Kathleen Valenti

Who knew?

There’s a slew of movies and TV shows in which dead people are dead wrong thinking that they’re alive.

I recently discovered that just as the deceased don’t always know they’ve passed on, some of us don’t realize that the things we thought were typical…well… aren’t.

Case in point: my garage door opener.

Until just (mumbles date), I thought that I needed to preserve the life of my garage door opener by limiting its use to once—or maybe if I was feeling especially decadent, twice—a day. Tops.

I was also convinced that many of Central Oregon’s wilderness trails are one-way and lived in fear of being caught walking the wrong way, no matter how expansive the pathway.

Then there was my supposedly incorrect(??) view that cheese basically has an indefinite shelf-life (I mean, it’s aaaaaaaged), and that you can mix ranch dressing with anything and make a delicious sauce. (I’m standing by that one.)

These revelations—much like the moment I realized that I will not in fact, ever need to do long division—are often side dishes to a main course of New. Just as the call to adventure takes the protagonist from daily life to fresh territories and novel experiences, a journey to the new and unfamiliar can be a gateway to wisdom, discovery, and growth.

It can also be a discovery of what’s gloriously different than what you previously knew, like butter under peanut butter in a PB&J.

Dear friends, what are some things that are different than you were taught or originally thought?

Photo by Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.com

26 thoughts on “Who knew?”

  1. As an avid reader, I thought writing a novel would be easy. Wrong! Well… writing and self-publishing is actually easy with today’s technology, but learning how to write a book readers will love — now that’s a challenge that reminds me it’s a journey.

    As you found, Kathleen, the path was not one way. I learned, it’s all about principles, not rules. What works for one may not work for others, but thankfully, the discovery process is fun, too!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  2. Both of my parents were college grads. They got their degrees in the late 40’s. When I was young, I assumed everyone’s parents had college degrees. I learned that wasn’t the case in 5th grade. That was an eye opener.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  4. When I was young and my mom was teaching me to do chores, she said to always run cold water down the drain when the disposal was on. Not hot. Never hot. I was very careful about this. When I was a full-grown woman with a disposal of my own, my mom was visiting. I asked, “Why only cold water, btw?” With a puzzled look on her face, she replied, “Who told you that?”

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

      1. It was pretty hilarious. We stared at each other for much too long. I’ve since decided she just didn’t want to waste hot water since there were so many of us and only one tank, or it’s something about cold water not sending grease all the way down the line. But who knows? My husband still laughs about the time my dad told him that he threw chicken bones in the disposal to sharpen the blades.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

  5. Don’t keep cucumbers or squash in the fridge, like my mom always did–it hastens their demise. That’s a big one.

    Oh, and you probably don’t really need to wait a half an hour before going in the pool after eating….

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. Wait, so it doesn’t matter how much you use your garage door opener? I’ve often wondered about that myself. Not that it really changes my habits, but I won’t go down there too often unless I’m going somewhere or have to get into my car for some reason. (I’m in a condo, and the only way in and out is through the garage door opened by the opener.)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  7. My Kathy had to “train” me– something I never knew was a thing– When making grilled cheese, butter goes on the outside of the bread, and cheese and mayo go on the inside of the bread. Who knew?? Now I’m trained to win at Life!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  9. Fun post, Kathy! Since moving to Michigan I’ve learned that some things I thought were all-American are actually “Southern.” I was shocked to discover they do not stock pimento cheese at any of the grocery stores here, not even Walmart! (I can choose from at least six brands at the Walmart near my mom’s house.)
    I’ve since learned (from Southern Living magazine) it is sometimes referred to as Southern caviar! And I’ve learned to make homemade pimento cheese for those times I crave it! Super simple and actually better homemade — and Keto friendly!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to Grant at Tame Your Book! Cancel reply