George Shultz entertained us with his “Peanuts” cartoons and, at the same time often pointed out life’s inconsistencies. As a book lover, this cartoon resonated with me.
Archive for February 8, 2023
Tell Me Later, Not Now
When did broadcast news become part guesswork? My local station does it less, but they all do, especially national news. Take, for example, tonight’s State of the Union Address. News people are telling us what Biden might say and what the Republican response might be. They even have guests on to discuss what might be said. Yes, they’ve been given hints via press releases, but only generalities. Not the President’s actual ideas, words, tone of voice, or gestures, all of which convey meaning. The same is true when, say, a Secretary plans to go to China for talks. Or when a jury is deciding on a verdict in an important trial.
I say, don’t tell me what might happen. Instead, use that time to give me more news stories.
Let your Stars Shine
Despite their commitment to treating customers honesty, fairly, and personally, one of my favorite. family-owned and run small stores is suffering. Why? Because most people write reviews only if they’re upset. Typical negative reviews for this store misstate what actually happened, like the latest situation where a service person went, as requested, to the home to fix one thing on one item. When he arrived, the customer had bought parts from the manufacturer to upgrade another item, too, and expected the service person to now do a 2-hour job when he was scheduled for only a 30-minute job and use a part that was not the right one. He couldn’t do it then but promised to reschedule to do the job right. The customer wrote a scathing review, saying the company didn’t know what they were doing and refused to do the work. Of course, he gave only 1 star.
The upshot her, folks, is that reviews really do affect a business. DO write GOOD reviews when you think a company has been efficient, considerate, accommodating, or whatever. Something POSITIVE to offset the unfair reviews and to pull the star-average upward. It’s a good way for you to show your appreciation for a company which has treated you well.
It’s For the Birds
February is the hardest month of the year for birds. It’s not just cold in their world, it’s also a time when food is scarce. If you have a bird feeder, keep it filled. If not, set out a bowl shallow enough for birds to perch on the edge and gobble up seed.
[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. For a description of the book go to My Free Books).
Invitation
I’d like to invite you to take a look at my newly released book, The Women In Me: How they Helped Me Survive and Thrive. Explore Authors Magazine describes it as “an inspirational memoir about the influences of the women in their lives and how women can help each other cope and heal from trauma. An illuminating read!” It has been out only a month here and in Europe but is starting to get reader reviews, as well. Read a summary of what it’s about and their reviews at most online book sellers. Here are some direct links: https://www.amazon.com/Women-Me-Nancy-Maloney-Mercado/dp/B0BPF8BW82
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-women-in-me-nancy-maloney-mercado/1142811292?ean=9798218105679
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-women-in-me
It’s available in both print and eBook formats.
Basic Humanity
As we begin Black History Month, it’s only fitting that today’s Thursday Thought quote is wisdom from a man who fought for basic human freedom and dignity:
“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” —Nelson Mandela
The Divisive, Mind-Warping Plague
The U.S. is in the midst of a mind-warping, highly divisive 3-pronged plague, misinformation/mal-information/disinformation. It leads all the way from poor decisions to deadly violence. Finland, recently rated Europe’s most resistant nation to fake news, has an answer. Two years after the 2014 Russian spreading of this plague it began teaching kids in schools how to recognize and respond to it.
Having been a teacher, I’m seldom one to ask schools to take on one more task, but I think this is important. There should be funding for classes so that our kids can grow into alert, critical-thinking adults.
Read about Finland’s program at How Finland starts its fight against fake news in primary schools.