MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2024 - NEW YEAR'S DAY

 NEW YEAR’S DAY - JANUARY 1, 2024

HERE WE ARE - A NEW YEAR

A familiar expression is “New Year, New You”. Are you going to change this year? Do you have New Year’s Resolutions?

Are you going to lose weight? Exercise more? Be more loving? Be forgiving? Go out of your way to help others. Put other people first?  

Studies have shown that most New Year’s resolutions are over quickly. To make a resolution stick, you need this:

• Start with small goals. You may feel motivated and excited about your goal, but keep your ambition from leading you to an unattainable level...

• Make it measurable. ...

• Be realistic. ...

• Make a plan. ...

• Stay positive.

Now, this is almost the same as SMART goals:

Specific, 

Measurable, 

Achievable, 

Relevant, and 

Time-Bound. 

A third mechanism is to check your attitude. Is your goal something you are really serious about? What is of top importance in your life?

And, a last concept - is to make the goal so wonderful and the current situation so terrible that you HAVE to leave your current situation.

Let’s take an example:

You want to stop smoking. Maybe you just vape a little. “No big deal”. After all, vaping is much less dangerous than smoking - right?

The Canadian Lung Association says, “Breathing in the harmful chemicals from vaping products can cause irreversible (cannot be cured) lung damage, lung disease and, in some cases, death. Some chemicals in vaping products can also cause cardiovascular disease and biological changes that are associated with cancer development.”

Find a hospital that treats smoking. Visit with doctors and patients with lung cancer. Look at the various X-rays of healthy lungs and unhealthy lungs.  

Talk with people who smoked for many years and find out what diseases they are fighting - lung cancer, tongue cancer, emphysema, and more.  

*****

Example 2:  

You want to lose weight. What issue might you have if you don’t lose the weight? Heart disease, shortness of breath, diabetes, obesity, etc. Find a clinic with obese patients and see what happens to diabetic patients.  

*****

Example 3:

You want to write better, you want to play the guitar, you want to be a better granny basketball player.  

The main thing here is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  

TB stays after our practices for the granny basketball players and shoots baskets for at least thirty minutes. JL also stays after and practices shooting three-point (“granny shots”) baskets.  

Contrary to popular opinion, you can’t get to be a good guitar player by just listening to guitar pieces. Listen - and then practice. Malcolm Gladwell has a 10,000-hour theory on excellence. He says you must work ten thousand hours to get good at something.  

Wanting to do it is excellent, and having SMART goals is excellent - but the reality is that you must practice.

*****

I write about love. I’ve also used this statement - LOVE is spelled T   I   M   E.  If you want to love your spouse, spend quality TIME with them.  

I put LOVE into all that I do.

*****

LOVE WINS
LOVE TRANSFORMS
LOVING ONE ANOTHER IS A GREAT GOAL

(you can work on the little things - like learning to love your neighbor who swears, smokes weed, drinks beer, and doesn’t shower - learn to spend time with that person and walk in his (her) shoes.  

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, January 1, 2024

NEW YEARS EVE EDITION

                         NEW YEARS 2024 EDITION

DECEMBER 31, 2023

WARM-UP

We made it through Christmas - we got presents, gave presents, loved, and celebrated.  

We are now looking forward to 2024 - a new year (or will it be like so many years - repeated again).

SOME STRANGE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Being older doesn’t mean you should give up on planning for the future. In fact, that can help you feel younger and put you in a better mindset. Here are some New Year’s resolutions to help senior citizens live their best lives. 

• I will don an Oculus headset and beat my grandchild at their favorite game.

• I will eat dessert first at every meal.

• I will not act my age.

• I will use every single senior discount offered this year.

• I will do something daring and scare my family to death.

• I will adopt five cats and become a crazy cat lady.

• I will go out dancing every night.

• I will masquerade as my favorite celebrity while shopping.

• I will binge-watch my favorite show while eating

• I will share inappropriate jokes at the most awkward moment possible.

• I will dress up in costume for Halloween and trick or treating.

*****

I used to kid my students about goals of being married and divorced four times before they reached 30.  Or that by age 30, they would be homeless and living under a bridge.  

There is an expression - “If you fail to plan, you are planning on failing.”

NATIONAL DAYS

New Years Eve

Yes - it is time to gather at Times Square with a million of your closest friends and scream your lungs out when the ball comes down!!!

When I lived in Connecticut, I “thought” about going to Times Square for this big event.  (I thought about it for all of five seconds!!) 

New Year’s Day

On Earth, we make a revolution around the sun in 365.25 days.  2024 is a leap year, so those .25 days of a day every fourth year become an actual day.  Leap Day is February 29.  I have a friend who was born on leap day 72 years ago. This will be her 18th time to celebrate her birthday on the actual day.  

With a summer birthday, I always felt sorry for classmates who had birthdays around the 25th of December (Christmas).  Did they get Christmas presents or birthday presents?  Maybe they celebrated their half-birthday six months earlier (or six months later).  One of my bridge group friends had his birthday on December 25th - I’ll have to ask him.

National Adjust one second 

The exactness of 365.25 days isn’t entirely true - we’ll add a second to the year on January 1st.  (You won’t notice it - but in effect, it becomes the longest day of the year - by one second!!!)

So, what will 2024 bring?

The most interesting (and scary) is the 2024 election.  I’m scared that this country may come apart at the seams.  The media will make a lot of money on advertisements.  Fingers will point at mismanagement and mistakes on both of the major parties.

Why can’t we get along?

*****

I will be in bed at my standard time on New Year’s Eve.  (After all, I’m working the next day - Dog Sitting!!!)

I have been to New Year’s Eve parties and am willing to have a relaxing New Year’s Eve - watching college football bowl games.

I plan to watch Texas against Washington the next day in the Sugar Bowl (go Longhorns!!!)

*****

Wrap-up

While I don’t remember all my New Year (especially from when I was less than five years old), at age 76, it starts to be another day.  

If you party, be responsible - don’t drink (alcohol) and drive.  

Have a great 2024!!  Make it memorable!!! (in a good way)

LOVE WINS

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF

LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, ©, December 31, 2024

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 - THAT’S A SHOCK

 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 - THAT’S A SHOCK

Over the years, I’ve read things, listened to things, and learned things.  “Learning is intrinsic”.  (That is, I like to learn).  Learning doesn’t stop - I do learn something every day.  

So, on this next-to-last day of 2023, I read this.

The following is from a Podcast I sometimes hear.  It is from Dan Miller’s podcast “48 Days To The Work And Life You Love.” 

*****

“After 17 years, this is my last podcast:

I want you to hear this from me rather than through the grapevine because you are part of my legacy.

I've always encouraged people, as you know, to ask, "What does this make possible?"  Well, three weeks ago, I thought I was an extraordinarily healthy 76-year-old guy. I eat a clean diet. I don't smoke. I don't drink. I exercise five times a week.

On December 7, 2023, the doctors discovered I have very advanced pancreatic cancer that had already spread into my liver and into my bones and told me the prognosis is not good at all.

This gives me a unique opportunity to live out the principles I have taught all these years. Think about the way that I present life and how to approach things that are unexpected and unwelcome. I tell you to "never let your circumstances determine your attitude." I'm getting an opportunity now to test that out. Did I really believe those things, or was I just giving lip service to some kind of principles that I read in a book somewhere?”

Joanne and I have lived the life we loved for 55 years together. And we've loved having the opportunity to inspire others to do the same. We have lived our dreams. I don't have a bucket list of things I've not done. Anything Joanne and I wanted to do, we've done.

I've loved creating new adventures, and now I'm anticipating an incredible spiritual transformation.”

<End of quote>

*****

As a 76-year-old human being, there is a certain relationship with all other 76-year-olds on this planet.  We were born after World War II, grew up in the Cold War, and experienced television, computing, and a myriad of new technologies.  We’ve found love (and hate) and learned to be positive and grow.

*****

With Dan Miller’s announcement comes the understanding that we all will die.  Yes, we already knew that - but in three weeks, Dan let that realization sink in.

In the past month, I’ve been with a friend who has been told that she is dying. (She just turned. 78 two days ago).  I sat with her as a hospice representative signed her up for final days of care. 

Two weeks ago, I was with a hospice lady from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am.  

*****

So, how do I prepare for death?

Death is an “event”.  In most cases, there will be a funeral. There will need to be a will.  There should be a person who has a power of attorney. You should organize your finances.  How about an advanced directive? 

You can donate your body to an academic institution.  (I am),  Future medical doctors need hands-on time with “real” body parts (not just simulations and pig bodies). 

To me, the most significant part of preparing for death is the mental preparation.  As a person with a Judeo-Christian viewpoint, I believe in something happening after death.  I don’t know what will happen - I have no control over that.  (Kind of like my birth - I had little control over that!!!) 

Let me not be so flippant to be shouting, “Yeehaw - I’m going to die!!!!” But it is a form of “graduation” - I will graduate from this life into <something>.  “So be it!!”

Can I remain optimistic when the pain gets to be too strong from me?  Can I keep a good attitude in my head when there is only one path left?  Writing now, I’ll tell you, “I’m going to be positive and upbeat until my heart beats no more,” - but the reality is that I probably won’t be that pretty positive.  Even my first-century Jewish philosopher said, “My God, why have you abandoned me?” 

I hope I can say (with enthusiasm), “I’m on my way to new experiences, new frontiers, and new things to learn.” 

*****

I remember a clergyman who often added, “And we pray for those who will die today, especially those who will die alone.”  

LOVE WILL WIN - LOVE IS GOD’S WAY

LOVE WILL TRANSFORM ME - I DON’T KNOW HOW - BUT MY BODY, MIND, SPIRIT WILL BE CHANGED

UNTIL THAT DAY, I NEED TO BE READY FOR THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF CANCER, FOR THE CAR CRASH, FOR THE SLOW LINGERING TIME OF DEATH

UNTIL THAT DAY, I NEED TO KEEP THE “LIGHT ON”

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, DECEMBER 30, 2023

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2023 - NATIONAL CARD PLAYING DAY

 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2023 - NATIONAL CARD PLAYING DAY

NATIONAL CARD PLAYING DAY - December 28

Yes, today is National Card Playing Day.

My family “always” played cards (or, as long as I remember).

We played Rook, Old Maid, Go Fish, and similar games as kids.  My grandmother played Canasta, and my parents played Euchre and Bridge.  In college, I learned pinnacle and cribbage (And I learned them all).

Like my parents, I still play bridge.  The bridge group is “The Georgetown Bridge Brats,” I write a weekly blog (The Bridge Brat Bulletin) for that group. Initially, I started the blog when COVID hit - and we no longer met in person.  I thought I could write a blog like a bridge column - but after a month, I decided to make it a fun weekly e-newsletter.  The name is to be an alliteration.

I also call that group “My social bridge group.”  I’ve played several times with serious bridge players and got criticized for some of my biddings or play.  With this group, we laugh, make mistakes, and rarely criticize each other.  If we wanted to be serious, we could join one of the other groups.  (I have gotten criticized and tried to ignore it).

We “normally” have twelve people or three tables of four players.  Those sitting opposite are partners for four hands - the winners of that table stay at that time (but are no longer partners), and the losers move to another table.  We have little jokes about losing - like Ricky Nelson’s “I’m a Travelin Man,” “On the Road Again,” or “I just packed my suitcase” (because I’m moving!!!),  So, on a typical day, you will play five rounds with five partners.  (And most likely, they will play opposite maybe six or seven other players, so we get to see and visit with most of the players.  

Some days, we might have thirteen or fourteen people, in which case one or two people sit out - and eventually rotate back in.  And, we’ve played with eleven players - in which case, we recruit a player from another table to help us with the bidding part of the game. 

(Yes, I try to get some laughter going.  If I can get VK to laugh, the whole group will eventually laugh).

One of our players generally makes something for a dessert - banana bread, cookies, and pies. Others bring things as well.

(True confession)

Early on, I prayed for good cards and wisdom on how to bid and play.  But, for the last few years, I find I really don’t think about winning or losing but having a good time.  The group eats together once a month.  It definitely is social.  (The old sports adage, “It’s not whether you win or lose but how you played the game seems appropriate).

***

Growing up, my parents played Euchre with our neighbors - the Lacys.  An interesting aspect of our two houses.  We each had a driveway with a fence between the driveways.  And there was a light pole by the gate in the fence that had a two-way switch.  The light could be turned on at our house or Lacy’s house (and off, too).  If my family finished dinner and the dishes, we’d turn on the light to indicate we were ready.   

***

If my mother had free time, she’d sit on the floor and reach under the sofa for a deck of cards she stashed there.  She’d play solitaire on the floor (and if she needed some “help,” - she allowed herself to move cards around so she could win.  Most people might call that “cheating,” - but for her, it was just being creative!!!)

So, usually, on this “National Card Playing Day’, we’d have our Bridge Brat group - but we play at a senior center, and it is closed for the week between Christmas and New Year.

But with new technologies, I can play many card games online.  I can play bridge or solitaire on my phone.  

Studies suggest that games (and card games - especially with friends) can keep our brains strong and active - and help avoid Alzheimer's and dementia.  

On this “National Card Playing” day, I hope you can play a fun game of some nature - (and win)!!!

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS US

LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, DECEMBER 28, 2023

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023 OLD WINTER SONGS

 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023 - CHRISTMAS? SONGS?

I’ve been writing about Christmas Carols for the last week.  Today, I’m extending that discussion to Christmas (question mark) and songs (question mark).

Let’s take one of the good ones - It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.  I love those lyrics - it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas - as far back as Halloween in some stores - and by Thanksgiving - all stores!!!

Here are the lyrics:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
Take a look at the five and ten; it's glistening once again.
With candy canes and silver lanes that glow

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in every store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door

A pair of Hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben
Dolls that'll talk and will go for a walk.
Is the hope of Janice and Jen
And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel one in the park as well.
It's the sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon, the bells will start.
And the thing that'll make 'em ring is the carol that you sing.
Right within your heart

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Toys in every store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door

*****

Yes, it's a great song, but it is dated!!

How about this:

Take a look at the five and ten; it's glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes that glow

“Grandma, what’s a five and ten?” 

Well, sweet Ada, it’s like a Dollar store from many years ago when things didn’t cost as much.  A five and ten - meant things cost five and ten cents (or lower cost).  

***

“Grandma, what’s a silver lane?”

“Silver lanes are streets or small roads.”

***

Nana - what are Hopalong Boots?

“Good question, Gen!!.  Hopalong boots refer to a famous television cowboy - Hopalong Cassidy.  Back in the 1950s - all the boys watched Hopalong Cassidy stop the bad guys from rustling cattle and robbing banks in the Old West - and Hopalong Cassidy had pistols. I know that Grandpa had cap guns that you loaded a roll of “caps” into, and when you shot the cap gun, it made a sound like a pistol.”

Nana, wouldn’t that be dangerous?
Well, back then, it wasn’t a big deal.

***  

Nana - did the girls get dolls that could talk and go for a walk?

Yes, lovely Leah, Some of the dolls had strings, and as you pulled the string, the doll talked.  Some dolls even ‘wet themselves” and needed changing (or diapers).

Leah - you mean like Barbies? 
Nana - not really Leah

***

Asher asks, “What about Christmas trees?  Are there only two in town - one at the Grand Hotel and one in the park?”

Nana answers, “There weren’t Christmas Trees in every house when I was a girl.  I remember the big hotel in Maquoketa, Iowa (the Decker Hotel) with a grand Christmas tree. We’d go to the hotel just to see the tree. And, they were real trees (cut down, of course) just fresh out of the woods near town (not from someplace in Canada) - and not artificial.” 

***

There are other things, too.  Mistletoe?  I’m not sure that kids know about mistletoe - and how you were supposed to kiss under the mistletoe.  And some wreaths had real holly leaves (not plastic like today's ones). 

***

What about taking a sleigh ride?  Or, in Jingle Bells, riding in a one-horse open sleigh.  Would kids know about those things?  I remember going on hayrides with a farmer’s wagon with the old square hay bales - but not on a ride with horses pulling a sleigh through the “white and drifted snow.”  

Have you had chestnuts roasting on an open fire?  Who is this “Jack Frost” who is nipping at my nose?

Some favorite songs are dated, but that’s okay for me.

And there are a lot of non-Christmas songs about the cold (“Baby, it’s Cold Outside” and “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.”)  But when it really is cold (like February), songs about cold and snow aren’t getting any airtime!!!

But Christmas is the birth of Jesus, and tales of Santa Claus coming down chimneys, Rudolph, and so much more - including cold and snow.

*****

Alas, the hype machines for Christmas are turned off.  The next (minor?) holiday will be Valentine's Day, followed by St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. 

BUT - LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

LOVE WINS’

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, DECEMBER 27, 2023