WWW.WEDNESDAY

WWW.WEDNESAY asks us 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?  

And the Sea Will Tell by Vincent Bugliosi and Bruce Henderson. Palmyra is a tiny (less than 5 sq. miles) island south of Hawaii. It's officially "unoccupied," meaning no one lives there -- though US Navy personnel and conservationists stay for short periods. It's on this virtually deserted island that two couples meet, and a real-life mystery ensues.

Mac and Muff Graham, a wealthy couple with a luxury yacht, sailed down to Palmyra from San Diego for a tropical adventure. Buck and Stephanie escape to Palmyra from Hawaii, using their amateurishly rehabbed boat to evade law enforcement. Somehow Buck and Stephanie and the big yacht end up in Arizona ... and no one has heard from Mac or Muff in ages. What happened?

This true story is told with flair by Bruce Henderson and Vincent Bugliosi -- the latter represented Stephanie at trial. It's not high art, but it's entertaining. And as I read, I wonder about the similarities between Stephanie and Muff. On the surface, they appear to be radically different, yet they each got on board and took off for Palmyra, despite tremendous misgivings. Both the society matron and the hippie chick would have been better off if they'd listened to their little voices.

 

2. What did you recently finish reading?  

Joe Biden's Promise Me, Dad. “I try to be mindful, at all times, of what a difference a small human gesture can make to people in need. What does it really cost to take a moment to look someone in the eye, to give him a hug, to let her know, I get it. You’re not alone?” That's the way Joe Biden lives, and it's inspiring.

I wish I liked this book more than I did. The Biden family story as they say goodbye to their eldest son is told with authenticity and I'm sure it will help others through their grief. But at times, the book reads like Biden's foreign policy CV. I understand that it was important to set the stage, to let the reader know everything else that the Vice President was dealing with as his son fought cancer. But instead of giving me context, this level of detail annoyed me. I didn't care what Joe was doing to smooth the situation in Tikrit, I wanted to know what was going on the hospital room with Beau. 

Still, I'm glad I read it, and I recommend it for a massive dose of much-needed humanity in The Age of Trump.

3.  What will you read next?  
Probably a mystery.

Three Stars Are Born

I saw the Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper remake and thoroughly enjoyed it. While she was very good, for me, he was the revelation. We are given a backstory for Jackson Maine that John Norman Howard and Norman Maine didn't get. The movie makes more sense. And now it's more about abuse and addiction, not the toxicity of fame. I'll never be famous, but I have known families who have suffered the impact of addiction and mental health issues.

But surprising as she is, Gaga isn't Judy. Only Judy is Judy. So here is my long-awaited ranking of the three musical versions of this story.

Winner, and Still Chanpion

Engaging and touching

I've never liked it, and you can't make me

FURIOUS

On September 24, Bob came over and estimated the cost of painting my bathroom. Between the 25th and and October 3rd, I exchanged emails with his boss, John. We agreed on a price of $275 for a 4-hour job. To begin at 9:00 AM on October 8.

To begin at 9:00 AM on October 8.

No one showed up.

John could have called ... or texted ... or emailed. He had many ways to reach me. He chose none of them.

I took a day off work for nothing.

I am completely freaking out about how this work will be done before the tub/tile contractors show up to do the major work.

I am livid.

I.took the day to process my feelings, to chill out. And then, before I went to bed, I left this review over and over again. On Yelp and Houzz and Google and Angie's List. I hope I sounded measured and credible, and perhaps saving someone else from this agita.

10/08/2018

I wish there was a no-star option. This contractor came over and gave me an estimate, we scheduled a time, and then no one ever showed up for the work. No call, no email, no text. I can understand someone being overbooked, or needing to reschedule. But to allow me to take the day off work for nothing, to ignore the commitment, is unprofessional. No acknowledgement or apology has yet been offered. Approach this company with extreme caution.

Sunday Stealing

SUNDAY STEALING
1. Have you ever tried to learn (or re-learn) a foreign language as an adult? Which one? What worked for you? I tried to learn Spanish several years ago. My studies were interrupted by surgery/recovery. I never picked it up again. My bad.

2. Do you donate blood? Do you know your blood type? I haven't donated in a while. I'm AB+.       

3. Have you ever been in a play or musical? Not since grade school.

4. Do you use certain text or ring tones for specific people? Who gets their own? Or do you just use the default on your phone? Default

5. When did you get your first digital camera? Do you still shoot on actual film, or all digital now? I'm all digital. I was late to getting a digital camera, but I don't use a camera at all. The quality of the photos on my phone isn't as good, but it's so much easier.

6. What do you think someone else would say the most daring thing you’ve done is? My mother was always amazed at my willingness to travel alone.

7. Do you talk with your hands? Yes

8. Given the choice in a restaurant – would you go with a booth or table (or bar!!!) for seating? Booth

9. What kind of milk did you drink, growing up? And now? Whole milk as a kid, skim or 2% now.

10. How do you keep track of all your passwords? Do you make your passwords super complicated and change them often, or use the same ones over and over? You're assuming that I keep track of all my passwords. I'm a mess. I seem to always be clicking the "forgot your password?" link.
11. Are you a note taker? Yes

12. Do you remember what your first social media posting (or status update) was on Facebook or Twitter – without looking it up? What was it? No, I don't remember.

13. Do you have a “power” song? This song always lifts my spirits.

 

14. Do you have an eclectic mug collection, or is your stuff all matchy matchy? Very eclectic.

15. Do you have a junk drawer in your house/garage/at

work/wherever? In my kitchen

16. Do you ever get the urge to watch a favorite scene from a movie, and watch just that scene? No

17. Have you ever woken up and felt guilty from a dream you had, or, mad at someone else for something they did in the dream? No
 
18.  How old were you when you took your first commercial flight? To where did you fly? I was 17. I flew from O'Hare to Fort Lauderdale.

19. Are you good at keeping track of your things – or do you easily misplace them? Do you ever leave anything behind when you travel? HA! I'm even worse at this than I am at remembering passwords.

20. Is there any place you go where time seems to stand still? What is it about that place that makes it that way? I used to feel that way about Hot Springs, AR, but I haven't been there in more than a a decade. I suppose it's possible that time has caught up with it by now.

Over a basket of buttermilk onion rings

I don't like onion rings. But I do like Nancy. So I was happy to join her for a basket in my old hometown, after my hair cut.

We talked about the new Supreme Court Justice, Brett Kavanaugh. Then I told her how much I like her husband, who I spent time with for the first time back in August. Then we got down to the nitty gritty ... family.

Nancy's adult son has addiction issues. He is currently in a treatment center down south. She talked about the impact this has had on her, her daughter, her sister and her mother.

Ah, sisters and mothers! There's the rub.

We talked about therapy, about forgiveness, boundaries and love. Nancy and I have more in common than we knew. I hope I made her feel better, and less alone.

And while I'm still not in love with onion rings, I enjoyed the craft ginger beer immensely!

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Treat You Better (2016)

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

This song was chosen because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please share this information about The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Let's spread the word that there's help out there.

1) In this song, a young man advises his neighbor to stop wasting her time with a guy who makes her cry. What is something you regret wasting time on? (It doesn't have to be a romance.) My Farmville 2 farm.

2) Much of this video takes place in a very sparely-decorated apartment. Because Shawn Mendes and the girl he’s singing to both appear young, it’s easy to assume they are both in their first apartments. Tell us about the first place you ever rented. A two-room studio. Fourth floor walk up. Spiral staircase with a beautiful varnished banister. Pretty as that staircase was, it was a nightmare to navigate with my laundry and groceries.

3) It's clear he can hear his neighbors' conversations and arguments through the walls. Are your neighbors quiet? Do you consider yourself a quiet neighbor? We're a pretty quiet group here. I don't hear my neighbors and they've never complained about me.

4) This song received a lot of attention and airplay because it was used in a Southwest Airline commercial. When you last visited an airport, were you traveling yourself or meeting someone? I was landing. Home from my Christmas in Key West.

O'Hare decorated for the holidays

5) This week's artist, Shawn Mendes, was a serious skateboarder during his high school years. Sam has never even set foot on a skateboard. How about you? I somehow manage to get banged up just walking up the street. I shudder to think of how I'd fare on a skateboard.

 
6) Shawn is happy eating cold cereal with milk for every meal -- breakfast, lunch and dinner. He prefers cereal with almonds in it. What about you? Do you have a favorite cereal? It changes. These days, I'm into raisins, so Kellogg's Raisin Bran is my cereal of choice.

7) He says he started eating cereal beyond breakfast because it's convenient, and it helps him avoid "junk food" when he's in a hurry. Do you often order your food "to go?"  Not often. Given the choice, I'd rather eat in the restaurant. Unless the dining area is really unappealing. My favorite thin-slice pizza place has terrific food, but the ambience is kind of hectic, so I'm always to-go from there.

8) In 2016, when this song was popular, a German shorthaired pointer named CJ won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show. Is there a dog who holds a special place in your heart? Sweet Pea. She was a squat little black pup who lived on my street. Everyone loved her, because she loved everyone. If you called her name, she would strain at her leash as her little legs brought her to you as quickly as they could. She was old the whole time I knew her -- with a white muzzle and cloudy eyes on the day we met. The last time I saw her was nearly a year ago, and then she was deaf, too, and having a hard time walking. She felt vulnerable, so she was grumpy and snappish. (Wouldn't you be?) Though I still look for her, I suspect she's gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in peace, Sweet Pea!

9) And this week, we're trying a random fill in the blank: I wish someone would create an app that _____________________________________. I'm sorry. I've given this a lot of thought and I've got nothing.

-->

I'm blessed

Yesterday was a sobering day. I had a 3:30 appointment in my local doctor's office. I feel fine, for the most part, but I wanted her to check out my leg. By 5:00, I was in the hospital, wearing this bracelet and on a table, having tests.

My right leg has been bothering me all year. First there was stiffness in my hip when I first stand up. Occasionally it felt like it was locking on me. Then my hip was okay but my knee hurt so much. Not only when I was walking, but when I was laying down. My doctor suspects arthritis and gave me exercises to strengthen the leg around my knee.

When I rode the rails to Macomb to see my nephew, my knee suddenly stopped hurting. I got off the Amtrak train with a stiffness up and down my leg. It morphed into a pain in my calf.

My calf muscle felt too short for my leg. Perpetually tight.

I get it. I hear you, Body. Something is wrong with my right leg. So I made an appointment with the doctor.

She measured my calves, found the right one was swollen, and sent me to the hospital. STAT. I kept hearing STAT* over and over. The woman in hospital admittance told me that, even though it was late in the day, they were going to do "everything that's not illegal" to get my ultrasound done.

While I was still filling out the paperwork, the tech came and got me. Took me ahead of other people who arrived in the waiting room before me. It seems my doctor had called ahead and alerted the techs boss that this needed to be done now. I was getting so scared. What was wrong with me?

NOT DVT. NOT PHLEBITIS. That's what my doctor was afraid of. It's just edema. Nothing life threatening. Yea! I'm so relieved (and I didn't even know my life was being threatened!)

The LYFT rides came to about $25. After insurance, so will the tests. I am relieved about that, too.

I have my health. I have good insurance to help me maintain it. I am blessed.

*I learned it comes from the Latin "statim," which means "immediately."

How I love my guys!

Baseball season is over in Chicago. Earlier than I would have liked, of course. But last night was still glorious.

It came down to this: a one-and-done playoff game with the Colorado Rockies.

•  13 innings.
•  Just minutes shy of 5 hours.
•  The longest Wild Card game in MLB history.
•  The longest plauoff game ever played in Wrigley Field!

There was a ground rule double, with the ball lost in the ivy.

The Cubs went though 9 pitchers -- 3 of them starters in a relief role -- and it got to the point where I was wondering; "Even if we win and advance to the next round, who will be ready to pitch on Thursday?"

Pedro Strop returned from the DL to strike out two and get us out of a jam.

And, most unlikely, Javier Baez caused controversy by hugging Nolan Arenado after Arenado tagged him out. Why is this controversial, you ask? Isn't it a sign of good sportsmanship? Well, not if the ball is still in play. Did Javy mean to commit interference? Ask Javy!

So it was the damndest game. A real thrill ride.

Farewell and thank you, fellas. Go home, relax and heal. I can't wait to see you again in the spring.

I fell in a ditch

No, really. I'm being quite literal here. I fell in a ditch.

The street in front of my building is all torn up. That's what happens when the sewer is being replaced. Some days there are big, earth moving machines out front. Maybe the street's closed to traffic, maybe it's not. Every day feels like Anything Can Happen Day.

Sunday night, at dusk, I was coming home with a bag of groceries and a slice of thin crust pizza. I was thinking about the dog I just passed. It was a wiry little terrier who was being walked by two men. It occurred to me that when I see two women walking together, I assume they're friends, and when I see two men walking together -- especially if they're young and well dressed, like these two dog walkers were -- I assume they're gay.

That's the lofty thought that distracted me at the very moment when I tripped over a metal thing (don't ask) and fell into a ditch.

It took me a long moment to land. I actually formed thoughts as I was falling -- "Am I going all the way down or can I stop myself?" -- and then I landed hard. It took me a while to collect myself, to get my grocery bag together, to get up and head back on up the sidewalk. Somehow my keys fell out of jeans and I had to retrieve them. Limping my way back up to my home, guess who I passed again. Yes, the guys with the terrier.

My knees are still a bright blue and purple mess. But I don't really hurt. And I believe I'm the only one I know who has ever fallen into a ditch. So there's that.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: So Into You (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) The singer says that he noticed the lady in question as soon as she walked into the room. Tell us about someone who made a powerful first impression on you. When I first met my friend Joanna at movie group, I was in awe and intimidated. Her hair is always so smooth and shiny, her voice is so measured, her outfits are so coordinated and accessorized. She's so well versed about art and architecture. I'm no dummy, but I have gaps in my education, so I felt out of my depth. To be completely honest, I was surprised that she wanted to be friends with me. But she does! 


As we have gotten to know one another better, I realize that we have a lot in common, and that there are things about herself that Joanna is, indeed, insecure about. Just like the rest of us mortal women!

2) He sings that he's so into her, he can't think about other, more mundane things. Do you find you get easily distracted from your daily tasks? Or do you enjoy seeing your everyday chores through completion? I am fantastically easily distracted when doing chores. I wish I was more focused.
 

3) The band took their name from Georgia's biggest city. Have you ever been to Atlanta? Yes. Hartsfield is a huge airport but it's very easy to navigate. If you have to be laid over somewhere, Hartsfield is the place. I've also enjoyed my spa sabbaticals at Chateau Elan. I'd love to go back someday.
 

4) The Atlanta Rhythm Section once played the White House. President Carter's son, Chip, was a big fan and invited them to play at his 28th birthday party. How did you celebrate your last birthday? I turned 60 in Las Vegas. We laughed at Madame Tussaud's, saw a show and had a fabulous dinner at a restaurant called Tom's Urban Kitchen. I had macaroni and cheese made with lobster and shrimp. That was a first, and it was fabulous. (And yes, that's my favorite -- cranberry juice and vodka. It was my birthday, and it was Vegas, after all.)

 

5) Studio One, where the band made all their recordings, was torn down and replaced by a parking lot. Can you think of a structure that you missed, after it met with a wrecking ball? There was a office building across from my el stop, so I saw it every day. The upstairs was an apartment with a deck and the most beautiful rooftop garden. It made me happy every time I saw it. Since they displayed their Gay Pride flag, I thought of it as "The Gay House." It was torn down in early 2008 to make room for a bigger office building. With the Bush Recession, the new owners lost their financing and all that was there was a vacant lot. In summer 2016, someone else bought the land but no construction has begun. Whatever it ends up being -- restaurant, office building, condo -- it won't brighten my day like The Gay House garden did.
 

6) This song hit #7 on the US pop charts. 7 is the number most often chosen as "a lucky number." How about you? Do you have a lucky number? Seven. I'm such a cliche.
 

7) Today the Atlanta Rhythm Section reunites with to play at classic rock concerts. What oldies band would you love to see again? Guess Who. No, really. I'm not asking you to guess, that's the band's name. Their lead singer, Burton Cummings, had the best voice.

 
 
 
8) In 1977, the star of NBC's Chico and the Man, Freddie Prinze, took his own life. Is there a celebrity death you found shocking? Princess Diana. If that death didn't shock you, you weren't alive in 1997. 

 

9) Random question: What word do you always misspell? Occasion. If it hadn't been for spell check, I would have just misspelled it again.

So I mailed a card

I got an email from my oldest friend. Or rather, 5 emails. She answered two weeks worth of my messages in one afternoon. Apparently she doesn't go online very often.

I found out that she's seeing a new shrink, a woman named Shelley. So far, so good. She's waiting for an OK to finally get that dental work done. It's been more than seven years since she last had her teeth checked! Since she's a heart patient, her new dentist requires paperwork from her cardiologist. Her son is working for Progressive Insurance headquarters in Colorado Springs. So far, so good.

Oh yeah, and she might have cancer.

There's a lesion on her bladder that requires "visual confirmation," otherwise known as a biopsy. Because she is on Medicaid, it takes a lot of approvals before her uro-gynecologist can perform the procedure. She hopes she won't have to wait too long for the biopsy and results. She says it distracts her from fantasizing about the Beatles.

I am sick with worry. She is in a bad place. She doesn't pick up the phone when I call. She goes weeks without checking her emails.

I am frustrated by her being incommunicado, but I don't blame her. She's on meds for depression. Meds for her heart. Pain killers for her leg. Antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. I know she is either in pain -- psychic or otherwise -- or dopey. I appreciate that, as weak and frustrating as it's been, she's doing the best she can in terms of communicating.

So I sent her a card. It had a little puppy on the front with the words, "Do you need a pug?" And I included a letter, telling her that, since she is so very important to me, I'm glad that she's in her cousin's loving care as she goes through this. I implored her to keep me informed. "Make no mistake: I care."

I signed it, stamped it, and dropped it in the box.

I hope the card, and the love it carries, reaches her in time for her biopsy.

He doesn't want to be my President

I'm sure by now you have heard that Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual misconduct by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. The incident in question took place more than 30 years ago, when they were in high school.

It is a serious accusation. Being on the Supreme Court is, literally, the privilege of a lifetime. This needs to be handled soberly, with sensitivity and truth seeking. Of course, sobriety, sensitivity and truth are anathema to Donald J. Trump.

I was molested when I was in high school. The same age as Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. It was "bad." I have blogged about it often here, but at the time I didn't report it. I am sure that our President would take the word of my molester over mine. After all, I was fondled and harassed by a white man, a pillar of the church, a man with money. Whereas I, a frightened teenager, kept it to myself.

This is the first President of my lifetime that I felt has nothing but contempt for me.

I believe the damage Donald J. Trump is doing is more personal than putting a conservative on the court. I don't like the idea of Kavanaugh in a robe, but I accept it. After all, elections have consequences. Conservatives won. This is how it works.

But what about the adolescent girls (or boys) who are being molested and harassed and afraid to speak truth to power? How chilling will it be to hear the President of the United States dismiss Dr. Christine Blasey Ford? She is a psychologist and professor, after all. What credibility will a simple, frightened young person have?

Does Donald J. Trump get it? Does he understand that the office of the Presidency makes him our ultimate authority figure -- in essence, our dad? Does he understand the impact, the influence, he has? Does he care?

Or is he just hell bent on getting a "win" on the scoreboard for his side?

I fear it's the latter.

I know he wouldn't care what I think.

All this leaves me desolate.

So relieved! It was a good trip!

I was a little apprehensive as I rode the rails to Macomb, IL. My nephew is a freshman there, and I was worried about how eager he was for me to visit. After all, he's just been there a month, and he was already up one weekend to surprise his parents. Is he adjusting well? Is he lonely? Freshmen have trouble under the best circumstances, and frankly, his are not really the best circumstances. First of all, he battles depression. He holds himself to (impossibly) high standards and when he falls short, he is extremely hard on himself. He gets debilitating migraines. He takes medication for both the depression and the headaches, but I still worry.

And then there is his roommate. This young man is autistic. I appreciate how hard it must have been for this kid and his dad (there doesn't appear to be a mom in the picture) to get him to this point. But it's not ideal for my nephew to have a roommate who doesn't make eye contact, speaks seldom and watches wrestling videos at all hours.

I'm happy to report all is well. He loves Macomb. It feels "comfortable" and "familiar" to him. I was surprised by how empty it was -- there were very few people on the sidewalks and those we saw were wearing WIU purple. But my nephew is not the City Mouse his aunt is. He prefers the slow pace and rural feel.

He loves his classes. American history, sociology, philosophy and stress management (meditation). His professors are "cool" and "legit." His first class isn't until 11:00 and he's done before 4:00. He realizes that next semester, he won't have such an easy time (two of his classes are in the same hall, and the Student Union is right there).

I loved his fridge. When I checked out the WIU website, I found this model of the "microfridge" that would be in his room.

Here is the real thing.

That's milk, with more milk in the doors. Cool Whip and raw cookie dough (both of which will be consumed with a spoon and nothing else) box after box of pizza bites in the freezer. I was amused, but not surprised. My nephew is a young man who loves his dairy.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Listen, People (1966)
 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 
1) Basically Herman is telling us that we each both break hearts and have our hearts broken during our lifetime. Do you agree? Yes. 
 
2) He implores us to take his advice. Have you more recently given or received advice? I gave advice. We have a freelancer at the office, Bob, who is curious about how to "read" my boss. I advised him not to worry so much and reassured him everything was cool.
 
3) Herman's real name is Peter Noone. He was popular with girls because of his bright, toothy smile. How's your oral health? When are you due to go to the dentist? So far, so good. I'm due for a checkup in December.
 
4) Peter/Herman got married on his 21st birthday. That's one way to make sure you don't forget your anniversary. Do you have a good memory for anniversaries and birthdays? Birthdays are too important to trust to my memory! I keep a calendar.
 
5) Between 1965 and 1971, the Hermits worked very hard. They appeared on all the major TV shows of the day, recorded albums, made a movie and then criss-crossed the United States and the United Kingdom, performing live. After those six years, Peter decided he'd had enough and left the group. Have you ever felt burned out and ready for a change? Oh, yes. I feel that's where I'm headed now. I fantasize about retirement more than I ever thought I would.
 

6) In 1966, when this song was popular, the miniskirt took the fashion world by storm. What's the most recent piece of clothing you added to your wardrobe? I bought a couple blouses from Thred Up.
 
7) In 1966, TVs were expensive pieces of furniture. A set with a 16" screen and a wood console sold for $250, which is $1,950 in today's dollars. Tell us about your TV. How big is it? Where did you buy it? It's a 19" TV that I bought 17 years ago (either from Sears or Best Buy; they're both at the same mall). This dear old set still has a picture tube! But it works well and I can see no reason to add it to the landfill. When the smaller TV in my bedroom craps out -- probably sooner than later -- I'll move this one in there and buy a new one. 
 
8) David Schwimmer, aka Ross on Friends, was born in 1966. Who was your favorite Friend? I'm fond of each of them. I do love that show. I was sorry to hear about Matthew Perry's hospital stay. He's brought a lot of people a lot of laughs and I hope he feels better himself, soon.

9) Random question -- Describe your dream car. It comes with a chauffeur. 

Size Eleven Shoes

That's what my friend John wears. Or, I guess, wore. I found this out over drinks Thursday night.

First we blabbed for a bit. He told me about time spent over the summer with his out-of-town brothers. I told him about my bathroom remodel. Then, apropos to nothing, he asked me if I'd noticed an uptick in "able-bodied young people" panhandling on street corners. "If I was one of them, I'd even take a job a McDonald's."

"Sometimes they have jobs. They're just homeless," I replied. And, for the first time, I told him about Caleb, Randi and Napoleon. He was surprised that I knew so much about them. At first, it made me feel like a freak. "How often do you talk to these people?" "How much time do you spend on street corners?" He seemed worried that I was being ripped off somehow, "taken." I reassured him that they know very little about me, personally. They don't even know my last name. And I mentioned that, in terms of moola, I never spend more than $10/week. Oh yeah, and little gifts, like their Christmas bag and ...

"Oh, Gal! You did that?" he exclaimed. I had a hard time reading him. Was he shocked that I'm nice? Did he think I was wasting my resources?

It turns out he was admiring. I don't know that I deserve admiration. I have learned a lot about the world from Caleb, Randi and Napoleon. Helping them has enriched my life in so many ways. But I am glad that my tale has touched a chord in John.

"I wear size 11 shoes. Ask him if he needs my shoes." John had foot surgery back in 2016 and his shoes fit differently now. He also has sweaters and shirts he's willing to share. He was very excited about it.

And on Friday, John followed up by email. While Caleb can't wear the shoes himself, he knows someone who can. And John is eager to get the shirts and sweaters to him.

So John wants to help. He just needed to be given a way to do it.

So that little gray kitten -- now long and lanky and fully grown -- has ended up being quite the catalyst. Viva, Napoloen!

WWW.WEDNESDAY

WWW.WEDNESAY asks us 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?  

 Joe Biden's Promise Me, Dad. I admit it: I love Joe Biden. His humanity touches a chord with me, because he has allowed his pain to enoble him. He overcame a stutter to become a successful lawyer and politician. He fell in love over spring break and married her, only to lose her and their daughter when they were killed in a car accident while out to buy a Christmas tree. And then, in 2014, after becoming one of our most popular Vice Presidents, he got devastating news about his son Beau and cancer. These tragedies give Joe the sensitivity to connect with the people he serves with empathy and authenticity.

So even though I just opened this book, I know I will love it. Expect no objectivity when I'm done and review it.

2. What did you recently finish reading?  

The Astonishing Thing by Sandi Ward. The best book I've read in 2018 is a moving and inventive novel about mental illness and the impact it has on the lives it touches. Our narrator is a shelter rescue, a housecat named Boo. Through Boo's eyes we see a Boston family and how post-partem depression drives them apart, and ultimately brings them back together. The family is not the same as they were before, but they go on.

As the book begins, Boo has adores Carrie -- aka Mother. They are so close that the cat sees no reason to pay more than cursory attention to the other members of the household. One day, Mother packs a bag and disappears. Everyone -- Father, the three siblings, the Not-a-Cat (aka the family dog) and Boo -- is confused, heartbroken, and angry. Their pain and struggle changes everything. Relationship evolve and they all come closer together as Boo tries to understand what is happening to her humans and does what she can to help.

I suppose it helps to be a cat lover to enjoy this book. As I read, I looked into the eyes of my own feline roommates and wondered what they are thinking. But the story is universal in its reach. If you have loved someone who is suffering from bipolar disorder, or if you have been bedeviled by depression yourself, you know how confusing it can be to understand what's going on, to regret what you've done or didn't do, to want to just love your way out of this, the way Boo tries to.

 

This warm, wise and at times very funny book touched me. I recommend it highly.

3.  What will you read next?  
Probably a mystery.