My niece and grand nieces came by today, and of course the kids wanted to play with the kitties. So I thought this would be a good time for a little update. I hope you enjoy it...
Saturday, May 31, 2008
How's This For Handy...?
As you can imagine, one of the most important things to consider when moving to the desert is the ability to furnish clean, fresh water for cooking, drinking, and washing. Although there are well drilling companies in the area, the quality of the water cannot be vouched for until the water is found, accessed and then tested. If it doesn't meet state standards, the well is worthless as the well cannot be used for drinking water. Locating water cannot be guaranteed by the drillers until they try!
So that pretty much leaves two options...buying water and hauling it, and catching rain water. If you chose the latter, you have to hope that you don't run into a very dry year. Buying water can be a pain merely because you are at the mercy of the Water company as to how much they are willing to sell and the price that they want to charge. Not a pretty thought!
The past few days I have been looking at a third option. This option makes a lot of sense to me. It is called Atmospheric Water Generators. The principle behind this technology is very simple in theory. The generator takes in air from the surrounding area, condenses and collects the water, passes the water through a series of filters and UV light to remove impurities and kill any bacteria and viruses that might be present , the stores it in a holding tank where it is kept until used. The water is agitated to keep it from going flat.
Now you might wonder how much water can this machine produce. The home version will produce about 120 litres of water every 24 hour period. Like I said, this makes sense to me to go this route because even though the unit is electric, it can be powered by solar panels. I have joined a company that is getting into this market, and the opportunity seems pretty good to me. The website explains better than I just how everything works , including the business opportunity. You might want to take a look and see what you think. The link is here and it is pretty informative.
Any thoughts on this idea would be welcome, so let me know. Again, just follow this link and check it out!
After all, we gotta have water for our coffee, right? C'mon, let's get a cup!
So that pretty much leaves two options...buying water and hauling it, and catching rain water. If you chose the latter, you have to hope that you don't run into a very dry year. Buying water can be a pain merely because you are at the mercy of the Water company as to how much they are willing to sell and the price that they want to charge. Not a pretty thought!
The past few days I have been looking at a third option. This option makes a lot of sense to me. It is called Atmospheric Water Generators. The principle behind this technology is very simple in theory. The generator takes in air from the surrounding area, condenses and collects the water, passes the water through a series of filters and UV light to remove impurities and kill any bacteria and viruses that might be present , the stores it in a holding tank where it is kept until used. The water is agitated to keep it from going flat.
Now you might wonder how much water can this machine produce. The home version will produce about 120 litres of water every 24 hour period. Like I said, this makes sense to me to go this route because even though the unit is electric, it can be powered by solar panels. I have joined a company that is getting into this market, and the opportunity seems pretty good to me. The website explains better than I just how everything works , including the business opportunity. You might want to take a look and see what you think. The link is here and it is pretty informative.
Any thoughts on this idea would be welcome, so let me know. Again, just follow this link and check it out!
After all, we gotta have water for our coffee, right? C'mon, let's get a cup!
Friday, May 30, 2008
25 Ways To Stay Healthy...!
Let's start the day with a little sillyness and maybe a few smiles to go with our coffee. My Baby Sis sent me these pictures in an email, so I put them to music and made a little videa of them just to help start our day off right. Enjoy!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Let Me Make A Suggestion...!
You know, I'm a pretty easy going guy. I don't push people around, I don't bully them, and I don't disrespect others just because they disagree with my viewpoint. However, there does come a time that you have to finally say "No more Mister Nice Guy!". This is one of those times.
I have a favorite program that I have been involved with for a while. It's called 10DollarsWonder. This little jewel has been around for over a year now, It has a lot of loyal members, 14,505 to be exact and I am proud to be one of them. Many of my friends that are experienced in Internet games are also members. Nearly all of the members continue to show their support both verbally and by upgrading and repurchasing.
Now for some reason, this program has a lot of detractors. People that for one reason or another, don't like it. I don't have a problem with that...not at all! It's a free world and we are all entitled to our opinions. But what I do have a problem with is that these people insist on trying to bring this program and others that they don't like down and to a stop. Instead of just ignoring these programs, not playing these programs, and in general just staying away from programs they don't like...they want to totally stop them dead in their tracks.
Now here is my suggestion to these folks. Instead of tying up the forums with all your negative ramblings, instead of bothering the bloggers that are only trying to pass on to their readers the programs that are working for them, instead of making everyone Else's lives miserable just because you want to be on such a downer...why not make things a lot simpler for everyone?
If you really want to spend your days and nights looking for programs to tear down, if you really want to be the bringer of bad and unreal news, if you revel in the prospect of sharing all the negativity you can muster...then why not just start your own blog? Really, it's a simple thing to do! You can start by looking at the top of this page in the right hand corner where it says "create a blog"
Just imagine, you will be free to write all the negative crap you want, page after page. No forum rules, no moderators, no bloggers to decide not to post your feeble attempts to destroy whatever games or programs that don't meet your standards. Start your own blog! Be a star! Develop a large following of like minded nay Sayers that are not content unless they are demeaning and destroying something. Think of all the fun you can have, sowing the seeds of discontent and doubt. All of this within the pages of your very own personal blog!
That way you will let the rest of us rest in peace, enjoying our programs that bring us a profit, sharing our good fortune with anyone that wants to learn of good things. We will be better off without the negativity in our lives and you will be better off with those that share your feelings.
Hey, this is all just my opinion so it really doesn't mean much. Before you start off on your big adventure in spreading the word as you know it...how about a cup of fresh coffee?
Like I said...my friends and I like to share good things, OK?
I have a favorite program that I have been involved with for a while. It's called 10DollarsWonder. This little jewel has been around for over a year now, It has a lot of loyal members, 14,505 to be exact and I am proud to be one of them. Many of my friends that are experienced in Internet games are also members. Nearly all of the members continue to show their support both verbally and by upgrading and repurchasing.
Now for some reason, this program has a lot of detractors. People that for one reason or another, don't like it. I don't have a problem with that...not at all! It's a free world and we are all entitled to our opinions. But what I do have a problem with is that these people insist on trying to bring this program and others that they don't like down and to a stop. Instead of just ignoring these programs, not playing these programs, and in general just staying away from programs they don't like...they want to totally stop them dead in their tracks.
Now here is my suggestion to these folks. Instead of tying up the forums with all your negative ramblings, instead of bothering the bloggers that are only trying to pass on to their readers the programs that are working for them, instead of making everyone Else's lives miserable just because you want to be on such a downer...why not make things a lot simpler for everyone?
If you really want to spend your days and nights looking for programs to tear down, if you really want to be the bringer of bad and unreal news, if you revel in the prospect of sharing all the negativity you can muster...then why not just start your own blog? Really, it's a simple thing to do! You can start by looking at the top of this page in the right hand corner where it says "create a blog"
Just imagine, you will be free to write all the negative crap you want, page after page. No forum rules, no moderators, no bloggers to decide not to post your feeble attempts to destroy whatever games or programs that don't meet your standards. Start your own blog! Be a star! Develop a large following of like minded nay Sayers that are not content unless they are demeaning and destroying something. Think of all the fun you can have, sowing the seeds of discontent and doubt. All of this within the pages of your very own personal blog!
That way you will let the rest of us rest in peace, enjoying our programs that bring us a profit, sharing our good fortune with anyone that wants to learn of good things. We will be better off without the negativity in our lives and you will be better off with those that share your feelings.
Hey, this is all just my opinion so it really doesn't mean much. Before you start off on your big adventure in spreading the word as you know it...how about a cup of fresh coffee?
Like I said...my friends and I like to share good things, OK?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Let's Talk Commitment...
In order for anything in life to work properly, there is one thing that must be present. That is commitment. Total and complete commitment. That's the magical key, the guarded secret, the Holy Grail if you will, of success.
Now I don't care if it's business, a lifestyle change, a personal relationship, or even just a passion or hobby...they all require a commitment to be successful. Anything done halfway is bound to fail. All things attempted without a measure of commitment are a waste of time.
Of course, all of this is just my opinion. That and a dollar will almost get you a cup of coffee now days. All I can go by is my personal experience and the experiences of my friends that believe as I do. I have found that I am most successful at those things to which I commit myself. Commitment goes by many names. Names like determination and strength of will.
However, commitment is a very personal thing. It has to be made by each individual. No one can make a commitment for you but you yourself. By the same token, you cannot commit to anything for anyone else. Each one of us must make our own commitments, we must be the captains of our own ships, the blazers of our own trails , the creators of our own destiny. Each of us must walk our own path, take responsibility for our own decisions, be aware of our own direction.
With this in mind, here is my simple suggestion. Don't try and work too many programs at once. Don't spread yourself so thin that you are unable to give a 100% to what ever you are working on. Pace yourself, pay proper attention to the details, work diligently but not desperately, stay within the guidelines of the program, and if you want to succeed then make the commitment.
Now...with all that said, let's get some fresh coffee!
Now I don't care if it's business, a lifestyle change, a personal relationship, or even just a passion or hobby...they all require a commitment to be successful. Anything done halfway is bound to fail. All things attempted without a measure of commitment are a waste of time.
Of course, all of this is just my opinion. That and a dollar will almost get you a cup of coffee now days. All I can go by is my personal experience and the experiences of my friends that believe as I do. I have found that I am most successful at those things to which I commit myself. Commitment goes by many names. Names like determination and strength of will.
However, commitment is a very personal thing. It has to be made by each individual. No one can make a commitment for you but you yourself. By the same token, you cannot commit to anything for anyone else. Each one of us must make our own commitments, we must be the captains of our own ships, the blazers of our own trails , the creators of our own destiny. Each of us must walk our own path, take responsibility for our own decisions, be aware of our own direction.
With this in mind, here is my simple suggestion. Don't try and work too many programs at once. Don't spread yourself so thin that you are unable to give a 100% to what ever you are working on. Pace yourself, pay proper attention to the details, work diligently but not desperately, stay within the guidelines of the program, and if you want to succeed then make the commitment.
Now...with all that said, let's get some fresh coffee!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Take A Look At These Plans...
This is one small and simple design at 368 sq.ft. It’s meant for a single person or a couple. There is a single main living space with a 10’ kitchen counter with a sink and open shelving. A small stove will provide heat and a place to cook.The sleeping platform is big enough for a queen-sized mattress and has room for built-in drawers underneath. There is a small room for a composting toilet as well as a wash basin. Double French doors open to a generous front porch.
A tool house at the back provides additional storage space. Lofts can be built over the whole interior, just the bed and bath spaces or at the back. The cabin can be done with a gable roof and porch, but it could just as well be built with a shed roof on the main structure, the high side to the front and another shed roof on the porch. There would be plenty of windows for light and ventilation.
We just have to be sure the porch is big enough so that we can sit and enjoy our coffee. Want a fresh cup?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Need Some Input From My Friends...
Now here's the thing. As you know, the Hermit just bought 5 acres of land in the Big Bend area of far West Texas. Now this area is in the Chihuahuan Desert and, as all desert areas, it is very dry. Remember we are talking about raw land here. No water wells, no electricity, no existing buildings.
What there is available for some reason, is phone service run to nearly all lots in that area. Why this is, who knows? Someone long ago decided to run phone service to an area that has almost no people living in it. Of all the things that I could do without in the desert, phone service would probably top the list! Heck, I don't even use the phone here in Houston unless I absolutely have to! I would much rather have a water source or a power line or a rebuildable structure of some kind, but then that's just me.
Now...here is what I need help with. In what order should the basic needs be tackled? Shelter first, or rain water catchment system, solar panels for power, wind turbine for power as well...in what order would you plan and start construction on each of these basic needs? This is going to be an interesting brainstorming session with a lot of different factors figured in.
Here are some points that should be kept in mind. The closest town is a little place called Study Butte (pronounced stoody boot) which used to be a mining community. Now it really isn't much more that a place to buy water, gasoline, food, or adobe bricks which they make there. The distance to this little community from where we will be working is about 30 miles! The closest town of any size is Alpine, Texas...which is about 70 miles or so away! No walking to the corner store.
To get an idea about what the country looks like in this area, I would like you to take a look at this link to the Terlingua Ranch Lodge which is only a couple of miles away. Just a good stretch of the legs! It gives you a good look at the area and at the same time, tells a little about the landscape and the sights. Spend some time to take a look at it, OK?
Now that will give you something to think about for a few minutes. May I suggest that while you are studying all this information that we share a fresh cup of coffee?
Don't get up...I'll get it for ya!
What there is available for some reason, is phone service run to nearly all lots in that area. Why this is, who knows? Someone long ago decided to run phone service to an area that has almost no people living in it. Of all the things that I could do without in the desert, phone service would probably top the list! Heck, I don't even use the phone here in Houston unless I absolutely have to! I would much rather have a water source or a power line or a rebuildable structure of some kind, but then that's just me.
Now...here is what I need help with. In what order should the basic needs be tackled? Shelter first, or rain water catchment system, solar panels for power, wind turbine for power as well...in what order would you plan and start construction on each of these basic needs? This is going to be an interesting brainstorming session with a lot of different factors figured in.
Here are some points that should be kept in mind. The closest town is a little place called Study Butte (pronounced stoody boot) which used to be a mining community. Now it really isn't much more that a place to buy water, gasoline, food, or adobe bricks which they make there. The distance to this little community from where we will be working is about 30 miles! The closest town of any size is Alpine, Texas...which is about 70 miles or so away! No walking to the corner store.
To get an idea about what the country looks like in this area, I would like you to take a look at this link to the Terlingua Ranch Lodge which is only a couple of miles away. Just a good stretch of the legs! It gives you a good look at the area and at the same time, tells a little about the landscape and the sights. Spend some time to take a look at it, OK?
Now that will give you something to think about for a few minutes. May I suggest that while you are studying all this information that we share a fresh cup of coffee?
Don't get up...I'll get it for ya!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Taking Sunday Off....
A good friend of mine reminded me yesterday we all need to take a little time to ourselves once and a while. So...I am taking time off today to play a little and to catch up on my rest! I'll leave a little music for ya to keep you company!
Keep the coffee hot, OK?
This especially goes out to my special coffee drinking buddies! You know who you are!
Keep the coffee hot, OK?
This especially goes out to my special coffee drinking buddies! You know who you are!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Don't Look Too Close...!
I discovered something about myself today. Something that both surprised and upset me. Something that I don't like. It seems that if I take a really close look at myself, I find that I'm not a very nice person. I'm really not!
As you know, I took over the custody and responsibility of two young kittens. That means I am supposed to take care of them and tend to their needs. I'm supposed to guide them in doing things considered acceptable , and train them not to do certain things. I'm responsible for showing them affection and for allowing them to show affection back to me in return. By the same token, I should learn to be responsive to the signs that all is not going well for them.
A series of events occurred today that forced me to take a long, hard look at my attitude and my nature. First, a child came with her mother to visit at my Mom's house. The little girl wanted to see and play with the kittens, so I was asked to bring them over and let them play. No big deal, right? What could be more natural than children and small animals together? Who would deprive the child or the animals, babies themselves, of a chance to share a bit of joy? What kind of person...?
I was upset at being disturbed and having my all important , self centered activity interrupted but I took the kittens over and I left them with the child to play. I barely spoke to the child or her mother who tried to be friendly. I wanted them to see what a sacrifice I was making in stopping my very important activity, what ever it was, to take 5 minutes to interact with them on a purely human level. I didn't know it at the time, but I was already feeling the sadness inside from those actions.
The rest of the afternoon I was in a foul mood and lost sight of the small things that I would normally find some joy in. Everything became a chore, a distraction. I still had not totally realized why this was, why the dark cloud started hanging over my head and penetrating my thoughts. The light finally started to come to me from a simple act by another! My Mother.
I had gone to my Mother's house to get something I had left there, and she was all excited about something which I take for granted every day. She had gone on the Internet, looked something up on Google that she was interested in, and printed it out...all by herself! To her, a spry lady of 82, this was a reason to be happy! An accomplishment of an act proving to herself that even though she didn't understand how something worked she could use and enjoy it. This gave her a true sense of pride, to attempt to use the computer without having someone standing over her shoulder , and to actually do what she set out to do successfully!
When she was telling me how she did this great feat, I was struck by the fact that I had let my ego get in the way of so many things during the day! Her new found pride in being able to do it on her own, to smile at gaining and using new knowledge and the fact that she wanted to share this all with me made me feel pretty small.
Why didn't I see the joy and happiness on the face of the child when allowed to play and visit with the kittens? Why didn't I notice how hard my Mother was trying to master a totally foreign and new technology to accomplish something on her own? How did I become so hardened to the feelings of others that I couldn't or wouldn't allow myself to share in and be part of the little bit of happiness they wanted to share?
That's not like me...or is it? Is this what I've become? Am I so Egotistical that I have truly lost touch with the joy of others? Am I so caught up in my own little world that I refuse to allow my human side to feel the emotions of others, good or bad? I hope not!
Just having an off day? That's no excuse for not being civil to others. Just tired? No excuse for not listening when someone is reaching out to you on a personal level! Too busy? No excuse for not behaving like a caring member of the human tribe to which we all belong!
So I've decided that I need to go back to school. I need to relearn some basic skills I seem to have forgotten along the way. I need to get rid of some bad habits and traits I've picked up somewhere along my present course. I need to try and get back to the person I once was that could show interest in others, treat others with courtesy and respect, see the humor in life and revel in it, and share with others the good along with the bad! I need, in other words, to lose my EGO!
I'll start work on getting back to the old me right away! This is too important a task to be put off. Only by giving of myself can I expect to become more than I am now. Only by the act of sharing can I expect to receive. Only by learning to like others again can I ever learn to like myself!
Only by admitting when we are wrong do we start being right! Wouldn't you agree?
C'mon, Friend, let's get some fresh coffee!
As you know, I took over the custody and responsibility of two young kittens. That means I am supposed to take care of them and tend to their needs. I'm supposed to guide them in doing things considered acceptable , and train them not to do certain things. I'm responsible for showing them affection and for allowing them to show affection back to me in return. By the same token, I should learn to be responsive to the signs that all is not going well for them.
A series of events occurred today that forced me to take a long, hard look at my attitude and my nature. First, a child came with her mother to visit at my Mom's house. The little girl wanted to see and play with the kittens, so I was asked to bring them over and let them play. No big deal, right? What could be more natural than children and small animals together? Who would deprive the child or the animals, babies themselves, of a chance to share a bit of joy? What kind of person...?
I was upset at being disturbed and having my all important , self centered activity interrupted but I took the kittens over and I left them with the child to play. I barely spoke to the child or her mother who tried to be friendly. I wanted them to see what a sacrifice I was making in stopping my very important activity, what ever it was, to take 5 minutes to interact with them on a purely human level. I didn't know it at the time, but I was already feeling the sadness inside from those actions.
The rest of the afternoon I was in a foul mood and lost sight of the small things that I would normally find some joy in. Everything became a chore, a distraction. I still had not totally realized why this was, why the dark cloud started hanging over my head and penetrating my thoughts. The light finally started to come to me from a simple act by another! My Mother.
I had gone to my Mother's house to get something I had left there, and she was all excited about something which I take for granted every day. She had gone on the Internet, looked something up on Google that she was interested in, and printed it out...all by herself! To her, a spry lady of 82, this was a reason to be happy! An accomplishment of an act proving to herself that even though she didn't understand how something worked she could use and enjoy it. This gave her a true sense of pride, to attempt to use the computer without having someone standing over her shoulder , and to actually do what she set out to do successfully!
When she was telling me how she did this great feat, I was struck by the fact that I had let my ego get in the way of so many things during the day! Her new found pride in being able to do it on her own, to smile at gaining and using new knowledge and the fact that she wanted to share this all with me made me feel pretty small.
Why didn't I see the joy and happiness on the face of the child when allowed to play and visit with the kittens? Why didn't I notice how hard my Mother was trying to master a totally foreign and new technology to accomplish something on her own? How did I become so hardened to the feelings of others that I couldn't or wouldn't allow myself to share in and be part of the little bit of happiness they wanted to share?
That's not like me...or is it? Is this what I've become? Am I so Egotistical that I have truly lost touch with the joy of others? Am I so caught up in my own little world that I refuse to allow my human side to feel the emotions of others, good or bad? I hope not!
Just having an off day? That's no excuse for not being civil to others. Just tired? No excuse for not listening when someone is reaching out to you on a personal level! Too busy? No excuse for not behaving like a caring member of the human tribe to which we all belong!
So I've decided that I need to go back to school. I need to relearn some basic skills I seem to have forgotten along the way. I need to get rid of some bad habits and traits I've picked up somewhere along my present course. I need to try and get back to the person I once was that could show interest in others, treat others with courtesy and respect, see the humor in life and revel in it, and share with others the good along with the bad! I need, in other words, to lose my EGO!
I'll start work on getting back to the old me right away! This is too important a task to be put off. Only by giving of myself can I expect to become more than I am now. Only by the act of sharing can I expect to receive. Only by learning to like others again can I ever learn to like myself!
Only by admitting when we are wrong do we start being right! Wouldn't you agree?
C'mon, Friend, let's get some fresh coffee!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Now For Something Completely Different...
No...I'm not going to show you something from "Monty Python's Flying Circus", but I'm going to tell you about something different than what we normally get into.
This isn't a game, a HYIP, Matrix, Surf Site or any of these. This is a new technology that is going to be a big, big deal. It deals with Web 2.0 specs and the ability of this technology to upgrade any website up to these standards. This is presently used by nearly all the Social sites out there.
Now the beauty of this program is that the potential is there for it to be really big! Although the actual opening date is July 1st, we can get in now and start recruiting our teams.
Here are some of the facts for your consideration. Pay close attention to these, OK?
It's FREE to join...no money is needed!
It's NOT necessary to get a website to participate!
Even though it opens on July 1st you can get in now and avoid the rush!
They are giving away $1,000,000 and if you recruit just two free members, you get one share in the give away!
If you don't want a chance in the give away, you don't need to recruit anyone!
Look, here's the thing. For free it can be a chance to get in on the ground floor of something really big. We might even have a little fun along the way! Why not take a look and see what you think? Here's my link if you want to consider this opportunity! Why not join us?
http://www.webupgrade10.com/hermitjim
Now, c'mon...let's get some fresh coffee!
This isn't a game, a HYIP, Matrix, Surf Site or any of these. This is a new technology that is going to be a big, big deal. It deals with Web 2.0 specs and the ability of this technology to upgrade any website up to these standards. This is presently used by nearly all the Social sites out there.
Now the beauty of this program is that the potential is there for it to be really big! Although the actual opening date is July 1st, we can get in now and start recruiting our teams.
Here are some of the facts for your consideration. Pay close attention to these, OK?
It's FREE to join...no money is needed!
It's NOT necessary to get a website to participate!
Even though it opens on July 1st you can get in now and avoid the rush!
They are giving away $1,000,000 and if you recruit just two free members, you get one share in the give away!
If you don't want a chance in the give away, you don't need to recruit anyone!
Look, here's the thing. For free it can be a chance to get in on the ground floor of something really big. We might even have a little fun along the way! Why not take a look and see what you think? Here's my link if you want to consider this opportunity! Why not join us?
http://www.webupgrade10.com/hermitjim
Now, c'mon...let's get some fresh coffee!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Running Late Today...
I'm sorry, but due to a much needed additional training session the post for today's blog will be delayed. Certain events have recently occurred that made it very apparent that more training is needed by the New Roomies in certain areas! Like why peeing in the Hermit's tennis shoe is NOT an acceptable practise...and will NOT be tolerated!
To help with this training, I have decided to call in the help of Amy the Cat! Well versed in the Art of living with people, I feel that she will be able to explain things in a manner more understood by young kittens than I! (She has been looking for an excuse to fuss at them anyway!) I'll be back with an update a little later! As you can see by the look on her face, she takes her work very seriously!
Back later after MUCH coffee...!!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Law Of The Garbage Truck ...
My Baby Sis sent me this little gem, and I felt it was important enough to want to share it with you all. It has a good message for everyone!
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
That is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they will dump it on you.
Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So..... Love the people who treat you right! Pray for the ones who don't! And remember, life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
We've talked about this before. Positive attitudes attract positive things, while negative attitudes attract negative things. This is a true natural Law and cannot be changed or disputed. It's very important to remain positive about all things...always!
Now, what do you say to some fresh coffee...
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
That is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they will dump it on you.
Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So..... Love the people who treat you right! Pray for the ones who don't! And remember, life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
We've talked about this before. Positive attitudes attract positive things, while negative attitudes attract negative things. This is a true natural Law and cannot be changed or disputed. It's very important to remain positive about all things...always!
Now, what do you say to some fresh coffee...
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
An Agreement Has Been Reached...
After much deliberation and consideration, an agreement has been reached on the rules and regulations that will be shared by my new roomies and myself. Everyone feels that these rules, although changeable, are fair for everyone and will head off any feelings of animosity and discord in the future. These rules are posted below so that you may judge for yourself.
The Person Bed is NOT a litter box! It will be used primarily for sleeping and not for activities considered rude by the Hermit!
The Roomies litter box will not be used by the Hermit! It's use is restricted for the exclusive use of the New Roomies! The hermit will empty said litter box whenever deemed necessary by the users. Failure to do this in a timely manner could lead to unwanted rude events happening on the Person Bed.
The Hermit agrees to allow the New Roomies to play with all objects left on the floor, including the pair of leather house shoes that once were the property of the Hermit. Any such objects will be considered community property. In this case, scoldings will not be issued by the Hermit.
The blood loss from wounds inflicted by the needle-like claws of the New Roomies will be held to no more than a cup a day! Any place on the person of the Hermit seen to be bleeding shall be avoided when biting or inflicting new wounds. Failure to follow this rule will be grounds for a scolding. The loudness of the scolding will be in proportion to the seriousness of the wound inflicted.
All scoldings will be held to a minimum , and when possible, be immediately followed by a series of hugs and rubbings from both parties and distributed evenly.
The food and water bowls of the New Roomies will be kept clean and full at all times by the Hermit. Said water and food bowls are to be for the exclusive use of the New Roomies and their guests!
The Hermit agrees to share his people food when a request is made in a reasonable manner by one of the New Roomies. Attacking the ankle is NOT considered a reasonable request.
A truce will be called for whatever conflict going on at nap time, and at the time chosen by the Hermit to be bedtime. No lights will be left on during bedtime unless approved by the Hermit. Enough lighting will always be provided to avoid the accidental stepping on of the New Roomies by the Hermit.
All efforts will be made to stay friends and bonding is highly encouraged. This is to ensure the happiness and health of all parties.
Now to seal off this agreement, let's all go and have some fresh coffee...OK? (Roomies, milk for you!)
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Hermit Has Two New Friends...
What ever possessed me to agree to this, I'll never know! Just an Old Softy at heart, I guess! What ever the reason, I am now the proud owner (?) of two male Siamese kittens. They are about eight weeks old, beautiful to look at, a joy to watch, and a real pain in the ass to deal with!
When you live alone, you become used to having things your own way. You go to bed when you want, sleep as late as you want, eat what you want, and never have to worry too much about folks just dropping over. But just add two small kittens to the mix and all that changes. No longer is your time totally your own. You can't eat what you want without sharing it with little hungry mouths. You start watching where you step just in case some little white fur ball has decided to take a nap right in the middle of the walkway. And you have to start having to remember to always wear long pants...always!
Here I sit at 5:45 a.m. in the morning with these little guys running up and down my leg as though I were a climbing wall...and those kitten claws are really, really sharp! I've been up since about 4:00 a.m. Why? Well, it seems that my two new friends decided that sleeping with me was a good idea ...and I wouldn't have minded if they slept all night. But it was sleep, wake up and play, sleep and wake up all night long.
The night ended for me when one or both decided it was easier to wet the bed than to get up and go to the litter box! Sort of messes up your dream time, if you know what I mean! So...we are all up early this morning, the two new guys have shown me in a very primitive, but effective way just where they want the litter box to be located, I have more help than I really need to try and type this little update...and life is good!
So I think my two new roomies and I will grab some fresh coffee, go sit on the patio, and watch the sun come up. I will take a little perverse joy in introducing these two to the big ole Blue jay that likes to dive bomb anything that looks even a little like a cat. They need to get to know their neighbors, right?
Want to join us? C'mon...but better bring your helmet!
When you live alone, you become used to having things your own way. You go to bed when you want, sleep as late as you want, eat what you want, and never have to worry too much about folks just dropping over. But just add two small kittens to the mix and all that changes. No longer is your time totally your own. You can't eat what you want without sharing it with little hungry mouths. You start watching where you step just in case some little white fur ball has decided to take a nap right in the middle of the walkway. And you have to start having to remember to always wear long pants...always!
Here I sit at 5:45 a.m. in the morning with these little guys running up and down my leg as though I were a climbing wall...and those kitten claws are really, really sharp! I've been up since about 4:00 a.m. Why? Well, it seems that my two new friends decided that sleeping with me was a good idea ...and I wouldn't have minded if they slept all night. But it was sleep, wake up and play, sleep and wake up all night long.
The night ended for me when one or both decided it was easier to wet the bed than to get up and go to the litter box! Sort of messes up your dream time, if you know what I mean! So...we are all up early this morning, the two new guys have shown me in a very primitive, but effective way just where they want the litter box to be located, I have more help than I really need to try and type this little update...and life is good!
So I think my two new roomies and I will grab some fresh coffee, go sit on the patio, and watch the sun come up. I will take a little perverse joy in introducing these two to the big ole Blue jay that likes to dive bomb anything that looks even a little like a cat. They need to get to know their neighbors, right?
Want to join us? C'mon...but better bring your helmet!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Let's Do Some Advertising...
Now the first question you have to ask yourself is do you want to go for paid advertising or for the free kind? They both can be effective and can be very valuable tools in your marketing efforts.
First off, remember that we are Internet marketers. That's what we do, we advertise...ourselves, a product, a program, whatever! We are constantly looking for better ways to get new members to join our programs and to show a profit. We try and teach and share what we have learned along the way, or at least we should! That is part of our responsibility.
It's a domino effect when done properly. We teach more and more people the right way as we know it, they start to have some success, then in turn show and share what they have learned from us to someone else. They also follow us more readily the next time that we go into another venture and in time, they share that one as well. All of this leads to residual income for everyone and smiles all around.
Only good things can come from sharing and giving of ourselves and our knowledge. That, my friend, is a Truth that cannot be denied! It has always been so, and will continue to always be so. Trust me on this!
I use several free methods of advertising myself and there are a couple that I like a lot more than others. The reasons are different, but let me share them with you and you can decide for yourself if you think they will work in your case. I'm not selling anything here, just sharing...OK?
First, I have told you about the surf for credits site called TrafficEra several times. It is a good place to advertise and what's more, has a built in social networking feature called TeamTalk that is a lot of fun. By making the task of surfing more enjoyable, we tend to stay there longer, thus building up more ad credits and relationships with others that are on our team doing the same thing. Relationships are an important tool in working online for both sharing and getting knowledge and advice when needed.
Another free site that I use for advertising and getting credits to push whatever programs I am working at the time is called Qassia . This site has a really unique approach to earning ad credits as well. You earn credits by adding "Intel" to the site. Intel is in the form of writing an article, an essay, an advertisement, whatever. Credits are given according to the length of the Intel and the ratings of the readers. Allows you to sharpen your writing skills a little, which can be useful in promoting your programs. It's a good site and I use it a lot.
Now this next one I have just joined. It is free to join, but has a slight advantage over some of the others in the fact that it can be used to generate an income stream from 12 different programs built into the system. They offer 22 different training videos, a forum, and very good training and suggestions on the art of marketing. It's being used a lot on the web and as a fairly new program, it still has a few bugs to work out, but I have found it to be a very good source of knowledge for things I haven't thought about before and the proper ways to use them. It's called the SpiderWeb Marketing System. A lot of information designed for one purpose...to help all of us to be more successful. This is, in my humble opinion, a very valuable system when used properly.
Well, that's enough to get you started and I think you'll find that these sites can be a lot of fun as well as being useful. At least, I hope so. If you find some other sites that are both fun and useful, then let me know! I'll take a look! After all, that's what it's all about, isn't it? Sharing!
That said, let's go and share some coffee...OK?
Cartoons by Jeff Bucchino
www.wizardofdraws.com
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Be A Happy Wanderer...
It occurred to me that as we wander down the path of life, that we often have our head down and our hearts and minds closed to all goings on around us. We don't hear the sound of the birds singing, or the laughter of children playing. We don't hear the sound of the old lady working in her flower beds as she softly hums the tune to a half forgotten song, or the Spring morning breeze as it weaves in and out of the leaves of the big oak tree in the front yard.
With our heads down, we can't feel that same breeze as it tries to gently stroke our cheek with the same light touch as a lover's hand. With our heads down, we can't fully see the early sun as it cast it's warming rays on the dew dampened grass, or notice the birds gleefully splashing in the weathered birdbath recently filled with Spring showers. We don't see the neighbor that smiles and waves at us from a distance, or the squirrel in the yard next door so intent in digging up a buried treasure hidden last Fall that he doesn't even notice us.
However, if we raise our heads up we can see the glorious palette of colors that fill our surroundings! We can see the young seedlings in the garden starting to poke their heads up in the rows so carefully planted, signaling yet another cycle of life beginning anew. We can see the roses so brilliantly painted by Nature that it's hard to believe they are actually real! We can see the ivy growing always upward on the wall toward a destination known only to them, the trail behind them proudly marked by large waxen leaves in varied shades of green!
Maybe today as we start on our wanderings, we should take the time to lift our heads up high. Take the time to open our eyes and ears and hearts to all the wonders around us. Gifts...gifts that are there for the taking. Abundant gifts created solely for our pleasure and enjoyment just to assure us that we are loved.
So follow me, friend, to the patio and we'll sit for a spell and have some coffee while we enjoy these gifts together.
Oh, and while we are sitting here we can listen to this in the background...
With our heads down, we can't feel that same breeze as it tries to gently stroke our cheek with the same light touch as a lover's hand. With our heads down, we can't fully see the early sun as it cast it's warming rays on the dew dampened grass, or notice the birds gleefully splashing in the weathered birdbath recently filled with Spring showers. We don't see the neighbor that smiles and waves at us from a distance, or the squirrel in the yard next door so intent in digging up a buried treasure hidden last Fall that he doesn't even notice us.
However, if we raise our heads up we can see the glorious palette of colors that fill our surroundings! We can see the young seedlings in the garden starting to poke their heads up in the rows so carefully planted, signaling yet another cycle of life beginning anew. We can see the roses so brilliantly painted by Nature that it's hard to believe they are actually real! We can see the ivy growing always upward on the wall toward a destination known only to them, the trail behind them proudly marked by large waxen leaves in varied shades of green!
Maybe today as we start on our wanderings, we should take the time to lift our heads up high. Take the time to open our eyes and ears and hearts to all the wonders around us. Gifts...gifts that are there for the taking. Abundant gifts created solely for our pleasure and enjoyment just to assure us that we are loved.
So follow me, friend, to the patio and we'll sit for a spell and have some coffee while we enjoy these gifts together.
Oh, and while we are sitting here we can listen to this in the background...
Friday, May 16, 2008
Some More Useful Trivia...!
Who knew?
Eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of Wesson Corn Oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.
Kills fleas instantly. Dawn Dish washing Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.
Rainy day cure for dog odor: Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
Headache? Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers?
Burn Treatment. Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?
Stuffy Nose? Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear it up.
Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.
Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-even though the product was never been advertised for this use.
Honey remedy for skin blemishes...cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
Listerine therapy for toenail fungus: Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
Easy eyeglass protection...to prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer...if menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
Hunt's Tomato Paste boil cure...cover the boil with Hunt's Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.
Balm for broken blisters...to disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.
Vinegar to heal bruises...soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.
Quaker Oats for fast pain relief...it's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
Now aren't you glad that the Hermit is such a vast warehouse of almost useless trivia? Where else could you get such an assortment of information of this kind to enjoy with your morning coffee? Think of it as reading a newspaper that has nothing but the Comics on every page!
Who knows...some of this stuff might even come in handy some day! Well...it could! REALLY!!
C'mon, my friend...let's get some fresh coffee!
Eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of Wesson Corn Oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.
Kills fleas instantly. Dawn Dish washing Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.
Rainy day cure for dog odor: Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
Headache? Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers?
Burn Treatment. Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?
Stuffy Nose? Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear it up.
Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.
Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-even though the product was never been advertised for this use.
Honey remedy for skin blemishes...cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
Listerine therapy for toenail fungus: Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
Easy eyeglass protection...to prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer...if menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
Hunt's Tomato Paste boil cure...cover the boil with Hunt's Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.
Balm for broken blisters...to disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.
Vinegar to heal bruises...soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.
Quaker Oats for fast pain relief...it's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
Now aren't you glad that the Hermit is such a vast warehouse of almost useless trivia? Where else could you get such an assortment of information of this kind to enjoy with your morning coffee? Think of it as reading a newspaper that has nothing but the Comics on every page!
Who knows...some of this stuff might even come in handy some day! Well...it could! REALLY!!
C'mon, my friend...let's get some fresh coffee!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Day Late And A Dollar Short...!
Well...don't know if you noticed or not, but the Hermit didn't post anything on Wednesday. The reason..? I was at the V.A. Hospital having a blood test done. One of those inconvenient things that get in the way of our daily fun. However, I have to admit that if everything in my daily life went as smoothly as my trips to V.A., there would be a lot more time for fun!
Let me tell you what I mean...I used to go in for the blood test at the earliest time I could. The lab starts drawing blood at 7:00 a.m. so I would go in around 6:00 a.m. and stand in line with all the others that had the same idea. I, for one, had to leave home at around 5:00 a.m. to get a good spot in line.
Of course all of this meant fighting rush hour traffic as well...which as you all know, is not one of my favorite things . Rush hour traffic falls into the same category as root canals, poison ivy rash, fingernails drawn down a chalkboard, gritty bedsheets, and wet kisses from an ugly cousin!
The miracle solution to this dilemma came from the only person logical enough to see the obvious...a small child! With the clarity of vision possessed by those still young enough to believe in simple solutions for hard questions, my niece simply said " Why not leave after the traffic?"
So I did! And it worked! Not only was the traffic almost non-existent, the line was gone as well! From 235 people waiting before noon...I became #10 when I arrived for my test. I walked into the lab at 1:05 p.m. and was back in my car on the way home at 1:35! Try that at your Doctor's office...where they tell you to show up at a certain time and then they don't show for an hour after your appointment time!
All in all...it was a good day. At least as good as a day can be that involves hospitals and Doctors and such. It did have one drawback though, as all good things usually do! I did not get to have my virtual morning coffee talk with my virtual coffee pals! I missed that...a lot!
So here's to the morning! To the sound of morning talks laced with laughter, to the steaming mugs of happiness served to smiling guest, and where the gentle warmth of the early morning Sun is matched by the glow that comes from nearby friends...no matter how far away they may be!
My friends are far away in miles, and yet so close with heartfelt smiles...!
Come on, let's get some more coffee!
Let me tell you what I mean...I used to go in for the blood test at the earliest time I could. The lab starts drawing blood at 7:00 a.m. so I would go in around 6:00 a.m. and stand in line with all the others that had the same idea. I, for one, had to leave home at around 5:00 a.m. to get a good spot in line.
Of course all of this meant fighting rush hour traffic as well...which as you all know, is not one of my favorite things . Rush hour traffic falls into the same category as root canals, poison ivy rash, fingernails drawn down a chalkboard, gritty bedsheets, and wet kisses from an ugly cousin!
The miracle solution to this dilemma came from the only person logical enough to see the obvious...a small child! With the clarity of vision possessed by those still young enough to believe in simple solutions for hard questions, my niece simply said " Why not leave after the traffic?"
So I did! And it worked! Not only was the traffic almost non-existent, the line was gone as well! From 235 people waiting before noon...I became #10 when I arrived for my test. I walked into the lab at 1:05 p.m. and was back in my car on the way home at 1:35! Try that at your Doctor's office...where they tell you to show up at a certain time and then they don't show for an hour after your appointment time!
All in all...it was a good day. At least as good as a day can be that involves hospitals and Doctors and such. It did have one drawback though, as all good things usually do! I did not get to have my virtual morning coffee talk with my virtual coffee pals! I missed that...a lot!
So here's to the morning! To the sound of morning talks laced with laughter, to the steaming mugs of happiness served to smiling guest, and where the gentle warmth of the early morning Sun is matched by the glow that comes from nearby friends...no matter how far away they may be!
My friends are far away in miles, and yet so close with heartfelt smiles...!
Come on, let's get some more coffee!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Is slots action moving from casinos to online?
Slot machines have come a long way since their inception in 1895. From a cast iron Liberty Bell to being a staple of fun on the Las Vegas strip, a slot machine could make all the difference for a fun night of gambling.
But let’s face it. Times have certainly changed and playing the slots might mean that you have to change right along with the new generation of gambling. Casinos have caught on to the new technology and right here is your chance to play slots at your convenience.
In the 1970’s, at the height of a smoky Casinos that rang and chimed into the wee hours of the morning, well past noon, and again deep into to the evening, slot machines were there. Now, with the wonder of technology, you can pick and choose your tournaments when you sign on to play online slot machines. It can’t get much easier than that!
Here’s what makes online slots different from other slot machines and casinos that you might go to: You’re playing from your own computer. The luxury of this is beyond compare. When you go to large Casinos, there are so many things that you have to contend with. The noise, the lights, the crowd, the trouble to find a drink, the search for assistance and in some cases still, the smoke! You can easily sign up for online slots and place your bet as calmly as you please, searching for the right online slot machine to sign up with.
There are usually packages you can buy, sometimes clubs you can join, and just about always, a customer service person that can help you with any questions that you might have about online slots. It’s fun, easy, convenient, and it simply requires your desire to win big bucks!
Another feature that online slots can give you is the ability to pace yourself. As I said earlier, when you are playing slot machines in a large Casino, it is easy to become distracted and forgetful. Under the bright neon signs that flash “winner” and the scantily clad women serving alcohol, it is easy to forget what your budget is, what time of day it is, what you came out to gamble for: fun!
Online slots can give you the very best of that Casino feeling without breaking the bank. You can play safely and know that you’re secure when signing up to play online slots with us. Now, there is nothing wrong with taking a fun trip to Vegas or Atlantic City, but if want that secure feeling of gambling for fun and maybe winning a great deal of money, you can do it all from home!
The future of online slots and playing in a virtual online casino is here and I’m glad to be apart of it. When you are ready to learn more about how to play online slots, read more on the “Online slots guide” website. I’m telling you, this site is chalked full of important facts and information about the Casino and online Slots!
But let’s face it. Times have certainly changed and playing the slots might mean that you have to change right along with the new generation of gambling. Casinos have caught on to the new technology and right here is your chance to play slots at your convenience.
In the 1970’s, at the height of a smoky Casinos that rang and chimed into the wee hours of the morning, well past noon, and again deep into to the evening, slot machines were there. Now, with the wonder of technology, you can pick and choose your tournaments when you sign on to play online slot machines. It can’t get much easier than that!
Here’s what makes online slots different from other slot machines and casinos that you might go to: You’re playing from your own computer. The luxury of this is beyond compare. When you go to large Casinos, there are so many things that you have to contend with. The noise, the lights, the crowd, the trouble to find a drink, the search for assistance and in some cases still, the smoke! You can easily sign up for online slots and place your bet as calmly as you please, searching for the right online slot machine to sign up with.
There are usually packages you can buy, sometimes clubs you can join, and just about always, a customer service person that can help you with any questions that you might have about online slots. It’s fun, easy, convenient, and it simply requires your desire to win big bucks!
Another feature that online slots can give you is the ability to pace yourself. As I said earlier, when you are playing slot machines in a large Casino, it is easy to become distracted and forgetful. Under the bright neon signs that flash “winner” and the scantily clad women serving alcohol, it is easy to forget what your budget is, what time of day it is, what you came out to gamble for: fun!
Online slots can give you the very best of that Casino feeling without breaking the bank. You can play safely and know that you’re secure when signing up to play online slots with us. Now, there is nothing wrong with taking a fun trip to Vegas or Atlantic City, but if want that secure feeling of gambling for fun and maybe winning a great deal of money, you can do it all from home!
The future of online slots and playing in a virtual online casino is here and I’m glad to be apart of it. When you are ready to learn more about how to play online slots, read more on the “Online slots guide” website. I’m telling you, this site is chalked full of important facts and information about the Casino and online Slots!
Thoughts On Growing Old...
Borrowed from George Carlin...makes sense to me!
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. "How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key!
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. "How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!
And then the greatest day of your life . . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone!
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70!
After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime!
And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!" May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them."
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive!
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge!
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help!
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!
Now, what do you say we get some coffee, my friend...
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. "How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key!
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. "How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!
And then the greatest day of your life . . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone!
But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70!
After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime!
And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!" May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them."
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive!
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge!
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help!
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!
Now, what do you say we get some coffee, my friend...
Monday, May 12, 2008
A Pet Diary...!
DOG DIARY
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
CAT DIARY
Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
Sorta scary, huh? I think we should go and get a cup of coffee...and discuss this, ok?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A Special Day For A Special Lady...!
Well, Mothers' Day is here. Around the world in over 46 countries, Mothers' Day is celebrated in some fashion. The day varies from place to place, but the idea is the same.
How do you begin to tell your Mother how much you appreciate her? How in the world can you ever thank her for all that she has done for you over the years? Do you try and convey these thoughts by the use of flowers? How about jewelery? New clothes? Fancy dinners?A phone call? How about a beautiful card? What could possibly be the one gift that says what you really want to say!
Remember all the times your Mother sat by your bedside when you didn't feel well? I do! Remember how your Mother always seem to find some way to make your special day like birthday, Halloween, Christmas, slumber parties, first dates, proms and all the other unmentioned ones into a long lasting , wonderful memory? I do!
All of my life, my Mother has found the time to listen to my troubles and try and help me find a solution. No matter what was going on in her personal life, she always has been there to show me support in my exorcising whatever demons were in my life at the time.
As I got older, she continued to stand beside me to show support, stand behind me when I needed a gentle push, and take the lead when I needed someone to help show the way. My Mother was my Mentor when I didn't know what a mentor was...I always just thought of her as a parent, a counselor, and a role model.
Mom offered up a basic blend of discipline, love, and respect. My sisters and I were taught courtesy, respect, and obedience of the rules. Both my parents taught by example more than anything else. My sisters and I had curfews, knew where the boundaries were, knew what was expected of us and it was left up to us whether or not to do the right thing or accept the consequences.
My Mother always treated our friends as though they were family. She issued scolding when scolding was called for, gave hugs when hugs were needed, fed them when they looked hungry, listened if they needed to talk to someone other than their own parents, and gave all of our friends a fun and safe place to gather and play...and even joined in once in a while.
How can you begin to show appreciation for all that? Simple...you can't. You offer up gifts and kind words. You send cards and flowers, make phone calls and even send telegrams.
But I think that we are past that. The time has come to make this Mothers' Day really special again! Let's bring back some of the joy that Mom always showed when our gifts consisted of nothing more than hand prints in baked clay, wild flowers picked along the side of the road, and messy paper cards painted with watercolors and signed with misspelled words and heartfelt love.
How am I going to honor my Mother on Mothers' Day? I'm going to do something that I don't do often enough and should. I'm going to sit down with my Mother, take her hand in mine, look her straight in the eye, and say these simple words..." Thank you, Mom. I love you!"
Then maybe we can share a cup of coffee together...ya know?
How do you begin to tell your Mother how much you appreciate her? How in the world can you ever thank her for all that she has done for you over the years? Do you try and convey these thoughts by the use of flowers? How about jewelery? New clothes? Fancy dinners?A phone call? How about a beautiful card? What could possibly be the one gift that says what you really want to say!
Remember all the times your Mother sat by your bedside when you didn't feel well? I do! Remember how your Mother always seem to find some way to make your special day like birthday, Halloween, Christmas, slumber parties, first dates, proms and all the other unmentioned ones into a long lasting , wonderful memory? I do!
All of my life, my Mother has found the time to listen to my troubles and try and help me find a solution. No matter what was going on in her personal life, she always has been there to show me support in my exorcising whatever demons were in my life at the time.
As I got older, she continued to stand beside me to show support, stand behind me when I needed a gentle push, and take the lead when I needed someone to help show the way. My Mother was my Mentor when I didn't know what a mentor was...I always just thought of her as a parent, a counselor, and a role model.
Mom offered up a basic blend of discipline, love, and respect. My sisters and I were taught courtesy, respect, and obedience of the rules. Both my parents taught by example more than anything else. My sisters and I had curfews, knew where the boundaries were, knew what was expected of us and it was left up to us whether or not to do the right thing or accept the consequences.
My Mother always treated our friends as though they were family. She issued scolding when scolding was called for, gave hugs when hugs were needed, fed them when they looked hungry, listened if they needed to talk to someone other than their own parents, and gave all of our friends a fun and safe place to gather and play...and even joined in once in a while.
How can you begin to show appreciation for all that? Simple...you can't. You offer up gifts and kind words. You send cards and flowers, make phone calls and even send telegrams.
But I think that we are past that. The time has come to make this Mothers' Day really special again! Let's bring back some of the joy that Mom always showed when our gifts consisted of nothing more than hand prints in baked clay, wild flowers picked along the side of the road, and messy paper cards painted with watercolors and signed with misspelled words and heartfelt love.
How am I going to honor my Mother on Mothers' Day? I'm going to do something that I don't do often enough and should. I'm going to sit down with my Mother, take her hand in mine, look her straight in the eye, and say these simple words..." Thank you, Mom. I love you!"
Then maybe we can share a cup of coffee together...ya know?
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Home On The Range...?
How about this being the first thing you see in the morning when you sit on the front porch drinking coffee? Could you handle the view? Could you handle the fresh air? How about the peace and quiet? How about the fact that you have no neighbors closer than 2 or 3 miles? Sounds just fine to me...in fact, it sounds so fine that I just bought 5 acres (part of which you see in this picture) that will give me all of these things.
What's that? You say 5 acres doesn't sound like much? Do you really know how big 5 acres is? How about 1 acre? Well, let me give you a little lesson in real estate. By the way...there will be no charge for this lesson and no test at the end!
The acre is the standard measure of land in the United States. One acre is 43,560 sq/ft of land. A good way to visualize this is that it is approximately 3/4 of the size of a football field that includes both endzones, or 90% of a football field minus its endzones. So, an acre is equivelent to the front of the endzone to the 90 yard line on the other side of the field.
Five acres is 217,800 sq/ft; Ten acres is 435,600 sq/ft; 20 acres 871,200 sq/ft; and 40 acres is 1,742,400 sq/ft. So, how do you vizualize 40 acres? Here's a starter--a square 40 acre parcel would be 1/4 mile by 1/4 mile. That may not seem so large; however, Disneyland in California sits on only 70 acres of land!
Sounds just about right to me...let's get some coffee and make some plans!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Can You Hear A Smile...?
Can you hear a smile? I think so! Can you feel a grin? Again, I think we can! It's my belief that true emotions can be felt, even from long distances.
A hug can be felt in all it's warmth and comfort, even if from reading words from a written page or in the words spoken on the phone. The emotional connection is still there between friends, lovers, and everyone else that we are somehow closely tied to.
However, this same connection can also be said to exist between enemies! Yet if we share an emotional tie with someone, anyone, can they truly be an enemy? I think not. I believe that rather they are acquaintances with whom we strongly disagree.
If we keep positive emotions and project them in all things, positive things begin to happen. Arguments become discussions. We begin to feel the emotion and intent instead of just hearing the words. By the very act of truly listening, we can begin to finally understand one another. We start to hear what is meant, not just what is said.
The same is true of negative emotions. When we become negative and project this negativity, negative things begin to happen. Outwardly we hear one thing, while inwardly we interpret it as something far removed from the original intent. We begin to hear what we want to, and not what we should. We start to manipulate everything in a negative fashion.
Striving to maintain a positive flow is not easy. Preventing a negative flow is difficult as well. The secret is in trying to maintain a balance of the two, a harmony if you will. The more balanced we can become, the more balanced things around us will become.
Take a look at the Universe all around us. It maintains a balance that we should try and emulate. In fact, the more we can become in balance, the more attuned we become to all the Universe and all the Forces flowing around us. We can, in fact, become One!
Come on...let's get some coffee!
A hug can be felt in all it's warmth and comfort, even if from reading words from a written page or in the words spoken on the phone. The emotional connection is still there between friends, lovers, and everyone else that we are somehow closely tied to.
However, this same connection can also be said to exist between enemies! Yet if we share an emotional tie with someone, anyone, can they truly be an enemy? I think not. I believe that rather they are acquaintances with whom we strongly disagree.
If we keep positive emotions and project them in all things, positive things begin to happen. Arguments become discussions. We begin to feel the emotion and intent instead of just hearing the words. By the very act of truly listening, we can begin to finally understand one another. We start to hear what is meant, not just what is said.
The same is true of negative emotions. When we become negative and project this negativity, negative things begin to happen. Outwardly we hear one thing, while inwardly we interpret it as something far removed from the original intent. We begin to hear what we want to, and not what we should. We start to manipulate everything in a negative fashion.
Striving to maintain a positive flow is not easy. Preventing a negative flow is difficult as well. The secret is in trying to maintain a balance of the two, a harmony if you will. The more balanced we can become, the more balanced things around us will become.
Take a look at the Universe all around us. It maintains a balance that we should try and emulate. In fact, the more we can become in balance, the more attuned we become to all the Universe and all the Forces flowing around us. We can, in fact, become One!
Come on...let's get some coffee!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Hermit...by David Day
I first heard about Jay Baldwin in the fall of 1984. I had just bought a small house in a very secluded area with a private beach on the upper Gulf Coast. There were only a few houses on this lonely stretch of sand. All were vacant except for mine and the one belonging to the man they called the Hermit.
My realtor warned me that he was an eccentric old guy. Once he had taken a shot at her when she had driven up to his door to borrow the telephone. “I wouldn’t go around there if I were you,” she told me.
Every evening, I would walk down the beach. I wandered about looking for shells, dreaming my dreams. I always stayed toward the surf when I passed the old man’s house. From time to time, I would see him sitting on his back porch. I was too far away to make out his features, but it was obvious that he was watching me.
One evening, a couple of kids on motor bikes roared past me. As I watched them go, suddenly I heard a shot. I looked up at the old man’s house and saw him coming down his stairs waving a shotgun and yelling at the fleeing boys. Apparently, he didn’t like kids on motor bikes any more than he did lady realtors.
The next evening, I was strolling along the beach as usual, oblivious to everything around me, my thoughts engaged somewhere way off in time and space, when I was startled back to the present by a loud, rough voice close behind me. “I bet them damn kids won’t be back around here for awhile. Haw!”
I wheeled about, and standing right behind me was the crazy old hermit. He was well over six feet tall. His face was rugged and weathered, his dark tan accentuated by his long, unruly white hair and beard. He wore a tattered pair of bleached out cutoffs and a sleeveless shirt with only the middle button fastened over his big belly. He said, “Howdy, neighbor. I’m Jay Baldwin. I was wondering if you’d like to come up to the shack for a cup of java and a cigar.”
I was speechless.
A big smile appeared on the hermit’s face. “Relax,” he assured me, “I ain’t as bad as people say.”
I accepted his offer and followed him up the path to his place. He pulled up an extra chair to the old wooden table and flipped open the lid of a box of cheap cigars. “Help yourself. They ain’t Cuban, but they will do.” He poured a couple of tin cups about half full of coffee and pulled out a bottle of whiskey: “Let me doctor that up now,” and he poured a healthy measure into each cup. We talked late into the night, exchanging life stories. “Stop by anytime, neighbor,” he said as I staggered into the darkness toward my house.
The old hermit and I began meeting ritually almost every evening, and I soon realized that he was a warm and humorous man. He confided that he had cancer. He had already lived six months longer than his doctors had given him and he had no regrets and was not bitter about his illness or his life. His only fear was being put into a hospital to die, which was why he had run off all his family and anyone else who came around, and he made me swear I would never call an ambulance or a doctor out to the place should I find him there in a bad way. “I came to the beach five years ago to die,” he said in the fierce manner that I had come to know so well, “and I don’t give a damn if I do. I just sit out here and enjoy my whiskey and my cigars. The sawbones tell me they are bad for my health.” He observed my expression intently for signs of pity; then, seeing none, he roared with laughter at his own little joke.
I looked forward to those evenings with Jay. He did most of the talking. I just listened and learned. We would sit on his back porch sipping whiskey, puffing cigars and watching the Gulf of Mexico tide roll in, me feeling special.
The old man died that summer. He passed away in the night. I have long since sold my house and moved away, but occasionally I visit the place and take a long walk in the sea air along the beach. And when I pass the Hermit’s house, I fancy I can still smell the faint scent of his cheap cigars and hear his laughter roaring in the surf; and in my mind, yes, I still have those special talks with old Jay Baldwin, the Hermit. Only now, I talk and he listens.
* * *
David Day is from Harlingen, Texas. The Hermit first appeared in “La Grulla.”
* * *
I didn't write this story, but I thought that it would be a good one to put here. Makes us remember that things aren't always what they seem and no one should be judged by us. Remember, a stranger's just a friend you do not know!
Let's get some fresh coffee...OK?
My realtor warned me that he was an eccentric old guy. Once he had taken a shot at her when she had driven up to his door to borrow the telephone. “I wouldn’t go around there if I were you,” she told me.
Every evening, I would walk down the beach. I wandered about looking for shells, dreaming my dreams. I always stayed toward the surf when I passed the old man’s house. From time to time, I would see him sitting on his back porch. I was too far away to make out his features, but it was obvious that he was watching me.
One evening, a couple of kids on motor bikes roared past me. As I watched them go, suddenly I heard a shot. I looked up at the old man’s house and saw him coming down his stairs waving a shotgun and yelling at the fleeing boys. Apparently, he didn’t like kids on motor bikes any more than he did lady realtors.
The next evening, I was strolling along the beach as usual, oblivious to everything around me, my thoughts engaged somewhere way off in time and space, when I was startled back to the present by a loud, rough voice close behind me. “I bet them damn kids won’t be back around here for awhile. Haw!”
I wheeled about, and standing right behind me was the crazy old hermit. He was well over six feet tall. His face was rugged and weathered, his dark tan accentuated by his long, unruly white hair and beard. He wore a tattered pair of bleached out cutoffs and a sleeveless shirt with only the middle button fastened over his big belly. He said, “Howdy, neighbor. I’m Jay Baldwin. I was wondering if you’d like to come up to the shack for a cup of java and a cigar.”
I was speechless.
A big smile appeared on the hermit’s face. “Relax,” he assured me, “I ain’t as bad as people say.”
I accepted his offer and followed him up the path to his place. He pulled up an extra chair to the old wooden table and flipped open the lid of a box of cheap cigars. “Help yourself. They ain’t Cuban, but they will do.” He poured a couple of tin cups about half full of coffee and pulled out a bottle of whiskey: “Let me doctor that up now,” and he poured a healthy measure into each cup. We talked late into the night, exchanging life stories. “Stop by anytime, neighbor,” he said as I staggered into the darkness toward my house.
The old hermit and I began meeting ritually almost every evening, and I soon realized that he was a warm and humorous man. He confided that he had cancer. He had already lived six months longer than his doctors had given him and he had no regrets and was not bitter about his illness or his life. His only fear was being put into a hospital to die, which was why he had run off all his family and anyone else who came around, and he made me swear I would never call an ambulance or a doctor out to the place should I find him there in a bad way. “I came to the beach five years ago to die,” he said in the fierce manner that I had come to know so well, “and I don’t give a damn if I do. I just sit out here and enjoy my whiskey and my cigars. The sawbones tell me they are bad for my health.” He observed my expression intently for signs of pity; then, seeing none, he roared with laughter at his own little joke.
I looked forward to those evenings with Jay. He did most of the talking. I just listened and learned. We would sit on his back porch sipping whiskey, puffing cigars and watching the Gulf of Mexico tide roll in, me feeling special.
The old man died that summer. He passed away in the night. I have long since sold my house and moved away, but occasionally I visit the place and take a long walk in the sea air along the beach. And when I pass the Hermit’s house, I fancy I can still smell the faint scent of his cheap cigars and hear his laughter roaring in the surf; and in my mind, yes, I still have those special talks with old Jay Baldwin, the Hermit. Only now, I talk and he listens.
* * *
David Day is from Harlingen, Texas. The Hermit first appeared in “La Grulla.”
* * *
I didn't write this story, but I thought that it would be a good one to put here. Makes us remember that things aren't always what they seem and no one should be judged by us. Remember, a stranger's just a friend you do not know!
Let's get some fresh coffee...OK?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Folded Napkin
The following was sent to me by my friend in New Zealand and I thought it deserved to be passed on.
If this doesn't light your fire -- your wood is wet!!
I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie.His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy.
But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome.
I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade. The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ"; the pairs of white shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie, so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.
I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot. After that,I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto a cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration.
He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met. Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work.
He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often had heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.
A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine. Frannie, head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news. Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of the 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table. Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look.
He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?" he asked. "We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay." "I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?" Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed:"Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be "OK," she said. But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is."
Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables. Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do. After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face. What's up?" I asked.
"I didn't get that table where Belle Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off, she said. This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup." She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed "Something For Stevie."
"Pony Pete asked me what that was all about," she said, "so I told about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this." She handed me another paper napkin that had "Something For Stevie" scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds.
Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: "Truckers." That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work. His placement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called ten times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work, met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back. Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting.
"Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast," I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. "Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate your coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!" I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room. I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins.
"First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess," I said. I tried to sound stern. Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had "Something! for Stevie" printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table. Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it.
I turned to his mother.
"There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. Happy Thanksgiving." Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well. But you know what's funny?
While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table. Best worker I ever hired.
I don't know about you but I need some coffee...or something stronger!
If this doesn't light your fire -- your wood is wet!!
I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie.His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy.
But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome.
I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade. The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ"; the pairs of white shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie, so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.
I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot. After that,I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto a cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration.
He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met. Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work.
He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often had heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.
A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine. Frannie, head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news. Belle Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of the 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table. Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look.
He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?" he asked. "We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay." "I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?" Frannie quickly told Belle Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed:"Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be "OK," she said. But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is."
Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables. Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do. After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face. What's up?" I asked.
"I didn't get that table where Belle Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off, she said. This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup." She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed "Something For Stevie."
"Pony Pete asked me what that was all about," she said, "so I told about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this." She handed me another paper napkin that had "Something For Stevie" scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds.
Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: "Truckers." That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work. His placement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called ten times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy. I arranged to have his mother bring him to work, met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back. Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting.
"Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast," I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. "Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate your coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!" I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room. I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins.
"First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess," I said. I tried to sound stern. Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had "Something! for Stevie" printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table. Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it.
I turned to his mother.
"There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on that table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. Happy Thanksgiving." Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well. But you know what's funny?
While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table. Best worker I ever hired.
I don't know about you but I need some coffee...or something stronger!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Late Tuesday Post...
I want to share a place to advertise your opportunities that I think is both effective and fun to use. TrafficEra is the name...and it has turned into my favorite place to surf for credits. The reason is the feature that they have called TeamTalk! Team members can chat back and forth while surfing, which in turn makes you want to stay on the site longer. This leads to more credits and that means more advertising power! If you haven't looked it over, may I suggest that you do?
Another place that I really enjoy is called Qassia. What is unique about this place is that credits are earned by adding "Intel" in the form of articles, essays, blog post, even ads for affiliate programs. The number of credits earned depend on the Intel posted. Practise your writing skills and then go on over and take a look! It can be a lot of fun, as well!
10DollarsWonder is still working well for me. I am continuing my support by purchasing more shares often. My first share has doubled since I first joined...and it will just continue to do so.
I have also had good luck with DRW...and I am starting to repurchase another share with my profits. Looks like it's running strong, which is good.
These are just a couple of the programs that I enjoy working and look forward to checking on daily! Oh, I should mention also ClixSense! I received another check from them yesterday. The checks come regular as clock work automatically. You don't have to request it.
These programs won't make you rich on their own, but when added together they provide a nice little supplemental cash each and every month!
That's all I have for now...I'm going for coffee! Want a cup?
Another place that I really enjoy is called Qassia. What is unique about this place is that credits are earned by adding "Intel" in the form of articles, essays, blog post, even ads for affiliate programs. The number of credits earned depend on the Intel posted. Practise your writing skills and then go on over and take a look! It can be a lot of fun, as well!
10DollarsWonder is still working well for me. I am continuing my support by purchasing more shares often. My first share has doubled since I first joined...and it will just continue to do so.
I have also had good luck with DRW...and I am starting to repurchase another share with my profits. Looks like it's running strong, which is good.
These are just a couple of the programs that I enjoy working and look forward to checking on daily! Oh, I should mention also ClixSense! I received another check from them yesterday. The checks come regular as clock work automatically. You don't have to request it.
These programs won't make you rich on their own, but when added together they provide a nice little supplemental cash each and every month!
That's all I have for now...I'm going for coffee! Want a cup?
Monday, May 5, 2008
On The More Serious Side...
I don't often feel the need to speak about some things, but the past couple of days have made me realize that I should. It has to do with those of us that choose to blog and with blogging in general .
We all had our own reason for starting a blog. My reason was just to have the excuse to write every day, and to have a place to advertise my affiliate programs. At least that's why I originally started . Now blogging is something that I do every day because I want to and I look forward to it.
If you want to make a political statement, a blog is just the place to do it. If you want to advertise, again a blog is good for that as well. A blog is the modern day version of a soap-box in the park or in the town square, a sounding off spot where everyone can have their say and voice their opinion. It is a place for humor, for life's stories, for anything and everything that the blogger wants to say. It is also a place to disagree or suggest an alternative point of view, but it should be done in a manner that is respectful and without malice.
The freedom of speech is a right that belongs to us all. While we may not always agree with what someone says or writes, we should always be ready to vigorously defend their right to say it! Whether it is dealing with business, religion, politics, lifestyles...whatever!
We can disagree without being disrespectful; we can discuss opposite viewpoints without name calling or being demeaning; we can be outspoken without being made to feel like outcast. This goes both for the blogger and for the reader. The blogger writes to inform, suggest, entertain, and enlighten. The reader then digest the presentation, agrees or disagrees and, if they choose, comments on the efforts of the blogger.
This freedom is there to be enjoyed. It exist so that we all can have our say. It flourishes with the use of courtesy and respect, with gentle discussion of ideas, and without the harshness that is prevalent in most forms of media today. I think that we should keep blogging simple, clean, and fun for one and all.
But that's just my opinion! Now, let's get some fresh coffee, OK?
We all had our own reason for starting a blog. My reason was just to have the excuse to write every day, and to have a place to advertise my affiliate programs. At least that's why I originally started . Now blogging is something that I do every day because I want to and I look forward to it.
If you want to make a political statement, a blog is just the place to do it. If you want to advertise, again a blog is good for that as well. A blog is the modern day version of a soap-box in the park or in the town square, a sounding off spot where everyone can have their say and voice their opinion. It is a place for humor, for life's stories, for anything and everything that the blogger wants to say. It is also a place to disagree or suggest an alternative point of view, but it should be done in a manner that is respectful and without malice.
The freedom of speech is a right that belongs to us all. While we may not always agree with what someone says or writes, we should always be ready to vigorously defend their right to say it! Whether it is dealing with business, religion, politics, lifestyles...whatever!
We can disagree without being disrespectful; we can discuss opposite viewpoints without name calling or being demeaning; we can be outspoken without being made to feel like outcast. This goes both for the blogger and for the reader. The blogger writes to inform, suggest, entertain, and enlighten. The reader then digest the presentation, agrees or disagrees and, if they choose, comments on the efforts of the blogger.
This freedom is there to be enjoyed. It exist so that we all can have our say. It flourishes with the use of courtesy and respect, with gentle discussion of ideas, and without the harshness that is prevalent in most forms of media today. I think that we should keep blogging simple, clean, and fun for one and all.
But that's just my opinion! Now, let's get some fresh coffee, OK?
Monday Morning Madness...
Let's start this week off by not taking ourself too seriously. We'll do this by taking a little test...nothing hard but just designed to jumpstart the old brain, ok? ok...
WORLD'S EASIEST QUIZ
(Passing requires 4 correct answers)
1) How long did the Hundred Years' War last?
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
3) From which animal do we get cat gut?
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
7) What was King George VI's first name?
8) What colour is a purple finch?
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
10) What is the colour of the black box in a commercial airplane?
Remember, you need 4 correct answers to pass.
Check your answers below.
ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ
1) How long did the Hundred Years War last? 116 years
2) Which country makes Panama hats? Ecuador
3) From which animal do we get catgut? Sheep and Horses
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution? November
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of? Squirrel fur
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal? Dogs
7) What was King George VI's first name? Albert
8) What colour is a purple finch? Crimson
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from? New Zealand
10) What is the colour of the black box in a commercial airplane? Orange (of course)
What?? What do you mean, you failed? Hey...don't worry about it, ok? Let's get some more fresh coffee.
Cartoon by Jeff Bucchino
http://www.wizardofdraws.com/
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Words We Should Take To Heart...
I ran across this video that I thought was appropriate for today, so I wanted to share it with you all. The words are just as true today as when the song was recorded...and I think we should remember them and act accordingly. See if you don't agree...
Now, come on and let's get some fresh coffee.
Now, come on and let's get some fresh coffee.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Beautiful Thought For A Saturday Morning...
My good friend Minerva from New Zealand sent me this and I thought it was true enough to pass on to you all. I hope you enjoy it.
As you grow up, you'll learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken, probably more than once and it's harder every time.
You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.
You'll fight with your best friend.
You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.
You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.
So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God !
Have a good Saturday, OK? OK...
As you grow up, you'll learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken, probably more than once and it's harder every time.
You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.
You'll fight with your best friend.
You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.
You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.
So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God !
Have a good Saturday, OK? OK...
Friday, May 2, 2008
The Chaos Theory...And Butterflies !
Everything affects everything else. Period! All that we do, all that we are, all that we think...it's all a part of the bigger picture. Although known by a number of different names, basically it's all a part of the Chaos theory!
The Chaos Theory is actually a concept in mathematics and physics that states this: If you do not have total knowledge and control over a system, you cannot predict the results of the system over a long period of time.
The best known example of the Chaos Theory is the Butterfly Effect, which is the idea that a single flap of a butterfly’s wings could have large scale effects across the world. Simply put, the butterfly effect says that something as seemingly insignificant as a butterfly flapping its wings in the rain forests of Brazil has the potential to trigger a tornado in Texas.
The Butterfly Effect is somewhat similar to the Domino Effect, except that it amplifies the initial condition in a manner which becomes unpredictable over time. The Butterfly Effect is most commonly associated with weather forecasting, where meteorologists have used supercomputers to develop models that predict likely scenarios. A meteorologist named Edward Lorenz is credited with having given the concept its name.
What does all this mean? Just this...nothing happens without affecting something else somewhere. We all have some influence over events at some point in time. Because of this, nothing we do should start with rash decisions. We should always think things through in a calm fashion.
Remember to be positive in thoughts and actions. We attract and draw to us what we project...positive attracts positive, negative attracts negative. Individually and collectively, we can all make a difference.
Now that's all settled, I'm positive that we should go and get some fresh coffee! Want to join me...?
The Chaos Theory is actually a concept in mathematics and physics that states this: If you do not have total knowledge and control over a system, you cannot predict the results of the system over a long period of time.
The best known example of the Chaos Theory is the Butterfly Effect, which is the idea that a single flap of a butterfly’s wings could have large scale effects across the world. Simply put, the butterfly effect says that something as seemingly insignificant as a butterfly flapping its wings in the rain forests of Brazil has the potential to trigger a tornado in Texas.
The Butterfly Effect is somewhat similar to the Domino Effect, except that it amplifies the initial condition in a manner which becomes unpredictable over time. The Butterfly Effect is most commonly associated with weather forecasting, where meteorologists have used supercomputers to develop models that predict likely scenarios. A meteorologist named Edward Lorenz is credited with having given the concept its name.
What does all this mean? Just this...nothing happens without affecting something else somewhere. We all have some influence over events at some point in time. Because of this, nothing we do should start with rash decisions. We should always think things through in a calm fashion.
Remember to be positive in thoughts and actions. We attract and draw to us what we project...positive attracts positive, negative attracts negative. Individually and collectively, we can all make a difference.
Now that's all settled, I'm positive that we should go and get some fresh coffee! Want to join me...?
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Following Your Instincts...
You know how you sometimes get a feeling that something is about to happen? You don't know if it's good or bad, but you just know that something is about to take place. How about this...you are starting to go somewhere and suddenly you get the feeling that you shouldn't go, or that you should change your route or time of departure?
Everyone has these feeling, but not everyone pays any attention to them. Believe me, you should! First impressions! Always go with your first impressions...that was my Father's advise to me a long time ago. I try and follow it all of the time. You must learn to be aware of these feelings, hunches, impressions or warning signs. I don't mean to stop going places or stop meeting new people...anything like that. I just mean to pay attention to them! It will make you a bit more cautious and sometimes that's enough! It gives you an edge in some cases...
The reason I bring this up is that today I am scheduled to go to the Veteran's Hospital for my monthly blood work. No big deal...I go in, they draw blood, I go home. They call me at home later with the adjustments to my medication, if any. Normally I go early in the morning...and I mean early! If you have ever lived in a big city, you know that if you want to be somewhere in the first part of the work day, then you are going to fight traffic, and I mean a LOT of traffic! It's called rush hour, and it can easily add up to an hour or so to the 20 mile trip to V.A. for me. So you get in the habit of leaving earlier, trying to beat the traffic and assure yourself a parking space when you get there. The same is true for the return trip.
Anyway, yesterday I started having the strongest feelings that I should wait to go to V.A. until later in the day. They are open until 5:00 p.m. for drawing blood, so early afternoon is good. Last night the feeling got stronger..so I am paying attention to it. Here I sit writing this, when by this time I am normally sitting in the lab getting stuck! But I feel more comfortable about changing my time of departure and the feeling of foreboding is not there this morning.
Maybe nothing will happen, who knows? But good or bad, whatever the reason...I have learned over the years to pay attention to those little nagging feelings. After all...we don't always know what we affect. Like the "Butterfly Effect", ya know? If you aren't familiar with that term, then Google it! You will be amazed when you read it!
While I'm waiting to leave, I think I'll have some more coffee! See, good things are happening already...want to join me?
Everyone has these feeling, but not everyone pays any attention to them. Believe me, you should! First impressions! Always go with your first impressions...that was my Father's advise to me a long time ago. I try and follow it all of the time. You must learn to be aware of these feelings, hunches, impressions or warning signs. I don't mean to stop going places or stop meeting new people...anything like that. I just mean to pay attention to them! It will make you a bit more cautious and sometimes that's enough! It gives you an edge in some cases...
The reason I bring this up is that today I am scheduled to go to the Veteran's Hospital for my monthly blood work. No big deal...I go in, they draw blood, I go home. They call me at home later with the adjustments to my medication, if any. Normally I go early in the morning...and I mean early! If you have ever lived in a big city, you know that if you want to be somewhere in the first part of the work day, then you are going to fight traffic, and I mean a LOT of traffic! It's called rush hour, and it can easily add up to an hour or so to the 20 mile trip to V.A. for me. So you get in the habit of leaving earlier, trying to beat the traffic and assure yourself a parking space when you get there. The same is true for the return trip.
Anyway, yesterday I started having the strongest feelings that I should wait to go to V.A. until later in the day. They are open until 5:00 p.m. for drawing blood, so early afternoon is good. Last night the feeling got stronger..so I am paying attention to it. Here I sit writing this, when by this time I am normally sitting in the lab getting stuck! But I feel more comfortable about changing my time of departure and the feeling of foreboding is not there this morning.
Maybe nothing will happen, who knows? But good or bad, whatever the reason...I have learned over the years to pay attention to those little nagging feelings. After all...we don't always know what we affect. Like the "Butterfly Effect", ya know? If you aren't familiar with that term, then Google it! You will be amazed when you read it!
While I'm waiting to leave, I think I'll have some more coffee! See, good things are happening already...want to join me?
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