Sophie's Story

           Last week I wrote a column about why I celebrate my birthday. My original intent was to write a birthday version of things I've learned. That happens sometimes. I may have an idea for a column when another presents itself. Today I'm going with the topic of things I have learned birthday edition. As always these are in no particular order.          I learned that if Barnaby is brushed regularly we don't have as much hair on the floor.  You'd think I'd know this already since I've lived with cats for over 25 years. Experience has taught me that not all cats shed the same. Barnaby is a long haired cat with a soft light coat. When it comes off it tends to form dust bunnies. It also clings to any piece of cloth like iron filings to a magnet. Grooming Barnaby means less hair everywhere else. It also has the added benefit of making his already soft fur even softer. Good thing he likes to be petted.      ...

                I watched a video on You Tube a few weeks ago commenting on the actions and decisions of a celebrity business owner. The comments were about public relations and advertising mistakes along with critical remarks about sales, inventory and merchandise quality. One of the things discussed was a social media post wishing the founder of this company a happy birthday. The presenter talked about how the founder had probably wrote and published the post herself and that it was strange and inappropriate. Once the video was done, I read the comments. I sometimes enjoy reading the comments more than watching the video.          Most of the comments were about how it's really silly for grown women to making a big deal about their birthday. Several of them suggested that while it is ok to have a celebration for milestone birthdays, other birthdays should be celebrated privately if at all. If you have been reading c...

           I am aware that a golden anniversary is 50 years. However, if a golden birthday is the year when the day of your birth and age match, why can't it be the same for anniversaries? Just a thought that came to me.          There are many things I have learned over 21 years of marriage. Today I thought I'd share a few with you. These are, of course, in no specific order.          You do not know what you are getting into when you get married. You may think you know and if you've lived together you may have a pretty good idea, but until you actually take the plunge, start down the road or climb into the ship of marriage together you don't really know. You can discuss and plan and do all the things they tell you to do in the pre wedding marriage class, it's helpful but it won't cover everything that can and does come up during marriage. Hopefully you have the kind of relationship that allows you do deal ...

  I don't have pet peeves like some people. I have whole kennels of irritation. Whoopi Goldberg          Whoopi and I agree on this topic. Most of the time the pet peeves that I have stay nicely in their kennels and don't bother me much. The past few weeks it seems like the things that irritate me are around every corner. I'm grateful for the gift of self control that allows me to handle these things. I'd like to share a few of my pet peeves. Some of them of them are due to technology and one is work related. They in no particular order.          Pet Peeve number one: Responding to a message that has a question it it with a heart, thumbs up or a hundred points emoji. I don't believe that every message needs to be answered right away so I understand using an emoji of some type to let me know a message has been read. If I send a message with a question in it or something that clearly requires a response, respond. Answer the question, ...

              This past week was the last part of a stretch of six working days in a row. The reason why I can do  a stretch like that is because Sunday is the first day of the work week. That means a when I work from Thursday to Tuesday it's only three days in a row each week. Before my boss went home for the day on Tuesday, I asked her to give me my second shingles shot. I knew I had the next two days off in case I reacted badly to it which I did. (This is normal for me which I'm perversely grateful for. At least this means I have a working immune system.) Wednesday was spent feeling sick except for a few hours in the afternoon when I fortified myself with ibuprofen and a Coke Zero so C could take me out to lunch at a nearby Indian restaurant. It was delicious.               Thursday I felt better and went to visit my parents as usual. Yesterday I was back at work for one more day. I have the weekend ...

           One of the blessings that comes with age is the appreciation of simple things. I've discovered that little things can be really satisfying. Here are a few of them.          I like pulling weeds in the garden. I know for most people it is a dreaded chore. For me it is instant gratification. I can look at the spots that are cleared of weeds and see the flowers that I planted looking happier and less crowded. When I pull weeds around the carrot plants I have the satisfaction of knowing the carrots will have room to grow. Pulling weeds is also a good way to deal with anger in my opinion. it gives you something to do with your energy which can help to settle you down.          Doing laundry and washing dishes are also satisfying tasks. You can see your progress. I'm always thankful when I put away clean dishes and clothes. I'm grateful to have them and also grateful to have a place to put them.  ...