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Legal Status
Document Details
Published Document
Take notice that on May 14, 2001, Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (Gulf South) tendered for filing as part of its FERC Gas Tariff, Sixth Revised Volume No. 1, the following tariff sheets, to become effective March 1, 2001:
Substitute First Revised Sheet No. 100
Substitute First Revised Sheet No. 300
Substitute First Revised Sheet No. 400
Substitute First Revised Sheet No. 500
Substitute First Revised Sheet No. 603
Second Sub Original Sheet No. 1416
Second Sub Original Sheet No. 2902
Second Sub Original Sheet No. 2903
In its Order on Compliance filing and Rehearing, issued April 27, 2001, in Docket No. RP01-225, the Commission required Gulf South to refile certain aspects of its open tap and open season tariff provisions, consistent with its directives. This compliance filing incorporates the required changes to the appropriate tariff sheets.
Any person desiring to protest said filing should file a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with section 385.211 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations. All such protests must be filed in accordance with section 154.210 of the Commission's Regulations. Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceedings. Copies of this filing are on file with the Commission and are available for public inspection in the Public Reference Room. This filing may be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm (call 202-208-2222 for assistance). Comments, protests and interventions maybe filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site at http://www.ferc.fed.us/efi/doorbell.htm.Start Signature
David P. Boergers,
[FR Doc. 01-12959 Filed 5-22-01; 8:45 am]


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The unwanted effects included increased pulse rate, nervousness and headaches. The following list includes the major symptoms of asthma: wheezing, coughing which worsens at night, and rapid or shallow breathing. Find out which asthma treatments works to overcome asthma. This story starts when I is at college whereby the faculty professor, a physical education instructor, desired to see the fat content in the body. Asthma is tough to diagnose in babies but many times it can be an inherited condition which makes diagnosing easier.
I recognized this when I was diagnosed being a diabetic. Difficulties with breathing are unfortunately something that is present in certain people. CFC is one from the main ingredients in albuterol inhalers that relieve the consequences of asthma. Meanwhile, you can shake your inhaler while you happen to be doing this so that it is possible to wait another minute before doing another puff. What the triggers are and what medications I should take.
Since the pharmacist can only refill medications according for your doctor's orders, it is your responsibility to plan ahead for authorization of new refills before you decide to run out. Inhaled asthma medication has few risk factors or unwanted side effects for infants. It is crucial that you clearly understand how to utilize the peak flow meter and also the action plan. These medications are utilized when through an asthma attack. Next thing my doctor suggested was that individuals try Symbicort4, which is a combination of inhaled steroids with an anti-inflammatory.
Since my bronchial tubes were already damaged, lung disease emerge; namely COPD. Having lots of fruits, greens and juices is important but fried food-stuffs, ice-creams, etc. I may have more information on other types of respiratory medication next time. Relaxation might be provided with normalcy inside the muscles which have contracted and airways that are infected. Breathing training is advised by general practitioners to individuals experiencing asthma.
That is going to become awesome, I am really excited for that. Such a condition is incredibly tragic and because a great deal of pain making the individual carves for every breath he takes. Also, two from the new inhalers contain ethanol, which some religions usually do not allow. Of course you can also use comprehensive professional reflexology treatments, that will ease the attack immediately, which will help prevent recurrent attacks within the future. Now a lot of people like to tap the inhaler a little, so the pill sits perfectly.

subset: commoncrawl


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LOST IN MONTANA, and loving it!
Glacier National Park
More Favorite Places!
More Montana Places
Monday, July 7, 2014
Isn't it wonderful? We finally have summer, sunshine, warm air, even hot, all welcome here! Until the first official day of summer we were still cool, gray, and rainy. I am SO thankful for the change!
I have a birthday card to share today, another box card. I love these, so much fun to make!
I used a variety of things besides things I cut on my Cameo for this because I'm trying to use my stash as often as possible this summer. So a punch out that is more than 10 years old (oops!) and stickers and cardboard shapes and everything I could find.
One thing I have noticed about other box cards is that while I like to stuff mine full, many are much less stuffed. And easier to mail, for sure! But I still like the way this turned out.
Now, one more thing! We spent the week of July 4 in Glacier Park. One of the highlights for the group (my husband, our daughter and 3 friends, and a close friend from here in Sunburst) was to ride the Zip Lines at Big Mountain Ski Resort near Whitefish, Montana. This is a series of 7 zip lines with hikes in between, so you had better be sure you want to do this! They had a blast, so I hope I can post the video here to share! No, I didn't go. I'm not fond of heights, but I will consider it next time now that I've seen how it works.
Doesn't that look like fun? Well, that or lunacy, depending on your point of view!
Hope your July will be relaxing and truly summer!
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Sue Kimmet
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Sunday, June 1, 2014
Good Bye and Good Luck Box Card
School is out for the summer, hurray! I'm suspicious that I am as excited as any of my students are... We had a great school year but summer is always lovely. I have a day or two of special ed. paperwork to complete, cleaning up files, making sure my i's are dotted and my t's are crossed. This school district will be monitored by the state for compliance in September and I am planning to pass, or die trying. Always tricky!
Anyway, in spite of that, I have been having fun with Box Cards. They fascinate me, so many different ways to decorate them. I needed a good-bye card from the staff in my building to a teacher who is leaving the district and this is what I came up with:
As you might guess, the person leaving is an FCS (Home Ec.) teacher, hence the cookies, rolling pin, and other kitchen goodies. She loved the card. Here's a picture of the outside where the rest of us signed:
I was impressed with the amount of room to sign, more than I had expected. Often on a "normal" card we have to squash our comments together, so this is nice. I think it will make a nice momento also, if she wants to keep it.
Thank you for looking. It's more fun when I can share my creations.
Happy Summer!
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Sue Kimmet
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Friday, April 11, 2014
Baby Card
Hi. I have been playing around with my Cameo again. I am totally in love with that machine. I always have fun with it. The only problem I have with it is that no matter how much time I spend with it, it always takes more time to complete the card away from the machine. I want it to be the other way around!
Anyway, here's my card:
Isn't that sweet? I do not know where I got the file, but I will be using it again as soon as I need another. It was fun to make and very quick.
Thanks for visiting me.
Happy Spring!
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Sue Kimmet
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Sunday, April 6, 2014
Winners, winners!
Hello! Long time no see. I have a card I made for a man's birthday to show you. I'll do that first, then I have a totally non-crafty brag to share, about the school district here where I live.
First, the card:
I just love this chef! He's so proud of that little cupcake, makes me laugh. The digi is called Special Delivery, by Di's Digi Downloads. And the base card was cut on my CAMEO with a file from Lori Whitlock. I put a blue liner behind it to add color to a very simple card.
I have non-crafty news today, just something that is too exciting not to share. If you are interested only in crafting, well, I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave me now. I plan to be back to crafting more very soon!
I have talked before about this very small town where I live, Sunburst, Montana. Our population here is about 350, and has been in a steady decline for a long time now. I know it is hard to imagine how a town that small can even exist, and I have to tell you that in many ways Sunburst isn't doing very well. Our only restaurant closed about a year ago, we haven't had a real gas station in at least 15 years, and our only grocery store will be closing at the end of this month. (I could really cry about that!) But in some ways Sunburst is thriving, and I think this will show you why. It's the people who live here and in the surrounding area who keep the town going. They are awesome in the way they support each other. So here is the best example I know of how a community keeps itself together in spite of all the odds.
Some of you may remember that I wrote about a beloved teacher (speech therapist) being killed last May in an accident on the highway just outside of town. That accident was caused by blowing alkali (a common substance that leaches out of the ground in many places) that caused white-out conditions just like a blizzard, and led to a 15 car pile-up, a very unusual circumstance on a piece of broad flat freeway. It was an awful thing and made a huge impact of the students in town since many of them had that teacher for speech services for several years.
In the fall one of the junior high teachers read about the Solve For Tomorrow science contest being held by Samsung that provided 2 tablet computers to the school for getting to a certain point with a student project. She proposed to the 8th graders she was working with that they should investigate possible solutions to the blowing alkali problem and the kids took that idea and ran with it. Now, you need to understand that this 8th grade class has only 5 students in it. That is much smaller than the average class size here, probably about 15. (Yes, if you want an individualized education, this is the place to be...) So what they accomplished is truly amazing.
These kids worked until January on their project, coming up with several possible solutions that they felt were worth looking at. Their teacher enlisted the help of the other 2 middle school teachers and they turned their project into a presentation. The kids made relief maps, presentation boards, graphs, slide shows and with a teacher's help, a video. The video was sent off to Samsung and was chosen as a finalist in the first round. Wow, were we impressed. They received a award of technology for the school and everyone in town cheered for them.
Their project went from there to the second and third rounds. Samsung planned to fly 1 teacher and 2 students to Austin, Texas for Round 3. The school and the community got together and raised the money to send the other 2 teachers and 3 students along also. They were gone 3 days, the trip of their lives for several students who had never been out of state before. The team was chosen as the first to present and the 5 kids went onstage to explain their project. Our team came home tired and happy, but thinking they were done with the contest. After all, the other schools were huge compared to ours and their teams had been together for many months longer than ours, some had been working together for several years on their projects, and their teams consisted of students who were seen as gifted and talented. Our team, being the entire class, covered the spectrum from gifted to perfectly normal. We were all very proud and happy they had this experience.
There were two ways to win at this level. The first was to be chosen a finalist for the presentation in Austin. The second was a sort of "people's choice" award. We were asked to vote for our team every day for several weeks. We did, and we used Facebook and other media to spread the work. Soon Sunburst alumni, who are spread all around the country and even overseas, joined in. One thing about this town is that people are not ashamed to have come from here. There have been doctors, lawyers, researchers, oilmen, all kinds of people who have moved on from here. There are even Sunburst days get-togethers in places like Tuscon and Seattle. If I hadn't lived here and seen it happening, I probably wouldn't have understood or even believed the effect that Sunburst has had on people.
To make a long story reach its end a little more quickly, I will tell you that yesterday the middle school was surprised to learn that they have received one of the final awards, based on their performance along with the results of the people's choice votes. They had received 5566 votes! Amazing... The students have won a trip to Washington, D.C. and for the school, $140,000 in technology.
Sunburst has a long, proud tradition of being tops in anything related to science. Through the years our high school students have taken too many awards to count including top honors at the International Science Fair that is held every year. The teacher who led the program for over 40 years is retired, but was replaced by a much younger teacher who has continued to lead students to prize after prize. This is the first time a younger group has ever done anything quite like this.
I have a friend who moved here about 8 years ago from Connecticut. She tells of bursting into tears when she first saw the town. Now, she hates the thought that they may have to move again. The people here really are special. Aren't I lucky to live in a town like this?
If you would like to watch the students' short video presentation, here is the link:
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, Sunburst presentation
If you stuck with me all the way through this, thank you. I just had to share this amazing story with everyone.
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Sue Kimmet
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Low turnout expected in primary electionPosted: Updated:
Fewer than expected mailed ballots have been returned to Pima County and that has prompted authorities to lower their estimates of turnout in Tuesday's primary election.
Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez says, "Traditionally vote-by-mail ballots always had a return rate of between 80% and 90% of ballots mailed," but she said the return rate is much lower for this election.
She says one factor could be "voter apathy" after all the "negative commercial messages" that have aired.
Rodriguez said, "There are excellent candidates running for elective office this political season with various politcal persuasion and voters should participate."
Rodriguez says there are still 83,000 ballots out there that were mailed to registered voters in Pima County. She urged people holding those ballots to fill them out today and drop them off at their polling place tomorrow. She warned people not to mail the ballots as they will arrive too late to be counted.
Another issue could be polls show key races likely already decided. In the race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, polls six months ago showed a close race between incumbent John McCain and challenger J.D. Hayworth, but a barrage of campaign commercials by McCain against Hayworth has now given McCain a comfortable lead.
In the race for the Republican nomination for Governor, polls in late 2009 showed Jan Brewer would have a tough time getting her party's nomination for a full term, but ever since she signed the controversial SB1070 into law, her poll numbers have shot up and all but one of her opponents have dropped from the race.
Polls open statewide at 6 a.m. and will stay open until 7 p.m. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. The first returns should be released at about 8:30 p.m.
Watch Fox 11 News at 9 Tuesday night for your first look at the results.


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Monday, January 15, 2007
Just Love Jake
I'm not a big Dreamgirls fan, but this is just hysterical. Jake Gyllenhaal just goes for it and he pulls off drag beautifully! SNL is usually so lame, I'm happy to see it was actually funny for a moment again.
Posted by Blonde Bits at 2:57 PM
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Fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and anime unite when Supanova Pop Culture Expo hits the Gold Coast this April
Bringing together the awesome worlds of science-fiction, pulp TV/movies, toys, trading cards, animation/cartoons, fantasy books and fan clubs, Supanova Pop Culture Expo creates an amazing atmosphere for cosplayers and long-time fans of sci-fi and fantasy pop culture
Supanova Pop Culture Expo celebrates the Supa-Star celebrities and creative talent that bring their imaginary worlds to life
There are tons of Supa-Activities and competitions to enjoy. Meet special Supa-Star guests in person. Join an Anime Game Show, play Cosplay Chess, take part in the Fan Art Competition, or sing your heart out by joining Karaoke!! Japan. There are also Anime & Cartoon Screenings, Anime Trivia, and Zombster GunPla Model Building
Whether you're seven or seventy, Supanova promises delightful fun for everyone
Enjoy Supanova Pop Culture Expo from April 19 to 21, 2013. This event will be held at Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre within walking distance from our Gold Coast Self Contained Apartments
For more details, visit www.supanova.com.a
Image Source : Supanova Pop Culture Expo


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A journey through Canada's military history / Un voyage par l'histoire militaire du Canada
14 March 2010
Canadian Military History Talk in Video
The good folks at the Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies have taken their resources to a new level with the announcement that since the fall of 2009 they have been videotaping some of their public lectures with the attention of making them available online through streaming video. The first such presentation placed online was delivered by Tim Cook, Canadian War Museum, in February 2010, under the title "'Always Look on the Bright Side of Strife': Humour and the Canadian Great War Soldiers". In my humble opinion, this is a fantastic idea and opens up the possibility of bringing the centre's presentations to those of us unable to travel to southern Ontario to see them live.
Posted by Ken at 3/14/2010 10:54:00 a.m.
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Ibizan Hound Dog Breed Introduction
A medium-sized sighthound who was developed to hunt rabbits and other small game; he was bred for speed, stamina, and determination. Today, those talents make this athletic dog a match for some of the top competitive dog sports, as well as an excellent competitor in agility, thanks to his ability to jump high and far.
Ibizan Hounds enjoy their comforts — that sleek, sculpted body needs cushioning, after all — and can become couch potatoes who enjoy spending their days sleeping. Their exercise needs are moderate.
Breed Origin
When King Tut's tomb was opened in 1922, one of the treasures found inside it was a life-size statue of the jackal god Anubis, the Watchdog of the Dead, and the resemblance to the modern Ibizan hound was striking. The carving and other artifacts from the time of the pharaohs suggest that dogs like the Ibizan hound have existed for 5,000 years, making them one of the most ancient types of dogs. The Ibizan hound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1979 and first appeared at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1980. He remains a rare breed today.
Breed Characteristics
A male Ibizan hound stands 23.5 to 27.5 inches and weighs 50 pounds; a female is 22.5 to 26 inches and 45 pounds.
With their quiet nature and moderate exercise needs, Ibizans are suited to most living situations, from condos to homes with yards, as long you can provide them with a couple of daily walks or runs. They aren't trustworthy off leash, however, and should never be allowed to run free except in a safely fenced area. An Ibizan is an excellent jumper and should be confined by a fence that's at least six feet high.
Keep your Ibizan hound in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you are unsure whether your dog is overweight, give him the eye test and the hands-on test.
The Ibizan hound can have a coat that's shorthaired or wirehaired. The wirehaired coat can be one to three inches long, with the longest hair on the back, the back of the thighs, and the tail. He may sport a moustache on his muzzle. Whether he has a short or wire coat, the Beezer's hair is hard to the touch.
Because they are so playful and silly, Ibizans are good with children. They can be gentle but may chase young children who are running around. They are probably best suited to homes with older children who understand how to interact with dogs.


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Grants are available for amateur cultural and athletic activities competing or training at a provincial level or higher.
The maximum grant amount is $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for groups. Limited funds are available.
The deadline to apply for the SPRING allocation of the Games Legacy Grant is April 27, 2012.
Please visit our website at http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/Municipal-Government/grants/Games-Legacy-Grant.htm for full application and grant guidelines.
For more information, please call (780) 792-5969 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
What is the Games Legacy Grant?
As a result of hosting the 1985 Alberta Summer Games, the 1992 Alberta Winter Games, and the 2003 Alberta Senior Games, a legacy was created with the surplus funds and placed in the Games Legacy Grant. This fund is designed to encourage the development and growth of amateur cultural and sport activities for youth and adults within a priority framework. Interest earned from the Games Legacy Fund is allocated to successful applicants semi-annually (mid March and Mid September) by the Community Services Advisory Committee.


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The Soldiers Side of It
"Soldiers in Iraq Say Pullout Would Have Devastating Results" is a an excellent article by Josh White.
Sometimes it's said that the best person to ask in the military isn't General SoandSo Admiral What'shisface. Instead, talk to the guys and gals actually doing the dirty work. White seems to have done that and gotten a ton of comments like this one, from a self described "more liberal than conservative" soldier
"Pulling out now would be as bad or worse than going forward with no changes," (Capt. Jim) Modlin said. "Sectarian violence would be rampant, democracy would cease to exist, and the rule of law would be decimated. It's not 'stay the course,' and it's not 'cut and run' or other political catchphrases. There are people's lives here. There are so many different dynamics that go on here that a simple solution just isn't possible."
Wisdom from the masses that the groups in congress probably can't comprehend; especially at election time when everything has to be compressed to a 30 second tv or radio ad.
White gives time to the soldiers who are frustrated, but they aren't frustrated by the mission, but the enemy and his tactics. When one is forced to fight a 'gentlemens war' against a group who doesn't follow the same rules frustration is sure to follow. Again, that's something our leaders should understand after Viet Nam.
If you don't read anything else before you make your decision tomorrow, maybe you should read the words of the soldiers fighting the war, and let them help you decide what the right course of action is.
(Editors Note: White has a lot of good articles in the Post about Iraq, mostly buried on A12-20, but they are there, click this link for the "recent articles list")
Technorati Tags: Soldiers, Iraq, Withdrawl, Elections, Democracy, Insurgents, Civil War, Josh White


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Exhibit 10.3
Voluntary Pooling Agreement
THIS AGREEMENTmade as of the 1st day of July, 2004
C.O.R.E. (USA) COMMUNITY-ORIENTED RESOURCE ENVIRONMENT, INC., a Nevada corporation having its office at 14320 Marc Road, Maple Ridge, British Columbia V4R 2G5; Fax no. (604) 294-1137
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC., located at 510 Burrard Street, 3rd Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3B9
(the "Pooling Agent")
(the "Pooling Parties")
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that for good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged), each of the parties covenants and agrees with the other party as follows:
1. Appointment of Pooling Agent. Each Pooling Party hereby deposits with the Pooling Agent, to be held in escrow under this Agreement, the Pooled Shares as described in Schedule A, and agrees to deliver to the Pooling Agent forthwith any certificates evidencing such securities, and hereby authorizes the Pooling Agent to hold such certificates under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
2. Direction to Pooling Agent. CORE and each Pooling Party direct the Pooling Agent to retain the Pooled Shares in escrow and the Pooling Agent agrees to retain the Pooled Shares in escrow until the Pooled Shares are released from escrow pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
3. Term and Termination. This Agreement shall be effective as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Private Placement and shall continue until terminated according to paragraph 17 or upon the release of all Pooled Shares according to paragraphs 4 and 21, whichever is the earlier to occur.
4. Release of Pooled Shares. Subject to earlier release pursuant to paragraphs 17, 20, and 21, the Pooling Agent will release the Pooled Shares as set out in Schedule A.
5. No Transfer of Pooled Shares. The Pooling Parties shall not sell, deal in, assign, transfer in any manner whatsoever or agree to sell, deal in, assign or transfer in any manner whatsoever any of the Pooled Shares or beneficial ownership of or any interest in them; and the Pooling Agent shall not accept or acknowledge any transfer, assignment, declaration of trust or any other document evidencing a change in legal or beneficial ownership of or interest in the Pooled Shares, except as may be required by reason of the bankruptcy of the Pooling Parties, in which case the Pooling Agent shall hold the certificates for these shares subject to this Agreement for whatever person or persons, firm or corporation that may become legally entitled thereto.
6. Duties of Pooling Agent. The Pooling Agent hereby accepts the duties and responsibilities placed on it under this Agreement and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms hereof. The Pooling Agent will have no duties or obligations in respect of the Pooled Shares other than those specifically set forth herein. The Pooling Agent will not be bound in any way by any other contract or agreement between the parties hereto whether or not the Pooling Agent has knowledge thereof or of its terms and conditions and the Pooling Agent's only duty, liability and responsibility shall be to hold and deal with the Pooled Shares in accordance with this Agreement. The Pooling Agent will be entitled, unless it has knowledge to the contrary, to assume that any notice and evidence received pursuant to these instructions from either the Pooling Parties or CORE have been duly executed by the party by whom it purports to have been signed and the Pooling Agent will not be obligated to en quire into the sufficiency or authority of any signatures appearing on such notice or evidence. The Pooling Agent shall have no responsibility in respect of the loss of the certificates representing the Pooled Shares, except to exercise such care in the safekeeping thereof as it would exercise if the said certificates were property of the Pooling Agent. The Pooling Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgement, any act done or omitted by it in good faith, or for anything which it may, in good faith, do or refrain from doing in connection herewith or for any mistake of fact or law. The Pooling Agent shall not be answerable for the default or misconduct of any agent or legal counsel employed or appointed, at its discretion, by it if such agent or legal counsel shall have been selected with reasonable care.
7. No Duress. The Pooling Parties agree that the Pooled Shares have not been pooled due to duress or undue influence.
8. Pooling Agent Not a Trustee. The Pooling Agent accepts duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and the escrow securities and any share certificates or other evidence of these securities, solely as a custodian, bailee and agent. No trust is intended to be, or is or will be, created hereby and the Pooling Agent shall owe no duties hereunder as a trustee.
9. Pooling Agent Not Responsible for Genuineness. The Pooling Agent will not be responsible or liable in any manner whatever for the sufficiency, correctness, genuineness or validity of any escrow security deposited with it.
10. Pooling Agent Not Responsible for Furnished Information. The Pooling Agent will have no responsibility for seeking, obtaining, compiling, preparing or determining the accuracy of any information or document, including the representative capacity in which a party purports to act, that the Pooling Agent receives as a condition to a release from escrow or a transfer of escrow securities within escrow under this Agreement.
11. Pooling Agent Not Responsible after Release. The Pooling Agent will have no responsibility for escrow securities that it has released to a Pooling Party or at a Pooling Party's direction according to this Agreement.
12. Indemnification of Pooling Agent. CORE and each Pooling Party hereby jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Pooling Agent, its affiliates, and their current and former directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, penalties, costs, expenses, fees and liabilities, including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses, directly or indirectly arising out of, in connection with, or in respect of, this Agreement, except where same result directly and principally from gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Pooling Agent. This indemnity survives the release of the escrow securities, the resignation or termination of the Pooling Agreement and the termination of this Agreement.
13. Additional Provisions
(a) The Pooling Agent will be protected in acting and relying reasonably upon any notice, direction, instruction, order, certificate, confirmation, request, waiver, consent, receipt, statutory declaration or other paper or document (collectively referred to as "Documents") furnished to it and purportedly signed by any officer or person required to or entitled to execute and deliver to the Pooling Agent any such Document in connection with this Agreement, not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth or accuracy of any information therein contained, which it in good faith believes to be genuine.
(b) The Pooling Agent will not be bound by any notice of a claim or demand with respect thereto, or any waiver, modification, amendment, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless received by it in writing, and signed by the other Parties and, if the duties or indemnification of the Pooling Agent in this Agreement are affected, unless it has given its prior written consent.
(c) The Pooling Agent may consult with or retain such legal counsel and advisors as it may reasonably require for the purpose of discharging its duties or determining its rights under this Agreement and may rely and act upon the advice of such counsel or advisor. The Pooling Agent will give written notice to CORE as soon as practicable that it has retained legal counsel or other advisors. CORE will pay or reimburse the Pooling Agent for any reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of such counsel or advisors.
(d) In the event of any disagreement arising under the terms of this Agreement, the Pooling Agent will be entitled, at its option, to refuse to comply with any and all demands whatsoever until the dispute is settled either by a written agreement among the Parties or by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) The Pooling Agent will have no duties or responsibilities except as expressly provided in this Agreement and will have no duty or responsibility arising under any other agreement, including any agreement referred to in this Agreement, to which the Pooling Agent is not a party.
(f) The Pooling Agent will have the right not to act and will not be liable for refusing to act unless it has received clear and reasonable documentation that complies with the terms of this Agreement. Such documentation must not require the exercise of any discretion or independent judgment.
(g) The Pooling Agent is authorized to cancel any share certificate delivered to it and hold such Pooling Party's pooled securities in electronic, or uncertificated form only, pending release of such securities from escrow.
(h) The Pooling Agent will have no responsibility with respect to any pool securities in respect of which no share certificate or other evidence or electronic or uncertificated form of these securities has been delivered to it, or otherwise received by it.
14. Limitation of Liability of Pooling Agent. The Pooling Agent will not be liable to any of the Parties hereunder for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement, except for losses directly, principally and immediately caused by its bad faith, wilful misconduct or gross negligence. Under no circumstances will the Pooling Agent be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, exemplary, aggravated or punitive losses or damages hereunder, including any loss of profits, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, in no event will the collective liability of the Pooling Agent under or in connection with this Agreement to any one or more Parties, except for losses directly caused by its bad faith or willful misconduct, exceed the amount of its annual fees under this Agreement or the amount of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), whichever amount shall be greater.
15. Remuneration of Pooling Agent. CORE will pay the Pooling Agent reasonable remuneration for its services under this Agreement, which fees are subject to revision from time to time on 30 days' written notice. CORE will reimburse the Pooling Agent for its expenses and disbursements. Any amount due under this section and unpaid 30 days after request for such payment, will bear interest from the expiration of such period at a rate per annum equal to the then current rate charged by the Pooling Agent, payable on demand.
16. Further Indemnification of Pooling Agent. It is further agreed by and between the parties hereto and, without restricting the foregoing indemnity, that in the event proceedings should hereafter be taken in any Court respecting the Pooled Shares, the Pooling Agent shall not be obliged to defend any such action or submit its rights to the Court until it shall have been indemnified by other good and sufficient security in addition to the indemnity given against its costs of such proceedings.
17. Resignation or Termination of Pooling Agent.
(a) If the Pooling Agent wishes to resign as Pooling Agent in respect of the Pooled Shares, the Pooling Agent shall give notice to CORE.
(b) CORE may terminate the services of the Pooling Agent under this Agreement by providing written notice of termination to the Pooling Parties and CORE.
(c) The resignation or termination of the Pooling Agent shall be effective and the Pooling Agent shall cease to be bound by this Agreement on the date that is 60 days after the date of receipt of the notice referred to in paragraph 17(a) or 17(b) or on such other date as the Pooling Agent and CORE may agree upon, provided that the resignation or termination date must not be less than 10 business days before a release date set forth in paragraph 4.
(d) If the Pooling Agent resigns or is terminated, CORE shall be responsible for ensuring that the Pooling Agent is replaced not later than the effective date of the resignation or termination. CORE's appointment of a replacement pooling agent shall be binding on CORE and the Pooling Parties, provided that the replacement pooling agent delivers to CORE an executed acknowledgement of this Agreement.
(e) Upon the effective date of the resignation or termination of the Pooling Agent as described in paragraphs 17(c), the Pooling Agent will release the Pooled Shares then held by the Pooling Agent to a new pooling agent as appointed by CORE. If CORE has not appointed a new pooling agent by the effective date, the Pooling Agent will release the Pooled Shares to a court of competent jurisdiction.
18. Corporate Reorganization. The parties hereto agree that the provisions of this Agreement relating to the Pooled Shares shall apply mutatis mutandis to any shares or securities into which the Pooled Shares may be converted, changed, reclassified, redivided, redesignated, subdivided or consolidated and to any shares or securities of CORE or of any successor or continuing company or corporation of CORE that may be received by the registered holder of the Pooled Shares on a reorganization, amalgamation, consolidation or merger, statutory or otherwise, including the release calculation which will be adjusted so that the proportion of the Pooled Shares available for release is unaffected by the alteration of the capital of CORE.
19. Voting of and Dividends and Distributions on Pooled Shares. The provisions of this Agreement relating to the Pooled Shares shall not affect the exercise of any voting right, or any right to receive dividends or any other distribution, of the Pooling Parties in respect of such Pooled Shares. If, during the period in which any of the Pooled Shares are retained in escrow pursuant to this Agreement, any dividend or other distribution is received by the Pooling Agent in respect of Pooled Shares, the Pooling Agent shall forthwith transfer such dividend or distribution to the Pooling Party entitled thereto.
20. Permitted Transfer Upon Bankruptcy. In the event of bankruptcy of a Pooling Party, the Pooled Shares of the Pooling Party may be transferred within escrow to the trustee in bankruptcy or other person legally entitled to such Pooled Shares, provided that the Pooling Agent first receives:
(a) a certified copy of either:
(i) the assignment in bankruptcy of the Pooling Party filed with the superintendent of bankruptcy; or
(ii) the receiving order adjudging the Pooling Party bankrupt;
(b) a certified copy of a certificate of appointment of the trustee in bankruptcy;
(c) a transfer power of attorney, duly executed by the transferor; and
(d) an acknowledgement and agreement to be bound by this Agreement signed by the trustee in bankruptcy or other person legally entitled to the Pooled Shares reflecting the transfer.
21. Release upon Death. Upon the death of an individual Pooling Party, the Pooled Shares of that Pooling Party shall be released from escrow and the Pooling Agent shall deliver all certificates evidencing such Pooled Shares to the legal representative of the deceased Pooling Party, provided that the Pooling Agent first receives:
(a) a certified copy of the death certificate; and
(b) such evidence of the legal representative's status that the Pooling Agent may reasonably require.
22. Notices. Any notice or other document required to be given hereunder by any party shall be deemed to have been well and sufficiently given if mailed by prepaid registered mail or facsimile transmission to, or delivered at, the address of the other party set forth at the beginning of this Agreement or at such other address as the other party may from time to time direct in writing, and any such notice shall be deemed to have been received, if mailed, three (3) days after the time of mailing, or if sent by facsimile transmission one (1) business day after the time of facsimile transmission, and if delivered, upon the date of delivery. If normal mail or facsimile transmission service is or are interrupted by strike, slow-down, force majeure or other cause, a notice sent by the impaired means of communication will not be deemed to be received until actually received, and the party sending the notice shall utilize any other such services which have not been so interrupted or shall deliver such notice in order to ensure prompt receipt thereof. Notice will be deemed given when received or if delivery is refused on the date delivery is so refused.
23. Time of Essence. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.
24. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia.
25. Enurement. This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns.
26. Additional Documents. Each of the parties hereto shall execute such further and other documents and instruments and do such further and other things as may be necessary to implement and carry out the intent of this Agreement.
27. Execution by Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in as many counterparts as may be necessary and such executed copy may be transmitted by telecopied facsimile, and each such agreement so executed and such reproduction of signatures by facsimile shall be deemed to be an original and such counterparts together shall constitute a valid and binding agreement, and notwithstanding the date of execution shall be deemed to bear the date as set forth above.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.
Authorized Signatory
Authorized Signatory
Schedule A to Voluntary Pooling Agreement
Pooling Party
Address for Notice:
City, Province, Postal
Telephone no.
Pooled Shares Held and Release Dates:
Release Dates
Number of common shares of CORE
July 1, 2005 (shares purchased at US$0.005 per share)
July 1, 2006 (shares purchased at US$0.0025 per share)
July 1, 2007 (shares purchased at US$0.0001 per share)


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Containing my coffee February 27, 2013Posted by phoenixhopes in Consumerism, Finances, My No Spendy Year.
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Do you know what this might be?
Well, yes it's a rather used cutting board from Ikea but I mean that black smiley thing. Do you know what that is?
It's the thread to the lid of my favorite travel mug. The one I take on the train every day. The one that doesn't leak unless the lid is on wrong and keeps my coffee nice and hot. The one my sister gave me even though she doesn't drink coffee because she knows how much I like it. That travel mug. With the thread gone, the lid doesn't seal. I suppose I could still use it but I'd end up with coffee down my shirt every single day. Once is enough to learn that lesson.
My normal morning routine is to make a half pot of coffee, enough for two travel mugs, and then load up this one and my second favorite, the one my daughter brought home for me when she worked a summer in Colorado. I like that one quite a bit but the lid isn't leak-proof and it doesn't hold the heat quite as well. I drink the coffee from the number two mug on the way to the train station, then drink from the number one mug on the train. (I first typed "drink number one on the train" and had to go back and edit that line so it didn't make me giggle.) The coffee in the number one mug is still so hot I can only sip it for the first few minutes.
Now I have a decision to make. Do I buy a new travel mug that doesn't leak and keeps my coffee steaming hot for a long time, or do I just use what I have? I do have other travel mugs but they aren't leak-proof. Also, I think they all have handles and I prefer a travel mug without.
I also have a few of these great lids that turn a canning jar into a travel mug. I think of them as sippy cups for adults. I used one earlier this week on the day I discovered my favorite mug was broken, but even with the improvised cozy made from my glove the coffee still cooled off too fast. Personally I prefer the Cuppow lids for cold drinks rather than hot but it's possible I just need better insulation. Maybe I'll knit up a thick, felted jar cozy this weekend and see if that helps.
At the beginning of the year I said I wasn't going to buy things that weren't a real need. Is a leak-proof travel mug a need? As much as I'd like to say yes (so I can buy a new one) I have to say no. I can get along just fine using the mugs I have on hand. If I decide I just can't live without it, I'll use my 'allowance' and get one in a month or so.
No Spendy Week 5 February 4, 2013Posted by phoenixhopes in Consumerism, Finances, My No Spendy Year.
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Something happens to me when my checkbook balance gets low — I start wanting to buy stuff. For most of January I was feeling really good about this challenge. I was staying within the rules and seeing a nice little cushion in my bank account. Then I had a week with unexpected expenses, plus bills that had to paid NOW and that cushion vanished. I was back to living paycheck to paycheck and all I could think was "I'd really like a comfortable, overstuffed chair to curl up in and read. Maybe even two — one for the living room and one for my bedroom."
I'm not about to run out and buy a chair but this hasn't even been on my radar. I had no idea I wanted a reading chair, much less two. I'm certainly not at a point in my life where I am totally satisfied with what I own and have no desire to add anything new. There are some things I'd like to get someday, both expensive and not so expensive. I also know there isn't anything that I don't have that I honestly need. Things I want? Yup, lots of things I want, but nothing I really need.
So why is it, when my bank balance started dipping, that I started making lists of things I want? (To give myself a little credit, I also thought "I wonder how much longer until garage sale season and could I maybe find some nice chairs at a garage sale?")
I didn't run out and blow money I don't have, but I sure wanted to. I really wanted to get carnitas tacos from the local Mexican restaurant and I wanted a dressform and I wanted hot wings and I wanted an Ott light. All of those are things that would add some level of happiness to my life. I love carnitas tacos and crave hot wings. Those two items are the main reason I added Number Nine to my Rules for this year. I also know there is no reason I must indulge in either on a whim. I'm not forbidden from eating either of those, it just needs to fit into my spending plan. I can either make them at home, or go out to eat with friends. (Anyone want to guess what's going on my grocery list this week?) Someday I will get a dressform but I know that purchase needs to wait.
It is possible however, that I will buy an Ott light this month. Joann Fabrics is having an awesome sale — buy a table lamp and get a floor lamp free. Two lamps for $109.99. Plus, I have a coupon for 15% off my entire purchase, including sale items. I have wanted an Ott light for literally years. As much as I hate to admit it, my eyes are getting older and sometimes close work is a bit challenging. I can use my Free Spending Money so this purchase would fit within my plan, but I'm very on the fence about it. The sale goes through most of this month so I have time to decide.
And I still don't know why I really want to spend money when I don't really have any to spend.
January Challenge – Reporting Out February 2, 2013Posted by phoenixhopes in Groceries, Monthly Challenge, My No Spendy Year, Shopping.
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At work, when asked to provide information about project results, or statistics for a time period, it's called "Reporting Out". As in "Be prepared to Report Out in our meeting." Or "Will you gather the monthly stats for such-and-such Client so I can Report Out to the Big Boss." I don't know if this is a common term in the corporate world (although I guess it might be) because I only have experience at this corporation. The phrase does fill a need and I'll use it each month to document how successful (or not) I was with each monthly challenge.
My January Challenge limited my grocery purchases to fresh produce and milk. Everything else needed to come from my freezer and cupboards. I am happy to Report Out that the challenge was successful.
I did not intentionally stock up prior to this challenge but the kids had been home for various Holidays and various lengths of time. I bought more food through December than I would have purchased just for myself. And there were those 'clearance' meats I found on my last grocery trip of 2012. I didn't go to the store that day with the intention of filling my freezer as that would have defeated the purpose of the challenge, but that did end up happening. The only non-produce, non-milk purchases I made this month were either from the clearance baskets at Woodman's or from my Free Spending Money.
Woodman's is the biggest grocery store close to me. It's far enough away that I generally need to make a special trip rather than just pop in but I think that's a good thing (less impulse shopping that way). Prices are generally good (although I can find some things cheaper elsewhere) and I can find just about everything I need. I like the fact that they are employee owned and they get special bonus points for being open 24 hours. It's nice that I don't have to think about closing time for those occasional late night trips. They also have a full sized liquor store attached but mentioning that runs the risk of sounding like a lush.
One thing I love about Woodman's is their clearance baskets. When you walk in the store there is a line of grocery carts with overstock items, out of season, or close to the sell-by date. Sometimes I can find bags of produce as well. I always cruise through and see if there are any treasures. On my one trip in January there were a few boxes of Gluten Free crackers I had not tried before for only $2.00. Gluten Free anything generally starts at about $4.00 and only goes up so this was a great deal and I bought one box each of two different flavors.
My total for that one trip to Woodman's was $39.68. It wasn't all produce and GF crackers — my youngest was with me and I know he picked up something (some Lara Bars if I remember correctly) but I don't count that. I bought a big bag of grapefruit and another of oranges, some apples, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and celery. I also made another trip to the closer store to get a Serrano pepper. So that's it for grocery spending in January!
Well, almost… like I mentioned earlier, I did spend some of my Free money. One of my weaknesses is tortilla chips. Preferably On The Border brand or the traditional restaurant kind that taste like they were made from cut up tortillas. I did buy two bags of those this month. And when I bought the pepper, I also bought a block of sharp cheddar cheese. Cheese is the one thing I ran out of this month that I really missed. I still think I was successful (but it's OK if you think I cheated, I won't hold that against you.)
I still have quite a bit in my freezer and cupboard. I'm going to make one planned trip to the store after my next payday, and then extend this challenge for another month. I'll go to the store with a list and if something is not on that list I won't buy it. The only exception will be if I find something in those clearance baskets or on sale for a great price. No other impulse shopping allowed.
I haven't yet inventoried my cupboards but I pulled everything out of the freezer yesterday to take stock of what was there. My only freezer is the little one attached to the fridge, but as you can see, there is more than enough to feed one person for at least another month. Depending on what I find in my cupboards, I may need to get a little creative but I certainly won't starve.
- Tilapia filets – 2
- Boneless chicken thighs -8
- Italian sausage links (chicken) – 4
- Italian sausage (pork, cooked and crumbled, ready for pizza) – 1 serving
- Ground turkey – 2 lbs
- Pizza sauce (enough for one pizza) – 2
- Spaghetti sauce – 1.5 cups
- Chicken stock (2 cups) – 2
- Sofrito (used to make Arroz con Gandules)- 1.5 cups
- Blueberries – 2 cups
- Bananas – 4-5 bananas, in chunks
- Mixed fruit – 1.5 or 2 cups
- Pumpkin, canned (1 cup) – 2
- Pumpkin, cooked at home (1.5-2 cups) – 1
- Cranberries – 1 lb
- Corn – 1 lb
- Broccoli – .5 lb
- Green Beans – .25 lb
- Pound cake slices (homemade, GF) – 6
- Cinnamon raisin bread, GF – half loaf
- Chalupa – 1 serving
- Hot dogs (Oscar Mayer, packs of 5) – 3
I must have been thinking about this Reporting Out last night before I went to sleep because I dreamed about grocery shopping. I was at Safeway (haven't been to a Safeway since I moved from California 15 years ago, but yes, it was Safeway and I'm pretty sure it was the one I went to as a child so maybe 40+ years ago… dreams are funny that way) and buying asparagus. I remember thinking I didn't need to buy as much as I initially grabbed because I would be the only one eating it and that I put some back so it wouldn't be wasted. The dream went on from there in weird directions as dreams often do and I woke up amused. I rather like the fact that this mindset is becoming so ingrained that it shows up in my dreams.
Look for another Grocery Shopping Challenge Reporting out March Second.
No Spendy Week 4 January 28, 2013Posted by phoenixhopes in Finances, My No Spendy Year.
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This week brought some unexpected expenses. The weather was exceptionally cold and I was able to work from home Tuesday and Wednesday. I didn't venture outside from Monday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon when I planned to pop over to the library and pick up a book on hold. The key phrase here is "planned to" as my car wouldn't start. I posted an urgent plea on Facebook to see if anyone could stop by and give me a jump and a friend's son came to the rescue. Unfortunately, the battery wouldn't hold a charge and I ended up buying a new battery on Friday. Since I had the car at the shop, I asked them to take a look at one of my tires. The past few months I've been in denial that the tire needed attention. Every three weeks or so I needed to add air to the tire and then pretended that was normal tire behavior. I have a lot of experience with denial.
My financial Achilles Heel (one of them at least) is my children. They don't ask for money except for true emergencies (and it's been so long since the last one I can't even tell you when that might have been) and I don't think they expect me to get them things. The main problem is my own expectations. I want to be generous and helpful in ways I think parents should — buying groceries, meals out, picking up things they might need or small surprises. My youngest is in his Senior year of High School and unexpected expenses come with the territory. This week there was a registration fee for music school. It's a great music school, well worth the money, with an added benefit of no monthly fees, but I wasn't expecting to put out the money this week.
Rent is due out of this paycheck and I paid some bills and that's pretty much it until next payday. Emergencies and unexpected expenses are simply not allowed for the next few weeks.
I came this close to ordering a stack of books from Amazon, decided I should sleep on it before ordering and came to my senses before clicking the Pay button. I know that moving the books to the "save for later" section is the right thing to do and that buying them does not fit in my no spending plan, but I am very tempted to order them anyway.
January ends this week and I've done great with my no groceries challenge. I'm still working through the produce I bought about ten days ago. The only groceries I've purchased in January has been that produce (oranges, grapefruit, apples, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots) and a couple of gallons of milk (that were mostly made into yogurt). I've started making a list of things I need and will go shopping sometime after February first. I still have a long way to go before having an empty freezer and pantry so after that one shopping trip, I may extend this challenge through February.


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Our short game is in the final stages and we laid the sod on one half and need to finish the other side of the approach. We had almost beat the rain but there is only so much you can do until the ground becomes a slippery mess. We also floated out the teaching green and this was prepped for seeding. We are going to take advantage of this harvested area and seed a blended variety of bent grass and see how they compare to our existing grass.
|Over 2 inches of rain at this point
|A shoe box size wash out on #9, this is understood
because of the hill side.
|#9 right side fairway bunkers holding up well
|Floating out the teaching green
|Laying the sod at the short game
|Left side complete
|The right side has just a little more to go.


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BBC4, Tues 11th November 9.00pm
Blackfish is a damning Oscar-nominated documentary about Seaworld, the amusement park where killer whales (and other sea life) do tricks for fun. The story follows one killer whale, Tilikum, who is involved in the deaths of 3 people, but at no point do you blame the whale: instead you hate Seaworld. This film doesn't even pretend to be unbiased – it has a company whose actions need exposing and it does so very effectively. Viewing the film you see the ridiculous conditions these animals live in, and how this can lead them to do extreme things. But it is also about more than just the way it treats its preforming animals – it looks into how Seaworld treats its staff (hint: it's badly).
My friend, a marine biologist who is in love with killer whales, saw this film before me and begged me to see it. I am so glad I did, even if it is desperately sad. I would urge you to see it as well, if only so it will discourage you from ever going to Seaworld.


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For the past 7 days we've been uploading a post a day to mark the upcoming General Election and to highlight each parties stance on energy topics. We trawled through all the manifestos to find what each party has promised and which position they will be taking with regards to the Energy market and energy matters.
With all 7 done it must mean one thing - today's voting day! Polls opened at 8am this morning and close at 10pm this evening and we urge everybody to go out and vote!
To catch up on all our posts and to gain some last minute insight into that each party sad about green matters and all thing energy, head to https://goo.gl/OqyNMo


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Curry is the one of the most popular dishes in the U.K. and fast becoming a favoured meal in the U.S., in both home-cooking and takeaway. The pungent odour curry emits lingers in the house and may cause problems with visitors or landlords. Spices used in the curry ingredients release fat-soluble oil, which causes the pungent aroma. The oil vapour is absorbed by fabrics and other porous surfaces, and that makes the aroma difficult to remove. Professional cleaning companies will remove the odour but may charge a premium rate. You can produce a simple, homemade remedy to remove the curry odour using inexpensive, household items.
Mix 3 cups white vinegar, 1 cup water and six cinnamon sticks in a large cooking pot.
Place the cooking pot on the hob and turn up the heat to bring the vinegar mixture to the boil.
Turn down the heat on the stove to allow the vinegar mix to simmer. Allow the vinegar mix to simmer for about four hours. The vinegar vapour will act as a natural cleaner and deodoriser, which will neutralise the curry odour on household surfaces and fabrics. Cinnamon sticks will produce an aroma similar to incense that will also neutralise curry odour.
Mix 1 cup water, 2 tbsp white vinegar in a clean container.
Dip the absorbent cloth in the container and wring until damp.
Wipe down surfaces and fabrics to remove the curry oil vapour.
Ventilate the room by opening the windows and doors. Allow the surfaces and fabrics to thoroughly air dry.
Leave 1/2 cup of white vinegar in a bowl in the kitchen when cooking curry. The vinegar will help neutralise the odour.
Do not mix vinegar with bleach cleaning products. The combination will cause a toxic aroma.


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ACSI v. Stearns (Fundy Schools v. UC) lawsuit loses
The final decision appears to be a mix of rulings on the merits and dismissals on technicalities. It will take a while to sort out exactly what happened.
I am now commenting about the decision on the Questionable Authority blog. My first comment is here (comment #25 in the thread) and I have several following comments.


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Project Name:
Independent Review of the Consenting Regime for Scottish Aquaculture
|The Crown Estate - Project Dates: September 2015 - January 2016
Detailed narrative description of project:
The Scottish aquaculture consenting regime was considered overly complex and a barrier to the development targets set for the Scottish aquaculture sector. This project's objectives were to:
a) examine the whole aquaculture consenting process, its interactions and implementation. This included clear identification of the range of legislative obligations that apply to the consenting regime for aquaculture businesses and those agencies who are/consider themselves tasked under the legislation with ensuring these are met;
b) identify and consider duplication, obstacles and unnecessary complexities in the current process and any evidence to indicate whether these appear rooted in the legislation itself or in the manner of its implementation;
c) determine and understand the concerns of the key actors in the consenting process, especially those of the aquaculture industry;
d) examine the scope for improvements to the consenting system; that includes both regulators' implementation of, and where applicable industry response to, legislative requirements; and
e) provide recommendations.
Detailed narrative description of actual
services provided by Poseidon Aquatic
Poseidon, in association with Ironside Farrar:
a) Produced a base-map of the current consenting process;
b) Identified concerns and issues, especially those that could be considered to result in duplications or an inefficient system, or that relate to the implementation of the regulatory framework;
c) Appraised and presented concerns, from the perspective of developers, of the consenting process;
d) Provided a clear and robust set of objective recommendations for improvements to the whole system (including consideration of changes to the framework if deemed appropriate).


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Stonechat. David Cookson
On just about every birding day I've had over the years there's always been a surprise ranging from small to huge and I suppose the one to take me out of 2010 was the Stonechat I found at Conder Green on 29 December, a bird I didn't ever expect to see - following the harsh weather of the previous weeks - before March this year when the passage of this species begins.
Blackbird. Pete Woodruff.
Another record which surprised me a little towards the end of 2010 was the 'at least' 90 Blackbirds counted on a coastal birding walk on 17 December.
Whooper Swans. David Cookson
Well I've only got two birding days in so far this New Year of 2011 but it was welcomed in on Tuesday 4 January by the amazing sight of what had started with just seven Whooper Swans in a stubble field on Fluke Hall Lane in the Pilling area with a nice flood at the back for the birds, and which - in the space of about fifteen minutes I spent there- developed into 282 of them all coming over my head from the south and sounding like every single one of them 'trumpeting' as they came to join the initial seven, amazing....magical....and memorable.
Twite. Phil Slade.
A sighting picked out at random from 11 April 2005 which surprised me greatly was the two Twite I found just north of Loyne Bridge at Gressingham. This record was a rare inland sighting for me, but I had seen inland Twite one summers day a few years earlier with my good friend and mentor John Leedal in the area of Pen-y-Ghent in the Yorkshire Dales. By way of a bonus one of the Lune Valley birds was ringed and information passed to the ringers/experts in the field of Twite confirmed it to have been a Pennine bred bird, one of thirty two ringed two years earlier in July 2003 at Cant Clough.
And finally....
And finally....
Bewick's Swan. Colin Bushell
Another of those kind of photographs I find hard to resist seeing and showing on Birds2blog, the Bewick's Swan at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. Just take a close look at the plumage of this bird....snow white and contrasting with the extreme black of the Coots - and isn't that a Moorhen facing the swan? - in the picture, and ponder where it may well have been during the summer/breeding season in Siberia.
Thanks to DC/PS/CB for the photographs.
Thanks to DC/PS/CB for the photographs.


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To achieve these synergies, a typical shared services HR model, may generally be comprised of the following teams:
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- A group wide HR technology, data analytics and reporting capability leveraging common underpinning systems and creating a centralised source of data for core people and performance metrics, providing invaluable trends and insights across the group.
For a shared service HR model to be successful there needs to be a strong partnership and relationship with the business. HR business partners provide this when embedded in line management teams; they build that deep connection and relationship with senior leaders and executives to help make business strategy and change happen. They also provide feedback to the group specialists to ensure that the right advice and support is being provided and that the group frameworks suit the needs of the business.
As with all strategies and changes, there are some critical success factors that need to be considered to ensure a successful transition to a shared services offering. Below are three of the more noteworthy:
- Organisations must be prepared to invest in the concept of the 'group' and step away from designing siloed programs of work at a local level where it makes sense to do so.
Removing duplicate work across business units strips significant cost out of the HR operation. Solutions are designed once and consistently applied. As a result, common people practices and a common language start to develop, reinforcing a one team culture and mindset.
- Investment in common technology, systems and improved processes is a must given the large volume of service and advice work to be managed consistently.
Most large scale HR programs such as the annual performance and remuneration review are dependent on timely access to accurate and reliable data. Many organisations have implemented a self-technology solution so that employees and leaders can manage their own HR transactions. These include applying for leave online, updating banking details or generating leader dash board reports on basic employee metrics.
- Leaders need to take accountability for managing the people and performance within their teams.
Accountability for managing people sits with the leader. HR needs to step away from doing the work of the leader and instead focus on providing leaders with the right tools, advice and support to confidently perform their role.
Some HR functions may look for opportunities to outsource work or partner with external specialists to design and deliver a specific program or undertake work. This can provide greater flexibility for the business, add greater value and save the cost of having to invest in capability that is not considered core to the HR offering.
A successful transition to a shared services model means that HR will be more accessible to the customer who will know where to go to access the right expertise and help. Consistency in advice and process will increase the likelihood of legislative compliance and drive equity across the business.
Most importantly, operational efficiency of the transactional work and the ability to leverage pooled expertise in the design of group frameworks and programs frees up capacity for HR to invest in the more strategic challenges facing the business.


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Eclipse or no eclipse, it's just another day at the Calgary Zoo
The only seemingly remarkable thing the Calgary's Zoo's inhabitants experienced during Monday's solar eclipse were the crowds of humans looking to the heavens instead of at them.
In Oakland, Calif., a troop of hamadryas baboons was said to be strangely lethargic, while Nashville's zoo saw giraffes and rhinos reportedly running around crazily when the sun reappeared following the totality of the solar eclipse, the first to be visible from all of North America in 38 years.
But in Calgary, which at the peak of 11:33 p.m. saw nearly 80 per cent of the sun eclipsed by the moon, the residents of St. George's Island showed no signs of even noticing anything was different on a clear day that gave Calgarians a crystal clear view of the celestial event.
"We had our keepers being extra vigilant in observing the animals today," said zoo spokeswoman Trish Exton-Parder.
"After the eclipse period was over, there was no extraordinary changes in terms of the animals' behaviour."
The zoo's flamingos lounged in the shade, while the giraffes lazily wandered around their enclosure — if any of the zoo's critters were aware of the celestial showcase above that had much of North America buzzing, they showed no signs.
Exton-Parder said the zoo didn't take any extra precautions with its charges leading up to the eclipse but kept a watchful eye on them to ensure there were no issues.
"It's just our due diligence to make sure any changes in their environment we're aware of," she said. "When we have animals in our care, it's our responsibility."
Among the roars and screeches of the zoo's furry and feathered tenants, a group of zoo employees gathered in a small plaza outside the Enmax Conservatory, briefly crooning Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart as they watched the eclipse using a combination of pinhole viewers and cellular phones.
Sitting nearby were Ohio natives Allie Calvin, a NASA intern, and her friend Alex Shortridge, both wearing official NASA eclipse T-Shirts and official safety glasses to watch the show above.
"It's been pretty crazy — we're all very excited about the solar eclipse," said Calvin, in Calgary for a conference on vertebrate paleontology.
"What else would I be doing right now?"
For most of the Calgary Zoo's menagerie, the answer to that question was dozing and grazing.
On Twitter: @ShawnLogan403


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A few years ago we joined a tradition. Like a growing number in our multi-cultural community, we saw in the Mexican anniversary of La Dia de los Muertos an opportunity to remember our own dearly departed.
In our case it was our pets of yesteryear we wished to commemorate. No slight to our human ancestors was intended. It seemed, however, as if the dogs and cats formerly part of our family were in more need of sustenance in any afterlife. Or perhaps it was more to do with our own need for comfort.
Speaking for myself, I envisage my human forebears well able to take care of themselves in whatever spiritual dimension they now occupy. On the other hand, who takes care of dogs and cats in the great beyond? Is there a class of angels assigned to dog walks and endlessly throwing toys stuffed with catnip? OK, a slightly absurd notion I agree. But if you've spent years anticipating canine and feline needs it's hard to let go.
So each autumn, as late October darkens desert evenings, we buy marigolds, the flower apparently favored by returning spirits, and retrieve from storage our Day of the Dead paraphernalia. Umpteen framed photos take their place on the temporary altar in our dining room, and dishes of water and treats await the summoned specters. Pride of place in recent times goes to a digital frame which conveniently recalls images of dogs dating back to childhood (which, I should say, was quite a long time ago).
This year's observation, scheduled as usual for November 1st and 2nd, and as usual extended a few extra days, has been a particularly poignant one. Three weeks ago Ricky, our celebrated Chihuahua/poodle mix, departed this life. Animals, in our experience at least, seem to pass on quickly rather than linger. That's probably the best way to go, but the shock and distress for their people can be hard to take.
As it happened, we were already embroiled in one critical situation when news of Ricky's diagnosis reached us. My wife Nancy was recovering from cancer surgery on the other side of the country. One evening our neighbor phoned our temporary digs in Boston to say Ricky wasn't his usual upbeat, assertive self. A visit to the vet and then an ultrasound confirmed prostate cancer spread to a lymph node. Nancy and I agreed, I had to return home to care for him.
At first, Ricky wasn't too obviously ailing. He was still up for a morning walk and I could still tempt him with morsels of favorite foods such as pasta and rice. But gradually over the next two and a half weeks he grew less inclined to eat. His wooly white body, never more than 15 pounds, turned to skin and bones. A rattle of the leash no longer prompted a rush to the door.
In a normal family context, watching a loved one of whatever species lose appetite for food and then for life has to be one of the worst experiences imaginable.
Eventually the options were reduced to what is generally considered the kindest. A traveling vet came to our house, and on my lap, in the familiar surroundings of our patio, with our other two dogs in attendance, Ricky left this world.
Considering the sorrows we hear about every day, it may seem indulgent to mourn a relatively elderly dog. But loss is uniquely personal for those directly affected. No one else suffers quite the same vacant spaces in heart and home, or fleetingly glimpses the ghost where a short time ago there was a curled up bundle of fur and the steady pulse of sleep.
Once a pet psychic told us that Ricky was not a dog who dwelled on the past. We had more than a few chuckles over that. There seemed to be truth in it all the same. Ricky had more reason than most to be affected by early traumas. We first encountered him in a rescue group. Photos from that time show him as a tangled skein, eyes invisible under bedraggled fur. Unseen in the photos were the ticks clamped to his tender parts. He had already been returned by one adoptive family because he didn't get along with another pet. With us however, he almost instantly became a member of the family.
As cats and dogs come and eventually go in the course of our lives, we've tried to avoid favoritism. Each to his or her own, however, and sometimes that means one gets treated differently from others. Ricky's forte was the outdoors. Age or infirmity or disinclination tended to restrict our other dogs. Ricky, on the other hand, was game for any trail or campground.
Even in the preparation stage, when appropriate clothes and footwear were being selected, he quickly figured out whether he was invited. If a suitcase emerged from the closet, he settled into glum inertia, knowing he wasn't involved. Let it be a daypack and hiking boots though, and he was waiting at the garage door.
For over a decade there hasn't been a walk or camping trip that didn't feature Ricky. He and I followed trails for miles through the Superstition Mountains, kayaked across Canyon Lake, climbed Picketpost Mountain, to say nothing of daily walks in parks and other favorite haunts. In other words, there's not a place I can go where I won't be treading in his paw steps.
Dogs have a relatively short lifespan, we know. For that matter, so can loved ones of other species. We love nonetheless, knowing it can't last forever and yet willing to pay that price. It's worth it, no question.
Something To Kibble About
With all the information there is about factory farming you'd think someone would have come out with dog food that is vetted for humane conditions for the creatures that provide the ingredients.
There are, of course, several vegetarian brands of kibble and cans. But even a vegan canine companion has to admit that dogs sometimes hanker for the taste and smell of meat.
Well, if they have to have flesh, at least let it be flesh that comes from an animal or fish that had a tolerable life and at death didn't suffer more than could be avoided. OK, so I can't say for sure what is a tolerable life. But I'm pretty sure it doesn't involve conveyor belts, force feeding, overcrowding and cages and pens too small to allow free movement.
Can I find such a food source? Without scanning the highways for road kill, it's frustratingly hard. There are several companies that boast of "quality" ingredients, which I'm all for. Who wants their dogs to have to absorb pesticides and growth-enhancing chemicals if it can be avoided?
When it comes down to it though, every company I contacted gave "commercial farms" as the source of their ingredients. By that I assume they mean business as usual. And that's just not good enough. If these companies put so much emphasis on treating Fido well, then how come none of them are working for better quality conditions for the other creatures that provide their livelihood?
* * * * *
(I've got to stop writing downers. No more postings about death and loss on this page for a while. That's my new year's resolution. It's hard not to want to pay tribute to those who have departed. All the same, here's to a new year full of upbeat, heartwarming encounters with other species. )
Death in the Aftermath
The first death I experienced that had great impact on me was that of my dog, Sheltie.
By the standards of much of humanity, the death of a dog might seem as if it should be inconsequential to a 22-year-old.
But at that time no companion, excepting my mother, had shown me anything like the devotion and empathy of that dog for so long. Fourteen years was, after all, more than half my lifetime.
That evening, after Sheltie had been put to sleep, we walked as usual along the country lanes near our home. My godmother consoled my mother, and I walked ahead. There was an emptiness about everything around us. It was as if the branches and hedges were stage props. If there was sound or sight of wildlife, I have forgotten. All I wanted was to feel the presence of a familiar spirit trotting beside us, something to give meaning to this sudden fracture between past and present.
I had always been a bit of a romantic in that way. I remember, at the age of eight or nine, reading C.S. Lewis's book, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, and being convinced that there was a portal near our house into his magicalkingdomofNarnia. No allegory would satisfy me. I suppose you could call me a literalist when it came to the supernatural. There just had to be, I was sure, something beyond the everyday.
Light was fading as our path wound up into a field flanked by a wood, and I have a distinct memory of horses standing with their breath misting in the cooling air. I watched, transfixed by the supple energy in their bodies, the awareness in their eyes, the power of the moment in which we stood.
I think I stroked their necks — at least that's my recollection. Perhaps I was hoping that four-legged creatures would have a greater insight into death than I had. If so, I failed to understand what they had to impart.
Well, anyway, I failed to understand at that moment. Decades later I have experienced several such deaths, among them those of my mother and godmother. Again, it's nothing that would impress most of the population of the world probably.
Each time, however, I wonder at the suddenness and the irreversibility of the loss — the life that was there and then is gone. The voice silenced. The ties to life dissolved. The presence evaporated.
These days, of course, there are photos and recordings of various kinds — and that can be a consolation for sure. But still I'm startled by the ebb and flow of existence, the lives that come and the time that goes.
In my garden, once in a while, I find the carcass of a pigeon or wren. It lies there as debris, with ants dissecting the remains. As far as I can see, no other pigeons or wrens stand in mourning. They must have other things to do. Fledglings to raise perhaps. Fledglings who will never know what those carcasses once were — the vitality, the awareness, the need to live.
What else can we do but accept what has happened? There is no other way. I lived for that brief time with those transient companions. The memories have become as much part of me as the words I speak or the image I see when I confront the mirror. Sometimes I look in places where they used to be, and I smile. Just a few short years or months or weeks ago, I think, they were there. Then I move on, as most of us must do, having found/forged a path through the emptiness.
* * * * *
On The Passing Of A Companion
Those who have bonded with a member of another species, be it dog, cat, horse or whatever, know the brevity of life. Perhaps only the death of a young son or daughter can bring home that knowledge with such devastating impact. A lifespan that lasts only a few years, and yet beats with personality and vigor, leaves a profound vacuum when it is gone. Absence seems more unreal than the strangest dream. The world is never again the same. Consolation comes slowly, if it comes at all. The life that remains is all the more precious for seeming more fragile.
* * * * *
Halloween Brings A Dark Stranger
An impulse took me beyond one of my regular walking haunts. The morning sun illuminated a classic Arizonan desert landscape of cactus and mesas. Surely my home office could wait for me to drive a couple more miles and take in the views of the mountains east ofPhoenix.
My four dogs – a bichon, two bichy poos and a geriatric Springer Spaniel – had completed their routine saunter along the concrete path at the scenic vista parking lot. Anticipation was sated. They were content to humor me.
A couple of miles further into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area, I pulled on to the shoulder eager to contemplate the distant Four Peaks range. Hitching up Ricky, the energy bunny of bichy poos, I clambered along a rocky promontory until we had a hawk's view of arroyos and hoodoos.
On a weekday, before sightseers are on the road, the clarity and silence are such that even a bird call resonates. So a muted woofing from my other bichy poo, Sparky, back in my SUV, caught my attention. I looked for a reason, a cyclist perhaps or a coyote, but saw nothing. Sparky has a hair trigger in any case, I concluded. He'd bark at his own stocky shadow.
When Ricky whimpered by my side, however, it was a different matter. Ricky never cries wolf. Sure enough, no sooner had Ricky's feathery tail begun to sway than a black shape bounded between the rocks towards us. All that registered with me at first were alert ears and an ample wag. Indeed, the wag was about all that could be called ample. From a seemingly large head, the body contracted into washboard ribs and a waist that might have been the envy ofNew York and Paris runways. How the back end stayed attached to the front was a marvel.
Despite its skeletal condition though, this was a dog that clearly knew its own mind. And thus, as we returned home, we found ourselves with a hitchhiker.
Closer examination once we reached home revealed the newcomer to be a female who'd had puppies and appeared to be mostly lab. Her 27 pounds were well under lab weight, but there was no telling what her optimum size was before she began living rough. Her age I judged to be two or three, based on the tartar on her teeth and speculation
With our own four canines to cope with, my human companion and I quickly decided that a permanent addition to our household was not on the cards. Sheila the Springer had been found in the desert a year beforehand, and predicting her lavatorial routine was a challenge in itself. Sparky, the bichy poo, had recovered from Valley Fever and an operation to replace a cruciate ligament. But he still had to be handled a little delicately, certainly with more consideration than a boisterous lab might be inclined to show.
The decision seemed clear, and so I began contacting local rescue groups. With foreclosures adding to the usual pressures on shelters, however, it seemed all that was forthcoming was encouragement. Foster homes were already overflowing. Hearing of foster parents who already had large packs to look after made me feel a little bashful about approaching them with my own extra burden.
I reconciled myself to the notion that I'd be looking after the exiled lab myself, at least for a few days. But the one thing I wouldn't do if I could help it was bond. It would be difficult enough fitting a new muzzle into our tightly knit circle. I would have to stay firm, look after her but always with the idea that she was a temporary addition.
To that end, we decided that she would remain "the nameless one." If we christened her, it would surely be a step nearer attachment. The other resolution was that she would live outside – autumn now sapping the desert heat – and sleep in the garage. Allowing her to become a house dog, I could see, would be another step towards permanency. Fortunately, she seemed unfamiliar with dog doors. In her eyes apparently, the rest of our brood simply disappeared into the wall once in a while. I was not about to enlighten her.
In retrospect I was ill prepared for the task of fostering a stray. Although our bishypoos had been homeless before we knew them, they had come to us through a shelter and seemed relatively unaffected by their experiences. We sometimes speculate about their pasts but of course we'll never know. A dog psychic told us once that Ricky harbored no grudges, and indeed his happy-go-lucky nature indicated just that. Sheila the Springer, intercepted on another desert walk, has only three requirements – food, water and sufficient floor space to sleep.
The nameless one, on the other hand, was needier and had more pent-up energy than a candidate for extreme makeover. After devouring a couple of bowls of food, she set out to explore her new surroundings. Familiar as I was with small and elderly dogs, I was constantly underestimating the curiosity and capability of this new arrival.
Our house has a deck accessible by wooden steps. A gate prevents our dogs from going up there, but it was no barrier to nameless one. The patter of paws from above betrayed her ascent, first to the deck and from there on to the roof. No doubt it was an elementary climb after the hazards of granite outcrops and cholla thorns.
No less of an attraction was our goldfish pond. I think I can confidently say now, based on recent research, that goldfish are immune to heart attacks. Otherwise, that angular black muzzle and those golden brown eyes looming above them would surely have caused multiple seizures.
Nightfall was no relief. My initial plan was to confine her in one of those plastic traveling crates during designated sleep time. The crate was lent to me by my neighbor, and had already been mauled somewhat by a previous occupant. No problem for nameless one. She simply gnawed on an existing hole until she broke out. I was forced therefore to let her have the run of the garage.
In the morning – early in the morning, when her barks awakened me – I found that she had interpreted "run of the garage" slightly more liberally than I had intended. Paw prints on the roofs of our vehicles revealed her nocturnal wanderings. She had reached heights – or depths, depending on one's perspective – I had rashly considered beyond her. A chewed container indicated a sortie along my work counter, while a scattering of purloined cat kibble on the floor was evidence of a record-breaking assault on a shelf a good six feet off the ground. Then of course there were the inevitable puddles and piles to clear up.
Even as she summoned my attention to these activities, shortly before dawn, remorse was clearly not on her mind. Instead she showed her delight at seeing me again by flinging herself against my legs in what might pass in the lab world for a bear hug and then rolling over for a belly rub. Her separation anxiety, I realized, was chronic. And no wonder. Who would ever know what she had endured out there among the coyotes and cougars? It was a wonder she could sleep at all.
Over the next few days she began to calm down. She put on three pounds and looked more lab-like rather than the Halloween ghoul she had appeared to be on first meeting. At night, she took to her bed as if it was something familiar from a previous chapter in her life. The fish even felt marginally safer.
Still, the fact remained that she was a foster child. Local rescue groups were on notice that we really were anxious to put her up for adoption before we got too attached to her and her to us.
While we were waiting for a vacancy, it was suggested to me, perhaps we should get her scanned for a microchip. In view of the remote place where she was found, I thought it to be nothing more than a formality. Collarless dogs are often dumped at city perimeters. Apparently their erstwhile owners think they go off to live with the coyotes. Why should this situation be any different?
As the vet tech ran her scanner over nameless one's back, there was an instant bonanza. She was chipped. I was stunned. A phone call revealed she had a name, Mallory. It also revealed an owner's name and number, and the rescue group from which she had been adopted previously.
Two days later, the owner had not responded. But the rescue group would take her back and find another home for her.
As I drove Mallory into Phoenix, I couldn't help feeling that I was betraying her. Despite my resolution, we had bonded just in the week we had been together. She had won me over with her affection and intelligence and that stoic good humor that makes dogs such an uplifting, irreplaceable part of so many people's lives.
I can't begin to fully appreciate the emotions of those who provide foster homes on a regular basis. Each parting must be bitter sweet. The sorrow of losing a companion outweighed, hopefully, by the prospect of a fresh start.
As we said our goodbyes, I could only hope that Mallory would bear no grudges and that fortune would bring her the happy, caring home she so richly deserved.


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Samantha's Sweets!
If you didn't know already, I LOVE what I do! These are my latest cakes. I have been having fun with fondant and butter cream.
|Dr. Seuss Inspired Baby Shower Cake ~ Hand painted fondant characters
|Sour Patch Kids Birthday Cake
|Fall Theme Pumpkin Patch 1st Birthday
|Mermaid Birthday


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clematis pruning information
I have lived at my current Saint Paul home for the past four years, but just today (10/11/2017) discovered a clematis blooming under the foliage of day lilies and a peony on the south side of my garage, in the alley. I would like to take care of it, and am reading about the different types of clematis and varying pruning requirements. Do you happen to know what kind of clematis this is (see attached photos), or do you have an educated guess as to when this variety should be pruned? I am new to caring for any type of clematis, so any insight you are willing to share would be most appreciated. Thank you so much for your help! Denise Tennessen
Ramsey County Minnesota
1 Response
It's beautiful! Donahues located in Northfield is the company that supplies most of the clematis to retail suppliers. Their website has lots of information on growing clematis. They have a section on pruning in the spring. They recommend mulching for the winter, although I do not mulch mine after the first year. Your variety might be Alaina. See: https://donahuesclematis.com/product-category/pink-varieties/ The overall website is: http://www.donahuesgreenhouse.com/ Click on the right growing clematis and there will be a drop down menu, click on pruning.


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Sometimes we have not because we didn't seek or even ask. Sometimes we traveled, searching, but not nearly far enough.
I've traveled around Blogland today and thought I'd share some treasures with you.
I added these free (as of today) ebooks to my (free, but of course!) Kindle Cloud Reader from amazon.com. Please remember I've not read them yet, so if they turn out to be disasters, uh, I meant well.
Declutter Your Life: Quick and Easy Tips For Busy People
Home Staging On The Cheap
You Are Creative, Start Here
The Clean Home Boxset
How To Save Big Money on Groceries
How To Clean Your Home Naturally
How To Develop An Organized Mindset
Each day I get an email from DailyFreeBooks.com with long lists of free ebooks. They're the reason I have literally hundreds of free books in my (did I mention free?) Kindle Cloud Reader. Click on your favorite category on the left to more quickly find books of interest.
From a different source, I found the latest Sun Maid Cookbook. I always send for the paper version by mail, but this is available to download, also:
The latest free Sun Maid Cookbook here.
Oh, and daily I get an email from FreeSamples.org with a list of free items to send for. Over the years I've received tons of free coffee, cologne, calendars, hot chocolate mix, shampoo, hand wipes, cookbooks, coupons, etc. No credit card is ever required for these.
Shop4Freebies.com is another good place.
Now, through Netflix last night I watched the most gorgeous thing, especially lovely since I'm in snow country and not exactly hiking any mountains right now. It's called Moving Art: Forests. Such gorgeous photography and music--you'll gasp and the cool thing? You may feel like you actually left your house and went someplace. Gotta love that.
Also part of that series are Moving Art: Flowers, Moving Art: Oceans, Moving Art: Deserts. I'll be checking those out soon.
This all should keep you busy for awhile, right? :)
There are tons of free, beautiful things still out there ... May you never tire of the search for them.
If you read my previous post early yesterday, you may have missed this:
Oh! Just now found something for those of you who love reading about off-the-grid farming. Go here. I enjoyed this article and all the photos--such views from the windows!