Thankful Thursday | December 8, 2022

WRITE THIS WAY…
A couple months ago I watched the classic Albert Hitchcock movie “The Birds”. I’m going to be completely honest: I didn’t “get it”. I thought the plot was generally ridiculous and the special effects were… less than convincing. 

Here is a plot description of the 1963 film: Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) meets Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) in a San Francisco pet store and decides to follow him home. She brings with her the gift of two love birds and they strike up a romance. One day birds start attacking children at Mitch’s sister’s party. A huge aerial assault starts on the town by attacking birds.1

Flash forward to today, with holiday music bouncing off the walls and I am struck once again by the song “12 Days of Christmas”. By my count someone is getting 23 birds for Christmas with the promise of many more to follow (remember: six geese-a-laying). It seems like a surefire way to lose one’s damage deposit. 

With the temperatures falling and snow in the forecast, I wanted to share some goodness with you to give your Thursday a boost. Walk this way.

THANKFUL FOR THIS
The Beach Boys once described surfing like this: “Catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world…” The non-profit group GnomeSurf has taken this mission to heart by providing surfing experiences to more than 3,000 kids with disabilities. Check out the joy here and while you’re at it, give goodnews_movement a follow! 

BEST THING I SAW ON THE ‘GRAM TODAY
The Dutch never disappoint… Never. → WATCH

BEST THING I SAW ON THE TWITTER TODAY
This is completely mesmerizing. Enjoy! → CLICK

ON THIS DATE – CAN YOU IMAGINE?
The world lost one of its most enduring talents when John Lennon was assassinated 42 years ago in New York City. The announcement was made on Monday Night Football by Howard Cosell. Here is a clip of Lennon’s last public performance of the iconic “Imagine” from 1975.  –> WATCH

TOP HEADLINE
Rest easy dear readers… The campaign for alternative facts continues! The former White House Press Secretary released the tweet below yesterday, December 7. Even more remarkable: his bio reveals he served as an officer in the Navy Reserves.

TODAY’S SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE
Finally, a last minute gift idea for those convinced they will sleep through an earthquake. Meet the Earthquake Bed! → CLICK

QUOTABLE
“Real comedy doesn’t just make people laugh and think, but makes them laugh and change.” Sam Kinison, comedy legend, was born on this date in 1953 in Yakima, Washington.

MIND THE GAP
Thanks for reading. Tune in next Monday for another edition of the Work In Progress newsletter. 

Footnote: 1 Which once again proves my Great Aunt’s theory that it is always a mistake to follow a stranger home from the bird store.