Reflections... - Page 4

momoese · 11-04-2011, 12:11 AM

"and then"

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-04-2011, 11:21 AM

"And then" what?

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-05-2011, 11:47 AM

Good words are worth much, and cost little.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)

It takes just as much energy to say a positive word as it does a negative one. In fact, it may take even less. Research has shown that when we speak positive words...even in difficult circumstances or troubling situations, our bodies relax. As we relax, blood flow increases, including the flow of blood to the brain. A well-oxygenated brain is much more likely to think creatively, make wise decisions, find reasonable solutions, and generate answers to questions.

Positive words ease relationships and create an atmosphere of peace that is conducive to rest, relaxation, rejuvenation, and sleep...all of which are necessary for good health.

On the other hand, contrary to popular thought, negative woeds do not release tension...they keep the body in a state of tension, constricting muscles and blood vessels. Irrational, uncreative, unreasonable behavior is a secondary effect.

A continual flow of negative words causes relationships to suffer, which creates an atmosphere of disharmony ad makes for fitful sleep and frayed nerves...none of which are healthy!

One of the best things we can do for our overall health is to transform our speech habits.

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-06-2011, 05:26 PM

If you were given a nickname descriptive of your character, would you be proud of it?

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches...Proverbs 22:1

In 1955 the city buses in Montgomery, Alabama, were segregated by law. White and black people were not allowed to sit together.

On December 1st of that year, Mrs. Rosa Parks was riding home from her job at a tailor shop. As the section for whites filled up, the black people were ordered to move to the back to make room for the white passengers who were boarding. Three blacks in Mrs. Parks' row moved, but Mrs. Parks remained in her seat. Later she said "Our mistreatment was just not right, and I was tired of it. I knew someone had to take the first step. So I made up my mind not to move".

The bus driver asked if she was going to stand up. "No, I am not" she answered him. Mrs Parks was arrested and taken to jail. Four days later black people and white sympathizers organized a boycott of the city bus line that lasted until a year later, when the Supreme Court declared the segregated-bus ordinance unconstitutional.

Mrs. Parks is known today as the "mother of the modern-day civil rights movement". Her name inspires others to be courageous and do what is right, despite the circumstances.

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-08-2011, 02:52 PM

Life is a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once.

For what is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14

Anita Septimus has worked as a social worker for HIV-infected children since 1985. In the first few months she worked with her tiny clients, three of them died. Despair began to overwhelm her. She made a commitment to stick with the job for three months, during which time she could not get a friend's words out of her thoughts....'you have not chosen a pretty profession'.

She had to admit, her friend was right. It took resolve to accept that fact and simply do what she could to help families make the most of what remained of their children's lives. She is stil there.

Over the last 10 years, her clinic has grown considerably. Today, Anita and her staff care for more than 300 families with AIDS children. They go into their homes, teach infection prevention, and help the parents plan for the future. The children are regularily taken on trips to the zoo, the circus, and summer camps.

One AIDS baby wasn't expected to see her first birthday, but she recently celebrated her 10th! Such 'long-term' clients give back to Anita what she terms as 'an indestractable sense of hope' - a precious gift!

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-09-2011, 12:51 PM

The best bridge between hope and despair is often a good night's sleep.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for he so giveth his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2

Medical researchers are coming to what may see to be a common sense conclusion: a missing ingredient to heath may be"vitamin Zzzzzzzz".

When participants in one study were cheated out of 4 hours of sleep for four consecutive nights, they had on average 30% drop in their immune systems, as measured by natural killer-cell activity. Such a drop can readily increase a person's susceptibility to colds and flu, and perhaps to other serious diseases. Says sleep researcher Michael Irwin M.D., "Many people just need a regular-length sleep to get those natural killer cells revved up again".

While a steady diet of sufficient sleep may not completely prevent disease, it can improve the body's defense system and help a person combat disease more efficiently and effectively.

Sleep is the cheapest health aid a person can "take". Sleep is God's own means of restoring health to the body, as well as providing rest to the mind. Many have reported a new outlook or a change of heart after a good night's sleep.

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-09-2011, 09:44 PM

Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.

A merry heart doth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22

Norman Cousins was once asked by a group of physicians to meet with cancer patiens at a hospital. He told how he had lost a quarter in a payphone.

"Operator", he said, "I put in a quarter and didn't get my number". She said "Sir, if you give me your name and address, we'll mail the coin to you".

He recited a full and long litany of all the step and procedures and expense involved in returning his coin that way, and concluded, "Now, operator, why don't you just return my coin and make this much easier"?

She repeated her offer and then asked if he'd pushed the coin-return plunger. He hadn't, but when he did, the phone box spewed out close to four dollars in change!

The operator said "Sir, will you please put the coins back in the box"?. Cousins replied, "If you give me your name and address I will be glad to mail you the coins"

The veterans exploded with cheers as cousins told his story. Then one of the physicians asked, "How many of you came into this room in pain"?. More than half raised their hands. "How many of you in the last five minutes had less or no pain"? All nodded "yes".

Laughter...it's one of the best pain medications ever!

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-11-2011, 04:01 PM

IT ISN'T ENOUGH

It isn't enough to say in our hearts
That we like a man for his ways,
It isn't enough that we fill our minds
With paeans of silent praise;
Nor is it enough that we honor a man
As our confidence upward mounts,
It's going right up to the man himself,
And telling him so that counts!
If a man does a work that you really admire,
Don't leave a kind word unsaid,
In fear that to do so might make him vain
And cause him to 'lose his head'
But reach out your hand and tell him,
"Well done", and see how your gratitude swells;
It isn't the flowers we strew on the grave,
It's the word to the living that tells.

~ Anonymous.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

: )

Jananas Bananas · 11-13-2011, 10:05 PM

Every person is a d@mn fool

for at least 5 minutes every day,

“WISDOM” consists in not,

exceeding the limit................

~JaNan

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-14-2011, 11:59 AM

That is just too frigging hilarious, Janan!

The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity. But not in that order.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life.

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-14-2011, 01:38 PM

"To argue with an IDIOT only proves there are two"!!!

: )

sunfish · 11-14-2011, 02:34 PM

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt"

The Hollyberry Lady · 11-15-2011, 12:19 AM

"We are many and you are few,

we listen to the crap you spew.

Don’t think we aren’t up to speed,

on truth and lies as you deceive.

You spout out lines of twisted tales,

like politicians or car sales.

You change what we would like to hear,

while your treachery has no fear.

You are what’s wrong in every way,

no longer care ‘bout what you say.

You paint your picture so distorted,

you change the story not reported.

The words come out but do not say,

the truth behind what you portray.

You bend the facts for your own gain.

How is it that you feel no pain?

LIAR"!!!

: )

Jananas Bananas · 12-11-2011, 11:23 PM

This is what Christmas is all about...I think I need to read this every year at Christmas. I can't count the times I've read this one.

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what..

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the sideboards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

Yeah," I said, "Why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to o ur loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his r ight shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in th woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say
something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as mu ch as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.

My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again whe n we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will."
Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that,but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.

God bless you!

The Hollyberry Lady · 12-11-2011, 11:48 PM

Some People

Some people want to die
some people want to live
some people want to take
some people want to give

Some people have family
some people have friends
some people love life
some people wait for it to end

Some people need the help
some people help the need
some people want to share
some people love the greed

Some people are weak
some people are strong
some people are right
some people are wrong

Some people are smart
some people are fools
some people are wise
some people need school

Some people have no mind
some people have no heart
some people keep us together
some people tear us apart

Great story, Janan.

: )

Yug · 12-12-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hollyberry Lady

"We are many and you are few,

we listen to the crap you spew.

Don’t think we aren’t up to speed,

on truth and lies as you deceive.

You spout out lines of twisted tales,

like politicians or car sales.

You change what we would like to hear,

while your treachery has no fear.

You are what’s wrong in every way,

no longer care ‘bout what you say.

You paint your picture so distorted,

you change the story not reported.

The words come out but do not say,

the truth behind what you portray.

You bend the facts for your own gain.

How is it that you feel no pain?

LIAR"!!!

: )

The whole time I was reading this, I was thinking of OWS. Tks.

The Hollyberry Lady · 12-12-2011, 06:52 PM

You're welcome, Yug!

I was thinking about a couple of uneducated, substance-abusing, egotistical, and pathetic excuses for human beings when I read it!

I guess it means something different for everyone.

: )

Jack Daw · 12-12-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt"

Agreeeeeed.

The Hollyberry Lady · 12-12-2011, 10:56 PM

One of my personal favorites...

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"

- Anonymous

: )

The Hollyberry Lady · 12-18-2011, 06:21 PM

"Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots"

Anonymous

: )

11-04-2011, 12:11 AM	#61 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,593 BananaBucks : 8,559 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,763 Times Was Thanked 10,897 Times in 3,314 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 730 Times	Re: Reflections... "and then"

11-04-2011, 11:21 AM	#62 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... "And then" what? : )

11-05-2011, 11:47 AM	#63 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... Good words are worth much, and cost little. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24) It takes just as much energy to say a positive word as it does a negative one. In fact, it may take even less. Research has shown that when we speak positive words...even in difficult circumstances or troubling situations, our bodies relax. As we relax, blood flow increases, including the flow of blood to the brain. A well-oxygenated brain is much more likely to think creatively, make wise decisions, find reasonable solutions, and generate answers to questions. Positive words ease relationships and create an atmosphere of peace that is conducive to rest, relaxation, rejuvenation, and sleep...all of which are necessary for good health. On the other hand, contrary to popular thought, negative woeds do not release tension...they keep the body in a state of tension, constricting muscles and blood vessels. Irrational, uncreative, unreasonable behavior is a secondary effect. A continual flow of negative words causes relationships to suffer, which creates an atmosphere of disharmony ad makes for fitful sleep and frayed nerves...none of which are healthy! One of the best things we can do for our overall health is to transform our speech habits. : )

11-06-2011, 05:26 PM	#64 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... If you were given a nickname descriptive of your character, would you be proud of it? A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches...Proverbs 22:1 In 1955 the city buses in Montgomery, Alabama, were segregated by law. White and black people were not allowed to sit together. On December 1st of that year, Mrs. Rosa Parks was riding home from her job at a tailor shop. As the section for whites filled up, the black people were ordered to move to the back to make room for the white passengers who were boarding. Three blacks in Mrs. Parks' row moved, but Mrs. Parks remained in her seat. Later she said "Our mistreatment was just not right, and I was tired of it. I knew someone had to take the first step. So I made up my mind not to move". The bus driver asked if she was going to stand up. "No, I am not" she answered him. Mrs Parks was arrested and taken to jail. Four days later black people and white sympathizers organized a boycott of the city bus line that lasted until a year later, when the Supreme Court declared the segregated-bus ordinance unconstitutional. Mrs. Parks is known today as the "mother of the modern-day civil rights movement". Her name inspires others to be courageous and do what is right, despite the circumstances. : )

11-08-2011, 02:52 PM	#65 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... Life is a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once. For what is your life? It is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14 Anita Septimus has worked as a social worker for HIV-infected children since 1985. In the first few months she worked with her tiny clients, three of them died. Despair began to overwhelm her. She made a commitment to stick with the job for three months, during which time she could not get a friend's words out of her thoughts....'you have not chosen a pretty profession'. She had to admit, her friend was right. It took resolve to accept that fact and simply do what she could to help families make the most of what remained of their children's lives. She is stil there. Over the last 10 years, her clinic has grown considerably. Today, Anita and her staff care for more than 300 families with AIDS children. They go into their homes, teach infection prevention, and help the parents plan for the future. The children are regularily taken on trips to the zoo, the circus, and summer camps. One AIDS baby wasn't expected to see her first birthday, but she recently celebrated her 10th! Such 'long-term' clients give back to Anita what she terms as 'an indestractable sense of hope' - a precious gift! : )

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11-09-2011, 12:51 PM	#66 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... The best bridge between hope and despair is often a good night's sleep. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for he so giveth his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2 Medical researchers are coming to what may see to be a common sense conclusion: a missing ingredient to heath may be"vitamin Zzzzzzzz". When participants in one study were cheated out of 4 hours of sleep for four consecutive nights, they had on average 30% drop in their immune systems, as measured by natural killer-cell activity. Such a drop can readily increase a person's susceptibility to colds and flu, and perhaps to other serious diseases. Says sleep researcher Michael Irwin M.D., "Many people just need a regular-length sleep to get those natural killer cells revved up again". While a steady diet of sufficient sleep may not completely prevent disease, it can improve the body's defense system and help a person combat disease more efficiently and effectively. Sleep is the cheapest health aid a person can "take". Sleep is God's own means of restoring health to the body, as well as providing rest to the mind. Many have reported a new outlook or a change of heart after a good night's sleep. : )

11-09-2011, 09:44 PM	#67 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects. A merry heart doth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22 Norman Cousins was once asked by a group of physicians to meet with cancer patiens at a hospital. He told how he had lost a quarter in a payphone. "Operator", he said, "I put in a quarter and didn't get my number". She said "Sir, if you give me your name and address, we'll mail the coin to you". He recited a full and long litany of all the step and procedures and expense involved in returning his coin that way, and concluded, "Now, operator, why don't you just return my coin and make this much easier"? She repeated her offer and then asked if he'd pushed the coin-return plunger. He hadn't, but when he did, the phone box spewed out close to four dollars in change! The operator said "Sir, will you please put the coins back in the box"?. Cousins replied, "If you give me your name and address I will be glad to mail you the coins" The veterans exploded with cheers as cousins told his story. Then one of the physicians asked, "How many of you came into this room in pain"?. More than half raised their hands. "How many of you in the last five minutes had less or no pain"? All nodded "yes". Laughter...it's one of the best pain medications ever! : )

11-11-2011, 04:01 PM	#68 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... IT ISN'T ENOUGH It isn't enough to say in our hearts That we like a man for his ways, It isn't enough that we fill our minds With paeans of silent praise; Nor is it enough that we honor a man As our confidence upward mounts, It's going right up to the man himself, And telling him so that counts! If a man does a work that you really admire, Don't leave a kind word unsaid, In fear that to do so might make him vain And cause him to 'lose his head' But reach out your hand and tell him, "Well done", and see how your gratitude swells; It isn't the flowers we strew on the grave, It's the word to the living that tells. ~ Anonymous. "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 : )

11-13-2011, 10:05 PM	#69 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 443,329 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Re: Reflections... Every person is a d@mn fool for at least 5 minutes every day, “WISDOM” consists in not, exceeding the limit................ ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

11-14-2011, 11:59 AM	#70 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... That is just too frigging hilarious, Janan! The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity. But not in that order. There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. : )

11-14-2011, 01:38 PM	#71 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... "To argue with an IDIOT only proves there are two"!!! : )

11-14-2011, 02:34 PM	#72 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,631,050 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,593 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Reflections... "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt"

11-15-2011, 12:19 AM	#73 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... "We are many and you are few, we listen to the crap you spew. Don’t think we aren’t up to speed, on truth and lies as you deceive. You spout out lines of twisted tales, like politicians or car sales. You change what we would like to hear, while your treachery has no fear. You are what’s wrong in every way, no longer care ‘bout what you say. You paint your picture so distorted, you change the story not reported. The words come out but do not say, the truth behind what you portray. You bend the facts for your own gain. How is it that you feel no pain? LIAR"!!! : )

12-11-2011, 11:23 PM	#74 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 443,329 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Re: Reflections... This is what Christmas is all about...I think I need to read this every year at Christmas. I can't count the times I've read this one. Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving. It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.. Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the sideboards on. After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? Yeah," I said, "Why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to o ur loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his r ight shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in th woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy." We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?" Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as mu ch as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us." In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again whe n we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine. At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will." Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that,but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand." I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life. God bless you! __________________ Jananas Bananas

12-11-2011, 11:48 PM	#75 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... *Some People* Some people want to die some people want to live some people want to take some people want to give Some people have family some people have friends some people love life some people wait for it to end Some people need the help some people help the need some people want to share some people love the greed Some people are weak some people are strong some people are right some people are wrong Some people are smart some people are fools some people are wise some people need school Some people have no mind some people have no heart some people keep us together some people tear us apart Great story, Janan. : )

12-12-2011, 06:52 PM	#77 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... You're welcome, Yug! I was thinking about a couple of uneducated, substance-abusing, egotistical, and pathetic excuses for human beings when I read it! I guess it means something different for everyone. : )

12-12-2011, 10:56 PM	#79 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... One of my personal favorites... "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity" - Anonymous : )

12-18-2011, 06:21 PM	#80 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,456,759 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: Reflections... *"Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots"* Anonymous : )

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