"GROWING PAINS!"

When Marash Girl was a little girl, (or better put, when Marash Girl was "growing up") and she complained that something hurt . . . her ankle, her knee, her elbow, her thumb . . . , her father would reply, "Don't worry. Ignore it. It's just growing pains!" These days, if something hurts, Marash Girl remembers her father's words, laughs and responds, if only to herself and those of you who read this blog, "Yep! Ignore it. It's just growing old pains!"

A Winter Sunset In Newton Corner . . .

When it's getting dark, remember to look up!

Photo by MarashGirl©2022

Dead End?

"Dead end is just a metaphor . . . " or so states this street sign! But a metaphor for what?

Photo by MarashGirl©2021

Get This Straight!

Get this straight! Christmas is coming!

Overheard . . .

Recently, while Marash Girl and Marash Boy were dining in the outdoor garden area of a local restaurant, the waitress reached across their table in order to turn on the outdoor lights. (For some reason, the table and chairs at which they were seated were placed against, i.e., in front of, the light switch.) Excusing herself, the young woman commented brightly, "I’m a short person, so whenever I can reach something, I feel a great sense of accomplishment!"

. . . For Peace And Harmony

Photo by MarashGirl©2021

Sound Advice For Committed Couples . . .

No matter what the issues, or disagreements, . . . "Never, never sleep alone! The life you save may be your own!" Above advice proferred many years ago by Ben Lifson, a friend and classmate at Yale University Graduate School . . .

Have you looked up at the sky recently?

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to look up!

Photo by MarashGirl©2021

"Just get her married!"

Blog for Wednesday, February 17, 2020: Told to Marash Girl's father when Marash Girl was applying to colleges: "Why do you want to waste your money sending her to college? Just get her married!"

Sage Advice from Ben Lifson

While attending Graduate School at Yale University, Marash Girl was fortunate to have known Benjamin (Ben) Lifson, a graduate student at Yale as well . . . and self-appointed philosopher of the day. The primary bit of advice that Marash Girl remembers Ben having shared with her (and they were good friends, no more than that) follows herewith: "Never go to bed angry with your partner; if you don't first defuse whatever the issue, you won't sleep well, and it certainly won't bode well for the relationship!" Good advice, wouldn't you say?

A PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE OR A PHYSICAL PHENOMENON?

"EVERY ACTION HAS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION!" Grandpa Peter, Marash Girl's father, always quoted Newton's Third Law of Motion (cited above) -- his favorite object lesson!!!!

"You hug too hard!"

Advice from a pro . . . Years ago, when Grandpa Peter was still with us, Grandpa Peter would love to hug the women as he greeted them . . . no formal handshake for him! His friend, Jim, (name disguised to protect the innocent) would always comment: "I don't get it! How is it that the women don't mind your hugging them, but they pull away when I hug them?" "You hug too hard," replied Grandpa Peter, hiding a grin.

On Writing A Shakespearean Sonnet

Having tried her best to craft a sonnet à la Shakespeare (in response to her English teacher's writing assignment), Marash Girl was excited to learn what the teacher had thought of her efforts. How disappointed she was (Marash Girl . . . and probably the teacher, as well) when Marash Girl's sonnet was returned, and Marash Girl saw no comments, but rather the sixth letter of the alphabet, capitalized in red ink, at the top of her paper. Vahan Topalian's response? "Don't worry about it! She would have given Shakespeare an F!!!"

Faites attention, s'il vous plaît!!!

Value what you have today . . . it may not be here tomorrow!

"Wag More, Bark Less!"

Above Photo of Bumper Sticker Taken by Marash Girl the Day Before Yesterday's Snow Storm

Riddle of the Day: What gets longer the shorter it gets? Have you figured it out yet?

Have you figured it out yet? You had the whole weekend!!! Well, here are two possible answers!!! Which one did you proffer? 1) The word "short" gets longer as it gets shorter! 2) Your life gets longer as it gets shorter!!!! Copr. 2020 Marash Girl

Riddle of the Day

What gets longer, the shorter it gets? A prize for the first best answer!!!!

What did the dime say to the nickel? Read on for the answer!!!

Have you given up yet, dear reader? The dime said to the nickel, "You think you're so BIG!" Copr. 2020 MarashGirl

Stretch your feet to the end of your quilt!

Ayağını yorganına göre uzat. According to Marash Girl's Turkish friend Murat, this expression means for you to 'Stretch your legs far enough so that your feet remain covered." Implying, one should know their limits and act accordingly: particularly for financial decisions, like spending. But according to Marash Girl's father, born in Marash, Ottoman Empire, survivor of the Genocide of the Armenian people, Ayağını yorganına göre uzat means rather than knowing your limits, you should to try as hard as you can to go as far as you can!!!

Remembering With Thanks The Poem That Dad Made Marash Girl Learn In 3rd Grade

The message still as clear as day!  How this poem shaped Marash Girl's philosophy of life.

 For a' That and a' That

BY ROBERT BURNS

Is there, for honest poverty,

         That hings his head, an' a' that?

The coward slave, we pass him by,

         We dare be poor for a' that!

                For a' that, an' a' that,

                        Our toils obscure, an' a' that;

                The rank is but the guinea's stamp;

                        The man's the gowd for a' that,

What tho' on hamely fare we dine,

         Wear hoddin-gray, an' a' that;

Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine,

         A man's a man for a' that.

                For a' that, an' a' that,

                        Their tinsel show an' a' that;

                The honest man, tho' e'er sae poor,

                        Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord

         Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that;

Tho' hundreds worship at his word,

         He's but a coof for a' that:

                For a' that, an' a' that,

                        His riband, star, an' a' that,

                The man o' independent mind,

                        He looks and laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak a belted knight,

         A marquis, duke, an' a' that;

But an honest man's aboon his might,

         Guid faith he mauna fa' that!

                For a' that, an' a' that,

                        Their dignities, an' a' that,

                The pith o' sense, an' pride o' worth,

                        Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may,

         As come it will for a' that,

That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth,

         May bear the gree, an' a' that.

                For a' that, an' a' that,

                        It's coming yet, for a' that,

                That man to man, the warld o'er,

                        Shall brothers be for a' that.