Sunday Stealing

STOLEN FROM NED THE DUCK

Name Your Favorite…

Place: The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field

The good ol' days, when Rizz was here where he belongs

    

Color: Pantone 294, aka Cubbie blue

Smell: I'm partial to cinnamon

Magazine: Online, I like The Athletic. In print, I like Vanity Fair. 

Texture: I like leaves. I touch them gently as I pass leafy bushes.

Thing to do when bored: This.  

    

Precious stone: Are pearls a precious stone?

Animal: I'm a crazy cat lady. This meme made me miss my noisy little man, Reynaldo. Though his operetta would be called, It's Morning Because I Say So.

    

Time in history: The 60s. 1860s or 1960s. Fascinated by them both.

    

Font: Just about anything but courier.

    

Sound: A cat's purr

   

Fruit: It changes: sometime apples, sometimes peaches. I like the taste of banana in smoothies. 

   

Vegetable: Peas.

Store/shop: Target.

    

Quote:

    

Historical figure: John F. Kennedy (the President, not John N. Kennedy, the unfortunately named Louisiana Senator)

    

Letter:  I find the capital L and E are the most fun to write in cursive

    

Memory: It makes me happy to remember taking my nephew to his first MLB game. Now he's a baseball writer!

    

Dessert: I'll have something chocolate.

    

Candy: I'll have something chocolate.

    

Restaurant: There's a deli around the corner I long to return to. They have a really good smoked turkey sandwich.

    

Language: English, because it's the one I know.

    

Thing to learn about: Presidents and First Ladies

    

Thing about yourself: I am a good friend.

August Happines Challenge -- Day 19

My 2023 happiness icon

Today's Happiness: $1.80

That's how much I'll be saving on my electric bill this month. No, it's not much. But that's not the point.

On the 16th, Commonwealth Edison sent those of us participating in the program a notice to reduce our energy consumption during a peak usage time that afternoon. I did. And this morning, I learned my efforts were enough to warrant a discount.

It felt nice to know I helped reduce the stress on our energy grid on a hot August afternoon.  

Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: Michelle (1965)

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

 

1) In this song, Paul McCartney sings to Michelle in French, "Sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble." Can you say anything else in French? The usual: bonjour, au revoir, merci, oui, non. I wish I had a greater facility with foreign languages, but I don't.

2) Paul admits he that, as a teenager, he'd perform the first few bars at parties to impress girls. It was John Lennon who encouraged him to "turn it into a proper song." Tell us about a time you were glad you took advice from a friend or coworker. "Detach with love." My friend, Patrick, who is also friends with Henry and Reg, has wisely counseled me to not allow myself to get tied up in so many knots over them. Since Henry's TBI, Henry's husband Reg has made so many consequential and unwise decisions and my heart has been broken every way possible. But Patrick is right: I cannot do anything about it except love them. It's hard, because my impulse is to dive in and fix things! But the only one who can change the path they are on is Reg, and no one is helped by me going all tearful and nuts.

 

3) A big Elvis fan, Paul is proud to own the bass that was played on the 1954 recording of "That's Alright, Mama." Tell us about one of your prized possessions. Since we're talking about the fabulous and influential Lads from Liverpool: I have a signed, numbered and framed print of Klaus Voorman's Anthology in my dining room. 

This artwork was converted into the cover of the three Beatles Anthology CDs

4) John was also an Elvis fan and honored The King by naming one of his cats Elvis. Do you share your home with any pets? If so, let us know their names. My little gray and white girlcat is Constance MacKenzie (from Peyton Place) and my massive tuxedo cat, right beside me as I answer these, is Roy Hobbs (from The Natural).

5) John was a heavy smoker who often attempted to quit. He tried hypnosis but that didn't work. Have you ever been hypnotized? Nope

6) George Harrison fell in love with Hawaii and bought a 63-acre estate. If you could take off tomorrow for a vacation to any of our 50 states, which one would you choose? Hawaii has naturally been on mind because of the Maui wildfires. I would love to go there and help in a meaningful way. But, if I was off on a vacation, I think I'd head to California to visit my oldest friend.

6) While Ringo Starr quit signing autographs for fans in 2008, he will donate autographed memorabilia to charity for auction. Have you ever bid on an item at auction? Did you win? I used to bid on eBay auctions. Now eBay more often offers "Buy It Now" at a set price.

 
7) As a young boy, Ringo had a severe case of appendicitis and his appendix was removed. Do you still have your appendix? Yes, though I learned in researching this stuff that nearly 10% of adult Americans don't.

 

8) In 1965 -- before Advil and Tylenol and Aleve -- Americans took aspirin to relieve pain. If we peered into your medicine chest, would we find aspirin? None in my medicine chest. I keep my meds in the kitchen because so many of them go down better with milk. And no, there's no aspirin there.

9) Random question: You're at dinner with a married couple who begins to argue. Would you intercede and try to make peace? Or would you just sit back and mind your own business? Does their argument in any way involve me or something I said? If it did and I could clarify, or help shut it down, I would. Otherwise I would cringingly mind my own business and hope it ended soon.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 18

Today's Happiness: Carole Lombard Day on TCM Summer Under the Stars.

I adore her. She's beautiful and funny and warm and just an all-around great dame. I've seen two of her movies already today and I may just stay up all night watching more. (The next one, My Man Godfrey, is one of my all-time favorites.)

It's hard to imagine someone as eternally alive as Lombard would be gone at the age of 33. It was January 1942, right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She kicked off the nation's first bond drive in Indianapolis, raising $2 million to help the war effort. ($2 million in 1942 would be approx. $35 million today) Then she boarded a plane to go back home to Hollywood, and her husband, Clark Gable. The plane went down near Las Vegas, no survivors.

"She died for her country," said the press release from the Treasury Department. FDR chimed in, "She gave unselfishly of her time and talent to serve her government."

Enjoy 60 seconds of Lombard glamor and charm.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 17

Today's Happiness: She's a sweetie.

For someone who has no words, my Connie Cat communicates exquisitely. She starts the day by jumping onto my bed and cuddling with me. Oh, how she loves her tummy rubs! When I'm on the computer, usually at the dining room table, she's next to the screen, looking into my eyes, hoping I will do the right thing and get her a snack. Whenever I am on the sofa, she silently appears. No petting required, she just likes being nearby. 

The rest of the time she amuses herself. There are windows to look out, toys to play with, naps to take, and Roy Hobbs to run with and groom. She's a lively girl, and a very sweet one.

Thursday Thirteen #322

Thirteen maladies women can face after 50. Right now, at this moment, as I post this I feel fine. But feeling fine at 65 is something I treasure now, whereas at 30 I took it for granted. My body has experienced wear and tear and I'm not alone. Spinning around the internet I've found experts agree these are issues that commonly plague women over 50.

It can be overwhelming. I feel lucky to have a primary care physician I can talk to about my concerns and I trust if she can't treat me, she'll point me to a specialist who can.

1. Thinning hair. Women over 50 find their hair thins or falls out, which can cause anxiety. No one needs anxiety. If thinning hair bothers you, talk to a dermatologist about possible treatments.

2. Bladder problems. Do you leak? Feel an urgency to go? Struggle to go? Women over 50 frequently experience one of these three. Drink more water and less caffeine.

3.   Obesity. Don't like what your scale reads? You're not alone. Nearly 45% of Americans over 50 can be considered obese.

4.   Hearing loss. Nearly 10% of us deal with this. I'm one of them. I have CC on my TV all the time.

5. Vision problems. Do yourself a favor and get checked for glaucoma and cataracts every year. (I have an appointment in a few weeks.)

6. Back pain. Watch your weight and exercise. Be careful how much you lift and how you lift it.

7.   High blood pressure. Losing weight, limiting salt and stopping smoking can help manage this.

8.   Diabetes. It's estimated 1 in 10 of us will face this over our lifetimes. Four members of my social circle are dealing with it.

9.   Heart disease. While men experience this more than women, it's not like women are immune. Nearly 10% of women over 60 will experience this.

10.   Osteoarthritis. Genetics may play a big part in this one. If you have a family history of osteoarthritis, move more and lose weight.

11.   Osteoporosis: As many as 54 million Americans deal with this and it can to fractures and broken bones. Calcium and Vitamin D are your friends here.

12.   COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Take care of yourself by quitting tobacco.

13. Cancer. For me, this is the scariest one. Genetics play a big part, but you can do yourself a favor by eating better, staying out of the sun, and not smoking.

Please join us for THURSDAY THIRTEEN. Click here to play along, and to see other interesting compilations of 13 things.

  

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 16

My 2023 Happiness Icon

Today's Happiness: Good weather.

Chicago winters build character. We don't get much of a spring here, sliding straight into summer. Chicago summers can be dispiriting affairs, sticky-humid and rainy. 

So I treasure days like today. Not a cloud in the sky. 82º. Made running errands a genuine pleasure. 

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. 

PS I can no longer participate in WWW.WEDNESDAY via that link because her blog won't accept Blogger comments. I mention this only to save you the frustration I experienced trying to link up.

1. What are you currently reading? Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. I've been taking public transportation more often lately, and that made me aware of how popular "CoHo" is. Her books are in commuters' hands and on shelves at the train station. I haven't seen an author dominate like this since Michelle Obama's Becoming was absolutely everywhere. So I'm curious to give her a try.

I went with Ugly Love because it was available at the library. Tate Collins is an ER nurse. She meets hot pilot Miles Archer. They don't fall in love because they don't really like each other ... but did I mention Miles is hot? So far it feels formulaic but that doesn't mean it can't be fun. Especially since the book I just finished is very heavy.

2. What did you recently finish reading? Eisenhower: The White House Years by Jim Newton. I finished this 450+ page book with a greater knowledge of Eisenhower, and a confused opinion of him. There is much to admire: he guided us through WWII, and if that was the end of his story the world should be grateful. But he went on to be POTUS at a time when many American politicians and military men were actually eager to drop another bomb. (Matsu and Quemoy? Really?) So it could be argued that Eisenhower helped save the world twice. 

 

He was imaginative. We routinely take road trips now, in large part because of Ike championed the interstate highway system. Suburbs cropped up and continue to flourish because it's easy for Americans to drive to work. Just that one innovation makes his lasting impact on American life incalculable. He was great for the economy, too. After he left office, no President until Bill Clinton would preside over a budget where we were in the black.

But domestically? Eisenhower let Sen. Joe McCarthy terrorize witnesses way too long. A President as popular and powerful as Ike could have publicly interceded, but didn't. And oh! Race relations! Yes, he was President when Brown vs. Board of Education went into effect, but he never came out in favor it. In fact, he fought with speechwriters and sparred with the press when they tried to get him to admit he was against "separate but equal." He actually said to Chief Justice Warren of segregationists: "These are not bad people. All they are concerned about is to see that their sweet little girls are not required to sit in school alongside some big, overgrown Negroes."* What the fuck?!

That comment disgusted and disillusioned me because, as Supreme Commander, Eisenhower sent more than a million "overgrown Negroes" to fight and die overseas in WWII. The author, who is very apologetic about Ike's attitude toward blacks, chalks it up to the fact that he simply didn't know any while growing up and didn't serve with any in the Army. They may not have served beside you as your equal in the military, General, but they did serve. I believe he had a moral obligation to view them as human beings.

 

And Eisenhower gave us Nixon. There's ample evidence that Eisenhower didn't really want him as VP in the first place ("The Checkers Speech") and in 1956 was serious about dropping Nixon from the ticket, moving him to a Cabinet position. Nixon didn't make it easy for him (the man who led the invasion of Normandy Beach was surprisingly conflict averse)  and so Nixon remained as Vice President ... to a President who was hospitalized with a heart attack and a stroke and a bowel obstruction, all while he was in office. Why, knowing his health was compromised, did he keep Nixon one heartbeat away from the Presidency? Why, understanding how immature and politically craven Nixon was, did Eisenhower endorse him for the top job in 1960? Again, what the fuck?!

 

But he saved the world ... twice. So there's that.

I'm very glad I read this book because it's well written (many of those little, personal observations that help me feel like I know the man) and it taught me a lot. Even though I yelled, "What the fuck?!" quite often.

 

3. What will read next? I don't know.

 *Those closest to Eisenhower don't dispute he said this, just that he was angry at Warren for sharing it. After all, it was "off the record." As they say, Mr. President, the true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is looking .... or what he says "off the record.'

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 15

My 2023 Happiness Icon

Today's Happiness: Rachel.

She's my yoga instructor and she's wonderful. While I'm not the best judge of these things, I suspect I'm consistently the worst in the class. But today I had an "off" morning, even by my low standards.

After class she cornered me as I was putting my bricks and bolster away. She asked me if I was OK, and I told her, frankly, no. Early in the class, during one of the poses, I saw my left arm and leg shaking. I saw them shaking, but didn't feel it. I was completely creeped out by this.

Rachel reassured me it was nothing to worry about, just my muscles reacting to being used in a different way. Drink plenty of water the rest of the day, she advised. 

"And next week I'll just push through, right?"

"You don't have to," she said, reminding me that yoga is "a feeling practice, not a thinking practice." If something doesn't feel right or comfortable, there's no reason for me to do it. This class is about enhancing my flexibility and feeling good in my own body. Period.

Also, she told me I don't look anywhere near my age.

Is it any wonder that I adore Rachel?

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 14

My 2023 Happiness Icon

Today's Happiness: The cutest lobster.

I got a thank you note today from my friend's son. He became a dad around Christmastime and I sent a couple of gifts. I forgot about them, actually, but he was specific in his note. I sent a Chicago Cubs bib and a hooded lobster bath towel.  Since they live in New York, they can't be sure that their baby boy will be a Cubs fan, but I'm told after his bath he's "the cutest lobster."

I don't know what the new baby gift thank you etiquette is. I don't care. Getting the note today out of the blue made me happy.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 13

My 2023 Happiness Icon

Today's Happiness: Within my budget.

The problem with saving for retirement is you have no idea how long retirement is going to last. I want to enjoy myself today, but not at the expense of comfort in my dotage.

So I am trying to economize, especially when I socialize. I give myself an allowance every week, and whatever I don't use I put in the big beer stein on my kitchen counter. Today I paid for the train, brunch and movie with cash from the stein.

I don't feel like I'm depriving myself. I feel like I'm taking care of myself. It makes me happy.

Five very good hours

I know I should go out more. I know I should interact with others regularly. Just because being alone is very comfortable for me doesn't mean it's healthy. I've discussed this with my shrink a million times since covid shutdown and our emergence.

So, when friends invite me out, I really try to get to yes. Lately the one who has been asking the most often is Elaine, from movie group. She is kind and generous and I am flattered that she thinks I'm neat. But she can annoy me. I know, it's me, not her. She just doesn't get me the way John and my oldest friend do (of course, they often annoy me, too; like I say, it's me, not her). 

Anyway, Sunday we spent a really nice day together. I rode the rails downtown again -- second Sunday in a row -- and had brunch. Then it was off to The Music Box Theater for Cat Video Fest 2023. It was fun and Elaine is an even more indulgent cat lady than I am, so she was the perfect companion for this. Plus it was a fundraiser for The Red Door Animal Shelter.

Then it was back on the train and I was back in my front door at 3:00. I was happy.

That's enough. I think 5 hours is my limit for socializing.

Sunday Stealing

From the League of Extraordinary Penpals

1. Things I would do first if I won a billion dollar lottery. Scream and cry with delight, then call a good accountant.

2. Something I probably spend too much money on. Credit card interest.

3. How I feel about the dentist. I find him a little annoying in that he asks me superficial questions about my life and doesn't care about the answers. But he's a good dentist and we're not dating, so we don't have to be in love. I enjoy the girls who work in his office.

4. Foods I am most picky about. My hot dog toppings. It's a Chicago thing to put too much stuff on your dog -- tomato and peppers and celery salt and ... and ... and ... I know some see me as a traitor to my people, but I like ketchup, relish and mayo. Go ahead. Judge me if you must. I like what I like.

5. Internet friends/penpals I want to visit in person. There are quite a few of you have been very kind to me. I've given you shout outs, so you know who you are. I'd like to thank you in person.

6. My healthiest habits. I limit myself to three drinks/week, I stretch every morning, and go to a weekly yoga class.

7. Easiest, low effort foods and snacks for busy days. I like those little applesauce cups that moms put in their kids' lunches. High in moisture and a good source of fiber.

In my refrigerator right now

8. Where I go in summer to unwind. So far this summer I have ridden the rails downtown to see friends. I like the train, more so now that I'm not racing to get to work.

9. My comfort books, tv shows, and movies. My comfort viewing is Friends. My comfort book has very little copy. It's Jacqueline, by Ron Galella -- a coffee table book about the Onassis years. 

10. A list of good things Books, cats, baseball

11. Favorite places to take photos Where my friends are

12. The routines and habits I stick to most I change my sheets and towels before bed on Monday and do laundry on Tuesday evening at about 6:00. (I seldom see anyone in the laundry room Tuesday evenings.)

13. Topics I’d love to learn more about This summer I'm concentrating on men I've heard about my whole life but know little about (Eisenhower, Churchill).

14. This time last year ... My oldest friend visited me and we had a lovely time. I miss her.

15. Favorite memories of someone I’ve lost I miss blabbing on the phone with my mom. We could go on forever, raving about how fantastically wonderful my niece and nephew (her grandchildren) are. I suspect anyone else would find our fascination with them tiresome, but not us!

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 12

My 2023 Happiness Icon

Today's Happiness: I am the captain of my soul.

After a week where I often checked the train schedule and my calendar, I found myself with a day when I had nothing that needed to be done, nowhere I needed to be.

I made further progress on the biography of Eisenhower -- will I be done by the time it's due back to the library? -- and watched the Cubs beat Toronto. (Yay!) I took a nice long walk to redeem my coupons: extra rewards from Walgreen's and $3 off at my favorite pizza place. Saving money while leisurely enjoying the sunshine was bliss.

Right now I'm watching Dial M for Murder, a very stylish Hitchcock. What will I do next? It's up to me!

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Diana (1957)

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

1) Legend has it that Paul Anka wrote this song about his favorite babysitter. In your younger days, did you make a little extra money as a sitter? More than a little. I charged $1/hour back in the mid-70s, when my classmates were making about $1.25/hour working at the mall or McDonald's. I also told the parents I charged $2 after midnight. Nobody ever balked. In fact, I was in demand and always got tips on top of that. It wasn't unusual for me to make $20 on a single Saturday night, which was just a little less than my friends made all week at their after school jobs. (Adjusted for inflation, that would be about $75 today.) Considering I did nothing but watch TV, drink Coke and eat potato chips once the kids were asleep, it seemed like a far better gig than asking if you wanted fries with that. Of course, if I wanted to go out on Saturday night I had to choose between fun and money. 

2) Paul sings he doesn't care what "they" say about his love for an older girl. Have you ever had a romantic relationship that your friends or family didn't approve of? Maybe. My mom knew better than to criticize HIM (whoever HE happened to be) because she understood that would just make me hold him closer.

3) Paul was once a choirboy, singing with the St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral choir in Ontario. Have you ever performed with your church choir? When I was in grade school, our Sunday School class occasionally performed special songs and of course there was a Christmas pageant. But once I got into high school, nah. I'm tone deaf and wouldn't have made the choir.

 

4) When Paul was 15, he left Ontario to find fame and fortune in New York. He had $100 in his pocket, a gift from his uncle. Tell us about someone in your life who who believed in you and encouraged you. My uncle was sent me $160. It was 1978, I was in ongoing, miserable pain and needed a root canal and crown. I didn't have dental insurance, nor did I have the $160 to get the procedure done. To put the $160 in perspective, that was more than my entire week's take-home pay. My rent in those days was $300. I was trying very hard to be independent, but my mom called one night and I started to cry because of the unremitting agony. She didn't have the money just sitting around, either, but she knew who did. She called her brother and voila! A check showed up in the mail with note that just said, "Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas." I called and told him I couldn't accept it because I could never pay it back. He told me that's why he was happy to give it to me -- he knew I wouldn't advantage of his generosity. He believed in my integrity and respected me for not just running to the relative with the deepest pockets.

5) Paul seldom gets credit for one of his most familiar compositions: the theme to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Since Johnny retired in 1992, The Tonight Show has been hosted by Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, and Jimmy Fallon. Which of these Tonight Show hosts is your favorite? Johnny. Of the more recent vintage, I like Fallon best, but I seldom watch him when it's broadcast. Just clips I catch afterward. Whereas Johnny was appointment TV. 

6) In 1978, Paul Anka hired Las Vegas' first female bartender for his restaurant, Jubilation. Where did you most recently dine out? Tuesday I filled up on appetizers at Adamus Restaurant and Lounge in Chicago's Silversmith Hotel. It was our friend Gregory's birthday. One of his friends works for the hotel and sent the food over to make our get together more festive. It made me happy. Now that I'm retired, I really appreciate freebies!

7) In 1957, when "Diana" was a hit, Wham-O began producing Frisbees. The toy was a massive success, even outselling the hula hoop. Do you enjoy tossing a Frisbee? Nope. I'm terrible at it. 

8) Also in 1957, the book Peyton Place was made into a blockbuster film. Book lovers often say that, no matter what, the movie is never as good as the book. Do you think that's true? No. The Godfather is a lyrical, multi-layered movie and a lurid, trashy book. PS I finally read Peyton Place during covid and discovered it wasn't about sex at all. I think it was about the toxicity of secrets. It was a better book than I expected.

9) Random question: This Saturday, the treat's on Sam. Will you have buttered popcorn, caramel corn or cheese popcorn? I'll pass. I still have a temporary crown on my right side and fear what any popcorn would do to it. Funny, but I was having dental work done in 1978 and I'm having it done now. It's an ongoing, seemingly forever thing with me.