FRIDAY THOUGHTS: ALL OVER THE PLACE

Want to keep everyone honest, reassure yourself that you're not crazy, hard of hearing, prone to misunderstanding, or challenged in the areas of hearing or reading comprehension? Document, document, document, and document well. Document very well. 

Use that smart phone, or hang on to those pencils and paper. 

Write stuff down! Sometimes the memory that needs refreshing is not yours.

Many want to be able to say they saved the day--not in the interest of day saving, but to be able to point yet another disparaging finger at you. Those who doubt your ability to manage a situation, or are quick to say you screwed up, aren't involved enough, or cause waste of resources or time, probably resent your presence. Their greatest delight is your absence. You out of the loop gives them leverage. 

The thought that you actually know what's going on, is positively frightening to some, and infuriating to others. 

Your access, knowledge of truth, competence and efficiency, are the key players in someone's worst nightmare, especially when they've worked so hard at being deceptive, divisive, assuming authority, gaining position--or painting you as a dumb blond.


You have to know what a person has been told, what permission they have been given, and what agenda they're promoting that makes them do and say improper, too familiar, intrusive, even absurd things. There's a reason why some people consistently park at the dangerous intersection of About To Get Your Feelings Hurt Street, Mind Your Own Business Road, and Close To Getting Cussed Out Boulevard. 

It may not be totally their fault. Some people think the worst because they haven't bothered to, or choose not to see the best. Maybe they've been schooled by someone they believe to be credible. 

It is better, however, to react or respond to what one knows, not what one has heard, or assumes. 

In the presence of truth, schemes and negatively skewed perceptions are blown right out of the water.

I detest those who take advantage of seniors. 

Is there a fiercely independent senior citizen in your family? 

Watch those telemarketers, mail offers, scammers, spammers---and wannabe family members. 

Stay on top of things as much as possible. 

Sometimes those people who profess/ pretend to view your parents as if they were their own, are more interested in purses and wallets than health and well-being. 

Some people, under the guise of friendship are seeking customers, endorsements, resources, access and control. 

Let's just say, if someone invites your elderly loved one on an outing, i.e. to lunch/ dinner, your loved one's purse or wallet should remain firmly closed before, during and after the meal. The only thing they should be reaching for are keys upon their return home, not the bill. There is a difference between concerned friends and predators.


And finally,
I'm not a reality TV fan for many reasons. Entertainment has taken a weird turn. It should leave one smiling, not shaking one's head, and pondering the soul of America. 

As they relate to the female gender, the depictions can be dismal and embarrassing. When it comes to Black women, sometimes they can be frighteningly accurate. Sorry, but you know I'm not lying. 

Used to be, that we tried to be on our best behavior in public. We knew when to turn it on, and when to turn it off. 

We kept family business in the family. 

We admired positive role models. 

Somehow, someone has decided that putting our worst foot forward is more economically rewarding. 

We all know women who are unashamedly loud, wrong, ignorant, tactless, rude, guilty of confusing classiness with fashion sense/style, lacking a filter, challenged in the speech and grammar department, and generally out of control. With that said, I'm kind of glad my rejection of the kind of shows people love to hate didn't cause me to pass on listening to Tamar Braxton's "Love and War". 

It really is a strong, well sung song, and I do so appreciate an artist--any artist whose live vocals match or eclipse their recorded ones.

#caregivers