Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

Don’t be cruel

 Please remember to keep your pets warm and fed during these cold months. 

Some History Today...

History of Candy

The history of candy dates back to the caveman who created the idea of candy by eating honey combs and honey. 

Candy can be traced back as far as 1500BC to the ancient Egyptians who used honey and made candy by adding figs, nuts, dates and spices.

Help Wildlife Now (and Thanksgiving isn't over just yet!)

It's still technically Thanksgiving weekend, and Christmas is as good a time as any to be thankful for presents and feasts. 

 When wildlife is in the way, help them, too;  

AhNow.org/mobile

Donate Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and more Pumpkins..!

 

All these years and it didn't occur to me to donate pumpkins at season's end..!?! 

Better late than never I always say. 

Pumpkins last well into November, so after Thanksgiving, after the pumpkin pie when meals are satisfied (and wallets a little thinner), when there are left-over whole pumpkins from decorations, 

please think about donating to the critters at your local zoos. 

In addition to rescue work, whether one agrees with zoo-keeping or not, it can help the critters. 

Help with their play-time enrichment and ease the cost of food a bit, especially when it's so difficult to donate either time or money, these can be wonderful places to help out and recycle..!  

  💞 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Businesses Open 4 Business...

 It looks like businesses are opening ever so cautiously on my route. 

That the machines are doing okay is a plus.  

One very nice owner said that no one visited the machines and I could remove it if I wanted, but when I opened it up to see just how bad it was, it wasn't bad at all! I could even tell the way the quarters fell into the hopper that it was visited different times, very awesome! 

That's exactly the way the route is supposed to be, too, productively unobtrusive. 

It's still too small of a route to count, a lot of people, stores, and machines lost along the way, and I don't expect to exactly be able to make a living from it, but I started it for the critters, and we all held out. 

I didn't give up and am pleased with the results.

I say prayers every Friday, not sure why Fridays, just always worked out that way, maybe so I can go into the weekends without worry. May Gd bless us, He knows what He's doing...

No Comments...

 This blog is getting lots of emails without any commentary, just email addresses. 

Only a few emails have their business names within their domain but without a question or comment, I can only guess it’s a sales attempt. 

When the email is from gmail or yahoo with no question or comment, what am I supposed to do with that? 

Are comments coming thru or even being typed in? Please Comment! Thanks 

Earn, Save, and Give..!

 I'm very proud to support HSUS, Humane Society of the United States. 

They have gone after and closed down pitbull fighting rings, they helped support, re-train, and re-home Vick's dogs, keeping their new homes secret for fear that champion fighters would be stolen, very dangerous. 

It is a drawback because in order to help animals, organizations sometimes get involved in politics. 

When certain groups of animals are found to be thin and not thriving, organizations will try to resolve the problem by getting involved politically in misguided efforts to help the animals. 

The underlying problem is almost always financial which can be very difficult to track without the wherewithal to do so, often requiring time and money just to track financial support of political groups, a notoriously difficult thing to do! 

One thing I'm still trying to understand is why SeaWorld doesn't advertise all the wonderful rescue work they do..?!? When they were getting bashed and nearly closed down years ago, they didn't seem to bother to defend themselves at all, at least not publicly. 

Reputable Aquariums and Zoos frequently, directly or indirectly, support rescue work, and it's very expensive to feed everyone, please support them during difficult times. 

Reminder, animals that were born and raised in the care of humans would not survive in the wild. They are not necessarily so miserable as to have to be 'set free' to fend for their lives and compete for food supply.

Thank you! 

A New DVM

 I received this communication thru the contact form and decided to post it here as-is. 

Sometimes I get ads for website design and sales of all sorts; apparently, this email is from an animal hospital in New Mexico. 

Calista Animal Hospital 

 Always happy to post any and everything I can positive about critters. 

https://www.calistaanimalhospital.com/ 

Another Day, Another Dollar...

 Let's see, since today is Sunday, October 10, 2020, I was going to include today's Bible verse, but it's too gloomy even for Halloween, so in Halloween tradition, I'll include a pumpkin, and from the Bible,  any verse from Proverbs. 

This was from the fair last year, wasn't held this year and I miss it very much. 

✅    Halloween decorations 

✅    Watered plants 

✅    Caught up on sleep 

 

Some Thank yous

 THANKU; 

To the Torah and the Bible for preserving Gd in print forever. 

To my family for so much support and understanding.  

To True North Health Center for saving my health. 

To Financial Peace University for helping update my financial awareness.  

To my critters who saved my heart and mind. 

To our President for making it this far. 

To all 'my stores' for staying open and strong. 

I'm staying positive and safe. 

All the Best..!  

I'm Cleaning House..!

 Literally! 

I've added cleaning homes to my repertoire, why not? :-) 

I can't talk about them online of course, but I can let my blog say how it's going. 

So far, I love everything I do, from the Charity boxes vending route, to delivering food and goodies, 

offering books for sale, and now cleaning beautiful homes. Anyone who cares enuf about their homes to have them professionally cleaned will have a beautiful home. 

Who says we don't want to work, I love it! 

Actually, I prefer being home and caring for my place, puttering around the house is one of my favorite things, but the previous lockdown made me fat and lazy and it's good to get out again! 

I'm not able to go to church and I can't wear masks, but I can read my Bibles and pray, and I can still work. It's not easy but I hope to God and pray to God that there is a God. 

Books, Gigs, and FPU

FPU..? 

 I would like to take the time to thank FPU-Financial Peace University, 

and specifically Mr. Dave Ramsey, Chris Hogan, Christy Wright, and their respective radio shows on Siriusxm. 

Dave! When Dave's show comes on, I shout Dave..! Great voice, The Voice! 

He knows his program has not only saved marriages, but has saved lives. 

The program made me realize that u gotta redirect your focus from whining to work no matter what it is. 

'It's hard to be hateful when you're grateful', I quote Mr. Chris Hogan all the time. 

Christy Wright's Goal Planner inspires constantly, from the uplifting quotes to the occasional Bible text, I sent off for the 2021 planner just to stay inspired during these tough times.  

I have been selling books online ever since Half.com came into being in 2000, and Ms Wright's inspiration said to do what u love, which for me is books and I soon found out how to make a living selling books, but it's tough for sure. 

And I say it right now, I can't officially stay inside the program because I still have a credit card. 

I cut one up but kept the other one, a big no-no, and I should know better after over a year in the program. 

I'm not going to make excuses either because Dave's program makes perfect sense during the virus, even during the horrible lock-down, the program applied more than ever. 

My family is awesome support, but they aren't for public consumption on the world-wide-web.

Becoming debt-free is slow and often quite tedious, but without the program, I wouldn't even have afforded internet service, it was bad! 

So thanks from a very really long distance away in cyber-space, and I recommend the program here; 

DaveRamsey.com 

Real easy to remember, too. 

No affiliate link necessary, and if u call in with a real story, he gives away the course for free to help families right now. Everything about it is amazing...

Thoughts for Recovery

 Some Recovery Food 4 Thought; 

Remembering 9-11 attack with prayers for survivors, those gone and here. 

Recovering from virus attack with prayers of protection, 

Recovering from joblessness, hopelessness, fear. 

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 

-Isaiah 60:1 

Beware the light at the end of the tunnel, it's probably another train coming. 

-my Dad the hunter

When one is so Pro-Life, they aren't able to harm any living being.  

-me the zen

Day Labor? Labor Day..!

 Here's to those who work with their hands.  

I'm not alone in saluting u and your families. 

Life is tough for everyone, everyone! 

There might be a few that said, 'oh, life is so easy', never had to work a day in their life, everything handed to them, or appeared to show up for them, easy coincidences in life. 

There's always exceptions to any rules, but even for those with 'easy' lives, sacrifices were made, sometimes painful or pitiful ones. 

Regardless, life is hard and then we die. No one gets out alive. 

Unless one believes in Heaven of course, but I digress. 

Have an awesome Labor Day Weekend!

:-/

Before the virus hit, customers were so very generous. 

Not only were the candies paid for, but there were many donations. 

Stores will either have a generous base, so-so, or not at all. 

I've pulled boxes from places that don't pay, and hard times or not, 

they recycle back out. 

Right now, it looks like I'm donating to the businesses and/or customers.  

Everyone, customers, owners, and managers alike are very nice, 

most stores have opened back up and none have become dangerous. 

Not unexpected during difficult times, just sad and terribly annoying!

It's Always Something!

 Am so sorry for delays or any inconvenience this month. 

As stores slowly but surely open, there's still a lot of catching up to do in all areas of life. 

I missed 'my' stores like u wouldn't believe. Thanku for your incredible patience!

 

Chocolate and Chihuahuas, man's best friends!

 

  2020 Brown County Chocolate Walk Still a Go!

Brown County Humane Society 

'The Chocolate Walk is planned for Saturday, November 14, 2020. 

Place: Nashville, Indiana 

Time: 10am to 5pm 

In just 4 months, on November 14, 2020, the Chocolate Walk which benefits the Brown County Humane Society is scheduled to happen. 

   Contact at the BCHS, Jane Weatherford, to learn about the event and what they are planning to do so that all of u who have attended this charity walk and cholocate delight in the past can make your own decision for this year. ' 

And of course, No Chocolate to Dogs! Nauseous. 

I understand dogs can handle carob, but chocolate is for the humans.

Journaling

 

Stuck inside, I have re-discovered the Bible. 

And scrolling thru YouTube, aside from cat videos and recipes, I began watching journaling videos, some Bible history videos, and then Bible history journaling videos. 

Not initially being a crafty-type person, these seemed only vaguely interesting. 

I already markup my Bible pages sometimes trying to keep history straight, and then I saw that there is such a thing called a Chronological Bible, Interesting! 

And then I saw there were spiral-bound bibles, and single-column bibles for drawing, notes, and those ever-utilitarian Washi tapes. 

Some really beautiful books! 

Even though they aren't overly expensive, I can't even begin to think about re-starting a bible collection, but sure is tempting! 

There are bibles for boys, girls, men, families and groups. 

Here's just a few of them, and should I ever have one in my possession, I'll be sure to include it within my BookRoom;  

(Sorry I'm not able to line these up a little more consecutively, blogger has a mind of its own..!)

Pre-Illustrated

For girls 

Personal Illustrating

Self-decisions

Apply to Life Large Print

Standard Study

Readable for Notes

Wide-Margin for Notes

10 Sayings I Grew Up With...

1. Consider the Source 

2. One Thousand Miles Begins With 1 Step 

3. What Does That Have To Do With The Price of Tea In China (?) 

4. An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away 

5. Dark Chocolate & Wine Is Good For the Heart 

6. Been There, Done That 

7. Life Happens When You’re Making Plans 

8. The Best Laid Plans Of Mice & Men 

9. Be Careful What U Wish For 

10. ...

I've turned a corner...

...I think...
Having planned on reserving a pool in Swimply for a break from the summer heat, I found I turned a corner because I'd rather work and save money than relax and spend it.
What a turnaround!
Working rather than relaxing? Never would have thunk it. 
Who can resist sunbathing by a luxurious pool whiling away the stress?
And I have Financial Peace to thank/blame :-)

I made it a problem to spend money.
I had to work at it and it took quite awhile, but it has officially become a problem and I really feel it when I want to purchase a necessity.
Some necessities are okay, and some aren't necessities.
Sunbathing by the pool, yummy! Quite necessary really.
And yet, been there, done that, so off to work I go...

5 Fun Facts Today

     1. Walmart has a lower acceptance rate than Harvard.
 

     2. A football fan once dedicated his obit to an NFL team. 
 

     3. There is a technical name for the "fear of masks." 
 

     4. Hunting unicorns is legal in Michigan.
 

     5. China censored the word for "censorship."

 ~

Best Friends

Missed a post last week!
Didn't this week.
Added a new organization dear to my heart for monthly donations.
Can see brief info in the Rescues tab.

It looks like Wildlife Waystation is still accepting donations with costs from closing and moving, etc.
All I know is that all their animals were safely moved to new locations with no euthanasia.
I must say that I always felt a bit insecure about that wonderful rescue only because I couldn't seem to determine what would happen to their animals after Martine was gone way into the future.
The costs mounted, the multiple wildfires didn't help, and the virus would have set their fate for sure.
Injured wildlife rescues are so needed.
May God bless the Caregivers, Staff, Admin, and the wonderful animals, too.

I moved those regular monthly donations over to Best Friends.
This organization has stood the test of time so far.
They are a rescue for injured or abandoned pets.
Their No-Kill motto is; Save Them All, which is quite the task.

Uh-Oh, lockdown again...

The state is on lockdown again.
Can't service the route?
Fear not, even if the lockdown were to go on for years,
and businesses survive, I'll adapt donations one way or another.

   

They're Baaack....

Does anyone else notice the crazy drivers? 

Was it always that way, or are folks crazy once let out of lockdowns? 

There are people honking, speeding, flashing lights, swerving, peeling out... 

Have only seen 2 people run red lights, otherwise, fairly sane, just can't figure out what they're thinking when I almost always meet up with them at the next red light, weird... 

Proverbs 6:6

I chose this business not only because it is a cash business, 

helps the critters, and is easy to manage, but also because it is flexible. 

No thanks to Wuhan virus, looters, or fear itself, the route still runs, and always will. 

I have a new Proverb to share; 

My Ideal; 

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 

Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 

Provideth her meat in the summer, 

and gathereth her food in the harvest. 

KJV

My Reality; 

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

Till Monday when I go back to work :-)

What's Next..? The Heat..!

It's the hottest 80 degrees I can remember in a long time!
If it's only The Heat that's the next virus, I'm prepared, I hope!

What's Next?

The pandemic hurt businesses,
Then looters hurt businesses,
What else will be brought up to hurt businesses and why?

I made $10

I made $10! Sort of...
Since I'd placed the box just before the virus hit, by the time the one auto store re-opened,
the owner had cleaned off all the desks, thrown away all the coffee, even the filters and packs,
and it had included my charity box, gone.
The manager gave me $10 which I thought was decent considering...

Toys for Tots

I purchased over 500 1" tiny toys that fit into vending machines, should last for awhile. 

 

  Aren't they cute? They have little necklaces inside them.
    I hope everyone is doing well and can get back to work soon.

Shhh, some places opening up...

Not gonna lie, I'll miss the open roads,
Trees in the distance incredibly deep green, skies so bright blue, it hurts the eyes.
Literally, wide open freeway lanes, space, breathing room, gone,
I already won't miss traffic, crazy people, or pollution.

What can ya do, stop populating? Not going to happen.
Do your best and godspeed, so to speak...

Lockdowns

Since I worry about my locations and how they are doing, I have begun visiting my route, 2 at a time.
One store I opened the door with 2 customers at the counter and about 3 other customers nearby, all who turned to look at me at the same time.
 All were wearing face-masks covering their entire face, a few wore glasses over them, and even tho we were in the midst of a world-wide pandemic, those masks turning to look at me resembled a colorized episode of The Twilight Zone. I asked the desk-clerk if I could come in and she nodded her head since I couldn't hear her thru THOSE CREEPY MASKS..! 
 Another store was closed but had the door propped open while they worked and I was allowed to check on a machine quickly.
 As a side-note, and may I be so bold, but if it's true that the 'bird flu' had come from China, and the 'swine flu' had also come from China, and the current pandemic was originally to be blamed not on an infected bat, but on an injected bat, may I please say, hopefully for the last time;
  STOP BLAMING THE ANIMALS.
     Thanku. 

Business Plan

I have signed up with a company to help sell enuf books to pay the rent. Lol.
I love books, and I need to pay the rent.
Some way, we are going to splice those 2 things together and make it work.
I have been selling books since November, 2000.

Living in California, I was constantly at book signings.
I would attend popular classes and get the teachers to sign their books, which sold like mad.
This was right at the beginning of the internet, when eBay was just blowing up.

Since I sold the books for the sole purpose of meeting authors and seeing the world,
I actually paid the rent selling VHS tapes.
Around the same time that eBay was starting up, one still had to wait for movies to
come out on VHS tapes, and we had to wait months after it left the theaters.
Once the movies came out on VHS, they were expensive and rare.
After waiting for prices to come down, one had only to grab a few with a small markup.
Still discovering the internet, the VHS movies were gold.

It actually took a few years for VHS tapes to fade into DVDs.
By then, it was obvious where it was going, and VHS nor DVDs paid the rent,
so I gave up on them, but I never ever gave up on books.

I cannot forget finding gems in dusty book stores, 1st editions, misprints,
out-of-print, rare and just plain fun and interesting editions of books.

Owning a Kindle myself, I can see that the fanciest Kindle in the world still hasn't been able to replace books with messy notes, non-electric pages, doodles, pics, and sharing, so here I am with the best memories in the world, places I have travelled, and the world of books continues regardless...

YoungImages

Some Thoughts About Service

A Blessed Easter Sunday

I watched a local church service online, and was lovely.

In the meantime, I received news from HSI, Humane Society International, that China has officially discontinued listing dogs as livestock.

I'm not sure how Humane Society would be able to follow-up on that as I don't know if they have a Humane Society in China, if they are receiving news from overseas by email/phone, or if they speak Mandarin.
Who writes or speaks Mandarin?
Of course, one wants it to be true so very much, and the effort is awesome and commendable, but I emailed that very question, how to prove? and haven't as yet heard back.

Also have a new decision.
I was utilizing Mr. Dave Ramsey's technique of budgeting and saving, and I saved up for a car which I bought in January, and don't have anything to save up for anymore..!

So I have to decide whether to save up for a good luscious spa week (one spa week = 10 days),
or visiting Best Friends to volunteer for one week, walk puppies, visit cats, clean, think, hike, it would be wonderful, much cheaper, and very much more rewarding.
Golden Door was a rejuvenating experience that I wouldn't mind repeating, yet would like to avoid California craziness.

I'm a hermit that has to pay the rent.
My gym is closed, delivery business is booming, but is basically sitting in a car, and I'm getting fat-ter. I need to take care of myself again soon...

Route on Hold

Many grocery stores open during day,
and smaller restaurants are allowing in a few people at a time,
usually regulars who are considerate and know the place.
Stay safe and healthy

It Could Be Better, It Could Be Worse, except It's Only Temporary

The Book of Job

Ecclesiastes 9:4

'For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion'.
Does that mean ‘a living dog is better than a dead dog’,
or, ‘a living lion is better than a dead lion’..?
What did they have in mind when it was written?
Everything deserves context I suppose.
It was a reading of the day from my calendar.
If it's positive, may it apply to u and yours.
If it's negative, and the Bible can be pretty rough indeed, may it apply appropriately...

Happy St Patrick's Day this year

Altho the Wuhan virus drove St Patrick's Day out of 2020,
and the St Patrick's Day parade may be cancelled this year,
St Patrick remains in our hearts for next year.

Saint Patrick is the foremost patron saint of Ireland,
but I swear to u that when we visited Ireland, it
wasn't celebrated there like it is here in the U.S.
In Ireland, St Patrick was revered much more seriously
by the Catholic Church for being the first bishop of Ireland.
The populace loved St Patrick for being the one who drove the snakes out of Ireland..!
And indeed, we found nor heard of one snake in Ireland at the time.

Happy Daylight Savings Time Day!

Daylight saving time 2020 in Texas began at 2:00 AM on

Sunday

, 

March 8

and ends at 2:00 AM on

Sunday

, 

November 1

All times are in Central Time.

Happy Leap Year!

I missed an entire week...

I missed an entire week (to blog),
but I added yet even more work/gigs.
Not only that, but I saved just enuf to add to my candy route.
Truth told, I'd rather sell toy capsules, but these Honor Boxes are the best,
and they work best in restaurants.
U know what? I don't know why I can't add toys..!
Why can't I add toy capsules to the Honor Boxes instead of all candy?

I have already tried sugar free gum and candies, but those cost more than they sell,
so it was back to mints and Blo-pops, which is fine, but toys last forever, what can I say?!
Change some signage that these are toys only.
Done deal...

Happy February Month and Year!

February is a very special month this year.

• There's Super Bowl Sunday. 
• It is a Leap Year because February has 29 days this year instead of 28. 
• Valentine's Day on the 14th. 

February hosts all sorts of holidays amid its duration;

• The entire month celebrates Black History (U.S. and Canada) 
• American Heart Month (U.S.)

Not only those, there are the following holidays; 

• Ice Cream for Breakfast Day - February 1, 2020 (First Saturday in February)
• National Baked Alaska Day - February 1
• National Bird-Feeding Month (U.S.) 

And it's a very purple month.
February's flower is the Violet, and the amethyst is the stone.
My favorite part of February are still the Valentine candy hearts

Taxes bleh...

Taxes=A Study in Patience.
Taxpayers wait for all the W forms to arrive.
Waiting about 1-4 months as they trickle in.
Then we either DIY or Trust others to prepare the paperwork,
and we wait for those forms to be calculated.
While we wait, we budget and prepare to pay our 2 cents.
Meanwhile, and all year long, we pay sales tax, gas tax,
sometimes state tax, property taxes, business tax, payroll tax,
income tax, gains tax, gift tax, this tax, that tax...
Name one thing in life that is free. 

Happy MLK Day!

I love Federal Holidays!
Celebrate Life because God knows what He's doing

-It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
 -Lamentations 3:22

   

When to Take Down Your Christmas Tree Tradition

 Abandoned CHRISTMAS Trees Everywhere..! 

When to take down your Christmas tree..? 

  

The Traditional Answer

Traditionally, Catholics do not take down their Christmas trees and holiday decorations until January 7, the day after Epiphany. The 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day; the period before that is known as Advent, the time of preparation for Christmas.  
The 12 days of Christmas end on Epiphany, the day that the three wise men came to pay homage to the child Jesus.

Cutting the Christmas Season Short

Some may not keep their Christmas trees and other decorations up until Epiphany if they've forgotten what the "Christmas season" means. For various reasons, including the desire of businesses to encourage Christmas shoppers to buy early and buy often, the separate liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas have run together, essentially replacing Advent (especially in the United States) with an extended "Christmas season." Because of that, the actual Christmas season has been forgotten.

By the time Christmas Day comes, people are ready to pack up the decorations and the tree—which they may have put up as early as Thanksgiving weekend—it's probably past its prime. With needles turning brown and dropping and branches drying out, the tree may be an eyesore at best and a fire hazard at worst. And even though savvy shopping and proper care for a cut tree (or the use of a Live Tree that can be Planted Outside in the Spring) can extend the life of a Christmas tree, let's be honest—after a month or so, the novelty of having a major piece of nature in your living room tends to wear off.