Today’s saying, “A baker’s dozen,” marks the thirteenth of what I might call Nonny’s borrowed ‘words of wisdom.’ Purportedly in times past the proprietor of an Old World British bakery would put in an extra roll or loaf to make sure the baker would not suffer a penalty from the government. Sometimes the baker would … Continue reading A Baker’s Dozen (Sayings I Grew Up With #13)

I used to use the saying, “Kalte hände, warmes herz. Cold hands, warm heart,” first pronouncing the German, and then the English every Sunday morning when members of my church congregation would shake hands with one another during a time of morning greeting. I never got the simple greeting of “Good Morning!” Here’s why. I’ve … Continue reading Kalte Hände, Warmes Herz: Cold Hands, Warm Heart (Sayings I Grew Up With #12)

Many of us tend to associate getting older with negative consequences. Actually life experiences over many years can help us grow in productive ways. Assertiveness and speaking out are attributes I have grown into over time. I have followed the adage, "The squeaky wheel get the oil," and let my voice be heard when I … Continue reading The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil (Sayings I Grew Up With #11)

There are parts of our society which thrive on being confrontational with any idea which doesn’t match their own. This idea may be political, religious, or philosophical. Might we all do better to be open to civil discourse and cooperation. Rather than having a stalemate where nothing is achieved, try stating your position with politeness … Continue reading You Catch More Flies With Honey Than With Vinegar (Sayings I Grew Up With #10)

Whatever job you have, however mundane it may seem, deserves the time and attention to produce a good product. If you can’t commit to that, find another job where you can. Sayings I Grew Up WithConnie Carlisle Polley, 2023ConnieCarlislePolley.comNonnyDay.com

We sometimes get caught up in the attractiveness of a perceived opportunity. Perhaps we need to take a step back to see the big picture. Is that golden opportunity really what it seems to be at its core? Let’s not forget the axiom, “All that glitters is not gold.” Sayings I Grew Up WithConnie Carlisle … Continue reading All That Glitters Is Not Gold (Sayings I Grew Up With #8)

It seems that when a bad or unfortunate event occurs, another and perhaps more than one, happen(s) in rapid succession. We need to remember we can’t always control what happens to us. However, when we find ourselves the recipient of “When it rains it pours,” let’s recall we can control how we react to our … Continue reading When It Rains It Pours (Sayings I Grew Up With #7)

Believe it or not, in years past, I heard the instructions, “Attention! Draw swords! Charge!” all the time in the Bible Sword Drills’ practice at my church. Participants (which included me) in our children’s or youth groups memorized Scriptures and where they were found in the Holy Bible. We stood in single file facing the … Continue reading Attention! Draw Swords! Charge! (Sayings I Grew Up With #6)

In my mind I can still hear my mother’s voice describing a quick cleaning she had done to a room or rooms in her home by saying she had given the job “a lick and a promise.” She meant her dust rag had wiped around the perimeter of perhaps a lamp, some framed photos, and … Continue reading A Lick and A Promise (Sayings I Grew Up With #5)

The maxim, “Better late than never,” advises me that whether it’s a day or maybe even years later than when I should have said ‘thank you’ or ‘I’m sorry,’ to go ahead and do it. Usually even a belated word of thanks is appreciated. And who knows? Maybe a heart-felt admission of regret may bring … Continue reading Better Late Than Never (Sayings I Grew Up With #4)

In sewing if you have a garment/household or other item made of a sewable material and it develops a hole—you’d better mend it quickly before it gets bigger. Beyond its literal meaning, the quote, “A stitch in time saves nine,” advises us that delaying addressing a problem may increase the time, energy, and cost of … Continue reading A Stitch In Time (Sayings I Grew Up With #3)

I grew up with the saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned." On a recent morning television broadcast, I heard how to save almost painlessly over $600 in one year. On day one, put one penny in your savings jar. Thereafter, each day add one more cent toward your daily savings jar deposit. In … Continue reading A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned (Sayings I Grew Up With #2)

There are  numerous sayings I grew up with. One of them, “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” was a favorite of my mother as she instructed our family to wash our hands before eating to rid them of germs. But also, after eating to keep our house furnishings clean. It was a good practice then and … Continue reading Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness (Sayings I Grew Up With #1)