Mind Gass

KEEPING ME AWAKE TONITE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 14:19:00 +0000

To Mr. Justin Trudeau,

Prime Minister

Canada

Mr. Trudeau, the events of the past few days and the hasty decisions of your government are keeping me awake tonight. You started your tenure as leader of this great country by honouring our armed forces on Remembrance Day and respecting the sacrifice of our citizens in the fight to keep the world safe. You are currently taking your place on the world stage in the G 20 conference in Turkey to represent Canada, a nation of respect and honour. You witnessed the senseless slaughter of innocent people in Paris as terrorism has yet again reared its ugly and cowardly head. And, I cannot believe this, you have ordered our troops out of the fight against ISIS. The connections among Remembrance Day, Paris and troop withdrawal are too powerful to ignore. This is a country of the brave and courageous who stand on guard for thee – thee meaning all people who need our help. You have committed to bringing 25,000 refugees from Syria to a better life in our land – we have welcomed refugees to Canada since our inception. Yet, we would abandon the fight to protect their homeland??? In our brief history as a free country, we have never run away from the battlefield but rather, as witnessed on Parliament Hill on November 11, we have run into the fight. Why are we now abandoning the greatest fight of this generation – the fight against terrorism? We do a great disservice to the brave young men and women who have sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom by leaving the fight to protect what is good, free and right in this world. Now is not the time to run away but rather the time to recommit more resources in the fight against terrorism, wherever it cowers. Perhaps your election promise to withdraw our troops was “politically correct” but it is time for leaders to be leaders and make the right decision not necessarily the popular one – this is what you were elected to do. Please admit the error of premature withdrawal and show the world and your country that we are the Canada of our forbearers and that we stand for the rights of the innocent against the tyranny of those who would kill and slaughter for their personal aggrandizement. Support our troops with better resources and commit them to doing the job they freely offered to do – make the world a better place and in so doing, make our country the proud land that it needs to be. This is when the going gets tough, when we do not abandon our allies, when we stand up for our values, when we protect the innocent, when we stay on the battlefield until the job is done.

Robert J Bannon

Proud Canadian

CHEAP WINE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 01:17:00 +0000

Just because you don't like the wine doesn't mean you can't drink it.

AUNT MABEL

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 00:41:00 +0000

I suspect that we all have people in our lives that we wish we could spend more time with - my Aunt Mabel tops that list in my life. This is a woman of great intelligence, honour, compassion, spirituality, patience, humility, integrity, and quiet beauty. Her insight has influenced generations through example and prayer. She has chosen to express her gifts in a life of service to God and humanity by making our world a better place when she entered the convent.
At this time she is facing a health challenge that she meets with the same grace and calm that she has exhibited throughout her long and value driven life. Please take a moment to think about the Aunt Mabel's in your own life, and if you would, the Aunt Mabel in my life, who has spent her life praying for us. It's our turn to pray for her. Let's pray in the same spirit of hope and faith that she has brought to us.
Even though I cannot be with you physically, please know that I am always with you in spirit Aunt Mabel.

WINTER OF OUR YEARS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 03:29:00 +0000

A very good "old" friend sent this to me. I found if very profound.

AND THEN IT IS WINTER

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...its over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.

LIVE IT WELL!
ENJOY TODAY!
DO SOMETHING FUN!
BE HAPPY !
HAVE A GREAT DAY

Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

LIVE HAPPY IN 2014!

LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!

~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!

~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!

~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything.... especially golf.

~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..

~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... ???

~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

~Everybody whispers.

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.

~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!!

It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.

Thanks "old" friend

A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 16:47:00 +0000

Storm Thoughts.

The key to growth and success, no matter what the endeavour, is the ability to delve into the challenges and find the lesson or message and employ it to better our lives. Simple, huh?
Most humans try to avoid discomfort, especially the kind that leads to trouble in their relationships, work, health, and general well-being. We seek calm and tranquility and rarely see the value in upheaval, discord, loss, calamity, stress, ill health, lack of money, loss of job, and failed relationships. However, it is in these negative circumstances that the greatest opportunities for growth and success lurk...if only we would stop, look, and listen.
We become so busy trying to win the battle that we lose sight of the big picture and lose the war. Storm Thoughts are the key. They are the hidden meaning in the discord that assaults our lives from time to time. The lessons of life come not from the calm successful times but rather from those trying times that require us to rise above our circumstances and find the brass ring just out of our grasp - if we chose to do so. And, it is always our choice.
We might try to frame the turbulence in our life by embracing it as an opportunity to find the change that leads to success. The key is knowing that the answer is there, covered in fear. My friend, Howard Parsons, constantly reminds us to take a few minutes each day to meditate. What he means by this is that it is important to use the opportunities presented to us to find our path to peace and joy, however, we define these. It is in the chaos of life that shows up as trouble of some sort, that we find the possibilities available for positive change.
Regardless of whether we are striving for a more fulfilling relationship, a work promotion, fiscal success, better health, the next sentence in our book, or a new sale, the path is found during the stormy nights by stopping for a few moments to look for the light. Stormy nights exist in all levels of life not just our personal ones. For instance, we are constantly surrounded by media storms that embrace the chaos of political and financial life on a local, national and worldwide basis. We get caught up in the blame game as politics moves from one disaster to another. Storms are the message bearers if we use them to take time to stop and let go of the pettiness and concentrate on the possibilities. Out of great conflict (personal or otherwise) comes great possibility. Embrace yours.

GORDON STRANDLUND 1949 - 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Sep 2013 11:51:00 +0000

My friend Gord Strandlund passed away last Sunday, September 22, 2013. You will remember Gord's name from my book about hiking the West Coast Trail since he was my partner on that life-altering adventure. I had the privilege of offering one of the tributes at his Celebration of Life Service yesterday afternoon.
I've written a few similar blogs before but this one is different. I've been delaying its writing until after yesterday's service and frankly, I don't really know how long it will take to create and then publish. If I offer a speaking or writing piece for public consumption, it is always my hope that you will walk away with something of value - a tip, an idea, perhaps some inspiration or hope. I hope you will indulge my need to talk about a true friend.
Gord grew up in Calgary and had a love of country music, archeology, sports, and the outdoors. He loved to fly fish and play golf. He was one of the original "Young Canadians," from Calgary Stampede grandstand show fame. He was an excellent singer and guitar player who also loved to dance. In many ways he was my polar opposite but in the most important ways - my best friend.
Our wives became friends over 20 years ago and insisted that the "boys" join them for dinner one night.

You never know when you are going to meet your next best friend

One thing led to another and Gord and I were soon enjoying the golf course, armchair management of the Calgary Flames, stories about our misspent youth, and love of family. We fell into an easy routine of meeting most afternoons for coffee and soon realized that we shared a tolerance for sales positions, childhood dreams unfulfilled, and a spirituality that was defined better through the natural world than that of conventional religions.
One day the idea of hiking the West Coast Trail was tossed on the coffee shop table and before long we were planning what became a life altering and life affirming experience. An experience that we would continue to share and talk about right up until the 10th anniversary of its completion and the last time I would ever see Gord.

Always leave people with a smile on their face and yours

Gord loved his wife, 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren above all else and what better testament is there to a man's life than that? He was one of the few people on this earth that I could share inner feelings with and trust that they would not be held in judgement and that the vulnerability would never be used against me. I did my best to return that favor and uphold his trust.

When a person shows you who they really are, believe them

The last few years of Gord's life were consumed by Alzheimer's Disease but through it all he was always a positive force and insisted on doing his best to make a difference to other sufferers by using his story to help raise funds for research. With the leadership of his wife Brenda, they raised over 85,000.00 for Alzheimer's research.
Gord had a complicated relationship with bears. He loved receiving replicas as gifts but always feared meeting one in the wild. He conquered that fear when he had to confront a big black bear on the last day of hiking the West Coast Trail.

We never know when something that we do will inspire someone else

On the day he died, my wife and I visited his wife and when we returned home, I checked my email to find a letter from a recent reader of THE WEST COAST TRAIL: One Step at a Time. This reader specifically mentioned the bear incident and how it inspired her to confront her own fears. Gord made a difference in the lives of his family, friends and complete strangers.
I will miss Gord's infectious smile and constant willingness to help. Most of us have many acquaintances but few true friends. Perhaps that is the way it should be because then we can accept the incredible value of real friendship. Thanks Gord.
Happy trails my friend

BIRTHDAYS AND SUCH...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 16:47:00 +0000

Reaching an exalted age implies wisdom in some cultures. Here's my thought for today:

I'M OLD ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO DREAM

WEST COAST TRAIL: 10 YEARS LATER

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 01:45:00 +0000

Hiking the West Coast Trail was a watershed moment in my history and it happened exactly 10 years ago this week. In many ways that seminal week provided the inspiration and catalyst to make many changes in my life - most for the better. As a result, I wrote my first book and more importantly, proved that if we put our mind to it, all of us can accomplish anything. The memories continue to be vivid and I caught myself the other morning, sniffing the early morning August air and being transported back to that incredible week.
That was also the morning that I visited my friend Gord Strandlund. For those of you who have read my book, The West Coast Trail: One Step at a Time, you will remember Gord as my hiking partner, friend and foil on that adventure. Life has been very challenging for him since then as he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. He is now confined to a lock down care facility and he continues to struggle with memories, speech, eating and several other physical ailments. It is a hell of a disease that I am sure many of you have had some experience with - truly devastating.
The frustration and fear exhibited by its victims, including Gord, is so sad to see. Gord and I still share that week in August, 2003 and while he has great difficulty assembling his thoughts into a full statement, we can still share the memories as he smiles and remembers various incidents. Fortunately, I am still able to fill in his thoughts as he spills out a word or phrase to describe one of the wonderful stories that we spent so many years sharing before the disease took full control.
In the end, that is what we are left with isn't it, the memories of success, the conquering of fears, the goals attained, the challenges met, the laughs shared, the tears spilled, the hurts healed and the loads lifted. There were many moments on the West Coast Trail that one or the other of us was not sure we could make it but when we looked up the trail and saw our partner plodding ahead, one foot in front of the other, we gained strength and resilience and kept on going.
I had a very nice text message from Gord's daughter Christy on Tuesday, celebrating the tenth anniversary and her realization that it still remains one of the highlights of her father's life. It is very high on my list of life's highlights too and a big reason for that is the friendship that was cemented with Gord that week.
Hang in there buddy - may all of your trails be happy.

THE REAL TOP TEN

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:31:00 +0000

The top 10 things people claim to have taken for granted when they were alive:

10. How important they were to so many.
9. How easy life was when they stopped struggling.
8. That all of their prayers and thoughts were heard.
7. That there really were no coincidences.
6. How far ripples of their kindness actually spread.
5. What really was important: happiness, friends, love.
4. That any and all of their dreams could have come true.
3. How good looking and fun they always were.
2. How much guidance they received, whenever they asked for help.
1. That God was alive in everything, including themselves.

As expressed by the recently departed, fresh after their life-review on the big, BIG screen.

Ah-so,
The Universe

reprinted from Mike Dooley - A Note From the Universe

WEIRD THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:34:00 +0000

So, I was out raking the lawn today and when I am fighting the pain in my back which is rebelling against the pain in my wallet if I hired someone, weird things cross my mind. That's not the only time weird things cross my mind but it is the most recent.
I was thinking that if I won the lottery, I would not tell anyone for a week and in the meantime, send an email to family and friends inviting them to send me a cheque for any amount of money, and that I would return a cheque for double the amount within 30 days. No explanations - just trust me!
What do you think of that idea? Would you send a cheque based on faith and trust alone? Would you require some sort of guarantee, proof or explanation? If you decided to take the chance, how much would you send?
Like I said, weird things go through my mind - how about you? What would you do if you won a lottery? Anything as weird as that?

DISNEY PASSES THE TEST OF TIME

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 03:01:00 +0000

Disneyworld in Orlando represents a special place and time in the lives of millions of visitors but even the Disney people can sometimes go above and beyond and make those same life experiences even more special. In a world of cynicism, poor service, unrealized promises, and negative press, Disneyworld is able to rise above the mediocre and show us how it should be done.

My sister's recent visit offers a perfect example of how customer service can cement a lifetime relationship. This summer, she and her husband took their three sons, three daughters-in-law and 5 1/2 grandchildren for a return visit to the Magic Kingdom. It was to be a grand trip to revisit a place where Jane and David and the boys had been 22 years before, on a previous family vacation - prior to wives and grandchildren.

In 1991, they bought multi-day family passes but had left one of the days unused. Jane had held onto the pass in the event that they should return at a future date. That future date turned out to be 22 years later! First of all, I don't know about you, but I never would have saved it and never would have found it if I did save it. Jane is obviously much better organized...to say the least. She took the unused passes to Florida and felt a bit funny at the entrance gates when she timidly inquired about the possibility of using these decades old passes - "would they even be valid for use 22 years later?"

Her question was met with a kindly smile from the "senior" cast member (or is that Mouseketeer) at the ticket booth and an incredible reply, "Why, of course dear. You are more than welcome to use your passes."

WOW!

And then the next question, "The boys were just children when we originally bought the passes, should we upgrade them to adult passes or can we transfer them to their own children?"

"Dear, Mr. Disney would never penalize children for growing up! The boys are welcome to use their original children's passes even though they are now adults."

WOW and WOW!

In a world where we love to blame government, big business, politicians, overworked servers, and unfulfilled expectations, here's an example of a huge corporation who has never lost sight of who they are and who their customers are. It's always the little things that make the biggest difference. It's the friendly smile, the caring attitude, the "going the extra mile" culture that cements a relationship between customers and companies forever.

It's nice to know that even though "Mr. Disney" is no longer on TV every Sunday night, he is still making kids smile...no matter how old they are.

Kenya and Habitat for Humanity

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 01:22:00 +0000

Jambo! As some of you might know, our daughter Tori is spending a few weeks in Kenya working with a team from Habitat for Humanity building a house for a family. She reports that they have arrived in Nairobi after stops in London, Athens and Istanbul and then a further 3,000 miles to the capital of Kenya where they met the rest of their team and spent Sunday resting and sight-seeing before heading off into the wilds on Monday.
To those of you that were kind enough to donate to the building fund on her behalf, I would like to pass on my gratitude and I'm sure that Tori will send you a report on her return. Internet access is hit and miss and seems to be centered in the major cities like Nairobi. She leaves after the "build" on the 17th and will spend a few days on Santorini before returning home and back to work. What an experience it will be.
There sure are great opportunities out there to make a difference in the world and I'm glad to see that Tori is taking advantage of one of them.

UNCLE JIM

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 19:48:00 +0000

My Uncle Jim passed earlier today and the world is poorer for it. He was surrounded by family, prayers, and love. I wish I had been able to talk with him one last time and share a laugh and a tear. He was my favourite uncle, probably because I had spent some formative years in his company, and I am a better person for it. My thoughts go out to his wife, Ruth, his children, and his sister Mabel - your sadness is shared by many.

A few years ago, Uncle Jim was in the hospital and I penned a few thoughts at the time - they follow below.

March 1, 2008

UNCLE JIM

Many of life's lessons are accompanied by either pain or laughter and frequently they arrive together. I learned recently that my Uncle Jim is in the hospital and he, unwittingly, was one of my greatest teachers. We were a lot alike I think, in that I recall much tut tutting from some of his sisters when he was young and single - it doesn't seem that long ago and like his nephew later, there may have been a dram or two involved to cause the tut tutting. He got past that stage and married a wonderful woman whom I remember laughing uproariously, when this little snot of a city boy drank an entire bottle of heavy cream found on her front porch, thinking it was milk. That same summer, my uncle had taken yours truly into their home to help with farm chores and a glorious summer it was (in retrospect). There was the day he sent me into an outdoor pen to grab a young calf and bring it into the barn. I walked in, grabbed it around the neck and pulled it through the gate, at which point the calf spotted freedom and made a bolt for the open highways with me holding on for dear life. My uncle stood in the gravelled yard and laughed his head off as I got dragged from one side to the other, like a rag doll. Every time he told that story over the years, he would add the line that I never let go of the calf and it makes me proud to this day.

My days of being a wrangler came to a close when Uncle Jim decided that I should paint the farm house, a brick, 8 storey edifice that had faded wood trim at the very top, shrouded in clouds, or so it seemed to a young boy barely taller than the aforementioned calf. Up the rickety wooden ladder I climbed with paint can and brush held with the white knuckles of one hand and the other clutched to the rungs, as I pushed myself further skyward on wobbling legs. At the top end of the ladder, I had to stretch as far as I could and still came up short of the actual peak, but I stole a glance at the ground when I heard my uncle standing there laughing so hard he was crying - the very top never did get painted that summer, but many years later, I had a painting business with 5 crews working and I didn't allow them to leave the worksite without painting the very top, or I'd climb up and do it myself.

Another responsibilty, that long ago summer, was keeping the barn clean and I attacked the corridors with a push broom and much enthusiasm and he always expressed his pride in my efforts. Along with sweeping straw and hay, there was the need to keep various areas directly behind the cows and some hog living quarters, clean as well. This required the use of a shovel, a strong back and a concerted disregard for my sense of smell. Shovelling shit became my specialty and if you have read this far, you will see that that lesson was also well taught.

thanks Uncle Jim

MY BACKYARD - ALBERTA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:35:00 +0000

HAPPINESS COMES BEFORE SUCCESS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Most of us have moved forward in our lives assuming that if we work hard and create successful lives, we will attain some level of happiness. Here's a very unique and intriguing twist on that supposition from Shawn Achor, who has spent his time proving scientifically that happiness is what leads to success. He's a terrific speaker with a great message and it's worth your while to give it a listen.
Also, I am going to accept the 21 day challenge at the end of the video - how about you?

MY SECRET MOTHER

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Just a note to my friends - if you wanted to read MY SECRET MOTHER: an adoptee speaks to the girls who went away, it's on sale at 75% off until March 10.

Here's the link

MY FRIEND GORD

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:01:00 +0000

If you are regular visitor to this corner, you may know who my friend Gord is. If not, let me give you a quick version. I have known Gord for over 20 years and a few years ago we decided to backpack the West Coast Trail in order to ward off an impending mid-life crisis (neither of us could afford the Corvette or the hot young thing??). The West Coast Trail turned into a life altering experience for me and a life-affirming experience for Gord.
You can always read about that stuff in my book - there's a link on this page.
Anyway, I hope you will give a thought, and a prayer if you are so disposed, for my friend. He was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's a few years ago. Today, he and his wife made a visit to the doctor and from there, Gord was driven to a long term care facility, where he will now spend his days and nights.
He is still lucid most of the time but requires constant supervision and care.

Hang in there buddy.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:58:00 +0000

Here is a real live customer service story that happened to me today. It starts a few months ago when I was talking to a friend about his new eye glasses. They were pretty cool, and he's a cool kind of dude. I asked where he got them and he told me about an online company that was incredible in terms of service and price. I remembered my experience dealing with a big international company with stores in all of the shopping malls that promises service in about an hour. I had paid about $800.00 for a pair of progressive lens glasses and it took about a week to get them. I wasn't pleased with the constant up-selling for various coatings and whatever else they charged for, but I was leaving for Hawaii and needed them and didn't know any better.
My friend told me that he had paid 1/10th of that price!!!!
I was immediately suspicious of the huge price difference but filed the information for a future date. That future date arrived last July when my $800.00 glasses broke at one of the weld points and no one, including the company I bought them from, could fix them.
I went to my optometrist and had a check up and got my new prescription and went on line to Zenni and viewed the hundreds of pairs of glasses available, uploaded a photo of myself so that I could see them on my face and compare them with each other, found a pair that I liked and placed the order. They usually promise next day shipping but in the case of progressive lenses, it may take 2 to 3 weeks. A little longer than my former provider but the price, delivered, with the anti-scratch, anti-glare and a pair of clip on Polaroid sunglasses was a total of 75.00 - yep, you read that correctly - 75.00. What did I have to lose? If they lasted as long as the 800.00 pair, I was 700.00 ahead, so I ordered them and made do with an old pair of glasses until they arrived one week later (2 weeks earlier than promised) by air courier - all included in that price. I have been wearing them ever since and after a few days of making minor adjustments to the fit (yes, the 800.00 ones were fitted at the store) they have been great.
And then yesterday, one of the soft nosepads broke off and I couldn't figure out how to order a new set so I called the 800 service number on the website and talked to an agent. He asked my original order number, apologized for the problem and said that a lifetime supply of pads along with the small screw driver to install them would be in the mail immediately. No hassle, no charge, no problem, no pitch or up-selling...no kidding.
So, customer service, price and a friendly live voice - where would you go for your next pair of glasses? And no, I am not being paid or reimbursed in any way for this testimonial but it sure is the way to do business in today's overly competitive world. Here's their link again www.zenni.com

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:04:00 +0000

Ok, guys - what if you started off February 14th by saying this to your significant other:

"THE ANSWER IS, YES - WHAT'S THE QUESTION?"

I'm not necessarily saying that I would start off the day that way - but what might happen if YOU did?

BOOK SALES GROWING

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:16:00 +0000

As you know, I hang out over at Book Mentor more than here but since this is more of a personal blog than a business one, it's one of the few ways I get to thank people. Sales of my three books have hit an all time high in January. No, I didn't make the New York Times list, nor is Oprah calling, but I have been pleasantly surprised at the 250% increase in sales over the previous three months - THANK YOU.
I suppose that one of the reasons is the increasing sales of e-readers and tablets, but that is also rubbing off in more sales of my first book, THE WEST COAST TRAIL: One Step at a Time.
Sales of MY SECRET MOTHER: an adoptee speaks to the girls who went away, continue to blow me away. Without any concerted marketing effort, people seem to be finding it and buying it. A friend told me a year ago that this book would be the one that might launch me as a bonafide writer, just because I was so reluctant to release it. I don't know if that is true but I do hope that people have found some comfort from it.
THE ONE HOUR AUTHOR: non-fiction book writing for busy people, is starting to get some traction and if I can get a few more comments from readers, I think it will begin to climb in sales, too. The neat thing is that Kindle sales represent about 60% of sales, but sales through Barnes and Noble and Apple are beginning to move up quickly.
It's a neat world, huh? I'm glad I'm around to witness the birth of an incredible upshot in communications - you too, I'll bet. More books, more authors, easier, faster and cheaper to find something to read. It's way better than reading the back of the Corn Flakes cereal box at the breakfast table when I was a kid.
THANK YOU AGAIN

HOW'S YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:09:00 +0000

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone.
You have to be in Cahoots with someone.
I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.
I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there.
I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.
I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.
I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.
Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.
One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart!
At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!
I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what country I was in. It's an age thing.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART!

Today is one of the many National Mental Health Days throughout the year.

You can do your bit by remembering to send an e-mail to at least one unstable person. My job is done!
Life is too short for negative drama & petty things.
So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly!
From one unstable person to another...
I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty good in mine!

GO AHEAD AND FORWARD IT - YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO

WE ALL NEED INSPIRATION

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:37:00 +0000

I have very few followers on this blog - it's been more of a personal journal for several years now and I spend most of my time over at Book Mentor. However, I thought you might be interested in this.
I go through spurts of a morning ritual that includes reading something inspirational and I am sure that I will recommit to this practice now that the New Year is upon us. Actually, I just started the reading part about 10 minutes ago.
A friend just released his new book, that I have gladly purchased, and I am making it part of my daily practice and you might want to consider it, too. Larry Anderson's personal story is one that shows what a dream can really accomplish and that dream includes making a difference in the world - his book does that. It offers the true stories of people who have made a magnificent contribution and offers the possibility that each of us might do the same. Larry has committed his own life to doing exactly that. Take a look here or on Kindle here and consider making his inspiring stories part of the magic that you can create in 2012.

Larry has donated the profits from his book to charity - just the sort of thing he does!!

PURPOSE vs. DEPRESSION

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:21:00 +0000

The natural antidote for depression and anxiety, and pretty much every other negative is, purpose.
No matter what our spiritual flavor, or lack of it, we all share one thing in common, the overwhelming need for a purpose. What's yours?

SANTA CLAUS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:38:00 +0000

So, as some you know, I like to tackle the big questions here. The questions about life and its meaning. Where the planet and its inhabitants are going, that sort of thing. In our marriage, this division of labor has worked very well; Leanne takes care of the mundane day-to-day things like what bills to pay, where to vacation, furniture to buy, cars, decorating, etc. I, on the other hand, take on the big ones, as mentioned earlier.
Here's today's question that is weighing me down with indecision and curiosity:
Does Santa take his sleigh all the way to the Southern hemisphere and begin distributing toys and work his way back home or does he start in the north and run his route to completion in the south and then dead head back to the North Pole empty?
You see what I mean. There are questions that beg for answers but who is going to look for them, if not me? I am open to other considered opinions, or even if the jolly old guy himself has the time to give us the answer, I'll publish it.

LIVING LIFE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:23:00 +0000

A couple of things caught my eye recently. The first is a post from Seth Godin in which he talked about the experience of visiting a medical facility and then compares that "pre-digital" excursion (one which most of have taken) to other areas of life like shopping, working and so on - it's worth the 45 seconds to read it and the hour to contemplate how we are involved - go here.
The second thing arrived in my inbox this morning and reminded me about social networking and some of the basics that deserve to be recalled from time to time. Take a look here.