Out with the Old; In with the New

Are any of you like me? Do you find yourself scrambling the days after Christmas, trying to find some extra space to put your new Christmas treasures? I swear it happens every.single.year.

You know, it's kind of funny. Ever since I did a presentation a couple of years ago, entitled,"I've Got Stuff", some people seem to think I am the "stuff free" authority. Ha! They couldn't be farther from the truth! I too am a keeper of things! (Notice I didn't say hoarder!)

So today I started to pitch. First on the list - closets. They've gotta be the worst! Don't you agree? Growing up as the hand-me-down princess, I've always had a frustrating problem or obsession - putting too much value on clothing! I just can't seem to throw them away! And then, when you factor in my sentimental heart - oh boy! That makes for one full closet!

So today as I entered my closet, it was no surprise to find a myriad of different garments. There were graduation dresses - mine and my mother's; wedding gown's - mine, my mother's, and my grandmother's; bridesmaid's dresses- some I wore, some my mother wore; mother of the bride dresses- one was mine and one was mom's; and a few of my favorite career outfits worn throughout the years. Wow!! Sometimes clothing speaks volumes!!

And then it was on to the dresser drawers- OMG! My lingerie/undergarment drawer!! I had to laugh! I wore that? No way! What a menagerie of different sizes, cups, styles, etc. Wow! I'm so glad I'm past that stage! And those body shapers? Out they went! They wouldn't fit over my left arm now! Besides, they were so over-rated anyway!

Next it's the cupboards - upstairs and down. I swear I've owned every cooking gadget/appliance created by man. There's the fry baby, the fry daddy (why wasn't there a fry momma?), the hot dog toaster, a George Foreman grill (a.k.a. the lean mean grilling machine), a panini press, an apple peeler, the air popcorn popper, the pizza oven, and a pancake griddle - and that's just a few! I threw out a few plates and cups (something we would actually use) to make room for the new portable ice cube maker and the new air fryer.

So the metamorphose has begun. I've thrown out the old and made room for the new. Isn't it refreshing? Isn't it new? In a few days we will be doing the same with 2020. You know - that year of hopes, dreams, goals, and plans that totally went out the window? I'll gladly make room for 2021!

Goodbye 2020! Don't let the door hit ya!

It's Not About the Food

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your day is filled with sunshine, happiness, and oh so many blessings! I know things look a little different this year, but that won't change the many blessings we have received this year. I'll set a table for two, but you can bet my kids and grandkids will be close by in thoughts and memories.

Speaking of memories, this week my mind has been filled with so many thoughts of Thanksgivings past but there's one particular memory that keeps popping up. It's a good one and it seems so fitting for today, so I thought I would share it with you. I hope you enjoy.

It was Thanksgiving. I was hosting and I had completed all the neccessary hostess duties. The turkey and rolls were baked, the potatoes were mashed, and the table was set. Everything was ready to go. The guests would soon be arriving with their covered dishes, and then the meal would be complete. What could go wrong? It was going to be the feast of all feasts.

KnocK, knock, knock! The guests started to arrive, and what do you know - they were even on time! So I rushed to greet my guests and much to my surprise, and as they handed over their covered dishes, here's what I found:

Guests #1 - one bag of frozen peas. (Say what?)
Guests #2 - two cans of pork 'n beans in a brown paper sack (Brothers!)
Guest #3 - one unthawed Schwans' frozen pie still in the box (when's dessert?)
And guest #4 - two "liquid" pies that could be served with a soup ladle.
AND THAT WAS IT! REALLY? This is Thanksgiving?

Oh my! Realizing I must act fast, I raced to the fridge, opened the door, and there it was (or wasn't) -- nothing! Nothing but a jar of dill pickles and two Bud Lites!!! Oh brother!

And then, before I could even get a grip on myself, the drama queen inside me appeared, and I suddenly found myself in the nearest unoccupied room, having the biggest meltdown of my life! (So much for all my past stress management training!) This stress was REAL and it was NOW!

But what happened next, is the thing I'll never forget. My mother, the soupy pie maker, (bless her soul), snuck into the room, put her arm around me, and gave me a lecture that has stuck with me ever since.

"What's the problem?" she asked.

"What's the problem?" I snapped. "Didn't you see what just happened? How can we have Thanksgiving with a bag of frozen peas, two cans of pork 'n beans, and I know you tried, but that soup--- I mean pie! Wahhhhh!"

"Stop it! Stop it right now!" she said. Then she gently wiped my tears and said these words. "Oh Diane! Don't you know? It's not about the food! No! It's about the love that sits around your table!!!"

The love that sits around my table. I stopped. I dried my eyes once more and I hugged my mom. Once again she was right. She was always right. It wasn't about the food. It never was. It definately was about the love that sat around the table.

So Mom - I'm thinking about you today, as Jer and are are seated at our Thanksgiving table, and our kids are saying the blessing in their own homes.

Yep! It's not about the food. It's about the love that sits around your table!

Now Jer - pass that gravy! Even if it is a bit lumpy! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

She was always right!

Lions, Tigers, Bears, and Technology?!!

What a way to start out the day! Yesterday our third grade granddaughter,Maggie, invited us to watch her 8:30 a.m. school Halloween parade. The participants were preschool thru fourth grade, and get this- the event was brought to us by -- FACEBOOK!! Woohoo! 8:30 a.m. and here I am watching Maggie's Halloween parade in my jammies in my recliner!! You can't beat that!

So cuddled up with my soft blankie and a warm cup of coffee, I spent the next half hour entertained by ghosts, goblins, and a multitude of spooks! A somewhat overly-exuberant, masked, green, not-so-teenage mutant ninja turtle (a.k.a. the principal) emceed the event while freaky music played in the background. It was nothing short of spooktacular! Bwahahahahah!!!

Marching in,one by one, each student paused a second or two, modeled their costume, and then flashed a wave to Grandpa, Grandma, mom, dad, auntie or whoever. The costumes were absolutely darling, but the viewers were just as interesting, with one viewing from as far away as Brazil!!! Wow! I wonder what time it was there and I wonder what they were drinking?

Anyway, the variety of costumes was amazing! There was was Harry Potter, Elsa, a doctor, a nurse, a ballerina, a lion, and a few fairies and princesses. And of course there were a few super heroes - Spiderman, the Hulk, an Incredible and a Spider girl to name a few. Oh! I can't forget the celebrities - Dorothy from the Wizzard of OZ, Patrick Mahomes from the Kansas City Chiefs, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and even ABE LINCOLN! Practically every branch of the military was represented, along with a beautiful butterfly, a hairy gorilla, and even a devil or two! Wow!

Inflatable costumes must be the thing this year. There was Super Mario strattling an inflatable dragon, a hard hatted construction worker tucked inside an inflatable dump truck, and even a rainbowed mermaid riding an inflatable unicorn! Oh my! This was nothing short of the greatest show on earth!

But then there was our Maggie - the cutest of them all! She was a "cat witch" or "witch cat" whatever you wanna call it. Just imagine a cat dressed up like a witch or a witch dressed up like a cat and you've got the picture! Her cat ears, whiskers, and tail, were accented with a witchy hat and a flying broom! Yep! It's pretty obvious - Maggie loves cats! I cheered wildly as the cat witch made her appearance. Too bad she couldn't hear me and thank goodness she couldn't see me!

Earlier this week Jerry and I attended Maggie's "Grandparents Day" via ZOOM. This time our attire wasn't quite as casual. We actually "dressed up" for this one! The entire class read us a cute little book, and wouldn't ya know, just when it was Maggie's turn, the screen went black! I about layed an egg, but Jer quickly figured it out so we still got to wave and say a few "I love yous". It was so super cool! We loved every minute!

So what a week it's been - and to think it was all made possible with the help of technology! Never ever in my younger days would I have ever imagined being able to visit my granddaughter's class without leaving the comforts of my home ---- let alone while wearing my pajamas! Yep! God is sooooooo good!

Covid Dreams

Have any of you been having strange dreams lately? If so, don't feel like you're the lone wolf. According to numerous pyschologists across the country vivid, colorful dreams are on the uptick due to the pandemic. Evidently dreams can be a way of releasing stress or they may just be a sign you're spending more time in a deep slumber.

So whatever it is, I've been sleeping a lot lately. And I've been dreaming alot. Can ya blame me? This weather has been perfect for sleeping! So along with the sleep comes dreams, and boy, I've really had some whoppers recently! Let me share the best from this past week.

So here I am, once again, playing basketball (yep -another basketball dream!) This time; however, I'm playing on the dream team in the dream gym. The dream team consists of every teammate l ever played basketball with, and the dream gym is none other than that eclectic,little gym in the old school building. You know- the one with a legal capacity of 250 but occassionally held crowds as large as 1250. And don't forget, if you're attempting a floor length pass, watch out (Kathy Schroeder)! That ceiling is lower than you think! Wow! Those were the days! The energy was electric and the crowds were crazy!

So anyway, it was a night of lights out basketball. We simply could not miss! Every single shot went in - swosh, swosh, swosh - no matter how awkward or how outrageous!

There was the legendary - Lea Schrieffer, sinking her left/right hand hook shots from either side of the bucket. Boom! Boom! Boom! Remember how she made those look like magic?

And there was the unforgettable Janet Allen. She was swishing 15 foot jumpers, one right after another! And the graceful Lisa Niemann and Patti Chaney were taking turns, waltzing down the lane, slam dunking lay-up after lay-up! Wowsa! I never knew Patti could jump so high!

State free throw chamption, Linda Eggerss and the ambidextrous Wanda Brown were the free throw queens. They were shooting free throws backwards, with either hand, and they were still clearing nothing but net! And even I got into the action when I hit a couple of infamous half court BUCKET shots! It was unbelievable! And of course, the crowd went wild!

The defense was just as amazing! The elbow flying Susie Pattee ruthlessly pulled down 25 rebounds and her ferocious sister, Kathy, "spiked" the ball right out of the opponents hands, accounting for 10 blocked shots! If you didn't know better, you would have sworn we were playing volleyball! Bam! Bam! Bam!

The scavenging duo of Mary Dunlevy and Cindy Scott, tallied 15 steals, many times ripping the ball away from the opponent before they even knew what happened! And again the crowd went wild!

Kris Nielsen was once again the sly fox, continually tapping out the opponents inbounds pass, but doing it so deviantly the referee called it out of bounds on them!

The ever scrappy Debbie Nielsen and Serena Jensen took numerous offensive charges all game long - so much so that Debbie spent most of the game on the floor! I'm pretty sure she went home with a broken nose, but I'm sure she'll be okay! And again, the crowd went wild!

So suddenly, I twitched and looked to my left. "243". I see "243". What? 243 points? Are you kidding me? Holy moly! Then I look again. Oh - it's not the scoreboard. It's my alarm clock! 2:43 A.M! Okay, but what about the fans? Where are the fans? I still hear 'em! I look to the foot of the bed - no one there! But the roar??? Where's the roar? I look up. There it is! It's a fan alright - one fan - my ceiling fan! Oh man! I knew it was too good to be true!

Such was the vivid dream of one night last week. Look for my other dreams, coming soon to a theatre near you - "Losing my Purse in Disneyland", "Getting Robbed Again", and the ever thrilling "That *&^$#$ Coin Machine!"

So tell me - what have you been dreaming about? I'd love to know!

'Tis the Season of Firsts

Wow! Just like that, summer's winding down and fall is knocking on our door. Ready or not, here it comes! It's the season of changing colors, cooler temperatures and the harvesting of crops. Fall is definitely a time of change. Yet to me, fall is also the season of "firsts." Let me explain.

With fall comes the "first" day of school, the "first" sign of frost, that "first" pot of chili, and that long awaited "first" football game. While the calendar might suggest that fall has not yet officially arrived, the season of "firsts" has already begun for our family.

Let me start with my granddaughters. Joslyn (12) and Maggie (8) have started going to a new school this year. That certainly brings many new firsts - especially "first" impressions - faculty, facility, teachers and friends - that's a whole lot of "firsts!"

Then there's my niece, Hana. She experienced her own "first" when she packed up and left for her "first" year of college. Oh my! Talk about life changing! She's doing fine, but the rest of us are still trying to adjust to that "first." (Miss ya Hana!)

And last but not least, I've recently had my own personal "first" - my "first" city council meeting, sitting on the opposite side of the table! Scary but oh so interesting!

So that's just a sampling of the recent Stamp family "firsts." Oh yeah, there's more. So much more that I'm starting to contemplate another "first" - becoming a member of the "wine of the week" club!

Recently my daughter-in-law, Margaret, told me a little story about another "first". It gave me such a chuckle. I just have to share! So here goes:

My son and daughter-in-law recently purchased a new vehicle - one that I would say is pretty classy. Put it this way - it's definitely something you would not see your grandma driving!

Anyway, it's the "first" day of driving the new vehicle to school. Margaret is the chauffer and sweet, little Maggie is buckled up in the back seat. (Joslyn's classes are primarily online at this time.) The new, black, shiny "land yacht" (as I call it) smoothly makes the drive and arrives at the school just prior to the ringing of the first bell, and wouldn't ya know, every single high school kid is on the playground. And of course, every teenage head snaps a simultaneous 180. Yep! Instantly at least 90 pairs of eyeballs became glued to the land yacht! Oh my goodness! You'd think Marty McFly had just driven up in "Back to the Future's" souped up Delorean!

So with all this attention, our little Maggie couldn't help but notice! In her sweet 9 year old voice, she says, "Mommy! Why is everyone looking at us!"

And her quick thinking mommy replies, "Because you're so pretty Maggie!"

Well, that's all it took. Maggie paused for a moment and right before she exited the car, she turned and said, "Well I guess I did get new glasses!"

And that my friends, is another new first. Maggie now wears glasses!!

Strong Women

Unless you've been under a rock, I'm sure you're all aware that a presidential election is quickly sneaking up on us. Honestly, I don't care what party you are affiliated with, or who you are planning on voting for, (PLEASE! PLEASE! DO NOT MAKE THIS POLITICAL!) but I find it interesting one of the candidates is suggesting he'll select a female VP. Hmmm...Vice president... and Female! Who would make a good female VP? If I was president, what qualities would I look for? It's a pretty important position you know - VP - especially since he/she would have to replace me, President Stamp, if I would die. Horrible thought isn't it? Especially since I don't know if anyone could truly replace me! (lol) So, who would I pick? Hmm... Who knows? Maybe a presidential VP is living right under our noses? Let's think this out. Here's my thoughts... Qualities I would look for: LEADERSHIP: Someone who can lead the masses - preferably all in the same direction at the same time. Well let's see... I've always been totally amazed how my teacher friends have always had the ability to keep 20+ kids quiet, sitting down, facing the front, with their hands and feet kept to themselves. No touching - no speaking! All students in perfect formation, without threats, bribes, or iron fists. Pretty amazing huh? I think they must be kid whisperers, because it's always been easy for Melissa, Angie, Mary, Rhonda, Laurie, Sandy, Loretta, Nancy, Ella Mae, Ronda, Susie, Judy and Sandi. And no gum? Really? No gum! Any one of these could easily be my VP. HONESTY: Someone who speaks the truth and works with impeccable integrity day in and day out- no matter what the circumstance. Well that's easy! I have bank friends who are trusted with thousands and thousands of dollars everyday and every cent is accounted for at day-end. As for integrity, I would never question an ounce of their integrity - not even for one second! So- Connie, Denise, Mary, Lavonne, Kathy, Paige, Shari, Jenny, Penny, Jeanna, Charlene, Janis, Penny, and Jeanne - you certainly could carry the VP title. DIPLOMACY: Someone who can deal with all types of people in a sensitive and effective manner, many times in areas all around the globe. This person has big shoes to fill, and by golly, they better have pretty big shoulders. They must be a great negotiator, and be able to stand his own ground. However, they must also possess the skills to reasonably compromise when the situation arises - all in an effort to make the world a better place. I think Kim, Janet, Kathy, Sondra, Janel, Mae, and Judy W. all have this quality. Problems with Putin? I'll just send over Ella Mae. Whew! I feel better already! COURAGE: No big decision here. This one's easy! Lesley! Lesley has tons of courage and she not only uses it herself daily, but she also shares it with others to make us all better people. Courage - definitely Lesley. EMPATHY: Well, lets see. Who puts others before themselves and does the unthinkable just to make someone feel better? Ever have someone deliver a bedpan to your bedside and then stay with you until you "feel better"? That's my healthcare friends- Sharon, Betty, Collette, Lee, Pat, Janelle, Jean, Lois, Melissa, and Peggy. You people are unbelievable! Unbelievable! Thank you for being you! INTELLIGENCE: Oh boy! That's a big one! Well you all fit into that category, (and every other category) but if I have to pick a few I'd say Robbie, Becky, Amber, Ann, Kathy, Wanda, Rhonda, Ellen, and Stef. I wish any of these gals could have stepped in and taken my Iowa Basic Skills tests! They all are crazy smart! Ever read something written by Stef Kramer? I swear she knows every word in the dictionary! By the way - what is a sesquipedalian? POSITIVITY: Someone who will keep spirits running high, and that's not always easy these days. Debbie downers need not apply. Well let's see. I'm gonna pick Amy, Wendy, Angie, Linda, Lezli, Cheri, Marty, Sue, Ellen, Carol, Kay, Lynn, Diane M., Margaret, Crystal, Melissa and Barb. You guys are a hoot! Go hit the road and make friends with those rioters. Maybe a little positive mojo can bring peace to us all! Okay--- so I know what you're thinking. Where's my name? Wouldn't I make a great VP? Well, of course you would!  I did not forget you!!!! However, I still have a cabinet to select! So hold your horses. We're all gonna get on this party wagon! And won't we be awesome!!!!!! Strong women- may we know them - may we raise them - may we be them...

Lessons Learned -A Tribute to Dad

With Fathers Day creeping upon us, like most of you, my mind has been drifting back to so many thoughts and memories of my own dad - and oh what a dad he was!


For those of you who didn't know my father, here's a few descriptors:  prankster, jokester, wisecracker, life of the party, and a stranger to no one.  And then there's these things even his best friends may not have known.  He was a logical thinker, a giver of advice, a thrifty spender, and a great listener.  Keep these traits in mind as I share with you one of my favorite memories.


It was December of 1976.  Jer and I were both reveling in our first full year out of high school.  I was living in Omaha, and Jer was living in Council Bluffs.  We had been dating for a short ten months, but it was obvious, we were in love and it was time to start thinking about our forever future.   


Also at that time, my father, Ike, was managing the hottest restaurant/bar in Avoca- the Sportsman's Club.  He tended the bar, waited on customers, and worked many hours, day after day, oft-times working until the wee hours of the morning.  My mom, Nadine, was his sidekick, working beside him, waiting tables, cooking, cleaning, and mixing a drink now and then.  It was a busy life. 


So here comes the week before Christmas, and after a night of wining and dining me, my Jer pops the
question. He put the ring on my finger and I was in seventh heaven!  We were going to be man and wife!  It was like a dream come true!  We sealed it with a kiss, looked at each other, and immediately agreed to head back to Avoca, my hometown.  I couldn't wait one more moment to share the exciting news with my parents!


Now, I probably should mention that Jer had not asked for permission to marry me, like so many young men do today.  My dad had no idea this was going to happen.  We were young, our dating time was short, and marriage was not even a thought.  However; my parents loved Jer!  They would be elated to have Jer as a son-in-law.  Permission was not needed.


So even though it was very early- like around 1 a.m., we hopped in Jer's 64 red mustang and headed directly to the Sportsman's Club.  We assumed both of my parents would be working, since they usually were.  The plan was to make the announcement, show them my ring, and then make a toast to wedded bliss.  It would be perfect!  There couldn't be a better place or time to announce our engagement.  What a way to start the holidays!  It would be a memory of a lifetime!


Yep.... it was a memory alright.  You know what they say about "best laid plans"?  When you put an only daughter, a long haired boyfriend, a diamond, and unexpected news in the mix, and then add wise cracking Ike to that equation, let me tell ya - you've just concocted pandemonium!  Oh yeah!  That's just how we do things!  Its gotta be anything but typical!


So, first of all, upon our arrival we were surprised to find my mom wasn't there.  Bummer!  It had been a slow evening so she had already went home.  Second, the large crowd we expected to find, wasn't there either.  Where was everybody?  Wasn't this place supposed to be party central?  Nope - no one there.  Just Jer, me, and my dad. Lord have mercy!


So nervously I flashed out my left hand and said, "Hello Dad!  We've got news for ya!" I smiled as my new diamond sparkled under the hanging bar lights.  My father, half stunned, gently reached for my hand, gazed at my ring, looked directly at Jer (I don't think he noticed the sparkle)  and then said the words I will never forget:


"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?  YOU SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A WASHER AND DRYER!" 


Boom!  Talk about a buzz kill!  That wise guy father of mine, thought we should have bought a washer and dryer?  OMG!  The one time I wanted my dad to be serious!  I should have known!  We should have known!


So long story short, let's fast forward 42 1/2 years.  Believe or not, Jer and I did get married and we still are married today (and we did get a washer and dryer).  However, the memory of my engagement night forever remains.


It's been 25 years now since I've been without my dad, yet his memory is forever fresh in my mind, so it's no surprise that he still speaks to me today.  Like just this week......


I purchased a bench in memory of my parents and placed it on the Buttermilk walking path.  Its purpose is to not only offer a place for relaxation, but to also remind people of the fun, hard working couple who spread so much joy from their home on Frost Avenue to their workplace on Main Street.  I smile each time I walk by it. 


But get this----- the day before---just the day before-- the day before the bench arrived, one of my kitchen appliances bit the dust. Imagine that!  Ok Dad!  I hear ya!  I hear ya loud and clear!  You're not too happy with me right now.  Instead of a diamond ring, this time it's a memory bench.  And oh yeah-- I know-----


                                I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A DISHWASHER!!!!!!!!!


Happy Fathers Day Dad.  Love ya bunches!

10 Things I've Learned During My Covid Isolation

March 15, 2020 - According to coronavirus experts, that's the day Jer and I were informed that we are officially "elderly".  So with that being said, March 15th is also the day we started on this lonely adventure called "self isolation".  Yep! Just 1.72 months ago, 7+ weeks ago, 51 days ago, 1224  hours ago, 73,345 minutes ago, or ------ whatever!  I think you get it!  It's been a long time!


So, let me ask you.  How has your social distancing, self isolating, and/or quarantining going?  I'm guessing it's been interesting, just like this unprecedented time has been.  Schools have closed, retail stores and restaurants have closed (some are slowly reopening now), we've been told to stay 6 feet away from each other, people are purchasing their groceries curbside, social groups larger than ten are now considered illegal, and the latest fashion accessories have become covid masks and latex gloves.  Wow!  Could it be we're just reliving a 1960's episode of the "Twilight Zone"?  This is so crazy!


So, I tell myself, "Diane, there's a silver lining in everything.  Search for it."  So, just like the amazing, young mothers out there who are forced into homeschooling their own children, I gave myself an assignment.  My assignment is to write an essay on what I have learned during this covid isolation.  And remember Diane, try, try, TRY to keep it positive.  So here goes:

Things I've Learned During My Covid Isolation

1)  I DO know how to cook!  It's amazing but my go-to recipes have expanded from 4 to 14! And when I don't have all the necessary ingredients, I've learned to substitute.  Wow!  I'm starting to feel like my grandma living during the depression!  Where's my washboard?

2)  However; when 5 o'clock rolls around, don't substitute flavored water for wine.  It's just not the same! Duh! 

3)  If you let your car sit unused long enough, the battery will go dead.  How fascinating!  That's never happened before. 

4)  Your piercings will go shut if you don't regularly insert the earring/stud/whatever.  I won't tell ya which piercing.  Figure that out for yourself!

5)  Those little weird habits that never bothered you before, will bother you now!  Even after 42+ years of marriage!  (Love ya honey!)

6)  One word can set me off.  Today the word was "when".  When. When?  WHEN!  How the heck do I know!!  Does anyone know?  Don't ask again!

7)  I want my food served on something other than Styrofoam!  And plastic silverware?  Useless!

8)  I don't bounce back as fast as I used to.  After two little/not so little spills in the last 10 days, I've realized that falling hurts!  Really hurts!  And no, I don't feel like fishing the day after!

9)  I miss my friends.  I really miss my kids.  And I really, really, really miss my grandkids.  Facetime just isn't the same, and there's nothing better than an in-person hug!

10)  However-

        The grass is greener.

        The birds sing louder.

        The sun is warmer.

        The flowers smell sweeter.

        And my heart is fuller.

I've come to realize - the best things in life are free.  So savor your surroundings my friends, and do your best to stay well.  I pray we are together soon!  We can do this!!

Covid Jargon

Hello Friends!
Hey!  Is it just me or has everybody's vocabulary broaden ten-fold in the last couple of weeks?  I mean really!  My brain runneth over with so much knowledge, and much of it, I wish I would have never known.  Let me share some of the latest jargon that fills the airwaves these days:

• SIP - shelter in place.  An order issued by the government asking residents to remain at home. Such residents are only allowed to leave to perform necessary duties.  Interesting! "Sip" will never be the same.  Remember that the next time you have a glass of wine!!
• Social distancing -  the intentional separation from other humans to avoid transmission of the virus. In my younger days, we referred to it as "staying away from the cooties".
• Non-essential - employees and businesses deemed "not necessary or not critical"  to continue with life sustaining activities.  I HATE this word - non-essential!  Hey friends- you're all essential to me! 
• Community spread - the spread of a contagious disease with no known reason as to how it was contracted.  In other words, no finger pointing on this case.  Wow!  Back in my day, community spread was -- ummm -- let's not go there!
• Flattening the curve - graphically speaking, flattening the curve is gradually decreasing the steep uptick in the number of Covid 19 cases, causing an overburden on our health care system.  Imagine that!  Prior to this, I had never heard the words "flat" and "curve" ever used in the same sentence! 
• PPE - personal protective equipment used as a safeguard against health hazards. Remember when we had sports - tennis, track, softball, baseball, etc?  We had all kinds of PPEs then - baseball gloves, soccer shin guards, athletic supporters, baseball chest protectors, etc. While all those PPEs protected some pretty sensitive body parts, none were needed to the extreme extent of today's PPEs.  Even grandmas have replaced baking cookies with sewing homemade PPEs.  God bless 'em! 

So my friends.  I know the day will come when all these words will just become a memory of the distant past.  Kind of like the word "cooties" did, until today!!!  But until then - please be safe and stay well!   


Love ya all!