DOH

Some things seem so simple when you know them but you can't figure out why you didn't understand them sooner.  \

For instance:  

One of my favorite movies is Casablanca. 

One of the most common words in French, Spanish and Portuguese is "casa" which means "house".

I live on a street named "LeBlanc" which I came to know years ago was taken from the French, Spanish or Portuguese meaning "white".  

Casablanca, the movie and largest city in Morocco, is named "white house". 

Why didn't I pick up on this a long time ago?

LIVIN' LARGE

We find ourselves in the second half of 2026.  Let's all make it better than the first.  Only problem with that is "I can't imagine anything better."  What a great time it is in which we live.   Can it really get any better?  Living in America.  Land of opportunity. 

LUCKY ME!

SON DAY

 It's Sunday, the 5th of July.  It would be a great day to say:

Thank God I live in America!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA

 Pop the corks!

SCHOOL DAYS

 Here is a new list I found.  Hope it doesn't blow anyone's bubble. This comes from the respected Fortune magazine.  It concerns which colleges produce the most CEO's of the 500 largest corporations in America.  It is a top ten list which I am producing upside down.

10.  Boston College         6

9.    Georgetown University    6

8.    Miami University (OH)    7

7.    Texas A&M University    7

6.    University of Notre Dame     7

5.    University of Michigan         8

4.    Harvard University                8

3.    Cornell University                10

2.    University of Pennsylvania   12

1.    No degree at all                      20

QUOTATIONS

 I have written more than once that the best lessons are learned from failure.  Don't be afraid to fail.

Now we hear from Colin Powell, U.S. Army general and statesman who became Secretary of State.  He was quoted as saying:

"There are no secrets to success.  It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure."

Failure is not a terrible thing, it is a stepping stone to success.  Think of it that way and use it in that way.  

MIDWEEK PRAYER

For Father's Day.  Ladies can change father to mother.

Saint Joseph was a just man, 

a tireless worker, 

the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care.  

As the father of a family, 

I pray the Lord help me 

to always protect, provide for and enlighten my family.

Amen

THEME SONGS

 Many sports teams have adopted songs by which they are known.  Everyone wishes they had "We are the Champions".  All football teams like "We will Rock You".  To get into the mood of a sports contest, there's none better than "Eye of the Tiger.

Here are some you would know.  Most famous, I think, is the Boston Red Sox with "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond.   The New York Yankees have been known to use "New York, New York" by Frank Sanatra.   Ohio State football would be nothing without "Hang on Sloopy" by the MaCoys..  University of Tennessee adopted "Rocky Top" by the Osborne Brothers..  The Pittsburgh Pirates use "We are Family" by Sister Sledge.  West Virginia University likes "Take Me Home, Country Road" by John Denver.  I've heard "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses at Bengals games. If they don't, the Milwaukee Brewers should use "Beer Barrel Polka".  For the Cincinanti Reds, I would choose "Dead Man Walkin" by Bruce Springstein.

SAVE THE DAY

No, its not the birthday of our country.  That comes on Friday.  

It is the 180th day of the year.  Not quite halfway through.  That comes on Thursday.

On this date in 2007,  Apple Inc. released its first mobile phone, the  iPhone.

Slim Pickens was born on this date.

Rosemary Clooney and Katharine Hepburn died on this date.

The Catholic Church honors Saints Peter and Paul on this date. 

That's about it.   I can't think of another significant thing that happened on June 29.

Have a great day. 

DIS AN DAT

 No one dared try a question or quiz for me.  Tsk!  Tsk!  Lazy chickens!  

🐔

Are chickens chicken? 

🐈

A little domestic house cat has six more vertebrae than a full-grown human.  That makes them so much more flexible.

🐪

Here is an ancient Egyptian blessing.  "May God come between you and harm today."

🐖 - 🐎

So, what's the difference between a pigtail and a ponytail?  Do pigtails come in pairs but ponytails do not?  Are ponytails larger?  Are pigtails seen on young people but ponytails on older people?  If it is braided does it have to be a pigtail?  If one is seen on a man, does it have to be a pigtail?  I've spent a lot of time recently worrying about this.  

REMEDIES

 I am not a doctor.  I do have a daughter who sometimes thinks she is.  I found these homeopathic cures on the internet, so you know they must be true.

Having trouble getting to sleep?  Blink both eyes real fast for one minute. 

Have a stuffy nose?  Put a whole ice cube in your mouth - up against the roof of the mouth until it melts.

Are you nervous or anxious about something big coming up in your life?  Breath through your left nostril only.

Is your heart racing and you're afraid you're having a heart attack?  Breath in deeply and exhale very slowly for 8 seconds. 

Are you feeling weak and have no energy?  Put cold water on your face.

Is your brain stuck and you're having trouble thinking?  Brush your teeth with the hand you never use. 

ps.  The only one that really bothers me is the one about the racing heart.  If the slow exhale doesn't work, dial 911.  

MIDWEEK PRAYER

Interesting quotation from an interesting source: 

 

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."

- - - Muhammad Ali,  adherent to Islam

Service to others is so very important.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta was quoted as saying, in essence:  No one on Earth dies of hunger because God did not give us enough food to feed everyone.  Remember that!

Keep redirecting your life to be of service to others in whatever way you can.  You can do it.  

Our prayer today:  Lord, thank you for the many blessings you have given me, please show me how to help those in need on our journey to your kingdom.  Amen

1776 + 250 = 2026

 I think America became a great country because it was first populated by people who left their homeland with nothing but what they could carry and risked an ocean voyage to a place they had never seen with other people they never knew.  That's a commitment!  A brave courageous undertaking.  They were all-in!

The main reason:  Hope.  Hope that freedom would exist and persist.  Hope that life  would be better.  Hope that the land would produce food.  Hope that their religious beliefs would be tolerated.  Hope that there would be no tyrannical ruler.  Hope that they could determine their own destiny. These people were willing to die fighting the British to maintain that vision.

Every year, almost 1 million people from around the world apply for citizenship in our country.  Most recently, 80 - 90% of those are approved.  In addition, our country gives out about 55,000 immigrant visas (green cards) each year to the 20 million people who apply for them.  

This is a great country and the world knows it.  No matter how many faults you find with it, they cannot compare to all the positives.  In God we trust.

(Don't listen so much to what our leaders say but watch what they do.)

QUIZ

 NO MORE QUIZZES.  

This one's for you.  Ask me a question - any question - any puzzle - any problem.  Let's see if I can give you the answer.  

Use the comment feature.  If you have an account, use it.  Any gmail is an account.  I'd rather you not be anonymous. 

Good Luck.