May and June, 2009
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MUSE INDEX Dropdown menus LINKS Previous issues What's New Who's Who Birthdays and Anniversaries Muse readers' own websites Muse History May-June Photo Gallery Nancy's Quilts |
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE: A QUICK UPDATE (Natalie Murdock) Click THE RULE OF SNEEZE (Nancy Murdock) Click BACK IN NH (Polly Joubert) Click A NOTE FROM SAN DIEGO (Robert F. Murdock) Click CELEBRATING OUR 50th (Priscilla Januskiewicz) Click KUDOS FOR MISSI (Margery Aukstikalnis) Click AWARDS FOR KATIE (Bob Murdock) Click Part 2 MY RHINE ADVENTURE (Colleen McKay) Click A MOVE IN OUR FUTURE (Nancy Murdock) Click MY NUMERLOGY BOOK (Mary Reese) Click LIBRARY IDEAS (Charlie Frost) Click ISABEAU TURNS FIVE (Claudia Lindsey) Click HANGING IN THERE (Doug Howlett) Click LANGUAGE (Margery Aukstikalnis) Click Part 3 GENE'S BOOKS (Gene Murdock) Click CHARLIE CAT THE INSPECTOR (Mer Murdock) Click NO NEW ENGLAND TRIP THIS YEAR (Claudia Lindsey) Click A DIFFERENT YEAR (Nancy Murdock) Click JANUARY ADVENTURE (Colleen McKay) Click UPDATE (Valerie Davidson) Click |
Neighborhood Landscape" Gallery photo Quilt index |
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Nancy Murdock When I was a child (admittedly a long time ago), sneezing was a private thing, done carefully in such a way that germs wouldn’t spread to others. Therefore, we were to carry a “handkerchief” at all times. A clean rag was most often our required hanky, much easier to come by in that post-Depression era. Our instructions were to grab the hanky to cover our mouth at the first feeling of a sneeze coming on. This had the effect of muffling the sounds and catching possible germs. We were taught to say “excuse me” quietly, if we were unable to stifle the sneeze. A year or so ago, we received at work a memo about being polite to our fellow workers. The final reminder was to be sure to say “bless you” when someone sneezed. Wow! Things had evolved dramatically! Since this was the exact opposite of the way I had been trained as a child to minimize the effects of a sneeze and allow the sneezer some privacy so he or she wouldn’t be embarrassed, I pondered on how the “polite” way had been turned totally around. I personally hate it when someone on the other side of my cubicle screams out a loud sneeze, which jolts me right out of my chair. (I have had to coach myself not to squeal in response.) This is followed by at least three people saying, “Bless you!”. Then the sneezer thanks each person. All of this happens at full volume. After all, no one wants to be found wanting, when it comes to manners! I still muffle my infrequent sneezes and say a quiet “Excuse me” with the Kleenex still over my mouth, but I guess I lay myself open to being chastised for not saying “Bless you” to those annoyingly loud sneezers nearby. Meanwhile, the loud sneezes are getting more frequent, and not just in certain parts of the year. After pondering on this theme, I believe I have figured out what happened. It’s something I learned in a class on Skinnerian psychology. I don’t recall the exact wording, but the gist of it is that behavior that has received a positive reinforcement tends to increase. What could be more positive than a blessing? If we start when the child is young, this is a well-tuned scenario by the time he child is even in preschool. It’s not likely to stop, especially when we are informed that good manners require us to say “Bless you.” I’m truly glad that we can all afford tissues, rather than carrying large pieces of scratchy sheets as handkerchiefs. And I truly don’t enjoy sneezing, so I feel sorry for anyone who is allergic to spring flowers, and pollen from trees. But I look forward to the day when we receive a list of considerations for our co-workers that says to cover your mouth and sneeze quietly, and to ignore politely the quiet sneezes of others, who (we hope) simply can’t help sneezing! Bless you for reading this article! |
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Polly Joubert Hi Nan and Bob We are back in NH and the weather is beautiful. We have been working hard to get ready to sell. I called Lutheran Services and will take about five bags of kitchenware and bedding to them on Tuesday. We unloaded five boxes of miscellaneous stuff to Salvation Army last week. It's just awful how much people can hoard!!! I expect we will be here for the summer but will have the house on the market in the next week.It's a bittersweet feeling, but something that needs to be done. If the Florida house doesn't sell we will go back there in the fall or early winter. If it does sell we will probably rent a place down there till we decide what we are going to do. I hope you still plan to come to New England in July. I hope all is well with you both and your health is holding up after the winter. Love, Polly |
Gallery photo |
Robert F. Murdock Hey Grandma & Grandpa, How are ya? All of us are fine. Getting ready for the new baby boy (due end of May). Anyway, here are a bunch of pics for you guys to check out. Sorry it took so long, but these should hold ya for a while….lol. Love ya lots! Robert & family [Ed. note: Robert sent 67 photos! Some of them will appear in the Muse from time to time, including the Photo Gallery this time. - - RDM] |
2007, at a diner in Glen Junction, NH. Photo by Nancy M. |
Priscilla Januskiewicz Roy and I had planned to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary in October of 2008 at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA. (The actual anniversary date is December 31, but we wanted to do it early to avoid the holidays and also possible bad weather for those who would be traveling.) I made all the invitations by hand with special papers, ribbon and lettering with the help of the computer. The get-together for 20 family members had to be canceled after our son Dana's accident and hospitalization in September/October. His was a long recovery at home but we were thankful he survived and that he was already living with us after having given up his apartment seven months earlier. We had a quiet Dec. 31st, but went out for dinner in January with friends who were also celebrating their 50th, and a third couple joined us as well. This was at the Mile-Away Restaurant in Milford, NH, one of our favorite places to eat, and we all had a good time. The food was Swiss/American and very tasty. Later that month, we had dinner with Roy's brother and his family (Dana came too) at the Wayside Inn. The waitress brought us a little cake for two when she saw an anniversary card we had been given. There were eight of us at the table and we had a small room, which was very cozy and nice. Roy and I went to Hawaii in March, but the weather was much windier and cooler than usual and I became ill and came home in April with pneumonia. After another round of antibiotics I felt much better. We decided to celebrate our anniversary with my sisters, Joyce and Donna and their mates on May 2 at the Wayside Inn. We all met at the inn (Dana came, too) and we had a delicious lunch. Donna and Chris drove from Vermont and Joyce and Dick, from Pembroke, MA. We received some nice cards, poems (my sister, Mary, couldn't be there but sent one from Oregon) and gifts. We were each given a "Save the Bees" tee shirt and I got a word game, Bananagrams, and Roy got an old Saturday Evening Post magazine from the 1950's. Earlier that week, Mary had sent us a beautiful Pendelton lap robe. Joyce described a clever skit that she and Donna had planned to perform in October when we would have had a room to ourselves, and it was all about bees and honey. Joyce had even made costumes! The plan was scrapped when we no longer had a private room since there were only seven of us this time. But we all had great fun anyway with plenty of camaraderie and humor. So, as you can see, we celebrated our 50th in bits and pieces. It wasn't the way we had planned, but each gathering was really special as we were able to have more intimate conversations with our friends and loved ones. Since Roy is scheduled for open-heart surgery (possibly at the end of May) I'm not sure if we'll be at the Farmers' Market on July 11th. We may be there but we'll have to wait and see how his recovery is going, and let you know later. Your alternate idea of having lunch with us in Nashua on July 9 is also good. Again, we'll have to let you know later, if you don't mind. We will keep you posted. |
Missi's Video "Live Today" |
Margery Aukstikalnis Oh, my goodness! We just linked to Missi's production. It brought tears! It is SO beautiful. Hope she does more and shares! We enjoy listening to her on her website, but this self-written and produced piece of art is amazing. Thanks for sharing it with Museland. Margery and Jack |
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Bob Murdock Katie is the daughter of Nick and Cindy Coppolino, who live in Oakham, MA and operate the Barre Mill, an Italian restaurant. Katie is a freshman at Quabbin High School, and as part of an art program she produced a stunning self-portrait. Her art teacher submitted it to the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Competition. Out of 5,000 entries, Katie's was one of 25 selected for display in state offices, and hers is on the wall of the Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation. Katie also received two citations: one from a State Senator and one from a State Representative. Her parents must be proud, and so must be Grandpa Bob Schlicke. I'm proud too. Katie's late Grandma Schlicke was my sister Lennie. |
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