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? Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. I've seen the movie about a gazillion times (the best bad movie ever made) and, decades upon decades ago, read and made fun of but never finished my mother's hardcover copy. Now, as a reasonable facsimile of an adult woman, I'm giving this 1966 book a serious shot. After all, I read Peyton Place this past spring and enjoyed it immensely, as both a story and a cultural artifact. Maybe it's time to give Jackie Susann and Dolls their due.

Oh. My. God. This book is ridiculous. Seriously dopey. And yet it's compulsively readable. The dialog is stupid. ("I want to meet a decent guy and get married. Then I'd be somebody. I'd be Mrs. Somebody.") The plot is implausible. (Anne got every job she interviewed for, even though she had no training or experience. Oh well, it's not like New York is competitive or anything.)

And yet I can't wait to get back to it. It's like Jackie Susann eavesdropped on every scenario pre-adolescent me acted out with my Barbies. It's sheer fantasy. Silly, a little dirty, and loads of fun.

BTW, compared to Dolls, Peyton Place is Jane Austen.

2. What did you recently finish reading?  Paul Newman: A Life by Shawn Levy. I like Paul Newman's movies. He always seemed to be striving for quality, even if sometimes he missed the mark. And he was charismatic. After he does some genuinely awful, truly despicable things, Hud explains himself by saying, "My mama loved me, but she died." And from the audience, I'm all, "OK! You're forgiven!"

This book leads me to believe I'd like Newman the man as well. He was a hard-worker, always self-deprecating and humble (even when he was box office champ and the screen's reigning male sex symbol). He took nothing for granted. Considering himself lucky, he gave back to his community and the world in spades. In comparison to his wealth, he was one of America's premier philanthropists. 

He had an enduring fondness for popcorn, practical jokes and silly hats. He took his politics and the world around him seriously. As he was dying, his last words to his daughters were, "It's been a privilege to be here." 

 

So while he was very good company for 500 pages, he wasn't perfect. Clearly he was a functioning alcoholic for decades. He cheated on his first wife with Joanne Woodward, and then cheated on Joanne with a publicist he met while on location making Butch Cassidy. He had six children but no real gift for parenting, alternating between benign neglect when he was working and intense involvement with them between films. But as with Hud Bannon, Joanne, the girls and we readers forgive him.

The problem I have with this biography, though, is two-fold. It's repetitious at times. (For example, the story of how Newman's Own Organics came to be is told twice, and to be honest, it's not that interesting. Also, either Newman was one of the crankiest celebrities, or Levy liked reiterating how intolerant he was of the price of fame.) And then there's Joanne Woodward. Clearly Newman loved her very much and regarded her as his life partner. But hell if I know why. She comes off as a bit of cypher. I wish I knew more about the woman who wooed him from his first wife and three children, and then married him herself, gave him three more kids and sustained him emotionally for 50 years.

 

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

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 10

Today's happiness -- Miracle Whip. My niece is a foodie, and this would appall her, but I like Miracle Whip. I recently got a jar at Dollar Tree and today I cracked it open. It's a crazy hot, humid day and I couldn't bear to go outside under any circumstances, not even to go to the store, and so I dug around in my pantry and made tuna salad for dinner. It was yummy, cheap and comparatively nutritious.

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 9

Today's happiness -- Small business service. My cat Reynaldo requires prescription thyroid medicine twice/day. This cream comes in pre-measured doses in a syringe. My nearby pharmacies -- Target, CVS and Walgreens -- don't handle it, so I have to get it from the little mom'n'pop way on the other side of town.

I used to spend $35-$40/month on Ubers to get there. I wasn't happy about this, but it's Reynaldo. Plus, the staff is so charming, thorough and kind that I was happy to give them my business.

Well, when I went to leave them a glowing YELP review, I learned they offer free delivery. Yes, in addition to being charming, thorough and kind, they are super accommodating! Even on a rainy Monday afternoon, they brought me Rey's meds, free of charge.

THIS JUST IN! Going through the bag, I found that the pharmacist included a little gray toy mouse for Rey. How sweet is that!

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 8

Today's happiness -- I Love Lucy. I'm feeling weird today. It's hot and sticky outside, I have work to do this weekend that I haven't yet touched (and it's 5:00 PM). I can't bring myself to watch baseball (see post below). If it wasn't for taking out the garbage, I wouldn't have gotten dressed at all. It's Esther Williams Day on TCM, and really, her movies just bore me to tears.

Thank goodness for The Decades Channel. In honor of Lucille Ball's 110th birthday, this weekend they're showing nothing but Lucy. The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show ... yeah, whatever. Might as well watch Esther Williams. But I love I Love Lucy. It makes me feel good about holing up in my bedroom under the air conditioner.

Happy heavenly birthday, Lucille Ball. And kudos to Desi, too.

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.

 

Sick with worry

 Today is Anthony Rizzo's 32nd birthday, but that's not why he's in the news. 

Here's a link to the USA Today article

Rizz declined the vaccine in June. I have been worried about this since June. His new manager, Aaron Boone, said he's "achy and has mild symptoms."

I was vaccinated the moment I was able. Back in April. So clearly I don't agree with his decision.

Even if he recovers quickly and completely, he will miss 10 games. Including those against division rivals Boston Red Sox. 10 games of the remaining 50, when his team is battling for a playoff spot.

So in addition to putting his health in jeopardy -- he's a cancer survivor! -- he's putting his career in jeopardy. When this season ends, his contract is up. He's made public comments that he'd like to stay in New York. How likely are they to sign him if he crippled their playoff hopes?

And that's if he's OK ... I had covid. I was sick for six weeks. Of course, I'm a fat, out-of-shape old lady and he's an athlete in peak condition.

But he hasn't been vaccinated. If I wasn't so worried about him, I'd want to wring his stubborn, uninformed neck.

He matters to me!

 

Sunday Stealing

DURWARD DISCUSSIONS

1.  What is the nearest book to you?  Your Kindle does not count. Jacqueline by Ron Galella. It's a coffee table book filled with the black-and-white paparazzi photos Galella took of JBKO between 1968 and 1972. I have mixed feelings about it. The photos are fascinating, capturing her as she went about her everyday life on two islands: Skorpios and Manhattan. To get these shots, he hounded her, exacerbated her feelings of PTSD, and drove her to take him to court. The judge ruled that, while she was undoubtedly a public figure, she had a right to privacy and Galella couldn't come within 50 feet of her anymore. At the time, Jackie was pilloried in the press for suing Galella, but I wonder what would have happened if Princess Diana had stood up for herself the way Jackie did. Maybe her life wouldn't have ended the way it did in that Paris tunnel.

2.  When was the last time you took a "me" vacation? The TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, spring of 2019. I had a glorious time, getting my geek on among other geeks. Hopefully I'll be able to do it again in 2022.

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

4.  If you could fix one thing in the public school system, what is the one thing you would do immediately? I would do whatever is possible to keep children in school but still safe from Covid. I suppose that means mandatory vaccinations for school staff.

5.  What's your favorite Olympic event? I don't watch the Olympics.

6.  Do you watch the Olympics? See above.

7.  Who is your favorite sports team player?

Today Anthony Rizzo turns 32. HBD, Captain!

 

8.  If you could travel in a spaceship to any planet, which planet would you like to visit and why? I wouldn't. Too scary.

9.  When was the last time you sat in a church? February 2020. My church has moved services online.

10.  Are there any aspects of blogging that annoy you? Yes. But I don't feel like being negative just now, so I'll keep them to myself.

11. Have you ever gone to a party and snooped in the medicine cabinet? I did when I was a little girl. I discovered that my great aunt used ExLax.

12. Do you watch reality TV? I have.

13.  How many people can you call who have known you since you were in school? Two.

14. Who, when, and where was your first kiss? David. Summertime. Across from the hamburger stand. He was waiting for his friends, and I was bringing home a carryout order for my mom.

15. You just got thrown out of your country.  Where do you want to become a citizen? Canada. Maybe England. I don't think I could handle a new language.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 7

Today's happiness -- Rey had a good day. My little man was bright eyed, affectionate and happy. I realize as we reach the end of our time together, he will have good days and bad ones. Today was a good one. I savored 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.

 

Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: The Curly Shuffle (1983)

Unfamiliar with this song? Hear it here.

1) This song is a valentine to The Three Stooges. Are you a fan? Cannot stand them! Though I do have fond memories attached to this song. Juke boxes were still de riguer in 1983 and I heard it on many a happy night at the bars.

2) It was released to coincide with the Three Stooges getting a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. That's the Hollywood in California. There are 23 other Hollywoods in the United States and two in Ireland. Have you ever visited any of these 26 Hollywoods? If so, which one? THE Hollywood. In California.

3) The inspiration for this song was Jerome Horowitz, aka Curly Howard of The Three Stooges. He had many signature phrases, including "nyuk, nyuk, nyuk," "woob, woob, woob," and "sointenly." Give us a movie quote, and be sure to tell us who said it.

 

Barbra Streisand's first-ever line on film:

 

via GIPHY

4) Curly's older brother, Moses Horowitz, was better known as Moe Howard. Moe was convinced that Lou Costello of Abbott & Costello developed his screen persona by stealing from Curly. It turns out he was right! Lou Costello was previewing early prints of Three Stooges films before they were released to the public. Tell us about a time your gut instinct told you something that turned out to be true. Sometimes I can sense doom. I impulsively sent a gift to my friend Reg via Amazon. Just a little surprise certain to brighten his mood. But I just knew it was a bad idea somehow. Today I got a message from Amazon that it's been delivered "near the garage." REALLY?! Not the front door? So far I haven't heard from Reg. If I don't get word by end of day tomorrow, I'll shoot him an IM and ruin the surprise. GRRR! I really would have preferred to be wrong.

5) The third Stooge, Larry, was Louis Feinberg. Though he became famous as a movie comic, he was also a talented musician. When he was 11, he received an invitation to study violin at a European conservatory, but because of WWI he was unable to go. Tell us about plans of yours that were interrupted because of circumstances beyond your control (weather, the pandemic, etc.). I was supposed to spend Christmas 2020 in Key West. But between travel restrictions and my own bout with covid, I was unable to go. (Gee! I forgot it was an overhyped hoax. Even though I suffered from weeks of diarrhea and fever and debilitating fatigue, I should have gone anyway. Bitter? Yeah, I'm still bitter. Anyone who plays down this pandemic is an unpatriotic asshole. Oh, and put your fucking mask back on.)

6) As a teen, Larry took up boxing and won several bouts. His father disapproved of the sport and put an end to his boxing career. Did you participate in sports during your teen years? I was good at archery.

 

7) Today the Three Stooges Fan Club has more than 2,000 members and publishes a quarterly newsletter filled with rare photos, interviews, trivia and a marketplace where fans can buy and sell Stooge memorabilia. Have you ever belonged to a fan club? Nope. Which is strange for a fangirl such as I.

8) In 1983, Princess Diana was the world's top cover girl. Her influence was credited for reviving Britain's fashion and tourist industries. When you think of Britain, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

 

9) Random question -- Your best friend needs help hanging a picture. Would you be comfortable holding the nail so your friend could swing the hammer? Better for me to hold the nail than to swing the hammer. I'm a klutz, and therefore far less trustworthy with a hammer than my best friend.

 

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 6

Today's happiness -- Spinach strudel. When I was growing up, my father was very vocal about not liking vegetables, especially green beans and spinach. So we never had them with dinner. As an adult, I find I enjoy them both, and today I treated myself to a spinach-and-cream-cheese strudel for dinner from the new coffee house. It made me happy.

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 -- Support from an unexpected source. I posted something on Facebook today about how I struggle with pain because when I hurt, I feel like it's not so bad ... that people have endured worse ... that it's really not that big a deal ...

Sheila IM'd me. She wanted to know what to pray for to help me. She's a client I used to work with regularly until she was moved to another part of her company. She has 100s of Facebook friends and I didn't think she really read my posts.

I didn't tell her everything -- about Henry getting worse not better, about my dental travails, about my insecurity about returning to work with the Delta variant -- but I did fill her in about Reynaldo. She was very sweet, telling me to remember his whole life with me was "a double gift," to both him and me.

I didn't expect to hear from Sheila. I was warmed by how thoughtful she was. Sometimes I'm surprised when people like me. I'm like Sally Field, I guess. Remember when she won her Oscar? "You like me! You really like me!"

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.

You're Welcome, New York

The Yankees have been playing in New York since 1903. In all that time, only one player has ever batted in a run in each of his first six games.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 4

 Today's happiness -- A trip to the park.  Reynaldo and I spent about 30 minutes at the park today. I put the carrier on the ground and sat with him in the dirt. There are better bugs in the dirt. (I never took him out of the carrier because dogs are welcome in the park, and no good would come of that.)

I am trying very hard to accept a situation in which I'm helpless. My little man is old and battling a full menu of chronic maladies: glaucoma, arthritis, kidney and thyroid conditions and now a bad ticker. I cannot make him young again, but I can do whatever I can to make him happy. While today was bittersweet, I hope when I look back on Reynaldo's last summer, I'll remember this as only sweet.

 

All the adventure wore him out.

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.

58 days

I went to my longtime dentist with a broken tooth in early April. He did a quick fix, referred me to an endodontist, and retired in mid-April.

The endodontist did a terrific job on the root canal but I needed a dentist to order and affix the crown. I went to a local dentist recommended by my friend Nancy's husband, Paul. I shall forgive Paul. 

His dentist did a good job. Prepped the tooth and ordered the crown. It was supposed to be in on June 7. He'd just snap it on and we'd be done. He told me that appointment would about 30 minutes. I was happy.

Here we are 58 days after June 7, and I'm still making dental appointments. 

•  On June 6, they called and said my crown wasn't in yet. They'd let me know when it arrived. Any day.

•  On June 15, I sent an email. No response. 

•  On June 16, I called and was told the crown was indeed in and they'd squeeze me in. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't called. Would they have let the crown just sit there forever without contacting me?

•  On June 18, I went in and the dental assistant removed the wrong crown. I am not kidding. This really happened.

•  There was decay under the crown of that tooth. But the crown was holding steady and I was in no discomfort. The tooth has been damaged by all the disruption and I am going to need a "Nesbit partial" until next year, when insurance will pay for an implant. They are giving me the Nesbit for free. We act as though I will return to them for the implant, but that is sooooo not going to happen.

•  On Tuesday I went in to have the Nesbit appliance installed. While the dentist was working on it, it cracked. It fucking broke.

•  A new one will be in within two weeks.

It's now been 58 days since June 7, when my 2021 dental adventure was supposed to be done.

I want to scream.

Photo by 8photo - www.freepik.com

He's leaving me

I stumbled upon this photo, taken not that long ago, of Connie and Reynaldo sleeping in front of the living room window and realized he no longer cares about looking outside. It no longer interests him.

Now it could be because the neighbors pruned their big tree way back and Reynaldo no longer has squirrels to scout. Or it could be because his vision is now so bad the window is just not relevant to him.

He also doesn't sleep with me anymore. He used to haunt the foot of my bed. I can't remember the last time I woke up to find him there.

I spent some time in the den on Tuesday, vacuuming and setting up plant stands. I keep the den door closed, so when I came out I expected to see his bright and curious face, demanding to know what I'd been up to in that most mysterious room. He wasn't waiting for me when I emerged because he didn't care.

He crashed my Zoom movie group on Monday night, amusing everyone when what looked like a disembodied tail repeatedly swished by the camera. But I can't recall the last time he made an appearance in a work Zoom.

He doesn't play with Connie anymore. They used to chase one another up and down the hall. He's uninterested.

His June bloodwork came back and his thyroid and other vitals appear good. However in addition to cloudy vision he has arthritis and two chronic-but-controlled conditions (thyroid and kidney) and now a heart murmur. Maybe this is the just what the end stage of his life is like.

My wild man, my skinny beige demon, is 17 years old. 84 in human years. He is dying.

I'm sitting here, pre-dawn, trying to figure out what to do. Do I want to discuss this again with the vet? Are there things I can do to improve his quality of life? 

I thought I was ready for this. I'm not.

 

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? Paul Newman: A Life by Shawn Levy. I'm not deep into this 500+ page biography, but so far I'm struck by Paul Newman's very ordinariness, and how he embraced it. Yes, he was an Oscar winner, a box office champion for five decades, inarguably the most popular of the Method Actors who revolutionized theater and movies.

But, except for his looks, he really wasn't exceptional. Not a natural talent, acting was hard work for him. He took his craft seriously, never for granted. Since he had nothing to do with his blue eyes, he considered being handsome a lucky break, just as he was lucky to make it through his Navy service in WWII without a scratch. He consistently seems to view himself as a fortunate bloke determined to make the most of the lucky circumstances he was given. Separate from his movies -- I'm a fan -- I find that I like Paul Newman.

I've also discovered the basis of his legendary philanthropy. Through one charity alone, Paul donated $245,000,000. Yes, you read that right. He worked as hard at growing Newman's Own into a not-for-profit powerhouse as he did at becoming a good actor. Why did he do it? It goes back to his mother's example. No, she was not financially generous. In fact, she was highly materialistic. Paul understood her -- she escaped poverty by immigrating to America and was determined never to be poor again. But while he loved her, her attitude disturbed him deeply and left its mark. Children in the US, Ireland, France and Israel are the better for his charity work, which goes on. (So buy Newman's Own when you get the chance.)

2. What did you recently finish reading?  Murder at Blackburn Hallby Sara Rosett. This is the second book in a cozy mystery series set in London in the 1920s. Our heroine, Olive Belgrave, has social status but no money. So she hires herself out among the aristocracy to perform "discreet inquiries," like checking out a daughter's new beau, finding a stolen pedigreed dog, vetting a nanny candidate ... In this book, a publishing house wants her to track down a famous author who has disappeared without turning in the manuscript he's obligated to deliver.  They hire Olive because they don't want the publicity that would come from calling those vulgar police!

 

I liked this book. I learned a lot about the early 20th century. For example, I didn't know about the tin masks that disfigured veterans wore after WWI. Or that doctors actually recommended their sick patients smoke special asthma cigarettes! These tidbits are introduced naturally, seamlessly into the story and I appreciated them. The mystery itself was good, too, and kept me guessing to the end.

The only thing I didn't really like was Olive herself. Whether it's Kinsey Milhone or Spenser or Archie Goodwin, I want to really root for the detective I'm accompanying on these adventures. I don't yet have a grip on Olive. Perhaps more of her personality will be revealed as I move through the series.

 

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

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 3

Today's happiness -- Clean sheets and towels. Usually I do my laundry on Sunday nights about 6:00 PM. I just didn't get around to it Sunday, so I did it Monday afternoon. Which means I woke up this morning in a fresh nightshirt, on fresh sheets and then I dried myself after my morning shower with fresh towels.

Yeah, this happens every week (except usually it's on Monday instead of Tuesday). But it's such a happy way to start the morning and the week. A reliable mood lifter. It deserves a happy Beatle Button. 

Honorable mention goes to the new shower liner and rings I put in today and the plant stands I began using in the den. It's nice to give my surroundings a little upgrade.

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 2

Today's happiness -- Abraham Lincoln and Henry Fonda. Young Mr. Lincoln is the classic chosen this week by my movie group. Somehow I'd never seen it! Considering how I revere Abe, and my love of old movies, and my massive crush on young Henry Fonda, you'd think I'd have seen this a dozen times. But no, today was my first viewing. It didn't disappoint.

He's a crafty, charming country lawyer, willing to be vulgar if it wins him points with townspeople and jurors. Self-taught and very talented. Filled with a kindness and an integrity that can't be supressed. Henry Fonda embodies all that. 

There's a moment when the defendants' mother is on the stand and Mr. Lincoln talks to her and about her, tears of compassion in his eyes, and I welled up, too.

I know enough about Abraham Lincoln to know that the movie got a lot wrong: names are changed (witnesses, defendants, victim and even "Abe," no one called him "Abe" in those days); Ann Rutledge and Mr. Lincoln were likely never involved; he was ambitious and didn't need to be persuaded to study law; Mr. Lincoln was already a wealthy and well-established lawyer when he took this case, not the novice he's portrayed ... but I don't care. This movie captured his spirit and soul. 

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 1

Today's happiness -- Dense, leafy trees. It's 74º today. Perfect weather. Too nice to waste indoors. So I took a nice, long walk to the other side of town (Dollar Tree) and back. A little less than two miles in all.

 

The best part of my jaunt is that I took side streets as much as possible. Between the two busy streets, where multi-unit buildings like mine are, my neighborhood has quite a few massive old Victorians on nice big lawns with big old trees. It was lovely to walk down the avenue and look up into the thick green that provided shade from the late afternoon sun.

By the time I got home, I was relaxed and a little sleepy and satisfied. We get so few of these picture-perfect (not too hot) summer days, I'm happy I was able to be out in it and enjoy 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.

Sunday Stealing

 FUN AND UNEXPECTED TOPICS

1. Have Your Ever Driven Drunk Or Even Slightly Buzzed? No. I don't have a car. Not that I would if I had a car.

2. What Was The Funniest Moment In Your Life? I can't choose just one. But I'm sure it involved my oldest friend. She always makes me laugh.

3. What Kind Of Things Really Makes You Laugh? Irreverence. Also, the unexpected.

4. If You Could Jump Into A Pool Full Of Something, What Would It Be? M&Ms

5. Which Habit Are You Proudest Of Breaking? Nothing comes to mind. I guess I'm just a mass of maintained bad habits.

6. Which Animal Do You Find The Sexiest Of All? The human animal.

7. What’s The Weirdest Nickname You’ve Ever Had? A toss up between "Avenger Bunny" and "Smurfette."

8, What Do You Wish You Were Really Good At? Housework

9. If You Were A Dog, What Kind Of Dog Would You Be? A mutt

10. What’s The Most Spontaneous Thing You’ve Ever Done? My 2016 trip to Graceland. I was just so fucking bummed about Donald Trump's election, and something unique and expensive and completely futile needed to be done!

11. If You Had A Time Machine, Would You Go Back In Time Or Visit The Future? Wow. Great question! I think I'd prefer the distant past or the near future (like two years from now).

12. What Was The Last Show You Binge-Watched? Sex and the City

Eager for the reboot

  

13. If You Had To Rename Yourself, What Name Would You Choose? Julie. I've always felt like a Julie.

14. What Did You Do During The Summers When You Were Growing Up? We went to a little resort in Wisconsin and lived in a cabin. I felt like a hostage. Truly, I hated it. I wanted to be home with my friends.

15. If You Go To A Restaurant And Have Terrible Service, Is It Ever OK Not To Tip? No. If you don't tip at all, the server may think you just forgot. If you want to make a statement about the service, leave a lousy tip.

 

That felt good

I was downtown, along The River, on both Friday and Saturday. I had to drop this Mac off, and then retrieve it, from the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue. 

It felt like an event, which is weird because pre-pandemic, this is the neighborhood where I worked so I was here all the time.

And I've missed it. There are things about work from home I enjoy: sleeping until 8:00 AM, waiting until after I check my emails to shower (usually 9:30), never wearing grownup clothes or shoes, washing dishes or vacuuming between meetings, and, of course, cuddling the cats all day long.

But then there's The River! I've always preferred the green river water to the blue of Lake Michigan. I like how The River wends its way through the city, insinuating itself into our lives.

As I walked along The River to the Apple Store, I saw certain benches and my cheeks got hot, because I remember those long-ago nights when I shared a kiss or two with the guy I was dating. The River has made a special appearance in the recurring nightmare I have when I'm stressed: I'm trying to rescue a shaggy white dog, or sometimes my girlhood cat Tommy, from drowning so I dive in and hang onto the pillar under the bridge with one hand while holding on to the critter with the other, praying to be rescued from the water myself.

This is a part of my life I hope to get back soon. Of course, with Lollapalooza, I was scared of the Delta Variant. We'll see how I feel two weeks from today. Fingers crossed that the vaccine protects me!

It's Who We Are

When Anthony Rizzo was traded, I heard from everybody. Former coworkers and friends reached out who I hadn't communicated with since Christmas. Snarkypants sent a card.* People who don't share my passion for baseball respected the place this Cub team and this player have in my heart.

And there was my family. It was my nephew who actually gave me the news (a one-word text: YANKEES?). My sister, which whom I have a complicated-at-best relationship, was all over my Facebook page. So was my Cousin Rose. From my dad's side of the family, I heard from both my cousin and his mom, who is my aunt/godmother. They don't talk to one another -- their relationship is a casualty of Donald Trump -- but they both reached out to me.

We are now different faiths, with some of us not worshiping at all. We certainly hold different political views. We are in different parts of the country.

But in this family, we are Cub fans. As were our parents and their parents. We're all about sunshine, ivy and the crack of the bat.

 

*OK, she sent it before the trade, but it arrived that night -- when I really needed it.