https://www.online-literature.com/forums/blog.php?35768-title The largest classic literature discussion forum on the Internet. Read Write Teach Share. en Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:02:17 GMT vBulletin 10 https://www.online-literature.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg https://www.online-literature.com/forums/blog.php?35768-title https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?7025-Merry-Christmas-Everyone Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:04:42 GMT I wish all of you a peaceful day...because of, or inspite of, this Christian holiday. God bless you merry gentlemen and ladies. ampoule I wish all of you a peaceful day...because of, or inspite of, this Christian holiday.
God bless you merry gentlemen and ladies.

ampoule ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?7025-Merry-Christmas-Everyone https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5795-For-what-it-s-worth Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:11:37 GMT I wanted to see if she commented on my silly reply. Maybe I just didn't look far enough. Hope she's not gone. I thought she wrote some things of great value to us. Of course, I think anything anyone says has some value. :D ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5795-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5688-For-what-it-s-worth Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:42:34 GMT Yes, it's the birthday of William Butler Yeats, born in Sandymount, Ireland, in 1865. He loved Ireland, was somewhat devastated when his father moved the family to London, which he hated. He was a daydreamer and did not do well in school. Yeats was attracted to mysticism and occultism and he had hoped that the rich, mystical Celtic heritage would bring the Irish and Anglo-Irish together. "We might bring the halves together if we had a national literature that made Ireland beautiful in the memory..."

Quotes:
"We begin to live when we have conceived life as tragedy."

"I think all happiness depends on the energy to assume the mask of some other life, on a re-birth as something not one's self."

and his famous epitaph:
"Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman, pass by! ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5688-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5678-For-what-it-s-worth Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:07:54 GMT Sad but so tender and sweet. I received this this morning and wanted to share it with you. Sweets may have posted a part of it with her darling doggy... Sad but so tender and sweet. I received this this morning and wanted to share it with you. Sweets may have posted a part of it with her darling doggy pictures, and if so, I apologize. I guess it never hurts us to read tender things over and over.

"Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life...like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they dont' have to stay as long."
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and way your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
Enjoy every moment of every day. ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5678-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5609-For-what-it-s-worth Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:30:59 GMT When I turned on my kitchen radio this morning the announcer was asking people to check their rain gauges and then call in their results. The midwest... When I turned on my kitchen radio this morning the announcer was asking people to check their rain gauges and then call in their results. The midwest (U.S.A.) was hit hard with rain last night. There were also tornado warnings and the sirens were blaring all around. I actually got out of bed and put my clothes back on and went out on the front porch to see what I could see, but too many trees whipping around, so nothing. I went upstairs and watched out my west window and looked for tornadoes everytime the lightning flashed, which was pretty constant, and nothing. I eventually grew very tired and fell asleep and woke up to find I am still in Indiana.

Well, I don't have a rain gauge but I do have a bucket of tadpoles out back that a friend brought to me from West Virginia. It is now full and the little guys are having a ball swimming around in that fresh rainwater. I'm thinking at least five inches. Do you think my 'rain gauge' would count? ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5609-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5550-For-what-it-s-worth Thu, 29 May 2008 12:05:33 GMT Well, in my list of things to do during my summer vacation I skipped right to #8. I worked outside all day yesterday and got the whole east side... Well, in my list of things to do during my summer vacation I skipped right to #8. I worked outside all day yesterday and got the whole east side weeded, cleaned up and turned over, ready for some annuals. I'm heading back out soon to do the west side.
In answer to an earlier question from Virgil, my garden is mostly perennials. Every year the hollyhocks seem to grow wherever they want. I have some this year that are already huge. In fact, one is covering my lavendar but I can't bear to cut it down. I can't wait to see what color they will be. I originally planted yellow and black. They're a different color each year.
My peonies have hundreds of buds and should be blooming soon.
I used to have a large vegetable garden but now I just make little specialty gardens like my Taste of Italy...roma tomatoes and herbs.
Grab a trowel and come dig in. ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5550-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5510-For-what-it-s-worth Sat, 24 May 2008 02:21:18 GMT MotherHubbard asked how I plan to spend my time now that school is out. I'm not sure how to put these in order..

1) Get my house in order
2) Get my body in order
3) Get my life in order
4) Clean the garage
5) Clean the basement
6) Stain the porch
7) Fly to California to visit my mother and brother
8) Have a glorious garden
9) Attend as many garden walks as possible
10) Write

I would like to go to:
Alabama Picnic and PT Cruiser Car Show
Kentucky Music Festival
Epworth Forest Choir School
School of Missions
Minnesota to visit Kaye and Jerry...
but I doubt that any of these will pan out. Ho Hum. :( ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5510-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5498-For-what-it-s-worth Fri, 23 May 2008 02:28:14 GMT Yay! Yay! Hip hip hooray!
My end-of-school program/graduation went very well. Why wouldn't it though? The children are so cute. They could just stand there and all the parents would love it. But, they sang out like you wouldn't believe....Herman the Worm, Horace the Brontosaurus, Tom Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Little White Duck, Five Little Ducks, The Hukilau, The Cockeyed Mayor, You Are My Sunshine and many more. There must have been a hundred people there. I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a Russian sage plant!! I have been wanting one of those in the worst way. They are so beautiful when they are blooming.
I do have one more little picnic tomorrow and then maybe I'll go see Indiana Jones. Wanna go with me? ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5498-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5417-For-what-it-s-worth Thu, 15 May 2008 23:08:43 GMT There are two Greek words for time, kronos and kairos. Kronos refers to linear time: hours, days, weeks, and so on. Kairos means the right or... There are two Greek words for time, kronos and kairos. Kronos refers to linear time: hours, days, weeks, and so on. Kairos means the right or opportune moment. It is a time in between, a moment when something special happens. Well, this weekend I will be a part of something special, a right and opportune moment for me. It is called Kairos Outside.

Kairos Outside is a sort of spin-off of the Kairos Prison Ministry Weekends begun in 1989 at San Quentin State Correctional Facility in California. James Rowland, then director of that facility has often said, "Three things will help keep an inmate from coming back to prison: The first is some type of spiritual awakening while in prison; the second is support by their family during and after incarceration; and the third is a skill to find a job on the outside after release."

The Kairos Prison Ministry is an excellent vehicle to provide for a spiritual experience on the inside, while Kairos Outside, the retreat that I will be working on, is designed to bolster the relatives and friends who are supporting those incarcerated persons. The women on the outside, in many ways, have to be stronger than those on the inside to survive in today's world.

Kairos Outside is a blend of the movement on the street, Cursillo, which spawned Kairos years ago and the Kairos Prison Ministry which is spreading to so many of our nation's correctional institutions. The presenting members are all involved in either Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus (mine), Tres Dias, Via de Christo, Great Banquet, etc., also known as "Street Weekends", and/or the Kairos Ministry. More importantly, they are concerned, committed Christians who believe in these women and want to encourage them on their life journey.

We have 17 guests coming from all around the state of Indiana. The Weekend is a series of talks by women sharing their life journey. Each guest has the opportunity to review the talks in small family groups. The program is interspersed with music, prayer, fun activities, pampering and lots of great food. It is held at a beautiful lakeside retreat center about 45 minutes from my house.

Every time the women return to their cabins to rest or turn in for the evening, their beds are covered with gifts of agape, pronounced a-GA-pe, love freely given, in the form of messages and trinkets and absolutely anonymous so that none of the givers stand out more than anyone else. I think it is safe to tell you here about one of the things I have made. Our theme song for the Weekend is "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus". Here is a beautiful rendition by Michael W. Smith.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpbSY2iOB4U ..So, I went to Hobby Lobby and bought sunflowers, one for each guest and I glued two large googly eyes in the middle of each one, tied on a pretty bow and the words to the theme song. I think it will serve as a nice reminder of their Weekend and hopefully give them a smile. Why the sunflower? Because of the way it turns its head to follow the sun/son.

I have two jobs this weekend. One is to help lead music between each of the talks. We also "sing" them awake each morning as well as a lullaby at night.
I am also giving one of the talks. Most of these women are dealing with isolation, rejection, financial hardship and loneliness and it is these issues that are covered by the talks. I do want to point out that absolutely no religious affiliation is necessary for these women to attend nor do they have to claim one before they leave.

So as the title of this blog says, I will be "doing time". The family and friends of the incarcerated are truly doing time right along with their loved ones. Not that this matters, but in case you are wondering, I have never been incarcerated nor do I have any family members or friends that have. That is not meant as a judgemental statement. Just clearing up the question should it arise. I hope there will be many moments when something special happens...those moments in between...Kairos, for these 17 women. I know there will be for THIS woman.

See you Sunday night! Have a great weekend everyone.

amp ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5417-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5406-For-what-it-s-worth Wed, 14 May 2008 01:04:38 GMT Okay, Princey-Poo. ;) I didn't want to break into the wonderful conversation you were having with umbilical but I just HAVE to stand up for socks with sandals! LOL Really, I do. You see, I have SO many cute socks, being a preschool teacher and all, I hate hiding them in regular shoes. When I wear sandals the kids can see my crazy footwear. Believe me, they notice everything about me....my clothes, my earrings, even the little freckle on my bottom lip.
So, please, no more prejudicial remarks about people who wear socks with sandals. LOL :D ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5406-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5390-For-what-it-s-worth Sun, 11 May 2008 16:38:26 GMT I should have posted this sooner but this is so cute. Actually, you could personalize the items to fit your own relationship with your mother,... I should have posted this sooner but this is so cute. Actually, you could personalize the items to fit your own relationship with your mother, grandmother, or woman who made a difference in your life. These may sound childish but there is nothing childish enough for a mom.

Memory Box

Pick up a cute little square box. They have many that are already beautifully covered or you can paint/decorate your own.
Place the following items inside.
1. A little teddy bear to show how we love 'bear' hugs
2. A stick of gum or pack if you have room to show how wonderful it is to 'stick' together
3. Some nuts to show how silly we like to be (I used two peanuts in their shells and drew little smiley faces on each one)
4. A bandage to show how glad you are she always comes to the rescue
5. A chocolate kiss to show how good it feels to be loved
6. A little handwritten note that says, Thank you, I'll love you forever.

You could probably come up with your own clever ideas. ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5390-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5369-For-what-it-s-worth Sat, 10 May 2008 15:01:52 GMT My response to you concerning your little girl was getting so long I decided to put it in my own blog. I hope you see it here. And, it certainly... My response to you concerning your little girl was getting so long I decided to put it in my own blog. I hope you see it here. And, it certainly isn't just for you because I think all of us need this. Several in your blog expressed similar problems.

As I say, you have quite a quandary. What a wonderful child you have and what a wonderful mother you are. Well, I don't mean to be funny here but it sounds like the missing part of the equation is humor and optimism, not that you aren't providing those, but you didn't mention them when describing her personality.

I read recently of a study on freshmen entering a university and a test of optimism predicted their grades better than their SAT scores or high-school grades.

Have you ever heard of MOPs International? That stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and I know your daughter is well beyond preschool age, but I was the mentor for our local group for several years. The only reason I mention this is because the founder of our group had a little girl who was very sweet, very intelligent and kind-hearted, but extremely tense. She asked for help and I went searching. When I asked her about humor it's like a light went on as we talked. Many years later the mother shared how much this helped.

One of the greatest ways to show and teach optimism is humor. Most all of us love to laugh and be silly at times. Humor creates fun in our lives. It can relieve frustration and many times bring peace to conflicts. Even ancient cultures recognized the importance of humor and expressed this by creating gods and goddesses of laughter and mischief, fools, and court jesters.
It has become a popular thing to spend some time at the end of each day to think about and express gratitude for the things that have made our lives abundant. As a family, whether around the dinner table (a rare thing) or before bed each night or whenever your family is together, try to 'practice' seeing humor in the day's events. I think it helps our children take their frustrations less seriously. Life is serious but sometimes we need a little break even if it's some really lame joke.

I know I'm beginning to sound like a lecture, sorry, but maybe this will help you or someone else reading. I hope so.
Poke fun at yourself, other people (careful here) and situations you get yourself in to. Joke about your own flaws, mistakes and conflicts with other people. It can be great 'material'. There may be times that you can gently tease your daughter but, as I said, gently. Life can also be absurd. Be intentional in describing things in an exaggerated way or even great understatement. Memorize some jokes and practice telling them. Puns, double meanings, plays on words can all be fun. Sometimes we, as parents, have to lighten up and exaggerate the fact that we are doing so. Again, I'm not saying you aren't. I don't know. You have shared some humorous things with us about your life. Lord knows, you have a lot going on there to choose from, I'm sure.

I even found this 8-Step Program on how to develop humor.
1. Determine the nature of your own sense of humor
2. Become less serious and cultivate a more playful attitude in life
3. Develop a more hearty and healthy belly laugh
4. Improve your joke-telling skills
5. Create your own spontaneous verbal humor
6. Find humor in everyday life
7. Laugh at yourself
8. Start applying these skills to cope with stress

Gee, I think I already said some of those. (Patting myself on the back ;))

I also read that optimistic people tend to stay motivated despite frustrations and failures. Pessimistic people often give up and make their poor expectations come true, another self-fulfilling prophecy.

Man oh man, parenting is tough. It's not enough, it seems, to provide the basics of food, clothing and shelter and that thing called love, but now you have to be a stand up comic.

With love,
amp ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5369-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5324-For-what-it-s-worth Mon, 05 May 2008 00:55:08 GMT Okay now, snap your fingers....yeah, that's it....keep snappin'.....
Now sing....

I went outside one morning,
the grass in the yard needed cut,
I pulled out the ole lawnmower,
Got a feelin' of fear in my gut.

It wouldn't sta-art
No no no no no, it was dead,
very dead
It wouldn't star-art
Kicked it and went back to my bed,
back to bed

***************************

Yep, I checked the oil, put in new gas and nada. Well, today at church I asked a friend if he thought it might be the spark plug. He said it very well may be. His wife brightened up saying he used to repair lawnmowers with his dad many years ago. Now this is a newly retired man and his wife is always looking for things to keep him busy. Not too long ago he replaced my mailbox that had been battered by Halloween pranksters.
Late this afternoon he called and asked if he could come pick up my lawnmower to check it out. I pulled it out of the garage and was dusting off some old grass when he pulled in. He chuckled and said I didn't need to dust it off for him to take it. He asked about the oil and gas and then I asked if he wanted to give it a try before he lifted it into his truck. Guess what? It started right up! I looked at him. He looked at me. We burst out laughing. He said it was the fastest repair job he had ever done. Evidently part of that grass I had dusted off had been stuck up under the spark plug and causing a short. I'm glad he laughed and I'm glad he just lives around the corner.
Now, for the second verse:

Are you snapping those fingers?

So now the lawnmower is working
The grass in the yard still needs cut
It's more fun relating this story
So tomorrow I'll make a grass hut

The grass is ta-all
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah,
very tall
The grass is ta-all
I'll prob'ly be able to rake it
into a wall
so much to haul
I'll try not to fall
I may call on y'all

Ohhhhhh yeahhhhhhhh. ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5324-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5323-For-what-it-s-worth Mon, 05 May 2008 00:54:00 GMT Okay now, snap your fingers....yeah, that's it....keep snappin'.....
Now sing....

I went outside one morning,
the grass in the yard needed cut,
I pulled out the ole lawnmower,
Got a feelin' of fear in my gut.

It wouldn't sta-art
No no no no no, it was dead,
very dead
It wouldn't star-art
Kicked it and went back to my bed,
back to bed

***************************

Yep, I checked the oil, put in new gas and nada. Well, today at church I asked a friend if he thought it might be the spark plug. He said it very well may be. His wife brightened up saying he used to repair lawnmowers with his dad many years ago. Now this is a newly retired man and his wife is always looking for things to keep him busy. Not too long ago he replaced my mailbox that had been battered by Halloween pranksters.
Late this afternoon he called and asked if he could come pick up my lawnmower to check it out. I pulled it out of the garage and was dusting off some old grass when he pulled in. He chuckled and said I didn't need to dust it off for his to take it. He asked about the oil and gas and then I asked if he wanted to give it a try before he lifted it into his truck. Guess what? It started right up! I looked at him. He looked at me. We burst out laughing. He said it was the fastest repair job he had ever done. Evidently part of that grass I had dusted off had been stuck up under the spark plug and causing a short. I'm glad he laughed and I'm glad he just lives around the corner.
Now, for the second verse:

Are you snapping those fingers?

So now the lawnmower is working
The grass in the yard still needs cut
It's more fun relating this story
So tomorrow I'll make a grass hut

The grass is ta-all
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah,
very tall
The grass is ta-all
I'll prob'ly be able to rake it
into a wall
so much to haul
I'll try not to fall
I may call on y'all

Ohhhhhh yeahhhhhhhh. ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5323-For-what-it-s-worth https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5298-For-what-it-s-worth Sat, 03 May 2008 00:46:46 GMT Well, all I gotta say is this, it's a darn good thing I got my pizza. It makes it so much easier to listen to the tornado sirens going off. I sound pretty brave don't I? Uh-oh, the sirens have stopped, a small storm has passed and now it is very very quiet and still out there. The dark clouds are whizzing by. No, actually they seem to be going in one gigantic circle. Hmmm...maybe I'll mosey on down stairs...you know...just to be closer to the basement...just in case I have to run down there...just in ]]> ampoule https://www.online-literature.com/forums/entry.php?5298-For-what-it-s-worth