Has it ever occurred to you how some words seem to disappear from our language? Obviously changes of equipment are partly responsible. We rarely, for instance, refer to telephones nowadays. Instead we simply say mobile or cell. Yet we don’t have robbers any more. They are all thieves nowadays and they don’t go to jail they go to prison. Have you heard the word vagabond lately either? They will usually be described as down and outs or travellers or even gypsies. While the French may use the word Belle we rarely describe anyone nowadays as being the belle of the ball.
Then there are the words that are no longer politically correct. We cannot say anyone is handicapped any more. They must be described as disabled. Illegal aliens have become undocumented residents.
There are always differences in usage in different countries. In the U.S. an auto has a trunk. In Britain that is what an elephant has. Their cars have boots. The disappearance or non-use of words though is more puzzling. How long is it since you have heard anybody described as crabby and does anyone you know gad around anymore or do you know anyone who is a gaby?
Nowadays if you said you gave the child a fondle you would probably be arrested but once upon a time it was a word used to describe cuddling a baby. The world is full of words that come and go and the language is often the loser for their going.

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You’ve got to believe in what you say
To get your message across
You’ve got to sound truly convinced
Or your audience will be at a loss
To understand and share your beliefs
How can you sell them well?
If you don’t speak out from the heart
How can your audience tell
That your point of view is the one that’s right
If you’re not fired up and all alight
If you don’t want them all to share
Your subject matter, if you don’t care
Enough to make them before they leave
Share your viewpoint and, like you, believe?

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Phone a friend was once the catchword
But now it’s no longer the same
It’s text a friend for the answers
When you want to know the name
Of a river, a country or mountain
Or a date in some long ago time
And you can store on your cell phone
A poem or a helpful rhyme.
Under the eyes of their teaches alas
Students it seems are texting in class
And when it comes to doing a test
They text each other I do not jest
For the right answers but surely such cheating
Means cheating themselves so it’s self-defeating.

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Have you ever wondered what to say
When you give a speech?
How will you grab that audience
Each listener to reach?
The topic’s most important
What you choose to say
It’s got to be of interest
Or they’ll walk out, won’t stay.
So you have got to suss them out
Or else your speech won’t have clout
Choose a topic that they’ll like
Or they’ll tell you “Take a hike”
Whate’er your theme it’s go to be
Relevant, topical, that’s the key.

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President Obama wants to change the face of medical care in the U.S.
He is right in wanting the best possible to be available to everyone regardless of their financial situation. What he, and what other governments have ignored is that preventative medicine would greatly reduce the cost of treatment. After all we have already conquered many diseases such as smallpox and TB with injections given in childhood. State sponsored Walk-in screening for common ailments such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure would help catch illnesses before they really developed and thus save time and money spent on treatment. If screening started with childhood illnesses it could become natural for people to take advantage of them as part of their health plan for life. Children should also have “Be fit” health education classes as part of the school curriculum and it goes without saying that advertising for fast foods and unhealthy drinks should be curtailed or banned.
So the President should ask the medical profession to come up with the list of the top twenty illnesses that are expensive to treat and are preventable and start such a screening.
Programme in local or mobile clinics. In later years he could increase the numbers of illnesses for which screening was available. Preventative medicine would pay in the long term.

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Is Ronaldo worth all those millions or is the price paid for him another example of why we are in the midst of a recession? In other words have we lost any sense of true worth or value for money?
He is a wonderful footballer of course but are we paying for his entertainment value alone? Are fans prepared to pay inflated prices to watch such players while those who do necessary and often unpleasant jobs are paid a pittance?  Think of the money paid to nurses or home helps and their contribution to society and then compare it to someone kicking a ball. No matter how brilliantly he kicks it he is still, in the end of the day, only kicking a ball. He is definitely not helping the elderly, the handicapped or the lonely.
Isn’t it time we got the balance right between entertainment and what is necessary for the functioning of our world. Yes, we all enjoy being entertained but we can live without it. We can create our own entertainment or even kick our own balls. We cannot nurse ourselves when we have a heart attack or make our own meals when we are elderly and infirm. Being like Ronaldo is only a dream for most of those who watch him but, surely, the price of that dream is too high.

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Man has always wanted
To soar up in the sky
After trial and error
He learned just how to fly.
And though we spend millions
On aircraft safety
It seems we can’t avoid
Or we haven’t got the key
To getting rid of gull or hawk
It seems authorities they baulk
At doing what must be done
To clear the air of all but sun
And clouds, so planes in safety can take
Off, without plunging into sea or lake.

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Companies are always looking for ways to increase productivity and improve staff relations. That is why they have Christmas parties, happy holiday functions and end of year dinners. In the present economic climate they should be looking for ways to emphasise that message of togetherness but perhaps at less cost.
Why not have a summer staff outing? A trip to the seaside or a local beauty spot for a picnic might be an idea. Staff might be asked to bring a picnic and the company simply provide some bottles of beer or tins of soft drink. A barbeque might be another option and staff members could be asked to bring their guitars and make music.
A treasure hunt can be great fun if the social committee are willing to come up with clues.
People don’t need expensive functions to enjoy themselves. A group of colleagues swimming and playacting in a pool or having a go on the ghost train at the fairground can build up friendships. These will, in turn, lead to better understanding in the working environment. So forget fancy hotels and expensive functions. Fresh air is free and so is fun.

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Summer is, it seems, the letter S
It’s all about Seaside and Sun
The Swallows Swooping and Soaring
Athletes waiting for the Starter’s gun
There’s the sound of Sausages Sizzling
While Strollers enjoy a Scenic view
There’s the Splash of Swimmers Surfacing
Strawberries, Salads and Sandwiches too.
School Sports are the main event
While the air is filled with the roses’ Scent
Suitcases Shorts and Sandals they appear
While thirsty folk Sip Shandy and slurp beer
Holiday makers sail and surf, make castles in the sand
Summer’s sound is Sousa played by the marching band.

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Whenever you are giving a speech
There are things that you ought to do
If you’re the best man for example
Make sure that your jokes aren’t blue.
If you are addressing a hall full of folk
Make sure they can hear at the back
If it’s a political speech that you give
Go straight in, denounce and attack
Whatever the reason that you are speaking
Give the listeners just what they are seeking
Entertain and inform, get them on your side
Be welcoming if you’re dad of the bride
Most importantly, and I’ll say it again
Relax, you’re not being marked out of ten.

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