In these times that I find rather depressing and discouraging given what is happening in this country it was nice reading a happy, cheerful book, this one, by Dick Van Dyke! 100 Rules for Living to 100: an Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life. Follow along as the author talks about his life and work, the good times and bad and how he's been successful or not. He's still dancing, and works out at a gym ... that's how he got a recent role on a tv show, a soap opera! A feel good sort of read.

What was your favorite song from Walt Disney's Mary Poppins? Dick Van Dyke's book inspired me to go through the song book I have from the movie and pick out the songs on the piano (pretty much just one handed these days). Like Mr. Disney, I love Feed the Birds the best, but I also like Chim Chim Cheree and how it evokes the life on the rooftops of London (it's right there, in the lyrics)!, and Step in Time for energy and enthusiasm. Made for a nice afternoon of memories. (My dad DID recognize the elder Mr. Banks as portrayed by Dick Van Dyke and we watched the credits until his name became unscrambled and dad could say "I knew it!" :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog