Need more of these in our world!

Brave men are all vertebrates; they have their softness on the surface and their toughness in the middle.

Lewis Carrol

What's the Point?

What's the point of being a Christian/Catholic if you don't practice the basic precepts of  Christian Charity? The readings, last Sunday, brought this strongly to mind. It struck home as just a few days before, I was given the cold shoulder by someone I considered a good friend and for no discernable reason that I could see. It also put me in mind of something our pastor had said that with all the rules and traditions of the Catholic Faith, Christian Charity trumps them all and is first and foremost.

I've met some people who like to do this sort of thing on a regular basis and wander back to the friendship when it suits them and never saying what the problem was in the first place. Seems a self-centered game that doesn't increase and grace or merit in the soul. For grownups to do this is very sad because I assumed we had all left the playground years and years ago and didn't need to play games for attention.

Ever since we talked about Christian Charity in my pastor's ongoing religion class, it has opened my eyes more to how I'm coming across to others. Like everyone, I have a ways to go but I'm now more aware of my words and actions and try to head the unchristian reactions off at the pass. I have also realized that we can't be pals with everyone but we can pray for everyone who passes through our lives.

I'm still laughing at the antics of the defunct 'good friend' that ended up at the same event as my family. It got to be very noticeable as she'd herd her family out of our path whenever we happened upon each other. It shouldn't have been funny but we couldn't help the giggles as a simple nod and smile in passing might have made the day less nerve-wracking for her and her family. We were never informed of our family's ghastly shortcomings (this is after ten years of friendship). It did make us all realize that we have to exhibit charity towards other no matter the situation lest we try and hurt people as this group was trying to do to us.

Good lesson here about working at following the 'golden rule' as we had a great time that day and didn't work up any nerves because we had to 'show' anyone our disdain by blantantly ignoring someone. In my 'youth', this sort of behavior would intimidate me and isolate me, at times. Now, I grin, send out a quick prayers, and thoroughly enjoy the true friends I do have in my life.

Basic Christian Charity . . .

“We ought to respect the image of God in everyone.” ~Blessed Raphaela Mary

Missing the Math . . .

The news continues to point up the fact that our politicians have no concept of basic math. Perhaps their disregard is due to the fact that the checks are not being written from their account. The latest is a 400 billion job stimulus package. Let's see . . . The president says he will have to raise taxes in order to fund the job package. The taxes come from people who already have a job and pay enough taxes already. I don't know about other people but when the taxes go up, our spending goes down which reduces what the government will get from us in the way of tax revenue. On a larger scale, the big companies, who have the option of offering more jobs, will circumvent their tax increases by needing fewer jobs. Seems to me that we are facing taxes that will go no where in any productive degree.

It amazes me that my teenage son can listen to what is going on with the government and more clearly see the problems with their legislation than they do.

I don't think that handing out money to make jobs is the way to go. Less financial oppression on the working classes and businesses would go further in providing jobs. But what do I know? I can, however, balance a check book and have never used my overdraft protection. Just sayin' . . .

Thinking of the holidays - Bread Stuffing

School is in session for the Fall which means the next few months will fly by and you will be facing a turkey and company for Thanksgiving or other festive dinner events over the holidays. In our house, the star of the show, after the roasted turkey, is the stuffing. There are lots of ways to make stuffing but we like the basic bread variety. Also, I do not stuff the bird as that cuts down on potential problems that could lead to stomach upsets. I bake my stuffing in a separate baking dish and periodically give it generous servings of turkey drippings. For a stuffing that stands up to the liquids, use a firm, white bread. Sour dough bread is also good and gives it a bit of a tang.

Bread Stuffing

Approximately six cups cubed bread

One large onion, chopped finely

One cup diced celery

2 sticks butter or margarine, melted

2 teaspoons ground, black pepper

3 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon poultry seasoning

1 teaspoon each onion powder and garlic powder

Fresh or canned chicken or turkey broth to moisten bread

Gently simmer the onion in the butter or margarine until tender. Add the diced celery and remove from stove. In a large bowl, combine the bread and spices and toss thoroughly. Add the melted butter, onion and celery mixture and mix well. Add enough broth to moisten the bread without letting it become soggy. Pack into a well-greased baking dish and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until crusty on top and well-browned.

Ideas . . .

You can brown ½ pound of sausage and add it to your bread stuffing.

Finely diced, tart apples work well with your Thanksgiving fare, too.

Remember to make more than you will need as it fries up nicely with leftover turkey.

That's the way I see it!

Define multiculturalism:

State-sanctioned grievance industry that stokes division and resentment, while always under the delusion that it is doing something positive called "celebrating diversity." From the best selling book by James Delingpole, 365 Ways to Drive a Liberal Crazy.

Miss Piggy has it right!

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye."
-- Miss Piggy

"Behind the phony tinsel of Hollywood lies the real tinsel."
-- Oscar Levant

"That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong."
-- William J. H. Boetcker

"Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."
-- Edgar Allan Poe