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Ancient migration: Coming to America
For decades, scientists thought that the Clovis hunters were the first to cross the Arctic to America. They were wrong — and now they need a better theory
Andrew Curry
Andrew Curry
The mastodon was old, its teeth worn to nubs. It was perfect prey for a band of hunters, wielding spears tipped with needle-sharp points made from bone. Sensing an easy target, they closed in for the kill.
Almost 14,000 years later, there is no way to tell how many hits it took to bring the beast to the ground near the coast of present-day Washington state. But at least one struck home, plunging through hide, fat and flesh to lodge in the mastodon's rib. The hunter who thrust the spear on that long-ago day didn't just bring down the mastodon; he also helped to kill off the reigning theory of how people got to the Americas.
For most of the past 50 years, archaeologists thought they knew how humans arrived in the New World. The story starts around the end of the last ice age, when sea levels were lower and big-game hunters living in eastern Siberia followed their prey across the Bering land bridge and into Alaska. As the ice caps in Canada receded and opened up a path southward, the colonists swept across the vast unpopulated continent. Archaeologists called these presumed pioneers the Clovis culture, after distinctive stone tools that were found at sites near Clovis, New Mexico, in the 1920s and 1930s.
As caches of Clovis tools were uncovered across North America over subsequent decades, nearly all archaeologists signed on to the idea that the Clovis people were the first Americans. Any evidence of humans in the New World before the Clovis time was dismissed, sometimes harshly. That was the case with the Washington-state mastodon kill, which was first described around 30 years ago1 but then largely ignored.
Intense criticism also rained down on competing theories of how people arrived, such as the idea that early Americans might have skirted the coastline in boats, avoiding the Bering land bridge entirely. "I was once warned not to write about coastal migration in my dissertation. My adviser said I would ruin my career," says Jon Erlandson, an archaeologist at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
But findings over the past few years — and a re-examination of old ones, such as the mastodon rib — have shown conclusively that humans reached the Americas well before the Clovis people. That has sparked a surge of interest in the field, and opened it up to fresh ideas and approaches.
Geneticists and archaeologists are collaborating to piece together who came first, when they arrived, whether they travelled by boat or by foot and how they fanned out across the New World.
To test their ideas, some researchers are examining new archaeological sites and reopening old ones. Others are sifting through the DNA of modern people and unearthing the remains of those buried millennia ago in search of genetic clues. "There's a powerful meshing of the archaeology we're pulling out of the ground with genetic evidence," says Michael Waters, a geographer at Texas A&M University in College Station.
Like those original Americans, researchers are exploring new frontiers, moving into fresh intellectual territory after a long period of stasis. "Clovis has been king for 50 years, and now we have to reimagine what the peopling of the New World looked like," Erlandson says. "If it wasn't Clovis, what was it?
Overthrowing King Clovis
It took a chance finding halfway around the world to set this reappraisal in motion. In the late 1970s, Tom Dillehay, an archaeologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, uncovered the remains of a large campsite in southern Chile, close to the tip of South America (see 'Routes to a new world'). Radiocarbon dating of wood and other organic remains suggested that the site was around 14,600 years old, implying that humans made it from Alaska to Chile more than 1,000 years before the oldest known Clovis tools2. But because the remote site was so hard for most researchers to examine, it would take nearly 20 years for Dillehay to convince his collegues.
The case for pre-Clovis Americans has now gained more support, including from analyses of ancient DNA. One of the first bits of genetic evidence came from preserved faeces, or coprolites, that had been discovered in a cave in south-central Oregon by Dennis Jenkins, an archaeologist at the University of Oregon. Radiocarbon dating showed that the coprolites are between 14,300 and 14,000 years old, and DNA analysis confirmed that they are from humans3. The recovered DNA even shared genetic mutations with modern Native Americans.
Since the coprolite evidence emerged, in 2008, ancient DNA has also been used to reconstruct that long-ago mastodon hunt. Radiocarbon studies in the 1970s had suggested that the mastodon pre-dated the Clovis people, but some researchers explained that away by arguing that the animal had died in an accident. However, DNA studies last year4 showed that a fragment of bone embedded in the mastodon's rib had come from another mastodon — strong evidence that it was a spear point made by humans and not a shard that had chipped off a nearby bone in a fall.
The case against Clovis got another major boost last year, when an excavation in Texas unearthed stone tools that pre-dated Clovis-style artefacts by more than a millennium5. "We found a solid site with good context, good artefacts and solid dating," says Waters.
This slow avalanche of findings has all but buried the Clovis model — the problem now is what to replace it with. The abundant Clovis artefacts and sites discovered over the past century have set a high bar. Telling the story of the first Americans means coming up with a plausible explanation and definitive evidence to support it — a combination that researchers are struggling to achieve.
One idea they are exploring is that a small group of big-game hunters made it into the Western Hemisphere over land — but significantly earlier than previously thought. Another, more popular, theory argues that humans used boats to navigate along the coast of Siberia and across to the Americas.
There is also a controversial variant of the coastal migration model, put forward by archaeologists Dennis Stanford at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and Bruce Bradley at the University of Exeter, UK. Called the Solutrean hypothesis, it suggests that coastal migration from Asia could have been supplemented by parallel migrations across the Atlantic, bringing stone-tool technologies from present-day Spain and southern Europe to eastern North America.
DNA studies argue strongly against this hypothesis, and it gets little support from researchers. But some are hesitant to reject the idea outright, recognizing that the community was once before too conservative. "That's what happened with the Clovis paradigm," says Dillehay.
To move the field forward, researchers are using as many types of data as possible. Some key clues have emerged from studies of population genetics, in which researchers tallied the number of differences between the genomes of modern Native Americans and those of people living in Asia today. They then used estimates of DNA mutation rates as a molecular clock to time how long the diversity took to develop. That provides an estimate for when people split from ancient Asian populations and migrated to the Americas.
Judging from the limited genetic diversity of modern Native Americans, Ripan Malhi, a geneticist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and others have argued that the founding population was small, perhaps just a few thousand hardy settlers. In a study of mitochondrial DNA from modern Native American and Asian populations, Malhi and his colleagues also found hints that the first American colonists paused on their way out of Asia6, waiting out the peak of the last ice age on the exposed Bering land bridge for perhaps 5,000 years — long enough to become genetically distinct from other Asian populations. When the glaciers blocking their path into North America began to melt around 16,500 years ago, the Beringians made their way south over land or sea, passing those genetic differences on to their descendants in America.
Other researchers say that there is a major problem with relying on population genetics to answer questions about the peopling of the Americas. At least 80% of the New World's population was wiped out by disease, conflict or starvation after Europeans first arrived some five centuries ago. And the genes of many Native Americans today carry European and African markers, which confounds efforts to piece together the migration story. "If we look pre-contact, we're going to find a lot more indigenous diversity," says Malhi.
That means going back in time, by studying ancient genomes. "You're going to see a lot of ancient-DNA studies coming out, and that's going to tell a powerful story about the first Americans," says Waters.
The chances of finding well-preserved bones from the first Americans are slim, but valuable information can be pulled from DNA samples that fall in between then and now, argues Eske Willerslev, who studies ancient DNA at the University of Copenhagen. Willerslev and his colleague Thomas Gilbert proved that point in 2010, when they extracted the first complete ancient-human genome from a 4,000-year-old hank of hair found in Greenland that had languished for decades in a museum storeroom in Copenhagen. The DNA helped to show that there had been multiple waves of migration into Greenland, and that modern Greenlanders arrived more recently7. Now, Willerslev's lab is trying to extract similar information about population movements from ancient-human remains from sites all over the Americas.
Joining forces
When paired with sequences from modern populations, ancient DNA can help to refine the calculations made by population geneticists and test the claims made by archaeologists. In 2008, Brian Kemp, now at Washington State University in Pullman, extracted mitochondrial DNA from a 10,300-year-old tooth found in On Your Knees Cave in Alaska. When he compared the DNA sequences with those from modern Native Americans, he found that the mutation rate was faster than previously thought8. The results, he says, effectively rule out the possibility that humans came to North America as early as 40,000 years ago — a date based on equivocal evidence from archaeological sites in the eastern United States. The finding also argues against the idea that people used boats before the thaw to go around the glaciers and come down the coast. Instead, the DNA evidence supports the consensus that people didn't migrate into the Americas — whether by boat or over land — until the end of the last glacial maximum, 16,500 years ago at most.
The DNA told researchers a few more things. The ancient man who died in that Alaskan cave had mitochondrial DNA most closely related to Native American groups living today along the west coast of North America. "Most of the people who descended from that type are still living near the coast," Kemp says. So the first wave of migrants probably came down the coast and then spread east from there, developing tiny variations in their DNA as they went, Kemp says.
Dennis O'Rourke, a geneticist at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, is using similar comparisons to fill in the map of ancient migrations in the New World. In the past ten years, dozens of similar studies have established a clear trend — comparisons of DNA from modern people with ancient DNA have shown that the geographic distribution of genetic groups in the Americas has been stable for millennia. "The patterns must have been established more than 4,000 years ago," he says. That helps to constrain the timing of when people spread across the continent and when they stopped migrating, he says.
In Point Barrow, Alaska, O'Rourke recently began studying human remains from a cliff-top cemetery threatened by coastal erosion, where people have been buried for the past 1,000 years. By comparing the samples from ancient Alaskans to populations from Greenland, eastern Canada and elsewhere, O'Rourke hopes to learn more about the colonization of the Arctic, an environment similar to what the first Americans would have encountered towards the end of the last ice age.
O'Rourke's collaborators are also collecting DNA samples from Inupiat people in northern Alaska. By matching up the modern and ancient DNA sequences from that region, they hope to refine the genetic clock and improve estimates for when people arrived in the Americas. Similar work is going on at a cemetery on Prince Rupert Island off northern British Columbia, where local Tsimshian people are working with archaeologists to gather ancient and modern DNA evidence.
While geneticists open up intellectual frontiers, archaeologists are searching for ways to test the migration theories in the field. Direct evidence for coastal migration will be hard to come by, because a rise in the sea level since the end of the last ice age has flooded the ancient coastlines. But researchers are turning up indirect evidence in many locations. Last year, for example, Erlandson demonstrated that humans lived on California's Channel Islands as far back as 12,200 years ago9, which shows that they must have mastered the use of boats before that time.
And at the Monte Verde site in Chile, researchers have found evidence that the ancient occupants were fans of seafood10. "Monte Verde has ten different species of seaweed at the site," Dillehay says. "Somebody was intimately familiar with seaweeds and the microhabitats where they could be found." That lends support to the idea that the earliest Americans were seafarers, he says.
Dillehay's recent findings, which came 30 years after the first excavations at Monte Verde, show that previously studied sites can become potential gold mines, says Waters. Because so many sites were either dismissed or forgotten during the 'Clovis-first' era, Waters says that "the field can really be pushed forward by going back and taking a look at sites that were put up on a shelf". He is already planning to reopen sites in Tennessee and Florida, where evidence of pre-Clovis mammoth hunting was uncovered in the 1980s and 1990s.
Geneticists and archaeologists agree that the death of the Clovis theory has injected the field with excitement and suspense. "There's a sense that there was something before Clovis," says Jenkins, whose coprolite study shook the field four years ago. "But what it was and how it led to the patterns that we see in North and South America — that's a whole new ball game."
****************************************************I have a problem with the conclusions being drawn in the article from the DNA analyses being done with our current technology, coupled with our built-in prejudices and preconceived ideas -- cultural, political, and academic. We do, indeed, live in interesting times. The DNA evidence mentioned in this article does not support carbon-dated bones of a mammoth, for instance, that was slaughtered out east some 40,000 years ago (was it in Tennessee? I don't recall exactly). According to the article below, however, when measured by our current knowledge of genetic "mutation rates", pre-Clovis people could not have arrived here before 16,500 years ago. But not too long ago it was assumed that humans had been here much much longer than that -- based on our knowledge of genetic "mutation rates." And so it goes, darlings... At best, I consider the DNA studies problematical and would tend to rely more on archaeological evidence and improved techniques now being employed to more accurately pinpoint the age of certain items. CAN THEY BOTH BE RIGHT? We definitely need a new hypothesis to try and reconcile such disparate findings between the alleged time line via DNA evidence of how long people have been here versus the alleged age of certain archaeological sites and artifacts, including slaughtered animal bones, via current improved methods and technologies for radio-carbon dating and other dating techniques.
We are still in the infancy of DNA analysis, we should hold off drawing any conclusions based upon what we think we know right now. Clovis was gospel for 50 years; now it's been relegated to a footnote but back in its heyday, people were WARNED not to challenge Clovis (see article) because to do so would be a career killer! Let's not make the same mistake of jumping to conclusions about what we think DNA may be telling us.
- Sooo, here's where we are at right now: DNA evidently is telling us that certain things probably happened a certain way; but the archaeological record suggests a much more complicated, and far older, story about people in the Americas. Just remember - so-called "Neanderthal" man used to be considered a species of "ape man" and if the thought had ever occurred to 18th and 19th and even some 20th century scientists that "Neanderthal" and so-called "modern humans" could or would ever have successfully interbred, they would probably have dismissed any such speculation as pure nonsense. They would have been DEAD WRONG, of course, as we now know.
- What will DNA studies be telling us 50 years from now?


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Cycle to Work Day: ten reasons you should get on your bike
A lot of us only go to work because we like cycling there. September 4 is National Cycle to Work Day and if you aren't already doing it, here are ten reasons you should get on your bike.
1. Cycling to work is a great way of sneaking exercise into your daily routine. You get to avoid the gym (and people who go to the gym).
2. You can legitimately eat a second breakfast.
3. You can have a disco at your desk. Get in the stationary cupboard with your bike lights. Use the rear ones for a sexier red light vibe.
4. You can use the word 'lube' freely.
5 . You can help bring back slap bands. Remember slap bands? Cyclists are all about them. They stop your chain eating your trousers.
6. You get to hang out in the bike shed. Did you even know your work had one? It's where all the cool kids smoke. Probably.
7. You have an excuse for a bad hair day. Helmets, cycling caps, or just wind blown, it's great to have an excuse to not care about your hair.
8. Avoid the commuter crush. Until we've had our third coffee it's probably best we don't come into contact with anyone let alone everyone. By cycling you don't have to deal with people on the tube sneezing on you, putting their armpit in your face, and nobody likes giving all their money to the Oyster.
9. You can do a full on transformation. Go from Superman to Clark Kent (Lycra to suit) and back again all in one day if you're that way inclined. Wear whatever you can pack into a pannier or backpack.
10. You get to see more of this beautiful crazy city.
Cycle to Work Day, September 4. For more details and to pledge your miles, head to cycletoworkday.org.
By Jude Brosnan

subset: commoncrawl


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It's been another good year for 'new species' ticked off (or, more accurately, added to) my life-lists. Most have been, as usual, noted in foreign parts, during our holidays. Starting with plant life, in Lanzarote, we saw Agave attenuata and 'Filao Trees', Crassula ovata, Echium bonnetii, Euphorbia balsamifera, Heliotropium erosum, Kleinia neriifolia and Launaea arborescens among many others. Madeira was also good for 'new species of plants most notably Calico Flower (Aristolochia elegans) and Mountan Ebony (Bauhinia variegata). The fluffy Kapok Trees were also a first for me. The fabulously red flowers of Erythrina crista-galli were note-worthy too.
Our Trip to The Algarve proved to be good for invertebrate ticks too with Red-winged Grasshoppers, Bath White Butterflies and Crimson-speckled Moths to add to the list.
Capping them all however, who can forget the 'Greater-Spotted, Pain-Enduring, Brave-Faced and very rare species known in these parts as Malcolm and his plaster....
Happy New Year.


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When I was eight-years-old, I remember attending the Bunker Hill Elementary School Fall Fun Festival. I would save every ticket for the stuffed animal game so I could have every possible chance to win the biggest toy. While I was getting my face painted, I remember my mom, dressed as a clown, running around through the event to make sure it was perfect for all the families and children that attended. Everyone waited all year for this activity and I always admired my mom for being the organizer because my friends all thanked me for her doing it. I guess from that moment I knew I was destined to be a PTA mom, too. I was always so proud of her for the many hours she dedicated to my school, and I wanted to be that kind of mom when I grew up. To this day, the best compliment I can receive is being compared to her.
Now that I'm a mom of a 10-year-old girl, I realize how important it is to be involved in our children's education from the moment they step into kindergarten. My first experience with the PTA was attending one of the first meetings at the school because there was going to be a discussion about improving the playground. I was immediately interested and volunteered to be in charge of the project. I was fortunate to secure a $17,000 grant through the West Virginia legislature, and we were able to pave a ¼ mile track as well as a new basketball court. We took out old, unsafe playground equipment as well as installed new equipment from multiple fundraisers sponsored by the PTA in previous years. PTA officers painted fun games on the new court as well as painted existing equipment, and purchased new playground mulch for safety. After a full summer of preparing our new playground, I organized our first ever "Welcome Back to School" event with over 500 people attending. It was a wonderful experience to see how happy the children were from the hard work of our PTA, and I was inspired to do even more because I saw what a group of devoted parents could do.
Over the next few years, I was able to secure a $5,500 library grant to improve our school library, and the following year I secured a $12,000 grant to construct an Outdoor Science and Nature Center through requests from the West Virginia legislature. When my daughter Elizabeth asked me what the difference was between a deciduous and conifer tree, because she was having trouble memorizing the answer from the science book, I took her outside to see it for herself. I realized then how important it was for our children to experience education through hands-on learning and it sparked the idea for the Center. This is how many extraordinary things have evolved for our children, from parents willing to take an idea and devote the time necessary to make it happen.
With the help of many PTA volunteers, we installed a large green house, water garden with fish, bridge, butterfly garden, weather station, sundial, archaeology digging area for fossils and minerals, tree stumps for counting the rings, benches for an outdoor classroom and reading area, and over 60 different plants, shrubs and trees. We also incorporated West Virginia significance by including our state animal, tree, bird, and flower. A large brick walkway runs throughout the center that includes engraved pavers with messages from parents and staff.
During these years of volunteering, I have learned that parental involvement in our schools is the key to our children's success. National PTA believes that family engagement in education is critical for ensuring our children's academic achievement, graduation from high school, and overall success in their life. I am proud to be a part of this initiative on behalf of the National PTA through creating a variety of after-school activities such as Family Fit and Safety Night, Grandparent Appreciation Night, Multicultural Night, and incorporating activities during the school day such as Take a Veteran to School Day and organizing a new Watch DOGS program this past year at Mill Creek Intermediate School. I've seen firsthand the positive outcome these activities provide for families. Each year at our Berkeley County Council PTA Spring Banquet I quote our National PTA co-founder, Alice McLellan Birney, who in 1897 said "What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must be what PTA wants for all children." My passion is serving children and this inspiring statement drives me to ensure our students have the best possible experience in education.
Janelle Sperry has been recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change for her work in the PTA.


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VOS IZ NEIAS: (Yiddish: "What's News")
The Voice of the New York Orthodox Jewish Community. Today's Neias is Tomorrows News. If you don't see it here, it's not Neias.Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Lakewood, NJ - Police Release Sketch of Lakewood Attack Suspect.
Lakewood, NJ - Police have released a composite sketch of the man being sought in the attack on a third-grade Orthodox school teacher Tuesday night.The investigation into the attack of Mordechai Moskowitz, 53, of Lakewood, is being conducted by Lakewood Police Detectives Greg Staffordsmith and Steve Wexler,
along with Investigator Carlos Trujillo-Tovar from the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Police are asking the public to call if they have any information or saw anything out of the ordinary about 8 p.m. Tuesday on Princeton Avenue, Isnardi said.Anyone with information is asked to call the Lakewood Police Detective Bureau at (732) 363-0200 and ask for Wexler at ext. 5344 or Staffordsmith ext. 5341. [app]
posted by Shlomah Shamos @ 10/10/2007 07:45:00 PM
Lakewood police investigate baseball bat attack on Orthodox man
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/10/07-BY MARGARET F. BONAFIDE Post Comment
LAKEWOOD — Police are investigating what prompted an apparent unprovoked baseball bat attack which critically injured an Orthodox resident about 8 p.m. Tuesday, said Detective Lt. Joseph Isnardi.
Police Officer Summer Cunliffe responded to the call Tuesday and found a man in his 50s bleeding profusely from the head, in what was an apparent beating with a baseball bat, Isnardi said. The attack happened on Princeton Avenue, between 12th and Carey streets.
Police found a bloodied baseball bat at the scene and it has been taken into evidence, Isnardi said.Isnardi said the man's identity is not being released because he has family members who have not been notified of the attack and he is in critical condition at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Hatzollah and Lakewood First Aid responded with paramedics and transported the victim to the trauma unit.Police established a crime scene and Detectives Steve Wexler and Greg StaffordSmith investigated the incident.
Police are asking the public to call if they have any information or saw anything out of the ordinary about that time on Princeton Avenue, Isnardi said."We don't have anything,'' Isnardi said. "The guy was just walking down the street with no hint of a robbery or anything. It is unexplained at this point.''Anyone with any information should call the Lakewood Police Detective Bureau and ask for Wexler or StaffordSmith at (732) 363-0200.


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Tonight Jeff and I decided to get in a hill repeat workout. We warmed up for 2 miles and then started the hill repeats we sprinted last week. We run up the 250 meter hill (under 6 min. per mile pace) and then jog back down. We did this 6 times. Cool down by jogging home 1/2 a mile.
Lets not pretend like this was really any fun or felt good. In fact, it hurt and there was a lot of other things I would rather be doing. But we got it in and it will only make us faster. I'm looking forward to taking tomorrow off.


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Glitter makes a girl go crazy! I love using glitter in my rings and other projects I tackle. I will be working on some sets for the first time. Matching ring, bracelet, and maybe earrings. I will be donating a couple sets to different auctions, and I'm really excited about the project! I will however have to tone down the colors and amount of glitter I use, while attempting to appeal to the auction audience. Wish me luck! I will post pics, soon!!
Now I will be on my way to the kitchen to start stage 1 of some rings and 1 trial bracelet. Don't worry, I have a separate marble top counter where I do all of my resin casting, I also make sure to have the window open to ensure lots of ventilation. Remember...just because you don't necessarily smell the resin, does not mean that it's not there. I have to remind myself of that too. I also have to remind myself to always protect all surfaces I am working on. If the resin spills...it really spills! I does not come out of clothing!! I know from experience! Just take the extra step to cover everything and put on an apron or old t-shirt.
Resin Chica


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It's that time of year again.
Time for me to be completely overwhelmed by the schedule of events packed into the annual PEN World Voices Festival in New York City (with a stop in my beloved Cambridge, Massachusetts).
Many of the events are free. If you have a minute (or a hundred), take a look.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature
Posted by Erika D.
Labels: Literary Events
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"Are we right Mr. B?"
"Undoubtedly we are Mr. D."
"Well that's that settled then."
"Indeed. End of."
Yep. Everyone else is just wrong.
"Are we right Mr. B?"
"Undoubtedly we are Mr. D."
"Well that's that settled then."
"Indeed. End of."
Cutting, or Cunting?
If cunts could fly, those two would be squadron leaders.
I love being loathed and disdained by your lot. It makes me happy. Keep it up.
"My lot"?
You give me a lot more credit than I deserve JD. I have no "lot".
The truth of it is, for all that you can be a thought-provoking and interesting blogger at times, your irritating egotism and obsessive wittering about things that no-one gives a flying fuck about are blatantly obvious to anyone who reads your blog.
You're as egotistical as Old Holborn, you're as much of a drama queen as Old Holborn, but you lack his gumption and his ability to get people to feed his ego.
Perhaps that's why you hate him so much.
That meant to say 'you lot', sorry, typo.
Obo, you are incorrect. There are no jealousy or projection issues. I genuinely think he is bad news for libertarianism and what he advances is a perverted, hoodwinking brand of freedom and liberty. Nothing good can come of his politics or campaigning.
Why is it wrong for me to write about that? No-one else does. Can it not be said that I at least give air to a legitimate position?
I don't care for love, attention or readership. My readership could shrink to a trickle, it bothers me not at all.
I am fully aware of how much my 'witterings' on this subject cause me to become the target for mass derision and disdain. I carry on, because I think what I say needs to be said, and I don't give a shit.
I don't want to be OH and I don't give a fuck what anyone thinks.
Thanks for the positive points though.
"My readership could shrink to a trickle, it bothers me not at all."
I think Obo nailed it.
I caught you before the country club fiasco (fiasco for you). Your stuff was interesting, but your signal to ego ratio has continuously declined.
You're with Guido in the 'best days are behind them category'. With him, I just read the stories and skip the comments. I don't often even remember to do that with your site any more.
You need professional psychiatric help (probably not for the first time)
"My readership could shrink to a trickle, it bothers me not at all."
Oooh, meee-OW! :o)


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Call your U.S. Senators fast: Just say no to Joe!
According to President Trump, he is close to naming a new FBI head. According to MSNBC, former Senator Joseph Isadore Lieberman is the frontrunner for replacing James Comey as head of the FBI. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
In general, I implore you, read the Joe Lieberman's wiki and the wiki on his positions. He takes the anti-liberal position on everything from net neutrality to freedom from religion. And, as FBI Director, his policies cannot help influence him, but he will not be subject to even as much accountability (or visibility) as he had when a Senator. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Next, for the love of all that's good and decent, let's not forget the elections of 2008 and the ACA. In the Democratic primary of 2008, Senator Barack Hussein Obama campaigned against Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on a strong public option and no individual mandate. On December 7, 2007, Democratic Senator Lieberman endorsed in the primary....Republican Senator John Sidney McCain! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Then, Senators Obama and Joseph Robinette Biden campaigned against Senator McCain and Governor Sarah Louise Palin, whose health care plan may be summarized as "The law obligates the Emergency Room to treat you," a heath care plan guaranteed to result in needless deaths. Much of the left supported Obama-Biden strongly, with volunteer efforts and many, many donations. Joe Lieberman, however, campaigned for the Republican ticket! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Please, please let this seep in slowly: The man had been gifted with the Vice Presidential nomination of the Democratic Party in 2000 and had sought the Democratic Presidential nomination for himself in 2004. In 2006, Democrats, including Obama and Clinton, campaigned for him so hard during the primary that they burned Ned Lamont, an anti-war centrist, badly. Not only that, but, although they endorsed their own party's nominee in the general (duh), they did not campaign for Lamont as they had for Lieberman. The Republican Party totally abandoned their nominee, with a number of Republican politicians endorsing Lieberman. Yadda, yadda, Lieberman won that election as an indie.
Mind, you, ingrate Lieberman did not merely endorse McCain Palin. He accompanied them on the campaign trail and he stumped for them. Not only that, but on June 5, 2008, Lieberman had launched "Citizens for McCain," hosted on the McCain campaign website, to recruit Democratic support for John McCain's candidacy, emphasizing outreach to supporters of Hillary Clinton. (Remember PUMAs?) And why did Quisling Lieberman do all that? To sell Democrats and other Americans out to his pal, the biggest war monger in the US government and to put Palin, competent only at grifting, a heartbeat away from the Oval Office. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
For that betrayal alone, Democratic Senators should have dropped Lieberman on his pointed head, but they didn't. Being the fifty-first person in the Democratic Senate Caucus with Cheney as tiebreaker, Joe had the Democratic Senate Caucus by the throat. They did take away one Committee Chair from him, but left him with the Chair he prized, Homeland Security. But, wait--there's more.
For years, Democrats have claimed that Joe Lieberman was THE reason why America could not have a strong public option. Some of us were told that this was because Joe represented Connecticut, a state that is home to the corporate headquarters of many insurance companies. While putting the health of insurance companies above the health of people would be would be crappy enough, at least it was arguably helping the economy of the state he represented, not the economy of the Lieberman household, right? Well, let's check another wiki--that of Joe's second wife, Hadassah Lieberman:
She was a research analyst at Lehman Brothers, a director of Policy, Planning, and Communications at Pfizer, and a senior program officer at the National Research Council. She worked on health issues, assisting nonprofit organizations, improving educational standards, and promoting international understanding. She has served on several national nonprofit councils and boards. Lieberman continues to be vocal on many issues, which includes improving women's health, reducing hurdles faced by immigrants, and the challenge of caring for aging parents.....
She worked for the lobbying company APCO Associates, which serves many pharmaceutical and health care corporations, as well as four major drug companies. In March 2005, Lieberman was hired by Hill & Knowlton as "senior counselor" in the firm's "health care and pharmaceuticals practice". Her work with the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries led to controversy over her involvement with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.
Hmmm. I wonder where his four children work. Anyway...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Do I believe Joe Lieberman was the sole reason we did not get a strong public option, as promised? Of course not. However, that was the story Democrats floated and they stuck to it, so we need to make sure they are now stuck with it. Do I believe they will listen to us if we object to Lieberman? I don't know. They might. Usually, I consider contacting them a Quixotic waste of time. However, no one is going to donate to them because they confirm Lieberman, so they are unlikely to have a monetary incentive to ignore us. And he did betray Democrats, which is no doubt why Republicans call him (gag) "a national treasure."
In any event, I do firmly believe that it's very important to let Senators, especially Democratic Senators, know we are watching them and we don't have collective amnesia about the ACA. For those reasons, I ask you to please call them. Since a decision is expected soon, emails may not get read in time (if at all). Contact information for U.S. Senators is here: https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm D.C. numbers are given. However, if you click on your Senator's name, you should get to contact numbers within your own state.
Thank you.
Joe has got to go... away
Fighting for democratic principles,... well, since forever
Far, far away.
Joe Lieberman = A shanda.
Alpha Centauri isn't far enough away!
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
@TheOtherMaven Can we send Hillary
I have about had it with this disgustingly fake "resistance."
The part of John Edwards could easily be played by a burnt out light bulb.
The issue is patriotism. You've got to get back to your planet and stop the Commies. All it takes is a few good men.
Morire de cara sol.
--Jose Marti
I understand Trump's consideration of Lieberman.
All the competent people are too smart to accept that position.
Generally, I don't have much sympathy for the Feebs but damn Sam, they deserve better than this.
Life is strong. I'm weak, but Life is strong.
Sounds like a trial balloon.
Like when they were 'considering' Bolton for SoS.
I'd be very surprised if Trump picks a Hillbot neocon for FBI chief, especially after he just got rid of one.
"Friends don't let friends Russiagate." - Caitlin Johnstone
Fair enough.
Far be it from me to discourage a bit of Leiberbashing.
Not like he doesn't have it coming.
"Friends don't let friends Russiagate." - Caitlin Johnstone
Joe will never forgive the bloggers.
He remembers.
Now he's about to get the power to investigate online activity in the name of fighting crime.
He strikes me as the kind of guy who has a list of names. And a list of names from other people who he owes favors to.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Once a Loserman
Always a loserman.
Plus, at approx. 75, he's too old for such an important job (see Insidious Meme/Bernie Sanders).
from a reasonably stable genius.
Senate Dems reject Lieberman for FBI Director
President Donald Trump may be dramatically miscalculating how much support Sen. Joe Lieberman would have among his former Democratic colleagues if nominated to become FBI director.
Some Senate Democrats hold a grudge against Lieberman for his rightward turn and opposition to some of President Barack Obama's agenda late in his Senate career. Others say even though they respect Lieberman, the job of FBI director should not go to a former politician. And all Democratic senators interviewed for this story said the former Connecticut senator lacks the kind of experience needed for the post.
@karl pearson Interesting. So Lieberman
Interesting. So Lieberman was such an asshole there's still people who hold a grudge, even now.
The part of John Edwards could easily be played by a burnt out light bulb.
The issue is patriotism. You've got to get back to your planet and stop the Commies. All it takes is a few good men.
Morire de cara sol.
--Jose Marti
Could Trump deal with Joe's disloyalty
that has been demonstrated on the public stage?
How can Trump trust a guy like that? We should email the White House and warn him about working with such a Benedict Arnold.
Trump Keeps Unearthing These Sociopath Dinosaurs
for appointments -- just when we thought we'd never hear from these fuckheads ever again. People voted for Trump as the Lesser Of Two Assholes. I'm now thinking it's hard to imagine even Crooked Hellery being this bad. Although she would be horrific in her own ways.
Donnie The #ShitHole Douchebag. Fake President. Real Asshole.
Joe has ties to Israel, so of course he should run part of our
secret police.
We have no rule of law around here anyway--if a wealthy or powerful person needs to get around the law, it's basically arranged for them--so why do we even have an FBI?
The CIA has been fucking around with domestic matters since 1983 at least, and we've invented the Department of Homeland Security to ride herd on our dissidents. Just eliminate the FBI and re-route the money to those other agencies.
The part of John Edwards could easily be played by a burnt out light bulb.
The issue is patriotism. You've got to get back to your planet and stop the Commies. All it takes is a few good men.
Morire de cara sol.
--Jose Marti
Does anyone know when those lines blurred?
I used to understand that the FBI was limited to domestic matters, the CIA to foreign matters and the National Guard was designed to stay here and protect our borders.
Next thing I knew, the FBI was involved with black sites overseas, the CIA has always ignored all the rules and the National Guard was shipping off to Iraq during W's reign.
Was there something formally done to blur these lines or were my assumptions wrong?
@gustogirl Your assumptions weren
Your assumptions weren't wrong. IMO, these lines got blurred during Bush's reign. In other words, when the velvet coup was finalized and we moved definitively from being a corrupt republic to being a police state defending an international oligarchy.
The part of John Edwards could easily be played by a burnt out light bulb.
The issue is patriotism. You've got to get back to your planet and stop the Commies. All it takes is a few good men.
Morire de cara sol.
--Jose Marti
@HenryAWallace Phlegmy bloviation
Phlegmy bloviation about Homeland Security on the floor of the Senate?
That is his qualification, yes.
The part of John Edwards could easily be played by a burnt out light bulb.
The issue is patriotism. You've got to get back to your planet and stop the Commies. All it takes is a few good men.
Morire de cara sol.
--Jose Marti
@HenryAWallace Perhaps rather than
Perhaps rather than "Israel" I should have said "AIPAC and the Likkudniks here and abroad that support it."
The part of John Edwards could easily be played by a burnt out light bulb.
The issue is patriotism. You've got to get back to your planet and stop the Commies. All it takes is a few good men.
Morire de cara sol.
--Jose Marti
Don't panic, this is the Rethugs...
They're much less likely to scream Antisemitism if you don't like their candidate.
They're much more likely to just ignore you if you complain.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
on Leiberman, words fail
It's just "ugh" and "yech" that comes to mind. Also he has proved that he's totally unqualified.


text:
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Easter Card
Craftin Dessert Diva's Ribbon link party
Terrific Tuesday challenge Birds of a feathers
11 comments:
How fabulous! I love that little Easter chick! It's one of my favorite cuts on that cartridge. Thanks so much for playing with us this week at Craftin Desert Divas Ribbon Linky Party. Hope to see you again soon :)ReplyDelete
michelle (Craftin Desert Divas DT)
Purple Monkey Moments
Sweet! Nice job, Ana!ReplyDelete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
Super cute chicks! Thanks for joining us over at Scrappy Moms! DT Member Carri~AbusybeeReplyDelete
So super cute! Thanks so much for joining us for the Terrific Tuesday Challenge at Scrappy Moms!ReplyDelete
Stacey~ Scrappy Moms DT member
They are darling. Thanks for submitting them for the Scrappy Moms Stamps Terrific Tuesday "For the Birds" Challenge.ReplyDelete
TTFN~Scrappy Moms DT Member Debby
These two cards are adorable Ana! I love them! Hugs, BrendaReplyDelete
This is so darling! Thank you for joining the Scrappy Mom's Challenge! Julie Scrappy Mom's DT MemberReplyDelete
Both of you chickie cards are absolutely adorable! Thank you for playing along with us at Scrappy Moms Stamps! :)ReplyDelete
- Mel
Both are super sweet. Thanks so much for joining us at Craftin Desert Divas.ReplyDelete
Both are super sweet. Thanks so much for joining us at Craftin Desert Divas.ReplyDelete


text:
History - Law - International
1 Introduction
Necessary to distinguish the concept of international law and practice of international law as a written document and / or theory. These differences sometimes lead to problems that could lead to a debate that never stopped heptinya. On the one hand, international law governs the relationship between the subject of the law to ensure a sense of justice, security, and order was on the other side as a reality in practice that so many violations committed by law subject interriasional so perceived by certain legal subjects as a condition full of injustice , insecurity, and disorder. This condition invites the question, how the development of international law and the time until the contemporary era. The following is a description of a chronological history of international law and its arguments in the practice of relations between nations.
2 - History of International Law.
In describing the historical development of international law since the fall of Rome until the fifteenth century by western writers, very rare uncovering the role of scientists and Islamic kingdoms when it reaches the height of glory. In general, in describing the historical development of international law in the medieval period, they only reveal figures from Western Europe, after the developments in these countries Greece, the Roman Empire, and Jews, just the characters who are considered pioneers of international law in the country Western nations, such as St. Thomas Aquinas (1226-1274), De Vitoria (1486-1516) and Suarez (1548-1617). In fact, at the time of kingdoms and Muslim scientists also took part in the build up to the international law never reaches the height of glory in the seventh century to the thirteenth century, while Europe is still in darkness and backwardness.
In the seventh and eighth centuries AD, Islamic resurgence sweeping the world. In the heyday negaraAbasyiyah, Muawiyah, and were ruled by Ottoman Muslims have managed to extend its power to Sicily, Southern Italy, France and Spain and some other European mainland. However, there is a misperception that he'd never expressed by historians about the leadership of the Arab Muslim who is considered to have attacked the Catholic world, especially in the expansion of the region to mainland Europe. It should be clarified that if any operation conquest, in fact it is a personal initiative, does not reflect the overall foreign policy.
Not much was revealed about the contribution of Islam in the practice of international law in the past, especially pads heyday of Islamic countries, apparently because of lack of publicity mainly by Muslim historians. Hamed A. Rabie (1981), a man who wrote "Islam and International Forces" suggests that any significant events that occur until the end of the third century Hijrah - including the period of Harun al-Rashid - have no place at all and found no evidence that demonstrate an understanding and perception the idea of ??forming a political Islamic leadership. He also questioned whether it makes sense to have an empire so vast region does not have any political concepts to the nature and aspects of interaction with the outside world? He cited an article that is not less important titled "Themes of Islamic Civilization" (The themes of Islamic Civilization) written by Alden Williams apparently left all aspects related to the perception of Islam to the outside world. Furthermore, Hamed A. Rabie recognizes that issues of international law in Islam has not been the object of study until now. According to him, there are two phenomena that require attention:
First, a common phenomenon works of Western writings on the history of international law in the Middle Ages in a manner never forget the role played by Islamic civilization in fostering the tradition of international law. At this time, the concept of general international law is a Jewish concept. Catholicism and Islam does not have its own perception.
Second, when investigated writings having Islamic, present or past, there is no earnest attention to the outside world. Indeed, in Islamic countries long ago many scholars of political Islam that has produced great works, such as:
1) Al Farabi of Transoxania (now, Turkemania), who lives pads 260-339 870-950 H or M, a philosopher and politician famous for his theory of "Madinatu'l Fadilah" which translates to the State President (Model State).
2) Ibn Sina (known as Avicenna in the West writing) and Belch (now Afghanistan), lived pads 370-428 980-1037 H or equal to M, a doctor politician, known for his theory of "Siyasatu` rrajul "which translates to the State Socialists ( Socialistic State).
3) Imam Al Ghazali of Thus, Persia (now Iran), who lived 450-505 or 1058-1111 H, a Sufi-politician. He is famous for his theory of "siyasat ul Akhlaq famous" State called Moral (Ethical State).
4) Ibn Rusjd (in writing dikenalAverroes west) of Cordova, Andalusia (now Spain), who lived at 520-595 H or equal to 1126-1198 AD, a judge-politician, known for his theory of "Ahkam Al Jumhuriyah wa'I ", which is also popularly called" The State of Democracy "(Democtratic State).
5) Ibn Kaldun of Tunis (now Tunisia), who lived at 732-808 H or equal to 1332-1406 AD, a sociologist ¬ politician famous for his theory of "Al Ashabiyah wa'1 ¬ Igtidad" more popular with the "State Commonwealth "(Welfare State).
The most popular theory that has to do with the topic / study of the five theory of international law is "Madinatu'1 Fadilah" written by Al-Farabi. In the book Al Farabi divides levels of human society in the form of the country's top three levels as follows.:
a. We're the Sugra (Small Communities National or State)
b. We're the Wusta (Central Community or Regional Fellowship)
c. We're the Uzma (State Great Society or International)
However, Al-Farabi not specifically explain the concept of the three levels of the state structure. He only mentions the term for a perfect society and recognized the city had the right to menj adi-called "Medina We're the guys".
Starting from the idea A.Rabie Hamed, it seems there is an error in presenting the history of international law, whether intentional or not. As an illustration, among the scientists and western writers and students in the field of international legal studies it is known that St. Thomas Aquinas (1226 ¬ 1274) considered to have made an outline (basic principles) for the State of the World. Even in the book "Indonesian and international relations" by Sumarsono Mestoko (1985) noted that St. Thomas Aquinas was a pioneer in international relations and law. And if history reveals, it turns out St. Thomas Aquinas was a faithful disciple of Al Farabi and followers in Aristotelianism that called by Al Farabi. Thus, it is not surprising that the theory of the world put forward by experts is then derived from the ideology We're the 'Uzma Al Farabi.
As a philosopher-politician Muslims, Al Farabi certainly developed his theory based on the teachings of Islam in the Qur'an. In the Bible has been put forward five principles of living within the international community, namely:
1) On the origin of human events from events long (Cre ¬ ation of mankind from the same couple) stated in Surah An Nisa verse 1 and verse 13 Surah Al Hujarat.
2) The whole of humanity is a single race (Mankind is one community) stated in Surah Al Baqarah verse 213 and Surah Yunus verse 20.
3) Islam calls for all mankind (Islam's universal call) are described in Surah Yusuf verse 104, Sura takwir verse 27, Surah Saba As verse 28 and Surah Al Anbiya verse 107.
4) On the skin and language differences (Difference of color and language) described in Surah Ar Rum verse 22 and verse 13 Surah Al Hujarat.
5) Command tolerant life (Toleration par excellence) described in Surah Al Baqarah verse 62 and Surah Al Maida verse 69.
3 - Intergovernmental Relations Modern Period
The birth of the modem preceded by a movement of Re ¬ Naissance (Enlightenment) that occurred in Europe and ending the medieval period (Middle Ages). Renaissance period considered as well as the transition from the dark mass in Europe (the Dark Ages) to the modern nation-state era, exploration, and beginning in the commercial field. Renaissance also called the European revival movement that occurred in the 14th century, and reached its peak pads the 15th century and 16th century AD. After the emergence of any bare thinking, the law of nations is mostly done through the state rather than through individuals. Kings of Europe are no longer subject to the authority of the Church. Re-. Naissance has really change the usual order of life in the Middle Ages.
The emergence of modern states characterized by the formation of large countries with the principle of sovereignty (Sovereighnty) which states that a ruler in one area of ??the country has sovereignty and absolute power in the region and or country. Thus the nation and other countries should be mutually menghornati existence and integrity of the nation and other countries. The birth of modem nations began a peace treaty Westphalia (1648), the events that ended the war for thirty years in Europe. State ¬ European countries at that time began to set foot on another continent, Asia, Africa, and even America, and gained the colonies / colonial.
Development of international law in the 16th century, 17, and 18, theoretically dominated by western scientists mainly from Spain, Holland and Italy. Gentilis Alberico, a law degree from Italy published a book entitled De Jure Belli Libri Tres (1958) greatly influenced the subsequent authors ideas. Hugo de Groot (1583 ¬ 1645) or also known by the name of Grotius, a Dutch jurist of international modem for successfully writing a book entitled De Jure and De Jure Belli Praedae Ac Pacis (1625). In addition, it is also argued Mare Liberium conception (conception of the high seas). In the UK, international experts hold that the law that wing posi ¬ tivist named Zouche (1590-1660), while the other is Puffendorf (1632-1694), an homage to the laws of nature .. In other words, future modem interstate relations is characterized by a number of authors born law and international relations.
4 - Nineteenth Century and the Age of Twenty (Super State Stage)
The development of international law of the nineteenth century pads changed when compared with conditions during the parla modem. According to Holsti (1983), the most prominent of the development of the pads of the nineteenth century was marked by the rise of nationalism of any nation-state, the technology of war and ideological conflict.
If in the previous century, many statesmen and kings who exchange a stream region simply by strategic considerations and economic criteria, then in the nineteenth century, many nationalist leaders who argued that the legal basis for determining a political organization (the state) are an ethnic group or groups clear language and therefore the state should be based on nationalistic grounds. Due to the influence of this nationalist doctrine, then comes the nationalist movements in Europe .. Various nationalist insurgency. occurs in a number of countries, such as Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Sweden-Norway. Further result of the nationalist movement is the use of the time by the government or heads of state to mobilize the people to conduct diplomacy and war. Whereas before, the government had difficulty moving his people in order to garner national power.
In the field of technology, nation states in the nineteenth century progressed rapidly in the field of technology, including the technology of war. Progress in nuclear weapons system is the most revolutionary contribution of science and technology to the war. As a result, the number of casualties of any war mengalarni increased very dramatically. Meanwhile, the background of armed conflict also influenced by a conflict of different ideologies, such as the emergence of the doctrine of Nazism, Communism, and Liberal Democracy.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, there were two Peace Conferences at The Hague (Netherlands) respectively in 1899 and 1907. This conference is a milestone of the conception of the world socially and aspire or perform preventive war. However, it finally happened World War 1 (1914-1918), so it seems to have thwarted the results of the two conferences. At the end of World War 1, the world succeeded in establishing the League of Nations (LBB), which aims to prevent the recurrence of a war that has resulted in many casualties. However, even this attempt proved a failure, ie since 1933 when Japan invaded Manchuria and Italy invaded Ethiopia which culminates in World War 2, which erupted in 1939 until 1945.
System of international law in the twentieth century is also referred to as the contemporary global system. The contrast of the legal system is characterized by the growing importance of the position of the international organization that was born of the interstate agreement. According to Holsti (1983), there are some things that distinguishes the contemporary international system with the European system of the past century: (1) increasing the number of types of states, (2) the destructive potential of the countries that have nuclear weapons, (3 ) growing external threats including subversion, economic influence and military conquest, (4) increasing importance of non-state actors, such as national liberation movements, multinational corporations, international interest groups and political parties that transcend national boundaries, (5 ) prominent position has been achieved by the three non-European countries, is the Soviet Union (now Russia), China, and the United States.
Non-state actors can include interasional organizations, international organizations, regional and multinational movement. Such actors may include: Peserikatan Nation ¬ Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, the Arab League, NATO, ASEAN, EEC, and so on.


text:
Why I Will Never, Ever, EVER Get a Tattoo
Would I have to start planning outfits around the tattoo like I plan for weather?
Frequent readers are probably aware I have been having a pretty terrible January. Monday morning it got worse, when I arrived home from the grocery store around 10am to see water pouring energetically out of my building -- right through our condo.
Once upstairs, I found water pouring energetically inside our home as well, and moved with lightning reflexes to get containers under everything and minimize any damage.
Those of you who live in cold climates can probably guess what happened -- a frozen pipe had burst on an upper floor, sending a cataract of water coursing through multiple condos, our bedroom included.
When I first moved to New England, I developed an almost immediate fear of house fires. Such things are not tremendously common where I grew up in South Florida, as houses down there tend to be spaced farther apart and are usually made of concrete to stand up to hurricanes.
It was only after I started watching New England news that I realized it seemed like incredibly poor judgment to make houses out of wood, which is, like, super flammable. And also to have houses more than 30 years old, period. THEY BURN DOWN, guys. It's incredibly scary and tragic!
Of course, that fear quickly fell into the background when I saw my first burst-frozen-pipe flood. WATER is the real enemy, friends. I have spent literal years fearing a flood of my own, and here it has finally happened -- which is a useful and needed point to my psyche that my worrying about something I can't control does not make the worrisome thing not happen.
If I could prevent catastrophe simply by feeling overwhelmingly anxious of the unknown possibilities, I would be the least catastrophic person you know. Unfortunately, this does not work.
But returning to the specific catastrophe at hand -- both before and after the supply to the offending pipe was turned off, I spent several hours collecting water, watching as the damage spread across my ceiling, periodically thinking, "If it doesn't get any worse than this, it won't really be that bad!"
It is both a blessing and a curse that I am a fucked up optimist in even the most obvious situations -- if you were hanging out with me during the zombie apocalypse I'd be the jerk always going, "Well they can't ALL turn into zombies, right? Like the zombie virus has to get tired sometime! Right, guys? Hey let's go for an unarmed walk in a shopping mall!"
So I kept believing it wouldn't get worse. Except it kept getting worse. You can't reason with water. You can't, like, ask it nicely to stop flowing and shit. Water doesn't give a fuck about you.
At the height of my flood, I had 17 active drip sites and was grateful for my extensive collection of pots and pans and unusually large plastic storage containers. In time the drips all stopped, and I saw no significant loss to our actual stuff -- whether this was due to quick thinking (or whatever you'd call my kneejerk reaction to literally scoop up everything on the leakier side of the room and heave it into massive piles on the less-leaky side) or dumb luck I can't say.
But we still had to dry out.
And this is where our story takes a turn.
When you have standing water after a flood, the first step is to extract the water -- to literally suck it up (or hire a professional, if you're not personally up to the task) and get it the fuck out of your house. This happened in the units above me, but not in mine, as for all the pouring and flowing and cataracting that went on, I managed to keep the majority of the water in my many many containers and off the carpet, which was barely damp. A+ for me, protecting the shit carpeting I hate and would love to replace! Go, Lesley! Way to think ahead!
Therefore, most of my water was/is trapped in the ceiling and one wall. How do we deal with this water business, to avert the invasion of mold, which will no doubt choke my lungs and possibly put me out of my protracted misery? We deal with it with FANS.
Because, no, Lesley, you can't die yet, the universe has many more joys in store for you!
The emergency flood dudes were on site quick as a bunny soaked with disintegrating plaster and drywall. They came in and checked out my unit, led by the very kind and knowledgeable Moisture Guy, who had some magical infrared gadgets that enabled him to see water inside the walls and ceiling, like fucking Superman.
"Seven fans," Moisture Guy said. "And a dehumidifier."
The fans came in. The fans are loud. I mean, I know white noise, and I consider white noise to be a dear friend in many circumstances, especially when traveling. But this is more than just white noise. This is spectral jackhammers pounding in my earballs (with apologies to Cheryl Tunt).
This is horror movie creepy-whispered-voices-inside-the-TV-static times a million. This is a wall of noise closing in on me no matter where in my home I try to retreat.
And I not only live here, I also work from home. It's... not going well.
Like I started looking into whether near-continuous exposure to roughly 75 decibels (I downloaded a decibel-measuring app!) of white noise for 72 hours (so far) could have any weird effects. I know I am feeling very tense that I can't hear the normal house sounds I'm used to, so every time I think I hear something (which happens every 90 seconds or so) I am jumping up to investigate the source.
I have also noticed that my startle response is WAAAAAY out of proportion, like when my husband surprised me by walking behind me in the bathroom this morning and for a split second I was ready to take a swing at him.
Here's a quote from a random eHow article possibly written by someone with no formal expertise in this area whatsoever:
Unlike Mozart and Bach music of 60 beats per minute, white noise emitted by machines may actually degrade the brain's performance from high alertness producing 8 to 13 Hz alpha waves to lower quality 14 to 20 Hz beta brain waves. This will reduce concentration, mental lucidity and therefore the productivity and quality of life.
IS THAT TRUE? I don't fucking know! Does this article seem lucid to you?
Here's some more points to ponder from the slightly more respectable Scientific American:
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ambient noise also affects people's health by increasing general stress levels and aggravating stress-related conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary disease, peptic ulcers and migraine headaches. Continued exposure does not lead to habituation; in fact, the effects worsen.
Several studies have indicated that stress resulting from ongoing white noise can induce the release of cortisol, a hormone that helps to restore homeostasis in the body after a bad experience. Excess cortisol impairs function in the prefrontal cortex—an emotional learning center that helps to regulate "executive" functions such as planning, reasoning and impulse control. Some recent evidence indicates that the prefrontal cortex also stores short-term memories. Changes to this region, therefore, may disrupt a person's capacity to think clearly and to retain information.
OK, I couldn't actually read all of that but I bet it's informative. Also it says something about cortisol, which is the thing those old late-night diet quackery infomercials used to blame for making people be fat! IS THIS WHITE NOISE GOING TO MAKE ME FATTER? OR JUST INSANE? Or will my FAT go insane independently of the rest of my body? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.
I have tried earplugs. Last night I attempted to sleep in our bedroom -- the very vortex of the tornado -- because my prior night on our couch was so uncomfortable. With the squishy silicone earplugs (the same ones Courteney Cox recommended right here on xoJane a million years ago -- also WHY DO I REMEMBER THAT?) the sound was not so bad, but what I didn't expect was that between the fans and the dehumidifier it was like sleeping in a freaking desert -- impossibly hot for January (actually, it was 105F at this morning's check), and so outrageously dry that I found myself waking up every couple hours just to drink a glass of water. It is essentially like being inside a clothes dryer.
And even with that effort, I still woke up this morning feeling like a desicated corpse. Also there was the issue with not hearing my alarm, because I have giant earplugs in and also THE ROOM IS FILLED WITH AUDITORY COTTON BALLS GROWING AND EXPANDING AND PRESSING INTO EVERY CORNER AND CRANNY OH MY GOD HELP IT'S LIKE BEING EATEN BY AN ENORMOUS AND EVIL STUFFED CARNIVAL TOY SAVE MEEEE.
Moisture Guy, who is super nice and who now visits me every day, like I am an inmate in some asylum for the auditorily insane, says the fan-assisted drying is progressing nicely. But today he also said part of the bedroom ceiling, which hasn't dried quickly enough, may have to come down -- and sooner rather than later, in order to prevent the growth of mold. So while I protected the carpet I hate, I may lose the ceiling with which I have no beef whatsoever, and of which until now I have thought rather fondly.
I am hoping we can leave the ceiling alone. I am talking to it in a supportive manner and encouraging it to let go of its moisture and embrace the dryness within. I don't think I can handle any more loss this month.
Of course, we're very lucky the damage wasn't more severe. It all could have been so much worse -- my CLOTHES might have been hurt. And I am trying to take this experience as a valuable lesson in the unavoidable truth that there are events in this life that I cannot control, that sometimes, shit just happens and I have to roll with it. I'm working on rolling with it. I think the rolling might go easier if I didn't feel as though all the fan noise was slowly dismantling whatever fragile sense of sanity I may have cultivated over the past decade or so -- but I am still rolling.
Which brings me to the present, where I am writing 1,700 words about the noise in my condo and my possible impending psychotic break and I can't leave because I'm waiting for the mold people to come assess the likelihood of my ceiling to grow into respiratory death fungus and my life has begun to look like some cruel possibly-Soviet-era psychological experiment.
So, yeah. How is your week going? And OH SHIT WHAT WAS THAT NOISE? I SWEAR I HEARD SOMETHING. I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
Follow Lesley's flood saga (and all the other ridiculous things she does) on the Twitters: @52stations


text:
Rhododendron Garden at Zig Zag, Oregon
Josephine Wylie Drips
The Wy'East Garden Club's Rhododendron Test Garden at Zig Zag, Oregon is now a husky 2-year old. It has survived heavy snows and near-zero temperatures, the most severe this area only 45 miles from Portland has known in twenty years! Up to now casualties have been minor-a few broken branches from snow. However, as this is written, quite a few rhododendrons are still buried under an unseasonable March snow; we can only hope they will come through as well as heretofore. We have had two excellent summers for growth. Our underground sprinkling system took care of any lack of rain; last year sprinkler heads were raised to keep up with the growing plants.
There are now 209 rhododendrons in the garden, not including the old native plantings of R. californicum . The plantings are arranged in three major groups in an area of approximately two acres. This area adjoins the Zig Zag Ranger Station at the western entrance to the Mt. Hood National Forest. Fifteen-foot paths separate the groups. Group 1 (along the highway) and Group 3 are planted among well established evergreen and deciduous trees. Group 2, in the central area, has newly-planted western larch, dogwood, oak, and cedar which in time will give background and some protection to the rhododendrons. There is a beautiful 25-year old sequoia, "Big Tree," at the base of this group.
An up-to-date inventory of rhododendrons in the Garden includes 59 named hybrids. 24 hybrids whose names we hope to establish when they bloom, 2 azaleodendrons, 21 new hybrid crosses (planted in 1954) and 11 species rhododendrons.
All but two of the 59 named hybrids bloomed this past season, and a record of blooming time was kept in 1953 and '54. The garden shows very little bloom before May time; R. praecox , R. yunnanense (which frosted a little last year), R. 'Rosa Mundi', R. 'Rosamund Millais', R. 'Blue Tit' and species R. intricatum are the only ones that have bloomed ahead of May 1. Actual elevation of the Garden is 1,425 feet and blooming time averages three to four weeks later than the Portland area.
Rhododendrons in Group 1 include: 'Loder's White', 'Gill's Crimson', 'Dr. Stocker', Plant Pat. # 113, 'White Pearl', 'Earl of Athlone', 'Pink Pearl', 'Mrs. Charles Pearson', 'Betty Wormald', 'Countess of Athlone', 'Cynthia', 'Lady Clementine Mitford', fortunei , 'Chev. Felix de Sauvage', 'Tally Ho', 'Alice', 'Lord Roberts', 'R. F. D. Godman', 'Lady Bligh', 'Beauty of Littleworth', 'Brittania', 'Princess Elizabeth', 'Faggeters Favorite', 'Unknown Warrior'.
Rhododendrons in Group 2 are: 'Praecox', 'Fabia', 'Broughtonii', 'Cynthia', 'Azor', 'Sappho', 'Duchess of York', 'Unique', 'Fastuosum Fore Plenum', 'Lady Primrose', 'Lee's Dark Purple', 'Purpureum', 'Fortnight', 'Blue Peter', and several unknowns.
Group 3 (central planting) includes: 'Michael Waterer', 'White Pearl' and 'Pink Pearl', decorum , 'Mrs. E. C. Stirling', 'Rosa Mundi', 'Belleanum', 'Cynthia', 'Rosamund Millais', ponticum , 'Princess Juliana', 'Scipio', 'Mrs. W. C. Slocock', 'Dr. O. Blok', 'Mrs. G. W. Leak', and 'Blue Tit'. Also planted as a group in this area are 30 new hybrids obtained in 1954 from Lackamas Gardens. These crosses are: 'Moser's Maroon' X griersonianum , williamsianum X thomsonii, orbiculare X williamsianum concinnum, macrophyllum X annuum, 'Kewir' X thomsonii , Noblea-Griersonianum; maximum X griersonianum ; 'Moser's Maroon' X 'Tally Ho'; 'Temple Bells' X williamsianum ; 'Fabia' X 'Tally Ho'; 'Romany Chi' X 'Tally Ho; 'Tally Ho' X 'Azor', diaprepes X fortunei, croceum X wardii, diaprepes X croceum, 'Purple Splendor' X 'Tally Ho', campylocarpum X wardii, and decorum X 'Fabia'.
Up to the present time all of the work in the garden-planting, cultivating, fertilizing, spraying, watering -has been done by members and members husbands. Now our major problem is providing adequate care and upkeep. So we have decided to hire a part-time gardener for the 1955 season. Work should be done this year to bring the plants into a system of continuous border cultivation: and more extensive mulching will also be done. There is plenty of room for further plantings of rhododendrons in the Garden, but for the present we will concentrate on care of the very fine plants we already have.
Also we expect to have a sign in place which has been ready for a year, so that visitors will be properly directed. Major highway changes last year have put us a little farther off the highway, which is all to the good. Also we will have the fine new markers that were a gift to the Test Garden, so that people can readily note names without hunting for the obscure markers.
Any report on our Garden would not be complete without an acknowledgment of help from outside our Garden Club membership from people who have given valuable materials, plants and otherwise; and valuable helps and advice: Mr. C. I. Sersanous, Mrs. Ruth M. Hansen, Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Esch, Dr. Wm. M. Grashorn, J. B. Whalley, B. F. Lancaster, John Lake, and Mr. and Mrs. Christ Kochlin.


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New Team Announced
Our Design Team takes everyday products and turns them into innovative store samples. We're excited to announce who will make up our new Team! It was a difficult decision, as there were quite a few entries this time. We made our decision based on several factors, including which styles would work together to create a diverse team. We appreciate all of those who entered, and encourage you to keep up the good work! You may even see others who entered appear as guest designers throughout the year.
Drumroll, please... The 2009 DT will be:
Staci Compher
Kim Galea
Beckie Thompson
Michelle Leaf-Racelis
Congratulations! We look foward to a year of creativity with you!
also finished my "C" for my abc art journal...the word was clearly


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Analysis: Missouri may shed duties to save money - KMOV.com
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Analysis: Missouri may shed duties to save money
Friday, March 13, 2015 7:49 PM EDT
Friday, March 13, 2015 7:49 PM EDT
By KMOV Web Producer
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Maintenance workers at the Missouri Capitol and police in St. Louis may have something new in common. Both could be freed from direct state oversight under proposals receiving fresh consideration from lawmakers because of their potential cost savings.
Legislation granting the city of St. Louis control over its police department -- and ending the oversight of a state board -- has languished in the Legislature for several years. But the newly highlighted potential for state savings helped propel the legislation to first-round House approval this past week.
Money also was the main motivator as a Senate committee heard testimony last week on the possibility of privatizing the maintenance and operation of state buildings. The proposal not only would shed employees from the state payroll but also could cut help cut into a backlog of maintenance projects estimated by a legislative panel to reach nearly $1 billion.
Neither the police legislation nor the building maintenance plan is a lock to become law. But the mere fact they are gaining some traction illustrates the extent to which several consecutive years of budget constraints has reshaped debate in the Missouri Capitol.
"It's showing at least you have some legislators that are being willing to think outside the box, or go back to previous ideas and look at them in a different light, to get through a current budget situation where they realize the budget gap is growing every year," said Will Miller, an assistant professor of political science at Southeast Missouri State University.
Legislation to grant St. Louis control over its police department was defeated by the House 86-63 last year. This year, it received initial approval 123-34 and needs only a second House ratification to advance to the Senate.
Part of the reason for the dramatic reversal may be the addition of 78 House members as a result of term limits, retirements and electoral defeats. But House leaders also point to new concerns over state finances.
Since 2005, the state's legal expense fund has paid about $10 million in claims for St. Louis and Kansas City police, because both are overseen by state boards. The way the fund is set up, the state could continue to pay up to $1 million annually in legal expenses for each of the St. Louis and Kansas City police.
But the financial stakes were raised considerably this year when St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay suggested the city might invoke a 1982 Missouri Supreme Court ruling to seek $98 million in state aid for its police force.
In that case, the Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision that the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners was a state agency and thus -- under the terms of the 1980 Hancock Amendment to the state constitution -- could not require the city to spend more on its police department than it did during the 1980-1981 fiscal year. If the police board sought anything more than that, it would have to turn to the state for the money, the court said.
That decision has been largely ignored in recent years, as St. Louis has funded the budget for its police force. But to make a point about the need for local control, Slay is now threatening to stick the state with the tab. The St. Louis police budget was around $66 million in 1980. Now it's about $164 million -- a gap of $98 million that St. Louis could try to extract from the state.
Lawmakers, who already face a difficult task in crafting a balanced budget, aren't eager to add to their financial strain.
"The taxpayers of the state of Missouri have a $90 million millstone hanging around their neck that could be called in at any time" by St. Louis, said Rep. John Diehl, R-Town and Country. "I think that did cause a lot of members to have pause. Whatever they may think about the governance issue in the city, the little mini-arguments aren't worth saddling the taxpayers of the whole state with the liability."
The House endorsement of the St. Louis police legislation came just one day after the Senate Governmental Accountability Committee heard testimony about the potential of privatizing the maintenance and operation of state buildings.
Officials from Johnson Controls outlined a potential arrangement in which a private consortium -- including companies such as itself -- would reach a long-term contract to take over the management of state buildings. Banking on a steady stream of state money, the private consortium could issue bonds to get cash up front that could be used address part of the backlog of needed repairs to state buildings.
A report issued last month by the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements and Leases Oversight estimated it could cost Missouri nearly $1 billion to carry out almost 26,000 maintenance and repair projects. Some of these repairs are being made with existing money. But that total did not include every single state facility. And new problems are assured to crop up.
"Our buildings are crumbling across the state," said Sen. Jim Lembke, R-St. Louis County, who is chairman of the accountability committee. As for the privatization proposal, he said: "It's interesting. It's something for us to dig into further."
If lawmakers determine there are savings by shedding the maintaining duties, the privatization plan could start to pick up momentum just as the St. Louis police legislation has done.
EDITOR'S NOTE -- David A. Lieb has covered state government and politics for The Associated Press since 1995.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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BloodyElbow has exclusive details on what now is becoming more than just speculation. Michael Rome of BE has the scoop.
First, I can say with 100% certainty that there are current negotiations for Randy Couture to return in November to main event, and that the current proposed opponent is Brock Lesnar. They can't get Fedor, too many issues to work out on short notice, and he has a US-only non compete with Affliction.
This will be a new contract, not a return to the old one. It will likely pay him more and give him more benefits, but it will lock him into the UFC for the long term. In exchange for signing it Zuffa would drop all breach of contract charges.
Its not just Rome either, Dave Meltzer has started confirming things on f4wonline.com
A source close to Randy Couture has confirmed today that Couture is in negotiations with UFC for a new three-fight deal which would end the nearly nine month legal battle between the two sides.
If the deal is closed, and the source said they are hoping to conclude negotiations and announce the match sometime within the next week, Couture would face Brock Lesnar on 11/15, most likely in Portland, Oregon.
Couture was said to be hoping that if everything went well, the next two fights could involve Fedor, Nogueira, and/or Chuck Liddell. However, all previous hangups involving Emelianenko and UFC remain.
In addition Ariel Helwani at MMARated is reporting that an announcement by the UFC may be made on Tuesday and the UFC is considering a Fedor fight after the Lesnar match-up.
Believe it or not, the UFC is also considering a proposal from M-1 Global to co-promote a Randy Couture vs. Fedor Emelianenko bout following the Lesnar fight in November. The third proposed fight would be a bout against either current interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira or Chuck Liddell - depending on where both fighters are in their respective careers. However, given the nature of the fight game and the fighters involved, it's hard to predict what will happen that far in advance.


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Flying may not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price.
The quote is from Amelia Earhart.
Southwest lived up to my expectations. There were no delays or snags, and the staff was flawlessly efficient in helping my mother with the wheelchair at every stop. The flight crew had a refreshingly edgy attitude, too. There was an impromptu song and dance routine on the flyway and Captain Mike came into the cabin for quick trivia game. "Why is the sky blue?" he asked us. "How many wings does an airplane have? Don't think the obvious answer." As she finished the mandatory safety announcement, the flight attendant quipped, "For those of you not paying attention, good luck to you." Another flight attendant teased his partner, who was demonstrating the safety vest, saying, "If he can figure it out, you can figure it out." All in all, things went very well.
My sister volunteers at the Tucson Wildlife Center and gave us a fascinating tour.
Here are some photos from the Tohono Chul garden in Tucson. It was well worth the visit.
Finally, the folks at the Pittsburgh Airport have their priorities straight. Next to a statue of George Washington is Franco Harris making The Immaculate Reception. All's right with the world!


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It has been a LONG cold Ohio winter. Years have passed without having this much snow, ice and cold so mother nature sure socked it to us this year. I don't remember what sunlight looks like *sigh*. The power has gone on and off for the past month due to ice storms and go figure, wind storms too! You'd think by the sounds of it, I lived near Lake Erie but the truth is I live nowhere even close to deal with lake effect weather. Needing a break from this lovely weather, my mother and I will soon be leaving to board our cruise ship to sunshine. Yup, bye bye Ohio, hello Carribean! I can not WAIT to sink my feet in the sand and soak up some of that sun as we enjoy some yumppy tropical drinks with nothing better to do than waste the day swimming and shopping. As long as I remember to take my sea sick pills, we'll be all set:) So, no tulle, no tutus, no nothing for days! I can't even call my kids, at nearly $10 per minute, I think I'll use email instead! It's my birthday present from mom and I plan on enjoying it as it's a celebration of me turning 30. Funny thing is, I turned 30 last year and she is just now getting around to celebrating a week before I turn 31 hahaha. If going on vacatin becomes the way to turn 30, I'll be 3o every year!
Before I leave, I've been busy putting up some new tutu designs and working on getting all of my orders sent out in the mail. I've so enjoyed each of my customers that I won't know what to do not being able to talk to them and well everyone else! Be sure to stop by the store as my free headband giveaway will be ending soon!


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As a society we need readily available information to address our concerns that become raised when we learn about emergencies and situations such as terrorist attacks. Yesterday morning our levels of concern were raised and we needed further information to ensure we could understand the evolving situation in London. But, when we turned on our televisions the only captioned information available in the breakfast news programmes on any New Zealand.
The New Zealand Olympic team delivered amazing results in Rio. (https://www.captionitnz.co.nz/thank-you-for-captioning-rio-2016-summer-olympics-able/ ). Many New Zealanders are keen to follow our Paralympians too. The Games start on September 7 till 18 September. We wish the NZ Paralympic team every success in Rio. The daily hour long highlights show, will have captioning (TVOne, 9.30pm http://tvnz.co.nz/tvnz-corporate-comms/ready-rio-most-extensive-free-air-broadcast-coverage-paralympic-games-its-way-6461268). TVNZ will broadcast more than 180 hours of Paralympic sport. The majority will be shown on TVNZ's.
Wow, what an amazing Olympics New Zealand has had. 18 medals for New Zealand and free to air TV coverage with captioning! The New Zealand Captioning Working Group would like to thank the team at Able who have worked so hard to bring the caption access to our TV screens. New equipment funded by The National Foundation for the Deaf was installed at Able to enable near live captions for.
This means that thousands of Deaf & hard of hearing people will be able to enjoy the games and be able to watch like every hearing person. When I found out that there was going to be captioning at the games I got very excited. I will be able to watch the Olympics with my family and my school friends. I need to make a lot of cupcakes to help.
"One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others By the time I finish my song?" TV1, TV2, TV3, BRAVO "Did you guess which thing was not like the others? Did you guess which thing just doesn't belong? If you guessed this one is not like the others," BRAVO "Then you're absolutely…right!" When.
Are you getting excited about one of the greatest sporting events on earth? Recently TVNZ OneNews ran a story about new captioning technology that will help make the Olympic Games TV coverage in New Zealand more accessible for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing. You can watch the video here (captioned). or read a summary here. Want to know more? Q – When will the details of what will be.
"Just the matter of a few $$$$ to raise…." New Zealand is a great sporting nation and the hype is building for the Rio Olympics. We're getting pretty excited about the potential for captioned TV coverage too! The Captioning Working Group have launched a $200,000 NZD fundraising campaign to pay for live captioning on some of the free-to-air Prime TV coverage. Able, NZ's not-for-profit captioning provider, will be providing live.
The Philippines! Senate Bill 2239 passed its third reading on May 23, 2016. It requires 'franchise holders or operators of television stations and producers of television programs to broadcast or present their programs with closed caption option, and for other purposes". Senator Bam Aquino's Facebook page released the news: GOOD NEWS! Senate approves SB 2239, a bill requiring all franchise holders or operators of television stations and producers of television.
The Government's position is to encourage captioning by Broadcasters with the expectation that improvements in captioning will come through improving technology. In line with this belief, no additional funds were allocated for broadcast captioning in Budget 2016. However, sadly, encouragement alone is not enough. Encouraging Broadcasters to caption leaves New Zealanders without captions on many News & current affairs programmes on free to air television from 11pm until 12noon the.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day http://bitly.com/CaptionitNZPetition Imagine, if you will, a life without the ability to fully understand what is being said on television, in videos, on the telephone Today members of the New Zealand Captioning Working Group will submit a petition with more than 2,300 signatures asking "That the House of Representatives legislate to ensure accesssibility via closed captioning for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and other New Zealanders who need.


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"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph 3:17
Pain ebbs and flows. Emotions vacillate between hope and discouragement. Time marches on, with no respect for the days that are lost.
Small accomplishments, doing the morning dishes, shaping a loaf of bread, bending down to turn on a hose, become mighty.
Plans made, lists made up then set aside, there won't be any chores done today, not when you can't get up or use your hands. That baby blanket you've been meaning to crochet has been on hold for months, it's almost too late now.
Others pass by the window, talking, laughing, spur rowels making metallic noise along the odd stones on the driveway. The sound of hooves stepping in a trailer, a motor roars to life and you are left behind again. There won't be anymore trips to the desert or out on the range. A tear escapes and tastes salty on my tongue. Were there really ever better days? Did I really used to ride, run, laugh, play? I am not the person I had dreamed I would be now. This was not even on my radar.
Tiny setbacks take my breath away, there is only so much I can handle. One more sick animal, one more challenge, one more difficulty, one more demand...it's enough to send me into flight mode, but I can no longer flee.
Painfully easing myself down I hear His voice beckoning. I pick up His word and His promises remain. Peace flows over me like water and I am reminded He cares and is in complete control. He has His reasons and I don't need to understand, just to be, in His presence. Recently someone brought up the point to me that He sings. The Bible says He rejoices over me, with singing. We won't just be singing to Him, but we sing WITH Him. All things are with Him, if we just stop to look and listen.
The pain begins to flare and in my minds eye I can see Him, hands nailed to rough wood, arms dislocated, body beaten to a shredded pulp. On a cross His broken form stares down at me in love and says "Join me. I will carry the load, you only need know a little of the price I paid for you, to understand my love". Pain is diminished and purpose is born.
Gratitude takes up residence in my heart once again and I am changed by His words.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path." Psalm 119:105


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Lot of 23 - 1935 & 1957 $1.00 Silver Certificates + STAR NOTE + No Reserve!
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This is a lot of 23 (TWENTY-THREE) $1 Silver Certificates. Fourteen are dated 1957-ONE is a STAR NOTE- with serial number *77011491A. The remaining 9 notes are dated 1935. These notes are ALL circulated pieces. Some of these have problems like wear and folds. As always, YOU set the price as bidding opens at $0.01 with NO RESERVE. Check out our feedback and . Winning bidder pays $1.93 shipping. Combine winning bids to save on postage -- we will combine shipping on multiple lots and will do so on your invoice which gets sent after all of our auctions have ended for the day. We ship within the US only. NOTE- PA residents will need to pay 6% sales tax on this item. Unless stated otherwise in this auction we offer a 14 day return policy -- NO questions asked but Coins MUST be in the Original Unopened Holder. THANKS for looking and


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Waving to her fans
Not sure who these two guys are...fans would be my guess
I know that I say Thank you alot to everyone who has been apart of us but, it seems that I can't say it enough especially when so many people take the time to make this all possible. My good friend Ted, who makes my day everyday by him posting all the things that I send him and by him adding his good humor. I love you guys and thank you from the bottom of my heart. These pictures,comments, and blog are little Iggy's diary. He may not understand what he has here and I don't even think he has looked at his own blog. He's a very modest kid and well grounded individual. I just wish he would take a look at it. Anyways, God bless and thank you all.
Daddy Iggy or Biggy for Big Iggy ha ha
I also forgot to mention that we at Iggy racing don't just think about ourselves we like to share everything with our friends and also share their glory.
God bless and don't forget to give God the glory and honor.
Daddy Iggy


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|How did they know Amber was coming?
Awww. Vacation in Kona. A tropical paradise. Amber is probably just lounging on the beach sipping adult beverages with fancy straws. OR she is training her butt off!
Since she's been there she already has ridden over 100 miles, run nearly a half marathon and swam several miles. Granted she's in a tropical paradise but she probably feels more like a hot tamale(and probably resembles one) than a tourist.
Here are some pictures that she has been able to take while training:
I know it's still a couple weeks away, but I don't think it hurts sends your positive vibes to her early:)
Up Next: KONAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! October 11th


text: The entire range of the developmental processes in plants is regulated by a shift in the hormonal concentration, tissue sensitivity and their interaction with the factors operating around them. Out of the recognized hormones, attention has largely been focused on five - Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid and Ethylene. However, the information about the most recent group of phytohormone (Brassinosteroids) has been incorporated in this book. This volume includes a selection of newly written, integrated, illustrated reviews describing our knowledge of Brassinosteroids and aims to describe them at the present time. Various chapters incorporate both theoretical and practical aspects and may serve as baseline information for future researches through which significant developments are possible. This book will be useful to the students, teachers and researchers, both in universities and research institutes, especially in relation to biological and agricultural sciences.