I only had $10

I saw Caleb on Monday evening! In his same old spot. But without Napoleon. He was panhandling because he needed an extra, unexpected $70. Napoleon was spending the night at the vet's -- finally being neutered in addition to getting his shots. Naturally, I wanted to help in any way I could. After all, I know how hard it is for Caleb to be away from his fur baby overnight. But I didn't have a lot of money for him. I was taking Amtrak first thing in the morning to meet with my client, and I needed to have cash on hand. Still, we can always spare something, right? So I coughed up a pair of $5s as he updated me on his life.

His wife is back in the hospital. Last week Randi had a stroke! The doctors believe that the 90º+ exacerbated "her condition" and helped bring it on. I'm not 100% sure what "her condition" is, because I don't like to make him share more than he's comfortable doing. She should be home this week. He said she's upset about something "with her face," but he didn't seem to think her aftereffects of the stroke were that bad. He just misses her.

Caleb is doing well at work. He makes enough that they live indoors all the time now. Napoleon goes out every day, at least for a little while, in his harness and walks on a leash. He enjoys being an indoor cat, especially on hot and sunny days, But Caleb reports Napoleon gets "mad" if he doesn't get his walk.

I wish I'd known last week I was going to happen to see him. I could have gotten books for him at the library after-sale! I know how both Caleb and Randi love reading.

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? The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. After a run of biographies and mysteries, it was time to sweeten my reading diet with some chick-lit. I've read, and laughed at, all the Shopaholic books, so I know Sophie Kinsella is a solid practitioner of the craft.

This one is a standalone, and the premise is promising. A workaholic lawyer suddenly loses her job and, through a series of misunderstandings, finds herself hired as a housekeeper in a big, beautiful house on the English countryside. She doesn't know how to (as explained on the book cover) work the over, sew on a button, or even get the effing iron board to open. "Will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does, will she want it back?"

I'm only about 50 pages in, but so far, so good.

2. What did you recently finish reading? Death on Deadline (Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe) by Robert Goldsborough. An unscrupulous media titan (obviously based on Fox News' Rupert Murdoch) sets his sights on a venerable, family-owned New York paper. The widowed matriarch has to deal with the fact that her own relatives are willing to sell out the newspaper her late husband founded. She commits suicide ... or did she? Wolfe refuses to believe she'd take her own life and he takes on the case. Even though the police and the family insist there is no case.

I figured out the killer before Wolfe did! Ha!  Don't go thinking I'm brilliant. The author painted the villain with a rather heavy, dark brush. The mystery itself was the weakest part of this story, anyway. I enjoyed it -- immensely -- because Goldsborough (who picked up the series after Rex Stout died) got so many of the little details right. As I came upon these familiar moments (Archie cracking wise, even as he drinks milk; Wolfe's ridiculously rigid schedule; Fritz' meals, etc.), I realized the little details have a major impact on my involvement. Every few pages I felt like saying, "Oh, hello, old friends! I've missed you!"

3.  What will you read next? Michelle Obama's autobiography. Unless I change my mind.

I knew what it was before I opened it.

As soon as I took the letter from my mailbox, I knew the contents. My doctor has announced her retirement.

I am upset about this because I found her so easy to talk to and I really trusted her. And because I hate change.

Part of me is happy for her, though. She worked hard and unfailingly displayed compassion, which has to be draining. Yes, the unselfish part of me hopes she enjoys a peaceful next chapter.

Unfortunately, the unselfish part of me is the smallest part.

I don't know what to think ...

Spent Sunday with John, finally celebrating his July 3rd birthday. It was bittersweet, and it left me feeling confused.

He is so very thin and needs a cane to walk. I wasn't expecting that. I know he's been ill, he told me that he was having a hard time adjusting to the new heart medications, but still I was shocked by the toll 2019 has taken on my old friend.

He said some genuinely odd things. We stopped at the Chicago History Museum -- his request, as I was just there a month ago. They have a permanent Lincoln exhibit that includes the bed where the great man died back in 1865. I said that when I first saw it, as a little girl, it made me sad that Abe literally died at an angle, because the bed wasn't long enough for him. I felt so sorry for him.

To which John said, "So, Gal, who do you think had a more horrible death? Lincoln or Sharon Tate?"

Excuse me? How the fuck did we get to Sharon Tate from Lincoln's deathbed?

He didn't really look at anything because he can't see without the glasses he refuses to wear. Likewise when we got to the pizzeria for dinner, he asked the waiter if they had any "veggie options."

"Half the menu is labeled 'veggie,' sir."

After the waiter left, John went off on one of his diatribes about millennials. But it was a ridiculous question.

John hates millennials. And crowds. And ride shares. And men who bring their phones into the restroom. And ... and ... and ...

My friend is a grumpy old man at 64. I'm having a hard time adjusting to this.

On the bright side -- and there's always a bright side -- he seemed to have fun. I made him laugh, and that made me happy. I am confident he felt he had a good birthday afternoon, and I guess that's what I should I concentrate on.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 6

Today's happiness -- "The Gal Show." Spent the day down at the client's HQ and I presented new creative to six people in the room and another two who teleconferenced. The room was mine for 45 minutes.

I was hitsville! Andy and Brian, two of the more senior in the room, went out of their way to tell me how well I'd done. Andy was kind enough to say, "I always enjoy The Gal Show," referencing the last time I presented -- back in March. Andy is a Mr. Big down there, so knowing he remembers me was a thrill.

 

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 5

Today's happiness -- Reynaldo. Yes, my beige demon is high maintenance. He gets bored overnight and wakes me up by knocking things over -- which scares the shit out of me. He "digs" around in my paperwork so that the dining room table is a mess and I can't find anything. He's become the world's fussiest eater. All that is true.

But he loves to watch baseball with me. When I'm still on the sofa, concentrating on the Cubs, he curls up right beside me, as close as he can get. He loves it when I describe Anthony Rizzo's at bats, purring and kneading.

He's 15 years old now. That's the equivalent of 76 human years. So I accept that our time together is naturally limited, and I savor my many sweet moments with my furry little roommate with the oversized personality.

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 4

Today's happiness -- Free books. To thank us for helping with the sale, we volunteers were allowed to take as many "left over" books as we wanted for free. I looked forward to this for days!

Here's my haul:

Little Gloria, Happy at Last (1980): A well-worn copy that once belonged to Betty Reed (whoever that is). I've always meant to read this and never got around to it.

Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig (2005). Last year, my favorite of my book sale books was an exhaustive biography of Joe DiMaggio. I hope I like this one, too.

Cary Grant: A Biography (2004). I was holding a big, thick tome on Bette Davis and then I spotted this one. No offense to Bette, but Cary Grant just captivates me.

Diana: In Pursuit of Love (2004). You know, William and Harry's mum. It's probably crap, but I don't care.

The Undomestic Goddess (2005). I read all the Shopaholic books by the author and really enjoyed them, so this feels like a good bet.

Sand in My Bra (2003). Funny short stories about travel by women writers.

The Twist and Shout Murder (2006): "That Girl meets Miss Marple."

Purrfect Heat (2017): Max, a big orange tabby, solves mysteries.

I also liberated four books to give to share with Kathy, my aunt, my kid sister, and my friend Joanna.

Books. They make me happy. A dozen free books is cause for celebration.

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.

We have a winner

The curtain has come down on this year's library book sale. Every year there's a book that my neighbors donate in big numbers. I am ready to reveal which title wins that dubious honor.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Again. Just like last year ... and the year before ... and 2014.

In 2018, it was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

In 2017, it was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
In 2016, it was The Help.
In 2015, it was The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
In 2014, it was the first appearance of The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo. 
In 2013, it was The DaVinci Code.
In 2012, it was Sixkill by Robert B. Parker (a Spenser mystery).
In 2011, it was The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. 
In 2010, it was Scarlett, the Sequel to Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind. 
In 2009, it was My Life by Bill Clinton.
In 2008, it was The Da Vinci Code.
In 2007, it was The Nanny Diaries.
In 2006, it was The Corrections. 

What does this mean? I suspect that people are still buying and reading it, but no one wants to re-read it or feels any need to refer back to it.

It must be noted that almost all the copies I saw this year were paperbacks. In 2018 both hardcovers and paperbacks dominated the tables. This could mean that Stieg Larsson's dominance in this category could be waning and maybe next year I'll have different news to report.

Sunday Stealing

From the 500 Question Survey

1. Have you read anything by C.S. Lewis? Nope.

2. What is your favorite movie with Jack Nicholson? Terms of Endearment. He's quite charming, and less of a ham hock than in some of his more popular roles.

via GIPHY


3. What rhymes with 'orange?' Nothing. Just like "purple."

4. Have you ever swallowed an object by accident? A very expensive porcelain veneer. I mourn it to this day.

5. Is your eyesight 20/20? No. But weirdly enough, I found at my last eye exam (December 2018) that my prescription is now weaker than it was two years ago. Go figure.

6. Have you ever had insomnia? Yes.

7. Does it bother you when people touch you? Depends on who they are.

8. Is it better to get too much or too little sleep? As I age I find I can't get too much sleep.

9. What gets your adrenaline pumping?

via GIPHY

10. Do you ever talk about yourself in the third person? No. It's crazy how much that irritates me.

11. What's your favorite radio station? What kind of music do they play? MeTV-FM. They've got the not-overplayed oldies.

12. Do you believe there is anyplace still undiscovered in all the world? Probably not. Seldom visited, yes.
 
13. Ever caught a fish? Once. When I was a very little girl. I felt terrible for the shiny little bluish green fella as he died. I never went fishing again.

14. Were you ever in the first row of a concert? 10th row is as close as I've ever gotten.

15. Do you have any autographs? Gloria Steinem (in a paperback) and the Cub's ace Ferguson Jenkins (on a photo).

   

April Happiness Challenge -- Day 3

Today's happiness -- A nice, long nap. This was a nothing day, the kind of day I love. I had pigs in a blanket for lunch, lingering at the coffee shop with my book. Then I finally took that bag of clothes to Goodwill, all the while with the Cub game in my ears. I did a little shopping at the grocery store at that strip mall. (It's crazy how much I enjoy checking out new grocery stores, especially when you consider that I don't cook.)

I got home, relaxed -- as if any of this was stressful! -- and took a nice, long nap. Bliss!

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

 
Saturday 9: Brand New Life (The Theme from Who's the Boss) (1984)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
 
1) Who's the Boss? is a sitcom that ran from 1984 to 1992. Were you a fan? I know I watched it, but I recall little about any specific episode. I just remember thinking it was a nice, extended family to spend time with at the moment when my own family was fracturing.
 
2) This week's song was composed by the show's producers, two men not known as songwriters. Have you ever tried your hand at songwriting? No.

3) The lyrics tell us that, as we go through life, it's not uncommon to "lose a dream or two." Do you agree? Have you ever had to give up on a dream? Yes. I gave up on a romantic relationship after investing many (too many) years in it.

4) Who's the Boss? was about a highly-paid executive who hires a housekeeper. In the 1980s, it was unusual because the exec was a woman and the housekeeper was a man. Do you believe a man can be as good at housework as a woman? Any man would likely be better than I am! I hate housework and am very challenged domestically.

5) Though the show's star, Tony Danza, graduated from University of Dubuque and was prepared to be a teacher, he got sidetracked. Back in New York, he boxed and tended bar and fell into acting. He finally did teach in 2010, taking over a 10th grade English class. How many different occupations have you held? Two: Administrative assistant and advertising copywriter.

6) On the show, his daughter was played by Alyssa Milano. When she was a teenager, she rebelled against the show's producers by cutting off her long hair and wearing a pixie style. Were you a rebellious teen? I had my moments. I believe all teens do. It's the natural order of things.
 
7) "The Boss" was Judith Light, who had been known to TV audiences from her work on One Life to Live. She met Robert Desiderio on the set of the soap opera and they have been married more than 34 years. Tell us where one of your romances got started. One of my coworkers and I felt a spark between us. So in a way, we were thrilled when the company got bought, we all lost our jobs ... and we were free to fall in love!

8) The show -- rebroadcast with subtitles -- was a hit in Italy, where it was known as Casalingo Superpiù (Super Housekeeper). Say something to us in Italian. Carbonara!


9) Random question -- Have you more recently watched the sun rise or set? Sunset. My living room window faces west, so if I'm home, I see it.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 2

Today's happiness -- I have to admit it's getting better. I went to the chiropractor today and, aside from a little stiffness, he said I appeared "fine." And, except for a little creakiness when I get up after sitting too long, I feel fine. 

This adventure -- leg cramps and sudden stabbing pains and misdiagnoses -- began very nearly a year ago. It was scary and frustrating and time consuming and, oh yeah, painful! But now  I have a diagnosis (spinal stenosis) and a course of treatment (chiropractic adjustment and massage) and I am happy.

And hopeful that, as we bid adieu to 2019, I will end my monthly trips to the doctor.

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.

Oversharing

I am careful with this blog. None of my family or close friends knows about it, and their names have all been changed so even if they did a search, they wouldn't find it. The goal here is self-expression, and sharing, but not to hurt anyone.

I wish I could say the same for Reg. My dear friend Henry's husband. He wields social media like a club and overshares, at least once a week, about how miserable life has been since Henry's accident. Instead of a blog, or even just his Facebook page, where he could control access, he announces his disappointment, depression and rage on the Gofundme page he set up to help pay for Henry's bills. Google Henry's name -- and people might, since he's a published author -- and the Gofundme page is one of the first listings. No one contributes anymore, haven't for months and months. But we all get alerts when Reg posts an update. So we can all read about how mean Henry has been, the insensitivity of  friends like me and Patrick, how self-centered the members of Henry's creative writing group are.

I understand Reg's need to share. Not his need to call Henry's friends out. And not to air Henry's dirty linens. I have known Henry for decades and am very, very sure he would find this a terrible breach of trust. I'm certain he has an expectation of privacy regarding what goes on with his husband in their home. I worry about the betrayal. Months ago I mentioned this to Reg. He said, "I don't care. I can't care." His need to reach a wide audience with his suffering is that great.

Today's update begins: "I feel a need to relate everything I am feeling towards Henry. I hope he never sees this. At least not until he is better."

I hope he never sees it. Ever. I think it would shatter his already wounded heart.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 1

Today's happiness -- A long walk on a perfect summer night. Got out of work early today. Everyone else went to the company picnic, but I opted out, choosing instead to sort books for the upcoming library sale. When I was done, I took the headphones out of my purse and walked a little farther up the street to the BIG grocery store on the other side of town.

It was 78º, with low humidity. I had Cubs announcer Pat Hughes in my head. I just adore him. When I tuned in to hear him talking about Joe DiMaggio's1941 hitting streak, I knew it wasn't good for my guys. They were down 8-1, but Pat still made this misbegotten game entertaining. I did most of my grocery shopping and got a really good deal on pork chops ($1.29/lb.!).

By the time I got home, I felt great. I had done good -- volunteering my time for a good cause. I saved money. I used my time wisely -- grocery shopping is one of my big weekend chores and it's out of the way already on Thursday! And the night was so pretty and calm and comfortable. We get so few of these beautiful evenings, I'm glad I was able to be out in it.

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.

I don't hate Hillary Clinton

She doesn't look scary.

I don't like her. Never have. But I don't hate her. If I drove and she was in front of my car, I would brake.

Which is why last night's dream scared me. I was trying to pay my property taxes in person -- something I always do electronically -- and the government employee behind the desk was HRC. Only she wasn't. I mean, in dream world, she wasn't Bill's wife, a former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State. She was a garden variety bureaucrat.

And she was so mean to me! Just unremittingly nasty. She let my check fall to the floor on her side of the desk and denied she ever had it. In dream world, I was going to be evicted because of mean old Hillary Clinton!

Remind me to never again fall asleep watching Presidential debates.

The perfect message for pay day

Sometimes I hate my job.

My boss has been an absentee landlord for the last few weeks. He bought a new house and the move didn't go as planned, so two days off turned into a whole week. So I got to do his work. A very complicated, six-page brochure.

Now he's back, but his head isn't in it. He's getting ready for an anniversary cruise and his wife lost her passport. He had to go to the Federal Building to get the replacement -- His wife can't do it? Is she Lucy Riccardo? -- and he likes to take the 4:30 train, and hell, he won't be here next week anyway, so I can just do that project, too. Why not?

It wouldn't bother me so much if the extra effort, and the extra stress, were acknowledged. But they're not.

That's what the money is for.

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? Death on Deadline (Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe) by Robert Goldsborough. I thought the Nero Wolfe series ended in the 1980s, when creator Rex Stout died. How did I not know about Robert Goldsborough's continuation?

 It's delicious to spend time in Wolfe's brownstone again. Robert Goldsborough has nailed the voice of Wolfe's assistant Archie Goodwin, who, as always, narrates the action. In this story, a reprehensible media titan (imagine Fox News' Rupert Murdoch) tries to take over Wolfe's favorite newspaper, the fictional New York Gazette. Wolfe chooses to insert himself in the proceedings, even though there is no case and no client. Archie is confused yet fascinated, since his boss is as lazy as he is brilliant, and not inclined to doing any more work than is absolutely necessary. Once Wolfe gets involved, a dead body turns up. 

I am enjoying this immensely and don't want it to end. Mr. Goldsborough has earned my gratitude for giving me a little more time with my dear old friend, Archie.

2. What did you recently finish reading? Let's Play Two: The Legend of Mr. Cub, The Life of Ernie Banks by Ron Rapoport. As a lifelong Cub fan, I revere Ernie. I know the stats: 512 home runs, back-to-back MVP awards, 14 All Star games ... and no World Series ring. I adored his upbeat public persona, but knew little about his life off the diamond. 

His life was not at all what it seemed. The man who never turned down a kid who wanted an autograph was more isolated than I ever knew. The man who always had a grin for the fans was smiling through Jim Crow, divorce, and regrets. Ernie died in 2015 -- he didn't live to see the Cubs finally win The World Series in 2016 -- and now the people in his life felt comfortable sharing freely to this author. 

I finished the book sad. Ernie deserved better. I wish him nothing but peace and love where he is now.

3.  What will you read next? I think it's time for chick lit. Something light and frothy.

Happy birthday to my all-time idol

Today, JBKO would turn 90. No public woman ever made steel look more feminine. No other First Lady faced as much and handled it with as much grace.

I look at this photo from her sweet sixteen summer, on vacation with her father in Hot Springs, VA. She has yet to meet (then) Lt. John F. Kennedy. The decade of fame and glory, as well as the adversity (his near-death back surgery, her 5 difficult pregnancies, his assassination and state funeral) are all ahead of her.*

I look in her eyes and wonder, did this very private young girl really want us all to know her?

*Really, she married JFK in 1953 and buried him in 1963. What an amazing, exhausting decade that was for this lady.

Sunday Stealing

Durward Discussion

1.  What is the nearest book to you?  Your Kindle does not count. The Cubs Way, about the 2016 World Champions. I found a pristine hardcover copy on Saturday as I sorted books for the upcoming local library book sale and Mary, Queen of Volunteers, let me buy it for $1. I am, of course, freaking thrilled.

2.  When was the last time you took a "me" vacation Last April I went to the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood. It really rocked my world. I'd love to go back in 2020, but my niece is getting married and I don't know that I can afford both.

3.  How many telephone numbers do you have? Three: home, work, cell.

4.  If you could fix one thing in the public school system, what is the one thing you would do immediately? While preparing the local high school for the book fair (Q1), I've been appalled by the condition of the girls' bathroom by the cafeteria. It smells musty, there are water bugs, and the latches on the stalls are hanging by loose screws and prayer. How can those girls possibly feel confident and loved on their way back to class? I would like the school board to quit asking for more money for a new swimming pool (to make us more competitive within the conference) and instead spend more on fresh paint, boric acid (for the bugs), new windows, etc.

5.  Are you a big tipper? Better than I used to be.

6.  Do you watch reality shows? I like Braxton Family Values, about Toni and her sisters, on We-TV.

7.  Who is your favorite sports team player? If you don't know the answer, you don't come here often. 

#44 on your scorecard, #1 in my heart: Anthony Rizzo

8.  If you could travel in a spaceship to any planet, which planet would you like to visit and why? I know the moon isn't a planet, but I'm still choosing it. I want to see that flag, up close and personal. 

9.  When was the last time you sat in a church? About three weeks ago.

10.  Are there any aspects of blogging that annoy you? Sure. There seems to be the perception that memes like this one and Saturday 9 are a subscription service and we meme mistresses are somehow bound to respond to suggestions. If someone doesn't like our questions/themes, they shouldn't criticize. They should just not play.

11.  When someone follows you on their blog or subscribes to your Facebook page, do you automatically follow and subscribe back? No. I try to be a good social media citizen, but I don't feel obligated.