Merry, Merry... It was that time of the year to welcome our elf on the shelf, Melvil. But someone was not merry because of the elf’s name.             “Why?” I asked.             “The elf was named by my predecessor after Melvil Dewey.” She said.               Say “Melville”, and I thought white whale. Say “snow”, and … Continue reading The Trouble With Elves

Give up to be happy... Tired of a holiday ruled by holiday marketing blitzes, this year’s must haves, and 20.35% interest? Instead of mass produced fleeting happiness, why not try for lasting joy this year by giving up the things that can lead to unhappiness? No wrapping paper, bows, or credit card required. GIVE UP: … Continue reading No Wrapping Paper, Bows, or Credit Card Required

A month of thanks... When my daughter was young, she needed to wear a hinged brace on her foot and leg. This made it necessary to buy two different sized shoes. It wasn’t easy to find two pairs of shoes in the sizes needed in the same style and color that fit over the brace. … Continue reading Baa, Baa, Black Sheep

A month of thanks... My grandfather Valentine emigrated to America from Poland. I grew up being called a “dumb Polack”. I heard every imaginable dumb Polack joke. One never considers the long term or hidden effects of prejudice and ethnic and racial slurs.             While having a heart to heart conversation with two friends, one … Continue reading Hit Me With Your Best Shot

A month of thanks... The convenience store offered 2/$4.00 or one for $2.19 share size packets of M&M’s. To save nineteen cents, I spent eighty-one cents.             The peanut butter egg M&M’s were left from Easter, but weren’t discounted other than the two for price. The eggs were speckled pink, green, purple, and yellow. The … Continue reading Four Dollars Worth of M & M’s in One Day