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?  

Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit by Chris Matthews. I'm rather early in -- WWII just started -- but I can say this is a unique biography. There's little that's new.* But it's emotionally resonant. Chris Matthews uses emotion and sentiment to emphasize the difference between brothers Jack and Bobby. For example, Bobby was tender and solicitous to his mother, Rose, but was intimidated by his father, Joe, whose approval he craved. Jack was dismissive of the mother he found cold and judgemental, while he loved and amused his powerful father. These two had the same parents, but their experiences within the family were radically different. It explains their divergent personalities and styles, but also their bond.

This is my third Chris Matthews book and I am surprised again by what a graceful writer he is. I enjoy his MSNBC show, Hardball, but I'd never describe his TV persona as "graceful."

 

2. What did you recently finish reading?   

Kickback: A Spenser Novel by Ace Atkins. Spenser leaves Boston for the fictional town of Blackburn, MA. It's a once thriving but now economically depressed mill town, one that's shrunk to the point where everyone knows everyone else's business. The atmosphere is paranoid and claustrophobic as Spenser investigates why so many of the town's young people end up in a draconian juvenile detention facility. Why didn't the kids get representation in court? Why doesn't the juvenile hall allow the kids contact with their families? Who runs the place ... and who profits? Who doesn't want our hero snooping, and how far will they go to stop Spenser?

It's a good mystery. The suspense builds nicely and it's good to be in the company of the usual cast of characters (Henry, Hawk, Rita, Belson/Quirk, Pearl and Susan are all present and accounted for).

3.  What will you read next?  

Maybe another biography? Or a mystery. My TBR pile is stacked dauntingly high with both.

   

*I didn't know that Dave Hackett, Bobby's prep school roommate and lifelong friend, once attended Exeter for a semester. Hackett so impressed classmate John Knowles that Dave became the basis for Phineas in A Separate Peace.

Sunday Stealing

Sleepy Rambles Survey

1.   Would you ever try Fear Factor for one million dollars? Why or why not? Sure. I don't think it's on anymore, so not many people would know of my humiliation. And $1,000,000 would be nice.
   
2.   If you use hair spray, what brand do you use the most?  Rave 4x Mega. On sale at CVS for less than $3/can.


3.   Is "Catcher in the Rye" in your library, by any chance? If you mean my personal library, no. I'm sure the local public library has more than one copy.
 
5.  What is the best thing about a Barbie doll? The fantasies she inspired. My Barbie and I had some terrific adventures.

I loved my Barbie

6.   Cherry or peanut ice cream? If those are my only choices, I'll go with cherry.

7.   From one to ten, how big of a movie buff are you? 8. I love movies more in theory these days than in practice.

8.  Who is a celebrity you think will never get into trouble? Tom Hanks

9.  What is a museum you would like to go to? I'd love to go back to The Smithsonian.

10.  Personally, do you look better with short hair or long hair? Short. Even when I'm thin, my face is very round. Long hair just exacerbates that.

11.  What is the first thing you think of when I say ‘Jack’? President Kennedy

12.  What do (or did) you call your grandparents? Grandma and Grandpa
 
13.  What color do you usually paint your nails? Lately it's been Revlon Optimistic.

Also on sale at CVS

14.  What would be a cool earring design? My aunt gave me some cool spirals for my birthday but they dangle, and I don't like dangling earrings. If I could find a nice, small compact spiral with a stud back, I'd be happy.
    
15.  Besides nightmares, what is the scariest thing about sleeping? I don't think of sleeping as especially scary. Maybe missing the alarm?

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Standing on the Corner (1956)

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

1) In this song, four friends congregate on Main Street to look longingly at pretty girls. In your town, where is the best place for people watching? There's a bench on the corner in the "main drag" of my neighborhood. From there you can see the parking lot/bike rack, the sandwich shop, the running store, and the former hat shop that will soon be a stationery store. It's just up the street from the bank and law/medical offices, the movie theater, restaurants, bakery, book store and other shops. I think eventually everyone in town walks past that bench.

2) This song was written for the Broadway musical, The Most Happy Fella. Who is the happiest person you know? That would be Mindy. She always sees the best in everyone. I'm glad that her both of her sons are now on track, and that she was able to enjoy what looked like a terrific vacation with her oldest son (who now works in Europe), his girlfriend, and husband as they toured Italy. She deserves only good things because she's such a happy, positive person.

3) The members of The Four Lads met at Toronto's St. Michael's Choir School. Growing up, did you attend parochial or public school? I was a public.

4) The Four Lads always wore jackets and ties when they performed. Do you enjoying dressing up? Or would you rather keep it casual? I HATE DRESSING UP! I enjoy looking at other people when they're all duded up (I especially like seeing men in ties and jackets), but I don't enjoy it for myself.

5) While this song was a hit for The Four Lads, they were completely overshadowed in 1956 by Elvis Presley and "Heartbreak Hotel." Who do you think dominates today's music scene? Queen Bey. I'm not a fan, but I certainly don't begrudge Beyonce her talent and influence.


6) The Wizard of Oz aired on TV for the first time in 1956. Sam was never crazy about those flying monkeys. Tell us about something that frightened you when you were a kid. The theme of Perry Mason. I would literally run away from the TV when I heard this.

 

7) What scares you now? That a portion of the country will agree that Donald Trump is somehow above the law, and our President will force a Constitutional crisis and tear the nation apart. I don't believe that will happen. I lived through Watergate and I've seen our system work. But I fear Mr. Trump. I mean, just this week we learned that in the run-up to the 2016 election he stood by a fraudulent health disclosure form and paid a porn star for her silence. He lies, decries "fake news," and somehow 1/3 of the country believes. Scary.

8) Since this week's song is about pretty girls: 1956's Miss America was Sharon Ritchie of Colorado. Today Colorado has the distinction of being the home of more microbreweries than any other state in the union. Which are you most particular about -- your beer, your wine, or your coffee? Beer, I guess, because I hate coffee and can no longer drink wine. I'm particular about my beer, but my tastes are lowbrow. I prefer Miller Lite. I'll take Bud Lite if I have to. Not crazy about the premium light beers.

I'm on the left

9) Random question: We all have small, irritating habits, like soup slurping or not replacing the cap on the toothpaste. What's your nasty little habit? I'm a slob. Example: We were all eating donuts at our desks, and yet the floor around my chair had crumbs. No one else's did. Just mine. I'm 100% Oscar.

Home soon!

I got some good news from Napoleon and Caleb.  Randi will soon be released from the hospital! Cancer free and infection free. She'll have to use a wheelchair for a few weeks -- her doctors want her to be very careful about exertion and her heart until she's stronger -- but she'll be home. Good for her! And good for Napoleon and Caleb, who have been stag long enough.

Really, this has been exhausting for him. He works overnights, driving a forklift in a food distribution warehouse. He's doing better there, working enough hours for benefits. (Yea!) Then he panhandles for much-needed extra cash. Then he visits his wife in the hospital. It's a lot of time on public transportation and very little time sleeping.

But I'm happy to see his hard work paying off. At first, when he began working at the warehouse, I thought they were taking advantage of him. They didn't want to give him more than 20 hours/week, no matter how willing he was, because they didn't want to deal with health insurance or the union. But now they appreciate what a hard worker he is. They not only have upped his hours, his boss allows him to bring Napoleon to work (safely stowed in his carrier).

I can't get over what a bruiser Napoleon has become. Really, he's a very big cat. This month he turns one year old. Broad across the chest, with a big head, he's a formidable and healthy boy. I'm sure he weighs 12 lbs. or more. His momcat and littermates are all dead, but he has found comfort and care with Caleb and Randi.

Shabby

Representative of my abode

My boss showed us the real estate listing for his house. It's gorgeous! And it left me feeling bad about my home.

I'm overrun with clutter. A lot of it is from the office. We're moving early in June, and much of the stuff is what won't make the move. But even more of it is stuff I haven't gone through and decided to keep, donate or toss.

My carpet is a mess. Dirty and torn up by Miss Connie, who just can't keep to her scratching post. My bathroom is still half done, and there's a problem with my window sills that will require handyman attention.

And what did I do about all this today? Nothing. I got home early, watched the Cub game (don't ask) and farted around on the Internet.

Wait! That's not all! I also paid a few bills and took a nap.

Sigh.

I'm happier when it goes both ways

My oldest friend has battled mightily with depression and health issues. When the world overwhelms her, she has a tendency to shut off. That's OK. I've been known to do that, too.

She has confided to me that when she is in the throes of pain, she fantasizes about suicide. That's not OK. So when I don't hear from her, I worry.

Earlier this spring we went weeks without corresponding. I called, she didn't pick up and her voice mail was full so I couldn't leave a message. I emailed, but she didn't respond. I sent snail mail, but she didn't open it. I was frantic.

I reached out to her cousin via Facebook. She lives with her much-loved older cousin now, and on the one hand, I find that comforting. There's someone right there, who understands my friend's issues, keeping an eye on her.

On the other hand, I felt bad bothering Cuz. She has a husband in one hospital and a 90-year-old mother in another hospital. Neither her husband nor her mother is ever coming home. Easing them out of life must be exhausting. She doesn't need me tweaking her on Facebook.

But it worked! My oldest friend and I emailed back and forth, back and forth, for a month. Now it's nothing but crickets again.

Her adult son and his girlfriend stopped by last weekend. Is that why she's so quiet? She idolizes him so, and he has depression and anger and entitlement issues and has been known to disappoint her.

She's unemployed and applied for another job last week. Did she hear she didn't get it? Is that why she's so quiet?

I'm so worried about her. I dozed off after work -- damn! I was watching a special about my much-missed Robert Osborne -- and had a terrible nightmare. My (very young) nephew and I were in the back seat of my mother's car. She was behind the wheel and behaving strangely. She drove past her house and headed toward the railroad tracks.

A train was coming. She stopped on the tracks. She was willing to kill us all.

I got my nephew out of the car and then held him to me so he couldn't see the carnage on the tracks.

Now let's see -- My mother didn't have a car. She didn't even have a driver's license. And she died of natural causes after putting up quite a fight. She was not suicidal. My nephew is a 6' tall high school senior. Clearly this dream is completely symbolic.

My oldest friend and I grew up together in the same hometown. Our homes were separated only by an alley. So the setting leads me to believe my disrupted sleep is all about my oldest friend.

I love her. I miss her. With all my heart, I hope she's OK. I'm praying for her.

Expensive and sad

I have nurtured two very healthy philodendrons. One has grown to be big, the other is huge. When we move across the street to our new office space -- probably the first week in June -- I will have no room for my beloved plants. So they have to come home ... where they will be relegated to my den and I will seldom see them. This is unfortunate but necessary, as I'm sure that if my cats saw these plants they would say, "Cool! Salad bar!" and just dive in.

So I brought my little luggage cart to the office, put the big one in a box and fastened it to the cart with cables. I took a cab home -- rush hour -- to the tune of $45.

I don't want this move. I like my office set up the way it is. I like my little shelves. I like my framed A Hard Day's Night promotional poster and my Cubs pennant. I like my files -- paper and in manila folders. Most of all, I like looking at my plants throughout the day, watching them grow, tending to them.

But this move is going to happen.* And so now that the big one is home, I have to get the huge one here, too. The pot is 20". I mean, it's impressive. As much as I love the one in my den, I love the huge one even more. I can't afford another $45 just now and I want to gaze at her a little bit longer. So I'll wait until next week to bring her home.

*Unless they let me go before June 1.

April Challenge -- Day 30

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One thing you're excited for

I'm going to Wrigley Field two more times this season! Over Memorial Day weekend with my friend John, and over 4th of July with my nephew.

What better place to celebrate our national holidays than The Friendly Confines? What better way than to watch America's past time?

If you're interested in seeing the April Challenge prompts and joining in, click here.

Sunday Stealing

DISNEY

1. Favourite scene in a Disney Princess movie? I like the early parts of Sleeping Beauty, when she's barefoot and hanging out with the forest critters.

2. Favourite scene in a non Princess movie? Mary Poppins showing the kids how to clean the nursery. ("Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.")

3. Last Disney movie you watched?  I don't recall.

4. How many times have you visited the parks? California twice, Florida once.

5. Favourite animal themed movie? The original Incredible Journey -- Luath, Bodger and Tao.

6. Favourite Disney movie from the 1950’s? Peter Pan

7. Favourite Disney movie from the 1960’s? Mary Poppins

8. Favourite Disney movie from the 1970’s? The Aristocats

9. Favourite Disney movie from the 1980’s? Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (I didn't really like it that much; it's just the only one on the list I've seen.)

10. Favourite Disney movie from the 1990’s? Beauty and the Beast

11. Favourite Disney movie from the 2000’s? Lilo & Stitch

13. Favourite Disney movie from the 2010’s? Saving Mr. Banks

14. If you could trade lives with one character which one and why? Mary Poppins, because she's practically perfect in every way.

15. First Disney orientated memory? The first time I ever went to the movies, it was to see Mary Poppins. I will never forget it -- the theater went dark, the big curtains open, and the rooftops of London were revealed. Magic!

16. Favourite villain? The Beast, I suppose. (But he really wasn't the villain, was he? He was just misunderstood.)

17. Favourite live action Disney movie? Mary Poppins

18. Favourite soundtrack? Mary Poppins

19. What are your top three favourite Disney songs? "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Let's Go Fly a Kite" and "Beauty and the Beast"

20. Mickey or Minnie? Mickey, because I actually met him at DisneyWorld. 😀

21. Which movie do you find the most nostalgic? All of them. They all harken to a time I'm not sure really existed.

22. Are there any Disney movies that you haven’t seen? Oh, lots of them.

23. Is there a scene or movie that makes you cry? "But Mama, he's my dog. I'll do it."

24. Is there a song that makes you cry? Not really.

25. Which character do you relate to the most? Jane Banks (Mary Poppins)

26. Do you own any clothing that’s Disney themed? 

My go-to Halloween costume

27. Favourite sidekick? Tinkerbell

28. Favourite Princess and why? Belle, because she was such a good role model for my niece in those long ago days. Nothing wrong with a girl keeping her nose stuck in a book, you know.

29. Funniest Disney scene? The tea party on the ceiling, Mary Poppins

30. Favourite Disney movie and why? Mary Poppins, because it's fucking awesome.

April Challenge -- Day 29

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What you did for your last birthday

My birthday is a big deal to me, and I'm lucky to have people who want to celebrate it with me. This year, I noticed a pattern within the whoopdedoo: a cheeseburger topped with a fried egg. I had it at two separate celebrations at two different restaurants.

Over the past 15 years or so, Chicago has become a foodie destination, a place to come for haute cuisine. It tells you a lot about me that I'm happier in a dive bar with a cheeseburger topped with a friend egg.

 

If you're interested in seeing the April Challenge prompts and joining in, click here.

Another culprit reveals itself

Last Thanksgiving, my oldest friend and I had a wonderful dinner at Nine Fine Irishmen in the New York New York Hotel. The first course was corn and potato chowder, made with red pepper. It was delicious, and it made me soooo sick. Almost immediately.

You little bastards!

Today, on the way home from the vet -- where I bought a case of prescription cat food for Reynaldo -- I decided to treat myself to lunch. The little Italian restaurant near the bus stop had Saturday specials, including spaghetti carbonara made with ground black pepper. It was delicious. Guess what happened, as soon as I got home.

It was so unfair, because I'd been so happy. Lunch was great, the book I was reading was great. I had a whole day ahead of me with nothing more I had to accomplish. It was cold but sunny and dry. Kris Bryant was back in the lineup today, so I thought it would be great to wander around town with my headphones on, listening to the game and looking for bargains.

Instead I went to the bathroom and then to bed.

I'm feeling better NOW, of course. Now that the day is over. Oh well, I got my laundry done. And tomorrow is another day.

Call Me "Unremarkable"

I've had this Sinatra oldie running through my head ever since I read the report on my kidney ultrasound. 

They are of average size for a female. No swelling. No fluid pooling in the kidney tissue. My bladder is just fine, with no signs of cancer. In fact, I am, in the radiologist's word, altogether "unremarkable," except for ...

My kidney stone. It's a little too big to pass on its own, and way to small to call for surgery. I guess I'm just at that awkward age. The radiologist seems to be leaning toward "wait and see," as he uses words like "nonobstructive." That's my doctor's first choice, too. But she made it clear she's a GP and thinks I'd be better served by a urologist. She sent a referral. i don't want to be cut. I don't have anyone who will take care of me afterward.* I'll talk to the specialist, I suppose, but it will take some convincing to get me to let him carve me up. 

*That's not fair. Kathy would probably do it. So would John, though he hates cats. And Kathleen would, too, even though she has many family obligations and I'd feel too guilty about asking her.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Lowdown (1976)

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

 

1) In this song, "the lowdown" is an unpleasant truth. Tell us about a time when you had to do like Boz and give someone "the lowdown." Seven years ago, I came upon a Facebook photo of my friend's daughter, then a high school freshman. She was out clubbing -- showing (non-existent) cleavage, sticking out her (green) tongue, drink in hand. I agonized about it, and then told my friend.

 

2) The lowdown Boz delivers is about the woman his friend is seeing. Specifically, she's gossiping about his finances. If you discovered something negative about a friend's romantic partner, would you share it with your friend? Or would you keep it to yourself? Depends on the circumstance. I'd prefer to keep it to myself.
  

3) Boz was born William Royce Scaggs, but in high school he was given the nickname "Bosley" -- later shortened to "Boz." His friends thought "Bosley" sounded nerdier than "Bill," and Scaggs was quite the music nerd. What is something you're nerdy about? The Lads from Liverpool. 

 
4) His son Austin Scaggs is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone. What magazines are in the room you're in right now? US Weekly, Allure, Glamour and Entertainment Weekly.
5) Boz and his wife own a vineyard in Napa. Do you prefer white or red wine? Wine gives me a headache.

6) In 1976, the year this song was popular, movie queen Elizabeth Taylor needed an escort to one of the nation's Bicentennial celebrations. Former Under Secretary of the Navy John Warner was asked to take her to the event, and within months he became her husband. Have you ever had a "blind date" that turned into a relationship? No.

7) Also in 1976, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple in Jobs' parents' garage. Does your garage serve as your office, workshop or studio? Or is it just home to your car? No garage.

8) The Bionic Woman premiered in 1976. Because of her "bionic parts," Jaimie Summers could run faster than most cars, had superhuman strength, and super-sensitive hearing. If you could have one of those qualities enhanced -- speed, strength or hearing -- which would you choose? Strength.

9) Random question: When you lean in for a kiss, do you tilt your head to the right or to the left? Right

 

April Challenge -- Day 28

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The word/phrase you use constantly

"Oh, shit," seems to spring forth from my lips from time to time. 😃

 

If you're interested in seeing the April Challenge prompts and joining in, click here.

Melania done good

One thing I've learned about while reading about First Ladies is that Presidential "soft diplomacy" counts. The respect we show for our neighbors and the pride we have in our own history influences the work that our Presidents do internationally. Pat Nixon's good work in China brought pandas to our shore ... Jackie's dinner in honor of French minister Andre Malraux gave us the Mona Lisa ... Having the people of a foreign country like America better makes it easier for the country's leader to do business with the American President.

Melania Trump did a terrific job this past week when French President Macron was here. At the State Dinner, she gave a gracious nod to her predecessors by using Hillary's china and Laura's glassware and serving fresh vegetables and honey from Michelle's garden. She's signaling that even though her husband is a change agent and a flame thrower, America respects its traditions. And that dress! Acknowledging French fashion by wearing Chanel was a beautiful touch. Reading about this dinner in France, the French must have been pleased by the terrific way their President was treated, and impressed by the pride Mrs. Trump has in her role.

I only wish the President hadn't been such a petty tyrant and had included the press at the dinner. I mean, really! The Birther in Chief, the man who gave oxygen to the rumor that Ted Cruz' father was in league with Lee Harvey Oswald is still whining about what is said about him. His petulance prevented his wife's accomplishment from getting the press attention it deserves.

April Challenge -- Day 27

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I always trust Andy

 

What you wore today

I just saw my favorite TV weatherman, Andy Avalos, report that the closer we are to the Lake today, the cooler and windier it will be. So I'm reaching for one of my favorite and very well-worn sweaters: the long, royal blue cable knit. Very well-worn boot cut jeans. Blue socks. Closed-toe, flannel Birkenstocks. Small earrings, chunky necklace and watch. Cubs jacket. (Cubs beat Milwaukee 1-0 in a nailbiter yesterday.)

I look comfortable.

 

If you're interested in seeing the April Challenge prompts and joining in, click here.

April Challenge -- Day 26

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Things you would say to an ex

I had a great love with a good man. It didn't work out. This is what I would say to him.

I love you. Relationships may become untenable, but love doesn't die.

I'm not sorry. Oh, I regret a lot of things I said, and heard, during our relationship. But I'm not sorry I knew you.

I hope you're happy. Because I do.

 

If you're interested in seeing the April Challenge prompts and joining in, click here.

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? Kickback: A Spenser Novel by Ace Atkins. I loved Robert B. Parker's creation so much that I was skeptical when Mr. Atkins took over the Spenser series. But he does Spenser justice. This is the fourth time I've picked up an Atkins-authored Spenser, this one about a high school student who lands in juvie, and his mother turns to Spenser to help. I've just begun it, but I know that things will get very complicated, and very dangerous, very fast.

2. What did you recently finish reading?  American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping,Crimes and Trials of Patty Hearst by Jeffrey Toobin. Oh, this book! Frustrating!

Toobin does a terrific job at laying out the facts of Patty's case in the trippy, violent, cyncial post-Watergate, pre-Internet world of the 1970s. He brings some colorful characters -- particularly Ms. Hearst's fiance, Steven Weed, and father, Randolph Hearst -- to life. He is also masterful at explaining the complicated legal issues Patty faced -- which is to be expected because he's an accomplished trial lawyer and a familiar legal analyst on CNN. 

But I disagree with the conclusions he draws. He has Patricia willingly joining the SLA and holds her responsible for the crimes she committed. Unfair! The 19-year-old girl was kidnapped at gunpoint and kept first in a closet for more than a month. She was told her parents were not fully cooperating with the kidnappers to gain her release, and that the FBI considered her a fugitive. The second was true, the first was not, but no matter -- she believed both. She didn't think she could return to her former life, and she was too famous and too notorious to just slip back into society. She felt she had to stay with the SLA. Perhaps she even came to accept their Marxist mumbo jumbo. Again, no matter -- she was a crime victim, not a criminal.

Which is not to say I don't recommend this book. It was entertaining and educational, and it makes me want to buy Toobin a drink and explain to him why I think he's wrong about Patty.

3.  What will you read next? Maybe another biography? Or a mystery. My TBR pile is stacked dauntingly high with both.