Cross Paths With A Black Cat Today

It’s Friday the 13th. Are you superstitious?

Whatever you do, don’t buy in to the belief that black cats are bad luck. As far as I can tell, this little house panther has been good for me.

In Japan, black cats are thought to bring suitors to a single woman. Haha. Scout hasn’t been useful in that regard but that’s ok. He’s an awfully good boyfriend on his own.

So go ahead. Cross paths with that black cat. Better yet, adopt one and bring it home with you.

You never know but you might be lucky like me and get to adopt Batcat!

You Can’t Buy Happiness

You can’t buy happiness but you can buy books and that’s kind of the same thing.

That’s especially true when there is a favorite author’s new book and a free afternoon at hand.

Fannie Flagg has been threatening to retire for some time, saying that each of her novels will be the last. In fact, I still haven’t read the book she released a few years ago because once I read it I will no longer have a Fannie Flagg book to anticipate reading.

How nuts is that?

In case you aren’t familiar, she is the author of the novel “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” which was turned into a hit movie starring Jessica Tandy and Kathy Bates in 1991.

She has written many other wonderful books and she tells the rest of the Fried Green Tomatoes story in a new novel called “The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop.”

When I bought the book, I swore that I would read slowly, cherishing each word and really savor the experience.

These were lies. All lies.

I tore through this book in a marathon reading session Saturday.

It was wonderful. The book leaps through time ranging from the 1930s when Whistle Stop was still a bustling railroad community through present day. You meet new characters and catch up with some old ones, learning some of the story behind the story.

It was delightful.

The book isn’t without faults but it was nothing that can’t be overlooked.

Plus, it was exactly what I needed to take my mind off the madness of the world around me.

How are you relaxing these days? Have any authors to recommend? I am always on the prowl for a new read so don’t hold back!

Veterans Day

A flag waves in the breeze in Downtown Marietta Ohio on a late summer day.

Today is Veterans Day. Many Americans know this as a day off work and an opportunity shop sales but the day has nothing to do with shopping.

In 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice to cease fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany.

World War I was over.

President Woodrow Wilson declared this day Armistice Day and it was later adopted as a national holiday known as Veterans Day.

In the years since, we’ve had plenty of young men and women continue to sign a blank check to this country, committed to serve in any way they are needed.

Memorial Day is for honoring the dead. Today is for honoring all veterans. Do your part and thank a veteran today if you get a chance.

We owe them everything.

He Wasn’t Just A Gameshow Host

Photo courtesy Jeopardy website.

This week television lost a famous face, Canada lost a favorite son and the world lost someone truly special.

As you probably know, Alex Trebek passed away this weekend after a hard fought battle with cancer.

He worked on several game shows before landing at Jeopardy in 1984 and becoming a household name rather than just a gameshow host.

It was here that he made being smart cool. He made understanding the world around us desirable. He made the quest for knowledge, not a nerd thing, but an important way to live.

I have read stories about immigrants who learned proper English and American culture by watching Jeopardy.

What a gift.

Alex never chased trends or made people feel bad for not knowing an answer. The most controversial thing he did in all those years was to shave off that iconic mustache.

He dressed well and was the vision of decorum – an act of defiance in a world where people don’t dress up for anything and easily spew whatever unsavory insult is on their mind.

He was a presence on television for most of my life and I honestly can’t imagine the evening television landscape without him.

But I’m grateful for what he has done to show America that learning can be fun and that intellectual isn’t a four letter word.

Alex, we’ll take “You Will Be Missed” for a thousand.

Sunrise Over A New Day

Just a pretty sunrise to remind us that we are starting a new day and a new week. It’s a clean slate of sorts.

Want to start a new habit or start working toward a goal? No need to wait for January 1.

Today will do just fine.

Wilkesville Presbyterian

The sky and light were just perfect on this fall morning. It’s nice when you find yourself in the right place at the right time.

Have a good day, friends.