—JUMP WITH ME, JUMP WITH ME, JUMP 

  

…Stand up straight at the foot of your love.

 

…Yeah, I know what’s going on. At least I think I do.

 

…So, is it that great? Not really. It’s not really that great at all, you’re just supposed to think it is.

 

…I’m not crying out, by any means, so no worries.

 

…I see now how I should have done that the other way around.

 

…I’ve heard there’s reason for optimism today.

 

…I was kind of a dick yesterday, or the day before I mean, and I don’t exactly know why I was, but I’m still sorry about my behavior. 

 

…God, this office is both so large and tiny.

 

…It’ll be a Minor Millican miracle if all this actually shows up on Friday/today.

 

…“Well written, but dark.” What do you do with that?

 

…I think I’ll blast some music. I mean, why not, there’s no one else here?

 

…Hey, Sparky, it’s only a little past One.

 

…If I’m being honest, I’ve kind of got a bad attitude about life right now. I don’t like it much, and it doesn’t like me back very much, 

 

…Just say, No.

 

…Even Wednesday needed something extra to juice her up and she’s my favorite girl, by a long shot.

 

…I’m definitely not gay, but I might have babies with Calum Scott if he ever asked me.

 

…Everyone seems to love me so much more here on Fridays. I guess it’s that accident-on-the-side-of-the road thing.

  

…I’m not bitching though. How lucky is it to be able to write every day, for as long as you want, as much as you want?

 

…Sometimes when it’s really quiet, my hands sound like the ocean.

 

…Just Say No To Death. (My son has that tattooed on his forearm in my handwriting.)

 

-- A major study (of more than 10,800 adults over 70) found that regularly listening to, or playing music, is tied to a dramatic drop in dementia risk, 

--But what if you only listen to sad songs?

--Then you’re doomed.

--Yep. 

 

…I had a thought—what if somebody asked me, “What do you like to do?” well, I’d pretend to think about it, and I’d tell them, “I like to touch people.” 

 

…Why am I always looking over there instead of here?

 

…Do other people listen to the same song twelve times in a row? No? Well, there you go again. 

 

…I can hear the rain without even seeing it.

 

…I would whistle right now, if I could, if my mouth wasn’t so dry. 

 

…You can’t tell your best friend to, “Hold up,” if they’re really your best friend.

 

...I think you picked the wrong guy. because he’s a Dick and I’m like, super fucking nice.

 

…What’s going to happen?

 

…You’re going to need to explain this all to me later, when I’m lucid.

 

…You probably didn’t notice—I know you didn’t—but you were very dismissive and kind of a total Bitch, if I’m being honest. But I guess that’s what best friends are for—to take the good with the bad.

 

...Problems are nothing. You can figure them out eventually, even if you need help doing so, but regrets—there’s no way out of those.

 

…I know I’m a needy Bitch, but it’s still pretty awful to learn you lost that way. Like, you couldn’t have even sent some Chat GPT note?

 

…You should probably pay attention when five or more people say they’re worried about you.

 

…I think I might need a new mirror.

 

…Nope. Not going to happen.  

 

…Whenever I write, I’m writing for you. 

 

…You can’t just keep doing that and hope to survive, can you?

 

…There’s been a lot of editing that’s gone on here, though I know you can’t tell.

 

…Obstinate, much?

 

…Grouchy much?

 

…Moody much? 

  

…Yep. Sorry.

 

…I wonder what it means that I have Ooh La La stuck in my head, first thing, most mornings?

 

…You’ve just got to hang on a little bit longer, Sparky. It’ll get better. 

 

…Poor young grandson, there’s nothing I can say.

 

…Pay attention to your breathing. Make each exhalation longer than the one before it.

 

…That wasn’t meant to be part of this story, but well, there you go.

 

Judith Wishnia, 94

Retired professor of history and women’s studies, Setauket, New York

(Courtesy of Judith Wishnia)

“I’m 94, and I told my doctor I hope I live to see him in jail.”

Jeanna Sottosanti, 20

College student, Philadelphia

(Courtesy of Jeanna Sottosanti)

“Nothing he does surprises me. … I’m not even anti-Republican. I’m just anti-him.”

 

Chrysta Nightengale, 52

Program manager for a software company, Centreville, Virginia

For Chrysta, Trump’s policies are personal: Her husband lost his federal job and her two sons in the military are feeling the effects of the shutdown. (Courtesy of Chrysta Nightengale)

“What’s become more disheartening is that people understood … what they were voting for. They just didn’t think it would impact them. They were fine with it because they thought it was going to impact someone else. And now I think some of these folks are starting to see that, ‘Oh wait, when I voted this way it was supposed to not come here to me.’ … And that enrages me, but I’m also just sitting back, and I’m watching, right? Like no, this is exactly what you voted for, you knew, you just didn’t think it would affect you.”

 

…Whatever you do, don’t be an ungrateful Bitch.

 

…Apparently, I’m supposed to let people know I have a heart condition, but doesn’t everyone have a heart condition in one form or another?

 

…I feel bad for movie theaters but if I’m being honest, I haven’t been to one in quite a few years.

 

…I’ve whispered everything I can think of into your ear. But you’re taking your own sweet time.

 

…What is all this crying about? Stop your fucking crying.

 

…I may be in disrepair. 

 

…I wanted to move to another planet, but I could only get a visa to the moon. 

 

…I’m probably going to regret all this, but it won’t be the first time, that’s for sure. 

 

…What I do have is a wealth of solitude.

 

…Ooh la la…

 

…26 percent of all eligible adults voted in the last Washington election cycle.

 

…I think I need a dog. One that needs me back.

 

…I spend way too much time inside my own head, and there’s like, really nothing even in there.

 

…I haven’t missed yours, but I’m pretty sure you missed a few of mine, and that’s okay.

 

…Who could like a tin of fresh dirt as much as I do?

 

…I thought for sure I won, but I didn’t. I lost again. Art is subjective and I’m not a quitter, so here we go once more.

 

…Somebody won but it’s afternoon, and I still don’t know who. Maybe it’s cruelty, ignorance, or otherwise, apathy. 

 

…You can always mail it in, but someone’s going to notice.

 

…Isn’t it always like this—

joy and sorrow calling 

 to each other 

from across the field 

        --Sally Bliumis-Dunn 

 

…It’s always slightly jolting when people use my name in conversation. I don’t think I ever use another person’s name when they’re right there and I’m talking to them.

 

…Why would you let the first four hours of your day destroy the next 20?

 

--There’s no such thing as a gay Christian.

--Why not?

 

…I don’t take my responsibility in this, or any other endeavor, lightly.

 

…So you found me out, huh?

 

…Not to be snarky, but I’m unsure which is dumber, encores or blurbs.

 

…It’s okay. You meant well.

 

…These days, it’s pretty easy to be overcome with anger or grief, or both. Just take a peek.

 

…But the trees are dancing the ChaCha with the wind right now, and the lake is a rippled blue bed sheet.

 

…Tomorrow’s tomorrow whether you like it or not.

 

…I thought I’d learn how to forget, but it turns out you never forget what haunts you.

 

…Sooner or later, grief finds a new job.

 

…I have to admit, I smiled when that song came on. 

 

…“We keep secrets so that we can live with each other.” Lissa Staples  

 

…When someone says, “I’m not joking,” is when you need to pay attention.

 

…You should spend your time worrying about things that matter a lot more than me.

 

…For the record, I’m flunking technology and anything mechanical.

 

…Beating yourself up is never a fair fight.

…Relax, Jack, you’re alone.

 

…But am I really?

…I’m going to do stupid things again. Just watch