Wondrous and Wacky Words of Encouragement

Wondrous and Wacky 
Words of Encouragement

by Dean Burkey

Photo Source:
Face The Monster by Frits Ahlefeldt

First, 
the wondrous words: 

From the wall of a friend: 
“And so in only five days, 
THE LORD delivered more greatly 
than the entire year that had come before.” 
Sounded like a Bible passage to me, 
but I couldn’t recall such a statement 
or recognize the context, so I asked. 
My friend explained that 
God blessed his family in the mist of a trial, 
providing incredible results in only five days 
after a year of frustrating struggle. 
Whenever my friend and his family 
need encouragement, they read these words 
mounted high upon the wall above the breakfast table. 

And now, 
the wacky: 


Studies show, 
that if you learn a new word each day, 
by the end of the year, 
you’ll know one, two, ... 
Easily more than seven words. 

Easily more than eight if it’s a leap year! 

So then, ...

No matter what fiascos you face, 
you needn’t worry, 
because they now make ...

Snuggies for pets.  

If they can make a blanket with sleeves 
for cats, dogs, and parakeets, 
they can do anything!  

Well, almost anything.  

They call them Snuggies for pets, 
but they don’t work so well with goldfish.  

Or boa constrictors.  

Or even Sea Monkeys.   

All the Best,

Dean Burkey

Watch This for More 
Wacky Words of Encouragement: 

Uploaded on Dec 2, 2010 by

IHadLasagna

Bill Cosby:

When you become senile, 

you won’t know it.

Mitch Hedberg:
Tony the Tiger usually thinks that stuff is great. 

Author Unknown:
(Source: http://www.jokebuddha.com/Encouraging#ixzz2NkwOngKH)
Mary was having a tough day 
and had stretched herself out on the couch 
to do a bit of what she thought to be 
well-deserved complaining and self-pitying. 
She moaned to her mom and brother, 
"Nobody loves me. The whole world hates me!" 
Her brother, busily occupied playing a game, 
hardly looked up at her 
and passed on this encouraging word: 
"That's not true, Mary. 
Lots of people don't even know you."


Jerry Seinfeld:
It's amazing that the amount of news
that happens in the world every day
just exactly fits in the newspaper.

Steven Wright:
I intend to live forever.
So far, so good.

No Matter What Challenges You Face, 
Always Remember:


Uploaded on Aug 17, 2008 by
badmamapajama

Tragedy: Remembering Robin Gibb and the BeeGees

Tragedy: 

Remembering Robin Gibb 

and the BeeGees

Apparently, I’m not a big news guy; 

I just found out that Robin Gibb died. 

Uploaded by Sweet26Heart on Feb 12, 2011

I was a BeeGees’ fan when it was popular to be one; and when it wasn’t. In many ways, the BeeGees taught me songwriting, a skill I don’t exercise like I used to, but hope to resume soon. Two of the first songbooks I had were The BeeGees Volume 1 and Volume 2 which I bought at Spec’s Music while still in high school. (I learned from a made-easy for guitar John Denver songbook too. And, of course, the Beatles!) 

Whether you liked the BeeGees or not, they were topnotch songwriters, writing hits for other artists besides themselves. Often writing their best songs for others. Generous, good-natured, fun-loving, strong family people. At least that’s my impression. 

Uploaded by goldfrapp5 on Dec 30, 2010

A lesser known song of theirs that I like a lot is “Sea of Smiling Faces”. Has such a happy lilt to it. The world needs more happy music. I also like the imagery and melodies of “How Deep Is Your Love?” And the driving bass riff of “Tragedy”. 

I think they invented disco, to one degree or another. They certainly put it on the musical map. 

Driving over a bridge in Miami, Barry noticed the rhythm of the bridge’s slats beneath his car’s wheels. That rhythm inspired “Jive Talking” which became a big hit for them and helped to re-launch their careers. 

The music producer on “Nights on Broadway” asked if they could scream in harmony. Or melodically. Or in key. Something like that. So Barry tried it; and that’s how they got their falsetto sound. 

Uploaded by DjBooStOne on Jan 17, 2010

But long before that, they thrived as a vital part of the British invasion, following the mega-success of the Beatles. With hits like “Words”, “To Love Somebody”, and “How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?” 

Somehow, they languished, or fell out of favor. I don’t know. But “Jive Talking” and “Nights on Broadway” jumpstarted their career. 

And the soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever” took them out of orbit, making them mega-stars, global sensations. 

Sadly, they became so popular, that they became unpopular. They got so much airplay, that some people got sick of them and started to mock them. Like the scene in “Airplane” where the plane knocks over the radio tower of the station playing disco; and everybody cheers. 

What grosses me out is when Denis Leary, the comedian, also an actor who plays Captain Stacy in the new Spider-Man movie, talked about how glad he was when a BeeGee died. Might have been after Andy died. How sick is that? To me, that’s not comedy. That’s cruel and heartless. 

I feel saddest for Barry. Although the oldest brother of the four, he outlived them all. He must be devastated. First, Andy’s death; and then Maurice’s, both tore him apart. He struck me as being a caring big brother. Helped Andy with his hits. And spoke of him with pride. How does he fill the role of big brother now? 

He’s on my list of people I want to meet. Along with Stan Lee, Jackie Chan, Michael J. Fox, Woody Allen, Steve Martin, and Brian Regan. And Duane Johnson, so I can pitch him a script. And, of course, Colbie Callait, so we can make beautiful music together.

The BeeGees made their living making people feel good with their music. They also used the song royalties from “Too Much Heaven” to help children around the world via UNICEF. So let’s remember them fondly. And let’s pray for Barry and other family members and loved ones of Robin Gibb to be able to work through their grief as constructively as possible. 

Blessings & Joy,

Dean Burkey