Monday, December 24, 2007
Happy Christmas
Posted by Peajay at 23:33 5 comments
Labels: Christmas, Inspiration, Reflection
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Today...I wish you a day of ordinary miracles
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
Traffic lights on green all the way to work.
I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...
The fastest line at the supermarket or post office.
A good sing-along song on the radio.
Your keys right where you look for them.
I wish you a day of happiness and perfection-little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently because you are someone special and rare.
I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire lifetime to forget them.
Posted by Peajay at 19:58 4 comments
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
What Love Means
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca- age 8
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl – age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss" Emily - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate," Nikka -age 6
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8
And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.
Posted by Peajay at 12:46 11 comments
Labels: Inspiration, Love, Reflection
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Rite of Passage
'Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?
His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone.
He is required to sit on a tree stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he will be a MAN.
He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.
The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his tree stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!
Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the tree stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.
We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is watching over us, sitting on the tree stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.
If you liked this story, pass it on. If not, maybe you took off your blindfold before dawn...'
Posted by Peajay at 20:32 8 comments
Labels: Reflection
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
The people that matter most
Here's a short quiz for you to try:
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
The point is, few of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These people are by no means second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are easily forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
Posted by Peajay at 18:03 11 comments
Labels: Reflection
Monday, October 01, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Holiday 2007 - House for an Art Lover
Whilst the Mackintoshs’ entry was disqualified from the competition on the grounds of late submission, the designs were awarded a special prize for “their pronounced personal quality, their novel and austere form and the uniform configuration of interior and exterior.”
Posted by Peajay at 22:51 31 comments
Labels: Art, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Holiday, Scotland
Friday, June 29, 2007
White Cube Gallery

British artist Damien Hirst revealed his latest work of art at the White Cube Gallery in London, June 1, 2007. "For the Love of God" is a life-size cast of a human skull in platinum and covered by 8,601 pave-set diamonds weighing 1,106.18 carats. The single large diamond in the middle of the forehead is reportedly worth $4.2 million alone. Hirst financed the project himself, and estimates it cost between 10 and 15 million. Of course, it will cost someone a pretty penny to own the work: It's priced at $99 million.
Posted by Peajay at 16:23 10 comments
Labels: Art, London, Reflection
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Train Ticket

"Watch and learn," answers one of the women. They all board the train. The three men take their respective seats but all three women cram into a toilet together and close the door. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the toilet door and says, "Ticket, please. The door opens just a crack, and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.
The men see this happen and agree it was quite a clever idea; so, after the game, they decide to do the same thing on the return trip and save some money. When they get to the station they buy a single ticket for the return trip but see, to their astonishment, that the three women don't buy any ticket at all!!
"How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed man. "Watch and learn," answer the women. When they board the train, the three men cram themselves into a toilet, and the three women cram into another toilet just down the way. Shortly after the train is on its way, one of the women leaves her toilet and walks over to the toilet in which the men are hiding.
The woman knocks on their door and says, "Ticket, please."
I'm still trying to figure out why men ever think they are smarter than women.
Posted by Peajay at 22:49 39 comments
Labels: Humour
Friday, April 27, 2007
Ph.D. in Leadership
Posted by Peajay at 23:14 42 comments
Labels: Reflection, rules
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Kew Gardens
Transforming the landscape from white to blue, the delicate alpine Chionodoxa comes into flower as the snows melt in the mountains of Turkey, Crete and Cyprus, earning it the name Glory of the Snow.
Posted by Peajay at 22:43 32 comments
Labels: London, Reflection
Monday, March 26, 2007
Birthday wishes

Posted by Peajay at 00:00 9 comments
Labels: Cake, occasions, Reflection
Monday, February 26, 2007
Diary of..........
Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary
8.00am Dog food! My favourite thing!
9.30am A car ride! My favourite thing!
9.40am A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
10.30am Got hugged and petted! My favourite thing!
12.00pm Lunch! My favourite thing!
1.00pm Played in the garden! My favourite thing!
3.00pm Chased my tail! My favourite thing!
5.00pm Bonio biscuits! My favourite thing!
7.00pm Got to play ball! My favourite thing!
8.00pm Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!
11.00pm Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary
Day 683 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. The audacity!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded! The bird has got to be an informant. I observe it communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that it reports my every move. My Captors have arranged protective custody for it in an elevated cell, so he is safe...for now....
Posted by Peajay at 13:19 53 comments
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Precepts To Live By
Posted by Peajay at 19:31 25 comments
Labels: Reflection, rules
Friday, February 09, 2007
Counting My Blessings
Posted by Peajay at 20:55 3 comments
Labels: Calligraphy, Reflection
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Sand and Stone
Posted by Peajay at 21:35 56 comments
Labels: Reflection
Monday, January 15, 2007
Night Watch

She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lit ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night. Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
The next time someone needs you just be there. Stay.
We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience.
Posted by Peajay at 15:04 10 comments
Labels: Marines, Military, Reflection
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
For Anna
Posted by Peajay at 14:25 29 comments
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Mazza's Birthday
Posted by Peajay at 10:17 3 comments
Labels: Mazza
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Bridges in Bedford
'Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.'
Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne
Posted by Peajay at 20:16 15 comments