I am that way about Johnathon Franzen. I talk about him like he ran over my dog and owes me money. There are many people who like him. I am not one. Hopefully he would never shame me or anyone else for saying that. (Would I get on a committee just to choose a non Franzen novel? Yes, yes, I believe that I would...

I once got on a flight (6 hours if I’m remembering) where I’d booked an aisle seat. It was United. I was Group 1. So, of course, that means like four groups get on ahead of me. I get on and go to my seat, toward the back of the plane. A woman is sitting in my seat, and her baby is belted in to the middle seat in a…

We had a playground thing in R. I. that we called the Witch’s Hat. It was a tall pole, set in a huge concrete pad, with a big ring about 8 feet from side to side (the bottom of the “hat”) suspended about five feet off the ground by chains from a spinner at the top of the pole (the chains were the side of the hat—this…

I don’t know any really self-made wealthy people, though I do know some conspicuous consumption people, but I don’t think they are rich. But I’ve known some trust fund babies. Every trust fund baby that I’ve ever met was very much guilty of what Molly Ivins said of George Bush: “Born on 3rd base, thinks he hit a…

If I can’t pay for movers? I can’t move. I also don’t help friends move and haven’t for years, instead I give them cash. Depends on how flush I am...but now that I am older, especially if my friends are younger, I give them $100 bucks and explain that I haven’t moved anyone since my late 20s and I’m not about to start…

I wonder how that worked out? Huh. I don’t feel like we’ve had real health care reform. But what do I know.

I got it.

That’s my favorite. Also? Water vapor eventually becomes fluid again. 

Bortles!

Yes, as so many have said about this current administration of bozos, the cruelty is the point. 

I know. Thank heavens my boss walked in. That grand mattered!

Best boss I have ever had. Without question.

My parents were members of the Silent Generation (because I am old). They actually taught me a lot about making do, not buying things unless you can actually pay for them, etc. I knew about interest, compound interest, the difference between savings and investment, how to manage money, how to save for retirement, how…

The first season was the best season in every way possible. And I loved Rudy. I watched for a few seasons after this, but nothing ever caught my attention like the first one. 

I have never picked a fight with anyone for reclining. I have never tried to stop them from reclining. I’ve never told anyone not to recline. The seat allows it, so it is what it is. But I still don’t like recliners (those who recline, not the chair). You can’t control my silent judgment, and it’s not reasonable to…

Ok, you are definitely my brother Matthew. Quit screwing with me, Matt. I’m not a hobbit. You are! Do you hear me? It’s you, Matt. 

Do you really think that planes are designed for people 5' 9"? Because I would say maybe that was true once, but I don’t think it’s true now. I think the design is driven by the number of people who they can fit on the plane. As someone who has been flying for decades, I know that plane seats in the 1970s and 1980s…

It turns out you were right. I went to the source material: very interesting! And she did make more (as a waitress while he was a camp counselor). I didn’t realize they were both so young--this was a college romance, they met at orientation. That’s a great time to learn this lesson.

Kamala has my vote. Or maybe Booker. Because that costume has cast a spell on me.

People can dislike anything or anyone at any time.