Some of our best philosophies are rooted in the words of wisdom spoken by persons of note or the elderly. Those individuals who have earned a position of respect often provide simple but effective quotes which live long after they have departed this world. The elderly are heard by virtue of their having been through life’s journey and, thus, have “seen things.”
At my age, I have come to that latter category, and I hope that things I have shared with people have been helpful. They will do no good once I have gone, which in this world and at my age can happen at any time. So now is the best moment to share a handful of things I have made note of. Here are a few tidbits for your consideration.
The way to tell the difference between the defamatory terms libel and slander is this: libel would be found in a library, as it is written, while slander is spoken.
A watched pot boils at the same rate as the one you walk away from, but you avoid disaster by waiting for it to agitate rather than walking away from it. Always tend food on an active stovetop.
Archie Bunker and Mike Stivic argued over this in All in the Family, but it’s logical to put on both of any kind of hosiery first, then the outer footwear. You can run for your life in stockinged feet (and take the shoes with you), but one bare foot is bound to find a sharp object before the clad one. Also, if your feet get dirty, you can put the socks in the wash and put on new ones, rather than wash your feet. Or you can put bare feet in the shoes. Sorry, Mike.
If the ice cream truck arrives at dinnertime, put the dessert course first. In my area, Mister Softee always seems to come at 6:00.
Let the other guy go first. If something happens, you have extra time to avoid it, but they will be in the firing line. This is especially true in traffic.
If you find your own saliva disgusting and tend to spit frequently, consider changing what goes into your mouth.
If you woke up wearing it, don’t go out the front door wearing it.
People who are opposed to vaccines for whatever reason still do hypocritical things like carry umbrellas and insurance policies. I can’t explain why they are like this, but since I am innoculated, I find them mildly annoying and perhaps shortsighted, but not worth the argument.
The difference between some of the speeches from our top elected official and those of the character Commander McBragg in the Tennessee Tuxedo and his Tales cartoon series is. . . .wait, is there a difference? Honestly, though, is it possible to get through an elected term without being caught with one’s foot in their mouth at least once?
At the start of every school year, if all the students got to hear Fred Rogers’ affirmation that they are each special in their own way, I think the year would get off to a good start. There is also the episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in which he shared a foot soak in a kiddie pool with Officer Clemmons, who was a Black character at a time (among many, past and present) when race was a hot topic. Finally, there was the inclusive episode with a paralyzed ten-year-old named Jeff Erlanger, who appeared on the show in his electric powered wheelchair, and they sang a song together. Kids who understand uniqueness may not be as inclined to bully or doubt their own abilities and shortcomings. Understand others, and you understand yourself.
That’s enough for one sitting. If you read through all of these, you may be my age and still have the patience to spend a few minutes reading something long without a TLDR reduction. You may also be a sensible person who has discipline and likes to experience what other people have to say about life. It’s a talent that is fading with the generations. Thank goodness we have the old books from the greats to fall back upon.
AI can’t give you these tips as effectively. No matter how old it gets.
