When and How Did the Change in Worship From Saturday to Sunday Occur? The Duke of Windsor once wrote, “The thing that impresses me the most about America is the way parents obey their children.”. Update.

For “”Scripture Sunday”:

Thank you to all who served and those who waited for them, too.

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When and How Did the Change in Worship From Saturday to Sunday Occur?

“The vast majority of mainstream Christians go to church on Sunday. Yet the Bible speaks of observing the seventh-day Sabbath. Who changed the Sabbath?

The vast majority of mainstream Christians rush off to church on Sunday and are shocked to hear about some Christians actually going to church on Saturday. However, the Bible teaches the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. So, how did this come to be? History provides some shocking details.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus Christ observed the Saturday Sabbath, and His apostles also observed the Sabbath after His death.

Many defenders of mainstream Christianity try to attribute the origin of keeping Sunday to the apostles. Even so, many Sunday-keeping churches have to admit that there is no scriptural basis for switching to Sunday, nor is there any command by the apostles to not keep the Saturday Sabbath.

So what made the mainstream Christian church change the day of rest and worship from Saturday to Sunday so long ago? The major causes seem to be a combination of church authority overriding scriptural principles and the influences of sun worship and anti-Semitism.

Church claiming authority to change scriptural principles

Around A.D. 400, Augustine, a respected Catholic theologian, proclaimed that “the holy doctors of the Church have decreed, that all glory of the Jewish Sabbath is transferred to it [Sunday]. Let us therefore keep the Lord’s Day as the ancients were commanded to do the Sabbath” (quoted by Robert Cox in Sabbath Laws and Sabbath Duties, 1853, p. 284).

The Catholic Encyclopedia section on “Sunday” mentions St. Caesarius of Arles reinforcing this teaching in the sixth century as well. These men put the changing of the Sabbath in the hands of the doctors of the church (post-apostolic church officials).

In its section on the “Ten Commandments,” the Catholic Encyclopedia says: “The Church, on the other hand, after changing the day of rest from the Jewish Sabbath, or seventh day of the week, to the first, made the Third Commandment [we count it as the Fourth] refer to Sunday as the day to be kept holy as the Lord’s Day.” Here is another instance in which Sunday worship was put into practice based on the Catholic Church’s claim of authority to change a scriptural principle. Again, mainstream church authorities will assume it is what the apostles wanted.

Other Catholic writers made it clear that Sunday services and worship are not endorsed by biblical teachings, but only by their church’s authority:

The Catholic Universe Bulletin said in 1942: “The Church changed the observance of the Sabbath to Sunday by right of the divine, infallible authority given to her by her Founder, Jesus Christ. The Protestant, claiming the Bible to be the only guide of faith, has no warrant for observing Sunday. In this matter the Seventh Day Adventist is the only consistent Protestant.”

The Catholic Virginian said in 1947: “All of us believe many things in regard to religion that we do not find in the Bible. For example, nowhere in the Bible do we find that Christ or the Apostles ordered that the Sabbath be changed from Saturday to Sunday. We have the commandment of God given to Moses to keep holy the Sabbath Day, that is the 7th day of the week, Saturday. Today most Christians keep Sunday because it has been revealed to us by the Church outside the Bible.”

Thomas Aquinas, a very influential theologian, wrote: “In the New Law the observance of the Lord’s day took the place of the observance of the Sabbath, not by virtue of the precept but by the institution of the Church and the custom of Christian people.”

These examples make it clear that the Sabbath was not changed to Sunday by Jesus Christ or the apostles, but rather by those who believed they had the authority to change biblical principles. Since Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” it is hard to understand why a change Christ never authorized was made.

Mithraism (sun worship)

Constantine was the first so-called “Christian” Roman emperor. Though he did stop much of the persecution of Christians as a whole, it seems he did more to introduce sun worship into Christianity than any before him.

Historian Paul Johnson details some of this influence: “Constantine was almost certainly a Mithraic, and his triumphal arch, built after his ‘conversion’, testifies to the Sun-god, or ‘unconquered sun’. … Constantine never abandoned sun-worship and kept the sun on his coins. He made Sunday into a day of rest, closing the lawcourts and forbidding all work except agricultural labour” (A History of Christianity, 1976, pp. 67-68).

So, a royal decree to rest and worship on Sunday instead of Saturday was made by the Roman emperor, a sun worshipper. Now, thanks to Constantine, Christians were celebrating on the same day the Mithraics worshipped the sun. This is a blatant example of pagan influence in Christian practices.

Christians, now holding services on the venerable day of the sun, became so confused in their worship that, during the reign of Emperor Julian, Johnson notes: “The Bishop of Troy told Julian he had always prayed secretly to the sun” (p. 67). Thus Christianity took on a major facet of pagan sun worship that lives on today due to Constantine’s influence: worshipping on Sunday.”  More at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/sabbath/saturday-sunday/

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Yes, Sir.

“The Duke of Windsor once wrote, “The thing that impresses me the most about America is the way parents obey their children.”

Emma Bauso/Pexels

Loving your children is keeping control. It is in rearing children who do obey their parents.

He had observed how little respect there was towards the elderly and one’s parents. It is not a new phenomenon that children are unruly. Isaiah 3:4 notes that “babes shall rule over them.” Adults can control children, but the fear of losing the love of our children makes it difficult for us to discipline and control them. The Bible has much to say about that matter. It is the children who are commanded to honor their parents (Exodus 20:12). Paul wrote that one quality of a leader was to rule his house well, with his children in submission to him (1 Timothy 3:4).

The fear of losing a child or the love of our children is very great. All our love is placed on the children we have. We adorn them with our affection and love without realizing that we are robbing them of the qualities that make their life full and complete. Funny as it sounds, children sense that parents who sometimes correct them and say “no” really do love them (Proverbs 13:24). Loving your children is keeping control. It is in rearing children who do obey their parents. That takes effort and time, but it prevents the use of a lot more effort and time trying to appease a child. Parents must rule well.”  From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/blogs/this-is-the-way/yes-sir

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Update.

My week doesn’t have much to show for itself.  Chris took me to the chiropractor twice, but my back still isn’t adjusted.  Now that the bone scan showed that I do have osteoporosis, all he will do is that prickly thing, Tens?, and massage my back.  So I still have hip pain and have to be very careful not to bend my right hip when bending down or going up or down steps.

I did finally get my van back, he said that there was one bolt that was really stubborn and that is why it took so long to get the new water pump on it.  He used my Dremel with the flex-shaft attachment and a cutting wheel to cut the stubborn bolt out of that tight space.  I took it on a trial run into our town, 5 miles each way, and also for me a trial run, I mean walk, around some of the store without using an electric cart. I did OK, but I didn’t go as far as I used to.

The next day the van went on another trial run, but to the emergency room in Conroe.  Zack, my neighbor, had walked out of his back door and a loose dog bit his hand.  He was given a tetanus shot and antibiotics.  I had been cleaning it with an iodine-type cleaner so it was in good shape, and should heal well.  The police and animal control are tending to the folks who hadn’t securely tied up the dog because now it has to go into quarantine at their expense.  Hopefully they will pay Zack’s expenses, too.

For the church potluck I made a Bison Impossible Pie, and while I had the oven on, I made a Cranberry-Apple Pie, too.  I had too many cans of Cranberry Jelly, and couldn’t think of what to do with them before they expired, so I cut up some apples mixed them with the jelly and made it into another Impossible pie with Bisquik. The Bible readings were Psa. 95, Exo. 18:1-27, Isa. 61:1-6, Luke 4:14-30 and all of Matt. 18.  The subject of the teaching was “Obeying the Truth Can Be Life Changing”, based on 1 Pet. 1:22, 23.

Fellowship with the others in the congregation always makes for a great day. 

Has America Lost the Iraq War? When Birds Fly in V Formation. Jewish Africans.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Has America Lost the Iraq War?

This photo posted on a militant website on June 14, 2014, shows militants from the al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria leading away captured Iraqi soldiers dressed in plain clothes after taking over a base in Tikrit, Iraq (Photo: AP via militant website, File)Since the U.S. withdrew in 2011, Iraq has disintegrated. Now a terrorist organization threatens to reverse everything America accomplished there.

"In 2003 America and its allies launched the second Iraq war—dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom—to oust the Baathist regime of Saddam Hussein. At the time, the Bush administration reasoned that a Hussein-led Iraq was a strategic threat to the security of the United States.

The war was sold to the American public and the international community based on the belief that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) that he could use against the West (or Israel)—or give to terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda. The Bush administration was convinced that an Iraq without Hussein would result in more stability in the Middle East, make the United States and other Western nations safer, provide more freedom to Iraqi citizens and help start a wave of democracy across the Middle East.

The second Iraq war, though successful at defeating and overthrowing Hussein’s regime relatively quickly, achieved very few of the above objectives. The reality is that Iraq is more volatile and unstable today than it was under Hussein. Arguably, the Maliki government is not as brutal and violent as Hussein’s, but it has proven inept and unjust in other ways……

What we see in Iraq today is the hard-won coalition achievements quickly crumbling away."  Complete article at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/has-america-lost-the-iraq-war/  by Erik Jones - June 18, 2014

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When Birds Fly in V Formation, Timing Is Everything

It’s an established fact that when birds fly in V formation, it offers considerable benefits in both energy expenditure and distance covered. But exactly how birds manage to stay in position in a “V” has been a bit of a scientific mystery… at least until recently.

"A team of European researchers devised an ingenious way to monitor the flight of captive-bred ibises that migrated from Austria to Italy. First they convinced the newly hatched chicks to view human volunteers as their moms. When it was time to migrate, the “moms” traveled just ahead of the birds, calling to them. The ibises, for their part, wore tiny backpacks containing monitoring equipment that collected data on their location and wing beats.

The researchers discovered that while flying in V formation, the birds flap in such a manner that one of their wing tips matches the pattern of the nearest wing tip of the bird in front, allowing the follower to take advantage of the upwash created by the forward bird."  Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/06/18/birds-v-formation.aspx

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Jewish Africans

An Amazing Fact: "For as long as anyone can remember the Lemba tribe in Zimbabwe, South Africa has claimed to descend from Hebrew ancestors. The Lemba people look like regular Africans but have some very Jewish customs. For example they abstain from eating pork and other unclean foods. They are monotheistic, keep the Sabbath, and shun idolatry. They wear yarmulke-like caps and prayer shawls. They conduct religious animal sacrifice, and mark their gravestones with a Star of David. They even circumcise their male children, which is uncommon in Zimbabwe.

For years people laughed at the Lemba claims of Jewish heritage. But now, according to a recent BBC report, the legend has been backed up by science. British scientists have succeeded in proving the 80,000 member tribe in Zimbabwe descended from Jewish ancestors. The scientists conducted DNA tests on a large sample of the Lemba people, which confirmed Semitic origins dating back more than 2,600 years.

In fact, members of the priestly clan of the Lemba were discovered to have a unique genetic element only found among the Jewish priestly line known as Cohen. In addition, the report says the Lemba have a sacred prayer language that combines Hebrew and Arabic.

So how did their Jewish ancestors get there? The tribe’s oral tradition says that centuries ago a small group of men fled the Holy Land, making a 3,000 mile journey from Israel to southern Africa. They carried with them a replica of the Ark and took African wives along the way. This story does coincide with the disappearance of the real Ark around 586 b.c., just before Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of the Jewish temple.

Despite their “Jewish roots,” many of the tribe people are now Christians. One Lemba pastor explained, “Christianity is my religion and Judaism is my culture.”
Finding a genetic connection with Jewish ancestors is fun and interesting but will not guarantee you an automatic ticket to heaven. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, explained to the Roman Christians, “Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith” (Romans 3:29, 30). We may all be God’s children through faith.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. - Galatians 3:29

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Update:

Work had been slow around here, either Ray or Jay were sick, but Ray did get the hedge trimmed and Jay mowed.  Everything grew up like crazy with the rainy spell.  Now it has all grown up and needs mowing again!

Roni, the weird gal from down the road was put into a mental hospital for a while.    Some "friends" of Roni's had taken her dog and chained it to a tree in the woods, with no shelter, next to their place.  Said the dog couldn't be on their property because of her fleas.  They were going to charge Roni for "boarding" her. I explained to them that it is illegal in TX to leave a dog chained up 24/7, and anyway the poor dog was so miserable, I had to do something.  "Big Girl" had gone around and around the tree with the chain, and couldn't get to her water, so her urine was really dark, and she was very dehydrated when I rescued her.  Also, she has an abscess in her mouth, so I have been feeding her canned food mixed with good quality dry food soaked in salt-free chicken bouillon. 

Roni had fed the poor dog cheap cornmeal-based dog food and hadn't given her any flea or heartworm protection.  Obviously, the dog has a corn and flea allergy, so she has lost a lot of her hair from scratching all the time.  Big Girl used to be such a pretty black lab with a shiny coat.  Ray helped me put her up onto an outside table so that we could bathe her with the water hose. There was no way that I was taking her into my dog-bathing bathroom! Once she was flea-free and dry, I let her stay in my air-conditioned grooming room, and she thinks she is in dog heaven.  The next day, I put a hefty dose of Revolution on her, de-wormed her and now she is a happy dog, wagging her tail to beat the band.

Jay and I went to the morning church on FM1097 yesterday, the Sabbath.  The Bible readings were Psalms 103,104,105.  Lev.24,26,27 and some verses from Jeremiah.  The message was about Weaknesses.

So the SPCA foster mom who lives near me picked up my three foster cats at 10.30, so we could be at church by 11.  I felt bad that the cats had to stay in their carriers until 12.30 when they were put in their display cages for Adoption Day.  Chelsea was the most outgoing and greeted people who came by her cage. They were brought back at 6.00pm and seemed glad to be home. We will see if any adoption applications come in.

Ray came over and we got a few jobs done today.

It’s National Mutt Day! Cold Weather Care. Best & Worst Foods. Dog Food: Is There A Cancer Risk? First Nuclear Chain Reaction.

 

For "Mammal Monday":

It’s National Mutt Day!

"Today is going to the dogs—and for good reason. It’s National Mutt Day! That’s right, a whole day dedicated to embracing, saving and celebrating mixed-breed dogs. We can’t think of a more deserving crew."

"There are actually two National Mutt Days, July 31st, and today, December 2nd. The purpose of National Mutt Day is to celebrate and save the lives of mixed breed dogs across the U.S. The goal is to save 10,000 mutts on both days.

Why should you adopt a mixed breed dog? There are lots of great reasons, including the ability to pick the right size and temperament dog for your family … cost considerations (breeder fees are much higher than shelter adoption fees) … the fact that mutts can participate in all the same sports and events purebred dogs do … and, you’re saving a life!

If you’re considering adopting a mixed breed dog, be sure to do your homework. Learn which breeds are best suited for your activity level and lifestyle. The dog's age will also be a factor – puppies and young dogs generally require more effort than older dogs."  Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/12/02/national-mutt-day.aspx

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Cold Weather Care For Your Pet

"It appears that winter has settled in. I was not, and am truly never, ready for it. It's easy for me to deal with it though: I dig my boots and mittens out of the drawers and pull my winter coats and scarves out of the closet. I am prepared as I will ever be.

If you have pets, how do you prepare them for the colder months ahead? I know blustery, snowy days mean that Henrietta will be donning her jacket before she heads out the door. She refuses to go out without her coat but she also refuses to wear booties so I carry her down the porch when we have salted it.

Here are my tips for pet health care in the cold winter months ahead:

• Don't use rock salt (to melt the ice and snow) in areas that your pet will walk on. I carry Henrietta down the porch steps because salt between tender paw pads is painful. 
• Use rock salt that is not harmful to pets. Become a label reader. 
• Do not leave your pet in a cold car. Just as a car in the summer heats up too quickly for your pet to be safely left in it, your car in winter is frigid and could lead to hypothermia, frost bite or even death. 
• Don't leave your pet tied out in the cold weather. If you have an "outdoor" dog make certain he has shelter and a warm place to escape from the cold. I don't honestly understand the "outdoor dog" concept as I couldn't imagine ever leaving my best friend out in the cold although our one dog, Spencer who is a husky-lab mix loves the cold weather. 
• Remember that antifreeze has a sweet taste to pets but is toxic. Keep it stored out of the reach of your pets. 
• Make certain if you have a pet that spends time out of doors that he always has access to fresh (not frozen) water and increase his food intake as he will be burning off more calories staying warm than he will during the summer months. 
• If your pet has arthritis navigating the stairs may be more tricky and painful for her than in the warm summer months when the pain of arthritis may not be so prevalent. You may need to either carry your pet outside or find an alternative to making him navigate the steps. 
• If you have "outdoor cats" let them indoors during the colder months. Don't let them succumb to the cold weather or risk their paws or other extremities getting frost bite. 
• If there are cats that roam your neighborhood, make sure you check in and under your vehicle before you start it. They may be drawn to the car when you pull in the driveway because of the heat of the engine and could be seriously injured if you start the car if they're under the hood. 
• Did you know that dogs can lose their sense of scent in the winter? If you typically let your dog run loose, be aware that he may have a hard time finding his way back home if he wanders too far. The best advice I can offer is to keep him on a leash. 
• Keep a towel by the door to wipe off any snow or ice that has fallen on your dog while he's outside. Make sure you wipe between his paw pads as well. 
• Be aware that if you get a puppy in the winter you may have a harder time housebreaking her than if you were trying in the summer months. Puppies simply do not tolerate cold well and this could impact their desire to relieve themselves out of doors. You may need to housebreak your puppy indoors using puppy pads when the cold winter winds are blowing. 
• Make certain your dog has a warm, cozy place to sleep in the house when you go to bed at night. Offer them a place that is free of drafts and where they can sleep without being chilled. In my house that means Henrietta is under the blankets taking advantage of the heat generated by the electric blanket but that may not work if you have a larger dog!

Common sense trumps all when it comes to cold weather. Put yourself in your pet's position and think, "Would I go outside without a jacket on in this weather?" If the answer is "no" for you, then it is likely "no" for your pet.

What steps do you take to keep your pet safe, healthy and protected during the winter months? "  From: http://www.blogpaws.com/2013/11/pet-health-awareness-cold-weather-care-for-your-pet.html

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Do you feed your pet to just survive, or really thrive?

Best and worst foods for your pet.

"An integrative wellness veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker discusses her best-to-worst recommendations for diets for dogs and cats and explains how to improve the quality of the food you feed your own pet."

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The Quality of Pet Food Ingredients (Part 1 of 2)

"Dr. Karen Becker visits an upscale pet boutique to evaluate the quality of the different types of pet food. (Part 1)  Here she discusses frozen raw, canned, dehydrated food, and a good dry food."

The Quality of Pet Food Ingredients (Part 2 of 2)

"Here Dr. Becker discusses some grocery store-bought dry kibble food, and the worst and best treats for your pet." 

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Most of this applies to human's food, too.

Dog Food: Is There A Cancer Risk?

"Naturally, when we talk about the  cause of cancer, diet is brought up.

Many will immediately poo-poo the notion that what is eaten can have an impact on cancer development.  It is amazing.  Watch the condemnation without investigation.

On the other hand, many feel there is a link, and there is evidence to support that view.

Why are we so reluctant to think about food contributing to cancer?  Likely because it becomes inconvenient.

Well, most of us would rather get information than be in the dark, so let’s do just that.What about a dog’s diet might contribute to cancer?  Here’s a look at a couple of things.

First,  high temperature cooking of meat or fish, or the creation of their extracts can produce nasties called heterocyclic amines. You can read a little more about this here and here.  These little guys have been shown to promote tumors in lab animals.  Do dogs eat food that has been exposed to high temperatures?  The truth is: yes.

Another carcinogen is polyacrylamide, again from high temperature cooking, this time of sugars in starch.  Oddly, different strains of potatoes will produce different amounts of acrylamide when it is cooked.  The bottom line though is that the different sugars influenced how much of the carcinogen is made. Here is some more on the topic.

Yet another is acylamide, related to polyacrylamide. Acrylamide levels go up when food is fried, and it is estimated in this paper that the levels of the acrylamide from fried food, in lab animals, might increase to risky levels contributing to possible cancer risk.

So what does this mean?  Well, we don’t want to go around saying that every dog who eats dog food in a bag (and pressed through an extruder at high temperatures) will get cancer.  That would be irrational and untrue.

However, there are genetic differences and lifestyle differences and carcinogen exposure differences, all from one dog to the next.

Since we know that cancer is created by many separate hits to the system, in certain dogs, diet might be the thing that tips the scale.

These carcinogens hit the DNA, and damage genes. If the damage occurs to genes that are controlling cell growth, and enough hits happen, cells can start getting deranged.  They divide and divide, instead of getting dismantled into their component parts by a process called apoptosis.

Deranged cells are supposed to be taken apart.  Apoptosis is the thing that does it in the body. When cells become unhealthy, the apoptosis genes should get turned on to subvert the badness.

When there are too many cells with their growth genes stuck in the “on’ position, avoiding apoptosis, cancer can develop.

The take home message is that the folks pushing for less cooking may have a point.  I am not advocating an entirely raw diet for dogs by the way, and especially not for cancer patients.  Raw from the grocery store is not raw out on the plains of Africa.  Germs grow on the surface of meat in the store and dogs with cancer usually have immune compromise.  That’s a bad mix.

But trimming the outside off and cooking red lean meats in low sodium broth at around 200 degrees while keeping the inside rare seems logical.

For more on diet and dog cancer, read The Dog Cancer Survival Guide.  Best,  Dr D."  by DEMIAN DRESSLER, DVM

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On This Day:

Fermi produces the first nuclear chain reaction, Dec 2, 1942:

"On this day, Enrico Fermi, the Italian-born Nobel Prize-winning physicist, directs and controls the first nuclear chain reaction in his laboratory beneath the bleachers of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, ushering in the nuclear age. Upon successful completion of the experiment, a coded message was transmitted to President Roosevelt: "The Italian navigator has landed in the new world."

Following on England's Sir James Chadwick's discovery of the neutron and the Curies' production of artificial radioactivity, Fermi, a full-time professor of physics at the University of Florence, focused his work on producing radioactivity by manipulating the speed of neutrons derived from radioactive beryllium. Further similar experimentation with other elements, including uranium 92, produced new radioactive substances; Fermi's colleagues believed he had created a new "transuranic" element with an atomic number of 93, the result of uranium 92 capturing a neuron while under bombardment, thus increasing its atomic weight. Fermi remained skeptical about his discovery, despite the enthusiasm of his fellow physicists. He became a believer in 1938, when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for "his identification of new radioactive elements." Although travel was restricted for men whose work was deemed vital to national security, Fermi was given permission to leave Italy and go to Sweden to receive his prize. He and his wife, Laura, who was Jewish, never returned; both feared and despised Mussolini's fascist regime.

Fermi immigrated to New York City--Columbia University, specifically, where he recreated many of his experiments with Niels Bohr, the Danish-born physicist, who suggested the possibility of a nuclear chain reaction. Fermi and others saw the possible military applications of such an explosive power, and quickly composed a letter warning President Roosevelt of the perils of a German atomic bomb. The letter was signed and delivered to the president by Albert Einstein on October 11, 1939. The Manhattan Project, the American program to create its own atomic bomb, was the result.

It fell to Fermi to produce the first nuclear chain reaction, without which such a bomb was impossible. He created a jury-rigged laboratory with the necessary equipment, which he called an "atomic pile," in a squash court in the basement of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago. With colleagues and other physicists looking on, Fermi produced the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction and the "new world" of nuclear power was born."

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Yesterday:

Ray came over wanting to help me around here, he said he had to get out of his house.  Shay and her sister were arguing again, and driving him nuts.  The sister is getting over another open heart surgery, and was milking the care-giving to the max.  I know how she is, as I have taken care of her in years gone by.  Shay was trying to get her out of there, and go to another sister's house.  They had had enough.

Ray and I carefully measured a triangle of screen wire to go up at the top of the screen porch.  After we had that stapled up, we were going to put some reinforcing wire over it, as that is a nice shelf for the cats to lay.  Prime always loved it up there.  We didn't want the cats to lean against it, push the staples out of the wire, and fall out of the screen porch. 

Then I came up with the idea of screwing white plastic lattice over it, instead.  I just thought that it would look better.  We found a piece that would make the two triangles for each end of the porch.  We made a cardboard template, just to make sure that it would fit right, and cut the lattice with a saw. We washed the lattice to remove the green algae, as it had been stored for a while, but didn't screw it in place yet.

By the time we had been interrupted by Shay several times, and her sister had driven off, it was enough for the day.

 

 

For Lennox! Pets Make Kids Healthier. Don’t Get a Dog! Adopted Dog. Chicken... or Roadkill. Pets for Vets. Tortured Turtles. Princess Braveheart. Rats Laugh. Parking Meter. JFK Jr.

For “Mammal Monday”:

PETITION: For LENNOX! Tell Eukanuba and Purina Dog Chow to pull their support from the Belfast Kennel Club Dog Show on September 29-30th 2012.

“Recently over 200,000 people worldwide pleaded with the BCC- Belfast City Council to reconsider their decision to kill Lennox and let him live and be re-homed outside of...See More”

“Animal Rescue Organizations worldwide and leading animal behaviorists, including TV personality Victoria Stilwell, offered reasonable alternatives to the Belfast City Council – which were very sadly all ignored.

On July 11th 2012, the BCC- Belfast City Council knowingly and willingly killed Lennox, a non-aggressive Labrador/American bulldog mix. The actions of the Belfast City Council has fueled an outcry with thousands of people demanding Justice for Lennox and the Barnes family. A review of the barbaric Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) that the Belfast Council uses is urgently demanded!”     Please sign at: http://www.causes.com/causes/644857-let-s-turn-facebook-orange-for-animal-cruelty-awareness/actions/1667000?recruiter_id=44616054&utm_campaign=invite&utm_medium=wall&utm_source=fb

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Study Shows Dogs And Cats May Make Kids Healthier

“Dogs and cats may not just provide your family with love and constant companionship -- they could also have a powerful effect on the health of children early in life, according to a small new study.

New research in the journal Pediatrics shows that children who live in a home with a pet during their first year of life are also more likely to be healthier, compared with kids who don't live in a pet-owning household.

"It's more support in a growing body of evidence that exposure to pets early in life can stimulate the immune system to do a better job of fighting off infection," Dr. Danielle Fisher, of St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., told the Los Angeles Times.” More at: http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/health-benefits-of-pets

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Please… Don’t Get a Dog!  

• Family dogs made to live outdoors are lonely and generally miserable. Dogs are social creatures designed by nature to be a part of a family unit or pack.
• These days more dogs live indoors with their families than ever before. This is why so many dog owners talk of the strong bond they share with their pet.
• Sadly, there are still dogs banished to backyards or fenced runs by families who weren’t prepared for the demands of dog ownership. These dogs feel miserably alone and go on to develop behavior-related problems that make them even more of a frustration for their owners.
• Careful planning and preparation, energy and commitment are required to successfully adopt and raise a dog. It’s not a responsibility everyone can take on.
• Before you decide to add a canine companion to the family, take an honest assessment of your personality and lifestyle to determine if you’re well-suited for dog ownership.

Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/11/dog-ownership-bond.aspx

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Puppies Hate Chains

“Chaining pets in the backyard is not what our best friends deserve. They get lonely and crave for human affection while exposed to extreme weather conditions. Bring your four legged family members indoors.”

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“I Adopted Your Dog Today”.

“I adopted your dog today, the one you left at the pound.
The one you had for seven years and no longer wanted around.
I adopted your dog today. Do you know he's lost weight?
Do you know he's scared and depressed and has lost all faith?
I adopted your dog today. He had fleas and a cold.
But don't worry none, you've unburdened your load.
I adopted your dog today. Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies?  Or another reason he couldn't stay?
I adopted your dog today, he doesn't play or eat much.
He's very depressed, but he will learn again to trust.
I adopted your dog today.  And here he will stay!
He's found his forever home and a warm bed on which to lay.
I adopted your dog today, and I will give him all that he could need -
Patience, love, security and understanding. Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.”   - Author Unknown.

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War Vets Heal With the Help of Shelter Dogs

“1 in 4 war veterans will come home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Over four million healthy, adoptable animals will be euthanized in shelters this year. Dogs provide healing and comfort to vets.

Veterans are coming home with feelings of abandonment and having a difficult time adjusting to civilian life. This includes depression, substance abuse and in the worst cases, violence and suicide. Working with the dogs and training them to help others has proven to be very beneficial to veterans and shelter dogs. The dogs eventually are paired with people in need.”

Doug and his new parents

Doug was the first dog adopted through the program. This is him and his new parents at training. Please donate if you can.

More at: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/dogs4vets/

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How to Know if the Poultry in Your Pet's Food is Chicken... or Roadkill

“Pet food manufacturers have a vested interest in defending their use of poor quality and even dangerous pet food ingredients. Nowhere is that more evident than at industry events like a seminar last year in Nashville in which a pet food company scientist gave a presentation on the “importance of rendered ingredients in pet foods.”

• The pet food rendering industry exists for one reason – to turn animal and food waste not fit for human consumption into ingredients pet food manufacturers will buy.
• What most pet parents who buy popular commercial pet foods don’t know is exactly what type of “raw materials” wind up at rendering facilities and ultimately, in the food they feed their beloved dog or cat.
• Plenty of pet food consumers also don’t realize there’s a huge difference between “chicken” and “poultry” on pet food ingredient labels. There’s also a huge difference between “chicken” and “chicken by-products.” And these differences are extremely important when it comes to the health of dogs and cats.
• The sad fact is, most of the biggest pet food companies are consumed with increasing profits, not your pet’s health. That’s why every pet parent should learn to read pet food labels and know the difference between good, acceptable, and poor/dangerous pet food ingredients.”      Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/11/pet-food-contains-poultry.aspx

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These aren’t mammals, but please help these poor tortured turtles.

Please Help Stop the Torture of the Snapping Turtle

“Animal abuse happens everywhere, but one county in Indiana takes animal cruelty to a whole new level with its yearly Snapperfest.

Snapperfest is an annual festival held in Ohio County, Indiana, in which families come to watch competitors abuse snapping turtles. Contestants grab the animals by the tails and slam them to the ground. The turtles are spun around in the air by their heads until the contestant can wrap the neck around his fist. Most of the turtles die from injuries or stress.

Children watching the festivities are consequently witness to extreme animal cruelty on the part of humans at young ages.The fact is animal abuse often leads to more serious, harmful crimes. To teach these values to children is a grave oversight of logic.

The next Snapperfest is scheduled for August 20, 2012. Write to Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels asking him to ban Snapperfest before August 20 — for good!”      Please help at: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces;jsessionid=34858E09133E63ECDD6B6C170809C026.xc-c?siteId=3&campaign=Snapperfest

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Princess Braveheart

“About 6 months ago, the rescue I work with, Pink Paws Rescue and Adoption, had gotten a call about a cat that desperately needed to be rescued.

This tabby and white girl had gotten stuck up a very tall tree, requiring the owner to call the fire department to get her down. They set up the ladder and one fireman went up to get her. She calmly allowed him to pick her up and carry her back down the ladder. They reached the ground and he put her down. Not one instant later, the aggravated owner (extremely angry his cat had caused him such 'embarrassment'), came over and kicked her so hard he broke one of her back legs. The fireman immediately scooped her up and told the man that if he was going to treat this cat like this, he didn't deserve to have her. Luckily, the man readily let the fireman take the cat.

Unfortunately, the fireman lived in an apartment that did not allow pets, so he called us. We agreed to take her in and took her straight to the vet. The ex-owner had kicked her so hard, he'd actually shattered her leg bone. The leg had to be amputated, there was no way of repairing it.

After some therapy, love and a special kitty friend, the 3-legged lady (named Princess Braveheart) showed us just how special she was. She learned to walk on only three legs and even played with her foster.

Luckily, she was adopted not long after her recovery- this time to a very loving family who continue to call her their brave little Princess.”

Read more stories!

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Rats Laugh When Tickled

How do you get a rat to laugh? Telling a joke won't work, but scientists say a rat will laugh when tickled--and they're not joking.

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On This Day:

World's first parking meter installed, Jul 16, 1935:

The world's first parking meter, known as Park-O-Meter No. 1, is installed on the southeast corner of what was then First Street and Robinson Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on this day in 1935.

Despite such opposition, the first meters were installed by the Dual Parking Meter Company beginning in July 1935; they cost a nickel an hour, and were placed at 20-foot intervals along the curb that corresponded to spaces painted on the pavement. Magee's invention caught on quickly: Retailers loved the meters, as they encouraged a quick turnover of cars--and potential customers--and drivers were forced to accept them as a practical necessity for regulating parking. By the early 1940s, there were more than 140,000 parking meters operating in the United States. Today, Park-O-Meter No. 1 is on display in the Statehood Gallery of the Oklahoma Historical Society.”

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"John-John", JFK Jr. killed in plane crash, Jul 16, 1999:

“On July 16, 1999, John F. Kennedy, Jr.; his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy; and her sister, Lauren Bessette, die when the single-engine plane that Kennedy was piloting crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr., was born on November 25, 1960, just a few weeks after his father and namesake was elected the 35th president of the United States. On his third birthday, "John-John" attended the funeral of his assassinated father and was photographed saluting his father's coffin in a famous and searing image. Along with his sister, Caroline, he was raised in Manhattan by his mother, Jacqueline.

The Kennedy family's surviving patriarch, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, delivered a moving eulogy: "From the first day of his life, John seemed to belong not only to our family, but to the American family. He had a legacy, and he learned to treasure it. He was part of a legend, and he learned to live with it."

Investigators studying the wreckage of the Piper Saratoga found no problems with its mechanical or navigational systems. In their final report released in 2000, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the crash was caused by an inexperienced pilot who became disoriented in the dark and lost control.”

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Yesterday:

Ray came over to help me, as a man was coming to see an old wooden phonograph cabinet that I had for sale. Jay had put it way up high in the front of the RVport, and it was going to take a ladder to get it down.  Even if the man hadn’t shown up, it was time to start the motor home and get it’s juices going again.  So I backed it out, so we could get to the cabinet easier.  We rubbed the cabinet all over with some Old English. We had never refinished it, as it would have spoiled the patina.

We also moved some other stuff, like a great big long wooden waterbed headboard, that has been in the way for a while.  We took that out onto a work table and dismantled it, so we could put the lumber up in the racks.  We must have got a pound of good screws out of it, too.  It wasn’t too hot working outside, as it was overcast, but we could feel that it was going to rain again as it was very muggy. 

The man arrived, said that the cabinet was really cool, and bought it.  He was glad that it had the original patina. 

A little while later it rained for a while, again.  But we were inside by then, as I had turned on the AC in the grooming room as it was still too humid to paint the little chest outside, or even in the workshop.  So we put it, and it’s two drawers, on newspapered tables in there.  Ray applied the primer.  The shredder had been on one of the over-bed tables. I would like to have that chest under my shredder, and get that area re-organized one day.

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.

Maliha Update. Geotag Phones. Blood Sugar. Guy Fawkes Day.

November 3, 2010 update – From Maliha:  "If you are a dog in need, SCARS is a pretty amazing place to find help. I never would have believed 3 months ago (tomorrow) that my life could change this much.

Three months ago I was on death’s doorstep - alone, starving, broken, infected, and in pain. It has taken a lot of care and time, but I am a different dog today – I am even doing a little happy dance when it is my turn to go for a walk, plus I tried to steal the stuffy toy from Etta (another foster dog) and toss it to myself. Foster Mom said I couldn’t have the toy because of my mouth, but I really, really want that stuffy – maybe one day it will be mine. I do feel better and I hope that my nasty mouth infection is finally under control.

I got some great news this week - my dental specialist has arranged for another expert (we will call him the special specialist) to meet me and determine the best surgery to solve those last pesky holes that won’t heal between my mouth and nasal cavity. I won’t know what is going to happen until later this month, but I hope to continue to improve until then."

In early August 2010, I came to SCARS in horrific condition. Please read my rescue story: http://www.scarscare.org/Story.aspx?StoryID=269   and feel free to send your well wishes about me to SCARS. I am not yet available for adoption, but I hope that I can be adopted sometime soon.
I am a very sweet dog and I don't understand why anyone would want to hurt me so badly and then leave me to starve. I'm so grateful to have been rescued! I am the reason animal rescue groups have to exist. If you can, please donate to SCARS so they can keep saving wonderful dogs like me."
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Geo-Tagging: The Dangers Of Posting Pictures Online

Uploaded Images To Social Networks Could Make You Vulnerable

Updated 11/04/10 8:20 a.m.
NEW YORK (CBS 2) – "Posting photos on social networking sites, like Facebook and MySpace, is a quick and easy way to show friends and family what you’ve been up to.
Those innocent snapshots, though, could be revealing a lot more about your life than you think, potentially putting your home and family at risk, reports CBS 2′s Chris Wragge.

The first day of school, a big birthday, or a romantic stroll in the park are all memories you want to preserve and share with friends and family, but Internet experts warn there may be a hidden danger contained in some of the photos you’re putting online – a geo-tag.

“For people to be able to know exactly where you are could be a little bit scary,” David Conroy, executive editor of CNet, said.
That’s exactly what a geo-tag tells them, though, and that’s not all. Invisible to the naked eye – it’s embedded in the picture – a geo-tag contains specific details like the time and date the photo was taken, along with the exact location of where it was taken.  “Every smart phone out there now has GPS built into it, so it’s really become very prevalent to do geo-tagging,” Conroy said.

“For example, let’s take a picture of your nice, brand new 50-inch plasma TV at your house, and you’re now sharing the location of that TV. An hour later, you’re posting a photograph from the 7-11, and now we know that you’re not home,” Pesce said.

“There’s definitely been stories out there where people have broadcast like, ‘hey, I’m out of town for two weeks, I’m in Cancun’ and they do get robbed,” Conroy said.
In addition to robberies, experts say geo-tagged photos can also lead to stalking, domestic violence and kidnapping."
More at: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/11/03/geo-tagging-the-dangers-of-posting-pictures-online/
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Enjoy These 3 Comfort Foods for Your Blood Sugar

"We're talking pasta, peanut butter, and fries. Sound too good to be true? Not if you pick the right kinds." More at:
http://www.realage.com/tips/normal-blood-sugar-comfort-foods?eid=7232&memberid=22654565
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Today is Guy Fawkes Day in England:  http://www.novareinna.com/festive/guy.html
The anniversary of Guy Fawkes trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament, in 1605.

“Remember, remember the Fifth of November is gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gun powder treason should ever be forgot.
Knock at the door, ring the bell.
Have you got a penny for singing so well ?
If you haven’t got a penny a ha’penny will do
If you haven't got a ha’penny, then God bless you !!”

__________________

And a day off for me, as Ray and Jay are busy!

The foster cats wanted to go out on the porch this morning, but it was 40 deg. out there.  I let them find that out, and let them back in.
 
The dogs seemed to know it was chilly outside, and just stayed in their beds.  They didn't want to go out until they could see the sun shining through the windows.

I am just catching up on odd jobs like laundry, vacuuming and bills.

I hope there are no chained up dogs outside. That is no life for man's best friend, especially in this weather.

Oh! Oh! We are not prepared for this, the low is supposed to be 31 deg. today!

RV Safety 101. Valentines.

Hoping to keep y’all safe:
RV Travel Security 101
“It's easy to let your guard down sometimes and to forget that not everybody you encounter is as honest and law abiding as you might be. This is an excerpt from my Checklists for RVers E-book to help keep your guard up and travel safe in your RV.

For one minute, try to think the way a criminal would think. If you were at a rest stop looking for your next target or victim, what would you look for? Let's pretend for a moment that you were going to target a vehicle. Which would be more appealing, a car whose owner stopped for a quick bathroom break or an expensive looking Class A motor home, whose owners are out walking their dogs? I don't have the mind of a criminal but this is an easy choice. That expensive looking RV probably has expensive contents inside like, jewelry, cameras, and a laptop computer.

Okay, we have come to the conclusion that we, the RVers, are the prime target for the criminal mind, so what can we do to protect ourselves? That's what this RV security checklist is for; to give you some ideas on how to protect yourself and you're personal belongings when you're traveling in your RV.

• Don't stay overnight at a rest stop. Rest stops attract criminals. If you stop at a rest stop it should only be for a short break and then back on the road. Lock the RV and take turns using the facilities, always leaving someone in or close to the RV. Always be on the look out for anything or anyone that looks suspicious. Keep your cell phone handy in case you need it and don't open the door for anybody, unless you know who it is.

• Rest stops aren't the only place you need to be concerned about. Every time you stop to refuel there are certain precautions you need to take. It's easy to be vulnerable to a thief at a gas station or a truck stop. I have a bad habit of leaving my wallet on the console of our Class C motor home. The door isn't locked and your spouse is taking advantage of the time to walk the dogs. This is how quick it can happen. Get in the habit of locking the doors whenever you or someone else is not physically in the RV.

• Most robberies occur at night and most travel related robberies occur at rest stops, gas stations, convenience stores and ATM machines. Try to schedule most of your stops during daylight hours, and whenever you stop be aware of your surroundings. If something doesn't look right leave.

• Wal-Mart or other parking lots where you might stop to get a few hours of sleep can present security problems too. You should always park in a well lit area and the entry door of the RV should be facing where most of the activity is. A thief prefers to work where it is dark and where it is least likely to draw any attention. Close your curtains or blinds so it's not possible for someone to look inside. Don't open the door for anybody unless you know who it is. If it's a security guard ask for identification before you open the door.
• As much as we would like to believe that campgrounds are 100% safe and secure don't let your guard down. You don't need to be paranoid, just use some common sense. Don't leave expensive equipment lying around unsecured. Vehicle tow bars, hitches, bicycles and other items need to be under lock and key.

• Keep any valuables inside the RV secured and out of sight. It's a good idea to purchase a small fire proof safe to store valuables and important paperwork in. The safe might protect your valuables from the hazards of a fire but it will still need to be stored in a secure, out of the way place, inside the RV.

• Always lock the RV when you're not physically at the campsite. Do not store valuable equipment in outside storage compartments. Believe it or not, a vast majority of RV's use the same exact key as yours for outside storage compartments. If you store valuables, like golf clubs, fishing gear or tools in the outside compartments you may want to have the locks changed.

• Before you leave on a trip make sure your Emergency Roadside Service Plan is current. In the unfortunate event that you breakdown on the road try to pull off in as safe a place as possible and call for help immediately. Stay with the RV until help arrives.

• It's unfortunate that we live in a day and age where we need to take these added measures to protect ourselves. I don't want you to feel like everybody you meet during your travels is a thief or has bad intentions. Just use common sense and be aware of what is going on around you.

Plan your trip, travel safe and enjoy your RV experiences. Remember, getting there is half the fun!
Happy Camping,    Mark”
Copyright 2000 - 2008 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education 101
From: http://www.rvuniversity.com/staticpages/index.php/RV_Travel_Security_101
Permission given to me by Mark Polk:
“Hi Penny,
It is fine to use the article acknowledging the site. Thanks,  Mark Polk”
RV Savvy Productions Inc DBA
RV Education 101
150 Bay Ridge Rd
Harrells, NC 28444
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TIME IS RUNNING OUT, PLEASE DON’T FORGET:
Anonymous Valentines for chained dogs:

Please help address the problem:

“Know a penned or chained dog who could use a valentine? Find out their address and call 877-636-1408, e-mail addresses to info@dogsdeservebetter.org or fill out the form at Dogs Deserve Better's website by Feb. 5. Don't worry—your information will remain anonymous. “

Why chaining hurts dogs:

“As social animals, dogs need to have regular interactions with their family. Dogs who are left chained up in the yard experience boredom, loneliness, and isolation, which eventually lead to territorial and aggressive  behaviors"  : http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/tips/help_chained_dogs.html
and more about the Valentines here:
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2010/01/valentines_for_chained_dogs_011210.html
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Today, Jay and spent most of the day in the next town.  We went to every thrift shop, didn’t find much, but what we did buy were great bargains.  He bought two jackets, a t-shirt, shoes, and a Pyrex bacon flattener, or maybe it is called a bacon press?    He had seen mine, and tasted some, on a rare occasion that I have cooked bacon, and it really does seem to help the flavor.  Apparently, he cooks Claudia, his mother, a lot of bacon.  That is definitely not recommended since her liver transplant!

That is what really did my late DH in.   I cooked the healthy diet that the doctors had recommended for him.  I didn’t know that when he went daily to the parts house, he would stop by the store next door and get them to cook him the greasiest bacon sandwich, with the bread sopping up the grease!!  He would even steal the fat off the meat, before I could get it down the disposal.  YUCK!  So he had a heart attack.  That was just the start of his ailments.

I bought a really nice real leather handbag with lots of compartments, for $2.50.  I have to have lots of different places to put things in a purse, so that I can lay my hands on anything immediately.  It has already been Lysol-ed, and everything transferred into it.

 The rest of the time we stopped at every little convenience store from one end of town to the other, looking for one special thing.  A certain brand of cigars.  The place where we usually go, was out of them.

The weather was windy, started out cool, but we soon took off our jackets, so it was a great day.

MLK Day. Chained Dogs. Codfish.

Science isn't everything, as King observed in 1964 during his Nobel Peace Prize lecture: 
"There is a sort of poverty of the spirit that stands in glaring contrast to our scientific and technological abundance," he said.  "The richer we have become materially, the poorer we have become morally and spiritually."  He was a pretty wise man.

On the last speech he gave earlier in the night, Martin Luther King said,
"I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land."
and "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

I don’t think that this has happened to the extent that he dreamed it would.
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Anonymous Valentines for chained dogs:

Please help address the problem:

“Know a penned or chained dog who could use a valentine? Find out their address and call 877-636-1408, e-mail addresses to info@dogsdeservebetter.org or fill out the form at Dogs Deserve Better's website by Feb. 5. Don't worry—your information will remain anonymous. “

Why chaining hurts dogs:

“As social animals, dogs need to have regular interactions with their family. Dogs who are left chained up in the yard experience boredom, loneliness, and isolation, which eventually lead to territorial and aggressive  behaviors"  : http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/chaining_tethering/tips/help_chained_dogs.html

and more about the Valentines here:

http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2010/01/valentines_for_chained_dogs_011210.html

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Well, after not having stevia sweetener for a few days, I thought I had my allergy licked, and then it came back with a vengeance last night.  I itched all evening and most of the night.

The only thing that I could think of that I had done differently was that yesterday I took a cod liver oil softgel, which I haven’t taken for a few days.  Then I came across this, from: http://www.naaf.no/en/Information-on-asthma-Chronic-Obstructive-Pulmonary-Disease-COPD-allergy-and-eczema/Mat/Useful-facts-on-fish-and-shellfish/

What is fish allergy?    “Allergy to fish results from a physical reaction to a protein in the fish meat. This protein is found in many types of fish, however most individuals allergic to fish react predominantly to fish belonging to the cod family.” 

Now, if this is the cause it must be a new allergy for me, as just about all the fish and chips in England are made with cod, but I haven’t had any for many years.  I used to eat what they called Rock Salmon, when I did eat fish and chips: http://www.audioenglish.net/dictionary/rock_salmon.htm

I have become paranoid about eating, or drinking anything today.