Auld Lang Syne

Happy New York

https://www.thedailymeal.com/holidays/what-does-auld-lang-syne-really-mean

Remembering my friends, and the many (many) good times.

As we near the end of the year, we do think of our past - our friends, the places we have gone, the things we have done.

The traditional New Year’s Eve song is Auld Lang Syne. 

“Should old acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?” 

In the most literal sense, auld lang syne can be roughly translated to “old long since.” And though those words don’t form a real phrase in modern English, to Burns (and to the old man who taught him the song), they meant “long, long ago,” “a long time ago” or “days gone by.” So, when you sing “auld lang syne, my dear” in the chorus, you’re essentially cheering to days gone by, which is why people sing the song when they’re remembering the good times.

So, here we are - at the end of year 2019 and going into 2020.  What remembrances do you have of this year?

(And, by-the-way, why am I thinking there will be a lot of vision jokes in the year 2020 - for 20/20 vision).

I/we rarely celebrated New Year’s Eve.  Maybe we would stay up to 12:05 so we could say “Happy New Year”.  Anymore I generally go to bed at about 9:30 p.m. 

I do New Year’s Resolutions - some I keep and some I don’t.  I have talked about SMART goals in the past (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely).  At age 72, I have some real goals and some general goals.  (I “need” to get to Alaska - but that really isn’t a ‘need’ but a desire or a ‘want’).

I need to work more on loving everybody - as you know, I like this Dorothy Day quote: “I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”

We are all made in the image and likeness of God, and I am to love all!!

Are you doing something to celebrate the end of 2019 and the start of 2020?  Will the decade of the ‘twenties’ be exciting for you?  I will be 82 by the end of 2029.  I hope (and plan on) being healthy, active, loving, giving, and positive until my death (sometime after my 98th birthday)!!!

Will it be a party time?  Will it be a time to watch the ball drop in Times Square in New York?  Will you be with family or friends?  Will you make 2020 a super year for you!!  (I WILL)!!!

Hugs!!

Karen

Second reflections (Cheap/Frugal)

One additional item in my review - Frugal vs. Cheap

Yesterday I wrote: “I have become very ‘frugal’ (read that as “cheap”).  With the divorce on its way, I need to watch my finances more.  Connie is getting the house and the rest of our income/investments are to be split 50/50.  My sister will tell you that I have my first nickel (not true).  I am coming to the realization that I am going to be okay financially.  I am becoming my mother (who, having lived through the depression, was also careful with money.)

My friend (KB) reminded me about frugal versus cheap.  Sometimes I am just too cheap!!!  I shop at the Dollar Tree (everything is $1) and not Dollar General.  I do watch some of the prices.  Last night, I got chicken breasts with bones at $1.29 a pound.  That will make several meals for me.  

One of my proverbial New Year’s Resolutions is to exercise.  This year, I walked about 950 miles according to MapMyWalk.  I want more for this next year.  I should be getting 10,000 steps a day according to sources - which is about 5 miles for my strides.  Over a year ago, I bought a cheap pedometer - that broke on first use (not the pedometer, but the connecting piece).  Last month I found a fitness device for $19.95 and bought it - to keep track of my steps.  It was made in China, not a brand I knew.  The directions were in Chinese for the first half of the instruction book, and English.  The first step was to plug it in overnight.  I plugged it in, and it didn’t light up, it didn’t charge.  So, I am back looking for a fitness device.  Some that I have looked at even prompt you if you are still sitting after an hour and can-do blood pressure, steps and more - and actually are brand names I know.  Maybe there will be sales on them in January.  

I did get some high-end Skullcandy Bluetooth headphones (about $130) - and the plastic strap broke.  I contacted them and sent it in and got a new pair.  The plastic strap broke on that one again!!  (Maybe I have a big head and I should just have the Bluetooth earbuds?)

I got a set of three cooking pans for $19 - and I love them (okay, ‘love’ is not a good word for cooking pans).  The small pan is just right for my oatmeal.  And, as mentioned before, I got a microwave!!

I have a friend (MN).  MN has to watch her money carefully.  But, she is extremely generous.  One day as we were getting cat food, a lady and daughter came by to get cat food for their cat.  Seemingly they only had a limited amount of money and were looking at the cheapest, smallest bag of cat food.  Mary, who is also very gregarious, soon engaged the lady in conversation and she eventually bought a large bag of cat food for the lady with her own money.

Likewise, a few weeks ago, MN and I were doing laundry at the laundromat, when a lady with a daughter was trying to stuff too many clothes into one machine.  Mary, again, engaged the lady in conversation and eventually paid for four washing machines and three dryers.  Maybe not big money, but it must have been ‘money from heaven’ for the lady and her daughter.  

I am ashamed at myself for thinking “MN, you don’t have much money of your own, and yet you are helping these people out”.  If you well, Mary was on a personal ‘high’ after helping others out - as that is her nature.

In the past, I have made coffee with just one scoop - and gotten hot slightly black water. I have resolved to use more coffee grounds to have better tasting coffee this upcoming year.  It is not that I can’t afford to buy coffee!!  I was being cheap - not frugal.  (Frugal might mean buying the store brand of coffee rather than the standard brands).  

I now reflect more on my spending.  Yes, my/our income is divided in half, yes, my apartment costs money (for my 582 square feet).  Yes, I don’t have television (but really friends that has been a godsend!!).  But, I need to be more frugal than cheap.  

I also need to be more generous.  I do have a monthly contribution taken directly out of my checking account for my church.  I am sorry to say (to myself and to you), that it is not 10% of my income (more like 5%).  I realize that I am being ‘cheap’ with God - and that hits me deeper.  

There are many good charities out there.  I do try to donate when I can - and do try to be careful to give to those that “do the most good.''  

God forgive me for being cheap - to you and to others.  Cheap is a negative state of mind.  

But like humans, I am good at rationalization. I give smiles, I give of my time, I write these uplifting and motivational blogs, I am an encourager - so what if I don’t give as much money as I should.  But, inside, I know that is just rationalization.  So, as a New Year’s resolution, I am promising myself to be more of a giver - money, time, service, smiles, encouragement, coaching, and more.  I am not an island.  It is better to give than receive - and I must give!!!

Sorry for the ‘down’ note friends.

But, I love you!!

May God bless you in 2020; may He give you prosperity, good health, family love in this coming year; and may He give you overflowing joy and deep/unfathomable peace!!!  AMEN!!

Karen

2019 Review

Quick 2019 Review:

For me:

This was a full year of living alone.  I moved into my apartment last year (2018) on October 27th.  

Let’s see …

I am not a great cook, but I am getting better.  My favorite things are what I can make in the crock pot.  My local grocery store (HEB) has boneless chicken breasts for $2.29 a pound (and occasionally on sale for $1.99).  I put a couple of breasts into the crock pot, with whatever (potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and maybe rice or beans) and in a few hours have pulled chicken. I have also had pulled pork from the crock pot.

I have made a lot of coleslaw to get some vegetables into my diet.  I also have spinach salads a couple of times a week.  Frequently, spinach salads have salad olives, tuna (from a can), peppers, tomatoes, and topped with French Fried Onions (and, of course with ranch dressing).

Breakfast is easy - every other morning, I eat eggs, and in-between I have oatmeal.  My eggs are mostly boiled - but sometimes fried.  The eggs get garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and maybe salt substitute or garlic salt, 

The oatmeal is always interesting - with raisins, dried cranberries, dried sweet cherries, then a combination of clove, nutmeg, all spice, ginger, vanilla extract (generally the imitation kind), cinnamon.  

I (finally) have a microwave.  The main purpose is to warm up the pulled chicken leftovers - and to warm up my coffee.  (The other day, I was taking my time and had to warm my coffee three times).

I have a coffee maker.  About a month ago, I decided that I was being too cheap and not using enough coffee - so it was weak, slightly-coffee-flavored hot water.  

My biggest downfall is peanut butter.  Way-too-much peanut butter.  I also like salted peanuts in the shell (am I trying to sneak salt into my diet?)   Some weeks I allow bread, but most times no bread in the house.  The local food pantry gives out free bread to all-and-all people.  Unfortunately, they also have sweets.  I ate one gigantic cookie in one day.  I still need to learn to say “no”.  

I was four months trying to live as a male (with no support from my family), and now I have lived eight months as a female (again, with no support from my family).  I went to a weekly conservative Christian group and tried to live that life.  (I failed at that).

My other major problem was thinking “I still had it” and tried to teach a college statistics course.  That overwhelmed me - and was a major reason I spend four days in the mental hospital - down and depressed.

Yes, I am on hormones.  I have four things in my closet that are from my prior life.  Of my clothes, about five percent I have purchased from a regular shop, fifty percent from thrift shops, and forty-five percent given to me by friends.  (that is only an estimate).  Shoes are a problem.  I am wearing size 13W - which you do not find in most shoe stores.  My tennis shoes (shhh) are men’s tennis shoes with pink laces.  I did find the bigger shoes at Payless Shoes until they went out of business.  

I find that I am on my computer way-too-much.  I do have a membership in the Georgetown Recreation Center (very reasonable), and I do get there maybe four days out of the week.  I have blogged almost every day this year (other than the four days, I spent in the local mental hospital).  As I write this, I am really procrastinating from going to the gym (and the great walking track)!!

My comfort zone is both expanding and contracting.  (I spend too much time alone in my apartment - that contracts life, but I am learning to get out and meet people, volunteers, and be active in my community - and that expands it).

I have so many friends - many are new, some are not.  My bridge group is awesome; my church friends are amazing; my Faith-in-Action friends help me to see through some of my weaknesses and help me to realize that I have value and things to give.  

I have found God so much in my life.  It is a deep and personal relationship - how can I am a finite human being embrace the infinity of God?

As I mentioned before, I have become very ‘frugal’ (read that as “cheap”).  With the divorce on its way, I need to watch my finances more.  Connie is getting the house and the rest of our income/investments are to be split 50/50.  My sister will tell you that I have my first nickel (not true).  I am coming to the realization that I am going to be okay financially.  But, my car is almost eight years old and has some problems - and I don’t have the funds to upgrade or replace it.  I am becoming my mother (who, having lived through the depression, was also careful with money.)

Hey - I’m looking forward to 2020!!!  (Shhh - I’m hoping for something special this year!!!)

More tomorrow!!!

Karen

The Christmas Trips

The Christmas Trip
For many years (once we had the empty nest), we (Connie and I) made a Christmas trip. We lived in Connecticut and both of our families were in the Midwest. Sometimes the trips were after Christmas (as I frequently had to play tuba in the Brass Quintet for Christmas Eve services at our church).

Many years, it was a plane trip. One Christmas morning trip was to Austin (from Hartford CT). The booking was on Delta - and the hub was Cincinnati. Cincinnati had been hit by an ice storm the previous two days and even that morning, the terminal was filled with people sleeping on seats, on the floor, and waiting to catch the next flight to wherever. And, the airlines were doing their best to find seats on already full flights.

One Christmas morning we arrived in Austin while our family was still gone. We were tired and hungry with no place to go. After looking around, we found an IHOP and had breakfast as there were no other places open. That same Christmas was our first trip to Corpus Christi and the Gulf of Mexico.

One Christmas in Austin we stayed in an Extended Stay hotel as our Nebraska family stayed with our Texas family at their house. The three most memorable points of that trip were (1) our credit card number had been used to buy electronic games (not our purchase), and (2) we discovered that the hotel door didn’t even latch completely and basically, our room was locked. The third (3) was that our daughter, who was expecting twins, was (ahh) ‘very’ pregnant and as we shopped at HEB Central Market as a total family she had trouble not bumping into each other.

We drove most years (from 2000 to 2012) - as we had a car full of gifts. One year we fought the New Jersey turnpike as freezing rain started - and we ‘fought’ the weather (successfully) passed Washington DC. (Connie needed to pry my fingers off the steering wheel on that trip).

Another year we were maybe 30 miles south of a heavy snowfall on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Whatever radio station we found was just that far north of us and was telling of the icy roads. We were getting a cold rain with a temperature about 35.

We’ve been in 60-degree weather in Nebraska and zero-degree weather. (Which I - trying to be funny - described as “no-temperature at all”).

There were some years where I shoveled at the Nebraska family’s house every day.

When we retired from Connecticut to Leander Texas, we frequently would have Christmas with the local side of the family and New Year’s with our son and family in Nebraska. We checked the weather app frequently to avoid snow and ice. Just because it wasn’t snowing in Nebraska didn’t mean that we would escape freezing rain in Oklahoma.

There was the year that we stopped in Salina Kansas on our way back from Nebraska at Menard’s building supply store and bought a beautiful arched display to bring home. That meant that we had to slide our seats forward to get the box in the car. And then find niches for our suitcases, dirty clothes, and things we were already bringing back from Nebraska.

We have seen Christmas lights in many places - from Johnson City Texas to Ardmore Oklahoma, and Grand Island Nebraska.

But, whatever the year and the situation, the reason was the same - being a family at Christmas was important to us - and sharing the joy of Christmas and New Year with our family was part of our life.

Last year was my first year alone. I wasn’t invited to any family events (and I haven’t been for over a year-and-one-half). I was invited by a friend to her apartment - and we had a simple Christmas dinner and played cribbage. Nice, fun, but different.

To my senior friends, there are differences in Christmas trips, when there is only one person. In my case by divorce (not of my choosing, but I understand why it is happening). Think ahead to those times when one spouse has died and the other needs to cope with being alone at Christmas. For those younger, think of your senior parents - and even senior friends - who are alone - sitting in their apartments, eating leftovers - and remembering their previous (happy) Christmases. Many don’t want to come out to their family and say “Hey - I’m going to be alone for the Holidays, could you invite me over to be part of your celebration”. People don’t like pushy people and inviting yourself to somebody else’s event is not socially favored.

Family - friends - good times.

How can you make a single person happier this holiday season? Maybe it is somebody you know from your church - maybe somebody without anybody left in their family. How about you? Can you think of somebody outside your family that you could reach out to?

I can - and, even though Christmas is over, I’m going to be reaching out to two lonely friends!!!

Happy Holidays all!!!

Karen

(And as an after-thought, how about reaching out once a month to those elderly singles that you know)

Christmas Break

Ah Christmas Vacation

The time between Christmas and New Year’s was always a vacation time for me.  As a professor, it was part of the semester break, and years ago as a high school teacher, it was Christmas break.  Even the year I worked as a Kohl’s seasonal employee, I somehow managed to be done by December 24th.

As a kid, Christmas vacation time to go sledding.  Generally, Cedar Rapids had some snow.  We lived four blocks from Roosevelt Junior High School which had a magnificent sliding hill.  On the southeast it was gentle enough to go down for the younger kids, but if you dared, you could go on the north side.  Since it was the north side, it generally had more snow, since the sun didn’t hit it and melt it.  And, there was a great jump-off.  There was a little path that the mower would use in the summer to get to the top of the hill.  If you hit the right spot on that path, you really could jump up into the air.  

To me (now at age 72), that we (the neighborhood kids) stayed there all day.  I remember getting home soaking wet - and freezing.  But it was great fun (especially with friends.

I did go sledding a few other places.  The most significant was at Jones part on the south side of Cedar Rapids.  To get there, we had to drive.  I was there with a church youth group and we were racing down the slope.  On one particular run, I was in the lead, and turned my head to see the others coming behind me - and ran into a metal fence post.  I tore up my face a little - between the eyes and was bloody.  That was the only time I remember as a kid getting stitches.  I still have a little scar.  

There was also an ice-skating rink on the other side of Roosevelt Junior High School.  I wasn’t much of an ice skater.  I did have skates (second hand).  I mostly remember going myself.  And, I remember falling down enough times!!  There was a warming house - and when you got too cold, you could go inside to warm up.  And, like the sledding, I would go home soaking wet.  My jeans were also very wet as I fell down frequently.  

The other thing I remember from Christmas break was playing games.  I remember a three-day Monopoly game with the neighbor kids.  We played maybe three hours the first day until dinner time, then the same the next two days.  One-by-one we forced a few out, but most made deals that kept them going.  Finally, on the third day, we called it since some of us had other things to do the next day.  

We also had a jigsaw puzzle craze during Christmas break.  There was always a puzzle under the Christmas tree for me.  I knew because the package rattled when you shook it.  My dad would say, “Gee, that seems to be a broken gift”. 

The Boy Scouts would also go to a Klondike Derby (although not on Christmas Break).   The most memorable one was when I was a teacher in Keokuk Iowa.  We went to Camp Eastman across the Mississippi River from Keokuk.  Keokuk was farther south, so it generally didn’t have as much snow as Cedar Rapids.  I was in a tent with two other Scoutmasters and my arm mattress leaked and soon I was on the ground between their air mattresses.  It had been a rainy day and my sleeping bag was soon wet and very cold.  I managed to get dressed enough to get to the lodge and sat by the fire most of the night, with my teeth chattering, my clothes and sleeping bag soaked, and even my boots soaked.  (I guess I was the ‘tenderfoot’ there on that trip!!).

Those were lazy days and a wonderful break from school.  

As an adult, it was time with our children and trips to Minnesota to be with Connie’s family or trips to Iowa to be with my family.  When we moved to Connecticut, Christmas Break was almost always spent on the road - flying to Texas - or driving a few times.  (Yes, driving from Nebraska back to Connecticut was tricky some of those years.  Crossing Indiana on the toll road with an ice storm on our heels - and driving more than I wanted that day so we could stay ahead of the snow and ice.  

Do you have special memories of your Christmas breaks? Do you want to share with the rest of us?

Hugs!!

Karen

Boxing Day

Boxing Day:  Do you want to go a few rounds in the Ring?

https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-boxing-day-435060

Boxing day is NOT a day to fight in a square ring with boxing gloves on to knock the other person out or down.

It is an English custom.  As the article says:

“The name is a reference to holiday gifts. A ‘Christmas Box’ in Britain is a name for a Christmas present. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants and the day when they received a ‘Christmas Box’ from the master. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give ‘Christmas Boxes’ to their families.

“The name is a reference to charity drives. A box to collect money for the poor traditionally is placed in Churches on Christmas day and opened the next day - Boxing Day.

“The name also refers to a nautical tradition. Great sailing ships when setting sail would have a sealed box containing money on board for good luck.  If the voyage was a success, the box was given to a priest, opened at Christmas and given to the poor. 

Boxing Day is the 26th December and is a national holiday in the UK, Ireland and Canada.

The article also says:

“Boxing Day is a time to spend with family or friends, usually those not seen on Christmas Day itself. In recent times, the day has become synonymous with many sports. Horse racing is particularly popular with meets all over the country. Many top football teams also play on Boxing Day.

“Boxing Day is also a time when the British show their eccentricity by taking part in all kinds of silly activities. These include bizarre traditions including swimming the icy cold English Channel, fun runs, and charity events.

In Ireland, Boxing Day falls on "St. Stephen's Day". In past traditions, the so-called "Wren Boys." would go out and stone wrens to death representing what had happened to St Stephen. Thankfully, this tradition has now stopped, but the Wrens Boys still dress up but instead parade around town and collect money for charity.

And, speaking of St. Stephen’s Day, we can talk about a Christmas Carol that isn’t even about Christmas - Good King Wenceslas.  While frequently song at Christmas time and a good carol, it is about King Wenceslas of 

“Good King Wenceslas looked out

On the feast of Stephen

When the snow lay round about

Deep and crisp and even

Brightly shone the moon that night

Though the frost was cruel

When a poor man came in sight

Gath'ring winter fuel

• And last verse:

In his master's steps he trod

Where the snow lay dinted

Heat was in the very sod

Which the Saint had printed

Therefore, every men, be sure

Wealth or rank possessing

Ye who now will bless the poor

Shall yourselves find blessing

Seemingly the good King Wenceslas as he walked through the snow, the snow melted around his feet, and the poor man and servant could walk on bare ground 

The point is in the last two lines “You who bless the poor and find blessing”!!

At this Christmas time (and all year around), remembering the poor and those in need is a very good act!!!   Did you give to charity this season?

In the Catholic tradition, Christmas season starts on Christmas day and goes to Epiphany, which is January 6th, and is when the Wise Men are honored for their gifts to the baby Jesus (and is, twelve days after Christmas).  

How did you celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the Christmas Season?  Do you have particular traditions in your family?

Love!!

Karen

Merry Christmas 2019

MERRY CHRISTMAS - 2019

To my friends (and even my non-friends - and I don’t have enemies), I wish you a Merry Christmas.  May the joy and peace of the season glisten upon you, give you joy throughout the upcoming year and make you ever so sweet to all people!!

Luke 2:1-20

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.  (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.  She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Hugs!!!

Karen