Showing posts with label Free days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Free days. Show all posts

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Nat. Parks Free 9-11th. Washington's Budget Impasse. Cancer Drug More Harmful Than Helpful. Chemo And Radiation. GETTING RID OF ROACHES! Great Northeast Blackout. Misty's Vet Visit.

 

For "Summary Saturday", News, Some New, Some Old:

HONOR VETERANS WITH YOUR NATIONAL PARKS

"Every year on November 11, Americans celebrate U.S. military veterans’ service to our country with the observance of Veterans Day. But did you know that a perfect place to honor Veterans Day is in your national parks? Many of your national parks including Gettysburg National Military Park, World War II Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial commemorate the women and men who have given so much to protect our freedoms as Americans, and to top it all off, Veterans Day weekend (November 9 -11) is fee-free!    More at: http://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/honor-veterans-your-national-parks    By: Alanna Sobel

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Current Events & Trends: Washington's budget impasse: the overlooked significance

"The vast majority of commentators decried the government shutdown and warned of dire consequences.

Thankfully, Niall Ferguson picked up on the real problem, which is overlooked, writing an article in The Wall Street Journal titled "The Shutdown Is a Sideshow. Debt Is the Threat" (Oct. 4, 2013).

He stated: "In the words of a veteran investor, watching the U.S. bond market today is like sitting in a packed theater and smelling smoke. You look around for signs of other nervous sniffers. But everyone else seems oblivious." The analogy seems obvious.

He continued: "Yet, entertaining as all this political drama may seem, the theater itself is indeed burning. For the fiscal position of the federal government is in fact much worse today than is commonly realized.

"As anyone can see who reads the most recent long-term budget outlook—published last month by the Congressional Budget Office, and almost entirely ignored by the media—the question is not if the United States will default but when and on which of its rapidly spiraling liabilities." Ever-increasing spending on growing entitlements remains a very big part of the overall debt problem.

Ferguson concluded his article with, "Hey, does anyone else smell something burning?" (Source: The Wall Street Journal. )  From:  http://www.ucg.org/news-and-prophecy/current-events-trends-washingtons-budget-impasse-overlooked-significance/  article by Jerold Aust, John Ross Schroeder

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Popular Cancer Drug More Harmful Than Helpful

breast cancer"The FDA has said that the controversial drug Avastin should be phased out as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Recent studies show that its benefits are outweighed by dangerous side effects.

Avastin, which costs about $8,000 a month and is one of the best-selling cancer drugs in the world, is now being phased out in the US due to lack of effectiveness and dangerous side effects.

The announcement does not affect Avastin's status as a drug that can be prescribed for lung cancer, kidney cancer, colorectal cancer and brain cancer.

In 2008, the FDA granted Avastin accelerated approval for use to treat metastatic breast cancer. But studies have failed to show that patients getting Avastin lived longer than patients on standard chemotherapies.

According to CNN:

"Along with those disappointing findings, serious side effects became apparent in patients taking Avastin, including high blood pressure, internal bleeding, perforated internal organs, heart failure and heart attacks, and in some cases, even swelling of the brain."

Avastin isn't the only popular cancer drug that's come on the chopping block in recent years.  For example, in 2009 it was determined that long-term use of the common breast cancer drug Tamoxifen could increase your risk of developing a deadly second tumor.

Folks, the best way of preventing breast cancer isn't a drug at all, and it's free! 

Sun exposure may be the single most effective means of reducing breast cancer, thanks to vitamin D, which forms in your body in reaction to sunlight.  In a recent study, data collected over a decade from more than 67,000 women showed that women in sunny climes with high vitamin D levels were at a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer!"  More at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/01/07/fda-revokes-approval-for-controversial-breast-cancer-drug.aspx

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What The Cancer Industrial Complex Does Not Want You To Know About Chemotherapy and Radiation

"They tell us chemotherapy saves lives, boosts long-term survival rates and does not damage healthy cells. All these statements by the cancer industry are false. Poison kills indiscriminately– always has and always will. While damaging healthy cells, chemotherapy also triggers them to secrete a protein that sustains tumour growth and resistance to further treatment. That’s right…chemotherapy will actually boost cancer growth and cancer treatment is the leading cause of secondary cancers.

Vaccines, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and therapies, dentistry, psychiatry and practically all medical research is an industry and driver of corporate profits. The cancer industry is particularly ironic because the products that cause many cancers are made by divisions of the same multi-national corporations whose subsidiaries make the scanners and equipment that is used to diagnose cancers, the drugs used in chemotherapy and those given to prevent the cancer returning.

In what reality do we live in when cut, poison and burn are the only ways acceptable to treat cancer?

The cancer industry destroys or marginalizes safe and effective cures while promoting their patented, expensive, and toxic remedies that do more harm than good.

No chemotherapy drug has ever actually cured or resolved the underlying causes of cancer. Even what mainstream medicine considers “successful” chemotherapy treatments are only managing symptoms, usually at the cost of interfering with other precious physiological functions in patients that will cause side effects down the road. There is no such thing as a drug without a side effect.

Chemotherapy and Radiation May Kill Cancer, But They Also Kill You, Doctors Speak Out About The Cancer Industry

Dr. Robert Atkins, MD, of Atkins Diet fame once announced there are several cures for cancer, but there’s no money in them. They’re natural, effective, and inexpensive, no expensive drugs are involved but they require quite a lot of self-discipline from patients. It costs millions to fund research and clinical trials needed to produce a new cancer drug that can be patented and sold. Often these drugs create more illness.

It has been said that the key to success in the health business is to pull off the trick of making people patients for life. Consider how many people who registered a couple of abnormal blood pressure readings have been kept on medication until the medication killed them, when a quick fix course of drugs supported by major changes of diet and lifestyle would have returned their physical condition to an un-medicated healthy state."  More at: http://www.wakingtimes.com/2013/10/21/cancer-industry-want-know-chemotherapy-radiation/ By: Dave Mihalovic, a Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in vaccine research, cancer prevention and a natural approach to treatment.

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GETTING RID OF ROACHES!

"16 oz. powdered boric acid
1 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 sm. onion, chopped
1/2 c. shortening

In a large bowl, mix all of the preceding ingredients. Add water (small amount at a time) to form a soft dough. Shape into small balls and place them throughout the house in places normally inhabited by roaches, but keep them out of reach of children and pets.

To protect birds and pets from eating the mixture, you can purchase 10 feet of 1 1/4 inch PVC pipe and cut it into 6 inch lengths. Spread some of mixture on the inside of the pipe with a knife and put them where roaches will run. It will do the job! This makes a large batch. You may want to start with half a recipe."

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On This Day:

The Great Northeast Blackout, Nov 9, 1965:

image"At dusk, the biggest power failure in U.S. history occurs as all of New York state, portions of seven neighboring states, and parts of eastern Canada are plunged into darkness. The Great Northeast Blackout began at the height of rush hour, delaying millions of commuters, trapping 800,000 people in New York's subways, and stranding thousands more in office buildings, elevators, and trains. Ten thousand National Guardsmen and 5,000 off-duty policemen were called into service to prevent looting.

The blackout was caused by the tripping of a 230-kilovolt transmission line near Ontario, Canada, at 5:16 p.m., which caused several other heavily loaded lines also to fail. This precipitated a surge of power that overwhelmed the transmission lines in western New York, causing a "cascading" tripping of additional lines, resulting in the eventual breakup of the entire Northeastern transmission network. All together, 30 million people in eight U.S. states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec were affected by the blackout. During the night, power was gradually restored to the blacked-out areas, and by morning power had been restored throughout the Northeast.

In contrast to the wave of looting and other incidents that took place during the 1977 New York City blackout, only five reports of looting were made in New York City after the 1965 blackout. It was said to be the lowest amount of crime on any night in the city's history since records were first kept.

A thriving urban legend arose in the wake of the Northeast Blackout of 1965, in which it is told that a peak in the birthrate of the blackout areas was observed nine months after the incident. The origin of the myth is a series of three articles published in August 1966 in the New York Times, in which interviewed doctors told that they had noticed an increased number of births.

The story was debunked in 1970 by J. Richard Udry, a demographer from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who did a careful statistical study that found no increase in the birthrate of the affected areas.

On August 14, 2003 another major blackout occurred which affected most of Eastern Canada as well as most of the Eastern United States."

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Yesterday:

Misty did eat her breakfast, but not with her usual gusto.  She had a vet appointment for 3.45pm, so I brushed her, tidied her up a bit with my clippers, cut her toenails, and a spritz of doggie cologne.   Then I tackled some housework, laundry, and made a quinoa salad dish for the potluck at church.

Years ago, the first time I put Misty in a carrier to go visit my daughter, she fussed and cried all the way.  She thought she was going back to her abusive former domicile, (I didn't say 'home', as it wasn't one.)  Now she knows that carriers mean an outing, something new and exciting, so she loves to travel. 

Misty sat on my knee in the waiting room, something she doesn't get a chance to do often.  The Formica benches were too slick for her feet, as she didn't want to lie down, so her front feet kept on sliding.  She was too busy sitting up listening intently to all the activity.  Once in the exam room, the vet tech was filling out forms, and asked me what Misty eats.  I had made a list of Misty's food and supplements, so it came in handy.  She weighed Misty, and her weight has stayed constant.

Mostly I wanted to know if there was anything else that I could give her to stop the tumour's growth, but the vet didn't know of anything.  He said her heart is strong, and that the Coenzyme Q10 that I give her must be helping.  He said she is in great shape for her age, nearly 19 years old in people years. 

Concerned about her excessive water drinking, he took a urine sample, and said that she is not diabetic, but knowing her diet, he didn't think she could be.  They took her to the back, and took a blood sample from her jugular, this will tell them how the rest of her organs are doing.  They said that she was very good, I don't know if I would be with a needle stuck in my jugular!  They didn't run it at the vet's office as it was getting late, and it is cheaper if they send it off.  The results should be in on Monday. 

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Grand Canyon. Nat. Parks FREE days: Apr.16-24. Volunteers for April 16th. Cargo Trailer. Kittens.

I have never been to the Grand Canyon, so let's travel there for Travel Tuesday:
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"Park Ranger describes a simple way to remember how the Grand Canyon was shaped over time: D.U.D.E.      The letters stand for: Deposition, Uplift, Down cutting and Erosion"      ... (more info)


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First by train:
The historic train that travels from Williams, Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Then by Steam Train:
"Grand Canyon Railway's historic steam run on September 19, 2009, is being powered by waste vegetable oil (WVO) collected from the restaurants at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and from Williams"

http://www.thetrain.com/
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Showing the geology by Air:
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By Water:
"We hope the information in this video will answer some of the questions you may have about running the Colorado river through the Grand Canyon."


By Skywalk:
"The Grand Canyon Skywalk"  For more info:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon_Skywalk
Music from CD: Sacred Spirit: Chants And Dances Of The Native Americans.
Track:Counterclockwise Circle Dance.  There are claims that original song and music is not Native American but rather from Native tribe of Norway.  Here is the link to the other version;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHiU36GDaEA
So far this claim sounds very much plausible.


Then On The Skywalk:


Then by mule:
"If you want to get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, this is the most sought after solution, and has to be booked 9-12 months in advance."

By Foot:
A brief review of the Grand Canyon hiking and backpacking Information in parts 1 and 2 of this program. For Grand Canyon National Park Hiking FAQ, Go to this site: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hiking-faq.htm

The Falls:


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The Subterranean Gandeur of Grand Canyon Caverns: 

"In 1927, a heavy rain widened the natural funnel-shaped opening to the upper level of an unknown system of caverns in western Arizona. A woodcutter for the Santa Fe Railroad by the name of Walter Peck found the entrance one evening on his way to a poker game at the nearby Yampai railroad siding house. The caverns were probably his only true winnings."  More at: http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/feb/stories/gccaverns.html
and:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon_Caverns

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Free Entrance Days in the National Parks.
April 16-24, 2011.  (National Park Week)
Waterfall at Yosemite National Park, Photo by DanNg, NPS
NPS/Dan Ng
"Yosemite Falls is visible from numerous places around Yosemite Valley, especially around Yosemite Village and Yosemite Lodge. A one-mile loop trail leads to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall.
America's Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.*
Mark your calendar for these fee-free days in 2011:
  • January 15-17
    (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday weekend)
  • April 16-24
    (National Park Week)
  • June 21
    (First day of summer)
  • September 24
    (Public Lands Day)
  • November 11-13
    (Veterans Day weekend)
Making the fun even more affordable, many national park concessioners are joining the National Park Service in welcoming visitors with their own special offers.
Here’s a tip – many of your 394 national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit!"
http://www.rv-life-and-travel.com/national-park-events-April.html
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"In addition to waiving entrance fees throughout the week, national parks and park partners are offering programs as part of National Park Week festivities.
On Saturday, April 16, many parks will be looking for volunteers to help with projects and on Saturday April 23, the younger set will be the special guests for the 5th annual Junior Ranger Day."
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Today:SAM_0791-1

The kittens looked a lot better this morning.
I think the little scrawny one, tabby/white, will make it.

I didn't have to feed them during the night, but I had fed them late last night, and early this morning.   I am sure Misty would have got me up if they had started meowing!  She is very fascinated by them, but I am not sure if it is in a good way.  I was hoping, as she has had puppies, that she would wash them for me, (that makes them potty), but so far I have had to wipe their little rear ends to make them go.

SAM_0794-1Jay and I installed the stiles and rails in the cargo trailer. For us, this was time consuming because of all the angles and the six measurements to take into consideration for each board.

We can't use the ceiling material that we bought, we are going to have to get something different tomorrow.  The closet can't be built until that part of the ceiling is up. The AC can't be installed till the closet is built, and we are going to need that AC running soon.SAM_0793-1

Then Jay went to my little bathroom off the the Middle room, where the kittens are, and that woke them up.  Just like babies, they wanted to be fed.

He wanted to see them taking their bottle, and was amazed how they just drink and drink, and their little ears and feet move with each swallow. 
That made them settle down right away.

So that is all we got done today.

PS: I see that Karen has just visited the Grand Canyoun, here is her account of it:
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/2011/03/vacation-exploring-grandest-of-grand.html

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Veterans Day. "I Fought For you". Free Day.


Here is another great tribute, sorry about the ad:

http://www.comcast.net/video/honoring-fallen-vets/1536192981/
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Free Days today:

Tennessee:  http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/6295
 
National Parks:
Honoring Veteran's Day in the Parks
On November 11th, we celebrate Veteran's Day to honor those who have bravely fought for our country's liberties. And while all national parks will waive their entrance fees that day, certain parks offer the best places to revel in history and honor.
Read more
http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm
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Veterans-day-2010 (Small)
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This "Trike" owned by a Vietnam Vet, on display at a car show. Judging from the power plant he selected, it should really haul.
The work and thought that went into the paint job is priceless.

ATT1 (Small) ATT2 (Small)
 










 
 















Click to enlarge.
 
 

















"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you.
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G.I.
"One died for your soul, the other for your freedom!"
Many seem to forget both of them! 
I AM A PROUD Southeast Asia VETERAN !"
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Please support and thank our veterans and troops today.

iraq_cost_onpage (Small)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Free Days Tomorrow. Visiting National Parks Without a Campground Reservation.P & N.

By Bob Difley
metolius river2"The slowly fading recession seems to have energized campers this season as campground usage is up and reservations become harder to nail down.

This becomes a particular problem with those of us who procrastinate, make last-minute travel decisions, or find ourselves wherever our RVs lead us–and most of the time without campground reservations.

But don’t let that discourage you from visiting the national parks, you just need to practice some tricks and tips for increasing your odds of securing a campsite.

Many of our national parks (NP) are adjacent to or surrounded by national forests (NF) that will have alternative camping options, ranging from improved campgrounds to boondocking in un-designated campsites. You can use these options for first night camping followed by a strategy of obtaining a NP campsite the next day, or as your main campsite from which you can visit the NP by tow or toad, returning each night to you NF campsite.

It would be all but impossible to obtain a campsite in the NP after a day’s travel, arriving in mid-afternoon or later, since most NP fill well before noon, even on week days. A NF campsite will probably be your best bet, since most private campgrounds or RV resorts will lie outside the forest on private land and well away from the NP. They are also often filled by reservations for the summer months and have few–if any–first-come spots.

Follow these tips for your best chances of getting a campsite when you have no reservation and with minimal hassle and stress.
  • Research the adjacent NF for campgrounds, identifying those that will fit your rig, and the location of the area office. "
More at: http://blog.rv.net/2010/06/visiting-popular-national-parks-without-a-campground-reservation/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RvnetBlog+%28RV.net+Blog+Daily+Updates+Feed%29
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More free days slated for national parks, federal lands

"The Interior Department has announced more free admission days to round out the balance of the year. Here’s the schedule:
September 25 (Public Lands Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)"
 
Free at Smithsonian, too.    Saturday 25th. Sept.

"To receive your free Museum Day Ticket please enter your information into the fields below. Your Ticket will be emailed to you after you submit your information. Please remember to print and bring your ticket to your selected participating museum."
http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html?2010
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Today:

Ray arrived to work and I left him trying to clean the gasket that goes under the luggage carrier on Pugsy, while I drove down the road to pick up Jay.  We haven't been up on the roof of Pugsy, the vintage motor home, to re-install it yet.  The gasket had old caulk and junk stuck on it.   Even though it has been soaking in soapy water for days, it is still difficult to get it all scraped off.

Pamala, my sister-in-law, and my brother Nigel, are now on the last leg of their "Trip of a Lifetime".

It was May 30th. that Pamala and Nigel flew into Houston from England.

They bought the Dodge 3500 5.7 diesel dually in Houston, and the Lance cabover camper near Oklahoma City.

They flew over the Grand Canyon in a chopper.

They have been on Route 66 from OKC to California.

They saw where our mother was born in San Francisco.

Then they crossed Canada, up to Alaska, crossed the Arctic Circle.

They have seen lots of National Parks, National Forests (and Walmart parking lots) all along the trip.

Then they went to Guelph, Canada to visit relatives. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guelph

On to a speed boat ride at Niagara Falls, and now they have left Chicago to do the other part of Route 66 from there southwest to Oklahoma City.

Then they will drive south back to here, the full circle.

They have been to rodeos in OK and Calgary.

They went 'muddin'' at Delta Junction Fair.

They should be here within a week.


Ray washed the Puddle Jumper (little station wagon) as it never did rain here.  Jay and I attacked my two rooms of carpet.   I did a thorough vacuuming, and he wielded the carpet steam cleaner.  There are always chairs, coffee table, etc. to be picked up and moved out of the way.  That was my job, too.  He also cleaned the couch with the upholstery tool.  So it should be all spick and span, ready for my guests.

Paco, the foster Chihuahua, and old Misty, the rescued poodle, didn't know where to put themselves out of the way of the noisy machinery today.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Nat. Parks & Smithsonian-Free Days-Sat. Sept. 25. 7 Extra Animals!

More free days slated for national parks, federal lands


Now the Interior Department has announced more free admission days to round out the balance of the year. Here’s the schedule:

September 25 (Public Lands Day)

November 11 (Veterans Day)

Saturday 25th. Sept. Free at Smithsonian, too
"To receive your free Museum Day Ticket please enter your information into the fields below. Your Ticket will be emailed to you after you submit your information. Please remember to print and bring your ticket to your selected participating museum."
http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html?2010
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Remember all the lives lost on 9/11/01

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Today:

At 6.15 AM the door bell rang.  I was expecting Mindi, the stewardess, to bring 2 or 3 of her dogs for me to board and groom, so I was already up and drinking my first cup of coffee when she arrived.  I had locked up the two foster cats in their big cages in readiness.   BUT she didn't bring 2 or 3, she brought 7! 

So I made 12 little breakfasts. ( Mindi's 7, and my 5)   Then the usual time outside to get things done.  I hadn't let my Misty or Paco meet Mindi's crew, so I took them out in shifts.  But I did let my favorite, Shuggy, in my part of the house for a little while to meet Misty and Paco, as I knew they would like each other, and they did.  Lotsa tail waggin' going on.

Then I quickly went into Conroe to visit my youngest son Kevin.  He is having some problems with his trucks and trucking business, and really there is nothing that I can do until I see him again tomorrow.   He has AHDD, and gets himself in some weird situations because he won't do first things first.  I am not usually involved, but he got me roped into it.  But it meant I was on the phone most of the afternoon, trying to unravel his knots.  Wore down the batteries on two cordless phones!  KIDS!!!

I cut down two of Mindi's poodles, Caesar and Shuggy, and got them ready to bathe.  They haven't been done for a long time, but those two are the best behaved, so it didn't take long.  I will probably get one more cut down today, but I also have 13 dinners to prepare.

So I have been pretty busy all day.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Want to Help Animals, Fight Breast Cancer, and Alleviate Hunger? More Free Days in Nat. Parks.

It's always free!
FREE Touch To GiveTM app - click to download!
One touch every day helps shelter animals!
Give extra with your iPhone.
It's fast, free, & easy!
Now you can "Touch To GiveTM" on your iPhone to feed shelter animals, fund breast cancer research, and provide hunger relief — all with the GreaterGood Network's handy and free iPhone app.
Click here to download the FREE app today at the iTunes Store!
How does Touch To GiveTM work?
Once you download the app onto your iPhone*, iPod Touch, or iPad, you will be able to Touch To GiveTM every day! Just open the app, choose the cause, and tap the colored "Touch To GiveTM" button.
100% of revenue from our sponsor ads are used exclusively to help the cause. You can Touch To GiveTM for all three causes every day — to click for the other causes just click on the "GreaterGood Network" at the top left.
It's always free!
More at: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/touch-to-give-iphone-app.faces?siteId=3
Your click still counts! Don't forget to click every day at The Animal Rescue Site!
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More free days slated for national parks, federal lands

Now the Interior Department has announced more free admission days to round out the balance of the year. Here’s the schedule:
August 14 and 15
September 25 (Public Lands Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)


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Real Tree Art:
Tree-Art-sculpture

My air conditioners don't know what has hit them:
This is the hottest it has been all year, today!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Nat. Parks More FREE Days, 5th & 6th. Workcampers. Volunteers. Glass Frenzy

More free days slated for national parks, federal lands
By Russ & Tiña De Maris | April 22, 2010 - 10:24 am - Posted in government, national parks
"Washington, DC — We earlier alerted readers to the National Park Service decision to drop entrance fees at the nation’s parks from April 17 to 25. Now the Interior Department has announced more free admission days to round out the balance of the year. Here’s the schedule:
June 5 and 6
August 14 and 15
September 25 (Public Lands Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)
The admission applies not only to all national parks, but also all national wildlife refuges, and many areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management."
For more information about these free admission days, visit these web sites: National parks at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm  , national wildlife refuges at http://www.fws.gov/refuges/  , Bureau of Land Management areas at http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/Recreation/BLM_Fee_Free_Days.html.
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Hurray for the Volunteers!
"Arizona's first state park will not be closed as planned thanks to efforts by local citizens, who have so far raised $34,000 and agreed to staff Tubac Presidio State Park with volunteers."
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Workamping, Anyone?
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for RVers to serve as campground hosts for the summer at 14 state parks.
"Campground hosts receive a free designated campsite with hookups and a host sign, a host cap and name tag, and a recognition picnic at the end of the season. The requirements to be a campground host are the ability to commit to at least four weekends and pass a criminal background check."
More at: http://rvwork.rvtravel.com/2010/04/campground-hosts-wanted-for-iowa-state.html
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The headline reads, “Campground Hosts: Volunteers spend summers on government’s dime” at the Camp George Mule Ears spring Verde Bugle. Citing a long-time volunteer in the Prescott National Forest, the article implies that Dave Underwood is getting a smoking deal for free! The article says, “For volunteering to keep an eye on things and make sure everyone is comfortable, Underwood is provided an RV spot, complete with running water, electricity, propane and sewage disposal — all free — from the first of May to the end of October.”
What the article doesn’t say is the value the government gets in exchange for their site. Not only that, not all sites have such amenities. Many lack electricity and propane is often not included either. If the government had to pay an employee to do the same tasks, it would far exceed the value of the site. At even $10 an hour for 40 hours (and many hosts are effectively on call 24/7), they would pay $400/week or $1730/month plus ante up extra for benefits. Is that site worth $1730 a month? Hardly. You could live in a resort with a pool, hot tub and bocce ball for less than that. (See”What is a campsite worth?” to see how value can be figured.)
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How much is a campsite worth?  And the Infernal Revenue.
"The ad reads: "Work 20 hours/week in exchange for your site. Extra hours at $6.50/hour."
Working in exchange for a site, or even a free site, is often part of the RV worker’s (or Workamper's) offer. But what are you really paying for that site? Is this a fair amount?
Will you owe income taxes on its value? Answering these questions can help determine if this job will be a moneymaker, or instead, cost you money."
More at: http://www.rvlifestyleexperts.com/free-rv-info/working-and-volunteering/campsite_worth/
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Sparky and Glass Frenzy!
Was it the right thing to return Sparky, my temporary foster dog, back to my SPCA boss?  I could have kept him and adopted him.  He loved me very much, I could tell.


When I woke up this morning, I knew I had done the right thing.  I always said I wouldn't adopt another animal, as it would outlive me, and then it would be looking for another forever home at an older age.  Chihuahuas are known for their longevity.  I do miss Sparky, but I am glad he isn't here any more.  I don't think I could ever replace my well behaved little Levi.  He was perfect.

This morning, I didn't have to quickly turn on coffee maker, grab a cordless phone, don a robe to put over my night clothes, a quick lick with a hairbrush, and take him outside in the drizzle.  As he wouldn't go outside by himself, I had to wait for him to wander around finding the right spot to do his thing, while I waited to do mine, with my legs crossed.  Then he would roll in the dirt and rub it off on my sheets and bedspread when he came back in the house!

So this morning, all I had to do was turn on coffee maker, open screen porch patio door, and let the foster cats saunter out of the grooming room to go their screen porch.  Bobcat was already waiting in the living room, at that door, first time in two weeks.  They looked furtively around to make sure Sparky wasn't here, but they were all much more relaxed. They took care of themselves while I went to the bathroom, drank my coffee, read emails, and got washed and dressed.

Then came the work!  First I stripped my bed, and washed everything, including my bedspread.  Then I went all around the house cleaning the doggie snout marks off 2 mirrored sliding glass closet doors, and 2 patio doors, and the 15 glass pane door to dog room.

When I worked for a solar window film company, they always used Scott paper towels, as they didn't leave lint, which could leave a little bubble under the solar film.  I couldn't find any when I needed them, so I got three different kinds. 
Now, the paper towel companies don't seem to want repeat business, as they don't mark the core with their brand name. So I got a marker and wrote around the inside of the core which brand they were, so I will know which ones work best.

Of course one thing leads to another, so that included my cleaning other mirrors, windows, and TV screens.

So my arms and wrist are shot for today.

Monday, January 25, 2010

State Park Free Days. RV Polls.


The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced its schedule for 2010 Free Park Entrance Days, when anyone may enter individual state parks without a vehicle permit. (Camping and other permits are still required.) Special events planned in conjunction with Free Park Entrance Days differ from park to park. Each park is allowed two free entrance days, both on a single weekend or two separate days of the year.

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At least 2 free days in AR:

Mammoth Spring State Park
Meeting place: Depot Museum
Mammoth Spring
Mammoth Spring
Join us at the restored 1886 Frisco Depot Museum today for a tour and pay no admission fee! Spend time in the depot, baggage room, and caboose listening to and looking at what life was like in the early 1900s around a railroad depot. All ages will enjoy this interactive experience. Make a day of it and bring a picnic lunch to the park.
Admission: Free on May 15th. 2010
From: http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/events/free-museum-day-49583/

June 5, 2010
This red heart symbol designates programs involving physical activity and promoting heart health.

National Trails Day


Petit Jean State Park
Morrilton
Morrilton
Celebrate and enjoy Petit Jean State Park’s 20 miles of trails! Today will be filled with hikes and hiking related programs for all ages. Contact the park for a schedule. This event corresponds with American Hiking Society programs nationwide.
Admission: Free   From:
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/events/national-trails-day--49821/

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Another in S. Dakota, with free fishing statewide.:
May 21-23, 2010 / Spring Open House Celebration
Enjoy this weekend at Custer State Park filled with events and activities for the whole family. Pancake feeds, fishing derby, hay wagon rides, outdoor cookouts, Volksmarch, the infamous buffalo chip flip and much more. This weekend is also free entrance into the park and free fishing weekend statewide. From: http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/Custer/specialevents.htm
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This one in WV is $1.00:
June 20, 2010, West Virginia Day
On June 20, 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state to enter the Union.  Come and celebrate West Virginia Statehood with $1.00 park admission, lemonade and birthday cake.  Cost: $1.00 Contact: 304-363-3030. http://www.prickettsfortstatepark.com/events.html

Also in WV, for birding folks:

June 24, 2010
Three Rivers Avian Center
Pipestem Resort State Park

Birds of prey take center stage this evening. Wendy and Ron Perrone present live birds—hawks, owls and eagles—in an entertaining and educational format. Great evening for youth groups and families.
Amphitheater Show.  8 p.m.  FREE admission.  Campsites start at $18.00.

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In FL:
Sunday, May 16
Armed Forces Appreciation Day - Free entry to all state parks except Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

Saturday, July 17
National Recreation and Parks Month - Free entry to all state parks except Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. Launch of Geocaching program at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Southeast District.

Friday, September 10 -
Sunday, September 12
State Park Literacy Month - Free entry to all state parks except Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

Thursday, November 11
Veterans Day - Free entry to all state parks except Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.
From: http://www.floridastateparks.org/history/events.cfm

40 parks are free anyway:
“Dollar for dollar, FL state parks provide a value that is hard to beat, with 40 free parks, and most day use entrance fees ranging from just $2.00 to $8.00. Florida's 160 state parks offer white sandy beaches, vast open prairies, steep ravines, lush semi-tropical forests, cultural sites and crystal clear lakes, rivers and springs. State parks also offer countless locations to learn about Florida's cultural history and serve as outdoor classrooms for students of all ages.”

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As for California:
Maybe y'all need to make a concentrated effort to go to your State Parks and see them before they close.  I don't think they realize how much it will cost to put the parks back into shape when they open them back up.   Visiting now might keep the coffers going, please.

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Some interesting polls on RV 101:
http://www.rvuniversity.com/polls/index.php

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Quotes:
“I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”   Winston Churchill.

“I don’t make jokes.  I just watch the government and report the facts".”  Will Rogers.

“If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free.”   P.J. O’Rourke

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The cats and I have been enjoying some nice sunny weather on the screen porch.
Then they helped me put new sheets on the bed. 
I have been doing laundry and odd jobs around the house today.