Continuing from Volume 1, which can be found by following the link below:
http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/for...showtopic=20029

From the internet .....

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know.

I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome."

"My name is Rose."

"I'm eighty-seven years old."

"Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..."

"No seriously," I asked.

I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!", she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends.

Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop.

I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went.

She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students.

She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet.

I'll never forget what she taught us.

She was introduced and stepped up to the podium.

As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery."

"I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing."

"There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success."

"You have to laugh and find humor every day."

"You've got to have a dream."

"When you lose your dreams, you die."

"We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!"

"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up."

"If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old."

"If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight."

"Anybody can grow older."

"That doesn't take any talent or ability."

"The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change."

"Have no regrets."

"The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do."

"The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose."

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY.

GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.

We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Laxyboy,
When are you leaving for England? If you haven't yet left, I want to wish you a very good time on your vacation-just watch out for the public transportation! We would like to see you back here safe and sound. have a great time!

Congratulations to Mr. AB, Livyjr., Amy, JeffMoskin and the rest of you for having been prolific and fun enough to need a second volume!

-Pegatha

Thanks Pegatha! I believe you contributed a post or two, or three... For the time being I'm suffering from heat induced brain drain. Can't think of anything interesting to say here.
Can't imagine my chatty nature will be held down for too much longer, though.

Thanks, Pegatha.

I have been taking a " summer vacation " from the forum. Actually, I'm still on it but just checked in to see what's going on.

I haven't even been on the computer very much for a while, because I want to enjoy the good old summertime outside, especially down by the lake.

I'll soon be back throwing in my 2 cents worth.

Livyjr is the glue that keeps many threads going, including this one.

Prolific is what he is and well versed on his subjects, too.

A.B.

If I didn't have a nice place like this to come and "take a load off", every now and then, at least, why, I think that I'd be right flat, now, myself, and Mr. A.B., I do believe that is a fact!

And I know what you are saying about the nice weather!

I hate to come in from it myself!

I've had that old bamboo scratcher rake of my going like a storm, cleaning up a bunch of blow-downs from several summers back, when a tornado came through the area near me, and I suffered a whole lot of tree damage, as a result!

Got a young person that's real good on the chain saw, and well, then there's me, a gimpy old man, but I am good on the rake, and it is good therapy, and so .....

And at the end of the day, does it ever look nice and clean, back there in the woods where we are working.

Make a great big fire and burn everything up!

Start all over again from scratch!

The cycle of life!

Create a patch of sunlight where formerly, there was shade, and watch what grows!

And most of the time, I'm amazed, which makes all the work of preparing the ground worthwhile!

Livy sure is the glue that holds this place and other threads together. And it is much appreciated by all who visit here and there.

Aw, shucks!

Golly, gee!

And you're doing real good with your HTML, now, amy, and that is great, being able to import photos, and all, as you are doing now!

A little inspiration, and away you go!

And that is great, from where I sit, which is out on the north porch of Mr. A.B.'s place, as a rule, in a glider .....

It's been really HOT here the past few days. 94 today and tomorrow, high humidity so I haven't been doing much outdoor garden work latey. When I'm weeding, a small cloud of dust kicks up with every weed I yank out, so I'm waiting for a bit of rain to settle the dirt. We also had a water restriction for a while but now that an additional well is operating at least I can revive my pathetic looking perennials and tomatoes. Even my dog, who loves the outdoors, can't wait to get back indoors and lie on the cool tile.
Hot where you are in upstate N.Y Livy? How's that copper roof holding up?

Ah, and then there's A.B., cool as a cucumber living on a beautiful lake, probably fishing. Sometims life just isn't fair.

Well, yes, it's hot!

Hot and sticky, but a few degrees cooler than where you are, amy, about 90 yesterday, but 93 today, or so they say!

I've been working in the woods, where there is shade, and it feels good when you are in it, and that is for sure!

The sweet corn up here really has liked this humidity, however, and it sure is good eating!

Farm fresh!

Almost as good as having that great big lake out there in front of you like Mr. A.B. has!

And where is that jeffmoskin?

He breezed in for a moment, and then, in a flash, he's gone again!

jeffmoskin?

jeffmoskin?

I recall jeffmo telling us that he and Mrs. jeffmo were going to visit jolly old England in the month of August.

So, he is probably there now, perhaps counseling Mr. Antonio Blair.

Obviously, here in the kingdom, GWB will not listen to him.

BTW, Livyjr, there is a new thread on the forum, started by Sandra. Title is 14 Marines killed in Iraq. I have a couple of posts on it and so does Amy.

I would like your opinion on it as well as any comments on the thread you might
( or might not ) care to make.

A.B.

Yes, I would be very interested in what you might have to say on that thread, livyjr. Just a wee little nudge from A.B. and myself. Of course that's only if you want to!!

Well, I read through it, and there is quite a lot of anger in there, in that thread, was my thought, and I did leave some comments of mine, on how I see the First Amendment and its right to free speech operating here in OUR America, for its continual betterment!

I agree, Livyjr.

So, A.B. You're spending time at the lake. Fishing, boating, barbequing? Does Beacon swim in the lake? We haven't yet tested our dog's swimming abilities. We have to first find an unpolluted lake before we'll allow him to dive in! Glad to hear you're enjoying the summer.

I wonder if there is such a thing as an unpolluted lake here in the USA.

You might have to settle for a slightly polluted lake, Amy.

Anyhow, I hope you are having a great summer.

As you can see, I have returned from my vacation and am now hard at work reading, thinking about, and responding to posts on this very good forum.

Actually, I returned just in time to get embroiled in the somewhat heated discussion on the ' 14 marines ' thread. That discussion sure proved one thing to me, which is --- A lot of people care about what is going on here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

As soon as I arose this A.M. which was at four A.M. , I turned the TV on to watch the shuttle, Discovery, return to Mother Earth. I found out it had been delayed because of cloudy weather over much of Florida, but the big story was about the death of Peter Jennings. I believe the country has lost one of its good people.
He has been my favorite national and international commentator for a long time.
But that's the way of life and of death. Death makes no exceptions. I am speaking of physical death. Depending on one's beliefs, there is or is not a life eternal after death on earth.

So, Amy, when you come right down to the nitty gritty of life, what is more important than being with your family, taking your dog swimming, and being true to your principles? NOTHING ! IMO. I guess I could include one more item which is to try to leave the world a little bit better because of having been in it.

Well, the world keeps spinning on its axis, regardless of what the gang of Neo Cons, with its nominal leader, George Bush, comes up with ways to change things to fit their twisted minds. These days with all their troubles will end as always.
Will the world have been a better place because of the leadership ( so called ) of those in power here in the US?

Didn't intend to get into serious matters here on this thread, but even here in A.B.'s Corners one cannot help but think about what is going on outside our pleasant little haven.

A.B.

And in the final analysis, isn't that what the old-fashioned concept of taking a load off is really all about, Mr. A.B.?

Grandpa's Hands

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.

He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands.

When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was OK.

Finally, not really wanting disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.

He raised his head and looked at me and smiled.

Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking, he said in a clear strong voice.

I didn't mean to disturb you, grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK, I explained to him.

Have you ever looked at your hands, he asked.

I mean really looked at your hands?

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them.

I turned them over, palms up and then palms down.

No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making.

Grandpa smiled and related this story:

Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years.

These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.

As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.

They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.

They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war.

They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.

They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.

Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle.

Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friend's foot.

They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.

They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.

And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.

And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.

I will never look at my hands the same again.

But I remember God reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and wife I think of grandpa.

I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

Thanks, livyjr. Lovely.

I am heading back to Murrika after a glorious week plus in jolly olde England. What a great country. We could learn a lot from our colonizers.

Right now, they are going though a tough period after the successful and unsuccessful tube bombings. They are trying to figure out how to continue being the wonderful, multicultural, tolerant collection of peoples from all over the world that they now are without having to be sitting ducks.

Right after the Tube bombings, people recalled living through the blitz - - - which killed 60,000 Londoners - - - but which just made the Brits tougher and MORE determined to "push on" (as they would say it).

We spent most of our time in the Cotswalds (Gloustershire).

The loveliest part of England, IMHO.

Is Lazyboy here, too???

Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to England, Jeffmoskin.

I remember Lazyboy saying she would be visiting England this summer. Guess we'll have to wait to hear from her.

Hey, Jeffmo. Glad to see that you and Mrs. jeffmo are or soon will be back on Murrikan soil again.

We have done our best to keep this forum and this country out of trouble while you were gone. It's hard work being war time forum posters.

Bet it's still feels good coming home. Reminds me of Sir Walter Scott's poem in " The Lay of the Last Minstrel "

A.B.

Sir Walter Scott. 1771–1832

1. Innominatus

BREATHES there the man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
'This is my own, my native land!'
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd
As home his footsteps he hath turn'd
From wandering on a foreign strand?
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no Minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonour'd, and unsung.

If home is where the heart is, Mr. A.B., can you ever be that far away?

I'm in New York City.

I got my first insult in nearly a month.

I am truly home.

No, Livyjr, I can't be far away. You hit that right on the head.

For several days, Lake Erie has been unusually calm.

It looks as though one could water ski all the way to Canada.

I really enjoyed just sitting on a built in chair, looking at the lake, b.s.'ing with a few of the people walking by who may be old timers like myself or young lovers.

In between talking to these people, I just let my mind? wander, thinking of incidents that occurred over 80 years ago, right up to the present including to a large degree the varied posts on CGCS. I believe I have learned a lot since last November when this forum replaced the old Kerry forum.

Many of these posts are exceptionally good. A few are classics.

My favorite thread? One that requires only easy thinking.

I'm posting on that thread right now.

A.B.



Being in N.Y. is only part way home for you, jeffmo.

When you leave the so called Big Apple, you are in the hinterlands, at least according to the residents there.

I have never been in the city of L.A. so I have no way to compare the people there,with Noo Yawkers.

However, I have heard that when junior high school dropouts move from California to N.Y., the intelligence levels of both states go up.

A.B.

Wow.

That's deep.

I'll have to think about that one.

That is, IF I have enough intelligence to do so, since I moved from NY to CA in 1964.

Now, I don't know if I want to touch that one with a ten-foot pole, Mr. A.B., and that is saying something, for sure!

When I was in the Army, and people would ask me where I was from, I would say, "the country"!

When they would ask me where that was, I would say, "upstate New York!"

NOT New York City!

If you said you were from New York, then immediately people thought you were from New York City, and that was something that I never wanted pinned on me, if I had any say in the matter, especially when down south, as I was, until I went to Viet Nam!

It's amazing that people think all there is to New York State is that city down there, and corrupt politicians, of course!

We sure do have corrupt politicians, and if I had the means, I would have a contest myself where I would put New York up as the most corrupt state in the union, if not the whole world, and I would dare anyone to prove me wrong!

Why am I here, then?

I don't know!

I was born here, and I'm on the land that I have always been on, and that's a part of it, I would guess!

And then, I don't run from trouble, either, so, there's that .....

And the land!

And the little creek flowing through it ....

And corrupt politicians!

Lots and lots and lots of corrupt politicians!

I think you are right, Mr. A.B.!

jeffmoskin, keep sending us your junior high school drop-outs, will you?

We need the culture back here, and that's a fact!

Oh God, well done, jeffmoskin!

What's that strange sound?

I've heard it before.

Oh yeah, I remember.

It's suppressed laughter.

Well, not entirely suppressed.

More strange sounds -------

Sounds as though someone is choking.

A.B.

Subject: Outsourcing the President's Job

Congress today announced that the office of President of the United States of America will be outsourced to overseas interests as of August 31st.

The move is being made to save not only a significant portion of the President's $400,000.00 yearly salary, but also a record $521 billion in deficit expenditures and related overhead.

"We believe this is a wise move financially."

"The cost savings should be significant," stated Congressman Thomas Reynolds (R-Wash.).

Reynolds, with the aid of the Government Accountability Office, has studied outsourcing of American jobs extensively.

"We cannot expect to remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay," Reynolds noted.

Mr. Bush was informed by email this morning of his termination.

Preparations for the job move have been underway for some time.

Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices, Mumbai, India will be assuming the office of President as of September 1st.

Mr. Singh was born in the United States while his Indian parents were vacationing at Niagara Falls, thus making him eligible for the position.

He will receive a salary of $320 (USD) a month but with no health coverage or other benefits.

It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities without support staff.

Due to the time difference between the US and India, he will be working primarily at night, when few offices of the US Government will be open.

"Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the American Express call center," stated Mr. Singh in an exclusive interview.

"I am excited about this position."

"I always hoped I would be President someday."

A Congressional Spokesperson noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the office of President, this should not be a problem.

Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him to respond effectively to most topics of concern.

Using this tree, he can address common concerns without having to understand the underlying issues at all.

"We know these scripting tools work," stated the Spokesperson.

"Mr. Bush has used them successfully for years."

Mr. Bush will receive health coverage, expenses, and salary until his final day of employment.

Following a two week waiting period, he will be eligible for $240 dollars a week unemployment for 13 weeks.

Unfortunately he will not be eligible for Medicaid as his unemployment benefits will exceed the allowed limit.

Mr. Bush has been provided the outplacement services of Manpower, Inc. to help him write a resume and prepare for his upcoming job transition.

According to Manpower, Mr. Bush may have difficulties in securing a new position due to limited practical work experience.

One possibility is re-enlistment in the Air National Guard.

Should he choose this option, he would likely be stationed in Iraq, a country he has visited.

"I've been there, I know all about Iraq," stated Mr. Bush, who gained invaluable knowledge of the country in a visit to the Baghdad Airport's terminal and gift shop.

Sources in Baghdad and Falluja say Mr. Bush would receive a warm reception from local Iraqis.

They have asked to be provided with details of his arrival so that they might arrange an appropriate welcome.

~ Author Unknown ~

For something that is thought-provoking in the spirit of Mr. A.B.'s place here, click on this URL, now:

Click here: http://www.spiritisup.com/colors1.swf

Cheerful, pleasant and true. Thanks, Livy.

You know, there may come a time when the Bush Junta decides to outsource its contract (read: mercenary) employees who will eventually guard the oilfields to...

China and India.

Hey, they can be had for one-tenth what Halliburton gets.

Wow, jeffmoskin, a BID-NESS opportunity is brewing here!

What we ought to do is get over there quick, and establish a bunch of MERCENARY COMPANIES, minority-owned, of course, for the tax write-offs, and we could get some high-priced lobbyists working for us, and we could get the contracts, and why, we could be GAZILLIONAIRES overnight!

Oh, boy, I'm going out right now and I'm going to buy a Ferrari with my share .....

I'm not quick enough. Looks like it has already been done, with mercenaries from Chile and Fiji (they make between $40 and $150 a week).



http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/14/magazine...agewanted=print

Oh well, jeffmoskin, there's always a McDonald's franchise .......

[sounds of a glider gliding on the north porch of Mr. A.B.'s place, sounds of whistling, sounds of contemplation, sounds of silence, for what can be said?]

Seems so many of us are saying a lot to either support or change the realities that face us...
Those who support our present state of affairs must feel a sense of comfort and satisfaction with the direction of our governments' policies.
For those who are opposed.... really, what more can be said that will make a difference? Soooo, I will join you on this porch, A.B.'s symbolic "port in the storm", to empty my mind of all things political...for a while.

Scruntch!

Scruntch!

Scruntch!

[back and forth, sounds of a glider gliding]

Well, amy, there's always the view .....

Well, I guess I'm grateful to be alive and well enough to complain about our national state of affairs
!
Do you remember the spectacular Leonid showers that lit up our skies about four years ago? What an amazing show! My family made the decision to view the shower from beginning to end, so I stayed awake and around 12a.m. I kept vigil at the window facing the area in the sky where the showers were to begin. The night was clear (lucky!) and I was really excited when I saw the first meteor streak across the sky. I woke up my husband and son, they threw on coats, took a blanket and went to the top of our hill to watch the show. Some of the meteors made exploding sounds like thunder and you could hear some of them sizzle as the streaked on by. I truly was mesmerized and I remember the event as though it happened yesterday. Man-made fireworks can't compare to what I saw that night.

I was on Cape Cod one year, August, I think it was, out on the dunes at night, and the meteors were streaking by, and it was incredible!

Just plain incredible!

And I was outside in Wyoming one night, when there was a streak across the sky and a boom, and it was like God had just struck a huge stick match across the sky!

Very, very humbling, indeed!

I keep track of the major celestial happenings visible in out area and catch them when I can.

Livyjr,
Did I read in another thread that you might be losing your house and land? I hope I misinterpreted what you wrote.

Well, the Bible says that God created the earth, the heavens, and the sea in seven days.

And, once having created these main elements of his creation, it would not be reasonable to assume that he would then forget all about them.

And what can mankind produce to even compare with these productions you and Amy just described?

4th of July fireworks? Shock and awe bombings? Even a nuclear explosion?

Greater power is unleashed every time there is a hurricane or the panorama of
meteors in the sky. Greater power and truly awesome sights.

The only thing I have ever seen to compare with those described by Amy and Livyjr was a sight in the summer sky out on Lake Erie one night in the early 60's. My son, who was about 12-13 years old and I were out in our boat on an allnight fishing trip. There was no moon out and so everything was pitch black.

Suddenly a tremendous white light illuminated the sky, and for a few seconds it was as bright as day. To this day, I am not sure what caused this, although logically I believe it must have been caused by something very large burning up in the atmosphere.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

My son still remembers this event clearly.

A.B.

My son too, who was nine at the time, remembers the meteor shower. My description does an injustice to how spectacular it was. All the conditions had to be just right for an optimal visual event and everything was just perfect that night. I feel so fortunate that we were able to have that experience because apparently a meteor shower of that intensity will not come around again in my area for a couple of decades or more. Humans can't control the outcome of a natural event like this, so when all goes well, I doubly appreciate the experience.
As we relate our expereiences here, I'm wondering how frightening these types of events must have been for the ancients before they understood the true nature of heavenly bodies. I'll tell you, that the shower I witnessed that night would be truly terrifying if I didn't understand its origin!
A.B.-did you and your son catch some fish that night?

In all humility, Amy, yes we did. It would be a very rare occasion when we did not come home without a decent catch.

I know, I know, all fishermen lie. I can hear the skeptics.

A.B.

Usually its the size of the fish not the quantity, that is highly exaggerated!
Am I right?

Well, I don't know about the ancients, amy, but I'll tell you that when that thing with the match striking across the sky in Wyoming happened, I don't exactly think that I was frightened, but I sure was something, awestruck, maybe, and with a whole lot of awe, to boot!

If I said that I was not rooted to that spot that I was standing on for a bit after that happened, with my head and neck kind of pulled into my chest like a turtle, well, I'd be a fisherman!

And another night I was outside there, and the Northern Lights were in the sky, and that is the only time I have ever seen them, and that night too, I was awe-struck!

SO!

I'm with Mr. A.B. on his theory that God sure did not forget about the heavens!

And anybody who don't believe in God must never have been outside, and seen the sky, is all I can think!

No, you didn't, amy!

Let us say that out there, in real life, I am in a very precarious place!

XINLOI, as we say, those of us who have had our faces in the dirt, a time or two!

So it goes!

Well, whatever is going on, I certainly hope all goes in your favor.