“Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display–so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree not the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.”
May the Christmas spirit fill your hearts with overflowing love that lasts the whole year.
T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the town,
No noses were frozen, nor snow on the ground.
No children in flannels were tucked into bed,
They all wore their shorty pajamas instead.
To find wreaths of holly was not very hard,
For holly trees sprouted in every backyard.
In front of the houses were daddies and moms,
Decorating hibiscus and coconut palms.
The slumbering kiddies were dreaming with glee,
Hoping to find surf boards under the tree.
They all knew that Santa was well on his way,
In a fiberglass boat instead of a sleigh.
He whizzed up the rivers, zoomed up the canals,
Delivering toys to good boys and gals.
The tropical moon gave the cities a glow,
And lit the way for Santa below.
Quite soon he arrived and started to work,
He hadn’t a second to linger or shirk.
He jumped from his boat and gave a wee chuckle,
He was dressed in deck pants, with an ivy league buckle.
There weren’t any chimneys, but that caused no gloom,
For Santa came in through the Florida room.
He stopped at each house but stayed only a minute,
As he emptied his sack of the toys that were in it.
Before he departed he had a long drink,
From the glass of fresh orange juice left by the sink.
He turned with a jerk and jumped into his boat,
Knowing that he still had more toys to tote.
He put it in gear and he opened the gas,
Then up the Peace River he went like a flash!
And I heard him exclaim as he went on his way:
“Merry Christmas, Punta Gorda, I wish I could stay …. Annonymous
This is turning into a yearly repost due to the Christmas festivities that are going on at this time. I hope you enjoy it again. This was on the radio on Christmas Eve last year. Punta Gorda is a boating town 5 minutes away from me.
Merry Christmas to all of my loyal followers.
May your hearts be filled with magical splendor of the Holiday Season.
This mornin’ while on my way to the dining hall here at my new assisted living home I noticed some things I ought warn you ‘bout.
THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY!
I noticed that stairs are getting steeper. And, everything is farther away. Yesterday, I walked to the corner and I was dumbfounded to discover how long my street had become.
People are less considerate now; especially the young ones. They speak in whispers all the time! If you ask them to speak up they just keep repeating themselves, endlessly mouthing the same silent message until they’re red in the face.
What do they think I’m a lip reader?
Another thing, everyone drives so fast these days. You’re risking life and limb if you happen to pull onto the freeway in front of them. All I can say is their brakes must wear out awfully fast, the way I see them screech and swerve in my rear view mirror.
On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend the other day and she has aged so much that she didn’t even recognize me. I got to thinking about the poor dear while I was combing my hair this morning.
So, I glanced at my own reflection. Well, REALLY NOW – even mirrors – aren’t made the way they used to be!
Clothing manufacturers are less civilized these days, too.
Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size 10 or 12 dress as 18 or 20?
Do they think no one notices this?
The people who make bathroom scales are pulling the same prank.
Do they think I actually ‘believe’ the number I see on that dial?
HA! I would never let myself weigh that much!
Just who do these people think they’re fooling?
I’d like to call up someone in authority to report what’s going on but the telephone company is in on the conspiracy too. They’ve printed the phone books in such a small type that no one could ever find a number in there!
All I can do is pass along this warning:
WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!
Unless something drastic happens, pretty soon everyone will have to suffer these awful
indignities.
Into each life a little humor shall enter …!!!
Come back and see what else I’ve been pondering … Mabel 💗
It looks like quite a few folks are finding out I’ve moved from the farm into this new assisted living place. My Fred would not have been happy. He was a country man. He loved to watch the corn growing and the smell of freshly cut grass.
I’ve been trying to unpack my boxes. It’s been a little much for me. There are lots of memories in each one.
And, the dang phone keeps ringing. My daughter, Tessa, came by and brought me one of them new fancy message machines. She told I had to record a message and left me to decide what I wanted to say. I think I came up with a real good one.
********************************************************************************************** Here’s my message:
I am not available right now,
but
Thank you for caring enough to call.
I am making
some changes in my life.
Please leave a message
after the beep.
If I don’t return your call,
You’re one of those changes.
Into each life a little humor shall enter … Mabel’s way
Come back and see what else I’ve been ponderings ….
Mabel 💗
***** FICTION: Mabel is a fictitious character I’ve created. Any similarities to anyone living ot otherwise is purely coincidental.
My young daughter, Tessa, found this very nice assisted living facility for me. Bless her heart. I have to admit I wasn’t happy about leaving the farmhouse Fred and I lived in for 40 years. Oh, this place is nice enough but there aren’t any memories here.
She said it would help take away some of her concerns about my safety. They thought of everything here. There is a dining hall, tennis courts, walking and bicycle paths, swimming pool, exercise facility plus arts and crafts. Each room in my place is equipped with buttons on the wall for emergencies. You know, ‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up’ buttons.
Tessa still calls and is fussing every day.
She wants to know if I’ve joined any groups.
Have I made any friends?
Am I pleased with the food they serve?
I think she’s a bit of a worrier.
The next time Tessa called I was ready. I told her I had thought about her concerns and decided to go over to that recreation center and sign up for something. I told her I had joined a group. She was tickled pink and wanted to know what it was.
I said, “It’s a skydiving group”.
“Mother, she exclaimed. You’re 84 years old. Why would you join a skydiving group? It’s dangerous. You can’t jump out of planes.”
Oh my, I said. And I’ve signed up for 7 lessons with this mile high club”.
THUMP …..
I guess I’ve gone a little too far.
Into each life a little humor shall enter –
Mabel’s way
Come back and see what else I’ve been ponderings ….
Mabel 💗
***** FICTION: Mabel is a fictitious character I’ve created. Any similarities to anyone living ot otherwise is purely coincidental.
Mabel says ….
A Fairytale about Cinderella … Watch What You Ask For
Cinderella was now 75 years old. After a fulfilling life with the now dead Prince, she happily sat upon her rocking chair, watching the world go by from her front porch, with a cat called Alan for companionship.
One sunny afternoon, out of nowhere, appeared the Fairy Godmother. Cinderella said “Fairy Godmother, what are you doing here after all these years?”
The Fairy Godmother replied, “Well, Cinderella, since you have lived a good, wholesome life since we last met, I have decided to grant you three wishes. Is there anything for which your heart still yearns?”
Cinderella is overjoyed, and after some thoughtful consideration and almost under her breath she uttered her first wish:
“I wish I was wealthy beyond comprehension.”
Instantly, her rocking chair was turned into solid gold.
Cinderella was stunned. Alan, her old faithful cat, jumped off her lap and scampered to the edge of the porch, quivering with fear.
Cinderella said, “Oh thank you, Fairy Godmother!”
The Fairy Godmother replied, “It’s the least I can do. What does your heart wish for your second wish?”
Cinderella looked down at her frail body, and said, “I wish I were young and full of the beauty of youth again.”
At once, her wish became reality, and her beautiful youthful visage returned.
Cinderella felt stirrings inside her that had been dormant for years and long forgotten vigor and vitality began to course through her very soul.
Then the Fairy Godmother again spoke. “You have one more wish, what will you have?” Cinderella looked over to the frightened cat in the corner and said, “I wish you to transform Alan my old cat into a beautiful, and handsome young man.”
Magically, Alan suddenly underwent so fundamental a change in his biological make-up, that when complete he stood before her, a boy, so beautiful the like of which she nor the world had ever seen, so fair indeed that birds begun to fall from the sky at his feet.
The Fairy Godmother again spoke. “Congratulations, Cinderella. Enjoy your new life.” And, with a blazing shock of bright blue electricity, she was gone.
For a few eerie moments, Alan and Cinderella looked into each other’s eyes. Cinderella sat, breathless, gazing at the most stunningly perfect boy she had ever seen.
Then Alan walked over to Cinderella, who sat transfixed in her rocking chair, and held her close in his young muscular arms.
He leaned in close to her ear, whispered, blowing her golden hair with his warm breath, “I bet you regret having me neutered now, don’t you?
Into each life a little humor shall enter – Mabel’s way
Come back and see what else I’ve been ponderings …. Mabel 💗
***** FICTION: Mabel is a ficticious character I’ve created. Any similarities to anyone living ot otherwise is purely coincidental.
I have some thoughts no one seems to be able to answer ….
1. Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat? Are we supposed to like it burnt? Someone said it helps a sour stomach. Hah … they can’t fool me.
2. What disease did cured ham actually have? And … why are we eating it? I hope it isn’t contagious.
3. Why does a round pizza come in a square box? I think they’re trying to test our intelligence. Hah … I fooled them. I purchase one slice at a time.
4. If the professor on Gilligan’s Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can’t he fix a hole in a boat? I’ll bet he wasn’t a professor after all.
5. If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from? Babies are nice and smooth. I’m off to soak in baby oil.
Come back and see what else Mabel is pondering …..
Mabel 💗
***** Mabel is a ficticious character I’ve created. Any similarities to anyone living or other are purely coincidental.
Are you glad to see a post from me again? Yes?!!! Me too.
I’m sure my absence must have brought up questions to all of my loyal followers. I sure hope so. ~~~~ : – O
I wish I could say I was on vacation exploring and learning about new cultures and foods. Instead, I have been in a medicine coma to relieve the horrific systems of the flu.
Influenza, commonly known as “the flu”, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses. information from wikipedia
The flu virus is spread like most other viruses through contact with infected individuals. This disease can be transmitted through airborne contact too, such as when a person sneezes or coughs or through contact with contaminated surfaces.
It can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza in the early stages of these infections, but the flu can be identified by a high fever with a sudden onset of extreme fatigue. The other known symptoms are chills, fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache (often severe), coughing, nausea, vomiting, weakness/fatigue and general discomfort.
Influenza can occasionally lead to pneumonia, either direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia, even for persons who are usually very healthy. Because I had been hospitalized with pneumonia in July, bacterial pneumonia added to the rest of the intolerable flu symptoms I had had. A good warning sign of this is you’re getting better and then a relapse with a high fever occurs. Of course, difficulty breathing is another severe sign.
Flu Remedies
Unfortunately, there isn’t a pill or a liquid you can take that will “cure” you of the flu. Penicillin and other antibiotics won’t work, because they only kill bacteria, and the flu is caused by a virus. There are, however, a few approved antiviral drugs that have shown to shorten the duration of the illness.
The best advice for treating the flu is to rest and drink plenty of liquids. Over-the-counter cold and flu remedies can alleviate some of the symptoms, at least temporarily. Aspirin may relieve fever and aches. Information from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
Old Fashioned Home Remedies
1. Breathe steam: fill a bowl or sink with steaming hot water, and add one of the following: a couple teaspoonful’s of chopped fresh ginger, a bit of chest rub ointment, or a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Drape a towel over the head and the bowl and breathe the steam for a few minutes. All of these may help to open up stuffy nasal passages.
2. Drink Fluids: drink a lot of liquids. Try to get at least 8 cups a day. Staying hydrated helps to keep mucous secretions thinner and therefore easier to cough, sneeze or blow out. Some research shows that hot liquids might be more effective for this than cold ones, but the main point is to get the fluids in no matter the temperature. Water, juices, and sports drinks such as Gatorade are the best.
3. Avoid anything with caffeine or alcohol, as they are dehydrating. Use moist heat compresses. For a throbbing head and difficulty breathing through the nose, relief may be had by applying warm, moist compresses to the cheeks and sinuses. Try nasal saline irrigation or saline sprays. These can thin mucus, decrease postnasal drip and add moisture to dried mucous membranes. In addition, the nasal rinse helps to remove virus particles and bacteria from the nose.
4. For a cough: some studies have shown that a teaspoon of honey is as effective as over-the-counter cough syrups for calming a nagging cough.
5. Fever Relief and Body Aches: a fever is the body’s natural way to fight off an infection. If the fever is more than 101 degrees, a doctor visit is a good choice.
6. Rest, rest and more rest is how the body heals itself.
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Inside the Mind of Isadora 