Three Beliefs That Will Kill Your Marriage. What Makes a Good Home? Update.

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Three Beliefs That Will Kill Your Marriage

“Do you know that there are “deadly” beliefs about marriage that may be affecting you? Discover these “killer” beliefs before they destroy your marriage.

Most newlyweds anticipate the “happily-ever-after” when they say “I do.” They don’t expect their marriage to end up in divorce, but statistically about half of marriages in the United States do.

Though there are a wide variety of reasons that marriages fail, over my years as a counselor I have seen common problems that I call marriage killers. Knowing what these are can actually help you be proactive in fighting them! Whether you are single, currently married, or divorced but hoping to remarry someday, you need to know what these marriage killers are!

Marriage killer #1: Love is only a feeling

Falling in love is an intoxicating experience. As a culture, we love the idea of being in love. We promote it in every aspect of our entertainment industry. Being in love, however, has very little to do with what is required to sustain a relationship.

Most of us have witnessed a rocket launch at one time or another. According to an aerospace engineer I interviewed, NASA’s space shuttle used solid rocket boosters (SRBs) to get into space. Their solid fuel, once ignited, was extremely powerful, which is necessary to get the rocket booster off the ground. But solid fuel burns up quickly.

In the takeoff phase of a relationship the emotion of love is like that solid fuel. It burns hot and strong, and contains a lot of power to get you off the launch pad. But once that initial emotion burns up, it’s gone.

Unfortunately, people make life-changing decisions while under the influence of this solid fuel: they have sex, move in together, get married, get pregnant and become financially entangled. When there’s no more solid fuel to keep their relationship in orbit, they come crashing back to reality. That’s because it takes more than just solid fuel to sustain a lifelong relationship.

That’s where liquid fuel comes in to play. Liquid fuel can be regulated and controlled. Though the solid rocket boosters quickly fall away, the shuttle carried a certain amount of liquid fuel to keep it on course. So, too, must a relationship.

Passion and love play an important role in a successful marriage, but rather than the intensity of solid fuel, this liquid fuel is a slow, steady burn. Couples actively engage in keeping their love tanks filled with liquid fuel by taking time to be with each other apart from the daily routine and stresses of life. They date. They have romantic, intimate time together. They make their relationship a priority, so that they never run out of liquid fuel.

In other words, a marriage doesn’t last based on the emotional feeling of love—it lasts through the consistent work the couple is willing to put into the relationship. A marriage doesn't last based on the emotional feeling of love—it lasts through the consistent work the couple is willing to put into the relationship.

Marriage killer #2: “My needs come first”

Once the shuttle was outside of the earth’s atmosphere, it experienced no friction. That means there was nothing to slow things down.

In most relationships, selfishness causes friction. People rarely love unconditionally. Instead they love as long as the relationship is satisfying their needs. In other words, people enter into a marital union but don’t act unified. They put themselves before the priorities of the relationship. Selfishness on the part of one (or both) mates is one of the major causes of divorce.

Successful marriages require both husband and wife to practice self-sacrifice and selflessness.

These characteristics do not come naturally to human beings. We generally think of ourselves first (Genesis 4:9; 2 Timothy 3:2). To be happily married and stay that way, we must change our thinking from “how will this impact me?” to “how will this impact us?” Remember, you are one capsule traveling the same path, not two (Genesis 2:24). It takes selflessness to unite with another person to form a successful, unified marriage.

Marriage killer #3: Love makes everything easy

After the space shuttle was away from the gravitational pull of the earth, it had to guard against other gravitational forces. Gravity can interfere with the shuttle’s trajectory, causing it to be pulled off course or even to fall out of orbit.

Couples, too, face gravitational pulls. But problems in the relationship are not a sign that it’s doomed or that they no longer love each other. Rather, problems are inevitable. Successful couples understand that there will be highs and lows throughout their marriage.

They must share common values to keep them on the right trajectory—values like commitment, trust, fidelity, integrity, loyalty, patience and perseverance. Those values are what keep couples hanging on when their emotions may be saying “we have nothing in common anymore” or “we’re no longer in love.” In fact, facing those pulls together and overcoming them, often strengthens the attachment couples have.

Are any of these beliefs killing your marriage? It’s never too late to rededicate yourself to building or rebuilding your marriage. The Bible teaches that the marriage covenant between a man and a woman has a great purpose in God’s plan (Ephesians 5:31-32).

The Bible contains many instructions on the purpose of marriage and how to develop the committed, unselfish love that will keep your marriage in orbit forever.

For more insight into building a successful marriage, read “How Great Marriages Work,” which was featured in the July/August 2014 edition of Discern magazine.”  From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/relationships/blog/three-beliefs-that-will-kill-your-marriage/

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What Makes a Good Home?

“For 6,000 years of human history, homes have been an important part of who we are. But what makes a home … a home? This Bible Study Starter will explore the elements God says belong in a good home.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates

Proverbs 15:6, 16-17

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. … Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.

STARTER QUESTIONS

1. There are a lot of ways to measure a home—square footage, construction quality, furnishings, resale value, number of occupants, layout, etc. According to the verses above, what qualities does God look for in the homes of His people?
2. When those qualities are present, how do they impact (directly and indirectly) those living in the home? How do they change the way those living in that home interact with each other or spend their time?
3. Name three things you can start doing to better cultivate those qualities in your own home. Are there changes you can make to your schedule or routine that would make it easier to do those things?
4. One of the most important parts of the home isn’t the structure itself, but the people who live in it. If you share your home with others, what can you personally do to make sure it’s a place “where love is” instead of a place “with hatred”?
5. Romans 13:9-13 reminds us that hospitality is an important function of the home (and of Christianity itself). How do you use your home to show hospitality to others? Are there ways you’d like to improve when it comes to hospitality?
6. Proverbs 24:3-4 lists wisdom, understanding and knowledge as three essential contributors to an established, well-stocked house. What are the key differences between wisdom, understanding and knowledge—and how do they factor into decisions about what your home should become?
7. Proverbs 14:11 contrasts “the house of the wicked” with “the tent of the upright.” Even when we know that the kind of life we live is more important than the quantity of things we own, why is it so much easier to focus on gaining physical possessions? When that happens, what can we do to refocus ourselves on the things that truly matter? (See Matthew 6:24-34 for ideas.)
8. Having a big house and expensive things isn’t a problem. The problem is when we make those things—and the money they require—our primary focus (see 1 Timothy 6:6-10, which reminds us that “godliness with contentment is great gain”). One technique for staying content is counting our blessings. Pick 10 things about your home—tangible or intangible—that you’re thankful for. When did you last thank God for everything on that list?”

From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/learning-center/bible-study-starters/what-makes-a-good-home/?

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Update.

My week was mostly allotted to that dratted colonoscopy on Thursday, and going  backwards and forwards to the next big city, College Station. The pre-op on Monday was to test me for Co19, that’s all.  All that way, why could they do that here in Navasota? So I had lunch with my daughter at IHOP while I was there. 

Being already terrified because what had happened to me in 1961, I tried to get them to hospitalize me for the prep, but they wouldn’t do it. The nurse advised me to eat breakfast on Tuesday and just drink liquids for the rest of the day, then start drinking the prep stuff in two sessions on Wednesday morning, not afternoon.  I had already bought the required Dulcolax tablets, Miralax and two 32oz bottles of Gatorade.  So, on Wednesday, I took the tablets at 8.00 am, and started drinking half of that Miralax mixed with one bottle of Gatorade around 10.00 am.  It tasted so disgusting that I nearly saw it again, but I held it down.  I called the doctor’s office and she said that the only other thing that I could mix with the Miralax was water, so I did that.  Gatorade has aspartame in it, that is what I could taste because I am very sensitive to chemicals.  Why they put aspartame in something that is supposed to be healthy, I don’t know, that stuff is so bad for you. It would have been more healthy and tasty if they put unbleached sugar in it, not that I eat sugar either.  I mixed the other half with water and it was fine. What I liked the best was drinking clear beef and chicken broth for the rest of the day.

On Thursday, my medical insurance had arranged for the little Brazos Transit bus to come and take me to the hospital.  We picked up another passenger in Navasota, too, a gent going for his dialysis. They took my temperature as soon as I entered the building, and more forms to fill out, of course, and a plastic ID bracelet.  They took me to the back and made me dress in a paper gown which had punch out places for other equipment.  One place was to insert a nice comfy warm air heater, that felt great.

Then a lady, one of those vampire ladies, came looking for veins in my arms.  I couldn’t even drink water on Thursday, so I was slightly dehydrated so she had trouble finding a vein, but she finally got a needle in me and I didn’t feel it a bit.  I was surprised that I didn’t feel it because she was a student.  After a while the anesthesiologist came in with more questions and forms to sign, but after they had put something in the needle in my arm, I don’t remember anything until I was was back in that room !  A nurse brought me a decent cup of coffee, unusual for a hospital to have decent coffee, and I had brought some stuff like Ensure to drink, to regain my strength after fasting for so long.  My daughter was there to pick me up and brought me home. 

Friday, I didn’t do much except cook some food and freeze some of it. I made two trayfulls of Kale chips in the oven and pigged out on them. Then today, we went to church, real church for the first time for months.  For Bible study they still did the Zoom thing for those who couldn’t come, and the sermon was also broadcast live on FaceBook.  Quite a few showed up, but not like before.   It had been such a long time since we had had a church service that they did communion today.

When Was Jesus Born? Who Started It? Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Beyond Today -- When Was Jesus Born?

"Did His birth occur on December 25th? Can we even know when Christ was born? And, should we really be celebrating His birth?

Watch this video: http://youtu.be/XiVgLInIRJ4  
or read the transcript and request the Bible study aid "Jesus Christ: The Real Story" at:  http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-program/jesus-christ/when-was-jesus-born

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Who Started It?

"Who started Yuletide worship of sun, mother and child?

Source: Scott Brady

"She was beautiful, powerful, and devious – a perfect foil for the ancient serpent’s deceptions. Her husband Nimrod had made himself king over the migrants who came into the new land of Sumeria, a very rich alluvial plain in which things grew quickly, but wild beasts also multiplied and became a constant menace. The people had no weapons and they needed protection. Nimrod invited them to live together in one place and built a wall all around it to protect them. (The points expressed about the background to Nimrod and Semiramis are found in Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews.)

He became their king, a warrior king who built an army and taught men to make and use weapons, and he led them on profitable hunts to provide meat. Business was good, so he built other cities as populations increased, but he had a problem.

People still worshipped the One true God and looked to Shem, the son of Noah, as the man of God and leader of their faith. Faith was a powerful thing and Nimrod wanted that power, but how would he turn the people’s faith toward himself? His beautiful, scheming wife Semiramis provided the answer. She began to laud her husband Nimrod as their great provider and protector. We don't know exact details, but there are abundant examples in history from which we can draw such conclusions. (Bible verses about Semiramis; Bible Tools.org)

The Devil, that most subtle of deceivers (Genesis:3:1) and god of this world (2 Corinthians:4:4, Ephesians:6:10-12) is most likely the ancient source that inspired them (many people are tempted of themselves (James:1:14). This gave Satan an in and he cunningly inspired them to worship him as the Sun god, the source of knowledge and of life for all things on Earth. He backed up this idea by performing signs and wonders as people were converted to this new faith. It effectively turned people’s hearts to pleasure and to worshipping their god as they pleased. It was heady stuff and men and women of all kinds responded in droves.

It all made Shem very anxious for the people. He was very angry with the man who had brought about this growing apostasy and he acted at once to execute the self-proclaimed king and high priest of the Sun god. Ultimately, he had Nimrod's body cut in pieces to be distributed to the various civic centers as a dire warning of what would happen to others who had been deceived into forsaking the Creator by worshipping idols and demon spirits. (See Josephus' Antiquities of the Jews ).

Semiramis knew better than to openly defy Shem, but developed a mystery religion with herself as high priestess. Her followers used secret signs and symbols so as not to let on. She led them in worship of the god of love and fertility and took many lovers in her conquest of men. She then became pregnant and when she gave birth to Tammuz (meaning ‘son of life’). Semiramis daringly presented him at the Winter solstice as the son of Baal, the long expected Seed of the woman forecast in the Garden of Eden. Most likely everyone on Earth at that time knew the prophecy given to Adam, Eve and the Serpent before they were cast out of Paradise, because Noah and his family spread the gospel after the Flood. Satan used this knowledge to help thwart the coming truth that was to come.

Semiramis also had caused Nimrod to be venerated as a god after his death. She said he was made one with the "Sun in Heaven". She said that her son Tammuz had been supernaturally conceived in her womb by him, thus claiming to be "that" woman. Her child then represented new birth and the possibility of resurrection for all who believed. As the sun regained strength and rose up after the Winter solstice, so would mankind experience rebirth after death. After Tammuz died by being nailed or bound to an evergreen tree, she wailed for him until he was restored to her. Women of many nations thereafter wept for Tammuz, even in Israel. (Ezekiel:8:14) So began the worship of mother and child.

Meanwhile, the men of Babel were busy building a huge tower to reach high into the sky and make them famous and their city the foremost in the world. They planned to stay there in that place and not spread out and replenish and fill the whole earth as God had commanded. The Lord came down to see for Himself what they were up to and saw that they were of one evil mind and working together they would invent and create things far too quickly. People had corrupted themselves before and managed to pollute everything in the old world. They shared only one language, so God miraculously confused their ability to communicate, which forced them to move out in groups, each group bound by a different language and so they went about establishing separate lands of their own.

The small families scattered from Babel and became fully fledged nations, but unfortunately took with them the pagan worship of mother and child as they had learned from Semiramis. Thus began many counterfeit faiths spread around the world and even today cause so much confusion.

Whatever else we might say about the devil, he is industrious and clever in his opposition to God and the only church founded by Jesus Christ. This article simply illustrates some of the basic truths of Revelation 17, especially with regard to mother and child and the whole pantheon of gods and false worship.

Semiramis appears to be the source that started it all in human history, inspired by the devil who backed her up with visions and mirages. It all began more than 2000 years before Jesus Christ was born of Mary and it is no wonder that there are so many pagan parallels with modern Christianity. The counterfeit religion is that of the great deceiver and god of this world who actively blinds mankind to the truth, (2 Corinthians:4:4) but we are not ignorant of his designs (2 Corinthians:2:11). Satan has convinced so many that they are righteous in their false code of beliefs as they worship God.

History says Nimrod was the first mighty one ‘deified’ after the Flood. He was represented by a winged bull and called the ‘father of the gods’. His wife Semiramis became the ‘mother of the gods’ and Queen of heaven. The characteristics of that initial Chaldean mystery religion which she founded were: rejection of our Creator God, denial of His commandments, refusal to acknowledge Him as the source of all life, and a paranoid desire for self-exaltation – the making of God in man’s image! ‘You shall be as gods’ the Serpent told Eve, but in effect he became their god, the one whom they obeyed. (Romans:6:16). Little have men in all history realized that the devil could deceive them into worshipping him and his counterfeit churches.

For more information on what God truly wants us to celebrate, request the free study aids, Holidays or Holy Days: Does it Matter What We Observe? and God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise for all Mankind .

From: http://www.ucg.org/doctrinal-beliefs/who-started-it/       article by George Carter

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Update:

Last week's propane saga didn't end by going back to the propane place where I had bought the new pigtail, as they were closed two days in a row, and no one even answered their phone. 

Our local hardware store tested the pigtail for me, and it was good.  But they said that sometimes the gaskets in the gas bottles go bad, so that is probably why mine was leaking.   I took an empty gas bottle to Krogers and exchanged it, as I knew it would have had it's gasket checked.  It costs more to get an exchange bottle because you don't get as much propane as getting one filled, so that is why I don't usually do it.  Jay and I hooked it up, doused it with soapy water, saw no bubbles, so I am using it.   I'll have to get the other bottle's gasket looked at.

During any slack moments, Ray has been refurbishing a chrome RV two-burner propane gas cooktop.  It had been stored for many years and had rusted. It took quite a bit of sanding to get it smooth again. The top is now white, and the underneath is done in Rustoleum's Hammered Silver spray paint.  He had repainted the house's propane cook top with white High Heat Engine spray paint, he does that every few years to freshen it up, so he used up the rest of the white engine paint on the two-burner one.

While he was at it, he sanded and repainted an RV vent-a-hood that I have for sale.  It was just done with white spray paint, high heat paint is not needed for that.

The weather has been wonderful.  No heater or AC needed.  Windows and doors open most of the time, and just a smattering of rain now and then.

We did a bit more to the greenhouse extension on the storeroom, and when we went shopping on Wednesday, we bought some 2x6's for the ceiling joists.

As my house is going to be for sale, I wanted to install the concertina sides onto the bedroom window air conditioner, to make it look neater.  That means someone, Jay, has to be on the outside to hold it up, while Ray and I installed the concertina sides.  Then Jay cut some foam board and white paneling and put them on the outside.  Now it looks a lot better inside and out.  ( I do NOT like central AC)

On Friday, which we call Preparation Day, (preparing for the Sabbath, the day of rest) I made a ground buffalo and veggie pie with a pastry top for the church potluck.  I didn't want any pastry on the bottom as that usually just turns into a soggy mess.  Also, I took some roasted zucchini.

Roger and I went to church, our favorite one on FM 1097. Jay didn't go as he said he hadn't slept all night, and didn't want to fall asleep in church. The readings were Psalm 115, 118, Gen.37:1 - 40:23 and Amos 2:6 - 3:8. 

The teaching was "When The Time's Right".  How everything is done in God's due time, because he knows best how to make us appreciative for what we get.  He delays some things to let our faith grow.  Undergoing tough times strengthens us. Such as when Abram (before he was Abraham) had to wait a long time for his promised son Isaac to be born to aged Sarai (before she was Sarah), and even took matters into his own hands and begat Ishmael through Hagar, his wife's Egyptian servant.  Gen. 16, and 17.  Abram should have waited for God's timetable. 

The potluck was great, as usual, and my dishes were quickly eaten up, even though there were several meat dishes. There are always lots of veggies, and I 'OD' on them, especially the Brussel Sprouts.

It is so mild for December that it has been a 'tank top and shorts' day.

 

Short Bed? Payment Trap. Short Hose. Floor Vents. 5 Stupid Things. Wasps Like Gas. Surge Protector. Stow Stuff. RV Tips. Deadline in Iraq.

 

For 'tRaVersing Thursday", or RV Day

How to lengthen an RV bed

"A bed in an RV can often be too short for tall RVers, who have to scrunch up to fit in — not good for a restful sleep. This video shows you how to fix that problem for about $30 — a lot cheaper than a new bed!"

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The Payment Trap / The Illusion Of Freedom...

"Many people are making payments on their recreation vehicles thinking that they are free to travel and live off the grid when in actuality they are tied to the system and a slave to their wages. Their possessions end up owning them, they do not own their possessions. Many people are just one paycheck away from repossession and losing everything.."

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Carry an extra hose?

"Carrying an extra, specially sized water hose, can be a godsend for the traveling RVer. Here's why.

Keeping a long water hose in the rig is always a given, particularly if you frequent RV parks with hookups. But a short coupled water hose, just a few feet long, can make life a whole lot easier when on the road."

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A tip about heating vents in your RV

"Jim Nelson shows you a way to cover one or more of your RV's heating vents to keep debris from falling in and to help control your heating comfort."

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5 Stupid Things I Have Done To Damage My RV

"Here are 5 Stupid Things I Have Done To Damage My RV plus One *Bonus Stupidity Not Done by Me. When You travel enough time in your RV you are bound to eventually do some stupid things. These are my top doh! moments."

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Flea collars keep wasps out

"Wasps like the smell and sweet taste of propane, and will turn the pilot light areas in the refrigeration and water heater compartments into their next home. If too many wasps move in, their condo will clog up the pilot light area and the system won’t work. When the propane is turned on, it could result in not only frying the wasps but also the RV wiring, meaning a potentially expensive service call to the repair shop.

Cut a flea collar in half and lay each half on the bottom of one of the compartments. Wasps don’t like the smell of flea collars and will congregate elsewhere.

Other solutions, such as commercial wasp traps to keep wasps out are available. If wasps have already invaded these compartments, one-shot solutions to get rid of them include dousing them with a cup of soapy dish detergent in water. Wasps reportedly like the smell of beer better than they do propane, so place a half-full can of beer in the compartment. The wasps will crawl into the can to get at the beer and drown."  by Cheryl Probst

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Are surge protectors needed in RVs? And what about extended service plans?

"Dear Gary,
A friend told me about how his 120-volt appliances in his RV fried at a campground in AK. He said a surge protector probably would have prevented a huge bill to replace what was destroyed. Is it a good idea to have a surge protector? Also what are your thoughts on extended service plans?" —Jim G. (Seattle, WA)

Read Gary's response. Posted by The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer

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A Sometimes Overlooked Motor Home Safety Tip

"All motor home owners observe certain procedures prior to taking off from a camp stay. Things like, disconnect all connections, slides in, jacks up, antennas down, and more, are standard rituals they are all accustom to. A vehicle walk around after everything is set, is a good policy and hopefully is done by every RV’er. These often reveal issues that need attention such as open compartments, obstacles beneath the coach or wheels, awnings not locked, etc. A little time spent completing this can save a lot of time and possibly costly repairs later.

Okay, all checks out as ready for the road, but, what about loose items within the coach? Those items like toasters, coffee pots, cutlery and other personal things that we all carry, are they safe? They create little or no danger while driving down the road outside of possibly rattling in harmony with the bumps on the road surface. However, in the case of a sudden deceleration caused by a collision or even a panic braking action, these items can become lethal. The sink with several dishes, knives and forks, can be tossed up and become ballistic household shrapnel.

Many makes of class “A” RV’s do not fair well in a collision, and in some impact instances, the body may practically disintegrate, offering little or no protection for the occupants.  Unlike automobiles, trucks and even buses made today, RV’s do not have to meet the same crash test safety regulations.

But, even if they did, they still pose an added danger that the others generally do not. That is, loose cargo items throughout the interior. These normally harmless pieces will continue their forward travel speed should the vehicle be caused to stop instantly.

So, if you are lucky enough to survive the impact moment of a bad collision, you may still be seriously injured, or worse, from this flying debris. So what can we do to reduce this potential danger? Well, cleaning off the counter and removing items in the sink is a good start. Look for items that would be unimpeded from travelling in a forward motion to the front passenger area.

Be sure any heavy items are secure and would be blocked by a wall or bulkhead towards the direction of travel. If there is nowhere else to store that blender, place it on the floor, preferably without a clear path forward. If you have any forward facing cupboards, use a tie of some type to prevent them from opening in a sudden stop event. These are just some ideas, but each rig is different, as are what people carry with them. Use common sense in how items are stored while travelling.

Now, don’t forget your seatbelts! While your motor home may seem like sitting in a living room, you are travelling in a vehicle that is, not only less maneuverable than your car, but also may possess other possible dangers. Drive safe!"   With an Eye on Safety – Lug_Nut – Peter Mercer

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From me:  This includes your pets. Keep them safe in strapped-down carriers or in a seat belt harness.  A man had his neck broken by a large dog being thrown forward, and beloved animals have escaped through broken windows, never to be seen again.  It is also easier for the medics to tend to passengers if the animals are restrained.

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RV Tips:

Use big enough leveling blocks
"Got leveling blocks for under the tires? Make sure the blocks are big enough that the tire sits completely on the block — not overhanging it. Dually rig owners, BOTH the tires must be supported, not just one."

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Keep your RV food safe

"Food borne illnesses can stop your RVing fun in a big hurry. How can a RV foodie keep this nastiness away? The food safety experts at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center provide a few tips to keep the food fun going."

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Prep your rig to be sales-ready before upgrading to a new RV 
"Is it pristine clean? Do the appliances work? Does it have any off-putting odors? Look at your rig as a new buyer sees it — and take care of its shortcomings before they turn off a prospective buyer. These tips will tell you how."

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Treat your campground neighbors as you would want to be treated.

"Don't play your music so loud that they are forced to listen to it — they may not share your love of Conway Twitty. Would you want to listen to their music? Always be considerate."

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From me:  Standard size sheets v. RV sheets?

Get some sheet grippers.  Available at most dept. stores.

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Adjust the hitch ball height
“Towing with the tongue high (or low) can overload one of your trailer axles.  Set your ball height to level the trailer when attached to the tow vehicle."

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Cleaning the RV shower, sinks and toilet
"Remember that whatever you use to clean the sinks, showers and toilet ends up in the RV holding tanks. Never use any cleaners that could possibly damage the holding tanks. Clean these surfaces with a non-abrasive mild detergent, water and a soft cloth.

Never use any harsh detergents or abrasive cleaners that can scratch or damage ABS, plastic and fiberglass finishes. Some wet wipe products work well on these surfaces, but avoid using bleach." Tech Tips from Mark Polk

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On This Day:

Benny Goodman brings jazz to Carnegie Hall, Jan 16, 1938:

"Jazz has been called "America's classical music," a label that does more than just recognize its American origins. The label also makes the case that jazz is worthy of aesthetic consideration alongside music usually thought of as "classical." In the current era, when programs of Duke Ellington and J.S. Bach often draw the same highbrow crowds, that argument hardly seems controversial. In the 1930s, however, the notion was almost laughable, which is what made Benny Goodman's January 16, 1938, concert at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall so revolutionary. Goodman and his supporting cast claimed a new place for jazz on the American cultural scene that night, in what has come to be seen as the most important jazz concert in history."

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Bush waits for deadline in Iraq, Jan 16, 1991:

"On this day in 1991, President George Herbert Walker Bush waits to see if Iraq will withdraw from Kuwait by midnight, a deadline mandated by the United Nations, or if war will ensue.

On November 29, the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of all means necessary to remove Hussein's forces from Kuwait, giving Iraq the deadline of midnight on January 16 to leave or risk forcible removal.

Just after midnight in the U.S. on January 17, Bush gave the order for U.S. troops to lead an international coalition in an attack on Saddam Hussein's army. U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf led Operation Desert Storm, which began with a massive bombing of Hussein's armies in Iraq and Kuwait.

Following an intense bombing of Baghdad, U.S.-led coalition ground forces marched into Kuwait and across the Iraq border. Regular Iraqi troops surrendered in droves, leaving only Hussein's hard-line Republican Guard to defend the capital. After pushing Hussein's forces out of Kuwait, Schwarzkopf called a ceasefire on February 28 and accepted the surrender of Iraqi generals on March 3."

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Yesterday:

It was a good time to go shopping, mostly for fresh green veggies and pet food.

As Jay is in his own little world of getting drunk, I went by myself.  Ray was taking his son to the doctor. 

After I had dropped off the paper recycling, I  stopped at several thrift shops as I was looking for a food processor.   All I found was a very bulky old one that would not be very practical.  Anyway, it didn't have all the attachments. My small one is great, but lately it seems to have lost it's oomph to mix some things.

Maybe Nala is missing Misty, or maybe she just likes a different bed.  After I put laundered Misty's beds back in place, I found Nala asleep in the one under my bed.  She and Ava actually got within two feet of each other without Ava hissing, so we are making progress.  Nala was here first so she should, in theory, be alpha cat, but senior Ava wants that title.  She doesn't seem to realize that shy, gentle Nala wouldn't want to defend her title, she's a lover not a fighter.

It was a nice sunny day, but very windy. At Kroger's I really had to hang onto my door to stop it from hitting the car next to me, yesterday.

RV Fridge Temps. Grey Water Odors. Trailer Sway. Pull Over. Disasters. Side Shifter. Living With Your Mate. RV Tips. Four Wheels Down. Columbus' Mermaids.

 

For "tRaVersing Thursday" or RV Day:  

How to monitor your RV fridge and freezer temps

"Here's a great way to monitor the temperatures in your refrigerator and freezer, or even the air temperature inside and outside your RV — and all on one portable device."

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How To Control RV Gray Water Odors

"Some effective methods for controlling gray water holding tank odors in your RV"

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How to control travel trailer sway

"RV safety expert Walter Canon discusses trailer sway, a common problem for RVers, and offers suggestions about how to control it."

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Pull over going downhill

"Chuck Woodbury provides a tip that will save you money when pulling over to let faster vehicles pass."

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Are you and your RV prepared if (when) disaster strikes?

"Having a mechanically maintained and fully stocked RV could make a huge difference in the quality of your life following such a disaster. But do you have the skills to live in your RV for an extended time without support such as the hookups you normally take for granted? Obtaining supplies–food, water, and electrical power–may be  impossible due to flooded roads, fallen or damaged bridges and highways,  supplies inaccessible due to damaged or closed stores, power supplies cut off, water mains broken.:  Complete article at: http://blog.rv.net/2013/08/are-you-and-your-rv-prepared-if-when-disaster-strikes/

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Side Shifter - Amazing Invention to make maneuvering 5th Wheel's Easy

"No more accidents or being stuck in hard to maneuver areas. This new invention gives you more maneuverability with 5th Wheel campers or tractor trailers than ever before. You can easily fit into areas that nobody else can!"

If you want to know more visit www.sideshifteronline.com  or call 931-808-3330

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Close-space RV living with your mate

"Thinking about full-time RVing with your significant other? If not fulltiming, how about extended RVing? Anne and I have been together over nine years and lived full-time in an RV for two. Thankfully, we're very compatible and have grown even closer while RVing. We manage to cohabit in 180 square feet of living space. How do we manage it without killing each other?

Test out the lifestyle: If you don't have a rig, rent or borrow an RV and travel for a few weeks and see how it works out. Anne and I took my camper van on several trips of 2-4 weeks and got along good. We knew at that point if we were OK in a small camper van, then we would be great together in a 30-foot fifth wheel.

Division of labor: RVing brings plenty of chores and mundane day-to-day tasks. Sort out who is responsible for what. When each has a clear idea of their responsibilities, the smoother things will go. Some refer to these as pink and blue jobs, with more dirty, outside tasks like sewer dumping being an example of a blue job, and washing the bedding and sheets being pink.

Food: RV living means coping with restricted cupboard and fridge space. We split up the space into combined and separate areas for each of us to have our own foods. I do the bulk of the cooking — this is helpful when it comes to organizing and purchasing the groceries.

Personal space: With space at a premium, it's very important for you to have some personal space. We assign different drawers, cupboards and closets to each other along with some common areas. We also have separate areas for using our computers.

Noise and movement: Two things that can drive the other spouse crazy! In an RV, any type of noise is magnified. You need to be very considerate of the other person. When Anne is writing she likes quiet, so if watching TV I use headphones. The RV being on wheels and springs is prone to shaking as you move around, so we respect when the other is trying to sleep and reduce our movements in the rig.

Away time: Occupying the same space 24/7 can be taxing on a relationship, so plan to give each other some time to be off on their own. Even if it's only a trip by yourself shopping for supplies, to the pool, or getting the oil changed on the truck, a little away time is beneficial.

Don’t stay angry: We get angry with each other from time to time but the trick is to resolve the issue quickly. That’s one nice thing about the tight quarters — it forces you to talk it out and settle a disagreement — there is no place to run and hide. Nip it in the bud and don’t let things fester.

Do-nothing day: Even when traveling and having fun you still need a break once in a while. Every few weeks we have a do-nothing day and just chill out with no plans or chores. This helps reduce the stress that can come from being on the go so much and helps us get along a little better.

Happy Hour!: Each day at around 4-5 p.m. we sit down and discuss the day's events and our plans for the coming ones. This is a great way to relax and stay on the same page." by Ray Burr, loveyourrv.com

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RV Tips:

Trailer stabilizers
"Use a portable electric drill with the appropriately sized socket to run holes up and down your trailer stabilizers. Saves time and frustration. Bringing an extra battery or charger isn't a bad idea — especially on long trips with lots of stops."

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Handy campground caddy
"Drill holes in the bottom of an old ice cream or plastic bucket. Use it to carry shampoo, soap, washcloth, etc., to and from the shower or laundry building."

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Handling putty/butyl tape in hot weather
"Working with putty tape or butyl tape in hot weather? Prepare for frustration as the backing paper will stick to the gooey tape. Better: Put the roll in the freezer for a few minutes — tape peels off backing easily. We store our butyl tape in the freezer for this reason."

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What vehicles can be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome? Information from Edmunds.com

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On This day:

Columbus mistakes manatees for mermaids, Jan 9, 1493:

"On this day in 1493, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, sailing near the Dominican Republic, sees three "mermaids"--in reality manatees--and describes them as "not half as beautiful as they are painted." Six months earlier, Columbus (1451-1506) set off from Spain across the Atlantic Ocean with the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, hoping to find a western trade route to Asia. Instead, his voyage, the first of four he would make, led him to the Americas, or "New World."

Mermaids, mythical half-female, half-fish creatures, have existed in seafaring cultures at least since the time of the ancient Greeks. Typically depicted as having a woman's head and torso, a fishtail instead of legs and holding a mirror and comb, mermaids live in the ocean and, according to some legends, can take on a human shape and marry mortal men. Mermaids are closely linked to sirens, another folkloric figure, part-woman, part-bird, who live on islands and sing seductive songs to lure sailors to their deaths.

Mermaid sightings by sailors, when they weren't made up, were most likely manatees, dugongs or Steller's sea cows (which became extinct by the 1760s due to over-hunting). Manatees are slow-moving aquatic mammals with human-like eyes, bulbous faces and paddle-like tails. It is likely that manatees evolved from an ancestor they share with the elephant. The three species of manatee (West Indian, West African and Amazonian) and one species of dugong belong to the Sirenia order. As adults, they're typically 10 to 12 feet long and weigh 800 to 1,200 pounds. They're plant-eaters, have a slow metabolism and can only survive in warm water.

Manatees live an average of 50 to 60 years in the wild and have no natural predators. However, they are an endangered species. In the U.S., the majority of manatees are found in Florida, where scores of them die or are injured each year due to collisions with boats."

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Yesterday:

It wasn't quite so cold, but when Ray came over we still did inside jobs, and cleaned the ceiling fans and air cleaners. 

As the new long ethernet cable had arrived, we moved my computer desk to the front of my living room by the patio door that goes to the screen porch.  I prefer it there, for the view and watching the birds at the feeder.  But that wasn't going to work as long as I am using the 220v space heater, as the cord is only so long.  My other computer was a flat one and would fit on the desk shelf, but this new one doesn't.

We moved the desk back to the space in between the living room and dining area, and so I am stuck with it there until the new Heat/Air is installed.  As least, as we were moving things around, some areas that were hitherto inaccessible were vacuumed.

Misty my old dog, is obviously unhappy and not having any good quality of life anymore.  She eats, sleeps and goes out, but she is in pain and in a daze.  She and Ava, my 'new' old cat, have an appointment at the vet, but Misty is declining fast, and I don't think she will be coming home with me today.

Big Bend Ranch State Park. Photo Tour, Dec 20-22. Landing and Take Off at BBRSP. Commander at Pearl Harbor Canned. Hyperthermia Cancer Treatment.

 

For "Travel Tuesday", let's visit Big Bend Ranch State Park again, in The Texas Big Bend Country region.

"Named for the Big Bend National Park, the westernmost region of Texas boasts pristine parklands, wide open skies, popular hiking and camping areas, and the beautiful Davis Mountains. Relive the days of the Wild West or experience the international culture of old El Paso. Discover the Park Lands of the Texas Big Bend Country."

Big Bend Ranch State Park

"The ultimate hikers paradise that is fascinating and different each time you visit. The Closed Canyon Trail is one of the few slot canyons in Texas and follows a dry creek bed from the head of the canyon to the Rio Grande. The trail is about a mile and a half, easy going for the first quarter mile, and then gets steeper with rocky drops. The scenery is breathtaking - steep sheer tall cliffs that seem to close in on you, large veins of calcite on the cliff faces, cactus growing sideways from solid rock, and lots more.

 

Over a quarter million acres to horseback ride, raft, mountain bike and camp under a blanket of stars.

Welcome to the Other Side of Nowhere!

Big Bend Ranch State Park offers outdoor recreation for the truly adventurous. This remote park features rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, unparalleled night skies, and solitude in a high desert setting. The park stretches along the Rio Grande in far west Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Things to Do

Visitors can hike, mountain-bike, backpack, paddle, ride horses or explore by vehicle (the park has two- and four-wheel-drive roads). This is Texas’ biggest state park, so there’s a lot to explore!

The park has 238 miles of multiuse trails (for hiking, biking and horseback riding). Visitors can explore 70 miles of unmaintained dirt roads in high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo area offers great day-use access. Visitors can float, fish and hike, or drive the scenic Camino del Rio (FM 170). Each February, the park helps host the Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest. Visit our Activities page to learn more.

Campers can choose from vehicle-accessible, backcountry or equestrian sites. All sites (except backcountry) can be reached by vehicle. Some roads require four-wheel-drive or high clearance. Campsites offer solitude and great vistas; all (except backcountry) offer some camp amenities. Limited lodging and food service are available at the Sauceda Ranch House and Sauceda Bunkhouse.

The park also has a 5,500-foot paved airstrip. If you plan to fly in, call ahead to let park staff know when you will arrive and to get up-to-date information.

Pick up backpacking, camping and river-use permits at the following places. You can also purchase maps and hunting and fishing licenses, as well as find information about the Big Bend region.

• On the east side, near Lajitas:  Barton Warnock Visitor Center
• On the west side, near Presidio:  Fort Leaton State Historic Site
• In the park’s interior:  Sauceda Ranger Station.

For more information on visiting the park:

• El Solitario Newsletter:  Overview and Visitors Guide
• What to do in one day, three days, or one week!
• Policies on Dogs at Big Bend Ranch State Park
• Swimming Safety Tips

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are always needed at Big Bend Ranch State Park. Visit our Volunteer page and keyword search for “Big Bend.”

Ranger Programs

Park rangers lead tours throughout the year. These include hikes and four-wheel-drive trips to learn about archeology, geology and nature. Rangers also lead mountain-biking and photography tours. Call the park at least seven days before your visit to request a tour.

• For more information, visit our Activities page.
• Check the Events page for upcoming activities.
• Ask about the Junior Ranger Explorer Packs available for free checkout at the park!

Commercial Outfitters

Commercial outfitters lead guided tours and rent sports gear. They rent kayaks, canoes and mountain bikes, as well as other camping equipment. Outfitters lead horseback rides, river rafting trips, 4x4 tours, mountain bike tours, campouts, nature and birding hikes, and art and photography classes.

Are you uneasy about tackling this rugged park on your own? Do you want to try a new activity, like mountain-biking? An outfitter may be able to help. Visit our Outfitters page for contact information.

Area Attractions

On your way in or out, stop for a dip in the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool at Balmorhea State Park.

Near Fort Davis, you can visit Fort Davis National Historic Site or Davis Mountains State Park. Learn about desert plants and animals at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center. Enjoy a solar viewing or star party at the McDonald Observatory. You can also tour museums and art galleries, and road bike and hike through scenic areas.

If you like desert quirky, check out Terlingua. Tiny Marfa offers art galleries, mystery lights, and more."  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/big-bend-ranch

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Big Bend Ranch State Park Photo Tour

"Come take a Photo Tour with us to enjoy the true photographic magnificence and backcountry camping of Big Bend Ranch State Park. You will be able to photograph and camp in areas of the park that are only accessible via primitive roads, impassable to all but 4-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicles. Each tour goes to a different location within the park.

When:  Dec 20, 2013 05:00 PM to Dec 22, 2013 01:00 PM

Where: Big Bend Ranch State Park

Contact Name-Blaine Hall. Contact Email: blaine.hall@tpwd.texas.gov 

Phone 432-358-4444

These tours will take you to some of the most rugged, remote, and scenic locations in the park and are intended for photographers who would like to work in the park but lack the proper vehicles for reaching these sites.

Different tours will go to different locations, so join us for more than one! An experienced professional will be available to answer questions and provide help where needed, but there are no classroom activities – just 2 days of uninterrupted photography.

The tour price of $350 includes one night’s lodging at the Bunkhouse, one night’s camping “on location”, all meals, and transportation. Space is limited to 6 photographers – the perfect size for a campfire supper and friendly conversation. Reservations, details, and payment can be made by calling 432-358-4444. The tour fee will need to be pre-paid and is non-refundable.

**Note: you must bring your own camping supplies: tent, cot, sleeping bag, pillow, etc. We are only providing the ride to the location, food, and the atmosphere.

Tour dates are: December 20-22, 2013; March 21-23, 2014; March 28-30, 2014"

Big Bend Ranch Airport, from the east.

The park also has a 5,500-foot paved airstrip. If you plan to fly in, call ahead to let park staff know when you will arrive and to get up-to-date information."

Landing at Big Bend Ranch State Park

"Visiting BBRSP by airplane is the best way to go - overfly the ranch compound to alert them to your presence, and a truck will come out to pick you up."

 

Takeoff from Big Bend Ranch State Park airstrip

 

More at: http://www.tomzap.com/FLIGHTtoBigBendRanch.html

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On This Day:

Commander at Pearl Harbor canned, Dec 17, 1941:

"On this day, Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel was relieved of his command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet as part of a shake-up of officers in the wake of the Pearl Harbor disaster.

Admiral Kimmel had enjoyed a successful military career, beginning in 1915 as an aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He served admirably on battleships in World War I, winning command of several in the interwar period. At the outbreak of World War II, Kimmel had already attained the rank of rear admiral and was commanding the cruiser forces at Pearl Harbor. In January 1941, he was promoted to commander of the Pacific Fleet, replacing James Richardson, who FDR relieved of duty after Richardson objected to basing the fleet at Pearl Harbor.

If Kimmel had a weakness, it was that he was a creature of habit, of routine. He knew only what had been done before, and lacked imagination—and therefore insight—regarding the unprecedented. So, even as word was out that Japan was likely to make a first strike against the United States as the negotiations in Washington floundered, Kimmel took no extraordinary actions at Pearl Harbor. In fact, he believed that a sneak attack was more likely at Wake Island or Midway Island, and requested from Lieutenant General Walter Short, Commander of the Army at Pearl Harbor, extra antiaircraft artillery for support there (none could be spared).

Kimmel's predictability was extremely easy to read by Japanese military observers and made his fleet highly vulnerable. As a result, Kimmel was held accountable, to a certain degree, for the absolute devastation wrought on December 7. Although he had no more reason than anyone else to believe Pearl Harbor was a possible Japanese target, a scapegoat had to be found to appease public outrage. He avoided a probable court-martial when he requested early retirement. When Admiral Kimmel's Story, an "as told to" autobiography, was published in 1955, Kimmel made it plain that he believed FDR sacrificed him—and his career—to take suspicion off himself; Kimmel believed Roosevelt knew Pearl Harbor was going to be bombed, although no evidence has ever been adduced to support his allegation."

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Yesterday:

In the morning, Ray came over to visit for quite a while, just to get away from the hubbub at his house.  He still hasn't been able to get all the matted blood out of his hair from the truck accident.  It will take some scrubbing, which he isn't prepared to do yet, as it hurts too much.

A little while after Ray left, I had a long chat with my ex-daughter-in-law, Becky.  She had a double mastectomy a couple of years ago, only to find out that she is now riddled with cancer all over her body. Right now, she is on chemo again, and she is trying to raise $45K to have full body hyperthermia cancer treatment in Germany.   Well, I had to find out more about it and spent the entire afternoon researching the treatment, and who does it. It works on the same principle as having a fever which is the Lord's way of killing the bad cells. That's a lot of money, but she thinks it is her only chance. 

I did find out that they also do it in the USA, and even have clinical trials near here in Houston.  I printed out a bunch of information about it, and will give it to her when we have lunch together on Friday.

Teach Cats To Play Gently. Baby Pudu. Hairballs. 'Feline Idiopathic Chronic Cystitis'. Battle of the Bulge. Attack on Iraq.

 

For "Mammal Monday":

How To Teach a Kitten to Play Gently

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Cutest Baby Deer Ever

"A baby pudu was born at the Woodland Park Zoo   in Seattle.  Pudus are the smallest deer species in existence and are native to tropical forests of South America.  Our friends at the zoo were kind of enough to post a video of the little guy to YouTube, which is sure to elicit a great big “AWWWWWWWWW!” from anyone who watches it."

More at: http://blog.nwf.org/wildlifepromise/2011/02/cutest-baby-deer-ever/ and other cute babies.

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Reasons Cats Throw Up, Which is NOT Normal, and Ways to Treat a Vomiting Cat, and How to Feed Cats.

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Are Hairballs an Unpleasant Fact of Life for Your Feline?

"There are a number of ways to temporarily remedy a hairball problem -- some more advisable than others -- but if a cat is suffering with frequent hairballs it's important to rule out serious underlying conditions as a possible cause for the digestive disturbance.

This is especially true if the hairballs are a new problem in a mature cat. Sudden GI issues in a middle-aged or senior kitty should always be thoroughly investigated.

Hairballs, known in the scientific community as bezoars or trichobezoars (which certainly doesn't make them sound a bit more appealing), are a common complaint among people owned by cats.

Not only can the problem cause a nasty mess on floors and furniture, it often seems the effort required to regurgitate those gooey masses is very uncomfortable for the poor kitty.

How Do Hairballs Develop?

Hairballs have an obvious cause: kitties swallow a considerable amount of their own hair when they groom themselves. Some cats groom themselves and all the other cats in their household, making the amount of hair they consume enormous.

The rough surface of your cat's tongue is a perfect tool for pulling dead and excess fur from her coat during grooming. Some of that hair gets ingested. Hairballs aren't round; they are typically cylindrical masses of hair, debris from the cat's coat, and undigested bits of food.

Cat owners unfamiliar with hairballs might think their kitty has missed the litter box and pooped elsewhere in the house. As a general rule, a mess resembling poop found in a location away from the litter box is more than likely a hairball. The odor is also a tipoff, as hairballs don't smell like the other stuff.

A cat's digestive system is designed to handle a certain amount of fur, her own and from prey in the wild. But lots of kitties wind up with hairballs due to hair length, shedding patterns, dietary deficiencies, digestive challenges -- or a combination of issues.

Assuming your cat's hairball situation didn't come on suddenly and there are no other signs of illness, I would recommend the following approach to start:

• Make necessary adjustments to his diet to ensure adequate moisture content
• Add an omega-3 supplement
• Brush your cat daily or at least several times a week

What's for Dinner?

If you're feeding your cat dry pet food, she's not getting anywhere near the moisture content her organs need to function well for a lifetime. Dry kibble is not biologically appropriate nutrition for felines, as it lacks two ingredients essential to your kitty's health: moisture and high quality protein.

Your kitty's digestive system is working harder than nature intended to process all that dry stuff, and don't expect her to drink extra water to compensate. Cats get most of the water their bodies need from food. A healthy dog drinks loads of water throughout the day. A healthy cat does not.

If your kitty's diet is low in moisture content, she's living in a state of chronic dehydration. Her GI tract, already moisture-depleted, is less able to transport a mass of swallowed fur and debris than the GI tract of a well-hydrated cat eating a species-appropriate diet.

If your cat has a hairball problem and is eating primarily kibble, the first thing I recommend you do is start transitioning to a biologically appropriate diet.

Healthy Fats = Healthy Cats

The most common nutritional deficiency I see in my practice is lack of essential fatty acids, and omega-3's in particular.

Cats (and dogs) have a nutritional requirement for healthy fats that must be supplied by the food they eat, because their bodies don't produce it – thus the essential nature of these healthy fats.

If your kitty has been eating a diet of commercial pet food, chances are he's been getting more omega-6 fats than he needs, and not enough omega-3's.

A good balance of fatty acids in your cat's diet can make a tremendous positive difference in his health, including:

• Improving immune system response and blood clotting activity
• Reducing inflammatory responses associated with arthritis and bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Decreasing triglyceride and blood cholesterol levels

Research is underway to determine how omega-3 fatty acids impact the development of certain types of pet cancer, as well as their potential to prevent or alleviate autoimmune disorders.

Omega-3 deficiencies in pets have been associated with stunted growth, eye problems, insufficient muscle development and immune system dysfunction.

Sufficient omega-3 fatty acids in your cat's diet can help to improve not only the condition of his skin and fur, but also the ability of his digestive system to manage the hair and debris he swallows while grooming himself.

For a cat up to 14 pounds and in overall good health, I recommend supplementing with 125 mg daily of krill oil. Krill oil is the optimum source of omega-3's for people and pets.

Kitty Hair Care

Just a few minutes a day spent brushing or combing your cat to remove dead, loose hair from her coat will mean fewer hairs swallowed, and fewer hairballs for both of you to deal with. This is especially true if your kitty has long hair, and during shedding season when the weather begins to warm up.

As for what tool you should use to groom your cat -- there are as many opinions as there are varieties of pet brushes and combs on the market.

More Hairball Help

If your cat's hairball problem doesn't resolve or at least dramatically improve with the changes outlined above, you can try one or more of the following remedies:

• Psyllium seed husk powder. Also known simply as psyllium, this powder is made from portions of the seed of the plant Plantago ovate, a native Indian plant. This fiber source is water soluble and becomes mucilaginous when wet, helping to push built up hair along the GI tract. Add the contents of a capsule to a tablespoon of water, then mix in with your cat's food daily.
• Pumpkin. Add a teaspoon of canned or freshly cooked mashed pumpkin to your kitty's food each day. Canned pumpkin (make sure it is 100 percent pumpkin) is a non-grain fiber source that can aid digestion.
• Add a good quality animal-sourced digestive enzyme to your kitty's diet.
• Put a dab of non-petroleum jelly on your fingertip or the tip of your cat's nose. Look for a brand with all natural ingredients, typically slippery elm, marshmallow or papaya. Kitty will lick the jelly, swallow it, and with any luck it will coat the hairball, allowing it to be expelled more easily.

I recommend you avoid grain-based fiber sources, as cats have no biological requirement for grain and the ideal situation for most cats is to eat only what is appropriate for the species.

Never use petroleum jelly or mineral oil for hairballs. It is in many hairball remedies.

I also don't recommend petroleum-based jellies marketed as hairball treatments. These products are widely used and can help with hairballs, but petroleum is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbons, not a nutrient. Too much of it can interfere with the absorption of vitamin A.

Mineral oil is another bad idea -- it can cause pneumonia if inhaled."   Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/08/03/are-hairballs-an-unpleasant-fact-of-life-for-your-feline.aspx

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'Feline Idiopathic Chronic Cystitis' is a big, long name for a very common condition in cats.

Typical Symptoms

"No matter what name it goes by, there are common symptoms seen in all cats with feline idiopathic chronic cystitis, including:

There is straining while urinating. Most cats will be in and out of the litter box frequently in an effort to relieve themselves. They may void some urine with each visit to the box, but they don't feel they can completely empty their bladder in one trip.

The urinary tract is inflamed and irritated, so you might see blood in the urine. It can be either microscopic (meaning you won't see it but it's there, present on a urinalysis), or it can be macroscopic and you'll actually see blood in the litter box.

Cats with the condition are usually in pain, so your cat may cry while trying to urinate. This can be a really aggravating and intensely painful situation for your kitty.

Keep in mind all these symptoms are also typical of a urinary tract infection as well as crystals or bladder stones. It's important to realize if your cat is exhibiting symptoms of feline idiopathic chronic cystitis that you need to determine (with the help of your veterinarian) whether he has an infection or inflammation.

If he has an infection, the treatment will be entirely different from the treatment for bladder inflammation.

Traditional Condition Management

Traditional veterinary medicine does a good job in many regards in managing feline idiopathic chronic cystitis.

The first goal is to increase the cat's water intake. Many kitties don't like to drink still water from a bowl, so some people leave a sink faucet dripping water to entice their cat to drink.

A better idea, in my opinion is a kitty water fountain or bubbler. Cats are attracted to moving or flowing water, so the re-circulating water in a fountain should encourage more drinking. You can spend as little as $12 for one of these fountains all the way up to $100 for a deluxe version.

Another important goal of traditional veterinary medicine in managing feline bladder inflammation is to switch cats eating dry food to canned food, which has a much higher moisture content. Canned cat food contains between 70 and 80 percent water, while dry foods can have as little as 10 percent moisture content.

Feeding your cat only dry, dehydrated food can make her chronically dehydrated as well. Not only does a state of dehydration stress the kidneys, it produces a concentrated, potentially irritating  mineral concentration in the bladder.

Very often eliminating all grains and seafood from your cat's diet will help."   More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/04/19/idiopathic-chronic-cystitis-in-pet-cats.aspx

More on the same subject: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/12/30/pet-cat-litter-box-and-urinating-problems.aspx

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On This Day:

Battle of the Bulge begins, Dec 16, 1944:

"With the Anglo-Americans closing in on Germany from the west and the Soviets approaching from the east, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler orders a massive attack against the western Allies by three German armies.

The German counterattack out of the densely wooded Ardennes region of Belgium took the Allies entirely by surprise, and the experienced German troops wrought havoc on the American line, creating a triangular "bulge" 60 miles deep and 50 miles wide along the Allied front. Conditions of fog and mist prevented the unleashing of Allied air superiority, and for several days Hitler's desperate gamble seemed to be paying off. However, unlike the French in 1940, the embattled Americans kept up a fierce resistance even after their lines of communication had been broken, buying time for a three-point counteroffensive led by British General Bernard Montgomery and American generals Omar Bradley and George Patton.

Fighting was particularly fierce at the town of Bastogne, where the 101st Airborne Division and part of the 10th Armored Division were encircled by German forces within the bulge. On December 22, the German commander besieging the town demanded that the Americans surrender or face annihilation. U.S. Major General Anthony McAuliffe prepared a typed reply that read simply:

"To the German Commander:

Nuts!

From the American Commander"

The Americans who delivered the message explained to the perplexed Germans that the one-word reply was translatable as "Go to hell!" Heavy fighting continued at Bastogne, but the 101st held on.

On December 23, the skies finally cleared over the battle areas, and the Allied air forces inflicted heavy damage on German tanks and transport, which were jammed solidly along the main roads. On December 26, Bastogne was relieved by elements of General Patton's 3rd Army. A major Allied counteroffensive began at the end of December, and by January 21 the Germans had been pushed back to their original line.

Germany's last major offensive of the war had cost them 120,000 men, 1,600 planes, and 700 tanks. The Allies suffered some 80,000 killed, wounded, or missing in action, with all but 5,000 of these casualties being American. It was the heaviest single battle toll in U.S. history."

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Clinton orders air attack on Iraq, Dec 16, 1998:

"On this day in 1998, President Bill Clinton announces he has ordered air strikes against Iraq because it refused to cooperate with United Nations (U.N.) weapons inspectors. Clinton's decision did not have the support of key members of Congress, who accused Clinton of using the air strikes to direct attention away from ongoing impeachment proceedings against him. Just the day before, the House of Representatives had issued a report accusing Clinton of committing "high crimes and misdemeanors" related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, in which Clinton had--and then lied about--an illicit sexual liaison with an intern in the Oval Office.

At the time of the air strikes, Iraq was continuing its attempts to build weapons of mass destruction including nuclear, chemical and biological agents. Fearful of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's belligerence, and his penchant for using those weapons against his own people, the U.N. sent in weapons inspectors in 1997. After repeatedly refusing the inspectors access to certain sites, Clinton resorted to air strikes to compel Hussein to cooperate.

Many in Congress agreed with Republican majority leader Trent Lott that the timing of the air strikes was "suspect" and "cursory." In their opinion, the air strikes were simply a ploy to direct the public's attention away from the impeachment proceedings, and would ultimately prove futile in persuading Hussein to comply with the U.N.'s demands. Lott and his cohorts considered sustained bombardment of Iraq and the direct overthrow of Hussein the only way to end Iraq's weapons program. Clinton, in a televised public address that day brushed aside the criticism, saying that the Iraqi president was wrong if he thought "...the serious debate [on impeachment] would distract Americans or weaken our resolve to face him down." He emphasized that his decision to launch air strikes was critical to America's vital interests and to the security of the world.

Ultimately, the American public's attention, and that of the press, stayed fixated on Clinton and his battle to save his presidency. Both the air strikes and the impeachment threat proved anti-climactic. Clinton was acquitted by the Senate in February 1999 and the air strikes on Iraq failed to intimidate Hussein into allowing weapons inspectors full access to Iraq's weapons facilities."

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Yesterday:

Jay called to say that he would drive up here on his ATV.  But when he hadn't shown up by 10.00am, I started doing other things, like trying to find a suitable Heat/Air solution for these two houses.

I was in touch with several contractors about mini-split systems which seem like a very good solution.  http://www.energystar.gov/certified-products/detail/ductless_heating_cooling.  Even better and more economical to operate than regular central heat/air, which I don't want anyway.  All that dirty, energy-wasting, space-consuming ductwork in my attics doesn't appeal to me at all.

Just as I was on a live chat with Home Depot mini-split contractor, Jay shows up on his ATV with a teen neighbor of his.  Jay said that he had brought the teen up here to rake my yard. I didn't ask for that to be done. Jay knows that I don't want other people around here, especially as Jay had opened the big garage door, and I have too many tools in there. 

Jay wanted the teen to use my tools to get to his ATV battery, and put my distilled water in it.  Then he wanted to use my tire inflator. He was ordering the teen around in such a nasty way that I knew that Jay had been into something, and I wanted him out of here.  I had to stop what I was doing and watch them like a hawk.  Then I counted all the sockets in the set before I put it away, and pulled the workshop door down again.  They still didn't leave right away, as Jay plugged his battery charger into my house so that the ATV would start. 

So I had to start the live chat all over again, and then caught up on other jobs, like laundry, made a list of the free stuff that I need from my health insurance catalog, ordered krill oil for the animals, a long Ethernet cable and a padded toilet seat.  Time went all too quickly, so much for yesterday.