Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll) 

Watching my figure 

1. What are some figurines you own?

I have several display cabinets around the house, most of which are because at some point I started collecting salt-n-peppers. But I've got some childhood doodads and some souvenir things from trips, too. I'll try to take a pic and post the biggest display.  (don't hold your breath--it's been a rough week and I may never leave my recliner again)  

2. What are you trying to figure out? 

Why I insist on thinking the best of people before I know them. I have been so very disappointed, especially this week.

3. Two circles or one continuous motion: how do you write the figure 8? 

Mostly, it's all one line, but sometimes I use the two-circle method. Usually the latter is when I'm making it a POINT to be seen. Sometimes, it's because my first attempt ended up looking like a messing 5 or 3.

4. How do you feel about Fig Newtons? 

I like them! But the seeds in them are a little disconcerting when I haven't eaten one for awhile.

5. What’s a good metaphor to describe your first week of 2021?

Shitstorm comes to mind....

Sunday Stealing (for today....duh)

(Link in meme-roll) 

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.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll) 
Feels like the First Time (1977) 

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 
Welcome to the first Saturday 9 of 2021! 

1) Look up from your screen. What's the first thing you see? 

My eyes naturally drift to the H-D Regulator clock on the wall next to the fireplace, straight ahead of me.

2) Looking back on 2020, what surprised you? 

People. They full of surprises, primarily negative ones. Based on my day at work today, it seems to be carrying over into the new year so far.

3) Have you made any resolutions for 2021? 

I don't make resolutions. Having said that, I'm trying to get back to posting a quote on Facebook every day, whatever strikes my fancy--sometimes serious, sometimes completely stupid.

4) In Italy, it's said that if you wear red underwear on New Year's Eve, you'll have good luck all year around. Do you have a lucky charm? 

It's not red underwear, I promise you that! I don't really have a lucky charm, but I do have some jewelry and a few articles of clothing that make me feel more confident in my skin somehow.

5) In Spain, some New Year's Eve revelers believe that, at the stroke of midnight, you should eat exactly 12 grapes, one at a time and one right after the other, to bring you luck for the next twelve months. Did you have anything special on your New Year's Eve menu? 

We normally have fondue for dinner, but since I was here alone I wasn't going to do all that prep for me. Grapes at midnight sounds like a good idea, though!

6) In this week's featured song, Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm lets us know that he'd sail across a stormy sea to reach his true love. How is the weather where you are today? Are you kicking off 2021 under calm skies, or is it stormy? 

Overcast and gloomy (and now, dark) but not terribly cold and no precipitation.

7) In the 1990s, Gramm joined forces with Billy Joel in a series of concerts to preserve the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Do you have a favorite Billy Joel song?

My absolute favorite pop song is "I've Loved These Days." It's been a constant reminder not to take the good stuff for granted from the first time I heard in when I was a ?preteen? I think.

8) In 1977, when this song was popular, Star Wars was breaking all box office records. The Spy Who Loved Me, a James Bond movie, was also a hit. If you were going to binge on one of these film series, would you choose Star Wars or Bond? 

I've seen all the SW movies--and never want to see them again-- and I have no interest whatsoever in Bond. I'll just read a book instead, thanks.

9) Random question: Would you rather have nothing but green lights for all of 2021, or never have to stand in line for anything all year?

I hate standing in lines! So much. Red lights don't bother me--most of the time I don't really want to be where I'm headed in all the much of a hurry. 

Friday Five

(Link in meme-roll) 

A-M-Z

Hello, and welcome to this week’s Friday 5! Please copy these questions to your webspace. Answer the questions there; then leave a comment below so we’ll all know where to check out your responses. Please don’t forget to link us from your website! 

1. What’s better in its middle than in its edges, beginnings, or ends? 

Pie. 

2. Why is a sunrise better than a sunset? 

I can see them from the comfort of my bed. 😁

3. What’s better in retrospect than when you experienced it? 

Missed flights and other adventures while traveling, having little kids living with you, and (quite often) childhood.

4. What songs have wonderful endings?  

"The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" (Ames Bros.) always cracks me up, even though I know the ending. So does "Everything About You" (Ugly Kid Joe) for entirely different reasons. 

5. What was the first thing you unwrapped in 2021?

The first thing I opened this year was a can of diet Coke, followed by a new package of (Gouda) cheese. I don't think I've, technically, 'unwrapped' anything at all. Wait! No! I opened all my pill bottles this morning to fill the weekly sorter! My life is super-interesting, no? 

New Year, Same Me(me)

Year End 

(Done here previously) 

What did you do last year that you'd never done before? 

Wore a mask in public for 3/4 of the year.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for this year? 

I have never done resolutions. 

Did you (or anyone close to you) give birth? 

My British nephew's wife had a baby at the end of 2019 and all the Americans were going over to "meet" her over the course of the year this year. They are pregnant again and I have literally seen ONE photo of the first baby. Obviously no visits over the ocean. 
And more than one former youth-group "kid" had a baby this year. 

Did anyone close to you die?
No family members, but I know a few people personally who died of COVID. I'm sure as we come out of this, I'll discover more and more people I know peripherally who have died. Honestly, it's been heart-breaking to watch other people suffer so much.
Our previous pastor died (I think) early in the year or the end of last year. I still haven't dealt with that fully.

Did you (or anyone close to you) experience a major life-changing event? 

I would like to think that everyone in the entire world experience massive change this year. From all appearances, though, I'm not sure that's true. I try to focus on the individual good things I see, but damn it's gotten pretty hard to see. 

What would you like to have this year that you lacked last year? 

Hugs. F2F church. F2F meetings, the opportunity to eat IN a restaurant. 
At work: less turnover, and can I keep my new "office" (previously a study room for the public).

What date from last year will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

March 15. Last day of normalcy. Beast had all his teeth removed the next day, his surgeon scoffed that COVID was even worth worrying about, we picked up his dentures on Monday while listening to the office staff call and cancel appointments for the next few weeks. Remember when we thought this would be over by April? 

What was your biggest achievement of the year? 

Not killing anyone really was a struggle this year, just generally keeping my emotions out of interactions in general. I have never been so constantly irritated as I have been this year, and had so many people I was "handling things" great. Fuck y'all--I cried and raged at home where you can't watch!
Also, in February at work we started a Little Free Pantry. Just in time. It kept people in town functioning for the next ten months, and ongoing.

What was your biggest failure?

I gave up worrying about failures this year. There is just no contest in anything I did in comparison to the leaders of this country. The only thing I can honestly think of is that I didn't meet my reading goal, since I have lost the ability to read anything complex at all during quar.

Did you suffer illness or injury? 

I fell, hard, a couple of times, about six months apart. Once in a parking lot that banged up my elbow and has finally completely healed, the other at work when I tripped over an errant cable and went down on all fours, missing all the pointy and metal objects that would have fucked me up. I'd like to stop falling. It's worrisome.

What was the best thing you bought? 

Nursing home care. I'd kill Beast in a week if I had him at home with visiting nurses.

Whose behavior merited celebration? 

BLM protestors. Literally ANYONE who wears a mask (and does regular hand-washing). Nurses.
Also Sparky for figuring out life in quarantine and potentially getting a job lead for this year in a better-paying field. 

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? 

Republicans.
Nazis.
Specific police officers.
Selfish, ignorant people.
(I never thought I'd even categorize people so completely as this year)

Where did most of your money go? 

Nursing home and other medical bills. I'm now officially spending Beast's 401(k) $10,000 per month. So much for retirement....

What did you get really, really, really excited about? 

Microsoft Jigsaw and peanuts. They got me through lockdown and following months.

What song will always remind you of last year? 

Over the past several months, at the end of every Skype call with Beast, I've been singing Seek Ye First to him after saying the Lord's Prayer with him. Between that and the endless replays of Boston and Styx songs when he was comatose/"dying" in the early summer, Spotify thinks I'm completely insane: Styx, Boston, and thousands of hours of murder podcasts.

Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? 

Of those two, probably about the same. I'm DEFINITELY ANGRIER than I've ever been, though.

 ...thinner or fatter?  

I randomly lost about 10 pounds during lockdown.
I have since gained most of that back.

 ...richer or poorer? 

I will never, ever answer this "richer" for as long as Beast is alive.

What do you wish you'd done more of?  

Hugging in the Times Before, when I could. Going to church and meetings, ditto. Reading.

What do you wish you'd done less of? 

Being furious because my boss is a dumbass.

What was your favorite book? 

It is probably a tie between A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World, by C.A. Fletcher and Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11, by Mitchell Zuckoff. Both were read around the beginning of The Plague, before I lost my reading mojo.

What was your favorite movie (or TV program)? 

I haven't watched more than about 6 hours of TV of any kind since Memorial Day. Before that, LivePD was the only thing I watched regularly.

What was your greatest discovery? 

The Omnibus podcast. I'm working my way towards current episodes, because there are so many developing inside jokes.

Did anyone come to visit you?  

Only Sparky came inside, unless you count the plumber replacing my hot water heater. Oh, and Arlene, when Beast went on hospice. Otherwise, lots of convos on the front porch and in the driveway.

Did you travel anywhere? 

I went to Sparky's to help him buy a car in January. And I think, yeah, I was there another time where we masked up and ate outside at Portillo's. [if you ever go, everything's good, but OMG the chopped salad is to DIE for, + it's healthy (ish)]

Did you do anything really special and memorable? 

Besides not being in a grocery store more than 5 times since July? I got an "office" last month when they moved me to a study room in the library to space us out further. I agreed to be on my church's ruling body for the next 3 years after 3 years of not being very participatory.

Do you love (really like) anyone or anything now that you didn't love this time last year?

New staff members at work are wonderful people. How do we consistently get such good people? 
Also, I don't think I knew who Kamala Harris was last year, and I really did appreciate her presidential run.

Do you hate (strongly dislike) anyone or anything now that you didn't hate this time last year? OMG. Where to fuckin' start! Republicans as a unit: anyone who supports the policies of the last four years is a fucking asshole and needs to get out of my life and my country yesterday. I know this will offend some of you. You know what? If you approve of the over-all policies of the Trump presidency, YOU ARE A HORRIBLE, HATE-FILLED, STUPID PERSON. Don't like hearing that? Hey, how about finding some humanity and empathy for others. Your fuckin' party has neither.

What did you want and get?  

I got to stay home a LOT, which I love.

What did you want and not get? 

Travel. Kindness and empathy and love among humanity. I saw lots of that on a small, interpersonal scale, but overall it was very lacking. 

What did you do on your birthday?  

I have no memory whatsoever. I didn't work. I probably slept a lot.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

Leadership from the top down.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept for last year?

I stopped wearing a bra at home. Mostly I wear one when I leave the house, but only if I'm planning to be seen and taken seriously (i.e. work).

What kept you sane? 

This question assumes I'm sane in any way. This year has been hard. So, drugs, silly laughter, podcasts, therapy, good people. 

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

The people behind BLM who have taught me so much--which I now understand they are not required to do. I'm well past the "crush" stage for celebrities, but this year has shown a decided disconnect from reality for so many celebrities that it's almost impossible to think of one that isn't somewhat of an asshole.

What political issue stirred you the most? 

ALL OF THEM. I mean, BLM for sure, but the immigration situation, the cozying up to Putin, the politicization of COVID......I could list dozens.

Who (or what) did you miss? 

I missed not have to worry about dying every day. I missed having a President to admire.

Who was the best new person you met?

The people who are using our food pantry at work, both those stocking it up and those taking things from it. They are rock-solid people.

And, though I didn't meet him in person, Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Did you enjoy any good sunsets? 

I saw more sunrises than -sets due to the orientation of my house. There was a really lovely one last Wednesday, despite the fact that it boded ill for the weather later in the day. 

Who did you meet and what did you like about them? I

I don't know of any specific people I met this year. Oh, the hospice staff was wonderful!

What did you experience for the first time?  

Planning a funeral on my own. Sparky was there, but only as a backup.

How do you know you are older? 

I fall down a lot.

How do you know you are wiser?  

I do not know that. I see no proof it it.

What are your regrets about last year? 

Ohhhh [gestures vaguely] just everything.

Where did you go that you have never been before? 

The only thing I can think of is car shopping as a person supposedly knowing what I'm doing, and the local funeral home.

Did you have any meetings that you find memorable? 

Like many others, I have to say that Zoom meetings as a "thing" has been a memorable change. The absolute LACK of in-person meetings at a table within 6 feet of each other.

Did you walk in the park, or at the beach, or in the woods, or by a mountain stream? 

The majority of the walking I did in 2020 was between my new recliner and the kitchen or bathroom.

What would you do again? 

I'd totes do what I did to counteract the spread of the virus. Otherwise, the year is kind of a write-off.

What would you do over? 

I would go on vacation in February. Or January.

Why is your life better?  

I finally got the 401(k) thing sorted out after nearly 3 years of disjointed attempts. I no longer owe $100,000+ to the nursing home, finally.

Why is it not? 

[again, I gesture around vaguely]

What unique opportunities did you miss? 

ALL OF THEM. 

If you met yourself for the first time this year would you strike up a friendship?

Probably. I'm pretty easy to meet.

What flowers did you smell for the first time? What food tasted? What music danced to? 

I don't think I smelled any new flowers this year, but we finally got a Chipotle and I'm enjoying trying out their menu, and I didn't listen to a lot of music. So very little dancing.

What will make this year different from last year?  

Huh. I have no optimism anymore.

Did you spend any time listening to yourself? What did you say?  

I try really hard not to listen to myself lately because I'm not a lot of fun to hang around with. I fake it just as well as ever, but my inner life is pretty grim.

If you put this year in a food grinder and made sausages out of it, what would they taste like?

This is such a weird question, but really easy to answer this year: shit.

In what respects was last year a pivotal year? 

It was probably the most pivotal year in recent American (world?) history. There's no end to the ways that I view the world differently today than I did January 1, 1920.

If time and events flow like a river, what was your relationship with that river this year?
A. drifting downstream with Huck Finn on a log
B. swimming upstream like a salmon to spawn
C. shooting the class IV rapids
D. up the creek without a paddle
E. the Zen monk moving deftly in the roiled pool at the base of the tall falls. 

Lots of A interspersed with intervals of C and D.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned last year. 

Find something that matters and support it like it's the end of the world. It is for people inside that issue.

Quote a song lyric or poem that sums up your year.

 

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
End of Year Questions

1. What did you do last year that you had not done before?

Made hard decisions I never wanted to have to make. Rinse, and repeat.

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions/goals for the year and will you make/set more for next year? What are they? What are your new ones?

I don't do resolutions. Pointless.I just break them.

3. Did anyone you know give birth? Or become pregnant? Or adopt?

Hmm, no babies in the family this year. I don't think anyone is pregnant, but it's possible that Jesse and Anna will get started this year. If, indeed, this is on the plan for them.

4. Did anyone you know die? Or have a serious illness/injury?

Lots of death and injury in 2017. It was actually a very bad year for this in virtually every way.

5. What places have you visited?

I went to a State Park for a weekend in March on my own. It was great. That was the entirety of my vacation time last year.

6. Any new pets? Lost a pet?

Pinto has been living with a friend since September. I'm in no hurry to start dealing with him again, so it's all good right now.

7. What would you like to have next year that you lacked this year (doesn't have to be a physical thing i.e. love, job security, peace of mind...)?

I'd like Beast back home, and functional, and not drinking. I'm not sure how likely any of this is.

8. What date from last year will remain etched in your memory and why?

September 15, when Beast went ass over teakettle down the stairs and nearly bled out while I was at work.

9. What was your biggest achievement last year?

Not losing my shit. Pretty much at all.

10. Did you get sick or injured?

I'm not in good shape, but the worst was the cold thing here at the end of the year into 2018.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I guess...? Medical care.

12. Where did most of your disposable income go (money leftover after you pay for food, medical care, basic clothing, transportation and shelter)?

Bank. And gas for travelling to hospitals.

13. What song will always remind you of last year? Doesn't have to be a song released last year.

I can't think of any songs. It's been a seriously weird year.

14. What do you wish you would have done more of?

Traveling.

15. What do you wish you would have done less of?

Worrying.

16. What was your favorite new TV program? Movie? Album/Songs? Or if you didn't pick up any new ones, what are you still watching/listening to? Any recommendations?

I've gone back to M*A*S*H lately. I can't think of any movies except The Last Jedi, and I'm struggling to think of any songs. Well, OK, Sparky introduced me to a band called Ninja Sex Party which is surprisingly good as a cover band. Otherwise, I'm still watching Criminal Minds. The New Big Thing in my life is podcasts; I've gotten seriously addicted to them in the last few months. I'm listening to the "Lenny Dykstra" episode of The Dollop right now. What a disaster--how did I not know about this guy's latter years??

17. What was the best book you read this year? How many did you read?

I read 100ish books. I enjoyed the Michael Ridpath Iceland-set series (4 books) I read. Also, I picked up the Darynda Jones Grim Reaper books which I'm still working on; book 6 is on my desk at work to check out Monday. Here's my reading list.

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? Did you feel differently?

I visited Beast at his third hospital after the fall, stopped at Olive Garden and brought home a bunch of food. Big deal.

19. What political or social issue stirred you the most?

"Stirred"? I'm fucking pissed off as hell about Trump et al.

20. Who was the most interesting new person you met?

There have been some super-fabulous medical care people I met this year. People in terms of deep knowledge? I don't know of anyone.

21. Describe how a relationship changed.

I'm 4 days away from being legally named my husband's guardian. Basically, I'm his mom now.

22. Do you think you are still the same person that you were at the beginning of the year? How so?

Maybe a more emotionally stripped-down version. And about 30 lbs. heavier. So yeah, somewhere in here is the old Cat. trying like hell to keep herself sane.

23. Summarize the year in three words or less. Bonus points for doing it in one word. Explain.

Hell.

24. How have people around you changed?

I don't think the have. I see them MUCH more clearly than I did six months ago.

25. What have you learned throughout the year? (Other than crafts)

Let people help. Take their offers. Be kind. Breathe. Find something to distract yourself from life.

26. Did you learn any new crafts or techniques? What was your favorite thing you made?

Hah! I haven't made anything this year except the bed and lists.

27. What changed about your physical appearance? (Hair? Wrinkles? New makeup style? Etc.)

As I think I mentioned, I haven't had a haircut since August. I'm fortunate enough to have "good hair" and access to piles of hair bands and barrettes. Whee. I still don't wear makeup, except chapstick.

28. What are your hopes and dreams for the new year? (Some suggestions-family, travel, work, lifestyle, hobbies, pets, appearance)

‣Beast home, or someplace good permanently
‣Trip to someplace quiet with friends (or the right family members)
‣Dog hugs. Sparky keeps saying he's getting a dog, so maybe hugs from a grand-dog?
‣Get my finances figured out
‣Get work stuff back on track
‣Get back to church regularly

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.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
It's Just Another New Year's Eve (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
Welcome to the last Saturday 9 of 2017! Thanks for a great year, everyone.

1) In this song, Barry Manilow declares New Year's Eve is "just another night." How do you feel about 12/31? Is it a special occasion or just another night?

Just another night of massive amounts of fireworks being set off in the middle of the night. I'm excited about the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day, but this year especially tomorrow is just nothing. Someone gave me a bottle of sparkling grape juice. Maybe I'll pop that open. woo . hoo

2) Barry sings that in the past year, "we've made mistakes." What in 2017 do you wish you could do over?

Oh jeeeeeez. This is why I don't do regrets; this YEAR is why I gave up regrets and do-overs decades ago. If I knew last year this time what was coming, I'm pretty sure things wouldn't have panned out at all the way they did. ... It might have been worse, I guess. {somehow}

3) He also sings of happy nights with friends. Tell us about a really good time you had in the past year.

Uhm. There were flashes of fun, some seriously hysterical laughs, and good times with kids. I didn't have a vacation, and my home-life essentially sucked. I'm learning a lot about myself--some of it's even good stuff--but over all, I don't remember "a really good time" this year. Maybe my discovery of podcasts?

4) The song references growing wiser, as well as older. What's something you learned or discovered in 2017?

I have always thought I was a tough chick, despite outside appearances. Now I know I am, and I'm not here to waste my time on anyone else's bullshit. I'm not going to stop anyone's bullshit, but I'm also not going to spend any time on it if I can stop myself. Also, some of the worst bullshit is that of people closest to me, or so I thought.

5) What do you wish you had spent more time doing during 2017?

Reading. Taking care of myself. Throwing things away.

6) What was the smartest thing you did all this past year?

Called for help. Often.

7) As this year comes to a close, what are you most grateful for?

Friends. Holy crap, I am so fortunate to have an amazing group of friends. Also, my niece has stepped up hard this year, and my brother has been a surprisingly helpful presence for me too.

8) When this week's featured artist, Barry Manilow, was a jingle writer, he wrote the famous "You deserve a break today at McDonald's" song. When's the last time you visited the Golden Arches?

Uhm. Tuesday, I think? For breakfast?

9) Random question: In high school, were you more popular with the boys or the girls?

I wasn't popular at all. I had a tight circle of (mostly) girls that I hung with. I was terrified of guys.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
One is Silver; the Other Gold
I pretty much never ask year-end questions at year’s end, but I like these. So let’s do it. I love year-end reflection!

1. Who made you laugh most in 2017?

   Most often, I'm sure it was Beast. Most deeply, I have to kind of give this to the podcasts I've found in the last few months: The Dollop and My Favorite Murder, among others.

2. What’s something you learned or discovered in 2017?

   How to listen to podcasts (thank you, Spotify); how to 'listen' to my phone in the car (see "podcasts). More importantly, I got a big smackdown on thinking I have any of the big stuff in life under anything close to control.

3. In what way was 2017 better than 2016?

   I quite honestly cannot think of even one improvement, personal or national, this year. It's been hell.

4. What was your most pleasing purchase in 2017?

   About the only thing we've bought of value this year was medical care. I have a couple of new articles of clothing that I like, but I can't think of anything important and life-changing other than medical stuff. OK, I was pretty impressed with myself for buying, loading, and using water-softener salt all alone. 🙌

5. When in 2017 were you pleasantly surprised?

   I have unbelievably amazing friends. I mean, I knew this, but the settling out of who's reliable and who isn't there is interesting, and mostly positive.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Procrastination Tool Questions

1. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?

Of the chain variety, it's Olive Garden. Of the local or one-off places, there are just too many. Some are good because they know what I'm going to order when I walk through the door, some are just unremittingly excellent in terms of quality food, some I like because of the location/view/memories. And some don't exist anymore. :'(

2. What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?

Pasta in all it's varieties.

3. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?

Heh. Yeah, I've had a couple of rather major surgeries. And then there's childbirth, which was not C-section, but the kid pretty much had to be yanked out forcefully.

4. What is the last heavy item you lifted?

Uhm. I hauled in 5 bags of groceries this morning in one trip. Before that, it was probably something at work last week.

5. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?

Nope. Thanks, I can pass on that. [Unless you mean anesthetic, of course]

6. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?

Nope.

7. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I'd probably dump the last part. I wish I'd never added it. And no, it's not because I don't love my husband; I just don't like his last name.

8. What’s your goal for the year?

Survival. Get Beast fixed.

9. Last person you hugged?

Sparky when he arrived this morning.

10. First place you went this morning?

Uhm, the bathroom?

11. Do you always answer your phone?

I rarely answer my phone. I have ringtones set for people I want to talk to and otherwise just ignore the ring.

12. It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?

I'll let you know when I wake up in a couple of hours.

13. If you could change your eye color what would it be?

I like my eye color, actually.

14. What’s on your wish list for your birthday?

I will be needing some winter clothes at that point.

15. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?

Is "terrified" an option?

16. Do you have any saved texts?

I don't really delete texts too often. Maybe I should do some of that during the race today.

17. Ever been in a car wreck?

Yup. Nothing huge, no injuries, thank God.

18. Do you have an accent?

Of course I do. Everyone does.

19. What was the last song to make you cry?

I almost had to pull off the road listening to Kelly Clarkson's version of "It's Quiet Uptown" the other day. I was majorly ugly-crying.

20. What did you do last night?

Ordered pizza, noodled around online, not much.

21. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?

Yeah. Yeah, I have.

22. Current hate right now?

Need I actually say it? I'm more than disappointed in our political representation these days.

23. Met someone who changed your life?

So MANY people!!

24. How did you bring in the New Year?

I have no idea. It's usually pretty boring around here. We just go to bed. The neighbors tend to set off fireworks, of course. Because fireworks go off all the time around here. "Look the sun came out!" "Look someone got a promotion!" "Look we have things to blow up for no reason!"

25. What song represents you?

I'll go with "Georgy Girl" because [insert long family story here].

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
A New Day Has Come (2002)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
Welcome to the first Saturday 9 of 2017!

1) This song is about a new day. Here we are celebrating a new year. What do you hope for in 2017?

I hope for our leadership to start acting like leaders, but I'm not optimistic. I hope that Beast will find a job, or at least an income stream so we stop the monthly hemorrhage of money that's been happening. I hope women's rights and the access to insurance won't be decimated, but that's not looking too likely either. I hope for fewer shooting victims and hate crimes, but I know that's not going to happen. Realistically, I hope I can make a positive difference in some people's lives, and maybe do some growing up this year.

2) Ms. Dion has said this song was influenced by the events of 9/11, and how a new day dawned after tragedy. Looking back on 2016, did something happen that you're glad to leave behind and move away from?

Only everything relating to Beast's health. But again, I'm pretty sure that some of the consequences of last year's illness(es) will be with us for a long time to come.

3) In the video, Celine serenades us from billowy white clouds. Describe the sky where you are as you answer these 9 questions.

BRIGHT sunny blue. Not a cloud anywhere in sight. The current air temperature is 15.7 degrees on our porch. I'm sure it's breezy enough to bring that down to feeling like a frigid single-digit temp. I'm in for the day.

4) This video was shot in West Palm Beach, FL. When settlers arrived in the late 1870s, the town was called Lake Worth County. OK, your turn. Tell us something about your hometown.

The place where I currently make my home is a "village" mixed in with a conglomeration of unincorporated stand-alone subdivisions, each with their own associations and rules, that somehow connect to each other through an organized grid of roads so that it looks like a proper town. It is the most insane arrangement for local government I've ever heard of!

5) Celine Dion's native tongue is French. Dites-nous quelque chose en Français.

I don't do French. Though I get the general idea of what you want me to do, the best I can give you is "Frère Jacques, dormez-vous? Sonnez les matines: din din don." I know a few other songs in French, and "Où est le WC?"

6) Celine's mother, Therese, is known in her Quebec neighborhood as a terrific cook. Think about your own domestic talents. Where do you excel? (Food prep, house cleaning, laundry, scheduling, etc.)

Uhm. Looking around the house right now, you would probably say "none of the above" but in general I do OK with all of it at this point in life. I don't excel at any of it, however.

7) Growing up, Celine and her siblings often performed in her family's piano bar. Where did you most recently enjoy an adult beverage?

The last drink I had was while Beast was away last month: blueberry vodka with Sprite over ice. Here at home. Or maybe I skipped the Sprite and ice and finished the bottle neat.

8) In 2002, when this song was popular, Kmart was in the news because the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. What department store to you shop at most often?

I spread my money around. I hit Meijer for some things, F&F for some things, and Kohl's for most of the remainder. And smaller stores, quite often locals.

9) Random question: It's time for a midnight snack and you have your choice of one of these three -- a slice of sausage pizza, a bagel with lox and cream cheese, or a piece of carrot cake. Which will you have? And what shall we bring you to drink?

Of those three, the only thing I'll be eating is the pizza and with pizza I gotta have some pop, so diet whatever'll work. Given my own choice, I'm more likely to snag a couple of crackers and wash them down with water in the middle of the night however. Pizza at midnight means I'll be awake at least once before the alarm goes off.

Year End

(Found here, and done here last year)

What did you do last year that you'd never done before?
Took a cruise. Didn't get motion sick on water. Finally found the courage of my convictions. Realized that the world isn't going to quit spinning because there's drama in my life.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for this year?
{from last year} I don't really do resolutions.

Did you (or anyone close to you) give birth?
No new babies in the family. No new babies at the workplace. I'm not even on the radar for babies myself anymore.

Did anyone close to you die?
We lost some friends at church, and it seems like the Great Baby-Boomer Die-Off began this year too. This is a drag. No one in the family, praise be.

Did you (or anyone close to you) experience a major life-changing event?
Beast was forced to face his demons on a couple of fronts. So did I for that matter. We attended the wedding of the last British kid in the family in September.

What would you like to have this [next] year that you lacked last year?
Peace of mind.

What date from last year will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There were a lot of memorable dates. The one that will have the biggest impact is of course November 8. Waking up the next morning was absolutely the most depressing moment I've had in decades, including death and disease of family members.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I reverted to good performance reviews. I don't know if it's drugs, or finally getting my boss to stop being a dick, or Al-Anon meetings and the program, but I'm a lot less pissed-off all the time at work these days.

What was your biggest failure?
Keeping my eyes on my own plate. (that's a metaphor)

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope, this year was actually amazingly clear for me health-wise (aside from the whole weight-loss thing that didn't happen). Thank God: I couldn't afford to be out of commission at all this year!

What was the best thing you bought?
That cruise was pretty fucking amazing. The trip to England was a nice hurrah to our travels for awhile. Cue Billy Joel's "I've Loved These Days."

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Beast again. He just keeps trying, in the face of immense--and apparently unresolveable--pain and backsliding, to get his life back on track. A lot of where he has been this year has been a result of some appallingly bad decisions on his part, but he's trying to find his way, and he gets props for that.
Also Sparky for being a grown-up. He really is such a great guy, not just because he's my kid, but because he is a good person.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, gee, who will I pick.... Well, suffice to say that if I were Santa, almost all politicians would have gotten the biggest, stinkiest, dirtiest pieces of coal I could find.

Where did most of your money go?
Fortunately, a lot went into savings. Medical expenses, mortgage, utilities, the usual. And vacations.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Meanness. And silly kids being silly.

What song will always remind you of [this] last year?
I got nothing for this. I can't think of a song that stands out.

Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Probably about the same. Hopefully, more realistic.

...thinner or fatter?
{same as last year} Fatter. No thought required.

...richer or poorer?
Poorer financially.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Shrugging off pettiness.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Distracting myself.

What was your favorite book?
Scanning my list, the one I gave the highest marks that I remember the most clearly are The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker.

What was your favorite movie (or TV program)?
SNL has been good here at the end of the year. Probably the most heartbreaking thing I saw all year was Kate McKinnon (doing her Hillary Clinton role) singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and accompanying herself on the piano.  

What was your greatest discovery?
My center, and being able to get there again on a regular (ish) basis. 

Did anyone come to visit you?
Only Sparky stayed overnight. We had a few day-visits from local family people, but it was a very dead year for visitors.

Did you travel anywhere?
I made up for 2015's lack of travel by blowing the budget on a Caribbean cruise from Puerto Rico (and back) and a trip to England to see my nephew Jesse get married to a remarkable woman in what ranks as The Best Wedding EVER in my book. It has set the bar very high. And the rest of that trip was good too.

Did you do anything really special and memorable?
See previous answer. Getting to know my nieces and nephews (and spouses) on an adult level is really fun.

Do you love (really like) anyone or anything now that you didn't love this time last year?
I'm sure there's something, or someone, but I'm stumped right now.

Do you hate (strongly dislike) anyone or anything now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Politics. All of it.

What did you want and get?
Travel. Too much food.

What did you want and not get?
Things that are none of my business, mostly. And weight-loss.

What did you do on your birthday?
Felt sorry for myself.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
100% sobriety on Beast's part. Sticking to my program on my part. Someone taking out Trump in, oh let's say, September.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept for last year?
Comfort still rules the day for me. And boots. I currently own 6 pair. At least.

What kept you sane?
Drugs, working the program, reading, work.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Since he got all my love last year, I'm going with Michelle O this year. She is simply an amazingly graceful and grace-filled woman.

What political issue stirred you the most?
This horrible election, the resulting political climate, safety pins, fear-mongering, and fake-news. None of it's particularly good. I mean the safety pin is a good reaction, but I'm so disappointed in the NEED to have that kind of symbol.

Who (or what) did you miss?
This year was particularly hard around the anniversary of Ellen's death. It's been 22 years, but I really missed her at the beginning of December. I would give almost anything to talk to her one more time.

Who was the best new person you met?
Can I pick twins, and their cousins? Because I finally met all my British great nephews and great nieces, and they are delightful. 

Did you enjoy any good sunsets?
Honestly, I don't remember a single time I took to notice the sun this year. OK, wait, on the boat. Yeah, nice sunsets there.

Who did you meet and what did you like about them?
I met a lot of people this year. Most of them are simply wonderful, normal, cool people. A couple are jerks, or just nuts. I can't pick just one.

What did you experience for the first time?
Being single, as an adult.

How do you know you are older?
Creaky knees, not-great health.

How do you know you are wiser?
I don't know that. I'm more patient, sometimes, though.

What are your regrets about last year?
I really HAVE to see something like mountains this year. It's been a long drought!

Where did you go that you have never been before?
The big places I've mentioned already. A wide variety of medical facilities, some that I never thought I'd ever see. Amy's house. My guts. (not literally)

Did you have any meetings that you find memorable?
Heh. Yeah. Suffice to say that without this year's meetings--almost all of them--I'd probably be fucking dead.

Did you walk in the park, or at the beach, or in the woods, or by a mountain stream?
I walked in a few villages, around a field, in Manchester, in town squares, Winona, in libraries, past a woman lying on a sidewalk, airports, docks, Old Town SJ, past speakers banging out reggae, in theaters, up and down the stairs in my house endlessly, in and out of Sparky's apartment(s)....no mountain streams or woods, but I did get a beach and a park in there. And still...not enough walking was done.

What would you do again?
Most of it. At least the stuff I have control of.

What would you do over?
I would be less stupid about the location of my passport prior to our cruise.

Why is your life better?
Is it?

Why is it not?
{Last year's answer again} My body is not in good shape. It's probably the worst shape it's ever been in, in fact.

What unique opportunities did you miss?
I should've taken myself to a movie in November.

If you met yourself for the first time this year would you strike up a friendship? Where would you have met?
{And again with last year's answer} We would, undoubtedly, meet at a library or a bookstore (or, I suppose, church), and yeah, I'd probably be friendly to myself.
Addendum: maybe an airport or somewhere else in a traveling moment.

What flowers did you smell for the first time? What food tasted? What music danced to?
There were a lot of new scents in the Caribbean. I've now had plantains, at least in the form of mofongo (omg delish!). We had a blast at Jesse and Anna's wedding, dancing, eating, talking, squidging around in damp grass and walking the streets of Bristol.

What will make this year different from last year?
We're tightening the purse strings. Beast will be job-hunting. My attitude will continue to mitigate.

Did you spend any time listening to yourself? What did you say?
Far more of this happened this year than any other year. Mostly I seem remember telling myself to walk away, shut up, and/or breathe.

If you put this year in a food grinder and made sausages out of it, what would they taste like?
{from last year} ...possibly one of the weirdest questions on this blog...
Pretty flavorful with some very sour parts.

In what respects was last year a pivotal year?
Standing up for myself, really doing what needs doing, i.e. "adulting," is very empowering.

If time and events flow like a river, what was your relationship with that river this year?
A. drifting downstream with Huck Finn on a log
B. swimming upstream like a salmon to spawn
C. shooting the class IV rapids
D. up the creek without a paddle
E. the Zen monk moving deftly in the roiled pool at the base of the tall falls.
More of C, D, and E this year.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned last year.
Let it go.

Quote a song lyric or poem that sums up your year.
Sorry, I'm lazy. I'm just going to steal last year's whollly:
"Through many dangers, toils and snares... / I have already come. / 'Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far... / and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me... / His word my hope secures. / He will my shield and portion be / as long as life endures."

Add a question of your own and answer it.
What are you going to do tomorrow to make the world better/easier/more positive?
I don't know the answer, but I need to think about that every day.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Tammy (1957)
In celebration of Debbie Reynolds
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1. In this song,Tammy sings of being able to hear "the breeze from the bayou." What sounds can you hear as you answer these questions?

We're watching an SNL we missed from earlier this fall, the one with Tom Hanks hosting just before the election. It's really weird watching it now, but also really funny.

2. This week's song was the theme of a popular movie about a girl who grew up on a houseboat in Mississippi. Looking back on 2016, did you spend much time on or around water?

We took a cruise in the spring. I guess that counts: 7 days on the Caribbean. Yup.

3. In addition to being an Oscar-nominated actress, this week's artist, Debbie Reynolds, was a big movie fan. She amassed an amazing cache of movie memorabilia. Do you collect anything?

Dust. Oh and S&Ps. Got another set this Christmas.

4. Though she never won a competitive Oscar for acting, Debbie Reynolds was awarded the Academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award earlier this year for 60 years of charity work. While she supported many causes throughout her life, one she was closest to was The Girl Scouts. She was not only a Scout herself, she was a leader when daughter Carrie was young and a fundraiser throughout her life. Were you ever in Boy or Girl Scouts?

I was a Girl Scout for a couple of years. I attended Boy Scout meetings when I was tiny because my brother was a member, and maybe my parents were leaders? Why was I there otherwise?

6. The New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations in both Disney World in Florida and Sydney, Australia coordinate pyrotechnics and music. Are you expecting either fireworks or live music on your New Year's Eve celebration?

There will be fireworks and drunken shouting, occasionally loud music. Does that count?

7. According to the National Insurance Bureau, more cars are stolen on New Year's Eve than any other single day. Are you confident your vehicle(s) will be safe and sound this Saturday night?

Yes I am. It will be in my garage. I doubt I'm leaving the house today.

8. Do you have any New Year's Resolutions for 2017?

Nope. I'm doing my usual anti-resolutions.

9. Looking back on 2016, what surprised you?

Only every-damn-thing. And usually not in a good way.

Blogthings

You Are the Champagne

You love to party on New Year's Eve as much as anyone else, but you also take some time to reflect. You find this to be a good moment to sum up the year that has passed... and to toast to the future! You are both an optimist and a realist. You don't sugarcoat things, but you also have a bubbly personality. You are charming and witty, especially when you get your drink on. You aren't the life of the party, but it's still not a party without you.

What Part of New Year's Are You?

Well, this is accurate. NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Forward

1. What are you looking forward to in your personal life in 2017?

   I have really got to lose some weight, and stop spending money like Beast still has an income.

2. What’s something you’re planning ahead for?

   I can't think of anything much coming in the next year. Well, there is a big work project on the horizon that I'm involved with, but nothing much else. I'd like to get to Texas to see my three-years-old-today great-nephew that I've never seen in person yet.

3. How intense is your to-do list for the last days of the year?

   Not. We'll fondue for dinner tomorrow night. We'll probably play Cards Against Humanity; Sparky brought his Bigger, Blacker Box. Maybe I'll dig out a jigsaw to work on since there's no parade till Monday. We could take the tree apart and pack up all that stuff...

4. What’s something you’d like to jump past, between now and the end of the year?

   I would like the Christmas elves to take care of all the decoration-removal. Unfortunately, I no longer believe in Christmas elves, so I don't think it's going to happen.

5. How will you ring in the new year?

   I've no doubt I'll be asleep well before midnight tomorrow night, with earplugs in so I don't get awakened by the inevitabe fireworks all of our neighbors insist on blowing up for any occasion of note.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Two Thousand Zero Zero Party Over Oops Out of Time

1. What’s your favorite song from 1999?

It's kind of a toss-up between "Unpretty" and "Livin' La Vida Loca." I had no idea it's been 17 years since Ricky-Mania started! I've got the Shania CD too, and it got played A LOT!!

2. What are some of your favorite films from 1999?

I can recall seeing precisely three of the movies on that list: Phantom Menace, Matrix, and Toy Story 2, and I think only one of those in a theater. One was a giant yawn, one was pretty funny, and the third was deeper than I ever thought that kind of movie could be.

3. What’s something interesting that happened on your birthday in 1999?

u>On my birthday, not much. Beast's birthday is soon after mine, and there was all kinds of stuff on his: collapsing people-killing bonfires, non-fatal plane crashes, and an international call for peace in Chechnya. Between our two birthdays, Neopets were introduced!!

4. How did you ring in the new year as 1999 became 2000?

We stayed home, of course, and Sparky tried his hardest to last till midnight. He did ok for an almost-seven-year-old and lasted till about 11 before crashing in the papa-san chair in the living room. I have an awesome photo of him somewhere in his Winnie-the-Pooh slippers and jammies, comatose at the beginning of the new year.

5. What’s something that’s gotten better since 1999?

Internet speed.

I miss Prince so much....sigh....

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Shannon's Moments Meme, Part One
I kinda just did this a couple of weeks ago, but it's enough different that I'll do it again.

1. Do you like blue cheese?

Not alone, but with some other goodies (steak, etc.) it's dynamite!

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? If yes, how did you quit?

No, thank God I never started. I'm virtually certain I'd never have been able to stop.

3. Do you own a gun? How are your feelings about gun control/2nd Amendment rights?

I do not, because I know myself well enough to know exactly how dangerous that would be. I am not anti-gun, however. If you like hunting, or collecting armament, fine. I just do not see any reason for ANYone to own a functional auto or semi-auto. There's only one use for them, and it ain't dead-heading peonies!

4. What is your favorite flavor of water or liquor flavors?

I like my water plain old water-flavored, preferably not overly chlorinated. I like my liquor fairly flavorless generally too. Plain Stoli, maybe a lime twist, is sufficient. I really can't do extremely sweet drinks at all anymore...shudder.

5. Do you get nervous before a doctor visit? Why?

Nope. Serves no purpose except to make my blood pressure rise, which isn't helpful. I figure, by the time I've committed to seeing the doctor, I've already decided I need help solving whatever problem I've got at the moment.
This is all despite the fact that I actively hated going to the doctor as a child since it seemed to always involve an injection for something or other. And the doc was super-creepy. If I ever get that vibe off anyone now, I'm outta there.

6. How do you like your hot dogs?

Cold straight out of the package. If we're talking about food-truck dogs then no relish, heavy mustard, and some onions. I'll get ketchup too, unless I'm in Chi-town where it's pretty much illegal.

7. Although it’s been asked a lot, tell us about a favorite movie that you haven’t shared before.

I can't think of a movie that I haven't talked about. I don't really see that many movies, not compared to most people, so I go to the very few I love regularly to answer this. I've always liked "Fiddler on the Roof" mostly for the cinematography, and after actually seeing Siberia, it's even more amazing. Ditto for "Dr. Zhivago" a movie in which I could happily turn off the volume and watch in silence.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

Diet caffeinated pop. More caffeine = more better.

9. In a dating situation, have you ever misrepresented yourself to seem cooler or hipper? (Yes we know for most of you it was long ago…)

Of course. I never in my life felt hip or cool, but who admits that to someone they're interested in impressing??

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Why?

I have a necklace my mom's best childhood friend gave me that she got while she was a missionary in Persia (Iran) in the 50s. It is mother-of-pearl, painted with two different scenes--one on either side--and too large and an odd-length for most outfits. I love it to death though. I love it for its own sake, but also because it reminds me of Mom and N. and how weirdly the world changes--N. gave it to me in about 1979, just before the Iranian Hostage Crisis commenced; I loved wearing it as a stealth thing that people who were yelling about killing all Iranians wouldn't/didn't get.

11. Favorite hobby? Tell us about it so we understand it.

I read. A lot. Because my life is terminally boring--and that's fine--and I like to crawl inside other people's heads and see what motivates them. One of the books I'm reading right now, The Home for Wayward Clocks is reminding me that this is one of the best parts of reading. All the everyday people doing everyday things that seem so outlandish to me, but not to them.

12. Do you have A.D.D., or have you suspected it?

Nope. Except in the sense that I am rarely ever doing just one thing anymore. It's blogging-and-TV-watching, music-and-cataloging, conversation-and-cooking.

13. What’s a thing you dislike or would change about yourself?

I need to do better about thinking further ahead than the next half hour on the Really Big Stuff in Life. I tend to be a little hedonistic and don't properly plan things out. Which, if you knew what my calendar looked like, would surprise you, I'm sure.

14. Middle name? Like it or not?

I have one. I like it. It's short, succinct, and uncommon, though hardly rare. Y'all have definitely heard of it. There's a very famous doctor that has made it more accessible. I've always been glad, secretly, that it wasn't "the" middle name that all the (popular) girls in high school seemed to have.

15. Name three random thoughts you might have on this week:

I might never catch up on cataloging at work, but I have nearly run myself out of project-work. Beast has 7 days, which is worth celebrating. It's beautiful outside today, tempting me to go out and sit on the porch which will undoubtedly lead to me feeling absolutely shitty later. (see above re thinking ahead)

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Tell us a bit about them.

I regularly drink dark diet soda, water, and pretty much nothing else. Occasional glasses of white soda when I'm feeling like I need to de-caffeinate closer to bedtime.

17. Current worry:

I'm weaning myself away from incessant worrying. I am, however, starting to think about what I'm wearing for this upcoming wedding, and what else I should be taking for the trip. Also on my mind is what Sparky needs to take, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS because HE IS 23 and I don't need to pack for him anymore!!! And this is why I have to stop worrying about stuff; it's almost always just about this stupid.

18. Current annoyance:

I can't think of anything that annoying right now. Overall, I would say that there is a large rash of idiotic behavior on the Big World Stage right now, and I'm so very sick of idiots.

19. Favorite place to be in the summer? Give us a wee bit more than “the beach”.

Well, in my case it's not the beach; it's the mountains. Any mountaintop, a ways away from "civilization" with wildflowers, sunshine, and rarefied air. I'm not fussy. I haven't had anything of this sort in a very long time and I'm craving it.

20. How do you usually ring in the new year? If forced (how we’d do that without Judd coming to your house, if you even know who he was) to do something new, what would it be?

I don't do anything very exciting. We stay home. Often we fondue. I'm usually in bed either well before midnight or not too long after. I have no interest whatever in hanging out or driving near drunks, so yeah.

21. What have you done this summer that’s special? Pictures please.

I haven't done anything this summer to speak of. Our vacations this year are April and September, so the summer has been 13 weeks of work. That's fine. But I don't got pix.

22. Have you ever walked into a room with just shoes on?

Well, if shower shoes count as shoes, then yes.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Papa, Don't Preach (1986)
If you're not familiar with today's song, you can hear it here.

1) Madonna has sold more than 200 million records worldwide. Do you have any of her songs on your iPod/mp3 player/phone?

Nope.
Then again, I don't have an iPod either. I use Spotify and Sirius XM for music (and occasionally Pandora) and I surely have Madonna songs saved on Spotify. ...actually I just chceked--I do NOT have any Madonna! I'm a bit surprised. I do like some of her stuff. Not this week's song, particularly, but others.

2) When she first arrived in New York in search of fame and fortune, Madonna supported herself by working at Dunkin' Donuts. What did you order last time you were at Dunkin' Donuts?

I haven't been for a couple of weeks, but someone brought donuts from there to work on Thursday, so I had one. ...
OK, two!

3) Madonna and her first husband, Sean Penn, ended their marriage on New Year's Eve, 1988. Sam's New Year's Eves are never that dramatic. What about you? Do you have any vivid New Year's Eve memories you'd like to share?

Only a couple. One I was thinking about the other day: Sparky was determined to stay awake to welcome the new millennium. He was 7 (nearly 8) and he lasted till about 10 when he zonked out in the papa-san chair. I have a photo of him in his jammies that is adorable. (too lazy to go find and scan it in here tho)
The other memory I have is watching the countdown show on the Big City broadcast several years ago and realizing that both news anchors hosting it were WAY drunk and actually in danger of hooking up on the air. And these were not youthful people! It was funny, and horrible, and embarrassing.

4) Madonna admits she suffers from brontophobia, aka the fear of storms. Are you scared of thunder and lightning?

I've a healthy respect for lightning, but I don't fear it; I just take precautions. What I am afraid of is wind and "funny-colored" skies. That's tornado-brewing weather and I don't mess around with that at all!

5) Onstage during the 2015 Coachella fest, Madonna shocked the audience by planting a kiss square on the lips of much-younger rapper Drake. What's something that surprised you recently?

That was a very disturbing video to watch, by the way. {{shudder}} My Crazy Cat Lady coworker called in sick EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS WEEK, and didn't even have to provide a doctor's note yesterday (day 4). That's HR's rule, and it's in place at work because of her so we're all a little pissed-off that she doesn't have to follow the rules. And she's already taking vacation next week. So. Yeah. Meanwhile, other people were at work every single day even though they were not well; they at least showed up before we shooed (some of) them home. I've been dealing with this behavior from her for 20+ years. It never stops being annoying though for the most part, I've given up. Whining about it doesn't change it any more than whining about a cat not being a dog changes that situation.
On a happier note, I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when Beast told me he was getting up at 6:15 to go to Men's Bible Study this morning.

6) More recently, Madonna was at the center of a controversy because Prince fans didn't like her tribute at the Billboard Music Awards. They made themselves heard on social media. Was your last Facebook post or Tweet positive or negative?

Whatever. I didn't see her tribute, but people need to calm the fuck down about stuff like this. My last Fbook post is technically from GoodReads: a positive review of a book I just finished. And the one just before that is a funny medieval "interpretation" of a scene from Star Wars.

7) One of the things Sam's papa preaches about is car maintenance. He reminds her to check her car's air filter regularly, because a dirty filter can reduce mileage. Share your own car maintenance tip with us.

Uhm. I'm hyper-aware of running out of windshield-washer fluid. Otherwise, Beast takes good care of the cars. I need to get the oil changed--I've a light going on every time I start the car--but that's getting taken care of shortly as well. I don't really "do" car stuff, because I'm fortunate enough not to have to worry about it.

8) When she was growing up, Sam's father was often away on business. He always remembered to bring back the complimentary shampoos, conditioners and lotions from the hotels where he stayed. When will you next stay in a hotel (or motel, bed-and-breakfast or Airbnb room)?

We might spend a night next weekend in the city where Sparky's living, and where he (and we) went to college. He's moving apartments and the schedule is a little fubar so it might mean a night with the Holiday Inn peeps. After that, I'm not sure. Maybe nothing till September when we go to my nephew Jesse's wedding. Beast is traveling to his company's HQ this week, though, so he'll be hotelling it for 4 nights.

9) To celebrate Father's Day, Sam is giving away her father's favorite candy: LifeSavers. Would you prefer a roll of Wild Cherry, Butter Rum, Winter Green or Peppermint?

I'm tempted to say Wint-o-Green for the sparking, but I haven't had Butter Rum in absolute EONS! It sounds good this morning.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
This Year Meme

This Year:
A bad habit I'm going to break:

Popping off without thinking. I really have to get a handle on this.

A new skill I'd like to learn:

Oh, I don't know. Walking away? Managing my boss?

A person I'd like to be more like:

I'd like to get better at being my better self, honestly. Though there are several women at church who serve as good role models: Vel, Cheryl, Shel, Kel (what's with all the "l" names?), and of course there are several people in my life whose purpose seems to be primarily as reminders of what NOT to do!

A good deed I'm going to do:

I think I'll try being more mindful of starting a pay-it forward line when I'm in various drive-thrus in town.

A place I'd like to visit:

The parts of Missouri and Arkansas that were on our list for last October that had to be canceled. And maybe my nieces babies overseas.

A book I'd like to read:

I've decided that I am going to read Umberto Eco this year. First up: The Name of the Rose.

A letter I'm going to write:

I need to write Rosellen and Tom and apologize for 'outing' their news before they did it. I'm an idiot. (see the first question)

A new food I'd like to try:

I've heard that there's this kind of food group called "healthy" and I'm hoping to get better about eating it more regularly.

I'm going to do better at:

...keeping things from becoming overwhelming on the stack-and-do-later front at work and at home.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Sleigh Ride (1993)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Have you ever ridden in a sleigh?

I've ridden in a Russian troika in Siberia. Close enough for my lights.

2) This recording is from Harry Connick Jr's best-selling CD, When My Heart Finds Christmas. This year, did you add any new holiday songs to your personal collection?

Nope. In fact, I didn't really listen to much Christmas music till this past week. I've got another 5 Days of Christmas left for it too! OK, to be totally honest, I'm listening to random Spotify Christmas channels and building NEXT year's playlist. I've found some good new bands, but their names are written down at work.

3) Harry was born and raised in New Orleans, a city that seldom sees snow. Have you had enough snow to shovel so far this winter?

Yes. We've had two shovel-able snowstorms this season. We can be done now--but I'm sure we aren't.

4) Speaking of weather, Harry hosted a mini-series on The Weather Channel called 100 Biggest Weather Moments. Do you frequently check The Weather Channel?

Not as much as we used to--we check the weather online on our phones or laptops instead.

5) Harry's mother was a very impressive woman -- a lawyer, judge and Louisiana Supreme Court justice. Tell us about someone in your family of whom you're very proud.

I'm proud of everyone in my family! My brother sells used firetrucks to, well, anyone looking for them (he's sold to places from Sweden to Qatar, from Wisconsin to Colorado). My sister has a MA in Early Childhood Development and has run several successful daycares over the years. I have a nephew who is a TSA officer, another who's a city council member in his city, one who repairs forklifts for pay and designs and builds firearms for fun, one who drives a semi all over the eastern half of the country (and Canada), a niece who is a veterinarian, another who is an astrophysicist (yes, really), one who designs amazing costumes and clothing, and another whose voice is amazing. Sparky is the most awesome son ever--he's been just stellar during this winter break--and Beast is my hero for keeping his sense of humor through the past 3 months.
Should I keep going....?

6) Happy New Year! Now that Christmas is over, are you done with holiday music and decorations? Or are you sad to see the holidays end?

I'm over the hols. Let's just move right on to spring, ok?

7) The New Year's Eve fireworks celebration in Sydney, Australia is famous for coordinating pyrotechnics and music. Have you ever welcomed the New Year in another country?

Yes, actually I have: I rang in 1985 in Moscow watching most of my classmates get blotto and agreeing with our prof/chaperone that the flight to Omsk (on a prop plane) in the morning was going to SUUUUUUUCK for them. It did. Unfortunately, I had to sit on the plane next to one of the guys who didn't have the most settled stomach ....

8) Do you have any New Year's Resolutions for 2016?

It's not so much a resolution as it is actual fact: I simply have to lose weight. Aside from looking like hell, my back is starting to act up from doing nothing but standing in line. Shopping is becoming painful, which is ludicrous.

9) Looking back on 2015, what surprised you?

The fact that Donald Trump has any political credibility with anyone stuns me. I just don't get it--talk about the Emperor having no clothes!