FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022 - BLACK FRIDAY

 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022 - BLACK FRIDAY

Ah, yes - tis the season to spend money on Christmas Presents!!!

The first two “Black Friday” memories are from South Dakota and one memory is from Texas.

Memory 1:

The weather had turned sour.  We had intended to drive to Minnesota (Rosemount) for Thanksgiving with my wife’s family but the cold, snow, and ice became a giant traffic cop with arms that threw ice pellets at anything that moved.  We had Thanksgiving dinner with faculty colleagues who also had to change plans because of the weather.  

We decided we could make the hour's drive to Sioux Falls for the fabulous Bad Friday bargains.  We got about 18 miles to Colman (a small town just before getting on Interstate 29) and did a 180-degree spin on highway 34 - yikes.  Okay, I could slow down (from 35 to 30) and we might make it”.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) we were one of the few cars on the road - AND - we stayed out of the ditch.  So we forged on.  On the Interstate there were more cars and trucks in the ditch than on the road.  With a wind of 30 miles per house and a wind chill of minus 10 degrees, we were being blown around on that highly polished ice.  Another major spinout and we decided it wasn’t worth the drive.  We took the first exit off I-29 - but then got off the paved roads and onto gravel roads.  The paved roads were ice skating rinks, and the gravel gave us better traction.  I knew the gravel roads would be safer, so back about 25 miles to Madison on gravel roads with the wind attempting to blow us off.

Memory 2:

At that point, I wasn’t a good shopper.  (I’m a million times better now that I’m on my own).  My wife had explicitly pointed out five things she wanted.  I drove on my own to Sioux Falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and BOOM - within 45 minutes had purchased all the items she wanted and was back on the road home.  I guess I could follow directions and suggestions quite well!!!  (No bad weather!!!)

Memory 3:

And, a trip from Austin to Nebraska.

It was my first year teaching at the University of Texas.  We were headed to Nebraska for Thanksgiving.  But, I had to teach on Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  At that point pretty much all colleges and school districts had the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving as school days.  My last class at UT (the University of Texas - more commonly called “UT’ to the locals) ended at 4:00.  I got home (on the bus) by 5:00 and my wife and I piled into our car.  My wife had loaded all the Christmas packages into the car - and we started off.

Interstate 35 runs from the Mexico border all the way to Duluth Minnesota - and the section in Texas is ALWAYS under construction.  There was rain - sometimes hard, sometimes just a heavy mist - but the road was wet (and fortunately, not icy).  

The road through Waco was one of those construction areas - cars had to weave from the old section onto the new section, then under temporary overpasses, and from four lanes to three lanes and then to two lanes.  

In that pretty much all schools had finished on that Tuesday afternoon, all the families driving “over the river and through the woods” were on the road.  

I don’t know how it happened - we must have had guardian angels surrounding us (I do start most long trips with prayer) - but coming around an area that suddenly went down to two lanes and all the cars ahead were stopped.  I threw on my brakes and somehow - amazingly - miraculously we stopped about 1/64th of an inch from a car’s bumper ahead of us.  (And, miraculously, the car behind us stopped without slamming into us).

We drove into Oklahoma that evening.  I didn’t want to stop for gas or food until we got to a safer place.  We stayed at a small hotel that was on a Native American Reservation that had a casino.  My wife had to untwist my white-knuckled fingers off the steering wheel - and with a pounding headache, we stopped for the night.  

That was the closest call I/we had into all the trips I’ve taken.  

*****

In my opinion, Black Friday now is better.  It isn’t the idea that Target (or whatever store) opens at 4:00 a.m. - and shoppers line up for a quarter mile to be one of the first 100 in the store to get a television for $50 (or some similar bargain).  It seems like most are having Black Friday specials all month (and even more are doing such specials online).  

Also, in my opinion, there are a few such bargains that I MUST have.  There are a few things that I need (although there are more things that I want).  So what if I don’t get the bargain item - it is only money - and I have become very frugal.  I have convinced myself that I don’t really need things that much.  

*****

THINGS - are material possessions.  At age 75, I can’t take them with me to my grave.  (I have heard of a biker who wanted to be buried with his motorcycle - but that’s not me).

I anticipate that when I die, the local thrift shop will be called in to survey what material things I have and take what they can resell, and send the others to the dump.

*****

But, yes, I will be out on Black Friday this year.  For 6.5 hours I will be at the senior facility where I work - taking an extra shift so some of the others can take the long weekend off to be with their families.  I will be at their Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday helping my patients/friends in the memory care unit have a special day.  I’ll be singing “Now thank we all our God”, “We Gather Together to Ask the Lord’s Blessing'', “Come you Thankful People come, raise the song of Harvest Home”.  This is a day to give great and glorious praise and THANKS to our God (he/she/it/ahh/the force).

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, NOVEMBER 25, 2022

THANKSGIVING 2022

 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022 - THANKSGIVING!!

THANKSGIVING JOKES:

"What did the turkey say to the turkey hunter on Thanksgiving Day?"Quack, Quack!"

"Why did the farmer have to separate the chicken and the turkey?" "He sensed fowl play."

"Why did they let the turkey join the band?" "Because he had his own drumsticks."

"What happened to the turkey that got in a fight?" "He got the stuffing knocked out of him!"

"Why shouldn't you sit next to a turkey at dinner?" "Because he will gobble it up."

"If you call a big turkey a gobbler, what do you call a small one?" "A goblet."

"What do you call a running turkey?" "Fast food."

"What's blue and covered in feathers?" "A turkey holding its breath."

"Why did the turkey cross the road?" "He wanted people to think he was a chicken."

"How come the turkey didn't eat dinner?" "He was already stuffed."

"What kind of weather does a turkey like?" "Fowl weather."

"What did the leftover turkey say?" "Make me a sandwich!"

*****

The price of a whole 16-pound turkey in the United States is expected to reach 24.69 U.S. dollars in the week before Thanksgiving in 2022. This marks the highest retail price for a whole turkey in over a decade. In 2018, a turkey only cost 13.46 U.S. dollars in the week before Thanksgiving.

The survey statistics are based off of an independent survey of 2,760 American residents.

83% of people plan to eat turkey on Thanksgiving. This is down from 88% last year (that’s a 5.7% decrease)The average price of turkey per pound is $1.53. This is up 12.5% compared to last year’s price of $1.36 per pound.

74% of people prefer to have a second protein on the table (65% also want ham. 28% also want chicken, and 7% also want either roast beef or steak.)

62% of people said mashed potatoes were their favorite side, which made it the most popular  (WHAT - it isn’t green bean casserole!!!)

And, something to remember - It isn’t what you eat between Thanksgiving and New Year that makes you fat, it is what you eat between New Year and Thanksgiving that makes you fat!!!
*****

WRAP-UP

Thanksgiving is about “giving thanks”.  The Pilgrims were agrarian and gave thanks for a good harvest, and thanks to God for His blessings. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “In everything give thanks”. 

May you and all those that you hold dear have a blessed Thanksgiving.

LOVE WINS / LOVE TRANSFORMS
KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, NOVEMBER 24, 2020 - THANKSGIVING

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2022 - THANKSGIVING EVE

 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2022 - THANKSGIVING EVE

TOMORROW IS THANKSGIVING!!!

LET’S HAVE A LITTLE FUN:

DO YOU KNOW THIS SONG?

Over the river and through the woods,

To grandmother's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,

Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the woods,

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,

To have a first-rate play;

Oh, hear the bell ring, “Ting-a-ling-ling!”

Hurrah for the Pumpkin Pie!!!!

*****

HOW ABOUT THIS HARVEST HYMN:

Come, ye thankful people, come,

raise the song of harvest home;

all is safely gathered in,

ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide

for our wants to be supplied;

come to God's own temple, come,

raise the song of harvest home.

 All the world is God's own field,

fruit as praise to God we yield;

wheat and tares together sown

are to joy or sorrow grown;

first the blade and then the ear,

then the full corn shall appear;

Lord of harvest, grant that we

wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,

and shall take the harvest home;

from the field shall in that day

all offenses purge away,

giving angels charge at last

in the fire the tares to cast;

but the fruitful ears to store

in the garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,

bring thy final harvest home;

gather thou thy people in,

free from sorrow, free from sin,

there, forever purified,

in thy presence to abide;

come, with all thine angels, come,

raise the glorious harvest home.

*****

The FIRST THANKSGIVING!!! Really!!!

The First American Thanksgiving was in Jamestown, Virginia.

The harsh winter of 1609-1610 generated a famine that caused the deaths of 430 of the 490 settlers. In the spring of 1610, colonists in Jamestown, Virginia, enjoyed a Thanksgiving service after English supply ships arrived with food. This colonial celebration has also been considered the "first Thanksgiving."

Meanwhile “up north”, the Pilgrims didn’t arrive until 1620 and didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving until 1621!!!  (But it is the better-documented version!!! And, in reality, we like the story of the Pilgrims coming to America for religious freedom. And, they had better media experts!!!)

And, something to remember - It isn’t what you eat between Thanksgiving and New Year that makes you fat, it is what you eat between New Year and Thanksgiving that makes you fat!!!

*****

ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING!!

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © NOVEMBER 23, 2022

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022 - THANKSGIVING - PART II

 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022 - THANKSGIVING - PART II

It is Thanksgiving week in the United States (Canadians have their Thanksgiving in October).  I’m taking the week to look at what it means to “give thanks”.  

Today, a Christian perspective: 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

(Please understand this is my perspective - this also fits non-violence viewpoints and loving your neighbor).

“See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”

There is a lot going on here - don’t be evil and stay away from evil; always try to do good; always be joyful, always pray - and “Be thankful in all circumstances”.

But God (He/She/It/Ahh/The Force) - I can’t be thankful. I’m sick.  I fell. I had an accident that was my fault.  I don’t have any money and the rent is due.  My parents hate me.  I am ugly.  I am failing college.  I got kicked out of the band.  I <whatever>

*****

TIME OUT.

The verse says “In ALL CIRCUMSTANCES” - another translation says “IN EVERYTHING”.  “ALL” is one of those tough words.  All means 100%.  When I wrote True/False tests I might throw in an ALL phrase.  Maybe something dumb like “You should always leave a house if there is a fire”. (I know many people might have a fire in the fireplace this week!!!).  In Math, there might be an “ALL” condition.  The answer is right or it is not right (aka “wrong”).  

IN EVERYTHING give thanks.  If you are sick - give thanks, if you fell - give thanks; if you had an accident - give thanks; if you don’t have any money - give thanks; if your parents hate you - give thanks; if you are ugly - give thanks; if you are failing college - give thanks.  

A year-and-one-half ago I had a minor accident that was my fault.  I was a car at a stop sign that was on a slight downward incline.  I reached over to get something that had fallen on the floor on the passenger side and my foot came off the brake enough to slide forward and rear-end the car in front.  

I got out of my car and was giving thanks (this verse was in my mind).  

Was it going to help if I was upset?  

Some years back on a very icy night a car slid down a side road into the intersection where I was and hit me and another car.  The person in the third car got out yelling and screaming “I just made my last car payment”. “My husband is going to kill me”.  

Maybe being angry and screaming helped her, but I doubt it.  “IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS”.  

Do I always (there is that 100% word again in a slightly different form) give thanks - in both good things and bad things?  (Unfortunately no).  

It all comes down to attitude: “ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Philippians 2:6)

If you are giving thanks for the accident, giving thanks for the poverty, giving thanks for your circumstances, your attitude takes on a positive thrust.  

*****

Yes, on thanksgiving we count our blessings - but shouldn’t we count our good - AND BAD blessings every day - by being THANKFUL in all situations?

Philippians 4:3 says, “I thank my God every time I remember you”.  As a friend (or even an enemy) pops into your brain, do you say “THANK YOU” for the remembrance?  

A friend recently shared a dream of a friend and how she had hugged this friend in her dream.  Will you be hugging your friends and relatives this Thanksgiving season?

*****

And, a thought:

Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for. 

~ Zig Ziglar --

If you are nice to another person, they will be nice to you (kind of a rephrasing of the Golden Rule)

*****

I HAVE been blessed and I give THANKS every day for my blessings - and I try (not always successfully) to be THANKFUL.

SO, in this Thanksgiving Week, I’m focusing on being thankful in ALL circumstances!!!  

How about you?

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © NOVEMBER 22, 2022

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022 - LEADING TO THANKSGIVING

 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2022 - LEADING TO THANKSGIVING

A compound word - “Thanks” and “Giving” - may be better written as ‘Giving Thanks”.  

So, what does it mean to give thanks?

How many times a day do you say “Thank You” to somebody?

Can you say ‘Thank you”, and not be sincere?

*****

Simple:

Somebody has done something nice for you.  This didn’t have to be major.  Maybe as you were going into the grocery store, a stranger held the door for you.  Maybe you nodded and said, “Thank you” (or even just “thanks”).  

Acknowledge the person - establish eye contact - and say lovingly - “Thank you”.  

Now there are lots of ways of saying those words - you can be very perfunctory - (monotone) “thank you”.  You can add meaning with voice inflection and strength (loudness), “THANK YOU, MY DEAR FRIEND”.  Maybe a handshake, maybe something light and easy - “That was really nice of you” (or “That was really kind of you”.).  

I suggest that real “thanks-giving” is heartfelt and meaningful.  It also needs to fit the occasion and the action.  

Scenario 1:  You are inside a fast food restaurant at the counter and the clerk gives you the bag with your food (or a tray with your food).  If you gush - “OH MY GOODNESS, YOU ARE THE BEST, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU”. might be a little over the top.  

But, on the other hand, think of that clerk for a second.  This is their job.  It isn’t the highest paying job, and it isn’t a super important job.  BUT - you do appreciate that they are there and gave you your meal.  “I appreciate this”.  

On my summer trip, one of the days I’d been on the road too many hours and I was hungry and thirsty.  I stopped at a Taco Johns (an upper midwest alternative to Taco Bell - and good food).  As the clerk gave me my bag, I said quite sincerely, “Thank you.  I’ve been on the road today, and I’m hungry.  Thank you”.  I wanted them to know that I really did appreciate this small act.

Scenario 2:  You are with a friend at a sit-down restaurant and you’ve had good service.  How do you honestly tell the server that you appreciate his/her service?  Sure you give them a nice tip.  But what words and body language do you use to say “Thank you”?

Are you meaning it?  Was this really one of the top ten meals/services you’ve ever had?  How do you communicate that?

And

Scenario 3: - Same as scenario 2, but the server and service were not good.  (Maybe the kitchen staff was busy, or maybe they are understaffed (not unusual these days).  Is there an appropriate way to say “Thank you” - this was reasonable, but not outstanding?

And, finally

Scenario 4: - The truly lousy service - you can see the server talking with a girlfriend/boyfriend; you can see your meals are on the window - and getting cold - you didn’t get seconds on your water (or coffee), and, at the end of the meal you are ready to leave and it takes the server twenty minutes to bring you your check.  How do you say “thank you there?”  Is this a teachable moment - do you point out the flaws in the server?  “You know you could be a good server, I can see you have the talent and know how to do this well, but you just didn’t turn it on today.”  There may be extenuating circumstances that a patron doesn't know. Maybe the server had a big fight with his/her spouse right before coming to work. "Walk a mile in their shoes".

*****

Do you say “thank you” to your spouse, good friend, or colleague - just “because”?  A “thank you for being you” kind of statement.  I have a friend who is good at this.  She seems to find the right way to say this.  I got a coffee cup from her.  It says “I love you and I really mean it”.  Saying “I love you” is nice - but adding “And I really mean it” sets that aside.

Another friend had to serve for a Christmas ornament that says “Love Wins” - I don’t think it was expensive - but it was priceless to me that she searched for something so very appropriate for me.

*****

“I appreciate you” seems to be more sincere than just “Thank you”.  I posted Post-It notes on my wife’s mirror, in the kitchen, and in other places saying “Thank you”, “I love you”, “I appreciate you”.  

There is a story about a couple who had been married for 63 years.  One day, the wife said, “You never say you love me”.  The man looked at her and answered “I said it 63 years ago.  If I had changed my mind, I would have told you.”

That shouldn’t be the case - you should say “Thank you” (or “I Love You”, or “I appreciate you”) every day - and not just to say them - but to really mean it.  

(Okay, truth - there was a point where I said “I love you” to my wife maybe 50 times a day.  It became a “catchphrase” - and not a meaningful one, but as a rote statement.  I wanted her to know I loved her and by repeating it multiple times I thought it was significant - but it went from a treasure to just a common, trite statement.)

*****

A short comment on replying to a “Thank you”.  It seems like the answer to “Thank you” has become “No Problem”.  Back to the server examples - you say “Thank you to the server and he/she says “No Problem” - the implication is that they didn’t go out of their way to help you - like “it's my job” - no big deal!!  Say “You are welcome!!!”

Giving Thanks - don’t let it be a lost event (or only practiced on Thanksgiving!!!)

Tomorrow - a religious mandate to give thanks.

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, © NOVEMBER 21, 2022

SUNDAY FUNDAY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2022

 SUNDAY FUNDAY

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2022

WARM-UP

Well, after the record-setting summer heat, we could have a little “warm-up” in Central Texas.  I’ve been taking care of my ‘garden’ (my kale, spinach, and Swiss Chard containers on my patio) - and want it to survive.  It makes for a nice salad - and super fresh as I clip the leaves and eat them within 15 minutes.  They are cool weather vegetables, but can’t take a killing frost!!

We are less than a week away from the “Great American Feast” of Thanksgiving.  Can you picture the Pilgrims still able to give thanks on that first thanksgiving when so many of their company had died in the first year (about 40%).  The concept of “In Everything Give Thanks” must have applied.

*****

QUOTES:

First a thought - yes, I am retired, yes, I play bridge and granny basketball, I take trips, I love my grandchildren, and I have my routines.

Do you ever push against your “Comfort Zone”?  Do you try new things?  Do you remember some of those carefree days as a teenager or college student?  Do you remember climbing a mountain, going whitewater rafting, or listening to a podcast by somebody who is different from you?  

In just over a month, we’ll have New Year's Day - a day where some make (and soon forget) resolutions.  If between now and the day you die you could do something extraordinary - would you?  

So, here are some copied quotes that I like.

*****

You cannot help but learn more as you take the world into your hands. Take it up reverently, for it is an old piece of clay, with millions of thumbprints on it. – John Updike

KAW - are you learning more today?  Are you learning more every day?  What have you learned?  Have you shared that with your spouse, your children, and your grandchildren?
***

All our dreams can come true…if we have the courage to pursue them. – Walt Disney

KAW - even in our 70s, 80s, or 90s - we can still dream - are you pursuing your dreams?
***

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson

KAW - Many of us have fantastic grandchildren - are we sharing “seeds” with them?  Are we telling them “The Skies the Limit”?  Or are we telling them “Don’t Rock the Boat”?
***

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

KAW - what is down inside you? 
***

Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps. – David Lloyd George

KAW - How do you get into a swimming pool? Walk down some easy entry steps, take time to acclimate, then a few more steps, and in five minutes you'll be in the water; OR jump off the side into deep water - all at one time!!!

***

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. – C.S. Lewis

KAW - Many of you may know C.S. Lewis - from the Narnia Stories (which are worth rereading).  What is ahead of you?  What can you do today?

Note - I am NOT perfect (duh - you already know that).  

I’m thinking about that comfort zone.  Do you have a black friend?  Take them to lunch?  Do you have a Muslim friend?  Take them to lunch?  Do you know a biker?  Go to coffee.  Have you ever been to a school board meeting or a city council meeting?  Go to one and become a friend with one of the board members and go to coffee with them.  Go to a play at a high school or local theater.  Go to a farm and ask the farmer for a tractor ride (or combine ride).  

We (including myself) as seniors are shrinking into ourselves.  Yes, I’m comfortable in my little apartment.  Maybe I need to get a tent and be homeless for a couple of days. 

If you are a Republican, take a Democrat to lunch (and visa-versa).  What are their issues?  If you are Methodist, take a Catholic to lunch (and visa-versa).  Take a Hispanic friend for coffee. 

Some people die years before their deaths.  Are you one of them?

AND - WRITE A BOOK.  I wish my grandparents would have written a book about living through World War I, II, the Depression, the Cold War, etc.  How did they live without indoor plumbing?  What was life like before television (or radio)?  When did they get their first car? First telephone?
What could you share with YOUR grandchildren?  It doesn’t have to be a bestseller - but it has to be YOU - and REAL

*****

LOGIC PUZZLE

Benny, Carla, and Daniella each picked up a bargain in the January sales with all three items having a reasonable saving on the original selling price - the biggest being $11.50. From this information and the following clues, for each buyer, can you determine the item they bought, the color, and the amount saved on the original selling price?

Clues:

The blue jacket was not bought by Benny

Danielle was pleased to have $9.00 knocked off the item she bought

The red item had a larger discount than the umbrella

The pants didn’t have a $5.00 discount - and the pants were not bought by Benny or Carla.

*****

MENTAL HEALTH

I suspect that throughout our lives each of us has had some disappointments - the job we wanted didn’t work out, our parents died too young, we were abused by somebody, we experienced some difficulty and depression - and for some, maybe some serious depression leading to mental illness.

I am highlighting only one National Day this week - The Transgender Day of Remembrance.  (Okay, don’t stop reading just because Karen is on her soapbox!!).

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE - November 20, 2022 - National Today

(From the National Day description):

“For generations, the transgender population has suffered various forms of abuse (and even death) for challenging the views, notions, and stereotypes around “male” and “female” identity. Every year we set aside November 20 as a Transgender Day of Remembrance. This holiday is meant to honor, commemorate, and memorialize those who face discrimination and stigma (often on a daily basis) across the nation. This holiday is also meant to advocate for transgender people’s rights as well as focus on the persistent struggles they face in their everyday lives, and how others can share their love, support, and hope.”

“375 transgender people were killed this year (2021), a figure that has risen since last year's total of 350. The report authors say this makes 2021 the 'deadliest year' of violence against gender-diverse people since records began. One in four of those murdered were killed in their own home.”

There is the expression “Walk a mile in their shoes”.  Try to understand those who are different from you.

I write out my first-century Jewish philosopher and spiritual guide - who said “Love Your Neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you would have them do to you, love your enemies, love one another”.  I say “LOVE WINS” and I push that more and say “LOVE TRANSFORMS”.  There is enough hate in the world - or as Dionne Warwick sang “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love”.

Let LOVE WIN!!

Karen Anne White, © November 20, 2022