Rethinking Facebook Involvement

I've been giving this Facebook thing some serious thought recently and I have come to some conclusions about it. First of all, it is called "Facebook" because this is the place where people are free to GET IN YOUR FACE. What that means is, no matter what you post (which side of an issue you are on), SOMEONE is going to take exception to what you have to say. That leaves a couple of options (for those who are brave enough to venture past clicking  the "like" button). One is to quietly (and wimpily, I might add) say nothing and walk away. Another is to try to politely converse or maybe even reason with the objectors. A third is to stand your ground knowing full well that doing so will most certainly offend someone and you and your mother will be accused of all manner of things. The final thing, which hopefully the more civilized among us will not resort to, is all-out war. Somewhere in those options you can also expect to be defriended. (Sometimes I think people re-friend just so they can defriend a little more loudly the next time around.)

So what is the bottom line here? Well, you're going to have to make your own decisions, of course. But as for me, I have decided that the friends I have here (and the ones I have yet to meet) are far more important to me than having to duck the fiery darts of the bozos who don't yet know how to control their angry and sarcastic passions.

Having said that, I will continue to post anything and everything (including comments) that seem to me to be appropriate, funny, or informational. If you like it, great. If you don't like it, T.S. It is what it is.

The fact of the matter is, I get more news and information from Facebook (albeit some is highly questionable, therefore a good filter is necessary!) than any other place on the planet. The other sad fact is, I doubt that this will go on for too much longer without serious government intervention. So I should enjoy it while I still have that option.

By the way, if you get offended by some comment I make, please don't take it personally. I don't hate you. I just refuse to be bullied. (I know a few folks who might confirm that if you ask them.) The other thing is, I notice that quite a bit of the time, people take things in a way other than it was intended. That I can't really help. People look at the world through different glasses, so past experiences often re-color present ones. Just make sure the glasses you are looking through are clear.

Now where did I set my coffee?

The "Sixth Commandment"

The Sixth Commandment - Do Not Murder or Do Not Kill?

 Someone posted this on Facebook this morning:  

"Abortion means terminating pregnancy  Terminate means to bring to an end.  The end is death. Therefore, abortion is murder."

Bingo.  It just occurred to me why people quibble over whether the word in the sixth commandment should be translated as "kill" or as "murder."  Translating it as "kill" would infer that putting to death any sentient being is wrong.  But if they translate it as "murder" then they can argue that it only applies to human beings.   Those in favor of abortion refer to an unborn baby as a "fetus"--in other words, not human yet.  But they cannot deny that it is a sentient being.  Interestingly enough, as I've written elsewhere, even  anti-abortionists get very upset when their "pro-life" designator is called into question.  Everyone draws a line for whose life is valuable, but Yah says ALL life is valuable and we do not have the right to take the life of any sentient being.

I have often heard people claim that it's o.k. to kill someone in self-defense.  But is it really?  Our Messiah said, 

Mat 5:38  "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

It doesn't sound to me like he would condone the taking of a life under any circumstances.  As a matter of fact, he did not fight back or resist even when his own life was being taken.

Do we really believe and follow his teachings, or is it all merely lip service?

Yes, the way is narrow, which leads to life, and few find it.

I am a pacifist.  I do not believe in taking the life of another under any circumstances.

If anything ever happens to my dearly beloved, I would opt for the single life.  It's not that I have regrets, it's just that I'm an organized person and he is not.  For instance, I like to find things where I left them, and in the same condition that I left them in, but in my house that is merely a pipe dream.  I find cupboard doors and drawers left open, trash left on the sink just a few inches from the trash bag, every square inch of counter space filled with something.   

But thank goodness for paper towels.   You see, when I finish using the blender, I turn all the knobs back to the off and low positions.  I usually check them when I use it the next time (experience has taught me to do that), but not always.  Sometimes, when I just want to blend something on low, I will do it using the lid.  But it never fails that the ONE time I forget to check the knob positions before I start to blend without the lid, hubby has already used the blender in the meantime, and you guessed it, he left it on high.

There is good news this morning though.  My kitchen smells really good...like fresh coconut. 

Paul the Gnostic

Speaking of Carol (previous post, which was yesterday's post, posted a day late), did you catch her comment about "God coming in the FORM of a servant?"  Keep that in mind as you watch this video with regard to that deceiver, "Apostle" Paul.  His influence has spread far and wide.  Once again, it is no wonder Yahusha warned us of the broad road the many are on that leads to destruction.  If Christianity is not a broad road, I don't know what is.

Who is Karen?

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  (Note:  This is not an endorsement of Acts.)

Yesterday morning I became involved in a conversation with a woman named Carol.  I probably could not retell the story better than it actually happened, so I will just repost it as it occurred.

Carol’s original post was the little saying in the orange box: 

Me

Here is where the name "Tuesday" comes from. It means "Tīw's Day", the day of Tiw or Týr, the god of single combat, victory and heroic glory in Norse mythology.

What do the Scriptures say? Exo 23:13 “And in all that I have said to you take heed. And make no mention of the name of other mighty ones, let it not be heard from your mouth."

I think it would a good thing to avoid using these pagan weekday names and instead maybe call them "Day 1", "Day 2," etc. Hard to do in this pagan society, but I sure wouldn't go out of my way to use pagan names in light of the instruction in Exo 23.

Carol

I do not lift up the day but THE GOD OF THE LIGHT.. I trust HIm and know that I am under His shadow and in HIS arms by HIS saving grace. He is my Daily bread and all suffiecient GOD as I yield to HIM today.. thank you

Me

It just seems odd to associate our AWESOME Creator with the name of a pagan god. Were you aware of where the name came from?

Carol

The days and times are to keep things in line concerning our time here on earth. We are all in need of boundaries and the LORD has allowed days, months and years to be part of what is temporal for now.

Yesterday was MONDAY and today is TUESDAY and tomorrow is WEDNESDAY. We are all a part of this and will be until HE COME

Me

In the grand scheme of things, the pagan names are recent additions. This is the world's way, but we have been told to come out of the world. To me, that means abandoning those pagan customs and traditions that are associated with the goyim (Gentiles/pagans). In the Scriptures, the days were called yom rishon, yom shanee, yom shlishi, yom revi'i, yom chameshi, yom shishi, and shabbat. (i.e., Day 1, or first day, Day 2, etc.) But you didn't answer my question, which was were you aware of the pagan connection? I'm guessing maybe not. Don't feel bad, though. I didn't know it either for a long time.

The real question is, are you one of the goyim or are you one of the yahudim? (That is a rhetorical question you don't have to answer. Just something to think about. Shalom!)

Carol

I may not know it all as to where you are coming from..but coming out of the WORLD is our journey out from and into..Our journey is still proceeding and even though I am in the world , I am not of it.

Do you believe in JESUS as being your only way of entering into the KINGDOM OF GOD !!

Me

Absolutely not. There was never anyone named "Jesus." I do believe that Yah sent His Messiah, however. But I am not a Paulinist (i.e., I do not believe that faith alone saves anyone, nor do I believe in the Jesus of Christianity [or in Christianity at all, for that matter]), who to them was someone who did away with the necessity of observing the Torah, (which is not law, but instructions from my loving Father) regardless of what he said about NOT doing away with it.

But what I believe is beside the point, Carol. I'm just trying to share with you information that you may not have been aware of. I wasn't being critical of you at all. 

Carol

Not a problem.. just answering you as best as I could. I am a true believer in the LORD JESUS CHRIST and am a FOLLOWER of the KING of kings..

Possibly different ground that we have settled upon. Jesus is my ROCK and HE is my HIDING PLACE as the prophet Isaiah prophecied.. YES, HE is my TRUTH..

Me

There never was any man ever called "Jesus" 2000 years ago, so I'm not sure who exactly it is you are referring to.

Carol

My heart goes out to THE ALMIGHTY GOD who is GOD of heaven and earth who came to earth in the FORM of a servant in order to save men from sin and from themselves. HE is our only HOPE and if you and anyone else reject what THE ALMIGHTY has given in THIS MAN.. there is no other help provided. THE LAW will condemn you and tell you the truth..................but it is NOT THE LAW that saves a man. The law CANNOT BLEED for anotther.
May your eyes be opened to HIM; THIS SAME JESUS that you may be saved unto eternal life.

Carol

 Yes , it is a SILENT NIGHT without JESUS.

Me 

You are completely missing the point, Karen. His name was NOT Jesus. How much more plainly can I say it? Why do Christians insist upon calling him by a name that is obviously not his name?

Carol

A Rose is a ROSE no matter what you call it.. IT is still a ROSE.. and the ROSE OF SHARON IS LIVING IN MY HEART AS HIS VERY OWN WITNESS..

Me

Not necessarily, Karen. But I don't want this to turn into a debate, so I will leave off the discussion now. Shalom.

Carol 

WHO is Karen ..

Me

My POINT exactly. 

The Human Design

Have you taken time to contemplate the design of the human body?  No?  Well, neither have I, for the most part.  I mean after all, who really has time these days to just sit around and think?  I count it a blessing if I can grab hold of a thought as it goes flying by before it's gone forever.  Perhaps another sign of growing old.

But years ago, I was blessed to read a book entitled Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, or something like that.  I read about the incredible design of the human eye and the perfection of the design of the human hand so that it functions perfectly, and I was totally amazed.  But that was someone else who had studied the subject in great detail and knew all about nerves and tendons and all the things that make these body parts work the way they do.  I could never have imagined any of that on my own.  I don't know about the minute inner workings of the human body.  I'm just a simple person.  I don't even have enough imagination to write decent poetry, though I have tried I time or two, failed miserably, and then decided it would probably best be left to those gifted in that direction..


But I was sitting here this evening looking at this sweet little face...

... and I started doing some thinking of my own.  What if our Creator had made human beings and animals faceless?  Or what if he had given us a face, but it was expressionless, like a robot?  (Ooo...better watch out for botox...)  What if we had no ability to smile or frown, or cry ?  Crying even comes with an added feature...tears!  One human being can look into the eyes of another and see his soul, or so it is said.  As a matter of fact, facial features speak a language all their own, quite separate and distinct from verbal communication.  They can be extremely subtle, so subtle that people not trained in reading them would not even notice give-away micro expressions which hint at deception, for instance.  And yet...maybe they are not missed, but the communication happens on a level so subtle that it is often referred to as a "gut feeling."  Hmmm...

Look at that face.  What do you see?  I see innocence and sweetness, and love.  It's unmistakeable.  What a wonderful gift our Creator has bestowed upon His creation.

Who Are the True "Pro-Lifers"?

Some guy by the name of Michael Edds (Senior Pastor at East Laurinburg Pentecostal Holiness) recently had this to say on Facebook:

"There are people who are so concerned about gay rights, women's rights, minority rights, animal rights and everybody else's rights but have no concern for the rights of 60 million babies murdered through abortion. Where is the concern for the millions more who will be slaughtered the next four years?? That is what I call pure hypocrisy!! TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE LIVES OF REAL HUMAN BEINGS MURDERED AND DUMPED INTO THE TRASH CAN!! SHAME ON YOU ALL!!!!"

While I do agree there are many people who are not concerned about human beings and their right to life, it irks me to no end that he has made the assumption that people who are concerned about ANIMAL rights aren't concerned about HUMAN rights. ARE YOU SERIOUS?  As a matter of fact, MOST animals rights folks are MORE concerned about the rights of ALL sentient beings than anti-abortionists.  I personally have been chased off anti-abortion sites simply because I suggested that anti-abortionists are not really pro-life UNLESS they are pro-ALL-life, including that of animals. This guy has a lot chutzpah to make the statements he made, and then to SHAME everyone indiscriminately?  I am so tempted to ask him when the last time was that he ate chicken, turkey or beef or drank a glass of milk, hence costing the life of a sentient being who loves his life and also feels pain just like we do.  This man's comments are over the top. How dare he make such outrageous assumptions!

Update

Last night, I PM'd Mr. Edds and asked him if he is vegan.  His reply was no.  I then asked if he was vegetarian.  As of this morning, I have not received a reply, so here is the follow-up message I sent:

"You probably wonder why I am asking these questions.  It is because of a post of yours that came across my news feed via a mutual friend wherein you stated:

"There are people who are so concerned about gay rights, women's rights, minority rights, animal rights and everybody else's rights but have no concern for the rights of 60 million babies murdered through abortion. Where is the concern for the millions more who will be slaughtered the next four years?? That is what I call pure hypocrisy!! TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE LIVES OF REAL HUMAN BEINGS MURDERED AND DUMPED INTO THE TRASH CAN!! SHAME ON YOU ALL!!!!"

"You said you are not vegan and I am going to assume that you probably are [not] vegetarian either.  I understand your passion, but you have not gone far enough, my friend, AND you have shamed a large group of people who are more righteous than you.  I am sure there are people who, like you, are limited as to whom they feel compassion for, but my guess would be that most of the people who are animal rights activists, for instance, are more compassionate than you are because most of them are against the slaughter of any sentient being, whether human or animal.  You, on the other hand, if you are still a flesh eater, have no such compassion for other sentient beings who also value their lives and who also feel pain just like we do.  

"Let's say you are vegetarian, just for the sake of argument.  Do you have any idea as to the pain and suffering you cause because of the just the milk and eggs you eat?  (If you are still eating flesh, it is even worse.)  Please Google the phrase "Factory Farming" and get an education as to what it costs animals just so that you can enjoy your milk and eggs.  It's not a pretty picture, in spite of what the meat and dairy industry tries to paint.  Most people are completely ignorant of the facts about this, so I am not faulting you necessarily.  I fault the ones who know the truth, but continue to condone the slaughter anyway.  Baby cows are taken from their mothers right after birth and are then slaughtered for veal, so that YOU can have THEIR milk to drink.  The veal industry was created because the dairy industry didn't know what to do with all the calf corpses they created.  They do not need more than a very few of the male calves, so they slaughter them.  The same is true with chickens.  Most male baby chicks are thrown into a grinder alive or are suffocated in plastic bags because only the females are desirable for their eggs for a few years until they, too, are slaughtered to be eaten.  Where I live, I could have up to 25 female hens, but not even one rooster.  Do you think the hatcheries are going to house, feed, and care for all those roosters for their natural lives of 14-15 years?  Not on your life.  The hens are packed into cages so tightly that they have no room to move and they are generally debeaked (a painful procedure for the bird) so they won't peck each other.  Cows are also kept in extremely tight confinement on factory farms.  They can't even turn around.  Some cows do have it a little better.  I grew up near dairy farms and I know they were all out in areas where they could move around, but even so, the rest of the cruelty still applies, particularly when they go to the slaughter houses.  We had one shut down here because the of the extremely cruel and inhumane treatment of the animals.

"Did you know that 2000 years ago, most of the Jewish/Christian believers were vegetarian?  (They didn't have factory farming then, so eating the milk and eggs wasn't as costly to the animals.)  They were also pacifists, forbidden to even go into the military.  They reverenced life--all life, not just some life.  We are told that the meek (non-violent) will be the inheritors of the earth, are we not?

"The next time you decide to point your finger at a group of people, please make certain you aren't painting yourself as a hypocrite.  Better yet, join the ranks of the truly compassionate and become vegan--for ethical reasons.  You will also reap the huge benefit of better health and the joy of knowing that you are not contributing to the suffering of any other sentient being."

***

  

One can only hope the response will be favorable. 

Resources:

Inland Daily Bulletin story:  http://www.dailybulletin.com/slaughterhouse

Chino Slaughter house story:

Giving Things Away

Mat 19:16  And see, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good shall I do to have everlasting life?” 17  And He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One – Elohim. But if you wish to enter into life, guard the commands.” 18  He said to Him, “Which?” And יהושע said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19  ‘Respect your father and your mother,’ and ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ” 20  The young man said to Him, “All these I have watched over from my youth, what do I still lack?” 21  יהושע said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow Me.”

I am a very organized person and I despise clutter.  Unfortunately for me, I have spent many years of  my life surrounded by people who, to put it in the kindest way possible, just aren't "neat-nicks."   But recently I made a decision, and that is to get rid of everything that belongs to me that I don't need.  Having made that decision and having separated myself from a fairly large amount of possessions already, I have to tell you, it is one of the most freeing things I have ever done.  It's not the first time in my life that I did this.  Forty-six years ago, I gave away everything I owned with exception of my guitar (which then became "community property"), the clothes I was wearing, and the few idolatrous possessions I'd been given when I made the decision to serve "God" by entering a Catholic convent.  (Thankfully, that didn't last long and I left Catholicism shortly thereafter!)  But I did feel a freedom then that made a big impression on me.

There is a lot going on in the world today and nothing is certain.  But one thing is certain and that is that possessions exert power over people and they do take away one's freedom.  Let me explain.

A number of years ago, I was driving an old car whose paint was so faded that even a good wax job wouldn't make it look good.  There was no point in getting it repainted because it probably wasn't going to last long anyway.  After it "passed away," I bought a nicer looking car with a pretty white paint job and blue vinyl roof.  Suddenly my life changed.  Before, my weekends had been my own, but now, with this new car, I found myself having to spend time every weekend washing and waxing  it to keep it looking nice.  I also had to make sure the vinyl interior and roof were well taken care of.  It was eating up my time!  I also realized that enticing possessions meant that others would be more tempted to help themselves to whatever they could get and being the victim of a burglary proved the point.  So that meant burglar insurance and security measure to protect my possessions.  One day it occurred to me that if I didn't have anything anyone else wanted (e.g., there's not much demand for used Bibles and study materials--the things I value most), I wouldn't have to be so concerned about people breaking in and stealing things, or filing frivolous lawsuits for fabricated injuries so they can get a free ride.  You cannot take what a person doesn't have, after all.

Then there is the government, and in today's world, they are worse than ever, as we all know.  A little over a year ago, the California State Board of Equalization decided to illegally help themselves to my entire savings account.  My personal savings account.  Every penny.  And it is obvious they have no intention of ever giving it back even though I have never owed them any money for any reason.  Imagine require a person to prove where the cash came from in a deposit one made seven years ago, or what a cash withdrawal was spent on.  I'm not talking about one's own personal records here; I'm talking about proof they would accept.  It's impossible, and they know it.  Of course, that's smoke an mirrors, because no money was owed to them anyway and they had no right to it.  It was MINE.  Frankly, I don't really care.  These imbeciles can have it all if they want., It does make life a little more inconvenient because I can't have a bank account anymore, but there are ways of getting around that too.   When they send their demand notices for more money, I laugh.  What are they going to do, put me on a chain gang?  They are pathetic.  Each employee rationalizes within himself, I am sure, "I'm just doing my job."  Well, if you can live with yourself and work for an employer who is in the business of stealing from your friends and family, that's your business.  But you and I are nothing alike.

But all of that is beside the point.  It is such a pleasure and delight to be able to give things to others  who would appreciate them.  I will give things away on my terms in my time as opposed to allowing the beast system to take anything from me.  I would much prefer to do this than let things sit in the corner collecting dust, cluttering up the house, and tempting thieves.  When I spoke with a government representative of Social Security on another matter and I discovered that they had cut my potential benefits in half, I told them to keep it.  I have no intention whatsoever of filing for social security benefits anyway.  It's a Ponzi scheme and their shenanigans just made it all that much easier for me to walk away from them.  I should be thankful.

The God of Christianity 

 Jer 24:7  ‘And I shall give them a heart to know Me, that I am Ahayah. And they shall be My people and I shall be their Elohim, for they shall turn back to Me with all their heart. 

Interesting question.  What is even more interesting is the fact that a few days ago I asked a similar question on Facebook.  I wanted to know:  "Do Christians and Muslims worship the same god?"  I asked ONLY for input from Christians and all I was looking for was a yes or no response.

You see, when I was a Christian, if someone had asked me that question, I would have not hesitated in my response.  "Absolutely not!"

So why was I taking a poll?  Well, it just so happened that a member of my family, and  long-time Christian had made the comment that Christians and Muslims worship the same god.  I nearly fell off my chair, and those who truly know (ya-dah') their Father, would have done the same thing.  But even when I was still in that false religion, I at least knew the truth about that.   So what I wanted to know was, was I in the minority even then, or was this family member not representative of mainstream Christianity?  Of course, I couldn't state my reason for asking because that would have skewed the poll and I would not have gotten an accurate picture.

Unexpected Result

But what astounded me was something I had totally not expected.  Only ONE Christian would answer the question!  The thread was full of comments but even when I asked again point blank, no one would commit to a response.  Instead they all did what most people today seem to love to do, obfuscate.(beat around the bush).

What conclusion is one to draw from that?  My conclusion is that either Christians have no idea  who they serve or else they are too afraid to stand up for what they believe!  How can one draw any other conclusion?  The fact that most of them (or least most of those I have known) don't even know that "God" has a name or what it is and when yit is mentioned that the Messiah's name cannot possibly be "Jesus" (and you shown them why), they don't care!

I have nothing against Christians.  I was one for most of my life.  But as far as knowing the truth, they are way out in left-field, as are most "Messianics" who have moved from Christianity to Judaism (another false religion).  I am reminded of what Yahusha said to those who were willing to listen:

Mat 7:13  “Enter in through the narrow gate! Because the gate is wide – and the way is BROAD – that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who enter in through it.
Mat 7:14  “Because the gate is narrow and the way is hard pressed [afflicted] which leads to life, and there are FEW who FIND it.

You can't enter something you haven't found.  You can't find if you don't search.  Christianity is a huge religion.  Doesn't that register with anyone?  No, because most really don't care.  They want a god of their own imagination and liking.  Too bad.  Life will be over soon, and they will have missed the party.

Why I'm Leaving Facebook

One of the things I despise about Facebook is the ability of people to cause disruption and then disappear into thin air as if nothing ever happened, totally oblivious of the wake of devastation they leave behind.  It is for this reason that I am leaving.  Oh, I will probably still post a few pictures of animals every now and then, but as for any attempts at any kind of meaningful conversation, most likely not.

I am sick of people who fake being offended over nothing and I am even sicker of people who do the  hit-and-run act, dropping their word bombs and then disappearing into thin air, totally oblivious of the aftermath they have caused.  If I try to find out what it was I said that supposedly offended them, I either get a shit load of grief or I am totally ignored. 

I really do think that in today's world, there is some kind of sadistic reward for feeling "righteously offended."  Well, I'm not playing that game.  As I once told someone else, I would rather have no friends at all than people who treat me like that, and I mean it.  I am much happier by myself most of the time.  

As a social experiment, I think Facebook has failed.  As a way of keeping tabs on the pulse of society, it probably does a pretty good job.  But it will have to do it without me. 

Christianity, the Path to Life?

Christianity cannot be the path to life because to experience the path to life, you have to go against the crowd.

Mat 7:13 “Enter in through the narrow gate! Because the gate is wide – and the way is broad – that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in through it.
Mat 7:14 “Because the gate is narrow and the way is hard pressed which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The Books We Could Write . . .

Dad and I decided we're going to write a book. We're going to call it Dairies of the Blind and Forgetful. The opening sentence is going to be: "I was thinking about the hereafter. I go out to the kitchen and I get there and I wonder, what am I here after?"

The Homeless Guy

Why can't people just mind their own business? There's been a homeless guy in our (business) neighborhood for about the last three years. He's been to death's door and back at least twice that I know of in that short space of time, but recently he's gotten a job and a home, of sorts. It's an old motor home someone sold him. We asked all the business owners in our complex if they had any problem with him parking it behind our store and they all said "No problem." In fact, they (and we) are happy because he keeps an eye on things at night and chases off would-be graffiti artists and vandals/thieves.

Well, wouldn't you know, here came the police to our store the other day wanting to know who owns the vehicle and informing us that they were already writing a citation and had called the tow truck to haul it away (because it's not registered yet). What is the matter with these people anyway? They act first and ask questions later? This man wasn't harming anyone, he's parked on private property, isn't a nuisance, and because someone with nothing better to do than try to make trouble for someone else by "complaining," they waste time and money and cause trouble for a guy who is really trying hard to get off the street? Whatever happened to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"?

React First, Think Later

I was headed down to my dad's house the other morning and was stopped at the stop light at a major intersection. To the left of me was another vehicle, and in the crosswalk to the left of him was a pedestrian walking a bicycle across the street to our right. As the pedestrian crossed in front of the vehicle to my left, the guy in the vehicle recognized him as a friend, so he honked his horn and waved at him. The pedestrian apparently didn't see him wave, but he gave him a funny look and continued walking. As he passed my car, he turned around and gave the man the one-finger salute. I looked at the guy in the car, but he didn't seem to be reacting, just looking straight ahead. Then I watched the pedestrian as he reached the sidewalk. He walked a few more feet, then slowed down and just as he was turning around, I realized he was having second thoughts. It was as if he was thinking, "Hmm...maybe that was someone I know. I better look and see." Sure enough, he seemed to recognize the car and started waving at him, but the man in the car didn't react at all. So I looked back at the pedestrian and now he seemed to be rather anxious, trying to wave and get the guy's attention. It was as if he was thinking "Man, I really screwed up. That's my friend. Uh-oh." About that time, the light turned green and as we started to go, I noticed the guy in the car had his right turn signal on. So, I backed off so he could change lanes in front of me. Not only did he change lanes, he scooted all the way across the boulevard to the extreme right lane, presumably so he could turn into the first drive way and get back to where his "friend" was standing on the sidewalk.

I thought to myself how said that people react first, think later, and always assume the worst. No wonder the world is in such a mess.

Welcome to My Shop!

Welcome to my Virtual Coffee Shop.  The Shop is open 24/7, so feel free to come in, enjoy your favorite virtual coffee flavor and relax awhile.  I will share some of my thoughts with you, and of course you are free to respond in the comment boxes.  I really have no intention of advertising this blog (there is a reason for that), so I don't expect much of a crowd, though perhaps a few like-minded souls might wander in occasionally and who knows, maybe some might even come back for a future visit..  I have no particular theme in mind either, just mostly random thoughts.   The coffee is free.

So, pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup, and relax.