The Rock

These are some pretty amazing photos - I can't believe this was done by a teenager!!

There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy.25 in rural Iowa . For generations, kids have painted slogans, names, and obscenities on this rock, changing its character many times. A few months back, the rock received its latest paint job, and since then it has been left completely undisturbed. It's quite an impressive sight.

Be sure to scroll down and check out the multiple photos (all angles) of the rock.

I thought the flag was draped over the rock, but it's not. It's actually painted on the rock too.

Here's the artist Ray 'Bubba' Sorensen.

"The Cab Ride"

"The Cab Ride"

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now"

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said

"You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said.

"Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Happy Memorial Day!

BBQ Rules
After months of cold and rainy weather, we are finally coming up to summer and BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity, as it's the only type of cooking a 'real' man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved. When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill - beer in hand.
Here comes the important part:
(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL!
More routine....
(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation.
Important again:
(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN!
More routine....
(8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.

And most important of all:
10) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts!
(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off." And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.

Now that we have that straight:

Looking for a new menu to serve today? Sounds like the perfect menu for what I consider the official start to summer.

Chilled Cucumber Soup
Ingredients:
2 large cucumbers, peeled and chopped into large pieces
1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1 green onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh dill
2 tsp. wine or herb vinegar

Process all in a blender quickly, so it's still a little textured. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with a small dill sprig.

Grilled Salmon with Herb Mayonnaise
Ingredients:
1 1/2 to 2 pound salmon fillet
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh herbs-dill, fennel, basil etc.
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Preheat grill. Wash the salmon and pat dry. Place salmon fillet (skin side down) onto a large piece of aluminum foil. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, and herbs until smooth; spread over top of salmon. Sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper. Place salmon (with aluminum foil) onto hot grill. Cover grill with the lid, open vents, and cook 8 to 12 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 145 degrees F. (salmon will be slightly opaque in thickest part but will finish cooking as it sits). Carefully remove salmon from grill and transfer onto serving platter and serve after it has rested about 10 minutes. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Summer Vegetable Potato Salad
Ingredients:
4 pounds small red potatoes, scrubbed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup hearty or Dijon-style mustard
1 cup regular or light mayonnaise
1/2 cup herb or wine vinegar
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup green onions, finely chopped
1 cup Green or red pepper, finely chopped
1 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Heat a large pot of water to a boil and add potatoes. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, with lid partially covering pan, until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool. Combine garlic, red pepper flakes, mustard, mayonnaise, vinegar and oil in a bowl and whisk well. Cut the potatoes into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the mustard mixture and all remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight, before serving. If the consistency is too thick, add a couple of spoons of water.

Grilled Mixed Fruit
Ingredients:
4 peaches, halved and pits removed
4 nectarines, halved and pits removed
1 pineapple, rind removed, cored and sliced into 8 slices
2 sticks (8 ounces) butter, melted
2 cups light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat the grill. Place the melted butter in a pie pan or other baking pan. Combine the sugar and cinnamon in another pan. Dip the cut side of each peach and nectarine half in the melted butter, then into the sugar mixture. Arrange the fruit on the grill, sugar side down, and grill 2 to 3 minutes or until caramelized. Repeat the same procedure with the pineapple slices. This tends to go better with a flat or round grill pan that you can set over the fire OR use foil that is doubled or tripled and has holes poked in it. Unless you grill grate is small enough so it doesn't fall through. Serves 8

These recipes and more can be found at Old Fashioned Living.

Quote of the Day:

What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times?

I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility...

a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion,

but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.

~Adlai Stevenson

A Plan for the Week Ahead...

To get you through every week....

Monday: Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday: Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.


Wednesday: Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.


Thursday: Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.


Friday: Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.


Saturday: Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.


Sunday: The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

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

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

WOOHOO...It's the weekend!

Go Duke Lacrosse!! Right now they are playing their nemesis in LAX, Johns Hopkins. They beat us last year in the NCAA championship game. Duke is currently winning 2-1 and has a NCAA lacrosse record season of 18-1. The winner of this game will play Syracuse on Monday. Now I am a true Blue Devil as most of you know, but after the suffering Duke LAX has suffered since the rape scandal, having to cancel their season in 06, and losing last year in the championship, their time has come! Let's go Devils!!

Do you like movies based on true stories? Like football at all? Like "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson? (He also played the Scorpion King and last years Disney movie "The Game Plan") A must see movie is Gridiron Gang. If anyone ever watched MTV's Pimp My Ride, the movie also stars Xzibit. It is based on a true story about a youth prison in California, where the lead character, Shawn, played by The Rock, creates a football team of inmates and teaches them to be winners instead of losers and how to be a "team player" and not a "gang member". It does have rough language but you have to look at the population you are looking at, but it is a feel good movie at the end. Amazing transformations in many of the youths in themselves, with others who would be rivals out of prison on the streets, and with girlfriends/parents/families. I recommend you see it if you get the chance.

Quote of the Day:

I am only one, but I am one.

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.

And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.

~Edward Everett Hale

Friday Free for All.....

First off, my fellow parrotheads, Jimmy has been real busy lately!!

He has an awesome DVD coming out where he took the CD Songs You Know By Heart and took the best concert performances from those songs, added in "Hey Good Lookin" and "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" and made a new DVD for us. You better believe this is adding to my JB collection! In fact, I found a little gadget at Staples the other day that allows you to transfer DVDs to your iPod if you have video capability for only $35.00. Saves from having to buy videos in the store and from iTunes. I will definitely pick this DVD up and the gadget before I head to Florida in June so I can watch some great videos of JB as I listen to some of my favorite songs!!
above screen capture from http://www.margaritaville.com/

And as you can see above, Jimmy also has a new novel out. What a name, "Swine Not?" Can you guess what it is about...yep, you got it...a pig!! In a swanky NYC hotel even where pets are NOT allowed!! To hear more about this new novel (which I also will pick up before leaving for Florida) check out JB discussing Swine Not? on Borders.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With this in mind, I bought myself a new scooter.
I wanted something that was easy on gas and could zip me to the store and about town.

This seems to meet my EVERY need.
I love it!

Remember:
Senior Citizens Are Valuable:
We are more valuable than any of the younger generations:
We have silver in our hair.
We have gold in our teeth.
We have stones in our kidneys.
We have lead in our feet and.
We are loaded with natural gas!

which leads me to my next cartoon:

~~~~~~~~~~

Please forgive me for my rudeness, but when I received the above, I just couldn't help myself!!

Now to some of the most CREATIVE advertising I have ever seen. I can't imagine not trying the following products and services if I saw these in person. Forget professional atheletes, these ad execs or the creative person that designed the following should earn the biggest salaries...these are fabulous!!

Are they not amazing and creative ideas for advertising!! Which was your favorite...I really can pick just one, but I love the karate with the crack in the cement, I love the dropped calls, and I love the last one for the fitness center, but I truly appreciate them all!

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Here's looking at you, kid!

and remember,

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go,

only 1 of 2 things will happen,

either He'll catch you when you Fall,

or He'll teach you how to fly!

'The power of one sentence!

God is going to shift things around for you today

and let things work In your favor.

If you believe, send it.
If you don't believe, delete it.

God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.

...Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing...

She always knows just the right thing to say...

FIVE BEST THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK:

NUMBER 5: 'They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen.'

NUMBER 4 : 'This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time-management course you sent me to.'

NUMBER 3 : 'Whew!? Guess I left the top off the White-out. You probably got here just in time!'

NUMBER 2: 'Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?'

And the NUMBER ONE best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk: (Raising your head slowly) '... in Jesus' name, Amen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quote of the Day:

You are educated. Your certification is in your degree.

You may think of it as the ticket to the good life.

Let me ask you to think of an alternative.

Think of it as your ticket to change the world.

~Tom Brokaw

Laus Deo, did you know it was there? Or what it means?

This was sent to me by a cousin who is a retired Naval officer:

Laus Deo

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument . With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant .. a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.

1. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ;
2. On the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians;
3. On the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy "One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America . Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pa cific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo! When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo ", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

Get the kleenex out....I couldn't wait until tomorrow to post this...

This is a true example of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP and quality youth playing sports...Everyone should learn a lesson from this video:

http://www.komando.com/videos/5-6.asp

There are some pretty smart kids out there...

I am taking this as truth, have not checked out snopes.com but if it isn't true, whomever came up with it is still a pretty smart cookie!!

THIS IS FABULOUS!!! An 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA, wrote it. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to 'explain God.' I wonder if any of us could have done as well? [... And he had such an assignment, in California, and someone published it, I guess miracles do happen!]

EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people totake care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.'

'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off.'

'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere, which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.''Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.'

'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said OK'

'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God.Like a secretary, only more important.'

'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all thetime.'

'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it'sGod!'

'Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sundoesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.'

'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere withyou, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.'

'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.'

'And that's why I believe in God.'

Well it's about time...

for me to post again. I apologize to my faithful readers. It has been a very hectic week. It is dance recital time and as some of you know, my DD is a company dancer and was supposed to dance about 14 dances in this year's recital. There are doing 4 recitals (last night, 2 today, and 1 tomorrow). We have had rehearsal every night until about 10 pm. Tuesday night, she hurt her knee while rehearsing her first dance. Through pain meds and a knee brace, she has danced all week through the pain. Thurday night, last dress rehearsal, rehearsal ends, time to leave, and her knee gives out and she falls. Off to the ER. Well it looks like she may have a fractured fibula and a torn miniscus. We see a surgeon on Monday. So I ask for your prayers for less pain, speedy recovery, no surgery, etc.

So since I have been absent, I have a few things for you:

I don't know about you, but with gas prices so high, I had to rethink my transportation....

I went and purchased a West Virginia Motorcycle:

A COWASAKI!!! (hee hee...I know that was bad!!)

Ronald Reagan said some amazing things and stood for so many great things while he was in office, wise words from a wise man. During this election year, I thought we should reflect....

'Here's my strategy on the Cold War:We win, they lose.'- RonaldReagan

'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'- RonaldReagan

'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.'- RonaldReagan

'Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S.was too strong.'- RonaldReagan

'I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.'- Ronald Reagan

'The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.'- RonaldReagan

'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.'- RonaldReagan

'The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.'- RonaldReagan

'It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.'- RonaldReagan

'Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.'- RonaldReagan

'Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.'- RonaldReagan

'No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'- RonaldReagan

'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.'-RonaldReagan

~~~~~~~

(you may have seen this next one for yourself)

And I found this from Bill Gates, undoubtedly a very intelligent man:

This should be posted in all schools and work places. Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about 11 things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

~~~~~~~~

Quote of the day:

We dare not trust our wit for making our house pleasant to our friend, so we buy ice cream. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am feeling a little sentimental and a lot patriotic today...

So here are 2 items and the quote of the day that I have received in email this week.....





A little serious patriotism first from an email entitled "CBS Didn't Stop Him"

Good for him!!! Surprised CBS let him get away with this even though he's right!

Andy Rooney said on '60 Minutes' a few weeks back:

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.

I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.

I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off. When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours. I think the police should have every right to shoot you if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor.

I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say 'NO!'

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa; so how can they be 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else

And if you don't like my point of view, tough...

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I am pretty sure MOST of you have seen this next one and I hope it makes you as sentimental as it makes me for the "good ole days" I remember as a kid!

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were OK.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms.......

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .

While you are at it, send it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.

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Quote of the Day:'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' ~Jay Leno

A chuckle to start off your week...

Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with the expensive double-pane energy efficient kind, and today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had been completed a whole year ago and I still hadn't paid for them. Hellloooo, just because I'm blonde doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid. So, I told him just what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year, that in ONE YEAR these windows would pay for themselves! Helllooooo? It's been a year!

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up. He never called back.

Guess I won that stupid argument.

I bet he felt like an idiot.