Bob Richards

On twitter I usually try to post a historical fact that took place in history, from each date on the calendar. I found quite interesting that on January 26, 1784,  Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter lamenting the fact that the eagle was chosen to be the animal symbol of America. He put forth that the eagle is a bird, of bad moral character and that it doesn't get it's living honestly. Ben said you can see the eagle sitting on dead trees, too lazy to fish for itself and waits for other, more laborious birds to go make their catch but the eagle then flies over  and steals their prize.   Franklin went so far as to say it was a frank coward for even when a little King Bird no bigger then a sparrow decides to attack him, away flies the eagle. I guess he thought the eagle gave the appearance of being grandiose but for the most part it was merely show.  What bird would he have chose to represent America? Apparently he thought the turkey. Th...

Here we are the first month of the year. My, how life moves on!   As much as we'd like to stop the clock, having it take a break, time moves ever forward regardless of our futile desires and hopes to the contrary. None are so fortunate. None are so blessed. No amount of wealth or influence can be used to impede the demands of time from delivering us to our destiny.  We're in motion.   Change, change and more change after that is the order of the day, and if things have been basically honky dory, peaches and cream, or in other words...agreeable--oh, how we might love things to stay the same. I recall the title of one of George Harrison's albums, "All Things Must Pass". The journey always continues and we'll be aboard the vehicle called "Time"...whether we like it or not. On the way there'll be things that'll will be good...others, not so good. Through it all it could be said we continually choose.  We can go forward with a sense...

            Part 1 of this two part series----> click on link http://bit.ly/vBL3aZ                                                    Below is Part 2 Now, concerning the film "It's A Wonderful Life"   something just this year caught my attention. The basic story line was concerning one, George Bailey taking over his father's "Building And Loan" which specialized in providing mortgages for those of questionable means. Bailey's gracious character is contrasted with a measly, penny pinching banker, one Mr Potter, who's intent was to overlord and totally monopolise the  town.  Most fascinating was that on May 26, 1947 the American FBI, declared that "It's a Wonder...

Well, it appears were moving now out of the Christmas theme and the consciousness of New Years has taken over. I for one don't like to think of Christmas as a mere day, but rather a season. I heard recently of one particular culture that have designated things to do in October, November and then December---all related to Christmas. Since the month of January seems in my opinion to lack a certain sense of character who knows---maybe we can add that in too! I'm looking over the last few weeks and can truly say I've had a blessed time this holiday season. I ask myself one thing though, and that is will I ever really tire of watching the grand ole classic Christmas movies which many in my north american culture, delight in viewing? I think not. I guess they've become engrained within our mindsets that Christmas or the Christmas season, without them just wouldn't be the same. Interesting however , that on Christmas Eve itself, I didn't watch the traditional ...

Hippies Are Groovy But Occupiers Far Out? [Pt.1] http://bit.ly/vq6OcL  Hippies Are Groovy But Occupiers Far Out? [Pt. 2] http://bit.ly/vJDoSb Welcome To Part 3 :  "Hippies Are Groovy But Occupiers Far Out" Many now have come to consider that maybe the "Occupy People" have made their point. It's being suggested it's time for them to give it up as others want their parks back and feel even their livelihoods are being affected. Have Occupy people become extreme and unreasonable or if I could use a hippie pun, "far out" that is far out in left field? Mayors of various cities are contemplating taking action against them if the Occupiers persist in stating they're committed to holding out. Might there be however a new way of thinking they'd consider?  Why should holding out in parks, 24 hours a day be considered the only exclusive way to effect change? I'd respectfully appeal to the reasoning of the good Occupy folk--please consi...

     Part 1 of "Hippies Are Groovy But Occupiers Far Out?" http://bit.ly/vq6OcL       I welcome you now to Part 2 of "Hippies Are Groovy But Occupiers Far Out?" One even allowed an elderly person to go ahead of them in a department store line, and another had said, "Thank you Maam " while paying for their goods! Surely that had to count for something! Also they seemed to have common earthly names like the rest of us, for if memory serves me correct, I'm sure I heard one of them call their friend   "Bill" and she was  addressed by the  other as   "Hillary" so how much more down to earth can you get then that? All in all the hippie people didn't cause too much damage, except as I say buying up all our supplies but in the days ahead all store shelves were replenished with stock boys working overtime.   Fast-forward now to the present date of November 10, 2011, forty one years later. Th...

It was true! I saw it myself! No one was trying to stop it, even the police! Rumours had been circulating around the town to the effect, but I had to verify it myself.  The date was August 7, 1970  and over 100,000 hippie people had invaded our town, population 8,500.  The event was "Strawberry Fields" rock concert being held at Mosport race track, in the heart of Ontario. Our community from the 401 was the quickest link to the venue.  Ours was pretty much the only place one could pick up supplies---groceries and bar type alcoholic beverages. I can still visualize the store shelves bare and empty.  The hippie people had bought everything out! It was quite a surreal experience much like you'd imagine in a apocalyptic film, where the transport of goods have been stopped or disrupted from reaching the desperate in need. Sure we knew we'd be able to make the best of it and keep alive...at least for a few days. Our town would eventually be back to normal...