Joe Did, Trump Did . .

Joe Did, Trump Did…

Joe Biden vs Donald Trump

 

 

Joe Did, Trump Did . . .

 

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

Although I have made my position known on President Biden remarking, “Welcome home”, to Donald Trump, I don’t like it at all that Joe said that during Trump’s travesty of an inauguration. I feel strongly that you never say, “Welcome home”, to a traitor. I still have the utmost respect for Joe, and will always love him. “Welcome home” is a term of endearment and the comment I do feel was inappropriate to say the least, but despite the faux pas Biden will go down in history as one of our greatest presidents.

I can agree to disagree with those I care about on most subjects but “The Donald” is a bone of contention with me, not to mention the majority of his followers can not be reasoned with. Having made my position clear, please allow me to point out the extreme differences between President Biden and “The Donald”. As my husband would say, the difference between the two is like day and nightmare…

  1.  President Biden makes me smile. Trump makes we cry, shake my head in wonder, and at times laugh at his stupidity, because Dumpty has made America the laughing stock of the world.
  2. Joe Biden’s administration gave seniors insulin for $35; Trump took it away immediately after taking office.
  3. President Biden gave confidence to a young boy that stutters, showing compassion, and giving the youth his private phone number. Trump maliciously made fun of a disabled journalist and suggested his own disabled nephew “should be left to die.”
  4. Joe gave us our first female VP; Trump grabs them “by the p____”.
  5. Biden is responsible for the Violence Against Women Act; Trump has used violence against women.
  6. President Joe pardoned his son; “The Donald” pardoned those that participated in his insurrection.
  7. Joe prayed during his inauguration; Trump held a Bible upside down outside of a church he does not attend, then scribbled on God’s Word, selling made in China versions of the Good Book for $60, claiming every household should have a Bible. I agree that everyone needs access to God’s Word but if you can’t afford sixty bucks, you still deserve a Bible. Take note that the orange haired monster never said everyone should read the Bible – he admits he does not read books.
  8. Biden has not had any marital scandals; “The Donald” has committed adultery on many occasions and brags about it.
  9. Joe brought us beautiful Dr. Biden, an educated and beautiful First Lady of dignity and class; Trump brought us the only first “lady” with a staple in her navel and a history of naked pictures in cheap slut magazines.
  10. Joe built bridges with a much needed infrastructure plan; Donald continues to tout his unfinished racist wall.
  11. Joe Biden gave President Carter’s eulogy; Trump refused to allow flags at half-mast for Jimmy.
  12. Biden brought two adorable dogs and a cat to the White House; Champ and Major. Trump promoted trophy hunting and poked fun at pet owners.
  13. Joe Biden honored MLK, the man synonymous with peace; Trump is an avowed racist and violence supporter.
  14. President Biden wanted a path to citizenship for dreamers; Trump began mass deportation the first day back in office.
  15. Joe created jobs and unemployment was down in record numbers; the orange haired monster has already caused migrant workers to not show up for work.
  16. President Biden ended the pandemic, got us vaccines, reopened the economy, and gave the largest amount of stimulus. He rehired Dr. Fauci and now COVID is much less frightening and treatable. Trump refused to acknowledge or utilize the pandemic National Security Counsel Directorate for Global Health and Security and bio defense plan that the dishonest Mitch McConnell is trying to deny the existence of that the Obama administration put in place. Because of Trump millions died from COVID, not to mention many people have long term effects from the virus, and our economy is still suffering the effects of the pandemic.
  17. Biden works to end war and negotiates the safe return of hostages; the orange haired devil thrives on violence in any and every form.
  18. Joe and the Obama administration brought about much needed healthcare reform, providing insurance to millions; “The Donald” wants to end Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security- the life line for the middle and working classes. Medicaid pays for nearly all nursing home care for seniors AND on the other end of the scale and half of the births in the United States.
  19. President Biden is a champion for safe gun laws; Trump has the NRA in his pocket (or maybe vice versa…).
  20. Joe Biden signed into law the Social Security Fairness Act, protecting the money that teachers and first responders paid into the SSA. This legislation was originally proposed all the way back in September of 2022 – Biden got it done. Trump wants to rob seniors and the disabled of their funds. Joe Biden shows respect for the LGBTQ community; Trump on day one of his second term attacked trans individuals’ rights. amongst others.
  21. President Biden is a law abiding attorney; “The Donald” is convicted felon that belongs nowhere near the Oval Office. He should not be allowed to take so much as a White House tour – Trump belongs behind bars.
  22. Biden was never impeached; Trumpty Dumpty has the unique distinction of being impeached twice…so far.
  23. Joe fights racism and anti-Semitism, and has been doing so for decades; Trump is completely anti-Semetic and a racist to everyone that is not a rich white arch-conservative male.
  24. President Biden went into action immediately to control the recent wildfires that have wrecked havoc in southern California. Trump thinks windmills cause cancer and that global warming is a hoax. Science saves lives, let’s not forget it.

I plan on writing more about Trump’s atrocious mishandling of everything he touches and more about President Biden’s years of public service. I have just begun to resist…

OPINION: The Myth of Elon Musk

OPINION: The Myth of Elon Musk

OPINION: The Myth of Elon Musk

Editor: A version of this post came off the internet from “Lillian” who posted a version of this condemnation of Elon Musk on the social media platform X. Bravo, sister, let’s slap this SOB right in his criminal face. I personally support the  revocation of Musk’s U.S, citizenship and a fast flight back to South Africa for him. This guy is no American, in spirit or action. It is only because of the Supreme Court’s flawed and disastrous Citizens United decision that Musk was able to donate over $250,000,000 (!)  to re-elect Donald J. Trump. It is only now that we are getting a glimpse of what Musk’s money was buying. 

D.S. Mitchell

A Rich Cat

The myth of Elon Musk is fast collapsing. He is not a genius. He is not a visionary. He is not a creator, or a builder. He is just another rich cat playing us. His persona has been hyped for the last decade plus as the brilliant businessman, changing the world for the better with electric cars and cutting edge technology. Space exploration. The colonization of the moon and even Mars. As with many things that glitter, Musk is neither gold nor diamonds. Elon Musk is a fake and a phony. He has been given, or taken, credit for the work of others while burning through U.S. taxpayers money like a California wildfire.

Behind the Curtain

Musk didn’t create Tesla. He bought it. He didn’t invent SpaceX, engineers did. He didn’t create PayPal, in fact, the company fired his arrogant narcissist ass. Obviously, the reason he was fired was because he couldn’t work or play with the other billionaire narcissists at the company. He wasn’t out of work for long, however. Suddenly, he manifests as a contractor for the U.S. government, thank you SpaceX and Tesla. U.S. taxpayer’s have propped Musk up for at least the last decade and a half. OMG, our tax dollars are supporting his CHINESE car company.

South African Roots

Apartheid, was the name given to the social system of racial segregation created by the white-ruled country of South Africa. The system was harsh and deeply institutionalized and legally enforced. Musk grew up in apartheid South Africa. Musk, a rich, white kid, born into the era of apartheid, has a distorted view of human skin color. Clearly, Musk is unable to separate himself from his roots. Multiple lawsuits against his companies alleging discrimination and untenable working conditions by persons of color is concerning.  Is this really a man we want making decisions about Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and who those biases might effect? This guy and his family benefitted off the near slave labor of black miners at the South African emerald mines they owned.

Marketing Slut

Musk is not a brilliant scientist/environmentalist, he is instead a marketing slut doing anything to keep his face in front of the public, a certifiable attention addict; anything to get us to look his way, a man desperate for adulation. Every day Musk is tweeting far right conspiracy theories, picking cyber fights, and embarrassing himself and his adopted country. While true leaders lift up those in need, Musk, like Trump, pushes them face down into the dirt. While leaders innovate, Musk destroys. His sociopathic quest for attention and front page media coverage, will I’m sure lead to his eventual collapse. In the entertainment industry it’s called overexposure. The continuous media spotlight  on Musk has resulted in more than eye rolls; it has resulted in growing disfavor and rejection of the man and what he represents. There comes a point when merely a picture of the celebrity causes us to turn away. I have turned my back on Elon Musk.

Backlash From  the Street

Musk thinks he is above the law and public reprisal.  It’s apparent he thinks there will be no backlash for his destruction of the agencies that serve millions of people in this country. I’m done with secret billionaire clicks and their Supreme Court flunkies. Speaking as an American I don’t like what I’m seeing coming from Musk/Trump. The American public wants solutions, not hucksters and tricksters. Unfortunately, what we have is an unelected “surrogate”- “a sometimes U.S. President” arm-in-arm with the fat, old, tired, and psychopathic Donald Trump who can’t find the toilet paper hanging on the wall next to him.

On the Street

Tesla owners are being confronted on the street and educated about Tesla and Musk, often in less than glorious language. Crowds carrying signs and shouting insults are showing up at Tesla dealerships around the world; not just in the United States.  I feel it-people are emerging from the mind numbing shock of Trump’s election, asking desperately, “what can I do?” to stop the billionaire assault on the very structure of our government.

A Growing Out Cry

A new Resistance is forming. The dazed and shell-shocked opponents of Trump and his gang of modern day robber barons are finding their voices and stepping up their defiance. The crowds are growing in size by the day; turning out to protest the unprecedented intrusion into the very heart of our government. DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) led by Musk’s gang of youthful cyber hackers, all under 25, are looking at millions of sensitive records at the Social Security department, the VA, the Defense Department, the IRS,  Medicare, and Medicaid, with what intent?

No Good Intent

It’s clear that multiple agencies designed to help millions of disadvantaged American, going back to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt administration of the 1930’s-1940’s are under intense attack. Why have all the Inspector General’s been canned? These are the very folks that weed out fraud, corruption, and abuse. If this DOGE stunt was really about fraud, corruption and abuse, Musk should be working with the IG’s, not firing them. However, this should be no surprise, Musk was worried that several of the fired IG’s were investigating him and his companies. I don’t like seeing rich guys, like Musk, and our felonious co-president, Donald Trump, flaunt the law just because of they have fat  bank accounts.

Oligarchs and Kleptocrats

In a kleptocracy, corrupt politicians secretly, or not so secretly, enrich themselves outside the rule of law, through kickbacks, bribes, and special favors, or by simply redirecting government funds to themselves and their friends and associates via contracts and special concessions. This is the world of the Oligarch. We can’t  let their money and power intimidate us and those who will stand with us. What is emerging is a world wide struggle between the rich and the hordes of the poor. I can’t imagine anything that polls worse in America than the richest man in the world coming after Public education, your Social Security check, your VA healthcare, your Meals on Wheels, or your neighborhood Head Start.

What Can I Do?

I know you’re tired and I understand that you don’t think you can do another 4 years of protests. I want to assure you, we are all tired; exhausted in fact, but our democracy is quite literally in the crosshairs of the dictators. We can sleep later, what we need now is activism. Indivisible, MoveOn, 5Calls.org, democracydoccket.com, are all organizations that can help you direct your anger and focus on the goal to clean out the billionaires from our government and their Republican allies in the House and the Senate. I’m ready to start marching, hollering my head off, and raising my middle finger in response to Musk’s Nazi salute. Just remember that there are a hell of a lot more of us than them.

 

Chew on This for Valentine’s Day

Chew on This for Valentine’s Day

Chew on This for Valentine’s Day

Editor: Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m hope everyone finds a diamond in their soup.

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

All That Glitters

I am a simple kind of girl – give me some plain ol’ chocolates in a velvet heart-shaped box with a big ribbon and an even bigger diamond, then I am content. As long as my chocolate confections come with a little something sparkly, I am happy.  My husband is big on placing jewelry in food – nothing says romance like a cracked molar and expensive, extensive dental work…

Cuisine Creative

My first diamond cocktail ring arrived in a dish of carrots because it was a “1 carat” ring.  My engagement ring was presented, much to the delight of the charming waitress at Red Lobster, in a plate of mussels – my husband’s theory was since pearls come in oysters, diamonds can come in mussels.  Another diamond ring embedded in tiramisu (ladyfingers…) appeared at our favorite Italian restaurant.  A sapphire ring came atop a cupcake; my diamond and sapphire wedding set was encased in a miniature pink gumball machine.  Hmm, I wonder what I’ll find topping our heart-shaped pizza this year (hint, hint…).  Fortunately, I never broke a tooth on or ingested any of this jewelry, so I don’t have any trips to the emergency room stories to share.

He Shelled Out…

So I asked my spouse to get me something expensive and rare this Valentine’s Day. I am enjoying my dozen eggs – I might just bake him a cake with them. Maybe once “The Donald” leaves office, I can get a heart shaped box of Whitman chocolates, a pink stuffed bear (just not Trumpy Bear), and a dozen long stem roses instead.

The Good Ol’ Days

I was looking over some vintage Valentine’s Day ads recently – they sure bring back memories of Whitman samplers, red dresses with Peter Pan collars, and those adorable little valentines with the small white rectangle envelopes that have a lick strip straight across the top that we were forced to give to everyone in our classroom, whether you liked them or not. I would wear my crimson velvet dress with shiny black Mary Jane’s and the requisite white socks trimmed in lace, a big red bow in my hair. With giggly anticipation, every little girl in kindergarten and first grade awaited the pile of white envelopes on our desk top.

Sugar Rush

The red napkins came next, then frosted vanilla cupcakes with pink sprinkles and gumdrop hearts, topped with sugar and a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss. This was our grammar school celebration for the sweetest of holidays. We washed the caloric red dye food coloring down with even more sugar laden red hued beverages. A plastic punch bowl adorned with a scoop of sherbet and a splash of ginger ale, or if you happened to be from the Pittsburgh area like me, a cherry Little Hug.

Dance Like Teacher’s Watching

Off to the gymnasium to learn to dance with a reluctant partner and work off the sugar high. My Barbie and kitten Valentine cards were passed around with a flourish. I received a stack of puppy and Hot Wheels cards in return. We lined up in pairs of two to receive our box of conversation hearts for the road. Sticking our tongues out (when the teacher wasn’t looking our way) at the little boys that stepped on our beloved shiny patent toe pinchers while we learned to waltz. Those were the days – our hearts were full of joy and our little party had style…

Let’s Get Off the Couch

Let’s Get Off the Couch

Let’s Get Off the Couch

By D. S. Mitchell 

 

One to the Solar Plexus

Trump’s 2024 election victory hit me like a Mac truck. I wasn’t just physically devastated; I was psychologically traumatized. All those rallies, all those meetings, all those phone calls, all those yard signs, all those donations; all for nothing. Quite truthfully, that first week after the election I huddled on the couch with my Teddy, a soft blankie, and a fifth of Johnnie Walker within easy reach. What now? I worried.

BS and Bluster

I didn’t have to wait long for my answer. It’s clear, Trump’s solution to high meat and egg prices is to seize Greenland, annex Canada, institute tariffs on our two biggest trading partners Mexico and Canada, send American troops to secure the Panama Canal, from what we are not sure of, and then Trump’s desire to take over Gaza from Israel. With billions in investment capital and an army of bulldozers Trump states he will turn the rubble of Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East”. Of course the displacement of the 2.14 million Palestinians is illegal and Trump himself admits that  U.S. military intervention may be required. Before the uproar over that absurdity quieted down, Trump told Ukrainians that they needed to be ready to guarantee the supply of more rare earth metals in exchange for our continued support in their fight against Putin.

Google On

Until this week, lawmakers, even Democrats, have been telling us to please just relax, Trump won’t be able to do any of these things; it’s just the old guy hyping the unpredictable and outrageous to keep us all off balance and unsure of what to do in response to his reckless disregard for our laws and our institutions. Well, Google took him seriously, and so have the oligarchs in waiting. Google announced it will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The richest people in the country are lining up to give financial support to the Orange One. Talk about bending the knee and kissing the ring. What I’d say, we have here is bending of the knee and kissing the ass. I don’t think we have time to sit back and wait, they are moving through the government departments with a wrecking ball.

Critical Action

Get up off the couch, drop the Teddy, put the bottle of Johnnie Walker down and start calling your friends and neighbors. It’s up to us to form an effective response to Trump’s lawless approach to government. Let’s get moving, we have a democracy to save.

Black Labor is for All

“I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness that surrounds me,” Sojourner Truth

Black Labor is for All

By Wes Hessel & Cate-Rees Hessel

 

A Labor of Love, and Dedication…

The theme for this year’s Black History Month celebration speaks volumes. “African Americans and Labor” reminds us that Black men and women were kidnapped from their distant homeland and brought to the American colonies as slaves; slaves whose children and grandchildren would suffer the same fate, locked into lives of misery because of their skin color for the next 150 years. From that first load of human cargo in 1619, Black history has become our nation’s history. The Black contribution to the building of the United States has been great, but for the most part has gone unrecognized and uncompensated. As Black History Month begins let’s take a few minutes to acknowledge just a few of those contributors and their incredible contributions to our country.

United They Stand

African Americans have championed worker’s rights, right along with civil rights, for a significant part  of U.S. history. In 1925, A. Philip Randolph, a civil rights activist and labor organizer founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids, the first Black union to be recognized by the AF of L. Improvements for the American worker has been an integral part of the civil rights movement, and people of color continue to be leaders on this issue. Of course, these aren’t the only areas where African Americans stand out.

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25 Ways to Repurpose those Trump Tickets

25 Ways to Repurpose . . .

                  those Trump Inaugural Tickets 

 

Trump’s Wooden Nickel Grift Continues 

Editor: Like with all things; Trump has sold a large group of Americans on his endless grift-Trump University, Trump Steaks, Mugshot T-shirts, Trump Bibles, and of course now the infamous ‘souvenir’ inaugural tickets. What follows are a few good ideas from our friend Cate Hessel on how to best deal with those commemorative tickets.

By Cate Rees-Hessel

Because the Trump inaugural was moved indoors the tickets for the much larger outdoor venue previously scheduled were not honored, and the Trump reps suggested that the holders of the cancelled event tickets should consider the worthless tickets as  “commemorative” souvenirs.  Well, well, well. No surprise there.  I have come up with a few ideas on how to utilize them, other than the obvious “stick them where the sun fails to shine.” Another example of how “The Donald” treats his followers. Just ask the cops how they feel about the pardoning of nearly 1600 January 6th rioters, many of whom had pleaded guilty to beating, tazing, and spraying the police with pepper spray and other noxious products. Back to the commemorative tickets, to be quite honest, I simply can’t understand why anyone would have wasted their money on those damn tickets; they were worthless to begin with, because who would want to attend this farce of inauguration. So read on if you possess one of these worthless mementos, or if you are just interested in various methods of repurposing them…

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He Still Speaks to Us

He Still Speaks to Us

MLK, Still Speaks to Us

By Wes Hessel & Cate-Rees Hessel

 

A True Leader

Monday, January 20th, we honor a great, charismatic leader who led a huge multitude of committed followers – and no, we are not talking about Donald Trump. The real man celebrated today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the most visible champion of the civil rights movement.  The men who were referred to as the “Big Six” were also key in the work: James Farmer, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and John Lewis.  But Dr. King, or MLK, as he is often referred to, was the center of the fight for freedom for all. We hear the echoes of truth in his quotable phrases and speeches.

The Bible He Actually Read – And Lived…

The basis of what Dr. King strove for is rooted in the Scriptures he preached from – the Bible.  That foundation is apparent throughout his words of wisdom, but particularly in these:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love.”

And one paraphrased from his namesake, reformist Martin Luther:

“Live like Jesus died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back tomorrow.”

“And I say to you today my friends, let freedom ring.”

Muster The Mustard Seed

MLK pointed out everything should proceed from faith:

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”

“I have decided to stick with love…hate is too great a burden to bear.”

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”

“We must learn to live together as brothers…or perish together as fools.”

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

“Nonviolence is absolute commitment to the way of love. Love is not emotional bash; it is not empty sentimentalism. It is the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.”

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A Woman of a Certain Age: Political Edition

A Woman of a Certain Age :

                      The Political Edition…

 

A Woman of a Certain Age:

                     The Political Edition…

 

By Cate Rees-Hessel

  1. If you campaigned for Shirley Chisholm, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  2. If you know who Shirley Chisholm is…
  3. If you brought a folding chair to the table…
  4. If you campaigned for Mondale/Ferrara…
  5. If you’re not going back
  6. If you voted against Reaganomics…
  7. If you know what Reaganomics is,  just think “trickle down.”
  8. If you think President Biden is a hottie…
  9. If you think Donald Trump is a hottie, ewwwww – you actually need a comprehensive eye exam, at the very least…
  10. If you’re not going back…
  11. If you stood on street corners in the sun and rain to fight for ERA, reproductive freedom, going to bat for girls in sports…
  12. If despite your aches and pains, you are still willing to stand on street corners in the sun and rain again to fight for ERA, reproductive freedom, and girls/women in sports…
  13. If you can remember when women couldn’t get credit in their own names…
  14. If you voted for Jimmy Carter…
  15. If you’re not going back…
  16. If you subscribed to Ms. Magazine…
  17. If you know who Gloria Steinem is…
  18. If you’re old enough to be JD Vance‘s mother or grandmother, but glad you aren’t…
  19. If you thought we would finally see a women President after years of fighting for a female when Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris gave it their all…
  20. If you’re not going back…
  21. If you want your daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters to have equality and inclusion…
  22. If you quote Eleanor Roosevelt, Roslyn Carter, or Jackie Kennedy Onassis…
  23. If you think Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone…
  24. If you remember that awful day in Dallas when President John Kennedy was assassinated…
  25. If you’re not going back…
  26. If you were a founding member of NOW…
  27. If you remember Watergate…
  28. If ever wore a POW/MIA bracelet…
  29. If you are a “childless cat lady”…
  30. If you have ever been barefoot and pregnant, but your daughters and granddaughters are wearing shoes because you fought for freedom…
  31. If you ever declared, “we are young, good looking, we’ll be there”, and you’re empowered because you were there…
  32. If you’re not going back…
  33. If you attended Woodstock or Live Aid…
  34. If you participated in Hands Across America…
  35. If you never joined a protest in your youth but felt compelled to do so during Trump’s original term, please do so again…
  36. If you campaigned against the swimsuit competition in the Miss America pageant…
  37. If you’re not going back…
  38. If you supported Vanessa Williams when the scandal broke…
  39. If you thought Party Hearst might have possibly been not guilty…
  40. If you feel “Hell no, we won’t go” bubbling from your soul, because we are “NOT GOING BACK”…

How to Save Money this Holiday Season

How to Save Money this Holiday Season

How to Save Money this Holiday Season

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

It seems that everyone wants and needs to save money this holiday season – perhaps we are quite worried the upcoming Trump tariffs and his recent admission that it will be very difficult to bring down grocery prices. If only we had Kamala coming, instead, but since we don’t, here are some unique and practical ideas for your last minute holiday shopping. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah on a budget…

  1. Recycle and re-gift.
  2. A well thought out thrift gift is perfectly fine, as long as it’s in good condition.
  3. Nothing wrong with a white elephant Christmas grab bag.
  4. Homemade gifts are often appreciated – after all you created it with your own two hands.
  5. It’s the thought that counts, not the amount spent. A nice card for a dollar store gift as long as it’s tasteful is fine if that’s all your budget will allow.
  6. e-cards save postage and are environmentally friendly.
  7. Give homemade gift certificates for babysitting, cleaning, lawn mowing, and the like.
  8. Potluck dinners can be a fun way to enjoy each other’s company
  9. There are many free holiday movies on streaming, and paid streaming services offer great deals during the holidays.
  10. Host a spa party to get everyone holiday ready. Saves money on professional nail, hair, and makeup services.
  11. Live trees are often cheaper later in the season – the closer to Christmas, the cheaper the tree.
  12. Go caroling.
  13. Host a party right after Christmas – holiday food and décor will be half off or more…
  14. Pass that fruitcake back and forth – okay, maybe not.
  15. Go to a food pantry or clothing swap.
  16. Many libraries offer craft and cooking classes for free – most include the supplies.
  17. Last year’s holiday outfits with a change of accessories will look fresh and fashionable.
  18. Festive foods don’t need to be expensive – look online or at your local library for recipes.
  19. Classic TV favorites or nostalgic episodes of old shows with a bowl of popcorn and hot chocolate are always fun
  20. An ornament swap is a great way to change decorations for a new look.
  21. Cookie exchanges are a yummy way to enjoy fellowship and a variety of Christmas cookies.
  22. Build a snowman.
  23. Family game night with finger foods or pizza is a great form of entertainment.
  24. Read the Christmas story “The Night before Christmas” aloud in your pajamas.
  25. Dreidel parties with chocolate coins are very festive.
  26. If you can’t afford eight nights of gifts, consider gifting the first and last night, and maybe have a trinket grab bag the other six nights.
  27. How about a gift the entire family can enjoy: board games, tins of popcorn, box of chocolate? If your budget allows, a television, computer, Soda Stream, or air fryer, for example. Anything your household will enjoy…
  28. Pet gifts can be cans of food or treats or doggy, kitty sweaters – furbabies can receive practical gifts, also.
  29. Stocking stuffers can be stock uppers like toothpaste and brush, socks, deodorant, razors, and the like.
  30. Local light displays are usually, free and some neighbors actually set up lights that move to music that you can listen to on your car radio.
  31. Midnight mass, church services, and school concerts are beautiful and free ways to celebrate the holiday season.
  32. House parties for New Year’s Eve are cheaper and safer – champagne and alcohol are not a requirement to have fun. Above all, never drink and drive…
  33. Homemade noise makers, pots and pans, musical instruments, etc., can all be fun with no cost.
  34. Silly party hats can come out of your closet, no cost and environmentally friendly. No cardboard hats to throw away after midnight.
  35. Television football games and parades with a light brunch and/or snacks are a great way to enjoy the company of loved ones.
  36. A sock puppet show with a painted cardboard box stage is a great holiday craft project for children.
  37. A living room song and dance show is also fun and creative.
  38. Look for Groupon-type offers, BOGO’s, and coupons.
  39. Borrow and barter.
  40. Out of season clearance gifts are fine. The pool toys and swimwear season will be here sooner than you think. During the bitter cold winter, the promise of warm weather might just be a welcome gift.

Holiday Reflections and Inflections

Holiday Reflections and New Year’s Inflections

Holiday Reflections and New Year’s Inflections

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Kwanzaa, everyone. I have been thinking about unique holiday gifts this season, not the same old, same old. A classic carol came to mind as I began to ponder unusual presents…

Too Much of Good Things?

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. ” A cute, quiet little birdie in a tree the bears fruit, a gift that keeps on giving – Amazon does have everything.

On the second day, “two turtle doves” – doves signify peace, very appropriate for the season and our often crazy world.

The third day brings us more birds, “three French hens” – no offense to those birds, but French perfume would suit my tastes a bit better.

The fourth day. “Four calling birds”, more avian gifts – it’s getting just a bit crowded in here, and surely the neighbors will call the cops with all the squawking…

“Five golden rings” – jewelry! Much better, thank you.

Day six geese, even more feathered friends – they are a-laying on my best holiday quilt and making quite the mess. My true love is getting on my last nerve…

The seventh day, swimming swans – what’s with all these birds? Perhaps a pair of tickets to see Swan Lake would be a more appropriate present?

Number eight, maids milking – I do enjoy an ice cold glass of fat free milk, and who can’t use the services of a good maid, but this is kind of overkill…

“Nine ladies dancing” – please refer to number seven, tickets to the ballet – thank you.

“Ten lords a leaping” – what the heck kind of goofy gift is this? These clumsy dudes are scaring my pets and destroying my home decor.

“Eleven pipers piping” – I met a very understanding police officer, courtesy of my next door neighbor…

Phew, we made it to the last day, a full dozen drummers, drumming up even more noise. and I am seriously considering taking out a restraining order. Perhaps my true love should have purchased a gift card for a massage and pedicure, much more my style…

New Year, New You…

And then, of course, Happy 2025. Hopefully, we are all resolving to show love and kindness to others, this year and always.

Resolute!

I realize many of us have personal resolutions to enrich and better our own lives: for example, I resolve to buy more shoes and drink more mocha lattes – I believe in making resolutions that I know I can keep.  Hopefully, my husband has resolved to be a bit more careful with the outside mirrors on our Mini Cooper; this will certainly improve his wellbeing. I, in turn, could resolve to allow him to sleep indoors, since our puggle Sasha misses the use of her house.

Food for Thought…

Of course, I realize resolutions can come in many different forms. Perhaps many of you might be traditionalists, for instance, resolving to lose weight. As a plus-size princess, I have learned to be comfortable in my own skin, but I do advocate healthy eating and exercise.  We can all resolve to eat healthier by avoiding processed foods, preservatives, and sodium intake.  I am resolving to stick with Meatless Mondays and enjoy a wide variety of fish – our cat Prada applauds this part of my resolution.

Stretch Yourself

If you are anything like me, exercise needs to be fun – a stroll through the dog park, or a dance class at the park district or local studio can help one reach my fitness goals.  I certainly hope you dance in the coming year, but whatever you resolve to do, remember to do it with style.

Old Long Since

On a more serious and reflective note, we remember a beautiful version of “Auld Lang Syne” by Celtic Woman; it got me to thinking about that New Year’s Eve favorite – many artists have sung it, including a lovely rendition by Barry Manilow. The song actually derives from an old Scottish poem – I never really thought about the lyrics much except to have always considered them to be just a bit depressing. “Should auld (old) acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind”. There are many old acquaintances that I truly care to remember and remain acquainted with. Those who are no longer here, the reminiscence can be rife with sadness, yet oddly comforting. Some whom have gone on and many whom still remain in our lives, of course, don’t always bring happy memories.

Greet Someone Different Than You

Several years ago, we attended a fabulous Kirk Franklin concert on New Year’s Day. Mr. Franklin talked about saying hello to someone you didn’t know, as well as not taking certain people into the new year with us. Truth be told, there are certain folks I don’t care to take into the next minute with me. Getting rid of toxicity in our lives can often be the best resolution we can make – heartbreaking as it can be, sometimes a clean break is for the best.

Forgive, But Not Forget…

The Lord teaches us to forgive, but forgiveness does not mean to carry another person’s bad behavior with us through the coming months. Let bygones be bygones but do so with wisdom – maybe that is what this song is trying to communicate. When our hearts are heavily burdened, it’s time for a spiritual and emotional renewal.

Those who Forgot History, Doomed Us to Repeat It

The phrase, “Let go and let God” comes to mind, however, as we enter 2025 we are forced to take “The Donald” with us, much to the disappointment of many of us. With 49.5 per cent of the vote it is clear Trump did not receive a mandate to do anything. Less than half the electorate chose a repeat term of terror by the orange-haired former “occupant” of the Oval Office; but we must endure in resistance with the help and hope of the Lord. We will “take a cup of kindness yet” and have a stiff drink from it, as we offer God’s grace and walk away from those that don’t enrich our lives, because self-care has style…