Grandma, You Were Right. Chicken Soup Works!
A winter cold is closing in on me. I say this, because two people, with whom I’ve recently shared a towel and a handshake, are sick. My tried and true antidote is chicken soup, which has been analyzed by scientists for its cold symptom-reducing properties, and according to the Mayo clinic, it works. I’ve got a pot simmering on the stove right now. This time, I’m trying out a new recipe (with celery root, instead of celery) from the Jewish cook and all around food maven, Arthur Schwartz.
Keeping Up With the Joneses
Today is the birthday of the great writer, Edith Wharton. Her novel, The Age of Innocence, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1921, making her the first woman to win one. She was born Edith Newbold Jones, into a very wealthy family, and the expression, “keeping up with the Joneses,” refers to them. Wharton was friends with the leading artists of her day, including Henry James, who encouraged her to write about the elite New York City she grew up in, even though she despised it. I keep this quote of hers close at hand: If only we’d stop trying to be happy we’d have a pretty good time.
Online Dating and the New Zodiac
A mere seven days into fulfilling my pledge to register for a dating site, I’m already squirming. Having axed Jdate after browsing through 200 profiles without a desire to click for more, I turned to OK Cupid. One of the first screen names to turn up in my search was “pussiologist” from Burbank, which I can only hope has something to do with a love of cats. I also found “lawnmuncher,” which must mean he’s a gardener. Next was “laughing Pisces,” and actually I felt bad for him, because of course, he’s no longer a Pisces, but probably an Aquarius. FYI, there were over 40 men who identified themselves as “Scorpio,” and now I don’t know if that reflects the new Zodiac or not. Maybe I should be adventurous, and find myself an Ophiuchus.
Image: (Old Zodiac) Chart of most common words in star sign predictions
Finding Inspiration from Trailblazers
This has been a week of giants. On Monday, we celebrated Martin Luther King’s birthday, which gave me a reason to watch his I Have a Dream speech. Today is the 50th anniversary of John Kennedy’s stirring address (“ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”) And 2 years ago, Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th U.S. President.
Image: A tribute to Marie Curie, who pioneered the study of radioactivity, discovered 2 elements (polonium and radium) and was the first person to be awarded 2 Nobel prizes.
How to Create a More Civil Union?
Limited edition Shepard Fairey print. For release on 1/21/11.
Don’t forget to vote.
Gratitude in the Morning
When heart-palpitating anxiety grips, it’s often first thing in the morning, before my brain is fully awake. At this groggy moment, I force my attention to gratitude. I pilfered this practice from a 16th century prayer that observant Jews say when they wake up. (Modeh ani – meaning, I give thanks.) Remembering what’s good in my life is a handy way to stop negative thoughts cold in their tracks. There’s my goose down comforter, the early sunlight peaking through wooden blinds, two gorgeous photographs in my direct line of vision, taken by a very talented friend, and the purring cat and sleepy dog, sandwiching me in, lovingly and tight. What are your first thoughts?
Contest’s 2nd round. Please vote.
Image: Sunrise by Christopher Gray
I Have a Dream
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Photo by Leonard Freed, 1964
There’s one prize left from our New Year’s Resolution contest. Please VOTE (through Jan. 21) for your favorite –
OK Cupid (We Have a Winner!)
At the end of 2010, I invited readers to submit their New Year’s resolutions, selfishly in part, to have support for mine. (And to give away some fantastic skin care.) By support I mean, that once I committed out loud to all of you, I’d be more likely to follow through. Your resolutions gave me hope, with their optimism and goodness, and egged me on. Picking a winner was almost impossible. How do you weigh such a thing? Considering the context of First Person Singular, I decided to go with this clear and confident pledge from Camla: Continue reading »
OMG I’m an Aries
“Earth” shattering news is exploding online today. According to the Minnesota Planetarium Society, there’s a 13th sign in the Zodiac, named Ophiuchus (pronounced off ee oo’ kus) lodged between Scorpio and Sagittairus. And are you sitting down? The moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth has changed the alignment of the stars, which means none of us are the signs we thought we were. (Nor were all those hot Scorpio men I thought were the real deal.) Does this mean I’m actually compatible with Virgos? New chart here:
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FIRST PERSON SINGULAR is a guide to surviving, thriving and sometimes just getting through a single day. Created by Wendy Braitman (more…)
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