Dogs Jumping

Sometimes a photo's just too good to keep to yourself!  Wouldn't you just love to have this kind of determination, energy, and joy?

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."  

~ Josh Billings  (1818-1885)

St. Patrick's Breastplate

"St. Patrick's Breastplate has taken its place as one of the favorites in our little Parish community.  It was written by the venerable saint himself, who was born in Ireland way back in the year 372.  The song is set to a traditional Irish hymn melody and is not an easy feat to sing, for it trips merrily up and down and all around the scale.  

Today I dedicate St. Patrick's Breastplate to our little Beau.  It was sung in his honor at his memorial, and I know that he trips merrily along with St. Patrick himself  in the emerald fields of heaven.

"I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three.

I bind this day to me forever, by pow'r of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jorday river; His death on cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spiced tomb; his riding up the heavenly way; 

His coming at the day of doom:  I bind unto myself today.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself to day the virtues of the starlit heav'n, the glorious sun's lifegiving ray,

The whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free,

The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea

Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself to today the pow'r of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch,

His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need,

The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward,

The word of God to give me speech, His heav'nly host to be my guard.I bind unto myself the Name, the strong name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same, The Three in One, and One in Three;

Of whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word.

Praise to the Lord of my salvation:  Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Why Should We Be Surprised?

Why is everyone reacting with shock and surprise when Bail-Out Recipient AIG execs were paid over $165 million in bonuses?  AIG's mismanagement was rewarded, so what other lesson would they learn?  Screw up - get bailed out - screw up again.  It's just business as usual.  If any corporation or individual has been foolish with their assets, they should experience the consequences (fail), learn the lessons, and proceed again in a wiser fashion.  Quit bailing out the losers!  But when you do, don't be surprised at what they do next.

One thing that concerns me greatly, though, is that there is talk in Congress  to tax the AIG exec's bonuses - even as much as 100%.  As much as I think AIG's actions have been deplorable, setting the precedence of taxing bonuses at 100% is dangerous.  It opens up a whole Pandora's box of new taxes on honest people.