Things are looking up

 On my woodland walks I like to look up into the crowns of the trees.

We  don't look up a lot.  Me, I worry about tripping on endless ropes of roots, or rolly polly ankle twisting rocks, and so my eyes are often fixed on the ground.

Nevertheless, I try to remind myself on each walk, to look up at least once.  And I'm rarely disappointed.

I've had to learn from experience that when I do look up, I need to lean against a nearby tree or I'll topple backwards !

~~~~~~~~~~~

It's wonderful to watch the changing colours of the seasons in the tree canopy.  From the budding lime greens of Spring,

to the deep rich greens of Summer.

In Nova Scotia, Autumns are long and mild and colourful.

Sometimes when I look up I see something unexpected.

Of course, some trees are green all year round.

While others are stark and bare.

Next time you're in the woods don't forget to look up.

Maybe next time I'll show you what I see when I look down.

BTW thanks for your comments on my last post.  Blogger seems to be letting folk leave comments but they show as "Anonymous".  So friends, if you leave a comment, include your name in the comment.

I'm happy to be back blogging.  Thanks for coming along with me.

SPAM !

Spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spamity, spam.  Spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam ...

What is SPAM ?  The Internet Society in 1999 gave this explanation for the meaning and origin of the word "spam":

"The term "spam" as it is used to denote mass unsolicited mailings or netnews postings is derived from a Monty Python sketch set in a movie/TV studio cafeteria.  During that sketch, the word "spam" takes over each item offered on the menu until the entire dialogue consists of nothing but 'spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam and spam.' This so closely resembles what happens when mass unsolicited mail and posts take over mailing lists and netnews groups that the term has been pushed into common usage in the Internet community."

Do go have a look at Monty Python's Flying Circus "Spam skit", I'll wait here till you get back.

OK.  I hope you enjoyed it.  I'm a big Monty Python fan and love that sort of silly, British humour.

The above quote was written in a time before Blogging and refers to "netnews" postings.  Who even knows or remembers what the heck a "netnews" posting was ?  But here in the Blog-o-sphere, we're all acquainted with spam. In fact, I've been collecting some of the spam messages that I have been receiving.  Often these lovely little personal messages, flatter my brilliant Blog-layout, writing-style, or pose questions regarding my blogging platform.

This is one of my favourites; to get the full impact of the scintillating writing-style this is best read out loud.

"Wonderful article in addition to the point. I don't know should this be the truth is a good option to ask nevertheless do individuals have almost any the thing it where you can get a number of ghost writers?"

Pardon ?   Oh.  With that clever bit of writing you now think I'm going to click your link and learn all about Genital Warts !

Another adoring fan wrote:

"Excellent weblog right here !   Additionally your web site rather a lot up very fast !  What web host are you using ?  Can I get your associate link for your host ?  I want my web site loaded up as quickly as yours.  sciatica-cured.com."

I thought this one came at it from a refreshing angle:

"Hey there !  I recently needed to uncover you have troubles with cyber criminals ?   My personal previous blog appeared to be hacked i wound dropping many months regarding effort caused by simply no copy.  Do you have virtually any ways of end online criminals?"

That earnest and intriguing question ended with a link offering to help me clear up my genital warts yet again.  

Perhaps if I ordered some penis enlargement pills my website would get more attention ?  Hmmmm.  Should I click that link ?  Note: to protect you from accidentally visiting any of these sites, I've removed the actual links.

You're welcome.

"Spot on with this write-up.  I honestly believe this web site needs a lot more attention.  I'll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the information !  Check out my page:: penis enlargement pills"

You might be surprised at the countries of origin for much of this spam.  Back in 2011 the biggest producer of spam was India; I am happy to report that the good ol' U.S. of A. has unseated them handily.  The eager-to-improve, runners up are: Vietnam, South Korea, Russia, China, and then I saw something shiny and lost interest in the rest of the list.

It's an interesting sign of the times that I have not received a single spam message about breast enlargement.  In my youth, magazines were full of ads for mysterious clam-shaped, exercise devices to help me magically increase my meagre bust size.

Instead I am being tempted to cleanse my colon, get rid of my hemorrhoids, clear up my genital warts, loose weight, wipe out my bad credit and enlarge my penis.

I'm starting to miss those old busty ads.