♉♊ 2023 May FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

April showers bring May flowers, so it’s said.  May, also, brings sneezing, sniffling, coughing, watery eyes, and irritation due to pollen.  Just when I think I can open the house, along comes the pollen searching for a place to land like on my nose hairs, eye brows, clothing, head hair, furniture, and other places.  The blessings of May are the lovely flowers and warm sun.  I’ll enjoy those as I sniff, sneeze, cough, and dab my watery eyes.  Claritin is my friend for a month.

I was over at Brenduhh’s watching her make a meat loaf.  As she told me about the rest of the ingredients she puts in hers, she came to a glass bottle with dark liquid in it.  I asked her what that was.  She told me, “It’s wash yer sister sauce.”  I mentioned to her, “It’s usually pronounced---‘wus teh shire’.”  She got firm telling me, “wash yer sister sauce” was the way to say it.  I’m glad I know that ‘vas immer’ in German means ‘whatever’, and she doesn’t because I uttered the sentiment.

An author submitted a manuscript to an editor asking him, “Would you please publish the enclosed manuscript or return it without delay, as I have other irons in the fires?”  The manuscript was soon sent back from the curt editor with his terse note, “Put this with your other irons.”  This is a good example of an archaic word---OFFSCOURING, which means, “Rejected matter; that which is vile or despised”.  His reply probably took her to PUCKERATION---a state of mental agitation.

I stopped by Aint Daisy’s for a bit of chat, pie, and sweet tea.  I knocked on the door and was invited in “to set a spell”.  I saw a sweet friend of ours sitting in a chair across from Aint Daisy, they were in an involved conversation.  “Well, howdy, chile.  You jes go on in the kitchen and git yerself some pie an’ tea.  Emma Jean has come to chat a bit a-cause her heart is so heavy ‘bout her daddy’s sickness and bad memory problems.”  I responded with, “Well, if anyone can cheer up a wounded soul and give words of comfort it is you, Aint Daisy”, and I went on into the kitchen. She smiled.  After a bit, Emma Jean left.   Aint Daisy came into the kitchen and gently said, “I feel so sorry for her.  She’s jes full of troublin’ feelings about why such a kind man would have to go through all he’s a-going through.  She’s jes frazzled like an old cloth and cain’t sleep or eat much.”  “May I ask what you told her?”  I questioned.  “Whall, I told her, ‘Yer question has no acceptable answer for you. What is acceptable is those who love him ask that question, feel his discomfort, and are present even if he doesn't realize or recognize ‘em.  Sweetie, you are stronger than you think, but even oaks break under a certain amount of pressure. Willows bend with the pressure. So, try to bend, like a willow, and unload your sadness from time to time.  Nothing yer a-feeling is unnecessary or shameful.”  Wisdom from the Lady of the Holler.

As I mentioned about May is here, I forgot to mention it, to me, signals getting out my t-shirts to wear.  I have one I like a lot.  It is pink, has a crown on it, and says, “You may call me “QUEEN TRUDY; YOUR HIGHNESS IS A BIT MUCH”.  Another one is black with bold, white letters saying, “I HAVEN’T BEEN THE SAME SINCE THAT HOUSE FELL ON MY SISTER”.  I like it a lot, too.  I wore it to school one day when I was teaching.  A stuffy administrator saw it and told me he didn’t think it was appropriate.  I told him, “Some would disagree.”  I guess he was thinking about his sister.

I got to wondering where the term “t-shirt” came from.  Here is what I found:  “A T-shirt, or tee shirt, was originally worn only by men as an undershirt. Now it is defined as a short-sleeved, collarless undershirt or any outer shirt of a similar design. It got its name because it resembles the capital letter T in shape.”  That’s acceptable, but what about a long-sleeved shirt?  I don’t hear it being called “An M-shirt” because it looks like a capital M.

There were a few days in April that were not the most desirable.  It seemed I kept running in the same direction and couldn’t leave, I had no control, just about all activities were distasteful, and I was drained.  I compare those days to a colonoscopy prep drink.

Do you know what American English is called?  It is called “YANKEESE”.  You’re welcome.

Have you ever noticed some people want you to tip-toe around their feelings as they do the kicking conga on yours?  Well, I can dance, too, and the can-can is one of my favorites.

When I was younger, my mother would occasionally as me, “Have you earned your salt today?”  I didn’t know the meaning of that, but surmised it was important.  During my years of studying, I found out that salt was a precious commodity back in ancient Roman times.  The Roman soldiers were paid with an allowance which enabled them to buy salt.  The allowance was called a salarium.  Through the years, the word ‘salarium’ became ‘salary’.  So, the question my mother presented to me actually meant, “Have you earned your salary today?” or “Has your work been good enough to have a salary?”  I’m sure some of you have worked with one or more who have demonstrated their salary should be a pinch of dust, and some a wheelbarrow of salt.

A young woman was pulled over for speeding.  As the Texas State Trooper Officer walked to her car window, flipping open his ticket book, she said, “I bet you’re going to sell me a ticket to the Texas State Police Ball.”  The trooper replied, “Texas State Troopers don’t have balls.”  There was a moment of silence while she smiled, and he realized what he’d just said.  He then closed his book, got back in his patrol car and left.  She was laughing too hard to start her car. 

I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.  I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to learn to solve.  I asked for prosperity and God gave me a brain and brawn to work.  I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.  I asked for love and God gave me people to help.  I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.  I received nothing I wanted.  I received everything I needed. — Hazrat Inayat Khan

I'd had quite a battle of wills with Tara when she was 9.  I went into the living room, collapsed into my leather chair, and breathed a sigh.  Guy, my beloved, was in his chair next to mine, looked over, touched my hand and said, "Honey, you didn't lose, now did you?"  I chuckled at what he thought was important and said, "Only my mind, m'love, only my mind."  These "battles of wills" have not diminished, but there is an element of possible reasoning and conceptual thinking.  She's 26, now, but we still have some "intense fellowships" from time to time.  Sometimes I have to laugh to myself because a long time ago, I told her biological mother, my daughter, during a tense session, "I hope you have a child just like you."  Little did I know I be raising that "child just like you" and dealing with those times, again.  Be careful what you hope for.  Please know, she and her brother have been such a blessing to me.

I know a person who had a lot of heartache to deal with in a year.  She posted: “The greatest thing I can ever do is become the best out of the worst I’ve been through”, and she did just that.  I sent her a note saying, “Strength from love and love from strength has come your way”, which assured and confirmed to her she was not alone and that others who loved her were beside her in person and spirit.

Peace, blessings, and smiles ---------Trudy

🎕💧 2023 April FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

Diamonds are the stone for April.  They are made from coal which has been under pressure for more years than you are old.  They are Earth’s hardest natural substance which are formed about 100 miles under the earth and are carried to the surface by volcanic activity.  They are the only gems made of only ONE element---carbon.  They are found in ever color of the rainbow.  They are a symbol of eternal love, trust, and faith.  They do not know how precious they are.  If you have been under pressure for a long time, imagine yourself as a diamond.  You will survive, and are precious to someone.

Brenduhh came over all irritated.  I asked her what the problem was.  She said, “I don’t know about anyone else, but I think I'm done with relationships for a while. I'm tired of the games, the crap, the lies, and the disrespect. I want something that's real, always have, but what I get are guys who want to play with my heart and pull me along when they can't be honest. This generation needs to grow up!!  She had a very valid point as I have noticed how insincere a lot of the dating people are.  I tried to soothe her ruffled feathers with these words, “It is difficult to find someone who deserves you and your goodness. It's better to be alone than to be with someone who does not appreciate you. Besides, are you really alone if you are in good company with yourself?”  She looked at me.  I could tell she was thinking.  “So who do I talk to if I’m alone?” she asked.  I said, “How about yourself?”  She mentioned she didn’t want to sound silly.  I asked her if she would like more tea. 

If you’ve ever studied a foreign language, you know how challenging it can be at times, especially with the spellings of some words.  Imagine how someone whose first language was NOT English feels when they see some of our words and the spellings.  Here are some examples:  Colonel, champagne, convalesce, eerie, doorjamb, asthma, indict, knead, queue, zucchini, hiccough.  The last one brings me to the “ough” words.  Plough, dough, cough, bought, rough, through.  Six different sounds for the same four letters of OUGH.  Yeesh!!!!

Have you ever remembered what you wanted to be when you grew up?  I don’t think many wanted to be a trash collector, outhouse cleaner, liquid fertilizer distributor/applicator, paper bag maker, bean counter, or crime scene cleaner.  Some people just fell into the job they have.  I hope the outhouse cleaner didn’t.  I wanted to be a judge.  My Beloved told me it was best I didn’t become one.  He said, “Tootsie, only the Queen of Hearts could get away with saying, ‘Off with their heads!’  It wouldn’t fly in a courtroom.”

I’ve met a lot of people in my long life.  As I listened to their life stories, I discovered some of the most interesting and amazing people I’ve met had the most hurtful, soul-wrenching, and painful experiences.  They’ve taught me strength, optimism, and perseverance.  You never know whose life story will teach you something good, nor the impact of your life story to another.  People come into your life for a reason.  Some stay for a moment; some for a little while; and some for a very long time.  Each one gives you something you can benefit from in your life.

Every one of you is richer than you think.  Here is why:  You have someone who loves you, a few good friends, food on your table, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head.  And if you have a cell phone, well-----“HELLO!!”

Education will never become as expensive as stupidity.  Some laugh at stupidity.  I guess it’s mindless entertainment to them.  I see it as dangerous----to you and to others around you.

No matter how badly someone needs to be strangled, it is still illegal.

As I’ve aged, 78 now, it’s become perfectly clear why the very early hours of the morning are called “the wee hours.”

My friend’s hubby was having back pain.  He went to an acupuncture professional and found relief.  My friend asked me if I’d ever had acupuncture.  I told her, “No, I never have, but I’ve been on pins and needles at times.”

My friend, Melodie, took me to one of her favorite furniture stores which specialized in different and unusual chairs and bean bag chairs.  She told me she was going to apply for the phone answering position.  When I saw the name of the store, I told her, “You won’t last here an hour at that job.  You’d laugh yourself silly.”  The store’s name was SHACK OF SIT.

One of the duties of the U.S. president is to greet and make small talk with huge numbers of people in receiving lines. At one such gathering, President F.D. Roosevelt became bored with exchanging little pleasantries. He didn’t think anyone was paying attention to what he said anyway. To prove his point, as he took each patron’s hand, he said “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” Most people smiled and moved on. Only one man actually listened to what Roosevelt was saying—and quickly responded, “She certainly had it coming!”  I had to laugh imaging his twinkling eye and the look on the man’s face.  Daddy did stuff like this; Mother always got so embarrassed.  He’d invite people into the house by saying, “Entrails."    I thought it was a riot, and it reminded me of doing the same thing, but not using the same words.   One time I was in a receiving line for some reason and got bored with the “duty” of smiling and shaking hands with people I didn’t even know.  One woman wearing soft pink, whom I knew to be a most insincere individual, was in front of me.  I held out my hand, smiled and said between clenched teeth, “There’s a booger on your nose.”  She kept on babbling and shaking hands.  Later I overheard her tell another I’d told her she looked like a rose.  Another time, same situation, about the 25^th person stood in front of me.  It was a male.  Well, you know one of the statements men dread hearing is, “Your fly is open.”  I couldn’t resist, and said it.  Expecting to watch him express embarrassment, he fooled me and said with a twinkle, “Well, do you see anything important?”  I came back with, “Important to whom?”  I’m glad I am an English major so I could ask a grammatically correct question.

Recently I’ve had a lot of trials and tribulations.  The Bible tells us to give thanks in the good and bad.  Well, that’s been difficult to do because all that has happened reminds me of a colonoscopy prep you have to drink.  Talk about a whole different meaning to “clean as a whistle”.

All experiences teach us something which we can use. A lot of times the experiences give us tools to use when we influence another who is young. Those who learn from their trials, tribulations, and experiences turn all that into wisdom. Wisdom does not come from nothing; and nothing does not come from wisdom.

I had a friend write me a long message.  Although there were some grammatical errors and some sentences needing revision to have more clarity to what she was saying, I understood what she’d written and sent a message back telling her I did.  She messaged me that she was embarrassed because I was an English teacher and she was “just a hillbilly”.  Here was my message to her, “If your written or spoken words do not make sense to the reader or listener, then there is need for embarrassment.”

Two things to remember in life:  #1. Take care of your thoughts when you are alone; and #2. take care of your words when you are with people.

🍀 💖💖 March 2023 FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 🍀   💖💖2023 March FROM MY PERSPECTIVE  

Brenduhh came over with a very smug look on her face.  I knew just by looking at her, she was mighty proud of herself about something.  “Hi kiddo!  You look mighty proud of yourself about something.  Do you want to tell me all about it?” I asked.  “Oh Trudy, I’m so tired of my hubby slyly putting me down.  Two days ago, he gave me a roll of toilet paper.  On the wrapper it said, ‘WORD-A-DAY toilet paper’.  I asked him why he gave it to me.  He said, ‘Well, you think you know so much; so this will help you learn more when you use it.’  I didn’t say anything to him.  Today I found some toilet paper that had math problems on each sheet.  I bought it and gave it to him,” she boasted.  “What was the reason you’d do that?” I asked.  She puffed herself all up and said, “Well, now he can get more information and put it where his brain is.  He’ll truly be a smart ass,” she crowed.   Hmmm, I can tell wisdom has been chasing her, but she’s always so fast.

I found this and as an English major and teacher, it really does make sense.  Our language and phonics is difficult.  This will prove it. The Correct Way To Spell Potato: If GH can stand for P as in "hiccough," and OUGH can stand for O as in "dough," and PHTH can stand for T as in "phthisis," and EIGH can stand for A as in "neighbor," and TTE can stand for T as in "gazette," and EAU can stand for O as in "plateau"...Then the correct way to spell potato would be:                 GHOUGHPHTHEIGHTTEEAU--------POTATO

Recently a smarty pants teen criticized me for not knowing how to work Snapchat or TiKTOK.  I listened as they crowed on.  Then I presented some every day things to do.  I wrote them a long message in cursive script and asked them to read it to me; took away their calculator and devised a math problem (story problem style) for them to do; had them make change without the cash register telling them how much change to give back to me; then, asked them to tell me the exact time it was on my clock, which had numbers, a minute hand and second hand.  They struggled and got frustrated.  I mentioned to them, “These are things I learned in school and am successful at doing.  I’ll show you.”  And with that statement, showed them.  Booyahh!!

My friend called me.  She and I enjoy most of the same music, and I heard she was listening to WIPE OUT by The Surfers.  I mentioned how upbeat it was and gave me energy and at this time it was my song.  She laughed.  “Oh Trudy, right now I’m so tired that moving is a chore.  My song would be more SLOTH BOOGIE,” she groaned. 

I have a friend who has multiple back conditions:  scoliosis, retrolisthesis (a spinal alignment disorder causing some of her vertebrae to shift outwards and away from her body), and disc degeneration.  She was upset and a bit angry about all of it as she told her sweet hubby about the dilemma for the day and how she was feeling.  He gave her a gentle hug and said, “You’re pretty bent out of shape, today, sweetie.”  He doesn’t usually say things which are funny, but this gave her the laughter she needed.  Laughter can ease discomfort, both mental and physical.

One can’t be reasonable and angry at the same time.  Anger is a wind that blows out the lamp of your mind.  Stay cool and you’ll rule.  Have you ever tried to gently touch someone when you’re angry?  The gentle touch is not readily there, is it?  Below is a statement from a famous writer and true example of this and their statement:

The single clenched fist lifted and ready, or the open hand held out and waiting.  Choose, For we meet by one or the other.  Carl Sandburg  This reminds me of a situation I had to deal with concerning a very angry, aggressive teen.  I’d denied the teen of what they wanted, patience was not their choice.  So, angry words and aggressive body language ensued from them.  I stood in my place, said a few words in a soft tone.  As they approached me with clenched fists, I held out both my hands with the palms up.  I asked them to put their hands on top of mine and to wait.  They did as I asked, which surprised me because they were so angry and ready to hit.  I told them I was going to gently touch their back and give them a hug.  Surprisingly they allowed me to do as I told them I would.  I felt them relax and laying their head on my shoulder, they started to cry saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”  I told them I knew they were and accepted their apology.  My calmness transferred to them through my hands. Peace was restored.  You can NOT gently touch someone when you’re angry.

I’ve mentioned that silence can be a formidable weapon or the best answer.  It can, also, be an opinion---a pretty good one at times.

I had to post these warnings to others:  Do NOT accept any requests from Pillsbury....they owe me dough. Do NOT accept any requests from Hormel.....it might be spam. Do not accept any requests from Jack, Jim, Johnny, Jose, or Capt. Morgan......they're all drunk. Do not accept any requests from Charmin.....her thinking is in the toilet.  Don’t accept any requests from Dove…..it flew the coop.  Don’t accept any requests from Snickers, either……it will just chuckle at you.

My friend came over for some comfort both editable and emotional.  She shared with me that the relationship between her and her hubby was rocky and tumultuous.  I gave her a cinnamon roll which I’d just taken out of the oven and a cup of tea to help soothe her emotional angst.  As she nibbled on the roll and sipped the tea, she said, “I’m so fed up with him I’m about ready to call Jolene to come and take my man!”

Did you know the best time on a clock is six thirty?  Hands down it’s the best time.

Sometimes through pains of life, we learn more than we realize.  Here is an example a former student of mine said:  "What is the saddest thing we endure in life? Watching our parents die, losing a spouse or loved one, watching a child die? I feel it's not being able to love. Without love, none of the rest matters. So if you grieve loss, know that you love(d) that person deeply, you were fortunate to share their life---feel blessed for that. Without great love, there isn't great loss. I’m not trying to remind anyone of their loss, only the love that you feel/felt."

"I woke this morning wondering why I have such a problem loving people, and this is why. I have experienced great loss. I never wanted anyone to get close so I would feel that pain again. It gets cold out there in the world without love. Remember how it felt to loose that? Then, remember someone out there loves you. Don't give in, don't give up, never ever stop getting up, because someone loves you the way you used to love someone else.”  My response to his realization:  “Deep thoughts, remembered pain, easing and enlightening revelations.”  Thank you, Andy T.

You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.  Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

💗💗 2023 February FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 

          💗💗         2023 February FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

My friend and I were discussing sarcasm (she has the gift of that, too).  She asked, “Can you die from holding in sarcasm?”  I told her, “No.  It just keeps building until the right person comes along and you give ‘em both barrels of sarcasm, which they so rightfully deserved.  Now farts----that's another story. I've held in farts only to have them sneak out when in an elevator or on a crowded escalator and have no where to run. Of course, I looked at the person next to me and scowled. They had no clue, but the look on their face was priceless.”  My friend told me through gasps of extreme laughing (I guess the imagined visual was too much), “I had a high-pitched fart sneak out one time and my niece thought I was calling her.... Kiiiiiimmm.  Then another time, my sister and I we were at a mall on the upper level sitting on a wooden bench. I let one rip just as a man and his toddler were coming out of an ice cream shop. It scared the little kid so bad, he shuddered and the top scoop from his ice cream cone hit the floor. He cried like crazy. We laughed like crazy. I felt bad for him though. RAT-a-Tat-Tat......probably sounded like gun shot.”  After I got my breath, I told her, “This conversation has deteriorated terribly, but it’s been so funny.”   

I trudged up the sidewalk to the house of the Lady of the Holler.  I had a heavy heart due to a fuss with someone I loved very much.  I knocked on the door; she came to it and opened it with a smile on her face.  “Oh, Chile, I’m so glad to see ye.  Come on in and set a spell,” she cheerily said.   I entered in silence.  “Oh, oh, yer face tells me you have a bother.  Let’s talk about it, if ye want to.  Set down on the couch, I’ll get some hot water boilin’ for tea.”  She returned, sat down beside me, and patted my hand with her cool, slender, soft hand.  “All right, now, what’s a-botherin’ ye,” she gently inquired.  I told her of the fuss with someone I loved very much, including telling the person, ‘I’m so sorry’.  I told of the rejection of my apology and how I understood it, but the rejection still hurt.  There was some quiet, a deep breath, a little mumble of a prayer----I knew it was a prayer because I heard her softly say, “Amen, Lord.”  “Chile, I’m gonna tell you what I’ve had happen to me in the same sort of happenin’.  ‘I’m sorry’ coming from the heart of one to the closed “door” of another creates a hurt, too.  The knockin’ seems to go unheard, unacknowledged, and unfelt, so the hurt continues for both parties, and nothing is resolved nor improvements begun.  Silence may seem to heal the wounds, but wounds “healed” with silence are not really healed, they’re just covered over to be opened again.  Go back to the one who ye said, ‘I’m sorry’ to and try to talk about the issue which brought the hurt to ye both.  It may be a bit difficult, but ye tried to make things right, and that’s good.  I’m a-thinkin’ the other will eventually come around and forgive ye.”    There’s more wisdom from the Lady of the Holler.  Bless her soul.

“Our prayers may be awkward, our attempts may be feeble, but since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.”  Max Lucado  I saw this recently and, also, read what some had said about how they thought their prayers were terrible or inadequate and needed to improve.  So, they apologize to Him.  I mentioned, “When I think my prayer has been ambiguous, inadequate, or insufficient, I ask God to look through all my verbal fumbling and take what He believes is needed.  He never fails.  Or, I just simply say, ‘Help’, which is a prayer in itself.  Our tears are, also, prayers for when words escape us.  He knows.”

Brenduhh stopped by for a chat.  She was a bit honked because she got a ticket for going the opposite way on a street than what the arrow pointed.  “I don’t think this ticket is valid, Trudy.  The sign said, ‘ONE WAY’.  I’m a human, I can only GO one way and that’s what I was doing!!”  I offered some warm banana bread and tea to soothe her “scattered nerves”, as she calls them.  During our conversation, she mentioned she tried a new soup recipe and found it very relaxing to consume.  I love soup and asked her to share the recipe.  She said, “Well, first I had to find a bottle of fine whiskey.  I emptied that into the pot and added some ice croutons.  Then I stirred it and put it in a glass.  I drank it and found it very relaxing.”  Gods, this girl is a trip; I don’t know to where, but she’s a trip.  She, also, doesn’t have all her luggage packed.

As most of you know, I’m a retired teacher and loved teaching.  My 26 year old was a bit miffed at me after I tried to give rationale and explain why I said something.  “Oh MOM!!!  I just want to have a mom; you don’t need to be a teacher, too!!” she lamented.  I waited a small amount of time to make sure my words would sink in.  Then, I told her, “I know you do, but kiddo, you are so blessed.  You get to have both mom and teacher all wrapped up into one person------ME!”  She walked away rolling her eyes shaking her head, and grumbling.

 I had someone ask me what the difference between ignorant and stupid is.  I told them, “In my thinking, IGNORANT is when a person doesn’t know something and doesn’t understand it until it is explained or shown in simpler terms.  STUPID is when they know and understand something, but choose to not do or say it.  For example, a long time ago my boyfriend and I were going to cross a railroad track in his car.  We saw the blinking lights signaling that a train was coming, and it was close.  There were no white and black blocking arms.  We stopped where we were supposed to.  Behind us was a car with yelling, laughing teens in it.  The driver chose to go around us and drive over the tracks; they barely got over the tracks before the train was there.  THAT is an example of STUPID.  Also, stupid can not be fixed with super glue or duct tape.”

I was reading a Calvin and Hobbs cartoon recently.  Calvin asked his dad how the transportation department knows how to judge the weight limit on a bridge.  His dad tells him many different weight trucks are run over the bridge until it breaks.  Then, the last truck is weighed and that’s how they know the weight limit of the bridge.  Calvin’s mother says, “If you don’t know the answer, just tell him!!”  It reminded me of when the 5 year old daughter of a friend asked me how pickle relish was made.  I told her, “There is a line of ladies who pick up the pickles, chew them up, and spit them into a jar.”  Her mother heard me and came unglued.  “Good grief, Trudy!!!  She will believe you.”  I just smiled thinking, “She really needs to get a sense of humor if she’s going to hang out with me.”

I’ve been a parent for over 50 years.  It is HARD.  Some days I’d killed it, and some days I felt defeated.  But, on both days, I got up and did it, that parenting thing.  Sometimes I looked God in the eye and was humble, and sometimes I looked the devil in the eye and spit. I've held a crying child and later went to my room and held me as I cried. There has been laughter, tears, and pats on the back. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. A mother's job does not end until she draws her last breath and with that breath she will whisper, "I love you."

I saw a t-shirt the other day with an announcement on it.  “Here I am talking in English and you’re listening in ‘Ohh riiiiggghhhttt.’ ” I wish I’d have had that t-shirt when I taught high school or when my kids were teens.  I’d have probably worn it out.

A friend of mine posted this on a social media:  “Companies who use call centers from outside the United States because it is cheaper: I believe it may be costing you more than you are saving! When I am talking to someone who speaks English with a heavy foreign accent on the phone there is a definite limit to the number of times I am willing to say; ‘I am sorry, but I just can't understand what you just said, could you please repeat it?’ And if it gets to the point as it did tonight where I have to say:  ‘I am sorry but I don't understand a word of what you are saying, and when I asked you to explain what company you are from and what this is about, you won't do it.’ I hung up. I want to be patient and supportive, but I get so frustrated!”  I responded to her, “When I can't understand the person, I tell them I can’t understand them due to their strong accent. After that, I tell them to spell every word they say to me. They usually hang up----they probably can't spell.”

Have you ever noticed pictures of Iceland and Greenland?  Iceland is green and floral with trees and running water of streams and rivers and inviting to walk/hike throughout the country.  Greenland is ice and snow covered and doesn’t look like it would be fun to walk/hike throughout that country.  This is a trust issue for me.

I’ve listened to how people talk to their parents.  How you talk to your parents says a lot about you, no matter how old you are.

You know, friends are gifts you give yourself, and a little reflection of you.  I have friends/”gifts” now, and some “gifts” have passed away.  Although I no longer have the gift, I have, in my heart, the wrappings and ribbons of them.

🎉 2023 January FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

Welcome 2023!!!  I’m looking forward to all that will grace my life.  I know there will be some smiles (I hope a lot of them) and some tears.  No matter what, I’ll see it through or with help.  I wish for all of you a new year filled with many smiles and some tears, just enough of each to appreciate the opposite.                                  

 “They hurt my feelings; they called me names.  I hate them!!!” cried the young one sitting on the flowered, over-stuffed couch in Aint Daisy’s living room.  Aint Daisy had a little visitor, a wounded soul huddled next to her.  “Honey, ye jes go ahead and get all that outta ye and then we’ll talk,” soothed the gentle woman.  A bit of time, many sobs, and plenty of Kleenex later he became quiet.  Aint Daisy took the child’s hand in hers and started to talk.  “I know yer hurt, and I know that hurt won’t go away for a while.  I’m going to ask ye a few questions and yer answers will start ye to a-healin’.  One: what were the names they called ye?”  She was told all of them.  “Two: are any of those names true about ye?”  The youngster answered, “No.”  “Three: do ye feel real good inside when ye hate someone and are angry at them?”  The youngster was quiet for a bit, and then answered, “No.”  “Four: can ye forgive ‘em knowing that when one calls another names that caller is actually unhappy about something or themselves and they lash out at another to try to feel better?”  The youngster thought, and then replied, “I didn’t think of them that way.”  Aint Daisy smiled and said, “Then, if yer not any of those names---ye feel better when ye don’t hate---and ye know they must have been hurting real bad to say all they did to ye, yull be jes fine in a while.  How about a piece o’ lemon fluffy pie I made this mornin’?”  Words can heal and they can hurt.  This wise lady from the holler knows, oh how she knows.

I’ve watched ALICE IN WONDERLAND many times.  There are some things and sayings which stand out, such as:  The Mad Hatter.  I’ve wondered what made the hatter mad?  Here is the origin of that---The term comes from the hat-making industry in the Middle Ages, which used the highly toxic mercury nitrate in the hat's rim. The people who made these hats would often suffer poisoning which would make them act oddly, also known as mad.  “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”  This is so true.  Give it a try and see how your day evolves.  “I am under no obligation to make sense to you.”  Well, I’d say that is pretty much the truth, unless you’re being questioned because you said or did something which is skeptical or alerting.  “A very merry unbirthday to you, to you.”  Birthdays are nice, but in my opinion, unbirthdays are nicer; they’re nice surprises, which, when celebrated with others who initiated an unbirthday, show you’re cared about.

I’ve always thought when I saw a child having a temper tantrum in a store, “That would feel so good to be able to express my frustration where I’m frustrated.”  As I was strolling down aisle 6 looking for my favorite pickles, I saw a sign which said, “Peterr Pann bread and butter pickles are no long available at this store.”  Talk about frustration!!!  So, I laid down on the floor in aisle 6 and started to thrash and cry.  When I’d finished, I got up and strolled away.  The manager came to see me when I was checking out.  I’m not allowed in Eagle’s Grocery anymore.  I guess they don’t want to take the chance I’ll get frustrated again.

“Peace is not when everyone agrees.  It is when we can respect our disagreements and still play in the sandbox together.”  Disagreements will happen between and among friends and family members.  Apologizing tells that the one apologizing values the relationship more than being right.  But, sometimes it is right to stay quiet and let the other(s) think.

Someone told me, “Trudy, you surely do walk the talk you talk.” That made me feel good.  I told them, “Thank you, but please don’t ask me to jog the jog, or run the run because the words that will jog or run out of my mouth will NOT be the ones Mother taught me.”

My favorite cartoon is Calvin and Hobbs.  There is one which brings back so many memories of when my kids were younger.  Calvin and Hobbs are running down the stairs yelling, “Turn on the TV-------it’s SATURDAAAAY!!!”  And at our house, it happened that way, with scurrying into the kitchen, one dragging the tall trash can to the living room in front of the 10’ green, striped couch, another getting the two pounds of shelled and salted peanuts, and the third one getting all their favorite dry cereal to much, too.  Then they’d sit and shell the peanuts, gobbling every edible morsel and munching the cereal.  I listened from the bedroom and they giggled, talked about what was happening, and one would shush them with, “Quiet!! You’ll awaken Mom.”  Little did they know I was already awake, listen with a smile.  Now it’s with a smile and moist eyes---  some memories do that, ya know.

The hand and fingers are an amazing machine.  The hand can mold foods, clay, measure, and smooth wrinkles.  The fingers grasp, point, probe, give non-verbal messages, and help with simple math.  I’m grateful to my hands and fingers, especially the middle finger for always sticking up for me when I need it.

A question was asked of me, "What is the craziest thing your boss asked you to do?"  I told that I apologized to a parent for something I had not said about her teen-aged son, nor did I have him in any of my classes. A listener said, "Surely you didn't apologize."  My reply to the listener was, "The superintendent insisted I do it 'for the school's image' he said. He was more concerned about that and the foolish parent's feelings, than my integrity.  I called her, told her who I was, told her there was a snafu in communication and errant audible processing. I did NOT apologize, per se, and held the receiver out into the room so other teachers could hear her ranting on how horrible teachers were. Every now and then I returned the receiver to say, ‘Oh that's too bad you feel that way.’ Then, I told her I had a class to attend and said, ‘Tootles.’  The other teachers in the room applauded my tenacity and choice of vocabulary, which we all knew she didn't have a clue what the words meant. By the way, her son was one of the worst students at the school. No teacher I talked with liked him and usually sent him to the deans' offices to get him out of their class. He was that disruptive and disrespectful."

My friend works in an office and handles a lot of paper.  I gave her a bottle of hand sanitizer with a label I made.  Printed very nicely on pretty paper, it said, “Paper cut finder”.  Think about it, folks.

Brenduh came over all excited about her culinary accomplishment.  “Trudy!!!  I got accepted in the food contest.  I submitted my recipe and they accepted it,” she said which much pride.  “Well, that’s great.  What was the recipe?” I asked.  “It is a pureed nut spread with a grape relish reduction paired with brioche slices.  It sounds pretty good, huh?” she bragged.  “Hmmm, do you really think the judges will be thrilled with a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich?”  I asked.

I got to wondering:  If elephants had a vehicle, would there be a lot of trunk space?   When I reached my middle 40s, I seemed to want three cats and two dogs.  I couldn’t understand why.  I asked my Beloved why I would want that many animals.  He said, “Oh, I think you’re going through many paws.”  Such a smart aqq.

Strong women aren’t simply born.  They are made by the storms they walk through.  They walk into the storm head-on and come back leading the pack of others.  Been there, got the t-shirt!!

I’ve asked some people a question with their answer being, “Nope.”  Then, here they came noping their nopest “Nope” than ever before when I asked another question, which alluded to the first question.

I have a friend who has chickens.  They’d not been laying eggs for a few weeks and she was a bit irritated in the lack of production.  I told her, “Go to KFC, get a bucket of their friend chicken, put the bones in it, and when you’re finished with it, put it in their coop where they can see it.”  She did just that and egg production began again and was more prolific.  I didn’t know chickens could read.

I bought a bag of air the other day.  The snack company was gracious enough to include some potato chips with it.

Peace, hugs, and blessings to you.  Trudy :)

 

🎄 2022 December FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

 🎄🎅🤶

There are 24 more days for a lot of us; 18 for others; and 25 for some.  Those are the number of days until Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanzaa.  Each of us will celebrate these special events in our own way.  Whichever you do, may you receive the blessings of that celebration and a deeper meaning of it.

I went over to Aint Daisy’s house shortly after she’d gotten home from a little trip.  She was upset, which upset me, too.  “Oh Aint Daisy, what is the problem?” I gently asked as I sat down in the rocker beside hers.  “Someone broke into my house, went through my things, and took some special things to me.  They weren’t valuable except to me and the memories I had of them.  What’s really upsetting me is I know the young’un who took ‘em.”  “Oh no!!!  What are you going to do?  Are you going to call the police, or scold the person, or talk to their folks?” I inquired.  She just sat rocking in her favorite chair with some tears in her eyes.  “Chile, I know they have a conscience; I taught ‘em in Sunday school.  When one knows they done another wrong, and they know YOU know they done you wrong, your souls are disturbed, hurt, and very disappointed.  That’s why when they have a conscience they cain’t look you in the eye anymore, especially when you’re nice to ‘em.  No amount of my scolding will make ‘em feel as bad about doing a trusted one wrong as the look they’ll get and the niceness they’re gonna be a-gettin’.  They’ll carry all that with ‘em 24/7.  Mark my words, chile.  So, I’ll be nice to ‘em and forgive ‘em ‘acause the good book tells ya to do that, but I won’t trust ‘em ever again, and they’ll know THAT.”  She quietly rocked more and slowly shook her head.  I hurt for the Lady of the Holler, but even in her despair, she was speaking words of wisdom.

I’ve been thinking of involved/fancy ways to say simple things.  Here are some I’ve thought:  Using a schematic pattern, I laid it on a flat plane of interwoven fibers and incised the design.  (I cut out a garment to sew.) Encouraged and involved multiple levels of achievement individuals in a thermodynamic setting of cleaning, sanitizing, and organizing performance of ceramic and metal objects. (Told my kids to wash, rinse, dry, and put away the dishes) Restored and improved molecular structures of worn, woven  materials.  (I washed some clothes.)  Removed freshly deposited, unsafe frozen liquid particles from solid traffic surfaces using ergo dynamically designed tools.  (Shoveled snow and ice on the walk.)  Referring to my dissectology skills, I engineered, erected, and assembled a level plane of irregular pieces into one.  (I put a puzzle together.)  Using reflective and illumination devices, I observed chevelure strands on a spherical shape.  (I looked at my hair in the lighted bathroom mirror.)  Removed and sanitized hard surfaces of epithelial debris and waste flushing with thermally charged hydrogen and oxygen solutions and sodium salt of hypochlorous acid.  (I cleaned the bathroom using hot water and bleach.)  I chose not to arrange, assemble, and distribute multiple fibers into a flat, organized, dimensional plane on a reclining surface.  (I didn’t make my bed.)

It has been determined that one can tell a lot about a person’s hands.  For example:  if they are wrapped around another’s throat, someone is very upset; if they have a death grip on a delicious food product, some one is hungry and won’t share; if the fingers are all lined up tightly together and the hand is moving quickly toward a rear body part of a child, said child is going to get a swat on their butt.  Now, if the hand is on an animal with very long claws, y’all just better not bother that animal---shredding is one of their gifts.

I find it interesting that “MONKEY POX” is being changed to another name because part of it is considered derogatory. The monkeys are probably complaining.  Well, what about “CHICKEN POX”?  You don’t hear the chickens complaining.

Do you know what the duct tape of food is?  It is bacon!!!  You can wrap it around anything, even asparagus and Brussels sprouts, and the whole thing will taste good.  Raw cauliflower, raw broccoli, and greens are natural roto-rooters.  And then there is peanut butter----------the glue which holds children and adults, who are kids at heart, together.  You’re welcome!

The Christmas tree----have you ever thought about its shape in relationship to the meaning of this celebration?  It is triangularly shaped, with usually a star at the top.  Each point represents the trinity:  Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  We decorate it to draw attention to it---really subconsciously drawing attention to the trinity.  The lights light the way, just as the trinity lights our way to Heaven.  Have you ever noticed how your eyes travel from the bottom to the top as you gaze at the beauty of your tree?  Don’t your eyes travel up when you are talking to The Master in Heaven?  I remember the trees Mother and Daddy had at Christmas.  Each one was carefully selected, brought into the house, set up, and let to stand for a day to “relax”.  The decorations were beautiful with many acquired over the years.  Some were new, some hand-made by Mother (how beautiful they were), and the rest had been used before.  Each one had a special meaning, a special memory tucked away in a heart to be thought about then and later.  The lights were simple, just the usual colored bulbs that stayed on until someone unplugged them.  Now there are the fancy kinds that twinkle or flash.  They are nice, but the old ones were warmer and more inviting.  I remember the year we got the artificial tree.  I wasn’t real thrilled about it and voiced my opinion.  The rationale of, “The needles won’t fall off; we can have it up longer and it won’t dry out; the real ones are getting too expensive” and so on.  The smell of the real one is what I missed the most.  No “fragrance in a can” can take the place of the smell of a real Christmas tree.  So, I take the memories, which are all tucked away in my heart, to be thought about at a later time.

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, our precious Lady of the Holler.

LONGEST WORD IN SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYS: “HONORIFICABILITUDINITATIBUS” (LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST) I never chose this play of Will’s for my English classes to read.  I figured they speak in 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 lettered words few of which are polysyllabic.  So, how could they possibly say one with 27 letters and extremely polysyllabic?  When I put my favorite words on the board ----pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis (A miners’ lung disease caused by the inhalation of silicate or quartz dust) floccinaucinihilipilification (the categorizing of something as worthless or trivial), and hippopotomonstrosesquipedalian (pertaining to a very long word)--a few of them fainted.  Those words have 45, 29, and 30 letters respectively. 

Didja know that peanuts are part of the ingredients of dynamite?  Didja know nitro glycerin comes in jelly form? Here are some more tidbits:  drinking 2 glasses of GATORADE can relieve headache pain.  So can going shopping.  COLGATE toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.  Got a stuffy head?  Try chewing on a few of the curiously strong ALTOIDS peppermints.  No mysterious chemicals to inhale.  Homemade chicken soup really is good for the soul and a cold.  It has enzymes in it which help break up the stuffiness of your nose and soothes your sore throat. 

What’s the difference between a Northern fairytale and a Southern fairytale?  A Northern fairytale begins, “Once upon a time.”  A Southern fairytale begins, “Y’all ain’t gonna believe this.” 

My family had gathered to discuss and draw names of gift recipients.  Sometimes we say what we’d like to receive or not receive.  At my age, there isn’t much I really need or want.  So, I mentioned I’d like a homemade cherry pie complete with homemade crust.  I saw a twinkle in my daughter’s eyes.  “I know what you’re thinking, Missy.  I do NOT want an IKEA pie; I know you people!!!”  My other daughter asked what that was.  I told her, “It is when someone gives you a can of cherries and a pie crust.  Then YOU have to put it together and bake it.” 

Until next time, it’s been a grand time to spend time with you.   Trudy 💓

🦃 2022 November FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

         🦃🦃        2022 November FROM MY PERSPECTIVE

Aint Daisy was busy reading a story book to one of her grandchildren.  I saw it was one of my favorites---BIG PANDA AND TINY DRAGON by James Norbury.  This book is an adventure these two friends have.  It is full of companionship, courage, and gentleness.  So much can apply to our lives and how we treat each other and how we deal with what life tosses at us.  As she read, I could hear her telling me and others bits of wisdom she’d acquired through the “adventures” of her life.  In fact, she could have written this book.  She came to a little conversation Big Panda and Little Dragon were having.  It seems Little Dragon was distraught about something and said, “I can’t explain how I feel.”  Big Panda responded with, “That’s O.K.  Words are not adequate for all things.”  She stopped and asked her granddaughter, “Have you ever felt that way, little one?”  The child looked at her then hung her head saying, “Yes, I feel that way today.”  Aint Daisy gave her a little hug and said, “I truly know that feeling.  A few times, I’ve jess sat and watched the leaves on the tree move as the wind blew and listened to the birds’ calls and crickets’ chirps.  It made me feel better.  ‘Sometimes,’ as Big Panda said, ‘words just don’t take care of how we are feeling.’  But, the sounds of nature can do the job.  All we have to do is jess listen and not think.”  ‘More wisdom from the Lady of the Holler with a little help from James Norbury, Big Panda, and Tiny Dragon.

I sent a message to a dear friend:  We have been friends for so long I can’t remember which one of us is the bad influence.  She called me laughing so hard I couldn’t understand what she was saying.  It sounded like, “You are!”, but I can’t be sure.

When I was teaching, there were some students who seemed to have their mind on something else.  This caused me to want to treat them like a glow stick---slap them and shake them until the light came on.

We are into the month this whole nation has a holiday about being thankful.  I have so many things for which to be thankful.  The most important one is:  so much seems to be out of control in this nation, but there is one entity who has not relinquished His control, and I can count on and believe He never will.  Thank you, dear Lord for your persistence and promises.

I have a friend who teaches Sunday school to some young boys.  She went around the room and asked each one, “What are you thankful for?”  They gave the regular replies until she came to the one who always spoke what was in his thoughts.  It was like a greased sliding board----from the brain to the mouth and out.  He sat up straight and said, “I’m thankful for mom not making creamed okra anymore.  That stuff was more slippery than snot, and I had to swallow it; well not really, because it went down faster…..”.  My friend interrupted him before she lost her breakfast.  She was so glad he was the last one and the dismissal bell rang.

I remember when Daddy had to start taking the drug coumadin.  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.

Brenduhh and I were riding in her car.  We saw sign at a gas station giving the prices of each type of gasoline.  Also, within the price boxes, was the price of Malboro cigarettes, which were a lot cheaper.  She turned to me and said, “I think I’ll get some Malboros and try them.”  I looked at her and said, “You don’t smoke.  Why are you going to buy some Malboros?”  She exclaimed, “Well, I can run them as fuel cheaper than I can gasoline.” Everyone has the right to be stupid. She was abusing that right.  The “stupid” part brings to mind what John Wayne and Daddy said about it---“Life is tough, but it’s tougher when you’re stupid.”

It was an early morning light breakfast.  I was only interested in having some toast, but knew I needed to have some protein, too.  I put some peanut butter on one of the slices, and placed both on a little plate.  I took it to my chair in the living room, sat it down, and went to get the cup of coffee.  Jada, our sweet cat, was close by just nonchalantly sitting all pretty close to my chair.  I returned to find tongue marks on the warm peanut butter and a cat trying to get the stuff off the roof of her mouth.  I wondered, “Can cats have arachibutyrophobia?”

I was needed quickly upstairs by one of the kids.  I rushed up the stairs only to be told, “It’s o.k., Mom.  I took care of the problem.”  Then the phone rang; I answered it huffing and puffing.  It was my friend.  She asked, “Are you all right?  You’re huffing and puffing like you’re out of breath.”  I told her, “Oh, I just rushed up the stairs faster than I usually do.”  She said all surprised, “What?!  You ran up the flight of stairs?”  My labored response was, “Well,  it was more like a sloth vs. a turtle in a race.”

My friend gave me a delicious recipe for little cinnamon rolls.  She knew how I loved the ones she makes.  I got right to the making of them and called her the next day to tell her about them.  “Oh, I’m so glad you made them.  Did you put the left-overs in a sealed container so they’d stay fresh?” she inquired.  There was a longer-than-usual pause on my part, and then I said, “Umm, what left overs;  were there supposed to be some?”

I have two special needs children.  They truly have been a gift.  They see the world through different eyes-a different interpretation.  They don't fudge on the truth very often----they tell the cold truth.  Sometimes it's difficult to accept the cold truth they tell, but you can believe what they say; it's not tainted with others' lies or misconceptions, and it gives you either a wake-up call or insight.

I don't mind my body being larger.  It gives the observer more to look at---like a seascape instead of a puddle; like a flower garden instead of a single flower; like a box of Twinkies instead of one sitting alone on a counter lonely and unappreciated, needing to be held. 

I kept telling my friend a certain fella had a lot of SWAG.  She didn't agree, but kept listening.
As he kept talking, I kept thinking, "Yep, he has a lot of SWAG."  I shared it with her, again.  She emphatically told me, "Trudy, he does NOT have swag!"  I told her, "Oh yes he does.  Just listen to him chatter on about stuff I know he has no understanding of.  SWAG, my dear friend, means Stupid Wild Ass Guessing."  She didn't argue any more.