🎂 2026 March FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

March, the third month of the year.  The saying, “in like a lion, out like a lamb” applies to most places, but I live in Illinois.  Illinois has its own saying---“Maybe I’ll come in like a lion; maybe I’ll go out like a lamb.  But, I’ll change right in the middle of the day at any given time and even change seasons three times.” 

It is named for the Roman god of war, Mars, was the first month in the early Roman calendar, and marks the beginning of spring with the Vernal Equinox, bringing events like Pi Day (3/14), St. Patrick's Day, and International Women's Day, plus traditions like Daylight Saving Time March 8. It's known as the "Stormy Month" by Anglo-Saxons and features the Pisces and Aries zodiac signs, with daffodils as the birth flower and aquamarine/blood stone as birthstones.   It’s my birthday month, too.  I’ll see #81 this year.  What blessings I’ve had. 

Oh that Brenduhh!  She came over all in a fluff.  “Hi, kiddo, how are you today?” I inquired.  “Well, I had quite a time on the road, Trudy.  I had to call for roadside assistance due to a flat tire.  The fella arrived and started taking off the stuff that holds the tire on my car.  I guess I asked him too many times when he’d be finished, because he kept saying, ‘Bear with me.’  It really scared me because I kept looking around and didn’t see any bear.  I didn’t want the bear to sneak up on me and me be its lunch.  You know they can hide.”  I told her I was glad she was all right and didn’t see a bear.  I offered some tea and a cinnamon roll to calm her nerves……well, really to help me not have my eyes stick in the top of my eye sockets. 

Have you ever been so angry you just about can’t see or think straight?  I have.  It’s unsettling.  I came across a piece of wisdom.  It said, “You cannot see your reflection in boiling water; nor, can you see truth in a state of anger.” 

There are unusual words for everyday things.  Even our bodies have them.  Glabella---the space between your eyebrows.  Wamble---the growling sound your stomach makes when you’re hungry.  (Also, the sound of a mating whale when you’re in a place there is to be silence and your stomach announces, “FEED ME!!”)  Phosphenes---the spots or light patterns you see when you close your eyes and press on them (“seeing stars” is what I call it.)  Minimus---your smallest toe or finger. (When your small toe finds a piece of furniture and stops you immediately and you do the pain dance, you utter maximus words your mother didn’t teach you.) Columella nasi---the bit of flesh separating your nostrils.  Crapulence---the awful feeling after overindulging in food or drink. 

When Guy and I were teaching, we had many levels of “mental accomplishment” (that’s what we called intelligence).  One day we were walking and a convertible car drove by us going faster than the speed limit sign suggested.  A kid stood up with the wind blowing their hair all around, waved their arms, and yelled, “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Ripka!!!”  Guy looked at me and said, “There goes one of my fourth hour students.  It looks like they are refueling their brain.” 

When one of my children, who was about 6, was taking a bath one evening, I heard a lot of splashing and cheers of glee coming from her.  Cautiously I entered the bathroom---one never knows what one will find with this kid and her exuberance---and asked her what she was doing.  With as much gusto as before she happily replied, “Oh Mom, I’m just surfing.”  The bathroom looked it, too. 

I like dogs.  I was wondering what different breeds would say to changing a light bulb.  Here are some:  Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?  Border Collie: Just one. And then, I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.  Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!  Rottweiler: Make me; just make me.  HA!  Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.  Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeze let me change the light bulb! Pleeeeze, please!  German Shepherd: I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.  Cane Corso:  If it moves and doesn’t live here, it’s curtains for it.” Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb?  Now, here is what a cat would say:  "Dogs do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs. So, the real question is: How long will it be before I can expect some light, some dinner, and a massage?" ALL OF WHICH PROVES, ONCE AGAIN, THAT WHILE DOGS HAVE MASTERS, CATS HAVE STAFF. 

While driving, I see humorous alert signs from Illinois Dept. of Transportation.  Here are a few:

“Text while driving…..Oh cell no!”;  “Don’t want to meet by accident?  Don’t text while driving.”; 

  “No texting, No speeding, No ketchup.”   "Keep your eyes on the road and your head out of your apps."

Do you like tongue twisters?  I do.  TEXT TEST; SLY SALLY SLANDERED SAL SLIVER; 

QUICK QUALITY QUESTION; CHICKEN CHASERS; WAFER WAFFLES; TRUSTS TOSSED;  

PLEASE PLEAT PLAIDS. 

“Patience and Silence are two powerful energies.  Patience makes you mentally strong.  Silence makes you emotionally strong.”  Abdul Kalam   Patience trains the mind.  Silence protects the heart. 

The richest wealth is Wisdom.  The strongest weapon is Patience and sometimes silence.  The best security is Faith.  The greatest tonic is Laughter, and surprisingly, all are free. 

Do you know the difference between a New York lawyer and a new York lawyer? 

“Come on in here, chile.  I got something for ye,” Aint Daisy hollered from the kitchen.  Oh the odor coming from that room of love.  I knew she’d been baking her rolls and pies.  “Set yerself down an’ I’ll bring us out some rolls and butter.  They jess came otta the oven.”  I about drowned in my saliva!!  She came out with two plates, knives, butter, napkins, and a basket of rolls.  “Hep yerself while I go git something I got fer ye.”  I could not resist taking four of the hot rolls.  Sometimes it’s best NOT to tell me to help myself, especially when it’s something I love to eat.  She returned with a lovely wrapped box and set it in front of me.  “What have you gone and done, Aint Daisy?”  She smile, sat down across from me and encouraged me to open the box.  This here is yer birthday gift, chile.  So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!”  I gently unwrapped the box.  There was a lovely, yearly calendar.  I opened it and in the bottom of each daily square was neatly written “gift”.  365 of them, to be exact.  I smiled and said, “This is so nice.  Thank you.  I needed a calendar, too.  Why is the word “gift” written on each day, if you don’t mind me asking?”  She smoothed her apron, which told me something wise was going to be said.  “I wrote the word “gift” in each daily square so you would be reminded that each day, every day is a gift to you from the Lord.  What you do with that gift is a gift to the One who gave it to you.”  I smiled, had  tears in my eyes, and thought for a while about the truth this dear soul had said.  More wisdom from the Lady of the Holler.

***I do NOT know why there is a glitch in the format.  I'm sorry it is not consistent all through the reading.  I didn't know how to fix it!!  grrrrr

That’s all for this month.  Smiles and good thoughts are coming you way.   Always, Trudy J

 

💘2026 February FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

Omnia causa Fiunt (Latin)---“Everything happens for a reason.”  Trust that every moment is guiding you towards a wiser, stronger, and better version of yourself.  “Not all the storms come to disrupt your life; some come to clear your path.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (the song TURN, TURN, TURN uses this Bible verse(s)) states says that all events, good and bad, have a divinely appointed time and season in life.  Some things are beyond human control and, that while we can’t control the timing of events, we should accept life’s changes, and find meaning by living wisely in the present.  I’ve had many things happen where I’ve asked, “What positive could possibly come from this!?”  Later, I found out.  I don’t question as much as I did. 

Life is like a traveling city bus---there are many stops and different people are getting on and getting off.  Sometimes the destination is familiar and sometimes not.  It (life) is all about mindset.  From the moment you wake up, to the moment you rest your head at night, everything is up to you.  Your emotions, your thoughts, your perceptions, your reactions, your decisions, and your choices are all up to you.  

Some thoughts I have from time to time:  If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?  What’s another name for THESAURUS?  Who is more foolish—the fool or the fool who follows him?  Why do people who know the least know it the loudest?  If a book about failures doesn’t sell, is it a success?  If someone tells you they are a liar, are they telling the truth?  If you’re a judge, and you judge people, do you consider “judge not that ye not be judged”?  Why does colored soap and shampoo have white bubbles?  If you’re allowed to drive on the driveway, why is it not allowed to park on the parkway?  With the word QUEUE, why isn’t the letter Q be the only letter? 

COURAGE:  it’s when only you know you’re scared.  It’s you knowing the opposition is very strong, but you face it anyway.  It’s knowing and believing what is right and good while facing what is wrong and bad, and not backing down.  It’s standing on Satan’s belt buckle and spitting in his eye.  This is what Daddy told me when I was scared.  He told me of his ordeal in battle at Iwo Jima commanding a ship of “kids” who were scared to pieces.  Daddy was 26, every one of them was not even 20!  I asked him if he were scared.  He reiterated his definition of courage.  

I slowly walked up the flat-stone path to the Lady of the Holler’s little house.  My emotional burden was heavy.  I knocked on her front door.  She answered it and immediately knew I was not in the best frame of mind.  “Oh chile, I see yuv got a burden.  Come on in here and set down and tell Aint Daisy what-cher troubled about.”  She knew I’d have tears, so out came the tissue box and set down beside me.  “Oh, Aint Daisy, you always know I’ll probably have tears when I have something heavy on my heart.”  “Whall chile, h’aint no trouble airin’ yer toubles to one who’ll listen.  Anyway, tears help ye t’ see the answer bettah, and they clear the heart an’ mind.  Now tell me all ‘bout it.”  I told her some gals, who I thought were my friends, had been saying untrue things about me, and it all came back to me via a friend who’d overheard the comments.  “Whall, here’s how I see it,” she started.  “First off, a friend h’ain’t gonna resay those things t’ you a cause they know they’ll hurt ya.  They, also, know those words h’aint true.  Jess remember:  if  nobody sees ya as an enemy, yer not important an’ they know yer better ‘n they is; if some don’t talk about ya behind yer back, yer not relevant; if these folks doubt yer good intentions, it means they know they’s not as good as ya are; if someone tries t’ put ya down, yer already above ‘em---hate comes from below, not from the Good Spirit.  I know all this is a lot t’ remember, but if’n ye can remember some, it’ll hep ya.  How ‘bout some tea and a slice of the cherry pie and whipped cream ‘ats out in the kitchen coolin’?”  Of course, I didn’t turn THAT down.  It always amazes me how this sweet one, my Lady of the Holler, knows exactly what to say.  She’s a treasure for sure. 

If you’re over 50, you’ve probably uttered or thought these words:  “I don’t need to write it down.  I won’t forget it.”  Have you ever, more than once, put the things you were planning to get at the store in your memory, and as soon as you go thorough the doors and get a cart, your mind goes blank!!??  It’s the DOORWAY EFFECT.  “This is actually a phenomenon where a person’s memory declines when passing through a doorway, and is often the main culprit for people forgetting to do things when leaving a room, or walking into a room and forgetting why they’re there.  It’s thought to be due to the change in the physical environment.”  I have a flight of stairs in my house.  There have been times I’ve arrived at the bottom or top and wondered, “Why am I here?”  No, I’m not questioning my existence!  I know why I’m here, but why was I there at the top or bottom of the stairs?  It’s almost like Abbot and Costello’s WHO’S ON FIRST or the comedic orator, Henry Cho, talking about his friend who’s last name is Me. (Google that one.  It’s hilarious.)  So sweetie, you’re not losing your mind.  You’re experiencing THE DOORWAY EFFECT. 

INTUITION:  “When you don’t know how you know…but you know you know…and you know you knew…and that’s all you needed to know.”  Yep, I knew I knew after something I know I knew was mentioned. 

Brenduhh and her sister, Fonduhh, were all excited to go to Disney Land in Florida.  They packed their car and took off for a wonderful vacation of a full-week there.  How surprised I was when they returned two days later.  Brenduhh came over very unhappy.  I was surprised to see her and asked her why they were back so soon.  She said, “Well, we almost got to Disney Land in Florida.  We saw a sign on the highway which said, “DISNEY LAND LEFT”, so we thought, “Why go any farther when Disney Land has left?  So, we turned around and came home.”  I thought it futile to explain their misinterpretation of the sign; my head hurt. 

I found this about fighter jets.  It’s amazing and logical.  “Fighter jets fly faster than the bullets they shoot.  The glass is bullet proof and bird proof.  They can cost more than a small town.  A jet’s engines can suck in a human if they get too close.  A supersonic jet’s boom can shatter windows.” 

It was Monday, and my friend was listening to my lament about something going on in my life.  I finished and she lovingly said, “Just take it one day at a time.”  Criminies, what else am I going to do…skip Tuesday and maybe Wednesday? 

One of my precious ones was in the full throes of the adolescent years.  Wisdom had not come calling, yet.  I was concerned about their appearance and hygiene, and asked, “Are you going to take a shower?”  In their rationale, they replied, “Mom, why should I?  I haven’t done anything all day.”  

When my 15 year old son had been visiting relatives in another state for longer than I liked, I called him.  During our conversation, I asked him if he missed me, because I really missed him.  He answered, “Yes, I do.”  I was a bit skeptical because I know kids will say what they think parents want to hear.  So, I asked, “Really, honey.  You really miss me?”  He replied with all the wisdom and tact of a teenager, “Mom, I miss you a lot, but I haven’t had time to think about it because I’ve been so busy.” 

A chicken’s version of a popular Shakespearean tragedy is called, “Omlette”.  The actors are all birds and are paid a poultry sum. 

A hungry Greek man was infatuated with a lady who loved music.  He wanted to impress her, but wanted his song selection, to sing to her, to be original.  Sure enough, he sang, DID YOU EVER KNOW THAT YOU’RE MY GYRO?, (pronounced “year-o”) 

Hubby and I attended his 50^th high school reunion years ago.  A gal came up to him and asked if he remembered her.  He indicated he did.  She turned to me and said, “I used to be his flame.”  I smiled saying, “Yes, I know, but I’m his bonfire now!”  She didn’t have much more to say.

💙Every autistic child carries a love so pure it teaches the world how to feel deeply and love without conditions. I leave you this month with these thoughts:  

💜💜  “How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.”  Philippians 3:13-14:  Happiness is found in three things---letting go of what was; enjoying what is; having faith in what will be.                        Peace and smiles to you-----always, Trudy 

🏆 2026 January FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

Happy New Year!!!  May 2026 be a trophy year for you.  2025 went by very quickly; well, to me it did.  I guess when your age is passed 50 time goes faster.  My 365 days were filled with smiles, some frowns, some tears---which make the smiles even more enjoyable, and gratefulness.  I gained people in my life and lost some.  The memories of those lost will keep them close.  I have a friend who is struggling with grief.  We have talked about it and how I handle(d) the grief I have.  I told them, “Grief causes me to wonder where to put all the love I still have to give to those who I’ve loved and are now gone.  Grief changes everything---your think more, move a little slower, develop deeper insight, and sometimes you just don’t want to do anything including thinking.  You know you miss the person, and then, you realize you miss the relationship, which becomes, ‘I miss us.’  There is no time frame on grief.  Everyone is different.  In my opinion, grief doesn’t get smaller, you just grow around it.”

This is a comparison of an English statement and poetry of the departure of 2025. The English version: “Goodbye 2025.”  The poetic version:  “Farewell, old year of fleeting light,/Your days have folded into night./You leave behind your joy and scars/A trail of dust beneath the stars.” 

Sometimes I hear different words than those which are spoken.  I’d asked my daughter to flip and move the cushions on a certain couch.  I was busy in the kitchen when she announced, what I thought she said, “Mom, I’ve frisked and mooed the chickens.”  When she approached me, I said, “What?!?!  We don’t have any chickens, so how could you have frisked and mooed the chickens??”  She looked at me and laughed.  “No, I flipped and moved the cushions.  Mom, you are hilarious.”  We both had a good laugh of the day.  I found these misheard lyrics to some songs.  I’m not the only one who “mishears” words.   'Bad Moon Rising' by Creedence Clearwater Revival- Misheard: "There's a bathroom on the right"- Correct: "There's a bad moon on the rise" 'We Didn't Start the Fire' by Billy Joel - Misheard: "We didn't start the fire, it was always burning, said the worst attorney"- Correct: "We didn't start the fire, it was always burning, since the world's been turning"; ‘Waterfall’ by TLC—Misheard: “Don’t go Jason Waterfalls”—Correct: “Don’t go chasing waterfalls”; ‘Desperado’ by The Eagles—Misheard: “You’ve been outright offensive, for so long now”—Correct: “You’ve been out riding fences, for so long now.”

Brenduhh came over excited.  “Trudy, I have something to tell you.  The car just plain stopped right in the middle of the street.  Luckily I was in front of my car service garage.  I called to Mike that the car had stopped for no reason.  He came over and pushed it into the garage.  After he fiddled around with it, it started.  I asked him ‘What’s the problem and how do I fix it?” Mike said, ‘Just crap in the carburetor.’  I was amazed, so I asked him, ‘How often do I have to do that?’ ” I was almost speechless, so I sputtered, “Would you like some tea and cookies I just made?” 

I was a little…oh alright, a lot, upset one day.  My voice was loud and body language ominous.  One of my kids, I think it was the brave one, said, “Mom, you remind me of two dogs.”  Well, that didn’t sit real well with me in that moment, so I insisted they support their statement and with caution.  “Yes, two dogs.  You have the attitude of a Chihuahua---thinking confidently you can take on just about anything; and, the posturing of a Cane Corso---enough body mass and intimidation to warn the opponent.” 

When you can’t put your prayer into words, God hears your heart.  Tears are prayers, too. 

I was talking to someone about anagrams using SILENT and LISTEN as an example.  I told them, “Silent and Listen have the same letters, but they are changed.”  She asked me if there were other examples.  I shared this with her, “Anagrams involve rearranging letters in existing words to form new words.  There are so many and even names and sentences:  Eleven plus two—Twelve plus one.  A decimal point---I’m a dot in place.  Vacation time---I am not active.  By rearranging “Clint Eastwood,” you can spell “old west action.”  “William Shakespeare” can be rearranged to spell, “I’ll make a wise phrase.” She seemed to be listening intently because she was silent for a while.  Then, she said, “You hurt my head.” 

It was really cold and windy when I hurriedly walked up the sidewalk to Aint Daisy’s house.  She must have seen me coming because as I got to the front door, it opened with her standing there.  The aroma of freshly baked pie, cookies, and bread enveloped my nose.  “Oh Aint Daisy, it smells heavenly.  I’m sure you’ve been busy this morning because it surely smells like it.”  She smiled and told me to hurry on in the house and get warm.  “Chile, set yerself down in the kitchen.  It’s a-warmer in there ‘cause the oven’s been busy all morning.  Did ye come to visit or ye need some advice?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.  “Oh, I just came to visit.  I always enjoy talking with you, and I usually learn something new,” I said.  “Whall, that’s jess fine.  I have all these here goodies to share an’ I know ye like most o’ ‘em.  Did ye know that when ye share the good’s ‘at ye done, it’s a blessin’ to ye and another; an’ when ye share a trouble with another, it’s half a burden to ye?  So’s, ye jess he’p yerself to all ye want.  I a-got plenty.  I’ll fix us some nice, hot tea,” she said with a big smile.  ‘More wisdom from the Lady of the Holler. 

I came across a quote that said, “Maybe your path is harder, because your calling is higher.”  It made me chuckle.  With that thought, God must think I can leap a tall building with a single bound, and run faster than a speeding bullet. 

Here are some lessons I’ve mentioned to my children and students:  Life isn’t fair. Failure is part of success. Not everyone will like you. You are responsible for your actions and words. The world doesn’t wait for you. Hard work beats talent. You can’t control everything. Life will challenge you. You can’t please everyone. Happiness is not guarantee.  When it's your time to pass away, make sure you have left a good mark while you lived. I could give examples of each one, but they would be mine.  You are invited to reflect on examples of your own. 

“Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.”  Judge Frank Caprio, Providence, R.I. 

I like to dunk my French fry in sauces.  I was busy chatting with others and dipped my fry in, what I thought, was a mild sauce.  It wasn’t.  It was wasabi infused catsup!!!  It cleaned my sinuses; I was breathing in 10 dimensions; I could smell around corners; my nostrils were on all six planes of my skull, and I sneezed through the soles of my feet.  NOTHING I drank put out the inferno in my mouth.  I could not even swear!!! 

I found this German word.  It really tells it like it is.  I couldn’t find an English equivalent to it, though.  FRUHSINN (FROO-zin)  “A cheerful, optimistic mood that arrives early in the day.  It reflects starting with clarity and lightness, before worries have the chance to settle.”  I think of me when I awaken and am still in bed.  I think to myself, “Alrighty, you’re going to get up, do some domestic diva stuff, laundry, vacuum, and maybe make a casserole for supper.”  Then, I do get up, fix my coffee, sit down in my chair and review FACEBOOK, play a little game, and enjoy the warmth of our cat, Jada, who finds my lap irresistible to lie on and purr.  I look at her and think, “How can I disturb this sleeping, warming, healing darlin’ by getting up and doing all those domestic diva actions?  Well, I can’t.”  So, I sit there and usually doze until Jada decides it’s time to move. Another German word which has no English equivalent is SCHADENFREUDE (Shaden froida)  “pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune.”  I equate it to, “I told you so” said with a sly smile. 

I looked in the mirror.  I know, it’s stupid to do that, especially in the cold winter months and right after two food infused holidays.  I thought, “I wish I were as fat as I was the first time I thought I was fat.”  That fat thought was when I was in high school with a 26” waist and size 12.  I do know I’ll be that size again-----like 2 years after my last breath. 

May this new year bring you joy, more love, and lots of what you enjoy and want.  May you make “lemon pie with real whipped cream” using the “lemons” you’ll have from time to time.

***I dedicate this column to those who were a part of my life, past and present, who made their journey to Heaven in 2025.  You all made your marks, and they were good.  

Always, Trudy J