Thursday, October 21, 2010

PURE DACHSHUND: DUKE'S VERSION OF "RESTING"


Our doxie Duke "resting" with Hubby
 This is probably one of my favorite photos of our dachshund . . . in it, he is exhibiting several common dachshund traits:

  • enjoys resting
  • likes to be close to humans
  • has that "don't make me move" expression
  • displays plenty of attitude

Duke is at once adorable, loving, fun, annoying, aggravating, and loyal. 

I invite your reactions!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

A DAY IN THE LIFE . . .

Can you believe that I currently have absolutely NOTHING to write about??  There is nothing new going on here, nothing happening, nothing to share.  I am not even going to add any photos this time.  What kind of a dull life am I leading, anyway?

This kind: 
  • My entire family is well--nobody is sick right now.  What a blessing!
  • I have people to love and who love me.
  • I have relatively good health, except for the part about aging and decrepitude.
  • I am blessed with a wonderful husband, a mother, a brother and his family, cousins, sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, aunt and uncle, two daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren (who happen to think I am great :).
  • I have a caring church with friends, and a pastor who "rightly divides the word of truth."
  • We have three funny "animules" in this house, and they entertain us daily (unless, of course, they are annoying us).
  • I have a reason to laugh daily.  Humor is good medicine.
  • I have saved the best for last:  no matter how difficult life gets, no matter what happens, I always have my faith in Christ that sustains me!  The poem "Footprints" is right.  What more could I possibly want or need?
Sometimes we simply need to STOP and take stock to realize everything we have, not everything we don't have.  Right now, I can't think of anything I else I want or need. 

I have a refreshingly mundane existence.  Thank you, Lord.

Monday, October 4, 2010

LET FREEDOM RING: VOTE, AMERICA!

To begin with, I am not going to mention how I plan to vote or tell you how to vote.  I simply want to urge all registered voters to cast informed votes next month in the midterm elections.  I will, however, give my personal criteria for choosing political candidates.

I find out all I can about those running for office, not only statewide, but also in my locale.  I have literally heard comments like these:   "He seems like a nice enough fella . . . maybe he'll do a better job than Sen. X."  Or, "Well, she sure had some good jokes at the fundraising dinner." 

In response to that kind of thinking, voting based upon personality or  speaking ability is far too risky--such surface skills are not necessarily those of true leadership and integrity. For incumbents, I check out their legislative records while in office; I look for how they voted on legislation and what they have been up to.  Then I choose those whose views most closely mirror my own. 

However, if it's time infuse the political process with some new blood,  then I also research the new candidates well.  I check out where they stand on the issues, searching for their honesty in personal and business dealings as well.  However, I don't let some really stupid youthful comment derail me from their stand on those issues.  After all, most of us have said some pretty dumb things.


Making intelligent, well-informed choices means that I know why I am voting for certain candidates, and also why I am not voting for others.  I want my choices to be based upon knowledge researched and checked beforehand.  As a Christian, I also seek for wisdom and guidance from the Lord in making those choices.

Today, more people are voting for candidates' stands and/or records, not just along party lines.  And, I might add, more people are truly involved in the political process, seeking out those candidates who are honest, trustworthy, and open.

Informed voting is far too crucial to allow emotionally-charged barbs--so often hurled during campaigns--to sway me from choosing my candidates, and it should never be a mere coin toss.  I love America, so I plan to vote for those candidates who exhibit exemplary leadership and character qualities, a love for our country, and a record of integrity. 

I urge you to do that as well.

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