13th Feb. Day before Valentine's Day. Cargo Trailer.

 

 "Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the history of this centuries-old holiday, from ancient Roman rituals to the customs of Victorian England.

 









According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. "
More about this legend, from The History Channel: http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day
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What is it Really all about:

Before You Ask Someone to Be Your Valentine...

"Millions send Valentine’s Day cards to express their affection for someone special. But how did this holiday originate? And does Valentine’s Day represent what true love is all about?

Every year, more than a billion Valentine cards are bought and sent throughout the world. The act of sending a nice card seems to fill a natural yearning to express how much we care for someone.

But does Valentine's Day really celebrate true, caring love? Or does this popular holiday actually promote something else?

Origins of Valentine's Day

When we think of Valentine's Day, we call to mind hearts, chocolates, flowers and expressions of love. Yet before joining in the fun, wouldn't it be wise to know where this tradition came from?

Regardless of the varied sources and ambiguous history of Valentine's Day, a few identifiable points continue to surface: Valentine's Day originated with an ancient pagan Roman feast called Lupercalia. That festival was based on fertility and sexual licentiousness. In the third century, the Roman Catholic Church attempted to Christianize the ancient festival practice by naming it after a martyr.

In fact, what was overlooked in the adoption of pagan holidays was God's true Holy Days and what they mean. We can find all of God's Holy Days or festivals listed in Leviticus 23. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+23&version=NIV)
And you can also find in the New Testament that Jesus Christ, the apostles and the entire early Church all kept those exact same festivals. Jude is apparently referring to these when he writes of "your love feasts" in Jude 12. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1&version=NIV )

Where does God stand on Valentine's Day?

We learn from the Bible that God is strictly opposed to any religious or secular holiday that keeps humankind blinded from His precious truth. Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). God wants people to be truly free, not held captive by false beliefs and ideas.
In fact, God told the Israelites to eradicate all elements of pagan worship among them (see verses 1-4).

Valentine's Day is rooted not in God's Word, but in ancient paganism. It is not from the true God but from this world and its false god, Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4). (⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.)

God says: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17).
So to return to the issue raised up front: Should you ask someone to be your Valentine? Not if you care more about true love and about what God thinks."
More at: http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn68/valentine.htm
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He who does anything because it is the custom, makes no choice. ~ John Stuart Mill

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Today:
The sun is shining, it isn't too cold, and Jay is better, so we tackled the front window on the cargo trailer.  The window had only been put in the hole temporarily, to keep rain out.

 

We removed the window, held the paneling in place, and scribed the hole for the window from the outside. 
Jay cut the hole, and we installed that piece of paneling and the window permanently.







We completed that window, and started on the one on the side, but we ran out of time, today.

Punxsutawney Phil. Valentines for Chained Dog's Week. 7th-14th. Feb.

Phil, the weather predicting groundhog stands on the shoulder of one of his handlers John Griffiths while looking at other handler Ben Hughes, after the Groundhog Club claimed that Phil did not see his shadow and winter has ended on Groundhog Day, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, in Punxsutawney, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

 

 

Most of us a in the grip of this fierce storm, which is going to continue for several more days, so I don't know how Phil can be so sure about the next six weeks, but I hope he is right.

But in the meantime there are dogs who are suffering and dying in the cold.

"People chain dogs for a variety of reasons, however A.S.K. (All Species Kinship) encourages pet guardians to make their dogs a real part of the family by bringing them inside. Dogs that are unable to be brought in are provided with weekly assistance from A.S.K.

After guardians see their dogs positively interact with A.S.K. volunteers, many start to transition their dogs into inside living; families which cannot enhance their dog's quality of life may decide to relinquish dogs so that they may be rehabilitated and re-homed."

Many cities and states are banning 24/7 chaining;


"Although the practice of 24/7 chaining is pervasive in many parts of the country, states and cities have started to pass laws against the practice. So far four states have passed limitations on chaining: California, Texas, Connecticut, and Nevada.
Hundreds of cities and counties have passed limitations or flat-out bans.

Meanwhile, countless backyard dogs are spending yet another winter in the cold. Often, they shiver day and night in hole-ridden doghouses, suffer from thirst because their water is frozen, and pace neurotically from lack of exercise and attention.
Perpetually chained dogs often become aggressive from their constant confinement, thereby posing a danger to people, especially small children."  http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2011.html

"Join us February 7-14th for Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week. OUR GOAL in our 9th Season is to SEND OUT 17,000 VALENTINES TO CHAINED or PENNED DOGS.
We are striving to raise awareness for chained and penned dogs in a positive way...by delivering Valentines, a brochure and a treat coupon to dogs living outside all over the U.S. and into other countries where we have representation, such as Canada and England."

Nonprofit Seeks Students and Groups to Create 17,000 Valentines for Chained Dogs

“Winter is the best time to reach out to those who chain and pen their dogs, and what better excuse than Valentine’s Day to send these forgotten animals a little love,” says Tamira Thayne, founder and director of the eight-year-old nonprofit. “Every winter our rescuers see dogs that have frozen in the snow, suffered frostbite, or otherwise endured horrific living conditions because of the longstanding misperception that it is ok to chain a dog outside in any kind of weather.”

 





Love is...Rescuing a Dog


Love Is...Rescuing a Dog! No more chains for Man's Best Friend.


Blind Delilah  before rescue...dogsdeservebetter.org






 
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2011/01/valentines_for_chained_dogs_011111.html
http://animalnewsinfo.posterous.com/send-a-valentine-to-help-a-chained-dog
http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/have-a-heart-for-chained-dogs-this-valentine-s-day/

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Today:

It is too cold to do anything outside.   When I take the dog boarded in my workshop outside on a retractable leash, she quickly does what she has to do, and leads me right back to the workshop door.  She wants back in!  Funny, her 'Mom' says she doesn't like to be indoors at her regular home, I don't believe it.  But there is a stinky cat box in there.

I hope you and your animals are staying warm today.

Thank Our Troops. Tomorrow is Black Friday.Wild Turkey.

As the holidays begin with the traditional Thanksgiving meal, let us give thanks for one and other and to those who serve our country where ever they may be servicing.

Thank you one and all for your service to our country.

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I'm packing plastic

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Bird of the Week   Wild Turkey


"Unlike its domesticated cousin, the Wild Turkey is a long-lived, shy bird that is also an agile flyer. Birds can sometimes be seen foraging in groups, often separated into males and females during winter. Populations have recovered from historic lows of perhaps 30,000 birds around the early 1900s to around 7 million today thanks to conservation efforts led by the hunting community and state agencies. The turkey was favored by Benjamin Franklin to be the U.S. national bird but lost out to the Bald Eagle.
To help support ABC's habitat conservation efforts for this and other bird species, click here.
Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at ABC!!"

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Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving Day.

Dual Mother's Day Cards. Green Pug.

These cards have a dual purpose:

Protect Mother Earth--FREE!

(Sorry it is blurry, but I enlarged it, as I thought the animals and waterfall could been seen better. That's what I get for doing my own thinking!)

The cards say your Mother's Day Greetings, and each one sent helps this Mother Earth of ours, saving it for our kids and their kids.

http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/trs/composeecard/ecard-TRS-motherEarth-incented/ETE_050610_MDayEcard_8

Or pick a different card and contribute even more clicks: http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/trs/ecardcategory/mothersDay/

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It would be great if more people were as conscientious as this little dog about recycling!

It would save a lot of time, money and space at the landfills.
"If you're not recycling, you are throwing it all away".
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Bobcat came down from her padded seat at my bathroom window last night, and slept on my bed.  This is a first since Sparky arrived, as he sleeps on my bed, too.  They slept on opposite ends of the bed.

Ray was painting more of the pergola today.  Most of it he painted with a small roller, now he was doing all the cutting in with a brush.  Jay stayed at home, as he hates anything to do with painting.

Jay is taller so he doesn't mind reaching to things off a ladder, but Ray and I feel better with something bigger and more solid under us:




So the minivan came to the rescue.







I always know when it is getting hotter, as I can hear the faint sound of the attic fan going when I am in the kitchen.  It was quite nice this morning, but supposed to go up to 90°.

It is 87° F, and 46% humidity at 2.30 PM today.