Friday, March 28, 2008

8 Years, 19 Days, 'Twas Writ.....


In the middle of the desert
A cloudless night
Millions of stars above
Not a sound at all
No animals to be seen
Tumbleweeds without motion
Alone
Devoid of communication
Vehicles nowhere
Naked
Horizons all around
Without a single tool
Neither food nor water
On fire

OMG!!!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Questionable Querriculum

(Penned in 1979...re-discovered and updated today)

Certain Ethnic Community College
Adult Education---Fall Semester
Registration Deadline---Real Soon


SELF IMPROVEMENT
SI500 CREATIVE SUFFERING
SI501 OVERCOMING PEACE OF MIND
SI502 YOU AND YOUR BIRTHMARKS
SI503 GUILT WITHOUT PARANOIA
SI504 THE PRIMAL SHRUG
SI505 EGO GRATIFICATION THROUGH CONDESCENSION
SI506 MOULDING YOUR CHILD THROUGH GUILT AND FEAR
SI507 DEALING WITH POST REALIZATION DEPRESSION
SI508 WHINE YOUR WAY TO ALIENATION
SI509 HOW TO OVERCOME SELF-DOUBT THROUGH PRETENSE AND OSTENTATION

BUSINESS AND CAREER
BC101 HOW TO AMASS $100 IN REAL ESTATE
BC102 MONEY CAN MAKE YOU RICH
BC103 MARKETING AND SELLING YOUR IN-LAWS
BC104 CARAVAN CAREERS
BC105 FRANCHISE THAT INFORMATION BOOTH
BC106 THE UNDERACHIEVER’S GUIDE TO VERY SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
BC107 TAX SHELTERS FOR THE INDIGENT
BC108 MORTGAGE REDUCTION WITHOUT CARBS
BC109 NIGHT SCHOOL RIP-OFFS (MORNING CLASS ONLY)

ARTS AND CRAFTS
AC302 RECYCLING SPIDER WEBS
AC303 SELF-ACTUALIZATION THROUGH MACRAME
AC304 NEEDLECRAFT FOR JUNKIES
AC305 CUTICLE ORIGAMI
AC306 GIFTS FOR THE IRS AGENT
AC307 BONSAI YOUR PET
AC308 HOW TO DRAW STICK FIGURES

OF SPECIAL INTEREST
BS101 OVERTHROW ANY GOVERNMENT IN LESS THAN A DECADE
BS102 WATERBED AQUARIUMS
BS103 STARTING A SILO COLLECTION
BS104 GARGLE IN ANY LANGUAGE OVERNIGHT
BS105 EXPLAINING DENTS
BS106 WHALE REPAIR
BS107 DOOR TO DOOR DENTURE SALES

HEALTH AND FITNESS
HF201 BEARD WATCHING
HF202 CREATIVE TOOTH DECAY
HF203 EXORCISM AND ITS EFFECT ON ACNE
HF204 THE JOYS OF HYPOCHONDRIA
HF205 SUICIDE AND YOUR LONGEVITY
HF206 HIGH FIBER YIN & YANG
HF207 BIOFEEDBACK AND HOW TO STOP
HF208 SKATEBOARDING TO REGULARITY
HF209 UNDERSTANDING A CLAVICLE
HF210 TAP DANCE YOUR WAY TO RIDICULE
HF211 OPTIONAL BODY FUNCTIONS
HF212 DRESSING RIGHT/ DRESSING LEFT AND HOW IT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
HF213 THE BRAILLE SYSTEM OF ANATOMY
HF214 WATER SKI HOPSKOTCH

HOME BUDGETING
EC402 RETURN STOLEN GOODS FOR PROFIT
EC403 TURN THAT FLY SWATTER INTO A FULLY AUTOMATIC RIFLE
EC404 HOW TO CONVERT YOUR FAMILY ROOM INTO A GARAGE
EC405 BURGLARPROOF YOUR HOME WITH CEMENT
EC406 FUNDAMENTAL KITCHEN TAXIDERMY
EC407 SINUS DRAINAGE AT HOME
EC408 1001 USES FOR THE KIRBY VACUUM
EC409 REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR VIRGINITY
EC410 CONVERT A WHEELCHAIR INTO A DUNE BUGGY
EC411 CHRISTIANITY AND R.V. MAINTENANCE
EC412 IMPROVE PROFITS WITH YOUR CONVERSATION PIT

GENERAL
GB101 RIOT ETIQUETTE
GB102 SCHOOL GUARD FOLKLORE
GB103 WIND CHIME SING-A-LONGS
GB104 KNOW YOUR FLASHLIGHT
GB105 LOOKING OCCUPIED AND INTERESTED AT A SHOPPING MALL
GB106 DRYER LINT QUILTS
GB107 MICROWAVE MYSTERIES AND TERROR
GB108 AVOID COMPACT DISC ALLERGIES
GB109 SELECTING ANCESTORS
GB110 DISCREET KNUCKLE CRACKING
GB111 MEMORIZING MIDDLE NAMES
GB112 INTRODUCTORY HIJACK HUMOR
GB113 KILLER BEE COOKING FOR FUN
GB114 REMEDIAL COUPON CLIPPING

Thursday, March 20, 2008

While the Coffee Brewed...


(Written 3-29-00, when I was with an Outreach Ministry that operated per Matthew 25:35)

Before the sun rises, MY world begins
Early morning is NOT for me
But I revel in the selfish quiet

It’s all I’ll have today

Today, I’ll hear the cries of hunger---the rasps of thirst
I’ll see the naked
Feel the loneliness of the imprisoned
And the despair of the afflicted

From that bleak rises a storm of compassion
Bolts of empathy powered by surges of caring
Surrounding me are the arms and hearts of those who TRULY care
They give…they love
They don’t stop

Can we help or save them all---or even SOME?
Are we on the right path?

Frustrated at times…I look to the sky
And there…..peering from behind a cloud

I see God and Matthew.....

I SEE GOD AND MATTHEW SMILE!


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Keep a Lookout---NOT!


When you enter the main parking area at the Manchester, New Hampshire Veterans Administration Hospital, this ominous building sticks out like a sore "tower." At my first appointment last week, I asked Ralph, who was assisting my records transfer, if he knew anything about it. He apologized and said he had been meaning to get the information. Now curious, I went home and began the Bob version of CSI. Spending nearly an hour on the web, it amazed me how limited the information on the man who was Manchester's mayor several times, governor of New Hampshire twice and good friend of Abraham Lincoln. However, here we go: Fredrick Smyth, 1819-1899; Governor 1865 and 1866, (apparently the term was but 1 year); Smyth Tower built in 1888 as his personal retreat/hideaway; It resembles a Scotch Border Watchtower.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Rhetoric and Other Political Stuff

Evolution, as defined, intones a very slow process. In politics, the process is on fast-forward because there’s not a ton of time in each run for office, although, sometimes, it certainly can feel that way!

In the beginning, all the candidates brandish their very best behavior, as if they’re wearing new clothes for the Easter church service, knowing there’ll be the devil to pay if they get dirty before going to Gramma’s. Usually, through the first debate, they swoon over and make nicey-nice to each other as if Noah were on his way to make a final decision for cabins on the ark.

There’s no preset schedule, but somewhere, one candidate makes a statement that upsets another, and like a horse race…they’re OFF! It’s truly hilarious, because you KNOW it’s coming…you envision their gritting teeth and holding breath, just itching to be the first and hoping to not get caught. Identification means having to deny any knowledge, followed by trying to convince us that it was taken out of context and finally firing the individual responsible for issuing the statement, along with a profound apology, of course! As the election draws closer, digging is deeper and finger pointing becomes more abrasive. It’s a never-ending search. If they can’t find any, sometimes they invent some! How am I doing so far?

In our age of instant dissemination of data, I get oh so very tired of the emails begging me to “forward to as many people as possible” information that has not been verified. Occasionally, I get riled and fire off a response, making certain to hit the “reply to all” button, hoping someone understands. I gently advise them to check with snopes.com and other sources for credence. I bite my e-tongue as I advise all that very little will be accomplished by forwarding to a bazillion friends. Finally, I get miffed and offer instructions on obtaining results.

Trace each candidate’s record. Follow their progress. Compare promises vs. results. Go to the meetings. Question why the results differed from the promises. (Hint. They rely on your loss of memory). Monitor how they vote. Some newspapers publish all votes. If yours doesn’t, make a request or you can get the info on line. Good Lord, don’t vote for someone because, “he looks like a nice boy!” Too quickly, too many citizens have become lemmings. Look up the word and you’ll remember the meaning.

Read, watch and learn! We can access mountains of information by pointing a mouse and hitting a button. (Hint. They know many are too lazy). There are many journalists who follow the candidates and issues. Here are but a few: Pat Buchanan, Froma Harrop, Michelle Malkin, John Metzler, Oliver North, Leo Sandy, Mark Shields, Thomas Sowell and John Stossel. All are accessible in print and on the web. Type in a name and follow directions to the articles. Also at your disposal are the many programs on television and radio. I’m not here to endorse any program, journalist or commentator. I merely offer these choices wherein you can study what they offer. Form your own educated opinion and vote accordingly. Oh yeah, you’ll have to vote because that entitles you to complain to the bartender the day after the election!

If you’re in the mood for an ulcer or two, visit the site I recently found. Type in
www.cagw.org Called Citizens Against Government Waste, it defines much of what you always wanted to know and get sick about your dollars becoming the comical(?) but sick, pork barrel funding.

They are your employees. You elect them to pass along your wishes and needs. Someone said, “The people should not fear the government. It is the government who should fear the people.” If you are dissatisfied, by all means, do not elect or re-elect them. Most of you get a performance review at your place of employment, right? If you don’t perform up to expectations, you get a bad “report card” or a warning or the boot. Why should they be any different?

I could go on and on, but understanding the human factor, I know that some folks haven’t even read this far! It’s your country, so, Wake Up, America!

Friday, March 14, 2008

I Never Met Margie...

...but I HAVE met Pat! She and her hubby live at one end of the street where once I neighbored. Their property is on the south side of the cul de sac, with a small wetland on the eastern point. There are 14 houses on that portion of the street. Several times a year, neat-o Pat and her hubby host a FFTBSOYOS "block party." (Feel Free To Bring Some Of Your Own Stuff). Lots of fun and catching up had by all! My being ever-inquisitive, at the 1st meeting, I discovered Pat's penchant for throwing things. Initially, I thought she was a baseball pitcher, then I learned that "throwing" is a term used in making pottery. Her shop is but a few moment's drive from home and she is now in pursuit of international exposure. If you'd like to "meet" Pat and her co-thrower, Margie...OR...if you know any Grand Poobahs, Potentates, Persnickety Royalty and even everyday folks in search of neat, original stuff, kindly click on their site, where you may enjoy a tour and peruse the wares. http://www.clayescapespottery.com By the way, the opening statements are presented in case applicable questions appear in a Trivial Pursuit Game, but you already knew that, didn't you?

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Reminiscing...from that Anon person via Paula M

Long ago and far away........In a land that time forgot,

Before the days of Dylan,.....Or the dawn of Camelot.

There lived a race of innocents....And they were you and me,

Long ago and far away.........In the Land That Made Me ME.

For Ike was in the White House...In that land where we were born,

Where navels were for oranges.....And Peyton Place was porn.

We learned to gut a muffler.......We washed our hair at dawn,

We spread our crinolines to dry...........In circles on the lawn.

We longed for love & romance......And waited for our Prince,

And Eddie Fisher married Liz.....And no one's seen him since.

We danced to "Little Darlin".....And Sang to "Stagger Lee"

And cried for Buddy Holly......... In the Land That Made Me ME.

Only girls wore earrings then......... And 3 was one too many,

And only boys wore flat-top cuts.....Except for Jean McKinney.

And only in our wildest dreams.........Did we expect to see

A boy named George with Lipstick......In the Land That Made Me ME.

We fell for Frankie Avalon,......Annette was oh, so nice,

And when they made a movie.......They never made it twice.

We didn't have a Star Trek Five.....Or Psycho Two & Three,

Or Rockey-Rambo Twenty...... In the Land That Made Me ME.

Miss Kitty had a heart of gold........And Chester had a limp,

And Reagan was a Democrat.......Whose co-star was a chimp.

We had a Mr. Wizard........But not a Mr. T,

And Oprah couldn't talk yet............In the Land That Made Me ME.

We had our share of heroes........We never thought they'd go,

At least not Bobby Darin...........................Or Marilyn Monroe.

For youth was still eternal.........And life was yet to be,

And Elvis was forever...............In the Land That Made Me ME.

We'd never seen the rock band......That was Grateful to be Dead,

And Airplanes weren't named Jefferson.....And Zeppelins were not Led.

And Beatles lived in gardens then.......And Monkees lived in trees,

Madonna was a virgin................In the Land That Made Me ME.

We'd never heard of microwaves.......Or telephones in cars,

And babies might be bottle-fed......But they weren't grown in jars.

And pumping iron got wrinkles out.....And "gay" meant fancy-free,

And dorms were never coed...........In the Land That Made Me ME.

We hadn't seen enough of jets.....To talk about the lag,

And microchips were what was left.....At the bottom of the bag.

And Hardware was a box of nails.....And bytes came from a flea,

And rocket ships were fiction.........In the Land That Made Me ME.

Buick's came with portholes...... And side shows came with freaks,

And bathing suits came big enough.....To cover both your cheeks.

And Coke came just in bottles......And skirts came to the knee,

And Castro came to power..........In the Land That Made Me ME.

We had no Crest with Fluoride......We had no Hill Street Blues,

We all wore superstructure bras.....Designed by Howard Hughes.

We had no patterned pantyhose.....Or Lipton herbal tea

Or prime-time ads for condoms.......In the Land That Made Me ME.

There were no golden arches.......No Perrier to chill,

And fish were not called Wanda.....And cats were not called Bill.

And middle-aged was 35........And old was forty-three,

And ancient was our parents........In the Land That Made Me ME.

But all things have a season.....Or so we've heard them say,

And now instead of Maybelline.....We swear by Retin-A.

And they send us invitations..........To join AARP,

We've come a long way, baby........From the Land That Made Me ME.

So now we face a brave new world.....In slightly larger jeans,

And wonder why they're using.......Smaller print in magazines .

And we tell our children's children.....Of the way it used to be,

Long ago and far away. .....In the Land That Made Me ME.........