Author Archives: Humor Happens

It’s late, and I wasn’t going to post tonight, but something happened. I’ve been worried about a few things all day, and trying to figure out the best possible course of action on each. Just a few moments ago, I remembered something I have not done today to help resolve my concerns: pray.

Dear Lord, I’m sorry I didn’t come to you earlier. Please help guide me. Amen!

Suddenly, I don’t have the answers, but I have something that will help find the answers. I now have relaxed shoulders, my neck is no longer stiff, and my frown turned up-side-down. Whatever is on your mind, I hope you’ll consider prayer or talking to your spirit guide or meditation (you get the idea) to release the weight and pressure. There is light in the darkness.

Today is a snow day from church. The snow was such a whirlwind, it was hard to see the neighbor’s home at times. My nephew plowed our driveway, and an hour later, my mom asked if I thought he would do it. I told her had done it an hour ago. I went to the window to see, and she was right, if I hadn’t witnessed him plowing, I wouldn’t have been sure either. Now, schools are already closing for tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the evening.

Today, I’m thankful for much:

1. A warm home with warm cocoa and fuzzy blankets.
2. Kitties to curl up by my side as I read under the covers while the wind howls and the snow blows.
3. Blankets fresh out of the dryer.

So many good reads! Where to start? Recently…

1. Giving thanks for Angelina’s Bachelor’s by Brian O’Reilly. It is an enticing book of recipe’s far beyond my abilities, the five senses of food fully described, friendship that lasts, and hope for goodness.
2. Giving thanks for The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee. It’s a children’s book with few words and gentle drawings. I asked my mom to read it too, and she said, “That farmer is just like you’re dad. He would have done that too.” Now this book means even more than it did just a few minutes before she said those heart touching words! Only because she’s right, he would have.
3. Giving thanks for Unfinished Business by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson and read by Kathy Poelker. A well written and well read story of celestial beings and a mother’s love. It made me feel better about my recently passed kitty, eleven-years passed dad, and all who have gone before.

What books are you thankful for of late?

Giving thanks, or am I?

1. Thankful apples are only in season three months per year. Even though I live in an apple orchard, so glad the other 9  months I don’t have to try to like them because they’re not fresh. They do make for fine photos.
2. Thankful there are other flavors of sherbet besides orange. Goodness comes in raspberry.
3. Thankful movies come in forms other than 3D. Nauseous isn’t my favorite state in which to watch a movie.

Today, instead of thanks to give, I have prayers to request:

1. A dear family member has stomach cancer. Your prayers are appreciated.
2. A neighbor is being tested for pancreatic cancer. Your prayers are appreciated.
3. A young family member had his heart broken by a long-time girlfriend. He’s also away from home, so the comfort of his family isn’t nearby. Your prayers are appreciated.

Everyone needs a bit of light. Please help shine some light with prayers.

Today I witnessed a traditional church wedding. I haven’t been to one in a long, long while. I’ve been to weddings recently, but those have been in wedding halls, in nature’s theater, or homes. Of course, God is there witnessing all of these, but it was pleasant to be a part of a church wedding again. The reception at our local country club didn’t hurt either! The best part, is that I now have a new niece and we find her family delightful.

1. Giving thanks for the wedding of Dan and Danielle. Beautiful in every way, every moment, and every dance.
2. Giving thanks for photos of family. Especially group shots of siblings and cousins.
3. Giving thanks for the bride who found a place in Grand Rapids to make a tiered, gluten-free wedding cake. It was gorgeous, tasty, and she didn’t get sick.

If you wouldn’t mind doing so, the bride has an opportunity for a job that is right up her alley, please take a moment and pray that this becomes hers.

Today I came home and went looking for my Daisy kitty. That hole in my heart from her move to Heaven was on the mend a tiny bit, but it split wide open again when I remembered where she is now. Today I am thankful for…

• Sixteen years and one month with my dear Daisy kitty.
• Daffodil who is here today and praying she stays around for a while (so long as I can continue convincing her to eat the medicated food she loathes so very much (it does smell icky)).
• Joy, Merry, and my mom. They’re all here too, in the flesh and fur. Company is good (even if Merry is cleaning each toe individually on mom’s lap right now, and mom isn’t so thrilled with this type of pedicure).

Things change as I age. Some get better, and some worse. One thing that changes is my enjoyment of certain foods. I’ve never been a fan of lemons, but the older I get, the more adamant I get that the flavor is icky. Other things get better. After a family dinner where an excellent cook brought a dish of Brussels Spouts, I tried them because they had interesting seasoning and pine nuts. Since then, I have fallen for those mini cabbages with a much stronger flavor.

Two years ago when I took a picture of them at a market, I felt that the little sign labeling them “Little Green Balls of Death” was 100% accurate. Today, I am buying them and trying different recipe’s (within my repertoire of four ingredients or less).

Today, I am thankful for…

1. My mom who told me to try it, even if you don’t think you’ll like it, every time it is served.
2. My family for growing a luscious garden.
3. My God for giving us fun and weird green things to eat. He definitely has a sense of humor.

Today I had to call an insurance company. There is nothing I despise more than NOT getting a real person on the phone when I’m already frustrated and have a question to ask. None of the options that (a) I am to enter by selecting number or (b) (much worse) speak a word or phrase applied to the situation.

This is how it went today.

1. I needed to change the billing card on file for my prescriptions. It wouldn’t work. I followed the directions four times, and no go.
2. Of course, the number for assistance is not on the website. The website says to contact the number for my prescription coverage on the medical insurance card.
3. There is no number of the card for me, as a participant. It’s only for providers. I called that number, and they said to call my insurance company’s help desk. (Have you played “pass the buck” lately?)
4. I called the insurance help desk, and they said they would forward me to the prescription coverage company.
5. There I ran into the “speak only” system to supposedly direct me to the correct department. The options were to (a) request coverage, (b) pay a bill, or (c) submit a claim. No where was there an option to change the billing information or update the account. Each of these three options led me further way from the goal set about 45 minutes ago.
6. I did my trick to get to a being of my own species on the telephone: I pressed 0 about a dozen times.
7. Then I ended up on hold for about five minutes.
8. When I finally had a real person, she couldn’t make it happen either.
9. I was then transferred to her supervisor, who could also not make it happen.
10. End result: I’ll receive a call back tomorrow or the next day.

Is this progress? I think not. I am so full of frustration, I feel stuffed like an animal after taxidermy.

Therefore, what am I thankful today?

1. I did not swear (while talking to a person) during any of this.
2. I did not break my pen while waiting on hold again and again.
3. I survived to tell you about it!

And now I take my twitching eye and head to bed. Sweet dreams!