Monthly Archives: September 2011

‘Obituary for Common Sense”


One of my friends sent this to me. I can’t give credit to the author because I don’t know who it is. If you didn’t see it please read it here:

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

 

– Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

– Why the early bird gets the worm;

– Life isn’t always fair;

– And maybe it was my fault.

 

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies –  don’t spend more than you can earn and adults, not children, are in charge.

 

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.

 

Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

 

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

 

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

 

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

 

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

 

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason.

 

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I’m A Victim.

 

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, do nothing.

 

A Second Act


This was Diane Sawyer’s theme tonight. She did a story about a former police officer who after twenty years on the force is now a stand-up comedian.  So if you haven’t heard me say this before I think that the only way to survive the current economic climate is to consider doing something different from what you did in the past.

For years people were telling me that I should teach. A few years ago a life coach that I was working with said that all of her assessments told her that I should be teaching. I thought she was nuts. I was working in the field that I had been trained for and pretty much the only thing I had done as an adult. It wasn’t teaching.

So what am I doing now, teaching at several different colleges as and adjunct instructor. Guess what, I love it!

So think about what you love or are good at and see if you can find a job doing that. You don’t want to do that other thing any more anyway!!

Happy Tuesday!

“Do, or do not. There is no try” — Jedi Master Yoda


So right next to my Weight Watchers meeting is a Hallmark card store. I was kind of dragging my feet since I was pretty sure what the scale would have to say and there were  lots of Star Wars items in the window. Among them was a desk sized plaque that had the above mentioned quote on it. Need I say more. Leave the excuses home this week and remember, there is no try!

Savor the Good Days


Today was one of the very good days that I want to keep in the memory bank. One of my friends came and took my Mom (who is 95) and I to one of our favorite stores Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck, New Jersey. They are known for their apple related baked goods, cider and an assortment of meats, vegetables and  gourmet items. It brought back lots of memories because when my son was small my friend Madree and I used to take him and  her sons  to Eastmont Orchards to pick apples and then we would go to Delicious Orchards for grown up goodies. My Mom really enjoyed the store and got a few goodies to take home.

We left there and headed to Marshall’s to pick up an item or two and then home. I never take Mom’s good days for granted and I get enjoyment out of seeing her have them.

Try hard to have good days and just for that time let all the issues that may weigh you down go. Savor the moments and they will be there when you need to pull them from the memory bank.

American Business – Can We Support Them?


Periodically I come back to this issue. We have to stop blaming and/or relying on politicians. It’s up to us. If we promote and support American businesses maybe they will begin to rebound. Last night I watched a show my husband saved to the DVR entitled Detroit in  Overdrive. Great show highlighting the spirit and  adaptability of businesses in one of the hardest hit City’s in the downturn of American business. Shout out to Motor City Denim Company and BADASS Beer (Kid Rock inspired) by Michigan Brewing both Detroit companies. Tell me about companies in your town so that we can shout them out and promote them . Visit my other blog: knitteddreamscrocheteddesires.com and click on the blogs I follow and on line sources for some great indie artisans.

Let’s promote us.

Forgive, Okay But Do I Have To Forget?


Okay so I can hold a grudge. Most of the things that I hold on to are because I am overly sensitive about what people think of me. I generally take it personally even if it isn’t meant that way. Anyway there’s nothing so comfy as a good grudge. In the spirit of moving forward I have blogged about the concept of forgiving. To move in the right direction, we have to let go and forgive. I like the idea, talk a good game and recently I think I’ve let some stuff go finally, but I haven’t forgotten. So my question is have I truly forgiven? Does the perceived offense have to disappear from memory or can it surface occasionally? I would like to shake some of this stuff forever because I believe it takes up space that I need for other thoughts. So what do you think? All or nothing?

The Things That Unite Us Have To Out Weigh Our Differences


We have to get it together. I said this yesterday and I felt like going in the same direction today. When I spend time on Twitter or writing my other blog http://www.knitteddreamscrocheteddesires.com it is all about the craft for me. The fact that I may be in a different part of the world than my new friends doesn’t matter. Different Race, Religion,Culture,Socio-Economic status, Political Party, doesn’t matter. But leave cyberspace and bump into the “wrong” person on the street and it’s on. So sad. The next time you feel ticked off at someone because they are violating some right or offending your sensibilities (me included) let it go. It may not be as important as it first seems.

A Day of Reflection


Today we remember lost Americans (and maybe some visitors I’m not sure). Makes you aware of the losses that have been suffered by others in different parts of the world. We need to get back some of the feeling of national and world community that we had in the days following 9/11. We are back to business as usual. Willing to take each other down to make a point. Time to wake up. We’re all in deep stuff and we better get it together. I think we’re gonna need each other before it’s all over.

peace and love