Archive for August 18, 2015

A Beautiful Way to Honor His Wife

August 18, 2015 Comments Off on A Beautiful Way to Honor His Wife

A Wisconsin man wanted to honor the wife he lost to a 9-year battle with cancer, and he wanted that honor to reflect the beauty she left behind in his heart.  She loved all flowers, especially sunflowers. He recalled the field of sunflowers they had grown together 4 years before, and he created a 60′ x 4 1/2 mile field of sunflowers in her memory.  It spans 5 farms–neighbors rented him their land for whatever price he felt was fair.

But there’s more.  The seeds will be collected and sold to raise money for other cancer patients and their families–they’re calling it “Babbette’s Seeds of Hope,” after Don Jaquish’s wife.

Read more at KREM.COM.

 

 

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“Black-on-Black Crime”–a Biased Oddity

August 17, 2015 Comments Off on “Black-on-Black Crime”–a Biased Oddity

As a word person, I usually spot language oddities that have underlying bias that often goes unnoticed.  Here’s one that I’ve missed, although I don’t understand why.  I feel foolish for having let it slide by my radar.

It’s when the media talks about “black-on-black” crime.  It’s never “white-on-white” crime.  So why mention “black-on-black”?

Daily Kos says it better than I can.  Read their short article.  It has some interesting figures on inter-rational vs. same-race crimes–like how likely you are to be murdered this year by a black or white person.

The Kos article is a quick read and makes an excellent point.

 

 

 

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Chill–with Glass

August 15, 2015 Comments Off on Chill–with Glass

Here’s a tasty way for you and the earth to chill out: Store refrigerated food in glass, which keeps the food colder longer. Use glass jars you would have discarded rather than oil-based plastic containers you’d buy.  A bonus is that when those labels fall off you know what’s in the jar because you can see inside it.

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[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-book seller.]

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“Strait” Kindness

August 13, 2015 Comments Off on “Strait” Kindness

Today’s Thursday Thought is a simple, yet not-so-simple, definition of “kindness.”

“Kindness is more than deeds.  It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch.  It is anything that lifts another person.”  — C. Neil Strait

 

 

 

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Handicapped Parking Cheat Faces Perfect Creative Revenge

August 10, 2015 Comments Off on Handicapped Parking Cheat Faces Perfect Creative Revenge

As a person who has had to give up and go home instead of shopping for groceries or meeting friends for lunch because someone has decided that it was fine to park in a handicap space “for just a minute,” this video really appeals to me.  I’d go one step farther, though, and hope that the driver got cited to littering.  (Thanks to Linda Younts for this one.)

Click on https://www.yahoo.com/makers/we-think-this-handicapped-parking-scofflaw-got-the-125450548670.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma.

 

 

 

 

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Garden-Friendly Recipe

August 8, 2015 Comments Off on Garden-Friendly Recipe

You’d like to try your hand at composting but have heard too many versions of how to go about it.  This 5-minute video lays it all out for you in simple steps.  Give it a try.

 

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[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-book seller.]

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It’s the Parents’ Responsibility

August 7, 2015 Comments Off on It’s the Parents’ Responsibility

The controversy isn’t new–it was brewing when I was teaching many, many years ago.  The difference now is that there are several studies proving the obvious: kids are too tired to learn during their early morning classes.

The proposed solution is to start school later.  The main argument I’ve heard against that is that it will mess up after-school activities, like sports and clubs.  I’m not for it for another, more practical reason.  That is, if school begins later, kids will con their parents into letting them stay up later, which defeats the purpose.  I can hear it now–“Mom, Dad, school doesn’t start until 10:00 so I can stay up later because I can sleep late.”

If parents would stop giving in to kid-logic and make them go to bed at an earlier hour, the problem is solved.  I’m a mom; I remember bedtime battles.  But there are certain things we need to put our foot down about.  A youngster’s being in an alert state so he/she can learn is one of those things.  It’s up to parents to take responsibility.

 

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The Reins of Control

August 6, 2015 Comments Off on The Reins of Control

Today’s Thursday Thought gives us a glimpse at what forgiveness really is.

 

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Companies Giving Women the Cold Shoulder

August 5, 2015 Comments Off on Companies Giving Women the Cold Shoulder

If you’re a woman grabbing a parka in the office during August, you aren’t crazy…or having cold flashes.  A study from the Netherlands showed that you’re cold for a reason: the AC is set for the comfort of men who wear suits (sometimes 3-piece) all year and whose metabolism runs warmer than women’s.

Women prefer the room temperature at about 77 degrees, while men prefer it at less than 72 degrees.  The U.S. government suggests setting thermostats at between 69 and 73 degrees F.

So, unless you meet the standards (set in the 60s and 70s) of a man who is age 40 and weighs 154 pounds, plan to experience chilliness coming not just from a disapproving boss.  And keep a coat handy.

 

 

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Join 400 Million of your Closest Friends Tonight

August 4, 2015 Comments Off on Join 400 Million of your Closest Friends Tonight

Want something to do tonight?  Be part of the annual National Night Out.  The idea behind it is to get people out of their homes to mingle, to get to know each other.  It’s intended to help build neighborhood solidarity and friendship and get people involved in crime-prevention activities.  The result is to put the bad guys on notice that we’re fed up with their crimes and are organized and unified enough to take back our neighborhoods.

There are National Night Out events which you can participate in.  Otherwise, grab some lawn chairs and sodas, invite neighbors to join you, and talk about the kids, pets–preferably not about politics or religion–and how you, as a group, can make your neighborhood a safer place.

See you there!

 

 

 

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