Welcome From A Dear Friend....JEANNIE

Have a long and happy life little man.

You are going to witness some fantastic changes in the world in your lifetime; some good, some not so good. Maybe you can influence some of the good changes.

Whatever you choose to do with your life, it's going to be quite a ride, and you have good parents behind you to support and love you.

Try to be compassionate, if you can, and be kind when the opportunity presents itself. It takes so little effort to do a small, kindness every day and the ripples spread like warmth and touch so many.

It's a harsh world out there, 'little man,' so be strong but remember that a man can have a tender side. Appreciate the trees and mountains; the birds and flowers and all the beauty that is a gift to all of us.

Make many friends in your lifetime and see how love grows and spreads. You've made  a start already .
Your  friend .... Jeannie
Date...October 6, 2008

Thank you  ....Gilly...WITCHY

Man-Made High Points

Grand Canyon Skywalk -- Eagle Point , Arizona

The glass bottomed U-shaped Cantilever structure spans 70 feet and juts over the brim of the  Grand Canyon -- with the thundering Colorado River  just a faint 4,000 feet below. Completed in 2007 . A visit to the  imposing Grand Canyon's Skywalk  will take you to a whole new level.

Burj Khalifa , Dubai

The world's tallest building , the 2,716.5 foot Burj Khalifa  -- the outdoor viewing flatform  --  half a mile above ground on the 124th floor , offers incredible views of the Persian Gulf.

SkyPark , Marina Bay Sands , Singapore

Nearly 660 feet above Singapore , the park which is the size of three soccer stadiums , includes a 500 foot long pool -- several restaurtants and bars. Views look out over the city and to the South China Sea.

The Sky Room, New York

When  you're craving a night  out with altidute , head for the Sky Room, gaze out over Manhattan and the Hudson River as you quaff a Mile-high  gimlet  (Prosecco and Chambard) . Basking above it all on the 33rd & 34th  floor of the Fairfield Inn  & Suites by Marriott  Times Sguare.

Avala Tower , Belgrade , Serbia

The 671-foot high Avala Tower has the dubious honor of being a replacement for the tallest tower ever destroyed , other than the World Trade Center towers. The current building , which opened in 2009 , was built to replace the original 1965 TV Tower which was bombed by NATO in 1999 . This Belgrade landmark sits just outside the city on Avala Mountain.

Bloukrans Bridge , Eastern Cape , South  Africa

Africa's tallest bridge is the site of one of the world's highest commerical operating bungee jumps , run by Face Adrenalin . The bridge  is 709 feet above the churning Bloukrans River , which marks the border between the Eastern and Western Capes.

My take :  It would be nice to visit  these spots and enjoy the incredible views....I did have the opportunity to spend  time at the Sky Room  (that was before all the babies. I was on my honeymoon  and what a thrill and  my man says the best is yet to come.

The Heat Of Light Fuels The Spirit To Live !

Right here and now is a bad spot to be.Don't Give up ! Don't run away from it ! Stand firm ! Take a deep breath, and another, and another.I will stop beating up on myself. I won't blame anyone else. Breathe. Now , I'll ask myself : Why is this in my world? What do I need to see to know about myself through this situation? Breathe agin. Now, I will ask God : Blessed and Divine Father , heal me of whatever has contributed to this experience. Bring me the lesson of this experience lovingly and gently. Keep my mind and heart open that I may know the truth. Open my eyes that I may recognize your will. Thank you, God.
Now Breathe . Don't you feel better already, I know I do?
I will visualize myself succeeding at my goals. How does it feel, in every part of my body? What do I see as I work towards success? Holding this image in my mind will help me achieve my goals.
My spin: Just a little pep talk for myself and hope others will try it, it really makes you focus on what's important.....as always , kicking back and keeping it real, and of course having fun.

"Halloween Trick or Treating Flood Style"

Water everywhere, Shreveport/Bossier City , Louisiana is devastated by the storms.
Boats carry people and supplies to dry ground.
We are having the the worst weather in a very long time, maybe since I was a child.That's a while back.
We won't let it get us down. We'll clean up and take care of the ones that need help, and we will have a big party until the next time; which may be soon.
Are they carrying him trick/treating or hopefully to high ground? We are used to the tornadoes and twisters in North Louisina, and hurricanes in South Louisiana....we only get the aftermath of the hurricanes here in the North.
You know the old saying..."Buyer Beware"...just look at the weather patterns of the last few years and see if you still buy the theory that there's no Global Warming. The ice caps are melting and the water has to go somewhere.
Take a minute and think about it.....just keeping it real....

"The Legend of the Spanish Moss"

A spanish soldier fell in love at first sight with an indian chief's favorite daughter.Though the chieftain forbade the couple to see each other,the Spaniard was too love-struck to stop meeting the maiden in secert.the father found them out and ordered his braves to hang the Spaniard high up in the top of an ancient oak tree.The Spaniard had only to disavow his love to be freed,but he steadfastly refused. Guards were posted to keep any one---the chiefs daughter above all--from giving food or water to the poor Spaniard.
The Spaniard grew weaker and weaker,but he still would not renouce his love for the girl.Near the end the chief tried to persuade him once more to stay away from the daughter.The Spaniard answered that not only would he refuse to disavow his love,but that his love would continue to grow even after death.When at last the Spaniard died,the chief kept the body tied up in the tree as a warning to any would be suitors.
Before long ,the Indians began to notice that the Spaniard's beard continued to grow.The Indian maiden refused to take a husband--unless the Spaniard's beard vanished from the tree.As the years went by the beard only grew stronger and longer,covering trees far from the Indian maiden's village.Legend says that when the Spanish Moss is gone,the Spaniard's love will finally die with it.
The funny part is the Spanish Moss was only noticed after the Spaniards arrived in Louisiana.What a great history we have.
Louisiana is the only State in the Union that has 'Parishes' .The others have counties.Strange huh? Louisiana was created from French and Spanish colonies which were roman Catholic. Thus , they were divided into ecclesiastical parishes around the churches. This term has survived throughout the state's history and is one of many unique customs that make Louisiana special.