Posted in Cats, Uncategorized

Shock and Awww

Posted on by D. Parker

 

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“Somewhere,
something
incredible
is waiting
to be known.”
~Carl Sagan

People use the word ‘shock’ a lot. The news keeps telling us how shocked we should be. Politicians are always shocked. Most things they use the word shock for, are not, in fact, shocking.

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Shockingly, we’re still cavepeople. We just happen to be living in a modern world. The modern trend is toward being positive, but there is a reason humans tend to be negative. It kept us alive. It was important to caution your family, friends, even strangers about: the wolves in the forest, the cliff behind the bush, the saber tooth tiger about to jump on their head, the rabid bats in the cave, the poison berries, and so on. We spoke of, then later, wrote about negative things not always to dwell on them, but to often to help others, protect others. And sometimes, other times, it’s just mean.

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Now we warn people about bad restaurants on Yelp, about faulty products, bad apps, terrible service, overcharging, scams, hoaxes, crimes, we even warn people are triggers and spoilers…Constant weather talk, a throwback to warning people about possible dangers. Gossip. Complaining. Oversharing on social media. Maybe it all throws back to this instinct to warn people. And when we feel people aren’t heeding the warnings, more aggressive, provocative, shocking language and images are used.

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Things people are shocked by…but why?

1. It’s not shocking when someone dies. Poor, rich, old, young, famous, unknown…it can be sad, sudden, heartbreaking, but not shocking. To the best of my knowledge, everyone dies, unless there’s something I don’t know.

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2. People make stuff up to get attention, money, power, and all kinds of stuff. People lie for all kinds of reason and sometimes, for no reason. Stupid, but not shocking.

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3.  TV, movies, even most books aren’t supposed to be your moral compass. Shockingly many of them contain questionable moral content. They’re entertainment.

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 4. Adultery and cheating. Why call them shocking? Wouldn’t have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too-cowards be more accurate?

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5. News about money, sports, politics that you hear will make no sense whatsoever, sometimes in the same sentence, definitely 5 minutes from now, an hour, day, month, year. Too often confabulation, time-fillers, ratings-getters. When there’s blood in the water, in the race to tell us something, anything there’s little time for facts. Pathetic, pandering, and vacuous, not shocking.

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6. Business is meant to be confusing, so don’t be shocked that Guerrilla Marketing doesn’t involve putting guerillas in adorable outfits while using the latest iPhone apps, and The Fatal 2% Rule has to do with market share, not 2% of main characters on TV shows being killed off, cough, cough, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, cough, cough.

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7. It’s not shocking when fictional characters do bad things, things you don’t agree with, and even when they die (see #6)…it actually makes them less fictional and more realistic.

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8. Relationships are uber complicated, ok, sometimes shockingly so…

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9. Celebrities do weird stuff, say weird stuff, and/or wear weird stuff to get attention, you know, publicity. Shocker.

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10. People do horrible things to each other, and for each other. You don’t have to like it, but it’s not shocking.

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11. Don’t be shocked when people show their true colours and/or let you down, just try not to put yourself in the position where they can do it again.

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 12. It’s not shocking kittens and puppies are cute. Ok, maybe shock and awww.

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We want to warn people of bad things, but it’s also human nature to spread joy, beauty, kindness, happiness and hope…the good. Blogs, books, art, music, poetry, tweets, updates, texts, email, TV, movies – information wants to be shared, given, known, to be free. Don’t be shocked when it does. Be grateful.

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Author:

Very me

160 thoughts on “Shock and Awww”

    1. I like to think there’s still more good apples than bad ones, but the media and news tend to dwell on the bad ones.
      So far, so good, still getting used to all the snow in April, but hey, what’s life without surprises? That robin on the lawn certainly looks surprised! 😉
      Hope your weekend is treating you kindly. 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  2. You’re so right, Donna, why are we always so shocked any more ??? I’ve had to rehab myself from being a news junkie…just can’t follow that “blood in the water” any longer. ☺

    Nice use of Cousin It here. Always a smile while reading your posts. Thanks for that. 💕

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  3. LOL. I really enjoyed this Donna. I have to laugh at myself… because I’m shocked on almost a daily basis by one or both of my 2 bosses. o_O And then I’m surprised at my self for being “shocked.” So a very isolated, miniature version of this post has been in my head for awhile. Loved it. Wishing you a wonder-filled week. Mega hugs my friend.

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      1. Me neither, I just love that gif…he looks familiar, like I’ve seen that film, but it’s wandering around somewhere in my mind (not shocking), I’ll let you know if I remember, you can do the same, or if anyone else can, let me know. Thanks. 🙂

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    2. So glad you enjoyed it, Teagan. I think that’s perfectly normal, not only to feel ‘shocked’, but to then be surprised you’re shocked. lol 😉
      The word ‘shock’ is used so often, it’s most likely permeated all our brains, apparently we should be shocked by everything…
      Thank you for your kind words, dear friend and thanks for taking the time to visit. Hope you’re feeling better. 🙂
      Mega best of the week ahead hugs. 🙂

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      1. Oh one other thing. You’ll be featured in episode 5, a couple of weeks from now. It introduces the Apache shaman-mancer. I couldn’t use your “things” exactly as you left them but I have Topsy-Turvy Pineapple Cake, Woodstock, and Mustang. Mega hugs right back.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I’m so thrilled to be featured, Teagan, each week your serial gets better and better, which seems impossible as it started amazingly, but there it is. Anyway you choose will be wonder-filled, dear friend, it always, always is. Mega cake, car and copasetic hugs! Thank you, thank you, thank! 🙂

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  4. This was excellent! I, shockingly, laughed the whole way through. Great use of memes! I say “shockingly” because blog posts don’t usually make me laugh. 😊

    As far as things being shocking– you are right– most things usually *aren’t.* You did a great job at pointing out the ridiculousness of our sensationalist media.

    And oh, that puppy and kitty pic! That’s just…so.freakin.adorable…awwwww….❤

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    1. So glad I could make you laugh! 🙂
      Yes, media today is all about the money, not the news.
      Kittens and puppies live at the top of the cute scale, for sure. Awww… 😉
      Hope this weekend is treating you kindly. 🙂

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  9. One persons “shocked” is another persons “so what.” I’d be shocked if I saw a man lying in the road after an accident, but a trauma surgeon might roll her eyes and say, “Not another one. I did this same surgery yesterday.” 🙂

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    1. It’s all about the language, the words, ‘shock’ and ‘shocked’ are sooooo overused, how about startled, surprised, jolted, outraged, disturbed, jarred, shaken…I’m bored with everyone being ‘shocked’ by everything. 🙂

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      4. Yes, we need to use words we actually mean instead of just jumping on word bandwagons…hopefully the shock fad will fad. 😉
        Hope this week is filled with wonder…and smiles. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. I agree with D Parker, ‘shock’ is overused and an exaggerated response or maybe just word. Nobody has a sore throat, they have tonsillitis. Nobody has a cold, it’s always ‘flu. Our world is just too dramatic now.

    Or maybe this drama simply replicates the ancient world when we lived off our instincts and our reptilian brain ruled.

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    1. I think in our zeal to inform, warn, or communicate we use dramatic, aggressive, and/or provocative language to get attention. I think our instincts are kicking back in. 😉
      Hope this week treats you kindly, with little or no drama. 🙂

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    1. Thank you kindly. 🙂
      I don’t know when the overuse of that word started, but I’ve done it myself, and it’s disingenuous when I use it, because I don’t think anything shocks me. 😉

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  17. I’m shocked , you made me laugh again. I’m even more shocked you think everyone dies. Haven’t you seen Highlander? What, no, I’m not him, I’m more your lowlander, I keep ducking under death’s radar.
    Have a great week sweetie
    xxx Massive Hugs xxx

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    1. I’m happy I made you laugh again. 🙂
      I have seen Highlander, but I always take those sorts of documentaries with a grain of salt. 😉
      Please please please keep ducking, dear David, dodge, weave, do whatever you have to do. 🙂
      Hope this week treats you well and I can’t wait to hear about it. 🙂
      Massive bacony nosey hugs. xoxox

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  18. Can’t agree with you more, Donna. To me, it seems to stem from Puritanism that has morphed into fundamentalism. [I’m afraid I don’t have the warm fuzzies for religion these days.] The only ‘shocking’ things, according to some people and media, are naked or scantily clad bodies. So what? I think violence, sometimes in the extreme, is far more detrimental to the developing or fragile human mind than nudity or sexuality. That said, I’m not advocating censorship, although I think parents can and should monitor their kids’ entertainment use. Parents who think their kid shouldn’t read Toni Morrison or Sherman Alexie or whatever in school should be forced to read the books themselves and give a report on them, or at least discuss the issues with their child after reading the book. Same goes for movies and music; I came up during the PMRC era, and that was a stupid and unhelpful entity (to put it nicely). We should be shocked by some of the violent things going on in our world today, but we’re not. We get that—and more, sometimes much more—from our entertainment. Although I enjoy some violent entertainment myself, I recognize some limits, and I guess I’m probably old-school in that regard. I prefer some things left to the imagination [I’m looking at you, Game of Thrones on HBO!] unless the over-the-top violence adds to the camp or kitsch of something (as with the Bruce Campbell stuff)—and, again, as something adults can take part in, if they so choose. It’s a hard line to straddle, to be sure, as I enjoy reading and writing horror and dark fiction.

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  20. You’ve basically described the evening news. They work at trying to shock us including telling us that someone in the US may get heavy rain tomorrow. Ooh head for the bunker. That is why I sit with my remote and its ‘mute’ button handy so when the fear mongering starts I click and their mouths still move but I don’t have to listen to it. Then I wait for the last three minutes when they cover something positive. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to tune in some night and get 20 minutes of positive news and 3 minutes of negative stuff. Yes, I think I’d like that for a change. 🙂

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    1. I agree, Judy, I was wondering the other day, would people really stop watching if there was more positive news? I hope not, but it does seem like the negative stuff dominates. I would like to see a more balanced approach. 🙂

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  21. Love this! The have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too coward reference was the best. Why was I shocked to learn that my ex who worked overtime everyday but never had a dime was cheating? Now I’m a bit more cynical, but it’s all for the best!

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  24. I use the “caveman in the modern world” description all the time. It’s shocking how accurately that frequently describes human behavior. An overly dramatic word to be sure, Donna, and entertaining post. I hope if you are shocked today, it’s only because life is so stupendously grand 😀

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  25. I am always “shocked” by what people are “shocked” by. Almost nothing is all that shocking to me… chalk it up to my own negativity or an awareness, borne of experience, of human nature. Loved the gifs!

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    1. It’s an extremely overused word. Maybe society needs to expand our vocabulary, or just admit that things aren’t shocking and therefore, not unexpected. I guess if we keep saying things are unexpected we don’t have to admit we could have prevented them, or at least anticipated them. Thank you kindly and hope this week treats you well. 🙂

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  26. I agree with you post except… My seemingly healthy, fit husband went out for a run on Christmas Day and died of a heart problem we didn’t know he had. That was shocking for all who loved and knew him. The shock was so profound that it nearly killed another member of the family and tore the rest of us apart. Brenda

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    1. I’m sorry for your loss, Brenda. Sudden losses are tragic just as watching those you love die a long, painful, diminishing death is tragic. I’ve experienced both too often. We all wish we could keep those we love with us forever. The only good part is those we love stay in our hearts.
      I’m sorry if anyone found the post unclear, as a writer, a Mom, a person, in my opinion, it’s the massive overuse of the words: ‘shock’, ‘shocked’, and ‘shocking’ I have an issue with, I respect that others might still like to use the words.
      Again, so sorry for your loss.
      Brenda, I hope each day a little more happiness finds its way to you. 🙂

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  29. lol good one. Nothing seems to shock me anymore…well…at time I’m still shocked but I guess I should say nothing surprises me anymore. You hit the nail on the head with this one!

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  30. As writers/communicators, we have a responsibility to choose our words carefully. And you’re so right…the media tends to sensationalize just about everything for the sake of ratings, but all it ends up doing is creating news fatigue and a sense of numbness. A thoughtful post, and good reminder to take a break from the onslaught!

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      2. I’d like to tell you it’s not worth catching up, but some is… 🙂
        Yes, I love that commercial, I actually have a watch of Lucy with the Vitameatavegamin, makes me smile when I look at it.
        Hope this weekend treats you kindly, Rob. 🙂

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  32. The overuse of certain words is one of my pet peeves. Every storm is the worst, most dangerous storm ever. So many websites want you to click on “10 things you shouldn’t eat..number eight will shock you” type clickbait headlines. I gave those up a long time ago. So do we end up incapable of joy? I hope not.

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  35. Very good points. I’m someone who is shocked a lot, but why? When I read through your post, I realized that very little in life should be shocking. I’m going to try to look at things more logically. I’ll let you know how it goes.

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    1. Thank you kindly, Heidi. 🙂
      lol I really try not to, but I admit, my eyes too often look up and around. 😉
      Hope this week treats you kindly and the only shocks are good ones. 🙂

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  37. Sadly, I can’t say I am shocked by much of anything these days..and it really is very sad. I am more shocked to see someone do something nice for another…and shocked in a good way..

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  39. I think we all need to share good news and happy stuff far more rather than the ‘shocking’ or whatever people want to call it. Lets band together and celebrate the good in life, and not be shocked about it!
    Amanda. #weekendblogshare

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  40. Hi Donna, I totally agree with you, certain things just aren’t shocking (apart from maybe my spelling if I didn’t have spell check).

    I often find myself laughing at the terminology that people use. It does make sense that we are naturally programmed to be negative as a safety net, from a young age we are encouraged to be careful and to watch out.

    xx

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    1. I don’t know what I’d do without spellcheck! 😉
      Very true, Debbie. 🙂
      Thanks for dropping by, I hope this weekend is treating you kindly (and safely). 😉

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  41. This is so thought provoking and funny. Paves way for so many perspectives. But I think to be shocked is a human nature in order remind oneself or rather make one realize. Just like the shock doctors give to bring a patient back to life. In fact, looking at it from another perspective, in some cases being shocked can also prove to be helpful in communication as it can assure or convince the other person that you have listened or been affected by their words or actions. However, 11th point and the last sentence rightly give the message that do learn from it, do something about it and be grateful.

    Inspiring 🙂

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  42. Oh number three number three number three 🙂 people consistently criticize my consumption of trashy television 🙂 but your number three is exactly why. It’s fine not to have everything be life-changing 🙂

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  43. Hee hee. Yes. Shockingly, the word shock is overused for… shock value! (Found you via Blog Share Learn on FB. Nice to meet you!)

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    1. So many things are overused! 😉
      So glad you found me, Romilly, love Elena’s Blog Share Learn and now we’re found each other I hope we can virtually visit often. 🙂

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  45. Absolutely shocking, that i read it twice coz its well darn funny and shockingly true…most things just aren’t shocking the word gets attention though and that’s the aim. Our minds that said are meant to protect us and we tend to share these thoughts with others under the guise of protecting them..perpetuating the negative energy aarrrrggg! Shocking 🙂

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  46. Great post. As sad as it is when people reach four score and ten and pass away, it’s a natural process. Hello! We all die! Through my health situation, I know quite a few young people with muscular dystrophy and it has made me even feel a bit annoyed when people get shocked that some 80 year old celeb has passed away.
    It is important to have a bit of perspective.

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    1. It is. There’s no doubt when we lose those we love, or look up to, or enjoy their music, or books, or acting, etc. we are saddened, even devastated, but since we all die, it’s not shocking. Perspective is important.
      Hope this week is treating you well. 🙂

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  50. I was shocked the day I realized I was old and nothing shocked me anymore. Outrage has filling in the gaps but you are right. Nothing shocks us anymore. Too much information! I liked this one!

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  52. Ooh. Well… I think a lot is sensationalized but, on the other hand, I think we are getting too desensitized (now there’s a word I hate) so we’re not really shocked by anything anymore. Which I find disturbing. However, as a word nerd, I think we can come up with other ways to say what we mean. 😉

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    1. Thanks Janice, everyone is so kind. 🙂
      Spock was one of my early crushes, as was Kirk. Loved that show, so campy. 🙂
      Hope this week is treating you well, Janice, I’m still playing catch-up (eternally?). 😉

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  55. Happy Wednesday, Donna.
    Let me know if you want to “be in” the mini-series I’m doing for Get Caught Reading Month. Your only effort would be a picture of (1 or more) a pet — if you have pets. Email me if you want more info, or if you want to see a draft of the first episode (to get a better idea of what I’ll be doing). Mega hugs!

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    1. I don’t have any pets at this time. I’ve had many cat friends over the years. George (aka Curious George). Xena (Warrior Princess Kitty). Candace, Luna, Tanis. But alas, my son has Asthma so now kitties right now. I can definitely give you a photo of one of my lovelies from the past. 😉 Mega kitty hugs

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  56. `Gossip. Complaining. Oversharing on social media. Maybe it all throws back to this instinct to warn people. And when we feel people are not heeding the warnings, more aggressive, provocative, shocking language and images are used´…
    You are quite right when you highlight that progression… In fact, the initial attempt to catch the attention, for quite `regular people´- i.e not famous, or fictional characters- is pretty much subtle too…
    Soon later, both actions and reactions scale, becoming more visible, quite obscene at times…
    I also agree with you when you state that people- i.e certain- would do anything to be in the spotlight… I feel as if what is known as a social media troll certainly explains these sort of behaviour… By the way, I have learned that the best reply in those cases is… Silence.
    Excellent and clever post, dear Donna… All my best wishes. Aquileana 🔆

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    1. Oh yes, Aquileana, the trolls – where’s a bridge when you need one, they should go under one, and stay there! lol 😉 You are 100% on that one, silence is the only way to go. 🙂
      Thank you for much for taking the time to drop by and comment – I’m playing catch-up today, ok, eternally and you made my day with your wise words. Big hugs, hope this week is being kind to you so far. 🙂

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  57. Frankly, I’m shocked that you would write such a post. 😉 I’m with you, tho, on over-used words. My favorite? Artisanal, as in artisanal cheese, artisanal bread,artisanal potato chips, etc. It can’t all be that special!

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  60. I love reading your posts and your perspective on things. I always find it weird that people act shocked when a famous person dies, particularly an old one – are they supposed to be immune? So right, people try to shock for attention and the word is often misused.

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    1. It seems to be a growing trend of overusing words, maybe we should read a Thesaurus, we might be ‘shocked’ how many words are out there. 😉
      Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment. Hope this week is treating you kindly. 🙂

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  63. Pingback: My Picks Of The Week #16 | A Momma's View

    1. Sandra, thank you so much!!! And wow, I’m in great company, had lots of fun visiting everyone!!! 🙂
      Hope this weekend is treating you all kindly. 🙂

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  64. Are people shocking?

    Are the majority of the things you hear really shocking?

    Sure they might not be nice, pleasant or considerate but shocking…probably not.

    People are complicated and are capable of doing much bad AND good.

    I thought this interesting article really put forward some interesting ideas.

    Check it out 🙂

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  65. Reblogged this on The Entertainment Patrol (and general musings) and commented:
    The following article was a really well put together post that highlighted what is and/or what isn’t shocking these days. It really puts forward some really good points.

    I always try to think the best of people but a lot of what happens never really truly shocks me, especially since what happened at 9/11. But as I have grown up, I’ve seen and heard of many things that perhaps at the time may surprise you but as you become worldly, they tend to stop surprising you. I’m not sure if that is sad or just the way of the world. Perhaps it’s just over exposure to the world.

    Check out this great article. I hope you enjoy.

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  67. Pingback: The Weekly Headlines-Posted on November 25, 2017 by lafayetteangel – Br Andrew's Muses

    1. Such a diverse group!!!
      Thank you for including me (I’m #13, #46, #49, #64 and #81 unless I missed any!).
      Very kind of you to spread the #bloglove.
      Hope this day is being good to you so far. 🙂

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