Amazing Rendition of the U.S. National Anthem

Some of the "rock" singers who open football games, etc. should take a lesson from these wonderful kids.  The way the National Anthem should be sung.

500 high school choir students sing the U.S. National anthem in a high-rise hotel. Each night before curfew, they gather on their balconies to sing the Star-Spangled Banner from the balconies of the 18-story atrium at Louisville's downtown Hyatt Regency as part of the Kentucky Music Educators convention.  

Will We Learn - Will We Act?

Some funny 2016 Political Posters

The BEST Side Of Me!!

He Saved Premie's Life - 20 Years Later His Life Is Saved . . . Incredible Story!!

In 1981, a three-pound baby was born prematurely in San Clemente, CA--and given a 50-50 chance of pulling through. Luckily for the newborn, his pediatrician was Dr. Michael Shannon. Dr. Shannon stayed by the baby's side in the hospital until he was certain the infant was healthy. It took some time, but the baby boy was eventually discharged and went home.


Jump ahead 30 years. Dr. Shannon was in his SUV when a truck crashed into it. As the car burst into flames, Dr. Shannon was pinned by the wreckage, unable to escape. Firefighters rushed to the rescue, and eventually they were able to get Dr. Shannon out using the Jaws of Life.

But it wasn't until the two men got to the hospital that they discovered their connection. One of the first responders who risked his life to save Dr. Shannon was none other than Chris Trokey--the premature baby whom Dr. Shannon had saved in 1981. 

Dr. Shannon and Trokey got reacquainted during the pediatrician's 45-day stay at the hospital. When Trokey's son was born, he became a patient of Dr. Shannon's too.

Watch the video below to see how the two men continue to save lives--this time of the youngest cancer patients.

Click on THIS LINK to read more (below) and watch a video

Two men who helped save each others lives 30 years apart were reunited Sunday at a fundraiser for childhood cancer research.

Exactly four years ago, on March 29, 2011, Dr. Michael Shannon was driving on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point when a semi-truck T-boned his SUV, pinning his vehicle underneath the truck as it caught fire.

Firefighters from Paramedic Engine 29 were returning from another call and responded within minutes to the fiery crash.

By the time they arrived, Shannon's vehicle was also ablaze and the flames were burning his legs. Fire crews then worked to extinguish the flames and rescue him using the Jaws of Life.

The seriously injured Shannon was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo where he spent the next 45 days recovering from internal injuries. He also had to have two of his toes amputated.

Among those who had helped save Shannon that day was Orange County Fire Authority paramedic Chris Trokey, whose own life had been saved 30 years earlier by the pediatrician.

"I didn't know about until I went to the hospital and started talking about it, Dr. Shannon. And I was like, 'Oh my gosh, Dr. Shannon?'" Trokey recalled on Sunday. "That's when I found out."

Trokey was just 3.2 pounds at birth, and doctors had initially gave him a 50/50 chance at surviving. But his pediatrician -- Dr. Shannon -- helped save his life, staying with the infant around the clock until his health improved and he was stable.

"It's amazing to watch them all grow up, but to have one come back in your life, on a day you really need it, that's really incredible," Shannon said.

On Sunday, the two met up again for a good cause, both shaving off their hair to raise money to potentially help save others live.

"It's a great feeling, and now he's my son's pediatrician," Trokey said.

According to Shannon, 30 heads were shaved and $12,000 was raised at the fundraiser benefiting St. Baldrick's charity.

Thoughts From Dogs . . .

History of McDonald's!

To See this MUCH BIGGER Click Below

http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-history-timeline-2015-9

FUN FACTS

'A SHOT OF WHISKEY'
In the old west a .45 cartridge for a six-gun cost 12 cents, so did a glass of whiskey. If a cowhand was low on cash he would often give the bartender a cartridge in exchange for a drink. This became known as a "shot" of whiskey.
>>>>  
 

THE WHOLE NINE YARDS
 American fighter planes in WW2 had machine guns that were fed by a belt of cartridges. The average plane held belts that were 27 feet (9 yards) long.
If the pilot used up all his ammo he was said to have given it the whole nine yards.
>>>>  
 

BUYING THE FARM

This is synonymous with dying. During WW1 soldiers were given life insurance policies worth $5,000. This was about the price of an average farm so if you died you "bought the farm" for your survivors.

>>>>  
 

IRON CLAD CONTRACT
This came about from the ironclad ships of the Civil War. It meant something so strong it could not be broken
>>>>

 PASSING THE BUCK / THE BUCK STOPS HERE
Most men in the early west carried a jack knife made by the Buck knife company. When playing poker it was common to place one of these Buck knives in front of the dealer so that everyone knew who he was. When it was time for a new dealer the deck of cards and the knife were given to the new dealer. If this person didn't want to deal he would "pass the buck" to the next player. If that player accepted then "the buck stopped there".

>>>>  
 

RIFF RAFF
The Mississippi River was the main way of traveling from north to south. Riverboats carried passengers and freight but they were expensive so most  people used rafts. Everything had the right of way over rafts which were considered cheap. The steering oar on the rafts was called a "riff" and this transposed into riff-raff, meaning low class.
>>>>  

COBWEB
The Old English word for "spider" was "cob".
>>>>   

SHIP STATE ROOMS
Traveling by steamboat was considered the height of comfort. Passenger cabins on the boats were not numbered. Instead they were named after states. To this day cabins on ships are called staterooms.
>>>>   
 

SLEEP TIGHT
Early beds were made with a wooden frame. Ropes were tied across the frame in a criss-cross pattern. A straw mattress was then put on top of the ropes. Over time the ropes stretched, causing the bed to sag. The owner would then tighten the ropes to get a better night's sleep.
>>>>  
 

SHOWBOAT
These were floating theaters built on a barge that was pushed by a steamboat. These played small town along the Mississippi River. Unlike the boat shown in the movie "Showboat" these did not have an engine. They were gaudy and attention grabbing which is why we say someone who is being the life of the party is "showboating".
>>>>  

OVER A BARREL
In the days before CPR a drowning victim would be placed face down over a barrel and the barrel would be rolled back and forth in a effort to empty the lungs of water. It was rarely effective. If you are over a barrel you are in deep trouble.
>>>>  
 

BARGE IN
Heavy freight was moved along the Mississippi in large barges pushed by steamboats. These were hard to control and would sometimes swing into piers  or other boats. People would say they "barged in". 
>>>>  
 

HOGWASH
Steamboats carried both people and animals. Since pigs smelled so bad they would be washed before being put on board. The mud and other filth that was washed off was considered useless "hog wash".
>>>>  
 

CURFEW
The word "curfew" comes from the French phrase "couvre-feu", which means "cover the fire". It was used to describe the time of blowing out all lamps >>>> and candles. It was later adopted into Middle English as "curfeu", which later became the modern "curfew". In the early American colonies homes had no real fireplaces so a fire was built in the center of the room. In order to make sure a fire did not get out of control during the night it was required that, by an agreed upon time, all fires would be covered with a clay pot called-a "curfew". 
>>>>  

BARRELS OF OIL
When the first oil wells were drilled they had made no provision for storing the liquid so they used water barrels. That is why, to this day, we speak of barrels of oil rather than gallons.
>>>>  
 

HOT OFF THE PRESS
As the paper goes through the rotary printing press friction causes it to heat up. Therefore, if you grab the paper right off the press it's hot. The  expression means to get immediate information.

I Remember . . . When I Was a Kid

I remember the bologna of my childhood, 

And the bread that we cut with a knife, 

When the children helped with the housework, 

And the men went to work not the wife. 

The cheese never needed a fridge, 

And the bread was so crusty and hot, 

The children were seldom unhappy 

And the wife was content with her lot. 

I remember the milk from the bottle, 

With the yummy cream on the top, 

Our dinner came hot from the oven, 

And not from a freezer; or shop. 

The kids were a lot more contented, 

They didn't need money for kicks, 

Just a game with their friends in the road, 

And sometimes the Saturday flicks. 

I remember the shop on the corner, 

Where cookies for pennies were sold 

Do you think I'm a bit too nostalgic? 

Or is it....I'm just getting old? 

Bathing was done in a wash tub, 

With plenty of rich foamy suds 

But the ironing seemed never ending 

As Mama pressed everyone's 'duds'. 

I remember the slap on my backside, 

And the taste of soap if I swore 

Anorexia and diets weren't heard of 

And we hadn't much choice what we wore. 

Do you think that bruised our ego? 

Or our initiative was destroyed? 

We ate what was put on the table 

And I think life was better enjoyed. 

Author Unknown 

If you can remember those days, 

continue to enjoy your retirement.

Political Truisms!

If God wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates.  ~Jay Leno~

The problem with political jokes is they get elected.  ~Henry Cate, VII~

We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office  ~Aesop~

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.  ~Nikita Khrushchev~

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it.  ~Clarence Darrow~

Why pay money to have your family tree traced; go into politics and your opponents will do it for you.~Author unknown~

Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel.~John Quinton~

 

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.  Oscar Ameringer~

I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them.~Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952~

A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.  ~ Tex Guinan~

I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.  ~Charles de Gaulle~