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It all looks fabulous. Beautiful and yet liveable in. Thank you for sharing the photos. May we know in which publication the Watch House will feature?
And happy Christmas btw. Ceri
Motivated by the prospect of an OK-style, 'At Home with Mr Christmas' photoshoot this week, I have been decorating every corner of The Watch House in readiness for the festivities. This is the first year that the house has been properly habitable since the extension into Polegate Cottage and I have enjoyed getting into those rooms that were half completed last December. A year ago the carpets were just being laid and the dining room served as a box store. I was still putting curtain poles up on Christmas Eve, in readiness for my guests. In contrast, this year I have the luxury of painted walls and blinds at the windows. The aroma of fresh cut MDF has been replaced by the citrusy scent of Fraser fir. Now when I walk through the front door I get a pleasant reminder of how much I have achieved over the last 12 months. Not all in the happiest of circumstances, but it's kept me from wallowing and given me a rewarding focus.
The first room beyond the front door is known as the morning room because it's bright and sunny at the start of the day. The walls are painted straw yellow and the space is dominated by two Mr Bright chairs. Eight years after designing them I still maintain they are the most comfortable armchair known to man. They give me a little cuddle every time I sit in them (I'm enjoying one right now), yet they allow enough free arm movement to read a paper or magazine. Children find Mr Bright magnetic, as do biscuit crumbs and grains of sand, which find their way into the deep buttoning in disturbing quantities. Children generally come straight through the front door and start scrambling over the chairs like they are bouncy castles. Unfortunately yellow velvet is not very forgiving when it comes to grime, so I flinch just a little when that happens.
The morning room has never had a Christmas tree before, but since it's the first room my guests see, and because I had a nice slim tree at my disposal, I thought it would be welcoming to add one. I still have three sets of incandescent fairy lights from the days pre LED, one of which has gently flickering bulbs. I treasure this set and will be very sad when the last of the spare bulbs is used up and cannot be replaced. The decorations – broadly gold, yellow, or midnight blue in colour – are an eclectic mix of things I just happen to like. There's a lion's head, a piece of glass honeycomb being tended by bees, a fantail goldfish, pineapples, and some fringed Indian key rings I found in our local gift shop. Colour is a brilliant way of harmonising a whole bunch of things that don't really belong together.
Next comes the dining room, which also has a tree for the first time. Space has been created in a corner where a bookshelf has recently been removed, although it will be tight when we come to use the table on Christmas Day. I put the tree up in November, just to get it done, and hence used an artificial one so that it would still look good six weeks later. Decorated with silver, sapphire and crystal decorations inspired by St Petersburg's Winter Palace, I am chuffed to bits with the result. The colour combination complements my collection of blue and white china, and there's so much sparkle that the whole room lights up when I flick the power switch. On the opposite wall I have a lit wreath made from wire threaded with acrylic crystals, and over the narrow mantle shelf I have bunched and draped several crystal garlands, onto which I have clipped a collection of Joanna Buchanan ornaments, each inspired by an item of vintage jewellery. The quality of the faux gems so good that that they sparkle even in low light. My favourites are the opals.
My house always filled with fresh flowers and plants, but I can't resist adding an extra layer at Christmas time. In the library there are yellow orchids, but I've chosen little white cyclamen in antiqued-glass pots for the dining room. These were snapped up for £5 a pop at Tesco. Even as a buyer it amazes me that plants can be offered at such low prices. Had I grown these cyclamen myself, I would not have parted with them for that kind of money.
I've always harboured ambitions of decorating the kitchen, hanging a heavy garland across the chimney breast, but the time has never materialised. I also don't relish the thought of glitter, moss and other detritus falling into my food. However, this year the stairs got a subtle dressing. I've attached a couple of garlands to the base of the bannisters using cable ties (so easy) and prettied them up a little using lime-green baubles. Having found nowhere to put my Christmas cards, I have discovered that they tuck between the garland and bannisters very neatly, and there they will stay until twelfth night.
In the snug, where I watch TV (restricted to Strictly, Poldark and Gardener's World these days), I have decorated another slender tree with red, blue and white decorations. They have a loosely nautical theme and include a dolphin, several lighthouses, felt storks and mice, which is where the nautical theme starts to fall down: it's Christmas, so I can do as I please. I picked up a very pretty paper mistletoe garland in The Netherlands which has helped to pull this little spire of silliness together.
In the garden room I've upheld a strict green and antique-brass theme. I've strung up three sets of my favourite vine lights, which are tiny, micro-LED lights clustered on long green stems, arranged along a string. The matte-green wire blends in with foliage brilliantly and the bulbs give out a soft, warm light that suggests something magical might be afoot. In places I've draped lengths of antique brass stars among the leaves and left it at that.
The panels of jade green insulation board at the end of the garden room block off an empty space which will one day be an additional bathroom. Unfortunately they don't fit tightly so there's an almighty draught blowing through which neither suits me nor the plants. I've disguised the panels with four identical moss wreaths, each of which is adorned with white birds and green glass pine cones. The wreaths fill the space and create a pleasant focal point. So that there's some depth as the eye wanders through the greenery, I've suspended giant antique baubles and tin cocoa pods among my hanging plants, all at different heights. I like to think of the garden room as an indoor balcony; the kind of spot where the characters in a Noel Coward play would slink off to for a contretemps or thrilling tryst. I might do the latter myself after a few sherries.
I've been saving the best until last – the library. Hard to imagine that this time last year the walls were bare wood and plaster. Although I still don't have a fire surround, and the chandeliers remain in their boxes in the garage, the library has more than the makings of a lovely room. It will come into its own on Christmas Eve, when the fire will roar and there will be games, gifts and G&Ts aplenty. Here I have my real tree, a seven foot Fraser fir, which smells like candied citrus peal. Having bought my first Fraser fir last year I would never go back to a Nordmann, which is coarse and scentless in comparison.
In choosing decorations for this tree I have not followed the decoration of the room, which would be my usual approach. I've nodded to the paintwork's heathery tones with some gorgeous antique glass baubles in a mottled, purplish-bronze shade, but the rest are russet, chestnut, copper and burgundy. There's a loose woodland-cum-wildlife-cum-farmyard theme, complete with foxes, chickens, pheasants, conkers, pine cones, baskets of eggs and flying ducks, but if the colours go, I shove the decoration on. Here's how it came together:
For my niece Martha I am hiding a fairy decoration in each room of the house. We'll have some fun seeking them out later. I'm going to enjoy the next half an hour of peace and quiet before she and my sister arrive, as there will be no rest once they do.
I hope you've enjoyed my little tour of the Watch House and that you're all ready to celebrate in style. I wish you and your families the Merriest of Christmases. TFG.
Snap, I have the fox bauble too! Such good taste! Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year. Thank you for your blogs which are always interesting and full of humour.
Hugs Carol Fox
Thank you so much for your wonderful blogs during 2017, something I always look forward too and congratulations to your splendidly decorated home! A feast for the eye and I'm sure father Xmas, once he's made his way down your chimney into your lovely library 📚 🎅🏼
Many blessings for a bright Xmas
Thank you for such heart warming blog with a tour of your lovely house which took me back to my childhood: My beloved mom would decorate the tree while we were fast a sleep during a weekend night; in the morning we would get up to a dream like living room with not only a christmas tree beautifully decorated but with tens of nicely wrapped presents underneath it with red, green, gold ribbons and matching papers with scenes of Santa, snow man, deer, etc., also small name cards with short messages attached on each box of present. Of course baubles were all real glass of late 1950's. Although we are muslims by birth I grew up with a christmas tree. 2017 being an exhausting, frustrating year for me, it is the first year I did not do any decoration. Yours cheered me up, made me smile as if it was my house I was; once again thank you for making me smile while sharing your house.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2018!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, words and photos Dan. Your house looks so beautiful and cosy, decorated with Christmas ornaments and trees. I hope you find some quality private time just for yourself and the one / ones you love . Relax, take your time and enjoy life 🙂 A very merry and happy Christmas to you .
Merry Christmas, and here's hoping Martha found every one of those ornaments. 🙂 Your house looks beyond lovely with your flair for decorating, endless supply of gorgeous decorations, and beautiful rooms to display them in. It takes a person with skills to decorate a green insulated wall and have it look quite lovely. Take a bow. 🙂
Such a lovely post to end the year, after following each stage of your decorating. And thank you for your blog posts all year, I have suffered debilitating back pain all year and they always make me pause and unwind to read and enjoy them – reading them is the same as sinking into your Mr Bright chairs. Merry Christmas to you and yours X
Another inspiring blog, this time with festive pictures of your wonderful home! It looks as though much love as well as hard work has gone into it. You must be very proud! (Love your yellow armchairs!) I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year x
Another beautiful 'gift' to your followers Dan. Your posts are uplifting, inspiring and absolutely, the word of the moment, 'authentic '. Thank you for sharing so much joy and giving us something to look forward to when opening the email! Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones from Oz ❤❤❤
Well, as you say Dan, the year has not all been in the happiest of circumstances, but goodness me, I think you drew the long straw!! Who could want for anything more than the lovely Watch House? Long may it continue to wrap its arms around you and nurture you.
Wishing you peace and happiness at this festive time, and much joy with little Martha x.
Dear Dan,
the actual reading of this blog post will have to wait (check the time I write/ wrote this comment and you'll know why, especially since for us Christmas Eve is the big day…) but those pictures are amazing. I look forward to learning about everything in detail. Enjoy all your hard work, your house certainly looks stunning! Just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope you'll have plenty of people around you who can top up a happy tipple or two! Warmest wishes (or is that phrase odd? Then just "warm wishes" 🙂 ) X
I enjoy everything you write. Happy Christmas.
Happy Christmas! And thank you for all your interesting posts during 2017
Thank you Dan for sharing the views of your house with us! it really is coming together beautifully and is looking particularly festive. I always enjoy your posts! Merry Christmas and a Happy 2018 from a hot (and worryingly dry) Cape Town!
In a word…beautiful. (Those "Mr. Bright" chairs do look insanely comfortable!!) Looking forward to reading your posts in 2018. – Karen
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and personable humor. It's always a joy to see what you're up to.
Merry Christmas!
Happy Christmas, Dan. I hope you have a lovely time. Your house looks beautiful (gorgeous decorations; love that felt stork!). Sam x
Glorious Christmas photos together with a wonderful blog – it's not that I was surprised but how do you do it, Dan!! Enjoy the rest and peace that the next few days should bring! All good wishes to you and yours. May 2018 be kind and generous to you.🎄
Just looking at your lovely pics on Instagram Dan (I'm not on Insta so unable to comment on there) but the picture of your 'Christmas morning lived in lounge' made me laugh out loud. I have a little grandson who is a whirlwind and leaves my lounge in much the same state but hence forth I think it should officially be known as 'having been Martha'd'.
Aren't we lucky to have such little bundles of joy in our lives? and it gives us something to smile about when they've gone home.
Enjoy the mess whilst you can Dan, its soon cleared up and all too soon she'll be grown and flown.


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Today it is raining on the hill. That old rooster down the hill has been crowing all morning. There's still no dawn just this slice of grey hanging over us and I think he is confused. Or he thinks the next crow will be the one that splits the sky open and ushers in the sun. I for one don't mind if he crows all day and the rain never stops. I'm upstairs in my office, the window open to the world, the green so thick I can't see beyond to the ridge. Every year I threatened to cut down a line of trees, to clear my vision, to open up my world. But then the trees, these living beings, I consider them and I don't. Maybe it's silly. Maybe my son calls me a hippie for thinking things like this. I was a little kid I tell him.
"The sixties happened around me. It wasn't like I was smack in the middle of them going to Woodstock."
"I don't care," he replies. "You're still a hippie."
More likely just an artist who knows trees are alive until you chop them down.
What stops that process more than my pretending the fallen trees will be cut and stacked for firewood and in that way keep on giving like The Giving Tree (that hills too steep. No one is going to bring that wood up here. Not even if I pay them.) is that I know in due season, in the fullness of time (one of my favorite Biblical quotes) the leaves will change, thin out, fall. The view will evolve little by little until the trees are bare then the little valley will open up before me, the ridge rise up from the other side. At night I'll be able to stand at this window and look out, watch headlights from the cars a mile or more away, from far, far down the road, circle and climb the hill. As much as I long for that view now I know that there is something precious in this change. Something that would be lost if I had it at the ready ever day. It's the exchange one makes for the aging of the leaves, the falling with grace and entering into the more silent, solemn moments of winter. With age, we turn from this new year and see that our view of life has changed. It is my birthday month. One that affords me the luxury of considering the passage of time of what it reveals and what it packs away.
The rain continues. Thicker now. This is good. We need the restful quiet.
Yesterday, I dug weeds from around the broken porch that needs to be replaced. I tilled the ground - well, that at least sounds poetic. I scratched at it furiously with a hand tool with pointy things. This is more the truth of my gardening abilities. I turned up 1 snake skin that had been shed. (No sign of the snake which meant I kept my eye open for said snake, 1 Giant toad that had been hiding deep down in the dirt (how was he breathing?) and one large spider that decided he would just go find another home with a quickness that eluded me. I don't like spiders or snakes or frogs. I wanted to be working on getting the word out on my new writing classes but Momma said, "I guess I will just have to go outside and stand on my head and pull weeds even though I"m not able I will try." She is like this. She says these things to me because she knows my head will spin and blow off and I'll pout and put on boots and stomp outside. She is very, smart this way.
Stop right there. I have to give you a little backstory.
If you have been reading these blogs you know Mama moved in with me about three years ago. And that she has a green thumb and I have a brown thumb. But that I now have flowers all around the front porch and back porch in my attempt to please Mama and to honestly brighten her day. And, it has. It has also given me plenty of opportunities to act like an exhasperated fourteen year old that wants to slam the door to her room. You want me to water the plants now??? You want more Rose food when??? I need to dig up what????? What I realize is my mother glories in this. The process of it. The actual work of it. As she said yesterday standing on the porch as I was digging, "I just hate it, hate it when something dies on me." And, I'm thinking - Well, this digging could just be killing me right here and I don't see you worried about that.
Don't get me wrong. The lilies we are planting in all that dirt came from Daddy's Creek. They bloomed for years. They are the largest most amazing lilies you have ever seen. I will adore seeing them in action once it happens. But the process? Not so much. Not like my Mama who loves every step of this. "Keeping things alive is hard work," she says.
"Yeah, well so's writing books when you can't ever get to the page," I say back. She ignores me. She gets sick of hearing me talk about a)writing b) not writing. These are two of my constant subjects because either I just finished x number of words I'm pleased with or I am lamenting that I haven't written any words. Which makes me a little crazy.
I dig the weeds, I pour the dirt. Mom has actually been working hard and adding dirt to potted plants, replanting ones that are root bound. She is ever so good at this. She looks over the railing at the end of the day at my weeded plot of fresh dirt and says -
"That really looks good. I'm proud of what we accomplished today."
I confess I take a little bit of pride in that. It's not that I can't put on rubber boots and stomp in the mud, pulling weeds with the best of them. I put my back into all that I'm doing. I have a good work ethic but I usually save it for having fingers laced around the keyboard. Unfortunately, to some degree all other work pulls on that string that says time, ticking, time ticking, words not written.
Except for when the grands, those Charmings or Adorables enter my world. Then I will stop the clock, close the laptop, shut down my world to be with them. To create magic in the normal spaces of their lives. The watermelon feasts, and sparklers, lightning bugs, and movie nights. Books and naps and nursing boo-boo's.
This month is also my baby boy's birthday. He is a grown man now but still - I took the Charmings shopping for his birthday. But Bless my Heart honest to goodness thought I could do it while I also took Mom shopping for her groceries. It was a master plan until it wasn't. She had a list. I had kids. Getting in the car was one job and getting out of the car at the store was another job and by the time we made it through the door and into two buggies I began to think maybe I have made a mistake.
Now, we have a downpour. This means my driveway is washing away. Again. Yoga breath. Heavy Sigh.
The store. Mom takes the nine year old to help her with her list. I take the four year old and six year old to buy presents. We make it to the cards where one child says he must go to the bathroom. I ask that question that parents have asked in stores for a thousand years - is it number one or two? TWO! who declares and then I ask the next question that parents and grandparents should never ask. I ask this in spite of being part of the potty training brigade for years. Offering to read to kids on the potty, give m&m's to kids on the potty, sing and dance and do a one woman show for kids on the potty - JUST STAY ON THE POTTY till it works. BUT now, on a birthday mission with a Mother buying enough canned goods for the apocolypse that will need to unload I ask - CAN YOU JUST HOLD IT TILL YOU GET HOME???? - Of course the answer is NO. Which is fair because you shouldn't ask that question. It's a bad question. To the bathroom we go. Which turns into a potty party in the handicap stall with lots of conversation going on between the four year old and the six year old and me getting tireder by the moment.
Out of the potty. Wash the hands. Wash, wash, wash the hands. Back to the cards. Then to Pajamas and shirts and the other kid says - NOW, I HAVE TO USE the BATHROOM. Two? You have to do two? Really? Now? Really? Wow. Just, wow. No you cannot use the Man's room. No, I don't care if you are a man. No I am not leaving you in the mans room. Back to the women's bathroom. Back to the stall only now I have to wait outside the door while the four year old and six year old continue to have plenty of conversation. I want to go home. Out of the Potty. To the sinks. Wash, wash, wash the hands. To gift wrapping. Call Mom. She is half way through with her list. I ask her what is left, just go, go go to the register. I'll get the rest now. I don't need the list. I'll memorize it. Run, run with the wind.
This is how I am crazy. This is where my crazy comes in. I am obsessesed with leaving the store the fastest way possible. I rush between milk and bleach and papertowels. I rush to the register. My mother is far, far away with her buggy. Looking for a living cashier. There are no living cashiers in the whole, entire world. Now, I am yelling like a cartoon strip southern character of which I swear I am not - THIS WAY, MAMA, JUST COME BACK AND I'LL DO IT!
We make it to self check out where the four year old stands up in the buggy like he isn't supposed to and starts putting things on the belt and the six year old is doing all the scanning and they think this is the greatest thing in the world. They are as invested in this process as My mother is those plants. I'm shoving things in the bags like a maniac. This one is for presents. Present, present, canned stuff, canned stuff, more canned stuff. Wait what is this? Ice Cream, ice cream and more melting Ice Cream? MOM! WHAT IS THIS????
"Well, they need a little something sweet! It's good for them."
Canned stuff, oatmeal cookies, more ice cream. MOM!!!
"I don't care. They can eat it in the car."
Present, present - wait - WHERE IS THE CARD we spent 45 mins picking out because you guys wanted to read them all? It's missing. Never mind. I bag, bag, bag- I'll go back and get another card while you guys go to the car. JUST GO TO THE CAR. MOVE TOWARD THE CAR.
Crazy. Yes, I know.
I must take the six year old with me because he moves too fast to leave him with a group where someone isn't designated to catch him that might not be fast enough. This is the truth. HE's like the flash.
New card. Out to the car. Forty thousand bags of stuff. Presents. Ice cream that now my mother and the other two children are eating in the parking lot. There is melting ice cream running down their hands. I open the paper towels and pass them out and say Get in the car. Just everybody get in the car.
The children are ever so happy. They have pottyed. And ate ice cream. And bought presents for Daddy. Life is good in their world. UNTIL . . .
The Signing of the card. Which must be done in the back seat while I drive and Mom is in the passenger seat feeling a little better because she had an ice cream pick me up. I am not feeling better. I haven't had an anything pick me up.
A discussion ensues over what will be written on the card and who will do the writing. It is my understanding as I'm driving that the six year old has decided to dictate to the nine year old what will be said because he says he has better handwriting. Then the four year old declares that he wants to write too. Which brings on WWWIII in my backseat. With - HE SNATCHED the Pen Out of my HAND and STOP TRYING TO BREAK MY ARM YOU CANT have it BACK.
And the six year old who is slightly OCD is freaking out because as he says his brother RYDER CAN'T EVEN WRITE AND HE'S JUST GOING TO SCRIBBLE ALL OVER OUR PERFECT WRITING.
And I say, DRAW A CIRCLE ON THE BACK OF THE CARD AND JUST LET HIM SCRIBBLE IN THAT.
And my Mama is laughing and asking me, "Are we having fun, yet?" And I say, "Oh, so much fun. SO MUCH FUN!"
As the boys continue shoving and screaming and fighting with a pen in the back seat as the six year old has a nuclear melt down and the four year old scribbles OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE HE'S SCRIBBLING OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE ON EVERYTHING HE'S RUINING IT ALL!
And I pull up in the driveway of Daddy's house where Mama says, " I think I'll just wait right here."
As I tell the boys ok, here we go everybody get ready to say SURPRISE! And sing happy birthday and one of them takes the present bag and one of them takes the card and they run up the stairs and open the door and scream SURPRISE and they are beside themselves with happy and that grown man baby boy of mine has a look on his face that is absolutely a wonder.
And then he smiles as we all sing Happy Birthday TO YOU! And says, well, you did it, you actually surprised me. And the kids are all grins and giggles and they are so proud of themselves. Happy Birthday, my baby boy and this Mama has got to go.
Mission accomplished. Lilly's and dirt. All in a day's work of being a daughter, a mother, a Zaza.
It could rain all week I don't care. A blanket of rest, a great book, a nap. I could use these things. And if the driveway is gone nothing to worry. We've got enough canned goods to last till Spring.
I hope your life is just as full of love and wonder, of moments to treasure, as it is it's own kind of crazy and that you enjoy your messy, mixed up life to the fullest!
Your fan,
River Jordan
Thanks so much for reading, liking and sharing with friends.
July 2020


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Sue Wong hosted a celebratory party in the honor of Master Romio Shrestha and the remarkable musician, Donovan Leitch at her historical Hollywood residence, The Cedars. It was a spectacular evening filled with music, food and dancing along with about 200 members of the fashion world including celebrities, editors, fashion stylists, news media members and Hollywood socialites.
The 10,000 –square-foot estate was built in 1926 for film director Marcel Tourneur. Jimmy Hendrix was a former resident and his bedroom with alcove was one of the many beautiful rooms in the Los Feliz Mansion known as The Cedars. The hilltop villa overlooks the beautiful Los Angeles City and is now owned by one of the legendary fashion designers -- Sue Wong, whose gowns are known for their timeless, Old- Hollywood glamour and feminine beauty. It is no surprise; Sue Wong has tastefully completed the mansion by restoring the original aesthetic beauty of the house and preserving its massive fireplaces, ceilings and gilded columns.
I fell in love with The Cedars Estate. The grandiose portrait of Sue Wong hangs in the entryway of The Cedars which includes esoteric symbols that convey the perception of her mind, body and spirit. The floor–to-ceiling collage of gold colors, burgundy, dark purple and royal blue along with the priceless antiques décor and furniture was highly fascinating. As a matter of fact, Jimi Hendrix was inspired to write "Purple Hase" song in 1967 from his bedroom.
Click on the link below to watch "Exclusive Interview: Inside Sue Wong's Kitchen with Josh Homann"
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Eight African countries are creatively achieving the goals of community led total sanitation programmes (CLTS) including one idea in Malawi where handwashing is monitored according to the health of tree seedlings planted beneath water outlets.
In Zambia several schools have established vegetable gardens to reduce malnutrition and improve school attendance. Some of the harvests have been sold raising funds for school activities.
In Sierra Leone men have traditionally been the community leaders but women are now being encouraged to play a major part in village committees and networks of natural leaders. To support CLTS women conduct house-to-house monitoring, giving health talks and reporting diseases –- many of them overcoming challenges such as illiteracy to maintain the programme.
Plan International's five year Pan African CLTS (PAC) programme which ends in December, 2014, is operating in the eight countries of Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Malawi, Ghana and Niger. With the backing of the Dutch government the project was designed to promote and scale up sanitation in communities and schools.


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The ALFP is a three-day event designed to fully prepare an individual to sit for the CLFP exam assuming the attendee has already self-studied The Certified Lease & Finance Professionals' Handbook . During the first two days, all of the required sections of the CLFP exam are covered in-depth and on the third day, the exam is offered, but not mandatory.
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Please note that the exam fee is non-refundable but the test may be taken any time at a later date. Written notice of cancellation for the class must be received by the CLFP Foundation no later than three weeks prior to the Academy, less a $75 processing fee. There will be no refunds after this date, however, the credit may be used toward a future Academy. Due to the number of repeated cancellations, only one cancellation per attendee, however, a credit may be used for that individual or another employee of the same company toward a future Academy.


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Last year's iDocs conference at the Watershed in Bristol was a lively and engaging event which looked at a range of critical, conceptual and practical issues around the emerging field of interactive documentary. It focused on several key themes surrounding the genre: participation and authorship, activism, pervasive/locative media and HTML 5 authoring tools.
The conference featured a number of practitioners involved in fantastic projects, such as Jigar Metha's 18 Days in Egypt, Brett Gaylor, who made the excellent RIP: a remix manifesto and is now at Mozilla working on their popcorn maker, an HTML 5 based javascript library for making interactive web documentaries, and Kat Cizek (via Skype) whose Highrise project is well worth a look. There were also more theoretically inflected contributions from the likes of Brian Winston, Mandy Rose, Jon Dovey and Sandra Gaudenzi (among many others) which made for a really stimulating couple of days.
The Digital Cultures Research Centre at UWE asked me to document the event and produce a short video summary, and the video above is the outcome of that.


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Four area universities are among 55 schools nationwide being investigated for possible violations of federal law over how they handled complaints regarding sexual violence and harassment.
The local schools are the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Denver, the University of Colorado Denver and Regis University.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights will not disclose what the potential violations are, only saying the schools are under investigation for Title IX violations.
Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal funding.
READ: Questions and answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence
"We are making this list available in an effort to bring more transparency to our enforcement work and to foster better public awareness of civil rights," Catherine Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement.
Bronson Hilliard, assistant vice chancellor for media relations at CU Boulder, said the school announced last summer that it was the subject of an investigation. Since then, it hired an outside firm to review its policies and procedures. One recommendation was to hire a full time Title IX officer, and the school is in the process of hiring that person now, he said.
"We were not surprised to be on this list," Hilliard said. "We take the issue very seriously. We want to be a national leader in ending sexual assault on campus."
CU Denver officials, however, said they weren't aware of an investigation until it received the news release Thursday from the education department.
Regis University officials said in a statement that the school "takes the complaint seriously and has responded appropriately. At Regis University, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is a top priority."
The school added they cannot discuss the specifics because of confidentiality requirements.
DU also issued a statement, saying it was on the list "because there has been one claim filed from an individual at the University of Denver."
"The University is cooperating fully with the OCR, responding to the agency regarding this matter three months ago," DU spokesman Will Jones said. "No determination has been made by them as of this date."
According to the federal government, a school violates a student's rights under Title IX when the alleged conduct is "sufficiently serious to limit or deny a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the school's program," or it creates a hostile environment.
Also, it is a violation when the school "upon notice, fails to take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end the sexual violence" and eliminate the hostile environment.
John Clune, a Title IX and civil rights attorney based in Boulder, said these types of violations typically stem from a school not reporting or responding correctly to an allegation of a sexual assault. He said when that happens a victim often times ends up dropping out of school.
"Schools have a history of doing a bad job of responding to sexual violence," Clune said. "They're not trained well. Seems there's internal motivation to hope it just goes away."
The education department's release of the list is unprecedented and comes as the Obama administration seeks to shed greater light on the issue of sexual assault in higher education and how it is being handled.
Going forward, the department said, it will keep an updated list of schools facing such investigations and make it available upon request.
The schools range from big public universities including Ohio State, California-Berkeley and Arizona State to private schools including Knox College in Illinois, Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and Catholic University of America in the District of Columbia. Ivy League schools including Harvard, Princeton and Dartmouth are also on the list.
About half of all states had schools under investigation.
Massachusetts led with six schools on the list. They included Amherst College, Boston University, Emerson College, Harvard College, Harvard University Law School and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175, firstname.lastname@example.com or twitter.com/cillescasdp
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reported forceable sex assaults
CU Boulder
2012: 7
2011: 7
2010: 4
2012: 6
2011: 2
CU Denver
2012: 2
2011: 1
2010: 3
2012: 0
2011: 1
2010: 0


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My 8:00 patient this morning, who smokes 2 packs a day and reeks of it, chewed ME out for drinking a Diet Coke during the appointment!
She gave me a 10 minute harangue of how bad it was for me, and how she never touches the stuff because she'd NEVER put something that dangerous in her body!
She had an unlit cigarette in her mouth the whole time, too.


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Don't you love breakfast for dinner? Kedgeree, which usually contains cooked smoked fish, rice, eggs and curry, is known to be eaten for breakfast throughout the UK.
It is believed that the British soldiers brought it back home after enjoying eating it in India. It is now a popular breakfast meal using left over smoked fish though it can be eaten any time of the day.
I was really happy when I found this at a local fish monger. It's kippers. Kippers are smoked herring that has been split, salted or pickled and cold smoked. It reminds me of the Filipino smoked fish, tinapa. If you can't find kippers, you can use any smoked fish you like or even just used poached salmon.
I knew I wanted to make kedgeree as soon as I saw the kippers. I made it for dinner and my English hubby loved it. It now makes the dinner table often. For this recipe, I used a few different recipes I had and combined it to make my own.
Recipe: (serves 4)
- 20g butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tbs curry powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 350g basmati rice
- 600ml chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 hard boiled eggs, quartered
- 200g kippers
- 1 tbs lemon juice
- Handful of parsley leaves
- Salt and pepper
- Melt the butter in a heavy based pan, add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes
- Add the curry and turmeric powder and cook for a further minute.
- Add the rice and stir to mix. Add the stock and bay leaves. Bring to the boil and let simmer for 10-12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, boil the kippers according to packet instructions then flake gently.
- Uncover the rice and gently fork the kippers and boiled eggs through.
- Cover and cook for a further 3-4 minutes.
- Add the lemon juice, parsley leaves and salt and pepper to taste.
Bon Appetite,


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Avoiding Collections Damage from Pollutants
Exposure to some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can accelerate oxidation and hydrolysis in collection materials, evidenced by discoloration and other degradation. VOCs can come from external sources, such as outside (make-up) air, and internal sources, such as copying equipment and materials used in buildings, exhibit cases, frames or furniture, including paint, wood, plastics, or fabrics. Sometimes VOCs are emitted by collections themselves.
Wherever possible, exposure of collections to VOCs should be limited. Best practices dictate that only the most stable materials be used in proximity to collections. This means limiting VOCs known to damage collections to the levels listed below:
Table 1: Maximum Permitted Air Pollution after Filtration (in parts per billion)1
Sulfur dioxide: 1.0 ppb
Nitrogen dioxide: 2.6 ppb
Ozone: 4.0 ppb
Formaldehyde: 4.0 ppb
Acetic acid: 4.0 ppb
Table 2: Unstable Housing, Case, and Construction Materials2
Acidic materials
acid-curing silicones, sealants, and adhesives
Materials containing asbestos, sulfur or lead
Volatile acids
Vinyls, including, but not limited to, unstable chlorine-containing polymers (e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinylidene chloride)
Polyurethane-based products, including, but not limited to, paints, varnishes, and foams
Pressure-sensitive adhesives that release VOCs
Materials containing cellulose nitrate (e.g. lacquers and adhesives)
Fabrics and films containing cellulose acetate
Oil-based paints or varnishes
Modified alkyd paints
Any material that emits formaldehyde (urea, phenol, resorcinol, formaldehyde), including, but not limited to, plywood, particle board, hardboard, and plastic laminates
1 Values from NARA 1571, Archival Storage Standards, February 15, 2002. http://www.archives.gov/foia/directives/nara1571.pdf, [PDF 94.6 K / 16 p.] accessed 1/30/09. For a helpful summary of prohibited materials, good practice for collections environments at every scale, and environmental storage standards, see this document from the National Archives and Records Administration.
2Content from von Endt, D., Erhardt, W.D., and Hopwood, W.R. 1995. Evaluating Materials Used for Constructing Storage Cases. In: Storage of Natural History Collections: A Preventive Conservation Approach, editors, C.L. Rose, C.A. Hawks, and H.H. Genoways, 269-282. Pittsburgh, PA: Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections.


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After Kelly Osbourne found herself on the receiving end of criticism Tuesday following a comment she made about Latinos and Donald Trump while guest-hosting "The View," the 30-year-old star has apologized (sort of) via Facebook in a heated statement.
The cringe-worthy moment occurred while the ladies were discussing Trump's remarks about immigration and minorities when Osbourne said, "If you kick every Latino out of this country, then who is going to be cleaning your toilet, Donald Trump?"
"I want to start by saying I ALWAYS take responsibility for my actions," she began her apology. "In this particular case I will take responsibility for my poor choice of words but I will not apologize for being a racist as I am NOT."
U.S. & World
VIDEO: Flashback: See Kelly Osbourne as a Pussycat Doll
"I whole-hearted f--ked up today. I don't want to bulls--t anyone with lame excuses," she continued. "Although, I was stopped mid-sentence by Rosie [Perez] and couldn't finish my point I will not let Rosie take responsibility for my words. I should have known better as I was on 'The View' and it was live."
Osbourne added that she "learned a very valuable lesson" and hopes "that this situation will open up a conversation about immigration and the Latin community as a whole."
She concluded by writing, "By the way I clean my own f--king toilets."
The British star's controversial remarks came after Perez, whose parents were both born in Puerto Rico, made a comment about Trump's discriminatory statements.
"There are a lot of Latinos here in this country that do agree that the immigration problem is a problem and it does need to be addressed and it does need to be fixed," she said. "But making those comments—those racist comments—does not help."
Osbourne then dropped her toilet cleaning bombshell, drawing gasps from her shocked co-hosts.
"Latinos are not the only people doing that," Perez replied before Osbourne cut her off and said "No, I didn't mean it like that! Come on! I would never mean it like that! I'm not part of this argument."
Later in the show, Perez defended Osbourne and said she was being "overly sensitive" before apologizing via Twitter and calling the guest host "so pure and righteous."
Likewise, Osbourne's mother Sharon, who stars on the "The View's" rival program "The Talk," took to Twitter to thank the hosts for being kind to her daughter.
"I want to thank the ladies @TheView for being so gracious to @KellyOsbourne," she wrote.


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Finally! After two weeks and countless problems with technology (even a power outage!) the Tarp Talk gang is back with Episode 11 (or 11A, but in reality 13 … hence the problems?). Of course we have to talk about Scott Sizemore and the possible replacements and the storylines we are following during Spring Training. This week we are joined by Dan Szymborski of Baseball Think Factory ( @DSzymborski ). Dan comes on and talks about the ZiPS projections for the Athletics this season. Who he sees as a possible over/under achievers. He also lends his opinion on what that thing is in Miami. After that we do the DTOTW and say our goodbyes.
(use this link for other feeders/podcatchers)
Time: 49:08
- Introduction
- Sizemore is injured. What now?
- Adam Rosales or Eric Sogard – who is the better third baseman?
- What key spring training story lines are we all following?
- Does Yoenis Cespedes start right away?
- Dan Szymborski talks A's and ZiPS
- Dumb Tweet of the Week
- Future writing plans for the Tarp Talk Crew
How will Mariners replace injured center field Franklin Gutierrez? by Geoff Baker
The ZiPS Projections for the Oakland A's


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Get weekly Meghalaya weather forecasts, current temperature & climate details across Meghalaya. Also, check out the other Indian state pages for current weather details in a particular state. This website brings to you a complete travel guide for India where you can check details on various states, their famous tourist spots, road maps and also book Indian hotels at fabulous discounts. So, whenever you plan to go for a holiday vacation or a business trip, do check our detailed guide and make your travel arrangements.
National Symbols | Facts | State Maps | Maps of India | Distance-Routes | News | New Pages | Weather
Hotel Deals | Shops | Real Estate | Tourist Buses | Website By | Advertise With Us | Resources | Site Map
©2008 - 2012 Travel India Guide | Privacy Policy .


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Modified Mustangs & FordsFeatured Vehicles
1964 Ford Falcon - Built For Speed
From Humble Origins, This '64 Falcon Has Transformed Into A Legitimate Bird Of Play
When Ford introduced the Falcon to the growing compact market in 1960, it was about as far removed from a fire-breathing performance machine as you could imagine. Just 144 ci and 90 hp was as good as it got, though in just a few short years, the car began to reflect its namesake in more ways than one. Mid-1963 witnessed the introduction of the first V-8, the 260, while 1964's new sheetmetal ushered in the most recognized performance Falcons of the decade.
Following a promising rally debut with the sleek, new '63 1/2 models, a new batch of '64 Falcons were prepared by Holman Moody for the Monte Carlo Rally. This time, Bo Ljungfeldt finished Second overall and First in the over 2,500cc Touring class. Back in the United States, the new Falcon also made its mark on the dragstrip, with factory efforts for Dick Brannan and Phil Bonner involving shoehorned 427 High Risers. Hubert Platt and Dave Lyall were among other high-profile names that drove serious '64/'65 drag-race Falcons-both A/FX and match-race cars, which quickly evolved to include mechanical fuel injection, altered wheelbases, and even an occasional touch of nitro.
Father And Son
Ironically, the Falcon's history of speed extremes had little bearing on Jeff Boet-tcher's 1998 acquisition of our featured '64. Jeff had long been a fan of the unassuming Fords, having owned five over the previous two decades, but in the late-'90s, he was simply looking for a nice project car to build with his teenaged son Kevin. When this two-owner Futura turned up, it wasn't the sheetmetal's street cred that sold the pair on the car, rather its unusually clean and straight condition, which virtually guaranteed a successful result.
Initially, the project involved disassembly and a quality repaint of the factory Wimbledon White by Moslander's Rod and Custom in Monroe, Washington. Next, father and son swapped the tan bench-seat interior to black, and fitted the exterior with a variety of rechromed and N.O.S. trim. Looking good, the car existed in this configuration for a couple of years. "Kevin caught the speed bug and then gave it to me," Jeff says. Ideas were bounced around for any number of build concepts, but we'll limit ourselves to relating what finally came to fruition.
The underhood view is clearly what attracts the most attention and, in turn, is responsible for most of the speed-oriented big fun. A stout, AFR-equipped 331 is plenty healthy on its own, but it has obviously been topped with a real crown jewel-a Paxton Novi 1200 supercharger. When tuned on the chassis dyno at Marysville Speed and Performance, Jeff reported that peak horsepower approached 500 at a maximum boost of 10 psi, but that was a bit on the edge in terms of fuel requirements. Instead, it was decided to make the car more pump-gas friendly, which in turn dropped power down to near 400 with the necessary detune. Despite the big drop-off, Jeff seems content with the numbers, reflecting the Falcon's main duty as a street driver.
Stop And Turn
Perhaps we were hasty in saying the majority of the go-fast fun is courtesy of the drivetrain, for Jeff's '64 was obviously built for more than just traveling in a straight line. Handling characteristics are greatly enhanced by a Total Control front suspension, including upper and lower control arms, VariShock coilovers, and rack-and-pinion steering. Much simpler is the rear suspension, consisting of new leaf springs, bushings, and KYB gas shocks. When asked about the Falcon's driving characteristics before and after the suspension/steering changes, Jeff says, "The rack-and-pinion is awesome, and the adjustable front suspension helps dial in ride height and level of firmness. The car is way more responsive, and the road feel is a hundred times better than before."
Jeff wasn't after a purely retro look with his modified '64, so he figured the door was open when it came to new rolling stock. To that end, Kinesis 17-inch, three-piece wheels were ordered with a custom offset, making the most of the Falcon's inherently minimal wheelwells. Hidden further inboard is a four-wheel-disc brake setup from Stainless Steel Brakes Corp., featuring 11-inch rotors on all four corners, a dual-reservoir master cylinder, and an adjustable proportioning valve. BFGoodrich g-Force T/As were chosen in P205/50ZR17 and P225/45ZR17 sizes and contribute mightily to the Falcon's braking and cornering prowess.
A glance through the interior finds basic '64 accoutrements, with a couple of big exceptions. The Cerullo XR buckets are leather-wrapped and support in a way only dreamed of some 40 years ago. Likewise, a B&M shifter is married to a prepped AOD via Lokar shifter cables, offering vastly better control than the stock column operation could ever hope to pull off. Jeff says Kevin was the driving force when it came to-you guessed it-a modern sound system. We can't blame him, as quality audio has been a staple of his generation, greatly adding to the enjoyment of driving most classic automobiles. To that end, a Pioneer head unit works in conjunction with a trunk-mounted six-disc CD changer, feeding the good vibrations to Infinity speakers and a MTX subwoofer, all powered by a couple of Kenwood amps.
Photo GalleryView Photo Gallery
Step By StepView Photo Gallery
When installation of all the performance hardware was wrapped up, the Boettchers found themselves with a car that is more than worthy of the speedy Falcon name, and carries on in the fine performance tradition of the '64/'65 body style. It's not over the top in any one area, yet it's a capable achiever in multiple disciplines. First and foremost, Jeff and Kevin agree that the project promoted quality time together and a stronger family bond-no doubt the best attribute of the car we can relay to our readers. Beyond that, Jeff's '64 is a terrific cruiser, energetic street performer, and occasional show participant.
It's also abundantly clear that the need for speed continues to grow in both Jeff and Kevin, as without prompting, they described plans for testing the Falcon's supercharged mettle on the dragstrip. Sounds like the Boettcher house had best prepare for a new round of that speed bug.
The Details
Jeff Boettcher's '64 Falcon
- 331ci stroker short-block by Mike's Mustangs, Marysville, Washington
- AFR 185 cylinder heads, 2.02/1.60-inch stainless valves
- 1.6 roller rockers
- Ford Racing Performance Parts E303 hydraulic-roller camshaft
- Edelbrock Performer intake
- Blower-spec Demon 670 carburetor
- MSD ignition
- MSD distributor
- Paxton Novi 1200 supercharger
- Ford AOD
- 2,700-rpm torque converter
- B&M shift-improvement kit
- B&M shifter
- Lokar shifter cables
- Currie built 9-inch
- 3.89 gears
- Traction-Lok differential
- 31-spline axles
- Custom shorty headers, metallic ceramic coated
- 3-inch x-style crossover
- Flowmaster mufflers
- Mandrel-bent dual exhaust
- Front: Total Control upper and lower front control arms, Total Control strut rods, VariShock coilovers, Total Control rack and pinion steering, Addco 1-inch sway bar, custom shock tower bracing
- Rear: four leaf springs, KYB shocks, subframe connectors
- Front: Stainless Steel Brakes 11-inch disc
- Rear: Stainless Steel Brakes 11-inch disc
- Front: Kinesis 3-piece, 17x7, custom offset
- Rear: Kinesis 3-piece, 17x8, custom offset
- Front: BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD, P205/50ZR17
- Rear: BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD, P225/45ZR17
- Cerullo XR leather buckets, B&M shifter, Auto Meter gauges, Pioneer CD player w/trunk-mounted changer, Kenwood amps, Infinity speakers, MTX 12-inch subwoofer
- Wimbledon White, painted by Moslander's Rod and Custom, Monroe, Washington


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Excellent Golf Courses in Wisconsin Area...
Sparta's River Run Golf Course is just a few blocks from the B&B. This Par 72, 18-hole facility is open to the public and as of 2016, has new golf carts. River Run is a picturesque golf course that has earned a three-star rating by Golf Digest; making it the most popular in the area.
Be sure to stop at the course bar & grill for lunch or dinner. A full-service bar is also available for your 19th Hole activities!
Phone: 608-269-3022 for more information and tee-times.
Address: 1210 E. Montgomery Street
Other surrounding area golf courses:
- Castle Rock Golf Course: New Lisbon, 608-847-4658
- Coulee Golf Bowl: Onalaska, 608-781-1111
- Drugan's Castle Mound: Holmen., 608-526-4144
- Fox Hollow Golf Course: La Crosse, 608-786-4653
- Forest Hills Golf Course: La Crosse, 608-779-4653
- Hiawatha Golf Club: Tomah, 608-372-5589
- River Run Sparta Golf Course: Sparta, 608-269-3022
- Riverbend Golf Course: Melrose, 608-488-7291
- Skyline Golf Course: Black Rivers Fall, 715-284-2613
- Spring Valley Golf Course: Union Center, 715-778-5513
- Trempealeau Mountain Golf Club: Trempealeau, 608-534-7417
- Viroqua Hills Golf Course: Viroqua, 608-637-7615
- Golf Wisconsin.com Wisconsin Golf Course Guide
Read our Blog for Golf Courses near Sparta, WI.
There will be a larger MAP and click on the green golfer icon for information about each course.
Birding, Wildlife & Nature
Wisconsin Birding, Wildlife Watching & Nature Treks...
The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail is a mapped auto trail that reaches into every area of the state. Use the full-color viewing guides with maps and descriptions of each site to find warblers, eagles, shorebirds, loons, and more avian species. A wide variety of mammals can also be found in many of Wisconsin's premier wildlife locations. The Sparta area itself is largely overlooked for birding, although it has a lot to offer. Focus on May (migration – warblers, songbirds), June (nesting birds in great habitats around Necedah), September (migration, whooping crane tours, etc.), and Late October/November (the Upper Mississippi migration).
Areas of Interest for Birding Include:
- Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
- Hixon Forest Nature Center
- Mississippi Valley Conservancy
- Wildcat Mountain State Park
- Northeast Coulee Oak Woodland State Natural Area
- Van Loon Floodplain Savanna State Natural Area
- Black River State Forest
Read our Blog to learn more and download maps.
Canoeing, Kayaking & Tubing
Kickapoo River: This river is a paradise for canoeists and outdoor enthusiasts because of its easy access, laid-back pace, and beautiful scenery. A scenic canoe or kayak trip down the Kickapoo River in Ontario has become a very popular weekend activity. The shallow, gently flowing river is perfect for beginner trips, with sections that are challenging enough for experienced canoeists as well.
Where to Rent Gear - they will completely equip you for a day on the Kickapoo River, to include canoe or kayak with paddles, life jackets, and shuttle service.
Titanic Canoe Rental - is happy to announce that we now have tubes available to rent! As well, we now accept credit cards! Reservations can be made online or by calling 877-438-7865!
- Kickapoo Wild Adventures: Norwalk/Ontario,
- Mr. Duck Canoe Rental: Ontario, 608-337-4711
- Titanic Canoe Rental: Ontario, 877-438-7865,
- Drifty's Canoe Rental: Ontario, 608-337-4288
- Elliston Canoe & Kayak Rentals: Dan at 608-487-5114, Brandon at 608-343-5696. Enjoy the scenic La Crosse River, from Hwy 16 take J toward Rockland and Watch for Sign.
- Black River Express Canoe & Kayak Rentals: Black River Falls, 608-488-7017. Offers canoeing or kayaking on the Black River. The many sandbars along the way will add fun and relaxation to your trip! Shuttles to and from landing included with rental fees. Located in Melrose and Ontario.
- Kickapoo Yacht Club: 608-625-4395 and 608-625-2071. Located halfway between Rockton and LaFarge on Highway 131. Canoe rentals available 7 days a week, and shuttle service is provided for those with their own canoes. Email reservations can be made from the website.
~ Please note that some canoe rental places, do not take credit cards, only cash and checks are accepted.
Amish Area & Heritage
located in the heart of Wisconsin's largest Amish community...
Can I tour the farms of the Cashton Amish on my own?
Yes, you are welcome to visit the farms of the Cashton Amish! Amish neighbors want you to know that you are welcome to visit their farms and purchase their goods directly from them; you do not need a tour guide.
This is a website Amish in American that will help you plan, print maps for visiting the area Amish. **Greenhouses are a big stop for the Spring now.
Down A Country Road Amish Tours & Shops – Cashton, a quiet and beautiful place in the country, nestled in a Southwestern Wisconsin valley. Located two miles east of Cashton along State hwy 33. The Kuderer farm is home to the Village Shops at Down a Country Road, including The Amish Shop, The Little Red Shed, Emma's Kitchen, and Country Corner Ice Cream Shoppe.
Phone: 608-654-5318
At the Inn, we have Self-Guided shop & driving tour map of Local Amish community
Trails End Amish Walmart
Take Hwy 33 for about a mile, left on Hoff Valley Road. Take a Sharp Right on Little Ridge Rd. Stay right go all the way back on the gravel road.
Address: S302, Little Ridge Rd, Ontario, WI 54651
Hours: M-W-F-Sat: 8 am to 6 pm
Closed Sunday, Tues, Thursday
Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center - Coon Valley
Norskedalen (which means the Norwegian Valley).
Experience Norskedalen whether you come to experience the natural beauty of the Coulee region, the history of those who have lived here throughout time or the Norwegian heritage preserved in the buildings and artifacts; whether you take a class or attend a program, enjoy one of our special events, take the guided tour, or just come to wander the grounds on your own; Norskedalen has something unique and very special to offer.
Phone: 608-452-3424
Address: N455 O Ophus Rd.
Hours: Sun 12-5pm, M-F 9-5pm, Sat 10-5pm
Visit The Norskedalen Gift Shop - We have many new, specialty items including heritage and local interest books, jewelry, clothing, heritage gifts, and accessories.
- Special Events all seasons click for more information
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - La Crosse
The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is nestled alongside a bluff in southside La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is a place of religious pilgrimage. A Pilgrim Center provides a restaurant and religious gift shop. An orientation film is available. An outdoor walking trail winds up along the bluff, with stops at various devotional areas, reaching the plaza and entry into the Shrine Church. Seeking peace and beauty? Visit the Shrine it is Amazing!
Phone: 608-782-5440
Address: 5250 Justin Road
Hours: Open Daily 9a.m.-4 p.m. Summer hours 9a.m.-7p.m.
Stroll, Hike & Swim
Explore Places and see what they have to offer...
NEW & FUN! Self-Guided Bridge Tour in Sparta
We have created a self-guided tour booklet so that our guest can enjoy a walk around Sparta and learn about our Hand Built Bridges, by the Five Shovelmen. These bridges and covered bridges were built for no pay and it's amazing what they have done for the town.
Click here to take a look for more on Bridge Tours on our Blog
Ask Innkeeper for their New Self-Guided Tour Booklet
Located above the Kickapoo River Valley, Wildcat Mountain State Park offers horseback riding and hiking, complete with some amazing views. The park's 3,603 acres, mostly wooded, contain 25.8 miles of hiking trails including 15.0 miles of horse trails, 17.5 miles of trails for snowshoeing, 7.0 miles of cross-country ski trails, 1.3 miles of an interpretive nature trail, 0.4 miles of trail accessible for people with disabilities. The Park features a nature center and interpretive program, picnic facilities, fishing, and opportunities for bird and wildlife watching.
Phone: 608-337-4775
Located in the heart of the Driftless Area in La Farge, WI, the ridges, and valleys carved by the Kickapoo River offer spectacular scenery. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve is open year-round for recreation, education and special events. It is a truly amazing place to discover!
Phone: 608-625-2960
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
5-stars! A must Bucket List see!
The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is working to preserve and restore the landscape that serves as the habitat for more than 110 species of migratory birds. With many wonderful hiking paths of all levels, this refuge is truly an amazing place!
Phone: 608-565-2551
The Bluff is located on the east side of La Crosse and is the area's tallest bluff at 600 ft. It is the site of a public park where one can view a panoramic vista of La Crosse, the Mississippi River, and three states and it's open year-round during park hours. The land was donated by the Joseph and Irene Hixon family in 1912.
It has been voted one of the most scenic views in Wisconsin.
Other places to Stroll & Hike...
- Farmers Markets
- Sparta Aquatic Center- INFORMATION Pool, slides, lazy river....
- Sparta City Parks – Open to the public.
- La Crosse, WI - Click Here to Learn More
- Hixon Forest Nature Center - Follow the trails through the forest
- Mississippi Valley Conservancy - Hike to Wellness
program as well as other trails.
Shop Local in the Community....
District 7 Décor & Design in Sparta is NEW AND OPEN
offering interior design services and home décor for purchase.
Owner Jen Wangen has been designing for the last 20 years.
Address: 113 East Oak Street, Downtown Sparta
Phone: (608) 633-3720
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Hours: Wed- Friday 12-6. Saturday. 9-4
Wildwoman's Bell Theater Vintage
Vintage Apparel, Costume, Retro Decor
"A New Experience"!
Address: 210 S Water Street, Sparta, WI 54656
Phone: (608)-633-3672
Hours: Fall- Tues, Wed, Fri 11-4 ~ Sat 11-2
KEPS Naturals...& KEPS Kids...
and now has more expanded space & open longer!
Jacki, Dennis, (K)endall, (E)mber, (P)ayton & (S)kyler
Amazing store. Clothing MADE IN THE USA, KEPS Naturals handmade body products, Unique Gifts, Local Artist of the Month display, handmade jewelry, diffusers, essential oils, cool gadgets, bicycling section, re-fillable, books, cards, kids items and so much more! Eco-friendly store and gift shop that also offers handmade organic body products.
Address: 122 South Water Street, Sparta, WI 54656
Phone: (608) 487-9514
New Hours: Tues - Fri. 10-6, Sat 8-3, Closed Sun-Mon
Urban Nest & Lizzy's Boutique
An upcycle and painted furniture shop located in downtown.
For more information about Urban Nest & Lizzy's Boutique, check out their Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram pages. You can also email them at email@example.com.
Address: (Moved) 515 W Wisconsin St, Sparta, WI 54656
Phone: (608) 487-9445
New Hours: Tues - Fri 10-7, Sat 10-3, Closed Sun-Mon
Ole & Bean Creations
SEE NEW EXPANDED STORE- Most of our items in our store are priced under $15. which fits for most. Handmade Soy Candles & Tarts, Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Items, Kitchen Towels, Scrubbies, & Dishcloths and so much more! Something for you and your gift-giving list.
Address: 102 Jefferson Ave. Sparta, WI 54656
Phone: (608) 366-1200
Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm, Closed Sun-Mon
Quilt Corner
A friendly place for all your quilting needs, specializing in quality cotton fabrics, notions, patterns and books.
Featured products include Grace Quilter Machines, a large selection of Thimbleberries & Kansas Troubles fabrics, 100% Hand Dyed Wool & Felted Wool, Classes, Clubs, and much, much more!. Stop in and meet Connie and Crystal.
Address: 219 N. Water in Sparta, WI 54656
Phone: (608) 269-1083
Hours: M-F 9-5, Sat 9-3, Closed Sunday
- Located two blocks from the B&B
Target Bluff German Haus Shops - Antiques & Artisan Marketplace
Address: 208 Hwy 12/16, Just off Interstate 90/94 Exit 55
Camp Douglas, WI
Phone: 608-487-4674
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Hours: Fri: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sat: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM,
Sun: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Antiques & Crafts, Upcycled Decor, Art & Gifts, Culinary Delights
Read our Blog for Antique Shops information.
Museums, Cranberries, Grotto
and more...
Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum: Deke Slayton was an American pilot in WWII, and later became one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts. The museum was founded in March 1999 by a core group of residents who wanted to honor Deke Slayton memory in his hometown of Sparta, WI and to commemorate the county's rich bicycling heritage. Few people realize that bicycles were the starting point for airplane technology, which of course progressed into modern flying methods. Explore the progression from the earliest patented bicycles to the Wright Brothers' incorporation of bicycle technology from their bicycle shop into early flying creations, to the Wright Flyer… and all the way into outer space!
Hours: Daily Hours-10: 00 am- 4:30 pm, Mon-Sat, Closed on Sundays
Phone: 608-269-0033
Monroe County Local History Room & Museum: Telling the story of men and women who lived and worked in Monroe County through interactive exhibits and engaging displays, photographs, documents, memorabilia and historic artifacts record all periods of Monroe County life. The Research Room welcomes all those interested in genealogy and the history of Monroe County. All right in downtown Sparta! Free Admission.
Hours: Daily, Mon – Fri 9-4:30, Saturday 9-4:30, Closed Sun
Phone: 608-269-8680
The Little Falls Doll & Railroad Museum: The Doll Museum contains hundreds of dolls from the 1800s to the present. The Railroad Museum displays many railroad items, a 1,000+ book library, and a Milwaukee Steel Bay Window Caboose. There is a large picnic shelter with tables and grills, swings for the children, and an outdoor train running on a varied schedule.
Open from 1 April to 31 October.
Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Closed Wednesdays.
Phone: 608- 272-3266
The Wegner Grotto: A Grassroots Art Environment Drive through the WI countryside north of Sparta, and you may stumble across an amazing sight of concrete and glass! The Paul and Matilda Wegner Grotto is a grassroots art environment near Cataract. Admission to this beautiful exhibit is free, but donations are appreciated and are used to restore and preserve the beautiful works of art.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day with closing ceremonies at 6:00 p.m. on the Monday of Labor Day.
Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center: Catch the aroma of cranberries at the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center as you see, touch and taste Wisconsin's No. 1 fruit crop. A Wisconsin crop staple for over 150 years, the cranberry has shaped the state's agricultural methods. Discover the history of the cranberry in the U.S., from Native Americans to today at this nearby warren, WI museum.
Hours: Change Seasonally
Phone: 608-378-4878
Glacial Lake Cranberries: Five-Stars!
Fresh Cranberries, Tours in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Guests have said it was wonderful with great information. In 2013, the Glacial Lake Cranberries' property celebrated 140 years of continuous sustainable cranberry production!!!
Glacial Lake Cranberries, 2480 County Road D, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
Phone: 715-887-4161
Reservation needed: 715-887-2095
Horseback Riding
trail rides and sleigh rides...
Redrock Trail Rides: Sparta
We have been in business since 1994 on our 293-acre farm, homesteaded by Timothy Sullivan. A working dairy farm located just five miles from Norwalk on the Elroy-Sparta bike trail. There are 12 miles of ridge and valley trails to ride well-broke horses and enjoy breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. Trail rides are offered from Spring to Fall. No winter rides. Trail rides are offered 7 days a week, advance reservation recommended and should be scheduled by noon on ride-day, at the latest. Trails average 1.5 hours and are pro-rated to the quarter hour.
Address: 13597 Katydid Ave, Sparta, WI 54656
Phone: 608-344-1359
Red Ridge Ranch Horseback and Sleigh Rides: Mauston
Red Ridge Ranch offers horseback trail rides and sleigh rides through 250 acres of rolling farmland and wooded hills and during the winter. Sleigh rides a reservation is required. Bring your camera to capture all Wisconsin beauty!
Hours: Open all Year
Phone: 608-847-2273
Local, Close By, & Seasonal...
Sparta Concerts In The Park – 2019 TBA
Enjoy an outdoor concert Wednesdays during the summer months from our band shell.
Start time: 7 PM – Concerts are free and open to the public.
Location: EvansBosshard Park, walk 2 blocks from B&B.
Sparta Butterfest - Sparta
Located at Sparta Memorial Park just three blocks from our bed and breakfast. Arts & crafts, free entertainment stage, carnival, car show, a huge parade, food and music on the grounds all weekend long.
- June 6-9,2019
Warrens Cranberry Festival - Warrens
This annual Wisconsin festival is the largest cranberry festival in the world! Over 130,000 attendees descend on nearby Warrens, WI to celebrate Wisconsin's #1 fruit crop. See the opening parade and over 1250 booths featuring arts, crafts, and tasty treats! This is such a popular event that we recommend making your Sparta inn lodging reservations early!
- 2019 Dates: September 27-29
Wetherby Cranberry Company Harvest Day - Warrens
Get their early! They will fit you with waders and take you out in the bogs. They also offer tours to motor coach groups. In addition, the Wetherby marsh holds a public harvest day annually on the first Saturday of October.
- October, 5 2019
Grand National Tractor & Truck Pull - Tomah
This annual June Budweiser Dairyland Super National event in Tomah, WI brings fans from all over the country for four days of monster fun, hosted by the Monroe County Agricultural Society. Proceeds benefit the Fairgrounds venue and support efforts to update the grounds and facilities so that farming education and fairgrounds entertainment can be continually brought to the community.
June 20-22, 2019
La Crosse Oktoberfest - La Crosse
Huge parade and festival!
2019 – Thursday, September 26 to Sunday, Sept 29
2020 – Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, Sept 27
Read our Blog for Learn more Calendar of Events
Winter Activities
Cross-country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Snowshoes & Snow Tubing what Fun...
Whitetail Ridge Ski Area: Sparta
The place for winter fun! Bring your skis and snowboards and head to Whitetail Ridge Ski Area where you can carve through the freshly groomed powder or zip down Fort McCoy's Snow Tubing Hill. Equipment Rental is available. Open to the public.
Phone: 608-388-4498, 608-388-3517, or 800-531-4703.
Mount La Crosse Ski Area: La Crosse
Downhill skiing and snowboarding, chair lifts, tows, races, rentals, instructions, and runs for all ability levels. With 19 slopes and trails, skiers have enjoyed Mt. La Crosse since 1959 skiing the gentle Mileaway, Wisconsin's longest run, to Damnation, Mid-America's steepest trail!
Phone: 608-788-0044
Cross Country Ski Trail Information
- River Run Golf Course and Sparta Parks: Sparta
"In the winter the entire park, including the Golf Course, is open for cross-country skiing."Public welcome to skiing; break your own or follow previously broken trails. Just a few blocks from the Franklin Victorian Bed and Breakfast.
- Black River State Forest: Millston
27 miles. Groomed; has 24 miles of classic trail and 4 miles of skate trail. State park sticker required.
- Perrot State Park: Trempealeau
42 miles. Groomed; has 9 miles classic and 1.2 miles skate trail.
- Wildcat Mountain State Park: Ontario
28 miles. Groomed; has 7 miles classic and 5 miles skate trails.
- Whitetail Ridge: Sparta
Fort McCoy, 9 miles. Classic trails, groomed only with drag.
- Hixon Forest Nature Center - La Crosse
- Mississippi Valley Conservancy - La Crosse


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animal, animals, autumn, dog, dog blog, Edgar, fall, fiction, FinderDog, frolic, German Shepherd, humor, Humphrey, leaves, Maine, man, mystery, narrative, Nature, outdoors, pet, photo, photography, photos, quote, quotes, Stephen King, stick, visit, woman
In small towns people scent the wind with noses of uncommon keenness.
-Stephen King, courtesy of http://www.brainyquote.com
This past weekend, I traveled up to Maine with Woman and Man to visit Man's family. The seasons are much further advanced there, and the leaves on some of the trees have begun to give up their green and embrace, instead, the new and vibrant colors of the fall.
Have I ever told you, reader, of my affinity for leaves? I love them! I love to chase them and to snap them up in my teeth. I twist in the air to catch them as the wind lifts them up and ruffles my fur, both at once.
After spending several minutes playing in the leaves with Man and Woman, I found the perfect stick. All in all, a good day.
During my northerly sojourn, I also received a message, from Edgar. He said he'd come to see me soon–as soon as he could. He left the message with a dog who lives near Man's parents, who barked it out to me as soon as I saw her. Soon, I shall see my brother again. Until then…


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Whenever I return to my hometown of Kresgeville, I always take the same, slight detour. Winding upward through a hollow and then on across the hilltop, I see the Trachsville church and look as quickly as possible toward my friend's headstone, so that I may fix my eyes upon it for as long as I can. It's my way of saying, "I'll never forget you."
The Bible records in Ecclesiastes 12:5 that eventually we all go to our "long home."
David "Whitey" Bartholomew went there on June 19, 1968. He was 20.
I knew Whitey since fifth grade. He lived just up the road from my house. His parents were Dick and Blanche Strausberger. Blanche had a luncheonette, and Dick ran a lawn mower dealership and gas station.
When we were teenagers and played basketball after school, Whitey would never pick me to be on his team. That made me play all the harder to beat him. Of course, we were friends. He just wanted to win.
Whitey and I were drafted into the Army and ordered to leave on the same day, Oct. 11, 1967. We were in the same platoon during basic training at Fort Gordon, Ga. After basic, we were designated "light infantry" and sent to Fort Polk, La., for further training. We were again assigned to the same company.
I recall a night training maneuver in which they sent us in pairs over unfamiliar terrain with a compass, and numerous "captors" tried to capture us. It was a moonlit night. Whitey and I were walking slowly across a high berm. I stopped him and said, "Does that look like a stump down there, or is it a captor?" I knelt down, grabbed a hefty stick and threw it. The stick hit the "stump," which got up and ran away. We laughed and took off running -- and never got caught.
At Fort Polk, we received our orders for Vietnam. We landed at Long Binh and traveled by bus to Bien Hoa. The two hosts that met us immediately and never left were heat and humidity. Many an impression greeted us, but none like these two.
After a night's stay in a vast complex consisting of row upon row of barracks, we were hustled out to an immense expanse of tarmac filled to its edges with GIs. Here came our divisional assignment. There were the 4th Division, the 9th Division, the Americal Division, the 1st Cavalry, the 1st Division, the 25th Division. As soon as they called out our names along with our unit, we were to run, get our gear and move to that area.
We'd been lucky to stay together this long. I thought we'd already rolled the dice in our favor more than one possibly could.
A soldier on a high podium started calling. Soon it came: "Bartholomew, the 25th." Then, "Borger, the 25th."
I ran to catch up with Whitey and met him halfway across the open area, his gear already in hand. His face was flushed and his eyes were brimming with tears, because he thought we had been separated. I told him the good news.
Now it was off to Cu Chi. Whitey and I were in the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry. He was in Charlie Company; I was in Bravo Company.
The day I left to be with my unit, a guy named McQueen was sitting on the back of our truck. I couldn't figure him out. Clean fatigues, no "piece."
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"Cam Ranh Bay." That was one of the safer havens.
"How did you get that?"
"I re-upped," he said, meaning he had re-enlisted to get "off line." He mentioned he had a wife, and, I think, a child. He wanted to go to the rear, so he committed himself to another few years in the Army. I couldn't believe he had done that. I wanted to serve my two years and get out.
"Well, wait until you see what it is like out there," he said. "You might change your mind."
When I reached my unit, my welcoming committee consisted of a man called Reds.
"Hi, I'm Reds, you're our new machine gunner."
Taken aback, I asked who was the best machine gunner in our company.
"Schwartz is. Why, he is so good that he can pop one round off at a time. Fromm is his buddy. When Fromm walks point, Schwartz is right there with him, even though he's not supposed to be. They're right over there."
I walked over and called his name.
"Yeah," Schwartz said.
"They just made me a machine gunner. They said you're the best in the company. Can you give me some tips?"
He gave me a few, then asked, "Do you believe in God?"
"Yeah, I guess so," I said, and saw him evaluating my reply. It wasn't convincing, even to me.
"Well, I do," he said, "and if I don't make it here, I know I'll go to be with the Lord in heaven, but you'll still be walking around down here in the mud."
Three days later, Schwartz joined the eternal throng, and for sure I was still in the mud. Three others were killed that day. I remember seeing Fromm, who had been hit, being pulled out atop a rubber liner. He was screaming, "My God, oh my God!"
Quite a reality check. So this is 'Nam.
I saw Whitey only twice in the field. Once, my company linked up with a company that turned out to be Whitey's. He surprised the heck out of me when he appeared in our perimeter. He walked me over to his site and introduced me to some of his friends. We weren't together long. I had to go out on an ambush that night, and the next day we broke camp and left.
The second time, we had just moved into an area and had not set up for the night. We were just holding our position. I sat on a berm, opening a can of C rations. I saw columns of GIs filing past, when I heard, "Chipper, Chipper!" It was Whitey's voice. My nickname is Chip, but he always called me Chipper.
I hightailed it over to him. We hugged. His face was red, and he was slightly hung over. He told me that his company was to stay put that day. And so he and others began to drink some local beer, when suddenly they were given orders to move out, which caught them by surprise. We had a good laugh, and just like that, he was gone.
'Nam was so unlike anything else.
After a two-day firefight, we went through a bunker complex. Some of us were leaning against a bunker when a radio telephone operator sidled up to us, asking if we had cleared the bunker. We all looked at each other and said, "No." He said he'd do it.
The RTO looked in and saw movement. "Charlie" opened fire on him with an automatic, grazing his skull. He screamed at us, "Get out of here, they're in the bunker!" As we scurried away, Charlie started firing at us. We huddled against another bunker and saw a steady stream of white tracers. I closed my eyes and thought I was going to die. But Charlie didn't have the angle on us. His bullets went through the top of the bunker.
Charlie stopped, and we ran. I jumped into a water trench and opened fire with my M-60, allowing one of our guys to reach safety. But my shooting made me nervous, because it was around dusk and I couldn't see well without my glasses -- I'd broken them the day before. I paused but someone yelled, "Keep firing!"
Our fire directed on the bunker silenced it.
Miraculously, we all survived. But I saw our 18-year-old medic lying on the ground, his eyes open, his face covered with mosquitoes. He had gone into shock.
A "slick" flew in. My lieutenant turned to me and said, "Get on that chopper back to base and get glasses."
So there I was, walking our company area safe in Cu Chi with a PX [a store] down the road, our enlisted men's club a mere 30 yards outside my hooch. Twenty minutes earlier, I'd been thinking I wouldn't make the next minute.
The following day I saw Whitey cutting across our battalion compound. I hollered, "Hey, Whitey!" He stopped and called over, "Chipper!" Immediately, I saw the bandaging on his right elbow. He said he had caught some shrapnel, 16 stitches worth, and was headed to have them taken out. We walked to the dispensary together, and I watched as they unwrapped the bandages and removed the stitches.
On our return, I told Whitey about McQueen. I asked if he would join me to check out re-upping, which he did. We were both eligible.
We both grabbed paperwork and headed back. I tried reinforcing Whitey with all the reasons why we should re-enlist. He seemed open to the idea.
When we got back to our battalion area, Whitey had a profound request: "If either one of us doesn't make it back home from here, then let's have the other one go home and tell his parents how much he loves them."
I said, "Yeah, sure Whitey."
"No, I mean it! If I don't make it over here, tell my parents how much I love them, and I'll do the same for you."
"Yeah, OK, I will. You, too."
I handed my paperwork in at company headquarters. I didn't quite know what to expect. The orderly and an aide were in stone silence. They only stared at me. I just left.
That evening, I met Whitey over at the enlisted men's club. We stayed until it closed, and then moved outside where small clusters of men smoked and spoke in hushed conversations. Our hearts were all taken by the Otis Redding song "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," which was playing on the jukebox inside.
I asked Whitey if he had handed in his paperwork. He said he had not and wasn't going to. I couldn't believe it and asked him why.
"Remember when I was captain of our basketball team? Well, I wanted to be the best on our team and become captain, and I did. And if I do my best over here and come home, I'll be a man. And if I don't, I know I'll still have done my best and die a man."
There wasn't much to say after that. I dropped the topic, and the next day went out to the field.
On the day Whitey was killed, we were set up in a village. Three of us were in a hooch. Word went around that 3rd Platoon would be sent out to help Charlie Company. It wasn't long after they left that we got the word: Charlie Company ran into an ambush.
When the choppers came back hours later, I ran over to meet them. I knew a guy named Walker, who had spent time with Whitey and me. Walker walked away from one slick, his eyes almost instantly meeting mine. He quickly looked away and back again.
I knew.
Walker told me that he pulled Whitey out. I just moved off and cried.
The next day I was ordered onto a convoy back to Cu Chi. After re- enlisting, I, too, had orders for Cam Ranh Bay, where, after a series of extensions, I stayed until December 1970.
You see, there were really two Vietnams. The Vietnam for the support troops was job-like. Once your shift was pulled, however long the hours, you could go to the PX, a movie or a USO club. And then there was the grunt's Vietnam The 'Nam. Seated next to me on my flight home was one of its starkest reminders: a grunt, well-pleased to show me his secret and most highly prized possession -- a shriveled ear on a chain.
The evening of my first day home, I visited Whitey's parents and kept the pact that he wanted so much for us to keep.
Before I did, I spoke the part that might have been his to speak, to my own parents, and have ever since.
Thanks, Whitey.
On July 28, 1996, in Kresgeville, a memorial was dedicated on land donated by Blanche and Dick for all war veterans, giving Whitey special consideration.
Standing just across from where I was seated were Whitey's parents and family. One would have to know Dick. He is a burly, no-nonsense guy. I was still feeling extremely awkward and stigmatized after all these years. Dick parted from his family and headed my way. He stood alongside me and placed his hand on my shoulder.
Nothing was said, but it spoke volumes to my heart.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * *
Levi "Chip" Borger Jr., a letter carrier, lives in East Allen Township with his wife, Amorette.
Whenever I return to my hometown of Kresgeville, I always take the same, slight detour. Winding upward through a hollow and then on across the hilltop, I see the Trachsville church and look as quickly as possible toward my friend's headstone, so that I may fix my eyes upon it for as long as I can. It's my way of saying, "I'll never forget you."


text: The new teal Ora base holder has been smartly designed to bring a contemporary edge to homes and is available in six colourways; elegant white, vibrant lime green, dark grey, ruby red, teal/blue and beige/taupe. Strong, durable and built to last, the Ora Holders have a high gloss finish making them easy to clean and as an added bonus they are dishwasher proof. There's no installation required, you simply remove Ora from its original recyclable base, place your Ora towel in and then they are ready to admire. Being lightweight you can easily transport from room to room, ready to cope with mess, drying, cleaning or fun anywhere!


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|Up a level
Narasimham, K A and Marichamy, R and James, D B and Nammalwar, P and Victor, A C C and Kaliaperumal, N and Rajapandian, M E and Dharmaraj, S and Maheswarudu, G and Sundararajan, D and Arputharaj, M R and Muniyandi, M and Kalimuthu, S and Rodrigo, Joseph Xavier and Selvaraj, M and Dasman Fernando, A and Rayan, V Soosai and Jesuraj, N and Muthukrishnan, P and Fernando, D Bosco (1992) Survey of Valinokkam Bay and adjoining area to assess its suitability for integrated sea farming — A report. Marine Fisheries Information Service, Technical and Extension Series, 117. pp. 1-8.


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ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KOAT/HEARST/CNN) - Construction workers were able to save the lives of a baby and a toddler stuck inside of a burning building.
The dramatic moment was caught on video.
The men in the yellow vests aren't firefighters or police. They're construction workers.
Brothers Mason Fierro and Jermaine Gallien said they saw a man screaming for help from a second-story window.
"We saw him hanging out the window with his baby, his 2-month-old baby," Fierro said.
With every second counting and with the rest of the crew working to bring their ladders over, Fierro called out for the man to drop the baby into his arms.
"He dropped her. I caught her. Then they bring out another little boy, 2 years, 2 or 3 years old, and then we caught him as well," he said.
Mason said he couldn't have done it without his brother and the rest of the crew running over to help him, as well as putting up the ladder to get the parents out safely.
"We had each other's back and it was just an all-in thing," Fierro said.
No one was more proud of his brother than Jermaine Gallien.
"The scene and catch, that baby girl and the baby boy, it just touched me. He stepped up and really became the hero of the day," Gallien said.
Mason says they only waited long enough to make sure the family was OK. Then they started going door to door to get everyone else out safely as well.
While neighbors we spoke with said Fierro deserves a medal, he said the dad thanked him and that was enough.
"He might not remember my name or my face, but he knows that somebody helped him. That's all that i care about honestly," he said.
One woman was taken into custody on arson charges.
Police said she admitted to starting two fires in the apartment using paper and an electric stove.
Copyright 2019 KOAT and Hearst via CNN. All rights reserved.


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Vida Guerra Makes Her Return! (Behind The Scenes Video Shoot For Her 2010 Calender)
Order your copy of Vida Guerra's 2010 Calendar at Vidaguerra-store.sparkart.net
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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In general I like to focus on describing what going on and develop terms to describe what I see. For example when I look at folks who say they are part of the OSR the only common element I see is that they play an older edition of D&D and don't think it broken or outdated. Everything depends on where you are looking. Which is why I say the OSR is comprised of fans of older editions of D&D.
But some folks launch into a debate with me and say "Well, what about Traveller, Tunnels and Trolls, etc, etc. They are old school too." To which I say yes they are old school, but the OSR is foremost about playing older editions of D&D . However depending on who you talk too. You will find interest in all those games and more. The fact that the group of gamers who like playing and publishing for older edition D&D got labeled as the Old School Renaissance is one of those accidents of history.
This is not to say I don't have an opinion on what ought to be going on. I say that in the upper right corner of this blog. What ought be going on with the OSR, especially on the publishing end, is that people should try to look at their favorite older game and say to themselves
What can I do different with the game that was not tried back in the day because of circumstances or the interest of folks back then.If are you not doing this don't sweat it. Because first and foremost the ultimate goal of what we are doing is taking these dusty old games off of the shelves and start playing them again to the enjoyment of a new generation.


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Since 1921, God has brought thousands of at-risk youth out of their distress and into the land of promise that is Grundy's Mountain Mission School.
We serve as home, church and school to more than 200 kids in need, coming to us not only from Appalachia, but also from more than 60 countries worldwide.
MMS provides each child with the foundation of first-rate academics, a loving family environment, positive social support, and a firm commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.


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Derek Richardson doesn't have any movies playing in theaters.
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The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have launched a national education campaign to help eliminate one of the most common but preventable sources of medication errors—the use of ambiguous medical abbreviations.
Some abbreviations, symbols and dose designations are frequently misinterpreted and lead to mistakes that result in patient harm. The ISMP-FDA campaign seeks to promote safe practices and prevent serious and even potentially fatal mistakes when communicating medication orders.
The campaign focuses on eliminating the use of error-prone abbreviations by healthcare professionals and students, medical communications and publishing professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, and FDA staff. ISMP and the FDA plan to reach those audiences through targeted educational materials, articles in professional journals, and presentations at key conferences and meetings.
ISMP and FDA recommend that ISMP's List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations be referenced whenever and wherever medical information is being communicated. This includes internal communications, telephone/verbal prescriptions, computer-generated labels, labels for drug storage bins, medication administration records, and pharmacy and prescriber computer order entry screens, as well as product labeling, industry promotional materials, and medical publications.
Some of the abbreviations on ISMP's list are included in the current Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JC) National Patient Safety Goal 2B, a "do not use" list of error-prone abbreviations, but ISMP's full listing includes additional medical notations that have been associated with medication errors reported to the ISMP Medication Errors Reporting Program.
In addition, ISMP and FDA are making available the following toolkit of resource materials.
Check back regularly, as additional tools will be added to this page. Click here if you have questions or need more information.
Campaign Brochure on Error-Prone Abbreviations
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