Random Thoughts

So, I had to have surgery recently, and I found myself pondering how much medical procedures have changed since back in the day. What was once considered major surgery is now done outpatient thanks to laparoscopic methods that have been developed over the years.

After surgery, I was sent home with drugs…Lots of drugs. Pain medication, nausea medication, muscle relaxers…You name it, I had it. Luckily, I have a high tolerance for pain, so the most I had to use was the prescription strength Motrin, which I only took twice. So, we disposed of the hard-core medications safely and properly at our local Walgreens, and didn’t think much of it.

But then I did start to think about it. I mused about the opioid crisis we face in America. A patient used to stay in the hospital for a few days after procedures with pain medications doled out by the nurses. By the time you were discharged, you only needed the prescription strength over the counter pain reliever that I used. A person was sent home, more than likely, with a much smaller quantity of pain meds to get through recovery.

Do you think that the advances we’ve made in medicine actually contributes to the opioid problem as we spend less time hospitalized with our pain medicine usage closely monitored? Is our decision making about how much pain medicine we need contributing to addiction? Something to think about…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

So pork has always been hard for me to cook. I just can’t ever seem to get it right. Therefore, I rely on an old favorite: Shake ‘n Bake. It’s been around since 1965, believe it or not! And for those of us who generally don’t cook pork well, it’s a lifesaver. It turns out great every time.

But I have one quarrel with the Shake ‘n Bake company. After more than 50 years in the business, they stopped putting the bags in the Shake ‘n Bake box. The first time it happened, we thought it was an error. The massive machine that stuffed the boxes somehow missed the bag for our box. The bag is an integral part of the shaking process, so how could it be overlooked? When our second box produced no bag once again, we realized a change had occurred. Hard times must have come to the Shake ‘n Bake company.

After all, how expensive is it for them to add a bag to the product? They’ve manufacturing this for over 50 years, always including a bag. Now we have to stop at an extra aisle if we are currently out of sandwich bags that may serve the same purpose. I was a bit annoyed at first when I saw this change, but I am still loyal to the brand, as it makes pork quite tasty. Did anyone else notice this absence of bags and ponder the change?

Stay groovy…

–Susie

So, Stef and I were driving past a gas station the other day, and I exclaimed, “Look, gas is only $3.49 a gallon.” Then I paused and thought about it for a minute.

We have become so conditioned to these higher gas prices that we are excited when gas is ONLY $3.49. This is ridiculous. Many people say it’s no big deal because gas is more expensive out in California and even higher in Europe. But it’s not just gas. The price of everything is going up.

I write this with no answers to the problem. It’s just an observation. And don’t get me started about the price of eggs…

Stay groovy…

–Susie

So, I recently had a skin cancer spot removed from my face. As I looked at the nine stitches that ran down my cheek, I momentarily had a worry. Would it leave a scar? The stitches were removed today, and it doesn’t look too bad. I had a sigh of relief, but then I got to thinking about scars and wrinkles. Yes, those dreaded occurrences that are a natural part of the aging process.

You see, our scars and wrinkles are akin to a roadmap of our life. Each scar has a story. Each wrinkle is an indication of a life well lived. Take those little crinkles around your eyes and at the sides of your cheeks. They show that you have done plenty of smiling in your life. And those forehead lines…They indicate that you’ve had a life full of surprises. I find myself setting my vanity aside and recognizing that I have earned every scar and every wrinkle. Yes, it means you are aging, but it also screams that you have had an exciting life so far, and you are full of wisdom.

So when you look in the mirror, don’t fret about scars and wrinkles. Wear them with pride. Skip the Botox and fillers and embrace your aging. Do it with grace and joy!

Stay groovy…

–Susie

It’s finally happening! My first book signing for Tattling Trisha will be at Absolutely Avalon on Saturday, April 8, from 5:00-9:00 pm. You can find me at booth 183 across the street from the Tavern on Avalon Park Blvd. It looks to be a fun event for the entire family. See you there!

Stay groovy…

–Susie

St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and this year it falls on a Friday night. And you know what that means. More people will be out partying, and our servers are going to do well.

Over 30 years ago, I served at a restaurant called Bennigan’s. I thought it was defunct as I haven’t seen one in years but just discovered that there are still some operating out there. My first night working at Bennigan’s was, you guessed it, St. Patrick’s Day. What a day to start. It was beyond busy but, even as a newbie, I cleaned up. People tipped very generously as they had a grand time celebrating the day.

So, if you plan to imbibe at your local eatery on the seventeenth, don’t forget to tip your server well. And, please, don’t drink and drive.

Stay groovy…

Susie

My daughter, Sammy, made an interesting statement today. She said that building Lego kits as a child prepared her for putting furniture together as an adult. Interesting…

You see, I bought Sammy and her boyfriend, Martin, a dresser for their apartment for Christmas. She instantly started to put it together. It took quite a while, but she followed the instructions step by step until she completed her project.

I recall Sammy and my son, Ethan, putting together Lego kits for hours at a time. They examined the instructions and followed them to the letter, separating out the Lego pieces and forming them into smaller parts that put together became a whole. They built Star Wars spaceships, Harry Potter scenes at Hogwarts, and many adventure sets.

At the time, it didn’t occur to me that these skills they were developing while building these kits would transfer to everyday life. They learned how to read and follow directions, how to organize objects, developed spatial sense, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. And they had fun! All from Lego kits. Those are my new favorite gift for kids. Have you built anything with Legos lately?

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Will, I did it…My resolution for 2022 was to publish my children’s book called Tattling Trisha. And I did it!

I’ve never been good at keeping New Year’s resolutions, but this past year I made it happen. As a classroom teacher for over 20 years, I witnessed plenty of questionable behaviors from students. One that drove me crazy was tattling. I’ve been working on this book for a long time. and to hold it in my hand is quite a gift.

What does Emily do when a new girl comes to school who is a tattler? Emily and her friends believe in solving problems on their own when possible. How can they teach Trisha that tattling is not always the best answer to challenges?

If you are a parent, grandparent, or teacher at an elementary school, this book is for you. Check it out on Amazon by searching “Tattling Trisha” or “Susan Krivacic”. Thank you for taking a peek!

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Do you remember Christmas carolers? In my youth, they were a big thing around the holidays. People would gather together with sheet music and knock-on doors to serenade their neighbors. Six years ago, I was delighted to have a group of ten carolers from the local high school stop by to share some Christmas joy. They have not been back since, but I hope to have more come by someday.

I was reminded of carolers while decorating for Christmas. I opened a box of decorations and found a set of four ceramic carolers complete with a tree and dog. My mother had made them back in 1958, sixty-four years ago. Imagine that. They’ve sat on someone’s table during the holiday season for all of those years.

Do you have something that someone you love made for the holidays that you put out each year? Share the joy in the comments section.

Stay groovy…

–Susie

Wow! I just recognized that I didn’t post in November. I just got busy, but now it’s time for the holidays.

And it’s time to decorate. But what about this decorating thing? You see, people started decorating really early this year. And last year as well. And the year before that. It seems every year the decorating begins earlier and earlier.

Well, my decorating begins tomorrow. The first Saturday in December. For us, that works. It’s not too early, and not too late. It’s just right…for us. I’m not going to judge those who decorate early. I’m not going to judge those who have loads of decorations that make you think they vomited Christmas. What’s good for you is good for you. And what’s good for me is good for me.

It’s a time of joy. A time of love. A time for family and friends. Enjoy the beauty of the time and the thrill that it brings.

Stay groovy…

–Susie