Good Morning. I can’t promise any level of imagination this morning since I’m whipping this out in a hurry. As you know I start things the night before and just write the starting portion in the morning before I leave for work. After a restless night of muscle spasms that had me limping around the house trying to loosen them up, I am barely awake as I blink at the computer screen, and since I haven’t had even one cup of coffee yet, my brain cells are slugglishly trying to catch up with the thought that it is morning. Just know I am happy it’s Friday, and though I am a bit grumbly about having to be up and out of the house around 7:30 in the morning, I know if I really need to, I can take a rest tomorrow. Besides, I’m picking up 40 pounds of bacon. There are very few reasons I don’t mind getting up early on the weekends – seeing my Grandkids, going camping and picking up delicious bacon are three good reasons.
Verse of the Day
February 9, 2018
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
“Increase my faith, O, Lord.” “Increase my strength.” “Increase my wisdom.” We often pray for these things, but when is the last time you thanked God for your love increasing? Can you think of anything more exciting to say about your church than to say, “The love every one of you has for each other is increasing!” Let pray and act to make it so!
Food for Thought
I am the Human Resources lady at my office. As such, I get to meet each new employee up close and personal, especially when they have a lot of questions. OK, that’s good, I think questions are a good thing. My beef isn’t with questions, it is with new employees who fit into the category of people who sincerely believe that their inexperienced selves are worth as much money per hour as people who have been doing the job for YEARS and have a lot of experience and expertise at what they do? WHY? Why do people think this way and what brought it about? Are parents filling their children’s heads with this crap? Are they learning it in school? WHY? If a new employee has been working in this field for many years and is just changing employers, OK, I can see it. They don’t need to be trained for every little thing, but this is a kid – technically he’s an adult, but I see him as a kid – who is starting out sweeping floors and taking out garbage. REALLY? What on earth makes you think THAT is worth as much money as you are asking to make? Wow. Just wow. I don’t get it, don’t want to get it, and am frightened for the future.
No One Eats Alone Day – I do not know how long this one has been happening, but it is the first time I’ve heard of it and I can say I think it is absolutely WONDERFUL! This program was started to carry a message to children across the nation in schools to assist in helping children not feel isolated and bullied. It was founded by the parents of Lili Smith, who was born with a cranial facial syndrome that led to her being socially isolated in school due to her facial differences and a lack of social skills that were needed to keep up with her peers. She passed away at the age of 15 due to medical complications, and when this happened a few local teens came together to honor Lili’s life. They started a discussion that most kids don’t talk about, social isolation in middle school. These kids stood up and courageously took a stand in their school, leading assemblies, sharing personal stories, starting small group discussions peaking at conferences and being interviewed by the media. This group has now grown into dozens of teens in three communities in California and Oregon, and another will be joining them in New York City. They are bringing awareness to their schools and communities, often starting with National No One Eats Alone Day, bringing the word that a new day has come – a day when No One Eats Alone, when kids invite those who perhaps are different, lonely, quiet or shy, to eat with them and join their group of friends. This is beautiful, and I hope it reaches every school across this nation. I just wish it had started when Lili was still alive to participate.
Read in the Bathtub Day – Is there anything more relaxing than a nice long soak in a sudsy bathtub? And how better to enjoy a solitary bath than reading a good book in the tub? Today’s celebration is a license to relax and enjoy two of life’s simple pleasures – a soak and a good book. Gather everything together that you’ll need – your fluffiest towels and robe, the book you’re going to get lost in while you soak, scented bubbles, something to drink, candles and a lighter or matches, a radio (set far away from the tub of course) playing quietly for background music, and a hand towel set nearby just in case you need to dry your hands off. Once you’re settled into the water, lean back against a tub pillow if you have one, and let the warmth just soak into your sore and tired muscles. Relaxing in the tub!
Toothache Day – My question is . . . why? I know I’ve talked about a lot of different and bizarre days, but this one is a doozy. It’s possible that the originator was having a horrible toothache and set this day up as a reminder for people to take good care of their teeth, so they could avoid the same suffering in the future. (sounds plausible, right?) Be sure to go in to see your dentist regularly for your cleanings and exams – keep those toothaches away! And while you’re taking care of your teeth, maybe it’s a good time to pick up a new toothbrush! I know every single year I put toothbrushes in my kids’ and grandkids’ stockings – and yes, I know they are all grown up now – but they are still my “babies” and they will always and forever get a new toothbrush in their stockings, just like they have since they grew their first tooth. I must wonder though – do you suppose it’s a coincidence that the Hershey Chocolate Corporation was founded on this day back in 1894?
Winter Olympics Begin – Opening Ceremony – I am proud of my nation and I hope we do well, but the games have already been soured for me because some idiot who obviously doesn’t deserve to even be there threw a tantrum because he wasn’t going to carry the torch. Apparently, the US Olympic team casts votes for who should carry the torch, and if there is a tie between members, a coin is tossed to break the tie. This is what happened, and the member who lost the coin toss HAPPENED to be black. He threw a fit that somehow this coin toss was RACIST and he wasn’t chosen because he is black . . . or something. Seriously, coin tosses are now racist? Even if I was going to spend time watching the opening ceremonies I won’t now. It’s irritating to know that cry babies like this are representing our country because obviously he doesn’t have the maturity and national pride to be doing so.
This Day in History –
1964 – The Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show.
Food Celebration of the Day –
National Bagel Day – (I also read Bagels and Lox Day) – The most-satisfying brunch spread is also the easiest: a DIY buffet of bagels and smoked salmon (aka lox). Don’t forget the cream cheese and some strong coffee! I think this will be my breakfast celebration tomorrow!
- Bagel With Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese
- Bagel Roll Sushi
- Basic Homemade Bagels
- Vegetable Cream Cheese
- Scrambled Eggs
- Individual Coffee Cakes
National Pizza Pie Day – I’m pretty happy this one landed on a Friday, since Friday night is pizza night in our house. For this one, it doesn’t matter if you prefer thin crust, Chicago style, deep dish, full of carbs, or low car, you can enjoy your favorite pizza pie and celebrate with a smile on your face. I already know what I am going to have for dinner tonight. We didn’t celebrate fettucine alfredo day since I wasn’t feeling well, so I’m going to combine the two and have a low carb pizza crust with an alfredo sauce and various toppings that will go with that flavor profile. Ta-Da! Two for One Food Celebrations! I love it! Did you know that pepperoni is the most popular pizza, coming in at 36% of all pizzas ordered? Or that 17% of all US Restaurants are pizza places? How about that Americans consume, on average, 23 pounds of pizza PER PERSON each year! That is a LOT of pizza!
I’m going to drag myself to work now and hope that as I drive, this cup of coffee will wake me up and take away the zombiefied feeling in my brain. May your Friday be wonderful! God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow!