A little History...& More! Can’t find a copy of the Upbeat Times? We’re always online! Website:www.upbeattimes.com


‘Just Chillin’


good humor are really “conta- gious.”


Santa Rosa, CA. ~ Have you had a chance to read what a number of scientists have careful- ly researched lately? Hap- piness and


moment’s thought. How differ- ent an average day would be if people made an effort to smile and discover: “Hey! Some one smiled back at me!” Now that’s a holiday giſt that maybe we all could use…and want. Years ago, at Harvard and MIT, they set up a mathematical model to track and predict infectious diseases. Deciding to track the “spread” of happiness as well, they collected data from 1,800 subjects from 1948 until 2010 and discovered from the results of both physical and emotional exams every two years that it appears that “you can catch happiness!”


seems, but “spreading happiness” is genuine. Now, anyone who has met


Paul Doyle knows that all that research is true. I hope everyone who enjoys reading his Upbeat Times every month remembers to wish him both Happy Holidays and maybe even a belated Happy Birthday, Paul! He celebrated his on November 10(born in 1963). Te holiday season hits espe- cially hard this year, since the af-


Strange as it Please, folks, give it a


termath of the horrible firestorms caused immeasurable pain and losses all around Santa Rosa. We appreciate all the more those irre- sistibly cheerful folks who always find a silver lining and help us see it too. Tanks, Paul and Valerie! Long ago, that ubiquitous poet listed in anthologies as “au- thor unknown” came up with an interesting poem that some may think is right on the mark:


When the day is dark and gloomy And the fog obscures your view And you feel there is no challenge


Waiting anywhere for you.


Trough a dreary weather chart, And you feel the hand of duty Like a millstone on your heart.


Face the skies however darkened When you ache to turn away. Do the job that lies before you, Keep your courage one more day.


You can never guess how oſten You affect another’s life


By the fact you are a doer Not a quitter in the strife.


December 16, 1863 marks the birthday of George Santayana, considered by many one of the most influential American phi- losophers. He was also a poet and novelist. Among the students he taught at Harvard who later be- came famous were T.S. Eliot, Rob- ert Frost, Gertrude Stein, Walter


When it’s routine you must follow


Lippmann and W. E. B. Du Bois. Santayana’s most famous quote is “Tose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” His main philosophical work is “Te Sense of Beauty.” Trying to state simply what he wrote, he said all of humankind’s learning, cultural practices and conditions of environment can be judged “by the extent that they make possi- ble human happiness.” One of the most touching and


upliſting interviews on tv aſter the ghastly fires was with a wom- an who had lost everything dear to her in her totally destroyed home.


around at the utter devastation quite forlorn when suddenly she saw a green shoot of growth in what was their front yard.


said with vigor and cheer in her voice, “Seeing that green blade made me feel optimistic and glad. –We will re-build!” And that cer- tainly is the heart of meaning for


She She said she glanced


UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • December 2017 • 5


Reflecting & Re-starting! by Ellie Schmidt ~ eschmidt@upbeattimes.com


the holiday season this year. Personally, we thank the won-


derful folks at Stanroy Music Center, especially Brian Men- delsohn, a fine musician! And, we are extremely grateful to our new heroes at Erik Hensley’s Au- tomotive Center for solving the chronic problems of our ancient Taurus ’94.


dear Santa should consider giving us a “Hummer” or tank. Hmm. Since sweets are vital and for-


Of course, maybe


givable during the holidays, here is an old family favorite from our family to yours: “Cockeyed Cake” ooey gooey chocolatey!


Ingredients: 1 ½ cups of siſted flour 5 tblspns cooking oil 3 tblspns cocoa 1 tblspn vinegar 1 tspn soda 1 tspn vanilla 1 cup sugar


... continued on page 22 JOKES & Humor # 2


“Mom, don’t get alarmed, but I’m at the hospital.”


“Son, please. You’ve been a surgeon there for 8 years now. Can we start our phone calls differently?”


What did the judge ask when he went to the dentist?


~


“Do you swear to pull the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth?”


My friend boasted he had the body of a Greek god. I had to explain where Buddha actually comes from.


Buy our ‘Macho Burrito’ & Receive our “Super Burrito’ Free!*


California’s Hard Money Lender since 1988. Call Today If Interested: (707) 523-2099. See recent offerings on our website: www.SunPacificMortgage.com


*Bur our signature ‘MACHO’ Burrito & Receive our ‘Super Burrito’ or a burrito of lesser value than the ‘Super” for Free. Expires December 31, 2017. Must present or Mention Upbeat ad!!


A California Corporation CA Bur RE License #01464899; NMLS License #360993


443 Dutton Ave. ~ Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 528-8933 Hours: Tuesday-T urs ~10am 10pm


HAPPY HOUR 12-3pm


Friday & Sat 10am -11pm Sunday 10am - 10pm


“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” ~ Marthe Troly-Curtin UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • December 2017 • 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24