About Complaining by Liz Flaherty

I think summer's here. I've complained about 47 times this week about being hot and no one's done anything about it yet. That's a problem with complaining, I've learned. Something else is that you need to be selective about it.

1. Only complain to someone who can do something about the issue, preferably someone whose job it is and who's being paid to listen, apologize, and fix. 

2. Only complain once about any particular thing--47 times is just way over the top. 

3. Don't complain about the weather. Go inside or out, whichever suits your personal climate, dress accordingly, and--as your mother said--look at the bright side.

4. Don't complain to people who would give their eyeteeth to be in your shoes. 

Tierney Flaherty

5. Don't complain about other's people's kids or grandkids--they can't all be as cool as yours. 

6. Don't complain about people who brag about their kids and grandkids. Their families are their hearts just like your family is yours. 

7. Don't complain publicly about a business based on one bad experience. Give them a chance to clear up whatever the error was and then give them another try. Things are tough all over and social media complaints ripple on and on and...yeah, you get it. 

8. Don't complain about there being nothing to do when the truth is you haven't looked very hard.

9. Don't make lists so long they get boring...

So, could you tell I didn't have much to say this week? I hope you're enjoying summer even if is too ho...never mind. Ole Olsen has performances of The Ballad of Granny Siler this weekend and next; the fair will be coming up this month, followed shortly by the circus; Second Saturday will be the 10th (the Klabundes are performing at Gallery 15--don't miss them!); 100 Days of Summer is happening at Maconaquah Park; baseball fields are ringing with the sounds of "hey, batter..."

And, lest I forget, there's ice cream. 

Have a great week. Find something to do and, while you're at it, be nice to somebody.