Wet Streets

Someone submitted a question to a magazine's expert columnist.  The questioner wanted to know why television and movie programs always have the streets wet.  I never noticed that the streets in tv shows and movies were wet.   The expert explained that wet streets interest the eyes of the viewers because they add reflection and drama to the scenes, and make the scenes more intense.
I guess I was not paying close attention.   I plan to check for wet streets in the next  tv show or  movie I watch.  Even though I am pretty observant, I wonder how many other small things I miss on a regular basis.  Do you?
Smiles,
Sylvia

Bleeps

 I check out current  entertainment because I taught children in public school and still work with them now.  I like to know what is going on with children, so I  follow their entertainment interests. I admit that I do not always like their entertainment, but that's another topic for another day.
 I  recently watched a musical performance that was constantly interrupted by what we used to call bleeps.  Except there was a slice of dead air instead of the bleep sound.  I knew the performer was still singing or rapping because I saw his lips moving and I heard the background music.  I also read the performer's lips and could make out the words he spoke. Some were profane.  Some were misogynistic.  I guess it is against the broadcast rules to let these words go out over the television and some radio airwaves, but they must be acceptable on the CDs and video downloads that are purchased.   This is why I am thrilled when parents tell me they monitor what music their young children listen to and the videos they watch.  It is a good practice.

P.S. I appreciate those of you who follow this nikolisthoughts blog, and I give thanks to all of you who read here.  Just thought I would let you know that!
Take care,
Sylvia

Lies Are Lies

"If you repeat a lie enough times,  it becomes the truth."
"If you tell the same lie long enough,  it becomes the truth."
For a long time, I have heard these statements and other versions of them.  I disagree with these statements.  Perhaps if a person repeats a lie over and over, it may become the truth to the lie repeater.  It won't, however, become the truth in fact.
For example, no matter how many times I repeat, "I am the same size I was on the day I was graduated from  high school,"  it will not become the truth.  Unfortunately.
Smiles,
Sylvia
.

Respect For Parents

I listened to a talk radio segment today; the topic: children who get into physical fights with their parents.  The topic was lifted from a  news story in which a teen had a fight with his mother and attempted to strangle her with a car seat belt.  This was a strange concept for me, because such a thought was unheard of when I was growing up. Have a physical fight with our parents?  No way!  We could not even talk back to our parents without repercussions and consequences.  In fact, we learned to watch our facial expressions and body language to make sure we showed proper respect for our parents.  Back then, our parents were not obsessed with trying to be our friends.   They made it clear to us that they loved us by the way they provided for us and guided us.  The child who sassed  a parent or guardian was considered troubled and  not good friend material.   In fact, I had a childhood acquaintance who regularly talked back to her caretaker grandmother, and  it was not comfortable for me to witness, so that relationship faded.
Children and parents engaged in physical combat is not in the divine plan.
Take care,
Sylvia

Eat Your Salad?

This week, I received my first food product recall notice via phone.  An automated female voice told me that a bagged salad product was possibly tainted with some bacteria that could cause sickness if ingested.  I was contacted because the store receipt record showed I might have purchased the product.  I guess they determined that because I use a store courtesy card when I make purchases there. My first thought was to ignore the answering machine, but then I remembered I had a bag of that brand of salad in the fridge!  My plan was to make a chicken and tossed lettuce salad for family dinner. I scooted to the kitchen to check the bagged salad. Yes, it was the same brand, but the code and the expiration date were different from the ones mentioned by the automated voice.  I double-checked, of course. 
It is kind of weird to think that a store could pinpoint people and purchases like that, but this was for a good cause.  What if someone did not have a phone, or did not use a courtesy card? 
Oh well, we prayed over our food as usual, and ate the salad I prepared. All is well.
Take care,
Sylvia

My Talented Brother Michael

I have a brother whose name is Michael. He is a licensed minister, an author, an educator, and an engineer.  In Biblical teaching and studies, he is blessed with the ability to make the scriptures clear, as well as practical.  Perhaps you will check his site at http://michaelbrown.authorweblog.com/ or www.michaelabrownbooks.com    
I am impressed with his knowledge of the scriptures and the ministerial work he does.  I am also  impressed with the fact that he is a good brother with a great sense of humor.  He is another one of my blessings.
Take care,
Sylvia

Goodbye Friend

I just returned from the funeral of a dear friend.  Actually, I attended the viewing and left before the funeral started.  I do not like to attend funerals, but I know they are necessary for the family and friends of the departed. My friend had been fighting illness for many years, but did so with determination, grace, and faith.  She always had a smile and was a mother figure to so many people.  She loved children and they loved her back. She loved to talk.
I am thankful for the privilege of knowing her for so many years, and I smile as I think of so many of the funny words and wise words she said in our times together. 
That's the way I choose to remember her: animated, caring, and warm.  She and I had a close conversation not so long ago, and it was good.  Her familiar parting words were, "Sylvia, God loves you, and so do I."
I am sure she would not mind that I left the service early.  She knew I cared about her.
Is there an ailing loved one you plan to visit soon?
Keep the faith,
Sylvia