The Branan Blog

The Great Depression - A Book

I've been reading a book called, "The Great Depression, A Diary".  It is written by a man who lived through it, and wrote his daily account of what life is like in the Great Depression.  It is truly organic and gritty.  There are some excerpts that are amazingly like today - most of which, the markets continued to rise while employment and wages fell.  It is a most interesting book!

PREDICTED New Apple Tablet - Sports, etc

It is predicted that Apple's tablet (coming out in early 2010?) will include some interesting features.  Here's one presented by Sports Illustrated. 

It may be some sort of Apply tablet in the form of a large screen iPod touch. (8-10" screen). 

Potential Tablet Application

Branan Blog Since March 2007

I started this Blog in March of 2007.  Continue enjoy sharing things with my friends.

Start of Branan Blog

Friend Anthony Wears Gator Shirt

My friend Anthony, an avid Seminole Fan, agreed (reluctantly) to wear the Gator shirt I gave him today.  Doesn't he look VERY happy!  I've tried to tell him he should change his allegiance, but have not yet been successful....he's still hanging on the the Noles!  I TOLD him I would post on the web so here it is.

In case you didn't hear, the UF Gators won 35-10 over FSU using our 4th string in the 4th Quarter.

Our Family Heritage

My brother Bill and I have been working on creating a Family Heritage as a tribute to our parents.  We are coming up with lots of memories and many photographs that recall memories of the past.

Here is a couple of images I took today at Lake Weir....at the lot and Boat House where our family and my uncle Lee kept their boats.  This Boat House and dock was in great shape 60 years ago (when we skied behind our boat with a 10 horse Mercury) but the boat house has seen the devastation of time...it's still there, but NOT in good shape.

 

The Ocala Blog of Photographs

A beautiful site with daily postings of excellent local photographs done by the Blog owner.  Highly recommend you check it out at:  Ocala Daily Photo

Broken Promises

Push Line Below to See

I'm Sorry Ad

Recognize These Folks?

Recognize these folks?  Done by a friend Sara Kantz (a Caricature Artist at Disney) at the recent FAFO Art Show in Ocala.

Tebow Quotes

Here is a list of the bible verses worn under Tebow's eyes.  Shown in order for this year to date.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Romans 8:28
Isaiah 40:31
Mark 10:27
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Psalm 25:1
Ephesians 4:32
Phillipians 4: 5-7

Colossians 3:23

Joshua 1:1-9

Hebrews 12:1-2

Brother Bill and His Travels

My brother Bill and Andrea are shown with their 18 ft. Airstream trailer, bikes, and canoe...here in Greenville, SC.  They have explored lots of neat places!

Emily & Granddaughters Visit

We were pleased to have our daughter Emily and her girls Maddy( 15) and Mackenie (13) spend the night with us on the way to the Gator Homecoming Game in Gainesville.  We had lots of fun and plenty of laughs.

Can you tell which is our favorite team?

45 Life Lessons

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, Of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio


"To celebrate growing older, I once Wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It Is the most-requested column I've ever Written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August,  So here is the column once more:   Download 45-Life-Lessons

Rainbow Tree

Click Image to Enlarge

Ocala High School

I attended Ocala High School graduating in 1961.  At that point, the school was 4 years old.  In the early 70's, they built Vanguard High School on the north side and renamed Ocala High School to Forest High School.  About 4 years ago, they built a new Forest High School facility.  When Forest moved to the new campus, the school board created MTI (Marion Technical Institute) at the old campus which has been a great avenue for those wishing to enter one of several trades.  Here's reminiscing about the "Old Days" of Ocala High School.  (Now we have a bunch of high schools in the County.)  Click pic to enlarge

Meet the "Butler"!!

Mary-Ellen talking with a "butler" in St. Thomas years ago.

Camera is Essential to Taking Photographs

Carrying a camera with you is essential to taking photographs.  If you don't have a camera, it's unlikey you will create an image.  I try to keep a camera in my pocket as well as the one I have on my iPhone.

Shows my favorite photographer!

Take Everyday Preventive Measures to Help Prevent Flu

Flu is a serious contagious disease.

    * Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.  

* Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.*\

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way

* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.  

* If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

 * While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

 * Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other measures to keep our distance from each other to lessen the spread of flu.

Flu Prevention from CDC

Golf Photographer

I believe this guy needs one more camera and 2 more lens!

Jim Huber says he knows this guy and has seen him for years.

The Woman

Mark Twain Quote!!

  The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want.

   Drink what you don't like....

...and do what you'd rather NOT do!

Right Photo Opportunities - NEAT pics

Here are some neat photographs taken at JUST THE RIGHT TIME!  Enjoy.  Click on pic to enlarge.  Download Taken_at_the_Right_Moment

The 91-foot-high tower, 7 story, $2.5 million project, with a 25 ton top, was built by Edwards Construction in Ocala.  Steve Edwards hosted our Bible Study group on a tour to the top of the tower.  A beautiful facility, almost ready for the FAA to install their equipment and become ready to use it. (Click photo to enlarge.)

It is a very impressive facility.

Mark's Family to Ocala for Visit

We did lot's of things with the kids during their short visit to Ocala this past weekend.  Grace (9), David (5).  Click on images to enlarge.

 

 

 

The Thoroughbred Horse Farm Tour was done at Chain' A Dream Farm.  208-3012  www.chasinadream.com

The farm owner, Chris, is happy to give tours...slanted towards children or adults.  Most interesting.  Call Chris for rates and availability.

Labor Day!

Think this guy lost his "labor" job after he striped this road!

Proof - God is a Gator!

The big day (first game) has finally arrived. 

Here's hoping my alma mater does it again this season!  Click on photo to enlarge

Send Money Quickly to Friends or Relatives via WalMart MoneyGram

Send money to friends and family around the world in 10 minutes, for a great low fee.

Wal-Mart uses MoneyGram to transfer your money.

It's quick....money gets where it is needed in just 10 minutes
It's convenient...It's available to everyone. 
You don't need a bank account or credit card.
It's personal. You can add a 10-word message and even get a complimentary phone call from MoneyGram to confirm the money has arrived.

Gator Swamp at Gainesville

This is what the swamp in Gainesville looks like this week!!  Click to Enlarge!

 

  And this is but one of our weapons the competitors should fear!

GO GATORS!!!

Offices Available for Rent

The Branan Building is located just 1/2 block north of Silver Springs Blvd. (Highway 40)...near town at 27 NE 10th Avenue. My phone: 352-502-3753.

I have several private offices for rent.  Includes Security System, 24/7 Access, and Utilities.

Have attractive rental fees.  Give me a call to schedule an appointment.  Ideal for office for 1 to 5 people...for business or for a retirement office (to have a place to go). 

Words from the Great Physician

Click to Enlarge

Download GreatPhysician-1  

Words of Advice

Click to Enlarge.  This is a really nice presentation  with several tips and beautiful photography.  Hope you enjoy.  Download Advicepml

NetFlix Source for DVD's

We recently joined the NetFlix program, which allows you to receive DVD's on loan & Return.  You can pick your favorite movies from 100,000 titles.  You can manage your account very easily on computer....including creating a Queqe of movies you'd like to see.  When you return a DVD one day, they process the next, and the next day you get the next movie in your Queqe.  It is EASY, slick and FAST.  In Ocala, the NetFlix warehouse is in nearby Daytona Beach.

There is also an option to access many movies directly by computer and see the movies on your computer, but this doesn't appeal to us...since once we get a movie, we've got to figure when we can watch & return. So far, I highly recommend NetFlix.  NetFlix Site

I suspect this program has adverse affect on normal rental stores.

Cluttered Offices?

Does this look like your office.  Creative people and their offices.

Samples of Cluttered Offices 

Day Trip to Orlando

About every 3-4 weeks, we make a "Day Trip"....went this week to the Millenia Mall.  Mary Ellen did a bit of shopping while I had a consultation with an Apple Genius.  Was a very productive session for me.  Ate lunch across town and picked up fresh orange juice on the way home!  A very enjoyable day!  (Click to enlarge any photo)

Sigma Chi Fraternity

A male social fraternity found at many colleges and universities.  Membership is by invitation and voting by members.

I was a "Sigma Chi" at University of Florida, graduating in 1964.  The fraternity was a great place to develop a bond and friendship with other fellow "brothers".  I enjoyed my experience in school as a Sigma Chi.  Sigma Chi promotes a high sense of integrity and loyalty.  I am a Life Loyal Sig.  Once a Sig, always a Sig!

More than 100 years ago, a Sigma Chi defined fraternity as “an obligation, a necessity, an introduction, a requirement, a passport, a lesson, an influence, an opportunity, an investment, a peacemaker and a pleasure.” 

Now there are many options.  Many people in college have found groups to associate with including Fraternities, Sororities, Church Groups, Sports Groups, and a variety of Clubs.

David Branan with "New Computer"

Grand-Son, David Branan (age 5), shown as his "computer"...a 1929 Smith Corona I gave the family.  I learned to type on it years ago.

Am sure David is typing a letter to Papa!

Movie: Julie & Julia

A frustrated temp secretary (Amy Adams) embarks on a year-long culinary quest to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She chronicles her trials and tribulations in a blog that catches on with the food crowd. The film also covers the years Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and her husband Paul (Stanley Tucci) spent in Paris during the 1940s and 1950s, when he was a foreign diplomat who was eventually investigated by Sen. Joseph McCarthy for alleged communist ties. 

Great Flick.  Local Theater had 8 showings today in 2 theaters.

Dance Like No One Is Watching!!!

Nice article on an old theme.
Thanks to Jack Exum for allowing me to share and to Steve/David Stafford for passing on to me.

No matter how busy or rushed the day seems,
Let’s gather our rosebuds and follow our dreams,
Take a few moments to pray and to sing,
Today is a good day and times on the wing.
And if we’ve some roses to give by the way,
Let’s take just a moment and give them today.
Suggest you read the whole article at

Download Dance-forBlog

 

Josh Simons Movie Trailer for The Ticketed Crook

12 year old Josh Simons (son of John & Lynn Simons and Grand-Son of Gary and Eleanor Simons) has created a movie trailer for his new movie, The Ticketed Crook...which features all his cousins.   Many of the young kids today are quite creative using a variety of technology....which centers around the computer and includes photography...2 of my favorite "tools".

You can find it at Josh Movie Trailer 

Quotes from David Branan

Our 5-year old Grand-Son, David (son of Mark & Sarah Branan) ...is an inquisitive little guy with lots of questions and many observations.  Here's an assortment of some from recent months you might enjoy.  Someone said he is quite the philosopher!

"T-ball...all you do is hit, catch, and high-five people" says David.

 

"T-Ball was the best ever tonight" Why? "Because we got cheese and crackers at the end"

 

"Why are carving knives dangerous to mice?"

 

"Why do dogs sneeze and toot like people do?"

 

"That toy is not real. It's fiction."

 

"I am the best at being me"

 

"Is it hard for birds to find worms?"

 

“Does your hair grow when it's raining?”

 

"When I grow up the only pet I'm going to have is a dog. And the reason I'm going to pet it is so I can live long."

And from our son, Mark….

Scout just found on top of table. David's dinner #2 in process!

Sad that sunglasses do not float in saltwater :(

 

Wondering if Lucy Dog will bark as much today after eating half a bag of cough drops last night.

Family Trip to Ozello

We went to Ozello this week to visit my brother, Bill.  Had fun. 

LtoR - Mary-Ellen, Mackenzie, Madison, Emily, Tom (Click to Enlarge)

 

Bill has his home for sale at  Ozello Home

Beautiful relaxing place.

Top Entrepreneurs of The Past 100 Years

You may or may not agree with the list, but it's an interesting review of significant people in the business world.  Think you'll find it interesting!

Top Entrepreneur List

 

Click on Image To Enlarge

The JUNTO

While writing my auto-biography and reviewing some things I've done, I wanted to share comments about a very interesting group I formed.

The Junto – We met once a month for a dutch-treat lunch at a nice restaurant to discuss matters of mutual interest.

History - The group was started by Tom Branan and met for the first time in August, 1989 with about 8 initial members.  The group met each month for lunch for about 7 years and continued to add members....final group was about 18.  I remember telling the group at an early meeting about the Internet and they said WHAT'S THE INTERNET??

For it’s inspiration, the group informally patterned itself after Ben Franklin’s notes regarding the early Junto group which he established and which Franklin credits for much of his success.  The early Junto met weekly and the group diligently strived to help each other promote each of their own business endeavors.

Trading With Each Other - It is expected that members of the group (when possible) will give every consideration to doing business with others in the group and will whenever possible recommend that other people outside the Junto do business with  members of our group.  

Membership - Membership in  Junto was limited to one person per business category....to promote the free and open discussion between members without fear of talking with a competitor in the room...and usually consisted of Presidents or Managers of successful businesses.  The group was composed of many local "movers & shakers" who know lots of things happening in business and the community.

Meetings:  The meetings consisted of lunch and a round-table discussion with each participant making a few comments or updates and then open discussion.  The tables were arranged so everyone could see each other.  The meetings usually lasted about an hour but were information packed!

There's lots written about the Junto on the Web.  If you desire to have a copy of a document with more Junto details which I prepared, just e-mail me and I'll send.  branan.tom@gmail.com

 

The PEP Group - Professional Enthusiastic Photographers

 

I started the PEP Group on the Internet in about 1996 with membership limited to top photographers who (by zip codes, etc) did not compete with each other. New members are selected by recommendation of a member and voting by the membership. 

It is a “Master-Mind” group and very successful.  I bought software to implement the idea behind password protection…so that outsiders could not peek or so that we could eliminate a member (occasionally for cause…lack of participation or uncooperative attitude) by eliminating their password. 

Upon retiring, I handed management of this group over to a photographer in the group with the understanding that (as founder) I would retain life-time membership/access.  The group has now grown to include over 100 outstanding photographers across the US, and many in the group credit this group as one of the keys to their success….getting valuable information, techniques, and sharing with the group.  An annual “mini-convention” is held each year at the studio of a member in the group….rotating to a different studio each year.   It’s usually a 3 day meeting with education, exchange of ideas, fun, and frolic.

The group changed it's name about 2 years ago and remains password protected for members only.

OEM Parts

Pretty funny. 

A friend told me today that there were also other things she would like to have included in her next life.

These are photographs I made many years ago.  Is it any wonder that none of them are still in business?  Click to Enlarge

Visit to See JT & Linda Cochran

We visited JT and Linda Cochran at their home on their farm in Chiefland on Tuesday. We had a very pleasant time visiting and reminiscing old times .  We then went to eat great seafood at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Fanning Springs (about 10 miles north).

 

JT worked with with our company, Florida Seed & Feed,  from 1954 to 1982 as our Head Bookkeeper.  He did an outstanding job keeping all our records well organized.  He had a birthday yesterday so we could celebrate it with a song at the restaurant.  Linda worked with us for about 5 years as our Accounts Receivable Bookkeeper and was there to see us implement our records on computer.

 

JT and Linda have been married 25 years…they have a nice home and we enjoyed their hospitality.  It’s great to visit with old friends who are very active in their retirement.

The History of Ocala by Grant Harriss

Kelley Green Harriss's son, Grant, has created a History of Ocala for a Scout project.  It is very well done.  Grant's grandfather is John Green and he is the 6th generation Green in Ocala.  Congratulations Grant on a job well done.

History of Ocala Video

Blessings of Color

COLORS

100 Things Kids Won't Know!

Download 100ThingKidsWon'tKnow*

from:

GeekDad

Melbourne - 2nd Largest City in Australia

Melbourne Australia skyline as seen on BING search engine today (Click to enlarge).

 

Melbourne (Australia) is the capital and largest city of the State of Victoria and the second most populous city in Austria.  Membourne in 2008 had a population of approximately 3.9 million.