WORLD WORD BANTER

BEDBUG INTEREST IS GROWING FAST!!

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:43:00 +0000

I am very excited at all of the interest created by Melody Rhodes 'THE BEDBUG WHO WOULDN'T BITE' story-picture-book with the lovable little toy!! KIDS who see it want one 'NOW'!!!! Then, when they get it, they hide it in their pocket or somewhere where they alone can find it so that no one can STEAL it from them! OKAY, BEDBUG isn't launched yet, but we had to do a bit of a 'trial run' to see what kids thought about BEDBUG -- and they LOVE the pictures and beg for the book and bug to be here NOW! So, Edward has asked for the story board so he can do an extensive photo shoot of the bug and either one or both of his girls for the book. Hopefully we'll have some in print SOONER than later, because BEDBUG also has MORE BOOKS coming - sequels with MORE little toys!! BEDBUG is HERE TO STAY, AND SOON AVAILABLE FOR ALL!! Such Fun!! I put BEDBUG up as my profile picture on FACEBOOK and one friend wrote, "You are funnier than watching a one-armed paperhanger at work!" I laughed out loud at that! -- And, hey, Mister Editor, what do YOU think about BEDBUG?---Cos he'll soon be available for ScribesValley.com!!
Oma

BEDBUG IS COMING!!!!!

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:07:00 +0000

BEDBUG IS COMING !! A very accomplished writer has written a lovely little story titled 'THE BEDBUG WHO WOULDN'T BITE' --- and STUDIO SEVEN PUBLISHERS are publishing it, my son Edward Aish is illustrating the book with amazing photos, and I have designed a lovely little toy. Since I have grandchildren, this is a photo of one of my granddaughters, absolutely DELIGHTED to see BEDBUG and be part of the preliminary pictures. She calls me:
Oma

CLICK ON THE TITLE LINK ABOVE "BEDBUG IS COMING" to discover MORE about BEDBUG

Lazy Drivers - Rant

noreply@blogger.com (blogger@scribevalley.com (SCRIBES VALLEY EDITOR)) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:13:00 +0000

Lazy people. They come in many shapes and sizes. They fit into many different categories. The one I want to rant about today is that special class of people: THE LAZY DRIVER—in particular the lazy TURNING driver. Please use the diagrams below for reference.

First, we have driver A. A pleasant driver, one who is courteous to others. An intelligent driver, one who has studied the laws and knows what the painted lines on the road mean. In short, one heck of a guy.

Then there is driver B. The lazy driver who apparently got his license by saving enough breakfast cereal box tops. In short, a menace to society.

Now, Driver A is sitting at the intersection waiting to turn. He is looking both ways, making sure it is clear to pull out. Driver B is approaching from the right, obviously planning to turn left (you can tell that by the way he’s leaning way left in his seat and gripping the steering wheel with both hands high on the right side).

The CORRECT way he should complete his turn is shown in the first diagram. He should proceed into the intersection past Driver A, then turn safely into the lane next to Driver A.

Alas, that is not the way the lazy driver sees things. Driver B will instead follow the old geometry adage “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line” (you can almost bet he flunked geometry in school), and take that straight line right in front of Driver A, narrowly missing Driver A’s front bumper, as shown in the second diagram.

Now, I know people like shortcuts. I like them myself.

BUT—I’m talking to the lazy driver now—you’re in a CAR! The car is doing all the work. You’re just sitting there pushing the gas pedal and brake and turning the steering wheel. Almost no effort. You’re not saving any time cutting in so close to me…er…Driver A. You’re not getting where you’re going any quicker.

All you’re doing is making me…uh…Driver A mad. I—he—likes his car. He likes his front bumper. It came with the car when he bought it. It’s PART of the car.

Try to respect my—Driver A’s—front bumper, Mr. Lazy Turning Driver! Take the extra .0345674 seconds and go a bit further into the intersection before you turn. You, too, can help make this a happier world by doing something so simple as to…

RESPECT YOUR FELLOW DRIVING HUMAN BEINGS!!!!

Whew, I need to go take a nap….

WORLD FAMOUS BOOKS AT HALF PRICE!!

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Sat, 16 May 2009 04:57:00 +0000

HEY, THANKS, Mister EDITOR, for putting the world famous books at half-prices!!! Wow - I can send all my friends from all around the world there to buy fabulous books - Lots of picture books, the RASTUS Series; wow, and novels - inspirational novels, all those published by STUDIO SEVEN in conjunction with Scribes Vally are at half prices!!! I know it doesn't include those NOT on Scribes Valley world famous books, but, hey, I'll have to send all my friends there!!! Thanks again!! --- CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THIS BLOG to go to 'world famous books at half price!!"
Oma

You know it, Oma! We're selling everything at HALF-PRICE! Call us crazy! Call us silly! Call us the best place to find the best books at the best prices!

That's right!!!! Even in this economy you can find a bargain that'll knock your socks off! And who doesn't like to sit around and read books while barefoot?

Books, books, books!

And not just books! WORLD FAMOUS BOOKS

So come on over and get a little crazy yourself! You'll be so glad you did!

I'm the editor of Scribes Valley Publishing, and I approve this message.

Eight Year Old Boy's amazing story!

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:25:00 +0000

I have just published and launched 9-year-old Jack Newsome's book, THE NIGHT BOY - he wrote it when he was 8 years old - an amazing story which has a moral for parents and a moral for kids - both written by Jack who loved to read stories about real people who did great things in the series of 'Virtue Books'. In the story, the boy, Jim Handroff is in trouble. He has been watching TV at nights and sleeping during the day. Strange, off-the-planet things start happening. His neglectful parents become aware of the situation and escape with Jim to the U.S.A. But things only get worse! Everyone knows there is an Alien! MORE than just a story. I had the privilege and the joy to work with Jack and his parents and photograph them for the illustrations. The alien was digitally engineered from pictures of Jack. Eight-year-old Jack wrote: "MORAL FOR PARENTS: Don't neglect your kids because bad things will happen to them" AND -- "MORAL FOR KIDS: Don't watch too much TV because you might turn into an alien."

Make Smiles Everywhere you go

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:01:00 +0000

I painted smiles on the wood pile - and wrote a poem about it - click on the title of this blog - or go to: http://www.authspot.com/Poetry/How-to-Make-Smiles-Everywhere-You-Go.653091 -- Share smiles with others and receive smiles in return! You do know that 'SMILES' is the longest word in the world because it goes on for 'miles' - Oma

WHAT on Earth is Wrong With US??

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:52:00 +0000

I'm wondering what is wrong with me? I have this GREAT PLACE to blog, and I keep forgetting to do it!!! The title of this blog comes from a poem I wrote as an April Fool's Day poem -- very random -- it even mentions Michael Jackson! And I do say that we should not scorn him, but pray for him. What on earth is wrong with us?? Have a look at my poem and decide for yourself!! Click on the heading of this blog -- WHAT on Earth is Wrong With US? -- and - have a laugh!! Try to get ahead -- or as in the poem - keep a head!!! Oma

Ah, yes, parenting

noreply@blogger.com (blogger@scribevalley.com (SCRIBES VALLEY EDITOR)) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:52:00 +0000

I was asked recently by a young man whose wife is expecting their first child, what he needs to know as a parent. I immediately replied, “The beeper number of a good shrink.”

We laughed and went our separate ways but on the way home I starting thinking about what it takes to be a good parent. I decided to make a list and send it to my friend. After an hour, I decided that wasn’t such a good idea. Too many trees would have to give up their lives for me to compile such a list. So I decided to narrow it down to just a few, all-encompassing items that would help him in his quest for knowledge.

Okay, let’s see, to be a good parent you must. . .

. . .be able to exist on very little sleep and still go to work and present a halfway decent image to your coworkers.

. . .be willing to unwrap a diaper containing something so nasty it would gag a buzzard, and still use your baby talk voice to tell your little one how proud you are of the pretty poo-poo.

. . .take a full load of puke in the chest and still maintain an air of dignity when you ask the convenience store clerk where the restrooms are.

. . .avoid throttling the convenience store clerk when he says the restrooms are for employees only.

. . .repeat yourself constantly and loudly and receive in return some of the most blank, in-one-ear-out-the-other-what-an-old-man-you-are-I-hope-I-don’t-grow-up-to-be-so-crazy looks you’ve ever seen.

. . .enjoy talking to walls because that’s what it will be like talking to your child.

. . .be able to push a shopping cart with one flat wheel, compare prices, read labels, find specials, bag fruit, thump melons, examine meat, and keep your angel from climbing displays all at the same time.

. . .accept graciously a ton of advice from non-parents who know exactly how to raise kids because they read all about it in books written by experts who have no children of their own.

. . .sit and watch a video for the 125th time and still be able to nod and say things like “Wow! Did you see that?” and “I’ve never seen anything like that before” and mean it.

. . .not let the words “are we there yet?” push you over the edge and make rabbits and other small animals sudden targets for your frustration.

. . .be able to assemble toys after midnight on Christmas Eve with just a pocket knife and fifty pages of instructions written only in Japanese.

. . .believe that “Because I said so!” IS a good reason and is the only one your child really needs to understand.

. . .accept the fact that “I don’t know” is the answer that comes standard with each model of child.

. . .have a soft wall in the house that you can beat your head against and not worry about hurting yourself.

. . .keep a smile on your face and ignore all the accusing stares from others as you slip and say something like “If you don’t shut up, I’m going to sell you to the next gypsy caravan that comes through town” in a crowded department store.

. . .keep your head held high and proud as you drag a screaming demon out of the store because some pinhead of a manager decided to place a giant sucker display right next to the cash register, and it’s too close to supper time.

. . .be able to buckle a squirming, screaming child into a car safety seat created by a sadistic inventor sitting in a dark tower somewhere who obviously has never studied the shape, size, or weight of the human child.

. . .deal with that strange phenomena commonly known as “boomerang child,” a condition in which the child is placed securely in bed, kissed, tucked in, settled down, but then suddenly appears at your elbow as you try to unwind on the couch.

. . .start a search for the number of the sadistic inventor in the dark tower and tell him to put his energy into finding a way to keep kids in bed.

. . .be able to sing every Disney song ever created from start to finish at least twenty times in a row while still keeping the car between the ditches.

. . .not break down and cry your eyes out when your child looks at you and simply says, “I love you.”

You know, on second thought, it can’t be narrowed down too much. Oh well, looks like a lot of trees will be dying tonight.

Carolyn Ann Aish, Writing, Music and Art Group

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 09:02:00 +0000

The new group for inspiring creative people in writing, music and art is at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=50730706161
This week, 14th to 29th of February, there is a WRITING RAMPAGE on, where you can write as much as you like, share and check in to see what the others are doing; and if you feel like an ART ATTACK, run around like mad with your camera; paint something or just draw, whatever, and SHARE. I took pictures today of TWINK and myself with my lap-top computer - that is the photo above, taken in my garden pagoda. So, be creative! It is wonderful!!

Is it an Alien?

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:48:00 +0000

The poem about my dog, Twink, has been published on AuthorSpot. He's so cute and it did look as if he'd landed in a spaceship in the photo I took! http://www.authspot.com/Poetry/Is-It-an-Alien.523135 and also, I have a new creative group at FACEBOOK for all those interested in being inspired to create -- writing, music and art. I started it just a few hours ago and already eleven have joined. All are welcome and there are no rules other than those that FACEBOOK gives. Oma

IngleNews February Issue of the Monthly Newspaper

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:52:00 +0000

Have been SO busy getting this formatted, printed, published, distributed. All done! It was, Issue #11, and our first FULL COLOUR COVER!!! oma.

Twink my Dog - singing, or barking along!

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:13:00 +0000

I wrote the lyrics and composed the music, but do you think I could record it without Twink my DOG joining in? Then, when he just barked near the end of the second verse and in the second chorus, I decided to leave it there - it's a good effect, as if he AGREES with my song which is titled, 'Everybody Needs to Be Loved'. Click on the title of this blog if you have time to hear the song. Oma

Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:16:00 +0000

A new song that I recorded in my lounge - keeping on recording it again and again because my dog, Twink wanted to sing along - this is about dreaming your dream anew and making each DAY the FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. -- Click on TITLE in red above to be taken to hear the song - sing along with it, believe it and dream your dream anew.

AN AMAZING FRIEND

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Back to writing - I've just, yesterday, written a poem about my amazing friend, Donna. She rescues birds that fall from nests or are abandoned for one reason or another. The S.P.C.A. brings her tiny baby birds - read my poem by clicking on title - and see another photo at: http://www.authspot.com/Poetry/Little-Bird-in-Your-Hands.471067

FIRE RAINBOW over our children's camp

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:11:00 +0000

Well, I wrote, and sang, "I'm looking for rainbows..." and today, there was a very unusual phenomenon, a 'fire rainbow' which stayed over our church camp property for over an hour - click on the title above of this blog and you will see a set of FOUR photos - and here is one of the 60 other photos I took today.
Very cool, isn't it!
Oma.

2008 Contest Anthology Released!

noreply@blogger.com (blogger@scribevalley.com (SCRIBES VALLEY EDITOR)) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Our newest contest anthology, THE ROAD TO ELSEWHERE, has now been released. Eighteen stories are ready to take you away to that elusive place called ELSEWHERE. All you have to do is open the cover to be transported to where there are no schedules, no timetables, no agendas, no calendars, no clocks, and time does not matter.

Click here to check out this great book!

The winning authors who will be traveling with you are:

Tricia Spencer
LeeAnn Dickson
Pauline A. Salvucci
Terry Dickinson
Dan Sullivan
Hannah Greer
Atossa Shafaie
Bernard Hofler
Devin Murphy
Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel
Mimi Sharpe
Vickie Clasby
Jean Tschohl Quinn
Chandra Prater
Kandice Powell
Bill Westhead
Kaye Sebastian
Ronna L. Edelstein

I'm Looking for RAINBOWS this year!

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:39:00 +0000

Yes, I've decided I'm going to look for RAINBOWS, and I'm going to find them, this year. No grumbling, no complaining, and when storm clouds come, I'll look for the silver lining and find the RAINBOW in there - they come in every prayer! That's a good end to the year, thinking of finding RAINBOWS - you can hear the new song, created and recorded today - at http://www.loudio.com/Music/A-Capella/Look-for-RAINBOWS---This-Year.427053 - or click on the title of this blog and you should fly there.
Oma

Happy New Year to You - Blessings in a song

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:35:00 +0000

First of all, a very Happy New Year to you and all our readers!! Well, I'm wondering, Mr Editor, just what you are considering for the coming year, 2009? I'm considering a whole lot of things that I need to get done before I get much older. The 28th of December! Rather scary! I'm now exactly 60.5 years old - 60 years and 6 months to the day! Where did that last 6 months disappear to?? What have I got to show for those 182.5 days? I need to sit down -- (somewhere else cos I'm already sitting) -- and I need to evaluate the past whole year. What did I achieve? I should be more specific and ask myself -- what did I achieve that is of lasting value? Or, of any value at all? What should I be focussing on for 2009?
I'm working on it.
Oma

Christmas Blessings to YOU! YES - TO YOU!

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:24:00 +0000

I send to all readers this special greeting: CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS - and a Happy New Year TO YOU!! --- This song was written to the most popular tune in the world - see if you can guess the tune before you have a listen to it - just think, what would be the most popular, the most sung tune in the world? -- then have a listen: http://tinyurl.com/a6xdzh

Angels Watch Over You

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 10:36:00 +0000

And another - O.K. -- so, I've been baby-sitting (kids asleep) and working on more songs! It's been really inspiring for me; I'm really nervous whenever I sing 'live' to an audience -- rarely do it, unless it's a special request (like at a funeral when the deceased person put it in his will - can you believe!!) Anyway, I don't have a problem singing around the house and even into the little microphone in the computer, so it's good to have some of the songs I've written actually published, recorded, done. Hopefully someone else will hear them and want to use them somewhere, even just to sing them. Writing songs is something I just do, sort of like walking or breathing. Thousands of songs I've written exist in notebooks and on bits of paper stashed in kind of odd places! They're no good there, and it does feel better to make the time to share some of them...
Oma.

Silent Night 2008

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:36:00 +0000

O.K. -- so I've been playing around with music instead of writing and doing other URGENT stuff! Ouch. But I'm having SUCH fun! I wrote 'new' words to Silent Night - kind of making sense of THAT Silent Night long ago, but applying it to 2008 and what it means to me today. You can click on the title of this blog and hear these new lyrics, but to the wonderful old melody -- with my new keyboard playing as I sing along. And I've recorded the first verse and chorus of a new song I wrote, titled "What if Jesus Hadn't come at Christmas?" -- accompanied my singing with my ukulele -- it is at: http://www.loudio.com/Music/What-If-Jesus-Hadnt-Come-at-Christmas.379315
O.k. that's all for now,
Oma.

CANDY SHIRT at our 30th Anniversary Celebrations

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:40:00 +0000

Hi there EDITOR -- have you ever tried to WRITE instructions as HOW TO MAKE something that you've done for some years, but have never seen any instructions written down?-- Something just passed on down over the years -- well, it takes time to remember everything and get it in some order so others can understand it! My Mother-in-Law showed me how to make the first CANDY SHIRT I made for a Sunday School Picnic, back in the late 60's!!
So, I was asked about making one for our Anniversary, and decided that the world needed to have the instructions - they were published last night with a couple of photos of my grandson, Ethan, wearing the Candy Shirt! He was the lolly boy who was chased by a multitude of kids, teens and some sugar-hungry adults. You can see: How to Make a Candy Shirt: Party Game! AT:
http://tinyurl.com/6dor5c
-- or click on the title of this blog.
It's a lot more fun than just throwing the candies around -- and there are still lots that fall on the ground to search for and collect!
Oma

Rainbow strikes DUCK!

carolyn.aish@xtra.co.nz (blogger@scribesvalley.com (Carolyn of Studio Seven)) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:47:00 +0000

WOW, I DID get inspired. I had this story idea in my head, and before I had prayed and asked God to FIND me the actual DUCK - I'd been looking around lakes for a special white duck, couldn't find one - well, driving along Hursthouse Road between two towns, I had to screech to a halt when I saw the PERFECT DUCK on the PERFECT LAKE -- He matched my story perfectly. So I have the photographs, - see the one where FRASER the duck (yes, that's his real name) was on the lake and the rainbow came - (click on the title of this blog) -- and I have published the short story in limerick form - a quick read with a couple more photos on:
http://www.authspot.com/Poetry/Fraser-the-Amazing-Rainbow-Duck.378989
So, apart from having somehow 'lost' a month since last I blogged, I'm hopefully back in the land of writers and getting inspired all of the time. My rare form of 'writer's block' seems to come off and on.

A Study On Buffet-goers

noreply@blogger.com (blogger@scribevalley.com (SCRIBES VALLEY EDITOR)) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:34:00 +0000

Ah, the buffet. That tantalizing array of hot and cold foods that beckons to our most basic need, Hunger. Done up in the most eye-pleasing manner possible, the buffet appeals to our senses of sight and smell, and our desire to quench the hunger demons that demand to be appeased. In keeping with such, the buffet becomes the gathering place for people as varied as the food being offered.

Now, not knowing if any government agency has ever spent millions of taxpayer money to study the phenomenon of buffet attendees, I’ve taken it upon myself to do a little studying on my own. A fascinating pastime that has both entertained and disgusted me. It’s not hard to do, all that’s required is the ability to sit and be observant, which is something I seem to have more than my share of.

Based on these observations, I’ve come up with a few categories that most buffeters fit into and, with your indulgence, I’d like to share them.

Polite Platers (civilizedus eaterus). This group comes to the feeding place with their inborn manners intact. They have adopted the “herd” mindset and stand in line, plates in hand, waiting for their turn. They are secure in the knowledge that the operators will keep the buffet well stocked and there will be no shortage of their favorite foods. Thus, they take a normal-sized portion of each item and return to their table to partake of the bounty. They use their eating utensils as a conveyance of food from plate to mouth. The bites are never too big and are chewed in a calm, cool manner.

Plate Pilers (mileus higherus). While mostly polite and calm, these members have an inane fear that the establishment has not prepared for the influx of diners and it will only be a matter of time before the food is all gone. They tend to overfill their plates, constructing towering masses of food that are the envy of architects everywhere. Elements of this group are distinguished by the characteristic “walking on eggshells” gait as they make their way from buffet to table. This manner of locomotion can be attributed to the need to keep the food towers from toppling.

Onguard Protectors (myfoodus paranoidus). Originally spawned from The Plate Pilers, the Onguard Protectors have developed the trait of paranoia. Identified by a distinctive “hunched over” posture, these individuals encircle their plate with one arm while constantly scanning the area for threats. It is not fully known what has precipitated this fear of having one’s food taken away, but in some members it can be close to obsession.

Quick Shovers (ravenous shovelus). QS take their cue from the clock, believing that the time one spends on eating is wasted. Therefore, copious amounts of food are consumed in the shortest time possible. Easily discernable by the overhand death grip on their eating utensils, the QS will strive to shovel food into an already overfull mouth, followed by quick splashes of liquid to help move things along.

Line Busters (toeus steponus). Exhibiting the same clock-watching trait as the Quick Shovers, Line Busters prefer to save time BEFORE sitting down. Anti-social behaviors are readily observed as LBs tread on the toes of fellow buffeters and use their elbows as people movers. They are often seen going against the normal line flow and possess abnormally long arms as they reach across the entire buffet to secure a particularly choice morsel, oblivious to the fact that their clothing may be dragging through the food in front of them.

Terrible Wasters (shameus onyouious). This is, in my opinion, the most intolerable category of them all. Displaying a complete disregard for manners and decency, these members make it a point to waste as much food as possible. They pile their plates with a variety of edibles and, taking their seats, try a tiny bit. Almost immediately, a look of utter horror and disgust crosses their faces and the plate is shoved aside. Soon after, another trip is made to the serving line and the process is repeated. This is particularly noticeable in those with offspring. Striving to pass on the Waster tradition, the adults heap the plates of their young, completely ignoring the many protests of dislike and taking the attitude of “so what if you don’t like it, you can always throw it away.”

There are many subgroups of each category and members of one will often fit into another. My observations are by no means complete, but I have formed the opinion that we as a society have become numb to the values our ancestors fought so hard to instill in us. Food has become just another disposable luxury, not something we need to live. It never ceases to amaze me how people carelessly toss out food without even pausing to think that some members of the human race are doing without.

Whatever happened to the old adage of “take only what you’ll eat and eat what you take”? I had the “starving people in China” scenario drilled into my head from an early age and I’ve never forgotten it. I am passing this belief down to my two sons in the hopes that they’ll be among the few that carry on the fast dying traditions of good manners and concern for their fellow human beings.

I know what you mean, Oma

noreply@blogger.com (blogger@scribevalley.com (SCRIBES VALLEY EDITOR)) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:17:00 +0000

Okay, the first thing I wonder is, what circumstances you have come across where you’ll be thrown in prison if you don’t get a particular story or article done!

Just kidding, I know exactly what you mean. I’ve recently completed construction on a home office, built for the reason of having some place nice and quiet where I can sit down and churn out great stories. The office is very nice, built exactly the way I pictured it: rough, “naked” boards on the walls, sound-absorbing ceiling tiles, hardwood floors that match the walls, 7-foot bookshelves full of books lining two of the walls, an aquarium full of nerve-calming fish sitting next to a comfortable desk where the computer is set up, and a very comfortable chair in which I fairly sink into it’s supporting leather/cloth combination.

Everything I need to sit and concentrate on writing stories. But, I can’t write in there. I sit and stare at the screen and the stupid cursor just sits there blinking back at me. Drives me nuts!

But, give me the loud hustle and bustle of my “real” work office: phones ringing, people coming and going, printers humming, music of a style I’m not particularly fond of blasting from an old, worn out speaker right over my desk…. And I churn out the words like pouring them from a bucket!

Maybe it’s too quiet in my home office. Maybe I should take a radio in there or something. Maybe I could get our cat and dog to come in at the same time and chase each other all around the room. Maybe I could dump the cat into the aquarium and let him try to catch the lazy fish. Maybe I could…

Maybe I could just sit down and forget where I am…stop trying to force myself to write.

Yeah, maybe that’ll work.

Maybe.