The Big Three: The Great Gatsby

The world can be a crazy place. Sometimes it helps to step back and list a few of the things you’re grateful for. This year, I’m making it a habit each week to list three blessings. Here’s what I’m grateful for this week, March 30 – April 5.

What I’m grateful for:

—Consistency, 1, 2, 3. Coming off my recent cold, my regular exercise routine has been a little off, but I’ve finally managed to reach a bit of consistency. Wahoo. Oh, my legs are killing me, but at least I’m back to a regular schedule.

—You’ll never guess! What do you call a group of flamingos? Answer: A flamboyance. What is the only food that can never go bad? Answer: Honey. What street gang rumbles with the Jets in “West Side Story”? Answer: The Sharks. And finally, which writer holds the Guinness World Record for the most translated works? Answer: Agatha Christie.

I love a good trivia question. I’m grateful for where these crazy questions take us and for how they test our brains!

—Peanut M&Ms. Hey, I’ve got a sweet-tooth. Why do you think I’m exercising so hard? In any case, here’s two little known facts (at least here in the US.) about Mars, Inc., the makers of M&Ms. The chocolate maker has two international inspired flavors of M&Ms: Thai Coconut Peanut and English Toffee Peanut. I need to try them. M&Ms sell in 100 countries but is banned in Sweden because of a trademark dispute. 

What gave me a smile?

Turning 100 and counting. April 10 will mark a key publishing milestone. American Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby — a must read for U.S. high school students — was published 100 years ago on April 10, 1925. Fitzgerald’s novel examines the allure and disillusionment of the American dream. He tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and his obsessive pursuit of former lover, Daisy Buchanan.

They first met when Gatsby, who came from humble origins, was stationed at Camp Taylor near Louisville, Kentucky. Daisy was part of the social elite in Louisville. They fell in love, and Daisy promised to wait for Gatsby, but Gatsby had to leave for the war. While he was away, Daisy married Tom Buchanan, a wealthy polo player. After the war, Gatsby dedicated himself to becoming wealthy, believing that it would allow him to win Daisy back. 

Gatsby’s friend Nick Carraway narrates the story and tells how Gatsby and Daisy rekindle their relationship. Tom discovers the affair and confronts Gatsby. While driving Gatsby’s car, Daisy hits and kills Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress. Myrtle’s husband later kills Gatsby and then himself. Sir Walter Scott’s poem comes to mind: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”

Oh, I remember not liking The Great Gatsby much as a high school kid. But as I write this, I think I probably need to read it again. Oh boy, I best get reading.