2006 is Officially Here!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

A misconception*** to clear up:

The inimitable Hoss: http://www.oldhorsetailsnake.blogspot.com/
seems to think that my collections (matches, postcards, fans, etc.) are running me out of house and home. They are not, Hoss. The fans hang on a wall, the matches are contained in big glass jars, the postcards and other paper emphemera are in boxes, on shelves in my home office. Heck, I haven't shown the largest collections; the ones that DO take up room. They are Tom Clark Gnomes, wooden carvings, frogs, old medicine and spice containers and various collectibles from my mother's home.

I once saw a series of photos on the web of a home that was so packed with antiques, junque, collectibles, magazines, books, glassware, and you-name-it, that the only way to navigate through the house was sideways, holding your breath, wiggling through a narrow pathway. The home of the woman my dad married six years after mom's death was almost that bad. She could have sold half of her furniture and never missed it.

My house is neat and organized!, Hoss, and while you may sometimes be able to write your name in the dust, you will never have to side-step any litter or furniture while traipsing through. (You do traipse don't you?) If you ever come east, I invite you to visit, so you can see first-hand. I must warn you, however, that by the time you get here, I will have sold most of it on ebay and made my pile! So there!

*** Just kidding, Hoss, just kidding!

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Miscellaneous good stuff to know in the new year:

The Four Stages of Life:

1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus.
4) You look like Santa Claus.

SUCCESS:

At age 4 success is ........ not peeing in your pants.
At age 12 success is....... having friends.
At age 16 success is . . . having a drivers license.
At age 35 success is ..... having money.
At age 50 success is . . ..having money.
At age 70 success is . . . having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is .......having friends.
At age 80 success is ......not peeing in your pants.

Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way, BUT NEVER forget the blessings that come each day.

Have a wonderful year, with many *smiles*

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A Cautionary Tale.............The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.

But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.

Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl!

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?"

Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

Finally, I've learned that I still have a lot to learn!