Sunday, December 28, 2008

A farewell to Oliver

Oliver, my Cairn Terrier, was a loyal and devoted friend for over 17 years. Monday afternoon, December 26, 2008, he was granted his angel wings and he floated gracefully upward to heaven. I will miss him immensely. I adopted Oliver in July of 1991 while living in Tehachapi, CA. Little Oliver traveled far and wide with me on my RV travels. He accompanied me to Mexico in 1993. To Alaska and Canada in 2002. To Maine and Florida in 2004. And to approximately 40 other states in the past 17 years. He went surfing in the Pacific Ocean, and swimming in my hot tub in California. He rode in my bicycle basket and on the tank of my ATV. He loved to eat and would eat almost anything. He caught a mole in our Tehachapi yard. He terrorized a skunk in Montana. He herded cows in Utah. He attacked and held his ground with numerous large dogs. He suffered a bit from small dog complex, but he overcame that in his later years. His soft, gentle snoring soothed me to sleep at night. He loved riding in the car and protected his scaredy cat brother Murphy, the Westie, from the scary road noises and scary bumps. When I brought six week old Murphy home Oliver was 5 years old. They squared off for about 10 minutes, then Oliver conceded and allowed Murphy to THINK that HE was Alpha dogs. But Oliver and I always knew better. Oliver was small, but very mighty!!!
I miss you Ollie!!











A Pet's Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest and I will leave you knowing the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

Written by Beth Norman Harris

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!





http://johngushue.typepad.com/blog/2008/12/bruce-springsteen-merry-christmas-baby.html

Copy and paste the above link for a great song by Bruce Springsteen.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

AMMENITIES OF SUN CITY, AZ

I want to share some of the reasons I enjoy spending my winters in Sun City, AZ.

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Recreation Abounds in Sun City

http://www.suncityaz.org/recreation.htm

Recreation Centers of Sun City, Inc. (RCSC) constitutes the largest concentration of recreational facilities in the United States. RCSC is a non-profit corporation governed by a nine member Board of Directors, each elected to a three year term, and serve without compensation. Monthly Board and quarterly Membership Meetings are open to all members.
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Sun City has 11 golf courses
(Eight available to Sun City residents and their guests plus
three private country clubs)


With over 130 chartered clubs, you're sure to find one that interests you. Here's just a few:

Sun Cities Power Riders Motorcycle club
Sun Cities AZ Senior Softball
Best Friends Dog Club
Computer Club of Sun City


As a resident of Sun City you will have access to Seven Recreation Centers

Bell Center
Hutton Dr & 99th Ave
623-876-3040

Fairway Center
107th Ave & Peoria
623-876-3044

Lakeview Center
Thunderbird Blvd & Del Webb Blvd
623-876-3000

Marinette Center
99th Ave & Union Hills Dr
623-876-3054

Mt. View Center
Mountain View Rd & 107th Ave
623-876-3042

Oakmont Center
Oakmont Dr & 107th Ave
623-876-3046

Sundial Center
Boswell Blvd 103rd Ave
623-876-3048

A monthly activity calendar, the Sun View, is available at the Visitors Center and all seven centers that lists times and places of activities held in RCSC facilities.

Follow the above link to the Recreation Centers of Sun City web site where you will find all of the detailed information regarding the Golf Courses, and the many other Recreational and Social Activities.


Here's a few pictures taken at a few of the Sun City Rec Centers -

OUTDOOR POOL


OUTDOOR POOL AND SPA. THIS POOL HAS SWIMMING LANES AND WALKING LANES.


MINIATURE GOLF


LAWN BOWLING


OUTDOOR POOL WITH COVERED WALKING TRACK ABOVE THE POOL.


LAWN BOWLING


INDOOR POOL WITH INDOOR WALKING TRACK ABOVE THE POOL


ONE OF MANY STATE-OF-THE ART EXERCISE ROOMS


BOWLING ALLEY



And here's a link to my condo which is still available for sale -

http://www.kenmeaderealty.com/showDetail.php?m=1&mls=4066697&kid=1638227&req=&email=

Friday, December 12, 2008

New Camera and New Chair

I finally bit the bullet and bought a new camera - an adorable "Kodak 8.1 Mega Pixels." Then I found a great deal on a Euro Recliner on Craig's list. The following pictures of the chair are the first I took with my new camera. If the pictures aren't great, it's operator error, not the camera!!

Shortly after I got home with my great new chair, I had a call from a fellow who wanted to buy my motorcycle seat I had listed on Craig's list. He was supposed to be at my house at 4:00pm this afternoon to purchase the seat. It's now 4:51 and I haven't see him or heard from him HOW RUDE!!!


Update - The fellow finally called and showed up and DID purchase my not-needed Harley seat. :-)




Not bad for $50 bucks. And it's in perfect condition!!

Monday, December 08, 2008

A Modern Parable

I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO CREDIT FOR WRITING THIS, BUT I'M ONLY POSTING IT. IT PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP OUR WHOLE MESSED UP COUNTRY.

A Modern Parable.

A Japanese company (Toyota) and an American company (Ford Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race.

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing.

Feeling a deeper study was in order, American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses. The pension program was trimmed to 'equal the competition' and some of the resultant savings were channeled into morale-boosting programs and teamwork posters.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses.

The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India.

Sadly, the End.

Here's something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US, claiming they can't make money paying American wages.

TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US. The last quarter's results:

TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses.

Ford folks are still scratching their heads, and collecting bonuses...

IF THIS WEREN'T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNY

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Let's Say Thanks...

...to our military personnel!!

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html

This Web site gives you an opportunity to send a free printed postcard to U.S. personnel stationed overseas showing your support and appreciation for their service to our country. Copy and Paste the link for three easy steps.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

No Christmas at Costco

Even if you don't shop at Costco, or don't intend to stop shopping at Costco, you can still send them the message!! I did.

Costco says 'No' to Christmas...literally

December 2, 2008

Dear Sally,

Costco has 520 stores nationwide. But you will not find "Christmas" in a single store.

That's because Costco says it will not use the term "Christmas" on its website or in its stores. Instead, Costco is telling customers it purposely chooses to use the generic "holiday" verbiage. You know, they stock holiday gifts, not Christmas gifts.

Last week, a customer wrote to Costco and asked this direct question – "Does Costco use the word 'Christmas' in your store advertising or on any signs anywhere in your stores during the Christmas season? That's a pretty simple question, yes or no."

Kory Rosacrans, staff manager for Costco replied, "I guess the answer would be No."

Rosacrans said, "Costco does not advertise on television, on radio or in print like other retailers. We only advertise by mailings and e-mail messages sent directly to our members who have paid for the privilege of shopping with us."

Costco wants you to do your "Christmas" shopping with them, while refusing to recognize that Christmas even exists.

Take Action!
Send your e-mail to Costco. Let Costco know that you will exercise "your privilege" of shopping only at stores that recognize Christmas. Remind Costco that their competitors are vying for your business too, and you will shop accordingly.



Thank you for caring enough to get involved. If you feel our efforts are worthy of support, would you consider making a small tax-deductible contribution to help us continue?


Sincerely,

Donald E. Wildmon,Founder and ChairmanAmerican Family Association

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!