Business

I recently dropped two different businesses. I did this because I found  the products, services, and prices of  another business to be more suited to my current needs.  Interestingly enough, I now get discount offers and other perks from the two companies I left. They want me to return my business to them.  Perhaps if I had received these perks earlier,  I might have stayed with the former companies for a longer period of time. We consumers work hard for our income, so it's great when companies realize it and give us good deals and service.
Take care,
Sylvia

Progress

According to a recently read article, several items formerly in our daily use will become out of use in my lifetime. Some people who forecast future trends list these items as becoming extinct:
1. old-fashioned light bulbs- I only have a few left and will replace them with the newer ones when they stop working.
2. answering machines- I hate to admit that I still have one, but I do.
3. tube televisions-I have one, but only one.
4. Rolodexes- I have one, and I actually use it several times a month because I don't yet have all my contacts in my cell phone.
5. subway tokens-I don't use the subway.
6. printed encyclopedias- I knew about this, but it's kind of sad. I remember when the salesman came to our house and my parents made the sacrifice to get a set so their children could do well in school.  Their answer to many of our questions was, "Go look it up in the encyclopedia."
Take care,
Sylvia

Deodorant

It's interesting how we lock into certain products.  We may gravitate to them because the adults in our childhood home used them when we were growing up.  We may like them because they work best for us or appeal to our taste buds. We may simply like the packaging.  When we run out of our preferred product, we promptly go to the store and buy more of  that same product.I bought the wrong anti-perspirant/ deodorant the other day. I grabbed the correct brand from the drugstore shelf, but it was the incorrect form of the brand.  I prefer a gel roll-on to a solid.  I prefer the shower fresh fragrance to the  powder fresh fragrance. At least, I correctly bought the women's version of the product. Because I'm too cheap to discard the product, and I can't give it away because I've started using it, I continue to apply it.   The product works, but it's not what I'm used to.  However, if this is the biggest problem I face for the next few days, I consider myself ahead of the game.
Smiles,
Sylvia

Monticello

A tour of Monticello, the famous home of  Thomas Jefferson, America's 3rd President, was part of a recent trip.  The grounds were remarkable, as were the features of the mansion. President Jefferson made many contributions to the country, ( especially the Declaration of Independence) and was innovative in so many ways. It was interesting to note, however, that at least one of the presenters appeared to be uncomfortable with the significance of the slave Sally Hemings and her role in the Jefferson family. Here's the thing: history is what it is. It's not always wrapped up in a cute little box. We should find the truth of it, tell the truth of it, and learn from it.
Take care,
Sylvia

Your Ex

Not too long ago, I had a conversation with a lady who told me she'd just run into her ex.  This was a man she thought she'd eventually marry. Things did not work out, and they parted ways several years ago as friends. She remarked," I am so glad we didn't get married, because now I know it wouldn't have worked out. We really weren't right for each other after all."
The conversation made me wonder, "How many women or men feel that way about one or more of their exes?"  Just a thought.
Smiles,
Sylvia