Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors
and lawyers.
One evening, they chatted after having dinner together. They
discussed the 95th birthday gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who moved to Florida.
The first said, “You know I had a big house built for Mama.”
The second said, “And, I had a large theater built in the house.”
The third said, “And, I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her.”
The fourth said, “You know how Mama loved reading the Bible, and you know she can’t read anymore because she can’t see very well. Well, I met this preacher who told me about a parrot who could recite the entire Bible. It took ten preachers almost 8 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $50,000 a year for five years to the church but it was worth it.
Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it.”
The three other brothers were impressed. After the celebration, Mama sent out her “Thank You” notes.
She wrote:
Milton, the house you built is so huge that I live in only one room but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway.”
“Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home. I have my groceries delivered so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks.”
“Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound and it can hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I’ve lost my hearing,
and I’m nearly blind. I’ll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the
same.”
“Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you so much.”
A passenger in a taxi leaned over to ask the driver a question.
He tapped him on the shoulder.
The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb, and stopped just inches from a large plate glass window.
For a few seconds, everything was silent in the cab.
Then, the still shaking driver said, “I’m sorry but you scared the daylights out of me.”
The frightened passenger apologized to the driver. He said, “I didn’t realize a mere tap on the shoulder could frighten you so much.”
The driver replied, “No, no, I’m sorry, it’s entirely my fault. Today is my first day driving a cab. I’ve been driving a hearse for the last 25 years.”
Welcome – make yourself at home. Pick a pretty cup or mug for coffee, hot chocolate, herbal tea, or a cup of my new favorite chai tea. Sit in a comfy chair so we can chat.
A little music might be nice. Hope you like my selection.
Relaxing Hang Drum – Good Vibes is playing softly. Mother Nature’s Fall …
No changes in our weather here. It’s still bright, warm, and sunny.
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It’s difficult to understand the magnitude of how far our words are going out there on the World Wide Web. For those of you who aren’t tech-savvy, I feel your angst.
I’m cautious about everything I do on-line. I’ve had a lot of SPAM calls since COVID. Perhaps, it’s coincidental or perhaps, the perfect opportunity to catch the unsuspecting isolating victim.
For Example:
I received a text message from Amazon.
Yes, I do shop through this site. I have family in different states. The free shipping helps. A major convenience for me especially during COVID.
The text said, “A large purchase has been added to your shopping cart. It’s for a 72” Sony TV.”
Well, hubby was happy. He thought I was about to purchase this TV for him. No … No … No!!!
I called the phone number listed on the text. It looked official. A man answered.I told him about the text and the number I had been ask to call for more information.
In quite an official voice he said, “Your account has been hacked. A large charge has been added to your shopping cart. Amazon has frozen your account until we can figure out these charges.”
I told him I didn’t charge a TV and would never purchase anything of that amount online. I asked if he could remove the item since I don’t see it in the cart.
Then, his questions started:
What is your email?
What is your computer type?
Have you purchased anything recently from Amazon?
What is your Amazon account number?
What is your password for your computer?
I told him I didn’t need to give him my information if he was from Amazon. They have all of that on file.
He said, “No, he’s the one that will clear up this charge, and in order for him to do that he needed my password, email, and account number.”
When I refused, he said, “He had to put me on hold until he spoke to his supervisor.” Sometime later, a very flustered man returned to the call.
“Madam, you must understand that your account will be frozen until this is all taken care of by me. I will need the information in order to do that.”
While he was speaking to me a great deal of chaotic noises were going on in the background. I questioned why it was noisy as I was having difficulty hearing him.
“No worries, I am here and will clear the noise for you. Let me put you on hold a minute.”
Now, it was very, very quiet. A cautious chill overtook me. I immediately wanted to hang up. But, I also wanted my account unfrozen.
He came back.
He said, “Now, if you can give me this information I will clear up the issue for you.”
I told him, “ I’m afraid I don’t have time right now. I’ll have to call back.”
I never did call him.
I never did have a TV in my shopping cart.
I never did have a frozen account.
I contacted Amazon. They informed me that many, many accounts had been hacked but they had adjusted their security.
Do I feel safe using Amazon?
Yes, but I’m even more cautious about giving information than ever before.
Have you experienced an incident like this or a similar one?
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I hope the coming week is a peaceful and stressless one
Author Don Miguel Ruiz wrote a simple yet powerful book on The Four Agreements. I keep a copy in my library for those times when I forget these four simple steps in life. If you haven’t read it, you’re missing a guide to a simpler way of living.
Namaste I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you which is of Love, and of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me. We are One.
Welcome – make yourself at home. Pick a pretty cup or mug for coffee, hot chocolate, herbal tea, or a cup of my new favorite chai tea. Sit in a comfy chair so we can chat.
A little music might be nice. Hope you like my selection.
A Mozart – Clarinet Concerto playing softly. The video images are showcasing the changes of Mother Nature into fall.
It’s been a bright sunny day today. The humidity is low so it’s pleasant out. It’s still swimming pool weather, though. We don’t experience leaves changing down south here in Florida. A quick three-hour drive can take you to picturesque places with Mother Nature painting beautiful landscapes. It’s an annual weekend drive for us to see this change of colors but, this year, we’re staying close to home instead.
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Before COVID, I was a member of a knitting group. A once a week meet, chat, and helpline for beginning knitters. It was held at one of the public library meeting rooms.
Since January the library, as per county restrictions, has been closed. I decide to continue with my projects despite my lack of knowledge of certain knitting stitches. I learned a great deal from watching YouTube Professional Knitters. It’s been fun learning and continuing to create.
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Has anyone been experiencing odd people behavior when you go out in this time of COVID?
I’ve only ventured out for MD appointments, dental appointments, and a well-needed manicure/ pedicure.
On my last outing, I decided I needed a change of scenery from the mundane MD offices. I went to a Home Good store. It’s a fun shop with a variety of seasonal decor and items for home decorating. I enjoy seeing the decorations set-up for the different holidays. Right now, Halloween was everywhere as were some Christmas things. They have a specialty food area I like too.
While looking at the ingredients of an exotic jar of whole figs in a luscious syrup, a woman came up to me and said, “Your cart is facing in the wrong direction.”
“Is there a proper way for the cart to face?”, I asked.
She pointed to the arrows on the floor. “You must follow the arrows in order to socially distance the correct way.”
Well, I would have laughed but I didn’t think she’d appreciate it. Instead, I looked at her and said, “I’ll do better next time.” I walked away chuckling within.
Too bad, I might have considered buying the figs but left the store instead.
We have now gotten to the point where we have Nazi aisle police. Funny and sad all at the same time.
Have you experienced a situation similar to this one?
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I hope the coming week is a peaceful and stressless one
As soon as Larry moved in with Betty, he joined the turtle patrol. She lived on the beach as a child. It’s no surprise she bought a beach house.
Larry was a conservationist all his life. He walked the beach to stay healthy while ensuring the safety of the turtles. Watching the hatchling emerge and make their way to shore was environmentally impactful.
Recently, the red tide was getting worse. The smell of dead fish washing ashore could be seen from their porch. An overabundance of algae, some said. No one knew for sure, all speculation.
*****Red tide is a common name for algal blooms, which are large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms, such as protozoans and unicellular algae (e.g. dinoflagellates and diatoms). The upwelling of nutrients from the seafloor, often following massive storms, provides for the algae and triggers bloom events. Harmful algal blooms can occur worldwide, and natural cycles can vary regionally.
The video below is of a young lady who decided to audition for show America’s Got Talent. She wrote the song and sings it beautifully. Her words remind us we should all need to Be the Light.
The Layman’s Ten Commandment
These commandments seem quite simple yet how many of us can follow through with all of them. I hope you’ll take the time to consider the deeper meaning. These are inspiring words. I believe they can be of comfort or a motivation for anyone who chooses to live by them.
1. Prayer is not a “Spare Wheel” that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “Steering Wheel” that directs the right path throughout your journey.
2. Why are a car’s Windshield so large and the Rear View Mirror so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE; so look ahead and move on.
3. Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes a few minutes to Burn, but it takes years to Write.
4. All things in life are Temporary. If things are Going Well, Enjoy It; they will not last forever. If things are Going Wrong, Don’t Worry; they will not last long either.
5.Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don’t forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!
6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, “Relax, sweetheart, it’s just a bend, not the end!
7. When GOD solves your problems, you have Faith in HIS Abilities; when GOD doesn’t solve your problemsHE has faith in YOUR Abilities.
8. A blind person asked St. Anthony: “Can there be anything worse than losing eyesight?” He replied: “Yes, losing your vision!”
9. When you Pray for Others, GodListens to you and blesses them, so sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
10. WORRYING does not take away Tomorrow’s TROUBLES; it takes away Today‘sPeace.
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*****Originally I posted these Layman’s Commandments in 2014. Shocking to feel it’s still poignant today.
A tribute today to the great Leonard Cohen on his birthday.
Gone from this world but your words will live on in our hearts.
Thanks for the Dance.
~~~~~~~~~
On November 7, the sad news was announced that the prominent poet, novelist, musician, singer, songwriter, and paint artist, Leonard Cohen had died. He was born on September 21,1934 in Westmount, Quebec, Canada.
His work explored religion, politics, isolation, sexuality, and personal relationships. He won the Chester Mac Naghten Literary Competition for the poems “Sparrows” and “Thoughts of a Landsman.”
During New York City’s folk scene in Greenwich Village, I had the pleasure of being exposed to his words from other poets who were reciting his poems and aspiring to be as good.
It’s a formidable loss of an incredibly revered visionary artist.
If it be your will that I speak no more
And my voice be still as it was before
I will speak no more, I shall abide until
I am spoken for, if it be your will
If it be your will that a voice be true
From this broken hill, I will sing to you
From this broken hill, all your praises they shall ring
If it be your will to let me sing
From this broken hill all your praises they shall ring
If it be your will to let me sing
If it be your will, if there is a choice
Let the rivers fill, let the hills rejoice
Let your mercy spill on all these burning hearts in Hell
If it be your will to make us well
And draw us near, and bind us tight
All your children here in their rags of light
In our rags of light, all dressed to kill
And end this night, if it be your will, if it be your will
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