Nonconformist Sylvia Plath verses Hunter S. Thompson

Nonconformist Maya Angelou verses Charles Bukowski

But first...

Here‘s To The Crazy Ones by Steve Jobs

Here's to the Crazy Ones.

The misfits. The rebels. 

The trouble-makers. 

The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently. 

They're not fond of rules, and 

They have no respect for the status-quo. 

You can quote them, disagree with them, 

Glorify, or vilify them. 

About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. 

Because they change things. 

They push the human race forward. 

And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. 

Because the people who are crazy enough to think 

They can change the world - are 

The ones who DO! -Steve Jobs

Nonconformist Poems, Quotes and Writers Page

So many radicals, so little page space!  So....

We need your help in deciding who will make the cut? Which nonconformists should we put on our new web page? 

Vote now, to save your favorite nonconformist!

Without you, the first round could be:   
    

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"

Hunter S. Thompson

Verses

Sylvia Plath

I took a deep breath & listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am
-Sylvia Plath

I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead.  I lift my eyes and all is born again.
-Sylvia Plath

Or

Style is the answer to everything.  A fresh way to approach a dull or dangerous thing.  To do a dull thing with style is preferable to doing a dangerous thing without it.  To do a dangerous thing with style is what I call art.

-Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski

Verses

Maya Angelou

If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.
-Maya Angelou














I'd hate to see one of these ultimate rebels get knocked out in the first round of cuts!

Here are some of the great writers we are considering for our Nonconformist Poems, Quotes, and Writers page:

Jack Kerouac, Hunter S Thompson, Sylvia Plath, Charles Bukowski, Maya Angelou, Allen Ginsberg, Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, J.D. Salinger and William S. Burroughs.

Your vote counts!  Did we forget anybody? Write-in votes count too!!!  Just use comment section below.

Together, we can build a better website. <--Link
Your visit sponsors our blog and Facebook page!

Posters may be shared off our Facebook page.

Closing With Three Rebel Quotes

-Just being yourself, being who you are, is a successful rebellion.

-I Rebel; Therefore, I Am

-Every generation needs a new revolution -Thomas Jefferson

Think you can't fight, write!

-Poems & Quotes Finder

Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo - Origins, Posters, Quotes and More!! 

Article by Guest Blogger:  Big Daddy Tee

The un-official countdown for this year's Cinco de Mayo celebration is less than two-weeks away.  Although the day is celebrated widely throughout the country no where is it more celebrated than right here in California. Many have likened this 'holiday' to that of St. Patricks Day as it is known for a drinking celebration with buckets of Coronitas w/ fresh limes and of course Tequila shooters.  But do you know the real reason why Mexicans celebrate this day and why it is so special to them?

For some reason, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States of America, by Mexicans and Americans alike, than it is in Mexico. Many think that this holiday is the celebration of Mexican Independence Day. It is not, that is celebrated on Sept. 16th and is a much bigger holiday in Mexico than Cinco de Mayo.

The history of every country begins in the 

heart of a man or woman -Willa Cather

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican Holiday celebrating the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862. It was a battle against the French in which they faced overwhelming odds against victory but victory indeed is what they accomplished on that infamous day in Mexican history.

In the city of Puebla, as in many USA cities with large Mexican populations, there are parades, dancing and festivals. Traditional Mexican food is often served or sold. Mariachi bands fill town squares, and a lot of Dos Equis and Corona beers are served. 

It’s a fun holiday, really more about celebrating the Mexican way of life than about remembering a battle which happened 150 years ago. It is sometimes referred to as a “Mexican St. Patrick’s Day.” Like St. Paddy's Day, where everyone is Irish for the day, so too on Cinco de Mayo everyone gets to be Mexican for the day. The message for both holidays is the same drink, eat and be merry. 

Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo celebration in a safe and responsible manner!  Wepaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,

Peace & Love,.

Big Daddy Tee

Thank you!!! Big Daddy Tee

His Facebook page is a must visit  https://www.facebook.com/bidaddyt

Truly one of my favorite Facebook pages.This page has lots of smiles, is relevant today and also takes you back to later times. It's a cornucopia of ideas, food and fun. Enjoy your visit! 

Cinco De Mayo Party Games

No party is any fun unless seasoned with folly! -D. Erasmus 

*De Nada, De Mayo Drinking Game

Adult only.  Please drink responsible and have a designated driver!

Only a small group will participate from the party.  The individuals who are participating will be the only ones in on the fact that a game is being played.  So you, the host, will have to choose who is going to play.  For this demonstration, we will have four players (two teams of two).  Determine among the participants when the game is over.  For example, whichever team drinks 7 times is the loser.  This number was just randomly picked. The actual number should be discussed ahead of time.  Team one, must take a drink every time the words "de nada" is uttered by any party member.  Those who are playing the game, may not say the key words.  Team two must take a drink every time "de Mayo" is said.  The team players are only able to drink when a party goer says their key words.  Most likely, the guests will catch on.  This will make it interesting to see the creative ways the party guests are purposely now saying the key words, "de nada" or "de Mayo".  It will also be fun to see who is rooting for who. The game is done when the determined amount of drinks (7 in our case) has been doled out by the party goers.  The loser is the team who had to drink all seven times.  Prize: The losers must buy (for the winners) the next round of drinks, coffee or sober food!

*Pinata for Adults

It's your regular pinata, but in addition to candy and beads filling the pinata add some folded up slips of paper (pre-printed) for the guest to grab for as well.  After everyone has snatched their stash, then person by person have them open up and read what is on their slips of paper.  The person must either perform what is on the paper or accept the prize on said paper.

Ideas:  One free beer (if cash bar). Give a spontaneous toast to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  4 slips of paper will say perform a Mexican Hat Dance-after all four slips have been found those four party goers will perform as a group.  Save the best beads for this--You won special beads, but you will have to earn it (flashing is not required, you may do something funny/entertaining)  You are the Cinco de Mayo King or Queen.  You can buy a cheap crown at the dollar store and enhance it or even make one totally from scratch.

Making a crown:  Just take any light weigh cardboard.  I used a cereal box and cut it out to look like a crown.  See picture of the Farkle King below.  Cover in tin foil.  Hot glue some costume jewelry or I used toy jewelry from the party store where I also got the letters.  Instead of the letters spelling out Farkle, have them spell out Mayo 5.  You can hot glue them on too.  

*Mexican Re-fried Bean Eating Contest

This game is great to have kids and adults competing at the same time.  Take six volunteers (random number), of hopefully a mixture of the young and old.  There will be two winners, first adult to finish and first child to finish.  The fastest of these two will win the grand prize and the other will win runner-up prize.  Have plates of equal sized portions (big) of re-fried beans.  You can use a medium size bowl and fill level, then scrape the contents on a plate.  Repeat for the six plates. This will ensure even portions.  Have the participants put their hands behind the back, then on ono, dos, tres have them start eating.  Whoever cleans their plate first (one adult, one kid) wins.  Contents must stay down, which may be hard for the adult who may have been imbibing when they volunteered. 

Prize: Before the game starts, pass around the sombrero for prize money.   For example, if a total of $20 is given, then grand prize winner will receive $12 and runner up will get $8.  No the house does not get a cut!  Guests will root for their favorite competitor more if they have a stake in it.  Fun bets on who will win may be acceptable.

Game on:  Check out our other Party Blog!

And of course, don't forget to visit Big Daddy's Facebook page

#CincodeMayo #games #partygames #fiesta #drinking

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!!!

-Poems & Quotes Finder

A Little Help For Mother's Day 

Important Information You Need To Know About Mother's Day! 

#1.  Announcement: Mother's day is Sunday, May 14th!  

M is for Mother Famous Mother's Day Quote

                                                   M-O-T-H-E-R by Howard Johnson

#2. Mother's Day Gifts:

Remember the good old days, when you made your Mother's Day Gift in school?  The big rock with green tissue glued to it for the paperweight your mother had always wanted, but never got around to buying.  Now, what do you get her???  Here's a little help for mother's day gifts she will appreciate now:  mow the yard, do the repair job that never gets done, clean the house or make her breakfast. But also, make her smile! Pick dandelions or make a paperweight or homemade card to go along with doing a chore.

All mothers love a trip down memory lane!  Remember when you were young, running in the door home from school with a sparkle in your eye waiting to share some fantastic news that happened that day.  Or the secret happiness on your face, knowing the paperweight is stowed away in your backpack waiting until Sunday.  Secret~~She always knew that paperweight was in the backpack the minute you came home with it!

#3. Quotes and Posters For Mother's Day: Homemade Cards or Send To Your Mother Via Facebook!!!

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. -Washington Irving

Famous Quotes or Poems About Mothers:

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.

~ George Cooper

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. -Rajneesh

Who ran to help me when I fell,

And would some pretty story tell,

Or kiss the place to make it well?

My mother.

-Ann Taylor

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. -Sophia Loren

To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. -Maya Angelou

A mother is a person

who seeing there

are only four pieces

of pie for five people,

promptly announces

she never did

care for pie.

-Tenneva Jordan

#4.  Fun Facts About Mothers!

*All mothers are working mothers. 

*A mother understands what a child does not say. 

*A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go.
*A mother's love perceives no impossibilities. -Paddock
*Mothers can look through a child's eyes & see tomorrow. -Reed Markham

#5. Get out there and rock your Mother's Day celebration for                                              your mom!

Have trouble figuring out what to write inside a card?

Try one of our inspirational quotes:
http://www.behappyzone.com/inspirational-quotes.html
Your visit to our website is appreciated! 

Happy Mother's Day to All Mothers!

-Poems & Quotes Finder

 #MothersDay #Quotes #Cards #Ideas

Celebrate William Shakespeare!  Party Games, Recipes and Cocktails

Also featuring Menu, Posters and Quotes

Party Menu: The Food -Shakespearean Style

Main Dish: Hamlet & Beans

Salad: Caesar Salad

Side Dish: Eggs You Like It Salad (Recipe)

Fruit: King Pear Slices

Dessert: Capulet’s Cakes with The Taming of the Sherbet (Recipe)

Stomach Settler: All's Well that Ends Well - After Dinner Mint

Two Andes Chocolate Mints laying in the base of a nice spoon placed with the other silverware when setting up for the meal.

Recipes from Shakespeare's Party Menu:

Eggs You Like It Salad:

Ingredients

8  hard boiled eggs

1/2 cup mayonnaise 

1 tsp yellow mustard 

¼ cup of chopped celery

¼ cup of chopped green onions

1/2 tsp black pepper 

1/4 tsp coarse salt 

Instructions:

Peel and chop the hard boiled eggs

In a bowl gently mix all ingredients

Adjust seasonings AS YOU LIKE IT!!!

Cover and chill for 30 minutes

Capulet’s Cakes with The Taming of the Sherbet 

This is a simple recipe. The young, fair Juliette was far more interested in the pursuit of love than the pursuit of a good recipe.

On each serving dish neatly arrange 2 Macbeth Ghostess Cupcakes (unwrapped)

Scoop out a dollop of Taming of the Sherbet (preferably orange) between the Ghostess Cupcakes. Serve immediately.

William Shakespeare Party Cocktails

Measure for Measure Martini Cocktail

Measure equal part of gin

Measure equal part of sweet vermouth

Garnish with two cherries

Romeo’s Rum Punch 

2 cans of frozen cherry juice from concentrate 

1 bottle of ginger ale

6 cups of crushed ice

2 cups of fresh cherries without seeds and halved

3 cups of rum

¼ cup of sugar

Soak the fresh cherries in 1 of the 3 cups of rum with sugar mixed in 2 hours early

Make cherry juice as per instructions leaving out ½ cup of water

Combine all ingredients in punch bowl

The pretty red color always reminds Romeo of love!!!!

Action is eloquence
-William Shakespeare Quote

Shakespeare Card Game with Your Original Answers

You will need:

*Cards - cut in half 4/6 index cards or you can use card stock around the same size. These are your cards and will be referred to as such.

*12 blank cards needed for each guest

*12 pre-printed cards--You will make these cards up ahead of time. 3 of each - Write on the cards these topic words: --Shakespeare’s Nicknames (3 cards),  Shakespeare’s Next Play Title (3 cards), What Was Really Said On the Balcony (3 cards), and Shakespeare’s Birthday Presents (3 cards). These are now referred to as Topic Cards.

Hand each guest 12 blank cards.

On three of their blank cards, they will make up a nickname for Shakespeare for each card. One name per card.  For example I might put on one card-The Bard of Bologna, on another blank card- Poet to the Parliament and  my third Tiny Dancer (just being goofy)

Then they will come up with three answers for What Shakespeare’s Next Play would have been titled if he written it. Fill out the next 3 cards with the answers to: What was really said on Juliet’s balcony for example: Juliet might have said to Romeo - "They said you were taller."). On the last three cards, put three answers for what present you would bring to Shakespeare’s birthday party.

Have everyone keep their answer cards.  Shuffle the 12 Topic Cards.  You will host the first round and then the person to the left will host the next.  Have everyone select one of their answer cards to put in the middle without knowing what the topic is going to be.  This is a game of skill and luck.

After all the cards are in the middle,  pick a Topic Card and read the category.  Before the game has started, you will have discussed whether the winner of each round will be based on the closest match to the topic card, the best answer to the topic, or on the most laughs received.  

If the group is at a consensus of who won that round then that is winner of that round.  If there is not majority of those who agree, then the host must pick the winner.  Remember to alternate the host after each round. The winner of the round gets all the cards from that round.

After all the cards are gone, then count the cards you have won. The person with the highest amount of cards they won at the end is your winner.  Suggested prize: Let them keep all the contents of this game!

Pin The Beard on The Bard:

You will need:

A picture of Shakespeare with beard cut out tacked or taped to a wall.  

The missing beard with tape on the back of it

A blindfold

Fun Guests

Blindfold a player, give him/her the beard and spin around three complete times 

Let the player loose.  Whoever pins (or tapes) the beard closest to it’s correct destination, Wins.  Suggested prizes: a novelty trophy or ribbon, book of Shakespearean sonnets, or beard gift set with beard comb & oil.

How many words can you make out of the words: “William Shakespeare”:

You will need:
1/2 sheet of paper with the words William Shakespeare printed on them-each player
A pen for each player
A piece of paper-sized cardboard/clip board as a stable a writing area for guest
An egg timer or any timer device

Pass out the prepared paper with writing face down, a pen and writing surface to each player. Set timer for 5-10 minutes. Instruct guests to make as many words out of “William Shakespeare” as they can in the allotted time. Suggested gifts: a dictionary, an "I love Shakespeare" or "I know Bill" button (there are cheap, make your own pin button kits at any craft store) or make a big gold star (just like the teacher gave you as a kid).

Action Is Eloquence:

*To Visit or Not To Visit:  Yes please, visit our sponsor of this blog and Facebook pages:

www.behappyzone.com

copy, paste & visit! Thank you!! 

*Go & get your party on Shakespearean Style!

Party On!

-Poems & Quotes Finder


#Shakespeare #Williamshakespeare #Shakespearequotes #Howtothrowshakespeareparty

Strawberry Fun Forever 

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe, Posters, Quotes, and More!!

Okay, I borrowed from John Lennon, but it's hard finding many quotes about strawberries.  I think it will be all good as long as I don't call a future blog about homemade pizza, "All we are saying, is give pizza a chance."  Then I might find myself in a Dickens' dream with Spirits chasing the bad puns out of me!  So on that note, I better post a good, real strawberry quote, now!

Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet, with green leafy wings reaching heavenward.  -Terri Guillemets.  Beautiful and true!

Easy Upside Down Strawberry Shortcake - Grandma Style

It seems like my Grandma always had me picking things: four leaf clovers, dandelions and strawberries.  It kept me busy, happy, out in the sun, and whatever I was picking was pretty much the babysitter.  I would be so intent on making Grandma proud with my big haul, that I forgot to misbehave.  What a smart Grandma! She even got free weed removal - the dandelions.

While I was busy picking the wild strawberries, she would make yummy sugar cookies. Unfortunately, like most of her generation, she did not use a recipe.  However, you could easily rectify that on Google or even use the cut and bake sugar cookies.

After cleaning and slicing the strawberries (no sugar), we would turn one of the cool cookies upside down (flat where they had been baking on the sheet), slather whip cream on and load with strawberries until they were falling off and add laughter.  Messy and fun, Grandma Style!

Although I did not get Grandma's talent for cooking, I'd like to think I got her kindness.  She would often say, "Kindness is the key to Happiness."  So here is a recipe that I try to follow, that I am sure Grandma would approve:

Happiness Cake Recipe:

1 cup of good thoughts 

1 cup of kind deeds 

1 cup of consideration for others 

2 cups of sacrifice 

2 cups of well-beaten faults 

3 cups of forgiveness. 

  

Directions

1.  Mix thoroughly.

2.  Add tears of joy, sorrow and sympathy.

3.  Fold in 4 cups of prayer and faith.

4.  Blend warmth of human kindness and serve with a smile anytime.

5.  It will satisfy the hunger of starved souls 

Enjoy Daily!

Strawberry Fun Facts

*Strawberries are one of the first berries to ripen in the Spring! Yay!!

*It takes about a month from the time the flower opens until the berry is ready to be picked.

*9 times out of 10, the neighborhood bunny gets to the ripen strawberry before I do.

*The average berry has 200 seeds located on the outside of the berry. No other fruit does this.

*Actually, strawberries are not classified as fruit, but are a part of the rose family

*Berries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and potassium.

*Strawberries only have 55 calories in a cup so no need to count the calories. Instead...

Thank you for your visit to this blog!  Your support is appreciated!

Please use the comment section below: your sugar cookie recipe, a fun story about your Grandma, future blog request, etc.

If you love John Lennon posters and quotes like me, I have two blogs you can check out:

John Lennon's Imagine

John Lennon and The Beatle


Have a berry groovy day!
-Poems & Quotes Finder

Happy Easter Sunday

 Shakespeare, Peeps Candy, Easter Recipe and Quotes

There are two kinds of  people in this world:
Those who like Marshmallow Peeps and those who do not!  

Marshmallow Peeps Happiness Easter Quote

Money can't buy happiness
But it can buy Peeps
Which are kinda the same thing!

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet 

      To Be Or Not To Be

Soliloquy -Parody Peeps Style

To Peep or not to Peep, that is the question

Whether ‘tis nobler in the (Peep) eating to use

Thy forks and knives on Porcelain China

Or to take wings plucked off in doubles

And perhaps peanut buttering them? To dip, The Peep

No napkin, and such a mess at my finger’s end

The jubilation and thousand natural shocks

My brother is near to torture again

Good use his Sunday shirt to wipe, the Peep

To Peep perchance, only Peeps, ay no Jelly Beans

For in the Peep of marshmallow what dreams may come

When we shuffled through the plastic green grass

We must give pause, there’s a chocolate bunny

That it is hollow, makes a long life

For who would not bring chocolate bunnies with center

The Easter Bunny did wrong, yuck white Jelly Beans

The Peeps is marshmallow love, oh gratification delay

My brother is being called and the exchange begins

To take brother’s Peeps, and give him Jelly beans

That is the answer!

To counter act all this talk about Peeps, please visit our page:
 Exercise for those who hate the gym. 

Easter Bunny Love Quote In Poster 

Easter Bunny Quote Love Rumi

Egg Salad Recipe for the Easter Sunday Dinner

William Shakespeare Inspired!

Eggs You Like It Salad:

Ingredients

8  hard boiled eggs

1/2 cup mayonnaise 

1 tsp yellow mustard 

¼ cup of chopped celery

¼ cup of chopped green onions

1/2 tsp black pepper 

1/4 tsp coarse salt 

Instructions:

Peel and chop the hard boiled eggs

In a bowl gently mix all ingredients

Adjust seasonings AS YOU LIKE IT!!!

Cover and chill for 30 minutes

Enjoy!

Easter Sunday Church 

Happy Easter!
 Poems & Quotes Finder

#Easter #Shakespeare #MarshmallowPeeps #Peeps #Recipe #quotes

See this inspirational page for more quotes and posters!

Garage Sale is Recycling, Re-Purposing, Money Saving & Fun

Tips on How to get the Bargains and Remodeling Ideas!!!

I could out write the book, “War and Peace” on my garage sale finds for little or even no money.  This only a quarter, that a dollar, etc.  I have a whole house practically decorated in unique, retro, antique, groovy and sometimes classy finds.  

Drum Table:
base: flat round table  $1.00
real drum: ( partly torn bottom & dirty) 50 cents,
shelf liner: covering the top of drum (top intact but damaged) 50 cents,
can of used black spray paint: (2/3 full) $1.00.

Total cost: $3.00 for an original Drum Table.

Re-purposing Ideas-Home Decor, Quilts, Coffee Tables &More!

Here’s a few re-purposing ideas:  Over-sized clothes with cool patterns can be made into aprons, or smaller size clothes.  Any heavy, pretty fabric (cloth tablecloths, clothes, etc.) can be used for quilts. Turn awesome graphic t-shirts into pillows. I even got a huge unopened bag of pillow stuffing for a dollar. Oh, I promise I wouldn't start....

Anything can be a table (above drum table) : I'm sure you've already seen the door as a table or porch swing on the internet.  I have a stack of books that is either by all women author or books about women and I turned that into a small table. It’s a decorative table not for your coffee cup, but cute and steady enough to hold knick-knack.  There are all kinds of trunks being sold at garage sales and cedar chests. They make great coffee tables as well. I bought a R2-D2 cooler about 3' high, and I am considering converting it into a table.  Use your imagination!

 

Spray-Paint, Hot Glue Guns and Fabric Make Unique One Of A Kind Furniture and Art!

Buying at Garage Sales is Recycling:

Now you see the treasure in something that may be thrown away after the sale is over.  You are not going into the store and buying a new lamp. You are taking someone else’s lamp base whose shade is missing and you are getting it for a dollar. (Make sure they plug it in to see if works.) And then you can find a lamp shade at another sale or you can make your own.  Because you are queen or king of the hot glue gun. (I could do a blog on hot glue guns that could go on for days, but I will spare you!)  The lamp base will not end up in the dumpster. You will not be buying new. And with some spray-paint and imagination, you will have a one of a kind artistic and groovy lamp for only a couple of dollars!

Garage Sales are a form of recycling which is groovy!

Mathematical Equation:

Recycling is for the groovy--Buying at a garage sale is a form of recycling--Therefore, Those who garage sale are groovy!

Tips for Garage Sales:

Important Notice!!!--Not for Indiana residence. If you reside or plan on visiting Indiana, please skip down to the end of this blog immediately!

*No wonder how cute the kid is, skip the lemonade stand!  While you are making the inevitable lemonade induced pit stop, I'll be getting the bargain of the day at the next garage sale.

*8 out of 10 times-if you ask for a lower price, you'll get a lower price.  9 out of 10 times-if you show some leg!

*Go early:  You can actually go before the advertised sale time.  It is rare that someone denies you a sale.  Beat the mass rush for the primo items!  

*Stay late: It’s bargains, bargains, bargains at the end of the day.  No one after working all day in the hot sun wants to carry all their stuff back in the house or drop if off at the Goodwill.  Their purse is fat and they are tired.  About six times a year at the end of the day, I have stopped and the seller announced take anything you want for free. Yippy! 

*Good stuff is in the free box.  You really can take as much of it as you want too.  I have gotten: serving platters, decorations, brackets, really you name it, from the free box.  Even a kitten once, but that’s another story.

*Don’t drink Starbucks (not just a bathroom issue) or dress too nice.  I’ve never got a bargain with a Starbuck in hand.  They think I have money.  When in reality, I just have a gift card from a birthday present.  I am cheap and poor. I promise.

*If an item is two dollars and you want to pay one, go up there and stretch the item out with one hand and stretch your one dollar bill out in the other hand. Ask nicely, “will you take a dollar for this.”  8 out of  10 times or 9 out of 10 times (see above) they will.

End Table made with just stacked books (no assembly or glue needed-stack them right and the table is steady).  Majority of these books were found in garage sales. No book cost me over a dollar.  My table is made from either woman authors or about great women.

Other ideas: Antique books only, poetry books, books on fishing and outdoors would look cute in a cabin, sewing books in your craft room, etc.  Just personalize to your taste or topical to the room.






The Finale: Well, while you are reading this blog, I beat you to three garage sales! My evil plan is working BA-HA-HA-HA!  So grab your change bucket and give me a run for my money!  Save the planet, be artistic and have the most unique, fun living space of all!

See the inspirational crafts page of our website for more ideas of what to do with your garage sale finds.

And don't forget to show a little leg!
-Poems & Quotes Finder

Famous TV Friends, Quotes & Posters

What do friends and this blog have in common??? Fun! So let’s start the celebration by picking a new nickname for our best friend.  Let me know (in comments section)  how the new name goes! Thanks Pumpkins.

Cute Cats Best Friends Quote In Poster

Friends-The Lingo:

Bestie                           Bud                     Buddy                   

Homeboy                     Homegirl              Homey

Dawg                           Pal                       Amigo

Chum                          Comrade              Mate

Bro                              Dude                    Wingman
What are we missing?

How to Start a New Friendship:

Albert Camus Famous Poem - Be My Friend

Be My Friend by Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me

I may not lead

Don't walk in front of me

I may not follow

Just walk beside me

and be my friend

Famous Best Friends from TV Land: 

Fill In The Blank (numbers represent how many letters are in the name):

1950’s:  Lucy Ricardo and  __5__   __5___

1960’s:  Wilma Flintstone and  __5__   ___6___

1970’s:  Laverne DeFazio and ___7___    ____7___

1980’s:  Kevin Arnold and ___6___   ___6___

1990’s:  Jerry Seinfeld and ___6___   ____8____

2000’s:  Buffy Summers and ___6___   ____9_____

Present:  Sheldon Cooper and ___7___    ____10____

Quiz Answers: 1950-Ethel Mertz/ 1960-Betty Rubble/ 1970-Shirley DeFazio/ 1980 Winnie Cooper/ 1990-George Costanza/ 2000-Willow Rosenberg/ Present-Leonard Hofstadter

True Love Friends--The Poster

We're all a little weird.  And life is a little weird.  And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up 

with them and fall into mutually

satisfying weirdness and call it love - True love. -Robert Fulghum

One of the best friendships portrayed on TV was not available for the above quiz as it was a friendship foursome rather than a couple.  Yes that’s right: The Golden Girls!!!!

Five Funny Quotes from The Golden Girls Television Show

Miles Webber: I'm a college professor, Rose. What did you think when I said I taught Hemmingway?
Rose: I thought you were old.

Rose Nylund: Sophia, why are you in such a BAD mood? 

Sophia Petrillo: Forgive me Rose, but I haven't had sex in 15 years, and its starting to get on my nerves.

Rose Nylund: I had an imaginary friend, but he'd never tell me his name.

Blanche Devereaux (to Sophia): My mistake. I thought since you look like Yoda you were also wise.

(Sophia comes into the kitchen in the middle of the night.) 

Dorothy Zbornak: You couldn't sleep either, huh? 

Sophia Petrillo: No, I'm sleeping so good I thought I'd come try it in the sink.

Thank you for the wonderful memories:  Betty White as Rose Nylund, Estelle Getty (R.I.P.) as Sophia Petrillo,  Bea Arthur (R.I.P.)  as Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak  and Rue McClanahan (R.I.P.) as Blanche Devereaux.

Our Friends in Heaven

Eskimo Proverb

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings, in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

More Friendship Posters, Quotes and Poems!

We have a new web page celebrating Friendship in Posters and Poems:
 Please follow this link Famous Friendship Poems

Have a friendly day!
Poems & Quotes Finder


#friends #friendship #famousfriends #tvfriends

Zen - The Attainment of Enlightenment -Blog 

The Debut of A Paul Simon Song Parody To Aid in Stress Relief, Zen Masters’ Quotes, Posters and More!

Enlightenment Poem by Bassui

What is this mind?

Who is hearing these sounds?

Do not mistake any state for

Self-realization, but continue

To ask yourself even more intensely,

What is it that hears? 

The above poem is featured on our website's new page: Zen Quotes  <<-Click the link to find four new Zen posters (no previews on this blog), and other great Zen quotes.  Your visit counts! #Zen #Relaxing 

This Osho Quote Zen Poster

may be shared off our Facebook page.

You are truth
You are love
You are bliss
You are freedom
-Osho

Favorite Osho Quote:  My meditation is simple. It does not require any complex practices. It is simple. It is singing. It is dancing. It is sitting silently.

Song Parody of 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon

Zen Ways To Leave Your Stress

The answer is all inside your mind
Tao said to me
The solution is plain if you
Stop seeking & be free
I’d like to help you in your quest
To simply be
There must be Zen ways
To leave your stress

At the center of your being
Din must stop
I know it’s not easy
But a jug fills drop by drop
So Zen just close your eyes
Say om and your soul will pop!
There must be Zen ways
To leave your stress
Zen ways to leave your stress

CHORUS:

You just learn to relax, Max
Find a little peace, Pete
No need to atone, Joan
Just set yourself free    
So look inward, Leonard
You don’t need to go wayward
Slow breathing is the key, Lee    
And say om after me        

#PaulSimon #Parody #Song  #Stress

If you are unfamiliar with the tune, go to www.youtube.com and check it out!

Amidst the worldly comings and goings, observe how endings become beginnings. -Tao Te Ching

The om Masters of Zen: Buddha, Thich Nhat Hanh and Lao Tzu

Buddha Quotes:

-Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. -Buddha

-A jug fills drop by drop. -Buddha

-Do not speak unless it improves on silence. -Buddha 

-Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. -Buddha

-What you think you become. -Buddha

Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes:

-Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet. -Thích Nhất Hạnh

-To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. -Thich Nhat Hanh

-My actions are my only true belongings. -Thich Nhat Hanh

-Smile, breathe and go slowly. -Thich Nhat Hanh 

-Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

Life is available only in the present moment. -Thich Nhat Hanh

This great Zen Quote

can be shared off

our other Facebook page

Lao Tzu Quotes:

-Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished, -Lao Tzu

-Simplicity, patience, compassion.  These three are your greatest treasures. -Lao Tzu

-At the center of your being
 you have the answer;
 you know who you are
 and you know what you want. -Lao Tzu

-Silence is a source of Great Strength. -Lao Tzu

-Stop thinking, and end your problems. -Lao Tzu

Important:  Finding even a few minutes each day to relax, empty your mind of its worries, and reconnect with a feeling of oneness with nature can make a positive impact on your life!

Previous blogs you may enjoy:

How to break a habit and get into exercise
Celebrating The Haiku Poem

As always, we thank you for visiting this blog.  Your support is appreciated!  Feel free to use the comment section for ideas on future blog topics.  

Zen-Out

-Poems & Quotes Finder
www.behappyzone.com

Featuring Famous Haiku Poets & Poems

Yosa Buson, Matsuo Basho and Kobayashi Issa 

Includes: new MicroPoetry, Haiku Poems in Posters and more!

Let's get the party rolling with four quotes and a poster of one of the most famous Haiku poets ever, Kobayashi Issa!!!!!

Kobayashi Issa Haiku Poem Cherry Blossoms

What a strange thing!
To be alive
Beneath cherry blossoms.
-Kobayashi Issa

Summer night

even the stars

are whispering to each other.

-Kobayashi Issa 

The world of dew

is the world of dew

and yet, and yet.

-Kobayashi Issa

Before the gate

my walking stick's made a river

of melting snow. 

-Kobayashi Issa 

O snail

Climb Mount Fuji

but slowly, slowly! 

-Kobayashi Issa

General Rules of a Haiku Poem

Must use precisely 17 syllables

Syllables to be arranged in 3 lines of 5-7-5

No similes & metaphors

Needs to express a vivid point

Keep in mind: simplicity & lightness

Best if  theme evokes one of the five senses 

Here’s a up-and-coming writer and rebel who submitted a Haiku Poem to our New Poets page: Submit Your Poem. We made this poster up for her poem. Her poem is in the middle surrounding by all the rules she broke!

Haiku Poem Rules Syllables Poster Poetry 

Other New Artist Haiku Poems:

I wish to fly
I know I may fall
It ain't a reason why
I should instead crawl
-Minesh Khashu

Snow falling
soft and fat and free-
how did I get old?
-DP Bishop

Four Haiku Poems by Matsuo Bashō

April's air stirs in 

Willow-leaves...a butterfly

Floats and balances.

-Matsuo Bashō

Summer grasses,

All that remains

Of soldiers' dreams. 

-Matsuo Bashō

Awakened at midnight

by the sound of the water jar

cracking from the ice.

-Matsuo Bashō 

Mountain-rose petals

Falling, falling, falling now...

Waterfall music.

-Matsuo Bashō

Haiku Poetry Poem Poster Originality Creativity 

Four great Haiku Poems from Master Yosa Buson

Calligraphy of geese

against the sky

the moon seals it.

-Yosa Buson

In pale moonlight 

the wisteria's scent

comes from far away.

-Yosa Buson 

No trail to follow

where the teacher has wandered off-

the end of autumn. 

-Yosa Buson 

Of late the nights

are dawning

plum-blossom white. 

-Yosa Buson 

Our website has many more famous haiku examples

Best quote that I have ever seen on Haiku Poetry:

I want to create a seventeen-syllable word that encompasses the human condition, and then use that word to form the world’s most perfect haiku. -Jarod Kintz

Publish Your Original Haiku Poem:

Well, I am not sure that we are as dedicated to the perfect Haiku as Mr. Kintz. However, if you have an original Haiku Poem that you wish to see published, go to our website and find out how to--Link: MicroPoetry We love reading your poetry and try to publish as many as space allows on our site.

What?: 

I know what you are thinking. Scared you for a second! You are probably wondering where the funny is - or at least the attempted humor - by this blogger.  Okay, hate to disappoint you.

When I was in elementary school, we learned one day how to write a poem.  YIKES!!! Well, I actually got my first and rare gold star of the year for my poem.  I don't remember much about my childhood, but since gold stars were few and far between, I actually remember the poem:  So without further ado:

I once had a skinny black cat

And all it did was sit on a mat

It broke in the house

And ate a five foot mouse

Now that cat is fat, fat, fat!

All good posts (and this one too) must come to an end:

*Feel free to leave any comments regard this, past or future posts!
*Other Poetry Blogs:  MicroPoetry is the new rage!    And   Quotes about Poems In Posters!

Write On, Baby!

-Poems & Quotes Finder

Groovy 70’s Movies, 1970’s music, The Lingo, Retro Facebook Posters, Hunks & Idols and more!

It's Flashback to the 70's Day

Sit back in your beanbag chair and pop open a Tab cola. 

Yes, they  still sell Tab coca-cola only in 12 packs at bigger retail stores such as Wal-mart and Krogers.  Pick up a Chef Boyardee pizza mix while you are there!  Yum!  I have one in the cabinet still. Got two boxes for Christmas!  Been trying to get sleek for the summer (read my exercise for motivation blog for more details) so I was saving it for a special occasion.  I guess I have to celebrate Flashback Friday with you all, so having it for dinner tonight!  Thank you soo much for talking me into that!!!!

Here’s a retro poster you can take off our Facebook page to share to yours!  Let's all celebrate Flashback Friday -the 70's 

70's Lingo:   Groovy,  Foxy,  Far Out,  Can You Dig It,  Good night, John-boy,  May the Force Be With You,  The Man,  Jive Turkey,  Keep on Truckin',  Neato,  Out of Sight,  Right On,  Peace

Here are a list of some the great movies of the 1970’s.  Comment below on your favorite or your opinion what should of made the list and did not:

Mash (1970)

Love Story (1970)

Dirty Harry (1971)

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Cabaret (1972)

The Way We Were (1973)

American Graffiti (1973)

Soylent Green (1973)

The Exorcist (1973) 

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Jaws (1975)

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Logan's Run (1976)

Bad New Bears (1976)

Rocky (1976)

Carrie (1976)

Star Wars (1977)

Saturday Night Fever (1977) 

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
Grease (1978)

Superman (1978)

Alien (1979)

The Jerk (1979)-Steve Martin drinks Tab cola in this!

1970's-The Music

Let It Be-Beatles (1970)

Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon & Garfunkel (1970)

Maggie May -Rod Stewart (1971)

Joy To The World -Three Dog Night (1971)

American Pie -Don McLean (1972)

Lean On Me -Bill Withers (1972)

Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree -Tony Orlando And Dawn (1973)

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown -Jim Croce (1973)

Bennie And The Jets -Elton John (1974)

Sunshine On My Shoulders -John Denver (1974)

Rhinestone Cowboy -Glen Campbell (1975)

Love Will Keep Us Together -Captain & Tennille (1975)

Midnight Blue-Melissa Manchester (1975)

50 Ways To Leave Your Lover -Paul Simon (1976)

December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)- The Four Seasons (1976)

Dancing Queen -Abba (1977)

Undercover Angel -Alan O'day (1977)

Night Fever -Bee Gees (1978)

Shadow Dancing -Andy Gibb (1978)

Last Dance -Donna Summer (1978)

My Sharona -The Knack (1979)

YMCA -Village People (1979)

1970's Hunks & Teen Idols

Leif Garrett, Shaun Cassidy,  Robbie Benson, Demond Wilson, David Soul, Parker Stevenson, Ron Glass,  Harrison Ford, Andy Gibb, John Travolta, Donny Osmond, David Cassidy!  Please comment your thoughts.

My Favorite 1970's Hunk:

Barry Manilow songs of the 70's-Mandy, Ready to Take a Chance Again, Daybreak, Even Now, I Write the Songs, This One's for You,  It's a Miracle. 

Note: All three of these posters can be shared off our Facebook page.

This blog could go on and on with great tv shows like: The Brady Bunch, Sanford and Son, Soap, Mary Hartman, Roots-The Miniseries someone stop me. The ERA and bra burning, Nixon and so much more.  I will end the blog with some originality... well, originality with help.

Helen Reddy sang "I Am Woman" (1971) and "Delta Dawn" (1972).  She doesn't know it, but one of her biggest fans (me) made a parody of  "Delta Dawn". This is my online debut, so let's give some support!!

Somerset Dawn

Somerset Dawn what's that flowered shirt you got on
Could you be a 70's chick from days gone by
Did I hear you say
Disco is here to stay
Are you on a flower power high.

It's 2014 and she still says groovy...
All folks around town says she's kinda moody
Won't by a CD player to save her life
Listens to a Leif Garrett Album every night

In her younger days they called her Somerset Dawn
Funkiest woman you ever laid eyes on
Then the decades went by in a flash
Oh, girl where's your LSD stash

O'Somerset Dawn what's that flower shirt you got on
Could you be a 70's chick from days gone by
Did I hear you say
Disco is here to stay!
Are you on a flower power high?

Yes, I once decorated my Christmas tree in Tab cans!

I hope you enjoyed Flashback Friday -The 70's

To help you keep on keeping on, you may want to visit our Positive Quotes Page!
It's far-out!

Stay Groovy
-Poems & Quotes Finder