Monday, October 15, 2007

Life On The Train.

Post 339 ~ ~ ~ ~ Monday, 15th October, 2007.

Hello Everyone ~ ~ I hope the week has started well for you all.
I had a visit to the Podiatrist this afternoon and Mike called in
later for a quick visit. A neighbor also called in and gave me the
story I am posting tonight. Thanks Lorraine.

But first let me explain my new header. I asked my brother, Peter
to put on the Award that Raggedy honored me with and also the
'I attended Pea's 50th Birthday party'. He graciously did so AND
also added the family photo which is just over 20 years old. It was
taken at my younger daughter, Kathy's and Arien 's wedding.
Arien is a Dutch name as he was born in The Netherlands, and we
call him Ard. They are dairy farmers and have five children.

From the left, Julie, Ard, Kathy, Merle, Pat, John and Geoff.
Basically Mum, Dad and the four kids as well as the bridegroom.
Thank you Peter for putting that on for me. I see you have put
you and Jacqui and your 4 kids on too, but a nice recent photo.

Next I want to wish Sarah aka Horizon
a very Happy Birthday
for the 15th. I hope you have a really wonderful day my friend.
Sarah has a great blog and lives in Scotland.



This is a very pretty Geranium. I like plants with two colors.


Today's photo of my fairy garden. I got this idea from Pea aka Carole.


A small patch of Peas, and you can even see the peas on them.

Life On The Train.

A while back, I read a very interesting book that compared life to a
train ride or a series of train rides.

Life is like a train ride, it read, we get on, we ride, we get off. We get
back on and ride some more. There are accidents and there are
delays. At certain stops there are surprises, some of these will
translate into great moments of joy, some will result in profound
sorrow. When we are born and we first board the train, we meet
people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey. Those
people are our parents ! Sadly this is far from the truth. Our parents
are with us for as long as we absolutely need them (in most cases.)

They too have journeys they must complete. We live on the
memories of their love, affection, friendship, guidance and their
presence.

There are others who board the train and who eventually become
very important to us, in turn. These people are our brothers and
sisters, friends and acquaintances whom we will learn to love and
cherish. Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour.
They will just go merrily along. Others still, will linger on to offer
a helping hand to anyone in need.

Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression
when they get off. . . . some people will get on and get off the train
so quickly, they will scarcely leave a sign that they ever travelled
along with you or ever crossed your path. . . .

We will sometimes be upset that some passengers whom we love,
will choose to sit in another compartment and leave us to travel on
our own. Then again, there's nothing that says,
We can't seek them out anyway.

Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not even be able
to sit next to them because that seat will already be taken. That's OK
. . .everyone's journey will be filled with hopes, dreams. challenges,
setbacks and goodbyes. We must strive to make the best of it . . .
no matter what.

We must constantly strive to understand our travel companions and
look for the best in everyone. Remember that at any moment during
our journey, anyone of our travelling companions can have a weak
moment and be in need of our help.

We, too may vacillate or hesitate, even trip . . . hopefully we can
count on someone being there to be supportive and understanding.
The bigger the mystery of our journey is that we don't know when
our last stop will come. Neither do we know when our travelling
companions will make their last stop. Not even those sitting in the
seat next to us. Personally, I know I'll be sad to make my final stop
. . .I'm sure of it.

My separation from all those friends and acquaintances I have made
during the train ride will be painful. Leaving all those I'm close to
will be a sad thing. But then again, I'm certain that one day I'll get to
the main station only to meet up with everyone else. They'll all be
carrying their luggage . . . most of which they didn't have when they
first got on the train. I'll be glad to see them again. I'll also be glad
to have contributed to my baggage and to have enriched my life.

We're all on this train ride together. Above all, We should try to
strive to make the ride pleasant and memorable as we can, right up
until we each make the final stop and leave the train for the last time.

All Aboard !! Safe journey !! Bob Voyage !!
<><><>
Joke Time Folks ~ ~ ~

The other night I was invited out for a night with 'the girls'. I told
my husband that I would be home by midnight. . . .'I promise.'
Well the hours passed and the champagne was going down way too
easy, Around 3 am, drunk as a skunk, I headed for home.

Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hall started up and
cuckooed three times. Quickly realising he'd probably wake up, I
cuckooed another nine times. I was really proud of myself for
coming up with such a quick-witted solution (even when smashed)
in order to avoid a possible conflict with him.

The next morning, my husband asked me what time I got in, and I
told him midnight. He didn't seem disturbed at all. Whew !!

Then he said, "We need a new cuckoo clock." When I asked why, he
said, "Well, last night our clock cuckooed 3 times, then said, 'Oh S**t
cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat and cuckooed another
3 times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, then tripped over the cat."
<><>

A Scottish lad and lass were sitting on a low stone wall, holding
hands, gazing out over the loch. For several minutes they sat
silently, then finally the girl looked at the boy and said, "A penny
for your thoughts, Angus,"

"Well, I was thinking" . . . perhaps its aboot time for a wee kiss.
The girl blushed, then leaned over and kissed him lightly on the
cheek. Then he blushed. The two turned once again to gaze out
over the loch, Minutes passed and then the girl spoke again,
"Another penny for your thoughts, Angus."

"Well I was thinking . . .perhaps its now about time for a wee cuddle.:
The girl blushed, then leaned over and cuddled him for a few seconds..
Then he blushed. Then the two turned once again to gaze over the loch.
After a while, she again said,"Another penny for your thoughts Angus."

"Well I was thinking . . .perhaps its aboot time you let me put my hand
on your leg." The girl blushed, then took his hand and put it on her
knee. Then he blushed. Then the two turned once again to gaze over
the loch, before the girl spoke again. "Another penny for your thoughts
Angus." The young man glanced down with a furled brow. "Well, now,"
he said, my thoughts are a wee bit more serious this time."

"Really ?" said the girl, in a whisper, filled with anticipation.
"Aye," said the lad, "Don't you think its aboot time ye paid me the first
three pennies ?"
<><>

A small boy was lost at a large shopping mall. He approached a police-
man and said, "I have lost my Dad!"
The cop asked, "What's he like ?"
The little boy replied, ""Beer and women with big boobs."
<><>

Did you hear about the Irish couple who sat up all night on their
honeymoon waiting for their sexual relations to arrive.
<><>

Two Mexican cops are investigating a murder.
Carlos turns to his partner and asks, "So what do you
think ?" to which his partner replies, "I think he's been shot by
a golf gun."
"I've never heard of a golf gun before, " said Carlos.
His partner replies, "Well, it sure made a hole in Juan."
<><>

A blonde was bragging about her knowledge of state
capitals. She says, "Go on ask me, I know them all."
A friend says, "OK What is the capital of Wisconsin ?"
The blonde replies, " Oh that's easy : W."
<><>

What did the blonde ask the doctor when he told her she
was pregnant.
"Is it mine ?"
<><>

A blonde and brunette were walking along the road when
the brunette says, "Hey, look a dead bird," so the blonde
woman looks up and goes "Where ?"
<><>

A beggar walked up to a well-dressed woman shopping in an
exclusive area and said, " I haven't eaten anything for days."

She looked at him and said, "God, I wish I had your willpower."
<><>
A few quotes ~ ~ ~

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a
difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they
bless you, the giver. - - - Barbara De Andelis.

We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the
sky sparkling with diamonds. - - - Anton Chekov.

We make war that we may live in peace. - - - Aristotle.

There never was a good war or a bad peace. -Benjamin Franklin.

Choose - - -
The single clenched fist lifted and ready,
Or the open hand held out and waiting.
Choose
For we meet by one or the other.

Enough for tonight my friends, Have a great week
and enjoy your lives. Again, Happy Birthday dear
Sarah. Love and Best wishes to you all.
Cheers, Merle.

Post 339 ~ ~ ~ ~ Monday, 15th October, 2007.
<><><>


15 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful header, Merle!!

Jeanette said...

Hi Dear Merle, I like your new family photo header.
ive seen life on the train before but well worth another read.
great jokes and quotes, take care my friend love janxoxo

Patty said...

Dear Merle,
Whoops, I guess I didn't scroll down far enough so I went way down on the list and posted a comment about your Fairy Garden at Sept. 23rd.

Anyway, it's a lovely little garden. My brother has made a section of his yard into a Fairy Garden for his grandchildren and they love it. Thanks for sharing the pretty photo of the flowers.
Patty

Gledwood said...

Some people take the bullet train, others ride the freight train without paying... (ahem!)

Talking of podiatrists (podium-dancer-iatrists...) my former housemate had to go see one of them...

I think I have the same problem as her though she wasn't half upset about it... I'm sure one of my legs is longer than the other!!

Tammy said...

What a nice picture for your header!

Your fairy garden and peas are nice too!

Have a great day!

LZ Blogger said...

Merle - I love the new template photo of the family wedding! NICE! ~ jb///

Bob said...

The gardens looking good Merle. Ours are shutting down for the winter now. Bob.

mreddie said...

Great photos - especially the family one you are using for a header. I chuckled much at the one about the cuckoo clock. ec

Lady Di Tn said...

The train story was great and I liked Gledwoods comments.
When the blonde looked up I thought I would loose it.
Peter did a great job putting the family photo on the header.
The garden is nice and how about some peas?
Peace be with you.

Jim said...

I like your fairy garden. Very pretty, it is. There was a pretty one in Isle of Man beside the Fairy Bridge.

A lot of people left notes there, everyone should bid the fairy hello and good bye as they pass. That helps with their good luck.

Thanks for the blonde jokes.
..

Carole Burant said...

Hello dear Merle:-)

The last few days have been busy ones and I didn't have much time for visiting my dear blogging friends...thank you so very much for the birthday wishes and for the gorgeous faeries you sent me!!!

Oh Merle, I so love your faerie garden, it looks perfect!! I wish I could go over there and see it for myself:-) My faeries have now left my garden...the frost got the rest of the flowers and I had to dig everything out. I've told them of your garden so they're heading your way! hehe

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading all your posts I had missed, you always find such fun stuff for us to read:-)

Take care dear friend! xoxo

Granny said...

Thanks for a great post as usual. I ducked over and wished Horizon a Happy Birthday even though now in Scotland it's already the 16th.

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

Love your new header! You fairy garden is beautiful. I'm sure some fairies are happy there. :-) The train ride is a great read. Fun and inspiration always aboud at Third Try!

Warm regards,

Renie

Mary said...

Merle,

Love the photo. That is gorgeous and so is your fairy garden. I would love to have one. Maybe next year.

Your geranium is lovely. I just transplanted some of my plants and brought them in for the winter months. I had good luck with them outside this summer.

Loved the jokes as always. Thanks for making me smile. :-)

Take care and have a terrific Tuesday.

Mary

Lee said...

Cyber me up a cutting of that lovely geranium please, Merle! ;)

I love your fairy garden...so pretty.