Oct31

Hissy Fit - November 2019

...because everyone needs one every once in awhile

Hissy Fit - November 2019

Is it possible the most wonderful time of the year is here already?
It’s true; the hurry-days—I mean holidays—are here,
and let me be amongst the first to ask if
you’re ready—such a silly question we greet each other with during this time of the year?

What happens if you’re not ready? Are they asking if I have cleaned, decorated inside and out, mailed Christmas cards, collected Christmas lists, made my own list, gift shopped, grocery shopped, wrapped (with bows), cooked and baked and am just sitting around with the only thing to do is open the door dujour on the Advent calendar? Of course I’m not ready. If I was, you wouldn’t see me at Wal-Mart buying more strings of white lights!

Another thing I think the question refers to: Are you ready to spend time with relatives—your own relatives, to be exact?

Oct31

Publisher - November 2019

Publisher - November 2019

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.  —Willie Nelson

Ground Zero is the center of origin of rapid intense change. It is also the beginning—square one. Three years ago I found myself at Ground Zero, and learned how it became a blessing in disguise.

In the fall of 2016, everything normal in my life changed—rapidly and intensely. First, I became an empty nester. Some of you may think “Thank God,” but I was newly separated from a 24-year marriage, trying to hang on, and I found myself lost and lonely.

Sep30

Hissy Fit - October 2019

...because everyone needs one every once in awhile

Hissy Fit - October 2019

Three remote controls, a Google Home and a cell phone. That is the equipment needed to turn on the one television in my home. I have to wonder if anyone truly knows how to turn on the television anymore? If your answer is yes, does that mean you have the know how to get a picture and sound at the same time, or did you just luck into it? And, even in your triumph, are you not terrified you may push the wrong button and never find the Hallmark Channel again?

To put things into perspective, there are automobiles that can practically drive themselves to Alaska, and they only need one key. And, in many cases, the key only needs to be somewhat near you. The car turns on without ever having to actually touch the key. Yet, when it comes to watching TV, it takes an arsenal of remote controls and a smart ass seven-year-old to turn it on.

Jul26

Hissy Fit - August 2019

...because everyone needs one every once in awhile

Hissy Fit - August 2019

If you read my publisher’s note on page 14, I alluded to this article being a spin off, which is a first. As you know, I went to the hospital for an excruciating, out-of-character headache recently. I worried I was having a stroke or an aneurism. I don’t get headaches; I’ve never had a migraine, and strokes run in my family. I was scared.

Before deciding to go to the hospital, I toiled with the debilitating pain for almost two hours. I took ibuprofen, put a cold rag on my forehead, closed my eyes, and tried deep-breathing techniques, all with no relief. The pressure pushing against my skull was insurmountable and radiated into my neck. The pain went from zero to agonizing, instantly. And yet, I questioned going to the hospital.

Jul26

Publisher - August 2019

Publisher - August 2019

From the bitterness of disease,
man learns the sweetness of health.  —Catalan Proverb

I have a friend who was “pre-diagnosed,” with cancer, meaning the doctor was fairly certain, but tests were needed to confirm. After weeks of waiting and then a full day of pokes, blood draws, and scans, the results were clear—no cancer! News can hardly get any better than this. It’s like a windfall filled with a second chance at life.

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