For Friday, July 22nd, 2011

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JULY 22ND, 2011

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side

It's FRIDAY!

HAMMOCK DAY

Summer is in full swing. It's time to slow down and to relax. During the DOG DAYS of summer and all of the other summer days, too, there is no better place to slow down and relax, than on a hammock.

Hammock Day is appropriately celebrated right in the middle of the DOG DAYS of summer - July 3 though August 11th.

Hammock Day exists to enjoy summer as it should be enjoyed. People celebrate Hammock Day by spending as much time relaxing on it as possible. Getting out of your hammock to get a snack, or your favorite summer beverage is okay. But, it is not a day for work. Cutting the lawn is forbidden on this day.

Bring on the lemonade!

How to walk through life's Hot Spots

Keep on walking. A surefire way to get burned is to stop walking. When you are afraid, or under extreme stress, or hurting -- keep going. You will get through if you keep dealing with the everyday tasks at hand to the best of your ability.

PERSEVERE

Remember that this difficult time will pass. It may feel that you are in a repeating time warp, but realize that pain is time-limited. All problems have a beginning and an end.

BE PATIENT

Make rough times work for you. Not everything is good, but the Bible reminds us that everything can be used for good if you submit your will to God. Look for ways to learn, grow, or cope in your pain or stress

HAVE COURAGE

Take WHAT IS and make the most of it. Make lemonade from your lemons. You are not called upon to create perfection from every situation, only to make the most of it. Don't waste your time on ceaseless complaining, but look for meaning and joy in all situations

BE CONTENT

Clean up your own trash. Stand on your own feet and don't try to blame others for your problems. You are not a victim. Choose to live the rest of your life with a controlled response to what is happening

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Be true to you. You will have more strength for dealing with ordeals in life if you have the courage to be true to your own values. Hypocrisy destroys internal energy

MODEL INTEGRITY

Be gladder than madder. Expressions of gratitude calm the soul and clear the mind.

SHOW GRATITUDE

Have as much fun as you can. Anticipation of fun raises the level of your energy. Learn to laugh through your trials.

DISPLAY HUMOR

Determine what is within your control You cannot control what happens to you, but you can choose the frame you put around your experiences. You can choose how you will deal with all situations.

EXHIBIT INTERNAL CONTROL

Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm literally means, GOD IS IN US. If He is in you, let your life so shine. Learn to love life

SHOW YOUR PASSION

Education is not the filling of a bucket -- but the lighting of a fire in your life.

Live and Learn and Pass it On.

NEW IN THE KITCHEN

National Penuche Day

Penuche is a sort of fudge made with brown sugar instead of regular sugar. Sometimes chopped pecans are added for a bit of texture. Is it a summertime food? Well, it isn't light and airy. But it doesn't require turning on the oven, either!

And penuche frosting or icing is commonly used on carrot, spice, or apple cakes. It's National Penuche Day!

Penuche Frosting

3 large egg whites
1 1/2 cup superfine sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place egg whites, sugar, cream of tarter and water in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring to blend the ingredients. Cover and cook for 1 minute. Remove the lid and stir again briefly. Using a pastry brush, brush sides of saucepan with water to prevent crystals from forming, cover and heat 30 seconds longer.

Using a hand-held electric mixer, beat over simmering water for a minimum of 7 minutes, or until thick and fluffy.

Add the corn syrup and vanilla and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

Empty into a stand mixer and beat on medium speed until the frosting cools and is very thick. If frosting is too soft, refrigerate for 30 minutes, then beat again.

Makes 4 cups

NOTE: If the weather is very humid, additiomal beating time may be required. This frosting is best used the day it is made.

Instead of the superfine sugar called for, use firmly packed dark brown sugar. Add 1/2 teaspoon maple extract along with the vanilla extract.

4 cups is enough to fill and frost two 9-inch layers; three 8-inch layers; the tops and sides of a 9x13x2-inch oblong cake; or a 10-inch tube cake.

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

AROUND HOME

I'm not 40-something. I'm $39.95, plus shipping and handling.

As you all know I'm well past 40 something, but I do know a few that are approaching 40 or who recently celebrated 40 birthdays. I thought maybe they'd appreciate this quote.

I was reminded of my age once again as Atlantis landed safely yesterday ending the shuttle era. Those brave men and women who were true explorers of space are to be applauded. Space exploration was mere science fiction when I was a child.

I think that yesterday was to be the hottest day of our pressure cooker heat. It was about the same as when we visited the zoo in Nashville last week with a 110 heat index. Still our temps will be hovering in the low 90's and high 80's well into next week. When I checked at 8 pm last night it was still 98 degrees here. 4500 people west of town were with out electricity when a transformer failed.

In the news they say completion of the 2nd phase of our new high school is behind. The gym isn’t done. When school resumes, the cafeteria will be a dining-only facility because the kitchen isn’t completed. Gym classes will be postponed until at least the second quarter.

I'm not 60-something. I'm $59.95, plus shipping and handling.

IF you haven’t already, you’ll learn the critical importance of friendship and love in your life. You probably won’t believe me now, but that alone is worth the price each of us pays to become a Geezer-First Class.

Keep safe, Keep cool and drink those liquids!

COUNTING THE DAYS

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain,

63 DAYS UNTIL FALL

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma