Jack’s Winning Words 1/19/21 “It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.”  (Dolly Parton)  I didn’t know that rhinestones were originally rock crystals found in the Rhine River.  To the untrained eye they can look like diamonds.  Elvis and Liberace used them.  Dolly is decked out in them, too.  But rhinestones are cheap imitations of the real gem.  Parton is a thinker, as well as an entertainer.  I believe that she’s saying that it takes determination to be a person of value in a world that so often settles for “the cheap.”  ;-)  Jack .  FROM BS IN ENGLAND:  Did you know that Dolly is 75 today?===JACK:  Yes!  I often choose my quote sources based on some event related to them.  Dolly doesn't look 75. FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  good one, Jack!===JACK:  There are diamond churches and diamond pastors, too.  There are also rhinestones.===SP:  and maybe a few kidney stones too. FROM SALON SUZY:  I love Dolly. She was on Saturday night live last week. It was a rerun, but a good one. She has a heart for Jesus🙏 ===JACK:  She's one of those singers, raised "poor." who has not let wealth corrupt her...or so it seems. FROM BB IN CHGO:  Love your interpretation and love Dolly.   Perhaps she’s also alluding to that fact that it’s difficult to be authentic in a world filled with imitations?  Imagine you saw that she donated over $1M to Vanderbilt for Covid cure research early in the pandemic.  What a big heart.  We also like that she does not speak ill of others, even when directly questioned.  She always deflects and makes jokes about herself rather than taking the “cheap shot”.  I like that quality too.===JACK:  I think that she "played herself" in the movie, "Nine to Five."  A favorite of mine. FROM BLAZING OAKS:  I think you nailed it; There are so many more rhinestones in our world than pure diamonds, and perhaps diamonds are not valued by those who settle for the imitations. . "Pretty good" is good enough, sadly. Interesting bit of history on rhinestones origin!  But most of us recognize a diamond when we come across one,  and at least admire them!===JACK:  In our community we annually recognize "Hidden Treasures," people who contribute alot to make the community better, but who don't get the publicity. FROM SHALOM JAN:  Thanks for the infusion of "new to me" -- I never knew the origin of the word for "fake diamonds" until today! ===JACK: Thanks for the infusion of "new to me" -- I never knew the origin of the word for "fake diamonds" until today!