text:
The teaching of every church can be grouped under two headings: source and content. The source of teaching is the church's authority, what voice is heard in the church. The content of a church's teaching is what it believes, teaches and confesses. This introduction will briefly discuss the source and content of Lutheran teaching.
The only voice that is heard in the church is the voice of the Holy Trinity. This voice is heard in the writings of God's chosen instruments, the prophets and apostles, therefore the only source of the church's teaching is the Holy Scriptures, the prophetic and apostolic Word of the Lord. As King David prayed, "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." [Psalm 119:105] This teaching of the unique authority of the Scriptures is called "Sola Scriptura, Scripture Alone."
The Scriptures are inspired. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." [1 Timothy 3:16] The Scriptures are inerrant (without error). "The Scriptures cannot be broken." [St John 10:35] The Scripture are infallible (unable to err). "It is impossible for God to lie." [Hebrews 6:18]Most importantly, the Scriptures contain the promise of the Gospel, that is, the promise of the forgiveness of sins. The Gospel is the "means of grace," that is, it is the only instrument that the Holy Spirit uses to create and sustain saving faith. "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe." [Romans 1:16, see also St John 17:17,20; Acts 11:16; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:21]
Under the Scriptures sit the symbols of the church: the Creeds and Confessions. In these symbols the church rightly confesses the teaching of the Scriptures. The Creeds and Confessions are not a source of teaching, rather they faithfully confess the Scriptures and reject those errors that are contradicted by the Scriptures. The Confessions of the church are contained in the Book of Concord (published 1580).
The chief content of the church's teaching is the Gospel, which is the promise of the forgiveness of sins won for all sinners through Jesus' death on the cross. The prophets (the Old Testament) and the apostle's (the New Testament) all testify of the salvation that comes through faith in Christ. "To Him [Jesus] all the prophets give witness, that through His name who ever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins." [Acts 10:43] St Paul says, "For I determined to know nothing among you save Christ crucified." [1 Corinthians 2:2] So the Lutheran church has always taught and confessed that the chief article of the Christian faith is justification by grace alone through faith alone.
This, of course, does not mean that there are no other teachings in the Scriptures, or that teachings in the Scripture that are not the Gospel are not to be heard. God speaks to us in the Law (what we are to do to be holy before God, and what we fail to do) and the Gospel (what God has done for us in Jesus to save us). Both the word of Law and the word of Gospel are heard in the church. We do not reduce the teaching of the Scriptures, but delight to hear all of the Lord's words. As the Lord spoke before His ascension to the right hand of God, "teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always to the end of the age." [St Matthew 28:20] It is our hearing and keeping (treasuring) of the Lord's Word that marks us as His people. Again, as the Lord taught, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." [St John 10:27]
The Lutheran Church subscribes unconditionally to the 1580 Book of Concord as "a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God." The Book of Concord consists of ten documents.
1. The Apostles Creed (3rd Century)
2. The Nicene Creed (325 AD)
3. The Athanasian Creed
4. The Augsburg Confession (Philip Melanchthon, 1530)
5. The Apology (Defense) of the Augsburg Confession (Philip Melanchthon, 1531)
6. The Small Catechism (Martin Luther, 1529)
7. The Large Catechism (Martin Luther, 1529)
8. The Smalcald Articles (Martin Luther, 1537)
9. The Treatise on the Power and the Primacy of the Pope (Philip Melanchthon, 1537)
10. The Formula of Concord (1577)
The entire Book of Concord can be viewed online here.
The following statement is a brief summary of our Articles of the faith.
God- The only true God is one in essence, three in persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. [Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; St Matthew 28:19-21]
Creation- God created all things out of nothing in six days. [Genesis 1,2]
Man and Original Sin- Mankind was created perfect in the image and likeness of God. This means that Adam and Eve had perfect fear, love and trust in God alone. [Genesis 1:26,27] But this image and likeness was lost in the fall, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. [Genesis 3] From this point onward, every person is born in sin [Psalm 51:5], that is without fear, love and trust in God, and is guilty before God [Romans 3:9-18]. This inherited sin is called "original sin." The punishment for this sin is death and damnation [Romans 3:23; 5:12].
Jesus, the Son of God- For us and for our salvation, the Son of God took on man's nature in the womb of the virgin Mary, and became man. [St John 1:14] His name is Jesus. [St Matthew 1:21] Jesus is God, coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. [St John 1:1; 20:28] Jesus has two natures: divine and human, which are forever united in the one person. He was truly born, suffered, was crucified and buried that He might be a sacrifice for all sin and reconcile us to the Father. [See Romans 4:25; St John 1:29; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23-25] On the third day He was resurrected from the dead, and, after appearing to His disciples, ascended in to heaven where He sits at the right Hand of God. [1 Corinthians 15:3-6; St Mark 16:19] Jesus is the only Savior of mankind. [St John 14:6; Acts 4:12]
Justification- We cannot obtain forgiveness of sin and righteousness before God by our own strength, merits, or works, but we receive forgiveness of sin and become righteous before God by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith, when we believe that Christ suffered for us and that for His sake our sin is forgiven and righteousness and eternal life are given to us. For God will regard and reckon this faith as righteousness. [Romans 3:21-26; 4:5; 5:1; Genesis 15:6; 2 Corinthians 5:19]
The Means of Grace- That we may obtain such faith, the Lord has instituted the office of the ministry, that is, provided the Gospel and the sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper). Through these, as through means, He gives the Holy Spirit, who works faith, when and where He pleases, in those who hear the Gospel. [St John 3:5-8; 17:17-20; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Acts 11:14; Romans 10:17]
Good Works- Faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, so that it is impossible for faith not to be constantly doing what is good. So good works are necessary, not for salvation, but because God has commanded them. [1 Corinthians 9:9; Acts 5:29; St John 15:12; 1 John 4:11]
The Church- The church consists of holy believers and "sheep who hear the voice of the Good Shepherd." [St John 10:3] Said another way, the church is the assembly of saints in which the Gospel is taught purely and the sacraments are administered rightly. [Ephesians 4:4,5; 1 Timothy 3:15]
Baptism- Baptism is the work of the Lord Jesus [Ephesians 5:25,26] in which He gives the forgiveness of sins, rebirth, and salvation. [St Mark 16:16; St John 3:5; Acts 2:38,39; 22:16; Roman 6:3,4; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21] In baptism He puts His name on us, graciously making us His children. [St Matthew 28:19; Galatians 3:26,27] Following the Lord's Word, we baptize infants. [St Matthew 28:19, 'all the nations'; Acts 2:39, 'and to your children']
The Lord's Supper- In the Lord's Supper (or Holy Communion, or the Sacrament of the Altar) the Lord Jesus Himself serves us His true Body and Blood in the bread and wine for the forgiveness of our sins. [St Matthew 26:26-28; St Mark 14:22-24; St Luke 22:19,20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26] We practice closed communion, the teaching that unity in doctrine is necessary before unity in communion.
Confession and Absolution- The Lord Jesus has given His church on earth the unique authority to bind or loose sins. [St Matthew 16:19; 18:18; St John 20:22,23] The Absolution is the loosing and forgiving of sins. We practice both public and private absolution. [See 2 Samuel 12:14]
Repentance- Repentance consists of two parts: (1) sorrow over our sin and (2) faith in the promise of forgiveness. [St Matthew 11:28; St Mark 1:15; Colossians 2:11,12; Psalm 119:28; 1 Samuel 2:6] Repentance is not a choice or decision of man, but a gift granted by God. [1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:8,9; Acts 11:18; Lamentations 5:21; Psalm 80]
The Second Coming of Christ- Jesus will suddenly come again to the earth, call all the death forth (the resurrection) and judge the quick and the dead. [1 Corinthians 15; St John 14:1-4; St Mark 13:32; St Matthew 24; 2 Peter 3:10] All false notions of an earthly kingdom (called millennialism) are rejected. [St John 18:36]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This is a super dessert that can be whipped up in a hurry. Forget about simmering the sauce for ages, blast it in the blender and its ready in under a minute. The coconut palm sugar gives this dessert a real caramelly sweetness whilst benefitting from all the health benefits of this sweetner.
- 100 g coconut milk powder
- 100 g coconut palm sugar
- 75 ml boiling water
- 1 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 2 dashes salt
- 150 g unsweetened dessicated coconut flakes
- 1 tsp ground cardamon
- melted coconut oil for greasing your palms
- coconut flakes to cover the laddoos (optional)
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend.
Pour the caramel sauce, the dessicated coconut flakes and the cardamon powder into a sauce pan and heat on a medium heat.
The mixture will get tacky and pull away from the sides of the pan. This takes about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let it cool.
When it is cool to touch, grease your palms with melted coconut oil and divide the mixture into small round balls.
On optional step is to roll the ball into some coconut flakes


text:
One former Giant with a giant home in Scottsdale. Photo via SFGate
Cities get boosts from sports all the time: the Olympics, The Superbowl, America's Cup– all of these very public events drive up tourism and real estate prices before, during, and after the event. Spring training also affects real estate, but in a different way...Read More May 3, 2018


text:
Vivo en Argentina
Lalo Mir, Carla Conte and Nico Pauls host this truly federal show that promotes a space for all the inhabitants of the country to meet. With live broadcasts from different Argentine cities brought about by Hugo de Cucco, interviews to entertainment business personalities in the studio in Buenos Aires and weekly design, architecture and science columnists, Vivo en Argentina showcases a vibrant and productive nation.
Host: Lalo Mir, Carla Conte y Nico Pauls
Genre: Federal magazine
Episodes: Live, daily
Network: TV Pública
Year: 2011-2012


text:
This page provides information about the eLearning, mLearning and distance learning programmes and tutorials in the UAE.
Ministry of Education in the UAE, in partnership with Etisalat and Google has launched online education to develop hundreds of tutorials on YouTube aimed for Grade 11 and 12 students.
Duroosi (which means my studies in Arabic), is a YouTube channel with 600 tutorials, covering a variety of subjects based on the national curriculum, and intended to help families cut back on the high cost of private tuitions. MoE scanned all the important topics for Grades 11 and 12 and brought the material to Etisalat, which produced the YouTube videos in Arabic. This is Etisalat's first eEducation project; the company is also looking to develop similar tutorials for other age groups.
Diwan eBook reader
The Ministry of Education established Diwan eBook reader, an application that facilitates downloading of books and online study at any time and from any location. It allows teachers and students from the government schools to use their devices to view and interact with the learning curriculum electronically.
Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning project
Another pioneering smart learning initiative by the UAE Government is the Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning project. The project is a joint venture between Ministry of Education (MOE) and UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in cooperation with the UAE Prime Minister's office.
The AED 1 billion programme is part of Vision 2021 and will be introduced in four stages over five years. Preparing the schools for the goal, the ministry in association with Etisalat is equipping around 400 campuses with the latest 4G networks, eBoards, smart tablets as well as eContent, including textbooks on iPhones, iPads and Android platforms.
eLearning has been given a significant boost through accredited bachelor and master's courses from Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University.
For eLearning options abroad, refer to the list of universities offering eLearning.
Popular searches


text:
Wild Maine blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter...
Brunch on a Wednesday? Hell yeah!
One of the many perks of having a week off from work in New York City? Getting to have brunch on a Wednesday afternoon with your teacher friends! Last week, Rachel and I found out about Clinton Street Baking Company's pancake month and knew we needed to check it out. We recruited Maia as well and headed to the Lower East Side this morning determined to do some serious eating.
We arrived at noon and got our name on the hour long waiting list (is it sad that we said, "Oh, that's not so bad..." after hearing that we only had to wait an hour?). Instead of waiting in the cramped entrance of the bustling restaurant, we decided to sit across the street and have some coffee while we waited for our table. We sat at Cafe Pedlar and caught up over delicious cups of Stumptown Coffee. By the time our cups were empty, it was time for us to head back to see if our table was empty as well.
Wild Maine blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter...
Wild Maine blueberry pancakes with warm maple butter...
1 comment :
Thanks so much for leaving a comment. I read and appreciate every comment and respond as much as possible. Thanks for reading!
Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )


text:
All bitcoin exchanges rates
A list of Bitcoin Cash currency pairs from various providers.Win free big bitcoin, you will get different bonus (Bitcoin,BTC).The easiest place to buy, use, and accept bitcoin, ethereum, and litecoin.Use this Bitcoin exchange list to find a Bitcoin exchange for you.Vircurex (Virtual Currency Exchange) allows you to store and trade your Bitcoins(BTC), Namecoins(NMC), Litecoins(LTC), I0Coin (I0C), IXCoin (IXC), Devcoins(DVC.Bitcoin is controlled by all Bitcoin users around the world. etc. there is no guaranteed purchasing power and the exchange rate floats freely.Bitcoin can be your best friend in avoiding a paper trail and your wife going.
NairaEx is a leading Nigerian Bitcoin exchange where users can buy and sell bitcoin, perfect money and other e-currencies with Nigerian Naira at best rate.
Bitcoin Exchange - The Ultimate Guide to Buying andHistoric exchange rates - Calculate your money transfer to BTC.
Bitcoin Exchange Rate Chart and Difficulty Prediction Chart
Daily End-of-Day (EOD) data for each currency and trading pair is also included in this API.Bitcoins have always been volatile, but over the past week the.
China's three largest bitcoin exchanges will all stop
Get weekly News Wraps, Charts, Analysis, Events and Blockchain Musings, direct to your inbox.Live rates: BNC dynamically calculates all rates every 5 min.Exchange rates for higher amounts will be determined individually depending on the Bitcoin market depth. Learn more.Comprehensive currency converter utility for conversion to fiat currencies using real-time rates.For historic rates for Bitcoin stretching back to early trading in 2010 - please see our Bitcoin Liquid Index API.
Bitcoin Exchange Rate — Bitcoin Live Converter — Preev
Buy & Exchange GFBUX | GameFaucet - Earn Free Bitcoin
The value of that spend depends on the Bitcoin exchange rate.
FAQ - BitcoinThis comprehensive graded list of Bitcoin exchange reviews is sure to help you figure out what the best Bitcoin exchange is FOR YOU.Easily integrate data into your current software applications, including websites, mobile apps and other corporate applications.Find out which coin exchange is really affordable and reliable.Coinbase users are able to buy and sell bitcoin at the current market rate with bank transfers both in the United States and 18 European.It provides data on how much bitcoins are going for in various currencies.
Bitcoinx.com provides a world of information including how to acquire, exchange and spend bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Exchange Rates.Indian Bitcoin exchange and wallet provider Zebpay reached a major milestone of 500,000.
The present rate of currency exchange for ALL and BTC is at 519,151.56617 Lek to every Bitcoin.
Bitcoin Breaches All-Time High Market Cap (In Several Ways)
Top 10 Bitcoin exchanges compared against one another in the fields of reputation, exchange rate, fees and more.
BitcoinRates.in is a free website which shows you the real-time price of Bitcoin in all Indian exchanges.
Risk of Bitcoin Hacks and Losses Is Very Real | Fortune.comDramatically reduce time to market for apps that need Digital Currency Exchange Rates data.
As Global Currencies Plunge Over Brexit, Investors Turn toGFBUX Exchange. The exchange rate changes based on the current Bitcoin price.Historical Rates: Historic data goes back as far as possible for each currency.
Bitcoin Price Analysis: Exchange Rates Vary But. deposits of USD from various bitcoin exchanges,. all of this, the bitcoin price has continued.


text:
A noted fashion designer has allegedly been duped by a Nigerian national, posing as London couture week organiser, with the promise of allowing her entry in the purported international fashion extravaganza.
CBI sources said suspect John Morrison was arrested in a separate case of allegedly duping another woman and it was during this probe that the agency received another complaint against him from a noted fashion designer based here.
The sources said the fashion designer wants her identity to be kept under wraps because of security concerns.
They said Morrison allegedly met her through Facebook posing as citizen of the United Kingdom and the organiser of London Couture week and promised to promoter her creations at international level.
The sources said the two started friendship over the social networking site during which Morrison gained confidence of the designer and even told her that he would be visiting here soon.
They said one day the designer claimed to have received a call from a girl claiming to be Customs officer. The girl from Northeast, believed to be close associate of Morrison, told the designer that Morrison has been taken into custody.
She allegedly told the designer that she should deposit Rs 4.10 lakh in three different accounts if she wanted release of Morrison, they said, adding that transfers were made.
CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said a case under section 419 (impersonation), 420 (cheating) and 66-D of Information Technology Act has been registered against the main suspect and associate (presently under Judicial custody in Tihar prison).


text:
Photo Credit: Adam Booth
Beta USA's Rodney Smith has been promoted to head up the Beta USA race department.
The AMA Hall of Famer and five-time GNCC champion has been working for Beta for the last 12 months as a rider coach and now will take over as the race team manager.
Beta USA's President Tim Pilg comments, "It has been a huge benefit to our team ever since Rodney came aboard full time last season. His approach to racing matches our goals for the team so it made perfect sense to have him take over the team manager position."
Smith is looking forward to developing the team and more, "I'm very excited to have this opportunity to run the Beta USA race team! I've been working & coaching the riders this year and now Beta has asked me to manage the team.
"I'm very excited to bring my experience I've learned over the years as a racer and champion as well as being inducted in the AMA hall of fame! I've had the chance to see & learn from my past managers including Mike Webb and now I'm looking forward to being able run my own team & to further give our racers the knowledge & experience to win some more championships for my riders, Beta, & myself."


text:
Nov.22, 2012 — The StarPhoenix
Shirley Isbister has practiced what she preaches.
President of the Central Urban Metis Federation (CUMFI), Isbister works to create affordable housing for low-income Aboriginal families through supported living homes. Having already completed two major affordable rental projects in the last decade, CUMFI is working towards meeting the housing needs of middle-to low-income families in Saskatoon.
Having once lived in the conditions that many of the people she works with face today, Isbister knows the importance of CUMFI's contribution to the community.
"The majority of the people on our board of directors have faced poverty – lots of us, extreme poverty – so we always knew that we needed to do something about housing," she says.
CUMFI's everyday work is focused in the core of the city, but today, it is being recognized on a national scale as a part of National Housing Day. Celebrating organizations and individuals across Canada who are doing their part to provide affordable housing solutions, National Housing Day brings people together in cities around the country to talk about housing issues.
In Saskatoon, Isbister is the keynote speaker at a local event – providing a fi tting message geared towards this year's theme of Building Solutions for Affordable Rental Housing.
"The significance [of National Housing Day] to me is for people to get an understanding of what it means to live in poverty, and what it means to have a roof over their head, because without that, you can't think about education or employment or anything else," says Isbister.
"I myself grew up in extreme poverty. So I will be talking about the issues that I faced then. But also about what CUMFI means to the community and how far we have moved forward and how far we have come. I want to tell the story of how CUMFI grew and all the other positive things have happened – from the original housing units, to education, to employment."
The annual event is put on by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership.
"Every year, we host a breakfast and invite housing providers and those working on improving housing in Saskatoon,basically to thank them for their work. Without them, people wouldn't have safe places to live," says Shaun Dyck, executive director of the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP).
"At the event, we have presenters from the city, the province and the federal government to give an overview of the housing market in the province and offer a knowledge transfer. A keynote speaker follows to talk about the annual theme that we have – the theme changes every year and it focuses around the challenges that our city is facing in regards to housing."
The 2012 theme, Building Solutions for Affordable Rental Housing, is something Dyck says is worth drawing attention to, especially in Saskatoon's housing market.
"We've seen quite a major increase in rent over the last few years. Since 2006, rents have increased by 59 per cent but pre-tax incomes have only increased, on average, by about 26 per cent. So that's quite an issue. Plus, at the same time, there has been signifi cant condo conversion happening, where we lost around 3,500 units to what they call 'the rental universe' in Saskatoon," he says.
"So you have population increase, supply decreasing, incomes not rising as fast and rental prices pushing people into situations where you see you see homelessness increase and you see families having to show up to shelters. So with that being said, we thought this was the time to bring this issue to the forefront."
"While there has been a lot of increase in affordable home ownership in Saskatoon, and there are some good local programs out there for rental units, more needs to be done."
As one of those successful local programs, CUMFI is facilitating positive change in the core of Saskatoon.
"We not only offer the affordable housing and the supported living homes, but we have all the other services that go with it. And that's the key to having people make changes for themselves," says Isbister. "Everyone that lives in our affordable housing suites has access to CUMFI supports. And [all of our buildings] are drug and alcohol free. They all have cameras to provide a safer environment"
Proving the signifi cance of a safe, affordable home, CUMFI housing units in the inner-city neighborhood of Pleasant Hill have seen major successes, experiencing both an increase in resident education and a decrease in neighborhood crime.
"In one of our supported living homes last year, 78 per cent of our moms were in education programs. And when we bought the buildings on Ave. U S. and Ave. T S., the Chief of police and the mayor announced there was a 68 per cent drop in crime rate in that area," says Isbister.
National Housing Day was born on November 22, 1998 in response to nationwide homelessness and a lack of affordable housing in cities around the country.


text:
BATMAN V SUPERMAN: New Details Revealed?
According to BadassDigest who have apparently seen the script of "Batman V Superman; Dawn of Justice" have given us some information about the movie itself. The following may contain some mild spoilers, so this is your warning!
In the BadassDigest article it contains this: "If they were to cut it in half, I guess they could cut it at the big Superman and Batman fight, which comes about halfway through the film. But that fight isn't huge, and there isn't enough action in the first half of the movie to make that a whole film all its own. And then there's so much action in the second half as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman battle Doomsday in Metropolis and Gotham that you'd end up with two very, very lopsided movies. It works as an escalation in the full script, but without major additions it seems limp.
There's one more thing about this, and it could be a small spoiler: Ray Fisher, who plays Cyborg, said he only had scenes with Ben Affleck. I'm pretty sure Cyborg is only in this movie as a cameo, and that's at the very, very end as Batman assembles the Justice League. If they were cutting this movie in two it seems likely that Fisher's part would have been beefed up at least a little bit."
So yeah it is a lot of information to take on board but it does gives us an idea of what we can see on the big screen! What do you think of this? Comment down below!


text:
Customers are the reason we exist. We at Cleanz belive that it is our Commitment to excellence and professionalism is what has earned the loyalty and trust of our customers. Our core philosophy of listening to the wants and needs of our customers and delivering a personalized service that makes it an enjoyable experience for the customers is what all of our team members follow - a set of core beliefs that is built around you, the customer.
We offer a flexible and customized maid service at an affordable price, based on a free, no-obligation, in-home estimate.


text:
It is not the Constitution that is being subverted by Big Brother so much as the will to resist, without which there never could have been a Constitution in the first place. Garret Keizer
Government Spying In New Mexico
I've mentioned the government's real-time tracking of commercial truck traffic and how it makes it harder to cheat on your log book. I knew of a couple ways tracking is done, based mainly on truck drivers' stories of tickets they'd received. If you go through a weigh station, you're time stamped. You're also time stamped if you subscribe to the new "Pre-Pass" system, which uses transponders that let you bypass weigh stations if you have a good safety record.
A study released by the ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union, reveals another, more intrusive way not just trucks but all vehicles are being tracked all over America, including here in New Mexico, by way of a little known technology that uses small, high-speed cameras mounted on poles, bridges or wherever, and on patrol cars, that can actually read the license plate numbers of thousands of passing vehicles.
There's been a little information come out on these systems, in the news I read anyway. It was first used in larger cities but has quickly spread to cover the whole country. Initially, each law enforcement agency kept its own data base, but under information sharing encouraged by the federal government, those systems have been increasingly connected to the secret "fusion centers" set up after 9-11 to enhance law enforcement information sharing. (At these centers they are supposedly looking for terrorists, but as happened in the Boston area fusion center, they spend so much of their time spying on Occupy members, Leftist activists and environmentalists that they missed the Boston Marathon bombers.)
The ACLU asked its state chapters to submit freedom of information (FOI) requests to their governments about the existence of license plate reader systems and whether or not rules had been adopted for their use. In the absence of such rules, the ACLU says, tracking
information can be used for whatever reason anyone who has access to the
data wants to use it for, and if a private company is running the
system, it can use the data for its own purposes, and can sell it.
In New Mexico the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department and the New Mexico Department of Public Satefy, the state police, released documents. The sheriff's department gave the ACLU documents pertaining to the purchase of three of the cameras with a $23,000 grant from the state of New Mexico. (Whether the grant came from, or through, the state I can't tell. The federal government especially after 9-11 has been doling out massive amounts of money to local police for surveillance systems, armament, armor piercing bullets, tanks, armored personnel carriers, you name it, and that kind of money is often funneled through state governments.)
The sheriff's department paperwork mentions three "infrared cameras," meaning they can take pictures 24 hours a day. The grant paperwork says the sheriff's department wanted the cameras so they could find stolen vehicles, but the sheriff's department supplied no records about rules for the use of the data being collected. If that means no rules are in place, it can be used for anything.
No mention is made in the sheriff's department paperwork about a private contractor, so I don't know if one is involved or not.
In its response letter to the ACLU, the state police said
there is no policy in place for use of the data it's collecting with
the cameras. The state police, which in New Mexico also run the weigh
stations, released much more information in response to the ACLU's request, including instruction manuals from "Intelligent Imaging Systems Inc." for using their system that reveal a lot about the system's capabilities. For example, when a camera reads a license plate number, a search for information on the vehicle can be initiated automatically.
I saw nothing in the paperwork that points to its use as general surveillance tool, but I saw nothing either that says what the information is used for. The instruction manual did included this screen shot showing the results of an automatic search for records, and it looks very similar to the computer screen display I see the state police officer looking at when I pass the booth at the Gallup weigh station every night.
According to the 247 pages of documents released by the state police, the cameras are installed at each NM weigh station, or Port of Entry
as they are called here.
I pass two of the cameras every night. The one that generates the computer screen I already mentioned is on the off-ramp leading to the weigh station on I-40 just west of Gallup, i.e., as you're coming into New Mexico. The other is across the expressway from there. It reads the license plate numbers of vehicles leaving New Mexico. I always pass both at night, when you an see the glow of the infrared light that's beamed across the highway.
As the ACLU says, "License plate readers can serve a legitimate law enforcement purpose
when they alert police to the location of a car associated with a
criminal investigation. But such instances account for a tiny fraction
of license plate scans, and too many police departments are storing
millions of records about innocent drivers. Moreover, private companies
are also using license plate readers and sharing the information they
collect with police with little or no oversight or privacy protections. A
lack of regulation means that policies governing how long our location
data is kept vary widely."
As has come to light, the NSA or any agency doesn't have to read your emails or listen to your phone conversations. If they know things like who you are in contact with and when, where you go and when, where you buy things and when, they already know who you are and can use statistical analysis to compile a very comprehensive profile on you. As one of our spy chiefs let slip in a congressional hearing the other day, they check out not just you, they check out who you are in contact with, and then they check out who those people are in contact with. When you do the math on how many people that adds up to, they are checking out every one of us. That's us, not foreigners. Us.
And recall that Edward
Snowden worked for a private contractor, not the NSA, and that private
corporations are doing most of the spying on US citizens on behalf of
the government.
I didn't know the extent to which the pictures being taken of my every night were used for. I just always made sure I had my seat belt on when I passed them, and had everything cleared off the dash board, and wasn't yawning or scratching myself. Now I'll know to not act be acting like a Communist or an Arab or a Muslim or an environmentalists or an Occupy member.
I should add that as the strong, intelligent, handsome commercial vehicle enforcement officers of this state and every state well know, I always have my seat belt on and always follow all the rules, even when I think no one else knows. God bless America.
Note: There are 11 state police camera sites across the state; two at
Lordsburg's weigh stations, two others on I-10 at Lordsburg, two at
Gallup, two at San Juan, two at Anthony, and one on NM 392 at mile
marker 2, which is where you'd put one if you wanted to catch truckers
who are trying to dodge the scales at San Juan.
The locations of New Mexico's state police cameras systems makes it
look to me like they are meant to focus on trucking, with the possible
exception of all the cameras
at Lordsburg in southern New Mexico. In southern New Mexico there are
also a series of immigration department inspections sites, where they
are looking for illegal immigrants. Near Truth or Consequences
on I-25 there's a camera system that's been there awhile, that uses a
strobe light to take pictures of you inside your car or truck cab.
Cost Vs Benefit: I didn't read all 247 pages released by the state police but scanning them noticed multiple contracts with Intelligent Systems Inc., of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for equipment, instillation and training, several for more than $1 million each. One was for almost $3 million. There was a purchase order for installing the system at the San Jon Port of Entry for $489,032. At Anthony (the weigh station coming into New Mexico on I-10 from Texas) the purchase order was for $532,825.
If I was reporting on this for a newspaper I'd get someone familiar with these kinds of contracts, and with New Mexican government paperwork, to look it all over before I said what the total cost was, and I'd get the people who approved it to justify the cost.
But I can say that the trucking industry looks at all this as pretty much wasted money. Money spent to solve a problem that doesn't really exist, because per mile driven, truck drivers have far fewer accidents than the motoring public generally.
Motor Carrier Enforcement, as it's called, the part of law enforcement that deals with trucking, in an era of government downsizing has become a growth area in government. Across the country you see lots of new, high tech, very big weigh stations, complexes many of them, with multi-bay inspection garages that have lots of fancy new equipment in them and high rise observation towers that look like airport control towers, all built in the past 10 years.
At the federal level they been busy dreaming up a series of new log book regulations that make no sense, which are annoying and time consuming to comply with, some of which have actually made trucking less safe in my view.
Part of this growth in trucking law enforcement has been driven by a couple of public safety organizations that agitate for stricter control of trucking, which include people who have lost loved ones in accidents involving semi trucks. These groups are a lot like the Mothers Against Drunk Driving outfit, which, and not to minimize peoples' personal losses, but which are a bunch of vindictive people with nothing better to do than to publicly glory in their suffering and who like to nourish their suffering by constantly talking about their never ending suffering, and who have found somebody to pay for their suffering who doesn't have any power. Alcoholics, people who suffer from the disease of alcoholism, bear the brunt of Mothers Against Drunk Driving's never ending vindictiveness.
And part of it is driven by the fact that there's nothing but a little token resistance to any of it from the trucking industry. The Teamsters Union, which now represents only a small fraction of truck drivers, says nothing. Individual truckers sometimes talk about organizing to seek better pay or to fight the increasing regulations, but the pool of drivers has always been dominated by drivers from the South, and now there's the nationwide dominance of conservative talk radio, and any organizing talk is always stopped short by someone who bad mouths unions.
Trucking company owners are organized but are concerned only as it affects productivity, that is, how much money they can make off each truck driver.


text:
More Info
More Travel Information
Ethiopia experiences a wide climatic variation ranging from the peaks of Semien & Bale Mountains, which receive periodic snowfall, to regular daytime temperatures of 40 - 50 degrees C in the Danakil Depression. The precipitation pattern in the northern & central highland massifs is that the main rain falls between June and September. In Southern Omo Region, the main rain falls between March and May.
The peoples of Ethiopia are friendly to any foreigner. Except beggars for money in the big cities of the country, especially in Addis Ababa, no one goes to anybody to attack or harm. This is because of our contact experience for centuries with outsiders & the power of Christian - Islamic faith that dominate the country.
With an estimated population of 85 million, Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its Semitic, Cushitic, Osmotic, and Nilotic peoples. The estimated annual population growth rate is about 2.3% and 83% of the population is rural.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the oldest religious organizations in the world (emerged in 4th century A.D.) The Orthodox Religion dominates the historic /Northern tourist routes. Religion, especially in the northern tourist routes, is part of a day to day life of Ethiopians. Indeed; religion is part of Ethiopian history and culture.
The main three languages are Amharic, Tigrigna and Oromigna. Ethiopia is a country with multiethnic where numerous languages are spoken. Recent studies report that 99 languages are spoken in the country. Most of them belong to the Semitic or Cushitic branches of the Afro-Asiatic family. The official language of Ethiopia is Amharigna (Amharic), a Semitic language which is spoken almost everywhere in the country. Amharic descends from Ge\'ez, the language of Ancient Axum, which is still used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church today. Ethiopia's Semitic languages are transcribed in a script that is unique to the country. The alphabet consists over 200 characters, each of which denotes a syllable as opposed to a letter. English, which is used for secondary education, is the most widely spoken European language. Few people speak French and Italian languages.
Basic Amharic Language Phrases
- Good morning: Endemin Aderh (m), rsh (f), ru (pl)
- Thanks to God: Egizeabiher Yimesegen
- Hello: Tenaystilign
- How are you? Dehna neh? (m) / nesh (f) / nachu (pl)
- I\'m fine: Dehna/ Egizeabiher Yimesegen
- See you: Chew
- Yes: Awo
- OK: E\'shi
- No (not there): Yellem/ Ayihonim
- Please: E\'baki\'h (m) / E\'baki\'sh (f) / E'bakiwon (pl)
- Thank you: Amesege\'nallo( Egizeabiher Yistilign)
- Excuse me: Yiki\'rta
- Sorry: Aznallhu\'
- My name is.: Yene si\'m …
- I don\'t understand: Algebagni\'m
Food items
- Breakfast: kurs
- Lunch: Missa
- Dinner: E\'rat
- Bread: Dabbo
- Salad: Selata
- Soup: Shorbba
- Water: Wuha
- Milk: Wotet
Tea: Chai
- Coffee: Buna
- Sugar: Se\'quar
- 1: ànd
- 2: Hulett
- 3: Sost
- 4: àrat
- 5: àme\'st
- 6:Se\'de\'st
- 7: Sebat
- 8: Se\'me\'nt
- 9: Zetegn
- 10: àsse\'r
Ethiopian cuisine consists of various vegetable, beans or meat side dishes and entrées, often prepared as a wat or thick stew. Enjera is Ethiopia's stable flat bread. It is prepared from tiny grain flour called Tef. One or more servings of wat are placed upon a piece of Enjera. Shiro, a flavorful combination of ground beans, spices, and chilies is a stew being eaten with Enjera. Tella is Ethiopians local alcoholic drink/beer, prepared from grains like barley & sorghum. Honey wine called Tej is popular throughout the country.
Ethiopian National clothes are basically white, whether the shawls and light blankets (named as Gabi) worn over the shoulders by the men or the white dresses (named as Kemis) and wraps (named as Netella) worn by the ladies. Most women wear Netella while attending church. If women wear Netella cloths, especially in Lalibela Churches, priests and local community understand that their tradition and culture is being respected & in return; they cherish them more respect.
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is a gateway to the rest of Ethiopia. The airport also serves many destinations in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Europe and North America. On the domestic circuit; priority & a big discount is given to those who use Ethiopian airlines for their international flight. Ethiopian Air Lines connects major cities of the country. The best way to experience the variety of scenery that Ethiopia has to offer is to travel by road; of course road conditions in Ethiopia are poor. Yet the scenery by road is incomparable.
Electric Supply
Ethiopia uses its rivers to generate hydroelectric power. It provides 220 volts anywhere in the country.
Telephone, Cell Phone, fax, internet and postal facilities are available in major cities. International dialing code for Ethiopia is +251. A mobile sim card is available at convenient shops in Addis Ababa.
Bank service is available almost in all cities and towns. The usual bank working hour starts at 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday and at 8am to 11am on Saturday.
Car Rent
Rent a car that can make you visit Ethiopia successfully.
We provide Vehicles such as 4WD, Coaster bus, Mini bus, bus, and air tickets as tour package seller in Addis Ababa.
You can contact
List of World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia
- Aksum (1980)
- Gondar - Palaces and castles (1979)
- Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town (2006)
- Konso Cultural Landscape (2011)
- Lower Valley of the Awash (1980)
- Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela (1978)
- Tiya – prehistoric site(1980)
Will you organize yourself, a group or friends to come & Explore Ethiopia? Action Tours will be there for a reliable & enjoyable Tour services!


text:
|52, Windy, Rainy...Summer, Where Art Thou?
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wordless Wednesday - Dreaming of Summer
19 comments:
It's here with me!ReplyDelete
We haven't seen a day below 100 in weeksReplyDelete
Stop on by for a visit
So cute!ReplyDelete
Benny & Lily
Summer is right here with me. Be happy to boxz some up and send your way if you will send me some rain. I'll even pay the postage.ReplyDelete
I was thinking it got lost. I hope you find it soon cutie pie!ReplyDelete
I will give you our summer gladly! it's been in the triple digits all week long!!ReplyDelete
yuki and rocket
Hey there Scrappy, I've given you The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Head on over to this post to check it out http://pawfectdays.blogspot.com/2012/06/awards.htmlReplyDelete
We sure know how you feel! After all the rain we had in the past week, I am getting kinda rusty!!ReplyDelete
Lovies, MIss Mindy
We love summer too Scrappy! It'll show up soon!ReplyDelete
Summer is over here Scrappy! We're starting another heat wave today. I'll try to send you some! :)ReplyDelete
Keep dreaming Scrappy - we'll wake you when the sun's back out :)ReplyDelete
Oh the comfort of it all.ReplyDelete
Awww, how sweet!ReplyDelete
Hey Scrappy,ReplyDelete
I think Summer is here - it's been as high as 104F so far - now that's a bit hot!! I'll send some Summer your way too buddy :)
Wags to all,
Your pal Snoopy :)
Well, unfortunately, it ain't here ;)ReplyDelete
Summer in CO is a bit much this year. We'll work on sending some of it your way!ReplyDelete
And we have way too much summer here - it is just so horribly hot here. We will try to blow some heat and sunshine your way, Scrappy.ReplyDelete
Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
We don't have to dream about summer because it is close to 100 degrees here today. :)ReplyDelete
Man, are you from Seattle? Cause that is what we are sayin :)ReplyDelete


text:
Green-backed Heron – Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands; Viera, Florida: As I drove along the west side of a water impoundment at the Ritch Grissom wetlands in Viera, Florida I notice a photographer busy taking photos. As I drove past I could see that she was taking photos of a Green-backed Heron. The setting was very nice, but not wanting to disturb the photographer I drove on past about 300 feet and parked. My plan was to back-up to the site when the photographer had finished and shoot the heron my self. It was not long until I saw the photographer pack-up, get in her vehicle and leave. But before I could get back to the spot, another photographer pulled-up and began to shoot. Still I waited. After five or ten minutes the second photographer left and I was able to back-up to the spot where the heron stood. Much to my pleasant surprise the green-backed was still there, patiently waiting for a fish to swim by.
In slow motion I pulled all my gear together and slid down the road bank to the waters level and began to shoot. The heron was motionless at it perched atop lily pads that were in various stages of flowering. I shot a few photos as the bird lay in wait. Like lighting it suddenly lunged forward and came up with a minnow. Then it arose from its fishing spot, walked a few feet left, then right, and back left before settling in to a slightly different spot. I photographed the heron from about fifteen minutes as it moved across the lily pads. The heron was most patient with me, and my wait for the opportunity was well worth the time it took.
Nikon D7000, Nikor 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO 200, 1/1000 secon @ f 9


text:
A Review Of website optimisation malaysiaRel="publisher" implementation hCard formats help regional search engines uncover your deal with, cellular phone numbers as well as other basic small business details and lets your online business to display prominently in map listings.
What's This? Our on line challenge management process clearly outlines all deliverables and due dates Therefore the project is saved heading in the right direction constantly. ✓
First connection analysis and disavow Google has become penalizing websites for small high quality one-way links (even though these inbound links were being created a few years ago). This can make it vital that you keep a cleanse backlink profile and disavow any previous one-way links which Google might envisage to be unnatural.
Google Analytics set up with conversion monitoring If you don't have Google Analytics mounted by now, we will try this to suit your needs. We are going to also create new ambitions (filling out a sort, calling a contact number, and so forth) depending on what your particular person aims are.
Keyphrase research Terrific keyphrase research is definitely the reliable foundation of any SEO marketing campaign. We'll evaluate keywords to determine what phrases will change, which phrases will generate visitors, and that can do each.
Hyperlink redirect audit We are going to resolve any one-way links coming into your web site on unidentified pages and arrange appropriate 301 (long lasting) redirects.
We use business-main tools like MOZ, Raven, Wordstream, and Majestic Search engine marketing that Price tag A huge number of US dollars a month. For a regular cost, we help you rank for suitable keywords with substantial search volumes with the only real function of driving a lot more organic traffic to your web site.
If you wish to know more details on our designs and search engine optimization Charge, it pop over to this site is possible to reference the "What's This?" function inside Each individual line product. It's also possible to contact us at 717-609-1553 for additional info on our Search engine marketing services pricing.
What's This? Google Analytics dashboards are created utilizing personalised World Resources wide web analytics knowledge and produce an actionable metrics centered report. These tailor made knowledge-driven reports are made to offer further insights into your website and how to best increase your on the web business.
Linkable content marketing Obtaining great content that folks will Normally hyperlink to is one thing. view it Basically obtaining the word out about that content is yet another. We'll advertise your content Hence the links begin coming in By natural means.
What's This? We'll perform an entire analysis of wherever your site visitors is coming from, in which they went on your site and from which pages they remaining.
What's This? Content with a website need to normally be exceptional. We will review any replicate content and correct check any concerns found.
What's This? Our proficient Net development workforce will put into action conversion tactics to help optimize the site visitors which have been at the moment coming to your site. Custom made
Although lots of firms might figure out the expense of search engine optimization services determined by the size of your respective website and quote you for every page, at WebpageFX we identify our Search engine marketing costs based upon your website's exceptional needs — not what you already have.


text:
Wherever he went, Leo Guthman--a Chicago businessman, art collector, philanthropist and bon vivant--was a striking presence, with silk pocket handkerchiefs and brightly striped shirts setting off his strict British-tailored suits.
At parties anywhere in the world, he always seemed to know most of the guests, his friends said.
"I'll have to say, it's been a great run," he told a friend last month, after an afternoon reminiscing about a roster of pals ranging from psychiatrist Karl Menninger to Margaret, the Duchess of Argyle, a London society leader.


text:
Lance sues Voortman Cookies
Lance Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Voortman Cookies, contending the Canadian company recently began packaging its products to emulate Lance's Archway Cookies brand.
Charlotte-based Lance says the packaging adopts colors and other design elements that closely simulate Archway's, according to a filing with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Voortman's new packaging, Lance says, is calculated to "exploit the uncertainty among both consumers and the retail trade resulting from the Archway bankruptcy, and to persuade consumers and retailers to accept the infringing Voortman package as the successor in the marketplace to the well-known and highly regarded Archway products."
Lance completed its $30 million acquisition of Michigan-based Archway Cookies in December after the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the deal.
Lance is suing Voortman for trademark infringement and unfair competition and is seeking damages of more than $75,000. Lance (NASDAQ:LNCE) also seeks an injunction to restrain Voortman from using the packaging.


text:
Entropay casino
The users are provided with the opportunity to manage their accounts in a variety of languages and casion their funds to their local currency. After performing these steps, the digit card code, expiration date and the security code CVV2 will be generated. Using EntroPay works the same way a normal credit card works.


text:
my belfry is a wreck, so i'm leaving. if you need me, i shall be at my new home.
what did i do today before deciding to move? i broke my wee hobbit's heart, that's what. i was looking for an old post on my blog, & put delilah (fancy laptop that doesn't belong to me, but i named anyway) down to help manlyman in the kitchen. i came back to find thehobbit very sad. he said, "mama, you know how you said i wasn't allowed to read your blog, because it's for grownups? well i'm sorry i read a little." i thanked him for his honesty, & asked him to please not do so again. to which he replied, "ok." huge tears welling in his eyes. "mama? how come you called opie (my old camera which now belongs to him) the 'c' word?" for the record: in our home, the 'c' word is 'crap.'
i was deep into a long-winded explanation of how even grownups accidentally curse now & again, when he interrupted to say "oh i know mama. that's ok. i'm just really sad you said it about opie." single tear slowly running down his cheek. "is opie the 'c' word mama?" worry in his huge, dark brown eyes; 'not my beloved camera' they seemed to say. i fumbled for a bit, but eventually convinced him that i was frustrated with opie when i wrote it, & that it wasn't the 'c' word. it just didn't take the pictures that i needed. i apologized, & assured him his camera is a good one. also for the record: his camera is crap, & the pictures i needed it to take were pictures in focus.
i know who he is, he is me... rather me as a child. everything was alive to me, everything had feelings. i gave every thing a name, i even had a pet stick i dragged about on a leash. people used to talk about me living in my own little world. maude how i detested that expression! now i understand what they meant- they simply didn't understand what it was like to be me. don't understand still. but thehobbit is lucky. i know him. so i don't tell him it's just a camera, & not something to cry over. because to him it isn't just a camera. it is his. it is opie.
i'm not worried that thehobbit lives in his own little world, nor am i concerned about him being sensitive. he's who he is, & i think who he is, will one day make him an amazing man. if i'm wrong, (& i'm never wrong) at least he'll have opie. ;-)
that's all for now. i have to leave for my new home now. my new home where it's clean, & free of clutter... & where i am not breaking wee hobbity hearts.


text:
On 2/18/14, WaterFurnace Renewable Energy Inc (TSX: WFI.TO) will trade ex-dividend, for its quarterly dividend of $0.25, payable on 3/3/14. As a percentage of WFI's recent stock price of $22.22, this dividend works out to approximately 1.13%, so look for shares of WaterFurnace Renewable Energy Inc to trade 1.13% lower — all else being equal — when WFI shares open for trading on 2/18/14.Below is a dividend history chart for WFI, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent $0.25 declared by WaterFurnace Renewable Energy Inc: In general, dividends are not always predictable; but looking at the history above can help in judging whether the most recent dividend from WFI is likely to continue, and whether the current estimated yield of 4.50% on annualized basis is a reasonable expectation of annual yield going forward. The chart below shows the one year performance of WFI shares, versus its 200 day moving average: Looking at the chart above, WFI's low point in its 52 week range is $15.50 per share, with $26.45 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $22.22. In Friday trading, WaterFurnace Renewable Energy Inc shares are currently trading flat on the day.
- Log In
- Newsletters
Access insights and guidance from our Wall Street pros. Find the product that's right for you.
- Action Alerts PLUS
- Income Seeker
- Quant Ratings
- Real Money
- Real Money Pro
- Retirement Daily
- Stocks Under $10
- Top Stocks
- Trifecta Stocks
- Real Money Pro Portfolio
- Chairman's Club
- Compare All


text:
Hacked By: Dev33
Hack Information:
Key Hacks: 1 Refill Health - 2 Infinite Health
Game Information
Four is better than one. Especially when four involves stick figures and awesomeness.
Cheats: Hackbar: Press [E] Toggle shield - [R] T...
Hacked By: selectLOL
Cheats: Hackbar: Press [1] Speed - [2] Power - [3] Fire rate - [4] B...
Hacked By: selectLOL
Cheats: More Fairyflys and Mushrooms added.
Hacked By: Carpet
Cheats: Hackbar: Press [1] Toggle units health - [2] Units can attac...
Hacked By: selectLOL
This is Awesome , If it got Infinite
Grenade hack.
how to move
Thumbs up for playing stick mini games
Like the songs in the game.
@hackofgods thers 3 v 3 in the wwwwwwwvwwwvawwwwv thing and 1 were u said three v s
Registered Users: 502169
Hacks Played Today: 8090
Total Hacks Played: 940525985
There are 1697 users online
13 Members, 1684 Guests


text:
by David Almond, Illustrated by Dave McKean. Take a look inside this book.
This is a cathartic and healing story from the point of view of a young boy mourning his father. It takes the form of a short (80 page) illustrated book which has a story within the story. The drawings are done in bold, dark strokes and coloured in blues and greens, from pale to very dark.
When Blue Baker gets frustrated writing his thoughts for a counsellor, he begins a story about a wild boy: The Savage. There is a connection there with a bully who haunts Blue and others, but in the end it is the connection made within Blue himself which matters. Integral to the story are Blue's little sister and his Mam.
Finally, looking back on The Savage, Blue says:
We're not as sad as we were back then. In some weird way, the sadness made us happy again.
2 Comments
I decided to use this book for my assignment because it was in my library but I'm finding it difficult to relate with The Simple Gift. Could you help me? What are the main aspects of belonging that are similar? && which are different.?
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI


text:
During my early ski days in the Catskill Mountains, a family friend once said to me, "Ski across! There is always snow on the other side of the ice!" As I was careening across the trail, scared of falling, I believed her. I have held on to those words, frequently repeating them to myself over the years. Skiing on the East Coast means you wear a certain badge of honor. You've likely edged your way down some icy trails and survived. On a good day, you get might get some fresh snow or perhaps the snow guns have done their job and blanketed the trails overnight, but it will never be skiing on the powder you find out West.
Stratton Ski Camp
My friend's words still resonate with me today as I sometimes skid and slide down the mountains of Vermont. I have always wanted to ski without fear. To ski comfortably and enjoy it — not just get down the mountain. I want to be a confident skier that can navigate turns on tough terrain. It wouldn't hurt to improve my form too so I don't look like such a beginner, after all I have been skiing for more than 40 years. Recently I had the opportunity to improve my skills at Stratton Mountain's Women on Snow Camp.
I was in for a surprise on the first day of camp when I met up with my group. We took our early morning runs on freshly groomed snow! I will admit it, I am never first chair. I don't usually see the corduroy. Clearly, I should think about getting first tracks more often because right off the bat skiing was so much more enjoyable.
My group was classified as solid blues, working on our form which perfectly defined where I wanted to be. I don't want to ski double black diamonds, navigate the moguls or hit the terrain park. I was matched up with women who all had similar goals in mind. Skiing with this group made me feel really comfortable and excited to get out on the snow.
Lessons Learned
It was clear that in order to improve our technique it was important to focus on one thing at a time. I am not going to remember everything I was taught at the two-day camp but I know I will remember these key points going forward:
- Nose over toes – this helps you to lean forward over your skis.
- Belly button faces down the mountain – this keeps your body aligned properly.
- Bend your knees – this increases your balance and forces you to lean forward in your boots.
- Look up – this keeps you looking downhill, not down at the tips of your skis.
- Tap and go – this helps you execute a proper pole plant in your turns.
For more information about the Stratton's WOW Camp check out these posts by the other All Mountain Mamas:
- Stratton WOWs at Women on SnoW Camp
- Taming the wild (skiing) Woman Within
- Gaining an Edge at Stratton's Women on Snow Ski Program
Disclosure: Program costs and accommodations were provided by the Stratton Mountain. I attended the camp thanks to my relationship with Ski Vermont and the All Mountain Mamas. No other compensation was received for this review. This post reflects the honest opinion of my experience without outside influence.
Photo Credits: Dana Freeman, Erica Houskeeper and Stratton Mountain


text:
P2P – Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) Aims 4% Revenue
Octopus has become the most recent provider to offer an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) and it is aiming for a four per cent return per year for investors, though this is not guaranteed.
The lowest investment level in the peer-to-peer lender is £10 tax-exempt, up to the yearly ISA allowance, presently £20,000 for the 2017/18 tax year. There are no upfront fees or recurring charges.
The cash is invested in loans protected against property in the UK by means of its lending arm, Octopus Property. Since its inauguration in 2009, Octopus Property has lent out more than £2.6 billion and claims a default rate of below 0.1%.
Sam Handfield-Jones, Octopus Choice's head, said that he believed during a period of low-interest rates, soaring inflation, and continuous stock market imbalance, an alternative tax-efficient investment solution has never been more crucial or significant to investors.
Innovative Finance ISA
This type of ISA was launched in April 2016. It allows individuals who put resources into peer-to-peer loans to save within a tax wrapper, which means they acquire tax-exempt revenues. Peer-to-peer lending links savers directly with borrowers, eliminating the middleman (the banks).
Interest rates on offer have a tendency to be higher than you would acquire on a traditional cash ISA but the dangers are greater and there is no Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection if something turns out badly.
Although ISA has been around for over a year, only peer-to-peer lending platforms with full ISA manager authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are able to offer the IFISA.
Up to now, these are the more recognisable peer-to-peer providers that have full IFISA authorisation:
- Abundance
- Crowdstacker
- Folk 2 folk
- Kuflink
- Landbay
- Lending works
- Zopa
Ratesetter, one of the standard players in the peer-to-peer market, disclosed information of its IFISA a year ago yet it affirmed it is still awaiting full authorisation from the FCA.
While peer-to-peer lender ThinCats recently confirmed it has received full approval from the FCA.
Watch this space as more firms will also apply for IFISA.


text:
Breakfast for the three babies happens between eight and nine o'clock. We are fortunate to be able to sit on our back deck and watch Dad come in with a fish and help feed the chicks -- at least until it's time to head out to the river for some more fish. It takes a lot of food to fill up three growing osprey chicks.
If you'd like to join us, come over any day. The coffee will be hot and fresh! The bigger the chicks get, the more there is to watch.