Humor, Things I Want to Remember

things i want to remember | part 23

Kari

i don’t want to lose track of the random thoughts swirling in my mind, so i’ve been jotting them down in the notes section of my phone. i’m sharing them in the hope that they resonate with you, too.

if this is your first visit, welcome! you can find the other parts of this series right here.

1- ever choke on your own saliva and think, this is it; this is how it ends?

2- ina garten. (in a garden) how did i just notice this?

3- i’m currently reading two fiction books by the same author. last night, i decided to look her up and discovered she was born the same year i graduated high school.

4- i just learned that “pub” is short for “public house” while watching anne with an e.

5- i was in the talented and gifted (TAG) program in elementary school during the early 80s. all i remember is being pulled out of class once a day for a few months. oh, and i told them that i wanted to be a meteorologist, so i think i got to learn a bit more about that. does anyone else remember this program?

p.s. – i was a very average student- i still have no clue how i ended up in that program.

courtesy wikipedia

6- when i was a teenager and just earned my drivers license, i used to borrow my parents’ car—a tan chevette with an “i love miniature schnauzers” bumper sticker proudly displayed on the back. i still remember this guy i knew once made fun of it, and at the time, i was completely mortified. now, though, it makes me laugh every time i think about it. i knew this memory had to make its way into one of these posts.

7- i’ve reached the age where i have an upstairs and a downstairs tums.

8- did you happen to see a lot of dragonflies this summer, or was that just in our area? we noticed swarms of them in some spots.

9- i’ve yet to be wowed by a donut.

10- food storage sets feel useless to me. we never seem to need the tiny containers. as i write this, i realize we probably have six or seven small food storage containers that we’ve never used—and none of the actual sizes we need.

11- i just saw a pair of orthopedic shoes the other day and thought they were cute. next i’ll be debating the merits of sensible cardigans. oh wait, i’m already there.

12- here’s a simple exercise that might bring a sense of calm and connection while driving. the next time you’re on the highway, take a moment to focus on all the cars around you—those in front, behind, and within your sight.

then, set an intention, either out loud or in your mind. something like, “i hope we can all drive safely and peacefully, and get where we need to go.” (yes, even for those who may have cut you off or tailgated.) picture all of you moving as one, like a group traveling down the road in harmony.

over time, you might notice a shift in how traffic flows—less aggression, more cooperation. it’s a small way to create a more peaceful experience.

(psst-you just did reiki (ish) 🌈

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67 thoughts on “things i want to remember | part 23”

  2. Joining you about i’ve yet to be wowed by a donut. Me either and I want them to be so wonderful I can’t stand it, but end up saying *meh* and forgetting about them.

    Love the reiki (ish) idea. ☮️

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Well, don’t get me started on how ineffective TAG programs are. Or what a misnomer I think that label is. (Not always a gift. Often not a gift.) But I will say this:  There is not always a correlation between what kind of student you are and whether or not you are TAG. In fact, a high number of highly intellectually gifted kids struggle in school. It’s not built for them. And if you are a TAG kid who also has some kind of disability? Good luck. 

    Also:  Yes on the saliva. And you need to come visit me and I will take you to Joe’s Donuts and you will be wowed. Pinky promise.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. And they might have had both. You can be TAG and have a learning disability. You can be TAG and have terrible grades. You can be TAG and have good grades when you’re younger and then have trouble with grades when you get into secondary school–and you’re still TAG. Because of their intellectual strengths, TAG kids can often mask their disability, to the point that they and the adults around them aren’t aware of it. And then we all (including them) think they are just average students. Don’t mean to be preaching on a soapbox, but I have some life experiences (as a teacher and a parent) that make me passionate about this.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Re
    #2 – I’ve been obsessed with Cruella Devil, aka: cruel devil, since I was a kid. Having hung out nearly exclusively in the gay male community in the 80s/90s, I love translating drag names.

    #4 – Porter style beer was designed for porters. Session beers were lighter and designed for long drinking sessions.

    #5 – I was in MGM, Mentally Gifted Minors from roughly 1970 to 78, when we moved to a different school district. I had classes with the same 7 people for most of those years. As an adult, some docs mistaken my smarts for ADHD.

    #7 – I’m slightly addicted to peppermint Tums. Literally.

    #9 – I do not understand the mass appeal of donuts (or funnel cakes). I might eat a couple cake donuts in a year. I don’t like the non-cake varities at all – to me, they taste like grease.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 1- Drag names! YES! They’re the best!

      4 – I learn something new with every single one of these posts.

      5 – Absolutely! And it goes both ways. Being Autistic or ADHD or…was often misinterpreted as TAG. They’re still talented and gifted, but sadly, the educational system didn’t/doesn’t always recognize that. I know this all too well.

      7 – I have to admit, I’m slightly addicted to the Smoothie line of Tums. 🤣

      9 – Grease… yes! Especially those donuts from chain shops

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I’m with you on donuts! They always look so cheerful and delicious, and I’m always disappointed. Plus, they give me a tummy ache! Speaking of Tums – they don’t work for me. I always feel worse after taking them! I love your attitude about driving and I’m going to work on having a loving mindset from now on. We’re all on the road together. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Ok, whaaaaatttt?? You’ve never been wowed by a donut??? I think a creamstick (also called longjohn by weirdos) is the most delicious food on the planet. But some are definitely better than others.

    Our elementary school did not have a TAG, but I was in the top reading group in my class every year, so does that count?

    Yes, I’m finding more and more people who were born when I graduated and I’m not especially happy about that! I often think in my head, “Am I old enough to be so and so’s mother?” The answer is usually yes, if I happened to be promiscuous teenager :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I should mention, I love donuts, but I haven’t had one around here that’s made me go WHOA yet. I’m still waiting on that life-changing donut. (Though, I do have a soft spot for a good creamstick.)

      Umm, yes it does, Ready McReadington!

      Also, I’m now at the age where I could be a mom to so many people, and it’s starting to get to me a little. I know it’s just my ego, but in my head, I’m still convinced I’m 30.

      Like

  8. “1- ever choke on your own saliva and think, this is it; this is how it ends?”

    Yes, I have. And what I especially love about that is if you’re with someone while your choking, the first thing out of their mouth is, “Are you okay?” As if you CAN ANSWER THEM while CHOKING! Truly, that bothers me more than the choking.

    Love the photo of the car. My first car was a tan Chevy Nova. That car lasted me almost TEN years.

    Do you know what’s strange? This summer, I saw dragonflies hovering around my city apartment windows, which are 21 floors off the ground. Can you believe that?

    I’m going to try setting that intention the next time I have to ride the Philly subways and fear for my life. LOL!

    Thoroughly enjoyed this post, my friend! Have a faaaaaabulous week! Can you believe it’s going to be 83 degrees here tomorrow?!? Summer….go away!

    X

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I KNOW! Why are we like this?? ‘DO YOU NEED HELP??’ Cue awkward choking sounds…

      We had a green Chevy Nova after our tan Chevy Chevette!

      OMG, I love that! It seems so high up for dragonflies!

      Let me know how that intention goes for you! 🤣

      It was 80 degrees here yesterday! Today it’s in the 70s, and then we’re expecting more fall weather later this week. Sending some crisp fall weather your way just in time for Halloween!😘❤️

      Like

  9. Number two: Ina Garten. A neighbor just invited me to a cooking class of Ina Garten’s later today because her friend cancelled. I looked it up and it’s recipes of Garten’s, not the real Barefoot Contessa.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I was part of the gifted program too. For some inexplicable reason, we were offered the chance to take a series of typing classes. After a day, I said that I wasn’t going to be some “darn secretary” when I grew up and took myself out of the class. Of course, this was way before personal computers. Now I wish I had stayed in the class (typing this with three fingers).

    Meh to donuts too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. LOL, ‘typing this with three fingers…’ I can’t help but wonder what incredible things we could’ve accomplished if they’d put a bit more effort into that program. But honestly, I think we turned out pretty amazing just the way we are.

      Here’s to discovering even better donuts in the future! 😘❤️

      Like

  12. Clearly you’re eating the wrong donuts. A perfect glazed can change your life. 😉
    I don’t have multi level Tums, but I do have reading glasses in every room now. Getting old sucks.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I had never heard of Ina Garten. I assumed it was a person, so I googled her. Yep, true story.

    We had a dog when I was little that we had to give to my grandparents when we learned my brother, Pat, was allergic to dogs. (No one would agree to just give my brother away. I was really little and I had opinions about these things). Anyway, our dog was a miniature schnauzer named Fritzy.

    Your donut remark makes me feel so much better, because I have celiac. So, thanks for that.

    I love my Pyrex containers, even the small ones, but dang – I’m so tired of the tops ripping.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You crack me up! You’re honestly the only person I know who doesn’t know Ina Garten (and trust me, that’s said with all love, no shame).

      Our miniature schnauzer was named Fancy! I love that similarity! And for the record, I totally would’ve listened to you—dog over sibling, any day of the week.

      You aren’t missing anything.

      I AM TOO!!! It’s annoying.

      Like

  15. Have you ever choked on food? I almost died in a Jimmy John’s and no one noticed and I’ll never eat there again. Sorry, Jimmy John’s.

    I did see a lot of dragonflies this year. And really big ones, now that mention it. We did a lot of freshman orientation in June and we would see them frequently when we were walking between buildings.

    Donuts are overhyped. Most baked goods are better.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I love Ina. Never thought about “in a garden” until you mentioned it. Too funny!

    Umm…never knew pub stood for public house either. (I always assumed it was a complete word.) I learn something new every day!

    None of the schools I went to ever had a TAG program or anything similar. Maybe it wasn’t a thing back in the 60’s and 70’s? I was an average student, too.

    I rarely need Tums, thank goodness.

    I’m not a donut person either. I’d much rather have a yummy homemade cookie or brownie. The only donut I’ve ever had in my life that I would say was delicious was about 10 years ago at Stan’s Donuts. It was the first time I’d ever been there and I was with my cousin. I got an orange chocolate donut and…holy yum! I’ve only been back into a Stan’s a handful of times since then, but I’ve never seen an orange chocolate donut again.

    No extra dragonflies here this summer, so maybe just your area? Lucky you!

    Love your idea of the blessing on others while driving. I tend to be an impatient driver and usually end up swearing a lot while driving. Your idea sounds much better. :-)

    xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was at the library, looking to find her latest book, and it just struck me out of the blue. I couldn’t help but laugh when I realized it.

      I never knew either!

      Someone on TikTok mentioned the TAG program, so I believe it might have been a government-initiated effort, though it seems not all schools participated. I even heard the CIA might have been involved…

      Orange and chocolate! My dad loved that combination. It always makes me think of him. 🖤

      Do you remember the restaurant in Kenosha you told me about, right on Lake Michigan? That’s where we saw the swarm! Mike and I were sitting on the deck, eating outside, and they were everywhere. It was such a magical moment.

      It’s so easy to feel this way when stuck in traffic. I used to get caught up in it too, and some days, I still let rude drivers get to me. But I’ve started using this approach on highways because I’m a nervous tollway driver, and it’s made such a difference for me. I should try it on the back roads as well!!

      xoxo

      Like

  18. Cardigans – I have 2 old woollen cardigans of my Dad’s which I wear in the colder months at my desk. I used to look at my Dad wearing them and think “oh how could you?” but here I am too <3

    Oh and Ina Garten and in a garden now seems so absurdly obviously that I too wonder how I missed it. :D :D

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  19. I’m laughing at the comment about food storage sets haha! My grandma just passed so we were going through her things and sorting them into the
    <a href=“https://www.redboxplus.com/augusta/dumpster-rental-augusta-ga/“>dumpster rental</a> and what not and I can not TELL you how many food storage sets she had in her small house!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. There’s a donut shop in Madison called Zippy Lube that supposedly has excellent donuts (AND fried chicken sandwiches). Needless to say, it’s on my list!

    I think I showed you my groovy yellow Chevette once. Err…not in person, of course.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Also gifted program student here (I totally forgot it was called TAG). I feel like it spoiled me in some ways that I can’t pinpoint, but also might’ve unlocked some things too. In hindsight, I simply wish everyone was treated as gifted.

    I remember two tech bits distinctly: Making at on an Amiga computer and learning the Logo programming language (maybe on an Apple?). I also made a really good lifelong friend from that experience.

    Additionally. I am in the market for orthopedic shoes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I wish for that too, Chris. I also wish that I remember what we did in that class. The only memories I have was that the hallway (and classroom) had limited lighting. I feel like that was purposeful, as if they were doing it to either save energy or it was a very early test of how well children would do in lower lighting classrooms.

      I love that you made a lifelong friend from TAG!

      I just pulled a muscle moving furniture yesterday, so I guess I am too.

      Like

      1. #1 is totally scary. I’ve had moments I’d be drinking something, and someone says something funny – and there goes the saliva – the drink – me choking and not able to stop. lol THIS IS HOW IT COULD END. LMAO

        Thankfully – I’ve bounced back from those moments. :)

        I’m glad you’re here. You’re so much fun! <3

        Liked by 1 person

  25. That was my first Reiki experience and I like it!

    I remember Chevettes; I had a friend who had one. I don’t recall her bumper sticker, but surely it wasn’t as cool as yours.

    I was so far from being in a gifted program, that I had no idea if anyone was being ‘taken’ from our classroom for special services. I was probably in the corner, in trouble again, for laughing. ;)

    We have a set of Snapware (pyrex) from Costco that we use—and we use all the sizes; I love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I mean, seriously, could it be any cooler than schnauzers?

      That was the one time I was ever called gifted. It was nice. Ahhh, memories.

      Everything I’ve ever bought from Costco has been a win. I got a mixing bowl set there—obsessed. Cereal bowls? Total love. They really know how to stock the good stuff.

      Liked by 1 person

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