2020 October FROM MY PERSPECTIVE
I’ve been thinking about some things. If you’re cleaning out a vacuum cleaner of
the debris aren’t you a vacuum cleaner cleaner, or if you’re in space doing it,
would you be considered a vacuum vacuum cleaner cleaner? What about when you light a lighter; aren’t
you then a lighter lighter? And, should
you be standing next to an elephant comparing weight differences and doing the
same thing, aren’t you really a lighter lighter lighter? What if your last name is Turner and you
develop a kitchen tool for flipping over pancakes, are you a Turner
turner? What about saying, “Hello” to a
woman’s garment-----you address a dress.
Could a man who lives a cloistered life in a monastery slicing potatoes
very thin and frying them be called a chip monk?
I taught at a school which had 3 of the 4 seasons on its
faculty---Ms. Summer, Mrs. Phal, and Miss Winter. Mr. Spring was on break, I guess.
When our dear greyhound, Tuxedo, was alive, he’d get ornery. One day he picked up some of the children’s soft toys and put them in his
crate trying to adopt them as his own. I
never thought he’d do this, though. I
have many dictionaries, all of different sizes.
This particular one was setting on a chair next to me. Tux quietly came over and picked it up with
his mouth. I called for him to drop it,
but he kept on walking. I got up and
retrieved the dictionary. Yep, one might
say I took the words right out of his mouth.
Do you know the difference between
God and a doctor? God knows he’s not a
doctor. I told this to my chiropractor
as he was adjusting my back. ‘Guess I’m
a bit brave, too, because he cracked up laughing.
I called to Aint Daisy through the screen door. She answered and told me to come on in and to
the kitchen. She was making bread. She makes the best bread in town, but it's
not an every day or week happening. Her
eyebrows were knitted together, and I could tell she was tense. “I see you're making your delicious bread,
but I, also, see you're a bit on the irritated side. What is the matter, if I may ask?” She was quiet and continued to smack and
punch the dough. “Oh, I got a bit upset
with one of my grandchildren and their behavior. Before I could correct them, they took off
down the holler.” “O.K. So, why are you being rough on the bread
dough?” I questioned. It was then she
smiled and a twinkle came to her eye.
“Oh, chile, I find it's better to be strongly physical with bread dough
than the bottom of a child. All my
frustration is put into the kneading and punching of the bread dough. I'm usually calm by the time I've finished
that stage of making bread. Besides, the
outcome is much better and tasty for others, I'd say.”
Those who wish to sing always find a song. Swedish proverb
Brenduhh came over to tell me
she’d received a note from a friend to watch a video attached; that it was
amusing and interesting. She did and all
that was there was a dog drinking water, then it flopped down beside the
bowl. “Trudy, there was no amusement
with this video. In fact, I’m wondering
who watches it and finds it amusing and interesting. It says thousands of people have watched
it. Gods!!!” I told her that people who did were probably
bored and found very simple things amusing. You watched it, didn’t you?” I
asked. “Well, yes, but I was told to,”
she spouted. “And, I have seen you watch
paint dry, clap your hands, and smile, Brenduhh,” was my poignant response.
It’s a known fact that most of us have had to deal with a know-it-all. I came across this helpful information and will share it. Here is the insight by Madisyn Taylor: People (who)are know-it-alls are simply stuck in a pattern and may actually have feelings of low self worth Most of us have encountered a person in our lives who can accurately be referred to as a know-it-all. This person seems to know everything about anything that gets brought up and tends to dominate the conversation. They don't take well to being questioned, and they have a hard time ever admitting that they were wrong. Being around a know-it-all is inevitably tiring because there is no shared energy between the two of you. Rather, you become an audience member to this person's need to be the center of attention. Attention and respect are probably the two things this person most longs for, and at some point in their lives, they learned that knowing it all was the way to get those needs met. Over time, they have become stuck in this pattern, regardless of the fact that it is no longer working. They may feel afraid of the experience of listening, being receptive, or learning something new, because it's so unfamiliar. On the one hand, when we see the childlike need underneath the know-it-all's mask of confidence, we feel compassion for the person, and we may tolerate their one-sided approach to conversation out of a desire not to hurt their feelings. On the other hand, we may be feeling drained and tempted to avoid this person altogether. In the middle of these two possible ways of feeling, we may actually like this person and wish for a closer relationship. If we come from a place of kindness, we might attempt to bridge the gap that this person's habitual way of relating creates. Simply expressing a desire to be closer may open their heart, and give you a chance to ask for what you need in the relationship--a chance to contribute.
I had someone ask me, "Have you ever thought: 'I’m fat. I’m old. I’m not enough. I was young once.'?" My response was, "Nope. I think, I'm fluffy and more to love; I'm seasoned and enriched; I'm not enough for some and too much for others; I was young once as were others who have been blessed with age; I don't have grey hair, I have silver because I'm expensive."
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.
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)
Did you know the subject of proctologist is above podiatrist in the phone book? How interesting the placement of the two. Sometimes I’ve wondered how the T-rex or a dugong ever showed enthusiasm, joy, or appreciation to something or played along to the song, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”. What hand does a mother octopus spank its young with? Why can you have red body wash, but the bubbles are white? What’s a synonym for synonym? If Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson got together for a chat, the audience would get buzzed on the air they exhaled. When applying for a job at Hooters, are you given a bra and they say, “Here, fill this out.”?
On Sundays, one of the radio stations in Peoria, IL plays an oldies music program hosted by Casey Kasem, a music historian and disc jockey who passed away in 2014. I always listen to it. With many songs, the memories flood my mind bringing a smile, or tear, or both at the same time. Music helps one to remember and relive so much.
“Only God can turn a MESS into a message, a TEST into a testimony, a TRIal into triumph, a VICTum into victory. God is GOOD all the time.” Thank you, Melodie, for posting this a while back.
Until next month, may you have peace, if even for a moment, and a smile with good thoughts. Trudy
