Why So Downcast? ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This sizzling hot new page is from our friends Linda, Karen and Geniann. It is sure to spark your attention to nature's lesser known creatures! Check it out here: Rarely Seen Critters! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rarecritters.html --- ...Wow! Some of these I didn't even know existed! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,%&& %&& % ,%&%& %&%& %& %& %&% &%&% % &% % &%% %&% &% %&%&, &%&% %&%& %& &%& % %%& %&%& %&%&% %&%%& &%&% %&% % %& &% %%& && %&% %&%& %&% %&%' '%&% %&% %&&%&%%'% % %& %& %&% &%% `\%%.' /`%&' | | /`-._ _\\/ |, |_ / `-._ ..--~`_ |; |_`\_ / ,\\.~` `-._ - ^ |;: |/^}__..-,@ .~` ~ `o ~ |;: |(____.-' '. ~ - ` ~ |;: | \ / `\ //. - ^ ~ |;: |\ /' /\_\_ ~. _ ~ - //- jgs\\/;: \'--' `---` `\\//-\\/// >THIS IS WHERE I BELONG by Michael T. Smith I sat on the ground, leaned against a tree trunk and watched my bobber float on the glassy surface of the water. The fishing was slow. I hadn’t had a bite all morning. A blue jay landed on a branch in a tree a few feet away. He stared at me a moment and flew off. In the distance, a crow cawed. Other than that, there wasn’t a sound. I closed my eyes and let the rising sun wash away the chill of the early morning. I sighed contentedly. An osprey, silhouetted by a turquoise sky, flew few a hundred feet above my head. Obviously a better fisherman than I, it clutched a fresh trout in its talons. It didn’t bother me. I wasn’t there for the fish. It was time alone in the outdoors I craved. Every so often, I rose, checked my bait and cast it back into the lake. In the beaver hut at my side, I heard the squeaking of baby beavers. A few minutes later, one of the adult beavers swam around the point, saw me and disappeared in a splash of water, as it slapped its tail. A moment later, the squeaking in the hut grew louder as mom or dad arrived. I sat and let my thoughts wander – content to sit and think. By noon, without one bite from a trout, I rose from my spot by the shore, collected my stuff and headed for home. Along the path through the brush, I spotted a cluster of May flowers and picked a bouquet for my wife. We were both fans of their heavenly scent. It was a mile walk to the highway and my car. Half way there, I breasted a small hill. Four deer flashed their white tails, leaped through the shrub and disappeared into the thicket. My car sat in the clearing, fifty feet from the highway. A few feet behind it, a groundhog stuck his head from a hole and cautiously watched my approach. As I drew near, its courage left. It whistled a signal of danger and disappeared under the ground. Twenty-five years later, I exited my office building in midtown Manhattan and was greeted with a rush of heat, the blare of horns and sirens, and a sea of humanity. It had been many years since I last fished. My little lake in the woods of Nova Scotia was a distant memory. I followed the herd of commuters who, like the groundhog, disappeared under the ground. We shuffled beneath the concrete and into the stifling humidity of the subway station. People growled in protest, as others pushed past them to reach their train. Somewhere up ahead, a guitar was played by someone collecting donations. Trains screeched to a stop, unloaded and loaded passengers and in minutes, rumbled out of sight into the tunnels that hollowed the underbelly of the city. There was no sun to enjoy. There was no peace, no quiet and no nature. Ginny and I had enough of the rush and expense of New Jersey and New York. We moved to Idaho, with it mountains, rivers and a slower pace. One early July morning, we stood at the edge of crystal clear mountain stream and tossed our lines. The trees were alive with the yellow, red and black of the western tanager, a small mountain bird. Towering over all, were the snowcapped peaks of the Stanley Mountains. The sound of the rushing water and the singing birds took me back to the peace of my little lake in Nova Scotia, so many years behind me. In the back country, a person’s body changes. Unlike the city, where I drowned in the noise and rush and eventually retreated inside myself; here with nature, my mind soaks and softens. The world becomes clear. My thoughts are free to roam. I begin to see, hear, smell and feel again. This is where I belong -- with nature. -- Michael T. Smith __________________________________________________ Michael lives in Caldwell, Idaho, with his beautiful wife, Ginny. Michael has put together two collections of essays. The first called "From My Heart to Yours" is currently being reviewed by a publisher. To sign up for Michael's stories go to: =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) .-'''''-. |'-----'| /`-.....-`\ | <_} | | .-\-. | _,._ | /# ` \ | __.-` `"""-. | \ / | ..--' `"-. `)_,._ \ '-'-' / (` )--.-"``` `"-.`'-----'` '-----------' ( ) jgs `-------------` Amazing Dishes that Only Need 3 Ingredients! When I watch a cooking show on TV, or grab a recipe book, they all look delicious, but each one requires so many ingredients – some of which I can’t even find. Each of these recipes only require 3 ingredients that you can get anywhere: >Banana Pancakes 3 Ingredients These easy to make pancakes are not only cooked in a couple of minutes, preparation is also very fast. They are also gluten-free and even paleo-friendly. Ingredients 1 Ripe banana 2 eggs 1/4th tsp cinnamon Preparation Mash the banana, but not too much, you don’t want it smooth. Mix the eggs and cinnamon with the mashed banana. Fry in a pan on medium heat until the pancakes are nice and golden. (Bonus: for extra fluffy pancakes – add 1/4th tsp of baking soda. For special treats – add chocolate chips or walnuts to the mix) -<>- >Avocado Smoothie 3 Ingredients This might strike you as an odd flavor, but once you try it – you’ll be hooked. The avocado smoothie is also rich in nutrients, making it a great jump-start for the day. Ingredients 1 ripe avocado, cubed 2 frozen bananas, chopped ~14oz Milk Preparation Place the avocado and bananas in the blender, and add milk Blend until smooth You can use more or less milk to get the consistency you prefer (If you’re lactose intolerant or vegan – replace the milk with rice/almond/soy milk) -<>- >Egg & Fruit Muffins 3 Ingredients Similar to the banana pancakes, these muffins have a base of egg and banana. The difference is in the fruits you add, and the baking instead of frying and the end result is delicious! These treats are also paleo-friendly and gluten-free. Ingredients 2 ripe bananas 4 eggs Fruit of your choice, chopped Preparation Preheat the oven to 375f (190c) Mash the bananas until they’re smooth Add the eggs and mix Grease a muffin tray and add the chopped fruit Pour the mixture over the fruit Put the tray in the oven for about 12 minutes -<>- >BBQ Chicken-Stuffed Sweet Potato 3 Ingredients I’m a huge BBQ fan, and this treat is one of my favorites. If you get a low-glycemic BBQ sauce, the whole dish becomes very healthy as-well. Ingredients 2 medium-sized sweet-potatoes, halved 1lb. boneless chicken, cooked, shredded 1/3 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce Preparation Preheat the oven to 425f (220c) Bake the halved potatoes for 35 minutes, make sure to put the cut side up Mix the chicken and BBQ sauce in a saucepan and cook for 5-10 minutes Top the sweet potato halves with the hot, shredded chicken and enjoy -<>- >Chili Con-Carne 3 Ingredients You may think that a good chili needs many different ingredients, but you’ll be surprised to learn that one can make a simple 3-ingredient chili that tastes delicious! Ingredients 1lb. cooked & drained ground beef 1 can of chili beans (undrained) 1 can of diced tomatoes Preparation Mix all the ingredients in a pot Bring the mixture to a boil, then let it simmer for about 30 minutes Alternatively, you can leave the mixture in a crock pot for 4-6 hours (Bonus: for that extra kick, add a teaspoon of chipotle sauce) -<>- >Pulled Pork 3 Ingredients An American favorite! Pulled pork is juicy and savory, making it great for lunch or dinner. Ingredients 3-4lb pork sirloin, roasted 1 large red onion, cut into 8 1 can of cola (Coke/Pepsi) Preparation Grease a crock pot and place the sirloin first Spread the onion around the pork Pour the cola on top Season with salt and pepper to taste Close the lid and cook for 8 hours, then another 1/2 hour without the lid Remove the pork and shred with 2 forks -<>- >Tuna-Stuffed Peppers 3 Ingredients Did you know that your can of tuna can be more than just a salad topping? Ingredients 1 can of tuna in water 1 red bell pepper 1 tbsp. Dijonnaise Preparation Preheat the oven to 325f (165c) Cut the top of the pepper, clear the seeds and pat dry Drain the tuna and mix with the Dijonnaise Scoop the tuna mix into the pepper Bake until soften (about 25 minutes) -<>- >Black Bean Soup 3 Ingredients Vegan-friendly and very filling, it also makes a great comfort food, especially in the winter. Ingredients 2 cans of black beans 1 cup chicken broth 1 can of diced tomatoes Preparation Mix the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil Lower the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes Remove from heat and blend to a smooth consistency -<>- >Nutella Muffins 3 Ingredients Hazelnut-Chocolate goodness, what else do you need? Ingredients 1 jar of Nutella 2 eggs 10 tbsp. flour Preparation Preheat the oven to 425f (220c) Mix the ingredients until they’re nice and even Grease a muffin pan and pour mixture in Bake for 20-30 minutes (Treat: add crushed walnuts to the mix) -<>- >Peanut Butter Cookies 3 Ingredients These cookies are so easy to make, and they’re gluten-free! Ingredients 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of peanut butter 1 egg Preparation Preheat the oven to 350f (175c) Mix ingredients together until they have a smooth consistency Make 1-inch (2.6cm) balls of the batter, then placed on a greased cooking sheet Use a fork to push down and flatten the balls Bake for 12 minutes --- ...Wowsers! A single person's heaven! Thanks LouiseAu! For more Easy Does It Recipes Visit Here: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. SSS$$$ : ` ;:SS$$$$$$$bp. :SS$$$$b \ -=- .-" SSS$$$$$$$$$$b SSS$$$$$b.`. / d$SS$$$$$$$$$$$b :SS$$$$$$$; ""T :$$$SS$$$$$$$$P^^t--' SSS$$$S$$$ : $$$$$SS$$$$$$$ : :SS$$$SS$; __; _$$$$$$SS$$$$$$ : SSS$SS l;: ; : $$$$SS$$$$$; ; :SS$SS $;: ; : $$$SS$$$$$$; /; TSSSS :$ \ ; ; :$S$$$$$$$$.-"/ `SP; :; ;: ; T$$$$$$$$; /; : ; ; : `.; /)T$$$$$P .' : ; : : ; .'/ :$$$P'.' .'\ ; \ :; / /$P^".' .-" ; : ;: .' .-" / \ `.____/_'.___:--""\ --' .' ) .-" .' "-._ "-._ ..--"")\ :-' : "-. "-._ ---""" /; ; : : \ "-._....____; : : \ :\ `. \ ; ; \ \\ \ \ ; : : `. \\ \ \ : ; ; ;"-t\ `. \ : : : : `; \ ; ; ; ; : \ / : : / ; \-..__ .'; : ; / : ; """T ; : / / ; \ : ; ; ;/ : : \ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; : ; ; / : : : ; ; ; / ; :; : ; ; / : :: ; ; ;_ `""--..__; :_; __ ;____;.-;'; ;.__.: :..t-"" j" ; ; : ; ; ;--"" \ [bug] ; ; ; : ; : \ ; ; : \ ; ; ;. ; ; \ \ ; : / ; ; ; \ \ ; : ; ; ; \ `-. ; ; .' ; ; \ \ ;___/ /______;.-' \ ---; / / ;______: .-' / '-------' >Why So Downcast? [edited] My eyes have never beheld what I believe I will one day possess. My hands have never touched hands damaged in crucifixion, yet I believe I will one day touch them. My feet have never touched pavement of gold, yet one day I fully expect to walk on such streets. My mind has never understood the mysteries of God, yet there will come a day when it will all make sense. So until then, I will rejoice in what I do not possess because I have something that will carry me in confidence until that moment arrives. What will carry me is the belief that the Lord Jesus has fully paid my sin debt which gives me the freedom to love and follow where He leads. I don’t need to see it or hold it in my hands to believe that it is real. Some say seeing is believing - but for me it’s the opposite. Belief comes first, seeing will come soon enough. I am willing to wait. I have been forgiven. I have been loved. I have chosen to love and forgive in return. My heart yearns for a day, a time, a moment. Yet in that special moment there will no longer be a need for time. I don’t have to understand it all to hunger for my first taste of eternity. My life can be lived in no other way than to believe, for without this trust, this conviction, this joyous confidence - I would become a pitiful cynic. A man in desperate need for the one thing I have rejected; The one thing that provides a doorway to joy, peace and contentment, the one thing so closely linked to love and faith. We have a future and a promise. God has a plan for our good. Jesus is preparing a place just for us. He’s promised to come back for us. We, more than all others, have the greatest reason to bubble over with this most joyous anticipation. It is because of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus’ that we have been given yet another wonderful gift from the hand of God Himself. That gift is hope. - Glenn A. Hascall - -<>- \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >Hero Bill Walker billdbill6807@yahoo.com Today I talked to a hero, a man who was in the Korean War. He opened a drawer on his desk at his little shop. He showed me his Bronze Star. Told me how he had it. Put me to thinking a bit. What he told me made me think of others who had the Silver Star, and that one called Medal of Honor. . In some cases did no more then what he did to be holder of the Bronze Star. You see he laid his life on the line... Seen a plane on the end of a run way in trouble. it was being attacked by snipers in the hills. The plane was at a stand still, crippled. This man got into a Jeep and took down the run way. He got the man out of the burning aircraft, even being wounded his self, and to safety. I said wounded, You see he took a bullet in one leg, still got the man out of the burning aircraft. I asked about the Purple Heart? He said for some reason he never got that. I thought all it took was a wound due to some action on part of an foe to get that, guess I was wrong. Max said he once in a while looks at his one medal, and thinks back. Yes I would too, he went beyond the call of duty. Seen a fellow soldier in trouble, never gave thought to his own hide, went to try to save him. He could have been killed his self in trying. A true American Hero. I have seen these holders of medals with them, the medals and ribbons on display that is. Not Max, he has his in a drawer of a desk in his shop. Don't say much about it, once in a while maybe takes it out and looks at it and remembers that day so long ago. I was told a long time ago, a real hero don't say much. I think this fits Max real well. I have known him for years, never knew this. Yes today I talked to a real American Hero. Max is the name. -<>- ___ /_\_\ |;-^-'| ; ._ d - j :. ,<%@. |-_-| / \ {_ _,l ___/\_ _/\_ \,< ___ <~L~>\. /___\_\'/_/_`-.( `___\ \ - |` /___ \ \|/|po /||_/-___L":--;" L _ \ \ |o|LY| |(n==\^\^''--`-,-_ [-><-]=3 || ^;| |`\ _')>\ /<__/\ |< !c)|o ; |;| "| _' \ \/ /po | |- | | ; ' |,-. |.V \/ |LY | |\__, _L |o : | / \ \||\ |o^ ^| | _|/| / _\__ : / 7 '<|`. | | | / |L/ < /\: | Y \ | \|' | | | |/ /_ | | | | \| A|. | | /| |/|PO| | || | | |V| | | || |<|LY| | || | |,| | |_ | / | | ^^ | | | | | |____| |" | | | | | | | | |#^' |4 \ | | | | | | |,| | |%_| | | |m | A \ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | / | / | | \ || | | | | | | / /| |__| || | | l | | |> / / | | \___/|_A_| | | | | / / | | | | || |m1a >Your Own Best Friend Most people report that they do not usually feel confident. But exciting things can happen when we actually believe in ourselves. Here is a man who believed in his own ability even as a boy, and that confidence helped shape his adult life. At the turn of the last century, a young boy quit school to help with the family expenses. When he was fifteen, he became interested in automobiles and worked in a garage. He subscribed to a correspondence home study course on automobiles and, after a long day in the garage, studied at the kitchen table by lamplight. When he felt ready, he walked into the Frayer-Miller Automobile Company of Columbus, Ohio. When Mr. Frayer noticed him, he asked, "Well, what do you want?" "I just thought I'd tell you I'm coming to work here tomorrow morning," the boy replied. "Oh! Who hired you?" "Nobody yet, but I'll be on the job in the morning. If I'm not worth anything, you can fire me." (Try that in TODAY'S market!) Early the next morning the young man returned to the plant. Noticing the floor was thick with metal shavings and accumulated dirt and grease, the boy got a broom and shovel and set to work cleaning the place. Because of his self-confidence and work ethic, Eddie Rickenbacker's future was predictable. He went on to excel in many fields, including automobile racing, piloting World War 1 planes and founding what was to become one of America's largest airline companies - Eastern Airlines. There is no magic bullet to instantly become a self-confident person. But it begins with one of the most important relationships in your life - your relationship with yourself. People who become more confident habitually encourage themselves. They become their own best friend. Rob Bremer asks the question, "If you had a friend who talked to you like you sometimes talk to yourself, would you continue to hang around with that person?" If the answer is "Yes!" you are on the track to becoming more self-assured. Without confidence, you are not likely to move far in the direction of your dreams. But become your own best friend and almost anything will be possible. - Steve Goodier -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: God's Holy And Royal Priests http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/royalpriests.html Never Give Up http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Our Gifts And Callings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html Walking In Power http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html You Are The Only You God Has http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html 9/11 Where God Wants Me! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wheregodwantsme.html Advice For Living! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wheregodwantsme.html Playing With Words! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html All About Hugs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hugs.html I Believe...- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html Jesus Clinic!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html My Precious Child!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.html Big Baby Big Dogs!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigdogs.html Breeze And Buttons!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/breezeandbuttons.html Kid Lessons!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidlessons.html Best Buddies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bestbuds.html -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Cats take themselves very serious, which makes it even funnier when we catch doing insane and hilarious things! The following video puts together a selection of the funniest cat home videos, sent from all over the world! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=20mrEtabOLM A wonderful look at some African Wildlife in this beautiful video that animal and nature lovers should enjoy. To see these African animals up close is truly a spectacular experience. Soundtrack is "We Found Love" - Lindsey Stirling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elHK4n1m__g&feature=player_embedded --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseAu! The Dental Hygienist The Carol Burnett Show with George Carlin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InYkDzfu1wg Tim Conway is a undercover cop in a prison well he is in prison the prison dentist was released and the fake paper work that the govenor had given to the prison said that Tim Conway had 2 years of metical experience so he would be the new dentist and the first patient is the warden.The name of the movie is: They Went That-a-way & That-a-way. Classic skit - Watch this hilarious sketch from the Carol Burnett show performed by Harvey Korman and Tim Conway. You’ll have stitches from laughter. Notice how actor Korman struggles to keep a straight face. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfTyEtVIe84 --- ...Hilarious! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) . . / `. .' \ .---. < > < > .---. | \ \ - ~ ~ - / / | ~-..-~ ~-..-~ \~~~\.' `./~~~/ \__/ \__/ / .- . \ _._ _.- .-~ ~-. / } \/~~~/ _.-'q }~ / } { ; \__/ {'__, / ( / { / `. ,~~| . . `''''='~~-.__( /_ | /- _ `..-' \\ // / \ =/ ~~--~~{ ./| ~-. `-..__\\_//_.-' { \ +\ \ =\ ( ~ - . _ _ _..---~ | | { } \ \_\ '---.o___,' .o___,' -r.millward- Stegosaurus " Stegosaurus was a creature uncontentious and benign, And the row of armoured plates upon its back Failed to guard its tender belly Or protect its flimsy spine: Stegosaurus often wound up as a snack, Stegosaurus often wound up as a snack. " -- Jack Prelutsky >Back In The Dinosaur Days... Someone asked the other day, 'What was your favorite 'fast food' when you were growing up?' 'We didn't have fast food when I was growing up,' Iinformed him. 'All the food was slow.' 'C'mon, seriously.. Where did you eat?' 'It was a place called 'home,'' I explained. 'Mum cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate, I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.' ( don’t I remember this one!) By this time, the lad was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table. But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I'd figured his system could have handled it: Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore jeans, set foot on a golf course, traveled out of the country or had a credit card. My parents never drove me to school... I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed (slow) or I walked. We didn't have a television in our house until I was 10. It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at 10 PM, after playing the national anthem and epilogue; it came back on the air at about 6 am. And there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people. Pizzas were not delivered to our home... But milk was. All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers --My brother delivered a newspaper, seven days a week. He had to get up at 6 every morning. Film stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the films. There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or almost anything offensive. If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your children or grandchildren. Just don't blame me if they bust a gut laughing. Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it? MEMORIES from a friend: My Dad is cleaning out my grandmother's house (she died in December) and he brought me an old lemonade bottle. In the bottle top was a stopper with a bunch of holes in it. I knew immediately what it was, but my daughter had no idea. She thought they had tried to make it a salt shaker or something. I knew it as the bottle that sat on the end of the ironing board to 'sprinkle' clothes with because we didn't have steam irons. Man, I am old. How many of these do you remember? * Headlight dip-switches on the floor of the car. * Ignition switches on the dashboard. * Trouser leg clips for bicycles without chain guards. * Soldering irons you heated on a gas burner. * Using hand signals for cars without turn indicators. Older Than Dirt Quiz: Count all the ones that you remember, not the ones you were told about. Ratings at the bottom. 1. Sweet cigarettes 2. Coffee shops with juke boxes 3. Home milk delivery in glass bottles 4. Party lines on the telephone 5. Newsreels before the movie 6. TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning. (There were only 2 channels [if you were fortunate]) 7. Peashooters 8. 33 rpm records 9. 45 RPM records 10. Hi-fi's 11. Metal ice trays with levers 12. Blue flashbulb 13. Cork popguns 14. Wash tub wringers If you remembered 0-3 = You're still young If you remembered 3-6 = You are getting older If you remembered 7-10 = Don't tell your age If you remembered 11-14 = You're positively ancient! I must be 'positively ancient' but those memories are some of the best parts of my life. Don't forget to pass this along! Especially to all your really OLD DINOSAUR friends...I just did! --- ...LOL! Oh Gee! How time flies. Thanks Linda! Seems an impossibility that there was a time with NO COMPUTERS! ================================================================ __ ___ / / ___( (\_( ) )/ / |\___` \\_\/_/_/_\ | | ____/\_\`._._...^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\ | ||\__/ '_\ \`_._\.; \_\ |\\)\)\| \ \|| | | | | | | \ \ \|-\\ \ | \ || | |^| | | | \ __ \ \ | | | | \ \)\\) \ \_\ |\|\\|\ \|ejm__| |____| \ \)\\\ \ \ \|/|-\| \ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >A Most Unexpected Gift Story Editor: by Mandy Bodart Joyce Schowalter South Africa Some years ago I lived in a Victorian "street-front" house in Cape Town, South Africa. These terraced houses have a small, paved front area, about a metre wide and four metres long, between the front door and the street. Where I lived, the street was a major walkway for vagrants on their way to shelter under a nearby fly-over. Barely a day went by but someone knocked on the door asking for food. One very cold winter, the knocks became so frequent that I kept a stack of "vagrant bags" next to the front door. Each contained the fixings for a thick soup/stew and clearly labelled "2" or "4", according to how many people could have a decent meal from each bag. The system worked like clockwork until one evening when I opened the door to an atypical vagrant -- a young Rastafarian who didn't have the weathered face and calloused hands of someone who's been on the streets for years. He apologized for disturbing me and seemed embarrassed to ask for food -- also very unusual! As I automatically reached for a "2" bag, it occurred to me to ask him if he had cooking facilities. Our regular vagrants are as organized as cross-arctic explorers, but he just looked so young and inexperienced. "No," he replied. Luckily I remembered that Rastas are vegetarian, and having made a big pot of veggie curry, I gave him some, with directions to where the homeless people camped every night. The next evening he was back. And the next, and the next.... This went on for three weeks. As "You-can-call-me-Bob" had a hearty appetite, I began to fear I wouldn't be able to continue feeding him daily, and decided to suggest that he vary his choice of "restaurant". That evening he appeared at his usual time, but before I could say anything, he thanked me for my hospitality over the last few weeks, explained that he had been stranded in Cape Town and now had a bus ticket back to his family in Port Elizabeth. He would leave in an hour. At the end of this (for him) lengthy speech, he said he wanted to give me the only possession he had of any value. He pushed a large bag of dagga into my hand and ran off before I could say anything. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There I was holding a large quantity of illegal drugs in my hand, knowing I couldn't burn it because the neighbors would call the cops. I didn't dare put it in the garbage in case it was traced back to me, and at the same time I was so touched that 'Bob' really was giving me his most prized possession! In case you're wondering, I eventually mixed it with sand and dumped it in a municipal bin under cover of darkness. And yes, I remained touched by his generosity, greater far than mine -- for he gave his greatest treasure. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >Pray if you want to - by Nick Gholson [and mix of unknowns] I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution. Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered in any way because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game. But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue. Yes, and this is the United States of America, and Canada, countries founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- Somebody chanting Hare Krishna? If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome ..... But what about the atheists? Is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer! Or, just exercise their right to leave this country! BYE! Unfortunately, one or two will call their lawyer. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations. Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying? God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me. The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want! It is time that the majority rules! It's time we tell them, "You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!" God bless us one and all. God bless America and Canada, despite all our faults, we are still part of the greatest nations of all. God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God. Let's make 2017 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. Keep looking up. If you agree with this, please pass it on. If not delete it. BUT REMEMBER, SHOULD YOU DELETE IT, that's one reason why this world is in the mess we're in now. WE JUST SIT BACK & LET IT HAPPEN!! --- ...Good advice no matyter the author! Thanks Geniann! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 2 Kgs.7: [3b] ...Why sit we here until we die? This 2 Kings story speaks to this dilemma that we often find ourselves in. We can just take what is going on around us or actually take the risk and do something about it. Either way, sometimes, it is like being between a rock and a hard place. Darned if we do and darned if we don't. But if we don't at least try to make a difference in our situation then we are giving up without a fight and we might as well just lay down and die. That's what this bible story is about. No action IS action - sitting and waiting for something or someone else to make your circumstances better is like sitting around waiting to die. Inaction can be just as bad as what you might think doing something about it might be so why not give it your best shot? You risk nothing more and could possibly win it all by changing your life for the better! ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _..._ \_.._ `'-.,--, '-._'-. `\a\\ '. `_.' (| `7 || / .' | /_.-' ,J / \ || / ; _.. || | | /`\.-. .' _ `\ `\ \ | \_/__/ / /e)-,\ '. \ /.-` .'\ / | ,_ | /\ `;_.-'_.-'`\_/ / '-(-.)/ \_;(((_.-; .'--. \ ` .(((_,;`'. \ / `\ | _.--'`__.' `\ '-;\ /` | /.-' .--' '._.'\\ .' ; /__.-'` | \ | .'`-'_ /_.'))) \_\,_/ / -'_.'---;`'-))) (__.'/ /` .'` (_.'/ /` /` _|.' /` jgs.-` __.'| .-'|| | \_`/ ` >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Jennifer, 5, was playing wedding with her Barbie and Ken dolls. Her mother overheard Jennifer say, "Do you take this man to be your 'awfully wed' husband?" -- Anne (mother of Jennifer) of Cherry Valley, Illinois Cody's father has been deployed to Iraq. The two-year-old had heard many people talk about his father going to Iraq. One night while he was praying his mother asked, "What are you saying, Cody?" He replied, "I am talking to that man... I told him not to let Daddy trip on a rock (Iraq)." -- Julanne Norton (mother of Cody) of Viliona, Arkansas Melissa and her daughter Autum, 4, went to the new video rental store down the street. After picking out their movies, the gentleman behind the counter asked for Melissa's ID and said he would put her in his computer. Autum looked confused and asked, "How will you get my mommy in there?" -- Melissa Barbato of St. Paul, Minnesota Hannah, 4, came across the yard to her great-grandmother's house and said, "My grandma would like you come over now instead of later." Her great-grandmother asked if she would have time to change her clothes first. Hannah replied, "Yes. Would I have time for a cookie?" -- Lillian Piggott (great-grandmother) of Wawaka, Indiana -------|-------------------------------------------------|--------- ___|___ ___|___ ////////\ _ _ /\\\\\\\\ //////// \ ('< >') / \\\\\\\\ | (_) | | (^) (^) | | (_) | |______|.===="== =="====.|______| ---------------------------------------------------------------ldb-- Dave was driving home from work. He pulled into his driveway and stopped the car. Almost immediately, the back door of the car opened and a neighbor lady and her two girls jumped inside. The girls were approximately 2 and 4. The weather was pretty bad and all three were soaking wet, crying and begging to be taken to an area safe from "tornados." Dave is a very accommodating person, so he drove them down the road to their requested destination. As they were preparing to depart his car, the 4-year-old said, " I hate tornados -- I don't know why we even have to have them!" -- Anita (sister of Dave) of central Indiana The week before Mother's Day, Dart asked her 7-year-old daughter Waverly to draw a picture or write a poem for her Nana. Waverly helped herself to Dart's scrapbook supplies and set to work. She drew a lovely picture of a hula dancer, made a Happy Mother's Day sign, and wrote the following poem... My Nana is nice, My Nana is old. My Nana is nice because she is old! Dart said, "Wow, that's quite a poem! You really want me to send that to your Nana?" Waverly said, "Yes, it's a compliment!" -- Dart of San Diego Noah, 4, was window-shopping with his mother. In one of the windows there was a nude mannequin which caught his attention. Uneasily, his mother asked him what he was thinking. Noah replied, "Her head is missing." -- Jean (grandmother of Noah) of Highland Springs, Virginia _ ~\\_ \\\\ `\\\\\ | |\\\\\ \_ /; \\\\\|__.--~~\ `\~--.._ //' _--~ / `//////\ \\/;' /~ ////// _-~~~~' ~/////\~\`)' ('-//////-// `~' | //////(((-) ;'_\'\ /////" /~/ '" "' _///" Tua Xiong `\/' ~ Alex, 5, left his socks at the bottom of the steps so Aunt Krista picked them up, pretended to hold her nose and playfully asked, "Whose are these?" Alex replied, "Mine." "And where were they?" Aunt Krista asked. Alex replied very seriously, "Well, they used to be on my feet." -- Krista Bayer of Sandston, Virginia Kaylee's mom asked her what she'd like to drink. Kaylee, 5, replied, "Mammer (grandmother) and I like MOUNTAIN DUDES (Mountain Dew)!" -- Pat Martin (Mammer) of Chandler, Texas Rose's grandson's little dog ran away from home one day, and the 8-year-old was very upset because the dog's favorite place to run was on the highway near their home. Nathan rode up the highway on his bicycle but couldn't find the dog, so he stopped on the shoulder of the road looking very dejected. When Rose's daughter, a teacher, got home from school, her older son told her Nathan had gone up on the highway to look for the dog. She jumped in her car to go get him, and as soon as Nathan saw her he burst into tears. She could tell he was very frustrated and angry at the dog as well as afraid for his life. "I never thought a 90-year-old dog could run so fast!" Nathan sobbed. (They had had the dog nine years and had already discussed that a doggie year is about 10 people years.) -- Rose Clarke of Springdale, Newfoundland _.----._ ,'.::.--..:._ /::/_,-;._.:._.;,-=_(.-' __ `._ ,;' _..-(((('' .,-'' `-._ _,'<.-'' _..``'.'`-'`. ` _.-((((_..--'' \ \ `.`. -' _.``' \ ` SSt ,' Shawn's mother sent cupcakes to school so he could celebrate his ninth birthday with his class. He offered a cupcake to his teacher, but she said, "Thank you, Shawn, but I can't eat anything with sugar in it, so I'll just drink some water instead." Shawn replied, "My Paw can't have sugar, either." His teacher asked if his grandfather was diabetic. Shawn gave her an exasperated look and said, "No, I already told you that he's a plumber!" -- Peggy Mitchell (Shawn's "MeMe") of Holly Springs, Mississippi Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) ()_()()_() / ..)(.. \ __/ ( || ) \_ (_/ * * (_) | | | || | | | \_/| \__/ | | > \ / <__,--,__|/|_> unknown >A Simple Hug There's something in a simple hug That always warms the heart, It welcomes us back home And makes it easier to part. A hug is a way to share the joy And sad times we go through, Or just a way for friends to say They like you 'cause you're you. Hugs are meant for anyone For whom we really care, From your grandma to your neighbor, Or a cuddly teddy bear. A hug is an amazing thing It's just the perfect way To show the love we're feeling But can't find the words to say. It's funny how a little hug Makes everyone feel good; In every place and language, It's always understood. And hugs don't need new equipment, Special batteries or parts - Just open up your arms And open up your hearts. --- ...Awww, Thanks LouiseAu! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ***************************************************************** >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com *****************************************************************