There are two words that cause us more grief and waste more of our time than any others. They are “IF ONLY”. We waste more time trying to change the “if only’s” we wish had done that we cannot move forward. First of all you can not change a thing that has already happened, no matter how many prayers you say, how many obscene words you say, or how much wishing you do. Once you say or do something you wish you had said or done a different way its to late. Below is an example I took from an old book I picked up to read. I am not pushing books to sell and doubt you could ever find this one, it is an old “dog eared” book I got from some yard sale or junk store. The name of it is, A Touch of Wonder, by Arthur Gordon. He describes it as a book to help people stay in love with life. Its just full of quotes and things that give you goose bumps, but here is the prime example .

A writer could not get his articles published. They just came back REJECT. He would say. IF ONLY that article had been sent in sooner, IF ONLY I had sent it to a different paper, IF ONLY had been longer or shorter and on and on. He finally was just hung up on his IF ONLY articles. He could not write a thing. He thought of committing suicide, but thought of his wife and children so he went to an old doctor friend after hours and just poured out his grief. The doctor listened and went and got three files of people who had came in feeling just like this man. The Doctor had him read the three files where these people were absolutely to the end of their rope and ready to end it. When he finished reading the doctor asked him what was the common thread(all the patients were completely different). The man did not know until the doctor pointed out that everyone was full of IF ONLY they had or had not done this or that. Once you get stuck there you cannot move forward, you are in the same position as being hung up on a speed bump in a parking lot. You cannot back up or move ahead. The doctor told him to never use those words again and it would all start to look different to him. He and the doctor left the office and the mans bus just went by. He missed it. His face got red, he got agitated and started to say IF ONLY WE HAD LEFT SOONER, but stopped and started to laugh and said. NEXT TIME I will either leave earlier or have a bus schedule and a huge weight was lifted from him and he had the courage to go home and really write articles. We are not failures when something we do is rejected or refused. It is just time to do it different.

Ever since I read that book I have looked at everything completely different, and I hope you do to. I felt it was worth sharing with independent readers for sure. /ll

About Lilly Marek

Having lived in Seattle (Georgetown) for over 80 years, Lilly has a passion for the area. A true Seattleite, Lilly has the history & experience to discuss any topic. Being retired, she enjoys visiting with her many grand children, gardening, and writing.

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Years ago there was a cute old song that anyone under 50 years of age probably never heard of but the first two lines go something like this. “First you say you will, and then you wont”. “Then you say you do, but then you don’t” You’re undecided now, so what am I gonna do.? Those may not be the exact words but close enough. Now for why I thought of it when Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-NY, stood all teary eyed and said he had lied when he said his Twitter account was hacked. He admitted he has been sending lewd pictures of himself for a long time. This was not even a one time lapse of judgment. This is just disgusting and he is a newlywed. Obviously he is a borderline sex offender or has some bizarre warped brainwave.

John Edward’s, did even worse but still says he broke no laws. He would not plead guilty to using campaign funds for his mistress and his baby. While his wife and little kids were home he was out in fancy hotels in various countries taking care of his sex meetings with his lover. He is saying now he had no idea where the money came from and he was not using it to promote his “good family man image”, he was using it to protect his wife from getting hurt when she was dying with cancer at home. Don’t you think he had to wonder how this lover and baby of his were able to afford all of the perks they had? If he didn’t then he is dumber than I give him credit for. He says if he goes to jail(and no one deserves it more)” it would be a disaster for his family”. HE ALREADY HAS BEEN THE DISASTER for his family. He and Elizabeth have a grown daughter that can take care of the younger kids.

Elliot Spitzer, had to stand up there with his wife beside him like a prop at a school play and admit he is a sexual deviant, a liar and a cheat.

Bill Clinton, finally after squirming with every excuse in the book finally had to fess up to his family and admit on TV he a complete liar, cheat, and a sexual sicko.

Even Arnold Schwarzenegger toppled off his throne as a family man, after his wife helped him all thru his ambitions to be the Governor of California. The list goes on and on.

This brings me to the question that is asked so many times. Do you think a man who will lie to his wife will lie to you? I always have thought absolutely they would. But if you ask it that way people can pooh pooh it away by saying well lots of people cheat and are sorry or don’t get caught and they are good otherwise. Well I don’t know what the otherwise means to them. So instead of asking that question when someone runs to be elected lets make a list of qualifications.

Because to cheat on his wife he has to be the following:

A sexual sicko

Acts bizarre

Acts disgusting

Is a liar, and a cheat

Stupid

Reckless

Arrogant

Lack of self discipline

If you were given that list would you vote for the man? But of course they are such good liars that even “us smart” voters actually believe them when their wife will trot out beside them and stand by them and lie for them to help get them elected. But for sure be prepared to be surprised when they dig into their backgrounds and get them boxed in a corner, then they are sorry. But they are only sorry they got caught. Read John Grisham’s book “The Broker”, to see how votes are bought and sold and lies told. It should almost be a required read in school.

So the theme song “I’m Undecided Now” sure fits. Should they fess up to their lies or stay undecided as to what to do until they are totally boxed in a corner.

About Lilly Marek

Having lived in Seattle (Georgetown) for over 80 years, Lilly has a passion for the area. A true Seattleite, Lilly has the history & experience to discuss any topic. Being retired, she enjoys visiting with her many grand children, gardening, and writing.

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Did you know that Georgetown has what they call a Garden Walk the second Sunday in July. This year it will be July 10th. If you don’t know a lot about Georgetown you might think it’s a real dump. But come see for yourself. People get a map at the Hat and Boots Park on Corson. Do you remember the old Texaco Gas Station on the corner of Corson and East Marginal Way? That icon has been moved and placed in a lot and made into a park. Some years they have a barbecue there, sometimes music, but always you can go up and down the streets and there will be a sandwich board with a number (number is on your map) and you can go thru their yard. You would be amazed at what people have done with plants. It’s all free! The homeowners will answer your questions and you will have exercise for sure. Try it, you might like it.

Some people will have plants for sale too.

About Lilly Marek

Having lived in Seattle (Georgetown) for over 80 years, Lilly has a passion for the area. A true Seattleite, Lilly has the history & experience to discuss any topic. Being retired, she enjoys visiting with her many grand children, gardening, and writing.

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Dr. Kevorkian a/k/a Dr Death died in a hospital recently. There is no doubt about it what he did was very controversial. From the things I have read he had a lot of very grateful patients. When our end time comes we each will look at it differently. My opinion of him was very high. It took a lot of courage to study a patient, listen to them and when they decided they could not stand the pain and suffering any longer, and there was absolutely no hope of getting better he provided them with a way to end it. It was still their decision to take whatever it was he gave them but he did not put a needle in their vein like they do when someone is put to death on death row. He did not smother them or do anything to them, just gave them a way to end it. I think that took a lot of compassion. They are saying now that he helped some end it all that were healthy. I doubt that but of course government and laws were on his case all the time. But now that he is gone Obamacare will just cut off our treatment payments and that will end our lives but we will die a drawn out painful death. That is even worse.

You hear the rumors about “killing Grandma” by limiting or suggesting how much treatment an old person should get. I think it should be completely between the patient and their doctor and their family, not the government run health insurance that we could be forced to join. People who cannot afford to sign up for the required health insurance will be fined. If you can be fined you probably could be put in jail. All the time an honest hard working person is struggling it will not affect the welfare class at all. The illegal immigrants, the lifelong welfare cheats, the alcoholic’s and druggies get everything free now and will then too.

I wish there were less government interference and more Dr. Kevorkian’s. I am an elderly person and if/when I cannot go to the bathroom, swallow food, am in constant pain it would be comforting to know I could have a pill to take when I felt I could no longer stand it. I already have signed papers that I do not want to be resuscitated. I have a notice in my windows, front and back for Medics. My children know this. If I should come to and live longer fine but I do not want to be hauled off to ICU and have a breathing tube down my throat, food thru a tube in my side and a catheter to help with my most personal problems. I think it’s just as controversial to hook a person up to all sorts of machines and prolong death AND CHARGE US for it as was for Dr. Kevorkian to make our own decision to end our suffering.

I am only talking physical suffering, not mental. We all have times where we lose a job, a sweetheart, our house burns down, or the dog runs away that if we could ask Dr Kevorkian for a pill that would be a big mistake. Usually everything looks brighter tomorrow. This brings to mind an article I read about a young athlete who got hurt in a game and was paralyzed from his neck down. No one wanted to even go see him, they felt so bad and had no idea what to say. Finally his little sister went to give him a kiss and when she came out of his room she was so happy. She told him she was sorry he got hurt so bad but he told her that it could be a lot worse. He said he was so thankful that he can see rainbows, and still hear the beautiful music and talk and eat. He said not to feel sad because he is fine. Most of us would not have that attitude. But what the Obamacare if talking about is how much to spend on the elderly. I can see the point in a way. If a guy is darn near 100 I think its really stupid to be doing hip transplants and things like that. We need more Dr Kevorkian’s and less Obama’s that’s for sure

About Lilly Marek

Having lived in Seattle (Georgetown) for over 80 years, Lilly has a passion for the area. A true Seattleite, Lilly has the history & experience to discuss any topic. Being retired, she enjoys visiting with her many grand children, gardening, and writing.

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I was recently reading about US Attorney Dwight Holton US Attorney in the Times about Marijuana.  First, let me say I don’t participate in the wacky tobacky.  It’s not my thing but all the best to the rest of you who do.  Rarely individuals get on my nerves but this Dwight Holton nobody is pushing my buttons.  His Hitler communist remarks in the article are a response to Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Act (1988).  An Act that was voted on by the majority of Oregon people for medical marijuana.  They went through the proper channels, got enough signatures, and won the majority vote to pass this Act.  You maybe against marijuana use and I respect that, however, when the majority of people are for anything and it becomes law – you become the minority and need to respect the decision of the people. 

Dwight Holton, however, came out swinging preaching the Federal Law which constantly hangs over all states heads who have passed a Medical Marijuana Act.   In the article he clearly threatens the people and the dispensaries.  In the letter directed to everyone “Sale of marijuana in Oregon for any purpose, including medical use, is illegal and will be prosecuted.”  Here is a point blank Hitler power trip remark he made also, “Oregon and federal law make it illegal to sell marijuana — period, end of story.” 

Here is a larger paragraph continuing this threatening verbiage:

“The sale of marijuana for any purpose — including as medicine — violates both Federal and Oregon law and will not be tolerated,” it added.  “People and businesses that conduct sales of marijuana face the risk of prosecution, civil enforcement action and seizure of assets . . .”

“Prosecuting individuals and organizations involved in the cultivation and distribution of controlled substances, including marijuana, are core priorities of the United States Department of Justice

US Attorney Dwight Holton needs to get off his high horse and work for the people.  If the majority of people vote for something his job is to fix the law so it represents the wishes of the people and that is it.  Maybe this Dwight Holton has a little man complex or just doesn’t know his role (I know I would love to slap him around).  One thing is for sure, his ego is very large, and he needs to be shown the door.  These are the type of scum people that need to go in our Government.

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

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We hear a lot of talk how to gain citizenship in the United States. It is not complicated at all unless you choose to make it complicated. 1. You come into this country by obtaining a work permit, or visa or school scholarship etc.  That would be legal and welcome.2.  If you decide to stay you take steps to becoming a citizen. It has always been that way and it still is. You do not come into this country to live and reap all the benefits of legal citizens by climbing over a fence or swimming a river or riding like cattle in the back of a smugglers truck.

We also know it is the supposed to be the Federal Governments job to enforce immigration rules. But it is not doing its job, and is not letting the State keep the illegal immigrants out of the workplace, schools and hospitals and it is totally breaking the States budgets. Everyone knows all of the above but seems to pooh pooh it away.

Last night there was a big barbecue in the yard next door and I want to use it in such a way that I hope will make independent thinkers look at immigration differently. Some tenants fired up the barbecue and some invited friends came. Then a few uninvited friends stopped by. The last arrivals did not bring steaks and burgers or hot dogs but gathered for the party. Pretty soon some swearing and fighting started. One guy yelled, you so and so get away from the grill, you didn’t bring any food, you were not invited so “get the hell out”. Now that’s the way it should work with the illegal immigrants(without the swearing and fighting). So, lets say you are having the barbecue and this happens. You call the police and they say no this is private property and its your problem. What can you do? Lets say these uninvited people go in your house to use your bathroom, then help themselves to a room to spend the night in, use your soap, water and maybe take your prescription pills. All the time you have to just sit and watch your home being taken over, your food eaten all on your dime. They decide to just stay with you, and if they get sick you pay their doctors bills. That is exactly like California and Arizona, Texas and some other states. The illegal’s come in, the police cannot check to see if they have valid identification or ask them to leave. They are told they have to wait for the Federal Government to do their job. Well years go by, babies are born, the states go more broke, the prisons fill up but the Federal Government fights the states in court to stop them from enforcing immigration laws in their states. If it can happen to a state, it can soon happen to a private citizen if you think about it.

A legal citizen that was born here, lived here and worked here all his life has to show his drivers license to cash a check or vote or do most anything but not if you’re a Mexican. They call that profiling. I call it a real crock of deep doo doo. They want the vote to keep them in office, they forget they really were not elected to LEAD anyway they want to. They were elected to represent the wishes of the people.

Please take time to really study this recent survey and you will see the majority of Americans are not happy with the immigration laws not being enforced.

See the results of a recent poll

About Lilly Marek

Having lived in Seattle (Georgetown) for over 80 years, Lilly has a passion for the area. A true Seattleite, Lilly has the history & experience to discuss any topic. Being retired, she enjoys visiting with her many grand children, gardening, and writing.

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