A New Week

Mark Gregory White
Last Saturday we visited the grave of our son, Greg, and placed some new flowers on the grave.  Greg is Mandy’s Daddy. Greg was killed in a car accident when Mandy was just a few weeks old.

The cemetery is well maintained and not too far from our home. It always brings sadness to think of his departure from this earthly scene. We miss him dearly. But life goes on, and while we miss those that are gone, we value and love those that we live with today. As we know, life consists of tears and joy interwoven.

Temper !@$#%&*$!
Sometimes we might loose our temper. Hopefully as we have grown older we have learned to control our temper and go through life with joy. Here’s an interesting story about temper that teaches some good lessons.

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence....

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there."

A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are a very rare jewel indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us."

 

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Blessed are those who can give without remembering
And take without forgetting.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Our birth is nothing but our death begun.
~Edward Young

~~~
Joke of the Day

Two little boys, ages 8 and 10, were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and their parents knew all about it. If any mischief occurred in their town, the two boys were probably involved. The boys' mother heard that a preacher in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys.

The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So the mother sent the 8 year old first in the morning, with the older boy to see the preacher in the afternoon.

The preacher, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, 'Do you know where God is, son?'

The boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open.

So the preacher repeated the question in an even sterner tone, 'Where is God?'

Again, the boy made no attempt to answer. The preacher raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, 'Where is God?'

The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, 'What happened?'

The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, 'We are in BIG trouble this time,'

“GOD is missing, and they think we did it”

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

Father’s Day, June 21, 2009

Tomorrow is Father’s Day
Tomorrow is a special day. A day to Celebrate Father’s Day. I have two fathers that I want to honor:

My Dad and My Son

For My Dad – Dad has been a wonderful Father and I am thankful for his example and advice through the years. No one could be kinder, helpful, and more gentle than my Dad. Dad, thanks for teaching me how to love, how to help others, and how to put God first. I hope I can live up to your standard. I’m proud to call you my Dad.

For My Son – Kevin has grown up to be a fine young man, a devoted husband, and a loving father. I admire his love and care for his family. He puts his family first, and he sacrifices his own self to help others. Kevin, you are a wonderful father that makes your Dad and Mom proud to call you our son.

~~~

Fishing Report
The fishing on South Holston Lake continues to be very good for trout. Doug, Ralph, and I fished the lake yesterday and had our limit of Lake Trout by early afternoon. However, we only caught one rainbow trout.

After we had our limit we caught and released as many as we brought home. It was a good day to enjoy the water, feel the waves, and catch some fish.

We’ve also learned that the Lake Trout are very good eating, especially on the grill. I’ve been filleting my fish, and then laying the fillets on the grill with spices including a generous sprinkling of pepper. They are delicious that way,

 

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
When growing up, my Dad was a man that made you want to obey him. Not out of fear, but because you didn’t want to displease him.

&

Someone said that Mother's Day and Father's Day are alike. Well, except of course, on Father's Day, you can buy a much cheaper gift.

~~~

Quotes of the Day

It is not flesh and blood but the heart
which makes us fathers and sons. 
~Johann Schiller

Dad, you're someone to look up to no matter
how tall I've grown. 
~Author Unknown

Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder
will remain with me forever.
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

You can change this joke around to suit your fancy…

A first grade teacher explains to her class that she is a Florida Gator. She asks her students to raise their hands if they were Gators, too.

Not really knowing what a Florida Gator was but wanting to be like their teacher, their hands explode into the air like fleshy fireworks.

There is, however, one exception. A girl named Kristen has not gone along with the crowd.

The teacher asks her why she has decided to be different.

"Because I am not a Gator."

Then, asks the teacher, what are you?

"Why, I'm a proud Tennessee Volunteer," boasts the little girl.

The teacher is a little perturbed now, her face slightly red. She asks Kristen why she is a Vol.

"Well, my mom and dad are Vols, so I'm a Vol too."

The teacher is now angry. "That's no reason," she says loudly. "What if your mom was a moron, and your dad was a moron. What would you be then?"

A pause, and a smile. "Then," says Kristen, "I'd be Gator."

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

The Ross Sisters

Amazing! Really Amazing!!!
Watch this video of the amazing Ross Sisters from 1944. Don’t stop halfway, and you will see some amazing stuff.

A Great Eagle Picture
A good friend sent me the following picture taken by Bruce Cole which was taken on the Holston River near Kingsport, Tennessee. We’ve got a few eagles around here.

Fishing Today
If all goes as planned I hope to be on South Holston Lake later this morning to try another day of fishing for Lake and Rainbow Trout. The Lake Trout are not native to this lake, but have been stocked during the past few years. They are growing good, but so far there are no positive signs that they are reproducing in the lake.

 

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Even when we have pains, we don't have to be one.

~~~

Quote of the Day

I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful. 
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

A newcomer to Portland (or Seattle) arrives on a rainy day. She gets up the next day and it's raining. It also rains the day after that, and the day after that.

She goes out to lunch and sees a young kid and, out of despair, asks, "Hey, kid, does it ever stop raining around here?"

The kid says, "How should I know? I'm only 6."

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

Oreo, Not the Cookie

Update of Kara & Zachary’s Puppy
We were fortunate to have a visit from Oreo last Saturday. We all enjoyed watching, petting and playing with Oreo. She’s getting growing too. Here’s a few picture of Oreo, a lab mix.

Oreo
Kara and Oreo. Kara taught her to “sit”.
Zachary and Oreo. They enjoy playing together.
Oreo is checking things out.

Natural Tunnel
We had a great time this past Tuesday. We took a day trip to Natural Tunnel which is a short distance from Gate City, VA. On the way home we had a feast at the Hob Nob Drive-in. Here’s a few pictures. If you wish, click on each picture for a larger view.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Nothing is better than that human touch: holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

~~~

Quote of the Day

To think too long about doing a thing
often becomes its undoing.
~Eva Young

~~~
Joke of the Day

A dietitian was once addressing a large audience in Chicago. "The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago.

"Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water.

"But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have, or will, eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?"

A 75-year-old man in the front row stood up and said, "Wedding cake."

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

The Wooden Bowl

A Good Story with a Good Lesson
A good friend sent this story about the wooden bowl to me last week. Snopes said this story had more legs than a bucket of chicken, but I enjoyed it, and I though you might like to read it and think about it…

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.’
The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Do not regret growing older.
It is a privilege denied to many. 
~Author Unknown

~~~
Joke of the Day

From a redneck: What My Mother Taught Me

My mother taught me RELIGION -
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

My mother taught me LOGIC -
"Because I said so, that's why."

My mother taught me FORESIGHT -
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me IRONY -
"Keep laughing and I'll give you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS -
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"

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

Update on Jade

One of My Other “Daughters”
Jade has now finished her first year of college. She is not going home to Vietnam this summer, instead she is working two jobs to save money for her education. She sent Nana and Papa this picture a few days ago to show us her hairdo. (To Jade we are Papa and Nana, not Granddaddy and Grandmother.)

Nana and Papa miss her and hope she will be able to come “home” to Tennessee for a visit before school starts this fall. We miss you Jade!

Birds and More
The backyard has been active with birds and squirrels the past few weeks. The feeders get emptied so very quickly, especially the finch feeder which is filled with thistle seed. Here’s a couple of pictures I took a couple of days ago.

And I have something else interesting… I have seen an albino squirrel a couple of times in the last few days. I hoping to get a picture soon, but he seems kind of shy.

If you’re interested you may want to read about several towns that brag about the number of white squirrels that live in their jurisdiction. Read about the White Squirrel Wars.

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
Dr. W. Edwards Deming autographed his book,
Out of the Crisis, for my son Kevin.
He wrote, “Learn to love learning.”
I like that.

~~~

Quote of the Day

Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

~~~
Joke of the Day

My face in the mirror
Isn't wrinkled or drawn,
My house isn't dirty,
The cobwebs are gone.

My garden looks lovely,
And so does my lawn.
I think I might never
Put my glasses back on.

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

Broken Finger

Kevin’s Left Pinky
He broke his finger two weeks ago, and they did the surgery a little over a week ago. I thought you might like to see the before and after x-rays.

Before Surgery
After Surgery

Japanese Wisdom

 

~~~

Tennessee Granddaddy Says:
You can tell a lot about a person by how they handle little disappointments in this life.

~~~

Quote of the Day

We make a living by what we get;
we make a life by what we give.
~ Winston Churchill

~~~
Joke of the Day

Tale from an old geezer…

I went to the store the other day. I was only in there about five minutes. When I came out there was policeman writing out a parking ticket. I went up to him and said, "Come on, buddy, how about giving a senior a break?"

He ignored me and continued writing the ticket. I called him a Nazi. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tires.

So I called him a a dirty and dumb cop.

He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket.

This went on for about 20 minutes ... the more I abused him, the more tickets he wrote. I didn't give a hoot. My car was parked around the corner.

I try to have a little fun each day. It's important at my age.

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