_ Here are some issues that just popped in my head: do you scroll to the bottom and that is the end? Or do you click More Stories to read more on your Friends? Do those Older Posts still like to be read? Or is it too late because the conversation is dead?

Facebook is part of all our daily routines, but sometimes the so called etiquette still confuses me. I play, I prod, and I joke endlessly. I do this in fun because it’s sort of my specialty. Life is too short and we are all here for but a while, so lighten up and use Facebook with a smile.

As Thanksgiving approaches, this message is for my Friends. My thanks go out to you for understanding what you can. I am difficult and obnoxious as a beast, but I am thinking of you and I hope you all enjoy your feast…

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A Tethered Mind 04/12/2011
 
A Tethered Mind
Jeffrey A Moore
4-12-11

A tethered mind cannot fly
no matter how hard it tries.
But with clear thoughts and open eyes
we can sever the ties that bind.

With clear thoughts and open eyes
the world is a much better place.
Soaring minds set free to fly
might even mend the Human race.

If you look inside what will you find?
Bound thoughts, closed eyes, and a tethered mind?
If so, sever the ties that bind
with clear thoughts and open eyes.

A tethered mind not allowed flight?
Well, that is just a waste…
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Can’t Hold Me Down

The more I’m told I can’t
The more determined I become
Keep expecting me to fail
Hoping I come undone
But what it is that you must not see
I am a better man than that, Destined to succeed

So hold me down you can try
I’m experienced, Mountains I can climb
Nothing has ever been easy
At least not in my life
But I have the one thing that matters most
The love and support of my children and wife

So hold me down you can try
I’m experienced, Mountains I can climb
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Credit must be given where credit is due. I have spent the past four weeks bashing the Lions for poor coaching, poor Linebacker/Corner play, and most notably Louis Delmas and his many missed tackles. Today I will point out what has drastically changed in one week’s time and what hasn’t.

Offense

I question Linehan’s play calling on the opening drive when he went for two long post plays on third and short, but after that his play calling was excellent.

Shaun Hill is the perfect replacement for Matthew Stafford. Hill is the primary reason why the Lions have kept the first four games even close to respectable and why the Lions were able to pull off a win against the Rams. He is definitely a leader on the field and you can see his control in the huddle, even if he does come across as awkward at times in his scrambling. The outcome is what matters and he does far more positive than negative.

The O Line is always going to be a concern as long as Jeff Backus remains entrenched in his starting left tackle position. Raiola is never going to be able to play as big as his heart is, but this is nothing new to Lions fans.

Pettigrew dropped a couple makeable passes, but still made several good plays. After he develops more dependable hands he will become one of the better Tight Ends in the league. He already leads the NFC in receptions to date this season. I’m curious what his drop totals are, though.

The running game is questionable ever since Jahvid Best hurt his toes. Kevin Smith still looks lost out there to me when he gets a hand off, but he does pick up the blitz well and makes the catch when thrown his way. Best is the answer to the running game for certain. He just needs to get healthy.

Calvin is Calvin; a mystery to me. My thoughts still lean toward trading him while value is so high. Speaking of trade, the Lions should consider trading Jason Hanson to a playoff contender like New Orleans. Hanson should be applauded for his tremendous efforts and tolerance of losing through the years, and should be given a shot at going out in style. Besides that, he is going to be replaced at the end of the season anyhow.

 

Defense

I am not at practices or in the locker room so I cannot speak about a players importance or presence in those areas, but I do watch every game closely and I can tell you that on the field, when it really matters, Corey Williams has been a far better off season pick up than Vanden Bosch. Williams does jump off sides too often, but I attribute that to poor coaching and not preaching discipline enough.

 

Cliff Avril had a monster day. Suh is a beast (tip it to yourself INT!). Let’s hope the Lions do as well in obtaining LB’s and Corners next offseason as they did building the D Line this season.

Linebacker and Corner play stepped up in a big way against the Rams. Julian Peterson stood out the most from the Linebacker position for his effort and the Corners didn’t stand out much for their effort, which is a good thing. Jonathan Wade and Chris Houston both stepped their games up in a desperately needed way. I noticed a few should be Interceptions but they play on the defensive side of the ball for a reason, I suppose. Alphoso Smith showed me once again why he should be out there starting every week.

 

Special Teams

Special Teams deserves special mention. Stefan Logan had a 105 yard Touchdown return and immediately went out and made the tackle on the ensuing kickoff. That is effort that Lions fans have not seen in years and I believe that to be the spark that ignited a winning attitude against the Rams. Jason Hanson gets a second mention for being Jason Hanson of old.

 

Time to get ready to kick some Giant tail…

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No Moral Victories

I will keep it simple and to the point this week. There are no moral victories in football.

I could ramble on once again about how the Refs are obviously one sided week after week (2 Pass Interference calls against Charles Woodson could easily have been called on the Lions last Offensive possession), but I believe everyone knows that by now. What stood out the most to me is the lack of discipline and focus. There is only one place to cast the blame for this and it is on the Head Coach.

·         Pettigrew-multiple drops in important situations that could have led to scores

·         Bryant Johnson-stone hands, poor route running

·         Kevin Smith-shouldn’t even be on the team. DeDe Dorsey is a better option and was released.

·         Jahvid Best-Toe hurt toes and a fumble prone (sorry, couldn’t help myself)

·         Van Den Bosch-multiple stupid penalties

·         Delmas-can’t cover and misses far too many tackles

·         Houston and Wade-need to be released immediately

·         Hanson-needs to retire. His missed field goal ultimately cost us the game

·         Peterman and Cherilous-no focus and committed costly penalties at the most inopportune times

Scott Linehan is horrible at calling Offensive plays and should be fired. If Gunther Cunningham can’t coach anything besides the D Line he should be demoted to D Line coach. Jim Schwartz is greatly lacking in leadership ability, game management, and has no control over his team.

No disrespect intended to Shaun Hill, but it is a very sad day when Hill displays the most heart on the entire team. Speaking of heart, I don’t think mine can take much more of this futility. Until next week…
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I have no doubts about Jim Schwartz’s’ coaching ability or his motivational skills. My doubts are in his play calling and clock management. Scott Linehan is indeed the Offensive Coordinator, but Schwartz ultimately makes the final decisions. If Linehan is making poor play calls it is Schwartz’s’ responsibility to make in-game decisions and take control. The Lion’s exude the stench of too many Chiefs and not enough Indians.

Even with the much improved Offensive Line play by Jeff Backus, which is apparent by the lack of TV time that Jarred Allen received, except when he was getting punked by Shaun Hill, the Offense had absolutely no life. Calvin Johnson was under used and under motivated once again. Thoughts of trading Johnson while he still has value should be creeping into General Manager Martin Mayhew’s mind by now.

Jonathan Wade is lousy to put it lightly and Chris Houston is terrible to be kind. If the Corners continue to be so horrid each week it seems like the team would start looking elsewhere. What would it hurt to just cut losses with these two and scan the waiver wire for their replacements? The level of skill and talent certainly wouldn’t drop off any. Alphonso Smith is the best corner on the team and Nathan Vasher doesn’t get beat nearly as often as Wade or Houston.

Corey Williams had a terrific game as did Turk McBride and Cliff Avril. Kyle Vanden Bosch is definitely the heart and soul of the entire team, let alone the Defense.

It is a heart wrenching feeling as a fan knowing that we are already looking forward to next off seasons Free Agents and Draft class just three games into this season. If I were in control I would draft the best LB’s and O Lineman, target the most top flight Corner FA’s available, and get Louis Delmas to find a little thing called control. Delmas has amazing ability, but he is far too out of control. Gunther Cunningham’s Defense is going to be great; it’s the waiting for talent that’s so hard.

Stefan Logan does a good job in his returns, but like all good Returners, he loses concentration and tries to do too much at times. He is a definite upgrade in the Return game.

Jason Hanson needs to offer his retirement papers and bow out gracefully. He has been a valued and important member of our sorry franchise and should be applauded for his tolerance of losing, but his time has come and passed him by. I think Hanson and Brett Favre should both have been sent out to pasture before the start of this season. Some things are just hard to let go of, I suppose. Kind of like my love for the Lions. Forever true, I bleed Honolulu Blue.
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It is clear to me that Jeff Backus needs to at the very least be moved to the right side. He is no match for the young talent in the NFL today. To keep him on the Quarterbacks blindside is ridiculous. How many more QB's must the franchise lose before they wake up? Dominic Raiola isn't far behind him in the lacking of talent area, either. They both need to be put on the bench.

Jahvid Best is the man! I really don't see any comparison to Barry Sanders, either. They look or run nothing alike, but Best is every bit as explosive through his first couple of games. Durability is the question, but as of right now, the dude is awesome!

DLine is stout, but gets too much push and over presses the lanes opening up huge holes in the middle of the field. If it weren't for the front 4 there wouldn't be a Defense. The rest of the back side are aweful. Julian Pederson is the only LB worth a crap and the ALL the DB's blow. I have lost a lot of respect for Delmas in the Safety spot. He is always out of position, takes bad angles, and whiffs on far too many tackles.

Hanson still has a strong leg and should have been allowed to use it instead of going for it on that 4th down play. Very poor day coaching wise for certain. Coaches get an F for FUGGING STUPID.

I noticed Calvin Johnson pouting on the side line when the score was 24-17. He started quiting on routes and played like a cry baby. He needs to start showing his talent or demand a trade for the betterment of the franchise. I seen a quitter and quiting in football is unexcepable.

Does Shaun Hill remind anyone else of Scott Mitchell?
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Game 1 Thoughts

Jeff “Sack-us” Backus was outmatched the moment he decided to play this season. It is totally obvious to me that he is the worst Left Tackle in professional football. Now his lackadaisical play could quite possibly have cost the Detroit Lions any chance at respectability this season. After being beaten badly by Julius Peppers on what should have been a routine play, Matthew Stafford was slammed to the ground injuring his right (throwing) shoulder and could be lost for a lengthy period of time.

The Lions Defensive unit was the brightest spot the entire afternoon after Stafford’s injury. The revamped unit played just like that, as a unit. It has been what seems like forever since I have witnessed the determination exhibited by these Lions, and they should look to the four straight stops on the goal line keeping Chicago from scoring from a mere half foot out, as the key moment they became a unit. Fans should be excited about what the Detroit Lions Defense has become and what they will be heading into the future.

It is a sad day when something as beautiful and pure as football can be so blatantly tainted by such piss-poor officiating. No matter how you look at it, Calvin Johnson’s Touchdown catch should have been ruled a Touchdown and the Lions should have won the game. Season after season we witness officials making horrendous calls that change the course of the game and even the final outcome. That is the case on this day. Simply pathetic and there should be an outright investigation into the NFL and its officials. There are billions of dollars involved and the ones who pay the bills, the fans, have the right to watch fair and honest games or at least let in on the ruse. If the NFL has become fixed like pro wrestling, we the fans deserve to know about it.
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Have you ever wondered how to grow that ripe, juicy tomato? Or have you ever been in need of vegetable gardening tips? Well, there are some pretty basic principles to growing a vegetable garden. Allow me to offer these three letters of wisdom before you venture off into your own vegetable gardening: P.P.T.

What is P.P.T. you ask? Planning, Planting, and Tending. These are the three main steps to growing vibrant, flourishing vegetable gardens.

Planning:
Planning is always the most important step to any successful vegetable garden layout. There are some important things to consider before you fire up that rotor tiller and start digging in.

~~How much time can you dedicate to your vegetable garden?

~~What type of vegetables are you planning to grow?

~~Are you starting from seed or plant or both?

~~What size vegetable garden do you plan to utilize?

~~Where do you plan to situate the vegetable garden?

~~Does this area get enough sunshine?

Logically thinking things through and patient planning will produce great reward. It is recommended that you start small your first year to get a handle on things. Fifteen feet wide by thirty feet long is plenty of space to keep you busy and produce sizable results.

Digging the Garden
After you determine a place to put the garden you need to prepare the area. Sod removal is required in grassy areas. It is helpful to outline your garden with stakes and twine to keep it more uniform.

Once you have outlined the garden area you will need to take a flat edged shovel and dig at an angle outside the twine line to loosen the sod. Removing the stakes and twine after you loosen the sod will make it easier to maneuver the rotor tiller at the edges.
After the garden’s edges have been established, dig and turn the rest of the inner area. The larger the garden, the more dirt there will be to turn, so do yourself a favor and either use a rotor tiller or find someone you can hire the tilling out to. (Hiring out this part of the job will save a lot of back-breaking work.)

Testing the Soil and pH LevelWhatever you decide about the dirt turning, you may want to get a soil sample. This will tell you what kind of soil you have and if it is necessary to till additives into the soil in order to make your plants thrive. You can purchase soil tests at your local garden center. Follow the directions and the test will tell you exactly what you need to know about your soil. Just remember that the soil needs to be dry when tested.

The amount of acidity or alkalinity of the soil is pH. Vegetable gardens ideally should be around 6 to 6.5 pH. If your pH is lower or higher it is recommended to put some additives into the soil. Your local garden center can usually help you decide what to add. Be prepared to give them the dimensions or the square feet of your garden. If the soil needs to be more acidic you can add sulfur. To raise the acidity you add lime. There is a multitude of other additives and the staff at the garden center will be able to assist you with any specific situations.

Planting:
Before planting a vegetable garden you need to consider where you live. Planting times vary throughout the United States due to weather conditions. Consult your local Farmers Almanac for optimal spring and fall planting times.

During the planning process you decided on an assortment of vegetables. Different vegetables are required to be planted at different depths and distances apart. Here are a few depth and spacing recommendations for your common kitchen garden:

~~Bush Snap Beans-1"-2 inches deep, 2 inches between plants, and 18-30 inches between rows.

~~Sweet Corn-1"-2 inches deep, 12 inches between plants, and 30-36 inches between rows.

~~Slicing and Pickling Cucumbers-1 inch deep, 12 inches between mounds, and 4-6 feet between rows.

~~Sweet Peppers-1/2 inch deep, 18 inches between plants, and 3 feet between rows.

~~Tomatoes -1/2 inch deep, 2 feet between plants, and 3-5 feet between rows.

When planting from seed you can usually get all the required information on the seeds package. Look for planting times, depth to plant, distance between plants, distance between rows, best soil ph, and days to maturity. However, the first year gardener might find it more convenient to purchase plants from the local gardening center.

Tending:
From pulling those tedious, never-ending weeds to picking a ripe tomato or cucumber, if you are a true gardener, you will find enjoyment and peace of mind in tending to your vegetable garden. Most weeds and bugs just look ugly; they won't really do much harm if you keep them away from the immediate area of your plants. Avoid weed killers and pesticides if at all possible. There are old remedies, like putting Epsom salt around the base of your plants to help keep bugs away, which are much healthier than chemicals. A nice compliment to your vegetable garden is to plant marigolds around the perimeter in a U shape. This gives it a nice colorful border.

Happy gardening!
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Advertising for your own small business is a steep hill to climb, but with patience and a little time, climb that hill you will.

Some simple first steps you can take to start your advertising empire are:

1. Write some credible content that reflects what is happening now and publish them through Helium or HubPages or some other free publishing site. Then place your links strategically in the articles and pages.

2. Build a Website or two or ten. There are free services out there. Like anything, with a little research you are sure to find a few.

3. Post your links any and everywhere you can. Forums and messageboards are good places to start. Topix is another place you might try.

Posted above are three FREE tips to get you started. While I try to promote free opportunities, some things in life just aren't free!...
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