LOBATEK INCORPORATED & VAN DYKE ZINNIAS @ The Lake Cottage! 1998-2012©

A flower for every pot

 
 


WASHINGTON MONUMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C., Cherry Blossum Festival
WASHINGTON MONUMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C. Cherry Blossum Festival

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Quote of the week

“If ‘Fourth Estate’ news organizations become political actors, we need a ‘Fifth Estate,’ another group of writers and thinkers who police the press. Internet news has gained tremendous power and influence in recent years precisely because Americans distrust many television and print press outlets. With lightning speed, the incessant bloggers on the Internet call attention to distortions in the mainstream press. Furthermore, there is a body of original information available on the Internet that does not appear elsewhere. In short, the New Media is becoming the ‘Fifth Estate’.” —Jeffrey Kuhner, editor of Insight on the News





First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government
for a redress of grievances."



Sharon @ The Farm, Spring 2009
Sharon @ The Farm, Spring 2009
View Sharon Baller's profile on LinkedIn





The Coven

Five years ago, I founded, subsequently expanded, and continue to lead a current events blog group of mostly retired seniors, many of them distinguished and wealthy (many ways) people with very diverse backgrounds.  Co-Founder and my excellent Friend  for the ages is the writer and sage, Archangel.   We call ourselves "The Coven." 

We are liberals and conservatives, 2 military contractors, 3 special forces/operations veterans, 3 accountants, 3 housewives, and a 30-something lesbian, to name a few.   The group counts  4 attorneys, 1 Ph.D.  Psychologist for the Veterans Administration in Denver, 1 retired CIA employee,  a Portuguese national  intelligence trainer, 2 blue collar workers, 2 electro-optical engineers, 2 farmers, 1 petroleum geologist, and 3 entrepreneurs.   WHAT BINDS US IS THAT WE ARE ALL PATRIOTS!   Some of the people use “handles” to conceal their identity, as many of our topics are controversial if not politically sensitive, though never “politically correct” in this very public forum.   

The slide show photo albums below represent each member's avatar.   If you would like to talk with any of the writers or contact them directly, please email me at SBaller@LobaTek.com and I will pass your request on to them.  Knowing them would much enhance your life, as it has mine.   I am grateful for their contributions here and their generosity of shared opinions.    – Sharon Baller

The Road Not Taken
-- by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;


Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.


I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


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Are you a Sheep? Wolf? or Sheepdog?
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TWO WOLVES



One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. 
He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil.  It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good.  It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

TWO WOLVES - LobaTek Incorporated
TWO WOLVES