When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.I’m attached to my routine. Always have been. On the fifth day of my honeymoon, my husband looked at me and astutely asked, “Do you miss your routine?” I also don’t like new places, new things, new foods, new experiences. I would rather read the same book twice than start another. I like seeing the same movie seven or eight times. If I get gas at the Mobil you’re not going to see me at Sunoco.
What about you?
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Betsy Lerner 
That’s eerie, Betsy. I thought I was the only person who felt this way.
Lovely to meet you. (Though, if you’re like me, I’m not fussed on meeting new people, either.)
And I thought I was alone. 🙂 I love re-watching movies that scared me the most or made me cry; re-reading books that ignited a warn feeling; running the same route over and over. 🙂
Same. Except for gas. I’m easy that way.
What are the books that you keep rereading?
My routine is tattooed to my days. Watching the same movies is like visiting with old friends. I thrive on the familiar. It is my oxygen. That’s why I am here. You are my routine.
I am a routine addict. Right down to the gas thing, too. When we order takeout? I always get the same thing b/c I know what I like, and won’t be disappointed. Still, to this day, my husband will ask, “what’re you getting?”
This is also why this shutdown has me all discombobulated. I hate going out for anything right now, b/c I can’t go into Walmart the way I’ve been going for fifteen years. Or Food Lion, or the post office . . .
I can’t have my ying without the yang. Coffee, dog park, walking, home, repeat daily. The rest of the day is anyone’s bet. Reading? Ambrose to Pinker and beyond.
The love of my life is a wonderful and experimental cook, while I, also experimental, am not so wonderful.
Cops say that there is no routine traffic stop, but there are routine methods- those that work until they don’t. Then you figure it out-or don’t.
Works for me-until it doesn’t.
On the water, sameness and the new are twins, until you misread the weather, or something breaks, and you are a very busy sailor.
Love that routine, but the new, oh my.
Funny. I’m the opposite.
I get bored by sameness.
I go home a different way every time. I take the back routes. I get lost on purpose. Change is my drug of choice.
My husband, on the other hand, is all about routine. It looks like a straitjacket to me but it suits him well.
As a kid, our house was chaos. I never knew what to expect, except that it would probably be scary and traumatic. But my best friend across the street was the daughter of Mary Ann–Queen of Structure. When the noon whistle blew, you can be sure lunch was being served. I LOVED it and I was jealous of my friend who got to live with such care. I asked my mother why she couldn’t be more like Mary Ann. My comment hurt her deeply.
Recently I learned my friend envied me living in a lively house with so many people coming and going; I’m the youngest of six.
Not so long ago, a therapist commented that when I married my husband I got my Mary Ann.
Nice. To all the Mary Anns in the world and the brave people who need us and our tyranny and same brand and curd size of cottage cheese. !!!’
Funny. I’m the opposite.
I get bored by sameness.
I go home a different way every time. I take the back routes. I get lost on purpose. Change is my drug of choice.
My husband, on the other hand, is all about routine. It looks like a straitjacket to me but it suits him well.
As a kid, our house was chaos. I never knew what to expect, except that it would probably be scary and traumatic. But my best friend across the street was the daughter of Mary Ann: Queen of Structure. When the noon whistle blew, you could be sure lunch was being served. I LOVED it and I was jealous of my friend who got to live with what seemed like such a caring mother. I asked my mom why she couldn’t be more like Mary Ann–a comment that hurts her deeply still.
Recently I learned my friend envied me living in a lively house with so many people coming and going; I’m the youngest of six.
Not so long ago, a therapist commented that when I married my husband I got my Mary Ann.
I guess I’m a hybrid. I’m married to many of my daily rituals and routines, enjoy the same books and movies over and over, but I also thrive on the rush I get from new places and new experiences.
I think I’m comforted by the routine yet invigorated by occasionally shaking things up.
Yes, I, too, tend to be a creature of routine. It stabilizes me. Gives me direction. Particularly in the mornings.
This one might be my all time favorite of your blog-thoughts
Continue w this thread and voice, this is the Train of Thought for your next book