Catsup, Ketchup, Catch Up

daytime cold medicine thoughts

Your AI-free reminder that you can find or create joy while also feeling fear, rage, despair, and other prickly crap.

Welcome to our annual solstice-ish ADVENTure calendar of daily joys and treats.

I always think I can do it, I convince myself it’s possible, that it will happen.That I can overcome the obstacles previously dogging me. And every.single.time I prove myself wrong.

I’m hesitant to consider this a failure, but more of a duh! moment: Can we accept the truth and move on?

Here’s the truth: I absolutely cannot travel to visit my family and write a cohesive publishable essay every day.

But for that matter, why should I?

My job when I’m visiting my people is to be with my people. Some of the activities are high intensity, like making cookies, but some of them are more about being present, like watching Hallmark holiday films with my mom or snuggling with a wee niecelet. Some of my quality family time involved getting said niece, 4, caught up with her Barbie advent calendar. She was a few days behind, so we spent a not insignificant amount of time opening each door and wrestling the packaging to give up tiny pieces that were maybe a crown or a strap for a barbie sized handbag?. THEN, we had to get up to date with the family chocolate advent calendar.

I guess it’s a thing, falling behind on the advent calendar then catching up. Here we go…

So, on accounta my not having prepped my posts in advance (I aspire to be her, but she eludes me always), I’m going to walk you through the highlights and moments of joy on my weekend travels crappy drawing styley for our advent calendar.

11: Other people don’t always suck

Airports usually inspire misanthropy, but sometimes, not everybody is an asshole. Oh sure, there are plenty of them in airports, people who would be perfectly nice IRL turn into terrible versions of themselves in these liminal spaces.

Airports in general kind of suck. People are trying to move through crowded spaces at impossible speeds, or have all the time in the world to do nothing because their flight was delayed. They’re on their way to a funeral. Or they’re already in party mode. So many bodies doing so many different things at different speeds in the same in-between space. Everybody is giving main character energy.

But that doesn’t give you permission to be an asshole. Most people get that. For example, if your airplane seat mate gets up to go to the bathroom, but doesn’t know the yarn from her knitting project has caught on her shoe, it’s nice that you scrambled to try to get the whole bundle under control before she notices it halfway down the aisle. She is grateful for your kindness.

Or if you see refractions of light that look like rainbows at a cold train station, share that with others. They probably didn’t see it.

Or if you think someone has a cool bag or hat or scarf, tell them.

Don’t ever pay attention to how few people wash their hands after going to the bathroom or you’re likely to lose faith in humanity.

12: There is no such thing as too many bags.

13: Always carry something crafty.

See above, as long as I have at least one project, although usually have many more, and a full e-reader, I’m prepared for any airport mishap or delay (except for lack of a bathroom). Crafts are also excellent for long car or train rides. For best results, avoid knitting needles that break thus destroying your project, and also, it’s best if you don’t drop fancy sequined yarn in puddles of melted snow on the train.

14: Thank you, generic cold medicine, for being the exact same product as the name brand, but costing way less.

15: Snow days.

Yeah, so NYC got way more snow than they expected. A pretty, but icy mess. I’m proud of my nephew who shoveled his elderly neighbor’s walk. Without asking. Then cried because the dog wouldn’t wear her coat and he was afraid she’d freeze to death. Little people, big hearts.

Bonus content

Observation for Paula, who waited in line for twenty minutes to pay $10 for aSstarbucks drink, took three sips on her way to the bathroom, then left that coffee on the TP dispenser in the stall: I’m sorry, I called your name. Also to the person who spilled an entire dunkin coffee in the first stall in the only ladies room in the New Haven train station: that sucks. Coffee and scurrying around with bags doesn’t work very well. Maybe there is such a thing as too many bags?

see you tomorrow

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I’m always open to ideas, suggestions, shenanigans, tomfoolery, collaborations, cheese, snacks, and field trips.

You can find my art here and here. I offer custom workshops and design. I am the proud guardian/custodian of a 17 year old cheeseburger named Patty.

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words and images © Rubi McGrory 2021-2025