Feeling Fortunate

My friend in the Keys sent me a photo of "our" Christmas tree, the one I'll be celebrating around on December 25. It was a thoughtful gesture. While I've rung in more than a dozen New Years with them, this is our first Christmas together and it was very sensitive of him to go out of his way to make me feel welcome.

When I was a kid, I watched As the World Turns with my mom. The characters at the center of the soap, the Hughes family, always had everyone in Oakdale over for Christmas dinner. I realize now it was a plot device so the writers could update us a long list of characters in short order. But as a child, I thought having a Christmas like that would be cool. Our family Christmases were all so full of tension. The Hughes dinner table was filled with a variety of happy people from all walks of life, laughing and enjoying one another.

In a way, that's the Christmas tradition I find myself building now, for the last decades of my life. It makes me happy.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Jingle Bell Rock

1) Sam has affection for this song because, when she was very young, she tap-danced to it for a Christmas recital. Her parents told her she was wonderful. Do you have any memories from a school/church program or pageant -- either as a child onstage or an adult in the audience? I have no memory of this, but my parents and uncle teased me about it for years afterward: For a Sunday School Christmas recital, I wore a white choir robe with black collar and looked quite angelic. First the little girls in our class sang a song, then we were told to "smile quietly" while the boys sang their carol. I did just that … after hiking my choir robe way up and sitting down, "Indian style." Hey! My teacher should have told us to "continue standing and smile quietly."

2) Ok, she admits it: After too many cups of holiday cheer, Sam did a few steps of her "Jingle Bell Rock" routine at last year's company Christmas party. Have you ever done anything at a coworker gettogether that you now regret? Yes. That's part of why I don't go to company parties any more.

3) Since that unfortunate Christmas 2012 incident, Sam can't even look at a cup of egg nog. How about you? Do you like egg nog? I prefer the spiked to the virgin.

4) For special events, Sam slips on her favorite piece of jewelry: a charm bracelet that once belonged to her grandmother. Do you have a special treasure from a previous generation? I have my favorite Grandpa's heavy ceramic jewelry box. A heavy ceramic cable car. I love it very much.

5) The only Christmas card Sam has received so far in 2013 is from her insurance agent. How about you? Have any holiday cards arrived yet? I have five: my cousin, a friend, a former neighbor who moved to AL, and two local charities I support (a childrens' home and animal shelter).

6) Because of the chill in the air, Sam gave her dog his Christmas gift -- a sweater -- early this year. He's already gotten compliments on it. Are there any pets on your gift list? Yes. But not my own. I'm spending Christmas with my friends in the Keys and I think I'll bring something along for their two dogs and very cranky cat. My young nephew is very into his family's pets (two cats and a turtle), so I'll have a little something for them, too. The only kiwi I buy all year is for that turtle.

7) Do you need snow to get "into the spirit?" It helps.

8) Are you going to get/have you gotten a flu shot this year? I intend to and I should. It's just with my allergies, I have to get the preservative-free formula and the local drugstore is often out of it.

Let's get her indoors!

9) December is an important fundraising month for charities. Here's your chance to plug a worthy cause that means a lot to you. As I write this, it's snowing outside and my cat, Joey, is snuggled against me, his old bones safe and dry and warm. On mornings like this, I realize that he wouldn't be alive now if not for the loving care of humans. Feral cats seldom make it past age 8 years old, and here's my darling Joe clocking in at 14! Which is all my long winded way of saying, go to Petfinder.com and support a local animal shelter. They need our support so they can rescue dogs and cats from the challenging winter weather!

Holidailies -- Day 14

Today's prompt: Write a letter to the person/company/group annoying you the most this holiday season:

 

Dear Fox News:

Shame on you for using the joyous event my Savior's birth to spread divisiveness.

Bill O'Reilly is big on the imaginary "War on Christmas," nurturing an Us vs. Them approach to the holiday season. Now your Megyn Kelly is insisting that both Jesus and Santa are white, and further insisting that making such proclamations is "funny."

I recognize that, coming from where He did, the likelihood that the blond, blue-eyed image of Jesus I grew up looking at is probably inaccurate. That makes no difference to how I worship. I feel sorry for Fox News talent and viewers whose faith is so shaky that this frightens them. And I feel worse for Fox News management for fueling the suspicion different races and religions have for one another, just for ratings.

 

As I recall from Sunday School, Jesus took a dim view of that sort of thing.

 

 

 

PS I'm glad Holidailies Grinch Week is over. I appreciate these prompts were interesting and different, but I want to get my Holiday Happy back on!

Holidailies -- Day 13

Today's prompt: Holiday pet peeve?

 

My kid sister won't commit to when we're celebrating the holiday until the last minute.

 

 

Happy news from a happy man

My friend Tom is a really good man, and that's why I'm happy to  report that, at dinner last night, I found him nothing but happy.

He's had a lot of drama in his life over the past 10 months -- let go by our agency in February, a pair of freelance jobs that were less than successful, and a job that was a terrible fit and resulted in another lay off. He's also gotten married and honeymooned in Bora Bora! And he's facing forward, looking to 2014 with loads of optimism.

This is one of the things I like best about the holidays -- we make time to see one another. Not email or text or even call, see one other. Share a drink and a hug.

Hakuna Matata

Got the good word from the hospital yesterday. My annual mammogram showed "no abnormalities." Yea!

Holidailies -- Day 12

Today's prompt: What beloved holiday TV show/movie/play just leaves you cold?

For the most part, I enjoy them all. There are two that -- while I don't HATE them -- I'll never watch them again. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) is just too long and doesn't hold my interest. Ditto  The Bishop's Wife (1947) and the the 1996 remake, The Preacher's Wife.

Happy Birthday to Me -- Part 9

I believe this is the final salvo in The War to Preserve My Birthday. (If Fox can have a War on Christmas ...)

Dinner with my dear old friend Kathleen at a local eatery that served up the most awesome trout dinner. She filled me in on her fabulous kids and her interesting husband and her rather disappointing job. She looks wonderful and sounds, for the most part, happy if overworked. And she got me shea butter soap for my dry skin and a vintage (1976) LIFE magazine about the American woman. Thoughtful gifts, good grub and fun conversation. YES!

Holidailies -- Day 10

Today's prompt: Tell us about a holiday food tradition you just can't stand.

When I was a kid, Johnny Carson said this every year from behind The Tonight Show desk, "The worst gift is fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other." I also don't like its appearance. It looks fusty and the fruits seem to take on a strange color. And then there's the idea of consuming citrus peel. 

 

No, I don't care for it. Not at all.

Holidailies -- Day 9

Today's prompt: Which currently popular meme/trend do you just not get?

"The War on Christmas." It's stupid. Because there is no war on Christmas. Thank you.

A weekend of big emotions

This weekend marks the anniversary of both my mother's birth and John Lennon's murder. Tomorrow, my mom's house will be sold at a foreclosure auction.

I remain very sad and angry that John was murdered by a nut who got his hands on a handgun. In New York. When rock scholars point out that if John had stayed in London he might be alive today, I can only shake my head in sorrow and agree with them.

How my mom loved that stupid suburban ranch house! I think she'd be disappointed and embarrassed (my mom was always concerned with what "they" thought of her) that it's being sold at auction. And yet, she entered into the reverse mortgage knowing this was the likely outcome. I can't let myself feel guilty about the way this worked out. That would be infantalizing both of my parents. My dad was a terrible businessman and, true 1950s housewife she was, my mom blindly trusted his judgement. When he died, he left her nothing but debts. I took care of my mother's medical bills and insurance in life and her funeral in death. I can't let myself feel bad for the consequences of decisions they made as clear-eyed (but naive) adults.

And yet, with all this swirling around me, I'm not unhappy today. It's Christmastime, after all! And besides, I'm watching all the celebrations of Nelson Mandela's life. One child brought a picture he'd drawn for "Father." There seems to be easily as much dancing and singing as there are tears.

And that's how I feel about my mom right now. She's in Heaven, no longer besieged with worry about debt or what "they" think. That's something to celebrate!

Besides, like Mandela, my mother lived her entire life and died of natural causes. That's why I'm still pissed about John. Because while statistics tell us that gun violence in Chicago is down this year, it's still too prevalent, too ugly and too easily preventable.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

01. What is something that you have lost recently?: A brand new pair of earrings I bought myself! I'm just sick about it. They were less than $20, but still ... I told her at the register that I didn't need a bag, that I could put them with everything else I had purchased that day. And I think I accidentally threw them out. Dumb Gal!

02. Do you own any self-help books?: Sure.

03. Do you live near the sea or ocean?: Nope

04. Have you ever spent ages making/writing something on your computer when it suddenly crashed and you lost it all?: Nope. But that reminds me, I ought to back up to my thumb drive.

05. Do you enjoy food shopping?: Nope

06. What are you having for lunch?: I was thinking I might have a hotdog. I haven't had one in ages.

07. Are you one of those people who can sleep through anything?: Yes

08. Do you like love letters?: Of course.

09. Have you ever received or written one?: Not in a long time.

10. How far does your nearest relative live?: Approx. 20 miles

11. Do you like velvet?:  I have no strong feelings one way or the other

12. What kind of art do you like?: I suppose it's called "neo-expressionism." My favorite artist is Thomas McKnight. I first discovered him almost 20 years ago, when he was commissioned to do a couple of the Clinton's official White House Christmas cards. It's representative of my favorite works of his -- I love how he uses the view through the windows to help set the scene, and the little details he includes.

13. If you went to London, where would you go first?:  My hotel room. No, really. After a long flight, I'd have to decompress for a while before I could enjoy the city. I don't fly well.

14. If you had to pick one friend who is the most interesting, who would you pick?: I suppose John. He has tremendous personal charisma, and I'm not even sure he realizes it.

15. Can you think of the meanest thing you have ever done/said to someone?: Yes. I said something unforgivably cruel to a lover while we were breaking up. I am not proud of this, especially since he is a good man and deserved better.

16. What magazines do you read?: People and Entertainment Weekly and Allure and Glamour. And I receive O and Time. I just don't read them as often as I intend to.


17. What/who has been on your mind today?: Laundry. One of our dryers downstairs is broken. I'm wondering if it isn't worth it to just bite the bullet and haul my sorry fat ass through the cold to the laundromat and just get it all done and out of the way at once.

18. Would you be interested in ghost-hunting?: Nope.

Awesome, isn't he?

I made this rather lop-sided gentlemen with my own two hands!

Our classic film club screened Christmas in Connecticut, a 1945 screwball comedy starring Barbara Stanwyck as a magazine writer whose columns center around making a gracious home. (Think Martha Stewart.)

Beforehand, our host/moderator got us into the spirit by having us make these ornaments. It was a gas to sit there with a group of adults, doing a craft. I was touched by the effort he put into it and enjoyed myself, the camaraderie and the movie.

Holidailies -- Day 8

Today's prompt: What holiday tradition do you wish would just go away?

The company Christmas party. The company I work for goes all out -- closing the office for a half day, picking up the bill for a catered meal at a posh eatery, giving out a handful of expensive door prizes, serving up enough free booze to launch a dozen illicit coatroom affairs …

Meanwhile, we have only had two raises in the last 9 years. During that same time, we have had to sublet two floors of this office building and endured a succession of layoffs.


I'm not going. And I wish they'd banish the whole thing.

I'm not against celebrating the holidays in the workplace. I have decorated my office, I have cards and little ornaments for each of my coworkers, and am handling the collection for a special gift for our team admin.

Imagine all the money we would save if we just gave each employee one of those little half-turkeys that serves 4! Or the tax write-off if we gave all that money spent on the party to charity! They could let the employees suggest which worthy cause to support.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Stand by Me

1) "Stand by Me" is one of the songs John Lennon did at his last public performance back in 1975. First recorded by Ben E. King, "Stand by Me" was also covered by Mickey Gilley and Otis Redding, among others. Can you think of another song that has been recorded and then re-recorded by someone else? One of my favorite songs -- this time of year or all year around -- is James Taylor's cover of Joni Mitchell's "River."

2) The lyrics say, "Whenever you're in trouble, you can stand by me." Tell us about someone you know you can count on. I'm really blessed in this regard. Where I turn just depends on the trouble I find myself in.
 
3) While "Stand by Me" was solo Lennon, John is best known as one of the Beatles. Which group do you listen to more often -- The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Who doesn't love the Lads from Liverpool? I remember an incident a few years ago where I was shopping, wearing a Paul McCartney t-shirt. The guy who bagged groceries was an adult with learning disabilities, usually shy and reluctant to make eye contact. When he saw my shirt he started talking a blue streak, about how when he babysits his little nephew they sing Beatle songs together. I thought it must be wonderful to be one of the Beatles and to have had such a happy and pervasive impact on the world.

4) Lennon liked to tell how, when he and Paul McCartney were teens, Paul's father used to discourage friendship between the boys. Paul ignored his dad's advice and the result is the most successful songwriting partnership of the 20th century. Tell us about a piece of advice you're glad you ignored. When I was in my late teens, a friend tried to convince me that psychedelic mushrooms would make me a better writer.
 

5) John loved cats. When he was a teenager, he first met his favorite, a stray he named Tich, in the snow and gave the cat a safe, lifelong home. John was very proud that Tich lived to be 20 years old. Tell us about a pet who has a place in your heart. Let me tell you about my diva, my girly-girl Charlotte. She is my feline major domo. It is obvious that she thinks we're equals who run this household together. She's emphatic about her likes and dislikes. Likes: treats, curling up in the armoire, observing closely while I put on my makeup or do housework. Dislikes: being picked up, going to the vet, and my other cat, Joey. She's about 16 years old now, and losing weight. It could the new diet she's on or maybe it's a thyroid problem (not at all unusual in senior kitties). We'll have to go to the dreaded vet after the holidays, no matter how strenuously she objects.

6) John unsuccessfully tried hypnosis in his quest to stop smoking. Have you ever been hypnotized? Nope

7) John has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. What Hall of Fame would like to see yourself in? If the Baseball Hall of Fame had a wing for fans, I deserve to be in it. I love my Cubs, no matter what!

8) John had a passion for slot cars and raced them on an elaborate track in his game room. What games or toys do you still enjoy? I like ferris wheels.

9) John wrote about his jealous streak. What personality trait of yours do you wish you could change? My laziness!

Holidailies -- Day 7

Today's prompt: Write a letter to Santa.

Dear Mr. Claus,

I know you're really busy, so I'll just topline my goodness in 2013 in one word -- PATIENCE. You know I'm not a patient girl, Santa. And yet I have really upped my game and worked on it when dealing with friends (both Best and Oldest Friends) and family (my niece) and pets (Reynaldo!). I'm pleased to report all relationships seem more solid because of the result of my efforts.

But then you know that, because you see me when I'm sleeping and know when I'm awake and know if I've been bad or good. So let's get to the good stuff.

I want a gift card, Santa. As rich as you can make it. From The Home Depot. I want to do a lot of work on my condo in 2014 and, while Cute Handyman only accepts cash as payment, he can use this to pick up the tiles and paint and new sink and new medicine chest I'm dreaming of.

Since you have so many stops to make on Christmas Eve, feel free to just slip it under the door. We don't have to stand on ceremony. You and I go waaaaaay back, after all.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Holidailies -- Day 6

Today's prompt: What is the best gift you have ever given?

I've written about this before, so forgive me the repetition. But it remains my favorite gift-giving memory ...

When my niece was six, she was obsessed with the animated Anastasia. She could recite dialog and acted out scenes. She even had a dream in which she walked into an Anastasia store where she could purchase everything Anastasia for $100, and she had exactly $100 in her purse. I went on eBay and purchased Anastasia memorabilia from all over the world (my favorite: plastic Anastasia medallions that had been packaged in cereal boxes in Ireland to promote the home video release in that country). I spread them out all over my apartment and put a sign on the front door: Anastasia Store -- Everything $100. The look on her face when she came in the door, the way she clasped her hands together under her chin and looked around the room in wonderment at the Anastasia dolls and books and puzzles and pillowcase, etc. ... I'll never forget it. How often in life do you get to make someone's dream come true?

She's 21 now. I'm glad that she's happy at school and so in love with her fella. But sometimes I miss the little girl who laced her fingers under her chin when she was happy.

Happy Birthday to Me -- Part 8

I've worked til 7:00 or 8:00 every night, doing my own work and putting out fires. While I am stimulated and happy by my own projects, playing firegirl has been frustrating.

Thursday started out pretty crappy. After a drought, I'm drowning in work. My account team is more obstructive than helpful. Input that we received Wednesday morning was just given to me to implement Thursday at 5:30! And that's just the easiest incident to explain, and the final insult of a long week.

Which is why I'm glad my former boss/theater buddy Barb and I went out to celebrate my birthday last night. I drank too much, we both bitched about work, and I was amused to see how worked up she was by Obamacare. (She's not amused, though. She's very, very angry about the botched implementation -- as we all are -- but she's also upset about the inept construction of the law itself.) Barb is not usually concerned with politics, while I live and breathe it, so listening to her take was interesting. It also led me to conclude that the President is in deeper shit than I thought he was.

She gave me a set of iron kitty bookends. Beautiful and useful … and the heaviest gift I have received in quite some time. And I have leftover fettucine in my refrigerator!

Holidailies -- Day 5

Today's prompt: What is the best gift you ever received?

It was the Christmas I was four years old. I think part of the reason why the memory is so dear is that I was such a believer. I first saw Blaze on TV, then in the Sears Wish Book. I saw him in the toy department at Sears -- up high so kids couldn't climb on him -- but I stood there and talked to him and told him I would ask Santa to bring him to me. And why wouldn't Santa? I'd been good.

I hoped and prayed, and then ... on Christmas morning ... I walked into the living room and there he was, next to the tree …

Blaze was no mere "rocking horse." He not only rocked forward and back, I could get him to trot by bouncing up and down in the saddle. Like other Mattel toys of the day, he "talked" (neighed and whinnied) when you pulled the "magic ring."

Holidailies -- Day 4

Today's prompt: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I have a motley collection of 4 cardboard holiday figures -- the kind schoolteachers used to hang in the classroom -- that I have been displaying about my office(s) for decades. To give you an idea of their vintage, I bought them at a Woolworth's Store that closed its doors back in 1987.

It would be impossible to tabulate how many different offices they have adorned, but they followed me through six different companies.

They are Santa, the Little Drummer Teddy Bear, a Snowman and (my favorite) a terrier wearing a red plaid hat and matching scarf. They cost me less than 50¢ ea. at the time, and I love them dearly and am happy to see them. 

Kwitcher Bitchin'!

I am so sick of hearing about "The War on Christmas." Just because I believe in the separation of Church and State and respect that my Jewish friends are celebrating this season, too, doesn't mean I don't have Christ in my heart. When I say "Happy Holidays," all it means is that I hope your holidays are happy.

And I am so sick of hearing about how "commercial Christmas has become." Has become? Really? Miracle on 34th Street revolved around this very issue and it was made back in 1947. This is not news.

I guess I'm upset because so many of the people I hear complaining don't walk it like they talk (bitch) it. Beyond finding fault, these people are doing precious little to preserve and advance the Christmas spirit.

Well, today is GIVING TUESDAY. This movement encompasses all 50 states and its dedicated to celebrating "the season of giving." Remind the sanctimonious Grinches in your life (I can't be the only one who encounters them!) that, like Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, this day is set aside to kick off the holiday season. Suggest they make an appointment at the blood bank, or toss some coins into the Salvation Army kettle, or go to Walgreens and buy a toy and drop it in the Toys for Tots box on the way out, or if they're going to Mickey D's for lunch, they can stuff a dollar in the Ronald McDonald House collection box on the counter ... There are so many ways to give!

Spread the word! Let's turn the grumping into giving!

PS This is my 5,300th post. And it's a rant. How fitting is that!

Holidailies -- Day 3

Today's prompt: Share your favorite holiday recipe. Where / when did you first try it?

HA! This is criminally easy because I only have two recipes! There's this one and Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies. I'm featuring this one because, while every batch of cookies always tasted good, it was rather hard for me to not scorch the bottoms. Whereas this Apple Banana Cake comes out right every time.


Oh yeah, where/when did I first try it? About a decade ago, when Martha Stewart was having her legal problems. I admired her for facing her fate like a brave soldier and supported her by going to KMart and buying her domestic stuffies things. Then I had to find an easy recipe so I could put the stuff to work. Voila!

Wet Ingredients
4 cups of peeled cored and grated apples (generous)
2 mashed bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans (optional)

Dry Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine all the wet ingredients in large bowl and mix well.
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and mix well.
Add dry to wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Pour into an UNgreased 9"x13" pan.
Bake for 1 hour

Last time I made this recipe, it was cupcakes and I topped each with a dollop of French Vanilla frosting.

 

These are the good old days

I wasn't able to get to the health club over lunch yesterday because I had three (count 'em, 3!) live and active projects going on at once! Today another one kicks off. I'll probably be so busy that I have to take some work off my plate and put it back on my boss'.

It's like this because, year-end, clients want to spend their allotments so their budgets won't be cut next year. So I know this isn't necessarily an indication that the Recession is over in my industry.

But it's so nice to be able to put one project down and know there's another one waiting my attention.

Holidailies -- Day 2

Today's prompt: What is your favorite holiday song (and why)?

"Sleigh Ride" by Andy Williams. It was the first cut on my old Andy Williams Christmas LP, the first holiday record all my own. So when the needle dropped on Andy singing "Sleigh Ride," my Christmas season had begun. And when I hear Andy on my iPod, I smile.

I also enjoy this rather trippy clip from one of Andy's iconic specials. I always wanted to spend Christmas with this family.

Holidailies -- Day 1

Today's prompt: Introduce Yourself

I AM (in alphabetical order)

an American
a Beatle fan
a cat lady
a Cub fan
a copywriter
a Democrat
easily distracted
a friend
sentimental and
very messy