Thank God it’s Monday, again. I always look forward to every Monday. They’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you. Therefore, I hope this brings you a happy Monday.
In addition, happy National Online Learning Day Eve. For 10 years, now, the 15th of September has been celebrating, among other things, the flexibility and benefits of digital education and online learning tools – as well as the accomplishments of “online students” of all ages, as they pursue their goals and achieve their dreams.
Online learning began to develop in the late 1990s, as home computers and the internet became increasingly available, popular and semi-affordable – for most people. It and other tools of technology have been constantly evolving since their inceptions, in an effort to make self-education more manageable and convenient for all.
Currently, compared to when I was young and computers weren’t even available for households, there’s an endless amount of information available that’s instantaneously at my finger tips. It astounds me as to how much information is out there from which to learn. Compared to that, our family’s encyclopedia collection wasn’t even a drop in the bucket.
Online learning isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. To learn online, first, you need to be self-motivated. Just do it – as NikeTM would say. Grab your tablet or computer and go online – do a “Boolean” search and learn something new (including what Boolean is). Open the “web pages” and read. Reading is knowledge. Soak up all the knowledge you can, like a sponge.
RE-LEARNING HOW TO LEARN
For the most part, we are a society that loves convenience and you can’t get more accessibility these days than learning (or re-learning) online. As I said previously, the subject matters that are available to us, from which to learn (along with the many ways to learn), are basically limitless.
Six years ago, when Covid-19 was running rapid, a mass of people were trying to push more collegiate online learning and K-12 online home-schooling so students and their families could stay safe and healthy.
The problem with that, we found, is not everyone has or can afford internet and computers (especially in economically poor areas), nor is everyone cut-out to be a teacher or self-learner. Unfortunately, online learning is not easy and available for everyone.
However, when it comes to learning about computers or how to learn online – guess what – there are classes for that and many are now free through local community programs and public library systems, for a couple of examples.
LEARNING ONLINE
Blended learning (in person and online) became the new norm for a while as students went back and forth, learning in online classes at libraries or schools, as well as at home. Zoom meetings for groups launched in 2013 but “zoomed” in popularity in 2020, as people had to work and learn from home due to massive covid “lock downs” and restrictions.
In honor of tomorrow’s celebration, many digital learning sources are offering a variety of specials to promote learning online. Therefore, this is a great time to enroll in a new online course or explore a free webinar or virtual workshop if you want to learn a new skill or improve on one you already have.
Gen Z and newer generations especially love the convenience of learning online, as they were raised on computer technology. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers (like myself) and Gen Xers (like my husband) were more like “old dogs learning new tricks” – some got it, some didn’t.
Mom and Dad were born even earlier, in the middle of the “Silent Generation” (1928-1945). Going from the mechanical age to the digital era, their age group saw more evolution in technology than anyone else on Earth. But they never learned how to understand computers and digital technology.
FROM MOM’S MEMORIES…
As seen in…
My Cup Runneth Over and I Can’t Find My Mop (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Dec. 1989, p. 70)
[LEARNING BY EXPERIENCES (& FAILURES)]
LET ME ASSURE YOU, there is no formula for furthering a business like ours. Many people have asked for advice in writing and publishing a cookbook or putting out a newsletter like ours…
[They] have seemed so disappointed when I also assured them that I cannot convey to them, in a brief letter or conversation, what it has taken me nearly 20 years to learn; mostly [by] experience, through trial and error – sometimes a lot of error!
But it is always a learning experience, as was the case with Thomas Edison when he was trying to invent the dry cell battery. After 200 tests and all failures, somebody else came out with the invention.
Reporters asked Edison how he felt about his 200 failures, to which he replied: “Those weren’t 200 failures, at all. They were 200 things I found that wouldn’t work!”
LEARNING NEW SKILLS
“All of the blessings I derived from having stumbled my way through the [not so] meaningless jobs of the many newspapers for which I once worked, eventually paid tremendous dividends, as I was able to put those learned skills into practice with this family enterprise of ours. Each bit of experience contributed to what I would, later, be able to do without the help of professionals.” – Gloria Pitzer, My Cup Runneth Over and I Can’t Find My Mop (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Dec. 1989, p. 21)
Mom and Dad tried to learn how to use a computer after my brother, Mike, launched TheRecipeDetective.com’s original website in August 2008, so they could reach the new digital generations of copycat cooks.
However, after buying everything they needed and undergoing many weeks of instructions from their oldest granddaughter, they still couldn’t even open and answer their emails. Out of frustration and stress, they stopped the learning process and gave their computer away to their granddaughter.
So, for 10 years, Mike (who always happened to be very tech-savvy) continued to take care of the website and emails for Mom and Dad until he gave the website to me, in 2018; as I wanted to launch a weekly blog, “Mondays & Memories Of My Mom” – my tribute to Mom’s “Legacy of Love”, being the Secret RecipesTM Detective for 45 years (1973-2018).
In the meantime, while Mike was getting the website ready to transfer to me, I had to learn several new skills online; including how to write and post a blog, as well as how to operate the website, using Go Daddy and Word Press. I still had to ask Mike many questions for several months afterward, until I got more on-hand experience.
NATIONAL ONLINE LEARNING DAY
In honor of tomorrow’s observance, NationalDayCalendar.com suggests posting your online educational accomplishments on your social media pages, using the hashtag #OnlineLearningDay and this statement: “Online learning has taught me to _____!” Just fill in the blank and tag three friends to continue the celebration.
My first online learning experience was in 1996, until 2001, as I “attended” the University of Phoenix online, while working a full-time job in retail, and got my Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree, basically by myself.
Unfortunately, the University of Phoenix – Online didn’t offer job placement assistance (as do most brick and mortar schools) so I couldn’t get my foot in any accounting doors, which was required to go on for my CPA education.
Thus, I looked for the proverbial open window. I took a course with H&R Block and became a self-employed tax preparer, using their online tools, until the state’s requirements changed and it was no longer affordable for me to stay in business. I went back to retail and am always learning new ways to do my job through my company’s online training programs.
LEARNING PATIENCE
Mom believed that everything in our lives happens for a reason, thus, when Life put detours in our way, we just need to stay calm, as every unexpected turn is a learning experience. Sometimes it requires a little patience to recalculate our course. It takes a lot of little steps – but the journey has always been more important than the destination.
My next journey with online learning was for how to promote Mom’s last book, which I helped her rewrite for the digital age, via social media. Then I learned online how to operate this website, as well as how to write and post my blog and some other things. I think I’ve learned even more from my experiences.
MORE FROM MOM’S MEMORIES…
As seen in…
My Cup Runneth Over – And I Can’t Find My Mop, (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Dec. 1989, p. 20)
ON PATIENCE…
SOMETIMES, WE FORCE ourselves into making hasty decisions, when it turns out this can be a misguided attempt to try to shape an event that just isn’t ready to be shaped yet!
Encouragement to be patient and consider all of the options was always one of the supportive ways that my parents tried to see me through the rough times when I was growing up.
No matter what the problem, the emphasis was always on being patient; on letting my listening thought be receptive to new ideas, right ideas. I was never disappointed when I waited. I might have been a little impatient, but the more experiences I had with waiting, the easier it [became].
LEARNING GRATITUDE
Like Mom, I love to learn new things. Unfortunately, the older I get the longer it takes me to learn something new. It’s frustrating, as I was always a quick learner when I was young. But things are so much different now, as with the internet – which wasn’t around when I was young and, in case you haven’t heard, teaching old dogs new tricks isn’t easy.
Learning itself changes all the time but I don’t let that stop me. As Mom did, I just adjust and recalculate my journey to learn new things in new ways – and sometimes I need to relearn a little patience during the whole process, as I am not tech-savvy like my brother.
Mom always believed that the best learning experiences that Life gave us, often came out of our biggest disappointments. For that, she was always grateful. She taught me that in turning “let-downs” into “set-ups” for something else – something better out there, through the window that God opened after the door was shut – we can overcome and conquer anything.
In addition, I learned from Mom that every new day is a turning point for us and that every experience in every day, good and bad alike, eventually contributes in some way to our own personal growth and inner-happiness. For what I’ve learned from all of my failures and accomplishments, I will be continuously grateful, as well.
LAST THOUGHTS…
Thanks for visiting! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my memories of my mom, her memories, and other related things. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at therecipedetective@outlook.com. You can also find me on Facebook: @TheRecipeDetective. I look forward to hearing from you!
IN CLOSING…
In honor of TODAY, being National Cream Filled Donut Day, here’s Mom’s copycat recipe for “Cream Filling For Donuts & Eclairs”; as seen in her self-published cookbook, Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes of Famous Favorites (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Nov. 1990, p. 56). As always, I’m asking only for proper credit if you care to re-share it.
P.S. Food-for-thought until next Monday…
The month of September observes… Better Breakfast Month, Little League Month, National Americana Month, National Blueberry Popsicle Month, National Chicken Month, National Courtesy Month, National Honey Month, National Italian Cheese Month, National Library Card Sign Up Month, National Mushroom Month, National Potato Month, National Rice Month, National Sewing Month, Self-Improvement Month, Whole Grains Month, and more.
Today is also… National Eat a Hoagie Day, National Live Creative Day , and National Virginia Day.
Tomorrow is… National Cheese Toast Day, National Linguine Day, National Double Cheeseburger Day, National Creme de Menthe Day, and Greenpeace Day. Plus, as the third Saturday in September (for 2026), it’s also… National Dance Day, National Gymnastics Day, Boys’ and Girls’ Club Day for Kids, Responsible Dog Ownership Day, and National Clean Up Day. Additionally, it’s also the start of… Hispanic Heritage Month (which is always September 15th to October 15th).
Wednesday, September 16th, is… National Play-Doh Day, National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day, National Guacamole Day, National Step Family Day, and National Working Parents Day.
September 17th is… National Professional House Cleaners Day, National Apple Dumpling Day, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and National Monte Cristo Day. This is also the anniversary of the start of Mondays & Memories Of My Mom, which began with A Legacy Of Love (Sept. 17, 2018). Plus, as the third Thursday in September (for 2026), it’s also… National Pawpaw Day.
Friday, September 18th, is… Air Force Birthday and National Cheeseburger Day.
Saturday, September 19th, is… National Butterscotch Pudding Day and Talk Like A Pirate Day.
September 20th is… National Fried Rice Day, National Pepperoni Pizza Day, National Punch Day, and National String Cheese Day. Plus, as the third Sunday in September (for 2026), it’s also… Wife Appreciation Day. Additionally, as the start of the third week in September (for 2026), it’s also the start of… National Farm Animals Awareness Week and National Indoor Plant Week.
Have a great week – and learn something new!
…37 down and 15 to go.
