Lifestyle choice – All The Best

Or the worst

Someone needs to expand on this script, ripped from the headlines.

Here’s the bones: poor but noble girl, [it’s her talent that signals her worth], becomes successful at her art. In the peak of her career, she wins the greatest prize.

She is wooed by the descendent of the most accomplished of all of America’s families.

Sure the patriarch made much of his money at bootlegging, but her beau’s forebears included a president, a statesman, a senator. They had brought Camelot to DC.

She was wooed then won by the Jr. who was prominent in his own way.

Some might say that he was notorious and unconventional. She signed on to this marriage, crown prince of MAHA and unsung girl from the Oakies. Of course, neither was young at this point; they each had matured to their own fame. No longer girl and prince.

Our aspiring princess should have seen that her prince was more than a bit unhinged.

He was in a position to do more harm than good. He was an acolyte of dark forces, perhaps the prince of evil himself.

Can she be saved? Can she become a hero in her own story?

Plotlines and dialogue required.

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For an antidote, click to hear some music.

Walking

My love of walking around the city was seriously hobbled [sorry] by bum knees.

Pain is a big deterrent to enjoying my walks. Well, was. I went to the ortho on Thursday.

She was pro-active and did an ultra-sound to check for water on the knee. She removed two vials of a yellow fluid from the right knee and one vial from the left. Yellow, she assured me is normal. I will start pool therapy at Sutton Place PT shortly.

The knees feel a lot better and I am not rolling as much when I walk. Not perfect or pain free but better. I still suffer a stiffness after sitting too long. Standing in place too long again hurts.

Better right now is best.

Capt’n DJT

Just want you to know that when I recommended you read Dave Eggers’ The Captain and the Glory, that it makes an antidote to the captain and Zelenskiyy.

I confess that I could not finish Eggers’ masterpiece. I tried. I heard enough of it to recognize it as great. I only know bits and bits of Ulysses, too. If you can, read Eggers. Heck, read both Eggers and Joyce.

Barkeep, I’ll have a….

Baristas like bartenders have upped the ante. The more specific drink invention gets, the more knowledge and skill they have to exercise.

So it’s blonde and flat or almond and what have you. I don’t even know how to order from these menus.

Let’s face it, complicated is fun. And adds spice.

I thought of asking my Swiss cafeista today to prepare my cappucino mit schlag.

They call it Vienesse at Sotheby’s down the block. Adding not spice but calories.

It’s past time

There is a point in life when we realize that there is more behind us than ahead.

We have come to the juncture when we won’t squander our time or reconfigure who we plan on being.

This may sound grim to those of you who still can experiment on your life’s path. Know that it is not.

It is a different kind of luxury.

For me, it’s a reflection-point. I am grateful for getting this far.

It is an unimaginable age; aka one I never thought of as being old because I was sure that 30 or 50 were old.

I have grown into my own true self. And I can still learn more about who that self is.

Here I am with less time and lots of time on my hands. All the time in the world.

Journaling

Lately, my favorites have been those that specialize in Japanese paper goods; there are so many adorable, and useful, little amusements to discover. I recommend starting out in midtown, at Kinokuniya USA, a giant bookstore whose basement level is almost entirely devoted to notebooks, pens, and letter-writing sets. You can then trek to the East Village, to niconeco zakkaya, a cute-as-a-button spot that specializes in journals, sticker books, rubber stamps, and washi tape.

The New Yorker Daily By Rachel Syme

There are many platforms for the many disciplines of self-expression.

Journaling is a way to get control of your life or at least chronicle its natural disarray. Generally, the journal is used to report to oneself on oneself.

In my books, it’s separate from the blog posts I share with others. [There is an intended pun in there.] My writing is often a chronicle of my life, but the one I post is more organized than it would be in a journal.

Here, I try to make some order of it all. My posts, whether poems or opinions, intend to make a point.

My preferred “journal” is Samsung Notes. I type, therefore, I can read what I wrote. In my long hand, yesterday’s entry would remain a mystery; well, not just yesterday’s but most days’.

Nonetheless, I am attracted to the paperback book journals Rachel Syme describes and recommends.

Clean clothes?

If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

Except for having to organize either

a regular washing cycle
or,
many identical outfits

it’s not a bad idea, having a “signature look.”

I propose a two-tier approach based on season.

In the spring and summer, we’ll have a 6-month stint in pale clothes. Perhaps white jeans with a pastel shirt. I am partial to a light yellow blouse or perhaps just a simple red t-shirt.

Starting in the autumn, I chose a pair of black slacks paired with perhaps that red t-shirt.

Thus, I am keeping close to the proposition. It’s one outfit with just a swap of the pants.

The red shirt would be my look, singular and consistent.

Higher

What fears have you overcome and how?

There is a recommendation for fighting fear by leaning into it. Afraid of dogs, acquire a pit bull.

Fears tend to diminish who we are or who we can be.

My fear of heights had me cautiously approaching the railings of balconies.

Come to think of it, the rich fellow (Richard Gere) in Pretty Woman gets the penthouse suite “cause it’s the best.” He stays off that balcony til much later when it becomes necessary for winning the titular girl (Julia Roberts).

We do what we must.

“The Summer of George”

A tribute

Arguably, the most annoying character on Seinfeld is… a hard pick.

Jerry Stiller’s Papa Costanza wasn’t with us consistently enough to qualify. (“Serenity now!”) Michael Richards’ krazy Kramer offset his quirky with slapstick routines.

Who can stay mad at Julia Louis Dreyfus’ Elaine when she’s goofy or self-absorbed if she’s going to be that beautiful and charming? The title guy? Nah, he’s there to bring it all together. Besides, he often makes sense.

It’s gotta be Jason Alexander as George Costanza (“can’t stand ya.”) He’s clueless and wise.

(“Should I not have done that?” Fans can fill in the context.) He’s hapless and lucky. George is unabashed even at his most embarrassing moments. And he looks like a character out of Peanuts.

With summer approaching, let’s hear it for George. And Jerry. And…. the show about nothing.

Seinfeld is on daily on Comedy Central in the afternoons just before The Office with extended hours on Wednesdays.

Slip ons

Hands-free shoes are a perennial favorite. I didn’t wait til my golden years to look to slip ons as a go-to. As a teen, I wore loafers. As a young woman, I slid into a low heeled shoe or took up with a two-tone high-end loafer.

Deck shoes, loungers, slingbacks in styles as varied as practical to dressy have always been around. Sneakers, though, they had to be tied.

Skechers changed that formula. Your new sneaker routine was to slide in. Several brands are taking that trend a little upscale. More support, firmer cushioning.

Kizik is my new kick.

They have laces, but you don’t use them. Just slip in. It’s a completely hands-free attire. (My Skechers have a loop for pulling the back in place. None here!)

Trying a pair was as easy as clicking on a link in one of my news feeds. Yes, they advertise aggressively but simply. You’ll love their efficient and laid-back customer service!

Here’s your link to Kizik. If you decide to try them, too, we can share a $20 off code, so let me know.