BRIGHT SIDE ARCHIVES FROM AOL: FOR MONDAY, JULY 3, 2006

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

JULY 3RD, 2006

TODAY'S THOUGHT

One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

TODAY’S ACTION

Feed your mind with thoughts that cause it to be peaceful. To have a mind full of peace merely fill it full of peace. It's as simple as that

TODAY’S QUOTE

The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.

Thomas Jefferson, August 1774

HAPPY MONDAY!

This morning I’ll be heading out to visit the campers. My two dulcimer buddies are going with me. The weather man say we have chances of thunderstorms, so we’ll be praying for a little sunshine today. If it decides to rain all day, I’ll have a lot of ‘deviled eggs’ to eat as I won’t be able to go. Have a great day all ! Another wonderful one on the Way !

TODAY IS…EAT BEANS DAY

Beans are just as important as fruits and vegetables in your plan for good nutrition. They are full of "anti-aging" agents (antioxidants), plus lots of other vitamins and minerals. And, if that isn't enough to convince you... there are a ton of ways to prepare them and they taste really great!

KANSAS CALICO BEANS

1 16-oz can pork 'n beans

1 16-oz can kidney beans

1 16-oz can lima beans (or butter beans)

6 slices of bacon

1/2 lb ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1/2 cup ketchup

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon dry mustard

2 teaspoons vinegar

1. Fry 6 slices of bacon; drain and crumble. Save this for the topping. Brown the meat in the bacon grease. Add the chopped onion to the meat and saute. Drain off any remaining water or grease. 2. In a large bowl, mix the ketchup, salt, brown sugar, dry mustard and vinegar to make a sauce. Add the meat and onions. Mix well. 3. Drain some of the liquid from each can of beans, but leave enough so the beans won't go dry during baking. Stir the 3 cans of beans into the meat and sauce mixture. Pour into a casserol dish and top with the bacon crumbs. 4. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Your baking time will depend on the depth of your baking dish. Use the shorter time for a shallow dish so the beans don't get dry.

TODAY’S TRIVIA

Let Freedom Ring Day

Saint Thomas Feast Day - Doubting Thomas is the patron saint of doubters

Dog Days begin today. Traditionally, the hottest 40 days of the year, blamed by our ancient ancestors on Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius appeared just before the season of the Nile's flooding, so they used the star as a "watchdog" for that event. Since its rising also coincided with a time of extreme heat, the connection with hot, sultry weather was made for all time:

Dog Days bright and clear indicate a happy year.

But when accompanied by rain,

for better times our hopes are vain.

Air Conditioning Appreciation Days begin today

Today is National Chocolate Wafer Day

1861: Pony Express arrives in SF with overland letters from New York.

1922: Fruit Garden and Home magazine published its first issue. Two years later, the publication became Better Homes and Gardens

1930: Congress created the US Veterans Administration

1986: President Ronald Reagan re-lit the Statue of Liberty's torch in New York Harbor. A $66 million restoration of the statue was completed 100 year after its dedication

TODAY’S LINK

LIGHTNING BUGS

http://www.tomslighthouse.net/lighthse/foot134.htm

This link was sent to me by a friend and it is worth viewing !

TODAY’S SMILE

There was once a pastor of a large church, he was a good man, a good pastor. and could preach a rousing sermon, but he had one weakness -- golf.

One Sunday morning he woke up, preparing his mind for that morning's sermon when he had a look out of the window. Oh what a glorious morning, the sun had broken through the weeks of greyness and the sky was clear blue.

At that moment he decided he had to play golf, even if it meant missing Church; he had a good team around him after all. So he phoned the associate pastor, explaining he was sick in a croaky voice. "Can we pray for you?" they offered "No, no it's not as bad as that" he croaked back and left them to take the service.

A brief pang of guilt was forgotten as once again he arrived at the golf course.

Up in heaven St.Peter, seeing all this wandered over to Jesus, "Lord", he said, "have you seen what your servant is doing down here?"

"Yes Peter", replied Jesus, "don't worry, I have it all in hand"

"Okay Lord" said Peter and went to see what was happening now.

What was happening was the Pastor was lining up his first shot of the day. He breathed the cool, fresh air, "This is going to be a beautiful day" he thought to himself and let swing. Crack, what a beauty, the ball sailed down the fairway."Oh yes this is going to be a beautiful day" he thought.

Again in heaven Peter walked over to the Lord and questioned "Lord do you see what's happening here?"

"Peter, Leave it to me, it's all in hand"

The round was going great, in fact it looked as though this might be the best round of golf he had ever played. He continued solo with his game, each hole accomplished with great skill. Suddenly, he was at the famous 18th hole, an enormous par five of reknowned difficulty. Could he maintain his form?

Many a game had been lost on this one! He lined himself up, took a final glance down the fairway to where it turned a bend and swung. He had never seen his ball go so far, it was amazing. He watched the ball soar. He began to fear that the ball would overshoot the dogleg and go into the trees. Too bad. As he watched the ball amazingly turned the corner. It must have hit a tree or something. WOW what luck.

He hurried down the fairway and rounded the corner until he saw the green still some way off. Where was that ball? How far had it gone? He just kept on walking, searching for the golf ball. There was no sign of it anywhere. Surely it hadn't reached the green!

No, it's impossible! Could it be! There lying in the cup was his ball. "A hole in one! A hole in one! Outstanding!" he shouts as he dances around ecstatically.

Up in heaven that was just the final straw, "What's going on?" Peter yelled, "did you see that, did you do that? Is this some grace thing again? What are you doing Lord? Your servant abandons his flock for some foolish game, lies to his elders, and this happens! You give him the most amazing golf game he has ever played. Then you top it off with that unbelievable hole in one. What's going on!"

"Yes Peter" replied Jesus, smiling,"I did give him all that, but there is one thing that you forgot...who's he going to tell?"

TODAY’S WORD

ad·u·la·tion noun.

Excessive flattery or admiration.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith'" he said, "why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:31

In the tragic storms of the life, Jesus specializes in calming waves and silencing winds. It'll just shock you sometimes. How can Jesus Christ do such a thing?

How, indeed. He is God! Never doubt it, my friend.

Charles Swindoll

TODAY’S ADVICE FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Cold water is best for removing egg stains from clothes.

81 DAYS UNTIL AUTUMN

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your Heart

Psalm 37:4

I Love You All !!!

Be Blessed !!!

MY HOMEPAGE

I believe we should live ‘ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’

www.bigmarainey.com