Donna’s Day: Word-Fun Travel Game Junior Whirl

KIDS &FAMILY

Donna’s Day: Creative Family Fun ‘Go to the Moon’ With This Word-Fun Travel Game

By Donna Erickson

Signal Contributing Writer

Kristina Zajic, speech pathologist and mom of eight-year-old Aisha and 10-year-old Elizabeth, loves bins. She has sand-toy bins, Barbie bins, ball bins, pretend-toy bins, office-supply bins and even nail-polish bins.

“When I walk into Target and see a new color, I’m inspired to have the fresh look for the season,” she said. “That’s why I snapped up two bright travel-size bins for my daughters before our three-hour car trip to stay in their grandparents’ fifth-wheel RV at a campsite in the Redwoods.”

For no-tech, car-trip entertainment, she filled the bins with new sunglasses, treats and plenty of challenging card games, activity books and art supplies. “My oldest daughter does get carsick,” she confessed. “That’s when the girls put reading and card games on hold for a while, and we play brain games together. The miles and twisty curves fly by.”

Remember to keep your library card handy this summer.

Two sisters enjoy no-tech travel games on a camping vacation. Here’s a word game that’s fun for kids and adults to play together in the car, or however you travel this summer. My daughter taught it to us on a winter car trip. “Go to the Moon” got us through snowstorms, slippery mountain roads and being asked one too many times, “Are we there yet?”

The person who is “it” thinks of three things that have something in common, such as a mango, pineapple and papaya (all tropical fruits). “It” then says to the other players, “I’m going to the moon and taking along a mango, a pineapple and a papaya. Who wants to come with me?” Given the clues, the first player tries to figure out what the items have in common, then names a fourth item that fits the category, such as “banana.” Another, more complex example might be, “I’m going to the moon and taking along the Twins, the White Sox and the Tigers” (all professional baseball teams). A fourth item that would fit could be the Royals.

If the item fits, “it” responds, “You may come with me.” The next player names an item. If the player names an item that doesn’t fit, he or she may try again on the next turn. When everyone finally learns the common element, the round is over. Topics can be as simple or as complicated as you choose. Try to accommodate even the youngest in the family when playing.

Donna Erickson’s award-winning series “Donna’s Day” is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the Donna’s Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is “Donna Erickson’s Fabulous Funstuff for Families.”  © 2022 Donna Erickson

Distributed by King Features Synd.

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JULY 31, 2022 CROSSWORD TIME PUZZLES

SOLUTIONS

Opinion Unless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.

READER LETTERS A Tale of Three Cults

The left, the right and the religious. They have the best of intentions, don’t they? Well, one doesn’t need to look very far to see how some of the worst things imaginable have been done “with the best of intentions.”

Allow me to profile the three main clubs, tribes (or cults) that dominate our political landscape, the factions from which our leaders arise. I added “cults” because I have seen some leaders venerated to near worship. It’s quite pathetic, actually, that anyone would worship a human being.

I classify many religious leaders in the political category since they have one foot in each camp, religious and political. So much for separation of church and state.

In the simplest terms the right wants only the “qualified” to vote and it’s pretty much every man for himself (a bit rough), the left wants “everyone” to vote and we’re one big, happy family (a bit yucky), and the religious just want everyone to repent their sins.

I don’t know which of the three is more ridiculous. I will settle on “equally ridiculous.” Such are the consequences of having faith and believing in things like preachers and politicians. In 1776 Thomas Paine wrote “Common Sense,” wherein he railed against hereditary monarchies and helped start the American Revolution. In 1794 he wrote “The Age of Reason,” wherein he railed against religion and the Christian church. He was a deist, as in, God is not here today. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Jesus was our president? I am certain he would be crucified (again) before the midterm elections because he’d piss so many people off.

Now, if we have only the qualified vote, who sets the criteria and how will it be enforced? Humans have a way of circumventing and corrupting everything. That’s my natural cynicism talking. One way or another, a lot of “good” people will be left out. On the other hand, if we allow everyone to vote, the end result will be chaos. Have you met “everyone”? Would you allow “everyone” to have a say in selecting the people who will decide things for you, things like how to live your life and how your money should be spent? That’s not only ridiculous, it’s insane, a recipe for disaster.

It reminds me of the movie “Men In Black” when Tommy Lee Jones told Will Smith, “A person is smart. People (on the other hand) are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it.” Preachers and politicians not only know this, they rely on it to get into sick co-dependencies with us by making promises they have no intention of keeping so they can get elected. We’re a bunch of naive, gullible and greedy, little morons — most every single one of us.

And that is the basis and foundation of a democracy. It takes two to tango and we’ve got both partners for that dance right here. Do-si-do and promenade. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. When will we stop being human? Arthur Saginian Santa Clarita

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ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Discernment in a Noisy World

Last December while taking a walk I suddenly lost much of my hearing in one ear. The medical world did tests and walked me through several courses of nasal, oral and injected steroids. In the end, I was diagnosed with sudden onset asymmetrical sensorial-neural hearing loss. Last week I was fitted with hearing aids so I am again able to hear the world around me.

But, as wonderful as it is to enjoy conversations, television, music and the birds in my back yard once again, I now realize something I hadn’t noticed before. We live in a noisy world. Having been peacefully abiding in the muted realm of hearing loss for six months it was shocking to once again have no protection against the cacophony of living in a society that abhors silence.

But the noise that can be the most frustrating and confusing is about to become all too pervasive. Yes, I am speaking about the voices of political candidates and the media that make sure we are constantly bombarded with what is being said, what it means, why we should be afraid, and how we should vote.

One of the great features of my hearing aids is that I can adjust them using my cell phone. Among the settings I can adjust is a noise filter that can mute much of the background noise that drowns out what is important.

Sadly, we can’t adjust the volume and frequency of political pronouncements, advertisements and myriad interpretations of them that will surround us. I suppose you could just opt out and refuse to listen, read and evaluate the views and promises of the candidates, but that will only heighten your frustration when you find yourself living in a society shaped by other voters. However, you can set up your own “noise filter.” Here are four settings you can use to eliminate the chaff and discover the core of what the various candidates think, stand for and promise to do. 1. The Truth Filter: As election season progresses, we can expect a deluge of advertisements, promises and pronouncements. But ask yourself: Is what I am hearing verifiable? Are the statistics and proclamations true? Do I trust the source? We’re all aware that simply asserting something doesn’t make it true. My advice: Trust only what can be verified and has the ring of truth. 2. The Whole Story Filter: Politicians are notorious for only sharing the part of the truth that makes them look good. Ask yourself: What information is missing? What other options are worth looking at? What unintended consequences resulted from the “success story” being trumpeted? My advice: If something sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Watch out for those who are overly eager to be the hero of all their own stories or take credit for what others accomplished. 3. The Purpose Filter: It isn’t wrong to say every political voice, be it a candidate, political operative or reporter, has a desired end-goal. They want us to think and/or do something with the information they give us. But ask yourself: Is this structured to inform me or enrage me? Is the intent to create fear or understanding? Are they using words and phrases that carry emotion or truth? Is the manner in which they communicate meant to appeal to my intellect or my self-interest? My advice: Remember that political noise is meant to get you to either like or hate a candidate. Force yourself to be motivated by truth and never manipulated by innuendo, speculation, or outright lies. 4. The Alignment Filter: Lastly, what really matters is how closely a candidate aligns with your beliefs, values and desires. It is imperative to form your own beliefs and standards rather than allow politicians to talk you into theirs. Ask yourself: Do I want more government or less? Do I believe people should have more responsibility for their lives or less? Do I believe integrity is important? Do I believe in natural law or is morality fluid? Do I have religious beliefs that form my ethical practices? My advice: Too many of us don’t know what we believe, so we become pawns to be moved about by those who can manipulate us with charm and well-worded speeches. My advice: Figure out what you believe, who you are, and what is best for our community, then support candidates who agree with you.

Democracy only works when the electorate is educated, knowledgeable and dedicated to the common good. Nothing will make the flower of democracy shrivel faster than the worm of selfishness. My advice: Stop complaining and start committing to know yourself and the truth. Then, filter out the rest of the noise and cast your vote.

Local resident David Hegg is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church. “Ethically Speaking” ap-

pears Sundays. 