I went to see It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve — they play it on the big screen at a theater near us every year — and if that film fails to put you in the holiday spirit you probably have to give up for the season and try again next year.
I introduced my daughter to Mr. Rogers a few years ago, mostly because I missed his face, and I fully expected it to flop in this world of Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig and Bluey, but she immediately got a wistful smile on her face, entranced. "I like this man, Mama," she said, and I felt hope. Because it turns out that our soul's compass points to goodness even in the Upside-down. Your soul is especially tuned in, Ally. I always Come here with a wistful smile of my own, even in the bad news swirl of it all, because you remind me that I'm not alone. ❤️
This makes me so happy, Kendall. My kids loved him, too. I think he just knew how to talk to kids and we could all feel it and I guess that’s timeless. There’s never any talking down. He always talks to children with such respect and tenderness, which is as it should be. And thank you, Kendall, I feel the same when I read your work. So happy I found you here ❤️🩹❤️🩹
Heyyy seven sisters shout-out! I knew we were related! 😊 (I'm a Smith grad) And may I say, it really checks out - you've got that women's college unapologetic-ness and I love that for you
I mean, we are kindred. It was kind of obvious. But the unapologetic part was hard-won and it came later than it feels like it should have? Or I guess it showed up when I was ready to own it, but wow. It’s so much easier this way and I wish I’d owned it a lot sooner! Would have saved me so much energy. Hugs and love and all the good things, Cody. So happy and grateful to know you ❤️
I’m definitely trying to hang in there, and boy I sure hope we’re going to be okay, but wow our systems and so-called leaders are failing us. Here’s to a turnaround in ‘26!
Yes, it’s all failing, but every special election we’ve had has given my life and hope. I genuinely do not believe this is what the majority of people want. I do think there are people who voted for this who now regret it. No idea how many, I just believe that to be the case. I do not think this is a winning situation for the vast majority of Americans and I think it will get a lot worse before it gets better. I think the real test will come when we get these awful people out. Fixing things is the real work. Regrouping and having a national conversation with reasonable people about how we want things to be is what needs to happen so we don’t ever find ourselves here again. Citizens United has to be overturned. Every senator who stood by and let this happen needs to be voted out. I mean, we have a ton of work ahead. But I do think we will get there, Paul. I do. Sending you a lot of love, friend.
The *only* reason I can “afford” it is I’m in a rent-controlled house I moved into in 2005. Thankfully it was in a fantastic neighborhood for public schools and that has saved us. I try not to think about the money I’ve spent on rent, and as long as I don’t think about that and I do think about the great education my kids have gotten, I am okay. Ish. lol. I’d love to be your neighbor, too, Michelle. A lot!! Hugs and love to you ❤️❤️❤️
Ha! Weather doesn’t scare me. I’ve softened up here on the west coast no doubt, but I’m an east coast gal. I miss the snow and the turning of the leaves and all of it. Maybe not all of it lol.
I LOVE Harvey. I first saw it as a play in my local college, maybe age 8 and fell in love with Jimmy’s character. One line of his is something I have taken to heart in my daily life:
“In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.”
I know it is not the center piece of your piece, and (as always) I agree with each of your central points. the theme of Harvey, that being kind and nice is not a weakness or fault, has always stuck with me and this world would likely be a better place if kindness and compassion replaced greed and consumption.
(i also guess i have a thing for (possibly) imaginary animal friends —pantoufle, Anouk’s imaginary kangaroo in Chocolate is also one of my favorite movie characters)
I can’t wait to watch Harvey, thanks for the 411 Ally… I’d be your neighbor any day ✊🏼🖖
I hope you love it as much as I do, Rick. It’s so special 🐇🤍
I’ll have to search big time as I dint even want to search on the big river/forest of satanic grift for it… 😱
I introduced my daughter to Mr. Rogers a few years ago, mostly because I missed his face, and I fully expected it to flop in this world of Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig and Bluey, but she immediately got a wistful smile on her face, entranced. "I like this man, Mama," she said, and I felt hope. Because it turns out that our soul's compass points to goodness even in the Upside-down. Your soul is especially tuned in, Ally. I always Come here with a wistful smile of my own, even in the bad news swirl of it all, because you remind me that I'm not alone. ❤️
This makes me so happy, Kendall. My kids loved him, too. I think he just knew how to talk to kids and we could all feel it and I guess that’s timeless. There’s never any talking down. He always talks to children with such respect and tenderness, which is as it should be. And thank you, Kendall, I feel the same when I read your work. So happy I found you here ❤️🩹❤️🩹
I love you as a writer and I love you as a friend. More than you know.
Oh Wendy same same same. Love you so much as everything you are. And so grateful for you 🙏🏼🥹❤️
Heyyy seven sisters shout-out! I knew we were related! 😊 (I'm a Smith grad) And may I say, it really checks out - you've got that women's college unapologetic-ness and I love that for you
I mean, we are kindred. It was kind of obvious. But the unapologetic part was hard-won and it came later than it feels like it should have? Or I guess it showed up when I was ready to own it, but wow. It’s so much easier this way and I wish I’d owned it a lot sooner! Would have saved me so much energy. Hugs and love and all the good things, Cody. So happy and grateful to know you ❤️
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood just knowing you exist, Ally.
Thanks
If only you knew how you just made my day! 🥹❤️
I’m definitely trying to hang in there, and boy I sure hope we’re going to be okay, but wow our systems and so-called leaders are failing us. Here’s to a turnaround in ‘26!
Yes, it’s all failing, but every special election we’ve had has given my life and hope. I genuinely do not believe this is what the majority of people want. I do think there are people who voted for this who now regret it. No idea how many, I just believe that to be the case. I do not think this is a winning situation for the vast majority of Americans and I think it will get a lot worse before it gets better. I think the real test will come when we get these awful people out. Fixing things is the real work. Regrouping and having a national conversation with reasonable people about how we want things to be is what needs to happen so we don’t ever find ourselves here again. Citizens United has to be overturned. Every senator who stood by and let this happen needs to be voted out. I mean, we have a ton of work ahead. But I do think we will get there, Paul. I do. Sending you a lot of love, friend.
I would gladly be your neighbor if I could afford southern California!
The *only* reason I can “afford” it is I’m in a rent-controlled house I moved into in 2005. Thankfully it was in a fantastic neighborhood for public schools and that has saved us. I try not to think about the money I’ve spent on rent, and as long as I don’t think about that and I do think about the great education my kids have gotten, I am okay. Ish. lol. I’d love to be your neighbor, too, Michelle. A lot!! Hugs and love to you ❤️❤️❤️
It’s cheap here! You can buy a house for under $100K.
Where are you again?
Central Illinois.
You’d definitely love the weather here ;)
Ha! Weather doesn’t scare me. I’ve softened up here on the west coast no doubt, but I’m an east coast gal. I miss the snow and the turning of the leaves and all of it. Maybe not all of it lol.
I LOVE Harvey. I first saw it as a play in my local college, maybe age 8 and fell in love with Jimmy’s character. One line of his is something I have taken to heart in my daily life:
“In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.”
Yes. One of my favorite lines, too. It’s such a good film.
I know it is not the center piece of your piece, and (as always) I agree with each of your central points. the theme of Harvey, that being kind and nice is not a weakness or fault, has always stuck with me and this world would likely be a better place if kindness and compassion replaced greed and consumption.
(i also guess i have a thing for (possibly) imaginary animal friends —pantoufle, Anouk’s imaginary kangaroo in Chocolate is also one of my favorite movie characters)