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?

The Blame Game Fails . . .

Now, Consider This: There are more people on Welfare in Illinois than there  are people working.
Chicago pays the highest wages to  teachers than anywhere else in the U.S. averaging $110,000/year. 
Their pensions average 80-90% of their income. You can't  blame that on republicans because there aren't any.
Wow, are  Illinois and Chicago great or what?
Be sure to read till the end. I've never heard it explained better.
Perhaps the U.S.  should pull out of Chicago ?
Body count: In the last six  months 292 killed (murdered) in Chicago .
221 killed in Iraq  AND Chicago has one of the strictest gun laws in the entire US.
 
. Here's the Chicago chain of command:

. President: Barack  Hussein Obama
. Senator: Dick Durbin
. House  Representative: Jesse Jackson Jr.
. Governor: Pat Quinn 
. House leader: Mike Madigan
. Atty. Gen.: Lisa Madigan  (daughter of Mike)
. Mayor: Rohm Emanuel
. The  leadership in Illinois - all Democrats.
. Thank you for the combat zone in Chicago .. Of course, they're all  blaming each other.
. Can't blame Republicans; there aren't  any!
. Chicago school system rated one of the worst in the  country. Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any!
. State  pension fund $78 Billion in debt, worst in country. Can't blame  Republicans; there aren't any!
. Cook County ( Chicago ) sales  tax 10.25% highest in country. Can't blame Republicans; there  aren't any!
. This is the political culture that Obama comes  from in Illinois . And he is going to 'fix' Washington politics  for us???
. George Ryan is no longer Governor, he is in the  big house.
. Of course he was replaced by Rob Blajegovitch  who is...that's right, also in the big house.
. And  Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned a couple of weeks ago.  That is because he is fighting being sent to...that's right, the  big house.
. The Land of Lincoln , where our governors make our license plates.
But you know what? As long as they  keep providing entitlements to the population of Chicago ,  nothing is going to change, except the state will go broke  before the country does.

"Any man who thinks he can be happy  and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him;  better take a closer look at the American Indian."