WWW.WEDNESDAY

WWW.WEDNESAY asks us three questions to prompt you to speak bookishly. To participate, and to see how other book lovers responded, click here.

 
1. What are you currently reading?  
Alibi in High Heels by Gemma Halliday. Shoe designer Maddie Springer just got her big break: an invitation to Fashion Week in Paris! But before she can get to The City of Lights, there's a bone-breaking car accident. Once she arrives, there's a jewel heist and a model is murdered and it's starting to look like someone is setting Maddie up as a suspect and putting her life in danger.

This is fluff. It begins, "I love shoes. I mean, I really, really love them." It's lightweight in every sense of the word: it not only provides glamorous, mindless escape, it's a small paperback that fits easily into my purse.

But you know what? After the big, thought-provoking and at times heartbreakingly sad biography I just finished (see below), lightweight escapism could be just what the doctor ordered. Let's hope it delivers. Author Gemma Halliday is certainly prolific and popular, so my hopes are as high as Maddie's heels.

2. What did you recently finish reading?  

Joe DiMaggio: The Hero's Life by Richard Ben Cramer. This exhaustive (546 pages!) biography was exhausting in its pervasive sadness. Here was a man who simply did not/could not enjoy his gifts.

He was unbelievably graceful, independent and disciplined. He had a high pain threshold. His hitting streak (56 games!) remains untouched after more than 70 years. On the field, he was a champion that generations of Americans looked up to.

Off the field, though ... he was petty and jealous, disrespecting the older Lou Gehrig and resenting the younger Mickey Mantle. He was cheap. Understandable, perhaps, because he came from poverty. His moral relativism made me nuts. On the one hand, he wouldn't appear on a dais with then-President Bill Clinton because he didn't approve of the Lewinsky scandal. Fair enough. But Joe, didn't you invest with a mobster who (certainly) had people murdered and (allegedly) incinerated them in his backyard barbecue pit? 

He made himself unhappy. He only seemed to want his first wife when she made herself elusive. No wonder she eventually tired of him and moved on. And then of course, his second wife. Marilyn.* His love and loyalty were indomitable and enduring. But he didn't seem to "hear" her. Seemingly to the day she died, he believed she was willing to walk away from her career and just be his wife.

Cramer gives this big man and his sprawling life their due. He writes well about Joe and baseball, about Joe and the Italian-American community (especially important during WWII), about Joe and Marilyn. I loved this passage about Marilyn's nude calendar shoot: "[It] would become an enormous public relations triumph -- one of the building blocks of her legend. And, at the cost of his own lifelong heartache, so would Joe."

I just wish, for both his sake and mine, he really was the man I thought he was when I cracked open this book.

*You don't have to ask "Marilyn, who?" do you? He married a myth even more enduring than his own.

3.  What will you read next?  

Has anyone read Meg Wolitzer? She's sitting atop my TBR pile with a book called Surrender, Dorothy. There are also more biographies and more mysteries awaiting my attention.

I wanna be Laura Bush

After watching more than hour of Aretha Franklin's Friday funeral and all of John McCain's Sunday service, I've decided that if one finds oneself at a big, serious religious event, the slot between George W. Bush and Bill Clinton is the place to be.

You can't tell from this photo, but W. was often shown leaning over to his wife or Michelle Obama, whispering with a bit of a smirk on his face. The Twitterverse also caught him passing candy to Mrs. Obama. I never have candy at these events!

And then there's Bill. His joie de vivre is on full display whenever he hears church music. After two days of services, I've come the conclusion that there isn't a hymn he doesn't want to sing.

This has nothing to do with politics. I still believe the world would look different and America would be a better place had John Kerry won in 2004. I still don't like torture, or anything about Dick Cheyney. I think that queasy feeling I got during all that Wall Street deregulation was proven prescient. And Katrina! That was the most shameful way I've seen America treat her own ... until Maria hit Puerto Rico. (That's the thing, isn't it? Since George W. Bush isn't the nightmare bully who resides at 1600 today -- Wait! It's Labor Day! I'll bet Trump is off playing golf somewhere. -- it's easy to forget how tough things were during W's administration.)

Yeah, yeah. Bill had his problems with women. I'm not forgetting that. But Trump and his payoffs leave him in the shade.

But I didn't want this to be about how Trump (who isn't in the photo above because he wasn't invited to McCain's funeral) has coarsened American life and how far he has lowered the bar. It's about how fidgety I get at formal, somber events and how I felt a very human kinship with these two historical figures while watching the funerals. I like that human connection with my Presidents.

Sunday Stealing

Freaky Poptart

What is one thing that you would change about yourself if you could? I would be more focused, more disciplined.

Name three exotic countries you would like to visit: There aren't any. However, there are places in the US I haven't seen but would like to. 1) The Grand Canyon; 2) Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown; 3) New Orleans

What do you think the secret to life is? I'll let JT speak for me.


 
Best concert: Sir Paul at Wrigley Field, 2011


Song you can listen to over and over and not get tired of:




Worst movie music soundtrack or score: Anything that's primarily classical. Like Amadeus, Humoresque or Song of Love. I'm sorry, but I hate the classics.

A song you wish wouldn't get stuck in your head but always does: "The Candy Man can cuz he mixes it with love and makes the world taste goooood." Late last spring, workmen were renovating the apartment at the end of the hall and for some reason, they were listening to a Sammy Davis Jr. CD or Sirius station. (I know, not what you'd expect from drywallers in 2018.) Anyway, as I was taking out the trash, "The Candy Man" was playing. I swear, it was stuck in my head for hours and hours and hours.


Who was your FIRST date? Jeff. It was a school dance.


Do you still talk to your FIRST love? No.


What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? Probably a sip of beer when I was really little. I don't remember,


What was your FIRST job? Babysitting.


What was your FIRST car? First an only: a big old Chevy Impala.


Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? Ft. Lauderdale. I went with my cousin to see my favorite uncle.


Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Yes. I spoke to her just this week.


Whose wedding did you attend the FIRST time? When I was in Kindergarten, I attended the wedding of our next door neighbor's son, Billy. I loved him so. He had shiny black hair and always wore black t-shirts. Whenever he came home to his parents' house to wash his car in their driveway, he let me help. I would sponge the hubcaps. He told me I did such a good job that he would marry me some day. LIAR! He married some hairsprayed bitch named Sandy and my parents actually dragged me to the wedding. To her dying day, my mother loved telling the story of how sullen and angry this little Gal was about losing the man I referred to all day as "my husband."


Tell us about your FIRST roommate. I have never had a roommate.


If you had one wish, what would it be (other than more wishes)? Perfect health.


What is something you would learn if you had the chance? Spanish


Did you marry the FIRST person you were in love with? No. Billy married that hairsprayed bitch, Sandy, instead.

What were the first lessons you ever took and why? Ballet. My mother made me.

What is the first thing you do when you get home? Feline headcount. My beige tom, Reynaldo, always meets me at the door. But my girlcat, Connie, doesn't always make herself visible and so I worry until I'm sure she's OK.

Saturday 9

She Works Hard for the Money

1) This song is about a woman who works hard as a waitress. What's the hardest job you've ever had? When I was a very young woman, still in my teens, I was the administrative assistant to a very particular, very difficult man. He neither liked nor valued me. The days were so long and felt so hopeless. The corporation we both worked for finally moved me to another department, where I was then much happier. It's important to note that my successor didn't last any longer than I did. He was just too-too.

2) The lyrics tell us she has worked at this job for 28 years. What's the longest you stayed with one employer? The one I'm at. It's been (gulp) 14 years. I didn't think I'd be here 5. I know this is a cliche, but as I grow older, time moves faster.

3) Donna Summer was inspired to write this song during an awards show. She ducked into the bathroom and met the elderly ladies' room attendant, whose job it was to make sure the room the spotless, the complimentary hairspray and moisturizer was abundant, and there was a hot towel for every celebrity who used the facilities. "Wow," Donna thought, "she works hard for those tips." Who is the last person you tipped? The waitress who brought my pigs in a blanket. (See post below.)

4) Early in her career, Donna was in the touring company of the musical Hair. It played in Munich for so long that she became fluent in German. What's the longest you have ever lived away from home? When I was still living with my parents, my family often went to a cottage in Wisconsin for two weeks at a time. I was miserable. I missed my girlfriends! Now, I seldom sleep away from home for more than 5 days at a time. I don't like being way from my home, my cats, or my stuff for long stretches.
 

5) Sam's dad is naturally outgoing and enjoys striking up conversations with waitresses, librarians, the checker at the supermarket, etc. Sam is always polite but more private. Are you more like father or daughter? I suppose I'm more like Dad. I make polite conversation at the counter as I'm being rung up. However, I can think of only two businesses -- the vet and my favorite coffee shop -- where they know me by name.

6) A little more than 10% of the American workforce is self-employed. Have you ever been your own boss? Briefly. I freelanced when I was between jobs. I enjoyed the freedom. I didn't enjoy having to beat the bushes myself in search of assignments.
 

7) Labor Day weekend may offer a golden opportunity for napping and sleeping in. Do you snore? Like sawing wood.

8) Will you be attending a Labor Day picnic or barbecue? Nope. I am cocooning this weekend.

9) Labor Day traditionally marks the beginning of the fall. Will you be adding any new fall clothes to your wardrobe? Maybe. But I just picked up two pieces from ThredUp. So I have to take an assessment and see what I still need. Maybe I'm done until the snow flies.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 31

Today’s happiness: "Breakfast served all day."  I celebrated my final early Friday -- for the last time this year I got out of work at 12:30 -- with a lovely lunch of pigs in a blanket. Sausage links, wrapped in pancakes and drenched in maple syrup. Accompanied by a bit of chick-lit escapism. All good.

via GIPHY

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.

 

Napoleon Update

He goes to work every night, 5 nights a week. Because Caleb has gone back to sleeping in his tent -- he gave up the rented room when his wife went into a recovery facility for cancer patients -- he can't leave the cat when he goes to work. So, when Caleb goes to the grocery warehouse where he drives a forklift overnights, he takes Napoleon with him.

The warehouse manager has been a very good sport about this. The boss appreciates that Caleb is one of the working poor, doing the best he can, and so allowances are made. Napoleon used to spend his shift in his carrier on the floor in the manager's office. But lately, when Caleb clocks out at the end of the night, Napoleon has been perched on the manager's shoulder, "helping" with paperwork.

Today, August 31, is Caleb's birthday. Yesterday I gave him a birthday card with a $10 bill inside. He showed me what he spent it on: a roll of Gorilla duct tape. He was excited because it's better quality than he could have afforded otherwise, and he needs it to repair the tent. While we were talking, I noticed how bad his teeth are. I don't believe they were always this discolored. His wife's illness seems to have taken a physical toll on him.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 30

Today’s happiness: Open windows. It's suddenly cooler, and dry, so I can keep the windows wide open.

I know that back on Day 6, I said ac made me happy. And it does, it does! But since I don't have central air -- just a through-the-wall unit in the living room and a window unit in my bedroom -- it can be noisy. And expensive! My ComEd bills have been daunting. And I get tired of breathing recycled air.

Open windows, they are good.

via GIPHY

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.

 

People can disappoint you, can't they

I haven't posted about these three things because they make me sad. On the other hand, I'm hoping that if I post about them -- release them into the blogosphere -- they'll stop nipping at me.

#1) My oldest friend. I love her, of course. I try to understand what she's dealing with, I do. But sometimes ... She's been incommunicado for weeks because her phone was cut off. Back on August 8, I emailed her a link that explained ways citizens can get free cellphone service in California. She never acknowledged it.

This past week, out of the blue, she texted me, saying she now has a free, government phone.  No mention of my email or my help. Just that she wanted me to have the number, and that she wanted to talk. Naturally, I was eager to hear from her. I want to know that she's OK, and I miss her. She makes me laugh.

Sure, said I. Can we talk at 7:00 your time, 9:00 my time?

She'd prefer 8:00, or 10:00 my time. I let her know that we wouldn't be able to talk long, because I had an early morning meeting the next day.

I called at 9:50 PM and got her voicemail. She didn't even bother to pick up! I left a message saying I was going to bed. She called anyway, at 10:15. No apologies for being late. No acknowledgement that I said I'd gone to bed.

I asked her if she'd been busy today. "No ..." She was just hanging out with her cousin, with whom she now lives.

It nags at me, how thoughtless she can be. She lives with Sharon. Day in, day out. Yet she had to spend an extra 75 minutes (remember, she knew I wanted to talk at 9:00 and she didn't call until 10:15) hanging around with Sharon for no particular reason? Has she become so undisciplined that she no longer refers to her watch, doesn't carry her phone with her, even after setting a time for us to talk?

Next spring, I'm going to Southern California for the TCM Film Festival. I'm not inviting her to join me, and I'm not going out of my way to see her. The festival takes place at three (or is it four?) theaters in the neighborhood of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It requires a lot of walking, planning, getting to and fro. This is important to me, and I'm not going to let her ruin it for me.

It makes me sad that I will be traveling 2000 miles but won't be seeing her. I know that with her meds and her depressive disorder, she has a hard time conforming to schedules. But her inability to even be available at 7:00 PM ... after a day of doing nothing special ... to place a call she instigated ... tells me that I can't trust her not to compromise my festival experience. And the TCM Film Festival is something I've wanted to attend for years.

#2) My coworker. She doesn't approve of my relationship with Caleb and Napoleon. We were

walking together to the train and when I told her I was going to stop and "pet my buddy, Napoleon," she mumbled and kept going. This has happened with us before. She not only doesn't want to be introduced, she seems to think that I've fallen prey to some sort of elaborate scam. That they aren't really homeless? That they choose to be homeless? I'm not sure what's in her head. I don't see how she can begrudge anyone a few bucks and some conversation, making Caleb and Randi feel connected and important to me for a few moments. You know what? I don't approve of her disapproval.

#3) That kid! Thinking of Napoleon ... There was a group of street musicians that play on the corner across from where Caleb and Napoleon panhandle. The youngest -- approximately 14 -- had been watching them closely. Then, as he walked by, he first yanked at Napoleon's leash and then, when Caleb leaped up to tend to the cat, he stole their cup of money. Caleb estimates he got more than $50. Why did the kid do that? Mischief? Hates cats? Just something to do? It makes me so sad.

There. Now it's all out. Let's see if I start feeling better.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 29

Today’s happiness: The Hallmark card shop. The selection is better, the quality is higher, in an actual card shop.

This was important to me because Emily just had her third baby. (A boy!) For a fashion-forward thirtysomething, she's really old school in some ways. She keeps physical (not digital) baby books. She sends holiday cards, birth announcements and thank you notes on bond paper. Because she appreciates these things,* I wanted to celebrate the occasion with a card Emily will want to keep.

The card I chose had Winnie the Pooh descending from the sky, holding a string at the end of a yellow balloon. The balloon is an actual yellow button. Too cute!

*And because she always, always remembers my birthday, even though we never see one another anymore.

via GIPHY

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.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 28

Today’s happiness: I'm going to Hollywood! If I had a bucket list, going to the TCM Film Festival would be on it. And in 2019, I'll be joining "My Tribe" in Hollywood for a wallow of classic films. As soon as the announcement was made, I booked a room* for just $88/night. I'm using my AA miles to get to and fro. I'm going to spend a long weekend hanging out with classic movie fans! 

*A studio apartment through Airbnb. If I choose to, I can cook and save myself a little more money.

via GIPHY

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.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 27

Today’s happiness: The kindness of strangers. As I was unhappily hauling my fat ass up the steep stairs to the train, a woman on the way down passed me. 

"I have a crush on your haircut," she said. "I want your hair." 

"Thanks." 

I went on up to the platform. She headed down onto the street. We will never see each other again. But she made me happy.

via GIPHY

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.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 26

Today’s happiness: Rizzo. Today Anthony Rizzo went 2-4 against the Reds and scored 3 runs. He was flawless, as usual, with his mitt. All this, even though it was over 90º on the field. It was thrilling, but not surprising. That's what he gets paid for.

Earlier today, I saw this video of him. Last night he was eager to look foolish, singing "Piano Man" (with former Cub pitcher Ryan Dempster) for charity. 



Rizz regularly donates his time and his money to Lurie Childrens Hospital. His Foundation built the parents' waiting room in Lurie's pediatric cancer ward. He raised money for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, seeded with his $25,000. He's worked with kids in Parkland, FL, who were traumatized by the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, his alma mater. (And that's just what I know from memory. I'm sure I could list more if I looked it up.)

And last night, he sang for the Chicago Public Schools.

His joy in everything he does and his oversized generosity lift my mood whenever I look at him.

I love this kid.

via GIPHY

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.

 

Sunday Stealing

Misc. Questions

1. How has your life most benefited from the Internet? Whether it’s meeting people, cutting business overhead, finding rare collectibles, or simply sharing funny cat pictures, share how the web has made life easier. It has certainly made work go more smoothly. I am a writer. Being able to electronically send my manuscript to an art director is so much faster, and so much accurate, than old-school typesetting was.

2. The getaway car is waiting outside – where is it taking you? To the border! The northern one. I don't speak Spanish, so I'm off to Canada. Can we stop at Niagara Falls?

3. Do you reply to comments on your blog? All of them? Or just the really interesting ones?  Do you go back to check if the authors or the blogs you comment on reply to your comments? I don't often reply to comments, but I try to visit everyone who visits me.

4. On average, how long does it take you to make an important decision? I can be pretty decisive on the big things.

5. Do you gather a lot of information prior to making the decision, or do you go with your gut in the heat of the moment?  Depends on what we're talking about.

6. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned recently? That not everyone needs to hear every single thought I have. (That's what this blog is for!)

7. What’s your hidden talent? Are you double-jointed? Can you sneeze the alphabet? Share your unique skill. I can wiggle my ear.

8. Rate the level of intensity you have about wanting to know God – no desire, low priority, curious, great desire, high priority, desperate to learn more. Explain your answer. I don't get this question. I feel like I know God. I don't feel there are degrees -- at least not for me,

9. What’s one of your nicknames?  How did you get that nickname? "Gal." I gave it to myself.

10. What do you have to have with you when you travel? Why? I must have all kinds of things. I pack like Thelma.

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11. What do you think about reading books on an electronic reading device? Do you have an electronic reading device? Do you love it? Why? If you don’t love it, why not?  I like books. With binding and pages.

12. Do you prefer writing on paper or a keyboard? Why? Keyboard. When I write in long hand, my mind works faster than my hand.

13. If the shoes make the man (or woman), what do your shoes say about you right now? (Assuming you’re wearing shoes. Although if you’re not, that certainly says something, too.) I'm barefoot. Judge me as you will.

14. Describe your favorite pair of shoes. Traditional Birkenstock Arizonas. Reinforced heel well, two straps. Comfortable and durable.

15. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one ability or quality, what would it be? Self discipline.

BONUS:  When they "cool sculpt" your body, where does the fat go? Apparently it dissolves into your system and you eventually piss it away. Of course, I may not know what I'm talking about.

No, they most certainly do not

Rest in peace, John McCain.

I worked on John Kerry's 2004 campaign. In those days, campaign contributions were all checks, very little was done online. The required reporting was arduous. Forget cutting corners; in some ways John Kerry is a true Boy Scout.

We were warned against complaining about the campaign finance reporting: "Remember, it's called MCCAIN-Feingold." Volunteers 980 miles outside of Boston knew not to say anything negative about John McCain while in a room with John Kerry's name on the door.

Don't believe it for a second when today's dirty political doings are explained away with "everyone does it." No, they don't. These two Vietnam-era public servants didn't.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 25

Today’s happiness: Nancy's husband, Paul. I had lunch on Saturday with my friend, Nancy. She has moved into my old hometown, where I still go to get my hair cut. Now that my nephew is away at college, I no longer see him after getting my locks shorn. And since I'm there, why not see Nancy?

Well, I'm glad I did. Short story: we met at a new (to us) burger place and I had some fantastic grub as we caught up. Who knew you could get a peanut butter and jelly hamburger? Long story follows ...

Nancy is unemployed. Her father died a year ago and they just observed the anniversary, her daughter is going back to college this week and her son is in rehab ... for heroin. She knew he'd been fighting a losing battle with alcohol since his teens (he's now 22). It was his way of self-medicating as he dealt with his parent's divorce, ADD, and now the slow pace of his music career (he'd been working as a bus boy). The heroin was a shock. She's bereft. She is overwhelmed.

That's why I am so happy she has Paul. After lunch, she took me to her home and I met him again for the first time in years. The three of us sat around and talked for two hours. He is, like me, a pop culture nerd and we compared notes on old TV shows. And the Cubs. Nancy seemed to enjoy watching us interact, and at one point she curled up next to him, looked up at him and said, "I love you."

I'm so happy she has him. With everything going on in her life, I'm glad she has someone can, literally, lean on.

via GIPHY

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.

 

Saturday 9

Think (1968)
Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.
In fond remembrance of The Queen of Soul (1942-2018).
 
1) As befits one of America's premiere artists, Aretha Franklin sang at three Presidential inaugurations. The first was Jimmy Carter's in 1977, when she sang "God Bless America." What's your favorite patriotic song? "America, The Beautiful." If anyone asked me -- and no one has -- I'd suggest making this our national anthem. "And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!" C'mon. How does that not get to you?

2) The daughter of a Baptist minister, Aretha grew up with church music. She told Rolling Stone one of her favorite songs was the hymn, "Victory Is Mine." What's your favorite religious song?  I'll stick with "America, The Beautiful." It's in our church hymnal, and one of the later verses especially applies today: "O, beautiful, for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self thy country loved and mercy more than life." There's so much macho chest thumping these days about being "tough" on our allies, "tough" on NFL players, even "tough" on mothers who enter this country looking for asylum for themselves and their children (which is legal). It would help us to remember that heroes can be merciful.

3) She welled up a bit when President George W. Bush presented her with the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. When is the last time you shed a tear? Last week. Streisand Day on TCM.



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4) In 1980, the Queen of Soul sang for the Queen of England in a Command Performance at The Royal Albert Hall. Have you ever been to London? Nope.

5) Since Aretha had many honorary degrees, it would have been appropriate to refer to her as Dr. Franklin. Who is the last person you referred to by his or her title (Officer, Father, Sgt., Dr., etc.)? Golly, I can't remember the last time I addressed anyone directly by title. I referred to my GP as "doctor" when I was talking to her office staff, last week, over the phone.

6)  In this week's song, Aretha tells her lover that it doesn't take a high IQ to understand what's going on in their relationship. Do you know your IQ? Nope.

7) A sculpture of Aretha is on display at Madame Tussaud's in New York. Do you think wax museums are cool, or creepy? I don't see this as an either/or.

8) Aretha and Motown legend Smokey Robinson were literally lifelong friends, since they were playground buddies in Detroit. Smokey is one of the only people who can claim to have seen The Queen of Soul with a bucket in a sandbox. If we went to the playground today, would you head for the swings, the slide or the jungle gym? Or, like Aretha, would you play in the sand? Swings! By the way, my mom never let us go near the sandbox. She maintained it was "filthy." When I was a wee one, I thought she was crazy. "Other kids use it!" But now, I see her point. Who patrols it to make sure that outdoor cats won't do what cats do in sand?

9) Random question: Do you like pumpkin seeds? I don't not like them.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 24

Today’s happiness: Grilled cheese with bacon. This was one of my last "Summer Fridays," one of the last times I can end the workweek at 12:30 on Friday.

Today, I got off the train and took myself to lunch at my favorite summertime coffee house. They have the best clam chowder, and you can get a small bowl for free with their lunch special. Today is grilled cheese with bacon. Can you think of a better lunch for stolen, rainy Friday afternoon?

Even better, I'm really into my book. Put me in a quiet booth by the window, immerse me in a big biography, add in good soup and a gooey sandwich, and I am happy.

via GIPHY

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.

 

Here comes that rainy day feeling again

Earlier this week, I received preliminary word from Chase that my mortgage payment was going up, up, UP! Well, today I saw the actual statement that detailed all the elements of this increase ... and how it could be avoided.

Some of it is an increase in my property taxes. The reason for this is two-fold: my neighborhood has gone up in value (yea!) AND the State of Illinois raised my rate. OK. It is what it is.

But then there's this: my property taxes are paid by Chase from my escrow account. That means Chase can increase the monthly escrow amount deposit. Or I can pay Chase all or part of that increase as a lump sum now. Doing that would reduce my monthly mortgage payment and keep it manageable.

I have accumulated $1480.00 in my "rainy day" emergency fund. I figured I'd use it when my refrigerator or air conditioner craps out, or if there's another special assessment from the condo association.

But, it turns out, rainy days can take different forms. And I'd say this turn of mortgage events constitutes a shower, if not a storm. So I wrote a check for $800 on that emergency fund and sent it to Chase. Now, my monthly payment will go up just $80. I can handle $80.

I still have $680 in my emergency fund. Sears sells a through-the-wall air conditioner like mine $550 and a refrigerator for $450. So I still have enough if one (but not both) fail me.

Adulting is hard. But I'm doing it.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 23

Roomy Alana

Today’s happiness: Alana and Elsa. I love Miche purses because you just simply swap out the outer shell, placing it over the plain, black cloth bag. (Here's a video that explains it all.) I got into Miche when my mom called me, many moons ago, and alerted me to their infomercial. And Kwizgiver is a fan.

I used to buy shells all the time. But then I stopped, because reckless spending is not good for me. I haven't purchased a new one in a year.

Textured Elsa

But Miche is still my day-in/day-out bag. Two factors contributed to my deciding I needed to shop. First, the company has gone out of business and second, two of my favorite "shells" were just so damaged I had to toss them. (OK, Reynaldo peed on one of them.)

I found three on sale on eBay, and two arrived on Thursday. Miche named their bags after women, so I feel like I made two new friends: Alana and Elsa. A third shell, Cheryl, was purchased from another seller so it (she?) hasn't arrived yet. I'm less excited about that one because it's a replacement and familiar to me.

Taking advantage of the eBay close-outs, I got all three bags for $71.25, including shipping. Or $23.75 each for my perfect handbags.

via GIPHY

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.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 22

Today’s happiness: Talking to contractors. I interviewed a pair today -- one recommended by my friend, Nancy, the other from Home Advisor. They are each putting together proposals for renovating my bathroom.

I'm leaning toward Nancy's guy because he seems to be willing to do more for me, whereas Mr. Home Advisor is leaving some stuff to me. Of course, I haven't seen their estimates yet. So maybe that painting and prep will cost me a lot. I simply don't know yet.

But here's the thing: the two consults went smoothly. This is a very big deal for me. I've never done anything this expensive and consequential before. Yet neither contractor seemed even remotely rattled by how crappy my bathroom currently looks. Neither seemed appalled by the clutter in my living room (though they weren't able to see in the den, which still looks like a disaster area). Neither seemed to be taking advantage of my frankly admitted naiveté.

I'm so relieved.

via GIPHY

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.

 

Who's a good boy?

Reynaldo is a good boy! This morning, after breakfast, he took a nap and he was so cute. He was dreaming, and suddenly sat upright, turning his head this way and that, all while still sleeping. Finally, he curled back into a fur shrimp.

He is 14 now. That makes him about 72 years old in human years. He is still exasperatingly naughty at times. Still lively -- as you can see above, even in his sleep. But he naps now, more than ever. So much so that his partner in crime, Connie, is getting bored. And he's had some health problems. Easily handled, but still, they make me realize our time together isn't long.

This afternoon, I made him happy by putting him in his carrier and taking him to the park. From his vantage point in the shade, he saw a squirrel and a bird and blades of grass moving. Being Rey, he was fine as long as he knew as I was there beside him. I'm still his obsession.