Category: Fettig, Art

  • Art Fettig: My Double-headed Stringless Banjo Adventure

    Art Fettig’s Monday Morning Memo 

    August 7, 2017

    In this Issue

    o  My double-headed stringless banjo adventure
    o  Say Something Good
    o  Points To Ponder
    o  A Little Humor
    o  Quote
    o  To Subscribe

    My double-headed stringless banjo adventure

    Drums - BanjoI saw it listed in a senior’s programs booklet. “Share Your Songs”. I drove over to Chapel Hill to their Senior Center and met two young (by my standards but old by most’s,) gentlemen with guitars.  The notice said to bring our acoustic instruments.

    Are finger bongos an “acoustic instrument”? As opposed to electronic drums I guess they are but some folkish music followers sway towards the early Grand Old Opry tradition of banning drums from their stage.  I just said “This is my double-headed stringless-banjo” and they smiled friendly smiles, probably in deference to my obvious aging. What a joy it was watching these two gents having so much fun and producing such wonderful music individually and then together. Stringlessly,  I stumbled through the lyrics of a couple of my songs and they were most patient and kind.

    What a laid back relaxing way to spend a joy filled hour and a half. I was hummin’ all the way home.

    Say Something Good

    Orange Community Players/Annie We just attended the final performance of Annie and I can vouch for the fact that not one person on that stage today left anything behind.  Everyone in the cast performed like a dedicated performer and it was such a joy to be in that audience.  During a musical number titled N.Y.C., featuring a stage full of people, one stood out for me. You’ve heard the expression “Lost in a crowd.” Well in this wonderful number one could say that Chantel Bryant might well be “found in a crowd” onstage because of her magnificent voice.  For me that was the highlight of the show, musically, and that says a lot because of the level of superior talent that shared the stage. Hillsborough, NC was truly blessed with this showcase of fine local talent and this production of Annie.  May God bless America and keep our troops from harm.

    Points To Ponder

    You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back. Barbara De Angelis

    A Little Humor

    I just heard from Bill Bailey.  He isn’t coming home.

    Quote

    All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.  Walt Disney

    To Subscribe 

    Subscribe and unsubscribe at www.artfettig.com

  • Art Fettig: Renewal

    Art Fettig’s Monday Morning Memo

    July 13, 2009

    In This Issue

    o Renewal
    o Say Something Good
    o Visit Our Website
    o Points To Ponder
    o A Little Humor
    o Quote of the Week
    o To Subscribe

    Renewal

    Extinquished Candle“Sometimes our candle goes out, but is blown into flame by an encounter with another human being.” Albert Schweitzer“

    When I read that recently I wanted to jump up on my desk, make a friendly fist, throw it into the air and cry out, “Yes!”

    It seems like most of the work I do lately ends up on a pile some where.  Some of the things that used to take me an hour now take me a day or even two.  My distraction rate is humongous. Staying on track is a major effort.  And, yes, sometimes I do get down, but as that wonderful man, Albert Schweitzer once said, An encounter with another human being can relight my candle and make it glow. True joy comes when we have the opportunity to serve as the candle lighter for others.

    Say Something Good

    Andy’s.  Earlier this week I drove over to a little restaurant that is new in our area.  Before I could open the door it swung open and a nice looking girl greeted me.  “Welcome to Andy’s.” She motioned for me to follow her over to a booth and as I walked along everyone on the staff gave me a friendly greeting.  They had a lunch special, a chili-dog, fries and a thick malt all for just $5.95 and after really enjoying everything.  Twice the waitress had checked with me to see that everything was fine.  Then when I walked over and paid my check I was thanked, invited to come back and invited to have a great day by every member of that staff.  I walked over to my car in the lot whistling.  All that friendliness didn’t cost them a dime but it should make them a few dollars as I return again and again to a place where I really feel welcome.  May God bless America and keep our troops from harm.

    Visit Our Website

    I’ve been thriving since 1972 using my creativity and my speaking skills. I learned to use my creative imagination and then to implement my unique ideas creating my own corporation.  My new E-book titled Beyond Duh-Creativity in Action  is now available at our website artfettig.com It might be just what you need to get started in a new era of your working life.

    Check out our website at www.artfettig.com  Learn about our sensational new 101 Kit that allows you to save thousands on speaker and travel fees and implement our fantastic employee positive interaction 101 program yourself.  It is an instant behavior modification commitment program that gets everyone in your organization involved in safety. Remember, you have a ten day money back guarantee too.  Act now.  Go directly to www.artfettig.com And get your safety program cranked up to a whole new level of performance.

    Points To Ponder

    Dreams get you started; discipline keeps you going. Jim Rohn

    A Little Humor

    A man dashes into a pharmacy and asks the druggist for something to stop hiccups. The druggist fills a glass with water and throws it into the man’s face.  “Why did you do that?” The customer asks. “Well, you don’t have the hiccups now do you?”  “No,” the guy says, “My wife is waiting out in the car and she does.”

    Quote of the Week

    If you don’t think every day is a good day, just try missing one. Cavett Robert

    To Subscribe

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    References:

    1. ArtFettig.com

  • Art Fettig’s Longfellows

    Art Fettig’s Monday Morning Memo 

    July 31, 2017

    In this Issue

    o  Longfellows
    o  Say Something Good
    o  Points To Ponder
    o  A Little Humor
    o  Quote
    o  To Subscribe

    Longfellows 

    Poety - Writing Quill

    I’m a poet, my feet show it. They’re Longfellows.

    I’ve been called a lot of strange things in my career but not since high school has anyone referred to me as a poet. Not so lately. Last Saturday I attended a meeting of our local Orange Dog Poets. Tuesday I went to the Nash Street Tavern open mike session and read some of my poetry. Early Wednesday morning I read some of my poetry on a local radio show that can be heard worldwide on the net. Thursday we picked up yesterday’s mail and the local News of Orange Newspaper, and in the Poets Corner they published my poem on Loving America.  Friday I will be including some of my poetry in a presentation I’ll be making at our Senior Center.  I have been including my poems in most of my presentations nearly all of my career as a professional speaker, that being for the past 45 years. I’ve considered myself a lot of things but never really a “poet.”  I think most real poets will agree that I am not really a “poet.”  I’m more of a rhymer who works with rhythm. Early this morning the thought hit me that “A poet can write anything he wants to.  There are no rules.”

    The power of that statement nearly floored me. I went on to say
    Oh, a poet could write most anything she wants to.
    Foolish, schoolish, unsound….profound
    And the words of her selection, might sway a close election
    Or cause an insurrection
    A phrase unfurled, might change the world.
    That’s enough on the subject. (Applause)

    Say Something Good

    Blue Stingray Seafood Restaurant in Durham, North Carolina is one of those rare finds that put a smile on my face and made my mouth water all at the same time. No, it’s not a chain. With their menu, including “Fried Gater”, it couldn’t be. Catfish and fried shrimp with hush puppies, two sides and a beverage was $9.99. It is what they offered for sides that blew my mind. Here are just a few of the side offerings: Sweet potato fries, collard greens, cheese grits, mac & cheese plus several usual ones like cole slaw and such.  Sheilah, born in Guam as a U.S. Citizen, was the cashier and all around guide. An awesome photo on the wall made me feel like I was sitting in an exotic ocean front restaurant.  A wonderful experience.  May God Bless our troops all over the world and bring them safely home.

    Points To Ponder

    A smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to avoid the mistake altogether. Roy H. Williams

    A Little Humor

    Anatomy: Something that everybody has but it looks better on a girl.

    Quote

    Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. Cicero

  • Say Something Good – Church Choirs by Art Fettig

    ChoirChurch choirs.  Here at our church we are blessed with a terrific choir. Each Christmas time they present a special concert and this year I have been asked to introduce one of the numbers.  The other evening I attended their choir practice and for the first time I witnessed all of the hard work that goes into the preparation for each Sunday’s music.  America is truly blessed with great choirs and just think of all of the people who dedicate their time and their talents each week to make our churches resound with all of that beautiful music.  May God bless all of our choirs, our men and women in the Armed Forces and may He keep our troops from harm. – Art Fettig

  • Courage – A Poem by Art Fettig

    Courage – © Art Fettig

    Courage - Sunrise / SunsetCourage—That stuff of which
    Heroes and heroines are made.
    God, I need a ton of it
    And more for what I must soon do.
    To change those things I can—
    Courage—that will be a start.
    The courage to live my life,
    Twenty-four hours at a time.
    The courage to face the next moment,
    The next day.
    And God, if you will renew that courage
    On a daily basis then I can make a good life of it.

    References:

    1. Originally publish in Art Fettig’s Newsletter – July 7, 2009