Finally Friday

WOW! It's Finally Friday and it's a Holiday weekend as well. A Two-For!!! There just aren't that many weekends like this.

I'm headed off this weekend to Bush Gardens with the boys this weekend. Walter & I are heading out around 7:15-7:30 to drop by Midas to give blood, before we pick up Sean and head off down the road. Now this will only be my third attempt at giving blood - iron levels too low to donate, but just fine for 'normal'.

This will be our last full hurrah at Bush Gardens for the season. I've told Sean it is going to be a day of riding everything that they want. I know that will require lots of standing in line, but it'll be just fine. I know we'll have fun, as long as I can get Sean to take time out to eat. That will keep the grumpy monster away.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell, and have them look forward to the trip.

Thursday

What a nice morning! It was SOOOO nice that I flipped over and reset the alarm for another 15 minutes, the only trouble with that was that I failed to flip on the alarm. I woke up at 6:40 and made it up and out right on time. It was a bit of a scare, but no harm, no foul.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: The leader shows that style is no substitute for substance, that creating an impression is not more potent than acting from one's center. - Lao Tzu

Some hopelessly politically incorrect....

BLONDE JOKES

Two blondes with hammers, Carol and Donna, were doing some carpenter work on a Habitat for Humanity house. Carol, who was nailing down house siding, would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a nail, and either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in.

Donna, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, "Why are you throwing those nails away?"

Carol explained, "When I pull a nail out of my pouch, about half of them have the head on the wrong end, and I throw them away."

Donna got completely upset and yelled, "You moron! Those nails aren't defective! They're for the other side of the house!"

* * * * * * * *

Did you hear about the two blondes who froze to death in a drive-in movie?
They had gone to see "Closed for the winter."

* * * * * * * *

A blonde hurried into the emergency room late one night with the tip of her index finger shot off.

"How did this happen?" the emergency room doctor asked her.

"Well, I was trying to commit suicide," the blonde replied.

"What?" sputtered the doctor. "You tried to commit suicide by shooting off your finger?"

"No, Silly, " the blonde said. "First I put the gun to my chest, and then I thought, I just paid $6,000.00 for these implants. I'm not shooting myself in the chest."

"So then?" asked the doctor.

"Then I put the gun in my mouth, and I thought, "I just paid $3,000.00 to get my teeth straightened. I'm not shooting myself in the mouth."

"So then?"

"Then I put the gun to my ear, and I thought: "This is going to make a loud noise. So I put my finger in my other ear before I pulled the trigger.

* * * * * * * *

A blonde was driving home after a game, and got caught in a really bad hailstorm. Her car was covered with dents, so the next day she took it to a repair shop. The shop owner saw that she was a blonde, so he decided to have some fun.

He told her to go home and blow into the tail pipe really hard, and all the dents would pop out. So the blonde went home, got down on her hands and knees, and started blowing into her tailpipe. Nothing happened. So she blew a little harder, and still nothing happened.

Her blonde roommate saw her, and asked, "What are you doing?" The first blonde told her how the repairman had instructed her to blow into the tail pipe in order to get all the dents to pop out. The roommate rolled her eyes and said, "Uh, like hello! You need to roll up the windows first."

* * * * * * * *

A blonde was shopping at Target, and came across a shiny silver thermos.

She was quite fascinated by it, so she picked it up and took it to the clerk to ask what it was. The clerk said, "Why, that's a thermos..... it keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold."

"Wow, said the blonde, "that's amazing....I'm going to buy it!" So she bought the thermos and took it to work the next day.

Her boss saw it on her desk. "What's that? " he asked.

"Why, that's a thermos..... it keeps hot things hot and cold things cold," she replied.

Her boss inquired, "What do you have in it?"

The blond replied..... .."Two popsicles and some coffee."

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST

A blonde goes into work one morning crying her eyes out.

Her boss asked sympathetically, "What's the matter?"

The blonde replies, "Early this morning I got a phone call saying that my mother had passed
away."

The boss, feeling sorry for her, says, "Why don't you go home for the day? Take the day off to relax and rest."

"Thanks, but I'd be better off here. I need to keep my mind off it, and I have the best chance of doing that here."

The boss agrees and allows the blonde to work as usual. A couple of hours pass, and the boss decides to check on the blonde. He looks out from his office, and sees the blonde crying hysterically.

"What's so bad now? Are you gonna be okay?" he asks

"No!" exclaims the blonde. "I just received a horrible call from my sister. Her mother died, too!"

Wednesday

I had a quite evening - no banging, loud music, or hollering from upstairs. I went out last night for a walk around the loop - a half-mile lap around the apartments. Miss Carla really enjoyed getting out for the walk. Since the weather was decent it was nice to get out.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too hard to read. - Groucho Marx

Tuesday

Walter and I went for dinner last night to IHOP. He was in the mood for pancakes! Not a bad dinner.

The evening continued with the neighbors upstairs continuing to thump and bump around their apartment. I'm beginning to really wonder what they are doing up there. Last night it sounded like someone was banging barbells down on the floor, and at others it sounded like they were jumping off the furniture.

I finally broke down and called the apartment management today - I've put up with it for four days now and it is time for them to stop all the ruckus!

I've had another busy day at work - as usual. Right now, I'm pretending I'm at lunch. Hiding out in the office with the door closed.

I talked briefly with Sean. He tells me he is all set for school - supply wise anyway.

He'll be coming over to visit this weekend. We're planning the final outing of the summer to Bush Gardens on Saturday.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: A key ring is a gadget that allows you to lose all your keys at once.

Eating Recommendations

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.

1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. Africans drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you!

Monday

Monday's here again. The weekend surely flew right on by. There was a really nice rain here after 6 p.m. last night. No thunder or lightning.

I'm getting ready to head off to another work week. We've got lots of things to put back into order after the conference, it's like cleaning up after a big party at your house. Putting away all those things you only haul out for the party. Big job. I'm glad that there are two of us working on it.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Live every day as if it were your last and then some day you'll be right.

Salt and Mensa

Mensa is an organization whose members have an IQ of 140 or higher.

A few years ago, there was a Mensa convention in San Francisco, and several members lunched at a local cafe. While dining, they discovered that their saltshaker contained pepper and their pepper shaker was full of salt. How could they swap the contents of the bottles without spilling, and using only the implements at hand?

Clearly this was a job for Mensa! The group debated and presented ideas, and finally came up with a brilliant solution involving a napkin, a straw, and an empty saucer. They called the waitress over to dazzle her with their solution.

"Ma'am," they said, "we couldn't help but notice that the pepper shaker contains salt and the salt shaker..."

"Oh," the waitress interrupted. "Sorry about that." She unscrewed the caps of both bottles and switched them.

Sunday

I received a lovely surprise in my email early this morning, a new photo of Miss Faith playing doctor. She looks quite interested in what she is doing.

My sleep was quite disrupted during the night. My upstairs neighbor threw a party which continued into the wee hours of the morning. They were still going strong after 2 a.m. They were rambunctious to say the least and a particular bunch of slobs!

Out on the patio this morning I have discovered numerous cigarette butts, the chair cushion has some foul greasy substance on it - I think it is a marniade of some sort. Just outside the screened area there is plastic silverware, more cigarette butts, empty drink cans and napkins. Not a plesant thing to find early in the morning.

On a positive note, Steve Holt taught our Sunday School lesson today. He did a great job. Pastor Fowler continued his sermon series on Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. This Sunday he talked about The Voice Inside Your Head, the big take away point was to Question the Voice Before You Make the Choice.

We had choir practice this evening. We are already preparing for our Christmas presentation. I'm sure we're going to have a great set of numbers. Several of them are sure to be loads of fun as well as message filled.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness. — Samuel Adams

Saturday

Off again this morning. The meeting is scheduled to be over at 3 p.m., but....we'll just have to wait and see.

From what I see on the morning weather report, it is going to be much better to be inside rather than out today. Hot, Humid, & Hazy. Ah, August in Virginia.

The meetings have gone well this morning and afternoon. There have been several really interesting guys. We've had a good time.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness. - Samuel Adams

ID Card

The day I immigrated to the United States, I was given an alien ID card that featured a cute photo of me at age 15. Years later, when I went to the courthouse to become a citizen, a clerk confiscated my card.

What will you do with it? my wife asked.

We burn it. was the answer.

Could you please cut the photo off and let us keep it? asked my wife.

Certainly not, said the clerk. This card is official U.S. government property. As such it cannot be mutilated before it's destroyed.

Friday

Today's going to be a terrifically busy day. I'm heading off early this morning to pick up copies at Staples before heading into the office. Then we will be in conference until early evening, followed by a late dinner. Most likely I'll be back in after 8:30 - 9:00 tonight.

Well, the day was very busy. Load to do and organize. The meeting went well and finished up this evening just before 6 p.m.

Afterwards we headed out to Texas de Brazil as a group for dinner. Now this place is a real experience. Absolutely amazing. The 'gauchos' bring the meat course to your table on huge skewers and serve skewers, and they keep popping up at the table with different varieties until you turn your serving circle to red. Wonderful food and a terrifically fun atmosphere.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: The leader shows that style is no substitute for substance, that creating an impression is not more potent than acting from one's center. - Lao Tzu

It's just one question, so take your time and think about it.

PRE-SCHOOL TEST

Pre-school children were asked the following question:

"In which direction is the bus pictured below traveling?"

Look carefully at the picture.
Do you know the answer?
The only possible answers are "left" or "right.")
Think about it.

Still don't know?

Okay, I'll tell you.

The pre-schoolers all answered "left."

When asked, "Why do you think the bus is traveling in the left direction?"

They answered:
"Because you can't see the door."

How do you feel now ???
I know, me too.

Thursday

Word is that it is going to be another cloudy day today. I'll be inside all day so it won't make much difference.

Today's crunch day - lots to get together for the conference on Friday & Saturday. I know that we'll all be really busy today. Getting everything together before the end of the day. As always I'm sure that there will be a few hiccups, but that is the norm for just about everything, especially when you are trying to coordinate a large group of people.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Whosoever is out of patience, is out of possession of his mind, body and soul. — Sir Francis Bacon

Visiting France?

An elderly American gentleman of 83 arrived in Paris by plane. At the French customs desk, the man took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry-on bag.

"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked, sarcastically.

The elderly gentleman admitted he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

The elderly American gentleman said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible, Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France!"

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained.

"Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to."

Wednesday

Another busy day under my belt, with us ramping up for this weekend's conference we are as busy as a one armed paper hanger. There is so much to do and so little time.

I had a wonderful conversation this afternoon with Ms. Danielle. She is beginning to get into the swing of college life and new schedules. They are all doing well.

This evening Walter came down to visit with me for a short while. Nothing special just visiting.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts... I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. — Patrick Henry

Some Senior Humor

A Doctor was addressing a large audience in Tampa. "The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago.

Red meat is awful. Soft drinks corrode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. High fat diets can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water. But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have, or will, eat it.

Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?" After several seconds of quiet, a 75-year-old man in the front row raised his hand, and softly said, "Wedding Cake".

Old Goats

A group of Americans were traveling by tour bus through Holland. As they stopped at a cheese farm, a young guide led them through the process of cheese making, explaining that goat's milk was used. She showed the group a hillside where many goats were grazing.

"These" she explained "are the goats put out to pasture when they no longer produce."

She then asked, "What do you do in America with your old goats?"

A spry old gentleman answered, "They send us on bus tours!"

Happy Birthday Dad!

Tuesday

Morning came early today. I'd just love to crawl back into the bed and sleep another hour or two, but I must continue onward into the day.

Afternoon has come and I'm finally awake!

I tried checking in with Danielle this afternoon to see how her first day of COLLEGE was, but she wasn't available. I do truly hope that both she and Ben had a great start to the school year.

We've had a really bad downpour here this early evening. By the time I got from the office to the car I was soaking wet. I couldn't believe how hard it was coming down. I'm glad that I had an umbrella in the car that would keep the computer dry on the way in from the car.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Don't take life too serious. You'll never escape it alive anyway. - . . . Elbert Hubbard

"ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.

The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" (In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE".

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3, etc.

Be sure it's in your kid's cell phones also. A great idea that will make a difference!

It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

Monday

Another start to a busy week. The temperature was actually quite cool by comparison to the last couple of weeks. I even took a sweater into work today, and needed it too!

This evening I headed over to Mom & Dad's house for dinner and to give Mom a needed perm. Carla even got to go too.

When we got there the first thing that we saw was a juvenile tufted titmouse at the foot of the front steps. I did get this great shot of him sitting on the wisteria in the front yard.

Mom's perm came out wonderfully. She's all curled for another 4 or 5 months.

Afterwards I headed over to visit with Steve Holt's house to help him out with a little computer problem. We're also working together to get his book of poetry republished. I even get to put in a few illustrations here and there.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “There is no maxim in my opinion which is more liable to be misapplied, and which therefore needs elucidation than the current one that the interest of the majority is the political standard of right and wrong.” — James Madison

RAIN

One rainy afternoon I was driving! along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.

Suddenly my daughter, Aspen , spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat. "Dad, I'm thinking of something."

This announcement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.

"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"The rain!" she began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."

After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. "That's really good, Aspen."

Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked...

"Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?"

Aspen didn't hesitate one moment with her answer: "We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."

I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.

In order to see the Rainbow, you must first endure some Rain.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Sunday

Walter & I will be heading off to Sunday school and church this morning. This afternoon we are going to head back down to Bush Gardens and catch another round of 38 Special concerts. They did such a great job, Walt wanted to make the trip back again.

The concert matched yesterday's without a doubt. I've only posted this one shot, but will do more at a much more reasonable hour.

38 Special Concert

We got into Bush Gardens around 4:30 p.m. and rode a couple of rides before heading up the concert venue. We were able to secure second row space once again.

The other than enjoying another great show, the goal was to get one of the guitar picks that they throw from the stage during the concert, and for me to take lots of pictures.

Of course, the key to getting great pictures and guitar picks is to hopefully catch their eye. We apparently did as I was "thrown" a guitar pick by Donnie VanZant. Of course then pictures were easy. The camera did give me a little trouble - it didn't want to flash when I wanted it to do so. It really wasn't like I only got one picture - in fact I shot over 127.

There was one point when VanZant asked us if we were thrist and threw over a bottle of water. It didn't make it out far enough, but the thought was there. Then a little later Walter a couple of bonding moments. The first with Donnie VanZant and then Don Barnes. I do believe that he had a great time!

We had planned to stay for the 9 p.m. show as well, but lightning in the distance sent us heading out after the first show. It is a good thing too! The trip home ended up being a bit treterous with a large thunderstorm that settled in over Williamsburg. Mom even called and left word that we could be heading back into a storm that had potential for 60 mph winds and large hail. We saw neither, but it did give us something particular to be on the watch for.

Saturday

We had a great time out last night. Walter thought he had gone back to work with female versions of the guys he worked with. It was pretty funny. The food was great. Roz's sister nicknamed Walt - "Pookie". She was so full of herself.

The weather is so much better this morning - I really love the wonderful breeze and low humidity. I put Tweat on the patio to enjoy the day. Carla is hanging out there as well.

I found this brown praying mantis hanging out on the screen door frame. I've had photos of green ones before, but haven't seen a brown one. He seemed to think that he was quite cleaver hiding there on the frame. He would have blended in much better had the wood had that gray weathered color.

Tweat had a friend fly in to visit this morning. Carla started taking a fit and I looked out onto the patio and there was a Wren inside the screened porch. He had flown in it seemed to visit. Amazing!

Walter & I headed off to Bush Gardens this evening around 4 p.m. We made to right at 6, but the line getting into the parking lot was terribly long, but we made it into the concert venue with about 10 minutes to spare. We took up center stage 2nd row. A great place for photographs.

38 SPECIAL CONCERT PHOTOS

38 Special - The Band

Donnie VanZant

Dan Barnes

Danny Chauncey

There was so much energy and excitement you could almost feel it in the air. It is amazing at the sound of 6 or 7 thousand people all singing at the top of their lungs with the band. Here is where it could actually become a problem, when you are close enough to the front for Donnie VanZant to hold the mic out for you to sing and you don't know the words...Walter :o

Now I know that won't be a problem after this evening - by the time we head off tomorrow he'll be much better prepared. We're going from front row, center stage. I've been instructed to take double batteries for more pictures and Walter's bucking for one of the guitar picks the band throws out to the crowd.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.

There's work to do, deadlines to meet; You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
'Quality time' is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

Go d knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond to all your needs
A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

Thursday

WOW! That was some whiz bang storm we had last night. It began around 8 and was still going at 4 a.m. this morning. I wasn't sure if we were going to float or wash away. There were periods of torrential downpours followed by just a steady rain. The flashes of lightening were quite steady, although it had the look of ground lightening - the light just flooded the area, no sharp cracks that usually accompany "bolts" of lightening. Then there were those period of sharp cracks and loads of thunder.

Sean gave me a call around 9 p.m. and told me that the they were able to see the streaks of lighting heavily in the area of the old house. They said they wouldn't be surprised if there had been actual lightening strikes in that area. Walt came in around 10:30 from visiting with friends and said that he had never driven in rain that way before. He even commented that there were a couple of places where water had gotten into his car - which has never happened before.

Carla retreated under the bed and stayed there all night. We didn't have the two or three trips out potty - fear is great bladder control for her. I'm surprised that she isn't whining by the back door at this point in the morning.

The patio this morning looks like someone turn on a water hose full blast and let just run all night. I did have the presence of mind to hang the chair cushions when it first began to rain. No drenched cushions to dry out.

We had another busy day at work. Loads to do and it never seems to have a full end. Most likely it will continue to be that way for the foreseeable future.

A couple of weather related items:

• I was traveling up Midlothian Turnpike this evening and saw no less than five trees either damaged or completely down. In the apartment complex one of the large weeping willows at the entrance was uprooted. One on Midlothian had been snapped off - the trunk was twisted. Then of course the obligatory broken limbs.
• Walter found out that the trunk of his car was leaking -in fact after all the rain his spare tire was actually floating in the truck. He was able to track down the source of the leak - a breach in the seal around his rear tail light fixture. He was able to repair the breach, so he shouldn't have any further trouble with that.
  

This evening Walter and I have already gotten to work on the laundry, we've got the wash done and the clothes are already in the dryer and it's only 7:30. It all should be done before 8:30. Then we are headed off to meet up with Ms. Roz and crew at El Torro's for a late dinner.

Tomorrow we're heading back down to Bush Gardens for the 38 Special concert. This is going to be the last one that we head off to this summer. The next couple are a bit beyond my time frame, and greatly past Walt's.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: There are some that only employ words for the purpose of disguising their thoughts. — Voltaire

What Do You See?

In black you can read the word GOOD, in white the word EVIL (inside each black letter is a white letter). It's all very physiological too, because it visualizes the concept that good can't exist without evil (or the absence of good is evil).

Now, what do you see?
You may not see it at first, but the white spaces read the word optical, the blue landscape reads the word illusion Look again! Can you see why this painting is called an optical illusion?

Thursday

Morning everyone. Nothing super special going on at home or work today. But as we all know things change on a minute to minute basis. Perhaps we'll get one of those thunderstorms that the weather service has been calling for all week. Still looks like Saturday is the only day that doesn't have a thunderstorm in the forecast. Concert time is looking good.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: The leader shows that style is no substitute for substance, that creating an impression is not more potent than acting from one's center. - Lao Tzu

ALZHEIMERS' EYE TEST

Count every " F" in the following text:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS...

HOW MANY ?

WRONG, THERE ARE 6 -- no joke
READ IT AGAIN !

Really, go back and try to find the 6 F's before you scroll down. The reasoning behind is further down.

The brain cannot process "OF".

Incredible or what? Go back and look again!! Anyone who sees all six the first time is a genious!

Three is normal, four is quite rare. It will drive your friends crazy, and keep them occupied for several minutes!

Wednesday

Morning All! Hope that ya'll are able to enjoy the wonderful weather that we are having here right now. The temperature is delightful with a slight chill. I could sit on the patio for hours just enjoying the stillness, listening to the birds singing at the edge of the woods. Perhaps it will be this nice on Saturday. I can hope, but then again the weather report for isn't looking that good. The extended forecast is for Saturday is partly cloudy, but it is preceded by two days of thunderstorms and followed by two days of thunderstorms. So, we'll see.

Oh WOW, what an eventful day. The major over-riding adventure was getting a delivery from DHL. It was amazing - a package was supposed to be delivered on Monday, but wasn't actually delivered until today. It seems that someone, pretended to sign for the package on Monday, so it showed up in the system as delivered; but then there was an "attempted" delivery on Tuesday - during office hours; and then this morning I found out that they still had the package at the distribution center. We FINALLY received the package this afternoon after 3 p.m. Very late but here.

We got in draft copies of the book I've been working on for the office today. Now it's time to go through it and find out those boo-boo's that we missed on the first 10 or 12 edits and see if there are any areas that need snazzing up.

I ran out to the store this evening with Walt, on the way I took a shot at calling Danielle and succeeded! What a great treat! She filled me in on her classes which start on Monday. She's taking her classes in the evening while Ben has his during the day. Which will really work out well with Miss Faith.

I had the extra special opportunity to talk with Miss Faith. She wasn't saying very much but she did giggle when I asked her about her bear and books.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

"DIAPER spelled backward is REPAID - Think about it…"

New Sign of a Stroke -- Stick out Your Tongue

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters.. S.T.R.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm , Ingrid passed away). She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die.

They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.

Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK, to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE(Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today).
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Tuesday

The temperature outside this morning is great. Hope that the whole day stays that way.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Amplification is the vice of modern oratory. —Thomas Jefferson

Credit

Bob Hope once received an award and graciously gave full credit to his four writers for making it possible.

The next to receive the award was Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. He stepped to the mike and with a grin, he announced, "I also want to thank my four writers - Mathew, Mark, Luke and John."

Monday

Sean is heading out to camp this morning. I sure do hope that he has a great time. Hopefully I will be able to catch up with him this evening to find out how it went.

Work was busy and quick today - the time flew. I was working on one project and looked up and it was 3:30 p.m. Not enough day left. I know for sure that Tuesday is going to proceed at the same pace.

I was able to catch up with Sean this evening. He was tired. He didn't give me much in details about his day other than he had played pool. I bet that he sleeps well tonight.

I got a report from Mom on Aunt Jo, she's back home and doing well. Aunt Barbara's been with her and hopefully I get opportunity to give her a call in the next day or two.

I put together a new desktop this evening - it's from a picture of a geranium flower that I took this evening.

I also put together a CD for Walter of some new groups that I found Billy Ray Hatley and the Show Dogs, the Zac Brown Band, and one Walter pointed out by Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: It is not the function of the government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error. —Justice Robert H. Jackson

Sunday

Walter & I are heading off to Sunday school & church this morning. This afternoon we had a nice lunch at Chipolte's and then headed back home.

I found out yesterday that Sean will be heading off to camp for the next couple of weeks beginning Monday morning. I certainly hope that he has wonderful weather and a great time.

I made it off to choir practice this evening - it's already time to start practicing for our Christmas performance. Paul sure does get us beginning early - but at least that way we aren't as "pressured" to get it done in such a short span of time. Familiarity with the music over the long period of time really does work out much better.

Walter weenied out on choir practice - he wasn't feeling that well. I do believe that the coffee he had at Sunday school was messing with him. Neither he nor I have had any in a couple of weeks, so I'm pretty sure that was his trouble.

Practice this evening went well. The music for Christmas is going to be fun to sing as well as challenging. I've really got to stick to practices as well as staying inside during those poor air quality days. My voice does take some time to recover.

Walt's coming down this evening and we're cooking up some Italian sausage pita sandwiches.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

Dog Poker

A guy walks into a bar and sees a dog playing poker. The guy is amazed that the dog is playing poker.

"Bartender, is that a real dog playing poker?" the guy asks.

"Yep, real as can be." the bartender replies.

"Well is he any good?" the guy asks. "Na, every time he has a good hand he wags his tail."

Saturday

I received some really great pictures from Alex & Debbie today from their trip to Niagra Falls. It looks like they had a really great time. This is one of the pictures that she sent me of the American Falls. It is not the usual picture that you get to see.

I zoomed in on the right-hand side and cropped out the other picture. If you look closely you can see two birds soaring in the mist of the falls.

Walter and I are heading out this morning to go "Krogering", they have their 10 for 10 sale going on. We had a great trip. Shopping was actually pretty smooth.

This afternoon I headed out to a welcome home party for Roz's daughter Courtney. She had spent the summer in New York city at a dance academy. It was nice to meet her family. All the sister's are just about alike. This is Roz & her sister.

Oh, MY GOODNESS!!,

Danielle phoned!!

They have been cleaning their place from top to bottom and getting it ready for the Fall.

She's been busy studying for a computer software class - basically a software introduction for new students. She'll be starting classes in a couple of weeks. She'll be taking a couple of classes, Math & Orientation type class. Danielle even ran into Melissa at Liberty's early orientation.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. — James Madison

THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU.....
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOUR MOTHER ...
YOUR SISTER OR YOUR DAUGHTER...

The strangest thing happened to me at lunch today. I was sitting at a local outdoor cafe having lunch by myself and two men came and sat down at my table..... I gave them the death look, but they just casually stayed at my table and wouldn't leave me alone. I shined up my ring on my married finger, then placed my hand on the table and hinted to them that I was married and not interested in them.

Luckily for me they got the hint and left, but thankfully the whole thing was captured on the Cafe's camera. I'm sending you this picture as a warning..............just in case they try and pick you up too. Honestly, some men think they are God's gift.

Then I fell out of bed and woke up!!!!!!

Friday

Here we are at the end of another week. Time to wrap up whatever projects that I can before the weekend.

I forgot to tell everyone about my run in with Chesterfield's finest on Wednesday evening. I was watching television and I hear someone hollering at me from out back. I went to investigate and it turns out it was a police officer - he was making sure that things were locked up and told me that there had been reports of someone "Peeping" into apartments. After he found out that I was okay - he moved on down the building. I just double checked all the locks and went on for the evening.

Now for the weird thing, Walter called me about 4:30 yesterday and was wondering where I was. He had tried to get into the apartment and found it locked (presumably from the inside), so he called me to find out why I was home early. Well since I wasn't home and his key wasn't working he was concerned about who was in my apartment with it locked up. So he did some investigation and found out....h had used the wrong key to try to open the door. Everything was as it should be and Carla was just fine. Boy did he feel silly.

Interesting day today - hanging out in the spa! I had a few things done and got a little bit of pampering. It was very nice. Educational as well.

This evening I made a trip to the mall to pick up some foundation. I haven't had to purchase any for almost a year. Love that Bare Minerals! It is such a good product. I even took a stroll through the mall, just to be doing so. It's been a long time since I've just walked around the mall it isn't funny. I grabbed some sushi at Ukrop's and headed back home for the evening.

Walt came down around 10 p.m. to watch Psych and House with me. This is our usual Friday event.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: I am the first acknowledged comedian to receive a vote for the Presidency—not the first comedian, mind you, but the first acknowledged one. — Will Rogers

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?

His dad takes him into the forest - blindfolded - and leaves him. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it.

He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood. The boy was terrified. He could hear all kinds of noise. Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It was the only way he could become a man.

Finally, after a horrific night, the sound of the night disappeared. He could feel the warmth of the sun. He removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father - sitting on the stump next to him - on watch the entire night.

We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Father is protecting us. He is sitting on the stump beside us. All we have to do is take off our blindfolds.

Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God.

Happy Birthday Alice

Happy Birthday Sis!

Enjoy your day.

Thursday

Our fourth day of hot, humid, and hazy weather. The "rumor" is that with the heat index we're going to be feeling temperatures close to 110-degrees!! Who knew it would get this hot? I heard this morning that the temperature, yesterday beat the high of 30 years ago. Told ya'll it used to get this hot in August.

Lots of projects going on at work. I did do an email "announcement" for the spa yesterday. I do believe that it came out well. Now to get the mailing list all straight and get it sent out. Bunches of other items to do as well. There is never a dull moment.

I've actually started closing my door and turning on ocean sounds during my lunch. It is is great way to refresh in the middle of the day.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: All things are possible until they are proved impossible--and even the impossible may only be so, as of now. - Pearl S. Buck

Wednesday

Here we are at the middle of the week once again. Time flies when you're busy. Before I turn around it will be September. Then the routines will once again change as students prepare to head back to school for another year.

This hot, humid weather got me to thinking about marching band practice. I remember when I was in high school these 100-degree plus days were the norm, especially during the few weeks leading up to the start of school. There were more days than I care to remember that we were out on the field in the sweltering heat marching for hours on end, this was before everyone had to carry a water bottle around with them everywhere. We sure were tough! We never did lose anyone to the heat, we were probably just darn lucky, but still. My things have changed. Now there are heat advisories, severe weather advisories and air quality warnings that stress that we should all stay inside.

Walter has found a couple of gun cabinets that he is checking out for purchase, but has been given a key piece of information that is going to truly help his search. Walmart begins carrying gun cabinets in the fall before hunting season. This will be great. It'll keep him from having to travel out of town to purchase one. The one's that he has found are in northern Virginia and it was looking like there was a road trip in the near future to check them out. But now, I think that he's just going to wait until fall.

Sean is beginning the process of getting ready to head by to school. He's been getting his school supplies gathered together for the new year and has even done some school clothes shopping.

Mom called this evening - she's been feeling under the weather for the past couple of days. I hope that the yuckiness passes quickly for her. With her recovery from her surgery, she deserves to feel great. She also updated me on Aunt Jo. It seems that the cauterization was postponed and will be attempted in on Thursday. Continued prayers for her quick recovery.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: I should like to adopt political doctrines that would live longer than my dog. — James Garfield

Gate Boarding

At the airport for a business trip, I settled down to wait for the boarding announcement at Gate 35. Then I heard the voice on the public address system saying, "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Delta Flight 570 will board from Gate 41."

So my family picked up our luggage and carried it over to Gate 41. Not ten minutes later the public address voice told us that Flight 570 would in fact be boarding from Gate 35.

So, again, we gathered our carry-on luggage and returned to the original gate. Just as we were settling down, the public address voice spoke again: "Thank you for participating in Delta's physical fitness program".

Muggy Tuesday

The morning is starting off yucky already. We're under a heat advisory, poor air quality advisory and severe weather advisory. Who could believe that we could have that much advise before 6 a.m.

I'm still having the breathing issue, but it doesn't seem as bad as last night. I'll keep at it.

Mom called last night, Aunt Jo is going into the hospital for a heart cauterization today. It would be a real blessing if this helps her out as much as it did Dad. Perhaps her recovery from the broken hip will be sped along as well, with better circulation.

The apartment management is coming by the apartment today to show the apartment to an investment group. They are working on financing some major renovations. Hope that the tour helps them out. I'm leaving Miss Carla on the patio with a note to let her back inside as they are leaving. I hope that they follow instructions.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: He who angers you, controls you!

Miserable Monday

I woke up this morning feeling like dirt. I believe that the riding to and from Bush Gardens with the windows down got to me. I breathed in too much mold and such. I've got a hint of scratch at the back of my throat. Not a sick scratch, just there's something there that doesn't belong. I've been drink honey and vinegar all day and it has been helping. I'm going to keep on that for the next few days and maybe by weekend I'll be back up to snuff.

To top off the loveliness of the day the temperatures reached nearly 100+, when factoring in the heat index. The prediction for the rest of the week is more of the same.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Some minds are like concrete-- thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Jury Duty

Please, Your Honor, I'd like to be excused from jury duty," pleaded an anxious-looking man.

Why should I excuse you?" asked the judge.

"You see, I owe a man fifty dollars, and he's leaving in a few hours for a post abroad. He'll be there for years and I want to catch him before he leaves, for it may be my last chance to repay him."

"Excused," stated the judge coldly. "We don't want anyone on the jury who can lie like that."

Sweltering Sunday

The weather has turned quite warm. Sean called me this afternoon to tell me that the temperature was registering at 104-degrees by the car thermometer, and that it had been 94 when they left for church this morning. Pretty warm.

I got to both Sunday school and church this morning. I didn't make choir practice, but did sing with the choir this morning. I'll be heading back out in the next little while for choir practice.

Carla has been a bit on the demanding side for the past couple of days. I've not quite figured out what she's wanting and that is probably what's giving me the most difficulty. She's begging for something, what I don't know.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

Gotta Love This!

After getting killed by a missile, Osama made his way to the pearly gates. There he is greeted by George Washington.

"How dare you attack the nation I helped conceive!" yells Mr. Washington, slapping Osama in the face. Patrick Henry comes up from behind: "You wanted to end the Americans' liberty, so they gave you death!" Henry punches Osama on the nose. James Madison comes up next, and says, "This is why I allowed the Federal government to provide for the common defense!" He drops a large weight on Osama's knee.

Osama is subject to similar beatings from John Randolph of Roanoke, James Monroe and 65 other 18th-century American revolutionaries. As he writhes on the ground, Thomas Jefferson picks him up to hurl him back toward the gate where he is to be judged.

As Osama awaits his journey to his final very hot destination, he screams, "This is not what I was promised!"

An angel replies: "I told you there would be 72 Virginians waiting for you. What did you think I said?"

Saturday Stuff

I'm off and going early this morning. I've already got the laundry washing and in just a short while will throw it all over to the dryer. I'm waiting on the cable guy to come and fix the cable box that has been out since last weekend. 8:30a - the laundry is in the dryer and no cable guy...

I've gotten the laundry all hung and put away, the house almost completely cleaned up and ready for another 'month'. There is just so much dirt I can hardly stand it *rolling my eyes*. This afternoon or tomorrow early, when it is cooler outside I'm going to clean up the patio as well.

9:55 a - Cable is fixed. The television wasn't on the correct channel! Ahh!! Everything else was checked except that. I don't know when it would have been changed, because I use the cable remote instead of the television remote. Oh well, the fastest repair job the cable guy will have all day.

This afternoon Walter & I are heading back down to Bush Gardens for the Eddie Money concert. We're going to leave out early enough to ride the Pirates 4-D in England, see the Lorikeets again (since we were rained out last trip), and perhaps ride something else before the concert.

See ya'll later this evening or tomorrow morning. have a great one!







As you can see the birds really took a fancy to Walter. In fact, he walked into the aviary and was acosted by these three birds. Right to him. He didn't even need to show them that he had food for them. If you look closely at the photo on the left the bird near Walt's shoulder is actually licking him.

I had one myself that decided to lick me. Honest. The bird was licking me. I'm presuming that it was licking the sweat off my skin. But... It felt so weird.

Eddie Money Concert

He opened the show it Two Tickets to Paradise and we were off. Toward the middle he let his daughter sing - WOW! Can she belt one out. She sang the Allman Brother song, Midnight Rider. Fantastic. Walter said that he would even purchase her music. That is saying a lot for him.







Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. - Elisabeth K. Ross

IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT SMART?

Just try this, it is from an orthopedic surgeon............

This will boggle your mind and you will keep trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but, you can't! It's preprogrammed in your brain!

Here goes.......

1. WITHOUT anyone watching you, as they will think you are GOOFY.....while sitting where you are, at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.
   

I told you so, and there's nothing you can do about it!

You and I both know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so.

----------------
Now playing: Brad Paisley - Ticks (Radio Version) via FoxyTunes

Here's a play of numbers for you to try...

1. Pick the number of times a week that you would like to have dinner out (more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2
   
3. Add 5
   
4. Multiply it by 50--I'll wait while you get a calculator
   
5. If you have already had your birthday this year, add 1753, if you haven't, add 1752.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number.
The first digit of this is your original number.
The next two numbers are......

YOUR AGE!!!!

Friday

Here we are at the end of the week already. This afternoon I'm heading out to lunch with Marion and Kimi. I get to see the pictures from her trip to Canada. It will also be a good opportunity to do a bit of catching up.

Tonight, Walt & I are going to pop out to Mom & Dad's to visit for a short while. Maybe even pick up a watermelon or two?

Walter & I had a great time visiting with Mom & Dad. Mom is looking great. Tired, but great. Dad has is really jumping in and helping out. Way to go Dad!

Walter took his best "new girl" out to introduce to Dad. Now she may be a 64-year-old, 16-gauge, bolt-action, but Walter sure does like her. It really messed with Walter's head when he realized his "new" gun was manufactured the same year that his Papaw was born. Lots of head shaking going on, on Walter's part.

We did grab a few watermelons on the way out. I'm going to pop one in the fridge and snack on it over the weekend.

Thursday

I spent a majority of my day today working on images in PhotoShop. Lots of editing and manipulation.

On my way home from work today I ran by Kohl's to spend my $30 dollar coupon. I found a couple of shirts to fit the bill. Not a bad deal. Walter and I went out grocery shopping after I got home from work. It is nice to have someone to go with me. I wouldn't have even gone otherwise.

AUGUST! Already?

Where has the summer gone? It seems just like yesterday that it was June 1st and now here it is the 1st of August. It has been an extremely full and adventuresome summer thus far and August promises to to let up any. With only four weeks left of summer I've got lots on schedule for the month:

• At least three more trips to Bush Gardens, the Eddie Money & .38 Special concerts plus at least one trip with friends.
• A two-day work conference
• Not to mention any other miscellaneous stuff that happens to come up.

I know that just that covers every Saturday in August.

Well, the new pea that was to join our working pod decided this morning that she was not going to continue working any longer. I was so looking forward to having another person to spread around the tasks at hand. Oh well. I hope that she is happy in all of her future endeavors.

I ran out to Costco this evening to meet up with Alice to pick up some pictures that I had printed. Funny thing was that Mom was in there earlier today and they were chasing her down to let her know that the pictures were ready. I'll be passing along these prints to our computer guy.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.