Tag: opinions

Morning Dawdler 3/19/23 Free range on the Farm

On By Susan St.PierreIn In my humble opinion..., Memories of the Farm6 Comments

Rory’s questions for today:

Are you a person who likes their life to be orderly with set routines and schedules or is that not an essential for you to worry about?

I’ve always disliked schedules, deadlines, and appointments. There’s too much to be ‘thought about’, ‘investigated’, ‘created’ and “played” every day for that. Probably half of the reason I never liked school was because I felt forced to be there. When I was spending summers at my grandparents’ dairy farm, the adults were busy with chores, while I was busy being a “free range” kid on my own. I was never bored. With the farm dog as my sidekick, I explored fields, ditches and barns. Some of my pastimes were braiding bailing twine into belts, teaching the farm dog tricks, exploring ditches for polliwogs, riding my pony while pretending to be Annie Oakley, and collecting interesting rocks.
Every situation since has felt a little ‘confining’.
When I discovered I could make a supplemental living by inviting kids into my home each day, it was my perfect niche. With kids (at least with my style) every day was a different adventure. Sometimes I’d plan activities, but they were always subject to change. If a backhoe showed up to dig a trench across the street, would you want to sit at the table pasting pictures or watch it? The gang and I always chose the backhoe of course.
As for tidiness, I’m not good at that either. Our helter-skelter day care ways left picking up for days’ end… sometimes the next day. 😉

Are you a natural people watcher and if so what do you enjoy about the experience?

Gosh, yes. People are almost as interesting as polliwogs. Everyone has a story, everyone has a natural born temperament, and everyone is a possible new friend. While growing up, I watched people and evaluated them as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ examples of who I wanted to be. As an adult, I want to know what others think when I can get them to ‘open up’. My everyday dress code is mostly a decorative t-shirt with a flannel overshirt. My t-shirts have words and/or symbols that represent a wide assortment of my favorite things. Those t-shirts frequently elicit a comment and connection when I’m in public. It’s just the opening I need to be comical and friendly. The grocery store never disappoints. It’s a place where I can collect new humous anecdotes or curiosities on human behavior.

Do you think your online persona is very different from the one at home or are you exactly the same as you display yourself to your readers?

I don’t see any difference. I’m genuine to a fault. Even when it means I may ask inappropriate questions or state brutal truths, it’s always me talking… sometimes apologizing. LOL


https://earthlycomforts.uk/2023/03/19/a-wild-aloha-to-you-28/

Sunday Poser #122 Get a Hobby and Leave Me Alone

On By Susan St.PierreIn In my humble opinion...7 Comments

“We shouldn’t have to!” is my immediate response.

What we do, as long as it’s legal is our own business. But as new laws are constantly being created, (That’s what legislatures seem to feel is their non-stop goal.) there isn’t going to be much that IS legal soon.

Civil disobedience is the only ethical approach to too many laws, I’m afraid.

But there are definitely people in my life who can’t seem to avoid offering their “two cents” on what I do and it’s annoying. What happened to hobbies and volunteer work?

On the other hand, I will defend what I say until it becomes clear that I’m wrong or that the other person simply doesn’t understand what I’m saying. Opinions are all we have many times. If you can articulate the thoughts and experiences you used in creating your opinion, go for it. We might learn something important. But if you have an opinion, express it, and can’t or won’t defend it, you’re just wasting everyone’s’ time and trying their patience. I refer you to the ‘getting a hobby’ suggestion above.


https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2023/03/05/sunday-poser-122/

The Morning Dawdler- 1-5-23 Tasty Questions

On By Susan St.PierreIn In my humble opinion...8 Comments




How hard is it for you to ask for help if you need it – can you do so quickly, or are you resistant to it?

This is such a wonderfully profound question. Several years ago, I recognized my fervent commitment to caregiving had been part of my nature since childhood. I am the oldest child and oldest grandchild on both my paternal and maternal side. A lot was asked of me in those roles, and I embraced it like a warrior. Then my lifetime career choice became childcare. Duh! I’d been training for that all of my life.
It was about 10 years ago, I realized how ‘full’ I felt from a life of giving. At the same time, I realized that I never asked and/or refused to accept help in some warped sense of principle from my giving nature. It dawned on me that not accepting help was a selfish act. I knew how good it felt to be helpful and I was actually withholding the same pleasure from others!
I’ve learned to be as gracious a receiver as giver since then. It was one of my better life decisions.

Are there any phrases that people use that annoy you immensely?

I realized lately any mention of “diverse” THIS or “diverse” THAT turns my stomach. To those programmed to be ultra-sensitive to that term and/or have a perceived value of dwelling on it, I mean no disrespect.
My mind, heart, and soul believe so completely that we are EACH such unique beings of immeasurable value that placing people under microscopes (and in boxes) of immutable traits seems unconscionable. I find it absolutely a fruitless and divisive way to ultimately discriminate against and dehumanize people.
Answer this please:
If a family of children sharing similar DNA, raised within the confines of similar values, and experiencing many, many, of the same events can produce adults with different talents, values, politics, and temperaments, how does one conclude that having a common skin color or ethnic background produces people of homogenized views, talents, values, politics, and temperaments?

I think the term “diverse” when used to describe people suggests no one is actually a unique individual and reduces us all.

How do you acquire new skills – what systems do you adopt to aid you, and why do they make things easier?

I’m always looking for new projects but at 66 years old I’m more about honing the skills I’ve developed. My new skills interest was at its peak in my thirties and forties. New physically demanding skills would be a waste of time. I’m not seeking employment either. So, expressing myself through creative projects and enhancing my knowledge of things I enjoy, and teaching young people what I know, are my concerns these days.

Which three spices or condiments do you use the most when cooking, and what makes them more valuable?

Garlic…Cinnamon…salt

They each add that little extra that makes all the difference to my taste buds. 😉




https://earthlycomforts.uk/2023/01/05/the-morning-dawdler-2/


Question Time Over Coffee- Good Times

On By Susan St.PierreIn In my humble opinion...10 Comments

Do you sometimes ‘just’ LIKE posts from those you follow but don’t often read the content, and if so, why do you do this?

Is it a time restraint or something else that motivates this action?

I’ve done it only a few times and it was from a time constraint. Feeling I knew the author and reading it a bit to get the gist, made me confident that I agreed or liked the form that was presented.

What do you do with gifts you have received but have no use for?

Inspired by Sadje

Thank-you, Sadje, for this question. I have a definite opinion on this. I regift things to others if I cannot or will not use them. Often, the gift finds a happy recipient. Why can I do this without hesitation? Because when I give someone a gift, it has absolutely no strings attached. If it helps the recipient as a gift for someone that they know who would enjoy it, so be it. Gift giving is not a contest but an act of goodwill.

Have people become lazier concerning cooking do you think, or is it more a case of people not knowing how to cook?

Is cooking considered a valuable skill by you?

I don’t concern myself with what others do or why they do it. As for me, I’m cooking often. Some of it comes down to being a thriftier practice than buying prepared foods… some of it is to avoid over-processed prepared foods… and some of it is because I trust the cleanliness of my own kitchen most. I don’t like having to cook as a rule (it’s time consuming) but believe it is the better way for my family (and dogs) to get good nutrition and feel cared for.

What news stories, in your opinion, have so far defined the 2020’s and what do you think they have taught us personally as individuals?

I’ve learned that my instincts served me well when it came to the pandemic, government corruption, and agenda-based leadership decisions. And that fear is a most effective tool for manipulating large groups of people to act in their own worst interests.

What would you never swallow even if you could?

A wild berry that I couldn’t identify.

How many hours of sleep do you get a night, and how many hours do you think you need and why?

I get around 8 to 9 hours every night. Thankfully, I can sleep easily and deeply because the quickest way to get me sick is to deprive me of enough sleep.

How important is it to you to have a clean house or environment to live in and does it have to be pristine?

I invited kids into my home for 46 years. I’m not one who cares about clutter at all. I do want things relatively clean but tidy isn’t my style. There’s too much fun and too many creative endeavors to be had so there’s no time for spit-shining. LOL

Could you give up your Smartphone and break your addiction to it?

I’d do that in an instant.

What have been five of your best TV shows from the dawn of dot to today?

Why were they good?

As a kid, I loved most western series. They taught me many things that I still value…honesty, courage, self-sufficiency, and honor.
As a teen, I loved Star Trek and The Rockford Files. The former introduced me to mind-blowing science fiction concepts. It also had a swashbuckling western quality in Captain Kirk. As for Rockford, he used his head. Watching him gave me the sense that I could figure my way out of any dilemma I might come across.
My favorite sitcom was Frazier. Those writers were, IMHO, excellent. The theme of arrogant ‘stuffed shirts’ meeting up with reality was a winner. The ‘stuffed shirts’ weren’t bad guys and easy to care about too. I laughed many times until I couldn’t breathe!

Why is life not a bed of roses but a bed of thorns?

What makes your life good and or bad?

I don’t agree with the first question. A good life depends on your attitude… if you adopt a victim posture, good luck.

Being born in the U.S. was the first of many good fortunes I’ve been blessed to have. Making the most of what I had by making mostly good decisions and appreciating beauty and truth made all the difference.

Toasted waffles or toasted bread, and why?

Bread. Bread is my biggest food weakness.

How do you feel about the ageing process and you?

I don’t think about it much. I’m a live for today type. I’ve found blessings in every age so far.

What is the last rebellious thing you did?

Some would say refusing to get the ‘vaccine’ was rebellious. I think it was not only a wise decision but only mine to make.

What would be your ideal ‘you experience’ of the following …. museum, theatre, spa day, bungee jumping?

It would be a museum BUT I haven’t ridden a horse in many years. Besides just wanting to smell one up close again, riding would be a blast if it were unsupervised and on a spirited animal.

Could you easily step off the planet and away from society and your friends and being social and also away from the Internet for 12 months?

Be still my heart! If my kids, grandkids, and dogs, were with me, where do I sign up?! {I’d prefer it be just way off the grid. Off of the planet would be freaky.}


https://earthlycomforts.uk/2022/12/03/question-time-over-coffee-7/

Question Time Over Coffee-11-19-22

On By Susan St.PierreIn In my humble opinion...7 Comments

Have you ever been on an extended vacation/holiday road trip? If so, when and where and for how long?

My nuclear family took some vacations to the Atlantic Ocean when I was a kid. We lived (and I still live) in Western New England so the trips took about 4 hours from home to destination. I wouldn’t call that an extended road trip, but it surely felt LONG to this kid.
We didn’t have video games or movies to entertain us then and although I would have loved having them, I’m pleased now that we didn’t. My Mom would sometimes read out loud to us, sometimes we’d sing songs together or play ‘car bingo’ to entertain ourselves. I had my own game that I came up with too. It was called, “Never going to see THAT again”. As we traveled, I would look out my window and focus on a single leaf or bird. It was a way of embracing a moment in time that fate had made. I was there and something ordinary was there. There was no way I would ‘lay my eyes on’ those things ever again. It felt magical and eternal!
I get the same ‘thrill’ when I find fossils in crushed stone at our campsite. Possibly (probably) no other human being had ever looked at the small, fossilized relic EVER! Humbling doesn’t even cover that moment sufficiently.


When was the last time you visited an actual bookshop, and what, if any, new/old/secondhand titles did you buy?

We have a local Thrift Shop close to our summer place. This gal goes directly to the book section. While I was homeschooling my granddaughter, there was a wealth of obscure children’s material, as well as interesting titles for me. Book junkies can identify with the fact that there are many still on my shelf waiting to be rediscovered this winter.
Before the Thrift Shop, there was a Flea Market in the same town. “The Book Guy” (that’s what we called him) was always there. He had a large, well organized, display of books. Sadly, The Book Guy passed away a few years ago and the Flea Market has almost disappeared without his presence. I miss the man as much as his books.

How do you feel about the new WP Dashboard 7-day highlights Statistics?
I almost never look at those stats. I’m not writing in any way to compete with anyone or build a following.

How do you feel about all the Russian nuclear sabre rattling?
It seems a normal thing for competing powers to do. There’s no way-No Way- that I trust any media outlet to explain what is going on utilizing factual information. So, I cannot impact what’s going on, I have no way of knowing what’s really going on and can only hope that peace breaks out in spite of a handful evil actors seeking wealth and power.

If you could go back or travel to an age of your choice and live or relive a previous era for a day, what age would you pick and why?

There are many but since our Thanksgiving holiday is near, I would like to experience the first Thanksgiving witnessing the real-time attitudes and hopes. [Then I’d come back and separate myth from facts.]

Do you have a favourite coat? [Outdoor/Indoor/Business/Social] What makes it unique to you, OR is a coat just a coat?

Not anymore but during my 30s I had a long Peacoat that I adorned with pins. Some were favorite sports teams and American flags, but others were gifts that held personal meaning. Once I had a lapel full, my friends and family happily surprised me with more. I probably had 50 of them at the height of my collecting.

Do you enjoy learning something new every day or week?

Oh my! I live to learn. My email starts with curiousue for a reason.

Are you more comfortable in your skin today than you were in the youth of your yesterdays?
Why and how so?

Absolutely more each day. I was an odd kid in the way that I related to all kinds of people. I think about it now and believe that it was from a genuineness that I projected. To be genuine requires a level of self- confidence which comes from liking who you are. I suspect that ‘seed’ was always there.

Have you ever kept a hardback diary or a journal as opposed to an online digital one? When did you first start to journal your life?

No but my daughter has kept one for 17+ years.

How do you feel about Eggplant/Aubergine/Guinea Squash as a vegetable? Is it something you enjoy having in your meals?

I enjoy most every squash. Eggplant is not one I ever use but memories of my Italian immigrant grandmother making eggplant parmigiana are good ones.

What film could you watch over and over again and why?

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
This movie is extremely inspirational! A mother’s enduring love and commitment to wise choices…Self- reliance and imagination…and a guide to pursuing excellence. My day care kids watched it multiple times and always asked to go straight to the library after each viewing.

What concert, show, or event would you love tickets for if you could get them?

I don’t do crowds. Noise, standing in line, and (since 2020) pandemic nonsense are the reasons. It has nothing to do with fears or phobias. I do enjoy talking with people in general, though, but not in that venue.

Would your teenage self be impressed with who you are today and what you have achieved so far in your/their life?

I think so. I had many basic plans for my life even as a teen and I’ve accomplished the most important ones.

Which online behaviours do you find the most annoying in blogging?

I’m not easily or often annoyed. But when I interact with others and find them concerned with what I consider “nonsense”, I tend to move along.

https://earthlycomforts.uk/2022/11/19/question-time-over-coffee-5/


Mocking the Ridiculous is GOOD

On By Susan St.PierreIn In my humble opinion...8 Comments

It seems that our current news cycles are filled with ideas and concerns that I deem ridiculous.
The fact that ALL media organizations are eerily reporting these things in unison is my first concern.
Certainly, others can disagree with my label, but I fear the proposing of coordinated ridiculousness is on one level a media driven desensitization of our population to fact and reason.
In this wide world, which has more available topics and information than ever in human history, our attention is directed to myopic themes. Does that sound a bit like propaganda to you? It does to me.
Consider all the things ‘accepted’ as normal, or at least ordinary, today that 10 years ago would have made our chins hit the floor.
What? Boys can decide to be girls (or vice versa) and the medical community will dutifully mess with their healthy bodies.
What? A biological male is being considered as Woman Athlete of the Year.
What? We’re all gonna die in ten years from an ever so slight warming of the planet.
What? The marriage of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez is noteworthy because…
If you actually think those things make sense, fine.
But how should I react to you when my personal opinion of those things is “that’s ridiculous.”?
Here’s the ‘meat’ of my message today:
I laugh and sometimes poke fun at it.
Yikes! That isn’t “nice”.
Well, how might I otherwise express my opinion?
Should I shout at you or cancel you? Maybe attack you?
Or should I opt for “nice” silence when expressing my opinion might empower others to speak up, or at least, pause and think?
NO. I won’t do any of those things.
Laughing at, even mocking, perceived ridiculousness is not unkind, it’s actually pure honesty. Silence does nothing good. It denies who you are, and everyone’s opinion has value either as a good or bad example. [You decide which one it is. Don’t let the media or Twitter mob do that. 😉 ]
I want to know what you think, though I won’t guarantee that I won’t chuckle. 🙂
For those who think a humorous reaction of disapproval or disbelief is “hate”. Grow up.
You don’t need to care what others think but you’d be wise to get to know how others think.

There’s a silencing and redefining of our language and even our humanity going on and this isn’t going to end well if we buy the premise that expressing disapproval makes someone a ‘bad person’.
Don’t accept shame.
The same goes for blame.
Individual human opinions cannot destroy a civilization. But “group think”, which is inspired by a lack of diversity of ideas, certainly can.
Other people can label you all they want; you aren’t really talking to them once they do. You’re speaking for those who are hesitant or overwhelmed. You should especially protect the speech of those who you deem have ridiculous tendencies…It will test your ideas and should strengthen your opinions or possibly even change your mind. That’s how it works people.
I think we should express ourselves more, especially in person.
Don’t fully trust any media outlet to frame what’s real or important. THINK for yourself.
Remember, we’re all in this together! God bless.




Fandango’s Provocative Question #163- Semantics

On By Susan St.PierreIn In my humble opinion..., Writing Prompts9 Comments

There are so many tangents this question can produce. It’s taken me a long time to work out my thoughts toward the briefest and least complex answer to the exact question.
There’s a whole intellectual course of study on “semantics”. Our human ability for language, as remarkable as it is, has its own ‘minefields’. There are cultural divides when it comes to understanding each other, as well as many nuances in defining our most human complex concepts. I simply cannot keep up with modern efforts at redefining once widely held understandings!
Here’s my thought process on the question (It is thoroughly a scientific method examination of the language not a judgement on the concepts we’re using.)
A previous discussion I had with our friend Fandango, produced an interesting difference in our understanding of this language. As many emotionally charged topics do, I think that we each jumped back and forth from the meaning of words into the endless quagmire of the meaning of a higher Truth. A darn dangerous leap for sure! I don’t think either of us claimed we were ‘correct’ and left the discussion on the understanding that we were simply “talking past each other”.
Do you believe that atheism is a set of religious beliefs or is a religion in any sense? If so, why? If not, why not? Or, do you have no opinion on the matter or just don’t care one way or the other?
My answer is: Yes, it’s a religious belief and I’m not sure whether it could be called a ‘religion’. Atheism’s ‘believers’ (Making a definitive conclusion on an unprovable concept is a belief.) certainly ‘take on’ some of the qualities of religious people (certainty, easily offended by disapproval, somewhat organized) but it doesn’t really have tangible tenants. So, I’ll claim unsure on that.
As for my opinion that atheism is a ‘religious belief’? It comes down to my understanding that it’s a position, belief, or claim within (and regarding) the topic of religion. That, in my world, is a ‘religious belief’.
The example I used to explain a similar dynamic was the concept of politics. One simply cannot have an opinion on politics that isn’t-by default- a ‘political opinion/belief’. An apolitical person, with no opinion on politics, is the opposite of one who is political. In the same way, an agnostic person (who doesn’t want to enter into a religious discussion) is the true opposite of holding a ‘religious belief’.
It seems an unpleasant, unfriendly, conclusion made only according to my understanding of the semantics because an atheist basically wants to be anything but religious. Saying that technically-when applying the rules of language- their position is a ‘religious’ one, obviously would inspire push back and reaction. No offense is intended. It’s only an opinion with reasons. 😉
One of my statements during the discussion that inspired this wonderful question bears repeating… “No one has the power to offend or change you, if you don’t give it to them.”

https://fivedotoh.com/2022/03/30/fandangos-provocative-question-163/