The Police Blotter: It's the Little Things that Annoy...

Today while I was looking at yesterday's local newspaper (No one got the paper for me yesterday.  Huh.  Who expected me to walk all the way over to the mailbox?  HELLO!  It's, like, cold outside.  Why did I have children?!  Anyways...) I was looking at the infamous Police Blotter and got a bit bored.  Sadly, there was nothing dramatic, amazing or funny.  Sigh.  But, I decided to plow through, find the best bits and report them anyways (I'm so responsible!!):

*A DOG reportedly tried to kill a chicken. 

(Surprise!)

*Four DOGS reportedly were covered in porcupine quills on Creek Rd.

(Ha Ha!  That is a bit funny...hmm..)

*A person expecting a package didn't receive it on Capitol Avenue.

(Sigh)

*A person came to a door and said he was looking for someone.

A Boxer was running loose down Capitol Road.

(I fell asleep reading this...)

A Border Collie was running loose down Main St.

(Should I be alarmed?)

Lately, it seems like daily, mundane aggravations are being reported to the police.  Perhaps some folks need to get outside for some fresh air.  (Yeah, I'm on my couch--but I'm not calling the Po over every little thing!)

Then, I remembered something I had read a few months ago...

so let's get some perspective on life...

Lessons from 9/11, the annoying little things:

• As you might know, the head of a major company survived the tragedy of “9/11” in New York because his son started kindergarten.
• Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.
• One woman was late because her alarm clock didn’t go off in time.
• One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.
• One of them missed his bus.
• One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.
• One’s car wouldn’t start.
• One went back to answer the telephone.
• One had a child that dawdled and didn’t get ready as soon as he should have.
• One couldn’t get a taxi.
• The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic…
      – miss an elevator…
      – turn back to answer a ringing telephone…
      – all the little things that annoy me…
      – I think to myself…
         this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

The next time your morning seems to be going wrong,
      – the children are slow getting dressed,
      – you can’t seem to find the car keys,
      – you hit every traffic light…
      – don’t get mad or frustrated;
         God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things – and may you remember and appreciate their possible purpose.

Story submitted by Kranti Gaurav
Author Unknown

Today is December 7th:  The 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.  Until September 11, 

2001, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, stood as the most devastating enemy attack on US soil. Both 

have been defining moments in our nation's history.  Each caught the country by surprise,

rallied the people against the attackers and was the beginning of a long, difficult war.

Pearl Harbor:  more than 2400 Americans dead--military.

September 11th:  almost 3,000 Americans dead--civilians.

Let us never forget our fellow Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Maybe we could do that...

by letting all those little things that irritate or frustrate...

be okay.

Stop and smell the roses like Biskit!

Oh dear...yer smellin' too hard there Hope! ;)

 

September 11th 10 year anniversary

Yes, I know what Today is.  Today is my sister's birthday.  Actually, it really is her birthday.  She has beautiful green eyes, loves to sing, loves the Lord, and has a really cute laugh!  When she laughs, you just want to laugh with her.  I miss her.

So, I do know what Today is.

September 11th.

The 10 year anniversary 

of that awful, overwhelming, devastating day.  

The day that God allowed.  

I used to wonder why World War II survivors never wanted to talk about the past or their experiences.  It frustrated me that they held their thoughts and experiences hidden away from everyone.  But now, after that one day, I can see their point. I can appreciate it.

**********

A few years ago, while Bob and I were on a trip, we got to know a small family (Mom, Dad, and Daughter) from Australia.  They were a charming and happy group. However, at one point, we found out that they had an ordinary lock on one of their suitcases.  We warned them that the lock would probably be broken by TSA at some point, but they blew us off and laughed.


Well, at the airport, it happened. TSA called the family into a back room for an interview. Upon entering, they were surprised to see that TSA had indeed broken the lock on the suitcase in order to do a search. In the process of breaking the lock, the suitcase had suffered a bit of damage.  In fact, it no longer latched properly.


Of course, we were not surprised.  What was surprising was their reaction.  Oh!  They were angry.  Really angry.  They knew the rule about suitcase locks, yet they could not understand why the lock had to be broken.  We attempted to help them to process what they had done.  We kept repeating to them "because of September 11th" over, and over, and over again.  Still, they were really upset and frustrated.  


Perhaps they could not understand--after all, it was not their country nor was it their reality.


Their intolerance of our air travel rules became a bit maddening to me.  Memories and emotions from that day were shooting into my head and exploding like fireworks. Finally, I had to take some deep cleansing breaths and put on some headphones. Some things should not have to be said. 

**********

“I think we all wish we could erase some dark times in our lives. 

But all of life's experiences, bad and good, make you who you are.

Erasing any of life's experiences would be a great mistake.”

-Luis Miguel               

**********

God Bless America

I pledge allegiance

to the flag

of the United States of America

and

to the Republic for which it stands

one nation

under God

indivisible

with liberty and justice

for all.

NOW,

for your visual, emotional, and mental relief....

a barn kitty!!

 What should his name be?

"Barn Kitty" seems......a bit obvious. ;)