Sunday Stealing

Cry Baby

1) Think about the last person you forgave. How long did it take you to forgive them? I forgave Carla for cancelling and rescheduling our lunch date twice. I admit I was pissed but I got over myself pretty quick. She recently lost her job and is feeling overwhelmed by life. When we finally got together on Friday, I gave her a little purse calendar to help her restore a touch of order to her life. She loved it!

 

2) Steph's favorite fast food is Taco Bell. What's yours? Lou's thin crust.

 

 

3) Who was the last friend you hung out with? What did you do? I've been (la-de-dah) quite social this week, going to lunch with my friends Nancy, Carla and on Saturday, my friend Elaine.

 

4) Did you do anything this past week that will still seem important a year from now? Maybe. I gave Carla a job lead. Here's hoping it turns into something.

5) Will this coming week be better than last week? How so? Maybe not better but certainly different. I'm only working one shift, which leaves me a lot of time to relax and concentrate on stuff around my home.

 

 

 

There are two kinds of people in this world

 ... Those who notice that I eat my food one portion at a time, and those who don't. I braved the St. Patty's Day Parade crowds to meet my friend Elaine for a birthday lunch at the restaurant of her choosing. She ordered a chicken dish and, since she knew the place well, I followed suit and also ordered chicken, though mine was buttermilk fried and came with a huge side of cole slaw.

Really, it was fine

We were having a lively conversation about her new, full-time job and then about the movie Anora, which we both liked though she more than I. I was merrily enjoying both my fried chicken and the chatter when all of a sudden she asked, "Is there something wrong with the cole slaw?"

To be honest, I didn't know because I had not yet touched it. 

"I'm eating the chicken first because I want to enjoy it while it's hot," I lied. She nodded and we went back to our conversation.

I always eat my food one portion at a time. The temperature of the dish has no bearing on this. It's simply my preference.

 This is, at least, the third time Elaine has mentioned this to me over the last four years or so. It must bother her on some level or she wouldn't ask me about it with a certain degree of regularity.

I do not know why she notices or why she cares. Yet she does. I could not tell you who among my acquaintances also eats their portions one at a time because I pay no attention.

But my icky grandmother did. It used to make her crazy at family dinners. "Gal! Are you ever going to eat your vegetables?" she would ask accusingly. If it was corn or peas or potatoes, of course I was because I liked those very much. I was just enjoying my turkey or ham first. And, since I was taught not to snap at my elders, I refrained from saying, "What's it to you, you old bat?"

She used to do the same thing to my uncle. 

There was always embarrassed silence around the table when she did this. It's part of what made family dinners such a joy!

I was not doing it to annoy my icky grandmother. I'd genuinely not given it any thought whatsoever. It was and remains quite natural for me to eat my main portion first and then get to the side (cole slaw, fries, fruit, whatever) when I am done. 

Elaine does not seem as judgey as my icky grandmother. Of course, St. Peter isn't as judgey as my icky grandmother. But my friend does notice. (It reminds me of my cousin Rosemary's constant carping about the size of my purse. "What on earth do you have in there?" "Why do you carry such a big bag?" I admit I notice purses more than dining habits but that's in case I want to buy someone a bag or wallet as a gift, not because I care what they prefer.)

I admit it: I will judge your politics, the way you treat panhandlers, your pet parenting, and your grammar. But I truly do not give a fuck how you eat your food. So this phenomenon continues to baffle me.

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Southside Irish (1984)

Not familiar with this week's song? Hear it here.

 

1. This week's song was chosen because it's something of an anthem in Chicagoland around St. Patrick's Day. Can you name another song that makes you think of St. Patrick's Day or Ireland? "Danny Boy."

 

2. The Irish Choir sings that the "craic" is always best among the Windy City Irish. "Craic" is Irish for "fun" and "high spirits." Are you planning anything fun this weekend? I'm meeting my friend Elaine downtown for lunch Saturday. It happens to be the day of the Chicago St. Patrick's parade. Here's hoping that I get through the afternoon without any drunk teenagers puking green beer onto my shoes. (Really. You have nooooo idea what a party Saturday is gonna be.)

3. They tell us that their fathers came over from Mayo, Cork and Donegal. Where did your ancestors hail from? I know my favorite grandpa was born in Berne, Germany. It's a small town on a river. His parents sent him away to boarding school so he didn't spend much time in the family home. He dropped out of school and ran away and didn't stop until first Ellis Island and then Chicago.

4. The lyrics mention the rivalry between Chicago's two baseball teams. As Spring Training 2025 draws to a close, how do you feel about your baseball team's chances this season? I'm excited about the Cubs pitching staff, especially Shota Imanaga. Our defense looks very good, too. I mean, Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner! So we've got the glove side of things taken care of. Let's hope Kyle Tucker performs as promised and hits some dingers.

 

5. The Chicago River is dyed green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Does your community do anything to special for the holiday? As referenced in #2, though an unfortunate fluke in scheduling, I am unwisely going to be in Chicago's Loop Saturday afternoon. Yes, the River will be dyed green and that will be cool.

 

 

But the green river means the parade. To borrow from The Beatles, "it's been a long, cold lonely winter." The parade gives everybody a reason to finally emerge from their homes and release pent-up energy. There will be day drinking. Inhibitions will be shed. Teens and twenty- and thirtysomethings wearing shamrock headbands and cardboard shamrock glasses will move up and down the sidewalks like a friendly but intoxicated wave in search of green beer. I wish Elaine and I were meeting Sunday instead! PS Or maybe I'll adjust my attitude and surprise myself by getting in the spirit. We'll see.

 

6. While this week's song focuses on the Irish population of Chicago, it's not the U.S. city with the highest percentage of citizens of Irish ancestry. According to the 2020 census, Boston is #1. Have you ever been to Boston? Oh yes. I adore Boston. It's like a small Chicago, lots of neighborhoods, very walkable. And I love the old buildings. Except for the Water Tower, nothing here predates The Fire. Boston is filled with history.

7. On Monday, which is St. Patrick's Day, do you plan to wear green? Sure.

8. Clovers are a recognized symbol of St. Patrick's Day, and a four-leaf clover is believed to bring good luck. Have you ever seen a four-leaf clover? Nope.

9. Black coffee with whiskey and whipped cream is Irish Coffee. What's your standard coffee order? I never order coffee.