July's Nutshell

I believe we can learn an awful lot about ourselves and others by sheer observation. This month, I challenged myself to take notes on the-out-of-the-ordinary (and not so out-of-the-ordinary), in order to figure out what makes people tick. I didn’t figure it out, but I did see and experience a few things that made me go ‘hmmm…’

*It’s always nice to get together with friends you haven’t seen in a while. It’s even nicer to encounter and befriend new people who share your outlook on life.

*Getting upset about or questioning the activities of others serves no purpose whatsoever. Live and let live – it’s an old cliché, but a mighty good one.

*Creating a scene at the grocery store because you misread a coupon is never a good idea. Taking up the time of the busy grocers to question it and demanding they honor what you believed the coupon represented is even worse. Slamming your cart into the cart of a certain gal as you storm out of the store is inexcusable, and may result in unwanted attention, as that certain gal you slammed into may take to her blog and muse elegantly about it.

*There are truly some wonderful and helpful souls among us who go out of their way in order to help us succeed. Take the time to thank them.

*Meddling in the business of others is just a bad idea, no matter how noble your intentions are. And if your intentions aren’t noble, then shame on you.

*Renewing an interest in As the World Turns is only going to cause you pain when the show ends in September. You’re still stinging from the cancellation of Guiding Light, so why on earth did you put yourself in this position?

*Positive attention brings much greater satisfaction than the negative variety.

*If you’re not in the habit of looking your spouse in the eye every day and sincerely telling him how much you love and appreciate him, do it. Now.

*Rainy evenings are best spent eating pizza and enjoying a marathon of Christopher Guest movies. Be careful, though: you may find yourself tossing about lines from those movies for days to come. (Current faves in the Newman household: Wha’ happened? Dibbit schmibbit, I said ham, and the ever-popular This one goes to eleven.)

*Exercise extreme caution when allowing the over-85 crowd access to tequila.

*Never wear a jogging bra when shopping for clothes. Do shower before hitting the fitting rooms; boutique owners and stylists everywhere will appreciate it.

*There really is no substitute for Fresh Step cat litter.

And that, my friends, is my July in a nutshell. Here’s to a fabulous August!