Over the holidays I heard about singing groups called "Complaining Choirs" springing up around the world. At first, it seemed funny --- they sing, in a harmonious blend of voices, about anything that bugged them. Hey, I could join that kind of noisy group because I know how to complain royally!

Surprise, with only a week into 2008, I read an article about an anti-complaining movement. Shame on me! I was ready to jump into the fray of whiny voices. This religious group is making a New Year's challenge for everyone to stop complaining. They have a purple bracelet --- yeah, I thought we needed some more of those plastic bracelets too --- to remind people to strive for a complaint-free world.

Okay, so now I'm joining this new group: No sniveling! Quit yer bitchin'! Stop whining! There will be none of that depressing talk in my blog room. You have entered a "No Complaining Zone," Streamers!

You may leave only positive comments in my space. ~~~ Hugs, Rita B Pollyanna

Last year I decided to change all our light bulbs to the new florescent bulbs as the old ones burned out. After all, it was a little something I could do to save energy.

I knew the wattage was less and therefore the new bulbs would probably be less bright. Sure, I was even okay with that. I'll bet you can't even notice the difference either, can you?

So, which one is the new bulb, Streamers???

Our newspaper had an article about what to do with those dried up poinsettias. There were six good suggestions:

1. The next forecast for a freeze, place the plants outside overnight.

2. Just throw it away in the trashcan so it can be mashed with the rest of the garbage.

3. For sadistic pleasure, use a blow-torch to burn it one leaf at a time.

4. Kick it to the curb with a sign "Free to a bad home."

5. Regift it by mailing it to a distant cousin at the slowest postal rate.

6. Dig a very deep hole and bury it alive.

Last year I kept my poinsettias for months, one becoming a pretty decent spring plant. So which one should I do? I could keep them until they die a natural death or you may have other suggestions. The one that gets the most votes, I'll do!!!

Let me know how "green-thumb" bad you are, Streamers! ~~~ Hugs, Rita

I finally have definite proof that my family descended from royalty! I just read a quote from King George V of England:

I learned that very same thing at my mother's knee! Handed down from generation to generation, my family has learned this tidbit of inside knowledge from me and it has proved useful over years of car travel.

Every year has its surprising funerals. All are unexpected, but this first one of 2008 was strange. Even though the person went to another church the funeral was held at our church so another minister was invited to our pulpit to help conduct the service. The family must have made a compromise after their loved one died in a house fire on Christmas morning.

Right off, I knew the preacher was unusual in his charismatic delivery. Some of the things he said were a bit shocking and soon there was unrest within the reserved pews where the family sat. Unrelated to the family, even I didn't like some of the things he said either.

Abruptly, a daughter stood up and pushed her way out of the pew where she had been sitting. She marched toward the exit and her husband followed her. Before they reached the exit, a another couple made way for the exit! Then another woman left!!

All eyes were watching and wondering what was going to happen next as these people seemed quite upset. The good reverend didn't seem to notice as he kept on spouting in a loud voice. A lady next to the mother was bawling, re-faced. The elderly mother seemed untouched, her eyes glued on the minister and she was smiling, entranced.

One of the young women came back, made her way to the seats behind the pulpit and the preaching minister, to talk to our minister sitting in one of the chairs. She leaned into his face while talking. Head tilted in her direction, our minister's face never changed. When she was finished, she got up and headed directly to the side door again and that was that.

The rest of us were left to guess what in the heck was going on with this foot-stomping parade! Whatever the family was upset about had to do with the guest minister and I'm betting they didn't like him or his sermon about their tragic loved one's death. As I watched the family drama play out, I was sad for all of them.