Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Petwarmers: City Slicker

CITY SLICKER
by Carol J. Douglas

This is a letter from a "City Cat" to his "Country Cat" brothers
and sisters:

My dear brothers and sisters,
A year has passed since I was plucked from our litter in the
country and taken to the city to live. I feel this is a good time to
write to you and let you know what life is like here.
The most astonishing discovery I've made since moving here is
that the city mice are so different from the ones in the country.
For one thing, they all have bells inside! Not only that, but they
just lay on the floor waiting for me to pounce on them instead of
scampering away! I carry them in my mouth and bat them around just
like the little balls I find on the floor (also with those fabulous
bells inside). Such great fun!
Another great perk is that the people who adopted me are at my
beck and call. I only have to rub their legs and look at them
beseechingly and voila, I get a delicious treat! And if I don't like
the food they give me for my main meal, I simply sniff it and walk
away. A short time later they will fill my bowl with something more
to my liking.
These wonderful people have thought of everything.
For my entertainment they have provided me with a caged bird to
watch as well as many windows to enjoy the comings and goings of
other birds. Also, there is a large container filled with water and
swimming fish for my viewing pleasure. Some day I plan to put my paw
inside and grab a fish.
However, I spend the majority of my day napping. I have my
choice of beds all over the house. If I choose a chair that a person
was going to sit in, he or she will simply find another, albeit, a
more uncomfortable one. Sometimes I take pity on them and let them
have the chair while I graciously cuddle in their lap all the while
being stroked. I let them know I am pleased by purring contentedly.
When it is time to retire for the night, I have first choice of
the area on the bed that I find most comfortable. The people adjust
themselves around me. I let them sleep while I sleep. When I awaken
and want my breakfast, I stretch lazily and see if they are awake.
If they haven't awoken, I clean myself. And if they are still not
awake I gently walk around their heads. If I am still unsuccessful,
a few loud meows and pounces always works.
Ah, life is good here in the city.
Come and visit anytime. Must go and inspect my dinner!
Best Regards, Your city brother

-- Carol J. Douglas <carol_jean_douglas at yahoo.com>

___________________________________________
Carol lives in Dublin, Ohio with her husband, Jeff and their two
children, Justin and Emelia, and two city cats, Tux and Ferrari.
Carol has had several children's poems published as well as a romance
story in Woman's World Magazine. Her new book for children, Miss
Millie Pede & Friends -- Poems & Riddles to Bug You! can be found on
her website at http://www.caroljdouglas.com.
___________________________________________

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Mountain Wings: How to install a Home Security System in the South

Hi All,

Some of you may find it surprising that I found this Mountain Wings funny.
I really think we should laugh at ourselves and find humor in things.
Though, I know at times it is difficult to do especially during the tough
times. Look below. Take care and I will do my best to write another Kdd
soon.
MountainWings A MountainWings Moment
#8205 Wings Over The Mountains of Life
-------------------------------------------------

How To Install A Home Security System In The South
===================================================

1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used size
14-16 work boots.

2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns
and Ammo Magazine.

3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.

4. Leave a note on your door that reads:

Hey Bubba, Me, Big Jim, Duke and Slim went for more ammunition.
Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls - they attacked
the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad. I don't
think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all
the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house.
Better wait outside.

"Cooter"

Forward this issue to a friend or send them the link below:
http://www.mountainwings.com/past/8205.htm

Note: I'm from the south. Jokes universally offend someone.
Lighten up, learn to laugh, even at yourself.

Thank you for inviting MountainWings into your mailbox.
Change a life, give a friend MountainWings.
See you tomorrow.

****************************************************************
www.MountainWings.com

Monday, July 21, 2008

Today's KDD: Dougie's Diagnostic products: The BARKENSTONE and PAWS

I know it has been almost 3 weeks since you have heard from me,

I am not really able to disclose what is happening you see,

So now, I will write from the Perspective of this puppy of mine,

Do hope your all well?, doing fine. ?

Last weekend, I had written a couple e-mails from Dougie's perspective that
couldn't be sent,

On how things went,

Have gone and are going for us,

Will express my thoughts, when settles the dust,

Not sure, when that will be?

So, now you will here from Dougie not me.

Recently Mommy and Daddy created an e-mail account

Even though, I am unable to read and not count ,

Nor do I have the ability to type on the keyboard,

As well as none of this technology I can afford,

Or even am consciously aware of,

But, Mommy ,Daddy, our family and our friends I do love

And I see them, sitting in the chair for hours at a time,

Some after dawn and even after nine,

At night,

Mommy loves to write,

I see her fingers striking the keys in a rhythmic way,

Wondering when, with me, she will play?

Or take me some place?

That we like? Think this is all a waste,

However, if you can't change their mind, join them instead,

So, thought I'd tell you what thoughts are in my head.

Daddy says, I have a little brain,

And much I don't like the rain

I become a soggy dog,

And I never checked out Mommy's blog,

Because even though,I am intelligent, and I know I am an exceptional
dog,

Yet, know I can't read and write,

Despite the fact I do have full sight.

I accept my strengths and weakness' unlike some,

And though, I know I am illiterate, I know I am not dumb,

I am quite cabable of problem solving and communicating what I need,

Even though, not a single word I can read.

If this is the case, then how can I read and write e-mail on my own?

How, is it possible for me to do this alone?

Of course we are all intra independent and need others help when
performing tasks,

I just ask,

Mommy and Daddy for help in my cute and adorable way

And they understand what I say.

Recently Mommy,Daddy and Tina came up with a new Machine ,

On the market, it isn't yet to be seen

It is called BARKENSTONE

It is not yet known

We just invented it last night

It is not just a device for folks without sight

But for puppies like me, to communicate,

It is cool, you would think it is great.

BARK Bark Activated Recognition Keyboard

This would likely be expensive, one, it, can not afford .

The way in witch it does work is I sit in front of the computer and gark

And then, the machine will convert my garks

Into printed words for humans to read,

Special software, you would need.

As said we just created this machine last night,so it isn't even in the
beta stages,

It will take ages

And probably not even get off the ground,

because I really can't write , that is not where my skills are, but I do
help Mommy get around

We also invented the PAWS,

I am sure it too, will have flaws,

It is the Puppy Activity Writing System, what do you think of this too?

Wouldn't it be cool if these were new,

Products on the market ?

Would they be sold on the net?

Just like Mommy's E-mail Pillow, she developed a long time ago ?

If about that you don't know

go to Mommy's web site

Several months ago, A KDd about the E-mail pillow, she did write.

I wish, I could tell how things are here, but Mommy and Daddy say,

Not today,

And not sure when,

But, how have you been?

As I said, Daddy created me an account on G-mail, that, can you believe?

And yes, mail I actually have received ,

Of course Mommy has to read it to me, but, I am okay with this,

And Mommy's KDD's ,do you all miss?

I will try and help and relax her so, she can compose more doses for you

Hopefully, soon, she will create something new,

For now, going to go,not much else to tell,

And besides,Mommy isn't feeling well,

So sending you all hugs and waggie tails your way,

And all of us here wish you all a good day.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Nethug Message: the Children

I really like this one,yet very sad. Look below.

A little girl, so all alone
Sat crying, so forlorn
Her little dog had ran away
Her heart was broken and torn

A little boy, the same age as she
Asked her why she cried
She looked up, with tear-stained cheeks
Her pain she could not hide

She told him of her little dog
That she just loved so well
And how he'd ran away from her
To where she couldn't tell

She said she'd called his name outloud
But he did not come back
She'd told her mommy and her dad
About her doggy, Jack

She'd asked if they would help her find
The little dog she loved
But they were much too busy again
So she prayed to God above

She asked if He would help her, please
For Jack was all she had
He loved her unconditionally
Not like her mom and dad

The little boy dropped down his head
His bare foot kicked a stone
He said his dad had went away
His mom leaves him all alone

The little girl looked up at him
Said it sounded like he was the one
An angel had said she'd meet a friend
And soon her trials would be done

The angel had said that the friend and she
Would find her little stray
And as they gathered him close to them
God would lead the way

She didn't know exactly what that meant
She just knew angels never lied
So with trust she held out her hand to him
Her smile growing wide

The little boy then took her hand
And they ran off down the street
They stopped and questioned everyone
That they chanced to meet

As they rounded a corner, they spotted Jack
In the street where he'd been struck
They ran out and gathered him close to them
They didn't see the truck

Two angels and a little dog
Abandoned here on earth
Were taken home by God that day
And given a brand new birth
-------------------------------------------------------------------
~ Postword ~
***********************************************
Show your loved ones every day
That they are special and loved
You never know when they might be
Called home by God above

Written & Submitted By:
Deborah Lynne

Nethug Message: the Value of time

Hi All,
I know lately I am just sending nethug messages. I will try and send a
dose sometime. It is just, life has been very stressful for us and I
really can't even talk about the issues and concerns here. At least, at
this time. I am not able to express myself in a creative way either. I
know it has been two weeks since everyone has seen a KDd. Hopefully soon I
will be able to compose something for you all. For now, enjoy these Nethug
messages I am sending.

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.
It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening deletes whatever
part of the balance you failed to use during the day.

What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course! Each of us has such a
bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.
Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to
invest to good purpose.

It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new
account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to
use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is
no drawing against the "tomorrow".

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get
from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!

The clock is running.
Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a
pre-mature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of ONE DAY, ask a daily wage laborer with kids to feed.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an
accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, ask the person who won a silver
medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared
it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.

And remember that time waits for no one.
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!

Author Unknown - Submitted By: Peter H.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Nethug Message; Point of View

Hi All,
I know lately I have not posted anything for over a week. We have a lot
going on and we both are stressed out. I have so much on my mind and am
just not able to create anything for you. Hopefully, I will soon. Until
then, look below.

I've heard it said, "Don't go to bed
While hanging on to sorrow.
You may not have the chance to laugh
With those you love tomorrow."
You may not mean the words you speak
When anger takes its toll.
You may regret your actions
Once you've lost your self control.


When you've lost your temper
And you've said some hurtful things,
Think about the heartache
That your action sometimes brings.
You'll never get those moments back,
Such precious time to waste,
And all because of things you said
In anger and in haste.


So if you're loving someone
And your pride has settled in,
You may not ever have the chance
To say to them again,
"I love you and I miss you
And although we don't agree,
I'll try to see your point of view,
Please do the same for me."

Author Unknown - Submitted By: Janette L.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Coming up on Main Menu for the week of July 16 - The Icon and Our Panel of Experts

Hello Everyone,
 
Coming up on this week's Main Menu Live, we bring you two hours of brand new content. In the first hour, Marc Mulcahy from LevelStar tells us all about the Icon accessible pocket mobile manager and portable notetaker. We welcome your questions by e-mail to mainmenu@acbradio.org prior to the broadcast, or by way of calls and MSN (Windows Live Messenger) chats during the show. In the second hour, we bring you our panel of experts to discuss all things technology from a blindness perspective with emphasis on the recently concluded summer conventions. On this show, Jeff and I will be joined by Don Barrett, Randy Knapp, Debbie Hazelton and Caroline Congdon.
 
Jeff and I would also like to let all of you know that this episode represents our final appearances as host and co-host of Main Menu. We're all going to connect and have a great time, so this is the show you will not want to miss!
 
Here is how to participate in the show:
The number to call into the show is 866-400-5333.
You may email your questions to: mainmenu@acbradio.org
You may also interact with the show via MSN (Windows Live) Messenger. The MSN Messenger ID to add is: mainmenu@acbradio.org
 
Would you like to interact with a group of Main Menu listeners about the topics heard on Main Menu and Main Menu Live? You can do this by joining the Main Menu Friends email list. The address to subscribe is: main-menu-subscribe@googlegroups.com
Come join an already lively group of users.
 
Would you like to subscribe to podcast feeds for Main Menu and Main Menu Live? The RSS feeds to add to your podcatching application are:
Main Menu - http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenu
Main Menu Live - http://www.acbradio.org/podcasts/mainmenulive
 
For this next week, only the Main Menu Live podcast feed will be updated.
 
Main Menu can be heard on Tuesday evenings at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, and at 1 universal (GMT) on Wednesday mornings on the ACB Radio Main Stream channel.
Follow this link to listen to the show:
http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=8
 
Our best wishes to all our loyal Main Menu listeners,
 
Jeff Bishop and Darrell Shandrow
The Main Menu Production Team

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Friends in Art Showcase to Air on ACB Radio

Hello everyone,

Once again, ACB Radio is proud to provide exclusive live coverage of the
Friends in Art showcase from the ACB Convention. Join Chrissie Cochrane and
a team of ACB Radio broadcasters as they bring you a night of performances
by blind and vision impaired performers, live on stage at the convention in
Louisville Kentucky. The broadcast will get underway at or around 23:45
Universal, that's 7:45 pm US Eastern, and will probably run for something
like 3 hours.

We have set up a separate stream for this year's showcase. You will be able
to listen from the acbradio.org website or by clicking one of the following
links:

Broadband stream for Winamp: http://acbradio.org/special.pls
Broadband stream for Real Player: http://acbradio.org/special.ram
Broadband stream for Windows Media player: http://acbradio.org/special.wax
Broadband stream for other players: http://acbradio.org/special.m3u

Modem stream for Winamp: http://acbradio.org/special-low.pls
Modem stream for Real PLayer: http://acbradio.org/special-low.ram
Modem stream for Windows Media PLayer: http://acbradio.org/special-low.wax
Modem stream for other players: http://acbradio.org/special-low.m3u

We hope you are enjoying our convention broadcasts and look forward to you
joining us for the Friends in Art Showcase, only on ACB Radio.

Friday, July 04, 2008

Today's KDD: Concerned about our Independence and Enjoying our Freedom with close Friends

Happy Independence Day,
I know, I have been a way,
have not written a single word,
from me, you haven't heard
or seen anything,
No KDD's since June 26, I did bring
have brung, to you
and how are things?,what is new?

Happy 4 TH of July,
and I will tell you why,
I haven't made a peep,
Not much lately I do sleep,
feeling quite stressed indeed,
so, couldn't compose, and nothing for you all to read.

There are issues at the office, Over worked and under Staffed,
and that,is not the half!,
we have more business, there is more demands and things are more fast
pace,
so, issues, this last year, I have
faced.

Corporate has made changes ,has effected everyone,
not just herein the Valley of the sun
yet, definitely nation wide,
most days lately I have cried
and can't think much,
so, that is why, I haven't been in touch
My mind isn't as clear and my Blood pressure has rose
so, nothing I could compose
could barely get through the day,
to assist our guests who stay,
Here at our Resort,
and issues we are attempting to sort,
Through. needed some assistance from friends and Family
Hope, the situation will improve, that it will all be,
okay?, will be fine?
and have been anxious,not just about mine,
My job, as well,
In addition, to the uncertainty as to my employment at the hotel,
Darrell will be laid off by July 18,
that, isn't at all great,
Think that stinks you know?
very likely the unemployment line, he will have to go,
He is a very hard worker,has the skills, he is definitely able,
this concerns us. We have to pay our bills, put the food on the table
pay rent and so on,
and tomorrow, will get up soon after dawn
Jeff ,Keri and family will be coming down and we will spend time
together,
hope we all will have nicer weather?.

we weren't sure,if we were feeling well enough to have them here,
Yet, they are great friends of ours, are so very close and Dear
more like family
us, they just want to see.

They don't care, that are place is more messy and I have not gone
shopping,don't have much food in the house to eat
They know, we both are beat
Yet, I don't feel like a good Hostess, usually, when company comes, I am
prepared,
they don't care,,
they know we are under much pressure and stress, more then I am able to
convey,
said, it is all okay,
and really do understand, they don't cramp our style,
are lots of fun, we relax, they make us smile,
They have hearts of Gold and very cool,
and this weekend, hope to have lots of laughs, and go swimming in the pool,
hope none of us get burned? yet, will soak up the rays,
and later tonight, they will watch the fireworks display,
not me
I will be inside, you see,,
I am hypersensitive to loud sudden noise, also, don't like thunder,
but, the bed,I will not be under,
my covers, but will likely be listening to music on a walkman,
writing?, reading a book with my noise reduction headphones?, have on
the fan?

we really are looking forward again, to this weekend,
just wish, the stress would end,
we need some relief is there some in sight?
What is happening for Darrell,isn't right,
and though, my work situation has improved some, who knows what will
happen there?
I do think to some degree my Boss and others do care?
and do they find me to be a valued Employee ?
and very glad, we live in the land of the free,
and home of the brave ,
that we have many opportunities, this Country is the Melting Pot,
and this weekend it will be very hot.
The forecast looks very good, think we will be able to swim. low 80, high
108,
that,will be great,
there will be slight thunder showers in the afternoon they say,
but,it will be okay,
it will only be about 10 %,
so,in the pool,much time will be spent,
we will be careful in the sun,
and have fun,
don't want to be Kentucky Fried Karen again, you know?
and its almost 1 A.M, need to go,
get to bed,
and again, glad, you now had something to red
to read, your now caught up on things just wish I could say
that we are okay,
we will be,
Darrell and me,
we have each other, and a handful of others in our corner, in our ring,
and finally, this KDD to you I bring,
have a Happy and Safe Holiday alright?
and not sure when I will write
but, it shouldn't be more then a week, before a KDd I do send,
for now, take Care, Friend.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Nethug Message: The Heart of America

The Heart of America

America, land of the free
Home of the brave
Set off the fire works
Let your banners wave

From sea to shining sea
All across the land
Let people of all races
Come to together hand in hand

United we stand
Divided we fall
Let's put aside our differences
Once and for all

Thanking God for our freedom
Let's make a joyful sound
In the heart of America
Let love always be found

Submitted & Written By:
© Patricia Bankhead