Peeps I would love to meet!

Hello All,

Wasn’t March supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb? I think someone forgot to remind Mother Nature! This has been a rough weather year, and March certainly lived up to that. I have been sending prayers to all of those impacted by floods, tornadoes, snow and hail.

My heart also goes out to all of the people who have been murdered in mass shooting events over the last few weeks, including yesterday. I cannot begin to fathom the depth of the pain of their families, friends and their entire communities. These scars run deep, and will last forever. I promise I won’t go on a rant about gun control. What I pray is that we come up with good common sense measures to take – that we find ways to fund the care for the critical mental health care needs that exist – and that we have the faith and conviction to implement them.

The events in Boulder made this young man someone I would love to meet. The day after the shootings that took 10 lives, 11 year old J. J. Witmer told his mother “we need to do something.” According to The Washington Post, he said the shooting “was scary and sad.” He was upset about the victims and their families, and he was also worried about the employees of the King Sooper grocery stores across the state. He was concerned about the employees that had to go to work the day after their colleagues were killed. Using his own money that he earned from dog walking, he purchased multicolored carnations and roses. He and his mom gave them to the employees of two local King Sooper stores to show them their support. What an incredible young man and what an incredible show of compassion! I think our future is in good hands! Kudos also to the florists who, once they learned what he was doing, gave him a very “generous discount”!

I would also love to meet J. C. “Buckshot” Smith from Arkansas. Buckshot is a 91 year old police officer who still reports for duty! He evidently retired once after his 46th year as a police officer, but was only gone a few months when he came back to work. He said he loves “the excitement of being a police officer”, which is why he joined the police force in the 1960s. And evidently his love has not diminished one bit! He is well known around the community and is much beloved. It is reported that when he isn’t policing, he likes “to attend church services and spend time with his lady friend.” BTW – he has no plans to retire! Thank you Buckshot Smith for your incredible devotion to your community. You make a difference.

I hope you have either gotten your Covid vaccination or are planning to get it! Which brings me to the next person I would love to meet. (And I know you are all shocked, but this time it is not Dr. Fauci!) Yo Yo Ma – oh my – hearing him play the cello literally brings tears to my eyes. Imagine waiting for the required 15 to 30 minutes post vaccination and being serenaded by the world’s most incredible cellist. That is exactly what happened to the lucky people in Pittsfield, Massachusetts when Yo Yo Ma gave an unexpected concert while he was waiting for his 15 minutes to go by post vaccination. He played “Ave Maria” and the prelude to Bach’s “Cello Suite No. 1”. What an exceptional 15 minutes that had to be! I am so jealous. And so impressed that he shared his talent and passion with his community (while socially distanced and masked!).

I know almost every one of you knows that I absolutely love marshmallows. (Bob says I just may be addicted!) So I have to end this blog on peeps I would like to meet with a few facts about my favorite Peeps! Did you know that this year Pepsi and Peeps teamed up to make a special Pepsi infused with Peeps – in brightly colored cans? The Pepsi folks said they approached the folks at Just Born who make the Peeps because they wanted to “develop a moment of joy” after this past “tough year.” The special Pepsi is not being sold this year – they are using them for special rewards. I am hopeful that the Pepsis are so loved, that I can stock up next year! (And this is from a dedicated Coke drinker.)

1. Peeps were first sold in 1953. Just Born is a family business that has been around since 1923.

2. They are the #1 non-chocolate candy sold at Easter – and have been for more than 20 years! In fact, so many Peeps are made that the number produced in one year could circle the Earth twice.

3. It takes 6 minutes to make a Peep today. Way different than when they were handmade! It used to take 27 hours to make one peep! AND they used to have wings. The chicks lost their wings in 1955 so they had a “more modern look”. (I also bet they were quicker to make without wings!)

4. Yellow is the best selling color for the chicks. They were originally only yellow and white. Then came pink, lavender, blue, green and orange. (BTW – pink ones taste the best.) And the chicks have more calories than the bunnies (unless you are eating the big bunnies).

5. You can eat them frozen. There is a huge debate among peep lovers about whether you eat them fresh out of the package or you let them get stale! I love them fresh out of the package…..or heated up in the microwave for about 15 seconds!

May this weekend bring you peace. May this weekend bring you joy. May this weekend bring you laughter and love.

And thank you for being one of my peeps!

Phyl