2017 December FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

2017 December FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

I listened to some Christmas songs in August.  Not the ordinary ones, but ones most people don’t hear on the radio over and over and over for more than 25 days.  Songs like:  THERE’S A NEW KID IN TOWN; SOME CHILDREN SEE HIM; THAT SILENT NIGHT; LIGHT all by Kenny Rogers.  Then, there was:  WHAT A WONDERFUL BEGINNING, Lisa Brokop; WHO IS THIS BABY, The Judds; LET IT BE CHRISTMAS, Alan Jackson; IT WASN’T HIS CHILD, Skip Ewing; WHAT MADE THE BABY CRY, Toby Keith; A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD, B.J. Thomas. ‘Refreshing to say the least.

Have you ever said, “I’m sorry”?  Well, of course you have, but did you mean each word to the fullest extent of their meaning?  There are 2 ways to say this phrase and each way means something different.  “I’M sorry”, means only you are sorry; “I’m SORRY” you’re telling a feeling, a noun (you could put your name in there or another feeling, for example).  Looking the person in the eye, if it is possible, when you say this and telling them why you’re sorry will confirm to them you truly mean it.  IF you don’t truly mean it, don’t say it.  That’s what I’ve tried to teach my children, because if you don’t truly mean it, those two words are just that------words.

The heart of a mother is a deep abyss, at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. -Honore de Balzac, novelist (1799-1850)   She kissed away boo-boos; made monster-go-away spray for you to spray them away; was there when the spray didn’t work and you crawled into bed with her asking, “Mom, please make the monsters go away”---then, she laid her hand on your cheek and they went away; make a hot breakfast on cold mornings; told you she loved you RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FRIENDS!; cried with you, but she cried harder; always believed you’d be somebody terrific; shared her cake or pie with you; made your favorite meal on your special day; and many, many more things you’ve tucked away in your “memory bank” and heart.

Pearls….the sign, in the old South, of a lady through and through. I was raised in the old South---Atlanta, Georgia. My mother wore pearls which Daddy brought to her from Japan after he returned from WWII where he’d been a captain on a ship at Iwo Jima. He was from the South……Virginia. They were quite a pair….the officer and gentleman that he was and the lady wearing the pearls. When I see a lady wearing pearls, it brings back the memory of Mother wearing her pearls escorted by the officer and gentleman of her heart, Daddy.

Teenagers should NEVER accompany you when you shop for groceries. Your bill will increase by $30₊ and the stuff will be items you’d never dream of buying. I can stave off my hunger while shopping with rationalization of: “It’ll make you fat; you don’t need it; look at how much it costs; do you really want people see you eating now?” None of that is logical with a teenager, especially if it’s a boy.

We’d just finished lunch 30 minutes before entering the store, so I thought I was safe. Half-way down the produce aisle I heard, “Mom look at this watermelon. It sounds good. You just HAVE to buy it.” So into the cart it went. I seldom buy watermelon, especially a whole one. I have no where to store it until I’m ready to eat it or serve it to the family. I mentioned this to the “scarf-hound”, who replied, “Oh Mom, I’ll eat half of it when we get home.” Of this I was certain would happen. I knew I was safe in the onions, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, so I hung out there as long as I could. “Mom, come look at this sale on popped pop corn. You can get a 3 pound bag for $1.50 and it’s usually $3.25. Let’s get it.” Before I could object, into the cart it went. All I could think of was the 3 movies it will take to empty the bag and the residual pieces on the carpet, couch, and airborne. I had to pass the deli department to get to the eggs, which is why I really went to this store to begin with. The eggs were less than a dollar a dozen; good buy because we go through a dozen in less than a week. Imagine that, and I know you’re wondering why. Drawing my attention to the salads, he mentioned/cried/announced that his favorite potato salad was “ON SALE”. Three pounds of it went into the cart with a promise of eating some of it for supper. He had, also, ordered a slice of “HUNGRY MAN’S” pizza when I wasn’t looking or listening. He carried that.  As I watched the cart explode and the bank account implode, I got him to go look for some obscure product like fried elephant ears while I inched toward the check-out lane. He bought the hunt and I scooted into the lane. I was pretty happy I was surrounded by other people because when he appeared with a very perplexed look and frustration on his face of not being able to find the item, I knew he’d not dare argue that we needed/he wanted more of what he liked than of what was needed. I ran the card through the scanner and was relieved it didn’t blast out an announcement of “Over drawn; sale not valid.”  The next time I go to the grocery store, he’s staying home to dust the house with a Q-Tip and run the vacuum cleaner twice.

My friend was typing a message to me and sent it before she was finished.  She messaged me with, “I hate it when I hit the shift key before I’m finished.”  I responded with, “Shift happens, Dianna, shift happens.”

Remember the look your mother gave you when words wouldn’t suffice?  Well, "that look" is based on faith and experience, as well as discipline of caring.  My mother gave me "that look" and a raised left eyebrow was with it at times, usually when I questioned her.  Then there is "that look" coupled with squinty eyes, clenched teeth with tight lips pursed, and a slight turn of the head.  Oh gosh, that one you didn't question, but tried to find solace/refuge/safety in your room, under the covers pretending to be asleep or sick.  Funny how history repeats itself.  My children got the same looks I received when I was growing up.  Hmmmm, maybe it's in the gene pool or something like that.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: I just ate a box of Girl Scout's THIN MINTS. They didn't make me thin. Girl Scouts now lie AND sell cookies!!! YEESH!  My friend, Carole, told me she’d tried it, too, and all she got was fresh breath.

I was told, “When one door closes another always opens.”  Well, that may be true, but the hallways are a real pain in the patoot.

Brenduhh came over with some big envelopes.  I asked her what they were for as we sat down for a cup of coffee.  She told me, “Watch.  I’m going to send a voice mail to some people,” and with that, she talked into the envelopes, sealed them, addressed them, and put a stamp on them.  I had to step away from the table.  After she licked and stamped the envelopes, she lamented to me about losing weight.  “I just can’t seem to lose weight; in fact, Trudy, I’m gaining,” Brenduhh cried to me.  “I’ve been taking these watching weight diet pills and they aren’t working,” she continued.  “How many do you take a day?” I asked.  “Well, they really taste good, so I usually eat about 10,” she said.  “Gods, Brenduhh!!  I never heard of one taking 10 diet pills a day.  Where did you get them?”  “I found them at the grocery store.  Here are some I brought with me,” she said handing them to me.  Sure enough there was an emblem which read “W & W” until I turned them around.  “Brenduhh, these are NOT diet pills.  You’ve been reading them upside down,” I told her sweetly.

The “one of a kind”, “God broke the mold”, “Ain’t nobody like them” people have their own set of rules to live by. Seems those rules are pretty much tried and true and based on “what’s right it right, what’s wrong is wrong”. I like those people…..they’re real, dependable, and honest.  I was raised with a lot of people like that.  They and their ways gave me stability, taught me what is really important in this world and the guide lines to live by, and took me down a notch or two when I needed it all the while letting me know I was still loved.  They weren’t just relatives, some were neighbors, some lived simple lives and worked hard, and some stepped into my life for a little while then left.  I believe everyone has a purpose when they come into your life.  They all teach you something, and they all are on a time schedule.  Some are there briefly, some stay a while, and others are there until they draw their last breaths.  I’ve seen it happen and experienced all the time frames.  I just hope that I leave and will have left a positive imprint on someone’s life.

Peace with blessings of smiles and Merry Christmas with happy holidays to you……….always Trudy

November's FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                             2017 November FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

I was raised in Decatur, GA; watched some of Stone Mountain get carved; stood before various Generals’ statues trying to imagine what they had to do; had to say "Yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am"; loved, and still do, sweet tea (is there any other kind?), and knew what "Well, bless her/his heart" meant (it's a gracious way of saying "That silly fool.")  "Y'all" was for one person, "all y'all" was for more.  I still say those things which make some folks wonder what I'm saying since I now live in the North.  Catfish, hush puppies, greens with real ham hocks, and macaroni and cheese is my favorite supper; macaroni and cheese baked in the oven, stewed tomatoes, and green beans with onions and ham hocks cooked in them is my second favorite.  Ladies usually wore pearls and looked nice when they left their house, and clean underwear was a must, just in case you’d get in an accident and have to go to the hospital.  Men held doors for ladies, said, “Thank you, ma’am”, and smiled a lot at you---I don’t know why, but it could be a signal they know something you don’t.  All of that is culture at its finest, in my opinion.  I’m a bit partial to the old South and its ways.

Since I began this month’s column with experiences and memories of living in the South, I’d like to tell you some of the phrases I remember and some new ones I’ve heard.  Most are self-explanatory, but I will give explanations.  “He/She’s like a fly in buttermilk.”  “Lord, Honey” or “Laws, Miss Agnes”---an expression of surprise, emphasis, or just welcoming a dialogue (it will come before the sentence(s), after all of them (like an exclamation mark), or somewhere in the middle (more emphasis).  “Well, shut my mouth” and sometimes you wished the person would or somebody would.  “I’m growing old here and Christmas is a-comin’!” usually said when the time frame of action is longer than wanted.  “Still waters run deep”.  “Oh she’ll/he’ll be a blessin’ party in hell” usually meant the person will be going there and will see some people they know.  “Well, aren’t you just precious” usually said sarcastically in response to someone being offensive.  “Boy, he’s/she’s cuttin’ rusty today” refers to dealing with a very difficult person.  “I need some switchel” refers to a drink made with apple cider vinegar, honey, and water which some farmers drink when they come in from reaping hay/grass/weeds/grains; it cuts the dust and dryness in their throat.  “Give me some sugar” usually said when wanting a kiss.  “Poke her and see if she’s done with that hissy fit” refers to a gal who’s gotten extremely angry and needs to be reminded the world doesn’t revolve around her.  One usually pokes raw bread dough to see if it’s finished rising and can be baked.  The best one I heard recently was, “Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit.”  I’ll holler at all y’all later.

Each of us has had daunting moments of unhappiness/feeling all alone/feeling unloved or unwanted.  Sometimes those moments are extended to time frames we’d like to get away from.  An animal shelter is about the best place to be when you have or have had those times.  There is unconditional love and acceptance there.  In fact, you can just sit and do nothing and a warm body will come and reassure you with a nudge, snuggle, wet nose, or paw on your arm or leg that life will be better, even if it's just for that moment.  Nothing is expected of you, but plenty is given to you.  Peace my friend, a peace you weren’t expecting.

Have you ever noticed, one can do a day’s Ninja workout in 10 seconds by walking into a spider’s web?  All the arm movements, kicks, lunges and bends are completed.

I find tongue twisters to be lingual calisthenics.  Here is one for you:  AN INTUIT INUIT INDICATED INGENUITY.

Just think, if we charged our cell phones by running on a treadmill, we’d be about the healthiest country in North America.  Mother introduced me to geometry.  I had to stand in a corner after sticking my tongue out at her.  Then, Daddy came home and told me about pie being square, but to not believe it because a total circumference of 360 degrees is the true shape of pie.

The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. ---Love will do this.  Wm. James & tjr

I am a retired teacher.  I was the lead substitute in a certain high school, taught English in the summer there, and supervised Saturday morning detention (a.k.a. Breakfast Club), too.  I liked substituting; I got to know more students that way.  I can't say I like retirement, but age and some school administrators think one should retire so a new person, who is less expensive, can be there instead.  Now I teach via the computer to some of the very ones I had in various classrooms.  They see me on Facebook and talk to me about their lives, troubles, children, and want advice.  They tell me, "Life is really tough, Mz. R."  I tell them, "I was tough on you."  They tell me, "Yeah you were, but you cared…you loved us."  I smile and sometimes my eyes are moist, too.

Everyone who walks through your life leaves an imprint.  The ones you loved and the listeners leave the deepest.  Thank you for your imprint on my life.

Purple is known as a “royal” color because back when people relied on natural dyes, purple came from sea snails and was the hardest to extract. With that, only royals could afford it.

Too many parents make life hard for their children by trying, too zealously, to make it easy for them. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, poet, dramatist, novelist, and philosopher (28 Aug 1749-1832)  Put the grain of sand in their clamshell life and encourage them to make a pearl out of themselves.

While driving recently I saw a Budweiser truck.  The sign on it said, “My other ride is a Clydesdale.”  Loved it!!

I subscribe to a blog: Blog Name: Sean of the South Blog URL: http://seandietrich.com.  This man writes from his heart about everyday things.  I haven’t read a single one which didn’t give me something to think about.  This particular entry was about a girl who wanted a chance, and a lady who was a complete stranger did just that.  The title of the blog is CADDILAC WOMAN.  It reminded me of something which happened to me.  I’m not “fluffing my feathers”---just sharing with you.  Here is what I wrote:     

“There’s a lump in my throat. This is a happening familiar to me. He is covered in tattoos; rougher than rough looking; a don’t-fool-with-me look on his face all the time; has spent some time on the back side of jail bars for something “stupid” he’d done as a youth; has a “family” of fellas who will come to his assistance, if he needs them, or yours if you tell him; and is a minister at the mission where down-trodden men seek refuge. He shared all this with me as we sat and talked about when he was my student. He laughed telling me how he remembers I wouldn’t let him in my classroom if he had anger bottled up. He laughed when he said, “Sometimes, if you remember, I had to stand in the hall for 10 minutes before you’d let me in because you told me, ‘For 45 minutes you will not carry that anger with you.’ ” Yes, I remembered. He was starting his own business of landscaping and mowing grass. I didn’t need his services, but his statement of, “If I could just have a chance, I can make this business work.” That was the key, “have a chance”, for him to take care of my 2+ acres of yard. That was 4 years ago. He told me I am like a second mother to him; I told him he’s like a son to me. He often says, ‘Thanks, Mz. R (that’s what he calls me), for giving me a chance.”

A friend of mine told of her conversation with her husband.  “Me- I may be an overprotective B!tch of a mother, but I'm not a helicopter mom, am I?”  John- “Umm, no. You're more of a carousel mom...every full revolution ya go off!”  Real talk here- This is why our marriage works.

We’ve gone a bit without a “Connor-ism”.  He’s come up with a special way to tell time.  His mother said, “‘Ner, what time is it?”  Connor (Ner): “Eleventy thirty seven.”  Makes sense to me.

Brenduhh ordered some coffee at a coffee shop.  Here’s her order, “I want ½ Half & Half and ½ half of whole milk and ½ of vanilla caramel creamer.”  She told me the clerk walked away muttering something.

PEACE to you…………Trudy

2017 October "FROM MY PERSPECTIVE"

                                        2017 October FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

I met Brenduhh’s brother, Duhhlan.  He’s a lot like her, looks a lot like her, and OMG he even thinks like her.  I asked him what he liked to do best.  He told me, “I like to go fishin’ with my buddy, Charlie.  We was a-fishin’ on Big Quarry Lake and dock a spell back.  Lordy, we caught so many fish the bucket was about to run over with them.  It was gettin’ dark so we had to go.  Charlie told me to remember where we were so we could go out the next day.  We returned the boat and headed home.  He asked me if I’d remembered the spot where we were.  I told him, “Yeppers, I sure did.  I put an X in the bottom of the boat with the duct tape we had while you were rowin’ it to the dock.”  “He told me, ‘Good, buddy.  I hope we get the same boat tomorrow.’”  My eyeballs could not go far enough up and roll in my head.  I turned around so he couldn’t see my expression.

What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give. -P.D. James, novelist (3 Aug 1920-2014)

A friend of mine was pretty upset with someone.  She told me, “I didn’t mince words with them.  I just told them, ‘I'm not saying I hate you, I'm just saying that you're literally the Monday of my life!’”  This was the best “tell-you-off” I’ve heard for a long time.  Thanks, Becca, for the laughs.

A friend of my daughter’s was confused about my adult son’s age for his birthday.  She and he celebrate a birthday on the same day.  He turned 43 and she turned 45.  I was telling her my daughter, her friend, would be 46 in September.  She said, “I’m 45 today.  I just thought your son was 40.  My math memory has been gone for a long time.”  I replied, “We're here to help!! Math was sort of a good subject for me....that is the simple, basic math. Forget the Algebra, Geometry, Trig, and Calculus. Mixing letters and numbers is from the Devil, and I'm a Godly girl.”

“Silence isn’t empty, it’s full of answers.”  (unknown)  Yes, it is. It can be the most formidable, or thought provoking, or uneasy feeling producing, or dangerous response.  It can be deafening.

I have a daily devotional, thought encouraging book I read.  It was given to me by a blessing….a dear friend.  The passage I read one day was, “A Number-Ten Friend”.  It talked about being a friend and gave a list of 12 actions to drive friends away and 12 actions to keep friends and make more.  The 12 positive actions are:  “Believe the best.; Respect and set boundaries.; Express humor to release joy.; Applaud successes.; Maintain good manners.; Draw a generous friendship circle.; Give without expectations.; Praise genuinely, but don’t gush.; Support her frailty, but don’t indulge.; Protect private information.; Pray fervently.; Love Jesus passionately.”  (Patsy Clairmont)  At the beginning of the reading was a Bible verse to think about…”A friend loves at all times.”  Proverbs 17:17  I believe a friend is a gift of love you give yourself.

Instead of cursing the fall down the steps or a TAFL (trip and floor landing), be grateful you’re still alive.  I’ve had a tumble and hit the floor a few times.  It was then I thought of all the things I could do while down there and the memories of what I’d done (by choice) on the floor when I was a kid…..jacks, put a puzzle together, played with pets, cut out material for something, read a book or comic book, or just lay there and dreamed about the future.  I don’t get on the floor anymore----unless it is by accident.  The adventures aren’t what they used to be when I was a kid.

I saw this sign and truly believe it.  “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy cows.  Cows make milk and cream, and milk and cream make ice cream, and ice cream makes you happy.”  So, y’all, money can buy happiness.  Here are other things which money can buy which will make you happy:  cars, houses, jewels, furs, chocolate, coffee, and a swimming pool with a cover over it so you don’t get burned.

A piece written by a columnist I read often, told of a child who had written to him about being afraid of the first day of school.  He was going into kindergarten.  The kind columnist replied telling of his experiences of being “a ‘fraidy cat” on his first day of school and other “firsts” fears he’d experienced.  The composition and reply got me to thinking.  We all have fears, ‘fraidy cat moments.  Then, later in hours, days, or years we look back and smile or laugh.  Sometimes another tells us, “You were so brave.  Where did you get the courage?”  My Daddy told me, “Courage is when only you know you’re a scared, ‘fraidy cat.”

 Cap'n Crunch's full name is Horatio Magellan Crunch and the number of stripes on his uniform indicate a rank of Commander, not Captain.

I live with grief every day of my life….about my parents’ passing (’97 and ’01) and my husband’s whom I refer to as “my Beloved” (’11).  All three enjoyed lemon pie. I didn’t care that much for lemon pie; cherry had always been my favorite. On their birthdays I eat a piece of lemon pie to celebrate their living. Each of their deaths threw a bitter lemon into my life. As the saying goes, “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade”---in my case, it’s lemon pie.

Without someone believing in us, we won’t be as good as we can be; we won’t have the strong drive and hope of becoming better or the best. Sometimes that someone believing in you is yourself.   I have met many people in my life… people from all walks of life, from all economic levels, and from all educational levels. Each one has given me another jewel in my crown of life. Each one has given me riches which I can’t hold in my hand, but held in the best place……my heart and memory. You give this to others when you interact with others in a positive way. You are a treasure, a precious jewel in others’ crowns of life.

I know people who are suffering from various maladies/diseases which are hidden.  I ache for them and keep them in my prayers.  My Daddy had COPD and had to have a handicapped tag on his rear view mirror to park in a handicapped place.  A man accused him of not being handicapped.  Daddy, the gentleman he was, told the man to call his doctor to verify his right to park where he did.  He gave the man his doctor’s phone number and walked into the store.  To some people, if they can't see the malady, it isn't important or really exists. Stupidity can't be seen, but the results of that condition can be. Just remember that.

British accents are social class signifiers evidently.  I read that  the Birmingham accent (like Ozzie Osbourne has) is perceived as the least intelligent British accent—it's ranked lower than being silent. 

"Be kind to others; you never know what demons they are fighting.  The true character of a person is measured by the way they treat another knowing there is nothing in it for them.  Do not judge another until you have walked a mile in their shoes."  These are all platitudes which, in essence, represent a statement from the Bible, "Treat others the way you'd like to be treated."  My sweet and wise mother used to tell me, "In thought, word, and deed it is your conscience you will feed."  I find myself telling that to my children, too.

“Don’t be impressed by money, followers, degrees, and titles.  Be impressed by kindness, integrity, humility, and generosity.”  The first four come from money or influencing another.  The last four come from the heart and soul.

I taught English. I refused to teach diagramming sentences because it is not necessary to know in life after high school or at any time, for that matter. I have yet to balance my checkbook, cook a nutritious meal, do laundry, clean the house, transport kids to and from activities, take care of physical and emotional wounds, or help with their homework........UNTIL one brought home diagramming sentences. I wrote the teacher a note in French asking her where diagramming sentences was necessary to learn to live. She wrote back she didn't understand the language I'd written. I returned the note telling her it was more important to know French than to know how to diagram a sentence, and that I was a high school English teacher and had been the captain of the debate team in high school and college.  No rebuttal; I guess she learned it was futile to argue.

A Little Levity With Reasoning

Chief Dan George’s wisdom is one of my favorite accounts on which to rely when dealing with other adults and children.  He passed away in 1981. 

Trudy

REASONING 

Chief Dan George from the Salish Tribe of British Columbia said, “If the very old will remember, the very young will listen.” Isn’t it amazing how the young can teach the old, though?  With all the experience I have had teaching young people, they still continue to amaze me.  Here are some examples.  Each of them has happened.

            Get your child the color of dog they want.  Otherwise, they’ll paint the one you got for them that color.

            “Filling the gas tank” does NOT mean putting rocks and sticks in it.

             Do not take for granted your son will walk AROUND the mud puddle, when there is no time to spare for a change, on the way to a wedding.

            Hide ALL permanent markers from a 5 year old just learning to write their name.  They’ll lay claim to everything they see by proudly writing their name on it, including the freshly painted kitchen door.

             Do not take your exuberant child shopping right after they have been given 2 Twinkies and 8 ounces of red Kool-aid by the “helpful” neighbor.

             Make sure you are exact when telling your son to feed the dog the food for him (dog) which is in the refrigerator.  You’ll lose the intended left-overs for supper to the delighted dog.

             Make sure there is no SILLY STRING hidden by your children in the van when going on a long trip using only the interstate; that also goes for whoopee cushions and balloons.

            Do not get an 80 pound greyhound and let your 60 pound son walk the dog in the country.

            Do not assume the children will NOT misbehave when you are attending a meeting on “Discipline Without Spanking.”

            Please know that a boy’s size 4 feet WILL fit into Grandpa’s size 14 shoes.  The boy says so, and Grandpa believes him.

            Make sure your child has dark drapes and blinds at their bedroom window in the spring and summer months.  Otherwise, at the first sign of daylight, they will announce, “It’s morning time!!!!”

              Do not throw away unusable hand-held hair dryers where an adventurous 15 year old boy, wearing his uncle’s state police uniform to see if it fits, yet, can find it.  They will go to the end of the drive-way, point it at cars causing them to learn all sorts of profane words and creating havoc with the drivers.

              Make sure you have a supply of dish WASHER liquid detergent when you ask your teen son to load and turn on the dishwasher.  Dish WASHING liquid is NOT the same thing and it will take 2 hours to relieve the dishwasher of the suds.  Lay towels down in front of the machine or there will be a whole new definition to the song SLIP SLIDING AWAY.

            According to a young lad, he has “314 brain cells and every one of them are working.”  Hmmm, I know some adults with more, and they can’t say that.

I realize some of you are passed the small children stage, but grandchildren and great-grandchildren do this, too.  It is their job.  We are not safe by a long shot!

2017 September FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                              2017 September FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

During July there was a warning, which turned out to be false, to not “friend” someone on FACEBOOK.  That started all sorts of references innuendoes.  Here are some I read:  “Do not accept a “friend’s request from Lizzie Borden; she’ll cut you into 40 pieces, and when she sees what she’s done, she’ll cut 41”; “Do not accept a ‘friend’s’ request from John Jacob Jingle Heimer Schmidt, his name will be your name, too”; Do not accept a ‘friend’s’ request from Hormel foods, it could be spam”; “Do not accept a ‘friend’s’ request from General Mills, he’s a cereal killer”; “Do not accept a friends’ request from Merriam Webster; they’re a logophile.”  I started thinking about some others.  Here they are:  Do not accept a friend’s request from Gary Larson; he’ll take you to the far side; Do not accept a friend’s request from Nock Knock: they don’t know who’s there; Do not accept a friend’s request from Mr. Folger; he’ll put you in hot water; Do not accept a friend’s request from Janus; he’s two-faced; Do not accept a friend’s request from Bozo; he just clowns around; Do not accept a friend’s request from Boris Yeltsin; he’s always rushin’.

While having a delightful conversation with my daughter, Della, we were enjoying some coffee.  I like strong coffee, but didn’t realize how strong I’d made it until she exclaimed, “Gods Mom, you could have given me a slice of coffee instead of a cup of it.”

When I was growing up, Mother would have bridge club at our house a lot during the summer when grade school was not in session.  The ladies, I use that term lightly due to some who were snooty, would have conversations among themselves when Mother would go to the kitchen to get the refreshments.   I overheard a conversation about unattractive children; one woman mentioned me.  I guess she was careful about saying words, so she spelled some of them.  “I have watched Trudy for a while.  You know, she’s not very p-r-e-t-t-y.  I hope her face changes when she gets older.”  Mother always taught me to respect my elders, so instead of saying anything snappy, I remarked, “I may not be p-r-e-t-t-y, but I am very s-m-a-r-t!!”  There was a profound quiet in the living room.

Tomorrow is never promised; today is now; yesterday is gone and the only thing you can do with it is learn from it.  Have you ever wondered why the rear view mirror is much smaller than the windshield?  Past should be left in past, otherwise it can destroy your future.  Live your life for what tomorrow has to offer, not for what yesterday has taken away.

#5 child was in a snit one morning. It was my fault she stayed up late; it was my fault she overslept; it was my fault she didn't have time to eat all her breakfast because she HAD to watch a cartoon, and it was time for her to go to work; it was my fault her hair was "wonky"; it was my fault her work shirt was wrinkled because SHE had not hung it up; it was my fault about everything that went wrong.  Then the piece de resistance, “It is YOUR fault the wind is blowing and messed up my hair!!”  Wow! I didn't think I was that important or powerful.

I have an acquaintance in the sea cargo business.  He sent me a picture of a very large aquatic mobile platform stacked with cargo ships moving across the sea to a port.  He asked me, “Do you know what this is?”  I, of course, told him I didn’t.  He said, “It’s a ship-shipping ship, shipping shipping ships.”  I was so glad it wasn’t a fertilizer ship.

 An "ultracrepidarian" is somebody who gives opinions on subjects they know nothing about.  YEESH, as a retired teacher I dealt with this term just about on a daily basis.  It came in the form of some administrators, some parents, and some students…..not in that order.

Kissing is healthier than shaking hands.  Well, that may be so unless you’re a “butt kisser”.

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”   “The quote refers to how complicated life becomes when people start lying. It originally referred to a love triangle in the play “Marmion” by Sir Walter Scott. The quote is often used to talk about the complex destructive effect that lying tends to have on life. When people start lying, they have to remember all the details of the lie rather than their true memory in order to keep the lie going when others ask about it. The quote also refers to the fact that lying often has unforeseen consequences.”   (Reference on-line)  I have seen innocent people get emotionally hurt due to deception urged by another’s lack of respect and desire to be deceptive.  In essence, if you’re urged to be deceptive, if it doesn’t feel good/causes questioning, do not do it.  You will be better for not doing it.

THIS IS MY OPINION, so please do not make nasty remarks about it to me.  I know your remarks are YOUR opinion.  Too bad one or more of the parole board members didn't say to O.J. Simpson when he recently went before them, "I remember what you were; I have learned what you are. I vote no parole."

Years ago my Beloved was wrestling with a problem, and I wanted to help. As our conversation progressed, I could tell his sense of humor was waning. I asked him, "Which of these two things do you want me to do: 1. Offer some suggestions or 2. Keep quiet?" There was a deliberate silence and then with a twinkle in his eye, he quipped, "Honey, the first one is inevitable, and the second one is impossible."
Good memories from and of "the big fella".

I need to get in shape.  If I were killed now, my body’s outline would be a circle or a complete street painting.

Brenduhh dragged herself over for some strong coffee and cinnamon rolls.  “Trudy, sometimes I just can’t get to sleep any earlier than 1:00 a.m., and sometimes I get up in the morning around 4:45.  And, sometimes it is within 24 hours of breathing and being.  Would you call me a ‘night owl’ or an ‘early bird’?” she wearily asked me.   “I don’t think you’re either of those. Perhaps “exhausted pigeon” would be a good term,” I cooed.

There is a gambling casino on the river not far from my house.  It is called “Para-dice”.  Not too far from it on the same side is a restaurant called “The Burger Barge” which has terrific hamburgers and fried onion rings.  They advertise these two features as, “The best burgers and fried onion rings next to paradise.”  It always makes me smile.

I have a friend with whom I have lunch about once a month.  We usually go to nice restaurants where there is good food.  We both wanted a good tenderloin sandwich.  She texted me suggesting a certain bar which has delicious ones which she’s tried.  She warned me that I needed to be prepared for a scrounge atmosphere.  I told her, “O.K. I won’t shower that morning.”  She rallied with, “Then I’m not going. L”  (We banter like this, so I wasn’t offended.)  I told her, “Then I’ll have to eat alone and think of you as I sink my teeth into the loin of pork.  It will be a royal feast…..me and Sir Loin.”  She sent a grimacing face emoji.

“A prayer to be said when the world has gotten you down…..and you feel rotten….and you’re too dog-gone tired to pray….and you’re in a big hurry….and besides….you’re mad at everybody----------‘HELP’!!!”

Food for thought:  Have you ever noticed that “the whole experience” and “the Holy Spirit” sound very much alike?

I grew up in the South…Decatur, GA to be exact.  It’s a whole different language down there.  Here’s an example I said to some kids at my new school when we moved up to Philadelphia.  “My mama and daddy have 2 chilruns.  We were a-fixin’ to go to the market, but there were no buggies in the market.  I was asked to go fetch one from the round-up stall.  Do y’all hep your folks with the marketin’?  We went to check out at the front of the market when my little brother let out a wail like a bobcat caught in a trap.  Mama tried to shush him, but it didn’t happen; he was mighty mad about something.  When we got to the check out, the lady there said something to my mama.  Mama told her it was best she kept on ringing the packages.  Then she told her, ‘Bless your heart.’  The lady got real nice and such after that.  Mama told me later that ‘Bless your heart’ in Southern really means, ‘You pitiful fool’.  Mama was always a lady.”  The kids had me tell them this story again.  I guess they hadn’t listened hard enough the first time.

Peace and blessings to y’all…………Trudy

2017 August FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                                    2017 August FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

Brenduhh came over for some cold tea; it was a beastly hot day.  She wore as little as possible which would pass as legal.  She was hanging pictures in her house and kept missing the wooden boards behind the plaster leaving holes in it.  She didn't know what to do and asked me my suggestion.  I told her, "Go to the hardware store and ask for a stud finder.  This tool will help you a lot."  She thanked me and went on her merry way.  Later she returned with some perplexity.  "Trudy, I went into the hardware store and asked the 2 male assistants where I could locate some stud finders.  I don't know why they took so long answering me, smirked, sputtered in their reply, and tripped over themselves trying to walk down the aisle."  I asked her, "Did you go wearing what you have on now?"  She said she had.  I asked her if she got the stud finder tool.  She said she had, but one of the fellas asked her if she wanted him to come over to help her since she'd located a stud finder; she couldn't understand why he had asked that.   She, also, told me she’d told them, “I have a screw loose, too.”   I just rolled my eyes.

I had an opportunity to verbally annihilate someone who would have deserved every syllable I would have said to them, had I returned the verbal volley.  Instead, I chose to be totally silent with my response.  I quickly thought of how they could misquote me and accuse me of saying something threatening.  An opponent really can’t misquote a response of silence.  It really is a formidable weapon.  I shared this happening with a friend.  She jokingly said, “They did say something more offensive than that they hate to eat bacon, didn’t they?”  I told her, “Oh yes.  Bacon wasn’t even mentioned.  I did think of them in the original package, though.”

My Beloved was having difficulty getting up from his easy chair.   He had a few choice words as he struggled.  I said something he didn’t like and the “intense fellowship” was on.   When the mood cooled, I suggested we go shopping for one which is called “A Lifting Chair.”  He liked that idea and went with me.  We looked at many and finally found one which fit his 6’5”, 350 pound size.  He was very pleased.  The sales person mentioned it was electrical.  “Oh, so it’s an electric chair,” I commented and shot Beloved a look.  For some reason Beloved growled, “Wipe that smirk off your face, Tootsie.”  I couldn’t stop laughing. 

A single strand of spaghetti is called spaghetto.  I didn't know this, but then, again, who eats a single strand of spaghetti?   “Not I,” said the spaghetti slucker.

Shadow owes its birth to light. -John Gay, poet and dramatist (30 Jun 1685-1732)

Thanks to my dear friend, Melodie, for this morsel of fact…..”A “Buttload” is an actual measurement of volume - Equal to 126 gallons.”  I have seen examples of larger and smaller volumes of this.  I won’t say which category I fall into, though.

Have you ever missed someone so much you feel the missing envelops you, squeezes you so tightly that your eyes “run”?  That’s one of the dues one pays for caring and loving another.  “If you miss them, it means you were lucky; lucky enough to have had someone special in your life, someone worth missing.”

LITTLE TIDBITS:   Hypnagogia is the state in between being awake and asleep.  Many blood sucking insects with governmental affiliation are called “poly-tics”.

“Who you are is not as important as what you are.”

You know it is time to get back to the gym when...  1. You try to do a few pushups and discover that certain body parts refuse to leave the floor.  2. Your children look through your wedding album and want to know who mom's first husband was.  3. You get winded just saying the words "10 kilometer run".  4. You analyze your body honestly and decide what you should develop first is your sense of humor.  5. You step on a talking scale and it says, "Come back when you are alone".  6.  Your doctor doesn’t find it funny when he tells you you’re out of shape and you tell him, “Round is a shape.  I am round.”  6.  The staff at Ben and Jerry’s has named an ice cream after you.  7.  You go to Dairy Queen and they know your order before you give it. 

Have you ever just waved at someone you didn’t know just to wave at them?  I have because I know they’re going to spend the rest of the day trying to think how they know me.  ‘Makes me laugh every time.

I was looking in the phone book for a list of “podiatrists.”  The next specialty entry was “proctologists.”  How interesting the correlation of the placement of the two.

I saw a sign the other day.  It showed the sun shining brightly, a dog in a car and the windows were rolled up.  The sign said, “FRIENDS DON’T MAKE FRIENDS WAIT IN HOT CARS.”  I wish I’d had this sign a few summers ago when I saw a little dog locked in a car with the windows down only a crack.  It was parked in front of the library I was going to enter.  I asked the desk attendant if she knew who had a car with the license of  IMSTUPD.  She did not.  Around the stack of shelves came a woman who claimed the vehicle.  I told her it was very hot outside and her dog was clawing at the windows to get out.  She told me she’d only been in here a minute and I needed to mind my own business.  I told her our conversation had lasted more than a minute, and she was being cruel to her dog.  I let her know how quickly the interior of a vehicle can heat up in the hotter-than-Hades weather we were having.  She got all nasty with me, fool that she was.  Little did she know I had a friend on the police force who was on duty and parked 5 cars from mine.  I went out, went to them and told them about the cruelty to the animal.  When she came out, my friend was beside her car writing a ticket.  I asked my friend how much the ticket was for on that misdemeanor.  “Here in Illinois it can be from $75 to $2500 and a month to 1 year incarcerated.   The clincher is the judge she will have to talk with.  He is an animal lover, on the local board of directors of the animal shelter, and VERY opposed to leaving animals in cars on hot days.  The $75 will be the least of her worries.”  I smiled.

Brenduhh came over a bit irritated.  I asked her what the problem was.  “Well, Elma told me she didn’t think I was very smart.”  “Why would she say that to you?” I enquired.  “She asked me if I could spell Mississippi.  I asked her which one was she wanting----the river or the state.”   Sometimes biting your tongue is a good thing.

Another day she came over to play SCATTERGORIES, a game I just love to play.  I have a weekly “game day” with my friends, Dianna, Marva, and Kathy.  Kathy wasn’t able to be with us, so we invited Brenduhh.  We explained the game to her and she said she understood how to play it.  One of the categories for the 3^rd. game was “About the Bible”; the word(s) for the category had to start with “E”.  We said our answers; Marva….”Ecclesiastes”; Dianna…..”Exodus”; me……”Ephesians”; and Brenduhh……”Ruthie”.  Eyes rolled and Brenduhh was questioned, “Why did you put ‘Ruthie’ when the word or words had to begin with ‘E’?”  Brenduhh thought then said, “Well, Ruthie has an ‘E’ in it; so, why not?”  We tried to explain, but it was futile.  We moved on to game #4 with another 12 categories.

When you sweat, your brain shrinks. When you drink your brain grows.  So, if you’re called “a fathead”, there is an element of truth and this explains a lot.

I took a class on-line about how to read maps backwards; it was nothing but spam.

I have found a new word to love.  Here it is and broken down for you: Zenzizenzizenzizenzike or

zenzi * zenzi * zenzi *zenzik *e.  It means:  Square of Squares Squaredly Squared 

If a concern is too small to be turned into a prayer, it is too small to be a burden.

“When your day’s not been a bed of roses, remember who wore the thorns.”  Profound, very profound.

Smiles and blessings to you for another month.  Trudy J

July 2017 FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                                  July 2017 FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

My friend had to go to the doctor to discuss some issues she was having with her diet. I told her, "You might take me along to talk with him, too. You know I will tell him what you usually eat.” And with a twinkle in my eye I said, “Besides, you're afraid of me."  She glared at me and took her bag of M & Ms away which we were sharing. I guess she's not as afraid of me as I thought.

 800 different languages are spoken in New York City, making it the most linguistically diverse city on Earth.

My friend, Kelli, posted her dismay with her 4 boys:  “It’s not just toys they fight over.  Now they’re fighting over a stick.  Next, they’ll be arguing over who gets to breathe more air.  It’s gonna be a long summer break.”

Connor, age 6, helped her when she fell and hurt her knee due to some water on the floor.  “He wiped up the water, made me some hot chocolate, then, patted and kissed my knee.”  I remember those days of when I got a “boo-boo” from something.  There seems to be magical, profound healing power in a pat and kiss on the hurt area when it’s administered by a child.

On May 28 my daughter turned 21.  She came to me all excited saying, “Mom, I’m 21 today.  It feels so good to be 21!!”  I smiled, hugged her and wished her a happy birthday.  Then I said, “It seems like just yesterday you were 20.”

A friend of mine called and said, “My day has gone to sh**, already.”  I told her, “That particular matter improves the growth of plants and makes the flowers and fruit more abundant. So if your day has gone to "fertilizer" just think how much more fruit or flowers (or both) you're going to get. I'd prefer to say, "My day has gone to ice cream because there is always something good about ice cream.” You're welcome.

Think about this:  “And sometimes when you fall, you fly.”  Neil Gaiman.  It’s something to think about.

I was having difficulty pronouncing a word.  My friend, Marva, said with a twinkling eye, “I didn’t think you ever had trouble pronouncing any word.”   I looked at her and said, “Sometimes I do.  Would you like to hear all the ones I CAN pronounce?”  She declined.

There are 2 letters in our alphabet which do not look any different when you turn them upside down or flip them left or right upside down or right side up.  What are they??  The answer’s at the bottom of the column.

Remember when this symbol, #, meant “pound”, “number”, tic-tac-toe game? Now it means HASHTAG…whatever that is. I came across a list of internet acronyms, text message jargon, abbreviations, initialisms, cyberslang, leetspeak, SMS code, textese. HCB (Holy Cow Batman), it’s a whole different language out there. Not only are there letters and some symbols used, but there are numbers, too, which replace letters. A group of letters can replace an entire sentence.UR2G2B4G---You are too good to be forgotten. @TEOTD----At the end of the day. Bette Davis’ famous line can now be reduced to FYSBIGTBABR---“Fasten your seat belts; it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” As an English teacher who taught composition, I can only imagine what essays would look like if all these symbols, abbreviations, initials, etc. would be used. TTFN….Tah Tah For Now.

“The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.”  Margaret Chase Smith  I’ve always believed, “What’s right is right; what’s wrong is wrong.”  I’ve not been very popular at times because of this belief, either.
I saw a funny post on Facebook.  It said, “Yes, Mrs. Smith, it IS my fault and I should lose my job because YOUR child has never read a book at home and plays video games until 3 a.m. on school nights….said NO teacher EVER!!”  My reply to that was, “Oh, I don't know about that. There were a few parents I made a wedgie of their unders with my words. One I even told them their child needed to transfer to another class because they couldn't handle my expectations......their future job would probably be folding napkins. This was academic English, too. The parent told me I should give their child the letter grade they deserve. I told the parent, ‘Our alphabet only has 26 letters.’”

 A situation in which every choice you can make will be bad is called a "zugzwang."  I think I’ve had that from time to time in my life.  What a nice way to say, “It’s all going to hell.”  Just one word took care of that!!

Brenduhh came over all excited.  “Trudy, I’ve found wonderful pool exercises using one of those Styrofoam pool noodles.  You only have to do them for 15 minutes a day.  You jog in place for a bit; then, jump side to side with your feet together; next, keeping your head/chin high, squat down real low then shoot up real high.  The next one is a flutter kick moving your legs as fast as you can; then go to the deep end and ride an imaginary bicycle, and last hold on to the side of the pool and pull your knees up to your chest and shoot them out.  When you’re all through, just float around slowly moving to cool down your muscles.  Great, huh?”  After listening to her and watching her try to demonstrate all the moves on dry land, I told her, “I think by the time I finish with all that, the water will have become a tidal wave, and I’ll be slapped around like a dopey, small whale.  The waves will beat the fat off me.”

My Beloved and I were teachers at the same high school.  Many times we had the same students.  Recently I had a call from a former student of ours.  He asked me, knowing my Beloved had passed away almost 6 years ago and how much I loved him, “I don’t know how you do it Mz. R.  You keep on, and I know how much you loved Mr. R and miss him.”  I replied, “I take one moment at a time.  Some days are not as easy as others, but his memory and our wonderful time together helps ease the emptiness.  Grief robs one of so much, and I won’t be robbed of what I still have of him….his memory and influence.  I was so blessed to have him as long as I did.  The time we had together was more than some have, but it was, also, not as much as others have had.  Only you can pull yourself out of the quagmire of grief, and each person has a different time frame.”  He was silent for a moment, and then said, “You always seem to find the silver lining in the darkest places.”  I wanted to tell him it was the light reflecting off the tears in my eyes, but I just said, “Thank you.”

I’ve hyphened my last name.  I like it that way because it gives honor to my Daddy’s name and my Beloved’s name, but there are some last names upon marriage which need to be thought carefully about when contemplating hyphening.  Here are a few:  Ho – D’Dohe; Moore – Bacon;  Hunt – Kapture;  Brock – O’leigh;  Letter – Ripp;  Beenzen – Franks;  Looney – Ward;  Walkin – Woods;  Love – Lee (I like this one, though.)

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry.  You’ll hang on; you’ll let go.  You’ll praise; you’ll damn.  You’ll scream; you’ll whisper.  You’ll stay; you’ll go.  You’ll sing; you’ll hum.  You’ll ache; you’ll be at peace.  It’s called LIFE.  It’s worth all this.

My cousin passed away in June; it was a shock.  Our parents were siblings, and he was the same age as me and our other cousin, Sharon.  I knew him as “Butch” (most of the family called him that), but others called him, “Charlie”, “Chuck”, or “Sarge”.  He told me he didn’t mind all the names because he could go to the archives of his memory and remember how and where he knew the people.  I think that’s a good indicator of the people who pass through your life and how you remember them when you don’t see them for a long time.  I have just 2 names I’m usually called----Trudy or Mrs. Ripka/Mz. R.  With over 5,000 students who have passed through my life during my teaching career, the archives of my memory can be very dusty for sure.

I was told to stop trying to change things I couldn't change. Well, I'm trying. I did change the date on my flip calendar. Whoot, whoot accomplishment made.

One can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay "in kind" somewhere else in life. -Anne Morrow Lindbergh, writer (22 Jun 1906-2001)

Until next month……smiles and blessings to you, Trudy.                                                                                      The capitals I and X

2017 June FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                                   2017 June FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

The last of April, central Illinois has so much rain there was a lot of flooding along the Illinois River and some of the creeks.  Personally, I was ready to start building an ark.  Brenduhh came over all excited that week end.  “Trudy, I’m going on vacation and it will be so much fun.”  I asked her where she was going.  “Well, I thought it would be a lot of fun to go surfing.”  I asked her when she was going to California or Florida to do that.  She gushed, “Oh you silly girl.  I don’t need to go that far to surf and ride the waves.  The Illinois River is really deep now and some of the creeks are running real fast.  Those are gonna be perfect places.”  I told her it was too cold and the waters were very muddy.  “You know all your blond hair will turn brown, don’t you?” I questioned.  She thought a bit and agreed she’d have brown hair and not light blond if she went.  Sometimes it doesn’t take much to change her mind; but then again, there’s not much there to change.

I was swimming recently and accidentally splashed a lady who was next to me.  She hollered, “You splashed me; I don’t want to get wet!”  She was standing shoulder deep in the pool.  My gosh, it was Brenduhh’s mom.

All through life this question pops up---we wonder who we are, what role we really play in certain situations or other’s lives.  I’ve applied this to “Should I buy this or that”, “Should I address the issue or let it go”, and “Is it (object) to be here or there?  I definitely apply it when I’m cleaning out closets and drawers.  Life is full of questions. Sometimes there are more questions than there are answers.  It, also, seems that just when I’ve found the answer, someone throws in another question!  Ever question if you did a good job raising your child(ren) only to see/hear them quote you to their own child(ren) that which they so vehemently objected to coming from you?  When my children were growing up, I was pretty strict with them.  Daddy and Mother had been strict with me, their wild child, but, they informed me, not to the degree I was with my children.  I told them I’d had two good teachers, and I turned out pretty good.  They didn’t question my strictness anymore.

If you are an average American, in your whole life, you will spend an average of 6 months waiting at red lights.  Well, I see it’s time to get a good book and carry it with me as I drive.  No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple, or supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, either.  On a Canadian two dollar bill, the flag flying over the Parliament building is an American flag.  Our influence extends further than we know!  Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite, and nitro comes in jelly form.  LUNCH!!!!  “Stewardesses” is the longest word typed with only the left hand; “lollipop” with the quotes is the longest with your right hand.  “I” is the shortest with the right and “A” is the shortest with the left.  Some people have a lot of time on their hands, don’t they?  TIME is evenly divided between both hands.

Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water. -Christopher Morley, writer (5 May 1890-1957) Which brings me to a saying I heard a long time ago:  “Tears are the safety valve of the heart,” and “It’s all right to cry; crying lets the sad out of you.”  All of this is so true.  Studies have been done about the chemical composition of tears brought on by various situations.  They are all different in composition.

I have accepted a position with a famous crayon company.   I am a consultant now.   I was so surprised when they called and told me my resume was exactly what they were looking for.   Some of the colors, although I loved them, were delicious, but I didn't eat a single one.   I made suggestions of:   "8 in a box is about as thrilling as dried lox;"   "If you must give delicious names to the colors, have them smell that way too, provide the caloric and fat content, and provide more than one serving in a box."   Macaroni and Cheese was my favorite with a close second of Mashed Potatoes.   Of course, double chocolate cake was so tempting.   I suggested ADULT crayons: "Jose Cuervo gold; Sex on the Beach ooh lala tan; Screwdriver yellow; Manhattan with 5 cherries bronze; Dom Perignon clear like diamonds; Rum and Coke liquid browned bronze."   I asked that rutabaga, Brussels sprouts, and other disgusting veggies have no place in the box---throw them out; don't even think of it. Puce (French for flea) sounds too much like another sickening word--P U * E, so hurl that color, too."   They were most accepting of my suggestions.   I'm now waiting for a paper I submitted.   It was difficult to outline and stay in the lines as excited as I was, but I did it.   I, also, suggested a warning sign be put on the box:   KEEP OUT OF REACH OF A HUNGRY DOG.   TECHNICOLOR POOP IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM LIGHT COLORED CARPETING.   They liked that one, too.
P.S.   If you believe this position for me, I have a box of used, very-loved, made-into-missile-bullets, broken crayons for ya.   ‘Had to have some fun.

A long time ago I read a book titled A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME by Polly Adler.  Its subject was about a house of ill repute and the ones who “lived” there, their lives, and the lives of others who went to that house.  The title has stuck with me all these years.  I’ve lived in many houses and with each one I tried to make it a home.  The people, my family, are what made the building, a house, a home.  When you have those you love being together in a house, you have a home, and…..you have everything.

Written By: Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer.  "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

1.  Life isn't fair, but it's still good.  2.  When in doubt, just take the next small step.  3.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  4.  Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will.  Stay in touch.   5.  Pay off your credit cards every month.  6.  You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.  7.  Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.  8. It's OK to get angry with God;  He can take it.  9.  Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.  10.  When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.  11.  Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.  12.  It's OK to let your children see you cry.  13.  Don't compare your life to others.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.  14.  If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.  15.  Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.  16.  Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.  17.  Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.  18.  Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.  19.  It's never too late to have a happy childhood.  But the second one is up to you and no one else.  20.  When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take “No” for an answer.  21.  Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie.  Don't save it for a special occasion.  Today is special.  22.  Over prepare, and then go with the flow.  23.  Be eccentric now.  Don't wait for old age to wear purple.  24.  The most important sex organ is the brain.  25.  No one is in charge of your happiness but you.  26.  Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'  27.  Always choose life.  28.  Forgive everyone everything.  29.  What other people think of you is none of your business.  30.  Time heals almost everything.  Give time time.  31.  However good or bad a situation is, it will change.  32.  Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.  33.  Believe in miracles.  34.  God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.  35.  Don't audit life.  Show up and make the most of it now.  36.  Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.  37.  Your children get only one childhood.  38.  All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.  39.  Get outside every day.  Miracles are waiting everywhere.  40.  If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.  41.  Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.  42.  The best is yet to come.  43.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.  44.  Yield.  45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift." 

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

Have you ever thought how scary DO NOT TOUCH is in Braille?  Do fish ever get tire of swimming?  Why do cats jump and are scared of a moving leaf, but don't snarl and hiss when you go to get them off your favorite chair?  When buttermilk goes sour, how will you know?  What’s the difference between “Eggs over easy” and “Eggs over easily”?  Have you ever notice that hieroglyphics could be the original emojis? 

“When you repeat a mistake, it is not a mistake anymore:  it is a decision.”  Paulo Coelho   “Mistakes have been known to be called “experience”, IF you learned from them.”  Trudy Jean

See you in July.  Blessings and smiles to you.  Trudy