"IT ALL SEEMED SO SIMPLE THEN"

Thursday, January 07, 2010

See Dick and Jane.

See Dick and Jane rake leaves.

See Spot run.

That was then.

This is now:

Mary and Margaret get married.

Dick and Jane rob a bank.

Doberman attacks child.

What am I trying to say? I don't know. I'm just saying.

TRUST

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Stephen M.R. Covey writes, "Trust impacts us 24/7, 365 days a year. It undergirds and affects the quality of every relationship, every communication, every work project, every business venture, every effort in which we are engaged. ...While corporate scandals, terrorist threats, office politics, and broken relationships have created low trust on almost every front, I contend that the ability to establish, grow, extend, and restore trust is not only vital to our personal and interpersonal well-being; it is the key leadership competency of the new global economy."

With all the scandals and ethical violations in our society today we don't know what--or who--to trust anymore.

Our President told us many things during his campaign to get elected. Now today it is evident that he lied.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "The moment there is suspicion about a person's motives, everything he does becomes tainted."

THAT IS SO TRUE!

I am sick and tired of just sitting around saying, "Well there is nothing I can do about it. The common people's hands are tied." I can openly talk about it and I am going to. I have never done anything like it in my life, but if joining some movement like the Tea Party will help--then I'm joining!

A PLEA FOR SIMPLER LIVING

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

I dream of the old days when:

Nobody had ever heard the words politically correct.

It was a joy to live close to a school and watch the kids come and go.

You could leave your doors and windows open at night.

Your children could play outside after dark.

You respected crossing guards, teachers, preachers, coaches, doctors, lawyers, policemen--ALL ADULTS!

You thought it was an honor to grow up to be President of the United States.

If we went to war it meant we intended to kill people and win the war and do it as quickly as possible.

When we arrested someone for breaking the law, judgment and punishment came swiftly.

We recognized the United States as a great nation and a Christian nation.


My dream goes on and on. Oh that we could return to simpler living!

UNDECORATING

Monday, January 04, 2010

Every year before Christmas I mutter, "I don't think I'll put lights on the house this year."

Every year I put up lights.

Every year after Christmas I say, "I don't think I'll take the lights down this year. We'll just turn around a few times and it will be time to put them back up."

Every year I take them down.

I JUST DID!

NEED OF LOVING

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Folk need a lot of loving in the morning;
   The day is all before, with cares beset--
The cares we know, and they that give no warning;
   For love is God's own antidote for fret.

Folk need a heap of loving at the noontime--
   In the battle lull, the moment snatched from strife--
Haflway between the waking and the croon time,
   While bickering and worriment are rife.

Folk hunger so for loving at the nighttime,
   When wearily they take them home to rest--
At slumber song and turning-out-the-light time--
   Of all the times for loving, that's the best.

Folk want a lot of loving every minute--
   The sympathy of others and their smile!
Till life's end, from the moment they begin it,
   folks need a lot of loving all the while.
                                              Strickland Gillilan

A PEEK INSIDE OUR MAILBOX

Friday, January 01, 2010

Yesterday, the last day of the year, I strolled to the mailbox not expecting much.

The small box was full.

Here's what I found:

POTTERY BARN CATALOG - Whee! We only get one of these every few days.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION MAILING - A notice that the last mailing contained an error. We both received one. I wonder how much was wasted in correcting this mistake.

A BOOK - No great surprise here except that it was suppose to arrive about a month before Christmas. It is a Christmas book that I was asked to review. Oh well!

BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION MAIL OUT - An appeal for help with their projects.

MACWORLD MAGAZINE - Charlotte subscribes to this.

PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE - A beautiful 52 page magazine advertising Pepperdine's 67th Annual Bible Lectures. We have been attending these lectures for 51 years. We have only missed a few times in all these years.

A LETTER FROM CHARLOTTE'S 91 YEAR OLD AUNT - A wonderful, well written 9 page letter.
The part that touched my heart was when she wrote these words: "I told Tom if I die before he does, please hold my hand on the way to heaven. I can't imagine going without him."

                                                         ------------------------

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.