June 18, 2025

BG’s Positively Speaking

A Well Deserved Reward

Simon & Garfunkel fans will recognize the title of this message as the first line of “The 59th St. Bridge Song”. The words may have evolved in the ‘laid back sixties’ but they are just as current as back then. In our world of expanding technology that is designed to save us time we are constantly pressured to do more with that time we saved, so we try to fit a 10 minute task into the 7 minutes we just saved, putting ourselves under more pressure.

Growing up I often heard my mother’s admonition “More haste less speed” when I tried to do something in a hurry, explaining that many times when we hurry we make more mistakes than if we slowed down. Correcting those mistakes would probably take more time than if we had “Slowed Down” in the first place.

How do you slow down the pace of life? By realizing that you have a choice, not an easy one but it’s a choice. Tackle what is probably the hardest task, unplug yourself. Disconnect from those gadgets that tie you to work, not for the day but short periods of time,say first thing in the morning, take some time to say “Good Morning” to your family.

Be in the present. Focus on what is happening now. Stop thinking of things still to be done. Make a conscious effort to do less, “Less is More” really is true.

Have your lunch break away from your desk and eat slowly. Couple that with driving slower and you will reduce your stress level and increase your efficiency. Leave some space between appointments or tasks so that you can be prepared to handle unexpected situations.

SLOW DOWN…TAKE A DEEP BREATH…DO LESS…ACHIEVE MORE

Editors Quote Book

“You can tell you’re on the road to success, it’s uphill all the way.”

—Paul Harvey 

Lexophile

• I changed my iPhone’s name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.
• England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.
• Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.
• This girl today said she recognized me from the Vegetarians Club, but I’d swear I’ve never met herbivore.
• I know a guy who’s addicted to drinking brake fluid, but he says he can stop any time.
• A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
• When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
• I got some batteries that were given out free of charge.
• A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.
• A will is a dead giveaway.
• With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
• Police were summoned to a daycare center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
• A bicycle can’t stand alone; it’s just two tired.

Fun Facts

1. Money isn’t made out of paper; it’s made out of cotton.
2. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp (marijuana) paper.
3. The dot over the letter ‘i’ is called a ‘tittle.’
4. A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top.
5. Susan Lucci is the daughter of Phyllis Diller .
6. 40% of McDonald’s profits come from the sales of Happy Meals.
7. 315 entries in Webster ‘s 1996 Dictionary were misspelled.
8. The ‘spot’ on 7UP comes from its inventor, who had red eyes. He was albino.

Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

Aries Mar. 21 – Apr. 19: You are not living up to your potential. You are bright and creative and continue to hide behind a barrel. Let your light shine!

Taurus Apr. 20 – May 20: Energy levels are down. Use this time to catch up on reading material or quiet project. Enjoy sunshine and warm weather.

Gemini May 21 – June 20: You will be touched by the generosity of another. A kindness should never be forgotten. Do unto others…

Cancer June 21 – July 22: A pushy co-worker worms their way into your space. Set parameters. Don’t be bowled over by a gust of hot air.

Leo July 23 – Aug 22: You may have met your level of incompetence. In order to succeed, you will have to turn another corner and focus your attention along other lines.

Virgo Aug 23 – Sept 22: Forgiveness is a healing process. Not only will it make the one forgiven feel better, but it will also do wonders for your well being.

Libra Sept 23 – Oct 22: A stronger work ethic is needed by all to accomplish short-term goals. Communicate your need more effectively. Don’t procrastinate.

Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 21: What you want and what you get may be two different things. Continue to persevere or you will wind up settling for less.

Sagittarius Nov 22 – Dec 21: A romantic overture is made. You may be looking for something you will never find while the very best is right beneath your nose.

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 19: Vacate the office! If you can’t afford a real vacation, just get out and away. You need a break from the stress and strains of career demands. Kick back and relax.

Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 18: Streamline your budget. There are many perks you can do without. Be more conservative the second half of the year.

Pisces Feb 19 – Mar 20: Warning signals should be heeded. Your health is more important than your career. Consult a specialist.

Sign Of The Times

My wife and I took a long, leisurely drive out to the country and pulled over to fill up our car’s gas tank and tires… She was surprised to see that the station had a fee to fill the tires and asked me, “Why in the world do they charge for AIR?!”

I responded, “Inflation.”

Managing Risk

My nagging wife died suddenly on a trip to Jerusalem. Funeral director, “Sir, it would cost about $45,000 if we send her home back to the states or $500 if we bury her here in Jerusalem.”
Me: “Ship her home.”

Funeral director: “But sir, why don’t you bury her here in the Holy Land and you can save money.”

Me: “A long time ago a man was buried here and 3 days later he rose from the dead, I can’t take that chance.”

Rear View Mirror

June 11, 1959: First Public Demonstration of a Manned Hovercraft Flight

The seven-ton SR-N1 developed by Christopher Cockerell is demonstrated to the press. It was capable of 60 knots. Hovercraft (air-cushion vehicle or ACV) is a fast, usually amphibious craft. Capable of travelling over land, water, mud or ice and other surfaces at speed. A horizontal fan produces a cushion of air supporting the craft just above the ground or water. Vertical fans propel the craft. Most hovercraft are powered by gas turbine or diesel engines. A Hovercraft travels at speeds up 160km/h (100mph).Hovercraft are hybrid vessels operated by a pilot as an aircraft rather than a captain as a marine vessel. They are used as marine ferries, military vehicles and in numerous recreational activities.

A Reasonable Assumption?

It has been found that Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise (To the right). So lets examine this information. As Venus is normally associated with women, does that tell us that women are going in the “Right” direction?

How Things Change

An elderly man decided he would go to the movies for the first time in quite a while. As he handed over his $20 for a ticket and some popcorn he remarked, “When I first started going to the movies it only cost me a quarter.” The attendant looked at him and, with a big smile on her face responded, “You’re really going to enjoy yourself tonight, we’ve now got sound.”

This Week’s Quiz

Last Week the average score was 58%  The highest score was 90% (9 out of 10) shared by two individuals.  The lowest score was 30% (3 out of 10)

The Last Word

If money speaks why is it that the only word it knows is… Goodbye?