Author: Susie Krivacic

So, it’s been about a month since my last post. Please pardon my absence, but things got pretty busy around her for a while.

Today, it happened: My Publix supermarket started using the self-checkout system. I never thought I’d see the day. Do you remember when Publix was closed on Sunday, “…so they could spend time with their families and better serve us Monday through Saturday…” went the commercial? That was back in the 70s and early 80s. It’s actually easier to have Publix open seven days a week. But self-checkout? I wasn’t ready for that.

Well, the lines for regular checkout were long, and we only had a few items, so Stef and I gave self-checkout a try. The Publix employee was there with a smile to help us with any problems we may have. We scanned in items, paid, and we were out of there. It was fairly easy and also convenient. I guess I’ll use it again.

It’s 2022, change happens, I just have to be willing to keep up with it…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Do you remember getting pinched for not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day? I do, and it was ridiculous. Why should I have to wear green? I’m not even Irish…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

So, I had to drive through an unfamiliar area on Friday to attend a funeral. I wanted to avoid taking the dreaded I-4 which my GPS would so strongly encourage. I called my brother-in-law, Bob, for directions as he is an expert at getting around Orlando, and he gave me amazing directions. They were directions that anyone could navigate…except me! You see, I still managed to get lost, even with those excellent directions and a GPS. I eventually found my way to my destination and even managed to grab the last available parking spot.

After the service, it was time for the difficult task of finding my way home. I could have called Bob, who is always willing to help, but I didn’t. In fact, I didn’t even turn on my GPS. I’ve lived in Orlando for 10 years, surely, I could use logic and my questionable sense of direction to figure out how to get home. So, I did…north, south, east, west…Which way do I need to go? Yes, east. Then I looked for a major road that would connect to the 408 (a major, busy road which I was not opposed to taking). Found it! Then, BOOM, I was home! I did it! It’s amazing where a little logic, confidence, and good old-fashioned luck can bring you…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Dillon Helbig, 8, came up with a great way to get his handwritten and illustrated book read. He slipped it on a bookshelf in his local library. The story called “The Adventures of Dillon Helbig’s Crismis” (his spelling of “Christmas”) is now a permanent part of the Ada Community Library in Boise, Idaho.

Apparently, the librarian found the book tucked away, read it, and loved it! She passed it on to another and word of Helbig’s book spread. There’s now a waiting list to read it of 135. I have a book that will be published soon. Maybe this 8-year-old is onto something…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

As Ethan and I chatted in the car while waiting for his work time to begin, we observed an eagle in serious flight. It flew and then glided back and forth…back and forth…It finally picked up a twig from a nearby tree. It then made its way back to a cell phone tower and landed on the top. After a time, the eagle repeated this path grabbing another small branch and returning to its home. It was obviously building a nest for its family.

It made me think about all of the things we do for our families. Luckily, we don’t have to build a home one twig at a time, but we work long hours to pay the mortgage. We keep that home clean, cook dinners for our families, raise kids, read stories, attend soccer games to just name a few things. All of this for the love of family. We coast along and work little by little, bit by bit, just like the eagle building its nest.

As I thought about family, I recognized that we have so much in common with this eagle. We may be of a different species, but when it comes down to it, family is important to us all…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

We read a really interesting article in class this morning. Basically, in Canada, doctors are writing prescriptions for free park admission to their patients. The Park Rx, known as PaRx, makes it free for recipients to enter over 80 parks in the area. Research has shown that being in nature helps lower blood pressure, lessen the risk of heart disease, as well as reduce stress and anxiety.

So, why write a prescription rather than just send people to the parks? Because people are more apt to actually visit the park if they have a prescription for it. Cool idea, right?! We should do something like that here…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

So, my son, Ethan, is learning to drive. On every morning that he has to work, we drive there together. We leave at the same time every morning and arrive at his job about 20 minutes early. Now, most people would adjust their schedule to arrive closer to his start time, but we don’t. Why? Because we love our talks.

We spend the time before he has to enter and start his day talking about anything and everything. Some days our conversations are light and fun, and other times they are deep and serious. But we talk, and talk, and talk…

We really value this quiet time to visit and connect. If you want to connect with your child, try arriving somewhere early…on purpose…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

My “Low Fuel” light came on this morning, so I swung by the gas station to fill up. As I pulled in, I saw the sign: Unleaded $3.49 9/10. Who are they kidding? Gas is now $3.50 per gallon. I couldn’t believe it!

I remember stopping by the gas station with my mom in the 70s. The little bell rang, and someone came out to pump the gas, clean the windshield, and check the oil. And gas cost under $0.50 per gallon.

Then in the 80s, self-serve gas started to emerge, and the price began rising. And as time went on the price continued to rise, and rise, and rise…And here we are today. No service and expensive gas. Maybe it’s time for me to get a hybrid…

Stay groovy…

–Susie