🏫 2023 August FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

AUGUST is 2/3 of the way through the year.  My how the months fly by when you’re older.  Life’s been good, interesting, and a challenge at times, but I’ve learned a lot and appreciate the “weather” of the years.  I hope you’ve had good “weather” with some challenging “weather” throughout your life.  Without the contrast, it would be dull and void of experiences which turn into wisdom if you learn from them.

Soon school will start for some of you and for the children of some of you.  As a retired teacher of many levels of education, except for college, I can identify with what I’m going to share with you below.

ELEMENTARY:  Okay, we’ve got some extra wiggles to work out before we can begin our lesson.  MIDDLE SCHOOL:  As a reminder, the weather is getting warmer.  Let’s all remember our deodorant.  HIGH SCHOOL:  For the love of Pete, put some clothes on!!!  This is a classroom not a beach party!!

The high school one reminds me of a moment when one of my girl students asked me if I wanted to see her new tattoo and piercing.  I had my back turned and answered, “Alright.”  When I turned around, she had pulled her jeans down passed her navel and showed me the tattoo and pierced area around her navel.  I was a bit surprised she’d do that and told her, “Oh my, Brittany, that’s too much information for this old teacher.”  She laughed and went to her seat.  I, mentally, tried to block out the whole scene.

A friend of mine has sent me some published statements made by the VP of the United States.  They really don’t make much sense, if you read and think about what she’s said.  On one particular one is---“IT IS TIME FOR US TO DO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING, AND THAT TIME IS EVERY DAY.”  I responded with, “We have been doing what we’ve been doing when we have been doing what we’ve been doing.”  I heard from him about my statement; he put 8 laughing faces icons as his reply.

Ahhh!!!  I sat down to a delicious cup of courage-induced liquid this morning to deal with another day.  There’s nothing like 16 oz. of freshly brewed, hot, dark brown, wake-up-girl, ground caffeinated beans.  I thought as I looked at the cup, “This morning’s liquid courage from Brazil is brought to me by Whitesnake’s ‘HERE WE GO AGAIN’ with Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘HELLO DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND’ overtures.”

Brenduhh came over all in a twit.  “Trute, I was talking with someone about an issue and they started an argument with me.  I tried to explain my position, but they just would not listen.  They got mad and said, ‘Oh Brenduhh, just clear your mind!’  I just quit talking to them.  What do you think?” as she explained the issue and her perspective.  I listened and told her she had a valid point in her perspective and to just go on with her plans and thinking.  I didn’t want to tell her ALL of what I was thinking-----“If you cleared your mind, it wouldn’t take long.”

I enjoy watching and listening to BORED TEACHERS.  It’s on Facebook and has various statements and actions from administrators to teachers.  The teachers’ replies run the gamut of funny to serious.  One entry was about lesson plans being expected.  I taught for a long time and found lesson plans to be a good guide for me at times and definitely for a substitute.  Of course, some of my lesson plans in the book looked like flight patterns at a busy airport.  Here is my reply to the lesson plans statement:  “Lesson plans helped the substitute when I was gone, and, also, helped me. BUT, when I was told I had to have DETAILED plans with book name, objective, prediction of outcome, and expected results----------THAT WAS AN INSULT. One time I wrote for Book name---The only red one on my desk with the subject clearly printed on it;  Objective----Get these terrorists to listen and learn; Prediction of outcome-----survival at its fittest; Expected results------leave school unassisted by law enforcement. The principal was not amused. I guess the broom stick up their butt was uncomfortable.

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”  Albert Einstein theoretical-physicist

I stopped in to see Aint Daisy, recently.  I had been very busy helping a dear soul try to change a certain aspect of their life which caused them unhappiness and confliction.  “Hi, Aint Daisy.  I’m sorry I haven’t been over to visit this week.  I’ve been busy trying to help Sara Grace change an issue in her life which makes her unhappy.  She was trying, but another person had criticized her and her efforts so much by mentioning her past mistakes that Sara Grace was a mess.  I need a little advice from you, please.”  I told Aint Daisy about the issue and my efforts and suggestions I gave Sara Grace.  The wise one listened intently, rocked a bit, squinted her right eye, and then spoke:  “Don’t mention a person’s mistakes when they are trying to change.  That’s like throwing rocks at them while they climb a mountain, or throwing mud on them when they’re trying to get clean in a shower.”  I chose to mention that to the person who was criticizing and bringing up the past. ‘More wisdom from the Lady of the Holler.

Talking to a friend who was trying to lose weight, I jokingly mentioned rice cakes and what can be done with them.  She scowled and said, “Your joke is tasteless!”

I received a package from AMAZON.  I looked at the address label to make sure it was for me.  This is because I’ve played the game called “Guess what’s in the package and check the address label because I can’t remember what I ordered or when.”  I hope I’m not the only one playing this game.  Gods!!!!

I went to Wal-mart the other day.  To my surprise there was a sign over the self-check out which said, “EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.”

When Walmart started selling their brand of wine, there was a contest to name the various kinds.  Here are the entries:  12. Chateau Traileur Parc 11. White Trashfindel 10. Big Red Gulp 9. Grape Expectations    

8. Domaine Wal-Mart "Merde du Pays" 7. NASCARbernet 6. Chef Boyardeaux 5. Peanut Noir 4. Chateau Des Moines 3. I Can't Believe It's Not Vinegar!  2. World Championship Riesling And the number 1 name for Wal-Mart Wine: 1. Nasti Spumante

I saw a sign from Illinois Dept. of Transportation the other day.  It said, “Use your turn signals---the original instant messaging.”  If only people would obey the signs and use their turn signals, it would help so much with the swearing I have to do.

I was listening to a gal sing at a certain church.  I knew her and knew she found and uttered notes which weren’t written.  I’ve studied music and, when I was young, worked with a semi-professional opera singer.  So, the unwritten notes performed were a little difficult to listen to.  A friend of mine was with me and knew my background.  After the performance, my friend asked, “So what did you think?”  Being as diplomatic as I could, I responded with, “It brought tears to my ears.  I’ll probably not forget the performance, but I’ll try.”

“When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”  Euripides

I think of this when one of my children has been hurt physically or emotionally.  A mother aches right along with her child no matter how close or far they are from her.  And that “mama bear” protective mode, well, it does not wane-----at least for me it doesn’t.

Brenduhh came over and told me she was going to pay $250 to get all the toxins out of her colon with a cleansing.  I told her to save her money because Taco Bell has a deal for $5.00 or an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Tootles y’all.  Have a great month.   Always, Trudy J

🎆 2023 July FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 🎆🎆🎆 

We are more than half-way through this year!!  Soon the fireworks will be sounding letting us know of the freedom others have fought so hard to keep for us.  I won’t go on my soapbox about how I feel when someone starts complaining about this country, but I will tell you what I usually say to them if they spout off to me----“There is no one insisting you have to stay living here.”  And, to hear someone from another country complain, makes me livid.  I usually tell them how many shed blood for them to have the freedom to say what they have just said, or I tell them, “No one is keeping you from returning to the country you left.  Planes and ships leave every day.”  O.K. I’ll put away the soapbox I said I wouldn’t stand on.  God, bless America.

Brenduhh came over all in a huff.  “Trute, I go a ticket for going the wrong way on a one way street!  I wasn’t going the wrong way; I was going only one way.  The policeman in the other car was going the wrong way because the street was only wide enough for one car!!”  Sometimes trying to understand her reasoning is like trying to smell the color 9.  Then, she followed with, “Trute, do you know why 10 is afraid of 7?”  “No why is that, Brenduhh?” I queried.  “It’s because seven ate nine.”  Oh gods, she’s on a roll, y’all.  Then she told me, “Yesterday I told something to my husband.  He wasn’t happy with what I said and told me, ‘NO!!! and that’s no enzymes or buts!’  I have no idea what he was talking about.”  I told her, “I think you incorrectly heard him.  It’s ‘no ifs, ands, or buts’ meaning, his ‘NO!!” was the answer and he wasn’t going to discuss why with you.”  She still had the “What???” look on her face. 

I’ve discovered that I usually go through five mental stages of awakening in the morning---denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.  There’s really another stage, but it’s verbal.  It’s, “Ohhhh, ugggghh, ummphff, yeesh; come on joints and bones, get with it and move!!”

I found a recipe for cream of chicken soup.  It’s wonderful!!                               ¾ C. low sodium chicken broth; ¼ tsp poultry seasoning; ¼ tsp garlic powder; 1/8 tsp black pepper; ¼ tsp salt; 1/8 tsp dried parsley; pinch of paprika; ½ C milk or half & half; ¼ C all-purpose flour.  In a medium saucepan, bring the broth and seasonings to a simmer.  In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and milk until incorporated and smooth.  Slowly pour in the milk and flour mixture and whisk until it starts to thicken in about 2-3 minutes.  You could stir in shredded chicken and sautéed onions and celery, if you’d like. 

During my teaching career, I had some interesting requests from parents.  Here is one for your enjoyment:  The young man was a senior in high school.  He decided to be disrespectful to me in my class, call me a few choice names, and refuse to do what I’d instructed him to do.  His behavior was an immediate pass to the dean’s office and a referral which would garner him time with me in Saturday morning detention.  A meeting was called by the dean which consisted of him, his mother, the deans, the security officer, and me.  We discussed what he had done and said.  The mother asked me to rescind my referral.  She said it would interfere with his opportunity of joining the Marines.  She, also, informed all of us that the Marines were not as tough as my discipline, and I was being unreasonable; but, the Marines were not unreasonable at boot camp.  The security officer about fell off his chair when she said all that.  He was a retired police officer from the K-9 division and had been a sergeant in the Marines.

Three very good friends and chefs, Brock Oli, Kohl Rahbee, and Sal Add decided to open a restaurant.  It was a vegetarian one.

The phone rang and a male voice said, “Grandma, this is your oldest grandson.  I’ve been in an accident.  I’m in jail and the assistant district attorney told me I’d need $9,000 to get out.  Please help me.”  I listened as he went on in a voice imitating physical discomfort and anguish.  I knew he was not my oldest grandson and decided to play with his mind, the little he had.   I told him, “Oh that is awful.  Let me see what I can do for you.”  He told me where to send the money.  I said, “I have twin grandsons who are my oldest grandsons.  Which one are you so I can write your name on the money order?”  There was silence, a click, then a dial tone.  I guess he didn’t know who he was.

My heart was heavy as I walked in the front door of my dear friend Aint Daisy’s house.  She noticed right away.  “Chile, ye have somethin’ heavy on yer heart, ain’t that right?” she stated as I sat down on the flowered, overstuffed seat on her couch.  “Yes, I do, and I’m sorry to bring it with me on my visit to you.  I just can’t seem to get over the death of someone I cared a lot about.”  There was some silence as she rocked back and forth in her favorite rocking chair.  I knew she was thinking and going to console me.  “I read a piece by a feller named Aeschylus.  I don’t really know who he was, but he must have been smart a-cause he said, ‘Even in our sleep, pain which can not forget falls drop by drop upon the heart.’  I’ve experienced the passing of people I cared a lot about.  The pain o’ grief brings wisdom and experience.  Grief is the dues we pay for a-caring and  a-loving.  It never goes away; it jess gets tolerable little by little.  So, child, do not begrudge yer grief.  It teaches that nothin’ is permanent, not even grief.”  ‘More wisdom from the lady of the holler.  I’m so glad I have her in my life.

As I was lying in my comfy, warm bed on a dreary day, I kept telling myself it was time to get up and get busy being a Dolly Domestic diva.  The radio was on and the song I DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING (THE LAZY SONG by Bruno Mars) came on.  Gods!!!  How did they know that was my theme song at that moment?

I like to cook and have been doing it for a long time.  I’ve come across some measurements which are no necessarily in a cookbook terminology section.  They come handed down by good cooks and come with practice.  Here they are:          A dash: is roughly 1/8 teaspoon.
A pinch: based on the amount of spice you can literally "pinch" between your fingers, is around 1/16    teaspoon.
A smidgen: is approximately 1/32 teaspoon. It's often used when the recipe creator is trying to add the  tiniest note of flavor to a dish.
A skosh: just a bit or a smidgen, but not much. (That's about as clear as strong coffee, huh?)
A tad:  about as much as a skosh, but a bit more.
A slice:  wel-l-l-l, that is determined by how much you want.  A slice of my favorite pie, to me, is a lot larger  than a slice of avocado, which I don't really like.
A handful:  Oh gosh, this is immeasurable to me.  Look at your hand.  Now, look at the size of someone else's hand.  They're not really the same size, so the measurement of "a handful" is going to be different. A handful of M & Ms is a lot different than a handful of peas, isn't it?
Seasoning to taste: leaves the home cook in control of the final dish.