Thank you for visiting today to read my wandering and Random Thinking. Hugs.

In British Columbia, Canada there are many forest fires currently. Some people are on evacuation alert, some people are already evacuated. The people in larger centres are safe but in some smaller towns in the interior there has been devastation and loss of homes. The firefighters are working hard, and long days.

Every day I check the weather and I hope for rain. I hope for a rain that will bring relief and last for days not only for British Columbia but also for the Americans who live south and face the same heat and fears we do.

As always, whether we face issues of weather or something else – let’s go forward even if it means small steps, even if we waddle. – David

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Definition of Waddle: walk with short steps and a clumsy swaying motion.

Penguins waddle. You have probably watched penguins as I have, smiled a little as you watched them waddle. They have short legs, and live on ice. If you lived on ice and weren’t wearing cleats then you’d be wise to choose to waddle also.

Waddling prevents injuries and falls. Small steps are still forward. ☻

Not only do penguins waddle , but a group of penguins is called a colony, or a waddle if they are on land. A group of penguins on the water is called a raft.

Perhaps there is a lesson for me from penguins – whether I waddle on land (go slow and steady for progress) to prevent a fall or injury or whether I join up with other penguins to form a raft and float in peace and float with company ♥

Nice and easy does it – Waddle On.

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Best Speech Moment Ever – 1912

Since 2006 I have been a member of Toastmasters. I regularly give speeches and presentations at my Toastmasters Club. I have also had the confidence to speak in other occasions which meant to me personally much more. But I can’t compete with Teddy.

I doubt any professional or amateur speaker ever seized their audience’s attention as well as Teddy Roosevelt did in 1912.

Teddy’s first speech sentence was possibly overlooked which was “Friends, I shall ask you to be as quiet as possible.”

But his second sentence definitely had their attention: I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot.

Many speakers have trouble keeping their audience’s attention, but the audience for Teddy Roosevelt was rapt when he took off his jacket and his white shirt was bloody for all to see.

Teddy showed his damaged speech notes (seen below) and his eyeglass container to the photographers and the crowd.

I don’t know whether it was because he was a politician (and gave long speeches) or whether it was because he wore glasses but the combination saved his life; even if the bullet remained lodged in him for the rest of his life.

October 14, 1912 Teddy’s failed assassin shot him with a Colt Revolver a mere 5 feet from his chest. Nicknamed Bull Moose because of his physique, the bullet stopped in muscle due to two other factors; the folded over 50 pages of speech notes and the steel eyeglass case.

Best speech moment ever ? Possibly – I don’t think many politicians will copy him though.♦

Read more here

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Wings – Mamunia – click here to see it on Youtube, a delightful ditty, ♥

It might have been a bright blue day
But rainclouds had to come this way
They're watering everything that they can see

A seed is waiting in the earth
For rain to come and give him birth
It's all he really needs to set him free

So the next time you see rain it ain't bad
Don't complain, it rains for you

So lay down your umbrellas
Strip off your plastic macs
You've never felt the rain my friend
'Till you've felt it running down your back

So the next time you see rain, it ain't bad
Don't complain, it rains for you
The next time you see L.A. rainclouds
Don't complain, it rains for you and me

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See you next time ♥ David

An amazing gift is an unexpected message from a dear friend – Those type of friends inspire.

Friends.

Friends are a treasure that never tarnish.

Friends can surprise us with unexpected generosity.

Friendship that is sincere doesn’t diminish.

If you have friends like this – You are a friend like that. –

♥ Thank you to my special friends, and your always welcome messages. – Dave