Sunday's Gray Matter #10

United received 26,538 letters and mailed 81,063 reprints of this Gray Matter. It appeared in the WSJ November 1982. Some 20 years later I think it is still appropriate and worth sharing. People have asked for reprints for themselves, their children, their workplace, their reception rooms, their homes. The reprints have been used in training programs, graduation speeches, and newsletters. As this one made it into my blog. Why not make some copies and distribute it as you deem important.

Today's thought from James M. Barrie "Life is a long lesson in humility".

The pictures speak for themselves.....

Everything was delicious! and plenty of it. And lots of new faces, young and old to meet and greet. Lovely weather made it a perfect day.

Thought from Milton for yesterday and even today "The debt immense of endless gratitude

It's a wonderful day..................

Today was a beautiful day, bright, sunny, tad cool and just right to begin to celebrate Thanksgiving day tomorrow. We are having some nice color in the trees, my backyard mums are blooming and providing me with cheer and so far, my cake for tomorrow's lunch appears to not only look pretty but smells good. Hopefully it will taste good as well.

This is the first Thanksgiving in I don't remember how many years that I have not done the cooking and/or hosting Thanksgiving. At first I was feeling a little sad about it, but as I set my TiVo to record all the parades tomorrow that I will miss, it began to feel like "not so bad". Of course the leftovers will be missed, but that is o.k.

I wish for all a safe and happy day, a day filled with family, friends, good food and whatever makes you happy. Particularly I hope that each of us takes time to remember how fortunate we are, even with all the upsetting things happening in the world today, to live in America, to be free and to be able to celebrate and enjoy the holiday. G-d bless us all. Enjoy.!

Gray Matter #9

Interesting as it may seem, this Gray Matter was first published in the WSJ in November 1984. With today's economic climate being what it is, I think a second look at this particular Gray Matter selection is appropriate. United received 5,024 letters and mailed 18,987 reprints. A small amount given the subject matter. Bet today it would receive zillions of request. I know personally for all of my home projects, and particularly since one thing seems to lead to another, it's very hard to keep hold of spending. Budgeting and shopping wisely are certainly the tools necessary to be realistic about what one is spending.

Found 2 good thoughts for today and the topic of $$$$$'s -

Bonhours "Money is a good servant, but a dangerous master" and Holmes "Put not your trust in money, but put your money in trust".

And to end, where were you on November 22, 1963? Do you remember?

Before and After.............

It's raining, it's cold, it's Saturday and Phil and Dan arrived early this a.m. to enclose my patio and install my new sun shades. Apologies to my neighbors for the noise, but.....almost 5 hours later, completed....I'm really pleased and looking forward to the summer heat not bothering me so much. It will be nice to be able to enjoy the garden room and have my drapes open (may even remove them) since the shades are heavy enough that you cannot see into the condo. Almost done with all my projects. Just in time as my daughter is coming for a visit in early December and my oldest son and his family from Seattle will be here from the 20th of December until the 30th....Fun....

While waiting and watching the guys work, I did my holiday cards, wrapped some gifts to take to the post office next week and mail and was very productive. Proud of me :-)

today's thought from Thomas Hardy - "A man's silence is wonderful to listen to".

Autumn Flowers

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I have just enough of a back-yard garden to plant a few things. The first year I was in the condo, I planted lots of little button mums. Each October they pop their pretty little heads out and smile at me. Being gone last week, they were just beginning to bloom. I've spent some time yesterday and today working on my patio because Saturday it is going to be enclosed and become a garden room. The flowers were so pretty this morning that I decided to cut a few and make a little arrangement. Nothing makes a home more inviting than flowers.

Today's thought from Shakespeare "Flowers are like the pleasures of the world".

Nobody said it better. Enjoy my little arrangement.

Nice to be home and have lunch with

two of my best buddies, Lorena and Jan. We've become friends through our association in the April Sound Ladies Association. Today we drove over to the town of Tomball. Tomball has been around for a long long time and is full of antique shops, novelty stores, resale shops, restaurants and whathaveyou shops. We try to have lunch once a week. Lorena is also in charge of planning the ladies luncheon each month, selecting the menu, arranging the program, working with the folks at the country club to make everything nice. Jan is a volunteer with Casa, part of Children's Services here in Montgomery. She is a very devoted volunteer and really puts her heart into it.

Leaving H'town, after all of my life there, it has really been nice to have some gals to hang out with. Missing the interaction of my friends in H'town is not as strong as it use to be, but we still keep in touch and when I do drive into town, we have lunch and/or dinner together. Friendship is a wonderful thing. I'm very lucky to have so many uniquely interesting and different friends.

Today's thought from Addison on friends "Great souls by instinct to each other turn. Demand alliance, and in friendship burn".

Tomorrow I'll highlight some other friends.

It is 160,000 tons of..................

Fun, Frolic, Food, Entertainment - It's THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS!!!! The most most most wonderful fun ever. The second largest of the Royal Caribbean Fleet of ships, the Freedom is absolutely awesome! I've seen and been many beautiful places in my life, hotels, Vegas, NYC, LA, etc....but I've never seen as much glam, glitz and sparkle as the Freedom, and all in good taste. Not tacky, just overwhelming beautiful. Non-stop entertainment, well done show stoppers, regular movies (saw more in one week than I have in years), ice shows, art auction, food, food and more food. You can actually have a meal every hour, every day....Whenever you wish. and whatever you wish....The ports of call were fair, I must admit I think there are better ports, i.e. Mexico - but St. Thomas and St. Martin were o.k. We did take a tour of St. Martin with another couple and it was interesting. Poverty still exists in these islands. And they are not the cleanest. But nothing unexpected, probably would choose the Western Caribbean next cruise. I really recommend a cruise, if not on such a large ship, perhaps smaller. After all, there were 4200 other folks with us, not including the crew. Service was incredible and the special treat of finding a bath-towel friend each night when we returned from our evening activities, compliments of our stateroom attendant, Cherrie. Ck the pic of the cute little elephant with sunglasses
Yes, yes, yes, I will cruise again. It's good to be home but have some spectular memories and there will be more pics.

Today's thought - "Just do it!" (my own thought)

Freedom Pics cond't....

Awesome

Beautiful day and I was cruising down to Montgomery to buy some stamps and do a few errands and the huge ladder truck was stretching it's wings at the station. Couldn't resist taking a pic although I could not get all of the ladder extension in the pic. Montgomery has 2 fire stations that are very close to April Sound, this includes the EMS attachments. From past experience, I can say that they are always "johnny on the spot" when needed.

Another trip tomorrow, so I'll be away for awhile. Will bring back pics and post asap. Not taking the netbook on this trip.

Today's thought from good ole' Ben Franklin, one of my favorites "Speak ill of no man but speak all the good you know". Have a great week.

Double Hitter

No, I'm not talking baseball, even though the World Series is exciting - I'm talking the date, November 3......November 3, 1963 my oldest son, Stephen was born. Click on the pic to see the details....Stephen (aka Steve) was a cute, rough and tumble little kid who loved anything with wheels. Today, Stephen is still a cute, rough and tumble guy who loves anything with wheels (i.e. bikes). He is a devoted son, wonderful husband and father and loving brother and I wish him many more great years. He has done himself proud, worked hard and accomplished much - never wavering in his love for wheels. Switching gears to the 2nd important November 3 - first Tuesday of November - it's time to VOTE! Whatever elections are held in your area - it's important to do your civic duty, a responsibility and an obligation to honor this privilege.

Happy happy birthday Stephen and don't forget to VOTE! have a greatttttttttt day!

Spruce Goose - 1947 & today

http://www.sprucegoose.org/aircraft_artifacts/exhibits.html

In 1947, on this date, Howard Hughes piloted his huge wooden flying boat, "Spruce Goose" on it's only flight, which lasted about a minute over Long Beach Harbor in CA.

Last year (2008), I had the opportunity to actually see the Spruce Goose. I had traveled to Seattle for my granddaughter's birthday and my plans to follow up by going to LA to see my daughter and son-in-law fell thru. So I decided to take a detour, via Portland, OR. One of the fun things I did was take a "gambling bus" to Spirit Mountain, a very large and lovely Indian casino. On the way, as we passed thru beautiful countryside, we came upon the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Although the bus did not stop, we could see the Spruce Goose very plainly - it was a real thrill. I've never forgotten it and also, the countryside in Oregon is absolutely soooo beautiful. I'd love to take that trip again, this time making special plans to actually go to the museum. Check out the link above to see more about the Goose.

Today's thought from Rene Descartes "If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things".

Gray Matter Sunday #8

This is a great choice, especially with Veterans Day approaching. I'll be gone (again) so this will be today and next Sunday's Gray Matter. Even though many years have passed since this appeared in the WSJ October 1982, and many things have changed in our country, I would like to believe that PATRIOTISM is still alive and well in the USA. Sometimes I wonder!

For this message, United received 4,942 letters and mailed 23,559 reprints. When "Dear Abby" or Ann Landers reprint our messages, we know that they have reached millions. And when Abigail or Ann say, "Beautiful", as "Dear Abby" did for this one, we know we've done something right.