Winning Words 4/12/13
“When someone does something good, applaud.  You will make two people happy.”  (Sam Goldwyn)  Who doesn’t like a compliment?  Here’s one that you might try out on a friend.  “You are the cat’s pajamas and the kitten’s mittens.”  And another that I like… ”You are the gravy on my mashed potatoes.”   Be on the lookout to give a genuine compliment to someone today, and see what kind of reaction you get.    ;-)  Jack

  FROM HONEST JOHN:  "You are the rutabaga in my Pasty"////JACK:  You caused the first smile of my day.   I'm happy!   When was the last time you saw a rutabaga in Kroger's?

 FROM WALMART REV:  Jack! “You are the cat’s pajamas and the kitten’s mittens” in my life . . . talk again, Monday (the Good Lord willing)!////JACK:  I've never see a cat in pajamas, nor a cat wearing mittens.

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  That is very true!  There are some people who have a problem with clapping in church after a song or choir singing or whatever.  I have mixed feelings but sometimes people have to show their love of what they heard or saw or whatever.  It's a reaction and it sometimes feels very good to hear and to do.////JACK:  Customs change with the times, but everyone doesn't change at the same pace.  Many things seen and heard in church today would outrage a previous generation.  I remember seeing, for the first time, someone drinking coffee from a styrofoam cup during the service.

 ROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN:   I am genuinely complimenting you on the joy you bring into my day with your Winning Words.  Thanks!////JACK:  The joy is mine, but Thanks!

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  Thanks for all of your winning words.  They always give me something to think about.////JACK:  I'm looking forward to the start of that proposed "Brain Study" project which mich might lead to a discovery of why we "THINK" as we do.

 FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  On Friday mornings I visit Margaret 91 years old in the assisted living. It is our tradition now to sing "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. I'll always love you my little sunshine, please don't take my sunshine away." Her Mom used to sing it to her when she was a kid and I used to sing it to my daughter when she was a kid. We help each other to be happy by singing this song to each other.////JACK:  The version I remember best was sung by Gene Autry.  In fact, it's singing in my brain right now.  A one-time Governor Louisiana was Jimmie Davis, who was also a country singer.  His signature song was, "You Are My Sunshine."  It was named the State Song for Louisiana.  I don't what Michigan's song is.

FROM SBP:   I'm clapping and smiling...smiling....smiling!Upper Upper Michigan! Pasties! Rutabagas! A wonderful, memorable combination. Thanks for stimulating an all day smile. You made that happen! Can you hear me clapping?

 FROM SBJ:  The "thank you" and clapping is for Honest John AND you, Jack. :)

 FROM JE IN MICHIGAN:  Jack…. Look what you started…….. "Have a nice weekend.
Honey,  TGIF!! I hope you had a good day. So far, so good, here. I am hoping to leave by 5 p.m. You are the Chip to my Dip.   I Love You,  Robbie"   "Robbie,  TGIF!! Have a nice day. You are sunshine on a rainy day!!   Love you,   J"

 FROM KF:  Reaps so much more reward than criticism!////JACK:  Is there such a thing as a constructive compliment?

 FROM FM IN WISCONSIN:  My wife prepared a fine dinner this evening, and I thanked her.    Her response, “That was very nice”.     Yesterday afternoon I was seeing a couple of seniors – a bit older than I.   One, a lady who is 99 and tells me she weighs just 82 pounds.    Before I visit her, I call her and let her know I plan to stop.   This week I tried several times to reach her, but didn’t get an answer on the phone.   So I was a bit concerned that she might be in the hospital or up visiting her son in Whitefish Bay.    So I called her son, Peter, and he said she should be home, and that I should just go out to her apartment house.   So I did, and rang the bell to her apartment.   The place is secure, so she has to ‘open’ the entrance door.   I tried to get her by ringing her apartment several times, but no response.  Another member of our parish lives in the same building, so I rang Harold’s number and told him that I was attempting the reach Cora.   He  said that he’d go up and attempt to ‘rouse’ her.    So to make the story short, I met Harold up in her apartment.  Harold is 93 years old, and a very faithful attender at our church.    When Cora is able to attend church, Harold brings her.   As I visited the two of them and as I readied for the private communion service, Cora was ready to receive the sacrament.    I asked Harold if he would like to receive the sacrament too, and he said, “Indeed,  I missed church last Sunday as I have been doctoring with several issues.”  So we celebrated the Eucharist with those two saints, one 99 and the other 93.    When I finished and was getting ready to leave, Harold said to me, “Pastor, thank you so much.   That is the most significant communion I have ever received.”    He was so thankful, and I was so thankful that I had persisted in getting to see Cora yesterday. ====JACK:  I had an aunt who used an expression when she didn't like something..."I wouldn't give that one clap!"  Regarding your response...CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP!