'Some people!' snorted a man standing behind me in the long line at the grocery store. 'You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line,' said a woman.

I looked to the front of the line to see what the hold up was and saw a well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine to accept her credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it.

'It's one of them welfare card things. Darn people need to get a job like everyone else,' said the man standing behind me.

The young woman turned around to see who had made the comment.

‘It was me,' he said, pointing to himself.

The young lady's face began to change expression. Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line watched as she began running to her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove way.

After developing cancer in 1977 and having had to use food stamps; I had learned never to judge anyone, without knowing the circumstances of their life. This turned out to be the case today.

Several minutes later a young man walked into the store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told him that she had run out of the store, got into her car, and drove away.

'Why would she do that?' asked the man. Everyone in the line looked around at the fellow who had made the statement. 'I made a stupid comment about the welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry,' said the man.

'Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three young children and she has taken on that responsibility. She's twenty years old, single, and now has three children to support,' he said in a very firm voice.

'I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,' he replied, Shaking both his hands about.

The young man asked, 'Are these paid for?' pointing to the shopping cart full of groceries.

'It wouldn't take her card' the clerk told him.

'Do you know where she lives?' asked the man who had made the comment.

'Yes, she goes to our church.'

'Excuse me,' he said as he made his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his credit card and told the cashier, 'Please use my card. PLEASE!' The clerk took his credit card and began to ring up the young woman's groceries.

Hold on,' said the gentleman. He walked back to his shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto the belt to be included. 'Come on people. We got three kids to help raise!' he told everyone in line.

Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food and placing it into separate carts. 'Go back and get two big turkeys,' yelled a heavyset woman, as she looked at the man.

'NO,' yelled the man. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became quiet for several seconds. 'Four turkeys,' yelled the man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work.

When all was said and done, the man paid a total of $1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to the side, pulled out his check book, and began writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near the front of the store for a writing surface. He turned around and handed the check to the young man. 'She will need a freezer and a few other things as well,' he told the man.

The young man looked at the check and said, 'This is really very generous of you.'

'No, ' said the man. 'Her brother was the generous one.'

Everyone in the store had been observing the odd commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that day feeling very American.

A great example of why we should be kind and patient.

Kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear.

RED MARBLES

Part 1

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean,hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr.. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya.. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'

'Fine. Gittin' stronger 0alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here...'

'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red DO you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost..'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr.. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances . Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

RED MARBLES

Part 2 (the end)

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them... Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles.. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho '

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away..

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...An unexpected phone call from an old friend...Green stoplights on your way to work...The fastest line at the grocery store...A good sing-along song on the radio...Your keys found right where you left them.

sure Al..Match fixing is nothin new

Hey, CAN ANYONE HELP ME? I am really interested in knowing Satch's EARLY LIVE SET-UP for the Surfing With The Alien tour (~1987). I know he used a Marshall 1969 Plexi SuperBass before stolen around this time (before the Marshall 6100LM Anniversary amp).

C.O.S.H.H. REGULATIONS 1988 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DATA SHEET

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Substance: Woman Symbol: W02 Discoverer: Adam Atomic Mass: Accepted as 55 Kg, but there are known isotopes ranging from 45 Kg to 225 Kg Occurrence: Large quantities in urban areas, with traces found in most other areas

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES 1. Surface normally covered in powder and paint film (thickness variable according to age) 2. Aromatic odour. 3. Boils at nothing, freezes for no apparent reason. 4. Melts if given appropriate treatment. 5. Yields if pressure applied in the correct manner, explodes if stressed excessively. 6. Bitter if used incorrectly, may become sour with age, can sometimes be sweetened up. 7. Found in various grades, ranging from virgin material to common ore, pure specimens are relatively uncommon..

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES 1. Great affinity to Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Platinum (Pt) and all precious stones. 2. Capable of absorbing great quantities of expensive substances. 3. Liable to explode spontaneously, without warning or reason. 4. May explode spontaneously if left alone with a male. 5. Softens and takes on a rosy glow when soaked in hot water. 6. Insoluble in liquids, but greatly increased activity when saturated in alcohol. 7. The most powerful money reducing agent known to man.

COMMON USES 1. Highly ornamental - especially in sports cars. 2. Can be a great aid to relaxation.

TESTS 1. Pure specimens turn bright pink when discovered in the natural state. 2. Turns green when placed alongside a superior specimen.

HAZARDS 1. Highly volatile and dangerous except in experienced hands (highly dangerous in inexperienced hands) 2. Delicate handling required. 3. Illegal to possess more than one permanent specimen (great care must be taken when handling multiple specimens). 4. May begin to swell if suitable handling precautions are not taken.

CONTAMINATION PROCEDURE 1. If contaminated, the services of a skilled lawyer must be sought.

C.O.S.H.H. REGULATIONS 1988 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DATA SHEET

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Substance: Man Symbol: M+ (Free radical most desirable) Discoverer: Eve Atomic Mass: Accepted as 65 Kg, but there are known isotopes ranging from 55 Kg to 115 Kg Occurrence: Large quantities in urban areas, with traces found in most other areas

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES 1. Surface normally covered in grease and fur oxidase except at apex of specimen 2. Surface liable to tarnish, stain and attract dirt. 3. Pungent or stale odour. 4. Usually inert, but correct stimulus can promote a reaction. 5. Yields if pressure applied in the correct manner, explodes under strain. 6. Bitter if used incorrectly, sours with age but can sometimes be sweetened up. 7. Found in various grades, ranging from virgin grade to base material, but pure specimens hard to find nowadays. 8. Not one of the ‘noble elements’ (usually found in combination with Woman).

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES 1. Great affinity to alcohol (ethanol). 2. Capable of liberating quantities of expensive substances if treated correctly. 3. May explode spontaneously if left alone with a female. 4. Softens and wilts when soaked in hot water, greater rigidity at cooler temperatures. 5. Insoluble in liquids, especially inert after saturation in alcohol (athough this state is preceded by an initial and noisy period of increased activity). 6. The most powerful money producing agent known to woman. High valency - capable of multiple bonds with Woman.

COMMON USES 1. Highly ornamental - especially during Match of the Day or Formula One racing. 2. Can be a great aid to relaxation.

TESTS 1. Pure specimens turn pale and shrivel when discovered in the natural state. 2. Behaves erratically when placed alongside a superior specimen. 3. Localised expansion and rigidity when excited.

HAZARDS 1. Dangerous in inexperienced hands - unpredictable when activated 2. Illegal to possess more than one permanent specimen (great care must be taken when handling multiple specimens). 3. May induce swelling if suitable handling precautions are not taken.

oh bum, my Nimes dvd is on backorder :/ gonna be ages till i get it.

who won the limited edition Chickenfoot cds? anyone on here get a copy?

treadmill music last night was - songs from DT's 'Octavarium', Paul Gilbert, Demo Magnetic... oh my gosh i love the bass on German Soup! lyrics weren't as good then but damn TallicA need to turn Rob's bass up!, more songs from Crystal Planet, Trundrumbalind is bloody BEAUtiful and A Train of Angels is really good to jog to.also more of U2's *POP*

anyone else agree that CP is Joe's best album?

AYE for OZ Chickenfoot dates!!

my DT gig is just around the corner...EXCITEMENT!! ^_^

Hey Peeps....

How are we all.... WOW... its been like and age since I was last on here?........ What have we all been up to?.....

Hey Joe,

What do you think of U2 and there new album?...... any comments?....

Will we be seeing Joe Solo again while chad is doing the Chilli's thing?......

I think a G3 is in order????

Hello friends, hello Joe, hello Satchland!

Hope everyone is ok, the weather over here is cold but my baby is ok. Sometimes beautifull smiles, sometimes she cries very loud :)).

Joe - Can do you tell us what happened with Peavey? I must confess that the sound that i prefer is from Marshall. Your dvd Live in San Francisco in my opinion has the most sweet and strong tone. Glad that you are feeling better. I´m still using the Satchurator distortion pedal and it rocks. I love it! I can`t wait to see the suprises. Today i heard all day the Chickenfoot cd and i like it very much. Sammy Hagar is one of my favorite singers. The best singer that Van Halen had :). Now he is yours :). Many regards from Portugal. As you know always with you. OH YEAH :) !!

Warm regards to all, have a great weekend!

Alexandre Caetano

Minimoog - check this new one from Randall. It's one of their new Nuno Bettencourt signature amps. 60watts but apparently loud as hell and a bit different looking to the norm.

NBKing112Edit - link doesn't seem to be working so paste this into your browser:

http://www.armleg.com/funkymunkymusic/viewtopic.php?t=375&start=0&mforum=funkymunkymusic

The first run shipped a few weeks ago. Not in stores yet but first reports are good from those on the forum that bought direct.

The half stack version looks killer as well!

Joe, I hope your feeling better.

I'm workin' on getting rid of a throat infection with antibiotics and lots of water. No fun. :-/

I've been listening to a new CD--STEVE MORSE BAND.....This is a great album title: OUT STANDING IN THEIR FIELD. Great music as always. I love the titles of the songs as well......John Deere Letter. LOL! I highly recommend this album...lots of energy and soul! It's described as "10 new tracks combining rock, country, jazz, funk and classical elements and reaches an unbelievable sound spectrum.

I'm 9 pages behind! And I feel so tired...wanna go to bed, but I can't just yet...have to collect Steve from work and plan dinner. It's getting colder outside.....had a little rain today. I understand the UK had more than many places could handle. Please send some of that wet stuff to Cali.

For the love of Mark and Alan---somethings happening, great music, super jams and I haven't heard enough...

Guitarvibes--Nice guitar on Friday, 13 Nov. Beautiful!

Hello Joe!! I just want to say "Thank you for you music", when i listen your albums, i really get happy. I would like to meet you some day. I am guitar player too and i use to watch your videos and listen your songs in order to enjoy and learn about you. When you visited Mexico City last year, i was there listening and enjoying one of my personal dreams, because there is nothing more nice that know your idol !!!!

Zinc Master- I have got tears in my eyes over those two lovely posts. Thanks for posting some examples of people at their best because today I saw some people at their worst.

Today I went to my child hood chums funeral . Turns out it was death by alcohol. She drank so much ,that on the last occasion it caused swelling in her brain and in her brain stem that she went into a coma. She came out of the coma but was totally incapacitated .

She lived the last 2 years of her life in a adult care facility. Her husband and her children evidently did not go to see her, I guess they felt abandoned by her alcoholism. Long story short her family and his family kept sniping at each other with snide comments and pointing blame to every one and any one who would listen.................

The whole experience was kinda surreal , left me feeling sadder and more out of sorts.

I hope she is at peace now.

Guitarvibes- That fish story could make me re-think my carnivorous ways. I didn't look at the link cause (shudder) it might be an image I could never get out of my mind. What will people think of eating next?

Hey everyone, hey Joe, how are you doing?...

Today was a cool day until the Recording Session of one of my bandmate's song, we are 2 guitarist in the band. We started to record the guitar parts(Just Chords), I was first to record and I'm always nervous coz the metronome, trying to don't be out of time, finally the record was a good-at- the-first-time, we listen to it and was very well, just on time... so I thought I wasn't bad at all, but then was the turn of my friend, and he did it very well, we listen to what he recorded and was almost perfect, At the beginning I thought, "hey that's cool", but then I started to feel like, "but.. then he is better than me!?", he doesnt practice so much, and I'm practicing often! I know, Humility first of all, but, Have you ever felt like, you were very good at something, and then you see someone do it better, and the you feel like shit very badly?

Well, hope you are really good and sorry about my bad english

C ya everyone

Peace Lily - sorry to hear about your friend. Awful for her husband and kids, hugs to you. Thank heavens for email and SMS so I can keep in contact with people.

I've considered the veggie diet but I do enjoy beef, lamb and pork. I can't go game like kangaroo or venison, and I can't eat anything that resembles the animal it came from either. Neither can I roast a chook I can't bear to touch it.

School fair today, I'm on the 2nd hand CDs and DVDs stall, picked up a Michelle Shocked CD and Jeff Buckley (Sketches for My Sweetheart The Drunk). There was a Chickenfoot CD for sale too. Enjoy your weekend !
For Chickenfoot in Australia say "aye"!