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 Visitor by K.L. Slater. David is an odd one. 40+ and still living at home with his mom, he only works part time and spends the rest of his time looking out the window. With binoculars. The latest object of his attention is a young woman named Holly. She just moved in with the widow next door, renting a room as she gets settled and tries to make a new start. David decides Holly will be his friend and never, ever leave. This is not going to end well.

2. What are you currently reading? Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom by Carl Bernstein. This is a love story. When, as a teenager, Carl Bernstein showed up at the Washington Star for a job, he fell hard. For all of it. The noise of the presses, ink on his fingers, getting the story from cops and witnesses, the banter among the reporters, the martinis after work (even though he was still a teenager). His first front-page story was an obituary about the woman who ran the local newspaper stand, and he seems as proud of bringing "Annie" to life as he was of bringing down Nixon. This book makes me glad that he became such a resounding success in the news biz, because his career proves the old adage: Do what you love and the money will follow.

Be warned, though, this book ends when Carl moves to the Washington Post. No Watergate juice here. Since it covers 1960 to 1966, it's a Valentine to days gone by. Typewriters ... carbon paper ... phone booths with benches ... the world of the Washington Star that he creates is long, long gone.

BTW, he confirms something I've always suspected: the biggest news story in the summer of 1963 was the death of Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, the infant born to the President and Jackie who lived just two days. Imagine, a baby born to a First Lady! And then, to have that baby die. "Baby Patrick" (as JBKO always referred to him) is almost forgotten now, overshadowed by the world-changing assassination of his father. I have a feeling, though, that at the time, Patrick's birth was as big a deal here as Prince George's was in London 50 years later.

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

The Sunday Salon

 

This is my first time participating. It's the first Sunday in March, so I'm going to start by looking back at the books I read in February.

Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom by Carl Bernstein. A highly-entertaining memoir and candid look at the last part of the 20th century. 4 stars out of 5

Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron.  A mystery by a writer with a sure hand. I think of books like this as candy bars. I enjoyed it while devouring it, but I doubt I'll still be thinking of it often or ever six months from now. 3 stars

She Made Me Laugh by Richard M. Cohen.  Cohen's affectionate memoir of his decades-long friendship with Nora Ephron (Hallie's older sister). I'm such a fan of Nora's that I loved it before I even picked it up. 4 stars

My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle.  A thriller that's actually thrilling. One of those plots you try to unravel in your imagination when you're forced to put it down and go do other things. BTW, My library's Hoopla's algorithm recommended this, based on what I've read before, and they aced it! 4 stars

Diana by Sara Bradford. A sympathetic but still clear-eyed look at the life of the Princess of Wales. 4 stars

I'm anticipating a grueling workweek ahead. I hope I'm wrong, or if I'm right, I hope I still can carve out a moment to find refuge in books and in cuddling my cats. (I also have a bottle of Bailey's Irish Creme in the refrigerator, just in case!)

Check out other Sunday Salon participants here.

Sunday Stealing

 Stolen from my blog buddy, Kwizgiver.

1. How long have you lived in your current residence? I moved in less than 60 days before 9/11, so 21 years. (I remember because I was so hopeful, unpacking ornaments ordered for my first-ever Christmas tree in my new home. Such a weird juxtaposition with the shattering news on my TV.)

 
2. What changes have you made to it since you got there? I renovated my bathroom in 2018, and it could already use a sprucing up. Actually, every inch of this place could use sprucing up.

3. What surprised you about living in your place or in your neighborhood? I'd never owned anything before. I miss having a landlord to fix things. I'm not good at this homeowner thing.

4. If someone were considering moving in next door, what would you warn them about? The elevator is more than 50 years old. It can be unreliable. Remember, "unreliable" and "unsafe" are different things. If it stops on the second floor for no particular reason, just go with it. It's really not worth the expense of an emergency call to the elevator repair company.

5. If you have to move in the next 45 days, what are you definitely not taking with you? Oh, so much! I don't know why I have such a hard time parting with things. I think it would take having to move to get me to really concentrate on getting rid of stuff.

6. What are you currently reading? A biography of Lady Bird Johnson. I find First Ladies fascinating.
 

7. What did you recently finish reading? Carl Bernstein's memoir, Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom.

8. What do you think you’ll read next? I don't know.

9. When did you take the road less traveled? I don't know that I have ever consciously chosen the road less traveled.

10. Did you ever participate in a talent show? I must have, but I don't remember.

11. When did you most recently strike out? I don't understand this question. "Strike out," like lash out? Or "strike out," like strike out on my own? Or "strike out," like three strikes and you're out?

12  Where do you go to find yourself? Home. I lock the front door and spend time by myself.

13. What do you have mixed feelings about? So many things! Life seems to become less black-and-white with passing year.

14. What did you most recently add to your collection of something? I ordered another Miche shell. BTW, Kwizgiver is the one who turned me on to these handbags.

15. When did something most recently stir you to tears? The Ukraine. Please, please remember who has been sympathetic to Putin and never let him near the Oval Office again.

 

 PS ...

 

If you'd like to read more Kwizgiver, go here

 

 

 

A warm, but still chill, Saturday

Yesterday was a good day. I have been starting to venture out and see friends -- three weekends of socializing in a row -- but that was enough. Now I'm happy to stick close to home for awhile.

The mercury climbed to 65º and I wanted to get out in it. I headed off to the dollar store, walking more than a mile to and fro. I stocked up on stuff I use often that I pay more for elsewhere (especially the refills for the automatic air freshener spray near the litter box; $6.00+ at CVS and $1.25 at the dollar store). 

I also bought packages of generic lip balm that break down to 45¢ each. I picked those up for my "blessing bags." I've been carrying ziplock baggies in my purse that include a breakfast bar, tissue packet, cough drops, a $1 bill, and a mask. But as the mask mandate fades, I wanted a replacement item. Since masks are still required for public transportation, I'm going to continue including them for the time being, but I'm glad I have the lip balms on hand as we transition out of covid.

I swung by and picked up a double cheeseburger because, well, don't I have to undo fitness benefits I gained by walking? That's just how I roll.

All day, my oldest friend was popping into head. For example, while I was waiting for my burger, the restaurant was playing "Flashdance." It's hard to believe, but it's been nearly 40 years since she and I saw it at the movies. Just stuff like that. I know Snarkypants calls those "pings," and I took her advice and paid attention to them. I called my oldest friend.

We talked for (gulp) three hours! She sounded good and happy, which is a relief. She updated me on her life and on her daughter's life, and I'm so glad they're getting along. Until comparatively recently, she was much closer to her son and I worried her daughter was neglected. Yes, her daughter is now 24, but a girl always needs her mom and I think it's great that their relationship is improved.

I'm anticipating a rough workweek ahead, and I'm glad I've been gifted with this lazy weekend to recharge in preparation.

Saturday 9

 Saturday 9: Good for You (2015)

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

1) In this song, Selena Gomez sings about how eager she is to look good for her lover. What color do you look best in? I have a sweater made from green and blue yarn. I always get compliments when I wear it. But is it the green or the blue that I look good in? I don't know.

 

2) She compares herself to a diamond, which is the birthstone of people born in April. Do you know your birthstone? Is it a gem you often wear? It's topaz. When I was a kid, well-meaning adults would give me yellow topaz costume jewelry and really, who wants a yellow stone? Not this gal! It wasn't until I was older I learned it came in a variety of colors, including blue. Now that we're talking about it, I think I may look for blue topaz next time I want to refresh my earring collection.

  

3) Selena Gomez is a successful singer who has appeared on the Billboard charts more than 30 times. She also has her own cooking show on HBO Max. In each episode, Selena invites a chef to help her master a new recipe. She says that, off camera, the dish she enjoys making most is spicy miso ramen soup. What's your favorite soup?  Ah, seafood! There's a bar around the corner that has the most divine lobster bisque, and the clam chowder is right up there on my hit parade, too.  

 

4) She was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the Hulu miniseries Only Murders in the Building. Have you streamed anything interesting lately that you would like to recommend to Sat 9ers? I really liked Only Murders in the Building and Hacks. We Need to Talk about Cosby was very good, too, but I don't know that I recommend it. Reconciling Bill Cosby's accomplishments and his ugly, ugly deeds is important, but it's not fun television.

 

5) Selena Gomez provides the voice for Mavis Dracula, daughter of the Count, in the animated Hotel Transylvania movie and its sequels. In these family movies, Dracula and his family run a luxury hotel where monsters can vacation and get away from it all. The tone is similar to The Munsters and The Addams Family, TV shows from nearly 60 years ago. Caspar the Friendly Ghost has been entertaining children for generations. When you were a child, were you fascinated by ghosts, goblins, monsters and other such creatures? Sure. Remember Barnabas and Dark Shadows? I raced home from school to discover what was up with my favorite undead friend.

6) Selena's busy schedule is especially impressive when you realize that she lives with lupus, a chronic condition that can affect the skin, joints and kidneys. She credits "diet, routine and medication" for helping her avoid flare-ups. Do you have any tips that might help us increase our productivity and efficiency? First of all, kudos to Selena Gomez for all she accomplishes. Onto the question, I believe in Newton's law that a body in motion stays in motion. I find that the toughest part of getting shit done is getting off my butt. So I set a timer. I promise myself I only need to spend 2 minutes on a task. That feels doable, doesn't it? Not daunting at all. I often find that once I'm doing, I keep doing.

7) In 2015, when this week's song was popular, Leonard Nimoy died. Without looking it up, do you know why he was famous? Poor Mr. Spock. He died from COPD. I recall him, toward the end of his life, wishing he'd never been a smoker.

8) Also in 2015, NASA announced that water had been found on Mars. Do you follow news about science and space? Nope. But this reminds me of an old boyfriend. He could prattle off the names of all the missions and their astronauts. As a little boy, he dreamed of walking on the moon, and as an adult he still devoured anything space-related.

9) Random question: What was the best year of your life? 1992. It's the only time I can recall ever achieving work-life balance. I was in love and my career was chugging along nicely.

 

 

Thursday Thirteen #248

 Thirteen Facts about Jimmie Nicol. Who? Well, let me use this 13-fact format to tell his story. 

1. Jimmie Nicol earned his place in music history by temporarily playing with the Beatles during the height of Beatlemania in 1964. Ringo came down with tonsillitis and was hospitalized, just as the Lads were about to tour Australia, Hong Kong and the Netherlands. It would have cost the Beatles too much to cancel the tour, so they looked for a drummer to take Ringo's place for eight shows, until Ringo was strong enough to rejoin the group.

2. Beatles producer George Martin suggested Jimmie, a session drummer he'd recently used in the studio with other acts. Jimmie auditioned with John, Paul and George, performing six numbers as they rehearsed for the tour, and got the job. There's no record of anyone else being considered. Ringo admitted he felt bad that he'd been replaced so easily, recalling, "I thought they didn't love me anymore -- all that stuff went through my head."

3. The next 27 hours were a whirlwind for Jimmie. A pair of women -- a hairdresser and seamstress -- showed up at his house to fix his hair and tailor Beatle jackets for him. Then he was on a flight with the Beatles and their entourage and played his first concert with them in Copenhagen.   

You're right. That's not Ringo.

4. He also drummed for them in Holland, Hong Kong and Adelaide, Australia, before Ringo rejoined the group in Melbourne.

5. The Beatles changed their set when Jimmie was with them. Ringo's solo, "I Wanna Be Your Man," was eliminated. Jimmie never got the spotlight because The Beatles didn't want anyone to think Ringo was "out."

6. In Melbourne, Beatles manager Brian Epstein took Jimmie to the airport, giving him a check for £500 (about $6,000 in today's dollars) and a gold watch inscribed: To Jimmie with gratitude. Brian Epstein and The Beatles.

7. Jimmie then formed his own band, The Shubdubs. When one of the Beatles' rival bands, The Dave Clark 5, was unable to fulfill a commitment due to Dave Clark's illness, the promoter got publicity by hiring the "temporary Beatle" to fill in.

8. After that, though, gigs were few and far between. He spent his own money trying to promote the Shubdubs and at about this same time, his wife filed for divorce. Jimmie went bankrupt.

9. Paul McCartney put a good word in for Jimmie with his friends, the duo Peter and Gordon, who took Jimmie with them on the road. When that tour was over, he was again unemployed.

10. He moved to Sweden and joined a band called The Spotnicks. He toured the world with them until 1967, when after an engagement in Mexico he chose to stay behind. He studied the samba and bossa nova and played small clubs.

11. In Mexico, Jimmie remarried and had a son. He also, unfortunately, seems to have gotten involved with drugs and became quite paranoid. His ex-wife said he complained that Brian Epstein had him blackballed and then he destroyed the gold watch he'd been given. (Considering what Beatle memorabilia goes for at auction, that was an expensive tantrum.)

12. In the 1980s, he returned to England. He left music behind and worked as a contractor, renovating homes. He also appeared at a Beatles fan convention in Amsterdam in 1984.

13. It's rumored he has retired to Mexico, though neither his second ex-wife or son is in contact with him. There have also been reported sightings of the 82-year-old Jimmie in London.

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

 

Outrage!

 

Last night, during the official GOP rebuttal to the President's State of the Union address, the Iowa governor repeatedly used the phrase, "Parents Matter."

As a childless woman, I am desperately offended. Don't ALL LIVES MATTER?

Wait! That would be an intentionally obtuse response, a facile way of dismissing Gov. Reynold's point.

Never mind.

 

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? Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom by Carl Bernstein. This is Carl Bernstein's memoir of the beginning of his stellar career. A rather aimless teenager, in frequent but not serious trouble, he bought a new suit and showed up at a Washington DC daily paper for a job. And he fell in love. One of the joys of this book is the obvious enthusiasm Bernstein still has for all of it: getting the story, sharing the story, hanging around with the guys (and the occasional gal) in the newsroom. It makes me glad that Carl Bernstein went on to be so successful and consequential. He's living proof that professionally you should follow your passion.

Though it did make me sad that he felt he had to explain the concept of carbon paper to new millennium readers. God, I'm old!

2. What did you recently finish reading? Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron. Emily is a professional organizer who helps others declutter their homes. Her husband, Frank, is a successful lawyer who has definite hoarder tendencies. (His mother told Emily his first word was, "Mine.") Living with Frank gives her empathetic insights into the lives of her clients and their reluctance to part with their stuff. It's a neat premise. It gets more interesting by the moment when she stumbles upon stolen documents and a dead body.

I liked Emily and was sorry she found herself in the middle of all this danger and intrigue. The dimension Hallie Ephron gave her lifted this a bit above the ordinary cozy mystery. Not that Hallie asked me, but I think this could be a series.

3. What will you read next? Non fiction.

Wah! I have to wear a mask! Wah! They want me to get vaccinated!

I wonder if those whiners look at what's going on in the Ukraine and feel shame.

Probably not.

Self awareness doesn't seem to be their strong suit.

Thanks, Bev

Click here to learn more

Blogger Bev Sykes turned me on to Letters Against Isolation. This group comforts lonely seniors by seeing to it that they get handwritten correspondence. Writing is what I do. I can't sing or dance, but I can write.

So far I've sent two kitty notecards with details about my own cats, and two picture postcards featuring Lake Michigan, with a note about cold our Great Lake is these days. It's my hope that having handwritten mail featuring an engaging illustration will lift the mood of seniors. I like imagining them tacking my notecard or postcard on the wall.

It's an easy way to help others, and there's little in life that's better than that!

Now I'm off to the mailbox.

About two photos

Friday night I went out! Again! That's three weeks in a row that I met up with friends. It's beginning to feel like covid is fading. I'm afraid to get my hopes up, though. The mask mandate may be over Monday, but I'm keeping mine handy -- just in case.

I went to a local art show with Nancy and her hubs, Paul. It was important not because of the artist but the curator, my cousin. He's a Renaissance man: teacher, musician, artist.* He chose the artist and which pieces she displayed. This was the first show he's done, and I was happy to support him.

We posed for a photo, which I posted on Facebook. It got a dozen likes. Not a one from his mother. Similarly, he never asked about his mom when we chatted over charcuterie and drinks.

My cousin and my aunt are estranged. My aunt no longer hears from her grandchildren. Her once-favorite granddaughter earned an MFA last summer, and my aunt isn't even aware of it. She now has a great grandchild she's never held. She has Donald Trump to thank. Her son and his family are appalled by what they call her "aggressive racism and homophobia." As my cousin told me, it's hard to handle it when the woman who taught you right from wrong and emphasized the importance of Christian values turns out to be loud and proud of her intolerance. 

When my cousin proudly showed off photos of  "Lottie," his first grandchild and the great-granddaughter my aunt has never seen, I was sad for my aunt. I know that her noisy Confederate flag waving/BLM bashing/gay intolerance is her choice, but it has come at such a high price. 

I'm trying very hard to thread this needle, to stay in communication with both my aunt and my cousin. (His was one of the first calls I received when the Cubs traded Anthony Rizzo!) Since I have always been one of the most outspoken liberals in the family, my cousin is perplexed by my tolerance with her intolerance. It doesn't help her and my relationship that she has openly scolded me for posting my own opinions on my own Facebook page. (I no longer read hers.)

Make no mistake about it: her attitude has left me appalled, as has her abandonment of independent thought in favor of the MAGA party line. But I also remember this: when I was a little girl, she hung a picture of JFK beside her bedroom door. The teenaged girl who used her babysitting money to buy a frame for this very photo simply could not be, in her heart, a homophobic racist. 

She is now in her mid-70s. She has already outlived her father and one of her brothers (my dad). I know she keenly misses meeting "Charlotte" (she refuses to call the baby "Lottie"). I don't know how much time she thinks she has left. 

I keep hoping she'll be flipping through a magazine and see President Kennedy's face. Maybe it will help her remember who she really is, and things will begin to thaw.

*And he's been paid for all of that. This distinction matters. I know poets and writers who self publish or don't publish. They seem to be dismissive of my crass, commercial efforts. Whatever. My writing keeps the lights on and the water running. Their creative endeavors don't pay the bills.

Sunday Stealing

Unconscious Mutterings

I so enjoy these word associations. Let's see if we match!

 I say,......and you think... 

    Casino :: Las Vegas
    Bone :: Crushing
    Painting :: Oil
    Shocked :: Stunned
    Quieter :: Louder
    Feed :: Birds
    Song :: Sing
    Glass :: Bottomed Boat
    Boat :: Drinks
    Junk :: Clutter
    Sheet :: Pillowcase
    Knit :: Stitch
    Gift :: Given
    Small :: Tiny
    Title :: Author

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Cruella de Vil (1961)

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

1) In the original animated 101 Dalmations, this song is written by Roger, who gets his best ideas at the piano. Where do you feel most creative? I get great ideas in the shower. I am happiest in the shower. I get so distracted by my big, wonderful thoughts I often forget if I've used conditioner yet.

 

2) His piano is tucked away in a crowded attic. Does your home have an attic? If so, what do you keep up there? Alas, no attic, no basement. I could use the storage!

 

3) The inspiration for this song is his wife's old school chum, the very wealthy and very mean Cruella de Vil. Have you ever found you couldn't stand one of your spouse's or lover's friends? Yes. I'm certain it happens all the time, too.

  

4) Make no mistake, Cruella is a very bad lady. The American Film Institute named her #38 on their 100 Greatest Villains list. Tell us another nasty movie character who comes to mind. I think the Corleones are the most dangerous kind of bad guys because they're so sympathetic. Yes, they are devoted sons and loving dads, but they are also stone murderers.

Happy 50th anniversary to The Godfather

5) Cruella wanted to skin sweet little Dalmation puppies and make a coat. (We told you she was bad.) As winter wears on, could you use a new coat (though not one made from puppy fur!)? I don't need a new coat, but the one I have could benefit from a good cleaning.

6) This song was written by Mel Leven, who did both words and music. Do you think you'd be more successful as a lyricist (words) or composer (music)? If I had to support myself as a songwriter, I'd starve.

7) 1961 was a big year for Disney. In addition to this animated movie, they had a hit with The Parent Trap, about twins who are reunited at summer camp. Approx. 1 in every 250 births results in twins. Are there any twins in your family? Nope

8) Also in 1961, IBM introduced the Selectric typewriter. Amazon and Walmart both still sell typewriters. Do you own one? Nope

9) Random question: When is the last time you took a nap? Yesterday

 

That didn't feel good

After dinner with my friend Nancy and her husband Paul, I got home to find a young man in the vestibule, by our mailboxes. He was reading the names on our boxes and trying the locked doors that lead to either the stairwell or the elevator. He told me something about trouble with his washer and dryer and that he wants to use ours. He was clearly lying, and that's OK. It's cold tonight and I suspect he was just trying to get warm. I didn't engage him, just nodded a lot and made my way to the elevator. 

He seemed to be trying to open one of the mailboxes. I tapped on the glass door and told him to stop it. He said, "I have three friends in this building!" Through the door I told him to call his friends and have them let him in, or leave. He said something I didn't understand and then returned to pulling on the locked door.

I called the police. I didn't want to. Homeless people need to be somewhere and on this cold night, I didn't mind him being in our vestibule. I didn't like him trying the mailboxes and front door, though.

Two police cars arrived and a pair of officers questioned him. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was obvious he was trying to convince them he belonged here. I watched him leave with the officers, going first to the building to our left and then to our backdoor. I assume he was trying to convince them he knew a resident and knew how to get in. 

After about 15 minutes, the police led him to one of their cars and they drove away.

I feel guilty about this. But there were two Amazon packages near the elevator. He was fiddling with the mailboxes. I told him to leave and he didn't. I have a responsibility to my neighbors.

At least, right now, he's warm and comfortable, even though he's in the police station.

Putin's war of choice

Children are going to be traumatized. Beloved pets confused, misplaced, and killed. Ordinary Ukrainians, driven by patriotism, will be slaughtered. Why are we looking at all this heartache and death? Because Vladimir Putin has a hankering for the glory days of the Soviet Union.

I'm just grateful that Joe Biden enjoys the respect of other NATO leaders. Perhaps if the world stands together against this outrage, it won't spread like a stain across the globe.

Life imitates art imitates life. We never learn.

Remember Donald Trump's assessment of this carnage as "wonderful." "An act of genius." Do not stay home if his name ever darkens a ballot again. Vote, vote, vote! We can't let this Putin fanboy back in the Oval Office.

And consider making a contribution to Doctors Without Borders. Sometimes prayers are not enough.

Thursday Thirteen #247

 

Thirteen charities I donated to in 2021. My taxes have been filed, and in preparation I had to go through my financial paperwork. According to receipts, here are the charities I gave to most often.

1. My church

2. The local food pantry

3. Doctors without Borders

4. Harmony House for Cats

5. The Night Ministry

6. Toys for Tots

7. Red Door Animal Shelter

8. PAWS Chicago Animal Shelter

9. Ford's Theater Society

10. Planned Parenthood

11. John F. Kennedy Library

12. World Wildlife Fund

13. Goodwill

How about you? Do you do your taxes in February,  do you wait until the April deadline, or do you fall somewhere in between?

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

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? Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron. I met Hallie Ephron at a book fair in 2015. I found her to be a nice lady. I already liked her writing. I've previously read two of her books: There Was an Old Woman and Night Night, Sleep Tight. It's not the plotting of these mysteries that makes me return to her. It's her turn of phrase, the way she sets a scene. When I read Hallie Ephron, I'm transported into someone else's life for a while.

I'm finding that to be true with Careful What You Wish For. Emily is a professional organizer who helps others declutter their homes. One of her rules: you can only get rid of your own stuff; you can't toss items belonging to your spouse or kid. This wisdom comes from her life, since Emily's husband is something of a hoarder, a garage sale junkie who cannot resist second hand "finds." What a great premise! Add a dead body and some stolen property, and I'm along for the ride.

Emily might seem kind of thick when it comes to the intrigue around her. Usually I'm a little annoyed if I figure things out before the professional investigator does. But that's the thing: Emily is a grade school teacher/closet organizer. She's not expecting to be surrounded by all these evil doings, so I cut her a little slack.

2. What did you recently finish reading? She Made Me Laugh by Richard M. Cohen. An entertaining memoir about the bitchy, bossy, funny, talented Nora Ephron by one of her closest friends. It made me sad that Nora's gone, because I would have loved to have read her take (and no doubt take down) of the Trump era. Daughter of Hollywood, what would she have thought of #MeToo? She was one of the first bloggers, now would she be on TikTok? Foodie extraordinaire, would she have bought a spurtle? 

This is one of those memoirs where I'm not sure if I'm fond of the book or the topic. If you were a fan of Nora's (and I adored her), you'll love this book. Beyond that, I don't have anything objective to say.

(Yes, Nora was Hallie's big sister.)

3. What will you read next? Non fiction.

Of friends and film

My friend John has always been a massive fan of Miss Diana Ross. So am I. It's one of the first things we bonded over when we met in 1981.

Naturally, when I saw that TCM was bringing Lady Sings the Blues back to theaters for the 50th anniversary, I asked him if he wanted to go. He invited two other friends that we knew back in the olden days, Gregory and Vanessa.

John was not having a good day, physically. He needed his cane. Sometimes he gets fatigued easily and has trouble walking. He was also in a very grumpy mood. 

"A mask through the whole movie? It's 2 and a half hours!" Do germs only fly through the air during coming attractions?

"Now I've got to get out my vaccination card?" He grumbled, balancing his backpack and rifling through it. What did he think that sign out front -- MASKS AND VACCINATION CARD REQUIRED FOR ENTRY -- meant? 

I went full-metal Mary Poppins in the direction of the ticket taker. "We're not mad at you, of course," I bubbled. "It's just hard to get used to the new normal. Then, once we get used to it, all the mandates will be dropped and ..."

John realized what I was doing and was apologized to the kid. "I'm sorry," he said, "I'm a grumpy old fart. It's not you."

It made me sad that my friend John is that grumpy old fart with a cane. I remember him dancing from night into morning. He's the one who was bored with the latest trend before I even heard of it. He's just a year and a half older than me and he needs a cane. 

But he did love the movie. I was sitting next to him. I could tell. After the movie, we stopped for a drink in the bar across the way. Vanessa, Gregory and I were almost in the booth when we saw John ambling over behind us. The cane, and not being able to find his vaccination card in his backpack.

But when he joined us, he said it was "exciting" to see the movie starring his "girl" and that he couldn't believe it had been 50 years. Then he added that he also couldn't believe that the four of us have known one another more than 40 years. He thanked us for sharing it with him.

Last night, before bed, he sent out a group text, saying that he remembered the last time all four of were in the same room: his 40th birthday party. More than 25 years ago. He reiterated that he feels "lucky" we're all still in his life.

Yes, I love the grumpy old fart.

 

Happy as a hog in slop

Yes, that's me right now! I'm watching the 2.5 hour special on The History Channel about Abraham Lincoln. How much I love Illinois' favorite son! It's produced by Doris Kearns Goodwin, who loves Abe, too, but doesn't deify him. This show puts him in the context of his times. It's enormously cool to hear President Barack Obama -- also of Illinois, by the way! -- refer to Lincoln in New Salem as "a young man on the make." 

Parts 2 and 3 are on Monday and Tuesday

 

 

Happy President's Day!

Sunday Stealing

Friday 5

1) What one event from your lifetime would you change if you could, and why? The relationship I spent my 20s on. I'm not sorry I knew him, because I learned a lot. I'm not sorry I loved him, even though he didn't deserve my heart, because you don't regret love. I am sorry I stayed as long as I did. Everything I learned through the end of that relationship was dark and ugly.

2) If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be and how old would your younger self be when they got it? Do you think your younger self would listen? I didn't start taking myself seriously professionally until I was in my 30s. I think that was a mistake. I'm not sure my 20-something self would have listened though. I was all about HIM when I was in my 20s, so there wasn't much room for me.

3) If you could have a conversation with the historical figure of your choosing, whom would you pick and why? What would you talk about? JBKO! I have so much to ask her! First of all, she spent time with many world leaders, from Winston Churchill to Donald Trump. She was there for so much history. What was The President really like? What was the White House really like? How did she maintain her sense of self while enduring international scrutiny? Where did she get the courage and grace to live her own life, by her own rules? Did being in publishing have an impact on her love of reading? I could learn so much from her. She could also be very funny. If Nora Ephron is my fantasy older sister, JBKO is my fantasy best friend.

 
4) What's a safety rule that's very important to you? Having the vaccine and booster. There's a toxic myth that wanting everyone vaccinated and boosted makes one "a Karen or Karl." No, putting the rest of us at risk because you insist on indulging your own sense of imaginary grievance is what makes one "a Karen or Karl." Get over your whiny self and get the shots. Take off your tinfoil hat, at least pretend you have a conscience, and protect your community.

5) What would you like to say to people in the future? There's a Bible verse where Jesus advises: "Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters, you did for me." I'd share with them that there is true joy in doing for others, in looking out for others. (Which includes getting the vaccination and booster.)

6) What's your favorite dish to bring to a summer cookout? Berries and grapes. Everyone likes them, and no one remembers to bring them.

7) How much time have you spent outdoors this week? Not much. Either I was too busy working or it was too cold. I miss going for walks.

8) Where do you set your thermostat? This time of year, I don't. In this condo, either the heat is all the way on, or it ain't.

9) How did you learn to swim? My mom was big on this, and I'm grateful to her. We went to a lake every summer and she worried about drowning, so when I was in 3rd and 4th grade, I took swimming lessons through the park district one week each summer for two summers. Swimming was required in high school, too, but I got out of it by pretending  to have my period. (My hair!) I was able to swim the length of the pool in order to graduate.

10) How do you avoid overheating? Drinking water.

11) What are you going to do this weekend? It's Sunday. Most of the weekend is in my rearview mirror. I'm going to the movies this afternoon with friends. That will be fun.

12) What’s your favorite way to spend time? Book, TV, movies, cats.

13) What’s the most useless thing you own that you would never get rid of? I have empty (never used) shampoo bottles in the closet in my den. It was the first product packaging I ever did, it was such fun. Now that my career is just about over, I'll never need these bottles to get another job. And if I did, I'd make a digital record of them. So they're useless. But I'm still not ready to part with them.

14) Have you started planning your next vacation? My next vacation is in about 70 days and it's already planned. I'm going to the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood. I've got my pass, my flights and my hotel reservation. I still need to book rides to/from the airport, but I want to make sure my flights don't change.

15) Are you very active, or do you prefer to just relax in your free time or is it one and the same to you? See #12.

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy) 1972

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

1) The lyrics tell us that every Sunday afternoon we can find Roy at the racetrack. What are your plans for Sunday? John, Vanessa and I are going to see Lady Sings the Blues on the big screen! It's the 50th anniversary of the movie that introduced a much younger Gal to Billie Holiday, and all three of us are massive fans of Miss Diana Ross. Plus, it's been too long since we've been together.

 

2) Roy is fearless behind the wheel of his '57 Chevrolet. But it's just natural to feel fear every now and again. What scares you? I have a serious fear of flying.

  

3) Roy's been photographed grinning with a toothpick in his mouth. Do you often use toothpicks? If so, do you carry them with you? Never use them. When I was a little gal, I recall restaurants had big bowls of them near the register. Two toothpicks wrapped in cellophane. I haven't seen that in decades. I wonder why. Are toothpicks no longer in vogue? Is it too expensive to give them away?

 

4) Legend has it Roy learned to drive fast when he ran moonshine out of Alabama. Moonshine usually refers to illegally produced whiskey. What was the last alcoholic beverage you drank? I had a margarita with dinner last Friday. I'm not much of a party girl these days.

5) This week's featured artist, Jim Croce, attended Villanova University, where he played in a band that performed at fraternity parties. When his band was chosen to tour Africa as part of a cultural exchange program, he was excited to learn his host countries' customs. Have you ever traveled overseas? What did your trip teach you? Right after high school I visited France, Switzerland and Germany. I remember thinking the Swiss are just so smart. Walking around we heard German and French spoken, and everyone seemed to understand me perfectly when I spoke English. I wish I was more proficient at languages. It would open my world up so much.

6) Jim met his future wife, Ingrid, at a party. They discovered that they both loved Joan Baez and Woody Guthrie. Tell us about one of your friends, and what you two bonded over. My newest friend is Elaine. I met her through movie group, so our love of classic film brought us together. We're also both doting pet parents. My late cat, Reynaldo, sealed the deal. Elaine so looked forward to Rey crashing our Zoom movie Meet Ups.

 

Rey was always by my side, no matter what I was doing

7) Early in their marriage, while Jim was working hard to launch his music career, Ingrid helped make ends meet by baking bread and canning fruits and vegetables. Do you have any frugal cooking tips or "cheap eats" recipes to share? I bought chuck steak and found it rather tough. I usually marinade beef using barbecue sauce, but I didn't have any. So I improvised using honey mustard salad dressing. It was very good! Lent the beef kind of an Asian flavor. Since chuck is affordable and I got the salad dressing at The Dollar Store, this was the very definition of "cheap eats."

8) In 1972, Mark Spitz became a sensation, winning seven Gold Medals for swimming. After making money in endorsements and TV appearances, he settled into a career as a realtor in Los Angeles. Are you contemplating a change in residence anytime soon? Nope.


9) Random question: Which of these "top ten" lists would you prefer to be on -- the sexiest, the smartest or the richest? 20 years ago, I would have said sexy. 10 years ago, I would have chosen smart. But now?