Helpful Hints to Know and NOT Share

 I have in recent years stopped being a "know it all."  Being knowledgeable about things had to do with my status as the oldest kid in my birth family and being the child of 2 oldest kids.  It also had to do with reading a lot and experiencing things and paying attention.  Sometimes people wondered about things and I knew about those things.

I learned through life to chime in with suggestions or opinions.  I wasn't so much trying to be bossy, as to be helpful.  But, it has come to my attention that sometimes people are blissful in their ignorance.  They don't want my opinion about child raising or driving or maintaining their car.  Only suggest when asked.  Only point out things that a person might not know.

So, for example if I notice your dishwasher leaking all over the floor, I should say something.  But, if I think you don't run your dishwasher enough, it is probably none of my business. If you ask me how I maintain my dishwasher, I can tell you.  But, if I know nothing on the subject, better to admit that I know nothing.

Perhaps these  life lessons seem so obvious to you that you wonder what I am getting at.  If so, good on you.  But, for me, sitting on my hands and keeping my opinion to myself is a relatively new concept.  I will still be giving occasional hints on the blog, because you don't have to take it personally and you don't have to read it.  But, in person, I am trying to mind my own business.

When Life Gives You Lemons

I saw my doctor a week or so ago.  I have to go every 6 months because I have various issues. It makes me feel old.  Perhaps because I am getting there, old. Among the good things about the six month visits are that I can ask about little issues that I probably would not have gone to the doctor about.  One of those is a burning feeling on my neck.  It comes and it goes, but who wants to feel burning on their neck?  Not me.

My doctor poked around on my neck.  He concluded that it is my salivary gland.  Dry mouth?  Not drinking enough liquid?  Yes, sometimes.  I thought maybe there would be a prescription for it.  Some pill or spray that I would have to remember to do twice a day for the rest of my life.

Nope.  He suggested that I buy some lemons.  I should cut them in 4ths.  When I experience the burning feeling, suck on a lemon.  So, I bought some lemons and tried it and it works.  Life has given me lemons, but I am not making lemonade with them.