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BLAINESWORLD
#657
5.4.2009 In this issue: 1. Reflections 2. FYI 3. Update (on the story of the three bears) 4. Reviews . . . 17 AGAIN, etc. 5. TV alert 6. Exercise for people over 50 7. Websites 8. Computer tip 9. I think I need a computer 10. A quote I like 11. Thought for the day 12. Advance planning department _________________________________________________________ 1. Reflections A. Cynthia, my beautiful bride, and I paid our first visit to the Asheville Community Theatre to see ENCHANTED APRIL . . . it was a delightful production, well-acted by the entire cast of eight performers . . . we particularly enjoyed the creative staging; kudos to Jack Lindsay, scenic designer, for his work. The story is about two frustrated London housewives who decide to rent a villa in Italy for a holiday away from their bleak marriages . . . they recruit two other women to share the cost and experience . . . as for the outcome, you'll have to see it for yourself . . . but I will share with you what Andrew Gall in his director's notes for the play had to say: [The message] of this play is less a message and more of an invitation to re-embrace the simplicity of a joyful life. I hope you will accept it. Afterward, we stayed for a very informative talk-back session--led by Phil Atwood, managing director of Asheville Community Theatre. . . it featured the director of the play, as well as the entire cast. ENCHANTED APRIL runs through May 17 . . . do see it if you can; you won't be disappointed . . . for more information, please click: http://tinyurl.com/odamfc RUMOR CENTRAL: Facebook members have the option to get upcoming tickets at half price . . . to see for yourself, please click: http://tinyurl.com/pzzw9q After the show, we went around the corner to join Beth and Steve--our new neighbors--for dinner at Vincenzo's Ristorante . . . I tried something new, grouper, and enjoyed it though found the portion on the small side . . . Cynthia said her ribeye was a bit fatty . . . our server, Christopher, was excellent . . . we also enjoyed the ambience upstairs where we dined . . . for more information, please click: http://www.vincenzos.com B. I'll remember this past Thursday night for being the night of "the call" . . . at around 7:30 p.m., Cecile Kandl was nice enough to call me from Bucks County Community College to tell me that her Election Committee had finished counting the votes, which meant that my term of office as president of the Faculty Federation was officially over . . . what a relief! As perhaps my final official act, I left this story for all the new officers--who I'm confident will do a great job: Two envelopes The new chief of police finds a note from his predecessor: "There are two envelopes in the upper drawer. When you are in trouble for the first time, open the first envelope. When you are in big trouble a second time, open the second envelope." In a couple of years, he got into trouble, opened the first envelope he got from his predecessor and read: "Shift the blame onto me." He did so and got out of trouble. A few years later, he got into big trouble and opened the second envelope. It said: "Prepare two envelopes." C. CONGRATULATIONS to Chris Field, one of my friends and colleagues at Bucks County Community College . . . after 19 months of intensive study, she recently was ordained as a non-denominational interfaith minister. As such, she is now legally able to marry folks . . . in addition, she is able to perform baptisms, naming ceremonies, marriages, funerals, commitment ceremonies, etc.--any type of ceremony someone would want to have . . . some of these (such as the latter one) are not yet legally binding, but they do fulfill the need for spiritual bonding . . . all ceremonies are personalized. For more information, please feel free to contact Chris via email: chris18940@hotmail.com or give her a call at 215.280.4216.
D. REQUEST: When and if you change your email address, please let me know as soon as possible . . . that way, I can make the correction in my email address book . . . I can also continue to send you BLAINESWORLD in a timely fashion. If, by chance, I don't have your current email address--then resend it now . . . please put ADDRESS CHANGE in subject line . . . thanks! ***** BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD ***** This week, it goes to Ashley Drake--a server at Fatz Cafe in Asheville; 828.665.9950. That restaurant is rapidly becoming one of our local favorites in the area . . . my chicken wraps are prepared just the way I like them, and Cynthia tells me her ribeye steaks always hit the spot . . . she also very much enjoys one of the side dishes, a vegetable skewer. Every time we've gone there, the service has been fine too . . . but the other night, it was beyond fine . . . Ashley greeted us with a big smile, and we were impressed by her enthusiasm . . . she truly made us feel welcome and that somehow made our food taste even better. I was so impressed with the job Ashley did, in fact, that I called the manager (Mike Eveland) over to tell him . . . he thanked me and told me that I wasn't the first customer to compliment Ashley's work. We then had a nice chat with Mike, which further reinforced our plans to keep returning to Fatz Cafe . . . methinks you won't go wrong there, and if you get the chance, ask to have Ashley as your server . . . send our regards to Mike . . . and say "hello" to Daron Clayton, operating partner, who we previously had the pleasure of meeting when we went there for our first visit back in February. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 2. FYI YOU'RE INVITED: Come join me as a member of the Perfect Club . . . this is an organization that I recently joined, thanks to an invitation from Sue in Pennsylvania . . . and because I'm so impressed with my membership, I'd like to use this opportunity to have you also become a member. Perhaps best of all: There are no dues! All you need to do is find somebody or something that you don't like and/or approve of . . . then, when thinking about that person or thing, say out loud (or yourself) words to this effect: "They're NOT a member of the Perfect Club." Sue and her husband Phil often use the technique . . . it frees them of feeling upset about things that are of their control . . . in addition, it helps explain much of what happens in life that has no explanation. The Perfect Club can also be useful when dealing with a spouse, significant other, friend or relative . . . when you think about it, they all can't be expected to be like us--perfect! FYI, part 2 * Jean in Pennsylvania asked me to describe what I shared with the Asheville Playback Theatre (see Section 1A in BLAINESWORLD #655), the improv group that took my story and built a skit around it . . . here's the Reader's Digest version: When I was 17 or 18, I was driving home from work one day with my father . . . I was working for the advertising firm that he headed, and somewhat out of the clear blue sky, he told me to get a haircut . . . now mind you, I have never had what would be considered long hair . . . so I asked him, "What if I don't?" . . .his reply was that "you won't work for me" . . . it turns out that I never got the haircut and except for some summer and vacation periods and one year in the mid-1980s, I never did work for him. * Janet in New Jersey: Great newsletter! I enjoyed it very much. Thank you, Blaine. Bea Arthur's death gave me a wake up call to how time has gone by so quickly. She was an amazing comedian and had such a way with timing in her work. Lisa enjoyed her and all the GOLDEN GIRLS. THANKS to the several readers who responded to my question about my possibly buying a Kindle 2; among the responses were the following: * Nancy in North Carolina: I have a Kindle 2. LOVE It! I got the entire works of Charles Dickens--about 200 volumes--for under $5. It's very light, easy to read, easy to take with me and holds loads of books. I love that I can browse at Amazon, see if I'm interested in a book, get a free sample of it, and if I want it, just buy it from the Kindle. It holds a charge for a long time, and it's got a combo recharge cord and usb cord, so one less piece of wire to deal with. The reader voice is computer-generated, of course, but it's easy to listen to and doesn't sound annoying. There is a port for earphones. I got a "skin," a reproduction of van Gogh's "Starry Night" that I put on it, and it's beautiful and protective.You can also buy a leather cover for it at Amazon that has a metal hinge system that keeps it secure. If you'd like to see my Kindle, and how it works. . . invite me over! * Phil in New Jersey: I love my Kindle. I take it everywhere and except for some history and economics books, I find nearly everything I want to read. My the way BEST book of the year is: HUNTING EICHMAN. It's the true story, reads like a novel and is brilliant. * Joan in New York: I had a Kindle 1 and gave it to Mark when I upgraded to a Kindle 2. Love the whole concept. My favorite things are: Wireless capability for downloads (when I finish a book and still have more time on the train or want the WSJ on a particular day). Portability. No one knows what you are reading. Kindle 2 is a big improvement in terms of battery. It’s slightly better in look and feel. Greg has a Sony Reader and that’s the best for look and feel. However, it doesn't have wireless capability and there aren't as many books available as there are for the Kindle. I don't use the read to me feature , so I can't comment on that. * Pat in Pennsylvania: My daughter who travels lots has the Sony Ebook reader. She loves it. It holds many books. It also has the read feature but not sure she uses it that much? (I think the Ipod is used for this with the younger generation?). Anyway, the book reader is very compact and light. I think if you travel, especially by air, it is a must to have. Her friend has the Kindle, and I think that is a great device too. I will ask my daughter what she likes about each one. Stay tuned. * Pat in Pennsylvania (after checking with his daughter): My daughter has the Sony book reader. She says hers is lighter and has a bigger screen than the Kindle..But.she said you can download things wirelessly to the Kindle., like the New York times. You can download this wirelessly among other products. .She said her Sony Ebook reader has to be connected to download items. She said she uses hers more for reading books so not having the download feature is no big deal. She has an Ipod for things she wants to download things other than books. She said she does not really use the talk aloud feature as the voices are too robotic. Its not like having the author read them. It kind of dorky robotic audio. I guess if you want to have like books on tape you need to download them from I tunes? I have several books downloaded to my Itouch. Its great as you can refer back to them and they are usually read by the author or a professional speaker. Hope this helps. Pretty sure both the Sony reader and the Kindle have adjustable screens so you can adjust them for darker areas or sunlight. I think either device is really made for reading. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 3. Update (on the story of the three bears) The three bears had been having some trouble recently and had ended up in family court. Mama and Papa bear were splitting up, and baby bear had to decide who he was going to live with. So the judge wanted to talk to baby bear to see what he thought about living with either of his parents. When he asked baby bear about living with his father, baby bear said "No, I can't live with Papa bear, he beats me terribly." "OK," said the judge, "then you want to live with your mother, right?" "No way!" replied baby bear, "She beats me worse than Papa bear does." The judge was a bit confused by this, and didn't quite know what to do. "Well, you have to live with someone, so arethere any relatives you would like to stay with?" asked the judge. "Yes," answered baby bear, "my aunt Bertha bear who lives in Chicago." "You're sure she will treat you well and won't beat you?" asked the judge. "Oh definitely," said baby bear, "the Chicago Bears don't beat anybody." Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 4. Reviews A. I've always liked films that ask the question: What would you do if you got a second chance at life? So I thought I might like 17 AGAIN, given that its premise had a middle-age guy getting a second chance to right the big mistake that he made as a kid. Yet overall, I I was disappointed with it . . . although there were a few funny parts, the whole thing felt contrived . . . and the old guy (Matthew Perry) who become young (Zac Efron) didn't even look remotely alike. . . . yet that said, I did like Efron's work--along with that of Leslie Mann as the Perry character's wife . . . rated PG-13. B. LAST CHANCE HARVEY is now out in DVD format . . . my review from BLAINESWORLD #643 follows: LAST CHANCE HARVEY is a rare romantic comedy that features stars who are not teenagers . . . so that alone made me appreciate the unlikely coupling of Dustin Hoffman with Emma Thompson as two lonely singles who spend most of the film adrift in London . . . the scenery is beautiful, and so is the cinematography . . . I also liked the story, and though you had a pretty good idea about how it would end, it still kept me interested until the very last scene . . . rated PG-13. C. Literature courses would have been a lot more fun if professors had also assigned Robert Schnakenberg's engaging book, SECRET LIVES OF GREAT AUGHORS . . . its subtitle tells you why: WHAT YOUR TEACHERS NEVER TOLD YOU ABOUT FAMOUS NOVELISTS, POETS ADN PLAYWRIGHTS. I never knew, for example, that: * J. D. Salinger drank his own urine; * Ayn Rand was a big fan of CHARLIE'S ANGELS; * Louise May Alcott had a crush on both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau; and * Frank Kafka refused to drop his shorts at a nudist camp. I also did not know that Mark Twain adored cats: * In fact, in his later years he would rent kittens from his neighbors to keep him company during his summer-long sojourns in New Hampshire. "If a man could be crossed with the cat," Twain once observed, "it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." And I was fascinated to learn that F. Scott Fitzgerald had a devil of a time coming up with a good title for his greatest novel: * He originally planned to call THE GREAT GATSBY by the title TRIMALCHIO IN WEST EGG (a too-clever reference to a character in Petronius' SATYRICON). His editor, Maxwell Perkins, thought better of that and persuaded him to change it. For a while, Fitzgerald was hot on THE HIGH-BOUCING LOVER before hitting on the classic, succinct title we know today. Even then, Fitzgerald had his doubts. Just before the book was to be printed, he cabled Perkins with the suggestion that they change the name to UNDER THE RED WHITE AND BLUE. What would be the consequences of delaying publication, Fitzgerald asked. Perkins's cabled, one word reply: "Fatal." There was a fun, interesting Appendix that contained some great rejection letters, such as this one: * An American publisher apparently missed the point of George Orwell's ANIMAL FARM. He sent back the manuscript with the note: "It is impossible to sell animal stories in the USA." There was also a listing of famous last words, including this moving quote from Arthur Conan Doyle to his wife: * You are wonderful." Lastly, illustrations by Mario Zucca greatly added to my enjoyment of this book. D. ABOUT ALICE, written and read by Calvin Trillin, is a moving tribute to his wife that can be heard (or read) in about an hour. I laughed at parts, such as this one where the author describes his romance that began at a Manhattan party when he desperately tried to impress a young woman who seemed to glow: * You were never again as funny as you were that night," Alice would say, twenty or thirty years later. "You mean I peaked in December of 1963?" "I'm afraid so." Other sections helped me gain more of an appreciation for Alice, who also served as Trillin's muse: * She got engaged with people's lives. If she said to a friends' son or daughter, "How's school?" she wasn't just being polite; she wanted details, and she wasn't shy about offering advice. If people we were visiting mentioned that they'd been thinking about renovating their house, Alice was right on the case, room, by room. In such architectural conversations, she could get bossy, and sometimes I felt obliged to warn our hosts that one of her characteristic gestures--the gesture she used when she was saying something like "You have to open all this up"--was remarkably similar to the gesture you'd use to toss money into the wind. ABOUT ALICE left me agreeing with one of the condolence letters that Trillin received: * "I always thought of you as a wonderful guy, but still I couldn't figure out how you managed to get Alice. Harris once told me it was just dumb luck." When I read that [the author added], I burst out laughing. Harris had nailed it again. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 5. TV alert A. George in Pennsylvania speaks very highly of the following show: PITCHMEN follows the adventures of infomercial kings Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan as they search the world for inventions they can take to the big time . . . Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on DISCOVERY. B. CHINA'S UNNATURAL DISASTER: THE TEARS OF SICHUAN PROVINCE airs on Thursday at 8 p.m. on HBO . . . it is the story of the catastrophic earthquake that took the lives of 70,000 people in 2008 . . . according to THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, " . . . there is more vivid testimony to the way the state party apparatus works to prevent any expressions of dissent from reaching foreign news sources than any piece of reporting in memory." C. WALLANDER is a new British detective 90-minute mystery, starring Kenneth Branagh (alone worth viewing just for his performance) . . . according to TV GUIDE, " . . . he's a keeper" and the show is "awfully compelling" . . . Sundays at 9 p.m. on PBS, though because PBS times and dates often vary, check local listings. D. THE ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT debuts on Sunday night at 9 p.m. on HBO . . . this will be the first of a five-part series, and it will feature a profile of seven patients in various stages of the illness. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 6. Exercise for people over 50 Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags. Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level.) After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 7. Websites A. You've long hear the admonition to don't drink and drive . . . you'll want to add texting after you watch the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTT92BHbh3U&feature=related Scary, wasn't it? B. If you're a fan of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, please chick: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4816051?fr=yvmtf You'll see it performed in a fashion you've never seen before, and methinks that it will leave you smiling! C. BLAINESWORLD, the website, remains up and running . . . to view it, please click: http://www.blainesworld.net When I'm in Asheville on a full-time basis (beginning in late May), I'm thinking that I would like to resume my radio career . . . or even perhaps attempt a cable TV show . . . my first interest would be in a public affairs-type show where I would interview guests on a wide variety of topics . . . for more information on my background, please see "Radio Show" to the left. SPECIAL REQUEST: If you have any radio and/or cable contacts anywhere in western North Carolina or possibly eastern Tennessee, please do share . . . in return, I'd be most grateful. .. I'd even be willing to cut you in on part of the part of what I would be paid . . . let's see, 15% of say $2,000 a show . . . wow, that would be quite a windfall for you . . . but being Mr. Reasonable here, I'd be willing to settle for less--much less . . . in fact, as long as I didn't have to pay anything to be on the air, I'd consider that possibility also. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 8. Computer tip When you replace a cartridge on your printer, always make sure you have another one on hand . . . or make sure you go out and buy one that day . . . that way, you'll never face a situation where you can't print something when you want or need to do so because your cartridge needs replacing. Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 9. I think I need a computer ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store.Can I help you? COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den, and I'm thinking about buying a computer. ABBOTT: Mac? COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou. ABBOTT: Your computer? COSTELLO: I don't own a computer, I want to buy one. ABBOTT: Mac? COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou. ABBOTT: What about Windows? COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here? ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows? COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows? ABBOTT: Wallpaper. COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software... ABBOTT: Software for Windows? COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have? ABBOTT: Office. COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything? ABBOTT: I just did. COSTELLO: You just did what? ABBOTT: Recommend something. COSTELLO: You recommended something? ABBOTT: Yes. COSTELLO: For my office? ABBOTT: Yes. COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office? ABBOTT: Office. COSTELLO: Yes, for my office! ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows. COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word. COSTELLO: What word? ABBOTT: Word in Office. COSTELLO: The only word in office is office. ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows. COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows? ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W". COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue "W" if you don't start with some straight answers. . .. what about financial bookkeeping? You have anything
I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have? ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: I need money to track my money? ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer. COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer? ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer? ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge. COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much? ABBOTT: One copy. COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money? ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money. COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money? ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT! (A few days later.) ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you? COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off? ABBOTT: Click on "START" . . . DATING MYSELF HERE: The above routine is actually very similar to a routine that comedians Abbott and Costello started performing in the late 1930s . . . to view actually doing it, please click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 10. A quote I like I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself . . . and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part.--Shirley MacLaine (born 1934), American Academy Award-inning film, and theater actress, dancer, activist and author Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 11. Thought for the day If you didn't know when you were born, how old would you be? by Jim Donovan* Now there's a question that can change the way you perceive the whole idea of age and aging. After all, what is age? It's really just a number, even though we have been conditioned into "believing" that it dictates everything from when we start to go downhill in terms of our health to, in many cases, when we feel as though we are of no value to society. Broadway actress, Billie Burke, remarked, "Age only matters if one is a cheese." When you come right down to it, most of what your life is comprised of has little or nothing to do with your age. Your health, creativity, talent, mind and your ability to continue to make a significant contribution to society is not determined by your age but rather your attitudes and beliefs. While some physical abilities do slow with age even these are being challenged as we learned when swimmer Dara Torres, at age 41, won three silver medals at the Beijing Olympics. While it's unlikely she'll be in swimming competitions at 70 or 80, she can still make a contribution to her chosen field as a coach or trainer. By the way. her new book, AGE IS JUST A NUMBER, was just published. I love her attitude. In the book, she says, "The water doesn't know how old you are." Martha Graham, considered to be one of the foremost pioneers of modern dance, choreographed until her death at age 96. What about you? What are your beliefs about aging? Since my new book, DON'T LET AN OLD PERSON MOVE INTO YOUR BODY, (due in June), is about making the rest of your life the best of your life, I will be writing more about this going forward. In the meantime, I urge you to re-examine your own attitudes and beliefs about aging. It's a biological fact that we are all aging, however, getting old is optional and, in my opinion, a state of mind. You can choose not to let an old person move into your body, regardless of your present age. Pretend you do not know when you were born. How would you act? What would you do? * Reprinted with permission from Jim Donovan--author, motivational speaker and success coach. For more information, please click: http://www.jimdonovan.com Back To Top _________________________________________________________ 12. Advance planning department A. On Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the Dodds auditorium at Princeton University: Lisa Jackson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, will speak on "Environmental Justice in the 21st Century, A Bipartisan Approach.” B. Jeanne in Pennsylvania: I do not usually recommend movies or shows, but Wednesday night I attended the dress rehearsal for THE BUTLER DID IT I laughed through the entire play.
It is reminiscent of Agatha Christie with her tongue in her cheek.
Performances: May 8, 9, 15, 16, 17 (matinee), 22 and 23 Friday and Saturday night shows have an 8 p.m. curtain; Sunday matinees start at 3 p.m.. Tickets are $15. For more information, please click: http://www.townandcountryplayers.org/ C. Professor Caren Friedman--my talented colleague, artist and friend from Bucks County Community College--will speak at the Michener Museum in Doylestown, PA at 1 p.m. . . . her presentation will be about the work of Philadelphia area paper artists for the show "Pulp Fiction" . . . for more information, please click: htttp://tinyurl.com/dy3bqp D. Cynthia(Greenfield; also see Section 1A) in North Carolina: Please come to an upcoming Breema program. Breema is form of bodywork that is comfortable, enjoyable, relaxing and revitalizing. Received fully clothed on a padded floor, this method uses comfortably supported movements including firm yet gentle stretches, precise and gradual leans into the muscles, nurturing brushes and holding postures, and a wide variety of playfully rhythmic movements. The unique aspect that separates this type of bodywork from others is the main concentration on the Breema principles. These are principles that you can use in your other forms of bodywork and/or more importantly in your life. Some of these principles are being in the present moment, body comfortable, no force, no judgment, full participation, no extra and
mutual support. Seeing how people respond with so much joy and enthusiasm
when they get a taste of even one of the Breema principles is reason enough
to give this a try.
This session is open to all interested in learning more about this exciting topic. You do NOT have to be a massage therapist to participate and/or benefit, though if you are one, you would certainly benefit from the day. Date: Sunday, June 14 Time: 9-5. p.m. (Bring lunch.) Location: 19 N. Kaufmann Stone Way, Biltmore Lake, NC Cost: $100 if you register on or before June 4; $115 if you register thereafter ($10 paperwork fee that's extra if you want CEU credits) Instruction to be provided by Laura Ike and Katherine Correa, both of whom are Breema-certified. For more information and/or to register, contact Cynthia Greenfield at 828.633.1049 or email: Cgreenfield1001@aol.com (please put BREEMA in subject line). _________________________________________________________ PS. Happy Cinco de Mayo to all those who, like me, celebrate all such holidays . . . more good food and drink that way, plus don't forget the camaraderie . . . for more information about the days' historical significance, please click: http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm Furthermore, whatever you do, don't forget that Sunday is Mother's Day . . . do spend it with your mother, if at all possible, or at least remember her in some fashion . . . I will miss the fact that I won't be able to spend the day with my mother, something that I grew to appreciate doing more so every year she was alive. In addition, I grew to value both her wisdom and advice . . . yet that said, while I can remember much of what she told me, I don't recall her ever saying any of these expressions (though maybe I had hoped she would): * "Well, if all the other kids are doing it, it must be OK." • "Do your homework later. Watching cartoons is better for you." • "Leave all the lights on. It makes the house feel cheerful." • "Let me smell that shirt. Yeah, it's good for another week." • "Honey, please smoke in the house." • "You can keep that stray dog. I'll be glad to feed and walk him every day." • "The curfew, it is just a ballpark time. Come home whenever." • "If you don't like that, I'll cook something else for you." • "Grades aren't that important, as long as you're having fun at school." • "If you need beer money, just ask." • "Of course you can use the car. It's not like you need a license." • "Use your sleeve. It's better than tissues." • "How can you see the TV that far away? Move closer." • "Don't worry about cleaning your room. I"ll be glad to do it." • "That's OK. Keep doing it. You won't go blind." Also, please join me in praying that we soon get our remaining soldiers back from Iraq and that peace comes to Israel and her neighbors. . . make it a great week, too! Back To Top ---------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBCRIBE INFORMATION To subscribe to this publication, please send an email to: bginbc@aol.com and put SUBSCRIBE in subject line . . . if you wish to unsubscribe, just send an email to same address and put UNSUBSCRIBE in subject line. |
