Independence Day
Wednesday, June 30, 2010  at 5:47 AM

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born.




"The Star Spangled Banner"
The Defense of Fort McHenry
by Francis Scott Key
20 September 1814


Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!




A Flea Named Frale
Saturday, June 26, 2010  at 6:56 AM


A Flea Named Frale

Once upon a time…
There was a flea named Frale. One day the flea, Frale, found a fair haired feline who’s name was Frank. While Frank, the fair haired feline was napping on the lounger, Frale, from across the room, jumped onto the fair haired feline, and as Frale fell, Frank felt a tickle on his furry back from the flea, when Frale fell.

Frank scratched and meowed and scratched some more till the flea, Frale, fell to the floor. Frank, the feline, found his foe, Frale, and chased him round the fancy room till the flea, Frale, freed himself from the feline, Frank.

All curled up, the feline snoozed again, forgetting the flight of the flea, who waits another chance to hop the feline, Frank.

By Rebecca Clark
© A Flea Named Frale



Illegal immigrants-free to break laws-not for long!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010  at 7:07 AM


Neb. city votes to restrict illegal immigration
FREMONT, Neb. – This small Nebraska meatpacking town has joined Arizona at the center of a national debate about illegal immigration after voters approved a ban on hiring or renting property to illegal immigrants, but an expected court challenge could keep the measure from ever taking effect.


There is a difference between being illegal and immigrant.
Illegal immigrants act as though the laws are against immigrants, not so, it's against illegal immigrants.
Notice the key word in bold used 3 times in one + sentence, explaining the simple fact of being illegal, not being an immigrant.

The discrimination is against being illegal. Shouldn't we all take a stand-discriminate against crime? Being a habitual law breaker is being a criminal, taking from society instead of contributing to society.
Want to be an American citizen and live here freely or be an illegal immigrant to freely break our laws?

It's long past due for these changes in our laws to take place. I for one am very impressed and commend Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer .
She refuses to flinch! That is exactly what we need to fight this illegal immigrant issue! Now Nebraska has joined!

Please take note: I am the farthest thing from being a republican, and would rather clean an anaconda's cage... while he's still in it! than to be a republican;... But I tell you what, this stand Brewer has made shifts my feelings in a direction I never thought could.


Are you gonna eat that?
Sunday, June 20, 2010  at 11:25 AM












OOPS, did someone drop that? Maybe they won't notice it.


Are you gonna eat that?


No one will ever know my biscuit is right there.


They still haven't noticed it.





Wanna know how I balance my day?
Friday, June 18, 2010  at 11:11 AM



I balance my day by keeping an eye on my snacks, drinks-ice tea-coffee, oh, and my calendar.
Actually, my calendar only shows bill due dates and the day we worm Niles and Frazier. Other than that, I'm free!

Surf's up!







Retirement aint easy but it must be dealt with don't ya know.

Abby Sunderland's Parents Should Pay The Rescue Bill
Saturday, June 12, 2010  at 6:47 AM

(UPDATE) Countries paying teen's rescue cost defend sea law

The 11-hour flight cost an estimated 110,000 Australian dollars (US $94,500).

The second day, after locating her, the agency sent another plane to coordinate her pickup by ships racing toward her damaged and drifting yacht.

The Australian military also deployed two Orion aircraft to wait on an Indian Ocean island in case an airdrop or further assistance was needed. An Orion costs about AU$30,000 an hour to operate.

In the meantime, the French territory of Reunion Island diverted three ships to Sunderland's location. The fishing vessel that reached her first lost at least three days of work; a commercial ship also sent to her rescue would have added three or four days of travel time to its intended destination.

Further down the page:
Even the U.S. Sailing Association refused to sponsor Sunderland's bid,
considering it too dangerous. She did not have insurance for her trip, and her
mother has said there is no way the family could pay the rescuers even if asked
.

====
Then their daughter should not have taken the risk. Admitting others will have to cover the cost of a rescue is a sign of, "not caring who pays". The parents should at the very least be fined. A family outing is one thing, but an adventure for mere fame is another.
====



Abby Sunderland, shown here in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 21, was tryijng to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe in a sailboat.
====
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - A French fishing vessel rescued a California teenager Saturday from her crippled sailboat in the turbulent southern Indian Ocean, her family and rescue officials said.

Laurence Sunderland, the father of 16-year-old Abby Sunderland, told reporters outside his home that maritime authorities had contacted him to confirm the rescue.

Sunderland has been stranded in heavy seas since Thursday, when she set off a distress signal after the mast collapsed, knocking out her satellite communications.
Stranded Calif. teen sailor...

I'm very grateful to God that she's ok and has been rescued however, the bill for the rescue should be sent to her parents. A sixteen year old should never be allowed to make such a decision as dangerous as sailing around the world ALONE!
Telling her, "you can do it, you're capable and experienced, don't worry, you'll be alright" is just the thing that forces her to prove they are right, she is capable. Even if she is capable that doesn't mean she should! Why? For just the reason as her having to be rescued at the expense of others. Only the grace of God has kept her safe, not her abilities!



Request for half
Tuesday, June 08, 2010  at 9:26 AM

Hubby made a request this morning. He asked me if I could bake half a cake. As if baking breads, pies, pudding cakes, cookies weren't enough, oh wait, that's the point, the portion is too much. To eat half is not an option, he wants half a cake. That would mean rewriting the whole recipe format!
Example:

1/2 egg
1/2 cup flour
1/2 of 1/4 tsp salt
1/8 of 1/4 of 1 cup of sugar
1/2 of 1 cup milk

Mix all ingredients in half a bowl with half a spoon till half stirred. Pour into half of a whatever inch pan, and half bake at half of 350 oven, (I'm a half-wit at math, you figure half of that) for half of 45 minutes, and also;... sorry, there is no such thing as a half oven, so do the best you can.


This Day
Saturday, June 05, 2010  at 11:35 AM

THIS DAY

You made this day
For me to know you

This day
For me to pray

This day
For me to praise you

This
The only day
I have

What day is this?
This day
You made

Today
Is this day
My eternity

The same day
You made
In the beginning.

- - -
By Rebecca Clark