I am not the most joyful giver. There, I said it.
Maybe it is because I am not the most joyful shopper.
My Christmas shopping is unplanned, ill-prepared and involves a significant amount of huddling next to the bicycles and texting grown nephews and nieces to solicit toy preferences and t-shirt sizes of their little darlings.
Is Barbie in? Are Legos out? I can't keep up.
I stuck a Fashionista Barbie in the shopping cart only to have my eyes drawn oddly to her spindly plastic legs. Creepy, creepy knees. Back on the shelf with that one.
And is there honestly anybody in America who believes that brown-haired doll looks like Justin Bieber? Really?
I like to give books. Maybe it's because I love books and think everyone should. Do people read books with real paper pages and not electronic pixels? I do, but who else?
Books are difficult to select for gift giving unless you plan to share a title you've already read or the work of an author you particularly like.
Some book titles turn off my attention. Ever notice how many bibles there are out there? I don't mean King James and New International Version. I'm talking about people billing their books for every imaginable thing as the bible on the subject. This is the recognized bible on getting out of debt, or selecting a new car, or getting your kid into college. No, it isn't. The Bible is the bible. Get your own name.
My shopping isn't finished. I don't know when it will be. But I've pretty much exhausted the toy section with my aversion to creepy doll knees.
And if you are looking for the Biebster in your stocking, I hope you recognize him when you see him.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Black Friday behind us
As soon as the Thanksgiving leftovers were tucked away, it became official. Christmas shopping season is upon us.
I don't do the Black Friday frenzy. I'd rather sleep in, have pumpkin pie for breakfast and think about dragging the Christmas tree out of the garage. The contemplating comes early on. The action comes later.
I got one of those forward to everyone you know or you don't love America emails that advocated leaving the China imports on the shelf and reaching out to local businesses to meet our gift shopping needs.
I admit I am the first to delete mass emails. They suck away my time, clog my inbox and frankly are usually perpetuation of myth, faulty logic and/or outright bs. What prompted me to skim this one instead of promptly hitting delete, I don't recall.
The gist was an idea of giving gifts of local services and goods to those on our list, to provide a useful and meaningful - and often needed - gift while contributing to the economic health of local businesses. Keeping those businesses and local services alive helps us by meeting our needs, helps them by supporting their livelihood, helps provide jobs for the people our demand for their business helps them employ, and on and on.
Some ideas: Buy a manicure/pedicure gift certificate for an aunt; monthly car washes for a nephew; grocery store gift cards for seniors on a fixed income - you get the drift.
Why not?
I don't do the Black Friday frenzy. I'd rather sleep in, have pumpkin pie for breakfast and think about dragging the Christmas tree out of the garage. The contemplating comes early on. The action comes later.
I got one of those forward to everyone you know or you don't love America emails that advocated leaving the China imports on the shelf and reaching out to local businesses to meet our gift shopping needs.
I admit I am the first to delete mass emails. They suck away my time, clog my inbox and frankly are usually perpetuation of myth, faulty logic and/or outright bs. What prompted me to skim this one instead of promptly hitting delete, I don't recall.
The gist was an idea of giving gifts of local services and goods to those on our list, to provide a useful and meaningful - and often needed - gift while contributing to the economic health of local businesses. Keeping those businesses and local services alive helps us by meeting our needs, helps them by supporting their livelihood, helps provide jobs for the people our demand for their business helps them employ, and on and on.
Some ideas: Buy a manicure/pedicure gift certificate for an aunt; monthly car washes for a nephew; grocery store gift cards for seniors on a fixed income - you get the drift.
Why not?
Monday, November 21, 2011
Oklahoma State Memorial
Gallagher-Iba Arena is filling up with the orange and black most familiar here at Oklahoma State University.
More black than orange today.
Students, staff, alumni and fans gather to remember women's basketball coach Kurt Budke, assistant coach Miranda Serna and alumni Olin Branstetter and Paula Branstetter.
All four died in Arkansas Thursday after the Branstetters' plane nose-dived into a hillside during a recruiting trip.
Gov Mary Fallin, an OSU, alum, will attend the memorial. She also is asking the state's universities to review their travel policies. A decade ago 10 people affiliated with OSU men's basketball died in a plane crash in Colorado.
More black than orange today.
Students, staff, alumni and fans gather to remember women's basketball coach Kurt Budke, assistant coach Miranda Serna and alumni Olin Branstetter and Paula Branstetter.
All four died in Arkansas Thursday after the Branstetters' plane nose-dived into a hillside during a recruiting trip.
Gov Mary Fallin, an OSU, alum, will attend the memorial. She also is asking the state's universities to review their travel policies. A decade ago 10 people affiliated with OSU men's basketball died in a plane crash in Colorado.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Singing to the choir
RW Hampton slung an acoustic guitar over his shoulder, dusted his boots across a dirt arena and stepped by way of a bale of grass hay onto a flatbed trailer doubling as a stage.
The crowd was finishing up the last bites of a chuck wagon dinner when Hampton eased up to a microphone to share the kind of songs he places under the uncluttered heading of cowboy.
There was a little Merle, a little gospel, a little bit of story telling set to chords.
And as Hampton played to a crowd of folks perched on folding metal chairs at the Payne County Expo Center, toes tapped, heads nodded and hands clapped.
Hampton's show was a little about being a cowboy, a little about being a Christian and a lot about music and family and faith and God and country.
And when the rugged wrangler with the boots and big hat offered up his flavor of country hymns and gospel standards, his audience was ready to put hands together. When RW Hampton vocalized about a higher power and a home in Heaven and the faith of fathers before him, well, in this cowboy church gathering, he was preaching to the choir.
The crowd was finishing up the last bites of a chuck wagon dinner when Hampton eased up to a microphone to share the kind of songs he places under the uncluttered heading of cowboy.
There was a little Merle, a little gospel, a little bit of story telling set to chords.
And as Hampton played to a crowd of folks perched on folding metal chairs at the Payne County Expo Center, toes tapped, heads nodded and hands clapped.
Hampton's show was a little about being a cowboy, a little about being a Christian and a lot about music and family and faith and God and country.
And when the rugged wrangler with the boots and big hat offered up his flavor of country hymns and gospel standards, his audience was ready to put hands together. When RW Hampton vocalized about a higher power and a home in Heaven and the faith of fathers before him, well, in this cowboy church gathering, he was preaching to the choir.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Be careful out there
Area firefighters have been busy battling wildfires. Incredibly dry conditions turn vegetation to fuel for wildland fires. Add low humidity and a brisk Oklahoma breeze and catastrophe is just a spark away.
There are things we can do to prevent fires. Keep cigarettes and ashes inside the car. Maintain vehicles to prevent sparks and backfiring. Don't park in tall grass and weeds. Hot engines and exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Adhere to the ban on outdoor burning. Avoid anything that causes sparks outside.
Firefighters also can offer tips on how to protect our homes and property from a wildfire that could encroach. Clear dead branches, weeds and grass away from houses and outbuildings. Is this winter's firewood stacked beside the barn or by the back door? Move it. Check with your area firefighters for more tips. They will be happy to advise - if they can keep off their fire trucks long enough.
And they are always there when we need them. Ever notice that? In the interest of full disclosure, I will say here that my husband is a retired firefighter and public education officer. He spent decades battling fires under all conditions and also teaching people, mostly kids, how to prevent fires and fire-related injuries.
Firefighters are there whenever we need them, putting their lives on the line every day. Let's keep in mind the threat to the people who fight fires. Maybe that will help us remember to take extra steps to prevent fires. Be safe.
There are things we can do to prevent fires. Keep cigarettes and ashes inside the car. Maintain vehicles to prevent sparks and backfiring. Don't park in tall grass and weeds. Hot engines and exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Adhere to the ban on outdoor burning. Avoid anything that causes sparks outside.
Firefighters also can offer tips on how to protect our homes and property from a wildfire that could encroach. Clear dead branches, weeds and grass away from houses and outbuildings. Is this winter's firewood stacked beside the barn or by the back door? Move it. Check with your area firefighters for more tips. They will be happy to advise - if they can keep off their fire trucks long enough.
And they are always there when we need them. Ever notice that? In the interest of full disclosure, I will say here that my husband is a retired firefighter and public education officer. He spent decades battling fires under all conditions and also teaching people, mostly kids, how to prevent fires and fire-related injuries.
Firefighters are there whenever we need them, putting their lives on the line every day. Let's keep in mind the threat to the people who fight fires. Maybe that will help us remember to take extra steps to prevent fires. Be safe.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Breast cancer threatens more than humans
The past two Octobers, the NewsPress has honored breast cancer victims and survivors with a daily series sharing their stories, their struggles, their obstacles and their triumphs.
Several months ago I learned that breast cancer does not prey only on humans.
My Welsh Corgi Scampi was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall. After surgery she was cancer free for the rest of 2010. But with 2011 came more cancer.
On June 25, the cancer won. Scampi went outside and scurried beneath the porch my husband built to ease her outdoor adventuring when the existing doorstep proved too much of a challenge. And there, she drew her last breath.
As much as I have mourned the passing of my loving Corgi, I also have resolved to spread the message. Spay your puppies. Our veterinarian says early spaying drastically reduces the chances of female dogs developing breast cancer.
I didn’t know.
And now she is gone at an age she should be curled up beside my chair.
We urge people to have their pets spayed and neutered to reduce the number of animals that suffer from neglect, abuse and homelessness.
And now I know spaying puppies can also reduce the number of premature deaths to breast cancer.
Do your friend a favor.
Several months ago I learned that breast cancer does not prey only on humans.
My Welsh Corgi Scampi was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall. After surgery she was cancer free for the rest of 2010. But with 2011 came more cancer.
On June 25, the cancer won. Scampi went outside and scurried beneath the porch my husband built to ease her outdoor adventuring when the existing doorstep proved too much of a challenge. And there, she drew her last breath.
As much as I have mourned the passing of my loving Corgi, I also have resolved to spread the message. Spay your puppies. Our veterinarian says early spaying drastically reduces the chances of female dogs developing breast cancer.
I didn’t know.
And now she is gone at an age she should be curled up beside my chair.
We urge people to have their pets spayed and neutered to reduce the number of animals that suffer from neglect, abuse and homelessness.
And now I know spaying puppies can also reduce the number of premature deaths to breast cancer.
Do your friend a favor.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Goodbye, Betty Ford
America is saying goodbye to one of the strongest women - no, one of the strongest people - ever to occupy the White House.
Betty Ford was a first lady who shared her strength, her family, her weaknesses and her humor with her country.
Women too young to remember Betty Ford need only look around at the strong women influencing today's world and see her legacy.
Betty Ford was a feminist, a women's rights advocate and a symbol of strength. And she was willing to share with the world when challenges tested that strength.
She faced substance addiction and the Betty Ford clinic became a well-known center that served those whose
own addictions previously had been kept hidden.
When Betty Ford developed breast cancer, she let the world know. And she survived, empowering women everywhere.
Our world is a little less right now, it seems, with Betty Ford's death.
But our world is so much more because she was in it.
Betty Ford was a first lady who shared her strength, her family, her weaknesses and her humor with her country.
Women too young to remember Betty Ford need only look around at the strong women influencing today's world and see her legacy.
Betty Ford was a feminist, a women's rights advocate and a symbol of strength. And she was willing to share with the world when challenges tested that strength.
She faced substance addiction and the Betty Ford clinic became a well-known center that served those whose
own addictions previously had been kept hidden.
When Betty Ford developed breast cancer, she let the world know. And she survived, empowering women everywhere.
Our world is a little less right now, it seems, with Betty Ford's death.
But our world is so much more because she was in it.
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