Simply Fishing-OMG!

United We Stand Divided We Fall

Everyone on social media seems to have all the problems figured out. But, as I continue to listen to the constant bickering, I realize that most don’t really have a clue. I agree with one thing, our nation needs to make some drastic changes in order to survive. What scares me is that I’m not sure our nation is grown up enough to make such changes. We are as a whole acting like a bunch of spoiled little brats all trying to get our way.

 

At this point in time, we here in the United States have people and countries that want to kill us. To me that is a fairly serious problem. Are we as a nation doing all we can to unite together during these tough times? No! We are at the present on the verge of a civil war over things that in the big picture are trivial and petty.

 

While we busy ourselves arguing by arguing whether or not we can fly a rebel flag or two gay people can get married, ISIS and our very own homegrown terrorists are planning and carrying out terrible things. Our forefathers came to this great land to live free. They even had to fight off the mother country in order to stay free. We wouldn’t have the liberties we have today had they got here and acted like we are acting today. The Pilgrims had to buckle down and work together in order to survive. Does it have to be so hard for us to do the same?  We are now the Pilgrims, only in a new time.

 

As the race war continues to escalate here in America, those that oppose us are surely wringing their hands with glee. They know that the more internal distractions we put upon ourselves the easier targets we become. As terrorists bring the fight to us on our own soil we must be on constant guard.  How can we possibly watch for suspicious activity when we are busy warring with ourselves. Our children, and our grandchildren deserve a country to grow up in like the one we had. It is up to all of us to give them that country.

 

Every action we take that antagonizes a group, race, or religious organization is a distraction we don’t need right now. It’s time we pull together as one and stand American strong. If we can’t do that, no new president, or new political party will even make a difference to what is coming. United we stand, divided we fall has never rang so true as right now. Feel free to comment, feel free to share. God bless you all.

Lowell Henderson

Snake!

Teenager Has a Brilliant Plan

Boyan Slat is a Dutch teenager that I hope you are going to hear about a great deal in the upcoming days. This young man has come up with a plan that could very possibly be the answer to the huge garbage patches in our oceans. Scientists for years have been working on this terrible problem with little actual success.

Boyan Slat’s plan is simple, but should prove to be quite effective. A V shaped buffer, or float, would be placed in position so that the natural flow of the ocean currents would bring the trash in to be collected. This seems like a much easier, and less costly plan, than having ships go out manually rounding up millions of tons of trash.

This type of thinking is refreshing and gives hope that all is not lost here on our big blue marble we call earth. Not even knowing this young man, I must say that I am still very proud of him and his way of thinking. For the sake of clean water and wildlife safety, I hope his plan is a tremendous success. If you’d like to read more on this story here is a link you may follow. http://news.yahoo.com/dutch-student-giant-ocean-cleanup-machine-going-production-232750675.html

Like many across the internet, I am tired of the constant negativity. I have decided to make some changes concerning “Just Another Day,” I am going to do my best to make this a blog that is about positive, inspiring, and generally uplifting stories. I think we already have enough writers spotlighting all that is wrong in the world today. I think I’ll do my part, and focus on the good for a while.

You guys have a great day.

Lowell Henderson

Lowellhenderson65@yahoo.com

Really? Because You Read It On Facebook?

For a writer Facebook can be the most wonderful place. It’s a place where writers can post links to their written work, learn of new topics to write about, and interact with fans and followers. For some, such as myself is both a place of business and recreation. For some poor souls it’s nothing more than a place to stir up drama and gossip.

 

What I really have on my mind today, is the amount of bad journalism the internet provides us with. By bad journalism, by no means, do I mean missing commas, periods, and question marks. If that were the case I would be writing about myself. The stories and the imagination of many writers does concern me. For instance, if you are an article writer and your research comes from browsing Facebook…you are struggling. You might as well be researching your topic straight from a grocery store tabloid. You know the ones, they keep us informed about all the new alien news, and what movie star is sleeping with what other movie star. Wake up people, there is more crap journalism on the internet than there are grocery stores.

 

For those of you that aren’t writers, you have to understand that most internet writers including myself, get paid for views. The more views you get, the more you get paid, simple as that. What I don’t agree with is the amount of sensationalism and drama writers think they need to provide. The way I see it, if your story isn’t good enough to stand alone without making fun of someone, hurting someone, or down right slandering, you need to write a new story.

 

Journalists are often the eyes and ears of this country. I think as a journalist you should at least try to include a few true facts in articles and not just opinions. Especially opinions that you didn't even form yourself, but, copied from other articles across the social media platforms. I put myself in this group as well. If my writings don’t seem to add up, I challenge each of you to do your own research, dig deeper, and find out the real truth. I’ll give you a quick example of how gullible people can be. Google this: Lake Catoma Lake Monster. This is a satirical piece I wrote years ago that had just a dash of truth to it. Unfortunately many people believed the whole thing.

 

Yes, I believe writers owe it to the public to tell the truth. There are two sides to every story, tell them both. Our country is in the shape it’s in now partially because of biased journalism. Journalists can play a part in restoring honor, dignity, and trust to this nation. It’s time to get started. If it has to start with me, so be it. I am not afraid. You guys have a great day.

Lowell Henderson

Lowellhenderson65@yahoo.com

Are You Getting the Most From Facebook?



Are you getting the most from Facebook? Whether you are a writer, small business owner, or a promotions manager, Facebook is an important tool these days. Facebook can put you in touch with thousands of people with each post. While most already realize this simple fact, many still aren’t sure how to get the most using Facebook. Properly using Facebook requires more than just posting your business online. It requires that you make a connection with your audience.

 

Having 5000 friends on Facebook doesn't do much good if say only 1% of them ever respond to your posts. This article is going to show you how to begin to increase those numbers. The way to succeed through social media is so easy, but, yet so hard for some to comprehend. So what is this great answer we have all been looking for? You have to be social. To be more specific, you have to learn to be nice. For many being nice comes naturally, for others they have to work at it a bit more.

 

Let me give you an example that will show just how powerful this concept is. On Friday August 15, 2014 a writer by the name of Paulo Coelho was highlighted in the Wall Street Journal. Paulo is extremely successful with more than 165 million books sold in some 80 languages. The fact that Paulo handles his own publicity really makes this astounding. Paulo spends an average of three hours a day on social media interacting with his fans, being nice. This philosophy has made Paulo Coelho extremely rich. Paulo’s net worth is estimated at over 535 million dollars.

 

Everyone isn’t fortunate enough to have three hours a day to spend on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. Devoting ten to fifteen minutes a day however is possible for most. Make the most of the small amount of time you have. Paulo tries to talk to at least 30 new fans every day and say something positive to them. This interaction is the key to success, along with good writing. As you scroll through your news feed, take the time to comment on things your fans or followers are talking about. If you have a fan that is sick with the flu, take the time to offer a personal get well. And, unless you are a political writer, by all means avoid anything negative. Keep your posts upbeat and cheerful.

 

Social media interaction is not hard, but it is work. With 25.6 million Facebook fans and 9 million Twitter followers, one would have to believe that Paulo Coelho has social media figured out. Using the “be nice,” concept, you will be surprised at how fast your followers and fan base begins to grow. This brand building, be nice concept, is only one of many ways to utilize Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets. Interacting with followers and fans on a personal level, builds your brand in ways that simply buying ad space cannot. When you can bring real integrity to your business, you bring something special to the table. This might just be what it takes to keep your business, book, or brand, from blending in with everyone else.

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Well friends, after what seemed like a terribly long four day week, today my weekend officially starts. The pets have been fed, the dog has been walked, and the coffee is hot. I look forward to the day that I start every day just like this, working from my home office and feeling as relaxed as a Lionel Richie song. It doesn't hurt either that the rest of the house is still sleeping.

Another reason this day seems so pleasant, I am working on my new computer my wife bought me. I think now my book "The Omars," will finally get finished. Writing had become such a chore on my old laptop that I was starting to dread getting started. Not any more, this new one is very fast and has enough memory to run NASA I think. Well, maybe not that much, but you get the picture.

For all my friends and followers that read my different articles and blogs, I thank you very much. Without readers a writer is nothing. My writings to me are like little boats sent out onto the sea; some float high and proudly while others flounder, wallow, and eventually sink. Whatever the case, I thank each of you for taking the time and interest to read my stuff. You are all much appreciated.
Lowell Henderson
lowellhenderson65@yahoo.com

It was a day that changed lives forever.

Four years ago today, Alabama like much of the southeastern states was hit by a terrible tornado outbreak. It was a day that changed lives forever. This outbreak gave people that usually were not too bothered by storms a whole new respect for Mother Nature. These storms which were extremely powerful happen during the daylight hours giving many a first time, first hand, look at what tornadoes can do. The generation before us could tell you exactly where they were when President Kennedy was shot. Unfortunately for many, the storms of 2011 carried the same kind of significance.

People are more weather alert now that at any other time in history. Thanks to the internet we have access to radar on our phones at any time, day or night, and most people know how to read them. Had the same storm system passed through this area 20 years ago the death toll I’m afraid would have been much higher. Technology is definitely saving lives.

Using Cullman Alabama as an example, it will simply never look or feel the same again. Each time I ride out 278 east, I get a sick feeling in my stomach as I look at the landscape that was once so beautiful and now looks so barren. Landmarks that defined our town were destroyed and are forever gone. But, with every tragedy that occurs there is always a bright side if you look hard enough for it. The people of Cullman County, Alabama and the rest of the southeast pulled together that day. There was no prejudice, no black or white, and no rich or poor, only people helping people. That day, April 27, 2011, we were all reminded how precious life really is and how fast it can be taken from us. It would do us all good to remember and reflect on that day often and keep that same spirit in our hearts.

                                                                                  Lowell Henderson

 

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Our Phobias and Greed are Destroying the Planet

Every spring here in Alabama the weather warms and the plants and wildlife burst forth full speed ahead. It’s a beautiful time to live here for sure. It’s also a time I look forward to and dread at the same time. I guess you can say spring is a bittersweet time for me.

It is true that I love the warm weather. I enjoy fishing and riding my motorcycle without layer upon layer of clothing. But, along with the joys of spring, come the stories and pictures of snakes, fish, and other animals killed for no good reason.

Already this year I have read the comment “the only good snake is a dead snake,” many times. The ignorance doesn’t stop there. Many fishermen I know often catch turtles by accident, kill them and drop them back into the water. Drum, Carp, and Gar are considered trash fish by most in our area and often suffer the same fate. Either that or they are simply thrown up on the bank and left to die. What a waste. These fish are highly sought after in other parts of the world and considered tremendous sport as gamefish. Carp, Gar, and turtles are thought to be a delicacy and provide food to millions.

All across the world many species of plants and animals are going extinct because of the ignorance of humans. We consider ourselves the most intelligent species on the planet, but we don’t always act like it. There are less than 60 Javan Rhinoceroses left. These magnificent beasts are being poached for a single horn. 

The Cross River Gorilla is hunted for meat and being crowded out by human development. There are fewer than 600 of these left in the world. There are about 600 Sumatran Tigers left. Only around 100 of these still live free and in the wild. They are hunted for their skins.

The beautiful lovable looking Giant Panda is also being lost to due to human encroachment. These stories are sad and heartbreaking. They are also only a small number of the ones I found while doing research.

Every plant and animal on this earth is special and has a purpose. Each plays an individual part in our delicate ecosystem. When nature selects a species for extinction it is sad. When humans kill off a species before their time it is a tragedy.

I fully understand people have phobias and are afraid of certain animals, bugs, and even certain plants. Does this give us the right to exterminate certain species simply because we don’t like them or are afraid of them…I don’t think so. I have been fascinated by snakes since I was very young so I will use them to help tie all this together and wind this blog up.

Most people classify snakes as either good are bad. This is usually determined by whether they are venomous or not. People with a snake phobia simply say they are all bad. No matter how you see snakes they are all part of the great big food chain. If by chance we removed all snakes the food chain would soon become completely out of balance. We would be overrun by rats, mice, and some insects in a very short time. These pests would infest our homes, ruin food supplies, and spread diseases. The hawks, foxes, and other animals that prey on these pests wouldn’t be enough to keep them in check.

Best advice in dealing with unwanted wildlife is to leave them alone. Most likely they will just go away. If you have a wild animal that is a nuisance, call someone with experience and have it relocated somewhere safe for it and other humans. Killing is not the answer to everything. God put animals on this earth and yes he did give us dominion over them, I don’t think he meant for us to kill any of his creatures just because we don’t like them.

                                                                                 Lowell Henderson