the friday 56

The Friday 56

Rules: *Grab a book, any book. 

*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's ok.) 

*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) 

*Post it. 

 I'm listening to Deacon King Kong.

Chapter 10: Soup

The morning after he visited Rufus, Sportcoat lay in bed trying to decide-with Hettie's help- whether to wear his plaid sportcoat or go with the straight yellow.  She was in a good mood and they were getting on quite well when the twang of an errant guitar interrupted them.  Hettie vanished as Sportcoat, irritated, lumbered over to the window, and looked down frowning as a crowd gathered in the plaza at the front steps of Building 17, which faced his Building 9.  On the front steps, four musicians: one guitarist, one accordion player, and two playing bongos and congas had already gathered.

three on thursday

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Thing one: I made a mistake today by engaging with a keyboard warrior.  I didn't mean to.

Thing two: My sleep schedule is all messed up again.  Fortunately, being on vacation means I don't *have* to get up in the morning at a certain time.

Thing three:

unraveled wednesday

Join Kat @ AsKatKnits for some fun!

Knitting Under the Sea and listening to the marvelous narration of Deacon King Kong.

ten things tuesday

Ten random things:

1) I attended a community gathering last evening to discuss the book White Fragility and our experiences as white people who are trying to recognize bias and change our behavior.  Small but enthusiastic group.  I'm glad I went although I felt socially awkward since I haven't been to a gathering of any size in months.  I just felt weird.  Not the content but the physical act of gathering.

2) I asked my new principal if I could teach fewer classes (I have five different contents) and he said no.  I'm mad.  So not only do I have two different Advanced Placement courses, I have three other courses.  Ugh.  I know I'll capitulate, but for now, I want to be mad.

3) I linked my little Alexa device to SiriusXM radio and have been enjoying my favorite stations at home.  And listening to the U2 channel (#32) reminds me why they are my favorite band.

4) Last week I decided I did not like a couple knitting projects that I was struggling to muster the enthusiasm to knit.  Since I frogged* them I got my mojo back!

5) I also started an audiobook over the weekend and I love the storytelling.  The narration is great.  

6) I took about a week off from my lymphedema treatment at home and I regret it.  A good reminder of why I need to be vigilant--my ankles are puffed.  But I used my lymphatic pump and have my garment on today.  Feels good.

7) I'm getting my car detailed tomorrow.  It's been my car for 4 years and I haven't had it deep cleaned.  I mean, I don't eat in it and it's not messy--but a deep cleaning of all those crevices will be luxurious.  And getting the inside windshield guch out will be great.

8)  I had a manicure.  Oh, how I love pampering myself.  #Flashbulb_Fuchsia 

9) I'm glad I was fiddley-farting around today so I could enjoy what a perfect day it is.  78° sunny, just a hint of humidity, light breeze.

10) Not to be a Debbie Downer, but these are my concerns.

*"frogging knitting" means ripping out your stitches when you've made a mistake. It gets its name from "rip it, rip it" (like "ribbit, ribbit" — get it?).

currently

I am...

Reading: I am listening to Deacon King Kong

Listening to:  SiriusXM's U2 channel (#32)

Loving: being able to watch Hamilton a bunch of times!

Thinking: about what school might be like in the fall--and what my comfort level is with going back to the building and being surrounded by kids

Feeling: thoughtful

Celebrating: strawberry season!

Grateful for:  my dear Breakfast Club friends who truly get me

Weather: it is 70 degrees and sunny--a PERFECT day

Enjoying:  the drive around neighboring towns to run some errands, pick up some fresh strawberries, and deliver book group books

A quote I want to share:

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

sunday stealing

(click the icon to play along)

How's the weather?

1. Have you ever had a vacation ruined by the weather or did you just work around it? yes--several times

2. What small changes do you feel people could make to give the planet a fighting chance against global warming? reduce, recycle, and be mindful

3. Are you adversely affect by the weather, such as SAD? yes--I have an Ott light

4. How is the weather where you are and have you seen drastic changes in it during your life time? I have seen winters get more extreme in cold and snowfall

5. Do you think we can stop global warming or is it too late? oh, I think we can change our ways

6. What could you do for an hour or so today that you would really enjoy doing? knit

7. What could you do for an hour today that might improve your life in the future? meditate

8. What could you do for an hour today that could strengthen or improve a skill you would like to be able to rely on? uh... I donno

9. What could you do for an hour today that would make your living space more pleasant to live in? I could break down some boxes and recycle them

10. What could you do for an hour today that would improve your relationships with loved ones? I could send some texts and emails

11. Do you like, dislike, or pay no attention to the wind? I enjoy a breeze and dislike the wind

12. Do you have allergies or sinus made worse by the wind? this is the first year I've ever had allergies and the wind seems to make them worse, yes

13. Have you ever been caught in a big wind (not a hurricane or tornado)? not that I can think of--other than being outside during major wind chills (like -45 degrees)

14. When was the last time you flew a kite? it has been a few years

15. Would you like to have the power of flight? no

finished reading

This racy rom-com is racy.  Did I mention it's racy?  Because it's racy.  Almost raunchy.  I feel like a prudish maiden aunt clutching my pearls.  Aside from that, the main characters are both re-inventing themselves.  I liked the sisterhood between Georgie, Bethany, and Rosie.

From the publisher:

Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means. 

Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?) 

Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.) 

Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?) 

Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!) 

Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite? 

Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there's Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her... 

saturday 9

You're A Grand Old Flag

1) The flag we currently fly, with 50 stars and 13 stripes, was designed by a high school student. When Alaska and Hawaii were added, President Eisenhower invited Americans to submit designs for how best to incorporate the two new states. Ike chose 17-year-old Robert G. Heft's submission from more than 1500 entries. Tell us about a contest you entered and won. (Or really hoped to win.)  Today I entered a book giveaway on GoodReads and I hope I win!

2) The government also has another of Mr. Heft's designs waiting: one that incorporates a 51st star if another state is added. When you were in school, did you memorize the states and their capitals? I knew the states but not the capitols

3) Six American flags have been planted on the surface of the moon. Those are undoubtedly the flags farthest from you this morning. Where is an American flag flying near you today? directly across the street, there is a flag on display at the federal building 24/7

4) This version of the song was performed by James Cagney in the 1942 classic, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Have you ever seen it? it was so long ago, I don't remember it--but yes, I have seen it

5) In that film, Cagney portrayed George M. Cohan, the composer of this week's song. In 1940, Cohan was honored by with a Congressional Gold Medal. In presenting him with the award, President Roosevelt specifically thanked Cohan for "You're a Grand Old Flag," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," and "Over There." What's your favorite patriotic song? I have a soft spot for America The Beautiful and This Land Is Your Land

6) Though a performer his entire life, Cohan disliked listening to recordings of his own voice. How about you? Do you like your singing and/or speaking voice? yes and yes

7) James Cagney won the Oscar for Best Actor his performance as George M. Cohan. Also nominated that year was Gary Cooper, who portrayed Lou Gehrig in Pride of the Yankees. Tell us about another movie about a great American. Milk about Harvey Milk--I knew nothing of his story and Sean Penn was brilliant

8) As a teen, Cagney juggled high school with a variety of jobs, including bell hop and delivery boy, and gave all his earnings to his family. Looking back, Cagney was grateful that he had to begin work early, saying, "I feel sorry for the kid who has too cushy a time of it. Suddenly he has to come face-to-face with the realities of life without his mama and papa to do his thinking for him." Do you agree?  well, to a degree.... some of my students don't know how to juggle their work and school lives and it seems no one (parents) aren't teaching them how to set boundaries

9) Cagney had a rebellious streak. His boss, studio head Jack Warner, nicknamed Cagney, "The Professional Againster." Cagney joked that he enjoyed earning the title. What about you? Are you rebellious? I've been called that but I prefer to think that I march to the beat of my own drum