Work In Progress Newsletter
Edition 24 | October 31, 2022

WRITE THIS WAY…
Greetings and welcome to the Halloween edition of the Work In Progress newsletter! I’m Ryan McCrary, your Tribune of Treats, Never Tricks. For the last 24 weeks and counting I’ve been scouring the news, interwebs and the occasional fax machine to share stories of hope and joy and triumph. Some weeks are far easier than others – with or without a steaming Pumpkin Spice Latte.

One of the real joys of my childhood was reading the Peanuts comic strip and watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” was a memory I will treasure. I was a shy, awkward kid who wore thick glasses. I dreamed of being suave and sophisticated like Schroeder, but definitely resembled Charlie Brown the most. One of the great bits in the special was when the Peanuts gang is going through the neighborhood Trick or Treating and Charlie Brown gets a rock instead of candy at back-to-back-to-back houses. 

I remember how devastating it was to watch but I recently saw this story that restored my faith in those mean-spirited, cartoon neighbors in a 56-year old animated short film. After the special aired for the first time on October 27, 1966 hundreds of people sent packages full of Halloween candy to the studio addressed to Charlie Brown.

BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM LAST WEEK
This youngster was told she could only have one treat… → WATCH

BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER LAST WEEK
Ever wonder how snack size candy was made? The answer will amaze you!  → WATCH

THREE DOTS… GOOD NEWS ONLY
Zoe Rollins of Loveland, Colorado turned in the most memorable ace of the year… The Thompson Valley High School star suffered a life-threatening injury after a car crash ejected her from a vehicle and after months in the hospital stood and served from her wheelchair… There’s no place like home, the slithering edition… “King Hiss” , a king cobra who normally resides in Stockholm’s Skansen Aquarium, escaped his exhibit recently and was on the loose in the facility for more than a week before returning… The Portland Thorns won its third NWSL Championship Saturday, behind MVP Sophia Smith, with a 2-0 victory against the Kansas City Current… The Thorns’ third title in 10 seasons capped a tumultuous year for the club and the league.

OTD – OCTOBER 31
Enjoy this hallowed Halloween edition of On This Date…
Notable Historical Moments… Big day for the ceiling paintings as Michelangelo completed “The Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel in 1541… In 1917, the end of the era took on a whole new meaning as the 4th Australian Light Horse unit executed the last successful cavalry charge in history… 

Famous Marriages… Easy Rider director and actor Dennis Hopper married singer Michelle Phillips (Mamas & Papas) in 1970… the union lasted eight days. 

Famous Breakups… A rare turnover… Larry Bird divorced his highschool sweetheart Janet Condra after 11 months in 1976.

Famous Deaths… Oscar winner and original James Bond actor Sean Connery (1930-2020)… The first female prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi (1917-84)… Noted magician Harry Houdini (1874-1926) did not fake his own death… “Stand By Me” star River Phoenix (1970-93). 

Famous Birthdays… English Romantic poet John Keats (1795-1821)… 80’s comedic acting icon John Candy (1950-94)… “Ice, Ice Baby” rapper Vanilla Ice turns 54…    

Bonus Indira Gandhi Quote: “You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.”


WHAT I’M READING NOW
For Improvement: The 5-Second Rule by Mel Robbins

**One sentence review: One of the most practical approaches to self care I have ever read… relatable and applicable.  

Embracing my inner history nerd: The Coldest Winter by David Halberstam

**One sentence review: “One of the most compelling authors of our time immerses the reader in America’s most forgotten, misunderstood and brutal wars.”

For an Escape: The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci

**One sentence review: “Travis Devine left his high stress job as an Army Ranger in Iraq for life as a junior investment banker in a firm with dozens of secrets below the surface.

ESCAPE POD
A friend of mine suggested it and I listened! The Last Podcast on the Left podcast is really good. The most recent episode, just in time for Halloween, chronicled the infamous “Demon House” of Gary, Indiana. All episodes are available now on Apple Podcasts.

WHAT I WATCHED
I revisited the movie that gave us “Brangelina”… “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” features Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as married assassins who are completely unaware of what their spouse really does for work. The dialogue is great, the banter smart and witty and the action is terrific. The movie is currently streaming on Netflix.


WHAT I’M LISTENING TO AS I WRITE
For some reason I went down the rabbit hole of best Beatles covers. You’re not going to believe this, but there are lots of them… lots. There are dozens of articles showcasing the best of them, including this one from Far Out Magazine (UK). One of the best is Johnny Cash’s version of “In My Life” recorded at the end of the country legend’s long and winding road. The most unexpected was this cover of “Day Tripper” by José Feliciano (yes, you read that correctly) that was endorsed and loved by John Lennon. 

CLIP OF THE WEEK
In the spirit of the season and embracing my love for Peanuts, enjoy this It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown music video… Genius! → WATCH

MY GIF TO YOU
Is it really Halloween without Scooby and Shaggy? → WATCH

QUOTABLE
“If you’re not happy without it, you’ll never be happy with it.”
John Candy, Actor

THIS WAY OUT
Thanks for reading the latest edition of my Work In Progress newsletter. My goal is to spread inspiration and hope in a world that needs both more than ever. My goal is to release these newsletters each Monday – because who doesn’t need a shot of good news to start the work week? Look for a new article on my timeline later this week. Special thanks to Kim Kaupe and Terry Rice for encouraging me to launch this into the universe. As always, feedback is welcomed!