Friday, March 27, 2020

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

MY MY MY CORONA

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

As I prepare this message to you, I'm waiting to see my doctor. Sore throat, body aches, fever and chills--none of it guarantees that I have COVID.

I found a chart that shows symptoms of COVID v. flu v. a cold. My symptoms line up well with the flu and yes I had a flu shot. Or maybe I feel crummy because I had a flood in my house on Sunday. It's not all cleaned up yet. I'll probably write a post about The Great Kitchen & Laundry Room Flood of 2020.

I'll get back to you with my diagnosis after the plumber deals with the cause of the flood.

And, by the way, will someone please explain to me why we're supposed to bump elbows instead of shaking hands (except for the orange catastrophe in Washington, D.C.) when we've been told to sneeze and cough into the crooks of our elbows. Does this protocol make sense to you? The virus can't spread from the elbow to the crook of the elbow?

I haven't elbow bumped anyone and don't intend to do so.

Something else ridiculous, but it's too serious to be funny or silly: No one is going to stop his Royal Assness from saying China Virus. I swear he spits up this crap and it's a not-so-secret code telling his followers to go out to attack Asian people.

I'm tired. Chris Mann, will you please sing us out?


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


Tuesday, March 24, 2020

TIP TUESDAY: SEMANTIC SATIATION

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I came across the phrase semantic satiation and thought it was interesting enough to share with you. I'd never heard of it before.

Semantic satiation is a psychological phenomenon in which repetition causes a word or phrase to temporarily lose meaning for the listener,[1] who then perceives the speech as repeated meaningless sounds. Extended inspection or analysis (staring at the word or phrase for a lengthy period of time) in place of repetition also produces the same effect.

If you'd like to learn more about this odd circumstance, then hop on over to my source, Wikipedia.

My mother used to repeat the same words repeatedly and repeatedly repeat things she heard on the news.

Her speech often sounded as if she were an "adult" on the Charlie Brown/Peanuts TV specials. Wah Wah Wah Wah Wah: she was convinced she was using words but I only heard noise.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


Monday, March 16, 2020

CAP IT FOR FRESHNESS

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

I'm always looking for ways to cut back on the use of plastic. Plast-icky dependence is a big problem for our beautiful Earth.

Carol taught me something new a few days ago (actually, she teaches me something new pretty much everyday).

She bought some pulled pork. We used part of it and it was delicious. We had quite a bit left over, so Carol said we should cover it. I went to get the plastic wrap from the cabinet.


Cling Wrap pretty much clings to itself in my clumsy hands, but before I could get out the box, Carol showed me a better, re-usable solution.

A shower cap!


No problem with clinging to itself. The elastic edges stay on perfectly.  And we can wash it out and re-use it when we're done with the pulled pork.



Brava, Carol!


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug



Monday, March 9, 2020

MOVIE WEEKEND: ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

It's been a while since we had a Movie Weekend, so start the popcorn. I'm happy to report I'm glad I spent time on Once Upon a Time . . . In Hollywood, although it's two hours and 41 minutes (2019, Rated R, I got the DVD from Netflix but I'm sure it's streaming in more than one place).



We never know what we'll get from Quentin Tarantino other than an interesting story, violence that's as carefully choreographed as a ballet, and cool characters. I'd say that the overarching theme of Once Upon a Time . . . In Hollywood is Old Hollywood merges with New Hollywood (New Hollywood is 1969). *Note: If you've seen this movie, please don't reveal the conclusion in your comment. It would ruin the movie for potential viewers.. However, if you want to tell us that you liked or disliked the movie, feel free.

Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), along with his stunt double, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), represent Old Hollywood. The TV show Dalton starred in is over. He looks for parts in other shows and even sings on Hullabaloo––anything to stay in the public's view and keep working.




No wonder we have doubts about Dalton's ability to have a successful career. But then a number of incidents bring Rick Dalton and his best buddy Booth into New Hollywood. I'll mention only one of these events because this is a movie that should be allowed to unfold before you without a lot of information about the plot.

One evening Dalton and Booth head out and we note they live on Cielo Drive in Los Angeles. They see the "neighbors" in their car: Roman Polanski and his beautiful, budding-actress wife Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). Dalton hopes to meet Polanski so he might get a part in a movie.

Margot Robbie
as
Sharon Tate

That's it. That's everything I have to tell you about the plot, other than the end of the movie gave me hope. I also want to mention that when Brad Pitt took off his shirt, I drooled. He's as gorgeous as ever at age 55.




Let me know if you like the movie. I'm always curious. I understand, though, that some people won't watch a Tarantino movie for any reason.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug



Sunday, March 8, 2020

EACH FOR EQUAL

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Congratulations on waking up to celebrate 

International Women's Day!  hint: Did you change your clocks last night? Please remember that it's Daylight Saving Time, not Savings Time and not Saving's Time and not parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.



I feel a bit militant.


But not in a bad way.



In a productive way.




I wish you a beautiful Sunday!


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug