Thanks for the memories

[Ray]

“Three keys to more abundant living: Caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others.”

William Arthur Ward

My children and their families hosted a fantastic birthday party for my wife on Sunday that included a great gift. They had arraigned for her sister, her brother-in-law, our favorite niece, our favorite grandnephew and his inspiring and vivacious girlfriend to come from North Carolina for the occasion. What made it extra special is the fact that my sister-in-law and brother-in-law have significant health limitations and seldom travel. They have both been lifelong best friends of ours as well as our global travel companions for all the years they were in good health. It was great to have them here yesterday as we enjoyed reminiscing and recapturing past joys. They are leaving early this morning so instead of a new Daily I will spend the time bidding them a fond farewell and send you another from the archives.

 

Ray’s Daily first posted on August 14, 2007

An actress friend who I hold in high regard wrote me and said, “You have the heart of a writer...and a poet.” She sent the note in response to yesterday’s daily. I appreciate what she said but a more accurate statement might have been "He is someone with a heart who tries to write." I would hope at the end of my days they would say, “He cared.”

Someone else sent me what Albert Einstein had to say about our reading habits. He wrote:

“Somebody who reads only newspapers and at best the books of contemporary authors looks to me like an extremely nearsighted person who scorns eyeglasses. He is completely dependent on the prejudices and fashions of his times, since he never gets to see or hear anything else. And what a person thinks on his own without being stimulated by the thoughts and experiences of other people is even in the best case rather paltry and monotonous.

There are only a few enlightened people with a lucid mind and style and with good taste with a century. What has been preserved of their work belongs among the most precious possessions of mankind. Nothing is more needed than to overcome the modernist’s snobbishness.”

The quote really hit home with me as I think that contemporary society often suffers from a false sense of superiority fed by those who think only as they do. I don’t think that reading the classics is an indication of any intellectual prowess; rather I think that lingering with the skilled writers of old allows us to walk slowly through fields of ideas. I don’t feel that completing the reading of anything is an accomplishment in itself, nor do I think being able to recall all that was written is all that important, with my memory that would be impossible. For me the experience is a success if it generates one thought, opens one door, or starts me examining something I would overlook otherwise. Some of my greatest satisfaction comes from contemplation that has been triggered by something I read as I often find things that I did not know about myself. Those of you who are regular readers of the daily then often hear the results of these “Eureka” moments. I don’t share my innermost secrets with others, just you, and like I have often said “I may not be all that great but this is as good as I get.”

~~~

“Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness”

Harold Kushner

~~~

Some of the best Norm Peterson quotes from "Cheers":

"What's shaking, Norm?" "All four cheeks & a couple of chins."

"What's new, Normie?" "Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach & they're demanding beer."

"What'd you like, Normie?" "A reason to live. Give me another beer."

"What'll you have, Normie?" "Well, I'm in a gambling mood Sammy. I'll take a glass of whatever comes out of the tap." "Looks like beer, Norm." "Call me Mister Lucky."

"Hey Norm, how's the world been treating you?" "Like a baby treats a diaper."

"What's the story, Mr. Peterson?" "The Bobsey Twins go to the brewery. Let's cut to the happy ending."

"Hey Mr. Peterson, there's a cold one waiting for you." "I know, if she calls, I'm not here."

"What's going on, Mr. Peterson?" "A flashing sign in my gut that says, 'Insert beer here.'"

"Whatcha up to, Norm?" "My ideal weight if I were eleven feet tall."

"How's it going, Mr. Peterson?" "Poor." "I'm sorry to hear that." "No, I mean pour."

"How's life treating you, Norm?" "Like it caught me sleeping with its wife."

"What's going down, Normie?" "My butt cheeks on that bar stool."

"Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?" "Alright, but stop me at one....make that one-thirty."

"How's it going, Mr. Peterson?" "It's a dog eat dog world, Woody & I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear."

"What's the story, Norm?" "Boy meets beer. Boy drinks beer. Boy meets another beer."

"Can I pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?" "A little early, isn't it, Woody?" "For a beer?" "No, for stupid questions."

~~~

"Law of Volunteer Labor" People are always available for work in the past tense.

~~~

A young man called his mother and announced excitedly that he had just met the woman of his dreams. Now what should he do? 

His mother had an idea: "Why don't you send her flowers, and on the card invite her to your apartment for a home cooked meal?" 

He thought this was a great strategy, and a week later, the woman came to dinner. His mother called the next day to see how things had gone. 

"I was totally humiliated," he moaned. "She insisted on washing the dishes." 

"What's wrong with that?" asked his mother. "I think it's a wonderful gesture." 

"We hadn't started eating yet." 

~~~

"Golf and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at them."

Jimmy DeMaret

~~~

Lil' Johnny's mother asked him what he would like for his birthday. "I'd like a little brother," he replied.

"Oh my, that's such a big wish," said the mother. "Why do you want a little brother?"

"Well," responded Lil' Johnny, "there's only so much I can blame on the dog."

~~~

I used to eat a lot of natural foods, until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

~~~

After the birth of their child, an Episcopal priest, wearing his clerical collar, visited his wife in the hospital. He greeted her with a hug and a kiss, and gave her another hug and kiss when he left.

Later, the wife's roommate commented, "Your pastor is sure friendlier than mine."

~~~

"He has the attention span of a lightning bolt."

Robert Redford

~~~

Sue:  Mary, what exactly is an "oxymoron"?

Mary:  It's a phrase made up of contradictory terms, like "deafening silence."

Sue:  Oh, I get it.  Like "Mr. Perfect"!

~~~

“I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal.”

Dalai Lama

~~~

Stay well, do good work, and have fun.

 

Ray Mitchell

Indianapolis, Indiana

Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.

 

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