Some Word Illusions

Tease Your Brain
As you may remember, I like optical illusions. A friend sent me a few that I have not seen before. I thought you might like to see them.

	When you look at this what do you see? Do you see “Good”? Do you see “Evil”? It’s there. Just look at the white space inside the black letters.
	This one is interesting. The reflection of “Teach” makes a completely different word. Do you see “Learn”?
	Looking at the brownish letters I see the word “Me”. But look at the sky inside the “Me” letters and I see “You”. Interesting, huh?
	You may not see it at first, but the white spaces read the word optical, the blue landscape reads the word illus ion. Look again! Can you see why this painting is called an “Optical Illusion”?
	Now I will ask you to read the letters inside the triangle. Okay, done? Most likely you said, “A BIRD IN THE BUSH”… but did you not see that the word THE is repeated twice?

Basketball Game Tonight
Our granddaughter has a basket ball game tonight. We  enjoy watching her team play. It’s enjoyable for Granddaddy to see the energy and enthusiasm that is in our youth.

The picture to your right shows our granddaughter, Kara, who is number 3. She has those arms up waiting for a pass and a chance to score. (Thanks Mandy, she was not playing defense.) 

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Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift,
That's why it's called: The Present.
Be thankful for your GIFT.

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Quote of the Day

The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.
~Harry Golden

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Joke of the Day

A grandmother overheard her 5-year-old granddaughter playing "wedding." The wedding vows went like this:

"You have the right to remain silent, anything you say may be held against you, you have the right to have an attorney present. You may now kiss the bride."

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Stupid Is, Stupid Does

This video shows a stupid criminal. Make sure your sound is on to listen to the explanation. It shows a man attempting to rob a bank in London, England. Pull, don’t push!

That Reminds Me of…
The above video clip reminded me of one of Gary Larson’s old Far Side Cartoons. I searched for it on the web and I found it. It was one of my favorites — the Midvale School for the Gifted. Click on it for a larger view.

Some Links related to the Far Side Cartoons:

• The Far Side web site
• Wikipedia Info
• Some Example Cartoons

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Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
A new exercise:
”A good exercise for the heart is to bend down
and help another up. “

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Quote of the Day

Never mistake motion for action.
~Ernest Hemingway

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Joke of the Day

The owner of a small deli was being questioned by an IRS agent about his tax return. He had reported a net profit of $80,000 for the year.

"Why don't you people leave me alone?" the deli owner said. "I work like a dog, everyone in my family helps out, the place is only closed three days a year. And you want to know how I made $80,000?"

"It's not your income that bothers us," the agent said. "It's these deductions. You listed six trips to Bermuda for you and your wife."

"Oh, that," the owner said smiling. "I forgot to tell you - we also deliver."

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A Hungry Bird and a Good Poem

A Bird
I took this picture through the window a few days ago of this little bird on one of our bird feeders. It was enjoying the thistle seed and stayed at the feeder for quite a while.

I’m not completely sure, but I think this is a gold finch, and it’s colors will change to bright yellow in the spring and summer. If you know otherwise, please let me know.

A Poem
I found this poem on the Dart Family’s blog a few days ago. I thought it was good and I “borrowed” it. We met the Dart Family last summer while we were visiting New York.  Check out the Dart Family’s Blog.

I think you will enjoy reading about the Dart’s all the different things they do on their farm. Recent posts include things like making apple cider, baking donuts, and many other things they do in rural farm life.

What Does The World See?

I want my life to be a light for those around me,
I want my life to be a roadmap that points to home,
I want my life to be a beacon on life's raging sea
I want the world to see Jesus when they look at me.

When the world looks at me do they see Jesus?
When the world looks at me what do they see?
Do they see hope, do they see love, do they see charity?
When the world looks at me what do they see?

When I spoke, did my words contain your wisdom, Lord?
And when I prayed, did my prayers contain your love?
And did my life reflect the glory of your spirit, Lord?
And have I really showed the ones around me they were loved?

When the world looks at me do they see Jesus?
When the world looks at me what do they see?
Do they see hope, do they see love, will they see charity?
When the world looks at you what will they see?

By Roger Bennett

 

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Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Someone said, “Pain and Suffering is inevitable but Misery is optional.”  It would be good to live up to those words.

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Quote of the Day
Well done is better than well said.
~Benjamin Franklin

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Joke of the Day

A large, well established, Canadian lumber camp advertised that they were looking for a good lumberjack.

The very next day, a skinny little man showed up at the camp with his axe, and knocked on the head lumberjacks' door. The head lumberjack took one look at the little man and told him to leave.

"Just give me a chance to show you what I can do," said the skinny man.

"Okay, see that giant redwood over there?" said the lumberjack. "Take your axe and go cut it down."

The skinny man headed for the tree, and in five minutes he was back knocking on the lumberjack's door. "I cut the tree down," said the man.

The lumberjack couldn't believe his eyes and said, "Where did you get the skill to chop down trees like that?"

"In the Sahara Forest," replied the puny man.

"You mean the Sahara Desert," said the lumberjack.

The little man laughed and answered back, "Oh sure, that's what they call it now!"

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Old Gas Stations

Full Service? 
Some of my readers may remember the old gas stations. That was when gas was less than 35 cents a gallon, and you got full service. When you would pull up to the pumps 2 or 3 attendants would run out. One would pump your gas, the other two would be busy cleaning your windshield, checking your engine oil, and maybe checking your air pressure in your tires.

A few days ago a friend sent me some pictures of these old service stations. Then I checked YouTube and found a nice video to share with you showing what these old gas stations looked like.

 

Hellos: I want to say hello to some of my family that don’t live very close to me…

• Hi Bethany. I love you. Stay safe and warm in cold NY.
  
• Hello Cousin Karen: I hope you and Pat are doing good in Memphis town. Give my love and hugs to all my Memphis relatives.
  
• Greetings to Jade. Papa says be careful and good luck in school. (To Jade I am Tennessee Papa)
  

Today’s the Day
Today is the first Monday in the new year of 2009. That means it’s time to get busy on your new year’s resolutions. I’ve got plans to exercise today and to Eat Right and Light.

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Tennessee Granddaddy Says: 
Exercise and eat light & right, every day.

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Quote of the Day

Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar
into four pieces with your bare hands -
and then eat just one of the pieces. 
~Judith Viorst

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Joke of the Day

Drinking & Drunks…

"I'm not under the alkafluence of inkahol that some thinkle peep I am. It's just the drunker I sit here the longer I get."

~~~

"Surely you're not going to drive that car," said the policeman, advancing on the motorist who had just staggered out of a bar.

"Well, offisher, do you think I'm in any condi­tion to walk?"

~~~

A man walks out of a bar totally hammered, only to be greeted by a snobby woman. She takes one look at him. "You, sir, are drunk!"

"And you ma'am, are ugly. But when I wake up, I will be sober!"

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Get Healthy

In 2009
The first full week of the new year will begin tomorrow. Then on Monday, that’s the first Monday in January, I will begin to continue my resolutions from last year.

I resolve to continue to improve my health through a healthy diet and exercise. I plan to weigh in on Monday morning and monitor my weight daily throughout the year. My goal for weight loss in 2009 is 40 pounds! My goal for exercise is 4-5 hours per week of cardio exercise on the elliptical trainer or stationary bicycle. In addition, I will continue a regiment of weights 3 days a week. Beginning next week I’ll keep you posted on my progress on my other blog: Diet Scoreboards

I’ll also use the Diet Scoreboards to share an occasional health tip or some other information related to healthy living. I will be posting 3-4 times a month on that blog.

A few pictures from 2008

My daughter Bethany visited us at Thanksgiving. We missed her during Christmas, but she had to return to work in New York.
Here’s my granddaughter, Mandy, with Sylvia, her Mother.
My son Kevin with his lovely wife, Lesley, and their children Kara and Zachary. (I don’t know the name of the photographer, but she did a great job on this and the next picture)
Here’s Zachary and Kara, my two grandchildren who live in Kingsport
A nice picture of South Holston Lake taken in December, 2008, by my friend Darnell. The water level in the lake looks to be much improved due to the rain we had last month.
Some pretty holly berries I noticed the other day while we were at the Post Office in Colonial Heights.

 

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Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
You can always pray for someone when you don't have the ability to help him in some natural way... and that is the best help anyway.

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Quote of the Day

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep,
is this:  To rise above the little things. 
~John Burroughs

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Joke of the Day

A young lady was driving through a built-up area at about 70 mph when she noticed a motorcycle policeman on her tail. She increased her speed to 80 mph but the cop hung grimly on her tail.

She put her foot down and pushed the car up to 90, drawing rapidly away from her pursuer.

Suddenly she saw a garage up ahead and with a squeal of brakes she pulled up in the forecourt and dashed into the ladies' toilet.

Five minutes later she emerged to find the motor-cycle policeman waiting for her. With a sweet smile she said, 'I bet you thought I'd never make it in time.'

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Oliver Meddaugh (1918-1999)

Wildlife Photos
I never met Oliver Meddaugh who was a conservationist and photographer in New York State. I know of Oliver because his wife Celia, one of our close friends, now lives in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Celia is making Oliver’s photography available for others to enjoy through the web sight: Oliver Meddaugh Wildlife Photos. This site has more information about Oliver, and shows us some of his photography. Celia told me more pictures will be added routinely.

A couple of examples of Oliver Meddaugh’s photography are given below:

Winter Stream

Autumn Rainbow

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Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

Time heals wounds, but I also think love heals wounds, and with love doing the healing, there are no scars. 

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Quote of the Day
I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. 
~George Washington Carver

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Joke of the Day

Wife: "There's trouble with the car. It has water in the carburetor."

Husband: "Water in the carburetor? That's ridiculous."

Wife: "I tell you the car has water in the carburetor."

Husband: "You don't even know what a carburetor is. Where's the car?"

Wife: "In the swimming pool."

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Happy New Year

Tennessee Granddaddy wishes all his
family and friends a very Happy New Year, and he hopes you prosper and stay healthy throughout 2009 and many years to come.

Kara’s Birthday
Kara had 2 birthday parties yesterday. One was at 2:00 PM for her grandparents, cousins and family. Then later that evening she had 9-10 of her girlfriends come to party with her.

We all had a great time. The cake was delicious, and we enjoyed watching Kara open her gifts. I took a few pictures at the first party, and you can watch them on this YouTube video.

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Tennessee Granddaddy Says:

This is DAY ONE of 2009. What are your goals for this year and are you on the right path for your life?

Remember, if you don’t have an aim in mind, then any path is OK. And that’s scary.

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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

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Joke of the Day

A traffic policeman stops a woman and asks to see her driving license.

'Lady, it says here that you should be wearing glasses when driving.'

'Well,' replies the woman, 'I have contacts.'

'Lady, I don't care who you know, you’re still going to get a ticket.’

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