Disappeared

All men fear death.  It’s a natural fear that consumes us all.  We fear death because we feel that we haven’t loved well enough or loved at all, which ultimately are one and the same.  However, when you make love with a truly great woman, one that deserves the utmost respect in this world and one that makes you feel truly powerful, that fear of death completely disappears.  Because when you are sharing your body and heart with a great woman the world fades away.  You two are the only ones in the entire universe.  You conquer what most lesser men have never conquered before, you have conquered a great woman’s heart, the most vulnerable thing she can offer to another.  Death no longer lingers in the mind.  Fear no longer clouds your heart.  Only passion for living, and for loving, become your sole reality.  This is no easy task for it takes insurmountable courage.  But remember this, for that moment when you are making love with a woman of true greatness you will feel immortal.  I believe that love that is true and real creates a respite from death.  All cowardice comes from not loving or not loving well, which is the same thing.
And when the man who is brave and true looks death squarely in the face like some rhino hunters I know or Belmonte, who is truly brave, it is because they love with sufficient passion to push death out of their minds.  Until it returns, as it does to all men.  And then you must make really good love again.  Think about it.
―    Woody Allen
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On This Day In:
2021	Four Down, Three To Go
	It Still Ain’t
	Boosted
2020	Three Down, Four To Go
	Twenty-Four ‘Til You
2019	Two Down, Five To Go
2018	Year One, Done!
2017	First Day Of Retirement!
2016	Revere And Criticize
2015	Global Climate Change May Test This Statement
2014	Adaptability Won
2013	Disappeared
2012	Fuller
	Life On The Range
	More Classics
2011	Stoned Again?
2010	Insubordination… And That’s Why I Love Her!
	Losing – Week One

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Four Score

At eighty, a man has experienced everything:  love, and its ending;  ambition, and its emptiness;  several foolish beliefs, and their rectification.  Fear of death is not very great;  affections and interest concern people who have died and events of the past.  In a cinema theatre when the show is continuous the spectator has the right to retain his seat as long as he wishes to do so, but actually, when the scenes he has already witnessed reappear on the screen, he leaves the theatre.  Life is a continuous show.  The same events take place every thirty years, and they become boring.  One after another the spectators take their departure.
—   André Maurois
[I don’t know…  I’ve watched some movies fifty or more times.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Well Within Our Power
	Hammer Time
2020	3 November Is Coming!
	Bee Gees’ing
2019	Senate Republicans: Impeachment – Because It Is Right!
	Dave’s Not Here, Man!
	Mixing Business And Pleasure
2018	Intensity Doesn’t Make It Correct
	HF2: 1940’s Grapes
2017	Proof Sits In The Oval Office
2016	Tragic Determinism
2015	Maybe It Should Be Clearer
2014	Make It Your Strength
2013	Four Score
2012	The Ruler
2011	Forever
2010	Just Cuz
	How Do You Mend A Broken Heart?
	It’s Alive!! (3rd Pair Shoe Review)

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What Have You Done Lately?

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
—    Edmund Burke
[I can’t believe I’ve been posting to this blog for over four years and I’ve never cited this quote before!  Particularly since I’ve used it in some of my “replies” on other blog sites.     —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Climate Change Deniers
	We Don’t Listen Anyway
2020	Nothing New Here
	Talk To Me
	Register And Vote
2019	Love And Leave
2018	Smiling If Not Laughing
2017	Chilled And Smooth
2016	But Sometimes You Have To Stand In Front
2015	The Key Shift
2014	Remember ISIS / ISIL?
2013	What Have You Done Lately?
2012	B8
2011	I’m Definitely Not In Control

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It Keeps Happening Anyway

See, that’s the tragedy of the human condition.  No one WANTS to be corrupted by power when they set out to get it.  They have good, even noble reasons for doing whatever it is they do.  They don’t want to misuse it, they don’t want to abuse it, and they don’t want to become vicious monsters.  Good people, decent people, set out to take the high road, to pick up power without letting it change them or push them away from their ideals.
But it keeps happening anyway.
History is full of it.  As a rule, people aren’t good at handling power.  And the second you start to think you’re better at controlling your power than anyone else, you’ve already taken the first step.
—    Harry Dresden
The narrative character in the novel:  “Cold Days“
Written by:  Jim Butcher
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On This Day In:
2021	An Impossible Situation
	I Fear It Is (For Us If Not The Planet)
2020	#45 Never Shuts Up
	Walkin’ In The Rain With The One I Love
2019	Silly Pooh Bear
	Dominoes Or Jenga?
2018	Very Few
2017	Or The Candidate Who…
2016	The Happiest People
2015	Jumping Into The Dark
2014	I Would Be Sillier
2013	It Keeps Happening Anyway
2012	Take Time
2011	A Mother’s Lesson
2010	3rd Pair – Shoe Review (DOA and Final)

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Eureka

If men could regard the events of their lives with more open minds they would frequently discover that they did not really desire the thing they failed to obtain.
—    André Maurois
[Perhaps contentment does come from a little less desire.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Buying Time In A Fixed Game
	Dedicated To: Messrs. Rubio And Pompeo
2020	What It Takes
	Every Sign Was A Northern Star
2019	Stuff Happens
	Whistleblower Complaint Regarding President Trump And Ukraine
2018	Looking Into Golf
	Goin’ Yard
2017	Improvise
2016	Got Leisure?
2015	It’s Been Hurtin’ For Quite A While Now
2014	Curious Talent
2013	Eureka
2012	Slow Me
2011	He Said What?!?
2010	Gritty
	3 and 3
	Just A Hunch
	Wall Street – Movie Review
	2nd Pair – Shoe Review (Aborted and Final)

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Doin’

To be is to do.
—    Socrates
To do is to be.
—    Sartre
Do be do be do…
—    Sinatra
Scoo bi doo bi doo!
—    Scoobidoo
[Not every post has to be serious…     —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	MAGA Choice: Reality Or Lies
	You Seem To Be
2020	A Good Reason To Blog
	Finally Enjoying The View
2019	Living Free
2018	Relative Imagination
2017	Thank You, Senator McCain (So Far Anyway)
2016	What About Friends?
2015	It Tastes Good To Me
2014	Others’ Footsteps
	The Not-So-Modern Samurai
2013	Doin’
2012	A Lover
2011	What Have We Found Here
	Words

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Namaste

I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells.  I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace.  When you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, We Are One.
From:  http://idealisticrebel.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/my-last-words-for-today/
[Also:  “I see you!”
Also:  “I acknowledge you.”
I frequently end my responses to comments and my replies to other folks posts with the salutation “Namaste”.  It’s a word I’ve “known” forever, but never really comprehended.  I used to believe it was a simple greeting, like “hello” or “see you later”.  I was discussing this with the owner of an Indian restaurant and he said, “No, sir!  It is so much more.”  And then he explained some of its different levels of meaning.  Being me, I then went home and looked it up on the internet, and indeed, the word / spirit of the word, has many meanings.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	The Mirror Would Know
	Mamasaydobeddyalong
2020	Why #45 Is Always Crying
	Watching #45 Hold A Rally
2019	I Think Reading Books Is A Good Place To Start
2018	And Pay In Full
2017	If Only
2016	Equal Justice
2015	Not Enough
2014	Are You Even Listening?
2013	Namaste
2012	Looking Up
2011	Et Tu Brute?

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Happy Birthday, Rebecca

This life is what you make it.  No matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes, it’s a universal truth.  But the good part is you get to decide how you’re going to mess it up.  Girls will be your friends – they’ll act like it anyway.  But just remember, some come, some go.  The ones that stay with you through everything – they’re your true best friends.  Don’t let go of them.  Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world.  As for lovers, well, they’ll come and go too.  And baby, I hate to say it, most of them – actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can’t give up because if you give up, you’ll never find your soulmate.  You’ll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything.  Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything.  Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie?  So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.
―     Marilyn Monroe
[From a blog I follow:  http://dshenai.wordpress.com
The specific post is:  http://dshenai.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/insightful-inspirational-quotes-about-life/
Happy Birthday, Princess!
Love, Dad    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Strong Women Make Them Too
	Gather Moments
2020	Another Opportunity
	Stand Up, Shout Out
2019	Birthday Gifts For Our Daughter
	Feeling Age
2018	Seeking To Make A Difference
2017	Happy BD, Bec!
2016	BD Quotes
2015	Princess
2014	Optional
2013	Happy Birthday, Rebecca
2012	Be Not Old
	2012 National League Western Division Champions!!!
2011	What Kind Of Work Do You Do?
2010	Another Loser… And Come November

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Oh Yes He Can!

I read an article once that said that when women have a conversation, they’re communicating on five levels.  They follow the conversation that they’re actually having, the conversation that is specifically being avoided, the tone being applied to the overt conversation, the buried conversation that is being covered only in subtext, and finally the other person’s body language.
That is, on many levels astounding to me.  I mean, that’s like having a freaking superpower.  When I, and most other people with a Y chromosome, have a conversation, we’re having a conversation.  Singular.  We’re paying attention to what is being said, considering that, and replying to it.  All these other conversations that have apparently been going on for the last several thousand years?  I didn’t even know that they EXISTED until I read that stupid article, and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.
I felt somewhat skeptical about the article’s grounding.  There were probably a lot of women who didn’t communicate on multiple wavelengths at once.  There were probably men who could handle that many just fine.  I just wasn’t one of them.
So, ladies, if you ever have some conversation with your boyfriend or husband or brother or male friend, and you are telling him something perfectly obvious, and he comes away from it utterly clueless?  I know it’s tempting to think to yourself, “The man can’t possibly be that stupid!”
But yes.  Yes, he can.
—     Harry Dresden
The narrative character in the novel:  “Cold Days“
Written by:  Jim Butcher
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On This Day In:
2021	What Will You Become?
	Life’s Illusions
2020	Rules Of Morality
	Tempting Fate
2019	Good People On Both Sides?
2018	Schedule, Please
2017	No Hope For #DumbDonald
2016	Do Something
2015	What Are You Making Now?
2014	Like Fire Burning In My Heart
2013	Oh Yes He Can!
2012	Enquiries
2011	The Prize: Understanding
2010	Can You Tell My Scanner Works?
	Rebecca – The Early Years
	James – The Early Years
	Brothers By Another Mother

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Smile From Your Heart!

Do you need any more reason to smile or happy?
Take a walk, relax yourself…
Look at the nature.
Smile from your heart!
From one of the blogs I follow:  http://lijiun.wordpress.com
The specific post is at:  http://lijiun.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/fountain-of-joy/
[Sometimes we forget how glorious each day is…  And the beauty which surrounds us!    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	I’ll Keep Trying To Anyway
	She Knows
2020	Respond
	Still Trying To Adjust
2019	The Limits Of My Knowledge
2018	Even Tiny Progress
2017	Real Conservatism
2016	The Business Of Life
2015	Alone Again, Naturally
2014	Agreed
2013	Smile From Your Heart!
2012	Like You
2011	Got Days?
2010	K9 Humor – Has Anyone Seen My Setter?  (Must read!!)
	A Longer Blog Than You Want To Read (Probably)
2009	Back and Forth and Round Again…

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Fly!!

I wasn’t born to stand on the sidewalk, I was born to fly around crazy in the sky!
—    C. JoyBell C.
[Found at:  http://courtingmadness.wordpress.com
The specific post is:  http://courtingmadness.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/i-wasnt-born-to-stand-on-the-sidewalk/
There is an image to go with the quote.  Please click through to the original posting for the full effect.     —     kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	20 / 20 History Lessons
	I Waited
2020	The Blind Squirrel And The Suppression Of Uncomfortable Ideas
	It’ll Start Getting Cooler. You Just Watch.
2019	Future Tools
	Three Swedish Girls
2018	Four Loves
	Favorite Westerns
2017	Faith In Science
2016	What The World Calls
2015	Say What?
2014	Start Today
2013	Fly!!
2012	Greater Love
2011	Before

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Anew

All my life I’ve looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time.
—    Letter (9 April 1945);
Published in:  “Ernest Hemingway: Selected Letters 1917–1961“
Edited by:  Carlos Baker
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On This Day In:
2021	It Doesn’t Rain Forever
	Thoughtful Stroll
2020	An Act Of Faith
	Born And Sold Fairy Tales
2019	Fostering Debate
2018	The Births Of Spring
2017	Drug Epidemic In America
2016	Word Up, Chuck!
2015	Sometimes I Wonder About Things
2014	Still Racing
2013	Anew
2012	Make Both
2011	Are You Happy Yet?

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Strong Kung-Fu

Where there is thought, there will be philosophy in one form or another:  the stronger the thought, the stronger the philosophy.
—    Cubby
[A comment on one of the postings on my blog…
The specific posting was:  https://kmabarrett.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/precis/
Cubby’s blog is:  http://reowr.wordpress.com/     —     kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Hold That Thought
	Got Love?
2020	Everyone I’ve Ever Met
	A Secret Chord
2019	A Big “IF”
2018	Silence Presence
2017	Feeling Small Standing In Front Of My Shelves
2016	Show Willing
2015	If He Only Knew…
2014	Dared To Love
2013	Strong Kung-Fu
2012	Two Tribes
2011	Made Any Assumptions Lately?

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Serve The World

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It’s not just in some of us;  it’s in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
—    Marianne Williamson
[From one of the blogs I follow:   http://365daymiracles.com
The specific posting is at:  http://365daymiracles.com/2013/08/15/vulnerability-shedding-your-skin/
—    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2021	Still Dangerous
	My Destiny
2020	Explaining And Gilding
	That Way
2019	Lead To Action
2018	Listen And See
2017	The Big Illusion
2016	What Are You Thinking About?
2015	What The Framers Chose
2014	Lost Anything Lately?
	A Life Of Science
2013	Serve The World
2012	Acquaintance, n.
2011	On Why His Father Was A Great Teacher
	A Baker’s Dozen

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Responding To Challenges

Suffering and beauty lift us out of self-absorption to something greater than ourself.  Even humor, a touch of beauty for its dip into joy, helps us get over our bad self for the moment.  There is lightness.  Life isn’t all about shuffling along under a load.  We can set it down.  Trust that Someone or something’s got our back, be it God or friend or peace with self.  When we hope or even fear as we ought from the lessons of literature and poetry, we realize a fresh reverence.  Privy to the vast range of possibilities ancient and modern tales disclose, we learn new ways of responding to challenges and can exchange the load for a dream.
—    From one of the blogs I follow:  http://aholisticjourney.wordpress.com/
The specific post is:  http://aholisticjourney.wordpress.com/2013/08/05/the-writing-process-ii-why-we-read-part-4/
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On This Day In:
2021	At Least Not Until Sunset
	Rain On The Leaves
2020	At Least A Little Less
	Two For The Post
2019	Promises, Promises
2018	You Mean There IS Something Else?
2017	Be Good
2016	Raise Yourself
2015	A Kids Movie Rip-Off
2014	Ready, Action!
2013	Responding To Challenges
2012	Abnormal, adj.
2011	Large Families
	On The Brink

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