Mahjong Update

 I had meant for today's post to be Cabin Cookery, but I could not contain my excitement and had to share it with you. If you are a mahjong player, you know that it is time to use a new card.  New Mahjong cards arrive in the mail the last few days of March or the first few days of April.  Mine arrived on April 1st.  

I have mixed feelings about getting a new card.  On the one hand, I know the old one pretty well.  On the other hand, I have been playing with it for a full year and some of the thrill of the card is gone.  As much as the thrill of the old is gone, it was a good card, only the second one I have used since I started to play, and I will miss it.

Now that I have semi-retired, I play mahjong two to three times a week.  Please do not judge me, it helps keep my brain active.  When you are semi-retired you have to worry about these things.  

Tomorrow, I have a mahjong game scheduled.  We will be using the new card.  May the force be with me.  Hopefully I will win a game or two. I will keep you posted on how the game goes and how easy the card is to use.

Would Like to Meet

An editor is tasked with getting her uncooperative client to finish his screenplay—a romantic comedy, no less. The problem? He doesn’t want to write it. To spark his creativity, they strike an unusual deal: she will go on dates and document her experiences to inspire him. For him, the highlight is the "meet cute."

I believe everyone deserves at least one "meet cute" in their lifetime. I hadn’t even heard of the term until I watched The Holiday, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. If you haven’t seen this gem, add it to your list—it’s even better than a Hallmark holiday movie (yes, I said it!).

So, what exactly is a meet cute? According to Wikipedia, it’s a moment in TV or film where two characters, destined for romance, meet in a humorous or endearing way.

In The Holiday, Kate Winslet's character, Iris, experiences heartbreak when her boyfriend announces his engagement at their work Christmas party. Seeking a fresh start, she swaps homes and befriends Arthur, a retired screenwriter. He introduces her to the concept of a meet cute with a charming example: a man and woman, strangers to each other, simultaneously visit the pajama section of a store. The man tells the salesperson, “I just need the bottoms.” The woman adds, “I just need the top.” Their eyes meet, and just like that, sparks fly.

As it happens, I’ve had my own meet cute. It was Thanksgiving weekend, and I was returning home by train, reading The New York Times. A man sat beside me and asked, “Do you mind if I look at the sports section?” I handed it over, replying, “Sure, it’s the only section I don’t read.” He smiled, “It’s my favorite section.” That simple exchange marked the start of our story—and years later, we’re married. These days, I even skim the sports section, just to stay in the loop!

Meet cutes can be such fun and unique moments of connection, and life could always use a little more fun and romance. If you like Rom Coms pick up Would Like to Meet,