"Get Over Yourself"

The "Doctrine & Covenants" of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Section 136, Verse 29) will teach you how to "Get Over Yourself".
To obtain a copy for you and yours, just telephone (toll-free) 1-800-438-7557 and tell the folks who answer your call that you want to learn how "D&C Section 136, Verse 29" will help you "Get Over Yourself".
You're Welcome.

Through a Looking Glass

In "Glory Road", Robert A. Heinlein wrote about a man, because of life-threatening asthma, who lived on a high mountain.

His wife, whose fragile heart could not endure altitude, lived on the coast below him.

Sometimes they looked at each other through telescopes.

Legislative News from My Pal(?) Roy

Forwarded Message
From: "Gilleo, Royden"
Sent: Feb 17, 2006
To: All of Larry's Coworkers
When Larry returns on Tuesday, please inquire how he made out in the Men's Room at the Maryland Senate Building.
The story goes that he put his underwear on backwards, and almost had an accident prior to testifying in front of the Senate.
Nothing was mentioned during the Senate hearings.

Friends & Enemies

Beware of well meaning friends.
They can be as dangerous as enemies.
---Agamemnon

Looking Beyond the Endgame

At long last, the "Kump" family headstone for my burial plots in the Brown's Mill Cemetery, on Kauffman Road and just north of Greencastle PA, finally has been carved and installed.
My 3rd Great Grandfather David S. Kump (1815-1895) and other kith and kindred already await me there.
One day, I will lay down my earthly cares and rest with them in the soft brown earth, going on thereafter to continue my journey.
It pleases me that this is one tellurian chore that will not be left to those who remain behind.
Meanwhile, it has made all the difference in the world for me to know from where we came, why we are here, why some suffer, and what good news lies ahead for all of us (and not just "Churchgoers").
Wordsworth perhaps said it best when he said that, "Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home...".
For more of this about that, see "Best Buddies" entry at this web log.

Prudent to Ponder

"The vilest cruelty anybody can commit is to give somebody something wonderful and then snatch it away again." - H. Beam Piper

My Favorite Things

Here are my three favorite things:
1. Naps
2. Sandwiches.
3. Women
My most favorite of all is a woman who makes me a sandwich and then lets me take a nap.

Postscript: I also like pie.

Margaret "Peg" Gross on "Remembering Tom"

Larry,
As you may know, music always has been a significant part of my being, so I wish to share some personal trivia with you.
In 1957 or 1958, (when I finished the 8th grade), I attended a music camp, and, in the choir, we sang an anthem.
I remember the chorus having two voice parts:
First, the men sang (in a drone), "These times try men's souls, these times try men's souls...."
Then the sopranos and altos sang, "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands NOW deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.."
After receiving your e-mail, I "Googled" this and found the full quote by Thomas Paine.
I loved the anthem at the time, but did not understand then what it really was about.
Now I have something to read, so that I, a POOR history student, can understand it.
Thanks for sharing.
Peg

Note from Larry: See the previous "Remembering Tom" entry at this web log for the rest of this story.

Ketchup with "Kate & Leopold"

Shake and shake the ketchup bottle.
None will come, and then a "lottle".

Lessons from Rain

As a young boy of no religious affiliation, I was fond of sitting by the screened windows in my parents' North Prospect Street home in Hagerstown, Maryland, watching and listening to the rain.
This never failed to give me feelings of peace and comfort.
This practice persists with me to this day.
And so it was that, last night, listening to the rainfall through my screened bedroom windows lulled me gently to sleep.
Rain continues to be a marvelous work and a wonder for me.
In the Book of Mormon, the American Pre-Columbian Prophet Alma taught that "...all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." (Book of Mormon, Alma, Chapter 30, Verse 44)
And so it also is with rain.
(For a free copy of the Book of Mormon, call 1-888-537-2200)

Partnership Priorities

I remember, long ago and far away, a special lady who was my Hoosier racquetball partner in Indianapolis.
She was a lovely lady and my companion of choice.
She and I got along great, and our friends and associates frequently pointed us out to others as a "dynamic duo".
I also thought so, and included her in all of my Church activities, hoping with all my heart that she would come to understand and embrace eternal truths.
I even seriously was thinking about marriage and more for us.
Then, one day, after we participated in a church social event together, she abruptly told me that she'd either marry me or live with me (without marriage).
She then further explained that the choice was mine, and all that I had to do was give up my membership "that Church".
My sad yet immediate "adieu" flabbergasted and upset her, but I remain so grateful that I knew and had strength enough to choose only the very best and would accept no substitutes.
It was the second best decision of my life.
The best decision of my life was joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
For more of this about that, call 1-800-438-7557 or visit http://www.mormon.org/.