Dad's Views And Tomato News

ENTRY # NINETY FOUR

2009-07-09T06:44:00.005-04:00

Hi.
Here is something else that I want to show you but it is to large for my regular blog. Helen sent this and I want to give credit to her and the author. Thanks to you both. DAD.
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BEN AND JAKE
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by Debra Easterling
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Ben and Jake were inseparable. Sure, Ben loved me. We had been married thirty years or more. But there was a bond between him and that Retriever tighter than a three-ply cattle rope.
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Every night like clockwork, my husband, Ben, would come home at 6pm, shake off his boots, and hang up his coat while Jake danced back and forth. He'd always be rewarded for his performance as Ben stooped to rub his ears. The grateful dog would then immediately run to our room, pick up Ben's slippers as if they were as fragile as egg shells, and then he would bring them to Ben's big easy chair.

Once the fuzzy slippers were snug on Ben's feet, Jake would walk around in circles until he found just the right spot beside Ben's chair. It was always the same spot, but the dog relentlessly made a ritual of settling down.

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After the evening news, Jake would take his place beside Ben at the dinner table. He didn't beg for food, like other dogs. He merely rested his golden head on Ben's lap until my husband was through with his meal. With the dishes washed and dried, Ben would stagger into the hallway and find Jake waiting beside the chair, leash in his mouth, waiting for their nightly walk.
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Without fail, Ben would say sweet terms of endearment to his buddy as he again donned his coat and boots. No matter what the weather, the two of them would head out to embrace the elements together.

. Last year about this time, a drunk driver drove his truck into Ben's path. My husband did his best to veer the bus out of the way, but there wasn't enough time. Ben and three passengers went to live with Jesus that night. I lost the only man I ever loved and his passing was extremely hard. I was grateful we had no children to break the news to, but there was Jake.

.The poor thing couldn't understand why Ben didn't come home. He waited at the door every night at 6pm for a month. Ben never came in to rub his ears. There was no one to dance for. I walked him every night, but he only sat at edge of the property, waiting and watching. Jake barely touched his food. He never joined me at the table. I tried to make him feel better every once in a while by placing some of Ben's clothes by his old chair, but Jake preferred to sleep now by the door. Jake spent many evenings with his big yellow nose poised on the doorstop, whimpering in his sleep. I thought my heart would break. Last night was the one year anniversary of Ben's passing. I didn't bother to cook a meal. Food had little appeal. Even with Jake by my side, I felt so alone.
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Then suddenly, promptly at 6pm, Jake jumped to his feet and ran to the door. He danced back and forth wagging his tail, whining like a puppy, full of glee. He dipped his head, and then he bounded to the top of the stairs, grabbed the slippers, and raced down to gently lay them at Ben's chair. Jake then walked in circles, over and over again, until he found the right spot, and laid himself down. Naturally, I thought the poor old dog had finally lost it. His grief caused him to recreate his nightly ritual. I bent down to pet sweet Jake with the intention of whispering comforting words into his floppy ears. As I did, I found that my darling Ben had come back for his faithful friend . The two of them went for a final walk to embrace the elements together. -

- Debra Easterling
merry1621@aol.commerry1621@gmail.com

"When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently."
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I like that Thanks for coming over. DAD.

Entry # Ninety Three

2009-07-01T17:26:00.004-04:00

Good Morning.

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Here is another one that is too long for my regular blog.

The History of 'APRONS' !! I don't think our kids know ,
what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

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It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

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From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

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When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

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Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

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From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

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When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

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When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

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It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

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Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma's aprons.

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REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies
on the window sill to cool.

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Her granddaughters set theirs
on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure
out how many germs were on that apron. * I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron !!!! *

ENTRY # NINETY TWO

2009-06-24T10:13:00.006-04:00

Hi There. this is old Dad, and I have an entry that is just too large for my regular blog. So I am showing it to here. DAD'
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My Resignation
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I am hereby officially tendering
my resignation as an adult. I have
decided I would like to accept the
responsibilities of an 8 year-old again.
I want to go to McDonald’s and think
that it’s a four star restaurant.
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud
puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks.
I want to think M&Ms are better than
money because you can eat them.
I want to lie under a big oak tree and
run a lemonade stand with my friends on
a hot summer’s day.
I want to return to a time when life was
simple; When all you knew were colors,
multiplication tables, and nursery
rhymes, but that didn’t bother you,
because you didn’t know what you
didn’t know and you didn’t care.
All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware
of all the things that should make you worried or upset.
I want to think the world is fair.
That everyone is honest and good.
I want to believe that anything is
possible. I want to be oblivious
to the complexities of life and be
overly excited by the little things
again.
I want to live simple again. I
don’t want my day to consist of
computer crashes, mountains of paperwork,
depressing news, how to survive more days
in the month than there is money in the
bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness,
and loss of loved ones.
I want to believe in the power of
smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth,
justice, peace, dreams, the imagination,
mankind, and making angels in the snow.
So . . . here’s my checkbook
and my car-keys, my credit card bills
and my 401K statements.
I am officially
resigning from adulthood.
And if you want to discuss this
further, you’ll have to catch me
first, cause……..
……”Tag! You’re it.”
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Pass this on to other people and brighten
their day by helping them remember
the Simple things in Life.

ENTRY # NINETY ONE.

2009-06-02T14:45:00.002-04:00

What A Dog! This is a MUST read !!!!!!!!!

Thought everyone should know about this dog and his story. Especially like the ending ..... A Pets Ten Commandments........... Be sure to read them too.

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My kind of dog!
The K9 above is Brutus,
a military K9 at McChord.
He's huge - part Boxer and part British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200 lbs. His handler took the picture. Brutus is running toward me because he knows I have some Milk Bone treats, so he's slobbering away! I had to duck around a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn't stop, but he did. Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tour in Iraq . His handler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents. Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gave Brutus the signal that meant 'go away but come back and find me'. The Iraqis paid no attention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat out of one guard at one door and another guard at another door. He then jumped against one of the doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse) until it opened. He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped. He's the first K9 to receive this honor. If he knows you're ok, he's a big old lug and wants to sit in your lap. Enjoys the company of cats.
K-9 Congressional Medal of Honor Winner
Thought you'd find this interesting.
Talk about animal intelligence and bonding with humans!

Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!
A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets.
Enjoy and take good care of them.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

Please pass this on to other pet owners.

We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
Dinner Made Easy Newsletter - Simple Meal Ideas for Your Family. Sign Up Now!
..
-- Roy

ENTRY # NINETY

2009-06-02T05:35:00.002-04:00

Hi.

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I did not have room for this on my regular blog. It is good, thanks to Helen. DAD
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"I rescued a human today. Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them. As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one."
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I received this in an email and thought it was good.
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Thanks Helen!

ENTRY # NINETY-ONE

2009-05-21T20:16:00.007-04:00

ATTORNEY'S ADVICE - NO CHARGE

Not A Joke!! Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put 'PHOTO ID REQUIRED.'

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you h ave a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it.

4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a Name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(S) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where yo u can find them.

6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)

7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:

1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 .)

2 .) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742

3.)Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289

4.)Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

These phone numbers above are very important, hold on to them. DAD

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We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

Author Unknown

ENTRY # NINETY

2009-05-19T10:53:00.001-04:00

Good Morning.
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The poem below was sent to me bt John M.

WHERE IS THE WAY?

From life and peace with the fold,.
In crooked paths o’er mountains cold;
Like sheep, we all have gone astray,
And to get home where is the way?

Our Shepherd Christ was never lost,
I’d follow him at any cost;
The path he trod was very straight,
And led directly to the gate.

But other men have come and gone,
Who cared not what was right or wrong;
His standard they have taken down,
And in its place have put their own.

Deceitful men of every day,
Will lead the multitude astray;
These wicked men, poor people pay,
To tell the world, “This is the way”.

They trifle with God’s holy words,
And lead men on in flocks and herds;
The Shepherds voice they cannot hear,
For paths and sounds are everywhere.

I would dear Jesus, I could break,
The hedge that creeds and heresies make;
And like Thy first disciples be,
In person, led and taught by Thee.

I read Thy words so pure and sweet,
And seek the footsteps of Thy feet;
But men so mystify the trace,
I long to see Thee face to face.

ENTRY # SEVENTEEN HUNDRED & THIRTY FOUR

2009-05-14T03:00:00.011-04:00

One of my roses blooming in the front yard

Good Morning.
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Time is so precious-do not waste it...
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The sun never sets on Dad's Tomato Garden Journal...

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Posted on 13 May 2009 by tomatocasual.com
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Staking Tomato Plants

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By Michelle Fabio.
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If all is going well with your tomato plants, soon you’ll be considering staking them.If you need a refresher course on the process, here is list of frequently asked questions about staking:
What is Staking?Staking is a way to physically support tomato plants as they grow.
Why should I stake tomato plants?The two most important reasons you should stake tomato plants are:
• Staking provides physical support so tomato plants don’t break under the strain of fruit or inclement weather;
• Staking enables better air flow through tomato plants, which results in less internal moisture that can result in disease.
How do I stake tomato plants?There are several ways you can stake tomato plants including single wooden stakes driven into the ground, frames, trellises, and cages.
How do I know which staking method is right for my tomatoes?Which staking method you should use for your plants depends on the type of tomato as well as how many tomatoes you’d like to Read the rest of this entry »

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Related Posts
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What’s the Difference Between Indeterminate and Determinate Tomatoes?
Growing Tomatoes on a Slope
Transplanting a Large Tomato Plant
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Email This Post
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http://dadstomatonews.blogspot.com/
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This link above will bring back many precious memories.
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ENTRY # EIGHTY NINE

2009-05-13T09:32:00.005-04:00

Hello there, this is something that Sam sent me, it brought back some plesant memories. DAD

If you were Born between 1930 - 1970 you will enjoy this DAD
..
TO ALL THE>> KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE>> 1930's,>> 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!>> First, we survived being born to mothers who took aspirin, ate blue cheese>> dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.>> Then after that trauma, we were put>> to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with>> bright colored>> lead-base paints.>> We had no childproof lids on>> medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and>> when we rode our>> bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our>> heads.>> As infants & children, we would>> ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no>> seat belts, no>> air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.>> Riding in the back of a pick- up>> truck on a warm day was always a special treat.>> We drank water from the garden hose>> and not from a bottle.>> We shared one soft drink with four>> friends, from one bottle and no one actually died>> from this.>> We ate cupcakes, white bread, real>> butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real>> white sugar. And,>> we weren't overweight. WHY?>> Because we were always outside>> playing...that's why!>> We would leave home in the morning>> and play all day, as long as we were back when the>> streetlights came>> on.>> No one was able to reach us all day.>> And, we were O.K.>> We would spend hours building our go-carts out of>> scraps and then>> ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot>> the brakes. After>> running into the bushes a few times, we learned to>> solve the problem.>> We did not have Play stations,>> Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games,>> no 150 channels on>> cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound>> or CD's, no cell>> phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no>> chat rooms.>> WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!>> We fell out of trees, got cut,>> broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits>> from these>> accidents.>> We ate worms and mud pies made from>> dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.>> We were given BB guns for our 10th>> birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis>> balls and, although>> we were told it would happen, we did not put out>> very many eyes.>> We rode bikes or walked to a>> friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the>> bell, or just>> walked in and talked to them.>>> Little League had tryouts and not everyone made>> the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with>> disappointment.>> Imagine that!!>> The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the>> law was unheard>> of. They actually sided with the law!>> These generations have produced some of the best r>> isk-takers,>> problem solvers and inventors ever.>> The past 50 years have been an explosion of>> innovation and new ideas.>> We had freedom, failure, success and>> responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it>> all.>>> If YOU are one of them?>> CONGRATULATIONS!>> You might want to share this with others who have>> had the luck to>> grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the>> government regulated so>> much of our lives for our own good.>> While you are at it, forward it to>> your kids so they will know how brave and lucky>> their parents were.>> Kind of>> makes you want to run through the house with>> scissors, doesn't it ?>>
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The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:>>>> 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires>> out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe>> thunderstorms tearing up>> the country from one end to another, and with the>> threat of bird flu>> and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good>> time to take God>> out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'>> For those that prefer to think that God is not>> watching over us...go>> ahead and delete this.>> For the rest of us...pass this on. ________________________________

ENTRY # EIGHTY EIGHT

2009-04-29T11:06:00.007-04:00

Faithful Parents

They have lived it in the home-life,They have followed God's true way,They have kept a humble spirit, As they walked from day to day.
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Their small home was consecrated,They both guarded all within;Nothing entered to defile it,God's approval thus to win.
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NO stained glass or a steeple.Just a simple little meeting,Where the love of God was shared,By a humble little gathering,In a home God has prepared.
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They upheld the life of Jesus,Every deed and thought and word,And it brought into their home-life,All the blessings of the Lord.
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God's own servants often came there,And they spoke of things above,As the peace of God was ruling,Filling both their hearts with love.
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Both heads bowed at every meal,Thanks was given from the heart,For provisions from the Master,That gave strength to do their part.
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Little hearts were learning quickly,All that comes from God's own hand,Seeing two lives gladly yielded,Pilgrims in a stranger's land.
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Knowing that their hearts were temporal,Knowing brief life's longest span,Seeking for a better country,They had learned of God's great plan.
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Faithful in the place of prayer,Kneeling often by the bed,Two heads bowed before the Lord,(Little lives were being led).Little ears were also listening,Eyes were watching all they'd do,Little hearts were being softened,By the faithfulness of two.
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Little wills were being broken,They were taught how to obey,By those two lives that were dying,To themselves along the way.
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Oh the privilege in knowing,Such a godly home as this,The blessings of that influence,That so many children miss.
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May God bless and keep the parents,In whose lives God's plan was shown,And by this into those young hearts,The seed of Truth was sown.Now these lives have yielded also,Have a heritage to gain,From the influence of two people,Worshipping in Jesus name.

Author UNKNOWN.

This poem was sent to me by a very good friend of mine, I think that it is so good and I wanted to show it to you. Thanks

ENTRY # EIGHTY SIX

2009-03-13T03:00:00.000-04:00

Robby's Night
True Story Worth Reading !!

At the prodding of my friends, I am writing this story. My name is Mildred Hondorf . I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines , Iowa .. I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons-something I've done for over 30 years. Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability.. I've never had the pleasure of having a prodigy though I have taught some talented students.

However I've also had my share of what I call 'musically challenged' pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single Mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's d ream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel but he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn.

Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, 'My mom's going to hear me play someday. But it seemed hop eless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in.

Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but assumed because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he stopped coming.. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital.. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify..

He said that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing ' Miss Hondorf , I've just got to play!' he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right.

The night for the recital came The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my 'curtain closer.' Well, the recital went off without a hitch.

The students had been practicing and it showed then Robby came up on stage.. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an eggbeater through it. 'Why didn't he dress up like the other students?' I thought. 'Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?' Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart 's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo. From allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people his age. After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause.

Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. 'I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it? 'Through the microphone Robby explained: 'Well, Miss Hondorf , Remember I told you my Mom was sick? Well, actually she had cancer and passed away this morning and well. .. She was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special.

'There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.No, I've never had a prodigy but that night I became a prodigy . . . Of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil for it is he that taught me the meaning of per severance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why.

Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995. And now, a footnote to the story.If you are thinking about forwarding this message, you are probably thinking about which people on your address list aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message. The person who sent this to you believes that we can all make a difference. So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we act with compassion or do we pass up that opportunity and leave the world a bit colder in the process? Please forward it to the people you care about.You know the choice I made. Thank you for reading this.May God bless you today, tomorrow and always.********* If God didn't have a purpose for us, we wouldn't be here!

ENTRY # NINTY FOUR

2009-03-08T19:17:00.003-04:00

You are invited to view Mandy's photo album:
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St. Martin 2009 --click this on the left. DAD
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St. Martin 2009
St. Martin -
Mar 2, 2009by Mandy
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View Album Play slideshow
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Message from Mandy:
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Here are some of the best photos from our stay!*smiles*
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If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser.
,
:http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=mandytdandy&target=ALBUM&id=5310934880475195633&authkey=Gv1sRgCKPuluLA1YrQKQ&feat=email
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Mandy is my great Grandaughter and you know that I am very proud of her and her husband Alex. DAD
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ENTRY # NINETY THREE.

2009-03-07T19:50:00.004-05:00

Let us each and everyone pray for one another that Our Lord will prop us up on our leaning side.

LORD PROP US UP...
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Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, 'Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.'
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After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently. He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this ... I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of weather; it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years. It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time.I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too.
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I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times.Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't.
.
So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify You ''If you stare at this barn for a second you will see who will help us stand straight and tall again.
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Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.
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I Pray for you today that Our Heavenly Father will prop you up on your leaning side.
.....
This above was sent to me by a friend, I want't to pass it on to you. DAD
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3/14/o9
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COMMENTS FROM OUR FRIENDS REMEMBERING PRINCESS

2009-02-16T06:57:00.011-05:00

Oh Ray..I am so sorry. I know she was one of the family and loved very much by you and Mary. She didnt have a worry in the world with y'all there for her. Its so hard to lose a pet that is loved so much. I try to remember that for all the joy they brought to my life, it is worth the pain I feel when they pass away. It doesnt make it hurt any less I know. Our animals mean so much to us. They love us unconditionally and do not judge us. They are always there for us when we need them. I think thats why sometimes it hurts so bad when they are gone. They were a constant companion, a true blue friend. I am so sorry for your great loss, and believe me when I say I do understand all too well. I will be thinking of y'all today and praying that you can raise a smile on your face today when you sit back and remember the good times and things that happened while Princess was there. Love, Kelly XOXO
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jmuhj has left a new comment on your post "ENTRY # SIXTEEN HUNDRED & SIXTY.": A lovely photo of a beautiful soul, Dad. More hugs to you and Ms. Mary, and know I'm there with you both in spirit and that I mourn with you. Truly I believe cats are angels sent here to teach us the meaning of unconditional love, loyalty, devotion, and beauty, unique among all Creation. Perhaps you and Ms. Mary will choose a very special rose to be a living tribute to your beloved Princess on her resting place? This is something I do, planting a living memorial so that my beloved ones continue on both in the spiritual world and here where we are. May you both receive Comfort continually, and know you are in our thoughts and prayers, as is your little angel girl.
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My Dear Friends Dad and Mary,

My heart goes out to the both of you in the loss of your dear Princess. I can recall the first pet I lost when I was but a boy to a traffic accident, I remember the deep hurt to this day. I have lost many dear pets over the years and it is a sad day with their passing. I know it is the next thing to loosing a human member of the family. You have shared so much with us through the years of Princess's life and your love for her that it will be a great loss to all of your friends also. Please know that we morn with you in your loss and we also hurt when friends as dear as you have become hurt. We will be thinking of you and pray that you will be comforted in the fact that she isn't suffering any more. I know she has brought you many days of joy and happiness and she as the snowflake has now become a precious memory.

May God Bless you and Keep you in your time of sorrow,
Always,
Boyd

...

Dad that is a beautiful picture of Princess ~ we shall all miss her ~ ~ Ally x

...
Bless your heart!
I know all too well how you are feeling and I worry as my girls are getting older.
Princess had a wonderful life and shared many memories with all of you. None of that can be taken away. Please try to remember and celebrate all the wonderful things that Princess was and still is as she will always live in your heart.
Hugs and love to all of you!
Deb

ENTRY # NINETY ONE

2009-02-16T06:57:00.001-05:00

ENTRY # NINETY

2009-02-12T03:00:00.001-05:00

Princess

ENTRY # EIGHTY NINE-CODE # 100

2009-02-04T17:18:00.002-05:00

WORLD'S EASIEST QUIZ

(Passing requires 4 correct answers)

1) How long did the Hundred Years' War last?
..
2) Which country makes Panama hats?
..
3) From which animal do we get cat gut?
..
4) In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
..
5) What is a camel's hair brush made of?
..
6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal?
..
7) What was King George VI's first name?
..
8) What color is a purple finch?
..
9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from?
..
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?
......

Remember, you need 4 correct answers to pass.
.
Check your answers below.
.
ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ

1) How long did the Hundred Years War last? 116 years
..
2) Which country makes Panama hats? Ecuador
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3) From which animal do we get catgut? Sheep and Horses
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hair brush made of? Squirrel fur
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6) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are named after what animal? Dogs

''
7) What was King George VI's first name? Albert
..
8) What color is a purple finch? Crimson
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9) Where are Chinese gooseberries from? New Zealand
..
10) What is the color of the black box in a commercial airplane?
Orange (of course)

________________________________

ENTRY # EIGHTY EIGHT.

2009-02-02T20:29:00.009-05:00

Good Morning.

I am going to try and remember the time in my young life that I worked in a grocery store, and let you see the great difference in that store and the ones that you have in this day.

This would have been the store that I left to go to Memphis, Tennessee. to be married to the sweetest girl on this earth. This was November of the year 1935.

I am going to show you a picture of that store below, and give you the names of the people that you see working there, it's sad to me but all those except I and one of the girls have passed away, sometimes I ask myself why me, it has to be God's mercy and nothing else.

.....

(Click on the picture to make it larger, and then see if you recognize any of the brands of products.)

In the picture above the man taking an order from a customer is my uncle A.E. White . In ther rear going from left to right is Dad talking too my cousin Dorthy, and the next one is Ralph White talking to Edgar Ford one of our customers.

.....
Now I want to tell you just a little of how this store worked. It was of course not self-service. Nothing was in that day, even the service station owners would run out to your car when you stopped, begin to clean your windshield and check your oil, and then fill your otank, and believe it or not he would say THANK YOU FOR STOPPING, when you drove away. The man with the pencil and writing pad was my uncle A.E.White, and he was taking an order from this lady that would be filled after she left the store and then delivered to her home.

There was no such things as shopping carts or check out lanes,And notice the shelving in the old store all wood. No refrigeration of any kind, no egg cartons, they were just put in a paper bag.

The following picture is an enlargement of a portion of the picture above. This one shows the people better. On the far left, that man is old Dad. I’m talking to a customer. The man in the back with the apron on is my brother, Ralph. He is talking to a man wearing a hat. The man in the foreground is my Uncle A.E. White, the owner of the store. You can see the pencil and pad in his hand as he takes an order from the lady on the other side of the counter.

.....

.....
(Click on the picture to make it larger, and then see if you recognize any of the brands of products.)

This picture is the same as the one above from a different view, but the same people.

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And another thing before I forget it, money was not very plentiful in those days and sometimes the customer would bring things in to trade for their groceries, like butter, live chickens, eggs and almost any kind of vegetables that they produced, and Uncle A,E would take all this in on the price of their grocery bill. Sometimes he would give me the job of checking all this stuff in. But it did not bother me, for about that time I was thinking about other things.

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I AM SURE THAT YOU NOTICED THOSE LARGE BAGS ON THE FLOOR, THAT WAS MEAL AND FLOUR. WE SOLD A LOT OF THAT, BECAUSE WE HAD TO BAKE OUR OWN BISCUITS AND CORNBREAD FROM SCRATCH. NO CONVIENCE FOODS OF ANY KIND, NOT EVEN A MICROWAVE OVEN. BUT WE LOVED THOSE BIG BISCUITS AND CREAM GRAVY THAT MY MOTHER WAS AN EXPERT AT MAKING, I WAS THE FIRST ONE AT THE TABLE EACH MORNING. THOSE OLD DAYS WERE NOT TOO BAD, WERE THEY. DAD...

.....

THIS IS ALL THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE FOR A FEW DAYS, I AM WAITING ON A PICTURE OF THE INSIDE OF A MODERN SUPER MARKET THAT WE CAN COMPARE WITH THE OLD TIME STORE.

....

BYE FOR A FEW DAYS, DAD,

865-850-5763..

ENTRY # EIGHTY SEVEN...

2009-01-30T09:52:00.008-05:00

( This was too long for my regular blog. DAD.)

My friend Becky, who lives in Southern California has been asking me for a long time to tell how I ever decided to learn to fly a plane. There is not very much to tell, but I will see what I can remember about it.
....

You can see by the picture below that Jim & Mary had already come to live with us. We lived near a small Airport that was on an island in the Tennessee river, the name of the airport was and still is The Island Airport.
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This airport is within the city limits of Knoxville, There is the municipal airport here which is about 15 miles south of us.
....

Well here is the way it all started, in the afternoons when I would get home from work we four would go to the Island and sit there and watch the small planes take off and land. That was a thrill for all of us. I soon got to know the owner of the airport and two of his instructors. One of them Phillip F. offered to take me up for a ride, I accepted and then I was hooked.
....

Before I knew what was happening I was taking flying lessons, and soon had my license. Before I was allowed to take anyone up with me I had to have so many flying hours by myself, and plan and make a cross country flight. I got all of this done and then I thought that I was important. A inspector came to the airport and gave me my final test.
....
After all of this happened we did spend more time at the airport. I had to rent a plane from a dealer there to continue my flying to get my required time in so I could take someone up with me. It was not very long until I wanted to own my one plane, so we bought an Ercoupe, it was of course just a two seater. In those days there were not very many instruments in the plane. We did have a compass but no radio. We had to depend a lot on our eyes and and our feelings.

The picture below shows my wife LaVerne beside my airplane.

...

My instructor, Phillip and I went to the factory and flew the plane back to Knoxville. The factory was near Washington D. C. As we were returning we could see the White House and other land marks near the capitol.
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I did have a few close calls on some of my cross country trips, some of them I don't even like to think about, especially the one when I got above an overcast sky and could not find a hole to get back down, I was just about ready to give up when a hole appeared in the overcast, I was smiling that day.
....
Another little trip that I remember was when I went to Memphis to get Jim, and he and I flew back to Knoxville. We enjoyed the little trip. I remember that we stopped at the Nashville airport for something to eat, nothing was open so we used the vending machines. Can you imagine the Nashville airport being closed in this day. Things have changed in the last 50 years.
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I am glad that I stopped flying when I did, if I had kept on you might not be reading my blog today. And thinking of my family was another good reason for me stopping.
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I know that I have missed a lot of my experiences in this, but it is about all I can remember, AFTER ALL WHAT DO YOU EXPECT A 96 YEAR OLD MAN TO REMEMBER. This will show you what a silly young man that I was.
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Jim found parts of an old brochure about the Ercoupe airplane. If you click on the pictures they should enlarge enough for you to read about the airplane.

Panel 1
Panel 2
Panel 3
Panel 4

Thanks Becky for asking about this, if she had not ask me to do this I don't guess that I would have done it. Come see me on my blog, I am there every day except Sunday.

Bye Bye DAD.
865-850-5763.
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This link will take you back to my blog.

http://tomatogardeningwithdad.blogspot.com/
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ENTRY # EIGHTY SIX

2009-01-28T10:58:00.008-05:00

Here is something that was too long for my blog, but it was so good I am showing it to you here. DAD.
....

This is rather profound. I didn't write it and don't know who did, but it really makes you think.

READ THIS VERY SLOWLY.... IT'S PRETTY PROFOUND.
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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 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.
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From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible. How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?
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How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat insilence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?
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I cannot count the times I called my sister and said,'How about going to 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.
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Because Americans crams so much into their 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!
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We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet...
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We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.
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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.
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' 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 an elevator for a bungee cord.. My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love icecream. It's just that I might as well apply it directlyto my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process The other day, I stopped the car and bought atriple-Decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home,I would have died happy.
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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 under standwhy I sent this to you.
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Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed abutter fly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into thefading night? 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 yourchild, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi? When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift.....Thrown away.....
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Life is not a race Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.
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This above was sent to Dad by Heavelybama, Thank you so much. DAD.

...

BYE BYE DAD
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white6416r@aol.com.
865-850-5763

.© 2009 Dad's Tomato Garden Journal...All Rights Reserved.

ENTRY # EIGHTY FIVE

2009-01-07T03:57:00.003-05:00

Good Morning.

Here is something that I am working on.

DAD.

The links below are for Businesses and Services that meet Dad's Seal of Approval.

Tell them that Dad sent you.

Allen Bibles
________________________

Jackson and Perkins Roses
________________________

Record Relics
__________________________

Burpee Tomatoes
___________________________

To find out more abour your business being included in this list contact
Dad at white6416r@AOL.com or
Phone 865-850-5763.
This list will be published ever day,

ENTRY # EIGHTY FOUR

2008-12-23T07:19:00.006-05:00

Good Morning.

We read and hear a lot of discussion these days about the depression. And it has cause me to have some very serious thoughts. You may not agree with my thoughts, but that is alright, we do at the present time live in a country that we can express our thoughts without fear.

I have been reading the 6th chapter of Genesis and the first 8 verses. I hope that you will take the time to look at these verses.

All that God created in the beginning he said that it was good, and this seemes to be prospering times, but when God looked down on this earth and saw that it had become corrupt at that time he said " I will destroy man whom I have created."

Could this depression that is upon us today be God seeing the corruption that is in the world today be letting this happen too slow us down. Think about this and dissagree with me if you must.

I will be back again to talk to you.

BYE BYE DAD
white6416r@aol.com
865-850=5763

ENTRY # EIGHTY THREE.

2008-12-19T03:00:00.002-05:00

Good Morning,
-

This is Dad's thought for today.
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The camel at the close of day, Kneels down upon the dusty plain, to have the burden lifted off, and rest again.
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My soul thou too shouldst to thy knees, When daylight draweth to a close, And let the Master lift thy load, And grant repose.
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The camel kneels at break of day, To have its guide replace the load, And rise up anew to take, The desert road.
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So should thou too kneel down at morning dawn, That God may give the daily care, Assured that he no load too great, Will make thee bear.
-

I am not sure of the author of this, I was going through some things of LaVerne's yesterday and I found this that she had saved many years ago. She loved poems and did write some herself, To any of you who did not know about LaVerne she was my sweet wife. She passed away May 11, 1974. DAD
-

THAT'S ALL FOR RIGHT NOW, JUST WANTED TO SHOW YOU THIS GOOD THOUGHT.
-
BYE BYE DAD.
-
white6416r@aol.com

ENTRY # EIGHTY TWO.

2008-12-16T04:49:00.004-05:00

Good Morning.

What in the world are you doing here, this is not any thing new, it is a blog that I started a few years ago, and did not show it very often. There were so many good pictures in is ( especially of Princess ) that I wanted to show it again. I will not be posting in this every day, just when I have something to show you. I will have a link to it in the side panel to your right. Thats in my regular blog.

I hope to see you over here every time that want to come, but don't expect to get Starbucks coffee over here, you will need to go back to my regular journal for that. I love you all and I wish that I did not have to cause you so much trouble. Keep on SMILING over here too.

BYE BYE DAD

white6416r@aol.com

ENTRY # EIGHTY ONE.

2008-12-16T04:26:00.002-05:00

Good Morning.

Here is a poem by Edgar Guest about a boy and his dog. I love Edgar Guest poems. DAD.
.....

A Boy and His Dog by Edgar Guest
.

A boy and his dog make a glorious pair:No better friendship is found anywhere,For they talk and they walk and they run and they play,And they have their deep secrets for many a day;And that boy has a comrade who thinks and who feels,Who walks down the road with a dog at his heels.He may go where he will and his dog will be there,May revel in mud and his dog will not care;Faithful he'll stay for the slightest commandAnd bark with delight at the touch of his hand;Oh, he owns a treasure which nobody steals,Who walks down the road with a dog at his heels.No other can lure him away from his side;He's proof against riches and station and pride;Fine dress does not charm him, and flattery's breathIs lost on the dog, for he's faithful to death;He sees the great soul which the body conceals--Oh, it's great to be young with a dog at your heels!
.....

BYE BYE DAD