When I log onto MIRC, it’s not complete until I pop into #40+sanity. Every morning I am able to be online and say hello and hugs to my friends, is a good morning. We are such a diverse group of people, all walks of life, all parts of the globe. We all bring our own something special to the "flavor" of the channel. Naturally, my family here at home comes first, in all areas of my life, but I have to say, I feel a strong attachment to the *family* of the Sanity channel. I think about things that I know are going on in your lives, good and bad. I have included many of you in my prayers and worried over your situations. I speak of you to my in real life family and friends quite often. I tell the funny stories and the sad. I notice though, that non onliners have varied reactions to my obvious interest in the lives of my online friends. They don’t quite *get* the idea that we can form close bonds and really care about each other here. I tell them they are missing out, and they are. I treasure and appreciate my time online in Sanity with my long time as well as new friends. I think, no, I know, we have something special. *WE* make 40+Sanity what it is. *WE* are the family, and as a family, we are going to have our bumps in the road. Misunderstandings are a natural part of everyday life, how we deal with then though, is what makes us unique. Just as we hope we won't be judged unfairly, we also need to extend that courtesy to others. We need to continue to make a strong effort to keep sarcastic and snipping remarks out of channel when our feelings have been hurt or we have become angered. Remember, there are TWO sides to every story and its quite possible when we are upset; we aren't seeing both sides. I know I have been guilty of this as well. It can be difficult to see beyond your own feelings at times when tensions are running high. Its important to remember though, the ties that bind us willingly to this channel and to each other are the same ties that can cause deep feelings within us. That ole saying "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" is still with us today coz, it’s so true and so fitting. We need to remind ourselves to do that from time to time, walk that mile. I hope to be a member of Sanity for years to come. I'm proud of the family feeling we have in Sanity and I wish more people were able to experience the closeness we enjoy. Spread the word, there really is *GOOD* on the infamous "internet" !!!

2 - FOR A FRIEND…

When you get lost
And you're all alone,
Look for my porch light.
You're welcome in my home.

The porch light's always on,
It glows throughout the night.
So if you need a place to rest,
Just look for the light.

My home is not real fancy,
There's no gold on the walls.
But you'll feel God's love
When you walk down the halls.

I'll put some coffee on,
You can talk or not,
Sometimes we just need to rest
After the battles have been fought.

I'll give you a soft pillow
For your weary head.
I'll do my very best
To see that your soul gets fed.

When morning comes,
Before sending you on your way,
You and I will take hands
And together we will pray.

We'll ask God to be your light,
To shine His love on you;
To come into your heart,
To strengthen and renew.

With God by your side
I'll know you'll be okay.
I'll open up my door
And send you on your way.

For you Friend,
My porch light's always on.

3 - PERSONAL SECURITY ON-LINE…

Just a few thoughts on personal security while in channel. Everyday you read or hear about someone on IRC being stalked, harassed, or some type of unwanted, negative contact made by someone they met in channel. Quite often this comes in the form of anonymous telephone calls and threats. While we are all troubled that something like this can happen we shouldn't be shocked. IRC is simply an extension of our social environment, and those things happen in the 'real world' everyday. The difference is that people seem to feel more confident in doing things on IRC because they believe it is easier to get away with... no one can see or hear them, no one knows who or what they really are, where they live, no one is there to physically confront them etc... (all symptoms of social cowardice and social dysfunction) and they often merge these thoughts into their everyday 'real' life, then do or say things they would be afraid to do in person. My biggest concern is that it is so easy to get information on someone on line. As an example, I can ask someone in channel, /msg, or DCC a question that seemingly is innocent, like "rainbow seems like such a nice person, where does she live anyway", or "what does rainbow do for a living, where does she work", and "I heard her name in the past but forgot, what is rainbows name." Simple questions like those, asked of two or more people so that a person doesn't seem overly interested can give a person enough information to get your home or work number by simply calling directory assistance in a given city, or using any of a number of online locator services. That has happened in #40 up before, where a man asked a few questions then got the home number of a lady that didn't want him to have it.
The point is, no matter how careful you are, information about yourself can be obtained if you have given it to someone on line. Like the old quote "It ain't a secret if you told someone", your personal information may not be private if anyone on line has it. Then there are the more high tech approaches used in obtaining information. Using your ISP addy and programs like NetLab, or calling an ISP logging service, information which can include your home address and phone number is often available to anyone seeking that information. This is the information age... and information about anyone and everyone is available if someone knows where to look, or what questions to ask. There is no fool proof way to protect ourselves, or our friends, from people who are sick and determined to get information on our personal lives. There are things though that we can do to fight back.
If you have the auto-call back feature on your phone and get a vulgar or harassing call, hang up and dial *69 and call them back... this will give you a record of the number. The use of caller ID will often log the number calling you, or if you receive a threat over the phone, hang up and call the operator immediately and report the call...the operator can sometimes give you the number that called you. If you receive a threat on line and don't know the person, go to services with their IP address. Services can tell you how to identify and locate that person so you can get them off line.
There are other means to help with identification of a caller, but the fact is, they don't stop the calls from happening. The only thing we can do on line, as well as in our private 'everyday real lives' is to live our lives in the best manner possible and try to avoid these types of conflicts, knowing that even if we are saints, these conflicts may arise. As for giving out information on line about others... that needs to be curtailed certainly, but each of us individually need to be careful about what we say in channel about ourselves as well. Ironically during normal in channel conversation over a period of time we all give out enough information for someone to use the available resources to find us. Unknowingly, we give out the information on ourselves that we wouldn't want someone else to give out. I spoke with a friend (who is a shrink, avid IRCer, and does profiles on IRC users for various organizations and publications including law enforcement) and he told me that in the majority of cases of stalking or harassment started on the IRC, something over 95% of the time, the person who makes the threat got the information such as the address or phone number of the person being victimized from the person themselves.... and they may not know that they ever gave the information out because of the smooth manner in which it was extracted from them.
So, not only do all of us on line need to protect others by not giving out information, sending out their pics, etc., we need to protect ourselves by keeping our personal information out of channel and out of /msg and DCC. As my friend said, giving out information on line, in any manner, can be read, monitored or captured by someone. Once that is done, we have no privacy... and no one to blame but ourselves. The programs used to eavesdrop on our private messages and DCC's are becoming more available all the time, which means giving our friends information such as phone numbers while in DCC we may be giving the number to someone who may potentially harass or stalk us. It is unfortunate, but not everyone comes to IRC to simply chat with friends. Some come to stalk, look only for people to have cyber sex with, or make a love connection with anyone they meet. If they are turned away or confronted they can become dangerous. These people may be lonely, on drugs (legal or illegal) alcohol, in a relationship crisis, a lousy marriage, or in need of therapy, but whatever the cause, they can be potentially dangerous. We all need to protect ourselves and our friends. We should have fun and enjoy IRC, that is why we chat, but keep personal information to a minimum and IRC a safe and fun place to relax.

Note for those of you who are thinking about ICQ or Iparty or AIM as a more secure medium, those too can be monitored almost as easily as your IRC messages. ICQ requires a more advanced user to set up the monitoring than Iparty, and remember Iparty can be recorded as well.

4 - THE DEATH OF COMMON SENSE…

Common Sense, more commonly known as C.S., lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over C.S. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn't always fair. C.S. lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids). A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great depression and the Technological revolution, C.S. survived cultural and educational trends including feminism, body piercing, whole language and "new math". But his health declined when he became infected with the "If-It-Only-Helps-One-Person-It's-Worth-It" virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulation. He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. Finally, C.S. lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses into everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports. As the end neared, C.S. drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, "smart" guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws and mandatory air bags. Finally, when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last. C.S. was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers, Zero Rights, No Tolerance, and Constant Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Author Unknown

5 - IT’S A HOT TEXAS DAY - Compliments of Magic-Lady

The sand burns under my feet as I run across it to find refuge in the water. The burning sensation lingers as I feel my foot almost sizzle when it touches the cold lake.

I am not used to a hot summer breeze, but in Texas, it is a blessing. It is the only breeze there is. The gusts take my hair and blow it far from the direction it was meant. I no longer enjoy the fragrance of jasmine during a summer breeze, instead, my hair and nose collect the dust and sand carried along by the breeze.

The ripples in the water almost cap at times, inviting you to join in. I allow the water to lap at my feet, as I sink my toes deep into the only cool spot in all the sand...below the water.

The kids are laughing, begging me to hurry, but I linger, enjoying the sensations of what God has presented me with today. The cold wet sand feels rough. The cool water is gentle and refreshing. The sun burns as though all the lotions I have generously applied to my creamy white skin are useless. I can almost feel my freckles jumping out as they did when I was a teen. The intense brightness of the sun makes me want to go back to get my sunglasses, I remember the sand, and I take a step further into the water.

Each caressing step feels like liquid refreshment for my body. The sensation is like Siren's singing, beckoning me to come - daring me to plunge. Just as the sailors in the past, I can't help but take a skip and dive, hands over head into the only relief from the heat and humidity. The water envelopes every part of me, the only better feeling would be to to remove my suit.

I will count this first when listing my blessings for the day.

On further investigation, I list it second....behind the laughter, splashing, and pure joy, I see on my children's faces, as they play tirelessly with their daddy.

6 - THE CRACKED POT - Compliments of Jlady

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the masters house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his masters house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts." The pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house." Each of us has our own unique flaws. We re all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Fathers table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.

Author Unknown

7 - PEOPLE - Compliments of Comikheart

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (any way); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life.

8 - POEM - Compliments of Comikheart

It seems its always been this way, lord
Because I dance at the edge of the precipice and dare
Dare to look towards your face
And wonder
Wonder about You
Wonder about Me
Wonder about WHY
And sometimes just wonder IF
When I dance
And when I sing
And when I float
It’s always in Your joy and I do so acknowledge that
But then I drift
Drift down….drift around………drift through…..drift by…..
And I forget what I learned when I danced,
And when I sang
And when I floated so high.
I lose the direction UP
And tumble in the air
And, of times, tumble onto the ground
That hard relentless soil that pulls me towards it.
Lost, bruised, wandering and forgetting to wonder
Those are the times that I hear the Others
The Ones that cannot meet me in the Air
The ones that live and only see the horizon
And think that is all there is to all
Those terrible Others…whose voices, and thoughts and mimicry
Rip into my heart…and shout so loud that I cannot hear my own voice
My own song
My own laughter
I hear the Others louder than I hear Your voice
Of peace
Of love
Of Laughter
Of Song.
Lord, I know You are there…but sometimes
Sometimes
There is very far away
And the Others are louder
Are stronger
Seem to be more real
And that is when I wander….
And forget to wonder.

9 - BIRTHDAY ROSES For our SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY BABES....

Jennie - September 27
ClassyGator - September 28

To add your name to our Birthday list
please e-mail us with your nick and birthdate.
That simple!

ONE DOES NOT NEED A PHOTOGRAPH TO SEE ANOTHER'S INNER BEAUTY

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10 - THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE - NATURAL HIGHS - Compliments of Socks

* Falling in love.

* Laughing so hard your face hurts.

* A hot shower.

* A special glance.

* Getting mail.

* Hearing your favorite song on the radio.

* Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.

* Hot towels out of the dryer.

* Finding the sweater you want is on sale for half price.

* Chocolate milkshake.

* A long distance phone call.

* A bubble bath.

* Giggling.

* A good conversation.

* The beach.

* Laughing at yourself.

* Midnight phone calls that last for hours

* Running through sprinklers.

* Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.

* Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.

* Laughing at an inside joke.

* Friends.

* Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.

* Making new friends or spending time with old ones.

* Having someone play with your hair.

* Sweet dreams.

* Hot chocolate.

* Swinging on swings.

* Watching a good movie cuddled up on a couch with someone you love.

* Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without feeling stupid.

* Getting butterflies in your stomach every time you see that one person.

* Making eye contact with a cute stranger.

* Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends...

* Holding hands with someone you care about.

* Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.

* Discovering that love is unconditional and stronger than time.

* Hugging the person you love.

* Watching the expression someone's face as they open a much-desired present from you.

* Watching the sunrise.

* Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for another beautiful day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11 - How to make Herbal Vinegars and oils - Compliments of socks

My husband loves the taste of vinegar and oil on his salads.
To enhance the flavor, you can add herbs to vinegars and oils and make your own.
Herbal and flavored vinegars are great to use and to give as Holiday and hostess gifts.
These vinegars are simple to make. You can start by using the recipes I've provided or be creative and let your imagination be your guide.

~~Basic Techniques~~

Place herbs in glass jars, cover with vinegar and allow to steep about 1 month. For faster processing crush or bruise ingredients and heat vinegar to boiling point then pour into jars. When vinegar is ready strain through a coffee filter. Pour vinegar into decorative bottles and add sprigs of herbs and spices for looks. Some vinegars can be made directly in your fancy bottles. When vinegar is ready, apply labels, tie with raffia ribbon around neck of bottle and give as gifts.

~~What Base Vinegars to Use~~

Red wine vinegar - attractive mildly gutsy White wine vinegar off white delicate taste

Distilled white vinegar - colorless very acidic Cider vinegar light brown strong apple flavor

~~Herbal Vinegar Recipes~~

Basic recipe - Use about 1 cup herb leaves to 2 cups of vinegar. Use any of the following single herbs or use in combination. Tarragon, basil, garlic, shallot, chives, thyme etc.

~Provencal Vinegar ~
Red wine vinegar garlic cloves black peppercorns thyme, marjoram, oregano and basil.

~Tarragon Dill Vinegar~
White wine vinegar, tarragon and dill

~Tarragon Rosemary Vinegar~
White wine vinegar, tarragon and rosemary Garlic-Chive Vinegar White wine vinegar, 3 cloves of garlic, chives

~Lemon Vinegar ~
White wine vinegar lemon zest,dill, lemon thyme, lemon basil, tarragon mustard seeds

~Rose Geranium Vinegar~
White wine vinegar rose geranium leaves, rose coloring

~Chili Pepper Cilantro Vinegar~
Distilled white vinegar 2 to 4 chili peppers(depending on how hot you want the vinegar) cilantro sprigs.

~Sage Rosemary Vinegar~
Red wine vinegar sage and rosemary sprigs.

~Spicy Lime Vinegar~
One(1) quart of white wine vinegar 4 sprigs mint, l garlic clove, zest of l lime l tablespoon coriander seeds.

~Salad Bouquet Vinegar~
One (1) quart white wine vinegar 2 sprigs each of marjoram, salad burnet, thyme, tarragon, parsley 5 chive blades.

~Italian Country Vinegar~
One(1) quart red wine vinegar 2 sprigs each of rosemary, oregano, sage, basil, parsley l garlic clove and l tablespoon black peppercorns

~Fruit Vinegar Recipes~~

~Raspberry Mint Vinegar~
White wine vinegar fresh raspberries, mint leaves.

~Raspberry Vinegar~
2 to 2 1/2 cups red raspberries, lighty mashed 2 tablespoons sugar or honey 2 cups red wine vinegar Combine all ingredients in top of double boiler. Cook over barely simmering water, uncovered for 10 min. Place in large jar and store for 3 weeks, then strain through a coffee filter. Pour into bottles adding a few fresh berries. (Makes about 2 cups)

~Blueberry Vinegar~
Made exactly the same way as the raspberry vinegar Use your choice of red or white wine vinegar An attractive way to bottle this vinegar, after it has been filtered, is to put some fresh,blueberries and a small cinnamon stick in each glass jar.

Suggested Uses for Flavored Vinegars

Provencal Vinegar:
Goes with garlic extra virgin olive oil and tomatoes.

Raspberry Vinegar:
Delicious on fruit salad.

Tarragon Dill Vinegar:
Use in poultry dishes Also tasty with fresh vegetables like asparagus or green beans.

Rose Geranium Vinegar:
Use in recipes instead of rose water.

Lemon Vinegar:
Serve with fish or seafood

Thyme Vinegar:
Useful as sun-tanning lotion and when rubbed on skin will drive insects away.

All the above from: Herbal & Flavored Vinegars http://www.qvctc.commnet.edu/student/eleanorcote/herbvin.html

Bonus recipe
~~Bouquet Garni~~
5 sprigs of parsley 3 sprigs thyme 1 bay leaf 1 sprig chervil 1 sprig marjoram
Place the herbs on a 6"X6" piece of cheese cloth and tie into a bundle.
Use in soups or stews.
If using dried herbs chop them up slightly before putting them in the cheese cloth bundle.
Add about 30 minutes before the soup or stew is finished.

Other herbal recipes here.... http://thefoodstores .com/thp/html/herbcook.htm http://thefoodstores.com/thp/html/herbcook.htm

12 - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "PARTLY SUNNY" AND "PARTLY CLOUDY" - Compliments of LadyOMystery

I always guessed that this was a matter of the glass being half full or half empty: what you called it depended on your outlook. I was half right. They do have similar meanings.
But one of them is a standard scientific term while the other is a function of, well, your outlook. Can you guess which is mood, which meteorology?

Smile: a partly sunny day is all in your head. Partly cloudy, a technical term, is when the cloud cover is between 31 and 70 percent. In aviation, the similar term, describing a cloud cover of 10 to 50 percent, is "scattered clouds." So if the weather person says it's going to be "partly sunny," that simply means that he or she is relieved that the weekend barbecue is going to happen after all.

(Source: IMPONDERABLES by David Feldman)
Find this book and other products at the best stores online.

http://mailbits.net/free/get/ratings.asp

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

- Henry Ford (compliments of LadyOMystery)

13. INSPIRATION Compliments of Jlady

Anger is a condition in which
the tongue works faster than the mind.

You can't change the past,
but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future.

Love...and you shall be loved.

All people smile in the same language.

A hug is a great gift... one size fits all.
It can be given for any occasion
and it's easy to exchange.

Everyone needs to be loved...
especially when they do not deserve it.

The real measure of a man's wealth
is what he has invested in eternity.

Laughter is God's sunshine.

Everyone has beauty
but not everyone sees it.

It's important for parents to live
the same things they teach.

Anger is a condition in which
the tongue works faster than the mind.
You can't change the past,
but you can ruin the present
by worrying over the future.

Love...and you shall be loved.

God always gives His best to those
who leave the choice with Him.

All people smile in the same language.

A hug is a great gift... one size fits all.
It can be given for any occasion
and it's easy to exchange.

Everyone needs to be loved...
especially when they do not deserve it.

The real measure of a man's wealth
is what he has invested in eternity.

Laughter is God's sunshine.

Everyone has beauty
but not everyone sees it.

It's important for parents to live the same things they teach.

Thank God for what you have,
TRUST GOD for what you need.

If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow,
you have no today to be thankful for.

Take time to laugh, for it is the music of the soul.

If anyone speaks badly of you,
live so none will believe it.

Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.

Love is strengthened by working through conflicts together.

The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other.

Harsh words break no bones
but they do break hearts.

To get out of a difficulty,
one usually must go through it.

We take for granted the things that we should be giving thanks for.

Love is the only thing that can be divided without being diminished.

Happiness is enhanced by others
but does not depend upon others.

For every minute you are angry with someone, you lose 60 seconds of happiness that you can never get back.

Email: sanitychannel@hotmail.com

CLICK HERE to go to the Sanity Channel JOKES OF THE MONTH