At the End of the Desert...

Takin' back our Country

2011-11-12T17:37:00.001-07:00

Make Mine Freedom

2011-11-08T18:24:00.001-07:00

Kale Glorious Kale | Living Holistically

2011-10-30T16:20:00.000-06:00

Kale Glorious Kale | Living Holistically

2011-10-06T16:48:00.002-06:00

Van Alen History - 1902

Online book

Bones - L5/L1

2011-07-30T12:16:00.003-06:00

This is the problem - no solution offered.

Trevor's comment: I am home and happy. A little confused and frustated at the same time. But I am about to embark on probably one of my lifes most difficult missions but I know in the end I will overcome and succeed because that is the only choice that I am willing to accept

My Rose

2011-06-12T10:55:00.001-06:00

With or without care and attention - my roses thrive.

Natural Foods you can and can't eat

2011-06-12T10:49:00.001-06:00

For the Hunter Gatherers

May You Be Blessed Movie - Virtual Therapy for the Soul

2010-06-13T13:23:00.000-06:00

May You Be Blessed Movie - Virtual Therapy for the Soul

Lowe’s Donates $50,000 to American Red Cross for Flood and Tornado Relief Efforts

2010-05-10T13:57:00.001-06:00

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (BUSINESS WIRE), May 06, 2010 - Lowe’s is answering the call to help flood and tornado victims in 12 states, including Tennessee and Kentucky, by donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In addition, Lowe’s stores in affected areas are serving as official cash donation sites for customer contributions. Participating Lowe’s stores include those in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Lowe's Home Improvement

John Carter of Mars to be filmed in Moab

2010-04-29T02:26:00.001-06:00

John Carter of Mars to be filmed in Moab
Beginning in April, Disney Studios will film the science-fiction fantasy movie “John Carter of Mars” (also known as "A princess of Mars") in the Moab area. Preliminary work already is under way in London. Disney crew members scouted the world for a location resembling the reddish planet Mars. Film crews have been in Moab for more than a year, said Tara Penner, director of the Moab to Monument Valley Movie Commission.
The Disney cast and crew could pump nearly $60 million into the Moab-area economy during filming, which likely will take several months. In addition to filming the movie in eastern Utah, Disney plans to hire nearly 400 people to help with the movie in areas such as construction, security, and production and location assistance. Preference in hiring will be given to Utah residents, but residents from Western Colorado could be considered for jobs. People interested should immediately send a resume detailing previous movie experience to tara@moabcity.org.
For more details about the kind of jobs needed for the movie production, go to www.moabcity.org/filmcommission/production_directory.html.
Ne ws in E RBzi ne

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)

2010-04-14T11:50:00.001-06:00

9 April 2010
Washington (KRG.org) – The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq’s Representative to the United States, Qubad Talabani addressed the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery commemorating Iraq Liberation Day. Members of American and Iraqi forces, including members of the Peshmerga, attended the event, alongside veterans and family of those soldiers who have fallen in support of Iraq’s freedom.

“On this day, it is appropriate and right for us to commemorate the sacrifices made to liberate Iraq from decades of brutal tyranny under Saddam Hussein,” said Mr. Talabani. “So to be absolutely clear: Iraq thanks you. I thank you. And the people of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, most of all, thank you.”

During the ceremony, members of American and Iraqi forces laid wreaths at the joint gravesite of fallen soldiers from the U.S. and Iraq. Ms. Hayyam Sami Mahdi Al-Shather and Ms. Debra Argel-Bastian, whose husband and son respectively are buried at the site, attended and spoke at the event. Iraqi Air force Captain Ali Abbas Rubaie, Ms. Al-Shathers deceased husband is the only Iraqi buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Other speakers included General Nasier Arkan Abadi, Vice Chief of Staff, Iraqi Joint Forces of the Republic of Iraq; U.S. Brigadier General Judd Lyons, Adjutant General of Nebraska; and Ms. Wendy Hoffman, National President of Blue Star Mothers of America.

“Today, we must thank those who have helped us get to where we are,” Mr. Talabani said. “Because although we face complicated political problems, the majority of the political forces and people who guide Iraqi society want to live in peace. They want to live up to the promise that American forces have given us.”

The third annual Universal Remembrance Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery ended with a reading of a keynote address from KRG Minister for Peshmerga Affairs by Representative Talabani.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)

The Music of W B Ward

2010-03-15T00:32:00.001-06:00

The Music of W

The incurable romantic. W.B. Ward takes his more tender side and translates it to unique musical arrangements. To hear samples, just click on the various song titles and enjoy. (For best results, listen with the lights dimmed, a bottle of wine and someone you love.)

Here is this week's music highlight.

W.B. Ward on iLike - Get updates inside iTunes

Pufferbelly Station

2010-02-23T08:55:00.001-07:00

Grand Junction Depot – Grand Junction, Colorado Built in 1906, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Depot in Grand Junction opened on September 18, 1906, the same day that the tragic earthquake struck San Francisco. In fact, the first people through the Depot were not rail passengers, but rather refugees fleeing the nearly destroyed city. Physicians attended to the ill and injured, while volunteers served food, set up cots and handed out clothing as needed. The Depot was a most magnificent refugee camp. Designed by famed Chicago architect Henry J. Schlacks in the Italian Renaissance style, the Grand Junction Depot was considered to be the finest depot of its size in the West. Constructed of white brick with fine terra cotta details, the Depot featured a glass passenger canopy, large arched stained-glass windows, and an interior with 22-foot ceilings, solid oak trim and plaster pilasters. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported at the time of opening that the Depot was “…a credit to a city five times as large. The putting into service of this splendid railroad building marks an important era of local history.” The Grand Junction Depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Unfortunately, the Depot has fallen out of service and now stands vacant. The most recent owners of the Depot planned a full rehabilitation and restoration of the building with the intention of operating a brew pub; however, the economic crisis dashed those plans and as a result the Depot was foreclosed upon and is now bank-owned. Some time before 1930, the magnificent waiting room was converted to two levels in order to accommodate offices on the second floor. The second floor was subsequently removed, which has left vicious scars that will require substantial restoration of the original plaster details. In addition, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems need complete updating in order to accommodate a new use for the Depot. A “Friends of the Grand Junction Union Station” group has organized and recently applied for and received a grant from the State Historical Fund to complete a historic structures assessment. Colorado Preservation, Inc. plans to work with the friends group and the bank in order to assist in finding a preservation-minded buyer, while also collaborating with the City of Grand Junction in an effort to use the rehabilitation of the Depot as a catalyst for revitalization of the surrounding area.

Colorado Preservation, Inc.

Born Again American

2010-02-17T23:27:00.000-07:00

The most recent addition

2010-02-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Solen - Jan 30, 2010

Cooper and the quilt

2010-01-01T15:23:00.002-07:00

This is Cooper with the quilt I made for Trevor 25 years ago. I was recently told it was time to make a new one because that one is wearing out.

The caption says "Dad got to enjoy the blanket now I get to enjoy it"

Facebook | Trevor Hanson's Photos - Mobile Uploads

Wendy Hoffman – Curriculum Vitae

2009-12-09T10:30:00.001-07:00

718 Daniel Dr, Grand Junction, CO

(970) 242-3845

(970) 424-2312

wendy@jimandwendy.com

Highlights of Qualifications

Current – National President, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc - Volunteer
2008 – 2009 – First Vice President - Full time Volunteer- duties include database design and administration, membership coordinator, bylaw development, chapter creation and installation, Yearbook editor, Webmaster. Blue Star Mothers of America. Inc. More duties below under volunteer work..
3 Years Art Instructor – Children and Adult
8 Years Technical Trainer – Computer Instructor
University Graduate (BFA, Art 1994)
Provincial Instructors Diploma (British Columbia)
Major Solo Installation Exhibition Peace Gallery North, Ft St John, BC
Owner Operator of Wildflower Tech Creations LLC, laser engraving and art
2008 - 2009 – Contractor for $75K remodel on private residence
2004 – 2008 – Technical Instructor- duties include curriculum design and course delivery of six 16 hour courses San Juan College, Farmington, NM
2003 – 2004 – Remodel, renovations, design, construction supervision and management of 18 unit motel
1996 – 1998 – Remodel, renovations, repair and maintence of 64 unit hotel/motel and 6 unit townhouse complex
1996 – 1997 – Owner and Operator of Evergreen Studio – scheduled workshops, kids art classes, creation and delivery of Northern Lights College art classes, art supply sales, open studio operation, consignment gallery.
1994 – 1996 – Remodel and salvage of condemned mini-mall/laundry mat into functioning art gallery, studio, art supply store and residence.
1994-1995 – Renovations and resale of residence

Educational Background

Formal Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art, University of Lethbridge 1994

Visual Arts Diploma, Art, Grande Prairie Regional College 1992

Certificate, Visual and Performing Arts, Grande Prairie Regional College 1991

Provincial Instructors Diploma 2002

MCSE Certificate 2000

Home Remodelling and Repair Diploma 2009

Other Education
and/or Certification

Comptia Network+ 2001

Comptia A+ 2000

Experience Summary

Wildflower Tech Creations LLC – Owner – Art, Computer training, website design, woodworking, laser engraving, design, renovations – 2004-09

Phoenix2000 Solutions – Owner -- Computer Consulting, Training & Repair – 2000-03

Evergreen Studio – Owner -- Art Gallery, Art Instruction and Retail Sales--
1995-99

Contract History/Clients/Employment

The Home Depot

Sales Associate – Seasonal Employment

San Juan College Continuing Education

Technical Instructor/ Business Admin

Sunrise Motel, Berryville, AR (Hotel/Motel)

Management/Consultant/Renovations

University College of the Cariboo (Computer Access Center)

Technical Trainer

Community Futures Development Corporation (PpSec Institution)

Technical Trainer

Network Administrator

Shyne Body Design (Consulting)

Interior Design and Business Consulting

Alces Rivers Farms (Hotel/Motel)

Lawncare, building maintenance and renovations, decorating

BC Hydro (Lawn Care and Maintenance)

Lawncare and property management

Fort Graham Lodge (Event Coordinator, Marketing)

Marketing and booking wilderness tours

Arranging and providing transportation to lodge

Liason with European agents and clients

University of Lethbridge (Research)

Video documentary

Grande Prairie Regional College (Project Manager)

Organization and set up of bookstore art displays

Canada Mental Health (Event coordinator/project manager)

Organization of Public Art Exhibitions

Simonette
Contracting (Oilfield consultant)

Budgeting and establishing contract proposals

Louisiana Pacific (Logging)

Obtaining timber rights

Delivery of logs to mill

Subcontracting
and hiring equipment and operators

Chainsaw operator on landing

Alberta Highways

Heavy Equipment Operator

Grade Foreman

Grande Cache Mountaineer (Sales and Marketing)

Advertising design and promotions

Printing and sign making

Volunteer Activity and Positions

Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc – Charter member, Chapter president, Chapter Financial Secretary, National Database Chair, National Webmaster, National First VP, National President.

Researched, created and developed online presence, website and interactive membership database for organization of 8000 members. Trained officers and members in use of database and developed standards and procedures for data input. Obtained and inserted data, created online forms and set up credit card procedures. Developed security policies and administered profile creation.
Chartered, trained and installed new chapters nationwide. Promoted organization and increased membership to 7000+. Work with chapters on events, bylaw compliance, internal conflicts, membership drive and procedures. Attend events in DC and elsewhere on behalf of BSMA. Actively volunteering upwards of 20 hours per week.

Community Futures Development Corporation of Thompson Country Active Board

Peace Liard Community Futures Development Corporation Director

Hudson's Hope Community Network, Director

Dixonville Life Agricultural Society, President, Director, Past President

Dixonville Volunteer Fire Department, Captain, Fire Prevention Officer

2000-2002 Active Board, Community Furtures Development Corp., Kamloops

1999-2000 Kamloops Community Arts Council

1998-1999 Hudson's Hope Business Association

1997-1998 Hudson's Hope Community Network, Director

1995-1998 Hudson's Hope Fall Fair Director

1996-1996 Peace Liard Community Futures Development Corporation Director

1995-1996 South Peace Art Society

1995-1998 North Peace Art Society

1995-1996 Fort St John, Chamber of Commerce

1994-1996 North Peace Art Group

1992-1995 Southern Alberta Art Gallery

1991-1992 Prairie Gallery

1990-1992 GPRC Peer Support Team, Founding member

1990-1992 Art Club, Grande Prairie Regional College

1989-1990 Peace River Artist Guild

1985-1989 Dixonville Life Agricultural Society, President, Director, Past President

1986-1989 Dixonville Volunteer Fire Department, Captain, Fire Prevention Officer

1982-1984 Boy Scouts of Canada, Beaver Leader

Summary of Skills and Expertise

Technical Skills
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
A+ (Comptia)
Graphics, word processing, spreadsheets,

7 years Internet and Web Design
Organizational Director with Community Access Internet Society
Assisted with Installation, configuration, desktop support
Training, Instructional and Motivational Skills
Provincial Instructor's Diploma
Computer Instructor San Juan College
Technical Trainer CFDC
Technical Trainer University College of the Cariboo
Art instructor Northern Lights College
Art Instructor Evergreen Studio
Traffic Operator Trainer and Supervisor Telus (AGT)
Good Communication, Leadership, Management and Supervisory Skills

Key player in rebuilding and developing Non-profit.
Reorganized Ag Society just prior to dissolution and
rebuilt community support in less than 2 years.
Success with human resources duties, public relations
and complaints department in hospitality industry

Extensive training on Peer Support team at Grande Prairie Regional College.

Successful negotiation in employee disputes and
assisting staff with personal problems and stress.
Events coordinator for many organizations and businesses

Awards

1996 Images and Objects , Honorable Mention
1993 Juried Exhibition, UofL, Honorable mention
1992 Diploma in Visual Arts with Distinction
1992 Art Purchase Award, Grande Prairie Regional College
1992 Euphemia McNaught Scholarship in Art
1991 Certificate in Visual Arts, 1st Class Standing
1991 Grande Prairie Regional College Art Purchase Award
1991 Louise McKinney Post-Secondary Scholarship - excellence in academics
1991 Spectra Scholarship - art
1991 President's Honor Roll Award
1990 North Peace Consortium Art Purchase Award, Fairview College

Snow keeps residents busy, could cause City to plow residential streets for first time in four decades

2009-12-09T09:34:00.001-07:00

"The National Weather Service says the official snowfall count in Grand Junction is 8.7 inches -- the third highest total ever recorded in the month of December."

Snow keeps residents busy, could cause City to plow residential streets for first time in four decades:

National Veterans Day Observance

2009-11-14T13:17:00.002-07:00

Canada's Socialism Imported from America

2009-11-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

2009-09-28T13:39:00.000-06:00

In January 1926, Time magazine reported: “Having used the motor car for almost every other conceivable purpose, leading Detroit automobile makers have now organized a company entitled "Snow Motors Inc.," to put out a machine which will negotiate the deepest snowdrifts at six to eight miles an hour. The new car will consist of a Ford tractor power-plant mounted on two revolving cylinders instead of wheels—something on the order of a steam roller. Source: Wikipedia
Armstead Snow Motors from Seeking Michigan on Vimeo.

2009-09-21T18:27:00.000-06:00

Sept 21, 09 - Colorado Monument

Bob Hoffman, Lucy Hoffman, Sandy Rolling and Wendy and Jim Hoffman

Operation Melody donates musical instruments to vets

2009-09-15T16:31:00.000-06:00

"By MELINDA MAWDSLEY/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel"

Friday, September 11, 2009 Earlier this summer, veteran Randy Williams attended the American National Bank Downtown Farmers Market and saw a booth advertising Operation Melody. The program was created about three months ago to pair veterans with musical instruments. Williams filled out an application to receive a free instrument donated by a member of the public. “When I heard about it, I couldn’t believe it,” said Williams, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1987 until 2007. “I’ve been learning to play the fiddle, but I want to learn to play the guitar.” Williams will soon get that chance. Sept. 1, Williams picked up his tuned guitar from Wendy Hoffman, president of the Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers. The Blue Star Mothers is overseeing the program. Although the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers is accepting donated instruments from the public and applications for instruments from area veterans, Hoffman did not take credit for creating Operation Melody. That idea, Hoffman said, came from Doris Harper of Fruita, a 74-year-old musical fanatic who called in June to donate her used guitar, banjo, mandolin and accordion to veterans."
More... Operation Melody donates musical instruments to vets:

2009 hurricane predictions, plus storm names | Yahoo! Green

2009-06-01T23:00:00.000-06:00

"2009 hurricane and tropical storm names - Atlantic
Ana
Bill
Claudette
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate
Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda

2009 hurricane and tropical storm names - Eastern North Pacific
Andres
Blanca
Carlos
Dolores
Enrique
Felicia
Guillermo
Hilda
Ignacio
Jimena
Kevin
Linda
Marty
Nora
Olaf
Patricia
Rick
Sandra
Terry
Vivian
Waldo
Xina
York
Zelda"

The Rev. Hermon Gaylord Wood | Parish History | St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - Ayer, Massachusetts

2009-05-26T11:23:00.001-06:00

"HERMON GAYLORD WOOD, son of Hiram and Mary (Sprague) Wood, was born 19 Jan 1831 in Camillus, New York. He was known throughout his life as either H. Gaylord Wood or simply, H. G. Wood. His father was a farmer and a miller, and for nearly 40 years Senior Warden of Trinity Church in Fayetteville, New York. He prepared for college at Cortland Academy in Homer, New York."

The Rev. Hermon Gaylord Wood Parish History St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - Ayer, Massachusetts:

Tornado briefly touches down in Mesa County

2009-05-20T16:32:00.001-06:00

"GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) Meteorologists have reported a rare occurrence in Mesa County: a tornado.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction says a tornado briefly touched down in a rural area near Mount Garfield before dissipating shortly before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Mount Garfield is northeast of Grand Junction.
Meteorologist Jeff Colton says a Weather Service employee was driving in the area and saw it happen. No damage or injuries were reported.
Colton says it's just the ninth tornado to be documented in Mesa County since 1950.
The Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Mesa County and southern Garfield County but canceled it around 3:50 p.m."
Colorado Wire - cbs4denver.com:

Its a.... BABY!

2009-05-20T05:19:00.003-06:00

11 weeks 6 days

Grandchild number 4

Spring snowstorm shuts down Colo., Wyo. roads

2009-04-18T03:20:00.001-06:00

"DENVER (AP) — More than a foot of wet, heavy snow closed highways and canceled flights in parts of Colorado and Wyoming on Friday, snarling traffic and forcing school closures and flight cancellations.
The American Red Cross was looking for more space Friday night after the shelter it opened for stranded travelers in Idaho Springs filled to capacity with more than 200 people.
Power lines weighed down by snow tripped system circuit breakers and knocked out electricity for more than 16,000 customers in Colorado.

Up to 3 feet of snow was expected by Saturday night in the mountains above 6,000
feet, forecasters said. Nearly 3 feet already had fallen in Rocky Mountain
National Park about 60 miles northwest of Denver. "

The chilly weather forced a return to heavy coats and snow boots for some who
already had packed away their winter clothes.

The Associated Press: Spring snowstorm shuts down Colo., Wyo. roads:

More People Want to Pack Heat on Streets

2009-03-14T20:17:00.001-06:00

"In Mesa County close to 3,000 people have been issued a concealed weapons permit. But while Amanda Davis and her dog Heineken aren't packing heat today she could if she wanted to.
'I do think they are a good idea, I have one of my own,' says Davis.
And she is not alone. 'My husband just got a concealed weapons permit,' says Tammy Reece.
In February of last year 53 people applied for concealed weapons permits. Last month that number almost tripled to 147. Heather Benjamin with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office says, 'there is absolutely no concern.'" Video

More People Want to Pack Heat on Streets:

Radon: The Silent Killer

2009-03-14T01:16:00.002-06:00

"Every year more than 20,000 Americans are diagnosed with a terminal disease caused by a radioactive gas known as radon. Experts say in most cases those people didn't even realize they were being exposed to the gas, or that it was happening right in their homes. While deadly if left untreated, they say it can easily be fixed.
Radon -- it's odorless, tatsteless, colorless, and deadly.
'It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, first for non-smokers,' said Anna Maylett Rice, Mesa County Indoor Air Quality Specialist.
Health experts from Montrose to Mesa County say it's all around us here in Western Colorado. They say radon forms as uranium decomposes below the ground -- and because the Western Slope has a lot of uranium in the ground naturally, the chances of residents being exposed to radon is much higher than other parts of the country."
More
Radon: The Silent Killer:

Proud of your name? Join the club

2009-03-06T15:32:00.001-07:00

"HAYLEY MICK
From Friday's Globe and Mail
March 5, 2009 at 9:59 PM EST
Wendy Russ says it started back in elementary school. Classmates chimed 'Wiinndy' every time it got blustery outside. After that, it only got worse.
Teenage boys snickered when the Wendy's fast-food chain came out with the slogan: 'Where's the beef?' Then came the 'hot, juicy burger' campaign. 'You can imagine how that went over,' says Ms. Russ, who lives in Arkansas.
Still, she loved her name because it's different 'but not weird.' So as the Internet heated up in the early 1990s, she snapped up wendy.com — which soon became a beacon for Wendys worldwide."

"So those Freds are going to have to watch out," Ms. Russ says.

The site now represents an organization of 90 members who've bonded over nicknames (Wendikins, Wendorama, Wendy Lou Who) and favourite movie characters (Wendy Darling of Peter Pan). A revamp of the website is now in the works; there's even talk of a Wendy convention.

globeandmail.com: Proud of your name? Join the club:

(Note: I have been a member of the World Wide Wendy's since 1996 -- http://www.wendy.com/)

The Canadian Solution

2009-02-15T01:23:00.001-07:00

"Canadian banks are typically leveraged at 18 to 1--compared with U.S. banks at 26 to 1.
Published Feb 7, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Feb 16, 2009"

The legendary editor of The New Republic, Michael Kinsley, once held a "Boring Headline Contest" and decided that the winner was "Worthwhile Canadian Initiative." Twenty-two years later, the magazine was rescued from its economic troubles by a Canadian media company, which should have taught us Americans to be a bit more humble. Now there is even more striking evidence of 's virtues. Guess which country, alone in the industrialized world, has not faced a single bank failure, calls for bailouts or government intervention in the financial or mortgage sectors. Yup, it's Canada. In 2008, the World Economic Forum ranked Canada's banking system the healthiest in the world. America's ranked 40th, Britain's 44th.

I could go on. The U.S. currently has a brain-dead immigration system. We
issue a small number of work visas and green cards, turning away from our shores
thousands of talented students who want to stay and work here. Canada, by
contrast, has no limit on the number of skilled migrants who can move to the
country. They can apply on their own for a Canadian Skilled Worker Visa, which
allows them to become perfectly legal "permanent residents" in Canada—no need
for a sponsoring employer, or even a job. Visas are awarded based on education
level, work experience, age and language abilities. If a prospective immigrant
earns 67 points out of 100 total (holding a Ph.D. is worth 25 points, for
instance), he or she can become a full-time, legal resident of Canada.

More... Zakaria: The Canadian Solution Newsweek Voices - Fareed Zakaria Newsweek.com:

(Rockport) Local artist paints White House holiday card - Community - VillageSoup

2008-12-19T14:38:00.002-07:00

I suppose this might be my last year on the list -- but at least it has the correct address and no forwarding sticker.

Rockport) Local artist paints White House holiday card - Community - VillageSoup: "ROCKPORT (Dec 19): Each December, envelopes of yuletide cheer make their way across the country's small towns and big cities. This year, the White House holiday card, designed by one local artist, will grace the mailboxes of millions."

Lawson was recognized for his work designing the 2008 holiday card during a
reception at the White House on Dec. 3. He said the White House was
spectacularly decorated with 29 Christmas trees and breathtaking ornamentation.

Christmas Shopping

2008-11-17T05:57:00.002-07:00

At the Christmas Toy Store

I voted

2008-11-03T22:54:00.001-07:00

Subsidized Health Care

2008-09-25T12:59:00.000-06:00

"Canadian Man Dies After 34-Hour Emergency Room Wait, Paper Says

By Alexandre Deslongchamps
Sept. 23 (Bloomberg) -- A Canadian man died after spending 34 hours unattended in the emergency room of a hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the Winnipeg Free Press reported today, citing a city health official.
The 45-year-old was dropped off at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre on Sept. 19 and found dead on Sept. 21, the paper reported, citing Brock Wright, the Winnipeg Regional Authority's chief medical officer."

Bloomberg.com: Canada:

U of L Theo Tams wins Canadian Idol

2008-09-23T11:55:00.001-06:00

Tams turns Idol into a personal showcase: "In the end, it really was no contest.

University of Lethbridge student Theo Tams was consistently the top performer throughout the 2008 Canadian Idol competition and he was justly rewarded with the Idol title Sept. 10.

It took almost five million votes to put Tams over the top, as he became the sixth winner of the popular television event. Viewers of the competition saw Tams, a 23-year-old Coaldale/Lethbridge resident and U of L student (psychology/music) perform consistently to a point where he and Mitch MacDonald, a 22-year-old carpenter from Port Hood, NS were the last musicians standing."

The Yahoo! Saga

2008-09-13T15:53:00.008-06:00

I am still waiting to be able to say this issue, after 2 long months, has finally been resolved but we're not there yet. Its closer -- but still not resolved.

On 8-15-08 I called in again to billing because I have determined they are the only department that seems to actually answer a question and not just read a scripted reply. I was pretty much told the same as always. It is still showing up as an abuse issue but it is being researched. That was about the farthest ahead I had been to date. I mentioned it had been over a month since I had been able to access the email on a mail server I pay for, on a domain registered in my name.

There was a mention of eventual compensation but the situation was currently still being researched.

I asked again if I could at least have my other Yahoo account added as an administrator on my Jim and Wendy email server so I could get in and check my mail. Some serious events in my family had resulted from my not being able to check my mail -- and some drastic oversights in an organization I am in due to emails that did not get delivered. I was still outraged at the whole scenario but even more at the insistance of everyone I talked to that they have no communication with the Abuse department. My only communication with abuse was the replies I got to my online form submission that this was a billing issue.

So one 8-15-08 I again submit a report asking for answers, and I again submit a password reset request. In the middle of the strangeness I received the standard verification email asking for my security answer. I submit the same answer and was more than a little surprised to receive an email shortly after with a password in it. I was almost hesitant as I went to yahoo, entered my user name and the new password and was suddenly in my mail box. I checked the small business server and had access to my domain plan -- and access to my email server. I turned off the catchall mailbox that had been switched on shortly before the incident a month prior.

I went into my mail server and reset my email account password to make sure it had not been changed.

Then I opened Outlook and reset my jimandwendy.com account to automatically check for mail and then I watched -- I watched the little indicator scroll through numbers as it downloaded more than 3000 emails that had been held hostage by Yah00! I cried as I saw how many of these were important requests from members of my org. I cried when I saw how many were from family -- family who thought I had actually received these. I watched, and waited until all of the emails had downloaded into Outlook. Then I began the process of reading through them. It was not easy to sit and look at an email that was a reply from a member, date the day the account was frozen, in reply to an email I had sent the day before. Her military son was home on leave. I had emailed her a detailed plan of how she could take him to dinner somewhere and I would gather up the rest of the members and we would surprise him with a welcome home at the restaurant. I asked her to email me back with the place and time and I would take care of the rest. She had emailed back with the place and the time. I did not take care of the rest. It had to have been heartbreaking for her.

There was an email from a member of my org that was having health issues. She was going in for surgery and asked for my support. There were other emails and as I read through I became more enraged at the fact that a company could simply cut off access, continue to bill me, and not even have the ability to explain why. I attempted to change my password I had been issued and was unable to access the password reset. My access was only partially restored.

On 9/11/08 Yahoo! phoned. I was told it had been determined that even though something had somehow triggered Abuse to suspend my account that it was not an actual Abuse issue. There was no clear explanation but the word 'error' was used. I was also told the investigation and research was still in process and until a clear determination was made there would be no compensation. I was to be satisfied that at this point I now had access to my domain manager and email server. My Yahoo account was active.

Active -- but with no ability to change the password from the assigned one. He tried to determine a technical reason and put me through to the department that would assist me in resetting my password. He stayed on the line and I think I have a sense of gratitude for that. The technician that was assisting me was rude and belittling. She would snarl statements like "close that window right now!" or "Click the little 'x' and close all the windows on your desktop - very good, now tell me what you see" 'I am not able to help you if you refuse to follow instructions." At that point I did not mention I am a certified technician but I did mention that what she thinks the results should be are obviously not. She left the line and was a little nicer when she came back. She said it would be escalated and I would have a reply in 3 to 5 days. We were ending the call and I asked if Billing was still on the line. She snarled "Of course not" and he answered that he was. I believe she left.

But -- this has not ended. My account is partially reactivated but I can't change my password. I can't change and other features although I can edit personal information. I can access my domain control panel and email server. I was told that they have to continue to investigate before they can offer any form of compensation. It was not an abuse issue but continues to be investigated by Yahoo! Abuse. The Billing department has been as helpful as possible -- and often just as frustrated. I sensed the difficulty he had telling me its not over yet -- for the good of the company.

Colorado

2008-09-02T16:33:00.000-06:00

The Code of Hammurabi

2008-08-14T21:38:00.002-06:00

Laws of justice which Hammurabi (ca. 1795 – 1750 BC), the wise king, established.
A righteous law, and pious statute did he teach the land.

These laws were written on a stone tablet standing over six feet tall that was found in 1901.

228
If a builder build a house for some one and complete it, he shall give him a fee of two shekels in money for each sar of surface.

229
If a builder build a house for some one, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.

230
If it kill the son of the owner the son of that builder shall be put to death.

231
If it kill a slave of the owner, then he shall pay slave for slave to the owner of the house.

232
If it ruin goods, he shall make compensation for all that has been ruined, and inasmuch as he did not construct properly this house which he built and it fell, he shall re-erect the house from his own means.

233
If a builder build a house for some one, even though he has not yet completed it; if then the walls seem toppling, the builder must make the walls solid from his own mean

Yahoo! 8 days later

2008-07-20T08:28:00.003-06:00

Nothing has really changed -- I still cannot use my Yahoo ID!
My website has been reinstated at www.jimandwendy.com but I cannot log in to the domain control panel or edit my pages or site.
My email server has been reinstated at jimandwendy.com and Jim, Dallas and Wildflower can send and receive email. I cannot. I am unable to access my email online or through outlook. I cannot administer my email server. Email sent to me is going to the server but I can't retrieve it.

One major spin off here is that most of my online subscriptions, along with accounts, warranty registrations, etc are all linked to my personal email address. Receipts for online purchases go to my personal address. In many cases I am able to log to the account and enter a new email but this only works if I have the password. If not -- it gets emailed to my personal address where I cannot access it.

In an outlook folder I have saved all emails to and from Yahoo! regarding this situation. There are 50 emails in the folder. Many from Yahoo! are the auto responder emails for a form submission. The replies are noted in earlier posts -- 'its a billing issue', 'its a known issue but has been fixed', 'your email is a forgery', 'your premium services have been suspended for a TOS violation' and the most popular 'We need more information.' There was also a mailer daemon message on one form submission that bounced.

My most recent contact was with billing. The billing department seems to be capable of thought. common sense and reason and logic. Unfortunately the billing department is not able to rectify the situation. One tech even tried a 3 way call to account verification to have my password reset but ran into the same scripted responses I continue to get. No one seems able to contact abuse.

At this point I am at a standstill. My last call was to billing, when I read the responses from the variety of replies including the mailer daemon error message. He discussed it with the tech lead and I was left with the promise that this was going to be looked into further and abuse would be contacted somehow. My number was taken and I was told I would get a call back in 1 to 48 hours. It is now 43 hours since that call.

AT&T, SBC and Yahoo! working apart

2008-07-17T10:36:00.005-06:00

I want to report that this morning Jim has his email back and http://www.jimandwendy.com/ is back up.
I can still not access this, check for my email or manage my hosted web account or servers. My Yahoo! ID is still not functioning and a call to have it activated resulted in the same thing I have been told since this started -- go online and fill out the abuse report form.

I sent an email to the address for abuse hosting-abuse@cc.yahoo-inc.com that I reported being given in my last blog entry. I did not receive a response. I sent several more -- I have not received a response for any of them.

I have, however, started getting responses from some of the online abuse report forms that I have submitted. Two of them suggested this was a billing issue and to contact billing. They gave me the online URL for contacting billing through the small business site (that I can't do because I have no Yahoo ID) and also a phone number because billing prefers to work on the phone. So I phoned the number I was given for billing.... after a few minutes on hold a recorded announcement came on and said my wait tile was approximately 30 minutes. After 10 minutes of this announcement periodically interrupting the silence a second announcement told of the high level of calls, long wait periods and suggested I access the billing information online. After the recorded announcement delivered the URL -- it disconnected. I called again 4 times -- I was diconnected after 10 minutes on hold 4 times.

I called the customer service/ password reset number. I was told again that I would have to go online and fill out the Yahoo abuse report. I explained that I had done this several times and was receiving the responses saying it was billing not abuse. I was told her report was showing both and she suggested I call the number for billing. I asked her to connect me since I was repeatedly disconnected after 10 minutes. She transferred my call and I was placed on hold. This time I at least got music -- and Jim and I listened to over 90 minutes worth of it before my call was finally answered. My immediate opinion,however, was that it could well have been worth the wait. Not only was he listening to the details of what happened but he was trying to determine why and come up with a fix. He determined immediately that there were no billing issues and discussed the sequence of events that had transpired. He located a note on his records that the account had been 'cancelled by user'. He attempted to reset the domain for jimandwendy.com and also the email servers but was unable to because my Yahoo ID would not allow access. He escalated the problem and said he would make sure it was looked at and resolved.
While we were on the phone he contacted password reset and asked them to reset my ID. Despite the fact that I had an email from abuse saying it was a billing issue, and I had the billing department requesting the account be reinstated, it still could not be done. This time we were both told to complete the online form to contact Abuse.
This morning Jim announced that his email was working again. I tried www.jimandwendy.com and it worked. An email sent to myself at wendy @jimandwendy.com has not yet bounced.

BUT, I still can not access my email. Outlook continues to report an error in logging in. When I go to jimandwendy.com and attempt to access my webmail I get a Yahoo login screen that does not accept my user name or password. I click the password reset link and I am told it can't be reset online. I call the help number and I am told my User ID was terminated by abuse for a TOS violation and to go to abuse and complete the online form. Repeated attempts at disclosing the fact that I have done this and have a handful of replies resulted in being told -- you will have to fill out the online abuse form and report this to them. I was told I would receive a reply in 24 hours.

At the time of this writing it has been 123 hours (6+ days) since the first time I was told this. Emails sent to my address are no longer bouncing but instead are going to aserver where they can not be picked up.

More Yahoo! Abuse

2008-07-14T11:28:00.003-06:00

This morning the remainder of the email addresses on the jimandwendyserver have stopped working.
An early call to Yahoo! was at least successful in getting me an email address for contacting Yahoo! instead of having to fill out the abuse claim form and report myself. I have not received a reply to the email.

Still being abused -- by AT&T Yahoo!

2008-07-13T20:44:00.002-06:00

It gets worse -- if possible.
I finally got a reply from one of the online forms I filled out and reported I was not able to access the domain control panel or my email server.

The reply says:

The email that you have sent in for investigation is a forgery and not from
AT&T Internet Services.

Okay -- thats it -- the email I sent them telling them what has happened is a forgery.

But Yahoo responded right on the heels of this one. The response from them is as follows:

Wendy, I apologize for the inconvenience this issue has caused
you.
Earlier this was a known issue and now it has been resolved. Now, you
can access the Domain Control Panel of your Yahoo! Small Business account.
You can manage all the features of your Yahoo! Web Hosting account in one
central location. Just sign in to your Yahoo! Web Hosting account
at:
http://sbs.smallbusiness.yahoo.com/
-
Click on the "Small Business" button at the top-right of the page.
- Enter
your Yahoo! ID and Password
- Click at the "Domain Control Panel"

Oh WOW! If only I still had a Yahoo! ID.

Meanwhile -- some of the sites are now functional on GoDaddy.com
I have http://www.coonmountainbill.com/ up and running and http://www.gaylorddubois.com/
For some reason http://www.wildflowertechcreations.com/ is opening a welcome page (its supposed to be a forward) but http://www.wildflowertech.com/ is still getting me a page cannot be found error. I have no idea what I will do with http://www.leatherlaceimages.com/ since I do not have Tina's photos that are supposed to be on that site.

An update on Yahoo! abuse

2008-07-13T15:46:00.002-06:00

And I am still being abused.

Today my email address wildflower @jimandwendy.com began working -- I can send and receive email. This is an account on my jim and wendy server (through Yahoo!) but so is wendy @jimandwendy.com. Email to the wendy address bounces -- and the mailer daemon message says no such host server exists. But Jim can send and receive, Dallas can send and receive and wildflower can send and receive -- all thorugh the non-existent host server. The only one that does not work is wendy.
And an update on the 24 hours -- It is now 31 hours and when I phoned Yahoo! again a few minutes ago I was told (again) to fill out the abuse form and I would get a reply within 24 hours.

I asked for my authorization code so I can transfer my domain -- I was told they can't give it to me (I am the registered owner of the domain) until Yahoo! abuse authorizes the release -- and I have to fill out an abuse report form to have that happen.

I was able, with GoDaddy.com on the phone -- to get the name servers switched so I now have access to my wildflower.com email server -- and to the domains at coonmountainbill.com, wildflowertech.com, wildflowertechcreations.com and leatherlaceimages.com.

I still have no access to jimandwendy.com and that is where all the other websites are stored.

Yahoo! Abuse

2008-07-12T13:30:00.002-06:00

Or 'Abuse by Yahoo!'

I need to vent -- But It started about 2 years ago and has slowly gotten worse.

Here's the scenario --
I have a Yahoo! account I created in 1995 or 96. I have used the messenger and the email and have used the Yahoo!groups frequently.

2004 signed up with Yahoo! Small Business and obtained Domain Name and Web Hosting Service for www.jimandwendy.com. Initially I had email through another server (same domain name) but transferred it to a Yahoo! email plan. Everything is linked to my original Yahoo! ID. I pay annually for the domain and email server and monthly for the webhosting. Both our personal emails are on the Yahoo! email server for jimandwendy.com
2005 registered 2nd domain through Yahoo! Small Business www.wildflowertech.com when I started my company. Built a website as a directory on the host site, jimandwendy.com, payable annually.
2005 registered Yahoo! domain www.wildflowertechcreations.com as a link to my Ebay store, payable annually.
2005 purchased single email address from Yahoo! for wildflowertech.com payable annually
2006 signed up for SBC Yahoo! dial up internet because I was unhappy with my current dial up ISP. Contract guaranteed me a certain spped that I never got close to. I was on the phone with tech support 2 or 3 times a week to no avail. I cancelled account but had to pay off contract.
2006 registered Yahoo! domain www.gaylorddubois.com and added as directory on jimandwendy.com and payable annually.
2006 registered Yahoo! domain www.coonmountainbill.com for my mother to advertise her book of the same title. Host a page in a directory on jimandwendy.com and payed domain registration annually.
2006 registered Yahoo! domain www.leatherlaceimages.com for a friend and created a photography sales website for her in a directory on jimandwendy.com, domain payable annually.
2006 started getting 100's of bounced emails per day from spam being sent with my domain address. Yahoo! said it had nothing to do with their server. They suggested I turn off my catchall mail box so I would not receive the bounces. Had to clear jimandwendy.com email address from several black lists. Yahoo! assured me nothing was being sent using my domain.
2007 attempted to register domain for Tammy when she was going to sell her house. I got error message that the account was locked and transaction was denied. I called Yahoo! and was told to check my credit card information. Everything was confirmed. Tech support said it was a billing issue -- billing said it was a tech support issue. Both denied the error I was getting so I took a screen shot and emailed it to them. They said it was an AT&T issue and I would have to resolve it with AT&T. I had no AT&T account but Yahoo! insisted the problem was there. They said I would be able to register the domain if I set up a new Yahoo ID. I said I wanted it linked to my current ID so I could managed all domains in one place. They said I was unable to bill anything through my current ID because the account was frozen by the owner.
2007 continued to battle this issue. I was unable to make any changes to any of my domain plans because the account was frozen (by me Yahoo! said) and they continued to tell me I was going to have to create a new Yahoo! ID so I would be able to renew my other plans. Yahoo! continued to bill my credit card for the monthly fees and auto-renew on the annual fees. I could make no changes on my plans but could still access the control panel and update websites, move directories etc. Yahoo! continued to tell me it was an AT&T issue.
2008 I received a renewal notice from Yahoo! that the price of my domain registration would increase from $11.95 to $34.95. I logged in to my account and 2 domains were showing an expiry date and an amount due of $11.95 each. I attempted to change my credit card information on file but it would not accept my changes. I attempted to renew the domain while the price was still $11.95 and could not.
July 2, 2008. Initiated transfer of 5 of my domains to godaddy.com.
July 3, 2008 I was contacted by godaddy.com to make sure everything was working right and to see if I had any questions.
July 6, 2008 I received email confirmation that domain transfers were successful. The domain forwarding was still in place and the URLs were redirected to the directories on my jimandwendy.com site.
July 10, 2008 Yahoo! billed my credit card for registration renewal on 2 domain names.
July 12, 2008 I signed into Yahoo and access my domain control panel. I cancelled Yahoo! plan on coonmountainbill.com and gaylorddubois.com. I tested URLs and was able to access both pages. I made an edit to coonmountainbill.com with MSFrontPage and published the corrected page.
July 12,2008 I cancelled Yahoo! plan on leatherlaceimages.com because it had also been moved to godaddy.com. After clicking finish I attempted to access the domain control panel and was denied access. I clicked on my Mail button on the Yahoo! toolbar (showing 2 new emails) and was asked for my password. My password was declined.
July 12, 2008 email server for wildflowertech and for jimandwendy.com were both requesting passwords through Outlook. Passwords were rejected. Mail button on toolbar continued to count incoming email but I had no access to them. Tried to access domain control panel and could not. attempted to domain web pages -- 3 had notice of suspension -- jimandwendy.com was 'page cannot be found'
Contacted Yahoo! and was told I would have to enter abuse report to Yahoo! Abuse. When I asked what information I was reporting and who I was reporting on he told me to enter my Yahoo! ID and said I would get a reply in 24 hours about whether my ID could be reinstated. I asked how I could access my domain control panel or my email server. He said I could not and had been cancelled because of abuse. I asked what happened to my website for jimandwendy.com and my business website at wildflowertech.com. He said he could not access them. I asked what would happen on my email server -- he said he did not know because they were all showing as terminated.
July 12, 2008 Received an email from Yahoo! It said:
"I have analyzed your message and it is best addressed by our Account
Verification team. To protect account security, this team requires specific
information about your Yahoo! account that you provided during sign-up or when
you last updated your account, so I will need to ask you to contact them
directly to provide the necessary info to resolve your issue."
It also gave the following information --
Call 866-850-4303 (Open 7 days a week, 6 am - 6 pm Pacific Standard
Time)
I called at 3:15 pm mountain time and recorded message said office was closed.

I clicked the link in the email and was directed to the form I had filled out to report the error. I filled it out again. I received the same email reply.

July 12, 2008 -- I can log into Yahoo! Groups -- it says 'Hello Wourpet' I cannot customize my avatar. I cannot access my webmail. I cannot access my domain control panel. I get an error message on each of my domains -- even those registered through GoDaddy.com, because the routing information is on the Yahoo DNS server.

The Incredible Sweetness Of a Sour Cherry Pie (washingtonpost.com)

2008-06-22T20:43:00.001-06:00

By Domenica Marchetti
Special to The Washington Post
Wednesday, June 23, 2004; Page F01
Like so much in life that is desirable, sour cherries are hard to find, hard to keep and worth going after. These ruby-red sour delicacies -- also known as tart cherries and by the old-fashioned term pie cherries -- are delicate, juicy, luscious and mouth-puckering. But their season, especially around here, is all too brief -- the end of June and early July. What's more, they are fragile, so perishable, in fact, that they won't last but a day or so after being picked."

The Incredible Sweetness Of a Sour Cherry Pie (washingtonpost.com):

Sour Cherry Pie
One 9-inch pie
I am a cherry pie purist. I use a minimum of ingredients because I want my pie to taste like cherries. I use as little flour as possible to thicken the filling because I want it to be juicy, not starchy like canned pie filling. If the pie is still very juicy once it has cooled, simply pour out a bit of the liquid.
Pie crust for double-crust pie (store-bought or homemade), chilled
1/4 cup flour, plus additional for work surface
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 quarts (6 to 7 cups) fresh sour cherries, carefully washed, stemmed and pitted (may substitute sour cherries jarred in juice, drained and patted dry)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Midwest Flooding Moves Onto Iowa

2008-06-15T01:12:00.001-06:00

We are back in Colorado and I will add a few of my own pictures from in and around Ames, Iowa soon. To be sure -- it was wet. It wasn't raging floods but just completely saturated ground that wouldn't hold any more water -- so it laid on top -- and pooled in lower areas. Ducks and geese were swimming in what should have been corn fields. Local jet ski enthusiast joined them in places. Roads were intermittently closed as water flooded over the top.

In some areas, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids they had massive flooding -- 32 feet above flood levels in places. And it rained -- and rained -- and rained.
This picture is from the news -- taken in Shelby. We stopped there for supper on our way to Ames. It wasn't wet -- it was hot and muggy. I'll post the corn lakes later.
It is good to be back where Jim can breath in the air even if it is thin. The humidity in Iowa landed him in the ER.

"DES MOINES, Iowa — The severe flooding soaking the midwest and southern
plains this week moved onto Iowa Wednesday, after leaving large swaths of Ohio
underwater Tuesday and a trail of deadly destruction in its path.
The death
toll from two storm systems — one in the Upper Midwest and the remnants of
Tropical Storm Erin in Texas and Oklahoma — reached 22 on Tuesday when searchers
found the body of a man tangled in a tree near Lewiston, Minn. Officials in Iowa
are still determining if a death in that state can be attributed to the storm.
In Iowa, widespread flooding continued early Wednesday as thunderstorms
dumped more heavy rain across northern Iowa, which was already flooded from
earlier storms.
Strong winds destroyed buildings, cut off power and left
roads and homes underwater."

FOXNews.com - Midwest
Flooding Moves Onto Iowa, Where Death Toll May Rise - Local News News Articles
National News US News:

Roses and Snow

2008-06-07T00:46:00.001-06:00

Reports of 5 inches of snow on Grand Mesa on Thursday.

Backyard Serenity

2008-05-27T00:14:00.002-06:00

Nothing in this photo reveals the chaos and my hectic dashing about as I tried to avoid the impact sprinklers and catch the iris just as the shower passed.

Robins are growing...

2008-05-26T21:14:00.003-06:00

From those little blue eggs --

The Water Bed

2008-05-23T20:57:00.001-06:00

I confess to raucous laughter on this one.

More Backyard Birds

2008-05-21T00:27:00.004-06:00

And I am still trying to determine what they are.

So far we have it narrowed down to Gambel's Quail or California Quail
but they don't quite fit either description -- and they are in the wrong place.

Not very big, (robin or dove size) and they fly into the pines when they get scared.
The rest of the time they run across the ground like a roadrunner.

Mothers Day

2008-05-18T15:18:00.003-06:00

With a phone call from Trevor, Facebook message from Tammy and Chad and Webcam chat with Dallas -- it took me awhile to figure out the source of the flowers.

Thanks Deej :)

Robins

2008-05-18T15:03:00.003-06:00

Besides the Mallards that have a nest (haven't found it yet) in the area we have a pair of Robins nesting in the tree at the corner. The pictures are spread out over the past week -- the first was on May 14th. The last was on May 18th

Rhubarb Recipe

2008-05-10T21:21:00.001-06:00

Rhubarb Recipe: "The rhubarb plant has a long stock with large triangular leaves. When the rhubarb plant fowers the flowers are small, green to rose red. Rhubarb comes in a number of varieties and are often grown for their stems. These are used in pies, cobblers, cake, crisps and muffins. It can be used in almost any food item where a tart taste is welcomed."

May Day

2008-05-01T07:17:00.001-06:00

Grand Junction, CO
Today: Snow showers in the morning...Then snow showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Much colder. Snow accumulation 4 to 7 inches. Highs 25 to 35. West winds 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight: Cloudy. Snow showers in the evening...Then a chance of snow showers after midnight. Snow accumulation 1 to 3 inches. Lows 10 to 20.
Friday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of snow showers. Highs 35 to 45. North winds 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Birds in my Backyard

2008-04-20T18:40:00.002-06:00

After the small herd of deer that frequented my backyard over the winter I guess my newest tenants shouldn't be a big surprise.

Colorado Wildfires

2008-04-16T12:20:00.002-06:00

"3 die in Colorado wildfires; storm could aid firefighters
Apr 16, 2008 (12:30p CDT)
By IVAN MORENO (Associated Press Writer)

ORDWAY, Colo. - Firefighters resumed the battle Wednesday against three wildfires that blazed across thousands of acres of grass, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate and leading to the deaths of two firefighters and a pilot.

One of the fires was unchecked and still growing Wednesday morning.

Wind gusted up to 50 mph along the Rocky Mountain Front Range and eastern plains on Tuesday, fanning flames that had spread across 8,900 acres - or 14 square miles - of grassland near Ordway. Authorities told all 1,200 residents of the town to leave, and they had not been allowed back in Wednesday."

More...Qwest.Live.com News:

Pray instead of Protest

2008-04-12T01:35:00.004-06:00

Dear Editor,

A few weeks ago, several groups of people banded together to “protest” the death of 4,000 of our soldiers in the war on terror in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. For several weeks beforehand they watched as the numbers crept up, looking for the death that would signal the symbolic turn to 4,000.

For their protest march, which actually comprised a number of different grievances all gathered for one rally and parade, they placed little crosses in the ground to symbolize each of those lost protecting our freedom.

We support their right to gather, their right to discuss and their right to disagree; after all, it is our sons and daughters who are fighting in every corner of the globe so that they can have that right. What we find unacceptable is the group’s hijacking of our children’s service and memories to promote their protest, a protest that most of us strongly disagree with. Do they have the permission from each of the families of the fallen to use their child’s name and memory? Do they really believe that those families and those sons and daughters want their sacrifices used for propaganda that cheapens what they have given?

No one grieves more than a mother for a child who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, and no one has the right to cheapen or waste that sacrifice by using the deaths of our children for their propaganda. Our children are our blessings, our pride and our joy. We are the Blue Star Mothers, the proud mothers of children who have volunteered to serve our country. We have our shared memories of raising our children, we pray for them daily no matter where they are. We are the ones who wait for phone calls, letters and e-mails, and who rush to locations across the country to welcome them home, whether it is safely into our arms, for healing in a hospital or to lay them gently in the ground.

The men and women who serve are not a tool for protests. They are not a number to be discussed and argued over. They are serving a noble purpose. Those who say they support the troops but disagree with the war should change their tactics. Our children will come home when the job is done. Let’s support them to get the job done. Instead of rallies of protest, why not gather cards and letters of support, simple but necessary supplies that our troops need, food items, etc., and bring them to Blue Star Moms to send overseas. Instead of protesting on a corner, hold a car wash and use the money to purchase needed equipment in a rehab facility. Instead of signs of protest, fly signs reminding people of what you are grateful for that our country offers — that will stop traffic! Look for the similarities, not always the differences, that make us the United States of America.

Fly your flag, celebrate that all of us in America have the freedom to choose, and then, please pray for our children who have chosen to defend the freedom for all of us.

Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers, Colorado Chapter #4
Theresa Bloom,
Wendy Hoffman,
Ricki Gavell,
Karol Feltman,
Julie Dominguez,
Patricia Wheeler,
Anne Marie Boden,
Suzanne Daniels,
Sheila Decocq,
Robin Wade,
Juli Ingram,
Kathy Gosselin

Grand Junction Free Press - Letters to the Editor: "Pray instead of protest"

See also Mothers of Veterans take Exception to Protests

Anti-war Protestors take to Grand Junction streets and park

2008-03-30T22:12:00.001-06:00

"Anti-war Protestors take to Grand Junction streets and park

Posted: March 30, 2008 05:12 PM MDT
Updated: March 30, 2008 05:12 PM MDT"

BY CRYSTAL COSTA
Sunday night, about one hundred anti-war protestors marched in Grand Junction. They left Lincoln Park at about 4:00.
They made their way to protest in front of the Capco Incorporated Building. That's the company who the protestors say, locally manufactures equipment and supplies being used in the Iraq War. They say they want to shine a light on companies that are "making money while blood flows in Iraq."
Before the protestors left to march, they spent the afternoon at Lincoln Park. Over 100 people were there to listen to Iraq War Veterans speak. They say they wanted their message heard loud and clear, demanding an end to the war.
KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports Anti-war Protestors take to Grand Junction streets and park:

John McCain: Courageous Service - Experienced Leadership - Bold Solutions

2008-03-13T22:33:00.001-06:00

John McCain: Courageous Service - Experienced Leadership - Bold Solutions

2008-03-13T22:33:00.000-06:00

John McCain: Courageous Service - Experienced Leadership - Bold Solutions

The Troops are Home -- Welcome back Dallas!

2008-03-13T18:08:00.001-06:00

On Jan. 10, 2007, a solemn President Bush addressed the nation and announced his plan to restore order. He called for an additional five U.S. combat brigades to be deployed to Baghdad to end the violence and reestablish security.
More than 50,000 troops would eventually take part in the "Surge." The first of these units to answer the call was the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
Over the course of 15 grueling months, as they served out the longest combat tours since WWII, Paratroopers from the "Falcon" Brigade helped bring about a stunning turnaround in Baghdad and Iraq's security situation. By the end of 2007, thanks to the Paratroopers' grit and determination, levels of violence dropped a dramatic 90 percent throughout their area of operation and al-Qaeda in Iraq was on the run everywhere in the country.
For most of the Falcons, it was an odyssey that began on Dec. 27, 2006, the day the Brigade received orders for an immediate deployment to Kuwait. While most Americans continued to enjoy their Christmas break, the Falcons suddenly had to scramble to move 3,000 paratroopers, 300 containers of equipment and 100 vehicles halfway around the world. Amazingly, the movement was complete in less than a week.
"I don't know of anyone else (but the 82nd Airborne) who can do that," said Maj. Michael Baumeister, the brigade's logistics officer.
Deploying on such short notice is what the 82nd Airborne Division prides itself in, but for one unit from the brigade, it was a unique challenge. The Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, or Red Falcons, had recently redeployed from a five-month tactical mission that had them fighting all across Iraq, chasing elements of al Qaeda. The Battalion had only been at home for ten days when it received orders sending them back to the Middle East.

82nd Airborne unit leaving Iraq

2008-03-05T09:54:00.001-07:00

"WASHINGTON (AP) - the North Carolina-based paratrooper division that led the U.S. troop surge in Iraq last year is returning to Fort Bragg."

WAVY TV 10 - News, Weather, Traffic, Sports for Hampton Roads, Virginia - North Eastern North Carolina - AP NewsBreak: 82nd Airborne unit leaving Iraq:

Beauty in Reflection

2008-02-29T15:14:00.004-07:00

As I stand at the kitchen sink washing potatoes for supper I look out the window and see the sunset reflecting on the Mt Garfield and am awed by the beauty ...

and turn an see see the Bookcliffs and feel a sense of gratitude.

And then I sit down at the dining room table to eat supper and look out through the french doors at Grand Mesa and wonder how it is that snow can look so warm...

and as I put the dishes into the sink and look again at Mt Garfield I ponder the fact that one does not have to look west to enjoy the beauty of the sunset.

2008 Golden Bear Awards

2008-02-26T13:12:00.001-07:00

We won Best Picture!

Travels with Hale and Friends

2008 Golden Bear Awards

State Sues Professional Fundraiser -- Xentel, Inc.

2008-02-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

State Sues Professional Fundraiser -- Xentel, Inc.: "State Sues Professional Fundraiser -- Xentel, Inc.

Consumer fraud suit alleges telemarketers trick Iowans into believing the callers are fire fighters, that donations will support local fire fighters, and that most of donated money helps fire fighters.

DES MOINES. Attorney General Tom Miller filed a consumer fraud lawsuit today alleging that a Florida-based professional fundraiser company uses misleading telemarketing pitches designed to exploit the public's support for fire fighters in order to line its own pockets."

It is interesting to note that several 'watch dog' reports have surfaced on the net lately listing what they call 'all national charities' and grading them. On speaking with one of these report administrators I was informed they only grade charities taking in over 5 million per year. In other words they only grade charities getting scammed by Xentel and other fund raising solicitors.

I guess I should be happy Blue Star Mothers doesn't make the grade.

A general rule of thumb -- if they phone you or send you address labels they are probably the 'solicitors' who keep 90% of the money for adminstration and wages and only send 10% to the organization. Unfortunately you can't find a list of legitimate organizations -- or even the actual address to send your donation direct -- only reports of the ones to avoid.

Colorado Town Fears Avalanche of Water

2008-02-15T09:39:00.001-07:00

"Feb 15, 2008 (4:45a CST)
By P. SOLOMON BANDA (Associated Press Writer)

DENVER - More than 1 billion gallons of contaminated water - enough to fill 1,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools - is trapped in a tunnel in the mountains above the historic town of Leadville and threatening to blow.

Lake County Commissioners have declared a local state of emergency for fear that this winter's above-average snowpack will melt and cause a catastrophic tidal wave.

The water is backed up in abandoned mine shafts and a 2.1-mile drainage tunnel that is partially collapsed, creating the pooling of water contaminated with heavy metals.County officials have been nervously monitoring the rising water pressure inside the mine shafts for about two years. An explosion could inundate Leadville and contaminate the Arkansas River."It could come out, we just don't know where," county Commissioner Carl Schaefer said. "We're seeing changes and we're very concerned. We're not crying 'Chicken Little' here.""

More...Qwest.Live.com News:

Ice Storm in Yellville, Arkansas

2008-02-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

My sister, Linda, sent me a link to the photos she has uploaded of the icestorm they had yesterday. Beautiful even if somewhat destructive.

Search Current Weather Related Photos : Weather Underground

Cops send signal on red lights

2008-02-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

This is how we slow 'em down in GJ -- this was taken at the corner of North and 12th, one of our busier intersections -- and , Yes, that really is an on duty cop.

"By AMY HAMILTON
The Daily Sentinel

Thursday, February 07, 2008
Grand Junction motorists who received traffic tickets Thursday after passing through the intersection at North Avenue and 12th Street can’t say they weren’t warned."
“Don’t run red lights. My partners are waiting,” read a cardboard sign held by Grand Junction Police Department officer Patrick Rice. Rice planted himself with the warning at the corner of North and 12th between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The sight of the plainclothes officer with a black Grand Junction Police Department hat holding the sign prompted some thumbs-up signs and eager waves. But not everyone was happy.
“The ones that we stop, they aren’t smiling so much,” Rice said.

More...Cops send signal on red lights:

Climbing over Skeletons and Shadows

2008-02-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

My hardest decision on posting this seems to be what blog to put it on. While it would be great for our Blue Star Mothers chapter blog it is also one of those "lets not make it worse" scenarios.

Let me start by boldly stating that Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc has been around for 65 years. We were chartered by congress in 1960. Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers, the local Grand Junction chapter (Colorado #3) was chartered in November of 2007. Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc, currently has a membership base of approximately 4500 members (moms) nationwide. We are a Veterans Service Organization that is authorized by the U.S. Code: Title 36; Section 943, as of January 26, 1998.

We are NOT involved with Homefront Heroes. Homefront Heroes was founded in 2002 by founder and director Phyllis Derby in Grand Junction. The community of Grand Junction, and other residents of the State, welcomed the opportunity to be able to support the troops through a local organization. That is, until it soured and left a bad taste for many.

Fast forward to the chartering of Colorado Chapter 3 in November of 2007. I was previously a member of New Mexico chapter 1 where I was actively involved and met dozens of Blue Star Moms at convention in Albuquerque in the summer of 2007. When I learned we would be moving to Grand Junction I looked for a local chapter and when I found there still wasn't one I set the chartering process into motion. I wrote into the local paper, told the national membership chair of my plans and contacted several charitable organizations on the internet that seemed to have a local affiliation. With 5 other moms we were granted a charter on Nov 23rd, 2007. We now have 17 members and 5 associates.

Our first 'event' was the veteran's day parade in November and we were greeted with what I considered somewhat mixed emotion. It was my first knowledge of the former Homefront Heroes and I was told there had been a 'few' problems and it no longer existed. Some comments suggested our timing might be good because the community still had a desire to give while others thought we had a huge obstacle to overcome. It turns out the latter might have been closer to the truth.

At subsequent events and efforts at garnering community support I seemed to hear the previous organizations name more than I really needed to. I also heard many negative comments that seemed to group us together. We are NOT a resurrection -- we are NOT the same group with a new name. As one enlightened citizen suggested, we are NOT a 'fly by night' charity. As the days progressed so did the stories I heard about what 'had reallly happened' and the more confused I got. The stories ran the gamut of embezzlement by the founder to storage lockers of rotted goods that were never sent to the troops as believed. I was told they were still operating underground (interesting scenario for a non-profit)and I was told they were disbanded and their 501(c)3 status had been revoked.

After a recent event at the mall where I was verbally attacked for a variety of incidents and happenings I have no knowledge of I decided to try and come up with a solution. It was depressing to host a large event at the mall and be shunned by over 50% of the shoppers and to leave with our donation baskets and cups close to empty. Many of the mall patrons even shied away from signing a valentine. I also decided to see what the real story was on the defunct Homefront Heroes.

An aquaintance confided that she avoided attending larger events with us because of her prior involvement with Homefront Heroes but she hasn't been a large source of information. She has attended events in the shadows and passed out steakhouse gift cards that were "from Homefront Heroes but I don't say so" I suggested they be donated to Blue Star Mothers and was told the organization was thriving on the eastern slope. I suggested evrything from this side go over there to make a clean break for the community. She mentioned they were still hoping to revive it and that audits had been done and were available for viewing.

A check on the Colorado State website showed the name is still in use and registered but there is no record of State charities registration. A further check on the IRS form 78 shows the 501(c)3 status is not in effect as of Dec 2007.

An internet search on Homefront Heroes turned up some interesting facts. For one thing, they still claim to be in operation in Grand Junction although the rumors of them being underground might have a basis in reality. The website is not homefront heroes but militarysupportgroup .com . They are still selling magnets, they are still accepting donations, and they still have a full board of directors for Grand Junction. A second website procalims them to be somehow involved with A local check cashing store http://www.cashnowcolorado.com/homefront.html although on a phone call to one of the offices I was told 'We don't have a website' and when I gave her the URL she seemed quite shocked and said she was going to see that it was taken down immediately.

Then I received a call from a girl scout troop who had seen us on the news and want very much to be able to donate cookies to the troops again and asked would we work with them. I felt good but was taken aback when asked if we needed them to box them and pay the postage as well so they wouldn't rot in storage. My explaining that we were scrambling to have enough items to fill packages and storage was the least of our concerns were met with her stories of previous negative publicity with Homefront Heroes.

Again I searched not only through Google and Yahoo but also through the online archives of the Free Press. I found several stories of the growth of Homefront Heroes, of the large cookie campaigns and of the communities donations to the Steakhouse gift cards. Nothing negative appeared anywhere in the archives. It seemed I was to stay in the dark until I made one more internet search through the Sentinel's archives. I found it listed on a page of the top stories of the year but a click on the link informed me the story had been removed. The headline, however, divulged a name -- a different name than I had encountered in my research of Homefront Heroes.

I then did a search on the name Sarah Kenney and found probably more than I wanted to know. The original story from the news article is included at http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/002191.html and is there through the cuortesy of Google cache. For any who do not know, web pages remain in storage in a cache for years after they are deleted. The story is a tragic tale of a young soldier who jumped in front of a young Iraqi girl to save her from a bullet and was killed leaving his pregnant wife and family behind. Homefront Heroes had submitted the press release, complete with photos to the Sentinal and were raising money for the bereaved widow and her family. The story was a fraud.

More details can be found in the write up by the mudville gazette, including other facts they gleaned from the sentinel before they were deleted. The involvement of Homefront Heroes is fuzzy but questionable. The story itself had too many verifiable details to have been submitted without verification. One would also have to question the Sentinel. In fact it had too many storybook characteristics to be accepted at face value but it was -- and it was published and the community rallied in support. However it did run -- and was a bogus story for apparently illicit purposes -- and has left Blue Star Mothers of the Grand Valley with a hurdle to climb -- but climb it we will!

A more complete article, also from caches of the Sentinel's archives can be seen here. And the Free Press did indeed have coverage, in fact they did plenty of investigating to help uncover the scam. A report on this is in the Vail Daily

Update 2/9/08
This article covers some of the other comments we have been confronted
with. I gather Homefront Heroes was involved in more than one episode of
negative publicity.
an excerpt... "Huffman and fellow ex-board member Tom Logsdon
spoke with reporters in a press conference called by the former board shortly
after 11 a.m. — held in front of the Grand Junction Police Department at the end
of interviews they had with police that started at 10 a.m. Huffman said herself,
Logsdon and his wife, Sherry, and Carrie Harmeyer presented “written and verbal”
financial information to Grand Junction Police Lt. Greg Assenmacher and Chief
District Attorney’s Investigator Gil Stone." An article is in the GJ Free
Press archives.

Another Update........ More Details on the Junction Daily Blog

Hearts off to Our Troops

2008-01-31T19:41:00.000-07:00

Grand Junction Free Press - Community News: "Gage Roberts, almost 2, of Fruita, puts his finished Valentine card in the collection bag.
Photo: Tracy Dvorak Free Press"

More photos

BREATHE!

2008-01-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

Inogen One Portable Oxygen concentrator Travel Concentrators, Nebulizers, pulseoximeters: "What are the benefits of oxygen therapy?
Numerous studies have shown that COPD patients who use supplemental oxygen live longer and have more active lives than individuals not receiving oxygen. Oxygen therapy is based on the premise that all human cells require sufficient levels of oxygen to function properly. Exercise is often easier for individuals receiving supplemental oxygen because more oxygen is getting to the muscles. Receiving oxygen also helps to reverse the long-term effects of oxygen deficiency on the heart. Oxygen therapy has also been known reduce sleep disruption while also improving concentration and memory levels."

KREX TV Station Burns

2008-01-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

"Grand Junction TV Station KREX Burns In Fire
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (CBS4) ― KREX TV's building caught fire Sunday morning.

KREX is the CBS affiliate in Grand Junction, on Channel 5 and also broadcasts on the FOX station, Channel 4. As of 10 a.m., it was uncertain if the station would be able to broadcast the AFC Championship game through its FOX affiliate to Grand Junction-area viewers"

More...cbs4denver.com - AFC Game May Not Be Broadcast:

New Larger Flat Rate Boxes

2008-01-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

"'New Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box
The current flat-rate box, which gives customers a single, predetermined rate regardless of the weight or delivery zone, was introduced in November 2004. The new, larger box extends the agency’s successful flat-rate offerings, providing more choices for small businesses and consumers.New Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box
The current flat-rate box, which gives customers a single, predetermined rate regardless of the weight or delivery zone, was introduced in November 2004. The new, larger box extends the agency’s successful flat-rate offerings, providing more choices for small businesses and consumers.'"
See details...:

Tougher ID Rules for Borders

2008-01-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Chertoff: Tougher ID Rules for Borders -- GOPUSA: "Chertoff: Tougher ID Rules for Borders
By EILEEN SULLIVAN and DEVLIN BARRETT
Associated Press
January 18, 2008"

Thousands of people enter the U.S. through land crossings every day. The
biggest effect of the change will be at the Canadian border since it applies to
both Canadians and Americans. Non-Americans coming in through Mexico already
need extra documentation.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- New border-crossing rules that take effect in two weeks will mean longer lines and stiffer demands for ID, including for returning Americans, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday.
A driver's license won't be good enough to get Americans past a checkpoint at the Canadian or Mexican border, Chertoff said. That will be a surprise to many people who routinely cross the border with Canada, but Chertoff bristled at criticism that such extra security would be inconvenient. More than 800,000 people enter the U.S. through land and sea ports each day.
''It's time to grow up and recognize that if we're serious about this threat, we've got to take reasonable, measured but nevertheless determined steps to getting better security,'' he said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Thousands of people enter the U.S. through land crossings every day. The biggest effect of the change will be at the Canadian border since it applies to both Canadians and Americans. Non-Americans coming in through Mexico already need extra documentation.
Congressional critics representing Northern border states were anything but impressed with Chertoff's rhetoric.
His department has proved incapable of implementing a 2004 law on border security, and Chertoff ''frankly has as much credibility on telling people to 'grow up' as Geoffrey the Giraffe,'' said Rep. Tom Reynolds, a Buffalo-area Republican.
Added Sen. Norm Coleman, a Minnesota Republican, ''Secretary Chertoff's comments that those objecting to the plan need to 'grow up' indicates that the department still doesn't understand the practical effects of DHS policies on the everyday lives of border community residents.''
Sen. Patrick Leahy, Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the move does nothing to enhance security and will only hurt the economy. ''When it comes to the Northern Border, the muddled thinking and poor planning at DHS seems to have no bounds, and the agency that botched Katrina seems to have no shame and no memory to boot,'' Leahy said.
Under the new system, which takes effect Jan. 31, Americans and Canadians who are 19 or older will have to present proof of citizenship when they seek to enter the United States through a land or sea port of entry. A passport will be fine. Or a birth certificate coupled with some other ID such as a driver's license.

More...

My Review of iRobot® Roomba® Red Vacuuming Robot

2008-01-15T17:48:00.001-07:00

Originally submitted at iRobot

Our standard Roomba vacuuming robot cleans floors with the touch of a button so you don't have to. Vacuums beneath furniture and other hard-to-reach places, automatically adjusts from carpets to hard floor surfaces and avoids stairs and drop-offs.

I loved him to death!

By Wourpet from Grand Junction, CO on 1/15/2008

Pros: Cleans Effectively, Cleans Under Furniture, Hassle Free Operation, Long Run Time, Covers Entire Room, He's got Personality

Cons: Can Get Stuck

Best Uses: Carpeted Rooms, Large Rooms, High Traffic Rooms, Tile Floors, Small Rooms, Pet Hair, Hardwood Floors

Describe Yourself: Homeowner, Pet Owner, Busy household

My Robot's Name: Roomba

I have had Roomba for almost 9 months and he has been wonderful -- and a very hard worker. I have uploaded videos of him wrestling the rug to YouTube and have talked my mother into getting one just like him. My boy has an attitude and has provided us with entertainment on occasion with some interesting manuevers. Sadly he has recently started behaving oddly and has lost his voice. Customer service is great and a replacement is on the way but I feel like I am sending away the family pet.

Roomba and the Rug 2

Tags: Rug, Vacuum, Roomba, Funny

(legalese)

The End of the Light Bulb as We Know It

2008-01-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

"The incandescent light bulb, one of the most venerable inventions of its era but deemed too inefficient for our own, will be phased off the U.S. market beginning in 2012 under the new energy law just approved by Congress. Although this will reduce electricity costs and minimize new bulb purchases in every household in America, you may be feeling in the dark about the loss of your old, relatively reliable source of light. Here's a primer on the light bulb phase-out and what will mean to you:"

Why are they taking my light bulbs away? Moving to more efficient lighting is one of the lowest-cost ways for the nation to reduce electricity use and greenhouse gases. In fact, it actually will save households money because of lower utility bills. Ninety percent of the energy that an incandescent light bulb burns is wasted as heat. And yet, sales of the most common high-efficiency bulb available--the compact fluorescent (CFL)--amount to only 5 percent of the light bulb market. Earlier this year, Australia became the first country to announce an outright ban by 2010 on incandescent bulbs. The changeover in the United States will be more gradual, not mandated to begin until 2012 and phased out through 2014. However, don't be surprised if some manufacturers phase out earlier.

How do I save money, when a CFL costs six times as much as an old-fashioned bulb? Each cone-shaped spiral CFL costs about $3, compared with 50 cents for a standard bulb. But a CFL uses about 75 percent less energy and lasts five years instead of a few months. A household that invested $90 in changing 30 fixtures to CFLs would save $440 to $1,500 over the five-year life of the bulbs, depending on your cost of electricity. Look at your utility bill and imagine a 12 percent discount to estimate the savings.
I've heard that CFLs don't really last as long as they say. Turning a CFL on and off frequently shortens its life, which is why the government's Energy Star program says to leave them on for at least 15 minutes at a time. Also, if you have dimmable light fixtures, make sure to buy CFLs labeled "dimmable." All CFLs that carry the government's Energy Star label are required to carry a two-year limited warranty, so contact the manufacturer if your bulb burns out prematurely. The Energy Star website has a good FAQ on CFLs.
I don't think that I like the color of the light from CFLs. When they first hit the market, CFLs had a limited range of tones. Now, manufacturers offer a wider variety, but there is not an agreed-upon labeling standard. The Energy Star program is working to change that. But for now, look for lower "Kelvin temperatures" like 2,700 to 3,000 for "redder" light, closer to old-fashioned incandescent bulbs, while bulbs with Kelvin temperatures of 5,000 and 6,500 provide more "blue" and intense light. A good photograph illustrating the difference is shown here.
I've heard that CFLs have mercury in them--isn't that bad? Consumers are rightly concerned about the toxic substance mercury that helps CFLs produce light. Even though the amount sealed in each bulb is small--one old-fashioned thermometer had about 100 times as much mercury--contact local trash collection for disposal instructions. Environmentalists agree that more work must be done on bulb recycling programs. Right now, you can return any CFL to any Ikea store for recycling, and the Environmental Protection Agency and Earth911 have sites you can search for other recycling programs near your home.
But if you break a CFL, you'll have a toxic spill in your home. Maine's Department of Environmental Protection has developed the best advice on the procedures to follow if a CFL breaks. Don't use a vacuum. Maine officials studied the issue because of a homeowner in that state who received a $2,000 light bulb clean-up bill from an environmental hazards company--a story that has circulated around the country and increased consumer concerns about CFLs. It turns out that the company's advice was overkill, and a subsequent analysis showed no hazard in the home. But the bulbs must be handled with caution. Using a drop cloth might be a good new routine to develop when screwing in a light bulb, to make the clean-up of any breaks easier.
By the way, don't think that incandescent bulbs are mercury free. In the United States, the chances are at least 50 percent that their light is generated by a coal-powered plant featuring mercury as well as other types of pollution. Popular Mechanics recently crunched the numbers to find that even if the mercury in a CFL was directly released into the atmosphere, an incandescent would still contribute almost double that amount of mercury into the environment over its lifetime.
Isn't there efficient lighting without mercury? Yes. By 2012, the chances are good that consumers will have many more options to replace incandescent bulbs. Manufacturers already are deploying advanced incandescent bulbs that are efficient enough to stay on the market after 2012, although they are not yet as efficient as CFLs. Even more exciting are the developments with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are jazzing up holiday lighting. The European electronics firm Philips this year acquired several pioneering small technology companies and plans a big push to make LEDs practical for ordinary lighting purposes. The lights on the New Year's Eve Times Square Ball could one day brighten your home. LEDs last even longer than CFLs and will make bulb buying more like an appliance purchase than a throw-away item.
Is Thomas Edison turning over in his grave? Perhaps, but the incandescent bulb has had a good run, with the technology little changed since 1879, when Edison produced light with a carbonized thread from his wife's sewing box. The breakthrough that ushered civilization out of the candle era was so revolutionary that the light bulb itself became the culture's iconic image to illustrate any thought, brainstorm, or idea. But energy-efficient bulbs are a better idea, says Andrew deLaski, director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. "It's hugely important," he says. "A 60 to 70 percent reduction in light bulb energy use will save as much energy annually as that used by all the homes in Texas last year." That's a big savings.

FAQ: The End of the Light Bulb as We Know It - Yahoo! News:

Colorado Braces Itself for Winter Storm

2008-01-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

It was nice to wake up to balmy temperatures in the high 40's today but...

"Posted on Jan. 4, 2008 by Rick Adams A powerful weather system gets ready to
nail Colorado. The clouds have moved in and the high country is bracing for a
major storm. The National Weather Service says the brunt of this system will hit
the mountains along the Continental Divide starting tomorrow and will bring
prolonged and heavy snow. The heaviest snow will be in the southwest, but even
the northern mountains will get as much as 16 inches. There are no road closures
at this time...however, there is a winter storm and high wind warning along I-70
in the mountains from tonight through Sunday. Winds are expected to gust up to
65 miles per hour."

More...Colorado Braces Itself for Winter Storm - Local News - News : Grand Junction, Colorado:

Patience required

2008-01-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

This mandala is made completely with sand. I know I would not have the patience but at the same time I think it would be incredible to have the balance, calmness and patience needed to make this.

View more mandalas in the Beliefnet Gallery

2,000 Travelers Stranded in Colorado

2007-12-31T12:18:00.000-07:00

These are the headlines I read as I look out my window across the few traces of snow on the sidewalk and the unmoving windchime. I live along I-70 but there are many advantages to being on the western slope. The photos were taken about 5 minutes ago from my back door.

"Dec 31, 2007 (12:59p CST)
By GEORGE MERRITT (Associated Press Writer)

DENVER - More than 2,000 travelers were stranded at Red Cross shelters
in the Colorado high country Monday as a threat of avalanches closed a stretch
of Interstate 70 west of Denver.

Deep snow drifted into more than two
dozen narrow ravines in the mountainsides - known as avalanche chutes - raising
the danger of potentially deadly snow slides cascading onto I-70."

more...Qwest.Live.com
News:

Meditative

2007-12-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Christmas and the Grinch

2007-12-28T13:05:00.001-07:00

I did have an enjoyable Christmas but sadly it was not one that passed by without touches of emotional pain. On a positive note -- I finally managed to get linked up with the online camera through Yahoo with both Dallas, in Baghdad, and Alexa in Ontario. It took almost 3 hours of trying to connect but when it would work in the garage and not in the office I started working on configuration. Of course since the garage cam was working we made it 4 way -- and included Charlie.

Dallas missed Christmas dinner on base because he wanted to 'spend Christmas with my family' and once I got mine working and Lexi got finished her obligations and could get online the mess hall had closed. We did have a chance to watch each other open gifts and share the moment.

Another positive point was dinner, and as usual I made way too much but I would rather have too much, and have it resemble a feast, than to have it like 'any other meal'. Even during the years I was a single parent and barely putting food on the table for the 3 kids we still managed to pull off a holiday feast. It was a pleasant meal and we both ate too much.

Another high spot -- our beautiful tree. Jim took me out to get it this year -- a live one, and he picked it out. I think its perfect.

And a very positive high spot -- I got a miter saw -- yippee!

But there were low spots. The high point of Jim making it home late Christmas eve (and me bouncing around excitedly telling him all about the activities of the last few days) took a sudden downward spin when he mentioned he was heading to bed. When I reminded him he had a stocking to fill he said "then you had better get the stuff out that goes in it." I was more than a little taken aback but I said simply that it doesn't work that way and he went to bed.

I filled his stocking and, after some reflection on a few other comments made over the past couple weeks regarding Christmas and gifts, I went to bed. I woke early (although later than the early hours I woke up at when the kids were small) and went out and logged onto the computer to see if Dallas was online yet. Jim got up soon after and I wished him a Merry Christmas. I asked if he wanted me to bring him his stocking and he said 'no'. I also mentioned that he might have to dig in his stash in the sock drawer [to fill my stocking] and I started the laborious process of getting the cameras working on the computers.

Jim did drop 2 of the 'sock drawer' packages into my stocking so once I got the cameras working in the office I asked him to come sit in by the tree and camera so we could open them. The 'sock drawer' gifts have accumulated over the past 3 years. On my birthday in 2005 he wrapped 2 but only gave me one. Another appeared later that year and at Christmas, yet another. On each birthday or Christmas he would get me something else and the gifts in the sock drawer stayed. Last year he commented that he could have added them to my stocking but he forgot about them. This year I reminded him well before Christmas and was told 'they are not stocking stuffers.'

So fast forward back to Christmas Day this year. I opened the first box and found a pair of earrings to match the necklace he gave me for my birthday in 2005. I was puzzled. Why not gift them as a set at the time? He had bought them at the same time -- but only gave me part of the set -- and 2 1/2 years later I only have the rest of the set because he had chosen not to get anything for my stocking. The second gift was another turquoise necklace but not a match to the earrings -- they clearly belonged to the necklace he had given me in 2005.

At that point, since only 2 of the 3 stashed gifts were in the stocking I asked what occasion he was saving the 3rd one for. I admit I was curious that it might be the earrings that go with necklace number 2 but that thought remained unspoken when he shouted out that I got all I was going to get. He then went on to say I got those because I wouldn't say Merry Christmas until he put them in my stocking (untrue and I corrected him) and that I don't give gifts -- I make contracts -- and that I couldn't give a gift without expecting something back. I only said 'Uh -- its Christmas'. I also pointed out that there were about 12 gifts under the tree for him and only 1 for me and I had not said a word about that. His next statements were even more confusing since he began accusing me of attacking him when he came in the door and that he should have stayed at work another day. I reminded him we had had a great evening and it was only when he was going to bed that there was any conflict and that it was dropped immediately. He agreed.

I mentioned the good dinner we had and things went better for the remainder of the afternoon. Later when I talked to Sandy and mentioned that Jim doesn't do Christmas well she agreed and said Bobby doesn't either. I guess part of my confusion is why it was so different this year. If he really does not want to do stockings or Christmas gifts then why did it just surface this year? I won't say I will agree to no gifts or stockings -- I already gave up the scavenger hunt the kids and I had made a tradition of. But it could at least be discussed -- I am not a bad person just because I expect something for Christmas.

The first year we were married he struggled with the stocking part a little because he had 'never had one and for sure never filled one', but Dallas helped him out with the stocking and I suggested some things he could put in it. The second year he had a few too many things so the extra ended up wrapped in the sock drawer. Last year he not only filled the stocking without any help but also had more than one gift under the tree, including some from 'Santa Claus'. He really appeared to enjoy the Holiday last year -- we had a wonderful Christmas. So what changed this year? And what reason could there be for him to hold back part of a jewellry set for almost 3 years and then be angry when he did finally give it to me? And why did he make the comment this year that he 'hadn't done this for 55 years so why should he start now?'

The high spots were more and better -- and outweighed the low spots -- but unfortunately they did not eliminate the confusion. This was the year Jim seemed to balk at anything Christmas -- he didn't give me a card, even though he did buy one -- and put it away.

Oh -- and Charlie ate the grinch!

Santa in Colorado

2007-12-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

Its 11:45 and this is the most recent update on Santa. I guess I had better get to bed.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas Dallas

2007-12-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

Watching the Storm

2007-12-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

The storm rolled through Colorado and Wyoming on Friday, then spread snow and
ice on Saturday from the Texas Panhandle to Minnesota. Multi-car pileups closed
parts of several major highways Saturday in the Plains states.

We didn't get the storm but we sure got towatch it. The view from my backyard
was completely gone. The bottom picture shows part of what I usually see.

Finishing Touches

2007-12-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

Allthough I still have a long way to go on the unpacking and remodels I did manage to get the planter and aquarium joined finally. We have struggled with a lot of options but the one I went with was to basically cut a hole in the middle of the planter and stand the aquarium in it, stand and all, and cut the plant tray to fit. Here's the end result and I have more pictures in the folder on webshots.

You probably won't get a card from the Bushes -- chicagotribune.com

2007-12-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

And according to this article I guess I have bragging rights... being
one of the 1%

You probably won't get a card from the Bushes -- chicagotribune.com: "You probably won't get a card from the Bushes
By Patrick T. Reardon Tribune staff reporter
December 14, 2007"

The White House recently announced that George W. and Laura Bush are sending out 895,000 Christmas cards this year. That means one of every 128 American households will get one.Not mine, I suspect. And probably not yours.Still, that's an awful lot. It means that if you fly somewhere this month, the odds are one of your fellow travelers on the trip out or back is a White House card recipient. In first class, I'd guess.

It means that if you're at the mall, a goodly number of people among the hundreds swirling in and out of stores have gotten or will get the cards. That number, of course, will be somewhat lower, say, at the Sears on Lawrence Avenue in heavily Democratic Chicago than at the Sears in the Oakbrook shopping center in deeply Republican DuPage County.

But why send the card to just some people? If you're going to make it something of an official act (as opposed to doing a private mailing to close friends and family), why not make sure every American gets one?The way it is now, the Christmas cards -- which have been dispatched in large numbers from the White House by Democratic and Republican presidents going back more than a quarter-century -- are an exercise in exclusion. Their message is: This 1 percent of the population is worthy of a card, and the other 99 percent of us aren't.

White House Christmas Card

2007-12-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

I guess I made it onto the list for the second year in a row. Here's my
card. And I was quite happy with it just the way it is.

Here is what Barbara Walters had to say about hers...

ABC's Barbara Walters Slams White House Christmas Card for including Scripture: "ABC's Barbara Walters Slams White House Christmas Card for including Scripture
By Colleen Raezler of the Culture and Media Institute

LOS ANGELES, CA, December 14, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Barbara Walters likes to receive Christmas greetings from high-profile celebrities and leaders, but apparently not if they refer to the Bible.

On Thursday's episode of ABC's The View, Walters expressed dismay that President and Mrs. Bush would send out greetings containing Scripture.

During the segment, Walters showed the other gals some of the 'highfalutin Christmas cards,' and explained the White House card:

'First of all, let me show you the cover of the White House, which is nice and bland…So that's pleasant enough. This is what interested me, that it is a religious Christmas card. Usually in the past when I have received a Christmas card, it's been 'happy holiday's' and so on- And this says:

''You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You gave life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.'

'That's from Nehemiah in the Old Testament. I don't remember- and I'm sure people will remind me-getting a religious card. Now does this also go to agnostics and atheists and Muslims and -'

Moderator Whoopie Goldberg and co-host Sherri Shepherd tried to steer clear of controversy by joking that the Scriptures were about Walters, but Walters persisted in her critique, asking, 'Don't you think it's a little interesting that the president of all the people is sending out a religious Christmas card?'"

Woman Charged for Cursing After Home Toilet Backed Up

2007-12-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

"(Scranton, Pa.) -- Dawn Herb is charged with cussing a blue streak. But her lawyer argues that cursing in your home is no crime. Herb went before a judge in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Monday on a charge of disorderly conduct. She was cited by an off-duty officer who heard Herb let out a string of four-letter words after her toilet backed up in October. She doesn't deny using the obscenities. But her lawyer says Herb has a constitutional right to curse like a sailor in her own home. The judge says he'll make a decision in a few days on whether the mother of four is guilty of a cussing crime. If convicted, Herb faces up to 90 days in jail."

wltx.com Woman Charged for Cursing After Home Toilet Backed Up:

Major Snowstorm Socks Colorado

2007-12-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

"A major snowstorm hits many parts of Colorado. The Grand Mesa has already received two feet of snow and is expecting much more throughout the night. C-DOT says road conditions are wet and will become icy as temperatures start to drop. Down in the valley, we've seen record-breaking rainfall today. The National Weather Service says we haven't seen this much rain on this day since 1918. While the snow will be a headache for drivers, skiers are on cloud nine as some areas of the mountains are forecast for many feet of snow."

Major Snowstorm Socks Colorado - Local News - News : Grand Junction, Colorado:

These are the headlines -- and the picture is my view of Grand Mesa but down here in the Grand Valley we have had no snow -- just a lot of rain for the past couple days.

Wii-habilitation has Edmonton patients on their toes

2007-12-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

"Last Updated: Friday, May 11, 2007 4:48 PM MT
CBC News

Therapists at a rehab hospital in Edmonton are using Nintendo's Wii videogames to treat patients who have movement and balance problems.
As part of Albert Liaw's rehab at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, a boxing video game has him punching into thin air in a battle with an onscreen opponent.
Instead of using a joystick or keyboard, Liaw's onscreen character's actions are controlled by his real life movement.
"When I first played I was in a wheelchair, now I'm standing and I can box normal," he said."

more...Wii-habilitation has Edmonton patients on their toes:

Roomba Trails

2007-12-07T04:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Roomba wandered out to the garage -- and got creative with the sawdust pile under the tablesaw. Eventually (after about 3 dumpings) he did manage to clean it up and then made his way back into the carpet.

Record Saver Article

2007-12-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

"You’ve been waiting 25 years for the record company to release your favorite William Shatner Sings record onto CD and it just hasn’t happened. What gives? Don’t these people know about talent? Wait no longer. Make your own. Don’t be afraid. If you can put a record on a turntable and push one button, you’re in business with a LP Saver Phono/CD Recorder. It’s really that simple.

Now you can take your old records and bring them into the digital era! This great gadget is able to convert all of your old records to CDs, iPod, MP3 or any other digital files. All you need to do to record your records to CD is simply plug this one-of-a-kind three-speed (33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM) USB Turntable right into your PC. "

firstSTREETReports.com Article:

Parade of Lights

2007-12-02T02:45:00.000-07:00

Despite winds gusting over 30 mph, biting horizontal sleet and winter storm warnings in effect -- we assembled the float and (did I mention the winds) after a delayed start made it through the parade in tact -- well, mostly.

Here is a photo of the Grand Valley Blue Star Moms float in the Parade of Lights.

Studio Happenings: Getting the Shop in Shop shape

2007-11-28T00:09:00.000-07:00

Studio Happenings: Getting the Shop in Shop shape
Click to view the photo blog

Stop before you gripe

2007-11-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” - C.S. Lewis

Michelle Malkin » Stop before you gripe: "My column this week reflects on pain, compassion, gratitude, and some simple Thanksgiving advice. Feel free to share your favorite Thanksgiving traditions, recipes, and prayers here. I’m making a Thanksgiving tree with my kids. We trace their hands on colored construction paper, write down the things they’re thankful for, and tape up the tree and the hand leaves in the dining room. My kids are my greatest blessing."

Click on the heading above to read the entire column and information on the
Johnson family -- a family that has endured the worst -- from severe head
injuries in an IED attack to the loss of lives in a car crash.

Catching a Rainbow

2007-11-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

Turkey Day Trivia

2007-11-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

The first Thanksgiving feast was held in the autumn of 1621, during three days of prayer and feasting by the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony and their Native American guests, members of the Wampanoag tribe. However, the first national Thanksgiving Day was not celebrated until November 26, 1789, as proclaimed by George Washington.

It is said most people get very sleepy after a big Thanksgiving meal because of a sleep-inducing chemical found in turkey meat. Eating a lot of turkey at Thanksgiving is not the only thing that makes people sleepy. Although turkey meat does contain tryptophan--an amino acid which the brain turns into serotonin, a chemical that calms us down and helps us sleep--it is a combination of factors that make us sleepy after the big feast. All the carbohydrates--like potatoes, stuffing, yams, bread, and pie--are also partly to blame, as well as eating to the brim; so much digestion
activity diverts blood from the brain to the digestive system.

The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has become one of the most popular customs of the holiday's celebrations, attracting thousands of visitors to New York City and millions of TV viewers. Santa Claus makes an appearance at the parade's finale to signal the beginning of the Christmas shopping season?

In the mid-19th century, Godey's Lady's Book, under the leadership of editor Sarah Josepha Hale, led a long and committed campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Hale and her magazine succeeded when President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863. Thanksgiving had previously been celebrated in New England and gradually spread to other states, but it was not always on the same day.
Godey's Lady's Book has been described as the most popular women's magazine of its time. As its editor--and as the first female editor of a major magazine--Hale influenced the attitudes, fashion, and manners of her Godey's Ladies Book readers. She is also famous for her well-known children's verse Mary Had a Little Lamb, published in 1830.

The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys traditionally host football (NFL) games on Thanksgiving Day. The Detroit Lions have held their football-on-Thanksgiving tradition since 1934, except for a six-season gap from 1939 to 1944 during World War II. The Dallas Cowboys have hosted Thanksgiving Day games since 1966, missing play only in 1975 and 1977. Many
Americans digest their holiday meal while watching football games on television. High viewership of these games has made football an American Thanksgiving tradition.

The cornucopia, or "horn of plenty," symbolizes the abundance of the feast, and is often depicted overflowing with food and flowers. It originated in Greece. In Greek mythology, it is one of the horns of the goat Amaltheia, which was caused by Zeus to refill itself indefinitely with food and drink.

In the United States, Thanksgiving is an annual holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, as established by Parliament in 1957. The first Canadian Thanksgiving was held on April 15, 1872, as a thankful celebration for the recovery of the future King Edward VII from a serious illness. Canadians also celebrate Thanksgiving with big feasts and parades. The second Monday of October is also Columbus Day in both the US and Canada.

Benjamin Franklin, a prominent figure in American history wanted to declare the wild turkey, not the bald eagle, as the National Bird? In a letter to his daughter from 1784, Franklin stated, "For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character...For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America."

In 1939 President Franklin Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving Day from the last Thursday in November to one week earlier to allow for an extra week of shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many Americans objected to the change in their holiday customs and continued to celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of the month. Roosevelt's political opponents in Congress also opposed the break with tradition and dubbed the early holiday "Franksgiving." In May 1941 Roosevelt admitted that he had made a mistake and signed a bill that established the fourth Thursday of November as the national Thanksgiving holiday, which it has been ever since.

When the 90 members of the Wampanoag tribe joined the 52 colonists for the first Thanksgiving meal in Plymouth in 1621, they brought with them at least five deer. There are only two surviving descriptions of the first Thanksgiving: a letter by one of the colonists, and a passage in a book written by William Bradford, the governor of the colony.
However, neither of these descriptions mentions cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, or chestnut stuffing as being part of the feast.