Saturday Evening Post

November 25, 2012October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

Okay, perhaps I should call this the Saturday Evening Post, but I have a good excuse. I have been gone all day; hell, I don’t think I’ve stopped all weekend. I should get a medal for starting a new blog on Thanksgiving weekend! I don’t usually get out on Black Friday either, but my daughter was home from Washington, so what can I say… It was a long day. Mission accomplished.

After a wonderful day with family, feasting till our bellies ached, I spent a fun filled afternoon playing in our family’s annual Thanksgiving corn-hole tournament. It has been a busy and productive weekend and I’m happy to say I can now, check a few items off my to-d0-list.

Thanksgiving dinner (no drama) – check!
Safe arrival of daughter – check!
Successful corn-hole tournament – check!
Completed my Christmas shopping – check!
Finished my critiques – check!
Morning Posts – check!

My list is still long but I’m getting there. How about yours? Do you use a list to help stay focused? Leave me a comment or reply. Tell me what keeps you focused.

I give thanks (greatpoetrymhf.wordpress.com)

Morning Pages: Black Friday

November 23, 2012October 20, 2017 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

It is Black Friday and the official Christmas holiday shopping season has begun. I swear it gets earlier every year. I don’t have my decorations up yet, I’m sure many of you do. I’m old fashioned, preferring to get through one holiday before starting on the next one. At my age, hurrying time along is not something I’m eager to do.

And besides, I’m still hung over from all the turkey and dressing from yesterday, which if you’re out shopping today might be a good thing. You’ll need the nourishment to withstand all the crowds and long lines. I hear it’s a madhouse out there and patience can run thin when you’re being elbowed and shoved by complete strangers.

Whether you choose to stay in or venture into the crazy crowds today, remember to keep things into perspective. The chances you will find the bargain you want at the price they promised is about the same as being able to step right up to the cash register with no waiting. Not gonna happen.

So, relax, enjoy the company you’re with, and have fun shopping. Black Friday only happens once a year, thank God!

Black Friday madness begins as these shoppers attack a Walmart display (o.canada.com)
Pop Quiz: A Brief and Bizarre History of Black Friday (dailyfinance.com)
Why Black Friday shoppers endure the crush (cnn.com)
Black Friday Shoppers Pack The Stores (detroit.cbslocal.com)
Earlier Black Friday kicks off shopping season (seattlepi.com)
Christmas shopping creeps into Thanksgiving Day (metronews.ca)

Morning Pages: Channeling Martha Stewart

November 22, 2012October 20, 2017 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

I have a love-hate relationship with magazines that promote the “perfect holiday table

Thanksgiving Table With Food (Photo credit: Mr. T in DC)

setting,” you can add Martha Stewart and the other like minded home designers in there, too. Don’ t get me wrong, I love to set a beautiful holiday table. It is one of my favorite things to do but, the family is growing, we’re up to almost 20 people in my family now, and growing. Setting a beautiful table can be expensive!

This Thanksgiving, I had to pull out folding tables, buy more dishes, silverware, glasses and cloth napkins. Because of the added cost, my centerpieces and decorations suffered. I couldn’t do everything.

The holidays are one occasion I get to channel the creativity of Martha Stewart, Betty Homemaker and the lessons of Mrs. Beeckman and share them with my loved ones, especially the little ones who love it and soak it up like sponges.

My family is a wonderful family, simple, easy-going and unpretentious. Truth is, they’re, more at ease eating off paper plates buffet style than they are eating off fine china, but each major holiday I see the enjoyment on their faces as we gather around one of my beautifully set tables. It has become a tradition. They look forward to these occasions. They prefer the cloth napkins, now, and even the youngest recognizes the difference between a salad and dinner fork and knows how to set a proper table.

So, As long as it brings a smile to their faces, I’ll keep adding new dishes and folding tables. They’ll be no paper plates or buffet lines at our holiday celebrations, but I might need to send a note to Martha. “We’re in a recession, how about lowering the prices, or haven’t you heard.”

It’s these types of traditions that make memories and for which I am most grateful. I’d love to hear a bout your family traditions. Leave me a comment. Happy Thanksgiving!

How to Set a Fantastic Holiday Table (sys-con.com)
A Thanksgiving Table Setting (thehassemerhouse.com)
Entering The Holiday Zone (kswpgoodfriends.wordpress.com)
Thanksgiving Etiquette, Martha Stewart Style [COMIC] (mashable.com)
Setting the Table (montanasilversmiths.com)

Morning Pages: Being Grateful

November 21, 2012October 20, 2017 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Today I will spend cleaning and baking and reflecting on the things, I am most grateful. The dictionary defines being Grateful as a feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; being thankful. Voices of gratitude are heard the loudest this time of a year, wouldn’t it be nice to hear them all year long. There used to be a time when we did.

Recently, while antique shopping I came across a book, Etiquette Up To Date by Cornelius (Mrs) Beeckman, 1938. I bought the book out of sheer curiosity and was amazed at the author’s insight, the difference in decorum, manners, and how much we’re missing today by not teaching gratitude, graciousness, and thoughtfulness. Here are just a few of the pearls of wisdom from Mrs. Beeckman’s book:

“Being gracious, being thoughtful, being kind, having a decent regard for the other fellow: this is etiquette- call it good manners, courtesy, common sense, decency, or what you will – ”

“People will like you better, and you will like yourself better if you graciously say “Please” and “Thank you” and “I beg your pardon” and ” How kind of you to say that” and “You were very good to do that for me” and other illuminated phrases that show you do not live in a world bounded on all sides by yourself.”

Sometimes I think we forget how the things we want or do impact other people. It’s good to be reminded the world does not revolve around us.

Thanksgiving night as you head off into the Black Friday abyss, and elbow your way through Christmas crowds, remember Mrs. Beeckman and her call for decency and graciousness. Be an example to those around you and to your kids. She said, “Parents are the standard bearers for the child,” and I have to agree.

The holiday season is a busy time of baking, stuffing our faces, enjoying family, friends and Christmas shopping. For some it will be thrilling and fun, while others may find it overwhelming, dysfunctional, and stressful. Whichever it turns out for you, be gracious in spirit, thankful, show appreciation and gratitude for God’s blessings. Here are some of the many things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving:

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Bountiful food

4. A Roof over our heads and a warm bed to fall into after stuffing ourselves and shopping

5. Money to shop

6. The freedom to do these things

7. Faith

8. Pets

9. Health that is improving

10. Laughter

11. The ability to read

12. The ability to write

13. My readers

Comment and add your list of things to which you are grateful.

And, as we sit down with our families this Thanksgiving and express our gratitude, don’t forget those who are less fortunate. Say a prayer for the hungry, the poor, those under persecution in Israel and the American citizens whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Donate to the American Red Cross to help with their recovery.