A new group of male applicants had just arrived in heaven. Peter looked them over and ordered, “All men who were henpecked on earth, please step to the left, all those who were bosses in their own homes, step to the right.”
The line quickly formed on the left. Only one man stepped to the right. Peter looked at the frail little man standing by himself and inquired, “What makes you think you belong on that side?” Without hesitation, the meek little man explained, “Because this is where my wife told me to stand.”
A man told his doctor that he wasn’t able to do all the things around the house that he used to do. When the examination was complete, he said, “Now, Doc, I can take it. Tell me in plain English what is wrong with me.”
“Well, in plain English,” the doctor replied, “you’re just lazy.”
“Okay,” said the man. “Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife.”
I think I would like to be a fly on the wall in the White House! Not sure if I would get paid for doing that but who cares! It would be interesting to listen in on all the top-level and secretive meetings going on there.
It would definitely be interesting and perhaps even mind-boggling because of how this administration works. What are they going to cut next? Probably anything they consider as WOKE and pertaining to DEI programs. They are calling it by another name, projects that don’t deserve funding, but it is blatant racism and they are not fooling anyone.
The fly on the wall would listen in and then make its way to where that information could be put to good use! If only wishes could come true!
Where is that frog?!! The one that doles out wishes!
“In the first stage of love, your hormones run the show. You flirt, get butterflies in your stomach and heart, toss your hair back often and laugh a lot more. Falling in love makes you glow. Full playfulness and passion, stage one of love, often called the honeymoon stage tends to be everyone’s favorite because it is fun.“
This is how Stage 1 looks like. You can talk for hours on the phone and it never gets old. There is lots of laughing and giggling and you have your rose-tinted glasses on. If there is a blemish the size of a rock on your face, it is invisible at this stage or airbrushed by the blossoming of something special. Time flies by on wings and it is never ever enough. You want more and even though red flags may crop up like a neon sign, you SEE and don’t want to see. It is also the stage of stupidity where your brain and intuition take a backseat and your heart takes over.
Stage 2: Getting Serious
“Enter stage two. You still make a good couple. You hold hands in the park and cuddle up together to watch a movie, but something has changed. You’ve moved in together, maybe even got married. That fun time has run its course and your relationship has entered the serious zone.“
You may have moved in together or maybe not. It could be headed in a more serious direction where the “M” word is bandied about. That rose-tinted glow is there but now grey is starting to seep in. You question his/her motives. When once that laugh was alluring, it now makes you grit your teeth. You see things you don’t like. Things like he doesn’t keep to his word or you’ve caught him in a lie or two. Little things like leaving the toilet seat up and leaving clothes all over the floor gets your goat. The glow is still there so it’s time to push it all under the rug. You say, “It’ll right itself out. After all, you’re not looking for perfect.” The serious zone is staring you in the face and you don’t want to rock the boat. Let sleeping dogs lie you say but you know that it could come back to bite you later.
Stage 3: What Happened?
“What happened? Did you fall out of love? By this point, all illusions have been stripped away. You find yourself arguing more. Romance seems like work and you can’t be bothered to squeeze in the time. You just want it to end. And most people do just that, end their relationship.“
This is the “make it” or “break it” phase. It is also the time to let it all hang out phase. Remember that in Stage 1 all was perfect or at least it seemed so. Nothing was out of place, not a hair, not a fake eyelash, perfect haircut, smelling good and NO inappropriate behavior. Now, it’s let it rip time and HOW! If you’re married, who cares is the attitude. Everything is allowed and I mean everything. He’s seen you many times over so why bother? Unkempt hair, less than perfect hygiene, let it all grow out if you know what I mean. He, in turn, lets it rip. Holding it in is no longer required, anywhere anytime is ok. One other thing I find fascinating is that men love talking to you when they are sitting on the throne! Something soothing perhaps? That smile is no longer alluring, those little quirks more than annoying and spending a few minutes talking equates to an hour and a half in your mind. I call this the end of time phase. It’s probably all downhill from here and most choose to end the relationship.
According to one source, there are five clear stages. They are honeymoon, uncertainty, adjustment, commitment and acceptance. I’ve chosen to speak about three because not many make it past the adjustment phase. If you do, you’re one of the lucky ones. However, the fourth and fifth phase are hard to navigate. Most are either miserable wanting to get out or they’ve accepted their fate and are playing dead until their time is up!
I haven’t given up hope that I will make it to the last phase with a smile on my face and the right man by my side. I’m still working on finding him. Unfortunately, he seems to have lost his way and is nowhere to be found and TIME is running out! Fairy Godmother some help please! I could use your wand right about now!
I used to be a Fashion Editor and my world revolved around designer brands or rather labels. I loved all of them some more so than others. Writing about what was in and out and being involved in what the celebrity world wore and what the designers had in store for the upcoming season kept me wrapped around a materialistic world. Those days are over. I’ve hung up my heels. I won’t name the brand but you can’t wear them here where I am now. Designer shoes and cobblestones are a no go. I have traded them in for sneakers and comfort is the name of the game now.
My closet has been revamped and those very expensive shoes have landed in someone else’s closet. The clothes are a different story altogether. I have given many of them away especially the much dressier pieces but I am still holding on to the ones I love. Coming to bags, I still have them! One in every color and designer labels all! However, I have the one I love these days and that is a hiking rucksack and it is my steady companion. The rest are gathering dust and begging to be used. Maybe I will, one day soon.
These days, I stick to the European labels. Zara is a favorite. Massimo Dutti is another. The pieces are classy and never go out of style. Joop is another designer, the pieces are well-geared towards an outdoorsy life, less flashy and more wearable. I stick to a favorite few but if you ask me, I still love the comfort of my raggedy sweatpants and tops!
Sundays are for relaxing but in this household it means no sleeping in and it’s like any other day. Chachi, the cat, aka Little Einstein had other plans in mind and it doesn’t matter if human concedes to it or not!
Saturday had been busy because a friend came over and helped mow the grass and did the weeding as well. I promised a home-cooked lunch which consisted of Shepherd’s pie and a green salad as a “thank you” for all the hard work. I don’t cook much these days but I must say it was finger licking good! He liked it so much that I packaged up the leftovers and he took it home with him. Later, I got a message and it said, “It was damn good!” However, Chachi was not happy about the friend. Did I tell you he has a jealous streak woven into that fur coat? He does. The friend left after cake and coffee and a huge thunderstorm rolled in just in time to give the plants a well-needed deluge of water.
The little macho did not like it one little bit. First, the guy and now this! He hates thunderstorms with a passion. The Lion King he is not, more like a mouse for all his macho ways. The first clap of thunder and he took off running. I found him hiding behind the washing machine! Coaxing him out took some effort but he finally emerged looking scared and the “guy” was all forgotten for the time being. Do cats have a memory like an elephant? I suppose I will find out.
So, it’s Sunday morning and I decided to make it up to the little brat. I had a mommy and Chachi day planned. We got up bright and early and the little guy kept close to me. Everywhere I turned, there he was eyes trained on me and when he caught me looking he trilled like a bird and rolled on the ground legs up in the air waiting to be kissed and stroked. I really think the little fur ball had a different profession in his last life! Anyway, I spent the whole morning pampering the Little Prince and he was mighty happy.
After lunch, I decided to do yoga. I was going to do a longer version of about 70 minutes AND I was looking forward to some me time but fur ball had other plans. Mommy and Chachi time in his world meant stuck together like glue time! The minute I got my mat out, he came running. His look said, “WHAT YOU DOING?!!” I ignored him and got down on the floor and there he was butt in my face and refusing to move! Remember, it’s be nice to Chachi day so I moved him gently aside but Little Yogi wasn’t having any of it. He kept blocking my every move and if yoga was meant to be relaxing, this did not make it so!
I gave up after 1/2 an hour and he walked up, gave me a kiss and ran off chasing the fly that had somehow found its way in. I knew and he knew that the poor fly stood no chance against the seasoned fly catcher!
Now, he is sleeping. What happened to the fly? Lord, only knows!
Sundays are for relaxing but in this household it’s like any other day!
A young couple got married and left on their honeymoon. When they got back, the bride immediately called her mother. Her mother asked, “How was the honeymoon?”
“Oh, mama,” she replied, “the honeymoon was wonderful! So romantic….” Suddenly she burst out crying. “But, mama, as soon as we returned Sam started using the most horrible language….things I’d never heard before! I mean, all these awful 4-letter words! You’ve got to come get me and take me home…Please mama!”
“Sarah, Sarah,” her mother said, “calm down! Tell me what could be so awful? What 4-letter words?
“Please don’t make me tell you, mama,” wept the daughter. “I’m so embarrassed they’re just too awful! Come get me, please!”
“Darling baby, you must tell me what has you so upset…Tell your mother these 4-letter words! Still sobbing, the bride said, “Oh mama….words like DUST, WASH, IRON, COOK…!”
There are the greats like Martin Luther King. He taught us “to love others and not hate because love always wins in the end.”
Buddha emphasized the Middle Way. The message was to avoid indulgence extreme asceticism and he advocated for moral conduct, wisdom, and skillful actions. There is a lot one can learn from the Buddha’s way of life.
Lastly but not least, Confucius. He advocated for peace and respect for others. He came up with the Golden Rule: “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.” He believed that all people deserved respect.
I love what these “greats” had to say and how their messages of love, tolerance and the moral way still resonates with us and within me.
Daily writing prompt
List the people you admire and look to for advice…
God was worried that Adam would frequently become lost in the garden because he would not ask for directions.
God knew that one day Adam would require someone to locate and hand him the remote.
God knew Adam would never go out and buy himself a new fig leaf when his wore out and would therefore need Eve to buy one for him.
God knew Adam would never be able to make a doctor’s, dentist, or haircut appointment for himself.
God knew Adam would never remember which night to put the garbage out on the curb.
God knew if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle the pain and discomfort of childbearing.
As the Keeper of the Garden, Adam would never remember where he left his tools.
Apparently, Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden. As the Bible says, It is not good for man to be alone! And the #1 reason why God created Eve…..When God finished the creation of Adam. He stepped back, scratched his head and said, “I can do better than that!”
If you want to change things for the better, vote! In short, your vote is your voice so let it be heard loud and clear. It is the only way to make a difference. By voting, you have a say in how certain issues are decided. Some important issues are gun safety and gun rights, crime prevention and law enforcement and Medicare and Social Security benefits just to name a few. Your vote counts in how these issues are decided.
So, yes voting is important. It may seem like a small thing but your voice matters so show up and let it be heard. Know that you have a say in the matter.
Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has been designated as a right-wing extremist entity and Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla said the decision was “clearly politically motivated” and a “severe blow to German democracy.” The AfD attracted the support of two leading figures in the Trump administration. Elon Musk called on Germans to vote for the AfD and repeatedly posted his support for Weidel’s party and JD Vance said there was no place for “firewalls,” saying that free speech was in retreat in Europe. I guess there is a difference between free speech and hate speech. What’s in the future? It’s a wait and see approach.
The woman is openly gay, she lives in Switzerland, has two sons AND has a Sri Lankan partner. She is also now officially the AfD’s chancellor candidate as of this weekend.
Der Spiegel magazine had this to say: “If someone accuses the AfD of being misogynistic, homophobic or racist, they can say they have Weidel….”
According to Weidel, the first 100 days of an AfD government would see the total closing of Germany’s borders and turning back anyone with no documents as well as large scale repatriations. “I say to you quite honestly, if this must be called remigration, then let it be called remigration.” Those were her words but do you see some resemblance to you know who and his words? She also happened to describe Hitler as a “communist” and a “socialist” but conveniently left out “Nazi” in her chat with Musk.
Musk who? You know him. The Tesla guy with one foot in space and the other meddling in politics. You know what they say about Jack of all trades, master of none. Well, in his case, it’s working just fine for him. However, the billionaire is showing his true colors. He loves the AfD which stands for Alternative for Germany. It is a far-right and right wing populist political party in Germany. It opposes immigration especially that of Muslim immigration and it has been classified as a “suspected extremist” party. However, Musk in his wisdom claims that “only the AfD can save Germany.” He has become very vocal about his support of far-right, anti-establishment parties across Europe and more recently has been accused of meddling in Germany’s election process.
Have money, will meddle? Apparently so. The scary part is that Musk’s endorsement of AfD seems to have emboldened its presence and boosted its acceptance among the German electorate. He has gone on to say, “Chancellor Oaf Schitz or whatever his name is will lose.” Olaf Scholz responded with, “There are a lot of people on social media who want to attract attention with snappy slogans. The rule is: don’t feed the troll.” However, I like this one better. Elmar Brok, a former German MEP, called Musk’s comment, “the world domination fantasies of the American tech kings.”
Coming back to Weidel, AfD owes its prime-time position in German politics to her. It’s neo-Nazi image has been airbrushed and being promoted as a polite, and decorous populism thanks to the pearl necklace touting and pantsuit wearing Weidel. Under her guidance AfD’s vote share has risen to 22 percent, its highest ever at the national level.
However, it has been said that AfD has little chance of advancing or being part of Germany’s next government since working with the far-right is considered a major taboo because of its Nazi history. Needless to say the party is gaining momentum and it is making some people sit up and take notice.
Weidel once said, “As a woman, I also want to be able to take the last train home at night without fear,” referring to foreigners as her bone of contention. The well-traveled and educated Weidel’s entire career and lifestyle is in direct contradiction to her right-wing populist party’s doctrines which has led many to question her motives and what she is really about. Her former colleagues at Goldman Sachs have been posting videos and asking, “Here is Alice. What happened to her?” Is it the business woman or the right-wing populist?”
I’ll add, “Will the real Alice Weidel please stand up,” and “Mr. Musk, please sit down and be QUIET!”
