Churchill: The Gathering Storm...

is waiting for me.

I plan on reading the entire 6 volume set about WWII.  Our local library has the entire set and The Gathering Storm is awaiting my attention.

Since we are witnesses to our very own "gathering storm", I thought it important to learn more about the beginnings of WWII.  History does have a way of repeating itself. 

I'm in the habit of looking up books I plan to read on Amazon and reading the reviews.  Usually I stick to the 5-star and 1-star reviews and judge accordingly.

I found this 1-star review of The Gathering Storm rather hilarious:

Too many details are making this book quite boring. I believe a reader is not interested that much in so many detals, for instance for the operations in Norway, but more in the general points that will make the book easy and intereting to read. Probably this book might be of interest for people and experts who deal with history, but not that much for commercial reader. Seems that Mr. Churchill want to emphasize his role and his predictions about the beginning of WWII.

This is how one person replied to the above review:

This review is peevish, small and narrow-minded. This great work is not light and mindless entertainment. Churchill never "dumbed down" his books. I disagree that the Norway campaign was unneeded detail. Britain's continued existence depended on its ability to contain the Germans submarine fleets and bases in Norway in the hands of the Germans greatly increased their ability to protect their submarine pens on their northern coast. Hitler and Churchill both understood this, and acted on it. Anyone who wishes to avoid detail should read the greatly condensed version of this monumental work. 

Highly Recommended Reading for this Weekend:

Maggie, proprietress of Maggie's Notebook, has put together another wonderful post on Agenda 21.  I admire her tenacious research and if you're not up to speed on Agenda 21, she has further articles linked at the bottom on this newest one.

Since we live on five acres and I see bits and pieces of this creeping into our North Idaho paradise, I've been following this closely.  If you live in a city or suburb, the impact will be just as devastating - if not more so.

From: Maggie's Notebook:

Agenda 21 Research: Long-Sought Control of Natural Resources and Minds Through Socialism, Marxism, Communism


I find it amusing that I have commie relatives who tout the whole saving the earth garbage when they don't even own a houseplant.

On the other hand, we bought a house located on a barren 5-acre plot which was 100% covered with noxious weeds (can you say knapweed?)  Together we planted close to 200 trees, 150 shrubs, installed a veggie garden, meditation garden, cutting garden, and started a daylily nursery.

So who's really helping the environment? 

Personal Notes on Owning a Cat

When you live in the country and own a cat, it is inevitable that other cats are attracted to your property.  Our little kitty, Erica, who weighs in at a mighty 6 lbs on her fat days, is a fierce protector of her domain.

This morning we were alerted to the presence of a foreign cat when our little doggie erupted by the back slider.  There's a few rather large bully cats (at least 12 to 15 lbs), who like to cavort in our backyard.

Erica was having none of that and I spied our brave little girl, tail puffed up to the size of a raccoon, stalking the big bully cat ready to do battle to protect her turf.  I ran out and shooed the bully out of the yard.

I wonder if I would ever be that brave?

Erica the Fearless

 

How hot is it here?...

allow my kitteh to demonstrate.

It's so hot I can't think.  I work outside from about 5:30 am until 9:00am.  It's downhill from there.  One more day of over 90 degrees and then blessed relief. 

This is a very, very hot kitteh:

Erica "enjoying" the heat. She's too hot to even clean her little legs.

Don't bother me.  I'm HOT!!!!

My office assistant...

taking a break.

Erica, doing what she does best...

Frankie and Erica keeping us safe from elephants...

so far it's working.  Thanks, guys!

Blog assistant and biggest fan...

is very helpful.

When asked for a comment Erica said, "Iz eet you camera cord when you not luking"

Sexy Pole Dancer

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Well, ok - maybe Erica is not exactly dancing on top of that 7 foot pole, but I think she looks pretty sexy in her Cat Bib...
and it did get your attention!!

If you have a kitty that likes to catch birds you need a Cat Bib.

Be Back Later

******Yesterday while I was holding my little office kitty Erica, I dropped her food bowl. The noise frightened her and she catapulted out of my grasp inflicting three fairly serious gouges in my hand.

******The scratches are not looking very pretty this morning, so I am headed to the doctor for a possible IV drip antibiotic.

******It's not Erica's fault.......really!

I'm sorry...

Ending the Circle of Life

Erica in her Cat Bib

Purple is the color of royalty

Circle of Life

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Look what Erica spit out in the barn......

To put it in perspective the dish is about 3" in diameter. Birdie thinks it's a bird bath.

and Erica is back in her Cat Bib............
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From starving stray

to member of a family......

Ignatian Retreat

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. Isaiah 11:6

    Several years ago, I did the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life at Gonzaga University (SEEL). It proved to be one of the most valuable things I ever did. It gave me direction in my prayer life and it taught me how to pray with Scripture.

    This program gives everyone a chance to benefit from the Ignatian Exercises without having to set aside 30 days in our busy lives. Creighton University has the entire program on-line, brilliantly arranged, for us “everyday folks” to use. They have even included a “sharing” place for reflections.

    Take a moment now and check out this wonderful resource. And then, take 15 to 30 minutes a day to enrich your life.

Erica (see her story) has found some new friends.

Erica's Story

As we came down our road one night early last summer, a little creature hopped across the road. I thought it was a rabbit and was pretty amazed, as we had never had rabbits on or around our five acres before.

It was several more days before I saw the tiny cat in our back field and realized it was the hopping creature I had seen. For many days I saw the little cat but could not get close to her. She was wearing a collar so I wasn’t too concerned. After a few weeks, I decided to feed her. When I could finally pet her, I was shocked to discover she was a skeleton wearing a fur coat.

As the weather became colder, she was given a bed in the barn. Soon the bed was put in a large insulation-wrapped cardboard box, and shortly thereafter, my own heating pad made its way into the bed. By now she had a name; Erica.

Every day Erica sat by our back door and gazed into the house already populated with two dogs and another cat. Her face said it all, “I want to be part of this family.” One night the temperature was to drop very low and yes, gentle reader, Erica was allowed to sleep in my office. As I write this she is curled in a ball on her very own table next to my computer.

I’ve thought often of the faith that little scraggly cat demonstrated. She knew in her little animal “soul” that she would have what she desired. She was always calm and quiet as she watched through that door. Her persistence and patience paid off.

How would our lives change if we had just a little bit of the faith Erica had; if we could gaze through the eyes of faith at Our Lord with calmness and quiet? How would it feel if we absolutely knew, with no reservations, that the Faith of Our Fathers – the Catholic faith -- contained all the answers we would ever need?

Erica taught me about patience, persistence, and most importantly, about the power of faith. Be vigilant, gentle reader, for you never know who or what is going to teach you a lesson.

P.S. Erica is named after the Phantom of the Opera, Erik, to whom she bears a striking resemblance.