tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294147032024-03-07T04:56:34.833-04:00A Summer's Day"Living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower"
Hans Christian AndersonSummerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.comBlogger641125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-30777911595154091522014-11-30T15:29:00.005-04:002014-11-30T15:29:59.306-04:00It's Been How Long????I gave up my blog after many years but today for some reason I looked at it. It seems like commenting on Facebook was easier than blogging but sometimes I want to say more than I want to on FB. So maybe I'll start blogging again. Should I or shouldn't I, that is the question.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-72343521630897607412013-08-06T13:48:00.004-04:002013-08-06T13:48:32.640-04:00Pond Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind our house is a small man made pond that the builder put in when he started to develop the land. We assumed that there are no fish in it because no one stocked it. Each night we enjoy listening to the bullfrogs croaking and they croak all night long. I never realized that they're nocturnal. This summer we've had a great blue heron visit the pond. Yesterday I was being lazy, I didn't want to get out of bed so I was reading. I happen to look out the window to the pond and saw this bird.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't sure what kind of bird it was but suddenly mom flew out of the cattails. The little bird followed her but flew very clumsily and just made it across the pond. It sort of looked like a heron but shorter and stockier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A few minutes later they flew back to the original side they were on. The fledgling is in the foreground and mom is in the background. She was teaching it how to get food. After some research I discovered that they are green herons. They live in this part of New York state only in the summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Later in the day our resident great blue heron showed up </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">wondering what she was going to have for dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the menu was bullfrog. She held it in her beak for a good five minutes dipping it back into the water a few times. After dinner she went for a leisurely stroll along the edge of the pond.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Also at the pond yesterday was a female banded kingfisher. She dove head first into the pond and came up with a fish that I didn't know was there. She went up into a tree to eat her snack but she dropped it down into the weeds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so lucky to live here.</span></div>
Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-10403108990678410042013-05-29T11:31:00.000-04:002013-05-29T11:31:40.811-04:00<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> It's been three weeks since my knee was replaced and honestly it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> This is what the doctor installed. I saw one at a joint class and was surprised how heavy it was. The new joint cost anywhere between 4 to 8 thousand dollars!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktHLPE3CP8IgDDnchFW2FxUP6hVVX3E27mcHSojjxPYEnpCwfKfSJTDpLsOvNdiOEuUYxRUbVx143z88uyfFCI-4SHnAI1DUjabEiDXAMt0uD158E285Tamg_jL4B1gnZmosd/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktHLPE3CP8IgDDnchFW2FxUP6hVVX3E27mcHSojjxPYEnpCwfKfSJTDpLsOvNdiOEuUYxRUbVx143z88uyfFCI-4SHnAI1DUjabEiDXAMt0uD158E285Tamg_jL4B1gnZmosd/s320/before.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Waiting to go into the operating room.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I really wasn't too nervous about the surgery, I was at the point where I couldn't wait to have it done. I was more nervous about the anesthesia. I didn't have a general but a spinal, a nerve block and some twilight sleeping stuff. They said I may hear the doctor during surgery but wouldn't remember it. I remember nothing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I had to initial the knee that was being replaced but as I told my orthopedist it didn't matter if he did the other one in error, they are both the same, bone on bone.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The next day. If you have general anesthesia they have you up out of bed and walking that same day. If you have what I had you have to wait til the next day because your leg is still numb. So this was the next day. I sent this picture to my kindergartners.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Twenty one staples later here it is. They were removed 13 days later and it's looking pretty good. My recovery has been going well. Apparently I'm way above where I should be in my PT. I'm young (for a knee replacement) and I have a high pain tolerance. The absolute worse thing was a short bout of post op depression. That lasted about 10 days and I was miserable. Thank god I'm over that and am so lucky, some people suffer for much, much longer with it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So one knee down, one to go. But not for at least 8-12 months.</span></span><br />
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Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-85615284683956988072013-05-01T19:00:00.003-04:002013-05-01T19:00:27.619-04:00I Robot<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I've had knee trouble since I was in my 30's. I really can't remember a time when I didn't have issues with them. I'd watch people run or jump and think , "Gee, I can't do that." Finally at age 40 I had an MRI and x rays My orthopedist told me he had good news and bad news. The good news was that I was only 40, the bad news; I had the knees of an 80 year old. Not only that, my knee caps were rotting away on the underside of them. Great.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For years I had shots of some medicine with 25 letters in it under my kneecap. I hated it. The doctor kept telling me I was too young for a knee replacements. Fast forward to 2012. It was getting harder and harder to walk without a hitch in my giddy up as hubby called it. I really noticed pain while trying to Christmas shop in December. It got to the point that even when I wasn't using my knees they hurt. They hurt when I rolled over in bed at night. I had become bow legged, not a good look. My hips were bothering me. I had to get a freakin' handicap tag. Ugh. I try not to use it, I just don't want to feel like I need it. Denial I guess. If there are spots within 5-7 spaces of one I'll park there not in the marked parking. I figure there must be someone older and more handicapped that could use the spot.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I decided it was time to see the doctor again and this time the x rays told the story. Both knees were bone on bone.It was time. On May 7 I will be having my right knee replaced with the left to follow within a year. Below is what they will be using.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatdzSYjMCD4NKX5jvJeFYs6sQGMSnvWzu5SPhFehjJIx_vMo7IN9QN1jlcohHK6ut__UI9RCfjmLSwILqK_dGMAWiC58zvIsZx6I_5ejtAJKhmRuTlgKridpBHNkss5IAcuat/s1600/knee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatdzSYjMCD4NKX5jvJeFYs6sQGMSnvWzu5SPhFehjJIx_vMo7IN9QN1jlcohHK6ut__UI9RCfjmLSwILqK_dGMAWiC58zvIsZx6I_5ejtAJKhmRuTlgKridpBHNkss5IAcuat/s400/knee.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I'm happy to be doing it but not looking forward to the recovery. It'll be fine in the long run and I'll be a good girl and do all my rehab. I've seen first hand what happens when you don't follow through with it. My last surgery was brutal (36 inches of incision and over 450 stitches) and I hope this one will be easier. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazva8B-eV058DpcY5LM78U4j5lEUMuJC2WssZ0II1VJaHvgD7LCFffntDrjRp40IG4wDFh6QZnVxY26xphCArgW8-PRWR4Lg8z8EO7vqoAspKWIbEkHZ0r3wqZxoB-7gW3k7s/s1600/xray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazva8B-eV058DpcY5LM78U4j5lEUMuJC2WssZ0II1VJaHvgD7LCFffntDrjRp40IG4wDFh6QZnVxY26xphCArgW8-PRWR4Lg8z8EO7vqoAspKWIbEkHZ0r3wqZxoB-7gW3k7s/s400/xray.jpg" width="394" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This isn't my x ray but what mine will look like when this is finished. I told my kindergartners that I was having this done and that I wouldn't be back to school until they are in first grade. I gave them the very basics of what the doctor will do. One little boy was so excited and blurted out, "Awesome, you'll have a robot knee! Will you be able to tell it what to do?" My first step on becoming a cyborg.</span></span></div>
Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-29112926121845590202013-03-20T14:13:00.001-04:002013-03-20T14:20:24.711-04:00A Tragic Holiday <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've had this entry waiting to be posted for a while and finally decided to do it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the early morning hours of December 24, 2012 a fire alarm was called in for a house fire on Lake Rd. The first engine to respond was from the West Webster station of the Webster Fire Department which were then fired upon by an assailant injuring 2 firefighters, Ted Scardino and Joseph Hofstetter and killing 2 others Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpK4Rg5XvOE4aTXS8QdbvJDrtFMKp2VBec5gDuHBhiekQerwPF6s_-KuXIl3urZ3xnXeUEIfF4sLSX-9O3GUxtmkn1SA0e0d5ij6c-nG2o39VB4QX2kOVECKtyhhLKso7lJ6x/s1600/fd8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpK4Rg5XvOE4aTXS8QdbvJDrtFMKp2VBec5gDuHBhiekQerwPF6s_-KuXIl3urZ3xnXeUEIfF4sLSX-9O3GUxtmkn1SA0e0d5ij6c-nG2o39VB4QX2kOVECKtyhhLKso7lJ6x/s400/fd8.jpg" width="318" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lt. Michael "Chip" Chiapperini was 43 years old. He was a son, a husband, a father and hero. He had 3 children, the oldest is Nick age 19 who is also in the West Webster Fire Dept. Nick was working in the dept that morning as an ambulance dispatcher and got the call for his father and Tomasz. Two little girls also called Chiapperini daddy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lt. Chiapperini was a 25 year member of the WWFD
and past Chief. Seven weeks prior to his murder he travelled to NYC to
help with the clean up from hurricane Sandy and just two weeks before
his death he was named Firefighter of the Year. Chiapperini
was a mentor to young people who wanted to be firefighters and was in
charge of the Explorer program in the department. Remember that he was a
volunteer in his service to the WWFD; his paying job was in the Webster Police Dept. where he was also a Lieutenant. Two public services lost a valuable member that day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomasz Kaczowka was just 19 years old when he was murdered. On the morning of December 24, 2012 he was standing in for firefighters with families who were spending time together during the holiday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomasz was a dedicated young man and mature beyond his years. He spent 3 years in the WWFD Explorer program under the tutelage of Lt. Chiapperini. It was there that he met his best friend Nick Chiapperini. When Tomasz turned 18 he joined the department as a full fledged firefighter. His paying job was as an overnight dispatcher for the 911 Emergency Dispatch Center in Rochester, NY. Tomasz was the youngest person on the job and was referred to as "every one's little brother". He often brought in desserts made by his mother. Tomasz was proud of his Polish heritage and his church. Several weeks earlier he and his father decorated the Church for the Christmas season. For many teens at that age it's all about them but not Tomasz. It was said that he was "unselfish with his time and gave freely of himself". </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Above is Tomasz in his glory; talking to little ones about firefighting,<span style="font-size: small;"> telling them</span> not to be afraid of a firefighter in a fire. Call to them or come to them if you can. They may sound like Darth Vader with the breathing apparatus but they will help you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomasz Kaczowka and Lt. Michael Chiapperini</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The following are pictures that I took as we stood on the side of the road to pay our respects as Lt. Chiapperini's funeral procession passed by on the way to the service.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Calling hours for both men and the funeral for Lt. Chiapperini were held in the local high school auditorium.
A large space was needed for all the people to attend. On the day and
evening of the calling hours over 5,000 people waited in the freezing
cold to enter and honor these men. Thousands attended the funeral for Chiapperini, the auditorium was full as well as the cafeteria and classrooms where it was watched on CCTV. It was also live on local TV. I didn't see it because we were along the procession route.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a side note I've been up several times in the ladder truck while on our yearly field trips to the fire house with my kindergartners. It was fun and the view was great but I would never want to be a firefighter, too scary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Outside the school fire equipment could be seen lining both sides from all over the area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lt. Chiapperini's body is on the truck with an honor guard of fellow firefighters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of which was his son Nick. As the truck rolled by Nick took the time to raise his hand in acknowledgment of us standing in the bone numbing cold. That would make his father proud.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Webster Fire Department is no stranger to us. My sister's husband has been a member since I've know him, over 20 years. This is him driving the truck from his firehouse. We've gone to countless parades, carnivals, turkey raffles and fund raisers for the department and in our new home this is <i>our</i> fire department now.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Both of these senseless murders have affected our towns and city but for some reason the death of Tomasz Koczowka has hit me harder. Maybe because I have two boys myself not that much older. He was so young and had so little life experience. He'd not known the love of a wife or his own child. He was a kid himself. This picture is so heartbreaking to me. You may not be able to see what it is but parked inside his fire house behind all the flowers is his jeep that he loved and was so proud of. I know first hand how young men love their car. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomasz's funeral was held the day after Chiapperini's on a smaller scale. It was held at his church St. Stanislaus, in the city where there wasn't the room to park. His best friend Nick accompanied him on the truck as he did for his father the previous day. I watched on TV and cried like a baby.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On that fateful morning Tomasz awoke to a 6 AM call for a house and car fire on Lake Rd. He jumped out of bed, into the pumper truck being driven by Lt. Chiapperini
and away they went. Upon arrival they were fired upon as they exited
the truck and killed almost immediately. Meanwhile firefighters Scardino and Hofstetter
were wounded but miraculously were able to take cover and call for
help. They were rescued by armored vehicle but it would be hours before
anyone got close to their fallen comrades.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Go <a href="http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2876697.shtml">here</a> if you want to know more about what happened that morning. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Go <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/firefighters-shot-killed-trap-webster-ny-blaze/story?id=18055594">here</a> if you want to know more about the killer. I'll not publish his name nor give him any publicity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The surrounding towns have been very helpful in this tragedy, other fire companies provided back up and have covered for the Webster Fire Department. Residents donated food, money and time. I don't think any fire fighter or police officer that came into town for calling hours or funeral had to pay for their hotel room or meals. <a href="http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Visiting-Firefighters-Offered-Free-Hotel-Rooms/-n1Gd6R8RUC3x3njj_s7tQ.cspx?autoplay=1">People paid for hotel rooms</a>, donated gift cards to restaurants and paid for fire fighter's dinners when they were seen out and about in town.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One good thing that has come out of this horror is an organization called Operation 12.24</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This description is from their facebook page:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Resulting from the tremendous outpouring of goodwill and acts of
kindness after the tragic West Webster ambush this project seeks to
encourage generosity, volunteerism and charitable initiatives. One of
our primary missions is to assist and encourage attendance at funeral
services in the wake of line of duty deaths in the uniformed services.
We do this by organizing direct donations of hotel room stays and other
comforts.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have a facebook account check out these two pages:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Operation 12.24 and Prays and Support for Webster Firefighters</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'll end this post with a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B7vwMs8aKlY#!">link</a> to a tribute video to the West Webster Fire Dept.</span></span></div>
Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-20509373363562647532013-02-21T12:39:00.001-04:002013-02-21T12:39:53.922-04:00Long Time No See<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> So when I last left this blog we had sold our home of 29 years and moved in with my parents while our new house was being built.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8GtoMeRG1Pez43WPw6Scv3r0qMlrqZu6UtNtPq_IIpeERCL5XjuEKy_UVk5yfzqNdErihL42qMdDkbDDntR4_BPrwEI79REiJh6wQPFk4Lb0Q5yxc9N_UNIUAmLyTpvtN4l9/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+559xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8GtoMeRG1Pez43WPw6Scv3r0qMlrqZu6UtNtPq_IIpeERCL5XjuEKy_UVk5yfzqNdErihL42qMdDkbDDntR4_BPrwEI79REiJh6wQPFk4Lb0Q5yxc9N_UNIUAmLyTpvtN4l9/s400/zzzzzzzzz+559xx.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here we are just before ground was broken for the basement in July.The process of building a house was much easier than I thought it would be. The hardest part was staying in budget but as far as picking everything out we pretty much knew what we wanted. Of course I didn't get everything I wanted, I had to compromise but it worked out. We closed on Halloween so start to finish it took about 120 days start to finish.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDMo9eCYloaRaYzQeVPGlkgnvoGelqs-IV5Icsp76iy1WO7ScTMyNe3nAo_s5FFfeCGaNEw6eqskm76CJMHn35NcHljM4WerMO-ZCom8QWZbNNnugfZq-1jprSAAhfxpry4X7/s1600/housexxx+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDMo9eCYloaRaYzQeVPGlkgnvoGelqs-IV5Icsp76iy1WO7ScTMyNe3nAo_s5FFfeCGaNEw6eqskm76CJMHn35NcHljM4WerMO-ZCom8QWZbNNnugfZq-1jprSAAhfxpry4X7/s400/housexxx+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Other than settling into our new home nothing else is new. I feel bad I abandoned this blog for a while but maybe no one really noticed. Well one person did (hi Gman)</span></span>.</div>
Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-46931846677796453122012-06-08T22:56:00.000-04:002012-06-08T22:56:19.668-04:00Going, going, almost gone...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After living in our home for 29 years, raising our two sons and several dogs we've decided to sell our house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC8w_pWLFrHgr0QgNA_MH_LvTOcTxYygzCyuFuZv5on_RDJWM6yA1mhn2mUkjyNfY8J0yEAxYh9uxm5tgHjAeFiPiXhAYQ-_fC2rtYxTX4Yd4fRZu9fBuHyeOPLku3VNxiQnJ/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC8w_pWLFrHgr0QgNA_MH_LvTOcTxYygzCyuFuZv5on_RDJWM6yA1mhn2mUkjyNfY8J0yEAxYh9uxm5tgHjAeFiPiXhAYQ-_fC2rtYxTX4Yd4fRZu9fBuHyeOPLku3VNxiQnJ/s640/house.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've thought about it off and on for the last several years but when push came to shove I couldn't do it. Too many memories, this is the only house my children have ever known. I remember years ago when my parents moved out of my childhood home; I hated that. It was a sad day and I didn't even live at home anymore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Hubby and I were married just a year when we bought this house. We've cycled through countless remodels and paint jobs over the years. Hubby is very handy and has put down three tile floors, one hardwood floor and installed carpet. He's replaced our bathtub, toilets, done a glass tile back splash, built a beautiful oak banister going upstairs so there's a lot of sweat equity here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tipping point finally came now that my knees are getting pretty bad. Every where you go in our house you have to climb stairs. That and I've realized that your house is just a place to live in, no matter where you are if you're with someone you love its home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We aren't moving far, maybe 15 minutes away into a new subdivision. The new place will be just a little smaller but will have everything I want once its built; a bathroom off the master bedroom, one level, first floor laundry, open floor plan and what Hubby is most excited about, a two car garage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our current house is almost sold, waiting on their banks appraisal and mortgage commitment. We can't put the shovel in the ground until that happens. The buyers want to close at the end of July and our new place won't be ready. We'll be living with my parents for about 2-3 months.</span></span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-35469010896787348212012-05-26T13:15:00.003-04:002012-05-26T14:02:34.757-04:00The Real World<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My recent college graduate got a job!
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<span style="font-size: large;">And a new wardrobe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> He starts Tuesday as a paralegal at a law firm in downtown Rochester.</span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-18329130220241320022012-05-21T21:27:00.000-04:002012-05-26T14:08:33.056-04:00Class of 2012<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjX2h5JW5z3yHMfJ9ZnZV2jXwmByF6RVNY2NdMfEiiUP12VKZ18DViTPo9uLeKtFGElLJpcmGGClVOhTHnPOeZhqKHD-wP0LT1QDgHn-nlqx6JfA9-V3zoRs-rDv4U_np-M8l/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+405xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjX2h5JW5z3yHMfJ9ZnZV2jXwmByF6RVNY2NdMfEiiUP12VKZ18DViTPo9uLeKtFGElLJpcmGGClVOhTHnPOeZhqKHD-wP0LT1QDgHn-nlqx6JfA9-V3zoRs-rDv4U_np-M8l/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+405xx.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tis the season all over the country for high school and college graduations. Our youngest son Cameron graduated from college last week end cum laude with a degree in English. The ceremony was held outside and the weather couldn't have been better; warm and sunny with a nice breeze. They told the students to dress comfortably for the weather and he did; t shirt, shorts and sneakers.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VZTeeaF7Hk5jJGQocjeuhkTjKFFHsmVN2OaWXnzlqwF9p8P-dbo86ZZKfdxmkXRO_RQpCbXy31B_bMOl_mu3HR60uWd7x19vaZlijow1shQrKyMDhHfa2MsMAtMbXk88qQWe/s1600/DSC04509x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VZTeeaF7Hk5jJGQocjeuhkTjKFFHsmVN2OaWXnzlqwF9p8P-dbo86ZZKfdxmkXRO_RQpCbXy31B_bMOl_mu3HR60uWd7x19vaZlijow1shQrKyMDhHfa2MsMAtMbXk88qQWe/s1600/DSC04509x.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A boy and his dog on the day he left home for his freshman year in college.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuidPQjE2h7Wgl6IUB4-lmi4MvXaPdHgus6Rke6XIV8cQfb8vFxO7ssN1irEDKHVJigf9cjxjb_YFGbrmDg8VN7juA6vAEz4OGz0EQyzNb0W5veB9mFzG0mKN8wgIFRzfC9iqc/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+412xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuidPQjE2h7Wgl6IUB4-lmi4MvXaPdHgus6Rke6XIV8cQfb8vFxO7ssN1irEDKHVJigf9cjxjb_YFGbrmDg8VN7juA6vAEz4OGz0EQyzNb0W5veB9mFzG0mKN8wgIFRzfC9iqc/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+412xx.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Four years later; a man and his dog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K7AS4Uj8ozi_kDI3rjejE9vpUT664kFlTkQeqQVIA6akP4_zSag2qxYSCW1C2TPGrk2pscHUn8Fyv04wi66MSw1RakmT6nYUx87QvNB4m34Q_MNpBlPa43H2LTu9-YtfKBK8/s1600/IMG_7907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K7AS4Uj8ozi_kDI3rjejE9vpUT664kFlTkQeqQVIA6akP4_zSag2qxYSCW1C2TPGrk2pscHUn8Fyv04wi66MSw1RakmT6nYUx87QvNB4m34Q_MNpBlPa43H2LTu9-YtfKBK8/s1600/IMG_7907.JPG" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Four years ago he fell asleep at his brothers college graduation. Four years later his brother stayed awake but played scramble with some friends. Not that he was the only one, Cameron played a few games of it with his cousin during the ceremony while names were being read and students were walking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuQ6QKcG3un3uWWUwFUJZIosvWagIkq0mxHP8yYuMK9_DNwR_4pYimwSgE-YgmtNpl4Er-FePaC1KWsa0aVQWcNc8udAJ9iWWSGj_Aol5uxlsvnsGOkLtSmK8HCeq_2VO5oKu/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+384xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuQ6QKcG3un3uWWUwFUJZIosvWagIkq0mxHP8yYuMK9_DNwR_4pYimwSgE-YgmtNpl4Er-FePaC1KWsa0aVQWcNc8udAJ9iWWSGj_Aol5uxlsvnsGOkLtSmK8HCeq_2VO5oKu/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+384xx.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sniffle, sniff during Pomp and Circumstance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can hardly believe that I am the mother of two college graduates. How time flies!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">And now a message to all graduates about spell check; it doesn't catch all mistakes. I've experienced that several times but the most memorable had to be when I sent a note home to the parents of my kindergartners. What should have been a simple note turned embarrassing. I wanted to use the word inconvenience and I spelled it wrong. Relying on spell check I just clicked on the first word that came up. Here was my sentence - "I'm sorry for any incontinence this may have caused".</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"> That pales in comparison to the spelling blunder made by the University of Texas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKVjCxx6G4Xpc82_927WsX-FVGeWnzs2QCHRZa95FQL1uycEnHzhTiteMNmeEztq9KyPve6XKtvR6t6LjMfVVx5QMcUIpzhlFZlCnC9BEtp2ptcN2lXQc5KFKLeZHhBJp904H/s1600/LBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKVjCxx6G4Xpc82_927WsX-FVGeWnzs2QCHRZa95FQL1uycEnHzhTiteMNmeEztq9KyPve6XKtvR6t6LjMfVVx5QMcUIpzhlFZlCnC9BEtp2ptcN2lXQc5KFKLeZHhBJp904H/s320/LBJ.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can you spot the spelling error that I'm positive didn't come up during spell check.</span></div>
<br />Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-45175598828497587492012-05-08T18:27:00.002-04:002012-05-26T14:08:33.058-04:00Ants<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Some people will fore go planting the very fragrant and beautiful peony in their garden because they attract ants.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPy0wbN_kQdBqchrhrxgy4X2fu7LWY6SraqqZeWZM1Ga0zgEAWFkzwFpUqsGaNNbQ02_4gmAqHEJy_0jj9NdhrnW_rA67P_6gFaN2QgDRyIChhuHoM23loy7NUV9llg3GyQBMV/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+253xx.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPy0wbN_kQdBqchrhrxgy4X2fu7LWY6SraqqZeWZM1Ga0zgEAWFkzwFpUqsGaNNbQ02_4gmAqHEJy_0jj9NdhrnW_rA67P_6gFaN2QgDRyIChhuHoM23loy7NUV9llg3GyQBMV/s320/zzzzzzzzz+253xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5740292929052691122" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">It's true; they do attract ants but only for a short while. While in the bud stage the peony secrets a sweet sap or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nectar</span> that the ants love to dine on.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXl-j9-wvfUuQA7CAhOnEHq3_xSieOesQ0kxpjX7cK7j3hddwd0sKjZR5ZAaz_2wgYAQ3P9vsnP8tGpJ8WAOVTOops1jISK5wScNP8V0Z9AcPKxrdgZeArGhvRl6yo8PgxOyr/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+251xx.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXl-j9-wvfUuQA7CAhOnEHq3_xSieOesQ0kxpjX7cK7j3hddwd0sKjZR5ZAaz_2wgYAQ3P9vsnP8tGpJ8WAOVTOops1jISK5wScNP8V0Z9AcPKxrdgZeArGhvRl6yo8PgxOyr/s320/zzzzzzzzz+251xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5740292932160008114" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Once the flower has bloomed the ants hit the road. If by chance you still have a few in the flower and you'd like to cut it for inside just shake the flower or dip the flower in a buck of water and the ants will swim out.<br /><br />It's a myth that peonies need ants to bloom, not true, they'll bloom with or without the ants. Most of the time where you find peonies you'll find ants enjoying a sweet little snack.<br /></span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-59702831520826828582012-05-04T16:02:00.001-04:002012-05-26T14:08:33.062-04:00<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the remains of <a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2012/05/wife_witnessed_death_of_us_arm.html">Captain Bruce K. Clark</a>
who was killed in Afghanistan this week arriving at Dover Air Force
Base. He was skyping with his wife on Tuesday, May 1 when he was shot and killed. Yes, I said <i>while they were video chatting.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcTcZ88ipib3-Kt9TSarEI34vzKMDgU9EWIxuwssxsEy_iiBh45ElTb7cfRMxNXeHon8aUCbPvcXqxXR1blBtmSkC_Hv4bnwN_r8boh_aBW5AMxLxau6d1VyTy1xgVb6tMZNvYQ/s1600/clark.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcTcZ88ipib3-Kt9TSarEI34vzKMDgU9EWIxuwssxsEy_iiBh45ElTb7cfRMxNXeHon8aUCbPvcXqxXR1blBtmSkC_Hv4bnwN_r8boh_aBW5AMxLxau6d1VyTy1xgVb6tMZNvYQ/s400/clark.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hhM87OwHcR3FRzoxOVnxswKkrHLOE2HqGjuFHZ3uicvLh3Tr0SsWb_Ghx633sQzhyphenhyphensmzP0vuqVJ_FIt7teCmLnC0Y6Ai9mSy1Yma6uaG6v6jRSxfhkrmbQa-73sqi1BDdqRh/s1600/clark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hhM87OwHcR3FRzoxOVnxswKkrHLOE2HqGjuFHZ3uicvLh3Tr0SsWb_Ghx633sQzhyphenhyphensmzP0vuqVJ_FIt7teCmLnC0Y6Ai9mSy1Yma6uaG6v6jRSxfhkrmbQa-73sqi1BDdqRh/s400/clark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found out these
details on Tuesday morning although the general public found out 3 days later. Why was the Army so slow in reporting this? How did I know? The parent of one of my kindergartners.
She arrived late to pick up her daughter at 11:30 hysterical
after having just talked to her sister in Texas. Captain Clark was married to her sister and is my student's uncle. No other information has been
released at this time. I spoke with the parent today and the Army is
still investigating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Such a sad sad story as
any soldier's death is but how many of us would want to witness their
loved one's murder. I say murder because what else can it be? Friendly
fire? Someone cleaning their gun? I just feel so bad for this man and
his family left behind.</span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-11829727044575273812012-04-12T14:07:00.001-04:002012-05-26T14:08:33.055-04:00Smile<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While my son was here with his girlfriend we took them to the George Eastman House. That name may sound familiar to you because he was the founder of Eastman Kodak right here in my home town of Rochester, New York. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little history lesson; Eastman decided to go on a trip and wanted to take pictures but was put off by all the equipment and work it took to actually take them. He was a tinkerer and eventually in 1884 Eastman invented and patented the first film in roll form. Four years later he introduced the first roll film camera and used the slogan <i>"You push the button, we do the rest." </i> In 1892 Eastman Kodak Company was created and photography for the masses was available. After taking your photos and the film was used up you mailed it to the company in Rochester NY where the pictures would be developed, printed and returned to you along with new roll of film. I can remember doing this as late as the 1970's before drugstores offered the service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A huge advancement in the venture of photography was the invention of flexible transparent film devised and manufactured by Eastman Kodak. This film was used by Eastman's friend Thomas Edison in his early trials of the motion picture camera and eventually used to film movies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">George Eastman was a very successful inventor and businessman despite dropping out of school at age 15 to help support his family. His father died of a brain illness when he was 7 and later one of his sisters died of polio. In the last years of his own life he suffered from spinal stinosis. Durning Eastman's lifetime he was a quiet philanthropist and donated over 100 million dollars, mostly under the alias of Mr. Smith to organizations promoting good health and higher education. Eastman realized the value of a good education and his largest donations went to the <a href="http://www.rochester.edu/" style="color: lime;">University of Rochester</a>,<a href="http://www.rit.edu/overview/"> Rochester Institute of Technology</a>, <a href="http://web.mit.edu/" style="color: lime;">Massachusetts Institution of Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.tuskegee.edu/home.aspx">Tuskegee Institute</a>, <a href="http://www.hamptonu.edu/about/history.cfm" style="color: lime;">Hampton Institute</a>, Rochester Dental Dispensary, and several European dental
clinics. He loved music but couldn't play an instrument and established the <a href="http://www.esm.rochester.edu/90th/">Eastman School of Music</a> <a href="http://www.schoolaah.com/Music.htm" style="color: lime;">one of the top music schools in the United States.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On March 14, 1932 at age 74 George Eastman met with several people to go over his will and wishes and later that day committed suicide. His suicide note was short and to the point, "To my friends, My work is done, why wait".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still with me? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's go on a tour of The Eastman House. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L01PR76aBld59-gKJ9RR_8aZ1VTvOk7TWZHd0BoIn7vYpbCgPH21YiXowynPlk6-7rKBTLW9loBTp47wfqNdOX5AJyfejzXi47d6vZdOWgZ5XzjZUbyQTQx7KBlMctveE4-c/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L01PR76aBld59-gKJ9RR_8aZ1VTvOk7TWZHd0BoIn7vYpbCgPH21YiXowynPlk6-7rKBTLW9loBTp47wfqNdOX5AJyfejzXi47d6vZdOWgZ5XzjZUbyQTQx7KBlMctveE4-c/s320/zzzzzzzzz+087.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Camera marketed to children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGMYsy4JQtk2TXHUu_roJm09aX-RRKaPeN2-IvlxBewBOPxZH1AKHvPgGEs0RaeeVxJQ53-SdPZlHT2KOzAWolRD-FMR_AJQEdsIaxvlO_J0BXnQmGEZwr7fdsxPogIhhJs-N/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+088xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGMYsy4JQtk2TXHUu_roJm09aX-RRKaPeN2-IvlxBewBOPxZH1AKHvPgGEs0RaeeVxJQ53-SdPZlHT2KOzAWolRD-FMR_AJQEdsIaxvlO_J0BXnQmGEZwr7fdsxPogIhhJs-N/s320/zzzzzzzzz+088xx.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hasCaption">This
is a three strip technicolor camera from 1932. Gone With The Wind and
The Wizard of Oz were filmed on this kind of camera. The Eastman House
has the negatives from these films in their archive vault.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yZ3OBGvJY5TIjn4935GTUl4SjNjH_IcoBdcAozcZcXhB-3PGDBw5nMIYAcfObju2Wtr82ZJBCVun7bLWxaGbVTADBcdLP35XEa_qvusV4BeiOowcj0uGVazIGE-4oL03KRKJ/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yZ3OBGvJY5TIjn4935GTUl4SjNjH_IcoBdcAozcZcXhB-3PGDBw5nMIYAcfObju2Wtr82ZJBCVun7bLWxaGbVTADBcdLP35XEa_qvusV4BeiOowcj0uGVazIGE-4oL03KRKJ/s320/zzzzzzzzz+089.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Drive in movie camera 1950</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUu6QgFbM8GDH1tPrltFdCqvhfGSgwr379v5KgSeVJ_oOlsEroKaeotoFznOAI4d1wGm0V_2KFcRn9kFyioJqM-H9JEnaWZFPYQtzIxa0OFstQu3iAHWP_Z6taa82kzvlkR5L/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+093xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUu6QgFbM8GDH1tPrltFdCqvhfGSgwr379v5KgSeVJ_oOlsEroKaeotoFznOAI4d1wGm0V_2KFcRn9kFyioJqM-H9JEnaWZFPYQtzIxa0OFstQu3iAHWP_Z6taa82kzvlkR5L/s320/zzzzzzzzz+093xx.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful sideboard and silver tea service.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo56YuT60aPCFnIcz0Te924v4sESlbisl5TutTJ7E3QVohnaQLbmhT7UW7WrGW2xkmlwH4qaDX0_7jmDkxzqoK5T0RZoh5D5t9l7R2L6l5FT9-y22-EKV837H-s8SPIf_0Xr6/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+094xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGo56YuT60aPCFnIcz0Te924v4sESlbisl5TutTJ7E3QVohnaQLbmhT7UW7WrGW2xkmlwH4qaDX0_7jmDkxzqoK5T0RZoh5D5t9l7R2L6l5FT9-y22-EKV837H-s8SPIf_0Xr6/s320/zzzzzzzzz+094xx.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The dinning room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIkdLg5txs-KQSSwDfC5WO011B7Kv2qWyTFwn0UxMvSvl3R4vHOFtdUOixh0zFXq65-BpjUdYxMXVp7rUXJ_s5JdN4hHcwV-7la3NYMbPBkirVRyVKTYBq6fe2kAMz24npwd2/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+096xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIkdLg5txs-KQSSwDfC5WO011B7Kv2qWyTFwn0UxMvSvl3R4vHOFtdUOixh0zFXq65-BpjUdYxMXVp7rUXJ_s5JdN4hHcwV-7la3NYMbPBkirVRyVKTYBq6fe2kAMz24npwd2/s320/zzzzzzzzz+096xx.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ellen and Kevin and the elephant in the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcAYkAb6i1mD8KZV4305HUUiziStclvYNlxLwGNSwQZNocnoED-KDLqxfWTLF5QXKas5HoHwd7omn_7GD6Uy8wvvpy-b0EaXaQBfEv4QDdwrtiqlQ9gXjRgbKnvEOCHpXvHQF/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcAYkAb6i1mD8KZV4305HUUiziStclvYNlxLwGNSwQZNocnoED-KDLqxfWTLF5QXKas5HoHwd7omn_7GD6Uy8wvvpy-b0EaXaQBfEv4QDdwrtiqlQ9gXjRgbKnvEOCHpXvHQF/s320/zzzzzzzzz+098.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A raccoon fur rug over the couch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9Qs4ZekpsPvHP2BKVvOaSi-upDPW43bGiZXwHuYxNEmk60aM39v_pFqadVJQje9tSyJtdtL4VrQ2fwdD4PJFGWoJhu_ATXXAeB9iBeNfrodx0ofQQR9YyavmcopVfyn3dNY3/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+099xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9Qs4ZekpsPvHP2BKVvOaSi-upDPW43bGiZXwHuYxNEmk60aM39v_pFqadVJQje9tSyJtdtL4VrQ2fwdD4PJFGWoJhu_ATXXAeB9iBeNfrodx0ofQQR9YyavmcopVfyn3dNY3/s320/zzzzzzzzz+099xx.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A chest given to Eastman by </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVesyjyFrfUPKZA7TexPN2DYYCJzMEWsADR7YtYqWFVZliKVyZRHxWUf5_bLxV8fN-UKNa8RTPlna97FEuS8ytKfWeWGBnmK9U1Vm8F6u9f_G1xXRVbNPTaz_TtVO5KdLMla3/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+101xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVesyjyFrfUPKZA7TexPN2DYYCJzMEWsADR7YtYqWFVZliKVyZRHxWUf5_bLxV8fN-UKNa8RTPlna97FEuS8ytKfWeWGBnmK9U1Vm8F6u9f_G1xXRVbNPTaz_TtVO5KdLMla3/s320/zzzzzzzzz+101xx.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eastman was a small and large game hunter and killed this elephant while on one of several trips to Africa as well as a rhino. In his later years he "shot" his animals with a camera.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC5XwiMwytn92Nd6WWXvwu49dQvcM0rWTKWdYQ712lT5kBrALDzjRKsm173BF1ab17b8bf4z7gj07eyoavCFmgEtXRa0z5EPAmvOw9DxrXxqMffWLDSwUpoMVAgV5cKXyUlBw/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+102xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC5XwiMwytn92Nd6WWXvwu49dQvcM0rWTKWdYQ712lT5kBrALDzjRKsm173BF1ab17b8bf4z7gj07eyoavCFmgEtXRa0z5EPAmvOw9DxrXxqMffWLDSwUpoMVAgV5cKXyUlBw/s320/zzzzzzzzz+102xx.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Part of the library. The object in the lower right is a wastebasket made out of an elephant foot. Below is the living room with a Steinway piano that Eastman couldn't play.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4k976dDzL9CMnsM9d6vNrkhHJ73w33NtCjX3UWBoCRBV0YFRsAaMDIRJod6WAJd1FuVrgbr_1RI9xYopQjniFuSso7H5DLa2ObNS6BX3GKMGcq8ge36hZ8YN65Wid-fZDdjn/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+103xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4k976dDzL9CMnsM9d6vNrkhHJ73w33NtCjX3UWBoCRBV0YFRsAaMDIRJod6WAJd1FuVrgbr_1RI9xYopQjniFuSso7H5DLa2ObNS6BX3GKMGcq8ge36hZ8YN65Wid-fZDdjn/s320/zzzzzzzzz+103xx.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCg3A8wiz79P8JzL_yarq6QKnc-ZOb7H7sxjkNo4sWshPneClgsmaCG77hVziRAl_qXZQQ-ICU5kQW2llNomDujEYcv1ZT4QOStFTLUbtt_GWq2iODj188J1cMcGL6jW-PEEv/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+100xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCg3A8wiz79P8JzL_yarq6QKnc-ZOb7H7sxjkNo4sWshPneClgsmaCG77hVziRAl_qXZQQ-ICU5kQW2llNomDujEYcv1ZT4QOStFTLUbtt_GWq2iODj188J1cMcGL6jW-PEEv/s320/zzzzzzzzz+100xx.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The grand staircase.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4mo08Cjv9IOZJAdx7G7QQZ_3CZWEQ-unJi2nDvsgL3VVcKFS2Dp79M7TKsKol0aszRm2zJJKEQTjWqIp0Tz78sSlNuBgdhi9IZlbSm1zw8g8epiwU8afZORHVDfyglekt173/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+104xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4mo08Cjv9IOZJAdx7G7QQZ_3CZWEQ-unJi2nDvsgL3VVcKFS2Dp79M7TKsKol0aszRm2zJJKEQTjWqIp0Tz78sSlNuBgdhi9IZlbSm1zw8g8epiwU8afZORHVDfyglekt173/s320/zzzzzzzzz+104xx.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The spindles were modeled after three kinds of nautical rope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XlZZ5ruDWGgVNwY4uhv58iFTeoZ4d_9LfA4UVh6hgpG43sjQa51y3w479Jrl6-MJRkq8xqEmIxcoFExuLMoeNUKWOLcKwhZbhLrLpZuA5OAVv3cYTe7ESV4pl43JNyocLeya/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+106xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XlZZ5ruDWGgVNwY4uhv58iFTeoZ4d_9LfA4UVh6hgpG43sjQa51y3w479Jrl6-MJRkq8xqEmIxcoFExuLMoeNUKWOLcKwhZbhLrLpZuA5OAVv3cYTe7ESV4pl43JNyocLeya/s320/zzzzzzzzz+106xx.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here we are with the conservatory below us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiyTk_07TZtttAaZ2AgIBuhjXMNh08-b8OraZKe8MeVx5BxUT3Q2Lk4FgSLVZ7FEgkTsfoyV1mXTPmx6YyEqD1PXn078REMqFLzUsPvDxSSNLucfLvuyiV9hyphenhyphen5B4AIih79yHp/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiyTk_07TZtttAaZ2AgIBuhjXMNh08-b8OraZKe8MeVx5BxUT3Q2Lk4FgSLVZ7FEgkTsfoyV1mXTPmx6YyEqD1PXn078REMqFLzUsPvDxSSNLucfLvuyiV9hyphenhyphen5B4AIih79yHp/s320/zzzzzzzzz+109.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Eastman loved his mother dearly and took the best care possible of her. He would try to shower her with luxuries but she was a simple woman. She lived with him her entire life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is his camping equipment used during his safaris. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KWtbpd0BtDaPMlHTHqzr82Bj-Q1V4s4_xf8dOh1MKcieaN6HH9swvpwBjYkjB8ziuWaOnW2ALX4FHvnwmbIg9LYXx1mqqxjpkVTgRyGFx0MTphW_AGZ5M1VrqgTRa8fhqNDd/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+110xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KWtbpd0BtDaPMlHTHqzr82Bj-Q1V4s4_xf8dOh1MKcieaN6HH9swvpwBjYkjB8ziuWaOnW2ALX4FHvnwmbIg9LYXx1mqqxjpkVTgRyGFx0MTphW_AGZ5M1VrqgTRa8fhqNDd/s320/zzzzzzzzz+110xx.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpWvpluH5OuCvKvCM3835TvqzFZ54BxBl1LTdXucGqD3Z4cue0yJ_ocTl1Y1yi4-Vrl8GPYpyYQdbtTEziDABHq5-X8QBAJI0NX9GtUMWCy3TLfa48P2Q-NKv6rn9khmtLEKc/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+115xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpWvpluH5OuCvKvCM3835TvqzFZ54BxBl1LTdXucGqD3Z4cue0yJ_ocTl1Y1yi4-Vrl8GPYpyYQdbtTEziDABHq5-X8QBAJI0NX9GtUMWCy3TLfa48P2Q-NKv6rn9khmtLEKc/s320/zzzzzzzzz+115xx.jpg" width="240" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Free cameras!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlf7-RM3cZ6r8Xs7M0DxpMmkBV0KiMATfDc_nZ29eC-r6J8XlSvIshRBB-s8C_0JZ80yA0PUg_KrbhMIRQhtvbosp0wnQxhp2n6qxXY17GiLiahzVSnaAN6y1pEvvotKynhFi/s1600/zzzzzzzzz+114xx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlf7-RM3cZ6r8Xs7M0DxpMmkBV0KiMATfDc_nZ29eC-r6J8XlSvIshRBB-s8C_0JZ80yA0PUg_KrbhMIRQhtvbosp0wnQxhp2n6qxXY17GiLiahzVSnaAN6y1pEvvotKynhFi/s320/zzzzzzzzz+114xx.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">His final act.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">One last fact; the word Kodak doesn't mean a thing. Mr. Eastman wanted a word that sounded unique and would be remembered so he made it up.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today as the saying goes, George Eastman must be rolling in his grave. Kodak has been hit by very hard times and has <a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/eastman-kodak-files-for-bankruptcy/">filed for bankruptcy</a>. They were once a huge part of Rochester employment scene but fell victim to the digital age. Maybe they were in denial about the demise of film photography and tried to do to little too late. Eastman's legacy is tarnished but his philantropic endeavors live on.</span></div>
<br />Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-67414695180449185072012-04-11T10:40:00.002-04:002012-05-26T14:08:33.063-04:00FB va Blog<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Has Facebook killed my blog? I think it might have; I spend much more time on FB interacting with people. Or maybe I'm just getting lazy. Maybe it's because on Facebook people comment, I don't know. I'll try and post more here but no promises. I don't think anyone notices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now I'm on spring break from school and enjoying the respite from my kindergartners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My son is home for a few days from New York City. He brought his girlfriend of a year with him so we finally met her. She lives in California and every month one of them travels to the other. I asked him why in a city the size of New York he couldn't find a girl there. Now I know, she's very sweet and she loves my son so that's what counts. The long distant relationship may come to a halt because she might move to NYC and in with him. People ask how I feel about that; I'm all for it. They're obviously pretty crazy about each other for her to give up her job, family and friends and move 3,000 miles away. What I like about it is that now when they see each other it's all wine and roses but living together will be the true test. Will she be able to put up with my son's moods and vice versa? We'll find out.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm just happy to meet her. Kevin sees her parents every time he goes to California along with her siblings and little nephew. He flew to Cali a few weeks ago just for the weekend for the baby's first birthday. He's called Uncle Kevin. I was so jealous. Soon I will see her every time I see Kevin. </span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-56815345276414871482012-03-21T17:30:00.001-04:002012-05-26T14:08:33.061-04:00<div style="text-align: justify; font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">It seems like I'm not doing much blogging lately and when I do it's usually about something that has pissed me off.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Today's rant is brought to you by this bumper sticker.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj3CrWFQiNvib4pZoehe4rkjnIXYp-hSEQBamxIYaJ9lDeglfqPNXYjEJ_EMv2ZjfbFPVaVt0STZY4G28Zwk0c_pxATFA86Yz-l0cEv7RqPNF0FyRoHvBGLGS6Uj1SnVGTbiwxA/s1600/bumpersticker.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722372147480460354" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj3CrWFQiNvib4pZoehe4rkjnIXYp-hSEQBamxIYaJ9lDeglfqPNXYjEJ_EMv2ZjfbFPVaVt0STZY4G28Zwk0c_pxATFA86Yz-l0cEv7RqPNF0FyRoHvBGLGS6Uj1SnVGTbiwxA/s400/bumpersticker.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Who would put this on their car??</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Are we going backwards in race relations?</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Hell, I'm not black and I'm offended.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">How is this supposed to be taken?</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />According to Paula Smith the owner of the site where you <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> (I say could because she's taken it off the site) purchase this says it's not racist. Smith says, "I do find it amazing and entertaining that one of our stickers has become a racist thing". She goes on to say that, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Obama's</span> not even black but rather a mixture of race". Who cares! You've inferred the word nigger. Of course it's just a word but one that has polarized people in this country. Just the sound of it isn't nice. Growing up I don't think I ever heard that word uttered in our house. Today if someone of another race uses that word all hell breaks loose but here in lies the problem; many black people use it in their vernacular when speaking to each other. That word will never die until it's taboo for everyone. I don't get how it's okay for blacks to call each other that.<br /><br />But back to Ms Smith.<br /><br />Does she think we're all stupid and buy into her cry of "it's not racist"? First of all if she meant to use the word renege she would have spelled it the right way. Dictionary.com defines the word renege as<span style="font-style: italic;" id="hotword"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">to</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">go</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">back</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">on</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">one's</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span></span><a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);" href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/word">word</a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);" id="hotword">: </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default; font-style: italic;" id="hotword" name="hotword">He</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default; font-style: italic;" id="hotword" name="hotword">has</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default; font-style: italic;" id="hotword" name="hotword">reneged</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default; font-style: italic;" id="hotword" name="hotword">on</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); cursor: default; font-style: italic;" id="hotword" name="hotword">his</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"> promise. </span><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"><span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">Webster's defines it as: </span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="ssens"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">to go back on a promise or commitment</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);"><br /></span><span class="ssens">What other way could she have meant this bumper sticker to mean by spelling it re-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nig</span>? Honestly who would find this acceptable? Uneducated red necks? Or maybe the far right AM radio talk show hosts? Now in defense of Ms. Smith I don't know if she created the bumper sticker or just decided to sell it on her site but I can't help but feel by doing so puts her view out there. I guess never argue with an idiot; they'll win by experience.<br /><br />I swear sometimes civilization as we know it is crumbling. People need to get along, treat each other with due respect and realize that unless you come from a galaxy far, far away, we're all one race; the Human Race.<br /><br />I agree with the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><br style="font-style: italic;"></span><p style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><a name="Am1">Amendment 1</a> - Freedom of Religion, Press, <a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/constnot.html#exp">Expression</a>. <a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/constamrat.html#BoR">Ratified</a> 12/15/1791.</b> <em><a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/constnotes.html#Am1">Note</a></em></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a <a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/glossary.html#REDRESS">redress</a> of grievances.</span></p><p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish people <span style="font-weight: bold;">everywhere</span> had this freedom, we're very lucky in this country.</span></p><p style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">But just because you have the freedom to say something doesn't always mean you should say it.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Stay classy Paula Smith</span>.</div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-83043668512555922352012-03-20T00:00:00.001-04:002012-05-26T14:08:33.064-04:00Here Comes The Sun<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">We've been having some wonderful weather lately with temperatures averaging anywhere from 20 -40 degrees above normal.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANFgrpzzhyhGJwwMQGWve4BDQck7pUc4P-f9GH0binGpZzKICmwbB16ig9Ddsl-pGZH3jesYRbsTL4TKxLZuDjLjWZGvmFAnbJMu98bMh4kQWuxHJSigjKZlyPklqY2VNkjR5/s1600/IMG_5195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANFgrpzzhyhGJwwMQGWve4BDQck7pUc4P-f9GH0binGpZzKICmwbB16ig9Ddsl-pGZH3jesYRbsTL4TKxLZuDjLjWZGvmFAnbJMu98bMh4kQWuxHJSigjKZlyPklqY2VNkjR5/s320/IMG_5195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721508691686511106" border="0" /></a>There's daffodils in bloom, some trees starting to bud and it's very tempting to bring out the patio furniture but in the back of my mind I know it's way too early for this to be happening in these here parts of world. I can't help but wonder how we're going to pay for this later. We've had blizzards in March.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">In the mean time we're all enjoying the warmth and sunshine so...</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;"> Happy Spring!</span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span></div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-51122020460465219942012-03-03T17:06:00.003-04:002012-05-26T14:08:33.059-04:00Shit for Brains<div style="text-align: justify; font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Let me first say that I think Rush Limbaugh is a low life slug, an idiot, hurtful and cruel. His latest slam toward Sandra Fluke and the birth control issue is disgusting. The entire debate on whether birth control should be covered by insurance is stupid; of course it should be. Plus should men be the deciding factor in this? <a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/166311/republican-hearing-contraception-no-women-allowed">The Republican hearing on this didn't allow any women to participate.</a> Did you ever notice that the loudest voices in the anti abortion issue are usually men. And let's not forget clinic bombings, done almost exclusively by men. (While I wouldn't have an abortion I am pro choice ) But isn't it the man who gets the woman pregnant? Where are these men who abandon their children? Who don't pay child support? Look at the amount of single mothers out there? Where are the fathers? Yet some Republicans would like you to believe that contraception should not be covered and in Limbaugh's little mind if you use the pill you are a slut. I'm guessing if contraception was more readily available there would be less abortions. Of course the women have to take <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">responsibility</span> also. If you don't want to get pregnant take your pills everyday. I say keep the government out of your sex lives. It's personal.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I do feel for the men who get their partner pregnant and want the baby and the women does not. That would be heart breaking and a tough one but in the end it's the woman's body and her right to choose.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">If men want to continue to have sex then the women should have their birth control covered by insurance. After all many insurance companies cover the cost of Viagra. I bet <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-1753947.html">Rush Limbaugh's Viagra </a>is covered.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Once again Limbaugh has crossed the line with his crassness and bullying. I don't understand how people can follow him and agree with him no less. I hope this time he's shot himself in the foot. Check out this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/03/rachel-maddow-rush-limbaugh-birth-control-sandra-fluke_n_1318354.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#comments#sb=306842,b=facebook">video of Rachel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Maddow</span></span></span></a>. It's a little long but worth the watch. I couldn't agree with her more.<br /><br />The only good thing I can say about Limbaugh is thank God he doesn't have any children.<br /><br /><br /><br />Edit:<br />After days of bashing Ms. Fluke, Limbaugh has offered up<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rush-limbaugh-apologizes-calling-sandra-fluke-slut-232701096--abc-news.html"> a left handed or backwards apology</a> for his words. I say too little too late. I hope that more companies stop <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">advertising</span> on his show.<br /><br />Edit #2:<br />Limbaugh has lost another sponsor of his show, this makes 7. As far as his apology goes, did he apologize for what he said or because he is losing sponsors. <br /></span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-50624733578283071302011-02-21T13:55:00.009-04:002011-02-21T14:38:00.463-04:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Today just some more evidence of my love of rocks...<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx7O5C4OUAwB65GNPF9Xg4Knojr6gVRqylszorR-JipDBrzPlO5n68Dc4RLWErUujUgVAVnIdiM-NW5sm_tHZHdZhKAT4TrWeF0L3DbICA6cSlYZvY5lOApB2zdM6NJAaOXSJlw/s1600/mike%2527s+job+065xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgx7O5C4OUAwB65GNPF9Xg4Knojr6gVRqylszorR-JipDBrzPlO5n68Dc4RLWErUujUgVAVnIdiM-NW5sm_tHZHdZhKAT4TrWeF0L3DbICA6cSlYZvY5lOApB2zdM6NJAaOXSJlw/s320/mike%2527s+job+065xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576204103316076802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">My son Kevin and I scoured </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-family:verdana;">Nauset</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Beach on Cape Cod for all these stones. They have to meet several criteria in order to be a keeper. It can't be too big, it must be an interesting shape, a pretty color or a different texture. We brought many home but not all made the cut. The above stones made it. They're actually Kevin's, we collected them for him to put in a glass container in his apartment in NYC to remind him of family and vacation. But guess what? They were too heavy to take on the plane without putting his luggage over the weight limit. So they're mine now. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-family:verdana;">Hee</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-family:verdana;">hee</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">. Yes, that's my dog Cody checking things out. He's got his nose in everything.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAEI62XSoqgl-_qYgZlgjz3fVcpG7e8lfwmfy5f4fKR-YaSpu6RDR2_1FnSipQFF9yoM8WlzTxUc3qeBfkpcjrmzqja33sBhNMh9BzrPbvJQsBe90ABdFt9-zYf3StKHMoDDlEQ/s1600/mike%2527s+job+062xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAEI62XSoqgl-_qYgZlgjz3fVcpG7e8lfwmfy5f4fKR-YaSpu6RDR2_1FnSipQFF9yoM8WlzTxUc3qeBfkpcjrmzqja33sBhNMh9BzrPbvJQsBe90ABdFt9-zYf3StKHMoDDlEQ/s320/mike%2527s+job+062xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576204097911506050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Years ago my dad found an almost perfect heart shaped stone on a beach in North </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" style="font-family:verdana;">Truro</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> on Cape Cod. He gave it to my mother and she still has it. It's got my name on it; some day I will get custody of it. But not for a long time I hope. The above hearts were collected by my hubby, Kevin and me. No Cape Cod for me this summer and I'm sad about that so I guess I'll just look at my beach stones and remember.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">*</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">And now for a completely different topic but one close to my heart; my backyard birds.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp20MWRqqUqVDEE_ayHXSMBY-yxOHn9S1FqqQgx4ngLFX_ERBRYKWLQ2X2uudxXF2xae5lE73ycuO1ttsZjU6_hDCr6QWjrFB7OnX_5r-cQlMZqHBrTn9x9NIyXjX2rpO_iBPY-w/s1600/mike%2527s+job+036xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp20MWRqqUqVDEE_ayHXSMBY-yxOHn9S1FqqQgx4ngLFX_ERBRYKWLQ2X2uudxXF2xae5lE73ycuO1ttsZjU6_hDCr6QWjrFB7OnX_5r-cQlMZqHBrTn9x9NIyXjX2rpO_iBPY-w/s320/mike%2527s+job+036xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576205323090644050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Waiting his turn...</span></span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The bird feeder was very busy yesterday. Stopping in for a little pick me up snack was this red bellied woodpecker.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyeI3trEWbHacklEWKh3EsX4YvNPPJDyrMtpkZAWxnfDU70ycq4AoW2FcnBKbQ7YihgnKWznHiflX9etRlD8I5nTntE9KQNCjWRyxtdi5mdCEsNTrU-MKOHi8Zt8sf8zArM7WZQ/s1600/mike%2527s+job+046xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyeI3trEWbHacklEWKh3EsX4YvNPPJDyrMtpkZAWxnfDU70ycq4AoW2FcnBKbQ7YihgnKWznHiflX9etRlD8I5nTntE9KQNCjWRyxtdi5mdCEsNTrU-MKOHi8Zt8sf8zArM7WZQ/s320/mike%2527s+job+046xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576204087623093682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" >Our one sets of male and female cardinals. There are at least three different couples that dine at our feeder. The male almost always lets the female eat first while he keeps watch in our weeping cherry tree. After she's done she sometimes waits for him to eat but most of the time flies off. We also had chickadees, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">tufted</span> titmouse, nut hatches and a little downy woodpecker at the feeder while I was watching.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLtk-7viwlDaJi6xk_-W08RlD4b_HnGZ8r4MchZ6ZW0Nu6zh46fci1p_88X_JBwAy01aeF94TUYKqa1cD3_KloXKPkavrYnrE1h8HkoMq2I8CzZLbCyHcE-29K5fUtH9d02WQ2Q/s1600/mike%2527s+job+058xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLtk-7viwlDaJi6xk_-W08RlD4b_HnGZ8r4MchZ6ZW0Nu6zh46fci1p_88X_JBwAy01aeF94TUYKqa1cD3_KloXKPkavrYnrE1h8HkoMq2I8CzZLbCyHcE-29K5fUtH9d02WQ2Q/s320/mike%2527s+job+058xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576204087421763074" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Of course I can't leave out our neighborhood pest, good old Mr. Squirrel, actually at one time yesterday I counted 9 squirrels running around the yard. I can't say this too loud, I don't want them to hear, </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">we've pretty much <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">conquered</span> our bird feeder squirrel problem. The black thing on the pole is a baffle and they can't get over it. The tree branches aren't strong enough for them to get down near the feeder and if they do somehow manage to make it to the feeder there's a door like thing that comes down and closes off the seed when it senses too much weight on the perch.</span> They try hard but have resigned themselves to eating seed that falls on the ground. Kevin got me a great Christmas gift this year; a combination bird and flower book as well as a magazine subscription to Birds and Blooms. More of my favorite things.<br />I wish I had a better camera, I can never get an in focus shot of the birds. If you want to see some lovely pictures taken by my friend Sandi head over<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prairie-Dreamer-Photography/107313279311460?v=wall"> here</a>.<br /><br />I'm off from school this week and home alone for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">February</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">recess</span> so maybe I'll post more often, I think I might get bored.</span><br /></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-75108605671259552642011-02-14T02:13:00.017-04:002011-02-19T12:20:56.601-04:00I Rock<div style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love rocks, they're one of my favorite things. I collect them from different places and love to look for them on the beaches of Cape Cod. I have rocks in every room of my house and in all the landscaping and gardens around my yard. I did see on one episode of <a href="http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/my-strange-addiction-rock-addict.html">My Strange Addiction </a>a woman who is obsessed about rocks. I'm far from that. And have you ever seen that show? Wow, there are some strange people in this world. Back to rocks...<br />Our Earth is made up of three types of rocks: sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic and this post is about sedimentary rock; in a round about way. I'll give you the abbreviated version.<br /><br />Sedimentary rock is formed when the surfaces of the Earth have been eroded over millions of years by wind and water. These bits and pieces of rocks and sand wash down stream and settle on the bottom of rivers, lakes and oceans. Over time more piles on top pressing down on the lower layers. Eventually these layers turn to rock. Most areas of sedimentary rock were once covered with water. The different layers of the rocks gives us information about the geological time period when they were formed. Contained in the rock layers are fossils of plants and animals. Almost all fossils are found in sedimentary rock.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon photo by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Reiner</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Stenzel</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z0SyxQC-DB9jqj7jqbvmAC1iJ360XDZuptb0YDCAAJO54TJjuBUjLdO6kD1Rwzj3YZiLpEG8tbjWkJHURTI00pqHiNh43UhpZrJbHJomBs_nxgG3SQtCVFXtOnROTBfFc2ngDw/s1600/sed+rock.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z0SyxQC-DB9jqj7jqbvmAC1iJ360XDZuptb0YDCAAJO54TJjuBUjLdO6kD1Rwzj3YZiLpEG8tbjWkJHURTI00pqHiNh43UhpZrJbHJomBs_nxgG3SQtCVFXtOnROTBfFc2ngDw/s320/sed+rock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573425749523765410" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >One of the most famous examples of sedimentary rock formation would be the Grand Canyon. You can really see the layers. </span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpiLtE_4H_6Opmf3xLKG8o8T6YlGjQlblohkWqvhxEgvRQmj8_K8pCAh_eqMCwErDkx17t0RLjMdnftP9q-tLjTwPq5-64uiRDjnBHqKJfeF2PItaB5-omSz3hKITid7c9urCSQ/s1600/100_2165.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpiLtE_4H_6Opmf3xLKG8o8T6YlGjQlblohkWqvhxEgvRQmj8_K8pCAh_eqMCwErDkx17t0RLjMdnftP9q-tLjTwPq5-64uiRDjnBHqKJfeF2PItaB5-omSz3hKITid7c9urCSQ/s320/100_2165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573425747988026818" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >As I said almost all fossils are found in sedimentary rock including dinosaurs. Above is the mighty carnivore Tyrannosaurus Rex that lived during the late Cretaceous period. Sorry but Jurassic Park got it wrong.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGK3A3w-2CdR2BXdCwXXfcy_if3bmHh74ReJpTBsCT8FAPUjKn-BcFeTyePv6CqTJGyjxPNky5V3nh_BeX5FAgcJ42zCfb83c5xGouN-WiF8H69-zsBTPBmRZlESWowYceG4gbw/s1600/100_2204.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGK3A3w-2CdR2BXdCwXXfcy_if3bmHh74ReJpTBsCT8FAPUjKn-BcFeTyePv6CqTJGyjxPNky5V3nh_BeX5FAgcJ42zCfb83c5xGouN-WiF8H69-zsBTPBmRZlESWowYceG4gbw/s320/100_2204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573425744838322482" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Triceratops an herbivore (or as one of my kindergartners say, whorebivore) lived during the late Cretaceous period with his buddy T-Rex. </span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpvLgO99ymyHkYqt4dduE7G1jqoCgxAF1c-QeJgkwjLjNXi_nOcF6MEzurcyiHCKZ9J_0RZWvSOn41v3J3XctxeQFnf0pirZnT-IcI4XoGwlc49k_IJDiIinM2MkmmQ2JAGLxkQ/s1600/100_2208.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpvLgO99ymyHkYqt4dduE7G1jqoCgxAF1c-QeJgkwjLjNXi_nOcF6MEzurcyiHCKZ9J_0RZWvSOn41v3J3XctxeQFnf0pirZnT-IcI4XoGwlc49k_IJDiIinM2MkmmQ2JAGLxkQ/s320/100_2208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573425738405326402" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Stegosaurus, also a plant eater roamed the Earth during the late Jurassic period.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" > I took these pictures on a trip to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Museum</span> of Natural History in NYC in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dinosaur</span> Hall. I'm not really one for museums but have always wanted to see these dinosaur fossils. A wonderful surprise exhibit was the Meteor Hall. Perfect for a rock lover like me; where else can you touch a rock that came from outer space!</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei2-rtwBvxlg5qtEtQrDDO-t2CXGeX5UU2-DCF20r0buYbtOgWKnnfNH9gqng-vBpP8M859zfaMR9CZZsa5FPbCDfj8erKSS2hoqtFhD7w1lLW1xPP4acXPBcRZA3Jktzqow6AA/s1600/100_2229.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjei2-rtwBvxlg5qtEtQrDDO-t2CXGeX5UU2-DCF20r0buYbtOgWKnnfNH9gqng-vBpP8M859zfaMR9CZZsa5FPbCDfj8erKSS2hoqtFhD7w1lLW1xPP4acXPBcRZA3Jktzqow6AA/s320/100_2229.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575433862103333330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Just look at this hunk of space rock!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="">All this leads me to the gist of my post. We were driving down a street the other day when I noticed this snow bank. Sedimentary snow was the first thought in my mind! Look how you can see the different layers from different snow falls. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99tOnDOjyHpI6zFC4ENsIJ8Rt5GaN37ScK_WZkSBHz_J_XtZQE0KsPEESP5MXYa2U-fkp5nTnBWHkLEK6zAO6K3_OivqP6Us_n4bTKRN3cBEbwzHzAEYYh7viQelsvbYq9AwqiA/s1600/sed+snowxx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99tOnDOjyHpI6zFC4ENsIJ8Rt5GaN37ScK_WZkSBHz_J_XtZQE0KsPEESP5MXYa2U-fkp5nTnBWHkLEK6zAO6K3_OivqP6Us_n4bTKRN3cBEbwzHzAEYYh7viQelsvbYq9AwqiA/s320/sed+snowxx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573425737480689634" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Is the winter getting to me or what??</span><br /></div></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-50019051294605238132011-02-06T00:00:00.000-04:002011-02-06T00:03:13.219-04:00Are you ready for some bowl games?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So there's this big football game today. I don't really follow football excepts the sorry ass Buffalo Bills and it's been 20 years since they've been in the Superbowl. I do watch the Superbowl every year but mostly for the commercials. I was at a Superbowl party several years back when Janet Jackson flashed her nipple. In a room full of people only myself and another guy saw it, everyone else was eating. I wasn't sure at first what I saw but then realized that Justin Timberlake ripped the bodice of her outfit and hello, there it was. Any way I'll watch the game and while I really don't care who wins I'm going to cheer for this team...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLLsVtH3arq_4hE_mEB7feKhVR36b-AWAfBE1tEoytaIEtdt0MuOfCrk5FcZLPZDi4d-7AXG8NuQZRG9mXL5lcvd3IUcNq2yYjz-Ey_BxeBTHi6a8ywA7KybZrJzNMCo5JujE_Q/s1600/Kate+Dav-ow-Packards.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLLsVtH3arq_4hE_mEB7feKhVR36b-AWAfBE1tEoytaIEtdt0MuOfCrk5FcZLPZDi4d-7AXG8NuQZRG9mXL5lcvd3IUcNq2yYjz-Ey_BxeBTHi6a8ywA7KybZrJzNMCo5JujE_Q/s320/Kate+Dav-ow-Packards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570415398922614178" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">The Packards!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0fPH2a8ZVzniK0JEm5dCSzHwdJo882l8er_K5PwsWKhUxw4QHo_yKVGYfqHIQx6Hy1fmP4V_2ckuegWFdYZHKbJU9jm9sKzEgpbtrMWsmTwEx_DCweQIsHCWNAaD-D8_yVQPVQ/s1600/pb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0fPH2a8ZVzniK0JEm5dCSzHwdJo882l8er_K5PwsWKhUxw4QHo_yKVGYfqHIQx6Hy1fmP4V_2ckuegWFdYZHKbJU9jm9sKzEgpbtrMWsmTwEx_DCweQIsHCWNAaD-D8_yVQPVQ/s320/pb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570415395403820018" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">I'll also watch the Puppy Bowl. How cute are they? Cuddlier than big sweaty guys in tight pants.</span><br /></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-17929967687365701592011-02-02T15:04:00.004-04:002011-02-02T15:23:20.210-04:00I can't wait for spring<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I lucked out today with a snow day off from school. Some school districts closed their schools last night already. Mine waited until 5:30 this morning. This is the only phone call I want to get that early. In my opinion I think maybe the weather prognosticators didn't get this one quite right. Every channel I checked said we'd get significant snowfall over night with freezing rain and sleet to the south of us. We ended up getting a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wintry</span> cocktail of all of the above. Could we have gone to school? Maybe. We've gone to school on worse mornings than today but the day off was nice, I'm not complaining.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OI4Dmg4GwH52dZasFROqlWlxXr5gXpZcYr_iWrcBj1YywnDD36gTBXkQsjVzwcsMdKI0wGJw03pwmmoqZjcIis0_8t-M59PatPuK1TAJBshL0fW0Xo2xEa6ILgHndqkqCAgQAg/s1600/birds+023xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OI4Dmg4GwH52dZasFROqlWlxXr5gXpZcYr_iWrcBj1YywnDD36gTBXkQsjVzwcsMdKI0wGJw03pwmmoqZjcIis0_8t-M59PatPuK1TAJBshL0fW0Xo2xEa6ILgHndqkqCAgQAg/s320/birds+023xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569170901234147026" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">I love my birds in the backyard. There's something about seeing a red cardinal on a bland, colorless winter's day. Here he's keeping watch while his female counterpart is eating along side a downy woodpecker.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGZt77ZnpMY96iImiahQ6g8Apv8bIt9koHUEUaLVG9CytLCdndU2a0q6kHl_3FSsAWSlZ1VaJTxBgBArwKvE6clqKQ9Mm1lYXAChwNk0jY05OChC3y_I-jzJzISTBHBLZDHJzpw/s1600/birds+025xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGZt77ZnpMY96iImiahQ6g8Apv8bIt9koHUEUaLVG9CytLCdndU2a0q6kHl_3FSsAWSlZ1VaJTxBgBArwKvE6clqKQ9Mm1lYXAChwNk0jY05OChC3y_I-jzJzISTBHBLZDHJzpw/s320/birds+025xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569170897545778242" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish I had a better camera, it focused on the hydrangea stalks instead of my little friend.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP71HGlhYTceBtUiIMF9lE5Da9EbKapq0W9jlx7j1siY_22x8PIRIS5G1ro_0LgSs2ciH1fUVKofosvD2fJtPzXIDIsaCjfHPKVqrVYQYwPxL4dAuQyKRczIkK6rAaVuekN9y4Q/s1600/birds+026xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP71HGlhYTceBtUiIMF9lE5Da9EbKapq0W9jlx7j1siY_22x8PIRIS5G1ro_0LgSs2ciH1fUVKofosvD2fJtPzXIDIsaCjfHPKVqrVYQYwPxL4dAuQyKRczIkK6rAaVuekN9y4Q/s320/birds+026xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569170893151098162" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">I call these poor little sparrows pig birds because they will eat at the feeder until they can hardly fly away.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoGI6UX74m1p_DDIgyvblbUR0uyT8aGeB4dZYf-rln39N9m59p8nkhyigZa0b3iA2Rg0kQ9UiZysLNsiD6h6qF4lJ4eGnTPYmlG4C4kQJeeTp2ALZHS3hPh6_OFoctznpE0gxNg/s1600/birds+027xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoGI6UX74m1p_DDIgyvblbUR0uyT8aGeB4dZYf-rln39N9m59p8nkhyigZa0b3iA2Rg0kQ9UiZysLNsiD6h6qF4lJ4eGnTPYmlG4C4kQJeeTp2ALZHS3hPh6_OFoctznpE0gxNg/s320/birds+027xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569170887117414306" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Puffing up to stay warm I think.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Oh and on a postscript to<a href="http://asummersday.blogspot.com/2011/01/schmuck.html"> this story</a>,<a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);" href="http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Alesi-Drops-Lawsuit/JQuwqlI88UijOHoLHO3SyQ.cspx?rss=509"> go here</a>.<br /></span>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-2124619151480099922011-01-28T16:51:00.008-04:002011-01-28T17:39:29.101-04:00Jemo<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">At the elementary school I work in one of the things we try and impress upon the students is a sense of community, working together and helping the less fortunate; those in our neighborhood and the world. One of the projects that we've been working on the last three years is <a href="http://buildingfuturesinc.com/sky_blue_004.htm"><span style="font-style: italic;">Building Futures in Kenya</span></a>. A man named Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nowak</span>, a local neighborhood resident visited our school three years ago to tell us about students in Kenya and his efforts. He helps to build schools in Kenya. He has since returned four times to give us updates. His friends in Kenya call him <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jemo</span> and we could call him that too.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgs6rLNvm9BXI-6g12uTgplP5z9TkOq_iVAqIZnkY2KU926VwXPgaOcXM264GfQY4rftDH7QUXOQrNY-3h4SHtBxq5kjAJrOAweqCa9dCAo6fNEQTfK8gYp4F9OoRWisqsIbIhg/s1600/Jemo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgs6rLNvm9BXI-6g12uTgplP5z9TkOq_iVAqIZnkY2KU926VwXPgaOcXM264GfQY4rftDH7QUXOQrNY-3h4SHtBxq5kjAJrOAweqCa9dCAo6fNEQTfK8gYp4F9OoRWisqsIbIhg/s320/Jemo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567342506122130114" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:180%;">Our friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jemo</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jemo</span> retired from a 30+ teaching career and began his organization <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Buliding</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Furtures</span> with a friend. He spends 5 months per year in Kenya helping with construction and other details and the other 7 months here in Rochester spreading his message and fund raising for the Kenya school. He's been to Kenya 13 times. He tells us he doesn't do this alone. His organization has many people that help in many ways from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">construction</span> to financials.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Jemo</span> introduced us to his friends in Africa though a slide show and words. These students didn't have a school, when they were able to come to school it was held outside or in rundown shacks. He explained how getting an education is important and how our school can help their "school". Our school decided to help and we got into raising money for Kenya. Our biggest fund raiser is our<span style="font-style: italic;"> Run for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Keny</span></span>a where students would collect pledges and then over a period of two weeks during PE class as well as before school students run laps in the gym. Our goal was to raise 5,000 dollars, the cost of a new classroom. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Jemo</span> would visit us and regale the students with stories of children in Africa. He taught them some words in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kiswahili</span> and we exchanged letters with students in Kenya. It was a great learning experience. The first year we surpassed our goal, not only did we raise enough money for one classroom but for three!! We raised over 15,000! Of course we aren't the only school he visits and I have no idea what they raise but we did great. For two years we raised money for the buildings and had a building named after our school. We have pictures in our hallway of the school and children and they have pictures of us and our school. Eventually they had classrooms for 600 students as well as kitchens and bathrooms. Together all of his fund raising efforts raised enough to build the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Mbaka</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Oromo</span> Primary as well as a secondary school. Our third year fundraiser went towards something they don't have in their community, a medical clinic. Again the students put their hearts into it and raised a lot of money to help with this project. Fourteen months later the clinic was completed. We are gearing up for our fundraiser this year, another Run for Kenya. Our students look forward to it, its become a tradition.<br /><br /><br />We received some sad news at the end of the day today. The vibrant, generous, kind, selfless man, Jim <span style="font-style: italic;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Jemo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Nowak</span> was killed in a car accident this morning in Africa. He'd been in Kenya since October and was scheduled to return to the states in February and kick off our fundraiser.<br /><br /><br />It makes my heart ache to know that someone as giving and enthusiastic is gone from this Earth. Why? I know there's a reason for it and sometimes you never know what the reason is. I just can't believe this man is gone.<br /></span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-29393382448072782872011-01-24T13:25:00.002-04:002011-01-24T14:29:21.095-04:00Horror<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">In this country, the good old U. S. of A many people were in an uproar about the new searches and scans done by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TSA</span> in our nation's airports. As for me, I was not upset. I welcome any technology that will stop people from terrorizing travellers. Go ahead and scan me, maybe my image will end up on line somewhere but I don't care. I've got nothing that no other female has and what I do have, well, who wants to see it? Do I care if I get felt up during a search? I'm sure it won't be comfortable but I'll never see that person again and if it somehow prevents something then grope away. People will argue that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">TSA</span> has never <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">thwarted</span> a terrorist attack before, if someone wants to get something through they will. I don't buy that. Can they be 100% accurate? I don't think so but they do collect knives, box cutters and guns.<br /><br />I write this today because for all that believe these regulations are bull shit I'm betting at the innocent people at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Domodedovea</span> Airport in Moscow wish they were in place at their airport. A suicide bomber has killed at least 30 people inside the terminal. These are eye <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">witness</span> quotes from <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_russia_airport_blast">this article</a>. The explosion had<span style="font-style: italic;"> "coated the terminal in blood</span>." The airport was, "<span style="font-style: italic;">engulfed by smoke and spattered with body parts.</span>" I'd say those are pretty graphic descriptions. Ones that I would never want to witness or be a part of.<br /><br />I will never understand how some groups of people feel that they must terrorize others who don't agree with their beliefs. I don't know what group is responsible for this or the reason behind it. I hate that the world is becoming so violent and I worry for future generations.<br /></span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-46808034383480352082011-01-22T15:06:00.009-04:002011-01-24T14:31:27.110-04:00Jim Alesi, Schmuck<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is my esteemed New York senator <a href="http://jimalesi.com/">Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Alesi</span></a> who represents me in the 55<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> district of the United States Congress. Take it for what it's worth, he's a republican.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dfl3YRfaaaRFLec6LGcBqaZsnuVRzTIkBb-qiglpKqGpuUXZgbssXZZyZWzERvMyJ_VMormNeOqy3mD-X3MSQPBxUN6z2Gwx7bFIDrpf2n3IVuDQ5wLv97c7XGSOnl_jEtnapQ/s1600/jim.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dfl3YRfaaaRFLec6LGcBqaZsnuVRzTIkBb-qiglpKqGpuUXZgbssXZZyZWzERvMyJ_VMormNeOqy3mD-X3MSQPBxUN6z2Gwx7bFIDrpf2n3IVuDQ5wLv97c7XGSOnl_jEtnapQ/s320/jim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565096676745205346" border="0" /> </a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">There is a very interesting story in the news about him right now. Click <a href="http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Senator-Alesi-Sues-Couple-that-Declined-to-Press/LCflMQQFr0qttwDf_dAapw.cspx?rss=509">here</a> or <a href="http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Senator-Alesi-Sues-Couple-that-Declined-to-Press/LCflMQQFr0qttwDf_dAapw.cspx?rss=509">here</a> to read about it. If you'd rather not I'll summarize it for you.<br /><br />In January of the year 2008 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Alesi</span> wanted to check out a home that was under construction, went to the front door which he found locked. Looking for another entry point he went around the back where he found a door without a lock. Upon entering he noticed that there was no staircase to the upper level installed yet. In place of the future staircase was a ladder which he proceeded to climb and subsequently fall off of. Unfortunately for the trespassing United States Senator he broke his leg. This home was already sold to a couple and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office gave the homeowners the option to press charges against <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Alesi</span> for this trespassing. They declined to do so stating they didn't want to make it worse for the Senator and add insult to injury. Senator <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Alesi</span> never contacted the owners to apologize for trespassing or to thank them for not pressing charges.<br /><br /><br />The statute of limitations for either party to sue is three years. On January 18 2011, the last day of the statute, guess what happened? If you guessed that United States Senator Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Alesi</span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;">filed a lawsuit against the homeowner and builder Louis</span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">DiRisio</span> you'd be right. By choosing this date it left no time for either party to counter sue. I find that so calculating and disgusting by this man.<br /><br />In the lawsuit papers Sen. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Alesi</span> maintains that <span style="font-style: italic;">"the Trolley Brooks Estates was advertised as a new housing development open to the public. The homeowner and builder should have foreseen that prospective home buyers would enter open houses</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">The house should have been kept in a reasonably safe condition. It was the negligence of the defendants and not his fault." </span><br /><br />According to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper the builder has responded that <span style="font-style: italic;">"there was nothing indicating the house was a model available for viewing. That was private property that he entered into. A stairwell was still unfinished and the ladder was the contractor's access from a basement to the first floor. Why would anyone else other than the house's owner or builder think they had a right to scale a ladder within a structure? I guess anybody can sue anybody"</span> said <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">DiRisio</span>. Louis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">DiRisio</span> has also stated that he will not settle.<br /><br /><br />Some people may think he's brilliant for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">lawyering</span> (not a word according to spell check but I like it) up and using the strategy to sue at the last minute. I find it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">reprehensible</span> and frivolous. Now the homeowners who by the way happen to be some of his constituents and builder will have to pony up for lawyer fees to protect themselves from trespassing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">United</span> States Senator Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Alesi</span>. I can see his foe's political commercials now when he's up for re-election. The title of this post says it all.<br /></span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-1581041382832147792011-01-19T12:47:00.010-04:002011-01-21T18:27:14.090-04:00What's Your Sign?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Do you believe in astrology? I can't say that I believe in the whole horoscope thing. I very seldom read my daily or monthly horoscope because they're so broad in their predictions and open to interpretation.One day many, many years ago, I don't know what made me do it but I purposely looked it up in our daily newspaper. It said that </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >"some very important papers would be signed today"</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. Pretty specific eh? At the time I had been waiting months for my soon to be ex husband to sign divorce papers which he'd been dogging. My lawyer called the next day to tell me he'd signed them yesterday! I dug the paper out of the garbage, cut out the horoscope and still have it today. While I don't subscribe to the telling of the future by the stars I do believe in zodiac traits.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WP2EwPSiLgjhlzEFaMg4TBRblSB7GrGtzg4YzdooFlNSQJf5rWzeqrN2MlnOUg3hmM7xb7sMCAXo0x1Zti7He_nFU8xBYkPtlqhFSQVLkPz95GIJkB_V85mxuN3Ikb5j8zYf5w/s1600/zodiac-sign-circle-picture.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WP2EwPSiLgjhlzEFaMg4TBRblSB7GrGtzg4YzdooFlNSQJf5rWzeqrN2MlnOUg3hmM7xb7sMCAXo0x1Zti7He_nFU8xBYkPtlqhFSQVLkPz95GIJkB_V85mxuN3Ikb5j8zYf5w/s320/zodiac-sign-circle-picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563939893822016706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Last week when the Star Tribune in Minneapolis published a story regarding Parke <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kunkle</span>, a teacher at Minneapolis Community and Technical college who stated that the astrological signs are wrong and off by a month. <span style="font-style: italic;">I was horrified</span>.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfIUb1PYyX48yMzDKzEl1TMaHqL0a7B2S__pqykUg314ARRXAE8xUtF1C-KlG-P9UUl9fIj3BV7O6HYpirwE49v2yt96hLx9tnZK5dmCX2M3hcEzuFPGHvO2qBeGcAW2RYVPMKg/s1600/leo-zodiac-sign-11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfIUb1PYyX48yMzDKzEl1TMaHqL0a7B2S__pqykUg314ARRXAE8xUtF1C-KlG-P9UUl9fIj3BV7O6HYpirwE49v2yt96hLx9tnZK5dmCX2M3hcEzuFPGHvO2qBeGcAW2RYVPMKg/s320/leo-zodiac-sign-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563939886954575074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">I am a Leo through and through and proud of it. The new star chart says I am a Cancer! I don't want to be that sign, the name alone, Cancer, is awful. The reason for this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kunkle</span> says is due to a "wobble" in the Earth's axis that created a one month <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hic</span> cup in the alignment of the stars. Well holy shit, I'm not changing my sign because of this.<br />*<br />Astronomers and Astrologers don't often agree with each other but on this point they do. While the ancient Babylonians established the zodiac periods, astronomers have known since 130BC when <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/266559/Hipparchus#">Hipparchus</a> ascertained that this "wobble" would happen. He realized that over thousands of years the gravitational pull of the moon over the Earth would cause the Earth to tilt a little on its axis, changing the placement of the stars in the sky. The wobble also has a name, it's a process called precession. So it turns out this is old news. Both astronomers and astrologers have known the stars and signs have not matched up but it's no big deal. Susan Miller, a popular astrologist said this, "We've known about this for ages. The constellations don't suggest what's coming up , it's the planets! The constellations are a measuring device."<br />Phew, I feel so much better.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">*<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;">Now as I said I'm pretty much a Leo. I don't fit every trait but who does? I've had the Leo traits since birth in both the good way and bad. Leos have the following traits, if there's a Y= that's me, N=No, S=sometimes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good traits:</span><br />Generous Y<br />Warm hearted Y<br />Creative Y<br />Enthusiastic S<br />Broad minded Y<br />Expansive N<br />Faithful Y<br />Loyal Y<br />Loving Y<br />Dominant Y<br />Extroverted N<br />Ambitious S<br />Courageous Y<br />Strong willed Y<br />Independent Y<br />Born leaders Y<br />Strongly idealistic S<br />Humane Y<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not so good traits:</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pompous</span> N<br />Patronizing S<br />Bossy Y<br />Interfering S<br />Dogmatic N<br />Intolerant (of stupid people)<br />Dominant y<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Strong Likes:</span><br />Speculative ventures N<br />Lavish living S<br />Pageantry and grandeur N<br />Children <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">YY</span><br />Drama N<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dislikes:</span><br />Doing things safely N<br />Ordinary day to day living S<br />Small minded people Y<br />Penny pinching Y<br />Mean <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">spiritedness</span> Y<br /><br />In the long run a person can justify any traits they want and these traits fit many zodiac signs but as for me; I am a LEO. There was a reason I was called Queenie when I was younger. I thought I should be Queen of the Jungle.<br /><br />What's your sign?<br />Do you fit the profile?<br />Would you want to be a different one?</span>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29414703.post-19253730665327760852011-01-12T17:24:00.002-04:002011-01-12T17:33:14.735-04:00Here comes the...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SNOWDOG</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQxWI7j-H_8_EymQgkZe-5E3ILdON0xkIjiMfioYUhxVhiVelWJK3aiMTP0s-o9PkaAYFGx4nI48FJ1BausYN3jTocT6GUitCzqz3WS0bKHCC3Ijf3OatYF3CPizUz0qCVL5kRQ/s1600/snowdog+001xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQxWI7j-H_8_EymQgkZe-5E3ILdON0xkIjiMfioYUhxVhiVelWJK3aiMTP0s-o9PkaAYFGx4nI48FJ1BausYN3jTocT6GUitCzqz3WS0bKHCC3Ijf3OatYF3CPizUz0qCVL5kRQ/s320/snowdog+001xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561413668817472194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Cody loves the snow and there was no shortage of it today.<br />We've gotten about a foot since yesterday. Luckily it's the light, fluffy kind.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq7SmSVGYpyUyqFRJaK_Fax6IAS_cKpIS-AAqsjfgZZimTXYCjb68itMKK8w0uN9kw6MZJjxKQrrd0CQ0qvVbgPJsBlKR4CfsrkD0Y9C-eObZiNLp-S0hiK0zHcHSfcWXq_HQ2A/s1600/snowdog+002xx.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq7SmSVGYpyUyqFRJaK_Fax6IAS_cKpIS-AAqsjfgZZimTXYCjb68itMKK8w0uN9kw6MZJjxKQrrd0CQ0qvVbgPJsBlKR4CfsrkD0Y9C-eObZiNLp-S0hiK0zHcHSfcWXq_HQ2A/s320/snowdog+002xx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561413664685108594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">He enjoys bounding through the deep stuff and sometimes sticks his entire head in it. The only problem is he comes in with tons of little snowballs stuck to him plus he'll limp later. I hope it keeps snowing, I want a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">snow day</span> tomorrow. Must wear pajamas inside out tonight. For those of you who live in a snow free zone that's supposed to help the cause according to all school students from elementary through high school.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Stay tuned...<br /></span></div>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12980252502053602258noreply@blogger.com0