Parents are Funny People

Parents are funny people. I laugh at my mother all the time, not always when she's actually intending to be funny.

Listening to myself speak recently on a recording of an interview with my client's daughter, I realize how often I pause when I speak, likely because I'm always searching for the perfect words. My mother does not pause often and sometimes speaks before she has the perfect words or changes her mind midstream in her speech, resulting in some funny expressions sometimes.

There are her strangely reworked cliche expressions like, "Kill two chickens with one hatchet." Well, "killing two birds with one stone" is fairly violent, but this version is much, uh, gorier. Can you tell she grew up on a farm in rural Nebraska?

Another time, she was angry at my father and declared that he was a "disaster on wheels!" This might have made a little bit of sense if my father had been driving at the time. He wasn't. I'm not exactly sure what she had in mind. Maybe she had conjured up some mental image of the Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil scooting through on a skateboard. Maybe disaster is that much more destructive when it's on wheels. I couldn't seem to help myself but to laugh at her expression at that time.

Thankfully, my laughter was contagious. Dad notices me laughing, and his lips curl up one side. Then he is laughing softly before getting a little bolder and laughing with more energy. Pretty soon, Mom has joined us, forgetting to be in a bad mood. It was a pretty wonderful moment.

Lately, Mom seems to be mishearing me when I speak and coming up with some pretty colorful and sometimes illogical conclusions as to what I said. In a recent funny moment, I was trying to share some news with her about our family friend named Travis Skinner. Mom was upstairs in another room as I'm trying to convey this message. She walks downstairs, saying, "What, cabbage dinner?" It sounds like some sort of contrived sitcom dialogue, but this is actually what happened, and, no, apart from St. Patrick's Day once a year, we don't often have a "cabbage dinner."

There were some other misheard words recently, and this one also involves food ... actual food. Mom tells me that she and Dad would like to go out to lunch, adding that I was probably not hungry yet since I'd had breakfast late. I said, "Oh, I might be hungry. All I had was some leftover French bread." My breakfast that day consisted of the end bit of a French baguette that had been fresh and wonderful the previous day and now required a bit of sawing with a serrated knife.

"What?" Mom says. "Crunch bread?"

"Well," I answered honestly. "It might have been crunch bread."

Maybe, she is losing some hearing, I'm not sure, but I'm assured that she doesn't have Alzheimer's. It really is a terrible disease, and I have an uncle affected by it right now. One day, Mom and Dad were in line at our local pharmacy and were looking over some brochures at the counter about various health conditions. Mom had picked up one on Alzheimer's and announced happily -- and rather loudly -- "I don't have Alzheimer's! I know how to use the microwave!" Nearby shoppers turn to look. The brochure apparently advised that forgetting how to use appliances like the microwave was a sign of Alzheimer's.

I'm not sure we'll be able to tell if Dad -- God forbid! -- gets Alzheimer's, as he's always had one of those quirky absent-minded scientist sort of personalities, even when he was young and long before I entered the picture. Mom tells this story from when they were first married, before any of the kids were born, and still living in a one-room apartment. Apparently, one morning, Dad stared into the refrigerator for a considerable length of time before announcing,"Where in the world are my socks?"

Lifting a Lousy Mood

None of the people who know me well would describe me as a moody person..Maybe my personality is more prone to being emotionally steady, but, at the same time, I think I do work at my mental attitude. Even so, I had a very lousy mood earlier this week.

I once heard a psychologist say that the same things that bring us up can also bring us down. This makes sense. For the things that are important to us, our relationships, our jobs, can bring us a lot of happiness when they are going well but can give us a lot of grief when they are not. My lousy mood was brought on by my creative work. It was very high when my ideas were flowing and came crashing down when I ran into a tangle and problems.

We all are prone to problems and bad moods, so here are some tips for fighting a bad mood.

1) Nip negative thoughts in the bud. 

It would be unrealistic to never think about a problem, but sometimes the way we think about problems is not productive. I can usually recognize when I'm going too far with a stream of pessimistic or negative thoughts and will make myself stop. Mentally rehashing painful things from the past is also not a good mental habit. It's mentally healthier to put past trauma out of your mind as much as possible. If you're finding it difficult to avoid worry for the future or dwelling on the negative things of the past, focus your mind on the present moment and the task at hand.

2) Talk to a friend. 

It's possible to talk about problems excessively, but sometimes, talking to a trusted friend or family member, even when it doesn't bring about a solution, can do a lot of good. A couple of years ago, I had several incidents where I was treated badly by a number of untrue friends. Thankfully, I still have a good family and a number of loyal friends. Talking to my brother, who gave me some good insights, and talking to a close friend, who was very sympathetic and defensive of me, helped relieve some of those negative emotions. I was able to put those situations behind me. As a Christian, I also talk to God about my issues and try to leave them in His hands.

3) Do a kind deed for somebody else.

Sometimes, it helps to get your mind off of your own problems entirely. When you are going through some difficulty, you are also better equipped to sympathize with others going through difficulty. It truly is better to give than to receive. You will lift your own mood by taking a moment to send someone a card or kind thoughts and express some caring for someone who is having a hard time.

4) Listen to music.

Music can be very therapeutic, but not all music is equally good for lifting a bad mood. You may want to avoid songs about heartbreak and funeral dirges. One of my favorite movies is Sense and Sensibility, based on the Jane Austen novel. In the very beginning of the story, two sisters lose their father and then their house which is inherited by their brother. One sister, Marianne Dashwood, plays sad songs on the piano towards the beginning of the story. Her sister Elinor tells her, "Marianne, can you play something else? Mama has been weeping since breakfast." Marianne then switches to a dirge. Elinor tells her, "I meant something less mournful, dearest."

I actually can enjoy sad songs when I'm feeling good. I enjoy sympathizing with the characters in the song. If I'm inclined to melancholy, even the sad sound of the musical notes can perpetuate that mood, so I avoid sad songs during those times. I can remember a time as a child when I had a little conflict with a friend who was visiting and we were both feeling terrible. Mom put on the soundtrack to Mary Poppins and let us hear this song, and her plan worked in helping us forget our earlier grievance and causing us to laugh together instead.

5) Watch some comedy.

In similar thoughts, I enjoy dramas, even tearjerker dramas and Holocaust movies. These have their place, but, comedies are more therapeutic for when you're going through stress and difficulty.

My brothers introduced me to this comedian Tim Hawkins, and I've been enjoying him ever since. One of my nephews can practically deliver his routines from memory. This particular clip might be about marriage (in part) and I'm single, but I can still appreciate it.  It makes me think of my parents. It also makes me think of myself when I'm riding with my father and am his "special helper in the car."

6) Set aside some time to think through proactive solutions. 

A few of these ideas such as listening to cheerful music and watching comedy seem like escapism. I don't think escapism is entirely bad. I very much like a quote that was widely attributed all over the Internet to J.R.R. Tolkien. It turns out it isn't a direct quote of Tolkien but is a quote by Ursula LeGuin who was indirectly quoting Tolkien.

 "Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisoned by the enemy, don’t we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we’re partisans of liberty, then it’s our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!"

I agree with that philosophy. However, just because we need some escape, doesn't mean we shouldn't apply some more proactive thoughts towards solving issues. I'm putting this sort of thought in a different category than worry. A few years ago, I was very upset when I learned a doctor had upped antidepressant medication for a friend. (In a lot of cases, I hear testimonies that people feel better when they stop taking these medications.) One of the issues that was upsetting her was one that was very possibly solvable with some steps on her part. This advice, which I tried to give her, would have been more helpful than more medicine to artificially alter her mood.

In my own recent bad mood, relating to my creative process, I felt more optimistic when I took some steps towards untangling my snag. 




 

Tomorrow is 'National Pink Day' #FixThePlus

Happy National Pink Day! Everyone is invited to wear pink even the men can as well. Personally, I have seen men wear pink looking spectacular.

I myself have very few items of clothing that are pink for I tend to veer towards the darker colors but I do have a couple of shirts I can choose from.

You can make a pink cake with pink frosting with pink ice cream. While you are eating your pink cake and ice cream you can watch the movies Pretty In Pink or Pink Cadillac.

Pink is also used for breast cancer awareness which is in October. When it's Breast Awareness Day I have seen lots of ribbons tied to car antennas and mailboxes not to mention on people's shirts.

You can listen to Pink Floyd or Pink wearing your pink shirt, eating pink ice cream and cake. You can make a 'pinky swear' with someone.

Give your bestie, friend, mother, or anyone you choose a pink rose even. All in all, it's a wacky way to enjoy your day.

What are you going to for National Pink Day?

I have always loved children. They are what makes the world go round bringing you laughter and joy. So let's celebrate Children's Day and give you child a hug.

What's The Best Day Of All ???

Hello to all you working off-line jobs, the weekend is coming and just maybe the sun will make an appearance.

Where Will I Be A Hundred Years From Now #4 #FixThePlus

    Where Will I Be A Hundred Years From Now 

Out of nowhere Yoda the Farey came riding in on her steed Bumblebee calling out we are all ready with the music to dance and listen to! Oh, it was going to be a party no one would forget....


"We need music, beautiful soul music", I said, and I know where to go! So
+DL Keur , +Plain Jane (✈👩) , +Trina Emmerson , +Nikki DeMc , +Diana Bauder , +Barbara Brittain , +R. J. Nello , +Adele Archer , +S. Austin Vincoski , +Christian Touchet , +S. Bradley Stoner . +Tim Clark , +Aleks K. Shaw , +Mike Raven , and +Jeremy Crow  all followed the pathway leading to the falls where the mermaids were swimming.

Arriving at the falls I called out, "Ariel, are you there"? Followed by a shrill startled  shriek, "You surprised me", Ariel shouted, "I have to cover up" as she dove back down into the blue crystal clear water. "Sorry", I shouted as everyone's mouth dropped open at the sight of a real live mermaid especially a half naked one at that.

Everyone stood at the pond's edge  having already taken off their shoes and socks started dipping their toes in the water. "The water's nice and chilly" exclaimed +Trina Emmerson taking in the sights of the surrounding landscape. "It's so magical and pretty," she said to +Jeremy Crow , come and get your feet wet!

At just that moment Ariel came into view looking much better covered up. Smiling she asked, "What can I do for you +Sheryl Rose "? "Can you and your mermaid friends please sing for my party, pretty please"? I asked. "Why I would be delighted", Ariel replied. And we had our music. "It will be later tonight if not tomorrow", I said, for the time didn't really count in this land of magic."

So we had our fresh posies, fresh mushrooms, Golden Crumbles, our story-teller, fresh brewed Ale from our goblin friend and music. Oh, the fun we were going to have.

Stayed tuned for more story telling of a magical party....

Where Will I be A hundred Years From Now? #1 #FixThePlus

I saw that question somewhere along my blog reading thinking to myself, well at 57 I highly doubt I will still be on this earth, then my imagination took over.

I'm sitting on a big rock surrounded by lush green grass, a willow tree overhead a stream merrily trickling along into a large pond.

I have no aches, no sore joints, having the body the same age as my inner child. I can shimmer in and out for my inner child is ageless as is my soul. I'm wearing a shimmering dress that sparkles and changes color with every movement I make.

Scattered here and there are the most radiant of flowers all different colors in bright purples,blues, and pinks. I am of course barefoot for there is no trash to be seen on the water or around anywhere as far as the eye can see.

Huge sunflowers are scattered everywhere.

In the pond are a family of whales, dolphins and flying fish all adapted to fresh water and scaled down in size. They come up to the shore as I toss them treats merrily chanting in dolphin language with the ways shoot water high into the air.

I have a Pitbull, Chia, a mother cat with her kittens and they can all talk most days chattering away amongst themselves. They were talking excitedly about the colors of the last magnificent rainbow of last yesterday.

Night time there is always a full moon with fireflies darting here and there racing along with the little fairy's that love to twinkle in the night sky. Everything shimmers and sparkles with giant fireworks that go off every night.

And that's not even where I live...to be continued.

What Is Your Summer Time Smile

The Magic Of Fireflies

My summer time favorite thing, besides the local ice cream shop is Fireflies.  I have always loved Fireflies. My earliest memory of those little  buggy lights was in Kansa City, Kansas where my mother's sister lived.

It's so cool that when you travel somewhere else it may have the same trees, grass, flowers, and shrubbery, they are a different hue of green. Anyways in my Aunt's front yard was deep, soft,  green grass that delighted my bare feet all nice and cool in the evening dusk.

My cousins and I were outside playing when I spotted some fireflies flitting here and there. I was fifteen at the time but all the same, I had the excitement of a young child.

Running into the house my cousin grabbed a glass jar yelling over our shoulders we were going to catch fireflies. I was told to gently catch them so the powder or dust wouldn't rub off on your hands.

When the jar was full it was truly magical as it lit up in the dark. Nature's own flashlight. We all ran about amidst those fireflies late into the evening pretending they were really little fairies. I still smile to think of that night.

What summertime activity makes you smile?

Here's Something To Smile About:)

MAY 6TH 2016

Since I have a son in the military and a stay at home now, Daughter-In-Law raising my first born grandson, I like this 'fun' holiday.

Show your spouse some love tomorrow by if your spouse is overseas, call or Skype him/her, showing how much you care.

If he/she is not overseas write a little love note, do something special for them, show your love and appreciation.

Have a great day!

Pitbulls and Babies

I went out a little earlier to get a couple of things, walking of course.

I was able to wear my pretty dye-tied shibori dress with my black sweater.

I had taken off my glasses because they kept slipping down my nose.

I see a figure of a person and their dog ahead of me in the distance.

As I got closer I felt a twinge of excitement, is that a Pitbull?
I put on my glasses and sure enough, it's a young girl with a white Pitbull.

As they close in the distance from me I can clearly see really is a Pittie.
My favorite kind of dog in the whole wide world.

Delighted I bend down to pet this adorable half grown Pitbull who wags her tail.
I asked for the puppies name which is Vera who poured out puppy love.

I continue on making my stop at Rite-Aid laughing with the clerks.
I get done there and make my way up to the Family Dollar.

I go in, get what I need and as I'm leaving I hold the door for a father
who had the cutest little baby.

All this joy and what I consider luck when I see either a puppy or a baby.
I hardly noticed those nasty little trolls banging away at all my joints.

I'm so glad I went out for sometimes it's just easier to stay at home.
What gives you great joy when you run into it?

It's Spouses Day Today

Oh boy, it's Spouses Day today. If you don't have a spouse you can substitute your favorite fur-baby. Or maybe you have a furry spouse or a mousey spousey.

This day includes partnerships, people who may be in a common-law marriage, domestic partnership or civil union.

I think doing little things for your partner can be very uplifting. Leaving a random note, a hug or kiss out of the blue, opening the door for them, just being there.

Here are some ideas for that special someone in your life.:

1. Say, I love you.

2. Send a pretty e-card to them telling how much they mean to you.

3. Make a dinner that they choose.

4. Do a chore or errand for them.

5. Give or make they're a favorite treat.

6. Most important, tell them how much you love and appreciate them.

Enjoy your day everyone. May it be as special as you are.

Tips On How To Make A Friend

Take it from the animals. I was on a YouTube kick yesterday and ran across this video which made

me smile all the way through. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

If animals can do it so can the human race instead of trying to destroy each other.

Which animal friendship did you like? 

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 
― Dr. Seuss

M. A. G. I. C. Making A Grin Is Cool

It's almost Valentine's Day so sharing a few thoughts to get you through your day. I love this vintage cupid and I'm reposting it. I love the look it's so pretty. And Cupid's a rock star.

I'm a lover of playing on words and their meaning not to mentions I love limes.

 Yes, I believe in magic, who doesn't?

To the lost and the lonely, to our elders and youngsters, married couples and those who are just plain together...A Big Huge Happy Valentine's Day to you from all of us here at Life Explained.

Make A New Friend Day

First off seeing that there was a bit of confusion over one of my earlier humorous posts this is where I get the days and events for that day for inspiration. Holiday Insights February.

Today is every day for one such as me, lover of new experiences, people, and life. Make A New Friend Day doesn't necessarily always mean of the human persuasion either. You could go out and get a puppy. In fact, I was referred to puppies once because of my friendliness.

Or you can call up an old friend and catch up, maybe send an e-card to a friend just to let them know you care. I usually send something with a bit of humor, I don't think that surprises you at all.

When I first got my computer many moons ago my first thought was excitement at being able to make new friends that otherwise I would never have met. It's been a great trip so far.

Make A New Friend Day is every day for this girl.

100 Exquisite Adjectives
By Mark Nichol

I love words and came across a list of them. I'm going to add a word a day to my posts as long as I don't forget.

Word #24 Effulgent: brilliantly radiant

She was effulgent in her performance at the opera.

6 Simple Ways To Teach Kids To Be Kind

6 Simple Ways To Teach Kids To Be Kind

Smile. As author William Arthur Ward said, “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” By seeing you smile at other people (whether it’s your spouse or a next-door neighbor you happen to see while getting your mail), children can learn that a smile can be a powerful way to spread kindness.

Perform your own acts of kindness. When you’re paying for your gas, ask the clerk how their day is going or let someone with fewer items go ahead of you in the grocery store check-out line. You might not think that your child picks up on this type of behavior but they do.

“Teach children how to share.” Helice shared this piece of advice with us on Facebook and we couldn’t agree more. Reading friendship-themed books such as Should I Share My Ice Cream? can be helpful in teaching children how to be generous.

Talk about ways to help friends: If your child’s friend or classmate is having a hard time, ask your child for ways she thinks she might be able to help. This can be a very useful way to teach them how to build meaningful friendships. You might ask, “How do you think Sam feels?” “What do you think you can do to help?”

Validate positive behaviors: When you see your child treat someone with kindness or care, express your appreciation. Say, “I noticed how patient you were when Kate was feeling frustrated. I think that really made her feel better.”

Celebrate the helpers. When you hear about someone doing a kind deed for other people, share the story with your child, recommends Parents.com. It will get them thinking about the acts of service they could do themselves.

I love this, start with the children, I did and my kids and their friends are amazing.

Smiles All Around

This morning I got a Skype call from my son Tysen who is in the Airforce. We were on Facebook, at first, being that I don't own a cell phone as of yet so that's the way I communicate.

He asked me which made me happy, we had a very nice chat. I got to see his room which is small sharing with a roommate who Tysen told me is glad he keeps his side clean.

He will be deployed for six months and thank the heavens for technology. I also got his address and I will send a letter with something little in the envelope. Anyways that's the plan.

I live and breath for my children and am so grateful they are so good at staying in touch even if they live so far away.

Are you a long-distance parent or grandparent yourself? I love stories so do tell.

Smile, Like A Robot.

Sometime, I'm not really sure when it was, I decided to be a happier person. It was a daunting task, most of my life has been spent certain that things were not going to work out. It was a practice of taking things that had been mostly decent, and events more or less positive and mining them for dark, secret, disturbing meaning. And when something bad would happen, and no life is without some pain, it confirmed my belief that existence was a catastrophe.

I spent a lot of years hiding behind addictions, which only served to bolster the illusion of persecution. Then one day it hit me. Why would life take the time to crush my spirits? What made me so important that fate would make the effort to make me miserable. Out of all the people in the world was I that important? Probably not.

But, how does a person shake off the self imposed shackles of gloom? I wasn't sure.

I started a blog, using it to expose my doubts and fears, it was a good start. Taking small things, and turning them into drama online left them exposed, vulnerable. It was no longer personal, not me against "them." "They" were now fighting a world of my creation, and "they" were losing.

Next, was a more healthy diet, vegetables, fruit, water. And coffee, of course. Coffee, first aid for the soul. Eating right makes everything seem better.

Exercise, ah the sweet pain of exertion. When I was young the Hub Bar was my reward, my escape. It was a welcome sight, and often just the thought of a cold beer and a shot of schnapps would get me through. Now, it is the gym. Weights, cables, resistance and aerobics are the way I unwind. After a grueling day the sweat and toil are blessed relief.

This post was supposed to be a list. Steps toward being happier, but that will have to wait. You are busy, and we have gone on long enough. The list will come later.

Each day you should do one thing to make be happier, if you don't know what, don't worry, a list is coming.

To close, here is a picture of me and a smiling robot, who can resist a smiling robot?

Let The Magic Come To You

Even when you don't feel like it, smile anyways.

Good Puppy, Bad Puppy

You should be sitting where I'm sitting it's so funny and cute. Our neighbor, Gary, is outside playing with his puppy as I slowly came to the realization I was smiling.

I call what I'm hearing, 'Sounds of Puppy Training.'

Come here puppy...hearing the sounds of snow being crushed by romping puppy.

Thatssss a good puppy...crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, (Puppy jumping for joy)

No puppy...NO biting!!

I said...NOOOO biting!

Goooodddd puppy...crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.

I can't wait to be able to have a pet. Up until now I've never been without an animal of some sort but when we move I will. "Be patient," says Mr. Rose. I'm trying!

You May Not Get Another Chance

Oh, this song brings back wonderful memories. It's short but I absolutely love this cheerful, can't sit down song. Going to work, cranking up the car's radio's volume until I was a rolling speaker.

In my twenties when I was babysitting dancing around the living room with the kids who reported it back to their moms.

As I grew older stopping to dance whenever this song came on.

Music is food for the soul. I have and always will love my tunes.


"Swingtown"

Ooo oooohhhh
Ooo oooohhhh
Come on and dance, come on and dance
Let's make some romance
You know the night is fallin'
And the music's callin'
And we've got to get down to Swingtown

We've been workin' so hard
We've been workin' so hard
Come on baby
Come on baby let's dance
Come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on

Ooo oooohhhh
Ooo oooohhhh
Come on and dance, come on and dance
We may not get another chance
You know the night is fallin'
And the music's callin'
And we've got to get down to Swingtown