Small Things Count

I’m not a big football fan, but I’ve always made sure to catch the Super Bowl ads. I’ve been disappointed for a few years now, including this year. Where are my Budweiser frogs and Clydesdales? And the heartwarming ads that baring us together? Sigh….

For this weeks’ Sensible Saturday, here’s a video that’s silly, funny in a warped way, and a good reminder of our relationship with our planet. https://archive.attn.com/videos/16761/we-need-treat-earth-better

Many months after my book came out, “The Women in Me: How They Helped Me Survive and Thrive,” Brittany published hers of a similar title. Now I have my first 1-star review (at Walmart’s site): “When I ordered the book it had the Britney Spears in photo but the item delivered is definitely not that item.” No. The covers are totally different. She was careless in ordering and gave me 1 star because of it! Here’s my cover. https://smthingscount.com/women-in-me/

Today’s quote-offering for Thoughtful Thursday hit me when I read it on Facebook. It didn’t cite an author. It seems like such a simple approach that can be applied to most human conditions.

“Stop spending so much time and energy trying to make gay people ‘not gay’ or transgender people ‘not transgender’–it isn’t going to happen. Instead, try making hungry people not hungry, hurting people not hurt, lonely people not alone.”

These signs started cropping up in yards awhile ago. Now, as I take Rosie for her daily walk around our neighborhood to check out each blade of grass, I’m seeing more and more of them, or variations with the same message. I take this sign as a good “sign” for a more peaceful future.

Today I ask you to do something.  Actually, NOT to do something.  Or let your family or friends do it without your saying something.

Full disclosure: I have a disability that keeps me from walking more than a few steps, and I use a handicap scooter, which I carry in my van, to free up my life for such “fun” (?) things as appointments and grocery shopping, and for getting together with friends.  I need space to open my van’s driver’s door or passenger door when someone else is driving.  Also, I have friends who use ramps to get them and their wheelchairs into and out of the side of their vans.  Those handicap parking spaces are what allow us to be independent and not house-bound.

I thank all of you who don’t park in the handicap spaces, even for a “quick run” into the pharmacy (“quick,” which is usually not really, doesn’t help when the spot is taken at the time we’re searching for one).

We need people to go a step farther and not park in the cross-hatch section next to handicap spaces.  Even a motorcycle, which doesn’t take up much space in that cross-hatch section, prevents a van’s ramp from being used.  You might park there and leave some some space between your car and the one in (or soon to fill) the handicap spot, but that still means my not being able to open my door all the way, so I can’t manipulate my body either in or out of my van.  Or it means that there isn’t enough room to put out a side ramp and get a person in a wheelchair down it and off the end.  Many times we pull into a spot we then realize we can’t use because of someone in the cross-hatch, and have to pull out, search for another, and, not finding one, go home instead of shopping, meeting an appointment, or socializing with friends.

But there are so many of those spots, people complain.  Could be because there are over 36 million American adults with functioning disabilities. All are drivers and/or passengers who are affected by the problem.

That’s my request, and the reasons why I’m asking.  Some people just don’t understand why.

Please, pass it on.

Heat from your home is leaked into your walls through electrical outlets and switch plates. To prevent this, install inexpensive foam gaskets (from home improvement stores).

[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).

For a change, a.m. news made me feel good about the future. In Jan., 350,000 jobs were added when the economists projected only 180,000 & food & gas prices are inching down (as usual, taking longer for us Cali people to feel it). Experts call it a great upward trend/no recession. Even local rainfall is 1.32” above average.

Today’s Thursday Thought quote takes a weight off of our shoulders, giving us some simple action advice.

This guy had an interesting idea: why waste time waiting when you could be dating?  What intrigues me is that, although it may lead to a real date, it’s simply people spending spare time not on electronic devices but connecting with people on a relaxed, fun level.  We can use more of this.