Life and Random Thinking

Valentine’s Day Poll – take the poll !

Posted on February 4, 2012 by dfolstad58

Valentine’s Day is nearly here. Are you looking forward to it? I have mixed feelings about Cupid’s day. It is kind of sweet, and I enjoyed it as a kid making cards for the other kids in my class. I remember filling them all in and we had valentines we could give to all our friends, boys and girls in our class. Innocent, and cute.

It would great if we could keep that kind of Valentine’s Day now that we are adults. As adults we work with and like (hopefully) most of the folks we speak with on an almost daily basis. We enjoy our inter-actions with them and they add to our lives.

Shouldn’t that be enough for a Valentine’s day card? It says ” I like you and want you to know it” That should be enough. That was enough when we were just kids.

Image via Wikipedia

Now Valentine’s Day makes some people depressed because they are single and it just depresses them with others pushing the romantic Valentine Day is just for the romantic theme.

I would give a Valentine Day card to everyone in my family, my wife, son, daughter, son in law. I have special friends, and family that I appreciate and it feels good to express that.

I would give co workers, and friends a Valentine Day card also to say thanks for brightening my every day, and you make my life better.

Who else has thoughts about Valentine’s Day?

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Posted in Thinking Out loud | Tagged Valentine's Day | Leave a comment

Accepting Graciously..

Posted on February 2, 2012 by dfolstad58

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Today I was pleasantly surprised by unexpected compliments. I didn’t know what to say. I am not sure who told me about graciously accepting a compliment, but I remember what I always tell people when they find it hard to accept one. I tell them “it’s a gift…just a graciously accept it.” Today, I decided quickly to follow my own advice, and just accept the unexpected, and kind words.

How nice it is to be appreciated, and thanked. I find it sad, or perhaps merely disappointing that sometimes people are surprised when they are complimented or thanked for the work that they do.

I hope soon that you will be pleasantly surprised by someone who takes the time to tell you “thank you” or give you a compliment. Accept it graciously.

Some of the most important, and memorable lessons of our lives we learn are before we attend any classes or school. I think that being taught manners by my parents and grandparents are some of those lessons.

I remember my grandmother teaching me “please” and “thank you”, while visiting her when I was knee high. Thanks Baba, for the lessons, and the memories.

Posted in family, Thinking Out loud, Uncategorized | Tagged compliment, compliments, manners | 1 Comment

WordPress – Photoblogs – Two to check out!

Posted on January 31, 2012 by dfolstad58

Bellefonte, PA – Colin Gallagher – Guest Photographer.

Here is a link to a blog site that posts awesome photo’s. This is one that I especially enjoyed. It is the color mix of gold, green and light. Especially nice is that in addition to the photograph you also have the story behind the picture by the photographer. Thank you Colin! and PhotoBotos.com

http://angeladehenry.wordpress.com/

Bali is somewhere I would love to visit. This blog has beautiful pictures that have lots of personality. If you are thinking of rice terraces, bright colors, and delicious Indonesian food – then this will transport you all the way there.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Angela Henry, Bali, Bellefonte Pennsylvania, Colin Gallagher, Photoblog, PhotoBotos.com | Leave a comment

Keeping it all in Perspective

Posted on January 29, 2012 by dfolstad58

Day 633: One of those days | Good Deed A Day.

I think in the future I would like to provide links to other blogs on a regular basis. This link (above) has a simple message; but one worth remembering.

I liked this blog post and hope you do too, the message is not “watch your step” although that it always a good idea.

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Speaking of “good ideas-I received this email today ~ will post it for the gals especially.

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the Kentucky back country.As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions.

I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends.And as I played ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothin’ like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”

Apparently I’m still lost…. it’s a man thing

Posted in humor, Thinking Out loud, Uncategorized | Tagged asking directions, bagpipes, racoon, typical man | Leave a comment

Knocking Heads

Posted on January 29, 2012 by dfolstad58

How is that for a title?

What does it make you think of? Perhaps you are thinking of someone that you don’t get along with…someone that you always seem to be battling against. That person you disagree with without trying.

It is possible to see it that way; but when I thought of this post it was caused by a totally different inspiration.

My inspiration was more of “head bump” so the title is misleading. I was inspired by the little “head bump” I often receive when I climb into bed to hug my wife, Sue, before I go to sleep.

In the dark there seems to be the inevitable “head bump” which always makes me laugh. Chuckling I guess because we both have hard heads. Chuckling, because after nearly 32 years; little things like that about us still makes me smile.

I hope you “knock heads” with someone like I do; and it makes you chuckle also. It’s a good way to go to sleep at night; …..rubbing your forehead; and …. grinning.

I hope you “like” this post.

Posted in family, humor, Thinking Out loud | Tagged heart medicine, hug | Leave a comment

Sometimes When We Write

Posted on January 23, 2012 by dfolstad58

Back at the keyboard again and I have a great idea based on some photographs. But what do I do when people see a blog post that seems philosophical and then think that I am depressed or at least thoughtful. Worry not- I am just blogging! Look ahead soon for some cool pictures on paths ~ but don’t worry I am not depressed, just trying to be “provoking”.

BTW – there are lots of different blogs out there to discover (do you have one?) and here is one creative Winnipeg blog that you may like! He seems to like one of my favorite tv shows- can you guess?

His blog is called Eye Opening Design ~ click and check his blog.

http://stevendownie.wordpress.com/

What next?

The above picture is in Rome, we had a great vacation and we were posing while waiting at the Coliseum to do a tour. It was a wonderful holiday because it was family all together and I will never forget sharing it with my family. I never thought I would visit Rome and so it was pretty amazing the whole experience of being there with Sue, Mandy & Dave. I am sure glad we went.

This youtube link is thanks to Mandy! Thanks Mandy for making me smile, and so much more.Love your proud Dad

This animated cat had us laughing at Christmas this year, and the video meow made Africa (the world’s best cat ever!) look around the house trying to find the other cat.