And Now You Know

As the 13th generation since the pilgrims takes control of the mightiest country alive today, America the Super Power is quietly fading away. Japan has also quietly been making itself a financial lean, mean, fighting machine. They have not experienced any of the serious Wall Street shakeups that American companies have. While our nation woos and courts the known failure of communism and the upcoming administration of unproven leadership, Japan is traveling in another direction and is experiencing strong economic turnarounds. They do not have the personal freedoms that we have in most of our States but apparently they are financially very stable.

Kenichi Watanabe
One case of their financial stability is that of Chief Executive Kenichi Watanabe, head of Japan’s biggest brokerage Nomura Holdings. He has bought the ailing Lehman Brothers for a reported $200 million. Also, happily, 8,000 of the former Lehman workers are being integrated into the Nomura workforce. An article I read in my last issue of Forbes magazine (January 12th, pages 94 & 96, “Is Wall Street Going To Teach Nomura A Lesson?”) said Mr. Watanabe is giving himself three years to stabilize things.

Stockholders, of course, want a quicker return. My fingers are crossed that it can happen at a much faster pace.

There’s also the case of Eizo Kobayashi, President and CEO of ITOCHU Corporation (page S-16 “On The Record“). ITOCHU Corporation is celebrating its 150th anniversary. They are Japan’s sogo shosha (general trading company), diverse conglomerates of business around the globe. I agree with what Mr. Kobayashi is quoted as saying in the article, “[Our] job is to develop the very best people - regardless of age, gender, race or nationality.” American companies could learn a lot from this gentleman. It’s the work that needs to be done and your work ethic that matters, not anything else. That’s the way it should be.

Part of the problem with trying to run a successful business in modern America is there is way too much government interference. If the government would just get out of the way, our economy would be more stable. The US government (both parties) by definition is anti-business, especially concerning small business. But that's another post.

And there are other financially healthy Japanese corporations profiled in this weeks magazine.

Well, if anyone can survive the next economically volatile years, it will be the Japanese. As one who watches the Stock Market daily, I find this as very encouraging news.

Maybe we should all be learning to speak Japanese?

Knowledge is power and now you know.


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Funny Friday - Calvin and Hobbes

Calvin And Hobbes

One of my favorite newspaper cartoons that I read almost daily is Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. It's been in syndication since 1985.

The strip follows the richly imaginative adventures of a little boy named Calvin and his trusty tiger, Hobbes. The tiger is actually a stuffed toy belonging to Calvin. Whether a poignant look at serious family issues or a round of time-travel (with the aid of a well-labeled cardboard box) the two have many adventures together. I know it always brightens my day to remember how much fun it was to be a kid. C&H is a real delight to read.


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It Has Been One Of Those Days

Do you ever have one of those days when nothing seems to get done? When you feel like your wheels are hanging up in the air and you can't move? I'm having one of those days. I'm usually a very productive person. True, we finally had a deep tub type sink from Lowe's installed in our old laundry room but I had to pay someone to install it. This is so frustrating. We both know how to plumb, do electricals, work with wood, install phone lines, performed shade tree mechanics, etc. but because of our collective physical limitations, we must rely on others to achieve such results. [sigh] Aw well, no point in looking back. I still feel very blessed and am oh so thankful for everything.

But like I said, I wasn't getting anything done today. I've worn quite a fanny groove in my recliner nursing this &*(^% ailing neck.

Then my usually very unfunny father-in-law sent us a good e-mail.

It went thusly:

ENLIGHTENED!

I became confused when I heard these terms with reference to the word 'service'.
Internal Revenue 'Service'
U.S. Postal 'Service'
Telephone 'Service'
Cable 'Service'
Civil 'Service'
Customer 'Service'
State, City & County Public 'Service'

This is not what I thought 'service' meant. But today, I overheard two farmers talking, and one of them said he had hired a bull to 'service' a few cows. BAM!!! It all came into focus. Now I understand what all those 'service' agencies are doing to us.


Now I get it!! And I hope you are as enlightened as I am! [lol]



Now that THAT is cleared up ... you'll never think of 'service' in the same manner.

Well, maybe tomorrow will be more productive.

Perhaps the surgeon will call me about my upcoming neck surgery. Then I can go see him and make final arrangements for pain relief.

And I'm scheduled to meet with a fence guy. We're having some of the field fence that encircles our 7 acres redone, at least down by the dirt road. A post about that to follow. The new fence is gonna be so cool!

And now that you're totally bored with my doin's I'll let you go. Hey, a country girl has to have something to look forward too other than watching the caulk dry around my new sink. [grin]

'Bye now!


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YouTube Video Of Robbie Maddison

Oh my goodness! Y'all have got to see this YouTube video! Sweetie shared the video below of Robbie Maddison where he achieves the impossible, jumping his motorcycle to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at the Paris Las Vegas. Then he came down the same way! It's truly amazing.


December 31, 2008
Is this guy nuts or WHAT!!?

And NO I am not going to attempt this on my V-Strom! [lol]


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My Simpson's Personality Test

Alrighty then, so, my bloggy friend Cynthia at Muse-Swings had one of these Personality Tests thingy's at her blog, and I just had to try one! Monkey See, Monkey Do (that's me)!

Here's my results ...

You Are Mr. Burns

Okay, so you're evil... You have big plans to rule the world, and you'll destroy it in the process if necessary! You will be remembered for: the exploitation of the masses. Life philosophy: "One dollar for eternal happiness? I'd be happier with the dollar."

The Simpsons Personality Test

Well that was enlightening! And a little troubling since I am an Accountant ... don't you think?!? [roflol] Now you'll go into work Monday and look askance at all your Bookkeepers and Comptrollers. Hmmmm .... maybe that's actually a good idea ...

Anyway, I enjoy visiting Blogthings website. It has so many funny 'tests'. And can be quite revealing.

Have a great Sunday y'all!

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In God's Loving Care

Carolina Wren

The Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a common species of wren resident in the eastern half of the USA, the extreme south of Ontario and Quebec, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. A distinct population in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and Belize is treated either as a subspecies Thryothorus ludovicianus albinucha, or as a separate species, White-browed Wren Thryothorus albinucha. Following a 2006 review[1], these are the only wrens remaining in the genus Thryothorus. T. ludovicianus is the state bird of South Carolina; its specific name ludovicianus means "from Louisiana". Wikipedia

We have a 'pet' Carolina Wren or two living at our home. This little darling sleeps on our open front porch almost every evening. I delight in its song as night falls for Carolina Wren is one of my favorites (after the Cardinal, of course!). I find this so pleasurable that I don't even care about the leavings that must be cleaned off the porch. He's keeping all those nasty bugs off our porch! Every Spring for many years now, a nesting pair have raised at least one brood in our open carport. I have purposely secured baskets on the walls to ease their yearly nesting dilemma. I want them safe and out of the reach of predators.

We have no less than four squirrel proof feeders with bird baths that encircle our home, so that no matter what time of day, one may look out and watch our little 'friends'. There are nesting boxes artfully scattered around our 7 acres for the local Bluebirds, Chickadees, Titmouse, Great Crested Flycatcher, etc. They are all such a comfort to watch and hear. We also have Purple Martins. It's always sad when they leave.

One of our all time favorite hobbies is the coastal migratory bird watching. Every January and February, we trek to the wilds of southeastern Georgia with photographic equipment and binoculars in hands to do just this. I may not get to go this year because of a persistent neck ailment.

The way in which I enjoy caring for our Georgia wildlife, reminds me how much God must enjoy caring for us, His children, if we only let Him. He loves us so much and proved it on the cross at Galilee. Most of the time, we probably don't even realize that it is His care that has protected us. I have a desiccated disk and a ruptured disk in my neck. The learned doctors my insurance company is paying good money for are discussing surgery. I know in my heart that God is laying out a path for me that I must travel if I want to be pain free. I know that all will be well, no matter what the outcome, because of Him and His care. Jesus is our refuge and the great caregiver. His feeders are never empty, He will keep me from the reach of predators and there will be a nest in which to rest when weary.

Mockingbird Nest

"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against you shall be ashamed and confounded. They shall be as nothing. They that strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and shall not find them that contend with you. They that war against you shall be as nothing." Psalm 41:10-13 KJV

I feel so blessed that our loving Lord Jesus cares for someone as insignificant as little 'ol me. And just remember, my friend, He loves you too and desires only your affection in return.


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Blogs Of Note - Art Car Central

Does anyone ever visit the Blogs of Note under your Reader's List here at Blogger? I visit them occasionally to see what's recommended that month. Sometimes they recommend fun ones but mostly they're not as good as the one's I visit daily ... like y'alls. :o) They should recommend all of ours, shouldn't they?!! We're all much more fun, especially when there's a BlogLand Tour taking place.

This time Blogger did link to blog I enjoyed called Art Car Central. It's just the way it sounds: the guy collects photos and videos of unusual cars and motorcycles. It's really well done. The most interesting post to me was The Phone Car. As some may or may not know, my husband is a retired phone man with BellSouth (41 years service). I would love to have something bizarre like that to ride around in, but I have no shame. [smile] If you have a some time to kill, pop on over and give the guy a visit. It's really interesting.

Enjoy!

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