☂ 2025 April FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

I had to knock real hard on the screen door of Aint Daisy’s house. I could hear her humming from the kitchen and smell the aroma of bread baking. I called loudly through the screen, “Aint Daisy, are you here? It’s Trudy at your door.” She answered she was in the kitchen and for me to come on in. “Well, looky here. My sweet chile has come t’ visit this ole gal,” she said with a big smile. She always makes me feel so special and welcomed. “Ye jess come on in and set down in th’ kitchen. I’m a-bakin’ some bread an’ rolls. In fact, I jes took some outta th’ oven about 15 minutes ago. Wanna have some warm rolls with buttah and jam or honey, sweet thang?” She asked. Of course I told her I’d love some if I didn’t choke on my saliva before I sat down. She chuckled. “Ye always make me chuckle, chile,” she said. As she got out the flowered plates, knives, butter, jam, and honey, I sat going over what I wanted to share with her about a gal we both knew. “Whall naw, whatcha wanna talk about today, chile?” She asked as she put the plate and rolls in front of me. “I have a bother, Aint Daisy. It’s about Sue Ellen. I don’t know what her problem is, but she surely is mean spirited anymore. In fact, it’s been a long while since I’ve seen her smile or heard her laugh.” Aint Daisy listened intently. I could tell because her eyes sort of squinted a bit and she turned her head to the right and pursed her lips. I continued to tell of things I’d heard Sue Ellen say and actions she’d done...all of them on the hateful side. When I finished, Aint Daisy sat back, smoothed her striped, neck-to-knee apron and said, “Honey, I know yer troubled by this with her. I am, too. Ye see, I’ve known this gal fer nigh on t’ twenty years, an’ she ain’t always a-been thata way. Ye know she losst her sweetie man, then losst her mama, then her dog who was such a big part o’ her life, ‘specially after her sweetie man passed. I reckon there ain’t nothtin’ she has t’ look forward t’ which’ll give her a smile. Then, she’s got a sickness which causes her hair t’ fall out an’ medicine she takes which makes her git all puffy all ovah. I’m sure she’s mizzerable all th’ time. Folks who are not happy with themselves are mean to others. It don’ happen all at once, though. Be patient with her an’ give her a smile when ye see her, even if’n she don’t smile back. It’ll be a little bright spot in a moment fer her. An’ if’n ye might talk a bit t’ her, let her know she’s a blessin’ to ye. Blessin’s come often t’ those who tak time t’ see ‘em; an’ then thank the good Lord fer ‘em. Be a blessin’ t’ her. It won’t go a-wasted.” I thanked her for her loving wisdom and warm rolls (I lost count how many I ate as Aint Daisy talked…LOL). I walked away thanking the good Lord for my very special Lady of the Holler.

Ya know what? Flaws; I got ‘em. Laws: I broke ‘em. Dues: I paid ‘em. Scars: I bare ‘em. Lessons: I learned ‘em. Problems: I still have ‘em. Love: I give it and get it. That’s life…..and I love it.

Brenduhh came over all in a huff. She was very opinionated about something which was very insignificant to mankind or any other entity. I mentioned my position on it which was very logical. She started to argue her point, or lack of, to the level it became ludicrous and inane. I gently mentioned the logic of the issue; she still argued her position. Finally I said to her, “Brenduhh, your argument is irrelevant to the issue. You keep flailing your arms, blurt out irrelevant statements while I’m trying to explain, and growl like an animal. This discussion is like talking to a wall with Tourettes. Gods!!!” She left, I went for a cup of calming tea and muffin. Then, later she returned. Burst through the front door and shouted, “Trudy!!! I just rolled a joint!!” I came from the kitchen wondering what she was exclaiming. We’d had a discussion about smoking, so I was really curious. “Brenduhh, you rolled a joint? Girl, have you lost your mind?” I exclaimed. “Yes, I did. Do you want to see it?” she inquired. I told her I did. She pulled up her pant leg and showed me her puffy, bruised ankle. “I tripped over the cat and rolled my ankle joint. Boy, does it hurt.” I hung my head and rolled my eyes. “Do you want me to wrap your ankle so it feels a bit better?” I asked. She said she did. Then we had tea and some muffins.

Names. Ever stopped to think of all the names you’ve been called by those who like and love you? Not really something we’ve chosen for ourselves, but usually as others perceive us. Mother named me Gertrude Jean Davis representing two generations of people. Gertrude in honor of her mother---that was her name. Jean…Mother’s middle name. Davis….Daddy’s last name and his father’s. But, Mother didn’t want me called Gertrude; Trudy would be my “calling name”. Of course, when Mother got irritated with me or wanted to make her point known, I’d hear all of my 3 names. My sister, and to this day, still calls me Dew. As I got older other names slipped into the picture. My friends called me Trood. I heard Babe once in a while from Daddy (always liked that nickname), and Toodle Boo from Mother. My Grandmother Davis always called me Trudy Girl. Time marched on and others pinned Trudy Lou, T2, and Tootie. Then Mom came around. That one, I think, is the most important and brings a smile to my face each time. Guy calls me Babe, Trute or Toots (rhymes with foots). Now Grandma is heard. Perhaps I fit them all, at least in the eyes of the caller.

Through the years, we have had dogs and cats as pets. They are enriching creatures and members of our family. I wrote a letter to them mainly to recapture their antics and personalities for memories. The last two are the dogs we had.

Dear Sunshine, Oreo, Tubby, Sweetie, Pryhyssii, Moana, Jada Jane, Gidget, RPGP, and Tux,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest. The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack, so knock off the time trials. Beating me to the bottom is not the object.  Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.   I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible.  I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm. I don't really need you keeping me warm when it is 95 degrees outside.  Let's just use your free heating system when it is really cold.  If you're cold, find a blanket.  "Wake-up calls" when I don't have to get up are not necessary.  I know you are here/there and I will talk to/with you later.  Whining is not appreciated; you're NOT 2 years old and neither am I.  So, knock it off!!! There is, also, the matter of time---yours vs. mine. Sweetie, two o’clock in the morning is not my idea of playtime, which corresponds with 1:00 in the afternoon when YOU don’t want to play with me. Knock off playing with the door stop in my room at 2:00 a.m., or anyone else’s for that matter. Making it go “BOINGGGGG” WILL NOT entice me into play. You WILL receive a well-aimed shoe at your butt. I am sleeping you fool. That’s another thing, when you yawn to let me know you are sleepy go find a comfy spot and lay down. Do NOT yawn in my face seeking approval to take a snooze; it’s annoying. I don’t do that to you. Why is it you can leap up on my bed when I’m sick and I not even know you are there; BUT, god forbid if I’m asleep---you are a ton of bricks landing on my back. Then you have the nerve to run away, you yellow-bellied coward. Snooping is also an irritant, at least to Guy it is. Tracking some odor you want to investigate coming from his under shorts was hilarious, but the poor man almost fell out of bed; leaving nothing funny about how you almost became flat when he rolled over. You both moved quicker than I’d ever seen. Just be very cautious should you ever try that adventure again. A word to the wise, etc. Got it? For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open.  Sweetie, you are SOOO guilty of this!!!  I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years-canine or feline attendance is not mandatory. Get that Tux and Sweetie?!  Spinning the toilet paper at 50 mph is for the circus.  You are not a member of any circus troop, YET!!  So, knock that off, too.  I like my toilet paper pieces complete, not as puzzles. This brings me to the farting issue…claim that which is yours, for crying out loud. Walking away AFTER you let one SDB go around us humans is rude and cowardly. We have a tendency to fight about ownership of those things as we try to figure out who did it. We have seen the smirk on your muzzle. Besides, yours smells like something from the sea or beef; ours do not. We have more methane. The proper order is: kiss me, and then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough! Gidget, I’m glad you enjoy me singing and sitting next to me as soon as you hear me, BUT trying to put your face in my mouth to find out where the sound is coming from, is not polite. Jada, thanks for being the purr therapist you are. My lap is fine and positive results happen. Around my neck is a bit much and claustrophobic to me, though.

Y’all, I’m sure you have stories of your own about your fur babies and four-legged family members. Write them down in a blank book to read when the world seems unreasonable.

Always, Trudy 😁

💚☘ 2025 March FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

The third month of the year usually comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  Of course that is the prediction, but it can be just the opposite.  Those born in March are usually conceived in June, which is the month of a lot of marriages and honeymoons.  “Madder than a March hare” comes from an old English idiom which refers to the wild, erratic behavior of hares and rabbits during their breeding season, usually in the month of March.  My birthday is in this month.  

Superman has super vision.  I need supervision.  Spelling and grammar are important, y’all.

I was raised in the South.  I learned to cook mostly while in the South as I watched my mother and grandmother fix the deliciousnesses of the day.  Grandmother would fix butter beans; mother fixed lima beans.  They looked different, tasted a bit different, and were cooked differently.  What a surprise to me when I found out they were the same bean, but just at different stages of maturity.   I equate the two to human stages of development.  The lima bean is youth---strong and resilient.  The butter bean is an older adult---a bit softer and more vulnerable, but can hold its own surrounded by the broth, ham pieces, and cornbread of life.

As I approached the little house with the red front door, sitting in her favorite rocking chair on the porch was my dear, wise friend Aint Daisy.  She was watching some squirrels “rassle”, as she calls it, under the big oak tree.  She smiled as she saw me and called for me to “come on up he-ahh, chile.”  I sat down beside her.  She reached out her cool, slender, wrinkled hand and gave mine a squeeze.  “How are ye, t’day, sweet thang?  I been watchin’ those critters rassling with each other for nigh on an hour.  I’d think they’d get tarred o’ all that business,” she said.  It was that time of the year animals sought out a mate and these two evidently had found each other.  “Aint Daisy, I have a bit of a dilemma, and I want to know what you think about what I should do,” I mentioned to her.  I told her of what I was dealing with and the conundrum of choice I had.  She sat listening intently, smoothed her neck-to-knees, flowered apron, and spoke.  “Whall, as I see it, they both have rewards an' consequences.  Ye either quit an’ do nothing, or ye move on a-head and do som’tin.  Yer gonna have t’ live with yer decision fer a long time.  Sos, yer choice needs t’ be wise and fits ye the best.  Don’t make yer decision real quick.  Ye need to think ‘bout both choices an’ sort out th’ twigs an' briars.  Ye know iff’n ye rush the bread dough, the bread ain’t a gonna turn out as good as iff’n ye’d let it set a while.”  Her analogies were not related to each other, but made a lot of sense.  (Of course they made sense; they were coming from Aint Daisy!)  We talked some more, and as we talked I was able to sort out all the “twigs and briars” of the choices I had with the help from The Lady of the Holler.

There is a fallacy about trauma, I believe.  Some have told it makes people stronger.  Well, maybe it does, BUT are those who believe that, aware of what it really does?  It damages the nervous system.  It hijacks the digestive track.  It keeps the person on a constant loop of hyper vigilance.  It keeps the “ghost” of the cause and ordeal ever present in the memory.  I’ve been there and am reminded every day of what happened; so, I know what I’ve mentioned is true.

A friend of mine came over in a mixed-feeling attitude.  She was so irritated and happy due to someone had been quite rude to her.  I knew why she was irritated, but questioned her why she was happy.  She said, “After they got that smarty smirk on their face of thinking they’d succeeded in insulting me, I said, ‘I’ve been called worse by those better than you.’  As I walked away, I knew that come-back had made them mad.”

“If they left your life and you gained peace, you didn’t lose, you won!”

FYI:  The longest alphabet is the Cambodian with 74 letters.  Antarctica is actually a desert.  Dogs’ nose prints are as unique as human finger prints. A hippo's jaw opens wide enough to fit a sports car inside.  A group of flamingos is called “a flamboyance” (imagine that!).  The color blue attracts mosquitoes two times faster than any other color (you’ll be the ‘blue plate special’).  Sloths are so slow with everything they do; even their digestion is slow.  This creates gas, but they can’t fart.  So, the gas is reabsorbed into the blood stream and is respired out of the lungs into the breath.  That gives morning breath a whole different perspective! Sloths move so slowly that mold grows on their fur. 

My husband was the best straight man to my sense of humor and shtick.  Here is an example:  I was sitting in my chair thinking about a lot of things.  Guy said, “A penny for your thoughts.”  I didn’t answer, so he said, “O.K., how about could I buy one and get one free, or are you going to give me some witty answer?”  I asked, “If I tell you something witty on your “buy one get one free” deal, then you’ll call me a half wit.”  “Oh please give me a break,” he moaned.  I told him, “It’s a good thing I’m not knitting.  Then you’d call me a knit wit.”  He told me to go away; can you imagine that?

Brenduhh told me she went to the eye doctor to get contact lenses.  The technician told her there was a tiny black dot on the top of the right one so she wouldn’t get them mixed up and put them in wrong.  A week went by and she seemed to be having some trouble with them.  She went in to have them be checked.  The technician looked them over, inserted them into Brenduhh’s eyes and asked her if it was better.  Brenduhh was thrilled, but couldn’t figure out why they were fine at the office, but not at home.  She said, “I think I was wearing them up side down.”  She said the technician rolled her eyes.  “I guess she was looking for her contact lenses, Trudy.”

There is only one country which can be spelled using only one row of keys on the typing keyboard----PERU.  There is only one state which can be spelled using only one row of keys on the typing keyboard---ALASKA.  You’re welcome.

I saw this and thought it would be nice to share:  “When a flashlight grows dim or quits working, you don’t throw it away, your change the batteries.  When a person messes up and finds themselves in a dark place, do you cast them aside?  Of course not, you help them change their “batteries”!  Some need AA…attention and affection; some need AAA…attention, affection and acceptance; some need C…compassion; some need D…direction.  And, if they still don’t seem to shine, simply sit with them quietly and share your light.”

You shine brighter when you light another’s “candle” with your own.  You can’t brighten your shine by messing up another’s.  These sayings are a segue to what my Daddy instilled in me.  When I was invited to work in a managerial position, I told Daddy.  He had an illustrious career with a major corporation in a managing position and in sales.  He listened, smiled and said he was proud of my accomplishment.  There was a pause, then he said, “Babe, you’ll have times you’ll have to step on someone’s toes.  A good manager will have to do that, but they won’t mess up the person’s shine.”  He was very wise; I was very blessed to have him as my Daddy.

I was told I was a bitter woman because I brought to light the apparent lack of actions of a school district, which is close to me, to ensure a safer crossing of the students who have to cross a very busy 4-lane highway which has a light and ONE crossing guard. I was told, "The crossing guard is very devoted to the safety of the children crossing." Hmmm, no matter how much devotion ONE crossing guard has to protecting the children, they are no match to a two-ton, or more, vehicle going faster than they are walking. I mentioned my doubt that the administration and board of education of that school district were as concerned as others about having more guards and even law enforcement at the crossing for 30 minutes in the mornings and 30 minutes at dismissal. This idea had been presented to the administration and board. Nothing has been done. This idealist told me the school was not responsible for the safety of the children crossing this major highway; it was the drivers of the vehicles responsibility. I think the ivory tower this idealist lives in is fully furnished. And, I think the administration and board of education of this school district forget that if the students were all gone there would be no reason for them to have the positions they do. So, is it going to take a child or children to get seriously hurt or killed before they do more to protect the children?

Always, Trudy J

💟💕 February 2025 FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

February 2025--the month of love toward another.  I’d like to mention loving yourself.  I believe, you can’t love another as deeply as you want until you love yourself, first.  A long time ago, I had a friend who struggled with loving herself.  She was hesitant to call some others on the disrespectful way they talked to her and treated her.  It about drove me nutz!!!  One day, I’d heard too much from a person talking disrespectfully and critically to her.  I called the person on their verbiage, which shut them up and they left.  Later, I sent my friend a message.  Here is what it said:  From Alice in Wonderland ---“If you don't love yourself, at least a little, if you don't create an armor of self-love and happiness around your heart, the feeble annoyances caused by others will become lethal and will destroy you.”  You need to love you, see all the good in you, and have so much respect for you that you will not allow another to disrespect you in words or actions. I know you can do it. It is not disappointing God for you to do this, if you’re afraid you’ll disappoint Him. What disappoints Him is you allowing others to disrespect you and emotionally hurt you. When you allow that, you're telling Him, "You made a mistake. You made junk because junk can be treated this way."  God does not make mistakes, nor does He make junk.

Morgan Freeman has said a lot of wise things.  Here are some I really like:  “If they left your life and you gained peace, you didn’t lose, you won!”  “People will start hating you when they cannot control you.”  “Fear doesn't always make people run from that which they fear. Often times it makes them attack that which they fear.” “Fatigue, discomfort, discouragement are merely symptoms of effort.” “Kindness in thinking or giving creates profoundness and happiness. Kindness in saying creates an everlasting love"

Brenduhh came over upset.  “What is wrong that you’re so upset, sweetie?” I asked her.  Through her sniffles she said, “Bobb, my boyfriend, was testing his car lights and asked me to help him.  As he was driving, he told me to put my head out the window to see if it worked.  So, I put my head out the window and told him, ‘Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no.’ He got mad and yelled at me, Trudy.”  I told her I understood her sadness, but assured her it was not an on-off relationship.

Your smile is your logo; your personality is your business card; and the way you make others feel is your trademark.  Go and glow, kind ones.  You bring joy and comfort to others just by smiling. J 

Were you ever around someone and think, “Camouflage duct tape and dark plastic would look good on you” or, “I know now why your mama changed her name” or, “You’d get lost in a round closet.”?

I'm not real happy with the way CVS has become so impartial to its customers. The pharmacy is a prime example and my main complaint. You can NOT talk directly to a pharm tech or pharmacist. You have to leave your name, birth date, and telephone number and they will return your call "when your position number comes up." I can understand it with large, city CVSs, but a local one which has 99% of its business from the surrounding community has to do this, too. Cripes, the staff knows most of their customers by their first names!!! So, when I mentioned this to one of the staff, I was told they totally understood, and I may call this number to register my concern and complaint: 1 -800-shopcvs---1-800-746-7287. There you have it, y'all. The complaint center at your finger tip of choice, and it just takes one standing tall in the middle.

Did you know the only thing in your life achieved without effort is failure?  Everything worth having costs effort; sometimes just a little, and sometimes a lot.  BUT, effort was put forth.

I’m sure most, if not all of you, have had a rough day now and then.  I surely have.  Sometimes I’m not where I can yell, swear, or cry, BUT I surely can “THFFPT” and “Pffphfft” and raspberries my lips.  Of course, some listeners think I’m making the sound of the other end of my body.  They usually walk away.  Mission accomplished!

Aint Daisy was a bit irritated when I stopped by.  “Hello, dear friend.  What seems to be a trouble for you?” I asked.  She told me of an encounter she’d had with a “sassy pants” person.  I asked her what she was going to say and how she’d handle that person.  She said, “Not a thang, Chile.  Did-ja know not sayin’ anythang is a message, an’ not doin’ anythang is, also, a message?  They are!  Silence can be very loud, an’ not-a doing anythang can have quite an impact.”  More wisdom from my sweet Lady of the Holler.

I was called “ignorant” by someone I didn’t know, nor knew me.  It was on a social media forum (aren't they fun?).  I told them, “I’d rather be ignorant than stupid.”  They mentioned ignorant and stupid are the same.  Oh, “man the verbal torpedos”!!!  I told them, “Ignorance is a lack of good information. Stupidity is ignoring good information. Education can cure ignorance, but NOTHING can cure stupidity.”

One of our cats hurt her paw.  She lay around not moving much, nor walking.  I noticed she was laying against certain walls, which was unusual for her.  I wondered why these particular walls.  So, I put my hand on each one and felt a slight vibration from the whole-house fan which was running.  It was like her purring.  It is scientifically proven that a cat’s purring gives comfort and helps heal humans and other animals.  She was healing herself with help from the whole-house purring fan.

I went to the doctor recently after having some blood tests done.  He came in with a frown on his face, saying, “Trudy, your blood pressure is up, your cholesterol is up, and your blood sugar is up.”  I told him, “Well, there’s one thing not up…..my boobs.  You haven’t said a thing about low my boobs are.”  He turned his back for a moment.

Toby Keith wrote a song called AIN’T NO RIGHT WAY.  The chorus of the song says:                      “There is no right way To do the wrong thing/. You can justify, But it is still black and white.  Paint it any shade, But it would not change;  There is no right way, To do the wrong thing.”                                You are never wrong doing what’s right.  It might seem that way, but it is true.  It takes twice as much effort to make a positive than it does to make a negative.  Here is proof:  + vs. -.  You’ll notice the plus/positive sign has two lines, and the negative sign has only one. 

Some things are questionable and unusual which are protected by some states’ constitutions.  Florida has a clause which protects pigs from slaughter or being harmed.  The pig has to be pregnant, though.  Pigs have been found to be very smart, empathetic, and capable of feeling a wide range of emotions.  Elephants are very smart, and their brains are 3-4 times larger than a human’s.  They can recognize themselves.  They communicate through body language, touch, scent, and trumpet calls.  They can purr like cats.  I believe in purr therapy, but I don’t want an elephant on my lap.

I love Calvin and Hobbs philosophy.  This one is so true:  “There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want to do.”

It’s not always what’s on the surface which counts or what’s on top.  Some think the low man on the totem pole is the lesser of all.  NO, it’s the strongest of all because he has to hold up all which is above him.  Think about a pie and the lower crust.  It supports the filling and top crust.  Of course, there are bottomless crust pies, but I prefer to have one with a bottom crust to hold the delicious filling in place as I devour the goodness.

A friend and I have a mutual friend.  This friend of ours is one of those “one-up people”.  Both stopped by for some coffee and chatter. My dear friend told she’d had a hard day.  One-up friend said she had a harder one.  My friend mentioned she’d baked two loaves of bread the day before for her family; one-up friend said she’d produced 6 loaves the day before for a food bank.  My friend mentioned she had enjoyed her trip to Tennessee.  One-up friend, trying to not be out done, mentioned she’d enjoyed a trip to Elevennsee. 

“‘Every house where love abides, and friendship is a guest, is surely home, and home-sweet-home, for there the heart can rest.”  Henry Van Dyke   May your home be your sanctuary of peace and rest, and your heart filled with love.   Trudy

🎉 2025 January FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  My! What a year 2024 was.  There were so many interesting things which happened in my life---so many to be thankful for, some things which brought a tear, and many which brought a smile or laugh.  I’m headed for birthday #80 this year.  I’m grateful for that, too, as I didn’t think I’d be here that long, and I know some who never saw that year. I hope your new year brings you a lot of smiles, a few tears so you can appreciate the smiles, some feelings of awe, and many grateful experiences.  FYI:  1 billion people watch, on television, the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square each year.

I was recently looking at a picture drawn by a young person displayed on a wall.  It was a big circle with a lot of scribbling line inside the circle.  In a small area was a heart.  The title of the picture was CHAOS of THE WORLD.  I had a blank sticky note in my purse.  I took it out and wrote on it, “The title of this picture should be CHAOS OF THE WORLD, BUT THERE IS LOVE, due to the tiny heart.” I put the note on the wall beside the picture.  I went back later and saw on the sticky note, “Yes, there is always room for love.”  I smiled.

Have you ever noticed that your attitude to another is usually based on the way you’ve been treated?  It is for me.  It’s like approaching a growling dog; you remember the warning, you’re nice, but very cautious. 

Teacher’s meetings after a long day in the classroom can be daunting.  Usually the administrator(s) haven’t had to deal with what we do for 6+ hours.  This particular meeting was every bit boring and unnecessary and the information could have been put in a note in our mailboxes or sent as a departmental e-mail.  As the administrator droned on and on, I noticed one of our male teachers had fallen asleep.  I understood his plight because he worked as a security guard from 5 to 12 after he’d taught all day.  The administrator asked, “Does anyone have anything to say about what I’ve just presented?”  Within three seconds the sleeping teacher awakened with a loud snore.  One of our most candid teachers said, “Well, that seems to be the majority’s opinion.”  The group erupted in laughter.  The meeting was dismissed.  In another meeting, my husband was to receive the 35 year ring of appreciation.  The administrator who presented it to him was a legend in their own mind.  My husband was in his 36^th year of teaching.  So, the presentation was actually a year late---the fault of this administrator.  The administrator said, “Guy, I’m presenting to you this ring for 35 years of service.”  Guy smiled, held up his finger and said, “And I’m presenting to you the finger.”  Not a soul could stop laughing.

As I’ve aged, (matured sounds so much better, though), I’ve found that simplicity is a lot more comfortable than complexity.  My simplicity is:  a reasonable amount of night’s sleep, simple meals, laughing in a conversation, listening to the sounds of silence, watching a sunrise or sunset, closing my eyes and enveloping myself in memories which are smile producers, a purring cat on my lap, the feel of fresh and clean sheets, a smile from someone, hearing a child’s laughter, “I love you, Mom”, “Thank you”, remembering the memories, and many more, but I can’t think of them, now.

Men have a language.  Up nod is “What’s up?” Down nod is “You have my respect.” Right nod is “I need to talk to you about something.” Left nod is “Yo, check this out.”  Well, women have a language, too.  Eye roll means “Here he goes again.” Sideways smile means “Oh yeah, riigghhtt.”  Half closed eyes means “I’m not looking, but I’m looking.” Slowly moving head from side to side, “Unbelievable”  Slowly moving head up and down with a side smile, “I told you so.” Both hands on side hips means “Get ready for not winning, AGAIN.”

Sometimes my mind wanders into names of towns which would be suggestions describing an occupations or businesses.  Bend, Oregon for a yoga instructor; Sweetwater, TX for a brewery; Big Battle, WV for an ammunition plant; Blue Balls, PA for a ball making company; Bald Head, Maine for a wig making company; Pray, Montana for a church kneeling rail company; Mexican Hat, Utah for a sombrero making company; Recluse, WY for independent living.

Here are some actual product labels.  “Wash when dirty.”; “Clothing tested on animals, but didn’t fit.”; “Use this ONLY to curl your hair.”;  “Product tested only on party animals”; “If you don’t know how to use this, we suggest you find someone you really like and invite them to shower with you to demonstrate.”; “Can be washed by both men and women”; “Do not fry this product while naked”; “Remove child from shirt before washing”;  “Laundry wash pods are not for eating!”; “Use in the shower while you sing an 80s song.  Do your best”; “Do not engage middle finger when you can’t understand these directions.  Call your friend.”

I saw a sign the other day.  “I IDENTIFY AS DANGER.  MY PRONOUNS ARE:  TRY ME”

Butterflies rest during storms because the storm activity and elements damage their wings.  It’s all right for you to rest during the storms in your life.  You’ll regain flight when it’s over and your wings will be strong.  If you think of how a butterfly evolves.  I believe it is proof that you can go through a great deal of darkness and still become something beautiful.

We were in the throes of “intense fellowship” one day.  My beloved, Guy, growled, “If you EVER get lock jaw, I’m going to throw a party!”  I told him I’d invest in a paper company so I could continue to communicate with him.  Then I tried to show him some sign language.  Still angry, he surprised me and showed me what he already knew.

Brenduhh and her sister were on opposite sides of a river.  Her sister calls to her, “Yoo Hoo, how do I get to the other side?”  Brenduhh looks up and down the river.  Then she calls out, “You ARE on the other side;” which leads me to tell you, there always is a flip side to the flip side.

Ohnosecond: That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that you’ve just made a BIG mistake; or you pressed SEND instead of DELETE or visa versa.

I’ve mentioned stupid.  I’ve mentioned ignorance.  Here are some definitions which enlightened me.

“A fact is information minus emotion.  An opinion is information plus experience.  Ignorance is an opinion lacking information.  And, stupidity is an opinion that ignores a fact.  My opinion, based on fact, but not ignorant is----all this is tried, tested, and found to be true.”  Now you know.

“Take sides.  Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.”  Eli Wiesel

Just know, everyone isn’t replaceable.  That’s true.  There is the physical vacancy, but when filled with memories, there they are!!

I was talking to others about their Christmas.  Some had a joyous one, others were lonesome missing certain family members who had passed away or moved away too far to visit.  A few were sad or had sickness to deal with.  I understood and empathized how they all were feeling, as I had experienced each of their feelings at one time or another.  I said to them, “Among all the unusual happenings are the memories of the fun Christmases of the past when the kids were little and filled with awww at all the festivities.  Then there are the memories of my Christmases with Mother, Daddy, and my siblings as I grew up.  It just takes an odor, a sound, or a taste to bring it all back.  And, there I am, once again, in the middle of the now with the memories of then.”

I was wrestling with some issues; one was a success I’d had and the other my fear of failure.  I went to Aint Daisy and told her about them.  She said, “Nev-uh let success go to yer head, and nev-uh let failure go to yer heart.  There has t’ be a balance, chile.  Success can be a double-edged sword---where much is given, there’s much expected.  Failure can be a steppin’ stone to better things for ye.  Remember:  when a windah closes, a door opens.  With a small failure, the windah, may lead to a big success, the door.  More wisdom from The Lady of the Holler.                        

                                    Peace and smiles to you until next month.  Trudy

🎄🎅🤶 2024 December FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

🎄🎅🤶

At this special time of the year when I reflect on my passed Christmases, I think of what a friend gently asked me, “Trudy, do you ever forget those you loved who have passed away?”  She was dealing with a loss of a loved one, so I understood her question and intent.  I told her, “How could I forget them?  They gave me so much to remember.  I thank God every day for the memories, which no one can take away.  And, sometimes the memories gently roll down my cheek, and I remember more and smile.”  May your memories take you through the “missing them”, the memories which gently moisten your cheek, and the closing of your eyes to “see” them again.

Do you know the difference between "I don't care" and "I do NOT care one bit"?  The first "I don't care" leaves room for change.   The second one, especially since 'do NOT' is said and not the contraction, indicates there is just about zero percentage for change or rebuttal.  Well, that's my interpretation based on personal experience and expression.  It's pretty much the same with "Who gives a sh**?"  I searched it on Google and noticed my name wasn't in the search results.

A little fella at church, Cruz, age 4, was listening to his father talk about his worry of the area they were going to was having very heavy rains, and he was concerned about flooding.  Cruz in all his four years of wisdom said, “Dad, don’t you remember that God said He’d never flood the earth again?  That’s why he sent a rainbow.  That’s His promise.”  Thank you, Dianna, his Sunday school teacher, for teaching him that God’s promises are true and sure.

I know that December isn’t really the month to talk about dandelions.  But, I came across this piece of information and didn’t want to forget to share it with you.  Soooo, in April, May, and June with the heads of gold start flooding your lawn, think of this.  The dandelion is the only flower that represents the three celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and stars: The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puff ball resembles the moons, and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars.  Every part of the dandelion is useful: root, leaves, and flower. It can be used for food, medicine, and dye for coloring. Dandelions have one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant.  (Only children can appreciate this.  I’ve had many “bouquets” of these on my table.)  Dandelions are, quite possibly, the most successful plants that exist. They are masters of survival worldwide.

A friend of mine let me know I’d gotten more grey hair. I told her, “They’re not grey, they’re silver and they are WISDOM highlights. You don’t have very many, though.” She walked away.  'Showed me she could count to ONE.

I've tried to reduce my stress. I read where if you throw darts it helps dissipate the stress. So I started throwing them. The police told me I had to get a dart board, though. I guess someone complained.

“Nothing you love is lost, not really.  Things, people, they always go away, sooner or later.  You can't hold them, any more than you can hold moonlight.  But, if they've touched you, if they're inside you, then they're still yours.  The only things you ever really have are the ones you hold inside your heart.”  Bruce Coville

I was talking to my friend who always is ready to help another person.  Dr. Ruth Westheimer called it “the Joan of Arc” complex----always wanting to help someone to even sacrificing your needs.  I mentioned this to her.  She smiled and said, “Well, if I have that complex you are the match which lights the fire under me.  You bring me warmth and encouragement to get moving.”  Hmmm, I never saw me in that kind of light.

Do you know why you shouldn’t trust a nosy pepper?  It is because they are jalapeño business.

In some languages, just one word will tell a complete sentence filled with other words, in our language, to describe a feeling.  From Japanese, this is one of those words:  KUCHISABISHII (koo-chee-sah-bish-ee) which means “when you’re not hungry, but you eat because your mouth is lonely”.   Then, there are the multi-syllabic, multi-lettered words which make your tongue tired before you get to the end of the work.  In English, this word is like that, and it’s one of my favorite:  pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (a lung disease some miners get).  In German, this is one of those extra long words.  Well, I’m not going to type it because it has 79 letters and we probably wouldn’t be able to pronounce it, anyway.  It means:  "association of subordinate officials of the head office management of the Danube steamboat electrical services".  O.K., I got brave, searched the word and found it.  Here it is:     

                      Donaudampfschiffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft

I need a drink after trying to pronounce it.

Moving right along after all that lingual gymnastics, did you know that the peach was the first fruit eaten on the moon?  Well it was.  Applesauce was eaten while orbiting the moon.  The first meal consisted of some bacon.  This goes to prove that no matter where you are in the galaxy, bacon is preferred over fruit by some people.

I got one of those boiler room calls from a stranger asking for me.  I told him, “I am madam’s secretary.  She is on a cruise and will not return for 6 months.”  He snarled, “So you’re going to be there wasting other people’s time answering the phone?”  I told him, “I’m not wasting your time; you’re wasting mine,” and hung up.  So, maybe for 6 months I won’t be getting a call from this troll……just maybe.

Mother used to tell me when she was giving me medicine, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”  Well, that worked until I had to have a suppository. 

My friend was in a financial bind about having her furnace fixed.  I told her to go ahead and make the appointment to have it fixed and I’d help her.  She sort of argued with me about “Oh, I don’t want to burden you.  I’ll figure something out.”  I got a little honked because my offer was sincere and I wanted to help her.  She started to cry, gave me a hug, and told me she was very grateful.  I knew she was and was glad I could help her.  I told her, “Oh honey, don’t worry.  I have just the right mask to wear and squirt gun to bring as I rob some bank.”  She exploded in laughter.

I saw a picture of a box of CRAYOLA crayons.  I swear I could smell that picture!!  Oh the memories it brought back.  At the time I used them, there were only 8, 16, 24, or 48 count in a box of them.  Then the 64 count came out in 1958.    I begged to have those; got them for Christmas!  Well, the company, in 1996, produced 120, and in 2013 out came 152 of them.  There are 148 unique colors! Some colors are offered in special effects, further expanding the color selection with specialty crayons like glitter, pearl, confetti, metallic, bold & bright, and more!  Let’s not forget skin tone colors, which came under the color category of flesh, which was a light peachy color.  Realizing everyone has a different skin tone, in 1962 it was changed to peach.  One can add “more red to create warmer skin tones, or more yellow and a bit of blue to create cooler skin tones. To create darker skin tones, mix in a small amount of ultramarine blue or burnt sienna.”  There is, also, a 24 count of skin tones called COLORS OF THE WORLD!!  Leftover Crayola stubs are called “LEFTOLAS”.  You can melt them and blend them to make a big multi-colored crayon.  That’s a fun one to use.

I was thinking about dog names according the breed it/they are.  Here are some examples of my thinking:

Calvin and Klein or Fruita and D’Loom---boxers; Victor and Borge---Great Danes; Speedy and Buss---greyhounds; Baa and Bahh---sheep dogs; Getcha and Gotcha---Rotties, Dobbies, Cane Corsos or German shepherds---guard dogs;  Clot, Hemo, and Globin---bloodhounds.  I’m sure you can think of other names for other breeds of dogs.  Enjoy your imagination!!

Aint Daisy was sitting in her rocker by the lit fireplace when I went in to visit her.  “Chile, ye know I’m jess getting’ warm on one side.  It’s like jess having one friend----yer a little warm, but not as warm as havin’ two or more friends t’ warm yer soul and body,” she mused.  “I never thought of that, Aint Daisy.  You always have some wisdom to share.  You are truly my lady of the holler,” I said with a smile and gratitude.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa to you!  Trudy

🦃 2024 November FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 🦃

My friend, Melodie, and I were talking about Facebook.  She was irritated that it kept sending her contact requests from someone who writes their name in Arabic.  I told her, "I, too, am irritated at Facebook.  I keep getting a request from some prince in a foreign country telling me he will share his fortune with me if I send him green $60 U.S. dollars.  I sent him three green 20s in U.S. game money, but I've not heard from him, yet." I guess he doesn’t think Monopoly money counts.  He’s not played the game, obviously.  She laughed.

I found this and wanted to share it with you.  It’s about being rude to someone,                                  Being rude is easy.  It doesn’t take any effort and is a sign of weakness and insecurity.  Kindness shows great self-discipline and strong self-esteem.  Being kind is not always easy when dealing with rude people.  Kindness is a sign of a person who has done a lot of personal work and has come to a great self-understanding and wisdom.  Choose to be kind over being right, and you’ll be right every time because kindness is a sign of STRENGTH.                                                                                             Now, I do realize it is difficult (almost impossible at times) to try to be kind because some situations and people just flat-out don’t deserve it.  I had a friend very emphatically tell me this.  I sort of agree, but try to be kind even if it is behind a veiled desire to be another way.  I told my friend this and included, “Proverbs 18:2 will help---"Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but delight in airing their own opinions."

I stopped in to see Aint Daisy and discuss a person who just drives me nutz.  “Hello, Chile, jes come on in here and set a spell.  Are ye a-wanting some cherry pie and whipped cream, today?”  Oh what a silly question to ask ME since cherry pie is my favorite, especially when she makes it.  There is just something really special about hers.  So I replied, “Oh yes, if you don’t mind.  I love your cherry pie and home made whipped cream.”  As I sad down on the over-stuffed, flowered couch, she went to the kitchen talking over her shoulder, “So, ye have a trouble ye wanna discuss with ole me?”  She brought the pieces of pie on two antique plates, which had pansies on them, to the living room and sat down.  “Yes, I do and I really hope you don’t mind me telling you who is just driving me nuts with what they’re doing.”  “Naw, jes start a-talkin’ and I’ll listen to ye,” she gently said.  I started, hoping I wouldn’t get angry.  “Aint Daisy, when I talk with Sally Jo about anything I’ve accomplished---mind you I don’t brag, just tell----she tells me all she has done, accomplished, and how good she was at it, and goes on and on about how terrific she was/is and all that.  This is EVERY DANG TIME, and I’m getting so I don’t really want to talk to her about much of anything.  What is your advice?”  Aint Daisy was quiet, smiled, and patted my hand.  “Chile, I know all ‘bout Sally Jo.  She has always been that-a way.  ‘Don’t rightly know why, but she has.  When she comes ovah here, she does the same thang.  I listen as bes’ I kin, but it gets difficult at times.  Sos, here’s what I keep sayin’ to myself, ‘An empty barrel makes the most noise’, meaning the more she jabbers on and toots her horn, and fluffs her feathahs about all ‘em doin’s she’s a-done, the more I know that half, if not more, ain’t true, but she says it t’ make herself look important.  Does that help ye any?” she soothed and chuckled. I laughed out loud envisioning Sally Jo hollering down an empty barrel and the resounding cacophony of chatter.  “Oh, Aint Daisy, you have the best solutions to my irritations,” I said thanking my wonderful friend---The Lady of the Holler.

 The cold months turn me to home made soups.  I have a plethora of them which I enjoy making and eating throughout the week.  The family knows, if the big kettle comes out and is put on the stove, we’re going to be eating what comes out of it for more than two days.  I’ve made this potato soup and it’s delicious.  I hope you have a large crock pot, because it makes a good amount.

CROCKPOT POTATO-CHEESE SOUP                                                                                                 1 large bag of frozen hash brown or diced potatoes; large can of low sodium CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP; One 8 oz. block of cream cheese cubed; 1 to 1 ½ C shredded sharp cheddar cheese; ½ cup diced onion; 8 oz. bacon bits, 32 oz. low sodium or regular chicken stock; ½ tsp. granulated garlic.             Pour the potatoes in first, add the cubed cream cheese, soup, shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, bacon bits, garlic, and pour the chicken stock over it all.  Carefully mix it all together so the liquid is distributed evenly.  Cook 4 hours on high stirring about every 1.5 to 2 hours.  Stir to blend before serving. You might have to add some salt to taste.  ENJOY!!!

I came across this list of HOW TO TELL YOU’RE A MATURE ADULT.  So much rings true, so I guess I’m an adult.  ---you’d rather sleep than go out ---everything hurts ---comfort comes before style ---everything feels like a chore ---you want to sleep late, but awaken early ---you make sounds when you rise from sitting ---fiber in your diet becomes very important ---you’re constantly being called about Medicare additions, and you tell them you’re on an 8 month cruise.

As with some of you, I’ve lost people in my life who touched my heart and will remain memorable. This observation by Bruce Coville is so true.  I hope it helps you as it has me.   “Nothing you love is lost, Not really.  Things, people, they always go away, sooner or later.  You can't hold them, any more than you can hold moonlight.  But if they've touched you, if they're inside you, then they're still yours.  The only things you ever really have are the ones you hold inside your heart ..”  

 Did you know that the original first Thanksgiving wasn’t even called that?  I don’t know what it was called, but it wasn’t what we call it.  It was originally in October after the last harvest.  The first recognized Thanksgiving was in 1789 when President George Washington issued a proclamation designating Nov. 26 as a national day of thanksgiving to recognize the role of providence in creating the new United States and the new federal Constitution.  President Abraham Lincoln officially changed it in 1863 from October to November 26, which was the final Thursday of November of that year.  Then it was declared that Thanksgiving Day is to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, as specified in a joint resolution passed by Congress in 1941 and a proclamation issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942.

I was wondering about which gender is the happiest.  So, I checked and found “Women around the world report higher levels of life satisfaction than men, but at the same time report more daily stress.”  Well, yes we have more daily stress because men can go out and have a burping contest after drinking gallons of beer then after that have a farting contest and laugh until they wet their pants.  Then, all their buddies think they’re great, all go home, sleep it off, and become civil the next day.  But we gals can’t do all that and remain ladies and not be scorned by other gals.  There is our “more stress”, and the standards are not equal.  Then I wondered which gender has a high pain tolerance.  Here is what I found:  “Lab-based studies find men demonstrate a higher pain threshold (the point at which you first detect pain) and higher tolerance to pain, compared to women.”  Oh right!!!  Men haven’t birthed a “bowling ball”, either.  THAT is pain!!  And have you ever seen a man with a cold vs. a mother with a cold?  “The end of the world is coming; I’m gonna die,” cries out.  But, the mom goes on without much complaint.

I had a friend tell me they were tired of being used and disrespected.  They asked me if I had any suggestions on how they could prevent having that happen to them.  I told them, “It’s always a good idea to initially be nice.  You establish your treatment from another by what you say, how you say it, your posture, and how you look at that person. A Fireball candy piece looks fine until you test it.”

“A mistake repeated more than once is a decision.”  Paulo Coelho  “A mistake learned from it is a learning experience, which eventually teaches wisdom.”  TJR

I've never wrestled an alligator, but I've walked into a spider's web in the dark.  Soooo, same thing.

A friend came over and found me a bit honked at someone else.  "Trudy, what's going on with you?" she asked. I told her, "I'm just going to start treating others the way they treat me, from now on. I try to treat others the way I'd like to be treated, but recently I've discovered that doesn't seem to be the case with everyone."  She thought for a moment, and then gave me a bit of her insight, "I understand.  I've known you for a long time and have seen a lot of sides to you.  I'm happy and content with you, but I know some who really should be scared.....very, very scared."

"And life went on.  It was not the same, but it went on."  david jones "Yes it did, and the memories kept you in it until I let them go." tjr

🎃 October 2024 FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 🎃2024 October FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

Have you ever been at a breaking point and just didn't think you could keep going?  I'm sure you have as I have, too.  Well, I knew just the person to talk to, so I went over to her house, knocked on the screen door and told her through a sob, that I needed to talk with her.  She came quickly to the door, opened it and put her arm around my waist.  "Oh Chile, I've not seen you so upset for a long time.  You jess come on in here and set down; we'll talk," Aint Daisy soothingly said.  I poured out my heart through the sobs and sniffing.  She listened intently,

offered many tissues, and patted my hand.  When I got some composure, she said, "Now, darlin', yuv reached yer breakin' point, cried a lot which is good a-cause tears are the safety valve uh the heart.  Now ye can be used."  "What in the world do you mean, I can be used?!"  I stammered.  I was really surprised at that remark, but knew something wise was going to be told.  "Whall, if'n ye look at an egg in its shell, ye cain't use it until its a-broken, now can ye?" she stated and questioned.  I thought about what she said and asked her to go on with her theory.  "Without you bein' as broken as ye are, the good Lord cain't use you as well.  Ye see, darlin', when yuv been through the tough times ye can hep another through thars.  That's a-how the Lord uses ye when yer broken.  A-course, ye have to call on Him to hep ye thorough it all a-cause if'n ye try t' do it all yerself, ye ain't gonna be as useful and it will really be tough.  Now, thar's some cherry pie and whipped cream in the kitchen.  I'll put on some tea and you and me will have some o' both."  There was more wisdom for the mind and goodies for the soul from the lady of the holler.

The Centennial state, Colorado, is actually a hexahectaenneacontakiaheptagon, a shape with not four, but 697 distinct sides.  This surprising detail emerges from the meticulous examination of its boundaries, which reveal a complex geometry far beyond the simplicity of a rectangle.  Pronunciation of that long word:  hex-a-hecta-any-a-ya-conta-ki-hep-ta-gon.  You’re welcome.

Be the light in the darkness.  The only way light can grow is to pass it on.  The Bible says in Matthew 24:14-16, “Don’t hide your light under a basket.”  I think you might be humming a little song you learned as a child.

A friend of mine was frequently following many others without thinking of the outcome, consequences, and responsibilities.   She told me, "Trudy, I like what this particular mass of people are saying and representing.  So, I'm going to follow along with them.  What do you think?"  I thought for a minute and said, "It's your choice alone; however, keep in mind the "M" in masses can be silent."

A friend came to me upset about another who was talking badly about her, and my friend had done nothing to deserve the besmirching. My friend wanted to retaliate with harsh words. I listened and then told her, "That person sees something good in you that they know they don't have. They are trying to cover it up and deflect it.  Remember: confidence is silent, insecurity is noisy.

When my son was young, the doctor strongly recommended he drink some strong coffee to help him with the ADD/HD he had.  I was in agreement because I didn’t want him to have to take a chemical medication for it.  He went to school with some coffee in a portable drinking container.  He drank some while in class.  The teacher, who allowed water to be drunk in her class, saw him drinking it and asked him what it was.  He told her it was coffee to help him concentrate.  She took it away from him and told him, “Drinking water, not coffee, is allowed in this class.”  When he got home he told me about her taking the coffee away.  The next day I sent a note stating, “Attached is a prescription from his doctor stating he is to be allowed to drink coffee.  Coffee is 98.99999—99.99999% water, which you said water was allowed to be drunk in your class!!  Thus, he will be drinking coffee in class to help him focus.  Talk to me if YOU have an issue with this or do not understand the chemistry of the two.”  Funniest thing, I never heard from her, and my son drank his coffee.  Imagine that.

Brenduhh came over for a chat.  I noticed she was a little unsteady in her walking and had the smell of alcohol on her breath.  I asked her if she was all right.  She told me she'd talked to a police officer and had to blow into something, and he told her to make a wish.  She asked me, "Trudy, what is that thing he asked me to blow into and make a wish?"  With what I was observing I answered, "A breathalyzer.  How about a few cups of strong coffee and a big freshly made muffin?"

The number 41 is very significant.  Here is why:  In the Bible, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.  Day 41 came and the rain stopped.  Moses committed murder & hid in the desert for 40 years.  Year 41 came, and God called him to help rescue Israel.  Moses went up on the mountain for 40 days.  On day 41, he received the Ten Commandments.  The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Year 41, they walked into the Promised Land.  (A female probably asked for directions.)  Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days.  Day 41 came, and David slew him.  Jonah preached a message of repentance to Ninevah for 40 days.  On day 41, God stopped His plan to destroy them.  Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days.   Day 41 and the devil fled.  After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days.  On day 41, He ascended into Heaven. All this to say...don't quit. The rain will stop, the giant will fall, and you will enter your "promised land." Don't give up at 40.  41 is coming.                           Credit: McKenzie Miller

When you touch one life, you don't just touch that one; you touch all the lives which touch that one you touched.  Yes, it’s a pyramid, and a pretty nice one at that.

While talking to my sweet granddaughter who is, also, my daughter by adoption, she brought up the subject that she and her brother are both in the autistic spectrum with other challenges. "Mom, why did you and Dad adopt Stephen and me? Was it to fix us so we'd be like others?" she asked. I told her, "No, it wasn't to fix you two because you will always have the challenges and be in the autistic spectrum. We adopted you because we loved you very much, and still do. You see, love tries to help. It sees farther than any other feelings. It brings with it hope and determination, and usually an attitude of not quitting. I hope your dad and I have demonstrated so much of what love is and does."  She smiled and gave me a hug. Softly she said, "Yes you have."  My eyes sweated.

Brenduhh came over, again, in a snit. "Just look at this! I don't know what to do to get this package of baby wipes wet, again. I've used only some and don't want to throw away the dry ones." I had difficulty not laughing at her perplexity; but, that would have been condescending. I told her, "I think if you add enough water to soak the dry ones, all will be fine. Make sure you keep the package closed after you put water on them so they don’t dry out." She went to the kitchen sink and put water on them. "Oh Trudy, you are so smart!" she exclaimed. I replied, "I try. How about a lemon muffin and some tea for an afternoon refresher?"

Please envision these scenes:  My dear friend, Dianna, has a heart of gold.  She will help you even when she’s tired.  Her grandson needed her to take care of his 6 year old, very active son for a few days until 2:00 p.m. when he would get off work and pick him up.   The boy was brought to her about 11 at night to sleep over because the dad had to be at work by 5:30 in the morning.  Keep in mind, Dianna is used to sleeping until 10 or 11 in the morning since she doesn’t go to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning.  Well, the first morning the child awakened at 5:30, announced he was hungry, and wanted to eat.  Dianna, being so thrilled (not), got up and fixed him some breakfast and encouraged the boy to return to bed for a while.  That was futile.  So, it was a long day until 2:00 p.m.  The next night he came to sleep, again.  He awakened at 6:00; wow! a whole 30 minutes more!!  What Dianna didn't know was the kid was equipped with a whistle, which he activated at 7:00.  At 7:00:03 seconds, Dianna was in possession of the whistle.  I asked her what took her so long. I, also, asked her if she had scrambled a few eggs with a side of melted whistle for his breakfast.  She told me if this happens again, there be more scrambled than eggs.  I'm thinking the boy will be searched thoroughly when he returns for the next sleep over.

The brain learns new things, but it is the heart which remembers.

“Gratitude is the heart’s memory.”  How interesting it is to me when I experience a lack of gratitude in others.  I guess their hearts have lost their memory.

Smiles and blessings until next month----Trudy 😊