It's easy for leftie conversations to go south

What did I learn last week?

First, I learned reader response to my left-handed commentary about Molly Dooker wines ranked right up there with columns about geese, deer and skunks in terms of generating response. Go figure!

One southpaw boasted that "left-handed people tend to be extremely smart, many with I. Q. s over 140," noting that the use of "southpaw" can be offensive to a leftie.

In my defense, I sought the origin of "southpaw." According to the Random House Dictionary, use began about 1880, referring in sports to "a player who throws with the left hand, especially a pitcher" and in boxing to "a boxer who leads with the right hand and stands with the right foot forward, using the left hand for the most powerful blows."

One gentleman called to ask if I knew that in some cultures it is considered rude to use your left hand to touch your food, because it's the hand designated for unclean tasks. The right hand is for eating and touching yourself above the waist.

The left hand, he said, "is to be kept in your lap while eating and only used below the waist."

Another reader wanted to know where locally she could purchase Australian Molly Dooker wines. Napa Valley is as close as you can get and you can order online.

One voter found it fitting that my lighthearted account about wine-making appeared "on the day many whiners went to the polls."

Political lessons

I learned that my youngest child, now 25 and teaching English in Seoul, South Korea, recognized the significance of participating in the historic election. Without my suggesting, much less nagging, he applied for an absentee ballot. When I voted, the election judge acknowledged receipt of it.

I learned that early Wednesday morning somebody "borrowed" and kept keepsake newspapers, mine included, delivered to driveways. So much for many happy returns!

What's more, I learned three U.S. presidents in recent memory - Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton - were left-handed, as is President-elect Barack Obama.

Simple theme

I learned that while some folks think about flu shots, members of the Chicago Western Suburbs Chapter of the Holistic Moms Network will focus on "Af-flu-en-za," defined as "an epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream."

The Naperville chapter that meets monthly on the first Tuesday will host a "bonus program" at 7 p.m. Nov. 13, titled "Voluntary Simplicity: The Remedy for the Affluenza Epidemic." Joe Haverly, professor of environmental biology at Rock Valley College in Rockford, will present ways for individuals to simplify their lives.

The public is invited to the free event at The Health Doctors, 28379 Davis Parkway, Suite 803, in Warrenville.

For details about the national nonprofit group of parents interested in holistic health and green living, visit chicagowestsub.holisticmoms.org.

I learned that the 2nd Annual Festivus: A Holiday for the Rest of Us - a no-frills "fun" raiser sometimes billed as "the cheapest holiday in the world"- is slated for Dec. 5 at Quigley's Irish Pub in downtown Naperville.

An evening of Festivus provides a chance to air all your grievances by unloading them on a long list in time for joyful reveling with relief from stress and life's woes through the end of the year.

Thanks to veterans

Several veterans reminded me that Monday was the 233rd birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps and today is Veterans Day.

On Nov. 11, 1918 - the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour -an armistice treaty between the Allies and the Germans was signed to end World War I.

Naperville's observance of "11-11-11" is today at Veterans Park at Gartner Road, across from Grace United Methodist Church.

The Naperville Municipal Band will begin performing patriotic music at 10:45 a.m. as folks gather to pay tribute to all those men and women for their service and sacrifice so we can assemble, vote and express our opinions in the name of freedom and peace.

In a separate e-mail, a Vietnam veteran sent a timely message that ended with thoughts about happiness amid these unpredictable challenging times.

"Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less."

Finally, I learned that our participation to elect a new president gives new relevance to the phrase, "only in America."

Let's remember why with grace and gratitude.

Stephanie Penick writes about Naperville on Tuesdays in Neighbor. Contact her at spennydh@aol.com.