The Cat is trying to convey a message . . .

 Our uninvited cat has a way of staring at us as if he is trying to convey some message. From his reactions to people, his instant purring, and sweet disposition, he was obviously raised happily. When he manages to scurry into our house, he knows his way around. If we open a can, he is there instantly as he knows that often means food is going to follow. I think he is trying to tell us that he is our cat and why can't we remember that? For now, we offer him kibble and fresh water on the front porch. He is an ancient old guy so we let him sun on the window sill outside our window and scratch his chin when he comes wandering around. It would be interesting to know his previous history. It would be very sad to find out that someone had just dumped the elderly feline especially since he had obviously been someone's spoiled baby.

Thank you?

The advent of the Internet means of communication has, in a large part, reduced civility in the world! It wears away at polite society because it makes it too easy to be polite. And, we all know that the easier something gets to be, the easier it is to just not do it at all.

I was raised back in the olden days when every little gift received earned a hand-written thank you note. Today, in spite of all the modern conveniences that save us time, we always seem to be rushing and thank you notes go by way of an e-mail transmission. Now, I have absolutely no problem with this, however, something made too easy often doesn't get done at all. The importance has been removed.

My favorite 'thank you' to date involved a gift I sent to a friend of a friend. The only reason I know the person happened to like it was a note on Facebook that said, "Tell Barbara 'thank you'" Okay, something akin to a thank you was produced but a second or third hand one just doesn't have quite the same impact!

This incident made me promise myself to try and send hand-written thank you notes in the future but, if time goes by and you wonder, check your e-mail! : - )

Ahead of my time . . . !

When I started being more careful of my diet, I soon realized that even fresh orange juice was hardly better for me than a soda. Sure, it had Vitamin C but it packed the same amount of fructose as a soft drink. There may be a history of how juice came into being and ended up as a staple on our breaksfast table and in our children's lunch boxes, but, it isn't all that good for you!

My favorite breakfast (when I'm splurging) is eggs, toast and a big glass of freshly made orange juice. Now, my favorite breakfast (which happens about once a year!) includes a very small glass of juice and some fresh, whole fruit. Face it, you can't eat as many oranges as you can drink in a glass of juice.

My son and are, however, are advocates of green smoothies instead of lunch. I was gifted with a blender that grinds up just about anything. We compose our smoothies of fresh broccoli, apple, Kiwi, fresh spinach, and peeled orange sections, all spun with ice for a smooth texture. It feeds our desire for fruit juice in a much better way. It is great on those hot, summer afternoons when you are hungry but too warmly uncomfortable to eat.

Our doctor was happily shocked when she found out that we did not serve our children milk at the dinner table. Unless we are having a party or special event, we only serve water with our meals with ice as an option! The children fill up on their meal not soda and sugar. They've all survived to go to college so it wasn't too bad an idea!

I had to smile a bit smugly this morning when a newspaper headline stated that juice was not good for us in the large amounts it is being consumed. They should have asked me years ago! : - )

All these quotes are in line with today's mentality . . .

"If we were to wake up some morning and find that everyone was the same race, creed and color, we would find some other cause for prejudice by noon."
-- George Aiken

"Conceit is God's gift to little men."
-- Bruce Barton

"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use."
-- Soren Kierkegaard

The dog with a conscience . . .

 Chick has proved to be an excellent dog. She only barks when there is serious concern. Don't try and hurt her family and there could be much biting and regret for the person trying to be offensive. Chick also always admits when she had sone something wrong. If she some to the door with dirt all over her paws and nose and we just say, "Chick?", she immediately takes us to the scene of her crime. If we aren't around to confess to, she will sit by the back door and wait.

Yesterday, my son noticed Chick sitting by the slider door with her face turned away from him. He knew something was up and called to her. She just dipped her head down in shame. He called to her more firmly and she slowly turned her head and there were bird legs hanging out of her mouth under her very woeful expression! My son removed the bird from her mouth and it looked like it had already been deceased and Chick hadn't killed it. He disposed of the decedent, told Chick that it was okay, and life went on for the happy dog. Wish I could have gotten a picture of her face with the bird legs!

In this picture, she is anxious for someone to come out and play and is hopefully looking in the window to see if anyone is around to see her need for exercise.

Asian Cuisine Weekend!

 Since we discovered a great Asian market in the area, I have gotten out my Chinese cookbooks and gotten interested in making our own 'fast food' at home. This weekend, we had a different Chinese meal each evening. Last night was the finale. I made chicken egg rolls, pork pot stickers, and pepper-fried shrimp along with egg drop soup.

Asian cooking isn't difficult. It is all the chopping, mincing, and preparation that takes the time. While we were cleaning up the kitchen, I mentioned to my son that I will be glad of a break from cooking Chinese food. He looked at me with some concern and said, "You mean that you are taking today off but tomorrow we will have Chinese food, again, right?"

The elderly cat that has come to stay . . .

 The old orange cat still haunts our doorstep but exhibits much energy if the front door is left unguarded. One time, I raced into the house, shut the door, and turn to find the cat already behind me inside the house. The first picture was the attitude I got when I kindly asked him to exit the house. I caught the old guy sleeping on our window sill this morning. Not to worry, he get a meal twice a day because we have soft hearts and equally soft heads!

The cat's favorite ploy to avoid dismissal from the house is to flop down on his side and go limp. No amount of prodding or persuasion will budge the old fellow. Yesterday, my son ended up sliding him across the kitchen floor, rolling him up on the the entry way step, and then 'pouring' him over the entry way to the porch. The cat never gets angry. He just looks miffed and you can see him recycling his thoughts on how to beat us at the game next chance he gets.