Archives - November 2015

There is a reason it used to be a crime in the Confederate states to teach a slave to read: Literacy is power.

They say the universe is expanding. That should help with the traffic.

If what I have to do is share a sandwich to lift someone's spirits, put a smile on their face --- the worst thing that happens is I go broke!

I am a cynical optimist. Big opening weekends are like cotton candy. The films you will remember over time are the films that stick in the consciousness of the audience in a good way.

Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole!

Why is it so hard to find an exercise bike with a nice little basket where I can put my nachos?

Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.

Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent.

A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.

In the simple moral maxim the Marine Corps teaches --- do the right thing, for the right reason --- no exception exists that says: unless there's criticism or risk.

The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment.

Don't worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.

My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill he gave me six months more.

It's funny how cucumber water can taste so much better than pickle juice, even though they come from the same source.

Recycling requires a trivial amount of our time. Recycling saves money and reduces pollution. Recycling creates more jobs than landfilling or incineration. And a largely ignored but very important consideration, recycling reduces our need to dump our garbage in someone else’s backyard.

Writing is like sewing together what I call these "buttons," these bits and pieces.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.

You know, all that really matters is that the people you love are happy and healthy. Everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae.

Secretly we're all a little more absurd than we make ourselves out to be.

There are young people having babies every day that cannot possibly take care of them, and, as people who believe that every life is beautiful, we need to make them aware of another choice --- to give that beautiful life up for adoption.

The stories of past courage can define that ingredient --- they can teach, they can offer hope, they can provide inspiration. But they cannot supply courage itself. For this each man must look into his own soul.

The difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry blank.

In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.

In my day, we didn't have self-esteem, we had self-respect, and no more of it than we had earned.

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.

Shopping is a woman thing. It's a contact sport like football. Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase.

Behind every small business, there's a story worth knowing.

We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.

Buying something on sale is a very special feeling. In fact, the less I pay for something, the more it is worth to me. I have a dress that I paid so little for that I am afraid to wear it. I could spill something on it, and then how would I replace it for that amount of money?