Honor and Hope...aka Memorial Day

Good Monday, Readers...

No man is an island...

It's Memorial Day, but we at Connecting Now have trouble saying, Happy Memorial Day!—as this day carries Heartache in Sacrifice, in addition to Reflections of Courage.

May your day be spent with someone you love, and may Honor for those who gave their lives, as well as Hope for what is to come, abide among us all.

Love,
Maddie and Lisa

No Longer Does it Matter if I Get Run Over!

Dear Readers!

I (Lisa) thought this day would (seriously) never come.  What day is that? you ask.  The day a book that I had something to do with, would get published and be for sale and get sold.  Always I was plagued with the thought that I could get run over tomorrow and then *poof*--no more book.  *Poofs* and I are like "this" (shows first two fingers pressed together in Scout's Honor fashion)—bosom buddies.

Reader Asks For the Impossible

Dear MikChiks,

Now that college kids are home for the summer, I could use some tried-and-true reader advice on dividing up household chores.  

Empty Nester 

with a Young (returned) Homing Pigeon

Easier to pull a rabbit from a hat than...

Dear Empty Nester,

I (Lisa) snorted and guffawed when I read this coNUNdrum--as if an answer to this REALLY exists!

But, I (Maddie) forgave her.

How generous of you.

Cantankerous Reader Seems to Take Arnold's Side

No Excuses Arnold

Dear Mik Chiks,

The governator and all his publicity lately prompted this question and following comments. Are men so complicated and complex that women do not understand us? Dr. Laura seems to have a grasp on how men think and feel. I would suggest all women read her books to better cope with the opposite sex.

Tell me Mik chicks, why do men have affairs with other women who are clearly not as attractive as their wife? Choose your words carefully.

Sincerely,

Curious

How Do You (and God) Feel About Speeding?

No caption necessary.

Dear MikChiks,

 I've been traveling by car a lot recently.   My ethical coNUNdrum is "the speed limit."    Is it "the law of our land" or "a suggestion?"   There are times when driving the speed limit through a city could be hazardous, as traffic seems to be cruising at 5-10 miles per hour over.   And I'm sure we've all driven on the interstate and have been passed by those whose business requires them to speed to get to their destination faster (which brings up another coNUNdrum, one of wishing ill-will and non-love upon "my neighbor",  that they should be pulled over and cited.)

Signed,

A Non-Lead-Footer

…though I have a "slight confession"-- I usually set the cruise about 2 -3 mph over the speed limit... but have often wondered, how does God view that?  :)

Dear Non-Lead-Footer,

God brought everything into existence in seven days—it's quite possible that He admires speed.  We're going with that anyway. My (Lisa's) formative driving years were spent on the Autobahn.  It never seemed right that America's vast interstate system should be hampered with such things as limits.

To Advise or Not to Advise...

Dear MikChiks--
Since you're so good at multi-generational advice, I've got a situation that might be right up your alley. I've got three adult children, all married, and two adorable grandchildren. For the most part, I'm happy with the choices my children have made for spouses and careers, and the way they're living their lives and raising their children. But sometimes...not really.

So I'm dying to give them advice--but our family dynamics, going back at least two generations, don't really work that way. I'm worried that my advice-giving would be seen as butting in, interfering, judging. I don't want to make my grown-up children resent me, or even worse, to feel that I disapprove of them.

Spare Dimes Dwindling Fast

Dear Mik Chiks,

Last week a local homeless shelter was having a fundraiser in the entry of our town's grocery store. I made a donation. The next evening when I ran in to the store to grab an item, they were there again. The pensive eyes of those sitting at the table made me feel like a heel for walking by them, with my "I donated yesterday." [There was no condemnation on their part, only self-inflicted guilt feelings on my part.] This weekend, they were there again ...and I walked by again, ...and felt like a heel again ...and I didn't say anything this time. :( It's the same feeling I have when I walk by Salvation Army bell ringers at Christmas, after about the 3rd one, and several donations later -- what do you say? [I believe each of these to be legitimate causes.]

Any thoughts from you or your readers would be appreciated.

Signed,
Dwindling pockets

What's Happening with Lauren the Karaoke Singer?

We think Lauren should wear a hat!

Happy Friday, Readers!

We're sending you off this weekend with an update from our favorite Karaoke contestant, Lauren.

Hey Everyone!!!!

Just an update. I got the Details about the sub-finals and finals wrong. Sub-finals will be held on May 13th and 20th, and the finals will be held on May 27th!!! Hopefully I go through!!!

So far the songs that I have chosen are any of these..... 3 nights means I need 3 songs...... Who knows they might throw a curve ball and I may need more. Either way I'm coming prepared!!!
ANywho... (Fast Crowd pleaser's)

Evening CoNUNdrum

Hello Readers!

We hope this Wednesday night is treating you right! We've got a late-breaking CoNUNdrum for you.

Dear Mik Chiks,
What is proper these days? The older men always remove their hats when entering a building, the younger generation don't always, unless prompted by someone. Have times changed? ... and how do you politely ask someone to remove their hat when they're sitting in front of you, and their hat blocks your view? What do your readers think?

Sincerely,
A Mad Hatter

Mother's Day Winner...And Verna (Ooh, La, La)

Bubble gum out of a dish...

Good Monday, Readers!

First we need to find our winner for the Mother's Day Contest from these names which we've written in random order:

Sparrow

Yvonne

Beth

Joanney

Pat

Mariane

Dge

Verna

Cori

Cat

We're doing this the old-fashioned way.  With "Bubble Gum, bubble gum in dish…" where each syllable counts for movement to the next name. We're waiting for someone on Facebook to give us a number, and then we'll continue.

While we wait, we'd like to show you a delightful photo of Miss Verna at her Senior Banquet.  Those were the days!