At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.
~~~~~Jean Houston
What? You're not laughing or singing along? All I can say...Sucks to be you!
And so it goes......
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Few Drops...
If Heaven made him - earth can find some use for him.
~~~~~Chinese Proverb
Came across this notice the other day. One woman's wealth that she chose to share with the girls going to school in Kapisa province of Afghanistan. I wonder if she knows the ripples that will spread with her donation, and how many ripples will be created by those Afghan girls who will benefit by the knowledge gained at the school she donated the money to?
(photo was found in Photo Section at Quqnoos, specifically Afghan Women Suffer and Enjoy Life )
~~~~~
While most stories of how 'Our Guys' (Yes, the Canadian troops are part of 'Our Guys') help the Afghan people who are injured by IED's or from the dastardly actions of the Taliban, don't reach the eyes of the American people, or the world for that matter. The Canadians have reported one such story below.
And so it goes......
~~~~~Chinese Proverb
Came across this notice the other day. One woman's wealth that she chose to share with the girls going to school in Kapisa province of Afghanistan. I wonder if she knows the ripples that will spread with her donation, and how many ripples will be created by those Afghan girls who will benefit by the knowledge gained at the school she donated the money to?
(photo was found in Photo Section at Quqnoos, specifically Afghan Women Suffer and Enjoy Life )~~~~~
While most stories of how 'Our Guys' (Yes, the Canadian troops are part of 'Our Guys') help the Afghan people who are injured by IED's or from the dastardly actions of the Taliban, don't reach the eyes of the American people, or the world for that matter. The Canadians have reported one such story below.
~~~~~KANDAHAR AIRFIELD - Five-year-old Kamila Gul should not have survived the landmine blast that slammed shrapnel into her tiny body, most of it to her skull.
Medical staff at Kandahar Airfield hospital call her survival a miracle.
After more than seven weeks of care following emergency surgery to remove the shrapnel from her brain, the little girl - staring stoically from her hospital cot into the eyes of onlookers while she plays with a plastic yellow hairbrush - will be ready to return home within a week.
"The Taliban put the mine there. It killed my brother," her father, Fada Gul says through an Afghan translator.
The mine blast occurred on a small road near the family's farm.
"She is fine now. They take good care of her in the hospital. Thanks to all these medical staff," says Gul, seated cross-legged and barefoot on the bed beside his bandaged child, adding he's grateful to Canadians for all their efforts.
Read the rest here.
And so it goes......
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Things Change ~ Not...
Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.
~~~~~Pauline R. Kezer
How fast the past five days have flown by. It's been one family get together after another. Thanksgiving dinner at my big little brother's house with his wife's family, dinner with my children here at my house, dinner at my littlest sister's house with our entire family. A good time to be thankful for all the blessings we've received, and especially thankful for the family that remains.
Today, my daughter and I took a small trip down memory lane with a visit to her Aunt's and Grandma Kathi-n-Lois. How strange to think of that name again after so many years of not being in touch. When all my children were small, they had multiple sets of grandparents. Of course, they included the great grandparents still living during their youth. So they named them by whatever means they could to keep them all straight in their minds, mainly by adding the names of their aunts or uncles who were closer to their own ages. Sadly, the grandparents numbers have been reduced to just a few, yet the childhood names have remained.
Driving up through the Eastgate area, I was amazed at the amount of change that had taken place over the past 10-12 years since I had traveled Rt. 32. What had been farmland and small residential areas were now replaced with mega malls and strip malls of all sorts. As I drove, I kept saying... That wasn't there. Goodness gracious! It's an Auto Mile here. Look at that! When did they put that in?
Progress marches on. Farms disappear, subdivisions reappear in their place. There were a few landmarks I remembered from my many drives up the same road in the past. Dropping down the hill into Batavia, not much had changed from the highway view. Well, except a new exit road or two. How many times did I take the exit to Owensville to pick up or drop off my two stepsons? Too many to count, I'm sure.
Past Mercy Hospital Clermont, which was just a small community hospital in the years before to a much larger, multi storied building today. I remember well the trip that was taken to their emergency room when the call came about Dad having an accident. Only he hadn't arrived yet. No reason for speed. Yet we did.
Finally near the Williamsburg exit, I felt the familiarity of the road. New restaurant though across from the stop sign. New houses had sprung up along side. Remembered the right street to make my turn. Until we neared our destination. Wait, is this the right street? I don't remember that Nursing Home. Oh my, there's the driveway. You ready for this? Yep, let's do it.
Hugs given and received. Introductions to the newest nieces and cousins made. Conversations started and didn't stop for more than a few hours. Caught up on all the news and family drama's that are inherent to all families everywhere. Hours spent in the company of those whose presence should have never separated from us in the first place were it not for those family drama's... Well, never again.
A reminder that some things stay the same no matter the changes we've seen.
And so it goes......
~~~~~Pauline R. Kezer
How fast the past five days have flown by. It's been one family get together after another. Thanksgiving dinner at my big little brother's house with his wife's family, dinner with my children here at my house, dinner at my littlest sister's house with our entire family. A good time to be thankful for all the blessings we've received, and especially thankful for the family that remains.
Today, my daughter and I took a small trip down memory lane with a visit to her Aunt's and Grandma Kathi-n-Lois. How strange to think of that name again after so many years of not being in touch. When all my children were small, they had multiple sets of grandparents. Of course, they included the great grandparents still living during their youth. So they named them by whatever means they could to keep them all straight in their minds, mainly by adding the names of their aunts or uncles who were closer to their own ages. Sadly, the grandparents numbers have been reduced to just a few, yet the childhood names have remained.
Driving up through the Eastgate area, I was amazed at the amount of change that had taken place over the past 10-12 years since I had traveled Rt. 32. What had been farmland and small residential areas were now replaced with mega malls and strip malls of all sorts. As I drove, I kept saying... That wasn't there. Goodness gracious! It's an Auto Mile here. Look at that! When did they put that in?
Progress marches on. Farms disappear, subdivisions reappear in their place. There were a few landmarks I remembered from my many drives up the same road in the past. Dropping down the hill into Batavia, not much had changed from the highway view. Well, except a new exit road or two. How many times did I take the exit to Owensville to pick up or drop off my two stepsons? Too many to count, I'm sure.
Past Mercy Hospital Clermont, which was just a small community hospital in the years before to a much larger, multi storied building today. I remember well the trip that was taken to their emergency room when the call came about Dad having an accident. Only he hadn't arrived yet. No reason for speed. Yet we did.
Finally near the Williamsburg exit, I felt the familiarity of the road. New restaurant though across from the stop sign. New houses had sprung up along side. Remembered the right street to make my turn. Until we neared our destination. Wait, is this the right street? I don't remember that Nursing Home. Oh my, there's the driveway. You ready for this? Yep, let's do it.
Hugs given and received. Introductions to the newest nieces and cousins made. Conversations started and didn't stop for more than a few hours. Caught up on all the news and family drama's that are inherent to all families everywhere. Hours spent in the company of those whose presence should have never separated from us in the first place were it not for those family drama's... Well, never again.
A reminder that some things stay the same no matter the changes we've seen.
And so it goes......
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Give Thanks This Day...
Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.
~~~~~Ray Stannard Baker
Here at my house, I have much to be thankful for. Family, friends, job, health, roof, vehicle, free country, and the knowledge that there are men and women who voluntarily stand watch over me and mine. I'm blessed. As we all are.
Today and every day, sending much love and so many thanks from my house to yours!
And so it goes......
~~~~~Ray Stannard Baker
Here at my house, I have much to be thankful for. Family, friends, job, health, roof, vehicle, free country, and the knowledge that there are men and women who voluntarily stand watch over me and mine. I'm blessed. As we all are.
Today and every day, sending much love and so many thanks from my house to yours!
And so it goes......
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A.W.O.L...
It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts.
~~~~~K.T. Jong
A slew of thoughts clamoring to be processed.
Off to do some pondering.
In the words of one our Great Warriors, "I shall return."
And so it goes......
~~~~~K.T. Jong
A slew of thoughts clamoring to be processed.
Off to do some pondering.
In the words of one our Great Warriors, "I shall return."
And so it goes......
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sticks, Stones And Words...
It is easier to find a score of men wise enough to discover the truth than to find one intrepid enough, in the face of opposition, to stand up for it.
~~~~~A.A. Hodge
Do you remember that little adage from your childhood...
Sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me?
Yeah? Well, let me tell ya, words do hurt. Words spoken in anger are often repented in leisure. You've heard that one, too, haven't you? Words are very powerful things. They can be used to injure, anger, ridicule, inspire and motivate the people they are spoken to. Words of praise or words of grievance can make or break a career even.
The question has to be asked of oneself... how do you want your words to be taken?
The reason I'm asking this is due to the fact words have been spoken against one of our Warriors. A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about CJ Grisham of 'A Soldiers Perspective' and his families issues with the Huntsville AL. PTA and local school system. We had hoped that those issues would be resolved. Unfortunately, that's not been the case. The PTA leadership has taken it upon itself to destroy CJ's career with the Army. Essentially, the Army has thrown him under the bus.
I won't pontificate about all the words that have been flung into space, I'll let you read the words from a few far more knowledgeable bloggers than myself.
From a fellow senior NCO; Bouhammer has called upon the "Pitchfork Brigade" with words of support and a plan for action...
BlackFive has written their thoughts with "Want Freedom of speech in the Army? Then Convert to Islam."
The Attack Machine has links to all relevant posts from 'A Soldiers' Perspective', (note: CJ has closed shop at the blog) along with a few well written words. They also have a post with who to contact to bring attention and action to this travesty.
Our dear friend from Canada; Brat, has been fuming and building up steam after finding out about the actions taken against CJ, Emily and their children. Unable to contain herself, she wrote her thoughts on how "A school in America forgets they are the parents' EMPLOYEE".
There are many more out in the blog-o-sphere who support our Warrior CJ and his family, and agree that the words and actions of one PTA of Huntsville Alabama along with the attending school system have overstepped the boundary of official duties.
My questions regarding this... If this is allowed to stand without proper dissent, who's next? And where will it stop?
And so it goes......
~~~~~A.A. Hodge
Do you remember that little adage from your childhood...
Sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me?
Yeah? Well, let me tell ya, words do hurt. Words spoken in anger are often repented in leisure. You've heard that one, too, haven't you? Words are very powerful things. They can be used to injure, anger, ridicule, inspire and motivate the people they are spoken to. Words of praise or words of grievance can make or break a career even.
The question has to be asked of oneself... how do you want your words to be taken?
The reason I'm asking this is due to the fact words have been spoken against one of our Warriors. A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about CJ Grisham of 'A Soldiers Perspective' and his families issues with the Huntsville AL. PTA and local school system. We had hoped that those issues would be resolved. Unfortunately, that's not been the case. The PTA leadership has taken it upon itself to destroy CJ's career with the Army. Essentially, the Army has thrown him under the bus.
I won't pontificate about all the words that have been flung into space, I'll let you read the words from a few far more knowledgeable bloggers than myself.
From a fellow senior NCO; Bouhammer has called upon the "Pitchfork Brigade" with words of support and a plan for action...
BlackFive has written their thoughts with "Want Freedom of speech in the Army? Then Convert to Islam."
The Attack Machine has links to all relevant posts from 'A Soldiers' Perspective', (note: CJ has closed shop at the blog) along with a few well written words. They also have a post with who to contact to bring attention and action to this travesty.
Our dear friend from Canada; Brat, has been fuming and building up steam after finding out about the actions taken against CJ, Emily and their children. Unable to contain herself, she wrote her thoughts on how "A school in America forgets they are the parents' EMPLOYEE".
There are many more out in the blog-o-sphere who support our Warrior CJ and his family, and agree that the words and actions of one PTA of Huntsville Alabama along with the attending school system have overstepped the boundary of official duties.
My questions regarding this... If this is allowed to stand without proper dissent, who's next? And where will it stop?
And so it goes......
Friday, November 13, 2009
Finally, A Funny...
No matter how well you know the rules of netiquette, you will eventually offend someone who doesn't.
~~~~~Don Rittner
It's been quite some time since I've posted a few funnies for that humor fix we all need amid the bad news of the day. This morning, I almost spit my coffee out when I opened and read the email... I can sooo see my sister O'Wise One doing this. Yup, she's one of those tech-tards or would that be tech-turds?
THREE WOMEN, TWO YOUNGER, AND ONE SENIOR CITIZEN, WERE SITTING NAKED IN A SAUNA.
SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND. THE YOUNG WOMAN PRESSED HER FOREARM AND THE BEEP STOPPED.
THE OTHERS LOOKED AT HER QUESTIONINGLY. 'THAT WAS MY PAGER,' SHE SAID. I HAVE A MICROCHIP UNDER THE SKIN OF MY ARM.
A FEW MINUTES LATER, A PHONE RANG. THE SECOND YOUNG WOMAN LIFTED HER PALM TO HER EAR.. WHEN SHE FINISHED, SHE EXPLAINED, 'THAT WAS MY MOBILE PHONE. I HAVE A MICROCHIP IN MY HAND....'
THE OLDER WOMAN FELT VERY LOW -TECH. NOT TO BE OUT DONE,
SHE DECIDED SHE HAD TO DO SOMETHING JUST AS IMPRESSIVE.
SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE SAUNA AND WENT TO THE BATHROOM.
SHE RETURNED WITH A PIECE OF TOILET PAPER HANGING
FROM HER REAR END.
THE OTHERS RAISED THEIR EYEBROWS AND STARED AT HER.
THE OLDER WOMAN FINALLY SAID............
WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT....I'M GETTING A FAX!!
~~~~~
Well... I hope y'all think that was funny. I thought it hilarious! Now I've got to get busy. Lots of chores to complete and a few more boxes to get shipped. We've got too many deployed men and women who need to be shown some lovin'. Whacha y'all doing bout that? Lord knows that there are plenty to go around. Just get yourself over to Soldiers' Angels and do some good today.
And so it goes......
~~~~~Don Rittner
It's been quite some time since I've posted a few funnies for that humor fix we all need amid the bad news of the day. This morning, I almost spit my coffee out when I opened and read the email... I can sooo see my sister O'Wise One doing this. Yup, she's one of those tech-tards or would that be tech-turds?
THREE WOMEN, TWO YOUNGER, AND ONE SENIOR CITIZEN, WERE SITTING NAKED IN A SAUNA.
SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND. THE YOUNG WOMAN PRESSED HER FOREARM AND THE BEEP STOPPED.
THE OTHERS LOOKED AT HER QUESTIONINGLY. 'THAT WAS MY PAGER,' SHE SAID. I HAVE A MICROCHIP UNDER THE SKIN OF MY ARM.
A FEW MINUTES LATER, A PHONE RANG. THE SECOND YOUNG WOMAN LIFTED HER PALM TO HER EAR.. WHEN SHE FINISHED, SHE EXPLAINED, 'THAT WAS MY MOBILE PHONE. I HAVE A MICROCHIP IN MY HAND....'
THE OLDER WOMAN FELT VERY LOW -TECH. NOT TO BE OUT DONE,
SHE DECIDED SHE HAD TO DO SOMETHING JUST AS IMPRESSIVE.
SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE SAUNA AND WENT TO THE BATHROOM.
SHE RETURNED WITH A PIECE OF TOILET PAPER HANGING
FROM HER REAR END.
THE OTHERS RAISED THEIR EYEBROWS AND STARED AT HER.
THE OLDER WOMAN FINALLY SAID............
WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT....I'M GETTING A FAX!!
~~~~~
Well... I hope y'all think that was funny. I thought it hilarious! Now I've got to get busy. Lots of chores to complete and a few more boxes to get shipped. We've got too many deployed men and women who need to be shown some lovin'. Whacha y'all doing bout that? Lord knows that there are plenty to go around. Just get yourself over to Soldiers' Angels and do some good today.
And so it goes......
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