Writing from My Rocker

By Hazel Goodrich

I had a rocker positioned in front of three large windows to enjoy the birds and the change of seasons. For several years, I shared my observation and my thought on different subjects with a local magazine. I still do, but I have been encouraged by some friends to publish a collection of my column. My ego won over my better judgement, so here it is, a collection of my rocking chair observations—my first-ever book!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796030433

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Hazel Goodrich.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2019905106

ISBN:                  Hardcover                       978-1-7960-3040-2

                            Softcover                         978-1-7960-3039-6

                            eBook                              978-1-7960-3043-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/25/2019

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Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Dedication

First of all, grateful thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So much of my life has been spent compiling the contents of this book! Without the support of my husband Harry, his family, our children and our many, many friends and fans, it never would have been possible for this chronic procrastinator to get it into print! Thank you to my daughter Shirley, my proof reader and co-coordinator and to Eileen, Elayne and Anne, you too Debbie. To all of you, stay well and God bless.

Chapter One

November 2008

This month will bring all the skeletons out of the closet of the political parties involved in the election. Sadly, the issues will be lost in the confusion. I tend to forget the party is what I am voting for, not the man or woman. No one person could run the whole show! That’s why it is important to look at the whole picture…from the Town Clerk to the Governor, Senator, Congressman, etc. Every office is a link to running my town, my state my country. We need honest, caring, politically smart people.

I have voted every election since I turned eighteen, but sadly not too well-informed. I voted for whoever got my attention. I realize now that the kid with the most marbles wins the game! Others who might be better suited to the job can’t get on the ticket or in the public eye, (not enough marbles.) It seems to be a two-party world and they are both power- hungry and money-mad. So what’s a little old lady supposed to do? I am not going to quit voting. I am not going to stop complaining. I am going to pay more attention to the issues and how the party person I vote for stands on them. Well, at least until they finally take those voting privileges away from me. I see it coming from my rocking chair, can you?

December 2008

Looking out at the early brown of winter, I become aware that is nearly time to get out the rest of the wrapping paper and finish the Christmas shopping. Halloween, Election Day and Thanksgiving, amazing how fast the past few weeks have flown by!

At my age, the spirit of Christmas Past is the one that stays the longest and what a delight to walk down that memory lane through the Holiday photos. This year I would like it to be particularly memorable. A movie came out about a little boy who, wanting to make a difference in his world, started a movement called, Pay it forward. It brought out the best in people and spread like wildfire. What a great idea! What if we could make someone feel like Christmas at least one day a month? How about it? What if on the 25th of each month everybody did a really nice thing for someone else. It could be a family member, co-worker, neighbor, or a complete stranger. Maybe the same person twelve times or twelve different people. It doesn’t have to be elaborate to be special, just from the heart.

I’m going to make my list now…maybe you’ll be on it! Maybe I will be on yours. I know the baby born on that first 25th would like the idea. How about you?

Merry Christmas and Happy 25th day of the next twelve months.

Things men don’t know about love:

Men don’t seem to understand that, for a woman love is many things. Like a giant jig-saw puzzle, and that each woman requires a puzzle solver that can meet her particular needs.

Some women thrive on surprise some prefer extra thought and much pre-planning. Some want to be in control of all situations and some prefer to be a follower. How hard it must be for men to pick up on which is which, since women seem to be blessed with intuition and most men are not. I pity the man that misreads the woman he has picked to be his mate.

The perfect couple would be the woman who reads the man perfectly and then adjusts her agenda to his. Eventually she will have taught him exactly what makes both of them happy and they move through life very comfortable with each other.

What I am trying to say, relationships are always a give and take journey. Both must be willing to adjust, compromise or to stand firm (but gently) when a decision is discussed. When a woman stands behind her man and helps him lead, the results are much sweeter than the couple where one or the other rules.

I have always maintained that women are the stronger emotionally and therefore must be the one to adjust either by compromise or patiently bringing the man of her choice around to her way or thinking, gently of course, the best method is making him think it was his plan all along!

Chapter Two

January 2009

January always stretches out in front of me like a clean blackboard. It is just waiting for me to pick up my colored chalk and write away! Looking out at the sunrise, I can watch the sunrise turn the landscape a lovely shade of pink. The snow on the trees and shrubs sparkles with a diamond-like quality in the early morning stillness. How peaceful it is.

What wonderful hope there is in this brand new year. We have a president in who is willing to try to change the direction of this country from down to up. We have the promise of a better economy and more jobs while protecting the rights we have that many nations do not.

The serene moment only lasts a moment and then my reality check. I need to make a few resolutions. The extra pounds I gained over Thanksgiving and Christmas (hidden beneath my roomy sweater) need to be dealt with. My budget must be reworked to a point where my creditors and I can both live with it. Finally, I resolve to be more positive. If a negative thought gets in my head, I will try to see something positive in the situation. I will take a moment to consider the comparison and if I am smart, keep it to myself! Happy New Year and blessings to you and your families.

February 2009

Halleluiah! The seed catalogs have started to arrive and the let-down after the holidays is relieved. The brightly colored pictures of the flowers and fruit are so encouraging in this short but dark, cruel cold month. I never cease to be amazed at how long the winter is but the other seasons fly by. The birds that stay all winter try their best to make every day a little special, but even they head for cover when that cold wind blows! We’ve had a good variety of Sparrows, Juncos, Chickadees, Titmouse, a lovely pair of Cardinals and a very speedy, little red squirrel. Poor little guy hasn’t figured out the baffle on the feeder pole. Mornings, there is evidence of a rabbit family cleaning up the spills. Wonderful distractions on these dreary days.

This is also the month to express love for no