Lexophiles "do it" with Letters!

1. A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
2. A will is a dead giveaway.
3. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
4. A backward poet writes in verse.
5. Democracy = your vote counts; Feudalism = your Count votes.
6. A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
7. If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
8. With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
9. Piano fell down a mine, resulted in A-flat minor.
10. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
11. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
12. Exploded French kitchen floor? Linoleum Blownapart.
13. You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
14. Local Area Network in Australia: The LAN down under.
15. He broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
16. A calendar's days are numbered.
17. A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.
18. A boiled egg is hard to beat.
19. He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
20. A plateau is a high form of flattery.
21. Short fortuneteller escaped from prison? A small medium at large.
22. Get too big for your britches = be exposed in the end.
23. When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.
24. If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine.
25. Seing her first gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
26. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.
27. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
28. Acupuncture: a jab well done.
29. Marathon runners with bad shoes suffer the agony of de feet.
30. A president of a democracy is a man who is always ready, willing, and able to lay down your life for his country.

In the time of Australopithecines...

In the time of Australopithecines... I was still a monkey (a chimp I think, not a chump)...

"Robert! I don't care if you do think that you're related to Napoleon... Get your hand out of my blouse!"

Australopithecines are a genus of extinct hominids that lived in eastern Africa from about 4.2 Ma until about 1 Ma. Some anthropologists believe that some of the australopithecine species are directly ancestral to humans, however others hold they are a "side-branch" of the line that led to humans, and not direct human ancestors. I rather look like one those fellows, me thinks.

There are a variety of accepted taxonomic schemes for the australopithecines, however the four most commonly accepted species are Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus robustus, and Australopithecus boisei.

A. robustus and A. boisei are larger boned and more "robust" than A. afarensis & A. africanus, which are termed "gracile." The smaller gracile forms Australopithecus africanus and Australopithecus afarensis (the species which includes the famous fossil "Lucy") are typically thought to be the most closely related to humans. Studies have found that Australopithecus africanus (very similar to Australopithecus afarensis), the australopithecine species often thought to be the most closely related to humans, had a body shape more similar to modern apes than to members of the genus Homo.

Australopithecines stood about 1-1.5 m in height and had relatively small brains typically measuring between 370 and 515 cm3 (cc) -- only slightly larger than the brain of a chimpanzee.

The australopithecine mode of locomotion has been a point of controversy, usually centered around the shape of australopithecine pelvis and knee bones. Early studies believed the australopithecine pelvis was a clear-cut precursor to Homo with human-like bipedality, while later studies of australopithecine locomotion found it to be different from modern apes, but also very different from humans -- a distinct mode of locomotion. The most common consensus is that forms of australopithecines were adapted for both tree-climbing and at least semi-upright, if not fully upright walking, having a mode of locomotion different from all extant primates, including humans and modern apes."

"Cogito, ergo sum" I think, therefore I am?

And so it was...
I remember those days, like it was (well) yesterday...

Precious Loved

Carried with every Breath escaping mine Lips,
There is a Sweet thought of Thee.
And every Heartbeat,
Brings me precious Life and...
Caresses a new Memory made of We.
For each Tear shed due to Loss,
I would cry each another time Ov'r.
Because every Moment & Memory
That is being Shared & Made with You,
Is worth every Tear Lost, For'ver.

(peace) VIOLENCE ~ (war) VIOLENCE

terrorist (ter' or ist), n 1. A person who commits violence in pursuit of political goals we oppose.

hero (hē' rō) n 1. A person who commits violence in pursuit of political goals we favor.

Bullys

Those who can, do. Those who cannot, bully.

Wonderous Hugs

Just wonderous what a hug can do!

A hug can cheer you when pink turns to blue.

A hug can say, "I love you so!"...

Or, "So sad to see you go."

A hug is,"welcome back again!"

And, "Great to see you, where've you been?"

A hug can soothe a lot of pain,

Or bring forth rainbows after the rain.

The hug! There's just no doubt about it,

We scarcely could survive without it.

A hug delights and warms and charms,

'Tis why God gave new love four arms!

Hugs are great for Dads and Mothers.

So sweet for sisters, just swell for brothers.

And chances are some favorite Aunts.

Love them more than their potted plants.

Kittens crave 'em! Puppies love 'em!

Heads of State are not above them.

A hug can break the language barrier.

And make the dullest day seem that much merrier.

No need to fret about having a store of them,

The more you give... the more there are of them!

So, reach out those arms without delay,

And give someone you love, a hug today!

As spirit gently weeps...

This troubled World must be a constant source of tears for the Creator.

Me Thinks

Buffet Billions

It was Andrew Carnegie who said, "The man who dies rich, dies disgraced." When the steel tycoon retired, he set up public libraries across the country and gave away $350 million (an enormous fortune by the standards of wealth 100 years ago). Give now, die later?

Thank you on behalf of all humanity, Mr. Warren Edward Buffet!

Another "Good friend" leading the way, Me Thinks.

Galileo Galilei ~ ANNO 1632 ~

Galileo Galilei ~ ANNO 1632 ~

"Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems"
[HTML] [Word] [PDF] - English

"Dialogo sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo"
[HTML] [Word] [PDF]- Italiano

The Speaking of Truth to Power

The time-honored role of the Thinker, is to Speak Truth to Power.

We could create a group of favorite, thinking saints. They are all around us. Many of us take them too much for granted and even bask in reflected glory because of the work that they do. Some are spiritually enlightened -- while quite a few more are not. But it doesn't matter. They do Good work, the work of Good. Or at least, after the Thinking is over or when history gives Good works credibility -- we all can claim it as Good and Decent. These people are the ones who work as loyal friends. They are intelligent, resourceful, patient, and wise. They may be found in modest places doing routine work. They dig into facts. They try to understand. They study and research, they walk the halls of Power. They go out and live with the people, they go anywhere in the world, modestly. They bind wounds, they feed the hungry, they teach, they excavate foundations, and they build shelter. And when it is necessary (and if they are qualified) they put down their tools, and look authority in the eye and Speak Truth to Power.

One does not need to describe their work, for we all know it. We can celebrate the balance in these saints. They are spoken of as naive, idealistic, do-gooders, and innocent doves. But we can believe they also have the wisdom of the serpent. They are spoken of with a touch of scorn as being "establishment" types -- too concerned with hierarchy and system, but we can believe that the work they do and the testimony they give, wears the ring of Truth. They live with and witness to the Good values in a down-to-earth, practical way.

They are also objected to as being too radical, too revolutionary, too pushy. They are -- for some. But not for we.

Love the way that they receive unfavorable judgment from both sides yet continue to Speak Truth to Power.

Such Good friends do die -- and once so, each ending will be an insignificant event -- barely a whimper in the scope of all things, begun and ended. But if this human experiment continues -- if this particular experience of Grace, Good, and Godliness evolves into something with increasing potential for life; if we don't destroy ourselves and our splendid planet -- it will be because more and more people will gradually believe, and behave, like the very best of mankind. They will gradually understand and commit themselves to live to, and by Higher values.

Calling ourselves by a label-name is not important.

What matters is how we live. And some of those "Good friends" are showing the way.

Me Thinks.

Billions & Billions

Our galaxy, the "Milky Way" would take 200,000 years to cross -- traveling at the speed of light. It is known to contain about 200 Billion stars. Approximately 125 Billion galaxies are presently known to Science... that adds-up to about 25 Sextillion stars (25 followed by 21 zeros).

The inner workings of the human brain is the make-up of what we call "human nature". Amazingly, it has been calculated that the number of permutations (of possible connections between the synapses within a single mind) gives rise to a larger number.

"We are starstuff", "We are one species", "History is full of people who out of fear, or ignorance, or lust for power have destroyed knowledge of immeasurable value which truly belongs to all of us. We must not let it happen again." - Dr. Carl Sagan

In his Memory.

lowercase PEOPLE -- UPPERCASE people

Provoking, single-minded, non-thinkers (UPPERCASE people) are perfectly content to walk directly to a destination, looking straight ahead, not noticing, nor counting advantage -- senses OFF, judgements ON, mind CLOSED -- while missing OUT on the journey. Thought-provoking, observant (lowercase people) are intrigued by the human experience. The more they look in all directions, the more they see great variety -- although this would seem to point (somewhat paradoxically), to the similarity of our lives and existence.

Me Thinks.

On Self & Trust & Love

A human being is only interesting if that individual is in contact with self. To trust your self, be Who you are -- do what you ought to do, the way you need do it. Discover you, what you do, and trust it. If a person doesn't trust themselves, they will never trust anyone else. While you may be deceived if you trust too much, you will live in torment if you do not trust enough. For it is mutual trust -- even more than mutual interest, that holds human relationships together. Our friends seldom profit us, but they make us feel safe. Marriage is a scheme to accomplish exactly that same end. To be loved, and love well -- trust a man of worth. Trust that man and he will be true to you; treat him greatly, and he will show himself Great.

Love well.

DREAMS

Ah, yes -- DREAMS -- you'll find (in them) the most perfect way to feel better about your life (while making great fun of mine)...

Beaux rêves!

"Wedding the Locksmith's Daughter"

Glide forth to embed the extended blade,

(the right fit, matched to its sheathing).

Slid upon graphite, pushed inside the Maide,

(finding the clicks of her Lock -- all hidden feelings).

His Key slips home into a foreign, oiled milieu,

(geared tight to match, mesh, and turn together).

For the parts all move as inner couplings do,

(tripping springs -- throwing open bolts, but better).

Encased within the workings of this machine,

there is movement without sound on sound:

to convey what no musical notes can mean,

(played silent when ‘er whole-rests abound).

The Key and Lock engage, and marry now…

(while brass bells ring by keeping time).

And Church doors open then close aloud…

(for both the Lock, and the Key -- are mine)!

.

-ooOoo-

Note: 'locksmith's daughter': 19th-century slang for a key.

Copyright ©2006 – Robert C. Kuhmann -- All Rights Reserved

Farm boys make & keep promises!

When a man's word is no good, how Good is the man?

(Thought for the Day.)

TRUST:

Love her to trust him and Trust him to love her.
Love him to trust her and Trust her to love him.

Trust to Love and Love to Trust?
Trust to Trust and Love to Love?

And so, a GOOD & HAPPY union make.

Me Thinks.

"Her Piano Concerto"

'Tis a recital of touch -- myriad notes of her piano concerto played with nimble fingers,
Like spilt, warmed water that would not balance nor remain within his upturned palms.

This engaging melodic dance, is one of composed, yet steadied harmonies,
Each drawing her into a magical world -- where she hears the arias of his wanderings.

Nearby, sunlight flashes in rainbows through the uneven glass pane of an open window,
Reminding the listener of Morning Glories -- and the glint and glitter of fairy-dust.

As her piano concerto
Plays on.

A gentle breeze shudders ever verdant leaves into individual rustles and sways,
Like miniature ballerinas clad in green -- doing piroettes on the tip of a shoe.

Restfully down, cool grasses tease and tickle at the back of her neck,
While errant butterflies flit through sultry air -- gracefully just above the depth of her gaze.

As her piano concerto
Plays on.

She walks to where the sand spreads soft beneath her feet,
Like granular waves sifting up to kiss and then stick to her toes.

A bluejay clammors a piercing call,
Snails slide silently over moss.

As her piano concerto
Plays on.

Twinkling stars wink at her,
Like a reunion of old friends.

The man in the moon grins down at her with a broad smile,
One of kindness and understanding.

A burst of light flares up in her eyes,
But it is only the sun comforting an end of her day-dreaming.

And she is safe.

As her piano concerto

Plays on...

Copyright ©2006 ~ Robert C. Kuhmann ~ All Rights Reserved

English, the "official" language of the USA.

Dear reader, I was once an immigrant (not to the USA, because I was born here), but to France. Thus, I spent 16 years of my adult life in a second country. As a polyglot linguist who speaks: US English, fluent French, good Spanish, some German, a little Japanese, and who can read Italian & Portuguese -- I am a proponent of the mandatory official use of US English in the United States of America. Similarly, I encourage everyone to learn several languages.

Having travelled all over the world (and resided in various countries), I underwrite the use of US English as the ONLY legally supported language of the land. I for one, ask newcomers to tolerate and respect the diversity of all origins, but I shall also ask each person to honor the common ground. Wave your national flag (that of your country of origin), but take pause to remember to display "Old Glory". Learn to speak, read, and write US English. Integrate yourself and your cultural identity into the best of the values of your host country (the USA is an amalgum of so many). English is firmly established as a dominant historical and integral part of the national identity (albeit that my ancestors were German [Saxony & Bavaria] and Norwegian).

When one is a visitor (anywhere), or an immigrant to a "new land" -- it is simply polite, good taste to exercise such common sense, i.e. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".

Cum dilegentia sunt!

Prosaic Poetic Pinafore

(LIFE) should be enclosed by Philosophic Parenthesis.

And ...

"DEATH" should be bounded by Quintessential Quotes.

For we have but a short time to live, and there is a long time to stay dead...