There is a file in my desk of things that I have read and find interesting. They’re to share in the column, if it works out. Well, that file is getting a little thick, so I’m going to just hodge podge today of “Facts Melyn Finds Interesting.”
Before we really jump into this endeavor though, have you picked up your Christmas photo with Santa from the night of the Christmas Parade at Frida’s? Oliver Marquez does a wonderful job volunteering to take those photos for Main Street Guymon and I hope everyone enjoys them. There is always a line for Santa, so it must be pretty popular. Santa certainly is a popular guy.
And while you’re doing a little catching up, did you see the December “On the Bricks” show on PTCI’s Channel 2? If you don’t have Channel 2, then goon your computer to http://video.ptci.net and click “videos” and on the left you’ll see “On the Bricks.” There’s some good information on there!
In the Rotary magazine, “The Rotarian”, there was an article about being careful about being a saver. They’re basically saying that if you have lots of stuff it is hard for your family when you die. Hard on their back, hard on their time, hard on the garbage collector, etc. They gave a few pieces of advice that I found exceptional.
#1. Never photograph a church. Not even Notre – Dame. Your children do not want a photograph of any church on earth.
#2. Never photograph an animal in a zoo. Not ever.
#3. Throw away your old tax returns, your canceled checks from long ago.
#4. If you break a piece of pottery, toss that too, unless it was thrown by Picasso.
#5. All of your homework and notebooks from high school and college? Recycle. No one, not even you, will ever read any of it.
#6. Letters from early boyfriends or girlfriends? Bonfire of the vanities.
If you continue to save everything, the article says, “And when you pass from this earth, as all of us must, your children will come in and find their hearts twice rent from losing you and from inheriting your stuff. They don’t want to let you go, and yet, cruelly, they have been forced to do so. And then your stuff becomes your proxy, and they do want to let it go, but it pains them to do so because, well, you kept it, so it must mean something important.”
“What is life but time spent on earth? You can give your children the gift of time and therefore more of their own lives. The time you spend going through your own stuff is time they will not have to spend doing it.”
See, because I am so far from a saver, this makes sense to me. And stuff really just holds you down, in my opinion. But there is another side that came to mind after reading the article. If you don’t like your children … save everything. Don’t like your grandchildren? Put a few dollar bills amongst junk mail, maybe credit card approval letters, so they can’t just junk the whole box, but need to go through each piece. Yes, this is a way to be mean and evil and unkind to those you dislike. Don’t tell my mama. I wasn’t always the easiest child ….
“If you don’t think every day is a good day, just try missing one.” ~Cavett Robert
Don’t miss the 9th Annual Dinner, Dance and Draw Down at Pickle Creek on Jan. 26 at 7 pm. It’s located at 822 NE 6th Street and costs $50 to get in. There they have the Wooden Nickel Band performing and you get great food. It’s BYOB and with the purchase of a ticket you have the chance to win $5,000 (that’s the Draw Down)! All of this is a fund raiser for the Pioneer Days Rodeo.
That Chamber Pioneer Days Rodeo Committee works all year long to bring us the world-wide wonderful Pioneer Days Rodeo the first weekend in May. Support those who are working so hard in our community!
Speaking of volunteers, because that’s what the Rodeo Committee is made up of entirely, was another article in the Rotarian magazine. It was talking about how to fit in, work in, become an integral part of your community. It stated, “Volunteer constantly and show up religiously. In any community, there’s only a small subset of people who show up and do things, and when they see you showing up, they’ll start to see you as a brother or sister. … Share credit. Make other people look good.”
That is such good advice on how to gain friends and squash your enemies.
Gosh, I’ve only made a dent in my folder, but the column is getting longer than a reasonable person would want to read.
Don’t miss the Stampin with Sharlene class on Jan. 10th from 7 – 9 pm at The Studio, 3rd and Roosevelt in Guymon. This is for creative people or those who want to be more creative and everyone works together making cards. They’re awesome. And they’re nice to give to your friends and family. Wow, the friends and family would probably save them. Then when they pass, their family will have to deal with them. Hmmm, a vicious circle. But I really believe even the family would enjoy seeing these gorgeous cards made with so much love.
Let’s start the new year with this Irish blessing, “May God be with you and bless you. May you see your children’s children. May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in blessings. May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.”
See you on the bricks!