My Favorite Childhood Movie?

Bambi: The original version. Bear in mind, I was born in 1945...

The original version was released in 1942, when I wasn't even a thought in my parent's heads. It was re-released in 1947, so I was probably about two years old when I saw it.

While this movie was sad when Bambi's mother was killed by a hunter, at least it didn't show the actual shooting. You only heard the rifle-shot.

Even as a small child, I understood that his mother was killed. That was upsetting, maybe partly due to my being such a critter person way back then, too.

The rest of the movie showed Bambi as he learned to survive, with his little forest friends, like Thumper, the little rabbit, and Flower the skunk. It followed Bambi as he learned survival skills and began to grow up, and when he met a young doe. They played and romped together amidst happy music and singing.

Finally, it showed Bambi as an adult buck with his own family taking his place as the most powerful buck in the forest, standing on a huge boulder, overlooking their valley.

Roommates-Friends-Marriage Mates?

Roommates/Friends

Never have I ever had an actual roommate per say.  When it's family, it is to be expected that there will be good times and bad ones, as well.  Most people readily make necessary adjustments in such cases, don't they?  After all, it's family.  You just put up with it or leave yourself.

While you may change roommates, it is a little more of a longstanding agreement when you are married, and even more-so when children come on the scene.

It seems that many if not most people are willing to make adjustments for a friend or roommate than they would for a family member, such as a brother or sister, a parent, or more specifically for a spouse. Maybe it's because the roommate is paying their share of the rent and utilities?

A spouse especially should certainly get more appreciation and respect than anyone else, don't you think?  After all, you and they have both promised to love, honor and cherish one another, "until death do your part." Remember?  Or did you really mean that until you have issues, or that until things get a little bit hard to deal with, or adjust to?

Most people don't even consider whether or not they will be compatible with whomever they choose to marry.  That is one thing that just doesn't seem to cross their mind.  If you just think about it, this is the person with whom you are making a covenant to spend the rest of your life.  Don't you think it would be wise to consider if you two will be more compatible for other joint activities other than the obvious sex.
Sure, you may have many of the same interests, or not.  You may like the same type of movies, but what about things that you and your partner may like that the other doesn't like, or that they even can't stand?

Simple things such as the toothpaste being left open or being squeezed differently than you do it, or maybe they don't hand the hand towel up evenly or straight enough to suit you; These things can begin to grate on people's nerves, and they can actually become obsessed over such trivial things.

Neatnik or a Slob?

As life goes on, you will wake up one day, and discover this person has many different likes and dislikes that differ from yours, as well as the other way around.  After all, no one's perfect.  Have you considered how many things you do that may drive your spouse crazy, too?

They say that opposites attract, and maybe that's so, at lease some of the time.  But, many times those differences can become things we may grow to hate.

Life gives us things to adjust to all the time, and somehow we manage to do so.  So, why not make more room for our spouses idiosyncrasies?  We will be better people if we do, and unless they are breaking the law or committing adultery, it probably isn't really harmful to you or anyone else. I'm not talking about someone who may have a drinking problem or smokes and is causing harm to you or your children, just the little things that get on peoples nerves.

Do People Nowadays Even Know What Love Is?

Love, like many things in life, is relative.

Now Here's Real Responsibility 

You may love your mother or father, brother or sister, your dog or cat, but they all have their own type of affection and meaning in your life. Hopefully, you also love your marriage mate.

Love for a mate usually begins as an attraction, usually hormonal in nature. For thousands of years, until after WWI most people who married, were matched by their parents, many depending on local culture, were promised or wed at a very young age. Others were introduced by mutual acquaintances, or their families had known each other for decades. Most young ladies were never alone with their prospective mate until after they were married. This was actually a protection not only pregnancy, but also helped to control sexually transmitted diseases as well. Many young women may not have even known their promised mate well enough to really know them, much less actually have love for that person.

Too many people today think of a marriage mate, or a "life partner" as being disposable. If things get too difficult, they just dump that person and move on to another. It's a bit like when a new model car or computer comes out, you dump the old one a get the newest model with all the bells and whistles, which will soon also be outdated. Marriage should be a serious and permanent commitment that both persons will work at. No two people get along without some difficulties. It's not supposed to be a 50/50 deal, but each person should be willing to invest 100% to make things work well. Never take your partner for granted, and forget that they too have feelings and emotions that need your attention and empathy. To many people seem to give more attention and caring to their friends, or even complete strangers than they do the person they promised to love and cherish "until death they do part."

Just the Beginning

Many started off their married lives as almost strangers, and were expected to make it work, and it usually did. After the World Wars, all bets were off when it came to introductions, and dating, since so many millions of young people were scattered around the globe and there was no one really to help rein in their hormonal urges. That being said, their so-called emotions were driven by a desire for intimacy, not love in most cases.

As we can see today, sex is pretty much considered a contact sport or a recreational activity, and is not performed out of love, but one's own "needs" or lust.

The result has been that the about half of all marriages end in divorce, as well as with unwanted children who are terribly confused, neglected, and abused mentally, physically, and sexually. They are raise by one parent who cannot provide the personal attention that children once got. They may end up with several different "step parents," who may not like them or may actually be abusive, either physically, mentally or sexually, leaving them emotionally damaged, or in extreme cases they may actually be killed, or commit suicide as a result.

Helping Dad Cook

When most mothers were able to stay home to care for the home and family, most children were greeted with a nice snack and a kiss when they returned from school, and a hot sit down dinner when their father returned home from working to provide for his family. Mothers seldom are now able to stay home to help rear their children, many times due to financial issues, or to help their children with homework. Many if not most children don't even know how to really cook, since mom it either too busy or too tired to prepare real family meals, or to teach them cooking basics.

Many people spend most of their grocery budget either on fast food, or take out and frozen dinners, usually because they just don't really know how to cook a real family meal.

Why, just this week there was a news story which stated that there are now places such as KFC, who are allowed to accept what used to be called Food Stamps.

Make it at Home Cheaper

If these same people knew how to cook and manage their Food Stamp funds, they could eat better than they are, or may have even eaten in years. It is usually much cheaper to buy things like whole potatoes and fresh or frozen vegetables and tomato sauce, and fresh low fat meat than it is to improvise with ready to prepare dinners, which are not only more expensive, but contain very high levels of salt and preservatives and/or sugar, high fructose corn syrup, etc. These diets are overloaded with ingredients which cause diabetes, high cholesterol, and kidney failure and heart attack. Many families eat in front of the television or the computer screen.

Love is a very precious thing, that should never be taken for granted, but cherished, and shared in abundance with everyone in your family. Too many people have forgotten how to actually love anyone but themselves and material possessions which are here today and gone tomorrow.

My 5 Best Qualities

Honest Opinion? When Asked, Usually Tactful

Honesty
I never cheat anyone out of anything.

Helpful When Needed

Helpful
If it is within my ability, I will help persons who are in need of my assistance, or share anything that is within my ability to physically or financially share or help with.

Caring and Empathetic

Caring/Empathetic
I try to have fellow feeling and put myself in the shoes of others, to better understand their needs and problematic situation.

Giving Accurate Information

Strive to be accurate in giving information 
If I am asked for advice or something that I may have knowledge of, I strive to be accurate.




Not Demanding

Undemanding Friends

Juke Box With Favorites From 1940 to 1979-year by year

A friend sent me an E-Mail with a link to this site, and I just have to share it with you all.  This link will take you to the site which has the Juke Box.  You can let it start on it's own, or scroll down and chose year by year, from 1940 through 1979.  

If you scroll down lower, you can find more music and songs by the decade, through the '90s.
I still haven't had time to find all my favorites yet, but I plan to keep going back until I do.
These songs and singers as well as groups will certainly bring back old sweet memories, and get your feet to tapping, too.

Find your favorite songs and singers from 1940 to 1979 - YOU CHOOSE

Happy listening!

Turkey in My Diet

While I do not celebrate holidays, I still have to eat. Right?

Turkey Burger with Baked Beans and Potato Salad

While I avoid many types of meat, I do enjoy turkey from time to time. I don't eat a lot of meat, so what I feel I must eat for my own health, I choose carefully, and turkey is one of those choices. At times I make turkey burgers, and with the added garlic, onion, as well as salt and pepper, it makes a good burger.

A Bit of Cheer-Me-Up Music, Songs, and Lyrics

"The Candy Man," "How Much is That Doggie in the Window?" And the list goes on, and on, and on...

Happy Tunes-Happy Feet

Oh My; This is one thing for which I have way too many songs and music to even begin adding.

Songs to lift my spirits: not necessarily in that order:

1-You’ll Never Walk Alone
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/554861/youll_never_walk_alone/

2-Love Me Tender: Elvis Presley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBUb0ElnNY

_____________________________________________________

Banjo nut

3-Oh Susanna:

 I come from Alabama


 With my banjo on my knee


 I'm going to Louisiana,


 My true love for to see



 It rained all night


 The day I left


 The weather it was dry


 The sun so hot,


 I froze to death


 Susanna, don't you cry



 Oh, Susanna,


 Oh don't you cry for me


 For I come from Alabama


 With my banjo on my knee



 I had a dream the other night


 When everything was still


 I thought I saw Susanna


 A-coming down the hill



 The buckwheat cake


 Was in her mouth


 The tear was in her eye


 Says I, 

 I'm coming from the south


 Susanna, don't you cry



 Oh, Susanna,


 Oh don't you cry for me


 For I come from Alabama


 With my banjo on my knee

__________________________

Candy Dreams

4-The Candy Man: Sammy Davis, Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9zSR8bLraw

5-How Much Is That Doggie in the Window: Patti Page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AkLE4X-bbU

 6-Tennessee Waltz: Patti Page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ek3eCbfqp0&feature=related

7-Harbor Lights: Sammy Kaye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AMuM5ExqOo&NR=1&feature=fvwp

8-Harbor Lights: Rudy Vallee-1937

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3DUvOQ4Vm8&feature=related

Musical Fun Times

Thing Happen for a Reason: My Stance

Voice of reason, not excuses in order.

Smoking Volcano

While I certainly do not believe in fate or destiny, I do believe everything happens for some reason. By that, I do not mean that God causes things to happen to us. But due to man's imperfection, greed, or hunger for power and control, we all make bad choices as well as good.

What many don't seem to take into consideration is, that our choices are not the only thing that brings about good or bad things that may happen to us or our loved ones and/or neighbors.

With more than seven billion inhabitants on earth, and with everyone making their own choices, most of the time, those choices affect at least people around us. On the world stage, with imperfect men and women running the finances, products we all use, and trying to manage or force their ideas on other inhabitants of this planet, these actions affect everyone, in one way or another.

With world leaders and people of power in many other situations checking their horoscopes, and mediums in search of so called wisdom, instead of listening to God's word, they are actually inviting Satan, who the Bible calls the "ruler of the authority of the air," to influence their actions and decisions.

While many who claim to believe in the God of the Bible, they completely ignore his warnings against having any connection to these things. Leviticus 19:31 says: "Do not turn yourselves to the spirit mediums, and do not consult professional foretellers of events, so as to become unclean by them. I am Jehovah (Yahweh, YHWH) your God."

Exodus 20:4, 5 states: "You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah (Yahweh, YHWH) your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion,"

Examples:

1- If one drives speedily down a road, it instantly will determine many things in the lives of others around them.  Whether they react to their benefit or accidentally lose control of their vehicle, and may die or even kill others as a result is all still a matter of choices they made.

No one can blame God for their own actions.  Remember?  Freedom of choice?

Lava Flow

2- If a volcano erupts and wipes out a village or town, can one say that was destined to occur.   No, prior to eruptions, volcanoes give ample warning, whether by quaking, or spewing smoke and ash, or flowing lava. If people fail to heed the warnings, why on earth would a reasonable person blame God, when it was their choice to ride it out, or ignore the warnings? The same goes for hurricanes. Even tsunamis give warning, and if people are ignorant about these signs or warning sirens, or news alerts, they certainly have no one to blame for not getting farther inland. After all, even 'dumb' animals will do everything they can to get away from the danger zone.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 states: "... time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all."

Earthquake prone areas seem to be where people choose to live in high-rise buildings, in very congested cities, and when the buildings man has built collapse, perhaps killing and maiming many people, they call it an "act of God?" Most times, single story homes and buildings are much safer than tall buildings, and God certainly doesn't force anyone to live in any particular place, does he?

3- Devastating illnesses happen to good and bad alike, but many times we sabotage our own immune systems by eating or drinking things that are not in our own best interest.

GMO Corn

For example, take soft drinks, sweets, and many other things that contain such things as high fructose corn syrup. Since genetically modified corn and soy have been forced on an unsuspecting public food supply, the rate of diabetes and obesity have risen exponentially in many countries where these products are sold.  These products are even promoted by governments as well as the producers of our food. Did God make those GMO plants? Certainly not, man manipulated the genes that make the plants immune to such things as weed killers, which are still in the plant and its produce. We are not only consuming weed killers but also the extra pesticides which the genetic modifications induce the plants to manufacture to discourage insects.

High Fructose Corn Syrup?

Remember that plants were created naturally to produce small quantities of pyrethrins to discourage insects, which was harmless to humans and mammals. But when man dabbled into a perfect system, as usual, it all blew up in his face.

Crops which are grown on naturally fertile soil are healthier and more naturally resistant to pests and plant diseases. But when malnourished, plants react much like malnourished people or animals, getting sick and passing along weakened genes on to it's offspring as well.

4- The Devil made me do it?  Certainly not, but he can and does influence people, and tries to keep them from paying attention to the truth of the Bible.  He even tried to convince Jesus Christ to do something that was not approved by his Father.  Thankfully, Jesus did not succumb to Satan's attempts at misleading as did Adam and Eve.

Still, even if Satan invades our thoughts and encourages you to do things that are counter to God's laws and advice, we still made the choices to do the things we do.   We still have freedom of choice, so do good or to do bad, it was still we who chose that course, and we and others around us will either benefit of pay the price for our actions.

Jehovah's Witnesses: Video regarding the Origins of Christmas

This provides information, not only from the Bible, but also from the, "Christmas Encyclopedia," as well.

Is Christmas really about Christ?

Jehovah's Witnesses: Video regarding the Origins of Christmas

5 Things I'm Looking Forward to This Week

Continued Rain for Southern California
We actually got an earlier start this year getting at least some rain. Hopefully, we will have more rain than even last winter, as it is desperately needed to finally break our ten to twelve year drought.

I have always loved to listen to the sound rain pitter-patting on the roof and overhanging roofs, as well as the metal awnings over nearly every window on my home. I sleep like a log when it rains.

Clear nigh-time, star filled heavens
Once our rain does subside, we then should be getting cooler, clear nighttime skies, which are crisp, and chilly.

It's on these evenings that the stars twinkle at their brightest, and in areas that don't have streetlights that interfere with the heavenly vista, it's time to break out the telescope, and get an even better look at many of the heavenly bodies God has made.

Hot tea or hot chocolate
It's always wonderful to have a steaming cup of hot tea, hot chocolate, or even some cocoa added to piping hot coffee, while snuggling up with a good book, or watching some favorite movie.

It's also a great time to have a few friends over and share these things together, while chatting or telling stories about when we were all children, and playing in the snow, or just splashing in puddles during the rain.

Tuesday
Ahh; This Tuesday is my Schwan's delivery day. I get to replenish my stock of yummy Polish Sausages, Bratwurst, and such.

Since I have a physical problem shopping for regular groceries, I have it delivered by Schwan's, thereby eliminating the possibility of anything either getting too warm, or defrosted before I can get them home and into the freezer.

I think I will get a wonderful berry cobbler, and their ham & cheese omelettes. Being a lover of more simple foods, I avoid eating things that border or too gourmet in ingredients.

I also love their spinach and cheese square pizza. I like it topped with broccoli florettes, and mushrooms and onions, or even a variety of mixed veggies such as a variety of squash, sun dried tomatoes, and asparagus.

New Custom Made Dog Collar
No, I'm not going to be wearing the collar...

It's one I have been looking for for no less than a year for one of my dogs. When I took in Sequoia Dawn as a rescue, she was wearing a collar which designed and sold more for larger to giant dogs.


It's going to be of heavy black leather, with crystals added so they will not fall out. I still haven't completely decided whether to have all crystals, or a combination of small buttons or short spikes, along with the crystals. It's one of those collars that is more narrow in front of the throat, and gets wider as it goes to the rest of the neck.

Sequoia's Old Collar
It's even worse now, and has almost no black left on it at all.

They sell these collars made of good heavy weight leather in places like PetSmart or PetCo, as well as many online stores. But Sequoia's neck measures only 10 1/2 inches, and the very smallest collar I have been able to locate starts at 12 to 14 inches.

I finally found one company who will custom make on just like I want and need to replace Sequoia's old one which was faux leather, and has completely lost it's layer of black, as well as most of the gems it had.

Her new one will have the leash D-ring on the back of her neck, secured by rivets or special screws, and still have the other D-ring for her tags.  This collar should last at least as long as Sequoia herself. She is now six years old. You have probably already seen her photo. She is half Chihuahua, and half Basenji, weighs in at about 12 pounds, and is brindle in color.

Technology I Can't Live Without-Nada-Nothing-Zilch

The most difficult thing to adjust to not having?

amazing microwave
I don't think there is any technology that I can't do without. I know how to live well, and how to get by on practically nothing.

It really isn't important that I may miss something, but that I can get along without it.

It would probably be more difficult to adjust to not having a microwave oven than just about anything else. Still, I know how to make a fire and live in a tent if need be. I actually love roughing it.

Ugh, My Worst-Ever Haircut/perm

Picture this, only with less than 1/4th the length, with very fine hair on a 6 year-old little girl, and that's about as close as I can get to my humiliation in first grade in 1951.


I have no idea where my photo is of my worst hairdo, or haircut. It was when I was six years old in first grade. Picture day was coming and my dear mother gave me a "Toni home perm." I had wavy hair normally, but mom wanted me to have curly hair, and curly, or rather kinky hair, that was way too short was what I got.

I hated it then, and I still hate that picture. If I knew where it was, I would share it, but it was not even cute. I wore a little black skirt with straps, and a white blouse with some lace or ruffles of such, which I also hated. It's a wonder I wasn't crying buckets, but I forced myself to even smile for the camera. I remember it like it was yesterday, and it was 59 years ago.

What Beautiful Horses

Two ice horses plowing through the snow

If I were having a party, and wanted to use an ice sculpture, I would have it made into either an Andalusian or an Arabian horse, full sized of course.

I just love horses and almost all of my friends are also crazy about horses. Horses are so graceful, and majestic. I love to see horses playing or running free. I also love to watch horse shows, which allow these spectacular creatures show off their moves, and their spirit.

Of course, there are horses for practically any need that may arise, on practically any continent on this wonderful planet. Not all breeds are quite a showy as others, yet they still have their splendor and grace. I also love the Dales Pony, which is really only a pony as measured in height. It is really a very strongly built horse, that can carry and haul much more weight than most horses.

Horses have such delicate looking legs, and yet they carry a too hundred man at breakneck speed when necessary.

Peacefully grazing horses

Horses are still used in many countries for working, while in other lands they are used for show, racing, and fancy riding, called dressage.  Dressage is akin to dancing with your horse, and the moves are so intricate and specific, it is hard to believe that such a powerful animal can make such delicate detailed moves, without the audience even noticing the leg movements of the rider, signaling the horse during the fantastically beautiful performance.

Cowboy and His Horse

Some ranches still use horses to work with cattle, sheep, and even for hunting, though many now also use quads, and even helicopters to help save time when herding cattle from one pasture to another, or when they are rounding up the larger herds for moving into pens where they are readied for shipping to slaughter houses.

Racing for the Finish Line

There are still many places in the world where people ride horses for pleasure, as well as endurance riding, over many miles, even on occasion, very long rides, such as from the border of Mexico northward to the border of Canada.  That journey usually takes approximately six months.  The horses are then kept through the winter in the north, or transported back to California, or whatever state the rider or owner lives.

Calf Roping at Rodeo, or Horse Show

Horses are still used in rodeos, in such sports as barrel racing, calf roping, and to demonstrate the way horse people cut, or separate a cow from a group of cattle.  These events are timed, and the technique of the horseman or woman are judged as well.