August Happiness Challenge: Day 1

My 2026 Happiness Icon

Today's Happiness: Love in the air. I had lunch today with my nephew and his lady friend. They were telling me about their evenings "at home" playing cards and she admitted she was the more competitive of the two and found it frustrating how easily he won. Then she said, "But I love him." Out loud, just like that!

 

When she got up to move her car, leaving us alone for a moment, I asked him, "So are you two shacking up?" He rather shyly told me he was in the process of moving in. Her lease expired yesterday and she took the larger apartment literally across the hall, so there's no real rush. They jointly invited me for pizza next month, when they are moved in and settled.

 

This is huge. She is the first serious girlfriend he's had since high school. I like her and the influence she has had on him. Years ago, when he was entering college, he couldn't decide between being a history teacher and being a staffer for a politician. Unfortunately the crudeness and intentional cruelty of MAGA had turned him off politics (just another ugly thing Donald Trump will be judged on by historians and God). That's when he picked up sports journalism and, while he has enjoyed it, it's never going to be a real career for him. Here he is, in his mid-20s, living in his old bedroom in his parents' house. Since he works remotely, he's never had to commute to work. Or pay rent or a utility bill. 

 

She's helped him reignite his interest in public service. He's pursuing a career in teaching and is considering special education as his specialty. He's now part of a couple – she went on vacation with his parents last month and endures me on a monthly basis, he has begun socializing with her friends.

 

Is this forever? Do I think they'll marry? Oh, who cares? They're in love now. And I'll always be grateful to her for helping him evolve, for taking him back to the future, back to the teenager who wanted to share his passion for American history with others.

 

I love my nephew very much, so this makes me happy, too. 

Happy August Happiness Challenge!

 

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: Coconut (1971)

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

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) This song is about a woman who complains of a belly ache. How's your tummy this morning? This morning it's fine, thank you. 

2) She responds to this malady by calling the doctor. What if you chose to address the problem yourself? Are there currently any OTC digestive aids in your medicine chest? Not in my medicine chest. But only because it's too humid in there. I keep Pepto Bismol, Immodium and Lactaid in the kitchen and in my purse.

3) Coconut was once a popular ice cream flavor, but no more. It's not on the list of top sellers at Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone. When you last had ice cream, what flavor was it? I don't remember! They didn't have my go-to – mint chocolate chip – so I went with one of the flavors they were promoting. What I remember best is the chocolate sauce. It was very good. (But really, it's so seldom I run into chocolate I don't like.)

4) Coconut remains popular in baking. It's easy to find recipes for coconut pie, coconut cheesecake, coconut cookies ... you get the idea. Have you recently tried a new recipe? If yes, how did it turn out? I can't recall the last time I tried a new recipe.

5) This week's featured artist, Harry Nilsson, was a well known free spirit. He liked to party and had a reputation for not adhering to a schedule. Therefore it's a little surprising that one of his first jobs was in the conservative atmosphere of a small bank. Do you prefer a more structured workplace? I guess it depends on the kind of structure. When I was at the ad agency, I liked adhering to a schedule and process because I felt free to be more creative, knowing there was a reliable system supporting me. But I chafed at being told what to wear or being dissuaded from displaying personal items. If I'm not meeting with the client, why do you care about my Beatles t-shirt or my Cubs pennant? 

6) Harry met Micky Dolenz when The Monkees recorded his song, "Cuddly Toy" and they became fast and life-long friends. Can you think of someone you met and quickly "clicked" with? My former boss at the card shop, CeeCee. I liked her instantly and never changed my opinion. She has taken her talents to a clothing store a few blocks away and I still run into her on occasion and it always brightens my day. If you don't like CeeCee, there's something very wrong with you.

7) In 1971, when this song was on the radio, detective shows were popular on TV. Mannix, Ironside and Cannon were all in the Top 20. Do you think you'd make a good private investigator? No. I cannot see myself on a stake out. I'd either doze off or fixate on where I would go to pee.

8) England's Princess Anne turned 21 in 1971 and the occasion was commemorated with an official portrait taken by fashion photographer Norman Parkinson. Who took the most recent photo of you? I had lunch last weekend with two former coworkers and Rita snapped a selfie. Her selfies always come out better than mine so I didn't bother. She sent me hers.

9) Random question: You can redecorate any one room in your home, money is no object. But only one room. Which room do you pick? The kitchen. I'd replace the refrigerator, stove, floors, and cabinets. I'm no cook, but spending time in there is unavoidable and it would make my life easier and more pleasant to renovate it. (Do they have self-cleaning floors now? I vacuum all the time but somehow that floor always needs a good mopping.)