TBT: WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR

TBT: In the old days  New Year's Eves used to be filled with great anticipation along with dinner reservations at fancy restaurants with big tabs but usually mediocre food and lousy service. Whether this was due to overbooking and overtired staff who knows but I was thrilled to replace these expensive unfulfilling evenings with either a quiet evening for two with homemade food/ friends for potluck dinners and game nights.

I miss celebrating a toast with my Jazzerbuddies. We love any excuse to celebrate and have fun but a New Year is a good one. The pic below was taken in 2013.

Of course, COVID 19 in 2020 has changed any chance of any get togethers in person so tonight we will be celebrating via Zoom with visiting friends with jokes, movie suggestions and of course, resolutions. 

There will be virtual toasts, hugs and well wishes.

Here's to 2021 to you and yours!

FOTO FRIDAY: IT'S FOR THE BIRDS...AND US

Do you remember  zoo/ amusement park visits where animals would eat out of their trainer's / audience participant's hands?   Those dolphins/ sea lions at Sea World/the  Chicago Aquarium and Florida's Parrot Jungle where exotic birds would perform tricks and be rewarded for their efforts. It was impressive as a child and an adult. 

Well, even without a plane fare we locals can enjoy our own more local Nature feeding show. This past sunshiny Monday I shared the  winter serenity with friend Colleen at Goose Island County Park located along the Mississippi backwaters 10 minutes from my back door.

Although winter humanoid visitors now mainly frequent hiking paths, close to the now vacant RV camping area is a bird feeding station area.  We had the place to ourselves with the birds.

The birds know it's the place to be and after word gets out that those humans have brought food, the nearby tree limbs fill with feathered friends awaiting their turn to share in the feed. I had brought sunflower seeds while Colleen had cat food. Yep, birds do like cat food and they don't have to be catbirds. Hardy har har.

Red bellied woodpecker (CS)

The red bellied and downy woodpeckers were more standoffish/timid and ate off post tops less than 3 feet from where we stood. 

It was the titmouses, nuthatches and chickadees who were ready to use our fingers for a perch as they decided which sampling was theirs and ate directly out of our hands...

 

The longer we were there the bolder the different birds became as more arrived.

A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush...( photo by CS)

There were some squabbles occasionally as to who was there first but they did have a 'pecking' order. (Another attempt at a little bird humor)

Eventually the warm glow of feeding lost out to the cold. You know how there's always the disclaimer: "Please do not try this at home." Well, hand bird feeding is definitely exempt. By the time I returned home I already was thinking about trying this out at our main feeder. 

Stay tuned as it's for the birds and ... us.

MONDAY MUSINGS: EXPIRATION DATES & PURGING

 MONDAY MUSINGS: Perhaps we all have those eyesores we could really take care of but by just closing a door/drawer they are hidden at least to the public eye... 

True confession time: I finally opened the linen closet door and decided this weekend was time to tackle the bottom third of the closet, the medical and hygiene overflowing bins. Truth be known some of the items had moved with me fifteen years ago and should have been tossed two moves before... Yep, expiration dates dating back to 1996 were found. Eegads. 

Plopping down a cushion on the cement floor was a wise decision as this was a task that would take a while.  As small waste bags filled, they were replaced by a feed sack. 

How does one collect so much?  While it was rewarding to be able to see organization with cleaned up categories of skin, hair, travel, medical... Here in my little linen closet was proof of living in a nation of consumers. 

Before I could pat myself on the back for a task accomplished,  Natureman was in need of the hot water bottle and he said it wasn't under his sink. I knew it wasn't in the area I was finishing up. Had it been placed in the back of another shelf due to space behind the linens?

Out came the linens and as long as they were coming out, sorting began with the table cloths, sheets and blankets. And they would  need refolding too. Piles began of towels and sheets for the Humane Society, weeding out old color schemes for Goodwill, FB Marketplace too... 

It became obvious the hot water bottle wasn't in the linen closet.  Lo and behold, guess where the culprit was? You guessed it, under his  sink. Seriously, it's red.  

Was this all just a ruse for these areas to get the attention they needed? The finished product is rewarding. At least I didn't expire before accomplishing this in 2020.

While there's definitely something cleansing about purging, why is it that a woman's work is never done?

Definitely, a Musing for another Monday...  

TBT: WiSHES OF PEACE AND JOY FOR ALL

 Four years ago both Chanuka and Christmas were at the same time but this year Chanuka's last night was a week ago. So even if all my decorations aren't packed up yet, the holiday is over. :(

BUT... I can still wish those that celebrate  Christmas Merry Christmas especially with it being Christmas Eve today. 

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate Christmas. I know for most of you this year's celebration will be different due to COVID. Virtual hugs abound.

Last night our area was blessed with the seasonal gift of snow, just a light blanket of that white stuff which make those Christmas lights even brighter. With sun down so early now hopefully we can take a ride late afternoon to go enjoy the lights. 

 We can all be thankful the vaccine is starting to be administered in all of our communities. 

And in the meanwhile "Make new memories..."

Wishes for peace and joy to all...

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED...

How's your memory these days? I bet there's one event you do remember no matter how long ago it was and that's 'prom'. Whether you went/not you definitely have some past feelings regarding that high school event... 

I had a melt down when we picked up my prom dress from the seamstress.  I was so tiny it had to be custom made and even though I helped pick out the kind of fabrics, it looked so homemade that I burst into tears... Somehow I survived, wore it and had a good time in spite of it... It was your date that mattered, right?

Today's proms left the crepe paper decorations a long time ago and themes have morphed into mini Hollywood productions.  Truly - costuming, set design, monetary investments, logistics, characters in the production. And how perfect to have this emotional event brought from its Broadway production to a film to end the emotional year of 2020 on an upbeat note!

Honestly, it wasn't even on my radar to watch what I perceived would be a teenie bopper rendition but then someone posted how much they liked it and I thought heck, if it's too hokey, just turn it off.  You could say it was just what the Doctor ordered a dose of musical theater!  Natureman and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it.

But then could one really be disappointed with a movie with Meryl Streep and James Corden? They were definitely in their element. The entire cast was great and they delivered. No clue that Scandal's Kerry Washington sang.. Jo Ellen Pellman, the Indiana high school girl, is a truly talented gem and I can't wait to see her future endeavors! (My only negative was worrying about Nicole Kidman being too dang thin) 

Without giving too much away the storyline involves a troupe of self absorbed theater stars who need some good PR. The self proclaimed 'cultural disruptors' rally to Indiana to help a high school girl who wants to take her girlfriend to prom. Of course, 'drama' follows.  

Here's youtube's trailer. Treat yourself to NetFlix's release of The Prom: DON'T MISS IT

RETURNING THE FAVOR

You 'll recognize the face/voice of FaceBook's WATCH Show host Returning the Favor as they belong to Mike Rowe, seasoned narrator of Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch, After the Catch, Somebody's Gotta Do It, etc ... 

The purpose of Returning the Favor is to showcase daily acts of kindness by unsung heroes throughout our country. Returning the Favor has just celebrated its 100th show and is in its 4th season but I personally just discovered it last week. 

The show's game plan is to tell an unsuspecting 'do gooder' that a documentary is being made of their efforts and then unbeknownst to them that very same person is punked, surprised during a filming visit which is really Returning the Favor with monies, possibly rent/ refurbished space/ transportation/ materials but most importantly recognition. And with 6 million viewers, that's a lot of recognition! The show's hope is to inspire others which is  being accomplished.

Note : Sleep in Heavenly Peace's founder whose goal was to make sure no child in his community was sleeping on the floor so he had his work crew make bunk beds for these children on their weekends. Since airing Sleep in Heavenly Peace now has 250 chapters across our country and in 4 countries which have provided some 50,000 bunk beds.

Besides the 89 year old gentleman who created a municipal golf course in his back yard and maintains it in his brother's memory, near and dear to Rowe's heart are shows dealing with Vets and Law Enforcement. Both needing light shone on their needs such VETs's inaccessible resources including needing help with PTSD and other disabilities, then inner city kids needing a place to congregate run by a local law enforcement officer whose program building character and relationships with inner city kids called Be A Better Me. There are programs for pets -one which provides fencing, another W- Underdog for teaching inner city kids responsibility in taking care of stray dogs and finding the dogs homes, the gal who never had a birthday party and now provides joy, hope and cheer to thousands of kids with birthday parties and also a birthday truck visit to shop for clothing needs, the lady who worked at a wedding dress store that went under and she sewed over 300 wedding dresses this year to help those brides, Heart Strings filling community members needs originally started after 911 due to a large loss of a NJ bedroom community members who didn't return home that day. First, it was just helping those families but now it's others's needs. In another community a woman who took the back part of her salon and made a private room for women with cancer needing wigs. COVID has created many problems including kids who don't have a desk at home to do their school work. Now many have a 4 pc desk that can be disassembled easily and be placed under a bed, and then there's all those general furniture needs helped by the Furniture Project. Food insecurity led a young farmer family who shares all their surplus and  and are now part owners in a new inner city grocery store with locally grown foods. These are just a couple of the programs  individuals have started with their own sweat and finances.

I won't spoil the surprises they received as you'll need to watch and see for yourself. If you can watch these awe inspiring stories of selflessness and not shed a tear, well then you're using less Kleenex than I.

Check it out on FaceBook Watch!

MONDAY MUSINGS: SEE YA AT THE MOVIES

One thing is for certain, we're not going to a movie theatre anytime soon so thank goodness for NetFlix.  For some reason we are on a streak here in the End of the Rainbow Valley on 'dark' themed movies and miniseries  the last couple of weeks and here are some recommendations in the order of preference with brief synopses... 

The Professor and the Madman: Compilation of mid 19th C first Oxford dictionary by a Professor Murray (Mel Gibson) and a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, Dr. William Minor ( Sean Penn), who submits 10,000 entries 

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: August Wilson's Story of Ma Rainey ( Viola Davis), a true Blues legend, her Chicago recording with her band and fall out with her young trumpeter Levee ( Chadwick Boseman, yes, his last role before his death). 

Manhunt: The Deadly Games chronicling the manhunt of the '96 Olympic Game bombing's hero Richard Jewel who discovers the bomb saving 100s, loses hero status by being accused as the bomber. Is he falsely accused by the press and the FBI/ does he have an accomplice? Manhunt: The Deadly Game (youtube trailer)

Manhunt: Unabomber , a true story of the FBI hunting down of the Unabomber, a serial bomber and the agent who uses forensic linguistics to profile and capture him. 

Mindhunter:  FBI hostage mediator 'Holden  joins veteran agent Tench to learn and identify a new breed of murderers by interviewing famous serial killers. The FBI is less than pleased with their tactics.

Blacklist : If I had known there were 8 seasons of these assassins, I'm not so sure I would have  started watching them because now I'm addicted...

AVA, (Jessica Chastain) a high end assassin has problems when a murder goes wrong... a lot of action and adventure. AVA youtube trailer

One thing for sure is one can't complain there's nothing to watch.  I didn't even mention the real trash besides reading a couple books. Another musing, for another week... 

Something lighter tonight as PROM is on our date card.

* all photos/videos borrowed from the internet

FOTO FRIDAY: TIED UP

FOTO FRIDAY:  Some folks are definitely  busier than others during these Holidays. And you know those Chanukah elves weren't always sitting nicely watching those candles burn low each evening.  Obviously, the two had used this down time for their scheming... 

The last night of the holiday would be no different. During one of those nightly bathroom visits, I heard giggles coming from the other side of the house. Oh dear...

As I flicked on the hall light and viewed the area nothing seemed amiss until a small sigh arose from under Natureman's hallway bench. Sure enough as I got down on my knees, the two were scurrying trying to hide in the boots. 

Caught 'em redhanded. The two had been practicing their knot tying. Harry and Larry thought it was a hoot to tie all of Natureman's shoes together. After a scolding, they were told that they had to have all of the shoes untied before going to bed.  I have a feeling they will be sleeping in this morning...

Wait 'til you see what all else they did this week... 

Did you catch last week's THEY'RE BACK ?

THE SENSE OF TOUCH

Did you realize the sense of touch is considered the first sense we develop as humans? 

I guess it's just as important to our Chanuka elves too as their oily, chocalatey, doughy/ waxy finger and foot prints have led me to their hiding places before and after their shenanigans the past 5 days. 

Early this morning I had cuddled up in my new magic shawl a gift from the Atlanta kids when I felt a little tugging and heard some giggles. Lo and behold who should be snuggling in my new ultra soft shawl on the sofa closest to the hearth? You guessed it Harry & Larry. 

They must have heard the temps were dropping to 12 degrees last night. At least they weren't frozen with an outdoors escapade. 

Of course, it's still dark so perhaps I have to wait for daylight to see if they have wreaked havoc elsewhere... 

MONDAY MUSINGS: ENLIGHTENED WITH 2020's FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Chanuka, our Festival of Lights is just half over and in some ways it has been extra bright a lot earlier ...

 not just from the lights of the menorah (candelabra) with the Sabbath candles to boot on the second night but throw in witnessing a 3 year old granddaughter's holiday ruach (spirit) and  time spent with more family members than any other year (although not in person) via the technology of Zooming. 

Our Sunday Zoom was with Sam, the eldest, and his crew whom we haven't seen all together since late last spring. We definitely need to FaceTime more often. The girls have shot up over the summer.

Of course, we have also continued eating well over the Holidays.  We have been consuming those traditional latkes (fried pancakes) more than usual as an entree/ side dish using the traditional recipe and even trying new recipes like a squash latke. 

Some nights we used the traditional toppings like sour cream/ applesauce. On Friday night (see left) I smothered the latkes in my Mom's recipe of sauerbraten gravy.

The elves have been entertaining as usual getting into Natureman's gift of dark chocolate pecan clusters. 

I specifically told him to not leave them on the counter.

Who do you think was discovered under the challah cover when it was removed on Friday night? Yep, Harry and Larry  might have  devoured the still warm bread in a matter of minutes.  

Those two stinkers!

And do you know what? The weather has actually provided some days with unexpected sunshine. Frosty ams, some sprinkled with some snowflakes which disappear well before midday, but also a couple balmy days where I even went out of doors for fresh air with a light jacket/ sweatshirt. Very unusual indeed for December. 

All this is making December more bearable and enlightened... 

Happy Holidays! 

FOTO FRIDAY: THEY'RE BACK

NO way this FOTO FRIDAY could be any thing else but a pic of the premier of their first night of holiday antics. Yep, our 2 mischievous elves Hanukkah Harry and Hanukkah Larry are back. 

Wouldn't you know they'd be in prime form showing off their wrestling abilities in the left over latke oil.

What a mess! It was Hanukkah Larry who won the round and managed to hold his own going home with his trophy of the plate of latkes. Slipping and sliding and leaving me quite a mess to clean up!

Last week's FOTO FRIDAY was :TEMPORAL ART

TBT: HOLIDAY HATS

 TBT this week goes back to December 16,  2015 when the Happy Bookers met at a riverside eatery for our Holiday gathering and I supplied the gals with their Holiday Hats. 

BTW we can have fun with / without those hats...  See last night's get together celebration @ 2020 Happy Bookers Holiday

MISSING THE HOLIDAY HUGS...

Our Holiday party for the Happy Bookers this year of course had to morph into a Zoom night which was only natural since colder temps don't lend themselves to social distancing outside even though I personally didn't get to join those meetings in person either. 

The 8 of us had a part for the evening's event including thoughtful reflective toasts of 2020 to begin and end the evening ( we were provided with a Cosmo recipe*) voting on our favorite book of the year*,  games including a Christmas trivia quiz which yours truly won LOL, What's Rudolph Thinking? Holiday word association with a twist where Rudolph became 'Rochela the Jewish Reindeer' ( You guessed it, I was the reindeer), the a game of clues to decipher Christmas Carols, opening gifts of a special edible treat and book exchange and a favorite past Christmas memory. 

And yes, we always agree to share the books we receive.

So everything was like normal eating, drinking, laughing, good conversation and learning something new about each other. Just didn't have to worry about driving home but gosh those virtual hugs really can't compare with the real ones... 

*Our 2020 reads were ...

My Sister The Serial Killer   

      Korede's sister Ayola is the beautiful one and the one their mother favors.  And well, Korede

usually gets stuck cleaning up Ayola's messes even when it involves murdering her boyfriends. When Ayola sets her sights on the doctor Korede works with, that is where Korede draws the line.

Long Bright River  

     Mickey, a cop and her sister Kacey work two ends of the spectrum in Philadelphia as one is a cop and the other is a sex worker who also deals. When Kacey disappears following a string of murders, Mickey panics and becomes obsessed with solving the crime and finding Kacey.

  Bowlaway 

     Bertha Truitt a newcomer to Salford, Massachusetts in the early 1900's is found in a cemetery by Joe Wear, the caretaker, and Dr. Sprague: a head in the clouds local physician.  Soon Bertha has built the first bowling alley in town, married the Doctor and hired Joe as manager.  The story evolves over time with a cast of quirky descendents. 

 The Overdue Life of Amy Byler

     Amy, a single mom of two teenagers and a librarian at the local school has been abandoned for 3 years by her husband. When he suddenly shows up and wants to spend the summer with the kids, Amy makes her way to nearby  NYC to attend a convention and stay with her fashion editor friend.  Amy's life takes a turn when she meets Daniel and must decide what is next for her.

 The Book of Lost Friends

     Told by present day Bennie, a young teacher in Louisiana  and Hanna, a slave girl who is living in the same area post Civil War.  Bennie is trying to help her students connect to their past and Hanna is a piece of that very puzzle.  Hanna's story is one of adventure as she leaves home on a quest to find family that was sold off.

 On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous

     Written in lettter form, Little Dog, a Vietnamese young man has many struggles as an immigrant, poor, and gay.  As a teen Little Dog meets Trevor while working at a local farm and begins a forbidden affair.  

 Disappearing Earth

     Set on the peninsula of Kamchatcha, two young sisters are kidnapped and what follows is a year of various stories told by a string of loosely connected characters and cultural differences.  Almost a year after the girls disappearance their mother Marina attends a fest north of her city and a connection is made which leads her to the discovery of the girls and another victim.

The Vanishing Half

      During Jim Crow, identical twin sisters Stella and Desiree grow up in a small Louisiana town during Jim Crow which prides itself on the black population being very fair skinned.  The girls leave and make very different choices, with Stella marrying a very dark man that she escapes and returns to town with her dark child, while Desieree  passes for white and bears a child she hopes never discovers what she truly is.

When We Were Vikings

     Zelda, a young woman on the FAS spectrum loves the legends of the Viking warriors and uses them to govern her life. Zelda's mother and father both died tragic deaths, and Zelda's brother Gert cares for her along with his girlfriend Annie (AK47) and a host of caring professionals at Zelda's community center.  When Zelda discovers Gert has fallen in with a gang and sells drugs to help support their household, she knows she has to step up no matter the cost.

We all agreed that Bowlaway was the worst and not one we would ever suggest !

 * Cosmopolitan recipe 

Most of us used Triple Sec vs the very costly Contreau. BTW the splash of lime was very refreshing!

JINGLE JANGLING

Apparently Netflix doesn't know us as well as it thinks it does because it rated its newly released whimsical Christmas story of Jingle Jangle in the 67% likability in my household. Well, it definitely got that wrong. We really enjoyed the seasonal musical film written and directed by David E. Talbert. Who wouldn't like a Christmas Story filled with magic and a combination of one's favorite  Disney story characters? 

It's just what the Doctor ordered during this COVID season of doom and gloom. Add in some steam punk gadgets, a very 'kewl' pop up set design, amazing choreagraphy with dance numbers which probably will make its viewers want to join the Alvin Ailey Dance troupe to be able to learn those dance numbers and get this - music with the help of John Legend (also executive producer). 

The magical story line is of a once successful toymaker going broke after his latest invention is stolen by his apprentice. His magical  life of wonder takes a downward spiral until his estranged granddaughter endears herself to him during a Christmas visit amidst the chaos of bankruptcy and helps save the day. 

What's not to love of seasoned cast members like Forest Whitaker as the Gepetto like depressed toymaker Jeronicus Jangle /

the Cinderella like classy Grandma Phylicia Rashad who is actually telling her story to her grandchildren with everyone bedecked in gorgeous period colorful costumes with characters flying around like Peter Pan and Tinkerbell,

                                               

and a cartoon action figure Matador 

 (who reminds me of a latino Toy Story Buzz Lightyear) who almost steals the show. 

BUT folks the most craftful part of this 'fairytale' is audiences experiencing a major role reversal with Jingle Jangle's magnificent cast being actors of color while it is the white Scrooge like banker who has made paying the store's mortgage by Christmas Day. It may have taken Talbert two decades to bring this tale to the screen but great kudos are deserved for what should be a new Christmas tradition. 

See what you think and let me know!

Two thumbs up from the End of the Rainbow Valley.

* all photos are borrowed from  internet images

MONDAY MUSINGS: MAKE THAT CALL

MONDAY MUSINGS this week is a reminder to give a friend you haven't talked to in a while a phone call. Not a text, but a call. The joy will be felt on both ends.  

We always think I should give so and so a call and then that day passes as do many more as we just don't sit down to make that effort. We lose touch for whatever reason.  Don't let that be an excuse to not make that call.

Know you can pick up wherever you left off. In these months of COVID 19 we should be reaching out more, not less.  Make this 4 th season of social distancing, one of better communication. Make that call.  

Virtual hugs...

FOTO FRIDAY: TEMPORAL ART

FOTO FRIDAY: Falling temps have brought beautiful works of art of the morning frost every day now. Sometimes the frost melts before I even get outside but other mornings in the End of the Rainbow Valley it lasts a while. Just wanted to share a couple with those frosty morns this FOTO FRIDAY.

Whether it's upon art in the garden/

 even on the house...

Temporal but spectacular.

Last week did you catch HOLIDAY ZOOMING'S OVER

THE DIALOGUE HAS JUST BEGUN...

 TBT this week is actually going back way farther than just some hard working community members from the Waking Up White Collaborative and the Greater La Crosse Diversity Council. You see the problems that have created the need for these groups are deeply rooted in social justice. The recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have brought forth national protests against long-standing police brutality and systemic racism that permeates our country. 

Below pictured is a local effort by our area youth...

Even during the pandemic, work has continued to make our community more enlightened as to how our small Black community is still being treated even 50 years after the 60's Civil Rights's protests. So the Waking Up White Collaborative and the Greater La Crosse Diversity Council sponsored videographer Peter Moua's 2 videos of Amplifying the Voices of Black Youth and their Parents in the La Crosse Area which were premiered at a virtual free program  consisting of 2 evenings of viewing and breaking out in small group discussions with some 200 + community members in attendance.

Recounted by youth were daily incidents of non supportive school staff regarding behavior management, the use of the 'N' word, safety, need for equal respect with an inclusive Black history curriculum. 

Parents voiced their exhaustion of the constant need to put out the fires after their children's school days in addition to the worries of their community's reaction of having black neighbors, treatment of surveillance/value as business patrons, local police treatment, etc...

The hurt, frustration and anger we heard from both black parents and their youth is not unique to our small Midwestern town and until we truly hear the voices of these daily experiences of racism, bullying and stereotyping can we begin to have honest dialogues of why Black Lives Matter and change the environment, policies and practices which disproportionately impact black youth and their families. 

These videos will be made available to interested groups including schools, community businesses and organizations... The dialogue is crucial for change to happen.

DECEMBER, THE SEASON OF GIFT GIVING & ITS INSANITY

Every year at the end of December I pull out the pile of all the charitable requests which have arrived throughout the year, alphabetizing them and tossing out the many duplicates. And so begins the process of gift check writing. Donation amounts vary but usually are a multiple of the number 18, Chai - Life.  And as pledge calls were received, I repeated more than once  "all  donations will be made at the end of the year with an amount decision being made then." 'Then' did come a little earlier this year with that stimulus check as impetus... 

When that check arrived I did rationalize some small purchases as my intentions would be for those charitable organizations which would be hurting this year.  Since our social life has been on pause, not even eating out nor air travel, there's a bit extra to share too. It's the easiest kind of seasonal giving.

BUT it's the actual gift giving and purchasing which seem to cause folks a lot of anxiety and worry partially self inflicted but definitely a societal thing. You know like Cyber sales, Black Friday, Small business sale days, etc... with all that holiday music to boot. Santa lists and ads galore.

Yesterday an interesting article by Joshua Becker author of The More of Less, came my way with some interesting info regarding gift giving. 

Did you realize-

"50% of holiday shoppers overspend their holiday budget/ do not even have one?

28% of last year's gift shoppers are still paying off last year's debt?

Over 53% people report receiving unwanted gifts during Christmas? (That's $16 million worth of merchandise!)

18% of gifts are NEVER used by the receiver?

4% of gifts go immediately into the trash?

or that our society now lives in houses 3x bigger than 50 years ago and need to rent storage space/can't use their garages for their cars due to all their stuff?"

It is definitely time to rethink gift giving. Barrett has suggestions of revisiting the gift issue with family and friends as studies actually show people tend to buy what they want, when they feel like it.  I wish I had scaled down sooner. I, like many, don't need more of anything. But we have these holidays that emphasize gift giving...

I don't mind supporting the USPS but  shipping packages sometimes costs the same /more than the enclosed gift. It does seem a bit silly, doesn't it?

Well, get ready Family as you will be getting consumables this year bought from local vendors and donations made in your honor to Heifer International... 

Here's Barrett's article link and his suggestions if you'd like to read more... Is it time to rethink how we give gifts...

MONDAY MUSING: ZOOMING LEFTOVERS?

 Due to COVID-19 Thanksgiving 2020 couldn't be held like previous years. In fact, last year our home was fuller than usual as our kids had travelled from Atlanta, San Francisco and Madison to make Thanksgiving for us as Natureman had just had surgery a couple of weeks before.  The kids arrived with staples to make us a lovely Thanksgiving 2019. Natureman and I could just sit and enjoy our 2 year old granddaughter.

 BUT for Thanksgiving 2020 due to social distancing, tables all over our country were smaller with less bodies encircling them. The table was still set and traditional dishes were still made... We had to preserve some kind of normalcy, right?

It might have been a lot quieter at home in 2020 but many families congregated on Zoom to share their words of gratitude. We saw family members from Holland, Minnesota, different parts of California, Oregon, Ohio, D.C., Arkansas, Georgia and Massachusetts.  The conversation certainly matched the traditional bounty of food. And guess what? We survived.

Thanksgiving 2020 has come and gone without company to send food home with and a lot of us have been left with an abundance of Turkey Day leftovers.  Luckily, there are a lot of recipe ideas of how to incorporate those leftovers.  I don't know about you, but I actually tried some...

An entire stuffed turkey may not have been on our table but even a 5 lb Butterball breast with bones can have stuffing and provide a carcass to make a hearty tasty turkey soup. Add to that our garden swiss chard and sweet squash substituting for sweet potatoes. The additional twist was using leftover stuffing to make dumplings. Yes, they indeed do look like matzah balls!

 And then the following day some of the homemade cranberry sauce was blended with an equal amount of mayo to spread onto the turkey sandwich bread along with leftover stuffing adding another layer...

The taste of Thanksgiving all over again along with the memories of all those faces and conversations...

Those are definitely the best kind of leftovers...