Sunday Stealing

The 2x4 Meme

TWO foods you can't stand

1. Sushi

2. Anything spicy

FOUR foods you love

1. Pizza (deep dish, thin crust – I'm easy)

2. Barbecue (beef, chicken or pork – I'm easy)

3. Crab Rangoon

4. Potatoes (baked, fried, mashed – I'm easy)

TWO places you never want to see again 

1. The little lake in Wisconsin my family visited every year when I was kid. The three hour drive with my dad was always tense and unpleasant. Once we got up there, I was bored and lonely. Reliving those vacations gives me PTSD. 

2. I don't have another one

FOUR places you'd like to revisit

1. New York City

2. Memphis

3. Hot Springs, AR

4. Hollywood, for the TCM Classic Film Festival (and I plan to return in 2026)

TWO musical artists who make you want to change the station 

1. Barry Manilow

2. Madonna

FOUR musical artists you love to listen to

1. The Beatles

2. Bruce Springsteen

3. Barbra Streisand

4. Elvis

TWO moments you'd like to erase

1. Seeing Anthony Rizzo injured in a collision at first base with Fernando Tatis. He got a concussion and, though we didn't know it at the time, it hastened an early end to his career. He is forever my captain and he deserved better, from baseball and from life.

2. January 6, 2021. Everyone involved in that shameful day at the Capitol and the pardons that followed should be ashamed of himself. (Though shame is in short supply in this administration.)

FOUR moments you'd like to relive

1. The day back in 2004 when I realized I was in love. I was on my way home and I couldn't wait to call him and thank him for reminding me to bring my umbrella. I thought, "Wow, just connecting with him over the smallest thing fills me with such anticipation – I guess I'm in love." The idea filled me with wonder.

2. The first time my cat Roy Hobbs got into bed with me to snuggle. He'd been abused and it took him a little while to trust humans again.

3. Seeing Sir Paul from my awesome seat on Wrigley Field. When I got my fantabulous ticket, I was thrilled that I would be that close to my favorite Beatle. When I got to the park and was ushered onto the field, it washed over me that I wasn't far from where the great Greg Maddux actually pitched and it was almost too much happiness.

4. Speaking of the Cubs ... Anthony Rizzo making the final out of the 2016 World Series. I lived to see something my grandparents, my dad, and my uncle missed: The Cubs as World Series champions. At this moment I felt very close to all my clan of Cub fans who had gone before.

  

 

Nevertheless I'm happy

During the TCM Classic Film Festival, we wear our passes on lanyards around our necks. It's become custom to add pins of our favorite movies and stars to the lanyard. In April, while Will from my movie group and I were waiting in line for another movie, we compared notes about our movie going the day before, I rather enthusiastically described Suddenly, Last Summer, starring Elizabeth Taylor and directed by Joseph Mankiewicz. One of the people in line near us, a stranger, enjoyed my retelling so much she leaned across the rope to give me another pin for my lanyard: Elizabeth as Cleopatra. 1963's Cleopatra was also directed by Mankiewicz. I was happy to get the pin, Will was amused that I had entertained our fellow movie fans.

Fast forward from April to August. Cleopatra is having a moment. TCM has made it the subject of this season's The Plot Thickens podcast and tonight, Chicago's Music Box Theater just showed all 245 epic minutes on the big screen.

I was in the stylist's chair this morning when Will reached out to me, inviting me to go with him tonight. His initial invitation consisted of this photo. Every movie fan, every baby boomer, knows it:

 

I declined his invite because I woke up this morning with a disrupted gut. I was worried about making it through a 4 hour movie and then dinner and a train ride home, and stress only makes the situation worse. Yet I feel good about the whole thing. Will fondly remembered that moment in line at the film festival and wants to hang with me. That's important to me. 

I know "diversity" is suddenly a dirty word, but I like it in my life. While I hang with lots of classic movie fans, they're all women. Will is a closeted gay Republican.* He's also a regular church goer.† I truly don't have anyone else like him in my life. Knowing him makes me stronger and makes life better.

I hope he'll continue to reach out to socialize. I want all kinds of people, all kinds of energy in my life.

  

 *Here in Cook County, Republican raises more eyebrows than gay.

†We've talked religion on occasion but steer clear of politics. 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 16

 

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: I sang the song. After every Cubs home win, fans are encouraged to "sing the song."  Unfortunately, since the All Star Break, we haven't been given the opportunity to raise our voices. Going into today's game, my guys have lost 6 of the last 9 games. (Gulp!)

 

Today, my heroes finally reigned victorious! Connie Cat and I witnessed it from my sofa, and I'm grateful she didn't run away when I started to sing. 

  

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

 

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Colors of the Wind (1995)

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

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 30 years ago, "Colors of the Wind" is from the Disney hit, Pocahontas. Have you seen it? Nope.

2) This song celebrates the glories of nature. Have you spent much time outdoors this summer? If yes, what have you enjoyed doing? I usually enjoy taking long walks in the sunshine, but not this year. Too many days that were 90º or higher in the afternoon. That's just too much heat for this old gal.

3) Lyricist Stephen Schwartz said he was inspired by the works of Chief Seattle, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Who is your favorite author? William Goldman, best known his novel and screenplay for The Princess Bride. I also love Nora Ephron.

4) This week's artist, Vanessa Williams, came to national attention as Miss America 1984. In the talent competition she sang "Happy Days Are Here Again." Over the years, contestants have sung, recited original poetry, danced, twirled batons, performed gymnastics and demonstrated martial arts. Which of your talents would wow the judges? Ha! I suppose if forced to, I could effectively perform a monologue. But I truly cannot imagine what would land me in this situation.

5) Her family tree includes William A. Fields, who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives in the late 19th century. Are you interested in genealogy? Nope.

6) Vanessa supports the non-profit Dress for Success, which helps unemployed and underemployed women prepare with career coaching, networking and professional attire. Have you ever gone into a job interview found yourself unprepared? Or, if you prefer, tell us about an interview you confidently aced. I knew I had my current job at the card shop before I even interviewed. The store manager was that impressed by the letter I wrote, promoting myself the way I'd sold countless other products during 40+ years in advertising. I may not have had experience as a counter girl, but I know how to write sales copy. It's a skill that came in handy when I wanted this job.

Let's look at the summer of 1995.

7) 1995's best-selling new car was the Ford Taurus. That summer, dealers were promoting a 6.9% APR loan or $1,500 cash back with purchase. This summer, drivers with good credit might get a better deal because the average APR for new car loans is a little lower. Do you keep your eye on fluctuating interest rates? Not closely. I'm aware that our President wants the Fed to do his bidding and understand how dangerous that would be. But, since I'm not looking for a mortgage or an auto loan, I'm not up on the APRs.

8) English yachtswoman Lisa Clayton made history by sailing solo around the world. It took her 10 months. Would you be comfortable spending months and months alone? Yes. Probably too comfortable.

9) Legendary New York Yankee Mickey Mantle died in 1995. How is your baseball team doing this season? Oh, it's been like two seasons. Before the All-Star break, my Cubs were unstoppable! Since the break, we've slipped to second place. I knew in April we weren't a World Series team, but was seduced by false hope. Now the bats are cold and they have to grind for each run. Oh well, if being a Cub fan were easy, everyone would be one. 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 15

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: The new girl. We have a couple new managers at the card shop and I was on the floor today while one of them was being trained. She is achingly young (under 25) but so sweet and eager. In physicality and work ethic, she reminds me a bit of my niece at that age. The day went by quickly with all that positive energy.

  

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

 

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 14

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: Little things. Today was filled with moments of pleasure.

1) The book I'm reading (Contents Under Pressure) had a plot twist that I truly didn't see coming 

2) TCM's The Plot Thickens podcast dropped a new episode

3) I stopped at the card shop on my way to Target and guess what: THE A/C IS FIXED! 

  

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

 

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

 

 

 

Thursday Thirteen #424

The "I love Elvis" edition. The older I get, the more I appreciate The King. When I was a kid, I thought he was a joke. I dismissed him as an irrelevant, overweight man who would bump and grind like a stripper to the delight of his aging audience.

 

I was an ass. 

 

I realize now he was an artist, an icon and a cultural force. He was also high camp and an American tragedy.

 

The inspiration for this post was my friend Patty, who told me her favorite summer memory was a family road trip to St. Louis when she was 10. Elvis had just died, and the clear channel AM radio station ("WLS, The Big 89") played all Elvis/all the time in tribute. The windows were rolled down and her parents were singing along. She and her older brother knew a few songs well enough to join in. 

 

So this week, as we observe the 48th anniversary of his death, I give you the 13 most enduringly popular Elvis songs.*

1. Can't Help Falling in Love (1961)

2. Jailhouse Rock (1957)

3. Hound Dog (1956)

4. Don't Be Cruel (1956)

5. Heartbreak Hotel (1956)

6. Love Me Tender (1956)

7. Are You Lonesome Tonight? (1960)

8. Return to Sender (1962)

9. Suspicious Minds (1969)

10. In the Ghetto (1969)

11. Burning Love (1972)

12. How Great Thou Art (1967)

13. You're the Devil in Disguise (1963)

*As compiled by Forbes. My favorite, "Kentucky Rain," isn't here. I love his voice and the way he interprets the lyrics, which could be maudlin, but aren't in his hands.

 

Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 13

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: Supporting small businesses. Target, Walgreens and Whole Foods. Those are the three stores where I spend most of my time and my money. They have everything I need and, luckily, they are nearby. When it's 90º day after day after day, having them right here has been a godsend.

 

But I've felt bad that I haven't been supporting the independent businesses that give my community its personality. So late this afternoon, when the mercury finally dipped a bit, I hauled ass to the other side of town. About a mile from me is a mom'n'pop grocery with a great deli counter (hello, potato salad!) and canned vegetables on sale for 88¢ (corn for the food pantry). On the other side of the street is an ice cream parlor that employs a ton of students over the summer. I was happy to not only order a root beer float but to tip big because these kids are so adorable and will need the money when they go back to college next week. 

 

The weather, the connection to my community, those sweet kids ... It all made me happy. 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

 

I won't always feel this way

That's what my shrink tells me. She went to doctor school and has never lied to me before, so I trust her. 

But it really doesn't help me all that much in the moment. 

Here's the thing: Everyone who doesn't have fur annoys me. Elaine is humorless. Betty is vain. Nancy is whiny. Joanna is pretentious. Considering that these are my friends, I know the problem is me and not them. I'm afraid that I'm morphing into my father, a joyless man who was angry all the time.  

No, she said. I haven't permanently soured on life. I'm just grieving. I miss John and Henry. 

But it's been a year! I got through birthdays and Christmas and New Year's without them. I don't cry in the shower anymore. I am able to remember the good times with them before the bad. Doesn't that mean I've healed?

No, she said. It means I'm healing. 

When I'm alone with my cats, I'm fine. It's when I'm around people – usually women I actually like very much – that things go south. I get grumpy and annoyed. I know my reaction is disproportionate, so I have to rein myself in. (I mean, last Monday I nearly stuck my tongue out at Betty!) Masking my feelings leaves me exhausted on top of being irritated. Makes me want to just stay home and commune with the critters.

"These women remind you that you're lonely," she said. At first I didn't get it. After all, I'm not lonely when I'm alone.

But it makes sense. I want these (comparatively) new relationships to replace the decades-long friendships I lost last year. They don't. They can't. And so I ache.

I have to maintain my commitment to socialize. Tempting as it is to stay home and cuddle the cats, it's not good for me to be alone that much. I can get too deep inside my own head and that's just not healthy. 

I didn't expect the grief to be so tenacious. I lost my mom more than a decade ago and that was shocking and painful, but the grief didn't cling to me like losing Henry and John has. 

Shouldn't I be fucking over it by now?  

There's no timeline to this, so I'm told. I have to take good care of myself, make sure I don't isolate too much. Drink water. Do my stretches. Keep my doctor's appointments. Find the joy that awaits me every day. 

And trust that I won't always feel this way.

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. 

PS I no longer participate in WWW.WEDNESDAY via that link because her blog won't accept Blogger comments. I mention this only to save you the frustration I experienced trying to link up.

1. What are you currently reading? Contents Under Pressure by Edna Buchanan. Our narrator is Britt Montero, a reporter on the crime beat of a major Miami newspaper. In the course of doing her job, she finds herself at the center of a big story with major ramifications – a retired football player dies after a run-in with the police. The athlete was black, the cops were white and Cuban. No matter where the story takes her, someone will be pissed. But Britt is a pro and doesn't let the danger deter her. 

 

This book was published in 1992 and it shows. No one has a cell and Britt relies on the phone book. She also believes that being a reporter for an established daily gives her power – after all, she reasons, that paper will land on everyone's porch tomorrow and everybody will read it, no matter what. On the other hand, the big city racial tensions are, unfortunately, timeless.

2. What did you recently finish reading? Dark City Dames: The Women Who Defined Film Noir by Eddie Muller. Profiles of six influential femme fatales. Note I said "influential," which is not the same as famous or successful. None of these six ever became a household name. That's what I appreciated most about this book.

These women worked regularly in Hollywood through the 1940s and 1950s. They supported themselves appearing in the best films they could find. It was not always artistically satisfying – they were never offered the parts that went to Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth or Ava Gardner. But they paid for the rent and groceries, went to awesome parties, played small parts in movies with A-list stars (Tyrone Power, Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas), big parts in cheap "B" movies, and, for the most part, enjoyed themselves. Then they aged out and parts quit coming. They each found something else to do with their lives (Eddie found one clerking at an LA law firm, where most people had no idea she'd lured men to crime and bloody death onscreen). 

Last year I read Streisand's memoir. These six women represent the flip side of the coin. Not wealthy, revered superstars. But they created movie magic all the same and, like Babs, they're survivors. 

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

 

  

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 12

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: Commonwealth Edison. Today was wild weather day. 90º (again) and windy with sudden, violent storms. It's also the day I paid my electric bill, so I'm taking a moment to express my gratitude that I haven't experienced a single outage this awful summer. It's no exaggeration to say that I am legit very happy every time I hit the "ON" button and that air conditioner comes through for me. 

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

 

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 11

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: Too Good to Go. This app reduces wasted food. I use it to find nearby restaurants and stores that offer "surprise bags" filled with food at or near expiration, sold at deeply discounted prices. Today I got a bag of donuts, long johns and crullers. While wasting food makes me sad, bakery makes me happy. So does saving money. 

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

 

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 10

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: Whiter whites. I did an extra load of laundry today and bleached my whites. As I folded my ankle socks and undies, I nearly went snow blind. 

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

 

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

Sunday Stealing

Let's Do Our ABCs

A. Auto No car

 
B. Bed size Full

 
C. Cats Two

 
D. Dogs None. I would have a dog if I could, especially now that I'm mostly retired. But only service and emotional support dogs are allowed in this building.

 
E. Essential start to your day Stretching

 
F. Favorite color Pantone 294 (aka Cubbie blue)

 
G. Gold or silver Silver

 
H. Hand you favor (righty or lefty) Righty

 
I. Instruments you play None

 
J. Job title Part-time sales associate

 
K. Kids None

 
L. Live (rural, suburb, city) Suburb

 
M. Meal plans None yet

 
N. Nicknames I only have one. I bestow them liberally, though.

O. Overnight hospital stays Two. Overnight in 2004, three nights in 2011. 

 
P. Pet peeves Right now I'm most annoyed with myself. I go over texts from my oldest friend – she has health/emotional problems – as though they were frames of the Zapruder film and maybe I'll find the solution to her problems. Of course I won't. She lives far away on the West Coast and never listens to me, anyway. I need to do what I can and then let it go.

 
Q. Quote from a movie "Signor Ravelli's first song will be 'Somewhere My Love Lies Sleeping' with an all male chorus." Animal Crackers

R. Regrets I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention.

 
S. Siblings Two sisters

U. Underwear Right now I'm wearing a bra and undies

V. Vegetable you love Peas

 
W. What makes you run late Bone-deep laziness

 
X. X-rays you’ve had Teeth, back, abdomen (lots of my abdomen)

Y. Yummy food Carbs. Breads and potatoes, especially

Z. Zoo animal Okapi

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 9

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: Henry's "casserole," baseball and a caturday cuddle. Today, like yesterday, was a quiet day filled with little jolts of joy. 

 

1.  I ordered a deep dish cheese and sausage pizza from Lou Malnati's. It reminded me of my late, dear friend Henry. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, deep dish Chicago-style pizza genuinely confused him. "How is this pizza and not a casserole?" he would ask. I miss Henry so much, but remembering his unique way of looking at everyday life makes me happy. I was lucky to have him in my life for 30+ years.

 

2.  The Cubs really haven't been that good since the All Star Break. But tonight, they were very good, beating St. Louis 9-1. If you're not a baseball fan, you might not get how important that is. The Cubs and Cardinals are one of the game's oldest and most ferocious rivalries. It not only makes me happy that my guys finally got hot again, I'm happy that it happened in St. Louis.

 

3.  My Connie Cat watched the game with me, luxuriating in scritches under her chin and belly rubs. The affection that flowed between us was sweet.

 

So of course I'm happy.

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

 

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Shout (1985)

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

This month we're going to recall Summer Songs. These will all be records that topped the charts during August.

1) Number 1 on the charts in August 40 years ago, the lyrics to "Shout" encourage us to "let it all out." When is the last time you raised your voice? I raise my voice all the time while watching baseball. Like the old song says, I cheer and boo and raise a hullabaloo.

 

2) This week's featured artists, Tears for Fears, were a duo -- Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith -- who met as teenagers in Bath, the largest city in Somerset, England. Bath has been named one of The Great Spa Towns of Europe. Popular spa treatments include massages, facials, body scrubs and wraps, mineral baths, manicures and pedicures. If you could treat yourself to a spa treatment today, which would you choose? My pedicure is looking a little rough. But oh, a massage would feel good, too!

3) When they first met, one of the things Roland and Curt bonded over was that they were both raised by single mothers. Who was your best friend during your teen years? What did you two bond over? That was Judy. We were moody, sensitive, artistic nerds. I wanted to be a writer and she wanted to paint. I'm proud to say we both did pretty well in our respective fields.

4) Curt's wife, Frances Pennington, has had a long career in marketing, beginning in the record business and transitioning to fashion. Which industry do you think you'd enjoy more -- music or fashion? Fashion, I think. Imagine the beautiful freebies and samples!

5) Roland married his childhood sweetheart, Caroline Johnston. They were together for 35 years, until her death. Do you know whatever became of your childhood sweetheart? When I was in Kindergarten, I wanted to marry our next door neighbor's son, Billy, who had shiny black hair and always wore black t-shirts. He came over on weekends to visit his parents and would often wash his car in their driveway. He let me sponge the hubcaps and told me I did such a good job he wished he could marry me. LIAR! He married a hair-sprayed bitch named Sandy and my mean parents actually dragged me along to the wedding! To her dying day, my mom loved telling the story of how I pouted all day and complained about losing the man I referred to as, "my husband."

Let's look at the summer of 1985.

6) That summer, Chicago teenager Balu Natarajan won the National Spelling Bee. Are you a good speller? Most of the time. Spell check has to rescue me on the word "occasion." I stubbornly add a second "s."

7) Tinker Bell took her first nightly flight at Walt Disney World in Florida. Do you recall which Disney movie introduced us to Tinker Bell? Peter Pan.

8) Derek Hough was a baby in the summer of 1985. In 2007 he became a regular on Dancing with the Stars, acclaimed for his ballroom dancing. Are you good on the dance floor? Not in the least.

9) In 1985, Michael J. Fox became the first actor to have the #1 movie at the box office and the #1 TV show in the ratings. The movie was Back to the Future and the TV show was Family Ties. Have you seen the movie? Were you a fan of the show? I know people loved the Back to the Future franchise, but I only saw the first one. I did enjoy spending time with the Keaton family.

 

 

 

August Happiness Challenge – Day 8

My 2025 Happiness Icon

Today's happiness: Lots of happy! Let's see now ...

 

1.  Preliminary results from Tuesday's tests appeared in MyChart today. My specialist hasn't reviewed or weighed in yet, but from what I can tell, not much is different this year from last year – and he said last year that we didn't need to take any action. I'm feeling good about this and I'm not worried about him recommending anything drastic.

 

2.  Today is Anthony Rizzo's birthday, and the GloryDaze podcast dropped their Rizzo episode today. An hour of Anthony looking good and sounding happy. No one deserves it more. (Happy 36th birthday to my forever Captain!)

 

3.  I watched this week's movie group film: The Blue Dahlia (1946). I enjoyed it! This is noteworthy because last week's movie was kind of a dud. Best of all, I was delighted to see Hugh Beaumont – Beaver Cleaver's dad – in a supporting role. He was smart and honest but also streetwise. It was kind of like seeing what Ward was like before he married June. 

 

4.  I knocked off one book and started another. No reflection on Dark City Dames. I've been enjoying it. But I got Contents Under Pressure from the library and it was calling out to me.

 

With so much glory, no wonder I'm happy. 

 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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.

 

Photo by Ayşegül Baykal on Unsplash