Monday, March 23, 2009

Meaningful Mondays

The Old Man And His Dog

An old man nd his dog were walking along a country road, enjoying the sceney, when it suddenly occurred to the man that he had died. He remembered dying and realized too, that the dog had been dead for many years. He wondered where the road would lead them and comtinued on.

After a while they came to a high stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of the hill, it was broken by a tall white arch that gleamed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He was pleased that he had finally arrived at heaven, and the man and his dog walked toward he gate. As he got closer, he saw someone sitting at a beautifully carved desk off to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me. but is this heaven?"

"Yes, it is sir," the man answered.

"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir. Come right in and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The gatekeeper gestured to his rear and the huge gate began to open.

I assume my friend can come in....." the man said, gesturing toward his dog.

But the reply was, "I'm sorry. sir, but we don't accept pets."

The ma thought about it, then thanked the gatekeeper, turned back to the road and continued in the direction he had been going. After another lon walk, he reached the top of another long hill, and he came to a dirt road that led through a farm gate. There was no fence and it looked as if the gate had never been closed, as grass had grown up around it. As he approached the gate, he saw a man just inside sitting in the shade of a tree reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the reader, "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure..... there's a well over there," the man said, pointing to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in and make yourself at home."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"He's welcome too, and there's a bowl by the well," he said.

They walked through the gate and sure enough, there was an old fashioned well and a bowl next to it on the ground. The man filled the bowl for his dog, and then took a drink himself. When both were satified, he and the dog walked back toward the man, who was sitting under the tree waiting for them and asked, "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is heaven," was the answer.

"Well that's confusing," the traveler said. "It certainly doesn't look like heaven. There's another man down the road ho said that place was heaven."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?"

"Yes, it was beautiful."

"Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it offend you for them to use the name of heaven like that?"

"No..... I can see how you might think so, but it actually saves us a lot of time. They screen out the people who are willing to leave their best friends behind."


Wednesday, March 18, 2009

It Is Official



A little while back, blog pal Sherry @ Edie Marie's Attic posted about turning that golden age of 60 and the state of Ohio sending their best wishes in the form of a Golden Buckeye Card. I realized then that my days were numbered. No matter how hard I tried, I knew that it would eventually catch up with me as well. I think it is wonderful how the state of Ohio doesn't want it's golden aged citizens to miss out on even one day of using their Golden Buckeye Cards. They don't wait until you actually turn 60, they mail those Golden Buckeye Cards out at least a good month before. Just imagine the joy I felt when I opened the mail box and found an envelope addressed to me from "The Ohio Department Of The Aging". Oh it was well worth that half mile walk to the mail box to find that little treasure waiting for me.


You have no idea how envious I have been of JD since he got his. He always has his wallet in hand and ready to whip out that golden little card when he asks, "Do you accept the Golden Buckeye Card?" Nine times out of ten the answer being, "Sorry, but no." That is usually when he asks if they accept AARP...... Blood Doner Card ..... how about a Library Card? You can bet that I will get some use out of my card. Even if the majority of retailers don't accept it, I know for a fact that in a tight spot, it can be used to scrape ice and snow from a windshield.


So now it is official.
According to The Ohio Department Of Aging:


-> ->{{{ I AM NOW OLD }}}<- <-


Have a wonderful day!



Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Irish Blessings

May those who love us, love us
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts
And if he can't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles
So we will know them by their limping!
Not long ago I posted a prayer request for a friend's son that has been missing since December. I have since put together a blog page with his picture and other information. Marty's mother, Patty has been in bad health for years, but has recently started spitting up blood and bleeding rectally. Please keep Patty and Marty in your prayers and take a look at the blog page: "Marty Is Missing" . If you could please direct others to Marty's blog page it would be greatly appreciated by his family. Even if someone has seen his car, that would give the family something to hold on to and perhaps give them some hope.


How about that AIG......... I guess when they received that stimulus money from Washington DC they must have thought that they had found the legendary Pot Of Gold at the end of the rainbow. They asked for that money on the basis that their business was failing. Then they turn right around and give "HUGE" bonuses to their top executives. Evidently if their business was failing, the bonuses weren't for going above and beyond as far as raking in the profits for the year. Or were they???? Do you think maybe they considered the stimulus check a profit? I am just glad to see that the government is monitoring these companies and will hold them accountable for not using that money as they were supposed to. There may be a bright light at the end of the tunnel after all.

Spring is right around the corner. It has been giving us previews for the past week and I have enjoyed every hour of the warm weather. I have been gathering records to get our taxes done. Mission accomplished on that job...... Uncle Sam gave us a very small refund and we get to send 75% of it to the state for the taxes we owe them. With Spring we will also be doing Melody's birthday dinner Sunday. I will be serving her favorite dish, my fried chicken. She will be sharing her birthday dinner with Britt, since we went to Louisiana right after her birthday and didn't do her birthday dinner. We will be adding Britt's favorite, chicken and noodles to the menu. Ohhh wait..... We aren't finished yet. Tersie has been seeing a special someone for a little while now and Michael's birthday was in January too. So we are just going to celebrate them all. I am waiting for Michael's favorite dish request. Meanwhile I have a cornbeef brisket cooking for supper and will be adding some cooked cabbage and cornbread to our supper menu. Can you say..... mmmmmmmmmmmmm? I'll be saying that when it starts sending out it's wonderful aroma through the house.




Go mbeannai Dia duit
(May God Bless You)

Sunday, March 1, 2009

A Special Introduction


Introducing the newest member of our family.....

This is Buddy our rescue dog. I found him on Freecycle advertised as a 4 year old terrier that needed a home ASAP. We were happy to bring Buddy home with us. He seemed to be starving for attention. He shys away from JD, so I am thinking that a man at some point in his little life was mean to him.

Buddy has this Mohawk look going on with his hair. He has this strip of blond hair on the top of his head that is longer than the rest of his hair.



He has been really good about staying away from the road and not wandering off. I am looking forward to the warmer weather when he can help me with gardening.





Jess @ Jessica's World did a book review of "Age Before Beauty" and offered a signed copy of the book in a Giveaway. You will never guess who won it!!! Now come on..... who told you? I want to send Jess a big hug and an even bigger 'Thank You' for the book. I am looking forward to reading it.


Well it is that time of year again when the High School Band has it's winter concert. It is always our first clue around here that Spring is just around the corner. This time of year we are always ready to go spend an enjoyable bit of time being entertained by the band and watch Britt perform. Not to mention breaking the monotony of 'Cabin Fever'. Wishing you all an equally enjoyable Sunday.