SUNDAY FUNDAY - FEBRUARY 21, 2021

SUNDAY FUNDAY

Sunday, February 21, 2021

HAPPY SUNDAY - AND HAPPY WINTER STORMS AND COLD!!!

 

WEATHUR (intentional spelling)

Let’s start without talking about COVID!!  I’m not sure of the right adjectives - the worst winter storms in years for Georgetown/Austin/Texas.  (and, if not - nature is reminding us that we are NOT in charge!!!)

 

My friends in Connecticut, New York, South Dakota, Minnesota and wherever might have trouble to understand - after all snow, ice, and cold are part of life.

Many of you have lost power for at least some time.  I do understand the need to conserve electricity. 

 

Adding insult to injury (now there is an adage for you), someplace in my apartment building a pipe burst and I have water all over my bathroom floor!!  I hope all of you are staying warm, dry, and safe!!

 

I took a few steps out of my apartment and the ice earlier this week and it was treacherous!!

My friends in South Dakota have been experiencing below zero temperatures; my friends in Connecticut and New England have had heavy snows!!!  It will make us appreciate spring more when it comes!!!

I now have power and heat in my apartment - but no water!!  I have water for flushing the toilet. 

And, the heading for this section?  But, of course, we are having “a bad spell of weather” (you may all groan at the bad pun).  

 

STORY

*****

I’m using a story from a link to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in El Cajon - THANK YOU PC for suggesting this!!!  The link is: https://www.facebook.com/StAlbansElCajon/posts/4015124485185329 

*****

One of the better stories I have read in a long time.

Dr. Frank Mayfield was touring Tewksbury Institute when, on his way out, he accidentally collided with an elderly floor maid. To cover the awkward moment Dr. May field started asking questions.

"How long have you worked here?"

"I've worked here almost since the place opened," the maid replied.

"What can you tell me about the history of this place?" he asked.

"I don't think I can tell you anything, but I could show you something."

With that, she took his hand and led him down to the basement under the oldest section of the building. She pointed to one of what looked like small prison cells, their iron bars rusted with age, and said, "That's the cage where they used to keep Annie Sullivan."

"Who's Annie?" the doctor asked.

Annie was a young girl who was brought in here because she was incorrigible—nobody could do anything with her. She'd bite and scream and throw her food at people. The doctors and nurses couldn't even examine her or anything. I'd see them trying with her spitting and scratching at them.

"I was only a few years younger than her myself and I used to think, 'I sure would hate to be locked up in a cage like that.' I wanted to help her, but I didn't have any idea what I could do. I mean, if the doctors and nurses couldn't help her, what could someone like me do?

"I didn't know what else to do, so I just baked her some brownies one night after work. The next day I brought them in. I walked carefully to her cage and said, 'Annie, I baked these brownies just for you. I'll put them right here on the floor and you can come and get them if you want.'

"Then I got out of there just as fast as I could because I was afraid she might throw them at me. But she didn't. She actually took the brownies and ate them. After that, she was just a little bit nicer to me when I was around. And sometimes I'd talk to her. Once, I even got her laughing.

One of the nurses noticed this and she told the doctor. They asked me if I'd help them with Annie. I said I would if I could. So that's how it came about that. Every time they wanted to see Annie or examine her, I went into the cage first and explained and calmed her down and held her hand.

This is how they discovered that Annie was almost blind."

After they'd been working with her for about a year—and it was tough sledding with Annie—the Perkins institute for the Blind opened its doors. They were able to help her and she went on to study and she became a teacher herself.

Annie came back to the Tewksbury Institute to visit, and to see what she could do to help out. At first, the Director didn't say anything and then he thought about a letter he'd just received. A man had written to him about his daughter. She was absolutely unruly—almost like an animal. She was blind and deaf as well as deranged.'

He was at his wit's end, but he didn't want to put her in an asylum. So he wrote the Institute to ask if they knew of anyone who would come to his house and work with his daughter.

And that is how Annie Sullivan became the lifelong companion of Helen Keller.

When Helen Keller received the Nobel Prize, she was asked who had the greatest impact on her life and she said, "Annie Sullivan."

But Annie said, "No Helen. The woman who had the greatest influence on both our lives was a floor maid at the Tewksbury Institute."

**********************

So, Helen Keller - Nobel Prize winner, and Annie Sullivan, who helped Helen Keller - but the first in that line was an unknown elderly floor maid!!!

So - who can we help today?   I can make brownies and smile at a neighbor; I can shovel the ice off the sidewalk.  I can give some aluminum foil to a neighbor needing it for his fajitas.  I can encourage a minority group on Twitter. I can challenge you with stories, with analysis, and with 

LOVE WINS!!!  

Life is NOT a spectator game.

WUZZLES

It seems that we like figuring out these word phrases.  Let’s try these:

YOU I’M

 

DRAW (yes, that is a word, but try to make a word game out of it - hint - rearrange)

SUCCESS
-------------
NIGHT

 

DEAL

 

S          S

T          R

A          I

I           A

R         T

S          S

 

SHOT

(Okay, nobody gets the next one - I’m not sure it is a good one or not)

__oppi__

 

NO  F_ N  (that is a true statement!!!)

 

UPCOMING DAYS OF NOTE

 

Monday, February 22, - George Washington’s Birthday

How about some interesting tidbits about Washington:

Washington inherited 10 slaves from his father (and would have 577 by the end of his life).  But, in his will, he freed the slaves that he ‘owned’ directly.

Washington is described as a “man of faith”.

He became the Commander of the Continental Army in 1775

He presided over the Constitutional Convention (1787)

He was elected our first President in 1788 (taking office in 1789), and in 1792 (ending in 1789)

In his farewell address (1789), he urged “Americans to avoid excessive political party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term alliances with other nations.”   (I’m glad we still listen to his views!!!)

He did NOT have wooden teeth (but did have false teeth).   He did NOT cut down a cherry tree.  He did cross the Delaware River on Christmas 1776 (I doubt that he stood in the boat on the cold Delaware River!!!)

He is featured on the United States Quarter (since 1932), and Dollar (in various forms but the standard now is from 1963).  

AND - a trivia question - How is George Washington and the square of three related?

George Washington was born in 1732, and the square root of 3 (to three decimal places is 1.732)  

Also on February 22, National Walk the Dog Day

As I understand it, my friend and her husband adopted two puppies - who are making their lives very interesting!!!

Can you imagine training one puppy, but two? 

My friend mentions that one of the puppies loves to chew things - such as his stuffed rabbit toy.  She thinks they have stopped the puppy from chewing shoes!!

For those of you with pets, do walk the dog (even if it is cold), make sure you have food and water for your pets.  I know some of you have a lot of love for your pets.  Do enjoy and take care of them!!!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25th - National Chili Day

Are you a big chili fan?  Do you like it with or without beans?  Lots of chili powder spice (or less?) With other veggies - tomatoes, peppers, onions? 

My son, who I wouldn't describe as a gourmet cook, took second place in a chili cookoff some years back!!!  (I am so proud of him - not for his cooking, but for his faithful news reporting - even reporting from his basement "studio" - and occasionally with one of the triplets on his lap!!)

 

Friday, February 26th - National Fairy Tale Day

Once upon a time - in the Land of America, everyone loved everybody else.  They treated everyone with kindness.  The land flourished and everyone lived in peace.  And they all lived happily ever after!!!

Maybe we’re not there yet - but LOVE WINS!!

Saturday, February 27th - National Retro Day

Pick a date and then work around that date.  Do you remember the days before computers and the internet?  What do you think life was like then?

Do you remember January 1, 1900?  There weren’t cars, there weren’t airplanes.  There were trains, electricity, and indoor plumbing.  What do you think life was like then?

 

TODAY IN HISTORY/

February 21, 1965 - Malcolm X is assassinated 

I’m still hopeful we can learn to love each other!!!

***
February 22, 1980 - The Miracle on Ice

The gutsy American Olympic Hockey Team beat the mighty Russian Hockey Team.  I didn’t know much about hockey, but it was thrilling

And - a personal trivia note!!  I did play in the NCAA Frozen Four Hockey championship in 2013!!  (I was the faculty advisor to the Quinnipiac University Pep Band - so I was playing my tuba!!!  But, after being cross-town rival Yale three times during the season, Yale (with the goalie back from an injury) beat the Bobcats!!

***

February 23, 1945 - Flag raised over Iwo Jima

The War in the Pacific was brutal.  But, slowly, island-by-island, the United States forces fought their way to Japan.  “In early 1945, U.S. military command sought to gain control of the island of Iwo Jima in advance of the projected aerial campaign against the Japanese home islands. Iwo Jima, a tiny volcanic island located in the Pacific about 700 miles southeast of Japan, was to be a base for fighter aircraft and an emergency-landing site for bombers. On February 19, 1945, after three days of heavy naval and aerial bombardment, the first wave of U.S. Marines stormed onto Iwo Jima’s inhospitable shores.”  And, on February 23rd, the US Flag was raised - one of the most famous photographs ever.

February 24, 1836 - Alamo Defenders ask for help!!!

“On February 24, 1836, in San Antonio, Texas, Colonel William Travis issues a call for help on behalf of the Texan troops defending the Alamo, an old Spanish mission and fortress under attack by the Mexican army.” 

Remember the Alamo!!  Have you been to San Antonio and seen the Alamo? San Antonio is a neat city - the RiverWalk goes a block from Alamo.

February 25, 1964 Muhammad Ali beats Sonny Liston
Ali (Cassius Clay at that time) said he would float like a butterfly and sting like a bee

February 27, 1827 - First Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Mardi Gras was barely a blip on the radar this year - something about a pandemic!!

 

WRAP UP

‘

Wuzzle answers:

I’m following You

 

BACKWARD

 

Overnight success

 

Big Deal

 

Downstairs and upstairs

 

A big shot

 

(Okay, nobody gets the next one - I’m not sure it is a good one or not)

__oppi__

 

I get the answer - “Shopping Center” as OPI is in the center of the word shopping

 

NO  F_ N  (that is a true statement!!!)

It is NO FUN without U

 

*****

Have an awesome week - it is to warm up - with the forecast for central Texas to be in the ’60s this Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday!!! 

 

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!!

Karen 

(If you haven’t noticed, I use a lot of exclamation marks!!!  I like a quote from Emerson, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!!!”)