Some people named Karen are seriously thinking of changing their names. Even though there are hundreds of great people named Karen (Karen Allen – Actress, Karen Ardal – Dutch mathematician , Karen Pelicari – Brazilian football player, etc.) the great name has been fouled by social media Karens gone wild. I know a lot of Karens who are very nice people, but I wonder if there will be a future explosion about Denny’s less than crispy bacon. Of course the unhinged people on Instagram are not all named Karen, but their behavior now pegs them. When I view the Tik Tok tirades I wonder “has this always been or has something changed?” How do we deal with the “Karens” out there?
When I moved to Ft. Lauderdale my friend Paul Schwartzkopf thought I was lonely so he bought me a ferret for Christmas. WTF. I didn’t see the connection, but nevertheless I welcomed Patrick the Ferret into the hearth. How do you raise a weasel? I discovered that no matter what love, attention, or kindness I gave Patrick, he returned the favor by busting something or creating a mess. On Day #2, I was getting coffee early on a Saturday morning when he climbed into the dishwasher and impaled himself on a plate peg. Off to the vet. He used to sleep inside our fold out couch and pop out (like a weasel) when you sat down. We were trying to sell the couch to an old lady, but Patrick killed the deal when she unfolded it. He looked like a male porn star laying there eating Cheerios and hoarding the cat’s toys. Night time he was the worst; smashing china, tipping over lamps, biting the cat. He broke all of our Waterford crystal leaving a Tupperware ice bucket as the only surviving wedding gift. In spite of his flaws we loved Patrick, but he was the first and last ferret in a long line of pets. The reality is animals and people have an unchanging inner core they are born with. The inner core is their true nature no matter events, time, or place. Patrick was a nuisance because he was a ferret and that’s how ferrets behave.
The same for “Karens”. Even though you’ll see one on YouTube with 2 million views lying on the ground holding down a parking spot at Costco, she feels it’s normal behavior. The IPhone didn’t create “Karen” it just highlighted an existing tangled thread of our human fabric. So how do we change “Karens”? You can’t; that’s their inner core, just like Patrick. To note, an MMA fighter was once asked, “how do you survive a street fight?” He said, “Stay out of bad neighborhoods.” How do you protect your Waterford crystal from breaking? Don’t get a ferret and pretend it’s a cocker spaniel. How do you avoid a “Karen”? Pick your friends by their nature and hang out instead with more Caryn’s, Angie’s, Michelle’s, Lisa’s, Pam’s, Cathy’s and Tammy’s. Slainte.
You’re amazing, thanks for the good laugh Pete
Patrick story: When Deb and I came down to visit Diane (and you) we were put up on that said pull out sofa you were describing. I woke up to Patrick running up my body, in turn waking up Deb with me screaming hysterically and her laughing (in her New Hampshire accent.) It was similar to having a snake with hair crawling up your body. Deb, and I laughed so hard that morning as we got to know Patrick a little better. We all have had our share of pets through the years and have learned to tolerate the ferrets running up our bodies and the Rottweilers jumping on your laps. We have them and love them. You try to find good in them and adapt. Love you Pete and Diane.
Oh Pete this one made me laugh, another great one xx
Thank You for another great story. I do have to chuckle about the Karen’s. My granddaughter said to me one time about people 🙄 being a Karen . Now mind you she is only ten years old and attends St.Marys school in Ticonderoga!!! How the heck does a ten year old know what a Karen is? I just found out what a Karen is and who is a Karen about a year ago. Ha ha. Now as I am getting older and my memory not as good, heck maybe my granddaughter was saying I might be a Karen!!! I don’t believe she did,but was blown away how my granddaughter even knew the phrase ” A Karen”. Thanks again for your story. Look forward to next Wednesday. Continued 🙏 prayers for you Pete and your family.
This must be one of Life’s greater lessons… I immediately thought about Two of Aesop’s fables…The one about a scorpion being carried across a body of water. Though it had promised not to sting its rescuer, it did–of course; a scorpion’s nature is to sting. The other is the mountain climber who finds a little frozen snake, tucks it in his shirt, and carrie’s it back down to warm it and preserve its life. When he expresses surprise at being bitten, the snake points out that he is a snake and that’s what snakes do…🤷♀️ I appreciate your post very much; it is indeed an important Life Lesson. 💚☘🕊
All those poor nice Karens… 😢💛🕊
Always look forward to these Peter! Love the metaphor aspect you weave in 😂 Cheers!
Another enjoyable view point, I’m sure all the real Karen’s would understand ! Glad my daughters are not named KAREN !! Had a good laugh , Thanks
I wanted to thank you for the belly laugh this morning! You are a very funny man Mr. Lawson!! Stay well!!🍀🍀
Mr.Pete…it’s early…which is silly because I could actually sleep in for once. But…my eyes opened and I remembered it was good…ole’ Wednesday. So I hurried up to find your blog… to reset my brain. 😊
I’m not kidding when I say this one had me laughing from the first sentence and I continued laughing the entire way through. 😂
First of all…the kids always tell me at school about everyone who is a “Karen.” I’m glad they feel comfortable enough with me to share their feelings…but I always end with…” I would hate to know what you say about me when I’m not here.” They always promise that they don’t talk about me that way…but they are middle schoolers…so nothing is safe.
Secondly…I have a strong aversion to ferrets…my students would call me something like a ferretist (even though that’s not a word)…but they love making stuff like that up. I can’t tell you how many times they accuse me of being racist… or sexist…even though they know I’m not. That’s just kids these days. When they say those remarks I always tell them that I am not either… I just don’t like them personally. Of course they know I’m kidding…at least by the end of the year…because by that time they are used to my sarcastic nature. 👹
We did an art project where the kids had to invent a form of AI and one of my students chose to make a “Karen” detector. This was a machine that when people walk through it…you would be notified of their personality. It made me laugh…so naturally he got an automatic “A.” But you gotta admit…it was a good idea…and equally funny.
I am glad you have reminded me of how creepy ferrets and Karen’s are…and I plan to avoid both. I have had enough of people trying to tell me what to do and I have no interest in pets that want to play “pop goes the weasel.” I like surprises in life..but only if they are fun.
Wait…maybe I’m starting to sound Karenish. 👀 I hope not…but I can walk through the detector just to be on the safe side. 😊
Luckily…in Goodland…we have plenty of non Karen’s to brighten up our days. I am thankful for that. 😊
Cheers Mr. Pete!
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🍀another great read!
You have the best stories 🍀
I remember your mother telling me about your ferret. I don’t think she ever reached your level of acceptance of Patrick’s inner core.
Sara, no Eileen and Patrick never bonded. I name him after our great great grandfather Patrick McMahon. She actually would stay at a hotel when she visited. Be well, Pete
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Another great read!❤️☘️🪳