Sunday Stealing

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Follow That Dream

1. My bestie and I once ...

giggled and rolled around my bed over a really dumb pun on my middle name for far too long. I don't think either of us reached "laugh till you pee" status, but oh my god we were in hysterics. All either of us has to say to each other to this day 45ish years later is that dumb pun.
Hi, Kermie! (or were you Bear?)

2. When I'm nervous ...

I bite my cuticles. Also when I'm bored. But thanks to the wonders of modern medicine I am rarely nervous. I do, however, have the occasional anxiety attacks, which are a whole other deal that involves my heart speeding up and a total inability to focus or sit still. 

3. My hair ...

is uncombed this morning. I have a big barrette holding it off my neck and face so I could wash my face. 

4. When I turn to the left, I see ...

(if I were standing) the dining room which is stacked with random effluvia that really needs to be sorted and disposed of. However, since I'm sitting, when I look left I mostly just see the end-table with pop, hemp gummies, an empty bento that had my breakfast in it, my pill box, etc. We won't mention the lower shelf...

5. My favorite aunt ...

 ... the only aunt I actually remember wasn't a barrel of laughs, though she did buy me a blue sno-cone once (which pissed off my parents). The only other aunt I kind of remember babysat me during my sister Ellen's wedding reception when I was 5 or 6. I barely remember her. My parents' Families of Origin were quite distant from my world, being as how both of them were late-in-life babies and so was I. My grandmas were pushing or well-over 80 when I appeared, so it was a full two generations between me and them.

6. I have a hard time understanding ...

anything involving finance. I just go completely blank in my head and retain nothing. I understand basics--paying bills, credit cards, interest accrual--but planning for my future feels like some kind of arcane magic.

7. You know I like you if ...

I offer to spend time with you outside of required meetings or whatever. "Spend time" in this case involves social media time or actual F2F meetups. 

8. When I was 5 years old ...

four major leaders in my county had been assassinated since my arrival on the planet; my sister had survived a disease that killed 97% of those who were diagnosed, my grandpa had died, and my dad had survived his first heart attack. Is it any wonder I was a little stressed as a kid? It wasn't exactly a calm, safe place in 1968 in the U.S. 

Saturday 9

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I Will See You in C-U-B-A (2010)

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

This song was chosen in honor of Father's Day.

 

1) In this week's song, Lucie Arnaz encourages us to hop a ship and join her in Cuba. Is your passport up to date?

Weirdly, we were talking about this at work on Thursday. I think my passport is due to expire in 2027. Or maybe next year. I should probably check. One of the many things I should do.

2) She sings that Cuba is a great place to enjoy wine and Panatelas. Do you like the smell of a good cigar?

I actually do. A GOOD cigar, outside, or the smell on a winter coat is very homey. A bad cigar is grounds for murder. 

3) Lucie said her Latin Roots CD represents "the rhythms of my soul" and is a tribute to her father, Desi Arnaz. Cuban-born Desi starred on Broadway and in nightclubs but was best known for co-starring in and producing the 1950s sitcom, I Love Lucy. When you think of I Love Lucy, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Lucy's crying -- 'waaaah waaah' -- which is an interesting commentary on what we used to think was funny.

4) While Lucie's parents – Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball – are famous for their TV work, Tony-nominated Lucie has found her greatest success on the stage. She inherited their love of performing, saying, “My parents were always happiest when they were working.” What have you inherited from one or both your parents? (It could be anything from your work ethic to your eye color.)

My dad's side of the family has Very Strong Genes: three of the five kids look just like him physically. Since all three of those kids are/were girls, that's not necessarily great. My brother looks like Mom's side, more and more as he ages. 
To be slightly deeper, we were all instilled with a desire to be the best at whatever we did, which is good...until it becomes neurotic.

5) Though "Ricky Riccardo" often mangled English on I Love Lucy, Desi's English was very good. Lucille Ball admired his facility with languages and encouraged him to speak Spanish to their children so that they would be bilingual. When you were growing up, did your family speak any language other than English?  

Some would argue we barely spoke English! My parents were all about speaking properly (I remember being scolded for saying "liberry" when I was quite young), but their pronunciation was decidedly questionable ("warsh", "piz-za" (z's, no 'ts' sound -- sounds like the city in Italy). 

6) Desi Arnaz often performed "I Will See You in C-U-B-A." Is there a song that reminds you of your father?

There are two: "Mairzy Doats" and "The Hokey-Pokey." I teased my dad whenever he complained about my "loud noise" (i.e. music) by singing "Mairzy Doats" all the way through. He also had a whole routine he did around "Bill Grogan's Goat." 
He's currently furious (I can hear him yelling from heaven!) that I'm not naming any hymns, so I'll throw in "How Great Thou Art" and "Joy to the World." 

7) After Lucie's parents divorced, Lucille Ball remarried and Lucie got a stepfather, Gary Morton. Lucie appreciated how positive Gary always was about Desi. Decades later, when she married a man who already had children, Lucie said she better understood what a tough role stepparent can be. Did you have a stepparent? Are you a stepparent? 

I have no step-parents, nor am I one. I am, however, quite proud of being "Mom #2" for a multitude of kids I knew when I was teaching Sunday School, running Youth Group, babysitting, working with. I love all 'my' kids. As I get a little older, I find it interesting how many of these kids (now adults) have come to me to vent about their 'actual' parents, or at least for advice on how to deal with them. 

8) As a single dad, Desi lived south of Los Angeles in Del Mar. Lucie and her brother, Desi Jr., spent school vacations there, going to the race track, bowling, and fishing with their dad. Share a happy memory from one of your school vacations (Christmas, Spring Break, or Summer).

It's been a long time since my childhood, and while it was not a perfectly, endlessly wonderful one, distance (and comparison) has made it look damn good. I loved jumping rope and playing jacks and creating little neighborhoods for my brother's toy cars to park in; vacations were endless and stressful and occasionally even fun.

9) Father's Day began in Washington state. In the early 1900s, Spokane resident Sonora Smart Dodd listened to her minister deliver a sermon celebrating Mother's Day and devoted herself to similarly honoring fathers. A century later, more money is still spent annually on Mother's Day. Why do you suppose that nationally we still make more of a fuss over Mother's Day than Father's Day?

School is in session for Mother's Day, not so for Father's Day. Also, so many of my peers in school had divorced parents making it harder to get buy-in from both parents to support each other that I think dads have gotten short shrift. I'm not a Man's Rights person, but I do think the patriarchy has a lot to answer for in this area, in the 'erasing' of fathers as important and the glorification (but no support for) mothers.

Saturday 9

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American Soldier (2003)

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

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it.

My dad served in WWII stateside. FIL was in the Army during the Korean War (or is it still a "conflict"?) but he was in Germany for the duration. Neither saw combat, for which I remain very grateful. My former lawn-mowing neighbor kid is in the Marines. Otherwise, I don't seem to run the same gang with a lot of soldier/sailor/flyer folks. 

Oh! My sister WORKED on an army base in Germany as the daycare supervisor for several years in the 90s. Not in the army, just at the army. 

2) In this song, Toby Keith reminds us soldiers "work straight through holidays," even this one, and we are grateful for that, too. Have you ever had to work on a federal holiday? If yes, did it make you sad to be on the job when everyone else was celebrating?

I have traditionally worked on a lot of federal holidays. The 'only' official days off we are closed are Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4 and Thanksgiving. All others the library is open for business, although we do occasionally close early on Xmas Eve or NY Eve.

It's not hard or sad to be at work when everyone else is partying anymore. I'm used to it after 35 years and we always adjusted to having whatever party it was on a day when I don't work, or Beast and Sparky went without me, which is  fine with me.

3) The video for this song was filmed at Edwards Air Force Base. This site was chosen to make it easier for off-duty soldiers, reservists and their families to appear. Have you ever visited a military base?

See above re sister working in Germany. That's it. We aren't big Armed Forces folks. My dad was not thrilled about life in the Army, and my brother was 'of age' during Vietnam so he did whatever he could to not be drafted.

4) Toby Keith never served in the military but often performed for the USO. While the USO is best known for providing entertainment to our troops, they also have a "Canine Comfort Crew." Local USO centers make dogs available to troops who long to see a wagging tail. Are you a dog lover?

I love dogs. Almost all my immediate neighbors have dogs, big 'uns, and I know them better than the people living in the houses. I've owned a couple of dogs over the years (one at a time) and would have loved to have more, but it turned out that I'm allergic. And now I'm just too lazy to have a dog; I'd be in better shape if I had to entertain and walk a furball.

5) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

Today, I would pretty much murder someone for my mom's potato salad. None better! But I'm also up for whatever you're serving at a picnic.

6) Let's welcome summer with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor? Cone or cup?

I do not like chocolate ice cream. Vanilla with some chocolate syrup or sprinkles is fine, but I really prefer peppermint. Or birthday cake. OK, well, honestly, I'd eat any gelato you put in front of me because GELATO! In a cup. Always.

7) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent?

I simply do not go outside long enough to need this in years. Much as I love summer, I'm allergic to everything else alive out there, so I run from building to building, car to car, etc. with only very occasional forays onto the front porch or middle of the street to chat with a neighbor.

8) Or swam?

I don't can't swim. There is a (man-made) lake for which my town is named, but it is ill-advised to get in the water without a lot of precautions, even if I had access to it, which I don't. 

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? 

The house fan is on because my brother cleaned out all his water containers from his RV this morning so I'm moving the air around to make sure the smell doesn't permeate. I could turn it off, but I forgot to after he left earlier. Otherwise, it's too cold outside for cooling on the inside. As I sit here, I'm wearing a fleece over a T-shirt, all-weather pants, and my bare feet have lost all feeling in them due to cold (and poor circulation). In fact, I was considering going up to take a shower after I finish this so I can warm up.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

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1. Let's compare this May to last May. What's changed? What remains very much the same? 

Well, I don't remember anything specific about last May beyond being happy to have survived another winter and planning my first summer vacation in 6+ years. I'm currently planning a trip for September to scatter Beast's ashes and I'm very glad to have survived this most recent winter. It was a rough one, emotionally, not weather-wise. 

2. What's something you may do this month? 

I have an appointment for a follow-up EKG later on, my brother's coming for a visit around that time, and Sparky and I are meeting Larry the Lawyer next week to start getting this estate stuff figured out. While Del is here, we'll probably go try to visit my nephews about an hour northeast of here. Oh, and Mother's Day. I also need to get my new glasses made.

3. Mother's Day is approaching (in the US of A)...in what way(s) are you like your mother? 

In far too many ways, which was problematic when I was a kid. Luckily, I figured this out fairly young and came to terms with it years ago. We are both stubborn, prone to arguing, with a lot of suppressed anger. I like to think these days that I've mellowed. I know she did, but it took several strokes which I'd prefer to skip if possible.

4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite. 

I read and reread the Little House books like my personal Bible. I also loved Encyclopedia Brown. My favorite early childhood book was shaped like a barn and had a half dozen mini-books inside about the animals that live in barns, all with covers shaped like stall or pen doors. It would be weird to see that again.

5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain. 

These days I'm full-tilt tortoise physically. Emotionally, I'm still pretty much haring around though.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I had raccoons, or maybe baby skunks, on my porch roof this morning around 2:30 a.m. They woke me up banging around playing about 4 feet from my head. I eventually opened a window and one of them came over, spotted me, froze, and then I saw that one and one other scootle past the window and back down the tree they climbed to get up there. I wasn't mad, but I also wanted to go back to sleep. 

Sunday Stealing

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Time Travel

What were you doing ...

1. Twenty years ago?

Judging by my ancient blog--yes, I was blogging 20 years ago!--things were interesting. Lots of library gossip, feelings about work (the concept of being behind at that point is very quaint these days), shopping with my only Shopping Friend (miss those days--this was a Restoration Hardware trip), and Words of the Day. 

2. Ten years ago? 

Again, going by what the blog (different one) says, we were heading into Empty-Nesthood. Sparky had just graduated from college and was headed off to his first (ill-fated) job and middle-school projects' judging was going on. I really miss those. Sparky is currently desperate to have ANY other job than the one she currently has, so that hasn't changed as much as I would hope. My job had started to implode due to my new (then) boss listening to people bitching about me, and others. Beast was about a year out from losing his job, and about 3/5s of the way into moving into a vodka bottle.

3. Five years ago?

Beast was at the Bad Place, we were in mid-lockdown, he was on the verge of his hunger strike leading to Round One with hospice (also, first local hospice--they were great), and I was not blogging. I was using a different site for medical updates on Beast. It took another 10 months to get him out of that horrible place, but he at least did start eating once hospice got me into the building for the first time in 3 months. I was getting through the workdays trying my best to put on my Game Face at work and repressing the urge to punch people on a daily basis--not all of whom were patrons.

4. One year ago?

We were living the dream at the Good Place: Beast was in another (mid-cratering into volcanic chaos) hospice program, working on jigsaws puzzles, eating everything on his plate, drinking diet Pepsi and eating Oreos as much as possible. Sparky hated her job. I hated my boss. Same boss the past 10 years, still throwing out my 'sharp tongue' as a complaint.

5. Yesterday? 

Beast has been dead for 37 days, the funeral flowers are mostly dead (the plants are hanging in), Sparky is still working the same place she was 9 years ago and hating it, I'm still working at the same place for the same boss and not particularly happy about it. In fact, I left work 90 minutes early, again, yesterday because I can't deal with people at all. Even the cute little kids were not ameliorating the direness--and I was scheduled in the children's room 5 hours (made it through 4). A coworker suggested I look into FMLA for a few weeks. I'm considering it. We meet with the attorney to get the estate stuff sorted next Monday. Happy Mother's Day!

Bonus! What will you do tomorrow?

I would really like to take a nap on the front porch. And get the last two weeks' worth of laundry folded up. I'm completely out of work trousers, which these days are nurses' scrubs because holyshitPOCKETS!! I will also probably listen to the rest of Sinisterhood catchup eps (currently listening to April 11), and/or some of the months and months of Patreon updates for other pods I support. Maybe I'll even shower and get dressed: it's currently 2:15 and I haven't done either today.

Saturday 9

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Saturday 9: Lady of Spain (1952)

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

1) The lyrics refer to serenading "caballeros," which is Spanish for "gentlemen." Can you say anything to us in Spanish this morning?

Hola, amigos y amigas. Espero que estén bien y felices. He extrañado hacer estos memes.

2) Eddie Fisher sings that he's loved this lady since he first saw her. Do you believe in love at first sight?

I believe it happens. I can say that it's never happened to me, not in a romantic way. I've fallen in love at first sight with some babies, though.

3) He was drafted and served a year in Korea. Then he spent the rest of his active duty period as vocalist for the Army Band, performing on military bases. (He was still technically PFC Edwin Fisher when he recorded this.) Did you ever play with a band? If so, what instrument?

I was in band (class) for 6 years in junior high and high school. I made it one year in college before I gave up. Play flute, and piccolo, and was first chair most of the time.

4) From 1953 to 1957, Eddie hosted Coke Time, a TV variety show sponsored by Coca Cola. What's your soft drink of choice?

Diet Dr. Pepper. Some things never change: I'm drinking a can of it right now. 😁

5) Though Coke Time is mostly forgotten today, Eddie was nominated for two Emmy Awards and won a Golden Globe for his work on the show. Have you ever taken home a trophy?

I don't think so, not one of my own, alone. I haven't ever done anything that involved trophies as a solo.

6) Today Eddie Fisher may be best known as the father of Carrie Fisher. She made more than 50 movies and wrote 8 books. Are you more familiar with her as an actress or author?

Actress. Despite my career, she will always be more Leia than writer.

7) In 1952, when this song was popular, hamburger meat sold for just 53¢/lb. Is there any beef in your refrigerator right now?

I think I've got some pre-made meals with ground beef in them. If not, there's probably some in the freezer in case I ever get enough energy to cook.

8) Also in 1952, Mr. Potato Head became the first toy to be advertised on TV. What recent TV commercial comes to mind?

I pretty much only watch TV at Beast's these days, and we are watching football, racing, or car shows. During the latter, I'm most annoyed with the Medicare (et al.) ads from all the TV stars of my childhood.

9) Random question: If you could live within any TV show ever, which would you choose?

Facts of Life. Or one of the CSI shows, in the lab.

Sunday Stealing

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January, Part 2 (Misc Questions) 

            

 1. Can you eat with chopsticks? 

I can, but not well and I'd likely starve to death if I tried.

 2. Could you tell real money from counterfeit? 

Probably. I don't see a lot of money anymore. Plastic and EFTs are my best friends.

 3. What do you think about school uniforms? 

I see both sides of the question. I would've hated hated hated them, but I think that's the default student setting.

 4. What ancient civilization would you most like to visit? 

I would like to know about the Incan Empire.

 5. What would make a great new Crayola color? 

There are never enough choices for blue. 💙

 6. If an art project is created with the intent of getting rich and famous, does that cast doubt over its significance as a work of art? 

Nope.

 7. What do you get in trouble for the most? 

Saying things. I have (yet another) post-it reminder on my monitor at work that just says STFU.

 8. Do you blow your nose in public? 

I mean, if necessary. ??  These days, it's a hassle, though so I have to find a closed room.

 9. If all the nations in the world are in debt, where did all the money go? 

Quick note to all: money isn't real. Our imaginations make it worth things.

 10. Is it as easy to make you happy now as it was when you were a child? 

Probably. I don't recall being a particularly "happy" child, although I had a wonderful childhood.

 11. Who knows more ... you, or your parents? 

My parents are dead these many long years hence. So, me, by default, which is frightening.

 12. What instrument would you like to be famous for playing? 

Bagpipes.

 13. Would you have sex with a stranger for one million dollars? 

Nope. Add a B to the amount and I'd totally consider some very vanilla sex. No weird shit.

 14. Are you completely in control of your body? 

Hah! Not even close.

 15. What is the coolest web site you know of?

I'm enjoying Blogger again.

Saturday 9

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All Shook Up (1957) 

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

Chosen because January 8 is the anniversary of Elvis Presley's birth.

1) In this song, Elvis shares quite a list of maladies: he's itching, his hands are shaky, his knees are weak, he has chills ... How are you feeling this morning? 

Mmm, whoops, I'm doing this at 7 pm. I was ok this morning, albeit super not-motivated for work.

2) He also mentions being "tongue tied." The dictionary defines it as, "unable to speak freely, as from shyness." Do you often find yourself tongue tied? 

Yes. I also get tangled tongue if I think too hard about what I'm trying to say.

3) Even after he was wealthy, Elvis never lived away from his parents. At one point Graceland Mansion was home to four generations of the family: his grandmother, his father and stepmother, Elvis, his wife and daughter. Have you ever lived in a multi-generational household? 

Only as a child. I'd murder members of my family of origin if we lived together. Sparky could move back in and that would be fine.

4) Thinking of family, Elvis Presley was a distant cousin of President Jimmy Carter. Both of their family trees can be traced back to the 18th century and Thomas Preslar (before the surname was changed to Presley in the early 1800s). Have you traced your ancestry? If not, is it something you'd like to do?

My mom was big into genealogy. I have all her paperwork and help people with their genealogy at work all the time, and I give zero shits about doing the work for my own ancestry.

5) As an adult, Elvis never wore denim (except for a movie role). That's because when he was in school, his classmates teased him for "dressing poor" in jeans and coveralls. Is denim a big part of your wardrobe today?

Not anymore. I wear elastic pants, almost all yoga pants or nurses' scrubs, always now. This is shocking: I had to work so hard to get to the point where I could wear jeans as a kid that I never ever thought I'd give them up. And here I am, with a fat tummy that doesn't do well with zip-up pants.

6) Before becoming famous, Elvis drove a truck in and around Memphis. Have you ever had a job that kept you behind the wheel most of the day? 

Nope. Once upon a time I wanted to be a truck driver. It never happened, sadly.

7) In 1957, the year this song was a hit, the Allstate Mechanical Freight Set was popular, too. Kids would wind up the engine and watch it pull two cars and a caboose around the track. To enhance the realism, sparks would shoot from the engine's smoke stack as it rumbled by. Did you ever play with a toy train? If not, tell us about a childhood plaything you remember fondly. 

I never cared a bit about trains, despite family that worked for the railroad and other family that are mental about trains. I was into toy cars though, metal ones.

8) The best-selling book of 1957 was Peyton Place, a scandalous tale of life in a small New England town. Do you suppose there are enough steamy stories behind closed doors in your town to fill a novel? 

There are plenty of steamy stories in my community's library to write several novels.

9) Random question: Can you do 10 push ups? 

You're funny, Gal. lol

Sunday Stealing (for today....duh)

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The end of the year

First things first, did you have a good year? 

Can anyone say yes to this? It was definitely a year of course corrections every day I woke up, so it was good from a "keeping alert" standpoint, but otherwise, there wasn't much to recommend it.

What was your favorite article of clothing this year? 

NOT wearing a bra for days on end. And yoga pants.

What song sums up this year for you? 

What was your favorite movie of the year? 

The only one I remember is the one Sparky made me watch over Christmas weekend: Bill & Ted: Face the Music. It was ok. Sparky cried at the end. 

Did an actor/actress catch your attention for the first time this year? 

Yes, but for lots of bad reasons, so we won't go into that here.

Favorite new TV show? 

I haven't watched TV regularly since LivePD went off the air at the end of May. We watched the Macy's parade and some football while Sparky was visiting (socially-distant and masked).

Did you make any big permanent changes this year? 

{chuckles darkly} Yeah. A few.

What was one nice thing you did for yourself?

Figured out how to pay the nursing home, without help from any Financial Advisors but myself, tyvm.

Did you develop a new obsession? 

Hand-washing and standing far away from others, on those rare occasions when I am near others.

Did you move? 

Very damn little.

Did you get a pet? 

I am on the verge of doing so, but haven't called shelters yet.

Do you regret not doing anything? 

I wish I'd've taken a winter vacation last year when I could. I wish I would've spent more time with Beast when I could. 

Do you regret doing something? 

Dear God.....! Only every . Single . Thing . 

Did anyone/thing make you so mad it stayed with you for days? 

My boss has been instructed, from the safety of my living room post-Zoom, to eat shit and die at least twice a month.

Did you lose anyone close to you? 

Lots of people in my life have died this year, from attrition AND from COVID. Not to mention the 350,000 Americans I didn't (and now won't) know who were slaughtered by the virus.

Also, I haven't been in the same room as my husband since July, when they decided he wasn't going to die after all and re-banned me from the nursing home. 

Who was important to you this year but wasn’t important last year? 

Hospice staff. Several new co-workers. BLM.

Who wasn’t as important to you this year as they were last year? 

I certainly saw less of everyone in my life as a whole this year. Doesn't mean they're less important, but it's been harder to connect for sure.

What was the best moment of the year for you? 

Seeing Beast wake up after a few weeks of not eating and being obstinately "asleep" when I was allowed in to sit with him. The turnaround from apathetic blob to his eyes opening when I played his favorite Styx songs, and listening intently as I read The Hobbit out loud still makes cry in happiness.

What was the worst? 

Not being able to see him, hug him, boop his nose, and tell him (in his face) to BEHAVE!

What have you learned about yourself this coming year? 

More reminders that I'm a fucking awesome actress--"you are so cheerful and calm" when I'm imploding inside. I am strong. I am getting old. I devolve quickly to college-age lifestyle when left alone too long. I AM ANGRY.

What do you wish for yourself?

Inner serenity. Answers. Friendship and hugs when this is over. A better life for Sparky. More time in the same room as Beast.

Friday 5

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AutoComplete
I came up with this week’s questions by typing the 5 Ws, one at a time, into Google and letting it suggest something interesting (or at least not a yes-no question). I’ve put the incomplete part of each query in bold {ed. I turned them red} you so you can see what I had to do to get the question. In four cases I changed the question’s point of view so [you] is the subject and not [I] or [we]. This may be a flop but I thought it was an interesting concept.

1. Who do you look like?

   My father's family has very strong genes: three of the five kids look like his side. The other kids don't, which we've always taken to mean that they resemble Mom's side. Apparently, my brother has turned into the uncle he's named for, so there's that!

2. What bit you?

   Nothing, recently, thank the good Lord!

3. When are you due?

   NEVER, EVER, ASK THIS QUESTION! I have actually been asked this multiple times, often when I was not pregnant.

4. Where have all the flowers gone?

   Young girls have picked them, every one. Also, it's August/September and almost all the blooms are on their way out.

5. Why don’t you?

   Because I'm chicken.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
On and On (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

1) This song describes the plight of "poor ol' Jimmy," who caught his girlfriend kissing someone else. Have you ever spied on a romantic partner?

Not really. I mean, what's the point? If a guy's gonna cheat, I don't need to watch. If he's not going to cheat there's no point in getting myself all worked up over nothing.

2) In this song, Stephen Bishop sings that he "smiles when he feels like dying." When did you recently put on a happy face, even though you really weren't all that happy?

Oh jeez. That describes my normal minute-by-minute life in public. Specifically, I guess it would be talking to Beast earlier this afternoon. It was a good conversation, but he was quite befuddled if more resigned than he normally is.

3) Stephen Bishop always wanted to be a musician, and as a child he began playing the clarinet. Did you take lessons -- dance, art, music -- as a child? If yes, did you take them because you enjoyed them, or because your parents made you take them?

I took piano as a kid, elementary-school age. I took up flute in 7th grade. Piano was Mom's idea; flute was mine, influenced by my friend who also played flute. I would have loved to take dance, but it just wasn't in the family "plan."

4) When he was 12, inspired by The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, he switched to the guitar and began writing songs. Tell us about someone or something that influenced your career path.

My older sister Jean was a librarian. She and my brother and I all worked as pages at our local public library as teens, and once I realized college wasn't going to last forever, I turned to the option of grad school and thus a career was born. Since then, one of my college roommates and my oldest niece have followed me into the field. I've occasionally nudged Sparky toward it too, but I think he's just heard too many stories from me.

5) Stephen Bishop attended Will C. Crawford High School in San Diego. This school requires students complete 20 hours of community service every year. Tell us about an organization, cause or campaign you volunteered for, either as a student or an adult.

I have worked with Habitat for Humanity, several urban renewal organizations (in several cities) and PDA. There's also P.E.O. and I guess I should include YouthWorks. Does my library count? lol

6) In 1977, when this song was popular, Seattle Slew won racing's Triple Crown. Sam's mother has always been afraid of horses. Is there an animal you're uncomfortable with?

I am a bit in awe of horses simply because they're so much bigger than me and have simply enormous teeth. I'm not afraid of them, just wary. And also bulls. I have no desire to piss off anything with horns.

7) Also in 1977, moviegoers waited in line for hours to see Star Wars. What's the longest line you waited in recently?

I was at the local SSA office yesterday. I gave up; those around me had been waiting over an hour and I was on my lunch break at work. Not a real line, just a room full of soullessness.

8) The mini-series Roots first aired in 1977. Today Americans are spending more time and money than ever to research ancestry. How far back can you trace your family tree?

My mom got back to the 18th century on her side. My dad always joked that we shouldn't look too close at his side for fear of finding horse thieves or murderers.

9) Random question: It's often said that nobody's perfect. How about you? What quality keeps you from being perfect?

Laziness kind of sums it up. It's the root of all the evil in my life.

I can't tell you how hearing this song took me right back to junior high! So weird...

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Year End HodgePodge

1. Where have you found unexpected magic or delight this holiday season?

Friends. People are great.

2. What's your favorite type of holiday gathering? Will you/have you gathered in your favorite way this month?

I got to see all my nearby family members, including the kids. No stress, no fuss.

3. Time has named 'The Silence Breakers' (women who came forward with stories of harassment) 'person of the year' for 2017. Would you agree? If not, who do you think deserves the title?

I'm ok with this. I wish it were more than a pedestal and meant something beyond symbolism, but yeah.

4. How did you spend your time this year? Are you happy about that? Elaborate.

I spent a lot of time caretaking. I guess I know how to do that. I still don't enjoy it very much, but I'm pretty good at it.

5. Bid farewell to 2017 in ten words or less.

Good . Fucking . Riddance ! Don't let the door hit you in the ass.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I finally got my heart's desire this year: lots of alone time and time and reasons to make all my own decisions all the time. Be careful what you wish for, folks.

Friday 5 x 2

(Link in meme-roll)
It’s Electric

1. What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done with electricity?

   I'm sure it involved something in the bathroom and water. I can't think of anything specifically. However, I've been much more careful since nearly electrocuting myself in England because the current is considerably higher and the plugs considerably heavier.

2. How did you last pass the time when your residence was without power for at least a few hours?

   Reading books. Or possibly sleeping. Those are the general go-tos when we lose power. If it's night-time, I guess I'll have to figure out the generator. Ugh.

3. Around how many AA and AAA batteries do you have on standby?

   Probably 4 or so of each. I should check that; I honestly have no idea.

4. How do you feel about lightning?

   I love watching the show from safely inside or far away.

5. When did you last dance the Electric Slide, and if you’ve never done it, what’s the closest you’ve come to dancing the Electric Slide?

   I think there was some of this going on at my nephew's wedding last year, but I was in charge of the one-year-old at the time so I was dancing with him, which eliminates the Electric Slide.

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Finding a Way

1. What’s something you’ve been unable to find?

   When my husband fell in September, he was wearing his cross, and possibly his wedding ring. I know they removed the necklace and gave it to me, probably the ring too. I haven't been able to find them since. I have zero memory of what I did when I came home that night. Morning. Whatever. The cross was purchased at St. Paul's in London. The wedding ring is pretty valuable. I've got through sick about losing them all the way into panic, desperation, and depression.

2. How’s your sense of direction?

   If I have a map, I'm good. If I'm in Denver, I know very quickly where the cardinal directions are. Otherwise, I'm fairly hopeless.

3. How good are you at sitting still?

   I can do it. But I hate it.

4. What’s something your parents always said you needed to get better at?

   According to my mom, I was the easiest of the five kids in my family. I got straight As and behaved myself (i.e. never got caught misbehaving). I don't remember anything they complained about. Dad would have like it if I understood math better.

5. In what way are you a better person today than you were ten years ago?

   I'm far more patient than I was. I take things far less personally these days too.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
The Man in Black (1971)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Black is this week's signature color because Friday, November 24, was "Black Friday," when retailers cut their prices and consumers flock to the stores. Did you score any "Black Friday" bargains?

Nope. I worked all day, came home and was in bed by 7.

2) Among the biggest the Black Friday advertisers are Target, Kohl's, Macy's and Best Buy. If you could have a $100 gift card to any one of those stores, which would you choose? What would you buy?

Target, I guess.

3) Feasting and football are also popular Thanksgiving weekend pastimes. Do your Thursday-Sunday plans include pigging out or watching a game?

I did both on Thursday. I watched a little football on Sunday too.

4) Thanksgiving weekend is a major time for travel. How far did you venture from home for the holiday?

I went to my niece's house, about an hour from here.

5) This week's song, "Man in Black," is about a singer who refuses to wear bright colors. What color are you wearing as you answer these questions?

Red, white, and blue Puerto Rico shirt, beige yoga pants, black sox.

6) Johnny Cash first performed this song at Nashville's Vanderbilt University. When were you last on a college campus? What brought you there?

Sparky still works on his college campus (technically, that's my college campus too), so when I visited him at work last month, I guess that was it.

7) The average American man wears a 10.5 size shoe, the average woman wears a 7.5. Johnny Cash wore a size 13. Are your shoes bigger or smaller than the national average?

Bigger. But then I am, overall, bigger than the national average.

8) He preferred his coffee very strong. To make sure what he was drank was to his liking, he carried a jar of instant coffee with him and would ladle it into his cup in restaurants. What about you? What's your standard coffee order?

"Water, please." I don't drink coffee. Long, traumatic childhood story involving my stubbornness.

9) While in the air force, Cash wrote short stories under the pseudonym "Johnny Dollar." Make up a pen name for yourself.

So, I'm assuming you know my legal name has nothing to do with "Cat." right?

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Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (1971)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
In memory of David Cassidy, who died on 11/21/17.

1) This song mentions celebrating the holidays in "the new old-fashioned way." What's a holiday tradition that began with you (or your generation)?

Hmm. Chinese on Christmas Eve (before or after church depending on the timing) and then opening one gift under the tree and going to bed, followed by waking up the next morning and opening the rest while the Christmas Candle burns.

2) The lyrics include dancing, caroling and pumpkin pie. Will you enjoy any of those three between now and year-end?

I loathe pumpkin pie. I will probably whirl around the living room at some point; it's a thing that happens. And I will carol but not until Christmas Eve.

3) David Cassidy and The Partridge Family were intensely popular for a short period of time. For example, this song was from the best-selling Christmas album of the 1971 holiday season. Have you added any holiday music to your collection this year?

I haven't bought new Christmas music for myself in over a decade.

4) In 1971, the official David Cassidy fan club had a membership that exceeded both Elvis' and The Beatles'. Have you ever joined a fan club?

I think I did, briefly. Maybe?

5) David recalled that his first hero growing up was the Yankees' Mickey Mantle. When you were a little kid, what grown-up did you look up to?

Mostly adults I actually knew, hello.

6) David was a notoriously bad driver. In 1990, he was sentenced to traffic school for speeding. He was late for the class because he was stopped for speeding en route. Do you have a "lead foot?"

Nope. I have cruise control and I use it.

7) David's parents divorced when he was only four years old. He and his mom lived with her parents until he was 10. Have you ever lived in an extended, multi-generational household?

Nope. God help Sparky if he has to do this when I get old....

8) In 1971, when David and the Partridge Family were at their height, the US Mint introduced the Eisenhower Silver Dollar. Think of the last thing you bought. Did you pay with cash or plastic or your phone?

I paid cash for breakfast at McDonald's this morning.

9) Random holiday question: Let's talk regifting. Tell us about a time you regifted, or you received a present you suspect was regifted.

Look, if it's something I like, I don't care where it came from. If I hate it, I either pitch it or keep it to regift. So yes, I have a closet of things upstairs of things I can gift in an emergency.

Saturday 9 x 2

(Link in meme-roll)
Don't Talk to Strangers (1982)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) When did you recently have a conversation with a complete stranger? What did you two discuss?

I've been having most of my IRL conversations this week with strangers. We mostly discuss Beast, him being the Center of Everyone's Current Attention at the moment.

2) In the video for this song, a woman is having a "hot" conversation on a corded, rotary dial phone in her bedroom. Do you have a landline? If so, do you have an extension in your bedroom?

I do have a landline still, with long-distance coverage. And there is an extension in the bedroom, which has a curly cord on it! No rotary dials in the house, more's the pity.

3) This week's artist, Rick Springfield, says he wrote this song when he was worried that his girlfriend (now his wife) would cheat on him when he was touring. Would you describe yourself as suspicious or trusting?

I'm far far far far more trusting than I should be. And yet wholly unsurprised by shitty behavior when it happens.

4) He became a daytime heartthrob as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital. Do you think it would be cool to have a really attractive doctor? Or would it make you uncomfortable?

I have had a gorgeous doctor. I currently have a doctor who is just absolutely adorable (he used to be gorgeous and then he hit middle age). It makes going to the doctor fun, seriously. However, these were/are both generalists. It would be AWFUL having an attractive gynie. That's where I draw the line! lol

5) He's discussed how sad he was when, as a boy, he had to leave his dog Elvis behind when the family left Australia. While you were growing up, did your family often move?

My parents lived in the house my dad built in 1946/7 until 1994, a year after Sparky was born. Same house for all the kids in my family, same house for 47 years of their 53-year-marriage.

6) In 1982, when this song was popular, Italy won the World Cup. Do you ever watch soccer?

I do, but very occasionally. I love to listen to the commentary in either foreign languages or in "British" because it's quite a lot different from American sportscasts during which THEY NEVER STOP TALKING! I love occasional silence and focus in watching sports.

7) "Smiley," the first emoticon, was introduced in 1982. Do you use emoticons in your communication? Or do you avoid them?

I use them more than I should. I'm such a girl!

8) The Vietnam Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC, in 1982. Do you know any veterans of that conflict? If so, tell us about him or her.

One of my best friends' second husband was a pilot of a helo on the day Saigon evacuated. He's the least-obvious veteran I've ever known. He's also the only person I know well who was in Vietnam. A lot of my brother's classmates were drafted; he avoided it by going to college (and having bad eyesight). I have never asked how many people from his class died there. It might be worth asking.

9) Random Question: Your friends are throwing a birthday "roast" in your honor. Which one quality of yours are you sure will be singled out for laughs?

My OCD, detail-orientation will surely be raised.

Da Doo Ron Ron (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song begins by stating that he met her on a Monday and his heart stood still. How did your past week start? It may be a lot to expect you to report that you met someone who made your heart stand still, but did anything noteworthy occur?

A lot of things have my heart super-active this week in various respects, but not because I met someone. "Noteworthy"? Yeah, a week ago last night, Beast was airlifted to a trauma hospital with severe head injuries from a fall sometime in the afternoon down the steps in our house. He is still not participating in what the rest of us agree is reality. I've spent at least 5 hours every day since then sitting in his hospital room.

2) While making hit records, Shaun Cassidy also starred as Joe Hardy on the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books have been popular with generations of American kids. Were you a fan?

Oh My God!! I read most of the books, and I watched that show obsessively for the first couple of years. I was In Love with Parker Stevenson, and I have the album this very song is on! Yes, the LP album, played over and over and over on my parents' stereo in the living room. If I had been aware of the sound eyeballs rolling in parental heads made, I'd have never heard a note of the record. But they let me listen.

3) Shaun went to Beverly Hills High School. Over the decades, BHHS has had many good football teams. Do you remember what sports your school excelled at?

Absolutely none that I'm aware of. We suuuuuucked at football, and I ignored all the other sports except wrestling, which I think we were ok in (you'd think I'd know--I was a regular volunteer at meets!). THE BAND however, was the best band in the metro area for years and years.

4) Shaun followed his older half-brother, David Cassidy, into TV/records/teen stardom. Do you have siblings? If yes, what career paths did they follow?

[Aside: David Cassidy was my very first heartthrob. I was, uh, 7? when I fell in love with him.] Marie managed and set up daycares and otherwise worked in childcare her whole career. Oh, she taught for a few years too. Ellen taught middle school and then temped and got her master's degree in business before she died. Jean taught--in Africa--and then got her master's degree in library science and worked in the equivalent of a high school library till she got too ill to work. Mind you, all three of my sisters HAD TO QUIT WORK when they had kids, although maybe it was less of a thing for Jean because she got at least a year of leave after a baby's birth before she had to go back. Socialized medicine dontcha know. The other two, though: women didn't work back then while pregnant or when they have a husband and kids. My brother, Del, was an airport firefighter for most of his career till he became management and then retired a few years ago. He currently works at Lowe's where he just follows directions and makes no decisions whatsoever at work. It sounds lovely.

5) His middle name is Paul, after his maternal grandfather. Tell us something about one of your grandparents.

They all had RIDICULOUS names! When we were looking for baby names for Sparky, it was horrific what our options were for family names. I mean we had to reuse Beast's first name--it's a family tradition--but had free rein on the middle name. Dear God the options! Clarence, Albert, Grover, and the French version of Adolf. Jeebus God!! All we needed was Ernie and Oscar and we'd've had a TV show!

6) Shaun's mother, actress Shirley Jones, reports that he was more than 3 weeks late and born by Cesarean. Have you heard family legends about your arrival into the world?

I was a week late. Mom drank a whole bottle of cod liver oil (or was it castor oil?) so I'd just finally appear! And then when labor did start, apparently everyone in town who was pregnant also went into labor. Mom talked about nearly giving birth to me in the hall because there was a line for the delivery room (remember this was the dark ages of putting Mom to sleep and not letting Dad in the room). I had two friends in high school whose moms were in the hospital giving birth at the same time as my mom was having me. Oh, and she had to beg to stay an extra night because she didn't want to go home to face two teens, a ten-year-old and a baby. I'm surprised she didn't hop a train and ride the rails. It would have been easier in some respects!!

7) "Da Doo Ron Ron" was originally recorded by The Crystals. Can you think of another song that has been a hit by more than one artist?

A lot of the Motown hits from the 60s have been redone (often by white people) since then. The originals are almost always better, although I've a soft spot for Phil Collins' version of "You Can't Hurry Love."

8) In 1977, when this version of "Da Doo Ron Ron" was popular, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak incorporated Apple. Are you Mac or Android?

I am SO Android it's painful! I don't even own an iPod; never have!

9) Random Question: You're exhausted. You collapse into bed and are about to drift into slumber when you hear the drip-drip-drip of the bathroom faucet. Would you kick off the covers and go turn it off? Or would you stay in bed, letting it drip until morning?

Hmm, specifically dripping? I would totally go shut it off. I grew up conserving water. Lots of other things, though--squeaky fans, vents clicking, loud music across the street--I'd stick the earplugs in and go right to sleep.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Make a difference today

1. What is the favorite piece of art you own.

My favorite is the watercolor of Canyon de Chelly that my dad's cousin painted for my wedding gift. Beast likes his Terry Redlin print best, but we still need to get it hung on the freakin' wall. It's only been a year!

2. The most expensive bill you paid last month.

Probably either a medical bill or the mortgage. Or, I suppose, credit card, which we pay off monthly.

3. What’s the last thing you apologized for?

Leaving today's baseball game early, I think.

4. If you could do today over, would you change anything?

I would definitely NOT have had the spicy dish at brunch. It was yummy, but omg heartburn sux!

5. What is the largest TV screen in your house?

It's the Sony in the living room. I think it's 48". Or 52". Sparky told us his roomie wants to get a 70" for their apartment. smh

6. What did you buy today?

Baseball tickets, pop, candy, nachos, brunch. I think that's it. We broke $100 easily.

7. I wish I had ____

...another day of weekend tomorrow.

8. How many photos did you take today?

I only took one. I think Beast took a dozen or so.

9. Last thing you wanted and didn’t get.

More energy.

10. What was the last new thing you tried?

Today's Chilaquiles, similar to these. Super-good!

11. Who is your hero?

My hero (foreground)

12. Today I feel really secure knowing ____

...that I have no impact on the world stage.

13. Whose life did you make a difference in today?

Probably my niece and nephew whose kids I wandered around the ballpark with.

14. What would have made today perfect?

No allergies, fewer people, and seats right behind home plate.

15. Did you thank anybody today?

I thanked my nephew Don who took care of getting tickets. And I thanked E for dancing the polka with me at the 7th inning stretch.

Bonus: If you were a Muppet, which would you be?

Gonzo.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Angel (1998)
... because Bev recommended it
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Sarah McLachlan wrote this song about someone she barely knew. She read the obit of Jonathan Melvoin, keyboard player for the Smashing Pumpkins, who died of a heroin overdose. What's the most recent news story that touched you deeply?

I have actively and methodically spent the last 7 months trying to disengage my emotions from the news because otherwise I would be locked in a small padded room screaming. However, Dumpster's pronouncement re transgender people this week got my attention, and I'm so gratified to see so many people telling him to fuck right off about that. 

2) Ms. McLachlan performed this in tribute to Linda McCartney at the 1999 Concert for Linda. She was expressing her hope that, in death, Linda found relief and peace after a long and painful battle with cancer. What do you think happens to us when we die?

I'm pretty sure our souls do whatever souls do and move on and don't care about what stupid things we're up to back here. At least I really hope so. I think after death, we all deserve some fun and joy no matter what our lives were like.

3) Daytime dramas General Hospital and As the World Turns used this song on-air after a major character died. Do you follow any "soap operas?"

I used to watch GH when I was in high school, back just after the whole Luke and Laura storyline. And I worked with some DOOL fans who insisted on watching at lunch in the library workroom back in the 80s/90s. Since then, no.

4) In 2007, Sarah donated her recording of this song to the ASPCA. Do you have a pet? If yes, how did you get it (shelter, pet store, etc.)?

We've gotten all our guinea pigs at a pet store, except the three that were born here after our "two males" turned out to be a boy and a (pregnant) girl.

5) She admits she can't watch those ASPCA commercials, where her recording of "Angel" plays over sad photos of animals. Is there a TV commercial that really gets to you (in either a good or a bad way)?

Yeah, I don't even try to watch those or the "kids need help" ads. I leave the room, fast forward past them, or mute them. I do not need more guilt in my life.

6) In 1994, Sarah was stalked by an obsessed fan. Tell us about a time you were really frightened. In retrospect, was your fear commensurate with the threat?

Usually, I react with a little more drama that necessary. However, sometimes I'm fairly calm in the face of crisis. Fear? I'm usually not afraid till later.

7) Sarah was adopted by Jack and Dorice McLachlan. Though she has a friendly relationship with her birth mother, she always considered Dorice her mother and sees herself behaving with her son the way Dorice did with her. Is there anyone in your family that you feel you resemble, either physically or by behavior?

My mother and I were too similar in personality to ever get along well. I'm trying to develop more of my dad's traits as an adult, although he certainly had plenty of less-than-admirable habits. I got my temper from both of them; this is pretty much awful. I look just like my dad's mom, apparently, whom he also resembled.

8) McLachlan is one of the founders of Lilith Fair, a summer concert series designed to showcase talented female performers. Do/did your summer plans include an outdoor concert?

Nope. I don't do crowds, I rarely do concerts, and I really don't like outdoor concerts like this at all.

9) Random question: Which of these men would you most like to be seated with at dinner -- Clint Eastwood, Prince William or Jimmy Fallon?

Jimmy Fallon. I'd probably not be able to eat a bite from laughing, but what a hoot. Prince William...well, that would be mortifying, thanks! And Clint? Uhm. Maybe 30 or so years ago....

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Around the House

Bedroom: what’s your sleep schedule?

I sleep whenever I can. I'm usually in bed by 9 or 10 and reading or puzzling for awhile. Wake-up time varies between 5:30 and 7:30 depending on the day--although yesterday I slept past noon!!--and I try to get a nap on weekends. Not yesterday, though.

Kitchen: favorite comfort food?

Sweets. I'm not fussy, but I'm also on the verge of being told to totally cut them out.

Washroom: showers or baths? bubbles? bath bombs?

My daily schedule involves a shower upon waking up most mornings, but I like to get a bath periodically just because they are relaxing and I can shave my legs easier. And I use either bubbles or bath salts, whatever I grab first.

Closet: sum up your style in a few words.

"Is it comfortable? Does it have pockets?"

Parlor: favorite party or board game?

I really do like the game of Life. And I've loved every single game I've played of Cards Against Humanity, including the one we played at a staff meeting at work. THAT was super-eye-opening.

Living room: what do you like to do with your family?

Talk. We're heavily into talking, mostly over each other, all at the same time, and getting irritated because no one is listening. Otherwise, we do well wherever you put us, to be honest. We're nothing if not adaptable.* Oh, and we like to eat.

Dining room: favorite special occasion food?

I make a good Thanksgiving spread.

Garden: favorite tree? flower?

My favorite tree...hmm, either aspen or blue spruce, I guess. My favorite flower is heirloom roses, the kind that smell.

Attic: what’s one thing you have a sentimental attachment to and you will never throw away?

I would assume the obvious wedding ring answer, but otherwise there are just too many "favorite things" and while I would hate to do it, I know it's quite likely I will have to do so someday.

Library: favorite book genre?

Mysteries. I used to turn up my nose at romances, but I'm about to start on a tear of those having had just about enough bad news on my plate for far too long.

Office: if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

The one I have is pretty damned excellent!

Guest room: have you been to a sleepover? if so, when was your first? do you like them?

I'm female: of course I had slumber parties as a child and teen. My first? I was probably 10 or so, but don't remember details. They were just part of weekends and vacations and so forth, a 'thing' that has continued well into my adulthood. My last one was at Amy's over a year ago; I spent the weekend at her house. Lovely!

Foyer: do you like small gatherings, large parties, or one-on-one meetings?

I hate large crowds. Smaller groups or one-on-one is far preferred.

Pantry: favorite meal to make?

Mac n cheese, I guess. I really don't enjoy cooking that much.

Laundry: favorite and least favorite chore?

I don't mind cleaning bathrooms or doing dishes or general cleanup, but I absolutely LOATHE floors! Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming--I hate it all. And guess what's on my schedule today? Yep, all three.

Garage: favorite mode of transportation? favorite car?

I love riding trains. I'm not a train nut, but there's something about going slow enough to see people's backyards and farm fields but fast enough to move along and NOT have to do the driving.... I'm acutely envious that Beast gets to take the commuter train into the Big City on Wednesday without me. Closer to home, I'd love a Jeep Cherokee, but my Ford Edge is fine too.

Panic room: what was the most nerve-wracking experience you’ve had?

Parenting. You don't know for sure you've done things right until at least 20 years after the fact.

Powder room: do you wear makeup? if so, what one item can’t you live without? what’s your favorite look?

The only "make up" I wear is Chapstick. I can't have stuff around my eyes because of allergies, and my rosacea means putting stuff on my cheeks and nose is just begging for a giant breakout. Also, I'm lazy, and usually don't want to take the time to futz in the morning.

__________
*The first is more true of my extended family of origin, and much less true of Beast and Sparky and me. The latter part is all of us.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Put Your Questions in the Box Questions

1. Where were you three hours ago?

Right here, trying to figure out my day. It's been a weird weekend of just feeling slightly ...off most of the time: headache, GI stuff, overheated (inside with A/C).

2. Make a confession.

I went to a memorial service for a former co-worker yesterday. I didn't speak to one of her sons because he caused her so much grief when she was alive that I just couldn't. Judging by his comments during the service, he hasn't really changed. I escaped afterwards ASAP, skipping the church luncheon, because I'm still very conflicted about the co-worker; she was a difficult person but also smart, kind in her own way, and a wonderful baker. And I was instrumental in getting her fired 5 years ago.

3. Bad habits?

Laziness is winning this race handily.

4. Favorite color?

Blue. Almost every shade of blue: robin's-egg, sky, navy, teal, midnight, turquoise, milky, denim. Bring on the blue! My top is in the lighter range (baby boy or pale sky), but I'm not overly fussy.

5. Can you drive?

Yes. I am the only person in the house doing that these days, so it's a good thing. Beast lost his license last fall, and he shouldn't be driving anyway as he can't actually feel or control his feet very well. Hence the advance to cane and now walker to get around. I live with an 90-year-old (he's actually 53).

6. 3 pet peeves.

Intentional stupidity.
People who are just mean-spirited and nasty toward others.
Humidity.

7. Last person you hugged.

Beast. Of course.

8. Something you miss.

I miss my dad right now.

9. What song is stuck in your head at the moment?

I seem to be song-free right now, which is fine. Something will come along. In fact, if I go read everyone's answers, I'll end up with one of those for sure.

10. Favorite quote.

"It is not your job to complete the task of perfecting the world, but neither are you free to desst from it." [Mishnah]

11. Favorite band.

Probably U2. It cycles.

12. Something you're excited for.

I had to take in a ring for repair and resetting a couple of weeks ago. It's ready--I should go get it. The payoff is even better due to the jeweler being next to Olive Garden, so we'll probably pick up some OGtogo.

13. Favorite movie.

Shoah

14. What type of phone do you have?

Samsung. It's about 3 years old now--but it still works so why change it? Works fine.

15. Favorite animal.

Wolf. Or if we need a specific entity, then Pintobean our cavy.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Ginormous Questions

1. Are you single?

Well, I'm not plural. But I am married.

2. Are your parents still married?

Technically, I guess so. They are both dead, however, so I don't actually know their current status. They never divorced while either was alive.

3. Are you in love?

"In love"=no. I did have a VERY weird dream overnight about this topic involving someone I only know through Facebook and a mutual friend.

4. Do you believe in love at first sight?

I don't. My sister Jean did. Even when she told me--some 15 years after she married the guy--I thought she was insane.

5. Who ended your last relationship?

Lack of attention (and I'm going with friend-relationship, since any ending of dating relationships was 32-odd years ago).

6. Have you ever been hurt by a break up?

Even as the breaker-upper, there's always some pain, yeah.

7. Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

I so hate this question. We break the hearts of others every day over the smallest things: a rude gesture, an eyeroll, a firm "NO!" As a parent, when Sparky was around all the time I sort of felt like the world's biggest heart-breaker. Usually for his safety and well-being, but sometimes because I was tired, or just being ridiculous ("the sound of the fan is SO LOUD--TURN IT DOWN NOW!" about a ceiling fan turned on low), or some confluence of bad timing.

8. Have you ever had a secret admirer?

It's still a secret. Unless the dream last night counts, since that was actually part of the dream.

9. Prefer love or lust?

Prefer love.

10. Prefer a few best friends or many regular friends?

Few besties. My delimiter for friendship seems to be set differently than most people's. I can be friendly to hundreds of people daily, but only about 10 people in my life are what I consider "friends" in that only that many really know the deep, dark, dirty stuff.

11. Wild night out or romantic night in?

Can't I just take a nap?

12. Back in the day: Been caught sneaking out?

Nope. Weirdly, it would have been super-easy, but it never occurred to me.

13. Ever wanted something/someone so badly it hurt?

Yeah.

14. Who are/is your best friend(s)?

Those 10 or so people I mentioned above.

15. Ever wanted to disappear?

This feeling comes and goes a bit like the tide.

16. First attraction: Smile or eyes?

Voice. Shoulders. I guess smile is before eyes though.

17. Prefer intelligence or attraction?

Wait, isn't it possible to have both?? Because I cannot even think about being attracted to someone without a shred of intelligence. You know how there are (I guess) people who are attracted to power? Not me: bring in the brains!!

18. Last phone call you received?

I'm sure it was a telemarketer that I sent right to vm.

19. Last thing you drank?

I'm still working on my Diet Pepsi from lunch at Panera.

20. Before your current one, when was your last relationship?

I so SO hate this question!! I have dozens of relationships that begin/end almost daily/weekly/monthly.

21. Do you and your family get along?

Mostly. My family-of-origin gets along best from several hundred miles apart.

22. Would you say you have a "screwed up life"?

Nope. I've had a decidedly easy and blessed life with a few pretty awful events -- through little of my own doing, may I add.

23. Have you ever gotten kicked out somewhere? If yes, do tell.

I once was not allowed in a bar in Milwaukee because I was wearing Harley gear. (hint: Harley engines are built in Milwaukee) WTF, still 25+ years later.

24. Do you trust all your friends?

To greater or lesser extents. I'm gradually learning that my expectations are my problem, not my friends'.

25. Who knows the most about you?

Beast, these days.