SCOTTA's Blog

Hello,

Watching the news on a daily basis,  I was wondering what goes on behind the scenes to make a newscast successful;  From a viewer standpoint,  I believe there must be some chemistry between each reporter, but there must be other preparatory work that goes on behind the scenes that a viewer like myself doesn't see.  I believe there may be some editing, and time limits that each story must have.  I am sure it can be challenging, making sure that a story is told very professionally, within a certain time frame, while making sure that the public is informed.  (For the record,  I watch FOX25 News).

Hello,

I have gone on many Paragon Tours over the past 16 years,  and find them to be very professional,  and offer a variety of interesting trips for all ages.  I wanted to send this blog to "sing their praises" - so to "speak".   I have been on their trips to Washington, DC,  Colonial Williamsburg,  Myrtle Beach, SC,  Bar Harbour/Kennebunkport, ME,  Ocean City, MD,  Annapolis, MD,  Erie Canal,  and Brandon, Vermont.  Everyone has a good time, and each escort/guide has been very professional, and helpful with the information that they provide.  The restaurants that we have gone to are  top-notch, with few exceptions. The shows (where available) have been entertaining, and memorable.   Thank You, Paragon Tours, and keep up the good work!!!!  I am sure that there are many other fans of our company out there.  A definite plus regarding these trips, is that I don't have to do the driving!!!  LOL 

Hello,

Having lost family members over the years,  I can't help but wonder about Pre-planning one's funeral arrangements.  What if the funeral home changes hands over the years?  Does the record keeping for these pre-planned arrangements automatically carry over to the new funeral home?  I know people should keep records, but would the funeral home's records also be kept intact?   I think pre-planned arrangements are good because they can spare survivors any further difficulty than they will face. They will need to deal with the loss,  but they can have peace of mind knowing that their loved ones final  wishes will be carried out.  My conern is that when the time does unfortunately come, that the pre-planned arrangements are taken care of, and no extra cost to the family will be incurred.  I am not sure if interest payments are something that pre-planned arrangements require, and if so, by whom? 

Hello,

I am sure there are alot of coffee drinkers out there.  I for one, need my coffee to start the day, wheather it is iced or hot coffee.  If I go without coffee for even one day,  I get migraine-like headaches.  I don't think I would ever want to quit drinking coffee permanently. I look forward to starting my day with coffee.  I feel that I am alert and am better prepared for the day or task at hand.  I shutter to think how many pounds or gallons of coffee I drink each YEAR. 

Hello,

I have been collecting stamps on and off for about 23 years now;  I have NOT grown tired of this fascinating hobby.  I read somewhere that stamps are "like little pictures of the world."   I like to collect all kings of stamps, although I believe there are those who like to focus on a certain subject, which is fine, too.  The only downside of stamps that I can see is that you have to be careful to protect them in mounts so that they don't get damaged. They are fragile collectibles that have monetary value, although that is not why I started stamp collecting.  My Step-Mother got my started with it.  She suggested me trying this hobby  so I could keep myself occupied, and it worked.  It kept me busy, although at first I was very ignorant of stamps and how to protect them.  I started pasting and/or taping them to the albums (a big NO-NO),  but I have learned alot about stamps since I started.  I believe the oldest stamp dates to 1847.  I have to wonder what stamps 100 years from now will look like.  I really got into this hobby to pass the time, but also to learn a little something about history and how the postal system has evolved over the past 161 years since the first stamp was printed.

Hello,

My favorite sport is Bowling.  I haven't been in awhile, but I do consider it to be my favorite, that is, when I get a chance to play.  It is relaxing, and a good way to pass the time, much like other sports, as well.  I like the candlepin balls better than the big balls.  I tried the big balls once or twice, but felt like I was going to go down the alley  WITH the ball.  I stick with candelpins.   I remember a couple of old bowling shows that were on TV that I used to watch.  One was with Don Gillis on Channel 5,  and the other was Candelpins for Cash.   I think one of the shows I remember being on a Saturday morning.  There were alot of great bowlers out there, with some having averages that I don't think I could attain, unless I practiced 24/7.   I am not sure if there is, or has been,  a celebrity bowling show, but I think that would be a great idea.  It would be interesting to see which celebrity gets all the gutter balls and who gets all the strikes.  Ha, Ha.   I remember a time a few years ago,  I went bowling with someone, and they kiddingly said to me "Don't Choke",  when I was getting ready to bowl, and then I proceeded to get a gutter ball.  Bowling is a good sport, but can be a sport that generates a few good laughs (at my expense) Ha, Ha.

Hello,

There is something to be said about the ocean.  No ocean in particular,  just in general.   I find that going to the ocean is a perfect way of relieving stress, and having some "down time", away from the hustle & bustle of everyday "goings on."

I feel that breathing the ocean air is good mentally, and most likely physically, as well.       It is nice to hear the waves and see the ocean on a sandy beach wheather it is in the summer or fall, and even perhaps in the winter, though I haven't gone in the winter.

I love the ocean, as most of the pictures in my home can attest to (ha, ha).  There is something so serene about the ocean.  It takes your mind to a peaceful place, even if only for a little while.   Oceans should be protected, because they are very important in the grand scheme of things, so to speak.

I feel that the ocean gives me a chance to do some soul searching, and have some quiet reflection about events in my life, wheather past or present, and can help give me some perspective, without the daily distractions that are ever-present.

Hello,

I was eating my apple pie at a local restaurant recently, and began to think of how many favorite desserts I have.  I don't have an ABSOLUTE NUMBER 1 FAVORITE, but I have several "favorites".  Its hard to choose between them, but I like the following:

BLUEBERRY PIE

APPLE PIE

CHERRY PIE

RHUBARB PIE

PECAN PIE

PUMPKIN PIE

COCONUT CREAM PIE

I am sure there  are alot of dessert lovers out there.  What are your favorities? Sorry if this seems like a silly subject, but it is interesting to see what other people enjoy and I am sure that there are alot of desserts that I haven't included in the list above.

Hello,

Not knowing alot about tornadoes,  I was curious as to how much warning is possible before a tornado strikes.  With a recent tornado in New Hampshire,  it made me wonder   how much time there is to prepare.  Tornadoes are certainly devastating, but with advanced technology I was curious if there was adequate time for preparation or if a basement in a house would be secure enough in the event of such a storm.

Hello,

I was thinking of the "old days" and Woolworth's came to mind.  For me, this store is special.  I remember going there with my grandmother and looked forward to spending time with her, and that was "our place" to "hang out".  The particular Woolworth's we went to had a small restaurant with booths & stools.  I miss this store, not simply for the prices, although that was a big draw, but for the "coziness" (sounds corny, perhaps).  It was to me, a nice atmosphere, where my Grandmother enjoyed shopping.  She would get her yarn there, and knick-knacks, as well.  Anyone out there have fond memories of Woolworths?  The DollarStore is something that is perhaps similar, but NOTHING could take the place of Woolworths.   

Hello,

I remember a time, when people put some old newspapers, knicknacks, etc, in a Time Capsule type box, so that in years to come, if someone happened to unearth it, they could learn about how WE lived, much like archaeologists have learned how past civilizations/generations have lived.   I am wondering if people are still interested in this concept OR, with the advent of technology, "time capsules" may prove unnecessary? Now that everything is on computer,  does creating a time capsule even matter?

Hello,

It is still about 3 1/2 months away, but I was curious what people's thoughts are on the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy, Nov 22, 1963.  Where were you and how did you hear the news?  I was not yet born at that time, but have an opinion that is evolved during the past couple of years.  I now believe that Lee Harvey Oswald was responsible for this tragedy, although I was not convinced at first. First, there were witnesses that saw Oswald gun down the Police Officer J.D. Tippit, and he was the only employee absent from the Texas School Book Depository when they did a employee count shortly after the shooting.  What I was suspicious about, was Oswald's death 2 days after the President's.   But, on top of the examples cited above,  his fingerprints were on the rifle, and he had a pistol with him at the time of his arrest.

Hello,

I was wondering what people thought of shaking hands at church?  I do shake hands, but respect other people's right not to.   Those who don't shake hands, I find they wave to me and acknowledge me with a smile or blessing.  There are personal reasons people may not shake hands, but I was curious what other people thought of this. In my church, it has been customary to shake hands at a specific point during the mass when the priest says, "May the peace of the Lord be with you all", and we would respond, "And also with you."   At that point,  people who choose to do so, would shake hands.  To me,  if someone wants to shake my hand,  I do so, but respect others right not to, also.

Hello,

I have to admit that I am not prepared for digital TV.   I believe it becomes reality in February, 2009.  I will probably wait to the last minute, as I am a procrastinator, and I will be caught by "surprise."    I have not heard anyone in my family or at work talk about digital television.  I believe they are probably are going to be fine, because they all have cable, which I do not believe would need the special box.  I don't have cable as of yet, so I'll need to get the box.   With this change happening in just a few short months,  I have to really "get on the ball",  so when the time comes,  I won't be staring at a blank screen. OUCH!

Hello,

I will miss Estelle Getty and the many funny moments that she gave us on THE GOLDEN GIRLS.    I have all 7 seasons of the show on DVD,  and I love watching the show whenever I get a chance.  I believe the show is on somewhere all over the world at least a couple times a day.  I am grateful to her for all the much-needed laughs that she brought (and still does) to my day.  As sad as I am to hear of her passing,  I am glad that her work will continue to live on for generations to enjoy.  I will remember her as being someone who made my day a little easier by providing much-needed laughter in a world that is too serious at times.