The dog days of summer? Not at our front porch!

 The heat reached temperatures of 108 degrees in our area although I heard some places actually got up to 111. The cats did not like the heat and did the best thing . . . napped and drank water. Although Miss Stubby is being very sweet to the kittens, they aren't her kittens! They belong to Mrs. Black Cat but she didn't seem to mind not having bundles of fur cuddled up around her today. Still hoping to find homes for the cats and kittens because the shelter only kills them these days. Would be very hard to turn over these furry creatures we have held and played with to certain demise. Still looking, hoping, and praying!

Me? Afraid? Not as long as the door holds!

 Our temporary kitten discovered the dog, today, and felt very brave and sure about the situation . . . as long as that big, glass door didn't open. The dog would dearly love to be friends but doesn't know the strength of her own big paws.

Herb Bread

A recipe that will show you how easy it is to make your own yeast-raised bread! Although the recipe calls for a loaf pan, you can divide the dough into rolls or even make bread sticks. The secret to getting your bread to rise is to not kill the yeast in the first place! Use water from the tap to dissolve your yeast. It takes a bit longer than warm but the taste develops more fully in a longer rise.

Herb Bread
1 tablespoon or one packet dry yeast
1 cup cool water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour (You can substitute one cup for whole wheat flour)
1 Tablespoon Itallian seasoning

Put the yeast into the watter and stir to dissolve. Add the sugar, salt, and oil. Let stand for about five minutes. Add half the flour and the herb seasoning and mix well. Add the rest of the flour gradually and knead in to form a smooth, pliable dough. Depending on the climate, you might not need all of the second half of the flour.

Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes. Add flour as necessary to prevent sticking.

Form the dough into a loaf and place in a vegetable-oil sprayed bread loaf pan. Spray the top of the loaf with vegetable oil spray, cover with plastic wrap, and a clean dish towel. Let rise until almost doubled in size.

Bake in a preheated 375 degree over for about 50-60 minutes. Goes great with a pasta dinner or toasted for sandwiches the next day.

Ideas . . .
Add a couple tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese to the dough when mixing it.
A Tablespoon of poppy seeds adds some flavor.
Two tablespoons of finely chopped sun-dried tomato bring it up to gourmet level!

Hope in spite of the world . . .

“Do not let your heart become troubled by the sad spectacle of human injustice. Even this has its value in the face of all else. And it is from this that one day you will see the justice of God rising with unfailing triumph.” ~St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Interesting History Lesson on Social Security . . .

As my son remarks, no political party is a clean slate, however, the Democrats spend a lot of time finding fault with the opposition and covering up their political acts. This is an interesting lesson in how Social Security came into being and what it turned into over the years.

 

A History Lesson on Your Social Security Card

1934 - 1980

With the elections just a little over 3 months away you'll soon be hearing some Democrats running for political office, warning how the Republicans want to take away the old people's Social Security.

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this it's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your family and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter whether you are Democrat or Republican.

Facts are Facts:

Social Security Cards, issued in 1934, and up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and that card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed.


When Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary,

No longer Voluntary


2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual Incomes into the Program,

Now 7.65% on the first $90,000


3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,

No longer tax deductible


4.) That the money the participants put into the independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the general operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program. Under Johnson, another Democrat, the money was moved to The General Fund and Spent


5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.

Under Clinton & Gore, Democrats, Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put away' for us -- you may be interested in the following:

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the general fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratically controlled House and Senate.
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party.

Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US

Q: Which Political Party decided to startgiving annuity payments to immigrants?

AND MY FAVORITE:

A: That's right!
Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.


Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!

Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
If enough people receive this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so.

But it's worth a try.
How many people can YOU send this to? Actions speak louder than bumper stickers.

Profound Quotes with a touch of humor!

"Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary."
-- Evan Esar

"We do not write because we want to; we write because we have to."
-- W. Somerset Maugham

"Everyone has a purpose in life. Perhaps yours is watching television."
-- David Letterman

"The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents."
-- H. P. Lovecraft