text:
RAD Server Software Deployment License and Support Agreement
1. SCOPE. This Software License and Support Agreement ("Agreement") is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or an entity ("you" or "Licensee")) and Embarcadero Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation with offices at 10801 N Mopac Expressway, Building 1, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759, including its affiliates ("Licensor"). By downloading or unsealing Licensor's RAD Server (as defined below) software and/or documentation ("Products") or by purchasing a license key for RAD Server or by using a license key to activate the RAD Server software or any RAD Server Component (as defined below), Licensee is agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and any ordering document, the terms of this Agreement will govern and control. Delivery if made by any means other than electronic delivery, shall be made FCA (Incoterms 2010) Licensor's shipping point. If Licensee is evaluating RAD Server for deployment purposes, then only the provisions of Section 22 below will govern such evaluation. This Agreement governs your deployment of a RAD Server Application (as defined below). The development of a software application or software solution based on RAD Server (a "RAD Server Application") requires that you obtain a valid license to use a version of RAD Studio, Delphi or C++ Builder that supports building services for RAD Server, which currently consists of version 10.1 or higher of RAD Studio, Delphi or C++ Builder. Use of RAD Server to deploy and use a RAD Server Application requires that you obtain a valid license to install RAD Server on a sufficient number of servers and use RAD Server with a sufficient number of licensed users and licensed devices to support such use or deployment. RAD Server is a bundled offering that consists of the following Embarcadero software solutions (each, a "RAD Server Component" and collectively, "RAD Server"): (i) REST Endpoint Publishing (also known as Enterprise Mobility Services ("EMS")), (ii) IoT Edgeware (also known as "ThingPoint'), (iii) Smart Device IoT Connectivity Framework (also known as "ThingConnect") and (iv) Location Tracking (also known as "BeaconFence").
Licensor grants to Licensee a non-exclusive, nontransferable, perpetual license (the "License") to install RAD Server within the country (or in the case of a country within the European Union within the European Union) specified by Licensee's ship to address provided by Licensee in the ordering documentation for your RAD Server licenses at the time of purchase ("Licensed Country") for the number of licensed servers that you have purchased. Contemporaneously with the RAD Server license purchased by Licensee, Licensor grants to Licensee a non-exclusive, nontransferable license to install RAD Server Lite on an unlimited number of servers.
RAD Server is licensed on a per-server basis, which may vary depending upon the version of RAD Server purchased by you. You should review your order documentation and purchase confirmation to ensure which licensing restrictions are applicable to your version of RAD Server. You may not deploy or use RAD Server with any users or devices in excess of those licensed by you with respect to the applicable version of RAD Server licensed by you hereunder.
In addition, your installation, deployment and use of RAD Server is also subject to the additional restrictions provided in the ordering document pursuant to which you purchased your RAD Server licenses.
3. TERM. This Agreement shall be effective on the date first accessed by Licensee.
4. TERMINATION. Licensor may immediately terminate this Agreement without further obligation or liability: (a) with respect to a License, if Licensee fails to pay the license fee due for the License hereunder and continues to be delinquent for a period of thirty (30) days after the last day on which payment is due, (b) if a petition alleging insolvency is filed by or against Licensee and not stayed within 60 days, or a receiver is appointed for any part of Licensee's business, or its assets are assigned for the benefit of creditors; or (c) if Licensee commits any material breach of this Agreement and fails to remedy such breach within thirty (30) days after written notice by Licensor of such breach. The termination of this Agreement shall not affect: (i) the obligation of either party pursuant to any License which has not been terminated, and which shall therefore remain in effect in accordance with its terms; or (ii) the survival of the representations and warranties contained herein. Within 60 days of the termination of any License, Licensee shall return to Licensor the terminated Product and all related documentation, and copies thereof. Licensee shall promptly certify in writing to Licensor that all copies of the Product have been removed from each computer upon which the Product was installed, and that any copies not returned have been destroyed.
5.1 TITLE AND COPYRIGHT. Licensor represents and warrants that it has the full rights to license the Product to Licensee and to perform its obligations under this Agreement. All title and copyrights and other industrial, intellectual and marketing rights in and to the Product, including but not limited to all modifications thereto made by or for any person, are owned by Licensor and/or its affiliates and licensors, and are protected by both United States copyright law and applicable international copyright treaties. Licensee agrees not to claim or assert title to or ownership of the Product. Except as expressly set forth herein, Licensee may copy the Product only for backup or archival purposes, and for no other purpose. Licensee will not remove or alter any copyright or proprietary notice from copies of the Product, and copies made by or for Licensee shall bear all copyright, trade secret, trademark and any other intellectual property right notices on the original copies. All rights not specifically granted to licensee herein are retained by Embarcadero.
5.2 RESTRICTIONS. Licensee acknowledges and agrees that the Product contains valuable trade secrets of Licensor and/or its affiliates and licensors, and that this Agreement establishes a confidential relationship between the parties with respect to this information. The licenses granted herein are subject to the following restriction: Licensee agrees not to use the Product to develop an application that is directly competitive to the Product or to any other Embarcadero products. Subject to applicable law, Licensee agrees (a) not to decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer or otherwise attempt to derive the Product source code from object code except to the extent expressly permitted by applicable law or treaty despite this limitation; (b) not to sell, rent, lease, license, sublicense, display, modify, time share, outsource or otherwise transfer the Product to, or permit the use of the Product by, any third party; and (c) to preserve the confidential nature of the proprietary and trade secret information by retaining and using the Product in trust and confidence, solely for its internal use, and using the degree of care and protection that Licensee would use for its own information of similar importance, but in no event less than a reasonable degree of care and protection, to prevent the unauthorized use, copying, publication or dissemination of the Product and Licensor's confidential information learned from Licensee's use of the Product. Licensee will not export or re-export the Product without both the written consent of Licensor and the appropriate U.S. and/ or foreign government license(s) or license exception(s). Licensor shall have the right to seek injunctive relief against any actual or threatened violation of these restrictions, in addition to any other available remedies. Additional restrictions may apply to certain files, programs or data supplied by third parties and embedded in the Product; consult the Product installation instructions or release notes for details. Licensee agrees to promptly report to Licensor any violations of these provisions by Licensee's employees, consultants or agents of which Licensee is aware.
6. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE ("Support"). Licensee is entitled to the Support services defined below as part of an annual Support fee.
6.1 ELECTRONIC SERVICES. To the extent that electronic services are available, Licensee may electronically access, at no charge, Support services which will be available twenty four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days per week. Such electronic services may include, but are not limited to: incident submission, case management and Product Releases.
6.2 SUPPORT. Support shall be applicable only to the Product licensed or sold under this Agreement for which Support fees have been paid. Support will not cover any adaptation or modification of the Product made by Licensee or any third party. The email and phone support hours shall be as identified on the Embarcadero support website.
Support shall consist of:
(a) Make available a regional telephone number or other electronic support to Licensee in order for the Licensee to report Product issues and to receive assistance. Licensor will analyze the incident and verify the existence of the problem and provide direction and assistance in resolving the incident; and
(b) Make available all updates, upgrades and other changes ("Releases") that Licensor, at its sole discretion, makes or adds to the Product and which Licensor furnishes, without charge, to other licensees of the Product that are enrolled in Support. Requests for Releases will only be honored during the support term. Physical media requires an additional charge.
6.3 TERMINATION OF SUPPORT. Licensee may cancel enrollment in Support upon written notice to Licensor at least thirty (30) days prior to the next Support Anniversary Date. If Licensee has failed to renew or terminated its enrollment in Support, for a period of up to six months from the Support expiration date, Licensee may re-enroll in Support by paying a reinstatement fee to be calculated based on Licensor's then current reinstatement policy and due for the period during which Licensee was not enrolled in Support. In addition, Licensee must pay the annual charge for Support for the next year in advance. Such reinstatement date shall then be considered the Support Anniversary Date. For the avoidance of doubt, Support reinstatement will not be permitted after six months of lapsed Support. Licensee agrees not to modify the Product without the prior written approval of Licensor. Unapproved alterations to the Product shall void any obligation by Licensor to provide Support for the Product, pursuant to this Section 6, during the warranty period and any subsequent period in which Licensee is enrolled in Support. Licensor may elect to cease offering support services at any time (i) for a particular Product version in the case where it has been replaced by newer release(s) and (ii) in the case where a particular Product has reached its end of life.
6.4 CHANGE OF SUPPORT FEES. Licensor reserves the right to change its then current published list prices for the Products and its charge for Support at any time prior to renewal. Any such change to Support shall not take effect until the completion of the then current support term.
6.5 SERVICES; UPDATES; PRODUCT CHANGES. Licensor is not required under this Agreement to provide any installation, training or other services to licensee. Such services, if available, must be purchased separately. If Licensee purchases support and Licensor provides licensee with a new release, error correction, update, upgrade or other modification to the Product, or Licensee separately purchases an upgrade such modification or upgrade will be deemed part of the Product, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, unless the modification is expressly provided subject to a separate license agreement. If licensee have acquired an upgrade version of the Product (whether through support or purchase of a separate upgrade), such upgrade constitutes a single Product together with the copy of the Product that licensee upgraded. This means that, although Licensee may have two sets of Product media and/or two license keys, licensee still has only one license. Therefore, licensee may not transfer the original copy of the Product or license key to any other party or user. Licensor reserves the right at any time not to release or to discontinue release of any Product and to alter prices, features, specifications, capabilities, functions, licensing terms, release dates, general availability or other characteristics of any future releases of the Product. If licensee acquires a Network Named upgrade or Concurrent upgrade license which includes rights to older product versions, then Licensee must deactivate the upgraded license upon installation of the upgrade license provided that the product version(s) of the upgraded license are also included in the upgrade license.
7. PAYMENT SCHEDULE. Payment for all License and Support fees shall be due thirty (30) following receipt by Licensee of an invoice by Licensor specifying the amounts due, unless otherwise set forth in an ordering document accepted by Licensor in writing. All fees are nonrefundable. Licensor shall invoice Licensee for the initial Support fees upon the initial order of the licensed Products (the "Support Anniversary Date"). Sixty (60) days prior to each annual Support Anniversary Date of the licensed Products, Licensor shall invoice Licensee the then-current fee for the next year of Support.
8. LIMITED WARRANTY AND CONDITIONS. Licensor warrants and conditions for a period of sixty (60) days that the media on which the Product is furnished will be, under normal use, free from defects in material and workmanship. Licensor also warrants that the Product will perform in all material respects with the operating specifications contained in the accompanying Product documentation, for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of shipment. Other than with respect to any indemnification hereunder, Licensor's entire liability and Licensee's exclusive remedy under this provision will be for Licensor to use commercially reasonable efforts to remedy defects covered by this warranty and condition within a reasonable period of time or, at Licensor's option, either to replace the defective Product or to refund the amount paid by Licensee to license the use of the Product. Licensor does not warrant or condition that the operation of the Product will be uninterrupted or error free or that all software defects can be corrected. This warranty and condition shall not apply if (a) the Product is not used in accordance with applicable documentation; (b) Product defect has been caused by Licensee's malfunctioning equipment; or (c) Licensee has made modifications to the Product not expressly authorized in writing by Licensor. No employee, agent, or representative of Licensor has the authority to bind Licensor to any oral representations, warranties or conditions concerning the Product. Any written representation, warranty or condition not expressly contained in this Agreement shall not be enforceable.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Neither Licensor nor Licensee shall be liable to the other party for consequential, indirect, incidental, exemplary, special or punitive damages from any cause, whether in contract, tort (including negligence) or otherwise, arising out of or in any way connected with the design, manufacture, sale, support or use of the Product. Except as provided in Section 10 below, in no event shall Licensor's or Licensee's liability for direct damages resulting from the use of the Product exceed the amount paid by the Licensee to license the use of the Product.
10. INDEMNIFICATION FOR INFRINGEMENT. Licensor will defend or settle, at its own expense, any claim against Licensee asserting a copyright, trademark or trade secret which concerns the Product used within the scope of the Agreement hereunder. Licensor shall indemnify Licensee against any loss, expense or liability including reasonable attorney's fees from any damages alleged against Licensee. Licensor's obligations under this Section 10 are conditioned on Licensee promptly notifying Licensor in writing after Licensee first receives notice of any such claim, action or allegation of infringement and, Licensor being given sole control of the defense of any action and all negotiations for its settlement or compromise, with the reasonable assistance of Licensee. Licensor shall not be liable for any costs or expenditures incurred by Licensee without Licensor's prior written consent. If an injunction or order is obtained against Licensee's use of the Product by reason of the allegations of infringement, or if in Licensor's opinion the Product is likely to become the subject of a claim of infringement, Licensor shall, at its expense:
(a) Procure for Licensee the right to continue using the Product; or
(b) Modify or replace the Product with a compatible, functionally equivalent, non-infringing Product(s); or
(c) If neither (a) nor (b) is reasonably practical in Licensor's judgment, remove the Product and issue Licensee a pro rata credit based upon the License fees paid for the Product prorated over a thirty-six (36) month period from the date of shipment of the Product. Thereafter, termination shall proceed in accordance with the terms of Section 4.
Licensor shall have no obligation under this Section 10 to the extent the alleged infringement results from (i) modification of the Product other than by Licensor; (ii) the combination of the Product with products not provided by Licensor; or (iii) use of any older version of the Product when use of a newer version made available to Licensee would have avoided the infringement.
This Section 10 is Licensor's entire liability and Licensee's sole and exclusive remedy in the event of intellectual property infringement of any kind.
11. VERIFICATION. If Licensee is entering into this Agreement as an entity other than an individual (e.g., as a corporation, a partnership, or other organization), Licensor may, at its expense, audit the number of copies of the Product in use by Licensee and the designated CPU(s) on which the Product is installed. Any such audit shall be conducted during regular business hours at Licensee's facilities and shall not unreasonably interfere with Licensee's business activities. If an audit reveals that LICENSEE has underpaid fees to Licensor, Licensee shall be invoiced for such underpaid fees (based on the list prices in effect at the time the audit is completed); and if the underpaid fees exceed 5% of the License fees already paid, then Licensee shall also pay Licensor the reasonable costs of conducting the audit.
12. ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of Licensee's rights, licenses or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by Licensee to any third party, including without limitation in connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, outsourcing, change of control or under any other circumstance. Any such purported assignment or delegation shall be void and of no effect and shall constitute an incurable breach of this Agreement resulting in the automatic termination of this Agreement and all rights and licenses granted to Licensee hereunder.
13. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS; EXPORT COMPLIANCE. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions set forth in FAR Section 52.227-14 Alt. III (g)(3), FAR Section 52.227-19, DFARS 252.227-7014 (b) or DFARS 227.7202, as amended from time to time. Contractor/Manufacturer is Embarcadero Technologies, Inc., 10801 N Mopac Expressway, Building 1, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759. Any contract notices should be sent to this address. Licensee may not download, use, transfer, export or re-export the Product except as authorized by United States law and the laws of the juris¬diction in which the Product was obtained. In particular, but without limitation, Product may not be, downloaded, used, exported or re-export¬¬ed (a) in or to (or by or to a national or resident of) any country then under U.S. economic embar¬go (currently including, but not necessarily limited to, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria), (b) or any end user who Licensee's knows or has reason to know will utilize them in the design, development or production of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, or rocket systems, space launch vehicles, and sounding rockets, or unmanned air vehicle systems or (c) to any person or entity on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of Special¬ly Desig¬nat¬ed Nationals or on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Denied Persons List or Entity List. By downloading or using Products, Licensee represents and warrants that it is not located in, under control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.
14. SEVERABILITY. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined to be invalid, ineffective, or unenforceable, under present or future laws, the remainder of the provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
15. NOTICE. Notices to either party shall be in writing to the address indicated in this Agreement (or as later amended) and deemed effective when received, or twenty-four (24) hours following the date of the postmark, if sent by prepaid certified mail, return receipt requested.
16. REFERENCING. If applicable, Licensee agrees that Licensor may refer to the corporate name of Licensee as a customer of Licensor, both internally and in externally published media; any additional disclosure by Licensor with respect to Licensee shall be subject to the prior written approval of Licensee.
17. FORCE MAJEURE. Neither party will be in default of its obligations under this Agreement to the extent its performance is delayed or prevented by causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, earthquake, flood, embargo, riots, sabotage, utility or transmission failures, fire or labor disturbances. The party facing an event of force majeure shall use its commercially reasonable efforts in order to remedy that situation as well as to mitigate its effects.
18. WAIVER. The waiver by a party of one breach or default by another party under this Agreement will not constitute the waiver of any subsequent breach or default. No waiver shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party.
19. SURVIVAL. In the event of expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason, the provisions of Sections 1, 4, 5, 7-9, 12-21 and 23 shall survive in accordance with their respective terms.
20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. Licensee agrees that this is the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between the parties, and supersedes all prior proposals and understandings, oral and written, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.
21. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to conflicts of law principles. The provisions of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply.
22. EVALUATION LICENSE. Licensor is the owner and provider of certain proprietary software and documentation that Licensee desires to have tested and evaluated on the terms and conditions of this Section 22 ("Software"). For a term not to exceed fourteen (14) days ("Evaluation Period") without Licensor's written authorization, the Software will be provided solely for evaluation purposes for Licensee's own internal use ("Evaluation") and Licensee is hereby granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, limited license to operate and use the Software for such Evaluation. The Evaluation Period begins on the date Licensee downloads or unseals the Software. At the end of the Evaluation Period, Licensee shall cease using and shall remove the Software from its systems. This requirement applies to copies of the Software in all forms (partial and complete) on all types of media and computer memory and whether or not merged into other materials. Licensee agrees not to cause or permit the reverse engineering, disassembly, modification, translation or decompilation of the Software. Licensee shall not copy the Software, or write or develop any derivative software. Licensee shall not release the results of any Evaluation testing or other performance results of the Software conducted under this Section 22 to any third party without Licensor's prior written consent for each such release.
THE SOFTWARE PROVIDED FOR THIS EVALUATION IS DELIVERED "AS IS, WHERE IS" AND LICENSOR SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Licensor does not warrant that the Products will operate without interruption or be error free.
Sections 5, 9, 11-15, 17-21 and 23 of the Agreement shall be deemed incorporated by this reference in the Evaluation license granted under this Section 22.
23. Hazardous Uses. The Product is not intended for use, and Licensee may not use or allow others to use the Product, in connection with any application requiring fail-safe performance such as the operation of nuclear power facilities, air traffic control or navigation systems, weapons control systems, life support systems, or any other system whose failure could lead to injury, death, environmental damage or mass destruction. Licensee agree that Embarcadero will have no liability of any nature, and Licensee is solely responsible, for any expense, loss, injury or damage incurred as a result of such use of the Product.


text:
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 9, 2012 – 1:57 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Please have a seat, have a seat. Thank you so much. Well, hello, everybody, and welcome to the White House.
I want to start by thanking all the chief state school officers who have made the trip from all over the country. Why don't you all stand up just so we can see you all, right here. (Applause.) It's a great group, right here. Thank you. And I want to recognize someone who is doing a pretty good job right here in Washington, D.C., and that is my Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Love Arne. (Applause.)
We've also got some outstanding members of Congress who are here who have always been on the front lines when it comes to education reform. But above all, I want to thank all the teachers who are here today. Where are the teachers? Come on, stand up, teachers. (Applause.) There you go. We got some teachers here.
Earlier this week, we hosted our second White House science fair. Some of you may have seen this on TV. I got a chance to shoot a marshmallow out of an air cannon, which I don't usually get to do. (Laughter.) But I met these incredibly talented young people — kids who are working on everything from portable housing for disaster victims to technology that can detect smuggled uranium before it became a threat; this young man had built a prototype. And I asked him how he came up with this idea, and he said, "I've always just been really interested in nuclear materials, and I collect samples." (Laughter.) And I asked him, "How does your mom feel about this?" (Laughter.) He said she wasn't that happy about it.
But just unbelievable young people. It was extraordinary. And before they left, I gave them some homework. I told them go find a teacher who helped them make it here and say thank you, because every single one of us can point to a teacher who in some way changed the course of our lives. I certainly can; I know Arne can. And the impact is often much bigger than we realize.
One study found that a single good teacher can increase the lifetime earnings of a classroom by $250,000 — single teacher. A great teacher can help a young person escape poverty, allow them to dream beyond their circumstances.
So teachers matter. And in an economy where employers are looking for the most skilled, educated workers, few people are going to have a bigger impact on that than the men and women who are in our classrooms. And that ultimately is why we're here today. It's about our classrooms, and our children, and what's happening to them and how they can perform.
In September, after waiting far too long for Congress to act, I announced that my administration would take steps to reform No Child Left Behind on our own. This was one of the first and the biggest "We Can't Wait" announcements that we've made, because our kids and our schools can't be held back by inaction.
I want to point out, by the way, the members of Congress who are here, they're ready to act, but we haven't been able to get the entire House and Senate to move on this.
I said back then the goals of No Child Left Behind were the right ones. Standards and accountability — those are the right goals. Closing the achievement gap, that's a good goal. That's the right goal. We've got to stay focused on those goals. But we've got to do it in a way that doesn't force teachers to teach to the test, or encourage schools to lower their standards to avoid being labeled as failures. That doesn't help anybody. It certainly doesn't help our children in the classroom.
So we determined we need a different approach. And I've always believed that each of us has a role to play when it comes to our children's education. As parents, we've got a responsibility to make sure homework gets done, but also to instill a love of learning from the very start. As a nation, we've got a responsibility to give our students the resources they need — from the highest-quality schools to the latest textbooks to science labs that actually work.
In return, we should demand better performance. We should demand reform. And that was the idea behind Race to the Top. For less than 1 percent of what our nation spends on education each year, we've gotten almost every state in the nation to raise their standards for teaching and learning. And that's the first time that's happened in a generation.
So when it comes to fixing what's wrong with No Child Left Behind, we've offered every state the same deal. We've said, if you're willing to set higher, more honest standards than the ones that were set by No Child Left Behind, then we're going to give you the flexibility to meet those standards. We want high standards, and we'll give you flexibility in return. We combine greater freedom with greater accountability. Because what might work in Minnesota may not work in Kentucky — but every student should have the same opportunity to reach their potential.
So over the last five months, 39 states have told us that they were interested. Some have already applied. And today, I am pleased to announce that we are giving 10 states, the first 10 states the green light to continue making the reforms that are best for them.
Each of these states has set higher benchmarks for student achievement. They've come up with ways to evaluate and support teachers fairly, based on more than just a set of test scores. And along with promoting best practices for all of our children, they're also going to be focusing on low-income students, and English language learners, and students with disabilities — not just to make sure that those children don't fall through the cracks, but to make sure they have every opportunity to go as far as their talents will take them.
So Massachusetts, for example, has set a goal to cut the number of underperforming students in half over the next six years. I like that goal.
Colorado has launched a website that will allow teachers and parents to see exactly how much progress students are making, and how different schools are measuring up. So nothing creates more accountability than when parents are out there taking a look and seeing what's going on.
New Jersey is developing an early warning system to reduce the number of dropouts. Tennessee is creating a statewide school district to aggressively tackle its lowest-performing schools. And Florida has set a goal to have their test scores rank among the top five states in the country, and the top 10 countries in the world. I like that ambition.
This is good news for our kids; it's good news for our country. And I'm confident that we're going to see even more states come forward in the months ahead. Because if we're serious about helping our children reach their full potential, the best ideas aren't going to just come from here in Washington. They're going to come from cities and towns from all across America. They're going to come from teachers and principals and parents. They're going to come from you who have a sense of what works and what doesn't.
And our job is to harness those ideas, to lift up best practices, to hold states and schools accountable for making them work. That's how we're going to make sure that every child in America has the skills and the education they need to compete for the jobs of the future and to be great citizens. And that's how we're going to build an economy that lasts.
So to all the educators who are in the room, thank you for what you do every day. We are very proud of your efforts. We know it's not easy. We're proud of you. And working together, I am absolutely confident that year after year we're going to see steady improvement.
I told the superintendents that I met backstage before I came out here, this is not a one-year project. This isn't a two-year project. This is going to take some time. But we can get it done with the kind of determination and the kind of commitment that so many of you have shown.
So I'm proud of you. I'm proud of Arne Duncan. Let's make this happen.
Thank you very much, everybody.
Source: whitehouse.gov

subset: commoncrawl


text:
World's Oldest Student Is Baptized at 90
NAIROBI, Kenya, MAY 27, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The world-record-breaking oldest primary school student, a Kenyan great-grandfather, was baptized after he learned to read the Bible.
Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge, the Guinness World Record holder for being the oldest person to enter primary school at age 84, was baptized Sunday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kariobangi, east of Nairobi, Ecumenical News International reported Monday.
Now 90 years old, Maruge chose the baptismal name "Stephen" as he stated, "I commit my life to God, from now until the end."
"I decided to be baptized after reading the Bible," he explained.
In a wheelchair due to stomach cancer, the new Catholic added: "I read the Bible and came across the name Stephen. This is a name for those who have endured hardships like me."
Father Paulino Mondo, Holy Trinity pastor, affirmed that the schooling helped Maruge to read and understand the Bible, and pass all his catechism tests.
Maruge enrolled in school due to the government's introduction of free primary education in 2003. Two of his 30 grandchildren attend the same school.
He addressed the U.N. Millennium Development Summit in Sep. 2005 in New York on the importance of free primary education.
Maruge continued schooling despite being forced to a refugee camp due to post-election violence in 2008, and later relocation to a senior citizen retirement home.
The Kenyan's story will be told in a Hollywood-produced film, titled "The First Grader," which is currently being produced.


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Peeps, the sugar-coated marshmallow chicks and bunnies, have been an Easter candy tradition for decades. But Peeps dioramas, statues and other decorative art using the sweets have become popular over the years, making the treats more than just a holiday basket-stuffer.
New York chocolatier Jacques Torres first developed a taste for the gooey chicks and bunnies when he moved to the States from his native France. "I discovered that Peeps have a deep part in people's heart," Torres told TODAY.com. "It's a very American thing. It's a part of the Eastern tradition."
He decided he wanted to find a way to combine Peeps with his chocolate-making profession, telling his store managers he was planning to coat the candies in chocolate and other costumes. "People looked at me like I was crazy," he said. But he went ahead with the plan, dipping Peeps in fine chocolate and dressing them up in tuxedos with white-chocolate buttons and bow ties. "We had a big success with them. They sold very well."
Torres's tuxedoed chicks aren't the only decorative route Peeps have taken. For nearly a decade, newspapers like the Pioneer Press and The Washington Post have held annual contests calling for creative diorama submissions using Peeps. Each year, they're flooded with miniature marshmallow snapshots of everything from classic literature scenes to political satires to famous works of art.
"One of our favorites, 'Eep', was based on the the movie 'Up,'" Tracy Grant, the editor in charge of The Washington Post's Peeps competition, told TODAY.com. "It was a balloon that lifts the house up, and the balloon is all made out of Peeps."
Other recent submissions included a parody of the Occupy Wall Street movement dubbed "Occupeep DC," a diorama featuring 2011's trapped miners in Chile, and a mock-up of the Roman Colosseum. Grant thinks making decorative work out of Peeps has turned into an artistic community effort. "People are very, very creative," she said. "I would say most of our entries are team entries of people working together. Offices work together. It's turned out to be an incredible testament to the ingenuity of people." This year's contest winners will be featured on the newspaper's website on March 27th.
Publications aren't the only ones getting in on the decorative Peeps game. The Carroll County Arts Council in Westminster, Maryland has been holding a popular PEEPshow for the past 6 years, featuring full-scale sculptures and dioramas made out of the candy. Arts Council Executive Director Sandy Oxx says the show, which will run at the Carroll Arts Center from March 28th through April 7th, has received some clever, and occasionally massive, submissions over the years.
"Someone did a whole prom dress, full-sized," she told TODAY. "We tend to get really big monsters and cartoon characters." Oxx says some of her favorite submissions have been simple designs with titular plays on words. "Someone did a horseshoe-shaped magnet," she said. "They called it a 'chick magnet.'"
Oxx thinks Peeps' popularity stems from the candy's long-standing tradition as an Easter basket standby. "Everyone has a Peeps story," she said. "When I was growing up, the fact that they were big and took up a lot of room in the basket, parents could spend $2 and make their baskets really big. If you're Christian, Jewish, like to eat them, hate them, everyone's got Peep memories, so it's a really easy product to base an event around."
Grant says that annual contests have given a whole new meaning to the holiday treat. "It's a very nostalgic thing," she said. "In a very high-tech world, [the dioramas] feel very old-fashioned and very sweet. It's a real tradition."
And Torres says he hopes to put out even more fun chocolate-covered Peeps creations in the future. "This year, I want to do a Pope Peep," he said. "Don't get offended about that one."
More: New York City bakery sells $1000 Easter egg
Confessions of a real-life Easter Bunny


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Personalized Valet Box - To My Son
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text:
Number of office visits per year for ear infections in the U.S. :
30 million, for a cost of over $1 billion yearly
Estimated number of antibiotic prescriptions given to children for ear infections alone in 1990:
Over twenty-five million prescriptions, with over 1 billion individual doses of antibiotics given to children for ear infections yearly. In other parts of the world,(e.g., Scandinavian countries), physicians use antibiotics only when complications develop or are expected to develop.
Percentage of ear infections which will clear on their own with out antibiotics:
Eighty-eight percent
Number one surgical procedure performed in the U.S. (requiring general anaesthetic):
Tympanostomy tubes. These are plastic grommets punched through the ear drum under general anaesthetic. Often accumulated cellular debris is cleaned from the middle ear during surgery. They "ventilate" the middle ear, relieving pressure but doing little to address the causes of otitis media.
Number of tympanostomy tubes surgically implanted in childrens ears :
Over 2 million yearly
Cost of surgical insertion of tympanostomy tubes in the U.S.:
Over $2 billion yearly
Percentage of children requiring replacement tubes within 4 years of initial tube insertion:
Seventy six percent
Number of studies demonstrating that tubes work better than non-surgical treatment:
None. In fact, recent studies have compared tympanostomy tubes to antibiotic therapy and myringotomy. The group with tubes developed a higher rate of recurrent otitis, hearing loss, ear drum retraction, and tympanosclerosis ( i.e., atrophy and scarring at the site of tube insertion).
Cost of conventional treatment of ear infections, per child:
Average: $1093
Range : $144 – $7137
Cost of naturopathic medical treatment of ear infections, per child:
Range: $208 – $668
Number of studies supporting naturopathic protocols for the treatment of otitis media:
Over thirty.
Six double blind clinical trials, six other controlled studies and over twenty supportive studies including uncontrolled clinical trials &epidemiological or animal studies. Naturopathic treatment consists of screening for food and environmental sensitivities, correcting nutrient deficiencies, and increasing the patient's resistance to disease through natural methods and simple supportive treatment.
Naturopathic practice assumes that several complimentary treatment methods, acting in concert, will be more effective than a singe method used alone. Treatment protocols are individualized. Naturopathic protocol includes the prescribing of antibiotic when appropriate. Some cases may be referred for surgical placement of tympanostomy tubes.
Long term benefits to routine antibiotic and surgical treatment of otitis media:
None. Conventional treatment does not affect the long term incidence or severity of ear infections, or have any long term cost benefit over no treatment at all. Long term antibiotic use is medically controversial. Studies indicate that children treated with antibiotics have a higher incidence of repeat ear infections when compared to children treated without antibiotics. The most common antibiotics are often associated with adverse toxic side effects, including diarrhea, vomiting, diaper rash, Bactrim, an antibiotic commonly used to treat ear infections in children, can produce over sixty kinds of side effects,.
Long term benefits of Naturopathic treatment of otitis media:
Many. Identification and elimination of underlying allergies, food sensitivities, or nutrient deficiencies with naturopathic treatment can reduce the incidence of a wide variety of subsequent problems. Correction of underlying immune weakness can lower future incidence of otitis and other upper respiratory infections.


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Mom's Spinach & Shiitake Soup
1 Onion, diced
2 Carrots, sliced
1 stalk Celery, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 T. Italian Seasoning
1 T. Sesame Oil
2 Bay Leaves
1 fresh Jalapeño Pepper, diced
2 c. Shitake Mushrooms, sliced
2 qts. Vegetable Broth
1 4" piece Kombu sea vegetable
1 can Navy or Cannellini Beans
1-2 t. Tony Chachere's Cajun seasoning
2 – 3 c. chopped Spinach (or Kale, if tender)
1. Sauté onion, carrots, celery, jalapeño, garlic and Italian seasoning in sesame oil until tender. With spatula, move all vegetables to sides of pot.
2. Add mushrooms and sesame oil to the center of pot; sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and sauté.
3. Add spinach or kale and 1/2 c of broth. Put lid on pot and steam until greens begins to wilt. Add remaining broth, kombu, bay leaves and beans.
4. Bring to boil, then simmer 20-30 minutes to combine flavors. It's delicious served over steamed brown rice or with vegan-buttered cornbread.
Submitted by Katherine Lawrence (www.plantbasedhealth.com), cooking instructor for The Cancer Project.


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Love and Prayers Sympathy Cross™
When words fail, offer support, encouragement, and comfort during a time of loss with a display of Love and Prayers. Show them they're in your heart during this time of mourning with a tasteful, traditional cross blooming with red and white flowers.
This classic standing spray cross features red and white carnations accented with fresh greenery.
Product ID UFN1200
Approximately 20" W x 34" H
What People Are Saying
August 30, 2023
Although she did not receive what I ordered(daisy rainbow) and the birthday balloon , she loved what was delivered.
August 20, 2023
My daughter loves her flowers. They were beautiful as she welcome her baby boy. Thank you so much!!!
amy rosario
July 20, 2023
Losing a loved one is an incredibly challenging and emotional experience. During such difficult times, we seek comfort and support from those around us, and I am grateful to have found a florist that truly understands the significance of their role. I recently had the opportunity to avail the services of Ava's Rainforest for a funeral, and I cannot emphasize enough how their compassionate and thoughtful service made a significant difference during this somber occasion.From the moment I contacted Karl, I was met with warmth and empathy. The staff was attentive and understanding, taking the time to listen to my preferences and offering gentle guidance when needed. Planning a funeral is overwhelming, but their calming presence helped me navigate through the process of choosing the appropriate floral arrangement.The floral arrangement was nothing short of breathtaking. Each piece was carefully crafted, reflecting the essence of the departed soul and bringing a sense of serenity to the environment. The choice of flowers and the arrangement style were precisely what we had envisioned, and they captured the true spirit of our beloved one's life.What truly touched me was the attention to detail shown by Karl. They incorporated meaningful elements into the floral designs, such as a favorite flower or color, which added a personal touch to the display. The result was a beautiful tribute that left a lasting impression on everyone present at the funeral service.Furthermore, the delivery and setup were seamless. Punctuality was vital, and the florist ensured that the flowers were delivered on time, even amidst the tight schedule. The arrangements were set up with utmost care and consideration, creating a serene and comforting atmosphere that brought solace to all who attended the service.In times of grief, it is crucial to have supportive individuals who go above and beyond to ease the burden of arranging a funeral. Ava's Rainflorist did just that, exhibiting professionalism and genuine empathy throughout the entire process. Their unwavering commitment to making the funeral a memorable and meaningful event speaks volumes about their dedication to their craft and the communities they serve.In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Ava's Rainflorist to anyone in need of floral services for a funeral or any significant event. Their compassion, attention to detail, and exceptional craftsmanship transformed a solemn occasion into a beautiful celebration of life. They provided a source of comfort during a time of grief, and for that, I am sincerely grateful. Thank you, Karl, for your outstanding service and support during this challenging time.
Reviews Sourced from Lovingly and Google


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Kobe Bryant Divorce -- He's Hoping to Reconcile... For the Sake of the Kids
Kobe Bryant Hoping to Reconcile ... for the Sake of the Kids
Kobe Bryant has NOT given up on saving his marriage ... and sources close to the family tell us his two daughters are playing a major role in his effort to reconcile ... TMZ has learned.
We're told Kobe is "deeply depressed" over the situation -- and is very concerned about how his daughters will handle growing up in two separate households.
TMZ broke the story ... Vanessa decided to pull the plug after catching the NBA star in another extra-marital affair.
Sources tell us ... Bryant's family was not aware of Kobe's exploits -- but they hope he and Vanessa can find a way to get along in the future ... if only for the sake of the kids.


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First off let me say a HUGE thanks to all of you here. I have used your forums frequently with past upgrades (I am on my 4th).
I recently upgraded to 12.04.
The upgrade went perfectly. The smoothest ever and it even kept the Classic View that I like best. The only issue that was bugging me was the lack of a Volume Control Icon on the top panel.
I thought I found a way to change that using windows button-alt -right click, add indicator Applet. But my novice fingers ended up placing that applet on my top bar 3 times. In a series of attempts to fix what I did I ended up removing, adding to, then deleting the entire panel. (I am not ready to give up Ubuntu but sometimes wonder why I even try to mess with it.)
Anyway, Here are my two big needs:
1) I REALLY want my top panel to be where it was when I upgraded it. Right now I have the Indicator Applet on the right and NOTHING on the left. It was those left side menu bars that I used the most. Can I undo or redo this?
2) Currently, because I do not have those menus on the left side I do not have my Mozilla Firefox icon to get online. I just ran the Update manager, hoping it would magically fix it, and one of the things listed was the installation of Firefox BUT…. I at this time can not figure out how to open up a browser. This means that any help online that needs me to copy/paste into terminal I can not do. I have my netbook next to another computer at them moment but not knowing much about terminal, I have not had success retyping terminal commands successfully into the terminal on the netbook I am trying to fix. Are there keystrokes to pull something up that will help me run Mozilla? (And please forgive me if I am using the wrong wording and terminology)
I think I need internet access first and then will happily do whatever you all tell me to do to get my classic panel back again.
Can anyone help me? Please! 🙂


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Google will pay a historic fine to settle U.S. government charges that it violated privacy laws when it tracked users of Apple's Safari browser via cookies.
The $22.5 million civil penalty is the largest ever secured by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for a violation of one of its orders.
In its complaint, which it referred to the U.S. Department of Justice, the FTC said that Google falsely told Safari users that it wouldn't place tracking cookies on their devices or serve them targeted ads.
The FTC said that with this misrepresentation, Google violated an existing privacy settlement it had reached with the agency.
The settlement also requires that Google disable all tracking cookies it placed on affected users' computers.
"The record setting penalty in this matter sends a clear message to all companies under an FTC privacy order," said Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the FTC, in a statement. "No matter how big or small, all companies must abide by FTC orders against them and keep their privacy promises to consumers, or they will end up paying many times what it would have cost to comply in the first place."
According to the FTC, Google "for several months" in 2011 and 2012 placed tracking cookies on computers of Safari users when they visited sites in Google's DoubleClick ad network. Google had previously assured users that they would be exempt from such tracking and ad targeting because of the default settings in the Safari browser used in Macs, iPhones and iPads that block such cookies, the FTC said.
Instead, Google in many cases actively circumvented Safari's cookie-blocking settings in order to track these users.
A Google spokeswoman said via email that the FTC "is focused on a 2009 help center page published more than two years before our consent decree, and a year before Apple changed its cookie-handling policy." Google has now changed that page and "taken steps to remove the ad cookies, which collected no personal information, from Apple's browsers," she said.
The DOJ filed the complaint and proposed settlement on behalf of the FTC in U.S. District Court for the District of Northern California in San Jose this week. The proposed consent decree is subject to court approval.


text:
(Family Features) Halloween is a fun time of year filled with costumes, parties and sweet treats. But, sometimes parents worry that all those sugary treats can lead to cavities and poor dental health. The good news: It's not what children eat, but how often, and candy can be OK if children and parents are conscientious.
"No food is really bad for children's teeth who do not snack often," said Dr. Warren Brill, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). "In fact, many parents may not realize that children's dental health depends less on what they eat and more on how often they eat it."
All types of sugars, and the foods that contain them, can play a role in tooth decay. About 90 percent of all foods contain sugars or starches that enable bacteria in dental plaque to produce acids. This attack by bacterial acid, lasting 20 minutes or more, can lead to loss of tooth structure and to cavities. So, a child who licks a piece of hard candy every few minutes to make it last longer, or slowly sips a sugared drink while studying, is flirting with a higher risk of tooth decay. Such long-lasting snacks create an acid attack on teeth for the entire time they are in the mouth.
"Halloween should be fun, and sweets can be part of that fun," said Brill. "But, it is important for parents and caregivers to remember that moderation is the key in keeping children, and their mouths, healthy."
Below are a few simple ways the AAPD suggests will help keep little mouths healthy this Halloween:
- Snack in moderation, no more than three times a day.
- A food with sugar or starch is safer for teeth if it is eaten with a meal, not as a snack.
- Tooth brushing should be performed twice daily. The best times to brush are after breakfast and before bed. Parents should supervise the brushing for school-age children until they are seven to eight years of age (about the same time they can tie their own shoelaces or write in cursive).
- The best toothbrushes have soft, round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums. The handle should be the correct size to fit your child's hand.
- Select a fluoride toothpaste with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.
For more information about children's dental and oral healthcare, visit www.MyChildrensTeeth.org. As the recognized authority on pediatric oral health care, the AAPD is committed to providing parents and caregivers a trusted resource when looking for information and guidance related to their child's dental health.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images


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Brendan Walsh, a student in the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program, has been selected for a Fulbright U.S. Student Award for 2013-2014 to Laos, where he will teach English at Ventiane University, assisting an English professor. Walsh, who will graduate from the M.F.A. program this month, is also an administrative assistant in the Office of International Education. He had previously taught ESL (English As a Second Language) for one year in Korea, as well as at Hartwick College, where he received his undergraduate degree, graduating magna cum laude and with departmental distinction in English.
Walsh has received a number of accolades for his writing, including the Anna Sonder Poetry Prize of the Academy of American Poets and the Leslie Leeds Poetry Prize for the Connecticut State University System, and was a featured reader at the New American Writing Festival in Oneonta, N.Y. A poet with several of his poems published in literary journals, Walsh has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and since 2011 has been poetry editor of Noctua Review, Southern's graduate art and literary magazine.
Michael Schindel, associate coordinator and risk management liaison in the Office of International Education, is the Fulbright Program Advisor for SCSU. He helps students with Fulbright applications, coordinates the campus Fulbright committee review — which in this case was performed by Schindel, Erin Heidkamp, Elena Schmitt, Ilene Crawford and Gregory Paveza — and handles outreach efforts relating to Fulbright. Schindel says of Walsh, "It was a real pleasure working with Brendan on his Fulbright application. He is someone who believes wholeheartedly in the benefits of travel and is truly excited when helping our SCSU students begin their own adventures. Brendan is someone who devotes himself completely to achieving whatever goal he sets out to accomplish. When he had the idea of pursing a Fulbright award after completing his M.F.A., he began researching potential placements and realized this would be his opportunity to live in Laos. Once he had that in mind, there was really no stopping him. He was quick and thorough in his application responses. He worked extensively on draft after draft of his personal statement. He also began thinking of ways to work in Laos during his non-teaching hours, finding orphanages and schools where he could volunteer his time."
In his proposal for the Fulbright award, Walsh wrote that he applied "to Laos specifically because it preserves the East Asian culture that many have come to romanticize but not truly experience, and though romanticizing a people and culture can result in misunderstanding and disappointment, my time in Korea taught me to separate individuals from cultural preconceptions. Rather than limit myself to the standard backpacker's experience of Laos, the ETA grants me the opportunity to form solid, trusting relationships with fellow instructors, students, and citizens. Through these relationships, I hope to create a cross-cultural dialogue between two cultures which have been at odds in recent history."
Walsh says he is particularly interested in Laos because it is "sort of the last bastion of Asia, unexplained by Westerners." He found Southeast Asia captivating when he traveled there previously, he says, but "Laos gave this possibility of new discovery" he finds compelling.
Walsh says he will use journaling and poetry writing with his students in Laos as ways to improve their communication skills. In addition to teaching, Walsh plans to continue his study of Theravada Buddhism, work on a new collection of poetry inspired by his experiences in Laos, and volunteer at a local orphanage.
According to the Fulbright Award program Web site, the English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) is one of five types of awards for which students are eligible. An ETA, says the Web site, "places a Fulbrighter in a classroom abroad to provide assistance to teachers of English to non-native English-speakers. English Teaching Assistants help teach English language while serving as a cultural ambassador for U.S. culture. The age and academic level of classroom students varies by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level."
Schindel says that Walsh "will be a great representative for SCSU in Laos and we are all very proud of him."


text:
iPhone 12 Pro Max Clear Case (TPU soft case)
iPhone 12 Pro Max Clear Case (TPU soft case)
- Create quotation
- Corporate enquiry
- Design invitation
- 協助設計
- Add to gift set
Product DetailsKnow more information about this product
iPhone 12 Pro Max Clear Case (TPU soft case)
Different phone case becomes the perfect expression of fashion and personality in our daily life, which make it a necessary accessory for mobile phone. The clothes are particular about style, color or patterns, so is phone case. Most people think the transparent case is toneless, but some one doesn't want the case shield the unique color of their brand mobile phones. This transparent case in KUSDOM is made of TPU soft rubber material which has got good transparency, flexibility and wear resistance. You can print photo or create any picture, pattern or text on case to make the phone can not only show the personalized design but also present the beauty of the real machine.
・Designed for the iPhone 12 Pro Max with 6.7 inch screen
・Features a soft touch finished
- 5 Stars 100%
- 4 Stars 0%
- 3 Stars 0%
- 2 Stars 0%
- 1 Stars 0%
讚?Reviewed by 林佩芬 Mar 16,2021蠻漂亮的
用心Reviewed by 徐薏 Feb 25,2021用心客服?,客製的想法也很好
讚?Reviewed by 林佩芬 Mar 16,2021蠻漂亮的
用心Reviewed by 徐薏 Feb 25,2021用心客服?,客製的想法也很好
很滿意的Reviewed by 嘎巴 Jan 27,2021喜歡的,客製還是很滿意的
Product PictureProduct display and specification
Other designs
|Design Specs
|Printing size
|7.76 x 15.91 (cm)
|Advice to User
|File Request
|please provide 150 DPI or above resolution picture. We recommend that referring to the printing size of the product to adjust the image size and resolution; or same as the size of the printed product design (1: 1); or larger than the recommended size to ensure the best printing quality when the product is made.
|Design Tips
|Put all important image and text inside the solid orange line (the printing area). Also, keep a certain distance from the solid orange line to avoid cutting off during printing.
Product printing may be blurred if over-enlarge the picture.
|Important Notice
|Color Difference
|Product color on website will be affected by different shooting angles and monitors
|Position Deviation
|There is alignment and cut out process during production. Thus, there may be position deviation


text:
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Birth and death
We're clueless, absolutely clueless, what happened. This morning, as usual, she and Amy (her adult calf) were in the barn, lying down, chewing their cud. She seemed perfectly healthy. I went and opened the corral gate so the animals could get out. When I came back in the barn, Matilda was on her feet; so I scratched her on the forehead and said something foolish and cutesy to her, as I often do. Then I left to do the rest of the barn chores. That's the last time I saw her.
The weather today was chilly -- a low of 19F this morning -- but bright and sunny and beautiful. Then Don came into the house around noon. His nose was a bit red. "Matilda is dead," he said gently. I stared at him, stunned. "I'm not joking," he went on. "She's dead."
I threw on outdoor clothes and went to see. Sure enough, she was a few yards outside the corral, lying flat on the ground, unbreathing. Don thinks she might have had a heart attack. It didn't look like she had struggled much, but she was indisputably gone. Her unborn calf, of course, is gone too. I couldn't bear to take a photo.
A kind neighbor will be here in about an hour to dig a hole to bury her.
Last October, I put up a post on why Matilda was always my favorite cow. Let that be my tribute to her. It happened so quick, I simply cannot believe she's gone.
Birth and death. Life on a farm. Good-bye, dear Matilda. Thank you for so many fine years.
48 comments:
Please accept my condolences. Some folks don't understand that certain farm animals are liken family to us.ReplyDelete
I am so sorry for you. I have been reading your blog for years and it has been very apparent of your love for Matilda. Some animals are just like that and you develop a close attachment to them. Please accept my condolences.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 10, 2018 at 4:23 PM
So sad. Sorry for you and Don. It seems that I've had this happen so often over the years. One thing we started doing is making memorials. Put a big rock on the grave, or one of my favorites is to plant a fruit tree there. Or some perennial flowers. Then it's Kelly's tree, Barney's tree, Kitty Kat's flowers, Laddy's Rock, Henry's Place, etc. Thirty years and more have passed and we still remember when we talk about where something is and we are going to pick flowers, berries and fruit. That keeps our friends here with us even if only in our memories. ---kenReplyDelete
When my favorite chicken died, I was inconsolable. Sorry you are missing her so much.ReplyDelete
- Alpaca LadyFebruary 10, 2018 at 4:41 PM
I am so sorry about Matilda. I have enjoyed seeing pictures of her as you posted throughout the years. She just seemed to me to be such a kind soul. You could see it in her face. Every time I would see a cow of her breed I always thought of her. She was lucky to have such a good caretaker as you and that you cared.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 10, 2018 at 4:55 PM
My heart hurts for your loss.......such a sweet, beautiful friend.ReplyDelete
We have always enjoyed your stories of this wonderful friend of yours. Our condolences on the loss of such sweetness in your life.ReplyDelete
I'm sorry, Patrice. She was a cute cow and had a good life.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 10, 2018 at 6:37 PM
I have been returning to this site for several years. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved family companion.ReplyDelete
I'm so sorry to hear about her Pat.ReplyDelete
Sad, sad news. Loved Matilda stories, from milking to birthing babies. I will miss that sweet face.ReplyDelete
So sorry about Matilda. I remember your recent post about how special she was to you. She was lucky to have you.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 10, 2018 at 7:45 PM
Very sad to hear especially in light of other losses....try not to torture yourself thinking of what-ifs or suffering, as I did when my favorite chicken died. Sounds to me she was as happy as could be and you can be proud of the quality of life for your pets. I choose to believe we will find them again in the new earth (that just makes it easier to accept when they are gone from this one).ReplyDelete
Those sudden farm deaths are the worst. We all work so hard to provide good homes especially during bad weather so when the unexpected happens-it broadsides us. So sorry for you and I hope it was fast and painless for Matilda.ReplyDelete
Condolences, Patrice. I'll miss your Matilda stories as well--she was obviously well loved.ReplyDelete
Sorry for your loss. Until we meet again.ReplyDelete
I'm so sorry. They're more than just farm animals, aren't they?ReplyDelete
I'm so sorry for your loss. :(ReplyDelete
I am not a farm person, but I loved your Matilda. Never met her, but through your posts I came to love her. I have lost a dog and two cats and I know that Matilda was like a house pet....Condolences to you and Don on the loss of a beloved pet and her baby...Take care of Amy for Matilda.ReplyDelete
Love from NC
Stunned and heartbroken. But her legacy lives on in the fine animals she left behind.ReplyDelete
Steve Davis
Anchorage, Alaska
Talk about a cow- "lucky in life" to have been Patrice's favorite!ReplyDelete
As I have aged I have seen more and more "good ones" go. If they didn't suffer and had a good life I have been blessed with memories. Of 5 big dogs all have been 12 or older (current is 12 and 5 months) - except for the wonderful German Shepherd that was hit by a car at 18 months. I mourned her the most. Our horses, with few exceptions, easily make their teens and 20's. My 3 year old liver chestnut mare with the flaxen mane that was coming along beautifully in training and trying SO Hard to do her best, who died in the pasture was the hardest to lose.
You have many wonderful memories AND photographs, along with off-spring. When I see photos heading articles in magazines with Matilda or Lydia I know you authored them. You have been blessed by then and they by you!
Oh! How very sad. :( I am so very sorry for you all.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 11, 2018 at 9:14 AM
Patrice I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet Matilda. Always sad to loose these special farm animals that you spend so much time with.ReplyDelete
J @ Creekside Farmstead
- AnonymousFebruary 11, 2018 at 9:43 AM
So, sorry for your loss.ReplyDelete
kathy in Mississippi
- AnonymousFebruary 11, 2018 at 9:54 AM
Oh no... I'm stunned and so sorry for your loss.ReplyDelete
Dock Guy
- Mary BethFebruary 11, 2018 at 2:14 PM
Oh so sorry, Patrice. That's a tough one. Good she did not suffer or have a long decline. Praying the Lord is your comfort during this time.ReplyDeleteReplies
- Mary BethFebruary 17, 2018 at 3:54 PM
We lost our Jersey this winter, too. Lily went into labor in mid-December even though she was not due until March. The vet had to help deliver the tiniest, cutest little bull calf but, of course, he was already dead. It just seemed to take the wind out of Lily. We have a black Angus and a Holstein but the place just doesn't seem the same without a Jersey!Delete
my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beloved matilda.ReplyDelete
Thank-you for your stories, Patrice, as we enjoy the sweet and the sad ones, and link them to our own lives. So sorry for your loss.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 11, 2018 at 7:39 PM
Matilda had such a sweet face and was a lovely creature... so sorry for your loss.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 12, 2018 at 4:44 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about Matilda...ReplyDelete
- Lisa Beth W.February 12, 2018 at 6:50 AM
Awwww, sad for you to have to miss that sweet face and presence as you go about your days. Thanks for sharing even these things with us. I'm sorry for your sudden loss.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 12, 2018 at 7:19 AM
I have been reading your blog for many years and have come to know and love your animals through all of your posts. So sorry to hear of sweet Matilda's passing, and praying for Gods comfort for you during this time.ReplyDelete
i've sent this post out, My Uncle Gerald's post about meeting our pets in heaven...and although it specifically talks about cats and dogs...i think it refers to all of the magical animals that have come into our lives and our lives being the better for it. here is the post:ReplyDelete
i am sure that patient, loving Matilda will be waiting her turn to run across the field to meet up with you again, Patrice.
make sure to give yourself enough time to grieve..it will take a while. and please be gentle to yourself while getting over the loss of such a beloved family member.
i send you warmest thoughts.
- AnonymousFebruary 12, 2018 at 11:58 AM
So sorry, Patrice, on your loss of Matilda. My deepest condolences and comfort to you and your family at this difficult time.ReplyDelete
I still feel silly saying the same things over a favored quadruped that I say over a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a friend, but... We get so very, very fond of some of them. I'm sorry for your loss.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 12, 2018 at 1:48 PM
So sorry to hear this sad news . It sounds as tho she went quickly and without too much trouble , a blessing for such a sweet animal .Karen JonesReplyDelete
So sorry to read of the loss of Matilda! Yes, farm life is tough but some losses are so blankety blank hard on the heart! We have a 10 year old and she is the matriarch of the entire farm, she knows and sees everything that goes on! Thoughts and prayers being sent your way from Minnesota.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 12, 2018 at 5:21 PM
Unless one is a complete unfeeling clod animals can and often do get in our lives. Be it a cow in a commercial herd, a dog or cat in the house or an armadillo your kid found in the woods animals can get next to us.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 12, 2018 at 6:01 PM
God Speed sweet girl... I'm so sorry :-(ReplyDelete
- Linda in COFebruary 12, 2018 at 7:01 PM
I know you will miss her, all of who read your blog will too. She was a special cow, I could tell from her eyes that she was a gentle soul. You gave her a good life, much better than the dairy farm you got her from.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 13, 2018 at 6:11 AM
I am sorry for your loss of beautiful Matilda.ReplyDelete
Sorry to hear about the loss of Matilda.How old was she?ReplyDeleteReplies
At least 15, possibly older. We had her over nine years, and she was at least 6 when we got her.Delete
- Patrice
- AnonymousFebruary 14, 2018 at 4:23 AM
So sorry to hear of Matilda's loss. I first started reading your blog to follow her and your adventures and procedures using her milk. We'll miss her.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 15, 2018 at 2:58 AM
Oh Patrice, what a heavy heart you will have. This is such sad, sad news and I tear up thinking about your loss. We loved Matilda, dear sweet thing, and will miss her. Poor Amy. It will be hard for her too. Praying that you will be comforted and be able to smile thinking of the "forever" memories she's left you. JennyReplyDelete
- GrammyprepperFebruary 15, 2018 at 9:16 PM
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. As a long time reader, I know how much Matilda meant to you. I hope Amy will be okay. And while it doesn't erase the pain, at least you have new life to look forward to. Prayers!ReplyDelete
The loss of any cow to a small farmstead is devastating. When it's one that is your favorite, It's much worse.ReplyDelete


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On January 20th, 1993, William Jefferson Clinton became the 42nd President of the United States. At the time, most Americans were not aware of the extent of Clinton's criminal background, nor were they aware of the media blackout which kept this information from the public. As State Attorney General and later, Governor, Bill Clinton in twelve years achieved absolute control over the political, legal, and financial systems of Arkansas.
As President, he would attempt to do the same with the nation by bringing members of his inner circle with him to Washington. The hijacking of America was underway, and its' impact on future generations would be incalculable.


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In light of California's newest law to go into effect as well as the uncertain future regarding our access to quality foods, I am in a definite buying mood. "Buying what?" you may ask—ammo and seeds and just about anything that goes along with that including quality gardening tools, ammo storage containers, more range time for practice, etc. etc. If you've been too busy to see the recent news, allow me to catch you up to speed. (Important update: California ammo law has been shut down! Yah! http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=6128)
First the threat against our food is two-fold. On one front we have the "Food Safety Modernization Act" which gives the FDA more power ostensibly to crack down on large scale food growers in order to protect the American people from the various outbreaks of e. coli and other tainted scenarios. (Don't you just love it how they keep naming an act exactly the opposite of what it actually is i.e. "Food Safety" "Stimulus" "Health Care" Volunteer Act, etc.?) However, if one actually reads the bill, there are definitely some vulnerabilities that even the private family garden may be subjected to.
On the other front we have the Monsanto Corporation which is one of the most powerful and frankly the most aggressive corporations in the world. They are supposed to be an agriculture biotech company, however they see fit to be one of the largest customers of the Blackwater Company—the largest mercenary company in the world. (Their new name is now Xe Services). Blackwater is also wooing Monsanto to become their "intel arm". (Contrary to internet gossip, Blackwater has NOT been purchased by Monsanto.) Regardless, does anyone else wonder what an agriculture company needs with a mercenary army or in gathering "intel"?
In addition to this questionable behavior, Monsanto has been a bully to farmers who don't want to play ball with Monsanto and their genetically modified food and seed creations. Monsanto has successfully shut down dozens and dozens of farmers in the U.S. with their legal wrangling over the past 5 years. To be clear, Monsanto is responsible for the majority of the introductions of genetically modified foods into our diet. They literally are attempting to manipulate—all in the name of safety, of course, the availability of seeds all the way down to the home gardens. Monsanto's goal is to be the provider of every single seed purchased, and that means they desire to eliminate any non-hyrbid seeds in order to ensure a perpetual income for them. In case you didn't know, Monsanto has countless powerful allies in the U.S. Government. When you combine power with money, you tend to end up with what you want out of life, and Monsanto wants control over the food supply of the world. (Gee. Their mother's must be proud, eh?)
Taking all of this into consideration, I feel it's time for massive, deliberate action in ensuring that I have a sufficient supply of quality seeds, natural fertilizers, skill, and tools in order to make sure that I don't have to rely on Franken-foods.
Next, on February 1, 2011, California will have a law go into effect that basically makes requires every California citizen to reveal themselves when they purchase ammunition; and it makes it illegal to purchase any ammunition that is produced outside of the state. (And we all know that California is one of the most committed states in the U.S. towards creating high-quality ammunition and plenty of it too, right? –Yes, sarcasm is intended there folks.) If you don't get a thumbprint and thorough background check when selling ammunition to another person in California, you've committed an illegal act. Additionally, a face-to-face requirement is imposed for any transfer of ammunition as well as a few other dandy little requirements. You see, since the Supreme Court has shown their hand in how they would rule on any imposition of the right to bear arms, the powers that be in California have elected to target the supply of ammunition, thus making the ownership of firearms a moot point—unless one is a criminal, in which case any laws regarding the ownership of firearms or ammo or drugs, or whatever the heck they want is also a moot point.
If you haven't picked up on it quite yet, California has been the testing ground for a great number of issues that ultimately end up infiltrating the other states in the U.S.A. So when I see something like this taking place, I view it as a foreshadowing of what's to come elsewhere in the U.S. and try to take action to counter the impact of it. Thus I'll be keeping my eye open for good deals on ammunition so that if such a regulation was inflicted upon my area of residence I'll be grandfathered in on what I may already own.
I predict that there will be a great deal of foreshadowing this year folks, as well as beyond the next 361 days. So let's keep our eyes open and prepare accordingly.
© 2019 Of COURSE this post is Copyright Protected by Preparedness Pro. All Rights Reserved. NO portion of this article may be reposted, printed, copied, disbursed, etc. without first receiving written permission by the author. This content may be printed for personal use only. (Then again, laws are only as good as the people who keep them.) Preparedness Pro will pursue all violations of these rights just as vigorously as she does any of her other freedoms, liberties, and protections.
Vineyard Garden Center will be selling heirloom seeds again this year as well as canned heirloom seeds for longterm storage. This may help the locals in the area of Kellene. They are in Orem, UT.
Well, good thing not every state is as "liberal" as California. In Texas entering the Capital Building is easy if you have a CHL (concealed handgun license) you show your card and are sent to the express line where you are wand-ed and waved in. The Governor of Texas packs heat everywhere and most representatives have CHL's. Although this doesn't do anything for the food problems, it does make me feel better about not losing my right to own firearms any time soon.
Would that we were all as generous in our rights as the most generous of areas... Oh well, that's what happens when folks fall asleep on the job--the job of preserving our freedoms for ourselves and our children's children.
Yesterday I sent a comment to you regarding facebook and inadvertently added my last name and state where I live. Immediately another poster admonished me for giving out this information and suggested I delete it. Of course I regret the careless mistake. So my question to you is there a way to delete the comment I made yesterday regarding the Super-Pro give-away, facebook, etc.?
Please email me your reply. I am used to using my complete name emailing and did not stop to realize I was not emailing to a friend. So now I AM concerned.
Please contact me. Thank you, Charo
Charo, if "they" want your information, they have obtained it a heck of a lot sooner than by you recently putting your name and state on this site. Frankly, some folks drive me batty with that kind of talk and the reason is because they actually are "letting it all hang out there" in so many other, more critical ways. Hopefully they will learn about those things better in the future as I try to educate, but if it were me, I wouldn't sweat it. However, I will go back on your post and edit it for your peace of mind.
I'm surprised there hasn't been more of an exodus from California. That state epitomizes the advice I've heard over and over again: Don't live in stupid places. I love my life too much to ever consider moving to California.
We definitely don't buy Wolfmann in this household. That's the cream of the crap right there. You'd be better off getting ANY other brand than that.
Todays world is full of worrisome issues. That is why my shopping list is never ending. The best to all of you.
Monsanto is the devil! I can't believe they continue to "get away" with everything they are doing to the little farmers.
I purchase mine primarily from a local pawn shop and it all depends on what they have in stock. You'll find that several folks believe that there's been a problem in finding enough ammo. I also did a review on an ammo source as noted in the article. Cheaper than dirt has some as well. Again, I believe that any ammo is better than the Wolf___ ammo.(Not even allowed to mention that name in this house..hee hee) It also depends on what you're using it for. That's almost like asking me what kind of gun to buy. is it for target practice, is if for self-defense, close range, maximum firepower, etc. Your safe as long as you stay away from most of the reloaded stuff.
I find the best deal on ammo is at my local Walmart and they carry alot of Winchester Ammo, however in our state you must have a pistol permit to buy pistol ammo. Other than that Walmart does have the best prices I have found. Though doing business with them is now suspect do to Homeland Security asking them to report suspicious activity. Is buying ammo suspicious? Maybe not to you and I but who knows. I do pay cash and buy from alot of different Walmarts.
Another place to get seeds is www.rareseeds.com
This store is in Mo. but they have one in Ca. and Ct.
Great people to work with!
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Monsanto former VP the current Food Safety Czar, appointed by Obama?
I cannot confirm that info at this moment, but I can tell you that there are a whole lot of connections going on that wouldn't surprise any one who's informed.
I have been keeping my eyes open for the last four or five years and buying whatever is on sale. Some purchases I made did I could not use in the state I lived in because of the weather but now we have moved to a cooler climate, we will now have enough staples and luxuries to keep us going no matter what happens. Every year after Christmas, I would buy really nice quilts for half price from Gooseberry Patch (they no longer sell the quilts). Before I knew it, I had a closet of quilts, not very useful in the desert but up in the mountains they are a welcomed gift. People in my area did not buy the canning jars that Costco had introduced, so I picked up as many as I could. Now I have enough jars to keep us in food for a year. I picked up enough lids and rings from Target to reuse the jars and reseal them for at least a year or two, which I bought before I had the jars. The last thing I bought was the pressure canner which was the most expensive purchase but I am ready to go. Who knows what is ahead in the next few years but by keeping a sharp eye for deals, you can start to prepare for the worse and hope for the best.
I am glad you talk about Monsanto and the war for our food supply. This issue is extremely important, because most people do not know the poison they are eating. We must reach a tipping point in American that will force Monsanto to close their doors, as they have done in Europe. The only way to do this is to spread the word. I am glad you are a truth seeker, as am I. Bringing light to this issue and others that affect our civil liberties is appreciated. I read a great quote today, "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act"(George Orwell). Thank you for your insight!
All too frequently the rest of the U.S. has followed California's lead. I hope we will see this trend slow, or preferably stop.
But I appreciate the head's up.
I shoot rifle, pistol and shotgun...and I reload.
Ammo is much like money...you can never have too much...and if you Really need...you probably don't have enough.
Reloading components are more readily available this past year than in '09, but more expensive. But we still try to budget to allow a continual accumulation of ammo. It's as much a part of our preps as our dehydrating and canning foods and trips to our local LDS Warehouse.
But thanks to your head's up, I think I'll put a bit more effort into the ammo stores.
These are in fact "Interesting Times".
Vote with your feet.
My family left CA years ago, very much on purpose.
Yet another reason not to live there.
Kellene do you think it maybe it's possible to make communities, counties then states more self-reliant? I'd really like to see my state not be so beholden to feds. Sorry to say or govenor is happy to roll over on his back and get a tummy scratch from the feds.
I think I'm fairly intelligent, a student of history and on a crash course in economics. Not theory but what works. We voted for bigtime change in Nov. and now that they are in office it's same old schtick.
I don't think we can save a country (this kills me to say) but we could save some states. I'm not ready to give up yet. But I'm frightened for the USA.
You need to read the GREAT book, Molon Labe'. Get it on Amazon for the best price, Jamie. I doubt they'd have it in the library.
Anyway, to answer your question, I think it's certainly possible. But I think that it takes a whole lot of courage for leaders to put such a thing into motion, and unfortunately, I think we're lacking in courage in our land about as much as we are common courtesy. Possible? yes. Likely, sadly, no.
Well courage and politicians seems to be contra-indicated. Muffins. I'd run myself locally but I'd never win and if I did I'd make a lousy politician. Back to the grass roots. Change myself, and go from there.
I really wanted a different answer Kellene but what is, is. So I'll go back to work and catch a few that want to learn. Cause I can't save the world, just those few that saving.
So question for anyone who might know: How can you guarantee that you aren't buying GMO seeds? Is there anything particular that I should look for when buying seeds? Is there a particular brand anyone suggestions? I appreciate any feedback! Thank you!
Hey Alicia, I'm no expert, but I'm guessing anything you find in local stores (unless otherwise noted) are modified/hybrid seeds. You can probably only find heirloom/non-hybrid seeds online or in specialty stores these days. I bought some recently, but don't want to promote any one company over another. Just do a search for heirloom seeds and see what kind of deals you can find. The ones I got are sealed in a #10 can so I can store them for a future need. Good luck!
What are GMO seeds? What are some good website or local Orem stores to buy seeds?
Thanks for the catch up on the news. I wasn't aware of California's new law! I grew up in CA and still have family there. My dad is even in local politics there (trying to save one city at a time), but I worry for them and keep trying to get them to move to the promised land (TEXAS!!). :) I also wasn't even aware of who Monsanto was. So I'm glad I'm more aware of that now. We purchased some non-hybrid seeds just before Christmas, but I think I'll end up getting more as finances permit. We're on a pretty tight budget but still trying to do all the preparedness we can. I guess I better tell Hubby he can go get some more ammo for his gun collection. He'll be so thrilled!! :) Thanks for all your insights. I enjoy reading your blog.
The difference between hybrid seed and non-hybrid seed: Non-hybrid seed is "open pollinated". That means if you grow lettuce from open pollinated seed, it bolts and sets seed, you can save that seed, plant it next year and get the exact same lettuce.
With hybrid seeds, two (or more) plants are crossed (pollen from one plants is used on a different plant.) The resulting seed is a hybrid - seed created from two different plants. Sometimes you can save seed from a hybrid and plant it the next year - BUT it will eventually revert to one of the parent plants (and many times it has been crossbred many times, so who knows what you will get). You may get decent plants for a year, maybe two, but it will eventually revert to a parent or grandparent plant. This was how it was explained simply to me. If any of the above is wrong, please correct me!!
GMO seed is patented. There was the case of an organic farmer growing open pollinated plants for seed. Fields near him were used by Monsanto to grow GMO (genetically modified organism) seed to sell. Because the wind direction occasionally blew from Monsanto fields towards the organic farmer's fields, Monsanto sued (and won)the farmer to forbid him from selling his seed because there just might have been some GMO pollen that got mixed in with the farmer's crop. Drove the farmer out of business. It makes me sick. The new FDA legislation that just passed is so dangerous! Yes, there is an exception if you make less than $500,000 (I think that was the amount) to be excluded from the inspections, plus you sold locally, etc. BUT the paperwork to fill out to be excluded is horrendous - reams of forms to fill out.What farmer that you know would have time to do all that? Or hire a lawyer to do it? We have "truck farmers" who grow seedlings to sell and produce to sell at stands all around us. We depend on them so we can buy food we can't grow ourselves. These are small family farms which will be adversely affected by this legislation.


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The Smartest Long-Term Investment Is You
The greatest gift you can give yourself, the wisest business investment you will ever make, is investing in your personal development. I am such a firm believer and advocate of investing in yourself that we hand every new employee CDs, books, and access to a digital personal development library. Why? Investing in the development of people is one of the largest competitive advantages you can create. When people ask me how they can advance in their careers, I tell them to spend as much time working on themselves as they are spending on their work.
Related: How Making Employees Lifelong Learners Can Help Your Company Succeed
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe." With just two hours to do the actual chopping, Lincoln spent twice the time working on the tools of the job as he would on the task itself. In the task called your life, you are the axe.
When there is a tree in the way, some people grab that axe -- dull or not -- and start whaling away at it. When they realize they aren't making a major dent in the tree, they quit and say it is somehow the fault of the tree. Don't be one of those people. Realize that it's all in how you swing the axe, how hard and in what arc and onto exactly which spot on the tree. Understand that all tactics can be measured, weighed, and improved. It starts with the axe — with you.
Related: The 3 Elements Needed to Build Creative Genius in the Workplace
Learning doesn't start or stop at school, through reading, or with great teachers. It also doesn't start or stop with learning from your mistakes or from advice from friends. Continuous learning is a combination of all these things and so much more. When was the last seminar or adult-education class you attended simply to improve yourself? Think about it and make that change. Only you are challenging and developing yourself. Be open to learning and sharpening your skills. Investing in yourself means to never stop learning.
Sharpen your axe. Read just one chapter of an information-rich, inspiring book every day. Listen to 15 minutes of a life-transforming audio. Take a course or seminar every few months. Most of your life -- 99.9 percent-- is made up of things you do on automatic pilot. It's essential that you take charge of your automatic pilot's training and never stop investing in yourself.
Related: 12 Things Successful People Do Before Breakfast
Jeff Olson, founder and CEO of Nerium International, is a leader in the direct sales industry, earning an industry-wide reputation as a top distributor, earner, CEO and more since he first joined the industry in 1988. He is also the owner of Live Happy and the author of The Slight Edge, which shares the philosophy and principles he used to achieve success as an entrepreneur and CEO, to help others reach greater levels of financial freedom and personal excellence.
This post originally appeared at Entrepreneur. Copyright 2014.