Words, Beauty for the Evening

If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don't, they never were.
Kahlil Gibran

Sign of the Times

Shadow Shot Sunday!

A variety today! This picture of a Sturgeon taken at an aquarium several years ago.

Mojo, vacationing on Whidbey Island.

A plant in the kitchen basking in the sunshine!

And me, stunned to see my own shadow!

Join us for a day of shadows! Click on the icon in my side bar or click here to go to Hey Harriet's blogsite.

New Dollar Bill

The Treasury Department put out a new dollar bill this morning...
Thought you might be interested -- left me feeling a little -- shall we say, unsettled????

For the Women in Cyber Space This Evening

Between 16 and 20, a woman is like Africa, half discovered, half wild, fertile and naturally beautiful.

Between 21 and 30, a woman is like America, well developed and open to trade, especially with someone having lots of cash.

Between 31 and 35, a woman is like Spain, hot, relaxed and convinced of her own beauty.

Between 36 and 40, a woman is like Greece, gently aging but still a warm and desirable place to visit.

Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain, with a glorious and all conquering past.

Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Israel, has been through war and doesn't make the same mistakes twice.

Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Canada, self-preserving, but open to meeting new people.

After 70, she becomes Tibet, wildly beautiful, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages, only those with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge visit there.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF A MAN

Between 1 and 70, a man is like Iran, ruled by nuts.

Attitude is Everything

It's been a very good week for me -- nothing special -- well, we've had lots of sunshine for a change and the new Trader Joe's that we've been waiting two years for finally opened today here in Ballard and while my neighbor and I aren't going shopping until Tuesday, it's still exciting! But it has been one of those weeks when you suddenly realize how incredibly you've been blessed in so many ways, when there's such a wonderful reawakening to the beauty in your life, the joy, the love, the laughter. In spite of the politics, the economy, and all the other negatives that sometimes cloud our vision, it's still a beautiful world.

These words were sent to me by a good friend and I thought I'd share them -- they're worth remembering.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Time to Speak Up

If you would like to help protect gay rights to marriage from the likes of Ken Starr and people like him you can sign a petition HERE

While there click on the ‘Launch The Wall’ button – the lies and ugliness there needs to be drowned out. The darkness there needs to have a giant light shining down upon it.

This comes from Dianne at Forks off the Moment

Thanks, Dianne, for caring!

Sky Watch Friday

Time for another Sky Watch and a chance to share your beautiful skies! Join Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and all of us for the fun!

Here in Seattle we have everything from shades of white and gray, to marshmallow clouds, to beautiful pastels, to a blazing sunset over the harbor! Just doesn't get any better than this!

Financial Crisis - The How and Why

Linda is the proprietor of a bar in Cork. In order to increase sales, she decides to allow her loyal customers - most of whom are unemployed alcoholics - to drink now but pay later. She keeps track of the drinks consumed on a ledger (thereby granting the customers loans).

Word gets around and as a result increasing numbers of customers flood into Linda's bar. Taking advantage of her customers' freedom from immediate payment constraints, Linda increases her prices for wine and beer, the most-consumed beverages. Her sales volume increases massively.

A young and dynamic customer service consultant at the local bank recognizes these customer debts as valuable future assets and increases Linda's borrowing limit. He sees no reason for undue concern since he has the debts of the alcoholics as collateral.

At the bank's corporate headquarters, expert bankers transform these customer assets into DRINKBONDS, ALKBONDS and PUKEBONDS. These securities are then traded on markets worldwide. No one really understands what these abbreviations mean and how the securities are guaranteed. Nevertheless, as their prices continuously climb, the securities become top-selling items.

One day, although the prices are still climbing, a risk manager (subsequently of course fired due to his negativity) of the bank decides that slowly the time has come to demand payment of the debts incurred by the drinkers at Linda's bar. However they cannot pay back the debts. Linda can not fulfil her loan obligations and claims bankruptcy. DRINKBOND and ALKBOND drop in price by 95 %. PUKEBOND performs better, stabilizing in price after dropping by 80 %.

The suppliers of Linda's bar, having granted her generous payment due dates and having invested in the securities are faced with a new situation. Her wine supplier claims bankruptcy, her beer supplier is taken over by a competitor. The bank is saved by the Government following dramatic round-the-clock consultations by leaders from the governing political parties (and vested interests).

The funds required for this purpose are obtained by a tax levied on the non-drinkers.
Hmmmm sound familiar? Maybe substituting a bar instead of a bank??? Nah, must be my imagination.

And the vocabulary word for the day?

LIQUIDITY: When you look at your investments and wet your pants...

Finally explanations I understand...

Evening Words, Wisdom and Beauty

But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Kahlil Gibran

Did You Know? This is Amazing...

I hope you can watch this video.

Sony played this video at their executive conference
this year...

Definitely worth the time it takes to watch!!

A Tale Of Two Parties

Chuck Todd, NBC's Political Director, had some intersting things to say about the latest polls this morning.

To paraphrase Dickens, the last six weeks have been the best of times for Obama and the Democrats, and the worst of times for the Republicans. Just consider the latest findings from the NBC/WSJ poll: Obama's favorability rating is at 68% (an all-time high in our survey), 67% say they feel more hopeful about his leadership, 60% approve of his job in the White House, and 49% have a positive view of the Democratic Party (which is also near a high). On the other hand, just 26% view the GOP positively (an all-time low in the poll), respondents blame Bush and congressional Republicans for most the partisanship in DC, 56% think the GOP's opposition to Obama is based on politics, and Republicans lose by nearly 30 percentage points on the question about which party would do a better job of leading the country out of recession. While we have covered all the new administration's ups and downs, it is absolutely clear which party has suffered the most in public opinion these first six weeks: the GOP. NBC/WSJ co-pollster Peter Hart (D) says Republicans "have been tone deaf to the results of the 2008 election. They never heard the message. They continue to preach the old-time religion." Adds co-pollster Bill McInturff (R), "These are difficult and problematic numbers."

Ironically, Obama's high marks come at a time when Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the state of the economy. Only 7% say they're satisfied about the economy, which is an all-time low in the poll. Moreover, 76% believe the economy still has a ways to go before it hits rock bottom. What's going on here? The public doesn't blame Obama for the economy -- even as critics try to attribute the Dow's decline to Obama, and also even as Obama yesterday gave stock advice (!!!). Per the poll, 84% say Obama inherited this economy, and two-thirds of those people think he has at least a year before he's responsible for it. "That's a long leash," McInturff says. "It normally doesn't last that long. But believe me, that's a good place to start." But McInturff warns that while these numbers suggest a patient public, "Americans are notoriously impatient people." So how long does the honeymoon last if the economy doesn't get better?

Creative Anger Management - Tonight's Humor

As I was preparing my earlier post today regarding Rush Limbaugh, I suddenly realized I was gritting my teeth and muttering obscenities under my breath -- so I didn't scare the dogs, they're very sensitive and don't like it when I'm obviously upset -- they always take it personally. And about the same time I received an email from a neighbor and I wondered if he'd been peeking through the window! Whatever, this was what he sent, you might try it when you have one of "those" days!

When you occasionally have a really bad day, and you just need to take it out on someone, don't take it out on someone you know, take it out on someone you don't know.

I was sitting at my desk when I remembered a phone call I'd forgotten to make.
I found the number and dialed it. A man answered, saying 'Hello.'
I politely said, 'This is Chris. Could I please speak with Robyn Carter?'

Suddenly a manic voice yelled out in my ear 'Get the right f*** ing number!' and the phone was slammed down on me.

I couldn't believe that anyone could be so rude. When I tracked down Robyn's correct number to call her, I found that I had accidentally transposed the last two digits.

After hanging up with her, I decided to call the 'wrong' number again. When the same guy answered the phone, I yelled 'You're an asshole!' and hung up. I wrote his number down with the word 'asshole' next to it, and put it in my desk drawer. Every couple of weeks, when I was paying bills or had a really bad day, I'd call him up and yell, 'You're an asshole !' It always cheered me up.

When Caller ID was introduced, I thought my therapeutic asshole calling would have to stop.

So, I called his number and said, 'Hi, this is John Smith from the telephone company. I'm calling to see if you're familiar with our Caller ID Program?'

He yelled 'NO!' and slammed down the phone. I quickly called him back and said, 'That's because you're an asshole!' and hung up.

One day I was at the store, getting ready to pull into a parking spot. Some guy in a black BMW cut me off and pulled into the spot I had patiently waited for. I hit the horn and yelled that I'd been waiting for that spot, but the idiot ignored me.

I noticed a 'For Sale' sign in his back window, so I wrote down his number. A couple of days later, right after calling the first asshole (I had his number on speed dial), I thought that I'd better call the BMW asshole, too.

I said, 'Is this the man with the black BMW for sale?'

He said, 'Yes, it is.'

I asked, 'Can you tell me where I can see it?'

He said, 'Yes, I live at 34 Oaktree Blvd, in Fairfax. It's a yellow rambler, and the car's parked right out in front.'

I asked, 'What's your name?'

He said, 'My name is Don Hansen.'

I asked, 'When's a good time to catch you, Don?'

He said, 'I'm home every evening after five.'

I said, 'Listen, Don, can I tell you something?'

He said, 'Yes?'

I said, 'Don, you're an asshole!'

I then hung up, and added his number to my speed dial, too. Now, when I had a problem, I had two assholes to call.

Then I came up with an idea...

I called Asshole #1.

He said, 'Hello.'

I said, 'You're an asshole!'

(But I didn't hang up.)

He asked, 'Are you still there?'

I said, 'Yeah.'

He screamed, 'Stop calling me!'

I said, 'Make me.'

He asked, 'Who are you?'

I said, 'My name is Don Hansen.'

He said, 'Yeah? Where do you live?'

I said, 'Asshole, I live at 34 Oaktree Blvd , in Fairfax, a yellow rambler, I have a black Beamer parked in front.'

He said, 'I'm coming over right now, Don and you had better start saying your prayers.'

I said, 'Yeah, like I'm really scared, asshole,' and hung up.

Then I called Asshole No. 2.

He said, 'Hello?'

I said, 'Hello, asshole.'

He yelled, 'If I ever find out who you are...'

I said, 'You'll what?'

He exclaimed, 'I'll kick your ass,'

I answered, 'Well, asshole, here's your chance.

I'm coming over right now.'

Then I hung up and immediately called the police, saying that I lived at 34 Oaktree Blvd, in Fairfax, and that my gay lover was on his way over to kill me.

Then I called Channel 9 News about the gang war going down on Oaktree Blvd. in Fairfax.

I quickly got into my car and headed over to Fairfax I got there just in time to watch two assholes beating the crap out of each other in front of six cop cars, an overhead news helicopter and surrounded by a news crew.

NOW I feel much better...
Anger management works!

ABC Wednesday

G is for a Golden Good Morning! Gales of Giggles and Gorgeous Gifts, of Gratitude and Generosity!

A Golden Eagle

A Mountain Goat


Join us for ABC Wednesday! It's a Fun Day! Click here to sign up!

How High?

Rush Limbaugh might not be what Rahm Emanuel asserted on Sunday when he said that Limbaugh has become the "voice and intellectual force" behind the Republican Party, but frankly it does seem to be becoming increasingly true. When Limbaugh says jump, Republican officials quickly respond, "How high?"

Georgia Republican, Representative Phil Gingrey, criticized Limbaugh back in January, but then immediately called in to apoligize after receiving a slew of complaints from Rush listeners. And now, after RNC chair, Michael Steele, told CNN over the weekend that Limbaugh is an entertainer who can be "ugly and incendiary", Limbaugh gladly returned the fire. And sure enough the chairman called Limbaugh to smooth things over.

Steele's apology yesterday was the second time he has said something during his month-old chairmanship that he has had to backtrack from. Earlier, in a FOX interview, Steele suggested that the three Senate Republicans who voted for the stimulus -- Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Arlen Specter -- would face primary challenges, and left open the possibility that those three might not receive funds from the RNC. But the committee reversed course, telling NBC News Political Director, Chuck Todd, "That the RNC has no intention of getting involved in primaries. We work with state parties to elect Republicans and will continue to do that." To put it kindly, it seems as if Steele has gotten off to a rocky start as RNC chair (as Rush himself said) -- primarily due to a lack of message discipline. And some Republicans might agree with this statement from Limbaugh yesterday: "It's time, Mr. Steele, for you to go behind the scenes and start doing the work that you were elected to do instead of trying to be some talking head media star, which you're having a tough time pulling off."

I find it truely disturbing that a man like Limbaugh has the power that he does. What are people thinking? Or is that the problem -- they're not.

Late Night Humor

In the wake of the recent Hudson River, New York, incident, the FAA is implementing new anti-bird measures for all airliners.

Just thought you would want to know.!!!

That's My World -- Butchart Gardens

Join us and share Your World, delightfully sponsored by Klaus, Sandy, Ivar, Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise. Click here to sign up and enjoy the fun!

Last night I read in my friend, Kay’s blog http://travelerswife.blogspot.com/, that she and her husband were planning a trip to the Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, near Victoria on Vancouver Island and I was reminded of the marvelous trip that my family and I made many years ago. Since it is quite close to “My World” here in Washington, I thought I would share some of the beauty and the history of the Butchart Gardens with you today. I no longer have the photos that we took on that trip, but found some really beautiful ones to share with you today.

The Butchart Gardens is a group of floral display gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada, near Victoria on Vancouver Island which claims to receive more than a million visitors each year.

Robert Pim Butchart (1856–1943) began manufacturing Portland cement in 1888 near his birthplace of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. He and his wife Jennie Butchart (1866–1950) came to the west coast of Canada because of rich limestone deposits necessary for cement production.

In 1904, they established their home near his quarry on Tod Inlet at the base of the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island.

In 1906, Jennie created a Japanese garden there with the help of designer Isaburo Kishida. In 1909, when the quarry was exhausted, Jennie set about turning it into a sunken garden, which was completed in 1921. They named their home "Benvenuto" ("welcome" in Italian), and began to receive visitors to their gardens. In 1926, they replaced their tennis courts with an Italian garden and in 1929 they replaced their kitchen vegetable garden with a large rose garden to the design of Butler Sturtevant of Seattle.

In 1939, the Butcharts gave the Gardens to their grandson Ian Ross (1918–1997) on his 21st birthday. Ross was involved in the operation and promotion of the gardens until his death 58 years later.

In 1953, miles of underground wiring was laid to provide night illumination, to mark the 50th anniversary of The Gardens. In 1964, the ever-changing Ross Fountain was installed in the lower reservoir to celebrate the 60th anniversary. In 1994, the Canadian Heraldic Authority granted a coat of arms to the Butchart Gardens. In 2004, two 30-foot totem poles were installed to mark the 100th anniversary, and The Gardens was designated as a national historic site.

Ownership of the Gardens remains within the Butchart family; the owner and managing director since 2001 is the Butchart's great-granddaughter Robin-Lee Clarke.

Evening Words, Wisdom and Beauty

Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other than itself.

Kahlil Gibran

A Dark and Stormy Night

They were together in the House.
Just the two of them.
It was a cold, dark, stormy night. The storm had come quickly;
each time the thunder boomed, he watched her jump.

She looked across the room and admired his strong appearance...and
wished that he would take her in his arms, comfort her and protect her
from the storm.

Suddenly, with a pop, the power went out... She screamed...
He raced to the sofa where she was cowering.
He didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms.
He knew this was a forbidden union and
expected her to pull back.

He was surprised when she didn't resist but instead clung to him.
The storm raged on...
They knew it was wrong...
Their families would never under stand... So consumed were
they in their FEAR that they heard no opening

of doors...just the faint click of a camera......

The Bathtub Test

During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the director how they determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.

"Well," said the director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."

"Oh, I understand," the visitor said. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."

"No." said the director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"

That's about where I stand this morning, anyone need a bed next to mine?