Influential Books

	TITLE		AUTHOR
1	Jonathon Livingston Seagull	----	Bach, Richard
2	Illusions	----	Bach, Richard
3	Frogs into Princes	----	Bandler, Richard & John Grinder
4	Reiki Energy Medicine	----	Barnett, Libby & Maggie Chambers
5	TheDaVinci Code	----	Brown, Dan
6	NOW, Discover Your Strengths	----	Buckingham, Marcus & Clifton, Donald
7	They Lived Happily Ever After	----	Cameron-Bandler, Leslie
8	The Tipping Point	----	Gladwell, Malcom
9	Blink	----	Gladwell, Malcom
10	TRANCE-formations	----	Grinder, John & Richard Bandler
11	Hawayo Takata Story, The	----	Haberly, Helen
12	The Law of Attraction	----	Hicks, Esther & Jerry
13	Center of the Cyclone	----	Lilly, John
14	Dyadic Cyclone, The	----	Lilly, John & Antonietta Lilly
15	Complete Reiki Handbook, The	----	Lubeck, Walter
16	Sacred Contracts	----	Myss, Caroline
17	Anatomy of the Spirit	----	Myss, Caroline
18	Celestine Prophecy, The	----	Redfield, James
19	Tenth Insight, The	----	Redfield, James
20	Celestine Prophecy: An Experiential Guide, The	----	Redfield, James & Adrienne, Carol
21	Spirit Guides	----	Samuels & Bennett
22	Be Well	----	Samuels & Bennett
23	Tao Te Ching	----	Tsu, Lao
24	The Book: On the taboo against  knowing who you are	----	Watts, Alan
25	Natural Mind, The	----	Weil, Andrew
26	Messages from Michael	----	Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn
27	More Messages from Michael	----	Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn
28	Michael's People	----	Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn
29	Michael for the Millenium	----	Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn
30	Autobiography of a Yogi	----	Yogananda, Paramahansa

"Whose On First?"

Thanks, Orv.  If you have been around a while this reference will make lots more sense. If Bud & Lou aren't familiar. try google. In the spirit of "Whose On First?" .... Ya gotta love it! If only it wasn't so true & absurd! COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America . ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 7.8%. COSTELLO: That many people are out of work? ABBOTT: No, that's 14.7% COSTELLO: You just said 7.8%. ABBOTT: 7.8% Unemployed. COSTELLO: Right 7.8% out of work. ABBOTT: No, that's 14.7%. COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 14.7% unemployed. ABBOTT: No, that's 7.8%. COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 7.8% or 14.7%? ABBOTT: 7.8% are unemployed. 14.7% are out of work. COSTELLO: If you are out of work you are unemployed. ABBOTT: No, Congress said you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed. COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!! ABBOTT: No, you miss his point. COSTELLO: What point? ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair. COSTELLO: To whom? ABBOTT: The unemployed. COSTELLO: But ALL of them are out of work. ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work gave up looking and if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed. COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment rolls that would count as less unemployment? ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely! COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work? ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how they get it to 7.8%. Otherwise it would be 14.7%. Our govt. doesn't want you to read about 14.7% unemployment. COSTELLO: That would be tough on those running for reelection.  ABBOTT: Absolutely! COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number? ABBOTT: Two ways is correct. COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job? ABBOTT: Correct. COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job? ABBOTT: Bingo. COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to have people stop looking for work. ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like an Economist. COSTELLO: I don't even know what the hell I just said! ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like Congress.

#863 Truths known only to an avid golfer!

E

Don 't buy a putter until you've had a chance to throw it.

Never try to keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your
mind during your swing.

When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either use one more club or two more balls.
If you're afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead of you is still putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank a lay-up or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there. 

The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.

No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse.

The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other errors.

Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot. 

A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponent's luck.

It is surprisingly easy to hole a 30 foot putt. For a 10.

Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut.

Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts.
It's not a gimme if you're still away. 

The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.

You can hit a two acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time. 

If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.
Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.

When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.

Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two double bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.

To calculate the speed of a player's downswing, multiply the speed of his back-swing by his handicap; i.e., back-swing 20 mph, handicap 15, downswing = 300 mph.

There are two things you can learn by stopping your back-swing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.

Hazards attract; fairways repel.

A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.

If there is a ball on the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint

It's easier to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf than at 10:00 AM to mow the grass.

A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game.

Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you spend longer praying than you would do in church.

A good golf partner is one who's always slightly worse than you are....that's why I get so many calls to play with friends.

If there's a storm rolling in, you'll be having the game of
your life.
Golf balls are like eggs. They're white. They're sold by the dozen. And you need to buy fresh ones each week.

It's amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps.

If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven, he probably shot an eight (or worse)... 

It takes longer to learn to be a good  golfer than it does to become a brain surgeon. On the other hand, you don't  get to ride around on a cart, drink  beer, and eat hot dogs when you are performing brain surgery !!!

#863

#862 Here and Now

Living in the here and now has been touted by a number of folks. It would seem that the only reality we experience is the reality of the moment. To get a better idea of how this occurs, pay attention to a child. Watching our three year old grandson brought this home to me. He is totally immersed in whatever he is doing at the moment. Others can be included, but he is in the moment at all times.

It is a treat to observe him and participate in his activities when appropriate. I prefer to observe. He is learning about his environment, language, relationships, things, and people. Some of the lessons are more difficult and others seem to come naturally. It is particularly fascinating when he repeats words, phrases or actions a number of times. These are the times he is making that reality his own. These are the times when he is learning the most. These are the times that others need not necessarily intrude. What a treat to be able to observe and learn.

The other morning as I was stirring for the day the thought crossed my mind that there just might be another time in life when a person can live in the "here and now". That time occurs as we are "advancing in our maturity". I have had the privilege to exist in this lifetime for seven decades. As each day passes I am made aware of the "here and now" when I am unable to remember things/activities/comments that I just made. That "here and now" has passed and I am in the current "here and now". Even as I am writing this I am aware of the words in the paragraphs above. They are part of my "here and now" for the moment.a  Will I remember it ten minutes from now? Probably. But, only because I will place a reference to it at a place in cyber-space that I visit regularly.

As I am writing this there is some very pleasant jazz being played on iTunes. I do remember how to access it so all is not lost. I do get concerned at times when some things, like peoples' names are not readily accessible. Thank goodness Maryann and I are able to help the other fill in the blanks. However, that sometimes takes a day or two.

So rather than stew about it, I will just remember the example young Eli is setting for me, the quiet jazz, the click of the keys on the keyboard, etc. and all will be well. That is when I do remember. Now to enjoy the "here and now" and rejoice that I can.

Love, peace and prosperity to all who chance upon these words.

#862

#861 Retired Green Beret Shoots Intruder, Gets Court Martial

Thanks, Vern.

     

Retired Green Beret shoots intruder, gets court martial.

BREVARD , Jan. 19, 2008 – Retired Army Green Beret Smokey Taylor got his court martial this weekend and came away feeling good about it.  Taylor, at age 80 the oldest member of Chapter XXXIII of the Special Forces Association, was on trial by his peers under the charge of “failing to use a weapon of sufficient caliber” in the shooting of an intruder at his home in Knoxville, TN. in December. The entire affair, of course, was very much tongue in cheek.  Taylor had been awakened in the early morning hours of Dec. 17, 2007, when an intruder broke into his home.  He investigated the noises with one of his many weapons in hand.  When the intruder threatened him with a knife,Taylor warned him, then brought his .22 caliber pistol to bear and shot him right between the eyes. “That boy had the hardest head I’ve ever seen,” Taylorsaid after his trial. “The bullet bounced right off.” The impact knocked the would-be thief down momentarily. He crawled out of the room then got up and ran out the door and down the street. Knoxville police apprehended him a few blocks away and he now awaits trial in the Knox County jail. The charges against Taylorwere considered to be serious. He is a retired Special Forces Weapons Sergeant with extensive combat experience during the wars in Korea and Vietnam.  “Charges were brought against him under the premise that he should have saved the county and taxpayers the expense of a trial,” said Chapter XXXIII President Bill Long ofAsheville. “He could have used a .45 or .38. The .22 just wasn’t big enough to get the job done.” Taylor defense attorney, another retired Weapons Sergeant, disagreed. He saidTaylor had done the right thing in choosing to arm himself with a .22. "If he’d used a .45 or something like that the round would have gone right through the perp, the wall, the neighbor’s wall and possibly injured some innocent child asleep in its bed,” he said. “I believe the evidence shows that Smokey Taylor exercised excellent judgment in his choice of weapons. He did nothing wrong, and clearly remains to this day an excellent weapons man.” Counsel for the defense then floated a theory as to why the bullet bounced off the perp’s forehead. 
 "He was victimized by old ammunition,” he said, “just as he was in Korea and again in Vietnam, when his units were issued ammo left over from World War II.” Taylor said nothing in his own defense, choosing instead to allow his peers to debate the matter. After the trial, he said the ammunition was indeed old and added the new information that the perp had soiled his pants as he crawled out of the house. "I would have had an even worse mess to clean up if it had gone through his forehead,” Taylor said. “It was good for both of us that it didn’t.” Following testimony from both sides, Taylor was acquitted of the charges and was given a round of applause.
Meanwhile, back in KnoxCounty, the word is out:Don’t go messing with Smokey Taylor. He just bought a whole bunch of fresh ammo.

Tribune Editor Bill Fishburne is a member of the Larry Thorne Chapter XXXIII of the Special Forces Association.

#861

#860 The Purpose of a Dog

Thanks for sharing, Grier.

The purpose  of a dog! Don’t miss  the text at the bottom. 

A  Dog's Purpose ?

   (from a  6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had  been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish  Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron,  his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were  all very attached to Belker, and they were  hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker  and found he was dying of cancer. I told the  family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and  offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for  the old dog in their home.

As we made  arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought  it would be good for six-year-old Shane to  observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane  might learn something from the  experience.

The next day, I felt the  familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family  surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting  the old dog for the last time, that I wondered  if he understood what was going on. Within a few  minutes, Belker slipped peacefully  away.

The little boy seemed to accept  Belker's transition without any difficulty or  confusion. We sat together for a while after  Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad  fact that animal lives are shorter than human  lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly,  piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we  all turned to him. What came out of his mouth  next stunned me. I'd never heard a more  comforting explanation. It has changed the way I  try and live.

He said,''People are born  so that they can learn how to live a good life  -- like loving everybody all the time and being  nice, right?'' The Six-year-old  continued, 

''Well,  dogs already know how to do that, so they don't  have to stay as long.''

Live  simply.

Love generously.

Care  deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if  a dog was the teacher you would learn things  like:

When loved ones come home, always  run to greet them.

Never pass up the  opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow  the experience of fresh air and the wind in your  face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take  naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run,  romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention  and let people touch you.

Avoid biting  when a simple growl will do.

On warm  days, stop to lie on your back on the  grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water  and lie under a shady tree.

When you're  happy, dance around and wag your entire  body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long  walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to  be something you're not.

If what you want  lies buried, dig until you find it.

When  someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit  close by, and nuzzle them  gently.  

  

  

-- 

      There  comes a time in life, when you walk away from  all the drama

and people who create it. You  surround yourself with people who

make you  laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.  So, love

the people who treat you right.  Think good thoughts for the ones

who don't.  Life is too short to be anything but happy.  Falling down

is part of LIFE...Getting back  up is  LIVING...

Have a  great life.  

#860

#859 Vets Hats and Morons

Thanks, Bart,

Vet Hats and Morons A few days ago my best friend from High School sent me a 'Viet Nam Veteran' hat. I never had one of these before and I was pretty hyped about it, especially because my friend Ron was considerate enough to take the time to give it to me.

Yesterday, I wore it when I went to Walmart. There was nothing in particular that I needed at the world's largest retailer but, since I retired, trips to Wally World to look at the Walmartians is always good for some comic relief. Besides, I always feel pretty normal after seeing some of the people that frequent the store. But, enough of my psychological fixes.

While standing in line to check out, the guy in front of me, probably in his early thirties, asked, "Are you a Vet Nam Vet?"

"No" I replied.

"Then why are you wearing that hat?"

"Because I couldn't find my one for the War of 1812." I thought it was a snappy retort. " 

The War of 1812, huh." the Walmartianqueried, "When was that?"

God forgive me, but I couldn't pass up such an opportunity. "1936"

He pondered my response for a moment and responded, "Why do they call it the War of 1812 if it was in 1936?"

"It was a Black Op. No one is supposed to know about it." This was beginning to be way fun.

"Dude! Really!" he exclaimed. "How did you get to do something that COOOOL?"

I glanced furtively around me for effect, leaned toward the guy and in a low voice said, "I'm not sure. I was the only Caucasian on the mission."

"Dude!", he was really getting excited about what he was hearing. "That is seriously Awesome! But, didn't you kind of stand out?"

"Not really. The other guys were wearing white camouflage."

The moron nodded knowingly.

"Listen man," I said in a very serious tone, "You can't tell anyone about this. It's still Top Secret and I shouldn't have said anything."

"Oh yeah." he gave me the "don't threaten me" look. "Like, what's gonna happen if I do?" 

With a really hard look I said, "You have a family don't you? We wouldn't want anything to happen to them would we?"

The guy gulped, left his basket where it was and fled through the door.

By this time the lady behind me was about to have a heart attack she was laughing so hard. I just grinned at her.

After checking out and going to the parking lot I saw dimwit leaning in a car window talking to a young woman. Upon catching sight of me he started pointing excitedly in my direction. Giving him another 'deadly' serious look, I made the "I see you" gesture. He turned kind of pale, jumped in the car and sped out of the parking lot.

What a great time! Tomorrow I'm going back with a Homeland Security hat. Whoever said retirement is boring just needs the right kind of hat.

#859

#858 Sack Lunch

Thanks Orv. This brought tears to my eyes. I have seen it before and it still moves me to tears.

I put my carry-on in the 

luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned 

seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm 

glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will 

get a short nap,' I thought. 


  
Just before take-off, 

a line of soldiers came down the aisle and 

filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding 

me. I decided to start a conversation. 


  
'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to 

me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two 

weeks for special training, and then we're being 

deployed to Afghanistan  

  
  
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was 

made that sack lunches were available for five 

dollars... It would be several hours before we 

reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch 

would help pass the time... 


  
As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if 

he planned to buy lunch.  'No, that seems 

like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. 

Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. 

I'll wait till we get to base.' 


  
His friend agreed. 


  
I looked around at the 

other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked 

to the back of the plane and handed the flight 

attendant a fifty dollar bill.  'Take a 

lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my 

arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with 

tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in 

Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for 

him.' 
  
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the 

soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and 

asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or 

chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, 

wondering why she asked. She turned and went to 

the front of plane, returning a minute later 

with a dinner plate from first class. 


  
'This is your thanks.' 


  
After we finished 

eating, I went again to the back of the plane, 

heading for the rest room. 

  A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to 

be part of it... Here, take this.' He handed me 

twenty-five dollars. 


  
Soon after I returned 

to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down 

the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he 

walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but 

noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my 

side of the plane. When he got to my row he 

stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I 

want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my 

seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. 

With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier 

and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought 

me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never 

forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was 

heard from all of the passengers. 


  
Later I walked to the 

front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A 

man who was seated about six rows in front of me 

reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He 

left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. 


  
When we landed I 

gathered my belongings and started to deplane... 

Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man 

who stopped me, put something in my shirt 

pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a 

word. Another twenty-five dollars! 


  
Upon entering the 

terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their 

trip to the base. 
I walked over to 

them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It 

will take you some time to reach the base.  

It will be about time for a sandwich. 
God Bless You.' 
  
Ten young 

men left that flight feeling the love and 

respect of their fellow travelers. 


  
As I walked briskly to 

my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe 

return. These soldiers were giving their all for 

our country. I could only give them a couple of 

meals. It seemed so little... 


  
A veteran is someone 

who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank 

check made payable to 'The United States of 

America  ' for an amount of 'up to and 

including my life.' 


  
That is Honor, and 

there are way too many people in this country 

who no longer understand it.' 

#858

#857 Remembering Vietnam.

Thanks, Orv.



For those of us who served in that far away war.




I think the Vietnam Memorial Wall is something this country got right. Read
on......interesting stuff !




A little history most people will never know.

Interesting Veterans Statistics off the Vietnam Memorial Wall

There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including
those added in 2010.

The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date
and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is
36 years since the last casualties.

The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth ,
Mass. Listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June
8, 19 56. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps
Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 19 65.

There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.

39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.

8,283 were just 19 years old.

The largest age group, 33,103 were 18 years old.


12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.

5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.

One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.

997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam ..

1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam ..

31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.

Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.

54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia . I wonder
why so many from one school.

8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.

244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of
them are on the Wall.

Beallsville , Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.

West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There
are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.

The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school
football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci
(pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In
quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in
the Apache National Forest . And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of
Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a
group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966.
Only 3 returned home.

The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all
boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on
Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They
played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam.
In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy
was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F.
Kennedy's assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving
Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day.

The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245
deaths.

The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties
were incurred.

For most Americans who read this they will only see the numbers that the
Vietnam War created. To those of us who survived the war, and to the
families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these
numbers created. We are, until we too pass away, haunted with these numbers,
because they were our friends, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters.
There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.

Please pass this on to those who served during this time, and those who DO
Care.

#857