This is one of my treasures.  I keep it in my knicknack box next to where I sit in the living room.  Whenever I feel the need for a chuckle, I dig out this clipping and enjoy again the columnist's "take" on our Jeremy.....'way back when he was in high school.

    From my generation, January was birthday month for my sister, Florence, and our good friend, Bernie Bordvick, both now gone, but never forgotten.
     Our first son, David, and his cousin, Ralph, share January, just a year and two days between them.
     Grandson John-Robin’s wife, Leslie, finishes off my list.

    We have a new name to add to the January list:
    Joseph William Osterfeld, born to parents Michael and Shoshanna. He is their second son, joining their two year old son, Sequoia.

    Joey and Sequoia’s adoring aunt, Kirby, sent me this bit:

     Sequoia loves doing things with his Dad. As to Joey, he is causing a lot of sleeplessness around the house. Shoshanna says she finally feels human today because Mike took the night shift last night and she got to sleep. I spoke with someone who ran into Mike today, who said he looked exhausted!

(Note from the editor) Anyone who has raised a family can probably remember that particular time in their lives, when they would have done almost anything just for a good night’s sleep. The only time I can remember that was worse in my life was when all four of ours had flu at the same time. I still owe God the debt I gladly incurred in exchange for their quick recovery…

(Back to Kirby) As to me, I'm doing pretty well. The writing is a challenge. My goal has been to write for the Seattle Times, eventually, but with them saying they plan to scale down, I'm rethinking my goals.

(editor’s note) You can write for me anytime you choose. However, as you know, the pay and sense of fullfilment is pretty skimpy for a professional…

* * * * * *

    I had a pretty postcard from Suzie, who is vacationing in Hawaii with her daughter, Gwen. Looking at the golden sand in the picture brought back the smell of plumeria and the soft caress of a warm trade wind. Then, I looked out our window and saw a gray day with silver slashes of rain, and knew I was home in Seattle in January….(sigh... so much for day dreaming!)

Excerpt from a cute message from Loanne Chambers:

There's always a lot to be thankful for
if you take time to look for it. For example
I am sitting here thinking how nice it is
that wrinkles don't hurt...

(Ed’s note…. Amen!!)

From Cousin Ken, January 17

It's winter in Minnesota
And the gentle breezes blow,
70 miles per hour And at 52 below!
Oh, how I love Minnesota
When the snow's up to your butt.
You take a breath of winter air
And your nose is frozen shut.
Yes, the weather here is wonderful,
I guess I'll hang around.
I could never leave Minnesota,
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground.

From Bill Vivatson after I sent him the above jingle. Bill came from North Dakota, worked at Boeing with Vern, and has now retired to Yakima, Washington:

    The comfort of snow up to your butt is that your legs are not subject to the 70 MPH wind at 52 below zero.
     Thanks for the memories. All those things (I’m thinking he means bad weather) passed through ND where they were somewhat tempered before they got to Minnesota.

This from Son John:

This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!
The year is 1907.
One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics for the Year 1907: ************************************
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles Of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1907 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of whichWere condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from Entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada , was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea Hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school. Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores.
Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health."( Shocking? DUH! )
Eighteen percent of households had at least One full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A. !
Now I forwarded this from someone else without typing It myself, and sent it to you and others all over the United States,& Canada Possibly the world, in a matter of seconds!
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.
IT STAGGERS THE MIND, EH ?

 (another Amen!!)

    January went by so quickly for me that I was shocked by it’s passing. Now, it would be nice to skip the next couple of months…. but not my birthday….(I’m anxious to prove I can make it to 92)

    I’m grateful that I was born with an overgrown sense of humor. According to what I read and hear, that is a great boost to one’s health.This is an excerpt from the latest Boeing Wellness publication:

“Laughter feels good - but did you know that it is also good for you?
Laughter stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles and causes your brain to release endorphins - those feel-good chemicals that cause the “runner’s high.” After a hearty laugh, you feel more relaxed.
One study, in fact, suggests that simply anticipating a happy, funny event - such as watching a funny video or laughing at a joke - can lower stress and stimulate your immune system. Put more laughter in your life with these tips:

• Find your funnybone. Make a list of things that make you laugh.
• Spend time with people who make you laugh.
• Avoid negative people (How do you do that?)
• Spend time with children, who are naturally joyful.
• Actively seek out laughter. Read a funny book or watch a comedy (or watch an old lady I know trying to jitterbug)

It’s time for the closing thought for this column:

He who knows enough is enough will always have enough.

-Lao tzu-

Dixie/Dorothea, Senior Editor

Home Page: Dixie-Press.com

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