Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe the page to 2021 has turned. I’ve installed my new calendar into my “system” and am really trying to focus on the future and not complain or stew about the past. Those of you who are about my age – 568-ish – might remember a novelty song about the distant future called In The Year 2525 by Zager & Evans, (whomever they were). I keep returning to this song every New Year’s Eve this century, as hey, we’re living in the future.
It was a #1 hit in 1969, and included these far-out lyrics:
“Ain't gonna need no husband, won't need no wife You'll pick your son, pick your daughter too. From the bottom of a long glass tube whoa whoa”
The song anticipated test-tube babies, but could not have foreseen Facebook, cell phones, Rupaul’s Drag Race, or a reality show president. (You knew I was going there.). But beyond that, it’s 2021. And if you are listening to this week’s podcast or reading this blog, you made it! We made it! Now if we can contain ourselves patiently, by this time next year, we should be able to return to most of the in-person things we used to do – enjoying them even more, I suspect.
I know another year is a big ask. But wearing masks isn’t terrible. I find I’ve gotten used to them. I remember when the seatbelt law was passed and I thought, ‘This will never become second nature to me.’ Well, I was wrong, baby. And that’s how I’m looking at this new safety measure. And in just a couple of weeks, Joseph Biden will be sworn in as our 46th president, with Vice President Kamala Harris, and we’ll have competence and decency in charge.
That really encompasses all my hopes going forward. But before I give you my list, I want to tell you about this week’s guest.
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Lisa Birnbach and Patricia Morrisroe
Patricia Morrisroe has written interesting and thoughtful articles in all the magazines we read – New York, Vogue, Travel & Leisure, Vanity Fair, and the New York Times. Now she’s written a fascinating novel about Beethoven and his romance with one of his piano students. Based on deep research – 4 years of reading, researching, listening to the music – she has produced a page-turning historical novel called The Woman in the Moonlight. You’ll enjoy this chat and her book.
And here is my list of five things that make my life better:
1. Great customer service – when it’s great. I know hold music so well – the drugstore, the veterinarian, my lawyer, Verizon, and so on – I should have my musical #exhibits ™ record the wait tunes and write lyrics for them. Could be funny. But I digress. When you reach someone who seems to know what she is doing and can communicate the information you need, it feels wonderful. After all is said and done, it’s great to have a human to talk to.
2. Satsuma oranges. These are available now, and they often are presented with their leaves on. Their skin is a bit thicker than your average tangerine. Satsumas peel effortlessly and are just sweet enough. They have the perfect Labor:Reward ratio. Some orange rinds require nails like talons to break through – and by the time you’ve opened one, the skin and pith is in your nails and there are pits in every section. Not Satsuma. Try them. (Another star of the L:R world is your daily newspaper. Paging through the paper version is honestly easier than looking for what you want online. Admit it!)
3. The new chair pillow my fella Michael bought for my office chair. It’s not terribly attractive but it keeps me in place. (Before this I was always looking for a comfortable position with my little back pillow.). When one gets older, etc. It was a thoughtful gift.
4. My Aunt Yona, who turned 94 this past week, has all of her memory and a lot of sass too. She taught me to drink scotch at her birthday when I was 20 and she is getting her first COVID vaccine this week.
5. Our youngest family member: Sheila Evelyn. She’s a 10 week old cavapoo, and that means she’s smart and cute and a real heart-breaker. I did know what a life-changing event a brand new puppy was, but it was theoretical until last week. Wow! We get it. But a cuddle from her makes the sun shine.
Patricia Morrisroe
Patricia Morrisroe’s 5 Things:
1. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, particularly the chorale finale – Ode to Joy.
2. Dinner with my husband in front of a crackling fire. (He does the cooking.)
3. Bringing up Baby, with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. The best screwball comedy ever.
4. Gossiping with my sister
MORE ABOUT PATRICIA MORRISROE
The Woman in the Moonlight
By Patricia Morrisroe
Published by Little A – Amazon.
Facebook @patricia.morrisroe
Instagram @patricia.morrisroe
Website www.patriciamorrisroe.com
The 5 Things That Make Life Better podcast is recorded and produced at The Field in NYC. My team is Shpresa Oruci, Michael Porte, Sam Haft and Boco Haft.The Field in NYC