Aiding the Hurricane Victims

Yes, this is the same post from the MSCompanion:

Don't let your worries about scams stop or slow your donations. You can certainly start here: The American Red Cross. Or the equivalent outside the United States. Or take your prayers and a check to your own house of worship. We should be getting good at this, especially after the Tsunami in SouthEast Asia.

You can take a chance and throw a few bucks at a collection can, if you don't recognize the agency collecting, but I'm willing to bet that they'd be content to hear that you've donated through one of the reputable, widely-recognized national and international agencies.

Update: It is very difficult (tedious) to give online right now. Try your local chapters.

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Little Pond

I Will Do This

This is fair warning to anyone hoping to harass local servicemen returning from Iraq: You are targeted. You will not go unopposed. People will know who you are. It is not my policy to post names of the subjects of my blogs, but I will make an exception in your case. Especially if I post your picture. If your address and phone number are listed, and therefore public record, I'm thinking of posting those also.

I didn't understand what was happening during and after the Viet Nam conflict. "It didn't--it couldn't happen here." I thought: no one could be so evil as to abuse a returning war veteran. But I saw the damaged men and the cold reception they got. Why it didn't add up in my little chickie brain, I don't know. By omission, I contributed to it. Not this time. Not me. Not now.

I have a camera and a blog and I will use them. So, if you are in the Elmira, New York area, you'd better mind your manners.

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Hail the Returning Heros! Part 2

This just makes me sick at heart. Especially when this sort of riveting reportage makes it very clear that we should be nothing except humbly grateful and forever in the debt of our servicemen.

Hat tip to the Cotillion, and many other blogs for the Walter Reed Story. And Michael Yon for his superb report and sheer professionalism, highlighted by self-effacing humility.

Who has the correct assessment of the situation in Iraq? You decide. Winds of Change has all views on the subject: scroll around!

Afghan Warrior could tell a thousand tales that would predict the future in Iraq. And no, it isn't all pretty.

And back to our day-to-day dramas: Some Good News from The View From My Chair. Norm is recovering and Karen of Scottsdale is returning to posting, philosophizing, and blogging.

Something new at Walking Tours. Bring your little buddy, a water bottle and a leash. Oh yeah: some baggies.

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And Bubba turns one year old this week. Remember, this cat is bigger than GrandDog Ellie, so he weighs more than 18 pounds! 

Our two biggest accomplishments this summer: One heck of a garden. The neighbors have stopped making eye contact, fearful of finding another brown paper sack on their porches! 

Feline Friday

Don't have a moment to spare on Friday, but there's always time for 1) cat pics and 2) any of BurningBird's great photos. This is a twofer. Scroll around and check the links to her galleries. I'm not jealous of her genius and her excellent camera. No, not at all. Love you, Shelley!

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Two Little Links

First a call for support and prayers. Please help. This has to be tough.

Then you can relax:

Shelley at BurningBird takes us along to the Ozarks. And more.

Better yet, start here and scroll down, to catch it all. Can't believe she's dealing with such vexatious stuff while on vacation!

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Hail the Returning Heros!

This is how we thank our servicemen for their time and sacrifices. And this, too, is how we reward those remaining behind who willingly shouldered the extra work and responsibility for the sake of our servicemen and our country's security. Wish Smash had published the name of the company.

While you're visiting, hit the tip jar to help with his family's inevitable expenses.

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Little Pond

Correction! I'm so embarrassed!

A short, sweet note from Sissy Willis: the self-portrait is not for the Cotillion, but for Pajamas Media, a new Internet advertising service in the works.

Well, it's the Cotillion's loss. Who wouldn't want the lovely play of light, environmental themes and sheer personality expertly crafted by my everloving Blogmother?

Sorry Sissy. I hate getting old, more than most do. Still love me?

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Reflections in a Golden Platter

My everloving Blogmother Sissy has given a face to her writing. She needed a mugshot for when she hosts or contributes to the Cotillion. Course it can't be just a plain old headshot. It has to be Beauty in Unexpected Places. But where would we expect to find our Beauty? Punditry, Pets and Party Food? Somehow a golden platter is not such an Unexpected Place.

Still not too tough on the eyes, Sissy.

( And of course there is an accompanying kitty pic, for all you cat fanciers.)

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Linking Blogs

Lincoln Logs, Linking Blogs, get it? Oh, never mind. Seemed clever at the time.

This is that sort of morning:

Yesterday, after word from my Mum that Daddy's recovering well from the angioplasty, I drove up to Great Harvest to meet with GolferGirl. I don't know why, but I liked their old name better. Their breads are sheer heaven. This week it's--are you ready?--Sticky Bun Loaf!!! Lord help me, I had to add a Woodstock Loaf, for healthy crunching. Still trying them with (I Can't Believe It's Not) butter, blueberry jam, honey, and whatever other permutations I can imagine.

My everloving Blogmother, Sissy Willis is still looking for that Sweet Shot of herself, if you'll forgive the golfing pun. And we are still waiting with bated breath.

Speaking of photography, we are almost prayerfully offering this link to BurningBird. Magnificent Monarchs.

And finally on much more somber note: We followed a link through LaShawn Barber and were deeply saddened to catch this sorrowful entry. Please click through to show Vic your support. It's never too late for prayers: every nanosecond of life is precious and can be cherished forever.

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Quick Notes

Monday morning before chores.

Chipping away at the Taliban. From our Afghan Warrior.

Leave the lady alone: if anything send her your prayers. Lashawn tells it like I feel it.

And last but not least, a look at my everloving Blogmother. Who knew she was such a hottie? Not too tough on the eyes, Sissy.

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Geez, what now? Can't a person get her groceries home before the Fudge Nut Brownie ice cream melts? And why is Husband RJ standing around with all those suits? 

This is the fuss. Jeanine Pirro, announcing her candidacy. She's running against Hillary Clinton, the "come-here" from Arkansas. Nice lady, but we really would have also liked to see her mom, who's been ill. 

Pirro spoke to a generally cordial crowd. The applause and deafening silence were about half and half. She's a rarity around here: a liberal Republican.  

Good Morning

It is a good morning. The house to myself. A little light cleaning, laundry and some blogging.

Start with breakfast: Cake with LaShawn Barber. Mm-mmm. Wish I were close enough to stop in.

Just getting up from a night full of crazy dreams. So was Karen of Scottsdale.

And because GrandDog Ellie is back home in Golden Glow, a very sweet animal story, courtesy of the Happy Catholic. Is that why HuggaMutt won't let anyone near me when we go dogblogging?

It's good to have protection. It's good to be free. It's good to be a woman in the United States of America. Whenever I forget that, I can always be brought up sharp on the Internet. Afghan Warrior has another horror story of civil rights abuse by the Taliban. This time they've murdered a civic-minded woman. The world can never be safe for women while they still exist.

And finally a paraphrased line from "War of the Roses"

Never, never, never apologize for being multifaceted. Shelley at Burning Bird even offers a direct link to her pretty-damned-perfect pics, but the entire entry is worth reading and scrolling. Great links, artistic and philosophic musings, and some ever-so-slightly vulgar fun, from my favorite techno-geek on the Net.

Oh well, gotta go save the world from (yet another) Evil Emperor and his regicidal ally, Kefka. If the world is intact, you've all got me to thank.

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Little Pond

Clean My House Day

Got some quick posting and quick cleaning to do today.

Wanted a positive post on Afghanistan, and one found me at Winds of Change.

Otherwise, check out the "newest" attitude-adjustment drug linked by my everloving Blogmother.

I knew all along.

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Little Pond

Need More Kitty Fix?

Then start here: my everloving Blogmother Sissy has Tiny and will send you to the Carnival of the Cats.

That is your best bet this morning, because not much good news elsewhere. Afghan Warrior reports a significant setback in Afghanistan. Pakistan is renegging on its agreement to provide shelter for refugees. Not everyone is ready to return. I'm puzzled by this news. Frankly, I hadn't expected even that much cooperation from Pakistan. I'm watching for further developments.

Finally, I'm over my weekend snit. I really need my freedom, MS or not. Confinement, even to my own home, makes me cranky. Fortunately, VirginMobile made good.

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Early Morning Takeoff at KittyWalk, NY

We've been talking about this for ages. The cats need outdoor air; we need the a/c. Ellie likes company, but the cats tend to slip the leash. Elmira, NY is a cat leash-law city. Solution: the KittyWalk.

The walk is visible from our workstation. And Ellie protects my cats from dogs. Punchline: we live in a cat-leash city, right on the border of a town that doesn't even have a dog leash-law. Not that we can swear by, anyway.

Expensive? Oh, yeah. It will pay for itself in no time, no doubt. Love it.

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No room, No room!

Kittywalk is ten feet long. But it's scary at first and Patches, Bubba, and DeeDee huddle together for support. Soon they spread out.

False Alarm.

Sometimes I tear out of the house when I see this from the window. But she's fine, just exploring the new-found ability to hang up-side down.

Only problem? No escape from Ellie. The GrandDog plays hard. DeeDee doesn't. She likes this thing less than Bubba and Patches do. Live and learn.

Hurry, While I'm Still on Vacation

...and it's still relevant! Check in on my favorite Cutie-Pie Geek and see his take on BUI. Blogging Under the Influence.

Last day of my vacation. But I still found time to travel to England to see this artist. Amazing!

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Aaacckk! Too Hot!!

Day four into my vacation week, and I had hoped to go to the Chemung County Fair today. Forget it! Temps are expected to soar into the high 90's. Aack.

Instead I opted to do my usual Friday grocery shop on Thursday morning. Figured the cool grocery stores would cancel out the heat. Wrong. Cool in the stores, yes, but hot as blazes outside to the car. Now I'm wilted, and can't eat, or even pack away the grocs (pronounced grokes).

The workstation is just in front of the dining-room A/C diffuser. Ellie wants out, despite the heat. Out goes the GrandDog, to the shady back yard under the chestnut, where the squirrels taunt us. Bowl of water, check.

Big bright spot: A new (to me) blogger: The View From My Chair. This lady is an excellent writer, somewhat politicized, good with the day-to-day, and yes, she blogs pets! I hope to spend some cooler moments perusing her archives. Be my guest. Er, her guest, actually.

Update: We didn't initially credit the above to LaShawn Barber's Corner. Didn't think she'd want it, just because of the disabled connection. Guess I was wrong: Linking is very important here. Generally I blog only for myself, and my readers are welcome to my humble opinion. By now, regulars should realize that I am pretty conservative. My links, however, are fairly general. Each blogger according to his or her gifts. LaShawn is very gifted and a heckuva writer. Enjoy.

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Little Pond

I'm on vacation, okay?

Just killed a half-bottle of Castel Grisch Finger Lakes Baco Noir. Don't mind telling you that's a mouthful. It's one of my favorites. I'm always looking for good reds around here and they are relatively rare. This one is superb, and thanks to Husband RJ, I drink it often. Good for the heart, right?

So naturally, I'm not itching to compose a new post. Instead, I'm sending you, along with my Hometown Tourists from my other blogs to my new site. The hard work of shutterbugging was done in cooler days of early summer. And today GrandDog Ellie is in Golden Glow. She doesn't know it, but a trip to the SPCA will give her a new implant to prevent permanent loss. Her roaming roommate Willie is slated for the same treatment. Brie's a homebody who's not interested in the rest of the world, so he escapes. More on them all soon.

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Little Pond

Aghan Update

Another update from our Afghan Warrior. More Americans need to see what's happening in Afghanistan, so we can properly support our work in Iraq. Never mind the politics of any of it: things have already improved in Afghanistan and they certainly could improve similarly in Iraq.

Major difference: things had deteriorated badly before we invaded Afghanistan. Removing Saddam and unleashing war has deteriorated Iraq. Afghanis could only see improvement. Iraqis have seen incredible hardship. But they are now their own people, not Saddam's subjects. Let's not leave them in the lurch.

Heartening news: as we prepare for withdrawal, the Iraqi Army is showing itself to be quite up-to-snuff. And the Iraqi citizens support them and hate the insurgents. Can we please stay by their side until they are secure?

Update: 4:23 pm

Not to steal Afghan Warrior's thunder, but I just noticed this post in Winds of Change. So, I'm not the only one seeing through rose-colored glasses. pb

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Little Pond