The kitty version of hero worship?

No, this isn't an example of some sort of feline deviancy. The cat facing right (Lucky) loves to follow the cat facing left (Ling) around the house... particularly at moments when Ling wants some "alone time".

Ling isn't always quite this tolerant of Lucky's attentions...

BTW... I apologize for the photo quality. Camera applications on mobile phones aren't yet among the world's most sophisticated ways of capturing images.

Grin

The end of one year and the start of another

I've never been a big fan of rowdy New Years celebrations. I don't quite get it, I suppose. I haven't been drunk for a L-O-N-G time. I didn't enjoy it, and I have no desire to repeat the experience. I've never been on Times Square waiting for the "magical moment" of watching the ball drop. (I think I'd go nuts in a crowd like that!) And I've made a resolution never to make another New Years resolution. I've never had a lot of success with keeping them.

But although I plan to avoid the hoopla, there really is something different about this night. It seems to point toward new opportunities, the possibility that the future will be even better than the past. It seems to be a day in which optimism is the norm, not the exception.

So today, my wish for you is that you will find that there's  a reason for hope, a reason for optimism in the year to come.

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.

~Henry Ward Beecher

Dancing with two left feet

In July 2011, I found myself deeply entrenched in an "I-can't" attitude. "I can't get motivated... I can't lose weight... I can't bend over in those pants... I can't find time to exercise... I can't find anything that fits any more..."

In August, a friend mentioned SparkPeople to me. I signed up and found myself gradually switching from "can't" to "can".

To begin with, I set a reasonable long-term goal: to lose 50 pounds over the course of a year. To achieve this, I followed SparkPeople’s advice and set small, reasonable, and attainable goals. I joined several SparkTeams and joined in with some of their goals and challenges. One advantage of doing this is that the majority of those are small, reasonable, attainable goals. For someone who’s prone to setting all-or-nothing, do-or-die goals, it was instructive to see goals of a different sort.

I started with a "Streak". I committed to exercising 10 minutes a day, and over time this paid off with rich rewards. I no longer got winded walking around the block. I took advantage of a program sponsored by my employer and got a gym membership at reduced cost. I "switched streaks" after a while, making a new goal of going to the gym for at least an hour three times weekly. Over time, that became easy and rewarding, so I've "upped my streak" once again. Currently I exercise at the gym an average of 5 times a week, participating in water aerobics and Zumba classes on a regular basis.

When I started, I was worried that I'd get some negative blow-back from my husband, who was even more overweight and out of shape than I was. And although I occasionally get some resistance when I serve healthier recipes, he's eating them. He even asked me to add him to my gym membership, and he goes faithfully. Sometimes when I'm feeling a bit uninspired by the thoughts of putting in an hour or so at the gym, he provides ME with the encouragement I need to get off my butt and go!

Wow.

I've learned to celebrate smaller goals. Each 5 pounds lost is a victory. Each 100 SparkPoints earned is a victory. Each article of clothing I can no longer wear is a victory. Each new (smaller) outfit I'm able to wear is a victory. Each time I make it through an hour of Zumba represents a MAJOR victory! Now THAT is a REAL challenge for me!

I'm sure I look a bit ridiculous trying to imitate some of the more complex dance steps, because - as the title of this post indicates - I have two left feet. But I'm willing to look a little ridiculous to look and feel better. And I do!!!

Since signing up for SparkPeople nearly 5 months ago, I've lost a bit over 25 pounds... more than half-way to my long-range goal of 50 pounds gone in one year. I've dropped several clothing sizes. I feel more confident. I can bend over in my pants without fear, and when I stand up, I can see my toes without bending over. I sleep better. My mood is better. And though I dance with two left feet, I no longer do the can't-can't.

I do the can-can!

Hospital backs down. Thank God.

A LifeNews article reported on December 22, 2011 is extremely encouraging to me as a Catholic nurse. The story revolves around actions taken by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) hospital and twelve nurses who filed suit in response. Quoting from the article, 

The hospital notified members of the unit in September that they would undergo abortion training, which included participating in abortions, beginning on October 14. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to halt the practice on November 3, but nurses say the hospital continued to pressure them to participate. “They said very clearly if we did not assist, we would face termination,” said Racpan Vinova. 

Physicians had told the nurses, “You just have to catch the baby’s head. Don’t worry; it’s already dead.”

The nurses – who held religious convictions that opposed abortion – filed suit in response, claiming that forcing them to participate in an abortion was in violation of the law. According to New Jersey state law, “No person shall be required to perform or assist in the performance of an abortion or sterilization.” Ultimately, the hospital agreed not to force these nurses to violate their religious beliefs by assisting in such a procedure. The nurses agreed to briefly assist in the event of a medical emergency until the arrival of nursing staff who do not object to assisting in an abortion. An attorney who represented the nurses states that the judge’s ruling also specifies that “the hospital cannot use pro-abortion staff to replace our clients or reduce their hours.”

If you’re interested in exploring the issue of conscience protections further, you may want to check out some earlier posts:
A few thoughts on health care reform
Freedom from religion
Religious freedom versus reproductive freedom
Should politicians heed the maxim, “To thine own self be true”?
Some of us are more free than others
A few thoughts on health care reform
Freedom from religion
Should politicians heed the maxim "to thine own self be true"?

A stinky way to clean up crime

British officials in northeastern England were concerned when neighbors began complaining that teens were congregating in an abandoned lot to drink and use drugs. They'd been keeping an eye on the place, but when drug paraphernalia began turning up on the site. They used an ingenious method of addressing the problem.

Pig poop.

In the weeks since police sprayed the area with a liberal topping of pig manure, the area has been crime-free.

If you've ever smelled a fresh application of pig manure wafting on the summer breeze, you'll no doubt understand why.

Read this Darlington & Stockton Times article for the scoop on the poop.

Peppermint Candy Camellia

There's a large camellia bush at the back corner of our house. It was here and quite well-established when we bought the house, and I've never seen anything similar.

I took these pictures on Christmas Day. The camellia buds begin to really take shape around Thanksgiving, and by Christmas day the blooms are starting to open. Most of them look like those pictured below. A few on the same bush are solid pink. By Christmas Day this year, it looked a bit like peppermint candy was blooming in our back yard!

...in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

- Colossians 1:16-17

 

Carrot Salad

A colorful contrast to the rest of the meal! ANY meal!

Note to self: I think I’ll try substituting yogurt for the mayo.



Ingredients:
3 C shredded carrots
1/3 C raisins
8-oz can crushed pineapple, well drained
¼ C mayonnaise
1 tsp finely shredded orange zest
¼ C toasted pecans (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded carrot & raisins; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, stir together crushed pineapple, mayo, & orange peel. Stir mayo mixture into carrot mixture. Cover & chill for 2-24 hours. Sprinkle with toasted pecans when serving if desired. May also garnish with pineapple slices if you'd like.

Theotokos

During the last part of the Advent season, as I awaited the coming of Jesus at Christmas, I was struck by one of the titles of Mary, the mother of God.

Theotokos is her Greek title, and it is translated as "God-bearer". It's actually a compound made up of two Greek words, Θεός  God and τόκος parturition, childbirth, so a more precise translation would be "the one who gives birth to the one who is God". Church fathers used this title as far back as the third century A.D.

But Mary no longer exists in human form on earth today. As the mother of the Church (which Jesus implied from the cross when he told his beloved disciple "Behold thy mother"), she has passed on this responsibility to us.

This is something I've been "pondering in my heart". How am I doing at being a God-bearer to those I come in contact with each day?

Wishing you a Christ-filled Christmas!

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Christmas Blessings!

Jesus is born

Coming from heaven to earth

Bringing His Light!

!

May all of the blessings of a Christ-filled Christmas

enter your heart, your home, and our world this night!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wrapping Presents With the Help of Your Cat

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In case you need to finish wrapping, here's how to do it with kitty helping out:

1. Clear large space on table for wrapping present.

2. Go to closet and collect bag in which present is contained, and close door.

3. Open door and remove cat from closet.

4. Go to cupboard and retrieve rolls of wrapping paper.

5. Go back and remove cat from cupboard.

6. Go to drawer, and collect transparent sticky tape, ribbons, scissors, labels etc.

7. Lay out presents and wrapping materials on table, to enable wrapping strategy to be formed.

8. Go back to drawer to get string, remove cat that has been in the drawer since last visit and collect string.

9. Reopen drawer and re-remove cat.

10. Remove present from bag.

11. Remove cat from bag.

12. Open box to check present, remove cat from box, replace present.

13. Lay out paper to enable cutting to size.

14. Try and smooth out paper, realize cat is underneath and remove cat.

15. Cut the paper to size, keeping the cutting line straight.

16. Throw away first sheet as cat chased the scissors, and tore the paper.

17. Cut second sheet of paper to size - by putting cat in the bag the present came in.

18. Place present on paper.

19. Lift up edges of paper to seal in present. Wonder why edges don't  reach. Realize cat is between present and paper. Remove cat and retry.

20. Place object on paper, to hold in place, while cutting transparent sticky tape.

21. Spend 20 minutes carefully trying to remove transparent sticky tape from cat with pair of nail scissors.

22. Seal paper with transparent sticky tape, making corners as neat as possible.

23. Look for roll of ribbon. Chase cat down hall in order to retrieve ribbon.

24. Try to wrap present with ribbon in a two-directional turn.

25. Re-roll ribbon and remove paper, which is now torn due to cat's enthusiastic ribbon chase.

26. Repeat steps 13-20 until you reach last sheet of paper.

27. Decide to skip steps 13-17, in order to save time and reduce risk of losing last sheet of paper. Retrieve old cardboard box, that is the right size for sheet of paper.

28. Put present in box, and tie down with string.

29. Remove string, open box and remove cat.

30. Put all packing materials in bag with present and head for lockable room.

31. Once inside lockable room, lock door and start to re-lay out packing materials.

32. Remove cat from box, unlock door, put cat outside door, close door and re-lock.

33. Repeat previous step as often as is necessary (until you can hear cries from cat outside door.)

34. Lay out last sheet of paper. (This will be difficult in the small area of the toilet, but do your best.)

35. Discover cat has already torn paper. Unlock door go out and hunt through various cupboards, looking for sheet of last year's paper. Remember that you haven't got any left because cat helped with wrapping last year.

36. Return to lockable room, lock door, and sit on toilet and try to make torn sheet of paper look presentable.

37. Seal box, wrap with paper and repair by very carefully sealing tears with transparent sticky tape. Tie up with ribbon and decorate with bows to hide worst areas.

38. Label. Sit back and admire your handiwork, congratulate yourself on completing a difficult job.

39. Unlock door, and go to kitchen to make drink and feed cat.

40. Spend 15 minutes looking for cat, before coming to obvious conclusion.

41. Unwrap present, untie box and remove cat.

42. Retrieve all discarded sheets of wrapping paper. Feed cat. Return to lockable room for last attempt, making certain you are alone and the door is locked.

43. Find least torn and wrinkled sheets of paper. Attempt to use sheets of same pattern.

44. Vainly try and wrap present in patchwork of paper. Tie with now tattered ribbon and decorate with the now limp bows. Label and put present in bag, for fear of anyone seeing this disaster.

45. When giving the gift, smile sweetly at receiver's face, as they try and hide their contempt at being handed such a badly wrapped present.

46. Swear to yourself that next year, you will get the store to wrap the damn thing for you.

47. Smile smugly, knowing that the recipient could have received a cat!

PS - A bit over a month ago, I posted a survey asking what readers' favorite holidays are. Are you interested in the results? Click here to find out!

Received in the inbox...

I didn't write this and don't know if it's a true story or apocryphal, but it speaks a wonderful truth:

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations—extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. 

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a 6-year old. For weeks, he’d been memorizing songs for his school’s “Winter Pageant.” 

I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there’d be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. 

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. 

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as “Christmas,” I didn’t expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment—songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. 

So, when my son’s class rose to sing, “Christmas Love,” I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row-center stage—held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing “C is for Christmas,” a child would hold up the letter C. Then, “H is for Happy,” and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, “Christmas Love.” 

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter “M” upside down—totally unaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W.” The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one’s mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her “W.” Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. 

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: 

“CHRISTWASLOVE”

And, I believe He still is—amazed in His presence, humbled by His love. 

May each of you have a Merry Christmas as you reflect on His amazing love for us. Have a blessed day! 

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Happy Hanukah with the Maccabeats!

A totally tasteless Christmas gift for the kids

Really.

If you buy this for your kids, PLEASE don't admit it to anyone!!!

"Ruminations and Reflections"

One of my favorite blogs is Ruminations and Reflections, written by Fr. Luke Fong, a Roman Catholic priest in Singapore. If you read this post from his site, you'll see why.

The quote from St. John of the Cross which he shared in this reflection is something that struck a special chord in my heart today:

Where there is no love, put love, and then you will find love.

I hope to be able to put a little bit of love in the world as I go forth today.

I hope you'll visit Fr. Fong's site and join me in wishing him all the blessings that a Christ-filled Advent and Christmas season can bring.

A different perspective on the holidays

I have to confess that this has been a difficult Christmas season for me.

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of my father falling and fracturing his hip. He never regained his strength afterward and died 2 months later after a long and difficult effort on his part (and mine) to get well.

So this year, for the first time, I am virtually without any surviving family. My husband, of course... but as much as I love him, he didn't come around until I was older. We don't have children... something that seems to matter even more as I age. My grandparents, my mom, my dad, and my only sister are gone now.

There are extended family members - an uncle, two aunts, and some cousins - as well as 2 nieces and a nephew. But there is a 500 mile distance between them and us. And the younger generation have very busy lives.

For the first time in my life , this holiday season seems to have lost much of its sparkle. Nothing brings home the importance of family as much as its absence.

I'm not sharing this as a way to gain your sympathy. I'm sharing it to remind you... just in case you've forgotten... how important it is to treasure your family while they are here.

There's very little on earth more precious.

But if you, too, are missing a loved one this year, perhaps this poem by an unknown author will be of some comfort:

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

I see the countless
Christmas trees
around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars,
reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description,
to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I am not so far away,
We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear.
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift,
from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory
of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious
than pure gold.
was always most important
the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other,
my Father said to do.
I can't count the blessing or love
He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and
Wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year

Winter and summer: which will win?

An early Wordless Wednesday this week!

I took this photo a few days ago. It seems strange to see a lovely rose juxtaposed against the wintry sky and bare tree in the background.


And I'm reminded of this verse:

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, 

cold and heat, summer and winter, 

day and night will never cease.

- Genesis 8:22

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A tasty dinner dish

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This recipe is supposed to be a taste-alike – it’s supposed to be comparable to Chipotle’s Basmati Rice. I’ve not tried the Chipotle version, but this one’s pretty darn good!

2/3 C basmati rice
2 tsp fresh cilantro
1 lime
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vegetable oil (May substitute butter)
1 C water

In a 2-quart heavy saucepan, heat oil or butter over low heat, stirring occasionally until melted. Add rice and lime juice, stir for 1 minute. Add water and salt, bring to a full rolling boil. At boiling, cover, turn down to simmer over low heat until rice is tender and the water is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork.

And they call themselves a CHURCH????

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St. Matthew in the City is an Anglican building locate in Aukland, New Zealand. (I simply can't use the word "church" or "Christian" to refer to it...) Apparently they consider themselves to be quite progressive. To prove it, they've gained a bit of fame (or infamy?) by putting up another Christmas billboard. Here's this year's billboard:

The Virgin Mary with a home pregnancy test.

Last year's billboard makes this one look tame:

Their website touts them as embracing "Progressive Christianity", which it explains thusly:

Why does St Matthew-in-the-City need to give a modifier to the brand of Christianity it practices? Because contrary to our human tendency to make sweeping generalisations, being “Christian” does not tell us much about a faith community beyond the probability that Jesus plays a part in its beliefs.

Neither does denomination. Denominations are historical in nature. That St Matthew’s is Anglican tells you only how we are organised (we are under the authority of a bishop in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, worship using forms originally based on the English Book of Common Prayer, and have historical roots in the English Reformation, when politically and theologically it made sense to look Catholic and sound Protestant. We call this the “middle way” (via media).

Every Anglican church has its own “personality.” Some emphasize tradition and look more Catholic. Some emphasize preaching and Scripture and sound Evangelical or charismatic (Pentacostal). Some are visibly and audibly a blend and focus on the importance of reason. But those differences have to do with what authority is most important to them: Scripture, Church Teaching and Tradition, or Reason.

Progressive Christians take all three authorities seriously but make none of them supreme. Progressives are more interested in spirituality than right belief or proper worship. The identity of Progressive Christians is centred in ethical living. 

I must say, looking at their billboards, I find that particular "personality" to be quite distasteful. And when it comes right down to it, their final paragraph seems to say, "If you think it's okay, that's great" which, to me, is not much of a belief system at all.

Or is it just me?

Working in the vineyard

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This Gospel reading comes from Matthew 20:

Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 

Going out about nine o'clock, the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. 

Going out about five o'clock, the landowner found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'

When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' 

He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." 

I don't know about you, but I must admit that I best understand the attitude of the grumblers who think it unfair that the latecomers were paid the same amount as those who'd worked all day. I suspect most people would have a similar reaction if they'd been working in the fields all day.

As I think about this, I think about the different sorts of coworkers I've had through the years. There are those who work their fannies off, taking pride in their work but not fully satisfied unless their photo is up on the board as "employee of the month". At the opposite extreme are those who will work extremely hard to avoid working at all. There are those who will do the bare minimum, then display a burst of energy when the time for performance evaluations rolls around. There are those who will do a good job - although probably not an excellent job - but who work solely for the paycheck. So there's really no enthusiasm for the job until payday. Work is a necessary evil. Some become preoccupied with the salaries of others and spend useless time making comparisons: Why does (s)he make more than me - I think I deserve at least that much!

I think Jesus would most approve of a different sort of worker than those listed above. I've run across a few in the workplace. These folks work steadily and well, but they don't seek or require recognition. They appreciate the paycheck, but it's only one source of the reasons they find satisfaction in their jobs. They take pride in performing their tasks, but they do so all year long... not simply to score a good evaluation or a raise.

It might be a good idea to reflect on what sort of worker I am, don't you think?

Christmas with the Chad Mitchell Trio

I'm willing to bet that at least 80% of my readers have never heard of the Chad Mitchell Trio. 

You don't know what you're missing! I wish they were still recording!

I got MOONED this morning!

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Gotcha, didn't I?

Our schizophrenic society.

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I don't know if I'm the only one who's noticed this. (Surely not!!!) But it seems that a large proportion of us have difficulty being consistent. Take, for example, this video "from our youth", as my friend Penny said, which is evidently now considered to be racist:

Penny, I hope you're wrong, but I fear you're not.

If you turn on the TV or a popular radio station... if you read some of the most popular magazines... if you go to a movie... you'll find examples galore of highly offensive language and references which go by the name of  "comedy". From what I can tell, as long as there's a laugh track playing in the background, nothing under the sun is considered to be offensive. Insults are labeled "comedy", promiscuity is evidence of "adventurousness", and novels can't be written without the obligatory steamy bedroom scene and a liberal sprinkling of the "f-word". Walk along a city street or in the halls of your local high school, and you'll hear language that would make a sailor blush.

Yet at the same time, most of us have become super-sensitized to language that has the remotest potential to be considered "offensive" by someone or another.

I'm willing to bet that if any individual's conversations were recorded throughout a 24-hour period and then played back to the right group of people, none of us could escape the charge of being politically incorrect. So while we seem to tolerate most anything in the name of fitting in with the society's laxness in some situations, we're quick to take offense at the slightest verbal misstep.

Walking the tightrope between those two extremes is becoming a challenge, isn't it? How do you approach it? Do you think there's a solution to the dilemma?

How can someone so beautiful promote something so ugly?

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People who've followed this blog for a while know that I'm unapologetically pro-life. I understand the ethical dilemmas involved with some of the situations that pro-choice folks use to support their position. But surely even the most avid pro-choicer might find reason to pause at this one.

Edith Schippers - the Dutch Health Minister - has recently announced that Holland is considering plans to allow mobile teams of physicians and nurses to make house calls ending in death. Specifically, if someone's personal physician refuses to dispense lethal doses of drugs to their patient, the mobile unit could be dispatched to do the job.

Perhaps we shouldn't  be surprised that Holland is a trailblazer in considering mobile death units. In 2002, Holland became the first nation since Nazi Germany that legalized the procedure. (I didn't know that - did you?)

According to this article, "The mobile units are being aggressively promoted by Dutch euthanasia campaign groups who want to expand the eligibility criteria for euthanasia and also to open facilities specifically for euthanasia... They claim that 80 per cent of people with dementia or mental illnesses were being 'missed' by the country’s euthanasia laws. They are supported by the Dutch Medical Association which this summer issued guidance effectively saying even people who complained of being lonely could qualify for euthanasia if it constitutes 'unbearable and lasting suffering'".

To those who've spoken out against euthanasia, the government explained that they never allow euthanasia except at the request of the patient. At the same time, as we read above, 80% of those with dementia or mental illness are being "missed". Pardon my asking, but wouldn't you think there might be a question of competence if a demented or seriously mentally ill person asked to be euthanized?

At any rate, I've been a nurse for nearly 40 years. I have never - and will never - taken action to deliberately kill a patient. I will do everything in my power to advocate for a suffering patient to receive compassionate care that enables them to be comfortable. I firmly believe that there are times when it makes absolutely no sense to do "everything medically possible" to sustain life. I will support anyone's decision to refuse "heroic measures". I supported my own father - a man I love and still miss - when he made that decision.

But the Dutch Medical Association's suggestion that even lonely people could qualify for euthanasia points out one of the biggest dangers of allowing ourselves to decide who lives and who dies.

How do we know when to stop? Where is the line over which we will not allow ourselves to step?
Is there such a line?

Simon's Cat is at it again!

Wordless Wednesday: My Siamese "twins"

Pin It No, they're not REALLY twins. Distant cousins, maybe...

How close to a train...

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...can you set up a vegetable market?

Click here to find out!

Can rats be kinder than people?

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A recent article from SparkPeople seems to suggest that - in least some instances - it's possible.

The article summarizes research led by a graduate student named Inbal Ben-Ami Bartal in which rats were consistently upset when another rat was trapped, and even went out of their way to rescue their fellow rat.

The research involved having two rats who normally shared a cage into another space. One of the rats was allowed to run free, while the other was placed in a tube. There was only one way to exit from the tube, and the only way to open that was to push on it from the outside.

The trapped rat would become upset. Over the course of a few days, the rat who was able to roam free would learn how to open the tube, and would free the trapped one.

Both rats would then be placed in yet another space, with the formerly-trapped rat again placed in the tube. Even if the free-roaming rat was tempted with the opportunity to eat chocolate, his first action would be to push on the door and free the other one.

A co-author of the study, neurobiology professor Peggy Mason, summarized the findings in this way: "It said to us that essentially helping their cage mate is on a par with chocolate. He can hog the entire stash if he wanted to, and he does not. We were shocked."

Now take a look at the front page of any newspaper and ask yourself: Would the folks who make the headlines be that compassionate?

Thank God most of us are at least as kind as a rat!

Read the article for yourself here.

Dixie Peanut Brittle

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I got this recipe years and years ago from a pamphlet put out by the North Carolina Agricultural Commission. It's absolutely the best peanut brittle I've ever had.

Ingredients:
Baking soda - 2 tsp
Butter - 2 Tbsp
Light corn syrup - 1 C
Peanuts – (raw, shelled, and with skins left ON) - 4 C
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Sugar - 2 C
Water - 1/2 C

In a heavy saucepan, heat syrup, water, sugar, and salt to a rolling boil. Add peanuts. Reduce heat to medium & stir constantly until syrup spins a thread (293 degrees Fahrenheit). Add butter, then baking soda. Beat rapidly & pour on a buttered surface, spreading to 1/4" thickness. When cool, break in pieces.

Store in an airtight container.

Makes ~ 1 pound.

Limerick-Off

I've enjoyed compiling a list of hops, memes, and challenges (see the link called HOPS EVERY DAY under my header), and as I've poked around, I've found one that seems quite unique. It's held every Monday, and it's called Mad Kane's Limerick-Off.

The hostess provides participants with the first line, then issues an invitation to create a limerick based on that line. This week I decided to play along, and I invite you to do the same! Here's my entry:

A gal who was terribly high
Said, “I hate to be in the sky.
“I’ve not had a bite –
“Not even a mite!
“There’s nothing to eat when I fly!”

PS - Marion, I bet you could enjoy this one!!!

Wisdom from today's readings.

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The epistle reading this week is packed with sound advice... advice that would change the world, if only we would follow it.

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophetic utterances.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.

May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Can you imagine the transformation if we all approached life with a spirit of rejoicing and thankfulness, and if we kept in close communication with God through prayer?  And how different this world would be if everyone "tested the spirits" - if we would only use good judgment - testing the spirits - in choosing what to read, what movies to watch, whose company we'd keep... and if we avoided those things which would tarnish our relationship with our Creator? How wonderful it would be if we all retained what is good  and refrained from every kind of evil.

Not only that - but we don't have to accomplish this on our own. Reread the last few verses:

May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.

I could never achieve the tasks laid forth in the first few verses on my own. But with God's help, I can continue to progress in that direction.

I just shot myself!!!

Pin It Actually, I shot my shadow.
HA! Fooled ya, didn't I?!