Category: LIFESTYLE

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sticks n stones

Yeah, I can still hear my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Snyder, belt out in her high pitched teaching voice, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Mrs. Snyder was quite the moralist, had an opinion about everything and her opinion was usually based on her strong religious upbringing. Today, more than ever, I appreciate the tradition of my community and family because it empowered a man to use his God-given brain to choose a proper course for his life.

Well, Mrs. Snyder was wrong. Words can break a man. Words of ridicule, judgement, infidelity, dishonesty, prejudice and hatred can be devastating. Words can diminish a man’s worth in his community. Lies, innuendo, gossip can wipe out in a heartbeat a lifetime of character building and decency. But more significantly, words can destroy relationships.

I smile when someone calls me a liberal, a snowflake or woke. I wave back when someone points a middle finger at me because of the decals on my truck indicating my political choices. And I refuse to engage with people who use their version of God to justify their lies and hatred.

But even Gabby has to draw the line at some point. Do not ever, again I say ever, think it’s OK to call me a godless, communist Democrat and expect our relationship to endure and continue as before. It ain’t gonna happen, bro.

And Gabby says Amen.

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PROTECT YOURSELF…..and me

Remember when mom or dad scolded you for touching the hot burner on the stove after they had repeatedly warned about the resulting burn? Guys, remember when dad advised you about easy, unprotected back seat sex and Dr. Wilson had to prescribe penicillin? Sure, we’ve all been there and done that.

But, we learned our lessons, didn’t we? Our discomfort and need for medical intervention made us wiser and better prepared for our next adventure in immaturity. We also learned to heed the advice of those who loved us enough to guide us in paths of conventional wisdom.

So, with today’s revelations that the POTUS and FLOTUS have tested positive for covid-19, should we smile and gloat, should we pray on bended knees for speedy recoveries, should we apply political ramifications to their unfortunate situation?

No, we should be learning another lesson. The scientists have been telling us for months how to protect ourselves, just like daddy did years ago. We all read the headlines and listen to the news. It is our duty to heed truthful scientific direction advising us how to stop this virus, how to protect ourselves and others from this devastating scourge. Maintain social distancing, avoid public gathering places where the unmaskers display their rights to infect us or kill us and themselves as well.

Wear that mask in public places whether it is attractive on your face or not, comfortable or not. Put off your celebration at the bar if it means congregating with people who don’t believe in the scientific evidence. Attend the church of your choice online in a virtual service. The Lord whom you praise will bless you for caring enough about his/her other children to stay at home and worship safely.

Covid-19 is deadly. It cannot be cured with an antibiotic or a soothing burn ointment. Bleach and lysol may be effective but, are not meant for human ingestion. A drug for malaria will not work either. The only known prophylactic is common sense…..and a mask.

Be whom your mom and dad raised you to be. Listen to the advice of experts, not political opportunists . My life and yours depend on it. I’m an old man, but not yet ready to die alone in a hospital on a ventilator.