Monday, June 30, 2008

I'm Taking This Morning Off...!!

Sorry folks, but I am taking this morning off to catch up on a couple of things. I'll try and get back this afternoon to post an update, but no promises....OK?

By the way, to all the folks that voiced concern about my posting yesterday about Shadow People, I appreciate it. I did not know that there was a lot of people that experienced this occurence on a regular basis, but wrote the post as an exercise in writing. Hope I didn't upset anyone and if I did, I apologise.

Here is a little music to help past the time. I am glad you dropped by and I hope you can come back later and check on me.

Help yourself to the coffee...but you already knew that, right?


Sunday, June 29, 2008

Shadow People...Part One !

I'm starting to see the Shadow People again! I thought that they were gone, but tonight I saw them again.

I don't really remember when they first showed up. I really don't think I was aware of them fully for the longest time, just slowly becoming more and more conscious of them.

At first they just appeared as a slight movement I could see only out of the corner of my eye. Sometimes I almost caught a glimpse of them in the mirror, only to lose the image and just blow it off as imagination. But then, they became larger and slower in their movements. It was as though they wanted to be sure I saw them.

Then the noises started. Not strange noises, but just noises that were out of place. Whispers, wind sounds, soft tapping sounds...I started to hear them all. Especially if I was tired or half asleep. Eventually the noises became louder and more sinister, like low growls or moans. That's when I began to get nervous. I wanted to tell someone, but what would I tell them? What could I say? How do you describe something that is more like a dream or nightmare than anything else?

Of course, when someone else was around nothing would happen. No noises, no Shadows, no flickering movements seen in the corner of your eye. Nothing! I should have expected it. I should have known. The Shadow People were here for me and me alone.

Why? That was the question I kept asking myself. What were the Shadows really? Why did they only appear to me? What did they want? I started sleeping less and less, but staying awake seemed to make me more aware of them.

I tried to leave and go somewhere else, but just a few blocks from my home the panic set in. I had to go back! The voices called me louder and louder, becoming more insistent, more demanding, more threatening!

Even then I think I would have been OK. I think I might have been able to live with all of this, to somehow cope. Yes, I might have made it! But then, the Shadows began to touch me!....

( To be continued..)

I'm ready for some fresh coffee...how about you?

Saturday, June 28, 2008

For Once The Hermit Was Right...!

I have been saying for a long time that I thought bottled water was being over-rated! Now the companies themselves have given me the proof that I need to bolster my argument that the bottled water story was mainly a bunch of marketing hype!


Pepsi says Aquafina is tap water.

Labels on bottles will be changed to clarify that the water originates from public sources.

By CNN's Katy Byron
July 27 2007: 5:26 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Pepsi-Cola announced Friday that the labels of its Aquafina brand bottled water will be changed to make it clear the product is tap water.

The new bottles will say, "The Aquafina in this bottle is purified water that originates from a public water source," or something similar, Pepsi-Cola North America spokeswoman Nicole Bradley told CNN.


Pepsi will change current labels on water bottles to say the water comes from a public water source. The bottles are currently labeled: "Bottled at the source P.W.S."

Americans spent about $2.17 billion on Aquafina last year, according to Beverage Digest, an independent company that tracks the global beverage industry. The U.S. bottled water business in 2006 totaled roughly $15 billion, it said.

No timetable was available for when customers will see the label change on store shelves, another Pepsi spokeswoman, Michelle Naughton, told CNN.


Bottled water: No longer cool?

Pepsi released a statement saying: "If this helps clarify the fact that the water originates from public sources, then it's a reasonable thing to do."

Coca-Cola does not have plans to change the labeling on its Dasani brand bottled water, a company spokesman told CNN, despite the fact the water also comes from a public water supply.

Dasani's U.S. sales totaled approximately $1.89 billion in 2006, according to Beverage Digest calculations.

Nestle also has announced it will be changing the bottles of its All Nestle Pure Life Purified Drinking Water to "identify the source of the water, whether it's from a municipal supply or ground-water well source."

That change "will be showing up on labels this year and is expected to be on all of these labels by the end of the first quarter of 2008," the company said in a written statement.

Nestle has not decided what the new labels will say exactly, a spokesman told CNN. "

You can read the whole story here. I knew that I wasn't just making this stuff up! Now put down that bottle of water...and let's get some fresh coffee, OK?

Friday, June 27, 2008

Does Anyone Understand This...??

For a while now, I have been wondering about the decision of the government to make it mandatory for all analog T.V. service be changed to digital signals. I don't have a problem with digital service at all. In fact, I have digital service myself and am very happy with it. The part of this that I have a problem with is the fact that the government is making this mandatory.

Why? That has been my question since I heard about the change. Why was the government getting involved with this whole thing? Why the change anyway? What good reason could there be for a mandatory change of this magnitude? I searched all over the Internet for answers but could come up with nothing. No one seemed to know.

Yesterday, I saw an article in the Houston Chronicle written by Barbara Parrott McGinity. This is the only explanation I have found anywhere about the upcoming change so I thought I would pass it on to you.

"The federal government initiated this change to free up existing analog signals to provide more airwaves to police, fire departments and other emergency personnel."

Now I'm sorry, but this just doesn't make any sense to me. I guess I'm just thick-headed or something, but it just doesn't make any sense. How do you fill up the airwaves? How is that possible? Shouldn't we have some type of warning signal when the airwaves start to get full? Isn't there a siren or warning bell or flashing lights? How do you go about measuring the airwaves to find out how full they are? What agency of the government is in charge of all this nonsense?

Perhaps the biggest two questions that I have are ... how many Millions of dollars are going to be made from the sale of converter boxes and digital television sets that everyone will be forced by law to have by February of 2009?? And how much of this money is going to find it's way into the pockets of politicians that passed this law??

I can't help but wonder what else the government is going to take from us in the form of mandates that smack of profiteering. Scary times, my friends! Scary times indeed!

Man, I need some fortified coffee now...want to join me?

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Thursday Program Update...

Well, we haven't had one of these in a while so I thought it was time to go over the main programs that are earning for me. Before I get into that, let me just say this. It is my job to pass on to you any programs that I know could earn you some extra money. It is up to you to decide if you want to join them or not. I only tell you about the ones that I know work.

I don't tell you about them to get referrals. I very seldom get referrals. I make my money from my own involvement in the same programs I tell you about. So if you decide to join, do it for yourself and not for me or anyone else. The decision should always be your own. I am only here to tell you about the possibility of earning some money. OK? OK!

10DollarsWonder continues to be a steady program for me. I cycle every week and usually repurchase at the same time. This program has my complete backing and shows no signs of going away! My referrals continue to cycle and repurchase as well. As long as we all stay active, we continue to earn.

DRW is another very good program for me. I earn from the profit sharing every day and in fact, I just repurchased another position today. This type of program is another example of a steady and solid earner. Staying active is as easy as repurchasing with your earnings. It certainly deserves a look!

Then of course, there is Clixsense. I have been getting a check from them every month since I joined. You will never get rich with this program, but you can make a good deal of extra cash if you are good at getting referrals. You can get a check without them as well, so it all depends on how you want to go.

I am in a private Investment program that is working extreamly well for me, but I cannot advertise it. It is, as I said, private. However, if you want more information about it, feel free to sent me an email and we can discuss it.

Now if you need to get some extra credits for advertising, you might want to look at TrafficEra. This is a surf for credits site that offers a good venue for advertising. It makes full use of features such as the TeamTalk feature, which you can use while surfing to chat with your team mates. A lot of fun and less boring than regular surfing for credits sites.

The Gano healthy coffee business is going well! Free to become an affiliate, pays 20% commission on all sales generated from your free website (including your own) and the product is not only healthy but taste pretty good as well! A good selection of health products are offered by the Company, but the coffee was my main interest as you can guess! I invite you to take a look.

Well, that's all I have for now. I'm tired of working already and ready to take a coffee break! But then, I'm always ready for some fresh coffee...want to join me?

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Passing On Some Good Information...

This is another good bit of information that I recieved in my e-mail and I wanted to pass it on to you. I hope you pay some attention to what it says as I feel it is important.


THE TONGUE CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMY!

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life.

What you speak about, you can bring about.

If you keep saying you can't stand your job, you might lose your job.

If you keep saying you can't stand your body, your body can become sick.

If you keep saying you can't stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating.

If you keep saying you're broke, guess what? You'll always be broke.

If you keep saying you can't trust a man or trust a woman, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you.

If you keep saying you can't find a job, you will remain unemployed.

If you keep saying you can't find someone to love you or believe in you, your very thought will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs.

If you keep talking about a divorce or break up in a relationship, then you might end up with it.

Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power packed with faith, hope, love and action.

Don't be afraid to believe that you can have what you want and deserve.

Watch your Thoughts, they become words.
Watch your Words, they become actions.
Watch your Actions, they become habits.
Watch your Habits, they become character.
Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.
The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settle for.


Thought I would share this with you.

In the search for Me, I discovered Truth.

In the search for Truth, I discovered Love.

In the search for Love, I discovered GOD.

And in God, I have found Everything!!

See what I mean...? Good information and a good lesson! Now, let's get some fresh coffee !

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Sorry...But I'm Confused Again !

While on the way to the V.A. hospital yesterday, I started to notice all the new construction going on around Houston and the outlying area. Now apartment buildings and new housing going up around any big city is nothing newsworthy. However, the thing that I started to wonder about was why did all the brand new buildings look the same? I mean row after row, building after building, every neighborhood looked exactly the same!

I thought the whole idea in buying a new house or renting a new apartment was to have something a little different than what everybody else had. But then I'm just that way. Confused...!

Houston has a bad problem with flooding when it rains hard. For years the powers that be be have been saying that they are trying to solve the problem. They built more drainage ditches, enlarged the gutters and storm sewers, put new toppings on the major roads so that the water would drain faster into the brand new storm drains and gutters, and yet when it comes a big rain, it floods. I wonder if the thousands and thousands of new building permits for the row after row of look-a-like housing could have anything to do with it? Maybe it's a combination of covering hundreds of acres of Mother Nature's good old dirt made for draining rain water with concrete parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, new roads, strip malls and all such as that AND the new building permits! But it's just a thought.What do I know? I'm confused...!

There is a lot of road repair and improvement going on right now in Houston as well. I just can't help but wonder why for three years the roads are allowed to deteriorate and crumble, the empty lots aren't maintained, the sidewalks are allowed to buckle, street signs are allowed to fall or be stolen, general cleanup of city property is ignored and then suddenly...all the road crews and yard crews and cleanup crews show up in force and like a miracle the needed repairs are getting done! I just can't help but think that maybe it's the fact that this is an election year for a lot of city and county officials, but you know how I am. Confused...!

Maybe if I just get some fresh coffee, sit on the patio for a while, and think about something simple for a change...like why the Government has decided that all the television signals be digital by the early part of 2009, or why the Government passed a law that says the incandescent light bulbs being made in America be replaced by mercury filled fluorescent bulbs made in China only by the year 2014, maybe then it will be clearer. Maybe I won't be like I am! Maybe I won't be so...confused !!

Want to join me in a cup?

Monday, June 23, 2008

Road Trip Today...!

Sorry folks...but I have to go to V.A. today for my monthly visit so I don't know when I'll get back to do a genuine update. Sorry not to have something available for you yet, but once in a while the real world gets in the way of doing what we really want to do. This is something, however, that I can't put off. I'm sure that you know how that goes...

I'll leave the coffee pot on and the cookies in the cookie jar...just help yourself and I'll be back later! Here is some music to fill the time till I get back, OK? OK !


Sunday, June 22, 2008

I Got Good News...And Bad News !!

The bad news first!! Baby Sis did come over yesterday and we had a nice visit...BUT, she didn't bring cookies. However, the good news is that she did bring some really good blueberry muffins that went great with fresh coffee!

We went through a lot of old photographs and stirred up a lot of memories. Mom and Baby Sis made a lot of copies of photographs, exchanged information about the Family Tree, and all in all it was a good day! I didn't do a lot of work on the PC until after Baby Sis left and to tell you the truth, I enjoyed the time away from the Internet for a change.

Now don't get me wrong...I love the Internet and all my cyber-friends! I love all the things I've learned and all the wonderful folks I've met since I got my first PC about 10 years ago. However, there are times that I really find I'm spending way too much time on the web. Like most people that are really fond of information and chatting with friends and learning new things... I tend to overdo!

But that's alright. That's how you learn, that's how you expand your horizons, that's how you meet new people with the same interest, that's how you find ways to make a little extra money. You just have to love a hobby that's both fun and profitable at the same time!

I want to say a special "Thank You !" to the folks that take time out of their busy day to drop by here and take the time to read whatever is offered. The comments are appreciated more than you know. I feel that many times the comments are more entertaining than the blog itself. Even Baby Sis said today that she enjoyed reading the comments almost as much as the rest!

Anyway, please accept my thanks for being a reader! Now, how about some fresh coffee? I'll even throw in a blueberry muffin!!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Hey, Hey, Hey...It's Saturday Morning !!!

I don't know about you, but when my sisters and I were young, Saturday meant one thing above all others....the Saturday morning cartoons!! We would be up early and eat breakfast or bring breakfast to the T.V. so that we could stare at the screen and the test pattern (remember those?) until the cartoons started! Of course, they played the National Anthem first, then the mandatory F.C.C. announcements, the station identification information, and then finally...CARTOONS!!! The Saturday serials came later...Range Rider, the Cisco Kid, Zorro, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Lash LaRue, Boston Blackie, Hoppalong Cassidy, and so much more! That's what made Saturday mornings so special. Ah, those were simpler times !

Anyway, the reason I bring this up is Baby Sis is coming over for a visit later. No, we aren't going to watch cartoons but close! We are going to research old photographs. Just because I appreciate you guys dropping by and not wanting to leave you with nothing to read, I am giving you a special gift! Some old fashioned, genuine, classic and time honored Saturday Morning Cartoons!! Enjoy one of my favorites and I'll see ya tomorrow, OK??

Now if you will excuse me...I need to go make some fresh coffee. The deal was Baby Sis would bring the cookies, and I would make the coffee!! Hey...it works for me!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Healthy Coffee...?? Why Not...!!

As I'm sure you know by now, I drink a lot of coffee. I mean, a LOT of coffee! I drink coffee in the daytime, the nighttime, Summer, Winter, all the time. Because of this, when I first heard about Gano coffee I decided to investigate it, not as a business but as a way to get some health benefits from something that I enjoy.

The first few sites that I looked at were all well beyond my reach as far as cost. I mean, I like coffee too much to even think about paying $40 or more a month for a forced purchase. Let's face it...trying to be healthy ain't cheap! Nearly all health care products are expensive, some are not regulated, and most have an exaggerated version of the benefits they can provide. After doing a lot of research, I began to see the genuine health possibilities of the Ganoderma Lucidum mushroom. I have included below an article about this coffee so that you can judge for yourself. The article is written by Terry Dunn, who is very knowledgeable about this subject.


"One of the most apparent influences modern times has brought to people is their realization of going back to the basics, to the natural, and to the organic. Although the advances brought by technology has made life easier to people, many are still looking for better organic alternatives that are proven to be more effective in their most natural of form, like Ganoderma Lucidum or commonly known as “Ganoderma.”

Believed by the Chinese as the “Miraculous King of Herbs,” Ganoderma Lucidum is highly-regarded for its medicinal properties that help improve human body’s healing ability while helping its user to maintain good physical shape. Aside from promoting longevity, Ganoderma Lucidum has unique properties that contribute much to the strengthening of the immune system. Somewhat rare in the West, Ganoderma Lucidum has been worshipped as a kind of herbal medicine the emperors of the great Japanese and Chinese dynasties drank with their special teas and mushroom concoctions to achieve greater vitality and longer life. Ganoderma Lucidum was also believed to be visible in the “elixir of eternal youth” that the ancient Taoists constantly searched for.

A fungus known by its many names like “Reishi,” “Ling zhi,” and “Mannentake,” among others, Ganoderma Lucidum, for hundreds or even thousands of years, is recognized as powerful medicinal fungi because it has properties often associated with health and healing, long life, knowledge, and happiness. In fact, during the ancient time, it is believed that the Ganoderma Lucidum in medicine was considered so promising that its medicinal value has been attested in a 2,000-year old Chinese medical text—known as an authentic textbook of Oriental medical science. For years, medicinal mushrooms such as Ganoderma Lucidum have long been included in the history of folk medicine for contributing much to curing cancers of all sorts and for showing positive effects to the development of the immune system.

Aside from contributing a lot to the treatment of various diseases, Ganoderma Lucidum has also become popular because of its promising properties that might extend life span while increasing vigor and vitality.

Mushroom miracle

The role of Ganoderma Lucidum in the medical field is quite impressive. Even if its role in the treatment of cancer doesn’t have a strong and solid medical backing yet, Ganoderma Lucidum is still recommended to prevention because of the absence of unfavorable side effects. While people from different walks of life take interests and contribute a lot in the rediscovery of herbal treatments, the popularity of Ganoderma Lucidum increases steadily.

Under the extensive research continuously done so many scholars, as well as the cooperative analysis and clinical experiments conducted by people in the hospitals, inside the colleges and universities, and even by pharmaceutical manufacturers, Ganoderma Lucidum’s potential as an effective medicine is becoming clearer and defined. And like in ancient China—where Ganoderma Lucidum is considered not just a symbol of ‘prosperity and peace’ or an ‘item of tribute’—the so-called ‘miracle herb’ is now also seen by the people in the modern world as a potential elixir for immortality.

With so many research and emerging evidence how Ganoderma Lucidum helps the body work more effectively, efficiently and optimally, the people who do these extensive and never-ending researches continues to hope that Ganoderma can bring a brighter view to humanity on its conquest for longevity."

Terry Dunn is Webmaster of
http://www.Ganoderma-Online.com - a Informational Resource about Ganoderma

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Dunn



If you want to find out more about this healthy coffee, I invite you to take a look at my affiliate site and to do some research on your own. You might be surprised at some of what you find out!

All this talk about coffee makes me want some. Want to join me in a fresh cup??

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Doubletalk About Firetrucks...!

When I was young and still in school, I had a friend named Biff. I'm not kidding...that was his name! Anyway, Biff and I had sort of a hobby and that was that we would find these nonsensical sayings, commit them to memory, and then throw them out at the first opportunity in every conversation. Most made no sense...most were silly...but if you said them fast enough and from memory, people would just stand there with their mouths open trying their best to figure out what you just said. this is one of those examples...

Why are firetrucks always red and rushin' ? Well, first there's jitterbugging!
One jitterbug has two feet, two jitterbug has four feet.
Four times three is twelve.
Twelve inches make a ruler.
Queen Mary was a ruler,
Queen Mary ruled the Seven Seas.
The Seven Seas had fishes,
The fishes had fins,
The Russians beat the Fins...
The Russians are red...
And that's why firetrucks are red and rushin' !

You see what I mean? It is complete nonsense! Makes no sense at all, nor is it supposed to! The whole point of double talk is to say something from memory, say it fast enough so that even when people hear it they don't understand it, and to make it silly enough that some folks will smile in spite of themselves.

If you think that this sort of silliness won't make people smile...then try this. You take this little saying that I just wrote, and you read it out loud to someone as fast as you can...or even to yourself, and you see if you don't get a smile. You'll probably get some funny looks as well! People will say things like "I don't understand.." and "What does that mean..?" and " That's silly..!" and my personal favorite "HUH...?"

I know, I know...It is silly, It doesn't make sense, It serves no purpose at all except to be something to make people smile a little and to lighten things up. That's all it is for! That's IT!!

Now if you think that you don't need a little silliness in your life, then consider this an exercise. I can guarantee that once you say this out loud, it will pop up in your mind from time to time without warning. Like a bad song, you just won't be able to totally get rid of it. And that's OK...if you have to have something floating around your mind, might as well be something you can have some fun with, right?? Right!!

Now, let's go get some coffee!!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Notes From From The Almanac...!

One of the most enjoyable periodicals I read every year is the Old Farmers Almanac. It is filled with some of the most amazing information you can imagine. I thought you might enjoy reading some of the facts contained within these timeless pages. So, straight from the Old Farmer's Almanac...here is a sample!

Although Midsummer Day (June 24) occurs near the summer solstice, or what we think of as the beginning of summer, to the farmer it is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting, and an occasion for celebration.

Midsummer Eve bonfires and dancing around the Midsummer pole are old customs still observed around the world today. Certainly, it’s a time of magic and soothsaying as well, for as Washington Irving said, “This is a time when it is well known that all kinds of ghosts, goblins, and fairies become visible and walk abroad.”

After the solstice and Midsummer Day, the days start to shorten.

Summer Solstice (June 20)The timing of the summer solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. This occurs annually sometime between June 20 and 22. This year, it occurs exactly at 7:59 P.M. EDT tonight heralding the beginning of summer. The word “solstice” comes from the Latin sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).

Midsummer Day (June 24)Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day are considered sacred to lovers. On Midsummer Eve, pick seven different wildflowers, and then walk home silently and backward. Place the flowers under your pillow and dream of your future husband. In Lithuanian tradition, the dew on Midsummer Day morning was said to make young girls beautiful and old people look younger. It was also thought that walking barefoot in the dew would keep your skin from getting chapped.


Man...I love this kind of stuff ! I may never need to know this information, but it sure is fun to have it on hand if I ever want to impress someone important with my vast knowledge of valuable trivia...someone like maybe my grand daughter!!??

Now, let's go get some fresh coffee...

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Learn From The Kittens...

I was watching the kittens today as they wrestled and fought one another all across the room. They have this little trick that I found interesting to observe. Whenever one is trying to rest and the other wants to play, the routine is simple. The playful one walks up to his brother and begins to wash and clean him very softly and gently, and by doing this the resting brother is slowly lulled into a state just short of sleep.

Just as soon as this happens, the playful one makes his move. He attacks his resting, unsuspecting brother, usually from behind and takes the upper hand. The former resting brother has no choice except to be drawn into the game or fight, disadvantaged and struggling just to catch up. Of course, the playful brother is happy as he can be now that he has his way. In his mind he has won just by the very fact that he has brought another down to his level.

Life is a lot like this game played by the kittens. Most of us go about our daily lives in a restful state, not wanting to get caught up in a war of wills or a game played by someone Else's rules. We blissfully chose to ignore the playful sneaky ones coming up behind us, stroking us and softly lulling us into that state just short of sleep...and then it happens! POW!!

Blindsided and ambushed, we are drawn into the game or war of wills. It doesn't matter if it is office politics, traffic jams, lovers' quarrels , even simple discussions with friends that suddenly become less than friendly. All of the sudden we are playing by someone Else's rules. We have totally lost sight of our original goals and plans as we are involved further and further in a situation controlled by another.

Any time that we give up control of our choices to someone else, we lose. Anytime that we start letting ourselves be forced into playing by an other's rules, we lose. If we don't keep our goals and our plans in sight and in our mind, we lose. If we slip into a trap of complacency and don't watch the sly and seemingly innocent movements of those wanting to be in control, we lose.

Let's chose not to lose. Let's chose instead to strive to be winners. Let's chose to not listen to the nay sayers and controllers that want to be in charge of our lives. Let's not allow others to chose the path we travel, the thoughts we have , or the way we run our lives.

Let's all stay true to ourselves, maintain and control our own destiny, work toward our own goals and visions, and follow our own hearts. If we keep our own counsel, we continue to be the Captains of our own ships!

Now let's go get some fresh coffee...

Monday, June 16, 2008

Looking Mother Nature In The Eye...!

Outside in my backyard, climbing on the rear fence, is a big out of control Wisteria bush. Now if any of you has ever had one of these plants, then you know how wild and thick they can get. In fact, this particular plant has managed to push the fence out of alignment just by the act of growing. However, the birds love this bush as it is located not too far from the bird bath and the feeder. So because of this I have put off trimming the bush as I should have and just let nature have her way.

Mother Nature has her own way of saying "thank you" when we do something for her, either by accident or on purpose. Yesterday while I was watering the garden, I decided to look and see if I could find a bird's nest built in the Wisteria, as the birds get very agitated when Amy the Cat comes out to the back yard. After putting the hose up, I walked over to the bush and made my way into the jungle like growth to look around. I had plenty of room to stand up with the branches spread out over me like a big green umbrella, and it was actually rather nice.

Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw some movement on the fence. Slowly I turned my head in the direction of the movement and this little grey head peeked over the top of the fence. There was a small adult squirrel looking at me eye to eye! We couldn't have been more than two feet away from one another, and for the longest time we just stood there looking at each other.

I guess that instinct told this squirrel that I was in no way a threat, so after watching me for a moment he just went about whatever business brought him to the Wisteria to begin with. I was totally ignored. All I could do was stand there and be amazed at the fact that I was within touching distance of this beautiful creature and that he had absolutely no fear of me. This was a rare gift to me, a glimpse at the wonder that nature has to offer if we only take time to look.

I can still see those shiny black eyes looking at me, peeking over the top of the fence to make sure I was OK before coming over to my side. I guess that this was Mother Nature's way of rewarding me for being appreciative of all she has done in my back yard...all the nice to look at things she has left around for me to care for and enjoy.

You just never know when these little moments may happen, but can only know that they don't happen often enough! So for this particular gift I am very grateful and will remember it for a long, long time.

Now, what do you say to a fresh cup of coffee...?

Sunday, June 15, 2008

A Tribute To My Dad...

There are a lot of things that I could say about my Father. I could tell you all about the memories that I have from when I was a child or as I was growing up. I could tell you how much he influenced my life in ways that I'm still finding out about today. I could tell you how he forgave me for the times that I let him down and how he never reminded me of my mistakes just to make a point.

I could also tell you about how he tried his very best to lead by example and to instill in me the good old fashioned values he grew up with ...honesty, friendship, loyalty, duty and honor. I'm sure your Father did the same for you.

I have several very special memories of my Father. I can remember the strong handshake he gave me when I was getting on the bus to go to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. It was the first time we shook hands as man to man.

I can remember what he said when I asked him to be the best man at my wedding. "Son, your best friend is supposed to be the best man." I answered "But Dad, you are my best friend!". He just looked at me for a minute, then got up and left the room. I only found out later that the reason he left was that he didn't want me to see him cry. He was indeed the best man at my wedding!

I can also remember the pride that shown in his face when he found out that I was naming my first born son after him. The only thing he asked was that his name sake never be called Junior.

Even though my Father died young, I am proud to have known him. I am proud to have had the opportunity to shake his hand and proud to have called him my friend. I only wish I had told him that I loved him one more time before he died, but somehow I think he knows. I hope so.

So let's have a cup of coffee and toast my Dad and all the Fathers out there...
Happy Fathers' Day!


Saturday, June 14, 2008

Blueprint Of A Great Newsletter...

I talked the other day about the art of story telling. I take a newsletter called the "Ozarkland Newsletter" and the gentleman that does the writing is named Neil Shelton and he is a storyteller of the first order! I'm including the latest copy of the newsletter so that you can see how a true storyteller can make even a sales pitch into a fun experience , and you can see how a great storyteller spins a yarn.

Dear Reader: Please accept my apology. I am really, really, really sorry.

It isn't as if I don't understand your situation. There you are, a sensitive, feeling, deserving person, and yet, because of circumstances largely beyond your control, you are forced to live in the stench and squalor of urbanity.


It's tough, I know, pouring $4 gas into your car every week just so you can spend thirty minutes to an hour every morning stalled in traffic on your 10-mile commute to work.

Certainly, no-one understands better than I how frustrating it must be to work hard all week to support a family and put hyper-priced food on the table, only to learn that you can't even trust the freaking tomatoes!

Look, I'm on your side, honest. It's just that... well, I'm only human.

That's why, last week, even though I put up this beautiful 2.5 acres of seductively rural Americana on our website, a place where, among many other things, you could grow your own edible tomatoes, I never actually managed to get around to sending out this newsletter to let you know about it.

Meanwhile, you're stuck where you're stuck, breathing in sulfur dioxide as if Lucifer were living in the next apartment, and when I have the opportunity to reach out my hand and give you a way to escape - right at the time when you need me most - I've failed you.

And why? Was I abducted by shotgun-wielding banditos? Stricken by beri-beri? Tied to a railroad track or giant sawmill?

No.

I'm ashamed to tell you that the answer is - this is so humiliating - the answer is that I've been having a wonderful time.

While there have been a couple of pretty severe storms somewhere in the Ozarks this spring, none of them were anywhere close to me, so the only result I can see is that we've had lots and lots of cool, invigorating rain. This year, I have the best garden I've enjoyed in ages, and I've been having fun with that, but then there's this other aspect of my life that I wanted to tell someone about.

It started when I was born. (Don't worry, this isn't going to be as long as you think.)

Anyway, when I was born, I had what's known as a deviated septum. That means that the thingie that separates my nostrils was misshapen in such a fashion as to close one nostril almost completely, and incidentally, the other one wasn't much better, plus I have seasonal allergies, so I've spent all but the last few weeks of my life not even knowing what it was like to breathe through my nose, and what sense of smell I had wasn't very, well, sensible. Also, my whiney, irritating speaking voice was not only whiney and irritating, but nasally to the extent that strangers on the other end of the phone were always ending the conversation with comments like, "I hope you're feeling better".

Uh... thanks.

Still, after a brush or two with death at the hands of surgeons concerning other irregularities in my physical plant, I wasn't too keen on giving them another shot at me.

Then about a year ago, it developed that I had an advanced case of nasal polyps. I thought I knew what polyps were, because I recall President Reagan having one removed. I don't know if that was accurate, or if he had lots of them, but it turned out that I had, literally, a whole snoot full of them. More than that, actually. They were crammed into all my sinuses as if someone had turned me upside down and poured candle-wax in my nose. I imagined them as looking like little sausages with teeny little strings tied at the ends, but my doctor told me they were more like little clusters of grapes.

Needless to say, this was not a pleasant experience, and since the polyps were secreting this yellow stuff, a more specific description of which I will spare you, this stuff was leaking down my throat and into my lungs causing asthma symptoms, which are probably funnier to observe than to experience. Clearly I was going to die.

Anyhow, since I now had no choice, I was headed for surgery.

The surgery wasn't so bad, as things that involve someone cutting up the inside of your head go, except for costing my insurance company approximately two and a half times more than the doctors estimated. (Why would they concern themselves with such trivia?)

I hadn't been able to smell anything for about three years at that point, and no-one could tell me for certain that I'd ever be able to smell again. Very depressing.

Smell, if you have it, is something you take for granted. I don't think I even noticed until I'd lost it completely for five or six months. Once I realized it was gone, I tried to shrug my shoulders over the whole thing, but I eventually became obsessed with getting it back.

Finally, a few weeks after the surgery, at a time when I would test almost everything I came across to see if I could smell it, I picked up a piece of soap, sniffed it and... I couldn't smell it, but I got this... memory of soap. I thought of my grandmother's house, and of feeling fresh out of the bath-tub, and things like that.

Tears welled in my eyes. I can't remember being so happy.

Over the next few days, I started having more of these memories, and pretty soon I became aware that I could smell again.

It was August, and we had a little free time, so Olia and I flew out to San Francisco where I smelled wine and food and carbon monoxide, but mostly coffee, because we had a room at the edge of Chinatown just across the street from a Starbucks. I probably spent more on coffee that week than in the previous ten years. We went to Yosemite where I smelled fresh grass, and to the ocean, where I smelled dead fish and I enjoyed both equally.

Not only that, but I could breathe through my nose. Just like a real boy. What a kick that was. I remember walking down into the Grand Canyon once years ago, and walking back out in the same day, which the signs suggested either wasn't possible or at least not very smart. I thought I was doing pretty well, and in pretty good shape, but as I got back near the top I passed a couple of guys going down and I overheard one of them say over my shoulder, "We'll probably be like that when we get back up", so I got the idea that I must have looked or sounded exhausted, huffing along with my mouth wide open.

Now I found that I could walk up a long hill or flight of stairs with my mouth completely closed. Wierd. And I wasn't snoring anymore.

Do you know what a '70 Mustang looks like? It has this enormous gaping grille in front, ready to suck in cubic yards of air, birds and insects for every foot it moves down the highway. That's how I felt with my brand-new nose. Previously, I'd been a Volkswagen Beetle, but now I was a nasal Mustang.




For a while.

A couple of weeks after we got back from San Francisco my smelling ability started to fade, disappearing completely in a few days.

My surgeon informed me that I represented his world record for someone re-growing polyps. I was miserable.

So I had the second operation about four months ago, and now in the past three weeks, even though I'd been having myself checked every couple of weeks with no new polyps, I hadn't smelled anything yet. Then I went in for my last checkup and... whoopee, more polyps.

Well, this was pretty discouraging, but my doctor told me that since we'd caught them early this time, we could shrink them with steroid tablets and a nose spray of steroids. Not the kind of steroids that you read about in the news, some other kind. They're probably not good for me either, but I couldn't care less.

That's because about a week after I started using these neat-o drugs, I got my smell back.

In spades.

Yeah, and I think got a couple of other people's smell too, because I'm like a human blood-hound on these cool steroids. All the fragrant flowers around here were just starting to fade as I was getting this new super-powered smell, so I haven't actually smelled a flower in over four years, but every day brings me something new to smell. Like the smell of the earth right after a rain, or like the heady aroma of Olia's perfume. Or like the food. Oh wow!, the food: onions, and garlic, and fresh bread, and pizza, and coffee, and wine and... I'm beside myself. (That's me on the left.)

All my life I've wondered why people would pay the extra price for gourmet coffee. What I've learned now is that, if you can't smell coffee, the cheapest swill you can buy is about the same as the finest fresh-ground beans. Now I'm happy to pay for the best I can get.

So that's what I've been doing, working in the garden, eating everything that strays close enough, and looking for new things to smell.

And that's why I didn't get last week's Newsletter out to you.

This week, because nobody knew about it, we've still got that same bucolic 2.5-acres, plus one of the very nicest almost-five-acre tracts you're going to find. Not only does it have level land for growing food you can actually eat, but it's only four miles from a quaint little Ozark town (How Ozark? It's the county seat of Ozark County.) Four miles and NO traffic means you can get to town, do your business and get back without using a whole gallon of gas.

It's also close to two major lakes, has an excellent view from a dandy building site, and it smells just great.

You owe it to yourself to click your way over to our website where you'll find driving directions, photos,maps and virtually every fact we could think of to include, all just by following this link: http://www.ozarkland.com/

copyright © 2008 Neil Shelton
Neil@OzarkLand.com

Now THAT'S what good writing should look like! That, my friends, is the work of a Master Storyteller! Now...let's have some fresh coffee!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Quick Friday Update...

Sorry to anyone that came here early on to read an updated post. I am running behind today, but wanted to get this update posted. I will come back later with another post that has more meat on it's bones, but this will have to do for now.

10DollarsWonder...this program continues to be my most active and my most respected program for one reason. It just continues to work. In fact, I just bought another position this morning. I have cycled a total of 2119 times since joining, and I intend to stay here for a long time.

DRW...this is another program I'm in that quietly continues to perform just as expected and so far has not let me down. I am purchasing another position in DRW today, using the profits from previous purchases to buy the new ones. Gotta love playing with profits.

TrafficEra...continues to be my favorite place to surf for advertising credits just because it affords me the opportunity to use the Team Talk feature to chat with my Net friends as we surf. This can make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable and you will find it easier to stay longer, thus earning more credits to promote with.

Clixsense...this one is the only paid to click program I am still involved with for one reason. I get paid from them every month without fail. It is not hard to go to the site and click on the ads enough each day to add up to a paycheck each month, even though it may be a small one. I, however, have never turned down money just because it wasn't a large enough amount.

I am very happy with a Private program I recently became involved with, but I really can't talk about it here as they don't allow advertising. However, if you would like to find out more information, feel free to contact me via e-mail and I can discuss it with you.

Well, that's all for now on this small and quick update. I am off now to attend to some PC maintenance and to repair the damage done around here the past couple of days by my two furry "roomies"! I will try and come back later with a better post, OK?

Happy Friday...and let's get some fresh coffee!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Art Of The Story Teller...!

A writer’s muse is beyond gold. When observed gazing for long periods at wall, ceiling or sky, a writer is in fact hard at work. Writing appears to take place with scrawls on paper or taps on keyboard but the real work happens while the mind is playing.
Gene GeRue



The reason that I put this quote in here is because it sometimes is so hard to explain to anyone who does not write what all is involved in the process. Writing involves a lot of research to be effective. Whether you are writing a book, an article, or a blog the need for research is most important.

My research is quite easy for the most part...I merely let my mind wander off to where ever it goes when set free. Most of the time, it finds a memory or two that it will pause at long enough for me to be aware of and POW!...instant research! I have to admit that sometimes I use the more orthodox approach of looking things up, but that's a lot duller than having a memory or two to fall back on.

When I decided to tackle the task of writing a small book myself, I was aware that some of what I was writing was taken from actual events experienced by the same folks that might read the book . So why include them, you ask? Simple! Because no two people recall the same activity in the same fashion. Not only are their memory of it different, but their reaction to it, their feelings, emotions, even the time frame of this shared experience seems to change from person to person.

Here is an example of what I mean. You are at a gathering like a family reunion. You're sitting around with friends or family, and start telling one of the many stories that start with "Remember when..." or "I can remember...". As the story is shared with everyone there, some people might interrupt and say something like "But I thought it happened like this..." or "What really happened was...". See what I mean?

We all have our own way of recalling things and rearranging them to suit ourselves. That's human nature! That's what is so important about sharing memories and stories with one another. By sharing them, we allow people to see our version and our memory of these events as we do!

Now what about the writers of fiction? These writers, the good ones, can create persons and places and events all from the depths of their own minds and somehow, on some level, help us to identify with their version. Some of the characters we identify with so strongly that we would almost swear they are real! That is where the art of story telling, or writing comes into it's own.

You know, in the not so distant past our ancestors passed on the history of our tribes and peoples by the use of story tellers. The story teller held a place of honor among his people as the keeper of the way things were and the way they should be. They handed down the Law from generation to generation, kept customs and traditions alive, helped relive the glories as well as the disappointments of the past, reminded us of our greatest heroes as well as our greatest enemies...basically reminded us of who and what we are.

Essentially this is what a writer does. He or she tells a story, from research or from memory, and tries to tell it in a way that will touch the reader or listener in some fashion. That is the reward, to be able to touch a person in some manner by the telling of a story or the sharing of a memory.

So the next time you see me sitting there staring off into space, a blank look on my face and stars in my eyes...I'm not just gazing but doing research! My mind is hard at work! After all, I'm trying to be a Writer!

Now let's get some fresh coffee...OK? OK!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Important Update...Please read...!

It has been called to my attention that Web 2.0 may be a scam. Instead of me passing the information on to you second hand, you can read all about it on JS's blog here. Please take the appropriate action.

Sorry guys! This kind of thing does happen from time to time, but maybe this time we can prevent anyone from being hurt by this...

A Message Worth Repeating...

I want to share with you this message from George Carlin. I may have put this on here before...if not, I should have. If I did, it bears a second look. It says the same things that so many of us feel and have trouble expressing.


The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the w ay to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when the technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

I need some more coffee...want to join me?

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

All Things Beautiful...!


This beauty, my friends, is the Glasswing Butterfly ! It comes from Central America and is found from Mexico to Panama . It is quite common in its zone, but it not easy to find because of its transparent wings, which is a natural camouflage mechanism.

A butterfly with transparent wings is rare and beautiful. As delicate as finely blown glass, the presence of this rare tropical gem is used by rain forest ecologists as an indication of high habitat quality and its demise alerts them of ecological change.

Rivaling the refined beauty of a stained glass window, the translucent wings of the Glasswing butterfly shimmer in the sunlight like polished panes of turquoise, orange, green, and red.

All things beautiful do not have to be full of color to be noticed: in life that which is unnoticed often has the most power!

Now, what do you say to a fresh cup of coffee...?

Monday, June 9, 2008

Sorry, But I Just Don't Get It...!

I've come to the conclusion that there are some things that I just don't get. Now I know that I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack, but I just don't seem to catch on to some things. Maybe it's just me.

For instance, how come there are so many “secret” formulas for success on the web? And if they are truly “secret”, then why are there so many people willing to sell them? How did all these people learn these “secrets” and if that many people know about them, then how can they be called “secret” to begin with?

I just don't get how many “millionaires” there are on the Internet that want to give back...they do this by selling the manner in which they became “millionaires” to begin with. I always thought that giving back meant just that...giving! If you are selling something, then you are NOT giving. You are selling! I guess that's how they became so rich...by giving things away if the price was right! I'm sorry, but if I was making $350 million a year I don't think I would have the need to sell anything. The same would apply if I was making $4000 a week! Like I said, maybe that's just me.

Now we come to the “Free” programs. “Free” to sign up for doesn't necessarily mean “free” as you and I understand it. Most of these programs stop being “Free” the minute that you sign up. In order to get started, you need to start spending money. The next step, then the next, and the next all seem to cost money. So much for the concept of “Free”!

Besides the Internet, there are many, many things in the “Real” world I just don't get as well. Cell phones used at home by people that already have a real phone sitting there. Bottled water used by people that have perfectly good tap water available in the kitchen. People that pay $30,000 or $40,000 for a car that they are going to drive back and forth to the store. Married people that feel the need to have an affair. I thought that if you were married, that meant one person at a time.

I don't get why people take medicine that has side effects that are 10 times worse than what they are taking the medicine for. I don't understand the reasoning that says the schools can't punish children for misbehaving without being sued by the parents, and parents that can't punish their children at home because most punishment is considered “child abuse”. I can't understand the people that insist on owning a 150 pound dog bred to fight and kill, when they live in the city and in a neighborhood filled with children.

I don't get the reasons why we spend billions on a undeclared war or two, when some of our older Americans at home are forced to choose between health care and food each month. I don't get why the quality of our goods keep going down, while the price and taxes on these goods keep going up. I will never get the reason why our Veterans are being denied complete and proper care by the very community that they sacrifice and suffer to protect just because it's their duty.

I don't get what happened to the old values like courtesy, kindness, manners, and respect. I don't understand why our heroes today include so many that are accused of and excused for breaking the rules. I absolutely do not get why there are so many questions asked by so many, and so few answers forthcoming .

I do, however, get the fact that I need another cup of coffee....and I DO get the fact that I am lucky to have friends that I can still share coffee and a few thoughts with this morning.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Beware A Woman's Revenge...!

Again, my friend Minerva sent me a little jewel I wanted to share with you. There is a lot of insight into the mind of a woman in this story!

Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement — not even her parent's nasty divorce.

Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the best dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!

A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new young wife had bought the exact same dress! Jennifer asked her to exchange it, but she refused. "Absolutely not, I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it," she replied.

Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart. I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day."

A few days later, they went shopping and did find another gorgeous dress. When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "Aren't you going to return the other dress? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it.

Her mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do, dear. I 'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding."

Now, let's get some coffee!

Saturday, June 7, 2008

So What Do You Really Want...?

I wanted to post another article by Michael Losier, a Law of Attraction trainer and author. It has to do with one of our every day emotions and ways of thinking, so I felt it was appropriate to post here. I hope you enjoy it.

"If you’re familiar with my work you’ll often hear me use the phrase “So, what do you want?” In my book and other articles, I often refer to wanting to attract something. In short I use the word ‘want’.

A number of people have been trained not to use the word ‘want.’ They have been told that when you use the word ‘want’ you’re actually holding the vibration of not having ‘it’. Or when you use the word ‘want’ you’re coming from a place of lack.

For example, the word homework excites some people yet causes a negative vibration in others. Words can feel negative to one person and feel positive to another.

To illustrate my point, read the next two scenarios and after each one decide whether you are sending a negative vibration or a positive vibration.Note that the words are exactly the same.

Scenario # 1 – You notice something that you desire but in your head you catch yourself thinking, “I’ll never get one as it’s out of my reach.” Then you say “I want one of those”, in a whiny voice. (What vibrations would you be sending here?)

Scenario # 2 – You desire something new and you see it. With your eyes wide open and acting like an excited kid you say “I want one of those!” pointing at the exact item that matches your desire. (What vibrations would you be sending here?)

Remembering that Law of Attraction is responding to vibrations (your feelings), it’s how you feel about the words you say which is most important.

It’s not the words you use,it’s how you feel about the words that you use.

So the next time somebody tells you not to use the word ‘want’ you can teach them why using the word ‘want’ is okay for you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael Losier, a Law of Attraction Trainer and author, supports people in understanding and practicing the Art of Deliberate Attraction, so they can have more of what they want and less of what they don't. Michael has been applying the principles of Law of Attraction for many years and enjoys a wonderful and rewarding life in the city of Victoria, BC, Canada. He facilitates a number of in-person Law of Attraction seminars as well as Teleseminars to a worldwide audience.


Now you know what I want? A fresh cup of coffee...want to join me?

Friday, June 6, 2008

Humor And Common Sense...!

Mark Twain was a genius when it came to saying things that needed saying, but doing so with a touch of humor. Most of all, he realised that we all need to have some humor in our lives. A smile is an important thing, especially if worn on the inside. I feel that a smile and a good dose of common sense can go a long way to keeping us all healthy. So, to aid in your health and well being, I wanted to start the day with a series of quotes from this great man and his common sense approach to life.

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.

A man is never more truthful than when he acknowledges himself a liar.

A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.

A man's character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.

A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read.

A person with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds.

A round man cannot be expected to fit in a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape.

Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.

Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper.

Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

All generalizations are false, including this one.

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.

Any emotion, if it is sincere, is involuntary.

Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today.

As an example to others, and not that I care for moderation myself, it has always been my rule never to smoke when asleep, and never to refrain from smoking when awake.

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

Be careless in your dress if you will, but keep a tidy soul.

Better a broken promise than none at all.

Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of the man. The biography of the man himself cannot be written.

But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?

Buy land, they're not making it anymore.

By trying we can easily endure adversity. Another man's, I mean.

Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.

Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities.

'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.

Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.

Don't let schooling interfere with your education.

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.

Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.

Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.

Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned.

Everything has its limit - iron ore cannot be educated into gold.

Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable.

Familiarity breeds contempt - and children.

Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't.

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.

George Washington, as a boy, was ignorant of the commonest accomplishments of youth. He could not even lie.

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.

Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times.

Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.

Thank you to Mr. Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Now let's get some fresh coffee!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Simple Is Beautiful...!

I bought the Kitties some new toys today. One of them was a simple folding cube with holes in it so the cats could climb inside and play around. Hanging inside was a simple ribbon just hanging there, and they loved it. The kittens played and played with that cube until they literally wore themselves out. While watching them play with that simple little cube, I was reminded of all the Christmases that we would give the children some fancy toy in a large box, only to have them spend more time playing with the box than with the fancy toy!

I remember one year my Dad gave my nephew a wooden spoon and a pot with a long handle. Everyone wondered what my nephew was going to do with these simple kitchen utensils except for my nephew, who promptly started using the pot and spoon for anything and everything you can imagine! The wooden spoon would be a gun one minute, then a sword, then a drumstick to beat on the pot with. The pot got used to sit on as a chair to watch T.V., a drum, worn as a helmet and so many other things I can't remember them all! My nephew probably had more use from that simple gift than any other he got that year!

The point is, my Dad saw the potential in the simplicity of the gift when no one else did. He was really good at that sort of thing. He grew up in times when you made do with what you had at hand, when kids made a lot of their own toys, or some one made them by hand for their use. The beauty of simple things was apparent to them, partly from necessity and partly because that's the way people looked at things.

The beauty of simplicity. In this day and age, we often overlook the programs that are beautiful in their simplicity. Instead we search for complicated programs with payout structures we barely understand, for matrix type programs that have failure written all over them because they are designed for the privileged few heavy hitters, and for HYIP type programs promising unrealistic payouts that are obviously not self supporting.

Enter the simple programs. These simple, self-sustaining, realistic programs have the best chance of lasting a long time and being a boon to those who can see the beauty in the simplicity of their structure. One of the best of these programs, in my opinion, is 10DollarsWonder. I know, I know...we have talked about this program before, but I just wanted to remind you of it's strong points. It's simple, easy to understand, long lasting, and best of all...self sustaining! What more could you ask for? It has a long , well respected track record and pays regularly.

Why not change the way you look at these types of programs? Don't continue to make things harder than they really are. Complicated and hard to understand doesn't necessarily mean better! If you want a program that lives up to it's potential, the maybe it's time to go back to the old fashioned way. Maybe you should take another look and this time see if you don't agree...simple is beautiful!

Now what do you say to a simple cup of fresh coffee?

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Gonna Be Late Today...!

Sorry folks, but my post is going to be late today...I have some things that I have to take care of. For those of you that might be early readers and need a cup of the Hermit's coffee to jump start your morning, I am leaving the coffee pot cooking . Just so you won't be too disappointed with me, I'm leaving a little video for you to watch.

I'll come back later in the day with an update...OK?

Oh, and before I forget...today is JS's (9planetreviews) birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN!!


Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Correcting My Mistake...!

You may remember that not long ago I wrote a piece titled "Law of the Garbage Truck". This piece was sent to me in an email and I had no way of knowing at the time who wrote it. I just thought it was a very positive message that I wanted to share with my readers, so I posted it on this blog.

Today I received a very nice comment on the post from a young man named Chris. I am including his comment here for you to read. Please do this for me.

"Thanks for posting this great story! My name is Chris, and I work with David J. Pollay, the author of The Law of the Garbage Truck™ - Beware of Garbage Trucks™! I just wanted to stop by and let you know that you can read the original story on David’s blog davidjpollay.typepad.com I know he’d love to have you stop by!

Also check out the video of people in New York City taking the No Garbage Trucks!™ Pledge: bewareofgarbagetrucks.com. It’s pretty cool.

Thanks again!

Chris

chris@bewareofgarbagetrucks.com "

Now I feel that I should have known or made some effort to find out who wrote this piece. However, I did not. I published the portion of the story that was sent to me, but made it clear that it was NOT written by me. As a matter of protocol, any piece that is reproduced or copied or republished should have credits given to the author after the article, and should be done only with the permission of the person who authored the article. Again, I did not do this as I should.

However, ignorance is no excuse. My formal apologies are offered to Mr. David Pollay and to my readers most of all if I have misled anyone in believing in any fashion that this article was written by me. I hope that the people reading my blog daily know that I would never , under any circumstance, plagiarize someone Else's work.

I would like for any and all of my readers to go to David Pollay's blog and to read for themselves the complete story. The article has much more to say than the small portion that was included in my posting.

With all that said, I am placing a credit to Mr. Pollay at the bottom of this page. Now, what do you say to some fresh coffee?

********************

David J. Pollay is the author of “Beware of Garbage Trucks!™ - The Law of the Garbage Truck™. Visit http://www.bewareofgarbagetrucks.com/ to join the No Garbage Trucks! Revolution. His book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out this summer. Mr. Pollay is a syndicated columnist with North Star Writers Group, creator and host of “The Happiness Answer™” television program, an internationally sought after speaker and seminar leader, and the founder and president of TheMomentumProject.com

Monday, June 2, 2008

It's A Mystery...!

There are certain things in life that somehow just can't be explained. No matter how hard you try, you can't seem to find out the reason for them. Sometimes the mysteries are big and sometimes they are little. Never the less, large or small, they linger and linger and defy any logical explanation. Maybe if you help me, we could figure out the reason for these ongoing mysteries of life.

First of all, I've noticed that men and women seem to be completely reversed from one another. Take paper towels and other paper goods on rolls...women seem to hang the rolls facing the wall while men seem to hang the rolls facing outwards from the wall. Have you ever noticed this? Is it just me?

And what about buttons? Men's buttons are on the right side, women's buttons are on the left. The zippers are reversed for men and women's clothing...why is that? I'm sorry, but I just don't understand why these differences exist! Like the practise of putting on a belt through the loops on pants! Most men start with the loops on the left, while the women start with the loops on the right! Why??

Now don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the fact that men and women are different! Boy, do I LOVE the difference...! Life would be very, very dull without some differences between men and women. But you know how it is with little things...when they get into your mind it's hard to stop thinking about them. Because trying to figure out the reason for these differences, these little things, theses mysteries, was driving me crazy I did the only thing I could think of. I decided to ask a woman.

Being aware that women basically know more than men about most things, I just knew that my female contacts would be able to explain this to me. Alas, this was not the case. Even the most knowledgeable of the women I know couldn't explain. So, the mystery remains! Hopefully one of my readers can offer up an answer to why these little differences are there!

Let's do this...let's get some fresh coffee, go sit on the patio and see if between us we can come up with an answer, OK? OK!!