Yesterday was a day that turned out much better than expected.
Let’s see if my photos are better than expected.
That cookie might be better than expected and that slogan was better than expected. Capturing two bunnies in a photo was better than expected. Also, the weather during our evening walk was better than expected because it had been humid earlier in the day. This photo of a big orange cat in a window was better than expected. If this sweet lost kitty is ever found, that would be better than expected. This typical still life in our neighborhood is better than expected.What my husband Michael said about this combination of restaurants was better than expected. He said it was Mex-Ken. His reaction to his own pun was better than expected because he hates puns unless he makes them. Then they’re not puns, they’re “shmuns.”Harley’s reactions to Joan are much better than expected. We thought we would never get over the loss of our beloved cat Oscar, but Joan has made everything much better than expected. If these three photos of Harley and Joan are better than expected, that’s because Michael took them, not me. I’m curious about things that are better than expected, in case you haven’t noticed. Michael’s homemade dinners are better than donuts, which might be better than expected for some. These National Days are better than expected so I think I’ll splurge and get away today by visiting my ex-sister-in-law, Deborah, whose dog Casey’s recovery from heartworms was better than expected.
When I searched for information about Brian Regan just now, I found out that he’s appearing at a great venue near me next week, which was better than expected. I just splurged on National Splurge Day and got two better-than-expected tickets for that show.
If Michael agrees to go with me, that will be better than expected.
What’s been better than expected for you?
Thanks to all who are reading this better-than-expected blog post, including YOU!
I’ve been thinking about names because of our new cat.
This adorable, wonderful, sweet, chill, loving kitty was named Ginger by the adoption agency that rescued her, her sisters, and their many kittens from the street.
My husband, whose name is Michael, said he wanted an unusual name for a cat, so Ginger was out. Michael strongly suggested the name Meredith, but my son, whose name is Aaron, and I both thought that would be too hard to say.
Michael then came up with other girls’ names he thought would be unusual for a cat, including Phyllis. Aaron and I suggested other names we thought would be unusual for a cat, including Blanche. Michael vetoed all of our suggestions according to some secret knowledge of common and uncommon cat names that will remain nameless.
When Michael came up with Joan, Aaron and I agreed that would be a fine and unusual name for a cat, and easy to say. Michael warned us that if we called her “Joanie,” he would add an “ie” to our names, too.
I don’t like being called “Annie,” so I have complied with Michael’s request.
Michael was right about the name Joan being unusual for a cat. Every time I tell people her name, they react. Usually, they say, “JOAN?!” Sometimes, they add something positive, like “I love that.”
I love puns and Michael and Aaron do not, so they don’t know that I sometimes add the name “Clawford” when I’m talking to and about Joan. Also, Michael’s brother’s full name is Martin Sloane Malone, so I sometimes call Joan “Joan Sloane Malone.” Michael has no problem with that.
In the meantime, Joan, by any other name, would be as sweet.
I asked this question on Twitter last night:
While some people have responded with “my parents!”, others have told interesting stories about the origin of their names.
Classic readers of this blog might assume that this post is about new culinary classics created by my husband Michael, including dinner from last night.
.
However, today’s post is inspired by my classic friend Peter, who sent me this yesterday …
… with the wonderful addition “Finnegan’s Cake.”
Here are my new culinary classics:
The House of Seven Bagels
The Turn of the Stew
Moby Duck
Leek House
The Rind of the Ancient Marinara
The Old Man and the Sea Bass
Mushroom with a View
Gone with the Wine
Tom Soy-sauce
A Knish Before Dying
The Bun Also Rises
The Right Stuffing
Travels with Barley
The Mosquito Toast
The Black Scallion
Ketchup in the Rye
I look forward to seeing more new culinary classics in the comments section, below.
To help you think, here is music from Mushroom I mean A Room with a View.
Thanks to Peter, Lorie Ransom, and all the other classic and classy people who help me write these posts, including YOU.
Yesterday, when I was looking for a birthday card for my long-time friend and ex-co-worker Debbie T., I saw this:
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if YOU could believe that every day was YOU day?
YOU might be interested to know that yesterday was Debbie T.’s birthday celebration day, as well as a day filled with other excitement. Actually, I was so excited to see Debbie in person after many years and also her beeeooootifull home, that I took very few pictures at the birthday party.
YOU, Debbie (because I know YOU read this blog), were the perfect host yesterday. Thank YOU for introducing me to everybody at YOUr party (who all obviously love YOU) and for being so excited about my upcoming show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!
I’m not sure if YOU heard all the puns being thrown around yesterday, including this one:
Have YOU heard about the new corduroy pillows? They’re making headlines.
What do YOU see in all the pictures that I did take yesterday? Let’s see if YOU can spot any unusual creatures (YOU might have to look closely).
Hugs to all of YOU and can YOU guess which card I gave Debbie? Which picture did YOU like best? Also, did YOU spot that dog-like creature being dive-bombed by snowy egrets on the marsh near my home? I thought it was a fox, but somebody told me it was too big to be a fox. What do YOU think it was?
On the two thousandth, three hundredth, and thirty-third consecutive day of this blog, I am celebrating the first use of the word “Celebrating” in a post title.
I am also celebrating
the rich availability of relevant imagery all around me,
As time matzahs on, I’ve had a ball at many seders and many baseball games at Fenway park in Boston.
I look forward to your comments, with or without matzahs or puns.
So matzah thanks to Ellen, her spouse Linda, my cousin Lani, Michael, my late father, my late mother, dramaramasam, everybody else who helped me write this “Time Matzahs On” post and — of course! — everybody who matzahs over to this blog to read it, including YOU.
You are in therapy with me. If that is the case, there might be Too Much Information in this blog, which could interfere with the important work we are doing together. If you are in individual and/or group therapy with me, I strongly recommend we have a conversation about this.
Any aficionado of this blog knows that I often start by defining my terms.
a·fi·ci·o·na·do
əˌfiSHəˈnädō,əˌfisyəˈnädō
noun
a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime.
“aficionados of the finest wines”
synonyms: connoisseur, expert, authority, specialist, pundit, cognoscente
Yesterday, when we were eating salmon for dinner (prepared by cooking aficionado Michael) …
I announced that Oscar …
… was a fish-ionado. My son, Aaron, who is a comedy aficionado, thought that was a good one. Michael, who is irritated by puns, gave me the fish eye.
I don’t see myself as a photography aficionado, but that doesn’t stop me from taking pictures of other aficionados.
Later today, I am seeing a tooth aficionado (who reads this blog) for some dental work. Tonight, I’m meeting a building aficionado at our new home by the water to discuss some possible remodeling.
My sister Ellen, who is an aficionado of fun videos, showed me this last week:
I assume the talent aficionados appreciated that.
I am an aficionado of blog comments and expect to be seeing some great ones soon.
I hope you’re an aficionado of gratitude and know I am sincerely grateful for all the aficionados who helped me create today’s post and — of course! — for you.
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 