Pet of the week, Cookie

This week’s pet is Cookie.  Cookie lives in the home with previous pets of the week, Tiff and Juno.  Cookie also came from an Oktoberfest raffle. She has been a part of this home since 2012. 

Diane shared, as a wee little kitten, “She used to climb our Christmas tree and hang around in the branches peering out between the twinkling lights!”  

I wondered … how do two cats and a dog get along… 

" She gets along fine with the new puppy. Tiff is always menacing Cookie. Despite his huge hulking king size, he is unable to get the better of an also big girl Cookie. She loves outsmarting and fighting him off. He never seems to get the message.”

I owe a special thanks to Diane for sharing the picture and facts. J

Hmmm...I forgot to ask... Why the name Cookie? 

Wordless Wednesday

Tell a friend ... Tuesday

"We shape clay into a pot, 

but it is the emptiness 

inside that holds

whatever we want."

Author unknown

Tonight was my first pottery class.
I am grateful for my friend , B .... She told me about this class.

Monday Musings ... Loans & Smoke

Monday Musings  ... Tuesday edition

Webster’s definition of loan is money lent with interest or b:  something lent usually for the borrower’s temporary use.

Mortgages, car loans, and credit card bills, they are a part of life.  Depending on varied circumstances, individuals may be able to handle these loans as a part of a planned budget.   Others may struggle with loans. Maybe they don’t have a budget. In the past, they may have made poor choices. Or they simply do not have the income to meet their needs or wants.  Whatever the circumstances, they need help.

What happens when an individual is not able to make their payments? Where do they turn to for help? Do they seek help from family and friends?  Do they talk to creditors to make arrangements for adjustments? Or, do they try to ignore the problem?

In same cases, they go to Pay Day Loans. Here, they are able to apply for a loan at a high interest rate. If approved, the individual will receive a loan and make arrangement for payback.  In Kentucky, Pay Day Loans often have interest rates as high as 400 %

On Tuesday, BUILD* will have a press conference at our state capital to demonstrate that individuals across the Commonwealth of Kentucky support a bill that will put reasonable regulations on these loans in Kentucky. 

What is BUILD? BUILD is a faith-based effort of Catholics and Protestants that have worked on this issue for several years. This year, Senate Bill 32 in is committee. They simply want the bill to come out of committee and onto the Senator floor for a vote.

In addition, legislators are also dealing with a possible state wide smoking ban.

I hope both efforts don’t go up in smoke.

* BUILD Building a United Inter-Faith Lexington through Direction Action ... also visit this link BUILD  As you move around this site.   Click on BUILD

Sunday Scripture

"Those who cling to worthless 
idols
forfeit the grace that could be
theirs.
But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the 
LORD."
Jonah 2:8- 9 ( NIV)

Cabin Fever

Did you know that the term cabin fever was first coined in 1838?  This term is often used  in connection to when a person is limited in their mobility because of snow or other weather related issues. 

According to Wikipedia research also states that brief interactions with nature can improve cognitive functioning and overall well being. 

This week I have spend 98% of my time inside. 

Yesterday I enjoyed shopping and sunshine. 

A view from earlier this week. 

Pet of the week, Tiff

" The dog may be wonderful prose, but only the cat is poetry."

French Proverb

Just the facts about this adorable kitty.
A vet in Chevy Chase donated him for a Oktoberfest raffle.
One other detail, Tiff was a stray found in rural Anderson County.
Special thanks to Diane for sharing the picture and  facts. 

The things we ask for are ...

"... If we had the blessings without asking for them, we should think them common things; but prayers makes our mercies more precious than diamonds. The things we ask for are precious, but we do not realize their preciousness until we have sought them earnestly."
Charles Spurgeon 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday ... Snow Cream

This week our community has "enjoyed" a record snowfall. Do you know what I want to prepare?
Snow Cream 
According to the meteorologists, we may receive another inch or two of snow. Will I fix snow cream tomorrow? We shall see ... Here is a recipe.

Monday Musings ...

 Monday Musings... Tuesday edition 

After a long weekend of romantic dinners, Valentine cards, candy, flowers, and music, we might find it difficult to discern real love from sex and materialism. Dig deeper, I think there may be bit of confusion between love, infatuation, and sex.

The timing of the movie release of Fifty Shades of Gray this past weekend has prompted a plethora of reviews and commentaries regarding these issues.  

I recently read the these articles,

ü The Truth About Romantic Love by Lee Siegel

ü ‘Fifty Shades’ Romance on the Ropes by Joe Morgenstern

ü Allure of ‘Fifty Shades took a flogging in film adaptation by A.O Scott

ü If You Watch Garbage, You Will Get Dirty by Simcha Fisher

ü So Much More to Sex than, ‘Fifty Shades’ by Kim Gaines Eckert

Of the five articles I read, two articles were published in the Wall Street Journal, one from the New York Times, one from the National Catholic Register, and one from a psychologist.

Lee Siegel’s piece in the Wall Street Journal takes us from Shakespeare, Lord Bryon, Casablanca, to Adelle Waldman’s novel,  “The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.” I found his article fascinating.  The breadth of his readings and research impressed me.

Of the articles I have read, Kim Gaines Eckert perspective was the most helpful.  She has also written a book about female sexuality. She says she loves talking about theology, biology and psychology of sex. She offers no blanket recommendation, instead, she asks the reader to think through some questions.

The probing questions she poses are the best!

Years ago, I made a decision not to read Fifty Shades of Gray.  Reading these articles has not altered my decision.

Sunday Scripture

"Love and faithfulness meet
together;
righteousness and peace kiss 
each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the 
earth,
and righteousness looks down
from heaven.
The LORD will indeed give what is
good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness  goes before him
and prepares the way for his 
steps."
Psalm 85: 10 - 13

This is real love

source incourage.me

Pet of the week, Clarence

 Clarence is this week's pet.   He is training to become a companion dog. After completing his training, he will be paired to assist an individual.  Golden Retrievers are highly trainable... and lovable. 

Tea

"The cup of tea on arrival at a country house is a thing, which as a rule, I particularly enjoy. I like the crackling logs, the shaded lights, the scent of buttered toast, the general atmosphere of leisured coziness."

P.G. Wodehouse

 Well, the home I visit is not in the country. It is in downtown Lexington.  Nestled in a part of her art studio, my friend has prepared tea.  We are sitting in antique chairs and sipping from fine china.

I love afternoon teas.