Cute Kitten Overload . . .

 More pictures from our unasked for kitten family! We seem to have come to an agreement with the mother cat. We keep the kittens inside and she comes over to feed them three or four times a day. She would like to take them outside, but we noticed that like any mother, they don't listen to her, either!

In case you thought your vote didn't count . . .

Just ran across this bit of information in a Catholic Advocate article:

Recently released polling from Gallup confirms that Catholic voters will ultimately decide whether Barack Obama is re-elected in 2012 or whether Nancy Pelosi reclaims her gavel this fall. In each of the major swing states, Catholics now represent a higher percentage of the electorate than their overall percentage of the population. This means one thing: if Catholics make their voices heard, Catholics will determine the fate of life, marriage, and religious freedom in America.

In case you think this announcement and wonder that the Catholic vote could have so much bearing on the 2012 election, you only have to think back to the 2008 presidential election where over 50% of the Catholic vote saw that obama got into the White House.

I'm praying especially hard for this coming election. It was even said that Bill Clinton let slip to someone that "you have six months to save the country" meaning the removal of the current president from office come November 2012. Naturally, he denies his statement now but there it stands . . . True or not, it is what we are facing. Anyone with compassion for the unborn, the elderly, the small business, the struggling middle class, etc. should see that the last three years plus have not helped the country at all.

It is difficult to keep a positive spin on all that is going on. The same people in our Catholic parish are still voting for obama in November. All my husband's relatives refuse to view politics through the soul of their Faith. I get taunts from 'catholics' who try and bait me into discussion with, "My vote is going to offset your vote!"
Some teacher told us, years ago, that we needed a person of good character to run for office. We needed someone with moral fortitude to represent our country. The quote 'politics as usual' has changed for the worse over the years and another four years to match this last term of office could very well make our country and rights look entirely different and it won't be a good thing.



"In friendship false, implacable in hate,
Resolved to ruin or to rule the state."
Dryden: Absalom and Achitophel, 17th century.

They know not of what they speak . . .

As happens in the weeks before any election, the mailbox is crammed with glossy flyers from candidates and the telephone rings off the hook with both automated messages and callers from their candidates headquarters urging us to vote for them. I've gotten two calls from the same candidate this time around. The first time, I let the caller go through his script about voting for Ms. Whoever. When he paused and asked, "Do you have any questions I can answer for you?" I said, "Yes, is Ms. Whoever pro-life?" There was dead silence for a moment and he said, let me get right back to you. He held his hand over the wrong side of the telephone receiver and I clearly heard this conversation:

Caller: She wants to know if Ms. Whoever is Pro-life? What do I tell her?
Other: She asked 'what'?
Caller: She wanted to know if Mr. Whoever is Pro-life!
Other: Just tell her yes.

I happened to know that Ms. Whoever is not pro-life.

Yesterday, a caller for the very same Ms. Whoever called and this time I asked, "Where does Ms. Whoever stand on the obama mandate against Catholics and Christians regarding our amendment rights
 concerning freedom of religion?

Caller: Uh, let me verify that for you. (to another person at the headquarters) Where does Ms. Whoever stand on . . . uh, some mandate against Christians or Catholics or something to do with obama?
Other: What? What mandate is that person talking about? No, don't bother asking, just tell her that
Ms. Whoever stands by the Constitution.
Caller: Hello? Oh, you hung on, thank you for waiting. Mrs. Whoever stands by the Constitution.

I thanked the person for taking the time and then said, "Well, according to the Constitution, the mandate against Catholics and Christians is wrong and unconstitutional. If Ms. Whoever is standing by this mandate or is uninformed as to what it contains, she has made my family's decision on voting tomorrow and we will most certainly be voting for her opponent." The caller was not very polite in hanging up.

Vote! Vote! VOTE!

Today is primary vote day. Even though it may be a done deal that your candidate for the presidential election is already named, there are other matters to contend with on the ballot that deserves everyone's attention. I get so weary of people saying, "It is only one vote, so it doesn't matter if I bother going to the polls or not." Of course, they are probably the ones who complain the most about the after effects of an election.

My son went to vote for the first time today and on the page where we each sign in, there was only one other signature - my husband's and he had voted early this morning. The three people taking care of the polls seemed thrilled to have us walk in this afternoon and break up the boredom of few people bothering to come out to vote!

This inattention to politics that does affect our lives is pathetic. It reminded me of a quote from Archbishop Ireland in February 22, 1895 in American Citizenship.

"The American who does not care to vote on election day, deserves disenfranchisement or exile: the American who boasts of his political indolence proclaims his own shame."

A quote with attitude!

The ... difference is that of attitude. But that difference determines who gets ideas and who does not. An apathetic or hostile attitude is the enemy of creative thought. Ideas, like people, flourish when they are welcomed and embraced.

- Barbara J. Winter

Quick Pasta Sauce for pennies . . .

In keeping with a previous post where I mentioned that pasta shows up on our dinner table often in view of living within the economy, this is an easy way to produce the sauce and save a trip to the store.

Quick Pasta Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 garlic cloves, peeled, smashed, and chopped
28-ounce can of diced tomatoes
1 small can of tomato paste
Salt & pepper to taste
Pinch of chili flakes
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
Freshly chopped Basil (You can use dry if no fresh is available)

Saute the prepared garlic in the olive oil until the garlic is softened but not browned. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the fresh Basil. Bring to a boil and immediately reduce the heat and simmer about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the Basil and serve over hot pasta.

This sauce also works for making lasagna, ziti, and other Italian dishes. I like it over grilled, boneless chicken with a generous grating of Romano cheese.

Great Thought for the Day . . .

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.