Here’s To The Roaring Twenties! December 27, 2019
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, People.comments closed
The 1920’s brought in a decade of change, known as the Roaring Twenties:
The Roaring Twenties got their name from the exuberant, freewheeling popular culture that defines the decade. The most obvious examples of this are jazz bands and flappers.
It was the decade that bought dramatic social and political change, flare and freedom to women, and advances in science and technology.
Also known as the Jazz Age, the decade of the 1920s featured economic prosperity and carefree living for many. The 1920s was a decade of change that began with a roar and ended with a crash.
Maybe the 2020’s will be a reprise!
Let’s hope the decade doesn’t end with a *CRASH*
Happy New Year . . . and Decade!
Need A Lyft? December 23, 2019
Posted by nrhatch in Mindfulness, People.comments closed
If you plan to use Uber or Lyft over the holidays (or thereafter), this is a useful read with good tips:
Staying Safe When Using Ride Hailing Services (Consumer Reports)
Merry Christmas!
Life Continues After Death December 19, 2019
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Life Balance, People.comments closed
An Iowa convict convicted of murder in 1997 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole filed his third petition for post-conviction relief on his own behalf, without counsel.
He claimed that, during a 2015 hospitalization, he was legally dead for a period of time before he was revived by the doctors’ efforts.
Therefore, he argued, his “death” completed his life sentence, and he should be free to go.
The courts did not buy his argument:
The district court granted the state’s motion to dismiss the petition without an evidentiary hearing, and refused to appoint counsel for him. On appeal, the Court of Appeals of Iowa, in an opinion by Judge Amanda Potterfield, affirmed the lower court’s decision.
She wrote, “Schreiber is either still alive, in which case he must remain in prison, or he is actually dead, in which case this appeal is moot.” She further noted that since Schreiber had signed the PCR application and his motion for reconsideration, the latter did not seem likely.
Aah . . . poetic justice!
Source: Disciplinary Board, PA Supreme Court, December 2019 Newsletter
O Little Town of Bethlehem December 9, 2019
Posted by nrhatch in Animals, Happiness, Humor, People.comments closed
We joined a Bethlehem Walk last night at a local church.
The re-creation was authentic down to the last detail (except for the Christmas lights decorating the “inns,” the microphones, the loudspeakers, and the asphalt upon which Mary & Joseph trudged while looking for shelter).
The event, oddly reminiscent of Noah’s Ark, included 2 spitting llamas, 2 Aflac-ing ducks, 2 bleating goats and a miniature horse who remained silent for the duration (no doubt annoyed that his mate had stood him up).
We sang carols (off key of course) while diners seated on the outside patio at The Waterfront restaurant looked on in awe.
After Mary & Joseph got settled into “the stable,” they invited us in to meet the star of the show ~> Baby Jesus!
Following a brief introduction to the bonny boy, the people who peopled the procession stayed to enjoy cookies, sandwiches and chips (a menu served at all the finest establishments in Bethlehem back in the day).
I doubt it will become an annual tradition for us, but it was an eclectic ecclesiastic event.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Yes, I Am Postive! December 5, 2019
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Life Balance, Mindfulness.comments closed
Want to be a more positive person . . . along with all the perky perks that entails?
Here are 6 tips:
Reframe or Divert ~ Accept what you cannot change. You can shake your fist at the sky all you want, but it won’t stop the rain from falling. Look for opportunities among the obstacles. Find the silver lining.
Savor the Good ~ Focus on the positives. Enjoy the luxury of a sunny day. Relish your meal. Enjoy the tastes, sights, and sounds around you. Be Mindful of the present of the present.
Set Reminders ~ Flexing your positivity muscle is a habit-in-the-making. Posting post-its around to remind yourself to see the good is a good way to shift your focus from “what’s wrong” to “what’s right.”
Do Something Nice for Someone Else ~ Sometimes the best way to improve our day is to improve someone else’s day. So be kind to others and enjoy the boomerang effect of those positive feelings.
Phone A Friend ~ Knowing that someone has your back can be an automatic mood booster. When you’re down in the dumps, don’t dump a pile on negativity of your friend’s shoulder. Instead, boost your view by piggy-backing on his or her positivity for a while until your own resilience returns.
Say Thanks ~ An attitude of gratitude improves our aptitude and altitude in life. When we shift our perspective from “what’s wrong” to “what’s right,” we feel an immediate shift from negative to positive. It’s not what happens that determines our mood, it’s how we CHOOSE to view what’s happened. Developing an attitude of gratitude pays BIG dividends.
Aah . . . that’s better!
To read more: How To Be A More Positive Person (TIME)
Spirit Lights The Way 