“Enthusiasm Means Everything…”

Do you remember when you were a youngster… and you wanted to make “money” – and you were willing to work??? Can you think back to maybe the first time – you ask someone if you could work… and that maybe – that they would pay you something???

Back in the 1940s – when I was a little kid and you wanted something – you could ask – but with the WAR going on and no one had a lot  of anything  – extras – to just hand out  – you could end up doing a lot of work and receive no pay at all.

I must have been a “TOM-BOY” – and not afraid to get dirty – so I would take my wagon and start walking down the alley. Back then each house had an “ASH PIT” – and I would look in each one to see … what if anything was worth going in – and taking out??? During those WWII years – you could get money for good scrap metal – not much money – but some was worth the effort for me to find stuff and then take where they would pay something for it.

If you were living back then – you might remember the corner “Confectionary Stores” – all kinds of stuff – for you – – should you need and want?? Well, I remember the store on the corner of Lee and Prairie and as you would walk in the door – there was a round post with shelves and boxes of “PENNY CANDY” – and this was the day when a “PENNY” was worth a “PENNY!” You did get a full “PENNY’S” worth of candy… in those days.

You were given a small brown sack that – you could fill with all of your favorite pieces of candy  – and the choices were terrific for a small child  – thinking that “YOU” were the richest person in the whole world! The work that was involved for the “PENNY BAG of CANDY”… well – I …trying to think … now – and I guess that I would do it all – again and again. You have no idea of the FRIENDS – you would have when you had a “BAG” of candy – this whole way of living could give you the “BIG HEAD” if you were not careful???

This early start in my LIFE – to find some way to make a “DIME” – only happened because of my “ENTHUSIASM” – just getting to see and finally getting into my own little hand that “PENNY BAG OF CANDY” – that was a “REWARD” to and for me – just because of the ‘enthusiastic attitude” that I found that I had early in LIFE.

It seems to me – as I remember – that it takes “Enthusiasm” and lots of it to get what you want and when you want it. In other words- if you look like you really enjoy doing what you are doing – no matter how dirty the work might be – just being happy to be able to work and to do a real good job – and then with a final reward of “PAY” – “You have it made in the shade!”

When you show “Enthusiasm” in all that you are doing – it seems to spill over to those around you – and soon you find that you have the right kind of FRIENDS – they are there to help and encourage you in all of your endeavors – and you find yourself going up the ladder of LIFE!

“Enthusiasm”… equals the sign… “No job too small or too large” – When you have “Enthusiasm”… remember you have “EVERYTHING” And with EVERYTHING – what in the world …more would you want???

 

 

 

 


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On this day of your life,

I believe God wants you to know…  


…that love, in fact, is the agent of universal synthesis.

Pierre Teilhard De Chardin said that, and he was right.
It is the energy that ties everything together…and
everything falls apart without it.

If your own life is “falling apart” at some level, maybe
it’s time to add some love. But don’t wait to receive it.
Act like you can’t wait to give it.

Smother life with love and watch everything come
together again!

Reading the above message that was sent to me…LOVE is the ingredient that holds together all of LIFE… LOVE is the glue that we need.

Let’s just think about LOVE… bringing together a couple – young at HEART – no idea at all about LIFE and all the “ups and downs” that a young couple in LOVE will run into… especially if the magic ingredient – is not in the mixture – called LOVE???

To really be in LOVE – with someone – you are seeing and feeling a need… something that you can see – that if you were in this mixture… you could help to make something “GREAT!” You know that if “YOU” were in this mixture – this would be what is called … an affair to remember! – Because… you know – that  to be … a part of this “GREATNESS”  you are going to be serving as the glue that holds – as you will always have your arms stretched out – with ready and helping hands – that –  only your helping hands … can- and for sure will  be the true gel that binds closer … than a brother!

Your “energy” is the “EVERYTHING”… and the only thing – that pulls together LOVE – so that no matter what other forces in LIFE – may show their ugliness – that there will never ever… be a stronger LOVE than your LOVE – for the LOVE of your LIFE!

All “actions” are a cause for some kind of a reaction – and in LOVE – your giving will always be seen as that special glue that will bind together – forever

Some things in LIFE are falling apart – since some of our “energy levels” are not put strongly in the right places – we have to give abundantly of our LOVE to another – just so that they may learn by our tremendous amounts of LOVE given – that this is the real thing!

All of LIFE nerds LOVE to survive… let each of us… show another how we pass on the glue of LIFE  – this world and all of that… which we hold “DEAR” to our “HEARTS” need  to be revived … to survive!

 


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“Fourth of JULY” … HARD for the DOG!

When you start to think about “past” FOURTH of JULY‘s – and some of the problems – one very serious problem – always comes to mind!

Do you have a dog… or – do you know of friends who own dogs??? Start asking if they experience any difficulties with “fire-crackers” being shot off – for weeks prior to and even after the FOURTH of JULY??? I am surprised that no one has taken the time to write a book about the problems that “DOG OWNERS” have when the FOURTH of JULY comes around each year? It can be just plain “MURDER” for the “DOGS!”   I know! “Keep on reading.”

We needed to have some roof repairs made and we were lucky to find a man and his son,  which knew how to do all kinds of minor repairs around the house. It is wonderful to find someone who is reliable and can do all kinds of stuff – because I always have ideas for making changes to an old house.

The room connecting the garage to the house needed a “Bay Window” installed on the side of the room facing the road – and all the windows that were there – removed to and for someone else who could use them. – So a new “BAY WINDOW” was installed and under the seating area… some  new built- in shelves – just absolutely beautiful and the very  best place to see people drive up and down our  road. On each end of this “BAY WINDOW” was a large window that could be cranked open – just  so terrific!

Well… it was either before or very close to the FOURTH of JULY – and someone  living …nearby  – must have decided that it was time for them to shoot off “fire-crackers” and so… as  they were having “FUN” – not the case  for – –  our poor old German shepherd who is NOW  –  going crazy – with each of these loud explosions’?

This also – just happened to be a night that we had all left the house – but the GERMAN shepherd was still inside the house – and now – all alone – with no one to give him comfort nor to  explain that all was “OKAY” – just some “NUT” having some “FUN!”  This message is for those “DOG OWNERS” who still do not know that… at this time of the year – special care arrangements should be made for the dog – or else  – destruction will happen to the home and hard to say what might even happen to the  “best FRIEND of man” – the home protector  and  your good ole buddy!

When we got home that evening – there was no dog??? We looked all over – inside and outside – calling him and even checking with the neighbors – but no –   dog??? So… we went through the house – lights on everywhere…and really checking each and every corner – anywhere that a dog just might hide or.… well  – no one knows what to think  – but maybe someone broke in and took the dog???

Would you believe – when we started looking in the room with the “new ”  – “BAY-WINDOW?”  – The window screen was not in – it had been pushed out and broken? Dog scratch marks on and around the window seating area – and on the frame work around the window. Those “fire-works” so near our home – must have drove the poor dog  – practically out of his mind – he must have thought he needed to get out and save someone  – or whatever disturbed him – we will never know – but he managed to get out of the house.

I guess… you could say that the “DOG” did save his-self – as the torment was just too great for him to continue to endure alone – and he escaped???  We did find him down at the barn – when we went down to feed the horses –  the next morning.  Maybe … the horses were calling him – they may have needed comfort… and so “BENDER” – that is his “name” – spent the night protecting the horses …and then … what really happened …we will never know – only that –  –  I NOW had another repair job for the workers – the good guys who did such a wonderful job of installing a “new” –  “BAY-WINDOW” – and  – NOW … in hopes that it would be in better shape –  and forever!

 


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“Finding ‘JOY’ in the American Way…”

Yesterday – some of us Americans – made it a point to spend thousands of “DOLLARS” on FIRE-WORKS… and I am just wondering if – that is the best way to prove that we are AMERICANS?

I know –  from my MOTHER telling me  – that her older brothers – who were still riding horses in the North Saint Louis area – in and around their homes and through the open wooded areas  and  even with the real INDIANS… still living nearby – would ride around shooting their pistols  – and she always wondered if that was the safe way to celebrate???

For some reason or the other – I was always scared that something would happen to someone – if we did any of the “home-type” fire-works displays – a miss-aimed fire-cracker would shoot into the wrong direction – and – if someone close by was to get hurt or harmed in any kind of a way – I just do not think that I would be able to live with myself? When one is not too  up to date on all of  the rules and regulations of how to do  a thing – especially – the things that they do not know – how… and what to do in an emergency situation – then  – and always for me – I would rather just let the experts  – do what they know how to do best!

So, when my children were very young – we purchased a couple of those “Sparklers’ on a short stick” – and let the kids – just wave those around. Then – I noticed… – to my dismay – the “SPARKS” were hitting some of the furniture and making burn holes on things in the house – so that …was the end of that  “HAPPY FIRE-WORK” display  … and even inside my house!   (Never could understand why  – some people…  even use those Sparklers’ on cakes???)

Later on… we located where and when a “Fire-Work” display would be available  – and that is where we would be heading  –  all the FAMILY and Lawn Chairs – some refreshments – and  an evening where everyone felt “HAPPY and SAFE” to have FUN and enjoy  looking up into the night sky  – just to  say  “oo ooh and aah” – just listening to all of the other people… who had the same idea – that to celebrate the “FOURTH OF JULY”  – is best done by leaving all of the  “Community” professionals – prepare the best of “FIREWORKS” display that our “TAX DOLLARS” can buy!

One thing that is really important to remember – “What other COUNTRY can you say that you are FREE to hop into your own vehicle – take your FAMILY and your FRIENDS – just to gather and sit wherever you all want – and bring your own refreshments and lawn chairs – and shout for “JOY” that your are – “PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN” – just as loud as your lungs will allow!!!” And while you are being “GRATEFUL and THANKFUL” – we can all say with a very loud and “JOY-EST” song – we give Thanks to the ONE and only CREATOR – the ONE who is always watching over us and all of AMERICA!


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Remembering “JUNE” FRIENDS…

When… each month rolls around – I don’t know if anybody else gives a second thought or two about “FRIENDS” whose BIRTHDAY…  just happens to be in that month???  (But… I do!)

So, while I am thinking about this  month of “JUNE” – – – one of my oldest and a  very dear long time  “FRIEND” was STELLA – from the Orphanage. Stella’s Birthday was on the 6th of JUNE! Why in the world would I be able to always remember that date???  ( So many reasons – here are a few.)

For some reason – I do not remember the  “WHY”  for all of the “ORPHANS” to be dressed in some kind of costume and we marched for miles –  and –  as I remember – Stella and I were dressed in “INDIAN Squaw” outfits and as we were marching –   Stella and I were receiving a heck of a lot of “WOLF” calls  and whistles  – and we were really enjoying the long marching – with such  attention – just for us!!!

So, for her Birth date – she was highly energetic with  a commanding personality and was always an excellent conversationalist –  as I found out having been around her since we were both in the  same grade in school… One other thing  –  each person had an assigned  “NUMBER” – as everything that you own – was numbered.  You – yourself was a NUMBER – as most of the  NUNS would call “YOU”  by your  ” NUMBER”  and very – very seldom – were you ever called by your name –  and you got to know everybody by their NUMBER, too!  My number was (91) and Stella’s number was (90) – and that is not because we came into the Orphanage at the same time – as she was in the  Orphanage years before me. I liked that we had close numbers –  because – lots of the  things we did – we did together – almost like having the sister – which I really should have had!

On the (28th) of JUNE was another terrific FRIEND! Met with her – soon to be a FRIEND for LIFE – her name is “Kelly” and with a couple of her small children – when she was “HOUSE” hunting into the Jefferson County area. She called the REAL ESTATE office that I was then working – –  and I  just happened to be on duty. “What  –   “Luck” – never could have know – that this was a meeting – that would last forever!”

Kelly has a highly magnetic personality – when with and  always around her  family – there was always success in whatever she and  you are doing – she was always cheerful – very  energetic nature – and  with  the greatest of  skills – –  as she worked in the medical field  –  – and  she knew just what was right for everyone and made everyone so comfortable at all times!

Kelly had seven of the best children that you would want to be around – and at all times – Kelly and her husband did a lot of traveling – as that is what she  would like  to do. So often she would call me while I was still at the office –  – and  would invite me to stop by for supper  – with her and the FAMILY – and this was always a “real treat” for me.

Sometimes in LIFE – YOU just  never know when – but you may  have a chance meeting – and all of a sudden… instead of just  being  “FRIENDS”  –  “YOU” are invited into a “FAMILY” – –  that thinks of  “YOU”  as a part of their FAMILY  –  – and for all the occasions of LIFE!

Would you say… that the Almighty YAHWEH – does have a hand in the choices  and selections  that – you  can or cannot make – depending on how you feel – but – in  some of the “PLACES” and “SITUATIONS”  that HE has “YOU”  show up in – –  “if  “YOU”  play YOUR cards right –  YOU are  really in there  –  for LIFE!”

DV


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Sensational – Stunning “SUNSET” at Sunset Park!

Last night… if you missed the extraordinary way that the “SUN”  was setting for all of  us at the “SUNSET PARK” – – You really missed something that all I can say … “The “SUN” sat there… and sat there… and then all of a sudden – the most exceptional thing…was to see the “SUN” go up some and then finally down – and then just sit there to  do something different and only for those that were there had the joy of seeing something so magnificent –  – in plain words the most beautiful “SUNSET” ever!”

Usually… there are several automobiles and or trucks that just sit along the road coming into the SUNSET PARK – – they are not blocking the view for others – since the hill down has such a nice decline – it is as if you sitting in the theatre – and no one’s view is blocked by the “LADY” with the large brimmed hat!

Actually – it was around a quarter passed eight in the evening and just dark enough – so that vehicles and people walking would not really be noticed. The magnificent “SHOW” was “WEST” and that is all anybody with eyes – would be interested in – when the “SHOW” to see was worth a million!

You know, we watch the “SUN” setting every night – someone will say, “There she goes…five – four – three – two – one – all gone!” That’s the way it is – here. We are just a bunch of big “KIDS” – and to have right in our very own backyard – something … sort of like a “MIRACLE” – there is no way – any of us could develop or even  try to make such  a marvelous sensation take place  – every evening – all year through and for hundreds of years… does not cost a dime to go and see – take that back  – there will be a day when someone in politics will figure a way to tax the public for viewing privileges… they always find a way to tax everything else!

During the rest of the years – that is the years that I may have yet… I do not see myself going around the world to see any of the “SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD” – but right here in “RIVER CITY” like they say in the old time movies… “All the “WONDERS of the WORLD” are right here in my very own backyard! No one  would ever think to tell the “REAL ESTATE” agent that …”  “The property that I want  to buy – must have the MISSOURI RIVER close enough to see and visit on foot and there must also be  visible  a most beautiful  and magnificent   – make that a extraordinary “SUNSET”  – that will take place for my FRIENDS and of course  for me to view with O OOHS and AAAAHS – so that at the end of the day  – we can give THANKS to the ONE and only Almighty Yahweh –  who is the only ONE – that can create such WONDERS for HIS people to view and all for FREE!!!

 D.V.


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