Are we feeding the superbugs?

I've always felt a bit out of the norm as I do not carry hand sanitizer in my purse and seldom use it. It is a staple at our church and pump bottles are kept everywhere including the side of the altar. Before Communion, everyone at the altar including the altar boys, have to make use of this. I have yet to understand why the altar boys are obliged to do so as they are not distributing Communion. The people who are most fond of holding hands at the Our Father and going far and wide to shake as many hands as possible at the Sign of Peace finish up this 'liturgy' with the passing of the hand sanitizer bottle. In the olden days, the scent of incense used to linger in the church. Now, it is the smell of hand sanitizer as some groups of people pass it up and down the pew.

I'm a soap and water person. When my children were growing up, I trained them to keep their hands away from their faces when we were out shopping. I realized there are a lot of touched surfaces in the stores so not spreading them to mouths and noses made sense. We washed up thoroughly when we got home and didn't get any more than our share of seasonal colds. I always thought that hand sanitizer was overkill. I also wondered what the bacteria was doing as we all know that when one avenue is closed off to the little critters, they find another. Seems like my thinking was on the right track.

http://www.independentlivingnews.com/2013/08/21/avoid-popular-superbug-breeding-substance/#.UhTBwizn-r8

Like anything in life, it is not the use of a product that is the problem but the fact that the serious ingredient is often in many other products we don't think about. Humans tend to overdo not realizing it is more far reaching than they thought.

Great story - My parents were at the circus when I was born . . .

What a beautiful message and uplifting video and read in the midst of all the turmoil in the world. It really shows that God is always with us even in the most precarious of hours.

http://www.lifenews.com/2013/08/19/my-parents-were-at-the-circus-when-i-was-born/

Good News for our Stray Kittens!

 After two months of caring for these sweet kittens, we were getting to the end of our rope. Our house just wasn't made for two, active kittens in addition to our own, house cat, Marcella. I think the kittens got an extended stay because Marcella decided she was their mother and enjoyed grooming them from head to foot. As you can see from the picture, the kittens enjoyed the attentions of their stepmother. We had feelers out for homes for them as well as another friend. Nothing evolved. We had one nibble that we gave up on after three weeks went by.

One Saturday, the phone rang and the sister-in-law of a good friend asked if she could come over and look at the kittens. She wanted a female and we had one of each. It was love at first sight. The kittens was a bit nervous but allowed herself to be cuddled. The woman went out to buy all that is needed for a spoiled cat and Tisha went home with her new mommy. The personality match was perfect.

Naturally, Tisha's brother, Dunder, and Marcella were upset and a bit miffed that Tisha had disappeared. An hour later, I got an e-mail from THREE people wanting to adopt both kittens! When it rains, it pours. I contacted the first one to ask and told her we only had the male left. She asked if she could come over immediately and pick him up. She lived an hour away but very much wanted a kitten to add to her cat family. I could tell she was a cat person as she came with a carrier lined with a blanket that all her current cats had slept on so Dunder could get used to the scent before he got to his new home. She also brought along her kitten, Abby, to go along with the ride and keep Dunder company. Another good match as Dunder and Abby got along immediately. Dunder was renamed Tony Dunder or Tony D. I heard back that he was investigating his new home, the other cats had shown him the litter box, and he definitely was not unhappy.

We miss the kitten but are glad they got good homes. We certainly didn't want to take them to the local shelter which means an almost certain demise. Marcella is still moping and looking for them. With our luck, she will probably acquire another temporary baby before long.

Early Morning Visitor . . .

 Our dogs woke us up around three this morning. At first, we thought they were just playing and wrestling around with each other . . . but the scuffling and barks continued. My husband grabbed a flashlight and headed out back to discover the source of the frenzy - a possum was sitting on the wall out of reach of the dogs.

Later in the morning like when the sun and normal people are awake, the possum was again sitting on the fence. Our younger dog wore himself out running up and down the length of the ground along the fence. The older but wiser dog settled down on the grass a distance away so as to have a good view of whatever the possum might do.

Since the dogs are now quiet, I would venture the possum has gone to bed or the dogs have exhausted themselves.

A Blast From the Past . . .

Had to laugh at the expression on President Nixon's face as he sees all the food and wonders how on earth he is going to gracefully get any of it to his mouth! Love the way he is holding his chopsticks! I think his hosts are enjoying his discomfort a bit, too.

My children all know how to use chopsticks. We ate at a family-style Chinese restaurant when they were children and the waitress took the time to show them how to do it. They aren't Asian but they know their way around a pair of chopsticks!

Prayer Request!

 A friend at morning Mass asked if I could send on a prayer request for her very ill niece, Ophelia.

So much that needs prayer in our world, today, but if you could send a prayer heavenward for the intentions of Ophelia and her family, I know you will be likewise blessed.

Another important prayer request that deals with basic freedoms could be taken away as soon as tomorrow.

Tomorrow, August 1, 2013, the Health and Human Services contraception mandate goes into effect.

In other words, tonight at midnight we'll lose a key part of our religious liberty.

This is more than unacceptable; it's un-American. But Congress failed to act when we lobbied them to institute conscience protections legislation and only President Obama can prevent this destructive mandate from going into effect...but we  know that will never happen.

So, is God sending a busy signal?

From the stupidities that continually come out of Washington, I can only assume the powers that be here on earth seem to think God is too busy to continue His care of the US and the world. When obamacare was first put forth, many feared and said that a health care system that featured a 'death panel' wasn't in line with the freedoms we, as citizens, should enjoy. A system that makes the life/death decision for a stranger based on the system's view of the situation in regards to cost, age, viability, etc., is an Act of God that has been usurped by mere men. I'm sure our elected officials have very good reasons for this as they seem to live in an environment not shared by us common folk.

Since the inception of the obamacare mandate, there have been rumors and downright accusations about there being a death panel involved in the socialized medical law to which Washington constantly denied. Guess evil and the truth eventually find their way into the open, however.

http://www.lifenews.com/2013/07/29/howard-dean-admits-obamacare-includes-death-panels-wants-them-repealed/

What is interesting to contemplate is that the writers of this distasteful medical insurance disaster don't seem to think past the end of their noses.  What if they are the ones being judged worthy to live or die based on a medical condition? If they aren't worried then they are getting specialized treatment so if obamacare is good enough as a whole for the masses, why won't it apply to the self-appointed elite?