Woody’s highly anticipated new book “STRAWBERRIES IN WINTERTIME: Essays on Life, Love, and Laughter” is NOW available! Order your signed copy HERE!
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Serving Up Some Leftover Notes and Quotes
Before I resume taking down some pumpkin pie and turkey leftovers, here are some leftover notes, quotes and observations I have been saving in Tupperware for today’s column . . .
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My two cents on the flap, by some, over being charged 10 cents for a paper bag at grocery stores: quit forgetting your reusable bags and quit complaining. It’s that simple.
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Add bags: No stores asked me, but it might be good public relations to take the “Leave a Penny, Take a Penny” dish to the next level and have a rack where customers can borrow a reusable bag if they forget one – and then return it the next time they come in.
I think people are generally so honest it would actually work.
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There is no shortage of rude drivers on the road, especially during the gridlocked holiday season, which makes it all the more remarkable when a freeway lane is closed and the cars in it are allowed to seamlessly merge into the next lane, cars politely and perfectly alternating and coming together like teeth on a zipper.
Well, until some selfish jerk snags the zipper by squeezing in when it’s not his turn or cutting off someone when it’s her turn.
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A wise thought for today – or any day – from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Enthusiasm alone, of course, doesn’t guarantee success. As author Alex Franzen advises: “Be patient with your dreams. Everybody wants to be an overnight success. Nobody ever is. Keep working steadily.”
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Considering how amazingly sharp the video shot on any cell phone or nanny cam is, how come the surveillance video – and, hence, still photos – from convenience stores and banks that are shared with the public after a robbery always seems more grainy and out of focus than the Loch Ness Monster?
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Regarding the kerfuffle which had parents filing a complaint seeking a temporary restraining order against a local AYSO league due to a 10-and-under team’s disqualification from the playoffs: how about a permament restraining order against all adults having any invovlment in youth sports and just let the kids run things?
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“We choose the kind of life we lead one choice at a time,” advises one of my role models, who also happens to be my son, Greg. “Choose wisely.”
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“The best way to overcome our fears is to embrace them,” says my wise daughter, Dallas, echoing Eleanor Roosevelt’s wisdom: “Do one thing every day that scares you.”
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Speaking of Mrs. Roosevelt, I know many will disagree but my personal opinion is she now has company as the co-Best FLOTUS (First Lady Of The United States) Ever in Michelle Obama.
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“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts,” wrote Mark Twain. “Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Perhaps all Americans need to travel our own country more.
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I not only remember rotary telephones and 8-track tapes, and was thus excited when newfangled push-button phones and cassettes came along, but I also recall when boys were named Mike and Jim and Bob and Bill and were embarrassed to be called formally Michael, James, Robert and William.
Now, for anyone under age 30, the reverse seems true.
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Today is “Small Business Saturday” where we are all urged to celebrate and support local small businesses with our patronage.
Small business owners didn’t ask me, but how about if Ventura County residents go a step further and shop small and locally every day through Christmas?
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While we’re at it, “Giving Tuesday” is next week with the goal of increasing support for nonprofit and charitable organizations. In other words, it is the perfect day to make a contribution to The Star’s annual Julius Gius Bellringer campaign in partnership with the Salvation Army.
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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.
Check out my new memoir WOODEN & ME: Life Lessons from My Two-Decade Friendship with the Legendary Coach and Humanitarian to Help “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece”
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