There Should Always be Time to Laugh

There should always be time to laugh.

And yet, it seems that I participate in this activity a lot less than I should.

This cup revealed itself one day as I was walking through a store.  I laughed.  Sure, I thought it funny because, in any workplace, there are all kinds of bosses.  

Much of the time, we second guess and think that WE are better leaders.

But I started thinking about this 'true-to-life' coffee cup.

Have I had thoughts that I could outshine someone higher up the ladder?  Yes.  But that is not the point.  

True North points to the truth that I was hired for a particular job.  Someone else was hired to be the supervisor. 

Sandals and a Stick - Changes to Come!

Greetings! 

I was recently informed that the service (Feedburner) used for sending subscriber emails on this platform will be discontinued by Google in July.

In preparation for this loss of service, 
I am asking that subscribers 

(well, those that wish to remain subscribers) 
send an email to mike AT responsiblereferrals DOT com 
confirming the desire to continue receiving Sandals-and-a-Stick articles.

This is an easy method for unsubscribing as those who do NOT reply to the email address above will be deleted and will not receive future postings.

When (if) a new delivery method is chosen, each subscriber will be encouraged to re-register.  

I have also begun to research formats other than Google's Blogger.  This will take some time to determine if a change is beneficial. 

EFFECTIVE DATES

JUNE 13, 2021 
will be the last day Sandals and a Stick will be sent through Feedburner.

JUNE 20, 2021 
will be the first time Sandals and a Stick will be sent directly.

If you do not receive the emailed article on June 20, 2021, please let me know.

It might also be a good time to SHARE Sandals-and-a-Stick with others, should you wish!  I would be honored, of course, especially since there are considerations for several enhancements in the future.

These enhancements could take this 'Sandals and a Stick thing" in some new and exciting directions.  

So, I am asking even more of you today.  
Your feedback, insights, comments, and suggestions are encouraged!
Please reach out using the email provided or, submit your ideas

in the comment section of this post. 

NOTE:  Nothing is out of bounds!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

One more thing, if you please.

I also wish to apologize.  This past weekend, you might have received a post from December 2020.  I have not a clue as to why that article was resurrected and sent to you again.  Perhaps there is more going on than suspected.

Please feel free to reach out anytime should you have questions or concerns!

Thank you so very much for your love and support, 

Mike

Where ARE They?

I have been warned that "Brood X" is coming.  The news pundits have done their jobs.

I poked around Google and even downloaded "Cicada Safari" (available for Android and iPhone) thinking this event will be interesting but probably annoying for the most part.

Brood X is a particular group (if you call billions a group) of insects known as Cicadas.  There are a few different broods, but this happens to be the one causing all the fuss.

SKIPPY vs JIF

 I always buy Skippy Peanut Butter.  As a snack, it goes quite well with bananas.  

I tried buying another brand once.  I peeled the banana and then opened the jar.  There was a shimmering pool of oil (or some viscous substance) floating above what I assume was the peanut butter.  The sight made me think I should be 'Oreo-dunking' the banana.  Still, after many years, the thought makes me well, gag a little.

It was not difficult to promise myself that I would never experiment again. I deduced it was not good to fool with Mother Nature.  Sorry, scratch the word ‘Nature’ in favor of ‘Taylor’.

I See Them Everywhere

Recently a friend bought a new car.  Suddenly, I am noticing that “his” car (Make, model, and color) is everywhere!  This always seems to happen, and I have always wondered why this is true.  

I decided to check it out.  Scientifically, this is called the “Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon”. Wikipedia states that:

“Frequency illusion, also known as the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon, is a cognitive bias in which, after noticing something for the first time, there is a tendency to notice it more often, leading someone to believe that it has a high frequency (a form of selection bias).”