2023
I came across today’s quote and started thinking about what pleases me. The first things that popped up were vices. A good cocktail, a glass of beer, bacon, coffee, naked sleepovers, hotdogs, pizza and cigars. All of these bring me pleasure and none are too expensive.
Since my divorce and then Covid, I haven’t been too far from home. Life has gotten pretty simple. The big picture is actually quite small at this point.
…and I’ve realized that this is a good thing.
MLK weekend in the past has brought me great pleasure. Young John Shepley often took advantage of a three day weekend in January. From Bourbon Street to the Vegas Strip or the beaches of Florida… MLK weekend was always a great getaway.
How can this MLK weekend even compare? What pleasure can be found sitting around Riverside with a sixteen year old lurking nearby?
Let’s break it down so far…. I got home from work on Friday and paid a couple bills. I went to a tavern and watched “Jeopardy” with a dear friend. I had a couple glasses of Hamms and a shot of Tullamore Dew.
I went home and made George pork chops and green beans. After I made George dinner I went out and met friends for a cocktail and was home early. I watched movies with George and he made popcorn.
Saturday I got up and walked down the river. I saw a deer, I listened to the splashes of the DesPlaines and I breathed the cold fresh air into my lungs. When I got home I made George scrambled eggs with sausage links. After breakfast I folded laundry, vacuumed, dusted and listened to my shows on WDCB.
Later Saturday afternoon I went to a friends house for football and pizza. I had a couple BuckleDown beers and laughed as we made fun of each other and shot the shit. I had to leave earlier than planned because it was time to feed George again.
So compared to a hurricane at Pat O’Briens or a crap table at the Desert Inn… how could this MLK weekend ever compare?
The truth is…..
This weekend blows the past out of the water. I find great pleasure in all the things I mentioned. I’ll never be able to replicate the pleasures of my youth, so the routine of a divorced dad is all that I have.….
…and I find great pleasure in it!
I better end this and go watch the sunrise before George wants breakfast. Yesterday I promised him I’d make waffles today.
Did you guys get a chance to see the moon last night? It sailed across the sky early this morning at a southern angle. Seeing it through the bedroom window brought great pleasure.
2022
I don’t know what the hell normal is…. 98.6?
These poor kids today can’t hold a thermometer to the lightbulb when mom leaves them alone anymore.
You stick the thing in their ear and five seconds later….. they are either normal or running a fever!
Most of us had 105 degree fevers before we figured out how to hold the thermometer just right to the lamp on our nightstand.
I got it down to a science….. the 101.3 to 102.2 range.
Anything under 101.3 and you’re going to school! It was the 1970’s and if you weren’t dying the nuns expected your ass at your desk.
Anything over 102.2 and your mom knew you were trying to jag her around.
I know many of you that are reading this are not normal. Many of you are eclectic, weird, spiritual and theatrical on a daily basis.
How cool is that?
This whole Covid thing has given us alone time or cocoon time to spring out into a post Covid era with a different attitude!
Explore new things… take chances…. Step out of the box!
The day will come!
The day will come and it’s going to be amazing!
This second wave gives us another opportunity to challenge ourselves!
Walk down the avenue and sing show tunes!
That is what I’m going to do!
I’m going to walk over to the grocery singing “If I were a rich man” from Fiddler on the Roof!
Other than that…… put something good in the crockpot and someone you love in your arms….
2021
19,922 days ago on a hot summer day in July of 1966 a child was born into the world! A Jumbosize 9.8 lbs!
So on April 3rd, 2021 I will be 20,000 days year old! I’m going to party that day! It’s a Saturday and I do not have the Shepkids!
2020
I sure hope someone brings bagels and smears into work today! Onion, tomatoes and some salmon would be nice too!
2019
I’m interested in world peace! I’m also looking for my long underwear!
Ignore the assclowns today!
