BREAKFAST AT MCDONALD'S

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):

I am a mother of three (ages 4, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology.

The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.

Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.'

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.

It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'.

His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.

He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.'

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.

I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

There is an Angel sent to watch over you.

In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over.

An Angel wrote:
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head.

To handle others, use your heart.

God gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

Send it back, you'll see why !

A Box of gold
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
With a secret inside that has never been told
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This box is priceless but as I see
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The treasure inside is precious to me
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Today I share this treasure with thee
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It's the treasure of friendship you've given me.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
If this comes back to you then you'll have a friend for life but, if this becomes deleted, you are not a friend.

Send this to everyone you consider a friend!

This is a magic frog. It will grant you one wish and only one wish, that is, if you decide to send this to others. You can wish for anything.

Repeat your wish until you have stopped scrolling. Make it count!!!!!!

FOR YOUR WISH TO COME TRUE YOU HAVE TO SEND IT TO:
3 PEOPLE - YOUR WISH
WILL COME TRUE EVENTUALLY
5 PEOPLE - YOUR WISH WILL COME
TRUE IN 3 MONTHS
10 PEOPLE - YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE IN 5 WEEKS
15 PEOPLE - YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE IN 1 WEEK

CAN'T WAIT A WEEK???
22 PEOPLE - YOUR WISH WILL COME TRUE IN 1 DAY!!!!!

**********REMEMBER**************
THIS MUST BE SENT OUT THE DAY YOU READ IT FOR YOU TO GET YOUR WISH

JAPANESE LUNCH BOXES

Bentō (弁当 or べんとう, Bentō?) is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables as a side dish. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware. Although bento are easily available in many places throughout Japan, including convenience stores, bento shops (弁当屋, bentō-ya?), train stations, and department stores, it is still common for Japanese homemakers to spend considerable time and energy producing an appealing boxed lunch.

Bento can be very elaborately arranged. Contests are often held where homemakers can compete for the most aesthetically pleasing arrangements. The food is often decorated to look like people, animals, or characters and items such as flowers and plants. This style of elaborate bento is called kyaraben.

History. The origin of bento can be traced back to the late Kamakura Period (1185 to 1333), when cooked and dried rice called hoshi-ii (糒 or 干し飯, literally "dried meal") was developed. Hoshi-ii can be eaten as is, or can be boiled with water to make cooked rice, and is stored in a small bag. In the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568 to 1600), wooden lacquered boxes like today's were produced and bento would be eaten during a hanami or a tea party.

In the peaceful and prosperous time of the Edo Period (1603 to 1867), bento culture spread and became more refined. Travelers and sightseers would carry a simple koshibentō (腰弁当, "waist bento"), consisting of several onigiri wrapped with bamboo leaves or in a woven bamboo box. One of the most popular styles of bento, called makuno-uchi bentō ("between-act bento"), was first made during this period. People who came to see Noh and Kabuki ate specially prepared bento between maku (acts). Numerous cookbooks were published detailing how to cook, how to pack, and what to prepare for occasions like Hanami and Hinamatsuri.

In the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912), the first ekibentō or ekiben (駅弁当 or 駅弁, "train station bento") was sold. There are several records that claim where ekiben was first sold, but it is believed that it was sold on 16 July 1885, at the Utsunomiya train station, and contained two onigiri and a serving of takuan wrapped in bamboo leaves. As early schools did not provide lunch, students and teachers carried bento, as did many employees. A "European" style bento with sandwiches also went on sale during this period.

In the Taisho period (1912 to 1926), the aluminum bento box became a luxury item because of its ease of cleaning and its silver-like appearance. Also, a move to abolish the practice of bento in school became a social issue. Disparities in wealth spread during this period, following an export boom during World War I and subsequent crop failures in the Tohoku region. A bento too often reflected a student's wealth, and many wondered if this had an unfavorable influence on children both physically, from lack of adequate diet, and psychologically, from a clumsily made bento or the richness of food. After World War II, the practice of bringing bento to school gradually declined and was replaced by uniform food provided for all students and teachers.

Bento regained its popularity in the 1980s, with the help of the microwave oven and the proliferation of convenience stores. In addition, the expensive wood and metal boxes have been replaced at most bento shops with inexpensive, disposable polystyrene boxes. However, even handmade bento have made a comeback, and they are once again a common, although not universal, sight at Japanese schools. The Bento is still used by workers as a packed lunch, by families on day trips, for school picnics and sports days etc. The Bento, made at home, is wrapped in a furoshiki cloth, which acts as both bag and table mat.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bento

A PRAYER

I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess.


He asked if I'd been 'computering'.


And I had to answer 'yes.'

He told me to get off my fanny and tidy up the house.
And so I started cleaning up... The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.That really did the trick...I was just admiring my work..I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found A real absorbing site
That I got SO way into.
I was into it all night.

Nothing's changed except my mouse.

It's very, very shiny.
I guess my house will stay a mess... While I sit here on my hiney.

BREAST CHECK-UP

I NEED YOUR HELP!
I'm trying to find out which Store sells this mirror!

Copy-paste and mail this to 13 other women. Now, don't break the chain! One female broke the chain, her plumbing became so bad, she now has an outhouse! OK gals, now that you have had your laugh, remember... Breast Cancer Awareness... Go have those boobs checked out and stay healthy! Pass the message on to your mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, cousins, friends, and even your enemies. Because the WORST enemy is Breast Cancer.

AWESOME - BRA SIZE 120!

I don't know what she did and who she did it to, but payback is a mother! They are dead wrong for this one....

******CAREFUL VIEWING******

Don't ever complain about your size!!! SEND THIS TO ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS SO THEY CAN APPRECIATE WHAT GOD GAVE THEM.... OR PERHAPS WHAT HE DIDN'T GIVE THEM!

A PRAYER

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank you for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because you are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and you keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from you.
Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it w with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

LIFE ACCORDING TO MAXINE...

My ex and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't.
I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
I'm not a complete idiot -- some parts are just missing.
Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.
God must love stupid people; He made so many.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
Consciousness -- that annoying time between naps.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up.
Procrastinate now!
I have a degree in liberal arts; do you want fries with that?
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
Stupidity and laziness are not handicaps. Park elsewhere!
He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
Ham and eggs. A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
The trouble with life is there's no background (disco) music.
The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.

WHAT TAROT CARD ARE YOU?

You are The Sun

Happiness, Content, Joy.

The meanings for the Sun are fairly simple and consistent.

Young, healthy, new, fresh. The brain is working, things that were muddled come clear, everything falls into place, and everything seems to go your way.

The Sun is ruled by the Sun, of course. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon's Diana. A positive card, it promises you your day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. As the moon symbolized inspiration from the unconscious, from dreams, this card symbolizes discoveries made fully consciousness and wide awake. You have an understanding and enjoyment of science and math, beautifully constructed music, carefully reasoned philosophy. It is a card of intellect, clarity of mind, and feelings of youthful energy.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

WHICH WAY ARE YOU?

*Martha's Way* Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips. *Maxine's Way * Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyway! To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix , keep it in the pantry for up to a year. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake. Go to the bakery! They'll even decorate it for you. If you accidentally over salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix-me-up." If you over salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!" Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. Celery? Never heard of it! Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish. The Mrs Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust so I don't. Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink! If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy. Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you. Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. Leftover wine??????????? HELLO !!!!!!! As usual, if you don't forward this to 1 of your friends within the next 5 minutes, your belly button will unscrew and your butt will fall off. Really... it's true! Have I ever lied to you? NB. Thanks Benji! Sunday, March 23, 2008 THE REAL EASTER BUNNY! He weighs in at 22 pounds and measures a little over 3 feet. A breed of rabbit called German giant (how appropriate!). This is his owner, Hans Wagner, struggling to hold him up. From the NY Post article: I don't feed him an unusual diet, said Wagner. He goes through more than his brothers and sisters, but he eats the same food mix. His favorite food is actually lettuce. He can never get enough of it. LOOK AT THOSE FEET! Saturday, March 22, 2008 HAPPY EASTER! WHAT BABY ARE YOU? Jan ---------------JANUARY BABY-------------------- Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to Recover when hurt. Sensitive. Down-to-Earth. Stubborn. Repost this in 5 mins and you will meet Someone new in 8 days that will perfectly balance Your personality. Feb ----------FEBRUARY BABY -------------------- Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexiest out of everyone. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest And loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves Freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves Aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends But rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the Inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions. Mar -----------------MARCH BABY -------------------- Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate Shy and Reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous And sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Great kisser. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up Feelings. Observant and assesses others. If you Repost this in the next 5 mins, you will meet your New love in 8 days. Apr ------------------APRIL BABY ------------------- Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and Sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does Work well with others. Very confident. Sensitive. Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good Memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look For information. Able to cheer everyone up and/or Make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and Others. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and Traveling. Systematic. Hot but has brains. If you Repost this in 5 mins, a Cutie that's caught your eye Will introduce themselves and you will realize that You are very much alike in the next 2 day s. May -----------------MAY BABY ----------------- Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and Highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to Dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good Imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves Literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike Being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. If you repost this in the Next 5 minutes, you will become close to someone You do not speak too much in the next 4 days. Jun ------------JUNE BABY ------------- You've got the best personality and are an Absolute pleasure to be around. You love to make New friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt And more than likely have an a very attractive Partner. A wicked hottie. It is also more than likely That you have a massive record collection. You Have a great choice in films, and may one day Become a famous actor/actress yourself - heck, You've got the looks for it!!! IN the next 6 days you Will meet someone that may possibly become One of your closest friends, if you repost this in 5 minutes. Jul ----------------JULY BABY -------------- Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to Be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily Consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's Feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Spazzy at times. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive And forms impressions carefully. Caring and Loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of Sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people Through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties In studying. Loves to be with friends Always broods About the past and the old friends. Waits for Friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive Unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt But takes long to recover. Repost this in the next 5 mins and your reputation will boost someway in the next 12 days Aug ------------AUGUST BABY --------------- Outgoing personality. Takes risks. Feeds on attention. No self control. Kind hearted. self confident. Loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. Easy to get along with and talk to. has an 'every thing's peachy' attitude. Likes talking and singing. Loves music. Daydreamer. Easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. Loves to be loved. Hates studying. In need of 'that someone'. Longs for freedom. rebellious when withheld or Restricted. Lives by 'no pain no gain' caring. Always a suspect. Playful. Mysterious. 'Charming' or 'beautiful' to everyone. Stubborn. Curious. Independent. Strong willed. A fighter. repost in 5 mins and you will meet the love of your life Sometime next month. Sep ------------SEPTEMBER BABY --------------- Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends. Enjoys making love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand. if you do not repost this in the next 5 mins, someone very close to you will become mad At you in the next 8 days. Oct ---------------OCTOBER BABY ------------------- Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the centre. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Unpredictable. Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all. repost this in 5 mins or you will not meet the love of your life for 10 years. Nov ---------------NOVEMBER BABY -------------------- Trustworthy and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, the greatest men are born in this month. If you ever begin a relationship with someone from this month, hold on to them because their one of a kind. Dec ---------------DECEMBER BABY --------------- This straight-up means your the most good-looking person possible... better than all of these other months! Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. One guy/girl kind of person .. Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. loves music Editor's Note: Thanks Benji! Saturday, March 15, 2008 THE WEDDING ALBUM Friday, March 07, 2008 HOW SO SWEET AND TENDER! She is pregnant. He had just saved her from a fire in her house, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house into her front yard, then he continued to fight the fire. When he finally got done putting the fire out, he sat down to catch his breath and rest. A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina newspaper, noticed her in the distance looking at the fireman. He saw her walking straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do. As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired man who had just saved her life and the lives of her babies and kissed him just as the photographer snapped this photograph. Friday, February 29, 2008 INSPIRATION Wednesday, February 27, 2008 THE ATELIER OF THE OPERA DE LA MONNAIE, BRUSSELS Atelier is a French word literally translated as "workshop". In English, it is used to refer to an artist's working studio, typically a fashion studio for Haute couture. The Koninklijke Muntschouwburg (de Munt) (Dutch), or la Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie (la Monnaie) (French) is a theatre in Brussels, Belgium. Today the National Opera of Belgium, a federal institution, takes the name of the theatre in which it is housed. Therefore, "de Munt/la Monnaie" refers both to the structure as well as the opera company. As Belgium's leading opera house it is one of the few cultural institutions which receives financial support from the federal government of Belgium. Other opera houses in Belgium, such as the Vlaamse Opera and the Opéra Royal de Wallonie, are funded by regional governments. In the last three decades de Munt/la Monnaie, has regained its place amongst the foremost opera houses in Europe thanks to the efforts of the successive directors Gérard Mortier and Bernard Foccroulle and music director Antonio Pappano. The current edifice is the third theatre on the site. The façade dates from 1818 with major alterations made in 1856 and 1986. The foyer and auditorium date from 1856, but almost every other element of the present building was extensively renovated in the 1980s. More on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Monnaie Tuesday, February 26, 2008 STAND UP TO FACE YOUR... When your principals will not permit you to be an innocent, You find out how much power you give to your convictions With the weight of your convictions on your shoulders you feel That you must stand up and face your enemy As you stand up to face your enemy, you feel that you have to act as if You are invincible so that there is no sacrifice When you know that you there is no sacrifice you find that your Strength in your convictions shows through more which allows you To stand up and face your fears when you need to do what is right As you stand up you find that the strength of your convictions ensures That you stand up for those who would be an innocent so that they Are not sacrificed while facing your enemy After you have won the day while trying to look like you are invincible You show those who would be an innocent that you are far from Invincible by showing, a strength that is faltering from giving it all That you can in the time of need With the kind courtesy and permission of Sean Davis http://seanspoemsandstories.blogspot.com/ Saturday, February 23, 2008 MINI ROSES Wednesday, February 20, 2008 STRESS MANAGEMENT A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 8oz. to 20oz. The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance." "In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on." "As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden." "So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work/life down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow." "Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy! " And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life: 1* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue. 2* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. 3* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. 4* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker. 5* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. 6* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. 7* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. 8* Never buy a car you can't push. 9* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on. 10* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. 11* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late. 12* The second mouse gets the cheese. 13* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. 14* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live. 15* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person. 16* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. 17* We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box. 18* A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. Monday, February 18, 2008 GIGGLING IN THE GRAVEYARD Harry Edsel Smith of Albany, New York : Born 1903--Died 1942. Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the car was on the way down. It was. ============================= In a Thurmont, Maryland, cemetery: Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up and no place to go. ============================= On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in East Dalhousie Cemetery , Nova Scotia : Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102. Only the Good Die Young. ============================= In a London, England cemetery: Here lies Ann Mann, who lived an old maid but died an old Mann. Dec. 8, 1767 ============================= In a Ribbesford, England , cemetery: Anna Wallace The children of Israel wanted bread, and the Lord sent them manna. Clark Wallace wanted a wife, and the Devil sent him Anna. =============================== In a Ruidoso, New Mexico, cemetery: Here lies Johnny Yeast. Pardon me for not rising. ================================ A lawyer's epitaph in England: Sir John Strange. Here lies an honest lawyer, and that is Strange. =============================== In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania, cemetery: Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake. Stepped on the gas instead of the brake. ============================== In a Silver City , Nevada , cemetery: Here lays The Kid. We planted him raw. He was quick on the trigger But slow on the draw. ================================= John Penny's epitaph in the Wimborne, England cemetery: Reader, if cash thou art in want of any, dig six feet deep and thou wilt find a Penny. ============================= In a Hartscombe, England cemetery: On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went out of tune. ================================== Anna Hopewell's grave in Enosburg Falls, Vermont: Here lies the body of our Anna, Done to death by a banana. It wasn't the fruit that laid her low, But the skin of the thing that made her go. ================================== On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket, Massachusetts: Under the sod and under the trees, lies the body of Jonathan Pease. He is not here, there's only the pod. Pease shelled out and went to God. ================================== In a cemetery in England : Remember man, as you walk by, as you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so shall you be. Remember this and follow me. To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone: To follow you, I'll not consent until I know which way you went. Wednesday, February 13, 2008 EXQUISITE THAI CARVINGS Carvings on fruits and vegetables shown at the Thai booth during the 50th Salon des Vacances held at the Heysel International Expo in Brussels, Belgium on 7-11 Febuary 2008. Tuesday, February 12, 2008 THE ART OF FRIENDSHIP I have heard so many people tell me it’s so hard to make friends. In our culture today we tend to want things fast and now but friendships mark a series of sharing stages that develop over time slowly. Two or more individuals can develop a loyalty and closeness by creating a common history and nurturing common interests. Friendships can become a force that generates mutual respect, self esteem and empathy. Friendships call us out of ourselves into a broader perspective of life. However, in the stresses of career and the routines of daily living, the task of developing a friendship can be a real challenge in the even expanding demands of today’s world. Persons from vastly different backgrounds and lifestyles can become friends but none of this comes instantaneously. Friendship takes work and like a garden, even the best of friendships need tending in order to produce fruit and lasting fulfillment. For thousands of years humans have engaged in the basic social bond called friendship. These bonds eventually gathered humans into larger and larger social groups. If humans had been solitary creatures rather than gregarious, civilization would not exist today. Friendships and alliances provided the foundation of cultural growth and development. Friendship expressed the fundamental realization, “I need others”. So how do we make deep lasting friends? The first step in founding a friendship is extending ourselves into another’s life. That can be as simple as starting a conversation in a cafe or lending someone a pen at work. Offering to help a neighbor move a piece of furniture and talking about gardening over the fence are ways I have started the ball rolling. Keep the gestures simple and sincere as you reach out. Present yourself in a warm casual manner that suggests respect and congeniality. Lofty cool attitudes are poor calling cards. Don’t expect instant success and remember, the best and deepest bonds develop slowly. Once we extend ourselves a little and have introduced ourselves, how do we set the stage for further contact? Begin to evaluate common interests and goals that both of you share. Build a sense of fellowship from common causes, music and hobbies. Some people like to talk about themselves and you may be one of them but don’t always do all the talking. Listen to what they are saying, not what you want to say next. A friend should express a genuine interest in the life and ongoing development of others. Asking questions and truly listening can uncover interesting details about someone that makes them unique. The art of listening must be nurtured if a friendship is to prosper and grow. At this stage we begin to share ideas and dreams and the bonds deepen. As you develop a friendship you will encounter differences of opinion and tastes. Learn to accept them and enjoy them, these differences bring a pungency to the relationship and challenge our own views without threatening us. Keep in mind special dates by sending a card or a small gift. Over and over I have found this small gesture a real bond builder. In today’s hectic schedules plan an occasional special outing: a trip to the local conservatory, shopping, breakfast out or a museum. Learn to have fun too. Don’t be stingy, money is for spending. Live generously. Look around their house, make note of what they talk about in conversation. Listen! If you do you’ll find out what makes your friend click. Remember a special occasion with a special gift that reflects what you have learned about them. They will love you for it. If you really like some one this will come easy. Take a few simple steps and discover the magic of friendship. Dano Ray Pierce, 1997/2007 Sunday, February 10, 2008 HAPPY VALENTINE! CROSSING THE LOCK Esna, Egypt - 10 January 2008 Two barrage bridges straddle the Nile at this point: one built by the British in 1906, and the "Electricity Bridge" built in the 1990s. Navigation – particularly, Nile cruisers ferrying tourists from Luxor to Aswan, 155 km further upstream – can be held up for hours while vessels negotiate their way through the lock system. The two main points of interest in Esna are its lively tourist-oriented souk, which fills a couple of streets leading inland from the corniche. The other is the temple of Esna. The temple, which has only been partially excavated, is about 200 meters from the river and some 9 meters below street level. A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber whose water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is the chamber itself (usually then called a caisson) that rises and falls. Locks are used to make a river more easily navigable, or to allow a canal to take a reasonably direct line across country that is not level. The term airlock was coined for a similar device used to allow persons to pass to and from a location in which a particular atmosphere is maintained, such as underwater, in space, or in a clean room. A lock is required when a stretch of river is made navigable by bypassing an obstruction such as a rapid, dam, or mill weir — because of the change in river level across the obstacle. The lowest lock on a navigable river separates the tidal and non-tidal stretches. Sometimes a river is made entirely non-tidal by constructing a sea lock directly into the estuary. In more advanced river navigations, more locks are required. Where a longer cut bypasses a circuitous stretch of river, the upstream end of the cut will often be protected by a flood lock. The longer the cut, the greater the difference in river level between start and end of the cut, so that a very long cut will need additional locks along its length. At this point, the cut is, in effect, a canal. Early completely artificial canals, across fairly flat countryside, would get round a small hill or depression by simply detouring (contouring) around it. As engineers became more ambitious in the types of country they felt they could overcome, locks became essential to effect the necessary changes in water level without detours that would be completely uneconomic both in building costs and journey time. Later still, as construction techniques improved, engineers became more willing to barge directly through and across obstacles by constructing long tunnels, cuttings, aqueducts or embankments, or to construct even more technical devices such as inclined planes or boat lifts. However, locks continued to be built to supplement these solutions, and are an essential part of even the most modern navigable waterways. 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