Tennessee Granddaddy

Amazing Murder Mystery

2012-02-01T05:16:00.000-05:00

Murder Mystery
This is supposed to a true story from Associated Press. I have not been able to confirm, but in any event it makes an interesting story with a really weird twist.

For those who have served on a jury...this one is something to think about. Just when you think you have heard everything. Do you like to read a good murder mystery? Not even Law and Order would attempt to capture this mess. This is an unbelievable twist of fate!!!!

At the 1994 annual awards dinner given or Forensic Science, (AAFS) President, Dr. Don Harper Mills astounded his audience with the legal complications of a bizarre death. Here is the story:

On March 23,1994, the medical examiner viewed the body of Ronald Opus and concluded that he died from a shotgun wound to the head. Mr. Opus had jumped from the top of a ten-story building intending to commit suicide.

He left a note to the effect indicating his despondency. As he fell past the ninth floor, his life was interrupted by a shotgun blast passing through a window, which killed him instantly.

Neither the shooter nor the deceased was aware that a safety net had been installed just below the eighth floor level to protect some building workers and that Ronald Opus would not have been able to complete the suicide the way he had planned.

The room on the ninth floor, where the shotgun blast emanated, was occupied by an elderly man and his wife. They were arguing vigorously and he was threatening her with a shotgun! The man was so upset that when he pulled the trigger, he completely missed his wife, and the pellets went through the window, striking Mr. Opus.

When one intends to kill subject 'A' but kills subject 'B' in the attempt, one is guilty of the murder of subject 'B.'

When confronted with the murder charge, the old man and his wife were both adamant, and both said that they thought the shotgun was not loaded. The old man said it was a long-standing habit to threaten his wife with the unloaded shotgun. He had no intention to murder her. Therefore the killing of Mr. Opus appeared to be an accident; that is, assuming the gun had been accidentally loaded.

The continuing investigation turned up a witness who saw the old couple's son loading the shotgun about six weeks prior to the fatal accident. It transpired that the old lady had cut off her son's financial support and the son, knowing the propensity of his father to use the shotgun threateningly, loaded the gun with the expectation that his father would shoot his mother.

Since the loader of the gun was aware of this, he was guilty of the murder even though he didn't actually pull the trigger. The case now becomes one of murder on the part of the son for the death of Ronald Opus.

Now comes the exquisite twist....

Further investigation revealed that the son was, in fact, Ronald Opus.

He had become increasingly despondent over the failure of his attempt to engineer his mother's murder. This led him to jump off the ten-story building on March 23rd, only to be killed by a shotgun blast passing through the ninth story window.

The son, Ronald Opus, had actually murdered himself. So the medical examiner closed the case as a suicide.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Here’s a beautiful picture of earth from space.
Enjoy life. It’s a gift.

~~~

Quote of the Day
Happiness in intelligent people is the
rarest thing I know.
~Ernest Hemingway

~~~
Joke of the Day

As a pastor was visiting an elderly lady in the hospital he noticed a bowl of peanuts by her bed. He began to nibble the peanuts as they visited and by the end of the visit realized he had consumed the entire bowl.

Feeling badly he bought a bag and brought them to her the next day. As he gave them to her he explained they were to replace those he'd eaten the day before.

"Why you didn't need to do that Pastor", the lady explained. "The thing is, I don't have any teeth, so when my nephew brings me chocolate-covered peanuts. Well, I just suck the chocolate off and spit the peanuts in the bowl."

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Inspiring

2012-01-31T05:32:00.000-05:00

From A Friend
This is a nice story sent to me from a friend last week.

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree.

Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings.

The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.

Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast....because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.

'He will cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you will find refuge.' (Psalm 91:4)

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
When you can't control the wind,
adjust your sails!!!

~~~

Quote of the Day

It's so hard when I have to,
and so easy when I want to.
~Annie Gottlier

~~~
Joke of the Day

Joke today is a video from the Carol Burnett Show. It shows a no frills airline. It must be 15 years old and was giving us a look into the future.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

A Birthday Today

2012-01-30T05:09:00.000-05:00

My Wife’s Birthday
Today is Beverly’s birthday. We started celebrating on Saturday with a nice meal at Outback and then ice cream cake at our place with Kevin, Lesley, Kara and Zachary. This picture shows Beverly with Kara and Zachary.

I put up posters and a banner in the house to decorate things for the birthday celebration.

I was thinking about my birthday girl. She is still the woman of my dreams, and I can’t imagine living without her at my side.

I am a lucky man!

Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life!

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Hanging out with my wife is still
my favorite thing to do.

~~~

Quote of the Day

A handful of patience is worth more
than a bushel of brains.
~Dutch Proverb

~~~
Joke of the Day

The Talking Centipede -- A single guy decided life would be more fun if he had a pet. So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, (100-legged bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house.

He took the box back home, found a good spot for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to church with him.

So he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time."

But there was no answer from his new pet.

This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again, "How about going to church with me and receive blessings?" But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet.

So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time. This time he put his face up against the centipede's house and shouted, "Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about God?"

This time, a little voice came out of the box, "I heard you the first time! I'm putting my shoes on!"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Some Riddles…

2012-01-27T05:21:00.000-05:00

And They Are Good Ones
My friend send me riddles for me to share with you. They will make you think and help to keep your mind active. The answers are at the end. Good luck!

A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?
A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?
What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away ?
Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday?
This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!

THE ANSWERS TO ALL FIVE THE RIDDLES ARE BELOW:

The third room. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead. That one was easy, right?
The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry (shot; held under water; and hung).
Charcoal, as it is used in barbecuing.
Sure you can name three consecutive days, yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
The letter e, which is the most common letter used in the English language, does not appear even once in the paragraph.

How did you do?

~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Today is Friday, and I hope to be back on this blog again on Monday. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Remember to smile, and please be kind and pleasant in all your interactions with family, friends, and strangers.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Pleasure is the bait of sin.
~Plato

~~~
Jokes of the Day

Alabama
A group of Alabama friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck.

"Where's Henry?" the others asked.

"Henry had a stroke o' some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail," the successful hunter replied.

"You left Henry layin' out there and carried the deer back?" they inquired.

"A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one's gonna steal Henry!"

Georgia
The owner of a golf course in Georgia was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help.

He called her into his office and said, "Y'all graduated from the University of Georgia and I need some help. If I wuz to give yew $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?"

The secretary thought a moment, and then replied, "Everthang but my earrings."

Louisiana
A senior citizen in Louisiana was overheard saying ... "When the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Louisiana ."

When asked why, he replied, "I'd rather be in Louisiana 'cause everythang happens in Louisiana 20 years later than in the rest of the world."

Mississippi
The young man from Mississippi came running into the store and said to his buddy, "Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!"

Bubba replied, "Did y'all see who it was?"

The young man answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got the license number."

North Carolina
A man in North Carolina had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait.

A passerby studied the scene as he drove by, and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.

The man replied, "I got a flat tar."

The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"

The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back. I never did understand it neither."

Tennessee
A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-65. The trooper asked, "Got any ID?"

The driver replied, "Bout whut?"

Texas
The Sheriff pulled up next to the guy unloading garbage out of his pick-up into the ditch. The Sheriff asked, "Why are you dumping garbage in the ditch? Don't you see that sign right over your head."

"Yep," he replied. "That's why I'm dumpin' it here, 'cause it says: 'Fine For Dumping Garbage.' "

***

Y'all kin say whut y'all want 'about the South, but y'all never heard o' nobody retirin' an' movin' North.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

A Brain Test Old Gray Matter

2012-01-26T05:35:00.000-05:00

Work the Old Gray Matter
My good friend Betty sent me the following “test”. I like brain twisters and enjoyed the test. I won’t tell you how many I missed, and you don’t have to tell me how you do on this test. I hope you enjoy!

1. Johnny's mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child's name?

2. There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall and he wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

4. How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by four feet?

5. What word in the English Language is always spelled incorrectly?

6. Billy was born on December 28th, yet his birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible?

7. In California, you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?

8. What was the President's name in 1975?

9. If you were running a race, and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in now?

10. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white" or "The yolk of the egg is white"?

11. If a farmer has 5 haystacks in one field and 4 haystacks in the other field, how many haystacks would he have if he combined them all in another field?

Here are the Answers:

1. Johnny's mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child's name?

Answer: Johnny of course

2. There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall, and he wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh?

Answer: Meat.

3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?

Answer: Mt. Everest; it just wasn't discovered yet. [You're not very good at this are you?]

4. How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by four feet?

Answer: There is no dirt in a hole.

5. What word in the English Language is always spelled incorrectly? Answer: Incorrectly

6. Billy was born on December 28th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible?

Answer: Billy lives in the Southern Hemisphere

7. In California, you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?

Answer: You can't take pictures with a wooden leg. You need a camera to take pictures.

8. What was the President's Name in 1975?

Answer: Same as is it now - Barack Obama
[Oh, come on ...]

9. If you were running a race, and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in now?

Answer: You would be in 2nd. Well, you passed the person in second place, not first.

10. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white" or "The yolk of the egg is white"?

Answer: Neither, the yolk of the egg is yellow [Duh]

11. If a farmer has 5 haystacks in one field and 4 haystacks in the other field, how many haystacks would he have if he combined them all in another field?

Answer: One. If he combines all of his haystacks, they all become one big stack.

You can go back to sleep now ....

~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
The Bible speaks of Faith, Hope, and Charity.
All are important to us, but Charity (Love) is of most importance.

~~~

Quote of the Day
A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money.
~W.C. Fields

~~~
Joke of the Day

MEN and WOMEN – A COMPARISON

NICKNAMES
If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah. If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Bubba and Wildman.

EATING OUT
When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.
When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

MONEY
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.

BATHROOMS
A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel.
The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.

ARGUMENTS
A woman has the last word in any argument.
Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

FUTURE
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

MARRIAGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.

DRESSING UP
A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.
A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

NATURAL
Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.
Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

OFFSPRING
Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing!

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

The 1948 Tucker

2012-01-25T05:24:00.000-05:00

A Revolutionary Automobile
I vaguely remember seeing one when I was a young boy. I hope my memory doesn’t fail me, but I remember that Dad pointed one of these cars out on Chapman Highway in Knoxville, Tennessee. I remember it impressed me because it was modern looking for the time, and it had three (3) headlights. The middle one turned with the steering wheel to light the way for you on a turn. The picture of the Tucker is from Wikipedia and you can read more about this car at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Tucker_Sedan

I thought it was interesting that only 51 of these cars where produced before it folded in 1951. There was a movie produced in 1988 about this auto and the man who created it. Read more about it here:

Tucker: The Man and His Dream

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Some told me recently that “Bad decisions make good stories. “ It made me think about times when I was going through a bad situation, when I realized that sometime later I would be laughing about it while telling the story. You ever done that?

~~~

Quote of the Day

I am always doing that which I cannot do,
in order that I may learn how to do it.
~Pablo Picasso

~~~
Joke of the Day

Two old Jewish men, Sid and Al, are sitting in a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles . One day Sid asks Al, "Do you know of any people of our faith born and raised in Mexico ?"

Al replies, "I don't know, let's ask our waiter." When the waiter arrives, Al asks, "Are there any Mexican Jews?" The waiter says, "I don't know, Senor, I ask the cook." He returns from the kitchen a few minutes later and says, "No, Senor, the cook say no Mexican Jews."

Al isn't satisfied and asks, "Are you absolutely sure?" The waiter, realizing he is dealing with 'Gringos,' replies, "I check once again, Senor." While the waiter is away, Sid says, "I find it hard to believe that there are no Jews in Mexico . Our people are scattered everywhere. The waiter returns and says, "Senor, the head cook say there is no Mexican Jews." Al asks, "Are you certain? I just can't believe there are no Mexican Jews."

The exasperated waiter says, "Senor, I ask EVERYONE. All we have is Orange Jews, Grape Jews, Prune Jews and Tomato Jews.

(The above joke reminded me of the time when we were dining in a local Mexican Restaurant. We had spent time in Mexico and as we were eating we were wondering what type of cheese they used. We were guessing it was Manchego or some other variety. So we asked the server to check for us. He returned after a visit to the kitchen and told us it was Land O’Lakes. Ooookay.)

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Mathematics

2012-01-24T05:16:00.000-05:00

Beauty and Symmetry of Numbers
Here’s interesting presentation someone sent me about mathematics. It show some of the interesting things about our number system. Click on the picture below:

I don’t believe that assigning numbers to letters to see what value certain words have has any meaning whatsoever. You’ll see that at the end of the presentation.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
The devil when he tempted Jesus took him to a high place and had him look down. God wants to take us to a low place and have us look up.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies
soon grow color-blind.
~Austin O'Malley

~~~
Joke of the Day

My friend was lying in bed pondering the problems of body consciousness, he rapidly realized that:

If walking/cycling is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, and is fat.

A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years.

A tortoise doesn't run and does nothing, yet it lives for 450 years.

And you tell me to exercise and hurry up?? I don't think so.I'm a senior. Go around me!

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Men and Depression

2012-01-23T05:21:00.000-05:00

I received the following the other day from a friend, and while I thought it was funny, I thought it was true.

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED-- Men Are Just Happier People

What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack...
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, He or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes..
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives On December 24 in 25 minutes.

Men Are Just Happier People

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
One of my favorite funny saying is a quote,
“All Indians walk single file.
Well, the one I saw did.”

I use it when I find someone generalizing excessively.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Preconceived notions are the locks
on the door to wisdom.
~Merry Browne

~~~
Joke of the Day

My joke today is in the form of a video. I think you will enjoy President Reagan’s humor.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

The Dentist

2012-01-20T07:18:00.001-05:00

Regular Appointment
Today I go to the dentist. It’s just a regular checkup. I will get my teeth cleaned and then examined carefully by the dentist. When I thought of the dentist this morning, I was reminded of this funny comedy routine with Tim Conway. It made me laugh, so I hope it will make you smile today.

Have a great day and great weekend! I hope to be back on this blog next week. Do take good care.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

Smile today and Be kind.
Perform a random act of kindness to a stranger.
Also, I hope you see lots of smiles.
.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience.
~George-Louis de Buffon

~~~
Joke of the Day

If you are a senior you will understand this one, if you deal with seniors, this should help you understand them a little better, and if you are not a senior yet........God willing, someday you will be......

The 2.99 Special

We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the 'seniors' special' was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $2.99.

'Sounds good,' my wife said. 'But I don't want the eggs..'
'Then, I'll have to charge you $3.49 because you're ordering a la carte,' the waitress warned her.

'You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the eggs?' my wife asked incredulously.

'YES!' stated the waitress..

'I'll take the special then,' my wife said..
'How do you want your eggs?' the waitress asked.

'Raw and in the shell,' my wife replied. She took the two eggs home and baked a cake.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Can You Communicate?

2012-01-19T05:11:00.000-05:00

A Good Lesson
While at Zachary’s School (Elementary Grades 1-5) a few days ago, I noticed the following poster on the wall.

If you can’t read the words, it says,

Write a Satisfying Paragraph

Start with a topic sentence that
covers all you want to say.
Give the reader three juicy details.
One. Two. Three.
End with a filling conclusion.

I was impressed with the above poster and hope they are using it to teach young students how to write effectively. Also hoping this will be carried over into oral communication.

Tips for public speaking have been around for ages. It’s a shame people don’t apply some of these tips when they make a speech or short talk. Here’s a couple I heard some years ago:

Tip One

Tell them what you are going to tell them.
Tell them.
Tell them what you told them.

Tip Two

Have a good beginning.
Have a good ending.
Keep the beginning and ending close together.

The key elements often are to not ramble and to be brief. We all like for the speaker to get to the point and be brief. That’s good advice for all of us when we are trying to get a point across.

We could apply that elementary school poster to most of our communication these days.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Communication is not a one way street. True communication occurs when the person receiving the message understands the exact information/idea that the speaker intended to transmit.
That my friend, is a difficult task.

~~~

Quote of the Day

In union there is strength.
~Aesop

~~~
Joke of the Day

A very old man lay dying in his bed. In death's doorway, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookie wafting up the stairs.

He gathered his remaining strength and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven. There, spread out on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?

Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table. The aged and withered hand, shaking, made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when he was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife.

"Stay out of those," she said. "They're for the funeral.”

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

The Beauty o Pollination

2012-01-18T05:11:00.000-05:00

From a TED Talk
Here’s an excerpt from a TED video that shows the beauty of pollination. The nature around us is amazing, and much of it goes unnoticed by humans.

Click here to watch the complete presentation by Louie Schwartzberg : Click Here

(From here you can watch in full screen view.)

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Nature provides us with both beauty and lessons for life.

~~~

Quote of the Day

If you think you are too small to be effective,
you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
~Betty Reese

~~~
Joke of the Day

A note from a friend:

Are you really concerned about North Korea's appointment of the "dear leader", Kim Jung Ill's youngest son to be the new leader of North Korea -- a nuclear power!

After all, Kim Jung Un (pronounced Kim's young-un?) had NO military experience whatsoever before daddy made him a four-star general in the military. This is a snot-nose twerp who has never accomplished anything in his life that would even come close to military leadership: he hasn't even so much as led a cub scout troop, let alone coached a sports team or commanded a military platoon. So, setting that a side, next they make him the "beloved leader" of the country. Terrific!!!

Oh, me! I'm sorry. I just remembered that we did the same thing here, we took a community organizer, a guy who has never led anything more than an ACORN demonstration; one who has never even worn a uniform, and made him Commander-in-Chief - the leader of this country. Guess we’re not so different from North Korea after all……

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Habits? Good or Bad

2012-01-17T05:25:00.000-05:00

Maybe Both
We’ve all got habits. We do some things just without thinking. Some of these are good, but other habits we have may not be so good.

We would like to maintain our good habits, but get rid of our bad habits. I think the key to this is replacing a bad habit with a good habit. I saw this at the following web site: Tips for Breaking Bad Habits

They say everyone has some habit(s) they they would like to eliminate. If you do, you might want to check out that web site for some ideas to help you.

Exercise
Exercise is good for you. I believe there are three kinds of exercise we need every week: Aerobics, strength/flexibility, and mental. My plan for 2012 is as follows:

Aerobics: 3-6 times per week, at least 30 minutes per time.
Strength/flexibility: 3 times per week. 30-45 minutes each.
Mental: Daily. Problem solving, puzzles, reading.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Do your best.
No one can be ashamed if they do their best.

~~~

Quote of the Day

A candle loses none of its light
by lighting another candle.
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

A toothpaste factory had a problem: they sometimes shipped empty boxes, without the tube inside. This was due to the way the production line was set up, and people with experience in designing production lines will tell you how difficult it is to have everything happen with timing so precise that every single unit coming out of it is perfect 100% of the time.

Small variations in the environment (which can't be controlled in a cost-effective fashion) mean you must have quality assurance checks smartly distributed across the line so that customers all the way down to the supermarket don't get ticked-off and buy another product instead.

Understanding how important that was, the CEO of the toothpaste factory got the top people in the company together and they decided to start a new project, in which they would hire an external engineering company to solve their empty boxes problem, as their engineering department was already too stretched to take on any extra effort. The project followed the usual process: budget and project sponsor allocated, RFP, third-parties selected, and six months (and $8 million) later they had a fantastic solution - on time, on budget, high quality and everyone in the project had a great time.

They solved the problem by using high-tech precision scales that would sound a bell and flash lights whenever a toothpaste box would weigh less than it should. The line would stop, and someone had to walk over and yank the defective box out of it, pressing another button when done to re-start the line.

A while later, the CEO decides to have a look at the ROI of the project: amazing results! No empty boxes ever shipped out of the factory after the scales were put in place. Very few customer complaints and they were gaining market share. "That's some money well spent!" - he says, before looking closely at the other statistics in the report. It turns out; the number of defects picked up by the scales was 0, after three weeks of production use. It should've been picking up at least a dozen a day, so maybe there was something wrong with the report.

He launched an investigation, and after some work, the engineers come back saying the report was actually correct. The scales really weren't picking up any defects, because all boxes that got to that point in the conveyor belt were good. Puzzled, the CEO traveled down to the factory, and walked up to the part of the line where the precision scales were installed.

A few feet before the scale, there was a $20 desk fan, blowing any empty boxes off of the belt and into a bin. "Oh, that," says one of the workers - "one of the guys put it there 'cause he was tired of walking over every time the bell rang".

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

A Good Day

2012-01-16T05:10:00.000-05:00

With a Great Guy
We had good times on Saturday celebrating Kevin’s birthday. First we went to Zachary’s basketball game. They won convincingly, and Zachary got to play almost a full quarter. He really hustled.

Next we went to Riverfront Seafood for a nice meal and conversation, then on to Kevin’s for cake and ice cream. Actually it was an ice cream cake.

Lesley told us about picking up the cake at Baskin Robbins the day before his birthday. She told the clerk she wanted two ice cream cakes, one for Saturday and a smaller one for the night before. She explained that “he couldn’t wait until Saturday for his cake… that’s why I’m getting two cakes.” The clerk asked, “How old is he?” Lesley smiled and said “Forty-four.” The clerk said, “oh…” with a funny look on her face.

Here’s a few pictures from Saturday…

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I’m really liking my new iPhone 4s.
Just learned I can use it with Skype,
and both the front and rear cameras work.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Everyone thinks of changing the world,
but no one thinks of changing himself.
~Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

~~~
Joke of the Day

Cletus is passing by Billy Bob's hay barn one day in Iowa when, through a gap in the door, he sees Billy Bob doing a slow and sensual striptease in front of an old green John Deere.

Buttocks clenched, he performs a slow pirouette, and gently slides off first the right strap of his overalls, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward and in a classic striptease move, lets his overalls fall down to his hips, revealing a torn and
frayed plaid shirt. Then, grabbing both sides of his shirt, he rips it apart to reveal his stained T-shirt underneath. With a final flourish, he tears the T-shirt from his body, and hurls his baseball cap onto a pile of hay.

Having seen enough, Cletus rushes in and says, "What the world're ya doing, Billy Bob?"

"Good grief, Cletus, ya scared the bejeebers out of me," says an obviously embarrassed Billy Bob.

"But me 'n the wife been havin trouble lately in the bedroom d'partment, and the therapist suggested I do something sexy to a tractor."

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Cute puppy

2012-01-15T08:23:00.001-05:00

I could not resist posting this picture. I hope you're having a super weekend!

Be thankful.

Be Careful Today!

2012-01-13T05:13:00.000-05:00

Snow? Yes We Have Snow!
The temperature was in the 50’s in the mid afternoon yesterday. I had my doubts about snow, but the temperature dropped like a rock and we had snow coming down before I hit the sack. This morning we have only an inch on the ground and it is in the low 20s. Why should I doubt the weather forecasters? Answer: We live in East Tennessee.

Hey! It really is Friday the 13th
Yes, this day has come upon us. Watch out for ladders, black cats, broken mirrors, etc. Today is considered one of the unluckiest days in the calendar year, but don’t worry, it’s just another day.

Are you superstitious? As for myself, I am not, but I do like to joke about Friday the 13th. You probably know that much about me.

Be Positive
My cousin, Karen, sent me the following about being positive. Today would be a good day to start being more positive. We have a lot to be thankful for.

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE: Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.

Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.

If Wal-Mart is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Tomorrow is Kevin’s Birthday!

My son, Kevin, has a birthday tomorrow, January 14. He’ll be 44 years old. He’s a great son, loving husband, and caring father. I wish him a very happy birthday.

We’ll be celebrating tomorrow after Zachary’s basketball game by eating a local restaurant, and then going to his home for cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday To Kevin

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Above under being positive, once sentence was;
Don't cry because it's over;
smile because it happened.

.
I was thinking that you could also say:

Don’t cry because it happened;
smile because it’s over.

~~~

Quote of the Day
What flatterers say, try to make true.
~German Proverb

~~~
Joke of the Day

On a busy street in New York City, a man hustles across an intersection and is just about makes it to the other side before he’s hit by a bus. He lies dying on the sidewalk as a crowd gathers around.

"A priest. Somebody get me a priest!" the man gasps.

A policeman checks the crowd, but there is no priest, no minister, no man of God of any kind.

"A priest, please!" repeats the dying man.

Then out of the crowd steps a little old Jewish man of at least 80 years.

"Mr. Policeman," says the man, "I’m not a priest. I’m not even a Catholic. But for 50 years now I’ve been living behind St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church on First Avenue, and every night I listen to the Catholic litany. Maybe I can be of some comfort to this man."

The policeman agrees and brings the gentleman over to where the dying man is lying. He kneels down, leans over the injured and says in a solemn voice: "B-4. I-19. N-38. G-54. O-72."

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Snow?

2012-01-12T14:36:00.001-05:00

I'm looking at the temperature. It's 51 degrees and they are talking about snow before nightfall. Can it be?

(I'm posting this from my phone to test it out)

Rednecks

2012-01-12T05:09:00.000-05:00

There’s A Good Side to Those Rednecks
I received the following from a redneck friend of mine the other day. I wanted to share with my other redneck friends. I may have posted something like this before… but I can’t remember.

We have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years. It's time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God. If I had to stand before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd
choose a half dozen or so rednecks to back me up. Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are made of.

You might be a redneck if: It never occurred to you to
be offended by the phrase, 'One nation, under God..'

You might be a redneck if: You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.

You might be a redneck if: You still say ' Christmas'
instead of 'Winter Festival.'

You might be a redneck if: You bow your head when
someone prays.

You might be a redneck if: You stand and place your
hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.

You might be a redneck if: You treat our armed forces
veterans with great respect, and always have.

You might be a redneck if: You've never burned an
American flag, nor intend to.

You might be a redneck if: You know what you believe
and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a redneck if: You respect your elders and
raised your kids to do the same. Some of you are so old you don't have elders to respect.

You might be a redneck if: You'd give your last dollar to a friend.

You might be a redneck if: You believe in God & Jesus
and believe that others have the right to believe in which ever God they believe in as long as their God does not tell them to kill anyone who does not believe the same as they do!!!!!

About Grandmother
Ol’ Granddaddy is dragging because Grandmother is not up to par. The first week in January she had a bug or a case of the flu. She just got over that, and last Tuesday they diagnosed her with a case of Shingles. She not feeling very good, and when she hurts, Granddaddy hurts too.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I heard this yesterday, “IF YOU GET TO
THINKIN' YOU'RE A PERSON OF SOME INFLUENCE, TRY ORDERING SOMEBODY ELSE'S DOG AROUND.” My advice is to be humble.
.
~~~

Quote of the Day

Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self.
~Charles Haddon Spurgeon

~~~
Joke of the Day

While crossing the US-Mexican border on his bicycle, the man was stopped by a guard who pointed to two sacks the man had on his shoulders. "What's in the bags?", asked the guard.

"Sand," said the cyclist. "Get them off - we'll take a look," said the guard. The Cyclist did as he was told, emptied the bags, and proving they contained nothing but sand, reloaded the bags, put them on his shoulders and continued across the border.

Two weeks later, the same thing happened. Again the guard demanded to see the two bags, which again contained nothing but sand.

This went on every week for six months, until one day the cyclist with the sand bags failed to appear. A few days later, the guard happened to meet the cyclist downtown.

"Say friend, you sure had us crazy", said the guard. "We knew you were smuggling something across the border. I won't say a word - but what is it you were smuggling?"

"Bicycles!"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Cell Phones & Digital Cameras

2012-01-11T05:16:00.000-05:00

Wonders of the Ages?
I love my cell phone. It’s smart, but I am dumb. I still like it. It’s very useful. I try to use my phone correctly.

You might not think so much of cell phones if they cause an accident. So be careful and don’t try to text or dial numbers when you drive. It’s better not to use a phone at all when you are driving. It just takes a second to have an accident.

A good friend sent me the following. It’s a cell phone for seniors! Someone made this phone with a Photoshop type program. It has a rotary dial! Remember those?

Digital Cameras are another wonderful invention. I sure wish I had one years ago. Now I’ve got all these old photographs and slides that eventually will fade away. I need to scan more of them so they can be saved for future generations of our family.

I got my first digital camera in December of 2001. It was a gift from my Dad. I really enjoyed the camera… it got me going into the digital picture age.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
There have been many times in the past when I wish I had a camera with me. One time in particular (maybe in the 1960s or 1970s) there was a new Western Auto store to open on Eastman Road in Kingsport, TN. They had the sign ready to put on the building with a small crane. My mouth dropped open and I could not believe my eyes. The sign read:

Western Otto

~~~

Quote of the Day

The only gift is a portion of thyself.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~
Joke of the Day

The young mother skeptically examined a new educational toy. "Isn't it rather complicated for a small boy?" she asked the salesclerk.

"It's designed to teach the child how to live in today's world, madam," the shop clerk replied. "Any way he tries to put it together is wrong."

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Aircraft Technology

2012-01-10T05:34:00.000-05:00

Vertical Takeoff and Landing
Amazing machines! Watch this video the F-38B short takeoff/vertical landing variant in some suitability testing in October 2011

~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Ever wonder if your password for your email has been compromised? A web site has been created to help the average person check to see if their passwords have been compromised, so they can be changed.

Click here to check:
.

Should I Change My Password?

~~~

Quote of the Day

Science does not know its debt to imagination.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~
Joke of the Day

So this little girl comes home right? And she goes to daddy and says "I'm never going to school again."

So the Dad replies "why??"

She exclaims "because my teacher said 5+5=10, 6+4=10, 7+3=10 ,8+2=10, and that 9+1=10!"

He again says "and your point is???"

She screams "SO SHE NEEDS TO MAKE UP HER MIND!!!"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

From America’s Attic

2012-01-09T05:05:00.000-05:00

Pictures From 1939-1943
Take a trip back in time and see some astounding pictures that reflect America’s past. The picture are the property of the Library of Congress, which were used in 2006 exhibit. The colors are magnificent, and the memories they bring are moving. Here’s an example:

Click the following link to see and enjoy all the pictures:

http://extras.denverpost.com/archive/captured.asp

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Memories are something that no one can take away from us. May we live today in a way that the memories of tomorrow will comfort us.

~~~

Quote of the Day
True love is not how you forgive, but how you forget, not what you see but what you feel, not how you listen but how you understand, and not how you let go but how you hold on.
~by Lovely

~~~
Joke of the Day

How to Wash a Toilet -- This was simply too much of a time saver not to share it with you.

Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid. You may need to stand on the lid.
The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a 'power-wash' and rinse'.
Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift the lid.
The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.
Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.

Sincerely,
The Dog

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

In Green Bay

2012-01-06T05:17:00.000-05:00

On TV
I received the following note with two pictures of the stands at a football game.

“This is what ESPN failed to show on Monday night - 11/14/2011!!! Apparently they thought their commercials were more important than showing this scene for about 5 seconds!”

That’s pretty. It’s a shame they did not show it. Many thanks to our military and our veterans. We appreciate your sacrifices!

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Words are so Powerful.
Be careful how you use them.
See what I mean, click on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Hzgzim5m7oU&vq=medium

~~~

Quote of the Day

It is not the oath that makes us believe the man,
but the man the oath.
~Aeschylus

~~~
Joke of the Day

Dear Son,

Your Pa has a new job. The first in 48 years. We are a little better, off now, getting $17.96 every Thursday. So we up and thought we'd do a little fixin’ up. We sent to Searers for one of them there bathrooms you hear so much about and it took a plumber to put it in shape.

On one side of the room is a great big long thing, something like the hogs drink out of, only you get in it and wash all over. Over on the other side is a little white thing called a sink, this is for light washing, like face and hands, but over in the other corner we really got something.

There you put one foot in, wash it clean, pull a chain and get fresh water for the other foot. Two lids come with the darn thing and we ain't had any use for them in the bathroom, so I'm using one for a bread board and the other we framed grandmother's picture in.

They were awful nice people to deal with and they sent us a roll of writing paper with it.

Take care of yourself son.

Your Maw

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Stand for the Pledge

2012-01-05T05:17:00.000-05:00

I Pledge Allegiance
I have a great love for this great country of ours. When I was in school they taught us many things that seem to be missing today. They taught us to respect the flag, to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, to respect our elders, to be fair and to be accountable for your actions.

There’s a good message in the following:

The Pledge

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
True words from the Bible:
Ecc 10:2 A wise man's heart tends toward his right,
but a fool's heart tends toward his left.

~~~

Quote of the Day
Our whole life is solving puzzles.
~Erno Rubik

~~~
Joke of the Day

While eating in an expensive restaurant, a patron overhead the gentleman at the next table ask the waitress t pack the leftovers for their dog.

It was then that his young son exclaimed loudly, “Whoopee! We’re going to get a dog.”

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Your Taxes

2012-01-04T05:11:00.000-05:00

Here’s An Example of What Our Taxes Support
Watch this and note the guy’s attitude. Entitlements are ruining the country!

Remember this when you go to the polls in November.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Don’t fret. Be thankful for today.
It has many opportunities if we look beyond ourselves.
Today is a gift.

~~~

Quote of the Day

We dare not trust our wit for making our house pleasant to our friends, so we buy ice cream.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~
Joke of the Day

A customer was bothering the waiter in a restaurant. First, he asked that the air conditioning be turned up because he was too hot, then he asked it be turned down cause he was too cold, and so on for about half an hour.

Surprisingly, the waiter was very patient, he walked back and forth and never once got angry. So finally, a second customer asked him why he didn't throw out the pest.

"Oh, I really don't care or mind," said the waiter with a smile. "We don't even have an air conditioner."

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

A New Year

2012-01-03T05:16:00.000-05:00

Well, I Have to Say It,

Happy New Year

Are you tired of hearing it yet? I just wondered. It seems like we got lot of email telling us Happy New Year. I’m grateful for that. Then every cartoon in the comics has said Happy New Year. And the newspapers have said Happy New Year, etc. No doubt about it, 2012 is here. Now we live go on and live our life in a new year.

Lot’s of people have reviewed what happened in 2011. but I’m going to tell you what will happen in 2012.

The United States will have a Presidential Election, and there will be lots of mud slinging from both sides. Obama will be re-elected and the country will continue its decline. (Sure wish I am wrong on this one.)
We will have some bad storms, including both tornados and hurricanes in the USA. There will other natural disasters in other parts of the world. The liberals will blame man-made global warming and maybe George Bush.
Death and taxes will continue as the two things we cannot escape. The USA will continue to move to increase entitlements while reducing medical care for seniors. Very likely the country will have a crisis with China about the country’s debt.
The earth will experience some earthquakes and volcano eruptions. Damage will be severe and lives will be lost.
There will be much unrest in the middle east. The bombs will continue to blast in Iraq and Afghanistan. There will be no peace. The Iran situation will escalate.
The new leader in N Korea will test his power and set off a critical situation with Japan.
Babies will be born and life will go on. Unfortunately family life will continue a decline.
. etc.
. etc.
. etc.

I’m getting discouraged, so I’m going to quit here. Not a pretty picture is it? Sounds bleak, but it could be worse.

Just remember to put God first in your life, live one day at a time, pray for the world leaders, enjoy your life, your family. Remember life is a gift. That is why they call today the “present.” A good motto for the new year:

“Make the Most of Every Moment”

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

Let’s get this new started off right.
Get focused for making some headway this year.
Some areas for focus could be your:
Spirituality
Family Life
Health
Home
Occupation
Hobbies
Travel

~~~

Quote of the Day
When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

Story from a Kansas State Highway Patrol officer :

I made a traffic stop on an elderly lady the other day for speeding on U.S. 166 Eastbound at Mile Marker 73 just East of Sedan, KS. I asked for her driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. The lady took out the required information and handed it to me. In with the cards I was somewhat surprised (due to her advanced age) to see she had a conceal carry permit. I looked at her and ask if she had a weapon in her possession at this time.

She responded that she indeed had a .45 automatic in her glove box. Something---body language, or the way she said it---made me want to ask if she had any other firearms. She did admit to also having a 9mm Glock in her center console. Now I had to ask one more time if that was all. She responded once again that she did have
just one more, a .38 special in her purse. I then asked her what she was so afraid of.

She looked me right in the eye and said,
"Not a dad-blamed thing!"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Great News!

2012-01-02T05:14:00.000-05:00

Granddaddy’s Going To Be a Great Granddaddy!
How about that? We’ve known this for a little over a week, but had to wait to make the announcement.

Mandy called and gave us the news, that she is expecting and the baby will be due sometime in July, 2012. We are very excited about this big event in our family!

I was thinking about when Grandmother was finishing up her college degree, I told people that I slept with a Coed. Now I’ll have to tell them I sleep with a Great Grandmother! Times change…

My Dad’s excited also. He’ll be a Great Great Grandpa!

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Someone said that Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what in the world happened?

~~~

Quote of the Day

Grandchildren are God's way
of compensating us
for growing old.
~Mary H. Waldrip

~~~
Joke of the Day

Funny Predictions Made in the Past:

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." -- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out," -- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.

"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible," -- Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895.

"Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value," -- Marechal Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre , France .

"Everything that can be invented has been invented,"
-- Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899.

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." -- Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Come Backs

2011-12-30T05:16:00.000-05:00

Some Good Ones
A good friend sent me these two “come backs”… have ever had a good “come back”?

One
If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the police officer's credibility .....

Q: 'Officer --- did you see my client fleeing the scene?'
A: 'No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away.'
Q: 'Officer -- who provided this description?'
A: 'The officer who responded to the scene.'
Q: 'A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?'
A: 'Yes, sir. With my life.'
Q: 'With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?'
A: 'Yes sir, we do!'
Q: 'And do you have a locker in the room?'
A: 'Yes, sir, ... I do.'
Q: 'And do you have a lock on your locker?'
A: 'Yes, sir.'
Q: 'Now, ... why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?'
A: 'You see, sir -- we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room.'

The courtroom EXPLODED with laughter, and a prompt recess was called.

Two
In an interview, General Norman Schwarzkopf was asked if he thought there was room for forgiveness toward the people who have harbored and abetted the terrorists who perpetrated the 9/11 attacks on America.

His answer was classic Schwarzkopf.

The General said, "I believe that forgiving them is God's function ..... OUR job is just to arrange the meeting."

A Good Thing To Do In 2012
When you forward email, please remove all email addresses, and use BCC. I understand that this will help stop spammers and viruses.

Kara’s Birthday Tomorrow!
My granddaughter, Kara, has a birthday tomorrow. She’s growing up fast. She’ll be fourteen years old! My other granddaughter, Mandy, is 28, so Kara is 1/2 of Mandy’s age. Grandmother pointed that out.

Kara, we wish you a very
Happy Birthday!!!
Here’s picture of her taken on Christmas day.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Good advice for 2012:
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck
And pay off your credit cards every month.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Be always at war with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors,
and let each new year find you a better man.
~Benjamin Franklin

~~~
Joke of the Day

A New Year Resolution, through the Years

2005: I will get my weight down below 180.
2006: I will watch my calories until I get below 190.
2007: I will follow my new diet until I get below 200.
2008: I will develop a good attitude about my weight.
2009: I will work out 5 days a week.
2010: I will work out 3 days a week.
2011: I will try to drive past a gym at least once a week.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

The Buzzard, the Bat and the Bumblebee

2011-12-29T05:21:00.000-05:00

And People

I received the follow a few days ago, and I have not confirmed that what it says about buzzard, bat and bumblebee is true… but there is a good lesson for us as individuals…

THE BUZZARD:
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is That a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a Run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, It will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT:
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a
remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom.. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself..

PEOPLE:
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the Answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem!
Just look up.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Since 2012 is an election year, I have some good advice:
You don't have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.

~~~

Quote of the Day
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

~~~
Joke of the Day

New Year Resolutions that you could keep,
but please don’t!

10. Read less.
9. I want to gain weight. Put on at least 30 pounds.
8. Stop exercising. Waste of time.
7. Watch more TV.
6. Procrastinate more.
5. Drink. Drink some more.
4. Start being superstitious.
3. Spend more time at work.
2. Stop bringing lunch from home and Eat out more.
1. Take up a new bad habit.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Fishing Rod Storage

2011-12-28T05:10:00.000-05:00

Out of PVC Pipe
Back a couple of years ago I made a fishing rod storage holder out of PVC pipe. Here’s a picture. I posted this picture on a web site devoted to PVC pipe projects:

http://www.pvcplans.com/pvc-pipe.htm.

You might want to check out that web site for ideas for projects using PVC pipe. It’s amazing the things you can make.

Well over the past couple of years I’ve nearly 100 requests for plans on how to make the rod rack that I designed. I did write up something so that I could give people some ideas.

Since then I’ve come up with more ideas to make the storage racks more useful. One person took my ideas and made the rod rack shown in the picture to the left.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
As the new year approaches, it’s good time to plan projects and think of better ways to organize.

~~~

Quote of the Day

We will open the book. Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called Opportunity
and its first chapter is
New Year's Day.
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

~~~
Joke of the Day

New Year's Day Prayer for Everyone

Dear Lord

So far this year I've done well.

I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost my temper, I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help.

Amen

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Protests

2011-12-27T05:10:00.000-05:00

Wall Street Protesters
They were in the news big time a few weeks ago. Now things seem to have calmed down. I copied the following article a few weeks ago and never go around to posting it. It was written by David Moon, an investment manager in Knoxville, TN. I think you might enjoy it.

Wall Street protesters should blame democracy

After dinner two Fridays ago, one of the Knoxville variants of the Occupy Wall Street protesters explained to my family and me that capitalism caused the economic collapse in 2008 and its continuing malaise. He was wrong. It was not a failure of capitalism. It was a failure of democracy.

Our current problems began in a mortgage market run amok, at both the individual and institutional level. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were created by elected officials to pursue certain social goals. Congress subsidized mortgage rates with the stated purpose of encouraging homeownership.

The unintended consequence was that people bought homes who shouldn’t have. Others bought much more house than they should have.That wasn’t a result of capitalism. It happened because Congress was attempting to bribe voters with their own money. The federal government nationalizing General Motors wasn’t capitalism, nor was the suspension of bankruptcy liquidation preferences. It was a way to curry favor with certain groups who were socially favored by Washington decision makers.

Bailing out AIG was, among other things, a way to curry favor with Goldman Sachs, one of AIG’s largest creditors.

Allowing Lehman to fail likely also pleased the folks at Goldman Sachs. Yet the same government that allowed Lehman to fail also provided more than $182 billion to AIG, almost $13 billion of which ultimately ended up in Goldman’s coffers as a result of credit default swap obligations.

Hank Paulson, a treasury secretary under former President George W. Bush, was CEO at Goldman before his stint in public service. Investment banks packaged and resold Fannie Mae-guaranteed mortgages, pretending that putting a bunch of risky assets together would magically make the risk disappear. It doesn’t. As Charlie Munger says, when you mix raisins and turds, you get turds.

Capitalism, however, honors the rights of private ownership of property, including the right to waste or lose it. Capitalism would have allowed all of them to fail. Goldman, Lehman, AIG and General Motors. And the folks underwater on their mortgages. Neither JP Morgan nor Ford needed government bailouts. It is not free market capitalism when the taxpayers subsidize Ford’s and JP Morgan’s competitors.

Nor is it capitalism when debt-free homeowners or those who pay their mortgages subsidize those who can’t or won’t. Joseph Stiglitz is a Nobel laureate economist who was invited to speak to the Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York City. The nuance of his comments was probably lost on the group, as they appeared more interested in preparing for the next Bonnaroo than understanding an economic system they claimed to protest. Stiglitz explicitly noted that their problem was not capitalism, saying, “It is not capitalism when you socialize losses and privatize gains.”

Even Stiglitz, a guy supporting the protesters, acknowledges that capitalism would not have allowed businesses and individuals to “share” their losses and poor decisions with society. As long as the protesters look externally for a solution to their economic ills, they will remain impotent. Once a man blames others for his problems, he has given away the ability to change his condition.

David Moon is president of Moon Capital Management, a Knoxvillebased investment management firm. He may be contacted at http://www.davidmoon.com.

DAVID MOON

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I don’t want to get too serious this week, but we must remember that life is serious. A new year is about to dawn. We all hope it will be better than the last year. The best thing we can do is to pray more earnestly in the coming year.
.

Someone said that our prayers to God
should always contain 3 things,
1)Thanksgiving, 2) I’m Sorry, and 3) Please Help me

~~~

Quote of the Day
People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the
New Year and Christmas.
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

A Senator in the USA was once asked about his attitude toward whisky.

'If you mean the demon drink that poisons the mind, pollutes the body, desecrates family life, and inflames sinners, then I'm against it. But if you mean the elixir of a New Year toast, the shield against winter chill, the taxable potion that puts needed funds into public coffers to comfort little crippled children, then I'm for it. This is my position, and I will not compromise.'

(Don’t Drink and Drive,
but it might be better just to not drink.)

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

A Big Surprise!

2011-12-26T05:19:00.000-05:00

On Christmas Eve
Granddaddy and Grandmother was very much surprised by a special gift from Kevin, Lesley, Kara and Zachary. They handed us the gift bag, and it was kind of heavy. There was a box in the bag, that held something I least expected. It was an iPad 2!

Here we are holding our new gift.

We’ll be experimenting and learning how to effectively utilize this amazing tablet. It’s impressive for sure! Thanks so much to Kevin and family!

Christmas 2011
It’s gone, and in the history books. I do hope you had a nice Christmas with family and friends. The most important gift you received is the memories from your time of being together.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
It’s getting close to the end of another year.
It’s a good time to be thinking about your
resolutions for the new year.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning
but a going on, with all the wisdom
that experience can instill in us.
~Hal Borland

~~~
Joke of the Day

We’ve all talked to this guy… now at last a picture of him!

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

It’s Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-25T05:05:00.000-05:00

What Should You Do Today?
It’s much better to give than receive. I hope you were a giver. Now today you can continue to give…

Give your time to your family
Call or visit your family & friends and let them know you love them.
Help your children or grandchildren with their new gifts, or let them teach you how to use them.
Take a deep breath, count your blessings and be thankful.
Pray a prayer that includes asking forgiveness, asking for help, and show your gratitude. (I’m sorry, Help me, Thank you

~~~

Quote of the Day

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day.
Don't clean it up too quickly.
~Andy Rooney

~~~
Joke of the Day

A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom and gloom pessimist.

Just to see what would happen, on Christmas their father loaded the pessimist's room with every imaginable toy and game. The optimist's room he loaded with horse manure.

That night the father passed by the pessimist's room and found him sitting amid his new gifts crying bitterly.

"Why are you crying?" the father asked.

"Because my friends will be jealous, I'll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with this stuff, I'll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken." answered the pessimist twin.

Passing the optimist twin's room, the father found him dancing for joy in the pile of manure. "What are you so happy about?" he asked.

To which his optimist twin replied, "There's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T05:32:00.000-05:00

I’m Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas

If you’re quiet and watch carefully you might see Santa and his reindeer tonight.

Click the link below to track Santa’s progress as he travels around the world tonight. This is compliments of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command).

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

It’s a Good Time to Count Your Blessings
Watch the following…

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Enjoy the holidays. Don’t be a Scrooge!

~~~

Quote of the Day
May Peace be your gift at Christmas
and your blessing all year through!
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

A parent's night before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.
Instructions were studied and we were inspired,
In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."

The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,
While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:
A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!
And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!

We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat....
Let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!
Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;
If we can't get it right, it goes in the basement!

When what to my worrying eyes should appear,
But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,
With each part numbered and every slot named,
So if we failed, only we could be blamed.

More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,
All over the carpet they were scattered about.
"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!
Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."
"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."

And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact
That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact
To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night
With "assembly required" till morning's first light.

We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,
Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin
Before we attached the last rod and last pin.

Then laying the tools away in the chest,
We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out,
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.

Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,
And not have to run to the store for a thing!
We did it! We did it! The toys are all set
For the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!"

Then off to dreamland and sweet repose I gratefully went,
Though I suppose there's something to say for those self-deluded...
I'd forgotten that batteries are never included!

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

A Christmas Story

2011-12-23T05:13:00.000-05:00

About Neighbors
There was a man and his wife who had a tree planted in their yard. It was a young dogwood tree, and a gift from family members. They watered it diligently, but after much care it died 2 years later. The man of the house was planning to replace the tree, but had not gotten around to doing it.

Then one warm December day in 2011, the phone rang. It was the neighbors next door. He explained that he had noticed that the tree had died, and he had bought a new tree so that he could replace it. He called to make sure we didn’t mind, and he was going to plant it himself. He said he wanted it to be a Christmas present.

Now that couple with the dead dogwood tree is Grandmother and me. And the kind neighbors who have already replaced the tree are Kenneth and Helen. Now that’s what I call being good neighbors.

Kenneth & Helen have been our neighbors for about 45 years. It has been 35 years in this neighborhood and 10 years in another neighborhood. If there was a Neighbor of the Year Award, they should get it! That’s one of the kindest and nicest things anyone has ever done for us.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Good Advice that I Need to Follow:
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

~~~

Quote of the Day

It is Christmas in the heart
that puts Christmas in the air.
~W.T. Ellis

~~~
Joke of the Day

The following is copyrighted (c) Harvey Ehrlich 1992.

Politically Correct Santa

'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...
How to live in a world that's politically correct?

His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.

And labor conditions at the north pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.

Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.

And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.

So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!?

The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.

And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.

Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened.
His fur trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened."

And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows:
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose

And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.

So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.

And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.

Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.

Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.

Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.

Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothing that's warlike or non-pacific.

No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.

And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.

For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.

No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.

Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.

So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.

He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.

His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.

Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere...even you.

So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth...
"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."

The above poem is copyright (c) Harvey Ehrlich 1992.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Need A Good Laugh?

2011-12-22T05:07:00.000-05:00

You Must Watch This!
It’s a guy teasing his dog and you will get a good chuckle out of it. It’s short, and funny!

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It’s getting close to the big day that the kids look forward to so much. I hope you’ve got some things to give the kiddies in your life so they will he happy on Christmas morning. But more than anything else, give them your time, your love and your care. They are so precious!

Video about the White House Christmas CD Set
Watch for a good laugh or two. It a funny spoof of some advertising. Funny? Well, I hope it funny to you. I enjoyed it immensely. (Thanks, Mark!)

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic
ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.
~Peg Bracken

~~~
Joke of the Day

A Russian couple was walking down the street in St. Petersburg the other night, when the man felt a drop hit his nose. "I think it's raining," he said to his wife.

"No, that felt more like snow to me," she replied.

"No, I'm sure it was just rain, he said."

Well, as these things go, they were about to have a major argument about whether it was raining or snowing. Just then they saw a minor communist party official walking toward them.

"Let's not fight about it," the man said, "let's ask Comrade Rudolph whether it's officially raining or snowing."

As the official approached, the man said, "Tell us, Comrade Rudolph, is it officially raining or snowing?"

"It's raining, of course," he answered and walked on.

But the woman insisted: "I know that felt like snow!"

To which the man quietly replied: "Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear!"

(Don’t you just hate me sometimes? Ha!)

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

The Paper Folding Art—Oragami

2011-12-21T05:16:00.000-05:00

Won Park is the Master
Won creates some amazing pieces. I have been most impressed with what he can do with a one dollar bill. Just imagine leaving a $1.00 tip in a diner, and the server comes to your table and finds this…

You can see more of his art work at the following link, and learn more about Won Park, the master of oragami. created some amazing dollar origami pieces.

http://tottglobal.com/won-park-origami-master-that-lives-in-a-garbage-truck/

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Believe in miracles.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Our hearts grow tender with childhood
memories and love of kindred, and we are
better throughout the year for having, in spirit,
become a child again at Christmas-time.
~Laura Ingalls Wilder

~~~
Joke of the Day

Short Reindeer Jokes

What do reindeer say before telling you a joke ?
This one will sleigh you !

Why do reindeer wear fur coats ?
Because they would look silly in plastic macs !

How do you make a slow reindeer fast ?
Don't feed it !

How long should a reindeer's legs be ?
Just long enough to reach the ground !

Which reindeer have the shortest legs ?
The smallest ones !

Where do you find reindeer ?
It depends on where you leave them !

What do reindeer have that no other animals have ?
Baby reindeer !

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

WolframAlpha

2011-12-20T05:04:00.000-05:00

A Computational Knowledge Engine
My son, Kevin, sent me the following link. You might want to check it out. You just enter something that you would like to know more about or something you want to calculate. It provides you with some interesting, and sometime surprising information. Here’s the link:

http://www.wolframalpha.com/

When I entered my name, “James”… I was surprised. It told me that my name was the 19th most popular, that 1 in 148 people are named “James.” It also gave a chart showing the name’s popularity going back into the 1800s. It seems the name, “James” has been quite popular in the US, reaching a peak in the early 1940s, and now tapering off pretty sharply since that time.

Try it with your own first name, and prepare to learn something. Then you might want to experiment with some other topics.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Something to think about:
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

~~~

Quote of the Day
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
~Norman Vincent Peale

~~~
Joke of the Day

In a small southern town there was a "Nativity Scene" that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it. One small feature bothered Celia.

The three wise men were wearing firemen's helmets.
Totally unable to come up with a reason or explanation, she left. At a "Seven-Eleven" on the edge of town, Celia asked the lady behind the counter about the helmets.

She exploded into a rage, yelling at me, "You stupid Yankees never do read the Bible!"

Celia assured her that she did, but simply couldn't recall anything about firemen in the Bible.

She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a passage. Sticking it in Celia’s face she said "See, it says right here, 'The three wise man came from afar.'"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

An Amazing Show by WVA Marching Band

2011-12-19T05:15:00.000-05:00

A Tribute to the USA Armed Forces
I was impressed by the YouTube video showing the West Virginia University Marching Band present their “Armed Forces Salute.”

‘Twas the Week Before Christmas
And everyone is stirring around like crazy. The malls are packed, and the shopping centers are full. Parking places are hard to spot and even harder to get. The roads and highways are filled to capacity with autos of all types.

Yes, this is the week before Christmas. Saturday will mark Christmas Eve, and Sunday is the day little boys and girls await with much excitement and anxiety.

I have to admit I like this time of the year, and the sounds, smells, tastes and sights of the Christmas Season. But we must remember that what we have around us is a big commercialized holiday.

Our thanks and appreciation for the precious gift of Christ to the world should occur each and every day with us as individuals.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I’m looking for your Christmas gift…
What size socks to you wear?
I know where there’s a good buy on irregulars.

~~~

Quote of the Day

"if you want peace, prepare for war"
~ From "Epitoma Rei Militaris," by Vegetius

~~~
Joke of the Day

Short Snow Jokes

What happened when the snowgirl fell out with the snowboy?
She gave him the cold shoulder!

What do snowmen wear on their heads?
Ice caps!

What's an ig?
An eskimo's home without a loo!

What do snowmen eat for lunch?
Icebergers!

Where do snowmen go to dance?
Snowballs!

How do snowmen travel around ?
By iceicle !

What sort of ball doesn't bounce ?
A snowball !

How do you know when there is a snowman in your bed ?
You wake up wet !

What do you get if cross a snowman and a shark ?
Frost bite !

And…

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Words & Expressions You Don’t Hear Anymore

2011-12-16T05:19:00.000-05:00

In Days Gone By
A good friend sent me the following. I laughed because I was family with all of these old saying and expressions. They are gone these days.

Be sure to refill the ice trays, we're going to have company.
Watch for the postman, I want to get this letter to Willie in the mail today .
Quit slamming the screen door when you go out!
Be sure and pull the windows down when you leave, it looks like a shower is coming up.
Don't forget to wind the clock before you go to bed.
Wash your feet before you go to bed, you've been playing outside all day barefooted.
Why can't you remember to roll up your britches legs? Getting them caught in the bicycle chain so many times is tearing them up.
You have torn the knees out of that pair of pants so many times there is nothing left to put a patch on.
Don't you go outside with your school clothes on!
Go comb your hair, it looks like the rats have nested in it all night.
Be sure and pour the cream off the top of the milk when you open the new bottle.
Take that empty bottle to the store with you so you won't have to pay a deposit on another one.
Put a dish towel over the cake so the flies won't get on it.
Quit jumping on the floor! I have a cake in the oven and you are going to make it fall if you don't quit!
Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by, I need to get a few things from him.
You boys stay close by, the car may not start and I will need you to help push it off.
There's a dollar in my purse, get 5 gallons of gas when you go to town.
Open the back door and see if we can get a breeze through here, it is getting hot.
You can walk to the store; it won't hurt you to get some exercise.
If you pull that stunt again, I am going to wear you out!
Don't lose that button; I'll sew it back on after a while.
Wash under your neck before you come to the table, you have beads of dirt and sweat all under there.
Get out from under the sewing machine; pumping it messes up the thread!
Be sure and fill the lamps this morning so we don't have to do that tonight in the dark.
Here, take this old magazine to the toilet with you when you go, we are almost out of paper out there.
Go out to the well and draw a bucket of water so I can wash dishes.
No! I don't have 10 cents for you to go to the show. Do you think money grows on trees?
Eat those turnips, they'll make you big and strong like your daddy.
That dog is NOT coming in this house! I don't care how cold it is out there, dogs don't stay in the house.
Sit still! I'm trying to get your hair cut straight and you keep moving and it is all messed up.
Hush your mouth! I don't want to hear words like that! I'll wash your mouth out with soap!
It is time for your system to be cleaned out. I am going to give you a dose of castor oil tonight.
If you get a spanking in school and I find out about it, you'll get another one when you get home.
Quit crossing your eyes! They will get stuck that way!
Soak your foot in this pan of kerosene so that bad cut won't get infected.
When you take your driving test, don't forget to signal each turn.
Left arm straight out the window for a left turn;
left arm bent up at the elbow for a right turn;
and straight down to the side of the door when you are going to stop.
It's: 'Yes Ma'am!' and 'No Ma'am!' to me, young man, and don't you forget it!
Y'all come back now, ya hear.

A Good Day
I had a good birthday yesterday, and I get to continue celebrating today. Tonight We’re going to a birthday supper at Red Lobster with Kevin and his family.

Yesterday we cut the cake and it was delicious. The picture shows 73 year old granddaddy with the cake. I ate a good size piece, but there’s plenty left for Kevin, Lesley, Kara and Zachary, and anybody else that might drop by today.

I appreciate the phone calls, cards, and emails from family and friends. Thanks so much!

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I regret some of you are young and don’t remember these above expressions and the memories they bring.
Going to high school in the 1950s was great fun and gave us “oldsters” a wonderful perspective of life.

~~~

Quote of the Day

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:
the presence of a happy family
all wrapped up in each other.
~Burton Hillis

~~~
Joke of the Day

A young woman visits her parents and brings her fiancé to meet them. After an elaborate dinner, the mother tells her husband to find out about the young man. The father invites the fiancée to his library for a drink.

“So what are your plans?” The father asks the young man.

“I am a Torah scholar.” He says.

“A Torah scholar, Hmmm,” the father says. “Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in, as she is accustomed to?”

“I will study,” the young man said, and God will provide for us.”

“And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?” asks the father.

“I will concentrate on my studies,” the young man replies, “God will provide for us.”

“And children?” asks the father. “How will you support children?”

“Don’t worry, sir, God will provide,” replies the fiancé.

The conversation continues like this, and each time the father questions, the young idealist insist that God will provide.

Later, the mother asks, “How did it go, Honey?” The father answers, “He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I’m God.”

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Guess What?

2011-12-15T05:15:00.000-05:00

I’m Taking the Day Off Today
It’s because of a birthday.Today is my Mother’s Birthday. We would be celebrating it if she were still alive. Now we just have memories of her love, kindness and joy. She has been missed. Mom was born in 1913, and exactly 25 years later in 1938, she gave birth to a son. You may know that was me.

Every year as I celebrate my birthday on December 15, I always think of my Mom. I have missed her, but my thoughts of her are with love.

The picture below shows my Mom and Dad. I’m guessing that it was taken in the 1950s.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now.

And, I recently had a little medical issue, and I asked the doctor what caused it. He said birthdays was the cause. I think I’ll be hearing that more often.

~~~

Quote of the Day

It is a mathematical fact that fifty percent of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class.
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

A man went to the Police Station wishing to speak with the burglar who had broken into his house the night before.

"You'll get your chance in court," said the Desk Sergeant.

"No, no, no!" said the man. "I want to know how he got into the house without waking my wife. I've been trying to do that for years!"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Artistic Photography

2011-12-14T05:19:00.000-05:00

By My Granddaughter
If you like unusual and interesting photography combined with a touch of graphic arts check out Kara’s web page that shows some of her work. She’s a 8th grader and has an excellent eye or for developing great graphics. Here a thumb nail of just 15 of her pictures.

Click here to go to her web page:
kaybecaroo’s photos.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I heard it said that 99% of the lawyers
give the rest a bad name.

~~~

Quote of the Day

In memory's telephoto lens, far objects are magnified.
~John Updike

~~~
Joke of the Day

'The first lawyer questioning a panel of prospective jurors began right off as an intimidating showman. When he came to his question, "Do any of you here today dislike lawyers?" they stiffened and hesitated.

Before the pause became too long, the judge announced, "I do."'

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Seniors

2011-12-13T05:02:00.000-05:00

I received this a few days about seniors. I thought it was worth sharing.

Who We Are - - Seniors
Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others.

HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took:

The melody out of music,
The pride out of appearance,
The courtesy out of driving,
The romance out of love,
The commitment out of marriage,
The responsibility out of parenthood,
The togetherness out of the family,
The learning out of education,
The service out of patriotism,
The Golden Rule from rulers,
The nativity scene out of cities,
The civility out of behavior,
The refinement out of language,
The dedication out of employment,
The prudence out of spending,
The ambition out of achievement or
God out of government and school.

And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!!

And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country. Just look at the Seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention with their hand over their hearts!

YES, Tennessee Granddaddy is a Senior Citizen!

I'm the life of the party..... Even if it lasts until 8 p.m. I'm very good at opening childproof caps..... With a hammer. I'm awake many hours before my body allows me to get up. I'm smiling all the time because I can't hear a thing you're saying. I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe secure place, somewhere. I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that's just my left leg. I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

Yes, I'm a SENIOR CITIZEN and I think I am having the time of my life!

Spread the laughter Share the cheer Let's be happy while we're here.

And, MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MAY AMERICA BLESS GOD!! Go Green - Recycle CONGRESS!!

Watch Out Today
Friday the thirteenth came on Tuesday this month so be very careful out there.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Your Birthday in the Bible
Look up your birth date and see what Bible verse corresponds to it. ...Look up your verse now! Did you know that the Bible has a special verse for everyone's birthday?
http://www.birthverse.com/mybirthverse.cfm

~~~

Quote of the Day

If you tell the truth
you don't have to remember anything.
~Mark Twain

~~~
Joke of the Day

Here’s a senior citizen that celebrated his birthday this year by buying an all terrain 4 wheeler. This is a picture of him playing with it in the back yard.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Redskins Win Tournament

2011-12-12T05:24:00.000-05:00

Zachary’s Team
The Indian Springs Redskins 5th Grade basketball team won a recent pre-season tournament. In the finals they won 33-21! It was fun watching them play. They really play hard and make a lot of exciting plays.

Here’s a couple of pictures with a big award for the school’s trophy case…

Zachary wears number 1, and he is number one in Granddaddy’s eyes too.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
A fool and his money are soon partying.

~~~

Quote of the Day

A bargain is something you don't need
at a price you can't resist.
~ Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

'Although this married couple enjoyed their luxury fishing boat together, it was the husband who was behind the wheel operating the boat. He was concerned about what might happen in an emergency.

So one day out on the lake he said to his wife, "Please take the wheel, dear. Pretend that I am having a heart attack. You must get the boat safely to shore."

So she drove the boat to shore.

Later that evening, the wife walked into the living room where her husband was watching television. She sat down next to him, switched the TV channel, and said to him sweetly,

"Please go into the kitchen, dear. Pretend I'm having a heart attack. You must set the table, cook the dinner, serve it and wash the dishes." '

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Peanut Butter Balls

2011-12-09T05:10:00.000-05:00

Delicious Candy
Yesterday our kitchen was turned into a candy making manufacturing facility. Grandmother and our friend, Sharon, worked long hours in making those delicious peanut butter balls. You can make the balls with a coating of chocolate or butterscotch. Both are delicious, but I have a personal preference for the butterscotch.

Here’s a few pictures I made today while watching the girls make the candy. They had lots of fun while working together and ended up with over 550 Peanut Butter Balls! I can assure you that they are delicious because I did some taste testing.

Peanut Butter Balls ready to be Dipped.	Close up view of PB Balls with toothpicks ready for dipping
Dipping in the Chocolate	After Dipping
Dipping in Butterscotch	Finished Product

Here’s the Champions!
Sharon & Beverly with their delicious candy!

Here’s the recipe if your are interested.

Note: The above recipe is a jpg file. If you want to save it for printing, just right click on the recipe and “Save image as …”.
We estimate that each peanut butter ball has approximately 50 calories. That’s not bad if you stop after one or two.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Is it a coincidence that “Stressed”
spelled backwards is “desserts”?

~~~

Quote of the Day

Research tells us fourteen out of any
ten individuals likes chocolate.
~Sandra Boynton

~~~
Joke of the Day

TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn't punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand.....
________________________________
TEACHER: Now, Simon , tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
______________________________
TEACHER: Clyde , your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's.. Did you copy his?
CLYDE : No, sir. It's the same dog.
___________________________________
TEACHER: Diane, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
Diane: A teacher

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Interesting Things

2011-12-08T05:05:00.000-05:00

Hodgepodge
Today I have a few links you might want to check out. I thought they were interesting, and you might also.

First-World’s Largest Model Airport. Click below for some nice photographs of a model airport that is amazing.

German builds world’s largest model airport

Second-The Bald Eagle Video. This is a good video about the bald eagle. You can watch it fly and learn more about this amazing creature.

The Bald Eagle Video

Third-We The People. Click below for a letter to President Obama that promotes the Constitution of the USA.

We The People

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
It’s candy making time. Tomorrow Grandmother and one of our friends are going to be busy in our kitchen making candy. Do you remember those peanut butter balls they made last year? They are going to do it again. I get to watch, smell, and maybe do so taste testing.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Disneyland is the only people trap
operated by a mouse.
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

TEACHER: Why are you late?
STUDENT: Class started before I got here.
--------------------------------------------------------
TEACHER: Kathy, go to the map and find North America .
Kathy: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America ?
CLASS: Kathy.
____________________________________
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
__________________________________________
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Jerusalem

2011-12-07T05:03:00.000-05:00

A Short IMAX Video
This is beautiful and informative. You will enjoy this video. Click below on the link:

Jerusalem Filmed in Imax 3D

Penny Postcards
Remember them? What did your hometown area look like according to Penny Postcards? Check out your old stomping grounds during those times. Click on the State and then on the County name to see old penny picture postcards from that area...this is pretty neat

Penny Postcards

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
The Farmer's Almanac is predicting a very cold winter. It must be true because the squirrels are gathering NUTS. Three of my friends have disappeared. Are you O.K.?

~~~

Quote of the Day

An animal's eyes have the power
to speak a great language.
~Martin Buber

~~~
Joke of the Day

TEACHER: Adela, what is the chemical formula for water?
Adela: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
Adela: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
__________________________________
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
__________________________________________
TEACHER: Glenn, why do you always get so dirty?
GLENN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
_______________________________________
TEACHER: Harriette, give me a sentence starting with ' I. '
Harriette: I is..
TEACHER: No, ..... Always say, 'I am.'
Harriette: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

A Thought or Two About Aging

2011-12-06T05:06:00.000-05:00

Just Yesterday
As I was leaving the gym where I struggled on a stationary bike for 30 minutes, I saw a young energetic man set his stop watch and take off in an easy gait to run or jog during the lunch hour. I started to tell him to enjoy it while he could, because the day will come when those days will end because of aging joints and muscles.

Later in the day I saw the following in an email sent to me by a dear friend…

These bodies become less cooperative as we age. For some, work becomes less fun and fun becomes more work. One older friend commented, "I've reached the age where the warranty has expired on my remaining teeth and internal organs."

But I like the spirit of Charles Marowitz. "Old age is like climbing a mountain," he says. "The higher you get, the more tired and breathless you become. But your view becomes much more extensive."

Atop the mountain, one has a better view of the world. One can see above the differences that divide people. One can better see beyond petty hurts and human fragility. Atop the mountain, one has a longer view of the past and can therefore understand the future with more clarity. Atop the mountain, one looks down on dark clouds of gloom and despair and fear and notices that they are neither as large nor as ominous as those beneath them would believe. It is also clearer that however dark they may appear, they too, are fleeting and will someday pass.

George Bernard Shaw said, "Some are younger at seventy than most at seventeen." I think it is because they have a broader outlook.

It will take a lifetime to climb the mountain, but, for me, the view will be worth the journey.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Don’t let age get you down. It’s just a number.
I feel in my mind just as young as when I was at 18.
The problem starts when I try to do something.
Don’t ever regret getting old, it much better than the alternative.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Age is a question of mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
~Leroy "Satchel" Paige

~~~
Joke of the Day

A police car pulled up in front of an older woman's house, and her husband climbed out. The polite policeman explained that "this elderly gentleman" said that he was lost in the park and couldn't find his way home.

"How could it happen?" asked his wife. "You've been going to that park for over 30 years! How could you get lost?"

Leaning close to her ear so that the policeman couldn't hear, he whispered, "I wasn't lost - I was just too tired to walk home."

(A good idea. I may have to use that one day.)

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Sled Dogs

2011-12-05T05:10:00.000-05:00

Here’s Some Well Trained Animals
Watch Heini Winter go biking with his 16 sled dogs in town. This is absolutely amazing!

Hope You Had a Great Weekend
We had a wonderful weekend here in East Tennessee. Grandmother and I went to Knoxville to visit my Dad and Sister. We got treated to a wonderful lunch at Ruby Tuesday. The weather was beautiful.

Hope you have a great week. Be careful when you are out driving, because it is getting very hectic with all the holiday shopping.

Also, be vigilant in watching for those that would rob you or do bodily harm. Keep your home and your cars locked to prevent robbery or a home invasion. Play it SAFE wherever you are.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I was complaining about PeTA a few days ago.
My friend Mark sent me the following.

I love animals, but object to PeTA’s advertising which is anti fishing and anti turkey for Thanksgiving.

~~~

Quote of the Day

At Christmas, all roads lead home.
~Marjorie Holmes

~~~
Joke of the Day

A blonde goes to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards.

She says to the clerk, “May I have 50 Christmas stamps?”

The clerk says, “What denomination?”

The blonde says, “Goodness help us. Has it come to this? Give me 22 Baptists, 12 Presbyterian, 10 Lutheran, and 6 Catholics.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

This Makes Sense

2011-12-02T05:02:00.000-05:00

An Email That Makes Perfect Sense
I received the following 5 sentences. I have never read anything that made more sense. See if you agree.

These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read:

You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!
When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
We should memorize the above sentences and repeat them to our liberal friends. It makes perfect sense. We need to get this country back to the basics that made it great in the beginning.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself.
~Elbert Hubbard

~~~
Joke of the Day

Two Blondes With Hammers...
Lynn & Judy were doing some carpenter work on a Habitat for Humanity House. Lynn was nailing down house siding, would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a nail & either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in.

Judy, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, "Why are you throwing those nails away?"

Lynn explained, "When I pull a nail out of my pouch, about half of them have the head on the wrong end & I throw them away."

Judy got completely upset & yelled, "You moron! Those nails aren't defective! They're for the other side of the house!"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Light Bulbs

2011-12-01T05:10:00.000-05:00

How Stupid Can We Be?
Congress has passed an energy bill that bans incandescent light bulbs by 2014. You know the kind that Thomas Edison invented. We will have to buy the compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) which are made in China and filled with poisonous gasses. I’m not so sure they last as long as they say, and they sure are expensive. They don’t do anything for jobs in the USA. Watch this speech to Congress.

The EPA has gone crazy. Beware: the green global warming movement is a political movement not a scientific one.

~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
You’ve heard the saying, “Measure Twice, Cut Once.”
That a applies to more than carpentry.

Before you do something, think about it twice,
before you carry through and do it.
It’s better than erring or having a mishap.

Before you say something to someone, mull it around in your mind a couple of times before you say it.
It’s better than putting your foot in your mouth.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Nostalgia is a seductive liar.
~George Wildman Ball

~~~
Joke of the Day

A blonde was shopping at Target & came across a shiny silver thermos. She was quite fascinated by it, so she picked it up & took it to the clerk to ask what it was.
The clerk said, "Why, that's a thermos. It keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold."

"Wow", said the blonde, "that's amazing. I'm going to buy it!" So she bought the thermos & took it to work the next day.

Her boss saw it on her desk. "What's that," he asked?

"Why, that's a thermos. It keeps hot things hot & cold things cold," she replied.

Her boss inquired, "What do you have in it?"

The blond replied, "Two popsicles & some coffee."

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

True or False?

2011-11-30T05:24:00.000-05:00

A Good Read Whether it is True or Not
I was sent the following, and told it was a true story. It was a good story and it made a little tear come to my eye. Somehow I doubt the truth of the story, but there is a good lesson in the story. Hope you will read it.

Glass of Milk

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk.

He drank it so slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ....... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words...

"Paid in full with one glass of milk."
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

Bethany Leaves Today
Our daughter flies back to New Jersey today. She had a 5:30 AM flight this morning. I took her to the airport before 4:30 AM. We’ll miss her. We had a wonderful time while she was home for the holiday.

Me Eye
I have a 9:00 AM appointment with my eye doctor this morning. A couple of weeks ago I had a “retinal vein occlusion” in my left eye. The doctor explained that this is like a mini stroke, but happening in your eye rather than the brain. Last week I was injected with Avastin in my eye, and today I go back for a checkup and to learn if I will need more injections. My vision has improved dramatically since I first had the problem, so I think this will not result in very much of a permanent vision loss.

Oh yes, I asked the doctor what caused this, and he told me it was caused by birthdays. (This getting old is not much fun.)

~~~
Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Kindness has an impact that we cannot predict.
A simple kindness to even a stranger can give them a needed lift. Don’t ever fail to show kindness in all you do and say. Kind thoughts will not hurt you either.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Some men have a den in their home,
while others just growl all over the house.
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

A man, sitting at home alone, heard a knock on the door. He opened it to find two sheriff's deputies. One deputy asked, "Sir, are you married?"

"Yes, I am, officer. Why?"

"Do you have a photograph of your wife?"

"Yeah." He grabbed a photo off the mantle.

The deputy said, "I'm sorry, sir, but it looks like your wife's been hit by a truck."

The guy replied, "I know, but she's an excellent cook, and the kids seem to like her!"

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

I Love Animals

2011-11-29T05:15:00.000-05:00

But I object to PETA and their Advertising
Just before Thanksgiving I saw the the following advertisement by PETA objecting to our traditional Thanksgiving turkey meal.

Then I remembered that PETA was against fishing, and had used the following advertisement.

I just want to go on record as saying I believe in eating turkey and meats, and I believe in fishing. Anyone who says otherwise is stepping on my toes.

You had better watch what PETA does in the future. I hear they are trying to outlaw fishing. We need to be watchful because there are liberal groups who want to take freedoms from the people.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

To accomplish something useful, you must make a plan.
Then adhere to your plan, but be willing to adjust when necessary. That’s the way you make something happen.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.
~Kin Hubbard

~~~
Joke of the Day

After being married for 40 years, Joe took a careful look at his wife one day and said .... "Forty years ago we had a cheap house, a junk car, slept on a sofa bed and watched a 10-inch black and white TV, but I got to sleep every night with a hot 23-year-old girl.”

“Now ...” Joe continued, “I have a $500,000.00 home, a $35,000.00 car, a nice big bed and a large screen TV, but I'm sleeping with a 63-year-old woman. It seems to me that you' re not holding up your side of things."

Joe’s wife is a very reasonable woman. She told me to go out and find a hot 23-year-old girl and she would make sure that I would once again be living in a cheap house, driving a junk car, sleeping on a sofa bed and watching a 10-inch black and white TV.

Aren't older women great? They really know how to solve an old guy's problems.

(Thanks to Mark for the joke today.)

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

A Great Thanksgiving

2011-11-28T05:07:00.000-05:00

Wonderful Days
All I have for today are some pictures from last week. They bring back memories of the good times we had together. We have a wonderful family!

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. It was precious being with family. Now it’s quiet around this old house. But Beth is still here and we’re enjoying her company. When she leaves it will really be q u I e t.

~~~

Quote of the Day

You don't choose your family.
They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
~Desmond Tutu

~~~
Joke of the Day

Here’s a joke that was funny prior to last Saturday. However, after Kentucky beat Tennessee on Saturday it was not so funny…

A man dressed in Orange walks into an Lexington sports bar with a small dog under his arm. He says to the bartender. "Hey, can I leave my dog here while I go to the Kentucky and Tennessee game?"

"A dog in my bar? No way."

"But he's a special dog," the Tennessee fan says.

"In what way?" The bartender asks.

"Well," says the VOL, "he will watch the game on TV with you. When Tennessee scores, he will walk up and down the bar on his hind legs. When Kentucky scores, he will walk up and down the bar on his front legs. When Tennessee wins, he will do back flips all the way down the bar and back."

"Wow," the bartender says. "What does he do when Kentucky wins?"

"I don't know" says the VOL. "He's only twenty-seven years old."

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Casey At The Bat

2011-11-25T05:14:00.000-05:00

The Poem is Old
It goes back to 1888. Check the following links to familiarize yourself with the poem, “Casey At The Bat”:

If you’re a democrat then skip down to “Tennessee Granddaddy Says.” Otherwise, watch the following video called “Obama At Bat.”

Obama At The Bat
Then take a gander at this video called Obama at the Bat. It’s a funny video and done up pretty nice.

I hope you Obama supporters don’t get upset. I would had to lose the three of you as readers.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
I hope you do take me too serious. I do like to kid around a lot, and sometimes get carried away.

I hope you can separate my foolishness from my seriousness.

~~~

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

The old Indian chief called for the two bravest warriors in the tribe.

"Running Buffalo, Falling Rocks, you go and seek buffalo skins. Whichever of you returns with the most skins will become my right hand man and will be the next chief."

A month later, Running Buffalo came back with nearly a hundred pelts.

Sadly, Falling Rocks never returned.

The tribe organized a search and looked everywhere, but they couldn't find the missing brave anywhere. Today, as you drive through the West, you can see the evidence of love and devotion the tribe had for this lost warrior. Throughout the highways, on interstates and side roads, you can still see their signs that say, 'Watch for Falling Rocks.'

(You learn something new every day.)

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

It’s Thanksgiving Day!

2011-11-24T05:07:00.000-05:00

Updated at 5:20 PM. See Picture Below.

Turkey Day is Here
Early this morning I was in my usual Thanksgiving Day wrestling match with our 24 plus pound turkey. It was a battle, but I won. Grandmother and I got him in the oven without much difficulty. The aromas of the day will not be far behind. I’m looking forward to the turkey, dressing and gravy the most, I think.

We’re expecting the rest of the gang to show up this morning. If all goes as planned we’ll be gathering around the tables at about 1:00 PM.

Picture taken Thanksgiving Day, 2011

Missing in the picture are Aunt Helen and her daughter Karen. Helen is ill with pneumonia and was not able to come. Karen was cooking a turkey to share with her. We hope she gets well soon. We missed them today.

Note: The children in your family may enjoy the corny jokes today that relate to Thanksgiving. See “Joke of the Day”.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
If you’ve got a loving and caring family
you are rich indeed.

~~~

Quote of the Day
He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
~J.A. Shedd

~~~
Jokes of the Day

Q: Why did the turkey cross the road?
A: It was the chicken's day off.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why do turkeys always go, "gobble, gobble"?
A: Because they never learned good table manners!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What sound does a space turkey make?
A: Hubble, Hubble, Hubble.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why did the police arrest the turkey?
A: They suspected it of fowl play.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers?
A: To keep his wig warm.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why did they let the turkey join the band?
A: Because he had the drumsticks
------------------------------------------------------------------
Asked to write a composition entitled, "What I'm thankful for on Thanksgiving," a student wrote , "I am thankful that I'm not a turkey."
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What's the best dance to do on Thanksgiving?
A: The turkey trot
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Who is not hungry at Thanksgiving?
A: The turkey because he's already stuffed!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why did the turkey play the drums in his band?
A: Because he already had drum sticks!
------------------------------------------------------------------Q: Who is not hungry at Thanksgiving?
A: The turkey because he's already stuffed!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why did the turkey play the drums in his band?
A: Because he already had drum sticks!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What does Dracula call Thanksgiving?
A: Fangs-giving.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why do pilgrims pants keep falling down?
A: Because their belt buckles are on their hats!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: How do you keep a turkey in suspense?
A: I'll let you know next week.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
A: The outside.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why can't you take a turkey to church?
A: Because they use such fowl language.

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T05:08:00.000-05:00

Today More Family Arrives
We’re expecting Sylvia, Mandy and Alex sometime this afternoon. Ah…. the fun grows.

Story About A Dedicated Husband
Here’s an interesting article about a lost diamond engagement ring that ended up at the dump. A husband dives into tons of garbage with surprising results.

Read the article here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/10/2496739/husband-searches-through-nine.html

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

I was thinking about that husband who went to the garbage dump to find his wife’s ring.
He came out “smelling like a rose”.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year;
to the honest man it comes as frequently as the
heart of gratitude will allow.
~Edward Sandford Martin

~~~
Joke of the Day

They call this an Idiot test:

Q.How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?
A. Concrete floors are very hard to crack!

Q.If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it?
A. No time at all it is already built.

Q.If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in the other hand, what would you have?
A. Very large hands.

Q. How can you lift an elephant with one hand?
A. It is not a problem, since you will never find an elephant with one hand.

Q. How can a man go eight days without sleep?
A. No Problem, He sleeps at night.

Q. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become?
A. It will Wet or Sink as simple as that.

Q. What looks like half apple?
A : The other half.

Q. What can you never eat for breakfast?
A : Dinner.

Q. What happened when wheel was invented?
A : It caused a revolution.

Q. Bay of Bengal is in which state?
A : Liquid

Add your thoughts & ideas to this blog by clicking on the "comments" below

Tennessee Granddaddy

Amazing Murder Mystery

Inspiring

A Birthday Today

Some Riddles…

A Brain Test Old Gray Matter

The 1948 Tucker

Mathematics

Men and Depression

The Dentist

Can You Communicate?

The Beauty o Pollination

Habits? Good or Bad

A Good Day

Cute puppy

Be Careful Today!

Snow?

Rednecks

Cell Phones & Digital Cameras

Aircraft Technology

From America’s Attic

In Green Bay

Stand for the Pledge

Your Taxes

A New Year

Great News!

Come Backs

The Buzzard, the Bat and the Bumblebee

Fishing Rod Storage

New Year's Day Prayer for Everyone Dear Lord

Protests

A Big Surprise!

It’s Christmas Day 2011

Christmas Eve

A parent's night before Christmas

A Christmas Story

The following is copyrighted (c) Harvey Ehrlich 1992.

Politically Correct Santa

Need A Good Laugh?

The Paper Folding Art—Oragami

Short Reindeer Jokes

WolframAlpha

An Amazing Show by WVA Marching Band

Short Snow Jokes

Words & Expressions You Don’t Hear Anymore

Guess What?

Artistic Photography

Seniors

Redskins Win Tournament

Peanut Butter Balls

Interesting Things

Jerusalem

A Thought or Two About Aging

Sled Dogs

This Makes Sense

Light Bulbs

True or False?

I Love Animals

A Great Thanksgiving

Casey At The Bat

It’s Thanksgiving Day!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving

New Year's Day Prayer for Everyone

Dear Lord