The Only Narcissist You Need to Worry About

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

First, can we agree that time spend on YouTube learning how at least half the people we know are raging narcissists is, well, not time well spent? And what is the point, anyway? I’ll tell you what Maryl di Milo said in a YouTube video about a book she was reviewing, which advocates, among other things, getting away from less than pleasant (narcissistic) people: “It’s about self-preservation.”

I haven’t read this book, and it may be extremely helpful, but if it’s another book that points me to me, I don’t need it. I can do self-preservation instead of trusting the only One who can preserve me, easy peasy–no help needed.

And anyway, is that what we’re here for–self-preservation? I think not. Let’s learn that any self-focused thing (oops, isn’t that narcissism?) may not be our friend. Let’s learn that so often the people so determined to label people as narcissists may have a few less-than-selfless traits themselves.

Shall I look into the mirror? Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the most narcissistic of all?

Oh, that’s my husband, my daughter-in-law, my neighbor. Why can’t we just know that as long as we’re here we’ll likely be fighting self-worship in some form, and simply mind our own narcissistic business.

And here’s a thought: Let’s find something a little more constructive (see the New Testament) to do about troublesome people than just toss them out of our lives.

Happy Valentine’s Day to You! My Daybook, Friend to Friend, is now available on Amazon–get your paperback, hardcover, or e-book and start every day with good thoughts and inspiring words!

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Smart Girl Solutions in the Kitchen

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Old Bag is My Purse, not My Person.

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

It’s always some super chic 20-something who says, “I love your bag,” or “That’s some fine looking leather,” or, “Where did you find your purse?”

“Thanks,” I always say with real gratitude. “I got it at the Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.” I love the word Pawhuska, and say it right: Puh HUSS ka, and with a bit of a drawl. And so the conversation begins with a lovely young woman and I am reminded that it’s a lie that the youngsters don’t like the oldsters, that ageism should even be a word, much a less something I worry about.

Of course it exists, but life is soooo way too short to be taking note of those with so little wisdom that they don’t recognize mine. Of course those complimenary and pleasant young women may be the exception rather than the norm. But don’t I prefer an exception-al life to a norm-al (offended) life?

Absolutely! I am not getting, or losing, my joy because someone somewhere thinks I’m past it. That’s because even though my wrinkles say otherwise, I am so much younger than I was when I was 20-something (when I was always spouting off something I later regretted). On the outside I may look like my purse–in need of a little spit and polish. But inside I get younger every single day.

Why not join me?

HUNKY HUSBAND COOKS for Independence Day Picnic

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

This was the Best Man’s YouTube debut, and I think you’ll agree he’s a star. I wish we could share the meat with you–SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!

Let me know if you want to see more of this guy!

Independence Begins at Home–Baking Video Part 1

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Take responsibility for your and your family’s health and wellbeing, beginning in the kitchen!

If you know anyone who wants to eat better food and spend less doing so, share what the Parkers are doing in the kitchen! Also, please like and subscribe and THANK YOU!

July 4 (or 6!) Cooking for Liberty, Freedom and Independence from Yucky, Expensive, Unhealthy, and again, EXPENSIVE Food.

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Another of several videos showing you how to get really good in the kitchen, at making better food even as you spend less on groceries.

If you agree this is worth sharing, please do so, and please like and subscribe!

Independence Day Freedom via Home Cooking!

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

I put together several YouTube videos last week (starring family members) aimed at spending less on groceries and eating better! Most of these videos have a few flaws–but time was short and the goal was worthy, so we plowed ahead and got them on YouTube for you.

Here’s the first one, and to see me having baking fun with Rebekah and meat smoking fun with John, making Keto-Friendly 4th of July desserts, and much more kitchen marvels, just go to YouTube!

Please remember to like and subscribe, and to share with anyone wanting to improve their health, family life, and finances.

Wanna See My New Blog for Writers?

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Because I want to help people write real books, tell stories from their hearts, and overcome their fears via community and camaraderie, I’ve started 3rd Day Writers. Please see the link below and subscribe so you can join our next meeting!

https://3rddaywriters.com/

The 24-Hour Money Saving Rule

~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Before I get to the money saving part, I would like to share with you the difference a day makes when writing queries to literary agents. I wrote a simply marvelous, utterly irresistible query yesterday, and because the internet went down, I had to obey my rule: Always wait 24 hours before submitting what you write to such luminaries as literary agents (I call them luminaries because they are readers and writers with power in my life!). And they seem to get a kick out of ridiculous/desperate query letters–I’ve noticed this when reading about how NOT to write one.

Back to my stunning query. When I approached it this morning with thoughts of a bit of tweaking (mostly just to enjoy my brilliance before sharing it) it had, in a mere 24 hours, become riddled with mush. It was confusing, disjointed, wordy–headache inducing.

I hope I fixed it. Perhaps waiting yet another twenty-four hours would have been wise.

And now for the money-saving part. This is hard to write because I’d rather not tell. But I am here to help! Last night (DON’T BUY THINGS ON THE NET AFTER MIDNIGHT) while listening to a YouTube video (DON’T WATCH YOUTUBE AFTER MIDNIGHT–also perhaps another good idea) I learned about Wal-Mart Plus–they deliver! I promptly signed up ($98 dollars with just a slight movement of a finger), made an order and then learned, well no, they don’t deliver to my house.

“Oh, sigh,” as my daughter used to say when things didn’t go according to plan. You know the rest of this sad tale: If I had heeded my own 24-hour rule, and waited until today, I would have perhaps done a little research before blithely tossing $98 down the Wal-Mart hole . . . And now I get the intense enjoyment of trying to sort this out.

So, just back off. Tell your money you’re the boss of it and it doesn’t get to go flying out of your hands whenever it wants to. Tell it you’ll talk again in 24 hours.