2019 December FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                    2019 December FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

We made it through Halloween and Thanksgiving, now comes the preparation for Christmas.  We all get together at my son’s beautiful, huge house to celebrate.  Every one brings food to share.  My daughter, Della, was asked by her husband to make an apple pie.  She doesn’t mind doing it, but the crust is difficult for her to make, but sometimes her arthritis doesn’t help her.  She told her hubby, “How about I just buy and nice one?”  He looked at her with an expression of fear and “ewww” all wrapped into one.

POLYPHAGIA: 1. excessive appetite or eating 2. the habit of feeding on many kinds of food.  Hmmm, it seems that this word would be most appropriate from Thanksgiving to Jan. 15.   Jan. 16 is the best time to start a new eating program.  All the holiday left-overs are probably gone by then, and you’re sick of all the home-made candy, home-made cookies, pie and eggnog.  WELL, I’d be sick of one out of the four.

A ministerial friend of mine thanked me for understanding their situation with:  “Thanks,..just having a friend who understands is worth a million dollars.  Pray for the stresses of life.  I can't talk about the issues.”  I responded with: “I understand the stresses brought on by the issues.  No one truly understands or knows where another has walked/stumbled/slid/grazed/stagnated or run.  I think I’ve been in a state of suspended animation at times with all 5 of my “blessings”.  It is very difficult as humans to understand why we are where we are, when we want to be where we hoped to have been, at the time God has us where we are.  (Whew, that was involved!  God told me the words and in the order in which you read them.)  So, we refer and stand on Jeremiah 29:11---with a little human muttering of “Oh riiiight.”  Eventually it dawns on us, like a ton of bricks falling, that the verse is absolutely correct.”

Some times I feel more confused than a bipolar, schizophrenic chameleon in a bag of SKITTLES.  The mental visual of this picture just cracks me up!

“Life is too short to wake up with regrets.  So love the people who treat you right.  Forget about the ones who don't.  Believe everything happens for a reason.  If you get a chance, take it & if it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it."    ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE!

And then Satan said, “Put the alphabet in math!” Oh good grief, yes he did. Algebra is the Devil's math. Only he would put numbers and letters together and expect you to come up with a number that makes sense.  I tried to figure out a way to pass Algebra using the letters-numbers combination.  So, as I’d seen, I assigned each letter a number.  So when the problem was 5x = 25, my teacher marked my answer wrong.  I said, “How could that be wrong? X is #24 in the alphabet.  So 5 times 24 is 120 = 25.  Subtract -120 from 25 and you get -95, so x equals       -95.”  The teacher looked at me as though I’d lost my mind.  He said, “Trudy, only you would come up with that rationale.  It is interesting; however, you are right, but you are wrong.”  Well that statement was about as confusing as ALGEBRA.  I dropped the class.

My Beloved was a very intelligent man.  He’d studied at a major university in Illinois, taken and completed all the political science classes offered before he was a junior and graduated with 3 honor societies as part of his achievement.  He taught civics (law) and geography at the high school level for 36 years.  I learned a lot from him, especially law.  I asked him one day why he’d not chosen to be an attorney.  He wisely said, “I wanted to teach.”  “Well, then, why didn’t you teach at the university level?” I inquired.  His response was, “I wanted to teach minds which had not formulated strong opinions before they found out the facts and truth.  I wanted to watch young minds grow, not just fill them with information and such.”  And, that is exactly what he did for 36 years.  He was one of the most revered teachers at the high school where he taught.

A brave person said to me one day, “Trudy, you are aging.”  After I questioned whether or not I wanted to relinquish my freedom, I countered with, “Nope, I’m not aging.  I’m ripening to perfection.”  I told Mother one day she seemed to be sweating.  She squinted her hazel eyes and said, “I do NOT sweat; I glisten.”  This I always remember when the “power surges” of middle age came----I did not sweat; I glistened.”                       

Brenduhh came over with some news.  “Trudy, there’s been an owl at my window for the past week hooting.  I've been told that owls are supposed to mean they’re warning you about something.”  Well, don’t hoot back; you might start something.  Is it a horned owl?” I asked trying not to laugh.  “I don’t know, but it might be.  Why?” she glibly asked.  “If it’s a horned owl and there every night, maybe he’s trying to tell you he’s horny.  You know the old saying, ‘Birds of a feather flock together.’  Just be careful about with whom you flock.”  You should have seen the puzzled face and heard the mental wheels turning in her head.

QUIDNUNC-----an inquisitive and gossipy person; so is YENTA, NOSY PARKER, BUTTINSKY.

I stopped by to see Aint Daisy.  She was in the front room in her rocking chair admiring her Christmas tree.  It was lit with tiny, sparkling lights, red and green ornaments, and a few candy canes hanging from the limbs.  “Oh, that’s a pretty tree, Aint Daisy,” I said.  “Thank you, honey.  I think so too.  You’ll notice how the tree has sparklin’ lights.  Those are the stars in Heaven.  The red ornaments represent the blood Jesus shed for our sins, and the green ones represent the earth.  The candy canes are symbols of a shepherd’s hook so the shepherd can reach out and help one of his flock which may have wandered.  The tree is a triangle---the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”  “I never thought of what all that represented, especially the tree.  When I see a “Christmas” tree from now on, I’ll remember what you told me,” I said in awe of all her knowledge.                  Peace and blessings to you all……….Trudy

2019 November FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                  2019 November FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

In honor of Veteran’s Day, I thought you might like to know about the flag given to the family when a veteran is laid to eternal rest.  I have 2--- my Daddy’s who served in the Navy during WWII as a captain on a ship at fought at Iwo Jima; and my Beloved’s who served in the Army.

Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers: Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?  Have you ever noticed that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day! The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life. The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.  The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.  The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.  The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.  The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.  The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.  The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.  The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.  The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.  The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.  The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their Nations motto, 'In God We Trust.'  After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. -Elie Wiesel, writer, Nobel laureate    About the silence: I have found silence to be a formidable weapon against a foe. Silence can be powerful making the opponent wonder and possibly be cautious. I think about a yapping dog and one which just watches you in silence. I am very cautious with the silent one------you aren't real sure what they are going to do.

I’ve been taught, “Out of sight, out of mind”.  I believed it until these things happened:  my 2 year old crawled into the kitchen and removed all the labels off the canned goods; my 3 year old got the tube of CLOSE UP toothpaste and smeared all over her little brother telling me, “He smells good now, Mommy!; I saw a spider in my bedroom…..it disappeared……sleep was put on hold for the night.

Recently a person who didn’t know me very well, started criticizing my way of doing something and what I’d said.  Refer the silence statement above, please.  I waited until she was finished, gave some thought, then delivered my line----------“I’d have to value what you say and you to have your words offend me.”  With that, I quietly walked away.  Formidable weapon hit it’s mark.

In the first part of October where I live, central Illinois, the temperature went from high 80s and low 90s with high humidity and the air conditioner going full-blast, to barely 60s and a light jacket worn.  It was like the temperatures were doing speed trials at Indy 500.

My son and I were at Lowe’s hardware store shopping for a chain saw.  We looked at them all as we waited for some help; none came.  After waiting for about 10 minutes, my son tried to start a few of them.  Amazingly, 3 customer assistants quickly came to help us.  Interesting.

Well, tis the season for chili.  I really enjoy making and eating this dish.  Mine is rather mild compared to others, especially my girlfriend Tessa.  She is an interesting person who also has a very unusual accent.  She, also, has a lot of trouble with spelling.  So, joining the accent and spelling challenge, you have a mystery when reading something she’s written.  I asked her for her recipe of chili which is delicious.  What a reading adventure that was.  Here it is just as she wrote it:

1 pund park; 1 pund beuff.  Bran this in some lite wait erl.  Take aut and set acside.   Putt in 10 clooves of smushed gaelic, 1 rally bigg ornyun chapped up all lattle and fri it real good.  Sturr it all the time til its all good.  Then add some selt, perppa, oraygoneo, coumadin, and chili species.  Stir this all up.  Add some maters and smush them up in the pan.  Add 1 big can a chikken breath.  Stir this all up.  Putt in 2 big cans a daak rayud beans.  Stir this all up.  Putt a lid on the pot and slow cook it oil day.  Muck some kern brad with sharp yeller cheese in it.  Pour this on the top a the chili in the pot.  Putt the lid on and wait til the brad is done.  DO NOT STIR THIS ET ALL!!!  Serve in a warm bawl with a lip on it.  Enjoy.

I hope you all can read this and get as much a chuckle out of it as I did.  It is real tasty, too. The coumadin left me reeling with laughter.  I remember when Daddy had to start taking that drug.  Being the chemist he was, coupled with his character, his sense of humor shined through.  Mother was all concerned about the correct amount he was to take.  He ran out of the pills one day; she got very concerned.  His reply to her fretting was, “Oh, Mamie, just sprinkle 1 teaspoon of DeCon on my oatmeal and that will take care of it. Make the measurement level; no heaping, that’s too much.” Mother was horrified and Daddy couldn’t stop laughing.

When my two youngest children were little, we had been teaching them about being cautious when using a public restroom when we are not able to accompany them.  We quizzed them frequently so they would be prepared should something occur.  After you read Stephen’s reply to my questions, he appears to be the most prepared.

Me: “Stephen, if you go into a restroom and there is someone else in there, what do you do?”

S:  “I go to the thing on the wall far away from them.”

Me:  “Good.  What do you do if they start talking to you?”

S:    “I tell them I don’t know them and can’t talk to them.”

Me:  “Good.  What do you do if they come close to you and try to touch you?”

S:  “I start yelling---'You are not my Dad, you are not my uncle.  Get away from me!'  Then I yell, 'FIRE!!'  When they turn their head, I kick ‘em in the nuts.”  Somehow I think he’s going to be o.k. in a public restroom.  We have taught the children to yell FIRE, because often yelling HELP doesn’t bring help.  FIRE definitely will get some action of investigation.

News flash:  Queen Elizabeth of England doesn’t like the smell of hamburgers cooking.  Well!  Right there tells me she could never be an American.

During a moment of intense fellowship (alright an argument), with Guy, my Beloved, I discovered the only thing this volley of words showed us was----we two people were present. ‘Nuf said about that.

PEACE TO YOU:  Trudy :)

2019 October FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                                 2019 October FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

I pretend, when I'm folding a bottom fitted sheet, it's a fire drill--------TUCK AND ROLL, TUCK AND ROLL.  I have to get more organized with that, though.  I saw a person stopped by the police and they were having to FOLD CORRECTLY a fitted, bottom sheet as part of the sobriety test.  I was stopped once by them.  The officer told me to recite the alphabet backwards.  So, I turned around and did it accurately.  Evidently that wasn’t what he meant.  He tapped me on the shoulder and told me to turn around.  He repeated his orders.  I said, “Alrighty then; you first.”

I bought TWO items yesterday at CVS and had enough paper to make a notepad.  I knew it annoyed the cashier because she kept rolling her eyes and sighing.  Her arm muscles were getting tired, too.

There’s a fine line between a numerator and denominator.  Even in math there are ups and downs.

When I walked into Aint Daisy’s living room, she was sitting at her desk writing a note on a beautiful card.  “I thought I’d send this to Rhoda Helen,” she mentioned.  “Aint Daisy, Rhoda Helen lives 4 doors down the street from you.  Why, you could go out on your front porch and holler at her and she’d hear you.  You’re just wasting a stamp,” I huffed.  Aint Daisy got quiet.  I saw her brown eyes sparkling, which I knew would bring a piece of wisdom for me to carry around.  “Chile, I know all that.  I learned a long time ago that something written lasts a lot longer than something spoken.  Besides, she can read this and reread it until it’s worn out, and then read it again.  Our “visit” will last as long as she wants it to until she puts it in the trash.”  I thought about the written letters my mother and daddy had sent to me.  I went home and opened the box I’d kept them in, reread each word.  Amazingly, they were both right there beside me once again.  Finishing each one, I returned the letters to the box to read, again…and again.

Brenduhh came over and flopped down on the sofa.  “I’m beyond exhausted, Trudy.”  I saw an opportunity to interject some thought.  “Oh?  Well, I think that would be “exhibit,” I teasingly said.  “What does that word have to do with me being exhausted?” she inquired.  “Well, if you look it up in the dictionary, you’ll find it is beyond exhausted,” I worded my reply.

“Grief is remorse for the things left undone.”  I’ve experienced grief in my life, as has most everyone.  However, I learned the more and deeper the grief the more and stronger the remorse of the things I’d left undone or unsaid. With that said, although the grieving of the loved ones I’ve lost returns from time to time because, I truly miss their presence, voices, odor, and touch.  A song, a sound, a smell, or a memory can trigger a smile or laugh or tear; and, sometimes all three.

“Losing someone who doesn’t appreciate or respect you is actually a gain, not a loss.”  In my life I have watched a person give, give, give to a couple of people who didn’t appreciate them, nor did they get the respect from them they should have.  When this person finally quit giving and had nothing to do with them, they told me they feel like they’ve lost their love and friendship.  I understood the feeling, but knew more of they “leeches’” motives.  I said to my friend, “You can’t miss or lose what you never had.   Drawing conclusions from watching them and listening to them, they only used you for their gain and definitely did not have respect for you and your generosity.  You have LOST nothing, but GAINED everything.”

My daughter, Della, was taking care of a friend’s little girl.  She is called “Nawna” by this child.  Della calls the little girl, “My brown-eyed girl”.  The little girl was being contrary causing Della to put her in a chair to “think about her behavior”.  The little girl objected saying, “But Nawna, I’m your brown-eyed girl.”  Della turned away and about exploded in laughter.  Little girl still had to sit in the chair.

PEACE………Trudy

2019 September FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                              2019 September FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

I have a friend who both she and her husband are teachers.  They are both very intelligent and complement each other’s personalities.  Here are some quips between them:

Sean and I pull back the sheets to get into bed at midnight.
Sean: okay Kaylie, PLEASE don’t ask me a deep life-altering question right now. I have football in the morning.
... how did he know?
Me: Honey, I think we’re pretty perfect for each other.
Sean: I agree. Why do you say that?
Me: well, you’re laid back, I’m laid back...
*silence*
Me: I am, right?
*still silence*
Driving to the park and there is a tight spot against the curb.
Sean: OH NO!
Me: What?!?! What’s wrong??
Sean: YOU parallel parking!!!
Me: WHAT?!? I can totally do this.
Sean: Here we go... longest, most painful 5 minutes of my life...

I was talking to my daughter, Della, about foods and what to do with them.   I heard her say, “I’ve been training spaghetti.”  I said, “What????  You’ve been training spaghetti?!  How do you do that??”  She laughed and told me, “I said, ‘I’ve been craving spaghetti.’”  Some times I hear statement completely different than what’s been said.  I know some of you can identify.

I get stupid calls from numbers I don't recognize. Today I decided I'd answer the 4 calls from the same number. Each time I said, "I'm digging the hole as fast as I can. When are you going to be here? This body stinks!!" On the fourth call I asked who the person was. He said, "I'm the claims adjuster for your insurance company calling to give you info that the check for towing your vehicle is in the mail." I said, "Thank you. Are you still going to be coming over to help me with this smelly body?" He screamed with laughter and said, "I have NEVER had such a fun time with a client about a claims check as I've had with you. You've made my day." I'm so glad my sense of humor is that insane. 

Years ago when one of my children was young, they overheard me talking about money and how difficult it was at that time to pay for some things.  I was checking out from a store and was distracted by that child.  I handed the cashier the amount of money I was told.  She kindly said, “M’am, I will accept the $5 legal tender of money you gave me, but the $20 in MONOPOLY money can’t be accepted.”  I handed her a legal $20 bill.  When we got to the car, I asked the child how the MONOPOLY money got into my wallet.  Innocently they said, “I was trying to help you pay for the things we wanted.”  I told them I appreciated their desire to help, but it would be a good idea not to put MONOPOLY money in my wallet anymore.  I’m sure the transaction will be memorable to that cashier.

I was watching a movie at home.  It had a quasi-interesting plot, but the frequent nudity overrode the story line.  I watched the credits because the music was nice.  It got to “costume designer”.  I immediately wondered, “Where is the validation of THAT job on this movie?”

Did you know the word SWIMS is the same upside down and backwards?  I know you’ve turned your head to check it.  Which letter is silent in the word “SCENT”…the S or the C?  Do babies who are of multiple birth ever realize that only one of them was planned?  How can you clean something without making something else dirty?  Ducks can swim in water, fly in air, and walk on land. They have access to all terrains. They are the ultimate animal.  I guess that’s where the saying, “Lucky duck” comes from.  Your belly button is your former mouth (think about it).  When you carry your own water, you appreciate the effort more.  Knowledge is knowing you can carry all the groceries at once; wisdom is making multiple trips because you know you’ll have to put one armful/handful of them down to open the door.  Your voice in your head is always the same volume, nor does it need to take a breath.  Did you know that we can take a solid into our body, turn it into a liquid, which can turn into a gas and can wipe out an entire elevator in one motion?

I was talking with someone recently.  The subject wasn’t really deep or involved.  In fact, it was just a surface, superficial topic.  Well, this person took it to another level which was totally irrelevant to anything remotely associated with the topic.  I walked away shaking my head and knowing for sure they had the intelligence of a crayon and not a real bright one, either……perhaps dull grey.

From the mouth of Ner:  Ner’s mother to Connor/Ner: your hair is so soft.  Ner states so proudly:  yep! I put air conditioner in it!! 

A friend of mine posted:  "Can I order a replacement body please?  This one is constantly malfunctioning."  She has made me laugh when I didn't feel like it, given me support when I felt weak, and just was there with nothing but her glowing presence and energy when all seemed dark.  I responded to her post with:  "Well, there is a nano-amount of humor in it, but gods of Friday, why would you want your brain replaced which is where your fabulous, wonderful sense of humor runs around? Come to think of it, if your body was replaced, you wouldn't be you, and I really like you and probably wouldn't like the you you'd be if you could replace all the yous in you."  Her response was a laughing face.  Figures, since she's about the only one who totally got what I was saying.

Brenduhh came over all upset.  She told me she couldn’t get into her car because it was locked and the keys were in it.  I went out to see how I could help her.  I reached in and unlocked the door.  The top was down on her convertible and the windows weren’t rolled up.  She was amazed at my skills; I shook my head.

August 2019 FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                                 2019 August FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure much. -William Hazlitt, essayist (1778-1830)  So far, I’ve lived 74 years.  There has been a lot of joy and some times of discontent, just as there is with everyone.  I prefer to dwell on the joys, but don’t dismiss the discontent because I know it was then that I found strength, courage, and true friends…some of whom are family members.

“My grandchildren came to see me”, said Aint Daisy. “Well, they saw me, gave me a kiss, and then sat down and started sending messages on their telephones to whoever would answer.  I showed them my telephone sittin’ over there on the little table by the sofa.  They didn’t know what it was for a moment.  I guess they hadn’t seen one like that---a dial that has holes to put your finger in and pull around until the dial stops; then, you go and do it again 6 more times.  Nope, you can’t walk around and talk with someone; you have to sit right here or stand, if it’s a brief conversation.  I did get an answering machine in case I miss a call when I’m busy.  Sometimes I like being busy and not answering the phone.  I like this old phone.  Old things can be more special.”  She smiled; I smiled back agreeing and said, “It’s not just ‘THINGS’, Aint Daisy; it’s not just things.”

Connor had to take some pro-biotics due to some stomach issues.  He was reluctant, but complied with his mother’s request.  He had on a super person shirt while he was taking the probiotic.  His mother turned around to see that Connor was flexing his arm muscles.  “What are you doing, ‘Ner’,” she asked.  He replied, “I’m taking ‘Pro-bionics’, and I have super powers now.”  He was taking antibiotics, but informed his mother, “They taste like bad breath and soap.”  Hmmm, I wonder how he knows about the taste of soap.

I saw this sign on the way to an appointment:  “Texting and driving will cause a scene.  Don’t cause a scene.”

It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do. There is no fun in doing nothing when you have nothing to do. Wasting time is merely an occupation then, and a most exhausting one. Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen. -Jerome K. Jerome, humorist and playwright (2 May 1859-1927)

Caffeine addiction is a PSYCHO-logical issue.  My daughter claims she is a terrorist without her 2 cups of coffee in the morning.  She’s told me, “When I was employed and had an office at a certain company, I had given up coffee for Lent. On day #3 by 10:00 a.m., I had 2 cups of coffee on my desk, and the medical director, himself, came and gave me a large one from Starbucks.....as he had been on the receiving end of Della-With-NO-Coffee.”  I personally limit myself to one mug of coffee a day; however, that mug holds 32 ounces.  Every one is safe.

How do you manage stress; perhaps with yoga, gardening, writing, or other ways?  I find eating what I shouldn't, sarcasm, running naked through the house, and swearing help me with mine.

I once talked my way out of a ticket on the drive-only-with-passengers lane.  I was driving a company car Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office and Morgue with a passenger propped up in the backseat.

A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday. -Alexander Pope, poet (21 May 1688-1744) To admit you are wrong is not a weakness, but a strength. It shows you don't know it all like you think you do, and that you really can make a mistake. It shows humbleness in a world of arrogance.

It bothers me when people are unnecessarily mean to others.  You didn't have to make that comment.  You could have just kept your mouth shut and left that person not feeling badly about themselves.  What do you gain from making someone else feel like you are obviously feeling?  It really it's nothing of good substance.  Maybe a fleeting moment of power is your guise, but that's momentary.....so, why?  There is enough unhappiness in the world without you adding to it.  I know one person who does this. She thinks others don't know or find out what she's said, but they do; and then her credibility and relationship is squashed. When someone does this, they are showing how unhappy and insecure they really are. They are to be pitied.

I was having lunch with a friend of mine.  In her napkin wrap was the silverware consisting of a fork, spoon, and knife.  She mentioned that my fork was larger than hers.  I looked at her and told her, "Yes, it is.  You've been given a dessert fork, not a dinner fork."  Our meals were served and we began to eat.  She mentioned her fork size, again.  I told her to ask for a larger fork.  She declined.  After a few more bites of food, she mentioned her fork size, again.  I told her, again, to ask for another fork; she declined.  A bit more time went on, and then she mentioned her fork.  I told her, "You've mentioned your fork's size 3 times and that you don't like it.  I've told you to ask for another one, but you've declined.  After you mention the fork's size 2 times it becomes a complaint.  You're on the third time; so, now you're complaining."  Knitted eyebrows and pursed lips told me what was coming next.

I made whipped cream. I licked the beaters, turned off the mixer, and unplugged it; not in that order, though.

I found this and wanted to share it with you.  “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort.  It’s choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy.  It’s choosing to practice your values rather than simply professing them.”  Brene Brown

I have a pair of beautiful earrings my daughter Della made which are rectangular in shape and hang down to just above my shoulders.  I wore them to a family dinner.  My grandson, Will, is very observant, but has no filter when he speaks.  He saw them and said, “Oh Gram, your earrings look just like ravioli hanging off your ear.”  We were at our favorite Italian restaurant, too.

I'm sure most of you are aware of the DNA kits you purchase to find out about your ancestry/linage. Have you thought about what can be done with the "sample" you send to be processed? It can be put in a laboratory petri dish and used to make another you or a nefarious person. I've thought about this and have chosen to NOT indulge my curiosity about my ancestry. I'm trying to help the world to not have 2 of me walking around. I've been told, "One of you is enough."

You're welcome.

“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”  Dalai Lama

My daughter and I were talking on Facebook about going to lunch together.  I told her I'd be over to her house at a specific time.  She said she'd like to drive my car.  I have a VW red Bug which I adore.  I know how she drives at times, and that's fine when it's in HER car.  I showed a picture of Mickey Mouse biting his fingernails in anxiety.  She said, "Oh Mom, you'll be fine; I drive well."  My response was, "Oh riiight!!  It's the white knuckle express," and with that she placed a picture of a fireman hanging on for dear life on the rear end of a fast-moving fire truck.  I agreed that was exactly how I was feeling.  This was coupled with, "I'm old, remember?  I want to get older."  This became a segue to fun and riotous memories of when I owned a late '70s two-door Buick Skyhawk with manual shifting.  My 3 teens were allowed to drive it, but they had to know how since it was manual shifting.  When my oldest daughter would drive, it was a new definition of "whip lash" as she shifted and accelerated.

“Time equals flavor.” That statement was said when a friend of mine was making some of her delicious soup and I was anxious to have a bowl of it. I've thought about it and totally agree when it comes to making soup. But, then it dawned on me it can apply to life, too. All one's been through, all their trials, tribulations, smiles, frowns, and rejoices make you the person you are today. All those experiences happened over time, lots of time. My grand-dog, Mabel, greets me every time I see her with a lick on my hand. Then she gently puts my hand in her mouth. My grandson said, “Gram, she likes your flavor!” At 74, time has made me flavorful.

Peace and smiles, Trudy J

2019 July FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                                   2019 July FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

The day had been very long and arduous when I stopped by Aint Daisy’s for some chat and cool sweet tea.  I noticed she’d been busy baking bread, some cookies, a couple of meat loaves, and a few pies.  “Aint Daisy, where in the world do you get your energy to bake all those foods in your kitchen?  I have trouble just getting out of bed.  In fact, I don’t seem to have time to make it, either.”  She started to hum.  Well, I knew what that meant…..a bit of wisdom was going to be said.  “Well, I start off my mornings with a ‘Thank you’ to the Lord for the days before and the one that’s here.  I take care of the bathroom needs and then make my bed.  I believe makin’ one’s bed first thing in the morning when you get out of it is important.  It sets the discipline for the day.  Oh, there are times I don’t want to make it, but I do.  It’s a task that can lead to other tasks which you just might enjoy and another enjoy the fruits of your efforts, too,” she said while cutting me a piece of the delicious pie and scooping up a huge dollop of home made whipped cream.   “So, ya see, chile, that slice of cherry pie you’re eatin’ resulted in makin’ my bed this morning.  I’m not sayin’ that if I’d not made my bed, I’d not have made the pie, but it surely was a delicious start.  So, make your bed every mornin’; you never know what else you will do.”  I haven’t missed many days.

“Who is more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?” Obi Wan Kenobe

I started doing intensive exercises.  All was fine the rest of the day.  I had energy, felt good about my accomplishment, and, unusually, was looking forward to the next day’s session.  I awakened early and rolled over to sit up straight and leave my bed.  “PAIN!”, from a giant megaphone, was announced all over my body.  Slithering out of bed helped, but then I tried to stand up.  GODS of Friday, giving birth to 3 children wasn’t as painful…..even my fat hurt.  It was at that point I decided that at 74 years of inactive age, I did NOT need a svelte body.  Yes, I was and still am out of shape, but hey, round is a shape.

We can’t always choose what happens to us, but we can choose how it shapes us.  The things which scare us can make us stronger and more empathetic for others.

When Guy and I got married in 1987, he was quite the talk of the school where he worked.  Since he was 47, a bachelor all his life, and I was a fiery, black-haired vixen of 42, the wonders flew.  Guy, the mellow, gentle, giant of a man that he was, always had a smile on his face.  Some of the bolder males of the faculty mentioned they’d never seen him so happy and smiling.  I took it as a compliment, but then some statements with sexual overtones where mentioned.  So, I decided to hush them up right there.  One fella mentioned the bed, alluding to the activity he assumed was occurring.  I told him, “The smiles at school only mask the frowns at home, as well as, the worry of the wallet.”  They looked puzzled.  I told them, “Guy gets all irritated because I buy sheets about every week.”  Well, you can imagine their looks and piqued interest.  One brave soul, who didn’t realize I’d just set him up for the kill, asked, “Why is it that you have to buy sheets about every week, Trudy?”  I quipped, “Oh, you know how spurs tear up things, especially sheets.”  I left singing “I HAVE SPURS THAT JINGLE, JANGLE, JINGLE, AS I GO RIDING MERRILY ALONG.”

“Did you know it is easier to love someone than to like them; and, did you know that there is nowhere in the Bible which tells you to like another; it does tell you to love them, though?” stated the wise Aint Daisy.   “I remember a friend of mine who had some children.  There was one who caused her to go to her knees more than once.  They didn’t, and still do I think, practice the good things their mama taught them.  They caused that mother a lot of grief by the choices they made and the rebellion they showed.  I asked her one day how she could still love that child.  She told me she loved them, that came naturally to her, but likin’ ‘em was another story.  In fact, it was down right very difficult.  You see, chile, a mother’s love knows no boundaries, but likin’ you has its limits.” 

“Nothing in life will call upon us to be more courageous than facing the fact that it ends.  But, on the other side of heartbreak is wisdom.”  On the other side of adding and winning love to our life is the subtracting and losing what we physically loved.  To lose what we loved is the dues we pay for caring and loving.  But, have we really lost what we loved?  Aren’t the memories and moments we had with them the rewards----the wins?

I was talking to one of my children about how much I love them.  I quoted a  French saying:  "Je t’aime plus qu'hier moins que demain" and told them, "It means--- I love you more than yesterday, less than tomorrow--- and this will always be how I feel about you.  Sometimes I think, 'How could I love this person more than I do right now?' And then, tomorrow comes and I know."

My Daddy was a chemist for DuPont then moved on to chemical sales for a large corporation.  He retired after working a lot for both corporations.  He seemed happy, but was a little bored.  He told Mother, “I think I’m going to start practicing my chemical knowledge again.”  Mother was glad because she believed, “A good mind is not a good thing to waste.”  After a week of experimenting with fermented hops, potatoes, grapes, and grains, he announced the experimenting worked and he would continue it.  Mother couldn’t see where he’d done any experimenting, the basement had no scientific supplies in it and neither did the garage.  She asked, “How can you say you’ve done experiments with hops, grains, grapes, and potatoes when I haven’t seen you do a thing with them?”  Daddy smiled and said, “I have found that when hops, grains, grapes, and potatoes are fermented, turning them into beer, whiskey, wine, and vodka and I consume the liquids, I produce urine.”  Mother told him something in German; I didn’t know what it was.

Have you ever smelled the air after a rain when it’s been dry for a while?  I have, and it is such a pleasant odor.  There’s a name for that odor.  It’s PETRICHOR……The pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a dry spell

My mother had a stack of yardsticks on top of the bulletin board in the kitchen.  Those were her “weapons of mass destruction” on my butt.   One time she swung a bit too hard and the yardstick broke.  I laughed when it did.  She said it had a crack in it.  I told her, “Yes, mine.”

I was looking at a 1955 World Book encyclopedia.  I told Guy, my husband, I was reading about Australia.  He told me to look in the central part of the country to find Ayres Rock, a monolithic mass of rock which takes a day to walk around.  I looked with the magnifying glass and couldn’t find it.  He told me he was surprised it wasn’t there.  I told him, “Well, maybe it wasn’t established when this was printed in 1955.”  You heard him, didn’t you?  “It’s been there for thousands of years, Miss Smarty Pants.”  He took the book and looked with the magnifying glass.  “Hmm, you’re right; it’s not there.”  Imagine my smile, y’all.

Remember that grammar adage: “I before E except after C”?  Well, here’s some help on that:  “I before E unless you leisurely deceive either overweight heirs to forfeit their sovereign conceits in the heir’s neighborhood.”

“There are some people who could hear you speak a thousand words and still not understand you.  And, there are others who will understand you without you even speaking a word.”  I’ve encountered both and understand.

I got a new phone recently.  Holy cow, Batgirl!!!  The company, which made my phone, made it so complicated for this English, grammar and composition teacher to know how to use, I’ve said words Mother never taught me.  I’m beginning to think I need to return to school to get a degree in “How to operate a cell phone which does everything but start the coffee pot”.  My old phone was so simple:  “RING”----I flipped it open and answered the call; I made a call; but it took awhile to text a message, which I didn’t care because I got “Yes” and “No” typed pretty quickly.  Sometimes “new and improved” is not so terrific.

It looks like this month’s newsletter/column is over.  I’ve thought about this:  “There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking. -Theodore Rubin, psychiatrist and writer (1923-2019)                 Smiles and blessings-----------Trudy

2019 June FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                     2019 June FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

I’ve had another person ask me for my help.  I helped them, but noticed the request was for the same thing very often.  I, also, noticed, there were cigarettes, beer, visits to a local bar to play games and other things which were not contributing to helping themselves financially.  At the next request, I stated, “It is when you carry your own water that you appreciate and value of every drop.”  I didn’t explain it…..just let them think about it.  The requests for my help dwindled.  I guess their bucket got filled.

Sometimes I have former English students write to me and try to trip me up on sentence structure.  One particular student who always tried so hard and made me laugh more than one time, sent me this:  “"Well to be perfectly honest, in my humble opinion, of course without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point of view, but also by looking into this matter in a different perspective and without being condemning of one's valid opinion, I honestly believed that I completely forgot what I was going to say.”  My reply to them was, “Gods!!! How about you diagram that run-on, multi-compound-complex, prepositionally phrased sentence?”  They put an emoji of a face laughing very hard with this message, “I always loved you, Mz. R.  You made English fun and still do.”  “Wow,” I humbly thought.

I have a friend whose last name is Plannt.  Her name is Flower.  Her brother’s name is Tree.  They have a sibling those two call “Dandelion”.  I asked about why that name.  I was told, “Well, he seems to be just about everywhere, and you can’t make him go away because he’s always coming back.  He’s such a pest like a weed.”

KIDS!!!  They can rant and rave at you not leaving time or space for you to interject a word.  The kid decided I was too controlling of her and started in on me spewing forth in run-on sentences, at auctioneer speed and volume. My English educator mind zoned out as I stood there wondering what was coming next.

My friend, Cathy, has a 6 year old granddaughter named Sophia.  Cathy’s son was teasing his daughter and told her, “You know Granny loves me more.”  Sophia squinted her eyes and loudly disagreed saying, “No she doesn’t.  I am her first ‘Sunshine’.  She tells me all the time and sings YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE to me.”

I’ve tried exercising only to feel bound and gagged by clothing.  So, when no one was here with me, I took off all my clothes and exercised naked.  Well, that went well until the music stopped, but not all my body parts stopped at the same time!!

CONNOR-ISM time:  Conner was wanting some Doritos, but could not reach them.  He went to his mother and said, “Mom, Dad put the Doritos on the top of the tippy top shelf, and I can’t reach them.”  Conner is 7 years old.  His older brother Alex, age 17, went into the bathroom after two other brothers had been in there.  He quickly left saying to his mother, “I don’t know what those two last ate, but the bathroom smells like burned McDonald’s.”  Conner’s mother asked if anyone was going to say grace before they ate.  Conner volunteered, put his hands together, bowed his head, and reverently said, “Grace.”

I saw this sign the other day:  “In life it is important to know when to stop arguing with people, and simply let them be wrong.”  It reminded me of when my youngest son and my Beloved were out and about and a man in another vehicle cut them off, then had to stop in front of them within 8 seconds after passing.  Stephen said to his dad, “What are you going to do about that?”  Guy thought for a moment and said, “Nothing.”  Stephen said, “Oh, you’re just going to let them stay stupid, huh?”  Guy’s reply, “Yep, because (Stephen chimed in with him, saying in unison) you can’t fix stupid.”  They laughed.

I went to the store to get a few things.  When I checked out, I saw I had 3 bags full.  Gods, I felt like a nursery rhyme.

The power to command frequently causes failure to think. -Barbara Tuchman, author and historian 1912-1989)


My doctor put me on a different blood pressure medication.  It seems the one I had been taking made my heart beat more slowly than he wanted it; it was between 55-60 beats a minute.  I think I was auditioning for THE WALKING DEAD at that rate.  Well, I was at the pharmacy to pick up another medication and asked, “I’m taking a blood pressure medication which starts with the letter “C”, but can’t remember the name of it.”  The pharmacist knew me, looked up my list and said the name.  I agreed that was the one.  He asked me if it was working better.  I told him, “Yes it seems to be.  I’m not making up new dance steps as I walk or when I get up from sitting.”  He looked at me trying to register or visualize (you pick) what I was really saying.  I saw his look and told him, “I get a little embarrassed saying it made me somewhat dizzy because some people think I’m a nut anyway.”  From the back of the counter I heard uncontrollable laughing and then, “That’s for sure.”  Carol, the pharm technician, peeked around the corner.  The pharmacist then felt he could laugh.  I told him, “I’m trying to get my blood pressure down by losing weight.  Wouldn’t you know that causes the wrinkles to show in my face.  Staying plump keeps them hidden.  Now, I’ll be a wrinkley corpse when I die.”  Carol absolutely lost it at that one and said, “Gods, Trudy, only you would say that!”  

I’m not always available to answer my house phone.  So, on my answering machine it says, "If you need to talk with her majesty, call her cell phone." I don't put my cell number on there because I figure if you know me well-enough to call my cell, you'll know the number. There are too many nut cases out there, and I don't want to deal with them. It's bad enough I get those stupid calls from numbers I don't know. Sometimes I want a bit entertainment, so I answer with one of the following: "FBI fraud division", "county morgue, you stab ‘em, we slab ‘em", "sheriff's department", or a very loud, "WHAT!!?? I'm digging the hole now. Is the body ready?"  It's a circus out there, and I try to send in the monkeys.

“Not much will stop a determined heart.” Tjr

I was invited to a wedding of a very well-liked person.  I think every relative she had was there.  The reception was a very emotional affair; even the wedding cake was in tiers.

My friend told me, “I’m keeping my bathroom scales in the corner because that’s where that little liar belongs until she apologizes.”  I told her, “Oh, I know. My mind says, ‘I'm just a branch on a tree size’; my scale says, ‘Yep, one you could hang extra heavy mining equipment tires from.’”

I saw where there are actually 11 seasons.  They are:  Winter, fool’s Spring, second Winter, Spring of deception, third Winter, mud season, actual Spring, Summer, false Fall, second Summer (usually when school starts!), and actual Fall. 

My daughter, Della, makes beautiful jewelry and sells it at craft shows.  She is now not only continuing to make the jewelry, but has ventured into making picture using old jewelry.  On her first show of the year, I sent her a message about taking a picture of the pictures along with the price of each for future reference.  She sent me a message telling me she’d already thought of that the night before.  We have to cross a large river to visit each other.  I replied, “Well, since it’s 7:30 a.m., that’s how long the thought took to cross the river to get to my brain.”

My friend, Melodie, sent me an example of how difficult the English language is to some.  It read, “English is difficult.  It can be understood though through tough thorough thought.”  I replied, “That is true;  however, after the ‘though’, there needs to be a comma because there is a break leading to the next rough troughs of thought.”

She told me to have a good day.  I told her, “I’ve told myself that 20 times and parts of my body just laugh.  They say, ‘Here, hold my beer.’”

It takes 720 peanuts to make a pound of peanut butter.  I figure with all the PBJ sandwiches I’ve made, I’ve invested in a plantation. 

Smiles and blessings for another month.  Trudy :)

2019 May FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

                                          2019 May FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

Yiddish is an interesting language.  It sounds like German, but is more direct and doesn’t take forever to pronounce.  I remember the 1970s sit-com, LAVERN AND SHIRLEY (1976 - 1983).  The opening song had Yiddish in it:  schlemiel and schlimazel.  Those words piqued my interest and sent me on an adventure of finding out what they meant.  That is when I started seeing that Yiddish is interesting.  When I lived in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, I often heard Yiddish words in conversations older folks were having.  I'd make mental notes and go to a dictionary later to find them and their meanings.  Thus, to explain "schlemiel" and "schlimazel" I found this:  "No discussion of schlemiel (one who is clumsy, inept; a bungler), would be complete without mentioning schlimazel (one prone to having bad luck). In a restaurant, a schlemiel is the waiter who spills soup, and a schlimazel is the diner on whom it lands."

Other Yiddish words which are woven into American conversations of some people are found at this website:  http://www.dailywritingtips.com/the-yiddish-handbook-40-words-you-should-know/.      I think you'll recognize a lot of them and may have used some in your conversations.

Brenduhh was out in the yard planting seeds for flowers.  She’d been out for quite a while.  I noticed the oval seeds which were a bit larger at the bottom than the top.  She was placing them large-side down in the dirt and standing straight up.  I asked her why she was using that technique.  She replied, “I think they’ll grow better and taller if the seed is standing on its large end.  If I put the small side down, the flower will be little and short.”  I mentioned how hot the sun was and that maybe we needed to go in for some iced tea.

I’ve discovered some relationships have an adverse effect on a person.  They actually can cause health problems.  Thus, I’m quelling and limiting my relationship with:  pie, ice cream, cake, cheesecake, pizza, home-made bread, cookies, pasta, and anything else which is deliciously affecting my health.  I’m not one to walk away from relationships.  I’ve been told I’m a very loyal friend; however, these “friends” are not good for me, and I need to say, “CIAO”.

The 4 year old granddaughter of my friend Cathy P. has little filter on whatever comes out of her mouth.  She and Cathy were at a festive musical program featuring all the grades at the school Cathy’s other  granddaughter attends.  “Fia” was going to perform and Abby was very excited.  The kindergarten students got up to sing first.  Abby started to get up having Cathy to ask her where she was going.  “I’m going to go sing with them, Granny,” Abby announced.  Cathy told her she couldn’t sing with the other kids because she didn’t know the words, it was their performance, and Fia wasn’t with them.  Disgruntled, Abby returned to her seat next to Cathy.  Then the first graders came out with Fia among them.  Abby saw her and yelled out, “Way to go, Fia!”  Cathy quickly hushed her.  Well, that didn’t set with Abby; she got up and started to go get with the other children.  “Where are you going?” questioned Cathy.  “I’m going to sing with Fia, Granny.”  Cathy told her, “You can’t go sing with those kids.  Please sit down.”  Abby looked at her with  hands on her hips and announced, “Granny, I’m a kid.  I’m going to sing with Fia!  And with that, a very determined 4 year old joined the group causing the audience to laugh and the teacher surprised and bewildered.  Cathy said she’d never had that shade of red in her face before.

I have a friend who got pretty sick with something.  After staying home from work for a few days and not getting better, he went to the doctor.  He was feeling so badly that he thought the doctor would recommend euthanasia.  The doctor said he was the first confirmed case of Type A Influenza for the season in that doctor’s office.  My friend wanted to know where his prize was.

Donald Trump is walking out of the White House and heading toward his limo, when a possible assassin steps forward and aims a gun. A secret service agent, new on the job, shouts “Mickey Mouse!” This startles the assassin, and he is captured. Later, the secret service agent’s supervisor takes him aside and asks, “What in the hell made you shout Mickey Mouse?” Blushing, the agent replies, “I got nervous. I meant to shout “Donald duck!”

Connor, age 6, was being rather quiet---too much so according to his mom, Kelli.  She, also, smelled some pleasant odor.  “Connor, stay out of my essential oils!” she called to him.  He returned with, “I’m not in your sensual oils, Mom.”

Recently I had lunch with a dear friend.  She was telling me of a neighbor in her condo who lives right below her.  She was a bit upset because the “old, farty neighbor” (her description) smokes in his apartment and outside under her deck, which is against the complex’s rules.  She has another “old” neighbor who “rattles around on the other side” of her apartment turning the music or television volume up too loud so my friend can hear it, too.  My friend is the president of the complex association and told me the rules will be enhanced and revised.  I ask her what the ages these “old” people were.  She said, “Oh they’re in their 70s.”  I rolled my eyes; she and I are mid-70s. 

I was talking to a friend about certain foods.  She mentioned liver and onions, which I love and she isn’t crazy about that dish because she was forced to eat it often when she was a child.  I told her, “There isn't much I wasn't encouraged to eat as I grew up in a home with a mother who believed, ‘One bite is all you're REQUIRED to eat.’  It is understandable that something which was a constant in your early years which you found to be less than desirable is not on your YUMMMERS list.”  I'm that way with scrambled eggs or pot pies for supper. Those are lonely meals to me because they are what we had when Daddy was out of town or when Mother and Daddy went to conventions to entertain Daddy's customers. I will eat home-made pot pies, but BANQUET just undoes me. I will eat scrambled eggs for breakfast or lunch, but not supper.  I’m sure as you read this entry, you started thinking of those halcyon days of your youth and some of your favorite foods, and maybe some of your less desirable foods.  Sometimes the food enhances the memory, and sometimes it is the memory which enhances the food. 

It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor. -Max Eastman, journalist and poet (4 Jan 1883-1969)

Aint Daisy wasn't feeling very well, so I went over to see her bringing her a large pitcher of cool sweet tea, homemade applesauce, and sweet bread slices I'd made that morning.  She was sitting on the porch with a light blanket around her.  I greeted her, "Hi, sweetie.  Are you feeling any better?  I brought you some gentle food to eat if you feel like it."  She smiled saying, "Oh just a little better, but I'm thinking I'll be much better when I sample some of the applesauce, bread, and sweet tea you brought.  You're the first person in three days to come see how I am."  I almost cried.  This dear soul has children, relatives and friends who live close who could visit her and check on her well-being.  She saw the dismay on my face.  "Now, don't you fret any, it'll trifle with our visit.  Just remember, 'The caring of others for you is like phosphorus......only seen when things are dark.'  Can you see the stars in the daytime, chile?  No, you can't, but when the night comes they are seen in all their brilliance."

A friend of mine sent me an article she found.  It is called, “Human RFID Chips Will Not Be Optional and They Will “Change The Very Essence of What It Is To Be Human”.  I replied, “To the nope-est of NOPE.”

A former student of mine was complaining how cold it was for him in south Texas.  I told him, “You were raised in an area, central Illinois, where it can be 3 seasons in one day.  Put on a sweatshirt. The leaves of the tree adjust to their surroundings, but the roots never forget.”  Think about it.

Peace, smiles, and blessings this month…………….Trudy