Observations

While watching the horrific video footage of the Boston Marathon bombings and the subsequent aftermath, one thing has truly made a lasting impression in my mind; the heroes.

Amid the shock and confusion and the terrified runners and spectators fleeing in every direction, there were those who, almost instinctively, ran toward the destruction rather than away from it to help the wounded with little (if any) regard for their own personal safety.

"Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another." Napoleon Hill

Words are part of our everyday life. Whether written or spoken, words carry great power.

When my youngest child was a baby, her father and I engaged in fierce competition while trying to teach her to speak her first words. We decided that whoever's name she spoke first would indicate whom she loved the most.

As I mentioned last week, I am not a fan of cold temperatures and opt to spend more time indoors than out over the winter months.

This decision has had a negative impact on my dog, Spencer, who has been forced to spend most of his time indoors as well, depriving him of the joy of long and leisurely walks through town.

In retaliation, he has taken his frustrations out on us by eating pillows, shoes, socks, blankets and anything else he could get his hands, or rather, paws on.

He has also begun barking for no reason, even after all of his needs have seemingly been met.

I could have sworn John Quinones was in Lehighton a couple of weeks ago.

You know who I mean. He is the host/anchor for the ABC television show "What would you do?"

In the show, actors play out different ethical scenarios in public places laden with hidden cameras to see how, if at all, other people will respond or if anyone will step up to intervene.

Scenarios often broach the issues of honesty/dishonesty, racism, homosexuality, bullying and general right versus wrong.