
What a pig.
What an idiot.
None of this had to happen. Donald Trump made it happen.
I can't wait for this to be over.
OCTOBER CHALLENGE -- DAY 14
Thursday, October 13, 2016
October Challenge -- Day 13
This is Norman Bates of Psycho. Played impeccably by Anthony Perkins in the Hitchcock near-masterpiece.
He racks up quite a body count: His mother, his stepfather, Marion Crane, Detective Arborgast ... and who knows who else is in that swamp. He kills with poison and knives so that his victims suffer. His crimes are about punishment as much as revenge. All this makes him scary and reprehensible.
Except I've always kinda felt sorry for him. Clearly this villain was created, not born. His mother, the one he should have been able to trust, abused him horribly. She undermined his self esteem to the point that he literally disappeared.
It's that overlay of compassion he engenders that allowed him to move into my imagination and stay there.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
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