Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
REWARD OFFERED FOR MISSING DOG!
REWARD OFFERED FOR MISSING DOG!
BY: JIM CAULDER 1-10-10
Dogs are never allowed in our house except on Christmas Eve. Rowdy, our dazzling white Eskimo Spitz and beloved member of the family, was ritualistically, washed and blow dried. Then stuff was sprayed, sprinkled and dabbed on, until he looked good, smelled good and sparkled like a stripper at The Doll House Lounge. Then he was brought into the den. He was so excited, jumping up and down yapping in short high pitched squeals. Rowdy would run back and forth, helping anyone that was opening a present, to tear off the wrapping paper. Then he would look at the present, look at the person and bark as if to say “I like it, do you like it”. We all love Rowdy. He always added so much to the evening.
This Christmas started out the same as usual. The evening went well. I did notice that grandma MaggieOdealia, was consuming more eggnog that usual, but she seemed happy, and it was Christmas!
About mid-night the presents had all been opened, the children had calmed down, the grown-ups were exhausted, and Rowdy was dozing on the hearth by the fireplace.
Promises were made to assemble what needed assembling, to locate the missing parts, to exchange those items that did not work, and to purchase batteries for everything that needed batteries.
Now, we could go to bed. Happy the evening that had been anticipated for months was over and all was well.
Grandma MaggieOdealia, volunteered to put away the food, straighten up a bit and blow out the candles before she called it a day.
While putting away the food, Grandma MaggieOdealia found the extra pitcher of eggnog in the back of the refrigerator. While we peacefully slept, Grandma MaggieOdealia sipped her way into The Twilight Zone.
We awoke the next morning to find Grandma MaggieOdealia passed out on the sofa, with a half glass of eggnog spilled on her lap and the electric clippers running in her right hand. The pretty red tablecloth had been pulled from the table and spread in the center of the floor in front of the fireplace. On the tablecloth was a half-leg deep pile of sparkling white wool/hair.
We woke up Grandma MaggieOdealia, asked her what had happened. She could tell us nothing. The last thing she could remember was thinking Rowdy`s hair would make a nice Santa Claus beard.
We finally found Rowdy, naked, shivering, looking embarrassed, hiding under towels in the laundry basket.
Grandma MaggieOdealia had too much eggnog and shaved the dog!
Grandma MaggieOdealia seemed as shocked as the rest of us. She slowly started to recall the events of the previous evening. Grandma MaggieOdealia was sooooo remorseful. She swore off eggnog, hard lemonade,all alcohol, except for medicinal purposes, beginning right after New Years Eve. She grabbed Rowdy, hustled into the kitchen, opened a bucket of lard and applied a generous layer of lard all over the surface of Rowdy`s still shaking bare to the skin body. Grandma MaggieOdealia said this would soothe his razor burned skin. Rowdy didn`t like the lard any better than he liked the close shave.
Rowdy broke away, slipping from Grandma`s grasp. He made a wild run for it across the floor, tripped over a ribbon, tumbled then rolled through the pile of discarded wrapping paper .The paper stuck to the lard covering his hairless body. Rowdy was now tightly wrapped and he skidded through the open front door, landed on the front porch, beside the box containing the 3/8” drill I had given my wife for Christmas .She said she was returning it to Sears because it was not variable speed. The UPS man was just bending over to pick up the drill box. He also grabbed up Rowdy, threw both packages into the back of that big brown truck and sped off down the street, while we stood speechless with our mouths open, but no sound would come out.
We called UPS. They were very understanding of our dilemma, apologized repeatedly, but could not offer much help because we had no tracking number. All they could do was guarantee that Rowdy would be delivered somewhere by 4:00 pm the next day!
BY: JIM CAULDER 1-10-10
Dogs are never allowed in our house except on Christmas Eve. Rowdy, our dazzling white Eskimo Spitz and beloved member of the family, was ritualistically, washed and blow dried. Then stuff was sprayed, sprinkled and dabbed on, until he looked good, smelled good and sparkled like a stripper at The Doll House Lounge. Then he was brought into the den. He was so excited, jumping up and down yapping in short high pitched squeals. Rowdy would run back and forth, helping anyone that was opening a present, to tear off the wrapping paper. Then he would look at the present, look at the person and bark as if to say “I like it, do you like it”. We all love Rowdy. He always added so much to the evening.
This Christmas started out the same as usual. The evening went well. I did notice that grandma MaggieOdealia, was consuming more eggnog that usual, but she seemed happy, and it was Christmas!
About mid-night the presents had all been opened, the children had calmed down, the grown-ups were exhausted, and Rowdy was dozing on the hearth by the fireplace.
Promises were made to assemble what needed assembling, to locate the missing parts, to exchange those items that did not work, and to purchase batteries for everything that needed batteries.
Now, we could go to bed. Happy the evening that had been anticipated for months was over and all was well.
Grandma MaggieOdealia, volunteered to put away the food, straighten up a bit and blow out the candles before she called it a day.
While putting away the food, Grandma MaggieOdealia found the extra pitcher of eggnog in the back of the refrigerator. While we peacefully slept, Grandma MaggieOdealia sipped her way into The Twilight Zone.
We awoke the next morning to find Grandma MaggieOdealia passed out on the sofa, with a half glass of eggnog spilled on her lap and the electric clippers running in her right hand. The pretty red tablecloth had been pulled from the table and spread in the center of the floor in front of the fireplace. On the tablecloth was a half-leg deep pile of sparkling white wool/hair.
We woke up Grandma MaggieOdealia, asked her what had happened. She could tell us nothing. The last thing she could remember was thinking Rowdy`s hair would make a nice Santa Claus beard.
We finally found Rowdy, naked, shivering, looking embarrassed, hiding under towels in the laundry basket.
Grandma MaggieOdealia had too much eggnog and shaved the dog!
Grandma MaggieOdealia seemed as shocked as the rest of us. She slowly started to recall the events of the previous evening. Grandma MaggieOdealia was sooooo remorseful. She swore off eggnog, hard lemonade,all alcohol, except for medicinal purposes, beginning right after New Years Eve. She grabbed Rowdy, hustled into the kitchen, opened a bucket of lard and applied a generous layer of lard all over the surface of Rowdy`s still shaking bare to the skin body. Grandma MaggieOdealia said this would soothe his razor burned skin. Rowdy didn`t like the lard any better than he liked the close shave.
Rowdy broke away, slipping from Grandma`s grasp. He made a wild run for it across the floor, tripped over a ribbon, tumbled then rolled through the pile of discarded wrapping paper .The paper stuck to the lard covering his hairless body. Rowdy was now tightly wrapped and he skidded through the open front door, landed on the front porch, beside the box containing the 3/8” drill I had given my wife for Christmas .She said she was returning it to Sears because it was not variable speed. The UPS man was just bending over to pick up the drill box. He also grabbed up Rowdy, threw both packages into the back of that big brown truck and sped off down the street, while we stood speechless with our mouths open, but no sound would come out.
We called UPS. They were very understanding of our dilemma, apologized repeatedly, but could not offer much help because we had no tracking number. All they could do was guarantee that Rowdy would be delivered somewhere by 4:00 pm the next day!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
THE VALUE OF FIDELITY IN ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
by: Jim Caulder
A RESPONSE TO AN INQUIRY POSTED ON QUESTION FISH
Fidelity is a term used mostly in romantic relationships. There are many other specific meanings and proper uses for the word. However, in this discussion I will explore its negative counterpart, infidelity, which has a much higher emotive potential. I am going to use as a working definition for infidelity the following: failure to behave in a manner you have promised, or are expected to, having knowledge of the expected or committed to expectation, with the ability to have conformed to the expectation or commitment.
The stated causes for infidelity are numerous, but none are acceptable to the betrayed partner. The general public also is not accepting of infidelity, for it undermines a primary building block of society. The person guilty of infidelity may offer excuses but, usually does not approve of this disruptive behavior, either.The origin of infidelity is rooted in a lack of understanding and acceptance of the value of honor and trust in all personal relationships. Immaturity, insecurity, and a failure of impulse control also play a part when a susceptible mind meets opportunity.
There are many stages, levels or degrees of infidelity. Beginning with discontentedness with some aspect of the relationship, the mind is allowed to conjure up justification for thoughts, fantasies or actions. The ego gets a boost from the attention of another. The conscience is troubled by the betrayal, anxiety increases. The primary relationship becomes strained. This is usually when questions begin and there is a general feeling something is just not right. The offender looks for comfort and validation, since they are being rejected by their partner. The offended partner may be torn between blaming themselves, trying to salvage the relationship or just wanting to be rid of the cause of their troubles. Unless both partners are strong enough and committed enough to engage in honest, factual based, non-judgmental communication, or get professional help, the relationship is in real trouble.
The emotional cost of infidelity is incalculable. The first emotional cost is a further devaluation of self. Initial disappointment in oneself may be followed by a sense of relief that the deceit is not publicly known…yet. When the deed is first suspected, the first response is usually denial, followed by feint surprise or outrage at such an accusation. Under continued pressure, the offender sometimes confesses, may offer excuses, ask for forgiveness, and promise not to let it happen again. Damage has been done to the relationship. Trust has been lost and all parties to the indiscretion have a duty to perform. When I say all parties, I mean ALL parties. Even the partner that suffered the infidelity has a duty to understand, forgive and willingly participate in the salvage, repair and strengthening of this vested relationship. This is important whether they continue in the romantic relationship or not. It may certainly be an unpleasant task. A better understanding of yourself, the importance of boundaries, honoring commitments, self love, tolerance and the value of earned trust, are worth the effort. The relationship may emerge stronger, with renewed appreciation for each other. If this work is not done, suffering is prolonged, mistakes are apt to be repeated, and the risk of additional infidelity is increased.
For all actions there are consequences. Infidelity causes personal emotional pain as well as pain to those close to the partners, especially children from the relationship. There is a loss of motivational investment in the relationship, work suffers, spiritual development is hampered, alienation from family, friends and civic involvement occurs. Anxiety is increased in the offender, and has an impact on all aspects of his/her life and other relationships.
The financial cost of infidelity is unknowable. Loss of work time, sick days, medical expenses, low creativity, slowed upward mobility in the social and professional arena, flowers, gifts, attorney fees, child support, unplanned pregnancies, cost of maintaining separate households, the list has no end and the damage is multi-generational.
In the end, the individuals that have the least responsibility for the infidelity, minor children, suffer the most, the broken family relationship, lack of proper role models, fractured social, educational opportunities, and emotional distress with a risk of having difficulty in their own relationships.
In conclusion, know yourself, love yourself, respect yourself, honor your commitments and
DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU
WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU!
http://www.chain-writers.com/
A Native American Account of Creation
A Native American Account of Creation
By: Jim Caulder 1994
The Great One, that is, was and shall always be, was surveying the sum of all that did exist. There was found to be a place where nothing was. The Great One delights in creating and commenced with the pleasure of creating a universe. When the universe was complete, The Great One saw that it was good to look upon and to contemplate its movements. The Great One desired to create a human being to whom the universe could be given. A human being that could unlock the mysteries, understand the beauty and share this creation of The Great One. The Great One, being spirit needed no place to stand or rest, but the human being would be physical and would need a place to reside. The Great One created the earth as a habitat for the human being. The sun was placed in the sky to promote order, to provide energy for all living things and to manage time. The moon was set in motion around the earth to rule the tides, to indicate seasons, inspire creativity and influence emotions. The Great One created the fullness of the earth, and in it was found all material things that the human being would need to flourish. When the universe and the earth were finished, The Great One stood upon the earth to observe all that had been created. It was found to be good and nothing was lacking.
The Great One was conflicted, observing the wonders of all that had been created for the human being. Yet, in agony over the knowledge of the struggles, pain and suffering that would face the human being. The Great One shed tears of joy and sadness. The blended tears fell upon the soil of the earth. The sun caused a shadow of The Great One to be cast upon the moist earth where the tears of The Great One had fallen. The Great One formed a human being from the moist soil where the sun had cast the image of The Great One, and so the human being was created from the image of The Great One. The Great One embraced the human being, breathed life into the human being, and he became a living soul.
The sun was near the center of the sky. The Great One spent the remainder of the day teaching the human being all he needed to know about the universe, the earth, himself and The Great One. The human being was given instructions on how to live successfully and was given dominion over all other creations on earth. The human being was advised to manage the earth, its resources, to be a good steward, to act without greed and the earth would furnish all his physical needs, forever. The plants, animals, mother earth and the universe would teach the human being all other things he would need to know, when he needed to know them.
When the evening had come and The Great One saw that the human being was alone and needed a companion to share his duties, and the intimacies of his heart and mind. The moon was full and shown bright upon the earth. The light from the moon caused the image of the human being to cast a shadow upon the moist earth in the same place the first human being was formed. The Great One formed a companion for the human being. From the same soil that the first human being was formed, was formed also the second. The first human being was called man and the second human being was called woman, for she was created from the image of the man. The man was created under the sun and was given the ability to understand the science of the earth and the mechanics of the universe. The woman was created under the moon and was given understanding of the cycles of the universe, the earth, the seasons, and was one with the earth, the mother of all.
The Great One, who is all life, bestowed a portion of life to remain within the man and woman so they would never be alone. Authority was given to the human beings to make decisions concerning themselves, the earth, and all the inhabitants of the earth. The human beings were informed, when they make choices that honor The Great One, enhance life, protect and preserve the earth, then The Great One and the earth will be in harmony with the human beings. If the human beings fail to do these things, the earth will not feed, clothe or support them, furthermore sickness will be their companion, and the elements will assault the human beings. The Great One will not hear the cries of the human beings. Mercy will be withheld until harmony with the will of The Great One is restored.
The life the human beings were given is a portion of The Great One who is all life. The Great One is, was and shall always be, so also is the life the human beings share. The will of The Great One is: human beings will exist in harmony with the earth while on earth and will reunite with The Great One from whom life comes, when the body rest again in the soil. Walk in peace, hold no evil thoughts, and hurt not the earth that sustains you. Pursue a greater understanding of the will of The Great One, praise and honor The Great One for all things. Place no trust, nor honor nor worship any object, image, person or thing. Only The Great One is worthy of worship and only the pure of heart is worthy to worship, The Great One.
Monday, December 7, 2009
SHAKING THE PECAN TREES
SHAKING THE PECAN TREES AND OTHER
IMPORTANT EVENTS OF NOVEMBER 22, 1963
by: Jim Caulder 12-4-2009
I finished my dinner, picked up my jacket, put it on, said good-bye to my mother and father who were still sitting at the table sipping coffee and talking. They knew where I was off to, because my father had told me the night before that my Uncle wanted me to help him shake his pecan trees today. They both cautioned me to be careful and out the door I went. I started up our Farmall–140 tractor, let it warm up while I wound a log chain around the back hitch. I climbed on the tractor, zipped up my jacket, pulled my cap down tightly on my head and drove onto the private drive that lead to the paved road 300 yards down the hill. Once on the paved road, I dropped the gear stick back into fourth gear and started the mile and half drive to my Uncle’s house. The temperature was mild enough considering it was late November. The speed of the tractor and a slight wind made the ride a little chilly. It didn’t take long, and I was pulling into my Uncle’s yard.
My Uncle Quincy Smith and his wife Beattie were in the yard waiting. It was only 12:30 PM and they had said afternoon, so I wasn’t late. They had nothing else to do, so they were ready and waiting.
My Uncle Quincy was born in 1900, so it was always easy to remember how old he was, 63, because it was now 1963. Uncle Quincy smoked a pipe and it was always hanging from his mouth, whether it was lit or not, or it was being packed with more Prince Albert tobacco from the red can that he carried in the top pocket of his bib overalls.
Uncle Quincy married my Aunt Beattie when she was 14. She wanted a little boy and a little girl. They had been blessed with 13 children. Their next to the youngest boy, Homer, was the same age as me and we had grown up not only cousins, but good friends. Homer had recently been drafted, was in Ft. Ord, California for training and was expecting to be sent to Vietnam. That was why they needed me to help shake the pecan trees.
My Uncle Quincy lived in the old Nash Lamb home place. It was a big, wood-frame white house with porches on the front and back. Four large pecan trees stood on the south side of the house. The pecan trees were probably set-out right after the house was built in the late 1930’s. The custom was to order Stuart pecan trees from the Progressive Farmer magazine. They would usually arrive in about 3 weeks by mail. The trees would be set-out a short distance from the house, about 50 feet apart, where they would provide shade for family functions, children playing and a place for farm hands to relax in the shade while eating their dinner. (noon meal, as country folks always called the noon meal dinner and the evening meal supper)
In the fall, after the first frost, some of the pecans fall of their own accord. The wind helps dislodge others. Some hang on and need jarring loose by other means, if not, they will fall a few per day for months. That was what I was there for today, to shake loose those that had not made up their mind to fall. I climbed up the tree about 20 feet, tied the chain around a big limb, got on the tractor and let the weight of the tractor jerk lightly against the chain shaking the limb, making the pecans fall. They would rain down like summer hail! The ground was soon covered with pecans. The pecans were used in chocolate cakes, nut cakes, fruit cakes, pecan pies, etc. Many were cracked and eaten as a snack while sitting around the fire at night. A hand full of pecans and a hammer would occupy children for hours.
We had finished shaking the first tree. My Aunt Beattie went into the house to get more bags for pecans. She came back outside without the bags. It was 1:33 PM, November 22, 1963. She said they had interrupted the stories on television, to announce that President John F. Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, Texas, and was dead!
*********************************************************************
IMPORTANT EVENTS OF NOVEMBER 22, 1963
by: Jim Caulder 12-4-2009
I finished my dinner, picked up my jacket, put it on, said good-bye to my mother and father who were still sitting at the table sipping coffee and talking. They knew where I was off to, because my father had told me the night before that my Uncle wanted me to help him shake his pecan trees today. They both cautioned me to be careful and out the door I went. I started up our Farmall–140 tractor, let it warm up while I wound a log chain around the back hitch. I climbed on the tractor, zipped up my jacket, pulled my cap down tightly on my head and drove onto the private drive that lead to the paved road 300 yards down the hill. Once on the paved road, I dropped the gear stick back into fourth gear and started the mile and half drive to my Uncle’s house. The temperature was mild enough considering it was late November. The speed of the tractor and a slight wind made the ride a little chilly. It didn’t take long, and I was pulling into my Uncle’s yard.
My Uncle Quincy Smith and his wife Beattie were in the yard waiting. It was only 12:30 PM and they had said afternoon, so I wasn’t late. They had nothing else to do, so they were ready and waiting.
My Uncle Quincy was born in 1900, so it was always easy to remember how old he was, 63, because it was now 1963. Uncle Quincy smoked a pipe and it was always hanging from his mouth, whether it was lit or not, or it was being packed with more Prince Albert tobacco from the red can that he carried in the top pocket of his bib overalls.
Uncle Quincy married my Aunt Beattie when she was 14. She wanted a little boy and a little girl. They had been blessed with 13 children. Their next to the youngest boy, Homer, was the same age as me and we had grown up not only cousins, but good friends. Homer had recently been drafted, was in Ft. Ord, California for training and was expecting to be sent to Vietnam. That was why they needed me to help shake the pecan trees.
My Uncle Quincy lived in the old Nash Lamb home place. It was a big, wood-frame white house with porches on the front and back. Four large pecan trees stood on the south side of the house. The pecan trees were probably set-out right after the house was built in the late 1930’s. The custom was to order Stuart pecan trees from the Progressive Farmer magazine. They would usually arrive in about 3 weeks by mail. The trees would be set-out a short distance from the house, about 50 feet apart, where they would provide shade for family functions, children playing and a place for farm hands to relax in the shade while eating their dinner. (noon meal, as country folks always called the noon meal dinner and the evening meal supper)
In the fall, after the first frost, some of the pecans fall of their own accord. The wind helps dislodge others. Some hang on and need jarring loose by other means, if not, they will fall a few per day for months. That was what I was there for today, to shake loose those that had not made up their mind to fall. I climbed up the tree about 20 feet, tied the chain around a big limb, got on the tractor and let the weight of the tractor jerk lightly against the chain shaking the limb, making the pecans fall. They would rain down like summer hail! The ground was soon covered with pecans. The pecans were used in chocolate cakes, nut cakes, fruit cakes, pecan pies, etc. Many were cracked and eaten as a snack while sitting around the fire at night. A hand full of pecans and a hammer would occupy children for hours.
We had finished shaking the first tree. My Aunt Beattie went into the house to get more bags for pecans. She came back outside without the bags. It was 1:33 PM, November 22, 1963. She said they had interrupted the stories on television, to announce that President John F. Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, Texas, and was dead!
*********************************************************************
Sunday, November 22, 2009
IMPENDING LOSSES OF LIFE AND LOVE
HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
AND OTHER IMPENDING
AND OTHER IMPENDING
LOSSES OF LIFE AND LOVE
By: Jim Caulder 1-15-10
I thought not knowing if they were dead or alive was worse than if I knew they were dead. Now I know and knowing is worse! For knowing removes all hope, forces you to think about them only in the past tense. Knowing, Denies the spirit and the mind the comfort of imagining circumstances that would allow hope to continue. Knowing brings a different perspective of time. Before you knew, time was of the essence. Time demanded something must be done. Every moment seemed like an eternity. After knowing, time is endless, abundant. You are drowning in time but nothing can be done. Knowing leaves you alone to ponder why, what if and should have. Knowing with finality provides you with answers but the points are moot.
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