Sunday Stealing

Around the House
Bedroom: what’s your sleep schedule? I don't really have one. And I should. I have a terrible habit of dozing off on my sofa after work, and then I wake up after midnight and can't get back to sleep. BAD GAL!

Kitchen: favorite comfort food? Lately I've been eating a lot of graham crackers.

Washroom: showers or baths? bubbles? bath bombs? Usually showers, but I have bubble bath on hand for those days when I want to enjoy a nice, long soak.

Closet: sum up your style in a few words. Jeans, t-shirts and pullovers.

Parlor: favorite party or board game? Scrabble.

Living room: what do you like to do with your family? Just catch up. We don't get together as a clan very often.

Dining room: favorite special occasion food? Prime rib.

Garden: favorite tree? flower? I love carnations. I know they're often dismissed as "filler flowers," but I think they're great. Such sturdy, colorful flowers.

Attic: what’s one thing you have a sentimental attachment to and you will never throw away? I treasure a ceramic cable car that belonged to my favorite grandpa.

Library: favorite book genre? I bounce between mysteries and biographies.

Office: if you could have any job in the world, what would it be? I'd like to be a pet sitter. Wouldn't it be great to be paid for being a crazy cat lady?

Guest room: have you been to a sleepover? if so, when was your first? do you like them? Lots of sleep overs when I was in junior high. I don't recall my first. But yes, they were great fun.

Foyer: do you like small gatherings, large parties, or one-on-one meetings? I like small gatherings.

Pantry: favorite meal to make? I love slapping a salmon filet onto my George Foreman grill. While it's sizzling, I make myself a salad. Then I tell myself what a healthy eater I am.

Laundry: favorite and least favorite chore? I have no favorite chores. Though I am good at laundry. Here's a tip -- go to a beauty supply store and buy a bottle of clarifying shampoo. It's great for removing food stains, grass and blood.

Garage: favorite mode of transportation? favorite car? I enjoy riding the rails. I'm a big fan of Amtrak.

Panic room: what was the most nerve-wracking experience you’ve had? I'm terrified every time I get on a plane (which I'm doing next week).

Powder room: do you wear makeup? if so, what one item can’t you live without? what’s your favorite look? I wear makeup, but I spend more time on my skin care regimen. As I get older, my goal is to wear less makeup. I think once we pass a certain age, it ages rather than enhances us.

Not Clicking

Saturday was a weird day.

It started with me going to the post office to take my mail off "hold." You see, I actually didn't lose my keys -- I just misplaced them when I was stoned -- so I can access my mailbox, after all.

Then I got my hair cut. Afterwards, my nephew and I got together for lunch. It was fine, but we never seemed to be on the same wave length, like we usually are. I got no real sense of how he was doing, and nothing that we discussed seemed to mutually spark our enthusiasm, like it usually does.

When I got home -- before 5:00 -- I fell asleep, even though the Cubs were playing the Cardinals!

Now, of course, I'm wide awake. It's 2:30 AM and I'm wide awake!

I think that Fentanyl messed me up more than I thought. Proving once again what I've known all along -- I'd be a failure as a drug addict.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Don't Stop (1977)... because Country Dew recommended Fleetwood Mac

1) Since we're not supposed to stop thinking about tomorrow, let's talk about it: What are your plans for Sunday? Nothing on tap right now except grocery shopping. I had an intense Thursday (prep for colonoscopy) and Friday (colonoscopy) and Saturday I've got a lot of running around to do. Sunday I'm happy to take it easy.
 

2) Fleetwood Mac was formed 50 years ago in London. Fifty years is considered a "golden anniversary." Do you wear more silver or gold? Silver.

3) This song is from Rumours, which has sold 40 million copies. Is it in your collection? Nope. Though I believe all my friends did. It was crazy popular.


4) It was written by keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie. She was born Christine Perfect, a name that earned her a fair share of teasing when she was a school girl. Do you recall being teased in school? What about? My last name. For some reason, neither of my sisters got ribbed for it. As fate would have it, they both got married, and got new last names. I'm the one who ended up saddled with this sucker for life.

5) Before Fleetwood Mac, she was in a band called Chicken Shack. If you were to order out for a chicken dinner, which restaurant would you turn to? NOT George's! George's is a local coffee shop that serves a little of everything. Last Friday, I impulsively stopped by on the way home from work to treat myself to an early dinner. Fried chicken was the special. I was so happy because I hadn't enjoyed fried chicken in ages. I still haven't. (The rice pudding dessert that was included in the price was good though.)

6) Before she could pay all her bills with her music, she supported herself as a window dresser for a London department store. Do you enjoy walking along, just window shopping? Or do you consider "looking with no intention to buy" a waste of time? I always give in and buy something. I have no will power.

7) When she found herself making big money, one of the first things Christine bought was a pair of matching Mercedes for herself and then-husband John McVie. If you were handed a check for $1 million, what's the first thing you would do with the money? Take it to an accountant. I want to know if it's pre-tax or after-tax. Sorry to give such an earthbound, boring answer, but I read that the IRS takes 36% of every lottery winner's payday. And then the state get its cut. So before I start spending, I want to know how much I have to spend.

 

8) The other girl in Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, founded the Soldier's Angel Foundation. She believes in the healing power of music, and so she's proud to provide wounded soldiers with iPods already loaded with music. When you listen to music from your phone, MP3 player or iPod, do you use ear buds or headphones? Headphones. I just cannot wear buds.
 
9) Random question: Let's pretend your high school reunion is coming up. Which classmate are you more curious about: the one who was your first date, or the one who was too cool to give you the time of day? To be completely honest, I'm not curious about any of my classmates. BUT since I gave such a joyless answer to #7, I'll try to get in the spirit of the question. The hunk who ignored me. I hope he's still all studly. (But I also hope he shaved off that skinny mustache. It was de rigueur for hot guys back in the day, but today it would make him look like an aging porn star.)
 

"Everybody must get stoned ..."

So today, I was under Fentanyl and it made me stupid. Really stupid.

While I was still sober and completely cognizant, I was admitted by a young man I found officious, literal, and insensitive to my panic. I firmly believe that a certain level of sensitivity is integral to that job, and he was lacking.

When I awoke in recovery, the tech who'd attended me during the procedure was the first one to speak to me. She was very sweet and cheerful, telling me to relax and stay still and sip the apple juice she brought. A bit later, the young man who admitted me came to check on me. I remembered instantly how much I disliked him.

"Can you get up?" he asked.

"I don't know. 'Spose so," I replied, sipping my apple juice. I thought my reply was the funniest fucking thing ever, especially after I saw the confused look on his face. "OH? Are you asking me to TRY to get up?"

Oh, Gal! Noel Coward had nothing on you!

Then I was sure I'd lost my house keys. I checked my purse. The little locker where I'd stored my clothes. I gave my name and phone number to the hospital's lost and found. I looked under Kathy's car in the parking lot and then under the seat in her car.

I used the spare key I have hidden in THE SECRET PLACE and got into my apartment. Then I called a locksmith to get a spare key for my mailbox. The locksmith took pity on me and promised to be over here "first thing in the morning."

Then I found my key ring. In my pocket.

Who would've thought?

Turns out LaLiz and I have something in common after all: Hemorrhoids.

Really. Up until I read the report on my colonoscopy, I didn't believe that the creature shown here and I had anything in common. Yet in the wonderful book, Furious Love, recurring hemorrhoids bedeviled her mightily. I find this oddly comforting.

Other results from today's procedure:

•  Diverticulosis, without perforation or bleeding.
•  Random biopsies, taken from colon, will determine if colitis is the lingering result of last year's c diff.
•  NOTHING that indicated malignancy.

While the prep* was terrible, the procedure itself went well. I just have to eat more veggies, move more and drink more water. Losing weight would be good, too.

Kathy was awesome today. She isn't always, but today she was. She went above and beyond. Sitting with me while I waited in my hospital gown, prone on the gurney, waiting to be rolled in. Then she was there when I was done, with my paperwork and a Paul at 75 magazine as my reward for being such a good patient.

I think this was an example of what Elizabeth Edwards tried to teach me in her book, Saving Graces. Sometimes I need to allow myself to lean on people. By revealing myself as not the always strong one, I help strengthen our relationship.

*Though not as bad as the prep was last time I had a colonoscopy, in 2009. Who knows? Perhaps in 10 years, when I'm due for another colonoscopy, it'll be even a bit better yet.

Where are my Cubs?

In less than an hour, I begin the "prep" for my colonoscopy. I do not want to do this. I know it is going to be unpleasant.

If only I could watch the Cubs! But alas, they have a day off.

So I'm left to worry ... about my colonoscopy, about John McCain's brain cancer, about OJ Simpson gaining parole.

I'm such a baby. But I admit, I'm very unhappy right now and my mind is racing. My guys could distract me. But my guys are nowhere to be found.

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. 

1. What are you currently reading? Kennedy and Nixon, by Chris Matthews. As I watch a new President demonize the press and get bogged down in scandal, I get a horrible sense of deja tragedy. I'm working through the foreboding by reading about Nixon. 

Kennedy and Nixon explores "the rivalry that shaped Postwar America." Chris Matthews begins by introducing us to Jack and Dick, two WWII Naval Officers who entered Congress at the same time and were quite friendly, until circumstance and ambition pulled them apart. As they gained national stature, the difference in their appeal became obvious. One's strength was his charisma, the other's was his very ordinariness. To slightly paraphrase Matthews in this highly readable book, "Americans viewed Kennedy as their shining hero. They recognized Nixon as the face that stared back at them in the bathroom mirror."

2. What did you recently finish reading? Exposed by Lisa Scottoline is one of those books I liked ... except when I didn't.  (This was an ARC from Amazon.)

Exposed highlights the evolving relationship between Bennie and Mary, the two central characters of the Scottoline's popular "Rosato" series. My favorite scenes were the ones that had the two women putting their heads together to solve the case. "Teamwork makes the dream work," Bennie says.
 

Still at times it really annoyed me. Mary's family and the gang from South Philly, mostly Italian immigrants, are cartoonish. I know they're supposed to seem colorful, with their broken English and loud voices and cute nicknames, but it wears thin fast and soon becomes a condescending distraction. And there's a major plot point that really doesn't bear up under close scrutiny. It feels especially sloppy for an author of Scottoline's profile because it involves health care coverage, and that's something that the entire country seems to becoming more knowledgeable about. Where are her editors? (I won't say more to avoid spoilers.)

3.  What will you read next? I've got Sue Grafton's X, a Kinsey Milhone mystery I've yet to crack open.

 

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing:  Firsts

First Job: Babysitting

First Real Job: Secretary

First Favorite Politician: JFK

First Car: Impala

First Record/CD: "Annette" backed with "Hey, Cubby Boy." It was a thick yellow 45 rpm by Jimmy Dodd of the Mousketeers, recorded before I was born. I don't know how I got it. Maybe it came with the record player, which looked like this.

First Sport Played: Tag or kickball.

First Concert: Bobby Sherman at The Auditorium Theater in Chicago

First Foreign Country Visited: Canada

First Favorite TV Show: Batman

First Favorite Actor: Michael Landon

First Favorite Actress: Marlo Thomas

First Girlfriend/Boyfriend: Tommy from across the street. We were going to get married and get a dog. And we would keep her on a leash, not let her run away or get hit by a car. We were in pre-school, and seemed to believe two people had to be married to own a dog.

First Encounter with a Famous Person: When I was about 10, I saw Hawks' star Stan Mikita doing his Christmas shopping in Oak Brook, Illinois.

First Brush With Death: I know my mother was very upset when I told her how I "fixed" the broken plug by prying the broken prong out of the socket with a pen. I got a stern talking to about electricity.

First House/Condo Owned: This one

First Film Seen: Mary Poppins

First Favorite Recording Artist: The Lads from Liverpool

First Favorite Radio Station: The Big 89, WLS

First Book I Remember Reading: Abraham Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire.



First Meme You Answered on Your Blog: Here's the first Thursday Thirteen I ever did, 9 years ago.

From one part of town to the other

Last night I took John out to dinner for his birthday. It was a pleasant, low-key evening at Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch. We had artichoke/spinach dip and caught up, then we had our entrees and watched the game.

John was a little out of it, which I admit here I resented. He partied way, way too much Friday night and was still experiencing the after effects at 5:00 Saturday. This shows a lack of respect for our time together, and for his health. He is, after all, 62 years old and he can't party like he did when he was 25. But since we were celebrating his birthday, I kept my frustration to myself. I didn't want to spoil our evening and besides, he refrained from drinking during our meal. That shows he understands, on some level, that he has to learn when to say when.

After dinner, I had about an hour until my train home. I didn't want to spend the money for a Lyft or Uber home, so I trekked it. From Water Tower Place to Ogilvy Transportation Center is about a mile and a half. It was a pretty, warm night, and I enjoyed the city scenes. Near Water Tower you find lots of tourists, and it was neat to hear all those different languages being spoken. Then I got to the River Walk. Oh, but it's gorgeous! And busy! People at the riverfront cafes, sipping wine. People kayaking, with those little lights on the back to make them visible on the night water.

As I walked, this recording -- a favorite of Sir Paul's -- kept me company.





Got in my front door at 11:00 PM, ready for bed. I didn't take any photos yesterday, didn't "check in" anywhere on Facebook. I don't know why, really. I just wanted to enjoy the moment, rather than immortalize it.

Saturday 9

I Will Never Let You Down (2017) ... because Smellyann recommended Fastball
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 

1) Fastball is a trio from Austin, Texas. Austin is the capital of Texas. When you were in school, did you have to memorize the state capitals? If we were supposed to, I never did.

2) Have you ever visited your state's capital? Oh, yes! And everyone should visit Illinois' state capital, Springfield, because of all the Abraham Lincoln historical sites. You can see the Presidential Library and Museum (which now has an exhibit from the Spielberg movie), Lincoln's home, the Old Capital House where he gave his "House Divided Against Itself" speech, and his final resting place. It's all inspiring. But my favorite is The Lincoln Depot. It's the site where he said good bye to Illinois when he left for DC. His impromptu speech is so moving:

History happened here

"My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."

He was a great man, literate and wise and sensitive. And Illinois' own! 

3) Fastball played dates throughout Canada this past spring. When did you last leave the US of A? I haven't left this country this millennium.

4) Tony Scalzo is a founding member of Fastball. He's the singer in the video for this song, and that's his wife, Jennifer, playing the organizer of the speed-dating event. Have you ever gotten a job because you knew somebody? This one. My friend Kathleen was working there and asked if I could pinch hit for their writer, who was on vacation. I never left.
 

5) In this pitch to a perspective lover, he admits he doesn't have much money. Last time you went to the ATM, how much did you withdraw? $55.

6) He sings that at times, his mind is hazy. Do you have a good memory for names? Gets worse each year.
 

7) Fastball guitarist Miles Zuniga admits that he once had a crush on Carrie Fisher (aka Princess Leia). Tell us about one of your one-sided love affairs, either with a celebrity or someone you knew in real life. When I was a girl I had a mad crush on Joe Pepitone. He was only a Cub for a few disappointing seasons, but I thought he was impossibly glamorous.And I kept this baseball card shoved in bedroom mirror.

8) Fastball's drummer Joey Shuffield is partial to drums from Pork Pie Percussion. This company was started by Bill Detamore, who began making drums as a hobby. Do you have any hobbies that, under the right circumstances, could make you money? Nope

9) The fast ball is the most common pitch in major league baseball. Now that the MLB season is past the halfway mark, how is your baseball team doing? I am confident that the World Champion Chicago Cubs will have an impressive second half.

I once was lost, but now I'm found

No disrespect intended. But the last four days I've been miserable because I missed my guys so much.

Last year, The Cubs had the best record in baseball and made history by placing their entire infield in the All Star Game.  Plus two of our pitchers graced the NL All Star Roster.

That was last year.

This year, only two Cubs represented Chicago (Joe Maddon and Wade Davis). Both were selected. Not a single Cub was voted to the squad.

Instead of having the best record in the game, we're tied for second place in our division and ended the half looking pretty damn mediocre. (Though it must be noted that I really don't mind watching mediocre baseball. I am a lifelong Cub fan. I can recall seasons where we aspired to mediocre.)

So where last year's All Star break brought elation, this year's just left me lonely for my guys. (Though thanks to Twitter and Instagram, I learned that Anthony Rizzo and his fiancee went to the Bahamas for the break and John Lackey invited Jake Arrieta and his family to enjoy the Lackey family's new built-in swimming pool.)

Tonight, the boys are back! I'm watching them play the Orioles, and all is right with my world. Schwarber hit a home run. Zobrist hit a home run. Heyward hit a home run. All three of those guys struggled in the first half and I hope this is a sign of things to come in the home stretch.

There were rumors over the break about a big trade and I was anxious. I love these guys so much, I don't want to see a one of them go. Well, there was a big trade -- with the White Sox, no less -- but it was all good. We got a leftie in his prime, Jose Quintana, in exchange for minor leaguers.

And I'm heartened to remember that The Chicago Cubs are still the World Series Champions. They will be until someone else wins it all. I am forever hopeful that they will begin winning like world champions again.

Friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
*Post it.
    

From Exposed by Lisa Scottoline. The star of this series, Bennie Rosato, is sharing some bad news over a bottle of wine with her rich and powerful client, Nate Lence.

"Here's the thing. I know you don't get involved in every little case that comes down the pike, but this one could get a lot of attention and it would be terrible PR."

"Like what?" Nate glowered.

"It looks as if the rep was fired becasue of his daughter's medical expenses, which is unlawful under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The child has leukemia, and she's four years old."

"A cancer kid?"

Bennie cringed. "Not sensitively put, but yes."

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Put Your Questions in the Box Questions

1. Where were you three hours ago? Fighting to stay awake. It's a lazy Sunday and I'd be just as happy to crawl right back into bed.

2. Make a confession.Yesterday morning, while watching a Will and Grace marathon, I realized anew that in many ways, Will Truman is my ideal man.

3. Bad habits? I'm addicted to Farmville 2.

4. Favorite color? Blue

5. Can you drive? No

6. 3 pet peeves. Space hogs who take up more than one seat on the train, people who take more than 10 items to the 10 items or less line, people who twirl their hair incessantly.

7. Last person you hugged. My nephew

8. Something you miss. My waist

9. What song is stuck in your head at the moment? "Benny and the Jets"

10. Favorite quote. "Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim." Nora Ephron

11. Favorite band. The Lads from Liverpool

12. Something your excited for. Today's Cub game. Kyle Schwarber seems to have his groove back.

13. Favorite movie.

via GIPHY


14. What type of phone do you have? An LG piece of shit with a cracked screen.

15. Favorite animal. I have a soft spot for just about all of them.

 

But it was beautiful, like always!

Every year my nephew and I spend a summer day together. I give him a selection of activities and he chooses. In years gone by, we've done things like The Taste of Chicago, Lollapalooza and The Chicago History Museum. This year, we went to The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs and the Pirates.

The weather was perfect: clear and the mid-70s. Instead of taking the el to the game, which is fastest, we took the #22 Clark Street bus. It makes regular stops in The Loop, Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville, so for $2.25 he got a nice little tour of Chicago on a lovely day.

Then we ate pizza and watched the game. Jake Arrieta was on the mound, who was a pleasure to watch until he wasn't. He hit 95 pitches rather early on and, had Joe Maddon asked me, I would have pulled him them. (Joe didn't ask me.) We saw Kyle Schwarber get two hits -- one a dinger! We watched the sun set and the full moon rise over the most beautiful cathedral baseball has ever seen.

I bought two new t-shirts (because no, I cannot have enough Cub t-shirts) and wandered through Wrigleyville for a while, waiting for the crowds to thin. We stopped for grilled cheese sandwiches at an all-night diner* and I got him home by 1:00 AM.

I enjoyed showing him the parts of the city that draw young people in to party. He'll soon be a high school senior, so I know he's heard about the lure of the North Side. I also enjoyed talking to him. He just watched All the President's Men for the first time and was very impressed. He's thinking about colleges, and right now he's looking at majoring in political science at Western Illinois University.

I wish I knew more about his internal life. I worry that he's not happy or content. I shared the struggles I had within our family, resurrecting ancient history. I did it because I wanted him to know that I don't expect teen years in our family to happy. I also used his fondness for All the President's Men (produced by Redford) as a segue to Ordinary People (directed by Redford).

Which is not to say we didn't laugh a lot. We did. It's impossible to not have fun at Wrigley Field.

*Pizza and grilled cheese, all in a matter of hours, is too much dairy for this old gut.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: The Joker (1973)
because Stacy recommended it.
 

1) In this song, Steve Miller claims he's a picker, grinner, sinner, lover, smoker and joker. Do any of those six words describe you? I'll go with sinner and grinner.

2) He maintains he's still a midnight toker. When's the last time you got high? I've never smoked pot. I haven't had a beer buzz in weeks.

3) The lyrics include a reference to peaches. Name your favorite fruit. Lately I've been eating a lot of those easy-to-peel mandarin oranges.

4) This song had a big impact on the character of Joey on Friends, who had an imaginary friend named Maurice with the occupation of space cowboy. Did you ever have an imaginary friend? I didn't, though my Barbie Doll did. After every one of her dates, she would call Ann Marie (That Girl) to discuss it.

 

 

 
5) Steve Miller is the pride of Milwaukee, WI. What else is Milwaukee famous for? Beer

6) Steve Miller considers himself a serious blues guitarist. When did you last feel like singing the blues? Whenever I think of my finances.

 

7) In 1973, when this song was popular, you could buy a portable 8-track tape player for $44.50. On what device do you listen to music most often? My shower radio. Or my little Nano.

8) A Curious George book packaged with a Curious George plush toy was a big seller at Christmas 1973. Tell us about a toy -- either given or received -- that brightened a holiday or birthday for you. My niece was seriously into the American Girl books, so it was always great fun to give her the dolls. She would curl up beside me with the doll and tell me Josefina's or Addie's or Kit's story.

  
9) M*A*S*H was one of TV's top-rated shows in 1973. Who is your favorite M*A*S*H character? Hawkeye. I was always a little in love with him.