Good Morning:  It's Saturday June 16, 2001!

BIRTHDAYS:  Stan Laurel, 1890; Katherine Graham, 1917; photographer Irving Penn, 1917; John Howard Griffin, 1920; Erich Segal, 1937; Joyce Carol Oates, 1938; Billy "Crash" Craddock, 1939; Joan Van Ark, 1943; Wayne Rollins, 1955.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
On this date in 1329 the Black Prince -- Edward, Prince of Wales -- was born.  He gained his nickname partially because of the color of his armor.  But Edward also earned his dubious title for his ruthless brutality toward his enemies and his relentless cruelty on the battlefield.  Even on his deathbed, Edward refused to forgive his enemies.
On this date in 1838 former U.S. President John Quincy Adams -- then serving in the House of Representatives -- rose and began a speech opposing the Texas annexation.  The history books tell us that his speech lasted three weeks!
On this date in 1858 the Republican Party assembled in Springfield, Illinois.  It had just nominated Abraham Lincoln as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.  He lost that particular election, but his words on that day still echo through the corridors of time.  Lincoln said to his audience:  "'A house divided against itself cannot stand.' I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free."
On this date in 1902 THE WIZARD OF OZ premiered in Theaters.
On this date in 1963 Valentina Tereshkova of the Soviet Union became the first female astronaut in space.
On this date in 1980 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that scientists who developed new life forms in laboratories could patent their creations.
MEANINGLESS FACTS:  There is no lead in a lead pencil.  It is filled with graphite... A prairie dog isn't a dog.  It's a rodent... The Red Sea is not red.  It's a bluish-green.
TRIVIA:  Name 2 television crime fighters whose first names were never revealed.
     Neil Simon observed, "People with honorary awards are looked upon with disfavor.  Would you let an honorary mechanic fix your brand-new Mercedes?"  Probably not...  On with the real material!
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From Jokes:
What do you call a dog with no legs?  It doesn't matter, he won't come anyway...
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Thanks to my youngest daughter:  Dog
Two boys are playing football in Central Park when one is attacked by a Rottweiler. Thinking quickly, the other boy rips off a board of the nearby fence, wedges it down the dog's collar and twists, breaking the dog's neck. A reporter who was strolling by sees the incident, and rushes over to interview the boy.
"Young Giants Fan Saves Friend From Vicious Animal," he starts writing in his notebook.
"But I'm not a Giants fan," the little hero replied.
"Sorry, since we are in New York, I just assumed you were." said the reporter and starts again. "Little Jets Fan Rescues Friend From Horrific Attack" he continued writing in his notebook.
"I'm not a Jets fan either," the boy said.
"I assumed everyone in New York was either for the Giants or Jets. What team do you root for?" the reporter asked.
"I'm a Cowboys fan," the child said.
The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Little Maniac Loser Kills Beloved Family Pet."
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Two more from my youngest:
John asks his wife, Mary what she wants to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. "Would you like a new Mink Coat?" he asks.
"Not really," says Mary.
"Well how about a new Mercedes sports car?" says John.
"No," she responds.
"What about a new vacation home in the country?" he suggests.
She again rejects his offer with a "No thanks."
"Well what would you like for your anniversary?" John asks.
"John, I'd like a divorce," answers Mary.
"Sorry, I wasn't planning to spend that much," says John.
***
"What do you love most about me," a husband asked his wife, "my tremendous athletic ability or my superior intellect?"
"What I love most about you," responded the man's wife, "is your enormous sense of humor."
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Thanks to M/M Riverrats:  LAWYER IN AN ACCIDENT
A very successful lawyer parked his brand-new Lexus in front of his office, ready to show it off to his colleagues. As he got out, a truck passed too close and completely tore off the door on the driver's side. The lawyer immediately grabbed his cell phone, dialed 911, and within minutes a policeman pulled up.
Before the officer had a chance to ask any questions, the lawyer started screaming hysterically. His Lexus, which he had just picked up the day before, was now completely ruined and would never be the same, no matter what the body shop did to it.
When the lawyer finally wound down from his ranting and raving, the officer shook his head in disgust and disbelief. "I can't believe how materialistic you lawyers are," he said. "You are so focused on your possessions that you don't notice anything else."
"How can you say such a thing?" asked the lawyer.
The cop replied, "Don't you know that your left arm is missing from the elbow down? It must have been torn of when the truck hit you."
"My, my!" screamed the lawyer. "Where's my Rolex?"
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Thanks to a friend:  Nephew
My nephew, who has just started the first grade, was asked to memorize the Ten Commandments. Upon reciting the commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," he was asked what this commandment meant.
With absolute seriousness he replied, "That means that you shouldn't want to become an adult."
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From KLEENLAFFS:
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it was a valuable plant.  --Unknown
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"After you've heard two eyewitness accounts of an auto accident it makes you wonder about history." --Unknown
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"The child had his mother's eyes, his mother's nose and his mother's mouth. Which left his mother with a pretty blank  expression." -Robert Benchley
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From Jokes:  The Essential Guide to Women's English:
 
Yes = No
No  = Yes
Maybe = No
I'm sorry = You'll be sorry
We need = I want
It's your decision = My correct decision should be obvious by now
Do what you want = You'll pay for this later
We need to talk = I need to complain
Sure go ahead = I don't want you to
I'm not upset = Of course I'm upset, you moron
You're so manly = You need a shave and you sweat a lot
Be romantic, turn out the lights = I have flabby thighs
This kitchen is so inconvenient = I want a new house
I want new curtains = and carpeting, and furniture, and wallpaper
I heard a noise = I noticed you were almost asleep
Do you love me? = I'm going to ask for something expensive
How much do you love me? = I did something today you're going to hate
I'll be ready in a minute = Kick off your shoes and find a good game on TV
You have to learn to communicate = Just agree with me.

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ANSWER:  Lt. Columbo and Quincy, although viewers once got a peek at Quincy's first initial -- R.
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Good Morning:  It's Father's Day!
BIRTHDAYS:  Igor Stravinsky, 1882; Ralph Bellamy, 1904; Author John Hersey, 1917; Dean Martin, 1917; Barry Manilow, 1946; Joe Piscopo, 1951; Mark Linn-Baker, 1953.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
On this date in 1775 the Battle of Bunker Hill occurred.  Though the battle seems to have taken place on a neighboring hill (and was mis-named Bunker Hill), it was on this date and during the preparations for this battle that an American commander said, "Don't fire 'til you see the whites of their eyes."  The troops held their fire until the British troops were nearly upon them.  This was less a demonstration of chivalry or courage than a safety measure:  guns were so inaccruate then that firing any sooner would have been a waste of ammunition.
On this date in 1947 the first round-the-world airline service commenced.  A Pan-American Airline plane took off from New York's LaGuardia Field.  It didn't take 80 days, but it did take somewhat longer than one today would.
On this date in 1954 the Army-McCarthy televised hearings ended.
On this date in 1972 the Watergate Burglars broke into the offices of the Democratic National Committee.
MEANINGLESS FACTS:  The oldest city in the United States is St. Augustine, Florida founded by Menendez de Aviles in September, 1565... In 1950 the town of Hot Springs, New Mexico renamed itself Truth or Consequences in honor of the game show... The most common first name among U.S. Presidents is James (6).
TRIVIA:  Identify the states associated with the following nicknames:  A. The Gopher State; B. The Pelican State; C. The Empire State of the South; D. The Coyote State; E. The Palmetto State; F. God's Country.
     Robert Benchley said, "Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory."  Probably... On with the show, this is it...
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From GCFL:  Top 10 Things Dad Will Never Say
To all the Fathers out there: Happy Father's Day!!!
10. Well, how 'bout that? I'm lost! Looks like we'll have to stop and ask for directions.
9. You know Pumpkin, now that you're thirteen, you'll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won't that be fun?
8. I noticed that all your friends have a certain hostile attitude. I like that.
7. Here's a credit card and the keys to my new car. GO CRAZY!!
6. What do you mean you wanna play football? Figure skating's not good enough for you, son?
5. Your Mother and I are going away for the weekend. You might want to consider throwing a party.
4. Well, I don't know what's wrong with your car. Probably one of those doo-hickey thingies--ya know--that makes it run or something. Just have it towed to a mechanic and pay whatever he asks.
3. No son of mine is going to live under this roof without an earring. Now quit your belly-aching, and let's go to the mall.
2. Whaddya wanna go and get a job for? I make plenty of money for you to spend. Here's $100.
1. What do I want for Father's day? Aahh -- don't worry about  that. It's no big deal. (Okay, he might say it, but he doesn't mean it!)
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From KLEEN LAFFS:  Kids "FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT"
In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, the Lord got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.
Adam & Eve were created from an apple tree.
Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.
Noah built the ark and the animals came on in pears.
Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.
The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with unsympathetic Genitals.
Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the Ten Amendments.
The Fifth Commandment is humor thy mother and father.
The Seventh Commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
Moses died before he ever reached the UK. Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the Battle of Geritol.
Solomon, one of David's sons, has 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
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Thanks to LBS:  Poem
When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was felt that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they found this poem.
Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and one nurse took her copy to Ireland. The old lady's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the North Ireland Association. A slide presentation has also been made based on her simple, but eloquent, poem...And this little old Scottish lady, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the Internet. Goes to show that we all leave "SOME footprints in time".....
An Old Lady's Poem
What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.....
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill...
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at  me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten ...with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at twenty -- my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At fifty once more, babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead; I look
at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm now an old woman ...and nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years ....all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman; look closer ... see ME!!
..Remember this poem when you next meet an old person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within ...... We will one day be...
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ANSWER:  A. Minnesota; B. Louisana; C. Georgia; D. South Dakota; E. South Carolina; F. Arkansas -- OK, I made the last one up.
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Good Morning:  It's Monday June 18, 2001!
SPECIAL NOTE:  The list continues to grow!  Thanks for all the material, I really appreciate it.  If any of you have something you would like to share with the list, please feel free to send it to me.  I appreciate your patience with the errors (spelling, typos, etc.) that come with the list, most of which are due to my haste in preparing the material. Have a nice Monday.  Tim
BIRTHDAYS:  Bandleader Kay Kyser, 1906; Sammy Cahn, 1913; Sylvia Porter, 1913; E.G.Marshall, 1910; journalist Tom Wicker, 1926; Roger Ebert, 1942; Paul McCartney, 1942; Carol Kane, 1952; Isabella Rosselini, 1952.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
On this date in 1798 Robert Goodloe Harper said, "Millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute."
On this date in 1815 the British defeated the French in the Battle of Waterloo.  You might say Napoleon had a beef with Wellington and wound up in the water "loo"...
On this date in 1873 Suffragist Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to vote in the 1872 U.S. Presidential Election.
On this date in 1928 Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
On this date in 1977 the U.S. Space Shuttle ENTERPRISE carried a crew aloft for the first time.
On this date in 1983 Sally K. Ride became America's first woman in space as she and four other astronauts blasted off aboard the U.S. Space Shuttle CHALLENGER.
MEANINGLESS FACTS:  The newspaper in Popeye's hometown of Sweethaven is called the "Sweethaven Daily Poop"... Howdy Doody's sister was named Heide Doody... Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy's, named the fast food restaurant after his daughter.
TRIVIA:  What 2 teams in major league baseball were once known as the Washington Senators?
     Here is some good and practical advice for a Monday from Fred Stoller:  "Why pay a dollar for a bookmark?  Why not just use the dollar as a bookmark?"  On to the real stuff....
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Thanks to PW:
An assistant preacher is getting sick and tired of problems in the church. Feigning a stomach ache, he informs that church's preacher that he'll be taking a day off from his responsibilities.  He hops in his car, steps on the gas and blasts off to a golf course forty miles away.  He smiles as he hits the links.
 Saint Peter looks at God and says, "I think this one needs to be taken care of."  God nods, and the assistant preacher drives the ball down the fairway, for a 420 yard hole-in-one!  Saint Peter is astonished. "Why did you do that?" he asks.  God raises his eyebrow.  "Who's he gonna tell?"
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Thanks to a friend:  WHAT IS A DAD!

Sonora Dodd, of Washington, first had the idea of a "father's day." She thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.
Sonora wanted a special day to honour her father, William Smart. Smart, who was a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state.
After Sonora became an adult she realized the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.
President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.
WHAT IS A DAD?
A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again. A dad is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes but instead lets you find your own way, even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt. A dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail... Dad, you're everything a dad should be and some.   By Susan Ceylise

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Thanks to WW750:  If Noah had to build the ark today

The Lord spoke to Noah and said, "In six months I am going to make it rain until the whole world is covered with water and all the evil things are destroyed.  But, I want to save a few good people and two of every living thing on the planet.  I am ordering you to build an ark."  And, in a flash of lightning, he delivered the specifications for the ark.
"OK," Noah said, trembling with fear and fumbling with the blueprints, "I'm your man."
Six months passed, the sky began to cloud up, and the rain began to fall in torrents.  The Lord looked down and saw Noah sitting in his yard, weeping, and there was no ark. "Noah!" shouted the Lord, "Where is My ark?"  A lightning bolt crashed into the ground right beside Noah.
"Lord, please forgive me!" begged Noah. "I did my best, but there were some big problems.  First, I had to get a building permit for the ark's construction, but Your plans did not meet their code.  So, I had to hire an engineer to redo the plans, only to get into a long argument with him about whether to include a sprinkler system.
 "My neighbors objected, claiming that I was violating zoning ordinances by building the ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning board.
Then, I had a big problem getting enough wood for the ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to save the spotted owl.  I tried to convince the environmentalists and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that I needed the wood to save the owls, but they wouldn't let me catch them, so no owls.
"Next, I started gathering up the animals but got sued by an animal rights group that objected to me taking along only two of each kind.
"Just when the suit got dismissed, the EPA notified me that I couldn't complete the ark without filling out an environmental impact statement on Your proposed flood. They didn't take kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the Supreme Being.
Then, the Corps of Engineers wanted a map of the proposed flood plan.  I sent them a globe!
"Right now, I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission over how many minorities I'm supposed to hire.
The IRS has seized all my assets claiming that I am trying to leave the country, and I just got a notice from the state that I owe some kind of use tax.
Really, I don't think I can finish the ark in less than five years."
 With that, the sky cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow arched across the sky.  Noah looked up and smiled. "You mean you are not going to destroy the world?" he asked hopefully.
 “No," said the Lord.  "The government already has."

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ANSWER:  The Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers -- The Twins moved to Minnesota from Washington, D.C. in 1961.  The newly created Washington Senators left in 1972 and moved to Arlington, Texas.

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Good Morning:  It's Tuesday June 19, 2001!
BIRTHDAYS:  Mathematician Blaise Pascal, 1623; Lou Gehrig, 1903; Alan Cranston, 1914; Abe Fortas, 1919; Gena Rowlands, 1936; Salmon Rushdie, 1947; Phylicia Rashad, 1948; Kathleen Turner, 1954; Paula Abdul, 1962.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
On this date in 1885 the Statue of Liberty arrived in the United States.
On this date in 1896 Besie Wallis Warfield was born.
On this date in 1910, inspired by YMCA worker Mrs. John Dodd, the United States celebrated the first Father's Day, three years after Mother's Day was first celebrated.
On this date in 1917 the royal British family adopted the name Windsor.
On this date in 1934 the Federal Communications Commission was created.
On this date in 1984 Michael Jordan was signed to the Chicago Bulls.
MEANINGLESS FACTS:  On June 19, 1978 "Bud" was the first tropical storm to be named after a male... The average winter temperature in Iceland is warmer than in Chicago... The energy it takes to melt a small iceberg could power a ship across the Atlantic about one hundred times.
TRIVIA:  What comic strip character made his first appearance on June 19, 1978?
     Larry Reeb raised a good point -- "They say the dog is man's best friend.  I don't believe that.  How many of your friends have you neutered?"  Food for thought, I guess.  Have a nice Tuesday!
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Thanks to JLLH:  A BETTER OFFER
During the wedding rehearsal, the groom approached the preacher with an unusual offer.
"Look, I'll give you $100 if you'll change the wedding vows.  When you get to me and the part where I'm to promise to "love, honor and cherish" and "forsaking all others, be faithful to her forever," I'd appreciate it if you'd just leave that part out."  He passed the minister a $100 bill and walked away satisfied.
It is now the day of the wedding, and the bride and groom have moved to that part of the ceremony where the vows are exchanged.  When it comes time for the groom's vows, the preacher looks the young man in the eye and says: "Will you promise to prostrate yourself before her, obey her every command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning of your life and vow eternally before God and your lovely wife that you will not ever even look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?"
The groom gulped and looked around, and said in a tiny voice, "Yes."
The groom leaned toward the preacher and hissed: "I thought we had a deal."
The preacher put the $100 bill into his hand and whispered back: "She made me a much better offer."
From day to day, we receive many offers from Satan (we call them "temptations").  Sometimes we're offered financial reward, sometimes pleasure or self-gratification.  And the offer may seem appealing unless we realize that God has made us a much better offer.
"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life....He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." (Revelation 2:10b-11).
If temptation makes you an offer today, I recommend you hold out for a better offer from God.
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Thanks to LBS:  "Running Red"
Got a notebook handy? Here's a neat way to make money if you're a local government. First, charge people for breaking the law. Second, make it next to impossible to avoid breaking that law.
That's what's happening with traffic lights around the country. Used to be that the yellow light -- the one that means "slow down unless you're already crossing the intersection anyway" -- lasted for about five seconds. But in 1985 that began to change, with the span of the yellow light often being snipped to just 3 seconds or so.
This trend accelerated as cameras began to be used more and more often to catch naughty drivers. These cameras are posted at intersections and snap instant mug shots of any driver who happens to cross a red light. The driver is then fined automatically.
Well, it seems that local governments have figured out that the fewer seconds the yellow light is allowed to shine, the more likely it is that people will run the red light. Which in turn increases the number of automatic fines you can collect. So over the years, more and more municipalities have been truncating the yellow light cycle. Critics claim they are doing so intentionally, to boost revenue.
The additional revenue can run into the millions. And that sure helps fund municipal budgets.
Just one problem: Making intersections more dangerous in order to get more revenue defeats the whole purpose of traffic rules. Governments shouldn't be rigging things so drivers run red lights, just so the bureaucrats can avoid red ink. This is Common Sense. I'm Paul Jacob.
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From Clarance Johnson bulletin, The SUSQUEHANNA SENTINEL.  To subscribe free of charge, please write to [email protected]
I AM MOST THANKFUL FOR...
When I was much younger, I was most thankful for my pretty red convertible, my good job, and my health. Over the years, however, I've seen the pretty red convertible get old and break down, several jobs come and go, and have had to pay much more attention to maintaining my health.
I am most thankful now for the things which endure. I am first thankful for God who loved me before I ever knew Him, and His Son whose actions have taught me what true love does. On this earth, I treasure most my relationships with people. To love and to be loved is truly one of life's great treasures.
I am thankful for Johnnie Williams, the elderly former deacon of the black Mt. Olive Baptist church. He left his family, his sectarian tradition, and crossed a broad and rigid color line because of his conviction of the truth, when he obeyed the gospel. He became, as it were, a man without a country in that small desert town. That was seven years ago. Johnnie is 75, has Alzheimer's, doesn't always recognize me, and often forgets. Two weeks ago somebody tried to kill him by setting his apartment on fire with him in it. He escaped with his life, his faith, and nothing more.
I was thinking of Johnnie tonight when I led the song "What a Friend We Have In Jesus". That's Johnnie's favorite hymn. I remember him confiding in me during the week following his baptism, confessing how frightened he had become of his own people because he had gone over to "the white man's church". I remember how frightened he was that first time he attended the services of the Lord's Church, not knowing what kind of reception he would find. I will never forget how courageously he stood before that congregation during his first monthly singing with us and led that song. None of us had ever heard it sung the way Johnnie led it that night. He did it with soul -- from the very core. It was the most beautiful hymn I had ever heard.
I'm so thankful for the favor of sharing the gospel with such a noble soldier of the cross. He has taught me so much more than I can tell. Tonight, when you go to God on behalf of all those near to you, please save a moment or two to remember your brother Johnnie Williams of Brawley CA. He is worthy. I thank God for him.  --Douglas R. Clevenger

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ANSWER:  Jim Davis' "Garfield" purred his way into our hearts.

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Good Morning:  It's Wednesday June 20, 2001!
BIRTHDAYS:  Errol Flynn, 1909; Chet Atkins, 1924; Audie Murphy, 1924; Danny Aiello, 1933; Brian Wilson, 1942; Anne Murray, 1945; Lionel Richie, 1949; John Goodman, 1952.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
On this date in 1756 over one hundred British prisoners suffocated at the Black Hole of Calcutta.  One hundred forty-six British soldiers were placed in a tiny dungeon that was so crowded only twenty-three survived the night.  The governor of Bengal, Narwab Suraj ad Dawlah, had ordered his army to overtake the East India Company's garrison in Calcutta to protest Great Britain's expansion into India.
On this date in 1782 The Great Seal of the United States was adopted by Congress.
On this date in 1837 Victoria became Queen of England.
On this date in 1863 the National Bank of Philadelphia was the first bank chartered by Congress.
On this date in 1893 Lizzie Borden was acquitted in the murder trial of her parents.  Perhaps you recall the little ditty that became popular (again) when Elizabeth Montgomery played Lizzie a few years ago on TV:  "Lizzie Borden took an ax./ Gave her mother forty whacks./  When she saw what she had done./  She gave her father forty-one."
In 1895 Caroline Baldwin became the first woman to earn a doctor of science degree, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
On this date in 1993 the Chicago Bulls became the first team to win three successive NBA championships in twenty-seven years.
MEANINGLESS FACTS:  Ida May Fuller of Vermont was the first person to receive a Social Securit check.  She got it in 1940 and lived to be over 100, eventually collecting more than $20,000... Princess Margaret's divorce from Lord Snowdown in May of 1978 took all of 53 seconds to finalize and cost a total of $29... Judy Rankin was the first professional female golfer to earn  more than $100,000 in a single season.
TRIVIA:  Who is the only person to appear on "TV Guide's" cover three weeks in a row?
     Errol Flynn, birthday-boy, said, "My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income."  Many have that trouble... On with the real material!
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Thanks to a friend for an old favorite:
A family altar can alter a family.
A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
Exercise daily. Walk with the Lord!
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
Give God what's right, not what's left!
Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts"!
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
Having truth decay? Brush up on your Bible!
He who angers you, controls you!
He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
He who kneels before God can stand before anyone!
Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity.
Never give the devil a ride! He will always want to drive!
Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.
Prayer - Don't give God instructions - just report for duty!
The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
To be almost saved is to be totally lost.
Watch your step carefully! Everyone else does!
We don't change the message, the message changes us.
Worry is the darkroom in which "negatives" are developed.
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Here's one from a real poet!  Thanks to LBS:
ONLY A HUMAN
 
I was only a human being-----
Nothing special about me at all,
Except one thing stands out in my life-----
I heard the Savior’s loving call.
He didn’t speak to me directly;
From His written word it came.
The first thing His word said to me
Was to believe in His holy name.
Believe that He is the son of God,
That He is Lord of lords and King of kings.
Then it said to repent of my sins----
A complete change of life repentance brings.
Then it said that I’m to confess Him;
To glorify His name among men.
Then it told me to be immersed
To wash away my ev’ry sin.
But then it said, “That isn’t all”.
That I must live my life dedicated to Him.
That my light must shine for others to see;
And never to allow the flame to grow dim.
It told me if I’d obey His ev’ry command,
It would tell the world of my love;
Then, when I depart this wayfaring land,
I’ll live with Him in heaven above.
(Now I’m special, a child of God)
 
        By L. B. Strawn
        June 8, 2001
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Thanks to JLLH:  WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE.....
A young man who was an avid golfer found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon.  He figured if he hurried and played very fast, he could get in 9 holes before he had to head home.  Just as he was about to tee off, an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany the young man as he was golfing alone.  Not being able to say no, he allowed the old gent to join him.  To his surprise the old man played fairly quickly. He didn't hit the ball far, but plodded along consistently and didn't waste much time.
 Finally, they reached the 9th fairway and the young man found himself with a tough shot.  There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball - and directly between his ball and the green.  After several minutes of debating how to hit the shot the old man finally said, "You know, when I was your age I'd hit the ball right over that tree."
 With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk and it thudded back on the ground not a foot from where it had originally lay.
 The old man offered one more comment, "Of course, when I was your age, that pine tree was only 3 feet tall."
 There are a lot of things that we could do when we were younger that, for whatever reason, we may not be able to do now.  But then again, there are some things we can do now that we couldn't do when we were younger.
 "The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head." (Proverbs 20:29).
 Those who are younger should use their strength and enthusiasm to serve God, while those who are older should make use of their experience and wisdom. Together, what a great team they make!
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From a friend:  The Flight...
Terri asked her Sunday School class to draw pictures of their favorite Bible stories. She was puzzled by Kyle's
picture, which showed four people on an airplane, so she asked him which story it was meant to represent.
"The flight to Egypt," said Kyle.
"I see ... And that must be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus,"
Ms. Terri said. "But who's the fourth person?"
"Oh, that's Pontius-the Pilot.
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ANSWER:  Michael Landon, 1991.
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