Five Things This Week: week 46

Outside
With the air still thick with the smoke from the Camp Fire, this feels particularly prescient. But more than the subject, the writing here is amazing and you need to read this for that alone. Case in point: talking about how she went to see A River Runs Through It for Brad Pitt, “But after the movie, it was Robert Redford’s narration that echoed in my head. The way he said ‘Montana’ felt more spiritual than the way our rabbi chanted the blessing ‘Shalom Rav.'” *swoon*. Check it out.
Wired
Speaking of the Camp Fire…. this article discusses that fire specifically, but applies to most of the major conflagrations lately – our fires last year had the same prescription, and anyone in SoCal knows the havoc the Santa Ana winds can bring. “I always like to say nothing good comes from an east wind in California,” the article quotes Neil Lareau, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Nevada, Reno. Brother, werd.
The Cut
Creepy AF. That’s the disclaimer I’m putting at the front of this. Here’s all I’m going to tell you: family buys their $1.3 million dream house, but before they even move in a simple envelope appears in the mailbox. “Dearest new neighbor at 657 Boulevard,” it starts, “Allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood.” It goes on, “My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time. Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out.” I’m going to leave this right here for you… Long read. Make sure the lights are on. Just saying…
The Ringer
Ready to feel old? Nirvana’s Unplugged show was 25 years ago this weekend.
*boom*
This is a great long read of what people involved in the show – from band members, to recording people, to fans in attendance – remember that make that specific performance so memorable.
Thanksgiving 2018 Preview: Mac The Cheese
Recipe
This year I decided to do a practice run of a few Thanksgiving dishes, one of which is a new recipe for macaroni and cheese. It’s largely adapted from another recipe, but the addition of a chipotle pepper and bacon (BACON!) really elevate it. Highly recommended.

Five Things This Week: week 45

Hoped to resume writing sooner, but let’s see about getting back to regular postings with Five Things This Week…
Curbed
Following 31 Ghosts, I’ve still got spirits on the brain, so here are a few ghost-related links for this week. First is the question of what happens when the house you’re buying turns out to be haunted? Like, legally speaking. Also: what states require homeowners to declare if a death occurred in the house (ooooOOOOooooh!) (spoiler: California is one of them).
NYTimes
From ghosts in real estate to ghosts in stories… Why do we find them fascinating still? This is a little high-brow. Me? I love the spookiness, the idea that there’s a world there we can’t see. And if I’m honest, the idea that our loved ones may be looking out for us.
Atlas Obscura
Okay, this one is ghost-adjacent – graves! Clyde Tombaugh, a self-taught astronomer, who discovered Pluto in 1930 is on – or at least has remains on – the spacecraft that has come closet to the planet he discovered out in the outer reaches of our solar system. I’m not sure why I find this so delightful, but it just seems like such a perfect tribute.
NYTimes
From the headline you might take a pass thinking this is a downer. Couldn’t be farther from the truth. I love Jerry Seinfeld and believe strongly he’s a national treasure. Mind you, I think “Seinfeld” the show is fine (amazing in its time, aged decently), “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” is pretty brilliant, but I’ll admit I only watch it sporadically even though I love cars, coffee, comedians, and, as mentioned, Jerry Seinfeld. Here’s why I think he’s a national treasure: he’s a deeply thoughtful comedian who really loves the history and the craft. I think of people like Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, George Carlin, even Jay Leno (who I don’t think is the funniest guy in the world, but he gets the craft (and he still does stand-up gigs across the country at places you’ve never heard of)) and I argue that Seinfeld is right up there. 
Merriam-Webster
Pick a year, any year (well, any year from the 12th century and now), and Merriam-Webster will show you the words that came out that year (or century as you start to go back a ways). Looking at the list of words for the year of my birth – which is a great place to start – I found a collection of “new words” that really define who I am came into being the year of my birth: “alternative music”, “Internet”, “GPS”. Am I reading too much into this? Yes, yes, I am because as much as those words seem so prophetic 40-years out, other words like “gonadotropin-releasing hormone“, “teletext“, and “pass-through entity” for the same year suggest I’m finding meaning in the arbitrary. 

31 Ghosts 2018: October 31 – Home For The Holiday

“Mom, mom!” the little girl dressed up as a unicorn galloped over. “Mrs. Olsen said my unicorn costume is better than Timmy’s!”

“She said my Spider-man was just as good!”

“But my unicorn was better!”

“She did not!”

“Excuse me, Linda,” Marcia said, turning to the arguing “Kids, kids, you both look great.”

“Marcia?” Linda said. “Mrs. Olsen?”

Marcia raised an eyebrow. “You’re right. Did Jeff get married?”

“Not to my knowledge…”

“Mom! Can we go to Danny’s house?” Spiderman pleaded.

“Yeah, Mom, can we?” the Unicorn asked.

“Gotta go,” Marcia said to Linda. She looked behind her and saw Linda’s Pirate and Dinosaur about to visit the Olsen house. “Let me know what your kids find at Jeff’s house, will you?”

“You bet,” Linda said as Marcia hurried to keep up with the Unicorn and Spiderman.

“Okay, guys, slow down…”she called after them.

The Pirate beat the Dinosaur to the doorbell. Both waited anxiously in front of the door, the Dinosaur admiring the jack-o-lantern carved to look like a cat. The door started opening and the Dinosaur and Pirate said “Trick or treat!” in unison.

Jeff Olsen stood in the doorway and started to lean forward to drop candy into the outstretched bags.

“Now wait, Jeffrey! Let me see who we have here…” the older woman hurried to the doorway, crowding him out. “Oh, Dick, come see! I love your pirate hook,” she said.

“Arr!” the little boy replied.

“Oh, what kind of dinosaur are you?” The older man said as he put his glasses on and moved closer to his wife.

“Stego-shorus!” the other boy said, his missing tooth not helping his pronunciation.

“Did your mom make your stegosaurus?” the older woman said.

“Uh huh,” the boy said.

“These are Linda McNulty’s boys, mom. Well, Linda O’brien now.”

“Little Linda McNulty?”

“Well, I’ll be, Margie” Dick said.

Jeff dropped a piece of candy in each bag.

“Jeffrey!” his mother admonished. “Don’t be so stingy with the candy! Give them a couple pieces each!”

“Thank you!” both kids said in unison.

As Jeff closed the door his mom angled herself to get one last look at the kids.

* * *

“Marcia?”

“Hi Linda. Kids! Don’t get too far ahead!” back in the phone, “Sorry, Marcia. What’s up?”

“The boys just got back from Jeff’s”

“And?”

“They said there was a nice old woman and man aside from Jeff.”

“His parents?”

“Who died five years ago in that car accident?”

“Couldn’t be!”

“I know, right?”

* * *

“It’s getting late,” Jeff stood up at from the kitchen table. “I’m going to go blow out the pumpkin and turn off the porch light.”

“Do you really think so, Jeffery?” his mom implored. “There might be some late children still…”

Jeff looked to his dad who gave him a barely perceptible head shake. Jeff sat back down. “I’m so glad you both could make it this year. I’ve missed you so much.

“Oh, Jeffery, we’re so glad we could be here. You know how much your father and I loved Halloween!”

“I like the paint in the kitchen,” his dad said looking around. “You’re keeping the place up nicely,” he nodded.

“Thanks dad,” Jeff knew there was a lot more to the compliment than the paint color. “Do you think you will be able to come next year?”

His mom and dad exchanged looks, “Jeffery,” his mom said, “We didn’t know we’d be able to come tonight! It just sort of… happened.”

“Well… I’m not going to question it,” Jeff said. “Thank you for making this a great Halloween,” he smiled and was grateful for the distraction of the doorbell as a tear fell onto his cheek.

“See, Jeffery!” His mom got to her feet quickly and started for the door.

Jeff looked to his dad who chuckled with his eyes closed, and then both men started up to follow Jeff’s mom to see who was at the door.