December 10, 2025
B.G’s Positively Leaving
Well sort of…
BRIAN GARVEY
Founder “The Perkolator”
Writing is a passion of mine. When I created the Perkolator in 1995 I never realized just how long I would be at this. I’ve enjoyed every moment, the ups and the downs. But there comes a time in everyone’s life when they must pass the torch onto those with not just a passion to continue it, but a vision for it’s future.
Marley from Muskoka Graphics has been doing our website for 5 years now. Anytime there is a question or a struggle, she has had a solution.
Her vision for this publication was the reason I chose Muskoka Graphics to continue moving it forward.
I very much intend and look forward to staying involved as time and life allows to contribute to the publication that you’ve all been so fond and supportive of.
The Perkolator alive and well and in fact there’s already expansion on the docket. I wish to thank with all my heart the advertisers that kept this publication possible, and am grateful for their and your continued support in the future.
Thank You! One And All. B.G.
Marley’s On The Upside
You Become Who You Surround Yourself With
The people in your life shape more than just your daily experiences—they influence your mindset, habits, and even your destiny. The saying “you are who you surround yourself with” captures a timeless truth: our environment plays a powerful role in who we become. In choosing to spend time with people of good character, we invite growth, positivity, and purpose into our own lives.
Good character is contagious. Being with honest, kind, and motivated people seems to transfer some of these values onto us. Integrity begets integrity as observing others’ responsible, ethical choices compels us to do the same. Over time, this shared commitment to moral strength and self-improvement builds a foundation of trust and respect that strengthens every relationship in the group.
Surrounding yourself with positive influences also fuels motivation and confidence. People who uplift and believe in you remind you of your potential, even on days when self-doubt creeps in. They challenge you to aim higher, not out of competition, but out of genuine care for your success. Encouragement coming from people of good character is not superficial praise; instead, it is well-thought-out support that enables you to develop into the best version of yourself.
There is also an emotional benefit to keeping a wholesome circle. Good-hearted friends bring peace, not drama, understanding and not judgment, loyalty and not betrayal. Around such people, you can relax, be yourself, and know your well-being really matters. This feeling of being part of and safe boosts your mental and emotional health, reduces stress, and increases happiness.
Ultimately, those closest to you reflect your choices, values, and energy. When those mirrors reflect honesty, integrity, compassion, and ambition, your reflection shines even brighter. Surround yourself with people of good character, and you build a community of growth, of kindness, and shared purpose-one that will elevate everyone higher together.
To Be A Good Character
Surround Yourself With People Of Good Character
Editors Quote Book
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Riddles For You
Riddle #1.
Until I am measured, I am not known. Yet how you miss me when I have flown. What am I?
Riddle #2.
If you drop me, I’m sure to crack. But give me a smile and I’ll always smile back. What am I?
Riddle #3.
What always runs but never walks, often murmurs, never talks, has a bed but never sleeps, has a mouth but never eats?
Riddle #4.
It’s red, blue, purple and green, no one can reach it, not even the queen. What is it?
The Breakfast Special
A senior couple went to breakfast at a restaurant where the ‘Senior Special’ was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $2.99. “Sounds good,” the wife said, “but I don’t want the eggs.” “Then I’ll have to charge you $3.49 because you’re ordering a la carte,” the waitress warned her. “You mean I’d have to pay more for not taking the eggs?” the wife asked incredulously. “Yes,” said the waitress. “I’ll take the special, then,” the lady said. “How do you want your eggs?” the waitress asked. “Raw, in the shell, to go” came the reply.
A Knock At The Door
A policeman knocked on my door this morning, but I just locked it and sat there in complete silence. After 20 seconds, he knocked again, but I just continued to ignore it. The knocks grew louder and more frequent, but I was determined not to move, hoping that he would go away. Then, he decided to look through the window. He shouted, “Do you think I’m stupid? I can see you in there, sir. Open the door!” I said, “You’re not coming in, mate!” He said, “I don’t want to come in, I just want you to step out of the car.”
Trivia Quiz
(Click Question For Answer)
Your Horoscope
For Amusement Only
Aries March 21 – April 19: A friend will step into the breach and help you through a difficult situation. Show them that you appreciate it.
Taurus April 20 – May 20: Don’t take on any new projects. Your plate is already full. Allow yourself to enjoy some time with loved ones.
Gemini May 21 – June 20: Your mate/partner will offer some suggestions. Be sure to consider their feelings before responding.
Cancer June 21 – July 22: Some past mistakes come back to haunt you. Face up to them and then move on. A promising future awaits.
Leo July 23 – August 22: Take a few risks, be one of life’s adventurers. You can draw on that courage you have inside you.
Virgo August 23 – September 22: Your confidence is being boosted. Things are going well, and you are feeling at peace with yourself and the world.
Libra, September 23 – October 22: Information will be passed on to you that could benefit others. Do the right thing and pass it on.
Scorpio October 23 – November 21: Life is for living and experiencing. You need to slow down and start to “feel” your life as you go through it.
Sagittarius, November 22 – December 21: A valuable lesson is coming your way. Please don’t ignore it, take notice and learn, your life will benefit greatly.
Capricorn December 22 – January 19: A review of your current debt level is in order. Act now and avoid the dangers that may lie ahead.
Aquarius January 20 – February 18: Take your ideas to someone who can help put them in motion. Many good ideas die before they are shared.
Pisces February 19 – March 20: Explore all your options. You have choices if you will seek them out. Be diligent. Look before you leap.
The Perkolator On-Line
Published Weekly with More Features + Videos
Delivered FREE to your inbox
Follow Us On Facebook
Subscribe NOW
True Love
I told her, “I might not be rich, I have no money or villa or cars or companies like my friend John, but I love and adore you.” She looked at me with tears in her eyes and hugged me as if there was no tomorrow, whispering in my ear, “If you love me, introduce me to John…”
The Football Game
After spending all day watching football on TV, Harry fell asleep in front of the set and spent the whole night in the chair. The next morning, his wife woke him up, “Get up, dear,” she said, “it’s twenty to seven.” He awoke with a start and asked, “In whose favor?”
Not Ready For Prime Time
In March, WTTG-TV in Washington, DC, broadcast surveillance video of a 7-Eleven armed robbery in the city’s northeast sector, as some footage offered a clear picture of the suspect’s face. Moments into the theft, the man peered upward, caught sight of the camera and, shocked, reached for his apparently forgotten ski mask on top of his head, where (better late than never) he pulled it into place.
Gone Shopping
“Cash, check or charge?” the cashier asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet, the cashier noticed a remote control for a television in her purse. “So, do you always carry your TV remote?” she asked.
“No,” the woman replied, “but my husband refused to come shopping with me, so I figured this was the most legal evil thing I could do to him.”
In The Twilight Zone
Phantom Car Crash: Two motorists called police to report seeing a car veering off the A3 trunk road at Burpham in Surrey, UK, with headlights blazing. A thorough search uncovered a car concealed in dense undergrowth and the long-dead driver nearby. It turned out that the crash had actually happened five months earlier when the driver, Christopher Chandler, had been reported missing by his brother.
The Earth Divot: An irregularly shaped hole, approximately 10 feet by 7 feet with 2-foot vertical sides, was discovered on a remote farm near Grand Coulee, Washington State. It had not been there a month earlier. ‘Dribblings’ of earth and stones led to a three-ton grass-covered earth divot 75 ft away. It was almost as if the divot had been removed with a gigantic cookie cutter, except that roots dangled intact from the vertical side of both the hole and the slab. There were no clues, such as vehicle tracks, and an earthquake was thought very unlikely. Or, maybe the divot was caused by a giant golfer using a gigantic 4 iron!
Telling It As It Is
As I was nursing my baby, my cousin’s six-year-old daughter came into the room. Never having seen anyone breastfeed before, she was intrigued and full of all kinds of questions about what I was doing. After mulling over my answers, she remarked, “My mom has some of those, but I don’t think she knows how to use them.”
Riddles For You (Answers)
1. Time. 2. A Mirror. 3. A river. 4. A Rainbow
Humour From Germany
Five Germans in an Audi Quattro arrive at the Italian border. The Italian Customs agent stops them and tells them, “It’s illegal to put 5 people in a Quattro.” “Vot do you mean it’s illegal?” asks the German driver. “Quattro means a four,” replies the Italian official. “Qvattro is just ze name of ze automobile”, the Germans retort unbelievingly. “Look at the papers: this car is designed to carry 5 persons.” “You can’t pull that one on me!” replies the Italian customs agent. “Quattro means four. You have five people in your car, and you are therefore breaking the law.” The German driver replies angrily, “You idiot! Call your supervisor over, I want to speak to someone with more intelligence!” “Sorry”, responds the Italian official, “he can’t come. He’s busy with 2 guys in a Fiat Uno.
The Last Word
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
And our heartfelt thanx to you, Brian Garvey for coming up with the PERK idea 30 years ago. I and many others have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy the publication for hopefully years to come.
I commend you!
WELL DONE !
The May 1st edition was the best I’ve read since becoming a follower. Positively Speaking……logical and smack on, the quiz, difficult but for the first time ever I’m 8 for 8! The bog island vid…who’d a thunk?
I can’t be all positive though.
The sand which board with I b4 e was a tough one for my aging eyes.
Lastly, could your font be slightly larger with the adds just a wee bit smaller.
So many magazines, internet articles, etc have yet to learn that their main audience is aging and eyes are not what they were of days past.
Keep up the good work.
PS: Adds work. I’ve used more than one company you’ve listed with total satisfaction (politicians excepted)
Hi Dave. Firstly thanks so much for the comments. I’m not the writer of this stuff just the web guy. While reading anything that you find is too small on the internet generally all you need to do is hit your Control and the plus key or minus key together to increase or decrease the size of things. I’m afraid if we reduce the ads any smaller they won’t be readable and of course it’s due to their investment in the Perkolator that the publication can actually exist 🙂 Happy Spring.
Today’s edition is the same as last weeks.
Apologies Howard. It’s now fixed. The automation wasn’t automatic!!!
Please don’t change anything, I look forward to my weekly paper
We’re glad to hear that you’re enjoying The Perkolator.. You keep reading it and we will keep it coming.
Why, when I’m already a subscriber must the pop up SUBSCRIBE for double your pleasure pop up in the first place? Oh, I just realized, you can’t have pop ups in your printed newsletter.
Silly me.
As well. Without being “logged into” a website, there’s no way for it to determine who you are. SO it displays for everyone 🙂
Lately your articles seem to be very anti-woman. I’m most certainly going to stop reading!
Good day Jessica. I do hope that you are still reading The Perkolator. Although you don’t say which articles you found objectionable, I can assure you that we, at The Perkolator, are not anti-women. In fact, if we look back to past issues men are the Butt of more jokes and stories than are women. In our world we need to find the humour in our words, habits, situations, and actions more often, whether we are male of female. The ability to laugh at ourselves and our humanness allows us to cope better with the stresses in life. I hope that you will consider continuing to read The Perkolator, understanding that we are only joking and mean no offense.
Best Regards.
Brian G