A Few of My Favorite Things
Oh, the list is long and distinguished. I like a lot of things, but as I’ve gotten older, I don’t like a lot of things, too. Especially the things that come along with the things I like; the ying yang. I know you’ve gotta take the bitter with the sweet, and who am I to judge which is which. But this is my list, my favorite things. And as I write them out for you (for me) I’m learning that’s it’s not all about me (my husband is gasping!).
- I like people that can say what they feel, but I don’t like it when people say terrible things to and about others, because they feel it. This includes ALL political parties right now. Stop mudslinging; tell me what you’ll do for us, not what your opponent did. Keep the focus on you.
- Self check-out lanes at the grocery stores. These are supposed to help move us along in a more “Jetsons” kind of way. The not so good thing is when someone wants to try it out for the first time and it’s like Saturday morning rush-time and there’s a long line forming. I know we all have to learn sometime and somewhere, but perhaps a lesser busy time is more appropriate.
The open road! Who doesn’t like driving along on on a beautiful or not so beautiful day? You’re cruising along and someone pulls out in front of you. There are others in the world, so this will happen quite often. But here’s the rub: when they pull out like a bat out of Hell, jump in front of you, then drive four miles per hour. What’s up with that?
- Lottery ticket winnings. Wowee! But wait a minute, aren’t the taxes for the state I live in supposed to go to education? Why is the next generation looking more hopeless everyday? Not all - kudos and congrats to those who make it. God help the rest. Who’s the fat cat that’s pocketing that money?
- TV shows. What happened to them? Why is everyone competing? I think that a sprinkling of these shows are okay, and don’t even mention the Food Network. They stick with only three people: Paula, Giada, and Rachel. Ugh! I’ve had enough of them. What happened to Wolfgang? Where’s Mario? How about Gale? Where are the really good cooks?
Last but not least - holidays. I love the Fall & Winter holiday music, decorations, food - I love it all. But where do the people live who put up their Christmas tree in October? Why are the stores doing this to us, and again with the competition. As a kid, the stores had a rule that no Christmas decorations could go up until AFTER Thanksgiving. What happened to the little pilgrims and turkeys? I loved them too. We’d watch “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” movies, or “Mouse On the Mayflower” - what happened to them?
So there you have it. But that’s only the beginning. I’m already brewing up my next list. I’m working on changing things a step at a time.
I Believe
I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.
I believe that the law was made for man and man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.
I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.
I believe that thrift if essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure, whether in government, business or personal affairs.
I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.
I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man’s word should be as good as his bond; that character–not wealth or power or position–is of supreme worth.
I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.
I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God, named by whatever name, and that the individual’s highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.
I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.
–John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Happy Thanksgiving!
We’re busy cooking, eating, and resting on this fine day but hope you and yours have an abundant time.
Don’t forget - before you go to sleep tonight, write down five things you’re grateful for. Here are mine:
1) My health - duh, right?
2) My immediate family (the one under my roof) - husband, daughter, mom and new son-in-law.
3) My extended family - that includes all of them, even the annoying ones.
4) My job - I’m so grateful I have one.
5) That I’m alive to be thankful.