Pretty Is As Pretty Does

This line from 14th century literature which was used extensively in Home Economics classes in the mid-1960s to teach us manners. Or mannerisms. What brought this to mind is feelings I have over reading that my grandchildren, at least a couple of them anyway, are looking for 'relationships' in life, not just one night stands.  Or one week stands...whatever is the norm for 'stands' these days. I'm not sure they could define what is meant by a relationship. The definition of 'relationship' sure has changed over the last few decades. I think what they mean is that they are looking for validation. Someone to see that yet undiscovered by another human being specialness they have. Their wow factor. Remember The Partridge Family with Florence Henderson and Robert Reed? My son watched reruns of that show over and over in the early 80s. It's popularity along with other similiar shows was probably partly because the interpersonal relationships and the validation they gave one another. They talked out loud instead of sending each other typed messages. Each one was unique with their own voice, their own mannerisms, their own strengths and weaknesses. They each had their own wow factor. Texting, profane music, hooking up...how can my granddaughter's quirky sense of humor shine through this? Or my grandson's sensitivity in one on one situations?  As a politician said "never let a crisis go to waste". This inability for the unique personality to shine through in today environment is definitely a crisis I think. Younger people are feeling it. I hope they don't let it go to waste and that they find a solution. I hope they realize that "pretty is as pretty does" and everyone is still looking for it even if they don't know it. Wow.

Learning New Stuff

Today I was on a crochet site reading how much the addition of diagrams has helped those who crochet and have dyslexia. Dyslexia is defined as a learning disability. This first got me thinking about how lucky those with dyslexia are to have the addition of diagrams to work from. Then, I started to think about if crochet was first presented in ONLY diagrams. I would not be a crocheter! I don't get diagrams, I get the printed pattern. From my understanding, diagrams look to me how the printed word looks to those with dyslexia. So, is my understanding of the printed pattern right and the addition of the stitch diagram, which appears to be added as an after thought, wrong? Actually, I think right and wrong depends on which foot the shoe is on. Or which way we first experience things in life. Maybe the old adage "if at first you don't succeed, try try again" has more meaning than on the surface. If at first we don't succeed, try try another method. Diagrams, maybe...

Not My Cup Of Tea

Maybe the title of this blog is misleading. It isn't about tea at all. It is about what is being called 'interactive dining'.  It goes like this...you go in this new restaurant, get a bowl and go down the line. While in this line we pick out our vegetable, our starch, our protein, and even our sauce. After that I don't know what we do with our bowl because they completely lost me at 'sauce'. When I go out to eat, I want things peaceful, relaxing with no challenges. I know things need to change and we need to keep them fresh and new! I'm all for it. I remember the first motel...yes, they called them motels back in the middle of the 20th century...that put a swimming pool out front. It was called 'The Colony Motel'.  I just thought that was the coolest thing. I also remember the first McDonald's ever where I grew up. My dad drove us there.  I was elected to stand in the long line of this fresh new idea of a restaurant with a list of what they wanted on their hamburgers. Hamburgers were 15c, cheeseburgers were 20c...no condiment choices. You get what you get and like it or go somewhere else. Unfortunately, there was no 'someplace else' to go to. I don't remember ever having to stand in line at McDonald's ever again. I guess my parents didn't like this new challenge of a restaurant. I wonder where I get that attitude.  

Big and Little

I read an article in the news the other day that ONLY 30% of 10th graders can put the following in order according to size: United States, North America, California, Los Angeles. I think this is more a commentary on the times then it is on a teacher's ability these days. At least I think they still teach geography.


Back in the middle of the 20th century, they had these big pull down maps that took up almost the entire blackboard space. Anyone who was around at that time and in school might remember how they would suddenly snap and roll up on their own volition scaring the begeebers out of the teacher and kids in class. At that time, we were totally reliant on paper products. Paper maps, paper bound books, paper to figure out our math...you name it,  if we used it in school it involved paper. This led us who came from that day and age the marvelous ability to recognize states, countries, etc. simply by their outline!


The kids of today....which include my own 40 year old kid...don't know what they are missing. They find their way around with 'turn by turn' directions on their smart phones, or someone urging them over their GPS to 'slow down for a left hand turn in exactly 100 feet'. On the other hand, they can find their way around and I can't. If it isn't written on a 8x11" piece of paper, I just don't get it.