I read an article in the Salt Lake Tribune where teenagers are sending nude photo’s of themselves over their cell phones. The article states this is a new form of flirting. Whatever happened to sly smiles and batting of the eyelashes. Oh, I know, get with the times but this is totally wrong on so many levels.
The comments section of the paper has many people siding with the teens and saying this is harmless, the 21st century version of playing doctor. They’re outraged that the legal system mentions it might be breaking pornography laws and they could charge the teens with misdemeanors. Give me a break. Where are the parents in this? Why do teens need camera phones?
Before you get on me for blaming the parents, yes I know parents can’t watch their kids 24/7. I know you can teach your kids right from wrong and they’ll cave under peer pressure and choose the wrong thing from time to time. Not all, but a lot of parents are afraid of their kids. They want their kids to like them. They want to be friends with their kids. You can be friends when your children are adults but be parents until then.
Now look at where kids get the idea that this type of behavior is acceptable. Look at the internet and the celebrities they look up to and admire. Brittney Spears was all over the internet because she went out partying without any underwear. Miley Cyrus just did a photo shoot for Vanity Fair. The photos were suppose to be artistic but now she’s embarrassed by them. She’s naked with nothing but a sheet wrapped around her with her bare back showing. She is 15 and both her parent’s were there during the photo shoot. Didn’t they realize these photos weren’t appropriate for their 15 year old daughter?
Kids and teens are being allowed to make decisions before they’re equipped to handle the consequences. I sure hope their parents are there to pick up the pieces when they fall.
Easier to See With My Eyes Closed
Do you close your eyes in the dark? Last night I turned out the lights for bed and remembered something I forgot to do. Instead of turning the light back on and waking my husband I decided I could do it in the dark. Just feel my way around, no problem. As I was maneuvering in the dark I realized my eyes were closed. This took me back about 15-20 years.
I’m into photography, not as much now as I use to be. I took classes in photography, complete with processing and developing. I had a darkroom in our basement. It got to be too expensive as a hobby so I stopped. The chemicals have a very short shelf life once they’re opened. I finally got rid of the equipment. Now with digital cameras and computer editing it’s so much easier and a lot more affordable.
If you know about film processing and developing or have seen any movies or TV shows showing this you know there’s a small red light. The light is mainly used with black and white film. I didn’t appreciate the beauty of black and white photography back then; I only wanted to do color film. Color paper and film is more light sensitive than b&w and the light has to be so far away it’s practically useless so most don’t use the light. That was me. I did everything by feel until I got to the point I could turn the light on.
Last night I was reminded of that darkroom and remembered I always had my eyes closed when I worked with the film. It was easier. I couldn’t see anything and I got distracted straining to see if my eyes were open plus it gave me a headache so unconsciously I closed them. I didn’t even think about it. Turn out the lights, the eyes close. The strange part, if there was a little light coming in the room through a window or another room I’d keep my eyes open and fumble. Have it pitch black the eyes close and I don’t fumble anymore.
I guess I find it easier to see in the dark when my eyes are closed.
I’m into photography, not as much now as I use to be. I took classes in photography, complete with processing and developing. I had a darkroom in our basement. It got to be too expensive as a hobby so I stopped. The chemicals have a very short shelf life once they’re opened. I finally got rid of the equipment. Now with digital cameras and computer editing it’s so much easier and a lot more affordable.
If you know about film processing and developing or have seen any movies or TV shows showing this you know there’s a small red light. The light is mainly used with black and white film. I didn’t appreciate the beauty of black and white photography back then; I only wanted to do color film. Color paper and film is more light sensitive than b&w and the light has to be so far away it’s practically useless so most don’t use the light. That was me. I did everything by feel until I got to the point I could turn the light on.
Last night I was reminded of that darkroom and remembered I always had my eyes closed when I worked with the film. It was easier. I couldn’t see anything and I got distracted straining to see if my eyes were open plus it gave me a headache so unconsciously I closed them. I didn’t even think about it. Turn out the lights, the eyes close. The strange part, if there was a little light coming in the room through a window or another room I’d keep my eyes open and fumble. Have it pitch black the eyes close and I don’t fumble anymore.
I guess I find it easier to see in the dark when my eyes are closed.
Thank God for Ray Rayner Notes
Did you ever have one of those days where your brain just isn’t working right? I’m having one of those weeks. I think my brain went on a vacation without me and I’m very upset that it hasn’t sent me a postcard yet.
The other day the phone was ringing and I kept thinking it was on the TV. Well, that is understandable considering it’s a stereo TV and on more than one occasion I’ve gotten up to answer the phone only to find out it’s on TV.
Yesterday morning I was making toast with my beloved peanut butter and my morning Pepsi. I’ve said before, I’m a Pepsiholic. I had everything ready, peanut butter jar open, knife ready and I was going to pour a glass of Pepsi while I was waiting for the toast to pop up. I stood with the soda bottle opened over the peanut butter thinking this isn’t right. What’s wrong with this? I must have stood there a good 30 seconds before it hit me, you don’t pour Pepsi over peanut butter.
Today I was putting a fresh stick of butter in the butter dish. I unwrapped the stick, held onto the wrapper and began to toss the butter into the trash. Something stopped me just before I let it drop.
I do have a problem with remembering things a lot. I have what I call my Ray Rayner notes to remind me to do things. Especially if it’s something I need to do the next day. I’ve been this way for years. I chalked it up to having too much to do and too little time. That’s not my excuse anymore. I’ve actually got less to do but I think I have more occupying my mind now.
It’s hard to remember all the passwords you need for everything. Password for the internet, email (if you’re like me and have 5 different email accounts it’s even harder). You have a password for the ATM and online banking. If you pay your bills or check your accounts online you have passwords for cell phones, land phone, power company, internet and cable and add to that any credit cards you might have. Some of those accounts also have security questions. If you’re virtually sociable you have log-in ID’s and passwords for any forums, message boards or websites you frequent.
You're not suppose to use the same password for everything for safety reasons. Even if you tried it's impossible because some places require six characters, while others require eight. I have tried keeping my log-in ID's for message boards and forums the same but I've run into the problem where the ID not available then I have to remember what I used instead.
So, as I said, my brain’s overworked and went on a vacation. I hope it’s enjoying itself and is getting a good rest because when it gets back I’m leaving.
The other day the phone was ringing and I kept thinking it was on the TV. Well, that is understandable considering it’s a stereo TV and on more than one occasion I’ve gotten up to answer the phone only to find out it’s on TV.
Yesterday morning I was making toast with my beloved peanut butter and my morning Pepsi. I’ve said before, I’m a Pepsiholic. I had everything ready, peanut butter jar open, knife ready and I was going to pour a glass of Pepsi while I was waiting for the toast to pop up. I stood with the soda bottle opened over the peanut butter thinking this isn’t right. What’s wrong with this? I must have stood there a good 30 seconds before it hit me, you don’t pour Pepsi over peanut butter.
Today I was putting a fresh stick of butter in the butter dish. I unwrapped the stick, held onto the wrapper and began to toss the butter into the trash. Something stopped me just before I let it drop.
I do have a problem with remembering things a lot. I have what I call my Ray Rayner notes to remind me to do things. Especially if it’s something I need to do the next day. I’ve been this way for years. I chalked it up to having too much to do and too little time. That’s not my excuse anymore. I’ve actually got less to do but I think I have more occupying my mind now.
It’s hard to remember all the passwords you need for everything. Password for the internet, email (if you’re like me and have 5 different email accounts it’s even harder). You have a password for the ATM and online banking. If you pay your bills or check your accounts online you have passwords for cell phones, land phone, power company, internet and cable and add to that any credit cards you might have. Some of those accounts also have security questions. If you’re virtually sociable you have log-in ID’s and passwords for any forums, message boards or websites you frequent.
You're not suppose to use the same password for everything for safety reasons. Even if you tried it's impossible because some places require six characters, while others require eight. I have tried keeping my log-in ID's for message boards and forums the same but I've run into the problem where the ID not available then I have to remember what I used instead.
So, as I said, my brain’s overworked and went on a vacation. I hope it’s enjoying itself and is getting a good rest because when it gets back I’m leaving.
Ten Things I Miss About Chicago
I relocated from Chicago to Alabama four years ago. My husband often asks me if I miss Chicago. I usually answer, no but I do miss friends and family. I decided to really think hard and try to come up with Ten Things I Miss About Chicago.
1. Pizza. This may be simple and you may not agree but Chicago has the best pizza around. They have their Little Cesar’s, Papa Johns, Dominos and Pizza Hut but I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about the thin crust pizzas you get from the mom and pop pizza joints on every other corner. Not only is the pizza outstanding but they deliver. The thin crust great but then you have the Chicago Deep Dish pizza. Geno’s, Uno, Giordano’s, Nancy’s and Lou Malnatti’s. The cheese is thick on top the crust. The sauce is on top of the pizza. You need a fork to eat it and one slice is a meal. There was even an Italian restaurant, Baraccos by my house that delivered anything off their menu. You could order Fettuccini Alfredo, Lasagna, Steak or seafood and have it delivered with desert included.
2. Pepe’s Mexican. I know Mexican food in the Midwest is more Americanized Mexican but Pepe’s was my favorite. Chicken Enchiladas, Garnachas, Chile Con Queso Dip. That was some good food.
3. Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoo. I didn’t get to Lincoln Park Zoo that often but I did frequent Brookfield Zoo. I could sit and watch the polar bears all day. They had a train that went around the entire zoo. A safari tram ride throughout the park.
4. John G. Shedd Aquarium. It was on Lake Michigan. They had an Oceanarium that was built several years ago. It had dolphins and Beluga Whales. One side of it was glass and it looked out on the lake. If you were sitting watching the show or just relaxing between shows it looked like the lake was a continuation of the exhibit. Very peaceful.
5. Pizza. Did I mention I miss good pizza?
6. Water Tower Place. A 7 story shopping mall. Lord & Taylor’s, Marshall Fields (I understand it’s now Macy’s) and a lot of specialty shops. Across the street was Bloomingdales and down the street was Neiman Marcus. A shopper’s paradise, if you had a bank account like Donald Trump. I’ve even run into Oprah while shopping there.
7. Football. Fans that get excited over the NFL and Superbowl Parties. Where I live it’s all about college football. I have nothing against college football but I can’t get into it with as much enthusiasm. My husband’s from Kansas City and we have a little rivalry going, Bears vs. Chiefs.
8. Public Transportation. I lived on the south side and going downtown was a hassle with parking. I could take a bus or train and it was great. We have no public transportation where I live. I don’t even think I’ve seen a taxi but I’m sure they’re available.
9. Taste of Chicago. Every year they had a festival that lasted about a week around July 4th. The best restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs would have booths. There was entertainment and things for the kids to do. It was held in Grand Park by the lake and Buckingham Fountain.
10. Pizza. Did I mention I mess the pizza?
To make it fair I came up with a list of things I don’t miss about Chicago.
1. Traffic. I lived 22 miles from work and no matter which route I went it took an hour to get there and longer to get home.
2. Congestion. This ties in with #1. All the things I miss about Chicago were less enjoyable because of the congestion.
3. Choices. Choices are nice but Chicago had too many. I lived within 30 miles of 6 movie theatres. Some had 14 screens. I can only watch 1 movie at a time so why make it confusing trying to decide where to go. There were also too many choices in restaurants. I know variety is the spice of life but a group of 10 people trying to decide where to eat can come up with 20 choices. Where I live now there’s a choice of 2 sit down restaurants with waiters and waitresses and a lot of fast food joints. Decision making is rather easy.
4. Lack of Privacy. Houses in Chicago are too close together. You can stand at your back door and touch the house next to you. If your next door neighbor had their TV up too loud you could hear it inside your house.
5. Lack of Parking. Not every house in Chicago had a driveway and you had to park on the streets. If you had more than 1 guest there was no place for anyone to park. It was worse in the winter when people shoveled out their parking space then marked it with lawn furniture and folding chairs.
6. Snow. I hated shoveling and driving in the snow. Ten inches of snow overnight. No problem. Nothing shut down; you just got up earlier to get to work or school.
7. Winter. This relates to #5 and #6. It’s also the below zero temperatures with the wind chill I don’t miss. Long underwear, sweats and down jacket with scarf, hat and gloves. Took an hour to get dressed to go out the door and get the mail.
8. White Sox Fans. Chicago had two baseball teams. Cubs and White Sox. The fans are very protective of their teams. Wars have broken out over which team is the best. We all know it’s the Cubs but the White Sox fans are very persistent and won’t give up easily.
9. The Tollways. To get anywhere you usually have to get on the tollway. When I left it was $.50 a toll and I don’t know how far apart the toll booths were but it could cost me a couple bucks to visit a friend or relative. That’s in addition to the cost of gas.
10. Snow. I have to repeat. I HATE SNOW!!
1. Pizza. This may be simple and you may not agree but Chicago has the best pizza around. They have their Little Cesar’s, Papa Johns, Dominos and Pizza Hut but I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about the thin crust pizzas you get from the mom and pop pizza joints on every other corner. Not only is the pizza outstanding but they deliver. The thin crust great but then you have the Chicago Deep Dish pizza. Geno’s, Uno, Giordano’s, Nancy’s and Lou Malnatti’s. The cheese is thick on top the crust. The sauce is on top of the pizza. You need a fork to eat it and one slice is a meal. There was even an Italian restaurant, Baraccos by my house that delivered anything off their menu. You could order Fettuccini Alfredo, Lasagna, Steak or seafood and have it delivered with desert included.
2. Pepe’s Mexican. I know Mexican food in the Midwest is more Americanized Mexican but Pepe’s was my favorite. Chicken Enchiladas, Garnachas, Chile Con Queso Dip. That was some good food.
3. Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoo. I didn’t get to Lincoln Park Zoo that often but I did frequent Brookfield Zoo. I could sit and watch the polar bears all day. They had a train that went around the entire zoo. A safari tram ride throughout the park.
4. John G. Shedd Aquarium. It was on Lake Michigan. They had an Oceanarium that was built several years ago. It had dolphins and Beluga Whales. One side of it was glass and it looked out on the lake. If you were sitting watching the show or just relaxing between shows it looked like the lake was a continuation of the exhibit. Very peaceful.
5. Pizza. Did I mention I miss good pizza?
6. Water Tower Place. A 7 story shopping mall. Lord & Taylor’s, Marshall Fields (I understand it’s now Macy’s) and a lot of specialty shops. Across the street was Bloomingdales and down the street was Neiman Marcus. A shopper’s paradise, if you had a bank account like Donald Trump. I’ve even run into Oprah while shopping there.
7. Football. Fans that get excited over the NFL and Superbowl Parties. Where I live it’s all about college football. I have nothing against college football but I can’t get into it with as much enthusiasm. My husband’s from Kansas City and we have a little rivalry going, Bears vs. Chiefs.
8. Public Transportation. I lived on the south side and going downtown was a hassle with parking. I could take a bus or train and it was great. We have no public transportation where I live. I don’t even think I’ve seen a taxi but I’m sure they’re available.
9. Taste of Chicago. Every year they had a festival that lasted about a week around July 4th. The best restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs would have booths. There was entertainment and things for the kids to do. It was held in Grand Park by the lake and Buckingham Fountain.
10. Pizza. Did I mention I mess the pizza?
To make it fair I came up with a list of things I don’t miss about Chicago.
1. Traffic. I lived 22 miles from work and no matter which route I went it took an hour to get there and longer to get home.
2. Congestion. This ties in with #1. All the things I miss about Chicago were less enjoyable because of the congestion.
3. Choices. Choices are nice but Chicago had too many. I lived within 30 miles of 6 movie theatres. Some had 14 screens. I can only watch 1 movie at a time so why make it confusing trying to decide where to go. There were also too many choices in restaurants. I know variety is the spice of life but a group of 10 people trying to decide where to eat can come up with 20 choices. Where I live now there’s a choice of 2 sit down restaurants with waiters and waitresses and a lot of fast food joints. Decision making is rather easy.
4. Lack of Privacy. Houses in Chicago are too close together. You can stand at your back door and touch the house next to you. If your next door neighbor had their TV up too loud you could hear it inside your house.
5. Lack of Parking. Not every house in Chicago had a driveway and you had to park on the streets. If you had more than 1 guest there was no place for anyone to park. It was worse in the winter when people shoveled out their parking space then marked it with lawn furniture and folding chairs.
6. Snow. I hated shoveling and driving in the snow. Ten inches of snow overnight. No problem. Nothing shut down; you just got up earlier to get to work or school.
7. Winter. This relates to #5 and #6. It’s also the below zero temperatures with the wind chill I don’t miss. Long underwear, sweats and down jacket with scarf, hat and gloves. Took an hour to get dressed to go out the door and get the mail.
8. White Sox Fans. Chicago had two baseball teams. Cubs and White Sox. The fans are very protective of their teams. Wars have broken out over which team is the best. We all know it’s the Cubs but the White Sox fans are very persistent and won’t give up easily.
9. The Tollways. To get anywhere you usually have to get on the tollway. When I left it was $.50 a toll and I don’t know how far apart the toll booths were but it could cost me a couple bucks to visit a friend or relative. That’s in addition to the cost of gas.
10. Snow. I have to repeat. I HATE SNOW!!
Lickety Split
I finally figured out why God made kids so cute. Comedic relief. They do some of the most “what the” things just before you ground them for life or pull that last strand of hair out of your head.
I have a 2 ½ year old nephew my husband calls Lickety Split. Lickety earned that name through hard work and he proudly lives up to it. He’ll do some of the most aggravating things and before you can stop him from totally destroying one room he’s off to start on the next. No form of punishment works with him. Spanking, he’ll give a little whimper before giving you an “up yours” look and do the exact thing he just got spanked for. Yelling at him. Yeah right. That only makes him laugh and come at you smiling to hug you or give you a kiss. I think he’s in training for the mafia. Don’t they kiss their targets just before taking them out?
The other night we were over at my sister-in-law’s for dinner. I was praising Lickety for not throwing his food on the floor, walls or my head when a napkin flew past me. A few seconds later he spit in my husband’s plate. My brother-in-law put him in the corner. Now if Lickety’s older brother was placed in the corner he’d be pouting and planning his escape. Not Lickety. He’s standing there quietly, head up high. He’s proud of himself. The rest of us went on with our dinner, with the exception of my husband who had lost his appetite, when we realize we’re being serenaded. Lickety’s enjoying himself, he’s still facing the corner and he’s singing. That didn’t bring my husband’s appetite back but it did make for a good laugh.
I have a 2 ½ year old nephew my husband calls Lickety Split. Lickety earned that name through hard work and he proudly lives up to it. He’ll do some of the most aggravating things and before you can stop him from totally destroying one room he’s off to start on the next. No form of punishment works with him. Spanking, he’ll give a little whimper before giving you an “up yours” look and do the exact thing he just got spanked for. Yelling at him. Yeah right. That only makes him laugh and come at you smiling to hug you or give you a kiss. I think he’s in training for the mafia. Don’t they kiss their targets just before taking them out?
The other night we were over at my sister-in-law’s for dinner. I was praising Lickety for not throwing his food on the floor, walls or my head when a napkin flew past me. A few seconds later he spit in my husband’s plate. My brother-in-law put him in the corner. Now if Lickety’s older brother was placed in the corner he’d be pouting and planning his escape. Not Lickety. He’s standing there quietly, head up high. He’s proud of himself. The rest of us went on with our dinner, with the exception of my husband who had lost his appetite, when we realize we’re being serenaded. Lickety’s enjoying himself, he’s still facing the corner and he’s singing. That didn’t bring my husband’s appetite back but it did make for a good laugh.
With God as My Conscience
I was discussing morality and ethics the other day. If you get something by accident that you didn’t deserve like money (incorrect change or a bank or paycheck error) would you report it or would you keep it? If you kept it would you be stealing?
I said that I’d feel like I was stealing if I kept it. The person I was speaking with said it wouldn’t actually be stealing but it would be morally or ethically wrong. What’s your opinion? Is it stealing only if you purposely take something that doesn’t belong to you or is it also considered stealing if you keep something you obtained by accident that you didn’t earn or don’t deserve?
I was raised knowing right from wrong and I never or should I say I rarely went outside the rules. If I got extra change in a store I was excited and didn’t say anything. After I accepted Christ my conscience grew stronger. I deducted that my stronger conscious is Christ in me. I have a stronger sense of right or wrong and if I step outside those boundaries I get convicted big time. It starts as a slight nagging and feeling of guilt and if I ignore it the feeling gets stronger and it affects my sleep and consumes most of my thoughts until I either confess and apologize or make it right.
As I’m writing this I’m listening to the radio and the song “Our God Saves” is playing. It hit me as ironic. God not only saves us from death but He also saves us from ourselves. Without Him our decisions and actions would be a lot different and we know what kind of trouble we can get into on our own.
I said that I’d feel like I was stealing if I kept it. The person I was speaking with said it wouldn’t actually be stealing but it would be morally or ethically wrong. What’s your opinion? Is it stealing only if you purposely take something that doesn’t belong to you or is it also considered stealing if you keep something you obtained by accident that you didn’t earn or don’t deserve?
I was raised knowing right from wrong and I never or should I say I rarely went outside the rules. If I got extra change in a store I was excited and didn’t say anything. After I accepted Christ my conscience grew stronger. I deducted that my stronger conscious is Christ in me. I have a stronger sense of right or wrong and if I step outside those boundaries I get convicted big time. It starts as a slight nagging and feeling of guilt and if I ignore it the feeling gets stronger and it affects my sleep and consumes most of my thoughts until I either confess and apologize or make it right.
As I’m writing this I’m listening to the radio and the song “Our God Saves” is playing. It hit me as ironic. God not only saves us from death but He also saves us from ourselves. Without Him our decisions and actions would be a lot different and we know what kind of trouble we can get into on our own.
My Healthy Eating Idea
I, like many others have a weight problem. I’m always trying to eat healthier, eat less and loose weight. The problem is, I like to eat and I don’t like to eat healthy foods. I don’t necessarily eat a lot of junk food, I eat the wrong foods. I like food with sauces and gravies. I like foods with taste and flavor. I like meat and potatoes. Actually, potatoes are one of the few vegetables I’ll eat cooked.
I came up with a brilliant idea for a new weight loss product. A pill that will make any food you eat taste the same. They could have different varieties like pizza, steak, Mexican, Italian and cheeseburger. You pick what you have a taste for, take the pill, then when you eat broccoli it can taste like pepperoni pizza. That would allow you to eat healthier and satisfy a craving at the same time. It would be a hit with large families. Fix a huge dish of steamed vegetables or liver and onions and everyone takes the pill of their choice. Everyone eats the same thing without complaining. Even the worst cooks won’t hear anyone complaining anymore.
I don’t have the resources or ability to actually develop this sort of thing so my idea is out there for the taking. All I ask, if the product is developed I get a lifetime supply.
I came up with a brilliant idea for a new weight loss product. A pill that will make any food you eat taste the same. They could have different varieties like pizza, steak, Mexican, Italian and cheeseburger. You pick what you have a taste for, take the pill, then when you eat broccoli it can taste like pepperoni pizza. That would allow you to eat healthier and satisfy a craving at the same time. It would be a hit with large families. Fix a huge dish of steamed vegetables or liver and onions and everyone takes the pill of their choice. Everyone eats the same thing without complaining. Even the worst cooks won’t hear anyone complaining anymore.
I don’t have the resources or ability to actually develop this sort of thing so my idea is out there for the taking. All I ask, if the product is developed I get a lifetime supply.
Traditions
Merriam Webster defines tradition as: 1 a: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) b: a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable
2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction
3: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions
4: characteristic manner, method, or style in the best liberal tradition
I think tradition is anything you do repeatedly that brings a feeling of comfort and familiarity. You could come from a family where all the men are alcoholics. Dad comes home drunk every Saturday night. That doesn’t mean you find comfort in that. You probably don’t look forward to Saturday nights. Now, if dad took the family out for pizza every Saturday, you’d start looking forward to it, you’d feel something missing if Saturday came and went with no pizza. It’s not the pizza that’s tradition, it’s the feeling you get from the family being together, and the pizza is just part of it. Dad could change it up a bit and take you out for hot dogs. It wouldn’t feel quite the same but it would be better than sitting at the restaurant eating pizza alone because it’s NOT about the pizza.
When I was growing up we had some traditions that I looked forward to. Thanksgiving was spent with close family friends. My brother was 19 years older than me and it was the only time he went anyplace with us as a family. I looked forward to that day. Christmas was spent at our house and those same family friends would come over. When a cousin of mine got married and had kids he would come on Christmas Eve and spend the night. Those became our traditions.
When I was 20 my brother died. Thanksgiving and Christmas lost their magic for my parents. To them they were just days. They continued the traditions for me. They knew I looked forward to them so they went through the motions.
When I was in my 30’s Christmas was going to be different. My dad died on December 22. We knew he was going to be in the hospital over Christmas and that was going to put a slight change in our tradition but the same people were going to be coming over for dinner. We even had out of town guests coming and my mom promised everyone her special homemade chicken and noodles for dinner on Christmas Eve. The plan was to take dinner to dad and spend time with him that evening. When dad died everyone thought plans would be put on hold. Everyone that is except mom. She said “I promised you chicken and noodles, you’re getting chicken and noodles.” She wasn’t really up to cooking so she taught my cousin’s wife how to make her noodles and we had dinner that night. Christmas Day was difficult with everyone moving in slow motion.
The following year we went with our usual Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. Four years later mom died. I could not bring myself to go to the same place on Thanksgiving. The feeling was gone. I wasn’t going to sit at dinner with 3 of the people who made that day special missing. I instead went to Las Vegas to visit relatives. Dinner was spent at a hotel buffet. I still had Thanksgiving but not in the traditional way. It was nice but different. Christmas that year wasn't spent at home with the family friends and relatives, I went to someone else’s house. The cousin’s who spent Christmas Eve and Day at our house. He was now divorced and raising his 4 year old granddaughter. I spent Christmas Eve and night at his house. I made a new tradition.
Nine years later I got married and moved from Chicago to Alabama. One of the hardest things was giving up the my holiday traditions. They were mine, I started them and I was the one putting a stop to them. My husband and I made our own traditions. Christmas and Thanksgiving are now spent with my sister-in-law and her family. I still have the feeling of family and it’s a new familiarity I’m getting comfortable with. Every Sunday we have a roast for dinner. That’s something from his childhood. A couple of times I’ve suggest a roast on Saturday and been met with “it’s not Sunday.” I’ve learned that roast is our Sunday tradition and I actually look forward to it.
Throughout life some traditions may change. The people and places are no longer there but the feeling can be found again. It might take some searching but it’s still there. It’s the comfort of doing something you enjoy with the people you enjoy being with. They are the traditions.
2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction
3: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions
4: characteristic manner, method, or style in the best liberal tradition
I think tradition is anything you do repeatedly that brings a feeling of comfort and familiarity. You could come from a family where all the men are alcoholics. Dad comes home drunk every Saturday night. That doesn’t mean you find comfort in that. You probably don’t look forward to Saturday nights. Now, if dad took the family out for pizza every Saturday, you’d start looking forward to it, you’d feel something missing if Saturday came and went with no pizza. It’s not the pizza that’s tradition, it’s the feeling you get from the family being together, and the pizza is just part of it. Dad could change it up a bit and take you out for hot dogs. It wouldn’t feel quite the same but it would be better than sitting at the restaurant eating pizza alone because it’s NOT about the pizza.
When I was growing up we had some traditions that I looked forward to. Thanksgiving was spent with close family friends. My brother was 19 years older than me and it was the only time he went anyplace with us as a family. I looked forward to that day. Christmas was spent at our house and those same family friends would come over. When a cousin of mine got married and had kids he would come on Christmas Eve and spend the night. Those became our traditions.
When I was 20 my brother died. Thanksgiving and Christmas lost their magic for my parents. To them they were just days. They continued the traditions for me. They knew I looked forward to them so they went through the motions.
When I was in my 30’s Christmas was going to be different. My dad died on December 22. We knew he was going to be in the hospital over Christmas and that was going to put a slight change in our tradition but the same people were going to be coming over for dinner. We even had out of town guests coming and my mom promised everyone her special homemade chicken and noodles for dinner on Christmas Eve. The plan was to take dinner to dad and spend time with him that evening. When dad died everyone thought plans would be put on hold. Everyone that is except mom. She said “I promised you chicken and noodles, you’re getting chicken and noodles.” She wasn’t really up to cooking so she taught my cousin’s wife how to make her noodles and we had dinner that night. Christmas Day was difficult with everyone moving in slow motion.
The following year we went with our usual Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. Four years later mom died. I could not bring myself to go to the same place on Thanksgiving. The feeling was gone. I wasn’t going to sit at dinner with 3 of the people who made that day special missing. I instead went to Las Vegas to visit relatives. Dinner was spent at a hotel buffet. I still had Thanksgiving but not in the traditional way. It was nice but different. Christmas that year wasn't spent at home with the family friends and relatives, I went to someone else’s house. The cousin’s who spent Christmas Eve and Day at our house. He was now divorced and raising his 4 year old granddaughter. I spent Christmas Eve and night at his house. I made a new tradition.
Nine years later I got married and moved from Chicago to Alabama. One of the hardest things was giving up the my holiday traditions. They were mine, I started them and I was the one putting a stop to them. My husband and I made our own traditions. Christmas and Thanksgiving are now spent with my sister-in-law and her family. I still have the feeling of family and it’s a new familiarity I’m getting comfortable with. Every Sunday we have a roast for dinner. That’s something from his childhood. A couple of times I’ve suggest a roast on Saturday and been met with “it’s not Sunday.” I’ve learned that roast is our Sunday tradition and I actually look forward to it.
Throughout life some traditions may change. The people and places are no longer there but the feeling can be found again. It might take some searching but it’s still there. It’s the comfort of doing something you enjoy with the people you enjoy being with. They are the traditions.
All That Jazz.....Pepsi Jazz That Is
I admit it, I’m a Pepsiholic. I love Pepsi. The real, original Pepsi, the one with all the sugar and caffeine. I detest diet cola’s.
The other day my brother-in-law brought over 2 cans each of Pepsi Jazz, Diet Strawberry Cream and Diet Caramel Cream. I have to admit, the Strawberry Cream is fairly decent. It didn’t have the diet aftertaste that accompanies most diet sodas. It won’t take the place of my Pepsi but it is something I could drink. The Caramel Cream had a taste similar to cream soda and it did have that diet aftertaste that I can’t stand. I was only able to get down half of the can before throwing it down the drain.
My husband is not a Pepsi drinker. He does drink Diet Mountain Dew and will drink Code Red on occasion but regular and diet Pepsi are not in his vocabulary. If we go out and they have Coke products he may order a Diet Coke or have them mix half diet and half regular. He wasn’t that impressed with either of the Pepsi Jazz flavors we tried. He did agree the Strawberry Cream was a little better than the Caramel Cream but would have liked it better if it had a stronger strawberry flavor.
They also have a Diet Black Cherry French Vanilla I'm willing to try. I don't think anything will satisfy my Pepsi fix but this may be a way for me to get my caffeine and save calories at the same time. I’m not promising anything but this may make the effort a little easier.
The other day my brother-in-law brought over 2 cans each of Pepsi Jazz, Diet Strawberry Cream and Diet Caramel Cream. I have to admit, the Strawberry Cream is fairly decent. It didn’t have the diet aftertaste that accompanies most diet sodas. It won’t take the place of my Pepsi but it is something I could drink. The Caramel Cream had a taste similar to cream soda and it did have that diet aftertaste that I can’t stand. I was only able to get down half of the can before throwing it down the drain.
My husband is not a Pepsi drinker. He does drink Diet Mountain Dew and will drink Code Red on occasion but regular and diet Pepsi are not in his vocabulary. If we go out and they have Coke products he may order a Diet Coke or have them mix half diet and half regular. He wasn’t that impressed with either of the Pepsi Jazz flavors we tried. He did agree the Strawberry Cream was a little better than the Caramel Cream but would have liked it better if it had a stronger strawberry flavor.
They also have a Diet Black Cherry French Vanilla I'm willing to try. I don't think anything will satisfy my Pepsi fix but this may be a way for me to get my caffeine and save calories at the same time. I’m not promising anything but this may make the effort a little easier.
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