Meet the Honorable Helen Guergis

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Today’s Blog Post


Meet the Honorable Helen Guergis

Attitude is everything. If you act like a jackass you will be treated like a jackass! If you want respect you need to show respect. If you really want people to look up to you – then act like you should – respectable and honourable.

These simple statements were things that I picked up from my family and teachers along the way as I rose to adulthood over these 65 years of living. Acting stupid in my world brought consequences that were not always good.

Worse yet in our schools we had bullies that acted out whenever they felt like it and to whoever they felt like giving their attention to. We didn’t have anti bullying laws to protect our kids. We simply learned to fight back or/and run real fast. Before I ever learned what a cross country race was about I had been doing it to avoid bullies in our small community.

Maybe it was that early avoidance of the danger that helped me to grow a healthy respect for my own rights.

During the First and Second World Wars we all saw what miserable and horrible little men did to our World. The Hitler of Germany and the Japanese of the Pacific demonstrated what happens when the wretched people that are bullies accomplish to get their own ways.

I don’t back down to bullies anymore. I will do anything in my power to hold them responsible for their actions. They have no right to get away with fowl actions that are delivered to undeserving people. It is abuse and can not be tolerated.

Now pausing for a moment I add these facts. As a Minister in churches for 35 years I witnessed the horror of what abuse from bullies does to those around then. I cannot count the number of families and churches that were affected deeply by bullies… loud screaming and frightening bullies. People that could care less that their own children were scarred for life – or not… let alone others.

As a community volunteer I have worked extensively with men coming from prison. These men are generally reviled for their horrible treatment of other people after they abused and harmed society with their bullying tactics. Many if not all of these ex-offenders were bullied and harmed deeply when they were young. They are a product of bullying tactics.

Having said all that, I am speaking to the actions of one really nasty lady that helps to run our country as a Cabinet Minister in our present Government in Ottawa.

Meet the Honourable Helen Guergis, “Minister of State for the Status of Women”. Actually you may not like to meet Dear Helen, at least not alone and in an Airport in P.E.I. when she is late for a flight. That happened on April 19, 2010.

If you haven’t heard about it – you need to make yourself aware. What she did is nothing less than nasty and mean – proving herself a real bully.

I should use the word “allegedly” in all that I say. To protect myself – please add it in wherever you need to in this article.

If you haven’t heard about Dear Helen’s action in the Charlottetown airport – you need to.

First it is alleged that she was in the airport on the 19th of February 15 minutes before her flight – and the flight of 40 other folks was to leave for Montreal. It is alleged that she cursed up a storm – talked down to the staff and berated the people of P.E.I. with some of her comments.

Second it is alleged that she is a responsible person and should have leadership over a very important position in our Government. The position is higher than the grounds and maintenance people at the parliament buildings in Ottawa. She has more authority than the general secretarial staff in her Ministry – alleged to have that is...

Third it is alleged that she has apologized to the staff of Air Canada and maybe the people of P.E.I.

I feel for the poor “Aid” that tagged along with her – or behind her at that airport scene. The articles and accounts that I read tell of an Aid arriving with her and flying with her…!!! Can you imagine working for a bully like Helen? (Please note that I have dropped the “Honourable”. People like Helen and acting like Helen do not earn the word Honourable in my mind.)

This should be looked into – and at length. Dear Helen needs to step down and get over to some serious anger management classes. Her staff should receive counselling and support, maybe even given a transfer from that department for what they have gone through.

Please don’t tell me that she has found religion and got it right with God. That is classic and sometimes usable in some crowds. I am a Minister – the God kind. I have listened and watched that card being used all too often and then the abuse continues.

In my world, as a leader in our community, I am expected to call the Police and Children’s Aid when there is abuse. We have system in place that requires me to act and act now – or I could be charged as well.

I am asking my own MP, Dean Del Mastro, to ask some serious questions to his own Conservative Party and his Boss, Prime Minister Stephen Harper. I think something needs to change and change now. The abuser needs to be relieved of her position and placed in counselling.

To think that it will all go away after she says she is sorry – issuing an official apology to those that she said these things to – is plain nuts!

Again as a Minister I have witnessed too many bullies that have beat their wives or husbands, then in tearful, repent modes to protect their butts – asked the one that they hurt to forgive them and take them back. I have watched some fellow Ministers protect the abusers as well – only to see whole families destroyed with the Minister not “seeing” the abuse.

Do I seem overly worked up about something that allegedly happened in a remote little airport to a group of people serving our public?

Yah, I get that way when I am around bullies. It started when I lived in that tough little community on the east end of Regina, Saskatchewan. It was either fight or flight. And after being beat up a few times I learned to run fast… but while running I promised my self that someday when I was older I would do something about the bullies. And I haven’t forgotten my promise to do something about it!!!!

Dear Helen Guergis,
Whatever your personal problems are, please do the right thing and resign from this important position. Find help before you hurt more people around you. You definitely are not helping anyone the way that you have acted in P.E.I. In my world of church work they have labelled this kind of action a “Moral Failure” and we as Ministers are asked to step down. For the sake of your staff I am asking you to do the same.


Yours truly,
Rev. Murray Lincoln
Peterborough, Ontario

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~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Sources:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/772404--critics-say-petulant-helena-guergis-must-go
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Status+Women+minister+should+resign/2623394/story.html
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/02/26/guergis-liberals.html

Pinto Creek No 75 - Saskatchewan

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Today’s Blog Post

Pinto Creek No 75 - Saskatchewan
As the aircraft banked right, tipping its wing down, the photo was taken.

The photo was sent to a Site on the Internet where it was chosen as a Google Earth Photo to be seen by all of the world in 2010.

You can take a look at it at http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11481385
Or see it here…

I was doing a zoom over Saskatchewan and decided to “fly over” my Dad’s old stomping grounds from long ago at Kincaid, Sk. That led me to fly over to Hazenmore, a town west of Kincaid. As boy I had wonderful experiences on that farm so long ago.

There it was. Not quite like I remember it as a boy. With many changes made to modernize it by an old friend of mine, Glenn Mayo, who now owns it. (I actually know his mother better in that she was a close friend of my parents. But in Sask. that is known as a friend.)

Through a few more clicks I found Glenn on Facebook and am waiting a reply from a very busy “Winter Farmer” – who is likely waiting for his Spring seeding to start in a few months time.

Now why do I get excited about a farm so far away?

Well… just to the back of that silver coloured machine shed was an old aircraft body that was from the Second World War. It was mounted on an axel off an old buggy. We climbed into the aircraft by the back door… walked forward to the pilot’s controls and were seated ready for take off.
Everything was in the aircraft – just no wings.

When all the kids came aboard, then came forward to the pilot’s cockpit, the aircraft would dive. The weight of all the kids shifting to the front caused the teeter totter affect on the old buggy axel and we went into a dive.

I can feel the rush of imagination as I was the pilot of an aircraft diving over enemy territory to drop the bombs. Then with the help of my brother Glen and the younger kids – every one would rush to the back and the aircraft would climb wildly away from the flak that was bursting all around the aircraft.

The loud bang each time the front or back of the aircraft hit the ground was the greatest sound affects ever. The scratching on the tree branches on the metal sides of the aircraft added more adventure.

That farm was amazing – so far away and so long ago. More than 55 years ago actually… but the memories are still vibrant.

Out in the field just south of the farm were many, many piles of field stones that the farm machinery negotiated around. It was odd as a boy to see that the farmer had left the left so many piles of stones all over the fields.

Then my Dad shared with me that these mounds were grave sites of the long ago Aboriginal People that had once roamed the land.

At night we sat outside and listened to the wail of coyotes and they talked to each other over the rolling land.

I feel a lump in my throat this morning… so long ago and so many memories.

Since those boyhood days I have been to the places the wars were fought in. I have zoomed all over the world in aircrafts – never dropping bombs – but loving the adventure.

Now at 65 years old with the wonderful years of travel behind me… I can now get there by my Google Earth. What a rush.

For fun I went over Hong Kong and found our old apartment building. Then I whished over to Thailand and visited a temple that is gleaming below… and walked on the streets in Bangkok and Chaing Mai. I went to China too… WOW it is the same.

I looked outside and it is snowing again. I think I will go over to Regina again and then maybe to the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg while I sip my coffee. On the way I will stop at Oak Lake and see my Uncle and Aunt’s farm…

I needed this holiday! Wahoo!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Snow Storm Peterborough – Oh Boy

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This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

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Today’s Blog Post

Snow Storm Peterborough – Oh Boy
Normally this Blog is posted by 8 AM – all except today. My hands and arms are so sore that I can hardly type the words.

I just completed three hours of snow blowing – my huge driveway and 6 others on our street.

It has snowed three times since last evening and maybe more will come yet. Worse yet – it is super heavy snow. The Weather man called it Heart Attack Snow! Now it is beginning to melt and the water content in the snow is rising… with each shovel weight close to 25 to 35 pounds!

The beauty of the day is amazing to say the least. The snow is so deep that the underside or inside the snow bank is Blue. Yes I did lay down to do the kid thing… and remember my younger years. No I didn’t fall over with exhaustion!!! But that could have happened too!!!

I write this today for my friends in Africa that peek at the Blog from time to time. I share it with my friends in Malaysia as well… and Hong Kong… and Thailand. The mosquitoes are biting them now and we have the snow. Sorry guys and gals you don’t know what you are missing being in those warm countries.

In our city and on our street we celebrate the cold – knowing full well that in just a few weeks we will be gardening again. Oh Yah – Oh Yah!!! I can’t wait!

I hope you enjoy our snow shots today.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

First I had to dig the shovels out to then shovel my way to the snow blower!

The over hanging snow was beautiful!

These are my Two Bears that I carved - asleep below their new blanket

Spring is coming soon!

In The Face of Opposition

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Today’s Blog Post


In The Face of Opposition
I have followed the story of Joannie Rochette, the young lady from Quebec and Canada that has risen in her Figure Skating to the place that she is now one of the top in all the World – an Olympian.

Everyone in Canada is aware at this point that Joannie’s mom passed away within a short time of arriving in Vancouver last week. Her mom was coming to witness Joannie’s Olympic competition – the ultimate and highest place her daughter would perform after all those years of endless practice and perfecting her abilities.

The accounts that I have read have been almost overwhelming to say the least. This young lady has done things that no other person has done to arrive at this place in her life – only to have the worst thing ever emotionally happen to her – right before the final stage.

Canada will grant her their “own Gold Medal” for what she has gone through I am sure. The compassion that is felt and offered must be what Joannie needs right now.

We are watching the amazing ability of an athlete being able to rise above the potential defeat and move on. We are seeing her abilities in the Face of Opposition.

No doubt Joannie has not always won everything. For every win she has fallen thousands of times. In order to become the best she has faced...
(1.) opposition of the body not doing what she would like it to do,
(2.) the opposition of her mind wanting to simply give up, and
(3.) the opposition of knowing that there was likely always going to be someone that was better than she was.

That “1.– 2.– 3.” of Opposition Forces simply eliminated all her competition along the way – but it would not stop Joannie.

I have also listened to the stories of other Olympians from Canada that have not done so well. People believed in them and they failed miserably. Some fell down where they never fall down. In a split second their whole life time of practice and perfection fell apart and they went from being SOMETHING – to the next terrible step of being NOTHING… even a disgrace – as the last wall of Opposition overtook them.

Tears followed and writers wrote about their terrible performance… disgracing and letting down their own country. Tisk, tisk tisk!!!!

For years they faced opposition – and from now on they will face it again and again as a failure.

I am amazed at something that takes place in the audience. We celebrate a victory performance when an athlete gets a medal – like it was our own victory. But then when one of the athletes doesn’t do well – we scorn then, reject them, turn from them, leave them – we treat them as rejects.

Can you imagine the range of discouragement and walls of opposition that these failures feel after they fall down – AND DON’T WIN FOR US!??? What a nightmare!

This past week I have met with and encountered three failures in life. All three were people that I respect. All three should have known better – but for whatever reason they simply made bad decisions and fell miserably.

In a very small way they each were ‘olympians’ to other people. If they had succeeded we would have been there to share their glory. But they failed… and many have chosen their own method of dealing with their failure… scorn, rejection, turning and leaving offering our method of treating those that let us down.

In the face of opposition all of us react differently. And we do the same when others face that opposition as well… differently.

AND I am no different. I want to celebrate a Gold Medal – even if I have done nothing to deserve it. But I am just as susceptible to turning in my own discouragement from the other person’s failure…
The answer simple – Get a Grip on your life! Get a grip on encouragement – that ability to shout to the heart of the one that needs it.

I chose to be different and make a difference. And I make that choice again today. I reach out my hand to the athlete that has fallen down… and then when he or she stands up – I wrap my arm around them and whisper, “Now go for the Gold – I believe you can do it!”

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Sources:
Rochette: 'Mom wanted me to have a better life than she had
http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/771171--rochette-mom-wanted-me-to-have-a-better-life-than-she-had

Encouragement and the Gold Medalist

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Today’s Blog Post

Encouragement and the Gold Medalist

It was the recent Olympic TV Broadcast from Vancouver that made me sit up and look more closely at “encouragement”.

The Cross Country Skiers with the Guns on their back were zooming down a hill then immediately struggling with effort that was way above what ordinary men or women could do to make it up the next rise.

It was at that moment that some guy appeared and began screaming at one Skier and running beside him. It appeared that this screamer was his coach of some kind.

The Skier was at the about the 13.8 km mark of his 15 km race. He was about to win a Gold Olympic Medal for his country – BUT – the exhaustion that was taking over and with every muscle in his body wanting to quit… he was almost dead with fatigue.

The words of the coach seemed to be just enough to make the difference and away the man went one more time until he had the new momentum to break loose of the pack coming behind him – AND CLIMB THAT HILL to the finish line.

The words delivered at that crucial place on the mountain were aimed at the Skier’s Heart – not Ears. His Ears picked it up but his Heart heard it.

The word encouragement’s definition states:
Definition:
[noun] the expression of approval and support
[noun] the act of giving hope or support to someone
Synonyms: boost
[noun] the feeling of being encouraged

But take a look closer… there it is tucked in the centre of encouragement is the original word “cour” which comes from the French word “Coeur” or “heart”.

When some one shouts “Encouragement” they are shouting at the heart of another!

I look back at the scene on the Vancouver Olympic mountain… and at that 13.8 km mark. The coach climbed that mountain on foot – not skies - to position himself beside the trail to be there at that exact moment – TO TALK TO HIS ATHLETE’S HEART. And because of it his athlete won a Gold Medal.

In years to come the athlete will be remembered and celebrated as an Olympian Gold Medalist. No one will be able to take that moment away.

But what about the coach that delivered the vital words to the Olympian’s heart that day – at that moment? He couldn’t even be there at the finish line to see his athlete cross into his glory. He was still back on the mountain and looking for away down – on foot no less!

No one will remember the Coach’s name. The Coach never gets a Gold Medal to hang around his neck. He will get another athlete that will literally have to start at the beginning.

Every occupation, every activity, every participant needs someone that will speak to the heart of the one “doing it”.

After speaking one day to a large crowd that didn’t seem to be totally interested in what was being said, a small lady approached me and took my hand. She said, “What you said today was wonderful. You helped me see why the events in my life affected me the way that they did. Thank you. Don’t ever stop doing what you are doing!”

I smiled at her as best I could.

My heart was discouraged with the events that were taking place around me. I wanted to die that moment. People were hating me and letting me know all week long that I was less than desirable… that I was worthless… that some even wished that I would die!

No one ever said any of those words but when people are angry – you feel it. Their crossed arms and shaking heads to let you know what their words “might be”.

This little lady had spoken to my heart and boosted me one more time so that I would take that next problem in my stride and move on.

Unfortunately in some of my friend's lives there has not been that one at the 13.8 km mark that has been there to cheer his heart on. They quit. Walking away was easier than facing the mob… or the horror of the heart that simply has had enough.

What a different world it would be if people wanted more of the coach’s role – rather than the athlete’s… and the Gold Medal of being number one.

Today I am about to call someone and make sure that they have their heart spoken too. I might even shout some words of encouragement.

Finally I have learned one valuable lesson. You can never give all the encouragement that you have away. And when you are discouraged.. the best way to get encouragement back is shout it out to someone else!

(Winston and Terry – I believe in you two. Go for it! Get off your butts and go for it! The hill ahead is a big one… but I know you can do it!!!!)

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

The Waypoints and Benchmarks in My Life

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Today’s Blog Post


The Waypoints and Benchmarks in My Life

A long time ago I experienced Waypoints and Benchmarks.

My father taught me the value of a Waypoint as he spread out his air navigation maps when flying his small aircraft. He showed me how the invisible lines drawn on that intricate map would help us keep safe with reference to where we are in our flight above the ground.

Dad flew an aircraft above Saskatchewan’s southern, vast fields of grain below. It was flat and far. Occasional hills or knolls would appear on the horizon but for the most part it was hard to tell where you were.

But add to that the clouds that came into play at times – and you would not be able to see the ground below. Or worse yet – if you were in the clouds for some time and popped out below or from the clouds – where were you in relationship to the ground below? How far away was the airport that you needed to land at to get more fuel?

Waypoints were crucial to the pilot.

Across our country at various points there are Beacons that radiate out signals at specific coordinates. Think of a huge wheel and the spokes in that wheel pointing out from the hub to understand. The spokes from the beacon were specific radio waves that pointed in one direction – perhaps 360 of these around that Beacon.

Now should the Beacon go out – you could be in trouble.

Wikipedia says this about the Waypoint…
In the modern world, waypoints are increasingly abstract, often having no obvious relationship to any distinctive features of the real world. These waypoints are used to help define invisible routing paths for navigation. For example, artificial airways—“highways in the sky” created specifically for purposes of air navigation—often have no clear connection to features of the real world, and consist only of a series of abstract waypoints in the sky through which pilots navigate; these airways are designed to facilitate air traffic control and routing of traffic between heavily traveled locations, and do not reference natural terrain features. Abstract waypoints of this kind have been made practical by modern navigation technologies, such as land-based radio beacons and the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS).

Benchmark…
I discovered the value of a Benchmark when working at my first real job with Department of Highways in Saskatchewan. Part of that early job was to be the Surveyor’s Rod Man. I would hold the rod at specific points and then the surveyor would look toward the rod with his transit.

My job was to climb over rocks, through bushes and brambles to find the Benchmark. Early surveyors had marked a spot that would not change – as a reference mark for future surveys or to use when others following you wanted to know which reference point you had started from.

Often this mark was an iron pin driven into a large rock. The iron pin had a flat head with the surveyor’s mark on it. This flat head became the “bench” for the Rod Man’s rod to rest on. It was highly unlikely that the Benchmark was removed because the rock was simply too big.

But the Benchmark could be covered up with junk, with weeds, with sticks and stones and even other rocks. I remember looking for a long time in some situations with the mosquitoes buzzing around my neck while I looked for the lost Benchmark.

If you lose your reference points – either the Waypoint or Benchmark you will feel lost – alone and in perhaps great danger.

Wikipedia says of the Benchmark…
The term benchmark originates from the chiseled horizontal marks that surveyors made, into which an angle-iron could be placed to bracket ("bench") a leveling rod, thus ensuring that the levelling rod can be repositioned in exactly the same place in the future

Last Sunday was difficult for our congregation. No one knew what was taking place except for a handful of leaders along with our Pastor Tim.

Something was not right when we all came into the sanctuary of the church. The normal jovial talking and sharing was not there. Someone else other than our Pastor opened the service – doing a very good job of it – but we did not have the normal order we were all used to.

It wasn’t long into the service before it became shockingly evident that things were not ever going to be the same again. It was announced that Pastor Tim had resigned as Pastor of our church for personal reasons.

Pastor Tim has been at our church for one year and has done a super job of refocusing our group.

BUT – a pastor is like a Waypoint or a Benchmark. We have connected with him and now that he leaves – where are the reference points. We could get lost… or maybe are lost and need to find our way.

How do I know this happens? I HAVE BEEN a pastor… in fact in the role that Tim has been serving. I know better than anyone what is required in this situation.

I have found one small thing out as well. It goes back to the ride in the small aircraft with my Dad or with some of his friends. Dad… I trusted and understood that he knew what he was doing. BUT – One of my dad’s friends was also a pilot but seldom flew with the use of that BIG Beacon down below… he used the elevators on the rail lines to get to where he was going.

I remember the conversation as I sat in the back seat of the small aircraft zooming over that flat land below. When the pilot said – “That’s funny… I could have sworn that town had an elevator before… I wonder where it went?”

The problem with following a rail line is that folk down below do take the elevators down – or the name wears off… or whatever. And when that happens, YOU ARE LOST.

Yes we landed safely an hour or so later – before the fuel ran out. We went to the next town down below… which was three towns away from where he thought we were – doubled back and turned north before the city we were heading for came on to the horizon.
Our church will eventually find another new pastor. Someone will come to offer the new Waypoint or help find the Benchmark in our lives.

I will not fly in small aircraft again with men that don’t know how to read maps or use Beacons.

I am not particularly interested in mosquito infected swamps and Benchmarks any more either.

These things I know. On Saturday we had a wonderful day at the Buckhorn Heritage Day. One Monday it was a great day. Sunday was a bit of a tough day… a little lost was my feeling. Kind of like when we popped out of the cloud and the pilot didn’t know where we were. Yikes.

Oh Boy!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waypoint
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benchmark

When Little Ones Look Up To You

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Today’s Blog Post

When Little Ones Look Up To You

As you can see in the photo the young Cub Scout was looking at me as I demonstrated the Spring Pole Lathe for her. I was sure she was watching what I was doing… not watching me.

(See story about the Spring Pole Lathe Feb 21 – Yesterday)

I have thought about this photo a lot since Saturday when my wife first caught the two of us in that pose.

If you look close at her face you will see her looking me over carefully. Can I trusty this Old Guy that is saying all these words that I do not understand? Or maybe – Will I get hurt if I do this? There are lots of things that may be going through her mind.

When she stepped up on the box a whole bunch of other Cub Scouts had done this before her. It was a challenge moment I am sure. She had stood in line waiting for her turn to mount the Box and take a turn.

Life is like that. I watch people before I get involved. I carefully look them over to see if I can trust them.

As I think back in my own life I think of two kinds of occupations that I always look over carefully. One – is the real-estate sales person. Two – is a Car Salesman. Both of these will take fairly large chunks of change from me… and I look at them carefully.

But then I also look over the Cashier at the store… is she really listening to me when I answer her, “How are you today?”

In fact as I consider this deep thought I look at each person the same way the Cub Scout did… very carefully. Can I trust them?
Heaven only knows how many times people have looked at me that way when I was the minister in a church. I gulp on this one. No wonder they sat with their arms crossed and stared at me.

I remember one time when I dressed up like a real nut case in preparation for what I was about to preach on… coveralls, an old hat and my stomach stuffed with pillows. I looked like my grandfather that had a big tummy.

My demeanor changed when I started pulling out the pillows and throwing them into the audience. Two people walked out! They thought I had gone ‘beezerk’/completely crazy.

I do apologize to those folks that walked out… the ones that stayed got the message.

So today as I conduct my business and meet people I am aware more than ever how much I am being watched. Actually I don’t have much more to offer than the way that I look when people first look at me… then I try to live up to what they saw – or live better than what they thought they saw in my frailty.

Too much to think about… whew!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Misty Hollow Carving and the Spring Pole Lathe at the Buckhorn Heritage Day 2010

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

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Today’s Blog Post
Misty Hollow Carving and the Spring Pole Lathe at the Buckhorn Heritage Day 2010

I wish Mark Brelsford could have been at the Buckhorn Heritage Day yesterday. I am sure that he would have been right in the middle of the action. I know that I was – because of what he created. Maybe he was there… at least in spirit – and smiling!

Mark Brelsford assembled this amazing tool, known as a Spring Pole Lathe that I demonstrate, a number of years ago. Mark passed away in 2003. Mark had used this Lathe as an integral part of his volunteer work at the Kinmount Fair on the Labour Day Weekend in September of each year.

Now the Spring Pole Lathe has started a new leg of its journey – traveling around the central part of Ontario. And the travel is with a new purpose… connecting with children and adults that have never seen something this. After the demonstration each person has shown a deep appreciation for the Old Lathe and its wonderful ability to produce beautiful pieces.

Perhaps you have never taken part in something like the Buckhorn Heritage Day. I am sorry that you missed it – but there will always be next year.

I wasn’t sure what it was all about either when the first call came from Janet Clarkson.

Janet is a dynamic lady that is constantly on the move. She is not very big physically but she is one power house of a person – and she gets things done. Janet loves her community and everyone senses that. She, with that love and dynamo attitude, is able to motivate dozens upon dozens of volunteers to give weeks of preparation time and then a whole day of action to make it possible for hundreds upon hundreds of people to catch a vision of the Old and New Buckhorn Community.

How do you excite people about a Spring Pole Lathe? How do you get them to stop to talk about something that has a heritage of over 900 years of work? Like who cares about something like a Lathe in the middle of dozens of dazzling displays?

The answers are simple – start it up and see! Make it work again and watch what happens. People strolling along stop dead and they start to form their words, not sure of what to ask or what to say! It is at that moment I ask them… “Have you ever seen a Spring Pole Lathe work before?”

Only one young man stated that he had read about the Lathe in one of his books – but the other hundreds upon hundreds simply had never heard of such a thing.

The true wood turners were perhaps the most fun. They know their wood turning and are generally experts at what they do. They have never considered where the history of the wood turning – where it really came from and what its history is all about.

The story of the Spring Pole Lathe is a fascinating one to say the least. It represents freedom, entrepreneurship, and the heart of every pioneer all wrapped up into one simple machine made from some planks and pegs, and driven by two simple sapling trees. Its simplicity is what stops the fine folk that are walking by.

The highlight for me was the dozens upon dozens of kids that stopped by to watch. Their eyes sparkled as they looked on.

The first boy to ask the magical question with a twinkle in his eyes was about 10 years old. “Could I try to make it work?” he quizzed.

The answer was “Absolutely… I will just bring this old box into place and you can stand with me as we work together.”

I had brought one of our Old Coca Cola Wooden Box. It is very sturdy for short people to stand on.

From there I did the Grandpa thing… showing my new “grandkids” how this ancient tool operated. I cannot tell you how many digital cameras clicked away yesterday and the kids took part in the Spring Pole Lathe adventure. It was amazing.

My wife Alida snapped a few shots in between her continual dialogues with people about my carvings and Teddy bears. We added some video and the snap shots and produced a new Spring Pole Lathe video that is now on YouTube for all to see at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8wKZ2WyQmQ

Nope – I didn’t sell buckets of things. I wasn’t really there for that purpose I guess. Not a lot of kids carry $100 bills in their winter coats pockets. Their dads and moms were attracted by the Free Day at the Buckhorn Heritage Day. It was kind of like trying to sell your wares at a Big Family get together in your home. Family members love what you do – but they never buy.

BUT – I made hundreds of potential sales for the future. Like the lady from Britain that is going to call when she comes back in a few months time. She wants a Teddy Bear. Then there was the other man from Toronto that discussed a possible demo of the Lathe in his area. Or… the many others that took pamphlets and cards promising to contact me again.

The Buckhorn Heritage Day was a complete success in my books – one of the best that I have attended and taken part in. I loved it.

One final note…
There is a need to make one or two more Lathes now. I have plans in my head for a few smaller ones that take up less space… I need to make some parts so I can turn bowls on the Lathe… and I need to make a few pieces for the present one… I need to get to work on it – NOW!

Gotta run… I smell sawdust and shavings… my Spring Pole Lathe is calling… and we are about to get real busy real soon…

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Sources:
Murray Lincoln and the Spring Pole Lathe at the Buckhorn Heritage Day – Feb 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8wKZ2WyQmQ
Murray Lincoln and the Spring Pole Lathe at Misty Hollow Carving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7kHaAUXty0

The Insane “Skeleton” – Olympics 2010

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Today’s Blog Post

The Insane “Skeleton” – Olympics 2010

This morning’s newspaper is shouting the fact out that Jon Montgomery has won a Gold Medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver! Way to go Jon! We are proud of you!

The photo you are looking at has humor in it for me. With his arms stretched out and a big grin on his face – he is saying something – actually shouting it out for his Mother to hear… “Look mom I am still alive! No BROKEN BONES! My neck is okay! Wahoo!”

Now I love a great thrill ride. There is nothing like sitting on a bucking horse and trying to stay there for 8 seconds… BUT… the Skeleton Racers take the cake… I do not think there is anything anymore dangerous than this sport.

They run as fast as they can while holding a very small skeleton sled that is sliding about two inches above a solid ice track… then plop down on their stomach. At that point the sled is going faster than anything that most people have ridden on – ever… and he is has just started.

Yesterday, for the just under a minute – 52.2 seconds Jon Montgomery rocketed down hill… head first on his stomach to win the Gold Medal.

That is so exciting I can hardly type the words… yet it has to be the most insane thing any one has ever done.

My friend Terry has experienced severe neck pain – as have I. I cannot fathom what Mr. Montgomery will be like at 65 – with his neck pain… if it is not broken before that time.
Oh I know it is safe… just like the Luge was safe when the other dude died – going at a speed that he could no longer control his movements.

I know one thing for sure…!

There are a lot of parents that will be relieved when these Olympics are over and there son or daughter comes home in one piece. And when their son or daughter finally says… I am going to retire my skeleton sled… I have had enough… some will break down in tears of joy.

If my grandkids are reading this some day. Please don’t even think of doing something like this skeleton race… try bar back bronco riding – I did it and it is much safer. When you fall off the ground is covered with soft manure… much safer… much, much safer.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Sources:
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Montgomery+saves/2590739/story.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/winter-olympics/7277664/Winter-Olympics-2010-Kristan-Bromley-misses-out-on-medal-in-mens-skeleton.html

HOW BIG IS WAL-MART?

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Today’s Blog Post

HOW BIG IS WAL-MART?
The email that my friend sent me has the content that I have copied into this post – at the end. The title of email is the title of the Blog.

With the research that I have done over the years I have been blown away with the hatred that has been generated against the Wal-Mart stores. It simply is amazing that so many people hate the company that so many shop at.

No doubt about it – Wal-Mart is big. No doubt about it – their prices are somewhat cheaper than other stores. With their buying power – why wouldn’t it be?

The email that I received suggests that I should be scared with what I am about to read. That is funny – actually. The fact that Wal-Mart supposedly takes out insurance policies of employees without the employee knowing about it, then the big bad Wal-Mart collects the money to use for other horrible ways like paying out bonuses to already high paid management… is supposed to scare me… Too funny!

DUH!

People take insurance policies out of other people all the time and have the policy paid out to someone other than the dead person… usually the dude’s wife. This to me is more scary than Wal-Mart.

I know a family that pays for a life insurance policy on their father. It is done this way so that when the Old Buzzard drops off they will get a little cash from it. The Old Buzzard never made much money in his life time – and with this method of each kid chipping in some cash – they will get some kind of inheritance.

There are other businesses that do this as well. I know the stories but will protect their privacy by not telling the truth. If I did – people may not ‘shop” there.

Locally…
I came across a local weird policy – and it is NOT WAL-MART. It happens in Lakefield, Ontario.

Some Lakefield-ites are weird. Making that statement will get me burned at the Lakefield Stake I am sure. Now telling the truth about their practices in business will scare you I am sure!!!

Here it is – are you ready?

Lakefield shop owners and businesses WILL NOT BUY ANY PRODUCTS FROM BUSINESSES OUTSIDE OF LAKEFIELD!

A friend of mine that has a Chocolate/Truffle making company approached a Lakefield shop and tried to make a deal to sell her truffles in the Lakefield shop. NO WAY HOSEA! THEY ONLY BUY FROM LAKEFIELD SHOPS!!!!

But – Lakefield shops buy from China – and buy lots of stuff made in China.

Talk about protectionism at the Max. Now that is scary to say the least… specially if you are living in Peterborough and have a “locally made” item that you try to market.

I won’t be allowed to sell Wood Carvings in Lakefield – but with that attitude – why would I want to? BUT Wood Chuck Charlie sells there and he doesn’t live there!!!! His shop is in Bridgenorth!

My Point…
If your work is good, your services the best, and you try harder… others will be threatened and make all kinds of accusations.

Thank you to the “Passer On” of all things email-wise. I don’t really think that you hate Wal-Mart. I am pretty sure that you buy things in that store. And whether they insure someone that knows about it or not – what difference does that make to you? Not sure…

Lakefield’s ‘protectionism’ is way more frightening than Wal-Mart.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

(Emil Tex)
HOW BIG IS WAL-MART?
This should boggle your mind!! And scare you as well!

1. At Wal-Mart, Americans spend $36,000,000 every hour of every day.

2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute!

3... Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year.

4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined.

5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people and is the largest private employer. And most can't speak English.

6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the World.

7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger & Safeway combined, keeping in mind they did this in only 15 years.

8. During this same period, 31 Supermarket chains sought bankruptcy. (are we surprised)

9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world.

10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA of which 1,906 are Super Centers; this is 1,000 more than it had 5 years ago.

11. This year, 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur at a Wal-Mart store.. (Earth's population is approximately 6.5 billion.)

12. 90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart.

13. The value of product for Wal-Mart passing through the port of San Diego each year is a larger sum than 93% of ALL countries Gross National Product (GNP) ...and that is only ONE port ...one way that Wal-Mart gets it's stuff..

14. Of the 1.6 million employees, only 1.2% make a living above the poverty level.. (Interesting statistics eh, must be because they pay their employees so well)

15. Wal-Mart's head office is located and centralized in Bentonville. Due to this fact, there are more millionaires per square mile there than any place on Earth. (Wonder what merchandise they have it their friendly Bentonville Wal-Mart?)

16. The official U.S. Government position is that Wal-Mart's prices are no lower than anyone else's when compared to a typical families weekly purchases. That's the view of the statisticians at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) responsible for calculating the consumer price index (CPI).

17. 92% of everything Wal-Mart sells, comes from China. Another 4% comes from Chinese owned companies in the U.S. or in 3rd world countries. (Yes China is in charge here alright)

SCARRY 18. Wal-Mart and MOST large companies, take out life insurance on it's employees, without their knowing. If an employee dies, ALL the insurance moneys go to the companies. i.e. An employee making $18,000 per year, dies, and the company might make as much as $1 million. Most often these moneys, coming from what is commonly referred to as "Dead Peasant Life Insurance Policies", is paid out to executives as bonuses. (A common practice, unknown by the common man)

19. Wal-Mart now averages a "profit" (not sales) of $36 billion per year.

20. Let Wal Mart bail out Wall Street. If not, consider shopping someplace else.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Wal-Mart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_Wal-Mart_Works;_and_Why_That_Drives_Some_People_C-R-A-Z-Y

Knowing about YoVille - and the new verb “facebooking”

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Today’s Blog Post


Knowing about YoVille - and the new verb “facebooking”

I leaned over to my grandson and asked, “So what are you going to do today? It is your birthday party… what would you like to do?”

He looked at me and grinned. “Do some facebooking… then maybe play some computer games too.”

Thomas has just turned 12 years old. He already knows buckets more about computers and specially about computer games – than any adult that I know.

We have sat together while he explained to me in detail what was happening in the computer game, what would likely happen next and why the game is too easy… I sat quietly and tried to comprehend what he was talking about.

“Now Grandpa… you try it. It is easy.. you can do it.” Thomas’ eyes twinkled as he passed the controller to me.

Blam, Zap, Oh No! I was dead in a few seconds.

“Grandpa you have got to watch out for that kind of Plant – its deadly and will kill you every time!” Thomas chirped.

“How am I supposed to know what is coming next?” was my response.

“Well you just kind of know… it is the way they made the game… you just know.” he responded.

I am amazed as I sit with him. This day I learned a new ‘Verb’ – it is “Facebooking”. Used in the following way…

“Whatcha doin”?


“Nothing… just Facebooking.”


“You doing Farmville?”


“Nope I have three other games that I like better… one is YoVille. Everytime I walk into this room this girl follows me… don’t know why yet…”


So….
Do any of you oldies know what the heck my grandson is talking about? I do – but it has taken time. Grandpas need to know… so do dads.

In the broken world that I am in now… too many people could care less what the other person is doing or interested in. They are so involved in their own little world that the other person beside them doesn’t really matter.

My grandson matters. I need to listen to him. I need him to remember that the old guy called Grandpa – cared enough to get to know YoVille… and the new verb “facebooking”.

My goal is to do that with each of our six grandkids. So far so good.

Today…
In a Business Network meeting today we were talking about the need to not “sell you product” – but rather to know and maybe even care for your potential customers. Some caught the ideas shared and listened. Others were so self absorbed that they missed the whole idea.

If I am more interested in the well being of my potential customers – they might be interested in what I do. Heaven only knows that the Car Salesman could care less if I am having a bad day or not – h only wants to sell the product.

I carve Teddy Bears – at least I carve new faces for my Pre-Loved Teddy Bears. I get a bigger kick out of watching people’s faces and their reaction as they look them over… about the person’s well being and their emotional state of mind – than the bottom line of my business. So far I have sold Teddy Bears and made people smile.

BUT – really they don’t buy the Bear – they adopt him or her. I care about my Bears and the homes they get as well.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Source
http://yovillelounge.webnode.com/
http://www.yvlounge.com/

Two Wonderful Days in Prison and in Prison Support Work

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Today’s Blog Post


Two Wonderful Days in Prison and in Prison Support Work

I have just completed…
- Two days of top level meetings.
- Finances and financial discussions… about lots and lots of dollars.
- Discussion about New Plans that may affect thousands of people.
While doing this I was with men and women that hold the fate of thousands in their hands and with a stroke of a pen they can change history.

Who am I talking about?

Well in yesterday’s meetings that I attended there were the top level management of Correctional Service – CSC – Canada. The top men and women in Ontario that lead all the Federal Prisons that house the majority of incarcerated men and women in our county. These are the Wardens of all our Prisons and Top Leaders of all our Parole Offices.

A group of community leaders, which I am a part of, form the CAC were invited to the RMC meeting that was held at the Pittsburgh Correctional Institute just north east of Kingston, Ontario.

RMC – is the Regional Management Committee – a CSC an acronym.
CAC – is the Citizens Advisory Committee – another CSC an acronym.

These RMC leaders assembled to discuss all the factors of running their large institutions. And they carried on this discussion in our presence.

We, as lay leaders from our communities, form smaller groups of volunteers that come together to make up our CAC. We connect with the ex-offenders, staff, and management at the various Federal facilities whether it is a Prison or a Parole Office. We are the eyes and ears of the Public. We monitor what is happening. We watch how men and women are being treated. Yesterday we did this with the RMC.

It is an awesome responsibility to be trusted with the things that we see and hear – then carefully offer informed advice that will help Leadership to make great but sometimes difficult decisions.

The CAC members that I connect with are some of the best in the country. They come from all walks of life and experience. Their main concern is the safety factor within the institution and in the community.

I am writing to inform you as a community CAC member that there is a place for you to get involved as a Volunteer. You could get involved as a CAC member in a Federal Correctional Institution or a Parole Office. There is a place for you. All you have to do is… are you ready…? JUST DO IT! Or – Just do something! But first you must apply.

I am writing to say how much I appreciate the leadership that I have observed at so many levels. To be involved yesterday with the men and women at the RMC – was truly a humbling experience. Canada and Ontario is blessed to have this quality of leadership.

For me…bringing it home…
To be further involved with our local Parole Office is the very best part. I work and relate with specially dedicated and highly trained Parole Officers and Staff that work with folk coming back to our community from Prison. These folk are the heart and soul of CSC. Our community is safe because of what they do. Not enough is said as to how much we appreciate them and the work that they do.

I am now sifting through all that I have heard and experienced in these last two days.

Before I close this post, I need to say “Thank You” to all these folk that I have met and work with. What an amazing group of people!

WOW!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Source
http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/
http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/index-eng.shtml
CAC
http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/cac/index-eng.shtml

Flying Past the Younger Ones – on my Speed Skates

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Today’s Blog Post


Flying Past the Younger Ones – on my Speed Skates

Stiffness is evident today… just a little. Hmmm? Can’t figure why this is happening?

Yesterday I felt very old suddenly. In fact I was the oldest person at the event. But I did it. I whizzed around faster than (almost) anyone in the place!

What am I talking about? It was Family Day in Ontario and we did a Family thing. I joined in with my Whitby Grandsons and their parents for a Free Skate. I donned my Speed Skates that I have had for 48 years and whizzed around the ice like I was about 18 years old!!! No kidding!

But can my Grandsons ever skate. The little characters whiz around like they are fire. Even the youngest one that is 8 years old whizzes around at the speed of light.

After the skate my Son-in-law Bill said his legs were killing him. He hadn’t been on skates for a few months now. Sheesh – it has been 12 months for me! Come on Bill!

The truth is that I am not living out my age. I am much younger than 65 and I can whiz by the younger ones around me… even if I am 25 years older than the next person skating with me.

It was a ball with my daughter holding hands with me as we glided around the ice together. Perfect skating partners to say the least. People were snapping photos of this old grey haired guy holding this cute young mom up. Some thought she was holding me up! HA!

I write of the wonder of aging and staying young – both physically and mentally. I want to skate until I am 90 years of age – or maybe older. There is nothing like the feeling of the wind rushing by your face as you push harder and harder on the speed skates below you.

Gotta run… more exercise to do today. The stiffness may go away after one hour or so…

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

My First Major Problem with Windows 7 – HPJ6480 Printer Problem plus 21 more to come

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Today’s Blog Post


My First Major Problem with Windows 7 – HPJ6480 Printer Problem plus 21 more to come

Yikes. I have just had my first major problem with Windows 7. At least the first that I have found – and it has been about 4 months of usage. I suppose that isn’t too bad. But this one was a big one.

I have a relatively knew printer – a HPJ6480 All-in-one Printer that does everything except cook a hot dog or warm a snack for me.

It was slow coming and I guess I never really considered that there was a problem except that when I went to scan something on my Printer, the buttons on the front wouldn’t work. It didn’t matter in that you could scan from a program on the computer that simply told the Printer what to do.

This weekend I discovered that this on board computer program had stopped working as well… in fact a few programs had stopped functioning….just like the old days when a virus or worm crawled aboard my hard drive.

But that wasn’t the problem. No virus problems or worms problems.

Windows 7 in its brilliance keeps picking up the updates and restarting the computer. It happens later at night or early morning… and miraculously the computer is updated.

It was sometime over the last few weeks when one update came that the printer functions seemed to cease. Because I don’t use all printer functions every day – I didn’t notice what had taken place.

Well it seems that the HP People dealing with the HPJ6480 printer knew about it and posted help on their site. I had to download a Patch that took care of the update and communication problem… but then in trying to re-install the Printer software it has to uninstall the old files that won’t work with the new files. But then it needed to start and re-start again and again.

I thought if I download the new Software Program for the Printer it may help – but that took some time getting the new 260 MB file.

I tried it and again start & re-start all over again and the patch file was needed again… but maybe wasn’t in that I was now chasing my tail with the circle thinking that was going on and on and on.

I know more than enough about computers to be able to handle almost anything – what would happen if others don’t? Yikes!

After about four hours of trying, waiting, re-starting, trying again and re-starting again and again… it worked!

I felt a rush and flash back to the old days of Windows 95 and Windows 98 and all the rest.

I am convinced that Microsoft missed me – in that I used to be in contact with them almost all the time. With the Windows 7 launch I haven’t had to call anyone. And it all happened on Valentine’s Day. I got a warm glow thinking that they cared that much.

On a Web Site from Techradar.com(see link below) I read of 22 common problems with the Windows 7 program. Oh boy – I could have 21 left to go!

It happens of course with “el cheapos” like me that do it all the easy and cheaper way – upgrading. When and if I buy a new computer the upgrades will all be done…all except my printer and whatever else I have been using that is just too darn old to connect to anything.

Techradar states:
“Windows 7 - it's faster than Vista, makes better use of your system resources, is packed with interesting features, and looks great, too.


But that doesn't mean it's perfect, of course. If you've moved to Windows 7 recently then you might have noticed various upgrade problems, interface issues and features that seem to have disappeared entirely, among many other complications with the new system.


Don't despair, though - while these problems can be really frustrating, answers are beginning to appear. We've uncovered some of the best and most effective solutions around, so follow our guide and your Windows 7 installation will soon be back on track.”

Here is a quick list of the problems that they shared with me…
Vista upgrade hangs at 62%
DVD drive not found
Aero isn't running
Aero Snap irritations
iPhone won't sync in Windows 7
Windows 7 themes change your custom icons
Taskbar problems
Missing Explorer folders
Missing applets
Too many minidumps
HP Multifunction Printer problems
Hidden extensions
DVD audio issues
Windows Live MovieMaker
XP Mode doesn't work
Add Windows Media Center to AutoPlay options
Missing crash dump files
Can't disable hibernation
Poor video quality
Where's Software Explorer?
Explorer navigation
Windows Live Messenger and the system tray

Triple Yikes – as I read over the items listed I have more issues to solve. I don’t time for this to happen.

At the Funeral service…
The other day as I conducted the funeral service(I am a Minister) I had a revelation that blew me away. When I was speaking I slipped in the revelation. The audience that I was speaking to consisted of two groups of people. In fact it was very easy to see as I stood in front of them.

In the audience of about 200+ people there were those who were on Facebook and those who were not. All of the Facebook People laughed. The Non Facebook people just stared at me… with no expression… of if something did register – it was slight to say the least.

Half of the audience was left behind in that one simple declaration.

For the general population that reads this Blog – the same is true. They will not know anything about the list that I have given above.

99% of them didn’t read this far – I lost them at the first sentence.

Why write and publish this today? Well maybe… there will ‘one’ someone that might find help either before or after they Windows 7 problems.

Whatever… good luck and happy discovery today as you truck along the Microsoft Road to perfection… remembering the old tradition… that just about the time you understand it all… they will release a new generation of the operating system program.

I think it will be called “Windows Yippee!” or maybe “Windows Roller Coaster Ride – WRRCR”.

Gotta go – got some more problems to fix….

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Source
http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/22-common-windows-7-problems-solved-655655

Happy Valentine’s Day 2010

Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.

My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/

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Today’s Blog Post

Happy Valentine’s Day 2010

It is very early when I discovered my wife’s card to me. Last night late she set it in place for me to find it in the morning.

I opened it up to find a bright Red & Black card with a cute gal on the front. The words fill the card’s front surface as it makes this statement…
“Hubby – There is no better day that Valentine’s Day to tell the one you LOVE how special they are.”

I then opened the card and read the rest…
“So, go ahead – I ‘m listening!”

That is too funny and a wonderful reminder that I need to do more of that.

She will find my card to her in about another hour… when she wakes up. On her card are two Chimpanzees – one with red bathing suit on and the other with white boxer shorts that have hearts on them… When you open the card it states the obvious… “So what if we are not perfect – we’re perfect for each other! Happy Valentine’s Day, SEXY!”

Now two things are happening as you read this…
1.) You have possibly forgotten to buy a card and you are in a panic – sorry!
2.) You are amazed that a 65 year old man is still buying silly cards for his wife… or maybe the amazement is that he still remembers to do so… or remembers where he hid the card three weeks ago after buying it!

Well this is my 48th Valentine’s day with this wonderful wife of mine… and I love her 48 times more than I did that first silly Valentine’s Day… when it was so important that I got it right.

Way back then I was 18 years old and she was barely old enough to go out with someone – being much, much, much young than me! WOW! That was a long time ago!!!!!!!

This year we will pass our 43rd year of marriage – and having dated for 5 years before getting married – that is where the 48 years comes in.

I was looking at the old photos again and have pondered how much has happened over these years together. It has been wonderful. All the memories have come flooding back – almost like a Tsunami.

We started out in Regina, Saskatchewan together. After the 5 year period of getting ready, we started our married life together in Trois Riviers, Quebec. From there we headed off to Fredericton, New Brunswick. It was there that our first daughter was born. After that great time together we headed up to Oakville, Ontario where our second daughter was born. After five years of living we headed to Walkerton, Ontario where both girls attended school across the street from our home. Next we moved back to Oakville again and I took on my new job in Toronto and all across Canada – flying dozens upon dozens of places each year.

But it didn’t stop there – together my Valentine and our two girls went to live in Hong Kong for the next five years where both of our daughters completed most of their High School education. In 1985 we moved back to Oakville, Ontario for one year – and then we went to Scarborough, Ontario.

In Scarborough we left both daughters behind as we then headed to Yorkton, Saskatchewan – maybe the hardest move we ever made as we had left our family 1700 miles behind. We cried each day for months as we were separated so far from our girls.

During that time both girls fell in love and found their own Valentines and were married.

After the wonderful years in Yorkton, SK we headed down the road to Regina again. Both of us had not lived here for more than 25 years and it was a delight to come home again.

By 1998 two grandsons had arrived into our family and we moved to Peterborough, Ontario the year the 3rd grandson arrived. Since that time two more grandsons and our beautiful granddaughter arrived.

It has been 48 wonderful years together. Not all the years have been the best. There have been tears and tough times. There have been times I wondered what the heck happened to make it so rough. But through it all – we loved each other even more. That is why it is 48 times better than the first Valentine’s Day together.

My wish for you is that through the Life Journey you have that you will find a new strength – not from mushy cards… but from faithfulness.

Some day Alida and I will have our last Valentine’s day together… and when that happens one of us will have at least “??” years to remember. For now we realize that we had better make the most of each one we celebrate now.

So…. Happy Valentine’s Day – whatever that means to you!!!

(PS… if you forgot to buy the card – make one… but do it now before your partner reads this… or/and… I cannot be held responsible for what might happen to you after he or she reads this!!!)

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/