Through the Keyhole
August 2024
Take a break from your day...
Not your typical company OR newsletter
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"This
particular lobby is decorated with some really cool glass blown
artwork. It is one of a kind and made for this location. Millions
of people visit this town every year hoping to take some winnings home." BACK TO SCHOOL....Already? It is always a
little sad to see summer wind down. It's a great season in the midwest
and we always enjoy the sights and sounds of summer. We could use a
little less rain these days and a little more sunshine. Ah,
back-to-school sales – the time of year when parents cheer, kids groan, and
store employees brace themselves for the annual chaos. It’s like a second
Christmas, but instead of toys and jolly fat men in red suits, it's about
notebooks and frazzled parents with lists longer than their patience. Here are a few
humorous observations about this seasonal shopping frenzy: 1. **The Joy of
New Beginnings... and Discounts!** 2. **Math Class
Preparation** 3. **The
Stationery Addiction** 4. **The Backpack
Dilemma** 5. **Clothing
Wars** 6. **Tech
Temptations** 7. **The Eternal
Search for Sales** In the end,
back-to-school sales are a rite of passage, a blend of excitement, stress,
and nostalgia. So, here's to all the parents and kids out there, navigating
the aisles, lists in hand, and hoping that this year’s school supplies last
longer than a week. Happy shopping, and may the discounts be ever in your
favor!
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The sun is
setting on our summer fun, With school bells chiming, we know it’s done.
Goodbye to beaches and ice cream cones, Hello to homework and muted groans. No more lazy
days, just lounging around, We’re back to schedules, all tightly wound. The
pool’s grown cold, the days are shrinking, Kids everywhere are deeply
thinking: “Do we really
need math? What’s with history? Why can’t every class be gym or chemistry?”
Parents cheer as buses roll by, While kids stare longingly at the sky. No more campfires
with gooey s’mores, Now it’s early mornings and chores galore. Farewell to
sandals, to flip-flops too, It’s back to sneakers and to something new. But don’t
despair, there’s joy in fall, With crunchy leaves and a cool wind’s call.
There’s Halloween with its spooky charms, And Thanksgiving feasts that warm
our hearts. So here’s to
summer, it’s been a blast, But now it’s time, it couldn’t last. We’ll pack
our swimsuits and sunscreen away, And dream of next year’s sunny days. For now, we
sharpen our pencils bright, And face the school year with all our might. So,
goodbye summer, you’ve been a friend, We’ll miss you dearly, until the end.
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Hold on to that RING ~ 1 minute
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Something to try on Windows 11...
One useful hack
in Windows 11 is to enable and customize the PowerToys suite. PowerToys is a
set of utilities designed to enhance productivity and add advanced features
to the Windows operating system. Here’s how you can get started with
PowerToys and use some of its best features: Useful PowerToys Features:
1. FancyZones: o What It Does: FancyZones allows
you to create custom window layouts to optimize your screen space and
multitask more efficiently. o How to Use: Go to FancyZones in
PowerToys Settings, configure your desired layouts, and use the Shift key
while dragging windows to snap them into the custom zones. 2. PowerRename: o What It Does: PowerRename adds
advanced bulk renaming functionality to Windows File Explorer. o How to Use: Right-click on a
group of files in File Explorer, select PowerRename, and use the interface to
batch rename files using search and replace or regular expressions. 3. Keyboard Manager: o What It Does: Keyboard Manager
allows you to remap keys and create custom keyboard shortcuts. o How to Use: Enable Keyboard
Manager in PowerToys Settings, and configure key remapping or shortcut
creation to suit your workflow. 4. Image Resizer: o What It Does: Image Resizer
integrates with File Explorer to quickly resize images. o How to Use: Right-click on an
image or a selection of images in File Explorer, select Resize pictures, and
choose the desired size preset or create a custom size. 5. PowerToys Run: o What It Does: PowerToys Run is a
quick launcher similar to Spotlight on macOS. o How to Use: Press By leveraging
these PowerToys features, you can significantly boost your productivity and
customize your Windows 11 experience to better suit your needs. Download HERE
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Guess
the Location Game
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ANSWER:
Rome, ITALY
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"In
a City with no shortage of icons and attractions, this fountain is one of the
most visited every year. The facade tells the story of how these
ancient people tamed the water to bring life to their cities. So much
to see here..."
Rome, the Eternal
City, where history and magic blend seamlessly in a tapestry of ancient ruins
and modern vibrance. It’s a place where every corner has a story to tell, and
each cobblestone whispers secrets of empires past. Here’s a whimsical journey
through this enchanting city: The Dance of the Fountains
Picture the
fountains of Rome, dancing under the Roman sun, like playful nymphs frozen in
time. The Trevi Fountain, with its grandiose sculptures, beckons you to toss
a coin and make a wish, promising your return to this captivating city. Each
splash of water is like a giggle from the gods, reminding you that magic
truly exists. Time Travel at the Colosseum
Strolling past
the Colosseum, imagine the roar of the crowd, the clash of gladiators'
swords, and the pulse of ancient Rome alive and thrumming. By night, it’s a
glowing beacon of the past, casting long shadows that hint at the stories of
bravery and spectacle that once unfolded within its walls. Gelato: A Symphony of Flavors
What’s a visit to
Rome without indulging in gelato? Each scoop is a symphony of flavors, a
dance on your taste buds that tells tales of sweet summers and sun-drenched
days. Whether it’s rich chocolate, tangy lemon, or the fragrant bloom of
pistachio, gelato in Rome is a slice of heaven on Earth. The Enchanted Vatican City
Within the
Vatican’s walls, time seems to stand still. St. Peter’s Basilica looms large,
a majestic guardian of centuries of art and faith. The Sistine Chapel
ceiling, painted by Michelangelo, feels like a portal to the divine, each
brushstroke whispering secrets of creativity and inspiration. Piazza Life: The Heartbeat of Rome
The piazzas of
Rome are like the city’s living room, bustling with life and laughter. In
Piazza Navona, fountains bubble with joy as artists sketch and musicians
serenade. It’s a place where you can sit with a cappuccino, watching the
world go by, feeling part of the grand, timeless play that is Rome. Mystical Markets and Mysterious Alleys
The markets of
Campo de' Fiori buzz with the scent of fresh produce and the chatter of
vendors. Wander the narrow alleys, and you might stumble upon hidden
courtyards, each one a secret garden, a piece of Rome’s soul that offers a
quiet retreat from the city's energetic pulse. Rome is not just
a city; it’s a living, breathing masterpiece where the past and present dance
together in a whimsical waltz. Whether you’re exploring its majestic ruins,
savoring its culinary delights, or simply soaking in the ambiance of its
lively streets, Rome promises an adventure that is as timeless as it is
unforgettable.
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Sounds like fun ~ 2 minutes
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Excited travelers on their way to Rome FIRST CLASS ~ 1
minute
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Rick Steve's take on the Colosseum... ~ 3 minutes
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Meet some of the Athletes of
the 2024 Olympics...
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Hena
Kurtagić Serbia –
Volleyball
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Petra
Senánszky Hungary –
Swimming
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Carlos
Alcaraz Spain – Tennis
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Anicka
Delgado Ecuador –
Swimming
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Hailey
Hernandez United States –
Diving
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Alex Ranghieri Italy – Beach
Volleyball
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Yuliya
Levchenko Ukraine – High
Jumping
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Johnny
Hooper United States –
Water Polo
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Barbora
Seemanová Czech Republic –
Swimming
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Matt
Anderson USA - Volleyball
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Sandi
Morris United States –
Pole Vaulting
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This
guy is a sadist.
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~ 2 minutes
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1928. Bring it
back.
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Fun to watch. ~ 2 minutes
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Lucky People.
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~ 2 minutes
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Rose.
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The first day of school our
professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we
didn’t already know. I stood up to look around when
a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned round to find a wrinkled, little
old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, “Hi handsome. My name
is Rose. I’m eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?” I laughed and enthusiastically
responded, “Of course you may!” and she gave me a giant squeeze. “Why are you in college at such
a young, innocent age?” I asked. She jokingly replied, “I’m here
to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids…” “No seriously,” I asked. I was
curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her
age. “I always dreamed of having a
college education and now I’m getting one!” she told me. After class we walked to the
student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant
friends. Every day for the next three
months, we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always
mesmerized listening to this “time machine” as she shared her wisdom and
experience with me. Over the course of the year,
Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She
loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the
other students. She was living it up. At the end of the semester we
invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I’ll never forget what she
taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to
the podium. As she began to deliver her
prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated
and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, “I’m
sorry I’m so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me!
I’ll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.” As we laughed she cleared her
throat and began, “We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old
because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to
staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find
humor every day. You’ve got to have a dream.
When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking
around who are dead and don’t even know it!There is a huge difference between
growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old
and lie in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will
turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old
and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That
doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding
opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have
regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people
who fear death are those with regrets.” She concluded her speech by
courageously singing “The Rose.” She challenged each of us to
study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year’s end Rose finished
the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after
graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college
students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by
example that it’s never too late to be all you can possibly be.
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Interesting.
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Kitchen Card Magic
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Really? ~2 minutes
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Edgy.
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More Edgy Stuff...
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Easy Grilled Potatoes in Foil
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Ingredients
Yukon Gold Potatoes Directions
Start with a foil “bowl” and fill it with baby Yukon golds. If you can’t find them, then just cut up some potatoes into bite sized pieces…there are really no rules here. Toss in a handful of fresh garlic cloves, I like to smash them with a knife to release all that goodness locked inside. It seeps out into the olive oil that’s drizzled over top making everything all garlic-y and fabulous. I rough cut some sweet onions and throw them in there too. Then, toss in a few fresh herbs, salt and pepper….seal it all up and throw it on the grill. You can easily customize this recipe with your favorite herbs, spices and more. Just add whatever you like and then dig in!
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