Wednesday, April 11, 2012

J is for jeweled, just the ticket and contributing joy

- This jewel incrusted van parked outside my building that looks so happy that I wonder if it plays music to passersby as it rides along.

- My grandmother had a favorite expression "just the ticket!"  As in something was very good.  So out of curiosity, I looked up the origin of the phrase and find that it most likely is a shortened version of 'that's the ticket for soup', a catchphrase from the second half of the 19th century referring to the tickets given to poor people to enable them to get something to eat at a soup kitchen.  The original sense was 'that's all you're going to eat'.   How about that?   I learned something new from looking for J items.  :)

- From an article about my favorite movie reviewer, Roger Ebert, who can no longer speak or eat as a result of cancer surgery to remove his thyroid, comes this quote from him that sums it all up for me, "I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out."
Jones, Chris, "Roger Ebert: The Essential Man." Esquire.com, 16 February 2010, http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310

Day 10 of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge - featuring the letter "J" - thanks for coming by!

20 comments:

Snaggle Tooth said...

Love that van's paintjob- n blinged too- wow!
There should be more soup kitchens these days I think. We have food pantries, but you have to cook it yourself, n only open a couple hours once per week- Great info on that, love learning stuff like that!
You know, reading your blog always makes me happier, so you've furfilled the wonderful Ebert Quote!

Granny Annie said...

The van definitely should play music. You should leave them a note. (a note...get it?)

I've always heard "just the ticket" and never thought of researching the origin. Neat thing to know. Thanks Lynn.

If only everyone knew how great it is to share happiness both with ourselves as well as others.

sage said...

I wouldn't mind driving a mini-van if it looked like that! "Just the ticket," is a phrase I've heard before. Of course, when the trooper says that as he hands you a slip...

farawayeyes said...

Great phrase and incredible quote. Nice to meet you.

Larri said...

Wish I had the confidence to drive around in the jeweled van! What a fun person he/she must be. Enjoyed your post and look forward to reading more. Happy Wednesday! ☺

Changes in the wind said...

What a great example of jeweled...totally not expected.

Jannie Funster said...

SEVENTH!!!

Jannie makes it as high as SEVENTH commenter on this very very popular blog.

whoooohooooo.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lynn .. love the car - isn't it great .. and yes 'just the ticket' fits the look of a fun car. I hadn't linked the phrase to a Victorian charitable aspect.

Roger Ebert is an amazing writer - glad you put this quote up ..

Thanks for reminding us of our fortune today .. we just need to be prepared for the future ahead .. it's just as jewelled.

Cheers Hilary

Jannie Funster said...

That being said... :)

That van looks like it would sing all the happiest songs.

Always fun to hear where expressions come from -- like "cold shoulder" You know that one? When a house guest was not especially welcome they got that instead of a hot meal.

xoxo

Liwi said...

Love that car!!! And I haven't heard that expression before...
I'm also doing the A-Z Challenge!
http://trifleslifles.blogspot.de/

Lynn said...

Snaggle -

You make me day by saying that my blog always makes you happier. My job is done!

Granny Annie -

Hehe - I get it. :) I think riding around in that van would be just the ticket.

And thank you for saying that.

Sage -

I've had that trooper experience before - not a good feeling at all.

farawayeyes -

Nice to meet you, too!

Larri -

Thank you and Happy Wednesday!

Lynn said...

Changes in the wind -

A good J thing, eh?

Jannie -

You are so funny. I've never heard that about the cold shoulder. You'd never get that at my house!

xo

Hilary -

I love how you tied all those together. You are a jewel!

Liwi -

Thanks for coming by!

deathwriter said...

That's a wonderful quote from Roger Ebert and I REALLY like the van.

Shionge said...

Nice nice car :D

Leigh Covington said...

Oh my goodness... you actually get to see that thing in real life? That is SO COOL! And yes - it does look very happy!

Riot Kitty said...

Love the trivia (did I tell you I am a trivia freak?) and the Ebert quote is a gem. Thank you.

Leonora said...

As always, great posts! I like the Roger Ebert quote. I'm going to add it to "my favorite quotes" list.
We say, "That's the ticket!" and I never thought to wonder where it came from. Very interesting...

Lynn said...

deathwriter -

Roger Ebert is just my hero for the grace in which he has handled his illness. Love that quote.

Thanks for coming by!

Shionge -

I think so, too!

Leigh -

I would have never thought of that - it is very cool.

Riot Kitty -

I did not know you are a trivia freak - good to know!

Leonora -

You spread joy in your blog, too - that quote is perfect for you.

Chatty Crone said...

I would love to see that van! Awesome. sandie

Lynn said...

It IS awesome - thanks Sandie.