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Thursday, March 14, 2013
HerStory Playlist, Michelle Cornwell-Jordan
12:00 AM | Posted by Tara
I love music, I believe it a form of storytelling; it transmits passion, love,and also it encourages and inspires. I believe music transcends boundaries if Race, Gender and Age.
Music is fundamental, it seeps into your bones, tissue and blood, helps you to see the world clearer, well at least in my humble opinion.
So as it inspires, It can be inspired...there is separation the storyteller and his/her words and the musician, I believe need the other, feeds the others, aides the other.
So HerStory, which is a collection of stories that was inspired by the strength of women in history, has a theme that I have also viewed in music.
Below are songs and artist who also carry the theme in music of empowering and celebrating women...
I found this list on-line compiled by Yahoo contributor, Kathy Heydasch and felt it was perfect!
Strong is Beautiful
10) "Video" by India Arie
9) Billie Holiday T'aint nobody's business if I do
8) So Beautiful by Superchick
7) "Nothing in Between" by Meredith Brooks.
6) So What" by Pink.
5) Independent Woman" by Destiny's Child
4)"Survivor" by Destiny's Child.
3) Strong Enough" by Cher
2)"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
1)"I am Woman" by Helen Reddy.
She is also the producer/host of the online radio segment, IndieReview Behind the Scenes, where she and her co-host Jamie B Musings interview Indie authors and musicians.
Michelle has been married for seventeen years and has a fourteen-year-old daughter. A book lover, her favorite genre has always been paranormal adventures.
Her story within the HerStory pages is Musings of an African-American cowgirl.
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Saturday, July 26, 2008
another late start
another late start today. perhaps i should just call saturday my "late start" day? yet, at some point, i do want to get up early enough to get to the sf ferry building farmers market.....however, today is definitely not that day.
despite my late start and my brain attempting to process through a foggy haze...i tried something new for my late morning breakfast.
i had a semifreddi morning bun that was a couple of days old. i was very reluctant to waste it......and was inspired to make it into a toast. big shock huh? especially since i seem to eat some variation of toast every day.
i must say that it worked out smashingly well. the smell alone that filled my place was worth the idea.....what a nice welcoming smell in the morning. when i took the toast out of the oven, i slathered large amounts of my homemade conserve consisting of apricot, plum, plucot, and habanero chili.
yum yum. this morning treat was particularly good with a nice "cup" of earl grey tea. perhaps getting up so late isn't such a bad thing after all.
Posted by foodie hunter at 11:43 AM
1 comment:
- Victoria said...
That could be the name of a band: Toasted Disappointment.
Let's get t-shirts made.
- July 30, 2008 at 9:10 PM
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subset: commoncrawl


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I've been an intolerable knot of whiny helplessness and frustration since Sandy hit my pretty city and the surrounding areas. While I have somehow emerged from this mess totally unscathed, my neighbors, fellow NY-ers, and family (having a very hard time on Long Island) have not been so lucky. If you too are searching for ways to help, please consider the following:
♥ Urban Librarians Unite is taking donations of children's books, unused activity or coloring books, and crayons for NYC children who fell victim to Hurricane Sandy. If you would like to donate or volunteer your home as a drop-off point for supplies, please email us at email@example.com. You can read all about Urban Librarians Unite's efforts here.
♥ Your main girl Rita, over at Screwy Decimal, has compiled a lengthy list of NYC Hurricane Relief links. Check it out and pass it on.
♥ There is devastating new about the Ali Forney Center's drop-in center, which provides support and housing for homeless LGBT youth. The supplies have been destroyed and the center is uninhabitable. Says Carl Siciliano:
This is a terrible tragedy for the homeless LGBT youth we serve there. This space was dedicated to our most vulnerable kids, the thousands stranded on the streets without shelter, and was a place where they received food, showers, clothing, medical care, HIV testing and treatment, and mental health and substance abuse services. Basically a lifeline for LGBT kids whose lives are in danger….
…It is heartbreaking to see this space come to such a sad end. For the past seven years it has been a place of refuge to thousands of kids reeling from being thrown away by their parents for being LGBT. For many of these kids coming to our drop-in center provided their first encounter with a loving and affirming LGBT community. I thank all of you for your care and support in a most difficult time.
This tears out my soul. If you are able to donate to this beyond-worthy cause, please click here or send a check to Ali Forney Center/ATTN: Andria Ottley, 224 West 35th St, Suite 1500, NY,NY 10001.
It has been so wonderful to see people rally around their neighbors by donating money and supplies to those in need. Keep on trucking, everyone. And be well.
If you have any links or worthy Hurricane Sandy-related causes in mind, please feel free to list them in the comments. It would be much appreciated.
~Love and Libraries, Ingrid


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Did I ever tell you about my eyes in the morning?
Sometimes I wake up in the morning and my eyes are so puffy that it hurts too much to open them and it hurts too much to keep them closed. So I have to keep them open-closed just the right amount. I can't see much but I can see a bit. Blurry.
It's ok though because they start to open right before lunchtime and then things start to clear up just fine.
It's because I sleep with my eyes open. Did I ever tell you that?
They don't start out that way, I close them to sleep, but soon enough they open on their own. It's because my eyeballs are too big for my eyes lids to stay shut when I am not telling them to, and that is a fact.
Well this morning I woke up and the same thing happened but by lunchtime only one eye opened. The other one was still not feeling ready.
I went to the doctor and it turns out I have an eye infection.
It's ok though because I have to wear an eye patch for three days and I look like a pirate and that is making me feel silly in a good way.
Quentin did not find it so funny.


text: Must have been replaced at one time or another...dealer upgrade? harrison Nathan Belo wrote: > My friend had an '88 80Q with the painted bumpers. > > '88 90Q > Nathan Belo > > "To see a thing uncolored by one's own personal preferences and desires is > to see it in its own pristine simplicity." Bruce Lee--Tao of Jeet Kune Do


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Doesn't he look cute?!
They also had lots of other doggy bits, but this was all I picked up for today! So if you're looking for a cute Christmas outfit for your pup or some cheap doggy bits, head down to your nearest Poundland. You never know, you might get a bargain!
Ted now has three Christmas costumes this year - a reindeer outfit with jingle antlers, a little santa paws bandana, and this sweet little pudding set :) Will have to see what he fancies on Christmas day!


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Please find attached a detailed advisory of the vulnerability. Alternatively, the advisory can also be found at: http://www.trapkit.de/advisories/TKADV2010-001.txt
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Advisory: Oracle Solaris UCODE_GET_VERSION IOCTL Kernel NULL Pointer Dereference Advisory ID: TKADV2010-001 Revision: 1.0 Release Date: 2010/01/31 Last Modified: 2010/01/31 Date Reported: 2009/11/29 Author: Tobias Klein (tk at trapkit.de) Affected Software: Solaris 10 with 127128-11 and w/o 143913-01 (x86) OpenSolaris build snv_69 through snv_133 (x86) Remotely Exploitable: No Locally Exploitable: Yes Vendor URL: http://www.oracle.com, http://www.sun.com/ Vendor Status: Vendor has released an updated version Patch development time: 61 days CVE-ID: CVE-2010-0453 ====================== Vulnerability Details: ====================== The kernel of Oracle Solaris contains a vulnerability in the code that handles UCODE_GET_VERSION IOCTL requests. The vulnerability allows a local unprivileged user the ability to panic a Solaris x86 Intel-based system (32-bit/64-bit mode) due to a NULL pointer dereference. The ability to panic a system is a type of Denial of Service (DoS). The issue can be triggered by sending a specially crafted IOCTL request to the kernel. ================== Technical Details: ================== The following source code references are based on the kernel source code available from http://www.opensolaris.org. intel/io/ucode_drv.c: [..] static int ucode_ioctl(dev_t dev, int cmd, intptr_t arg, int mode, cred_t *cr, int *rval) { .. switch (cmd) { case UCODE_GET_VERSION: { int size; uint32_t *revp, *rev_array; ucode_errno_t rc = EM_OK; STRUCT_DECL(ucode_get_rev_struct, h); STRUCT_INIT(h, mode); [1] if (ddi_copyin((void *)arg, STRUCT_BUF(h), STRUCT_SIZE(h), mode)) return (EFAULT); [2] if ((size = STRUCT_FGET(h, ugv_size)) > NCPU) return (EINVAL); if ((rev_array = STRUCT_FGETP(h, ugv_rev)) == NULL) return (EINVAL); size *= sizeof (uint32_t); [3] revp = kmem_zalloc(size, KM_SLEEP); if (ddi_copyin((void *)rev_array, revp, size, mode) != 0) { kmem_free(revp, size); return (EINVAL); } [4] rc = ucode_get_rev(revp); [..] [1] The struct 'h' is filled with user controlled IOCTL input data. [2] The value of 'size' derives from user controlled data. [3] If 'size' has a value of 0, kmem_zalloc() will return NULL. This results in revp pointing to NULL. [4] 'revp' is used as a function parameter for ucode_get_rev(). i86pc/os/microcode.c: [..] /* * Returns microcode revision from the machcpu structure. */ ucode_errno_t ucode_get_rev(uint32_t *revp) { int i; ASSERT(ucode); ASSERT(revp); if (!ucode->capable(CPU)) return (EM_NOTSUP); mutex_enter(&cpu_lock); for (i = 0; i < max_ncpus; i++) { cpu_t *cpu; if ((cpu = cpu_get(i)) == NULL) continue; [5] revp[i] = cpu->cpu_m.mcpu_ucode_info->cui_rev; [..] [5] This assignment leads to a NULL pointer dereference as 'revp == NULL'. ========= Solution: ========= This issue is addressed in the following patch releases from Oracle/Sun: x86 Platform - Solaris 10 with patch 143913-01 or later - OpenSolaris based upon builds snv_134 or later ==================== Disclosure Timeline: ==================== 2009/11/29 - Initial vendor notification 2009/11/30 - Oracle/Sun confirms the vulnerability 2010/01/08 - Status update by Oracle/Sun 2010/01/25 - Status update by Oracle/Sun 2010/01/29 - Patch 143913-01 released for Solaris 10 2010/01/31 - Release date of this security advisory ======== Credits: ======== Vulnerability found and advisory written by Tobias Klein. =========== References: =========== [REF1] http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-21-143913-01-1 [REF2] http://www.trapkit.de/advisories/TKADV2010-001.txt ======== Changes: ======== Revision 0.1 - Initial draft release to the vendor Revision 1.0 - Public release =========== Disclaimer: =========== The information within this advisory may change without notice. Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties, implied or express, with regard to this information. In no event shall the author be liable for any direct or indirect damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use or spread of this information. Any use of this information is at the user's own risk. ================== PGP Signature Key: ================== http://www.trapkit.de/advisories/tk-advisories-signature-key.asc Copyright 2010 Tobias Klein. All rights reserved. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Charset: utf-8 wj8DBQFLZVx1kXxgcAIbhEERAk3LAJ44NNQKGUbHu1AIHcZWpysW0cQ7HQCg9DcX 7rqrkip5hSx+zx3PfcqzOOk= =CWdo -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----


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It was a solemn occasion when President Abraham Lincoln arrived in Gettysburg on November 19, 1863, to dedicate part of the Civil War battlefield as a cemetery. The losses had been horrific: 50,000 were dead, wounded, or missing. Coffins were still piled high at the railway station waiting to be buried.
The gathered crowd numbered 15,000. For two hours, they listened to the classical oratory of the principal speaker, Edward Everett. Lincoln spoke for just three minutes. His opening line – "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" – is the most remembered and quoted in American history. The Gettysburg Address has, in fact, been called the best short speech since the Sermon on the Mount.


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Every week, I will post My Blog Treasury from Etsy sellers, my favorite items!
Many talented artists, crafters in handmade, where they put all the passion in their creations and I think is a Treasury!!!
So this week, I will start by color, all pictures are the seller's copyrighted, not my propietary; all the intention here is to show their amazing job.
If you like any of their items, please contact directly the seller.
Thanks and Enjoy!!


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Here's a few video clips of Skybus chief Bill Diffendorfer on Fox Business talking about the hometown company's philosophy.
There are a few interesting tidbits towards the end of the second clip…
First, he discusses the rapid growth philosophy. Essentially, he states that the company saw the need to diversify quickly during the first year, but will now slow things down a bit. They needed to get to a certain size to be profitable, but now they'll begin retrenching.
The second piece is something we've been hearing rumblings about for a few months now. When quizzed about international destinations, he stated that they're flying to Canada or Mexico…"yet". So stay tuned on that one.


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Also pictured dill, arugula and catnip.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
New squash! No mildew
My experiment is working good.
Planted two in a container and put them out in the yard in direct sunlight. They get almost no shade. So far they seem to enjoy it.
Then hurricane Irene and Lee came through and blocked out the sun for ten plus days. According to the news, the northeast has gotten 45 trillion gallons of rain. My point is, we will see how well my squash will fair.
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 3:40 AM
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Friday, September 9, 2011
Hurricane Irene and Lee tomatoes
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Today's Haul
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 4:34 AM
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Today's Haul
Because of the impending hurricane, Hurricane Irene, we went ahead and picked everything that was close to rip.
We have here heirloom beefsteaks, Jenny, Juliette, fireballs, totem, chocolate cherry tomatoes.
Peaches, sweet basil, thai basil, cucumber, and jalapeños.
We have here heirloom beefsteaks, Jenny, Juliette, fireballs, totem, chocolate cherry tomatoes.
Peaches, sweet basil, thai basil, cucumber, and jalapeños.
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 6:46 PM
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Saturday, August 20, 2011
Today's Haul
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 8:25 AM
1 comment:
Friday, August 19, 2011
Today's Haul
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 7:48 PM
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Monday, August 15, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Mid Season retry on Squash
|Before the onset of Powdery Mildew
I have sad news. If you recall Powdery Mildew. I was yet again battling it out with powdery mildew.
|Moments before i pulled it up
One new suggestion was to spray the infected plant with a water soluble sulfur.
Well after weeks of spraying it in the mornings with the sulfur solution the plant finally died. It died before it could even produce its first squash.
On to the new squash...
|Picture taken 8/4/11, 8 days after sowing
I planted some more squash seeds. This time i planted them in a container that was going to be kept in the direct sun and away from the garden sprinkler.
So on 7/28 we got a container together and filled it with dirt. Stuck some seeds in the dirt and didn't check on it for a week. Came back a week later and this is what i found! This picture was taken on 8/4/11 and i cant believe how quickly it grew.
|taken 8/9/11
Checking back on my new hope for squash this year. Still no sign of powdery mildew. The only time the leaves get wet now is from the rain or morning dew. I make sure this plant gets watered from the dirt only. This is roughly 2 weeks after sowing. Must be really good dirt.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Today's Haul
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 4:40 AM
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Saturday, August 6, 2011
Today's Haul
This is it for the beets, turnips and sweet corn (still have pop corn growing). This is my third year to grow corn that matures like this. Eventually I will figure out what I'm doing wrong.
Tomatoes pictured are Beefsteak heirloom, black krim, cherokee purple, totem, and Jenny(the little yellow ones).
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 9:06 AM
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Friday, August 5, 2011
Praying Mantis
I found this guy on my front porch fig tree this morning. I think he is a rare find.
I have been noticing a rise in stink bugs on this tree lately. So I'm wondering if this praying mantis has shown up because of the stink bugs.
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 12:42 PM
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Labels: praying mantis, stink bugs
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Today's Haul
I'm going to start posting what we pick. It may be a small haul or large haul.
Also this is my first time posting from my cell phone. So testing.
Also this is my first time posting from my cell phone. So testing.
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 3:41 PM
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Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tomato Bottom Rot
Also known as Black bottom, Bottom end rot, and Blossom End Rot. Im sure there are more but this is what i have heard locally.
So what is it?
I can only speak to what I have encountered and I encounter it every year. Every year the tomatoes I grow in pots get this. Unfortunately I'm reactive instead of proactive. So I wait until they show signs of bottom rot before I treat them. Kind of as if maybe this will be the year that it doesn't happen.
Next is to figure out why the leaves are turning yellow and falling off on the bottom of these potted tomato plants.?!?
|This is an example of the very start
of bottom end rot starting on this tomato.
well according to the Texas Aggies: Blossom end rot can affect fruit at all stages of development. The characteristic symptom is a progressive deterioration of the blossom end of the fruit, from a water-soaked appearance to a sunken, black, leathery lesion. While secondary fungal infections may occur, blossom end rot is a physiological disorder caused by calcium deficiency induced by water stress.
I can only speak to what I have encountered and I encounter it every year. Every year the tomatoes I grow in pots get this. Unfortunately I'm reactive instead of proactive. So I wait until they show signs of bottom rot before I treat them. Kind of as if maybe this will be the year that it doesn't happen.
Every oldtimer i ask tells me its missing calcium. Just add calcium. So every year when it shows up, I add calcium and it always fixes my issue with bottom rot. So lets go thought the simple step i do to help my tomato plants that have this.
- First i take my bottle of Tums or other antacid relief tablets. These are just about 100% calcium.
- I pour as much as i feel im going to need for this application depending on how many plants i plan to treat.
- Smash it up to a powder. I allow some chunks. I think of it as a slow release form of calcium and the powder as a fast acting.
- Last i just sprinkle it around the base of each tomato plant. usually they are always the potted ones.
This is what i have been told and what i practice. You can continue to let the grow and they are still edible. Just cut the bottom rot off and the rest of the tomato is fine to eat. In fact i made salsa the other night and i used 2 tomatoes that had bottom rot. I just cut it back until it looked like healthy tomato.
Next is to figure out why the leaves are turning yellow and falling off on the bottom of these potted tomato plants.?!?
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 9:25 AM
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Labels: Black bottom, Blossom End Rot, Bottom end rot, tomato, Tomato Bottom Rot
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Front Porch Figs
This is my fig tree that I have had for about 3 years now. During spring and summer it lives on my front porch. During fall and winter it lives in my garage.
So far this year is looking to be the best year, if everything that is on it now will mature. There is roughly 70-100 figs on this little tree.
Interesting enough, when i was taking pictures this morning i noticed that there were all of these stink bugs in the tree. Im not sure what they are doing but my new goal is to eliminate their existence in this tree.
I love figs and they are difficult to come by. That is why i grow them.
In this picture if you can click on it to make it bigger and zoom in on the branch you will see some stink bugs. I have also found an egg or 2 so they may be reproducing right there. I know i have killed young ones on this tree already.
Posted by Orangespear's Oasis at 9:04 AM
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The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases' (NIAID) Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (DMID) has a requirement for developing and providing in vitro assays in order to advance the development of therapeutics for infectious diseases. Because of this, the DMID has awarded a Master IDIQ for the provision of services and resources for: advancing science by promoting cross-fertilization across and within disciplines and approaches; serving the research community more conveniently; achieving efficient use of resources through economy of scale and avoidance of duplication; and providing the flexibility needed to respond to changing priorities.
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Chris and Eric.
Eric, Craig and Rhonwyn.
Joe, Mary, Eric, Craig and Rhonwyn.
Eric (the new brother-in-law!) and Rhonwyn.
The weather cooperated! This was amazing as it had been pretty crappy right up until the day of the party. The party was very successful. Now the new bride and groom and in Oz, celebrating with Rhonwyn's family - wedding reception number two!
Karl did take other pix of many of the guests. I'll leave it to Craig and Rhonwyn to share those.


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Sunday, April 4, 2010
The science of common sense
I swear to Jesus people over think way too many things! I'm writing this because we have to read a book in English class called Sophie's World (about the history of Philosophy).... It's pretty good but I continually find myself completely bored out of my mind! My English teacher says there's a fine line between "Literature" and "stories" and i completely get that.. but literary authors seem to over think their stories.. It's not creative at all!!! They base it off everyday things that could happen to anyone...and there's usually some life lesson involved.. but where's the fun in that? It's meant to be thought about, not for enjoyment. English teachers are the worst about it if you ask me... They can write 300 page papers over a simple book and put even more thought into it than the author ever did! Life is meant to enjoy, not to spend worrying about society and politics!
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MSC Divina
MSC Divina Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern
Sail Date: November 21, 2015
Ship: MSC Divina
Cabin Type: Balcony
Cabin Number: 10032
Traveled As: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 2 years ago
Review Summary
The ship was beautiful and well maintained. The food was better than when we took an MSC cruise in 2009 but still not to the same level as American cruise lines. The entertainment was enjoyable and we enjoyed the non-smoking casino. The value was great and our stateroom was large (balcony). I also enjoyed the fact that they don't try to sell you their drink specials like other cruise lines - they walk by but they don't ask you. The drink prices weren't bad at all.
Ship Experiences
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Service and Staff
Ship Quality
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Remember: Be polite and respectful. Our diverse community is home to members with different opinions and a broad range of cruise experiences.


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I also enjoyed Hahn's retort to the tired, "God did not exist, we would have had to invent him" canard. Hahn's reply: God does exist, so we invented atheism. Too true. Lewis remarked years ago on how silly it is to suppose that anybody would be pleased--and nothing but pleased--at the God Christianity reveals to us. The doctrine of God as Wish Fulfillment Fantasy is contradicted by universal experience. The reality is that the human person, apart from revelation, tends neither toward Christianity (which nobody could have invented) nor toward atheism. It tends toward a vague pagan pantheism, what an atheist acquaintance referred to as "religious methadone treatment" when it's in the context of a post-Christian culture. People want vague reassurances that Michael Landon likes them and that their life is not without meaning. They intuit that there is a spiritual realm. They have a grasp of the natural law. They experience longing for the transcendent. They experience the reality of holy fear from time to time. They recognize that both justice and grace happen. And from these elementary experiences of being human, they construct the baffling variety of philosophies and mysteries and assorted paganisms of the world. They do not construct the Christian faith, only things with a flashing and transitory glimpse of the Christian revelation.
Civilization, in every generation, must be defended from barbarians. The barbarians outside the gate, the barbarians inside the gate, and the barbarian in the mirror...
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
We're Far Too Lazy And Unimaginitive To Have Invented Such A Thing
Mark Shea:
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The Companion Animal Protection Society Explains Why the Holiday Gift of a Pet is actually no Gift at All
(Boston, MA) - A puppy under the tree with a big red bow around its neck seems like the perfect image for many families; but Deborah Howard, President of the Companion Animal Protection Society (The only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals) warns that this only adds to the problem of shelters being filled with unwanted dogs.
Before you buy a puppy, Deborah Howard has created the following checklist to see if you are ready for the new member of the Family:
1. Did the companion animal you plan on bringing into your home come from a shelter, reputable breeder or from another location where you can trace its whereabouts
2. Have you prepped the entire family for the new member of the family?
3. Who will be responsible for the dog's socialization?
4. Who will be accountable for the animals care? Feeding? Walking? House training?
5. Have you calculated the cost of raising your animal? Vet bills? Food? Toys?
Many breeders and pet stores are often motivated by money and the holiday craze. Such sellers are not likely to cut into profits with pesky screening for genetic diseases, nor are they likely to care about the importance of socialization. These attitudes may cost you in the long run, both in dollars and in heartbreak. The most important rule of thumb is to realize that puppies are not toys. They are living creatures that need a lot of attention and essentially should be regarded as a new member of the family.
"One should never purchase or adopt an animal as a present to be given during the holidays. There is too much excitement and stress during holidays for an animal that has to adjust and adapt to being in a new environment and home. Instead, give a gift card stating that there will be an animal after the holidays. Don't expect children, even teens, to provide consistent care for this animal. The responsibility is going to be with the parents. Don't ever buy a dog at a pet shop or online. Most of these puppies come from puppy mills – commercial breeding facilities that mass produce dogs for resale to pet shops or individuals. Potential animal guardians can make a difference by adopting an unwanted animal from a shelter or rescue organization. Most shelters and rescue organizations are listed on www.petfinder.com. " – Deborah Howard
About CAPS:
The Companion Animal Protection Society is the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals, CAPS' foremost concern is the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs. Founded in 1992, CAPS actively addresses this issue through investigations, education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance, and pet shop employee relations. For more information please click here.
At Camp Pendleton, Bison Are Home on the Range
by Steve Padilla - Los Angeles Times
Camp Pendleton is home to thousands of Marines, of course. But it turns out it's also home to 147 bison. Yes, bison. As The Times' Tony Perry reports, the woolly beasts give parts of the base an Old West ambiance:
Once, the bison surrounded a vehicle containing the commandant, blocking his way. The four stars on his collar gave him absolute authority over 170,000 Marines but meant nothing to the bison. He waited until the beasts, in their haughty, self-assured manner, slowly decided to move.
It all started in the mid-1970s, when the San Diego Zoo gave a dozen bison, which it did not have space for, to Camp Pendleton. Space was not a problem at the 125,000-acre base.
The federal Department of the Interior -- which features the bison on its seal -- manages about 7,000 bison in seven national wildlife refuges and five national parks. There's a smallish group in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park and a herd at a nature preserve on Catalina Island.
The rest of the nation's half a million bison are mostly on privately owned lands. The Camp Pendleton population, given its isolation, may prove a genetic boon to species preservation efforts.
-- Steve Padilla
Photo credit: Don Barletti / Los Angeles Times
by Sue Steib and Lynn Buzhardt, authors of "Can We Have One? A Parent's Guide to Raising Kids with Cats and Dogs". (LSU Press) / Washington Post
Can Pets Join the Family?
Before pets are welcomed into the family, it's best to know which kind is the best match for your brood and the responsibilities involved in raising kids and pets. Veterinarian Lynn Buzhardt and Sue Steib help potential pet owners (or owners who are soon-to-be parents) prepare for a new addition to the household. They are the co-authors of "Can We Have One? A Parent's Guide to Raising Kids with Cats and Dogs". Buzhardt practices small animal medicine at The Animal Center in Louisiana and is an executive board member of the American Heart Worm Society. Steib is a policy and practice consultant to organizations serving children and families. They were online Wednesday, November 5, at 11 a.m. ET to answer questions.
Please join us again Wednesday, November 12, for another discussion on pet care with the Animal Doctor Michael W. Fox. And check out washingtonpost.com's Pets section anytime!
Sue Steib: Thank you all for joining in our chat today. We look forward to addressing your questions about successfully blending dogs and cats in a household with children.
Herndon, Va.: I obtained my dog from an animal shelter. He had an ear infection and a few days later kennel cough. I think he may have something else going on also. He eats everything! I have increased the amount of food from one cup a day to three cups. I have also changed his dog food. He has very loose stool now. Should I be concerned?
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: It is common for dogs to contract respiratory infections in a kennel situation. Also, realize that kennel cough will be contagious to any other dogs you may have at home. Isolate the infected dog and make sure your other dogs are adequately vaccinated against this respiratory disease. Rather than just increasing the amount of food you give your new dog, verify that the diet is of high quality. Sometimes quality is more important than quantity. Changing diets may actually contribute to loose stools but intestinal parasites may also be an issue. Why not see your veterinarian to address the cough, ear infection, and potential intestinal parasites? Your pet's doctor can also consult you on proper diet. Finally, thanks for adopting a pet that needed a home. Good for you!
Washington, DC: What kind of dog should the Obamas get?
Sue Steib: As is often the case, the answer to this question is "it depends". The Obamas will need to consider their personal preferences and lifestyle constraints in relation to breed characteristics such as size, energy level, and grooming needs. We hope they choose well because a nation of pet lovers will be watching. It is important that they set a good example.
www.washingtonpost.com: What kind of dogs are best for families with toddlers or babies?
Sue Steib: The short answer is "almost any tolerant, well-behaved one". In general, dogs that are medium sized and a bit older (beyond the puppy stage) so that they have had an opportunity to benefit from basic obedience training are probably best. The key, however, to successfully integrating toddlers and dogs in a household is good supervision of both pet and baby and setting realistic limits, such as training the dog to accept household boundaries and/or using physical barriers such as pet or baby gates. Babies or toddlers should never ever be left alone with a dog and no dog should be expected to tolerate the rough treatment that toddlers can sometimes unintentionally administer. Supervising pet-toddler interaction will get easier once you become accustomed to your dog's and child's behavioral cues. The effort you expend will be worth it both in household harmony and the fun of watching your little one enjoy his or her pet.
Olney, Md.: Our 4-year-old yellow Lab has recently lost some weight. It seems that he no longer likes his food and only wants to eat people food (this started after our 2-year-old son began to share his food with the dog). Is there a type of dog food that we should try (we are currently using Beneful)? Or should we mix wet food with the dry food? Will this disrupt his bowel movements? Any thoughts? Thanks!
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: It's traditional for toddlers to share their food with their dog. After all, the dog is a friend and we teach our children to share, right? The problem is that table food is not an appropriate diet for the dog, so it's best to teach your child that, while sharing is nice, we need to share the right treats. Try placing a few morsels of your dog's dry kibble in a snack-sized zip-lock bag and tell your son that he can share these treats at will. But when the bag is empty, there will be no more treats. This will teach your son moderation as well as generosity. If your Lab is losing weight, diet is one possible cause, but there are many others such as intestinal parasites, organ mal-function, infections, or hormone imbalances to name just a few. A physical exam is in order to rule out medical problems. Also, a consistent diet would help you monitor your dog's weight status. Beneful is a good diet, but should be fed dry. Dry food will help keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy. And yes, you're right on track. Changing foods or mixing wet food with the dry can certainly disrupt his bowel movements. Have your pet checked by his doctor, follow his dietary advice, and hug your very generous 2-year-old! He's a lucky boy to grow up with a friendly Lab. That's just how my sons grew up!
Somerset, Mass: My dog was recently diagnosed with plasma cell tumors on her front and back paws. They were removed and from what I read on the Internet, these are not usually malignant if in this location. Can you tell me anything about the condition?
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: Hearing the word "tumor" is frightening, but your dog is fortunate to have had tumors that were operable. Complete excision of plasma cell tumors usually results in a suscessful outcome for the patient. Being observant for the development of any further lesions will help you enjoy your dog for years to come.
Springfield, Va.: We're adopting, and hope to have our child here next year. S/he most likely will be between 9 to 12 months old. We're also big rescue dog people and will choose from the Washington Animal Rescue League. I know it's a general question, but any guidelines for choosing a dog, or tips on how to fit both adoptees in? Obviously we're limited to what dogs are at WARL at any one given time.
Sue Steib: Congratulations on both of your adoption plans! In general, you might look for a medium size dog that is a bit older so that it has lost that "puppy exuberance". Many animal rescue organizations carefully test the temperament of their dogs before placing them for adoption and this is something you should ask about, sharing with them your plans for bringing a baby into your home. The animal's history is also important. Did it come from a household with children and why was it relinquished? Remember, though, that any dog will require careful supervision with an infant.
While you are wise to consider your child's needs first, it is important to note that you and the other adult members of your household will be interacting the most with your dog, so include your own preferences in the decision. This should truly be a family dog. The data on dogs admitted to animal shelters suggest that those chosen only "for the children" are more likely to relinquished.
Remember, too, that time is on your side in making the decision about acquiring a dog to grow up with your child. The limited research on the benefits of children growing up with pets suggests that children have the strongest bonds with their companion animals during elementary school and pre-adolescence. So if your local shelter doesn't happen to have just the right dog for your family the first time you go, wait a while and try again.
Fernandina Beach, Fla.: I have a 15-month-old black Lab that just loves pieces of banana. She even likes the dried banana chips that I use for training treats. Two of the other three like the chips but not the fresh. Are fruits good for dogs like they are for us? Nobody is due for a vet visit for a few months, so I hope you can answer this.
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: Most fruits are good snacks for our dogs, but like everything else, even good things in excess can be bad. Limiting snacks, even healthy ones, is important to ensure that the pet eats enough of his dog food to provide essential nutrients. That said, bananas can be a healthy source of potassium and even help regulate bowel function. But, remember to avoid fruits that can make our pets ill such as grapes. Acidic fruits like oranges and lemons can also irritate sensitive tissues in the mouth. And let's be sure that our dogs do not ingest seeds or pits from fruits. Our hospital surgically removed a peach pit bacame lodged in a dog's intestinal tract.
Presidential dogs: Hi. Thanks for taking questions. Re: your earlier answer about which pets the Obamas should choose -- what do you think of the Bush's choice of Scottish terriers? Are they nice dogs? Thank you.
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: Scottish Terriers are fun-loving, active dogs as is common with any terrier breed. My experiences with this breed in our animal hospital have been positive ones. Like all dogs, they are nice, when well trained. But, they do require a little extra upkeep. They need to be groomed to keep them looking like "Scotties". With Christmas time approaching, I often envision Scotties decked out in plaid sweaters....how cute!
Washington, DC: We adopted our 3-year-old Labrador retriever about five months ago from a rescue organization. He is adjusting quite well to life in our home and is a happy, social dog. We are currently trying to get pregnant. This will be our first child. Since our dog is used to getting a lot of attention (and we love giving it to him!), we know that he will need to adjust to a new baby. He loves kids, but I am wondering what we can do to prepare him ahead of time for arrival of a child into the house.
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: You are wise to start early in preparing your Lab for the arrival of the new baby. Your dog sees you and your mate as his "pack" and he knows his position in that family unit. The addition of another member to the pack upsets the balance a little. To make the integration of a baby into a pet-owning household seamless and more organized, make a list of things to do according to tri-mester. In your first tri-mester, start obedience school so that your dog responds to voice commands. (Your hands will be full once the baby is born). Set household limits if your pet's normal territory will change, i.e. will you allow him in the nursery? (I hope you will). During the second tri-mester introduce your dog to the sights, sounds, and smells associate with the baby, i.e. set up the nursery and show him the baby bed, stroller, car seat, etc; play baby music or recordings of baby sounds (CD can be ordered online), let him smell baby lotion/powder. During the third tri-mester, stock up on pet food and medications, update vaccinations, have your pet's teeth cleaned if needed, and make sure your pet is free of intestinal parasites that may infect humans. After the baby is born, a gradual introduction in a controlled environment should aid an easy transition. While being new parents will keep you very busy, remember to share your attention with your dog and your baby simultaneously so that neither feels left out of your enlarged, but happy, family.
Virginia: Thanks for taking our questions today. We are owners of a 4-year-old Dachshund who is much like our "first child." He loves being with us, right in your lap, etc. Our dog is generally well behaved around people, especially strangers, but I have nieces and a nephew that he has become afraid of. Since they come right up to him (moving very quickly and generally petting rougher than adults) he now runs away and tries to either hide or stay behind our legs when they're around. He will not bite or snap unless they continue to poke at him, but you can tell the little guy is just generally distressed when he hears their little voices in the house. Well...we are also expecting our first child in January. After dealing with these experiences with our nieces and nephews, we're obviously concerned with how our Doxie is going to handle the new addition. Any advice on how to have everyone (parents, dog, and eventually baby) adjust to the new family?
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: You are quite observant in that the children in this situation, not the dog, need a little behaviour modification! Even the nicest, calmest dog needs a little down time, and no dog (or person) likes to be harrassed. So, how about trying to educate your neices and nephew a little on behaving respectfully around pets? Children are anxious to play, but may not realize that their quick, darting movements aren't appreciated by their canine playmates. Start by explaining to the children that they need to be gentle with Doxie so that she can learn to trust them and then when they gain that trust, they will all have more fun together. But sometimes, Doxie just may not feel like playing, so it's also important that Doxie have a quiet, safe retreat from the hectic household when the children visit. How about a nice, sizable crate in another room? Dogs often veiw crates as their "personal space" and voluntarily retreat here at will. It's important to teach children how to behave around our pets, since by doing so, you are essentially educating the next generation of loving pet owners. What a good aunt/uncle you are!
Charlotte, N.C.: We're expecting our first child in Feb. -- how do we prepare our three Dauschunds (two female, one male) and two male cats? I am going to work really hard so that they aren't shoved aside when the little one arrives. I want them to like or at least not hate the baby, but beyond bringing home a baby blanket so they can get used to the smell a day or so before the baby arrives, what else can we do? One of the dogs is already very protective of me and pretty needy -- and I think the cats sense that something is going on and they keep following me around the house. Anything I need to keep in mind to prepare them (or the house) so everyone will get along?
Sue Steib: Congratulations on your impending parenthood. There are many things you can do to prepare your pets to welcome the new arrival. Spend some time thinking about all of the changes that will take place in your household once the baby comes, and try to begin making some of them now. If possible, begin adding the baby furniture and other equipment early so that your pets become accustomed to it. Also consider the new smells and sounds that will accompany an infant. You may want to begin putting baby lotion on your hands and then petting the dogs and cats. Try recorded baby sounds, particularly crying, but also gurgles and coos. A baby doll may also help prepare your pets, although they will be able to tell the difference between it and the real thing.
Also consider what new boundary limits there might be in your household and begin now to teach you pets to adhere to them or install barriers such as pet gates. In general, the more you can do now so that your animals don't associate changes that may be disturbing to them with the arrival of the infant, the better.
Falls Church, Va.: A few cat questions -- should I give my cat wet as well as dry food, and should I let my cat go outside? Also, how best to minimize my daughter's cat allergy? We adopted a 3-year-old female cat who was used to being outside most of the time. We previously had two indoor cats, so an outdoor cat is new to me. I'm not sure how to let her outside in a safe way. (We've just had her for going on two weeks.) Also, I have heard that just dry food isn't good for cats. Should we give her both? Lastly, my daughter has a cat allergy but seems to be doing okay (a bit stuffy and occasional need to use her inhaler). Her room is off-limits to the cat. Any other ideas to minimize problems? She loves the cat of course.
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: First, there is no safe way to let a cat outside. Since cats are good climbers, even fences won't keep them safely in our yards. When cats roam, trouble often follows. Besides being threatened by cars and fighting cats, outside cats are exposed to a plethora of diseases such as feline leukemia, FIV (the feline version of HIV), intestinal parasites and heartworms. The fact that your cat left for two weeks is an indication that she is roaming and is at risk for all of the above. It's important for you child to enjoy the cats, but it's also important to safeguard her health and make every attempt to minimize her allerigies. Try keeping the cats well brushed to decrease dander and shedding. Keep their coats moist with an oral vitamin supplement on their food. Clean your daughter's room frequently and remove textiles that harbor pet dander such as curtains, plush pillows, and carpeting. Hopefully, she can enjoy her cats without a problem.
Washington, DC: Our toddler loves our Lab and our lab loves our toddler. However, being a toddler, our son is VERY excited when it comes to the dog. He understands petting and being nice, but sometimes he gets excited and will hit the dog or jump on him. The dog is fine with this. He normally gets up and moves away from our son, never any growling or snapping. I want to avoid the dog feeling like he has to snap at our son. Any ideas on how we can have the two 'play' or interact together without our son invading our dog's personal space?
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: Sounds like you have a pretty normal toddler and a really nice Lab! You are doing a good job of teaching your son to be gentle around the dog...just keep the instruction sessions going. Also, to avoid having the dog feel like he "has to snap" at your son, correct your son in front of the dog in the same manner that you correct your dog when he commits an infraction. Use your stern voice, reprimand the innappropriate behavior, then end with praise in a kind voice for good behavior. Luckily, positive and negative reinforcement works for both children and pets. Your dog shoud recognize your attempt to create a good situation for him and will appreciate it. But dogs shoud also tolerate inevitable toddler invasions, i.e. ear pulling, tail yanking, etc. without an aggressive response. It appears you're in good shape on this aspect. Remember that toddlers are eye level to Labs and eye-to-eye contact is sometimes discerned as an act of aggression to our dogs, so keep working with your son on the proper, non-threatening way to approach and play with dogs. Have fun!
Upper Marlboro, Md.: Dogs love peanut butter, but are peanuts safe to give dogs?
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: Peanut butter in moderation is usually OK, but it definately adds calories to the pet's diet. Over 40 percent of dogs and cats are overweight, and obesity shortens life spans as it contributes to heart disease, diabetes, and orthopedic problems. With that in mind, I advise a low calorie snack such as frozen vegetables (broccoli, carrots, green beans) or simply treating the dog with a few morsels of his dry dog food. Our pets want our attention more than they want the snack, so as long as we give them "something", they are usually satisfied. Back to peanuts...shelled peanuts are often swallowed whole and not chewed which can irritate the digestive system and peanuts in shells are a definite no-no. We often give our pets "treats" that we like ourselves...Bet you're a peanut butter lover, right???
Virginia: A pit bull just moved in next door. The owners are not very mature. It slams up against the wood fence and has already broken through the back gate. I am petrified it will break through or jump over my fence and harm my beagle. What can I do?
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: Even though there are many well-behaved pit bulls, no one should have to live in fear of the "dog next door". Try to talk to your neighbors about your circumstances. Perhaps they can kennel the dog or keep him indoors when they are not home to supervise it outside. If this doesn't work, call your local animal control agency and report the situation.
Cat Lover: How much should a cat be eating normally? I recently adopted a 5-year-old Siamese cat who is petite (she's only 6 pounds), and she is not a big eater. She tends to graze throughout day. I am feeding her a grain free dry food by Wellness and I give her about a 1/3 to 1/2 a day. Sometimes she does not finish all her food. She is healthy and very active. Is this normal for a cat? Thanks!
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: Cats are usually ad-lib feeders who regulate their caloric intake pretty well. A high quality, digestible diet may provid adequate nutritional value in very small quantities. So, even though it may look like your cat is not eating much, if she is maintaining her body weight and is healthy, she should be "well fed".
www.washingtonpost.com: How do parents know when the dog in their family is a bad match for those in the household?
Sue Steib: Take some time to answer questions about your relationship with and enjoyment of your dog. These should include: How much time do you and/or your children spend interacting with the dog? Do you generally enjoy being with your dog and, if not, why not? Is it too big and boisterous? Does it have exercise, grooming, or other needs that are difficult for your family to meet? If you are having problems related to the dog's behavior, are they simply annoying or are they dangerous? If the dog's behavior is the issue, what have you done or are you willing to do about it? School age children can sometimes be engaged in taking dogs to obedience lessons and working with them at home. This provides an opportunity not only to improve the animal's behavior but for your children to develop new competencies of which they can be proud and to forge a deeper relationship with their pet.
If, after thoughtful consideration of these questions, you decide the dog you have is not a good fit, then safely rehoming (assuming the dog is not dangerous) may be best for you and the animal. And should you decide to rehome your pet, remember that in today's busy families, the human members of the household often simply do not have sufficient time to spend socializing and interacting with a dog. In this case, the issue may not be so much whether the dog is a good match, but whether it is the right time to have a dog at all. Dogs are pack animals and they need time with "their people" to be happy and well behaved. Any dog that is not sufficiently socialized will be a problem although some may be more of a problem than others.
Regardless of what you decide, give yourself some credit for taking the time to seriously evaluate your relationship with your dog and its fit for your family. Such decisions can be difficult, but confronting them honestly and decisively is the right thing to do for your children and the dog.
Martinsburg, W.Va.: We have an old hound dog on his last legs. He still enjoys eating and drinking and is happy to see us when we get home, but he has trouble getting around and often falls (Old Hound has trouble controlling his back legs - Cushings Disease). We recently acquired a Brussels Griffon puppy who has lots of energy. Young Pup keeps trying to get Old Hound to play, which just serves to irritate Old Hound, and now seems to have evolved into Young Pup teasing Old Hound. Old Hound can't do much about it -- he falls if he turns or moves to quickly, and Little Pup is fast and evasive. Latest game is Little Pup playing with Old Hound's dog tags, and when Old Hound growls then Little Pup dashes in and licks Old Hound's teeth. Also, when Old Hound gets up to get a drink or something then Little Pup runs in and lays in Old Hound's bed. Or when Old Hound finishes his dinner and walks away, Young Pup goes and sits in Old Hound's dinner dishes -- I guess it's just to prove he can. It's pretty amusing, but sad too. We do try to separate them, and when it gets out of hand we confine Little Pup to his kennel to calm down, but do you have any ideas?
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: Congratulations! You must be good pet owners to even have a dog qualified to be called "Old Hound". While younger pups often stimulate older ones, they often exasperate them, too. You're on the right track trying to provide Old Hound some time without the annoyance of Little Pup, but we need to teach Little Pup a few manners. Simply, reprimand him when he invades areas that should be off limits, i.e. Old Hound's bed and food dishes, and praise him profusely when he stops. Make sure that Little Pup has a space that's all his own, too. How about a sizable crate that is his personal space, with boundaries respected by Old Hound? Respect is a two-way street, right? You may use treats and positive re-enforcement to encourage Little Pup to go to his crate and give Old Hound a break from the energetic youngster. It's a difficult balance, but when in doubt, side with Old Hound, who may have limited days ahead. You can make it up to Little Pup in the years to come.
Dr. Lynn Buzhardt: We've enjoyed chatting with you and hope that our responses have been helpful. The best lives are shared with pets, and we wish you all many years of joy with yours.
Lynn and Sue
By Kelly Onanian - Wicked Local Brockton
Economy forcing more people to surrender pets
"The family, with two small children, was sitting out on their steps, crying. The husband was even crying," said Creeley, a Brockton attorney and founder of the dog rescue organization, French Bulldog Village. "Children are the ones that can't understand why they're losing a pet and the pet doesn't know why it's being taken from their home. It's heartbreaking."
Beefy is among a growing number of house pets to become the latest victim of the economic downturn. Across the region, animal shelters and rescue groups are seeing an increase in the number of people forced to surrender their pets because of job loss or home foreclosures.
In many situations, stay-at-home parents are heading back to work and some pet owners are getting second jobs, leaving no time to care for a pet.
Ann Thompson, owner of Plymouth-based Mayflower Mobile Veterinary Services, said the situation is the worst she's seen in her 16-year career.
"Last week alone we had five pets surrendered from different families," Thompson said. "We had a woman with five children come in needing to surrender her two cats. Her house was being foreclosed, car repossessed … It came down to either feeding her cats or kids. There have always been instances where people give away pets, but not surrender them because of the economy."
Karin Barrett, co-founder of CeCe and Friends in Weymouth (formerly based in Quincy), said her phone used to ring off the hook with adoption inquiries. Now, her answering machine is filled with messages from people needing to surrender their pets.
"It's a no-win situation right now for animals," Barrett said. "People are losing their jobs … almost every shelter is full right now and (all shelters) are seeing the same thing — more and more surrender calls. No one has the money to adopt, and we're having problems keeping shelters open."
Middleboro Animal Control Officer Jason Tracy said that while he hasn't seen an up-tick in surrenders due to the economy, there has been a slight increase in certain breeds.
"We are seeing more breeds that we typically don't see, such as smaller, companion breeds like a Jack Russell or Lhasa Apso," said Tracy. "We don't normally see them because they are popular, expensive dogs."
Stoughton Animal Control Officer Kristin Bouscuet said funding for shelters is dwindling.
"Donations are going down because people don't have the money to donate anymore," she said.
Bouscuet also predicted the animal population will continue to grow as people have less money to spay and neuter pets.
"It's worse more so for cats than dogs. Cats are getting pregnant, having kittens, people are trying to get rid of the kittens and bring them to shelters, but shelters are at capacity," she said.
Yes Pets? Renting to Pet Owners Without Ruining Your Investment
Author: Carolyn Capalbo
Even the words "pets", "dog" and "cat" can send cold chills down the spine of any landlord who has had a bad experience with tenants who thought that cleaning the litter box once a month was enough or let their dog tear up the living room carpet for amusement. However, accepting pets can mean better tenants who stay longer. Finding responsible pet owners to rent from you might take more time than a simple ad in the paper, but they can be worth it.
Any pet owner looking for a rental can tell you that "no pets" or "n/p" is one of the most common sights in the Rentals section of the newspaper. This is for good reason; any landlord can tell you horror stories about pet owners who don't clean up after their pets, prevent and/or repair damage caused by said pets, or keep their pets under control. People like these ruin it for the rest of pet owners, as many landlords feel that they can't take the risk of accepting pets into their rentals.
First, what are you planning to accept? Caged animals generally don't leave their cage for any length of time and their mess is confined to the cage and immediate area. Birds can be an exception; a medium to large bird can cause a lot of mess if not cleaned up after regularly. Many more landlords accept cats into rentals than dogs, since cats can be happy living in small quarters and are often cleaner. Small dogs are more likely to be accepted than big dogs for the same reasons.
No matter what kinds of animals you decide to accept, recognize that there is no such thing as a completely clean pet. Even fish need to be cared for regularly or their aquarium and area becomes a breeding ground for smell, mold and mildew. It's not so much the mess that the pet produces; it's the commitment of the owner to keep their pet and its surroundings clean and livable.
Some landlords charge pet deposits for pets, which is certainly an option for you. Most responsible pet owners realize that deposits are a part of real life and will be willing to pay one in exchange for being able to rent a decent home. If the pet owner complains that they 'can't afford' a pet deposit, reconsider renting to them - what is going to happen if there is some kind of pet-caused accident or damage to your property? Will they refuse to fix it, citing that they can't afford to?
When interviewing a pet owner, it is a good idea to see the pet(s) if at all possible. If you can interview the person in their present lodgings, you can see how clean they keep the place (of course, you may allow for packing/moving disarray), whether it smells of pet and how clean and well-trained their pets are.
Well-groomed pets usually indicate people who have a care for cleanliness and the quality of their environment. A pet should have no strong odors about it and should have a healthy, glossy coat. Watch for scratching or chewing that may indicate parasites. Inquire as to the type of pest prevention used for the pet. An indoor cat may legitimately be left prevention-free, but pets that access the outdoors should have some kind of preventative program in place.
Inquire into the training of their pets. If you are lucky enough to have a prospective renter whose dog goes to obedience classes and has won titles, seriously consider them. Dogs with temperament testing and obedience titles are more likely to be well-trained pets in the home. Other titles of achievement in the canine world are indications that the person is involved with their dogs and has a care for their welfare and living area.
Cats can be harder to ascertain whether they are being regularly interacted with. You can look for signs of scratching on the furniture and carpet. A cat tree and cat toys are a good sign that the owner is committed to providing their cat(s) with items to exercise their inclination to scratch and rub on instead of walls and floors. Cats that are 100% indoor, or only indoor-outdoor under control & supervision are less likely to pick up dirt, parasites and disease.
Ask for references, such as vets, groomers, trainers and other pet professionals the person claims to have interacted with. References from previous landlords can be a good indication of their treatment of rental property. References from the local SPCA or humane society can also be a sign of a good tenant, since most animal rescues have an interview process of their own for pet adoption.
Take the time to consider those people who have anticipated your concerns by providing an upfront plan of care, maintenance and reimbursement concerning their pets. The people who take the time to alleviate your concerns about their pet and who show themselves willing to take responsibility for any damage that pet may do are more likely to care for your property in the manner that will keep it rent able after they leave.
Renting to pet owners can be risky, but it can also bring great rewards for the landlord who carefully chooses a responsible pet owner. Pet owners who care for their animals are more likely to care for their living space and stay in a place that will accept their pet. With careful consideration and interviewing, landlords can find responsible people who take their responsibilities to their home as seriously as their responsibilities to their pet.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/yes-pets-renting-to-pet-owners-without-ruining-your-investment-628136.html
About the Author:
Carolyn Capalbo is an expert military relocation specialist and real estate agent serving Northern Virginia real estate. Visit Just4Real.com to find updated market information about areas in Prince William, including Chantilly VA real estate.
Useful Tips For House Training a Dog
Author: Andy Ayres
House training a dog can be defined as a training or guidance which ensures a dog that it is too considered a house member and is liked by other home members. Start your house training a dog by making him free to wander here and there in the house. Do not tie the rope, or whatever you use in the neck of your dog all the time. A dog feels relaxed in this way and feels that it is too free like other members of house to wander here and there.
When your dogs do anything wrong, you should not scold it or punish it as the dog becomes afraid in this way and cannot be your friend and just hides itself when sees you. You should give house train the dog in the friendly environment. You should give toys to a dog at your home so that it may play with them and may feel happy. Give it a ball to play with, and you should yourself too play with your dog so that it may become your friend. Your dog must have seen all home members and should be able to recognize them.
A dog can remain healthy if it gets healthy food on time. Therefore, give it proper food for eating daily on time. Be sure that your food is healthy for a dog. There are many packed foods having necessary nutrients are available in the markets for dogs which help them to be brought up. You may buy any food from the shop and give it to your dog if it enjoys eating it. Always give food to a dog in a clean utensil and do not let your dog to throw its food in its surrounding area. In this way, you can develop habit of keeping clean surroundings in a dog during house training a dog.
If you go outside daily with your dog, your dog becomes able to recognize its own house if it goes outside the house alone, and you do not know about its absence. When it will have seen surroundings of its house, it will come automatically inside the house as soon as it recognizes its house. It is another important success factor for the successful house training a dog as your dog does not go at any unknown place but comes back in its own house.
In short, pamper a dog instead of scolding it, give it neat and clean place to take rest as a dog always like to take rest only on a neat and clean place instead of dirty place, spend some time with it daily, give it training in the kindly way about getting rid of its bad habits if it has bad habits, give healthy food to a dog, show it that you love it and can protect it from its enemies. If you will follow all these mentioned useful tips, you will become surely successful in house training a dog.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/useful-tips-for-house-training-a-dog-529117.html
About the Author:
Andy Ayres is a dog training specialist and helps dog owners solve problems with their pets. If you want to stop your dog's excessive barking then learn how a bark collar can help or look here for the most popular bark collars.
"Remember them with a custom solid bronze memorial."
Contact: Cynthia Linnon
191 Howard Street Franklin, PA 16323
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Feral Cats Can Make Good Pets
Author: Angela Ralano
Many people feel that feral cats cannot be kept indoors as pets. This is not true. In fact, feral cats are happy being kept as indoor only pets if you don't attempt to treat them exactly like tame cats.
What are Feral Cats?
Feral cats are cats that haven't been properly socialized. What this means behaviorally is that feral cats are not tame toward humans. Very often, feral cats result from the offspring of cats that were once owned and then abandoned. As a result, the kittens are not properly socialized to humans and become feral.
There is a critical period during kitten development in which kittens must be exposed to human caretakers, otherwise they will be feral or at least semi-feral. This critical developmental period is generally from birth to 8 weeks old. If the first human exposure occurs past the age of 8 weeks this usually results in a feral or semi-feral cat. Sometimes older feral kittens can be tamed toward one or two human caretakers.
What to do if You Find a Feral Cat or Kitten
Many well meaning cat lovers will find feral kittens and take them to their local animal shelter. Unfortunately, feral kittens aren't very adoptable and most of the time animal shelters will destroy the feral kittens to make room for tame kittens that are more likely to be adopted.
Fortunately, there are some shelters that will spay or neuter the kittens and then return the kittens to their natural environment. This at least gives the feral cat a chance to live without the ability of producing more feral cats. This program is called Trap-Neuter-Return, and it is being implemented in many areas to control the outdoor cat population without having to kill the cats. It generally works like this: The kittens are caught in a humane trap, such as Havahart live animal traps. The animal is unharmed. Then the cat is taken to the vet or the shelter that participates in Trap-Neuter-Return and the animal is spayed or neutered and is usually given some vaccines. When the cat has recovered from the spay or neuter surgery the cat is returned outdoors in the same location where it was found. Trap-Neuter-Return is a much more humane way of dealing with feral cats and kittens than euthanasia.
Feral Kittens Can Also Make Very Rewarding Pets
Some people who find feral kittens take them into their homes as pets. This can be a very rewarding experience as you gain the trust of these special cats. It is also the best option for the well-being of the feral cat or kitten. Taking them into your home as a pet is even better than Trap-Neuter-Return programs. Taking them in as pets generally works best if you catch them when they are relatively young. The younger the better, although some people have taken older feral cats into their homes as pets and they have been fine.
It is also best to take in two feral kittens or cats from the same litter if possible. If this isn't possible it is best to have at least one other cat in the household because feral kittens and cats really enjoy the company of other cats.
Feral cats need to be kept as indoor only cats. Cats sometimes behave differently once they get outside. Because feral kittens and cats don't trust humans very much they may be fearful of approaching your house once they are outside and they may get lost. In general, they are very fearful of any humans other than the human caretakers that they have grown to trust.
I have four feral cats that have lived with me for about 2 years now and they have been very happy indoors. Three were caught when they were 10 weeks old and the fourth cat was caught when she was 12 weeks old.
For the first few weeks after I brought them in the house, all of the kittens used to hiss when I walked by them. Eventually they came to trust me and stopped hissing when they saw me. In fact, now they greet me at the door after work. When I wake up in the morning they come up on the bed to greet me the very first thing. They love playing with toys and with each other. They are still semi-feral, but there is nothing more rewarding than seeing how happy they are and knowing that they are indoors where it is warm and safe.
However, they aren't exactly like other cats. For the most part you can't pick them up. One of the kittens lets me pick her up and kiss her on top of her little head, but the other kittens don't allow it (Actually, they are no longer kittens, but they still seem like babies to me). However, they do like to play toys with me, and except for one of them, they do like to be petted and to have their fur brushed.
Feral cats and kittens would not make good pets for children. Basically feral cats that live indoors with humans like to do their own thing most of the time. They don't want to be held and will usually only let you pet them on a limited basis. Because of this they are likely to scratch a child that attempts to have more contact with them than the cat wants. The key to making a feral cat happy is to only have as much contact with the cat as it wants.
Also, you need to give the shy ones extra space when they are using the litter or eating. Sometimes it is best to keep their litter and food bowls in low human traffic areas so that they can feel safe while eating or using the litter box.
Vet trips can be difficult because they don't always allow you to pick them up to put them into the pet carrier. However, there are ways to do it. Sometimes you can throw their favorite toy into the carrier and they will run in to get it and then all you have to do is shut the cat carrier door.
Feral cats are well worth the extra work and they are the best pets ever! Also, because they only want limited contact with humans you generally don't have to worry about them walking on your keyboard while you are typing or laying across you newspaper or book while you are reading.
In my opinion there is nothing more rewarding then gaining the trust of these cats, especially if you don't mind taking their special needs into consideration. The reward comes in knowing that you are providing a loving, warm, happy home with plenty of food, water, toys, and veterinary care for these special cats.
For more information about feral cats and cat and kitten information please visit About Cats Online.com
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/feral-cats-can-make-good-pets-283654.html
About the Author:
ngela has a master's degree in psychology and is currently working on her doctorate. She is a fitness enthusiast and cat lover. She also maintains the Web sites Official Fitness and Health.com and About Cats Online.com
Click here to visit The EZ Online Shopping Network of Stores!


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Ahhhh…. a staple of the South. Grits. mmmmmmmmmmm…..
There is nothing in this world like shrimp and grits. 🙂 Tonight, for supper, I am making creole shrimp and grits.It will be a first for me. I love shrimp, fried, steamed, butterflied, in Oriental cooking, in Southern cooking….don't know much about Northern/Midwestern/West Coast cooking…..so I apologize if I don't include your regional cuisine in this list….shrimp will always reign. Tonight's dish will bring the best of 2 worlds together for me. Grits are a salty, mild flavor and the shrimp will be nice and spicy…
Will there be pictures of the process? Yeah…no, sorry. I am working on saving enough money to purchase a new camera for myself. I have my eye on a Canon Rebel XTI. 😎 Oh, yeah. Hopefully by my birthday I will have enough saved.
Well, I must go start the elusive shrimp and grits.
update: The Creole Shrimp and Grits was a recipe from the January 2009 issue of Southern Living. It was very delicious!!! I have never cooked grits using milk and water. The combination of the two made the grits very creamy in texture. The creole shrimp was delicious, although it didn't take nearly as long to cook at the directions stated. Next time, I am going to use large shrimp instead of the medium shrimp that are recommended. I do wish there were some where here to get fresh shrimp so that I don't have to use the flash frozen shrimp.


text: I had both door locks break within a week. I've replaced one, still have to find time to do the other. The passenger one was new too - had been replaced less than 6 months ago, and never used till the driver's side one broke. DO NOT GET THE STOCK AUDI PARTS - THEY BREAK! I bought Blau's kit - it's made of some stronger metal, and does not break. The only downside was the spring kept coming off, so I ended up removing it. Installation was not too bad. You need to remover the inner door/window frame. Samir. email@example.com wrote: > > In a message dated Mon, 29 Nov 1999 7:51:22 AM Eastern Standard Time, Chris Ban writes: > > > Although I cannot help you on this, I must add that this happened to me as > > well, and I have not done anything about it in the 3 or 4 months since it's > > happened. Hopefully somebody knows what can be done. One good side: it > > has turned me into a gentleman, since everytime I take a girl out I have to > > unlock the car from her side, I open the door for her and close it. Perhaps > > it is a blessing in disguise. > > > > - -Chris > > > > > > From: firstname.lastname@example.com > > To: firstname.lastname@example.com > > Subject: Door Lock woes.... > > Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 21:31:10 EST > > > > It finally happened...after reading about it happening to everyone else, my > > drivers' side doorlock finally broke this afternoon. The alarm arms when > > the > > key turns, but the locks remain up. Can anyone direct me to a website that > > can step me through the repair process (interior trim removal included). > > I've checked the archive, and found a broken link to a FAQ, and a lot of > > commentary on the process, but no step by step process. > > > > I'm saving up to buy the repair manual.... > > > > BTW---I find it strange that the vacuum locks are completely odd...it took > > me > > 3 months to realize there is a rhyme and a reason to the lock/unlock/door > > selection process... > > > > Thanks! > > > > - --C > > The '89 on cars with the flush-mount door handles suffer this problem; there's a revised part made of steel versus the original pot metal piece. Details on the fix on my site; better photos and description on the link provided on my page. > http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/index.html > go to repair index, then "body and hardware". > Fix this soon; the passenger side will have the same failure mode; then you won't be able to get in at all with the key, unless you can fit through that ski sack. > chris miller, windham nh, firstname.lastname@example.com > '91 200q20v


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Yesterday, my prize from Scrap Camp offered by @craftwithmay arrived. I won the stamp set and dies that May used on her tag - the stamp and dies are a collaboration between Lawn Fawn and Ellen Hutson. They are rather cute! May also sent me a few Ranger tags and some of her 28 Lilac Lane sequin mix. I was so pleased to receive the sequin mix as I haven't found a local supplier yet.
I couldn't wait to play with the items and they went straight in to my Memory Planner for August:
It wasn't until I was watermarking the photo that I noticed I glued my monkey in the space for August 31st! Oh dear!
Another monkey was stamped, cut and coloured for the opening of the first weekly spread in August.
There are another couple of monkeys stamped and die cut ready for colouring and using elsewhere in the month.
Thank you, May, you can be assured these will be put to regular use.
You can find May's blog here


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PLANTS IN PROFILE #26 - THRYALLIS (Galphimia glauca)
Summer rains bring back a vibrant and colorful element to the vegetation at Mound House. Many species who wait out the dry weather of late spring return more robust and vigorous than ever. In the scientific and medicinal gardens portion of our site, be sure to check out the beautiful golden flowers of the thryallis, in full bloom just in time for summer.
A medium sized, evergreen shrub, these hardy low maintenance plants have become popular in Florida as landscaping hedges and for adding color to lawns.
A native of the tropical regions of southern Mexico and Central America, thryallis does well here on Estero Island and can tolerate the sometimes tough conditions that come with growing on a 2,000 year old shell mound.
Traditionally, thryallis is used to treat asthma and allergies in Latin America, and is even employed in the treatment of mental disorders.


text: In a message dated 8/15/04 10:17:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Jimmy at texasbankers.com writes: but the biggest difference IMO is "overboost mode" which allows 2.15 bar max boost for 15 seconds. According to Audi, 280 lb-ft of torque is available from 2100-4000 rpm in a stock AAN, rather than than the usually quoted 258 lb-ft. That mode is simply unavailable on a 3B. Still, a chipped 3B should outrun a stock AAN, even if the AAN has an intake and exhaust, IMO. Jimmy P. The chipped AAN loses any "overboost" mode; AAN and 3B are very similar HP at the typical stage 1 chip. I assume anyone doing a conversion will chip the ECU. Chris ____________________________________________________ Chris Miller, Bolton MA USA, c1j1miller at aol.com '91 200q20v ==> http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/index.html ____________________________________________________


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An experiment by the Editor: I joined Twitter in late December, 2008 (see: Twitter / jimtill). Until now, I've seldom provided updates. However, as an experiment, I plan to post more frequently. The posts will be brief updates about topics of personal interest, including ones relevant to the two blogs that I currently edit (this one, and Be Openly Accessible or Be Obscure, a blog on topics related to the Open Access movement). The individual updates will involve no more than 140 characters (because that's the maximum allowed by Twitter), but related updates can be posted sequentially. My initial goal: to increase the number of "followers" of my Twitter page (and especially, to add "followers" who find the updates to be a useful adjunct to one or the other of the two blogs that I edit). The RSS feed url of updates to my Twitter page is: http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/18376303.rss
Sunday, March 1, 2009
An experiment with Twitter
1 comment:
Gunther Eysenbach has noted that "As twitter and microblogging is gaining momentum as a social phenomenon, a number of researchers start wondering how to cite tweets ..... A related issue is how to digitally preserve and archive tweets. For example, using twitter search, one can currently only search a few months back, older tweets are not retrievable." See: How to cite twitter, how to cite tweets, how to archive tweets (April 5, 2009).ReplyDelete
He then describes how to archive tweets using WebCite®.
I'll not be archiving the links to tweets even though they may cease to be retrievable, unless they provide information that may be of continuing interest.
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God Doesn't Have No Stupid Kids 100812
This blog comes to you from the people at Peace Mennonite Church of Columbia, MO
Today's Scriptures Click the following links to read today's scriptures or scroll to the very bottom of this blog post for those scriptures also. Lectionary Scriptures for the day selected by http://www.commontexts.org/
Psalm 112 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20112&version=MSG
Deuteronomy 22:13-30 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2022:13-30&version=MSG
1 Corinthians 7:1-9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%207:1-9&version=MSG
God Doesn't Have No Stupid Kids 100812
We recently had a conversation about a religious group that refuses to let their dairy be tested in order to prevent a deadly disease. The test doesn't cost much, doesn't interfere with their life or religion, and basically is just a bother. But the test and the science it involves is new, from the outside and may cause some dairy farmers to destroy dangerous milk or change the way they milk cows.
But, of all the gifts God gives us, intelligence, the ability to learn and the ability to embrace and adapt to change should be included. I know we need to feed the poor, but can I grow enough food by farming the way peasants farmed in the 1st Century? No.
By no means should we all accept what is new just because it is new But neither can we believe that God created humankind nd made us all permanently stupi. Wake up! Read, learn and pray.
Pray for peace,
Prayer List: Peace Mennonite Church keeps a prayer list for those in need. If you need prayer, or want to e-mail our pastor, e-mail billd @ peacemennonitechurch.net (Take out the extra spaces to use this e-mail—the spaces confuse spam generators).
Pray with us!
We are praying as a church, and attempting to follow the centuries' old tradition of praying with other Christians three times a day. We are following the prayer liturgy at www.commonprayer.net
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Peace Mennonite Church of Columbia, MO Permission is granted for one-time non-commercial use with proper attribution.
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Psalm 112
Deuteronomy 22:13-30
1 Corinthians Psalm 112
The Message (MSG)
112 1-10 Hallelujah!
Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God,
Who cherish and relish his commandments,
Their children robust on the earth,
And the homes of the upright—how blessed!
Their houses brim with wealth
And a generosity that never runs dry.
Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God's grace and mercy and justice!
The good person is generous and lends lavishly;
No shuffling or stumbling around for this one,
But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation.
Unfazed by rumor and gossip,
Heart ready, trusting in God,
Spirit firm, unperturbed,
Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies,
They lavish gifts on the poor—
A generosity that goes on, and on, and on.
An honored life! A beautiful life!
Someone wicked takes one look and rages,
Blusters away but ends up speechless.
There's nothing to the dreams of the wicked. Nothing. 7:1-9
Deuteronomy 22:13-30
The Message (MSG)
13-19 If a man marries a woman, sleeps with her, and then turns on her, calling her a slut, giving her a bad name, saying, "I married this woman, but when I slept with her I discovered she wasn't a virgin," then the father and mother of the girl are to take her with the proof of her virginity to the town leaders at the gate. The father is to tell the leaders, "I gave my daughter to this man as wife and he turned on her, rejecting her. And now he has slanderously accused her, claiming that she wasn't a virgin. But look at this, here is the proof of my daughter's virginity." And then he is to spread out her bloodstained wedding garment before the leaders for their examination. The town leaders then are to take the husband, whip him, fine him a hundred pieces of silver, and give it to the father of the girl. The man gave a virgin girl of Israel a bad name. He has to keep her as his wife and can never divorce her.
20-21 But if it turns out that the accusation is true and there is no evidence of the girl's virginity, the men of the town are to take her to the door of her father's house and stone her to death. She acted disgracefully in Israel. She lived like a whore while still in her parents' home. Purge the evil from among you.
22 If a man is found sleeping with another man's wife, both must die. Purge that evil from Israel.
23-24 If a man comes upon a virgin in town, a girl who is engaged to another man, and sleeps with her, take both of them to the town gate and stone them until they die—the girl because she didn't yell out for help in the town and the man because he raped her, violating the fiancée of his neighbor. You must purge the evil from among you.
25-27 But if it was out in the country that the man found the engaged girl and grabbed and raped her, only the man is to die, the man who raped her. Don't do anything to the girl; she did nothing wrong. This is similar to the case of a man who comes across his neighbor out in the country and murders him; when the engaged girl yelled out for help, there was no one around to hear or help her.
28-29 When a man comes upon a virgin who has never been engaged and grabs and rapes her and they are found out, the man who raped her has to give her father fifty pieces of silver. He has to marry her because he took advantage of her. And he can never divorce her.
30 A man may not marry his father's ex-wife—that would violate his father's rights.
1 Corinthians 7:1-9
The Message (MSG)
To Be Married, to Be Single . . .
7 Now, getting down to the questions you asked in your letter to me. First, Is it a good thing to have sexual relations?
2-6 Certainly—but only within a certain context. It's good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband. Sexual drives are strong, but marriage is strong enough to contain them and provide for a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder. The marriage bed must be a place of mutuality—the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, the wife seeking to satisfy her husband. Marriage is not a place to "stand up for your rights." Marriage is a decision to serve the other, whether in bed or out. Abstaining from sex is permissible for a period of time if you both agree to it, and if it's for the purposes of prayer and fasting—but only for such times. Then come back together again. Satan has an ingenious way of tempting us when we least expect it. I'm not, understand, commanding these periods of abstinence—only providing my best counsel if you should choose them.
7 Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.
8-9 I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me. But if they can't manage their desires and emotions, they should by all means go ahead and get married. The difficulties of marriage are preferable by far to a sexually tortured life as a single.
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I'm not usually a cupcake person. I like the chewy comfort of a cookie; the delicious, satisfying, toothy wonderfulness. I find that cupcakes are more often than not simply used as a vehicle for some kind of horrific sugar laden topping. Some people eat cupcakes JUST for the frosting. I am not one of these people. However, I am trying to break out of my own mold a little and try something a bit different. As a result I made these red velvet cupcakes. The recipe is out of The Hummingbird Bakery book that I received for Christmas last year. Sadly, I don't often have cream cheese in my house though and decided instead to top these babies with a meringue frosting found elsewhere in the book. The frosting was alright as far as frostings go, but just to crank it up a notch I decided to utilize my creme brulee torch making the top into a veritable toasted marshmallow. I think I would still prefer the more classic cream cheese frosting in the future, but these were okay after all.
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Merinque Frosting
- 4 tbsp room temp butter
- 3/4 c. sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp cocoa
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 c. buttermilk
- 1 c. + 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar
- Preheat oven to 325.
- Beat butter and sugar with paddle attachment of mixer until light and fluffy.
- Turn mixer up to high, add egg, and beat until incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, mix cocoa, vanilla, and red food coloring to form a dark paste. Add to butter mixture and combine thoroughly until everything is an even color.
- Turn mixer to low and add buttermilk and flour and beat until well incorporated. Turn mixer to high and beat until smooth.
- Turn mixer back to low speed and add salt, baking soda, and vinegar, beating for a couple more minutes.
- Fill cupcake cups 2/3 full with mixture and bake 20-25 minutes or until cake bounces back when touched. Cool slightly in pan before cooling completely on rack.
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
- Put egg whites, sugar, and 2 tbsp of water into a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
- Beat with a handheld mixer until stiff peaks form, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and beat in vanilla.


text: September 12, 2012 Keynote address by Gretchen Daily at #GFOE2012 (video) Leave a comment By Joern Fischer Instead of summarising Gretchen's excellent contribution to GFOE2012 in writing, I thought we may as well film it! It's in two parts — see below … More filmed keynotes coming in the next few days! Advertisements Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailLike this:Like Loading... Related Posted by Joern in ecosystem services


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Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Deneuve Avec Chihuahua
I think the reason why I always think of Catherine Deneuve when I see Ferragamo Vara shoes (and bags) is because of the bows. I feel like Deneuve and bows are forever linked in my mind. In the 1960s she wore bows like no other. If you ever get bored with the internet, nothing is more satisfying than looking at images of Catherine Deneuve. In fact I'll probably be posting a lot more about CD and her sister Francoise Dorleac in the coming days.
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Creating digital Christmas cards are a perfect choice for anyone who is looking to create once and be done! There are endless possibilities - photo cards and postcards, regular cards, and even gift tags can all be created digitally and professionally printed using MDS 2 by Stampin' Up!
The pretty 6" x 6" card I created today uses the gorgeous Joyful Times Digital Kit. I'm definitely going to have to go back and play some more with that kit. Love it!
New this week ...
Stampin' Up! released five new digital downloads this week with a nod to creating home decor and popular journals - which make great gifts, by the way. Check it out:
Digital DownloadCoordinates with the Merry Monograms Stamp Brush Set to create a beautiful tree skirt, decorative pillow, or other decor item using iron-on transfer sheets.
Digital DownloadCoordinates with the Shine Bright Designer Template. Create your own monogrammed decor and gifts by printing onto iron-on transfer sheets.
Digital DownloadCreate fun new journals perfect for gift giving with this designer template.
Digital DownloadCelebrate Journaling Month with this fresh and fun designer template. Includes four Designer Series Papers plus front and back cover templates.
Digital DownloadGreat for gifts or use yourself to record all of your thoughts and creative ideas.
Did you know ... prices have been permanently lowered on all professional print projects ordered through MDS/Stampin' Up! But don't delay - your masterpiece creations need to be submitted by December 6th in order to be received by December 24th. The sooner the better, as some wise person once said.
Today's project featured the following Stampin' Up! products:
Software: My Digital Studio-MDS 2+ (130646)
Background: Card Stock\Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper: Designer Kits\Joyful Times - designer series paper\Joyful Times - 8
Bright Hopes\Bright Hopes - wreath, Color = ALWAYS ARTICHOKE
Bright Hopes\Bright Hopes - merry christmas, Color = ALWAYS ARTICHOKE
Bright Hopes\Bright Hopes - snowflake, Color = CHERRY COBBLER
Bright Hopes\Bright Hopes - snowflake, Color = CHERRY COBBLER
Extras\Flag Punch, Fill Color = VERY VANILLA
Extras\Flag Punch, Fill Color = VERY VANILLA
Extras\Perfect Pennants Circle Punch 1, Fill Color = VERY VANILLA
Staple & Stitching\Vanilla - Simple Stitches zigzag
Basic Pearls and Rhinestones\Basic Pearls and Rhinestones - pearl medium (re-colored)
Basic Pearls and Rhinestones\Basic Pearls and Rhinestones - pearl large (re-colored)
Basic Pearls and Rhinestones\Basic Pearls and Rhinestones - pearl medium (re-colored)
Taffeta Trimmings\Taffeta Trimmings - medium bow riding hood red
Did you enjoy today's project? Share your comments below!
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We are excited to announce that YWCA Asheville has been chosen as one of the top three nominees for YWCA USA's nationwide Association Excellence Award for Racial Justice.
YWCA USA presents Excellence Awards in three categories: Advocacy, Racial Justice and Women's Empowerment. Nominations submitted reflect the distinctive and community-changing work YWCA associations are doing throughout the country. Of the YWCAs nominated, three are selected in each category as finalists and the entire network of 216 YWCAs vote for the association whose work they find most outstanding.
"Every YWCA works to eliminate racism and empower women, but we are especially honored to recognize YWCA Asheville, YWCA Evanston/Northshore, and YWCA Rochester for their dedication to providing excellent racial justice programming in their communities," said Casey Harden, Interim CEO, YWCA USA.
YWCA Asheville has been selected as a finalist for the Association Excellence Award for Racial Justice based on our three main racial justice initiatives: our robust Stand Against Racism campaign; implementation of internal and external Racial Justice Workshops; and bold community leadership spearheading the development of the Racial Justice Coalition (RJC). This year, the RJC led an initiative to revise the Asheville Police Department's (APD) use of force policy. A community working group convened with APD to revise the policy, which now emphasizes de-escalation and accountability – holding APD officers to a higher standard than the North Carolina statute.
"We are so honored. We share this recognition with our many community partners who make up the Racial Justice Coalition as well as community groups and individuals who take a Stand Against Racism with us each year. It will take all of us working together to continue to make progress towards our bold mission of Eliminating Racism," said Beth Maczka, CEO, YWCA Asheville.
The winner will be announced at the Women of Distinction Awards Gala in Washington, D.C on June 16, 2017, during the YWCA USA National Conference, Bold Mission, Bright Future.


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As with cities in Italy, if you see a fast food restaurant in Montreal (my home town), it's done so that it blends in with the historic architecture of the city. No golden arches here (unless you count the awnings!)
One of the specialty "fast foods" that you'll find in Montreal is "poutine" (pronounced poo-tin). It's french fries with brown gravy and melted cheese on top! Oh, my!!!
|Poutine: French Fries, brown gravy and melted cheese!!!!
|In Old Montreal.
Another fast food joint I LOVE, is the Orange Julep. Here, you can get the best Club Sandwich and an "orange julep" drink (what else?!) Ok, I must admit that this building is not very "historic" in nature. It's located near Decarie Blvd where it's not so "historic" in nature.
|The Orange Julep near Decarie Blvd.
Read my latest post!