A short story that may amuse you and also teach you a thing or two.

By Olivene Godfrey

To get along with others in this world we need to be tactful.
That has been defined many times, such as Howard W. Newton's, "The knack of making a point without making an enemy."

Awhile back I read about a very tactful husband. His young bride prided herself on being a good cook. One day she baked a pie for dessert. The minute she took the pie from the oven she realized something had gone wrong. But, it was too late to prepare another dessert so she served it anyway. To her surprise her husband praised it to the sky.

A few weeks later she decided to bake the same pie again since her husband had obviously enjoyed eating the first one. This time she watched her recipe carefully. And,  she was very proud of the pie when she removed it from the oven.

Her husband ate it with obvious relish but said nothing. After awhile she said, " That first pie was terrible and yet you praised it. But, this one is good and you just sit there and say nothing, why?"

Her husband paused, thinking for a few moments, then explained,"
That first pie really needed praising."

I suppose the husband's tactful praise could have backfired on him. If the second pie, and perhaps many more in years to come, had turned out like the first one he might have regretted his action.

See you next time.

Tam meets Kym – finally

By Olivene Godfrey

The "event" had been planned for months and yesterday afternoon
Tam and Kym finally met and seemed to "hit it off" which pleased Barry and myself.

Every six months, I see my blood doctor in Calhoun, which is about 25 miles south of Dalton where Barry's shop is located.
Six months ago, Barry suggested that Tam drive me to his shop on her way home on the date we saw the doctor. Tam and Kym had wanted to meet then but Kym had a business appointment. So, when we made the trip yesterday afternoon, Kym visited with us and we appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to visit with us. She's in sales for the shop and is often out of the office.

Barry and I had a nice trip to Calhoun and only had to wait a short time before seeing the doctor.  I had lab work done at my Chatsworth's doctor,s office last week and took a copy of the report so the Calhoun doctor could read it. I wasn't eligible for a booster shot as the doctor said everything on the report was perfect. That didn't explain my fatigue which I often have and it may be as my Chatsworth doctor told me, that just being 84 years old could be the reason for some of my aches and pains.

Once again, I am reminded of the young man who asked an elderly made how it felt to be old.  The old man replied that he felt like a young man with something terrible wrong with him.
And I feel the same way.


See you next time.

Small Things

By Olivene Godfrey

When you are burdened with problems, there is much to be said for small things. A smile is a small thing. Yet, it gives comfort. A thought can be a small thing.  But, its consoling to know someone is thinking of you. Hope is sometimes a small thing. But, one tiny glimmer of hope can lift us out of the deepest pit of darkness. One whisper of encouragement will help us to know that as long as there's hope there is a good chance.

Then, a wish is a small thing. Like a prayer, a smile and hope, it encourages us to believe that all is not lost.  Its in small things that great things are formed, as in little beginnings are the possibilities of great events. Courage must have an everyday face, not just for special occasions. Whatever we have to meet there is something within us to help us to meet it.

It is wise not to wait until we are faced with tragedy to build that courage, to tap it to know what it is and turn it into a product that will serve its purpose. I've always heard its darkest just before dawn, that fear, worry, tensions, can last so long. And then the light of dawn breaks through. But, when we are troubled the darkness holds only the most frightening possibilities. And, we feel as if the night will never end.


But, the fact that we aren't alone gives comfort, for no matter what we are experiencing, someone else has been there before. And often after we emerge from the night we are better persons.
And we learn that its important, to have faith in the darkness just as it's easy to have faith in sunshine.

Most persons are familiar with the prayer. Grant us courage to change what can be changed. Grant us patience to endure what cannot be changed; grant us to know the one from the other, In a little book I once read and can’t recall the author, gave a different version from the original prayer. I wrote it down and it goes: " Grant us serenity to accept what we cannot change, Until we can change what we cannot accept. "

QUOTE:"

 Sometimes the faults you see in others are only a reflection of your own. Anon

See you next time.

REFLECTIONS ON PAST WEEK

By Olivene Godfrey

Last week, I watched a movie Barry had recorded for me.
And I've found that actors mumble in even the best of modern movies. Before we had closed caption, it was hard for me to understand the dialogue even while wearing my hearing aids.
My favorite movies of all time are Gone With the Wind and
The Godfather.

Tam is recovering from bronchitis and she had to stay at home one day last week. After seeing a doctor, when she got a shot and prescription for antibiotics, she started feeling better.
I hope she’ll soon be her old self. I strongly believe that God sent Tam to care for me at this time in my life. I enjoy
talking to her on a variety of subjects and I'm continually amazed how we agree on many subjects. If I were younger I would write a book and title it The Saga of Tam. Last week I was talking about horses and she surprised me anew by telling me that she once owned a horse farm. She is indeed a fascinating person and is modest about her achievements.  I've known her about a year and she continues to surprise me and I'm so fortunate to have her friendship.

Last week, Barry impulsively bought a package of Mayfield's mini ice cream sandwiches. We hadn’t eaten any in years. I savored every bite and I had forgotten how real sugar and ice cream taste. Yummie!

Most of us have heard that the person who doesn't look you directly in the eye is dishonest. But, scientists say that isn't necessarily true. People feel it's disconcerting to hold an eye-to-eye confrontation without looking away occasionally. 
And there are plenty of con artists who can look you squarely in the eye while trying to con you out of your life savings.
You need to look for other give-away trait in those kind of people.

See you next time.