13 + 1 Things I’m Ashamed I Love As Much As I Do ~ Reprise

I should be ashamed I love these things.

But I’m not. 

Not really.

I suppose I should be because, well, they’re not the usual suspects like springtime in Paris, or pug nosed babies and equally pug nosed puppies.  But hey, how boring would that be? We all love those things. Right?

No, these are specific to my twisted brain unique sensibility. What I DO feel the least bit of a tinge of shame over is the ferocity with which I love these things. It’s the way I love them. My love is true. My love is mad and my love runs deep. I mean what’s the use of living if you don’t love all the wonderful things that life dishes up with all the…gusto…you can muster. So, although I know you weren’t wondering—without further ado, here they are:

1. Grilled cheese sandwiches. And not just any grilled cheese sandwich. It has to be just so. The trick is to use nice, thick bread and then butter and grill both sides. If that much butter bothers you, order a salad instead and by-the-way—I don’t think we can be friends.
2. Words. Well, certain words like, onomatopoeia, pomplemousse, inert, tiddlywinks and hippopotamuses. I like the way these words make my mouth feel when I say them. Don’t make that face!
3. Homemade croutons. Made from stale sourdough or better yet, brioche bread.
4. False eyelashes. (No secret there.)
5. The very rare natural redhead with brown eyes. My niece is one such unicorn and people literally fall all over themselves staring at her hair. I had blue eyes (still do) when my hair was dyed red—so yeah, I was batting zero for two.
6. Pink champagne. Does this need an explanation? I didn’t think so.
7. Straws in my drinks. I like the metal ones. Oh, and no umbrellas and please, no plastic monkeys… (okay, just one).
8. Hikes with trees. Like a forest hike, not those dirt trails where there’s no shade and the terrain resembles Death Valley.
9. Science Fiction ANYTHING. Movie, book, TV show, it doesn’t matter.  I repeatedly tell my husband that in my next life I’m coming back as an astronaut/archeologist/deep space explorer. I’m pretty sure that won’t be for a while since I don’t want anything to do with our current space program. I want to be on a ship with gravity. Where I can run around, not need money and replicate whatever my little space exploring heart desires. So, see ya around the year 3033.
10. The chinese chicken salad at Joan’s on Third. There is only one that is better. My mom’s. (Hi mom!)
11. Jeans. Don’t you love jeans? Can I just go on the record as saying that I just love that we live in a day and age where pantyhose are no longer required. Thanks. Non sequitur. Anyway, jeans! Woo Hoo! And if they’re not faded and you wear them with a black jacket and nice shoes, in LA you can get in almost anywhere. Except maybe a funeral. Wear a black dress or real pants to a funeral for godsakes. Show some respect.
12. The chocolate pie my friend Ginger made for my birthday. ( Are you sensing my love affair with food?) She made two and we had a least one piece a day for my entire stay. I didn’t ask for the recipe because I’d like to fit in one airline seat the next time I fly.
13. Flashmobs. These little surprise theatre concerts kill me. I will scream like a little girl and then die if I ever see one in person. They make me crazy! You can surprise me with one anytime.
14. Nora Ephron movies.  My favorite is You’ve Got Mail, but I also adore Sleepless In Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, Michael, Silkwood, Julie And Julia and…

So…what do you love with a fiery intensity that you might never admit except here, as an anonymous reader in front of tens of  my other readers?

Carry on,
xox