%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |  I've maxed out. Closed this blog. |
|
This is a way of making myself write something coherent and grammatically correct almost every day. I'm opinionated and need an outlet. I'm also prone to flights of fancy. Thanks for stopping by. |
| I've been tempted to write about Miley and her plunge into porn, but I've resisted until now. I'm sick of the media bringing it up every day. Let's drop the whole disgusting, childish display and get on with the situations in Syria, Egypt, and other places, even Detroit, or DC. Stop distracting us from corrupt politicians and inept leaders with the antics of rebellious teenagers. And who cares about Kate's post-baby figure? Let's hear less about the babies of the rich and famous, like North West, and more about babies born in poverty and war. What are we going to do about these children who face such a dim and dismal future? What about malaria in Africa and children in slavery in Haiti or the Philippines? Those should headline the news. Save the spoiled rich celebrity antics and fashions for people who don't care about the state of the world. Let us hear about heroes who answer the call of human need, who try to make the world a better place instead of striving for personal recognition and fake, passing glory. |
| I've finally done it. I've crossed the line. I have officially joined the Old Geezers who hate having their routine changed. I rushed home from an afternoon of Saturday shopping so that I wouldn't miss reruns of The Virginian. Only it doesn't come on Saturday night any more! The show is one I missed the first time around--40 years ago. But one I watch avidly now. Every Saturday night, I finish the dishes and sweep the floors, settle down with a glass of iced tea, and watch two episodes back to back. I'm into the characters. I keep track of the details, and who's missing. I'm into the theme song. I haven't seen them all, and now they're gone. I always felt guilty watching 3 hours of TV straight through, so I'd get up and take my medicine during the commercials, go to the bathroom, empty the wastebasket, dust, just to be moving occasionally and keep the blood flowing. But when the commercial ended, I was back in my soft chair with my afghan. (Yes, I get cold just sitting, but, no, it's not because I'm anemic or old.) So now I'll have to find other activities, like reading or writing. I always laughed at my mother in law who was distraught over TV changes, but then she watched 10 hours a day, a lot of it while reclining. It was her life. Her meals and all her routines were absolutely the same every day. But I'm afraid I've taken a step in that direction. I guess I like the routines of everyday living, even if it's only one night a week that's throwing me for a loop. But what about my newly acquired addiction? Where am I going to find more reruns of The Virginia, particularly the later ones? |
| I've made my feelings clear in this blog about short shorts or hot pants that don't fit or on legs that shouldn't be seen in public. The exception, of course, is recreational areas like the beach, the lake, or the riverside. Ball parks and amusement parks don't have the same permissive air; they're supposed to be wholesome family areas. Now I want to cover tops. I know it's summer. I know it's hot. But nobody wants to get on the city bus and sit down across from a double D who barely has her essentials covered in a spaghetti strap, thin tank top. That's just a little too personal and embarrassing for everyone. If I can see all the details of the tattoo in your cleavage, you're letting me see too much. Yes, I have found that the little skinny girls don't call as much attention to themselves in the low-cut shirts as average to ample women. I don't have to get graphic here. If you know that you are blessed with ample curves, or if you're a little heavy, you need more coverage. Maybe it's a percentage thing. To cover up 50% of an ample bosom, you need a lot more material than covering up 50% of a modest one. (Actually, I prefer 75% covered, but I'm trying to be generous.) Being a woman, I'm not interested in viewing women's body parts. That brings me to men. As appreciative as I am of the male form, particularly the young adult male, I want to complain about shirtlessness. Why do men think it's okay to throw off their shirts? The ones least likely to brag or show off are the ones most likely to strip off in public. If you're jogging, or working, you can wear a muscle shirt or tank. It's a little less intimate with strangers. Besides, men these days wear baggy pants. If you can stand all that extra material in long baggy shorts or sweat pants, you can wear a shirt. Try shorts that come about 5 or 6 inches above the knee with some kind of cotton-therefore absorbent-shirt. Remember, everyone is looking at you, not just attractive young things. That includes dirty old men, perverts, criminals, old women, your former teachers, and maybe a future employer. You can be cool, neat, and maybe even sexy, without showing the world everything. |
| The other night my brother, his daughter, and two grandchildren were out of town, for an event. They took a wrong turn on one of the highways and bypasses in a high traffic area and were going in the wrong direction. They didn't know which way to go. The four year old in her car seat must have picked up on the panic. She said, "We're going to have to talk to the Lord about this." So she bowed her head, and said, "Lord, please, help us." Eventually, they were back on the road again, and her mother commented that it was the right way. My brother, "Well, she prayed for God to help us." She confidently said, "And he did." Prayers don't have to be fancy or lengthy, just faith-filled. How bright for a four year old to pick up on these concepts. |
| My youngest uncle passed away last night of massive stroke. It was a surprise. He took care of himself. He faithfully saw his doctor, took his medicine, did his tests. He exercised regularly, kept his weight under control, watched what he ate and drank. He didn't drink alcohol or smoke. He was raising his great granddaughter 3 days a week or more. He hadn't been sick or had any problems lately. Just a sudden stroke. He went into a coma immediately and lasted about 12 hours breathing on his own. He was only 10 years older than me. That's an eye opener. A dismal one. Every time someone close to you dies, you not only grieve for that person's loss, the immediate family's sorrow, but you must deal with your own mortality over again. It doesn't get easier as you get older, no matter how great your faith might be. My uncle was a kind and generous man. He wanted to do what is right. He will be missed by many. |
| My youngest uncled passed away last night of massive stroke. It was a surprise. He took care of himself. He faithfully saw his doctor, took his medicine, did his tests. He exercised regularly, kept his weight under control, watched what he ate and drank. He didn't drink alcohol or smoke. He was raising his great granddaughter 3 days a week or more. He hadn't been sick or had any problems lately. Just a sudden stroke. He went into a coma immediately and lasted about 12 hours breathing on his own. He was only 10 years older than me. That's an eye oener. A dismal one. Every time someone close to you dies, you not only grieve fot that person's loss, the immediate family's sorrow, but you must deal with your own mortality over again. It doesn't get easier as you get older, no matter how great your faith might be. My uncle was a kind and generous man. He wanted to do what is right. He will be missed by many. |
| Many employees are renters for the 8 hours or whatever length of time they are here. They occupy the space and or the uniform without making commitment or taking pride in what they do. It’s somebody else’s job, or they pay the big bucks to somebody else. I’m just a peon. I do what I have to in order to get by. Those are renter’s attitudes. An owner has the pride of ownership and takes responsibility for upkeep. The owner of a job makes a commitment to doing the job well. The owner feels good about doing a good day’s work, even without a pat on the back. The owner wants to get better every day and exceeds expectations. That’s an employee who stands out in the crowd. The renter doesn’t care about wear and tear on the doors or windows. They’re just renting. They don’t care about weeds in the lawn. If the roof leaks, it’s the landlord’s headache. The renter cares about pests, but calls someone else to take care of it. The renter doesn’t care about the declining value of the property. The owner on the other hand can’t be so mellow and uncaring. The owner tends to details before they get out of hand. The owner tends to the water heater in advance when possible. The owner cares about leaks, and plumbing, and the structure. The same attitude applies on the job. One can just put in the time and stay out of trouble and get by. Or one can care about the quality of their work and the impression he makes. The owner wants to get along with his fellow employees, not just at break time, but as a team player. He wants to do his fair share. He pays attention to detail, and finds satisfaction in passing his own inspection. The renter's breaks are too long, maybe too frequent. The renter finds excuses for conversation or dilly dallying. The owner goes out of his way to help a coworker or customer. The owner cares about the company's success even if he is the lowest paid employee around. Whatever our lot in life, whatever position we fill, let's be owners, not renters. Ownership may have its hard work and expenses, but it's more rewarding in the long run. |
| Recently I read the classic story of the chicken, the dog, and the cat and the grain to my little nephew. As I read the story I couldn't help but picture the dog and cat as members of the welfare state. The chicken was the one doing all the work, yet always open to others joining in at any stage of the process. One of them could have assisted or taken over the sowing, the watering, the harvesting, the threshing, the grinding, or the baking, and still have reaped some of the rewards. But no. They all wanted the end results without doing anything to achieve them. I wondered if a lot of folks missed that story as children. Would they listen as adults? So many great truths of life are presented to us before we start school or soon thereafter. Why don't those truths sink in? Maybe the little golden books should be in the waiting rooms of social service offices, hospital lobbies, and bus stations.You don't work at least a little, you don't eat. Not a bad policy. I'm all for helping the handicapped, little children, and the elderly and infirm. But I see too many people healthier than me living on welfare, getting free bus passes, food stamps, new shoes, and free phones, and they will tell you they don't want to work. I ride the public bus, and I hear plenty of conversations. I grew up around people who thought it was embarrassing to take anything you didn't earn. I also heard these children's stories a lot when I was young. I read and I had people read to me. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for instilling those basic values in me in ways that even children understand. |
| Hot weather is here and so is the baring of skin. Not everyone who gets into short shorts should wear them in public, however. Even in hot weather, we should have some decorum and take a look in the mirror before we leave the house. First of all, anyone with dimples in the thighs should not be wearing short shorts except in the privacy of their own home or on the beach. Next, the shorts should fit and not be one or two sizes too small. That makes even small people look a little chubby when the tops of their thighs are bulging out from tight pants. The shorts should still be clean and pressed and be a proper style for the body type. Butt cheeks should not be showing when walking or bending over a little, the exception being at the beach or lake with a bathing suit underneath. Never at the Mall, or on Main Street, or at the hospital! It's not a sexy look. It looks like they're too short or too small. No one at WalMart wants to look at someone's bottom while shopping. And the legs should be ready for short shorts. Dry, cracked, scaly skin is unsightly and a turn-off. If there are bruises or rashes, one should wait until healing takes place before going out in sort pants. There's nothing wrong with pale, but hairy or scratched up or peeling just doesn't look good. As for age, on the beach anything goes. Doing your own yard work or on private property, no one can complain. But people past their prime should opt for longer shorts. Veins and wrinkles and age spots just aren't sexy, no matter how far you're willing to go! There is a time and place for short pants. That's all I'm saying. On the healthy, the young, the people who take care of their skin, there's a little more leeway. But church, shopping malls, government offices, business areas, we need to be a little more conservative. |
| May is Older Americans Month. I looked this up to see just what that means. Are "Older Americans" people over 80? Over 65? No, this is the month to celebrate people over 40! That's right. 40. It started to represent workers over age 40 who may begin to experience discrimination in the work place. It happens still. Small shops won't hire people over 40 because the managers tend to be young, and they don't want to supervise people their parents' age. Some people get weaned out after 45 or 50 for the same reason, or because they're paid too much seniority or don't have the latest styles or computer gadgets. They may walk a little slower, which of course means they're lazy, so they don't get promotions. Well, this month is intended to celebrate all the gifts and experience that the older worker brings. Gifts like maturity, less self-involvement, a more mellow temperament, skills taught on the job. Surprisingly, older workers can still learn new ways and adapt despite the tendency of many managers to believe older workers can't change.Older workers can be a great asset. So, hire an older American this month. Consider one for retraining, or shifting responsibilities. And be sure that your work place doesn't practice prejudice or harassment based on age. Celebrate the contributions of older American workers! |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
