SUNDAY JANUARY 31ST - SUNDAY FUNDAY!!

SUNDAY JANUARY 31ST - SUNDAY FUNDAY!!

Wow - here we are - the last day in January 2021!!  And - what a memorable January 2021 it has been.  We have seen the pandemic continuing; we have seen a riot at the nation’s Capitol; we have seen our 46th President inaugurated, and we have seen measurable snow in Georgetown Texas.  (In five years, which topic will you be talking about?)

We are alive - although the death toll from COVID continues to rise.  We have taken care to isolate, social distance, and wear masks.  

Our brains may be a little slower as we analyze leads, finesses, bidding, and all other aspects of bridge.  Yes, there will be a day when we do ‘normal’ things again!!

LOGIC PROBLEMS

There are three mismarked boxes in the back of the Lake County Food Bank food storage room.  All three boxes have labels on them - but none of the labels are correct.  The labels are Apples; Oranges; and Apple-and-Oranges.  How can you decide what is in each box by taking only one item out of one of the boxes?  

There is a barrel with no lid and some wine in it. “This barrel of wine is more than half full,” says the woman. “No, it’s not,” says the man. “It’s less than half full.” Without any measuring implements and without removing any wine from the barrel, how can they easily determine who is correct?

SOME HAPPINESS QUOTES

Seeking external validation brings disappointment. Validate yourself from within to find true happiness.  (*** As children, we needed our parents, teachers, and coaches to give us validation.  Some people I know didn’t get that validation from their parents - and thought they were ‘worthless’ - but that is a lie - we all have value.  You need to know and love yourself from inside)

Our happiness depends upon ourselves. (from Aristotle - it took hours to translate that from the original Greek (or not!!!).  That is similar to above - if I believe I’m happy, then I  AM HAPPY

I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful and don't forget to make some art -  write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.  (*** I know some of you better than others - this is a good thought for 2021 - and I know that some of you WILL be doing some art, drawing, dancing (even Zumba), singing, and definitely LIVING a big exciting life with ELAN and GUSTO!!!

IDIOMS

What do these idioms mean?

A Dime a Dozen

Bite the bullet

It’s not rocket science

That’s the last straw

The straw that broke the camel’s back

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth

No pain, no gain

HUMOR

Q;  Why shouldn’t you kiss somebody on January 1st?

A:   Because it is the first date!!

What word in the English language is spelled wrong more often than any other word?  (the word “wrong”)

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

To the guy who invented zero, thanks for nothing.

Geology rocks but Geography is where it’s at!

Can February March? No, but April May.

A man sued an airline company after it lost his luggage. Sadly, he lost his case.

Yesterday, I accidentally swallowed some food coloring. The doctor says I’m okay, but I feel like I’ve dyed a little inside.

What washes up on tiny beaches? Microwaves.

SUPER BOWL

So, it is the Kansas City Chiefs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - in the Tampa Stadium.  Do you have a favorite?

I liked Tom Brady when he was in New England with the Patriots.  It seems like he isn’t the best quarterback, but he wins Super Bowl championships.  I do like Kansas City as the winner last year, with a Texas Tech quarterback as well.  But, with Tampa Bay playing at home (but with a limited crowd), I’m going with Tampa Bay 35 to 27.

I saw an article that said Budweiser, Coca-Cola, and Hyundai are not going to advertise at the Super Bowl this year.  Pepsi is not having a regular ad, but still sponsoring the half-time show.

The Halftime Show will feature an artist I’ve never heard of: “The Weeknd will perform during halftime of Super Bowl 55. A Canadian singer-songwriter whose full name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, The Weeknd should bring a wide-ranging setlist to the stage in Tampa, Florida.”

SIGNIFICANT HISTORY DATES

January 31, 1969 - During the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, the Viet Cong attacked the US Embassy in Saigon.  I have many friends who fought in Vietnam.  It was a tough situation.  Protests at home, troubles with identifying who is a friend and who is an enemy on the ground.

February 1, 1978 - Harriet Tubman became the first African American on an American Stamp.  I think discussions are ongoing to put her image on the U.S. Twenty Dollar bill (replacing Andrew Jackson)

February 2, 1887 - First Groundhog day - I’ve had ground pork from the grocery store - is that the same?

February 3, 1959 - Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and “The Big Bopper” die in a plane crash (‘the day the music died’) - I didn’t notice (I was only 11 and not into music yet) - although it did happen in Clear Lake Iowa

February 4, 2002 - Mark Zuckerberg launched something called Facebook to Harvard students.  If I remember at first it was a ‘hot-or-not’ page to evaluate women on Harvard’s campus.

February 5, 1994, the murder of Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers is convicted (30 years after the crime).  

February 6, 1952 - Queen Elizabeth II becomes the reigning monarch in Great Britain (and she still reigns!!!) 

NATIONAL DAYS

January 31 - National Hot Chocolate Day

Somebody gave me some hot chocolate mix for Christmas.  I don’t drink it frequently - but it is nice on a quiet evening.  

February 1st - National Dark Chocolate Day.

I prefer Milk Chocolate - although I know that dark chocolate is better for us in terms of antioxidants.  I supposed I could combine with January 31st and have hot dark chocolate cocoa!!!

February 2nd - In addition to GroundHog Day, it is National Tater Tot Day!!!  WOOOO.  I like tater tots - but soaked in ketchup (and I can’t remember when I had tater tots last)

When I lived in Connecticut, GroundHog Day was more of a big deal.  Six weeks of winter - that would put the end of winter about mid-March - which is really pretty normal.  I did like the GroundHog movie.  

In Texas - six more weeks of winter is not too significant.  I’m more interested in the Amarillo Armadillo who on July 10th tells Texans if there are six more weeks of temperatures over 100 degrees!!!  (That is made up, but could be real)

So, maybe we grab a bag of tater tots, and find the GroundHog movie on Netflix (or someplace) and take the day off. 

February 3rd - National Carrot Cake Day.  Are you a carrot cake person?  I like it, but it isn’t at the top of my dessert list.  (I am not a fan of nuts in cakes!!!)

February 4th - National Homemade Soup day - Last week I made ham and bean soup.  I had a ham bone and threw the bone, Great Northern Beans (from Nebraska), barley, red sweet peppers, and onions into my crockpot.  It tasted great!!! 

February 5th - National Wear Red Day

“The first Friday in February (February 5) is National Wear Red Day. On this day in February, which is considered American Heart Month, everyone across the country dons the color red in order to raise and spread awareness in hopes to help eradicate heart disease and stroke in millions of women all over the nation. So put on your reddest red — whether it be a lipstick, a pair of pants, or your favorite hat — and paint the city red.”  I like my red clothes and I will celebrate this day (my parents and grandparents died of Heart Disease, so it is fitting for me to don my red apparel).

It is also National Shower with a Friend Day - and I wasn’t sure which friend to invite over to my place!!!  I don’t think many of my friends would join me!!!

February 6th - Time to Talk Day

In honor of mental health and reaching out to others, this day is a day to ‘talk it out’.  (And, remember, as a Life Coach, I’m here for you if you want to talk!!!)

REFLECTIONS

Here we are - another month gone - another month of COVID.  The vaccine promise is close.  I’m on a list (and I’m guessing many of you are probably on a list as well).  The reports vary - but the forecasts seem to suggest there are very limited supplies - and a lot of people to vaccinate.

I mentioned that 2/3rd of the American Population is overweight (or obese).  I don’t think the COVID-19 issue is helping that.  I’m finding myself slowly drawing inward (and dying).  I sit at my computer way-too-much, and then I snack.  I know I need to get outside - do walking - don’t just hibernate.  Hang in there my friends.  Help IS coming.  I did predict a mid-March date if vaccinations go well - let us hope so!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!!

Karen