That RED stuff!

One Thanksgiving, when my brother was just a tot, he looked at his dinner and asked where the "red stuff" was. 

Puzzled, my parents and grandmother began trying to figure out what this "red stuff" was. Ketchup? No. Cherries? No. Spiced apples? No. None of those were the "red stuff" my brother was looking for. 

Finally, it was discovered that the cranberry sauce was not on the table. Mamaw found the can in the refrigerator, opened it, and put it on its little crystal tray. 

My brother apparently lit up like a Christmas tree and pointed to the cranberry sauce. THIS was the RED STUFF he had been wanting. 

Now, every Thanksgiving, we tease him about his red stuff. I don't believe it has ever been forgotten since that particular Thanksgiving Day. 

Make sure you have your "red stuff" and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Cell Phones

"If he's THAT POOR, how can he have a CELL PHONE???"

"If she has a CELL PHONE, she has to be doing OK!" 

I see this kind of thing all the time on social media. To some, when someone is poor, having a cell phone is something that they just don't deserve. How dare they have access to this pretty much necessary device if they are not working, are homeless, or owe someone money? What if it is a "hand me down phone" from a friend or family member? Could someone else be paying the bill? What would one of us give up before we gave up our cell phones? 

These days, there are few pay phones and landlines are disappearing as most people turn to cellular service only. The days of being able to go to a neighbor's house and use their phone are pretty much over. 

Contrary to popular belief, affordable "lifeline" phone services were begun by Ronald Regan, not President Obama. 

A cell phone enables people to live in the modern world, especially if they live in an area without a nearby library. An unemployed person can create a resume, apply for a job and be able to receive a call about it on a cell phone. A mother can receive a call from her child's school in case her child becomes ill. People can get news of road hazards that can help them avoid being part of an accident. A person with irregular work hours, as many low wage jobs are, can do things that usually require being available during certain hours, such as banking. 

I just can't find it in my heart to begrudge anyone a cell phone. Even if some of my tax dollars are helping to pay for service to low income and elderly folks, I consider it money well spent.