Out and About – Week of May 23rd

This Friday is our tenth anniversary. This will not make the front page of a newspaper, because being married for ten years is nothing compared to someone being married fifty or more. I mention this because we’ve both been married before, so we realize what can happen if you don’t consistently work together to make the marriage a success. I used to think that marriage was all kissing and hugging. I’ve never been one for confrontation. Actually, I’ll do anything I can to avoid an argument. It has taken me a long time to realize that arguments, or disagreements, are needed from time to time. Having a brief “spat” has benefits. Once the dust has settled, that’s when the hugging and kissing come in. I’ve learned a lot being married and I’ll continue to learn something every day. One way to avoid most arguments can be done by saying just two words: “Yes, Dear”.
In order to have a successful marriage, your relationship should be quite solid. Relationships are like a truck. When you get a flat tire, you don’t go out and buy a new truck. You fix the flat tire. I’ve had more than my share of flat tires in my life time.
I’d like to take a class in conversational Spanish. In high school, I had two years of Spanish, but that was a while ago, so I’d have difficulty surviving in Mexico or Spain. I’m pretty sure I have mastered the English language. I try my best to use proper grammar, so when I come across improper use of it, it touches a nerve. I feel that I am missing out on a lot of today’s terms. I am not a fan of Twitter, so I do not know, nor do I care to know, when and how to use the term hash-tag. The symbol for hash-tag has always been the pound sign to me. I guess I still have a lot to learn in order to stay current in our language.
Another language that seems to be popular here in Michigan is Californianese. “Dude” and “Like” are the most popular words in Californianese. Here is an example of what you might hear: “Hey, Dude! Like you should have been there. Like, it was an awesome experience. Like, it really bummed me out. Like, you hear what I’m saying?”
I’m sure my parents had difficulty listening to us back in the day. I don’t think they were ever “Cool” or “Hip”. You catch my drift, Daddy-O? The times, they are constantly a changing, and we must all learn to adapt just a little.

Seven Blunders of the World That Lead to Violence (Mahatma Gandhi):
Wealth without Work; Pleasure without Conscience; Knowledge without Character;
Commerce without Morality; Science without Humanity; Worship without Sacrifice;
and Politics without Principle. I particularly like the seventh blunder.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman