Banter Bites

Bathroom Memories? Really?

Make it rhyme … and it will pass the test of time …

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: It seems that Vermont has been on Red's mind a lot lately, but this memory from her years in the very cold and very rural state isn't one that she could've predicted not only remembering but sharing with her family as "words of wisdom" in the midst of an unprecedented winter storm in Texas.

It all started when Black called Red to let her know that the widespread power outages would soon result in a water crisis (serious shortages due to damaged infrastructure, offline treatment plants, and freezing pipes), so she might want to fill her bathtubs to have a reserve of water, noting it was not drinkable without first boiling it, but could be used to "flush" the toilets.

Red had already lost power but luckily still had water, but taking her usual overly cautious (some might say paranoid) approach, she immediately started filling the bathtubs explaining to her family, "If it's brown, flush it down. If it's yellow, let it mellow." After the usual moans and groans, and declaring, "That's gross," Red made it clear that she wasn't kidding.

She then realized it had been decades since she had thought about that rhyme, remembering she first heard it when a kid on one of her family's trips to Vermont, yet it came back to her right away. And before she gave it any more thought, decided to share it with her sister. But rather than being grossed out or even amused, Black responded with a very Black-like comment. It may not have been what Red was expecting or even wanted, but she had to admit made a lot of sense …

So, it takes a devastating Texas winter storm with widespread power outages and loss of water to make you think about water conservation … and selective flushing?

“A Dictator & His Mistress” might have been a catchier title, but that doesn’t change the fact that the combination of history and food makes this one of Red’s favorite Banter Bites. While Black loves the leadership lessons (from a dictator?!). Curious? If so, read on …

Quick! If someone says "Julius Caesar," what comes to mind?

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Almost everyone has heard of Julius Caesar, but how many of us really know much about him, or at least that's what Red starts to wonder when she receives the usual flippant, but still accurate, reply from her sister, after feeling very proud that she knew that July was named after the famous Roman.

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Today’s technology may be very different from when we first ran this four years ago, but it makes  communication skills even more critical, and Effective Communications Month is the perfect time to acknowledge it’s a superpower …

Talking isn't the same as communicating. And hearing isn't the same as listening. Think about it.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Being an effective communicator, whether in our personal lives or at work, is a critical skill but one-size-doesn't-fit-all as we each use very different methods and styles … ranging from lots of words and talking stuffed animals (Red) to bullet points and racing flags (Black).

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What better way to celebrate May Day than bringing back one of Black’s favorite posts? A little history (for Red), mixed with fertility and workers’ rights (no, we’re not kidding), and a reminder that sometimes "pole dancing" doesn’t only happen in clubs …

If you’ve never thought about May Day, don’t worry, most of us haven’t.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Red appreciates that some holidays have historical significance, some have ancient traditions, and some are opportunities for one of Black’s unexpected, but often amusing and clever, comments, but May Day checks all those boxes.

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