Adult Coloring Books

In our collective rush to grow up we can often mistakenly leave things behind that we can enjoy throughout all of life. Coloring books were fun and instructive – we learned how to “stat inside the lines”, a skill that can serve us well in many aspects of living and social engagement.all specially drawn for the book – range from traditional motifs – hearts, sailors, girls, skulls, roses – to more elaborate compositions with a contemporary edge.”

At an objectionable extreme, metaphorically staying inside the lines teaches us to conform to norms, which could generate robot-like followers rather than creative leaders.

On the other hand, using time to relax and create something beautiful is “good for the soul”. Not everyone is artistic, but almost everyone can create beauty by coloring pictures with crayons, colored markers, colored pencils, or even a combination of device.

Coloring might help to release tension, but it’s a fundamentally more directed and restrictive activity than painting something from scratch.One roadblock has long been the kinds of drawings available for adult coloring, called colorists in some circles. The days of fat bunnies and wood nymphs are past and the more mature colorists would gain greater satisfaction for patterns that are more artistic and offer more of a challenge.

Since Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book by Johanna Basford was release, in 2013, it has sold over two million copies worldwide. For a time, this book and a follow-up from the same author, “Enchanted Forest: An Inky Quest and Coloring Book,” were the two best-selling books on Amazon. The artwork is sophisticated––not like a car or a bunny with a bow in its hair.

 

For those less interested in picture books, there’s Mandala, a spiritual and ritual symbol in Indian religions, representing the universe. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point. In historical, social and political sense, the term "mandala" is also employed to denote traditional Southeast Asian political formations. Regardless of whether you look at the Mandala with religious or political eyes they are intriguing and look artistic when completed, whether by a beginner of an accomplished colorist. 

There are numerous Mandala drawings available on the internet – free to download, print out, and color. If you prefer the drawings in a book form, Amazon – and local bookstores – offers many selections.  A popular – and inexpensive – offering is The Mandala Coloring Book by Jim Gogarty. It costs under $10.00 and Amazon Prime members can get it with free shipping.

For something less “holy” or mundane, you might want to take a look at The Tattoo Colouring Book by Megamunden  The Amazon description says the book is, “packed with stunning illustrations, this unique coloring book celebrates the art of the tattoo. The tattoo designs –

Starting small is easy – whether you download free drawings from the internet , or invest a whopping $10.00 buying a bound book. Colored pencils are cheap and even available in grocery stores. I tried it and I like it. You might too.

Can We Beat the Mayans?

A lot of Americans act like crazy people. We demand a free lunch and we’ll follow anyone who offers the best one. We swallow pills and allow people to burn and mutilate our bodies because we hope their ministrations will correct the damage we do to ourselves.

We are angry, sad, and confused. Our food supply is damaged – maybe beyond repair. The water contains toxins, drugs, and hormones. It has been announced that a popular chemical for weed control can cause infertility – and that doesn't surprise me at all.

Some of are so crazed that we take out our problems on other people – usually innocent people. We kill and maim and then pop a bullet into our own head. We go even further and blame the tools used in the mayhem for the mayhem itself. We refuse to search for underlying causes, preferring to focus only on the symptoms. We seem to not want solutions and cures. That in itself is completely insane.

We listen to talk show hosts yell and rail against whatever person or “party” they oppose. The politicians don’t seem capable of sharing a sidewalk with anyone from the other side of the aisle. Vast numbers of us struggle to survive and those we trust to help us are making millions of dollars and living the life of an emperor. “Love Thy Neighbor” seems to be lost on us.

We are angry about greedy company bosses, yet clamor for pay increases, benefits, and retirement packages – all paid for by others. Heaven forbid we save for our own future.

Some of us blame the politicians. I blame all of us because the elected officials are doing what we want them to do – make sure we can all have what we want, when we want it. If a few noisy people board a bus and storm the steps of power, laws get enacted that force the rest of us to meet the needs of the noisy few. That Pogo comment about the enemy being us is accurate down to the smallest tilde.

The shooting binges have a lot of us riled up and demanding that something be done. The politicians are trying to do something – while other groups insist their rights would be violated if but one control is put in place. Rights? Fewer today than at any time since the founding of our country – and vast numbers of us are willing to give up even more in the name of safety – which, by the way, does not exist and never will.

A friend told me the U.S. “experiment” will probably fall far short of the years the Mayan civilization flourished. He’s probably correct. They prospered for 800 years. On its present course, our republic will be lucky to make it 300.

What will save us; gun control, more taxes, fewer taxes, term limits, higher wages, earlier retirement, more vacations, shorter work weeks, more churches, cleaner energy? What? Name something and a thousand people will tell you ten thousand reasons why you’re wrong. There is but one thing that can turn the tide for each individual and that’s to be an individual. Each of us must take responsibility for our individual actions. We have to stop blaming others and stop expecting everyone else to protect us or make us happy.

Life is fragile and there are no guarantees for anything. Yes, we have tried repeatedly to guarantee or legislate goodness, yet we always fail.

I recall my mother warning me in a fretful way about doing anything that might scar me for life. For heaven’s sake, that’s what a scar is. The kid in “Christmas Story” was afraid he’d put an eye out and politicians fear not getting re-elected. Living in fear over things that might happen is silly beyond the pale. Things happen all the time and they are not always good. Except for acting with prudence, there is nothing else we can do to fully protect our crazy behinds.

 

That being said, is it time to toss in the towel? Of course not. As long as we are upright and not in a box six feet under, there’s hope. We have the innate, individual ability to find happiness, to get along with others, to help those in need, and to correct the sins of our past. Without drugs, surgery, or radiation, we can discover cures for disease and solutions for financial problems. We can figure out why some of us go on rampages and blast away at innocents. We've done it before on a regular basis. Some of us are doing it in our own small ways right now.

Hope I don't get in trouble
for using Jessica Alba's smile here.

Evidence? We have been slogging through some of the worst years in recorded history, yet most of us still get up in the morning, put on a happy face, feed our kids, got to work and church, and enjoy fine food and adult beverages with our friends and family. All we need to do is make ourselves aware that we are in good shape and that we can – individually – make everything better. I've already begun by writing this tome. How about you? What are you doing? However

 small it might seem, it’s something. One extra smile each day is a big deal – to you and the person you give it to. It needs to be nourished and allowed to flower. When we all, individually, take that kind of approach to daily living, the entire environment will improve.

I certainly hope we beat the Mayans.

I Love Statistics

This was sent to me by my friend, Ray. 

What do you think?

(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by physicians per year are 120,000.
(C) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171.
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services.

Now, think about this:

(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.  (Yes, that's 80 million)
(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
(C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .0000188.
Statistics courtesy of the FBI.

So statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners. Remember, Guns don't kill people, doctors do!!!

FACT: Not everyone has a gun, but almost everyone has at least one doctor.  This means you are over 9,000 times more likely to be killed by a doctor than by a gun owner! Now if you have more than one doctor,  you're just  out of luck!!!

Please alert your friends to this alarming threat.  

We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!

Out of concern for the public at large, I withheld the statistics on Lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

Now, don't get all bent out of shape. This is satire. It's funny. That's all it's intended to be. 

Please don't get the notion that I'd like to hear anyone's criticism of what I find humorous.

Discounts for NOT DYING Yet.

This list may not only be useful for you, but for your friends and family, too.

I don't suspect I'll be using this at the listed "dining" places, but who knows?


Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55. If you're paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for free.

YOU must ASK for your discount!

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RESTAURANTS:

• Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
• Arby's: 10% off (55+)
• Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
• Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
• Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
• Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
• Burger King: 10% off (60+)
• Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
• Chili's: 10% off (55+)
• CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
• Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
• Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
• Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
• Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
• Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
• Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
• Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
• IHOP: 10% off (55+)
• Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
• KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
• Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+) Cousin Cathy, How's that?
• Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations (55+)
• McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
• Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
• Shoney's: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
• Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
• Subway: 10% off (60+)
• Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
• Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
• TCBY: 10% off (55+)
• Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
• Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
• Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
• Wendy's: 10% off (55+)
• White Castle: 10% off (62+) This is for me ... if I ever see one again.

RETAIL & APPAREL:

• Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
• Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
• Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
• Big Lots: 10% off
• Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
• C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
• Clarks: 10% off (62+)
• Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
• Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Kmart: 20% off (50+)
• Kohl's: 15% off (60+)
• Modell's Sporting Goods: 10% off
• Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
• Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
• The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
• Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

GROCERY:

• Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
• American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
• Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
• DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
• Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
• Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
• Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
• Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
• Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
• Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
• Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

TRAVEL:
Airlines:

• Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
• American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
• Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
• Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
• United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
• U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Rail:

• Amtrak: 15% off (62+)

Bus:

• Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
• Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:

• Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
• Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members Best Western: 10% off (55+)
• Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
• Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
• Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
• National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Over Night Accommodations:

• Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
• Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
• InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
• Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
• Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
• Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
• Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
• Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES&ENTERTAINMENT:

• AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
• Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
• Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
• Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
• Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
• U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
• Regal Cinemas: 30% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
• SeaWorld Orlando, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:

• AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
• Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
• Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
• Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

NOW, go out there and claim your discounts - - - and remember --- YOU must ASK for your discount --- no ask, no discount

I can't credit for this work. I received all of this from J. Michael Palmer

Masculine Cars.

Here are some examples of what I think are masculine designs for a car. You may disagree. Except for the Corvette, Camaro, and Mustang, today's designs incorporate much more bubble-gum styling and "sweet" colors. 

Compare these with what you see on the roads today. I am not complaining or judging, only reporting on what I see - and what factors might be causing it. 

I SEE a decline in masculinity and a rise in femininity and I have a strong hunch that the levels of estrogens (and estrogen-like) substances in our environment are part of the reason. Another support item is the widespread drop in sperm levels, which again can be caused by rising estrogen.