Good morning from cold Tulsa, Oklahoma. It’s a little chilly, temp is 32° with a wind chill of 26°. Liza, nor I, stayed outside for long this morning.
The forecast for today is calling for partly sunny skies and 41°. Much better than we’ve had the past week, making it easier to get motivated to do things outdoors, even if it’s only to run errands and shop. The yards are still sopping wet, so doing the outdoor chores isn’t likely.
I’m sitting here drinking my first cup of coffee of the morning, thinking about all that I need to do today. Of course the list is broken into three categories: Things I want to do, things I should do, and things I have to do. I’m undecided as to which list I’ll accomplish today.
I’m certainly in no rush to get moving.
The cookbooks I ordered from Amazon arrived yesterday. The new meal ideas are welcomed. I’ll take a look at them later today. Add this to the “Things I want to Do” list.
I’ve had 3 phone calls this morning from organizations wanting donations. I’m using the caller I.D. to screen the calls now. By the last day of the year, I’ve made all of the donations I’m going to make. Period. Stop calling me.
I’m out running errands. The first stop is the bank. It’s been a while since I actually had to visit a bank, but I needed more cash than an ATM would dispense. I even had to ask the teller whether I needed to write a check payable to “cash”, like the old days, or use my debit card. The debit card won. Yet another reminder that I’m getting old.
Technology is more and more distancing us from human interaction. Does the convenience technology affords us outweigh interactions with our families, friends and businesses? I’m beginning to question that. Don’t get me wrong, technology is a great thing. But, there has to be a balance.
I remember the days when I would go into the market or stop at the service station, or visit the bank, and they’d know me by name. I know those days are gone, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t long for them again.
Another reminder.
The Home Store. I stopped there to pick up a sugar bowl for the table. Mine broke a couple of years ago and I’m finally tired of carrying the canister to the table.
I met a man and his 4 children in one of the aisles and we had a nice conversation. We talked about the Christmas we had and how we all ate too much. The children were well behaved and polite. I asked the eldest, “Did you have a good Christmas?” He replied, “Oh yes I did, sir.”
Sir. You rarely hear that word used these days. My faith in humanity is slowly being restored.
I left the store with a few items I’d not planned on and, yes, you got it right, no sugar bowl. They didn’t have one.
When I got home, I was to be surprised again.
While unloading my purchases from the trunk of my car, I noticed two neighborhood boys riding down the sidewalk on brand new very large Big Wheels. They stopped at my driveway and one of them asked, “Sir? Can we help you with those?”
There’s that “sir” word again.
Although I declined their offer, my faith was restored even more.
It is amazing how much good a little caring, kindness and respect can do. You can make the world a better place, one person at a time.
Next stop, Target.
Mission accomplished: I found a sugar bowl. Not exactly what I was looking for, but it’ll do the job — also a new pair of curtains for the living room window and 2 movies (A Walk in the Woods and San Andreas).
No turkey breast at Target either. What’s the deal? Are turkeys on vacation after Thanksgiving? All I want is a turkey breast that I can cook myself and slice into lunch meat. Is that so much to ask?
Now, Toys R Us.
They had one of the toys I was looking for. No, not for me; for my granddaughters. The other one I’m needing is at another store. Dang it. I wanted this to be my last stop!
Let’s try this one more time at Toys R us, too.
It took some searching but then…bingo. I’m done. Time to head home.
Sandwich and a movie? Okay. My first movie choice was “A Walk in the Woods.” However, the disk is bad – it wouldn’t play. My second choice is “San Andreas”. I saw it in the theater, but it was good enough to watch it again. I really just wanted it for my library, that’s why I bought it. Now, it’s the fallback for the bad disk.
I’ll be heading back to Target next year (tomorrow) to exchange “A Walk in the Woods” for another disk.
Finally…
As we exit 2015, let me say that I’m thankful for all of you. Without everyone’s continued support, this web site wouldn’t be here.
In 2015 you visited over 10,000 pages here, and over the past few years, thousands more. I know, for some web sites that’s a drop in the bucket. But, for me, every visit, every follower is important to me. Very important. Thank you!
Now we’re ushering in a new year. A year full of hope and promise for all of us. I wish you and your family a wonderful and prosperous 2016.
Happy New Year!