Month: April 2018

A “Friendly” Pearl

/ Micki

young and old

I do not remember where I heard this pearl.  I know it was at least twenty years ago.  From The Oprah Winfrey Show?  Maybe.  From the wise Deepak Chopra?  Possibly.  From the Holy Bible?  I do not think so, but I am pretty sure Jesus would agree.  Someone once told me:

MAKE FRIENDS FROM ALL AGE GROUPS!

It does not matter where I learned this because they sure were right! For different reasons I have found my friendships with the older and the younger very rewarding.  Let me share what I have experienced.

The Younger

Let’s face it.  Younger people are fun!  They love to laugh!  Everything is funny and they do not take things too seriously.  They say things in a way that I do not fully understand but I wish I did.  Today’s youth are so savvy with technology and their worlds are big. They have not been jaded by heavy responsibilities, serious loss, or too many hard knocks.  Their hearts are light, their fun is a priority, and their outlook is positive.

Yes, hanging out with your juniors will put you in a great mood.  One caution.  Do not listen too intently.  They will make some pretty far-out comments, and you may want to jump in and correct their flawed logic.  Do not.  You are not their parent.  Offer your insight only when asked, or only with extreme discretion.  You do not want to become the “old wet rag” friend.  You may find yourself ousted and that defeats the whole purpose.  And very often, your younger friends will teach you a thing or two.

The Older

Without a doubt, our elders are wise. When I want sage advice, I turn to one of my older friends.  If they did not have the same problem, someone they know did.  They provide valuable insight with real life experience.  The older generation will also teach you not to worry too much.  They will show you that they have experienced heavy responsibilities, serious loss, and many hard knocks, and they have made it through.  They are living testaments that life goes on.

Yes, hanging out with your seniors will make you wiser.  But guess what?  Older people are fun, too!  They love to laugh and they have re-learned to not take things so seriously.  They may not be technologically savvy, but they have solved problems with great creativity.  They are not shy, they are straight-shooters, and they tell wonderful love stories.  One caution.  Do not make too many far-out comments in their company.  You do not want to become the “silly whippersnapper” friend.  You may get ousted and that defeats the whole purpose.  For sure, your older friends will teach you a thing or two.

I am currently a representative of someone in the middle group.  We have the most to learn from the young and old.  I find us “middlers” worrying too much, being too serious, and losing our zest for fun and laughter.  It is ironic that the young and the old know how to live best.  Somehow us “middlers” lose our way, but then we find it again.  Having many friends of all ages will help you keep your sparkle.

Who would not want that pearl?

And the Pearl is…

/ Micki / 2 Comments

ganapathy-kumar-492879-unsplash

Something has recently dawned on me. It took me fifty years to have thought about this.  Before then, it just glazed over me without being questioned.  It is the word – EXPERT.  I was watching a commercial and a young thirty-something whippersnapper declared he was a so-and-so expert at such-in-such.  Jump back.  Says who?

That is the thing.  I have come to realize you are what you say you are.  So, I am going to make a proclamation!  I am an expert at large dinner parties!  Yep.  I have been entertaining large groups – usually my family – for thirty years.  I have watched hundreds of food shows, viewed and tried hundreds of recipes, and hosted a hundred parties.  No doubt, I am an expert.  So as an expert, I have my secrets to success!  Today’s pearl is how to plan the perfect party!

First and foremost, figure out what your guests are good at making and ask them to bring it to the party!  Ah c’mon.  That is not cheating!  When my niece says, “Aunt Micki, you make the best banana pudding.  Could you bring some to my party?” – you do not think my heart is melting, and I am bringing banana pudding come hell or high water!  So, you are actually complimenting your guest by asking them to bring their signature dish.  That is my tip and I am sticking to it!

Second tip.  Always make some dishes in advance.  This is a biggie and huge time and life saver.  Refrigerator mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, baked beans, pasta salads, and most desserts can be made ahead of time.  So can appetizers like salsa, cheese and meats, and dips.  Do not leave making everything to the day of the party!

Third tip.  Always purchase one of your courses already done.  For example.  Buy a nice dessert from a store or bakery.  Everyone loves delicious bundt cake or fancy cupcakes.  Pies are fine and so is ice cream with a nice chocolate topping or cut-in-advanced strawberries.  If you have dessert already nailed down, then buy the appetizer.  Love me a cheese, meat, and olive tray.  Or a nice fruit salad.  Or a fresh cut-up veggie tray.  Let the local store or bakery help you with the party.

Finally.  Do not fret, or get nervous, or worry too much.  It makes no sense to do so.  These days, I am totally impressed when someone invites me over – period.  Hand me a drink and a cheese and cracker and you have already met my expectations!  Get-togethers and parties are special because of the laughs, the time spent together, and the memories created.  The food and drinks are the supporting pearls.

So, in summary, the secret to a successful party is to ask for help, to make in advance, to buy pre-made, and to relax and have FUN!  And since I am a self-declared expert, you will be hearing more about my entertaining  pearls.  If you would like for me to consult on your upcoming party – please do not hesitate to ask me – with my invitation in your hand.  I will bring something!!!  HAHA!

Happy Party!

Photo by Collin Armstrong on Unsplash

The Best April Fools Joke!

/ Micki / 4 Comments

Getting fooled by a well-crafted and outrageous April Fools joke is exhilarating!  That happened to me last year.  The mastermind was my sister JoAnn.  She had every detail and angle sewn up.  She knew my weak spot and pounced.  I will never forget it.  I believe it is the best April Fools joke ever.  She is my hero.

First, JoAnn started her ruse early in the morning.  Just like D-day, she knew I would have brain fog when she stormed my beach.  I did not even have my coffee yet.  Second, she tugged at my heartstrings.  So evil.  She was the big bad wolf dressed like sweet granny.  This is what she texted me:

Micki.  In order to encourage Dad to keep going and to pick up his spirits, I dyed dad’s hair black like he had when he was a kid.  He loves it!  Come over and see it!

Are you kidding me????  My mind started racing.  My heart started pounding.  My eyes began to water.  My sister defiled my Dad!!!  I never knew him without his gray hair.  He is 93 years old, for goodness sakes!  Dark hair will look crazy!  And then this totally dawned on me and my heart sank to my knees:

WHO IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF DAD’S ROOTS!!!!  

Yep.  His roots.  His roots were my biggest concern.  But hey.  My roots are my biggest concern, and now my Dad will have black hair and white roots in a matter of days!   What was JoAnn thinking?  Why did she not ask us sisters first?

With that one foolish unilateral act, my anger began to grow toward my sister.  She is the dumbest human to walk the planet.  In what world was that a good idea?  And, do not give me the “dad likes it” crap.  Dad is not the one who will have to take care of it, or look at its ridiculousness as we speak.  She made Dad into a laughing stock monster.

I then received the following text:

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I wanted to laugh.  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to punch JoAnn.  Brilliant.  She got me.  She got me good.  I will never be that clever.  She is my hero.

I come from a family of clowns.  Not literally.  But my mom was funny and she passed it down.  Life is better with humor.  Humor is one big pearl.

For the second part of the story.  JoAnn calls me this morning.  She tells me this:

“Dad’s neighbor, George, works at the Lincoln Park Zoo.  He brought home two monkeys dressed in bunny ears and carrying Easter baskets.  They are hilarious!  He must of brought them home for the grandkids.  Anyway, they will only be here a few hours.  Come over and see them!”

Oh no, you big Bozo!  Do you honestly think I forgot about last year?  No way.  I did not bite.  But my sister, Betsy, did!  And hearing about Betsy’s reaction had me crying.  Betsy instructed JoAnn not to bring bananas without asking George first.  Monkeys can get frenzied if you show them something they cannot have, she warned!  That’s right.  I went to roots and Betsy went to banana frenzy!

Again, JoAnn is my hero.