North Korea. Hope? The Problem of Evil. Does God Hear? God Gets Our Attention. Not Merely Outward. You're Probably Not Saved, Yet. Abraham Lincoln. Titanic. Mikey.

 

For “Scripture Sunday”:

North Korea: Madman, Arrows and Death

“North Korea's recent threats against America and other nations has everyone on edge. The threats should be take seriously and they teach us a lesson about our own relationships.”

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/christian-living/north-korea-madman-arrows-and-death

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Hope?

“Viewers often write us asking for more on prophecy and world events. What are they really saying?”

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/news-and-prophecy/hope

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The Problem of Evil 

“If God is good, how can we explain evil? From the Holocaust to the senseless slaughter of school children, evil permeates our world. Is God responsible?

When you read about school shooters killing innocent children, suicide bombers blowing up hundreds of innocent passersby, violent regimes maiming and murdering their political opponents, or arsonists causing the tragic deaths of a young family, do you ever ask yourself, “Where is God in all of this?”

As children, many of us learned a song titled “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” However, when we see the evil, the sadness and the suffering that, at times, seem to surround us on every side, we might wonder about that premise. For if this really is God’s world and if He really has the whole world in His hands, how do we explain these horrible events?

Is He powerless before these evil forces and actions? If He really does have the whole world in His hands, it would appear that He has dropped it on numerous occasions.

What is the answer to the perplexing problem of evil?

The god of this world

As is the case in so many situations like this, men have assumed that the Bible says something it really doesn’t. For instance, how many realize that, according to the Bible, Satan is the god of this world? So states the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:4.

From the very beginning, Satan the devil (identified by Jesus Christ as the father of liars and a murderer from the beginning—John 8:44) has sought to destroy what God created and established.

He was the snake who lied to Eve and encouraged her to ignore God and partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This eventually led to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and the severing of mankind’s direct relationship with his Creator.

Satan’s position as the god of this world was challenged by the birth of Jesus Christ, and Satan sought to murder Him shortly thereafter. Joseph and Mary took their young Son and fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s decree that all male children 2 years old and under who were born in the region of Bethlehem during the approximate time of Christ’s birth be put to death.

The kingdoms of this world reflect Satan

Consider also the temptation of Christ by Satan as he confronted Him in the wilderness (Matthew 4). In his final attempt to conquer Christ, Satan took Him to the top of a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Then he said to Him, “All these things will I give You if You will but bow down and worship me.”

Of course, Christ did not succumb to that temptation, but the point is this: All the kingdoms of the world were Satan’s to give! He’s the god of this world, the author of confusion, the father of liars, a thief and a murderer, and so this world reflects the nature of its god or ruler, Satan the devil. He is “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

It was Satan who stirred up the religious leaders of Christ’s day to say and do whatever was necessary to have Him crucified. As was prophesied in Genesis 3:15, “He [speaking of Christ] shall bruise your [Satan the serpent’s] head, and you [Satan] shall bruise His heel.”     More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/evil-and-suffering/the-problem-of-evil/

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Does God Hear?

“Have you ever felt your prayers go unheard? Here's a passage from the Bible to keep in mind.” http://youtu.be/Cff7vKWpcyg

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/christian-living/does-god-hear

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God Gets Our Attention

“God knows what we need and wants to bless us. But at times he needs to get our attention.”   http://youtu.be/l8IIfm4hlbE

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/christian-living/god-gets-our-attention

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Not Merely Outward

“AN AMAZING FACT:  Before the 1930s, diamonds were rarely given as engagement rings.

Egyptians worshiped the circle as a symbol of eternity. They plaited rings out of reeds and gifted them to symbolize everlasting love. They wore them on the third finger of their left hands because they believed the vein of that finger traveled directly from the heart. The Greeks learned this tradition from Egypt, passing it to Rome and beyond. But it wasn’t until a diamond cartel coined the best advertising slogan of the 20th century for the hardest substance in nature, convincing us that “a diamond is forever.”
In the Bible, a king’s ring symbolized his authority. Rings were given to trusted servants (Genesis 41:41, 42), to potential mates (Genesis 24:22), and in celebration (Luke 15:22). Like today, jewelry and fine clothing were also used simply for beauty (Ezekiel 16:11–14). Of what purpose are the gems and bright colors God created except to lend beauty? We express ourselves through our wardrobes, homes, and landscapes. But self-expression goes awry when we rely on clothing, hairdos, houses, cars, gardens, and gadgets for our value (Ezekiel 16:15).
Swinging the pendulum in the other direction, Puritanism shunned the use of superfluities like jewels, color, and modern technology. But Peter’s balanced approach, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward” (1 Peter 3:3), ensures that the beauty of your character matches—or exceeds!—that of your person or possessions.
In Haggai, God promises His people a ring as a sign of being chosen (Haggai 2:23). But even better, God adorns us with the “garments of salvation” and the “robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). It’s okay to surround yourself with beauty, but don’t let it replace the beauty of salvation.”

KEY BIBLE TEXT:  But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.     - Job 28:12-18

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This morning’s program on WGN TV:

You're Probably Not Saved, Yet

“Are you sure you have eternal life? How do you know if you're saved? What is salvation, really? You need to know.”

 

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-program/christian-living/youre-probably-not-saved-yet

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On This Day:

John Wilkes Booth shoots Abraham Lincoln, Apr 14, 1865:

“President Abraham Lincoln is shot in the head at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. The assassin, actor John Wilkes Booth, shouted, "Sic semper tyrannis! (Ever thus to tyrants!) The South is avenged," as he jumped onto the stage and fled on horseback. Lincoln died the next morning.”

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RMS Titanic hits iceberg, Apr 14, 1912:

“Just before midnight in the North Atlantic, the RMS Titanic fails to divert its course from an iceberg, ruptures its hull, and begins to sink. The sinking of the Titanic did have some positive effects, however, as more stringent safety regulations were adopted on public ships, and regular patrols were initiated to trace the locations of deadly Atlantic icebergs.”

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Yesterday:

Jay called at 7.45am to ask if I was on schedule.  He hadn’t changed the clocks in his house yet!  He said that he wanted to go to church with me, so I said I would pick him up when it was time. Then my daughter and I had our Saturday phone call.  Just I was ready to go pick up Jay, he called and said that he wasn’t going.  Later, I found out that he wasn’t sick, he did a job for a neighbor, and then drank the money.  As I was already ready, I was going to go to the Bible study and morning service at the Conroe church. 

But I had to check on Mikey first.  Sam, his “Dad” has had a stroke, so I have to remember to take Mikey for his vet appointments, and it was about time for him to have another one.  The minute I laid eyes on Mikey, I knew there was something terribly wrong, he was swollen up like a balloon, and Sam said he wasn’t eating.  Also he couldn’t stop coughing.  I quickly put Mikey in my van, and called the vet on the way. 

I usually go to Porter Road on the left fork from Airport Road which is the continuation of FM 8083, but I was in a panic, and took the right fork in the road.  Both roads lead to SH 105, but you have to turn either right or left when you get to SH 105 to get to Porter Rd.  I was driving along, when I was pulled over by a cop.   If I had been on FM 8083 there would have been no problem with me going at 54 MPH, but on the other road the speed limit was 35 MPH.  He asked me where I was going, so I told him the vet on Porter Road.  One look at the swollen dog in my back seat, and he just gave me a warning.  Whew!!

The vet stuck a syringe needle in Mikey’s stomach and fluid just came pouring out.  He said that it was because of his compromised heart that he is retaining fluids.  That's why he wasn’t hungry, everything was pressing on him.  With some of the fluids gone, Mikey’s coughing became less. Also, the vet said there is no way we can keep Mikey’s health under control unless he can be given meds daily, in fact twice daily.  So I have volunteered to do that.  When I took Mikey home, I gave him his 4 pills.  And even though I am an experienced push-the-pill-down-the-throat-pusher, Mikey would manage to un-swallow one or two, and I’d have to push them down with my thumb again.  There is no way Sam can do that, and he wouldn’t be able to see well enough to know if Mikey had taken them or spat them out.  Mikey is on Lasix, Vetmedin, Enalapril, and some pills to stop his cough, so I will have to go down there twice a day to give them to him to keep him alive.  Sam has to get used to the idea that Mikey’s condition is terminal, and sooner or later he will have to be PTS.

Bible Trivia was just starting when I got to the afternoon Willis church, and we all had fun answering the Bible trivia in the form of a question. It was the gals against the guys this time, and we won.

A pastor visiting from one of the Church of God congregations in San Antonio gave the sermon about Samson, it was very interesting.  He and his family stayed for the potluck afterwards and a good time was had by all.

In the evening there was a disturbance in my front yard. Ray and Shay had come out of their house next door to see Claudia, and her neighbor, Leo, who had pulled up here.  Jay, absolutely soused, and broke, had stolen some money from Claudia, his mother’s purse, and they were chasing him down.  Leo had followed Jay to the store, and taken the beer that he had bought with the stolen money.  Leo was so furious that we though he was going to have a stroke.  Jay was so drunk, and still drinking beer in my yard, that he could hardly drive his ATV.  I wish they had called the cops right then, as Claudia should have filed charges of theft on him, but she won’t. Claudia sat here talking to us for quite a while, and said, once again, that she will try to get Jay committed on Monday.

Iraq War. $4 Trillion IOU. Fall of the Alamo. Grape Seed Extract for Cancer. "Alligacin". Superbug CRE. Z-Pak and Zmax. Ranger Rick’s® Geocache Trails. Wrong Watermark. GMO Poll. Pipeline Explosion. It’s ‘OK’.

 

For “Summary Saturday”, News, Some New, Some Old:

Iraq War Cost $800 Billion, And What Do We Have To Show For It?

“For the past few months, a strange thing has been happening in the central Iraq town of Fallujah. Thousands of citizens, virtually all of them Sunni Muslims, have been gathering in public squares to protest the oppressive Shiite-led government in Baghdad. Sleeping in tents and wielding Twitter feeds and YouTube accounts, the young Sunnis have attempted to take democracy, and a certain sectarian disaffection, into their own hands.

It's not quite the Iraqi Arab Spring -- although that's what it's been tentatively called by some -- but it is a reminder of the stark failure of nearly a decade of American-led warfare in that country.

When President George W. Bush announced the invasion into Iraq in March 2003, the goal was to remove a dangerous dictator and his supposed stocks of weapons of mass destruction. It was also to create a functioning democracy and thereby inspire what Bush called a "global democracy revolution."

The effort was supposed to be cheap -- to require few troops and even less time. Instead, it cost the United States $800 billion at least, thousands of lives and nearly nine grueling years (see the graphic below for a further breakdown of various costs).”

More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/18/iraq-war-costs_n_2885071.html

and http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/iraq-war-on-terror/the-iraq-war-how-we-spent-800-billion-and-counting/

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Iraq war ends with a $4 trillion IOU

Veterans’ health care costs to rise sharply over the next 40 years

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — “The nine-year-old Iraq war came to an official end on Thursday, but paying for it will continue for decades until U.S. taxpayers have shelled out an estimated $4 trillion.

Over a 50-year period, that comes to $80 billion annually.

Although that only represents about 1% of nation’s gross domestic product, it’s more than half of the national budget deficit. It’s also roughly equal to what the U.S. spends on the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and the Environmental Protection Agency combined each year.

Near the start of the war, the U.S. Defense Department estimated it would cost $50 billion to $80 billion. White House economic adviser Lawrence Lindsey was dismissed in 2002 after suggesting the price of invading and occupying Iraq could reach $200 billion.”  More at: http://articles.marketwatch.com/2011-12-15/general/30778140_1_iraq-war-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-budgetary-assessments

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Grape Seed Extract May Beat Chemo in Late-Stage Cancer

“The benefits of grape seed extract in cancer are well documented, but modern medicine won't do anything with it until the mechanism of action has been found, so that it can be isolated, purified, made poisonous and owned by a single company for enormous profits.

The more advanced cancer is, the less effective chemotherapy is. However, a new study has shown that grape seed extract has exactly the opposite quality: The more advanced the cancer, the less extract that's needed to kill it. On top of that, the study also shows that grape seed extract targets the cancer cells that become most resistant to chemotherapy.

In the face of this remarkable new development, it's likely that grape seed extract is more effective in treating late-stage cancer than modern medicine's chemotherapy. Not only does it take less and less of the substance to kill cancer cells, it's able to target the cells that have become drug resistant, thus making chemo useless!

Yet again, the common misperception that modern medicine's treatments are stronger or more potent or better in any way is shown to be mistaken. Sadly, it's a mistake that can kill.”  More at: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/grape-seed-extract-may-beat-chemo-late-stage-cancer

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177th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo.

“March 6th marked the 177th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo. Solemn events recall Alamo fallen.

A member of the San Antonio Living History Association fires a musket (center) as others stand at attention Wednesday March 6, 2013 in front of the Alamo during the "Dawn at the Alamo" ceremony on the 177th anniversary of the battle for Texas independence. About 300 to 500 Mexican troops are said to have been killed or wounded in the battle and at least 189 Alamo defenders died in the battle or were executed.

“You have all joined us this morning to remember, and perhaps experience a feeling for the dreadful moments of Texas history.”

The ceremony, augmented this year with recorded music and sound effects, included the reading of eyewitness accounts; laying of wreaths; a Mexican bugle call of oración; a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace”; and recitation of the prayer of St. Francis in English and Spanish.  Volleys fired by a musket and rifles also highlighted the event.

With chilly winds muffling the noise, some 1,500 Mexican troops launched an assault.  Travis, the young Alamo commander, was among the first to die atop north wall before the Texians fell back into the compound.  Historians estimate at least 60 defenders fled south or west, but were quickly killed by mounted lancers. The defenders, from at least 22 different states and six foreign countries, ranged in age from 15 to 56, and included several Tejanos, of Spanish or indigenous descent. Roughly 20 noncombatant women, children and slaves survived.

About 300 to 500 Mexican troops are said to have been killed or wounded, many hit by “friendly fire” amid the chaos.  The church was the last to fall, and David Crockett and six of his men “fought on until they were literally overwhelmed.”  More at: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Solemn-events-recall-Alamo-fallen-4332367.php

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Alligator blood tested as new antibiotic

CALCASIEU PARISH, LA (KPLC) - “In the bayous of Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, researchers have discovered a potential medicinal breakthrough from alligators.”

“These keepers of the bayou are known for their tenacity, but behind the alligator's piercing eyes and sharp teeth is an immune system that is as ferocious as the primitive creature.”   More at: http://www.kplctv.com/story/21412671/alligator-blood-tested-as-new-antibiotic

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It's possible you could be treated with an alligator blood product one day.

“Alligator blood is being studied for use as an antibiotic, but any marketable drug remains years off.

Some day you may go to the pharmacy to ask for an order of "alligacin," an antibiotic made from the blood of alligators. That's the hope of researcher Mark Merchant, whose tests show that proteins in their white blood cells kill infections that can kill humans including e-coli, staph infections and a strain of HIV.”  More at: http://news.msn.com/rumors/rumor-alligator-blood-is-new-antibiotic

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Doctors Struggling To Contain New Bacteria 2013

“A new family of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as CRE, is raising concerns across the medical community because of its ability to cause infections that defy even the strongest antibiotics. The antibiotic resistance is spread by mobile pieces of DNA that can move between different species of bacteria, creating new, drug-defying bugs.” 

More here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/na...

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Common Antibiotic May Raise Risk For Fatal Arrhythmia

“The popular antibiotic azithromycin may cause a potentially fatal irregular heart rhythm in some people, the FDA says.  Also sold under the names Zithromax and Zmax, and often called a Z-pack, the antibiotic can cause changes in the electrical system of the heart, leading to arrhythmia. The medication can also trigger a form of rapid heartbeat called torsades de pointes.

The FDA says patients at risk for problems include those who have what's known as a prolonged QT interval, low blood levels of potassium or magnesium, an abnormally slow heart rate, or who take drugs to treat arrhythmias.”   More at: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20130312/antibiotic-azithromycin-risk-heart-fda

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Turning Screen Time Into Green Time

A high-tech treasure hunt known as geocaching is helping parents coax their children outdoors, away from indoor electronic devices

“POWELL FRANKLIN, JR., AND HIS WIFE JENNIFER were looking for a way to pry their young daughter Emma away from computers and televisions and get her outdoors more often. “My generation was probably the last one to grow up playing outside all the time,” says Powell. Indeed, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, U.S. children between the ages of 8 and 18 now spend an average of 7.5 hours a day indoors in front of an electronic screen.  “Geocaching is a great way to marry screen time with green time,”

NWF launched Ranger Rick’s^® Geocache Trails two years ago. Today nearly 80 of these wildlife-oriented routes are located across the country in parks, nature centers, campgrounds, zoos and even aquariums. All of them are family friendly and easy for newcomers to navigate, and most can be accessed year-round.”  More at: http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Outdoors/Archives/2013/Turning-Screen-Time-Into-Green-Time.aspx

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An ex-Santa Fe cop is facing charges for making fake money.    Wrong face in watermark.

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GMO Poll Finds Huge Majority Say Foods Should Be Labeled

“Americans are largely uncertain over whether genetically modified foods are safe for the environment or safe to eat, but the vast majority say that foods containing genetically modified ingredients should be labeled, according to a new HuffPost/YouGov poll.

Although respondents were near unanimous in saying genetically modified foods should be labeled, many expressed uncertainty about the environmental or health consequences of growing and consuming them.”    More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/04/gmo-poll_n_2807595.html

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Marshall County Pipeline Explosion: West Virginia Residents Ordered To Evacuate Area

March 22 (Reuters) - “A Williams Co. natural gas gathering pipeline ruptured in Marshall County, West Virginia, a spokesman confirmed on Friday.
At approximately 12:20 p.m. (1620 GMT) on Friday, company personnel "detected a possible line rupture on a 24-inch natural gas pipeline near Cameron on Fish Ridge Road," the spokesman told Reuters in an emailed statement.
Cameron is a city in Marshall County, located in the northwestern part of the state.
"Williams immediately shut down the affected pipeline and isolated the rupture to the suspected area," the spokesman said.
No injuries or property damage has been reported and the cause of the rupture is under investigation, he added.
Local press reports earlier said a 36-inch gas line exploded but no fire was reported and area residents were being evacuated as a precaution.”  More at: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/22/gas-pipeline-explosion-idUKL1N0CE9MO20130322

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On This Day:

OK enters national vernacular, Mar 23, 1839:

“On this day in 1839, the initials "O.K." are first published in The Boston Morning Post. Meant as an abbreviation for "oll correct," a popular slang misspelling of "all correct" at the time, OK steadily made its way into the everyday speech of Americans.

During the late 1830s, it was a favorite practice among younger, educated circles to misspell words intentionally, then abbreviate them and use them as slang when talking to one another. Just as teenagers today have their own slang based on distortions of common words, such as "kewl" for "cool" or "DZ" for "these," the "in crowd" of the 1830s had a whole host of slang terms they abbreviated. Popular abbreviations included "KY" for "No use" ("know yuse"), "KG" for "No go" ("Know go"), and "OW" for all right ("oll wright").

The man responsible for unraveling the mystery behind "OK" was an American linguist named Allen Walker Read. An English professor at Columbia University, Read dispelled a host of erroneous theories on the origins of "OK," ranging from the name of a popular Army biscuit (Orrin Kendall) to the name of a Haitian port famed for its rum (Aux Cayes) to the signature of a Choctaw chief named Old Keokuk. Whatever its origins, "OK" has become one of the most ubiquitous terms in the world, and certainly one of America's greatest lingual exports.”

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Yesterday:

Misty and I had our walk down at Jay’s, as he wanted to go into the next town with me for Mikey’s vet appointment.  Even though Mikey is about the same size as Misty, I got a larger carrier than hers down from the attic for him.

While waiting for the vet, everyone could hear poor Mikey coughing from all over the clinic.  The vet immediately said that Mikey has a collapsed trachea, and being overweight didn’t help.   He gave Mikey a shot, and said this is something he will have for the rest of his life. 

After we left the vet, we were near where my washing machine had been repaired, so we picked it up.  I was glad it was an overcast day, so that Mikey wouldn’t get hot in the carrier in the car, as we had to make a few stops.  Jay stopped at Home Depot to return something.  I hadn’t been shopping for a while, and so I parked under a tree while I quickly grabbed a few things at Krogers, and the Dollar Store.  Mikey was quite content and we came back to my place.

Some of the vet’s instructions were that Mikey can’t wear a collar anymore, so I fitted him with a harness, and Jay switched the rabies tag over to it. 

When I took Mikey home, I found out that Sam was letting him self-feed Beneful, (1st. ingredient: corn meal) so I took that away from him, and told Sam 'no more grains'.  No wonder the poor dog was unhealthily fat.   I drove into our town to Walkers Feed Store and bought Mikey some Taste Of The Wild Dog Food.   

I put some of the Beneful in a Ziploc bag with a 1/2 cup measuring cup and showed Sam 1 measure of TOTW and 1 measure of Beneful until gone, then 2 measures of TOTW, as you can’t change an animal’s food right away. The Vet Tech, Lisa, (super sweet lady) suggested that Mikey needs one of those automatic feeders in case Sam forgets that he has fed Mikey and feeds him again.  Introducing Sam to the idea of some wet food isn't an option right now, he is having trouble digesting all this anyway.

A few years back I used to board a little dog with a collapsed trachea, and the main thing was to keep her cool and quiet so she wouldn’t pant and cough.  So I asked Sam if he would keep his home a bit cooler for Mikey, I hope he remembers.

So that took up just about my whole day.

Today is World Water Day. Meat Labels. 10 Best & Worst. Juicing. Hummer.

 

For “Foodie Friday”:

World Water Day

“140 liters of water to make a cup of coffee… 185 liters of water to make a bag of chips… 1,500 liters of water to grow cotton for a t-shirt. The hidden water used to produce the food we eat and the items we consume is incredible. Today, over 40% of the U.S. is in a severe drought and by 2025 water shortages could be a reality for two-thirds of the world’s population. Help us spread the word about the global water crisis and remind people that water comes from nature and needs to be protected and invested in through our 20 Days of H2O Campaign.

From March 2 to March 22, 2013, The Nature Conservancy will be raising awareness about water issues, including just how much water we really use in our daily lives, how water impacts economic growth, and tips for reducing water use, culminating in a celebration of World Water Day on March 22.

Did you know the average H20 footprint of an American is 32,911 glasses a day? Learn more with our infographic.

From: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/riverslakes/explore/water-footprint-of-an-american.xml

More at: http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/home

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Decoding the Label: Meat

“The array of food labeling can make shopping for the healthiest cuts confusing. Learn how to sift through popular marketing buzzwords to choose the best sources of meat.

“Natural”

This ambiguous term says nothing about how the animal was raised, but rather what happens to the meat after the animal is slaughtered. This means a cow can be given antibiotics or growth enhancers, but raw cuts of beef can still be labeled “natural.” In the U.S., the label allows for minimal processing, which means poultry can be pumped with salt water.

“Free-Range” or “Cage-Free”

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) doesn’t define “free-range” for any meat except poultry. “Free-range” has very little meaning and can just indicate the animal had open-air access for a minimum of 5 minutes a day, although this can mean a dirt area instead of a pasture.

Just because an animal is cage-free doesn’t mean it can venture outside – or hasn’t been standing in poor hygienic conditions, such as feces. It means birds have some room to move around naturally, but practices like beak cutting are permissible.

For more on buying chicken, read Dr. Oz’s poultry label decoder.

“Animal Welfare Approved”

Look for this label, which means the company fulfilled the required hygiene practices for the animals. The Animal Welfare Approved program certifies that family farms are using humane conditions to raise animals outdoors on a pasture or range from birth to death.

“100% Grass-Fed” or “Organic”

Look for labels from the American Grassfed Association. Grass is the natural diet for these animals, but sometimes the food will be labeled grass-fed even if they haven’t eaten grass for the duration of their life after weaning. That’s why it’s important to locate that “100%."

Organic doesn’t necessarily mean the animals ate grass, but it does mean that the livestock was allowed outside and fed 100% organic feed with no antibiotics, pesticides or growth hormones. Their living conditions must also allow them to move naturally.”  From: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/decoding-label-meat

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“What does "cage-free" really mean? Ambiguous food labeling can make shopping for the best cuts confusing. Dr. Oz sifts through popular marketing buzzwords so that you're not being duped.”   Video at: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/secrets-meat-labeling

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Top 10 Best & Worst Protein Sources (vegetarians take note)

“Yesterday, I discussed protein a little bit, and it’s such an important topic that I think it deserves its own Tuesday 10 (Read all Tuesday 10 columns here).

In all the debates this year about sugar (carbohydrates) and hydrogenated oil (fat), we forget that protein warrants consideration as well. The wrong proteins in the diet will quickly sabotage optimal health.

Many myths surround protein. For the record, vegetarians will not die of protein deprivation. I hope no one believes that anymore. It helps to understand that protein is a macronutrient. What we call “protein” is, in fact, a family of amino acid molecules. When grouped together in various combinations we get proteins. There’s no protein molecule hanging out in that hamburger; rather, the animal tissue is made of many different amino acid building blocks. Protein is just a catch-all term we use. This is why vegetarians won’t keel over as people once feared. (However, I still recommend meat consumption, and for a number of reasons: caloric efficiency, blood sugar management, and human biology. It takes more calories to get adequate amounts of protein on a vegetarian diet. Living on beans and tofu increases the amount of carbohydrates in one’s diet significantly. And the human body most certainly handles – and benefits from – a bit of flesh. But I digress.)

Here are my ten ideal sources of protein, and their popular but inferior counterparts.

10. Winner: Grass-Fed Beef

Loser: Grain-Fed Beef

The average cow is raised on cheap grain that will kill it after about six months (they’re conveniently slaughtered before this happens – but not always). Hardly something I want to put in my body. Grass-fed, organic beef won’t make the vegetarians happy, but this beef is rich in beneficial fatty acids that are missing from the factory-raised cattle. It’s cleaner, healthier, more flavorful, and richer in nutrients. And grass-fed beef is typically raised in humane conditions. If you eat beef, grass-fed is a must. It’s getting quite easy to find these days, but you can order online from many outlets as well.

9. Winner: Organic Chicken

Loser: regular frozen chicken

No comparison. Did you know chicken has flavor? Yeah, bizarre, I know. Chicken raised properly (not shoved by the cluckload into dirty factories) is rich in EFAs and is one of the most efficient, lean sources of protein available.

8. Winner: Wild Salmon

Loser: farmed salmon

Fish is healthy, right? Don’t even bother patting yourself on the back for eating salmon if it’s from a farm. Farmed salmon is produced in a way that’s the seaside equivalent of a chicken factory. As a result, the fish are often sick and infected. They’re fed cheap feed that does not yield the desirable Omega-3-rich flesh. They’re miserable.

Stick with wild only. Most restaurants use farmed salmon, so you have to get a little aggressive about this.

7. Winner: Tuna fish

Loser: fish sticks and popcorn shrimp

6. Winner: Organic DHA-Enhanced Eggs

Loser: egg substitute and/or regular eggs

5. Winner: Organic, Plain, European (Greek) Yogurt

Loser: regular yogurt

4. Winner: Tempeh

Loser: tofu and “mock meats”

3. Winner(s): Quinoa

Loser(s): green beans & any large, starchy bean: kidney, great northern, lima

2. Winner: Almonds and Almond Butter

Loser: peanuts and peanut butter

Notice a trend here with my emphasis on good fats in protein foods? Source makes a huge difference in the quality of protein you get.  Meat is – or was – a very valuable food because it’s so dense in nutritious fat and protein. What an efficient, rich source of energy!  Helpfully, our modern factories have eliminated the nutritional value and left us with weak, flabby, carcinogenic, diseased patties and drumsticks.”   Complete article at: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/top-ten-protein-sources/#axzz1qdmfuOJJ

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On This Day:

The origins of the Hummer, Mar 22, 1983:

“On this day in 1983, the Pentagon awards a production contract worth more than $1 billion to AM General Corporation to develop 55,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Nicknamed the Humvee and designed to transport troops and cargo, the wide, rugged vehicles entered the spotlight when they were used by the American military during the 1989 invasion of Panama and the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s.

In 1992, a civilian version of the Humvee, known as the Hummer, went on sale. The hulking, attention-grabbing road warrior tipped the scales at some 10,000 pounds and got less than 10 miles per gallon. It was an early hit with Hollywood celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, who went on to own a fleet of Hummers. In December 1999, when the economy was strong and gas prices were relatively low, General Motors purchased the rights from AM General to market and distribute the Hummer. In 2002, the Hummer H2, a smaller (some 8,600 pounds), less expensive version of the original model, debuted.

The Hummer became a symbol of America's super-sized lifestyle; however, the gas-guzzling vehicle was also a target of heavy criticism from environmentalists. According to a 2008 report on Salon.com, in August 2003, "Hummer-hating eco-vandals [struck] four car dealerships in Southern California's San Gabriel Valley, destroying, defacing and burning dozens of Hummers and other SUVs, while scrawling love notes like 'Fat, Lazy Americans' about the premises."

In 2005, the Hummer H3, an even smaller (5,800 pounds), more fuel-efficient (16 to 20 miles per gallon) vehicle, was released. The following year, GM ended production of the original Hummer, due to low sales. In 2008, as Americans faced a growing economic crisis and rising gas prices, along with increasing environmental concerns, Hummer sales shrunk by more than 50 percent. In December 2008, GM, which was hard hit by the global recession and slumping auto sales, received a multi-billion-dollar federal bailout loan in order to stay afloat. On June 1, 2009, the auto giant, which until 2008 had been the world's top-selling maker of cars and trucks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The following day, GM announced that as part of its reorganization plans it would sell the Hummer brand to a Chinese machinery company.”

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Yesterday:

Sam, the old guy down the street who can’t really talk because of a stoke, had come up here and gestured to Ray that it was time for me to groom Mikey again.  We, his neighbors, have got used to deciphering his hand signs, mispronounced words, and what he is trying to say.  He can’t even read or write anymore.

I drove down there to see if it was a good day to do Mikey, and he nodded yes. Carrying a leash helped!

Mikey has had a terrible cough for some months, and he is a very hyper, panting, overweight dog, so it is difficult to keep him still at any time.   But this time I had to keep on stopping with the grooming because of Mikey’s coughing.  Poor baby.  At one point I was scared he was going to pass out. 

Trying to settle him down, I took him in my bedroom and laid him on my bed with me, hoping it would stop the panting and coughing.  No, didn’t happen!!  Even though we didn’t need AC, I turned it on to 74 deg. hoping it would stop him from panting.  He just would not lie still, or stop panting or coughing, so I took him back into the Grooming Room, and finished his groom. 

When I took him home, I asked Sam what are we going to do about this, he got it across to me that he couldn’t take him to the vet, because they can’t understand him.  So I offered to make an appointment and take him.  I came back here to call the vet, and when I went back to Sam to tell him the appointment was for today, he was tearfully grateful.  It was obvious that he had been at his wit’s end about what to do to stop Mickey’s suffering.   I don’t know why he didn’t ask me before, as I usually take Mickey for his annual shots.

After I have taken Mickey to the vet, I will be picking up my repaired washing machine too today.

Plastic Bag Dangers. De-tusking Elephants. A Week of Mass Murder. Sound Barrier on Land.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

Take a look at the dangers wild animals and pets face from plastic bags...

 

Bird in entangled in plastic  bag.

A cow eats plastic bag and dies.

Hundreds of cows die annually from choking on plastic bags.

 

 

“Nearly 200 different species of sea life, including whales, dolphins, turtles, and seals, plus thousands of birds, die every year because they mistake discarded bags for food or get so entangled in the bags they can't survive.”

 

 

 

 

 

“About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles whales, penguins are killed every year due to plastic bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can get a reusable shopping bag at your grocery store for only $.99 or $1.99 at most. Buy six of them for less than ten bucks and do the animals a favor.”

A dog smothered when he got his head stuck in a plastic treat bag, and another in the wax paper insert in a cereal box.  Make sure you never leave plastic bags anywhere.

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Plastic Bags & Animals: Making the Wild Safe for Wildlife

“The news comes with depressing regularity. A whale dies in an urban harbor and, on being autopsied, reveals a stomach full of plastic, the most abundant detritus of civilization. Remarks a British marine biologist, “We have recorded plastic bags in the Bay of Biscay [in western Europe] over 120 miles from shore in waters over 4,000 meters in depth. Beaked whale species in particular are highly susceptible to swallowing plastic bags as they are believed to strongly resemble their target prey, squid. Other species of large whales, which take large mouthfuls of water during feeding, also take in plastic bags by accident and hence are also at risk.”

Elsewhere, a flamingo strangles itself on a bag, unable to twist its way out of the entangling plastic. A platypus suffers deep cuts from a plastic bag entwined around its body, while a pelican dies after consuming plastic bags while diving for fish. Calves, turtles, dolphins, seals—the list of victims goes on. Another scientist has recorded 170 kinds of land animals and birds injured by plastics washed up on British beaches, joining myriad aquatic species who suffer the effects of discarded bags in the environment.”  More at: http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2009/01/plastic-bags-animals-making-the-wild-safe-for-wildlife/

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Kenya takes drastic steps to save elephants

(CBS News) “Mountain Bull is a six-ton living legend in Kenya. He has evaded poachers many times before. Now hunters are after him again -- for his massive tusks.

They chased him for more than an hour. Finally, the Bull broke cover, and there was a clear shot -- not from a bullet, but a drug-filled dart. These hunters were government veterinarians.

The magnificent bull elephant has already had lots of interaction with poachers. In one incident alone, he was shot eight times -- the slugs are still in his body. But he has survived. Now conservationists and rangers are doing something dramatic: they're taking off part of his tusks in the hopes it will make him less of a target.

It's a controversial move. He's less of a target for poachers but also less able to defend himself against other bull elephants. The tusks will eventually be destroyed by the government.

An estimated 25,000 elephants are being killed every year by well-armed African gangs -- some have links to organized crime -- with much of the illegal ivory ending up in China.   "It's the worst that it's been in the last 30 years," says conservationist Ian Craig. "It's a steady deterioration, and it's getting worse."

Mountain Bull eventually wobbled to his feet and headed back into the brush, where he now may be able to live out his days in peace.”  More and more videos at: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57554503/kenya-takes-drastic-steps-to-save-elephants/

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Man in India rescues kittens from a flood.

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A Week of Mass Murder: Why So Much Violence in America?

“The week began with Jacob Roberts’ shooting rampage at a crowded mall in Oregon and ended with mass murder at a Connecticut elementary school. Why?

We check the news, perhaps on our mobile device, on our computers or on cable television, and see another mass shooting has taken place somewhere in the United States. Earlier this week it was in a community outside of Portland, Oregon, where a shooter wearing a hockey mask ran into a crowded shopping mall and opened fire. The result: three dead, including the shooter.

Then today, as we were about to post this blog, in Newtown, Connecticut, a shooter entered an elementary school and left perhaps upwards of 30 (still unconfirmed) dead. If this report proves accurate, this shooting in Connecticut would be the second deadliest school shooting in American history.

Such scenes of mass murder have been played out so many times in recent years that it has almost become mind-numbing.

We all wonder, Why?

With sketchy news reports and the complexity of human psychology, I can’t tell you all the influences and motivations of the shooters. How can we make sense of senseless violence? Sometimes all we can do is pray for the families of the victims and pray for the time when murder and violence and suffering will end. God promises that time will come (Revelation 21:4)!

But in the meantime, what can we learn and seek to change? One thing that has struck me many times when I hear about another terrible act of violence is the glorification of violence in our culture.

Glorification of violence

Consider: Two notable mass shootings this year seem to be connected to violent movies. On July 20, 2012, a gunman walked into a midnight showing of a newly released movie and opened fire on moviegoers as the film was opening. The result: 12 dead, 58 injured.

This event took place as the extremely violent new Batman movie (The Dark Knight Rises) was playing. This movie contains a number of violent scenes: An evil villain is shown breaking Batman’s back, breaking another man’s neck and holding an entire city hostage with a nuclear bomb. A number of movie reviews criticized ‘The Dark Knight’ for its overly violent and dark themes.

The recent Oregon mall shooting was done by a man wearing a hockey mask that resembled that worn by Jason in the ‘Friday the 13th’ movies. I can’t say with certainty that the resemblance was intentional, but consider that these movies feature a crazed and evil character who commits mass murders wearing a hockey mask.

These are just two examples of extremely violent content that Hollywood has produced in the last few decades. Then there are the violent video games that don’t just have us watching murder, but often actively engaging in murder by controlling murderous digital characters. Does this steady diet of violent entertainment contribute to the seemingly constant trend of mass shootings as well as the less reported acts of violence that occur in the United States every day?

We must realize that this glorification of violence is a serious problem.”

More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/mass-murder-violence-in-america/

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On This Day:

Stuntman Stan Barrett breaks the sound barrier, Dec 17, 1979:

“On December 17, 1979, Hollywood stuntman Stan Barrett blasts across a dry lakebed at California's Edwards Air Force Base in a rocket- and missile-powered car, becoming the first man to travel faster than the speed of sound on land. He did not set an official record, however. The radar scanner was acting up, and so Barrett's top speed--739.666 miles per hour by the most reliable measure--was only an estimate. Also, he only drove his rocket car across the lakebed once, not twice as official record guidelines require. And, none of the spectators heard a sonic boom as Barrett zoomed across the course.

Barrett was a 36-year-old stuntman and ex-lightweight Golden Glove champ who had been introduced to auto racing by Paul Newman in 1971. (He was the actor's stunt double for the film "Sometimes a Great Notion.") Barrett's car, the $800,000 Budweiser Rocket, was owned by the movie director Hal Needham, a former racer himself who had broken a nine-year-old world land-speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats the previous September. The car had a 48,000-horsepower rocket engine and, to give it a little extra kick, a 12,000-horsepower Sidewinder missile.

December 17 was a dry day with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to break the sound barrier under those conditions, Barrett had to go faster than 731.9 miles per hour. He started the rocket engine and stepped on the gas; then, after counting to 12, he pushed a button on his steering wheel to fire the Sidewinder so he could go even faster. After he zoomed past a battery of timing devices, Barrett deployed a parachute to help him slow down. In all, it took only a handful of seconds for Barrett to blast across the 5 3/4-mile lakebed.

Unfortunately, the radar speedometers on the ground malfunctioned: Instead of the Rocket's speed, they measured the speed of a passing truck (38 miles per hour). The final speed estimate came from data by the Air Force, whose scanners seemed to indicate that the Rocket had "probably exceeded the speed of sound."

Controversy over how fast Barrett actually went persists to this day. It took until October 1997 for another driver, in a British car called the Thrust SSC, to officially break the Mach 1 sound barrier.”

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Yesterday:

Misty had to wear her raincoat for her first ‘outs’, as it started out as a dark, dreary, rainy day.  And I was feeling dark and dreary over the news of Misty’s cancer.  I didn’t really feel like grooming Mikey, Sam’s dog down the street, but I went to get him anyway. I didn’t know if Sam would still want him groomed on a rainy day, but he did.

Mikey has bad ears and Sam, who has had a stroke, can’t remember to do Mikey’s ear medications, so I wanted to give Mikey’s ears a really good clean this time.  Ray came over here to help hold Mikey’s head still, while I did that.  It doesn’t hurt Mikey, it is just that one ear is a little tender, so he tries to move it away from me.  Then I syringed his ears out while he was in the bathtub, and put drying drops and medication in them, when he was dry. Mikey is always grateful afterwards, as it feels so much better.  Sam and Mikey are going on an RVing trip, so I wanted Mikey to feel good.

The rain stopped, but it was still humid and warm, so even in December, I had to run the AC for some of the day.

More Toxic Treats. Skunk Rinse. Take Pets. Play With Pets. Adopt a Senior. SINKEX Kills! Fernandomania! God's Feast of Trumpets.

For “Mammal Monday”:

FDA Publishes New Q&A on Chicken Jerky Treat Situation

“The FDA updated its chicken jerky pet treat product warning in mid-July, and published a question-and-answer page for consumers in mid-August.

There is nothing new or enlightening in the FDA’s most recent update, unless you weren’t aware consumer complaints now involve not only chicken jerky pet treats, but also duck and sweet potato treats.

The FDA still has not determined what is causing the problem with pet treats that have sickened and/or killed nearly 2,000 pets in the U.S. so far. Until they do, they will not advise manufacturers or retailers of these products to stop selling them.

Please know that if you choose to feed your pet processed treats with imported or potentially imported ingredients, your dog or cat could be at risk for serious illness. Our advice to limit your risk is to buy only pet food and treats sourced and produced entirely in the U.S., or make pet food and treats at home using ingredients you trust.” Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/09/14/chicken-jerky-treats-fda-warning.aspx?e_cid=20120914_PetsNL_art_1

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FAR Better than Tomato Juice as a Skunk Rinse...

“In this short video, Dr. Karen Becker shares the very effective method she uses to get rid of skunk smell on pets.

Dr. Becker's Comments: “Today I want to give you my skunk rinse recipe, and here's hoping you never have to use it!

If, heaven forbid, your dog or cat is ever sprayed by a skunk, you should have this recipe on hand. The sooner you apply the solution to your pet's fur, the sooner he'll get relief and smell better.

Skunk Rinse Recipe

Tomato juice isn't nearly as effective as this recipe, and it's easy to follow.

In a pail mix:

• 1 quart hydrogen peroxide (the 3 percent hydrogen peroxide variety)
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 2 teaspoons Dawn dishwashing liquid (original blue)

If you have a large breed dog, you may need to double, triple or even quadruple the mixture.

Wear dishwashing or other household gloves if you like during the whole de-skunking process.

Don't wet down your pet. Apply the mixture to your pet's dry coat from the collar back toward the tail. Don't pour it near the eyes because the hydrogen peroxide solution can burn them.

Lather the mixture into your pet's coat and skin. Rub the solution around for about five minutes or until the skunk smell starts to dissipate.

If the front of your pet is as stinky as the back, use a sponge to apply the solution to your pet's chin, cheeks, forehead and ears, being very careful not to go near the eyes. When you rinse the head area, tilt your pet's chin upward so the solution does not run down into the eyes, instead allow the water to run back off his neck.

Do a complete rinse once the smell starts to decrease, then repeat the entire process again.

You may need to repeat the lather and rinse process up to three times, but it's a very effective method for removing the skunk smell from your pet.

Make sure to completely rinse the solution off your pet. Your final rinse should be very thorough.

You can't prepare this solution ahead of time and store it – it won't be effective when you need it. It must be made fresh, right before you apply it to your pet. So it pays to make sure you have all the ingredients ahead of time!

Good luck … and I hope you never have to use my skunk rinse recipe!” From: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/07/12/far-better-than-tomato-juice-as-a-skunk-rinse.aspx

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Pledge To Take Your Pets With You

Teddy is ready in his raincoat. He urges you to be ready, too—pledge to take your pets with you. ©The HSUS

“When disasters threaten, you will do anything to keep your family safe. For many of us, pets are family, too. Severe weather can happen at any time— please take your pets with you if you must evacuate your home.

September is National Preparedness Month. Make sure your pets are safe during disasters. Pledge now to take them with you.” At: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5727

 

 

 

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Let The Games Begin!

“Does your pet have a favorite toy? I always find it interesting how during the middle of a session with my clients, their pet will show me his or her favorite toy and the pure joy they feel towards it.
Some of my clients tell me that they feel disappointed when their pets seem to lose enthusiasm for playing with their toys.

Often times it comes down to what they really want, which is their parents to play with them instead of just throwing them a ball and walking away. That good-intentioned action can actually trigger a feeling of disappointment. This is a good reminder for pet parents to be mindful and present.”  More at: http://www.pawnation.com/2012/07/30/let-the-games-begin/

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Will These Pets Ever Find Homes?

“The hardest-to-adopt pets in shelters and rescues across the U.S. are senior dogs and cats, followed by pets with medical problems, dogs of a particular breed like the pit bull, shy pets, and those who must be the only pet in a home.

Oddly, black pets, and especially large black dogs, are also among the hardest to find homes for. Among shelter professionals this phenomenon is known as 'black dog syndrome'.

Shelters, rescue organizations and animal welfare groups are working on the problem of hard-to-adopt pets. They host special adoption events featuring less desirable animals. They educate the public about the benefits of adopting older dogs. And they demonstrate the potential of much-maligned breeds to be wonderful pets and good canine citizens.

Shelter volunteers are even learning how to present black pets to make them more appealing to prospective adoptive families.

If you’re considering a hard-to-adopt shelter pet, it’s important to ensure you have the resources you’ll need to care for an animal that is, for example, getting up in years. Or one who isn’t in great health. Or a pet who’s been abused. Or a large, powerful dog who requires a firm hand and lots of exercise.” Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/02/01/will-these-pets-ever-find-homes.aspx

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U.S. Navy Ship Sinking Exercise Resumes—Healthy Ocean is the First Casualty

“Our precious marine resources are at risk due to ocean dumping of poisons from SINKEX drills,” said Colby Self of the Basel Action Network. “This arcane target practice squanders resources that could otherwise be recycled, eliminates green recycling jobs that could boost local economies and poses great risk to the marine environment.”

New data from a study in Florida supports the conclusion that PCBs, dumped during ship sinking exercises, are leaching from the sunken vessels and are entering the marine food chain.

“Protection of our nation includes protection of our precious ocean environment,” said Robert Harris of the Sierra Club. “The sinking of ships containing untold tons of pollutants must stop!”

“Our oceans should never be used as a dump for poison,” said Emily Jeffers of the Center for Biological Diversity. “PCBs are some of the most dangerous pollutants around. Ship-sinking war games send toxic chemicals into our fragile marine environment and needlessly deprive the U.S. ship recycling industry of jobs and resources.” Complete article at: http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2012/u-s-navy-ship-sinking-exercise-resumes-healthy-ocean-first-casualty

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On This Day:

Fernandomania! Sep 17, 1981:

“On September 17, 1981, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws his eighth shutout of the season to set a new National League rookie record. Valenzuela’s three-hitter beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 and put an exclamation point on one of the greatest rookie seasons in baseball history. Fans loved the unorthodox young Mexican import, and the "Fernandomania" that swept across Southern California and much of the country that summer became the biggest story in baseball.

One thing that so endeared Valenzuela to the public was his humble upbringing in the poor farming community of Navajoa in the Mexican state of Sonora. Though he was known to be the youngest of 12 children, his birth date was less certain. Valenzuela claimed to have been born on November 1, 1960, but in fact may have shaved several years off his age in order to appeal to as many major league scouts as possible. After getting his start in Mexico’s Liga Mexicana de Beisbol in 1978, Valenzuela made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980, at the alleged age of 19. That year, he pitched an impressive 18 scoreless innings in 10 appearances with two wins and one save and going into 1981, his first full season in the majors, Valenzuela was the odds-on favorite for Rookie of the Year.

Valenzuela won his first eight starts of the season, posting a miniscule 0.50 ERA to start the year thanks to four shutouts in April. A chubby 5’11’, Valenzuela stood in stark contrast to the tall, lanky pitchers, like Steve Carlton and J.R. Richard, who dominated the National League in his era. He befuddled opponents and amazed fans with his famed screwball and his unique left-handed pitching style in which he seemed to look backwards towards second base before delivering the ball to the plate. In fact, he was so good that fans and reporters began to dispute his age, finding it hard to believe that a young newcomer could cause so many problems for so many experienced major league batters. The Dodgers, of course, delighted with the crowds of cheering fans Valenzuela attracted, weren’t asking any questions.

On September 17, Valenzuela immediately settled into a rhythm, and after surrendering a first-inning walk, retired 12 men in a row. In the sixth, Valenzuela, also an excellent hitter who would sometimes fill in at first base for the Dodgers, helped his own cause by singling in a run. All told, Valenzuela pitched nine innings, allowing only three hits, and struck out six Braves with his bewildering screwball and pinpoint control.

Valenzuela’s stellar play led the Dodgers to the National League pennant and the World Series in 1981. In Game 3, with the Dodgers trailing the New York Yankees two games to none, Valenzuela survived nine shaky innings for a 5-4 Dodgers victory. The Dodgers went on to beat the favored Yanks the next three games to bring home the world championship. After the season, Valenzuela became the first and only man to win both Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same year.”

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Today is God's Feast of Trumpets, Monday, September 17, 2012

Today is a high Holy Day, the Feast of Trumpets - it is a Christian festival that points to the hope of the resurrection.

 

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/gods-holy-days/gods-feast-trumpets

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Yesterday:

The day started out quietly, with coffee, reading emails, and posting this journal.  Then Jay called to say that he was tired of the job he was doing in Houston, as the hours were too long, and his boss was belittling him.  He wanted to come back to helping me a few hours a week.   I said that I would bring Misty down there for her walk, as I had some dog food for Maddie to try.  I also needed to put Revolution on Sam’s dog which was on the way.  (Sam had a stroke and I have to do most things for his Mikey.) 

Chris, the SPCA foster mom, who lives near me, had given me some tiny cans of dog food that someone had donated. It wasn’t a very good brand, even though expensive, as it had ‘by-products’ in it. http://www.naturalnews.com/012647_pet_food_dog.html .  People mean well when they donate food, but they don’t realize that we try to feed our foster animals good food, and try to educate their new ‘parents' to do the same.   Misty would eat it as she will eat anything, but I didn’t want to feed it to her. 

Now, Jay’s little Maddie the Yorkie, is a different story.  She won’t eat anything but people food, (except when she stays here with me), and they can’t find any vitamins she will eat either, so she is not getting all her doggie vitamins and minerals.  Even this donated dog food was approved by the AAFCO Food Nutrient Profile, so it had some good stuff in it, even though not the best. But Maddie wouldn’t eat it.  I keep on trying, but I think it is more of an ‘owner/operator error’ with Maddie.  Jay just gives in to her.

On my way back, I stopped at Sam’s and he said that he wanted Mikey groomed, so I brought Mikey up here and bathed and groomed him.  I didn’t give him his Revolution, as it has to be put on him 24 hours after a bath.  I’ll do that today.

Mikey’s ears were in terrible shape, the vet had dispensed some ear medicine for him, but Sam obviously wasn’t doing it.   I had to really work on his ears to get out all the wax, hair and debris out, then flush his ears out with vinegar-water, then mineral oil, but he really needs that medicine, so that won’t happen again.  So that his ears would get more air to them, I ‘tasseled’ his ears.  Sam couldn’t remember anything about the medicine, or find it, when I took Mikey home.  After his stroke, Sam is really confused some days.