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
