"Do You Want To Build A Snowman?"

We are nearing the end of the second week of the New Year. As statistics go, we are currently averaging one snow fall a week. Our first snowstorm, of the year, was minor. By that I mean, there was snow covering the ground, but nothing sticking to our miles and miles of city streets. However, the second storm was a big whoop!

Snowplows, sand and salt on the streets, car crashes, multi vehicle pile-ups and below freezing temperatures. I just saw a photo of a car stuck in a creek, in my neighborhood. It was a major snowfall, for sure. Hundreds of businesses and homes are currently without electricity, due to heavy snow on elevated wires. As I type, another major drop in temperature and multiple inches of snow are due, in a little over 24 hours. That new storm is going to mess up our "once-a-week average".

But. look folks. It's winter. We live in the Midwest, for gosh sakes. None of this weather should be a surprise. My best advice, as a seasoned weather survivor, is to just "RELAX". Hunker down for a day or so, if you can. Don't go anyplace. Frankly, one day of staying home, won't hurt anyone. Cancel your appointments and your scheduled lunch with a friend. Pull some mystery meat out of the freezer, warm it up and eat it. Step outside and build a snowman.

Snow melts. Spring is just a couple of months away. 

Just let it go. Take a snow day. 

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Good and great God. Weather is part of Your plan. Worry doesn't help. Snow and ice do not melt with worry. We are in Your hands.

Silence is Golden

 Seriously, I had the best visit to my closest Chain Pharmacy, yesterday afternoon. The parking lot was pretty crowded, perhaps because of the closing of the Chain Pharmacy store, that was much closer to me. I didn't mind the extra drive, and apparently a whole lot of other people are reacting in the same way.

The store was crowded. I found what I wanted and spent a little more time just trolling the aisles. There were a few "after Christmas" sales, that caught my eye. However, I resisted all of the un-sold chocolate and holiday paper goods. I told myself that I had enough Christmas stuff and buying anything, just because it's on sale, is not prudent. Then, I made my way to the Check-Out area. The lines in front of the two clerks were pretty long, so I opted for one of the two Self-Checkout stations. No lines there.

The Self-Checkout Machine and I are fairly close. I've interacted with her (I believe it identifies as a female), or her cousin machines, at a whole lot of stores. Sometimes I get a bit agitated when we chat. She is, in my opinion, way too cheeky in her demands. And, sometimes she makes me repeat my scans or tap my card several times. I'm often not quick enough for her! Last night, our silent exchange was civil and without incident. I silently thanked her for her service, gathered up my self-packed bags and left the store.

I have to admit that I did miss the personal human contact, last night. I missed saying Happy New Year, to a clerk. I really enjoy talking, you know. However, that was remedied when I got into the car and turned on the radio. Singing along with Patsy Cline's, "After Midnight" CD (it's my favorite), can lift a girl's mood, anytime.

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Dear Lord, Thank you for this beautiful new year. We have so many blessings.

Hey You Guys

 I think that most folks have a personal DOAT (Dumbest of all time) word. Mine happens to be, the four-letter word used by, according to my annoyance level, more than any other word in the English Language. 

This word appears in speech, every time a person addresses a group of people. It can be prefaced by the word "you" or not.  In former times this word was used in the presence of a crowd of men only. Now, and that's what annoys me the most, it is used for mixed company or even when addressing a group of folks who identify as female. 

Sometimes, I find myself using it. When that happens, I almost always gag and apologize. Seriously, I think it's use is common and rude.

This four-letter word, sometimes preceded by YOU, is the group word, GUYS. When did we commonly start referring to a group of men and women, or just women, as guys? Where are the flaming liberals on this one? Guys has always been gender specific. While we have been pushing the use of gender-free pronouns, we've pumped up the use of the word GUYS. 

I am not a GUY. I have never been a GUY. And, I do not want to be addressed as a GUY, anymore that I want to be called a Gentlemen or MAN (which we old folks were once taught to mean....humankind.) 

I want it stopped. It's not that hard to use "Ladies and Gentlemen", folks, attendees, participants, guests, students, or whatever group-word is appropriate. Heck, you could even say "Good Morning Humanity". Furthermore, if you are caught up in the LGBTQ-plus movement, the word GUY, should be offensive. 50% percent of the people in this world do not have penises. Give us some credit!!

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Dear Lord. A whole bunch of your folks have causes. Humans care and we strive to be heard. Remind us of the purpose of life. Remind us to do your will, to be kind and above all to be aware of all God's creatures.