Smile

 

I've always liked this ditty.  When you read the lyrics, you might think it's insane.  Smile at everything?  Like a funeral, mass shooting, or terroritst attack?

 

Smile

Nat King Cole

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile

I'll Never Stop Trying

A family

Eating meat is wrong.  I'm sure of it.  There are a lot of grey areas out there.  But I'm convinced that it's wrong to eat meat.  I've written this before, and nothing has changed.  There are exceptions.  I wouldn't criticize a mentally disabled person for eating meat.  I wouldn't criticize certain people, who only know hunting and living off the land as means of survival, for eating meat: nor the very young or very old.  But, I firmly believe that the vast majority of people in this world are wrong to eat meat. 
Last night, I spent time with friends at a friend's house that's right on Lake Ontario.  It's a beautiful place to be.  I love it there.  I had a great time.  There was a bonfire, which I love.  It was a great night.  A man came to the house that I don't know well.  He's a nice guy.  I thought I had met him once before, but he seemed to think it was more than that: no matter.  We got along quite well.  I don't recall exactly how, but the subject of meat and/or my veganism came up in the conversation.  I relished the opportunity to let someone know that I think it's wrong to eat meat.  However, this time, I remembered that you can get more flies with honey than with vinegar.  I was determined to not get angry: or at least to not display any anger.  I drank, so it's a little bit fuzzy, but we had a good conversation about the subject.  I mentioned that I feel all the animals of the world are my sisters and brothers, and I really do feel that way.  I recall that he disagreed with me with a smile on his face.  It seemed to not matter what I said,  he just didn't feel the same way about animals that I do.  The last time I had a discussion about this subject, I yelled at my friend and pissed him off enough for him to avoid me for over a month.  That's not what happened this time.  The conversation never became heated.  He flashed his pearly white smile the whole time (I wonder if those teeth are real.).  Anyway, I tried.  I tried to get my point across in a civilized manner.  Gandhi and Martin Luther King were not known for being angry jerks.  They knew it wasn't a good idea to be like that.  They wanted to change the world, and they did.  They are real heroes.      

It's Freaking Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day!

"Bumpkin," I said.  "Do you know what today is?"
"If you don't know what day it is, then  look at your freaking calendar.  Don't bother me with these stupid questions," she replied.
"It's Groundhog Day!" I said.
"I know that, dummy."
"Of course you did.  I should have known."
"By the way, how would you like to meet Punxsutawney Phil?"
"It would be my pleasure."
"Yo Phil!"
To my surprise, a groundhog, that wasn't Lucinda or Sloopy (Bumpkin's sisters) walked out of the bedroom that used to be mine.
"This is Punxsutawney Phil?"
"Of course.  I pulled the old switcharoo on those jerks.  Groundhogs must be free.  Any human that's holding a groundhog captive will have to answer to me."
"How did you do it?"
"Remember my clone?"
"Of course."
"After much careful observation, I came to the conclusion that my clone, in addition to having none of my superpowers, also has no feelings.  She isn't really real.  Phil is totally real though.  Also, Lucinda has a crush on him: big time.  Last night, I flew to Punxsutawney and made the switch."
"Brilliant, Miss B, simply brilliant."
"You might want to watch the ceremony this year."
"Uh-oh.  What have you done, Bumpkin?"
"You'll see."
I went into the bedroom, where Sloopy and Lucinda were watching, appropriately, Groundhog Day on the TV.  "I'm just going to stop this right here, and you can watch the rest of it later."  I picked up the remote and stopped the DVD.  Sloopy and Lucinda started making all these whiny noises.
"It's OK, Sloopy and Lucinda.  You can watch the rest later.  I just want to watch something.  Don't you want to see a real Groundhog Day ceremony?"
Sloopy and Lucinda squealed with delight.  Bumpkin really has taught them many English words.  I changed the channel, and there it was.  The guy in the top hat grabbed Bumpkin's clone and held her up in the air.  He had a big smile on his face, and he was going into his little spiel when a massive explosion disrupted the proceedings in a major way.
"Holy crap!" I exclaimed.  When the smoke cleared, it was obvious that everyone at the scene must have been blown to bits.  "Bumpkin!  How did you do that?"
"I left a giant fireball there: underground.  I programmed it to go off exactly when I wanted it to."
"But you killed your clone!  Not to mention all those people."
"Dummy, I just told you; she had no feelings.  She wasn't real.  I made her, so I can destroy her."
"I guess so."
"As for the people, they got what they deserved!  Do you know how scary it is for a regular groundhog to be among all those humans?  And how dare they keep a groundhog captive like that!  I've got a good mind to wipe Punxsutawney off the freaking map!  In fact, I think I will."  One of the windows in my apartment opened and Bumpkin flung a fireball out of it.  Once it was outside, it expanded.  The fireball, now gigantic, took off, presumably for Punxsutawney.  It didn't take long to get there.
"We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this breaking news.  Punxsutawney, PA has been completely destroyed by a massive explosion.  And out of all the days it could have happened, it happened on Groundhog Day.  Officials are not yet sure if there is a connection."
Oh, there's a connection all right.