A Pain in the Whatchamacallit
By Tiny Ruisch
It’s that time of year again. November is here and it is the time for us all to give thanks. I don’t know why I should have to do this. Every month I end this column the same. I always write, “Thanks for reading.” Isn’t that enough to be thankful for? Luckily, I’ll be able to write a full column this month because there are a lot of other things that I’m thankful for. Here they are in no particular order.
First, but not most, I’m thankful to belong to a computer club with a newsletter where I can publish my monthly ramblings. One of these days, I plan to really get going on my website again. You can bet that I’ll be doing a lot of cutting and pasting. While I’m on the subject, I’m thankful that we have a great Newsletter Editor. Lane accepts almost all of my input, corrects and formats it and puts together the newsletter every month. We should all tell her thanks.
Second, but neither most nor least, I’m thankful to live in Lake Charles. I moved here to be closer to the grandsons, but there are a lot of incidental benefits. Lake Charles has a great municipal park system. They are all well maintained, have restroom facilities, plenty of shady benches and are frequently patrolled by law enforcement. There are a lot of great museums in the area and lots of musical entertainment venues. Not only are the movie theaters excellent, but who doesn’t like a movie under the stars in the park? In fact there is only one bad thing about living in Lake Charles. It’s hard to spell “Calcasieu” Parish. It’s a good thing you can add words to the Libre Office spelling checker.
Third, but neither most nor least, I’m thankful that most of my Yankee relatives and friends haven’t moved here. I have a lot of fun replying to their social posts. When they complain about white stuff falling from the sky, I usually gripe that I have to go out and mow the lawn. Sometimes they get upset with me when I innocently ask, “What’s snow?”
Fourth, but neither most nor least, I’m thankful that our club members seem to enjoy my monthly Mind Bender puzzle. I’ve learned a lot of information while doing research. Hopefully, it will help keep my mind active. I’ll bet if I ever appeared on Jeopardy, I’d finish in third place or higher.
Fifth, but neither most nor least, I’m thankful for all of the little things that make my life easier. I don’t know what I’d do without toilet paper, scissors, zippers, coffee, my tablet, dental flossers, Duct tape, flash drives and my recliner.
Last, but not least, I’m thankful that I’m done writing my Whatchamacallit column for another month. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks for reading.