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Minnesota State University, Mankato
Information Systems
Information Systems 101
Quiz 1 questions.docx
Quiz 1 questions.docx
Information Systems 101
Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Quiz Top of Form Question 1�(1 point) � If an organization has a high level of both diffusion and infusion, with computers throughout the organization, information systems are being used to their full potential. Question 1 options: Save Question 2�(1 point) � A virtual reality system is an example of one of the most common types of information systems. Question 2 options: Save Question 3�(1 point) � A decision support system is an organized collection of people, procedures, software, databases, and devices that provides routine information to managers and decision makers. Question 3 options: Save Question 4�(1 point) � ____ helps determine what supplies are required for the value chain, what quantities are needed to meet customer demand, how the supplies should be manufactured into finished goods and services, and how the shipment of supplies and products to customers should be scheduled, monitored, and controlled. Question 4 options: Save Question 5�(1 point) � In today?s global economy, the creation of a new product or service can be separated into smaller and smaller subtasks which are then completed by a person or small group located in a single country best suited to meet the need of the global market. Question 5 options: Save Question 6�(1 point) � Because of the difficulty in determining all the costs, total cost of ownership is seldom used to plan for and maximize the value of IS investments. Question 6 options: Save Question 7�(1 point) � ____ are sometimes asked to regulate the use of the Internet and Web sites by employees to ensure that it is appropriate. Question 7 options: Save Question 8�(1 point) � ____ is a visa program that enables skilled employees from foreign lands into the United States. Question 8 options: Save Question 9�(1 point) � The value of information is directly linked to how it helps decision makers achieve their ogranization?s ____. Question 9 options: Save Question 10�(1 point) � ____ consists of computer equipment used to perform input, processing, and output activities. Question 10 options: Attempt 2 Written: Jan 22, 2013 4:57 PM - Jan 22, 2013 5:00 PM Submission View Your quiz has been submitted successfully. Today, companies are shifting from strategic management to performance-based management of their information systems and carefully consider both strategic advantage and costs. Question options: ____ involves computers understanding and acting on verbal or written commands in English, Spanish, or other human languages. Question options: ____ investigates the additional profits or benefits that are generated as a percentage of the investment in IS technology. Question options: Bottom of Form Note:�It is recommended that you save your response as you complete each question. True False True False True False customer relationship management inventory management demand planning supply chain management True False True False database administrators Web administrators systems analysts software developers L-1B H-1B 4F all of the above profits goals cost reduction initiatives quality improvement measures Information technology Technology infrastructure Telecommunications Hardware Ch 1 Random MCTF Question 3 0 / 1 point True False Question 4 0 / 1 point Virtual reality Artificial intelligence Natural language processing Learning systems Question 6 0 / 1 point Net present value Return on investment Earnings growth Market share
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Richie latching the dyno hold in the setting sun on The Dude (Direct?) at Ruthven
© freudy_love, May 2008
Problem: The Dude/Dude Direct
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It seems no matter what he does, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is the target of anger by MMA fans. He may be making decisions that are in the best interests of his career but he is losing fans & has drawn the ire of some of this fellow fighters as well. With all of the negative instances over his career perhaps Jones should embrace the hate he receives & not worry about trying to "get some fans."
The recent decision by Jones & his trainer Greg Jackson to turn down a fight with Chael Sonnen at the now canceled UFC 151 was the hot topic of the week. Fans who want to see the champion fight & not lose an entire card were irate with the decision that ultimately led to UFC President Dana White calling off the card.
When Dan Henderson went out with a knee injury the UFC tried to slot in Lyoto Machida to save the main event. Machida did not take the spot so another opponent was searched for. Former middleweight contender Chael Sonnen was more than ready to take the fight on 8 days notice. Jon Jones felt it was the wrong move for his career to fight Sonnen & would not accept the fight.
During a conference call Dana White went on a tirade bad mouthing both Jones & Greg Jackson. He did a very good public relations job deflecting any blame & placing it all on the champion & his camp. The heat from the fans was instant & tremendous.
Other fighters who were on the UFC 151 card were now out of a paycheck. The UFC is trying to find homes for their fights later in the year. While the process is underway there are many fighters who do not make a large amount of money each fight & have to wait to be paid now. Charlie Brenneman was obviously upset when the card was cancelled & let Jones know about it on Twitter.
"Jonny Bones, can you send my check to P.O. Box 198. EH NJ. Rent is due the first, so preferably by then. Thanks."
While the cancellation of the card is in no way all Jones' fault he became a lightning rod from a fellow fighter. It is one thing to be a target of fans but when your co-workers turn on you it can not be a comfortable situation.
Other fighters have come out publicly not necessarily saying they didn't agree with Jones but if they were in that situation they would have taken the fight. Those type of statements are fodder for fans to use in their argument against Jones' decision.
The anger the fans exude toward Jones is becoming all too common. Earlier this year on May 19th, Jon Jones crashed his Bentley into a utility pole & was subsequently charged with DWI. Fighter, celebrity or regular person this is a ridiculous thing to be doing & he deserved every bit of negativity toward him. A life threatening act such as this is inexcusable.
An official release was done by his team to apologize for the act but then the P.R. nightmare continued when he took to his own Facebook page to complain about people kicking him when was down. Jones tried to paint himself as the victim in a case that was clearly all his fault. No doubt he was feeling awful & didn't like some of the negative energy being sent his way but his management team needed to keep him quiet & not let him try to make himself look better in the eye if the public. It only made him look worse.
One of the most famous gaffes from Jones & his team was at UFC 140 in Toronto when he defeated Lyoto Machida. Once an unconscious Machida was dropped to the mat by Jones, he celebrated his victory as anyone would do. While Machida was being checked on by doctors, Greg Jackson emphatically yelled to get Jones' attention. The famous words were then spoken. "Jon. Go check on him. Go check on him. Go check on Lyoto. Get some fans."
Fans were shocked when they heard this statement. Damage control was attempted after the fight but it was too late. Once again the fans turned on the champion.
Jones first began to turn some fans off when his verbal sparring against Rashad Evans & Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson occurred. The cocky attitude he portrayed did not sit well with many. Many fighters are cocky & have an attitude but for whatever reason Jones' attitude just rubbed people the wrong way. At that early moment in his rise to the top his team needed to quell the image & groom him properly to be the next superstar of the sport.
Right or wrong the fans are still the ones who pay their money to watch the fighters. Jones may be one of the most talented fighters to ever step into the octagon but he is losing fans with every action he does.
One has to wonder what Nike will do if Jones can not turn around his image. Ariel Helwani reported that the deal is only for one year. If the rest of 2012 & early 2013 keep going the same way it is right now that deal very well may not be extended.
Perhaps Jones should just embrace the hate & not worry about having a polished image. Fighters such as Tito Ortiz & Chael Sonnen have done very well for themselves financially by playing the heel character.
We do not know Jon Jones behind the scenes in his everyday life. Perhaps every single negative thing he has done is simply a misunderstanding or an accident. That seems unlikely since it keeps happening. If Jones is truly a cocky person who really doesn't care what anyone thinks then it is time to step out of the attempted finely groomed image his team wants him to have & be himself.
Acting like you are the best & telling everyone about it will create more heat in his direction but at least the shock when he does something wrong won't be there. Fans will expect him to do something they don't like & cheer against him happily. The UFC is a business still. Fans will pay good money to see their favourite villain lose in a main event of a pay-per-view.
It does reek of WWE but it is a proven business model. Jones should not try & force an image on the fans if it isn't truly who he is since there is no disputing the pure talent he has. Based on that alone Jones is going to make a lot of money & be very successful in the UFC. By turning down fights, coming across in a very conceited way, being charged with DWI & opening his mouth when he shouldn't he is looked at as a villain. There is nothing wrong with that but don't act like you are not.
Jones very well may walk through Vitor Belfort in Toronto on September 22. Belfort is now moving up a weight class & is taking this fight on a month's notice. Everything points to a Jones victory yet many fans are going to be cheering for Belfort. This would be a great opportunity for Jones to start the hype & let fans know how good he is & how easily he will win. Fans won't like it but everything else he does the same result seems to happen. Embrace the hate Jon & don't worry about what the fans think. It may just be the easier road.
Written by Mike McPhee
Follow me on Twitter @ManCaveMMA
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- Bellator 115: Minakov vs Kongo– Weigh-In Results - April 3, 2014
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Here are just some of the messages we have already received:
"I lived and worked in SA from 71 to 83… Thanks to Madiba SA did not develop into a basket case at is no Zimbabwe. He is in the same league as Ghandi or Martin Luther King. Rest in peace now." - from an admirer in Russia.
"I'm deeply hurt by passing on of Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. I know there is nothing he could do about our decaying democracy but he was the symbol of where we come and where we are: than for everything Tata we will never forget you." - Samkelo Lakhe Nyange
"It's something I cannot believe yet, but I am sure a man like Nelson Mandela will never really die. Love from Germany. May God bless his family and all of South Africa." - Sibylle
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text: Hello, i have purchased a 2006 (55) reg 2.0 R sport wagon, the very next day bekow 4k rpm it was flat as a fart! Spluttering up to 4k then picking up nicely. It has a powerflow cat-back and a K&N panel filter. My own suspicion is coilpack, but i was wandering if there are any common faults?


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Business Ideas in the News / March 11, 2014
Springwise has notes about a company called Taxiback that facilitates disounted rides for passengers and fewer empty trips for taxis drivers:
It's a fact of life in the taxi business that cabs must often return back to base empty after dropping off a customer — particularly when that drop-off was at an airport. That return drive is essentially a wasted trip, but UK-based TaxiBack aims to change that. Specifically, the startup offers a service which connects passengers with cabs that would otherwise be returning empty and enables them to reserve rides at reduced rates.
Originally posted by Dane Carlson on March 11, 2014 in Ideas.
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Puget Sound Cutting: Identity Design Process Revealed
When it comes to identity design, the process always begins with a thorough investigation into client objectives, audience expectations and understanding the industry's visual vernacular. Only when a solid foundation has been established does the tip of a pencil make its way onto a sheet of paper where a variety of relevant concepts start to take shape. It is this sketching process that allows us to explore a wide range of ideas before moving onto the computer where we tweak and fine-tune the final selections. Here are just a few of the sketches that emerged.
Below you can see the next step in the identity process as we set out to digitally rework the ideas that showed the most promise. PSC works with a variety of materials so we wanted to incorporate into their brand expression various textures and surface treatments wherever possible. We then took these ideas to the client and discussed our findings, making sure to select only those designs that would translate well into actual logos given where it was to live, and how it was to be used.
From here, we were able to narrow down our options even further, resulting in three potential identity directions from which the winning design was selected. We explored color options, and the use of various rendering techniques such as embossing, engraving and chemical etching for that extra special touch.
Because their work involves tremendous precision, and often requires aligning custom parts with existing machinery at extremely low tolerances, we wanted to try and communicate this through the experience of interacting with their business system. How did we do it? Instead of printing their contact information on the letterhead, we suggested they go with a special laser-cut business card that would fit snug inside a series of small, die cut notches in the paper. This cost-saving measure gave their card a dual purpose, functioning as an informational header, and a very unique leave-behind that's sure to make a lasting impression. In the end, careful planning, and listening closely to our client's needs, resulted in an award-winning identity solution that positions PSC as a leader in their respective field.
Here is the final design…


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2013 Highlights
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Upload highlights of the team and or players here.
Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard - Lafayette, MS
6'0 345 NG/DT LAFAYETTE HIGHSCHOOL D.Q. REYNOLDS 3 TIME STATE CHAMP! (2) FOOTBALL (1) POWER LIFTING 75 TACKLE 1O SACKS 1 INT. ... more
Lafayette High School selected for the Tour of Champions Football presented by the Army National Guard. Ceremony to be held on January 11th, 2012.... more
The MaxPreps 2011 Tour of Champions is back for the 6th consecutive year! MaxPreps.com and the National Guard team up again to honor 50 of the top football programs in the country!... more
Eric Nicks, Lafayette, MS
Lafayette vs Kosciusko..2006 Playoff thriller (MS)


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The following piece is adapted from a longer series of posts written by the author for his personal blog. You can find links to the longer version at the end of this entry.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the importance of learning. Maybe it's because I walked for my MBA commencement two weekends ago. Maybe it's because I've been thinking about what else I need to learn about the music business to get my career going.
In any case, learning is critical for success in anything we do. I'm not just talking about getting a formal education; I'm talking about continuously learning every day of our lives.
-Why should we be learning?
We have needs and wants.
- We need to be successful.
- We need to successfully compete against others.
- We want to gain the respect of our peers and others.
- We want to be self-confident.
Learning goes a long way to helping us fulfill these needs and wants.
-Who should be learning?
We ALL should be learning. No matter what we do, we should find ways to better ourselves. And to do so, we must learn.
In addition, we need to help each other to learn. As we all become more interconnected in a world where the flow of goods, services, and most critically, information has virtually no barriers, we are significantly impacted (both positively and negatively) by how well others perform. On the bright side, this greater interconnectedness also means we have greater access to each other's strengths. The key to optimizing the utilization of a group's assets is to ensure that each person in the group has the knowledge and skills, specific to his or her role, that are necessary to taking advantage of this greater access. Therefore, we have an incentive to help each other learn and develop.
-When should we be learning?
Every waking minute. Realize that there are opportunities for learning all around you, wherever you are and at any time. The important thing is that you should be able to go to bed at night and come up with a short list of things you learned that day that have made you a better person.
-What should we be learning?
- About yourself:
- Identify personal strengths and weaknesses.
- Identify personal interests and passions.
- About your craft:
- Whatever you are working toward has specific criteria for success. If you are a songwriter, maybe it's understanding accepted standards for a well-crafted lyric.
- Identify potential obstacles to success that are specific to your pursuit. Consider how your personal strengths/weaknesses interact with these roadblocks and what else you need to know in order to best overcome them.
- About your business: how your craft fits into a larger context. For example, the craft of guitar players can be explored as an artist, as a teacher, etc., and there are many sub-categories within these applications.
- About something completely different from your craft and/or business: be a more well-rounded person.
- About people like you: build strong relationships.
- About people entirely different from you: build tolerance and trust.
- About your stakeholders and your stakeholders' stakeholders: customers, suppliers, family members who depend on you.
- About communicating: effective writing and speaking.
-How should we be learning?
- Practice: learning by doing will always give you the best understanding of how the knowledge and skills that you obtain can be applied to "real world" situations…because you are learning them in the real world.
- This includes experimenting with new ideas and ways of doing tasks. That instrumental break you play in the middle of your set night after night that seems to leave the audience bored and staring at their cell phones? Consider trying something different in the next show and see what happens.
- Just as important is that you learn from everything you do right and everything you do wrong. Look back on last night's show or that project you just finished and ask yourself, "what did i do that really worked?" as well as, "what did i do wrong that i need to fix next time?"
- The important takeaway here is that you have to be willing to take risks and ultimately, to fail, if you want to identify new and better ways of doing things or to learn an entirely new thing. I can think of no better application of this than the sorting out of the music business today.
- Observe:
- Sometimes, watching something being performed a few times makes more sense than jumping in and trying it. Watching someone execute a task (ex. the first time you learn how to change from a G to a D chord on the guitar) is the next best thing to trying.
- Ask questions:
- Find someone who knows about something that you want to learn more about and talk with them for an hour.
- Don't be afraid to ask appropriate questions throughout the day, in meetings, during class, etc. when you don't completely understand the topic of discussion.
- Read:
- It's an easy and cheap way to gain access to large amounts of information in one place.
- This doesn't need to be a big time investment–I get the dictionary.com word of the day emailed to me every morning and take 2 minutes to learn a new word that i may encounter down the road.
- Take a class
It is becoming both easier and more crucial for us to update our knowledge and skills today. Abigail Adams said it well: "learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence." Please, keep learning and help others learn. We'll all be better for it.
Read more about learning in the three-part series that begins here.


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I wonder how they got away with chambering both(22lr & 22mag) in the same cylinder? Shooting a 22lr out of a 22 mag chamber is never a good Idea. The 22mag is a slightly bigger diameter and a 22lr case will split or fracture in an oversized chamber.
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There are multiple reports out Wednesday indicating former Colts Defensive End Dwight could wind up in a San Diego Chargers uniform.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported late Tuesday night Freeney will visit with the Chargers Wednesday, May 15
The Chargers need a pass rusher after losing second-year linebacker Melvin Ingram tore his ACL in practice. Yahoo Sports is also reporting Freeney is headed to visit the Chargers.
The Colts play the Chargers in San Diego October 14 on ESPN Monday Night Football.
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Parenting by Design - Dec. 5
Suffering for the greater good
Rom. 8:35, 37: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (NIV).
Your kids may wonder why some Christians suffer. They may be confused by the claims of some preachers that accepting Christ means an end to trouble. But that's not true----just because something painful is happening doesn't mean it isn't God's will. Sometimes we need trials to help us mature.
Suffering is not always punishment. It can be an opportunity for real growth. Isn't that what the sanctification of believers is all about? The advantage believers have is not in the elimination of suffering, but the presence of Christ in our lives, walking beside us when we struggle. He will never leave us and never forsake us.
Tell your kids the truth—believers may still suffer at times, but they have "the power that raised Christ from the dead" to enable them to overcome (Rom. 8:11).
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Tag Archives: abraham
A Whole Lot of Love
What if God took note of every mistake you made and considered it a glorious seed for a profoundly better future? God, it seems, is often counter-cultural. Whereas our society, often despite knowing better, constantly rewards achievement and success, God has an interesting track record of recognizing positive effort even when we are surrounded by failures of our own doing.
Take for example the Biblical character of Lot. Lot is Abraham's nephew. Abraham, father of our people, looked after Lot when his father died. When Lot grew, in age and in wealth, Abraham gave his the choice of land – and where did Lot choose? He chose to live first near the cities of Sodom and Gemorah, and then he moved into Sodom, a city which would soon-after be known for its perversion of humanity and its disdain for God's expectations for mankind (Gen. 13:12). Why would Lot choose to live among such people? Why, after being taken captive and rescued by his uncle, Abraham, did Lot choose to stay with them (Gen. 19:1)? Certainly, Lot is a flawed character – trying to appease a crowd that has gathered at your door to molest your guest by offering your two daughters is, even by Biblical standards, flawed (Gen. 19:8).
Juxtaposed with his uncle Abraham, Lot certainly seems to come up short, but is that not true for the rest of us? While Abraham might be the ideal, the rightful patriarch of ethical monotheism, Lot, who chooses to live with and among the flawed, the non-believers, and the sinners represents the rest of us. Lot, it seems, loves the townspeople of Sodom. He marries two of his daughters to them, and perhaps he even marries a woman from one of these sin ridden towns. Why else did she turn back to see their destruction (resulting in being turned to salt), and why else would he choose to live close by, still in view of those towns, even after God rescues him and two of his daughters (Gen 19:15-22)? It turn out, a lot of us are like Lot. We're not perfect, and sometimes we cast out lot with the flawed and those whom we know are acting badly.
And here's the real kicker with Lot: As misguided as Lot is, God sees fit to rescue him. God rescues Lot even after he repeatedly made the choice to live among the wicked and depraved people of Sodom and Gemorah. Clearly, his two daughters that were rescued with him had been raised in a culture where morality was "less evolved". Believing they had no other choice, they got Lot drunk and raped him in an attempt to repopulate the tribe (Gen. 19:30-38). How perverse! How shocking! And yet… And yet, despite all the depravity, it will be Lot's offspring that produces the redeeming figure of Ruth, whose linage would lead to the heroic figure of King David, and by extension the messiah!
It's nice to have heroes like Abraham. But what if we could never be as singularly brave, kind, or devout as Abraham? What about us who, when we are tested continually fail? What about those of us who are drawn to "the wrong kind" or are ourselves "the wrong kind"? God seems to love us also. After all, the future of Abraham's descendants is inextricably tied to the future of the descendants of his bumbling nephew Lot. Maybe, being "too good" is not God's liking anyway. Our sages say we should love God with our positive side and our negative side. Does that not presuppose an acceptance of our darker inclinations? Perhaps too much order, too many rules, too much reason and goodness was not God's intention for us? The story of Lot suggests that Nietzsche was correct in saying, "You must must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star."
God extends love not only to the near perfect in the world, such as Abraham. God loves the rest of us, just as He loves Lot even though he ties himself to the Bible's most despicable townspeople. God's love is a challenge to us. Can we love those who represent what we find to be most distasteful? Can we love ourselves when we know that we're really screwed up? God can. God does.
Note: The opinions expressed here are the personal views of the author. All comments on MyJewishLearning are moderated. Any comment that is offensive or inappropriate will be removed. Privacy Policy
A Guest in our own Tent
At this time of Occupy Wall Street and its various offshoots, the question of social justice is certainly prominent. In this week's Torah portion, God chooses Abraham precisely because his commitment to teaching social justice or righteousness and justice to his descendants.
The question can then be raised what exactly is the 'social justice' that Abraham practiced and which his descendants are to emulate. A midrash gives us one somewhat startling and playful response:
"For I have known him, to the end that hey may command his children and his household after him that they may keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice (Genesis 18:19).
"R. Aha said in R. Alexandri's name: This righteousness (zedakah) refers to his welcoming of guests. R. 'Azariah said in R. Judah's name: First righteousness (zedakah) and then justice (mishpat): how is this to be understood? Abraham used to receive wayfarers. After they had eaten and drunk he would say to them, 'Now recite Grace.' 'What shall we say?" they asked. 'Blessed be the God of the Universe of whose bounty we have partaken,' Abraham replied. If one consented to recite grace, he would [be allowed to] eat, drink, and depart. But if one refused, Abraham would demand, 'Pay me what you owe me.' 'Why, what do I owe you?' the guest would reply. 'One xestes' of wine costs ten follera, a pound of meat costs ten follera; a round of bread costs ten follera. Who will give you wine in the wilderness; who will give you meat in the wilderness; who will give you bread in the wilderness? ' Seeing himself thus driven into a corner, the guest would say, ' Blessed be the God of the Universe of whose bounty we have eaten.' Hence righteousness is written first and then justice."
Although initially responding to a linguistic concern of the use of both righteousness and justice, the portrayal of Abraham here can raise some eyebrows. If his guests fail to bless, Abraham would turn around and charge them as customers!
The midrash places Abraham's commitment to righteousness in the center of his tent. Abraham is the paradigm of the one who welcomes guests and this is directly related to his understanding of God. Ethics and theology here are inseparable. Abraham's recognition of God, his awareness he does not really own what he possesses and must be shared with others emerges out of this recognition of God as ultimate Master of the cosmos.
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchick extends this idea one step further. Welcoming guests goes beyond merely being civil and polite. Indeed we have probably all experienced guests who challenged our patience and graciousness and gave us pause as to why we had welcomed them into our home in the first place! However, it is precisely in being patient with those who are difficult is how we can emulate God who in the Torah's eyes is also patient with us and our shortcomings.
However, in this midrash, Abraham requires his guests, after experiencing his generosity, to bless and thank God. While this may seem as an inappropriate imposition to our eyes, one Hasidic commentator has an interesting observation.
Abraham only asked his guests to bless after they ate and not before partaking of the food. They first experienced his generosity, and had allowed Abraham to fulfill a commandment as it were, of welcoming guests. While Abraham provided them material benefit, their receiving of it gave theological/spiritual meaning to Abraham. It was not their eating that allowed them to bless God, but rather their graciousness in receiving Abraham's hospitality. Their receiving was a transformative act that opened them up to new spiritual possibilities. Lacking that graciousness, and the ability to receive Abraham's hospitality, they would see Abraham simply as an innkeeper where they would have to pay for what they ate.
To be a proper guest is then being able to receive the gifts of others. To be a guest in the world in the model of Abraham is to share what we have received with our fellow guests of the world. The Abraham vision of social justice that emerges from this Midrash is one rooted in a theology that we are not the ultimate masters of our tents. We are all guests. We must both give and receive with graciousness and blessing. If we lose sight of being guests, we must still give, but it loses spiritual/theological meaning and only becomes another bill to be paid.
Note: The opinions expressed here are the personal views of the author. All comments on MyJewishLearning are moderated. Any comment that is offensive or inappropriate will be removed. Privacy Policy


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This cute little spider candy holder hangs on a doorknob just waiting to give you treats. You can also fill it with other items such as pencils, erasers, temporary tattoos, and fun plastic spider rings.
Instead of making the eyes you can use large wiggle eyes.
If you prefer to skip braiding the yarn, you can cut a handle from craft foam.
Chenille stems are available at your local discount department store or craft store. Watch for sales following each holiday as you can pick up theme colors on clearance (green and red – Christmas, etc).
Paint paper plate with black paint and let dry.
Fold paper plate in half and cut along the crease.
Pipe glue along the rounded edges of the two pieces of plate and stick the plates together, unpainted sides should be facing each other. Do not glue the cut sides; this is the opening of your plate pocket.
Cut chenille stems in half.
Set aside two of the chenille stems. Bend the ends of the remaining chenille stems, about 1" at each end. Bend one to the left and the other to the right. For the remaining two chenille stems, bend one end about 1" and the other end about 2".
Place plate pocket in front of you, with the open end at the top. Glue three chenille legs on the left (glue to the underside) and the other three on the right.
Take the remaining two stems and glue the 2" bend under the plate about 1/3 of the way down from the left, and 1/3 of the way down on the right. Allow to dry.
Make eyes from white construction paper, or paint a section of any color construction paper with white paint. Use a black marker or black paint to draw in the pupils, then glue eyes on the body
Paint a wiggly smile on the front of the plate using green paint.
Write "Happy Halloween!" on the orange construction paper with black marker. Glue the paper underneath the spider's "hands" so that it appears that it is holding the sign.
To make the handle, line all three pieces of yarn up together and tie one end in a knot. Braid the strands together and knot at the other end.
Open the pocket and pipe some glue into the creases then press the ends of the yarn handle inside and let dry.
Fill with candy or other treats and hang.


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Cherry Grove - Local Area Photos and Information
Local Area Photos | Local Business Directory | Local Real Estate | Local Employment Center
Cherry Grove is a populated place located in Grant County at latitude 38.602 and longitude -84.57.
The elevation is 945 feet. Cherry Grove appears on the Mason U.S. Geological Survey Map. Grant County is in the Eastern Time Zone (UTC -5 hours).
Grant County: Cities & Towns | ZIP Codes | Schools | Features (airports, churches, hospitals, etc.)
BOUNDARY MAPS: City of Williamstown | Williamstown-Dry Ridge Division | Grant County
Cherry Grove - Searchable Map, Aerial Photos & Driving Directions
|BIG Map |
Driving Directions |
Data Source - USGS GNIS FID: 507694
BOUNDARY MAPS: City of Williamstown | Williamstown-Dry Ridge Division | Grant County
Nearby Cities, Towns & Census Designated Places
Hilltop, KY
(< 0.1 mile)
Cherry Grove, KY (< 0.1 mile)
Mason, KY (1.9 miles SSW)
Heekin, KY (2.4 miles W)
Williamstown, KY (2.7 miles NNE)
Stewartsville, KY
(4.7 miles WNW)
Lawrenceville, KY (4.9 miles WSW)
Doughton, KY (4.9 miles NE)
Cordova, KY (5.1 miles SE)
Locust Grove, KY (5.1 miles ENE)


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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I agree. That little tidbit, which was news to me, was more interesting then the entire article. I'm pretty sure most of us know how to do bombing runs now. Any more information about the removal of the questhelper information from the upcoming patch would be nice to know.


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Don't be worried if you are not medically qualified. You do not need to be a doctor to know right from wrong, sense from nonsense. If a doctor tries to bamboozle you with long words, ask him to simplify his language - the long words are never necessary in these arguments. Animal experiments are both scientifically and morally indefensible. Gross unjustifiable cruelty is regularly involved. Much research money is going into animal experimentation which is now known to be scientifically unsound and in many cases completely misleading. The scientific fraud involved has been exposed in many countries and generous donors have been rightly subjected to ridicule for misuse of their money. For the theory against Vivisection, read Professor Raymond Wacks' excellent Review.
It cannot be said that no good has ever come from vivisection - what can be said with certainty is that if the same amount of money and brainpower had been used in other ways, much more benefit would have accrued.
It is time to stop this abomination.
"Britches" the monkey had his
eyes sewn shut at birth:
And this one had an awful fate
The Hong Kong University has an ethical
committee (CULATR) overseeing the use of live animals in research. An SPCA vet has
membership of this committee and it appears that research at HKU is reasonably well
regulated - if you accept that vivisection is necessary and you believe that all research
projects are passed through the committee. The same cannot be said of the other research
institutions. Information is hard to come by but we do know that several hundred
vivisection based research papers are published by Hong Kong scientists each year. The
Government provides a large annual grant for vivisection out of taxpayers' money but
refuses to say how it is spent. Animals collected as strays by the Government are handed
over to researchers. We need to collect more information somehow.
The atrocities are able to continue because they are conducted in secrecy. At the moment the public believes that vivisection is an unpleasant necessity, the ends justifying the means. There is therefore no possibility of early abolition. What we must work for as a first step is transparency in the approval procedures. We believe that when the public knows what really goes on - how terrible the means are and how paltry the fruits - the demand for abolition will be unstoppable.
Editorial in the British
Medical Journal 11 December 1999 (BMJ 1999;319)
"Openness is surely going to be even more important in the new millennium than the old. Openness about the limitations, difficulties, and failings of medicine and healthcare systems; openness about how decisions are made for populations and individuals; openness about rationing; openness of complaints procedures; and openness of the evidence on benefits, costs, and risks and treatments. Politicians prefer closed decision making and obfuscation to transparency and accountability, particularly when money and death are involved, but they must change."
For further information on Vivisection - follow these links:
Humane Learning
Learning Without Killing
P S Y E T A - Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
PRIMATE FREEDOM PROJECT (Primate Freedom Tags)
The Absurdity of Vivisection
Anti-vivisection/animal testing information
Doctors and Lawyers for Responsible Medicine
PETA Factsheets: Animal Experiments
H.E.N. Web Site: APIS Database
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
International Association Against Painful Experiments on Animals
British Medical Journal
Proposed changes to Hong Kong Legislation
Educational Dissection
Laboratory Animal Defenders Hong Kong
Wacks on Vivisection
Wacks Doghouse
Collection of Laws Regulations and Policies on Laboratory Animals.pdf
The Legal Administration Documents for Laboratory Animal in China.pdf
If you are in for a serious debate or research, also try:
http://www.ampef.org/ Americans for Medical Progress
USDA - APHIS - Animal Welfare - Animal Care Animal Care (USDA/APHIS)
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/index.html Tufts University, Center for
Animals and Public Policy
Photographs here:
Aesop Project
Hidden Crimes
International Association Against Painful Experiments on Animals
If you want to check out for yourself
what goes on in laboratories, visit this site:
API: Useful Tools for Investigating Animal Experimentation
Dissection in schools leads to desensitisation, dehumanisation and a lessening of respect for life. We oppose dissection of any animal with a nervous system, however primitive. Students should be compelled neither to perform nor even to watch animal dissection. Apart from the negative effect on the participants (human and animal), there can be no scientific justification. Plastic models and computer models are much more effective teaching aids.
From the American Anti-Vivisection Society:
In biology classes throughout most of the United States, in grade school through high school, students who object to dissection are being asked to choose between lowered or failing grades and the violation of their religious and ethical principles. This is not a choice students should have to make.
Concerns about requiring students to dissect are on the rise, as more and more students are questioning the unnecessary killing of millions of frogs, turtles, pigs, cats, mice, rats and other animals for educational purposes.
These students, their parents, and many of their teachers are demanding an alternative -- one that doesn't harm animals.
Students who object to dissection should have their feelings respected. Several states have already drafted legislation to protect students' rights to an alternative. Other states have already passed laws guaranteeing students that right. It's time for all states to acknowledge the right of students to have an alternative to biology lessons which cause harm to animals.
Myths and Facts About Dissection
Myth: Dissection is necessary for students to learn biology and physiology.
Fact: Many studies have shown that students who dissect do no better on tests than those who don't dissect. Students using "low-tech" methods such as classroom discussions, textbook study, and charts and graphs, but do not dissect, score equally well on tests as those who do. Students using "high-tech" methods, such as computer programs, scored higher compared to those who performed dissections.
Myth: Alternatives are too expensive.
Fact: First-time costs of buying alternatives can sometimes appear high. However, alternatives are a one-time investment since they can be used again and again each year. On the other hand, animals for dissection must be purchased each year, leading to high costs over time. A recent cost-benefit analysis of "high-tech" alternatives vs.
traditional dissection showed that alternatives can pay for themselves in just over two years of use. (Also, please see information below about Animalearn. - Editor).
Myth: Students rights to an alternative violates a teacher's academic freedom.
Fact: The teacher is not restricted in any way; he or she is only required to offer something in addition to dissection -- an alternative project for students who object to dissection.
Myth: Providing students with alternatives gives them too much control over their education.
Fact: There is a major difference between requiring a student to read or think about something and requiring her or him to actually do something to which they object.
Alternatives to Dissection
There are hundreds of alternatives to dissection. Great options are available that fit into any budget and are appropriate for students from elementary through high school. The following list demonstrates some of the many
types of alternatives that are available. The AAVS can provide you with a list of specific products including detailed descriptions, costs, and ordering information.
. Videos and Films* - Detailed visuals exploring the anatomy of humans and animals in real-time illustrate the process of dissection and the details of various species physiology.
. Models - Newer models are extremely detailed; some look and feel like real specimens.
. Natural Observation - A wealth of information can be gained from observing animals in their natural habitats. Specific lesson plans have been developed to maximize this learning experience.
. Computer Programs - Computers offer the ability to review and repeat the dissection process in an interactive and highly detailed manner.
. Books and Charts - With new developments in printing and design, many books and charts provide students with high-definition, realistic images of human and animal physiology.
. Slides and Transparencies* - Detailed photos of normal and pathological human and animal tissues and structures provide instructors good instructional tools they can use at their own pace.
* These alternatives might not be appropriate for all students since dissected animals are depicted in great detail. For those with objections to these methods there is a wide variety of other low-cost alternatives.
Animalearn has developed The Science Bank: Education for the Future, a loan program for alternatives to dissection. Animalearn is dedicated to assisting educators and students find non-animal methods to study science by allowing them to borrow from their wide array of dissection alternatives.
Hong Kong
A full scale questionnaire of Secondary School Biology Teachers was carried out in 2001.
A PowerPoint presentation was given to the Hong Kong Education Department using the results of the survey as a basis.
Click to view the Classroom Dissection Presentation
We were able to announce (2003) that, after viewing the above presentation, the Education Department decided that students will in future be allowed to opt out of dissection without examination penalty.
The next step is to persuade the Department to remove dissection entirely from the secondary school curriculum. The Department has promised to do its own survey of teachers' and students' opinions on the value and ethics of dissection.
Further reading on school dissection:
NAVS - Education and Animals
AAVS : Education
How do educators and scientists feel about students having an alternative to dissection?
"The National Association of Biology Teachers should foster a respect for life and should teach about the interrelationship and interdependence of all living things. Furthermore, they should teach that humans must care for the fragile web of life that exists on this planet. In light of these principles, NABT supports alternatives to dissection and vivisection whenever possible in the biology curricula." -- 1989 Policy Statement from the Responsible Use of Animals in Biology Classrooms by the National Association of Biology Teachers.
"Students should not be forced to participate in the death of animals in order to study and understand the beauty and complexity of life." -- John E. McArdle, Ph. D., Anatomist
"Several years ago, both I and my biology teacher decided that students could learn just as much about frogs and their anatomy from charts and textbooks as they could from actual dissection." -- Peter McMonigle, High School Principal
"We educators teach and require courtesy and respect from our students. It only seems fair to accord them the same respect. Education should not place students in a position in which they have to violate their moral and ethical standards." -- Virginia Wolfe, Fifth Grade Teacher
ANIMAL TESTING (cosmetics, etc.)
See: Clothing and Cosmetic Animals
Procter & Gamble
Quotations on Vivisection
I believe I am not interested to know whether vivisection produces results that are profitable to the human race or doesn't. To know that the results are profitable to the race would not remove my hostility to it. The pain which it inflicts upon unconsenting animals is the basis of my enmity toward it, and it is to me sufficient justification of the enmity without looking further.---Mark Twain (Author)
I despise and abhor the pleas on behalf of that infamous practice, vivisection. ---Robert Browning (Poet)
There will come a time when the world will look back to modern vivisection in the name of Science as they do now to burning at the stake in the name of religion. ---Prof. Henry Bigelow
I abhor vivisection. It should at least be curbed. Better, it should be abolished. I know of no achievement through vivisection, no scientific discovery, that could not have been obtained without such barbarism and cruelty. The whole thing is evil. ---Dr. Charles Mayo (The Mayo Clinic)
You do not settle whether an experiment is justified or not by merely showing that it is of some use. The distinction is not between useful and useless experiments, but between barbarous and civilized behavior. Vivisection is a social evil because if it advances human knowledge, it does so at the expense of human character. ---George Bernard Shaw
It is difficult to entertain a warm feeling for a 'medical man' who can strap an unanesthetized dog on a table, cut its vocal cords and spend an interesting day-or week-slowly eviscerating or dismembering it. The researchers do not deny this themselves. They claim that, despite the wholesale bloody experimentation on animals, the only real proof of the drugs found by the chemists or the operating techniques suggested by the experimentation on animals must be, in the end, verified by trying them on human subjects. ---Clare Booth Luce (U.S. writer and diplomat)
The excuse or toleration of cruelty upon any living creature by a woman is a deadly sin against the grandest force in nature---maternal love. In not a single instance known to science has the cure of any human disease resulted necessarily from this fallacious method of research. ---Elizabeth Blackwell (first woman doctor of modern times)
How can a man say that love consists in wanting something for one's self at the expense of others? How can he tell us to cast our burdens and sufferings upon the animals, the most defenseless of all God's creatures? How can he say that we are permitted to maltreat dogs, cats and monkeys in order to save ourselves from illness? Is not that loving self above everything else in the world? ---Victor Reinaecker
Quotations on Animal Rights
I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.----Abraham Lincoln
The assumption that animals are without rights and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality. ---Arthur Shopenhauer ( German philosopher)
The day may come when the rest of the animal creation may acquire those rights which never could have been withheld from them but by the hand of tyranny...The question is not, can they reason? Nor, can they talk? But can they suffer? ---Jeremy Bentham, (English jurist and philosopher.)
Quotation on Ethics
Isn't compassion one of the most important human characteristics, or shouldn't it be? What right do we have to take these animals and treat them like this? ---Jane Goodall (Primatologist)
If a man aspires toward a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals ---Leo Tolstoy (Russian novelist and Social Critic)
Today animals are by far the most oppressed section of our community. It is the great moral blind spot of our age. ---Richard D. Ryder (Author On Speciesism)
The awful wrongs and sufferings forced upon the innocent, helpless, faithful animal race, form the blackest chapter in the whole world's history. ---Edward Augustus Freeman (English Historian)
The soul is the same thing in all living creatures, although the body of each is different. ---Hippocrates Regimen Book I, 28
Because the heart beats under a covering of hair, of fur, feathers or wings, is it for that reason, to be of no account? ---Jean Paul Richter
We need a boundless ethics which will include the animals also. The ethics of respect for life makes us keep on the lookout together for opportunities of bringing some sort of help to animals, to make up for the great miseries men inflict on them. ---Dr. Albert Schweitzer- (Brilliant Philosopher, Physician, Musician, Clergyman, Missionary, winner of Nobel Peace Prize)...philosophy based on reverence for life, had deep obligation to serve life through thought and action.
Animals cannot help themselves. They can only hope that someday that man will soften his heart and have pity on their suffering. --- Rev. G. B. Vivian-Evans
The practice of kindness toward helpless creatures is a sign of development to the higher reaches of intelligence and sympathy. for, mark you, in every place there are those who are giving of their time and thought and to the work of protecting from cruelty and needless suffering the beasts of the field and streets. And you will invariably find that these people are amongst the most progressive and sympathetic and intelligent of a city's populace. They are the leaders of every good work. These are the people who make the earth...more like what God intended it should be. ---Rev. George Laughton
Quotation on Tactics
"The more I argued with them, the better I
came to know their dialectic. First they counted on the stupidity of their adversary, and
then, when there was no other way out, they themselves simply played stupid."
"If all this didn't help, they pretended not to understand, or, if challenged, they changed the subject in a hurry, quoted platitudes which, if you accepted them, they immediately related to entirely different matters, and then, if again attacked, gave ground and pretended not to know exactly what you were talking about." ---Adolf Hitler (Mein Kampf, pg. 62)
RAGS --- Edmund Vance Cooke
We called him "Rags." He was just a cur,
But twice, on the Western Line,
That little old bunch of faithful fur
Had offered his life for mine.
And all that he got was bones and bread,
Or the leavings of soldier grub,
But he'd give his heart for a pat on the head,
Or a friendly tickle and rub.
And Rags got home with the regiment,
And then, in the breaking away --
Well, whether they stole him, or whether he went,
I am not prepared to say.
But we mustered out, some to beer and gruel,
And some to sherry and shad,
And I went back to the Sawbones School,
Where I still was an undergrad.
One day they took us budding M.D.s
To one of those institutes
Where they demonstrate every new disease
By means of bisected brutes.
They had one animal tacked and tied
And slit like a full-dressed fish,
With his vitals pumping away inside
As pleasant as one might wish.
I stopped to look like the rest, of course,
And the beast's eyes leveled mine;
His short tail thumped with a feeble force,
And he uttered a tender whine.
It was Rags, yes, Rags! who was martyred there,
Who was quartered and crucified,
And he whined that whine which is doggish prayer
And he licked my hand -- and died.
And I was no better in part nor whole
Than the gang I was found among,
And his innocent blood was on the soul
Which he blessed with his dying tongue.
Well! I've seen men go to courageous death
In the air, on sea, on land!
But only a dog would spend his breath
In a kiss for his murderer's hand.
And if there's no heaven for love like that,
For such four-legged fealty -- well!
If I have any choice, I tell you flat,
I'll take my chance in hell.
Hong Kong does not have an active anti-vivisection group. Laboratory Animal Defenders still exists in name but has no active members. This is shameful! If you are interested in promoting the anti-vivisection movement in this part of the world, please contact aapn.
Back to the Top
On to Entertainment Animals.


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I noticed an important tip in the print magazine which seems to be missing online- to pipe frosting as a rim around each layer before adding the filling. Using this and following the directions to chill the filling for 7 hr, I did not have any problems. But I did multiply the frosting by 1.5 and used it all! Agree this is a time consuming recipe and it does require following lots of detailed directions. But my family loves it!
35th Anniversary Hummingbird Cake
Judybee11 Posted: 04/03/13
Elspethe Posted: 04/03/13
This is a time consuming recipe but well worth it. I made the custard filling early in the morning and let it set up for about 7 hours. I also made the frosting well before and wrapped the cake layers in plastic and put them in the fridge for a few hours before assembling. Next time I would make the frosting right before assembling, I had put it in the fridge and it needed to soften for about 30 minutes before it would spread easily. Made this for the deli where I work and we sold 8 of the 16 pieces in one day with TONS of compliments.
eglanning Posted: 04/09/13
I was kind of worried about this as it was the first time I've made a Hummingbird Cake and any cake this detailed. I felt the pressure as Hummingbird Cakes always have high standards, in my opinion. Well, it was TOTALLY worth all the effort and time put into it!! Everyone said it was the best cake I ever made. Even people who aren't "cake" people in my family enjoyed every bite. I will definitely make it again!!
JLHAKY Posted: 04/25/13
The cake was a big success and worth the trouble. The suggested tips in the magazine must have made a difference based on the few negative comments listed. I made the filling one night; assembled the cake and wrapped it in plastic the next night and iced it the next. The doubled frosting was more than enough. Keeping the cake covered and in the refrigerator it held up a long time. Serve small slices-very rich.
iamsandy Posted: 03/24/13
Good, but more trouble than I like.
Rebel88 Posted: 03/31/13
It's 12:30 the night before Easter and my cake is sliding all over the place because of your terrible custard filling. I should have known that crap wouldn't hold up but I followed your recipe anyway. Big mistake. Way to waste several hours of my life, your test kitchen testers need to go back to culinary school.
April0330 Posted: 03/30/13
The custard filling and the browned butter frosting are too fussy. I think it would be better to simply use frosting as the filling. The custard just melts away. Overall, way too much work and not enough "Wow!"


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May 11 - Changes: Where do they lead us?
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: C
Posts: 29
I certainly hear that. When I heard Hathor's message from 5/1/14 and I thought about what I'd experienced in Boston - it really hit me hard. But you know, it's no accident your name is Chi. It taught me a valuable lesson -- that I've been overly difficult with my own chi, my own life energy, and forcing it into too male of a position, if that makes sense, and this has caused confusion on my part. Also it is challenging to apply the same principles I apply to others to myself, basic morality in other words. I've been doing walking meditations the last 3 days. It really bothered me all day long what I said to you-- I thought about it all morning and meditated on it. I'm deeply sorry and really feel I've deepened my own understanding. I'm so grateful to be part of this community and have such understanding souls here.
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Voices from the Void
Arydanika and Hallan Turren
New Eden
Description: Hosts Arydanika and Hallan Turrek cover current happens in EVE Online.
Now Playing
VandVPodcast: Episode 61
This week's episode features the colorful and dynamic leadership team of Suddenly Spaceships. The line up includes Buhhdust Princess, the lovable alliance leader, Conmen, conqueror-jester-poet of the universe, and Seldarine, Eve tournament team Captain and darling. They have also taken third place in Eve Online very first New Eden Open this past Sunday so a big congratulations to them!
As good as these guys are at derailing a conversation, even they must succumb to solid internet spaceship conversation. We start off with the obvious New Eden Open discussion where CCP Dolan's deepest secret is revealed. We then move on to take a close look at the small gang PvP alliance Suddenly Spaceships and answer many questions include who they are, what they do, their PvP philosophies and their amazing new alliance logo. The fellas even share some of the features they anticipate most in Retribution.
Music provided by selections from the Eve Online Jukebox and Follow the Leader by Chooky.
Released December 03, 2012 Original Post » Comments »
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Running more than 2 days in a row is rare for me. My janky knees would protest if I would attempt to run more than that.
And yet, I've run every day since Thanksgiving and feel great! No, this isn't some sadistic experiment. It's because I'm participating in Runner's World 2012 Holiday Running Streak, in which runners pledge to run at least a mile every day from Thanksgiving through New Year's.
I'm doing this for a few reasons. First, I liked the challenge of running more often than I currently do. Also, running more often and on tired legs will hopefully help me prepare for surviving Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge in January. Lastly, I eat like a piggy during the holidays, so I hope these extra miles will help offset that ridiculousness.
Today is Day 8 and so far, so good.
Anyone else doing this holiday run streak? Or are you all badasses who run every day normally? :)
Detroit Free Press Marathon Recap
Another overdue recap, surprise surprise!
I found myself more nervous for marathon #2 than my first one a year ago. I think that was because this time around, I knew what I was in for and that I wouldn't have that first-timer excitement to help carry me along.
Despite the race-day jitters, I couldn't help but feel the excitement of being around over 20,000 runners and loads more spectators. The excitement was contagious, and I hopped into my corral and eagerly awaited my wave to cross the start line.
Other than beating last year's 4:37 finishing time, I had no specific time goals for the race. I started out nice and steady as we made our way to the majestic Ambassador Bridge. If you ever do the Detroit international marathon or half, the sunrise alone is worth the price of the entry (that and the amazing finisher's medal). It's an amazing sight to be running across the Detroit River as the sun peeks out and smiles on the morning.
As usual, the Canadian riverfront was rockin' and full of encouraging spectators. My time along the riverfront flew by, and before I knew it, I was entering the Windsor-Detroit tunnel to re-enter the States. I'm always glad to exit the tunnel since that mile gets quite warm and has little airflow. I have to say, though, doing an international underwater mile is a pretty cool thing to do.
Back in Detroit, around mile 10 I could feel that I felt a little "off." I had a nagging hip flexor, but that was nothing major at that point. I just felt like I was tiring way, way sooner than I should be. And I was feeling some stomach trouble, a first for me at a race.
I crossed the halfway point at 2:15, so I had some leeway to set a new PR. But by the time I passed the 14 mile mark, I had the overwhelming urge to walk for a minute. I knew that wasn't a good sign of things to come. I hadn't gone out too fast, hadn't over- or under-done the hydration, so I couldn't figure out why I was already feeling gassed.
I actually considered taking a DNF at that point, but I knew I would regret it. So I pressed on, slower and slower. I'm really not sure how I got through the next 12.2 miles. Indian Village and Belle Isle was a blur. I was just doing everything I could to keep moving.
Finally, finally, finally…I saw the finish line.
I saw the clock and instantly felt disappointed. I crossed at 4:53:41, well behind my 2011 finishing time. After a week of thinking about this race, I've found what bothered me most is that I know I underachieved and undertrained. I know I'm capable of far better. I know I could smash my PR if I stayed committed to training harder.
Like any race, this was a learning experience. Every once in a while, you have to bomb a race to appreciate how awesome it is when you're at your best. I have a renewed fire to turn this around and prove to myself that I can run better.
Marathon PR or bust!!! Look out, Chicago, I'm targeting you for my PR in 2013!
Smiling because I finally reached the finish!
Run hard, play harder.
Marathon #2 complete!
I'll have a more detailed post this week, but my second Detroit Free Press marathon is DONE!
I'm pretty darn bummed and surprised with my time (4:53:41), but I just couldn't make up feeling like crap from mile 15+. :-/
Oh well, each race is a learning experience…so onto the next one!
It's marathon week!
Commence freakout! 6 days!
12 days…and this will be mine.
A little bit of everything…
Once again, I find myself behind on updates. Alas, when will I ever learn?
The past couple months have been busy: new job, a little vacation time, and of course, racing. So here we go, with the CliffsNotes version:
Labor Day 30k
My old nemesis. Well, at least from a year ago. This hot and insanely hilly course once again kicked my ass, leaving me cursing my signing up for this event…but I still PR'd it by 7 minutes! I'm a glutton for punishment, so I'll probably run this again next year.
Mackinac Island 8-Miler
My bestie and decided to run this for funsies. Winning free race entries via Active.com certainly helped with that decision, too. I'd never been to Mackinac (blasphemous for a native Michigander, I know), so this was a great way for me to visit the island.
We laughed, we played, we ran…and we stopped to take high school-esque "Senior pictures."
Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo
I love all the happy zoo animals, so I signed up not just for the 5k but for the 10k as well. The day before I had aborted my scheduled 19-miler after a crappy 6 miles, which was probably a good thing or else I wouldn't have had anything left in the tank.
The highlight of the morning was visiting the zoo afterwards and seeing a rare appearance by the adorable red panda!
Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Half-Marathon
My first ever destination race! Lucky for me and my appetite for racing, I have an awesome friend in the Tahoe area to visit. How convenient that Cara Jo and I scheduled a little vacation around this half-marathon.
Running at altitude was a new experience. It made me feel out of shape, but hey, it's vacation so I'm gonna run it easy and have a blast doing it. The first part of the course in the mountains was absolutely gorgeous, and my pictures won't do it justice, but here's a sneak peek, including another in-race "Senior picture" moment:
Cara Jo had the awesome idea to have THE SIGN shipped to our friend so that she could cheer us on with glittery awesomeness:
Up next…
Oh yeah, that little Detroit Marathon thing I've been training for. :) 13 days!
Summer Race Madness! (Part Deux)
Once again I find myself playing catch-up with my blog. Forgive me, loyal readers. It's not you, it's me…but I resolve to be more consistent at this bloggery!
Here's a look into what's been going on the past few weeks:
The Color Run
About a month ago, I participated in the joyous Color Run. It really is the happiest 5k on the planet, as advertised! I mean, how often do you get the opportunity to run through massive clouds of powdered color to the point that it looks like Rainbow Brite took a dump on you?! Not often enough, I say.
My running buds Cara and Kristy joined me for such ridiculousness. We got all decked out in silly sunglasses and feather boas (white, of course, to better absorb more color). At each 1k mark, we had delightful colored powder slung at us so that we were a fun blend of yellow, pink, blue, and green when finished.
Cleanup was fairly easy, but the pink seemed to stay in my scalp for a week, making it look all angry and inflamed. Despite that, if you have the opportunity to do a Color Run, it's worth it!
Color Run shenanigans
Holly Recreation Triathlon
I've wanted to do a tri for a long time. So about a week before the Holly Recreation Triathlon earlier this month, I decided to register. Never mind that I hadn't trained specific to a Sprint Tri or that I hadn't practiced swimming since about 1892. I wanted to do this just for the hell of it and do it sooner rather than "one day."
I knew the swim leg would be challenging, for the aforementioned reasons. But I slogged my way through the half-mile swim in 24 minutes…and I wasn't even close to being the last one out of the water, yay!
I lost 3 minutes in the transition area from swimming to biking, so there's definite room for improvement there too. Holy hills the bike course was tough. So many people even opted to WALK their bikes uphill because the inclines were quite fierce. Based on my biking experience, I had planned on about 45 minutes for this leg of the race, but due to the freakish hills (and non-brick training, ha) it took me 51 minutes.
The next transition was smoother, even if the legs did feel a bit like Jell-O. I knew I would be fine for the run, given the 8 billion runs I do each year. I felt great on the 5k and crossed the finish line at 1:51:08. For my first tri, I'll take it!
I'm officially hooked on triathlons. I look forward to doing some more Sprint Tris and working my way up to Olympic distances. And maybe, maaaaaaaybe, there will be a half-Ironman in my future!
I kinda look like I know what I'm doing…right?
Crim 10-Miler
This was my second year doing the Crim Festival of Races 10-miler, and I still can't say enough good things about it.
This event is worth the drive just because of the incredible community support. People line the streets of Flint to support all of the runners. Not only do they cheer you enthusiastically, but they'll kindly spray you with water to cool off from the hot August sun. Oh, and they'll also offer you beer, fresh coffee, Krispy Kreme donuts, hot pizza, Hello Kitty french toast, and other assorted goodies. It's a very impressive spread, and I wish I were actually hungry enough while running to partake in such awesomeness!
I remembered from last year that there were some intense hills (the legendary Bradley Hills) near the midway point of the course, so this time I was ready for them. I chugged up and over them and was feeling pretty darn good.
My goal was to beat my time from last year, and I did it! I knocked 6 minutes off my time, coming in at 1:36:45. I was pretty stoked about that, and now the bar is set for next year!
Up next…
I plan to avenge my time from last year's Labor Day 30k! Fingers crossed.
Win a free race entry, courtesy of Detroit Runner and Renewal by Andersen of Detroit
Because free stuff is awesome!
Summer Race Madness!
Since the Dexter-Ann Arbor half-marathon on June 3, I've completed a 5k, 10k, 10-mile, and half-marathon. And this fun summer race-a-thon has no plans for stopping. Next up: The Color Run! I can't wait to be covered in a ridiculous amount of color and look like the Crayola factory vomited on me!
The four recent races have been a mix of highs and lows (and world records!) so here's my rundown…
Canton Liberty Run
First up was the inaugural Canton Liberty Run, put on by Running Fit stores. The goal for this event: a Guinness World Record for the largest group ever assembled dressed as the Statue of Liberty. How cool (and random) is that?! When you registered, you received a Statue of Liberty costume and your choice of inflatable torch or sexy festive sunglasses (I opted for the torch).
Race day was a hot, hot day, so we nearly sweated our gowns off in that heat! But this day was a ton o' fun, and you can see that on our giddy faces below:
All the Lady Liberties!
Solstice Run
The next week, I did the Solstice Run 10-miler in Northville. I had run this event last year, so I knew to expect a whole lotta hills! I felt pretty darn good on this run, despite the hot temperatures, and my splits were incredibly even throughout. I finished in 1:38:45, a couple minutes slower than last year, but I was still happy with the result. I love the feeling of conquering a hilly course without feeling completely wrecked afterwards.
Heart of Detroit
I don't normally do back-to-back races, but I couldn't pass up the chance to do the Heart of Detroit 10k. I love this city, and it was my friend Kristy's first 10k, so I wanted to be there to run it with her. Oh, and did I mention that the finish line was at home plate inside Comerica Park? Yeah, that last reason was pretty much the selling point for me.
My legs felt fatigued, so I tried to keep the pace really slow so that I wouldn't have a crazy heart rate. Well, that plan kinda went out the window, because Kristy was pushing the pace and I wanted to keep up with her! Entering the stadium was such a fun experience, and Cara Jo was there with the famous "PR That Shit!" sign to cheer us on!
We even got hugs from the Detroit Tigers' mascot, Paws!
Hungry Duck Run
I saved the worst for last!
Cara Jo said she felt like doing something epic for the 4th of July holiday, and I agreed, so we signed up for the Hungry Duck Run half-marathon in Brighton. We hadn't done this race before, so I asked a friend who had done it about the course. He described a lot of rolling hills, but he said they were nothing like the Solstice Run we had just completed. So despite the oppressive heat and humidity on race morning (95 degrees, eek!), I felt confident that if I listened to my body and paced myself accordingly, I'd get through it.
Holy shit. I mean HO-LY SHIT! This was by far one of the toughest, most hilliest courses I've ever run. "Rolling hills," my ass! These mountains kept coming and coming, and of course the hotter-than-hell temps didn't help. I blew up around mile 5 and ended up run/walking the rest since I felt so gassed no matter what I did to compensate.
I had nightmarish flashbacks to last year's Labor Day 30k, which had a similar course profile and similarly hot weather. But in that race, I blew up with about 4 miles to go, not 8! It was the longest 8 miles of my life (and my slowest half to date), so I was incredibly relieved to see the finish line. I love the cute ducky medal we got, too:
The sadistic thing is…I'm not ruling out a return to this event next year. We'll see… ;)
Happy summer racing, all! Keep cool out there.


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Product Recall: We are voluntarily recalling fewer than 8,000 cases of regular Kraft American Singles Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Productlimited to 4 SKUs on two "Best When Used By" dates of February 20, 2015 and February 21, 2015. Click Here.
HEAT oven to 375ºF.
COMBINE crackers and nuts in large bowl. Mix butter and seasonings. Drizzle over cracker mixture; toss to coat.
SPREAD onto bottom of foil-lined 15x10x1-inch pan.
BAKE 10 min. or until lightly toasted, stirring after 5 min. Cool.


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Sheep's Wool
There is an old Spanish proverb that says; "Wherever sheep's feet touch the ground, the land turns to gold." Obviously the Spanish were onto something. Sheep's wool is the most popular type of wool, due to it being widely available and highly versatile. Very fine quality wool is used…
Learning about different types of wool
Sheep's Wool
There is an old Spanish proverb that says; "Wherever sheep's feet touch the ground, the land turns to gold." Obviously the Spanish were onto something. Sheep's wool is the most popular type of wool, due to it being widely available and highly versatile. Very fine quality wool is used to make high-end fabrics for use in luxury garments likes suits, dresses, sweaters, and other apparel. Medium quality wool is used in the production of heavier sport coats, sweaters, and light blankets. Coarser wool is used for heavy blankets, topcoats and outerwear, and upholstery products.
Maintains shape when stretched.
Is colorfast when dyed.
Is wrinkle resistant.
Is static-free.
Is soft, durable, and easy to work with.
Is naturally white, brown, grey, charcoal, and black.
Is flame retardant.
Types of Sheep's Wool
Raised in the Shetland Islands off the northern coast of Scotland, Shetland sheep produce very fine, lustrous wool from the down of their soft undercoat. The warm, lightweight Shetland wool is only available in limited quantities and natural colors and is mostly used in the production of high-end knitwear (most often cable knit sweaters), sportswear, and coats.
Merino wool has superior shine, legendary softness, great breathability, and a lot of warmth for minimal weight. Merino sheep are most often raised in the mountainous regions of Australia and New Zealand. The wool is lauded for its easily dye-able pure white color. It is fine, strong, naturally elastic, holds dye well, and its softness resembles the hand of cashmere. Merino wool does not have the itchy feel of some wools, is odor absorbent, and provides high levels of UV protection.
Today, there are more than ten varieties of merino sheep worldwide. Some well known merino breeds are Australian, Peppin, Saxony, Rambouillet, Vermount, and South African.
This is the highest quality of sheep's wool on the market. Lambswool is taken from sheep at their first shearing (usually at around seven months old). It is supremely soft, smooth, resilient, elastic, and has superior spinning properties. Because of its soft silkiness and warmth, lambswool fibers are used in the production of garments worn close to the skin. Lambswool is the most hypoallergenic of all wools and is resistant to dust mites, making it an ideal choice for bedding and linens.
Loden wool originated in the Tyrolean Alps in the 16th century and is still highly popular among sportsmen today. It is characterized by a slightly `greasy' feeling and is most often used in the making of heavy coats. Loden's luxurious nap is combed downward, creating a shingle effect that sheds water very effectively.
Melton wool is thick with a smooth surface. The wool is napped and very closely sheared. Melton wool makes a very solid cloth due to the finishing processes that completely conceal the weave. It's durable, wears well, and is wind resistant. In its thicker weights, melton wool is used in the production of heavy outerwear. If the wool is a thinner weight, it is used mostly in the production of sweaters.
The type or grade of wool is selected to suit the needs of the product being made, with appropriate fiber length, fineness, and other properties to ensure the best end result.
Virgin wool has two definitions. First, it is the wool taken from a lamb's first shearing. This is the softest and finest wool produced. Second, virgin wool can refer to wool that has never been used, processed, or woven before. This type of virgin wool can come from an adult sheep.
'Super' wools are classified by the count or the fineness of the yarn used in a particular cloth. The finer the count (measured in microns), the more fibers are used per square inch of cloth. The higher the number, the finer and softer the cloth will be.
'Super' wools are put into the following categories: Super 100's, Super 110's, Super 120's, and Super 150's. For example, Super 100's wool must contain fibers which are finer than 18 microns. Super 150's wool must contain fibers which are finer than 15 microns. (Statistically, Super 150's wool is finer than cashmere.)
Boiled wool is created through a washing process applied to a knitted wool to make a dense, durable, and water resistant fabric. Boiled wool has the suppleness of a knit with the shape retention of a woven fabric. It has two-way stretch and is usually soil resistant. Boiled wool is used to make hats, gloves, scarves, and a variety of outerwear.
Worsted wool has been manufactured in Worstead, England since the eighteenth century. Wool fibers are spun into compact, smoothly twisted yarn before weaving or knitting. The wool then goes through a second combing process which removes unwanted short fibers. Because the remaining long-staple fibers lay flat and parallel, worsted wool is a popular choice for suiting and dress trousers. It is also wrinkle and crease resistant.
Tropical weight wool is a two-ply, plain weave, worsted wool that is sturdy but lightweight, airy, and breathable. Tropical wool (sometimes called `summer weight wool) is used in the production of warm-weather suits and other clothing items.
Shearling is lambskin or sheepskin that has been tanned with the wool still adhering to the skin. It is luxuriously soft, naturally moisturizing, and used in high-quality outerwear and slippers.
Flannel, fleece, gabardine, and tweed are all popular fabrics that are made from sheep's wool or a sheep's wool blend.
Alpaca Wool
Softer and sturdier than cashmere and lighter than sheep's wool, alpaca fleece is a luxurious commodity that produces warm, silky, durable, and feather-light garments. Alpaca wool boasts tremendous warmth and insulation with soft drape and texture.
It's used in upscale suits, sportswear, sweaters, the linings of outerwear, draperies, bedspreads, upholstery, and baby clothing and blankets.
There are two breeds of alpaca, the Huacaya and the Suri, and they produce more than 20 different colors of fleece between them. The common Huacaya breed produces dense, thick, crimped, and fast-growing fleece. The rarer Suri alpaca have long lustrous fleece that takes more time to grow.
Is fine, silky, and lightweight.
Has a nice luster.
Is strong and durable.
Does not generally pill.
The Angora goat produces mohair wool, known for its silkiness and lustrous sheen. A very good insulator, mohair is also strong, durable, breathable, and lightweight. Although it accepts dyes well, natural mohair wool fabric is exceptionally beautiful because of its color variations. Mohair fabrics tend to be non-crushing, non-matting, and non-pilling. Mohair is used in high-quality suiting, sweaters, dresses, scarves, blankets, upholstery, and baby clothing and blankets.
Lustrous and silky.
Lightweight but exceptionally durable.
Drapes well.
Non-crushing, non-matting, non-pilling.
Absorbs dye well.
Does not stretch so it's easy to care for.
Angora wool is an extraordinarily soft fiber produced from the fur of the Angora rabbit. Angora fibers are hollow, which gives them loft and a characteristic `floating' feel. They're exceptionally soft and possess the highest heat retention (two-and-a-half times warmer than sheep's wool), and best moisture-wicking properties of any natural fiber.
Pure angora fibers are rarely woven into fabric because the fibers are so fine and fragile. Rather, they are blended with other wools to increase warmth and enhance softness. Angora wool can be worn outside in very cold conditions and then immediately worn inside without overheating.
Because Angora involves a laborious harvesting process and a small number of producers, most angora wool products are expensive. Angora is used in luxury undergarments, underwear, thermal base layers, sweaters, scarves, and sportswear.
Extremely soft, lofty, lustrous, and lightweight.
Best heat retention of all natural wool.
Non-odor absorbing.
Cashmere is an extremely soft, luxury fabric made from the hair of the Kashmir goat. Native to India, Tibet, Turkistan, Iran, Iraq, and China, the Kashmir goat produces hair with a lofty feel and natural crimp.
Technically, cashmere is the downy wool that grows beneath the goat's coarser outer hair and is gathered by combing the goat rather than clipping it. Only a few ounces of cashmere can be harvested per goat each year.
The natural crimp of cashmere fibers helps them interlock during processing and allows the fibers to be spun into a very fine and lightweight fabric. The crimp of the fiber correlates with the fineness of the spun yarn and the softness of the finished product. The fabric retains the loft of the fibers which makes it warm without weight. Because of its extreme warmth, light weight, and softness against skin, cashmere is used in sweaters, scarves, and undergarments. Coarser cashmere is used in outerwear.
Is a luxury fabric.
Is lightweight and lofty.
Adjusts to humidity in the air for adaptability in all climates.
Is not known for its durability.
Because cashmere has a high moisture content, its insulating properties change with the amount of humidity in the air, making it comfortable in all climates (even warm ones).
Camel Hair
Like other luxury wools, camel hair is extremely soft, durable, lustrous, lightweight, and warm. Clothing manufacturers prefer the fabric in its natural state (a buttery, golden brown), but it is sometimes dyed navy, red, or dark brown. Since it is so highly prized and expensive to harvest, camel hair is usually blended with sheep's wool to make it more economical for the manufacturer to produce.
Camel hair comes from the Bactrian (two hump) camel, which is bred in the extremely cold climates of China and Mongolia. The hair is gathered when the camel molts instead of by shearing or clipping. The fibers are used in the making of suits, coats, blazers, jackets, skirts, hosiery, caps, and robes. Because of its warmth, camel hair is also widely used for sweaters, gloves, scarves, mufflers, overcoats, quilts, etc.
Luxurious fabric.
Extremely soft and fine.
Durable and lightweight.
Knitting Tip: Help with Knitting Pain
If you are already experiencing hand, arm, and/or neck pain due to knitting? Below are suggested exercises for knitters to Help Your Knitting Induced Pain.
Sit in a straight chair and slowly turn your head from side to side, trying to look back over your shoulder on each side. You must do this very slowly so that there is an opportunity for proper stretching to occur. Repeat at least 10 times.
Tip your head to one side trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. You can't really do this. It's just a description of the movement. Hold your head in the position described for a count of 10 and then try to touch the ear on the other side to your other shoulder. Hold. Repeat at least 10 times.
One by one, bend each finger and your thumb backward towards the back of your hand, stretching so that you feel a pull on the inside of your wrist. Repeat with the other hand.
Sit comfortably in an armless chair with your arms hanging down at your sides. Bend your arms at the elbows so that your forearms are parallel to the floor. Stretch your shoulders back as if you were trying to make your shoulders meet behind your back. Hold and repeat at least 5 times. Be sure that you are sitting straight and that your shoulders are relaxed when you begin this exercise.
Place the backs of your hands in the small of your back at waist height. Stretch your shoulders backward, trying to make your elbows touch behind you. You can't really make them touch. This is just a description of the position. Hold to a count of 5. Repeat at least 5 times slowly.
Sit straight in a chair with your arms hanging at your sides and your shoulders relaxed. Slowly move your head back a bit, keeping your chin parallel to the floor in a horizontal position. Do not strain but seek to do this movement in a smooth way. Repeat this small movement 5 or 10 times. You will feel a pleasant stretch down your back. This is one exercise that you can do in public. Most people will not notice that you are doing anything.
These series of exercises, if done slowly and regularly, will result in a more relaxed spine, neck, shoulders, and hands. I'm certainly not a doctor or physical therapist, but I hope these exercises are helpful.
Yarn information
Natural animal fiber spun from the fleece of sheep. Other animal fibers are often called "wool", but for precision, I'm listing those separately. For me, wool means sheep.
Characteristics: wool comes in a variety of softness and fiber length. Elastic and light. Some wool very fine, some very hairy. Feltable unless treated to be Superwash.
Advantages: often affordable, long-lasting, warm, forgiving for the new knitter. Stays warm when wet.
Disadvantages: some wool can irritate some skin. Some people are sensitive to animal fiber in general, others have an allergy to lanolin which is only found in sheep's fleece.
Wool variations you might see on labels:
Merino: Merino wool comes from the Merino breed of sheep and is considered one of the softest wools. You will see categories of Merino: fine, superfine, extrafine, supersoft, New Zealand.
Shetland: from the Shetland breed of sheep; fine and soft.
Peruvian or Peruvian Highland: comes from the Peruvian Highland sheep, a cross between Merino and Corriedale. Soft and inexpensive.
Lambswool: wool from a young sheep.
Virgin wool: a grade of wool meaning either that the wool comes from the first shearing or that the wool was spun for the first time rather than recycled.
Superwash: wool that is treated or coated to make it machine washable.
Synthetic polymer fiber made from polyacrylonitrile.
Characteristics: comes in a wide variety of textures and colors, feel soft to the touch.
Advantages: inexpensive, washable, non-irritating. When blended with other fibers, add lightness and durability.
Disadvantages: after washing, can look shiny, often pills.
Natural animal fiber from the alpaca. (What's the difference between a llama and a alpaca? Alpacas are smaller, and are raised specifically for their fleece).
Characteristics: long, fine, fibers, often looks slightly "hairy". Feltable.
Advantages: Warm. Soft. Baby, suri varieties very soft. Contains no lanolin.
Disadvantages: Like wool, can irritate sensitive skin.
Natural animal fiber from the hair of Angora rabbit. (Not to be confused with Mohair, which comes from the Angora goat.)
Characteristics: very fine and soft.
Advantages: downy soft, makes pretty fabric with a halo.
Disadvantages: pricy, needs special care.
For most Bamboo listings on a yarn label, you should see Rayon. According to the FTC, fiber content labels should specify "viscose from bamboo" or "mechanically processed bamboo." The first, and most commonly used, is viscose rayon made from bamboo cellulose. The second is fiber spun from the bamboo plant.
Advantage: affordable, soft to skin, shiny, luxurious
Disadvantage: can be heavy, absorb water, allow UV light to penetrate
Natural animal fiber from the undercoat of the Bactrian camel.
Characteristics: tan colored. Light weight, fine, soft.
Advantages: very soft, luxurious.
Disadvantages: expensive, limited color selection.
Natural animal fiber from the undercoat of the Cashmere (Kashmir) goat.
Characteristics: very light, very fine, very soft. Easy to work with. Has soft halo.
Advantages: soft, lightweight, non-irritating, luxurious.
Disadvantages: expensive, delicate.
Natural vegetable fiber made from the cotton plant.
Characteristics: typically dense and less elastic than wool. Texture ranges from rough to glossy.
Advantages: does not irritate sensitive skin, washable, suitable for warm weather. Has great stitch definition. Inexpensive.
Disadvantages: can be heavy on the hands, and is unforgiving on mistakes and uneven tension. Large garments can be heavy and stretch. When washed, some cotton shrinks dramatically.
Variations you'll see on labels: Pima (soft), Egyptian, mercerized (shiny).
This can have two meanings. As a yarn name, it means that the yarn looks like Donegal Tweed fabric, which is characterized by its earthy, dense colours, and wool slubs. As a fiber listing, "Donegal Tweed" is a synthetic fiber slub blended into yarn to make it look like Donegal Tweed fabric.
Natural vegetable fiber from the hemp plant.
Characteristics: matte, highly textured, inelastic.
Advantages: when blended with other fibers, soft to the skin. Durable. Touted as eco-friendly. Usually machine washable.
Disadvantages: can be hard on hands.
Natural plant fiber made from flax.
Characteristics: matte, slightly grassy texture, inelastic.
Advantages: when blended with other fibers, soft to the skin. Durable. Good for warm weather. Often machine washable and dry-able.
Disadvantages: can be hard on hands, sometimes sheds as you knit, or when wearing.
Natural fiber from the hair of Angora goat. (Not to be confused with Angora fiber, which comes from the Angora rabbit.)
Characteristics: very light weight, long hairs. The softness of mohair varies. Kid mohair is softest. Feltable.
Advantages: a little goes a long way, makes a featherweight open fabric.
Disadvantages: can be itchy to the skin.
Synthetic polymer fiber derived from petroleum.
Characteristics: often seen blended with wool (especially in sock yarn), or used in novelty yarns.
Advantages: strong, dyes well, drapes nicely, inexpensive.
Disadvantages: tends to be inelastic, melts in contact with heat, can hold on to body odors.
Synthetic polymer fiber derived from petroleum.
Characteristics: often used in novelty yarns (like eyelash yarn). Sheen ranges from dull to satiny.
Advantages: can add sheen or novelty elements (sequins for example) to yarn.
Disadvantages: can feel synthetic to the touch.
Natural animal fiber from the fur of possums.
Characteristics: usually seen blended with wool. Grey in color.
Advantages: Soft to the skin. Very warm. Often sold as part of fundraising campaign.
Disadvantages: No color selection. Not widely available.
Semi-synthetic fiber spun from chemically treated and extruded plant cellulose or proteins. Soy, Bamboo, Milk sound Natural, but they are semi-synthetics.
Characteristics: silky feel, heavy, sometimes shiny.
Advantages: drapes nicely, lustrous, soft on the skin. Inexpensive.
Disadvantages: inelastic to work with, stretches when wet, can become shiny. There are some concerns about the environmental impact of rayon production and the overhyping of eco versions of rayon.
Natural animal fiber spun from the cocoons of silk worms.
Characteristics: typically dense and less elastic than wool. Texture depends on how the fiber is processed. Ranges from matte and textured to glossy and smooth.
Advantages: does not irritate sensitive skin, suitable for warm weather. Has great stitch definition. Drapes beautifully.
Disadvantages: can be expensive. Some question regarding the ethics of harvest methods.