A Sharp Friend

Walter Sharp is one of my high school friends. We graduated in 1957. Walter recently sent me the picture of him that is shown here.He's changed a little bit just like me. It seems like the years do have an impact on us.

I have added a link to my link list for his website: Sharp Digital Image. Walter creates prints, posters, murals, banners, DVDs, CDs, etc. from digital images. His site has galleries showing examples of the finished product that are for sale. Should you have a favorite picture you would like to have created into any of the previous categories, contact Walter and he should be able to help you.

The Doctor Survey
I have been thinking about the number of doctor I see on an annual basis. I was surprised when I listed them. The survey has gone good. We've had over 20 people vote. It looks like I won (or lost)! I had more than anybody.

I have the following doctors (and Blue Cross):

1. General Practice
2. Rheumatologist
3. Ophthalmologist
4. Cardiologist
5. Dentist
6. Dermatologist
7. Ear, Nose & Throat
8. Podiatrist
9. Hematologist
10. Urologist
11. Gastroenterologist

So I've got eleven doctors that I'm helping to support. You would think I'm nearly dead, but I'm still kicking. I'm going to keep going to the gym 3 days a week. And I'm going to try to loose some weight. That will be on my new years resolution list for sure.

~~~
Quote of the Day

The safe way to double your money is to
fold it over once and put it in your pocket.
~ Frank Hubbard

~~~
Joke of the Day
(One of my personal favorites)

A pirate was talking to a "land-lubber" in a bar. The land-lubber noticed that, like any self-respecting pirate, this guy had a peg leg, a hook in place of one of his hands and a patch over one eye. The land-lubber just had to find out how the pirate got in such bad shape. He asked the pirate, "How did you loose your leg?"

The pirate responded, "I lost me leg in a battle off the coast of Jamaica!"

His new acquaintance was still curious so he asked, "What about you hand. Did you loose it at the same time?"

"No," answered the pirate. "I lost it to the sharks off the Florida Keys."

Finally, the land-lubber asked, "I notice you also have an eye patch. How did you loose your eye?

The pirate answered, "I was sleeping on a beach when a seagull flew over and pooped right in me eye."

The land-lubber asked, "How could a little seagull poop make you loose your eye?"

The pirate snapped, "It was the day after I got me hook!"

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Another Wonderful Day

Our new washer and dryer are to be delivered this morning. As much washing as we do around this house we decided on a new front loader washing machine and dryer. Both will sit on special bases to make it easier to load and unload. They are supposed to deliver and set them around 10 AM today.

The washer and dryer arrived right on time! Beverly reading the manual now so she can begin the washing load that has built up over the last week. I told her that I would start using them and not bother with the manuals. She looked at me, and said, "Yes, you would do that."

~~~
Don't forget the survey-->
~~~

Here's another busy intersection and not a single accident. I'm not sure where this is, but I would sure hate to try to drive, ride, or walk across this intersection. View it here....

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Quote of the Day

I love being married.
It's so great to find that one special person you want
to annoy for the rest of your life.
~ Rita Rudner

~~~
Joke of the Day

A red neck walks into a hardware store and asks for a chain saw that will cut 6 trees in one hour. The salesman recommends the top of the line model. The red neck is suitably impressed, and buys it.

The next day he brings it back and says, "This chainsaw is defective. It would only cut down 1 tree and it took ALL DAY!" The salesman takes the chain saw, starts it up to see what's wrong, and the red neck asks, "What's that noise?

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Friends - Close & Far

Friends are wonderful. Some live close to us. Others live far away.

We were invited out last evening to a friend's home for a wonderful meal and warm fellowship. Lovely Celia is a wonderful friend. She's a widow twice, and leads a nice life in Kingsport. She amazes us. She is in her eighties, takes no medication, walks at least 2 miles every day, and is always full of vim, vigor and vitality. She has lived an amazing life filled with unusual experiences. She has not let her age slow her down one bit. We enjoy her company and it seems like every time we're with her, that we learn something new about her pathway through life. Here's a picture of her beside the table she set for us last night in her home.

~~~

Beverly and I have another friend named Denise. But Denise lives in Wisconsin which is not so close. Even though we cannot enjoy her company we do enjoy her piano music. We just received her latest CD a few days ago, It is called Snapshots of Love. We always buy at least 10 copies of her CDs, because they make wonderful gifts for family and friends. Denise markets her CDs under the name of Denise B and has produced a variety of CDs and tapes of some of the most beautiful piano music I have ever heard. She composes some of her music, including her patriotic song, Let Our Flags Fly Free, which was sung for George H. and Barbara Bush. Now she has a new baby and a host of hobbies, and still finds time to operate Piano Line Productions, Inc., a wholesale distribution company. They sell piano and instrumental music CDs of various artists to gift stores and other markets. Some of the "Denise B" CDs she has released include:

• Mother's Lullaby: From Cradle to Crayons
• River Dreaming
• Lakeside Dreaming
• Let Our Flags Fly Free
• Prairie Dreaming
• Greatest Love Songs
• Snapshots of Love

Click on this cover of her latest album, Snapshots of Love, to go to her web site and for samples of her music.

~~~
Quote of the Day

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.
~ Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17." The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only sixteen chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."

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A little survey

I've added a little survey to my blog today. Look on the right. Just click on the number of different doctors you see at least once per year. Include your dentist, eye doctor, and medical doctors. This is completely anonymous. Later this week I'll share with how many doctors I visit annually.

Bays Mountain Park

Here's a nice picture of a young deer taken at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport. Bethany and Kevin took the picture when they visited the park last week.

I often mention the Bays Mountain Park in my blog. It is referred to as a 3,500 acre outdoor classroom with a 44 acre lake. The lake was formed by a man-made dam of stone quarried from the area. The dam was built to provide water to the city of Kingsport in the early 1900s. You can learn more about the area by clicking here: Bays Mountain Park.

~~~

New From Google
Google has something new! It's free! It works! It's useful! No advertising! (No surprises) What is it?

It's a phone number you can call for business directory assistance. (1) You dial the number 800-466-4411 (2) You say the location and business type (3) The number is dialed for you and you connect to the business. I tested it out several times yesterday. We were going to look for a new clothes washer and dryer and thought we would check out a place in Bristol, TN. So I dialed the number. They asked for the location. I said Bristol, Tennessee. They asked for type of business. I said "appliances". They asked if I wanted Pete Moore Appliances. I said yes. The number was dialed. All this while I was driving north on I81. This is a must for your cell phone when you don't have a phone book around. Go here and get more details: GOOG-411.

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Quote of the Day

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~ Albert Camus

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Joke of the Day

On opening his new store, a man received a bouquet of flowers. He became dismayed on reading the enclosed card, that it expressed "Deepest Sympathy". While puzzling over the message, his telephone rang. It was the florist, apologizing for having sent the wrong card. "Oh, it's alright." said the storekeeper. "I'm a businessman and I understand how these things can happen." "But," added the florist, "I accidentally sent your card to a funeral party." "Well, what did it say?" ask the storekeeper. "'Congratulations on your new location'." was the reply.

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It's All Over

The Thanksgiving weekend is all over now. We enjoyed our time with our family. Mandy, Alex, and Sylvia left on Saturday on their way back to middle Tennessee. Bethany left Sunday morning. She had a 6 AM flight to Charlotte and on to Rochester.

The first picture shows Beverly, Sylvia, Mandy, Jade, Alex and Bethany on Saturday morning. The second picture shows Mandy with her Grandmother, Beverly, and with me, Tennessee Granddaddy.

The last picture show Beverly and Bethany. That's a wonderful Mother Daughter picture.

Now it's quite quiet around here now that's it's only Nana, Jade and Papa.

Any Suggestions?
Our clothes dryer went out last week, and the clothes washer has been leaking for sometime. They are both old and it's time to replace them. So today we go "on the hunt" for new appliances. Anybody got any suggestions?

~~~
Quote of the Day

Success is not final, failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts.
~ Winston Churchill

~~~
Joke of the Day

A drunk was staggering down the main street of town. Somehow, he managed to make it up the stairs to the cathedral and into the building, where he crashed from pew to pew. He finally made his way to a side aisle and into a confessional. A priest had been observing the man's sorry progress. Figuring the fellow was in need of some assistance, he proceeded to enter his side of the confessional. His attention was rewarded only by a lengthy silence. Finally he asked, "May I help you, my son?" "I dunno." came the drunk's voice from behind the partition. "You got any toilet paper on your side?"

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Fun Friday

Some call in Black Friday. We called it Fun Friday. We took to the shopping malls yesterday! With our Toyota Sequoia, we can all go in one vehicle. There was seven of us. I fought the traffic for the gang. We had lots of fun. And had a nice meal together at a Mexican restaurant for lunch. Then last night we went to Kevin's for finger food and fun and games. Wonderful time was had by all.

There was an early Christmas for some last night in Kingsport. Since Bethany, Mandy, Alex and Sylvia will not be returning for Christmas, they did some gift exchanging last night. This picture shows Bethany, Many and Alex in the midst of wrapping paper looking somethings over.

But today it's winding down... Mandy, Alex and Sylvia return to middle Tennessee. And tomorrow Bethany leaves to return to NY. We love these special days at Thanksgiving with family. We look forward to Next Year!!!

~~~
Quote of the Day

O Lord that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.
~William Shakespeare

~~~
Jokes of the Day

Some friends are talking about death. One of them asked, "When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning you, what would you like to hear them say about you? The first guy says,"I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of my time, and a great family man." The second guy says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher which made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow." The last guy replies, "I would like to hear them say ... Look, He's Moving!"

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Another Good Day

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday. I hope your Thanksgiving Day was wonderful too. Here's some of the pictures we took during the day. We also have good times today with our family. It's so wonderful to have your daughter and granddaughter home for a few days.


Jade has swimming practice today and tomorrow from 8-10 AM.

My Dad has a link on his blog for the last few days to a story about a grocery store bagger named Johnny. If you have not seen it, I am going to give you the link and a chance to see it.

Click here: Johnny the Bagger
You'll be glad you did. It has a powerful message.

~~~
Quote of the Day

We can only be said to be alive in those moments
when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
~Thornton Wilder

~~~
Joke of the Day

A man visits his aunt in the nursing home. It turns out that she is taking a nap, so he just sits down in a chair in her room, flips through a few magazines, and munches on some peanuts sitting in a bowl on the table.

Eventually, the aunt wakes up, and her nephew realizes he's absentmindedly finished the entire bowl. "I'm so sorry, auntie, I've eaten all of your peanuts!"

"That's okay, dearie," the aunt replied. "After I've sucked the chocolate off, I don't care for them anyway."

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Happy Thanksgiving 2007

A funny thing about the Thanksgiving meal is that you spends hours shopping for all the things you need, then you have to cut and chop and cut and chop. Then you spend hours on end in the kitchen making casseroles, baking pies, and fixing dishes. Then you go to the table and in 20 minutes it's all over. Then it takes several hours to clean up the mess. So true...

But anyway, I love the Thanksgiving Day meal! It's not just the meal, it's the family and friends we enjoy it with. It's the stories we tell. It's the memories we share. It's a time of love for one another... And a time to be thankful for all our blessings, both natural and spiritual.

Remember our US Armed Forces this Thanksgiving Day
and Everyday.
Support Our Troops

Click on this picture for your Greeting Card
from Tennessee Granddaddy

Click this link for another Happy Thanksgiving greeting card.

Special thanksgiving greeting to our relatives in Memphis.
Sure wish you all could be with us this year.

~~~
Quote of the Day

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men;
but be careful that you do not take the day,
and leave out the gratitude.
~E.P. Powell

~~~
Joke of the Day

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
~Author Unknown

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Turkeys That Escaped

Kevin and Bethany took this picture of the turkeys today at Kingsport's Bay Mountain Park. It looks like these birds escaped the dinner table this year. (Click on the picture for a larger view)

Turkey Day Tomorrow

Thanksgiving is tomorrow!

Our preparations continue for the meal of the year. I'm glad we don't have to go out and find our turkey like this man. Sure looks like he's in trouble. Our turkey is safe in the refrigerator thawing gently and waiting to be put in the oven early Thanksgiving morning.

~~~

Click on this link. It says a lot about Thanksgiving.
(Thanks Bill S.)

~~~

I'm going to share our menu with you. But before you read it you might want to watch your drool so you don't hurt your computer.
Here's our menu:

• Roast Turkey
• Baked Ham
• Homemade Gravy
• Hot homemade rolls
• Homemade Dressing
• Mashed Potatoes
• Green beans or peas
• Sweet whole kernel corn
  
• Broccoli casserole
• Macaroni & cheese
• Sweet potato casserole
• Relish: Dills, olives, garlic
  
• Pumpkin & Pecan Pies
• Pound and chocolate cakes
• Ice cream (variety of flavors)

You just take that extra chair and pull right up to the table. We'll eat in a minute, just wait till we say the blessing. Boy, that food sure looks good!

~~~

We're excited because tonight we will have Sylvia, Mandy and Alex with us. They will be driving to Kingsport from middle Tennessee late this evening.

~~~

I have added 2 new videos on my Support Our Troops page. Click on the Remember Me link. It's a wonderful video created by Lizzie Palmer, a 14 year old girl. Also, Click on If I Die Before You Wake, a soldier produced video which is moving and heart warming. Support Our Troops Every Day.

~~~
Quote of the Day

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men;
but be careful that you do not take the day,
and leave out the gratitude.
~E.P. Powell

~~~
Jokes of the Day

A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer. His friend says, "Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man." The man then replies, "Yeah, well we were married 35 years."

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Happy Birthday, Sylvia!

Happy Birthday Sylvia! This picture shows Sylvia who is on the right. She is next to Mandy, her daughter and our grand- daughter. On Mandy's right is Alex, her husband. This picture was made last year at Thanksgiving.

Some years ago I had card like this picture showing my pride and joy. Some guys will be showing pictures of their children, and I would say, "Hey, you want to see my pride and joy?" Then I would show this picture. Corny, for sure!Then I would show my real pride and joys, pictures of Greg, Kevin and Bethany. Now it is my my pride and joy to show pictures of my grandchildren: Mandy, Kara and Zachary. Often we show others pictures that we have stored on our cell phone. My how times have changed.

Random Comment: Mandy's name is really Amanda. And when Zachary was born, Beverly would say, "I have grandchildren from A to Z." Cute, I thought.

Burning Salt Water
This is the most astonishing thing I have ever seen. Just think what this will mean in the future. Many thanks to Mark T. who shared this with me.

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Quote of the Day

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got,
he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.
~ Frank A. Clark

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Joke of the Day

Earl and Bubba two guys from Elbert County GA are quietly sitting in a boat fishing, chewing and drinking beer when suddenly Bubba says, "I think I'm going to divorce my wife - she hasn't spoke to me in over 2 months."

Earl spits, sips his beer and says, "You better think it over - women like that are hard to find."

Thanks to David G. for this joke. Printed with permission from my wife.

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In Memory of Greg, May 4, 1962 - November 19, 1983

On November 19, 1983, our son, Mark Gregory White was killed in an automobile accident on Interstate 40, just east of Nashville, Tennessee. He was returning to his home in Lebanon, Tennessee from work in the early morning hours. He was married to Sylvia Clark and had one daughter, Mandy, who was only 6 weeks old at his death.
Greg was born on May 4, 1962, while I was in graduate school at NC State University. We loved him so much. He was a wonderful boy! We still mourn for our loss and we always will.

The picture today shows our children when Greg was 15 years old, Kevin was 9, and Bethany was 3 years old.
Click here for pictures of Greg and his family

~~~

We look forward to having Mandy and her husband, Alex, and her mother, Sylvia, with us for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend! We will have some good days together for sure. They are to arrive on Wednesday! Also this week we expect to have family visitors: my Dad and my sister, Mary, will be here on Thursday for the feast. Also, we'll have his brother Roy and his wife, Mavis, with us... and our son Kevin, his wife, Lesley, and their children, Kara and Zachary. And I think a friend or two may be with us as well. So we have some happy days coming up where we will be sharing fun memories. I just wish you could be with us too!

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Quote of the Day

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

Psalms 103:15-18

~~~
Jokes of the Day

No Joke Today

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Bethany, Welcome Home!

Bethany Arrives Today!
For us, the Thanksgiving Holidays officially begin today. Bethany, out daughter, arrives today for our annual family get together and celebration of Thanksgiving. She'll be flying in from Rochester, NY to spend a week with us. She arrives this afternoon at the TRI airport. But first, this morning Jade has swimming practice from 8-10, then Kara has her first basketball game at 11. then from the game it's off to the airport to meet Bethany.

Welcome Home Bethany!
~~~~~

Most Dangerous Intersection in the World
You have just got to see this. It's a movie clip is of a dangerous traffic light/intersection in Russia. I'm sure glad I don't have to drive through this place. And I thought driving in Mexico was bad!

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Quote of the Day
"Impossible" is a word found only in the dictionary of fools.
~ Unknown

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Joke of the Day

The Blind Man In Texas- There once was a blind man who decided to visit Texas. When he arrived on the plane, he felt the seats and said, "Wow, these seats are big!" The person next to him answered, "Everything is big in Texas." When he finally arrived in Texas, he decided to visit a bar. Upon arriving in the bar, he ordered a beer and got a mug placed between his hands. He exclaimed, "Wow these mugs are big!" The bartender replied, "Everything is big in Texas." After a couple of beers, the blind man asked the bartender where the bathroom was located. The bartender replied, "Second door to the right." The blind man headed for the bathroom, but accidentally tripped over and skipped the second door. Instead, he entered the third door, which lead to the swimming pool and fell into the pool by accident. Scared to death, the blind man started shouting, "Don't flush, don't flush!"

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Another Swim Meet

Sullivan South High had another swim meet last night. This time against Dobyns-Bennett High School. Yea! Yea! South won! That's two meets in a row. The first victory was over the Tennessee High Vikings. One of Jade's friends is on the DB swim team. Here's a picture I took of Jenevieve and Jade. They are lovely girls!

Ever Embarrassed Yourself?
Well... I think I know the answer to that. You probably have. I know I have many times. But the time I remember most ... well it was like this.

I was much younger, and it was in my working days at Eastman. I was at a conference In Chicago in some large hotel. At one of these meetings, I had taken a seat about 2/3 of the the way back. The speaker had an interesting topic, as I recall. (something related to quality improvement). But after a few minutes of listening, I thought the speaker was terrible! He would not stay on the topic and had irrelevant comments that made no sense to me. I was exasperated!

Finally in my frustration I turned to the lady that was sitting next to me, and exclaimed, "That guy is a real nut!"

The lady turned and looked straight at me, and replied, "That's my husband. He's really quite brilliant."

Oops! Talk about the "foot in mouth" disease. There was nothing I could do. I was RED for sure. So, I just picked up my papers and left a quickly as I could.

Yes, there was a lesson learned. Be patient, and don't be so quick to criticize. And if you do criticize, know who you are talking to. Ha!

~~~
Quote of the Day

What lies behind us and what lies before us
are small matters compared to what lies within us.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~
Joke of the Day

A couple of young boys were fishing at their special pond off the beaten track. All of a sudden, the Game Warden jumped out of the bushes. Immediately, one of the boys threw his rod down and started running through the woods like a maniac. The Game Warden was hot on his heels. After about a half mile, the young man stopped and stooped over with his hands on his thighs to catch his breath, so the Game Warden finally caught up to him. "Let's see yer fishin' license, Boy!" the Warden gasped. With that, the boy pulled out his wallet and gave the Game Warden a valid fishing license. "Well, son," said the Game Warden, "you must be about as dumb as a box of rocks! You don't have to run from me if you have a valid license!" "Yes, sir," replied the young guy, "but my friend back there, well, he don't have one."

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Gardening & Chickens

A few years ago, I wanted to have a little fun with my Dad who has the Dad's Tomato Garden Journal. I decided to write a funny email to him asking for advice about gardening. Here's what I wrote:

Dear Mr. White,
I really enjoy your home page and web journal. I need some help with my garden. I hope you can give me some advice.

I'm trying to raise chickens. However, they never come up after I plant them. I called my local co-op and they said I might be planting them too deep. They said they would analyze a soil sample before they could say for sure.

What do you think?

Your gardener friend,
Jimbo

I wondered what Dad would say to my silly email, or even if I would get a response. But it was not long before I got an email in return from my Dad. It read:

Dear Jimbo:

Glad to hear from you. I am interested in helping any one who has problems, and it seems you do have one.

I am wondering if you are planting the right thing, you don't plant the whole chicken, just the eggs. Plant them in rows about six inches apart, cover about two inches with a good top soil, or you can use a new chicken manure, which just came on the market. They will produce better using it. In about twenty one days little baby chicks will be hopping all over your garden.

You will need to separate the pullets from the rosters. The pullets are very useful - laying you a good fresh egg every day, and then when their laying season is over they do make good chicken and dumpling. But it's so different with the old rooster. He is just like most men all he likes to do is just walk around and crow.

Hope this answers your questions, feel free to write any time.

Sincerely,
Dad

His comeback really surprised me. I laughed and laughed at his humor and wit. He's quite amazing. And a wonderful Dad! (See Dad's picture above.)

~~~

Quote of the Day

Freedom is never free.
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

Some surgeons were taking a coffee break and discussing their work. The first said, "I think accountants are the easiest to operate on. You open them up and everything inside is numbered."

The second said, "I think librarians are the easiest to operate on. You open them up and everything inside is in alphabetical order."

The third said, "I like to operate on electricians. You open them up and everything inside is color-coded."

The fourth one said, "I like to operate on lawyers. They're heartless, spineless, gutless, and their heads and rear-end are interchangeable."

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The Wagon Wheels

When I worked at Eastman Chemical Company, I used this drawing when I was teaching classes about quality improvement. What are the messages? What do you see?
I see a couple of guys in a rut, doing a job, with their heads down and working hard. They are probably not very happy with their job. They are doing things the way they've always done them. They are not looking for a way to improve what they are doing.

Perhaps their management does not encourage them to make changes to the way they do things. There is a solution right under their noses. Just look inside the wagon and they could make the job faster and easier and more enjoyable.

Maybe they don't have the tools to change the wheels. Maybe they think ahead that if they did change the wheels, then one man could pull the wagon. Then one of them would lose their job. So, they will just keep the status quo doing a hard boring job day after day. They say to themselves, "We'll just do what we're told, because we're just hired hands." What a dilemma!

Maybe we could apply this to our own lives today. I wonder, do I have a wagon with square wheels? Do you?

Helping a Friend Today
In just a little while I am going to go toward Knoxville to the Munroe's Cabin. I told Allen I would take his boat to Bass Pro Shops to get it winterized. This will help him since he lives in Florida. My good friend Ralph Jones is going with me (I appreciate that). While they are working on the boat and motor, we will eat some breakfast and later look around in Bass Pro store. Who knows? We might even buy something, if we can find something we "need" and don't already have. Ha!

~~~
Quote of the Day

This nation will remain the land of the free
only so long as it is the home of the brave.
~Elmer Davis

~~~
Jokes of the Day

A woman and her little girl were visiting the grave of the little girl's grandmother. On their way through the cemetery back to the car, the little girl asked, "Mommy, do they ever bury two people in the same grave?"

"Of course not, dear," replied the mother, "Why would you think that?"

"The tombstone back there said...'Here lies a lawyer and an honest man.'"

~~~

What's the difference between a catfish and a lawyer?
One's a slimy scum-sucking bottom-dwelling scavenger, the other is just a fish.

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Jade's A Vol

Jade is now officially a Volunteer Football Fan. She had the opportunity last Saturday to attend the SEC football game between the University of Tennessee and the University of Arkansas. This first picture shows her decked out in orange and white to support the Volunteers. This next picture shows Jade sitting by Kevin in the stadium. The third picture shows an awesome view of the stadium .

Many thanks to Kenneth Wilmoth for taking these pictures and sharing. Tennessee won the game 34-13. I think Jade's support helped!

This was Jade's first visit to the University of Tennessee campus and her first football game since she has been in the United States. As you may recall, Jade is an Exchange Student from Vietnam who is senior in high school this year. After graduation and return to Vietnam, she hopes to return to the USA to attend college. Beverly and I are her host parents in the US this year.

~~~
Quote of the Day

We often take for granted the very things that
most deserve our gratitude.
~Cynthia Ozick

~~~
Joke of the Day

Ida Mae passed away and Bubba called 911. The 911-operator told Bubba that she would send someone out right away.

"Where do you live?" asked the operator.

Bubba replied, "At the end of Eucalyptus Drive."

The operator asked, "Can you spell that for me?"

After a long pause, Bubba said, "How 'bout I drag her over to Oak Street and you pick her up there?"

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Remarkable Obituary

It seems that the country has lost it's common sense. We used to call it "horse sense" which is the ability to sensible decisions. Also, it means practical judgment. Now I'm not a lawyer, or a politician, or anything like that, but in some ways the country has gone crazy.

Some people hate our president. When I was growing up we were taught to respect and honor the presidency, as well as pray for them. Even the environmental types get out of control with tree hugging and all that. Also, you can't offend ethnic group no matter what,--even our enemies. And we cannot use profiling to help catch terrorists. There's lot more you can add to the list, lawyers and lawsuits gone wild! Now the 10 commandments is becoming illegal to post, and "In God We Trust" is being taken off our currency. No doubt, Common Sense has passed on...

Remarkable Obituary

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense. Mr. Sense had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).

His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. - Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, she spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge financial settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers: My Rights and Ima Whiner. He is also survived by a full brother, Horse Sense, who is hiding in isolation somewhere in the world.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, good for you; if not, join the majority and put your head in the sand.

I'm hoping that Mr. Horse Sense to come out of isolation and help save our US of A.

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Quote of the Day

It is easy to take liberty for granted,
when you have never had it taken from you.
~Dick Cheney

Thanks to All Veterans!
Check Out this Link: Veterans, We Honor You

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Joke of the Day

Farmer Joe decided his injuries from his recent accident were serious enough to take the trucking company responsible for the accident to court. In court, the trucking company's fancy lawyer was questioning farmer Joe.

"Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, that you were fine?"

''Well, I'll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite mule Bessie into the--"

''I didn't ask for any details,'' the lawyer interrupted. ''Just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, that you were fine?"

''Well I had just got Bessie into the trailer and was driving down the road--''

''Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the Highway Patrolman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question.'' By this time the Judge was fairly interested in Farmer Joe's answer and told the lawyer so.

''Well," said the farmer, "as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite mule, into the trailer and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck and trailer ran the stop sign and smacked my truck right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch and Bessie was thrown into the other. I was hurting real bad and didn't want to move. However, I could hear ol' Bessie moaning and groaning. I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans. Shortly after the accident a Highway Patrolman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to her. After he looked at her he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the Patrolman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me. He said, 'Your mule was in such bad shape I had to shoot her. How are you feeling?'"

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Laugh A Little

Did you know that laughing is good for you. Yes, there's nothing like a good laugh. Now just look at this cartoon. The guy says, "Come on! The suspense is killin' me. Which one's ours?"

Did the above cartoon make you laugh just a little bit? One of these best things we can do is laugh at ourselves. That would be better than bottling a lot of stress up inside ourselves. I laugh at myself a lot, because I do some stupid things sometimes. For example, once I went to Wal-Mart and something funny happened. I pushed the cart/buggy out to the car. Then while I was unlocking the trunk of the car, the buggy started rolling away. I turned to get the buggy, and there it was rolling down the parking lot. I had to run to catch it... and then I heard laughter, it was Beverly who was behind me. She said she didn't know I could move so fast! We both had a good laugh!

Another time I was out early one morning putting up Garage Sale signs to direct people to our house for a big sale. It was early morning and pitch black. At one place I was using duct tape to put a sign up. I put the tape on the ground while using the strip I had torn off. Then reached down to get my roll of duct tape. It was gone! I looked around... then saw it 50 feet away rolling merrily along the middle of the road away from me. I ran. I looked. I ran some more. And I looked some more. It was dark. And I never found that roll of duct tape. When I got home I told the story... and we all had a good laugh. I always wondered what happened to that roll of tape.

Here's some links that explain about the benefits of humor and laughter to your health.

1. Humor, Laughter & Health
2. Laughing Your Way to Health
3. Laughing Out Loud to Good Health

And for a good laugh or two, don't forget Jim's Humor Page.

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I hope you have
a wonderful weekend!

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Quote of the Day
The greatest good you can do for another
is not just to share your riches,
but to reveal to him his own.
~ Benjamin Disraeli

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Joke of the Day

Back when Bill Clinton was president, three young college students were on vacation in Washington, DC. One day they are walking together past the White House when they hear the voice of a man crying out, "Help, Help." Quickly, they respond to the call by leaping over the White House fence, and by following the cries, they eventually come upon Bill Clinton, drowning in the White House swimming pool. In an heroic rush, they pull him from the pool, then give him artificial respiration, clearly saving his life. After a few minutes, Clinton says to them, "Well, boys, today you saved my life! And I am willing to give each of you any wish you desire, as long as it is within my power as President!"

The first fellow thinks for a few seconds then says, "I have always wanted to go to West Point. Can you get me an appointment?" "You bet!" said the President, "I'll sign the papers this afternoon!"

Then the second fellow said, "I've always wanted to go to Annapolis. Can you get me in?" "You bet I can," said the President. "I'll sign the papers for it this afternoon, too."

After a few moments more, the third fellow said, "I'd like to know, can you get me buried in Arlington National Cemetery?" Clinton, a bit startled, thought for a second or two, then said, "Sure, but tell me, aren't you awfully young to be thinking about such things?" "Nope," replied the remaining fellow. "Because when I get home and tell my old man what I did today, he's going to kill me!"

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