So Be Good For Goodness Sake.....

Are you familiar with the "Elf on the Shelf"? If not, I will explain it as the latest take on "He sees you when your sleeping. He knows if you're awake" ......and so on.  So, it has occurred to me that I should create an "Elf on the Shelf" for the elderly.
Here is my marketing plan. I propose a small mirror, in a stand-up frame. A Senior would put it any  place in his or her dwelling. Imagine, looking into the mirror and seeing your gray-haired self thanking your housekeeper for putting clean sheets on your bed. That's being Nice. Or, offering to check your neighbor's mail box for incoming mail. That would also be Nice. You could see yourself, spreading Christmas Spirit with every glance.
On the other hand, the mirror would also capture you dressing down the maintenance man for not fixing your television reception as quickly as YOU wanted.  Or, you might be seen griping about the weather or some one's unknowing mistake. That's being Naughty. No one should be caught being Naughty!
The mirror would record all of your activities, during the holiday season, good or bad, and just like with Santa or his helper, the Shelf Elf, you would be compensated accordingly, for your behavior..
I don't imagine that I would garner any money or fame from my Elderly Mirror Project. But, you know, it makes me chuckle just thinking about it.

Dear Lord. Remind me that doing the right thing is always the right thing.  Being Nice trumps Naughty, anytime.

whatever happened to ................................?

It's been several years, since I have commented on the holiday of Thanksgiving. I don't know why. I am thankful for my many blessings, but perhaps like many Americans, in my rush to prepare for Christmas, I have forgotten to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Retail stores have been hawking Christmas goodies, since August. Pre-Black Friday Sales are everywhere. Most big box stores and web sites went directly from Halloween to Christmas, skipping Thanksgiving. altogether.
I have resisted putting away my ceramic pumpkins and artificial fall leaves. I refuse to do it until the weekend after Turkey Day. But, the pressure is there. Will I be able to meet all of my self-imposed deadlines? Will everything get done on time? Shouldn't I just do a couple of things to get a jump on the Big Holiday? Talk about stress!
We have been instructed to Give Thanks for Everything. A thankful heart will keep your mind in the positive, and draw your thoughts away from what has happened and what might happen. A thankful heart will keep you in the present.

Dear Lord, we come to you with a thankful heart. We will remember to forever make a joyful noise.

No Treasure

My blogging history spans almost 10 years, now. And, except for some of my favorite clothing, and my family, very few items, remaining in my life. are a decade old or older. When I traded in my 20 year old Grandpa-Car, for the newish red SUV, my life journey started down a distinctly different highway. I vowed to make a change.
Each and every day, according to my plan, I am trying to relocate five items. The relocation sites are, in order of preference, a thrift store, the recycling or the trash. I am de-cluttering my life.
This has become important, because every day, I observe many older folks who just can't seem to let go of "stuff". If it takes you eight solid hours, to move your "stuff" into a one bedroom apartment, you have a hoarding issue!  Let it be known that your blogger friend is refusing to make the move, anywhere, with a bunch of useless "stuff"!
The papers, old books and everything have not used in 10 years, are all on their way out.  I am putting my children on notice.You don't live here anymore. Anything that you own, that is gathering dust in my closets and basement, come and get it soon, or it gets trashed.
I have decided to hang on to the oldest item in my life. Yes. I'm keeping my husband.

Dear Lord. Our Stress often comes from our Stuff. Help us to let go and focus on the important things in life. Help us to keep our eyes on the Goal. We praise your holy name.

October snows..........oh my!

We haven't yet reached the midpoint of November, but here in Kansas City, we have already counted three measurable snowfalls. Having such cold weather, far before Thanksgiving, is extremely unusual.  Thanksgiving is often a day of outdoor activities, like long, after-dinner walks and flag football games.  Not this year. Unless we have a warm up, we will probably go sledding, after the turkey and pumpkin pie!
Most of us, in the Midwest, appreciate the change of seasons. And, if we don't, the continuously changing weather, gives us a whole lot to to talk about.  And, it gives us the chance to voice every possible complaint.
"Right Here in River City", we believe that complaining about any type of weather, makes a person feel better.  Each of us knows, that we cannot do anything about the weather (well, that's what most  folks believe). I know that I cannot change the weather.
And, we also do a lot of worrying about the weather. Will it really snow? How much will we get? What if it gets icy? Again, as with all worrying, it is a total waste of time. Worry doesn't change anything....ever.
Unfortunately, we've all become very good at complaining and worrying. When will we learn?


Dear All Knowing and All Powerful Lord. When will we learn that You are in charge? Teach us patience, peace and self-control.

Steve Knows

I'm sure you all have noticed that it's that Pumpkin Pie Spice time of year. The leaves are turning to gold and yellow, Halloween decorations are being stashed away, and grandma is starting to stock up on cans of green beans and cream of mushroom soup. Unlike the old days, when the only thing that had Pumpkin Pie Spice, as an ingredient, was pumpkin pie, you are now able to  now find EVERYTHING flavored with those pungent holiday spices.
For the culinary challenged, Pumpkin Pie Spice is a mixture of  ground cinnamon, ginger, clove and nutmeg. And, that mixture makes a tasty, spicy custard pie. But, Frosted Flakes, waffles, cinnamon rolls, chili, pork tacos and pretzels? Ooooh, not for me. My taste buds find that all those other advertised, seasonal items are way too much.
Pumpkin pie, as I recall was a staple in our high school cafeteria. And, we will never forget our classmate, Steve, who ate his pumpkin pie, in horizontal layers, while everyone else attacked it vertically, beginning with the point side.
So, young folks (As I age, I have a tendency to blame all nonsense on the young), there is nothing WOKE, PC or clever about all this spicy nonsense. Just get your PP Spice fix with the original recipe! You can't top perfection.......unless, it's with whipped cream.

Dear God, you have to have a marvelous sense of humor. It's no wonder that the words human and humor are so similar. Watch over us and keep us safe, despite our foibles. You are our Rock and our Savior.

Prepositional Posturing

I discovered a new word today, that appeared as a clue in The New Your Times Crossword Puzzle. The word is "whereat". I will swear, on a stack of dictionaries, that I have never written, spoken, or seen the word "whereat" in print, and because it is unfamiliar, I looked for a dictionary definition.
The word "whereat" means "at or toward which", or "in consequence of which".
I am familiar with the words "where" and "at". Often, I hear the question, "Where you at?", and it makes me cringe in grammar horror. Or, sometimes I hear another abhorrent favorite, "Where did you go to school at?"
So, the next time a well-meaning, but language challenged person asks me "Where you at?" , whereat I will consider making the reply, "I am right here, with my imaginary red pencil, correcting your terrible grammar."


Dear Lord. I am working at Self-Control. Really I am. But, I find it so hard to hold my tongue. Remind me who I am and whose I am.

"A rose by any other name........"

Every morning, we follow the same routine at our house. We sit at the kitchen table and drink our morning coffee. Scott reads the front section of the local newspaper, and I attempt to complete the New York Times Crossword, located in the other section. (Not too many years ago, there were many more than two sections, for us to read and share, but that's a whole other story.)
The NYT Crossword is located on the last page of the Sports-Classified-TV Guide-Comics Section. It's right next to or sometimes across the page from the "Pets For Sale" section. We don't have a dog, now, nor do I want one. However, that doesn't stop me from occasionally skimming over the breeds and prices of the dogs. (I'm deathly allergic to cats, so I never read about what's available in the feline columns.)
So, as I look down the page, I am often astounded to learn about, yet another, new puppy-mix. Today, it was a Pom Chi! (Pomeranian and Chihuahua) Yesterday it was a Chi Weenie! (Chihuahua and Dachshund) I've read about Morkies and Chorkies, and a whole lot of doodles. Golden Doodles, Peke-Doodles, and Labra Doodles. My colleague told me that these new mixes are called Designer Breeds. I call them MUTTS.
However, since when did Mutts command such high prices? Six hundred to two thousand dollars! I'm agog! Adoption at a local shelter seems so much more sensible. I'll be you can pick up a Poly-Wolly Doodle or a German Shep-orkie for a small donation.

Dear Loving God. You must be amazed at our crazy antics. How do you love us unconditionally?
You are awesome.