A Tale of Two Hardware Stores

Monday night, while cooking dinner, I pulled the knob to open a kitchen drawer only to find the knob in my hand and a stripped (and too short) cabinet screw poking out where the knob had previously been affixed to the drawer.

After dinner, I removed the screw and the wooden drawer panel it was holding in place.  The cabinet screw and the knob went into a Ziplock bag and into my purse; the drawer panel sat on the counter.

On the way home from work on Tuesday, I stopped into Hardware Store #1.  The events that followed are best described in the letters and photo I posted on Facebook on Tuesday evening:

Dear Hardware Store #1,

Just because a customer is a woman, you shouldn't presume that she can't understand what you're saying or that you can "put one over" on her. If you'd listened to me, you could have sold me a package of cabinet screws. Instead, I'll never set foot in your store again.

~ Jane.

Dear Hardware Store #2,

Thank you for lettinYYg me explain the problem I was having with one of the drawers in my kitchen. Thanks, too, for taking the time to find just the right size cabinet screw to fix the problem. Next time I need something in the hardware store, you can be sure I'll come visit again.

Your friend,
~ Jane.

As my father is fond of saying, and as the photo above illustrates: “Ente gut, alles gut.”

Another Kid in My Life

Last month I wrote this blog post about a few kids in my life to whom I am "Aunt Jane."

Now I have a new one to add to the list:  Duncan.

A little while ago, he sent me this photo:

There was a note that came along with it:  

Thanks again for my bone toy, Aunt Jane!!!
xoxo,
Duncan

I promptly replied with this:

You're welcome, Duncan.  Your dads are raising you to be so polite.  Better than lot of others kids these days. xoxo.

Sweet Duncan sent this in response:

 

Love that kid!

Equal Time

Earlier today, I promised my sister I wouldn't use social media to check in here.  And I didn't.

However, I did not promise her I wouldn't blog about my experience, but don't worry, I'll spare you the gory details.

Nonetheless, if I'm truly going to advocate for cancer detection and prevention, I can't do it just for this test; I have to do it for this one, too. (As a BRCA2 mutation carrier, I am at increased risk of several types of cancer besides breast and ovarian.  These include pancreatic and primary peritoneal cancer, as well as melanoma. Although some early studies suggested a possible link between BRCA mutations and increased risk of colon cancer, it has not been confirmed in subsequent studies.)

Regardless, having recently turned 51, I fall within the demographic of the general population who should be screened for colon cancer. 

And with that, I'll leave you with a few statistics and this public service announcement about screening based on information from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy:

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Approximately 150,000 new cases are diagnosed every year in this country and nearly 50,000 people die from the disease. It has been estimated that increased awareness and screening would save at least 30,000 lives each year. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable and can be detected by testing even before there are symptoms. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy encourages everyone over 50, or those under 50 with a family history or other risk factors, to be screened for colorectal cancer.

Oh, one more thing:  The propofol-induced nap was amazing and the test results were completely normal.

My English Teacher Soul

This morning on the way to minyan, I sent this text message to Ian:

Hope you are keeping warm. xoxo.

When I checked on the way home, he'd responded with this:

Thanks hope u do to

Unable to help myself, I sent this reply:

Thanks.  It's "too" when it means also. :)  I'm a stickler for spelling, even in text messages!

Had I not been on a bus, where the bumps make texting a challenge, I would have added this:

It's "you" when referring to a person and not a letter of the alphabet.

As the bus pulled up to my stop, I realized that even though I don't believe in reincarnation, I do believe I must have been an English teacher in a previous life!

Children in Our Lives

As someone without any of my own, I've always believed that children come into our lives in many ways.

I've been lucky, and indeed they have.

Here's Matthew, the first one who ever called me "Aunt Jane."  He's my college roommate's son and he came into my life on July 11, 1995.  Today he's a freshman at Lafayette College, the place where his mom and I met.

Here's Ian, the second one to call me "Aunt Jane."  He belongs to my sister, and he came into our family on August 7, 2002.  A terrific athlete with a kind heart, he loves baseball, basketball and football, card games, Sponge Bob, and hanging out with his friends.

Here's Sam, who came into my life and the lives of thousands of others on  June 14, 2012, when his mother created this blog.  Sam loved turtles, frogs and bugs, played the piano, and spent lots of time doing fun things with his three siblings and the rest of his family.

Yes, children come into our lives in many ways.

They're not supposed to go out of our lives, however.  And they're certainly not supposed to die.

But that's what happened to Sam.  Exactly 18 months to the day after his mom wrote that first post, Sam died.

Nothing can bring Sam back, and nothing can take away his parents' pain.

Nonetheless, 81 individuals--mostly rabbis and Jewish professionals from throughout the country--have committed to shave their heads in March to raise money (and awareness) for childhood cancer research through St. Baldrick's Foundation. The original #36rabbis' $180,000 goal quickly was surpassed, and the group has now raised nearly 77 percent of the updated goal of $360,000.

With March 31 quickly approaching, what better way to honor Sam's memory, support families in the midst of battling this horrid disease, and sustain hope that childhood cancer will become--speedily and in our day--a thing of the past?

’Tis the Season

No, silly, not that season.  And not the High Holy Day season, either.

’Tis the season for Jewish music.

Just as cabin fever sets in and the winter doldrums descend, along comes some terrific Jewish music to distract you from winter's woes.

First there’s the sixth annual Winter Jewish Music Concert, which will be held on Saturday, January 18 at 8 p.m. at Temple Israel of Greater Miami. As in the past, this year’s concert will feature musicians from throughout South Florida and cities across this country performing a musical line-up from Yiddish and cantorial to Klezmer and pop, from Israeli and classical to folk and jazz. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in South Florida next week, make sure to purchase tickets for the event. If, like me, you’ll be stuck in a colder clime, make sure to watch the live stream from your own comfy couch. Either way, it’s sure to be a terrific evening!

Two weeks later, on Saturday, February 1 at 7 p.m., Dan Nichols and Eighteen will be in concert at Temple B’nai Torah in Wantaugh, New York. To purchase tickets ($15 for adults, $10 for kids under 12) or for more information, call 516-546-9177.

If, sadly, you can’t squeeze either of these concerts into your life, check out the Friday night Shabbat song session that rocked the house at last month’s URJ Biennial in San Diego. Click “Play” and before you know it, you’ll be rocking your own house!

More and Less in 2014

So many lists, so many resolutions, the best of, the worst of, the trends to expect, last year's top 10...

Looking ahead, here are some "wish lists" for the new year:

More

1. Water
2. Reading
3. Relaxing
4. Appreciating
5. Cooking
6. Photos
7. Writing
8. Doodling
9. Breathing
10. Time with friends

Less

1. Kvetching
2. Worrying
3. Wasting time
4. Expecting of others (and myself)
5. Planning
6. Coffee
7. Frustration
8. Rushing
9. Anger
10. Frivolous screen time

No pressure, 2014, just some thoughts before heading back to work...