Great Story

Sue and I were out shopping tonight and heard a great story at the Art Van near our house. Apparently there were two stray beagles that were out in the cold and found their way to the front door of the Art Van furniture store. This particular Art Van has two sets of automatic doors that are motion activated. The two young beagles walked past the front of the store and the first set of doors opened so they walked into the entryway. Once inside, the second set of doors opened and they meandered into the store and jumped up on the first comfortable sofa they found and promptly curled up and fell asleep.

It took several customers coming in before someone mentioned to a salesperson that the two dogs were so cute. Of course this alarmed the salesperson and they immediately went to look at the two dogs. Both dogs were filthy, cold and hungry. They were also both lucky to be alive as the Art Van is on a major 4 lane highway.

The Staff at Art Van called the Humane Society who came and relieved them of the two dogs. Of course that is not the end of the story. As you have read here, we recently lost our dog who was part beagle and as you may be guessing, we are going to call and ascertain the disposition of the two dogs and may bring one home if they are still available.

Stay tuned for future pet updates.

On another note, I spend a lot of time in my car and as a result have become a big fan of books on tape/CD. Mostly I check them out of our local library but frequently I will get them for presents at birthdays and Christmas. Does any one know of a place or organization where I can swap tapes/CDs? Needless to say, I am beginning to build up a small library. If I can't find a swap source, I will likely donate them to our library or senior center or some other organization that could put them to good use but I thought I would at least throw the question out here.

Have a great New Year everyone!!!!!

My Dear Children

I really don't know who authored this and so I hope they forgive me if I post it here but I thought it was quite well done. It is quite appropriate for all Christians and I am sure the principles are universal.

My Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.

Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime, how I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just get along and love one another.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember: I LOVE YOU, JESUS

~Earthly Author Unknown~

Have a great weekend!!!!!

Lost another one!!

Never acquire all your pets in the same time period! My wife and I picked up a cat from a shelter, were given a cat from a friend and purchased a dog for my son all in a span of 2 years. Now it seems life has decided that we are going to lose them all in an even shorter time frame. In August we lost our oldest cat due to a variety of illnesses but mostly kidney failure. On Saturday, November 3rd we had to put down our dog. Freebie was a beagle/German short hair mix and maybe the smartest dog I have ever known. This dog even learned hand signals when she lost her hearing 2 years ago.

In addition to being a smart dog, she was my wife's true companion. I know what you are thinking, we got the dog for my son. True, but the dog always was my wife's best friend and of course when my son moved to Colorado, the dog stayed with us.

Freebie was nearly 15 years old and has had some health issues over the last few years. She has been a real trooper though and fought to the last. Early this month she slowed down considerably and on a Saturday several weeks ago, we took her in to the Vet and found out she had a mass in her abdomen that was now bleeding severely. We spent some time with her at the Vets and then stayed with her as she fell into everlasting sleep.

We now have one cat left and it is obvious that she misses the other two. Her eating habits have changed, she is talking up a blue streak and losing weight. Needless to say we are watching her closely because we really don't want to lose our third and last friend.

I have had pets all my life but these three pets have been more like children to my wife and me. The cat we lost in August, Kitty, was with us for 18 years and Abbie, our surviving pet is 17 this year. With Freebie having been with us for 15 years, it has been hard to lose them.

We have talked about getting another dog but our biggest fear is what affect that will have on Abbie. We will likely solicit advise from our Vet and see what his thoughts are.

Just a word about our Veterinarian - if you live within driving distance of Waterford, Michigan, you should take your pets to this place. The Veterinarian is Tyler Hutchinson and the Hospital is Pet Authority. The entire staff is absolutely the best in the business. They are caring professionals that have worked with us and our pets for years now and proven themselves to be some of the best practitioners of Veterinary medicine I have ever met. Dr. Hutchinson and his staff have become like family and helped us not only in the treatment of our pets but also in the grieving process. What a great group.





This is Freebie in her Lazy Boy recliner after a trip to the Vet.

Lost a good pet

Well it finally happened. We had to put down on of our cats this week. Kitty, (yes, that was her name) was 19 years old and had renal failure. She had a good run and she was a great cat. She gave us a lot of fun over the years and was companion to another cat and our dog. It is also obvious that the other two notice her absence. Seems odd but they do.

This is the first time I have had to put a pet down. Growing up I don't recall that we ever had to do that. Maybe we did and my Dad handled it without my knowledge but I don't think so. We had several dogs that we kept until they were seniors but most died by running into cars and one supposedly ran away. Hmmmmmmm

We knew this would happen soon, especially when you consider that all three of our pets were acquired in a short span of time. We now face the reality of losing them all in a short span of time. The other cat is 18 and the dog is now going on 15. That's going to be tough.

My wife was pretty upset with having to put Kitty down but that will pale in comparison to when we eventually have to take the dog in. She and the dog are like best buddies. They do a lot together and have for nearly 15 years now. I am not looking forward to that day.

Well it is the weekend and it is proving to be a warm one. However, Michigan has a lot of lakes and I need to go find one.

BFN

Prayers for a Friend

A little over 6 years ago I quit smoking. I had tried so many times to quit and had almost resolved that I would never be able to do it and that whatever ravages smoking would take on my body was just going to have to happen. Then I met a gal who got me involved in the American Lung Associations program to quit smoking. Lo and behold, it worked for me. She then led me to the Quit Smoking Journals for ongoing support and the rest as they say is history.

Unfortunately the story doesn't end there. My friend has now contracted lung cancer. She has quit smoking and the demon still found her after all these years. So....... I, and hopefully anyone who reads this, will offer up a prayer for my friend. Let's pray the prayer that never fails: "Let God's will be done!"

Thanks

Our Government in Action

Anybody listen to Frank Beckman on WJR this morning? I listened to him discuss the Farm Bill with Rep. Tim Walberg. Sometimes I think our Democratic Leadership is nothing shy of devious. There appears to be no integrity there at all!! In discussing the Farm Bill, Rep. Walberg noted how the Democratic Leadership - after committing to NOT add any tax increases to the bill - placed additional taxes in it that would effectively choke any foreign corporations that have operations in this country. Rep. Walberg stated that it would increase certain tax expenditures to these corporations by 600%.

Can you imagine what that would do to any business? At a minimum it is a violation of certain treaties that the US has in place, it would also under reciprocity likely incur similar taxes on US corporations doing business in those foreign countries. At its worst, it would jeopardize over 5.1 million jobs in the US and over 250,000 in Michigan alone.

Understand, this is a farm bill and the tax increase was put on manufacturers. Understand also that 66% of this Farm Bill goes to covering food stamps and nutrition programs.

I really believe the Democrats are moving closer and closer to socialism and we are all going to pay for it unless we stay ever vigilant.

On a lighter note, Rep. John Conyers continues to waste our tax dollars on why federal prosecutors will released. Oh well, we continue to elect these people.

By the way, people talk about the Presidents approval rating. Did you know the approval rating of Congress in general is 14%!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why don't we change this and vote these fools out????

All Night Session

My bad but somehow I missed reading about all the good stuff that came out of the all night session that our legislators pulled. Did I miss that or was it really just a huge PR campaign?

By the way, the weather in Michigan has been fantastic. If you haven't been here to take advantage of it, shame on you. No better place on the planet to live and work.

Gas Prices

Am I the only one that thinks gas prices are artificially inflated by about $1.00 per gallon? When I look at the cost of crude oil and the cost for refining and distribution, I don't see the increase that has warranted this pricing. Sure, I recognize that Katrina and some of the other natural disasters took a bite out of refining and distribution systems but at $1.00 per gallon increase X the number of gallons sold in the past two years, I think they could have rebuilt the entire infrastructure by now.

And of course there is now the whole ethanol thing taking place. The price of corn and other vegetables are going up. Corn due to the increased demand and the opportunity for windfall profits and other vegetables because farmers are dedicating more land to corn and leaving a shortage of available farmland for these other crops. We end up paying on both ends. That's just great!!!!!

I really had hoped ethanol would be a low cost alternative to gasoline. Cheaper and cleaner; what could be better? But no, soon ethanol will be as expensive or more expensive than gasoline just because of the "supply and demand" concept. What a crock! I will just continue to by gas for my car. No incentive for me to upgrade to a flex vehicle.

Ever ask yourself who is making all the real profits? I guarantee that it is not the station owner or the crude oil folks or the refiners. Who then? Question, isn't oil traded as a commodity? Think about it!

Northern Michigan

Loverly and I just returned from a nice long weekend in Northern Michigan and I have to admit that there is no better place on the planet. We played golf at Arcadia Bluffs (one of the finest and most beautiful golf courses in the country) and spent a few relaxing days in a comfortable and laid back atmosphere. I hope everyone makes the time to get to Northern Michigan and enjoy the experience.

The Usual Rantings

Can you believe the liberal democrats think the public so stupid that we overwhelmingly spoke up in opposition to the immigrtion bill because we were duped by "Talk Radio"??? I for one am insulted and it shows just how out of touch the democratic party is with what the people really want in this country. The liberal Democrats (and frankly most politicians) march strictly to their party's agenda.

On the homefront, Michigan is in the midst of a one state recession and our state legislature is struggling with how to correct a deficit budget for next fiscal year. Of course an increase in revenue is one solution (that's the new name for a tax increase) along with cutting more expenses.

I just love how they are doing it though. They debate the merits of business and income taxes knowing that these will get alot of public attention and scrutiny. At the same time they have snuck in legislation aimed at taxing everything from telephone service to entertainment venues. Knowing this time that the media will turn a blind eye to these tactics. Watch out people; it will happen before you know it. When I look at my phone bill now and what I pay for entertainment tickets, there is already enough taxes and surcharges on everything. (See House Bill 4852 and/or check out http://www.notickettax.com/) Let's just leave it alone and deal with the real problems; our state government needs massive restructuring to make it more efficient and effective. Nuff said.

Locally, the weather is great here in Michigan and if you are not from here you should give it a try. You will find a great state with lot's of good people and a lot a fun things to do. You may never want to leave.

Foster's Letters

This is my new blog and I hope to be creative and insightful with my posts. Please forgive me if at times I rant and if I sometimes just post nonsense that interests nobody but me. On any day you may read some of my slightly right of center ideas on what's happening in politics and other days you may read about my attempts at getting to a thinner Foster.

I hope you will come back often and share your thoughts on my letters and maybe give me a few thoughts of your own.

Foster