Victory for Right Whales. Outside the Litter Box? Don't Poison Your Pet. Leaded Fuel. Pet Food.

 

For "Mammal Monday":

A Small but Critical Victory for Right Whales

Phoenix and calf. Sea to Shore Alliance photo.

"Five years ago the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) enacted a seasonal ship strike rule to protect migrating, endangered North Atlantic right whales (NARW). This rule requires that vessels 65 feet (19.8m) or longer limit themselves to a maximum speed of 10 mph (16 kph) in designated zones (Seasonal Management Areas) during specified periods of time. For the Northeast, that meant January 1 – March 15 in Cape Cod Bay, March 1 – April 30 off Race Pt in Provincetown and April 1 – July 31 in the Great South Channel. The time frames for the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast reflect the months that NARWs are expected to be in those regions. This rule, proven to be effective so far, was important for the protection of this critically endangered species, the population of which is estimated at approximately 500 animals.

However, the rule had an end date attached to it, December 9, 2013. A year ago, the NBWM hosted colleagues from Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, (Provincetown) Center for Coastal Studies, Humane Society of the U.S., Rhode Island Audubon and other members of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium to announce a campaign to convince NOAA to drop the end date (also known as a sunset clause) from this rule. We debuted the campaign video ‘Act Right Now Save a Species’, held a panel discussion, and made a petition available for signature by any citizen. In the past year, over 145,000 comments were sent to NOAA and 75,000+ people signed the petition.

Today NOAA announced that it has dropped the sunset clause from the Ship Strike Rule, thus making the rule permanent.  Collisions between whales and vessels are typically fatal. Two of the skeletons that hang in our Museum, the North Atlantic right whale with fetus, and the blue whale were killed by vessel strikes. By forcing vessels to slow down during those times when NARWs are expected to be in a given area, both whales and mariners have greater opportunity to steer clear of each other. This is a win-win situation and has proven to be much less of a burden on vessel operators than previously estimated.

The issue of entanglement has yet to be solved. But on a rainy day, NOAA’s decision is indeed a bright beam of excellent news for an endangered species and for the dozens of people who dedicate themselves to studying and protecting the North Atlantic right whale."  From: http://whalingmuseumblog.org/2013/12/06/a-small-but-critical-victory-for-right-whales/

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Why Do Some Cats Eliminate Outside the Litter Box?

Litter-Box Management Problems

"If your cat isn’t comfortable with her litter box or can’t easily access it, she probably won’t use it. The following common litter-box problems might cause her to eliminate outside of her box:

• You haven’t cleaned your cat’s litter box often or thoroughly enough.
• You haven’t provided enough litter boxes for your household. Be sure to have a litter box for each of your cats, as well as one extra.
• Your cat’s litter box is too small for her.
• Your cat can’t easily get to her litter box at all times.
• Your cat’s litter box has a hood or liner that makes her uncomfortable.
• The litter in your cat’s box is too deep. Cats usually prefer one to two inches of litter.

Negative Litter-Box Association

There are many reasons why a cat who has reliably used her litter box in the past starts to eliminate outside of the box. One common reason is that something happened to upset her while she was using the litter box. If this is the case with your cat, you might notice that she seems hesitant to return to the box. She may enter the box, but then leave very quickly—sometimes before even using the box.

One common cause for this is painful elimination. If your cat had a medical condition that caused her pain when she eliminated, she may have learned to associate the discomfort with using her litter box. Even if your cat’s health has returned to normal, that association may still cause her to avoid her litter box."  More at: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/litter-box-problems

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People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

"Chocolate, Macadamia nuts, avocados…these foods may sound delicious to you, but they’re actually quite dangerous for our animal companions. Our nutrition experts have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to avoid feeding your pet. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine:

These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Avocado

The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Grapes & Raisins

Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.

Yeast Dough

Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

Raw/Undercooked Eggs and Bones

Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract, if they are not the right bones.

Xylitol

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Onions, Garlic, Chives

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods.

Milk

Because pets, cats included, do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Salt

Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty chips to yourself!"  From: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

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DON'T POISON YOUR DOG AT CHRISTMAS

"Ami, The Chicago Dog Coach says, “Don’t be afraid to share your Christmas festivities with your dog, but make sure that you are aware of what foods and plants are toxic.”

Poisonous Plants- Holly berries The bright red holly berries are quite poisonous to dogs and other small animals with reports of only 20 berries being fatal to a large dog. Ivy can result in drooling, retching or vomiting, Mistletoe can cause retching, vomiting and salivation.

Christmas trees are considered to be mildly toxic to dogs. The tree oils can irritating to the mouth and stomach, causing excessive drooling or vomiting. The tree needles are not easily digested either and can cause GI irritation, vomiting, gastrointestinal obstruction or puncture.

If you suspect that your dog has ingested something inappropriate, please call your local vet ASAP."  From: http://www.examiner.com/article/don-t-poison-your-dog-at-christmas

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From me: The ASPCA Poison Hotline # is: 1-888-426-4435  There may be a charge for the consultation, but an emergency vet clinic cost is a lot more!

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List of 17 Pet Poisonous Plants

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/17-poisonous-plants

 

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Some things that you never knew where poisonous to your pet:

"Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian talks about pets exposure to in and around the home. Part 1

 

http://healthypets.mercola.com/

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On This Day:

GM engineers discover that leaded gas reduces "knock" in auto engines, Dec 9, 1921:

"On this day, a young engineer at General Motors named Thomas Midgeley Jr. discovers that when he adds a compound called tetraethyl lead (TEL) to gasoline, he eliminates the unpleasant noises (known as "knock" or "pinging") that internal-combustion engines make when they run. Midgeley could scarcely have imagined the consequences of his discovery: For more than five decades, oil companies would saturate the gasoline they sold with lead--a deadly poison.

Unfortunately, as more and more people bought GM cars, more and more people noticed a problem: When they heated up, their engines made an alarming racket, banging and clattering as though their metal parts were loose under the hood.

Midgeley found a couple of additives that did work, however, and lead was just one of them. Iodine worked, but producing it was much too complicated. Ethyl alcohol also worked, and it was cheap--however, anyone with an ordinary still could make it, which meant that GM could not patent it or profit from it. Thus, from a corporate point of view, lead was the best anti-knock additive there was.

In February 1923, a Dayton filling station sold the first tankful of leaded gasoline. A few GM engineers witnessed this big moment, but Midgeley did not, because he was in bed with severe lead poisoning. He recovered; however, in April 1924, lead poisoning killed two of his unluckier colleagues, and in October, five workers at a Standard Oil lead plant died too, after what one reporter called "wrenching fits of violent insanity." (Almost 40 of the plant's workers suffered severe neurological symptoms like hallucinations and seizures.)

Still, for decades auto and oil companies denied that lead posed any health risks. Finally, in the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency required that carmakers phase out lead-compatible engines in the cars they sold in the United States. Today, leaded gasoline is still in use in some parts of Eastern Europe, South America and the Middle East."

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Yesterday:

It was a catch-up day.  Of course, I had scooped the litter boxes on Saturday, even though it was the Sabbath, as the Bible tell us to tend to our critters first.  But there were boxes to deep clean, dishes to wash, floors to mop, laundry and pet blankies to wash. During the couple of days taking care of Punkie, I had let some things slide.

Mindi had bought a $5, 3.5 lb bag of Kibbles'nBits to feed her dogs, as well as some homemade chicken and rice.  I don't know why she stopped at a store to buy the Kibbles'nBits, as she knows I won't feed any pet food from a grocery store unless it is Paul Newman's Own Organic pet food. When I looked at  the reviews for Kibble'nBits, I found out it was the lowest rated, at 1 star: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/kibbles-n-bits-dog-food-dry/ The first two ingredients are CORN and SOY, both GMO products!

The chicken and rice was made out a bunch of WHITE rice, (rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog, and Rice ingredients can sometimes contain arsenic), hardly any chicken, and there were even some spiky bones in it.  This is what her husband cooked up to feed the dogs.

"Homemade chicken and rice dog food is a bland food source that is often recommended by veterinarians to help dogs recover from diarrhea. This protein and starch combination can also stimulate appetite when a dog is ill or recovering from surgery. While it's not recommended for long-term use, cooked chicken and white rice has enough nutritional properties to put your dog back on the road to wellness."  From: http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-Chicken-and-Rice-for-Dogs

Her dogs looked a lot better when she used to buy Diamond dog food. (Not that Diamond is highly recommended, 2.5 stars: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/diamond-dog-food-dry/) 

When I went to the feed store to get the electrolytes and NutriCal for Punkie, I bought a 5lb bag of Victor Dog Food.(http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/victor-dog-food/)  It is rated 4 stars, was $6, so it is cheaper, by the ounce, than the Kibbles'nBits.  Some was soaked in some sodium-free chicken broth and added to the chicken and rice.   Not as good as what I feed my Misty, but Mindi has a lot of dogs to feed, as they have more dogs at home.  But even so, she could feed them better than that, but she is like a lot of people who listen to the TV ads. It is the same for people and pets: 'Don't eat anything that you have seen advertised!'

I have known the two remaining poodles for all these years, and they now look terrible.  Their coats felt dry and unhealthy, and so I groomed them to try to make them look, and feel better.  Even their nails didn't feel healthy when I cut them.  Her husband also wanted me to cut down his Yorkie, "Puddin", while she was here, so I was grooming all morning.

The fourth dog is a Dachshund, so all I had to do to her was cut her nails yesterday.

USDA’s Meat ID Labels. Wheat Germ. Food Allergy or a Digestive Problem? President Roosevelt Telegrams Hirohito. Nelson Mandela.

 

For "Foodie Friday":

USDA’s Meat ID Labels Spark International Food Fight

"Most Americans don’t know where their chicken, beef and pork were born, raised and slaughtered, but a new rule now requires that labeling. Supporters say it educates consumers. But critics, including major meat companies, say it’s a costly and unnecessary protectionist measure.

Cargill and Tyson Foods (TSN), as well as their allies among meatpacking and major ranching associations, are locking horns with the Consumer Federation of America, farmers and small-to-midsize ranchers’ groups over the country of origin label rule, known in shorthand as COOL.

The COOL rule, which went into effect in November, requires more specific meat labels. It also bars commingling meat for everything except ground beef, by requiring all meat in a package to come from the same source. That will require new infrastructure to segregate cattle, swine and poultry from different countries.

Farmers’ associations and some ranchers’ groups say the rule keeps shoppers informed, much like grass-fed and organic labels.

“The consumer knows best,” Jess Peterson, executive vice president of U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, said. “They ought to know where their cattle are coming from.”  More at: http://www.cornucopia.org/2013/11/usdas-meat-id-labels-spark-international-food-fight/

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Why You Need Wheat Germ

By Pina LoGiudice ND, LAc and Peter Bongiorno ND, LAc
Directors of Inner Source Health

"Wheat germ is the most vitamin- and mineral-rich part of the wheat kernel. In fact, the germ is actually the embryo of the wheat plant. This embryo will eventually nourish the new wheat plan. This is the reason why it has so many wonderful nutrients.

Unfortunately, this kernel, which includes the wheat germ, is tragically removed during the refining of whole wheat grains to white flour. In the manufacturing process, it is removed because its healthy oils can go rancid quickly, so removing it makes it easier for food production companies to keep wheat in storage much longer. The germ itself only makes up about 3% of the kernel, and you need over 50 pounds of wheat to get one pound of wheat germ.

Why Is Wheat Germ So Good for You?

Because it is meant to feed the new plant, wheat germ is packed with good nutrients. Two tablespoons of raw wheat germ have about 1.5 grams of unsaturated fat, 9 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, 2 grams dietary fiber, 2 grams of sugars, no cholesterol and about 60 calories. This is plenty of protein and fiber.

Plus, it has a number of other healthy nutrients for your body:

B vitamins

Wheat germ is packed with important B vitamins, such as folate, vitamin B1 (thiamin) and vitamin B6. B vitamins are important for the heart, to make proper mood chemicals for our brain, and are critical for cardiovascular health.

Fiber

Wheat germ contains lots of fiber, which is necessary for good blood sugar balance, cholesterol control, intestinal health and detoxification."

More at: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/why-you-need-wheat-germ

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For healthy whole grain foods, go to http://foodforlife.com/
For more information on the gluten intolerance saliva test: http://diagnostechs.com/Pages/FoodIntolerancePanel.aspx

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Food Allergy or Digestive Problem?

"Neither one is fun to experience, but there are some key differences between food allergies and digestive problems. One example: With a food allergy, you might get hives but you probably won't with a digestive condition."

 

 

 

Diagnosing a Food Allergy

"If you notice a reaction when you eat certain types of foods, talk to your primary care physician. If he suspects a food allergy, you may be referred to an allergist who can determine whether you are allergic to certain food allergens or if you have an intolerance. Either way, your doctors can help come up with a plan to avoid the food and manage the symptoms when and if a reaction occurs.

You should do this sooner than later. Fear of having a reaction to foods can keep you from enjoying dinners out in restaurants or dinner parties with friends. The sooner you know what the problem is, you can begin correcting it, and get both your diet and your social life back into gear."  From: http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergies/food-allergies-and-digestive-problems.aspx

On This Day:

Roosevelt to Japanese emperor: "Prevent further death and destruction", Dec 6, 1941:

On this day, President Roosevelt—convinced on the basis of intelligence reports that the Japanese fleet is headed for Thailand, not the United States—telegrams Emperor Hirohito with the request that "for the sake of humanity," the emperor intervene "to prevent further death and destruction in the world."

The Royal Australian Air Force had sighted Japanese escorts, cruisers, and destroyers on patrol near the Malayan coast, south of Cape Cambodia. An Aussie pilot managed to radio that it looked as if the Japanese warships were headed for Thailand—just before he was shot down by the Japanese. Back in England, Prime Minister Churchill called a meeting of his chiefs of staff to discuss the crisis. While reports were coming in describing Thailand as the Japanese destination, they began to question whether it could have been a diversion. British intelligence had intercepted the Japanese code "Raffles," a warning to the Japanese fleet to be on alert—but for what?

Britain was already preparing Operation Matador, the launching of their 11th Indian Division into Thailand to meet the presumed Japanese invasion force. But at the last minute, Air Marshall Brooke-Popham received word not to cross the Thai border for fear that it would provoke a Japanese attack if, in fact, the warship movement was merely a bluff.

Meanwhile, 600 miles northwest of Hawaii, Admiral Yamamoto, commander of the Japanese fleet, announced to his men: "The rise or fall of the empire depends upon this battle. Everyone will do his duty with utmost efforts." Thailand was, in fact, a bluff. Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii was confirmed for Yamamoto as the Japanese target, after the Japanese consul in Hawaii had reported to Tokyo that a significant portion of the U.S. Pacific fleet would be anchored in the harbor—sitting ducks. The following morning, Sunday, December 7, was a good day to begin a raid.

"The son of man has just sent his final message to the son of God," FDR joked to Eleanor after sending off his telegram to Hirohito, who in the Shinto tradition of Japan was deemed a god. As he enjoyed his stamp collection and chatted with Harry Hopkins, his personal adviser, news reached him of Japan's formal rejection of America's 10-point proposals for peace and an end to economic sanctions and the oil embargo placed on the Axis power. "This means war," the president declared. Hopkins recommended an American first strike. "No, we can't do that," Roosevelt countered. "We are a democracy and a peaceful people.""

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Yesterday:

South Africa's Nelson Mandela dies in Johannesburg

"South Africa's first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95.  Mr. Mandela led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison for his political activities.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son," Mr. Zuma said.  "Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss."  More at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25249520

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After another search in the Grooming Room, trying to find all the hidden cat toys, Ray and I pronounced the room good for Mindi's dogs.  The cats have little lightweight plastic ball toys with bells in them and toys with feathery things that the dogs might choke on.  So now, the heavy duty doggie toys are in there.

Then we went outside in the 40+° weather to put up the last piece of screen.  We screwed a temporary board across the side of the porch, to work on the top triangle.  That was so that we can have both 8' ladders leaning against the part that is already screened.  First, we had to take measurements, so it was easier with each of us on a ladder.   After we had cut the screen, it was much simpler with two of us to staple it in place.  That was all we could do, as it was getting too windy and chilly.   All the porch is now screened, but it was too cold for the cats to go out there.

Mindi's dogs arrived at 2.00 AM, and I was shocked when I saw the oldest, Punkie. I have known these dogs for 15 years.  She was as skinny as a rail, all hunchbacked and could hardly walk.  Mindi's husband was so surprised when he saw my Misty, who is plump, spry, sassy, and two years older than Punkie.  Mindi said that she knew that Punkie was on her last legs, and I was afraid that she wouldn't last the night. 

She can't see very well, so the first thing I did was cut off her bangs. Then, I quickly set up a 'hospital' cage for her, and fed her some canned Wellness, which she enthusiastically ate.  Two hours later, I took them all outside, and carried Punkie out there.  She peed, and when I put her back in the cage, I gave her some more Wellness and a little Spirulina, http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/benefits-of-spirulina/ .  I am going to try to make sure that nothing happens to Punkie while she is in my care for the next few days.

Propane Retaining Bar! Steam Power. RV Refrigerator Troubleshooting. Fitted Sheets. Prohibition Ends. Bermuda Triangle.

 

For "tRaVersing Thursday", or RV Day:

Stop fiddling with that *$#&! propane retaining bar!

"If you are like me, you fuss with that pesky propane retaining bar, squirreling it around until you can get at your tanks. When you come back with the bottle refilled, it's just another hassle trying to hold onto the bottle and rack up the retaining bar to get the cylinder back in place. Enter Frank Bailey.

Frank has been a full-time RVer for over six years. He retired from Case Tractors, where he worked in the engineering lab, so you won’t be surprised that he has developed some innovations to make his RV lifestyle a bit easier.

Frank, like most of us, was frustrated with the propane tank retaining bar assembly because it is awkward to handle. He decided to make life easier by placing a tension spring under the retaining bar. He used about a 1½- to 2-inch spring (not so stiff as to make the wing nut hard to twist) and mounted it on top of a large washer held in place with the locking nuts. This holds the retention bar up against the wing nut while you easily remove the tank for service. On the return trip, you'll find it a breeze to get things back in place.

Thanks to Frank for his great idea!" by Jim Twamley

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Steam Generator

How would you like to have this bad boy powering your RV?

From: http://www.otherpower.com/steamengine.shtml

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How Absorption Refrigeration Works

"Learn how your RV refrigerator works so you know what to do if your unit ever experiences problems."

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RV refrigerator running too cold? Tips for adjusting the temperature

"Over-cooling in RV refrigerators (temperature gets too cold) is a common problem. Learn how to resolve the issue by testing the circuit board."

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Insufficient RV Refrigerator Cooling Troubleshooting

"Learn how to fix any cooling problems that your RV's refrigerator may experience."

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RV Tips:

How to handle speed bumps
"If you take your RV across a speed bump, you may find it pops open cabinet doors. Alleviate this issue by taking on the speed bumps "dead-on" and slow, rather than hitting them at an angle — an angle approach causes more coach rocking."

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Folding Fitted Sheets

"Most of us have, at one time or another, given up frustrated after the terrible ordeal of trying to fold a fitted sheet!"

From me:  Remember to always put the fitted sheet firmly on BOTH of the top ends of the bed first.  Then pull it down to go over the bottom ends.  This will keep it anchored better.

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On This Day:

Prohibition ends, Dec 5, 1933:

"The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to the era of national prohibition of alcohol in America. At 5:32 p.m. EST, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, achieving the requisite three-fourths majority of states' approval. Pennsylvania and Ohio had ratified it earlier in the day.

The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for national liquor abstinence. Several states outlawed the manufacture or sale of alcohol within their own borders. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. On January 29, 1919, the 18th Amendment achieved the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratification. Prohibition essentially began in June of that year, but the amendment did not officially take effect until January 29, 1920.

In the meantime, Congress passed the Volstead Act on October 28, 1919, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of Prohibition, including the creation of a special Prohibition unit of the Treasury Department. In its first six months, the unit destroyed thousands of illicit stills run by bootleggers. However, federal agents and police did little more than slow the flow of booze, and organized crime flourished in America. Large-scale bootleggers like Al Capone of Chicago built criminal empires out of illegal distribution efforts, and federal and state governments lost billions in tax revenue. In most urban areas, the individual consumption of alcohol was largely tolerated and drinkers gathered at "speakeasies," the Prohibition-era term for saloons.

Prohibition, failing fully to enforce sobriety and costing billions, rapidly lost popular support in the early 1930s. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, ending national Prohibition. After the repeal of the 18th Amendment, some states continued Prohibition by maintaining statewide temperance laws.  Mississippi, the last dry state in the Union, ended Prohibition in 1966."

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Aircraft squadron lost in the Bermuda Triangle, Dec 5, 1945:

"At 2:10 p.m., five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedo-bombers comprising Flight 19 take off from the Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida on a routine three-hour training mission. Flight 19 was scheduled to take them due east for 120 miles, north for 73 miles, and then back over a final 120-mile leg that would return them to the naval base. They never returned.

Two hours after the flight began, the leader of the squadron, who had been flying in the area for more than six months, reported that his compass and back-up compass had failed and that his position was unknown. The other planes experienced similar instrument malfunctions. Radio facilities on land were contacted to find the location of the lost squadron, but none were successful. After two more hours of confused messages from the fliers, a distorted radio transmission from the squadron leader was heard at 6:20 p.m., apparently calling for his men to prepare to ditch their aircraft simultaneously because of lack of fuel.

By this time, several land radar stations finally determined that Flight 19 was somewhere north of the Bahamas and east of the Florida coast, and at 7:27 p.m. a search and rescue Mariner aircraft took off with a 13-man crew. Three minutes later, the Mariner aircraft radioed to its home base that its mission was underway. The Mariner was never heard from again. Later, there was a report from a tanker cruising off the coast of Florida of a visible explosion seen at 7:50 p.m.

The disappearance of the 14 men of Flight 19 and the 13 men of the Mariner led to one of the largest air and seas searches to that date, and hundreds of ships and aircraft combed thousands of square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and remote locations within the interior of Florida. No trace of the bodies or aircraft was ever found.

Although naval officials maintained that the remains of the six aircraft and 27 men were not found because stormy weather destroyed the evidence, the story of the "Lost Squadron" helped cement the legend of the Bermuda Triangle, an area of the Atlantic Ocean where ships and aircraft are said to disappear without a trace. The Bermuda Triangle is said to stretch from the southern U.S. coast across to Bermuda and down to the Atlantic coast of Cuba and Santo Domingo."

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Yesterday:

Ray and I readied the place for Mindi's dogs to be boarded here for a few days, while she and her husband go on vacation.  The dogs stay in my Grooming Room, except when I take them outside to the back yard, to do their thing.

Jay never came to replace the back gate with my metal framed chain link one, so we had to do, what we had to do to, the wooden framed one. It wouldn't close properly, and was hitting the post.   Jay likes doing stuff like that, but there was no way that Ray or I were in the mood to get out the post hole diggers to put in a new post for the metal gate.  We took the wooden gate off at it's hinges, and sawed about 1/2" off the side, and screwed some reinforcing boards on each corner.  But when we reinstalled it, it was still bowed at the bottom.  If those dogs saw that gap, they would investigate, whereas Misty wouldn't.  We cut a 4x4 to lay across the ground so the dogs couldn't push on the gate, and put a door bolt near the bottom of the gate. That kept the bottom shut tight.  I have to keep her dogs safe, just like I have for the last 15 years that I have boarded them.

Then we moved a cage into my house, for the few times that Peekers and Nala will have to be locked up.  I didn't want to keep them caged all the time for the few days that the dogs will be here.  The foster cats usually have the run of the house.  They wouldn't want to be in the Grooming Room with Mindi's Caesar, who is constantly barking, "Me!  Me!  Look at Me!  I want some attention!"  He drives me nuts, so I don't know what that would do to sweet Peekers or shy, worried Nala. 

The two cats don't have to be locked up very often, but when we are running in and out of the house, the cats like to try to get in the attached garage-workshop.  That would be a disaster if the doors were open, which they are, when we are working in the mornings.  I can't even put the foster cats in my bathroom, as Ava is in there. 

Speaking of Ava, my 'new', old, longhaired, black cat.  I find that every time that I go into my bathroom that I get short of breath. This happened to me once before when I was taking care of a long haired cat who had to be brushed all the time, too. As it was at the same time that they were burning that stuff in Mexico, we thought that was the cause.

So now, the doctor's are thinking that I had allergy-induced asthma, as it wasn't a heart attack, and that I am allergic to her. She is a sweet little old lady-cat, and I hate to give her up, but I can't live like this.   I won't know for sure until I go to the doctor on the 19th, but her previous foster mom is supposed to pick her up on Saturday.

Toxic Treats. Spend 35 Days at Shelter. 21 Reasons Dog Is Best. What Should We Feed Our New Kitten? Transporting Your Cat. Pet Rats. Wiley Post. John Dillinger.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

Urge the FDA to Ban Dog Treats Imports Until They are Safe to Consume!

“Losing a pet is like losing a family member. When our pet is suffering, we suffer too. These situations are real-life for thousands of dog owners whose dogs consumed certain jerky treats made in China. Thousands of dogs have fallen ill or died from these contaminated chicken jerky treats.

In response the FDA sent investigators to the plants in China where the treats are manufactured; but due to China's stringent laws and other barriers, the FDA can't find the source of the toxin. There can be no mandated recall.

Many have requested the companies involved voluntarily recall the products in question, but as we often see in these cases, profit trumps protection.

China's obfuscation and companies' unwillingness to recall dangerous products have left us no choice but to ban all imports of dog treats from China. Call on the FDA to ban all dog treat imports from China until the proper steps are taken to address this problem.”

Tell the FDA to block all imports of dog treats from China until the companies find the source of the toxins or enact a recall at: http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/petition/JerkyTreats#ms2EB2rR1hsuk82W.99

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Animal Activist to Spend 35 Days Living Like a Shelter Dog

“In an effort to better communicate the conditions that shelter dogs face, animal activist Sean LeVegan will live inside a kennel at England’s Manchester Dogs’ Home for 35 days.

“People thought I was crazy when I came up with the idea,” the 35-year-old told the UK Mirror. “It’s going to be really tough.”

LeVegan will follow the exact same routine as the shelter dogs. For the first four days, he’ll eat nothing – mimicking the behavior of stressed out pups when they first arrived. He’ll only have one hour per day to relieve himself and will stay locked up from 5pm until 8am when staff at the shelter return.

According to MSN, Sean will share his digs with another dog, sleep on a blanket on the floor and has already been microchipped.”  More at: http://www.ecorazzi.com/2013/07/16/animal-activist-to-spend-35-days-living-like-a-shelter-dog/

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21 Reasons A Dog Is The Best Investment You Will Ever Make (PHOTOS)

More at:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/16/dog-best-investment_n_3575025.html

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Adoption: What Should We Feed Our New Kitten?

“First, I tell them that whatever they do, never feed their kitten dry food. They can see the shiny coats of my foster kittens and their robust body condition. They want the best for their new kittens, but they're all victims of pet food marketing and never question those terrible prescription diets. I fell for it too, years ago, until I started to see my cats chronically ill, struggling with diabetes and obesity. Just like my adopters, I needed guidance. Once I saw the results of a diet change, I was determined to be the harbinger of good feeding habits to everyone I know.”  Complete article at: http://feline-nutrition.org/features/adoption-what-should-we-feed-our-new-kitten

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Transporting Your Cat

“Tips for transporting your cat to the vet that will help reduce stress (your pet’s AND yours) and make clinic visits more pleasant.”

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15 Surprising Facts About Pet Rats

“Such as: Rubbing a rat's belly like you would a dog's isn't recommended until the rat trusts you and is very comfortable with you. And if you stroke your rat's face, make sure to rub in the direction the whiskers grow (stroke back toward the ears) — pulling them forward is very uncomfortable for the rat.

Rats tend to be more interactive and sociable, more intelligent, quieter and cleaner than other types of pocket pets.

They make wonderful small companions for responsible kids because they are smart, resilient, and have wonderful personalities.”

More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/07/19/pet-rat-facts.aspx

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On This Day:

Wiley Post flies solo around the world, Jul 22, 1933:

“American aviator Wiley Post returns to Floyd Bennett Field in New York, having flown solo around the world in 7 days, 18 hours, and 49 minutes. He was the first aviator to accomplish the feat.

Post, instantly recognizable by the patch he wore over one eye, began the journey on July 15, flying nonstop to Berlin. After a brief rest, he flew on to the Soviet Union, where he made several stops before returning to North America, with stops in Alaska, Canada, and finally a triumphant landing at his starting point in New York.

Two years earlier, Post had won fame when he successfully flew around the northern part of the earth with aviator Harold Gatty. For his solo around-the-world flight in 1933, he flew a slightly greater distance--15,596 miles--in less time. For both flights, he used the Winnie Mae, a Lockheed Vega monoplane that was equipped with a Sperry automatic pilot and a direction radio for Post's solo journey.

In August 1935, he was attempting to fly across the North Pole to the USSR with American humorist Will Rogers when both men were killed in a crash near Point Barrow, Alaska.”

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Dillinger joins the Navy in an attempt to avoid prosecution, Jul 22, 1923:

“John Herbert Dillinger joins the Navy in order to avoid charges of auto theft in Indiana, marking the beginning of America's most notorious criminal's downfall. Years later, Dillinger's reputation was forged in a single 12-month period, during which he robbed more banks than Jesse James did in 15 years and became the most wanted fugitive in the nation.

Dillinger didn't last in the Navy very long. Within months he had gone AWOL several times–the last time in December 1923. Making his way back to Indiana, he was arrested for armed robbery the following summer. Dillinger pled guilty, thinking that he would receive a light sentence, but instead got 10 to 20 years. His first words to the warden at the prison were, "I won't cause you any trouble except to escape." A man of his word, Dillinger had attempted to escape three times by the end of the year.

Between escape attempts, Dillinger became friendly with some of the more professional thieves in the prison. After he was finally paroled in May 1933, Dillinger hooked up with his new friends and began robbing banks throughout the Midwest. He also began planning to break his friends out of prison. In September, he smuggled guns in to Harry Pierpont, who led a 10-man break from the Michigan City prison.

In 1933, Dillinger's assistance turned out to be fortuitous because as his friends were breaking out, Dillinger himself was captured and arrested for bank robbery in Dayton, Ohio, and then imprisoned in Lima, Ohio. Pierpont and the others returned the favor and broke Dillinger out in October, killing a sheriff in the process. The gang was now in full force. A week later, they raided a police arsenal in Peru, Indiana. The arrogant bandits pretended to be tourists who wanted to see what weapons the police were going to use to capture the Dillinger gang.

Given the remarkable string of armed robberies and acts of violence in such a short period of time, police departments throughout the Midwest set up special units to capture Dillinger. Ironically, his eventual arrest was the result of pure luck. While hiding out in Tucson, Arizona, Dillinger was caught in a fire that broke out in his hotel. Firefighters became suspicious when they were offered a large sum of money to save two heavy suitcases. When they found a small arsenal of guns inside, those involved, including Dillinger, were taken into custody.

Dillinger was extradited to Indiana and held in what was believed to be an escape-proof jail, with extra guards posted to protect against outside attacks. But on March 3, 1934, Dillinger used a fake pistol that he had carved out of wood and painted black to escape. For the next several months, Dillinger and his gang went on a bank-robbing spree with the FBI one step behind at all times. J. Edgar Hoover, the director of the FBI, reportedly put out an order that agents should shoot Dillinger on sight. An immigrant named Anna Sage offered to set the outlaw up if deportation proceedings against her for operating a brothel were dropped. On July 22, 1934, detective Martin Zarkovich shot a man identified by the FBI as Dillinger as he was leaving the Biograph Theater in Chicago, Illinois.

Some historians believe that the man killed that day was not Dillinger, and that Dillinger may have engineered the setup to drop out of sight. If so, he was successful–no further record of Dillinger exists.”

--------- Then on the same date:

Dillinger gunned down, Jul 22, 1934:

“Outside Chicago's Biograph Theatre, notorious criminal John Dillinger--America's "Public Enemy No. 1"--is killed in a hail of bullets fired by federal agents. In a fiery bank-robbing career that lasted just over a year, Dillinger and his associates robbed 11 banks for more than $300,000, broke jail and narrowly escaped capture multiple times, and killed seven police officers and three federal agents.”

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Yesterday:

After I fed the 7 animals here, all in their separate dishes, Ray painted the top boards on the lattice walkway fence, while I went around doing odd jobs.  One gate had to be rasped so it would close properly.  When Jay had replaced the lower panels on the screen porch, the excess tar paper was hanging out, so I cut that off.  One of Mindi’s dogs had been travel sick in her carrier, so I washed that. Ray and I figured out what kind of latches will work best on the new gates. Then all the hardware is going to be painted ‘hammered black’ to contrast with the white paint.  That will stop the hardware from rusting.

I stay with the 5 boarders while they are doing their thing in the back yard, so I raked up some of the pine needles knocked down by the recent rains.  Mindi’s dogs kept me fairly busy in the afternoon.  I brushed them all, cut their nails, and groomed the faces of the poodles. They weren’t here for grooming, just boarding, but I wanted to make them feel, and look, better.  They just don’t look healthy, but Mindi feeds them grocery store pet food, and it shows.  Then everyone was fed again.

Much to my chagrin, I still can’t get my foster cat, Nala,  to eat wet food.  I even offered her some of Misty’s organic chicken, but she won’t touch it.  Dry cay food is so bad for cats, I have to do something.

One more thing outta here - Mindi bought a printer/fax from me when she picked up her dogs before 9.00pm yesterday.

Cyrus Cylinder and Egypt. Justice. Okay to Wear a Cross? Problem of Evil. Widows and Orphans. I Believe, Help My Unbelief. Tsunami hits Alexandria. Aswan High Dam. “Quo Vadis Domine.”

 

For “Scripture Sunday”:

The Cyrus Cylinder and Egypt

“Egypt will not pull out of its constant crisis until there is a Bill of Rights for every faction of the nation.”

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/christian-living/cyrus-cylinder-and-egypt

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Justice

“The George Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin trial causes us to ask who knows what was in their heart? The Bible tells us that justice will ultimately be served.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eYMRELS-j-4

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/christian-living/justice

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Should the Cross Symbolize Your Christianity?

“Is using a torture device that was designed to kill criminals with the maximum amount of pain really an appropriate symbol of our religion?

If Jesus had been killed with another instrument of death, would that be the symbol of Christianity? Have we considered the morbidity of using a device of capital punishment as the symbol of our religion?”

“Why is the cross revered as a Christian emblem? Many answer, “It’s a symbol of Christ’s suffering and death.” What does the Bible say about religious symbols?

Why is there so much reverence paid to the cross in traditional Christianity? Did the cross become a religious symbol in New Testament times? Was the cross ever used as a religious emblem before Christianity? Answers to these questions might be a surprise to many in the Christian world.

The revered cross

When I was younger, I remember a group of us children were given the “opportunity” to make a special visit to a local church and see a relic proclaimed to be a splinter of the very cross on which Christ was crucified. Apparently it was doing a tour of the churches at that time.

It was in liquid and within a small glass bubble. We were asked to kneel before it at the altar and kiss this bubble as it passed in front of us. We had to hold this tiny speck in the highest regard because it was supposedly a small part of the cross on which Jesus died.

The symbol of the cross is displayed in churches (both Protestant and Catholic) around the world and in the homes of millions of people. It is worn as jewelry around the necks of millions of believers.

But does this reverence to the cross have a basis in the Bible?

Revered graven images

The Bible is very specific about God’s view on physical images being used in worship. Notice what God commanded Israel before they entered the Promised Land: “And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. You shall not worship the LORD your God with such things” (Deuteronomy 12:3-4,).

This was based on the second of the 10 Commandments: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me” (Exodus 20:4-5).

With the above scriptures in mind, why would we think that God would change His mind and allow the use of images in worshipping Him now? Jesus Christ Himself said that “one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). The book of Hebrews states that God is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). To learn more about how God’s law has not been abolished, read the article “The Law of God.”

The origins of the cross

There is an old question that people sometimes ask: “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” In a similar manner, let’s ask, “Which came first, the cross as a religious symbol or Christianity?”

History actually shows that the cross was in existence as a symbol long before the first century when Jesus Christ walked this earth. Notice this quote: “Centuries before the Christian era ancient crosses were in use as pagan emblems. They have been found carved in stone dating back to remote ages” (George Benson, The Cross: Its History and Symbolism, 2003, p. 16).

The cross was not used in Christianity until the reign of Emperor Constantine, three centuries after the New Testament was written. Notice this quote from the Encyclopaedia Britannica: “Under Constantine the cross became the acknowledged symbol of Christianity” (11th edition, vol. 7, p. 506).

We should also consider that Jesus Christ was killed using a very gruesome and painful method of execution: crucifixion. It was variously done on upright stakes, trees and crosses (of different shapes). We do not have historical proof that the method of crucifixion Christ suffered even used a traditional cross.

The Greek word in the Bible that is translated into the English word “cross” is stauros. This word simply means an upright stake or pole. Though it is possible this could have been a cross, if we take the word at face value, Jesus could have been crucified on an upright stake with His hands nailed to the pole above His head.

Is using a torture device that was designed to kill criminals with the maximum amount of pain really an appropriate symbol of our religion? If Jesus had been killed with another instrument of death, would that be the symbol of Christianity? Have we considered the morbidity of using a device of capital punishment as the symbol of our religion?

What should symbolize our Christianity?

Instead of using any image to symbolize your Christianity, consider that the greatest symbol of a true Christian, according to the Bible, is our conduct! The way we live our lives, how we treat others and how well we reflect the law of God in our lives on a daily basis should be the symbol of our beliefs. Jesus Christ taught His followers to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

To learn more about why wearing a cross is inappropriate for a Christian, read “Is It Okay to Wear a Cross? Why or Why Not?”

From: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible-questions/blog/should-the-cross-symbolize-your-christianity/

More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible-questions/why/is-it-okay-to-wear-a-cross/

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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?

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.

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.”

Complete article at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/evil-and-suffering/the-problem-of-evil/

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Widows and Orphans

“God has a special place in His heart for those who are in great need.

He observes us to see how we react to one who we can clearly see is in need. Can we be the good Samaritan? Do we take the time to help the truly needy? James wrote that pure and undefiled religion before God is to reach out and help the needy when we see the need and when we are in the position to help (James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
See All...). Along with that comment, we also read that we are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.

God is interested in knowing whether or not we love people. He loves people, and He wants us to be like Him. He does not expect us to go about seeking those who may need help so that we can fulfill this scripture. God does expect us to act when we clearly see a need and if we are in a position to fill that need. Widows and orphans are a good place to start. Children need a father. Maybe you can help by being a role model of manhood if you are a man or a kind and understanding heart if you are a woman. Walking by and ignoring a need is what we cannot do.”

From: http://www.ucg.org/this-is-the-way/widows-and-orphans/ 

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On WGN TV this morning: I Believe, Help My Unbelief

“Although you believe in God, why is it hard to trust Him when facing life's stresses? How can you have living faith?”

Transcript at:  http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-program/christian-living/i-believe-help-my-unbelief

Watch Beyond Today on WGN America on Sundays at 8:30 AM EST. (Find a station in your area - http://www.beyondtoday.tv/stations )

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From Al: 

GROANER'S CORNER.  “Adam was walking around the Garden of Eden feeling very lonely, so God asked Adam, "What is wrong with you?"

Adam said, "Lord, I don't have anyone to talk to."

God said, "Then I will give you a companion, and she will be called a 'woman'. This person will cook for you and wash your clothes, she will always agree with every decision you make. She will bear your children and never ask you to get up in the middle of the night to take care of them. She will not nag you, and will always be the first to admit she was wrong when you've had a disagreement. She will never have a headache, and will freely give 'love' and compassion whenever needed. She will never question your behaviour or the company you keep. She will support you and understand that you have important decisions to make throughout your life and don't have time for nonsense..."

Adam asked God, "What will this woman cost?"

God said, "An arm and a leg..."

Adam said, "What can I get for just a rib?"”

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On This Day:

Tsunami hits Alexandria, Egypt, Jul 21, 365:

“On this day in the year 365, a powerful earthquake off the coast of Greece causes a tsunami that devastates the city of Alexandria, Egypt. Although there were no measuring tools at the time, scientists now estimate that the quake was actually two tremors in succession, the largest of which is thought to have had a magnitude of 8.0.

The quake was centered near the plate boundary called the Hellenic Arc and quickly sent a wall of water across the Mediterranean Sea toward the Egyptian coast. Ships in the harbor at Alexandria were overturned as the water near the coast receded suddenly. Reports indicate that many people rushed out to loot the hapless ships. The tsunami wave then rushed in and carried the ships over the sea walls, landing many on top of buildings. In Alexandria, approximately 5,000 people lost their lives and 50,000 homes were destroyed.

The surrounding villages and towns suffered even greater destruction. Many were virtually wiped off the map. Outside the city, 45,000 people were killed. In addition, the inundation of saltwater rendered farmland useless for years to come. Evidence indicates that the area's shoreline was permanently changed by the disaster. Slowly, but steadily, the buildings of Alexandria's Royal Quarter were overtaken by the sea following the tsunami. It was not until 1995 that archaeologists discovered the ruins of the old city off the coast of present-day Alexandria.

Today, the anniversary of the tsunami is celebrated annually with the residents saying prayers and marking the evening by illuminating the city.”

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Aswan High Dam completed, Jul 21, 1970:

“After 11 years of construction, the Aswan High Dam across the Nile River in Egypt is completed on July 21, 1970. More than two miles long at its crest, the massive $1 billion dam ended the cycle of flood and drought in the Nile River region, and exploited a tremendous source of renewable energy, but had a controversial environmental impact.

A dam was completed at Aswan, 500 miles south of Cairo, in 1902. The first Aswan dam provided valuable irrigation during droughts but could not hold back the annual flood of the mighty Nile River. In the 1950s, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser envisioned building a new dam across the Nile, one large enough to end flooding and bring electric power to every corner of Egypt. He won United States and British financial backing, but in July 1956 both nations canceled the offer after learning of a secret Egyptian arms agreement with the USSR. In response, Nasser nationalized the British and French-owned Suez Canal, intending to use tolls to pay for his High Dam project. This act precipitated the Suez Canal Crisis, in which Israel, Britain, and France attacked Egypt in a joint military operation. The Suez Canal was occupied, but Soviet, U.S., and U.N. forced Israel, Britain, and France to withdraw, and the Suez Canal was left in Egyptian hands in 1957.

Soviet loans and proceeds from Suez Canal tolls allowed Nasser to begin work on the Aswan High Dam in 1960. Some 57 million cubic yards of earth and rock were used to build the dam, which has a mass 16 times that of the Great Pyramid at Giza. On July 21, 1970, the ambitious project was completed. President Nasser died of a heart attack in September 1970, before the dam was formally dedicated in 1971.

The giant reservoir created by the dam--300 miles long and 10 miles wide--was named Lake Nasser in his honor. The formation of Lake Nasser required the resettlement of 90,000 Egyptian peasants and Sudanese Nubian nomads, as well as the costly relocation of the ancient Egyptian temple complex of Abu Simbel, built in the 13th century B.C.

The Aswan High Dam brought the Nile's devastating floods to an end, reclaimed more than 100,000 acres of desert land for cultivation, and made additional crops possible on some 800,000 other acres. The dam's 12 giant Soviet-built turbines produce as much as 10 billion kilowatt-hours annually, providing a tremendous boost to the Egyptian economy and introducing 20th-century life into many villages. The water stored in Lake Nasser, several trillion cubic feet, is shared by Egypt and the Sudan and was crucial during the African drought years of 1984 to 1988.

Despite its successes, the Aswan High Dam has produced several negative side effects. Most costly is the gradual decrease in the fertility of agricultural lands in the Nile delta, which used to benefit from the millions of tons of silt deposited annually by the Nile floods. Another detriment to humans has been the spread of the disease schistosomiasis by snails that live in the irrigation system created by the dam. The reduction of waterborne nutrients flowing into the Mediterranean is suspected to be the cause of a decline in anchovy populations in the eastern Mediterranean. The end of flooding has sharply reduced the number of fish in the Nile, many of which were migratory. Lake Nasser, however, has been stocked with fish, and many species, including perch, thrive there.”

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Yesterday:

Wendy and I had our usual Saturday mother-daughter phone call, and then I fed my animals and got dressed.  Mindi and her husband were taking a trip out of town, so they brought five of their dogs for me to keep over the weekend.  It has been a long time since I took care of them, and her three remaining poodles have really aged.  She used to have eight, which I boarded for three days each week while she worked as a flight attendant!  Two of the poodles are a bit younger than my old Misty, and one is the same age, but they don’t look as good as she does.  The Yorkie and Dachshund are younger dogs and they look good.

After I had the dogs settled, I got ready in my goin’-to-church-clothes.   Chris, the foster mom who lives near me, picked Nala up for her afternoon at Adoption Day at Petco.  Misty and I went to get Jay, as he was going too.  He had the times mixed up, and wasn’t ready, so we missed the first couple of songs of praise.

The sermon was given by our pastor titled “Quo Vadis Domine” = “Where are you going Lord”  It was about when Peter was leaving Rome, because Nero was persecuting the Christians, when Peter came upon Jesus on the Appian Way, and how Jesus sent him back to Rome. 

(Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis?

“This pint-sized church marks the spot where St Peter, fleeing Rome, met a vision of Jesus going the other way. When Peter asked: ‘Domine, quo vadis?’ (‘Lord, where are you going?’), Jesus replied, ‘Venio Roman iterum crucifigi’ (‘I am coming to Rome to be crucified again’). Reluctantly deciding to join him, Peter tramped back into town where he was arrested and executed. In the aisle are copies of Christ’s footprints; the originals are in the Basilica di San Sebastiano.”  Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/rome/sights/church/chiesa-domine-quo#ixzz2ZPESP6eR )

He also explained that there is a difference between ‘good’ or ‘goodness’, and ‘nice’ and ‘niceness’.  According to some dictionaries, “Good” means virtuous and also knowledgeable, which is mentioned many times in the Bible.  Whereas “Nice” original meaning was simple, foolish, ignorant, and never used in the Bible. (From the Latin word "necius" meaning ignorant.)  Jay really likes it when our pastor talks, and he said he really enjoyed it.  We didn’t stay for the pot-luck, as I hadn’t had time to take anything, and I had to get home to let Mindi’s dogs out.

The sky was very dark, and it looked like we were in for some storms, but we didn’t get much rain, it just drizzled, yesterday.

Solar Impulse Flight. No Dead Lawns. Wild Gardens. The Vaccine-Autism Connection. Flip Flops. Algodones Dunes Wooden Hiway. Tips. Teen Plunges Family Into Bay. Neil Armstrong. Viking 1. Johnstown,PA.

 

For “Summary Saturday”, News, some new, some old:

Solar Impulse flight: Across the US, powered by the sun

“The experimental airplane Solar Impulse completed its first flight across the United States. The Swiss-made plane, powered only by the sun, is the first to make the trip both day and night without using conventional fuel. It started the journey on May 3 in California and ended on July 6 in New York.

Pilots and creators Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg took turns manning the single-seat flyer, which is powered by about 12,000 silicon solar cells and has a wingspan of a jumbo jet. The next step is a trip around the world in 2015.”

From: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/

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Drought-restricted watering schedules don’t have to equate to dead lawns

“Lush, green lawns may not be possible during drought-restricted watering schedules, but sustaining and maintaining their grass is something homeowners can do with proper management, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Research expert.

The study at the Texas A&M Turfgrass Field Lab in College Station compared irrigation timing and sprinkler-head types in an effort to provide guidelines for meeting the two-day-per-week watering schedule and maintaining a healthy turf.

Other than drip irrigation, the spray heads for irrigation systems had the best results when drought-simulation watering was applied. (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)

The turf plots utilized in this study were established in the fall of 2010, Thomas said. Previously, these six turf plots planted to St. Augustine and Bermuda grasses were watered half on a four-day-per-week watering schedule and half on a two-day-per-week watering schedule, applying a full inch of water per week.

MP rotary heads on irrigation systems provided almost as good coverage as the spray heads in the drought-simulation study.

In the 2012 research project, all six turf plots were set to a two-day watering schedule with a reduced total of water applied, and the researchers compared four different sprinkler heads: spray, MP rotator, rotors and sub-surface drip.

“Coming out of last year, what we wanted to do this year was to simulate a drought and only run two days a week,” Keen said. “Instead of putting a half inch of water on each of the two days, we also decided to only apply one-quarter inch and one-third inch on the watering days.” 

The rotor head on irrigation systems has the poorest results when drought-simulation watering was applied.

The study determined that if the grass started out healthy, “you can irrigate twice a week using less water than normal and the grass will survive,” she said. “You will have less green, but it will  respond when water is applied. But we need to stress, you have to start with a healthy lawn first.”  More at: http://today.agrilife.org/2012/11/01/drought-restricted-watering-schedules-dont-have-to-equate-to-dead-lawns/

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Wild Gardens = Happy Kids

“As the wildlife is squeezed into smaller and smaller spaces, so are the kids. For this reason, I think a wildlife garden is just as important for their well-being as it is for the creatures we are all trying to protect. My backyard may be smaller than the vast, empty lot that once occupied our neighborhood, but it can provide the same free play as a larger space.

This patch of fern and bindweed makes a great hiding spot.

You don’t really need to do a lot to make a yard kid-friendly. In fact, sometimes the less we do to a space, the more kid-friendly it becomes. It’s the wildness kids need, so they aren’t going to fret over the bindweed that is slowly taking over or the grape plants that were going to be trellised this year and instead look like they’re going to eat the back of the house!

Kids, like nature, work with whatever gifts we offer, however imperfect and incomplete they might be. They thrive in the “wildish” areas on the fringes of our carefully defined spaces. After all, overgrown grapes happen to make great hiding places. Sticks are swords, boundaries, fuel for pretend campfires, and raw material for art structures.

One of the Pacific tree frogs hiding in the lettuce patch.

Kids also love a good backyard safari. I drag my kids out of the house almost every time I find something wonderful. They don’t complain too much. This afternoon, it was an army of frogs in the gone-to-seed lettuce patch (guess I won’t be pulling up the lettuce to plant beans anytime soon) and a hunting dragon that found the new native coneflowers a perch for snagging dinner.”    Complete article at: http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/wild-gardens-happy-kids/

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Vaccination Causes Autism – Here’s What They Know…

Autism is a form of vaccine injury.

“For many years, parents have believed that multiple vaccinations have caused their children to become autistic. Governments from around the world, however, have categorically denied this possibility. 

They continue to bury their heads in the sand and ignore what is happening. They refuse to carry out relevant studies and will not answer any questions that may uncover the truth about vaccines.

Their actions are clearly demonstrated in a video titled AutismOne & Generation Rescue 2013 Conference Congressional Panel, featuring Congressman Burton (R-IN), Congressman Weldon, MD (R-FL) and Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL), published on May 11, 2013.”  More at: http://vactruth.com/2013/07/04/vaccination-causes-autism/ By Christina England 

More at: http://tv.greenmedinfo.com/the-autismone-generation-rescue-2013-congressional-panel/

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How Your Flip Flops Are Killing Your Feet

“This summer staple might be a real health flop. Aside from the obvious lack of protection (meaning you're more vulnerable to dropped objects, stubbed toes and the like), your favorite pair could be seriously damaging your feet.

"The feet are the foundation of your whole body. This is the base of the skeleton," says Jackie Sutera, a podiatrist in New York City. "It's a domino effect... the rest of your joints and bones have to compensate.” Like anything else, moderation is key: Slipping flip flops on by the pool or for a short jaunt likely won't cause any harm — the problems arise when your thongs become your go-to summer shoes.”

More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/11/flip-flops-foot-problems_n_3569222.html

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Algodones Dunes, Yuma's Ocean-to-Ocean highway in 1915

“I've complained on occasion about the quality of our highways, how they're getting worse all the time. But today I came across a story I wrote years ago while traveling in southern Arizona — about an amazing wood plank highway that enabled motorists to travel from Arizona across vast sand dunes to San Diego. The story is a reminder about how far our roads have come. Today, it's an easy drive on I-8. But, as you will read here, it wasn't always so. Here's my story:

At the turn of the twentieth century, when auto travel was becoming the rage, Yuma, Ariz., was at a crossroads but with a big obstacle to the west — vast sand dunes.

The Algodones Dunes stretch more than 40 miles. Throughout history, travel of any nature was severely inhibited by this great barrier. Explorers, wagon freighters and stagecoaches approaching and leaving Yuma Crossing avoided the dunes by traveling north or south.

With the building of Yuma's Ocean-to-Ocean highway in 1915, a way had to be found for automobiles to cross the vast expanse of sand. A wooden plank road seemed the answer.

The first such road was constructed in 1915 and was rapidly replaced by a second one in 1916. The San Diego Chamber of Commerce, eager for the business the road could bring, donated 13,100 oak planks. The second road was built in eight-foot by twelve-foot sections and reinforced with strap iron along the edges and centers. The speed limit was 10 miles per hour.

It wasn't much of a road — a 6.7-mile one-laner with pullouts to pass. During sandstorms the road could become impassable, forcing motorists to wait. But sandstorm or not, it was always a rough ride, earning the road the nickname "Old Shaky."

In 1925, traffic increased to 30 cars per day — a problem. Officials reacted by regulating the traffic: eastbound traffic would leave on even hours, westbound traffic on odd hours. But this wasn't enough. After 10 years of use, the road was falling apart and traffic jams were frequent and sometimes nasty when the right-of-way was disputed.

On August 11, 1926, the opening of paved, two-lane California State Route 80 put an end to travel on the wooden plank road. Today, motorists speed across on Interstate 8.

A good place to see a piece of plank road is at Yuma Crossing State Park in Yuma, where a lone section of the old road has been preserved, complete with a 1909 Model T.”   By Chuck Woodbury of RV Travel

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Tips:

To keep SQUIRRELS FROM EATING YOUR PLANTS, sprinkle them with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant: but squirrels won't come near it.

Pin a small safety pin to the SEAM OF YOUR SLIP or slacks to eliminate static cling. It works; to avoid a clingy skirt or dress, or slacks when wearing panty hose; ... WOW. Static is gone.

DE-FOG YOUR WINDSHIELD: Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

RE-OPENING ENVELOPES: If you seal a lick-type envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place it in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

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From TX news:   What were they thinking!

Teen Driver Plunges Car Into Shrimp Basin, 5 People Die

Her mother, siblings and family friend all drowned in the crash

“A 14-year-old girl was behind the wheel of an SUV that plunged into a South Texas port basin, killing her mother, three siblings and a man, authorities say.
The girl was the sole survivor of Thursday's accident and was released from a Brownsville hospital shortly after being rescued from the water Thursday. Family members said the 14-year-old, Debbie Alvarez, was behind the wheel for the first time ever when the crash occurred.

"She was going to park, but instead of pressing the brake, she stepped on the gas pedal," Jessica Alvarez, sister to one of the victims, told Action 4 News. "I'm not sure what they were thinking. She doesn't know how to drive; it was her first time behind the wheel." 

More at: http://autos.aol.com/article/teen-driver-plunges-car-into-shrimp-basin-5-people-die/

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On This Day:

Armstrong walks on moon, Jul 20, 1969:

“At 10:56 p.m. EDT, American astronaut Neil Armstrong, 240,000 miles from Earth, speaks these words to more than a billion people listening at home: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Stepping off the lunar landing module Eagle, Armstrong became the first human to walk on the surface of the moon.”

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Viking 1 lands on Mars, Jul 20, 1976:

“On the seventh anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, the Viking 1 lander, an unmanned U.S. planetary probe, becomes the first spacecraft to successfully land on the surface of Mars.”

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Second great flood hits Johnstown, Jul 20, 1977:

“A flash flood hits Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on this day in 1977, killing 84 people and causing millions of dollars in damages. This flood came 88 years after the infamous Great Flood of 1889 that killed more than 2,000 people in Johnstown. As they had in the first flood, the dams in the Conemaugh Valley failed, bringing disaster to the town.”

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Yesterday:

Misty and I went to get Jay, and had our walk down there.  Jay and I put the other two bottom panels back on the screen porch.  We had to remove the panels so that a taller post could be planted in the corner.  Now we are going to put up all new screen.

After we made a few adjustments so that they all lined up, Ray primed the top boards on the walkway fence.

Then Ray helped me get a dog cage/bed out of storage and put it in the grooming room, as I have five doggie boarders coming today.