SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 2

B.  FOOD BOX ITEM Day 2....Box of Cereal 

 b. SPREADING CHEER Day 2....Make a 

       Card to Cheer Someone 

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It’s Monday and the last day of November. Only one month to go until we bid farewell to 2020. 

Today’s were celebrating mason jar day and cyber Monday with my writings. The acrostic reminds me if growing up when my step-granny did canning. I enjoyed the jelly and peaches she did.  I’m not sure if anyone does this anymore.  I closed my eyes as I recalled briefly about this chore. I do know we had to wash out the jar; put it into an area for reuse and throw away the lids.  

The other verse says it all on my thoughts of cyber shopping.  Unfortunately this year I’ve done more than usual due to COVID.  I still support small business when possible and those crafters I know.  The downside is trying to get rid of the boxes.  Shopping in stores, I reuse the bags for in my little trash baskets.  

Today put a box of cereal in the food box.  Try to pick one that would work for everyone; not just for a certain age group. 

The ‘spreading cheer’ activity is such a nice gesture. The card need not be a Christmas or holiday card, but a ‘thinking of you’ or ‘how are you doing’ would work. Send it to someone or even hand deliver if possible; in fact if you’re tech savvy, create one and email or text it.  I am actually going to do just that. I made a card earlier and am texting to a friend who I feels needs a bit of cheering up. 

In fact you may have more than one person who might need to be cheered, don’t think you can’t spread cheer to more than one person. 

Until tomorrow....Have a great day and as always Stay Safe. 

🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

                      MASON JAR

              © Scottie-ann Murphy

               (For Mason Jar Day) 

Many preserved foods grandma put in the 

      jars 

All through August she’d prepared for 

       the winter season

Such goodies such as strawberry jelly and 

    various fruit 

Oh the tasty tangy tomato sauce for 

         spaghetti

Not forgetting the homemade dill pickles 

Jars were washed to be reused again 

Although the lids discarded for new 

Really hard work the canning process; but 

   worth it in the long run 

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

                   EASY SHOPPING 

                © Scottie-ann Murphy

              (For Cyber Monday) 

Cyber Monday....the day to purchase online

Sit on the couch and order away 

Picking the right gift by viewing from the 

      computer screen 

Nothing can beat shopping from home in 

     your pajamas 

Packages arrive via deliver service or postal 

      mail

Just make sure you’re home to receive them 

Cyber shopping eliminates the crowds

No pushing or shoving in stores

No mask to wear when purchasing from the 

       comforts of the living room 

Sip eggnog or hot chocolate 

 Listen to Christmas music

And the best part....shopping can be done 

    at any time of  the day or night

Cyber buying a joy....discarding the delivery boxes afterwards  another story 

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER....Day 1

 

A. FOOD BOX ITEM Day 1: 2 Cans of Corn

a. SPREADING CHEER Day 1:  Send Cards      

          to  our Troops

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Advent begins today. The first candle will be lit on the advent wreath. It’s my beginning of my food box for the food pantry; as well as the first activity for spreading cheer.  

My acrostic today reflects advent. My verse is short and to the point.  Today we begin the countdown to celebrate the birth of our savior.  We aren’t celebrating the fact Santa is coming, exchange of gifts, over eating or going into debt due to the holiday; but a more spiritual meaning.  It’s the season of hope, love, joy and peace.  We need to all have hope as well as spread joy or as I call it, spread cheer.  

Today pick up a few boxes of inexpensive Christmas cards at the store.  Write one box out for our troops. (The second box keep for a later project). There are many ways to make sure they get them; you can Google the information or contact a local veterans organization for how to get cards to the troops.  I did a Google search and found a few sites that can help with the endeavor; also if you know an individual who has family member or friend in the military I am certain they’d be willing to help.  

One of my favorite holidays was the year my husband and I dressed up like Santa and the elf. We had a 2-door Chevy Tracker convertible; the type of top you take down manually.  The weather was warm for December in northeastern Pennsylvania, so we put the top back a bit. We were dressed in the outfits of Santa and elf. We stopped to put gas in the car before heading out to do deliveries of poinsettias and other gifts to those we wouldn’t see on Christmas Eve.  People passing by saw my husband in his Santa outfit at the gas pump; I was inside paying for the gas. Cars began to stop at the mini-mart.  The clerk inside was surprised about people coming in for coffee and to purchase gas.   One customer asked if we were a remote promo for the business.  I laughed about it. I explained no it was just us out doing Christmas fun.  At least the mini-mart had sold cups of coffee and others filled up their gas tank. Later that day we went to eat lunch and met my husband’s cousin, Johnny. We still being dressed in our outfits we walked into the place, sat at the bar and passed out a little gift of cheer to the patrons. Johnny met us and just looked at us with disdain.  He told the server “I don’t know those people”.  One of the customers said to him “that’s a shame as I’m planning to pick up their tab. Guess you’re not on it.” It was nice of the customer to do so. We enjoyed the day and actually emptied Santa’s bag of gag gifts, candy canes and little nice gifts. 

Think about one or two memories of just having a fun holiday.  As I type this I do have a funny story about two grandsons I took to see Santa. That’s another story for another day.  Let’s just say Santa shocked our one grandson. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy the day and as always Stay Safe. 

🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯 🕯

                          ADVENT 

                © Scottie-ann Murphy 

          (For The First Day of Advent)

As it’s the first Sunday of Advent the first 

   candle is lit

During the season a new candle will glow 

    each Sunday 

Virtues of hope, love, joy and peace 

Each candle symbolizes on the wreath 

Now the season begins as we prepare 

The celebration of the birth of our Savior 

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THANKFUL MONTH....November 28th

 

It’s Day 2 of the Christmas Season for me.  Tomorrow we’ll begin our food pantry box as well as our ‘spreading holiday cheer’ activities.  

On Tuesday my new daily writing challenge begins. This challenge is to write a poem, haiku (unfortunately I can’t do), flash fiction or acrostic from a word/words associated with the holidays.  The list is complete and numbered but not sure which word will go each day.  I will pull a number from a small box and the word for that number is daily word.  

Today the acrostic is EGGY BREAD as opposed to FRENCH TOAST as it’s National French Toast Day.  I’ve heard French Toast being called Eggy Bread; I sort of like that name.  I think it’s more appropriate to say eggy or egg soaked bread.  Personally I kind of enjoy my French toast as sticks (usually from a certain fast food chain).  If I order it with breakfast I generally end up making a sandwich with my breakfast meat.  Although I’m a bacon girl, for some reason I like sausage links or patty with my French toast; pancakes or waffles.  

As the Christmas season kicks off, today I thought about Christmases past. I need to again tell you, I’m sure I have in the past during this time of year, but from age seven to age thirty-seven I did not care if Christmas came or not.  I went through the motions of acting festive but in fact deep inside I felt nothing.  I was indeed happy for the fact it being a celebration of the birth of Jesus; but as for receiving so called gifts or presents, let’s not even discuss Santa, a gift was just another item I would get. Food, well after my mother married my step-father and I became part of a blended family, it was the same meal every Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.  That wasn’t so bad as it was a good tradition but after I married there was no tradition in that family.  I once tried to repeat the meal I had as a kid; even made it at my mother-in-laws house, let me just say she made a back-up meal. Never again did I volunteer to make a holiday meal during that marriage.  My first husband had passed away and I remarried.  It was this husband that for some reason restored my spirit of the holidays. 

I’ll always be happy for that. 

In days to come I may share a few of my good as well as sad experiences. Especially my ‘hand-me-down’ Christmas when I was seven. That maybe a two part story. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy some French toast and as always Stay Safe. 

🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

                      EGGY BREAD

                © Scottie-ann Murphy 

        (For National French Toast Day)

Even though it’s French Toast Day

Going to call it day to celebrate Eggy Bread

Great when it’s made with cinnamon raisin    

     bread

Yummy when topped with strawberries 

 

Best served with sausage links 

Really tasty when smothered in syrup

Even makes a delicious Monte Cristo 

As all good things, eat in moderation 

Do enjoy French Toast sticks, a breakfast 

          finger food 

HAPPY NATIONAL FRENCH TOAST DAY!

THANKFUL MONTH....Day Twenty-Seven

 

It’s Black Friday or day after Thanksgiving!  Personally for me, the Christmas holiday season begins.  I start to listen to Christmas music; wear a holiday shirt and socks and of course my one of a kind holiday jewelry; as well as begin to carry my holiday purse.  This year I’ll be wearing my holiday mask, my new accessory. 

Please be advise I’ll begin my ‘Spreading Holiday’ cheer on the twenty-ninth which is Sunday; the first Sunday in Advent.  This year I Googled and learned Advent begins November 29th. The food box will begin on November 29th and go until December 20th.  Each day I’ll post by 9am the current item for the food box; and what the daily spreading of cheer is for the day. 

On December 1st a new writing challenge begins.  It is going to be busy month for me it seems. 

As the two Black Friday acrostics, the second relates to me personally.  Actually when thinking about it so does the first.  I’ve already sent out to my family the monetary gifts.  It’s easier than a gift card and with cash it’s a gift that can be, in my opinion, reused to make purchase of what they want.  

I am glad to have gotten my family’s gift out.  Mail service is a tad slow during this time of year.  

Until next time....hope you have a good day and as always Stay Safe.  

                      BLACK FRIDAY

                © Scottie-ann Murphy 

                   (For Black Friday) 

Buyers out in droves everywhere 

Launch the Christmas shopping season

As the Black Friday frenzy begins 

Crowds stand outside for hours on end

Knowing they will find sales once inside

Fortunately I won’t be among the masses 

Racing from one store to the next

Instead I’ll just give everyone money 

Does come in the right size and color 

And cash doesn’t need to be exchanged 

Yet, I do miss the pushing and shoving to 

     save a dollar 

           

                  IT’S MY THING 

           © Scottie-ann Murphy

   (For Black Friday, The Start of My 

           Holidays) 

Beginning of the holidays always for me

Letting my Christmas spirit start to shine 

As I play Ms. Claus giving everyone a bit of     

     cheer 

Christmas card with a holiday decoration 

       inside

Kris Kingle boot ornament what I’m giving 

    this year to all 

    

From the day after Thanksgiving I begin 

Right up to Christmas Eve, I do my thing

It gives me a feeling of gladness inside

Doing a little gesture to spread joy

And perhaps making another person smile

Yes that’s what the Christmas spirit is 

        about 

 Black Friday Is Today!

THANKFUL MONTH....Day Twenty-Six

 

Today is Thanksgiving Day! It’s the day we are thankful for what we have and our blessings. Over the past twenty-five days I did a daily THANKFUL REFLECTION.  Today sums it up that I am quite thankful for ALL THAT I HAVE.  As I’m saying in the reflection I may not have as much as some do, but I may have more than others.  I am thankful each and every day to our Heavenly Father for what he bestows upon me and my family. He is first and foremost in my Thanksgiving Day acrostic on for what I’m thankful. 

This is indeed a different Thanksgiving for my husband and I. We would generally order a meal for home for Friday turkey leftovers; Bob Evans Restaurant has provided us with this for years.  We would go out to one of the veterans clubs for lunch to be with others but this year we are home bound.  Not that I can’t go out, but I’d rather stay home for safety reasons.  Yes we did order a to go turkey and the trimmings meal that feeds four (enough for Thanksgiving Day and Friday leftovers). I will call family later and/or text greetings even to friends.  

This year has been an up and down year, but we have coped.  We just remember that keeping our faith in the Lord and positive thoughts will get us through the rough patches.  Today there is 36 days until 2020 ends.  I pray that the rest of this year goes smoothly.  As you sit down for your Thanksgiving day meal, please reflection on your THANKFULS. Remember those who are working today and especially all first responders as well as our troops.  I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving. 

Today for some odd coincidence it’s both National Cake Day and National Milk Day.  Interesting combination for sure. I did an acrostic to celebrate both. 

Until tomorrow....don’t eat too much and as always Stay Safe.  

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      THANKFUL REFLECTIONS Day 26

Today I am thankful for ALL THAT I Have!

 I  may not have as much as some do BUT, I possible have more than some. 

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🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

                    THANKSGIVING 

                   © Scottie-ann Murphy

                    (For Thanksgiving 2020)

Today we give thanks for all our blessings

Heavenly Father first and foremost on my    

     list

And then family, friends, food, health and 

      shelter

Not forgetting being thankful for having 

    what I need always 

Knowing that I may not have as much as 

     some I’m okay

Still knowing I may have more than others I 

      feel beholden

Grateful always we should be for our 

     blessings 

Inasmuch some are never content with 

   what they possess 

Very often the grass is not always greener 

     next door 

It may have weeds you are unable to 

     see 

Never take what you have for granted 

Give thanks for not only today but for your 

        tomorrow’s 

🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🎂🍰🍰🎂🎂   

                           CAKE 

                 © Scottie-ann Murphy

               (For National Cake Day)

Count me in anytime for some birthday cake

And make it vanilla or yellow for my sake 

Kind of not fond of the other flavors 

Each and every bite will I savor and savor

Doesn’t matter if the cake is square or    

     round 

As it’s all cake, yet, one thing I have found

You can’t go wrong with a nice corner from 

      a sheet cake 

🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛🥛                       

                           MILK

             © Scottie-ann Murphy

               (For National Milk Day)

Milk it does a body good, the saying goes 

It being celebrated on National Cake Day a 

    funny coincidence 

Let’s just say cake and milk go together 

Kind of like peanut butter goes with jelly

Drinking milk and dunking grandmother’s  

    homemade cookies 

A delicious after school snack enjoyed daily 

Yummy chocolate chips were the best 

THANKFUL MONTH....Day Twenty-Five

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     THANKFUL REFLECTIONS Day 25

Today is down to the wire. My THANKFUL today is for ALL MY BLESSINGS.  I am fortunate, to have many and all them I am indeed truly thankful. 

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Today is what I consider Thanksgiving Eve. As I review my list of THANKFULS, I realize I have much for which to be thankful.  My thankful today is for the many blessings I have. 

It’s National Jukebox Day.  I love playing the jukebox at clubs/bars. The jukebox does make money for the business. When I was younger you’d get three songs per quarter; now it’s two songs for a dollar and this goes by credits now.  Sometimes a song is one credit and sometimes two.  Now the jukebox is a touch screen and not the old 45RPM records.  You’d push the buttons on which song you wanted on the older device and hope you did not make a mistake. The new systems can actually be activated somehow from an app on your phone.  I am not familiar with this as I don’t use it.  I guess I’m old school I put in my cash and pick out the artist or song. 

How times have changed.  Personally I miss the old jukeboxes.  My acrostic reflects my feelings on the subject.  

The other acrostic is for Terry who has a birthday today. I’m not sure which anniversary of her 21st birthday she’s celebrating today; or what anniversary of her 39th birthday.  

As I mentioned the next few days are short pieces; reason is I’m still working on my ‘spreading cheer’ list and food box list.  

Until tomorrow....have a good day and as always Stay Safe. 

🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵

                       JUKEBOX 

                  © Scottie-ann Murphy 

          (For National Jukebox Day)

Just drop a quarter in the jukebox get three     

      songs 

Unfortunately now it’s two songs for a    

      dollar 

Keeping with times no vinyl records 

      comprise the old machines 

Every club/bar seems to use the digital 

      touch system 

But I will play what is now the new jukebox

Of course it’s a variety of oldies and 

        country 

Xcerts, Suede, Midnight Oil don’t make the 

      cut

Dolly, Elvis, Sinatra and Reba you’ll hear 

         when I pay

A though the new touch system provides 

     many songs by the artist 

 You know I miss the sound of someone      

    yelling “Hey play A-12”

🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵

                            TERRY

                 © Scottie-ann Murphy

(For Terry Sampson on her birthday 

              November 25, 2020

Terrific

  Effervescent

     Radiant 

         Reliable

              Yielding

Today a Terrific person celebrates her 

        birthday

An individual who is Effervescent in every 

         way

One who is Radiant even on a stormy day 

A most Reliable lady you can count on when 

       needed

She can be Yielding on occasion, but stands 

     her ground

On this birthday best wishes for a great day 

       HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

THANKFUL MONTH....Day Twenty-Four

 

The next few days are short reads. 

It’s Tuesday of Thanksgiving week.  Today I’m thankful for animals. I think my reflection says it all. 

The wacky holidays were really off the wall today.  So I decided to give you a lesson about sardines for National Sardine Day.  Never liked them but funny both my first husband liked them and current hubby enjoys them. My step-brother enjoyed them also. Maybe it’s a guy thing.  

I had to Google what good they are and found many ways to serve them up.  Yuck is all I can say.  

I’ve been busy working on two projects. As many know for years I’ve written my yearly Santa’s visit piece.  It’s always focused around myself and my character Sylvia, the Fluffy White Cat having a visit on Christmas Eve from Santa.  I haven’t done one for years and was asked if I’d do one again. Two o’clock this morning I was still wide awake and came up with the 2020 piece; as well, if I were doing gag gifts I even composed a greeting card to accompany it. Watch future ‘ramblings’.  

Until tomorrow....have a good day and Stay Safe. 

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      THANKFUL REFLECTIONS Day 24

Today I am THANKFUL for animals. Whether it be dogs, cats, horses etc...

Unlike humans, your pet will love you unconditionally.  They don’t judge you or get  upset if you’re having a bad day. They are there to greet you no matter what. 

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🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴⚫️🔴

                   SARDINES YUCK 

                    © Scottie-ann Murphy

             (For National Sardine Day)

Smelly little fish in a can 

And yet are nutrient rich 

Right from the can they’re eaten 

Drop one on a cracker, saltine is best 

In some cases they come covered in mustard 

Now I’ve found them with a hot sauce

Either way they still do stink 

Salt, pepper and mayo, mix them like tuna

Did see them on pizza instead of anchovies 

And heard they can be mixed in salad

Yuck! No thank you, I’ll pass on sardines 

THANKFUL MONTH....Day Twenty-Three

 

It’s Monday! Thanksgiving week! Friday is Black Friday! The Christmas season begins! 

Today’s wacky holidays include Doctor Who Day, National Cashew Day, National Espresso Day and Eat a Cranberry Day. 

Today my thankful is for FUN. Once in a while we need to unwind and do something just for fun.  It balances your life out. 

Today I did the acrostic on CASHEW DAY.  Now I do enjoy cashews more than peanuts. I usually get them on sale, half or pieces whatever is available and on occasion I’ll see while on sale.  I do try to buy the unsalted.  Cashews can be used in many ways. I researched a few interesting recipes and am looking forward to the salad with them. Now I’m a  Waldorf salad person but that salad with the cranberries, apples and cashews sound tasty too; this salad you use mix salad greens.  

I’ve used cashews in snack mix along with peanuts at one time.  It was indeed different. 

I hope everyone has great day. 

Until tomorrow....as always Stay Safe. 

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    THANKFUL REFLECTIONS Day 23

Today I am thankful for FUN! The one thing we all need on occasion.  I take this seriously as there are times I need to just let go and forget about all the issues of the world.  We all need to do so at least once a month. 

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                      CASHEW DAY

                    © Scottie-ann Murphy

             (For National Cashew Day) 

Cashews are a good source of protein 

A snack I enjoy over peanuts and almonds

Salted, unsalted, dry roasted or honey 

        roasted 

Half, whole or even in pieces doesn’t matter 

Enjoy a cashew chicken stir fry on occasion 

Would take an apple, cranberry and 

      cashew salad over a Waldorf

Don’t overlook cashews in snack mixes

As they can replace the peanut or almond

Yeah for National Cashew Day! 

THANKFUL MONTH.... Day Twenty-Two

Such an interesting collection of wacky holidays for Sunday; STIR UP SUNDAY, GO FOR a RIDE DAY, HUMANE SOCIETY DAY, MOTHER GOOSE DAY and NATIONAL CRANBERRY RELISH DAY. 

I’ve never actually had cranberry relish until a few years ago when I had it from Publix grocery store on a turkey sub.  It was delicious.  I ended up purchasing a container to put on my turkey sandwiches 

at home. 

My thankful sounds odd I’m sure.  I’m getting down to wire of Thankful month. I’m now concentrating on odd things for which I’m thankful like chocolate which will be one of these days.  Today I’m thankful to have good weather.  I could be experiencing cold days or humid days but now I’m glad the weather is not too humid that I’m constantly running the air conditioner.  My perfect temperature is 85 degrees.  

My acrostics are MOTHER GOOSE Day and GO FOR a RIDE Day.  I loved the Mother Goose rhymes and wrote the piece from my own personal view.  It were these rhymes that forged my love of poetry. 

As for the second verse, it focuses on an individual out for a bike ride.  

It’s Sunday and I plan to get my December writing plan in order.  In December I usually just ‘ramble’ about the act of ‘Spreading Holiday Cheer’ and food box collection.  This year I have a challenge. Each day write a piece using a word of the season such as star, Santa, Angel, Christmas cards etc.  

I have a list I comprised years ago but never did anything with it.  This year I’ll be doing something with the word whether it be an acrostic, verse or use it in flash fiction or greeting card verse.  I’m sure my favorite character Madison has a few holiday stories that need to be told; think ugly sweater. Stay tuned here. 

Until tomorrow....have a great day and as always Stay Safe. 

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     THANKFUL REFLECTIONS Day 22

Today I am thankful for good weather.  I enjoy sunny days with low humidity in or around 85 degrees.  That’s the perfect temperature for me.  

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 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋            

          MOTHER GOOSE DAY 

           © Scottie-ann Murphy 

Mother Goose inspired my imagination as a 

     child

Often I wondered how could kittens wear 

       mittens

Then thought about how a cow could jump 

       over the moon

Humpty Dumpty made me cry when he fell          

     off the wall 

Even upset that Jack fell down off the hill 

   with Jill

Recalling these verses from childhood easy,  

    hard though to remember my passwords 

Georgie going around kissing girls, while 

      Miss Muffett sat eating 

Old King Cole was always merry when his     

     three fiddlers would play 

Of course Mistress Mary had a great     

     garden that she tended

Simple Simon and Little Boy Blue were 

    made of snails and puppy dog tails

Every little girl was comprised of spice and 

    sugar

Day that I pay tribute to Mother Goose’s 

      silly rhymes 

And yes now I consider them to be of 

   foolish nature 

Yet they were verses that gave me 

    appreciation for poetry 

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             GO FOR a RIDE DAY

            © Scottie-ann Murphy 

Going out today to ride my bike 

Off around the neighborhood I’ll pedal

Forgetting about the issues of the day 

Out in the fresh air I will clear my brain 

Riding my bike great exercise as well 

As I travel along past my neighbors I’ll wave 

Remembering if I stop to chat, stay six feet 

    apart 

It is for both our safety we social distance

Day of Go For a Ride Day celebrated today 

Even if it’s in a car, truck or on a 

     motorcycle, enjoy the ride 

   

THANKFUL MONTH....Day Twenty-One

 

It’s Saturday and WORLD HELLO Day.  I wrote an acrostic about saying ‘hello’ in various languages as well as ‘thank you’. This popped in my head at 2:00am.  Learning few words and phrases in a different language could be helpful.  So of course I had to Google the word hello and thank you in many languages. Odd I already knew thank you in German, Spanish and Italian as well as French.  When I took French in high school my mother asked why I was taking French it would come in handy she told me.  How wrong she was; I joined the Forty and Eight and French terms we use.  

The red mitten piece, for National Red Mitten Day, came to my mind at 2:00am also. It was an imaginary piece about young girl whose grandmother knitted for the family. Every year the young girl would receive red mittens and scarf for Christmas.  Actually the red mittens and scarf were from a memory of a set I had (mine was store bought).  Of course as I got older I ended up wearing gloves.  I found it hard to drive wearing mittens.  

My thankful today is for our troops.  Enough said as I remember and show my support every Friday with wearing red.  

I’m still trying to compose my ‘spreading holiday cheer’ list and food box list.  Look forward to the first item beginning next week. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy Saturday and as always Stay Safe. 

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     THANKFUL REFLECTIONS Day 21

I am thankful for our troops who are serving our country.  They are without a doubt unselfishly leaving behind family and home to serve in the military. A big THANKS to all. 

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                          THE GIFT 

                 © Scottie-ann Murphy

                 (For RED MITTEN Day)

Red mittens and scarf items from my youth

Especially for me knitted by my grandma  

Does anyone knit mittens and scarves 

      anymore 

Made with love each stitch of red a kiss 

         from her 

In summer she knitted, creating wonderful 

       gifts for the family 

The mittens and scarf a welcome 

      Christmas present 

They kept me warm from the chill of winter

Every Christmas a new set I’d find under the 

       tree 

Never black or white mittens but red, 

      always red 

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                  TODAY’S LESSON 

               © Scottie-ann Murphy

            (For WORLD HELLO Day)

Welcome and hello we greet our friends 

Often I’ll just say HI or HOWDY 

Residents of Reykjavik say HALLO

Letts in Latavia will shout SVEIKI 

Down under in Australia you’ll hear 

      ‘G’ DAY MATE’

However in France it’s BONJOUR or SALUT

Excuse my pronunciation of your language 

Learning a new jargon quite difficult 

Lesson today saying HELLO in four dialects 

On to our next word tomorrow, GOOD BYE 

Do need to know DANKE, GRAZIE, KIITOS,    

    GARCIAS

A THANK YOU said many ways  

Yet I use MERCI mostly it seems 

 

 

THANKFUL MONTH....Day Twenty

 

An interesting assortment of wacky holidays. I used Picture Book month to have a list of five for today’s countdown. I did the acrostic on why these books are important. It was fun to write. I thought about picture books I purchased for grandchildren. It seemed to just flow.   

Name your PC day was a bit of fun also.  What would I name mine? I don’t want a plain name but then some names I picked too formal. Also is it a male or female?  I am sure there are those who spend more time with their PC than family so it might as well have a name. I’m still thinking of a name today.   

I used essential workers as my thankful today.  They have been working unselfishly during these COVID months.  Thank you essential workers who are on the front lines these days.  

I’ve already started the ‘spread holiday cheer’ list for 2020 as well as food box items list.  I’m not completely through with it as of yet.  

It’s Friday and the day we wear our RED.  

So don your red, then figure out a name for your PC. 

Until tomorrow....enjoy the day and as always Stay Safe. 

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  THANKFUL REFLECTIONS Day 20

Today I am THANKFUL for ESSENTIAL WORKERS.  These individuals are the ones in the front lines during these COVID days.  They include not only first responders, but those in the grocery stores, restaurant workers, etc.  A big thank you for being there for everyone. 

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             NAME YOUR PC DAY

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

Nothing weird about naming your PC 

After all Shakespeare said “what’s in a 

           name”

Many name their vehicles, why not their PC

Even though it may sound silly to some 

You spend hours upon hours together 

Often more than with a love one 

Unique name I thinking for mine 

Rosie, Ritchie, Carol, Chuckie are too plain

Phillipe, Antionette, Winston, Elizabeth    V. 

     seem too formal 

Can’t decide which way to go, formal or 

         plain

Doesn’t matter, it’s not like PC will talk 

     back to me 

And it can’t hear what I have to say

Yet I’m going to name it, just to celebrate 

       the day 

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                PICTURE BOOKS 

           © Scottie-ann Murphy

Possibly the first book a child owns

Illustrations help in telling a story

Cute stories for the young 

That convey a concept or value

Understand they need be read aloud 

Reading to children important 

Early development of literacy 

Books are the building block 

On the journey of learning 

One book can make a different 

Know reading is essential 

 

THANKFUL MONTH....Day Nineteen

 Today the wacky/weird holidays were all over the place.  First was National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day; then we had World Toilet Day; the Great American Smoke Out Day; Have a Bad Day Day; last but not least Rocky and Bullwinkle Day. Quite a few off the wall holidays no doubt.  I did my acrostic or two actually on the carbonated beverage day or Coca Cola.  Colas come in caffeine and caffeine free; sugar and sugar free; and many flavors such as cherry cola, vanilla to name a few.  Colas are used as mixes for drinks; bourbon, whiskey, vodka (yes vodka) and rum.  Cola was a good refreshing beverage when I was younger but now if and when I have a cola it has to be sugar and caffeine free.  

I wrote the BAD DAY acrostic as it were a greeting card to cheer someone up. The words are simple and ring true.  Just keep smiling don’t despair. 

Today I am thankful for education. 

Now to explain a few things.  Next week is Thanksgiving; after that the Christmas season begins for me.  Like the last few years I plan to do a daily blog centering on ‘spreading holiday cheer’. Each day I’ll post something to cheer up another.  Besides this I’m going to discuss the reverse holiday countdown calendar; what this entails is to begin a giving box of non-perishable food items.  It will begin November 29th till December 20th.  Each day I’ll list what goes into each box. I did this past few years and plan again to do so. More as we get closer to next week.  You can always go read past SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER blogs from past few years. 

Until tomorrow....have a good day and as always Stay Safe.  

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     THANKFUL REFLECTIONS DAY 19

Today I am thankful for education.  I think I received a good education in my life and was happy with those from whom I learned. We live in a country where education is available to one and all.  We should be thankful for this. 

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                COLA and RUM 

          © Scottie-ann Murphy

   (For National Carbonated Beverage

           with Caffeine Day)

Cold beverage that is simply refreshing 

On a hot summer day, a cola with ice 

Carbonated caffeine drink to perk you up 

And either sugary or sugar free 

Colas come in many flavors now

Of course also served with many alcohols 

Let’s all take a break from our routine 

And enjoy a Captain and Coca Cola 

 ☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️😞😞😞☹️😞☹️😞☹️😞😞                  

                          BAD DAY

              © Scottie-ann Murphy 

                (For Have a Bad Day)

Because everything is going wrong

And things seem to not go your way 

Don’t despair, just keep smiling 

Days like this happen to us all

Always keep a positive outlook 

You’re just having one bad day