It is interesting that in times like these, we exhibit both the best and worst of our humanity. I am amazed at the number of kindnesses bestowed in checking on each other, sharing of our bounties, and looking for ways to help make life a little easier for our fellowman during this difficult and challenging time.Of course there are others who take advantage with scams and hoarding, but that number pales in comparison to those who do the good and right things.

Romans 12:6 states, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." And there is no better time to use those gifts and talents than now. 

As a writer, I love words and I am always hopeful that I can touch others with what is written, but some of my friends also know how much I love puzzles―Sudoku, jumbles, crosswords, word searches, etc. I also like to make them, so in the days ahead, I'm going to post some of what I like to do best.

Here is Puzzle Number One, a word search:

E

M

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K

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G

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Q

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A

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            The Coronavirus

STAY WELL, SLEEP, take MEDS, RELAX, and CHECK OTHERS who may be at RISK. STAY IN and don’t go OUT. If you do, wear a MASK and do not TRAVEL far away. If you can WORK FROM HOME, stay INSIDE, CLEAN, ORDER what you need, and take VITAMIN C to help your immune system become more ANTIVIRAL. You should also drink lots of FLUIDS, stay WARM, and REST. AIM to complete TASKS long overdue, and RECONNECT with family. If you need to work, many stores have OPTED to HIRE help to fulfill online purchases.

If you are QUARANTINED, I HOPE you get COZY, take any RX if needed, VARY your SOCIAL opportunities, and SING the praises of those who are helping us cope with this pandemic. Most of all, MY wish is that you TAKE CARE of your yourselves and stay healthy!

Lenten Lessons for Everyone

It's "Fat Tuesday" and tomorrow is Ash Wednesday when many churches will place ashes on the forehead of Christians who observe this rite. For many, the next 40 days (not counting Sundays) will be a time of observance and reflection.

During this Lenten time leading up to the celebration of Easter, there will be self-sacrifices or even the addition of something positive. The common theme must be consistency, and I've had my own little lessons attempting to do both―for the most part, successfully.

I once gave up chocolate which, for me, was like sacrificing the very pleasure of eating. It was difficult, but I came away with a new appreciation of the struggles others must face with addiction. My situation, of course, paled with those in that circumstance, but nevertheless, I understood the intense desire for something I could not have.

As if chocolate weren't enough of a challenge, I then chose to give up sweets―no candy, no desserts, and no birthday cake and ice cream at the parties for numerous family members who were born in that period of time. I just sat in a chair and quietly "enjoyed" my energy bar.

Another year, I vowed to walk more―not an easy activity for me as one who loves her adult go-kart (aka scooter). But the best addition I've ever done is to make certain I did something consciously every day to make this world a better place. It was such a positive activity, I'm still making that effort and documenting it years later.

To Christians, it is difficult to understand the many and overwhelming sacrifices made by Jesus. Anything we could ever do would be but pale in comparison. But, we still make this feeble attempt to get a small glimpse to understand what He suffered and did for humanity. 

As to those who don't observe Lent, there are lessons to be learned here for you, too. It is good to deny ourselves once in a while and focus on doing something positive for our fellowman. "Love one another" was a great commandment, and it's still the best sentiment and action to a fulfilling and successful life. After all, knowing we are here on earth to care for each other is what gives use purpose and makes life worth living.

 

New Year Resolution

It might be surprising to some, but I no longer make New Year's resolutions and haven't for some time. Instead, I just log what I do daily to try to make this world a little better place. I can't think of a better resolution than that.

This past year has proven to be an interesting one for me with the publication of two books, entries in two Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, and editing. As for next year, I anticipate some significant changes in 2020, some good and some challenging, but that is life. It's unknown, exciting, a bit fearful, all because nothing will ever be exactly the same and we can't predict the future. And maybe we really don't want to.

No matter what is on the horizon, I will gather with friends tonight on New Year's Eve (our annual tradition), and we will play cards and eat (hopefully most) of the remaining goodies left over from the Christmas season. I don't expect that particular tradition to change any time soon, but whatever does change, I know I have a fail-safe. If you are a person faith, you know to what and whom I refer.

To everyone reading this, I wish for you the best possible new year. Let's all try to make this world a better place―one day at a time regardless of whatever resolution you choose. 

Happy (2020) New Year!

My Ode to the Real Meaning of Christmas

Last year I wrote this poem for fun. It's not really what I do personally as those who know me realize I start buying gifts in July. I'm usually also finished around the first of December. But, in any case, enjoy and Merry Christmas!

‘Twas the Day Before Christmas

‘Twas the day before Christmas                                       I searched for some charities

No presents I’ve bought                                                     To give in their honor.

Where did the time go                                                         That’s the best gift of all

That I almost forgot?                                                           I began soon to ponder.

No wrapping or ribbons                                                      Now after the donations

Oh, what should I do?                                                          Were all given as gifts,         

My family expects something                                             I smiled as I realized

And it all must be new!                                                        The meaning of Christmas is this.

Away to my computer                                                         My family was thrilled

I flew like a flash                                                                   And the gifts were just right

For last minute gifts                                                             So I went to bed happy.

Please, system, don’t crash.                                             Merry Christmas to all and a

     peaceful good night!

I’ll order my gifts

And send e-cards their way.

I’ll have to pay extra

But that’s still okay.

Then as I sat there                                                   With apologies to Clement C. Moore

Ready to click enter,                                                           Vicki L. Julian

I paused for a moment

As I turned on my printer.

Are e-cards real gifts

To give from the heart,

Or just an obligation

That somehow did start?

So I reflected a minute

And thought what was right.

With so many in need,

I should be easing their plight.

My recipients don’t need gifts,

But there are others who do.

That should be my focus

And I hope my family’s too.

Almost Christmas

Last night I decided to drive downtown to see the Christmas lights. My city has done an outstanding job of decorating for the holidays and will leave most of the lights up until February 15. It's a matter of shining the way in the darkest time of the year.

I also thought about all the unfortunate individuals who will not experience the blessed Christmas that I will. My traditional, annual Christmas Eve open house will be attended by many family and friends, and then gifts will be exchanged. None of us need anything, and I always feel a little sad and guilty that I cannot share more with those who do have need, not that I don't try.

I also began to think more of those who have experienced loss of loved ones recently, or are having difficulty coping, even years later. I know I was still in shock the first Christmas after losing my husband. The second was even more difficult because I knew what was coming. My sons and I had to figure out how to do Christmas without the patriarch of our family. I knew we still needed to celebrate because Christmas is the beginning--if it hadn't been for the birth of Jesus, I would never again see my husband or other family members who have transitioned heavenly.  Now that is a gift.

May you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

Bittersweet

I love Christmas―decorating, buying gifts, seasonal scents, carols, baking special foods, and the generally happy attitude of most people. It can pretty much be summed up in Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." But it's also a little bittersweet for me...I miss my husband. While that's a daily sentiment, I particularly miss him at Christmas.

I begin decorating right after Halloween. The outside décor is completed on the first semi-warm day, but not turned on until closer to Thanksgiving. The inside of my home is fair game, but I still don't equal the eagerness of my daughter-in-law Erin. Her tree would be decorated in September, but my son won't let Trick-or-Treaters come to the door on Halloween and see a Christmas display.

Every year as I decorate my tree, I inspect each ornament and remember something about it. Those given to me by my husband are especially valued, like the gold plated, ornate ornament shaped as a Christmas tree. On one of his rare out of town business/training trips during a late summer decades ago, he found this special gift for me. A front, prominent location on the tree is always reserved to hang this keepsake. It's just one of such thoughtful ornaments Steve bought for me over the years. 

And, of course, I make a point of hanging those I bought for Steve, others that he especially loved, and even a few from our first Christmas together―mostly hand-painted wooden ornaments from a kit. They reside in the back of the tree now, but Steve always insisted there should be a few such mementos to display. 

There are also special ornaments purchased for my sons (yes, they have been offered to them for their own trees), or ones they gave to us when they were little. These are augmented now by some other cherished ornaments made or given to me by them and their wives.

I also have a set of six old world Santas that grace an end table. Steve saw these in a store and knew I had to have them as a pre-Christmas surprise. And then there are the stockings (too many for the mantle) so the rest are hung from a special stocking holder. 

My sons, daughters-in-law, and grandson's stockings take precedence over the fireplace; but mine, Steve's, our border collie/Springer spaniel mix pet (who has been gone for almost two decades and shared the name of a daughter-in-law), and my grandson's first Christmas stocking grace the bottom display along with two whimsical characters. Only the five above, and mine on the bottom, will be filled on Christmas Eve, but the others: Steve and Katie's (the dog), will always be remembered. There is, however, a chance that Maddox's second stocking may be filled too. It appears his grandma finds great pleasure in buying for him and can't seem to stop―one more tradition in the making! 

(Look for a photo soon to be uploaded on Facebook.)

What's Good

At a recent Halloween party, some friends and I began talking about items we really like and would recommend to others. I thought it would be good to share with you what is on my list. (Since I'm an avid fan of the shopping channels, some of those items were purchased from HSN or QVC, but you can most likely find them elsewhere.)

Z-VOX―I first saw this on HSN and requested it as a gift, but it is also available from other sources. I hear normal conversations just fine, however; I admit to having some difficulty hearing certain female voices on TV, or when actors are whispering. For a while, I increased the volume and took a tip from my sister to use the subtitles feature when watching some DVDs. But the Z-VOX eliminates my problem! It enhances voices and reduces the competing noise. It has various levels of clarity, and programs/movies can be watched at normal volume. I love, love, love this! If you have someone who has difficulty discerning certain levels of speech, this is an excellent gift. I've seen it priced around $120 to $150.

MALDEN MILLS POLAR FLEECE SHEETS―I purchased these from QVC three years ago. That first year, I also gave a set to each of my sons. One loved them as much as I did, and we both found ourselves taking them off to wash and immediately placing them back on our beds. Since then, I've purchased a total of nine sets, seven of those as gifts, and everyone loves them and requests a second set to avoid doing what Ryan and I did. As a plus, these are the easiest sheets in the world to take on and off; you never get into a cold bed; and because they breathe, you never get hot. Some people keep these on their beds year round, but I only do so from October through April. They have seasonal or plain designs, and currently, prices on sale range from $25–$45 (XL Twin– CalKing) This is a signifcant discount and, even not on sale, a terrific bargain!

GIANNIOS CHOCOLATES―I love, love, love these gourmet chocolates! I've tried brands offered by other shopping channels, and hands down, these are the best. They are definitely on par with other chocolatier offerings or specialty chocolates like Godiva. But just like other gourmet food, they are not inexpensive. If you pay attention, you can get these at a special sale price on HSN. They offer these in a variety of tins and sizes, and special boxes. For instance, their store in Chicago sells their chocolates at $15/lb. HSN has a 5.5lb. tin on sale for $69.95 with free shipping. At Halloween, their 5.5lb tins were even less.

These are only three items on my personal must have list. I suggest always checking other sources before purchasing an item from anywhere, but sometimes the shear volume of sales can result in a lower price as on a shopping channel. If there are must-have items on your list, please share them with me. We each have to decide what we really like, but it helps us make wise choices when we know something is a favorite of others.