NEWS FROM NORTH CAROLINA
Tuesday November 29, 2011 7:30 pm
I just got home from Steph's house a few minutes ago. I was fixing a light and I wanted to blog about this as soon as I got in. Now, as soon as I know anything for certain... either good or bad, I will pass along to everyone how this played out. Tentatively though I got some “good news” at my post-office box today. Quite some time ago I had written to the company I presently work for and laid out a plan I have, whereby it would allow me to fulfil one of the four things I have on my bucket-list. In addition to myself having a benefit, I also believe it would be good for my company.
It had been long enough since I first wrote to them that I was beginning to imagine they had dismissed my proposal without giving it any thought. But... the letter I received today was letting me know that they “appreciated” what I had to say and they would further consider it!!! (:
From past experience I know not to get too excited from preliminary news. Many years ago I got quite excited over a first letter from the Chrysler Corporation because of an idea I had offered to them. That first letter from them was more than hopeful... and I wasn't the only one who thought so at that time. I showed several people the letter at the place I was working (McJunkin Corporation) and all of them felt I was on my way to great riches... me too! (lol)
However, a few weeks letter the second letter was not good news at all. Evidently after “thoroughly” reviewing my material... they were no longer interested. So, today I really was excited to open the letter and read but I will not get too excited until I hear from them again. (Keep your fingers crossed for me... I mean, who knows? I'm sure crazier things have happened.)
I'M AS MAD AS #@%*
Sunday November 27, 2011 9:45 pm
In the famous words of cult hero to the masses... “I'm as mad as **** and I'm not going to take this anymore!” (Howard Beale, as portrayed by Peter Finch in Network) I guess in reality my anger is somewhat mitigated by my apparent stupidity. I mean... when I wrote that the picture I was trying to post to yesterdays' blog might be sideways I was only trying to be self-deprecating... I really did not believe it would be (: But, it was!!!
Also, if I were really that angry instead of asterisks I would type the word used in the movie by Beale as it was then (literally) shouted from the housetops by scores of people. By the way, it really was an entertaining movie with an unexpected ending.
Now to the reason why I am writing tonight. What comes to mind when you hear or speak of something lost which is irreplaceable? Would you imagine an irreplaceable item being intrinsically tied to monetary worth... maybe? I suppose that in some, or even the majority of cases this would be true but... not for what I am blogging about this evening.
And the reason it has been lost... misplaced... not where it should be... etcetera is so petty as to not be believed. If any of you read this tonight and you are a cusser... offer a few of the worst words you know for me this evening... I mean it! I got my report yesterday morning on my email of what countries logged on this week to read. There was several, but two stood out: Singapore, and Russia.
I've read where there are some from your countries who are renowned swearers. If any of you are back this week to read again... the next time you are mad: hit your hand with a hammer... a woman driver infuriates you... your favorite team loses... I don't care what upsets you... let fly with a blue streak and name them all after me! How about using “chush' …... ..” That's one is appropriate, or for those from Singapore fling this one out there for me “anak …..” Actually (perhaps sadly) I already know several swear words in the Spanish language. I was using a girl at work to help me speak some in Spanish and she thought it was funny to teach me some foul language as well. She gave herself away every time though because as soon as I would repeat this new word she would begin to laugh hysterically (:
I'll quit blabbering after I tell all of you this. Every single material thing I have of any real value... and I'm only speaking of dollar value now, I have in my little office here. I sat a few minutes ago and mentally made some calculations and added up what it would cost to replace what I have in this room. Including the few collectible items I have gathered over the years I think I could purchase all of it again for maybe 10,000. Do you know I would trade all of it to get back the one item which was taken from me and as far as money is concerned it would be valueless. But to me it was priceless and simply, both literally and figuratively, irreplaceable!
I guess I can bring myself to say that this being lost is CRAP! And that is with a capital C. R. A. P. !!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY... PLUS
Sunday November 27, 2011 9:50 am
I am practicing on this blog today. I guess we will all find out if this works? Last night I began a futile effort to find a particular picture... so far... no luck ): I learned that we no longer have photo albums, instead... everything has been placed in small boxes. Which of course means they have all been gone through and in turn... my picture is missing!!!
I am still looking though (: This has caused me to want to publish some pictures on each of my future blogs, that is, as long as I can find a way to get them onto my desk-top. Because of my operating system it is hard to find a compatible scanner. To this date I have tried two with no luck. Anyway, I am experimenting this morning with a rough and incomplete sketch I already had in my email from Darin. So, I am trying to forward this picture to my blog. If this works then I have hope that I will be able to include a few pictures with my other blogs as well.
It is quite possible that even if this works the picture could be sideways etc. If that happens, I will probably not try and correct this one but I will figure a way to do it better in the future. I know what all of you are thinking about now... IMBECILE!!! I'm sure the average six year old with ordinary computer skills would already be able to do this. But, give me a break: First, I'm not six... and secondly, I'm far below average! Here goes.
Thursday November 24, 2011 12:43 pm
I got back home a little while ago and decided to write and wish all a happy Thanksgiving day. I had my little buddy out with me and we stopped at McDonald's for breakfast... and then we just drove around and talked. Well (to be fair) I talked and Virgil only pretended to be listening. (lol) Of course, he might not always listen as attentively because it is mostly the same stuff he has heard many times before.
I was supposed to go to my youngest daughter's house and hang another ceiling fan for her... I did the other one after I got off work late last night. Instead though she called earlier this morning (as I was heading out the door to her place) and asked that I do it later because of company they are expecting. So, I used that time to drive around.
We went on a circuitous route around town that I sometimes drive which takes us to a park on the river. He likes to get out there and explore the water's edge... it was cold and windy this morning so we had the park to ourselves. It's sort of funny the things we all (at times) must think about. I began imagining that I could get back into my car and go west on 64 and if I drove straight through we could be in Colorado by 6:00 am or so. I figured at that point I would have to sleep for a little while then I could start again and with any luck I could be in California Saturday before lunch time. I even took my wallet out and counted the cash I had with me... only 23.00 ): But, I do carry a credit card... so the trip would have still been possible? Virgil also loves to travel so I am confident he would enjoy a trip like that (:
Instead of doing that, I did the “responsible thing” and mentally twisted my own arm and fought back two different, and competing urges. After driving around for another 30 minutes or so I returned home to await Thanksgiving dinner with the family at Steph's house. (I do look forward to seeing all the kiddos!) I guess Virgil and I will have to wait awhile for that trip... sigh.
Anyway, I hope everyone who reads this has a great day and a very happy holiday season that is now officially upon us. I mean it must be official, as I walked in in time to see Santa on his float in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. Happy Thanksgiving!
THANKSGIVING
Wednesday November 23, 2011 10:50 pm (THANKSGIVING EVE)
In order to honor this most traditional of American holidays I thought I might give some useful(?) quotes for all who might read this blog. Hopefully I will have something for the conservative, and the liberals among us. I have chosen a broad and eclectic group of people whom I have taken quotes from.
The first quote is for all of us who never seem to learn that we choose our friends... not our relatives:
“Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way to often.” Johnny Carson
The next quote is for all liberal revisionists:
“I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land.” Jon Stewart
For everyone who is weight conscious this year... here is a poem:
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize.
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
For those who are not too prudish among us this Thanksgiving... here is an offering from Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I love Thanksgiving... it's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts.”
For the pious who read this: do not... I repeat do not... offer the same type prayer that Christina Ricci did in The Ice Storm: “Dear Lord, thank you for this Thanksgiving holiday, and for all the material possessions that we have and enjoy. And for letting us white people kill all the Indians and steal their tribal lands and stuff ourselves like pigs...”
This next one is for all the old sots among us who can read this and relate: “... Thanksgiving is the day when... my mom, after six Bloody Mary's, looks at the turkey and goes... “Here kitty, kitty...” David Letterman
I've saved the last two quotes for my friend(s) (: who likes... Friends!
Phoebe Buffay: “... ooh, you got the bigger half (of the wishbone), what did you wish for?”
Joey Tribbiani: “… the bigger half...”
One more from Friends.
Joey Tribbiani: “... where's that turkey?”
Phoebe Buffay: “... hey, those are my maternity pants.”
Joey Tribbiani: “ … nah, nah, these are my Thanksgiving pants...”
I do hope that everyone who reads this has a joyous Thanksgiving Day; and if I could have a prayer answered I suppose it would be that some are blessed enough on this day to be with the ones who they love more than their own lives! If you are reading this and realize that is you... well, count your many blessings... because you are fortunate indeed!!!
RAINY NIGHT IN INDIANA
Tuesday November 22, 11:20 am
With the title for my blog today I offer my apologies to Tony White. It has rained for nearly three days now... sometimes rather hard. Usually rainy days are good for me as they seem to be a tonic for my soul. I suppose in part that is because Virgil and I both like walks in the rain. However, because of his age and the fact that this has been a cold rain I am fearful to take him out and get him too wet.
I had a scare with him last week, so I took him to our vet... thankfully though he is okay and I brought him home. Anyway, I told all of you that to try and explain why I am not as happy with these rains as I might otherwise be. Now, they sort of evoke in me the same type of melancholy that others speak about.
It is odd that just a glance, smell, thought, or even a cold and persistent rain can take a person back to another time. When I awoke very early this morning and another cold rain was falling I was 14 again and my radio-alarm had just sounded and I was awakened to Brook Benton singing, Rainy Night in Georgia. (In that song there is only one thing he finds that helps him to feel better... but, from experience I can say it's only temporary.)
As I sit here and type this I can hear a sad howling from our neighbor's dogs. He has five Coonhounds and they are all small in size and are kenneled together. Perhaps, even for them it's also the rain, or some scent wafting in the air which has set them off... regardless, their wailing has a mournful tone to it. I think if he heard them this morning that Brook might understand their angst.
I suppose the upside to this would be wishing for colder weather so that this rain could turn into that fun white stuff. At least then I could take Virgil outside to play in it (:
ANOTHER LIFETIME?
Sunday November 20, 2011 2:23 pm
Exactly 22 years ago today (Nov. 20) I had one of life's wonderful experiences: it is something that is never far from my thoughts or my heart. In one sense (but only in my mind) it well could have been yesterday... as I remember it so vividly. Yet, there is another part of me that understands that it was so long ago it might as well have never even happened?
If you are a younger person and reading this I would like to pose a scenario for you. If you are near my age then this would not work for you, as you most probably will not have 22 more years left in your future. However, if you are of an age where an average life expectancy would permit you another 22 trips around the Sun... then try this.
Imagine there is going to be something which will happen to you today that all other experiences for the next 22 years will be measured against that single experience. And, in doing so you will find that few experiences you are destined for in life will ever measure up to the joy and promise of that one.
If you are able to do this: imagine there is going to be something for you on this day that you will carry that single memory with you until the end of your life... then what follows is my thought for this blog.
Because we are only human and can not know the future, if something wonderful happens to you today... tomorrow... the next day... etcetera... please... PLEASE, don't take it for granted! Don't ever believe there will be other days or other experiences that are so perfect in life that if your life were to end with that experience, then it would be enough for you.
I was going to post a poem by Sir Walter Raleigh: What Is Our Life, but I thought against it as I seem to publish a lot of poems. Instead, I thought that in finishing this I would just like to encourage all who read this post to cherish every special thing which happens to you in life... because such wondrous things might never come your way again ):
PLEASE PRAY
Friday November 18, 2011 9:15 pm
This evening as I was driving home from work Tammy (my oldest daughter) called to let me know what Audrey's neurologist had called to say. All of you who often read this post will know that just a few months ago Audriana had been diagnosed with a serious (but hopefully can be controlled) disease which causes seizures and can lead to developmental problems in the very young. At that time I started writing again on this blog after having made a proclamation that I was stopping. Anyway, for the past several days she has been seizing again... and this in spite of the medicines she has been taking.
Earlier today her doctor advised Tammy to up her dosage to the maximum allowable amount and to closely watch her for the next ten days. If this increased dosage does not work they might have to perform brain surgery on the lesions because the constant seizing would definitely lead to some permanent damage to her. So, I would like to ask each of you as you are praying to please remember her as well.
Last year when Hallie (another of our grandchildren) had fallen and broken her arm and we were all with her in the ER she was being attended by a young nurse and a male intern. They were trying to handle her as carefully as possible... yet, they had to examine her and any movement caused her to cry out in pain. Finally, exasperated because these two were much stronger than she was and they were still hurting her: and in a plaintive tone with tears she blurted, "... But I'm only five years old!" In her child's mind she was trying to plead her case as to why they ought not to hurt her because she was so very young. Both the young guy and girl had to turn away so Hallie would not see they were struggling not to laugh. What she said was endearing... yet funny because, of course, they were not trying to hurt her.
I told you that story because Hallie was still sort of a baby, yet old enough to plead her case and ask for mercy... little Audrey is not. So, with this blog I am doing that for her. So, to the powers that be... I would just like to remind whoever is listening that Audrey is just a baby and no baby deserves this! Her life has already been tough enough.
THINKING
Wednesday November 16, 2011 12:33 am
idontknowaboutyoubutformeitseemslikesometimesmy
lifeallrunstogetherthiseveningiwaswatchinanold
televisionseriesonnetflixandwhenisawthetimeperiod
theseriesairedinithoughtmyGodlookathowmuchtimehaspassed
theyearwasnineteenninetythreeandipausedtocalculatemyageand
iwassuddenlyverysadtorealizetherewassomethingsoveryimportant
inmylifethatneededtobedoneatthattimeandididnothingwhy whydididonothingwhatwasitthatstoppedmefromactingonmyhearts
desirewasitjustthingsihadheardorperhapswhatineverheardiknow
ifihadittodooverofcourseiwoulddothingsdifferentlybuthindsight
itsalwayslikethatbecausewehavetheluxuryofknowingwhathas
alreadytranspiredforworkihavetobeupinafewhoursbutitreallydoesnt
matterastonightwillbeoneofthosenightswhenmyheartwillacheand
sleepwillnotcomesoeasilyinolongerplaymuchgolfbuttherewasatimeand
dependingonwhoiwasplayingwiththatsometimeswhenanerrantshotwasmade
theymightaskforamulliganoradooveriwishinreallifetherewassuchathing
asadooveryesadoverforiftherewasiwouldcertainlybegforonethesefewlines
andinthemannertheyaretypedsortofsumsupmylasttwentytwoyearsthatis
allrunningtogetherwithfewpausesorstopsforseriouscontemplationmaybe
ihavelivedliketheserunonsentencesbecausewheneveridopauseto
thinkitsalwaystheverysamethingithinkabout
RIDDLE ME THIS
Tuesday November 15, 2011 9:00 am
I promise I won't resort to only writing about riddles on my blog: however, since I posted my last one I have had two people email me their favorite riddles. One of them I am going to reproduce below... the other one was hilarious but sadly ): it was of an “adult nature” and I can't pass it along. I will tell you though it was of a type of riddling that I was heretofore unfamiliar with: she said it is called “Insane troll" riddling. Anyway... funny... but bad! (:
Now, to the riddle I can post and I hope you enjoy.
Riddle:
What has seven letters... preceded God... is more powerful than God... is more evil than the devil... poor people have... rich people need... if you eat it you will die. (Answer... scroll down the page.)
Answer:
“NOTHING”
Nothing has seven letters
Nothing preceded God
Nothing is more powerful than God
Nothing is more evil than the devil
Poor people have nothing
Rich people need nothing
If you eat nothing you will die
Is My True Love Out There?
Monday November 14, 2011 12:00 am
I thought I would go ahead and give a brief update. On Saturday I finished my third mini (13.1) and seven minutes faster than my best time ever. That's the good news... the bad news is that it was still 21 minutes slower than what I was shooting for and as I am typing this I am wearing not one... not two... but three: yes count 'em... THREE, blister ampoules on my feet... I hope they help! There is one for each heel and one on the little toe on my left foot. 20 days earlier I had gotten blisters on both heels from the hike at Burnheim and I suppose they were not fully healed from that. Anyway, about four miles into it this Saturday morning I felt them starting to grow again and at about 6 miles I knew they were bleeding into my socks. So, this evening I am a little hobbled. However, that still didn't stop me from going to work today, but I am glad I am scheduled off for the next two... yay!!!
Unbeknown to me my dear old uncle Charlies (Tattoo Charlie's for those not in the know – lol) had a cancer benefit scheduled for Friday and apparently they were swamped. I spoke to Darin Ennis late Saturday and he apologized and said he would call me sometime Monday to reschedule. I will let all of you know how that turns out?
I received several presents and many people offered their wishes for me to have a happy birthday... I did, and I would like to thank everyone who went out of their way to do something nice like that... THANK YOU!!!
Although 99% percent of how badly I felt getting off the couch at 4:30 this morning probably had to do with what I did on Saturday: nonetheless, maybe for the first time ever I actually felt my age this morning... and probably more than looked it as I hobbled around getting showered and dressed for work. I'm sure it was quite a funny sight if anyone had been around to see it. (Although at that time of morning even the dogs have enough sense to be asleep.)
If I go strictly by the numbers then (by far) the majority of people who read this blog I have never met: however, there are others I know quite well. Anyway, in closing this evening I thought I would like to ask those people who know me personally to try something? I think I have found a way to prove that I know who all really loves me and those I also love! I mean... if I can read your mind, then surely that must be evidence of true love... right (:
Okay... here goes.
Pick any number between 2-9
Now... multiply that by 9
You should now have a 2 digit number in mind... add those two numbers together
Now you have a 1 digit number... right? Subtract 5 from that number
I will now give you alphabet letters to correspond with that number: (1 = a) (2 = b) (3 = c)
(4 = d) (5 = e) (6 = f) (7 = g) (8 = h) (9 = i)
Now, think of your number and match it to a letter and imagine a country that starts with that letter
Take the last letter of that country and think of an animal that starts with that letter?
Now, to be fair this will only work if there is a bond of true love between both people. So, if we have not thought of the same animal then we might well be friends... but only that ): However, if we are thinking of the very same animal... well, then it must be true love!!!
(: Ready, here goes: to my friends... and perhaps true love who is reading this:
are you thinking of a kangaroo? If so... don't you think that at least you owe me a sweet kiss? Sigh...
THANKS!!!!!!!
Thursday November 10, 2011 11:57 am
I just came back from the post office and decided to write my blog. Even though my birthday is not yet for a couple of days I have already received gifts... yay! I have received things that are yummy... and yes, I have already eaten something which was probably meant for my birthday... but, I will have one then as well (: I have also received thoughtful gifts and I have read beautiful sentiments: all things... all things... more than I deserve!
I suppose because I have never really grown up, (sort of like Barrie's Pan: except I can't fly) only grown older, my mind ran to presents. I mean really, isn't that what all kids think about on their birthdays? Anyway, I began to try and categorize my favorite presents that I have ever received. When you are as fortunate as I have been to have known people who have both loved me and have been generous, then any person might imagine it would prove difficult, if not impossible, to try and come up with only one gift as my all-time favorite. Yet, I was able to do just that and I will tell you how this was possible.
In my mind I began with a long list, so I started practicing what I learned many years ago in mathematics... I began reducing to the LCD and very quickly I realized something. In my mind and every single time my list grew smaller there was one particular gift which was appearing at the top of every new list. So, in the end, what at first seemed daunting I found that I could find a clear winner among that group (: Though I will never share with any of my readers what the present was I received that particular birthday, I will say that it was so very small it fit perfectly into my hand: yet, because of the hope, beauty, promise, and love which was conveyed by the giving of this gift it was so very big that it completely filled... and even unto this day, still fills my heart! And to be perfectly honest, at this later stage in my life it is mostly all I ever think about (: Today I am 20,452 days old and I was 12,420 days old when I received that particular gift! The years between that day and today have indeed passed... as the Bible declares: faster than a weaver's shuttle!
I cannot not say with certainty that Robert Frost is my favorite poet, because I like many different ones: however, I can say for certain that his poem RELUCTANCE is one of my favorite poems... especially the last verse. But, if I were to dissect poems and only pluck out single stanzas then the first verse in Pushkin's, A MAGIC MOMENT I REMEMBER is really wonderful as well... and speaks to what I am alluding today:
A magic moment I remember:
I raised my eyes and you were there.
A fleeting vision, the quintessence
of all that's beautiful and rare.
I would very much like to thank all those who wished me well within the last several days and a few even gave gifts... all are wonderful, and one in particular will be cherished forever (: THANK YOU ...... !!!!!!!
Saturday after my 13.1 is complete I will be heading off to my uncle Charlie's. Okay, okay... not really my uncle, but I am giving myself a present on that day as well. Later I will record for the readers of this blog how that turned out. Ouch... I suspect (:
I had meant to stop with the above line: however, as usual, I read back through what I have typed and I try (as best I can) to proof my own work before I strike the “publish” key. Now, I'm sure any who often read this blog finds many errors I make as I type and perhaps might wonder why I don't catch those as well? In my defense I can only say it is probably because I know what I mean to say as I am typing. Therefore, whenever I go back and read the printed words... I might not actually be seeing the text as much as I am only seeing what I meant to type? (Also, I have no idea on Earth why I just told everyone that as I was only wanting to explain why I didn't stop with the above paragraph.)
The reason I didn't... as I was trying to proofread what I had written the line I typed with the truism from the Bible about the passage of time (literally) made my heart skip a beat. And once again I came to understand that I still have several things in my life which are important to me and up until now I have left undone. So, as I was reading, I reminded myself of my short bucket-list of things I very much want to do in this life. And in the same manner I used to determine my all-time favorite gift there is one thing on this short list (of four) I would really love to do... above all else! So... that is now my goal, and by the springtime of this new year: do that one thing for certain! Yes, even if I never get to the other three things on my list... at least accomplish that goal (:
In case there ever comes a day when someone might find out what it is that tops my bucket-list and possibly could find reasons to disapprove... well, I am going to leave you with one of my favorite quotes that some people attribute to a children's author: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”
So there: to any and all possible naysayers ... take that from Dr. Seuss! (lol)
One more thing... today I also read (several times through) another beautiful poem I will now add to my list of favorites (:
Stats & More
Monday November 7, 2011 9:25 pm
Before I write about what I have in mind I want to tell you about something that I recently learned. The other night I had a friend of mine (: tell me that they had gone to my stat counter at the bottom of my web page. Now, I have been on there writing many hundreds of times over the course of the last eight years and I had never seen that counter: not even one time. I mean, I get weekly updates to my email account every Saturday morning so that I know how many people have logged on... but that is all.
Years ago when my son-in-law (Bob) had set this up for me we had a different counter and a different company that literally tracked everything, including all of the time zones, countries, and even the states that logged on to read. But, sometime back when we changed systems Bob set me up with a different counter service and I no longer have all of that. So, when I was told that about the counter I was curious and I looked... what do you suppose I found? On my computer it is not there! I called Bob and Tammy to see why and they told me it is because of the fact that it is my blog that I do not have that access... crazy huh? Not that I especially doubted them but I still had to know for certain. (lol) So I called a few people and asked them to look for it, and sure enough it is there for everyone else but not for me... no fair.
Anyway, because I was now curious I logged into my blogger account and in a few minutes I was able to pull up a page that gives statistical data. Although it does not seem to be as detailed as that first system we had used it was still fun to read some of the stats. I will give you just a few.
Today, November 7, 2011 there were 13 hits from the USA... and 8 from Georgia: now this is the Georgia found in Eurasia. The operating systems used today to reach this blog is broken down this way: Windows 57% and Linux 23% and BlackBerry 19% (:
For the week so far there have been 63 from the USA... 20 from the Netherlands... 16 from Georgia (Eurasia)… 13 from Ukraine... 6 from Russia... and 1 from Canada. The operating systems used for the week have been: Windows 63% and Linux 23% and BlackBerry 11% (: and iphone 1%.
I will stop with this last stat. What follows is for the month so far. Now, before I give that one let me say that I do not know when their month started? I don't know if it is the last 30... 31... 28... days etc. Anyway... it just sates for the month. There have been 253 from the USA... 24 from Georgia... 21 from the Netherlands... 13 from the Ukraine... 8 from Russia, and... Germany, Turkey, and Canada have 1 each. The operating systems used this month have been: BlackBerry 42% (: and Windows 37% and Linux 16% and Macintosh 3% and iphone 1%.
Finally (for this part) if you go back to the beginning of this new counting system then three more countries could be added: France, Slovenia, and Iran. Now I sort of wish I still had access to the original counter when we started this to see how many people (total) and what countries have logged on to read... or at least see what this blog was about? Now, to my blog.
Have you ever been pleasantly and happily surprised? I mean just out of the blue and totally unexpected. For the last couple of days I find myself smiling and for no obvious reason. I'm sure at work everyone who sees me must figure I am an idiot or something for grinning all the time. But, I don't really care (:
Many years ago I heard it said that... “a true friend is a person who really knows you and still likes you.” I think that is probably a very true statement... and if it is... how many true friends do all of my readers have? I guess the only way to know for certain is if you are ever blessed in this life to find that one person whom you trust and love enough to lay bare your own soul and allow that person to know you. And I don't mean our very public and always on display persona which we have carefully crafted... I mean, the real you. The person you see in the mirror every single day. If you ever find such a person and after there is nothing more to tell and the hidden things have been told and long kept secrets have been given up: if they still like you after really getting to know you... well, then you have a true friend!
If I get nothing more out of my life... if no other dreams come true for me... if the best for me is now only in my past... If there are no future happy surprises... I swear I still have one thing that no one can ever take from me... I have such a friend!
"WHAT TIME IT IS?"
Friday November 4, 2011 5:07 am
I used to enjoy watching a show by Linkletter called, Kids Say The Darndest Things. I only mention that as a segue into what I want to write about this morning and it has to do with “timing.” And because I both fell asleep and awoke this morning mulling over that idea of every thing having a time I thought back to one of my favorite sayings by a little child. She was only about seven years old and her name is Michelle and whenever she wanted to know the time she would innocently ask, “What time it is?” The first time I heard her I thought she had confused her wording... then, after I heard that phrase repeated by her every time she was wanting to know the time I knew why she was using those words in that order.
It was because she had heard adults giving the answer as... “It is ... o'clock” (etc. etc.) I suppose it's the same reason that all small children first learn to wave backward, as that is the part of the hand they are seeing when they see someone waving to them... Michelle was only repeating in a question what she had heard given in a statement. Anyway... I know I have taken a long way around in trying to introduce my thoughts this morning but for the life of me I could think of no better way (:
In professional baseball a hitter is either a hero or villain and it is all a matter of split second timing. He must meet a ball passing over home-plate traveling at 100(+) miles per hour with a wooden bat he might be swinging at speeds which nearly match the ball passing over the plate and this has to be done with less than three inches of the exposed barrel of the bat contacting the ball. It's all about perfect timing.
A professional race car driver will drive their car at speeds above 200 mph and they will draft within inches of other cars in a pack traveling at the same speeds. Those who do this the most successfully will be toasted as winners. Those who fail will be hurt or killed in accidents. It's all about perfect timing.
This idea of perfect timing and having to be in the right spot at a particular split-second in time is true in all of sports... football, tennis, etc. etc. etc. AND I am persuaded it is also true in our everyday life. It's all about perfect timing.
I fell asleep a few hours ago imaging how different my life might have been if only the timing of events had been different? A missed call? A chance encounter? Sometimes I think our lives are lived and played out as Wadsworth wrote in a terribly sad passage when he penned, “Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.” I hate the part that follows the two ships after they have passed each other: then darkness again... and a silence ): Yeah, I think a successful and happy life is really all about perfect timing.
