Perfect Little Angels?

No one is perfect and no one has perfect kids.  We hope for the best and when they surprise us with respectful behavior, we are proud.  I never tolerated rude, obnoxious, disrespectful behavior from my children and am appalled at parents as they look the other way when their kids misbehave.

Recently I was in a restaurant and observed a mother with three young children sitting within earshot. It was quite obvious she was a single mom and her children were polite, quiet as well as courteous to the waitress.  As I was leaving, I approached the mom and apologized if she thought I may have been eavesdropping.  "I want to applaud you as a mom.  It was a pleasure to have dinner next to your family.  You should be very proud at how well behaved and polite your children are."  She agreed that she was very proud of them and thanked me for making her day.

Flattery? What's that?

Some tidbits to make you smile today


Flattery?  What's that?

What do you think of flattery?  Do you want to be with someone who constantly tells you how beautiful and intelligent you are?   Do you want that person to worship the ground you walk on?   I have known relationships like that and must admit, I am a bit envious.  Sometimes I will even work up the courage to ask my hubby, "What do you think?  Like it?"  The reply is usually an approving nod followed by "You look great!"  Why can't he just say that without me having to ask?

He loves my cooking and brags about it to other people so I am aware that he certainly can appreciate the finer things.  After forty plus years of marriage, I still love it when he notices something new or different about.......me.  I admit it; it feels good.  



So, imagine my surprise the other day when, OUT OF THE BLUE, he looked at me and said,

Regret and Fear are Twin Thieves

Many of us have read The Station by Robert J. Hastings at some point in our lives.  I have read it numerous times over the years.  It never gets old or dated.  It is always a fresh message.  It always bears repeating.  It is unadulterated truth.  Read it.  Think about it.  Pass it on.

Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.  We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent.  We are traveling by train.  Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle gazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flat lands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.

9 Lies We Tell

Let's face it.  Everyone Lies.  We may not think of it as a lie, but we do it, even without thinking.   Why do we do it?  Mostly to protect ourselves or to spare someone's feelings.  How many of these are you guilty of telling?

How are you?  Fine, thank you....and you?

Truth:  I'm terrible and I'll thank you NOT to ask me that again.   I don't care how you are, please just leave me alone.

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How is your business?  Great - having a good year.

Truth:  You just HAD to ask.  Did you want to rub it in my face that you are doing so well?  It has been our worst year on record and we are hoping to keep the doors open at least another year.

Saying Goodbye To Our Dog, Our Friend

Willow.  Six years ago this baby girl was tied to a fence with a coat hanger waiting for the "dog disposer" to pick her up.  Who could imagine the rejection this gentle creature must have felt?  It was obvious she had been abused.

It was Easter four years ago.  Rochelle was visiting us when she got the call from her hubby who was working in the Arctic North.  "Now, please don't be angry with me but I got us another dog."  I watched Rochelle's mouth tighten and the air was tense.  She had three dogs and a cat and certainly did not need another one.  They argued about it for a few minutes.  When she got off the phone, it was clear she lost the battle.

Great way for a Husky to cool off

What Is Your 'If Only' Moment?

How many 'if only' moments do we get?  If only I had not said that.  If only I had not gone there.  If only I had made a better choice.  If only I had called them.  If only I had made the effort to see them one last time.  If only.......

Once we have said it..... it is spoken.
Once we have done it.....it is done.
Can we take back the words, undo the deed?  No.

Sure-fire Solution to Combat Depression

Depression. Hopelessness. Battle Weary. Despair. Many of us have used these terms to relay our feelings. I have been on this road.....a lot.

In light of Robin Williams' death, we have been encouraged to support the depressed. Pretty hard to do if you don't know if someone is in need of help. Personally, I think one of the worst things you can say to a depressed person is "Don't worry - Be Happy!" which empathizes the point that they should not be blue and creates an overwhelming feeling of guilt.

I encourage you to watch David Letterman's tribute to Robin Williams linked here.  David shared his relationship with his close friend of many years. As close as they were, Mr. Letterman had absolutely no idea of Robin Williams' pain.

Rich or Poor? A Matter of Perspective

A Lesson in Appreciation.  I was raised to count my blessings. No matter how tough life seemed, my parents showed me that I could always find someone who was hurting more, owned less or who was not as fortunate or healthy as myself. They explained that by throwing pity parties, we will rarely accomplish more than underscoring how we already feel - hard done by.

The lesson my parents taught me carried me through a rough life. No matter how much I had to endure, if I found a way to encourage someone who was hurting; in turn, I would be encouraging myself.  I think the following story speaks volumes to this end.