I just want to express that I am sorry I am not visiting my subs/friends as much as I would like, but I have to prioritize. My visiting priority is for only those who have been faithful in visiting my site and commenting. Even then, I may miss posts that are done every day. I try to catch up if time allows. Among other reasons for my break from Xanga is that I will be singing at CelticFest in Jackson, MS the week end after Labor Day. I think I have been there every year for about 20 years now (maybe more, not sure). This coming week I'll be concentrating on the songs I want to sing and reviewing the workshop on "Celtic Music in America" that I've presented for several years there. More info. on this festival: http://www.CelticFestMS.org. PROVERBIAL WISDOM - CHAPTER 17: This one is so full of wisdom and good advice that I recommend reading all of it. Also, because different versions may express the concept in other ways, I also encourage reading a version other than the one from which I quote. The verses that "jump out" for me are the following which are from Good News Bible: Today's English Version: "If you make fun of poor people, you insult the God who made them. You will be punished if you take pleasure in someone's misfortune." (v. 5) "If you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you. Remembering wrongs can break up a friendship." (v. 9) "If you repay good with evil, you will never get evil out of your house." (v. 13) "Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time." (v. 22) The above, for example, compared to New Revised Standard Version (probably closer to how most have heard it quoted): "A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones." "It is not right to make an innocent person pay a fine; justice is perverted when good people are punished." (v. 26) "After all, even a fool may be thought wise and intelligent if he stays quiet and keeps his mouth shut." (v. 28) Perhaps the above was the source for the quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln: "It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt". "Stay thirsty for wisdom, my friends" ~~My paraphrase of a quote from "The Most Interesting Man" TV commercial. ~~Peace, Joy, Prayers 'n Love, Donna  | 
