Archive for October 29, 2021

Brief Pause

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I post every day but Sunday most times. That won’t be happening starting tomorrow. That’s when family arrives from New Jersey, staying with me for about a week. We haven’t seen each other for three years, so we have a lot of catching-up to do. In the midst of our reunion, we’ll be attending my son’s wedding to a young woman I really, really like. I’m joyfully preparing for my mother-of-the-groom role.

I’ll be back in this space probably Nov. 8. Don’t go away!

What do you Think You’re Thinking?

Today’s Thursday Thought quote is something I admit I’ve done. Have you?

Halloween is CHRISTIAN?!

We think of Halloween as a pagan celebration. Actually, rather than being devil-worship, it has very Christian roots. With the help of the Irish, French, a Pope, and greeting card companies.

I found the history of the celebration very interesting when I viewed The Catholic History of Halloween and think you might, too.

Insecure About Food

You’ve heard the term “food insecurity.” It’s not quite the same as hunger or starvation but just as bad. It’s affecting millions of Americans today. What is it and what can be done about it? Read What is Food Insecurity, by Nicole Sturzenberger. Here’s the beginning of this informative and heart-breaking article:

“America has a hunger problem. As the nation producing the most food exports in the world, 38 million people face hunger in the United States every year, including 12 million American children. Food insecurity is an often overlooked (and criticized) issue but during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many lost jobs, record numbers of people turned to their local food pantry for support. Stories of long lines and people stunned by their sudden change in stability were hard to avoid in the media.”

[Continued here.]

Are You (Auto) Correct?

This cartoon is for anyone who uses autocorrect on their phone and has sent a message without proofreading it, thus saying something obscene or embarrassing.

What Candy to Avoid on Halloween

Halloween is almost here. Time to stock up on goodies for those cute little goblins at your door. If you choose to give out candy, here’s some important information.

Some major brands of chocolate use child labor and growing methods that are harming our Earth. Instead, buy lesser-known brands that don’t do either. Green America has put together a chocolate scorecard that evaluates the various brands. You’ll see, for example, that Hershey’s gets a full thumbs-up in all six categories, while Nestles has a thumbs-down and Godiva (save your money!) has two thumbs-down.

Then go to Put Down That Big-Name Chocolate to find other, lesser-known brands of chocolate made by companies who emphasize people (including children) and the Earth.

Happy Halloween!

The Squid Has Captured Me!

Help!!!! I’m being held captive by the NetFlix show Squid Game! I don’t WANT to watch it. It’s far too violent and bloody for my taste. So why do I keep going back? Am I addicted?

I admit that I find it an interesting study of human greed, sacrifice, stupidity, compassion, cruelty, selfishness, and group dynamics. All the things that hooked me on Survivor. But the violence…the blood…the adrenalin flow….

Will I watch season 2 when it comes out? Probably. If for no other reason than I’m fascinated by how there could even be a season 2 after they kill off everybody.

I urge you, dear readers, NOT TO WATCH THIS SHOW! Do NOT get hooked like us other damned souls!

Powerlessness of Love, Trust, and Sorry

Today’s Thursday Thought quote offers some ancient wisdom that causes us to consider some emotions we simply accept as valid.

Early Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is weeks away, but I’m starting early on the thanks part. During California’s terrible drought, we’ve almost forgotten that the gift of rain exists. Recently, we’ve been getting smatterings of that precious substance. Not a whole lot. Not hard or frequent enough to refill our ground water and reservoirs. Still, as I experience this week of several days of blessed rain, I am very, very thankful. I will continue to conserve water and continue giving thanks for every drop we’re gifted with.

Please Explain Your Vaccine Position

I’m seeing demonstrations on the news–parents protesting getting their kids Covid-vaccinated in order to attend school. Not just the vaccinations for 5 -11 year-old kids, which isn’t approved yet, but also for teens, which is approved.

What I don’t understand is the claim that it’s a parent’s CHOICE. Can someone explain to me why other vaccinations required to attend school are acceptable (e.g., polio, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, chick pox) but not for Covid? All the others have stopped or prevented epidemics like the one we’re having now, so is their CHOICE to keep from protecting our children and ourselves?

I’m sorry. I just don’t get it.