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Josiah

A cat dies and goes to Heaven.

God meets him at the gate and says: "You have been a good cat all these years. Anything you desire, all you have to do is ask."

The cat says,"Well, I lived all my life with a poor family on a farm and had to sleep on hardwood floors."

God says, " Say no more." And instantly a fluffy pillow appears.

A few days later, 6 mice are killed in a tragic accident and go to Heaven. God meets them at the gate with the same offer He made the cat.

The mice said."all our life we've had to run. We've been chased by cats,dogs, and even women with brooms. If we could only have a pair of roller skates, we wouldn't have to run any more."

God says, "say no more." And instantly, each mouse is fitted with a beautiful pair of tiny roller skates.

About a week later, God decides to check and see how the cat is doing. The cat is sound asleep on his new pillow. God gently nudges him awake and asks, "How are you doing? Are you happy here?"

The cat yawns and stretches and says."Oh, I've never been happier in my life. And those meals on wheels you've been sending over are the Best!"

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 cup shallots, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Lundberg White Basmati Rice
• 3/4 cup chopped dried pears (dried apples may be substituted)
• 1 1/2 cups canned chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken (e.g., from purchased rotisserie chicken)
• 1 4-ounce package blue cheese crumbles
• 2 tsps. fresh chopped rosemary or 1 tsp. dried crumbled rosemary
• 2/3 cup lightly toasted pecan

Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds more. Stir in rice and dried pears. Add chicken broth and wine; bring to boil. Reduce hear to low; cover and cook until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 18 minutes. Remove lid and stir in chicken, rosemary and half of blue cheese; cook 2 minutes to warm through. Season to taste with pepper. Transfer pilaf to bowl. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and pecans and serve. Makes 4 servings.

Camilla Saulsbury

Bloomington, Indiana

• 1/4 c. celery, diced
• 1/2 c. green and/or red bell peppers, diced
• 1/2 c. mushrooms, diced
• 1/2 c. onions, diced
• 1/2 c. shredded carrots
• 3 c. cooked short grain brown rice
• 1 small can sliced olives
• 8 eggs or egg substitute to equal 8 eggs (remove yolks if desired) OR 1 lb. tofu drained and mashed
• 1/4 c. skim milk
• 1-2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp. margarine
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• warm tortillas
• salsa if desired

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add margarine. When margarine bubbles add vegetables and cook for 5 minutes. In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper. Reduce heat to low-medium and pour eggs over vegetables. Continue stirring and add rice. Heat 2 minutes and then serve immediately or spoon into warmed tortillas. Top with cheese and salsa if desired. Makes 6 servings.

It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" he said.

"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother.

Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn?

I want you to build me a fence - - an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing, and hammering.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build."

One day I was riding bareback just having some fun. I was riding with just a halter, and I was cantering along  and I felt myself slipping and I fell off. And landed hard on my back, and my mare, named Maple instead of running off walked over and licked my face, and looked at me, as if to say did I do something wrong? And she stayed right there with her head by mine for 10 minutes till I could get up. It was so sweet.

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sbs777/saccal/calbook/part2-4.html

• 1 1/2 cups cooked Lundberg Short Grain Brown Rice
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup raisins or chopped dates (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt Old
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups milk
• nutmeg
• finely chopped nuts (optional)

Beat eggs, add sugar, beat until smooth. Add milk, salt and extract. Add rice and raisins. Pour into greased shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Set in pan of hot water and bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes or until custard is set. After baking for approximately 30 minutes, gently stir custard to suspend rice. Serve warm or cold with milk or whipped cream. Serves six.