Giving Back--Last Weekend Look Back

    I start today's post with My Picture of the day!   This was Friday evening at the Lyndan Fair.  This was also about the time that the outside temperatures became more bearable.  Record highs over the weekend, made for some very hot fair visitors.  And the booths with fans or hoses became very popular!  Much more on the always awesome fair in an upcoming picture filled blog post.  But now a few rambling thoughts on local topics.  

      

         My family and I are more than ready to attend the fair in Lyndan---but fair warning, security will be "beefed up" all week.   After the shooting last year.  Profiling of sorts will be done in the name of public safety.  And people wearing gang colors, with certain tattoos, and know gang 

members will at the least be questioned.  Maybe not even let into the fair.  This makes me stop and pander what gangs are in this small town, do the rebels go cow tipping at night?  Poor cows!   *Writers note--- I come from a very small town---and caution you if you choose to go cow tipping, to make sure you are tipping a cow, not a bull.  Bulls are much quicker on the re-bound, and are fast!   Since I live on the south side, Fairhaven, all of this makes me want to yell "Yo yo!" the entire time we are at the fair.   

      Also in the local news--because of a new Facebook page mostly talking about all of the "problem" Canadian shoppers that come to Costco.  Canadians are a huge part of Bellingham's economy, and the best part about them, in my eyes--is that they speak English, Aye!   Most of them are much more friendly than Americans actually.  And as far as them not being able to drive well---most of the plates I see on cars that about run into me or run stop lights, etc around town, display Washington on them.  
     I mostly enjoy that for the most part Canadians say the same things that we do.   I have almost always worked in customer service, and when you can not understand the other person, your job becomes very hard.   We are expected to at least know some of the language when we visit other countries.   How many workers in other countries would let you basically play charades with them to figure out they want to order a Mc cheese burger?   
     When I still worked at Wally World, and still tried to give good customer service--I was stopped by an Asian lady that asked me were garden menu's were.   I started by trying to find a guide of anything edible in the home garden or outdoors in general.  45 minutes later, I discovered that she could not say manure right, and she wanted bags of cow sh*t to spread over her garden.  

  Not related to any of the above, but something I have observed while driving and mostly parking in and around Bellingham.  I realize walkers have the right away in almost all situations.  But if you are backing out of a parking space, and a walker continues to walk towards the back of your car, while you are moving in reverse, the driver should be allowed to lightly bump the walker in hopes to knock a little bit of sense into the walker.   Just sayin'   You might not agree with this, but O well!   Write me, I love comments of all kinds.

     So last weekend in an attempt to give back and teach our kids about giving and gratitude, we feed many of the city's homeless.   Many of us have way more than we really need, and it does a wonder of good to step back and see how little many of us really have.  The huge separation between the rich and the poor in this great nation.  World wide 1/3 of the population is starving.  

  We went simple on our first run---About 50 bags with hot dogs, a granola bar, and a bottled water stapled shut with a card my wife designed.  

   Each card saying---- "Thank you for helping us teach our kids about generosity.   This is a great lesson that our kids can use now and in the future.  Thank you so much for your time."

    It felt very good to give back even just a little bit, and these people that had so little, were over joyed.  Some even offered to pay us back with there food stamp cards.  One man rode up to us on his bike, asking if we were the people handing out lunches.   And hopefully it will teach the kids some great lessons along the way.   I am not writing about all of this to earn glory in your eyes, or any praise, but to maybe make you look at all the great things you have and how you could maybe share, even just a little bit.  AND because we are planning more food runs and at least once to just sit in the park below the old city hall, were we ran into the most homeless people, and make lunches with the hungry people and talk to them.   For this we would love some helpers.  It's not necessary, but would be more than great if you would like to donate your time with us.   Or do something similar were you live.  For more motivation, hopefully here is an article I wrote years ago, and got published in the local paper when our family lived in Kingman, Arizona.   When we lived in Arizona we used to help out all of the time, including buying sandwich materiel and going to local parks, we hope to get back in this giving/helping groove.

     This is an ed I got in the local newspaper right before Christmas. It was actually written on a bet with April, *My wife* that I could get in the paper----This was printed in two separate ones so far. I have now been homeless---- and probably could fix this one up even more.


Yes Virginia there is homeless people in Kingman!

Before explaining that first line, let me ask you to take a look at your own financial status. How many of us are not more than a paycheck or two away from being in a very sticky situation for yourself and your family? Perhaps you have a nest egg or two or have made some great choices, so that you will not need to find two cardboard refrigerator boxes and call them your new double-wide! I recently lost my job, Merry Christmas to me! I am not asking for any sympathy, it just opened my eyes to how close my family is to being in trouble.

Last time I was in town, a homeless man was hanging out in front of a coffee joint I frequent. He had no shoes on and was huddled over a warm cup of joe. What I noticed first was the way he was dressed. And sadly my thoughts went first to not helping him, because the cash would go to booze. The longer I watched him from inside the coffee joint, the more I realized he had just made a few mistakes to many. And could easily enough be myself if un employed much longer. I stepped outside and gave him what cash I could spare. Not much, but the smile and honest thanks was enough. As I sat back down, I noticed more people donate to him. A bag of food, a nice winter hat, and some more cash. What I noticed more, were the looks on 90 percent of the passers by. They looked at him in total disgust. Some seemed to have really wanted to cross the street so as not to pass to close to him.

The looks started to really disgust me. Any time of year we should give to others, or at least tolerate them, but this close to Christmas it should hit home even harder. Stop worrying about what Christmas gift is perfect for your uncle Joe, and that dude at work that just became a female. This guy on the street does not even have a place to put a Christmas tree. He would love to have even half of the "problems" you are experiencing this holiday season. I am not saying go out and help everyone. Start by focusing on what the season REALLY means to you.

This brings me to my last point. Helping others may not be your gig, it might not even be the smartest thing in the world to do. I have been taken a few times lately by people that seemed much nicer than they really were. They seemed to want a hand out, and actually wanted to bite the hand that feed them. But to steal from a movie our family just watched, changing the world, changing even your world, starts with simple random acts of kindness. ARK

     While we were in the park, I manged to get a few good pictures also.   I hope you enjoy them.

   After going home and eating our own lunches, we took a small road trip again out of the county--but highly recommended for a visit.   To the Cabela's store in Tuluip. 

  Also in the area is of course the huge casino, shopping, and a large outdoor flea market.  Unfortunatly we got into town to late in the day to hit the flea market.  Wal Mart is one of the shops we chose to visit.   And some how every time I enter the store, I dispise it more.   

   I will refrain from complaining about the store anymore---but do ask if any readers know what the above symbol stands for?  It is all over the stores and many of the products.  My friend and I have a theory involving how easy it is to turn this shape into a pentagram.   Soooo---guides the Devil to easy shopping, or just purdy?  I even have a web sight about it.   This sight makes fun of all retail, but mostly Wal Mart, mostly after "working" there for eight long years. 

    Back to the sporting goods store, that I am sure more than one wife has had to drag there husbands out of!    This is a huge store, filled with everything for play in the outdoors.  And houses animal displays throughout.   I picture the above, because it was my High School mascot, way back when, the mighty Big Horn Ram.  

                                       The best display in the store in my eyes. 

      The back of the store holds a walk through display with a cave and live fish.

    I was very worried about this bear just behind me, until I realized that the nearby moose would defend me if need be!

  The store is great to roam through and explore, but prices are a bit on the high side.  At least for us.   I did come home with a new shot glass for our collection.  Our collection that mostly collects dust, but they look snazzy!

1.   The most impressive sight to me, was the huge section to buy guns. VERY few places in Washington still sell guns. And with all the violence in Seattle--this will only get worse. Support your right to bear arms while you still can!    There is a state map by the registers of the many states already that are wimpy.   Meaning if you reside in those states, you can not buy a gun.   One of course is California.  It seems like all of the odd laws start in CA, and eventually work there way up the coast line from Oregon to us in Washington.   No smoking, anywhere, even outside--- no plastic bags, etc etc.   

4/19/2012

  It's official Dick Clark died yesterday at the age of 82.  Although if you watched TV the last few New Years, it might be argued that he died years ago.  He looked and sounded a ton like a robot last year.  How are married couples all around the US going to celebrate watching the ball drop now? 

   Yes because the end of the world doesn't come until this December.   Or maybe next.  We have already made it past several doom & gloom dates this year.   Dang you Mayans!  For not finishing your calenders.  

    **"What's long and hard and has cum in it?........
A cucumber. But I like the way you think!"**

    **"Someone came up to me and said get a life...I smacked them round the head and said get a helmet."**

      **"My Mother in Law went camping last week where she stumbled upon 4 Grizzly bears, luckily the bears managed to play dead long enough for the scary beast to walk away."**----Bob Lucas

And Today's super helpful hint follows!

Now I offer two great links I hope you take the time to look at.

The first is a new video with a great song.  I used to work with one of the artists at Wally World many moons ago.  And he has always been supportive of my blogs.  He is defiantly making his way up in the North West ranks as an artist.  Although I must say my parents and sensitive ears should avoid clicking on this link.

http://youtu.be/p5M0EiUuhc4

My next link tonight comes from my wife.  She has recently started her own wonderful blog.  And here is the link.   I hope you all check it out and give her support.  I really like this one, because we all go through tons of changes in life.  It's the ones that take it all in stride and quickly rebound that make it through life the easiest. 

http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fapril-adams.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F04%2Fmy-year-wiser.html%3Fspref%3Dfb&t=My+year+wiser

Speaking of support---I have witnessed a huge surge in readers to this blog over the last few weeks.  I thank all of you for this.   And hope that I continue to entertain and surprise you in the weeks and months to come. 

      I have recently found out that I need hernia surgery soonish.  I also do not seem to have any insurance or easy ways of getting any.  So the above picture sounds good to me.  Unless Costco starts doing surgeries.   Some targets are already offering doctors.  So this might be the next logical step.  Costco type stores should at least offer heart attack doctoring.   After offering large econo size packages of everything.  From toothpicks to the now small 33 packs of pop tarts.  You can find them right next to the large tub of lard.   *Please note, do not ask the large sized worker were the tubs of lard are!    I will devote an entire blog to  way larger people very soon.  I believe the PC term is big-uns!   You can easily identify them by not being elderly or disabled and riding an electric cart, checking there diabetic levels at the break table while holding the family bucket from KFC, and sitting on the curb in the sun and making there own gravy.   As I said this rambling is for another day.  And you are welcome for the visuals, now stuck in your brain!

               Today's picture of the day ----is in the middle of Cornwall Park.
Thanks to this fire hydrant is the park ever starts on fire---the trees will all be saved!    Forget that the river wanders through most of this park.   This is a large park.  That offers some great woods to play in and of course the water.   And is easily one of my favorite parks in town.   I am going to do a full blog about the best parks in town, at least in my eyes.   But do not have the pictures yet.  

     Water is always very calming.  And we are surrounded by it in Washington for sure. 
Any guesses were I was when I took the above picture?        Please check out tomorrows blog for the answer!

     Tomorrow finds me venturing to Seattle for the day.  My wife has some doctoring to go to, and we had to be very selective who to have drive us.   Not because we are worried about bad drivers, but because of the date.  4/20 has many a meaning to many in the region.  Being an old or new hippie.   Like many things, I don't really care what the celebrater believe or do, as long as they don't push it on me.  **OK I care a lot, if they are driving or around my family.   I can say that I recently watched my share of "stoner" shows.  And have written a few past blogs about the topic.  I also really got into the show Weeds.  Finding it very addicting.   A suburban mom loses her husband and starts to sell pot to make ends meet.   Things get worse fast and every episode.   Although I can't yet tell you how her family and her make out because we have not watched the last two seasons yet.  I say we, because I got my wife interested in the show also.  So, whatever you are doing tomorrow, I wish you a great day!  

   

               **Next time there is an awkward silence whisper out "Did you forget your line?"**

 

 

 

  

    "The Cool thing about Facebook is that you can give credit for your quotes to anybody and nobody will know the difference" - Abraham Lincoln

 

          **"Can restin' your turned on cell phone on your junk, give you cancer down there?"**----

 

    This started out as a joke post awhile back.    But the more I think about it the more it makes me a little bit nervous.   Usually when I am sitting, I rest my cell phone in my lap.   And now every time it's there  and my phone lights up with a new text message, I have to say it bugs me just a little bit.  Not enough that I would stop getting text messages, or throw the phone across the room.   Although the 2nd, would be fun.   After I get off the phone, and done cooking the baked potato I have duct tapped to my cell phone, I will get back to you on the dangers of all this!   I am sure that something will kill us off--weather it be the eggs you have for breakfast every morning, your new shower head, Bubba in jail--that wants his soap back, or toxins from the computer screen you are reading this blog from.  Notice I did not say enjoying this blog, because odds are, you are not.    I do have to paunder what all of those wi-fi signals, cell phone signals etc etc are doing to us though.   Although I would also have to say that none of them is effecting me.   Although I would also have to say that none of them is effecting me. 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  OK---I once had a friend who became a vegetarian, after she was driving behind a cattle truck that wrecked.   The highway and her car was soon covered in pieces of cow, and she decided that eating animals was not for her anymore.  

 

**"Ever had a cross eyed girl friend and than dumped her because she was seeing someone else?"**

 

                I love people that are sooo surprised when winter hits. welcome to Wyoming!------

 

Going back to my early rambling, maybe these people need a new calender, so they recall that a new season is on the way, called winter! 

 

 

 

 

                Although some times at work, I am biting it so hard, it starts to bleed a lil bit

 

                            **"If swimming is so good for you, than how do you explain whales?"**------

On the same thought line, how does Mr Crabs, from Sponge Bob--have  a whale for a daughter?  Don't even try to decipehr cartoons, it will keep you up late at night.   I used to work with a crazy dude at Wally World, OK that really does not narrow things down much.   But this individual could do the Sponge Bob laugh perfect, and would put it over the stores PA system.   Nothing harder than to be talking to a customer, hear that, and manage echoing through the store, and manage to keep a straight face.  

 

 

 

Forgot today was a holiday and the banks are closed whoops time to break out my new calender-----

This was yesterday.   As I was pulling into the parking lot, I noticed it was empty and had a here's your sign, slap your forehead moment.   Stupid holidaze that fall on Sundays.   The worse thing about the whole episode was that my new 2012 calender came from the bank!

 

 

 

I only live in a room but am constantly amazed by two things.   How dirty it gets each week.  Especially since I usually only use the room to sleep in.  And how my stuff disappears in it. It is not even a big room, so how can things go "poof!" so easily?    I have learned to keep my door closed, because my clothes rarely make it on my shelves, and the landlords little rat dog like underwear.   Several times the landlord has been in the back yard yelling out my name, holding up a pair of my boxers with two fingers, and a highly sour/disgusted look on her face.   I have also chased the dog in the backyard, after my shorts.   Not fun because the dog knows shes faster, and has something you want.  So mostly just teases me just out of my reach.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 Well played Costco, well played!

 

   A few quick thoughts---imagine that!    First the wine bottle picture came from a sight called Fail.com   I am easily amused, but think most of you would enjoy checking out the sight.   Many of you might be pictured in it---jokin'!  Next-- although I love a good pot of coffee or two in the morning, just put a straw in my pot of coffee, and give it to me to go.   I hate all energy drinks.   They taste nasty, and surly rot through your livers faster than you can sign up for a marathon.   Red Bull annoys me most.   We used to go to a bar in Oregon, that must have bought the drink by the truck load.  They put it in all kinds of drinks.   And I have to say, it ruined the drinks.   Red Bull does not give you wings either.   I recall one fine day while standing on a barn roof top, holding a huge blanket in my hands.   I assumed that if you held all the blankets corners right, you could slowly float to the ground, like a parachute.   I did not hold the corners right.   This concept did work for about 2.5 seconds.   And than it just made me hurt.   Luckily I landed on my head, so I was fine.  

     And lastly---I have talked about this in a whole past blog, but some people should not be having kids.   Topping that list---- is anyone that would shop at the above pictured sales, the couple I worked with that got married in Wally World, and possibly myself.