A little holiday ... cat ... chuckle

Just had to share this ... anyone who has a cat or two ... or three or ...
anyway, if you have a cat you've seen something like this happen, right?
Enjoy, as you head into the holiday weekend.

Honor Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day and I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday weekend.
But more than that, I hope you are carving out some time to remember the true meaning of this day.
Whether it be attending a local parade -- like the Lansdale parade as shown in this photo from last year -- paying your respects at a memorial service or simply taking some time for reflection and thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Happy Memorial Day.
And our eternal thanks and honor to those who serve today.

Time to be a kid again!

Ah, the week before Memorial Day.
Ah, it's time for Country Fair Days in Harleysville!
I don't know what it is about seeing the fair open each spring, but I know that I love it. It opens the door to all the great carnivals, festivals and other summer attractions just waiting in the wings.
It's not a huge fair, by any reasoning. But that doesn't stop the people from streaming in. And it includes fireworks and a parade and games and food and rides and... well, you get the idea.
The big plus -- the proceeds benefit community groups and the services they provide.
So be sure to check it out, as it runs Wednesday through Saturday at the Harleysville Community Center.
And let yourself be a kid again.

Are you still LOST??

OK, after investing years of my life and staying up way too late last night considering the hour I have to get up ... I think I'm still lost when it comes to "Lost."
There are way too many interpretations for my weary mind to contemplate this morning, but at least it will provide lots of food for thought in the coming days, weeks ... years?
If there's anyone else out there wondering what all the plots and subplots, Dharma and going into the future -- if they died in the crash, what was that all about? -- really meant, I'd love to hear your views.
Naturally there will be extra footage in the DVDs to be released.
And will there be a movie?
Don't ask me ... I'm still a bit lost.

daisy days

Daisies are my favorite flower, so I could not resist sharing this photo by our photographer Mark Psoras today. It just captures spring so beautifully.
I love daisies, but hate to pick them because they look far too lovely in nature.
Thanks to Mark, I can enjoy these today with no guilt!

VOTE TODAY!!

It's Primary Election Day and it's time to cast your ballot.
Forget the excuses that it's raining or there aren't many actual contests.
The rain won't melt you and there ARE important races.
Have you heard that we will be electing a new governor this year and a new U.S. senator?
There... two reasons already.
Get out there and vote. Exercise that right and privilege.

Rescue pets, please don't buy...

This is my late cat Chance, who found us...

If you were about to add a pet to your family, would you check out a pet rescue or head to a store?
There was an interesting story by the Associated Press this week that made me very happy.
In an Associated Press-Petside.com poll, more than half of the people queried said they would get their next dog or cat from a shelter — and that was about seven times the number who planned on buying that pet from a store.
Only 8 percent planned to buy a cat or dog at a store. Fifty-four percent of those polled said they would probably get their next pet from a shelter, while 23 percent opted for a breeder.
With so many cats, dogs and other critters waiting for a forever home, you have to wonder why in the world there are so many breeders out there adding to the population explosion.
And why people would either seek them out or head to a store for their next family member.
There also was a portion of the poll where people were asked where they obtained their present pets.
If they were like me, you need go no further than your doorstep.
All of the kitties living in our house right now found us. I swear there must be some kind of cat “underground railroad” system with hidden signs directing homeless cats to our door.
Something like “sucker, straight ahead,” no doubt.
But I digress. In this poll, 26 percent said their pets had come from breeders and 30 percent said shelters.
More than half of the people polled said their pets had been strays, gifts or the like.
I could identify with one women quoted: “I’ve probably had 50 dogs and all but two came walking up our driveway,” said Colleen Campbell, 71, of Fairview, Texas.
She lives in a rural area that’s infamous for its “drop-off” rate of unwanted animals. I’m not quite as bad as she is, however; she’s even taken in two donkeys that her vet said needed special care.
It takes a special kind of person to care for a special-needs pet, but they can be so loving that it can be well worth it.
Yes, we’ve been down that road as well a time or two.
But I hope others will consider this poll if they are looking for a furry friend. There are so many animals who would just love to call your house a home.
And we all know the horrors that have been uncovered where so many breeders are concerned.
Here’s something else to consider, whether you have a pet or not. Area rescue groups and the SPCA always need donations and volunteers. So why not consider giving of your time?
One group that’s near and dear to my heart — Stray Cat Blues — is facing a special need and perhaps you can help.
The local nonprofit cat rescue has kitty adoption cages at PetsMart, off Knapp Road, Montgomery Township, and needs volunteer cage cleaners for morning shifts (8 to 9:30 a.m.) Monday through Friday.
If you love cats and can spare about an hour and a half one or two mornings a week, the group certainly could use your help.
Keep in mind that cage cleaning is a physical activity— you have to stand to sweep out the 10 cages, scoop litter boxes, and fill food and water bowls.
But what great exercise!
Plus, you get to spoil the cats a bit.
If interested and available, e-mail savingstrays@yahoo.com, or call (215) 631-1851.
Just think how happy you’ll make those kitties. And remember, they’re all up for adoption, not for sale.

She's just a kid from Payette, Idaho...

...But maybe you can help her with a school project.
We recently received this letter and ran it in The Reporter. We sent her a few items that we hope will help with her project, but you still have time, too.
I hope you will consider doing so.
Here is the letter:

My name is Chelsea G. and I am a fifth-grade student at Westside Elementary School in Payette, Idaho.
On May 20, my class will be having a state fair. I have chosen the great state of Pennsylvania for my project. I would like to ask your readers to send anything from your state that I could display as I give my presentation.
Any type of collectable would be fantastic. I would especially like an old license plate to show off. We are hoping to get a license plate from each state being represented.
Thank you so much for any help your readers can provide.
Along with the items, please send your name and address so I can mail a thank-you card and picture of the display I made of your state.
Please send to Westside Elementary School, Attn: Mrs. Bain’s Class, 609 N. 5th St., Payette, ID 83661.
Chelsea G.
Idaho

I was a little curious about the town and how it compared with this area, so I found the map shown above and also the photo from the Payette environs.
And here are a few stats for you to consider.
Population in July 2008: 7,637.
Median resident age: 32.4 years
Estimated median household income in 2008: $35,447
Estimated per capita income in 2008: $16,988

sorry, irving

In case you didn't know it ... and why would you ... today is Irving Berlin's birthday -- you know, of "White Christmas" fame.
Yes, on this date in 1888, the prolific songwriter was born.
So I could not resist this uber-weird video of cats singing his famous tune. Come on, you have to admit it's probably one of the more bizarre things you'll see today.
I wonder if they recorded any of his other hits, like “There’s No Business like Show Business,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz” or “Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning.”

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope this is a wonderful day for all!

Love Vermont? Love tiny spaces?

This is a great video I stumbled upon simply because I love checking out things about Vermont.
I should follow this guy's advice, get rid of all my junk and move into a tiny house.
Sure would be an incentive to toss all the stuff I've accumulated over the years!
Any takers for the "small" lifestyle?

Kent State ... 40 years later

Everyone knows this photo ... or at least everyone who remembers the killings at Kent State University, 40 years ago today.
Four students were killed by the National Guard that day -- May 4, 1970 -- when Guard members opened fire on a student protest of the Vietnam War.
Nine people were wounded during the gunfire at the Ohio school.
The horror of that day sent shock waves around the world ... and at colleges and universities, memorials and moratoriums were held as students reeled from news of the killings.
On Monday, the spot where the killings occurred was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The university also has dedicated an audio walking tour of the site.
It seems a small remembrance for such a tragedy.
It was one of many sad moments in our nation's history as the Vietnam War was protested.
May it never be repeated.

Why so hot??

NASA photo

OK, it's Monday morning and it may be raining now, but more steamy heat is predicted today. And this weekend was just obscene.
We have just hit May. We already had several really HOT days in April.
Sorry, but this is unacceptable.
I want spring. I want days in the 60s and 70s. I want nights in the 50s -- tops.
There will be plenty of time for horribly hot days that all of you who want to tan and go to the beach can enjoy.
Not now.
Hot, hot, hot, humid, humid, humid weather as May emerges?
Please, spare me.
If this is a portent of things to come, we're in for one LONG hot summer. Sure, global warming/climate change is a myth.... right?
Unfair!