Whatever happened to them?

Benny, Ramey and Stymie, wonder where they are now. Actually, they were imaginary playmates and friends of  mine, we went everywhere together. If we went out to eat, they came along. On vacations, the four of us sat in the backseat of the old Packard Clipper. Benny, who was my best friend, like me, loved those vacations in Michigan.  He liked catching those Perch we pulled out of Burt Lake.

Stymie liked to spend time in old John Greenman's store, the aroma in there, I can still almost capture it today. John smoked Rum Soaked Crook cigars, and that combined with the aroma of the Cedar logs that the store was constructed of, the produce, the other aromas, can still capture those today.

I don't remember when those three branched out on their own, or where they went, and I'm not sure when it happened, it was probably gradual.

Not sure why I am thinking of them today, they just popped into my mind, had not thought of them for many years. I wonder where they are now, old Benny, Ramey and Stymie, my old friends.

Feminist Group Declares War On LEGOs

A feminist group has identified the enemy, and it is … LEGOs?

The Danish company behind the interlocking plastic building blocks loved by children since 1949 has a meeting set for Friday with a Brooklyn group ticked off with LEGOs product line designed to appeal to girls.

The new “LEGO Friends” rolled out in December featuring LadyFigs, curvier takeoffs on the traditional boxy LEGO men. Construction sets include a hot tub, a splash pool, a beauty parlor, an outdoor bakery and a “cool convertible,” as well as an inventor’s workshop.

But the SPARK Movement objects to the “LadyFigs,” the female version of the little figures who man the spaceships, trucks and forts children create. “Ladyfigs” are somewhat anatomically correct, which hypersexualizes girls, according to the group.

One last word ..................

Everyone is so concerned about the plans for Whitney's burial, the church, the fans, the family, the community.

Where were all these doting people in her life when she needed them the most. About the only element that has been silent is the medical profession and doctors, doctors who perhaps gave her all the prescription meds that she wanted, not needed, wanted. Where were all these "friends" then. My guess is that many, not all, where there for her while the money held out. If she had any "true" friends, she would probably be alive today.

It is not easy to be a true friend. True friends tell people things that they do not want to hear, and have them do things they don't want to do. I imagine that a true friend to some, is almost like an enemy to them. I suppose too, that true friends have a tendency to give up and walk away. Really true friends are hard to find.

A number of people come to mind, who would be alive today, if only they had the one true friend.

True friends are exceptional people, and, we rarely hear of them.

Vitamin F ............

Why do we have a variety of friends who are all so different in character?  How do we get along with them all?  I think that each one helps to bring out a "different" part of us.

We joke with one friend. We sit down and talk about serious matters with one.  With another we laugh a lot.  We may have a coke with one.  We listen to one friend's problems.  Then we listen to another one's advice for us.

Our friends are all like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.  When completed, they form a treasure box.  A treasure of friends!

There are friends who understand us better than we do, who support us through good days and bad days.  We all pray together and for each other.

Real Age doctors tell us that friends are good for our health.  Dr. Oz calls them Vitamins F (for Friends) and counts the benefits of friends as essential to our well being.

Research shows that people in strong social circles have less risk of depression and terminal strokes. If you enjoy Vitamins F constantly you can be up to 30 years younger than your real age. The warmth of friendship stops stress and even in your most intense moments it decreases the chance of a cardiac arrest or stroke by 50%.

Make an effort to keep a stock of Vitamins F !

In summary, we should value our friends and keep in touch with them.  We should try to see the funny side of things and laugh together, and pray for each other in the tough moments.

The Bear and the Dog - GREAT Foto

The probably don't know that they are a Bear and a Dog

They are just "friends" playing together.

The dog may be a little skeptical, from his look.

Some Monday Morning Advice

Who do You Trust? Should You?

We all have someone in our lives with whom we feel we can share all of our thoughts and secrets. Usually it is a member of our family, or a schoolmate whose friendship has endured through the decades. These people have usually seen us at our best and at our worst, and they have been right there by our sides to see us through it all. Such friends and family share in the triumphs and suffer through the sorrows. There are no ulterior motives.

Many of us also have friends we have known for quite some time, who are always open and friendly, but never really help carry the burden when the going gets tough. Or we have family members who suddenly pop into our lives from seemingly nowhere.

How many of these people do you trust? Would you trust them with your life? Can you trust them with a secret? Or do you trust no one?

Be careful who you trust - your welfare may depend upon it

When it comes to matters of great importance, we must be very cautious with our secrets. How many times have you heard stories of the trusted caregiver stealing his or her elderly charge blind? Suddenly a helpless senior citizen with no family to speak of is left destitute, their life's savings stolen from them by the very person who was supposed to care for them.

Or, how many times have you seen one person suddenly befriend another, only because they wanted something they couldn't otherwise attain? Remember Selena, the singer? Her trusted manager and friend not only stole from her, but she eventually killed her.

How do you know who you can trust, or if you even should? In cases of close family, you most likely already know who has stood by you through it all and who has not. However, when it comes to other people, use caution and trust your judgment.

Research their intentions and past, easily and legally

If you feel someone has befriended you because they want something from you, play detective and try to find out what that person's wants and needs are. Learning what they lack in their life may very well hold the key to what they are looking for from you - giving you the knowledge to protect yourself and your assets.

If you suspect your new found friend is in financial trouble, try looking into court records to see if any bankruptcies have been filed, or any judgments have been made against that person. Look for property foreclosures, IRS or other tax liens, or court-ordered wage garnishments. Try to determine if your friend has a gambling problem.

On the other hand, you may suspect your new friend is a thief, or running from someone. A personal background check should reveal secrets about your friend's life, including any criminal misconduct.

Most of this investigation can be done via the Internet by searching public records. However, you may have to dig into many different databases to get the answers you want. If you are looking for an easy, quick way to search an individuals true history, an online background check service, such as Net Detective, is an affordable way to search all available databases from one location.

Looking into someones past may not seem necessary, but it will be well worth it if it saves you the headache of a stolen identity or an empty bank account. It will also be worth it if you are able to forge one of those rare, lifelong friendships.

One Resource for This .............