Something to Chew on...

… “There is a story about a beautiful bird that was known for it’s great singing. It would sit at the top of a tree and make lovely melodies. One day a man walking through the woods passed by the tree and heard the beautiful bird singing. The bird saw the man and that he was holding a box

“what do you have in the box?” the bird asked the man.

The man replied that he had large juicy earthworms in the box. “I will sell you a worm for one of your beautiful feathers,” he offered.

The bird pulled out a feather and exchanged it for a worm. He reflected to himself, Why should I work hard to get worms when it is so easy to get them this way?

The bird and the man repeated this process over the course of many days, and soon the bird no longer had any more beautiful feathers with which to pay for worms. Furthermore, he could no longer fly, nor was he still pretty. He did not feel like singing beautiful songs, and he was very unhappy.

Think about it…

from – “An Enemy Called Average” by John L. Mason

Extreme Yard Makeover - News

Extreme Yard Makeover unveiled
Posted: Jul 07, 2009 12:03 PM CDT

Extreme Yard Makeover unveiled

by Natalie Sparacio

MOSINEE (WAOW)-- They've gone through their fair share of hardships,following the death of their husband and dad, the day before Christmas Eve.

But this morning, a Mosinee family received the surprise of a lifetime.

Less than 2 weeks ago, Holly's yard looked nothing like this, the swing set didn't have a swing, the front walkway... was breaking, and there was no landscaping.

Now, to name just a few of the changes, she have a nice cobblestone step into her home,her 2 small kids have a swing set with a race track around it, there's a fire pit, a waterfall, invisible fence for their dog Ramsey,and newly planted trees, shrubs, and grass.

Holly says, "... this is a like a dream come true it's way better than I imagined, and that they did this in a matter of a week is just beyond what Icould even expect and Ijust really want to thank everyone for your hard work and it means a lot to us. "

The landscaping crew made a point of keeping the old and mixing it with the new. In honor of Holly's late husband Tom, family and friends capped off the celebration by planting a tree... in his honor.

Holly says,"... I was crying in the shower this morning just thinking this is all awesome and totally wonderful, but ... the person I would want to share it with the most isn't here to share it with me."

A bittersweet experience that's brought strangers together, and truly made a difference to everyone involved.

James Merritt, with Living Color Landscape, the company who spearheaded the project says, "... it's great feeling of joy and satisfaction...it's very cool to know a group of people from within our company and in the community, plus all the sponsors came together and made a difference in the lives of a mom and two small kids and at the end of the day what else is there..that's a good day."

Holly says, "...I'm just truly happy that good things are happening in our life, even though we had a rough year we feel very fortunate for all the people who have reached out to us in the community as well, I just tell people I've never been so lonely and yet felt so loved in my whole entire life."

Online Reporter: Natalie Sparacio