Senior Scribes
Watchin' the Money
By Mona Lease

Hi, all! I've been listening to the conversations lately. It seems very few people are truly happy. "More money" is what I hear. "If I had more money I could do this, that or, the other." I've watched "more money" appear - then another "problem" occurs - sickness sometimes. Usually something breaks. Somehow, the "needful broken object" is a television or computer. Now and again, it's a vehicle or appliance. For all the "needful" of the telly or computer - I've really only seen them cause a host of problems - in most cases.

I know a few cases where people sit and watch the 5 o'clock news, turn the channel and watch the 5:30, 6, and in some cases, the 7 o'clock news - "Winter storm warning!" - another "Arctic blast!!" - "The Flu is here!" (when did it ever leave?) - :"Worst drought in 20 years!!" - "A high rise building burned!!" - you get the picture here, right?

Now; this is probably just me but; "the Flu" doesn't seem to mind how much money you have...nor does the drought nor do the Arctic Blasts....so much for money fixing or heading off those problems!

With Valentine's Day a mere 26 days away - that's 4 weekly paychecks as I write this - I listened to the ideas floating in my head. What would happen if we did not buy the roses or the candy? Aside from not having to watch the flowers die and not gaining an extra pound or two (or blowing the New Year's resolution entirely - congrats to those of you who've kept them thus far!) - what would really happen to us - as a people? - as a family unit?

I mean; what if we turned off the telly and computer and sat down with each other over a Pepsi/Coke or coffee? What if we told each other how much we missed them (you know you did - admit it!)? What if we sat with each other - in silence - holding hands? What would happen if we did those things and just "let it be?" My maternal Grandmother used to say "Let it be" whenever I'd move a book back into place or fiddle with a chrome strip on the door that was out of place. I think I understand now what she meant.

The same Kentucky girlfriend that I've spoken of before used to say "Don't get all het up about it." The translation of "het" is "heat" or "heated up." You know - in the case of the door - in the fixing" of it, more damage or "het up" could happen than was needed or "worth it." The pieces probably would not go together rightly. Still - it was a door that had the storm glass and screen...it worked - kept the flies out and let in the fresh air in the summer. Put down the glass and raise the screen and voila! - no snow or cold air in the winter.

Remember the movie Liar, Liar? Remember the lying Dad tells his son "everyone lies"? It's the "adult way", the Dad tells his son.. And the son said - "But your lies are the only ones that hurt me." Now - if that's true, then the opposite is true, too - ain't it? If lies hurt from the ones we love; then love would heal - right? What would happen if we all gave each other a real, red, beating heart instead of a paper imitation (sorry, Hallmark)? What if we turned off the "needful things" and turned on and tuned in to each other? What if we said "You're the salt on my baked potato" - and meant it?

Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever Toodles! MONA