Bill W

Maharishi is derived from a Sanskrit word, maharsi, where 'maha' means great, and 'rsi'' means saint or seer.

Scrams first know use was in the 1920s, possibly a word that was used to clear out a speak-easy that was being raided. It's possibly a shortened version of the word scramble, because the people would be taking off like cockroaches when the light is turned on.

I'm glad to see that Brad and Charlie are hitting it off, and I'm also glad to see that they've decided to give up smoking. Being a former smoker who quit after 13 years, I hate when I see young people smoking cigarettes or vaping. They don't realize what they're doing to their lungs and may come to regret the habit when they grow older. I'm also wondering if Charlie will be able to leave Michael and eventually move in with Brad. It would only make sense if they decide to make a go of a relationship. I'm also pleased to see that Michael is working things out. He's applying for a part-time job, thinking about returning to college, and making some friends. I'm sure he'll start making even more friends once he performs in the Christmas show. I just hope nothing happens to the guitar and amp. And I'm glad to see that Harry is doing better, but I still worry that he isn't out of the woods next. It's also nice that he decided to talk to Brad about his son and got to learn more about his son's life after he was no longer living at home. And now an upcoming fair and fireworks. Sounds like fun. I don't know much about Sue and Adele yet, or if they might be a couple, but if not, is there a possibility for Michael with one of them?

@Anton_Cloche, thank you for adding the link for Dominick the Donkey for those who hadn't heard it before, long with the visual aid. I'm sure it will be a big help and explain a great deal. And thank you for the kind words of support about the story, as well as expanding upon some of the things I'd written about. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas in return.

Quixotic is often used to describe a person who is excessively idealistic, exceedingly unrealistic, and vastly impractical. This term might also be used to refer to a project or a task.

Don Quixote fancies himself as a knight, hence his chivalrous manner, and is accompanied on his journey by 'his squire', Sancho Panza. During his journey he encounters a woman, Aldonza, but Quixote is convinced she is Dulcinea, his lady love.

Quixotic - referring to Don Quixote romatic idealism and overly chivalrous manner in the novel from the early 1600s bearing the name Don Quixote and written by Midguel de Cervantes. .

Al, thanks for pointing that out. . It's a another good reminder that we should show love and kindness to people 365 days of the year and not just during the Christmas season. And Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones as well.

Thank you, drs, for summing it up so nicely. There's a Christmas song - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - that is a lovely tune, but it misses the entire point of Christmas. If we're going to celebrate, then we might as well know the reason we're celebrating.

Thanks Tony. I'm glad you attend a church that preaches love for all, and I should have know I could count on you for more words of wisdom. We shouldn't limit the feelings of love and job and the way we treat our fellow man to just a month and a half each year. Merry Christmas, my friend, and if we're lucky, there will be peace on earth.

Thank you, and I wish to return the appropriate greeting of Merry Christmas to you, on behalf of everyone here at GA. I hope they don't mind me taking the liberty of doing that in their absence.

Cane, thank you for taking the time to respond to my story. Yes, it's unfortunate that the legacy of a pious monk who did his best to tend to his flock and was later canonized was turned into a jolly old white haired and white bearded overweight elf that has been used to guilt people into spending huge amounts of money to buy enormous amounts of gifts at Christmas time. It's also a shame there are so many homeless and people that fall below the poverty level when humongous amounts are paid to CEOs, entertainers, and sports figures, many times more than college professors and teachers. If those salaries could be spread out to help those in need, this world would be a much better place. Maybe this should be our Christmas prayer and the New Year's Resolution for those that have the power to change things. But for now, I'll just wish you and everyone else a Merry Christmas and hope this insanity comes to an end.

I had a feeling mentioning that might cause people to hit Google or Youtube to investigate what I was talking about. 😈 😵

Yes, you're correct and too many people don't talk to strangers or even their neighbors. I'll admit that I'm guilty on that front, but every time I got to know some of my neighbors, they moved. I'm living in a very transient area and I'm probably the only one who has lived hear for any length of time - 14 years now. However, in this day and age where you might be shot for showing up at the wrong door, that might not be such a bad thing. Anyway, I'll do my talking to friends and strangers through my stories. And Merry Christmas to you too.

Thank you, Chris, and a Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones as well. And that goes for everyone else too, since I didn't always mention that in my response to otheres.

Thank you for stating that so concisely. It's what I was alluding to when I talked about the 'Golden Rule' in my response to weinerdog.

Thank you, and I feel CEO pay should still be talked about, as well as the inequity in the pay for jobs lower down on the organizational charts. You couldn't run the businesses without them, yet they don't want to pay them accordingly. CEOs and Board members should be reminded about the 'Golden Rule'. Are they truly treating these workers as they would wish to be treated, if they were in those jobs? Yes, the Salvation Army kettle is still a thing. I see it every year at this time in front of our local Walmart. Nothing like hitting up the people that probably are most in need of help themselves. And I'll be interested in your reaction when you learn more about Dominick the Donkey. Thank you for your kind words and I'll do my best to remind people about the true meaning of Christmas.

Thank you, and I'm glad you read this story with an open mind. I was afraid that some readers would feel they were sitting in a church pew and I was preaching at them. Some still may, but I'm glad you didn't take it that way. And a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones as well.

I was out for my daily walk in the park on a crisp winter’s day when I passed an old man that was sitting on a park bench. He looked sad and appeared down in the dumps, so I thought a seasonal greeting might help to perk him up. “Merry Christmas, my friend,” I offered cheerfully. “What’s there to be merry about,” he mumbled in response, and his comment made me pull up abruptly. I wanted to explore the reason for his unusual reply. “Is something wrong?” I inquired. He didn’

Carl Waite goes out for his morning walk in the park, and along the way he passes an old man sitting on a park bench. Since the man looks sad and appears down in the dumps, Carl wishes him Merry Christmas. The old man, who we later learn is Bob Swartz, responds, “What is there to be merry about?” Carl immediately stops so he can find out why the man reacted this way.

The idea of a werewolf was first mentioned in the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh jilted a potential because she'd turned a former lover into a wolf. Werewolves are Lycanthropes, because they can only turn into the form of a wolf during a full moon, where Lycans can transform into the form of wolves either during the day or night.

Lupine groups have a highly organized social structure with designated leaders, alphas and betas. Since dogs are related to or descended from wolves, they often display a similar social structure when living in groups.

Lupine is derived from the Latin words lupus (wolf) and lupinus (wolfish).

@wildone Steve, I have the answer to your question. Two-percent of $0 is a pink slip or a chained space in a dungeon, whichever @Myr chooses for you.

If only it all ended so well, with just a huge stink-bomb. However, during World War 1 they used a different type of stink-bomb, mustard gas, and that killed a lot of people.