♰ 2026 April FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 ♰

During this Christian holy week, I came upon a thought of the importance of Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and why he rode on a donkey instead of with great fanfare and celebration.  Not all who are truly important are celebrated with fanfare and glamour.  Usually those who are humble and true don’t want it.  Their importance is revealed in other ways.  By entering as a king, Jesus challenged the authority of the Roman Empire, but in a nonviolent manner.  Unlike a conquering king who might arrive on a warhorse, riding a donkey highlighted His role as a humble, peaceful king. 

Did you know when you mix honey and ginger it dissolves inflammation in your joints?  Did you know when you mix oatmeal and cinnamon your blood sugar is stabilized and afternoon crashes? 

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”  “Some friendships are deeper than others.  You trust your soul to them.”  “Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.” Aristotle 

The strongest people are not the loudest.  The most powerful words are often the quietest.  “Patience and Silence are two powerful energies.  Patience makes you mentally strong.  Silence makes you emotionally strong.  Patience trains the mind.  Silence protects the heart.”  Abdul Kalam 

Aint Daisy is on vacation this month.  She’ll be back by May. 

I have two cats.  One (Gidget) is an opportunist and the other (Jada Jane) is a thinker, loves to cuddle, and cagy.  I have a room I prefer they not go in unless Tara or I are with them.  There’s just too much to get into.  It wasn’t time for the evening feeding, but it was sort of a snack time---well, Jada Jane thought so.  I had to open the special room door too turn off the light I’d forgotten to turn off.  I didn’t realize Jada Jane was hovering close.  The door opened and in she ran.  I knew if I put some food pellets in her bowl, she come out and to the bowl.  Sure enough, she ran in, and the room door got closed quickly.  I told my daughter, Tara, “Jada is calculating.”  Tara laughed and said, “She’s more cat-q-lating, Mom.” 

“April showers bring May flowers.”  I’ve heard this for years, and as I get older I notice there is a difference in the April showers of 30 and 40 years ago.  They seem to be more torrential now with darker skies and more severe lightning.  But, the flowers seem to stay the same---beautiful, rich in color, and refreshing.  Pansies are my favorite for a variety of reasons.  They don’t seem to “collapse” as quickly as jonquils and daffodils; the color selection is just about overwhelming because I’d like to have every one; their scent is gentle and alluring; but mostly it is how they look.  Every time I see one I see an angel in the middle.  Most people have told me they see a face.  Well, o.k., but it looks like a pug dog’s face.  I didn’t see the angel until Stephen and Tara came into my life in 1999.  I’ve told you they are challenged…they are in the autistic spectrum.  They see the world so refreshingly different than cynical mature people.  We were at a local nursery looking for flowers to put in pots.  They stopped at the pansies, and there was silence.  I watched as they gently bent over looking deep into each flower.  They touched each “face” ever so lightly with one finger.  They turned to me and whispered, “Grandma, come here and see what we found.”  I approached and stood next to them.  In unison they whispered pointing to the pansies, “Grandma, look what God has brought you---angels.”  I choked up looking at them and could barely say, “Yes, He has; oh yes, He has.”  I think we bought 24 plants so they could enjoy their angels.  We buy pansies every spring---for the angels. 

A Japanese legend says about crying:  “Crying is just a way your eyes speak when your mouth can’t explain how broken your heart is.”  I dedicate this column/newsletter and that statement in the memory of my beloved sister, Colleen, who passed away suddenly on March 27, 2026.  She was unique, loving, kind, and touched many lives throughout hers.  The memories I have are precious.  Love, Dew

🎂 2026 March FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

March, the third month of the year.  The saying, “in like a lion, out like a lamb” applies to most places, but I live in Illinois.  Illinois has its own saying---“Maybe I’ll come in like a lion; maybe I’ll go out like a lamb.  But, I’ll change right in the middle of the day at any given time and even change seasons three times.” 

It is named for the Roman god of war, Mars, was the first month in the early Roman calendar, and marks the beginning of spring with the Vernal Equinox, bringing events like Pi Day (3/14), St. Patrick's Day, and International Women's Day, plus traditions like Daylight Saving Time March 8. It's known as the "Stormy Month" by Anglo-Saxons and features the Pisces and Aries zodiac signs, with daffodils as the birth flower and aquamarine/blood stone as birthstones.   It’s my birthday month, too.  I’ll see #81 this year.  What blessings I’ve had. 

Oh that Brenduhh!  She came over all in a fluff.  “Hi, kiddo, how are you today?” I inquired.  “Well, I had quite a time on the road, Trudy.  I had to call for roadside assistance due to a flat tire.  The fella arrived and started taking off the stuff that holds the tire on my car.  I guess I asked him too many times when he’d be finished, because he kept saying, ‘Bear with me.’  It really scared me because I kept looking around and didn’t see any bear.  I didn’t want the bear to sneak up on me and me be its lunch.  You know they can hide.”  I told her I was glad she was all right and didn’t see a bear.  I offered some tea and a cinnamon roll to calm her nerves……well, really to help me not have my eyes stick in the top of my eye sockets. 

Have you ever been so angry you just about can’t see or think straight?  I have.  It’s unsettling.  I came across a piece of wisdom.  It said, “You cannot see your reflection in boiling water; nor, can you see truth in a state of anger.” 

There are unusual words for everyday things.  Even our bodies have them.  Glabella---the space between your eyebrows.  Wamble---the growling sound your stomach makes when you’re hungry.  (Also, the sound of a mating whale when you’re in a place there is to be silence and your stomach announces, “FEED ME!!”)  Phosphenes---the spots or light patterns you see when you close your eyes and press on them (“seeing stars” is what I call it.)  Minimus---your smallest toe or finger. (When your small toe finds a piece of furniture and stops you immediately and you do the pain dance, you utter maximus words your mother didn’t teach you.) Columella nasi---the bit of flesh separating your nostrils.  Crapulence---the awful feeling after overindulging in food or drink. 

When Guy and I were teaching, we had many levels of “mental accomplishment” (that’s what we called intelligence).  One day we were walking and a convertible car drove by us going faster than the speed limit sign suggested.  A kid stood up with the wind blowing their hair all around, waved their arms, and yelled, “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Ripka!!!”  Guy looked at me and said, “There goes one of my fourth hour students.  It looks like they are refueling their brain.” 

When one of my children, who was about 6, was taking a bath one evening, I heard a lot of splashing and cheers of glee coming from her.  Cautiously I entered the bathroom---one never knows what one will find with this kid and her exuberance---and asked her what she was doing.  With as much gusto as before she happily replied, “Oh Mom, I’m just surfing.”  The bathroom looked it, too. 

I like dogs.  I was wondering what different breeds would say to changing a light bulb.  Here are some:  Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?  Border Collie: Just one. And then, I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.  Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!  Rottweiler: Make me; just make me.  HA!  Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.  Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeze let me change the light bulb! Pleeeeze, please!  German Shepherd: I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.  Cane Corso:  If it moves and doesn’t live here, it’s curtains for it.” Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb?  Now, here is what a cat would say:  "Dogs do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs. So, the real question is: How long will it be before I can expect some light, some dinner, and a massage?" ALL OF WHICH PROVES, ONCE AGAIN, THAT WHILE DOGS HAVE MASTERS, CATS HAVE STAFF. 

While driving, I see humorous alert signs from Illinois Dept. of Transportation.  Here are a few:

“Text while driving…..Oh cell no!”;  “Don’t want to meet by accident?  Don’t text while driving.”; 

  “No texting, No speeding, No ketchup.”   "Keep your eyes on the road and your head out of your apps."

Do you like tongue twisters?  I do.  TEXT TEST; SLY SALLY SLANDERED SAL SLIVER; 

QUICK QUALITY QUESTION; CHICKEN CHASERS; WAFER WAFFLES; TRUSTS TOSSED;  

PLEASE PLEAT PLAIDS. 

“Patience and Silence are two powerful energies.  Patience makes you mentally strong.  Silence makes you emotionally strong.”  Abdul Kalam   Patience trains the mind.  Silence protects the heart. 

The richest wealth is Wisdom.  The strongest weapon is Patience and sometimes silence.  The best security is Faith.  The greatest tonic is Laughter, and surprisingly, all are free. 

Do you know the difference between a New York lawyer and a new York lawyer? 

“Come on in here, chile.  I got something for ye,” Aint Daisy hollered from the kitchen.  Oh the odor coming from that room of love.  I knew she’d been baking her rolls and pies.  “Set yerself down an’ I’ll bring us out some rolls and butter.  They jess came otta the oven.”  I about drowned in my saliva!!  She came out with two plates, knives, butter, napkins, and a basket of rolls.  “Hep yerself while I go git something I got fer ye.”  I could not resist taking four of the hot rolls.  Sometimes it’s best NOT to tell me to help myself, especially when it’s something I love to eat.  She returned with a lovely wrapped box and set it in front of me.  “What have you gone and done, Aint Daisy?”  She smile, sat down across from me and encouraged me to open the box.  This here is yer birthday gift, chile.  So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!”  I gently unwrapped the box.  There was a lovely, yearly calendar.  I opened it and in the bottom of each daily square was neatly written “gift”.  365 of them, to be exact.  I smiled and said, “This is so nice.  Thank you.  I needed a calendar, too.  Why is the word “gift” written on each day, if you don’t mind me asking?”  She smoothed her apron, which told me something wise was going to be said.  “I wrote the word “gift” in each daily square so you would be reminded that each day, every day is a gift to you from the Lord.  What you do with that gift is a gift to the One who gave it to you.”  I smiled, had  tears in my eyes, and thought for a while about the truth this dear soul had said.  More wisdom from the Lady of the Holler.

***I do NOT know why there is a glitch in the format.  I'm sorry it is not consistent all through the reading.  I didn't know how to fix it!!  grrrrr

That’s all for this month.  Smiles and good thoughts are coming you way.   Always, Trudy J

 

💘2026 February FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

Omnia causa Fiunt (Latin)---“Everything happens for a reason.”  Trust that every moment is guiding you towards a wiser, stronger, and better version of yourself.  “Not all the storms come to disrupt your life; some come to clear your path.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (the song TURN, TURN, TURN uses this Bible verse(s)) states says that all events, good and bad, have a divinely appointed time and season in life.  Some things are beyond human control and, that while we can’t control the timing of events, we should accept life’s changes, and find meaning by living wisely in the present.  I’ve had many things happen where I’ve asked, “What positive could possibly come from this!?”  Later, I found out.  I don’t question as much as I did. 

Life is like a traveling city bus---there are many stops and different people are getting on and getting off.  Sometimes the destination is familiar and sometimes not.  It (life) is all about mindset.  From the moment you wake up, to the moment you rest your head at night, everything is up to you.  Your emotions, your thoughts, your perceptions, your reactions, your decisions, and your choices are all up to you.  

Some thoughts I have from time to time:  If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?  What’s another name for THESAURUS?  Who is more foolish—the fool or the fool who follows him?  Why do people who know the least know it the loudest?  If a book about failures doesn’t sell, is it a success?  If someone tells you they are a liar, are they telling the truth?  If you’re a judge, and you judge people, do you consider “judge not that ye not be judged”?  Why does colored soap and shampoo have white bubbles?  If you’re allowed to drive on the driveway, why is it not allowed to park on the parkway?  With the word QUEUE, why isn’t the letter Q be the only letter? 

COURAGE:  it’s when only you know you’re scared.  It’s you knowing the opposition is very strong, but you face it anyway.  It’s knowing and believing what is right and good while facing what is wrong and bad, and not backing down.  It’s standing on Satan’s belt buckle and spitting in his eye.  This is what Daddy told me when I was scared.  He told me of his ordeal in battle at Iwo Jima commanding a ship of “kids” who were scared to pieces.  Daddy was 26, every one of them was not even 20!  I asked him if he were scared.  He reiterated his definition of courage.  

I slowly walked up the flat-stone path to the Lady of the Holler’s little house.  My emotional burden was heavy.  I knocked on her front door.  She answered it and immediately knew I was not in the best frame of mind.  “Oh chile, I see yuv got a burden.  Come on in here and set down and tell Aint Daisy what-cher troubled about.”  She knew I’d have tears, so out came the tissue box and set down beside me.  “Oh, Aint Daisy, you always know I’ll probably have tears when I have something heavy on my heart.”  “Whall chile, h’aint no trouble airin’ yer toubles to one who’ll listen.  Anyway, tears help ye t’ see the answer bettah, and they clear the heart an’ mind.  Now tell me all ‘bout it.”  I told her some gals, who I thought were my friends, had been saying untrue things about me, and it all came back to me via a friend who’d overheard the comments.  “Whall, here’s how I see it,” she started.  “First off, a friend h’ain’t gonna resay those things t’ you a cause they know they’ll hurt ya.  They, also, know those words h’aint true.  Jess remember:  if  nobody sees ya as an enemy, yer not important an’ they know yer better ‘n they is; if some don’t talk about ya behind yer back, yer not relevant; if these folks doubt yer good intentions, it means they know they’s not as good as ya are; if someone tries t’ put ya down, yer already above ‘em---hate comes from below, not from the Good Spirit.  I know all this is a lot t’ remember, but if’n ye can remember some, it’ll hep ya.  How ‘bout some tea and a slice of the cherry pie and whipped cream ‘ats out in the kitchen coolin’?”  Of course, I didn’t turn THAT down.  It always amazes me how this sweet one, my Lady of the Holler, knows exactly what to say.  She’s a treasure for sure. 

If you’re over 50, you’ve probably uttered or thought these words:  “I don’t need to write it down.  I won’t forget it.”  Have you ever, more than once, put the things you were planning to get at the store in your memory, and as soon as you go thorough the doors and get a cart, your mind goes blank!!??  It’s the DOORWAY EFFECT.  “This is actually a phenomenon where a person’s memory declines when passing through a doorway, and is often the main culprit for people forgetting to do things when leaving a room, or walking into a room and forgetting why they’re there.  It’s thought to be due to the change in the physical environment.”  I have a flight of stairs in my house.  There have been times I’ve arrived at the bottom or top and wondered, “Why am I here?”  No, I’m not questioning my existence!  I know why I’m here, but why was I there at the top or bottom of the stairs?  It’s almost like Abbot and Costello’s WHO’S ON FIRST or the comedic orator, Henry Cho, talking about his friend who’s last name is Me. (Google that one.  It’s hilarious.)  So sweetie, you’re not losing your mind.  You’re experiencing THE DOORWAY EFFECT. 

INTUITION:  “When you don’t know how you know…but you know you know…and you know you knew…and that’s all you needed to know.”  Yep, I knew I knew after something I know I knew was mentioned. 

Brenduhh and her sister, Fonduhh, were all excited to go to Disney Land in Florida.  They packed their car and took off for a wonderful vacation of a full-week there.  How surprised I was when they returned two days later.  Brenduhh came over very unhappy.  I was surprised to see her and asked her why they were back so soon.  She said, “Well, we almost got to Disney Land in Florida.  We saw a sign on the highway which said, “DISNEY LAND LEFT”, so we thought, “Why go any farther when Disney Land has left?  So, we turned around and came home.”  I thought it futile to explain their misinterpretation of the sign; my head hurt. 

I found this about fighter jets.  It’s amazing and logical.  “Fighter jets fly faster than the bullets they shoot.  The glass is bullet proof and bird proof.  They can cost more than a small town.  A jet’s engines can suck in a human if they get too close.  A supersonic jet’s boom can shatter windows.” 

It was Monday, and my friend was listening to my lament about something going on in my life.  I finished and she lovingly said, “Just take it one day at a time.”  Criminies, what else am I going to do…skip Tuesday and maybe Wednesday? 

One of my precious ones was in the full throes of the adolescent years.  Wisdom had not come calling, yet.  I was concerned about their appearance and hygiene, and asked, “Are you going to take a shower?”  In their rationale, they replied, “Mom, why should I?  I haven’t done anything all day.”  

When my 15 year old son had been visiting relatives in another state for longer than I liked, I called him.  During our conversation, I asked him if he missed me, because I really missed him.  He answered, “Yes, I do.”  I was a bit skeptical because I know kids will say what they think parents want to hear.  So, I asked, “Really, honey.  You really miss me?”  He replied with all the wisdom and tact of a teenager, “Mom, I miss you a lot, but I haven’t had time to think about it because I’ve been so busy.” 

A chicken’s version of a popular Shakespearean tragedy is called, “Omlette”.  The actors are all birds and are paid a poultry sum. 

A hungry Greek man was infatuated with a lady who loved music.  He wanted to impress her, but wanted his song selection, to sing to her, to be original.  Sure enough, he sang, DID YOU EVER KNOW THAT YOU’RE MY GYRO?, (pronounced “year-o”) 

Hubby and I attended his 50^th high school reunion years ago.  A gal came up to him and asked if he remembered her.  He indicated he did.  She turned to me and said, “I used to be his flame.”  I smiled saying, “Yes, I know, but I’m his bonfire now!”  She didn’t have much more to say.

💙Every autistic child carries a love so pure it teaches the world how to feel deeply and love without conditions. I leave you this month with these thoughts:  

💜💜  “How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.”  Philippians 3:13-14:  Happiness is found in three things---letting go of what was; enjoying what is; having faith in what will be.                        Peace and smiles to you-----always, Trudy 

🏆 2026 January FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

Happy New Year!!!  May 2026 be a trophy year for you.  2025 went by very quickly; well, to me it did.  I guess when your age is passed 50 time goes faster.  My 365 days were filled with smiles, some frowns, some tears---which make the smiles even more enjoyable, and gratefulness.  I gained people in my life and lost some.  The memories of those lost will keep them close.  I have a friend who is struggling with grief.  We have talked about it and how I handle(d) the grief I have.  I told them, “Grief causes me to wonder where to put all the love I still have to give to those who I’ve loved and are now gone.  Grief changes everything---your think more, move a little slower, develop deeper insight, and sometimes you just don’t want to do anything including thinking.  You know you miss the person, and then, you realize you miss the relationship, which becomes, ‘I miss us.’  There is no time frame on grief.  Everyone is different.  In my opinion, grief doesn’t get smaller, you just grow around it.”

This is a comparison of an English statement and poetry of the departure of 2025. The English version: “Goodbye 2025.”  The poetic version:  “Farewell, old year of fleeting light,/Your days have folded into night./You leave behind your joy and scars/A trail of dust beneath the stars.” 

Sometimes I hear different words than those which are spoken.  I’d asked my daughter to flip and move the cushions on a certain couch.  I was busy in the kitchen when she announced, what I thought she said, “Mom, I’ve frisked and mooed the chickens.”  When she approached me, I said, “What?!?!  We don’t have any chickens, so how could you have frisked and mooed the chickens??”  She looked at me and laughed.  “No, I flipped and moved the cushions.  Mom, you are hilarious.”  We both had a good laugh of the day.  I found these misheard lyrics to some songs.  I’m not the only one who “mishears” words.   'Bad Moon Rising' by Creedence Clearwater Revival- Misheard: "There's a bathroom on the right"- Correct: "There's a bad moon on the rise" 'We Didn't Start the Fire' by Billy Joel - Misheard: "We didn't start the fire, it was always burning, said the worst attorney"- Correct: "We didn't start the fire, it was always burning, since the world's been turning"; ‘Waterfall’ by TLC—Misheard: “Don’t go Jason Waterfalls”—Correct: “Don’t go chasing waterfalls”; ‘Desperado’ by The Eagles—Misheard: “You’ve been outright offensive, for so long now”—Correct: “You’ve been out riding fences, for so long now.”

Brenduhh came over excited.  “Trudy, I have something to tell you.  The car just plain stopped right in the middle of the street.  Luckily I was in front of my car service garage.  I called to Mike that the car had stopped for no reason.  He came over and pushed it into the garage.  After he fiddled around with it, it started.  I asked him ‘What’s the problem and how do I fix it?” Mike said, ‘Just crap in the carburetor.’  I was amazed, so I asked him, ‘How often do I have to do that?’ ” I was almost speechless, so I sputtered, “Would you like some tea and cookies I just made?” 

I was a little…oh alright, a lot, upset one day.  My voice was loud and body language ominous.  One of my kids, I think it was the brave one, said, “Mom, you remind me of two dogs.”  Well, that didn’t sit real well with me in that moment, so I insisted they support their statement and with caution.  “Yes, two dogs.  You have the attitude of a Chihuahua---thinking confidently you can take on just about anything; and, the posturing of a Cane Corso---enough body mass and intimidation to warn the opponent.” 

When you can’t put your prayer into words, God hears your heart.  Tears are prayers, too. 

I was talking to someone about anagrams using SILENT and LISTEN as an example.  I told them, “Silent and Listen have the same letters, but they are changed.”  She asked me if there were other examples.  I shared this with her, “Anagrams involve rearranging letters in existing words to form new words.  There are so many and even names and sentences:  Eleven plus two—Twelve plus one.  A decimal point---I’m a dot in place.  Vacation time---I am not active.  By rearranging “Clint Eastwood,” you can spell “old west action.”  “William Shakespeare” can be rearranged to spell, “I’ll make a wise phrase.” She seemed to be listening intently because she was silent for a while.  Then, she said, “You hurt my head.” 

It was really cold and windy when I hurriedly walked up the sidewalk to Aint Daisy’s house.  She must have seen me coming because as I got to the front door, it opened with her standing there.  The aroma of freshly baked pie, cookies, and bread enveloped my nose.  “Oh Aint Daisy, it smells heavenly.  I’m sure you’ve been busy this morning because it surely smells like it.”  She smiled and told me to hurry on in the house and get warm.  “Chile, set yerself down in the kitchen.  It’s a-warmer in there ‘cause the oven’s been busy all morning.  Did ye come to visit or ye need some advice?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.  “Oh, I just came to visit.  I always enjoy talking with you, and I usually learn something new,” I said.  “Whall, that’s jess fine.  I have all these here goodies to share an’ I know ye like most o’ ‘em.  Did ye know that when ye share the good’s ‘at ye done, it’s a blessin’ to ye and another; an’ when ye share a trouble with another, it’s half a burden to ye?  So’s, ye jess he’p yerself to all ye want.  I a-got plenty.  I’ll fix us some nice, hot tea,” she said with a big smile.  ‘More wisdom from the Lady of the Holler. 

I came across a quote that said, “Maybe your path is harder, because your calling is higher.”  It made me chuckle.  With that thought, God must think I can leap a tall building with a single bound, and run faster than a speeding bullet. 

Here are some lessons I’ve mentioned to my children and students:  Life isn’t fair. Failure is part of success. Not everyone will like you. You are responsible for your actions and words. The world doesn’t wait for you. Hard work beats talent. You can’t control everything. Life will challenge you. You can’t please everyone. Happiness is not guarantee.  When it's your time to pass away, make sure you have left a good mark while you lived. I could give examples of each one, but they would be mine.  You are invited to reflect on examples of your own. 

“Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.”  Judge Frank Caprio, Providence, R.I. 

I like to dunk my French fry in sauces.  I was busy chatting with others and dipped my fry in, what I thought, was a mild sauce.  It wasn’t.  It was wasabi infused catsup!!!  It cleaned my sinuses; I was breathing in 10 dimensions; I could smell around corners; my nostrils were on all six planes of my skull, and I sneezed through the soles of my feet.  NOTHING I drank put out the inferno in my mouth.  I could not even swear!!! 

I found this German word.  It really tells it like it is.  I couldn’t find an English equivalent to it, though.  FRUHSINN (FROO-zin)  “A cheerful, optimistic mood that arrives early in the day.  It reflects starting with clarity and lightness, before worries have the chance to settle.”  I think of me when I awaken and am still in bed.  I think to myself, “Alrighty, you’re going to get up, do some domestic diva stuff, laundry, vacuum, and maybe make a casserole for supper.”  Then, I do get up, fix my coffee, sit down in my chair and review FACEBOOK, play a little game, and enjoy the warmth of our cat, Jada, who finds my lap irresistible to lie on and purr.  I look at her and think, “How can I disturb this sleeping, warming, healing darlin’ by getting up and doing all those domestic diva actions?  Well, I can’t.”  So, I sit there and usually doze until Jada decides it’s time to move. Another German word which has no English equivalent is SCHADENFREUDE (Shaden froida)  “pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune.”  I equate it to, “I told you so” said with a sly smile. 

I looked in the mirror.  I know, it’s stupid to do that, especially in the cold winter months and right after two food infused holidays.  I thought, “I wish I were as fat as I was the first time I thought I was fat.”  That fat thought was when I was in high school with a 26” waist and size 12.  I do know I’ll be that size again-----like 2 years after my last breath. 

May this new year bring you joy, more love, and lots of what you enjoy and want.  May you make “lemon pie with real whipped cream” using the “lemons” you’ll have from time to time.

***I dedicate this column to those who were a part of my life, past and present, who made their journey to Heaven in 2025.  You all made your marks, and they were good.  

Always, Trudy J

⛄ 2025 December FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

Scintillate, scintillate globule vivific fain.  Would I fathom they nature specific.  Loftily perched in the capacious ether, strongly resembling a carbonaceous gem.  Now that I have your attention, this is a complex verbiage of TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR.  What a difference simplicity makes.  J

 Having some troubles one day, I just shut down.  My daughter came to see me and noticed.  “You’ve shut down, haven’t you, Mom?  I told her I had and didn’t know when I’d be up and running again.  She smiled and said, “You’re just like a MacDonald’s ice cream machine---shuts down when you least expect it and no one knows when it will be up and running again.”  She made me laugh.

 From the past:  I made a meat loaf using the 93% lean ground beef Guy had purchased at the store.  While waiting for it to cook, I fixed each of us a cup of tea to enjoy together.  Guy asked me how I liked the meat he’d bought for the meatloaf.  I told him I wouldn’t know until it was cooked.  He asked me what time it was.  I told him, “5:04” thinking it strange he’d ask me when I could see he was wearing his watch.  I mentioned that too him.  He said, “Well, somewhere I lost an hour and 14 minutes.”  I couldn’t figure out why, so I asked, “What do you mean?”  He replied, “I’ve been sitting here looking at the clock on the stove and it says 3:50.  You better call the appliance store and have them come out and check it.”  Trying not to laugh, I said, “That 3:50 is not the time, it is the temperature of the oven which is cooking the meatloaf.  Maybe I should have set the temperature to 365; then you would have known it was not a time.  Or, I could have set it for 300, but you would have wondered why Tara was home from school so soon since she arrives at 3:30.”  “Oh be quiet,” he snorted.  I just looked at him after that.  He must have read my mind because he called me that animal he thinks is so smart. J

 I had one of those horrid procedures---a colonoscopy. The gallon of "poops a lot" was the worse stuff I'd ever tasted. Then I had a gal take me to the procedure room only to have her take me to ONCOLOGY. I would have pooped out of fear and concern they knew something I didn’t know, but I had nothing to deliver. When she got me to the right place, they positioned me at the camera, and I was EXPOSED!!  I didn’t realize they had a wide lens camera in that department.  The doc came in and introduced himself. "Hi! I'm Dr. Woo Wee." I went to sleep shortly after the introduction, or I passed out…I can't remember.

 Good thoughts lead to good spoken words, which lead to good actions.  Do the good.

Laziness kills ambition. Anger kills wisdom. Fear kills dreams. Jealousy kills peace.  Now, read it right to left.

I feel sorry for people who have professions which entail cleaning out-houses and sewers.  They have crappy jobs. 

My footsteps were heavy on the steps to Aint Daisy’s front door.  I guess my knock was harder and more demanding than I thought, as she came to the door quickly with a concerned look on her face.  “Oh, chile.  You come on in here and set yerself down.  I’ll get us some cold sweet tea and muffins.  As she went to the kitchen, I was able to settle my irritation to a soft roar.  She returned, placed the muffins and glasses of tea on the coffee table, and sat down on the flowered, over stuffed couch.  She smoothed her neck-to-knees apron, looked me in the eye and gently said, “Now, tell ole Daisy whatcha frettin’ about, chile.  ‘Haint no need to take more ‘n yer time carrin’ all that.”  I took a few sips of my tea to help settle me more.  “O.K., I’ll tell you about it.  I was sitting at a table with my back turned to another table of gals.  Among them was a person I thought was my friend.  I didn’t greet her because she was busy talking; it would have been rude to interrupt her, in my thinking.  Well, I could hear everything she was saying, and I didn’t like it.  She was talking badly about others and then she came to my name.  Oh Aint Daisy, she really was nasty about what she was saying about me.  I finished my lunch, got up, and left the restaurant.  I don’t know whether to confront her or just leave it alone.  Those who were with her knew me, but didn’t say a word in my defense.  I am so angry and hurt.”  Aint Daisy smoothed her apron, again, took a sip of her tea, and bowed her head.  A moment of silence reigned.  “Chile, I can tote-ly undertand yer feelin’s.  Ye know a viscious tongue is the devil’s delight.  I know yer probably thinkin’ there’s sometin’ wrong with ye a’cause she’s spoken badly ‘bout ye.  Whall, there haint nothin’ wrong with ye, even though ye might think there is.  So’s ye need to stop a-thinkin’ that.  Actually, there’s somethin’ wrong with her.  She’s probably not feelin’ real important, so she thinks talking bad ‘bout you will make her ‘pear important, when actually it jess makes her look bad to others.  Those who gossip or speak bad ‘bout another when none of it is true, jess don’t have much glowin’ from their candle an’ think blowin’ out another’s glow is gonna make theirs brighter.  T’aint so.  Has any o’ this I’ve told ye helped ye any?”  “Yes, Aint Daisy, every bit of what you’ve said has helped me.  I’ll just be nice to her, but distant myself from now on.  I don’t need that stress in my life.  Thank you so much,” I said.  We continued our chat on more enjoyable notes.  There is always wisdom from the Lady of the Holler……always in all ways.

 A Roman walks into a bar, holds up two fingers and says, “Five drinks, please.”  Y’all think about it.

I don’t really want to be the sun to brighten someone’s life.  I’d rather be the moon to shine on someone’s darkened hours. 

 My sweet Guy was complaining about the extra skin that was around his neck.  Age does that, much to our chagrin.  I listened as he lamented on and on and on.  When he stopped, I got up, went to him, put my hands around his neck and squeezed a bit.  He growled, “What are you doing!!!”  I lovingly said, “I’m tightening the skin around your neck.”  He told me to go away…..imagine that.

 I was looking for batteries.  Here is what I found:  A, AA, AAA, C, D, button, and 9V.  Why isn’t there a B battery?

 A friend of mine was telling be about someone who was revealing her faults and past to others.  She told me that after she found out what they were saying about her, she confronted the person and said, “I know my skeletons, and I’m not afraid of them.  I have no problem letting YOURS out to play.”

 “Stay away from negative people.  They have a problem for every solution.”  Albert Einstein

 My daughter and I were in a specialty grocery store.  We walked by a large display of individually wrapped salt water taffy.  My daughter saw me take some of each flavor.  “Mom!  Is there ANY flavor you don’t like?”  I told her, “Yes.  It’s called EMPTY WRAPPER.”  She couldn’t stop laughing.

I live close to a large mid-western city.  There in an increase in shootings and violence.  The mayor of that city made a statement to the press.  “All this shooting and violence is not acceptable!”  All I could think was, “Sooo, when is it acceptable?”

“You never lose by being kind. You only lose when you forget to be.” Chief Judge Frank Caprio, Providence, RI

 Brenduhh came over in a huff.  “Trudy, my kid’s doctor said he had ADD!!”  “O.K., there’s not much wrong with that if you watch his diet eliminating as many chemicals as possible, sugar, dyes, and provide fruits, veggies, and lean meats/poultry/fish,” I soothed.  “Well, yes there is a lot wrong with that ADD.  How’s he going to do other math with just ADD?  You know, since you’re a teacher, there’s still subtraction, multiplication, and division.  He can’t just ADD everything!!” she clamored.  I really wanted to explain ADD to her and the math she was wondering about, but my head hurt from all the eye rolling that I’d done.

 As you gather with others to celebrate the special moments of this season, please know---your presence is a present unlike any other.  You are wrapped in joy, tied neatly with a bow of smiles.  May your holiday memories be lovely and bright.  May you give without remembering, and you receive without forgetting.

As always, Trudy 🤶🎄

 

🦃 2025 November FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

Month #11.  It really is #9, if you know what “NOVEM” means.  It’s the month of:  1 All Saints Day, 3 Sandwich Day, 4 National Candy Day, 4 Men Make Dinner Day, 6 National Nachos Day,   7 Daylight Savings Ends, 10 Sesame Street Day, 11 Veteran’s Day, 13 World Kindness Day, 14 National Pickle Day, 16 National Fast Food Day, 18 Mickey Mouse’s Birthday, 25 Thanksgiving Day, 26 Try to Buy Nothing Day (oh right!!), 28 National French Toast Day, 30 National Day of Giving 

I heard a knock at my door.  I opened it and there stood my friend, Aint Daisy.  What a surprise, but there was concern on her face.  “Hello, chile.  I’m a-wonderin’ iffn ye have time to talk a spell,” she said with a shakey voice.  “Of course I do.  Please come in.  I’ll get some sweet tea.  Please sit where you’re comfortable,” I told her.  I got the tea and some freshly baked cookies, set them down on the coffee table and sat down across from my dear friend.  “Help yourself, Aint Daisy.  I have plenty to share,” I told her.  “Hain’t much fer eatin’ right now, chile.  I’m hurt and outta sorts.  How ‘bout I tell ye what’s on my mind,” she said with a quivery voice.  I made sure there were tissues close as I could see she was on the verge of tears.  She told me of one of her kids (“youn’uns”) had come over all angry at her because she’d asked some questions, which caring mothers do.  The kid told her she was nosy, didn’t really care about her, didn’t like her as her mother, she needed to go to a nursing home, and she didn’t want her to talk to her until she called and said she may.  As she talked, choking back tears, I ached for her.  I knew all she’d done to help this child: the unconditional love which oozed from her being for her, and the things which most people would not have done to help a child succeed, so many sacrifices, and thousands more things.  “Chile, what do you think?  Right now, I’mma lost fer words to say t’ her.”  I thought a few minutes and said, “Aint Daisy, I’m so sorry this happened to you and hurtful words were said without thinking.  I know how much words can hurt.  Words said in anger hurt the most.  The tongue is the hardest muscle to bridle.  It is, also, the strongest because in one swoop it can build or tear down.  The owner of the tongue chooses what it does.”  Aint Daisy reached for a cookie and her glass of sweet tea.  She sat there fiddling with the tissue I’d given her.  “Thank ye, chile.  I’ll jes be quiet t’ her until, maybe, she will realize what she said an’ how it hurt.  Ye know, silence can be the best answer,” she said softly.  “You know, Aint Daisy, you are the wise lady of the holler.”  She looked at me with a gentle smile and said, “Honey, I ain’t the only one.”  I gave her a much needed hug and silent prayer for peace and hurting heart mended, as she went back to her little house.  

A certain toothpaste company is featuring LEMON and Salt in their product.  When they put tequila in with the lemon and salt, I’ll be buying this product and brushing my teeth at least 8 times a day. 

My friend was walking her dog through her neighborhood.  She’s very diligent about cleaning up after her dog as they stop and start on their outing.  I guess not everyone is as thoughtful or considerate.  She told me she came to a front yard which had multiple signs firmly staked throughout the front yard.  They said in bold, colorful letters:  NO TRESS-POOPING!! 

I found this interesting information about a dog.  I don’t know the source, though.   “Did you know that the tiny vertical groove between a dog’s nose and upper lip actually has a purpose? It’s called the vegetal groove (or philtrum), and it’s not there by accident!  Each time a dog licks its lips, a bit of saliva collects in that groove. Through a process called capillarization, the moisture travels up to the nose — helping keep it damp.  And why does that matter? Because, a moist nose is much better at capturing and holding scents from the air. That’s part of what makes a dog’s sense of smell so incredibly powerful!”  Now you know. 

If the beverage tea starts with the letter T and is called “tea”, why can’t coffee, which starts with the letter C, be called “C”?  Why can’t the word “queue” just be the letter Q?  Why does the letter W have 2 syllables when all the other 25 have just one?  Where do the stars go when the sun comes out?  When you’re running after a toddler who has something dangerous in their hand, why don’t you get out of breath or breathing hard; but when you just run the same distance you are out of breath or breathing hard?  If you were traveling at the speed of light and turn on the headlights, what happens?  Since there is a speed of sound, what’s the speed of silence?  Why can’t I see eye to eye?  Why is the black box on an airplane actually orange?  Banquet and Bouquet, both end in “quet”, but it’s pronounced differently.  

I had a student ask me, “If I buy a pair of shoes, I get two shoes; but, I only get one bird when I buy a parakeet?”  I told him he had a good question and to ask the next shoes sales clerk when he was buying shoes. 

There are anger management classes to take, but there are no stupid management classes.  You can be angry and take a class to help you, but if you say something stupid or are stupid, there is no class to help you.  Well, what if I’m angry because you said or did something stupid?!?!  Where’s my help? 

I read that your brain produces enough electricity to power a light bulb---about 20 watts.  Hmmm, that’s interesting; however, I’ve dealt with some people who are such dim bulbs, their wattage is a nightlight size. 

Denzel Washington tells about being smart and the number 5.  “If you hang around 5 confident people, you will be the 6^th.  If you hang around 5 intelligent people, you will be the 6^th.  If you hang around 5 millionaires, you will be the 6^th.  If you hang around 5 stupid people, you will be the 6^th.  Be smart who you hang around with.” 

Well, the holidays are just about upon us.  I think of all the delicious food which is presented to my palate.  Here’s a recipe I came across which sounds really good for toast, muffins, scones, or use as a topping for oatmeal.  CRANBERRY BUTTER RECIPE:  1 cup softened butter; 1/3 cup finely chopped dried cranberries; ¼ cup honey---or to taste; 2 teaspoons grated orange zest; 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. 

INSTRUCTIONS:  Soften the butter to room temp.  Mix the butter, chopped cranberries, honey, orange zest, and salt in a bowl until well-combined.  Taste and adjust the sweetness or cranberry flavor as needed.  Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or roll it into a log shape using parchment paper.  Chill in the fridge until firm (at least 30 minutes).  Enjoy!! 

There is an Italian phrase which is so appropriate to mention to students and those trying to be successful.  Chi la dura la vince---(Kee lah Doo-rah lah VEEN-cheh)  It means:  Perseverance wins.   Success belongs to those who do not give up, because persistence overcomes obstacles that strength alone cannot. 

Did you ever have to deal with a narcissist?  I have, and it can be emotionally and even physically draining.  I discovered they are severely emotionally stunted, underdeveloped adults.  No matter how high they mentally function, they have the emotional intelligence of an angry, irrational young child.  This is where the physically draining comes into play-----I just want to slap the snot out of them, but have to restrain myself by clasping my hands or hugging myself.  The mentally draining comes with thinking of ways, which are legal, so I can slap the snot out of them. 

A male teacher friend of my husband called his quizzes “QUIZZIES”.  One day an unprepared student said with a sigh, “If this is on of your quizzies, I’d like to see on of your testies.”  The room exploded with laughter. 

My husband and I taught at the same high school.  He taught civics and geography; I taught English.  We frequently had the same students.  One ornery, attention-seeking student came into my husband’s class, creating a disturbance, and announced, “I just had your wife.  She doesn’t like me very much.”  My husband became noticeably irritated with the student.  From across the room another student called out, “Looks like it runs in the family, John!” 

Look for the GLIMMERS in your day, which are opposite of TRIGGERS.  Glimmers are the moments in your day which make you feel joy, happiness, peace, or gratitude. So, train your brain to look for those moments.  They will appear more and more. 

Sometimes when you hit rock bottom, God lets you, so you’ll know He’s the rock at the bottom. 

May you give thanks for giving on your Thanksgiving.  Trudy J

🦃

🎃 2025 October FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

🎃 

Sometimes words have a different meaning than the obvious.  I came across some and I’d like to share them with you.  PUSH---Persist Until Something Happens; MOVE---Make One Valuable Effort;   FALL---Fight Again, Learn & Lift;  PEACE---Pain Ends And Clarity Emerges;  HOPE---Hang On, Pain Ends;  TRY---Take Responsibility Yourself; RISE---Repeat It, Start Everyday; ROAR---Rise Over Any Regret; FREE---Forget Regret, Enjoy Everything; BURN---Build Until Results Notice; FRIENDS---Faithful Reliable Inspiring Encouraging Nurturing Devoted Souls; KISS---Keep It Simple, Sweetie.

Brenduhh came over pretty upset.  I finally was able to get her to calm down and tell me what the problem was.  “Oh Trudy, I’ve fallen and failed so much,” she wailed.  “Oh honey, it’s not about how many  times you fall or fail; it’s about how many times you get up and try again.  You’re not going to fail if you keep trying,” I soothed her.  She sniffed and cried, “That’s not how field sobriety tests work, Trudy!!”  I went to make a pot of coffee and get out some cinnamon rolls. 

One of my favorite books is TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, a classic novel by Harper Lee about racial injustice and the loss of innocence in the American South during the Great Depression of 1929-1939.  It’s sad to say and know that there are some school districts which have banned the book and teaching the story.  I was blessed to be able to teach this book\story before the banning.  I guess the banning was on charges (or dreamed up ideas) that the book teaches racism and prejudice.  HA!!  Far from it, in my opinion and the opinion of others.  These aren't just lessons from a novel, they're moral blueprints for a broken world. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ doesn't just tell a story---it teaches us how to be better humans when the world forgets how.  It looks like the world of some people, who want the book banned, has forgotten how to be better humans.  I found a chart on what To Kill A Mocking Bird teaches.  Here are the 10 points:  It’s important to have courage.  It’s important to fight for justice.  It’s important to be compassionate and understanding.  It’s important to have hope.  It is important to know everyone has something to teach us.  It’s important to stand up for what is right even if it’s difficult.  Be kind and compassionate to others, even though they may be different from you.  It’s important to not judge others too quickly.  It’s important everyone deserves to be treated with respect.  And finally, it is important to know the world is not always fair. 

As I approached the porch of the little house, I could hear voices, mostly the young one who’d come to visit and seek wisdom from our lady of the holler.  I knocked on the screen door.  Aint Daisy called out, “Come on in, chile, I know it’s you.  I can smell that sweet perfume you always wear.”  I smiled and entered the tidy living room with an overstuffed, floral couch and matching chair.  In between the couch and chair was Aint Daisy in her rocking chair listening closely to what the “youn’un” had to say.  At the end of his monologue, came this question, “Aint Daisy, how’d you get so much good judgement and smart?”  She smile, smoothed her flowered, bib apron, and squinted her right eye.  “Chile, imam mighty old an’ through all them yars, there were lessons taught to be larned.  Now, I haint gonna tell ye I learnt ‘em all, nor was it easy.  Sometimes I was contrary and didn’t pay no attention t’ the lesson.  But, eventually I learnt the lesson and kept it in my mind.  Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.  Yep, I made a lot o’ mistakes along the path of my life, but when ye make a mistake, learn from it.  Find out why ye made that mistake, learn that, and use it t’ make yerself bettah.”  She smiled, and I could see her eyes as she remembered times, trials, and lessons learned many years ago.  Once again, there was the wisdom from our lady of the holler. 

HIRAETH:  A homesickness for a home to which you cannot return, a home which maybe never was;                        the nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past. 

I’ve opened a can of worms.  They just sit there, the worms.  They are hardly the chaos that’s been mentioned.  A can of fleas is more like it----uncontrollable, nervous, searching for blood, annoying to the point of wanting to kill.  THAT’S more like it. 

Neil deGrasse Tyson, a popular astrophysicist, published this.  It’s fascinating to me.  So, I’m sharing it. On 31 December 1899, the passenger steamer SS Warrimoo was sailing quietly across the mid-Pacific, on its voyage from Vancouver to Australia.  The navigator finished checking the stars for the ship’s position and gave the result to Capt. John D.S. Phillips:  Latitude: 0 31 N (just north of the Equator); Longitude:  179 30’ W (near the International Date Line).  First Mate Payton realized something exciting:  “Captain, we’re just a few miles from the point where the Equator and the International Date Line meet!”  The captain saw a chance to do something unforgettable.  He slightly changed the ship’s course and adjusted the speed.  The night was calm, the sky was clear, and the timing was perfect.  At exactly midnight, the ship was positioned to that:  The front of the ship (bow) was in the Southern Hemisphere, enjoying summer.  The back of the ship (stern) was in the Northern Hemisphere, in the middle of winter.  The date at the back was still 31 December 1899, and the date at the front had already become 1 January 1900.  All this meant the ship was in:  Two different days, two different months, two different years, two different seasons, two different centuries---ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! 

I’d had a rough time with some colitis one day.  It was getting close to the time to take my daughter to work…she doesn’t drive.  I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it, so I asked her to call my other daughter and ask if she could come take her to work.  She said she would.  I called her the next day to tell her thank you for the favor.  She told me she’d had a horrid day and to top it off, 5 minutes before the request call, she’d knocked over a large container of seed beads on her carpeted, craft room floor.  She said she was beyond upset.  I told her how sorry I was it happened.  Without thinking, I said, “I so appreciate you dropping everything to come over here and take Tara to work.  Thank you so much.”  I heard a scream, and then, “Oh Mom, I literally did drop everything.”  We both laughed…..even went for the snort. 

Recently a friend came to me a bit perplexed, but smiling.  She said, “Trudy, I think I’ve just won an argument with a very determined person, but they don’t know I won.”  I asked her what made her think that.  She said, “I took your advice on how to end an argument.  I said to her in my best Southern drawl, ‘Well, bless your heart.  Possibly you’re right.’  Then, I walked away.”  I told her she chose the right words and POSSIBLY was perfect.  “POSSIBLY is a word of ambiguity or inexactness.  Your opponent probably doesn’t know that and thinks they won, but in actuality they lost.  They’re all proud of themselves because what they heard was ‘you’re right’ and were deaf to the actual implication of they really aren’t.  Carry on, girl.”  She told me she hadn’t thought of it that way and walked away with a big smile. 

“Hate has 4 letters, but so does Love.  Enemies has 7 letters, but so does Friends.  Lying has 5 letters, but so does Truth.  Cry has 3 letters, but so does Joy.  Negativity has 10 letters, but so does Positivity.  Life has two sides; choose the better side.”  

My friend asked me, “What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?”  I thought a few minutes reviewing my 80 years of life and said, “How sweet of you to think I’ve peaked dumb actions.” 

I was watching a clip which someone had filmed.  It was a flood happening in front of the person.  As the rushing water was coming down the path, the person started to say, "Holy smokes!  Holy smokes!"
The water kept coming and was increasing it's speed and volume.  As the camera started shaking,
the man's exclamations went from "Holy smokes" to "holy sh*t!"  I guess HOLY SH*T trumps HOLY SMOKES.

Here's a question:  if I'm minding my business, and you're minding my business, who is minding your
business since we are both minding mine?!

Listening to some kids "case" others about intelligence, they came up with some funny ones.  "He's as smart as a broken rake."  "She's so dumb, she wouldn't know what apple pie was."  "He'd get lost in a round room." "I've seen gnats smarter than she is."  But, the one that made me laugh out loud was, "She has the intelligence of a bubble."          

                        Smiles and blessings to you, Trudy J