If you're new to my blog, welcome! Here is an explanation of the tater tot post.

John Hughes tour

Mike and I organized our first John Hughes tour a few weekends ago. It was eight hours of laughter, quotes, 80s new wave music, food, and fun. It was exactly what I didn't realize I needed after the year we'd had.

Cool children's programming

When Biz Markie died, I played one of his songs for Ella on the way from our neighborhood bakery one morning. She said, "Oh, I know who he is! He was on Yo Gabba Gabba."

Yo Gabba Gabba was an obscure children's show that was popular in the early 2000's. Ella used to watch it for hours at a time when she was younger, to the point that I would sing the songs even when it wasn't on the TV. I have to say, it was quite addictive. But I'm glad she knew who Biz Markie was.

What makes a vacation?

I took a few days in the middle of July to travel to central Illinois to be with Anna at her apartment in her college town. I helped her in cleaning, organizing closets, grocery shopping, and getting ready for her senior year. Because of COVID, I didn't get to help her with anything at college last year. In fact, I didn't even get to see her apartment last year because of the restrictions. So I was happy not only to be able to help her but also to spend time alone with her.

We went to her favorite pub and had several cocktails, we went out to dinner alone, then we took a drive to go to a favorite lunch restaurant we hadn't visited since my parents lived in Chattanooga. It was lovely. I'm enjoying having an adult relationship with my daughter. This was my summer vacation.

On the two-and-a-half-hour drive down to see her, I had time to think. What makes a vacation?

My idea of a vacation changed after the pandemic. I don't need to go to a resort to feel like I've traveled. Don't get me wrong, I love traveling. I have a travel bucket list of places I want to visit someday.

But have you ever been in a grocery store in a strange city?

A change of scenery, eating dinner at a friend's house, having a lively conversation with a parent, buying yourself something at a store you love, and finally being able to drink a Starbucks latte while shopping in Target.

All of those things can also seem like a vacation too.

What I've been reading

The Artist's Way (again...long story)

Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing, and Dying by Ram Dass

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green

Write a Poem, Save Your Life: A Guide for Teens, Teachers, and Writers of All Ages

What I've been watching

Nomadland

Mystic River

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

This Changes Everything

What I'm quoting

What I've been listening to

What I've been clicking on

What It Really Means to Be There and "Hold Space" for Someone Else

Moira Rose's Accent On 'Schitt's Creek' Explained By An Expert

Autistic Hoya — A blog by Lydia X. Z. Brown: Ableism/Language

You Are Defective: Our Journey to Unschooling • Lifewhack

Ladybugs Or Lady Beetles: What's The Difference? - Dave's Garden

Meet The Friendliest Man In Oceanside - Stab Mag

What Great Listeners Actually Do

What Is The Bechdel Test, And Why Are Films Still Not Passing It? | British Vogue

August is my parent's anniversary month, Mike's birthday month, and my Mom's birthday month. There's a lot to celebrate.

I hope you're able to celebrate the big and little moments this month.