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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Little Pond

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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Little Pond

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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Little Pond

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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Little Pond

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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Little Pond

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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Little Pond

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.