Saturday 9

Saturday 9: O, Holy Night (1967)

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

1) This beloved carol takes its lyrics from a French poem. What else can we thank the French for? French toast. I haven't had it in a while. Maybe it's time to treat myself!

 
2) How well do you know  "O, Holy Night?" Without looking up the lyrics, could you sing along with Ella? Not well at all. I don't really like it. Here's the thing: It was chosen because it seemed to be popular with our Saturday 9 regulars when last summer we were asked what carol popped into our heads. 

Not only don't I care much for this song, but (hold on), I'm not that crazy about Ella Fitzgerald. I know, I know! No less an expert than Frank Sinatra said, "It doesn't get any better than Ella." But both she and this carol leave me cold. If I were queen of the blogosphere, we'd be doing Andy Williams singing "Silent Night." My favorite carol by the man whose voice just means Christmas to me.

BTW, even though this Christmas Eve I will be away from home, we'll attend a church in Key West that ends its service by inviting the congregation to sing this by candlelight. That's an important Christmas tradition for me. I so love that I'm able to continue it.

3) In order to get this record into stores in time for Christmas 1967, Ella had to record this in late July. So let's reverse that. Now that it's Christmastime, what do you miss most about summer? My guys! Have you heard who won the World Series? MY GUYS!

I miss you so much, Anthony Rizzo!

4) Sam is crazy about the open-toed pumps she'll be wearing to holiday parties, but that means she needs to get a pedi. Will you be at a salon between now and year-end? Yes. I'll have a haircut/color Wednesday evening at 5:00. It was supposed to be this morning but I threw myself on the stylist's mercy to get it changed because of today's winter blast. I don't want to take a cab on streets slicked by freezing rain, and the thought of public transit in these conditions makes me want to cry. Fortunately, I've known him for a very long time -- I've been in his chair for decades and before that (right after high school) we actually dated for a summer -- so he'll see my right after he closes on Wednesday. Which reminds me: I must tip him extra big this time. I'm on his personal time.

 
5) Will you be consuming any egg nog this holiday season? And if you do, will it be spiked? I don't know if I'll be having egg nog, but if I do, it will be spiked.

 
6) Thinking of holiday cuisine, what's your favorite Christmas cookie? My grandma made almond cookies similar to these every year. They were my favorite on her tray of cookies, but I found out recently that she didn't like making them, or eating them, for that matter. She thought her only daughter, my aunt, liked them and so she made batch after batch. Turns out my aunt really didn't care for them but thought my grandma was proud of the way the recipe came out, so she raved about them. Kind of like a cookie Gift of the Magi, I guess. At any rate, my aunt and I agree we both miss my grandma and her cookies very much this time of year.

7) Sam knows she will get a bottle of red wine from her boss, because that's what he gives his staff every year. Is there a gift you can count on receiving? I haven't received it yet, but I bet my cousin will send me a calendar, as she does almost every Christmas. As a private joke to myself, I sent her a Lord of the Rings calendar this year. (She's loves her some hobbits.)

 
8) What one gift would you most like to receive this year? Do you think anyone will get it for you? The new movie Jackie is only playing at a handful of theaters and none is near me, or convenient to public transportation. I'd love someone with a car to take me. (Though since the subject is the immediate aftermath of the assassination, I appreciate that it's not a  feel-good holiday movie.)

Love this poster because the real JBKO was self conscious about her gnawed nails.

9) This time of year is big for charitable fundraising. Here's your chance to plug a cause or organization that's near and dear to you. Toys for Tots. I hate it, HATE IT that some child will feel he was naughty or that Santa doesn't love him, or gives up on Santa before he's ready, just because his parents can't afford a gift. If you haven't donated to a toy drive in your own neighborhood, please consider helping out by clicking here. There's still time, and Toys for Tots still needs your help. Let's keep the Christmas magic alive for some wee ones.

You can donate here.

It has a name!

Went to the dermatologist today. She's a specialist in scalp issues and diagnosed my thinning hair as seborrheic dermatitis. I have a skin infection, kinda like a yeast infection but on my head, and it should be easy to treat with steroids, prescription shampoo and OTC Rogaine. While she doesn't think it's serious because the hair on the unaffected areas of my scalp is still "dense," it may take a while to cure.

So it's good to know what I have. She dismissed autoimmune disease because my pattern of thinning/loss is inconsistent with that diagnosis, and that's also good. But, since she doesn't believe I suffer from an autoimmune condition, it means that the scalp issue and my ongoing fatigue are unrelated ... and I still have no reason to point to for the fatigue. So in 2017, I guess I have an apnea/sleep study to look forward to.

But let's keep focused on the pony: What I have has a name, it's treatable, and it may be tenacious but not serious. YEA!

Happy birthday to me, part 8

Last night I had dinner with Kathleen where we celebrated both her and my birthdays and Christmas. We went to a new (to me) Mediterranean restaurant and shared a variety of small plates as we exchanged gifts.

She gave me these adorable little notecards. Each one looks like a Beatles 45 rpm record, as well as a book about "the swinging 60s." Clearly she knows where my heart is!

It was good to catch up with her. She's an interesting woman -- a good mother, an ever-evolving career woman, wife to a challenging but fascinating man, good daughter to ill and aging parents. Well over 50, she's become a passionate runner. I enjoy hearing about how she connects to her body now that she's a cancer survivor.

Thinking of that, it was a relief to talk to her about Barb. I think of Barb, her husband, and cancer all the time. It weighs heavily on me. It confuses me. I want to help but I don't know how. I want to help, but I don't want to intrude. Kathleen not only knows Barb, she understands what it's like to face cancer.

Kathleen promises that we have to get together soon to see the Christmas blockbusters. I know she means these things when she says them, but we'll see if it comes to pass. She was also going to watch a Cubs play off game with me, too ... I think I have to learn to enjoy her when I see her but not expect more time/involvement than she can deliver at this time in her life.

You give love a bad name

I try to visit everyone who plays Saturday 9. I inherited the blog from "Crazy Sam" and Bud and feel a responsibility to keep it going. Last week, one of the questions asked our players to tell us about an interesting relative.

As I scrolled down one blogger's comments so I could leave mine, I came upon a post that really disappointed me. This woman said that she was related to an actor I grew up watching, that she heard he'd died and wondered if he'd been "saved," but since he was a "libtard," she couldn't be sure.

It always upsets me when people wrap their hate in piety. And make no mistake about it, the suffix of "tard" is ugly and contemptuous. Instead of expressing the love and joy that can come from following Christ, it makes Christians sound judgemental and exclusionary.

But this insensitive ass got to me to thinking about Jesus and what He wants and expects of us. Would He prefer that we proselytize and spread "The Word," but treat others with disapproval/disgust, or would He rather we not believe but treat one another with respect and love. (And the "libtard" actor she mentioned was famous for having marched for civil rights n the 1960s.)

Obviously, I think He wants both: our hearts and our deeds. But I think that He probably looks more kindly upon the well-meaning but non-believing actor than He does the woman who uses her faith as an excuse for her scorn.

Sunday Stealing

The Bearded Questions

What is some of your favorite music? Pop, of course. Vintage, old-school rock. The great American songbook. And, thanks to Hamilton, we can now add rap to the list. Could I love Lin-Manuel Miranda more? (Stops to think.) No, I could not.

List your three favorite scents. Cinnamon. Lavender. Black Pearls.

How do you ground yourself or recharge? Alone time.

Any ways you treat or spoil yourself? I reward myself every week for a job well done by taking myself out for breakfast. (This past Saturday it was steel-cut oats and hot apples and cinnamon and brown sugar.) I enjoy it solo, just me and my book.

Besides your blog, do you have a creative past-time? No. I write for a living.

Share something difficult you've been through. 2016 was without a doubt the worst year 

of my life. It began with 90 days of tenacious tummy trouble, which took my doctor forever to first diagnose and then cure. Then my vision was messed up and now we're trying to get to the bottom of my fatigue/hair and nail issues. I can you what I don't have -- diabetes, kidney or thyroid disorder. But what do I have? Fuck if I know. Maybe it's sleep apnea ... maybe it's some type of autoimmune condition ... I see a dermatologist who specializes in these things on the 15th. Sigh. And that's just me. My dear friend John was severely ill last June; he was hospitalized and lost a toe. Mindy's mother died. Both Barb and her husband faced cancer. Henry and Reg totaled their car. My nephew is battling migraines and depression. This isn't even all of it. Really, it's gotten to where I'm afraid to answer the phone or open an email! If it wasn't for my Cubs, I'd be a basket case right now. HEY! YOU ASKED!

     What helps you fall asleep? Rumchata.

What is one strength and one weakness of yours? Strength: I can handle whatever comes my way. Weakness: I completely lack self discipline.

Have you ever received a letter or written one to someone else? Oh, come on. Of course. I've got a letter here from my cousin that I should answer today, while I'm snowed in. I have another letter from a friend of my late mother's that I ought to answer, too.

What makes you feel powerful, what breathes life into you? Little victories at work. I am energized by those presentations that leave me saying, "I can do this job." I get off on helping my client build their business.

What's your favorite thing to do at night?  Drinks with friends.

If you could go back to any era, what would they be? Midcentury. 1800s or 1900s, they both fascinate me.

Your favorite things to wear at home? Jammies. 

If you could be immortal or have an extremely long life span which would you pick and why? I'd like to be immortal because the implication is that I wouldn't be aging rapidly. I'm not crazy about the decay that comes with aging.

Tell us about something positive you have done for yourself or someone recently.

Yesterday I donated Chloe the Cat to the local toy drive. I like thinking of Santa handing her to a happy kid who will hug her tight.

One thing you like about your appearance? I have pretty green eyes.

     Something that makes you feel better after a hard day? Cuddling a cat.

If you have one, name a favorite book and movie. 

Things improved as the day wore on

Saturday afternoon was a pretty average affair. I stocked up at the store because a snowstorm is predicted. I finally put my summer clothes away and dragged out the winter ones. Yawn.

Saturday night was our last movie group meetup of 2016. We saw My Reputation, an enjoyable enough Barbara Stanwyck soaper that takes place in Chicagoland and has Christmas and New Year's scenes. Not many people showed up -- every TV station's "storm team" was a little hysterical about the white stuff -- but in a way I prefer that because we had a better post-movie discussion. Our moderator, Will, loves these old films so much and knows so much about them. It's a pleasure to talk to him about his passion.

After the movie, Joanna and I went for drinks and wished one another a Merry Christmas as we watched the snow fall.

I am home and I'm happy. I feel like we have officially kicked off the holiday season.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Snowbird (1971)

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

1) In this song, Elvis wants the snowbird to fly away and take the snow back with her. Have you seen a measurable snowfall yet this season? We had snow last weekend but it's all melted away. It's supposed to start again this afternoon and continue until ... I dunno ... April?

2) Drivers in snowy climes are encouraged to keep salt, sand or kitty litter in the trunk because those items can help a car regain traction in the snow. Do you have an emergency kit in your car right now? If so, what's in it? No car. But I've written so many articles on this, I know what you're supposed to carry: flares, shovel, energy bars, a charger for your phone, blanket, and a protein shake or two (less likely to freeze than water). And a 5 lb. bag of clay kitty litter.

3) Back in 2007, North Dakota set the world record for the most snow angels made at one time (8,910). Do you enjoy playing in the snow? I used to love sledding. Do kids still do that? Or is it too low-tech?

4) Chionophobia is the fear of snow. Astraphobia is the fear of thunder and lightening. Lilapsophobia is the fear of tornadoes and hurricanes. Do you have to cope with any of these fears? Nope.
 
5) Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie split her childhood between Memphis and Los Angeles, so she seldom saw snow. When she was a little girl, she was whisked her off to Denver in her father's private plane so the two of them could spend an afternoon playing in the snow. If you could take off and spend the afternoon anywhere in the world, where would you go? I'd fly off to Los Angeles to meet my oldest friend for lunch at her favorite place -- the Hotel Casa Del Mar on the beach. Her birthday is this weekend and I fear no one is fussing over her. This would make her happy. And, considering all the snow that's expected here, it would make me happy, too!

 

6) At home and onstage, Elvis refused to wear jeans and only wore denim if a film role demanded it. This is because when he was young, classmates teased him for "dressing poor" in jeans and coveralls. What did you wear to class when you were in grammar school? This page from a 1967 Sears catalog is pretty indicative. I wasn't allowed to wear slacks unless the mercury dipped below 20º. But I could wear a "pantdress" or "culottes," which I preferred because I never did like dealing with slips. And knee socks! No self respecting girl in my gradeschool wore anklets. (BTW, it makes me sad to think of Elvis being bullied. Kids can be so cruel.)


7) Elvis and President Jimmy Carter are distant relatives (the President is the sixth cousin of the King's great grandfather). Your turn: Tell us about one of your more interesting relatives. My dad was a talented auto mechanic and he enjoyed his work. Before I was born, he spent summer weekends working in the pits at the drag raceway. It wasn't until after he died that I learned my mom persuaded him to give that up when my older sister was born because it was too dangerous. I wonder if that didn't have something to do with his lukewarm attitude toward parenting.

8) In 1971, when Elvis released his recording of "Snowbird," You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown was a hit on Broadway. Who is your favorite Peanuts character? Charlie Brown had a good heart.

9) Random question: You receive a gift certificate from a gourmet food company that can be redeemed for one of these three things: 1 lb. of caviar, 5 lbs. of steak or a 10 lb., live lobster. Which would you choose? I would have gone with the lobster, except that the question specifies "live." Sorry, I just can't. So I'll take the steak, please. They "don't have legs and don't run around."

I refuse to be that person

It's not news to you if you read this blog -- I was very much against Donald Trump's election. And, if you're one of the people who applauded when he mocked the disabled reporter, or dismissed John McCain's heroism because he captured, or called Senator Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas," or ... or ... I do think the word "deplorable" fits you. It may even be too polite.

That said: Donald Trump will be my President on January 20. He won. I respect that.

I want him to succeed. I want to learn that he isn't the homophobe his selection of Mike Pence would indicate. I want to believe that somewhere under that bullying, power hungry facade beats the heart of a true patriot.

I respect my country. I respect the Presidency. And I refuse to be one of those people. You remember them -- the ones who insisted on disrespecting Barack Obama, referring to him as "obama" with no initial cap, or "obummer." The people who maintained that he "hated America." The people who applauded when Mitch McConnell and John Boehner vowed -- before he even took office -- to make Barack Obama a one-term President. The people who cheered when Congress refused to hold hearings for Merrick Garland. Those people alternately confused and disgusted me with their ridiculous, toxic partisanship, and I hope I learned from their very bad example.

A coworker told me his wife is still so depressed about Trump's election she can't get excited about Christmas or decorating the tree. My friend Barb says she hopes he will be impeached. My Facebook feed is filled with posts about how dismal the world looks now that we are in Trump's America.

I am still unhappy with the election results. But I have to move on. I have to hope for the best but  be vigilant and, when Trump does something that I cannot abide, I must be ready to act. Within the system. And with respect for the man and the office.

I've always been a Kennedy Girl and the Kennedy brother who lived a full life was Ted. The  Lion of the Senate authored legislation throughout the Nixon, Ford, Reagan, HW Bush and W Bush administrations. If he could fight the good fight without losing his belief in the system or joie de vivre, so can I.

Happy birthday to me, part 7

Wednesday night was a mixed bag with Barb, as time with Barb just naturally will be from now on. She is, after all, dealing with her husband's lung cancer while building a new house in another city and trying to get her own breast reconstruction done.

So the fact that she point zero thought into my birthday gift -- a candle and bar of soap -- hurt at first but then I got a hold of myself. No, I'm not a priority for her right now. And while that stings, I have to suck it up and accept that this is how it has to be

Barb also didn't like the play. I sent her a link  days before, but she never opened it. So I was offended at first when she said she hoped it would be a musical -- showtunes about autism? -- and she was offended that a dog was killed (before the play starts). But again, the regular rules don't apply right now. Her life is overwhelming her. This is my time to step up and be more sensitive.

The good news is that her husband has actually gained 10 lbs.! That's an indication that the chemo is working. The contractors on her home in Hilton Head have figured out how to add an elevator to their new home without prohibitive cost. It will make it possible for her husband to go from the garage up to their bedroom without using stairs, which will probably always be too taxing for his compromised lungs.

I'm a little confused about her the state of her reconstructive surgery. First it was on hold because of her infection, then there was dimpling and now her breasts don't match. I don't have any more detail than that because I don't ask questions. I just let her talk. This is intensely personal and she'll let me know what she's comfortable with me knowing.

WWW.WEDNESDAY

To participate, and to see how others responded, click here. 

1. What are you currently reading? Hercule Poirot's Christmas. An eccentric, wealthy old Brit unexpectedly decides to invite his family (some estranged) and friends for Christmas. Somebody gets dead. I just started it, but I appreciate the way Christie is setting it all up. It's the framework she herself devised, so it's no wonder that she's expert. She's coloring within the lines, but she's doing it masterfully and I'm thoroughly enjoying being in the hands of an old pro.

2. What did you recently finish reading? Till the End of Tom by Gillian Roberts, an installment in the Amanda Pepper series. I'm a fan of this series. I like our heroine, high school English teacher Amanda, her fiance detective CK and best friend Sasha. I also enjoy that, in addition to the mystery, Roberts always uses something more universal and substantial as a backdrop. This time it's eating disorders and how a young girl's self image can be developed, or warped.

BUT the mystery itself in this outing was rather uninvolving. I truly didn't care who killed wealthy, old-money cad Tomas Severin. Also, there's a pretty big hole in the plot. For a family as established as the Severins to have -- and keep -- such a big skeleton closeted is pretty hard to believe. (There! Told without a spoiler! Feeling quite proud of myself.)

3.  What will you read next? A biography from my tall TBR pile.

Happy birthday to me, part 6

A box of books! My friend in Key West, Henry, now works at the library. He loves it. He loves being surrounded by fellow book lovers, loves the enhanced benefits, and loves the unexpected perk of free books. Once every quarter, they go through and pull books that haven't been checked out, not even once, in a long while. This way they have room on the shelves for new books, and they have something to sell at their book sale.

In preparation for the book sale, which was last Saturday, Henry asked if he could check out the books and pull some for me. The result was two biographies of Ted Kennedy, a New Yorker collection of cat cartoons, and a 2003 book about how women have helped shaped American history.

I love hardcover books and was happy to get such a thoughtful gift that really only cost him the price of postage (media mail, at that).  And Connie loved the big box it came in as only a nest-making girlcat can.

A quiet gem

No gunplay. No explosions. No car crashes. While this movie has heroes, they do not possess super powers.

Loving is the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the Virginia couple whose interracial marriage brought them to The Supreme Court.

They were in love. She was pregnant. He bought an acre of land to build his new family a house. They drove to Washington, DC, to get married.

Eight weeks later, they were arrested in their home -- dragged out of their bed in the middle of the night -- for violating "the racial integrity law." Because marriage rights were state's rights and Virginia didn't recognize their DC marriage license.

It took Robert Kennedy, the ACLU and the Supreme Court to make it legal for them to live in peace with their children under the same roof, anywhere they went.

I'm ashamed I didn't know more about this story before I saw the movie. It's an important chapter of recent history and the parallels to same-sex marriage are unmistakable. It should serve as a cautionary tale every time Trump refers to marriage as a "state issue."

As a movie, it's interesting. As I mentioned at the top, it's pretty quiet. It moves at its own pace. I appreciated the way the director used the soundtrack. Sometimes there was music but at other times it was quiet. Still. A sensitive and mature way to enhance the tension of these real-life events.

See it before all the Oscar nominations come out.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. YOU HAVE 10 BUCKS AND NEED TO BUY SNACKS AT A GAS STATION. WHAT DO YOU GET? Chips and the biggest Coke they've got.

2. IF YOU WERE REINCARNATED AS SOME SORT OF SEA DWELLING CREATURE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Seahorse.


3. WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE REDHEAD? She who stomps grapes.

4. WHAT DO YOU ORDER WHEN YOU'RE AT A DINER? A burger sounds good, doesn't it?

5. LAST BOOK YOU READ? I finished Till the End of Tom by Gillian Roberts. It was OK. Liked the characters and the setting but there's something disappointing about a mystery when you don't much care whodunnit.

6. DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF UNDERWEAR? Well, a picture is worth 1000 words.

 

7. DESCRIBE THE LAST TIME YOU WERE INJURED. In spring 2015, I twisted my ankle while running to catch the bus.

8. ROCK CONCERT OR SYMPHONY? LAST SEEN? I saw Sir Paul at Lolla couple summers ago.

9. IF SOMEONE WERE TO BUY YOU A GIFT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE? Airline tickets. I'd love to take my nephew Washington DC.
 

10. WHAT TYPE OF SHIRT DO YOU BEST IN? This one goes with everything I own.

11. IF YOU COULD USE ONLY ONE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Train. I like trains.

12. WHAT IS YOUR DEADLY SIN? None has killed me yet.

13. MOST RECENT MOVIE YOU'VE WATCHED IN A THEATER? RATE IT. The last movie I saw in a theater wasn't new. It was a special 55th anniversary showing of Breakfast at Tiffany's. I loved it. 
 
14. IF YOU COULD INVENT ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Something like the Jetsons' Rosie.

15. NAME AN ACTOR/ACTRESS YOU'VE HAD THE HOTS FOR? Bruce Willis. I wish he worked more. I miss his smirk.
 
16. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITY? LAST TIME THERE? Chicago. Friday.
 
17. WHAT'S THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO MIND RIGHT NOW? "Itch." My skin is very dry.
 
18. WHAT TYPE OF PET DO YOU HAVE? Feline.
 
19. WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED THE LONGEST? My previous apartment.

20. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON THAT SPENT $100 ON YOU? Probably my friend John for my birthday.
 
21. WHAT'S THE LAST PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU BOUGHT? A lilac cardigan with black trim.

22. WHAT WAS/IS YOUR FAVORITE JOB?  I worked in new product development for a haircare company. That was a lot of fun, and I won a Clio.
 

23. WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? 

 
24. WHAT ARE YOU CRAVING? More Coke.

25. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? Elvis. (That phrase is a song cue if ever I heard one.)

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Take My Breath Away

1) When were you last breathless? Friday. Hustling up the stairs to the el. It's two flights and I'm an old broad.

2) This is the love theme from Top Gun, and the romance was between a pilot and his instructor. Have you ever had a crush on a teacher? Oh, yes. One of my high school English teachers. He was Jewish, which was very exotic in my white-bread community. And he had very long, curly hair, which made him indescribably sexy.

3) The pilots in Top Gun all had cool nicknames -- including Maverick, Goose, Merlin, Cougar and Stinger. Give yourself a cool pilot name. Go To Gal. I get things done!

4) The actress who played the instructor, Kelly McGillis, owns Kelly's Caribbean Bar/Grill and Brewery in Key West. It's known for its cheese and beer dip appetizer, served with warm pretzels. What's one of your favorite between meal snacks? Lately it's been crackers. Either Club (if I want salty) or graham (if I want sweet).

5) The group who recorded this week's song is called Berlin, but they're really from Southern California. Have you ever been to Berlin? How about Southern California? I've been to both, having spent time in both Beverly Hills and Berlin, WI. (And trust me, you can't find two more different towns.)
 
6) Lead singer Terri Nunn has a weekly radio show, Unbound on KCSN. How often do you listen to the radio? Do you tune in for music, comedy, news or talk? I love my shower radio. I listen to the oldies and play their morning trivia game while drying my hair.

7) In 1986, when this song was popular, PeeWee's Playhouse premiered. While ostensibly for children, PeeWee Herman's show had many, many adult viewers. Do you watch still watch any kid's shows? Nope.

8) Robert Pattinson, the actor who played Edward the vampire in the Twilight series, was born in 1986. Have you read the Twilight books? Seen the movies? Nope.

9)  Random question: In an alternate universe, which of these professions would you like to find yourself in -- United States senator, Ivy League professor, or imminent psychiatrist? I'd be honored to be in the world's greatest deliberative body, the United States Senate.

 

On the house!

One of my favorite things to do has always been to celebrate the weekend with a coffee shop breakfast while reading my book. This morning I decided to get into the swing of the holidays by ordering something distinctly seasonal -- pumpkin pancakes topped with cream cheese, a side of bacon, and a glass of OJ.

Before my breakfast came, the hostess came over to me and asked me what I ordered. Because another patron had asked her if she could pick up the bill for "a restaurant regular" as a Christmas present.

Huh? What? This has never happened to me before.

I turned around and a woman at the cash register waved sheepishly at me. I waves and started to get up but she shook her head. Then, as she walked out of the restaurant and passed my window, she mouthed, "Merry Christmas."

And here I had been happy to get a table near the Christmas tree! I never dreamed my meal would be comped.

When I left the restaurant, I asked the hostess to be sure, next time she sees that woman, to tell her that I intended to take a little of the money she saved me and use it to buy something for the food pantry donation box at Trader Joe's.*

"Ah!" the hostess said happily, "I knew I picked the right patron!"

Don't you just love Christmastime?

*And I did. Instead of one box of mac 'n' cheese mix, I donated two.

That was humbling

I'm riding the el home the other night, my nose buried in a book. A man across the aisle keeps saying, "Miss! Miss!" but I don't look up because I assume he's on his phone. (I assume everyone is on the phone.)

Then a hand waves across my line of sight and I look up and a homeless man has been trying to capture my attention.

"Miss, do you have a Kleenex?"

I dug through my purse and produced one of these pocket packs, which had cost me 20¢. He started to take a tissue out and I told him to just keep it.

"The whole thing? Thank you!"

It made me sad to think how much this meant to him, and it humbled me to help him.