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A Personal Greeting

I recently took a class on Blogging, because let’s face it, I am still pretty new at this and can always learn something to improve the experience. We were told one of the “rules” is to be consistent so your followers know they can count on you. I also learned there is a difference between a blog someone is hoping to make money with and a personal reflection blog. I think you know mine is the latter.

My goal was to be consistent, but life happens. I have been very busy helping family members this past few weeks, and it isn’t over yet. My sister had a knee replacement, then her husband ended up in the hospital. A tough situation when she can’t drive at the moment. We are all pitching in to help, because we want to. I don’t have a big family, but I do have a close one.

So, I have decided to take a break from my blog until after the first of the year. I want to wish my friends a happy holiday season. I did not say Merry Christmas season because I have a multitude of friends that are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and even Hindu. I love them all. We all celebrate something this time of year so out of respect for all religions I purposely choose to say Happy Holidays.

The picture shows my husband, sitting in my chair, with my blanket over his lap, holding my cat, Useless, while I am away. It was a big deal for all of us. Hubby is helping where he can.

Enjoy the season folks! And may we all have a healthy, prosperous, love filled 2017.

12/14/2016 2

Pearl Harbor Day

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed across the nation this day in honor of all those who lost their lives serving this nation at Pearl Harbor. There were more than 3,500 Americans who lost their lives or were wounded on that solemn day.

Think about that number for a minute. 3,500 Americans. That’s a lot of people! Each one of those people had families, neighbors, school friends, and home-town acquaintances that were emotionally stunned by the loss. The fact the attack happened on our own soil also had a profound effect. No wonder most able-bodied young men, and women, signed up to fight for our country. The American populace understood why we needed to get involved.

I have the privilege of spending one morning a month with a WWII veteran in a writing group I belong to. He tells how a military member at that time had to earn points in order to be discharged from service, and he was one of the Americans that helped regain control of Rome for the allies. His history lessons are fascinating. He still wonders, 70 years later, why he was lucky enough to come home.

If you have young people in your life that think WWII happened on another planet, in another time, because it was soooo long ago, please take a minute today and share some of your, or your parents, memories of what happened after the Pearl Harbor attack. It was a time when national pride was fierce and respect for our nation and it’s government was a given. Maybe even add a bit about that’s why we stand and place our hand over our heart when the National Anthem is played. It’s a sign of respect, unification and loyalty.

Thank you to our veterans that keep us free.

12/07/2016 0

Enjoy the Suds

Funny how a title of one of these National Days evokes different thoughts. When I saw the title Bathtub Party Day I wondered just what the picture would be. Somehow, one baby in a tub doesn’t equal a party to me. I immediately thought of my two children playing in a tub of bubbles when they were both under the age of five. I also remembered how a special friend would stay overnight when we were kids and fist we would make “secret” mud-holes in the garden, then take a bath together to clean up.

But: my mind also went to college, when a bathtub would be filled with ice and all sorts of alcoholic beverages in cans or bottles. Now that was a party. I have also heard of pouring all the bottles and cans contents into a tub and using it like a huge punch bowl. Sorry, that scene turns my stomach. Then I imagined a fancy hotel room with a heart shaped tub with a couple on their honey-moon or a weekend get-away. I would enjoy that one! I hope someone thought to bring a candle and a bottle of wine.

So what was the first scene your mind conjured when you read Bathtub Party Day? Maybe you can help me learn some new options.

12/05/2016 0

Give What You Can

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

I’ve had the radio on this morning listening to the many suggestions of places in my area that could use some financial help. I wish I could give to them all as they are all organizations that HELP people or animals. There are organizations as big as the Red Cross and United Way and small groups like the local women’s shelter where abused women and children can find safety (often with only the clothes they have on).

Please take a minute to assess your own situation. Think about how much you really do have, then make a pledge to share some of it, even a $5.00 bill can help the local food pantry. I’m sure you have regular places you donate. I challenge you to pick at least one other organization to give to for the benefit of others. We can all give up one trip to the ice cream stand, or one order of chicken wings during the next year in order to help another in a time of need.

Thank You for helping on Giving Tuesday.

11/29/2016 0

Today is Veterans Day. I will be spending the evening with a special group of Veterans who are my personal friends. We belong to the Rochester (NY) Veterans Writing Group. Following is part of my portfolio that is on our web-sight page:

When we gather, we catch up on each other’s news and then write for about twenty minutes from a prompt sheet that gets our ideas forming. There are usually four prompts provided by one of our facilitators. After writing, each person reads aloud what he or she has written. Members of the group then offer constructive criticism on how to improve semantics. Suggestions are made for extending the piece into an essay, short story, or whatever. That’s the plan.

This is what really happens; most of us have chosen a prompt that requires a walk down memory lane: it can be a poignant memory with a good, or not so good, outcome while in the military; a humorous escapade from childhood or adult life; something a loved one did or experienced; a subject we feel strongly about and why; or sharing what losing a loved one feels like. After each person reads, the others acknowledge that the emotions shared are legitimate, worthy, and acceptable. The military brotherhood understands the range of feelings and the impact of PTSD. It’s a safe place to share. Personally, I always need my box of tissues; that’s just how I’m wired. Funny, I can talk about a situation, but when I read my own writing, I cry. Sometimes it’s embarrassing.

The number that attends the group ebbs and flows. There can be as many as twelve people and sometimes only five. Most attendees have served in a branch (or two) of the U.S. military and others have close affiliations to a current or past military member. There are no rules other than to have a desire to write, share, and learn. And, it’s free.

Attending this group for over a year now has given me some remarkable gains — friends, understanding, and knowledge. I am part of the tribe and I belong.

My husband is a veteran, as is the father of my children. I pay close attention to the Veterans who are my Facebook friends and vote the way they do because I trust their judgement. They have paid the price for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. May I suggest, today and every day; Thank a Veteran.

Teach Your Child

National Parents as Teachers Day caught my attention because I didn’t know if they meant to recognize those parents who teach in the public/private school system so have lots of “children”, or if it was a plug for every parent to work with their own child, like no one else can. I found it to be the later. I’m glad about that because I believe a parent should ultimately be responsible for guiding, helping, and praising their own child so they can do a better job while in the school system.

When I went to school we had a class for the girls called home economics in which we learned the basics of cooking, sewing, and ironing. The old attitude that those chores were ladies work was still strong. Funny thing is, most of the young people I know now, under the age of 35ish, the guy does the cooking, and hardly anyone sews. We have become a throw away society. I think that’s sad. It’s also a big waste!

Back to the subject. It is proven, the more time a parent spends nurturing a little one, the better they do in school, barring learning disabilities. The more books that are read to them at home, the easier time they have learning to read in school. It’s a healthy cycle, and the bond between parent and child is strengthened.

I’d like to take it another step. I don’t think teens learn in school what they need to get along in this world. Simple things like balancing a check book, how to comparison shop, how to save money and not rely on credit, how to fill out a simple tax return with no special deductions, and even how to budget their time. My suggestion to you parents is the next time you do one of these chores, to include your teenager so they will at least have been shown how. Note: I get they probably won’t be interested….bribe them if necessary! Teach them any chance you get. I applaud you for trying-in advance!

11/08/2016 2

Sue Spitulnik

Writing, Sewing, Travel, and Thoughts

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