Six More Weeks of Winter!

Six More Weeks of Winter!: Reported by: Nate Potter
Tuesday, Feb 2, 2010 @07:35am EST


PUNXSUTAWNEY, JEFFERSON COUNTY - Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his den, saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter on the 144th Annual Groundhog Day celebration at Gobbler's Knob.

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club pulled Phil from his warm den into single-degree temperatures just after 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.

The Prognosticators of Prognosticators told the club President in front of thousands of people, 'As the sky shines bright above me, my shadow I see, beside me. Six more weeks of winter it will be!'"

Since I am from Steeler Country I couldn't resist this:

Couldn't Resist This One ...

Greenbeans in the Garden ....

I've been working in the gardens and
while searching for something I came across this video ...
thought you might enjoy it too!

Here's my Tipsy Pot for this year ...

Last year I made one of these and did not post a pic on my other blog
but I took one this year ...

here's a pic of my "Steppables" plants they are doing really well, too.
I just noticed ... looks like the squirrel is holding the pot up and he has a hole in him!
Those dogs!!! Play with everything ...
someone snuck it back and didn't tell Mom
the damage!

Do a Google search on "Tipsy Pots" there are some neat ones made out of old tea kettles,
if you make one post a pic and send me the link!

Twitter ...

I was over reading Jen's blog at Joy Thru Christ and saw her post about Twitter so I decided to join up ... rustlingleaves ... we will see how it goes .... join us, you might like it!

Blessings, Pam <><

Things we can learn from a dog ...

Nope Mom, we didn't do it we found it this way! ...

Coming home after bird hunting ...

Things you can learn from a dog ...

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
4. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
6. Take naps and stretch before rising.
7. Run, romp and play daily.
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
9. Be loyal.
10. Never pretend to be something you are not.
11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
13. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
14. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
15. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
16. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
17. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
18. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and and make friends.
19. When your humans haven't figured out the object of the game, hang it up. No sense in all of us getting tired.
20. this one is for you dear readers to add to the comments ... what's your thoughts?

Jump on over the Rebecca's Blog for more Doggie Treats .... Hey that's just what we need to do next! Doggie Treats Recipes, hey Rebecca you hear that??? Woof, Woof!!!!!

Blessings from Bella & Dakota

Big Bloggy Breakfasts .....

As the manager, chief cook and bottle washer for the local Senior Center I have used many Breakfast Casseroles when we "cook our own" meals once in a while. Here are some of our tried and truly delicious favorites!
For many more Bloggy Recipe RoundUp Breakfast Recipes go on over to Home But Not Alone Blog!

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
3 Tbs oil
2 lbs frozen hash brown potatoes
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 cups cubed ham
10 eggs, beaten
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded

Heat oil in large skillet. Add hash browns, onion, and bell peppers. Cook until potatoes begin to brown. Spray 9" x 13" baking dish with Pam. Spread potato mixture in pan. Top with ham. Pour beaten eggs over all and season to taste with salt and pepper. Gently stir to coat all ingredients with eggs. Sprinkle with cheese. Refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Makes 8 servings. (This is also good without the ham or substitute cooked ground sausage.)

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Baked French Toast Casserole

INGREDIENTS: 1 (16 oz) loaf Italian bread, sliced into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened (to coat baking dish) 8 large eggs 2-1/2 cups milk 1-1/2 cups heavy cream 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Topping: 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1-1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1 cup pecans, chopped coarse 1 cup fresh blueberries PREPARATION: 1. Casserole: Spread the bread cubes in a baking pan and bake for 15 minutes or until dry and hard at 325 degrees. Pull out of oven to cool. 2. Butter a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and pack the dried bread cubes into it. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until combined. Then whisk in the milk, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes. Cover the entire mixture with plastic wrap and push the bread down into the egg mixture until soft and well coated. Refrigerate overnight. 3. Topping: Stir the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup together until smooth and then stir in the pecans. Wrap in plastic wrap and also refrigerate overnight. 4. Bake and serve: Unwrap the casserole and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Pull out and sprinkle the blueberries on top, then the pecan topping mixture and bake for another 15 minutes until golden brown and bubbling. Serve immediately with warmed maple syrup.

You may remove the pecans from the recipe if someone has diverticulitis and can not eat nuts.
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Meat & Cheese Breakfast Strata

12 slices white bread

1 lb. fully cooked ham (diced) (or sausage)

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

6 eggs

2 cups milk

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. ground mustard

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

¼ c minced onion

¼ c minced green pepper

¼ c melted butter

1 c crushed cornflakes

Arrange 6 slices of bread on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Top with ham or sausage. Sprinkle cheese over meat. Cover with the remaining 6 slices of bread. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour over all. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Pour butter over bread. Sprinkle with cornflakes. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Yields 8 to 10 servings.

(May need to add an additional cup of milk, I did – original recipe did not state amount of milk so I went by other recipes of this type but they only called for one layer of bread where this one has two – so the need for more milk)

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ZIP LOK OMLET --

(This works great !!! Good for when all your family is together. The best part is that no one has to wait for their special omelet !!! We really had a great time at the Center with this one ... )
First have your family or guests write their name on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker.
Crack 2 or 4 eggs into a dish and whisk well then pour into the bag.
Put out a variety of prepared ingredients such as: cheeses, cooked chopped ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, bacon, etc.
Each guest then adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag, get the air out, zip it shut and shake.
Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water.
Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed. No butter, no sprays, just good healthy food!
Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved in the process and it's a great conversation piece. We have made these numerous times and never had any problems with bag busting. I had pictures but can't find them ...

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Crescent Cheesecake Breakfast Dessert

2 packages Pillsbury Crescent dinner rolls
2-8oz Philadelphia Cream cheese packages
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sugar

Topping:
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter

Butter 9X13 inch pan. Cover bottom of pan with one entire package of crescent rolls (push together sections and roll out to make one piece).

Filling:
Whip together cream cheese, vanilla and sugar. Add filling on top of crescent rolls. Cover filling with other package of crescent rolls. Melt butter and cover crescent roll. Mix sugar and cinnamon in one bowl and sprinkle over top. Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes. Let cool before serving.

*Great to make up ahead of time and warm up before serving.

*******************************************************
Breakfast Pizza
Ingredients:
1 tube Crescent Rolls
1 lb. breakfast sausage
1 small bag Frozen Hash Browns
8 oz. Grated Cheddar Cheese
6 Eggs
1/2 cup Milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Spray 10x13" pan with nonstick spray.
Brown, crumble, and drain sausage.
Press crescent rolls dough onto bottom of pan so that it stretches to edges.
Cover dough with drained sausage.
Top with frozen hash browns and grated cheese.
Scramble 5-6 eggs with milk(uncooked) and pour over all other ingredients.
Place in 350 degree oven for 35-55 min.
Test for doneness in middle with tooth pick.
Cut into squares and serve. .

Variations:
Try substituting crumbled, cooked bacon instead of sausage.
A fruity substitution might include chopped apples instead of the frozen hash browns.
Try cooking in two pie pans instead of rectangular pan and cut into pizza-shaped pieces.

UM UM GOOD EATS!!!!

Blessings! Pam <><

A little help is needed ...

Hello all you bloggy gals ... I need some wisdom!

My son is getting married on March 15th! Would you share with me
what is my responsibility as the Mother of the Groom?
The Mother of the Bride has not chosen a dress as of yet and I have
been told I need to wait until she has her dress before I can make
my choice. Is this so?
This is my first wedding so I am not real sure
what I need to be doing other than smile alot, agree alot and make
the arrangements for the Rehearsal dinner!
I would greatly appreciate any help, suggestions you have to offer me on anything!
The longer I have to wait before choosing a dress the more nervous I get.
The MOB was talking about wearing a dressy pantsuit, she does not like
dresses so does that mean I follow suit? Or if she decides on a long dress, should I go shorter ... I have read things and nothing seems to agree. The color is Clover Green for the bridesmaids, the vest and ties of the guys. Tuxes are black.
The Fathers are wearing black tuxes with a steel gray vest and tie. I would prefer to
wear silver, gray or light blue or black. I prefer to fade as to stand out
.... how long do I have to wait? Is there something I should do that I am not?
HELP >>>>>>>>>>>!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much!!!!! Pam <><

Ground Hog Day 2008 ....

Feb. 2nd is an important day here in PA. It is GROUND HOG DAY! Punxatauny Phil, that infamous ground hog who has now gone internationally famous. People are camping out just to be there when 'Phil' comes out of his den and fortels the weather for the next few months. ... This ancient festival marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In olden times, many people used to say that the Christmas season lasted for forty days - until the second day of February which was called Candlemas's. They also thought it was the day that decided what sort of weather there would be for the rest of the winter. Hence - Ground Hog Day in the US.

People believe that Ground Hog Day predicted the weather for the rest of the winter. The weather proverbs express the idea that a fine bright sunny Ground Hog day means that there is more winter to come, whereas a cloudy wet stormy Ground Hog day means that the worst of winter is over.

http://www.wjactv.com/news/15202057/detail.html#

Above link takes you to a video of this year's prediction of no shadow ...

The weather here in my neck of the woods has been awful ... low temps, snow, sleet, freezing rain, wind ... trees down, roads are bad, electric is out in someplaces and just good days to stay inside .... so I predict by my aching bones what the Hog predicts ... 6 more weeks of winter it will be!

So after the big event on TV, I got out my coffee pot and brewed up some Groundhog Brew!

So here's to the cold days ahead ... have a good one!

Blessings, Pam <><

Blast of Arctic Air moving in ... SouthCental Pa Weather

Your Stormtracker 10 Forecast

Forecast Details
An arctic front will approach the area tomorrow. We'll still have a mix of clouds and sunshine Saturday but the front will bring scattered flurries and snow showers. A heavier, blinding snow squall is also possible with the passage of the front. The best chance will be during the afternoon hours. If you get caught in a white out while driving, do not make sudden changes to your speed as people behind you may not be able to see your movements. Behind the front, a blast of arctic air will move in for Saturday night through Monday morning. Temperatures will drop to near 10 Saturday night, and despite some sunshine, temperatures will only rebound into the teens Sunday. Lows Sunday night will be in the single digits with some places dropping below zero. The wind will also make it feel colder. The way to combat this wind chill is to wear several layers of clothes and cover all exposed flesh. Some sunshine will allow temperatures to the 20s on Monday. Another disturbance can bring snow showers Tuesday with more settled weather Wednesday and Thursday. Reported by: Joe Murgo

The Sap will soon be flowing in the Maple Trees. During the January Thaw my Clematis started to bud, some trees had buds growing larger yet I often wonder about God's Glory of His Creation. They will wither and die then new buds come pushing off the old dead stuff and will bring forth beautiful hues of Springtime color. Harsh winter is a time of nurturing and preparation which recoils only to spring forth new revitalized life. New life is waiting to break the surface of winter then a seemingly dead world is fully bedecked in greens and the fragrance of springtime blooms. Glorious spring is born from the preceding bleak and barren winter. The sap of life is coursing beneath the dreary gray and lifeless landscape just awaiting to burst forth.

Doesn't this sound like our Christian walk? We all have bleak and barren days. Days spent on the mountain tops and days spent in the valleys. But God will meet us there, wherever we are and walk with us along the way. The hymn In The Garden comes to mind just now "And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own, the joy that we share as we tarry there none other has ever known." And that brings to mind this verse of scripture -- Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV -- Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD Jehovah is everlasting strength.

Keep in the Word and Under the Word and He will keep you warm!

Blessings! Pam <><

For 2008 ...

To all my friends who sent me best wishes in 2007,
or promises of good luck if I forwarded something,
it did NOT WORK.
For 2008, could you please just send
either money, chocolate or gas vouchers.

Thank you!

Received this cutey in an email and had a good chuckle.
I thought I would share it with you all! thanks Lynne!!!

January Thaw ... is over ...

Hal Borland expressed the mystique of the January Thaw best in his book Sundial of the Seasons.

"The January thaw is special because it opens Winter's door a crack just when it seems that the ice has locked it tight. Through that crack one can see the certainty of March and April somewhere up ahead....The worst one can say about the January thaw is that it never lasts. It lifts the heart, then drops it with a cold thud when the warm spell passes and the chill congeals the earth again....But when January does relent, even for a day or two, we can celebrate, cautiously."

A January Thaw is expected usually following a strong cold snap, but need not occur every year.

In prime January Thaw country, the ideal weather pattern characteristic of the Thaw period unfolds in this manner. It begins after a cold air mass from northern or western regions has slid over the region (A), eventually moving out over the Atlantic Ocean. As that air mass leaves, the Bermuda High strengthens (B,C,D) and becomes positioned over the southern Atlantic Coast or southeastern US states while a broad low pressure trough moves slowly across northern Ontario and Quebec (B-E). The juxtaposition of the isobar patterns of these two map features (E) places the northeastern US and southeastern Canada border region into a south-southwesterly flow of warm air from the Gulf of Mexico. This air advects over the northern snow and ice fields and begins a thawing.

Often during this time, the upper air wind patterns are in a period of readjustment, and thus surface weather systems stall or creep slowly across the eastern continent's mid-latitude belt. After several days of warmth, the regional weather again comes under the influence of a strengthened polar high (F,G), and cold weather returns.

The period of thaw usually results in a significant reduction of snow cover and ice thickness that is welcomed by many as a release from winter's uncomfortable grip.

Here is PA the January Thaw is over as temps are dropping daily. With the warm up I see I lost one of my Goldfish in my pond. A beautiful gold shimmer is seen floating just under a lite ice coating. We reached a high of 67 degrees and now it is dipping into the 40's and falling.

Enjoy the sunshine -- cold. blustery days are coming again ...

What type of calendar person are you?

So tell us ... what works best for you?

Planner
Wall Calendar
DayTimer
One Day Calendar
Do you make your own?
Do you use a Calendar online like Google, Outlook, Yahoo?
Weekly Calendar
Pocket Calendar
Desk Calendar

When the boys were in sports I kept a large Desk Calendar on the frig with Velcro.
Each of us had our own colored pen and we would record in color-code for the activity.
With my husband working a swing-shift I really needed it!
I'm thinking this year of foregoing that big calendar since the boys are no longer using it and I just continued using it out of habit.
I'm heading in to Barnes and Noble and to see what they have available ...
I am usually already ready by mid December with my calendars but this year I'm behind!

So let me know what works for you!

UPDATE: Those who use a PDA - what brand are you using? What programs do you have on it? Would you use a Palm or a Pocket PC? I have a Sony CLIE SJ22 and am looking to upgrade but wondering what to go to. I want, well, I think I want to have a PDA separate from my phone. I use Olive Tree for Bible software programs.

South Central Pa Weather ... updates Daily

Rebecca is looking for our weather forecasts ... right now my temp gauge says 17 ... if it is 55 next Tuesday I will be getting my motorcycle out for a ride!

Your Stormtracker 10 Forecast

Forecast Details
The cold wave is now poised to end. There are still some clouds and flurries scattered about the area this evening, but then it will turn out to be mainly clear later tonight. With light winds and the clear sky, it will turn cold. Lows will drop into the single digits with some of the isolated colder valleys dropping to near or perhaps below zero. The area of high pressure that brought the cold wave will sink to the south over the next several days and will then usher in a major warm up. Despite a cold start, temperatures will rebound into the 30s tomorrow. The mercury will continue to climb as we head through the weekend. There will be a couple of disturbances in the warm up. There could be some showers later Saturday into early Sunday and again on Monday. But despite the clouds and shower possibility, temperatures will rise to near 40 Saturday, into the 40s on Sunday and to near 50 on Monday. It will turn even warmer Tuesday despite sunshine giving way to clouds. Temperatures will reach well into the 50s on Tuesday. A front will bring some rain later Tuesday into Wednesday. This front will put a dent into the warm up, but temperatures will still reach above average into the middle of the month.

What's on your desktop? ...

Kim at Hiraeth askes us what's on our desktops ... here's mine ...
This was taken before Christmas when my oldest had Bella and Dakota out for a walk ... Dakota (the male) has the BIG stick ... now in my mind I can just hear his thinking ... "Woman, I can handle this by myself. Now let go!" Notice his sideways glance, the slight look of doubt and iritation, male chauvinist all the way ... click on the pic, you can really see THE LOOK! (this ought to get some responses! Ha!)

Bible Book Challenge .... Update

Can you find the sixteen (16) books of the Bible in this paragraph?

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. Well, see how you can compete. Relax, now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story. One preacher found 15 books in 20 minutes, but it took him three weeks to find the sixteenth one.

Here are the answers --

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. Well, see how you can compete. Relax, now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this story. One preacher found 15 books in 20 minutes, but it took him three weeks to find the sixteenth one.

Hope you enjoyed this! Do you have one to share?

Shocked beyond belief ...

My posts must be such a misrepresentation of the English language

that only a college person could understand them in that they are

confusingly written .... not well written.

I'm depressed ...

Books, Books, and more books, oh my! ....

There's a treasure to be had!

(If you are the lucky one)

All you book addict's out there
lay aside your book and set your attention here!

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!

I've stumbled upon the possibility of a chance to win
a Library of Theology Books worth $$$$$ !!!!!!

Oh, settle and contain thyself ...
of course I am going to share the info!!!!

http://www.kevinstilley.com/2007/03/thousands-of-dollars-in-free-books.html

Pop on over and check it out ...

Be warned ...
you might dream about it tonight ...
I am already planning my Library addition
to my home ... mahogany woodwork, leather chairs,
fireplace, a picture of Thirsty Theologian,
(that is him, isn't it?)
a stuffed kitty cat, I have the dogs,
a huge desk, one of those alien-looking computer's,
a small hidden bathroom behind
a revolving bookcase with an Ipod player toliet
paper holder (I just seen this on a bathroom
make-over on TV), one of those green lamps
with the pull chain - yes Mom, I want yours!,
a world-globe so I seem well traveled,
I already have a bear rug coming, (honest!)
((my son shot a bear in Colorado
last fall - 7 1/2 foot, 600 +lbs. we
are anxiously awaiting the rug from the taxidermist)),
I have the deer mount, 30 lb. turkey mount,
my Dad's gun cabinet,
my guns, a leather wing-back desk chair that
vibrates and massages and
of course I will have to hire someone
to come and smoke a pipe occasionally
...... hmmmmmmm what did I forget ...
oh yeah ... the Do Not Disturb sign!


"What shall I do with my books?" was the question;
and the answer "Read them" sobered the questioner.
But if you cannot read them, at any rate
handle them and, as it were, fondle them.
Peer into them. Let them fall open where they will.
Read on from the very first sentence that arrests the eye.
Then turn to another. Make a voyage of
discovery, taking soundings of uncharted seas. . . .
Arrange them on your own plan, so that if you
do not know what is in them, you at least know
where they are. If they cannot be your friends,
let them at any rate be your acquanintances.
If they cannot enter the circle of your life,

do not deny them at least a nod of recognition.

~ Winston Churchill

Anyone who has a book collection
and a garden wants for nothing.
~ Cicero

A room without books is like a body without a soul.
~ Cicero

The only way to do all the things you'd like to do is to read.
~ Tom Clancy

A book in the hand is worth two on the shelf.
~ Henry T. Coutts

I seldom read on beaches or in gardens.
You can’t read by two lights at once, the light of day
and the light of the book. You should read by electric light,
the room in shadow, and only the page lit up.
~ Marguerite Duras

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends.
They are the most accessible and
wisest of counselors, the most patient teachers.
~ Charles Eliot

When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left,
I buy food and clothes. My luggage is my library.
My home is where my books are.
~ Desiderius Erasmus

But he who truly loves books loves all books alike,
and not only this, but it grieves
him that all other men do not share
with him this noble passion.
Verily, this is the most unselfish of loves!
~ Eugene Field in Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac

And indeed, what is better than to sit
by one’s fireside in the evening with a book,
while the wind beats against the window and the lamp is buring?
~ Gustave Flaubert in Madame Bovary

Read in order to Live.
~ Gustave Flaubert

Never lend books, for no one ever returns them;
the only books I have in my library are
books that other folk have lent me.
~ Anatole France

There are no bad books any more
than there are ugly women.
~ Anatole France

The book must of necessity be put into a bookcase.
And the bookcase must be housed.
And the house must be kept. And the library must be
dusted, must be arranged, must
be catalogued. What a vista of toil, yet not unhappy toil!
~ William Gladstone

The dear good people don’t know how
long it takes to learn to read.
I’ve been at it eighty years, and
can’t say yet that I’ve reached the goal.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

On this website I found some of these
quote's on books and reading.
Some I had, others I read there.
I have a file on my 'puter
and a written book I write
down quote's in.

These are some good ones!

Sounds Good To Me!? ...