First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

End of Week Zen

As you get into bed, take a moment to appreciate something you did well today. Happy Halloween. Happy weekend!

Illustration by Marc Johns

Walking the Walk

More than a month ago, before anyone knew the Giants would get far in the playoffs, I signed up to phonebank for a proposition that’s on the ballot in California. I dread phone banking, but it’s important to be a good citizen. As it turned out, the date would coincide with the final game of the World Series in which my beloved team had the chance to win. Could I back out of the commitment and stay home? I thought about it, but really, how could I? At least I’d be able to sneak peeks of the score during the evening on my phone. As it turned out, the community center where we were making the calls had only a sporadic internet connection. At least I’d taped the game and could watch those final exultant moments when I returned home. As it turned out, the DVR stopped recording during the 8th inning. But today, I’m soaking it in.

SF Giants embrace after winning the World Series

It’s National Cat Day

Go rescue a kitty.

Art by Tadashige Nishida

Getting in the Groove of Fall

This morning, waking up in darkness that is indicative of late October, it was 59 degrees. Here in L.A., that’s brisk. A few weeks ago, my brother, who lives in New England, was telling me about the chores on his list to get ready for winter: raking and bagging the leaves, removing the furniture from the screened-in porch, checking the weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors, while my biggest to-do was finding a long sleeve shirt. This weekend we turn the clocks back. Cloaked in darkness this morning, I was wondering if given a choice, I’d prefer the precious hour of light at the beginning or end of the day. What’s your preference?

Funfunfun! by Maori Sakai

Another Upside to Chocolate

Exciting news. According to a new study, there’s an antioxidant in chocolate that has been found to improve memory loss. I might have to dig into the bag of Halloween treats. What’s your favorite?

Illustration by Aaron Byrd

What Should You Feed Your Pet?

We pet owners swap parenting stories just like those with human children do. The other day, a neighbor was complaining about her poodle being a finicky eater. She buys all her provisions at a place called Just Food for Dogs which features such products as beef & russet potato, turkey and whole wheat macaroni, and venison with squash. This is a common conversation in L.A. I feed Rose some kibble with a little chicken thrown in. Am I a bad mother or what?

I Heart New York

Ten days after 9/11, I flew to lower Manhattan for a conference. It had been scheduled a year in advance. Before going, colleagues discussed whether it was wise to make the trip, and we all decided it was imperative to participate. There was such unspeakingable sadness in the city then. With no taxis allowed below Canal Street, I was dropped off and had to walk with my luggage the five blocks to the hotel, which was also a staging area for first responders. It was a devastating time. And yet I remember thinking that New York, out of all places, had the resilience, creative capital and relentless energy to survive and thrive. Take that, Ebola.

Painting by Alexandra Pacula

What Will You Be Wearing for Halloween?

Illustration by Glen Brogan

One Fine Day

Today, I could no longer delay a car repair I’d been fretting about. When I got the call from my neighborhood mechanic that the car was ready, I walked over with dread. He took my credit card and sighed, “you’re not going to like this.” I took a deep breath. But then he grinned and said, “no charge!” We hugged. When I told him I had to race home to watch the World Series, the mechanic whispered that he was a Giants fan, not something readily admitted to in L.A. We hugged again. To top it off, the Giants just took the first game 7 – 1.

Amazing by Mel Bochner

Oscar de la Renta, RIP

Even I was enchanted by George Clooney’s marriage to the fabulous Amal Alamuddin, featured in this photo, as she’s being fitted for her gown designed by Oscar de la Renta. News was just announced of de la Renta’s death at the age of 82.