Musings From the River's Bend

Dogness, How They Are

2008-06-20T13:39:00.002-05:00

We just got a new dog, my first in many MANY years!

So I thought I'd do a little research, you know, sort of a brush up on dogs.

Dogs. They've been our best friends forever. Well, it sure seems that way as they've been around 14,000 years since they started hanging around our campsites. In that enduring span of time they have become our companions, protectors, and hunting partners.

We spend so much time with our pet dogs, and they with us as their pack leader, it's impossible not to pause on occasion and wonder how our beloved buddies perceive the world. How do they sense us and their surroundings?

Just like us, dogs have the standard five senses - sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. However, your dog's senses, and thus their perceptions, are tuned quite differently from their human masters.

SMELL

Every dog and it's owner knows that dogs are built to smell and smell very well. In fact, your pet dog's nose is capable of incredible feats of sniffing and discerning scents. Just as eye-sight has evolved to be a human's most dominant sensory system, a dog's nose has become their primary go-to sense.

A physiological comparison make it clear how powerful their sense of smell really is.

Humans and dogs both share a scent-decoding center located in the brain called an olfactory bulb. A human's olfactory bulb weighs about 1.5 grams, on average. Though it varies by breed, a dogs olfactory bulb may be as large as 6 grams, or 4 times larger.

Now, considering that a dog's brain is perhaps 1/10th as large as a humans, the proportion of the dogs brain dedicated to smells is approximately 40 times that of a human. One can readily see the emphasis that is placed on smell.

SIGHT

Vision is a human being's most vital sense. But your dog sees its surroundings quite differently than it's owner does.

Each component of their eyes is constructed such that the ability to see fine detail is sacrificed in favor of the ability to track movement, and see in the low-light conditions that occur at dusk and dawn.

Dogs also cannot discern depth as well as humans can. Their pupils are much larger, taking up nearly the entire eye, and cannot shrink as small as ours can. This feature lets in more light but sacrifices depth of view, or the near-to-far distance over which objects are in clear focus.

A noticeable trait is the shine that a dogs eyes gives off at night when caught in the shine of a light. This eerie effect is caused by a reflecting mechanism located behind the retina, and serves as a second chance to capture light during the darkness of night. It's estimated that dogs need only one quarter of the light humans do to see clearly. Of note, cats need only a seventh the amount.

HEARING

Along with their noses, dogs generally have a much better sense of hearing than people do. The largest difference is the upper range of frequencies our dogs are capable of hearing.

A person can hear sounds with frequencies of up to 20,000 Hz. Dogs, on the other hand, can detect sounds ranging anywhere from 47,000 to 65,000 Hz, depending on the breed of dog.

By way of comparison, take a piano's keyboard and imagine adding 28 keys to the right side. The far right key would vibrate at around 20,000 Hz. If a dog were to play the piano, not only would it be quite a spectacle, that dog could have 48 extra keys on its piano, with the last twenty remaining silent to us puzzled humans in the audience.

TASTE

One look at typical pet food aisle in the supermarket might lead one to believe that dogs have a very refined sense of taste. Menu items range from bacon to bagels.

In truth, the sense of taste is enabled not by menu choice, but by the taste buds found on our tongues. Humans typically have around 9000 individual taste buds. Dogs have substantially fewer with about 1700, while cats have even less at roughly 500.

Of course, just one viewing of your dog as it inhales its dinner doesn't leave much accounting for taste. There's little doubt that this behavior is based on its distant ancestor's need to literally wolf down their prey item before being potentially disrupted by competition for its meal.

TOUCH

Different areas of a dog have different degrees of sensitivity to touch. It makes sense that the nose and muzzle are rich in sensory nerves. The pads of their paws also convey a lot of information pertaining to touch, such as levelness and firmness of the ground on which they are traversing. Indicative of this sensitivity, dogs often would rather you didn't fuss with their paws overly much.

Of course their whiskers are also a primary touch-sensitive spot. Like a cat, a dog's whiskers are stiff and embedded deeply in the dog's skin. The whisker acts as a lever and can amplify the most subtle of touches. In fact, 40% of the brain area devoted to touch is dedicated to the face and upper jaw, indicating its importance.

Unfortunately, a common and controversial practice of show dog groomers is to remove these whiskers to achieve a more streamlined effect. Every dog surely disapproves of this, even more than the worst hair cut and frilly outfit imaginable.

In sum, it should be no surprise that dogs and their human owners perceive the world around them in their own unique ways.

Humans primarily rely on their vision, while canines are mostly dependent on their sense of smell. Still, humans and dogs share all five senses to one degree or another. We just don't lick and sniff ourselves quite as much.

The Lowline Lifestyle

2008-04-06T17:12:00.001-05:00

What is it?
It's a lot of things, grassfed beef, country living, urban ranching, and more.
Find out about it at:
http://lowlinelifestyle.com

2006-11-19T22:19:00.000-06:00

Make Me Smile Monday - Kansas City 2006

Some great photos of things going on in KC!

2006-09-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

men are stupid

2006-09-21T01:14:00.000-05:00

KC Air Show (w/ Blue Angels)

kewl

Why Don't I Get Paid?

2006-09-15T13:04:00.000-05:00

I have this thing about wearing some companies logo. I absolutely hate it when I find a product that I really like, but it has the company name plastered all over it. After spending what is sometimes a fair amount of money, why should I go around advertising for that company for FREE?

2006-08-29T23:35:00.000-05:00

Yeah Man

2006-08-29T12:36:00.000-05:00

this-n-that

this makes me smile

Oh, goodie! ANOTHER hobby!

2006-08-21T01:18:00.000-05:00

Now I've done it! I've "discovered" internet radio.

It kind of makes me feel like a kid again. There are HUNDREDS of radio stations broadcasting on the internet now. I can search out whatever I have a fancy to listen to, like jazz oldies, classic rock, maybe some Sinatra or ... well.... WHATEVER! And with my newest software toy, Replay A/V, I can record the stream. It even works like a Tivo! I can find shows I want to hear, program the software to record them, and come back days later to find all my favorites just waiting for me to enjoy!

This is JUST what I needed, another hobby to fill my "empty" time!

But I'm LOVIN' it!

No More Mr. White Bread

2006-07-21T17:18:00.000-05:00

For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder Bread for lunch, the encouragement by dietitians and nutritionists to switch to whole wheat bread can be a tough transition.

Bread, like any other part of our diet, is an acquired taste. Starting out early helps since children are much more adaptable to accepting foods than adults. This does not mean that children LIKE as many foods as adults - children are renowned picky eaters. But if you only expose them to healthy, whole grain foods they won't have the opportunity to develop a taste for white bread or other non-nutritious foods.

Adults, however, must learn to change their diet preferences because of knowledge. Understanding why whole wheat is superior to white bread can help you feel good about the compromise and encourage you to make it the standard for your children. Who knows - you may even like it!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

The two biggest differences between white bread and whole wheat are the processing and the nutritional value.

Flour is made from wheat berries. The wheat berry is made up of the bran, the germ and the endosperm. All parts are filled with nutrients and are used in whole wheat flour.

White bread on the other hand, uses only the endosperm - the starchy inner layer. There is a total of 30 nutrients missing in white bread. The nutritional difference is immense and has measurable impact on our health.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF SWITCHING?

The fiber content of whole wheat bread has several health benefits.

Fiber helps the digestive system. It also creates a 'full' sensation and thus can help with weight control. Research has been conducted by Harvard and other organizations that shows men and women who eat high-fiber foods have less heart attacks and strokes than those who don't.

There is also an increased risk of diabetes in children who eat refined white flour - a risk that has been proven by the increase in cases of childhood diabetes.

WHAT DO I LOOK FOR?

Watch out for words like 'wheat flour' or 'enriched wheat flour' as they can be mostly made from white flour with just a small amount of whole wheat added in.

Look for 'whole wheat' or other whole grains, like oat. And don't be mislead by the name of the product. Names like wheat, whole bran, stoned wheat, 12 grain and others are still mostly white flour. The only way to know for sure is to read the label.

Independence Day Eve - 2006

2006-07-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

It's July 3rd, and I'm in the midst of a 4 day personal celebration of our Independence. Things have been very busy, and I needed a little downtime. After a busy weekend with wonderfully enjoyable commitments to friends and family, this is the first day I've had pretty much to myself.

I came across the following article, which I wrote several years ago. It still rings true to me, so I'll republish it again now.

Thoughts of Independence, Freedom, and the Internet
Tonight, I sat on the deck as a brisk breeze carried past me the smell of fireworks and perhaps a hint of rain. The fireflies were dancing in the back yard to the sound of firecrackers and the low distant rumble of thunder. It is the eve of the 4th of July, Independence Day. My mind wanders to thoughts of independence, freedom, the internet.

Not to long ago, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Washington, D.C. It was a thrill for me to visit our nation's capital. On one occasion, I managed to steal away from the conference I was attending, and work in a couple of hours sightseeing. I stood at the feet of the giant statue of Abraham Lincoln, gazed up in awe at the lofty height of the Washington Monument, touched the names carved in stone at the Vietnam Memorial, walked beside the reflecting pool and several other sights of interest and wonder. They all spoke to me of freedom, of independence that women and men before us have fought and died for. Our freedom, our independence, is a gift bought with the sacrifice and blood of not only our founding fathers, but millions that have come and gone since them. We owe them a debt that cannot be repaid.

The Internet has brought another kind of freedom to us, another independence. No longer are we captive to place, to distances, or to lack of knowledge. In the last few months, I've been able to communicate with relatives hundreds of miles away in an almost effortless fashion. I've met new friends from hundreds, or thousands of miles away. I've seen small business grow and prosper to an extent that would have seemed impossible a few short years ago. My own business has expanded far beyond the borders of it's physical location. It is now possible for the stay at home mother to operate a global business from the kitchen table, for the handicapped veteran to compete with the giant corporation. Each individual has the chance to reach the world, in pursuit of their dreams of financial independence, in a way that has never before been available to them.

I watch my 5 year old grandson "surf the net" on his WebTV. We look for cartoons to color, and pictures of the Blue Angels, which fascinate him. I wonder what things he will be doing in 30 years, things I've never imagined. The Year 2000 is upon us. Many predict great calamities and turmoil. I see it more as the dawn of a new age, the age of the individual freedom, the independence of the entrepreneur to attain new levels of success beyond their wildest dreams. It will be an age where we can share an idea, a product, a dream, with the world. I pray we each and every one will grasp this freedom, this independence, and use it to it's fullest extent.

I bid you a Happy Independence Day.

Here I am again....

2006-06-29T13:51:00.000-05:00

I went back to the doctor's yesterday.

A new doctor, or, to be exact, a new nurse/practitioner. We're going to change my medications and start working at getting my blood sugars under control. I'm excited and enthused about the new start.

I wrote the following article a few years back. It seems time to bring it out again.

I am diabetic.

If you've never had to speak these words, I'm not sure you can know the power of the emotions that the words bring. Fear, despair, and anguish are but a few of the powerful emotions that have tried to defeat me. I'm sure that everyone with this disease has had to deal with these, and many more, on a regular basis.
2 years ago, I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. This is often called "adult onset" diabetes, meaning that I was not born with it, but have developed it over the years. How? No one knows. There are many theories, but no real answers.

I guess that I have been in denial for a lot of the past 2 years. This is a common reaction to such a diagnosis. I have my share of health "challenges", and have had to deal with them for a great portion of my life. I just didn't believe that I would be given another one. Life would NOT be that mean, would it? Again, denial was speaking. Somewhere, in the wishful part of my mind, I thought it was a mistake, or that it would just go away. It wasn't. It hasn't. Now it is time to come to grips with it.

That is one of the reasons I'm starting this column. I think that "going public" will help me to be more accountable for the treatment of this disease. Hopefully, my future thousands of readers will put a little more pressure on me to "be good".

*grin*

I'm hoping that some of the things I've learned, and will continue to learn, about living with diabetes will prove of benefit to someone who might read these columns. There is a wealth of information available, but it is not always so easy to find. I will work to make it a little easier.

I hope you'll want to read this column, offer your comments, and yes, your prayers and support.

I am diabetic, and learning to deal with it.

I Get By - - with a little help.......

2006-06-26T15:57:00.000-05:00

There’s an awful lot going on in my life right now.

Often at times like this, I start listening to music more. You know, music calms the savage beast and all that. Work, family, personal goals, economic decisions.... all are really absorbing my attention and eating up my time.

I was feeling particularly moody and philosophical this afternoon as Jackson Browne’s “The Pretender” came up on my playlist.
This has always one of my favorite "deep" songs, for years and years. Every word in it is a jewel to me.

Especially this verse:

"I want to know what became of the changes We waited for love to bring Were they only the fitful dreams
Of some greater awakening?
I've been aware of the time going by
They say in the end, it's the wink of an eye.
And when the morning light comes streaming in.
You'll get up and do it again."

I sent the rough draft of this post to my friend James. We often email back and forth, just little bits and snippets about music we’re listening to at that moment. It gives me a kick to share the moment with him.

Anyway, I emailed James what I was listening too, and how the lyrics made me feel all deep and philosophical.
His reply:
“I prefer the deep lyrics of
She Loves you, yeah yeah yeah!”

Ya gotta love my friends!
B.G.

Mark Twain on Illusions

2006-06-06T22:53:00.000-05:00

"Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live."

Mark Twain

Of Fountain Pens and Hard Drives

2006-06-03T23:05:00.000-05:00

I've recently given in to an old collecting urge and acquired several fountain pens. Yes, the old fashioned kind that sometimes leak or skip. The kind of pen where you have to be sure the ink is dry before touching the page, or it might smear. I'm writing this piece with one right now, a pretty red-and-tan marbled pen with shiny gold nib and trim. There's something about the elegant style of these pens that I find most appealing. There is a nostalgic romance to writing with such an instrument. There's a beauty to the colorful body, the way the light gleams from the golden nib as it glides across the page, that I find captivating. I can almost see the flow of the ink, pouring from the delicate point to lie in not-so-smooth ribbons of words on the surface of the page.
When I'm done writing, I will enter the words into my computer, where they will become bits and bytes of data stored electronically on my hard drive. There are many advantages to having my thoughts stored in this electronic format, not the least of which being that it is much easier for you to read in text than to try and decipher the scrawl my handwriting. But beyond that, with the push of a few buttons, I can send these words speeding across my modem link to destinations across the street, across the river, or around the world. My words have taken a journey from the recesses of my mind, through the point of the fountain pen, a quick twirl around the spinning platter of the hard drive, to become electrons rocketing around the world at unbelievable speeds. What a tremendous opportunity this brings to each of us!
Because of the power of computers and the Internet, my words, YOUR words,can reach literally millions at the touch of the send key. This is a power, a privilege unknown to those that have come before us. I sometimes wonder what one of my literary heroes, Samuel Clemons, better known as Mark Twain, would have thought of the Internet and the World Wide Web. I think he would have seen this vision, grasped the idea that here was something that could reach out and radically change the lives of the earth's entire population. Something as new and bright as the morning sun. Something that needed some old fashioned qualities to polish it to a shining lustre. I think he would have managed to meld the old world with the new.
The old fashioned qualities, like honesty, integrity, value, and service are still necessary ingredients for our success online, just as they have always been necessary for success. In the new world of websites and e-commerce, our clients and customers, though sometimes beguiled and awed by the glitz and dazzle of a slick multimedia presentation, still hear that inner voice that asks, "Is this sincere? Is this of value? Is this TRUE?". For our enduring success, as has always been the case, we must answer those questions with a resounding "YES!", and then back our answer up with our deeds and actions. Whether our product is a tangible item, a service, or even the words written on a page or displayed on a monitor, it must be of value, of quality, of worth. This is the foundation we must lay to build our success in the world of fountain pens and hard drives.

Nancy Kerrigan on being a champion.....

2006-05-09T11:18:00.000-05:00

"Part of being a champ is acting like a champ. You have to learn how to win and not run away when you lose. Everyone has bad stretches and real successes. Either way, you have to be careful not to lose your confidence or get too confident."
Nancy Kerrigan - Figure Skater

What does it take to be a champ?
I think most of us believe it to be beyond our capabilities. But we each have a champion inside of us, just waiting to emerge victorious! If we'll allow ourselves to lose, and learn from our losses, soon the wins will far outweigh them. Give yourself the freedom to try..... TODAY!

Giggle for the day.... Methodists & Catholics

2006-05-04T13:24:00.000-05:00

A little boy, about six years old, was walking down a dirt road after church one Sunday afternoon when he came to a crossroads where he met a little girl coming from the other direction.

"Hello," said the little boy.

"Hi,"replied the little girl.

"Where are you going?" asked the little boy.

"I've been to church this morning and I'm on my way home," answered the little girl.

"Me too," replied the little boy. "I'm also on my way home from church."

"Which church do you go to?" asked the little boy.

"I go to the Methodist church down the road," replied the little girl. "What about you?"

"I go to the Catholic church at the top of the hill," replied the little boy.

They discover that they are both going the same way so they decided that they'd walk together. They came to a low spot in the road where spring rains had partially flooded the road so there was no way that they could get across to the other side without getting wet.

"If I get my new Sunday dress wet my Mom's going to skin me alive," said the little girl.

"My Mom will tan my hide if I get my new Sunday suit wet," replied the little boy.

"I tell you what I think I'll do," said the little girl. "I'm gonna pull off all my clothes and hold them over my head and wade across."

"That's a good idea," replied the little boy. "I'm going to do the same thing with my suit."

So they both undressed and waded across to the other side without getting their clothes wet. They were standing there in the sun waiting to drip dry before putting their clothes back on when the little boy finally remarked,"You know, I never realized how much difference there is between a Methodiost and a Catholic!"

February Thaw

2006-04-25T13:07:00.000-05:00

February Thaw

Late February, winter lingers
Though icy fingers' grip grows weak
The cat lies sleeping on the sunlit patch of carpet
Dreaming of summer's warmth, soft but strong
I long to feel the warmth
Silky soft on chilly skin
I feel the purr start deep inside
The smile coming unbidden
But welcomed all the same
Snowy mounds collapsing softly
Their steely life sucked from within
By afternoon's velvety warmth
Soon they will disappear
Leaving gleaming wetness
Revealing imagined, hoped for
Glimpses of green
The green will come
Though for today
It is just a wistful dream
Born on cashmere yellow rays of sunlight
Living deep in a heart
Longing for spring

Why Do I Make Pens?

2006-04-25T13:06:00.000-05:00

I suppose this is a reasonable and valid question, especially in today's mass produced, "one-size-fits-all" world. But it is a question that has no quick and simple answer. Perhaps, being more precise, it is a question that has far too many answers. I find myself somewhat at a loss for words as I try to explain deeply held beliefs and feelings.

Why does a painter paint?

Why does a builder build?

Why do I make pens?

The first and foremost reason I make pens is the joy of fashioning something I find beautiful and of worth. To watch the materials I have carefully selected be slowly transformed from their native state into a finished design of my choosing brings to me a great and overwhelming satisfaction, one that often defies description. Though perhaps on a different scale, I believe it is the same passion, the same joy of creation, known by the artist when he lays aside his brushes and views the finished painting, the architect and carpenter when they step back and gaze at the finished building, the author when she sees her published work. This joy of creation, of having formed something one loves, is a heady and intoxicating emotion indeed.

I am, among other things, a writer. A pen is a major tool of this craft. As do many craftsmen, I derive considerable pleasure from the use of a well made tool. An exquisitely hand crafted pen, one who's size, weight, balance, and other characteristics have been chosen to fit MY hand, MY unique style of penmanship, is a joy to use. To have MADE that tool intensifies the pleasure.

As with all hand made products, no two pens are ever alike, just as no other person is like me, nor I like any other person. This uniqueness brings about a character, a style that cannot be duplicated. Because of my intimate involvement in it's creation, there is a part of me in each pen. I sometimes sit for minutes on end, lost in admiration of the small object d'art that I hold in my hand. The form, the finish, the materials, all combine in ways that are beautiful to my eyes. Again, this beauty is partly a result of choices I made, of the skill with which I shaped and combined things. That I am in part responsible for that beauty is very satisfying .

One last reason, perhaps the biggest reason, truth be known, is the reaction my pens bring from those I show and present them to. I never tire of the wide-eyed looks of appreciation, or hearing the astonished and delighted exclamations of, "Wow! YOU made this? It's BEAUTIFUL!". Those words resonate deeply into my being, a tonic to my heart and a balm to my soul. They render inconsequential the hours and effort I have expended in the production of the object of admiration. They leave me eager to race back to my shop, burning with the desire to produce an even BETTER masterpiece. The appreciation of one's efforts, be they artistic, literary, or whatever else, is something we all find fulfilling.

That is why I make pens.

Turning to Success

2006-04-25T12:57:00.000-05:00

I make pens; fountain pens, roller balls, ballpoints, mechanical pencils, all types of pens. This activity combines several of my interests, the collecting of fine writing instruments, a love of wood, a desire to create things both useful and beautiful. I find turning to be both challenging, and at the same time, relaxing.

One of the main tools of my pen making is the wood lathe. On it, I mount a square or irregularly shaped bit of wood. Then, through a series of mostly planned and calculated maneuvers, the beautiful body of a fine wooden writing instrument takes shape. I say "mostly planned and controlled" because there is always the chance of a slip, a mistake. While THESE events are not totally in my control, they can and are reduced in number as my skills and knowledge increase. They also challenge my creativity and ingenuity, to transform them from miserable mishaps to happy accidents.

I find the turning both demanding and fulfilling. To take a rough piece of wood and make it into something of usefulness and beauty, is extremely gratifying to me. I watch as the wood slowly is transformed, revealing the beauty that at first was hidden from view, but soon boldly proclaims itself. The wood, the metals, the gold and chrome come together into something that is much greater than the sum of it's parts. I am proud of the end results.

I think most of us feel the same way about our businesses. Whether we run a large corporation, or a small one person shop, the creative urge still governs our activities. We've taken nothing, and created something we hope to be of lasting significance, something the world will find of value, something we can be proud of.

Sometimes, in the hectic daily grind of running things, we forget this side of our endeavors. We become so busy with the minutiae of what we do that we lose sight of the "big picture". We can't see the forest for the trees.

May I suggest something? Take a moment and try to get a view of your business from "on high". Look at the overall scope of what you've done, what you've accomplished. Yes, like one of my pens, there may be a need for a little reshaping here, some sanding or polishing there. But overall, does your business deliver what you intended it to? Is it something that brings you happiness, that you are PROUD of? If you answer these questions "Yes!", you've succeeded. Take a little time to savor that success, to enjoy your own acknowledgment of your accomplishments.

Now get back to work! You've seen the big, beautiful vision, and some things you'd like to change. I believe that you'll now find a renewed excitement, a fresh feeling that may have been lost before as you were mired down in the trenches of daily details. I suggest you practice this little exercise on a regular basis, maybe monthly. You'll be pleased, just as I am each time I put a fresh piece of wood on the lathe,and start a new turning project. Each new start, each reviewing of the grand picture, brings renewed creativity and excitement!

Keep turning to success!

Of Fountain Pens and Hard Drives

2006-04-25T12:55:00.000-05:00

When I'm done writing, I will enter the words into my
computer, where they will become bits and bytes of data
stored electronically on my hard drive. There are many
advantages to having my thoughts stored in this electronic
format, not the least of which being that it is much easier
for you to read than to try and decipher the scrawl my
handwriting. But beyond that, with the push of a few
buttons, I can send these words speeding across my modem
link to destinations across the street, across the river, or
around the world. My words have taken a journey from the
recesses of my mind, through the point of the fountain pen,
a quick twirl around the spinning platter of the hard drive,
to become electrons rocketing around the world at
unbelievable speeds. What a tremendous opportunity this
brings to each of us!

Because of the power of computers and the Internet, my
words, YOUR words,can reach literally millions at the touch
of the send key. This is a power, a privilege unknown to
those that have come before us. I sometimes wonder what one
of my literary heroes, Samuel Clemons, better known as Mark
Twain, would have thought of the Internet and the World Wide
Web. I think he would have seen this vision, grasped the
idea that here was something that could reach out and
radically change the lives of the earth's entire population.
Something as new and bright as the morning sun. Something
that needed some old fashioned qualities to polish it to a
shining lustre. I think he would have managed to meld the
old world with the new.

The old fashioned qualities, like honesty, integrity, value,
and service are still necessary ingredients for our success
online, just as they have always been necessary for success.
In the new world of websites and e-commerce, our clients and
customers, though sometimes beguiled and awed by the glitz
and dazzle of a slick multimedia presentation, still hear
that inner voice that asks, "Is this sincere? Is this of
value? Is this TRUE?". For our enduring success, as has
always been the case, we must answer those questions with a
resounding "YES!", and then back our answer up with our
deeds and actions. Whether our product is a tangible item,
a service, or even the words written on a page or displayed
on a monitor, it must be of value, of quality, of worth.
This is the foundation we must lay to build our success in
the world of fountain pens and hard drives.