Just Ask Elizabeth - Help! I'm Still Wearing My Mask

Dear Elizabeth,

I am still wearing my mask because of a recent medical condition. I receive all kinds of

comments from people who are non-mask wearers. What is my best comment to them?

Signed,

Mask Wearer in Muncy

Dear Mask Wearer in Muncy,

I am also still wearing my mask. I find that few people say things to me about my mask-wearing.

When someone does, particularly, someone that I know, I ask them if I do get COVID, can they

take care of me? I get a long silent response, which speaks volumes, and tell them that I will

continue wearing my mask for the time being just to be safe. That usually changes our

conversation very quickly to another topic or even ends our conversation totally. Always do

what is right for you, feisty women!

On Slowing Down

Feisty women,

I am sure that you have said, “slow down.” But do they listen? When I was a teacher, I said this all the time as students were running out of the building at the end of the school day. They listened when I reminded them and especially if the principal was standing nearby. I said this recently as I was driving along the interstate. Unless a trooper stops them, the “flyers” kept right on speeding. But recently, I said this to a teenager that I know who is learning to drive and he did slow down a bit. So, I will keep saying it because eventually, someone did listen. “Slow down” everyone and you will be so much safer. And thanks from all of us who ask you to do just that.

Just Ask Elizabeth - Dealing With Relatives

Dear Elizabeth,

I have a few relatives who delight in nasty comments to everyone about everything. Any

suggestions on how to respond to these people?

Bewildered in Boston

Dear Bewildered,

Even if you have been kind, thoughtful, and courteous, some people just respond in a nasty

manner always. I think that they delight in making us uncomfortable. How to respond?

Sometimes the best response is no response. Other times I just respond with a “thanks” and

just walk away and avoid them for the rest of the family event, the “thanks” being my own

reminder that I should have stayed away from them in the first place. Another time, I tell them

that “I am agreeing to disagree” with them and end the conversation with that statement. The

“kicker” for me is when I tell them that I love myself and that I love them, too. The look on their

face says it all. Try these answers and see if they work for you. Good luck!

On Thinking Before You Speak

Feisty women,

Have you ever said, “You can think what you want, but you just can’t say what you want.”? I have said these words to middle school students more times than I can remember. I often caught students as they were starting to say something inappropriate. I could see their body language, and facial expressions, and hear their tone of voice change and I repeated the above words. Rarely then did I ever hear nasty words from them. Guess I need to say this to certain television personalities who have totally lost their filters. It’s easy, everyone, simply be quiet unless you have something nice to say. A new job awaits me as a television personality who reminds all adults of this rule and simply blocks and mutes those wanting to say nasty words. We would all enjoy television so much more and be happier without all of the unkind words.

Just Ask Elizabeth - Morning Routine

Dear Elizabeth,

My best friend struggles to get going in the morning. Can you share your morning routine?

Signed,
Needing a better morning routine in PA

Dear Needing a better morning in Hanover,

We all sometimes struggle to get going in the morning. We all need a routine and I have been tweaking mine as well. I enjoy the morning quietness for a few minutes and then put on my glasses. Sometimes I wake up with a great idea for my writing and write it down ASAP. Then I say a prayer of thanks for another day. Soon it is time to take a walk. Breakfast and a crossword puzzle follow. Then, I am then ready to tackle the day! Just try my feisty woman routine and see if this works for you.

Celebrating The Life of Queen Elizabeth

Today on the television I heard many things the late Queen said but this one quote really stuck out in my mind. I feel that this is an important piece of advice for all feisty women to follow. She said:

‘Always take your job seriously but don’t take yourself too seriously.’

Wise words for feisty women everywhere. Thanks Your Majesty because we all really need to be reminded of this every day!

Just Ask Elizabeth- Accepting Advice From Others

Dear Elizabeth,

Seems that I am always being offered advice about everything! How do you handle the “know it all” people in your life without offending anyone?

Signed,

Help needed in Hartford

Dear Help needed in Hartford,

I, too am constantly being offered advice from others about everything that you can imagine. I just listen politely, offer a word of thanks, and then write the suggestion down, if I think that I could possibly use it in the future. I keep a small notebook in my purse to record all of the suggestions. People are just trying to be helpful, so use the great suggestions and ignore all the other suggestions. Seems to work for me. Best of luck!

Elizabeth

Take Your Time

Feisty women, have you ever said, “Take your time and you will be fine!”?

As a former teacher, I always had to remind my students about slowing down and that taking their time in all they were doing would yield better results than rushing through something. I was right about this 99% of the time, they said. I try to live by these words, too. If you take your time, you might only have to do things one time and then you can go on and do something else. Wish that I could get some of the speeders on the highway following these words, too, as I see them down the road caught in a speed trap.

Just take your time and you will be fine, wise words for everyone today!