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WITandWISDOM(tm) - April 17, 2003 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: Don't let anything keep you from struggling and seeking to be a decent, striving human being. It is where you are headed not where you are from that will determine where you end up. - Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of the Children's Defense Fund Cited in Bits & Pieces magazine, http://www2.ragan.com/html/main.isx?sub=1249 Source : DailyInBox: Bits & Pieces, http://your.dailyinbox.com/bp/ ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Unwanted and mistreated by his former owner, my little dog Jake doubtless feels blessed to be in a loving home. But I feel more blessed to have him, primarily because he is such a great role model. It's funny, but I have learned quite a bit about myself, my family, and life in general from my little four-legged friend. Jake was a stray, and it breaks my heart to think someone didn't want him and even worse, treated him so badly. We realized he had a terrible past while innocently holding a book or newspaper near him, for he would cower and shake as though we were going to beat him mercilessly. The most lovable little fellow I have ever known, he has never met a stranger. He is as excited when he meets someone for the one hundredth time as he is for the very first time, and has a way of making you feel very special. As a matter of fact, I can't think of one person he doesn't like. Having had early traumatic experiences like his, I only wish that my trust of people had, like his, emerged unscathed. On a few occasions I have been terribly sick, and Jake would lie near me with concerned eyes constantly watching. It seemed as though he understood that I did not feel well and wanted to be there for me. Snuggling up to me, he would rest his little head on my arm and watch as I fell asleep. When I would awaken, he would still be there, watching with those big heartrending eyes. I'll never forget the time I was sick with a sinus infection and he brought his "squeaky" toy to me; dropping it in front of me to play with, he was willing to give everything he had. I wish I was as selfless and giving. There have been times when I have been upset with him and scolded him for something he should not have done, only to feel terrible afterwards because he would look at me with those loving eyes that begged forgiveness. And yet if I asked him to come to me, he would come running with excitement and wagging his tail like crazy. I wish I could forgive as easily and as fast. He always has time for his "Mommy" and "Daddy," and when we come home from work, he is so excited to see us. Never ashamed to show his love or affection, he is always eager to give it freely. Whether it's playing games or lying around watching television, he acts as though his whole universe revolves around us, and he only wants to make us happy. If only I too could learn to make others feel that loved and needed. When my grandmother passed away, it was Jake that comforted me when no one else was around. Somehow knowing I was in emotional pain, he stood on his hind legs to get as close to me as possible. Whining and licking my face as I cried, he finally laid his little head on my shoulder. I sure wish I had as much compassion for others. Someone once said: "My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am." Well, my goal in life is to be the kind of person that I know my dog is. For a picture of Jake visit: http://www.mikecollins.biz/jake.htm By Mike Collins Source: Mike Collins' E-Column, Mike is a syndicated columnist, broadcaster and author of Christian related material. To subscribe: mailto:mikecollins-subscribe@myinjesus.com or visit his archive at: http://www.mikecollins.biz/archives.htm ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: Geezer Exam Part 1 of 2 [Apr 17, 18] 1. In the 1940's, where were automobile headlight dimmer switches located? a. On the floor shift knob b. On the floor board, to the left of the clutch c. Next to the horn 2. The bottle top of a Royal Crown Cola bottle had holes in it. For what was it used? a. Capture lightning bugs b. To sprinkle clothes before ironing c. Large salt shaker 3. Why was having milk delivered a problem in northern winters? a. Cows got cold and wouldn't produce milk b. Ice on highways forced delivery by dog sled c. Milkmen left deliveries outside of front doors and milk would freeze, expanding and pushing up the cardboard bottle top. 4. What was the popular chewing gum named for a game of chance? a. Blackjack b. Gin c. Craps! 5. What method did women use to look as if they were wearing stockings when none were available due to rationing during W.W.II? a. Suntan b. Leg painting c. Wearing slacks 6. What postwar car turned automotive design on its ear when you couldn't tell whether it was coming or going? a. Studebaker b. Nash Metro c. Tucker 7. Which was a popular candy when you were a kid? a. Strips of dried peanut butter b. Chocolate licorice bars c. Wax coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside 8. How was Butch wax used? a. To stiffen a flattop haircut so it stood up b. To make floors shiny and prevent scuffing c. On the wheels of roller skates to prevent rust 9. Before inline skates, how did you keep your roller skates attached to your shoes? a. With clamps, tightened by a skate key b. Woven straps that crossed the foot. c. Long pieces of twine 10. As a kid, what was considered the best way to reach a decision? a. Consider all the facts b. Ask Mom c. Eeny-meeny-miney-mo ANSWERS 1. b) On the floor, to the left of the clutch. Hand controls, popular in Europe, took till the late '60s to catch on. 2. b) To sprinkle clothes before ironing. Who had a steam iron? 3. c) Cold weather caused the milk to freeze and expand, popping the bottle top. 4. a) Blackjack Gum. 5. b) Special makeup was applied, followed by drawing a seam down the back of the leg with eyebrow pencil. 6. a) 1946 Studebaker. 7. c) Wax coke bottles containing super-sweet colored water. 8. a) Wax for your flat top (butch) haircut. 9. a) With clamps, tightened by a skate key, which you wore on a shoestring around your neck. 10. c) Eeny-meeny-miney-mo. "Geezer" rating comes after tomorrow's questions. Source: Colorado Comments, http://coloradocomments.com/ ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: Four old men were out golfing. "These hills are getting steeper as the years go by," one complained. "These fairways seem to be getting longer too," said one of the others. "The sand traps seem to be bigger than I remember them too," said the third senior. After hearing enough from his senior buddies, the oldest and the wisest of the four of them at 87 years old, piped up and said, "Just be thankful we're still on the right side of the grass!" Source: Monday Fodder mailto:dgaufaaa@iohk.com?subject=Subscribe_Monday_Fodder ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: Cashless Society in France? France is leaping toward a cashless future with a nationwide launch this year of computerized "smart cards." Dubbed "Moneo," the French electronic purse cards were introduced two years ago in a handful of small regions. Recently, the service expanded to include Paris. Some 850,000 consumers now regularly use the microchip-embedded Moneo cards at 80,000 grocery shops, parking lots or vending machines. Because the basic Moneo card is anonymous, there are no privacy or identity theft concerns. But if an owner loses his or her smart card, the cash that's stored onboard can be used by whoever finds it - which is why there's a $107 storage limit. Users can upload money from their bank accounts onto smart cards at special teller machines in banks and post offices. Conveniently, they can also refill the so-called stored value cards at any participating shop, supermarket, ticket booth or cinema, punching in a PIN number for security reasons. However, no PIN is required to dispense cash. And for those who dislike the idea of yet more plastic in their wallets, Moneo can be incorporated onto their existing credit cards. In fact, it's already been automatically added to 25 million credit cards that were up for renewal - with the owners not always being aware of it. Source: Nybble Weekly Newsletter, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nybble |