Today the Wendy Weetabix question on Facebook was: While the holidays are joyous for many, there can also be moments of extreme stress, disorganization, and sometimes depression. What is your Life Pro Tip for surviving the holidays? My answer: “You don’t have to do any of it.” Repeat this mantra as needed. As I've gotten older, I've realized that the best thing I can do for myself and for my family is to let go... Read more →
Joe has been growing his beard lately, and it has become a lush forest of white hair. When he went grocery shopping today, he wore his green boiled wool jacket and his red touque. He freely admits that he looked like an elf in this outfit. As he was shopping, he noticed a little boy - maybe three years old - being pushed along as Mommy talked on the phone. He saw Joe. Joe says... Read more →
It's official - Christmas time is here! We heard the horn and siren around 11 this morning. Joe yelled from the bathroom, "Is it Santa??" even as I grabbed my phone and headed for the balcony. Sure enough, there was the Jolly Old Elf! It looks like he's been working out, prepping for the long ride and multiple chimney descents. Good for him! Read more →
Dang! I missed posting yesterday; I blame the snow. It was really coming down just after lunch and Joe suggested that I come home before the roads got nasty. I allowed as how I'd be home in an hour. An hour later the snow was coming down even harder. So I packed up my laptop and headed home. I worked a little more and then set my laptop aside to take a break. Joe was... Read more →
Our big cat, who is named Little Bits because she was indeed little at one point, is a very insistent cat. When she decides that she wants pets and skritches, you are required to give them to her. Joe says she's an unspeakable cat. I think the description is a riff on Warren Zevon's Excitable Boy. She loves having her belly rubbed and rolls over on her back so that you can easily reach her... Read more →
I'm feeling worn out tonight. Joe has been feeling poorly the last couple of days - coughing, low fever, lethargy - probably a cold. He's gone to bed really early the last couple of nights, so I grabbed the opportunity to binge watch Season 5 of Downton Abbey. I stayed up until after midnight both nights and now I pay the price. Also, I was invited to the development department's mandatory fun this afternoon. It... Read more →
Today the lovely and immensely talented Wendy asked one of her #bixquestions on Facebook: Who is a person who opened doors for you in your passion or your career when they didn't have to? What did they do and what impact did it have on your life? I answered on Facebook, but I'd like to expand on my answer here. Aren't you lucky! First off is my Pop. The night before I was to leave... Read more →
We have a well-worn copy of Bullfinch's Mythology. Among the more famous myths and tales of the gods is the sweet story of Baucis and Philemon. It's my favorite story, so I thought I'd tell it to you on this cold winter night. On a hill overlooking a lake, stand a majestic oak and a graceful linden, enclosed by a low wall. Baucis and Philemon were an old couple. They married young, and spent their... Read more →
Well, it's been a lovely Sunday. We had a nice, leisurely morning drinking coffee, munching cereal, and reading the paper. We get the New York Times on Sundays and play a little game based on the homes for sale in the real estate section. Joe reads descriptions of the five properties described in the On The Market section and I guess the prices. I got very close on two today, missed by a mile on... Read more →
It's snowing like crazy outside. It's Saturday. Because of these two circumstances, I'm still in my pajamas. Why not? I'm not going anywhere, that's for sure. So, on this lazy, snowy day, how about some Saturday 9? Saturday 9: My Church (2016) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 1) This song is about a woman who loves singing along with her car radio. Is that something you enjoy? Oh God yes. I have... Read more →