For "Travel Tuesday", Lets visit Hallettsville in the Texas Prairies and Lakes Region
"The Texas Prairies and Lakes Region offers a wide variety of destinations & attractions, from the fast-paced cosmopolitan excitement of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with the best in shopping, dining & entertainment, to the beautiful lakes & laid-back country lifestyles found throughout the region. Discover the Excitement of the Texas Prairies & Lakes."
Welcome to Hallettsville, City of Hospitality.
"Hallettsville is a city in Lavaca County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,550 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lavaca County. It is the only place called Hallettsville in the world. Hallettsville is named for an early founding family that colonized this area. John Hallett had received a land grant from Stephen F. Austin in 1831 and after his death in 1836 his wife, Margaret Hallett, donated the land for the town's location.
This woman's life reads better than a novel. Married to a seafaring man against her family's wishes, the newlywed Halletts traveled west with a wagon whose tongue was cut from a ship's mast and the sails serving as the wagon cover. He even brought his anchor.
A Veteran of San Jacinto along with one of his three sons, Mr. Hallett died, as did all the males in the family, leaving Mrs. Hallett alone with her only daughter. Fluent in Spanish and able to defend herself in two Indian dialects, she left Goliad where they had been living and returned to the original grant in Lavaca, opening a trading post and making friends with nearly everyone. She once cudgeled an Indian who was making a nuisance of himself. The Chief paid her a visit and she explained the injury should be regarded as "a knowledge knot". The Chief laughed. Upon her death in 1863, local Indians decorated her grave. Her grave is in the Founder's cemetery, a short distance from the Town Square.
Lavaca County is also the home of "The Archives War" in which the citizens of Hallettsville rode into Petersburg to liberate the county records, which had been removed in a disputed election over the official county seat. The Hallettsville "committee" rode into Petersburg where the Petersburgans were celebrating their "victory" with a barbecue. They not only reclaimed the records, but also ate the barbecue for their trouble. Petersburg never recovered from this, the greatest Texan humiliation, and faded into oblivion."
"Hallettsville is the home of the Lavaca Historical Museum (open weekends 2-5) at 413 N. Main. The Texas Championship Domino Hall of Fame(tournament held every January) shares space with The Texas Fiddler's Hall of Fame (Fiddler’s Frolic held fourth week of April) at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Hwy 77 South. Both are open Mon - Fri 9am to 11am."
"Although the actual town involved in the real story of the "Chicken Ranch" is located a few miles north of Hallettsville on Highway 77, film makers chose the town's historic Lavaca County Courthouse square to serve as backdrop for the city scenes in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, the 1982 musical starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton.
Hallettsville is also the featured location in the 2009 horror film titled Hallettsville, which stars Gary Busey and Derek Lee Nixon.
The town is mentioned in the Robert Earl Keen song "Armadillo Jackel" as the place where they pay $2.50 for dead armadillos.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! once called Hallettsville the "13 City" because in 1913 it had 13 letters in the name, a population of 1300, 13 churches, 13 newspapers, and even 13 saloons."
"In 1887 the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway built through the town, and Hallettsville became the principal trading center and shipping point for area farmers and ranchers. By 1892 the town owned an electricity plant and had established a waterworks supplied by artesian wells."
Ancestries: German (32.2%), Czech (20.6%), Irish (8.5%), English (3.9%), United States (2.7%), Scotch-Irish (1.5%).
--------
TEXAS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP STRAIGHT DOMINO TOURNAMENT
"The annual domino tournament is to determine the State Champion of Texas. From its humble beginning, this tournament has grown to be recognized as the finest competition of straight dominoes nationwide and is held in Hallettsville at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
Historically dominoes played a key role in the lives of people of all walks of life living in Central Texas. Domino halls and taverns had tables located in every nook and cranny to accommodate the legions of faithful players. In 1952 a group of men joined together to formulate a plan to determine the best domino players at straight dominos. The initial tournament, held at the American Legion Hall in Hallettsville, drew 30 teams that engaged in fierce competition.
Today the tournament held in January draws approximately 200 participants from all parts of the country.
Sunday January 26, 2014
Straight Domino’s
Double Elimination Partner Play
_______
On This Day:
Albert Schweitzer born, Jan 14, 1875:
"The theologian, musician, philosopher and Nobel Prize-winning physician Albert Schweitzer is born on this day in 1875 in Upper-Alsace, Germany (now Haut-Rhin, France).
The son and grandson of ministers, Schweitzer studied theology and philosophy at the universities of Strasbourg, Paris and Berlin. After working as a pastor, he entered medical school in 1905 with the dream of becoming a missionary in Africa. Schweitzer was also an acclaimed concert organist who played professional engagements to earn money for his education. By the time he received his M.D. in 1913, the overachieving Schweitzer had published several books, including the influential The Quest for the Historical Jesus and a book on the composer Johann Sebastian Bach.
Medical degree in hand, Schweitzer and his wife, Helene Bresslau, moved to French Equatorial Africa where he founded a hospital at Lambarene (modern-day Gabon). When World War I broke out, the German-born Schweitzers were sent to a French internment camp as prisoners of war. Released in 1918, they returned to Lambarene in 1924. Over the next three decades, Schweitzer made frequent visits to Europe to lecture on culture and ethics. His philosophy revolved around the concept of what he called "reverence for life"--the idea that all life must be respected and loved, and that humans should enter into a personal, spiritual relationship with the universe and all its creations. This reverence for life, according to Schweitzer, would naturally lead humans to live a life of service to others.
Schweitzer won widespread praise for putting his uplifting theory into practice at his hospital in Africa, where he treated many patients with leprosy and the dreaded African sleeping sickness. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1952, Schweitzer used his $33,000 award to start a leprosarium at Lambarene. From the early 1950s until his death in 1965, Schweitzer spoke and wrote tirelessly about his opposition to nuclear tests and nuclear weapons, adding his voice to those of fellow Nobelists Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russell."
_______
Yesterday:
Just catching up on more stuff around here. I am overwhelmed with how am I going to get rid of all these parts, lumber and tools that I have accumulated over the years. It seems that there is always something to fix, and they are needed. There are still some carpentry jobs to be done, but I don't know when Jay will be here to complete them.
A lot of time was spent 'on hold', trying to make an appointment to see an ENT doctor. They don't have one at the clinic, so it seems I have to wait 2 weeks to see my doctor, just to get a referral. My sinuses are my only health problem, so I should be grateful, especially at my age.
With the great weather, the cats spent some time out on the screen porch. They like to watch the birds at the feeder. They still won't go near each other, but they will share that space. The windows and doors were open most of the day.
Why This Vaccine is WORTHLESS and Won't Stop Your Dog Getting Kennel Cough…
"If your dog seems to be coughing a lot or making choking sounds, he may have a case of canine infectious tracheobronchitis, more commonly known as kennel cough.
Believe it or not, as awful as the choking, hacking noises sound, most episodes of kennel cough are not serious and resolve without treatment.
About Vaccines for Kennel Cough
Many veterinarians recommend bordetella vaccines – either by injection or nasal mist delivery. I’m not one of them, however.
Many boarding kennels, doggie daycare facilities, groomers and other similar businesses require dogs be vaccinated for kennel cough. Please understand the reason behind this requirement – it is to remove liability from those establishments.
From me: The same applies to flu vaccines for people.
_______
Elephants in Mourning
"A herd of elephants stumble on some elephant bones and mourn the loss of fallen relatives."
______
Tell Japan It's Time To Stop Slaughtering Whales
"Stop Japan from ignoring the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling.
The International Court of Justice in The Hague has finished hearing a case brought by Australia that may end Japan's annual slaughter of hundreds of whales. Show your support for conservation and Australia's effort to end Japanese whaling while we wait for the ruling. Please, Sign today!"
A Wolf's Role in the Ecosystem - The Trophic Cascade
"A young forest service employee named Aldo Leopold, charged with killing wolves in New Mexico in the early 1900's started to notice that as the wolves died off, the deer population boomed and ate all the plants to nothing. In his groundbreaking work, "Thinking Like a Mountain", (Please read that article) Leopold put forth an idea 50 years ahead of his time: predators control ecosystems.
Since wild wolves have returned to Yellowstone, the elk and deer are stronger, the aspens and willows are healthier and the grasses taller. For example, when wolves chase elk during the hunt, the elk are forced to run faster and farther. As the elk run, their hooves aerate the soil, allowing more grasses to grow. Since the elk cannot remain stationary for too long, aspens and willows in one area are not heavily grazed, and therefore can fully recover between migrations.
As with the rest of the country, coyote populations were nearly out of control in Yellowstone before the wolves returned. Now, the coyotes have been out-competed and essentially reduced by 80 percent in areas occupied by wolves. The coyotes that do remain are more skittish and wary. With fewer coyotes hunting small rodents, raptors like the eagle and osprey have more prey and are making a comeback.
The endangered grizzly bears successfully steal wolf kills more often than not, thus having more food to feed their cubs. In essence, we have learned that by starting recovery at the top with predators like wolves, the whole system benefits. A wild wolf population actually makes for a stronger, healthier and more balanced ecosystem. From plant, to insect, to people... we all stand to benefit from wolves." More at: http://www.missionwolf.org/page/trophic-cascade/
______
The Animal Rescue Site.
Free clicks feed animals in shelters and rescues while they wait for their forever homes. The food is funded by the advertisers.
"Why might you want to consider adopting a senior cat? There are lots of good reasons. Here are seven of the best.
1. When you adopt a kitten, its personality is still developing. As a result, you won't know whether your new friend is going to be a lap cat or an independent spirit. With a senior, that's not true. Its personality is already fully developed, so what you see is what you get. You'll know right away whether your new feline companion is going to be a cuddlebug or an independent thinker. But keep in mind that in a shelter environment, your new cat's personality might not shine through quite as strongly because of the stress and fear associated with being in a strange place.
7. Senior cats are often among the hardest pets for shelters and rescues to place in a new home. Especially black ones. By adopting a senior cat, in most cases, you'll literally be saving the cat's life. Your senior citizen will repay you for your kindness with friendship and appreciation. You'll also be allowing your new cat to live out her senior years in the comfort and dignity that an older cat deserves." Rest of the reasons at: http://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/lhuston/2013/nov/seven-great-reasons-to-adopt-senior-cats-31020#.UtNHqyu2VSg
This applies to dogs, too.
-------
From me: My 'new' 12-year old cat, Ava, is a very sweet, loving, black cat. She was surrendered to a pound by her previous people as she had lost most of her hair and she was as skinny as a rail. They didn't want to address her medical issues, and she didn't fare much better at her foster home.
Now that I have got her health and terrible dandruff straightened out, and she no longer makes me wheeze, I wouldn't part with her for anything. She just needed to be on a better diet and some vitamins. She appreciates that, and tells me every day. It is so rewarding that I can give her a better life in her old age.
_______
Should You Leave Your Cat Home Alone While You’re Away?
"Over half of U.S. cat owners feel it’s fine to leave their feline companions alone at home while they’re away. And while it’s true most kitties don’t require the same level of attention dogs do, leaving a cat home for days with no one to check on her can backfire.
What if your cat, home alone, gets sick? Who will tend to him? And what if the problem is very serious, like a urinary blockage? Will you get home in time to save him?
Another consideration is your cat’s diet. The only food that can be safely left in kitty’s bowl during your absence is kibble. However, kibble is far from ideal nutrition for cats. The species-appropriate nutrition that is healthiest for your cat can’t be left in a bowl on the floor for days, as it will spoil.
And what about that litter box? Cats don’t like dirty litter, and if her box isn’t being scooped at least once daily, your kitty may acquire a habit of eliminating in inappropriate locations.
Ernie Kovacs killed in Corvair crash, Jan 13, 1962:
"On this day in 1962, Ernie Kovacs, a comedian who hosted his own television shows during the 1950s and is said to have influenced such TV hosts as Johnny Carson and David Letterman, dies at the age of 42 after crashing his Chevrolet Corvair into a telephone pole in Los Angeles, California, while driving in a rainstorm. Kovacs, who often appeared on camera with his trademark cigar, was found by police with an unlit cigar, leading to speculation that he had been reaching for the cigar and lost control of his vehicle.
The Corvair was later made infamous by Ralph Nader's groundbreaking 1965 book "Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile," about unsafe practices in the auto industry.
It was the only American designed, mass-produced passenger car to feature a rear-mounted air-cooled engine.
The Corvair, which suffered from slumping sales due in part to the negative publicity from Nader's book as well as to consumer lawsuits (the car's suspension system was blamed for rollovers), was discontinued by GM in 1969.
In a bitter coincidence, one of Kovac's three children was later killed in an auto accident."
______
Yesterday:
Another mild day, so the cats could go out on the screen porch for a while. They still ignore each other and give each other a wide berth, so I did the 'sock trick'.
I got a pair of socks and rubbed each one on each cat, especially on the scent glands around their mouths, and then put the sock in the other's bed. This is supposed to familiarize them with each other's scent, without actually being up close and personal. This has stopped a lot of the hissing at each other. I know that Nala wants Ava to play with her. It is always more difficult to get cats of the same sex to be friends.
My time was eaten up by catching up on emails, blogs, paying bills, making Kale Chips, steaming veggies, trying to find the right Heat/Air, and the usual chores. While I had the steamer out, I steamed some soft-boiled eggs. If you put several eggs in boiling water, it lowers the temperature and they can't be timed right. If you steam them they are all the same.
The Good Steward of God's Blessings: Sharing Our Time, Talent and Treasure.
"In the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties, you can make a difference.
You’re sitting on the couch watching the evening news report of a devastating natural disaster overseas. Tens of thousands of hungry, exhausted, injured people have been displaced from their homes. Video footage depicts them walking for miles, carrying their children, desperately searching for food and clean water. They’ve left behind their homes, their possessions and in some cases their dead loved ones. Social safety nets that we take for granted in the developed world don’t exist now in their world.
The news anchors in the television studio comment on how tragic it is for the thousands and thousands who, by the unfortunate accident of where they happen to live, are now stripped of all their possessions and forced to start over, trying to meet their basic human needs. The report numbs you. It hardly begins to cross your mind that you wish you could do something to help those people. But of course you can’t—not in the face of such overwhelming devastation.
Then it’s dinnertime, which you enjoy with your family. You chat about your day and work on coordinating your schedules for the busy upcoming weekend. You never think about the news report again, and the images of innumerable human faces lined with intense suffering fade from your memory. You would never say so, but the forgetfulness is welcome.
We see seemingly insurmountable problems and think we are unable to make a true difference. After all if it were even possible to make a difference, surely someone else with more brains, money and time would do so.
But are we truly so powerless? Do we so quickly forget who our all-powerful Father is?
The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle performed by Jesus Christ that all four gospel writers recorded (Matthew:14:13, Mark:6:31, Luke:9:10-17 and John:6:5-15) The multitudes had been following Christ, listening to His teaching and receiving His healing. The disciples wanted Jesus to dismiss the many thousands to go find food, but Christ wanted the disciples to take care of the people themselves. Given the circumstances, the task was impossible. There was no way to quickly purchase food for the five thousand men plus thousands more women and children who had gathered, and the disciples quite reasonably said so. “But He [Christ] said to them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go and see’” (Mark:6:38)
In John:6:8-9 we read that a boy responded by offering his five barley loaves and two small fish to the disciples. Understandably the disciples commented, “What are they among so many?” This small amount of food was woefully inadequate for the situation. However Jesus multiplied the offering, abundantly meeting the needs of the people.
The Take-Away
What can we learn from this youth who responded to the disciple’s call for resources and the miracle Christ performed with such meager supplies?
1. Freely give what you have to God. We are stewards, not owners, of all that is in our control (including our time, talent and treasure). Surely others had food on that day in the Palestinian countryside. But when the disciples searched for resources upon Christ’s request to do the impossible, it was this boy who responded. He gave all he had and was thereby given the most excellent blessing of seeing God multiply his small offering to meet a staggering need. God could have had Jesus Christ turn stones into bread for the multitude, but instead He delighted in taking an offering and multiplying it for the benefit of the giver.
God will have His work accomplished, but He wants to do it through us.
2. Trust God to meet the need. We do not measure our own resources against the problem—we measure God’s resources against the problem.
Christ did not ask about the magnitude of the problem or the lack of resources—He asked, “What do you have to offer?” What looked vastly insufficient to human eyes became more than enough in God’s hands. Our human contribution to God’s work is marginal at best—even the contributions from the wealthiest, the most talented or even the most righteous among men. But God can take our offering—be it our time, talent or treasure—and multiply it to meet the need. It is only when we face a task impossible by human standards that we can stand aside and let God perform a miracle. So rejoice in impossible problems—you will see the hand of God!
“I am weak and can do nothing” is not true humility. Too often that approach is actually a convenient cop-out that serves our laziness or selfishness. We shirk our duty yet manage to pacify our conscience. “I only have five loaves and two fish— they won’t even make a dent in this overwhelming need, so I shouldn’t even bother...” Or more commonly today, how about, “I’m only a minimally talented musician, or speaker, or dinner host, or organizer, or conversation starter, or ______, so I won’t even bother trying to serve—someone else can do it, and they’ll do it better than I could anyway.”
True humility is knowing that on our own we are weak and can do nothing, but that through God, we can do anything He desires for us to do. And we will do anything He desires for us to do because in humility we will put all of our selfish cares behind us in order to serve God and our fellow man.
3. Reap such blessings that there is not room enough to receive them.
Not only did all the people following Jesus that day eat but there were twelve baskets of scraps taken up after the meal! What if the boy hadn’t offered up his meal? Perhaps he would have secreted away and quickly filled his belly, feeling vaguely uncomfortable and guilty. But instead of eating it all himself, he gave what he had to help others with no expectation of return. His offering, which in his hands could only have met the needs of a few, was then used by Christ to fill the needs of thousands of hungry people. Not only that, he also had the honor of being part of Jesus Christ’s miraculous care of the people.
Though others likely had food that day, they probably figured they didn’t have enough, so they didn’t give anything at all. One boy gave what little he had, and God made it more than enough.
What overwhelming needs do you see around you—in your family, your community and your world? What resources do you have that you can put in God’s able hands? What miraculous impact could come about because of your small offering? Our meager resources will never yield more when we clutch them tightly to our chest—instead they will wilt, wither and even poison us with anxiety. But the same God-given resources have infinite potential to help others if handed freely back to God.
AN AMAZING FACT: "In 1896, Sir Albert Cook journeyed to Uganda as a medical missionary. In his lifetime, he founded the oldest hospital in East Africa, trained countless native medical workers, began a midwifery school, and established a treatment center for STDs and sleeping sickness, as well as a school for medical assistants!
In an era of discrimination and prejudice against native Africans, British medical missionary Sir Albert Cook stood out as an unusual example of equality and service. After beginning medical work in Africa, he recognized the desperate need for trained local medical workers and decided to take action. For Cook, missionary work meant recognizing the needs of those around him and doing what he could to serve them.
His actions reflect the words of the apostle James. “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” Sharing God’s love often starts with action. In the United States, the need for food and medical attention might not be as desperate as it is overseas, but people also have emotional needs. Showing others that we care, taking an interest in their lives, and being a difference to them is frequently the best first step of evangelism."
KEY BIBLE TEXTS: "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." - James 2:15-17
_______
From me: When we lose a pet, as I just did, we get comfort from the poem of the Rainbow Bridge, http://rainbowsbridge.com/poem.htm , but is it true?
Will God Resurrect Animals?
"We really love our pets. It can be so sad when they die or we have to put them to sleep. If God can resurrect humans, then can’t He bring our pets back to life?
Animals are a special part of creation, and many of us have a special attachment to our pets. Some animals seem to have been created specifically for our enjoyment and companionship. We love them, care for them, play with them and are comforted by them.
Our pets simply become “part of the family.” It’s a genuinely sad experience when a pet dies. Often a child’s first experience with death is when he or she has to come to grips with the loss of a beloved pet.
Cartoons and children’s stories sometimes deal with the death of beloved pets by picturing them in some kind of “animal heaven.”
But does the Bible tell us why God created animals? Is there a purpose for them beyond their physical existence?
Some have a sincere question: If God plans to resurrect people, might He also resurrect animals to reunite us with those pets we came to love?
The reality is that while the Bible promises the resurrection of humans, it simply doesn’t say that He will resurrect animals. Why is that?
"I read an intriguing list the other day of 19 things to watch for in society that will be trending in the coming year. It was quite different than most lists that predict social movements in fashion and fads or follow pop culture and famous people.
It certainly wasn’t as silly and superficial as that stuff.
On the contrary, it’s worth paying attention to because these are trends that are impacting the everyday lives of people around the world, including you, your family and your children. In fact, the source where I found this information notes that these are major stressors in society.
Trend spotting these issues is fairly easy—as I read these, just ask yourself, “Do I see these trending up or trending down?” How would you rank our culture today on the following?
People will be, the list says:
Lovers of themselves.
Lovers of money.
Stuck-up.
Proud.
Abusive.
Disobedient to their parents.
Unthankful.
Irreligious.
Heartless.
Unforgiving.
False accusers.
Lacking self-control.
Violent.
Despisers of those that are good.
Betrayers.
Rash.
Conceited.
Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
Even though they will make a show of being religious, their religion won’t be real.
Pick any one of those social indicators—are we trending up or trending down? And what is the effect on a person who portrays such a trait? What is the effect on others who have interaction with such a person displaying this trait? What does it do to human relationships when any of these factors increase? When these things increase, I think the word “stress”—or “perilous,” as it was also described—is pretty accurate in many ways.
So, where did this list come from? Believe it or not, it’s from the Bible! The author is the apostle Paul, and he was forecasting the identifying marks of society in what he called “the last days.” You might say, “We’ve always had people like that around,” and you’re right. But Paul’s point, when he said, “In the last days perilous times will come,” is that these conditions will be progressively escalating. He follows on by saying this evil will grow worse and worse, with people deceiving and being deceived. In other words, these conditions will be trending up, and people won’t recognize why. And they won’t recognize how they are being desensitized!
This is found in 2 Timothy 3, by the way. It’s a fascinating forecast (given that it was written down nearly 2,000 years ago) and, by my way of thinking, is incredibly accurate in its assessment of today’s world.
So here’s what counts for us: You can’t change the world, but you can watch what’s trending in it, and you can watch your own life. Need a resolution for 2014? How about resolving to be a trendsetter—trending away from the dangerous direction society is heading!" From: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/speaking-of/whats-trending-in-2014/
_______
The program on WGN TV this morning:
Meet God
"It's the great mystery of life. Who is God? How can you know about Him? How can you interact with Him? You can know God! Find out how."
Blizzard brings tragedy to Northwest Plains, Jan 12, 1888:
"On this day in 1888, the so-called "Schoolchildren's Blizzard" kills 235 people, many of whom were children on their way home from school, across the Northwest Plains region of the United States. The storm came with no warning, and some accounts say that the temperature fell nearly 100 degrees in just 24 hours.
The storm is still considered one of the worst blizzards in the history of the area."
_______
Massive earthquake strikes Haiti, Jan 12, 2010:
"On this day in 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastates the Caribbean island nation of Haiti. The quake, which was the strongest to strike the region in more than 200 years, left over 200,000 people dead and some 895,000 Haitians homeless.
The earthquake hit southern Haiti at 4:53 p.m. local time. The nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince, a densely populated city located about 15 miles from the quake’s epicenter, suffered widespread devastation. Countless dwellings were reduced to rubble, while hospitals, churches and schools collapsed and roads were blocked with debris. Numerous government structures were heavily damaged or destroyed, including the presidential palace, parliament building and main prison. (At the time of the quake, Haiti lacked a national building code, and many structures were shoddily constructed.)
Governments and individuals around the world made donations and pledges of aid to Haiti totaling billions of dollars. However, on the first-year anniversary of the disaster, reconstruction efforts were still in their infancy. Thousands of people left homeless by the quake were living in tents, and only a small portion of the heavy debris resulting from the disaster had been cleared."
Wendy and I had our usual Saturday phone call. They were making plans to build a real house on the adjacent lot that they just bought next to their mobile home lake house at Lake Somerville, TX. They sold their big house in the Houston area to retire there, and her husband transferred to the Navasota office. They may be reconsidering building there as it is a long way for him to go to work for the next 20 years.
It is a 45 minute drive each way, so he has to allow an hour. That's two hours out of every day away from the family. Yes, lots of people do long commutes, but it is very stressful which affects the health. So they have been looking at areas closer to Navasota. Their son, Tony, also has to drive a quite a way to his job. Being a new young driver, this was a big worry when the roads were icy. Another thing to consider is that their place is 25 minutes away from the nearest big town where there are only Level III medical facilities. Something to think about as they age.
I fed the cats their breakfasts. A week or so ago, I fixed four little pet bowls, but now it is down to two.
Then I got ready for church. As the weather was great, I didn't even have to wear a coat.
One of the older members is out of the hospital again, and it was great to see her and her two daughters, as we have all prayed for her daily.
Another couple were absent as they are full-time RVers and live mostly in the Thousand Trails system, http://www.thousandtrails.com/ . They are 'snowbirds' and stay in TX in the winter, and up north during the summer. They had to leave the Conroe TT park for a while, as per TT rules, so they went to the TT park at Columbus, TX on the Colorado River, and will be back soon.
After the opening prayers, the pastor started by reading Psalms 121, 123, and 125 about how God is looking out for us. Then we sang two songs before the Bible readings. This week it was the continuation of Genesis 44:18 – 47:27, and then Ezekiel 37:13-28. This is about when Joseph, after years of being in Egypt reunites with his father, who thought that Joseph was dead.
Then we had the special prayers for those in need and the main song service, followed by the message which was about letting God work within us.
We all had good fellowship, conversation and food at the potluck. For the first time, I could hang around and help clean up the dining hall as I didn't have to hurry home to let Misty out yesterday.
The true cost of a thing is how much "life" must be surrendered to possess it.
Immigration
"ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is not a new problem...Native Americans used to call it WHITE PEOPLE."
Life !
Life is what happens when you are making plans to do something else !
The Journey Counts.
If we agree that the bottom line of life is happiness, not success, then it makes perfect sense to say that it is the journey that counts, not reaching the destination. —Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Your Present
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that is why they call it the present" Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
Pet's World
...Saving just one pet won't change the world...But, surely, it will change the world for that one pet.....
Don't breed or buy while homeless pets die!
EVERY LITTER BIT HURTS
Spay or neuter your pet
Thank You
Low Cost Spay/Neuter
From: 'Healing Animals' by Dr. Michael W. Fox
“Our perception of animals determines how we treat them, and whether they suffer under our dominion or not. Behind our perception and treatment of animals lie our needs, wants, values, and cultural and religious traditions.
Until these are addressed and our perception changed so there is empathy, respect, and communication, the holocaust of the animal kingdom will continue. And those qualities or virtues that make us human – humility, compassion, and selfless benevolence – will continue to be crushed by arrogance, ignorance, and the selfishness of our species.”
Difference
Nature
"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." - John Muir
What is Man Without the Beasts?
"What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." (Chief Seattle, 1855)
Gandhi
As Gandhi once said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated".
Is There An Animal Abuser Near You? Please Report it!
http://exposeanimalabusers.org/section.php?id=163
Can They Suffer?
The basic issue is simple:
"The question is not, can they reason?
Nor, can they talk? But, can they suffer?"
(Jeremy Bentham, philosopher and animal rights activist; 1748-1832.)
Recycling
Where to recycle, no matter if you live permanently somewhere, or on the road: http://earth911.com/
