Now She Is Gone.

Hi Everyone ~~ Back with you again after my trip to the

funeral. It was very nice, and I plan to post a reading

from it in a little while. Kath’s daughter Kerry spoke very

well, about her mother’s illness, her happier times and

her days as a child, when she and her brother would wag

school and have a day off. There were little anecdotes etc

and lots of memories, and Kerry did it beautifully. Her

husband spoke briefly, and the reading was by their son

aged 15. He read it very well which must have been hard.

Apart from that there were 8 first cousins there and it

was great to see and talk to them for a little while.

I am most grateful to John for taking me.

<><><><>

Reading : “Now She Is Gone.”

You can shed tears that she is gone

or you can smile because she has lived.

<><><>

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back

or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

<><><>

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her

or you can be full of the love you shared.

<><><>

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live

yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow

because of yesterday.

<><><>

You can remember her and only that she’s gone

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

<><><>

You can cry and close your mind, be empty

and turn your back or you can do what she’d want

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

<><><><> Read by Kath’s young grandson, Zachary.

A little poem called “Bless You” and I would like to

dedicate to you, my friends for the kindness and love

you have shown at this sad time. Thanks, and bless you.

<><><>

Bless you for all your kindliness,

for all you have done for me,

For little courtesies of heart with

No one near to see,

For moments when, without your smile,

I would have lost my way ---

For these, and all the other things,

Bless you so much !! I say.

<><><><>

Bless you for all the nights of prayer

And watch when I am ill,

When Faith shines like a steady flame

In long, dark hours, and still,

And bless you for your morning smile

When dawn breaks through at last.

Bless you --- you are in my heart ---

Where I will hold you fast !!

<><><><><>

And a couple of jokes now - - - -

A man is playing piano one night in a bar,

In walks an elephant who goes over to the pianist,

and suddenly starts to cry.

“There there,” says the pianist.

“Do you recognise the song?”

“No, no,” says the elephant.

“I recognise the white keys.”

<><><><><>

An elderly couple went to the doctor for Viagra.

The doctor advised against it because of the gent’s

age, but gave in with warnings to take a tablet one

night, then skip the next and so on.

<><><>

A week later the doctor bumped into te old chap’s wife

and discreetly inquired how things were going.

“Oh, my husband died,” she matter-of-factly replied.

The doctor was distraught. “I knew I shouldn’t have

given him the Viagra, but you both insisted,” he said.

“Oh. it wasn’t the Viagra that killed him doctor,” she

assured him. “It was all that skipping.”

<><><><>

And a few thoughts to finish - - - -

He who has roses in the garden also has roses in his heart.

-- Anonymous.

<><><>

In peace and quiet pass our days,

With nought to vex our craniums,

Our middle beds are all ablaze

With red and white geraniums.

<><><>

Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent

perspiration. – Albert Edison.

<><><>

You are surrounded by gifts every living moment of every

day. Let yourself feel appreciation for their presence

in your life and take the time to acknowledge their

splendour. ---Lon G. Nungesser.

<><><>

You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

--Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese poet and writer.

<><><><>

Bye now, till next time, Take care my friends, Merle.

<><><><><>

Just by Chance.

Hello my Friends ~~ This will not be a long post as I have

a big day tomorrow. My son is taking me to Maryborough,

Victoria which is about 2 ½ to 3 hour trip from here.

It is for the funeral of my cousin, and to see several other

cousins who will attend, as well as seeing how Kath’s husband,

daughter, and her three boys are coping. No post tomorrow folks.

I will find a poem for you and then there is an article about

“women” that my friend Sandy sent to me.

Thanks so much Sandy.

<><><><>

<><><> Poem -- Just by Chance. <><><>

Just by chance you came along,

You smiled as you passed me by,

Just by chance I saw you smile ---

And grinned back in reply.

<><>

Just by chance I heard you laugh,

When the world seemed dull and grey,

Just by chance I laughed aloud,

And the sun shone right away.

<><>

Just by chance you sang a song,

The tune embraced the air,

Just by chance I heard your lilt,

And softly said a prayer.

<><><><>

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE..

. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

One friend who Always makes her Laugh... And one Who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE..

. A good piece of furniture not previously owned by Anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

Eight matching plates, Wine glasses with stems, And a recipe for a meal that will Make her guests feel honored.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

A feeling of control over Her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

How to fall in love Without losing herself...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

HOW TO QUIT A JOB

BREAK UP WITH A LOVER

AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING

THE FRIENDSHIP...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

When to try harder... and

WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

That she can't change The length of her calves, The width of her hips, or

The nature of her parents...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

That her childhood May not have been Perfect... but; It's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

What she would and Wouldn't Do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

How to live alone... even if She doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

Whom she can trust, Whom she can't, And why she shouldn't Take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

Where to go.. Be it to her best friend's kitchen table.. Or a charming inn in the woods... When her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

What she can and can't accomplish In a day... A month... And a year.

<><><><><>

And a few quotes, from my book, “Pocket Positives.”

Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of

them ? -- Abraham Lincoln.

<><><>

Animals are such agreeable friends --- they ask no questions,

they pass no criticisms. --- George Eliot.

<><><>

You can always tell a real friend; when you’ve made a fool

of yourself he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.

--- Laurence J. Peter.

<><><>

What are you looking forward to in the next year ?

The next ten years ? Isn’t it exciting to imagine all the

possibilities the future holds. – Anonymous.

<><><>

The best thing about the future is that it only comes one

day at a time. --- Abraham Lincoln.

<><><><>

Bye for now. I will be back posting on Thursday. Take care

and be happy. Cheers, Merle.

<><><><><><>

It Shows in Your Face.

Hello my Friends ~~ And what great friends you are !!

I feel overwhelmed with your kind and sympathetic

words and I thank you most sincerely.

I learnt today that Kath enjoyed their usual Sunday roast

dinner and apple pie, and very soon after had a heart attack,

so it was very sudden and unexpected, but better for Kath.

Now to find something of interest to post.

<><><><><>

<><><> A Poem called “It Shows In Your Face.” <><><>

You don’t have to tell how you live each day,

You don’t have to say if you work or play;

A tried, true barometer serves in place ---

However you live, it will show in your face.

<><><>

The false, the deceit, that you bear in your heart,

Will not stay inside where it first got the start,

For sinew and blood are thin veils of lace ---

What you wear in your heart, you wear in your face.

<><><>

If your life is unselfish, if for others you live,

For not what you get, but how much you give;

If you live close to God in His infinite grace ---

You don’t have to tell it – it shows in your face.

<><><><>

<><> Another called “Count Your Gardens” <><>

Count your garden by the flowers,

Never by the leaves that fall;

Count your days by golden hours,

Don’t remember clouds at all.

Count your nights by stars, not shadows,

Count your life with smiles, not tears;

And with joy, through all your lifetime,

Count your age by friends, not years.

<><><><>

This joke was in the Melbourne Herald Sun today ---

A woman meets a gorgeous man in a bar. They talk,

they connect and they end up leaving together.

They get back to his apartment and she notices that

his bedroom is completely packed with sweet cuddly

teddy bears. Hundreds of cute little bears on a bottom

shelf all the way along the floor. Cuddly medium sized

ones on a shelf a little higher, and huge enormous bears

on the top shelf along the wall.

<><><>

The woman is surprised that this hunky guy would have

a collection of teddy bears, but she decides not to

mention how impressed she is by his sensitive side.

Things progress and they get down to an intense night

of passion.

Afterwards, lying side by side, the woman rolls over and

asks smiling, “Well, how was it?”

<><><>

Macho man says; “ Help yourself to any prize from the

bottom shelf.”

<><><><><>

<><><> And now some quotes to finish with <><><>

We all have faults. It’s important to recognise your own,

but try to turn a blind eye to the faults of others. –Anon.

<><>

Love your enemies, for they will tell you your faults.

--Benjamin Franklin.

<><><>

Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.

-- John F. Kennedy.

<><><>

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is youself. But we

shouldn’t be harder on ourselves than we would be on others.

--Anon.

<><><>

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.

-- Kris Kristofferson.

<><><>

So long as we are loved by others I should say that we are

almost indispensable; and no man is useless while he has a

friend. – Robert Louis Stevenson.

<><><><>

Bye for now and thanks for being blogging friends who

are so kind and caring. Take care, till next time, Merle.

<><><><><>

IT'S EASY.

Hello my Friends ~~ Tonight will be shorter, and a lot

different. Thank you to those who commented , as I probably wont get round much tonight. I had the sad news today that my cousin, Kath lost her battle with breast cancer after an awful fight, with a mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and 2 brain

operations, the first to remove brain tumours and the recent one to remove scar tissue, that they suspected was another tumour.

The saddest part for me, I spoke to her Friday and told her that I had arranged to visit her next Saturday.Kath was pleased and so was I, but I should have done it sooner.

She leaves a husband, a daughter and 3 grandsons and was only 71, a year younger

than me. R.I.P. dear Kath.

<><><><>

I chose a short verse to post, so I hope there wont be too many typing errors. It is called “IT’S EASY.”

It’s easy to smile on the bright days

It’s harder to smile when they’re blue

The best way to make bad days right days

Is to smile when it’s hardest to do.

<><><>

All things must have a beginning

Now is the moment to choose

Everyone smiles when they’re winning ---

Let’s see you smile when you lose.

<><><><><>><>

I have a joke for you that my friend Sue sent me, so a big thank you Sue. I sure don’t feel

a lot like finding jokes, so it was very timely.

An Answered Prayer

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only

two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island.

The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree

that they had no other recourse but to pray to God.

<><>

However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they

agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on

opposite sides of the island.

<><>

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the

first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he

was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land

remained barren.

<><>

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray

for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only

survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the

other side of the island, there was nothing.

<><>

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The

next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However,

the second man still had nothing.

<><>

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife

could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked

at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his

wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He

considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings,

since none of his prayers had been answered.

<><>

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from

heaven booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"

<><>

"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for

them," the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered

and so he does not deserve anything."

<><>

"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer,

which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any

of my blessings."

<><>

"Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "what did he pray for

that I should owe him anything?"

<><>

"He prayed that all your prayers be answered."

<><>

For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers

alone, but those of another praying for us.

<><><><><>

Just a couple of thoughts -- the first on Faith

Without winter, there can be no spring.

Without mistakes there can be no learning.

Without doubts, there can be no faith.

Without fears, there can be no courage.

My mistakes, my fears and my doubts are my

path to wisdom, faith and courage.

<><><><><>

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can….. John Wesley.

<><><><>

Say I love you to all the people you love.

Bye for now, Merle.

<><><><><><><>

Drivers etc

Hi Everyone ~~ The end of another week here in

Australia with the weekend looming. One of the things

I do regularly is to run my security scans on Saturday.

And so far they have not found any serious problems,

for which I am very thankful.

<><><><>

I have a recipe for a sweet that I make in Summer.

It is called Passionfruit Cream.

1 packet Passionfruit or Pineapple jelly

¾ cup of boiling water. Make jelly and cool.

½ cup sugar or sugar substitute

1 egg . Beat these together.

Add ¾ cup of milk and stir together

Add the pulp of 1 passionfruit.

Then add to cooled jelly and refrigerate.

<><><><> Not too inspiring, but it is very nice. <><><><>

Now I am going to alienate all the male drivers!!!

<><> What is a man Driver ? <><>

A man driver is the supercilious counterpart of that

intelligent user of the roads – a woman driver ( one of

which is me). A man driver is so smug about his

comparative prowess that he cannot see past the end of

his nose, which is probably why he makes so many mistakes

while driving. A man driver is a person who thinks that a

split second should be defined as a period of time between

the moment the traffic light turns green, and the moment

he should start blowing his horn.

<><><>

Man drivers come in many varieties, but from my experience,

they all have one thing in common – they adore hugging

curves. The main trouble is to convince them that the curves

they should hug are the ones that border the roadside. A man

driver seems to think that the faster he drives the smarter

he is regarded, but he’d do well to remember that the best

way to see 90 is not to try to see it on te speedo.

<><><>

The only reason a man driver is so much to the fore is that

there happens to be more of them, but I would remind him

that quantity is not nearly so important as quality. I am

quite sure, especially speaking as an experienced woman

driver, that I am more than prepared to give any man driver

on the highway, the half of the road to which he is entitled ---

that is, provided he can make up his mind which half he wants.

<><><><><>

Sorry fellas, please keep in mind that I no longer drive !!

<><><>

Here’s a joke for the menfolk.

A man woke up one morning to see his wife standing by the

bed in a skimpy negligee, She was carrying a velvet rope.

She purred at him: “Tie me up and do anything you like.”

So he tied her up, and went fishing.!!!

<><><><><>

A man had just read a book called “You can be the Man of your

House. He stormed into the kitchen and walked directly up to

his wife. Pointing a finger in her face he said sternly :” From

now on, you need to know that I am the man of the house, and

my word is law.

You will provide me a gourmet meal tonight and when I’m

finished that you will serve me a sumptious dessert.”

(Note frm Merle, I think this lad is heading for trouble !!)

“Then after dinner, you are going to go upstairs with me,

and we will do what I want.

After that, you are going to draw me a bath so I can relax.

You will wash my back and towel me dry and bring me my robe.

Then you will massage my feet and hands. After that is done

guess who is going to dress me and comb my hair?”

His wife replied: “ The funeral director would be my guess.”

<><><><><><>

<><><> The Guy To Watch <><><>

You watch the guy who drives ahead

And the guy who drives behind;

You watch to the left, and watch to the right,

And drive with a calm clear mind.

<><>

But the guy you really have to watch

On the highway, you will find

Is the guy behind the guy ahead,

And ahead of the guy behind.

<><><><><>

<><> Finally a few thoughts for you. <><>

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

--Elbert Hubbard.

Whoever retains the natural curiosity of childhood

is never bored or dull. Anonymous.

On Death.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there, I did not die. Anon.

<><><>

In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there

was in me an invincible summer. –Albert Camus.

You don’t drown by falling in the water.

You drown by staying there. –Anon.

That’s it for tonight. Stay well and stay happy, Merle.

<><><>

Delinquent.

Hello My Friends ~~ Another day gone by. It has been

trying to rain, but not a lot so far. I hope there will be

more overnight, as the farmers and water storages do

need it so badly. What we had has watered my garden.

I have a nice patch of Broad Beans in flower, so they

will be great fairly soon. Some camelias and azaleas

have started flowering and some other things also.

<><><><><>

First tonight is a story “How to Make a Delinquent.”

Begin from infancy to give the child everything he wants

. . .this way he’ll grow up to believe that the world owes

him a living.

<><><>

When he picks up bad words, laugh at him . . . . it will

encourage him to pick up cuter phrases that will blow the

top of your head off later on.

<><><>

Never give him any spiritual training . . . . wait till he’s 21

and then let him decide for himself.

<><><>

Avoid the use of the word “wrong”. . . . it may develop a

guilt complex, and this will condition him to believe later

when arrested for stealing a car that society is against him

and he’s being persecuted.

<><><>

Pick up everything he leaves lying around – books, shoes,

clothes, etc . . . do everything for him, so he’ll be experienced

in throwing all responsibility on to others,

<><><>

Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be

careful that silveware and drinking glasses are sterilised, but

. . . let his mind feed on garbage.

<><><>

Quarrel frequently in his presence . . . this way he won’t be too

shocked when the home is broken up.

<><><>

Give him all the spending money he wants . . . . why should he

have things as tough as you did.

<><><>

Take his part against neighbors, teachers and policemen . . . .

They’re all prejudiced against him.

<><><>

Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See

every essential desire is gratified . . . denial may lead to

harmful frustrations.

<><><>

Prepare yourself for a life of heartache . . . .you will have it.

<><><><><>

<><> Political correctness when talking about Men. <><>

He does not have a beer gut

He has developed a Liquid Grain Storage.

<><>

He is not quiet.

He is Conversational Minimalist.

<><>

He is not stupid.

He suffers from Minimal Cranial Development.

<><>

He does not get lost all the time.

He discovers Alternative Destinations.

<><>

He does not get falling down drunk.

He becomes Accidentally Horizontal.

<><>

He does not talk constantly about cars.

He has Vehicular Addiction.

<><>

He is not balding.

He is in Follicle Regression.

<><>

He is not a male chauvinist pig.

He has Swine Empathy.

<><>

He does not eat like a pig.

He suffers from Reverse Bullimia.

<><><><><>

A senior citizen said to his 80 year old chess partner,

“So I hear you are getting married ?”

“Yep,” was the firm reply. “Do I know her?” he asked.

“Nope,” was another firm reply.

“This woman, is she good looking?””Not really,” said the

prospective groom. “Is she a good cook?”

“Can’t cook to save herself,” the old fella said.

“Does she have lots of money?”

“No, poor as a churchmouse,” he said.

“Well the, she must be good in bed?”

“I”I don’t know,” was the surprising answer.

“Why in the world do you want to marry her?”

“Because she can still drive.”

<><><><><><>

A man was bragging to his mates about his sister, who

disguised herself as a man and joined the army.

“But wait a minute,” said one of his mates. “She’ll have to

dress with the boys and shower with them too, won’t she?”

“Sure,” said the bragger.

“Well, won’t they find out ?”

“Yeah, but who’s gonna tell?”

<><><><>

<><> And a few thoughts for you. <><>

We know what happens to people who stay in the middle

of the road. They get run over. –Aneurin Bevan.

Confidence is realising that although you aren’t best at

something, you still enjoy doing it. Anon.

What the hell –you might be right, you might be wrong-

-- but don’t just avoid. –Katharine Hepburn.

And to finish -- An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the rain fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Bye for now, Take care, Have a great day, Merle.

<><><><>