She came visiting, along with her friend Sharon in South . . . we

did manage a brief walk around the lake, then went into town for lunch

at Care Ello . . . the food is always good there, and so is the hospitality

from the owner Lorne Richman . . . for more information, please call 828.252.8333.

 

C. Barry and Jody, also in Pennsylvania, then stopped by:

 

We all got to check out a restaurant we haven't been to before: Decades . . . I liked

the trout almandine, and Cynthia said her prime rib was quite tasty . . . our server

Mary was most attentive . . . and though we were only there for a few songs by the

band that was appearing--Honey--we liked what we heard.

 

D. In addition, we caught the show GREATER TUNA at the Flat Rock Playhouse . . . this

is a funny comedy in which two actors, Michael Edwards and Scott Treadway, play some

20 quirky residents of a town called Tuna, Texas . . . I think it was the first time that I had

seen Edwards perform; hopefully, it won't be the last . . . his cliche-filled eulogy had us

laughing out loud . . . Treadway, as always, did a great job . . .  in particular, his Peter Fisk

of the Greater Tuna Humane Society had us wishing that character had an even bigger

role . . . I'm only disappointed that the show ended its limited run yesterday, so you won't

be able to see it. 

 

DON'T MISS:

 

Upcoming productions at this venue . . . we've seen several here and have never been

disappointed . . . for more information, please click:

 

http://www.flatrockplayhouse.org/ 

***** BLAINESWORLD BEST AWARD *****

This week, it goes to Chris--a tech specialist with Bose

 

The other day, I had a problem with my Bose sound system. I called the company

and was fortunate to reach Chris after just a few minutes. He quickly understood

my difficulty, made several suggestions and within a short period of time, he

helped get my system up and running again. Was I ever relieved!

 

MY TWO CENTS:

 

I bought my Bose system from Whitaker Brothers in Bristol, PA . . . this

company is the BEST . . . it offers the design, sales and installation of Bose

audio systems for your home, business or house of workshop . . . for more  information,

please call 888.785.1595 and ask for Craig or click:

 

http://www.whitakerbros.com

_________________________________________________________


2. FYI

 

THANKS to Ed and Betsy in Pennsylvania for recommending that I get

a shingles vaccination . . . I checked this out with my doctor, and he

said it was something that I should get; i.e., if I wanted to avoid coming

down with shingles (a very debilitating illness that primarily hits those

over 59) . . . it is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes

chickenpox . . .  if you've never heard of shingles or want more information,

please click:

 

http://www.medicinenet.com/shingles/article.htm 

FYI, part 2

 

 

* Sharee in Florida:
 
I drink diet soda, probably one can a day at lunch.  The rest of the time
I drink flavored seltzer...not the kind that is presweetened (be sure to read
the label).  
 
I have trouble finding it in Florida so I drink Ritz or SYFO.

Not sure what you'll be able to find in Asheville . . . maybe all three!  Since
I grew up on Vintage, I can see a slight taste difference, but not enough to be
a problem. You still have the carbonation, but not the sweet that seems to
be the controversy with diet soda.
 
And  I've just lost 51.4 pounds so far drinking this stuff (along with Weight
Watchers and daily exercise).

 

_________________________________________________________

3.  Charity request

My friend just had a call from a charity, asking her to donate some
of her clothes to the starving people throughout the world.  

Her response: "I told them to get lost . . . anybody who fits into my
clothes isn't starving!"

 

_________________________________________________________

4. Reviews

 

A. MORE THAN A GAME is an inspiring documentary about five young
basketball players from Akron, Ohio who stay together over seven
years to get to pay in a national high school championship . . . what
makes this particularly watchable is that future NBA superstar LeBron
James was the leader of the team . . . if you're a basketball fan,
this is a film you MUST see . . . but methinks that even if you're not,
you will also enjoy it . . . rated PG.

SPOILER ALERT, though I'm not sure that's possible in a true story:

The closing credits describe what has happened to each of the players . . . I
liked what it had to say about James: He did not go to college; instead,
he found seasonal work in Cleveland.

 

In my "other life," I hosted a radio show . . . actually, I hosted radio
shows on two separate occasions for different stations . . . to read
more, please click "Radio" to the left of the homepage.

You can even listen to a past show by then clicking that option
on the left.

_________________________________________________________

8. Computer tip

 

Windows Search is an option that lets you instantly find documents, email,
attachments and more . . . plus, it give you plus one-click access to move,

delete, copy, burn, attach or drag and drop files where you need them . . . for

more information, please click:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/default.mspx
 
In addition, you can find individual words within the above . . . for example,
I was recently trying to find a quote attributed to Ambrose Bierce . . . so within
seconds after typing-in the word "Bierce," I found that it had appeared
in BLAINESWORLD #439:
 
Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever
regret.--Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914), American newspaper columnist, satirist,
essayist, short-story writer and novelist  

_________________________________________________________

9. Test of three

Keep the following philosophy in mind the next time you hear a rumor
or you're thinking about repeating one:

In ancient Greece (469-399 BC), Socrates was widely
lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher
came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly
and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about
one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like
you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's correct," Socrates continued.

"Before you talk to me about my student, let's take a
moment to test what you're going to say. The first
test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what
you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man replied, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know
if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test
of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my
student something good?"

"No, on the contrary . . . "

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about
him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because
there is a third test--the filter of Usefulness. Is what you
want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really . . . "

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither
True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher
and held in such high esteem.

It also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was
banging his wife.

_________________________________________________________

10. A quote I like

 

We don't need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more
thankful.--sign in front of New Morgan Hill Baptist Church in Candler,
NC (right around the corner from where we live) 

_________________________________________________________

11. Thought for the day 

 

Red marbles

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a
small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily
appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green
peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering
the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller
(the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure
look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.

"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it," said Miller.

"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue, and I sort of go
for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked.

"Not zackley, but almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way
let me look at that red marble," Mr. Miller told the boy.

"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With
a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all
three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them
for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever. When they come back with their 
red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all,
and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an
orange one when they come on their next trip to the store."

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later,
I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys
and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently
I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while
I was there, I learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted
to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary, we fell
into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words
of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform
and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts--all very
professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed
and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her,
kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man
stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand
in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her
of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about
her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my
hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They
just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last,
when Jim could not change his mind about color or size . . . they came
to pay their debt.

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she continued,
"but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased
husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

Author unknown
(if you know who wrote this and/or the source, please let me know)  

_________________________________________________________

12. Advance planning department

 

A. Ted and Kimberly in North Carolina:

We would like to invite you and your friends to our final "Beginner's Only"
Jitterbug Dance Class and Party for 2009 at the Asheville Ballroom.
Details are listed below--no prior dance experience, nor partner, is
necessary--just come planning to have a lot of fun!

Friday, November 20th
Beginning Jitterbug Class at 7 p.m.
"Beginner's Only" Dance Party: 8-10 p.m.

Class Taught and Party Hosted by: Ted and Kimberly Ross
Location: The Asheville Ballroom & Dance Centre (991-B Sweeten
Creek Rd., Asheville)

Learn to dance the swinging "Jitterbug" and practice your ballroom dancing
in a fun, safe and supportive atmosphere at this "Beginner's Only" Class
and Dance Party! Refreshments and sodas will be provided and Professional
Dance Instructors will be at the party to assist students with their dancing
questions.  Line dances will also be taught and included in the party. 

No partner is necessary for the class or party. 
$10 for Class and Party (Special $7 Rate for ages 17 & under) 

 

B. My community, Biltmore Lake, has three upcoming events
of interest . . . they are targeted to residents, but if you'd like to be
my guest to attend any one and/or all of the events, just drop
me an email to that effect . . . put INVITATION TO (whatever specific events