Alex Trebek was more than a game show host. He was a role model and showed us how to live with grace, courage, and 'niceness'. May he RIP.
P. S. – There are so many great tributes to Alex Trebek it was difficult to pick a favorite, but here's The New York Times obituary.
If the photos are anything to go by … remember … these treats are for your dog, not you!
BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: When Black sent Red not one, but two, links about Ben and Jerry's new venture into dog treats, Red, who's used to being inundated with all the articles Black finds "interesting" (they definitely have different definitions of "interesting"), thought that was unusual. Rather than questioning, "Why two?," she decided it was quicker to just open them, but found she actually loved reading the business-oriented AP story about Ben and Jerry's new ice cream venture.
As a dog owner and lover, Red knows that ice cream's not good for dogs, so she was fascinated by how they worked with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure the treats are safe and easy to digest. But when she watched the Ben & Jerry's video, the packaging and flavors, in true Ben and Jerry's fashion, looked too good to pass up.
Plus, as someone that used to dream of living in Vermont, having gone there since she was a child, Red has a soft spot for most things from Vermont and even remembers going to the original Ben and Jerry's ice-cream shop in Burlington, Vermont. So, to think that years later (she doesn't want to admit it's actually decades), she could introduce her labradoodle to a beloved childhood favorite definitely made her smile. The challenge will be making sure her daughter realizes to keep her "human paws" off the ice cream!
None of us knows everything, so we shouldn't pretend to have all the answers.
BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: It was the first full day of the new administration and the first time Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared at a White House press briefing in a long time. Earlier in the day President Biden had announced his COVID-19 strategy, which included a wide range of aggressive and immediate actions. Red, who tends to have the news on in the afternoon, couldn't help but take a brief pause from Red & Black (don't tell Black!) to listen to what the doctor had to say. Especially as Red's such a huge fan of his that Black had bought her a Dr. Fauci bobblehead which now sits on her desk.
After listening to his usual measured, thorough, and thoughtful answers, she was about to focus again on work when she heard a reporter ask a question that he didn't have an answer for, and that's when Dr. Fauci's response grabbed her full attention, "One of the new things in this administration is, if you don't know the answer, don't guess. Just say you don't know the answer." After thinking to herself how that was an incredibly honest and direct answer, she then laughed, thinking that his mother would've been so proud of him.
Black prefers to read her news and early in the morning had seen a summary of the presidential actions, so when Red mentioned Dr. Fauci's statement (Black knows she often has the television on while working), she hadn't yet read about the White House's afternoon briefing and that specific quote. She, too, is a fan of Dr. Fauci, not only for his expertise but for his blunt language and explanations. When she read AP's "Fauci unleashed: Doc takes 'liberating' turn at center stage," she realized that Dr. Fauci was sharing more than COVID-19 knowledge, he was sharing lessons that are important in business – and in life. Admitting when you don't know the answer, conflict management, and how to choose your words carefully.
An inauguration day filled with pageantry and patriotism, celebration and ceremony. But, above all, filled with hope.
BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: If someone asked you what you thought was the most memorable moment of the inauguration, what would you choose?
For Red, she felt overwhelmed – by emotions and by choices. She can't decide between the inauguration of our first female Vice President, the poetry of 22-year-old Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet, or the many powerful words spoken by President Biden in his address. But ultimately what she felt was a feeling of hope and possibility, of unity and working together. And for a mom, there's perhaps no better feeling to have, as the future of our country is intertwined with their future.
And Black? An extremely pragmatic, non-emotional person who rarely lets feelings impact her reactions and thoughts. Well, she first honed in on the part of the President's speech where he said, simply and humbly, "Let us start afresh" and then when he asked his political opponents to at least "Hear me out." Each may seem like just a few words, in the midst of a speech filled with many heartfelt, and seemingly more memorable, words. But to her, these were some of the most powerful words spoken, as the only way we can hope to find common ground and achieve unity is to listen to one another. To truly listen with open hearts and open minds.