Monday, January 28, 2008

Read This Slowly; and Happy Birthday Pearl.

Post 401 ~ ~ ~ Monday, 28th January, 2008.

Hello my Friends ~~ I hope you are all faring well and enjoying
your lives. I am fine and have been busy cooking today. I made
a Meat Loaf and roast veggies and Corn, Green beans and my
mixture of Tomatos, onion and capsicum. (Bell peppers.)
So no more cooking for a few days. Wow !!

Tomorrow the 29th is Pearl 's birthday. I hope you have a
wonderful day my friend.
I hope you can get to her lovely
blog, but if not, you may leave wishes here and I will pass
them on to her.


Tonight's article called "Read this slowly" is a very nice one
and was sent to me twice today. Thank you very much Gwen
and Jeanette ~ I really liked it girls, and hope others do also.


Too many people put off something that brings them joy just
because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their
schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart
from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic
who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort
to cut back. From then on, I tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their
husbands didn't suggest going out for dinner until after some-
thing had been thawed? Does the word "refrigeration" mean
nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence
while you watched "Jeopardy" on television ?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, "How about
going out for lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and
stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty.
I wish I had known yesterday. I had a late breakfast. It looks
like rain. And my personal favorite : "It's Monday." She died a
few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because we cram so much into our lives, we tend to schedule
our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make
to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect !!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve
toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living room
carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two
more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get
shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer.
One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our
lives is a litany of "I'm going to", "I plan on" and "Someday,
when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my "seize the moment" friend, she is open
to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind
on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk
with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad
feet for a pair of rollerblades and skip on an elevator for a
bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice
cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my
stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process.
The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker.
If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have
died happy.

Now . . . go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT
to . . . not something on your SHOULD Do list. If you were
going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make,
who would you call and what would you say? And why are you
waiting ?

Make sure you read this to the end: you will understand why
I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry-go-round or
listened to the rain lapping on the ground ? Ever followed a
butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun in the fading light?
Do you run through each day on the fly ? When you ask,
"How are you?" Do you hear the reply ?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next
hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your
child, "We'll do it tomorrow" and in your haste, not see his
sorrow ? Ever lost touch ? Let a good friendship die ? Just
call and say "Hi."

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an
unopened gift . . . .Thrown away . . . Life is not a race. Take
it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how
much you care. Share this with everyone you consider a
FRIEND. If it comes back to you . . .then you'll know you
have a circle of friends.

To those I have shared this with . . . I cherish our friendship
and appreciate you all.

Life may not be the party we hoped for . . . but while we are
here we might as well dance !!
<><><>

Now for some jokes ~ ~ ~

The bellboy knocked on Claude's hotel room door, "Your
suitcases, sir, "said the belllboy, wheeling them into the room.
After he had arranged the suitcases, the bellboy asked, "Is
there anything else I can get you sir ?"
"No thanks," said Claude, giving the bellboy a tip.

The bellboy heard sounds of water splashing in the bathroom
and saw a lady's dress on the bed. "Perhaps your wife might
like something ?" suggested the bellboy.

"Oh, " said Claude, "I almost forgot. Can you get me a post-
card to send to her ?"
<><>

The school teacher asked James, "How many letters in the
alphabet.
James replied, "Eleven."
Puzzled, the teacher asked, "Why do you think the alphabet
has only eleven letters ?"
"Easy," re[lied James. "T.H.E. A.l.P.H.A.B.E.T. That's
eleven letters."
<><><>

Bill asked his friend Philip to buy a raffle ticket.
"What 's the raffle for ?" asked Philip.
"You know Fred in Accounts ?" asked Bill. Philip nodded.

Bill continued, "Fred and his wife died in a car crash last
week so the raffle is for their children."

"Why," asked Philip "would I want to buy such a raffle
ticket ? I'm already supporting three children of my own.
I certainly don't want to win any more ."
<><>

Teacher : Now Susan, can you tell me where God lives ?"

Susan : Miss, I think he lives in the bathroom."

Teacher : In the bathroom? Why do you think that?

Susan : Because every morning, I can hear my father
knock on the bathroom door and say, "God, are you
still in there ?"
<><>

During a thunderstorm the small boy told his mother
that he was frightened of the lightning. His mother
put her arms around him and said, "Don't worry.
It will be over in a flash."
<><>

Whenever I stay with people they always ask me
how I slept. How do they think I slept? Do they
think I'm odd or something? I sleep like everyone
else, with my eyes closed.
<><>

Mr and Mrs Jones were just coming out of the hotel
car park when they saw their car being driven away.

"Stop thief," shouted Mr Jones. As the car sped
away he turned to his wife and asked, "Did you get
a good look at the driver? Could you describe him
to the police?"

"No," replied Mrs Jones, "But I did manage to
remember the licence number of the car."
<><>

James went to a counsellor and said, "I hope you
can help me. My wife is so unfaithful. Every
evening she goes out to the same bar and picks up
men. She'll have sex with anyone who asks her --
no matter what they look like. What can I do ?"

The counsellor looked at James and said, "Don't
worry. Now what was the name of that bar ?"
<><>

He said he realised how much his wife loved him
when he unexpectedly fell ill and could not go to
work for three days. His wife was so pleased to
have him at home that she told everyone about it.

Every time the phone rang she started off by saying,
"My husband's at home."

Whenever anyone started walking up the path to his
front door -- such as the newspaper deliverer, milkman
Postman and gardener -- she rushed out saying,
"My husband's at home !!"
<><>

First quote tonight is by Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow. My father used to say this to me when
I was very young.

There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good
She was very very good,
But when she was bad, she was horrid.

If we see the light at the end of the tunnel,
It's the loght of an oncoming train. Robert Lowell.

Who loves not woman, wine and song
Remains a fool his whole life long. ~ Martin Luther.

To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.
~ ~ ~ George MacDonald.

Writing books is the closest men ever come to
childbearing. ~ ~ Norman Mailer.

A man who trusts nobody is apt to be the kind of man
whom nobody trusts. ~ ~ ~ Harold Macmillan.
<><>

That is enough for tonight. I hope you found something
of interest. Take care of each other and have a great
week. Has anyone noticed how close the end of January
is ? Time sure gets away. Love and best wishes to you
all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 401 ~ ~ ~ Monday, 28th January, 2008.
<><><>




21 comments:

Patty said...

Good morning, we have a nice 33 above zero this morning, sun is shining brightly, but that air is still very crisp and cold.

Please tell Pearl hello and Happy Birthday, for some reason it doesn't take me to her blog.

Also enjoyed the one where the teacher asked if the child knew where God lives and they said in their bathroom. Cute, really cute. Have a great day, hope you had left overs to eat today from all the cooking you've been doing. So today rest and take it easy. Myself I have to run the sweeper in about four rooms and do a few loads of laundry.

Gledwood said...

I'm sorry about the ice-cream... if I'd been intolerant to ice cream as a child I'd have been absolutely gutted... now I can say ~ quite simply ~ "there is more to life!" ... like Chinese chicken curry... etc!

Many thanks for your lovely comment as always Merle...

I know it's difficult to explain but my problem isn't one that intellectual rationalization will do anything about... because it has a hold on me at a far more basic level... which means I can blog about it, tell you about it, sound like I "grasp" it... and yet truth to tell is IT grasps ME... to be frank it is like adding another bodily function which must be daily attended to... if not I would feel very rough indeed...

and it's not as simple as "suffering for 3 days then you're OK..." the suffering lasts at least twice as long in the main instance... then most people feel down for weeks and weeks and weeks afterwards... which is why the AVERAGE length of this thing is 14 yrs... let alone those who let it rule them for longer

none of this is meant to be "excuses" for not having done better... I'm only trying to tell you how it is... long ago I "gave up giving up"... not that I don't want to change but I'm not willing to play around with the idea. it has to be done when the time is right and done properly ~::~ know what I mean

take care & lots of love to you
g
xx

Deborah Wilson said...

Dear Merle,

"Read This Slowly" is a very good piece. It makes one to stop and think and wonder why they are in such a hurry with no time for their family and friends - or self. I hate to say it, but I think that in many ways this is why our current society is so stressed out.- and many families are no longer close.

The meat loaf and roast veggies sound good and oh do I love bell peppers in my meatloaf! But I'll take them on the side..:)

Have a good day!

Gledwood said...

Merle~ sorry I forgot to say about the joke ~~ that is fair enough don't worry about it!

Gledwood said...

Merle I think I forgot to ask you this ever... but do you live anywhere near Geelong? Do you know the place?

My friend Mother Hubbard has relatives there and visited 2 years ago... said it was lovely!

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Merle,

I loved "read it slowly," and I had ice cream today(Yay) but it was the kind made with fruit(strawberries).

The eleven letters in the alphabet joke reminded me of the thing I thought my daugher when she was three;

Me, "My daughter can count to a hundred; show them Sarah."

Sarah, "One, two, skip a few ninety-nine one hundred."

Janice~

LZ Blogger said...

Merle ~ I loved alot of these... but "Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance !!" Takes the prize for me! ~ jb///

Jim said...

Hi Merle -- I'm glad you got all that cooking done. Now, who will help you eat it?

Oh, it's good to let those guys know your husband is home.
..
I'm off to check on Pearl.
Cheers,
..

Jim said...

But I forgot, she won't let me in!
So would you please tell her
H A P P Y . B I R T H D A Y for me?
Thanks.
..

Gattina said...

Merle, you became a philosophe ! But you are 100 % right. I now jump on any occasion to have fun and enjoy my life, with or without dirty hairs But I have to admit it took me quite some time to get there where I am today i.e. live my life to the fullest. I only regret that I didn't do this earlier, but it is never to late !

audrey` said...

Dearest Merle

Here's another awesome post from you.
"Read Slowly" is the best.
Shall we dance? =)
Take care.
Much blessings and love to you.
(((HUGS)))

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

Oh, my, your meatloaf dinner sounds delicious!

Loved Read This Slowly. Seizing the moment is so important. I think I'll call a friend and we'll go for a nice buffet, and end with a decadent desert!

Cute jokes again today. And I used to say that little poem about the little girl with the curl to my own daughter when she was small!

Oh, and the quotes are great!

Dear Merle, I would love to pass on to you, one of my dear "oldies and goodies" friend in blogland the, Young at Heart Award, given to my by Mary. Please stop by and pick it up. If anyone is Young at Heart, it is you, my friend.

Blessings and Love,

Renie

Terry said...

Dear Merle...I just came from Audrey's after reading "The Bell".
It is just so good!
I have seen you at Mr. Jim's before too and your comments are always so good.

This here post "Read Slowly" sure hits the spot.
It always amazes me the way that at funerals, everybody is telling the other..."We have to get together some day and that "someday" always ends up to be the day of another funeral and sometimes the person that has said "Someday" is the one who has gone!
I try not to say this but I am as guilty as the next one!

Have a good day "today" Merle!...From Terry

PS..Happy Birthday to your friend Pearl..
Maybe if you asked him real nice like, the Singing Telegram Man, Jim would sing a little song to her!

Peter said...

Hi Merle, I don't understand why anyone would have a private blog where entry is only available to those chosen, surely email suits this purpose better.

auntpearl said...

Thank you so much for mentioning me on your post for my Birthday. I so love you and all my blogging friends. You make the day feel so
special.

Sending you hugs,

Mountain Mama said...

Hello Merle. I wasn't able to access Pearl's blog so whoever she is, wish her a good one from MM in the USA.
"Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." My mother always said this. I took it to heart and spent a lot of time with her. I'm so glad that I did.
A late Happy Australia Day to you.
Blessings

mreddie said...

Concerning "read this slowly" - I do enjoy the small (and large) things of nature and am amazed by the way God created all these things and even stop to smell the roses - literally. I sleep with my eyes closed as well. :) I have enjoyed reciting about the little girl with the little curl to all my grandchildren - in a very dramatic way. :) ec

Terry said...

Dear Merle...What a nice surprise that you visited me.
Right now I am cleaning up the front room.
I am such a pack rat that it sure does take a long time. Sometimes I end up with a bigger mess than when I started!
I am trying to get around to visit my blog friends after neglecting them for a while.
Since Dad Golden has been feeling ill, I have spent a lot of time with him and Mom.
So I was just lazy and gave my posts about him on my blog..
You are from Australia and I am from Canada, so we both share the queen, eh?
I love the royal family.
When I was a little girl, I wrote to the queen and every time, she answered my letters.
Take care now Mr. Jim's friend. God's blessings....Love Terry

PS..Did Pearl have a nice birthday?
Adi's grandpa has been pretty quiet these days. I think he is out looking for June bugs!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Hi, Merle, and thanks for your kind comment on my blogiversary post! It's good friends like you who make blogging so rewarding. ;o)

Good stuff all, Merle.

Hope your week is going well.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Jeanette said...

Hi Dear Merle.
Had a good laugh at your jokes tonight.. the bellboy and the school teach got my vote tonight. I havent heard the little Rhyme there was a little girl who had a little curl....for many years Mum a
ways used to recite it to the Grandkids,,,,Take good care stay cool ,,,Jen

Gina E. said...

"Read This Slowly" is so very true. I have lived by this code for a number of years now. After Ken's heart attack in 2001 and the confirmation of advanced emphysema, we strive to enjoy life to the max. We've mortgaged the house to the hilt for renovations so we can enjoy living there, and so he can have a new motorcycle to ride and enjoy while he's still around to do so. We try to keep in regular touch with family and friends (although sometimes people are just too busy to reciprocate!), and most of all we make the most of our time together.