Note on The Da Vinci Code

I can't understand the controversy over the DaVinci Code. I read and thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's fiction and, at best, an engaging theory but the operative word here is "fiction". Beyond the apparent story, I find the implication that Jesus may have had a more human side only draws me nearer to Him. It is the coming together of the spiritual Son of God and the temporal Son of Man through Woman in one person that fulfills the promise of God. And this is where my thought takes a visit to the spiritual twilight zone.

There is much mystery in the our walk with the spiritual. But then again there is much mystery in our walk in the physical world also. Those are the only two choices available and are not mutually exclusive but rather inexticably bound together. Of the physical mysteries, my particular favorite is our inability to explain the discrete packets of energy which behave as subatomic waves in quantum mechanics.

Perhaps Jesus was married and fathered children. I don't find anything to the contrary in the Bible. Does that make a difference in His being the Son of God? Not in the spiritual sense and then certainly not in the physical sense. That spiritual mystery has been better explained than the whole atomic thing. We accept both on faith. Sometimes we think someone has actually seen an atom. One the other hand, however one views Jesus, it seems He was, at least, seen. There are those who believe that reality only exists in the metaphysical. Plato's Cave seems to have influenced our thought on that concept.

How can we define reality? Certainly anything as transitory and subjective as our five senses makes that argument for reality at least questionable. Can we prove without a doubt we are nothing more than the dream of a being floating in eternity? So is permanence the criteria? Is anything permanent? Can we even conceive of forever? Its been shown that time slows down as we approach the speed of light. Now what kind of sense does that make? And what about gravity? No one knows how it works, but it does. And most of everything is nothing. What I mean is; if the nucleus of an atom were the size of a baseball, the closest electron would be about nine miles away. So getting back to the Da Vinci Code, who knows what happens when the spiritual world meets the physical. We have a tendency to take our religions far too seriously. As John Westley said "A sour Godliness is the devils religion". I don't think Dan Brown even came close to getting it right but then, ya never know.

Jesus makes reference over and over again of our need to accept His message in simple faith; to look on this wonderful promise as children would. There is no need to analyze or philosophize. Beyond the basic message of love of God and our neighbor, what else is there to be said? In the "Brothers Karamazof" the Grand Inquisitor , looking for someone to blame for our free will, seeks to lead Christ into a rational discussion and Jesus answers with silence. All has been said in it's simple truth with no need for further explanation.

So I say enjoy the movie and the book and take it for the fiction it is. One thing I do think is women had a far more important role in the early church than tradition allows us to believe. If it were left only in the hands of men we would have messed it up some how. Maybe that's been the problem considering the later seem to have been in authority for a while.

The New Theory of Evolution

Our friend, Lena, who has no blog and still suffers living in Baltimore in a house continuing to skyrocket in value sent me this.

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs.

Words Women Use

I must give my hearty thanks to Ruth, she of the numerous tags, at Reflections for the following. Wish she would have clued me in on these about fifty years ago.

WORDS WOMEN USE

FINE

This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

FIVE MINUTES

If she is getting dressed, this is half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given 5 more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

NOTHING

This is the calm before the storm. This means "something," and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with 'Nothing' usually end in "Fine"

GO AHEAD

This is a dare, not permission. Don't do it.

LOUD SIGH

This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "Nothing"

THAT'S OKAY

This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

THANKS

A woman is thanking you. Do not question it or faint. Just say you're welcome.

Oh, and before we forget ...

"Whatever"

...it's a woman's way of saying *!#@ YOU!


Note from Dave:
Guys, remember the two most important words in a mans vocabulary, "YES, DEAR"!

More Fun With Dave and Wanda

Love of my life and I spent a grand day and about twenty dollars in gas driving around the Independence, Va. area doing the insurance thing. This is one set of the falls on Falls Road. I took some other pics and will post them altho' they didn't turn out too good. It's the camera, folks. The countryside in that area is beautiful. It's the only region we have seen where, other than where we are,we would have considered living.

There may be some people in the world who actually choose to sell insurance door to door. None of them reside at Villa MacBean. We do it because, well, quite honestly, it's the only job we could find in economically depressed southwest Virginia. After applying with local businesses for the better part of six months and after several call backs never hearing from them again, "ya do whatcha gotta do". Perhaps some of you remember the "desk clerk" job I applied for. He was the guy who asked if I could type. Now remember I have over twenty years experience working in hotels. The last I heard from that guy after about half a dozen conversations was "I'm going to put you on the schedule and give you a call". I hear the same litany here, as in Baltimore, "good help is so hard to find". You know what I say? "Well, if you didn't hire your nephew who only wants to get back on unemployment or that illegal Mexican, maybe you would have some good help". People in this area have many wonderful qualities, however their employment practices are not included, especially to when it comes to senior citizen newcomers.

So Wanda and I took the insurance jobs because we needed some positive cash flow. I've said several times I have a belief that God has a strange sense of humor.
For whatever reason He handed us our present challenge. I'm sure we are learning some important lessons because that's the way He does things. But I know He's chuckling over his latest. Yesterday, in the mail was a check for over a much needed $5,000. It was from a loan company and with interest we would have to repay over $9,000! Just deposit it in your checking account! Oh, yeah, I can hear the laughter now.

More Back Roads

So I hopped out of bed, rolled the trash down the drive for Wednesday collection only to discover it's Tuesday. Hope no one saw it and thinks I'm crazier than I am.

Love of my life and I are off today to harass the good citizens of Independence, Virginia . It's about an hours drive through some very pretty country. The gas prices have become a major consideration. Other than the times I would chauffeur her around before I found gainful employment this is the first occasion of us traveling the insurance road together.

Yesterday working the same area (not together) I discovered Falls Road. As the name implies there are several charming waterfalls and today with camera in hand I will record same to share. We had a Falls Road in Baltimore which was not quite so charming altho' it was somewhat scenic and had some curves and hill which the Celica enjoyed. After our thrills here in the mountains of Virginia the desire to drive Baltimore's Falls Road was drastically diminished.

My brain function is slowly returning to it's normal state (whatever that is) after a hectic several weeks consisting of long hours and frenetic activity. Sometimes challenges are needed to remind us of the important things of life which are often taken for granted. Our ring tailed friend Bandit, has become a regular nocturnal visitor perhaps because Wanda has been feeding him (or her, not sure which) peanut butter. And Rocky has been zipping from the feeder to the trees with startling consistency. It really is the little things in life that count.

For those who really care, I havn't forgotten the Easter bonnet pic.

Spring!!!

What a beautiful spring morning on Groundhog Mountain! There was the whirr of hummingbird wings as I replaced the bird feeder which we take in at night to prevent obesity in Bandit, the raccoon and Rocky, the flying squirrel. After a rain Saturday it's easy seeing green.

Traveling around southwest Virginia has delighted me with Dogwood, Redbud, Iris, Lilac, and Azaleas in bloom. Traveling being the operative word. Driving has become expensive even in the 32 mile per gallon Toyota; over a hundred dollars last week.

I won't complain about the "new job". It's what's been, for whatever reason, given for us to accomplish. I'm discovering the love the world has for insurance salesmen. Seems it's in the neighborhood of politicians and car salesmen. But then I figure if the majority of the American people dislike it there's got to be some good there somewhere. It's just a communication problem. Nothing lasts forever and there is another, better day about to begin.

Shout Out!

Yes, Dave is still alive. This has been a long week and the blogging has suffered. I've been leaving the house at 7:30 AM and the earliest I've returned has been 9:00 PM. Tonight it's after 10.
We have been working in Bedford,Virginia about 100 miles away from Villa MacBean. As with most things I do, I make it fun.
Next week will be closer home and the drive won't be so long and the brain won't be so "fried".
I miss all my interesting blogging friends and hope to soon be back among you on a more regular basis.
Will post a pic of me in my Easter bonnet (since there seems to be some curiosity regarding same) soon. Hey, good things are worth waiting for!

Happy Easter

Hope you all have a Happy Easter or whatever you celebrate on this day. It's a magnificent day on Groundhog Mountain.
The new jobs long hours during training has kept me busy this week.
Time to put on the Easter bonnet and off to church.

The Gospel According to Judas (Modern English Version)

The time: Sometime around 32 AD
The place: Somewhere on the road to Jerusalem

Jesus: Judas, come on over here, I want to ask you something and I don't want the others didn't hear.

Judas: Sure, Master.

Jesus: Ya know, Judas, we're making a not so quiet entrance into the city where they're out to get me.

Judas: I know, maybe we should do Passover in the suburbs and skip the big celebration.

Jesus: I've got this plan, but I need your help. You'll probably wind up killing yourself over it but in the meantime you'll pick up a couple pieces of silver.

Judas: So far it doesn't sound to good but after that Lazarus thing it may work out.

Jesus: Here's the plan. I think if I have myself put to death in the most cruel and barbaric way, the the rest of these few, uneducated, county guys I've chosen can write a bunch of books, show the world I'm the promised One and make millions of people believe in my message.

Judas: You know, this isn't sounding any better.

Jesus: Since the people that count don't know what I look like I need you to betray me.

Judas: Why me? You know I'm no good at that kind of thing. Pick Peter, he's always got something to say.

Jesus: Judas, your the only one I really trust to pull this off. You've been keeping our money and there's not been a shekel missing. And Peter, he'll probably say he doesn't even know me. After we do the Seder, you go get the Pharasees, meet me in the garden and give me a kiss on the cheek. I'll be arrested, tortured and crucified. Three days later I'll rise from the dead and everything will be OK.

Judas: Say what?

Jesus: Don't tell the others. Of course, you'll forever be the bad guy and no one will ever name their kid Judas again. Oh yeah, don't forget you'll probably hang yourself. But think of the great service you'll be doing mankind. That is, of course, if a couple of fishermen and the rest of these unknowns can pull this story off.

Judas: The only thing is Master, if I'd feel so bad over this thing I'd kill myself how will I know your plan worked?

Jesus: Just write your book, but you need to get it done, we haven't much time.

My Commute

The 12 or maybe the 13th commandment is be carefully what you pray for, you just may get it. I believe God has a somewhat distorted sense of humor. I mean, who else could come up with putting a guy in the stinking belly of a whale just because the guy decided to head the wrong way. So I've been praying for a job to occupy the years between my first and second retirement. Wanda has been praying for a job where we were working at the same place. Well, SHAZAM! We got what we asked for.
I've been driving the 137.4 mile round trip to Roanoke for the past week. Up a 6 or so, in the car at 7:30 and down the Parkway to the big city. It's a fantastic ride to work, cruising along on the Blue Ridge Parkway, while listening to Beethoven's 9th shake the car. The ride home, however....
The days stretch into the early evening which finds me still working. Then the drive home is slow with a constant watch for the suicidal deer and a longing for love of my life. I want to speed, the limit on the Parkway is 45, but because of the deer and the possibility of the feds giving me a ticket I want to drive slow. I become at odds with myself. Thank God for Frank Sinatra, the Dooby Brothers and any classical guitar.
And my poor wife? We may be working at for the same company but we're sure not working any where close to each other.
I guess all that was an explanation why my blogging has suffered of late. My system is still getting used to leaving early morning and getting home around 10:30 PM. One more week of in the field training and then I'm on my own and can return to a somewhat normal life. Normal? Like I said God has a great sense of humor.
Happy Easter to all my Christian sisters and brothers. To my Jewish friends, a blessed Passover. And to the rest of you, happy springtime. If your into the mood for some Easter eggs of a different sort stop by and visit our favorite, the one and only guy in a blue bunny suit, Mr. Entertainment, and a wonderful husband and father, the ...Did he say a blue bunny suit? Yes, he did, may I present BILLY D.
Gotta shower now, Bye

Quick Post

New game; speed blogging. I have 15 minutes to spend with this activity then hour and a half drive to Roanoke. Yesterday left at 7:30 am returned home at 1030 pm. It's like the hours I used to work at the hotel.
The nice thing about the trip is it's up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cruise control at 45 as that's the speed limit and getting caught speeding really is a federal offense. There's no traffic unless one counts the deer. We did last night coming home. The grand total on the 63 mile drive was 18. Thankfully, none were suicidal.

The culture and natural beauty along the Blue Ridge Parkway is admiralty reported on The Blue Ridge Gazette . It's well worth reading. Today's topic is Sheep Shearing at Thistle Cove Farm.

And the Lifecruisers have taken up the "A to Z' thing. If you want to see what it really means to "live life to the fullest" check out these two wonderful Swedes. They have such a marvelous way of looking at things.

So, my friends, I feel happy, I feel healthy, I feel terrific and it's off to greet the world.

A Note To Illegal Immigrants

You don't need to come here looking for work. Go back home, that's where we've sent all the jobs.

I'm Up

It's going to be a beautiful Monday on Groundhog Mountain. After a bit chilly start the temperature is promised to hit 60 degrees F. I have done the healthy, happy, terrific routine and my PMA is terrific and I am off to my first day on the new job.
First to Christianburg and thence to Bedford. This is going to be fun. I can talk to strangers without my wife chiding me for doing so. I can even mess with their heads. Such anticipation, such excitement.

And Now Folks, Everything From A to Z!

My recent trip to Raleigh, North Carolina reminded me how blessed I am to be living on Groundhog Mountain. Since it's so quiet up here every noise there was magnified. Oh, yes, the stores and restaurants were at hand but so was the traffic. I've gotten into the mountain habit of speaking to people who pass and there, when I did, the response was a rather strange look. I didn't go out much mostly because the course involved constant study and besides them city folks are crazy and give you strange looks.

My friend Ruth, who is a terrific writer and looks at life from an interesting perspective has seen fit to take advantage of my age and absence and tag me (again). She knows I'm kind of slow, an easy hit who can't outrun her verbal dexterity. This time it's the "everything you wanted to know about me from A to Z" thing. So for all you who, upon tumbling out of bed this morning, asked yourself as your feet hit the cold floor "I sure would like to know more about that MacBean gene guy" (you know who you are) here is the answer to your burning question.

Accent- I am told when I first started speaking it was with and Italian accent. I have since lost it. But I sho' nuf can talk southern witha best'um, doncha know, shuga? Didja bring th' Chevy wicha?
Booze- It's all good. I don't drink a lot, just consistently.
Chore I hate- Anything to do with an automobile except drive and I really enjoy that.
Dog or cat- Either, cats seem to be a force in my life. The MacBean beast is a cat and the family motto is "Touch not the cat bot a targe" translated- don't mess with this cat unless you bring some heavy protection.
I've never met a cat that didn't like me. And my astrology sign was at one time in history the cat. So much for that catasrophic catagory.
Essential Electonics-after light bulbs it's the refrigerator. And nothing more complicated than the computer or cell phone.
Favorite perfume- On a woman, Shalamar and I like, Paul Sebastian.
Gold or silver- Gold, I like jewelry. Two rings, watch, maybe a bracelet and, if appropriate, a neck chain. That's it, don't want to overdo.
Hometown-I was born in Elkhart, Indiana, but soon had to get out of town. The Gulf of Mexico was a block from our house on Sunset Beach, Treasure Island, Florida where I grew up.
Insomnia-only if I drink caffeinated coffee after 6 PM.
Job Title-Insurance agent. Others I've had: Busboy, Meter reader in a sewer, DJ at a radio station, Art Director at a TV station, Shoe salesman, Cook, Kitchen manager, restaurant manager and owner, lawn care worker, taxi driver, hotel night manager, room service manager, hotel executive stewart, banquet manager, banquet captain, catering service manager, general construction, husband.
Kids-two sons, two daughters. (I know of)
Living arrangements-Fisal, our attack cat allows love of my life and myself to stay with her in the retirement home we bought her on Groundhog Mountain where she takes excellent care of us.
Most admirable trait-Other than my ability to scratch the back of my neck with my big toe, my sparkling wit, cheerful disposition and magnetic personality. Oh, yes, also my humility.
Number of sexual partners-Sorry folks, I lost track after the first thousand or so.
Overnight hospital stays-Two, both for the first and second of four hernia repairs (TMI?). I sure was glad when they got it right and left.
Phobias-any TV reality show unless it has to do with home improvement.
Quote-"Never hesitate to open a bottle of wine or kiss a pretty girl", Earnest Hemingway
Religion-I am a born again, bible thumping, fundamentalist Christian. And I believe God has a great sense of humor. He has to since He got involved in my life. I firmly believe He wants us to enjoy our life on this world to the fullest and will, if we give Him the OK, do everything in His power to see that happens. It's just that we mess it up by thinking we can help Him out. Jesus first miracle was at a wedding and it was to turn water into wine. Furthermore Jesus danced at the last supper. Now that should tell us something. If it's written in the Bible, I believe it. Finally, I hope to see you all in heaven as we sing and polka to country gospel around the throne of God. If you're not saved by the sacrifice of Jesus blood on the cross, get with it and join the fun. It's FREE for the asking. That's not to say I don't respect others beliefs. We all have our own way of getting close to our Creator. This answer could probably, in itself, take up another blog so that will have to do.
Siblings-I have two sisters, both younger than myself. One teaches elementary school in St. Petersburg, Florida. The other has a goat farm outside Lake Butler, Florida.
Time I wake up-About an hour after I get up.
Unusual talent or skill-I can sleep standing up
Vegetable I refuse to eat-chitterlings. I know that's not a vegetable but there's not one I don't like.
Worst habit-Annoying my wife. And the fun part is, I don't even know when I'm doing it.
X-Rays-Some of you kids may remember going to the shoe store and having your feet x-rayed to make sure the new shoes fit. It didn't help, they still had to be "broke in".
Yummy foods I make-All of them. The best is probably strawberry cheesecake.
Zodiac sign-Libra, with a bunch of planets in Taurus. I have been told I'm a triple Venusian which must be good.

Now I usually don't tag anyone else so I won't but I really would like to see what:
Lifecruisers (either/or both)
Kasia
My neighbor, Leslie
and my favorite Boopchild and anyone else out there would do with this. You know, you don't have to, but inquiring minds do want to know.

Hey Man, Can I Score Some Seeds?

It seems my wife, while I was away, has been entertaining nocturnal visitors. A bunch of addicts! They would sell their souls for a bit of sunflower seed. I never knew the power of sunflower seed, which I am sure Noah used as a lure to attract passengers for his cruise, until these villains started coming. If had Godzilla and Mothra been exposed Tokyo would have been spared. The reason dinosaurs evolved into birds is as the former these little morsel's would hardly make a meal. I also have a suspicion George Bush is addicted to them (perhaps you recall the problem Ronald Reagan had with jelly beans?) and I'm sure Edward Kennedy has had his hand in the seed sack!

Meet culprit #1. Before I left for the city this nefarious fellow had been spotted creeping across the top of the deck railing intent on the bird feeder. When discovered with his hand in the cookie jar or bird feeder, as the case may be, he gave that "I was just checking it out look" and disappeared slowly over the side of the deck with a "goodbye, but I'll be back" glance over his furry little shoulder. And he was. He was last seen by my wife going over the side of the deck doing that thing Willie Coyote used to do when he hit the cliff and there was nothing to hold on to. You know it's like the fingers on the blackboard without the "screeech". Just the "oh, oh" look and a long slide down.

Which brings us to culprit #2. Meet the sneak of the week, the king of the road kill, and ingredient of many a mountain pie, a perennial old south favorite Mr. Possumus americanus (or something like that). It was the nose seen first emerging, slowly, from the right side of the lower door jam. Evidently Wanda smelled alright because two little questioning, beady eyes cauciously peered into the room. Upon seeing my wife and Fisal, the attack cat, Mr. P.A. suddenly withdrew. Think like a possum (if you don't mind): There are sunflower seeds on the other side of that door. It's dark over there but to get there requires braving the light from the house, the attack cat and the good smelling people. Well, punk, do ya feel lucky, do ya? The glass door was closed, the punk was lucky and the seeds were within reach when the floodlight on that side of the deck sent culprit #2 back the way he came with little thought of the person, the light or the cat.

And so that brings us to #3, Rocky, "wow, look at all them sunflower seeds, Bullwinkle," the Flying Squirrel. Wanda rushed to the door, threw open the screen. From the top of the feeder, to the gas powered grill, now fly away, fly away, fly away all. And so up to roof top, the oak tree and gone. But our fearless crusader, not one to give up, returned, with his friend. And started the fun all over again. Now like sly bloggers they lurk in the treetops.

So far we can deal with these little critters. But we are told the black bear are also very fond of sunflower seeds. He will be left to enjoys his meal with the hope he doesn't come looking for dessert.

Every great man, every successful man, no matter what the field of endeavor, has known the magic that lies in these words: every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.
W. Clement Stone

I'm off again, see y'all Friday

Time Off for Good Behavior

I was given the weekend off and returned with utmost haste from the urban madness to my beloved Blue Ridge. If you're not in the environs of Goundhog Mountain today you have my sincere sympathy. The temperature is hovering around 70 degree F. and a cool breeze is blowing intermittently through the screen doors. A chorus of birds are serenading under the Carolina blue sky with an occasional white cloud breaking the sunlight. The red maple trees are starting to bud, a sure sign of spring. If I didn't already know there is a God who loves me, today would convince me without a doubt.

Raleigh, North Carolina is everything one could expect from a large city and less. The sales classes are intense from 8 AM to 5 PM with a lot of memorization work to fill the evening until this tired student falls onto the hotel bed around 10 o'clock. Other than a humorous "good old boy" ("tastes so good your tongue'll slap your brain" or "so much money you could use it to burn a wet mule for three days")) instructor the only bright spot is Tuesday and Wednesday "happy hour" when the hotel provides comlimentary beer, wine and pizza.

Althought I didn't always comment (it's that time thing) I did make it around to visit my blogging pals to catch up. Speaking of time, we lose an hour tonight to daylight savings time which means one less hour at home as I return to the city Sunday PM. Maybe I'll have time to add another post or two before I leave but here are three upon which my muse insisted.

Got Hit Up Side The Head With PMA

I have been PMAed. the founder of this company I'm going work for was W. Clement Stone, and when I first saw his picture I thought looked like a pimp. But He was a brilliant and very positive guy. PMA stand for positive mental attitude and W. turned it into a science and a way of life. His books, "Believe and Achieve" and "The Success System That Never Fails" are classics in the self help category.

Never being a great fan of insurance, when Wanda went to work for the company my immediate thought was "hey, it's a job". But as I observed the companies philosophy I came to appreciate the genuinely motivating and positive objectives. And although the polka-dot bow ties and pencil mustache still gave me pause, the cigar smoking W. C. and his PMA were beginning to take effect.

There has been plenty written about and by W. Clement Stone who started with $100. in 1919 what has turned into one of the major insurance companies. One thing I didn't know, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He lost to Mother Teresa. He was also a fantastic ballroom dancer and it is said that at a social gathering he would dance with every woman in the place.

After a long trans-Atlantic flight when most of the rest of the aircraft passengers were just leaving the arms of Morphius to that post flight, post slumber state the somewhat elderly W. (he lived to be 100) jumped from his seat. His arms swinging (the following must include some physical activity) and extolling the rest of the somewhat zombieized travelers out of their seats, he invigorated them with the mantra he engaged in each morning, "I feel healthy, I feel happy, I feel terrific". It's still used in the company, very effectively.

I encourage the reading of his books and just to get you going I'll be throwing out a few quotes form the man.

"Stand up. Raise your arms. Repeat after me: I feel healthy! I feel happy! I feel terrific! "
W. Clement Stone

It's True, You Only Rent It.

Thanks to Benning who hosts his writing pad from my old haunt of Largo, Florida for the great Beer Test. When I was a kid growing up in St. Petersburg (that's Florida, not Russia) a trip to Largo was the annual pilgrimage to visit the Pinellas County fair. Other than that there wasn't much there once the twenty or so mile drive down orange grove sequestered roads was accomplished. Now it's become part of the megalopolis know as Tampa Bay.

Anyway, if it has to do with beer, I'm interested. I guess it's as valid as the Great Green Test and beer is much better than mint. But Killians Red? Hardly a first choice but, other than Budweiser, I've never met a beer I didn't like. Well, I may not have liked it but I always drank the whole bottle just to make sure. And unless they have quit producing bottles don't even think of bringing anything in a can. Want to be welcomed with shouts of joy at the Villa MacBean? Just turn up with one of those great Dutch or German brews. Of course Yuengling, besides being the oldest brewery in America is inexpensive and very good, that'll work.

Killian's Red (66% dark & bitter, 66% working class, 33% genuine)

I'll start with a quote from a review of Killian's Red that I think will reflect on you, too: "deep flavor, somewhat mild, with a moderate head." It goes on to talk about a "light caramel odor," and while that sounds nice, I don't think I can go that far in my analysis. Overall, Killian's is a very good beer. The only thing that kinda sucks is that even though it says "Irish Red" on the bottle, this stuff's made by Coors, not peaty old Dubliners. I guess that's my way of telling you that you scored on the lower side of the "genuine" part of my test. Here's my guess: you're a sensible, likeable person, and you're popular among different groups of people. The test probably read that as a slight superficiality. Personality-wise, you have refined tastes (after all, this stuff is kind of expensive), but you know how to savor what you get. Your personality isn't exactly bubbly, but you're well-liked nonetheless. Your sense of humor is rather dark, but that's just another way to say sophisticated, right? As a real George Killian would say: Sláinte! Cheers!

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 35% on dark You scored higher than 25% on workingclass You scored higher than 6% on genuine

Link: The If You Were A Beer Test written by gwendolynbooks on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test