Here we are at Wednesday again. An exciting Wednesday for me! Later this afternoon/early evening, I am boarding a plane and heading to California. My brother moved there a year ago and Jordan (my son) and I are going for a visit before Jordan heads off to a more permanent move to the Golden State. Hard to believe two of my most favorite men in the world are going to be living on the opposite of the country. But I am not going to dwell on that right now. Just looking forward to seeing my brother…and to all the fun tourist things in San Francisco:) But let’s end this month with a Hodge Podge. This questions this month were a bit easier for me. I’ll jump right in:
1. On July 29th 1957 The Tonite Show premiered with Jack Parr as it’s host. This marked the beginning of the modern day talk show. Do you watch any daytime or late night talk shows today? Do you have any thoughts on the hubbub surrounding the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, or are you more in the camp of ‘who is Stephen Colbert? When I think of late night talk shows, I immediately think of Johnny Carson. And then, even quicker, I think of my dad. My dad loved watching The Tonight Show! When my brother was older, he would often join Dad for the late night laughs with Johnny. Me? Not so much. (It was a father/son thing!) Believe it or not, I have never watched a late night talk show. Johnny. Jay. Stephen Colbert (whoever he is). None of them. No late night talk shows for me. There are probably more than a couple reasons for this but the words “late night” say volumes by themselves!?!
3. What’s something your generation does that you actually dislike? I’m going to start this answer with a rabbit trail. It won’t take long. When I was younger, I had chronic ear infections. Eventually it was decided that I should have tubes put in my ears. This was not the “norm” at that time and, much different than today, it also required an overnight hospital stay. The day of my surgery there was some major episode of the daytime soap opera, Guiding Light, airing on television. I used to think it was the debut episode but I’m not sure that is correct. Nevertheless, I can clearly remember lying in the hospital bed with the tv on above my head and my mom “glued” to the screen. My mom, like all the stay at home moms I knew in the day, really enjoyed her afternoon soap opera. Every mom had a personal favorite but they all had a favorite. Of course, they all agreed that soap operas were probably not the best use of time, and the story lines were a bit, um, questionable…but, for them, it was a just “a little break in the afternoon.” So funny how we can justify what we want to do, enjoy, etc.
Fast forward to my generation. And it is the same thing with social media. My generation is the Facebook generation. Maybe a little Instagram but very little TikTok. Even less Twitter. And Snapchat?? Um, no. But, boy howdy do the 60 year olds like their Facebook. However, they will all “tsk tsk” (maybe even roll their eyes) at the dangers, pitfalls, misuse and general nuisance of social media. Especially when referring to generations behind them. Yes, those “tsk tsks” generally annoy me but what I really dislike (about my generation) is how they make excuses for their own personal use of Facebook. If I had a dollar for every time I heard, “I’m only on Facebook to keep in touch/keep up with my grandkids.” I yi yi. You don’t owe me an excuse and I really don’t care why (or even if) you are on social media. But the justifications or excuses are always offered.
4. When you cook do you clean as you go, or clean it all up once you’re finished cooking? What’s the last thing you cooked/baked in your own kitchen? If ever asked the question, “What is your superpower?” I would answer being able to have a completely clean kitchen as I set the meal on the table. Which would be a true answer. I definitely clean as I go whether I am baking cookies or cooking a full meal. I love sitting down to eat and the kitchen is clean. And the last thing I baked was a batch of blueberry cookies yesterday. I had blueberries in the fridge that I wanted to use before I left for vacation and cookies are always a winner. The entire batch was gone this morning. (We did share with the neighbors!)
5. Sum up your July in ten words or less. Hot. Hard (as in challenging). And Hot. Bring on August…..
6. Insert your own random thought here. Just a quote that began yesterday’s devotional reading for me:
God’s presence and promises give us reaons to get up in the morning and persevere.
Amen to that friends. I hope you all have a wonderful week. God’s presence and, yes, His promises sincerely make all the difference.
Jennifer, I am so happy to hear that you are going to go visit your brother. I know how close the two of you are and I’m just delighted that you are going to get to spend time with him after a year.
Hi, Oh how I loved how you answered #3!!! Well said.
Enjoy your trip. And enjoy your two favorite fellas.
Carla
Great answers!! Have fun in San Fran! we went (hubby, oldest girl at age 4 and I…youngest girl wasn’t born yet) for a week during Thanksgiving week 1997. We did all the touristy things. Sister in law flew us all out and paid for the entire extended family to stay in the Haight Ashbury district…she lived with her husband and little girl (age 5) in the Twin Peaks area……we had so much fun exploring San Fran but the weather was so dreary and always in the 50s. SO different from NY autumns!
Have a wonderful trip to California and visit with family. I think California is one of the prettiest states, but it’s not a place I’d want to live. A fun place to visit though! I enjoyed Facebook when people posted their breakfast pictures and talked about the trips they were taking. I just don’t think it’s a place to solve the problems of the world or talk politics. These days I pretty much only link my blog there as lots of my friends read it that way, but my feed is almost all ads now so no fun. Enjoy your day!
I grew up in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury back in the 60’s. Now it’s just a poor excuse for a tourist trap. Anyway I love my city by the bay even though we moved away 17 years ago. Have fun.
I’m with you on late night tv – I did watch the Johnny Carson show back in the 60’s and 70’s. He was the best.
Is it okay for me to say, I deleted my Facebook account 5 years ago and no regrets here. I agree everyone makes excuses, because perhaps deep down they wish they could quit. I left family/ friends and the ones that matter make the time for real connections.
Have a wonderful trip to California!
I would love to be a morning person but I’ve tried and I am more of a night owl.
I loved your answer for number 3. Very well said!