I don’t often re-blog other bloggers work however I felt this post’s message was special – I hope you enjoy it as I did.
Please discover for yourself – using the link below. ♥♥♥
I know I am truly fortunate to have the family and friends I do have in my life. – David
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Click HERE to visit Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men 2.0
Thank you sincerely for visiting my blog today – David
When I started this blog I thought it would be like those astronomers who broadcast a radio signal and hoping for a signal back from the cosmos. It turns out that the blogging cosmos is filled with wonderful and amazing people and they communicate !
Thankfully I have been encouraged by the kind followers here who visit and comment. (Suggestions are always welcome). My huge thanks to those marvelous people.
Winter Solstice has just passed and up until now the weather has been fairly mild. We have had two dumps of snow of a foot or so each time and only a few roads are icy. The temperatures have rarely gone below minus 12 Celsius though.
That’s all about to change. Since winter has officially arrived Mother Nature has decided to make sure we know it by bringing minus 24 weather next week plus wind chill. I hope it doesn’t last too long.
Today the temperature was plus 3 and I managed to sneak in a short bike ride before the roads got too slick after sunset.
We will dress warm for it and be fine. Maybe the cooler temperatures will assist in burning off some of the delicious Christmas baking, like Nanaimo bars, (click for the recipe) a Canadian invention. For medicinal purposes of course. ♥♥♥
Today I will share a variety of my photos from the last month. All are taken here in Penticton. I hope you will enjoy.
Merry Christmas ! – David
A recommendation if you have Netflix: Netflix’s Christmas special (30 minutes long) of Shaun the Sheep ! ( see photo below)
This post is a continuation of the Call Me Skywalker category/series – if you go to the category on the right hand margin of my blog, you find it close to the top– if you go there, you can see the list by clicking on that choice.
Click HERE to go to the beginning to meet the characters.
In the last chapter we found out two men are watching Sophie’s apartment but they are tired of waiting.
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They had been watching for longer than a week. The two men had been alternating in watching Sophie’s apartment on the watch for Luke. Luke was the Achilles heel according their information, if they have him then Sophie will cooperate in treason.
Time was running out because they wanted to use Luke to coerce Sophie into sharing Navy information about the next voyage of the U.S.S. Nautilus affectionately called Anglefish by her sailors. She was latest, swiftest and most stealthy of all the US navy’s nuclear cruise submarines and Sophie had been an engineer in her engine room.
Simon was one of the men watching and he was about to explode from waiting. He was tired of being cramped in a car.
In the last two weeks when he wasn’t in the car he would go and be at his father’s bedside at his hospice. But he didn’t need to do that anymore. Unfortunately. He hammered the seat with his fist.
He didn’t need to go because he would never see his father again. He would have paid anything to spend another ten minutes with his Dad in that hospice place. He hated this job, the people he worked for. They had stolen time from him, time he could have had with his Dad at the end but the people worked for were ruthless.
He wanted to punch someone and his job was going to give him the opportunity. He felt like his fuse was lit, and it was just a matter of time.
Up above, the curtain in Sophie’s window twitched again. Simon noticed immediately. She was looking out the window steadily now. Was this Luke coming? They knew Luke rode a bike and not much else.
Simon’s partner had left, but would be back soon but Simon could handle one man without help.
In case Luke was coming soon, Simon quickly exited the car and headed for the shadow in the bushes near the entrance of the building. He could see the front entrance from there and yet not be seen by anyone inside.
He stood there silently in the bushes, and the darkness. The rain was cold and ran down his neck. Cold and invisibly down his back, dripping dripping and it suited his mood.
There was an arrival at the building, but it was only delivery of take out food. Simon could hear the girl buzz Sophie’s apartment – she was coming down to get the food and pay at the entrance.
Simon was unsure now. Was Sophie watching for the meal delivery or for Luke? Was this another wasted day? Only 48 hours of time left or the whole deal was off. He clutched his fist and waited, and watched.
Sophie paid, and stood at the entrance for a few minutes and left. She seemed to be peering down the road.
Suddenly from his hiding spot, he spotted a light on the bike path. It had to be him, Luke – his target at last.
Luke rode up to the entrance and dismounted. The rain had energized him along with his excitement of seeing Sophie after all those workshifts at the hospice. He had been there ten days without leaving in order to protect his patients from risk from pandemic exposure.
The rider turned off his bike light, and removed his helmet. He was startled to see a large man appear out of the darkness near the building entrance.
The entrance light shone brightly on Simon’s face as he approached. The bike rider stared at his face.
“Simon?, Is that you?”
Simon paused the fist he had begun to lift from his side.
Why does this man know who I am? he wondered.
“Simon, I am sure it’s you, remember me? Skywalker? Your Dad loved my nickname. I met you while you were visiting your father, Alexander. You were so kind to your Dad, and he died peacefully thanks to you being there. You were an awesome son and helped him pass. You even look like him.”
Luke is Skywalker ! Simon realized. He peered over his shoulder, his partner was not back.
Simon grabbed Luke and dragged him into the bushes, covering his mouth and whispering in his ear “stay here and wait, be quiet.” Then he grabbed Luke’s bike and moved it into hiding also.
Skywalker was too tired and too surprised to protest. Simon returned and whispered to him urgently. “Shhh! Listen ! Listen ! Your girlfriend Sophie is in danger!
Luke/Skywalker nodded his head – What the H double hockey stick is going on?
Simon quickly explained the situation, and why he was there, which was basically to force Sophie to commit treason by assaulting Luke and threatening her they would do more.
Simon couldn’t do it now though. This Skywalker was his father’s nurse. He had given his father pain free days, he had cleaned him up, helped him shower, and made his last days easier, pleasant even. If he hurt Skywalker, he would be betraying his father, and he knew that was something he would not do, could not ever do.
When Simon was not there, he knew Skywalker had been a substitute member of the family. Skywalker held Simon’s father’s hand and listening to Paul McCartney who was his Dad’s favorite musician. Skywalker was a fan also. They even sang Picasso’s Last Words together with a smile.
Simon had to come up with a plan so Sophie and Luke would be hidden for the next 48 hours. But he had only seconds to do so before his partner returned.
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The rain comes falling from the sky
To fill the stream that fills the sea
And that’s where life began for you and me
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
Mamunia Mamunia Mamunia
Oh oh oh
Mamunia Mamunia
Oh oh oh oh
Thank you for visiting “Life and Random Thinking“. Today I was chatting with a special friend and this short story series came to my mind. I challenged myself to add another chapter, although they aren’t really chapters because they are very short. LOL
This post is a continuation of the Call Me Skywalker category/series – if you go to the category on the right hand margin of my blog, you find it close to the top– if you go there, you can see the list by clicking on that choice.
Click HERE to go to the beginning to meet the characters and the lead up to today.
Or use this link to go to the beginning ♥♥: https://dfolstad58.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/call-me-skywalker/
If you only read today’s post, not only will you break my heart – but you will miss out on what I think is a sweet albeit sad beginning that evolved into a fun relationship between Sophie and Luke. ♥
A super brief synopsis to today’s post.
The title character is Luke. Luke’s nickname is “Skywalker”. Luke is a nurse and he cared for Stella until she died, they bonded. Stella’s daughter was away and could not be with her Mom when she was dying. Stella wanted her daughter to meet Luke and hoped they would be a couple.
Now Sophie (Stella’s daughter) is Luke’s boyfriend, but it looks like there is danger on the horizon.
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Sophie had spotted someone with binoculars in a car and it looked like they were watching her. When she looked a half hour later, the vehicle was gone but she still felt uneasy. Her work with the navy’s submarines had aspects that were classified.
It always seemed ironic to her that her interest in science had lead her to a field below the water surface when she had never learned to swim despite growing up in Hawaii.
Sophie hoped Luke was going to take a day off soon, he had been working too many days in a row.
As if the phone could read her thoughts, it rang and the call display showed it was Luke.
“Sophie, sweetie – remember me?”
Sophie pretended she didn’t recognize the voice ” the voice does sound familiar, maybe if you talk a little more then I will remember your name?”
Luke said ” I know Sophie, I am sorry, I have working a lot. How would you like if I pick up something to eat, and we have dinner and binge some Netflix together? Can I come over?”
“I will order the food honey, “, she cooed over the phone, “you just drive yourself safely over here, and we can relax, I can’t wait to see you. Be careful. “
“It’s a deal“, Luke grinned, “See you in twenty minutes” and he hung up feeling a burst of excitement.
Both in Luke’s car and in Sophie’s apartment the radio played the same song “Looking Out for No.1” by Bachman Turner Overdrive. (lyrics below)
Sophie’s Mom, Stella, used to tell her to remember the advice they give on planes “ Remember to put on your own oxygen mask first, and then take care of your loved ones.” Not exactly what Randy Bachman meant in his song, but a catchy tune regardless.
Sophie knew that Stella would have put the mask on her first though; and Sophie would give her oxygen to Luke – her heart belonged to him.
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Every day is an endless train
You got to ride it to the end of the line
Be a trouble shooter, blow the bad luck away
And you will make it to your station on time
And you’ll find out every trick in the book
And that’s there’s only one way to get things done
You’ll find out the only way to the top is looking out for #1
I mean you keep looking out for #1
Every night is a different game
We got to work for our fortune and fame
Success is a ladder, take a step at a time
And the people will remember your name
Yes, I found out all the tricks of the trade
And that’s there’s only one way you’re gonna get things done
I found out the only way to the top is looking out for #1
And that’s me, I’m looking out for #1
Neither of them knew it was an omen.
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The two men in the parked car watching Sophie’s apartment were tired and stiff; the one in the driver’s seat stretched and took a sip of coffee. He was watching for Luke, and had been waiting over a week, and was itching to take out his frustration with his fists. His colleague was there to make sure he didn’t, the first message to Sophie via her boyfriend was to be non-violent, or nearly so.
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Hello (Hola!) and thank you for reading “Life and Random Thinking” today.
The “King” was the nickname given to Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock n’ Roll”. Elvis’s life story is quite interesting. He was born in 1935 in the state of Mississippi and was an only child.
The start of his life was in poverty. In 1953, at the age of 18 he was driving a truck. Elvis paid $4 to record a song for his Mom on a record (they were very close) at Sun Studio in Memphis. He recorded two songs, one per side, “My Happiness” and “That’s Where Your Heartaches Begin”.
My parents bought me a turntable as a gift when I was teenager, and included a record – It was an Elvis Presley record ” Separate Ways”.
So many wonderful songs that Elvis did, and loved so many – a tragedy that he died aged 42.
But what I want to talk to you about is some of his songs, the lyrics you may know already.
Think back to when you were dating (or maybe you are still dating).
I am going to list below three songs plus provide links in case you haven’t heard the songs in awhile.
I am hoping you will comment which relates to your dating experience OR share a song title (I will check it out!). PLEASE PLAY ♥
Song #1 – ” Don’t Be Cruel “
You know I can be found sittin’ home all alone
If you can’t come around a least please telephone
Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true
Baby if I made you mad for somethin’ I might have said
Please let’s forget the past the future looks bright ahead
Don’t be cruel I got a heart so true
I don’t want no other love honey it’s just you I’m thinkin’ of
Let’s walk up to the preacher and let us say I do
Link to song here – this video was from 1957, just 4 years later from the record to his Mom, he is on the Ed Sullivan show and Elvis was a bit shy, and still humble.
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Song #2 – It’s Now or Never
It’s now or never
Come, hold me tight
Kiss me, my darling (Ooh)
Be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late (Ah, ah, ah)
It’s now or never (Ooh)
My love won’t wait
When I first saw you
With your smile so tender
My heart was captured
My soul surrendered
I’ve spent a lifetime
Waiting for the right time
Now that you’re near
The time is here, at last
Here is a link to hear this song – this video is cool, the song plays while it shows Elvis in army uniform, he joined the army in March 1958 and spent time in Germany (in between making movies in the USA) and that is where he met his wife, Priscilla.
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Song #3 – I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell
I look at you and wham
I’m head over heels
I guess that love
Is a banana peel
I feel so bad and yet
I’m feeling so well
I slipped, I stumbled, I fell
One crazy kiss and bam
I head for the skies
I guess that love
Is like a cake of ice
You skate along but then
You never can tell
Here is the link for this song, which is a super short song and the video is from one of his movies. Elvis had the handsome looks, some women would even put on lipstick to watch him in his movies. In this one minute short, he is supposedly driving a truck and trying to win over the gal, who seems unimpressed (at first). ♥ The movie was called “Wild In The Country”
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Thanks for visiting and I am looking forward to hearing from you. Hats off to a special blog I follow which inspired today’s post. – David
Welcome and thank you for visiting “Life and Random Thinking” today.
Fun challenge first: Name this song ♥ – One of my “all time favorites !)
If I ever get out of here
Thought of giving it all away
To a registered charity
All I need is a pint a day
If I ever get outta here
(If we ever get outta here)
Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash
As we fell into the sun
And the first one said to the second one there
“I hope you’re having fun”
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The title of this post is ” I need a hand” because I am working on a Pathway Project which is the learning program through Toastmasters.
What is Toastmasters? The answer is in this link here (5 second read)
What is a Pathway project? The answer is in this link here (5 second read)
My speech this week for Toastmasters is report on this blog, and the purpose of this speech is to enhance my “social presence in relation to my being a Toastmaster vis-a-vis my blog. ”
What I would like is for my dear reading friends is three quick things:
With your help ♥ tomorrow I can show my fellow Toastmasters that some people have done these things then I think I can say I met my project goal and report I was successful. ♥
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A Brief explanation of Why and When I became a Toastmaster
I have been a member of Toastmasters since 2006. Most people who knew me probably never thought I needed help in speaking. However speaking in front of a group of people, and speaking well and being comfortable doing so are two totally different things.
I became a Toastmaster to avoid those um’s, ah’s and so’s we all hear from people unused to speaking in front of a group. I also felt better expressing my opinion in meetings and teaching at work.
In my personal life though is where I felt Toastmasters really helped me. I was able to speak at funerals of family members, my last gift to them. I was able to be a better library board member because I felt more comfortable speaking up. I was able to give a Toast at my daughter’s wedding.
Of course, I am still nervous but now I don’t have the regret at these events because I can overcome my reticence. I don’t walk away disappointed with myself, instead I am happy I can contribute and say what is in my heart and mind.
The opportunities seem to open up on their own, when people know you are a Toastmaster – from people asking you to be the Master of Ceremonies at a wedding, to being a supervisor at work leading a group of people. In fact, the world wide motto of Toastmasters International is “Where Leaders Are Made” and that’s because schools and universities teach us many wonder things, but not how to speak, listen, or give positive feedback.
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Some recent photos I want to share next and express my “thank you” also.
Thank you !
Life and Random Thinking 