Joy Sings!

I am so stinkin' glad that I had the presence of mind to record Joy singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Melissa and I used to love when she said whatchu-are. 

August 2025 Books

Robodog ¹ by David Walliams - The narration on David Walliams' audiobooks are top notch and this one was no slouch. Still, it wasn't my fave of his more recent books.

* Christine ¹ by Stephen King - This classic King novel was really engrossing and then in the middle it kind of dragged a bit. I stuck with it and in the end it was a good story. 

* Spaceboy ¹ by David Walliams - Oh my gosh, this one more than made up for my so-so feelings on Robodog. It was so stinkin' cute and I loved the Star Trekkie music at the end of each chapter. Such a fun read that I'm thinking of checking it out from Hoopla again when Bailey and I go out in October. (She's really into outerspace stuff at the moment.)

* This Is Not My Memoir ¹ by André Gregory and Todd London - Not a start to finish rollercoaster of a book or even unendingly engrossing, but a solid book about a truly interesting man. 

¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

I Heart FaceTiming

The month I have been so lucky in that I was able to FaceTime with Lucy, Bailey, and Natalia. I was naughty and took screenshots of them. Lucy was in Indiana, Bailey is in Delaware, and Natalia is in Hawaii, but thanks to the joy of technology I got to see them all in the flesh! 

BONUS: I also FaceTimed with Kayla, but stupidly forgot to take a pic with her!

POST SCRIPT: Google Meet/Duo with Amy on the 30th!

I'm certain they would all be furious that I posted these in-the-moment snaps but I love that I caught Lucy with her sweet face, Bailey thinking while creating her Finch profile, Natalia telling me about work and looking off in the distance, and Amy's expression as she tells me that she is running out of Stephen King novels to check out at her local library. These are four beautiful and vibrant females and I'm so lucky to have them in my life.

Ask Someone (Aunt Berne)

In what part of the world do you imagine me being the happiest?

A far country like Paris where your curiosity and adventurism can be explored. 

What would you use to lure me into a trap?

Tell you I’ve a secret that I will only tell you in person 

In a perfect world, who would I end up marrying?

Someone who will become a great love who can easily afford to travel the globe with you like Richard Castle. Money is never an object to him because he’s invested wisely and honestly. 

What is your favourite moment we've shared?

Every moment because you are my joy. 

What name do you think suits me better than my own?

I think there is no other name. When I think of Lisa, only you ALWAYS come to my mind. 

What things remind you of me?

Snoopy, when I cover my mouth, books and any thing Christmasy

What do you hope I will always remember about you?

Your letting go of people who seem to not want to continue sharing with you (that’s much a part of my life too). Connecting with you only when you make the connection first. Your listening with an open mind and being the joy that is you. 

(11 September 2021)

My answers for Aunt Berne:

In what part of the world do you imagine me being the happiest?

Alaska! In a warm cabin with a personal chef and loads of extra guest bedrooms. Oh, and it's near an airstrip so that you can come back to the east coast whenever you like as well as welcome your favourite people to visit!

What would you use to lure me into a trap?

A free coupon for a dessert tasting at The Cheesecake Factory. You must try all the desserts and choose the best. 

In a perfect world, who would I end up marrying?

Duh. Tom Selleck.

What is your favourite moment we've shared?

The first that comes to mind was all the times that you would walk down to the stop sign at the end of Belgrade so that you could wave to us one last time as we drove around the block to home. The thrill of anticipation of "Will she be there? Will she be there???" And you always were.

What name do you think suits me better than my own?

Bernadette and Berne are so you that it's hard to come up with something that's better. Hmm...how about Cassandra Marie, but we would all call you Cassie.

What things remind you of me?

My Fair Lady, Little Caesar's Pizza, Tom Selleck, Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman (I'M IN THE DAHK HERE!), cross-stitching, polar bears, really cute stuffed animals, Cabbage Patch Dolls, exquisitely wrapped Christmas gifts, 

What do you hope I will always remember about you?

That even though life got in the way and we didn't get to spend as much time together as I would have liked, I have and will always love you like crazy. You were without question the best part of my childhood.

First Crush, Forever Crush

(photos kidnapped from old.hollywood.swoon Instagram page)

Finally some good news...

Thank goodness I have a Swiftie pal like Melissa who keeps me up to date on all things Taylor Swift. Looks like true love really does exist and I hope these two get a genuine happily ever after.

Kitty McCall Style

I saw this on Instagram and love the clear, bright, cheery, lived-in/loved design of her home. Oh how I would love to have a house all my own with no neighbours so I could let sunlight spill into it.

Magnets from Bishop

My fridge is covered in pictures, artwork, and loads of magnets. Probably my favourite one is the ceramic magnet that Bishop bought me while on a work trip out to Monterey. He followed it up a few years later when he hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and returned home with two magnets just for me. I love that whenever he would travel on business, he always made it a point to bring me a magnet or a keychain or something small. It let me know that while he was away, he was thinking of me. 

The Vagina Monologues

While parting with dozens of books and dropping them at Little Free Library boxes in PA, I flipped through the pages and in this Eve Ensler book I found post-its with my answers to the posed questions.

Mother’s Day 2013 Voicemail

This voice message from Bishop still cracks me up. The way he says ham makes me laugh every. Single. Time. I'm so glad I save all my old phones so I can record these voicemails and leave them here on this wee lil' blog.

August 2025 Donations

Childhelp

Childhelp exists to meet the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children.

Childhelp believes that every child has a unique contribution to make to the world, and deserves the best that we can provide. We believe unconditional love is the foundation on which all healing begins, and that is why we are dedicated to ensuring all children, families and communities live in safe, stable, supportive, and nurturing environments that are equitable, inclusive, and free of abuse and neglect.

At Childhelp,“All Who Enter Here Will Find Love.”

Childhelp aims not only to address the immediate consequences of child abuse, but also to create a foundation for long-term healing and prevention. By breaking the cycle of abuse, Childhelp strives to empower children and families to lead healthier, more secure lives.

Through our various programs and services, we seek to break the cycle of child abuse and provide healing and hope to those who have experienced abuse.

I was heading into MOM's one Saturday to grab my beloved Jammed Yam from Naked Lunch and pick up some groceries. On the way in I noticed a table set up with kids stuff and two grown ups talking to people. I immediately became annoyed. It's like those god damn Girl Scouts all over again. If I don't listen to what they have to say and donate cash I will look like a totally heartless beast-bitch. Luckily I snuck in while they were talking to someone else and I caught a quick glimpse of what it was about. Something to do with kids and some sort of a backpack full of supplies for maybe foster kids? So I walked around, got my stuff and on the way out went up to the gal and said, "Okay, so what's this all about?" She gave me the low-down and I purchased/donated a backpack and a month for their child abuse hotline. It was a bit pricey, but I liked that I felt in control of asking rather than being hounded. She was super nice and I felt better knowing that I could throw some money toward such a worthwhile organisation.

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

The Shins

House of Hogwarts at Krispy Kreme!

How freakin' cool are these new Krispy Kreme doughnuts!?!!?? (The sorting hat is my fave - such a fun idea!!)

Both Hands

August of 2007 Nicole and I were driving around in Truman and singing to a classic Ani DiFranco tune that Nicole and Ashlee used to love. Nicole was so young!!! Still in high school and with braces and just as cute as can be. I hope whatever she's up to in life that she's happy.

The "Only Murders" Question

Season four, episode eight, the sensational Griffin Dunne asks the most poignant and beautiful question of all time. The sort of question that leaves the answer-er vulnerable and open. One that will tell you all you need to know about them, simply by their reply. The question?

If your life were a movie, what would be your happy ending?

I am 82, in excellent health, with a strong body that gets me where I want to go. I have been a moderately successful author for nearly 30 years. I own a small home, which I designed, on a secluded plot of land in Chester County, Pennsylvania. My partner in life and love for almost three decades is also an illustrator for many of my stories. He and I, on a whim, plan a trip to Yellowstone. We are hoping to be inspired by nature to write and draw, respectively, a whole new story together. We rent a small cabin where we FaceTime and text our nieces and nephews, email photos of our trip to dear friends and talk of having a wonderful repeat of last year's holiday gathering. As we hold hands on the porch and watch the sun set in the distance, looking up at the stars beginning to appear, the long overdue Yellowstone Caldera erupts and we are killed instantaneously. No long, drawn out illness, no cancer diagnoses, no falls that result in multiple broken bones, no loss of memory and mind, and especially no loss of dignity and self. We are happy, bananas in love with one another, successful, kind, generous, and self-actualized people that lead decent lives. We created a legacy of stories and art that made the lives of so many children just a bit better. While on this planet, we felt fulfilled; we lead lives of joy and promoted a positive way of life that encouraged others to walk in kindness.   

What more could anyone ask for in life?

Natural Health Store Wishes

I saw this in January at a shop in the next county and had to snap a photo. Here is a list of the ways that I am attempting to be the best version of myself this year.

- began exercising again on a regular basis

- started juicing at least one meal a day

- focusing my diet on loads of healthy grub - lots of stir fry-ups of veggie veggie veggies! Oh, and a newfound obsession with salads.

- making sure to send a card a month (and sometimes more!) to Amy and writing to Autumn every other week

- reading a book a week (audiobooks make this easier but I'm also reading physical books as well)

- once again trying to be better with finances - it's hard because I love to treat the kids to books and lunches, to buy cards and stamps to keep in touch with friends afar, go to the movies with pals and pick up the tab, plus splurge on Naked Lunch Jammed Yams for me every weekend, and buying things for child Lisa, because I want her to have all the stuff she wanted but never got.

- getting my savings to 5k and looking to get in shape for a fun adventure abroad with Isabella in 2026 for my 50th

- trying meditation at least once a day, even if it's only for a couple minutes

- working on puzzles, because it's relaxing and almost meditative, and I can listen to an audiobook - win win!

- making doctor appointments and trying to stay on top of my health as I grow old

It doesn't seem like much, but I'm trying. Even when I fall off the wagon and splurge on junk food or buying myself stuff just-because, I am getting in the habit of hoping back on that wagon and continuing on the road to better living.

Lewinsky Binge

What did I do today while simultaneously working? Binge watched Monica Lewinsky's TedTalks and interviews with John Oliver plus her Reclaiming podcast. What a fun, vibrant, erudite, and engaging woman. But her teeth are so perfect it sent me into a shame spiral. 

ps - The Tig Notaro and Alan Cumming and Andrew Rannells interviews were sooooo good!

I'm the Best

Lisa*

Okay, so you might not be the best but well, you're alright. You try, not always your best or the hardest but you do strive to become better. You're caring & kind & have an excellent sticker collection. You are sentimental, vegan, care about kids and animals. You have exceptional taste in art: film, music, books, paintings, etc. You are giving of your time & money to those you love & to organisations you believe in. You write letters & notes & try to stay in touch w/not only good friends and family but co-workers as well as acquaintances. You are a good writer when you have a story that inspires you & if published could help to instill in your readers a better sense of self-pride. You excel at giving solid advice & are a fairly good listener, although you do need to work on not interrupting people. Keep going, keep trying.

- Lisa*

- 31 January 2021

Thrown Away

I always feel like I'm the one that's reaching out to friends to hold things together. To make plans. And I always wind up feeling like shit and like I'm a bother when I say "hi, i miss you, wanna hang out?" I'm already prone to paranoia, but when I don't get a reply, how else can I interpret the silence aside from that they just don't give a damn about me or our friendship anymore? And when people eventually reply (usually when they want something) and apologise, saying they are sooo busy, all I can think is y'know what? You are not currently President Zelenskyy who is actually busy as fuck, so your excuse of having kids is pathetic and a complete cop out. Recently I've decided to step back. To only hang out with friends and family that actively want to spend time with me, and sod all the rest.

So for me, there'll be no more random texts to say hello, no more cheery postcards in the mail, and no more communication whatsoever. I. Am. Done. You don't have time for me? Fine. Message received. Thankfully most of my closest pals that are childless (Amy, Bishop, Wayne, Lauryn, Kay, & Bella) seem to realise the importance of friendships. A little thing to ponder for the ones that do have kids: you had better work your asses off to cultivate the best marriage in history because when those kids is grown, you ain't gonna have a single friend left but the one you married. 

NOTE: Amy and I have had a five plus year run of not missing a single month of seeing one another in person or via FaceTime. More than half the months it is Amy that reminds me of our need to get together. And she's a full time employee at a University where she is also required to do field work outside of office hours AND is a full time freakin' farmer with a husband, and an elderly mother-in-law to care for, plus dealing with preparing a second home on their property for said mother-in-law. Thank Jesus that I was smart enough at two years of age to select Amy as my best friend.

Matthew Broderick in Interview

Belated Bday Giftie!

Look what Melanie left on my doorstep the other night!