tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76333657389889311202024-02-20T15:00:44.181-08:00Leigh's CornerWelcome to Leigh's Corner. On this blog you'll find a bit of opinions, creative writing, news, random thoughts and some photography. Thanks for stopping by!Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-70997103278565552512016-07-04T07:57:00.003-07:002016-07-04T07:57:52.216-07:00Humor: Spicy food stories<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A test of bravery or sheer craziness?</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is it about some men (people really, but in my
particular experience it was all males) and the need to prove they can eat the
hottest of foods without blinking an eye? The following is a scene witnessed a
few times in my life, but nothing will ever match that first time it occurred.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw7UGis-smjso1rjUdTv0Pg96Q8TD2hg-Czw9gTFdzaEOPSk_O5qoGqwNtlmwksDWuQznNoHj94j3NFdHj5cwLiDR_yPwKaf0L_hyphenhyphenDO4jZe3iKnN1xvzkX63KNMRDUt2e7fTbb-zPPk4/s1600/hot+pepper.+appetite-1238240_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw7UGis-smjso1rjUdTv0Pg96Q8TD2hg-Czw9gTFdzaEOPSk_O5qoGqwNtlmwksDWuQznNoHj94j3NFdHj5cwLiDR_yPwKaf0L_hyphenhyphenDO4jZe3iKnN1xvzkX63KNMRDUt2e7fTbb-zPPk4/s320/hot+pepper.+appetite-1238240_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/appetite-banana-calories-catering-1238240/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Several years back we used to frequently gather at a friends'
home. One night a group of approximately six of us were sitting around the
kitchen table having a few drinks and laughs. Suddenly, my friend's husband
comes over with some recently picked jalapeno and habanero peppers from his
impressive garden. A few of us looked on curiously at what was about to unfold
but, being a bit unsure, we continued our discussion.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we're giggling over the stories and jokes being told, out
of the corner of my eye I see my friend's hubby and another guy each pop one of
the hot peppers into their mouths. It turns out these two men were having a
private little contest to see who could eat the pepper without being the first
to flinch. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a few moments, the rest of the table caught on to what was
going on and conversation came to a standstill as we watched in awe as their
two faces turned pink, then transformed into a deep red; eventually, they
finally took on a slight purplish tint. Finally, one of them gasped and grabbed
a beer to drown out the heat, then begged for a glass of water; the other guy
also finally called "uncle" and he too took on a beer chaser.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The expressions on their faces as this was occurring was so
darned funny! They acted so brave, while inside it was clear they were in
agony. The rest of us, while awed and full of disbelief, couldn't help but
burst out laughing at their quandary. We didn't feel too badly though because
the two of them brought it on themselves.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The next thing I know, they're at it again, but this time
another guy decided to join the fun. The rules changed; they decided the first
one to take a drink loses. The third friend takes a bite and tries really hard
to disguise the fire so obviously burning in his mouth, but he's failing
miserably. Yet, he forges ahead and takes the next bite despite his pain. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tears
are streaming down his cheeks and once again he takes yet another chomp of the
pepper. The first two look at each other with a knowing nod, then join back in;
their tactic was different, they opt to eat the full pepper at once. Suddenly,
we're sitting there watching three grown men gasping for breath, turning red,
and crying their eyes out; subsequently we watched their jaws clench in pain as
each desperately strove to "win."</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As stubborn as they all were, the third guy finally gives in
and chugs down a full glass of water, which he can barely drink. The tears are
coming hard and fast by now. The second two finally relent and each chug down
another drink.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To this day, while not really understanding the why of this
"contest", admittedly, it was rather funny, but I couldn't help but
question if it was pure bravery or sheer stupidity. Later on, out of bizarre
curiosity, I took a piece of pepper and just dabbed my tongue on it, and boy
was it hot! To this day I'll never understand how they were able to sit there
chewing on these extremely hot peppers, trying to act nonchalant.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That evening was the start of a routine ritual -- at least
for a time. Each time, as more peppers came into maturity, the guys would sit
around that same kitchen table, each trying to outdo the other. What was even
more amazing is eventually the gardener's little girl joined these contests.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then again, she was eating raw onions as a toddler -
definitely her father's daughter.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-91689791899727287942016-07-04T07:54:00.000-07:002016-07-04T07:54:31.315-07:00Poetry: Precious memories<div style="text-align: center;">
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
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Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-16041729838679027742016-07-02T02:28:00.000-07:002016-07-02T05:38:09.035-07:00Humor: Dealing with squirrels<h3 style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dealing with Squirrels: Why they are not as cute as they pretend to be</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Squirrels are such cute, wide-eyed little furry critters. What's not to like about them? They are fascinating as they leap from tree to tree, gracefully racing across utility wires and gleefully prancing across lawns. As you watch them, you might even think to yourself what a wondrous treat it is to be able to view these sociable creatures frolicking around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yeah, right. The fuzzy heartwarming scenario ends right there. Dealing with squirrels isn't always as "cute" as it seems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sure squirrels may be cute, even amusing, but in reality those creatures are nothing but audacious and condescending furry little critters. Their secret beneath their adorable guise is that they are evil at heart. They cleverly cloak themselves in an aura of beauty under the pretense of being too cute to resist. At first glance their persona illuminates one of delight, but in reality they are really mischievous little critters who are conscientiously plotting to launch their attack. Don't let the cuteness fool you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you ever really paid close attention to a squirrel's antics? Not just watch them, but truly observe just what it is they do. If not, you should really try it sometime. Upon closer examination of their activities you'll probably notice a few things that escaped your eye before. If you really scrutinize their behaviors, you'll see under that manifestation of beauty is a true streak of wickedness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As their true motive shines through, you'll see how they defiantly eat your tulips as they try to bloom. You also may as well forget the idea of getting the chance to experience the beautiful explosion of color you had been anticipating all winter because you won't even get a glimpse. Those tulip buds will be eaten by the little stinkers before your flowers even show off a hint of color.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These furry little rodents with bushy tails will also spend the days away digging in your flowerpots and stealing whatever botanical marvels you toiled away planting. Chances are you'll also never get the chance to see these blossoms either because those bulbs will never experience the warmth of the sun. No, instead they'll be dug up before they can even reach the surface of the soil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not only do the little rodents attack your lovely flowers and lawns, watch how their beady little eyes light up when they come across a vegetable garden. Imagine spending your weekends diligently planting your vegetables, lovingly covering each seedling with anticipation of eating the fruits of your labors later on in the season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, come Monday afternoon you'll probably discover your vegetable garden has been ravaged by the bushy tailed rats. As a parting gift, they'll likely have left you some lovely little holes in the spots your seeds were implanted to give birth. Your poor seeds never even had a chance to see the light of day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can also forget that luscious green lawn you've dreamed about all winter because the squirrels will use your turf to dig numerous trenches. Their intent is to use your lawn as a sanctuary to hide their stolen treasures which were pilfered from the gardens toiled by others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chances are if you kindly try and shoo them away you'll find they simply look back at you, stand upright and stare you down with the haughtiest smirk you've ever seen! Squirrels are very defiant that way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can try to place chicken wire, plant herbs and other vegetation to try and deter them, but forget it. It'll all be for naught. The little critters will maneuver their way around and then look you squarely in the eye with the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"neener, neener"</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>look as they boldly make their next move. Some squirrels are even brash enough to drop an acorn on your head or throw one straight at you. Oh yes, those squirrels are plotting little creatures, not only are they clever, they possess a streak of meanness too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next time those fuzzy rodents enthrall you with their cute little antics, remember to keep these attributes in mind. In reality squirrels are just suckering you in so they can unleash their true wicked intentions when you're not looking and least expect their attack! Oh heck, some of them are are so bold they'll do it even when you are watching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But gosh darn it, as evil as they are, they sure are fun to watch. I can't tell you how many times I've fallen under their spell.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(The fellow in the photo pretty much destroyed the bird feeder, but he was funny to watch!)</span></i></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-2127990196859287842016-07-01T05:16:00.000-07:002016-07-02T05:38:33.158-07:00Flash fiction: Because of betrayal<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vicky and Frank met in college. She strived to be a teacher
and Frank majored in technology. After graduation the duo married. Two years
into their marriage Frank was struck with the realization Vicky was obsessed
with money. The sudden change surprised him, but he loved her.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instead of getting a full time teaching job, Vicky
sporadically worked as a tutor. Frank went to work in an entry position in the
local bank's IT department. Money was tight.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Frank was dejected his wife was always so unhappy. Vicky was
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account.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Vicky, I know we don't have much, but someday we'll
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promise it's not forever," Frank said. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He truly believed Vicky would love him again once he made
money.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"OK Frank," Vicky mumbled. She turned back to her
magazine.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Frank bored her. Recently, her eye had been on the wealthy father
of a child she tutored. But he was married and she wasn't going to play second
fiddle; still it was fun to entertain the idea.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eventually, Frank started his own company which took off and
quickly went public. Money was no longer an
issue. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vicki quit working altogether.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite a financially secured lifestyle, Vicky had her eye on Mike, a software designer
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job security, it never crossed her mind he wasn't attracted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Frank reached early retirement and sold the company for a
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"We could poison him," Vicky said.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I'll take care of the details, even the funeral,"
Mike replied.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Good, I don't want to deal with it. I'll be at the spa
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As promised, Mike took care of everything. Frank was even
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perfection.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soon afterward Vicky was met with the surprise of her life
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left in handcuffs.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mike was loyal to his employer, always.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-24097364369143077742016-05-13T04:10:00.002-07:002016-05-13T04:10:42.105-07:00Humor: Lessons learned from horror movies<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Follow these lessons and you can add a few extra years to
your life . . .</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Horror movies, while scary, suspenseful and thrilling, are
also chock-full of important life lessons that should be always observed. No
matter how immune you think you are, you cannot escape zombies, demons, psycho
killers, vampires and other like creatures. Don't even try, it's
impossible. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplqyaOA9T4PCAgn-N-8fOImzYq7bZ0p_5Q3rKZK0SIPWkEs08fFe_Zd-tQnuLgo1wwSJ8UA_pn2uJeEANPYJ2q9Hq-SBQG8Lp2Appq6Dp125oF_cxO1klU_n10KSNcDvcUvhDE2IKRtk/s400/the-fear-1080543_640.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image credit: jarmoluk via <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/the-fear-way-night-death-winter-1080543/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Instead, in order to save your hide, pay careful attention
to the following warning signs and heed this advice:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Stay out of the tomb. </i></b>Entering a mummy's tomb
is a no-no, and taking a mummy's artifacts ranks up there with jaywalking in
front of a bus because there are always serious consequences. If you touch a
mummy's stuff, trust me, they don't like this and, subsequently, will hunt you
down. They won't relent either. Listen to what your mummy always taught
you — hands off the tomb stuff.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Watch out for burial areas.</i></b> When walking
through a cemetery, always operate on the buddy system, as you are sure to fall
into a grave or come face-to-face with a maggot-wearing corpse. This way,
if this does happen, your friend can help you back out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Keep out of mausoleums.</i></b> Never a good idea to
accept a dare to spend the night in a mausoleum. If you do though, you are
guaranteed a night full of excitement running away from dead people who have
bolted the doors and have locked you in; there are custom guest rooms, err
plots, designed just for you. At least with two of you, one can try and call
911, but don't hold your breath anyone will show up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Deserted parks. </i></b>Never go to a desolate park or
campground because zombies are waiting in the wings. They're hungry, its
dinnertime and you are on the menu! They would love nothing more than to light
a campfire and toast s'mores with your brains substituting for marshmallows.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Watch out for the razor guy.</i></b> Don't shake hands
with the guy who wears razors as fingers. He is definitely not at all nice like
that Edward Scissorhands fellow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Demon cars are road hazards.</i></b> When a demon car
is chasing you, don't run down the six lane highway, as the car is guaranteed
to have faster speed than you do. Ditch into the woods instead, at least then
you only have to worry about an ax yielding psychopath, but it will be harder
for the demon car to follow you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Avoid the pea soup on the menu. </i></b>Pea soup is
not an attractive mural on the wall. If you decide to host an exorcism, serve
something like chicken noodle. It smells better and is maybe a little easier to clean up
afterward.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Listen to the music. </i></b>Protect yourself by
listening to the eerie music playing so you can determine who is after you and
how close they are. For instance, don't go swimming if you hear a bass violin.
Those "watch out for shark" signs aren't there for decoration.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Hockey masks are not in fashion. </i></b>Beware of the
resident psycho wearing a hockey mask who hangs out down by the lake and in the
woods. He is definitely not getting ready for a party to celebrate this years
Stanley Cup winner. He's going to get you if the demon car doesn't get you
first.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i>Practice safe sex.</i></b> Don't ever, under any
circumstances, try and have sex. This is when the immortal killers will find
you and run that machete through you and your significant other. Butchered body
parts are probably not what you had in mind for safe sex and birth control.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Never, <i>ever</i>, fall asleep.</b> You will either die
in your dreams or be replaced by alien pod creatures. You're better off brewing
a large pot of coffee and reading up on the art of practicing celibacy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Follow these lessons and chances you may add a few extra
years to your life. Of course, unless you find yourself dozing off and see the
aforementioned razor guy in your dreams, in that case you're pretty much done
for . . .</span></span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-34293579476307143722016-04-06T02:14:00.000-07:002016-04-06T02:14:01.344-07:00Humor: Missing socks<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">At some time it has probably happened to all of us. We'll be diligently sorting through our clean laundry only to find a couple of assorted socks are missing their partners. As we fold, we stand over the laundry puzzled in confusion knowing that the pair had gone into the wash together, but somehow got lost along their journey into the dryer.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">The missing socks syndrome is an amazing phenomenon. Wash load after load socks go missing until we suddenly find there are dozens of socks missing their mates.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrMrMlQMc4ehqGOPjfnn83PgmXacmbhQb7DN_W7GkMPamLCbvk3dsql2xUr6q7fp6Htsv_KoPqzZJ7XyLIpLFob0cHyiAFun5GZMSpAUTXrnzhRcRssbnjhui0BJORgTL_kOR59bg0Os/s1600/Missing-socks-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrMrMlQMc4ehqGOPjfnn83PgmXacmbhQb7DN_W7GkMPamLCbvk3dsql2xUr6q7fp6Htsv_KoPqzZJ7XyLIpLFob0cHyiAFun5GZMSpAUTXrnzhRcRssbnjhui0BJORgTL_kOR59bg0Os/s400/Missing-socks-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">Have you seen my missing sock mate?</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Some socks disappear permanently. </span></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">But where do they go? </span><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Does the "wash monster" eat them for dinner? Did the socks run away? Maybe they are giving us payback because they don't like the way our feet smell? Perhaps it could simply be that our elusive socks are trying to send us a strong message they are unhappy with their current jobs and living arrangements and are demanding change?</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Other socks return after a period of disappearance and come back acting as if nothing has happened.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Hmmph</em>. Did they simply become bored with their mundane lives and decide to play a game of peek-a-boo for a while to mix it up and make things a little more interesting? What nerve. Especially after we spend so much time worrying about them.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Maybe pairs of socks are like human couples; one storms off after a spat, only to suddenly emerge later to make up and be happily together again. It's also interesting to note those odd matched socks cling together in a pile, but refuse to interact with one another. Perhaps they are secretly wondering where their significant others have gone off to, or maybe it is the fact that many are hesitant to pair themselves with someone new and remain faithful to their missing soul-mate.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">I can't help but wonder if those poor socks left behind are fret with anxiety over their missing mates, or if they are in on the game too and carefully guarding the secret of their partner's sneaky whereabouts?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">If the abandoned socks are anything like my husband's, they stay alone in a drawer in wistful hope their sock partner returns. This drawer is a place where all the abandoned socks gather together and commiserate over their lost mates.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">He also strongly feels that just because one sock is missing, they should never be discarded. His philosophy is that eventually a partner will show up or even if a sock isn't a perfect match, he hopes they'll eventually marry someone with different characteristics. He'll never abandon these socks and purchase new ones. Truly, it is sock loyalty at it's best.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Many socks do reappear over the course of time. Perhaps it is as simple as our missing socks simply love to play an old fashioned game of hide-and-go-seek to break up the routine.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Whatever the reason, we're typically disappointed when socks disappear forever, but happy for those times missing socks do actually return.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Where they go in the meantime though will likely always remain a mystery.</span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-6435375725484506572016-04-01T01:47:00.000-07:002016-04-01T01:47:02.768-07:00Humor: Do cats really care what you think?<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cats are funny creatures, and their crazy antics are so amusing. These four legged felines can be adorable, funny, affectionate and snobbish all wrapped up in one. It is amazing how these cute fuzzy kitties exhibit emotion. Ever notice how a cat's emotions can range dramatically? They can either turn their snooty nose up in disapproval and then suddenly release a loud purr of content. These furry felines can be loving, angry, timid and demanding all within a matter of minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Growing up we always had cats in the home, and over the years it was fun to watch their fascinating behaviors.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Turns out there is one behavior I never saw in a cat. Did you know they get embarrassed? I didn't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Seriously, have you ever seen a cat illustrate any feeling of shame? I never have. Now dogs, on the other hand, show a pang of guilt if you let them know they've done wrong and will do most anything to get back in your good graces. But not cats. No, they typically remain steadfast in their determination and never show an ounce of humility, guilt or embarrassment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In my experience, cats are typically above all that nonsense. Obtaining validation and approval typically bores them and they are pretty much oblivious to any havoc they may have caused. Have you ever seen a cat act apologetic? They traditionally do as they please and make no regrets for it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are a number of stray cats frequent a family member's house and there have been six long-time mealtime visitors at the stoop each day. However, recently two new additions have been moseying on in during the dinner hour to join in on the dinner fun. The two new critters were unknown to my family member and their background history was mysterious. But she happily feeds them too; offering them food with a little nudge of affection behind the ears and a pat on the head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A while back my family member went away for a few days and asked a neighbor to come and feed her own indoor cat and to put some food outside for the strays. And sure enough, when he arrived, he happened to notice a few cats hanging around looking a bit hungry. Of course they were. But what the cats hadn't realized was their usual chef and server was out of town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As customary, there are the "regulars" who arrive to chow down. The cats are all impatiently waiting as Mr. Good Neighbor diligently gives each one a scoop of food and the ceremonial pat on the head. Then, per the recent custom, the two latecomers arrive for their portion of the feast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As Mr. Good Neighbor goes on down the line, he eventually gets to the late arrivals. They both look up at Mr. Good Neighbor and stop dead in their tracks. If a cat's jaw could drop, it would have struck the ground in shock. Mr. Good Neighbor saw the stunned look on the two kitty faces as his own jaw dropped in astonishment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're like most of us you've probably never seen a cat embarrassed, but these two cats were so mortified at the site of Mr. Good Neighbor they bolted off the deck and into parts unknown. Stray cats aren't usually ones embarrassed to beg and you may be wondering what in the world caused these two to jet off without so much as even a nibble . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You see, as the good-natured Mr. Neighbor bent over to offer the two last kitties a place in the buffet line, he realized these were his own two cats who he had fed back at home not less than an hour before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The two partners in crime never returned during the days my family member was out of town and Mr. Good Neighbor was serving up the meals. Instead they scoped out the joint and returned a day or two after they realized the normal chef had returned to put out the buffet. At this time, the two cats resumed their new routine and arrived fashionably late for dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, the moral of this story is that while cats may be stuck-up and loving, some do also have a level of mortification. It seems some cats ain't too proud to beg -- but they are embarrassed when they're caught.</span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-57057596548696439872016-03-30T01:58:00.000-07:002016-03-30T01:58:09.337-07:00Reflections: Life's special moments<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Time is seemingly endless. Yet we often do not have enough of it. On the other hand, it is one thing in life that is a constant. The hours, days, weeks and years are a handful of the few things in life which keeps moving forward and never looks back. While each of our individual periods of time on earth are limited, it is a constant that time will continue on with or without us. This is a good reason to make the most of the time we do have.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">As individuals, we can reflect on times gone by. Days gone by cannot be repeated, so the only thing we can do is reflect upon, learn from, or simply remember past days. Special moments are times which have meaning and are typically something etched in our minds forever.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Life's special moments may relate to a special person, event or just that, a moment. It could be a smile, a kind word, a loving embrace or a chance meeting. Special moments can be memorialized and attached to a special song, movie or other more tangible presence. Or they could exist solely in our minds as a special defining time.</span></div>
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<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Have you ever met someone that passed through your life quickly but had a significant impact?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Do you reflect on the first time you fell in love or received your first kiss?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">How about your wedding day or the birth of your child?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">The first time you learned how to ride a bike by yourself?</span></li>
<li><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">The day you hit the winning home run in a baseball game?</span></li>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">There are probably an infinite number of memories in the past that reside in your mind, either consciously or subconsciously, and can be remembered as special moments. Treasure these because these are the moments which make up life, and those of which provide hope for the future.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">While it is true we all sometimes experience bad times, it is often a good idea to take the time to think back and reflect upon life's special moments, both those which have passed and thoughts of those still destined to come.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Going through life in a pattern of negativity that puts too much energy into trivial matters is not only exhausting, it detracts from the things that are most important in life. Live life to the fullest and don't waste time on the things that really don't matter in the long run. Instead focus on life's special moments, both past and present, that make life so, well…special.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif;">A new day begins </span></span></td></tr>
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Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-26095388791113333382016-03-26T03:39:00.001-07:002016-03-26T03:39:07.536-07:00Humor: Playing pool<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">A few years back a friend and I went to a local billiards hall, had a drink and then ventured off hit the tables. Each of us showed an aura of confidence in our abilities to play pool; I know I strutted right up to that pool table with an air of feeling like I knew what I was doing. Hah!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIu6dEk3185FdLY_PHmbbLUZnmXGzCcPKuCuBAPBxwMjDFe6CQtWMGmbpevE4sI427jgRWsqxBRsLgVN0mZoochvHVdSrmUZC6pXfvjDFBILOfBT8aWWYwix-NjJ0JrSdmzsPKft6aDA/s1600/pool-hall-1091644_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIu6dEk3185FdLY_PHmbbLUZnmXGzCcPKuCuBAPBxwMjDFe6CQtWMGmbpevE4sI427jgRWsqxBRsLgVN0mZoochvHVdSrmUZC6pXfvjDFBILOfBT8aWWYwix-NjJ0JrSdmzsPKft6aDA/s400/pool-hall-1091644_640.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Image credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/pool-hall-pool-pool-table-hdr-hall-1091644/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></span></td></tr>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">After all, I thought to myself, playing pool is something I'd done lots of times when I was younger. Never seemed to have a problem whacking, umm...I mean tapping, the ball and getting it to go in the correct pocket. My cousins and I used to play at Grandma and Grandpa's house all the time, and I have some pretty fond memories of being able to aim and tap that ball in the direction it was supposed to go and right into the pocket.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">Boy, my memory of playing pool must have been pretty shoddy because as I bent over with my pool stick, cued and engaged in effectively lining up my shot, I missed the darn thing. Not only did I scuff the table, but I looked at the ball, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed how it possessed a patronizing and knowing look as it gazed back at me. Suddenly the realization hit, that darned thing was onto me! That ball just<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>knew</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I couldn't play. Then I looked over at my friend, who was undoubtedly quietly giggling to himself, but ever so kindly did not say a word.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">Next, my friend goes and taps that smug little ball in the right direction almost making his shot on the first try. Bugger, look at him showing me up! On his second shot the ball jumped right on in.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";"><i>"Oh sure,"</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I think to myself,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"this ball is obviously playing favorites."</i></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">As I wait impatiently during several shots, my turn finally arrives.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";"><i>"Hmmph,"</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I thought to myself,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"I'll show them both."</i></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";"><i> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nr1DdiLbBojIqaoS2DsH6KwmoNw-ZTBRk4FhfYLzz2MFW1zfJJHQG9P3s5QilkUeM6ULWQ0y1xDXdWBZZOQAqPeWf-aMQhjaoW9z-8NIDGvWgEF9V4igYsRYHYy5nVSsbMZtoxdLtjo/s1600/kermit-510025_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nr1DdiLbBojIqaoS2DsH6KwmoNw-ZTBRk4FhfYLzz2MFW1zfJJHQG9P3s5QilkUeM6ULWQ0y1xDXdWBZZOQAqPeWf-aMQhjaoW9z-8NIDGvWgEF9V4igYsRYHYy5nVSsbMZtoxdLtjo/s400/kermit-510025_640.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Image credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2014/10/30/23/57/kermit-510025_640.jpg" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></span></td></tr>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">Mustering up my demeanor to come across as a pool player who possessed all the confidence in the world, I strut back up and attempt my next shot. I get set, aim and fire. And I tapped that little self-righteous ball. To my delight, I didn't miss this time, I hit that ball and hit it good! In my elation, I neglected to look to see which pocket I'd made. Never doubting myself, of course I'd made the shot.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">I think to myself,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"See, I knew I could play."</i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi_7nn35l5laDls6P-ZpUAWiDZ8ZPjpQ7c_qg4CD6gehPB1vnmmmnMqd8jx9n3qODdk7T5oR4w4Vb6dEhPDFewWbf8meL5qzHi20ngb4AjTSkD3cA932eSP7HA6poeeeg8ISstGqGG30/s1600/billiards-1132369_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi_7nn35l5laDls6P-ZpUAWiDZ8ZPjpQ7c_qg4CD6gehPB1vnmmmnMqd8jx9n3qODdk7T5oR4w4Vb6dEhPDFewWbf8meL5qzHi20ngb4AjTSkD3cA932eSP7HA6poeeeg8ISstGqGG30/s640/billiards-1132369_640.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Image credit: <a href="https://pixabay.com/en/billiards-balls-push-koe-1132369/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></span></td></tr>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">Suddenly, I hear some commotion and pull myself out of my giddy moment to see what in the world was going on. And then I saw where my ball had gone. Oh, it went all right, bounced clear off the pool table, onto the floor, took a flying bounce and then sailed right onto another table and landed right in the middle of someone else's game.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">I managed to pull myself together, walk over, politely apologize, collect that little smug ball. At this time I'm pretty embarrassed and head back to my table. My friend was in hysterics by this time, and even I had to admit it was pretty funny. We managed to finish the game without further incident, but I will never forget that experience. The night was a lot of fun, and the game was too.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">Reflecting back, the one thing which would have been a perfect moment was if the ball had made it into one of the other table's pockets...</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva;" style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva";">These days I've retired my pool stick and decided to stick to something I understand far better and possess more skill at - miniature golf; definitely more my speed.</span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-26621325719956012402016-02-16T06:48:00.000-08:002016-02-16T06:48:06.273-08:00Humor: Being placed on hold<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Have you ever been placed on hold for what feels like eternity? I have and I've decided I don't like it. Usually my demeanor includes plenty of patience, but there comes a time when enough is enough and and the well runs dry. In my book, long wait times on holds with businesses creates a severe patience drought. I have worked in customer service and never, in all good conscience, would I ever have placed a customer on hold for perpetuity.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Once I received a rather large bill, which was an anticipated expense, but the invoice arrived stating an amount significantly less than what I was supposed to owe. Wanting to do the ethical thing, I grabbed the phone to call the vendor to inform them of their colossal blunder. I tend to believe in the thought of what goes around comes around, so I figure it's a good idea to pay what I owe rather than try to "cheat" the agency by paying the lower amount they actually noted on the bill.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">So…I let my fingers do the walking (yes this was in the days pre-mobile!) and dialed up the vendor. I'm immediately greeted by an overly-friendly automated voice who sounds extremely happy I called. As quickly as the call is answered, after my impersonal yet lovely, greeting I am quickly transferred to another line. This time for my listening pleasure I'm treated to some upbeat cheesy music. As if that wasn't bad enough, the transition to each new song was horrible.</span></div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay" class="size-medium wp-image-70498" data-mce-src="http://writedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/pixabay/e/telephone_1414409763-300x225.jpg" height="225" src="http://writedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/pixabay/e/telephone_1414409763-300x225.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><a data-mce-href="http://pixabay.com/users/PublicDomainPictures/" href="http://pixabay.com/users/PublicDomainPictures/" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;">PublicDomainPictures</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>/ Pixabay</dd></dl>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">I thought to myself,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>"With the outrageous prices they charge, you think if they could at least afford some decent music, and splurge and invest in an automated system which has the capability to smoothly transition from one awful song to the next".</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Anyway, I figured if this was my biggest gripe of the day, no big deal.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Eventually, maybe some 20 minutes later, as I paced my kitchen floor, a customer representative gets around to answering the line I'm on. He's pretty useless. First off, he doesn't understand what I'm saying and tries to address another issue, totally unrelated to my current one. It wasn't hard to see this company's customer service reps didn't take notes each time they talked to a customer.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Since he can't understand what the issue is I'm trying to report, he apparently feels the helpful thing to do is create a different problem he can solve. One that no longer existed.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Unfortunately, someone had already beat him to the punch because it was one which I had already explained on the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>last<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em>go around on a previous endless, on-hold telephone call. Buddy, that was last year's issue. The ticket should have been closed by now. Now I have<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>two</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>problems. Great!</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">After a few minutes of insisting I really don't need the solution he's offering, he says he's going to refer me to the escalation department. Oh joy!</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Muttering to myself,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>"Just what I need, they gotta take a simple error on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="font-weight: bold !important;">their</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>part (which actually benefits me) and make it into my problem to sit on hold for eternity."</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Nonetheless, I patiently listen to clueless Mr. Customer Service rep, giving him the benefit of doubt. Friendly, but dense, customer service guy warns me it's going to be several minutes.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">I ask,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>"How many is several? Are you talking 10 minutes or 45? I've got a toddler running around I need to tend to."</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;"><em>"Ummm, errrr, 5 minutes,"</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>he stammers.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">OK, I figure I'll play along.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">I get transferred to another line and am immediately am greeted by another cheery automated voice who is also elated I called. After pushing the requested keys on my telephone, I'm given another musical serenade. This time it's 1970s music which sounds like something which would have been offered on the "Loveboat" soundtrack — had one been released (or was there one?)</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">If the music wasn't bad enough, the looping of songs was even worse. Imagine cheesy bubbly music combined with the hula all in one tune; same three songs over and over. Oh well, at least this line transitions its songs a little better than the last.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Ten minutes pass by and I decide I'll give 'em some slack.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">At 15 minutes I figure,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>"Well I waited this long, they should answer any minute."</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">At 25 minutes my kitchen floor is beginning to have a definitive worn path where I've been pacing, so I decide to sit down. At 30 minutes I seriously ponder hanging up, but then I debate the logistics with myself, and envision having to call back at another time and go through this process again.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Ultimately, I end up weighing the pros and cons and decide since I already have time invested in this nonsense — I'm in for the long haul. Settling back in my chair to catch up on some reading as I faintly hear my toddler creating all sorts of havoc in the other room with an older sibling.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">Eventually, in what seems an eternity has now gone by, a very optimistic representative answers the phone. She immediately understands my issue. She tells me it will take a few days, but not a problem and for me not to pay until it's straightened out. Phew. I won't have collections banging on my door. My conscience could be clear.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">My discussion with this woman was all of about 2.5 minutes and problem resolved.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">I figured with the amount of time I spent on hold, the hole in my kitchen floor from pacing, and the damage done to my den while I was being entertained by cheesy music, this probably equates to the difference which was not reflected in the bill.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva; color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-family: verdana, geneva;">I ponder the fact<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>they</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>should be paying<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>me</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>at this point. Perhaps I should have billed them instead?</span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-49750017782085765372016-02-12T06:45:00.000-08:002016-02-12T06:45:06.174-08:00Humor: Men and grocery shopping<h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Rules to observe when you ask your man to go grocery shopping</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><em>"Honey, can you please go to the store and pick up some eggs, milk, cheese, bread, soup mix, carrots, diapers, mayo and..."</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Stop right there. Does this scenario sound familiar? If so, you are one of the many women who have not yet realized that verbally rambling off a list of grocery needs to your mate just doesn't work. If this rings familiar, you're making a big mistake. </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">This is because most men can only handle a few items for the grocery store without receiving a written list. While women can run into a grocery and instinctively know exactly where each item is and know what it should cost, men just don't seem to have this natural intuition. Women may spend big money on shoes or handbags, but they sure know how not to be overcharged for a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk.</span></div>
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<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="-webkit-user-drag: none;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-102597 size-medium" data-mce-src="http://writedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pixabay/6/grocery_1427325806-300x225.jpg" height="225" src="http://writedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pixabay/6/grocery_1427325806-300x225.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="300" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">CC0 Image by beeki / Pixabay</span></dd></dl>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">There are some cardinal rules to observe when you ask your man to go shopping.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold !important;">Rule #1 - Make the list:</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When you ask your mate to go grocery shopping it is imperative you make a written notation for anything more than three items. If you neglect to do this, it is likely you'll be disappointed upon his arrival back home. That is because most of the items you asked him to pick up will be missing. Especially frustrating if you specifically needed one of the items for a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>recipe you want to make.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold !important;">Rule #2 - Give explicit directive:</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So your mate happily takes your list and arrives at the store, now what? As he stands bewildered looking at the numerous aisles wondering where to start, a light bulb goes off. He has an idea to go up and down each aisle so he doesn't miss a thing.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">As he attempts to select the items you've requested, he finds he's run into a bit of a dilemma. He thinks to himself,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>"All those brands! Difference prices! What is the difference between baby carrots and regular carrots? Which diapers should I select? There are five different sizes!"</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Most men will do one of two things, if he is in a hurry and just can't wait to get the heck out of dodge, he'll either grab the first item which catches his eye, or if he's are on the more frugal side, he'll carefully analyze and choose what he perceives as the cheapest item. The problem with this is once he's made the executive decision to peruse all the aisles, there's bound to be plenty of impulse buying going on.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Yikes! First off, don't men know we freak out when the wrong brand is purchased? You gasp when you go through the grocery bags<em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"you chose<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="font-weight: bold !important;">that</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>brand of diapers? What in the world were you thinking!?! You've got to go exchange those!"</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Consequently, if our mates come home and has spent too much money, we also react,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>"you spent<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="font-weight: bold !important;">how much</strong>? That's ridiculous, we don't need a gallon of mayo or a five pound bag of carrots!"</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">He replies,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>"Yes dear, but after carefully considering the cost-ratio per ounce, the larger size was the cheaper deal."</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-weight: bold !important;">Rule #3 - Just go to the store yourself:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong>As you rifle through the bags and begin to put away groceries you see all those extras which were not on the list and are likely to sit on the shelves until they either grow mold or expire. Wouldn't it have made more sense to just do it yourself?</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">When will we women ever realize it's quicker, cheaper and more efficient to just run to the store ourselves? Is it really all<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>that</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>hard? Every time he goes shopping we vow to do this. The thing is we conveniently forget the next time we run out of milk . . .</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;"><em>"Honey, can you please run to the store and get some milk? While you're there grab some potatoes, bread, spinach, pie . . ."</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">Then he comes home with potato bread and a spinach quiche. Oh and since you didn't make the list, he forgot the milk.</span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-12087667879890157422016-01-01T01:37:00.000-08:002016-01-01T01:37:00.543-08:00New Year's reflections: Reaching happiness<br />
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Today is New Year's Day, a day many people use to reflect on the past and plan for the future, both of which usually are connected to some level of happiness or content. This got me thinking about a piece I'd originally written in 2007 about reaching happiness and decided to update for today as I consider my goals for 2016. The original title I'd written to was "<i>The Myth of a Secret to Happiness</i>."<br />
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If the secret to happiness was located in a treasure box, this is one box most people would probably love to find the key to unlock it and discover its contents. Throughout life many people are in pursuit to find everlasting happiness, some are able to achieve a level of happiness while others continue to desperately seek a semblance of it. Is there a such thing as true contentment? Is total happiness even attainable? Or is the level of content simply something that comes from within oneself?<br />
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While many things are unknown, one thing is for certain, there is no one fits all answer or secret to finding true happiness. If an individual looks into his or her inner self, this is the first and most important step in the journey to discovering true happiness.<br />
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Approaches and lessons I've experienced to help set the tone to keeping my energy positive include:<br />
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<li>Not letting negative people or situations maintain a "rent free" residence in my head. People cannot and do not have the power to change the behavior of others, so why let it consume you? Personally I've found once I've "let go", things suddenly seem so much easier, almost as if a huge burden has been lifted.</li>
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<li>Adversity can have a positive effect, it doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. Life has its challenges and puts roadblocks, sometimes big ones, on the route to achieving happiness, but these bumps in the road are often the hurdles needing to be crossed to lead a person to appreciate good times or learn something important.</li>
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<li>Satisfaction with inner self makes you happier than any material things possibly can. Does the definition of happiness equate to getting every single thing you could ever possibly want or need? Material things are tangible and can temporarily bring happiness, but they cannot truly fulfill an inner void. Those voids ultimately surface later on.</li>
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<li>Finding the ability to be comfortable in your own company and enjoying it is one of the important paths to take to happiness. A large part of achieving happiness is first learning how to like yourself.</li>
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<li>Living with the philosophy of being proactive and not reactive. This is a <i>big</i> one for me. Choosing words and actions carefully rather than rashly responding allows time to think. I've found focusing on the positive instead of the negative does amazing things to the psyche. Anger and resentment can turn out to be big roadblocks in the journey to happiness.</li>
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<li>Happiness comes from within, and then external factors perhaps enhance it. Finding peace with oneself and one's surroundings contributes to achieving happiness. It's OK to make mistakes, part of the happiness journey is learning from mistakes.</li>
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<li>Learn from the experience of others. I once made a friend, it was a brief friendship, we lost track years ago, but some words of wisdom he shared with me will stay with me forever. It changed my outlook on life. I doubt he even had a clue the positive energy he sent my way had such an impact. People often drift in and out of one another's lives never even knowing what effect they've had on someone else. </li>
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Reaching happiness is no mythical secret, but I believe it can be reached through a series of self-reflection and positive energy. Disappointment, anger and regret have a tendency to consume an individual's persona and get in the way of happiness. However, we can push that stuff aside to reignite good feelings and move to a happier life.<br />
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Once you get there, share it with others. Happiness has a tendency to be contagious.<br />
Happy New Year! Wishing all the best things for you in 2016.<br />
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Photo credit: Leigh Goessl/All rights reservedLeigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-9510635588483561042015-12-30T04:30:00.000-08:002015-12-30T04:30:00.791-08:00Poetry: New Year's Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70m1055LcpGjJZdOZBLSMloZShl-Zb80EVTsrZKVlWp2RrmU9Yz7LlZVcFQoV-iiuBqAqu1p8c1T8xOJdwGsXL0DtMVeJ5yZZlT7jMF_Ik6dIbJwhA3LaW2Qyeb-RFtZwWtEsO6pxWDs/s1600/.Waterford+Crystal+Ball+at+Times+Square.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70m1055LcpGjJZdOZBLSMloZShl-Zb80EVTsrZKVlWp2RrmU9Yz7LlZVcFQoV-iiuBqAqu1p8c1T8xOJdwGsXL0DtMVeJ5yZZlT7jMF_Ik6dIbJwhA3LaW2Qyeb-RFtZwWtEsO6pxWDs/s320/.Waterford+Crystal+Ball+at+Times+Square.JPG" width="167" /></a></div>
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On this eve the old year ends and<br /> tomorrow a new one comes<br /> A night to have fun with those dear<br /> family, friends and close chums</div>
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Room is pulsed with energy<br /> all await the stroke of midnight<br /> When it arrives all will cheer with<br /> hugs, kisses, dances and delight</div>
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In the 'morrow there will be<br /> chance for a new path to walk<br /> New Beginnings and rebirth<br /> take action, don't just talk</div>
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Another year is over<br /> Yesterday's come to an end<br /> New Year, fresh start, a blank slate<br /> Old mistakes a chance to amend</div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-4728317196411343102015-11-30T05:12:00.000-08:002016-07-02T05:21:56.532-07:00Why does Rudolph have a shiny nose?<div class="mceTemp" style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For generations children have been fascinated with Sant<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a's reindeer, especially the beloved Ru<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">dolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. While adored by millions, no one has ever known exactly why Rud<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">olph has such a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">bright an<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d shiny nose. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, in 2012 researchers in Norway and the Netherlands set out to find out why from a scientific perspective why a reindeer's nose may glow.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV3qClUIIO3A9MqYwBEyPFNghcBe-YLHjD5_w32F3uK3H5No4PmhsIvb1oFGxFPgTtQh_ToRMzb5bxMykGi8P3hNteDOnYtXHX3nE-izBhbqururz4DTSI8ta9uIFE0G1LV7YHfOjeHI/s1600/Rudolph+books+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV3qClUIIO3A9MqYwBEyPFNghcBe-YLHjD5_w32F3uK3H5No4PmhsIvb1oFGxFPgTtQh_ToRMzb5bxMykGi8P3hNteDOnYtXHX3nE-izBhbqururz4DTSI8ta9uIFE0G1LV7YHfOjeHI/s400/Rudolph+books+%25284%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The team of scientists <a data-mce-href="http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e8311#ref-7%20" href="http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e8311#ref-7%20" target="_blank">wrote a paper</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>about their findings<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">entitled,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Microcirculatory</i></span> investigations of nasal mucosa in reindeer Rangifer tarandus<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>(Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Cervidae):<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Rudolph's nose was overheated</i>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In order to conclude why Rudolph has a red nose, the team of researchers used a hand-held microscope to examine a variety of nasal linings. This included: Five healthy humans, two reindeer and an individual with a nasal growth, of the non-cancerous type. The scientists used infrared technology to examine participants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Described as a "tongue-in-cheek" investigation, the scientists found in their experiment that reindeer noses contain a higher number of blood vessels than humans and that the massive amount of exercise they do once a year while flying at rapid speeds also has an impact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Santa's reindeer are estimated to deliver to 100 million homes and travel about 650 miles (1,000 kilometers) per second, which is no small feat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The scientists did reportedly admit this study is not conclusive and that Rudolph may have had a cold, a hangover or an infection. (The question begs asking - one can't help but wonder based on testing results, if it is due to the number of blood vessels, why aren't the other eight reindeer sporting shiny red snouts too?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In December 2013 a group of scientists from Sweden also decided to get to the bottom of this age-old question. They used a thermographic camera to examine things a bit more. Their study can be seen in the video above. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Rudolph" is listed as one of the top best-selling secular Christmas songs of all time, only second to "White Christmas". Did you know "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" was originally written in the 1930s? It was later set to music after WWII. While Rudolph and his shiny nose are famous, his<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.infobarrel.com/The_History_of_Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer%20" href="http://www.infobarrel.com/The_History_of_Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer%20" target="_blank">origin is lesser known</a>. </span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-84710181106908769972015-11-13T05:25:00.000-08:002016-07-02T05:32:52.505-07:00Avoid being a carjack victim during the holidays<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6wO9xdyAr8Rmxx-GwuDvUe0rk_QO-b2kcfG_bneF7thr6M7uCkqvVVYDycCZjiFEbYskMYRtONk_OrHWjFd9hwEDjxZoh2VDiRPArvVOyaC1egwoiHgT-Jkz5vSdTVuDdYV8hUnHNwA/s1600/traffic.NOVA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6wO9xdyAr8Rmxx-GwuDvUe0rk_QO-b2kcfG_bneF7thr6M7uCkqvVVYDycCZjiFEbYskMYRtONk_OrHWjFd9hwEDjxZoh2VDiRPArvVOyaC1egwoiHgT-Jkz5vSdTVuDdYV8hUnHNwA/s320/traffic.NOVA.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Leigh Goessl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This time of year is often associated with a higher number of crime incidents, primarily associated with theft, whether retail or burglary. However, carjacking is one crime that also tends to increase. </div>
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These tips are important year-round, but being theft-related crime tends to increase over the holidays, during the months of November and December it is a good idea to be more vigilant. </div>
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Knowing what to look for in will decrease the chances of your becoming a carjacking victim:<br />
<ul>
<li>Pay close attention to your surroundings.</li>
<li>Always be on alert to any activity near your car.</li>
<li>Check the inside of your car before entering it.</li>
<li>Have keys in your hand as you approach your car.</li>
<li>If any suspicious persons are hanging around your car, keep walking.</li>
<li>Pay careful attention to people asking questions or handing out flyers, this could be a ruse.</li>
<li>Once in your car, lock it immediately.</li>
<li>If suspicious strangers are walking on your street, keep driving until they've gone.</li>
</ul>
Remember, anyone can be a target and carjacking incidents occur both during the day and at night. Experts recommend being alert at ATMs and if another car bumps yours, to keep doors and windows closed until police arrive. <a href="http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/carjacking" target="_blank">Washington, D.C. authorities</a> note a car is replaceable, you are not. If a carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up the car.<br />
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Carjacking is a very serious crime and, while it is impossible to avoid in some cases, being prepared with information and strategies can help keep you safer. Avoid being a carjack victim.Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-90316251076670013302015-11-12T03:56:00.004-08:002015-11-12T03:56:28.934-08:00Poetry: Dreaming of You<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I dreamed of you again last night</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It caught me so off guard</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Awakened me with such a fright</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Feeling confused and marred</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Images conjured in the mind</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of a place so far away</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Timeline mixed up, stars not aligned</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Confusion leads astray</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In my dreams I keep seeing you</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At a place that doesn't exist</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sky is foggy, grass full of dew</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You are floating in the mist</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="tree in fog" class="wp-image-118724" data-mce-src="http://dailytwocents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tree-in-fog-150x150.jpg" src="http://dailytwocents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tree-in-fog-150x150.jpg" height="264" style="border: 0px none; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px;" width="264" /></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Image credit: Leigh G.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Through the fog you seemed so clear</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet standing far away</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite distance you felt so near</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amidst those clouds all gray</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tried to reach you to say a word</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But then you disappeared</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though I shouted you had not heard</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly you reappeared</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reached for your hand to help me through</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then your likeness promptly faded</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Your wings sprouted and then you flew</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Visions became more jaded</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Swiftly I awake with a start</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The dream abruptly ends</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wakeful with thoughts dear to the heart</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And hoping someday the heart mends</span></span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-91149126082210100302015-11-07T01:46:00.000-08:002016-07-02T05:17:30.920-07:00Scam alert: $100 Bill on windshield<br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Scam alert!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the busy holiday season kicks up in high gear, it is a good idea to watch out for fraud. Not that we shouldn't be on alert for potential scams at any time of the year, but this is the time we tend to be preoccupied. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A ripe time for schemers to come in to try to take advantage of people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last year authorities in Maryland put out a warning to the public. This<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/11/parking-lot-ploy-maryland-warns-of-holiday-money-scam-109174.html" href="http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/11/parking-lot-ploy-maryland-warns-of-holiday-money-scam-109174.html" target="_blank">scam</a> involved placing a $100 bill on car windshields. What happens is a shopper comes of out a store and finds a $100 bill on his or her windshield.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What the scammers are reportedly doing is hoping car owners have unlocked their cars and then get out to see what is on their windshield, leaving the door open. Next, the thieves jump in and take off with the car.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Snopes reported this type of scam as a hoax on its website, noting it has been circulating the web since about 2004. However, as is common with crime, "copycats" could easily be taking what was once a hoax and applying it in real life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Either way, one can never be too careful. After all,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://leighgoesslscorner.blogspot.com/2015/11/tis-season-for-scams-watch-out-for-scams.html" target="_blank">'tis the season for scams</a>.</span></span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-67672044986913284132015-10-05T04:16:00.000-07:002016-07-02T05:31:54.424-07:00Humor: Having dumb moments<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go right, and your day is full of those "I should have done this instead" moments? You know the kind, those days when no matter what you say or do, it's wrong. Boy, I hate those days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Having dumb moments can be frustrating, embarrassing or just plain funny. Some of the below are mine, some of them of other people I know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone has a dumb moment on occasion, but you know it’s really bad when . . .</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You're late leaving for work, scrambling around in a panic looking for your keys and come to find they are firmly grasped in your hand. Even worse is looking for your glasses and then you realize you're wearing them...</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then there is the alarm clock issue. On one of those days you overslept, you race into work half-asleep with a carefully concocted, but great, story to tell your boss. But when you approach the building you find it's locked. You feel a sense of relief that everyone else seems to be late too and savor the moment that – for once – you are actually the first to arrive. Then you remember it's Saturday . . .</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What about keeping your car filled with gas? Routine event, right? Piece of cake for most people probably, but not for you. You went to the gas station because your gas gauge was on empty, only to discover when you got there that you'd left your wallet at home. No big deal right? Except you don't have enough gas to go back to grab the cash.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dinner time is another adventure for you. You get the crock-pot filled and ready to go, turn your dinner on, only to return home hours later to find, while you turned the knob to the "on" position, you never plugged in the pot. Your family also relished in your dumb moment when they realized it was going to be crunchy potatoes and a really rare roast for dinner (I've done this recently!!)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What about the time you spent the morning typing up an important document and got distracted? Instead of hitting save, you closed the document, and out of habit clicked "OK" and lost the proposal that was due to your boss in the morning.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How about the time a terrible thunderstorm blew through and the electric went out. You reached for your cordless phone to call the electric company only to realize you needed your power on in order to call and report the outage. And your cellphone's battery was also dead since you forgot to charge it.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You knew you were really having a dumb moment the day you went to go get the kids from school, picked up the baby, grabbed the cellphone and headed out the door. On a whim you turned around to grab a notebook so you could scribble some ideas down for your latest article while waiting for the bus and, remembering each step to leave the house, locked the door behind you on the way out. As you tried to unlock your car, you were dismayed to find the remote door locks on the car didn't work. You looked down and saw why - your cellphone wasn't exactly successful in unlocking the door. It hit you like a ton of bricks when you remembered you put down your keys to grab the notebook . . . duh! (Years ago - but a true story!!)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever loaded your groceries into the trunk, placed your keys down so you could grab the last bag? Remember how dumb you felt after you slammed the trunk down leaving your keys inside? You then think it's okay because you have a spare set and then recall the extra key is in the glove compartment. If you thought that was dumb, it's probably best you blocked out the $45 you had to spend on a locksmith (not my dumb moment, but names have been omitted to protect the guilty... )</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What about the time you went out in the morning to warm up your car and locked your keys in the running car? (Notice a keys theme here?) </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone has a dumb day once in a while, but you know it's really bad when the local locksmith has your name programmed on his speed dial and keeps a spare set of all your keys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're experiencing these "dumb" mishaps, the best thing to do is laugh it off and hope tomorrow is a better day! After all, it is another opportunity to create some new cherished, but perhaps dumb, moments.</span>Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-77950163475468759632015-10-04T05:37:00.003-07:002015-10-06T06:56:09.558-07:00Music: Going from 'Retro' to 'Oldie'<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Photo credit: Leigh Goessl</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">When does music go from "retro" to "oldie"? Is there even a difference between the two? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've always likened "retro" as days of yesterday, but not too far back in the past, and the "oldies" was the stuff from my grandparents' era. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I'm not so sure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyone growing up in the 1970s probably considers the '50s and part of the '60s as "oldies" music. For instance, in the greater New York City area, we had a radio station - 101.1 (CBS-FM) - that played music from earlier eras, making it one of the only radio stations (at least that I was aware of) in the region on the dial to play oldies all day long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my memories, this is mostly Elvis, sock-hop type of stuff, mixed in with "<a data-mce-href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=down%20the%20shore" href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=down%20the%20shore" target="_blank">downtheshore</a>" and beach music. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fast forward to today and what a shock for me when I traveled up north and tuned into 101.1 FM. They were playing primarily 1980s music with a splash of '70s tunes. This even included hair bands and classic rock mixed in with some soft rock and pop songs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few years back I first heard '80s music referred as "retro", but I guess the time has come where it has officially transitioned into 'oldies' music. <i>Where do the years go?</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Needless to say, this is now one of my more favorite stations to when visiting the greater NYC area (lol).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">How did you first feel when the music you listened to as a kid/teen turned into "oldies" tunes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span>Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-20471795328020806892015-09-12T06:54:00.000-07:002015-10-06T06:56:19.818-07:00Flash fiction: Creeping away from danger<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">David desperately looked around him as he heard the loud explosions
crashing over his head. He wondered how he would ever get out of here.
If he could only escape. He made a solemn promise to himself if he got
out he would never come back to this place again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet, with each opportunity, he returned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first time David came under fire he crawled into a ball and tried to wish it away, but the gory images and crashing noises infiltrated his brain. Despite this, still, he returned. Hoping to emerge with a different outcome each time. But it never happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the past this place had always been compelling to him. It was a destination David visited frequently. Lately, the appeal had turned to fright and the violence was getting out of control. During previous visits David always managed to dodge any dangers, but this time felt trapped with no way out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He abruptly ducked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Oh that was a close one,"</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>he thought to himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">David shuddered at the thundering noises, vivid images and that near miss from just mere moments ago; he crawled to the nearby steps. Slowly, David crept his way out of the immediate danger in the darkness and moved into the light. Once he reached the top he made his way down the corridor until he reached the safe haven he knew to be at the end of the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The moonlight danced in and out of vision, but there was enough streaming light to help guide the way to safety. Only a few more steps until he reached his refuge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">David spoke out loud for the first time in what seemed like hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As he approached the doorway he whispered,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"Mom,"</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>then a little louder,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"Mom!" </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He was grateful to hear a quick response.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Mom, I had a nightmare. I dreamed about the video games again. This time it really, really scared me!"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">His mom had previously advised him to give up the first person shooter games, but he always went back despite her warnings. She gave him a hug, allowed him to sit. He felt safe again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Next time I swear I will stay away from those games and play something else. I mean it this time."</i></span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-29409949814257870032015-09-11T09:38:00.000-07:002015-10-06T06:56:33.004-07:00Flash Fiction: A shocking betrayal<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FsaNGm6irpLt-YzXwfTq54dhxnQpd3RG7XiicOSRkJT8SOoNUQomsKRHHU9lWUgXv1cBShHJSJiS44_VvB2gwuJyolgmDyxc74MkqDCU3FXOOvEhz5eE_FbGC8Jdv6VA4MYIEOdKUlI/s1600/Dark+clouds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FsaNGm6irpLt-YzXwfTq54dhxnQpd3RG7XiicOSRkJT8SOoNUQomsKRHHU9lWUgXv1cBShHJSJiS44_VvB2gwuJyolgmDyxc74MkqDCU3FXOOvEhz5eE_FbGC8Jdv6VA4MYIEOdKUlI/s320/Dark+clouds.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All morning Sandy had a nagging feeling. No reason why she felt this way, but she just couldn't shake it. With a deep sigh she turned her attention to happier things.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tomorrow was her and Jim's 10th anniversary, and they planned to celebrate in style. First, dinner at the swankiest restaurant in town. Jim made reservations a month ago, even getting one of the coveted terrace tables overlooking the city. In the morning, they'd set sail, head down the coast, just the two of them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sandy spent the morning packing suitcases and buying food to stock the boat's kitchenette. Jim had left at the crack of dawn to ready the boat for their excursion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Things had been wonderful lately. That other woman who'd almost shattered their marriage was almost forgotten. It was a shocking betrayal, but they'd spent years healing from Jim's infidelity. Their marriage was now solid. Jim had been the perfect husband since ending the affair, so supportive to her, especially after her beloved aunt died shortly afterward. He'd handled all the finances.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As she bagged the food, brief thoughts of the brunette Jim had been involved with flashed through her mind. Sandy pushed those thoughts away. There was no way Bernadette would occupy even a moment of her thoughts. Not this week. Not this anniversary. The thought of Jim cheating still hurt, but Sandy found forgiveness. Why she was thinking about this now she had no idea. Suddenly the nausea returned.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sandy was just about finished when she had an impulsive idea. Packing up some cheese and crackers, she grabbed a bottle of wine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"An impromptu picnic while we ready the boat will be a great way to start our celebration," she said half-aloud.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With a quick glance in the rear view mirror, Sandy smiled at the radiance reflecting back. Yes, life was good. Sandy pulled into the parking lot neighboring the harbor, suddenly feeling sicker. Ignoring the feeling she opened the cabin's door. All was strangely quiet. Where was Jim?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She went inside and pulled the curtain to the sleeping quarters. She couldn't believe her eyes. The wine dropped, shattering.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bernadette spoke first.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Jim, what is going on? She wasn't supposed to be here until morning. All these years of planning...what about the inheritance?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Sandy, you shouldn't have come," Jim said.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Jim reached under the mattress. The last thing Sandy heard was the click of Jim's gun before she turned to flee.</span></span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-82998379433603401192015-09-09T06:59:00.000-07:002015-09-09T06:59:00.787-07:00Flash Fiction: Encounter at daybreak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><em>A new day brings new beginnings...</em></b></div>
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Linda and Patrick's relationship had been a chaotic one from the start. When they met, both had been coming off from tumultuous relationships and each was still filled with baggage from these previous attachments.<br />
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It had been 10 years, and Linda was sitting in a coffee shop booth thinking back to that single day.She remembered how they first met at this shop neither one frequented, but both happened to be sitting in on the same morning. The sun hadn't yet risen, and the darkness suited the state of mind both were in on that day.<br />
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Despite his gloomy mood, Patrick noticed Linda and grinned. Linda smiled back. She heard a voice, but it took her a few minutes to process what was happening.<br />
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"A bit humid out this morning," Patrick had said.<br />
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"Just a little," Linda replied, suddenly feeling awkward.<br />
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She looked up and there sat Patrick smiling. After a few minutes Linda felt less tongue-tied and conversation flowed easily. The duo talked for hours, until they realized it was already closing in on noon.<br />
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"I have to get going," Linda said, remembering an appointment she had and would probably be late for; suddenly not wanting to go.<br />
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Patrick eased her hesitance by inviting her for a date for the following Friday evening. She quickly agreed.<br />
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It wasn't long before the two became a couple and decided to get married. Soon afterward the chaos began. His ex-wife and her ex-boyfriend continuously caused discord; Patrick had gotten passed over for a promotion and Linda lost her job. The stresses were too much on the relationship and after two years they'd parted ways, eventually getting a divorce.<br />
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As the years went by, they never spoke. Linda had moved out of town. Both had wondered <em>"what if"</em> many a time, but neither tried to contact the other.<br />
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On a muggy August evening, Linda decided to go for a ride, and ended up driving around all night. Just before daybreak she found herself in front of the same coffee shop she'd ventured into so many years before. Parking the car, she went in, ordered a coffee and shrunk deep into the booth.<br />
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Suddenly, the silence was broken.<br />
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"A bit humid out this morning", a male voice quietly said. Linda looked up and smiled.<br />
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After several hours, Linda and Patrick walked out together into the sunrise, hand-in-hand.Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-87017794750266448382015-09-08T07:26:00.000-07:002015-09-09T04:29:51.701-07:00Flash Fiction: Mistakes<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Due to their high-powered careers the two had parted ways because they couldn't find a location where they could both work. They'd closed up the apartment in Connecticut to head to their respective new jobs in different cities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Is it too late to repair a mistake?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beverly leaned up against the window of the bus taking her from Washington D.C. to New York City. It had been two years since she'd gone back to the northeast. Patrick had no idea she was coming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Initially, they had vowed to work the distance out, but the 12-hour days were not conducive to a long-distance relationship, and their once-intense closeness began to erode. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It had been a long time since they'd talked. Beverly even deleted his cellphone number out of her phone. Their last argument had been terrible and regretful words had been said by each of them. With each passing day Beverly knew she'd made a mistake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After a lot of reflection Beverly decided the money and prestige was not worth this misery. She quit her job and took a much lower profile one in order to try and patch things up with Patrick. Next, she sold the BMW and figured she'd rely on public transportation in the Big Apple; she bought a one-way bus ticket to New York City.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Five hours later Beverly arrived in New York, checked into a hotel and went straight to Patrick's apartment. To her dismay his name was not on the door buzzer. His apartment, #522, was listed with an empty slot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beverly sat down on the step and sobbed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I waited too long," she said half to herself, half out loud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not realizing an hour had passed, Beverly was still perched on the step. An older woman came out of the building and gently asked if she was OK. She couldn't answer at first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The woman just quietly put her hand on Beverly's shoulder. Between tears Beverly told this kindly stranger the whole story. Suddenly, to Beverly's surprise, the woman gasped and took a step back. Confused, she looked up through tear-streaked eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean to upset you further, but my name is Mrs. O'Brien. I own this building. I know Patrick well. He moved out two days ago after he quit his job on Wall Street to move down to Washington D.C."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"He didn't tell me much, only that he'd made a huge mistake."</span>Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-56889245968306724822015-09-07T07:04:00.001-07:002015-09-07T07:04:37.427-07:00Poetry - Wild and free<div class="mceTemp" style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: Leigh Goessl</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All her life she felt trapped<br />Wanting liberation<br />Always just out of reach<br />A desired salvation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Released from the shackles<br />Feeling free as a bird</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All ready to embrace life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Her past started to blur</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First she ran to the playground<br />Swung high up on the swings<br />Danced around a grassy field<br />Finally free to spread her wings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A chance to start life over<br />Fresh beginning and new start<br />Time to live life to the fullest<br />Her old life she can depart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Her happiness to be found<br />By living wild and free<br />For the first time in her life<br />She's free to be who she wants to be</span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7633365738988931120.post-52235637655802293002015-09-05T07:03:00.000-07:002015-10-04T06:11:25.042-07:00Memoirs: The toys I grew up with<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Leigh Goessl</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Growing up in the 1970s was a lot of fun. In those days we didn't have many bright, flashy, blinking or video-centric games the kids of today play with, but even though our toys were simplistic in nature, we had some pretty nifty toys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Most of the toys I grew up with were made of durable wood. Our parents didn't have to worry about breakage and replacements over the course of time, and boy could these toys withstand some rough play. A few of these toys are still manufactured today, but they don't seem to be able to compete with the electronics and plastics that fill the toy shelves today. It does make me smile though to see a few retailers bringing back "retro items" in those simple boxes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.infobarrel.com/Reflections_About_Growing_Up_in_the_1970s" href="http://www.infobarrel.com/Reflections_About_Growing_Up_in_the_1970s" target="_blank">It seems like only yesterday</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>my siblings and I used to take our brilliantly colored wooden blocks, augment them with Lincoln Logs for extra finesse, and sit for hours building architectural wonders which grew into small cities. In between tall buildings we developed towers and other structures with our Tinker Toys for additional flair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I also have warm recollections of going to visit our great-aunt and playing Pick-Up Sticks. In those days, even the Pick-Up Sticks were made of wood; the excitement of concentrating and trying my hardest to grasp a stick without moving the others was always thrilling. I actually found my old set (one of the few toys to escape the donate pile) a few years back and I immediately brought those home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Colorforms were another wonderful pastime, I can recall how fun it was to take those sticker-like characters and magically pose them in the scenery; my favorite was "Snoopy", although "Wonder Woman" was pretty neat too. All we needed was that piece of cardboard with those small plastic pieces to create stories and our imaginations took us through all sorts of adventures as we strategically placed our colorforms across the mat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of the fondest memories I have is of my best friend and I trekking our Charlie's Angels dolls into the woods and setting up camp. We craftily found ways for our dolls go on fearless adventures, climbing through the dangers of the woods to fight crime and solve mysteries. In our campsite we used fallen leaves as blankets, and we tied twigs together to create cots for them to sleep in between excursions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As much as I loved playing with those dolls in the woods, the rustic surroundings weren't exactly glamorous and I desperately dreamed of the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Charlie's Angels' Hideaway House. Our family didn't have a lot of money and I knew it was a distant wish. I'll never forget the year that there was a big package under the Christmas tree with my name on it and when I had opened it, it was the Hideaway House! To this day I have no idea how my mother managed to find the money for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Santa does indeed work in mysterious ways. My dolls and I were very happy and proud to have a home to relax in after battling the dangers of the woods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Today, as I browse through the toy aisles, plastic toys with digital enhancements dominate the shelves. While they have a certain appeal and attraction, they just don't hold the same magnetism the toys of yesteryear did. Kids quickly move on from one electronic fad to the next and modern toys don't hold their attention the way those charming wooden ones held ours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Before one fad ends, another one has already begun, and last year's "hot" toys are quickly forgotten, the majority of toys today aren't "timeless", although there are a few out there that still exist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For my son, it was all about the PlayStation then later the XBox, but every so often he'd sit down with his baby sister and play with brightly colored blocks. As I watched them build their own architectural marvels together, I'd sit back and quietly smile. Despite all this wild technology progress happening, some things just don't change. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What were your favorite toys when growing up?</span></div>
Leigh Goesslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04065704657360275144noreply@blogger.com0