Benjamin Franklin - 13 Virtues

I'm reading HW Brands book "The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin", and I found his listing of 13 Virtues really interesting. He made the list in an attempt to improve his character, and practice them each as time went by. Here they are:

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.

2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.

6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.

11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

What a great world it could be if everyone tried to practice the 13 virtues!

The Blind Side

As my husband can tell you, I really, really do not like football. It's sooooo borrrinnggg.... Even when the Cowboys are playing in the Super Bowl, I try to watch, but after about 15 minutes I find myself wandering off to do something in the house. I just don't "get it". So, when we saw this movie "The Blind Side", I was pleasantly surprised. It was such a good movie, that afterwards we were talking about it and he said "The Ravens have a game coming up..." I actually wanted to watch it - just to see Michael Oher! My husband did say something about the Ravens being a "defensive team" or some such thing... What do I know? Now of course the proof is in the pudding. My husband is betting I'll last 10 minutes... He may be right, but we'll see. I know this, Michael Oher and his family are incredible people and the movie was terrific!

28th Ammendment?

Got this in an email today...
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States".

Sounds good to me!

GI Squirrel

This guy is tall!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Coconut Miracle

After reading "Going Rogue", I am now reading "The Coconut Miracle". I had no clue there were so many uses for such a simple and cheap product. It seems it helps with almost all aliments - too many to cover here. If you have any illness, dry skin, etc, check it out. It's worth the read.

Going Rogue

Sooo.... the first book I ordered on my new Kindle was Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue". What a great book - very interesting, and well written. I can now see why she scares the "left" so much. She actually gets things done. Most people who go into politics, and most people on the "left" are just plain lazy. The thought that they might actually have to work rather than pick their nose, drives them crazy. Look at BO vacationing over in Hawaii for weeks on end, even after several terrorist attacks. Lazy, lazy, lazy...

Kindle 2

I bought the Kindle 2 for Christmas and I really, really love it! I was thinking about the Nook also, from Barnes and Noble, but since they couldn't get it out until after Christmas, I didn't want to wait any longer. Also, since the Kindle has been out a lot longer, I figured all the bugs would have been worked out of it. It is totally awesome being able to order books for only $9.99 or less - many free. The keyboard is also really nice to add notes for quick future reference. When I'm done reading, I just "delete" the book and it stays up on the Amazon website, sort of like a book shelf. No more books stacking up all over the house! Yeah! I love technology!!!