"From 0-5 to OMG!"

That's how Gary Cohen described the Mets 2024 journey. That was the end of game 161. By beating the Braves 8-7 in Game 1 of a doubleheader, the Mets secured a spot in the post season. A second win would have eliminated the Braves from the post season. I would have liked to have have seen that, but no such luck: the Braves won 3-0.

The Mets are headed back to Milwaukee. Hopefully, they'll play like they did yesterday. Yes, it was just yesterday.

Writing Advice in Unexpected Places

I wrote a few posts about finding good lines in unexpected places--meaning B movies. 

This post is about finding relevant writing advice in unexpected places. A few weeks ago, I was reading through a list of tips/advice about random topics--I think it was from cracked.com, but I can't find it.

Here's the gist of what I remember:

Don't completely stop a good routine. If you've been working out and want to skip a day, do two sit-ups. If  you write everyday and want to skip a day, write two sentences. 

I thought this was a great idea. Unfortunately, I haven't acted on it yet.

The following is a comment more than a piece of advice from the series, Wednesday:

"I've always hated the expression 'write what you know'. It's a hall pass for the imagination-impaired." 

I have to agree with Wednesday on this. "Write what you know." may be good advice for a new writer, but it's too restricting. Taken literally, I can't write about a man, a mother, a divorcee, an actress, or anyone older than me. Let me use my imagination. 

Baseball and a Birthday

Jeff's birthday was Wednesday. He wasn't feeling well, so we didn't go out for lunch or dinner. Jace and I walked to Blue Cactus Grill and picked up a sandwich for lunch. I had made spaghetti sauce last week so heated that, added ground pork, and served it over angel hair pasta for dinner. I also made a salad and picked up a South African wine. Jeff ended up going to bed early--around 8 PM without dessert. You know Jeff  must have been feeling really bad for him to bypass chocolate ganache cake. 

The next day we went to Sedona Tap House for lunch. We had unexpectedly frugal glasses of sparkling wine--a $2.special. Beers were half-off and we got a free appetizer. Works for me. Jeff and I had cake after a light dinner. 

Last week I read an article Be Worried About the Mets Fan in your Life by Will Leitch. I can relate. I was devastated by the Mets loss to Atlanta on Tuesday 1-5. Then the next two games were rescheduled to a double-header on Monday with the Wild Card Series starting Tuesday. Ugh! 

It was hard to have to wait until Friday to see the Mets. Then they lost their two games against Milwaukee. Double ugh. I'm worried. If the Mets don't make it into the playoffs, at some point, I will be able to celebrate their comeback season. But in the near term, it will be a grave disappointment. 

Monday Miscellanea

Fall officially started yesterday. It was appropriately chilly in the morning and I appropriately used this Welcome Fall glass.

Yesterday, the Mets beat the Phillies 2-1 with a six out save by Edwin Diaz and won the series. Six more games in the regular season. Tomorrow the Mets begin a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. The Mets have two-game lead over the Braves. If they win two games, the Mets' will cinch a Wild Card berth. LGM!

I returned to the gym after a long, months-long break. I was conservative in how much weight I used in leg presses, pulldowns, chest presses, and abdominal crunches. Then I did a half-hour on the ellipitcal. My goal is go to the gym three times a week. Hopefully, writing this goal here will make me accountable.

LGM!

I was mad last night because we couldn't watch the Mets--they were on Apple TV. I hate that we're already paying for SNY and can't see all the games. Well, the Mets lost 2-12; maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to miss that.

Today, I'm happy to report that the Mets beat the Phillies 6-3, and we got to watch it. At a minimum, the Mets won't lose the four-game series. Let's see them win it tomorrow. 

LGM!

A Thankful Thursday Post

I am thankful for the following:

Jeff saw a new acupuncturist who is part of his neurology group. She ordered X-rays for his back (which he had today) and more physical therapy--schedule to be determined. 

Beautiful weather. Jace and I went to three "destination" walks this week (i.e. not around our neighborhood) Taylor Farm, the Norwalk River Valley Trail, and Winslow Park. 

Jeff and I celebrated our 36th anniversary.

Even though I didn't feel well yesterday and worried about a colitis setback, I feel good today.

I'm getting excited about our move out of Connecticut. We still have a lot of work to do before that happens, but I feel that we're on our way. 

The Mets are playing great baseball. Tonight they beat the Phillies 10-6.They had a 2-run lead at the end of the first. Every time the Phillies scored, the Mets responded. The Mets are currently in the second wild-card position. They have the toughest remaining schedule of all the contenders, but as I said, they're playing great baseball. I believe again.

36

Today is Jeff's and my 36th wedding anniversary. We didn't consider going away because we already spent a week in New Jersey and one in Baltimore this summer. 

Today, I cared for the NCNC birds, ran some errands and picked up anniversary gifts for Jeff. As of Sunday, I didn't have a clue for his gift. Then it downed on me--photos. Okay, some wives would give their husband boudoir photos, but not me. I gave Jeff Jace photos. 

I think this is the best photo I've taken of Jace. 

This looks better after I cropped it.

I framed this first two; I put the second two in magnetized plastic sleeves--more refrigerator pics. 

I emailed the pictures to CVS; it took less than 24 hours and under $2 to print. I don't know why I didn't do this before.

Tonight Jeff and I went to dinner at Barcelona. Apparently, the menu online was outdated or was the Stamford, not the Norwalk Barcelona. I mentioned I was disappointed that the heirloom tomatoes weren't available. They comped us a gem lettuce with tomato salad. Nice. We shared a variety of tapas: delicata squash, flank steak, bacon wrapped dates, chorizo and figs, mahon cheese and bread. I love that they offer mini drinks at happy hour and 3 ounce as well as 6 ounce glasses of wine.

We had a great meal, came home and had cupcakes for dessert, and watched the Mets win. A good night.

Off to a Stellar Start--Not

On weekends, I often think about the things I will do when the week starts again on Monday. Honestly, a large part of this is procrastination, but there's also a feeling of optimism--next week will be the time I get it together--writing, working out, cleaning--whatever. 

Even though I had just told Jace, I have to start getting up earlier, I stayed in bed for an extra half hour this morning. Then I remembered Jeff has an appointment with a new acupuncturist--part of his neurologist's practice. Also, I went into the kitchen and remembered that while I had loaded the dishwasher, I had left pans, the cutting board, and knives to clean. I hate to do the night's dinner dishes the next morning. Oh well. It took me most of the day to catch up  Between chores and errands, I still haven't put away all the laundry on the drying rack since Friday. One errand was to take Jace to Taylor Farm; it wasn't necessary, but I felt he deserved it. 

Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. I will care for the birds at New Canaan Nature Center as I usually do on Tuesday, but we won't worry about cleaning and chores tomorrow. I do need to pick up a few things for Jeff's gift, and I'll pick up a dessert to have at home.

As I'm writing this, the Mets have beat the Nationals 2-1 in 10 innings. The Braves are losing badly (0-9) to the Dodgers in the ninth, so the Mets will be in line for the third wild card. I'm glad the Mets have a better start to the week than I did. 

 

Book 18: Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

I think I got this book recommendation from Modern Mrs. Darcy. I have a scribbled list of books to read on pages from a old journal. My notes said it was about World War II in Russia.  

Well, I had to re-read the cover to remember that after the first 100 or so pages. 

In a piece called "In Her Own Words" at the back of the book, Hannah said, "The Russian half of the story came to me as a gift."  Also, "The bigger problem was the contemporary story."

I agree. I'll put it bluntly. I didn't give a shit about Meredith or Nina in the contemporary story. Their issues revolved around the men in their lives. 

Anya's story was powerful.

Hannah should have written a novella.

Back Home

We returned home on Wednesday afternoon, after a week away in Dundalk, Maryland. I didn't really want to leave, but the ride down had been exhausting. So, I considered staying overnight somewhere on the way home (possibly in Newark, DE, my college town.) I also didn't want to be driving on Friday. Luckily, the return trip was fine except for hitting a lot of traffic as we entered Stamford. 

We had a wonderful time in Maryland. I've know Annette for about 40 years. This was the most time we've ever spent together. We had some delicious food from her favorite restaurants. We returned to the park where Jeff's great, great, (I think) uncle served as superintendent (I want to say Superintendo per Ralph Wiggins on the Simpsons.)

Annette showed us all around Dundalk, Baltimore, Frederick, and Essex. Oh, we went through other areas as well I can't remember them all now. What's important, is that Jeff and I can see ourselves living in the area. 

We went to see one condo because it had an open house. While it hit our main requirements, it would have been settling. At least, it gave us a point of reference. 

We're finally on the road to getting out of Connecticut. 

Baltimore Bound

In a few hours, Jeff, Jace, and I are hitting the road to visit some friends in Baltimore. We'll also see my cousin in Annapolis. Looking forward to this trip; it's been in the planning stages for a long time. I can't remember the last time we went away twice in one summer. 

Rewatching The Little Foxes

One of the fun things about re-watching great movies is noticing new things and appreciating things you've seen before. 

The actors who play the Hubbard Brothers--Charles Dingle and Carl Benton Reid  are wonderful--it's Reid's film debut. I've mentioned Dan Duryea before--he is memorable as Leo. Teresa Wright is luminous as Alexandra. Who can forget Herbert Marshall as he crawls upstairs to get the heart medicine he needs after his wife Regina (Bette Davis) tells him of her contempt for him and how she wishes for his death? 

Patricia Collinge has the best scene in the film as she explains to Alexandra that she doesn't really have headaches, but that she drinks; how everyone knew but her that her husband married her for her family's cotton.

Four paragraphs before I even address Bette's performance. She's brilliant as she maneuvers among her brothers, taunts her husband, realizes she's lost her daughter. 

This is a good film with great performances--a classic.

Book 17: Angel of Vengeance by Preston & Child

I had to wait over two weeks after the book was published to get it from the library. Damn, I was getting antsy. I picked it on Friday; finished it late Saturday, re-read it Sunday and Monday. I returned it today, and handed it to one of the librarians, saying I knew someone was waiting, and it was really good. 

Angel of Vengeance is a satisfying end to the Leng quartet. I love the idea of traveling across multiple-worlds. In this book, the two worlds are very similar.The only difference that the travelers find is a ugly tower in the middle of NYC. 

Dr. Leng is truly a master criminal--cruel, yet brilliant. He's seemingly one step ahead of our other-world heroes, but is he really?

It was only after I finished the book that I realized that Agent Cold Moon's case from The Cabinet of Dr. Leng was unfinished. I guess we'll return to that story in the next book. I'll be waiting.