And Now For Something Completely Different....

First of all, my appologies to the Monty Python folks for swiping their phrase, secondly, thanks to the Coupon Council for their 'historical stuff'. And now, since we're all interested in saving money, here's some pretty useless stuff I found out when looking for savings via coupons.

1894 Coupons are born! Asa Candler, the druggist who bought the formula for Coca-Cola for $2,300, gives out handwritten tickets for a free glass of his new fountain drink. No copies of the original to be found, but you get the idea, great deal!! Free stuff!! 1895 Next stop, the local grocer! C.W. Post distributes the first grocery coupon worth one cent towards his new health cereal, Grape Nuts. Same deal, newer coupon. Early 20th Century saw investments marketed with coupons and the development of 'stamps' for everything from cents off to saving for big items, even for ice for the ice box.

1930's Coupons are a staple in American households because of the Depression. Everyone needs to save money wherever possible, and clipping coupons clips weekly grocery bills. 1940's Supermarkets sprout across the country and continue the coupon tradition that had begun in neighborhood groceries. The War Years of WWII brought a different type of 'coupon' as well, rationing from gasoline to cheese.

1957 The Nielsen Coupon Clearing House becomes the first clearing house devoted to coupon redemption. Coupons have created a new industry and are found everywhere. 1965 One-half of Americans are now coupon users, even for the Saturday Matinee or visiting the mall.

1975 Coupon popularity continues to grow. Over 35 billion coupons are distributed and 65% of American households clip for everything from pizza to boozier fare! In the 1980s we still find the old coupons of dubious value in comic books along with the usual cents savings on most things commonly needed by all families.

1998 America celebrates the first National Coupon Month. Children create art designs of their favorite coupons in the 1st Annual Coupon Month.1999, American shoppers learn how to be savvy by saving with coupons during National Coupon Month, Sept. 1999. 2000, Parents learn how to involve children in saving with coupons for National Coupon Month. 2001, Teachers use coupons to teach the value of money in the Fourth National Coupon Month. 2002, Shoppers save $3 billion dollars by redeeming 3.8 billion coupons. 2003, 77% of consumers report using coupons, making it one of the most popular shopping activities in America. 2004, 79% of primary shoppers report that they have used coupons.There's even joke coupons. 2005-Present finds coupons still in favor with folks from Homer Simpson to computer users. BUT, remember to ALWAYS check the expiration date and read the fine print.Now, excuse me, as I have to redeem a coupon I just found for my favorite 'sipping water'before I get settled in to examine this other interesting 'offer' I just found.

So until next time, happy clipping and take care.

A Bit Of A Side Trip......

Last week a couple of my friends spent some time in Kalispell, Montana and took a few rides capturing the scenery & critters in & around Glacier National Park. These are some of the photos they took & I thought I'd share them with all who visit here.

The photographers, Linda & George A. The destination.... Yogi's gonna be mad!! The south end of Flathead Lake on the way.... The Two Medicine Trading Post Store (read Gift Shop).

A 'Red Bus' of the propane-fueled fleet operating in the Park daily..... Some of the residents....

Well, not so sure this is a resident. Nice way to tour though. And some fellow travelers..... And of course, the awesome scenery as only Mother Nature can provide..... Thanks to Linda & George for these super views in addition to the others they took that I'll be posting over the next several days. Until next installment, take care & be well.

Blessings need counting & sharing, always....

This was going to be a post about my not feeling 'the greatest I've ever been' lately, then I looked at the TV News, read the paper, and took a good look around me. What I found was what I've known all along, but sometimes tend to forget. So, I decided to turn all 'preachy' for one post and share a favorite poem, some American Indian wisdom, and a view much like my own on religion. If we all did just a tiny bit every day, this world would be that much nicer to live in. I seem to have let my personal physical discomfort overcome my appreciation of all I have, so, at least for today, I will share those blessings with someone, and we'll both benefit from them. The Kindness of Others by Cathy Song The kindness of others is all they ever wanted, the laughter of neighbors prospering in the blue light of summer. Those of the small sputtering flame and the sudden white sprung hair, who feed off envy and grow old quickly, desire largesse. The role of poor relation evokes a lack they are not apt to admit, or unbearable pity. They prefer to penetrate the giver’s effortless knack of giving they perceive as vitality, a pulsating entity that rewards the kindness of others tenfold. This they have witnessed. This they have tabulated relentlessly. The generosity of others whose spirits, like their long-legged children blossoming into a progeny of orchards and fields, flourish. Those who have never known kindness drag into the privacy of their smallness the baskets of fruit appearing year after year on their porches, to be picked apart in the hushed posture of thieves. They peel skin, probe flesh the color of honey as if the seeds will yield something other than a glimmer of sweet air rising from the roots of trees and licorice-laced, half-opened leaves. Those of the small flame, who feed off envy and grow old quickly, live out their lives hungry, glaring at themselves across the table, wife of the cruel mouth, husband of the thin broth trickling like spittle.

So many ways there are to express the same ideas. We all believe in something, even those who believe in 'nothing', have 'nothing' as a belief. ~Euripides "I stand for the children of tomorrow. I believe in the constructive aspect of humanity. We need each other. We need to come together in the circle of life, and not leave anyone behind. We need to reach out to each other and accept each other unconditionally. More than ever, it is necessary for people to face the light and walk in balance. In every darkened valley there is a light source; walk toward it. Stand in your own truth. No one is like you. You have your own particular gift, and your own contribution to make." ~Sarah Smith, Mohawk Elder Being kinder to yourself counts too!!

Until next we meet, take care and be well.