MY SUN DAY NEWS
March 7, 2024
I lost a ham today. I know thatās not the kind of confession you expect to hear every day, but there it is: Today, I lost a ham. āHow does someone lose a ham?ā my friend Anne asked when I told her.
I lost a ham today.
I know thatās not the kind of confession you expect to hear every day, but there it is:
Today, I lost a ham.
āHow does someone lose a ham?ā my friend Anne asked when I told her.
Iād like to thank Elon Musk for purchasing Twitter. Ahem ā I mean āX.ā
As soon as Elon Musk walked into Twitterās headquarters carrying a sink (the caption to the video read, āWalking into Twitter HQ. Let that sink in,ā) it was clear that Musk was more concerned with crafting Dad-jokey quips than he was about making the platform better, or at the very least keeping it clear from hate speech and disinformation.
When raising my children, I emphasized that you donāt take no for an answer. You overcome your obstacles, create opportunities, and persevere through situations. While respecting rules is always the way forward, you donāt necessarily need to listen to what other people tell you is or isnāt possible. I say all that in preparation for telling you what is or isnāt possible in your own yard.
A complete tragedy; that is the phrase you hear when someone or something is overlooked for accolades. Awards, of any kind, are fickle and subjective. Prizes for art have always felt a bit stranger: what makes this piece better than that? Critics have brought up some under-appreciated films recently, some of which I agree. Past Lives was one of my favorites of last year but earned some Oscar nods. May December only got one. Priscilla and Fallen Leaves both got a big goose egg. My recommendation this week though; this was criminal.
Iāve been an avid reader of your columns and your expertise has always provided valuable guidance. Today, I find myself in need of some advice as Iām about to undergo surgery followed by a short-term rehab stay. It’s a bit daunting, I admit, but I’m trying to approach it with a positive mindset.
I hope you had a pleasant Valentineās Day last week. For me it was a nightmare.
I hope you had a pleasant Valentineās Day last week.
For me it was a nightmare.
Iāve been thinking about dread lately, namely how much Iām dreading these months leading up to our next presidential election. I dread the endless rhetoric, the talking heads regurgitating empty promises and attacks and criticisms ad nauseum to fill the hungry belly of the 24-hour news cycle. I dread the ads, the bumper stickers, the way I will sidestep social conversations about politics like Iām tiptoeing through a minefield. Even the word ādreadā sort of sits in the mouth like a lump of wet clay and falls out with a thud.
Iāve been thinking about dread lately, namely how much Iām dreading these months leading up to our next presidential election. I dread the endless rhetoric, the talking heads regurgitating empty promises and attacks and criticisms ad nauseum to fill the hungry belly of the 24-hour news cycle. I dread the ads, the bumper stickers, the way I will sidestep social conversations about politics like Iām tiptoeing through a minefield.
Even the word ādreadā sort of sits in the mouth like a lump of wet clay and falls out with a thud.
Getting a puppy is fun and exciting. However, once she comes home, thatās when the fun begins. First thing: housebreaking. We hung a string of bells on the patio door and taught Rosie to ring them when she has to go out. Unfortunately, she loves the outside and rings those bells every 15 minutes. If we donāt take her out, she sits in front of us and looks at us as if to say, ādo you feel luckyā?
Chris, my husband, and I have been updating our home this winter. As we have lived here for over 20 years, it was time for the inside of our home to be refreshed. Our gold fixtures are being replaced with brushed nickel, we are installing hardwood flooring in place of carpeting and the beige walls are being painted over with shades of grey. While we arenāt trendy people, it does feel good to be making these improvements. The inside of our home will soon reflect the beauty that we have created on the outside. Just as there are interior design home trends, there are also gardening trends. Here is a preview of the top gardening trends for 2024.
Greetings all, we are about to head into another month with still no movies to choose from. The theaters have been inundated with schlock. All of this done, presumably, pull focus onto Oscar pics before the big ceremony. The strikes in Hollywood have started to show their consequences. Luckily, streaming has been picking up the slack with prestige miniseries, harkening back to the days when network television would break up the monotony of their scripted dramas and sitcoms. So, letās liven this very strange season shall we?
Iām reaching out as a daughter who is facing a unique challenge with my elderly parents, and I could use some advice. My primary concern revolves around my momās reluctance to get dressed. This situation is complicated by her dementia diagnosis and is ultimately hindering my dadās ability to leave the house. My mom doesn’t feel up to getting dressed, and my dad often has to miss out on family events as a result. He asks me to convince her to get dressed so they can go out together. It saddens me that they’re missing out on things and we don’t know how much time we have left with them.
Iām reaching out as a daughter who is facing a unique challenge with my elderly parents, and I could use some advice. My primary concern revolves around my momās reluctance to get dressed. This situation is complicated by her dementia diagnosis and is ultimately hindering my dadās ability to leave the house.
My mom doesn’t feel up to getting dressed, and my dad often has to miss out on family events as a result. He asks me to convince her to get dressed so they can go out together. It saddens me that they’re missing out on things and we don’t know how much time we have left with them.
Is she gone yet? Is January out of earshot, so we can talk behind her back? Before December is even over, I get excited about hanging out with January. I start making lists well before the turn of the calendar, to be ready when she comes. I plan out all the fun things weāre going to do together: exercise, self-care, healthy eating, budgeting, family time, career goals.
Is she gone yet? Is January out of earshot, so we can talk behind her back?
Before December is even over, I get excited about hanging out with January. I start making lists well before the turn of the calendar, to be ready when she comes. I plan out all the fun things weāre going to do together: exercise, self-care, healthy eating, budgeting, family time, career goals.
You probably donāt need to hear this from me, but Iāll say it anyway: Keep an eye out for what your kids are reading, especially if theyāre younger than 12 or so. Unfortunately, many newly enacted laws in places like Texas, Florida and Missouri misinterpret that advice and take it to unhealthy extremes.
You probably donāt need to hear this from me, but Iāll say it anyway: Keep an eye out for what your kids are reading, especially if theyāre younger than 12 or so.
Unfortunately, many newly enacted laws in places like Texas, Florida and Missouri misinterpret that advice and take it to unhealthy extremes.
Sometimes social media can be a good thing. We discovered that there was a new Portilloās open on Randall Road in Algonquin. We are addicted to their chocolate cake and have waited in the drive through for half an hour just to get a couple of slices. While in line, we noticed that right next door was another new restaurant called Cooperās Hawk Winery and Restaurant. It was lunch time and we were hungry, so after buying our cake, we went next door for lunch.
As a rather recent widow, I find myself grappling with a sense of profound loneliness as Valentineās Day approaches. The holiday serves as a stark reminder of my spouseās absence. The world around me seems to amplify the focus on romantic love, and although I recognize that others deserve a day to celebrate their love, it only accentuates the feelings of loneliness of emptiness in my heart.
Nice weather, huh? This meteorological turbulence sends me for a loop, no matter how many times I have been through it. Just the perils of living in the Chicagoland area, I guess. When this happens, my first thought is turning to more comfortable activities. Good food and warm tea; another pastime crops up in the form of older movies. And given the time of year, I yearn for warmer months and films that reflect those seasons. Enter La piscine.
I was surprised and delighted to be asked to cat sit for the week over the holidays. Being in charge of two felines ā two portly black and white kitties named āChickenā and āWafflesā ā sounded like fun to me. I accepted the gig, and promptly received an email detailing their requirements for the week. Unsurprisingly, they required food, water, and clean litter boxes.
A few weeks ago, when a town-hall questioner lobbed a softball question to Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, she answered in what many pundits now claim could be the death blow to her candidacy. āWhat was the cause of the Civil War?ā she was asked. And rather than giving the answer that any ten-year-old American could give, she opted instead for nuance.
A few weeks ago, when a town-hall questioner lobbed a softball question to Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, she answered in what many pundits now claim could be the death blow to her candidacy.
āWhat was the cause of the Civil War?ā she was asked.
And rather than giving the answer that any ten-year-old American could give, she opted instead for nuance.
Due to the massive winter storm and deep freeze, it is unfortunate to say that I was not able to go out to the theaters of late. My plan was to present to you another group of films, now that Oscar season is in full swing. A silver lining has come in the form of various steaming services. Your television can be your cinema. This is especially so if your screen is big enough to resemble a theater. Who needs the multiplex? Here are a couple of films for your consideration.
The new year is a time for planning ahead as well as reminiscing about the āgood olā days.ā Our thoughts wandered to our youth when there were drive-in restaurants and hot cars. Nancy grew up in Franklin Park and was the proud owner of a Ford XL with a 429 cu. in. engine with dual quad Holley carburetors. This was her pride and joy and her parentsā worst nightmare.
Iām writing to seek your advice regarding a matter close to my heart. During the holiday season, I noticed a subtle yet concerning shift in my elderly loved oneās behavior and health. Previously a vibrant and social person, my aunt seemed more withdrawn and fatigued, displaying a noticeable decline in her usual enthusiasm for family gatherings and festive activities.
Blame the cold of January or the bleak sun-less days that zap me of my energy and motivation, but I have become a full-time seeker of pleasures. Throughout the day, Iāll do what I need to do, whether itās work or household chores, but if I donāt have a carrot dangling right before my nose, then what is it all for?
About a week before Christmas, my daughter came to my house and noticed a worn, beat-up plastic water bottle on the nightstand next to my bed. āHow long has that been there?ā she asked. āProbably four or five years,ā I said. āI refill it in case I get thirsty through the night.ā
About a week before Christmas, my daughter came to my house and noticed a worn, beat-up plastic water bottle on the nightstand next to my bed. āHow long has that been there?ā she asked.
āProbably four or five years,ā I said. āI refill it in case I get thirsty through the night.ā
How time flies when youāre having fun!!! After 12 years, 249 restaurants, and 4,380 cholesterol pills, weāre still alive and passionate about what we do. Itās not easy to constantly stuff fatty foods in our faces and live to tell about it. The truly amazing thing is our pictures are in the paper that is circulated around Huntley, and no one has suspected a thing.
Iām a widow in her seventies seeking advice on managing seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Over the last few years, Iāve found myself slipping into a state of loneliness and melancholy after the rush of the holiday season. The isolation of widowhood, compounded by the gloomy weather, weighs heavily on me. Iāve heard that engaging in hobbies and activities can combat SAD. However, as someone who spends a lot of time alone, I struggle to find motivation or inspiration to pursue such interests.
Here is hoping you had a wonderful Christmas and your New Year is bright with possibilities. How does one create the opportunity for the kind of growth and change? Sometimes out of painful experiences we can be free to heal and move forward. Others continue to wallow in those feelings in order to function. This may seem like a rather heavy introduction, but it only fitting to ponder this when sitting down to watch Netflixās May December.
After four days in Barcelona, we decided to take the train versus the plane from there to Madrid as we wanted to see more of the countryside. We were surprised to find, as the song goes, mainly āthe plain in Spain.ā Long stretches of the plain were only occasionally broken with a vineyard or small herds of roaming cattle but otherwise, only gently rolling hills. I wasnāt sure what I expected but still, the ride was quiet, comfortable, and restful. Once we entered Madrid, all that changed. From the quiet of the countryside to the chaos of the city!
As a āband wife,ā Iāve attended hundreds and hundreds of band concerts, band festivals, and marching band performances because my husband is a high school and college band director. I miss very few performances. I donāt go because Iām obligated, but because I love it.
Ask someone to share their favorite Christmas memory, and theyāll probably tell you about that cherished present they got when they were young. Or the joy in their childrenās eyes when they came downstairs to see all the presents beneath the tree. Or the snowy trip into the pines to find the perfect tree to cut down. Something like that. But for me, itās cookies.
Ask someone to share their favorite Christmas memory, and theyāll probably tell you about that cherished present they got when they were young. Or the joy in their childrenās eyes when they came downstairs to see all the presents beneath the tree. Or the snowy trip into the pines to find the perfect tree to cut down. Something like that.
But for me, itās cookies.
As many Sun City residents pack for warmer climates, it is important to spend an hour or so to prepare your house for the winter. When you are going to be away for a week or more you should prepare your home so there will be no surprises on your return.
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