During our recent "power outage," Meijers was one of the few stores open in our. They had a generator. I made a few visits there. With the exception of ice, they generally had what I wanted. I am sure the employees and management of the store worked long and hard hours, but they were always gracious and accommodating. I wanted to compliment them .... sent them this email .....

A comment about your store on North 21st in Newark, Ohio. They were an oasis during our power outage. They ALL were courteous, polite and helpful. I needed a small, quarter sized battery for our scales. Weight is very critical to a condition my wife has. Store was busy, but an Asst. Mgr. walked me to the proper counter, found the one I needed, and offered assistance in helping me further. How great is that? They are ALL to be commended, excellent job during a tough time.

As  busy as they were, I got this the same day... 

Hello Joseph,

Thank you for the wonderful compliment! Knowing our customers are happy with our store and our service means a lot to us.

We have forwarded your email to the Store Director.

We look forward to serving you for a long time to come.

Best Wishes,

Janice DC

Here is their website .............. MEIJER

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Does anyone really believe that Romney can really beat Obama. The beautifully orchestrated "Political Symphony" is being played at this time, and the "orchestra" will be playing 24/7 from now till election time.

What is next? Gas prices are down, Obamacare got an affirmative vote of approval yesterday, today he is putting out the fires in Colorado, the music is playing.

I would like to know who the "conductor" is, or the composer, brilliant political minds. Everything  you see or hear, from now till November is done, or said, for a reason. I wonder who is running the country, we are probably getting instructions from China.

Remember, Obama can't beat Hillary. Obama can't beat old "what's his name," in  the election, Obama can't get his healthcare passed. Obama can't win in 2012?

Wonderful story...

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr.. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' Asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost.'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs.. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them.. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ..' With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral:

We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Poor George .................

George Herman returned home a day early from a business trip. It's late, after midnight.

While en route home he asked the cabby, Bill Martin if he would accompany him inside and be a witness. George suspected that his wife was having an affair and he wanted to catch her in the act. For $100, Bill agreed.

Quietly arriving home and entering the house, George and the cabby tiptoed upstairs and into the bedroom.

George switched on the lights, yanked the blanket back and there is his wife in bed with another man!

He reached into a drawer pulled out his gun, and put it to the naked man's head.

Mary, his wife, said, "Don't do it! I lied when I told you I inherited money. HE paid for the Corvette I gave you. HE paid for our new cabin cruiser, HE paid for your season Pittsburgh Steelers tickets, HE paid for our house at the lake, HE paid for our country club membership, and HE even pays the monthly dues!'

George shook his head from side-to-side, and lowered his gun. He looked over at Bill and said, , "What would you do?"

Bill replied, "I'd cover him up with that blanket so he doesn't catch cold!"

Didn't Really Happen .... Thanks Ernie..

I was in my back yard trying to launch a kite. I threw the kite up in the air, the wind would catch it for a few
seconds, then it would come crashing back down to earth. I tried this a few more times with no success.

All the while, my wife Marilyn is watching from the kitchen window, muttering to herself how men need to be told how to do everything. She opened the window and yelled to me,

'You need more tail.'

I turned with a confused look on my face and said, 'Make up your mind. Last night, you told me to go fly a kite.'