Except for Valentine's Day, I've always thought of February as cold, uneventful and boring. That was, until this year. What happened? When did February, with its snow drifts and overcoats don a party hat and dancing shoes to make merry all month long?
This February started right out with a tongue-twister event as Punxsutawney Phil made a grand appearance on Groundhog Day. People showed up at this little town in Pennsylvania on a freezing cold morning as a troupe of men in tuxedos and silk top hats pulled Phil, an otherwise non-descript groundhog, out of its hibernation tree to see if the critter could cast its own shadow. Can you believe real people put faith in the weather prediction of this rodent? Though skeptical, I, too, want to believe Phil's prediction of "an early spring." Dare I note Pennsylvania, along with half dozen other east coast states, got blasted by a blizzard before the month was out?
And then there was the Super Bowl - that annual event football fans look forward to all year long. I'm not sure whether the attraction is the game, the food or the half-time show but all were highly touted events this year in New Orleans; especially with brothers being rival head coaches of the competing teams. Isn't that taking sibling rivalry to the extreme?
The stadium emptied just in time for New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras to begin. Streets were noisy with colorful parades. Jazz and blues filled the air. Every instrument in the city joined in the celebration before Lent begins. The event, all gold and purple, green and sparkles is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears. Party masks and tons of strings of beads are worn by revelers as they shout and dance in the excitement of a traditional New Orleans' Mardi Gras.
Chinese New Year got its share of revelry as well. Here comes another colorful February event. This one is celebrated all over the world with red lanterns, brightly colored clothes, gifts, dancing in the streets and fireworks. 2013 is the year of the snake. I will celebrate quietly with American Chop Suey and a fortune cookie (also of American origin) even though I am a Monkey, according to the Chinese calendar, and must wait till 2016 for my special year.
February also went to the dogs on the 12th and 13th with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Some feisty little black dog (I don't recall the breed) named Banana Joe won the Best of Show. My favorite dog didn't make it to the finals but I thought Banana Joe was a personable and eye-appealing winner.
The Constitution of the United States is celebrated on the 12th then Ash Wednesday as Lent begins. George and Abraham's birthdays are celebrated separately and jointly as Presidents Day. There are two Flag Days, the 18th and the 24th, so Valentine's Day is almost lost among February's most important celebrations and birthdays - like Helen's Ruth G's and mine on the 23rd.
February wasn't a very cold month this year (and I am glad) but it has been a very busy month. I found time to host and play MahJongg, have friends in to visit and, hopefully, I'll get my driver's license renewed. As always, Valentine's Day is my favorite, so I'll ask you one more time: Will you be my Valentine? X O X O X
How did you celebrate February? Tell me. I'd like to know.
Nancy yTe \
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
POTTY TRAINING
We take the most important room in our homes, the bathroom, for granted. Every family member, without a second thought, uses it on a daily basis. Yet, only 100 years ago most houses were not equipped with flushing toilets, hot and cold running water, a shower, bath or tub. So, people did what comes naturally in the outhouse, the woods or some secluded spot.
Civilizations developed ways to deal with human excrement. I read that even in 3000 B.C. there were some indoor toilets with rainwater pipes to underground drains and cesspools. Ancient Romans had elaborate water systems, including sewage drainage systems, They had public toilets with rows of seats cut into marble ledges where water below carried away their refuse. These public baths and public toilets were social and business meeting places where people paid to use the facility. Yes, they did. Humans, it seems, were not sufficiently impressed with sanitation to find human waste a problem.
Improvement began in the 16th century. People did not shower or bathe with any regularity but did learn to use chamber pots; some being emptied out a window or on the street. As more people lived in towns and communities, rules and laws for health and sanitation were established. In England, for instance, people relied on outdoor pits, dug at a distance of an arrow's shot from a residence. It took many years for some areas of Europe and America to modernize.
My parents' newly built four room farmhouse was at the top of a knoll in Arkansas. It had no accommodation for a bathroom, no electricity or running water. It was the summer of 1949 and we began to 'modernize' the farm with electrical wiring, well pump with lines to bathroom, kitchen and a septic system. As workers, we found relief only in ritual visits to the outhouse. You see, my mother had never lived without electricity, running water or a fully-functioning bathroom and she wasn't about to start here. Neighbors stopped by to see what we were doing. They said, "You'll never get water pumping to the top of that knoll." But the delivery truck arrived with toilet, sink and bathtub - in pink porcelain. In about 1960 my sister and I visited our mother at the farm - and took pleasure in dismantling the old oak outhouse.
I take the two bathrooms in my house and the innumerable public rest rooms elsewhere for granted. I expect cleanliness, flushing toilets, running water and quality toilet paper, too. I haven't seen a 'real' Arkansas outhouse in thirty years and I don't own a chamber pot - never did. So much for potty training.
Do you remember outhouses and chamber pots? Tell me. I'd like to know.
Nancy yTe \
Civilizations developed ways to deal with human excrement. I read that even in 3000 B.C. there were some indoor toilets with rainwater pipes to underground drains and cesspools. Ancient Romans had elaborate water systems, including sewage drainage systems, They had public toilets with rows of seats cut into marble ledges where water below carried away their refuse. These public baths and public toilets were social and business meeting places where people paid to use the facility. Yes, they did. Humans, it seems, were not sufficiently impressed with sanitation to find human waste a problem.
Improvement began in the 16th century. People did not shower or bathe with any regularity but did learn to use chamber pots; some being emptied out a window or on the street. As more people lived in towns and communities, rules and laws for health and sanitation were established. In England, for instance, people relied on outdoor pits, dug at a distance of an arrow's shot from a residence. It took many years for some areas of Europe and America to modernize.
My parents' newly built four room farmhouse was at the top of a knoll in Arkansas. It had no accommodation for a bathroom, no electricity or running water. It was the summer of 1949 and we began to 'modernize' the farm with electrical wiring, well pump with lines to bathroom, kitchen and a septic system. As workers, we found relief only in ritual visits to the outhouse. You see, my mother had never lived without electricity, running water or a fully-functioning bathroom and she wasn't about to start here. Neighbors stopped by to see what we were doing. They said, "You'll never get water pumping to the top of that knoll." But the delivery truck arrived with toilet, sink and bathtub - in pink porcelain. In about 1960 my sister and I visited our mother at the farm - and took pleasure in dismantling the old oak outhouse.
I take the two bathrooms in my house and the innumerable public rest rooms elsewhere for granted. I expect cleanliness, flushing toilets, running water and quality toilet paper, too. I haven't seen a 'real' Arkansas outhouse in thirty years and I don't own a chamber pot - never did. So much for potty training.
Do you remember outhouses and chamber pots? Tell me. I'd like to know.
Nancy yTe \
Monday, January 28, 2013
UPSIDE DOWN & BACKWARD
I live in a backward world that turned up-side-down as well. I'd like to blame old age, but I think today's dilemma was real at every age. To begin my day, in the darkness of night, I squinted my eyes to make out the digital numbers on my alarm clock. Either I wasn't getting them in focus, which happens with glaucoma and AMD, or my clock had gone goofy. Had I just fallen asleep or was I five hours late waking up? I had purposely been waking in the middle of the night to watch Australian Open tennis matches this week but winners were declared and trophies awarded. I had no need to watch. Perhaps I'm the one who had gone goofy instead of the clock.
I got up, turned on the light and put on my glasses. It didn't help. The clock showed the time as EE:S. That's not funny. The law of rational life indicates there is a reason for everything. With that in mind, I discovered Daphne, my fat, old orange-striped cat, had knocked the clock over so that 5:33 appeared to be EE:S - am or pm?
Upside down wasn't enough. I headed right into backward. Unusual Ozark temperatures have confused us this January. High temps filled some days then dipping very low some nights. While the 'official' reading for today is 66' my porch thermometer read 74' so I made my way to the white wicker chairs with flowered red cushions on my veranda and occupied one long enough to complete today's crossword puzzle. It was delicious fun. It is January and snow should be on the ground, a nip in the air and icicles dangling from gutters but I sat warm and comfy with pen and puzzle in hand.
Mild winters are nice. Green spikes are poking up out of the ground. Crocus and jonquil won't be far behind. Plants stored in basements, garages and greenhouses are awakening early. My neighbor's shamrock plant is bursting with Irish green and dainty blossoms. My hibiscus and snaky purple plant beg for water as their branches and tendrils try to grab my arm when I walk by them. I tell them it is too early to go out and bask in the sun tho I do feel sorry for their garage confinement. I also feel guilty because I enjoyed absorbing today's sun without them. Maybe I'll provide them with a plastic greenhouse for next year - maybe.
So the season is backward and my clock was upside-down. I don't know why I'm surprised. That's how most of my retirement life has been. Without calendar, clock and TV, I'd never know the day, date, season or time - and, for the most part, don't really care. I promise, however, to be grateful next time I make out the correct time on my digital clock, through squinting eyes, especially if 5:33 a.m. is right-side up.
Have you ever had an up-side down day? Tell me about it. I'd like to know.
Nancy yTe \
I got up, turned on the light and put on my glasses. It didn't help. The clock showed the time as EE:S. That's not funny. The law of rational life indicates there is a reason for everything. With that in mind, I discovered Daphne, my fat, old orange-striped cat, had knocked the clock over so that 5:33 appeared to be EE:S - am or pm?
Upside down wasn't enough. I headed right into backward. Unusual Ozark temperatures have confused us this January. High temps filled some days then dipping very low some nights. While the 'official' reading for today is 66' my porch thermometer read 74' so I made my way to the white wicker chairs with flowered red cushions on my veranda and occupied one long enough to complete today's crossword puzzle. It was delicious fun. It is January and snow should be on the ground, a nip in the air and icicles dangling from gutters but I sat warm and comfy with pen and puzzle in hand.
Mild winters are nice. Green spikes are poking up out of the ground. Crocus and jonquil won't be far behind. Plants stored in basements, garages and greenhouses are awakening early. My neighbor's shamrock plant is bursting with Irish green and dainty blossoms. My hibiscus and snaky purple plant beg for water as their branches and tendrils try to grab my arm when I walk by them. I tell them it is too early to go out and bask in the sun tho I do feel sorry for their garage confinement. I also feel guilty because I enjoyed absorbing today's sun without them. Maybe I'll provide them with a plastic greenhouse for next year - maybe.
So the season is backward and my clock was upside-down. I don't know why I'm surprised. That's how most of my retirement life has been. Without calendar, clock and TV, I'd never know the day, date, season or time - and, for the most part, don't really care. I promise, however, to be grateful next time I make out the correct time on my digital clock, through squinting eyes, especially if 5:33 a.m. is right-side up.
Have you ever had an up-side down day? Tell me about it. I'd like to know.
Nancy yTe \
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
LET'S HAVE A PARTY
If you've made it through the first half of January, it's time to have a party. Gather up some friends or neighbors or colleagues and get social. Maybe you want to start with one friend, neighbor or colleague, or just a few people rather than the entire neighborhood, but have a party. It makes no difference if you play cards, watch a football game or just chat. I read somewhere that having a party not only makes you feel physically energized but mentally alert as well. Who knew?
A New Year typically begins with resolutions, good intentions and positive thinking. Mine did. My resolution was so simple: Put a positive spin on anything I ponder and say. Like my 101 other philosophies of life, this one should be a snap. However, like other philosophies, it requires real interaction with other real people before its real value sparkles. I like sparkle.
So, throw a party. Women invite friends in to try out a new recipe. Men invite friends to tinker in the workshop or to go fishing. I enjoy inviting people over to celebrate a holiday, try out new ideas or play MahJongg. Whatever your reason, invite people to join you. Make it a party. You may be surprised to learn that you will not only feel happy but be healthier when you do. I read an article (AARP/2013) indicating people who institute simple, yet healthy resolutions have experienced major health improvements. I'll vote for that.
Yes, Keep it simple: Get up, get dressed, get out; Join a group; Do one thing at a time; Smile with your eyes; Adopt a pet; Be a volunteer; Talk on the phone; Listen to your favorite music; Learn something new; Do the thing and you will have the power; Enjoy whatever you are doing right now; Laugh; Dance and Have a party.
Nancy yTe \]
A New Year typically begins with resolutions, good intentions and positive thinking. Mine did. My resolution was so simple: Put a positive spin on anything I ponder and say. Like my 101 other philosophies of life, this one should be a snap. However, like other philosophies, it requires real interaction with other real people before its real value sparkles. I like sparkle.
So, throw a party. Women invite friends in to try out a new recipe. Men invite friends to tinker in the workshop or to go fishing. I enjoy inviting people over to celebrate a holiday, try out new ideas or play MahJongg. Whatever your reason, invite people to join you. Make it a party. You may be surprised to learn that you will not only feel happy but be healthier when you do. I read an article (AARP/2013) indicating people who institute simple, yet healthy resolutions have experienced major health improvements. I'll vote for that.
Yes, Keep it simple: Get up, get dressed, get out; Join a group; Do one thing at a time; Smile with your eyes; Adopt a pet; Be a volunteer; Talk on the phone; Listen to your favorite music; Learn something new; Do the thing and you will have the power; Enjoy whatever you are doing right now; Laugh; Dance and Have a party.
Nancy yTe \]
Thursday, January 3, 2013
NEW BEGINNING
It's a new year. Now is your opportunity to resolve to have a happy, hearlthy, successful year. The key is good planning. What better time to begin than today?
You took a giant step toward change if you wrote a personal summary of last year - recognizing strengths and weaknesses. You discovered successes you want to repeat and discomforts you want to eliminate. Perhaps you identified something you particularly want to do, learn, accomplish or become.
Here is the key to succeed in your new year's resolution: You need a goal, a plan, a timetable and, most of all, expectation of success. Here's how I see it:
Life consists of a few general categories: Health, Ambition, Self Esteem; Relationships and Finances (in no particular order). Each requires your attention to keep balance in everyday living. To succeed, you need to identify your goal specifically, realistically, in time increments, measurable and attainable. Example: Lose 10 pounds during 2013 at a rate of 1 pound per month. Action for January: eliminate ice cream (or chocolate or soda pop or white bread); locate alternate food plans, exercise or event to implement subsequent months; and keep a daily weight/food/activity chart. Reward your January success: one dark chocolate Eskimo bar (savor it).
For best results, keep a chart with your successes of weight, food intake and activity (scale 1-10 daily) throughout the year. People who see their improvement on a chart feel more successful. They also see the benefit of daily graphs for each general category listed above. Individuals are surprised how improvement in one life area has a positive effect in other areas of their life.
While keeping your goal and timetable firmly in place, you may want/need to adjust your success plan. After all, you cannot drive from the east coast to the west coast without making adjustments for flat tire, snow storm, detour, etc., along the way. The destination remains the same. Run into a glitch? Don't beat yourself up. Rather, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again... That's from a song - isn't it?
Begin your plan for success today.
Nancy yTe \
You took a giant step toward change if you wrote a personal summary of last year - recognizing strengths and weaknesses. You discovered successes you want to repeat and discomforts you want to eliminate. Perhaps you identified something you particularly want to do, learn, accomplish or become.
Here is the key to succeed in your new year's resolution: You need a goal, a plan, a timetable and, most of all, expectation of success. Here's how I see it:
Life consists of a few general categories: Health, Ambition, Self Esteem; Relationships and Finances (in no particular order). Each requires your attention to keep balance in everyday living. To succeed, you need to identify your goal specifically, realistically, in time increments, measurable and attainable. Example: Lose 10 pounds during 2013 at a rate of 1 pound per month. Action for January: eliminate ice cream (or chocolate or soda pop or white bread); locate alternate food plans, exercise or event to implement subsequent months; and keep a daily weight/food/activity chart. Reward your January success: one dark chocolate Eskimo bar (savor it).
For best results, keep a chart with your successes of weight, food intake and activity (scale 1-10 daily) throughout the year. People who see their improvement on a chart feel more successful. They also see the benefit of daily graphs for each general category listed above. Individuals are surprised how improvement in one life area has a positive effect in other areas of their life.
While keeping your goal and timetable firmly in place, you may want/need to adjust your success plan. After all, you cannot drive from the east coast to the west coast without making adjustments for flat tire, snow storm, detour, etc., along the way. The destination remains the same. Run into a glitch? Don't beat yourself up. Rather, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again... That's from a song - isn't it?
Begin your plan for success today.
Nancy yTe \
SUMMING UP 2012
I hope you were able to take an inventory, so to speak, of your year 2012. It may seem an unnerving task - rather like going to the dentist. However, life is more often filled with good acts given and received. We can rediscover ourselves as we tally up the past year. You probably won some challenges and saw others as less rewarding. Both were opportunities to learning and succeed.
So, start tallying. You've accomplished more than you might expect. If you weren't shredded by a tornado or flooded by hurricane Sandy and survived the most recent 'End of the World' scare, you can top your list with these three blessings. Certainly giving your old neighbor a ride, volunteering for a charitable organization, and donating time, energy, money or expertise counts.
Be sure to give yourself credit for your Random Acts of Kindness. They are my favorite. They kinda take the bitter edge off having done something stupid. I seem to do a lot of stupid acts, like throwing the wrong bag of stuff in the garbage or dropping a check in the mailbox - sans an envelope, but paying the fast food lunch tab of the guy behind me at the drive-thru made me feel good.
Inventories are only valuable when put to good use. You add up all the things you have enjoyed, survived, conquered, appreciated and learned in 2012 so you see clearly what to improve, to eliminate or to accomplish. Now is the time to invest in your self with your 2013 New Year's Resolutions.
Nancy yTe \
So, start tallying. You've accomplished more than you might expect. If you weren't shredded by a tornado or flooded by hurricane Sandy and survived the most recent 'End of the World' scare, you can top your list with these three blessings. Certainly giving your old neighbor a ride, volunteering for a charitable organization, and donating time, energy, money or expertise counts.
Be sure to give yourself credit for your Random Acts of Kindness. They are my favorite. They kinda take the bitter edge off having done something stupid. I seem to do a lot of stupid acts, like throwing the wrong bag of stuff in the garbage or dropping a check in the mailbox - sans an envelope, but paying the fast food lunch tab of the guy behind me at the drive-thru made me feel good.
Inventories are only valuable when put to good use. You add up all the things you have enjoyed, survived, conquered, appreciated and learned in 2012 so you see clearly what to improve, to eliminate or to accomplish. Now is the time to invest in your self with your 2013 New Year's Resolutions.
Nancy yTe \
Thursday, December 6, 2012
IT'S JUST MY OPINION
Here's my opinion regarding a recent trend where men grow a stubble beard and actually go out in public fuzz-faced. I think they look unclean. I've heard young women say they think it looks masculine, rugged or cute. This bristling appearance is bad enough while wearing work clothes or ratty jeans gut particularly foolish, even incongruent, when nicely clad otherwise. Worst of all is the guy with sprouting face hair while dressed in formalwear. Yuck!
I love it when somebody asks my opinion - because I always have one. I am thrilled when I hear someone else express the same opinion as mine, especially when it is someone of intelligence, respect, accomplishment, even famous. It happened this week and was caught on camera for the evening news. Yep.
Famous entertainment industry people were on the Red Carpet at some big awards event. One of the interviewers, a man I'd presume to be about thirty, was appropriately dressed for the occasion and doing a fine job of intercepting the most recognizable actors and actresses for comment. One of the attendees was an easily recognized leading man who the interviewer enticed into a brief interview. The interviewer was taken aback, however, when this actor's comment turned to the interviewer's appearance.
"What's this," he said as he put his hand on the interviewer's jaw, "forgot to shave?" The interviewer sputtered. "That's disrespectful," said the actor, referring to the interviewer's appearance.
Moments later the interviewer zeroed in on some other actor, not famous enough for me to recognize, but one whose face was densely stubbled. His comments showed his relief to find someone else who hadn't found the occasion important enough to shave before stepping on the Red Carpet. By now, the interviewer kinda reminded me of a naught boy who got caught peeing on the neighbor's tulips but felt justified because "Johnny did it, too!"
I have new respect for the movie actor originally interviewed. He had not been on the top of my
"favorite" list before this interview, but he's #1 now. He expressed his opinion in words clearly and succinctly, as I wish I had thought to do myself, when he described the interviewer's appearance "disrespectful."
Nancy yTe \
I love it when somebody asks my opinion - because I always have one. I am thrilled when I hear someone else express the same opinion as mine, especially when it is someone of intelligence, respect, accomplishment, even famous. It happened this week and was caught on camera for the evening news. Yep.
Famous entertainment industry people were on the Red Carpet at some big awards event. One of the interviewers, a man I'd presume to be about thirty, was appropriately dressed for the occasion and doing a fine job of intercepting the most recognizable actors and actresses for comment. One of the attendees was an easily recognized leading man who the interviewer enticed into a brief interview. The interviewer was taken aback, however, when this actor's comment turned to the interviewer's appearance.
"What's this," he said as he put his hand on the interviewer's jaw, "forgot to shave?" The interviewer sputtered. "That's disrespectful," said the actor, referring to the interviewer's appearance.
Moments later the interviewer zeroed in on some other actor, not famous enough for me to recognize, but one whose face was densely stubbled. His comments showed his relief to find someone else who hadn't found the occasion important enough to shave before stepping on the Red Carpet. By now, the interviewer kinda reminded me of a naught boy who got caught peeing on the neighbor's tulips but felt justified because "Johnny did it, too!"
I have new respect for the movie actor originally interviewed. He had not been on the top of my
"favorite" list before this interview, but he's #1 now. He expressed his opinion in words clearly and succinctly, as I wish I had thought to do myself, when he described the interviewer's appearance "disrespectful."
Nancy yTe \
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