An old Arab lived close to New York City for more than 40 years.

One day he decided that he would love to plant potatoes and herbs in his garden, but he knew he was alone and too old and weak. His son was in college in Paris, so the old man sent him an e-mail
explaining the problem:
"Beloved son, I am very sad, because I can't plant potatoes in my garden. I am sure, if only you were here, that you would help me and dig up the garden for me. I love you, your father."

The following day, the old man received a response e-mail from his son:
"Beloved father, please don't touch the garden. That is where I have hidden 'the THING.' I love you, too, Ahmed."

At 4pm the FBI and the Rangers visited the house of the old man and took the whole garden apart, searching every inch. But they couldn't find anything. Disappointed, they left the house.

The next day, the old man received another e-mail from his son:
"Beloved father, I hope the garden is dug up by now and you can plant your potatoes. That is all I could do for you from here. Your loving son, Ahmed."

Haha! That's hilarious Code Buttons. Yesterday I was at a meeting with a bunch of developers (I work at a software company) and they were all talking about big brother. I thought I was paranoid .

It's becoming like that here in the US after 9/11

An excellent example of lateral thinking - and most enjoyable to read.

Many thanks CB !!

Thanks for the comment, Rhymer. It's good to have you back after such a long absence. I know for awhile you were logging-in under a different name. Are you back home?

Yes, I've been at home for several weeks now.
As you say, I could not log in for a while, but I've been looking in most days.

My new hip is working very well, but I have been 'going too fast' and been advised to slow down. It is 12 weeks before the tendons repair adequately, even though muscles fix fairly quickly. One gets no pain upon overdoing it, so can be led into a false sense of improvement. I have developed a slight 'clunk' in my new joint because my tendons have not tightened yet. So, I am back on sticks and doing strengthening excercises other than walking.
The whole episode is like a miracle really!!!
No pain whatsoever from my hip now, just a bit of stiffness after sitting down for a while.

yea! I've got a severe case of Brain-Metitis myself! Can't stay away from this website and forum for too long withoung having to take a peak.
Modern technology, gosh! I heard those orthopedic hips work almost better than the originals, huh? Don't forget the physical therapy, though. Very important!