Category: Articles

Hallmark Holidays

by Lynn, posted in Articles, Musings

I really dislike Hallmark Holidays. For years we have been conditioned to think that once a year, in celebration of love, we need cards to say the things that we should say everyday, or candy, flowers, or jewelry to show undying love.

It’s not just about the cheesiness of it, but also about the manipulation of it. We are constantly being manipulated into thinking that we need to do, say, or feel a certain way.

Just sit with that awhile. The realization that you are, or have been played for years should be enough to provoke a few palm head slaps. 🤦

You have choices. Sure picking up a card, or flowers is the easy way out, but is it really what your love wants?

Note: As I’m typing this my 8 year old grand daughter entered the room wanting to know if I got her a valentines gift. And so begins a new generation of hallmark holidays 🤦

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Finding Joy in Homemaking

by Lynn, posted in Articles, Musings

Homemaking use to be a way of living. Women took pride in their homemaking skills, and hosted dinner parties, garden parties, afternoon teas. They were not always as happy as they appeared, but it was not acceptable to express unhappiness, or complain so they also enjoyed the occasional afternoon alcoholic beverage.

In the 70s with more women heading to work, the need to balance it all and bring home the bacon became even more stressful. The art of homemaking fell away.

Fast forward to the Pinterest era.

Suddenly homemaking becomes fun again. From diy gardening inspiration to recipes for triple layer cakes the Pinterest movement has revived the joy in making a home feel like a home.

There are other differences in homemaking today. It’s no longer something with rules, or strict schedules. It’s fun, it brings joy, there’s a sense of accomplishment, and when we share the tasks with others, it promotes bonding.

So fluff the pillows, rearrange the furniture , line your cabinets. It’s okay if it’s not perfect, it took me a lot of years to unlearn that.

Living in a Ala-Cart World

by Lynn, posted in Articles

I understand why people, and food based businesses are feeding government workers.. I don’t understand why this isn’t done for all unemployed, children that can’t afford school lunches, the homeless. I just don’t get it.

We live in such a screwed up world, and we are the ones screwing it up.

I understand the need to belong, to be heard. I don’t understand why it’s so important to put down another when you are protesting, or trying to achieve your own goals.

I totally get being driven to buy the shiney new thing of the moment. Every holiday, every special occasion, every new thing. Just stop being sold to. The majority starts with one. I just don’t get it. I don’t understand why we are allowing ourselves to be so easily influenced.

I don’t understand why people care if Tom down the street smokes. I just don’t get it. Stop discriminating. Everyone is discriminating. Stop it. Many businesses won’t hire Tom if he uses nicotine. Seriously? That should apply to alcohol too. A drug is a drug. Nicotine, alcohol, prescription meds, street drugs, sugar. It’s ala cart, and people are discriminating against Tom.

As a cradle Catholic I dont understand why others still support the church. How can Jesus possibly be in a place that has harmed so many children. I’m pretty certain Jesus doesn’t support the church. I totally do not get it.

We have become a cafeteria world where kindness is given to some, empathy to few, and generosity only when it’s in the spotlight.

The Epidemic of Silence

by Lynn, posted in Articles

Silence is golden. It isn’t polite to discuss religion. It’s inappropriate to talk politics. The cliches’ of generations, and the timeless etiquettes have all come to the proverbial fork in the road.

Sure, it’s still good manners to not discuss certain sensitive subjects in some situations. Of course, it’s better to listen well, and to be silent in some situations. However, it is situational.

The problem is that we confuse silence with being complacent. In today’s world of social media we have grown more afraid of offending others. So afraid that we allow them to silence us. When we are silent, they become louder.

Right now there are marches, protests, women wearing pink vagina hats, yelling and chanting. They are loud, filled with a purpose, and probably really cold. They do not speak for all women. Actually, it’s embarrassing. But you wouldn’t know that they are not representing all women because of the silence.

It’s the same with a lot of current issues. It seems to be an epidemic. I know a Trump supporter who will not say that she is a supporter. The last time that she did she was verbally attacked. Socially bullied.

I’ve seen instances when one group becomes so loud about their rights, that the rights of others are denied. This happens because of silence.

Small groups seem like the majority group because they are loudest. It’s a bully mentality. The silent group becomes the quiet child in a school yard. Which child gets the attention?

It’s time that the quiet, peace keepers, meek and bullied speak out.