Pollyanna Lives!

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It’s been so long since I’ve been able to post. So much going on in my head. So much going on in my life. While my body continues to fail me, my efforts to beat the clock have succeeded beyond what I ever dared to hope for, and I’ve somehow managed to continue to grow while dying. (Is that a Dylan song in the making, or what?)

Optimism is an odd but powerful creature and my religion of choice. I’ve been labelled a “Pollyanna” by those who intended it as a derision, but I have always worn that as a badge of honor. To me, the label means that nothing is impossible. Improbable, yeah. But not impossible. Even when I’m overwhelmed, have good reason for feeling sorrowful and afraid, a voice inside nags at me to “just hang on, as this, too, shall pass.“ Without that voice, I would have succumbed long ago. Without that voice, I would not even want to survive. But with that voice, I will always look forward to tomorrow and whatever it may bring.

While I have never really made specific plans for the future, I learned early on the importance of being open to whatever came knocking on my door. It’s taken me in so many directions – wonderful directions – which were well beyond my ability to conceive of beforehand, and led to a rich and enjoyable life filled with interesting and wonderful friends and associates. The only downside (besides my health) has been in trying to keep up with all the plates I’ve got spinning. I have tried to give 100% to everyone and every cause. I know that in my heart, the commitment is there, but have yet to be able to consistently show it. Never enough hours, never enough energy. But as I truly believe that nothing is impossible, I’ll keep on trying and hopefully my friends will continue to understand and put up with my sporadic bursts of activity and periods of quiet.

Free Clip-Art / Icons of the Day: ”Brass Balz” Series, Part 1

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Brass Balz_Address Book

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Supreme Farce

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Please note that this post, as all others, represents purely my personal intellectual opinions and emotional feelings, and are not to be construed as anything more. As they say on “COPS” “All parties are innocent until proven guilty.” Since this case is still active, the final judgment of the justices has yet to be determined, but their ruling will be based on the official case records, which by law are available to the public (only certain of those documents are available online. For all others (transcripts, pleadings, etc.) you can only view them in person at the Florida 17th Circuiit Court in Broward County, Florida.

A brief poetic post to update you all

on the state of my legal fate under Florida law.

• • •

As last you heard my appeal it was won,

My adversary, livid, sought to have it undone.

Not wanting the Judges to be burdened with facts,

she tried striking my answer in a childish attack.

The Court had no patience to play such games.

Their mandate well-reasoned, the law very clear,

Three appellate judges denied her “Motion to Rehear”

• • •

In a fit of hysteria over the defeat of her plea,

unable to acknowledge loss gracefully,

my adversary scowled and dug in her heels.

Grabbing a torch for the earth

she’s threatened to scorch,

and is now charging onward

to the State Supreme Court.

• • •

Think about this. Yes! You heard me right.

My adversary’s taken to the Supreme Court her fight.

• • •

It does not matter that she abused my trust

nor does she care what is fair or just.

She flaunts the very law she’s sworn to uphold,

and perverts her fiduciary duty to benefit herself.

What matters to her most at the end of the day?

Simply to avoid all consequences, deflect all blame,

and shift to her victims her burden and shame.

• • •

She’s blind to the truth and deaf to my cries,

blissfully ignorant no one’s buying her lies

She’s contemptuous of all who don’t see her way,

charges them as biased, stupid or mean,

yet expects her bare argument and tears to sway.

• • •

With arrogance she proceeds to go higher and higher,

pushing her luck and refusing to quit.

But perseverance alone cannot bring her honor,

for she’s littered the pathway with hatred and bile.

When the goal that one seeks

relies on corpses and ruins,

there will be no adulation nor respect conferred.

• • •

How sad and lonely it must be

to live your life perpetually

behind a facade only you can see

with nothing of substance inside.

• • • ƒini • • •

• • •

• • • BACKGROUND LINKS • • •

FREE CLIP ART / ICONS OF THE DAY The following images are either full or reduced size previews. Simply right-click (or control-click) on the preview to save the image(s) of your choice to your desktop. (Unless otherwise noted, downloads are 512px X 512px in .png format). As always, usage of any of the images offered on this blog are free for your personal use while subject to the limitations of my Creative Commons Non-Commercial – Attribution – No Derivatives – Share Alike- 3.0 license. (See sidebar for details)

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Speaks

“Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Speaks”

Pigskin Journal for Legal Briefs

“Pigskin Journal for Legal Briefs”

Pigskin Journal for Legal Motions

“Pigskin Journal for Legal Motions”

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Going Postal Over Thanksgiving

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In doing some research concerning the history and traditions of our celebration of “Thanksgiving” here in the US, I came across something that really peaked my curiosity. What I found was that a dozen or so countries around the world have issued one or more postage stamps depicting either the “Mayflower” (the ship which the first wave of pilgrims journeyed) and/or honoring those pilgrims in general or individual passengers that landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachusettes on November 21, 1620. (November 11 to those of you using the Julian calendar, as did the pilgrims themselves).

Among those countries, I found stamps issued by: the United States, Bangladesh, Chartonia, Great Britain, Guinea, Isle of Man, Oman, GrenadaUganda, Burkina Faso, Canada, Antigua, Liberia, and more. The question I was not able to find an answer to, is “Why?” Why would any country, other than the US, have any connection to or interest in honoring the Mayflower or those pilgrims?

While the ship did depart from an area of London, England known at the time as “Plymouth”, the pilgrims were fleeing that country due to oppressive (deadly) means of dealing with those who defied the rules of the Catholic Church. They were not government-sponsored explorers or emissaries that Britain could claim bragging rights in the more traditional manner. So had their issuance of such stamps been with the attitude “Thank G-d, we got rid of them buggers! They’re your problem now.”? Or was it simply a matter of commerce in that they saw the US as a great marketplace that they sought to exploit by appealing to our vanity? Me thinks that is the most likely explanation, not only for Britain, for all of the other countries as well. What do you think? And while you’re at it, anyone ever heard of Burkina Faso before? Or am I the only one so ignorant?

Enjoy!

Free Clip-Art / Icons of the Day

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The Welcoming Committee

Mayflower Landing at Plymouth RockMayflower Landing at Plymouth Rock (2)

Turkey Feast

Mayflower Landing (3)

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