2018 The Year of the Dog

As the year wraps up, here are just a few of our favorite doggy-pup moments:

River listening to Piano music at our home for the very first time in her young life.

Felt perplexed. Not sure what to make of this "noise".

Could not yet get quite as relaxed as her cousin-pups.

met this cute French Bulldog. I want!

Had to say goodbye to the one-and-only, Yoshi. Miss him soooo much!

River's big sis, Luna.  She would like to say hi
to kitty if it weren't for these scary stairs

 our Reckless Janey 'tzu

Smiley Camilla. Just another stray dog like Janey

The nose knows!  Hazel, our baby grandson's guard dog

Come on in!

always!

Dog's Color Linked to Longevity

Dog Waits for Owners to Return to Home Destroyed by Cali Wild Fire




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International Coffee Day 2018

Aging has its benefits --- for people and for coffee, as studies continue to reveal.  In the world of coffee aficionados, the best flavor comes from beans that have been "monsooned", or stored in an open-air warehouse where the beans are exposed to the tropical elements for approximately 16 weeks.  The added moisture and wind result in a low-acid, full-body brew.  The process mimics shipping methods of the 1600s, when coffee from India travelled to Europe aboard sailing vessels.  The journey took up to six months, with the beans soaking up the moist air.  As shipping methods became faster, coffee got a sharper taste.

Maybe all that natural aging has increased its health benefits too.  Recent medical research indicates that drinking coffee lowers a person's chances of getting colon cancer, gallstones, cirrhosis of the liver, Parkinson's disease, and type 2 diabetes.  Plus, coffee helps control asthma and alleviates headaches.

As it turns out, Americans drink so much coffee that coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in their diet.  Take that, fruits and vegetables.  

-- Have a Good Day

Coffee


Cat Poop Coffee


Iced Coffee Recipes






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Elections 2018: List of Endorsements by Obama & Trump

Mr Obama has begun endorsing candidates and his list is  H E R E.  President Trump's list is H E R E . It is certain that each list will either grow or change.
Who Will Prevail?  Mr Trump has not done well so far, sigh.  November can't come soon enough for banner year 2018.

true or false?

ETA:

Democrats Angry with Obama over His Midterm Endorsement

Sixty-one Seats the GOP Must Hold

Mr Obama's List of Endorsements, August 2018

President Trump's List of Endorsements

Dem Candidate Accused

7.10.12.18

Biggie the Pug Dog: Favorite at Westminster

Biggie, pc:  Mary Altaffer AP

Happy National Love Your Pet Day!  Recently saw a cute oil painting of a dog which reminded me of a PUG dog.  Thus,  this somewhat sad doggy-tale drew me (to be fair to our cat, I also took a cute kitty's picture).

Biggie was a crowd favorite at this year's 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show  He won for the Toy Group, but not for Best in Show. A Bichon Frisee won the coveted title.

Biggie has a famous/accomplished dog-cousin named Rumble -- last year's winner for best of his breed.  Rumble inexplicably died at the young dog-age of 3 years on June 5, 2017 (the same week he had gotten a Flu shot, hmmmmmmm).

 Here's Biggie & Rumble's story:

Biggie the pug, a Westminster Best in Show finalist, steals hearts with sad tale

(by Lisa Guttierez)

Fans at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show have taken one dog in particular to their hearts this year: A little pug named Biggie who brings a sad tale.

With velvety black ears and a confident strut, Biggie won the Toy Group on Monday, which means he will compete for Best in Show Tuesday night.

Biggie is a cousin of a champion pug named Rumble — best of his breed at Westminster last year — who died unexpectedly last summer.

Biggie’s handler, Esteban Farias, said Monday’s win was for Rumble.

“This is unbelievable,” he said. “It’s a dream come true. And I have a little friend who is looking for us up in the sky. And this is for him.”

Rumble was in the prime of his life and show career when he died at the age of 3, according to The Canine Chronicle.

With movement described as flawless, a balanced body and a beautiful head, Rumble was a champion from an early age, a “little prince” of a dog.

He was the top pug and top toy breed in the country, with 42 Best in Shows to his credit, and a “picture of health” when he died, according to the Chronicle.

Taking his regular morning walk on June 5, 2017, Rumble collapsed and died instantly.

The week before he had just received a wellness exam and his initial flu vaccine, a “jump-start” on a nasty flu that caused grave concern in the show community last year, according to his breeder. He didn’t show any problems with the vaccine.

“With all of Rumble’s accolades and accomplishments, his loss wasn’t mourned because of his winnings or his status as a show dog, but instead for the beautiful dog he was inside and out,” his Texas breeder, Kristy Ratliff of Hill Country Pugs, told the Chronicle.

“He was truly an outstanding representative of the pug breed, and he will be admired for generations to come.”

Pugs are always popular at Westminster, but Biggie’s family connection to Rumble quickly endeared him to fans. (Some people thought Biggie was Rumble’s son.)

Watching Biggie come into his own in the competition ring has been emotional for Rumble’s breeders, recognized as among the top pug breeders in the country.

The cause of his death remains largely a mystery.

One month after he died, Ratliff wrote on Facebook that the final report on his death, which had “clearly left no stone unturned,” was inconclusive.

“So, as you can see, we have closure, without definitive closure,” she wrote.

Sad Tale

Honoring Rumble

Rumble, the Winner!

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New Postage Stamps for 2018: John Lennon Forever

Our beloved, dearly-missed Beatle lives on!  So does Mister Rogers, beautiful Lena Horne, and my very own state of Illinois (aka, Land of Lincoln).

"Illinois Statehood (Statehood series)
This stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood. Known as the Prairie State, Illinois became the 21st state of the union on Dec. 3, 1818." -- USPS

John Lennon quote, via triple m hobart

USPS' new stamps for 2018


John Lennon -- On Consignment

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Prayer: Keep It Up Against Curses & Spells

Year 2018: A reminder to me and others who name the Name of Christ to PRAY daily and tirelessly for the many needs that are inevitable while one remains alive and breathing. Fervent prayer in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is one of my goals for Year 2018, and with His help, strength and prompting, I can do it.

It's also a very good idea to pray daily against the many wicked, spiritual situations that specifically target our duly-elected government leaders such as the POTUS, VP (include their spouses, children, extended families and Advisors in prayer to the Lord also).  They each have a job to perform, and they are to do it well or our country would be in trouble on many fronts. 
See the news links below for some of the deluded troublemakers.

NOTE: Christian, take heart!   God's unerring Word gives a firm assurance to the innocent, undeserving-of-curses man or woman.

Witches Cast Spells

Monthly Sorcery on President Trump

Praying with Authority

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Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Let's Begin!

At the passage of the bill, one of the Republican Congressmen said to keep 3 dates in mind in Year 2018:
January 1, February 1, 
and April 15.

Well, here we are on the cusp of the 1st day of year 2018.  The highlights are all we've got so far:
(I am writing this post on December, 2017). 

pc: forbes

pc: Forbes

pc: Forbes

• If you are over age 65, blind or disabled, you can tack-on $1,300 to your standard deduction ($1,600 for unmarried taxpayers).

Compare the above tables to the IRS' 2017 tax rates HERE
You can read the above Forbes article in full HERE.

Otherwise, here are a few more of the deets (via wikipedia & the White House) that caught my attention for a variety of reasons:

• Family tax credits. The bill doubles the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000, $1,400 of which will be refundable. It also provides a $500 credit for other dependents, versus zero under current law.

• State, local, sales, and property tax deduction. The deduction for state and local income tax, sales tax, and property taxes ("SALT deduction") will be capped at $10,000. This would have more impact on taxpayers with more expensive property, generally those who live in higher-income areas, or people in states with higher state tax rates.

• Education deductions and credits. No changes are made to major education deductions and credits, or to the teacher deduction for unreimbursed classroom expenses, which remains at $250. The bill initially expanded usage of 529 college savings accounts for both K-12 private school tuition and homeschools, but the provision regarding homeschools was overruled by the Senate parliamentarian and removed. The 529 savings accounts for K-12 private school tuition provision was left intact.

• Alimony deduction. Alimony paid to an ex-spouse will no longer be deductible by the payor. However, alimony payments will no longer be included in the recipient's gross income. This effectively shifts the tax burden of alimony from the recipient to the payor. This provision is effective for divorce and separation agreements signed after December 31, 2018.

• Moving expense deduction. Employment-related moving expenses will no longer be deductible.

• Tax preparation expense deduction. Expenses related to preparing and filing your taxes (such as accountants or tax-preparation software) will no longer be deductible.

• Mortgage interest deduction: Mortgage interest deduction for newly purchased homes (and second homes) would be lowered from total loan balances of $1 million under current law to $750,000. Interest from home equity loans (aka second mortgages) will no longer be deductible, unless the money is used for home improvements.

• The corporate tax rate would fall from 35% to 21%, while some related business deductions and credits would either be reduced or eliminated

• The Act contains provisions that would open 1.5 million acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. This major push to include this provision in the tax bill came from Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski. The move is part of the long-running Arctic Refuge drilling controversy; Republicans had attempted to allow drilling in ANWR almost 50 times (Really?!!!)

• Members of Congress will no longer be able to deduct their living expenses.
• A 21 percent excise tax will be imposed on compensation over $1 million paid to executives at tax-exempt organizations.
• The loophole used to deduct executive compensation over $1 million will be eliminated.

Let the [Tax-cut] adventure begin!

The White House: The Tax Cuts Act

Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of Year 2017


Preliminary Details & Analysis


ANWR

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