September, The Time Of Next Beginnings

     Everyone has multitudes of beginnings from conception to their "stepping over" time.

     For thousands of people, September not January, begins new experiences and opportunities, a new life style, new attitudes and opinions as people become students and attend school.

     Young children start with Kindergarten.  Kinder is German for children and garten, which is often mispronounced as garden means garden or enclosure.

     Many years after school or college graduation, personally or by a family member or a friend, numerous people are still tuned to the start of school.

     Important to keep in mind when starting school or any new experience, whether for the first time or the manyith time is to enter with optimism, and confidence, avoiding taking any preconceived prejudices with you.

     September is the 9th month, in Asian countries, 9 is considered an especially important lucky number because it is the highest single number.

     The word September comes from the Latin word "sept" as it was originally the 7th month.  Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome, inserted his name and that of his son's, Augustus into the middle of the calendar, thus changing it from ten to twelve months. 

     Americans refer to this season as ~ Fall, a term that I have never liked, much preferring the lovely word ~ Autumn.

     In 1798, Samuel Johnson Jr. compiled the first American dictionary.  Although born and raised in England, he had become resentful of many aspects of life there, so he moved to America.  He felt that a country that had broken away from England should have its own dictionary.  He changed the spelling and pronunciation of many words as well as gave new meanings to words, such as replacing the word ~ Autumn ~ with the word ~ Fall.

September is a special month, 

I take advantage of all it has to offer.

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     Except for Americans, more Russians have come on this 
blog site than any other country. 

 Please email me to tell me about yourselves.

A WONDERFUL Surprise!!!

     Through the years as I have written these monthly mini-articles, I have wondered about the people who read my blog entries.

     Now with thankfulnesses to a new feature that has been added to the site, I have learned to my great joy that there are readers in eleven countries in addition to America.  

     There may be more since only the top ten are listed.  

     ISN'T THAT AMAZING?!

     Equally as amazing are the countries listed.  I would have thought that Canada would head the list followed by England, but England is not on the list (yet) and Canada is fourth from the bottom in number of hits.  The country with a sizeable lead is Russia, followed closely by France.

     This initial assumption, I later realized, came because I assumed that everyone was reading my blog in English, as my current computer skills and knowledge do not encompass such and I have land-line telephones with no wish for any other type.

     It is inspiring to think of my past words and these that I am now writing as well as future words being translated into so many other languages.

     This will be excellent publicity when my almost completed first book is launched on eBooks.  Another book is half finished, with three others in the works.

     I want to say a special hello to all my readers and make known who you all are.

     ~ Hello ~ America
     ~ Здравствуйте ~ Russia
     ~ Bonjour ~ France
     ~ Hallo ~ Germany
     ~ Merhaba ~ Turkey
     ~ Buna ~ Romania
     ~ Hello ~ Canada
     ~ Здравствуйте ~ Ukraine
~ Hola ~ Spain
     ~ Dia dhuit ~ Ireland
     ~ cześć ~ Poland
     ~ Hallo ~ The Netherlands

     I have been to France, Germany, The Netherlands and Canada (as well as other countries) as a Visitor, never a tourist, especially not that obnoxious, dreadful creature ~ an American Tourist!!!  In other months I will relate how I retaliated against some of them for causing so many people to think poorly of Americans.

     I would so much like to hear your comments and learn about your life.  I plan to get maps and information about the countries I have not visited.

 Again, I am so-o-o pleased to learn about my International Family.

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Greetings:  I would like to see a message from you.  Contact me at joaneastben@mail.com

July Is Birthday Month

     ... in my family since both my parents were born in this month. Mother's Natal day is July 25th while my Father and America shared a July 4th birthday.  As young children, my sister, Nancy (my only sibling) and I were extremely proud that unlike the fathers of other children, people liked our daddy so much that there were parades in the morning, a circus during the day and even fireworks at night that were easily seen from our front porch.

     As very young girls, Nancy and I were pleased that my birthday is in May and Nancy's in October.  We were certain that our always clever Father had made the arrangements that put our birthdays in our favorite season and also a few days from the birthday of the grandmother that we were the most alike, even to eye color.

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     A cousin had twin boys on Christmas Day.  For four years, a few Christmas gifts were opened early Christmas morning, then after the boys had a long nap, the parents and twins went to a Grandparent's large house to a Sunroom that was birthday decorated for a simple family birthday party.

     The month before their fifth birthday, the boys asked why other children had parties with their friends not at Christmas.  Their mother showed them a large calendar that displayed the entire year on one side, she blacked out days to avoid, such as, the week before and on holidays, first day of school etcetera.  She told them to take as long as they liked to decide on the date for their birthday.  They made their decision within a half hour.  The clever boys had not chosen one date as their mother had expected, but two, one in the Spring and the other in the Autumn.  Although, it always required explanation, every one thought it an excellent idea.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     Memory of those clever twins inspired me to give a unique, much appreciated and thereafter always used, birthday gift to a new friend whose natal day is December 26th.  I asked a printing company (before computers) to print in green ink 25 post cards for which I had designed a flower border on the blank side, while on the other side sharing the address had in bold italics, "I Have A New Birthday!"

     These were included in an overly large white gift box among much tissue paper with a black-inked proclamation that I had made, matted and framed.  Using the silver paper circle from inside a fat bottle cap and two short pieces of red ribbon, I made a fairly good replica of an official seal to affix to my proclamation.  In calligraphy I wrote, "I, Joan Eastman-Bennett, in the power and faith invested in me, do proclaim that the new celebrated birthday for Ruth Anderson shall henceforth and forever more be May First."     
     I, tell you these details so that you could, perhaps use this idea yourself someday. 

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     Paul, a special man in my life, said that when he was eight years on his April eighth birthday, his parents gave him eight of several presents, eight toy soldiers, eight small pieces of candy, he could not recall the others.  Recently, I learned that when a date and an age coincide, it is termed a Golden Birthday.

     A friend said that her family gave her a special celebration on her 7th day, 7th month birthday in 1977.

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     For a totally God-oriented family, both personally and all outlying parts thereof, it is surprising that no one had previously thought of the idea of my middle-aged cousin, Jay Robinson of Gloucester, Massachusetts who recently stated just before his aunt's birthday party, "I think we should start this with a thank you prayer."  And so it was done, one from the party giver and one from the Birthday Gal herself.  Since Jay has had many disappointments in his life, I recommended that these two thank you prayers be termed, "Jay's-Thank-Yous."  So before the next and all thereafter birthday and anniversary get-togethers or parties tell your guests when you invite them that there will be a "Jay's-Thank-Yous" first. 

~ ~ ~

A 
Happy, 

Healthy, 

Prosperous 

   Birthday To You.  

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Greetings:  I would like to see a message from you.  Contact me at joaneastben@mail.com

Copyright 2017     

What Fathers Said

     Since June contains Fathers Day, it is appropriate to ask various people to recall an often said sentence by their Father.

     This is the second year that I have collected and then, as now, I have learned aspects in the life of several of my close friends that greatly surprised me as I had just assumed that they, like I, had had a "normal" happy childhood and a loving relationship with their Father.

     I asked my friend, Bill what he remembered of his his Father's words.  His facial expression changed to one of sadness combined with grim acceptance as he said slowly, "Yes, I remember, because he said it so often, it wasn't good."  There was a long silence, "When my two brothers and I wanted to tell him something, he would firmly and authoritatively say, 'I am your Father, not your friend!' "

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

    Elaine Raymond, Director, ComForcare, Mountainside, NJ
    "My Father often said, 'Money doesn't grow on trees so be careful how you use it."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     Keith Rizzo, Card Specialist, Lake Mary, Florida

     "As I got to my dating age, my Father, Sam Rizzo, repeatedly told me, 'I had better never hear of you mistreating a woman, you are always to be polite and open doors and car doors for her.' "

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     A nice man, who identified himself only as Mike D. of New Jersey quickly recalled a quote from his Father.

     "Time keeps passing, so you may as well be doing something productive."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     Craig Bagley of Old Bridge, New Jersey said that his Father, (with the same name) from Jackson, New Jersey often said, "There's nothing worst than wasted talent."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     I handwrote a letter to a distant friend requesting a quote of her Father, who had "stepped over" many years ago.

     Although, I was pleased that she responded quickly with a requested quote, I was surprised that all she could recall was a short sentence, supposedly funny concerning termites.

     I wrote her that I felt that the termite comment was disrespectful to her Father and that I wanted a quote that would be helpful to readers.

     If you, like my friend, can not seem to recall any words, drive alone to a quiet nature place with a pad of paper (nothing electronic) a pen and a photograph or several, then talk to your Father, writing what you say, then listening with your inner ears.  It may take several sessions, do not despair, continue.  People report worthwhile results.

What do you remember your Father saying?

If you are a Father or an Uncle, what words are the children in your life going to remember that you often said?

Happy Day To You And Your Mother

     I affirm that you have as many happy memories of your mother as I do, whether she is in physical or has "stepped over" as my God Guides term the transition to the other side.

     It is not only surprising, but quite sad, perhaps a stronger word is needed, that when I asked eight people to tell me a quote from their mother, all but one could not think of any words of wisdom from their mothers. 

     An older man said that the only words he could remember about his mother was that she was always angrily yelling at him, "Oh, shut up!"  He could not recall any thoughtful actions that she had ever done for him and he had left home at fourteen.

     My long-time friend, Marge Ensinger from Richboro, Pennsylvania responded to tell about her very nice mother, who I was glad to know.

     "Mrs. Doris (McChesney) Pott, my mother, NEVER wanted to see anything on top of her Bible.  If anything was there, she moved it off.  Her Bible was God's Word and Sacred.  She said to me, her daughter, 'Marge, read something from the Bible EVERY day, even if it is only one verse.'  I think of her words very often."

     A favorite quote from my own mother,

 "We each have our Book of Life with its many chapters.  Some people do not know when to stop a chapter, not realizing that a new chapter can not begin until a chapter ends."

In a time of quietness, 
think of your own mother, 
even if you see her every day.  
Ask your memory to bring forth 
some of your mothers' words.

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Greetings: I would enjoy reading from you, contact me at joaneastben@mail.com and the best way for me to reach you.

"Kick The Bucket" no! No! NO!

      Multitudes of people are casually conversing about their, “Bucket List” or “Before I kick the bucket,” then speaking of one or two experiences that they want to have before they reach the end of their present life.

     When asked the meaning of the phrases, people’s usual response is, “It’s just an expression.”

     “But expressions,” I tell them, “have origins and stem from a basic reason.”

     When the true meaning of this phrase is known, people stop using it.

     Originally buckets were made of wood, they were sturdy and heavy.  When empty and turned upside down, they were often used as stools for a child or an adult to sit on or for anyone to stand on for a little extra height to reach up above.

     Despondent men with no hope, stood on a bucket, threw a rope up over a strong tree branch about a foot above their head, made the rope into a slip knot noose, put their head in the noose, then with one foot kicked the bucket out from under their other foot, thus committing suicide.  It was dreadful for the people who found the hung men.

     Use the simple, “On my ‘To Do’ list,” then say what accomplishments and travel you want to do.

     Learn the original meaning of a phrase before using it.

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Greetings: I would enjoy reading from you, contact me at joaneastben@mail.com and the best way for me to reach you.

When You Are 100 And Look Back...

on your life, are you pleased and satisfied or saddened and regretful with your choices?

     A man in his forties has specialized in taking a large variety of drugs, cheating and stealing from family, friends and others.  He has spent a great deal of his life in both jails and prisons.  He should have been an actor because he has been so good at convincing rehab workers, even police, that he is cured; then usually on the day he is released, the whole cycle starts again.

     A major contrast is Joan Nathanson of Edmonton, Ontario Canada.  She is a high powered gal in her late seventies who has done and is doing a great many interesting and worthwhile projects.  This is part of the list she sent at my request.

     Formerly "Jill of All Trades," including swimming, introductory French, and driving instruction; providing leadership in Christian Education nationally, locally and on campus; medical office management and secretarial services; editing of bi-monthly regional news insert in The United Church of Canada's national magazine; dowsing instruction and intuitive counselling.

     Volunteer work as a speaker, founder and initial executive director of Canadians Concerned About Violence in Entertainment; member of the regional and later national Communications Committees of The United Church of Canada; President of the Hamilton and District Council of Women, Media Convener then President of the National Council of Women of Canada; Board Member and President of the Canadian Society of Dowsers; Member of the American Society of Dowsers' quarterly digest editorial team.

     Avoid being a One Subject Person.  Look for diversity in your life, create a check off list of many and varied categories, then each year, explore one or several of the subjects to enrich your life.  

     When you are 100 years old and someone asks about your life, will you be glad that you had the same boring job since high school, then went to your small furnished studio apartment to play video games and eat TV dinners?

Chase dreams and experiences,

live your life to the fullest.

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Greetings: I would enjoy reading from you, contact me at joaneastben@mail.com and the best way for me to reach you.