Definition of in a funk: “If you’re in a funk, it means that you’ve been feeling sad. You might be in a serious funk after your best friend moves across the country (or comes back for a visit and doesn’t see you!) One way to use funk is to mean ‘blues’ or ‘depression’. It comes from funky, which means ‘stinky’ or ‘musty smelling’, from the French funkie’re, ‘smoke’.”
Okay, so this past week, “I” was in a funk. And one of my oldest, best friends did come back to Indiana for a visit and I did not get to see her! And try to think of anything that you can do physically that does not in some way involve your arms or shoulders. Reading? Nope — gotta hold the book and turn the pages. TV? Nope — besides having nothing but political campaign ads and other such garbage, you gotta at least operate the remote. Even though I am on the mend, I’m still not healed and what little patience I had has totally disappeared. My sweet-est, best-est most loving pooch Hershey has added congestive heart failure to his already advancing kidney failure and God is insistent that He is control of 16 year old Hershey’s health, not me.
How I got out of a funk: Spent the day in the yard, in the sunlight, holding my Sicky Pup. Watched the world through puppy Lexie’s eyes for a while. Do you know how much fun it can be to chase a bug? Or an unsuspecting cat? Especially one who is smart enough to jump up and hide? Or trying to pick a fight with the dog in the reflection of the window that looks just like you?
I baked Reese’s Pieces cookies but cut them into fourths to save calories per cookie. (Yes, I really did!) Cut four inches off of my hair. (Yes, four!) Declared all-out war on the itty bitty ants in my kitchen, watched tons of re-runs of my favorite TV series, ‘Bones’, and turned up Gaither Vocal Band to the level of most rock concerts. All of these tasks seem to somehow pacify my funkiness, at least to some degree. But probably the best remedy was taking the time to read cards from friends (Eva Fette and Claudia Dawson), speaking with friends on the phone (John Campbell and Judy Callahan) and visiting with friends at home (Sandy Dawson).
I am writing this on Sunday, my favorite day of the week! I always consider Sunday a time for new beginnings. So, no more sadness for me this coming week! The pity parties are canceled, and I intend to concentrate on the positive things and people in my life! Let’s see how I feel come Friday!
Prayer list: the family of Lauren Rose, Sue Bear, John Campbell, Sharon Levell, Bruce Hutchinson, Sharon Ward, Irvin and Eva Fette, Freda and Harry Walker, Eddie Trinkle, Barbara DeNoon, Adam Rose, Jake Rader, Joyce Earles, Dale and Eric Simon and Red Hot Hatters Patty Chase, Lura Riga, June Lack, Sandy Dawson and Sondra Stave.
Hats off to Leon Kinne, son of Judy and Steve Kinne, who was included in the feature article on Christian athletes in the statewide weekly newspaper ‘The Criterion’, September 28th, 2018 edition.
It has been decided that the Red Hot Hatters will assist the Angel Tree Project and donate gloves and hats for the children ages newborn to 18. Items must be collected by December 3rd. In addition, several have expressed interest in sharing the Holiday Spirit with nursing home occupants perhaps for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The yearly Red Hot Hatter Christmas luncheon is still in the planning stages.
The next meeting will be Friday, October 19th at Swiss Perks in Vevay. Beginning at 11 a.m. All Red Hot Hatters are asked to come in Halloween costumes. More details to be announced next week.
On November 3rd, the Red Hot Hatters will co-sponsor a concert at Vevay’s Historic Theater starring Hoosier writer and performer Tom Roznowski. For this performance, Tom will be joined by Mike Lucas (piano) and Carolyn Dutton (violin). Tickets will be on sale the first of October. Proceeds will be donated to the Antoinette “Toni” Kniola Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation of Switzerland County. Further details are forthcoming.
This week’s recipe is being shared by Red Hot Hatter Joyce Johnson and is for a:
FINGER LICKIN’
GOOD CAKE
1 – Box Butter Cake mix
1 – 11 oz. can Mandarin Oranges with juice
4 – Eggs
½ Cup – Oil
Mix and bake at 325 degrees in a 9” x 13” greased and floured pan for 40 minutes or until done. Let cool.
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FINGER LICKIN’
GOOD ICING
1 – Bowl of Cool Whip (9 oz.)
1 – 8 ¼ oz. Can of Crushed Pineapple
1 Box (Small) – Instant Vanilla Pudding
Mix all ingredients together. Spread on finished cake and refrigerate.
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You may contact me several ways: by leaving a note of message inside the cat mailbox in front of 1995 Front Street in Patriot; or by calling my home at (812) 594-2281; or by dropping me a note at P.O. Box #01, Patriot, Indiana, 47038. In addition, contact Kay E Cook on Facebook or online at PatriotNews1995@gmail.com. If you have anything for me to include in this article, please send it to me. Information can be received any day of the week but normally my deadline is Sunday at noon for that week’s issue of the paper.