Tag Archives: dailyprompt

A good job of work

What’s a job you would like to do for just one day?

Our neighbor, George Plimpton, famously did some very odd jobs just once.

He was a Detroit Lion for a game in 1963 and the goalie for the Boston Bruins. He pitched during batting practice in the 1960 All-Star Game and sparred with Archie Moore in 1959.

I always admired not just his skills as a raconteur but also the fire in his soul. I never envied his choices of “work,” although it was all done in the spirit of journalism.

In a more direct answer to your question: Most any job would be tolerable for a day. Is there any one job I would particularly want to have for just one day?

Pilot on the air shuttle to Nantucket comes to mind. Just once and preferably in calm skies.

Best Stuff

What are your favorite brands and why?

Brands are meant to be a bit clubby. The seller has invited us to be part of, for example, the Rolex family or the Ralph Lauren gang. We’ve bought in.

My favorite brands are nothing so heady as these or Tiffany’s or Baccarat.

I used to get a kick out of the Levi’s brand [maiden name], and there’s nothing like a personal connection to make a brand feel special. Full disclosure I generally wore the Wrangler blue jeans brand back in the day. Now, I am consigned to NYDJ.

I prefer Kelloggs cereals and would not trade their Raisin Bran for any other. Noosa makes a better yogurt than Dannon or Chobani. Naked Juice sells a pre-made smoothie as good as the specially blended ones I used to enjoy.

For cleaning supplies, I favor Method and Swiffer is tops.

Celebrating

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

With Cinco de Mayo close on the horizon, this prompt is an exercise begging for a single answer. I am fickle, like Ado Annie: if I’m not near the holiday I love…”

Honestly, I know that as Americans we are fond of our holidays. One of the places I used to frequent would always announce its next closure with utter glee well in advance of the holiday.

There are all those “make-believe” celebrations like National Pizza Day to honor. Your local pizza parlor should definitely stay open for that one!

I think I am most drawn to the made-up International Coffee Drinkers Day. I celebrate this one just about every morning and sometimes when I hit the coffee trail.

Emotional expression

What are your favorite emojis?

Emojis are intrinsically confusing, at least once you are past a certain age.

I tend to use three “favorites” without a clear understanding of what it is they represent. 😕 😞 😌 Sigh 😕 😔 😪 😞 😑 😢 😕 [see what I mean. All this came up when I typed that one 4-letter word.

My preferred sign-off emojis are: 😇 🙃🧐

En_joy_ment

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

Happiness is fleeting, and it is also enduring. Ordinary things can be so satisfying that they bring on smiles.

When I smile, it is in gratitude for the small things.

To all the crocuses that peak out to commemorate the spring, I say thank you.

Hey, it’s a bright sunny day! Wow, that drizzling rain just feels so good.

Did you notice how adorable that hat looks on that little fella over there?

And fifth but not least, let’s be grateful for a well-toasted bialy. For today.

The object of our affection

What animals make the best/worst pets?

Creepy crawlies seem to appeal to some. Perhaps you’ve walked in the park and seen the pet-owner embraced by a rather large snake.

I cringed just writing this description. I guess that answers the “worst pets” part of the query. At least in part.

Rats, I read just this past week, are very affectionate. Not buying it. They fit my definition of creepies.

Now, what -or who- is the ideal pet? With whom do I want to share my home?

Wet noses and button eyes are very seductive, as is that head tilted quizzically sidewise.

Little dogs can be adorable but they are also frequently yappy. My favorite would be a pup who grew to 30 or 40 lbs.

I like a longish waggable tail, as well. It’s how your pet will tell his tale of happiness.

Let’s face it, we offer them so much of our affection, we want them to welcome us. A wag says “hi, so nice to see you.”

I did not know this

What’s something most people don’t understand?

Yang Bing-yi opened a modest shop in Taiwan in 1958. He built it into a dumpling and noodle empire, earning a Michelin star and introducing the soup dumpling to a global audience. Yang died at 96.

NYT Good Morning read

Understanding is different from knowledge. There are many things – way too many- I and you and you don’t know. If we did, or when they came to our attention, we would know them and understand them.

So now I know about Yang’s culinary contribution and appreciate his accomplishments.

I still don’t understand how you get the soup to stay in the dumpling.

Do you?