Friday Randomness
Another week of randomness. I feel like the most random thing I saw this week was the woman in front of me in the checkout line at the grocery store, paying with a check. I remember when I used to carry my checkbook in my wallet, for decades of my life. Now the only time I write a check is to send money for birthdays or graduations, and that doesn’t always work. My bff’s son has a check from me that he’s had for about 18 months. Will he ever cash it? It’s probably lost at this point. Which reminds me, I have two graduations this spring, I’d better write those checks!
Seeing the woman writing a check reminded me of the time, several years ago, when I was at the grocery store, with a cart full of groceries, only one lane open, and the man behind me only had a few items. I was not in a hurry, so I asked him if he wanted to go ahead of me. “YES!” He said, and purposefully strode to the front. Where he proceeded to talk to the checker in great detail about his recent surgery, and only when the checker told him his total did he begin writing his check. What? Not even the date and the name of the store filled out? And I’m sorry to say that it bothered me that he didn’t thank me for the (admittedly basic) courtesy of letting him go ahead of me.
I was saddened to read of the death of Marjane Satrapi, author of the wonderful graphic novel, Persepolis (link to my review back in 2008). The article I read said that she died of a broken heart following the death of her husband last year. She was a gifted artist, writer, animator, and filmmaker.
I saw these beautiful artichokes at last weekend’s farmer’s market. Once the plans goes to flower like this, they are not good to eat. Why do they sell them, then? For decor? I’m not sure, but they sure were pretty.
This is Burberry, he’s been with the rescue where I volunteer for a few months now. Originally he was here with his brother, but the other cat, Anastasia, was so stressed out that they moved them to another location. We’ve had a few sets of kittens since Anastasia, and now Burberry is back. He’s great, and reminds me of a cat my brother used to have, Hobbes. Hobbes was one of those cats with a dog-like personality. Maya and I went to visit when she was about 3, and he came running every day when we would stop by their house. He followed her around and let her pile toys on top of him and was just living his best life. After we left, my mom said she could see the look of disgust on his face when she showed up to visit without Maya. Anyway, Burberry is a casual cat. He has a little bow tie collar, and I tried putting it on him, and he flipped out and tore it off within about 8 seconds. I tried to help him get it off but he was having none of that. If Ted weren’t so allergic, I would adopt him and name him Serval. I mean, he doesn’t really look like a serval, but his markings remind me of one, even though they are not dark.
You can see his markings better in this photo. You wouldn’t really know that I’m not really a cat person, would you? Mostly it’s the cat box, I don’t want to deal with that. I should probably volunteer with dogs, but then we’d have 18 dogs and Ted would leave me. (actually, the HOA would kick me out for having too many dogs, so Ted could stay if he wanted to,) So cats it is.
Is anyone else watching The Four Seasons on Netflix? My only complaint is that it’s only 8 episodes. I barely consider that a binge. One episode takes place in November of 2020, which was not as stressful as I remember it, but still stressful. What a time that was, right?
I’ve been enjoying the Connections text chat with Suzanne, Lisa, Stephany, Birchie, and Michelle. Would you like to join us? If so, let me know in your comments, and I will add you. Being on the West Coast means I wake up to a group chat with their results and encouragement, and it is definitely a nice way to wake up.
13 Comments
AC
I rmember checkbooks, but the memory is fading. It has been a long time, Checkbooks now last for years. It was good of you to let that fellow through, but I would be a bit miffed by his behaviour. As for your series, I just added it to my queue and it seems to have 2 seasons of 8 episodes. Now, adopt the cat and deal with the litter. ?
J
AC, yes, The Four Seasons is two seasons (so far), 8 episodes each. There was a film in the early 80s with Alan Alda and Carol Burnett, and the first season of the TV show basically follows that. It’s about a group of friends that get together 4 times a year for vacations. We really like it, I hope you enjoy it too.
StephLove
Very handsome cat. I’ve always wanted an orange cat, but we’ve always ended up with tabbies and black cats.
I certainly used to write a lot more checks than I do now. My kids get checks fromt the grandmothers and I think it’s the only time they ever see them, but they do know how to cash them.
J
LOL on knowing how to cash them. My bff’s son is a lawyer, I assume he knows how. He just forgets. Oh well. I remember when I used to pay my bills, and I had my stamps and checks and everything and it was a process. Now everything is online and so much easier.
nance
Oh, that little orange boy! How has he not been adopted already? That face! And orange cats are the best.
I’m smiling at the fact that what you see as a negative of cat ownership is a huge positive for me–the litter box. I’d much rather have a cat who uses a box and is cleaned in a brief moment once a day than the prospect of always having to take a dog outside in all kinds of weather and all different times of day. Litter technology is so great now that having a shitbox in your house is a nothing. Then again, Piper’s box is in the basement, and you don’t have one of those.
Rick and I finished The Four Seasons up this week. I remember going to see the original Alan Alda film in the theater with a friend and really enjoying it. Have you seen the original film?
J
Yeah, we don’t have room for a litter box…it would be in our bathroom I guess. A basement would be much better. We have a fenced in yard, so we can just let a dog out to do their business, no need to go out in all kinds of weather for that. Though they do need at least one daily walk, which is actually one reason we got Mulder. I needed some motivation while recovering from my first RA flare, to get me out there.
Like you, I saw the film version of The Four Seasons many years ago, when it came out. We watched it again when the series first came out. It was very much of its time, but very good.
NGS
J, we are waiting on a plumber to arrive at our house RIGHT NOW and my husband has his checkbook out because we are going to pay with a check. Like we’re living in 1999!
I will take Burberry and give him love and cuddles and clean his box. I don’t actually think cleaning the litter box is a big deal. Zelda’s actually a lot messier with her food and water. We’re constantly cleaning up after she shoves things in her mouth hole. I love her so much, but why can’t she just put the food in her mouth instead of all over our kitchen floor?
J
I always have our checkbook handy when we have a repair or something, but we mostly have small independently owned businesses where we kind of know them, so we just pay by Zelle.
You’re right, cleaning a litter box really isn’t the issue. It’s the fact of it that grosses me out.
Birchie
The Connections group is such a great way to start the day! Even when I totally eat it (like for that puzzle that you showed in the post) or today when I was a one row wonder.
Checks at the grocery store! Strong childhood memory right there! How did we get anything done back in those days? The lines don’t move any faster now that we’re all swiping a card.
J
I’m pretty happy about the Connections group! And I’m glad that Michelle named it, which I didn’t even know one could do, and that Stephany suggested it to begin with.
Margaret
Connections ( and other puzzle groups) are fun! My younger daughter and I exchange scores on some games while John and I do on others. Volunteering where you do, you would possibly end up with MANY cats if Ted weren’t allergic. John is somewhat allergic, but only to my older daughter’s big fluffy cats who are much friendlier than Mari. He can tolerate her because she keeps her distance and is short-haired. That series sounds intriguing.
J
Regarding the cats, yeah. So many times I think, “Oh, I would totally adopt this cat!” Which is a good indicator that I should not volunteer with dogs. Because while I like cats, I LOVE dogs.
ccr in MA
Wow, I did NOT know artichokes flower like that! How stunning. I can definitely see bringing some home for display.