In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. It was also before commercial fertilizer’s invention, so large shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by-product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks, and the first time
someone came below at night, with a lantern, KAABOOOOM! Several ships were destroyed in this manner before the cause was determined. After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term,”Ship High In Transit” which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane. Thus evolved the term “S.H.I.T,” which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You may not have known the true history of this word. Neither did I. I always thought it was a golf term.

TWO WOLVES. . .
One evening an old Cherokee Chief told his grandson and granddaughter about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My children, the battle is between two wolves.”One is Evil. It feeds on anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It feeds on joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy,
generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The grandchildren thought about it for a minute and then asked their grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” The old Chief simply replied, “The one you feed.”

SHIP TO SHIP. . .SHIP TO SHORE . . .
This is the transcription of the ACTUAL radio conversation between the British and the Irish off the coast of Kerry. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-1998.

IRISH: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a
collision.

BRITISH: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north
to avoid a collision.

IRISH: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the
south to avoid a collision.

BRITISH: This is the Captain of a British Navy Ship. I say again,
divert YOUR course.

IRISH: Negative. I say again, you will have to divert YOUR course . . .

BRITISH: This is the Aircraft Carrier HMS Britannia! The second
largest ship in the Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied by three
destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand you
change your course 15 degrees north. I say again, that is 15 degrees
north ... or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of
this ship.

IRISH: We’re a lighthouse .... it’s Your call.