2/17/11

Joyology in Winter

An apple pie made from scratch, showing both t...Image via WikipediaAdmit it. You're dragging. Blame winter. Blame the weather. Blame February's insistence on pink. Blame what you will, but accusations won't pay for lunch. Only you can find your mojo. Only you can find your happy-go-lucky Dancing Queen.

Here's what you must do:

1. Get out of the house. I know. It's hard. It's so nice and warm in there and now that you can instantly stream Netflix through your Wii there is always something good to watch. But research proves that the more isolated you are the more likely you'll keel over during American Idol. So GET OUT.

2. Go straight to your friend's house. (You know who I'm talking about.) Bring her pie.

3. Say, "I've been thinking about you, and I just wanted to bring you this pie. Pie is the new cupcake, you know. It was in the New York Times." She will say, "I love pie. Come in. Have a piece." She will offer you wine. Take it. Research also shows that a glass of wine is good for your heart, but a glass of wine with a friend is even better. While you eat pie and drink wine, she may try and tell you about her tragic friend who is--as you speak--enduring all manner of bad luck (ill health, divorce, difficult children, blah, blah, blah).

4. Gently change the subject because listening to people drone on about the difficulties faced by people you don't even know will kill you faster than a hermit-like existence. Instead, talk about your dogs. Her poodle is so darn smart! And your mixed-breed is so cute! Also, talk about books. Currently, I am reading This Vacant Paradise by Victoria Patterson. She is so smart it kills me.

5. Keep your visit short. Unexpected guests are a gift best enjoyed in small dosages.

6. Go home and feel good! You made some scientist, somewhere, proud.

(P.S.: If you didn't have a chance to read it, my short story "Creation" is now included in a free e-book of short stories from Chamber Four: The Literary Magazine. Download it here. Enjoy! It just might be the new pie.)
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26 comments:

Shanna said...

Thanks. I needed this!

Shanna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rois said...

Today winter is not to be blamed,I just did our taxes.Today I blame Uncle Sam and his 10 zillion hoops to jump through.
But maybe I'll bake a pie for the family cause today food is comfort.

Joanne said...

February just cries out for spontaneous fun. My daughter came home with chocolate ice cream today, a day when it finally hit 50 here to start melting some of our snow mountains. When I asked her why the ice cream, she said "Why, it's summer!" I'm off to enjoy that ice cream :)

claire bangasser said...

This pie looks absolutely scrumptious. I am totally unable to do something that yummy. I need a neighbor or a friend like you :-)

pasadenapio said...

I love that word joyology! I must get myself out and become a joyologist.

Jean Spitzer said...

Great plan.

Congratulations on the e-book.

Petrea Burchard said...

See you in a bit.

Anonymous said...

Craziest thing. I've opened my front door again and again tonight, and NO PIE. Flat tire?

Shell Sherree said...

You should start a column, Margaret. Seriously funny good advice. And I feel your onto something with your pie is the new cupcake philosophy.

Curly said...

Doesn't sound like a bad idea... weekend's on its way, maybe I'll give it a try!
Thanks for your support!

Olga said...

It's so hard to keep up with you Californians! Pie?(looks really good) Cupcakes have just made it to the east coast.

Cafe Pasadena said...

I AM dragging, or is it procrastinating??

I think your Pie will simply make it more comfortable to continue it!

Margaret said...

Rois: Pie helps.

Joanne: Ice cream with pie is even better.

PPIO: I AM your joyologist.

Petrea and AH: I see I have some 'splaining to do. About the pie...you were supposed to bring it to ME.

Shell: Pie really is the new Cupcake. It was in the New York Times.

Olga: Blame New York not California. We're just followers this time. Although we're really ahead of the game when it comes to salad and vegetarian options.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I need to bring Shanna a pie (or pop tart)

Watson said...

You caught me Margaret! I hate going out when it's cold! But I would for a piece of that pie! ;-)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

You had me at "joyology." Pie just might be what we need around here this weekend...

Desiree said...

I can smell that pie from here.
I am just disappointed that nobody has brought me one yet. Is it because I don't have a dog? I promise not to drone on---

JCK said...

You're in the zone, girl. Getting published left and write! :)

So true what you posted here. Except I might have to bring a bag of lemons. But, we can make lemonade.

Susan Campisi said...

OK, I can take a hint. I'll spend the afternoon baking pie and then drop in on you, Margaret. Then we can visit Hiker, Petrea, PA, and Des. Any other Californians need pie? PIO? Cafe?

All of you, get ready: I'm bringing Tommy with me. He loves pie.

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm home. I'm waiting. I love Tommy and I love pie.

WritingNut said...

I loved it! Yes, I blame every single thing I do not achieve on Winter... hehe... but I really want a piece of that pie... like... NOW :)

Curly said...

New URL for my blog dear Margaret: www.mystrangeafterworld.blogspot.com
:-)

Petrea Burchard said...

Happy birthday, Margaret.

Shanna said...

I'm here PasAdj and I want some pie. When ya comin'??

Shanna said...

I'm here PasAdj. and I want some pie. When ya comin'?