Is It Your Way, or the Highway?

I like to listen.  I have learned a great deal from listening carefully.  Most people never listen.  ~
Ernest Hemingway


I like to hear people tell their stories.  Especially elderly people .  The elderly have the best stories these days.  About the good old days you know.  Even though I know in my mind , that 75 years ago life wasn't necessarily any better, but it is the colored glasses through which they see it.  It is so much fun to see the world through those glasses for a time.  When I was younger, I had a real problem seeing something through someone else's eyes.  I usually had an opinion  of my own, and it was my way, or the highway.  If I was right, I was right, dadgum it, and there was no getting around it.  But , I have learned in the last 15 years or so, that I am not always right, (shocker!!)  , and that other people do have something interesting to say.  Now, I suppose listening is my favorite hobby.  Even if you don't agree with someone, or you can prove they are wrong, doesn't mean you should just talk over them.  God has funny ways of showing us new things sometimes.  It might be in a conversation with someone else.  If you are right, right, right, all the time, it is very difficult to learn anything new.  Sometimes it pays to just close our mouths, and listen.  I am still working on this every day!


God , give us wisdom and patience with others~  Ruby Jeanette

Have You Ever Seen a Murder of Crows?

I like weird facts.  I think the English language has some of the most interesting words and phrases, and it's fun to find out new things about it.  Here are some actual names of animals in groups.  (Yes, a group of crows is really called a murder!)

An OBSTINACY of BUFFALO

A SLOTH of BEARS

A GANG of ELK

A BUSINESS of FERRETS

A SKULK of FOXES

A TOWER of GIRAFFES

A BLOAT of HIPPOS

A PRICKLE of PORCUPINES

A COVER of COOTS

A STAND of FLAMINGOS

A PARLIAMENT of OWLS

AN UNKINDNESS of RAVENS

A KNOT of TOADS


Wonder who came up with some of these names?
Just for fun !

Ruby Jeanette

Sticks and Stones?

I just want to start by saying , I am sure I have said my share of hurtful things to others.  I am not perfect.  There was only ONE who was.  But , I want to say something about all the negativity I've seen posted on places like FaceBook, and things like that.  I am not sure when it became o.k. to assassinate someone else's character on a public platform.  The things that I have seen posted lately are atrocious.  I am really not that old, but I can remember when this would not have been acceptable.  I remember being taught if you have a beef with a person , you go to that person, and tell them so.  I have a big mouth, I'll be the first to admit it.  But if you have got something hurtful to say, you should have the guts to say it in person.  If you want to lie about someone, do it with them right there, so they can call you on it, or at least tell their side.  Why is this behaviour tolerated?  When did it become politically correct to be so snarky, and  basically hateful?  When I was little that was considered Kindergarten behaviour, and when you grew up, you were expected to act like an adult.  Words are extremely hurtful, and can cause pain beyond your wildest imaginings.  I have been in pain physically many times, and that always goes away.  But the words we use to stab other people, those wounds do not heal .  You will always remember the things that someone said to cut you.  The internet is a wild and mostly fun place.  It can be used to uplift or destroy.  To kill or heal.  What will you use this power for?  


Here's to kindness for our fellow human beings~  Ruby Jeanette

My Nan's Favorite Sayings~

I have a real good friend who always has some interesting sayings, here are just a few.  She is in her 80's so she has the experience to back these sayings up!  I love you Nan!


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Kiss me quick, and let me go.  Yonder come Paw with the grubbin' hoe.

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Here we sit all fat and chunky.  Ate two cats and swallered a monkey.

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From the day you are born til you ride in a hearse, things are never so bad that they couldn't be worse.

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I love you , I love you, I love you, I do,
Do not get excited , I love monkeys too.

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Apples in the kitchen, peaches on the shelf,
I'm gettin' good and tired, of sleepin' by myself.

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He that thinketh by the inch, and speaketh by the yard, oughter be kicked by the foot.

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A bell's not a bell til you ring it, a song's not a song til you sing it,
Love was not put in our heart to stay,
Love isn't love til you give it away.



Here's to my Nan~  Ruby Jeanette

For the Farmer~

This is a poem I wrote when my Grandpa was in the hospital in 2000.  He was my friend, my gardening teacher, my boss in the summer growing season, my driving tutor , my guidance counselor, and so many other things I couldn't list them all.  When I wrote this poem, I was praying for him to get better, but he died the next day.  I was 8 months pregnant with his great -grandson.  Grandpa, we can't wait to see you again,   We love you!   P.



For the Farmer~

Lord, I've got a favor,
to ask of You today.
It's not for me, but I guess
it kind of is, in a way.
My Grandpa's sick , I guess You know,
in quite a bit of pain.
And so I ask, for You to help,
him feel better for today.
But, if to make him well again,
is not what 's in Your plan,
Please Lord, take him on with You,
and hold him by the hand.
His life's been hard, that I know,
he's struggled many years.
His body's tired, his hands have wiped,
his eyes of many tears.
So , I guess I've one more favor,
to ask of You today.
It might not seem like much , Lord,
for you to make a way.
But, when he gets up there with You,
and finally holds Your hand,
I wonder if you might give him,
a piece of farmin' land.
He grows the best tomatoes , Lord,
okra, corn, and peas.
But, down here Lord, it seems to me,
it never grows with ease.
So, up there on his new place,
let it all grow big and strong.
Let his heart be filled with joy,
and days never be too long.
Let him know we love him,
and we're waiting for the day,
we all can be together,
and always stay that way.


Ruby Jeanette

Did You Lose Your Funny Bone?~

When humor goes...there goes civilization.  ~ Erma Bombeck


I have noticed that there is a significant lack of good humor lately.  I love to laugh, I love to hear a good joke, and tell a good joke.  I have never taken myself , or life all that seriously.   It has kept me alive.  When you are in the hospital, and they tell you a disease might be killing you, it doesn't seem like you should be cracking jokes.  But , I guess that hilarity is as appropriate an emotion as any, at a time like that. Some people don't see it that way.  I was at a garage sale a couple of summers ago, when a woman commented on how well-behaved my children were.  I jokingly replied, "Well, I beat them all the time." The woman thought I was serious!  She gave me "the look".  You know which one I'm talking about.  The "You are gum on my shoe."  look.   I didn't really think about it at the time, but I get that people really do beat their kids. But, I was so obviously kidding I 'm not sure why she took me so seriously.  My dad and I also got "the look" when we were in the hospital waiting room.  I was waiting to go back and get prepped for surgery.  Now, my dad is a very funny guy.  We were telling each other our newest stories, and we were laughing, and having a great time.   We weren't being loud or disorderly, just having fun.  Now , this one couple in there was giving us "the look".  It said "How dare you be having a good time in here?!"  And I understand , hospitals can be tragic places, I have been in enough of them , and in them for long enough, to understand that.  I had a miscarriage at 3 and a half months along ,an emergency c-section, an appendectomy, another c-section, a hysterectomy, and many, many lengthy stays in the hospital.  So I get that hospitals can be scary , emotional environments.  But, what better way to deal with your emotions?  Humor is a wonderful thing.... and can carry you through some rough spots.  I know it probably seems morbid, or strange, but it helps me cope with the everyday stress of having a serious illness.  It has helped me to see that there is so much more to life than being sick. And I am so glad that I can view it with a lighter heart!


Here' s to those people with "the look ".  May God grant them a sense of humor in their darkest hour.
Ruby Jeanette

Random thoughts given at random~

Eat right.  Stay fit.   Die anyway.

The things that come to those who wait, are the things that were left by those who got there first.

Flashlight- A case for holding dead batteries.

Shin- A device for finding furniture in the dark.

It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats.


Food for thought! ~  Ruby Jeanette