Ffolkes,
The weather, having taken a turn toward nasty, compels me to huddle up close to the fire, wrap a sturdy blanket around my shoulders, and gaze into the flames seeking visions. Hence, today we go old school…..in the last couple of days, I’ve done a lot of work around this process of making Pearls of Virtual Wisdom. I went diving for a long while, building up my stash of backup Pearls, and in the process found a very good batch of lustrous new gems. Some are included for their Truth; others merely for their Beauty. At least one is there because I thought it was funny. All have something to say, even if it is something we may not like to hear. Since I’m not writing any original material for today’s piece, I will include a couple extra meaty Pearls. Having produced over a thousand words for each of the last four or five days, it will help fill in that extra space y’all have come to know and love…..see, give me just one teeny opening, and the sarcasm slips through. Oh well, it’s best to get it out early in the day so it doesn’t fester…….

“One of the oldest human needs is having someone to wonder where you are when you don’t come home at night.” — Margaret Mead

During the darkest days of World War II, when each night brought waves of Luftwaffe bombers raining death and destruction on a near-defenseless London, Prime Minister Churchill went on the air to address the British people.  “I read this morning’s paper that Herr Hitler plans to wring England’s neck like that of a chicken,” he began, “and I was reminded of what the Irish poacher said as he stood on the gallows.  Its seems the poor fellow was approached by a well-meaning if somewhat overzealous priest who, in horrific detail, described the unfading torments of Hades which awaited him if he did not repent of his misdeeds.  The condemned man listened patiently to all that the priest had to say, and when he was done, grinned broadly and replied, ‘Eat it raw, fuzz nuts.'” (YES!!!)

Keep in mind that neither success nor failure is ever final.

“As to values, I was taught — and still believe — that a sense of honor is necessary to personal self-respect; that duty, recognizing an individual’s subordination to community welfare, is as important as rights; that loyalty, which is based on the trustworthiness of honorable men, is still a virtue; and that work and self-discipline are as essential to individual happiness as they are to a viable society. Indeed, I still believe in patriotism — not if it is limited to parades and flag-waving, but because worthy national goals and aspirations can be realized only through love of country and a desire to be a responsible citizen.” — Lewis F. Powell (Former Supreme Court Justice)

It is the little rift within the lute
That by and by will make the music mute,
And ever widening slowly silence all.
— Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)
— Idylls of the King, Merlin and Vivien

— Bother! said Pooh, as he stomped Barney’s butt to Jello.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” — Philo

“What embitters the world is not excess of criticism, but an absence of self-criticism.” — G. K. Chesterton, Sidelights on New London and Newer New York

Intelligence is believing only half of what you hear; Brilliance is knowing which half.

All rivers flow into the sea, for it is lower than they; Humility is what gives it its strength.

And one last thought for contemplation……

“Make no mistake: the weeds will win.  Nature bats last.” — Robert Pyle

I hope you have enjoyed reading this little tour through a bed of Pearls as much as I did in putting it together. What with all the extras today, there’s probably enough potentially enlightening material to create a veritable army of Buddha’s! Well, maybe not; that would be getting a little far away from his message……..oh well……y’all take care out there……

gigoid

Kowabunga!